Christmas in July? Your spiritual need to know this summer. WILTSHIRE- based crystal and healing specialist, Something Kind of Woo, prepares for Christmas in July.
Louise Muir-Sage, founder of Something Kind of Woo in Royal Wootton Bassett, shares the tradition of Christmas in July. And the importance of thinking ahead, especially for entrepreneurs.
Originating in the USA in 1930s, Christmas in July centres around recreating December traditions in the summer sun. Since then, many retailers and communities across the world have embraced the idea.
Necessity – the mother of invention
Louise’s approach to Christmas in July came from necessity.
‘As an entrepreneur and retailer, preparing is essential in everything you do. So yes, I’m thinking of Christmas in July,’ she said. ‘I know there are people who find talking about Christmas in November a massive pet peeve. Believe me, I understand!’
‘As an entrepreneur and retailer, preparing is essential in everything you do. So yes, I’m thinking of Christmas in July,’ she said. ‘I know there are people who find talking about Christmas in November a massive pet peeve. Believe me, I understand!’
‘Christmas in July is not only about embracing festivity and community, but also a perfect opportunity to take the stress away from winter. It allows people to prepare for the most expensive time of the year.’
Louise is setting out to relieve stress around festivity both for others and herself.
‘I’ve heard from customers how stressful the winter period is. I’ve had customers enter my shop in a frenzy – grabbing presents, decorations and advent calendars last minute,’ she continued. ‘The festive period can take a toll.’
Christmas in July? – Louise Muir Sage owner of Something Kind of Woo in Royal Wootton Bassett
Planning is key
Business owners must plan far in advance. We need to consider our stock, marketing strategy, social media content – all the good stuff! Whilst thinking about Christmas in July might seem strange to some, it allows me to relax and enjoy the festive period when it rolls around at last.’
A titular Something Kind of Woo festive product is Louise’s advent calendar.
‘It’s my most talked about product. The advent calendar contains 24 individually wrapped gifts covering 1st December to 24th December, unlike other bespoke calendars which usually have only 12 doors for the whole month.’
Plus, our calendars come with a daily email explaining the gift and how to use it. The popularity of the calendar has grown over the years and it’s a joy to do!’
Last year, I sold 22 advent calendars. Already in 2026, 40 have been pre-ordered with 70% of Louise’s stock already sold.
This year, Louise is changing things up.
‘One person who buys a calendar for Christmas 2026, will win a free calendar for 2027,’ said Louise. ‘Another lucky person who purchases this year’s calendar will win a 50% discount on next year’s one. It guarantees the perfect gift for your future self.’
The ‘Something Kind of Woo Christmas Advent Calendar’ can be pre-ordered for £65, the contents worth over £100.
In June 2025, Louise opened spiritual emporium, Something Kind of Woo in Royal Wootton Bassett. And then, two months later, Something Kind of Woo Too, a space next door for Reiki and spiritual treatments. She hosts monthly Coffee & Crystal events across Swindon and Wiltshire. To found out more visit: https://somethingkindofwoo.co.uk/
Let’s Create Art Club Shortlisted for prestigious award. SWINDON-BASED Let’s Create Art Club has made the shortlist for the UK’s first awards dedicated to class-based businesses.
The art club finds itself named a finalist in the ‘High Performing Business of the Year’ category at The Class Business Awards, run by The Children’s Activity Business Club. The awards highlight the UK’s thriving class business sector. It includes:
children’s activity providers
adult activity providers
schools
gyms
yoga classes as well as community organisations and spaces.
The awards celebrate the achievements of the people, brands and stories behind this industry.
Six finalists
Let’s Create Art Club is one of six finalists who were all selected by industry experts. The ‘High Performing Business of the Year’ category recognises established organisations providing excellence both in their operations and delivery of classes.
Rachel Bray, founder and artist, said:
Let’s Create Art Club is one of six finalists who were all selected by industry experts. The ‘High Performing Business of the Year’ category recognises established organisations providing excellence both in their operations and delivery of classes.
