Here we are with a Swindon festival update. The spring festival of the last two years has had to revert to being the Swindon Festival of Literature. Swindon celebrated that most marvellous annual event for over twenty-five years.
Of course, this switch is due to restrictions imposed to stop the spread of Covid19. The resultant curtailment of live arts activities, plus related funding cuts has rendered the new style spring festival impossible this year.
So, in 2021, we’ve scheduled the literature festival to take place from 3rd to 9th May. It will start with the customary dawn chorus at 5.30am in Lawn Woods on Bank Holiday Monday the 3rd May.
Festival Director Matt Holland said, ‘It’s an ill wind that has blown some good. Covid19 has made us think hard. It’s forced decisive action to ensure an annual spring festival in Swindon celebrating literature and the arts survives.’
I can’t change the direction of the wind, but I can adjust my sails to always reach my destination.
Jimmy Dean
He added, ‘As a written and spoken word-based activity, Literature lends itself to successful presentation in a variety ways. For example:
* author interviews and * discussions and workshops
All work well live, in theatres and libraries, but can also be tailor-made to work online. This means that, whatever restrictions continue into spring a Swindon festival of literature can happen in a three-tier blended fashion.’
He further explains that the best case scenario would be live events in the Arts Centre, Library, Town Hall, Bowl, Lydiard Park, and at Lower Shaw Farm.
Contingency plans
But if, because of the continued need for social distancing, live indoor and outdoor events are not possible, then most festival events will transfer online with ease. Festival organisers can then present them either in real time or as recordings. In other words, one way or another, there will be a Festival of Literature in Swindon in May.’
Already lined up is an exciting array of authors and performers keen to appear at the Festival.
Find out more
For further information , to go on the Festival mailing list, or to suggest authors and performers, contact swindonlitfest@lowershawfarm.co.uk or telephone 01793 771080.
DANCING SISTERS CREATE TIKTOK SENSATION Two teachers from Swindon’s Revolution Performing Arts, have caused a social media sensation with their version of the dance routine for pop star Harry Styles’ new single Treat People With Kindness.
You’ll usually find sisters Jessi and Jade Carroll, from West Swindon teaching others to dance. But they recently decided to replicate the dance routine of one of Jessi’s heroes Harry Styles – erstwhile member of One Direction. Their video of them performing the routine in their back garden has currently had more than 1.3 million views. Thus these dancing sisters create TIKTOK sensation.
Jessi (23) said: ‘The 16 year old 1D fan in me burst out. Harry Styles + dance is the dream combination. Jade and I learnt the choreography within a few hours of the video release.’
Her sister Jade (28) worked with her. They practiced the routine in their garden before putting it on the social media platform Tik Tok.
Taken by surprise
“We didn’t think much of it. It was something to do, it was fun and kept us entertained during lockdown,” Jade said. “We went to bed and by the morning we couldn’t believe that the video had racked up more than 200,000 views.’
Jessi said: “We made this video for fun. We did not expect it to get so many views/likes/comments in such a short space of time. A lot of comments came from people requesting a tutorial. So we recorded and uploaded some tutorial videos breaking down the choreography. Everyone was so supportive and grateful. It’s amazing to see so many people express themselves through dance, experienced or not.”
Delirious for dance
Jade and Jessi are both dance crazy. They both attended New College before going on to study BA Hons in Dance at university. And today they are professional teachers with Revolution Performing Arts.
Both Jessi and Jade have found dancing has saved their sanity during this last year.
“Everyone can enjoy dance. In their bedrooms or in their gardens. Dance makes you move, have fun and, like so many of the arts, it’s a welcome, healthy distraction from current restrictions and worries,” Jade said.
RPA founder Fi Da Silva Adams said: “It’s been brilliant to see Jessi and Jade do something so positive during lockdown. And it’s no surprise. Like all our teachers, they’ve been running online classes, encouraging our students to get moving and have fun.
Currently Jade, who has thirteen years’ experience of dance and has worked with RPA for two years, is teaching dance classes online six days a week during lockdown. That alongside her part-time job at Nationwide. Jessi is also teaching online as well as working in her full-time role as an ASC Learning Support Assistant at The Ridgeway School.
Revolution Performing Arts
Revolution Performing Arts came into being in 2007. The team have been running online sessions throughout all lockdowns.
When allowed, they run sessions in after school clubs and classes in other community venues. All their teachers are DBS checked, trained in first aid and receive training in safeguarding protocols.
RPA specialises in empowering young people to celebrate their individuality through the power of performing arts.
The Southbrook Inn Swindon – with thanks as ever to my chum Chris Eley for his photographic expeditions.
The Southbrook Inn Swindon My regular guest blogger, Rebecca Davies, sent me a charming account of an older couple she once visited in Ferndale. It’s a lovely story, well worth a read and it’s further down in this post.
But, as Ferndale is her story’s setting, I decided to tie it in with a Swindon in 50 More Buildings post. One that centres on the Southbrook Inn Swindon. And that happens to be in Ferndale.
