This update on the ongoing work on Milton Road baths, AKA, the health hydro, comes via the Friends of the Health Hydro and Swindon Borough Council.
The Turkish Baths, in the Health Hydro in Milton Road, are the oldest Victorian Turkish Baths still operating. They’ll be closed for a while longer when the building is reopened, because of the work being carried out on the roof.
Ceramic brick work inside the Turkish baths in the health hydro in SwindonThe Turkish baths inside the the health hydro Swindon – Turkish Baths Roof Emergency Work
Investment
Thanks to investment from Historic England’s Heritage at Risk Capital Fund, specialist conservation teams are beginning work to improve the roof of the Turkish Baths Relaxation Room. This essential phase will safeguard the structure. It’ll prevent further water ingress. Thus ensuring the restoration and upgrade of the interior in a future stage of works.
Phase one works to transform the main entrance, gym, changing rooms and plant areas are nearing completion. Meanwhile, the improvements to restore the Turkish Baths will take longer. That means the baths will not reopen along with the fitness area, changing rooms and main pool in early 2026.
Councillor Marina Strinkovsky, Swindon Borough Council’s Cabinet Member for Placemaking and Planning, said: ‘The Turkish Baths are so iconic. That’s why it’s important we take the time to do this refurbishment as it should be done. Ensuring the roof is weatherproof and secure will be key to making improvements to the interior possible.
‘I’m sad that the baths won’t be reopening along with the gym and the pool. But we’re working hard on funding and refurbishment plans to reopen them as soon as possible.’
Swindon Borough Council has now received planning permission for a second phase of works. This will focus on the main pool and include improvements to the ventilation, accessibility and environmental performance of the main swimming area. All alongside further conservation and restoration work.
The council is working hard to find and secure funding for it.
Barnaby Rich, Swindon Partnership Manager at GLL, the charitable social enterprise that operates the Health Hydro added: “We’re supportive of SBC’s efforts to restore and revitalise the Health Hydro. And the phased approach to what are complex renovations.
‘Restoring the roof of the Turkish Baths relaxation room is an important first step. One which will then enable interior works to take place in due course.’
With the phase one works finishing soon, the Health Hydro will reopen to the public early in 2026. The council and GLL will share more details soon.
Town Gardens Free Christmas Event. This December, South Swindon Parish Council is proud to present a brand-new winter attraction. It’s right in the heart of Swindon’s Old Town, inside the beautiful Town Gardens. And it’s completely free to join in the fun!
The Town Gardens will come to life with a range of free-to-access activities, suitable for all ages. They’ll happen between 12pm and 4pm on 13th, 14th, 20th and 21st December 2025.
Town Gardens Free Christmas Event
What’s occurring?
Visitors can expect a wonderland of Christmas entertainment that celebrates the best of Swindon’s local businesses and artistic talent. Drop in to Santa’s Craft Corner, near the Town Gardens Café. There the whole family will be guided through engaging festive craft projects, perfect for everyone. Stop by a festive food stall and grab yourself and your loved ones a festive tipple from Fandangos’ licensed bar. All while experiencing the diversity of Swindon’s live music offering on the Town Gardens Bandstand. With a range of performances from:
Swindon Hindu Centre
Rhythmix Goa
The Commonweal School
Swindon Brass and many more, there’s something for everyone to enjoy!
To complete a visit to the Town Gardens this December, make sure to marvel at a whimsical garden of giant interactive plants. They’re brought to you by the award-winning Air Giants. All before following Swindon Culture Collective’s Magical Lantern Forest deep into the gardens.
Take advantage of free face-painting and glitter art available throughout the day. And visits from beloved Christmas characters throughout each day – including the big man, Santa, himself. All complemented by a choice of drop-in workshops and performances from:
Stilt Walkers UK
Swindon Circus and Outdoor Arts Project
The Bubble Master and …
… Swindon Story Shed.
Tickets not needed
There’s no need to book tickets. All you have to do is turn up between 12pm and 4pm on 13th, 14th, 20th and 21st December 2025 at the Town Gardens, Old Town, SN1 4EX. Parking is available at The Commonweal School for attendees of Christmas in the Town Gardens.
To keep up to date with what’s going on, be sure to follow @SouthSwindonParish on Facebook and Instagram.