Rachel Bray, founder and artist, said:
‘We’re so proud to get this recognition at The Class Business Awards. To be a finalist in the High Performing Business category is a huge honour. It recognises all the hard work and dedication that has gone into growing the business and supporting children over the years. It’s something we’re proud of and we’re grateful to everyone who has been part of the journey so far.’
Let’s Create Art Club Shortlisted – Rachel Bray
Anniversary
This national recognition comes as Let’s Create Art Club approaches its seventh anniversary. Further, it’s set to have their most successful year to date with:
14 after school art clubs
4 let’s move activity clubs
weekend workshops and …
… the continuation of their popular holiday art camps.
Established in 2020, the club’s mission is to allow children to explore painting, drawing, sculpture and design in a safe, fun and pressure-free environment.
‘When I first started my business, I grew it organically by responding to the demand I was receiving to make art and creativity accessible to children and young people. It’s now grown to 18 weekly clubs reaching over 300 children. And we are looking to the future to reach as many children as possible.’
‘It’s super exciting to get recognised in such a prestigious category among other nominees. I can’t wait to celebrate with them all in October!’
There’ll be an announcement of the class business awards winners on Saturday 10th October at the National Conference Centre in Solihull.
Let’s Create Art Club is heading into a busy summer. They’re kicking off their ‘Summer Art Camp’ in August as well as hosting a local art exhibition, created by Swindon’s young people. The entries are showcased at the Richard Jefferies Museum in South Swindon. The club is a member of the Institute of Children’s Activity Providers (ICAP), ensuring the club meets high standards for safety, inclusion and engagement. They were 2025 finalists at the Institute of Children’s Activity Providers (ICAP) awards in the ‘Rising Star – Outstanding achievement in growth and vision for the future’ category.
Summer of Family Fun Awaits at the Town Gardens Bowl.
South Swindon parish council (SSPC) invites families to make the most of the summer holidays. They’ve got an exciting programme of live entertainment at the Town Gardens Bowl. The programme offers everything from:
magical adventures
interactive theatre …
… to music, comedy and action-packed wrestling.
Set in the heart of Swindon’s historic Town Gardens, the open-air venue will host six family-friendly events over two weeks. Thus giving parents and grandparents plenty of opportunities to enjoy affordable days out together during the school holidays. The programme forms part of the Town Gardens Bowl’s 90th anniversary season. And it follows SSPC’s commitment to making live entertainment more accessible for local families.
Summer of Family Fun Awaits at the Town Gardens Bowl
What’s on
Comedy Club 4 Kids – Thursday 23 July The hit comedy show designed especially for children returns with some of the UK’s funniest comedians. All delivering a fun family afternoon packed with laughs.
The Great Baldini: The Family Magic Show – Tuesday 28 July Expect mind-blowing magic, hilarious comedy and audience participation from one of Britain’s most entertaining magicians.
Rock The Tots: Summer Party! – Wednesday 29 July A fun-filled interactive concert for babies, toddlers and young children. It features live music, bubbles, puppets and plenty of opportunities to dance and sing along.
The Mushroom Show – Thursday 30 July Award-winning Scratchworks Theatre combines:
science
storytelling
music and imaginative play in a unique theatrical adventure exploring the hidden world beneath our feet.
KAPOW Wrestling – Saturday 1 August Larger-than-life characters and spectacular athleticism come together as KAPOW Wrestling returns to the Bowl with another action-packed afternoon.
Alice in Wonderland: The Ballet – Sunday 2 August A beautifully choreographed outdoor ballet brings Lewis Carroll’s timeless tale to life. Alice, the White Rabbit, the Mad Hatter and the Queen of Hearts takwa audiences on a magical journey through Wonderland.