About the Southbrook Inn
In this Swindon Advertiser guide to Ferndaleyou’ll find mention of the Southbrook Inn. The pub, now a Grade II listed building, had a former life as the Southbrook farmhouse. And in that existence it was the only building in the area. It’s hard to imagine now isn’t it? That what we know as Swindon once was green fields and not much else.
In 1908, Swindon’s expansion brought the farm, and the land surrounding it, into the borough. 1956 saw the farmhouse converted into a pub with the transfer of the license from the Golden Lion on Bridge Street which had closed that same year.
Says Frances: ‘When the property came up for sale in 1763 Thomas Goddard, Lord of the Manor of Swindon, was ready to sign on the dotted line.Having informed his attorney, Mr Thomas Athawes, that he was ‘very well satisfied with the Title of Southbrook Farm …
… In 1898 Fitzroy Pleydell Goddard sold part of the land to builder William Hobbs, heralding the end of the farming at Southbrook. However despite the continuing development at Gorse Hill north of the railway line, Southbrook Farm retained its buffer of open fields into the 20th century.’
The above are small extracts from Frances’ blog. DO follow the link above to Frances’ blog for the whole Southbrook story.
A bit about Ferndale
Before I move on to Rebecca’s lovely story some Ferndale facts. ‘The area became known as Ferndale after the building of Ferndale Road. Today that runs all the way from Gorse Hill to Cheney Manor. But in Victorian times the road was considerably shorter. All of this changed in 1902 after the building contractor Edwin Bradley began to construct houses along the road.‘
1908 saw the consecretion of All Saints Church, in Southbrook Street. The first building was a temporary one designed for use as schoolrooms.
During the Second World War, enemy bombs hit Ferndale killing twenty-five people in the area. The church held several funerals for those killed in the bombings.
A Swindon Story by Rececca Davies Bsc. (Hons).
This is an account of an elderly couple I once met in Swindon. This must have been in about the middle 90s? I do not recall the exact year. It was some years ago but not a very long time ago. At least it seems so to me. I will admit I have a limited sense of time.
I was delivering something to a Swindon address though what or why evades me. The subjects of my delivery duty were a retired couple. Pleased to see me they invited me in for a cuppa.
Their house was a small one. I do not know which street it was in. It may have been one of those small cul-de-sacs off of Ferndale road. But I am not sure – though I can visualise it even now. It was one of those Victorian terraced houses. You know the sort. They have a front door that takes you straight into the living room. Inside there is an open staircase up to the first floor and the kitchen out the back. If you’ve seen that sort of house you will know what I mean.
A room full of memories
Inside this living room was full of knick knacks. Hanging on the walls, covering the shelves and sideboard and placed on the edge of the stairs. Plates, ornaments, cups, mats, a wide selection of stuff.
It must have been a nightmare to dust. And they were all holiday souvenirs from all over the world. Central Europe, Australia, South America, Hawaii, China, Kenya. You name it – they had a souvenir from it.
Curiosity got the better of me
I wondered if they were someone connected with the big liners, like my Great Uncle Sid. Though I didn’t get the impression of either enough money or of then being globetrotters. My imagination went into overdrive. So it was no good – I had to ask them about it.
It turned out that they had indeed never been abroad. Though yes, they did get their eclectic collection of souvenirs themselves.
It had been their habit to take a weekend trip to the city every month. Each time they spent a weekend in London they visited a different ethnic area. They knew where the obscure ones were too – often in a single cul-de-sac. Though where they got the information on how to locate these places I didn’t find out. Bear in mind I visited pre-internet days – and they had made their journeys before even then.
They met the people and sampled the food and took home to Swindon a souvenir of their adventures. And in doing so they explored the entire world.
London – and then the world
London, like all great cities, has always been an international city. Roman London must have seemed astoundingly multicultural to the rural dwelling Briton. And the city of today is, of course, famed for its diversity. But as for using this attribute for global exploration…well, why not? I’m sure many people have done as my nameless couple did.
The chap did not specify but I suspect he was ex-railway – this is Swindon after all. Both my father and grandfather were in the Works. So he must have had a BR rail pass which would have helped with the travel expenses.
I felt so moved and impressed by their tale – as you might imagine. I asked them if they were going to write a book about their adventures. Or at the very least, they could write a London guide of unsurpassed originality and interest. (Not to mention utility). Yet they regarded their explorations as nothing out of the ordinary at all. This saddened me very much, but I said nothing.
They took their adventures to their grave. But I remember their story and am telling you it now.
This post is not the normal fare for Born Again Swindonian. But I’m sharing a plea for help from a Swindon family because TIME IS OF THE ESSENCE FOR HARRY’S HEALING FUND.
Harry, has the most aggressive type of brain cancer: Grade IV Glioblastoma.
The best way to explain is to share some the text from the families’ go fund me page:
2020 was the year that changed our world; you could say it stopped entirely.
Like many of you reading this now, every so often we’d see or hear of a family pleading for donations that could make it possible to help their loved one.
