A few years ago, a small coffee shop opened Faringdon on Road, right across from the building that was The Barracks in the GWR Railway Village.
It soon became popular, but then one of the proprietors had a problem with immigration rules. In spite of a widespread #dontdeportmybarista campaign, they ended up having to leave the UK.
Before COVID, one of my small pleasures involved sitting at the window table and looking across to the houses in the Railway Village through the steam on the windows, enjoying an excellent cup of coffee.
Coffee (and tea and cake and sandwiches) are at present being served for take away at the front of the shop. Despite the reduced service ,the coffee and the warm welcome remain the same. I’m looking forward, one day, to taking that seat in the window again and watching the world go by.
Reflections on a coffee shop by Chris Eley
Darkroom Espresso Faringdon Road
Darkroom Espresso is s specialty coffee shop in the centre of Swindon, in the old Railway village. It opened in September 2014 and is now owned & run by local barista Stephen Jordan.
Stephen was already a long serving member of staff at Darkroom before taking on ownership in March 2019
The name of Darkroom Espresso comes from the idea that making coffee requires the same craft, skill and care as developing a photo in a darkroom. We use speciality coffee from Round Hill Roastery & other guest roasters, a range of speciality teas, low-sugar hot chocolate, fresh bread from Hobbs House and local cakes from V-Cuisine and Cakesmiths.
You’re all aware that, at this time, Swindon is seeing an increase in Covid cases. NOT a desirous situation for anyone. So this post is about sharing the Swindon Council Covid communication. It’s so important that we all take this on board.
We can ALL stop this from getting worse than it is. It’s up to ALL of us!
Follow the rules
If we all follow the rules we can control the virus and keep Swindon safe.
Hands up who wants a local lockdown? No-one? Thought not!
Public health messages:
If you have symptoms:
self-isolate – stay at home for 10 days
get tested – call 119 or book online for a local test
keep others safe – don’t socialise, don’t go to work, don’t go shopping or mix with anyone outside your household
When you go out
wash hands – keep washing your hands regularly
cover face – wear a face covering over your nose and mouth in enclosed spaces
make space – stay at least 2 metres away from people not in your household
If you have any of these symptoms, no matter how mild, get tested straight away:
high temperature
cough
loss of or change to taste or smell
Swindon Council Covid Communication:
It’s up to all of us to take action, right now to prevent any restrictions being placed on us. Wash Hands, Cover Face and Make Space whenever you leave home.
If everyone in our community follows these clear and simple steps, we can control the spread of COVID-19.
Swindon: it’s up to all of us to book a test: gov.uk/get-coronavirus-test and self-isolate for 10 days if you have symptoms. Visit www.swindon.gov.uk/itsuptoallofus to find out more
We need everyone in the community who has #COVID19 symptoms to stay at home for at least 10 days. That means, not going to work or the shops. Swindon: it’s up to all of us to prevent the virus from spreading. Visit www.swindon.gov.uk/itsuptoallofus to find out the latest.
So that’s the official message. This is mine:
PLEASE – TAKE THIS SERIOUSLY. I’M DUE TO BE A GRANDMA AGAIN SOON. I don’t want to miss that because were in a local lockdown. I don’t want to hear of people I know getting sick – and worse – dying.
PLEASE – wear the blasted masks! I KNOW they’re not fun. Nothing about this is fun for anybody. You’re not special. We’re all in the same boat here.
I’m a chronic asthmatic – it’s not great. But it’s bearable. And it’s a darn sight better than having Covid – or other people have Covid. This is NOT about YOU. It’s about all of us.
Well, it’s been a while since you’ve been able to access the shop and information desk in the central library on Regent Circus. That sad state of affairs is, of course, thanks to us being in the grip of a pandemic.
But lo! I bring you tidings of great joy. No – a son isn’t born unto us but we do now have a Covid compliant library shop.
You can then email askthelibrary@swindon.gov.uk with your telephone number and someone will call you back to take your order and payment. Then you can collect what you’ve bought from the library during their opening times.