Councillor John Firmin, Chair of the Events Working Party at South Swindon Parish Council, said:
The Town Gardens Bowl has always been a place where families can come together to enjoy unforgettable live experiences. We’re delighted to be offering such a varied programme this summer, with something to entertain children of all ages. Whether that’s comedy, music, theatre, magic, ballet or wrestling. We hope families from across Swindon and beyond will join us for what promises to be a fantastic summer at one of the town’s most unique outdoor venues.’
The price is right
Making the programme even more affordable are the reduced family ticket prices. That’s part of the Government’s Great British Summer Savings initiative. Some children’s tickets are available from as little as £3.50.
The Town Gardens Bowl, one of only a handful of surviving historic open-air bowls in the country, has entertained audiences since 1936. It continues to host a diverse programme of music, theatre, comedy and community events each summer.
Tickets for all events are on sale now. SSPC recommend early booking.
Rare Book Returns to Wiltshire. A rare first edition of Bleak House by Charles Dickens is returning to its historic Wiltshire home. Its owner, Victoria Miles from Vancouver, Canada, decided the treasured book should return to Chiseldon. It’s returned to the home of its first owners, the Calley family of Burderop Park.
Published in 1853, the famous Victorian novel tells the story of the Jarndyce family. They became embroiled in a dispute around the inheritance of a fortune – all wrapped up in a murder mystery. As with much of Dicken’s work the novel first went into to print as as series of articles, from 1851.
Victoria’s father, Larry Candido, bought this particular edition for £12 from a London bookshop, almost 20 years ago.
Bookplate
It bears a bookplate inside its front cover bearing the coat of arms of the Calley family. And the name of Thomas Charles Pleydell Calley of Burderop Park, Wiltshire. The book is rare and thought to have a value of at least £300.
Rare Book Returns to Wiltshire – Copy of Bleak House showing the book plate
Realising its historical connection to Wiltshire, Victoria contacted Chiseldon Local History Group (CLHG) offering to donate it to their museum.
Victoria said: ‘My husband and I are both excited to visit England in November. We’ll meet the community in Wiltshire who already care as much about preserving the book as we do.
It bears a bookplate inside its front cover bearing the coat of arms of the Calley family. And the name of Thomas Charles Pleydell Calley of Burderop Park, Wiltshire. The book is rare and thought to have a value of at least £300.
Realising its historical connection to Wiltshire, Victoria contacted Chiseldon Local History Group (CLHG) offering to donate it to their museum.
Victoria said: ‘My husband and I are both excited to visit England in November. We’ll meet the community in Wiltshire who already care as much about preserving the book as we do.
‘Repatriating this book to Burderop Park is a great privilege. We’re so appreciative of the care and commitment the Chiseldon Local History Group and Arthur Dallimer have expressed to us as the book’s future custodians.’
Chiseldon Local History Group Spokesperson
Elaine Jones, Chairperson of CLHG, said: ‘It was a surprise and a delight to receive such an intriguing email from so far away. All the contents of Burderop Park went up for sale when Miss Joan Calley, the last of the direct line, died in 1972. It would be fantastic to have a tangible link to the Calley family, who had lived at Burderop Park since 1619, returned to its home parish. Major General T C P Calley (Thomas) was such a prominent figure, both in public life and in the local area.
‘Yet, it presented us with a problem. While we could display Victoria’s book on museum open days, the building is not temperature controlled. Further, it’s damp which would not be good for such a fragile object.
‘Then we had an idea! Why not contact Arthur, the current owner of Burderop Park? It’s once again a family home after almost 50 years as the HQ of the civil engineering company, Halcrow. We had met Arthur when he kindly hosted group members at his restored home and showed us round the house and grounds last year. The delighted Arthur, accepted our offer to house the precious book as a long term loan from Chiseldon Local History Group.’
