Only yesterday I put together a post about a long-standing piece of Swindon’s public art. Namely the Tricentre Chi Sculpturein the town centre dating to 1991. But for this post we come up-to-date with the plough horse sculpture on the Gablecross* roundabout.
*Now nicknamed the stablecross roundabout! Ha!
The Plough Horse Sculpture on Gablecross roundabout – with thanks to Strolling in Swindon for the image.
Commissioned as part of Swindon’s New Eastern Village development, finance for it came from section 106 developer funding. What that means is that money was allocated for the explicit purpose. Ergo SBC haven’t spent any of your money on it!
I do hope there’s a strategy in place for taking care of this new piece of public art. I can’t tell you how much it frustrates me that Swindon is blessed with so much public art – yet none of it cared for. The West Swindon sculpture trail being a case in point. But I digress.
I’ve not seen this work in the (horse) flesh as it were – the photos here are courtesy of the Strolling in Swindon Facebook page – link to it under the featured image. It looks perfectly fine from here but it would be nice to get a proper look at sometime. Anyway, the reason for the horse is to reference Swindon’s rural and farming heritage. Well … that’s okay as it goes – but surely we can say that about anywhere in the country? Swindon wasn’t/isn’t on its own in having that?
And still no pig!
So – we’re collecting quite the menagerie now. We’ve got this horse. We’ve also got the cow at the GWH and the ram sculpture on the site of the old cattle market in Old Town. But STILL no HAM. Given that Swindon is alleged (though it’s by no means certain) to have got its name from pigs – Swinedune – (maybe) surely we should have something that references that? Even if it is a myth.
So this post is about a thing – not a new thing – but a thing that I’ve not got around to putting on the blog until now. I’ve no idea why. I lose the plot on a regular basis. The public art that I’ve covered so far you’ll find here.
The subject of this post, the Chi sculpture by the Tricentre (Allied Dunbar Tricentre as was) had its unveiling in 1991. And that would be around the time I came to Swindon. Though I’ve not been writing this blog all that time.
Tricentre Chi Sculpture Swindon – photo courtesy of Chris Eley
There’s a lovely picture of it here on the Local Studies Flickr. On that picture its surroundings look rather different – it’s circled by benches for one thing.
About Chi
Artist : Michael Warren who made the sculpturefrom core-ten steel. Bought by Allied Dunbar PLC – now Zurich – this abstract sculpture takes its title from the Greek for the letter X. The artist said one can freely read it as a kind of mythic circle.
The sculpture is dedicated to the architect, Brian Carter.
Lord Palumbo, the then chairman of the arts council, presided at the unveiling of the sculpture.
At the time (1991) Chi comprised the latest sculpture provided to Swindon under Thamesdown Council’s per cent for art scheme with other funding coming from Allied Dunbar’s charitable trust.
The per cent for art scheme helped the West Swindon sculptures into existence. Find out more about the West Swindon sculpture walk here. Indeed, as the then Thamesdown mayor said: Per Cent for Art is an important way in which business can visibly benefit the community as a whole. In this particular case, the sculpture will also be a lasting tribute to Allied Dunbar’srecord of service to the local community.’
Before anyone says it, I’m aware that The Drink Valley Swindon is a venue not a singular drink. But:
1. It’s an independent business in the town centre deserving of a mention. 2. I’ve covered an individual drink that I often buy there to drink at home in this post: https://swindonian.me/2021/08/26/13-hercule-belgian-stout/ I flipping love that stout.
The Drink Valley in Swindon
The Drink Valley then is, as the logo above suggests, a bar, micro brewery and shop for craft beers on Fleet Square in Swindon. The place also serves some jolly tasty Indian food.
The outside seating area
From their website – paraphrased:
The Drink Valley is something of a dream project for brewers and beer sommeliers that have spent a decade working in the brewing and distilling industry.
We’ve chosen all our products to support both local and national brands. We bring to our business our expert knowledge of different types and styles of craft beers.
A few pics of the venue
If pushed I’d have to admit that the place lacks a bit of ambience and atmosphere. And I don’t understand the gorillas. I’m not saying I don’t like them – I merely don’t get them. Anyway, I proper love ambience and atmosphere – as evidenced by the not inconsiderable sums of money that I spend on tea-lights and candles. BUT – I can/do/will sacrifice it for good food and good beer. And both are available here.
The food
You can see the food menu on the website here – and it is jolly tasty too. Below some of the Indian deliciousness enjoyed when I visited shortly before Christmas. The bhajis, samosas, rice and dahl and railway chicken curry were all super tasty.
Find them on social media
They have events happening so check out their website to see what they’re up to and for their opening hours and so on. Find it here: https://thedrinkvalley.com
All-in-all then, here is an independent, town centre business that deserves support. While I don’t subscribe to the tiresome and tired old ‘no-one goes to the town centre’ trope, I’m not denying our town couldn’t be better. But we can all help here y’know? Support what we have and more will surely come?