Cllr Rebecca Banwell-Moore, Vice-Chair of South Swindon Parish Council, said:
‘We know how much families have enjoyed the Enchanted Gardens Light Trail. But with rising costs, we wanted to offer something everyone can come along and enjoy – without it breaking the bank! We’re delighted to be bringing festive family fun to the Town Gardens this December. With live music, a great community atmosphere, and food and drink stalls with all the treats and flavours of Christmas.’
Swindon Tattoo Artist Finds Apprentice. Award-winning Swindon tattoo artist Tarren Malham had long struggled to find a committed apprentice. She needed someone dedicated to mastering the craft. Someone who’d be a stickler for high standards, but the right candidate remained elusive. Until she realised the perfect person was right under her nose!
And now Tarren (known as Taz), who runs Ruby Lou’s Tattoo Studio, is celebrating as her best friend Liz Dowdell – who she first met 20 years ago – is about to qualify.
Eighteen years’ experience
Taz has been a tattoo artist for 18 years. First as an apprentice herself and then founding Ruby Lou’s in 2011. She’s gone on to win a national award for her tattooing at an industry convention, and is also a published book illustrator.
Keen to bring others into the industry and passionate about maintaining the highest levels of skill and hygiene, Taz was delighted when Liz applied for an apprenticeship.
Now, two years on, Liz is about to become qualified, and will team up with Taz at her studio in the Orbit Centre in Ashcroft Road.
‘I’ve always been artistic. I’ve got a degree in children’s book illustration, so I was lucky enough to get an apprenticeship in Swindon. And that led to a full-time job,’ said Taz.
Swindon Tattoo Artist Finds Apprentice- Liz Dowdell (left) and Taz Malham of Ruby Lous tattoo studio
Entrepreneurial spirit
‘I wanted to set up my own business and particularly wanted to run a female-led tattoo studio, in what was then a male-dominated industry. I trialled one or two apprentices, but they weren’t what I was looking for. When Liz said she wanted to train, I was over the moon!’
Liz is now looking forward to embarking on her career as a qualified tattoo artist.
Liz said: ‘We’ve been best friends since the day we met. I’ve sort of lived Taz’s tattoo apprenticeship journey with her. When my children were a bit older, the time was right for me to join as an apprentice, and I haven’t looked back.’
As well as creating exceptional designs on skin, Ruby Lou’s also specialises in brow and scalp micropigmentation, to give the appearance of hair. And Taz is often recommended by a local surgeon to create areola tattoos for women who’ve undergone breast cancer surgery.
While the tattooing industry remains unregulated, Taz believes it’s too easy for people to take a short course, often online, and set up their studios.
She said: ‘The way to becoming a qualified tattoo artist is to take an apprenticeship in a reputable tattoo studio. That’s one with an experienced practitioner. Then, learn everything there is to know about tattooing and,most important, high standards of hygiene.’
Taz and Liz are now looking forward to growing the business. As both have ADHD, they particularly welcome neurodiverse people among their clients, providing a safe space and calming atmosphere.
Interview with Ben Goffe. Sleeping Beauty is set to cast its spell over Swindon this Christmas. And back at the Wyvern Theatre for a second-year running is the brilliant Ben Goffe, who’ll be playing Muddles. We caught up with Ben to chat about his return to the stage this festive season.
Returned to Swindon
So Ben, you’re back in Swindon again this year… I’m thrilled to be back at the Wyvern Theatre in Swindon playing Muddles the Jester in this year’s panto, Sleeping Beauty. I so loved it last year, and I’m so excited to be returning. It actually feels like coming home!
So, it sounds like you’ve found your happy place on the Wyvern Stage?
Yes! It’s fantastic. I’ve been in the business for 25 years and done 18 pantomimes all over the UK, but I had the best time in Swindon. Last year, I loved hearing Dash (David Ashley) talk about families who always sit in the same seats waving from the front row every Christmas. And I’m looking forward to seeing those familiar faces again. And the Swindon audiences were so incredible…
Interview with Ben Goffe – Ben outside the Wyvern Theatre in costume as Muddles the Jester
David Ashley
Speaking of Dash, he’s a bit of a Swindon Legend, with over a decade of pantos at the Wyvern under his belt. Do you enjoy working with him?
Yes, he’s been in the panto for YEARS! It’s amazing. And you’re right, he’s such a legend of the Wyvern stage. The audience all know him and love him and to be back working with him again is brilliant. We had such a laugh last year. I can’t wait to do it all over again.
Award nomination
You were also nominated for Best Comic in the UK Pantomime Awards last year. That must’ve felt pretty special?