Major General Thomas Calley CB CBE MVO, son of Henry Calley, lived between 1856 and 1932. He was a British Army officer in the Life Guards and led them at Queen Victoria’s funeral in 1901. Furhter he served in many places including in the Second Boer War where he had a horse shot from under him. Major Calley was also, for a short period, a Member of Parliament for Cricklad – elected in early 1910. He then lost his seat at the end of that year.
A friend to the royal family, Calley served as Silver Stick in Waiting at the Coronation of Edward VII in 1902. He was a Mason and a Swindon Lodge takes his name. He particularly supported the British Legion and hosted the annual Wiltshire rally at Burderop Park. Locally he was patron of many village organisations such as Chiseldon Cricket Club. After his death a new British Legion hall was built in the village and named in his memory.
Burderop Manor
Arthur is now the custodian of Burderop Manor and is passionate about heritage, arts and culture generally and an advocate for preserving local history.
He said: ‘This is a wonderful example of history finding its way home. The book is of course delicate and deserves preservation in the right environment. I’m pleased to accept a long term loan for it at Burderop House while ensuring it remains accessible as part of Chiseldon’s local heritage.’
Victoria has also accepted an invitation from Arthur to visit Burderop Manor to make a formal presentation of the book to the Chiseldon community later this year. Thus bringing its remarkable journey full circle.
Chiseldon Local History Group dedicates itself to researching, preserving and sharing the rich history of Chiseldon and its surrounding communities. The group has a museum in The Old Chapel in Butts Road. It’s open every Saturday between 2pm and 4pm until the end of September 2026.
Run by volunteers, entry to the museum is free.
Working with local residents, historians and organisations, the group helps protect important artefacts and historical records for future generations. For more information visit chiseldonlhg.org.uk
Anything but a bleak house – The Bothy in the Bothy Gardens at Burderop:
Signal 2026 Programme Announcedengaging more young people in more places than ever before engaging more young people in more places than ever before.
Signal Festival, Swindon’s dedicated youth arts festival, is now accepting bookings for its full 2026 programme. There’s over 50 events taking place across the town. And a wider age range of 9 to 25-year-olds able to take part for the first time.
Organised by Prime Theatre and delivered in partnership with more than 40 partner organisations and artists, Signal Festival will run from Friday 24 July to Saturday 1 August 2026. It’s bringing performances, workshops and exhibitions to venues across Swindon. This year’s programme places a strong emphasis on whole-day events at key community venues including:
Town Gardens
Richard Jefferies Museum and …
… The Platform. All helping to open up the festival to even more people across the town.
Having before welcomed young people aged 11 to 25, Signal Festival 2026 broadens its reach to include children from the age of nine. Thus reflecting the festival’s ambition to engage more young people in more places than ever before.
Signal 2026 Programme Announced
Over fifty events
With over fifty events spanning music, dance, theatre, spoken word, digital and visual arts, this year’s programme offers something for every young creative in Swindon. Whether they’re picking up a paintbrush, microphone or camera for the first time, or showcasing skills they’ve been developing for years.
Councillor Matthew Vallender, Cabinet Member for Culture, Planning and Regeneration, Swindon Borough Council, said:
‘Signal Festival is a fantastic celebration of Swindon’s young creative talent. And it’s inspiring to see so many young people shaping the festival themselves. It’s exciting to hear more about the planned workshops and to speak with everyone involved.’
Louise Aust, Signal Festival Young Producer, said:
‘We’ve loved putting together this year’s programme. Expanding our age range and working with more venues has helped us create a diverse and exciting programme of events that celebrates Swindon’s creativity.’
The full programme, including information on how to book events, is available now at signalfestival.co.uk. Many events are free, while others cost a mere £3. Organisers are encouraging families, schools and young people across Swindon to explore the line-up and find something that inspires them.
Signal Festival 2026 will run from Friday 24 July to Saturday 1 August. Events will take place at venues across Swindon.
To find out more, visit signalfestival.co.uk. Or follow @signalfestivalswindon on Facebook, Instagram and other social media platforms.