Caveat Emptor: There’s no walk in access. You can collect your books/purchases from the foyer where staff will put them ready for you.
So it’s not ideal no. No one is pretending it is. But it’s something. And it does mean you now have the means to support the shop in buying gifts and books from them.
Dona Bradley and Simon Webb are among those with fabulous gift products on sale in the Covid-compliant library shop. Not to mention of course, dozens of fabulous books. Yes – those I’ve written. To pretend otherwise is daft. But lots more besides.
Early in lockdown I wrote a couple of posts highlighting a range of books to read over the summer. So here’s a recap of those:
When: Saturday 8th August Where: The Museum of Computing in Theatre Square Time: 12 midday to 2pm
NOTE: the Museum of Computing is closed to the public (due to Coronavirus restrictions) but I, Angela, will be there, with a live Zoom broadcast. And maybe a Facebook live.
The Zoom event will offer an opportunity for interviews and Q&As and will incorporate poetry, music and more.
NB: if you’re not on Facebook but would like to join the Zoom event, email me on: aaedits56@gmail.com so I can send you the link.
Swindon author publishes new guide to her adoptive town
A Swindon author who published her first book a mere two years ago, is launching a fourth – and it’s the one she’s always wanted to write.
Angela Atkinson, who pens the popular blog Born Again Swindonian, is passionate about the town. And her fourth book is a further tribute to her adoptive home. She’s holding an official launch on Saturday August 8, from the town’s Museum of Computing. The event is part online and part face-to-face, to allow for lockdown restrictions.
Swindon: A Born Again Swindonian’s Guide uses the tagline #LookdownLookaroundLookup
It acts as a guidebook, encouraging readers to get out and about to explore some of the town’s treasures.
To help them do that, Angela has filled the book with urban exploration trails. Some of them pre-existing and some that she’s created, including a couple of quiz trails for children to do with their parents. Though she hasn’t forgotten green spaces and nature reserves!
It features some Born Again Swindonian blogs, some new chapters, and even an imagined guide book entry Angela wrote about the Magic Roundabout while studying for her English degree.
Derbyshire-born Angela’s previous publications, best-sellers among Swindonians, are:
“The difference between this and the other Swindon books, is this one is for getting out and about with, while the others were to sit and read,” said Angela. “It’s the one I have always wanted to write, ever since I started the Born Again Swindonian blog. It’s curious, that something I conceived some years ago has now become very timely thanks to pandemic keeping people at home. Never was the word ‘Staycation’ on so many people’s lips.”
“So many people say Swindon is ugly, but that is a little word carrying so much meaning.
My friend and poet Carole Bent once wrote about the glitter in the concrete and the sparkle in the cement as a metaphor for life. Yet it is so true of Swindon. It’s got a rich history, and many wonderful buildings, walks, and works of art. And I’d love people to discover these.”
When not writing Born Again Swindonian and books, Angela runs a proofreading, copywriting and editing business, AA Editorial Services. Angela founded the business after graduating with a First in Joint English Hons from the University of the West of England. She also attained a First for the travel writing module which kickstarted her blog.
She said: “I told my tutor wanted to do the travel writing module but I didn’t travel anywhere – I don’t even drive. He said the last thing he wanted was another account of a gap year Thailand, and asked me to write about what I saw. So I did, hence the first blog on The Magic Roundabout.”
Free gifts!
Angela will signing copies and there’ll also be some exclusive giveaways, including Sinclair C5 3D printed keyrings and bookmarks. All on a first-come-first served basis.
The book costs £9.95, and the first 30 purchased on the launch day will contain a limited edition postcard by Swindon artist Dona Bradley. There’s a competition attached to this – details below.
Competition details for Book Launch Swindonian Guide Book
The above image is the underside of a postcard by Dona Bradley. The first 20 of the books to go out at the launch will have one inside. The front of the postcard shows 9 Swindon landmarks.
This is where you need to be quick on the draw with your camera.