A RARE AETHELSTAN COIN WILL BE UNVEILED AT THE WILTSHIRE MUSEUM BEARING HIS NAME
Rare King Athelstan Coin Unveiled – Photo shows the rare King Aethelstan silver penny recently purchased by the Athelstan Museum in Malmesbury and being displayed from early 2023.Â
Rare King Athelstan Coin Unveiled. A rare coin showing King Aethelstan’s crowned head and describing him as ‘King of All Britain’ will soon be displayed at the Athelstan Museum in Malmesbury.
Volunteer Jonathan Tucker, who is also a trustee, who spotted that such a rare coin was coming up for auction. Jonathan, an experienced art dealer, specialising in Asian art for over thirty years, has an eye for unusual items.
He said: ‘When I started volunteering at the museum, I realised we didn’t have any exhibit contemporaneous to Athelstan’s life. In particular when he became king and when Malmesbury was his capital. We had later items but nothing from his lifetime or his reign (924-939).
‘I saw this coin come up and approached the museum about it. They granted permission to bid for it on the museum’s behalf.’
The Oxfordshire Mint
The moneyer Æthelmund struck the coin at the Wallingford (Oxfordshire) mint. Very few coins feature both Æthelstan’s portrait and the extended title: Æthelstan rex to Brit, ‘King of All Britons.
This coin does, and is the only penny of Wallingford to do so. The extended title denotes that it was made after he became king of England following his victory over the Vikings.
Rare King Athelstan Coin Unveiled
The museum council paid an undisclosed sum to buy the Anglo-Saxon coin. It’ll be on display in the museum from later in January.
Jonathan said: ‘The museum couldn’t be more delighted to have acquired an object with a direct link to this key figure for Malmesbury’s history. One from whom our museum takes its name. It’s particularly pleasing to have one with his image.’
Susan Mockler, vice chair of the trustees, said: ‘The museum is looking forward to displaying the coin in the New Year. This latest addition will enjoy the new lighting that the musuem is soon to install. It’ll show off the coin to its best advantage. l’m sure it will be much admired for the skill shown by the original makers and for the historic importance it has to our town.’
Sale catalogue notes
The sale catalogue for the coin explained that, when Æthelstan of Wessex, the grandson of Alfred the Great, became king, the country once again fell under the control of a single leader. And the country hadn’t seen that since the height of the Roman Empire.
Æthelstan didn’t miss the significance of that. He celebrated his position as ‘Rex Totius Britanniæ on charters and coins.
The expansion of West-Saxon control also served to increase to the number of burghs striking money for the King. This coin is one of several recent acquisitions to honour the history of Malmesbury
The Athelstan Museum Turner
The Athelstan Museum is also known for its own painting by the celebrated artist Joseph Mallord William Turner RA (1775-1851), showing an aspect of Malmesbury Abbey. More on that here:
ENCHANTING EXPERIENCE IN SWINDON’S OLD TOWN OPENS TO 5 STAR REVIEWS
5 Star Reviews for light trail. South Swindon Parish Council has been welcoming visitors to an enchanting festive experience like no other. It’s in Swindon’s beautiful Town Gardens and, for the last two weeks, has had outstanding reviews.  There’s spectacular, brand-new installations for 2022 . And with a cosy Christmas village around the bandstand, the event promises visitors the perfect evening to celebrate the season.
One visitor said: ‘I cannot recommend this enough, for all the family. It’s so Christmassy, lovely food, lights, music and atmosphere.’
5 Star Reviews for Light Trail – part of the light trail
Another visitor said ‘What a wonderful evening in a very special setting. The trail uses the gardens to its best advantage. We loved the music and especially the lights in the Bowl. The lanterns from the schools were very special and we commend the pupils for these.’
Students from
Lethbridge Primary
Holy Family Catholic Primary
Robert Le Kyng Primary
King William Street Primary and Lainesmead Primary participated in workshops.
Award-winning local children’s author (Really Rather Wild) Kate Claxton helped the children to make lanterns. And they’re now installed in the town gardens as part of the trail.
Cllr Chris Watts, Chair of South Swindon Parish Council, said, ‘We’re excited to be hosting the second Enchanted Garden Light Trail at Town Gardens. After last year’s success, with over twenty-seven thousand visitors, we’re looking forward to welcoming one and all to a new and improved light show extravaganza. The perfect way to start Christmas.’
Cllr Neil Hopkins, Chair of Leisure, Environment and Amenities said, ‘This years’ Light Trail improves on last year’s spectacular event. There are even more installations this year. And almost all different to last year, providing an exciting experience to new and previous visitors.  Through Old Town Rotary we have a car park at Commonweal School from 4th until 22nd December where all proceeds will be going to Prospect Hospice. The Light Trail is operating every evening from 2nd to 31st December apart from Christmas Day and Boxing Day.’
The details
The trail is open until New Year’s Eve – except Christmas Day and Boxing Day. And, with tickets selling fast, this is truly the perfect winter treat for the entire family.