Oh, absolutely! I couldn’t believe it, to be honest. It was my first time as the principal comic, so when people backstage were saying, ‘Oh, you might get nominated,’ I was like, no chance! But then I made it into the final five alongside some comedy heavyweights like Steve Royle and Johnny Mac. All people I’ve admired for years. Being nominated was amazing. When Steve won, I congratulated him and he told me it was his first nomination too, after 25 years in the business. So I said, ‘Well done mate but next year, it’s mine!’ (laughs)
So, no pressure this year then?!
Ha yeah… a little bit! Last year we had tap dancing, trumpet playing, I threw all my tricks at it! So, I did think, ‘What else can I give the Swindon audiences this year?’ I’m gonna have to pull something special out of the bag that’s for sure!
But I love that this year the audience also knows me. It makes the whole show even more special and people love coming back for the familiar faces and in-jokes. So maybe I’ll get away with it. That’s one of the best things about panto, it’s like being part of one big family.
New faces
And you’ve got a new face joining the family this year with Jenny Ryan from The Chase!
Jenny’s joining us as our baddie, and she’s going to be brilliant. We did our press shoot back in May saying ‘Merry Christmas!’ in spring, as you do in panto and we had such a laugh. I’ve heard that she’s fantastic on stage, and I can’t wait to see her unleash her inner villain. Of course, audiences will know her as The Vixen from The Chase. So I’m sure a bit of that will sneak into her performance, but with a little more glitter and a lot more boos!
What are you most looking forward to this season?
I’ve said it before, but I’ll say it again… Definitely the audiences. They were so warm and welcoming last year. And that goes for everyone at the Wyvern too, the front-of-house team, the box office, backstage crew, wardrobe, everyone. It’s such a lovely theatre family. Oh, and of course, I’m looking forward to visiting the Cornish Bakehouse again, can’t forget that!
Nice plug there Ben… are you hoping for some freebies?
Maybe! You never know if I mention them enough, maybe they’ll sneak a pasty or two into my dressing room. I’ll take a cheese and onion, please!
Finally, why should Swindon families come along to see Sleeping Beauty?
Because it’s going to be magical! You’ll laugh, you’ll boo, you’ll cheer, and you might even see me fall over a few times…on purpose, of course! It’s the perfect festive treat for the whole family.
This year’s panto promises to have all the traditional panto elements you know and love – bags of comedy, oodles of magic and tons of fun. It’s the is the perfect festive treat, full of sparkle and spectacle, to make those magical memories with all the family.
Coffee and Crystals Celebrates Anniversary. WILTSHIRE-BASED entrepreneur Louise Muir-Sage, Reiki practitioner and founder of Something Kind of Woo in Royal Wootton Bassett, is celebrating one year of running her Coffee and Crystals events.
The monthly Coffee and Crystals have been taking place on the high street of Royal Wootton Bassett. All at The Little Gem since Louise launched the meet-up in November 2024.
‘I started Coffee & Crystals after a trip to Cornwall. I’ve always had a dream about owning a little coffee shop somewhere like Perranporth’ said Louise. ‘When I came back to Royal Wootton Bassett, I told Gemma at The Little Gem, that I wanted to have a coffee shop like hers. One that would also sell crystals and that I’d call it Coffee & Crystals. She suggested we do it and I’ve not looked back since.’
Coffee and Crystals Celebrates Anniversary – a coffee and crystals event
How the events work
Louise designs the events to unlock the mystical world of crystals. They allow attendees to learn how they work, how to use them and what they can help you with both physically and mentally.
‘My Coffee & Crystal events are an informal and kind space for the community to get involved with crystals,’ said Louise. ‘Since we started, I’ve held 22 sessions and welcomed over 200 attendees.’
Participants learn practical skills of how to care for your variety of crystals. This includes charging, cleaning and placing crystals in the home. Each month focuses on different types of crystals and the energies related to the time of year.
These low cost events have gained attention in the year since their inception. The one-year anniversary ‘Coffee and Crystals’ was a sell-out. 20 participants learned about the properties and applications of topaz.
Louise’s Coffee and Crystals events will continue into the new year, with a packed programme of information and activities. A Swindon venue will be launching in the new year.
Getting involved with a spiritual side is so accessible with Something Kind of Woo. Louise’s shop is Royal Wootton Bassett’s high street, where customers can find crystals and healing sessions with Something Kind of Woo Too.