With sympathy, we’d give what we could. But never imagining that we’d ever experience or understand anything of the horrors they lived through every day. That was, until April 2020, when we were struck with the trauma and instant grief that comes with a life limiting diagnosis: Harry, had the most aggressive type of brain cancer; Grade IV Glioblastoma.
Whilst families up and down the country stood outside their homes clapping for the NHS, we sat anxious vigils outside a hospital ward. Soon to receive the earth-shattering news: that our precious Harry, had the most aggressive type of brain cancer; Grade IV Glioblastoma.
Even more challenging, he presented a VERY rare case. Instead of being in his brain, it had begun and spread throughout his spine. Thus -due to its location – inoperable.
There’s more background information on the GO FUND me page. But let’s cut to the chase and get to what the family need:
What they need
They’ve learned they are limits to Harry’s treatment options under the NHS.
For them to access further options – experimental though they are – they need to look towards private clinics and trials and THEY’VE GOT TO ACT NOW!
First steps
The family must search specialists far and wide for drug protocols and supplements with potential to make Harry’s treatment more effective.
They also must see if he’s eligible for some of the experimental treatment going on in German clinics involving multi peptide vaccines and immunotherapy.
None of these further options will be possible without the generosity of others. So they plead to you now . Please give what you can so that we can continue to try to keep this extraordinary man in our lives
The family must search specialists far and wide for drug protocols and supplements with potential to make Harry’s treatment more effective.
They also must see if he’s eligible for some of the experimental treatment going on in German clinics involving multi peptide vaccines and immunotherapy.
Harry is at the centre of all their lives. He’s a much loved and adored son. Harry is also a brother, a fiancé and a friend. He’s a grandson, cousin, nephew and all-round valued community member.
There are so many good causes I know. I personally feel like I’m forever putting my hand into my virtual pocket. I understand compassion fatigue. We none of us can help everyone no matter how much we might want to. But if you can – even only a small amount – please do. This really IS a matter of life and death. Time IS running out for Harry.
SWINDON will mark HOLOCAUST MEMORIAL DAY on Wednesday 27 JANUARY 2021
International Holocaust Day 2021 Swindon: The day when the victims of genocides the world over are especially remembered, Holocaust Memorial Day (HMD) takes place on Wednesday 27 January. And Swindon will mark the day once again.
HMD 2021 marks 76 years since the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau in 1945. And 2021 is also the 76th anniversary of V-E Day, the end of the Second World War.
What will happen
Due to Covid19 restrictions, there will be no live ceremony by the Cenotaph. Instead, there will be an online ceremony only.
At 12 noon on Wednesday 27th January there will be a short ceremony via Zoom online for Swindon.
NB: Attendance at International Holocaust Day 2021 Swindon is by invitation only. Anyone with sincere and authentic interest in marking this day is welcome to join the online ceremony. To receive an invitation, link, and password, please contact matt@lowershawfarm.co.uk
Theme: To be a light in the darkness
This theme, to ‘be a light in the darkness’, relates to the Nazi Holocaust of the Second World War yes. But also to later genocides in Cambodia, Rwanda, Bosnia and Darfur. As well as present-day situations around the world and closer to home.
Be a light in the darkness is an affirmation and a call to action for everyone marking Holocaust Memorial Day.
This theme asks everyone to consider different kinds of ‘darkness’. For example, identity-based persecution, misinformation, denial of justice; and different ways of ‘being a light’. That might be resistance, acts of solidarity, rescue, and illuminating mistruths.
The unprecedented times through which we are currently living show the very best of which humanity is capable. But also – in some of the abuse spread on social media – the much darker side of our world.
Be a Light in the Darkness . . . encourages individuals, families, and groups to stand together with their friends and neighbours. And to make a stand against wrongful persecution and oppression.
The Holocaust Memorial Trust
At 7pm on 27th January, the national Holocaust Memorial Day Trust, will hold an online ceremony that will run till 8pm.
Then, the HMD invites everyone to Light the Darkness by asking households across the UK to light candles and put them in their windows. This is to remember those murdered for who they were. And to show that we stand against prejudice and hatred today.
Information
The aftermath of the Holocaust and of later genocides continues to raise challenging questions for individuals, communities, and nations.
There is ample evidence that ordinary citizens standing by during the targeting of their neighbours, enabled persecution.
First they came for the Communists And I did not speak out Because I was not a Communist Then they came for the Socialists And I did not speak out Because I was not a Socialist Then they came for the trade unionists And I did not speak out Because I was not a trade unionist Then they came for the Jews And I did not speak out Because I was not a Jew Then they came for me And there was no one left To speak out for me.
Martin Niemöller
History
Holocaust Memorial Day was first marked, on a national basis, in 2001. The day is now established as an annual day of remembrance. Local authorities, faith and community groups and individuals were asked to take a lead in developing local memorial events and appropriate activities.
In Swindon, we’ve marked this day for every year of this century.
PARTICIPATION & CONTACTS
If you have appropriate personal stories or readings that you wish to share at the online ceremony contact the organizer Matt Holland beforehand.