The first ADULT and the first under-16 to send me photographs of ALL 9 landmarks depicted on the postcard, in one go, gets a prize!
I’m not judging photographic quality – it’s merely about being quick off the draw.
Below is the official press release about Graham Stobbs’ heroic kayak fundraising efforts. But first a little insight into the man himself – and what brought him to this point.
Graham is a Swindonian. One that, after a difficult childhood and a series of bad choices ran away from Swindon. In similar vein to the old story about running away to join the circus, Graham ran from his personal pain into the Army’s arms – the 3rd Battalion of the Royal Green Jackets to be precise. A circus of sorts one might say.
Within a mere 8 months, Graham found himself serving in South Armargh. A few troubled years in the army saw Graham medically discharged, back in civvy street and utterly at a loss.
A suicide attempt
Now followed years of being turned down by military charities. Graham says he felt alone, let-down and with nowhere to turn to, he made a suicide attempt.
Recovering from that, but still failing to get help from crisis teams and mental health organisations, Graham climbed Kilimanjaro (an awesome feat – I’ve got all on with the stairs) to raise the profile of PTSD and the plight of many veterans.
That was 2 years ago and, as Graham says: ‘still we are losing veterans to suicide. I decided I would challenge myself to do something I knew nothing about and ended up picking 222 miles in a kayak’.
‘The journey is a personal one but also a public fundraiser where I will talk openly about my struggles and encourage veterans to talk more and seek help.’
Preparing for the challenge
Said Graham, ‘preparing for this challenge has been a challenge in itself. I’m hounded The journey is a personal one bit also a public fundraiser where I will talk openly about my struggles and encourage veterans to talk more and seek help.
Only the last few weeks have been encouraging and positive and given me the lift I needed to complete it. I’ve learned different things – like self-rescue and Eskimo rolls to give me the tools to bring this challenge to successful completion.’
‘Above all’ says Graham, ‘the most important is to have belief in one’s own ability. We don’t how to do anything in the beginning. But yet, we humans take on challenges and we overcome adversity.’
This is quite the journey – in every sense. It’s a literal, physical journey – but also a personal and emotional one for Graham. Something of a catharsis. So do support him – and help him to support others.
Read the official press release below to find out where Graham’s kayak challenge starts and ends and the charities he’s supporting.
Veteran Graham Stobbs is embarking on an epic solo fundraising mission next month. Along for the journey will be veteran Cormac Doyle MBE from The Bridge Charity (supporting land vehicle).
The team are raising money for the Veteran’s Hub Swindon, Walking with the Wounded and The Veteran’s Hub Weymouth. These three charities dedicated themselves to supporting the continued wellbeing of veterans.
Graham will set off from Dungeness in Kent and sprint 29 miles across the Channel. He’ll then complete a further gruelling 10+ hours of kayaking a day as he follows the coast of France down to the Pegasus Bridge War Memorial. He’ll complete the challenge at Point Du Hoc.
Depending on the weather and sea conditions, Graham will start paddling between 12th – 14th August in an 18ft P&H Scorpio Sea Kayak. His aim is raising as much money as possible for the veterans’ causes that are close to his heart.
Passionate supporter of charities
Graham is a passionate supporter of these charities having suffered with his own mental health problems. He’s taking on this challenge to help break the stigma around mental health and encourage veterans to open up, talk and ask for help.
As part of his treatment Graham is undergoing intense EMDR therapy with Cormac Doyle MBE of The Bridge Charity. Cormac is supporting Graham throughout this challenge and his on-going treatment.
All funds raised will help veterans, with some of the money going to Graham’s own charity, The Veteran’s Hub Swindon.
The Veteran’s Hub wants to create a permanent centre, offering much needed mental health support, wellbeing advice and guidance for serving personnel, veterans and their families. It’s a big dream that the team are working hard to make a reality.
Graham will also donate funds to Walking with the Wounded and The Veteran’s Hub Weymouth. Both charities are well known for supporting the mental health of veterans across the UK.
Graham, 48, who is currently training hard for the trip, commented: “I’m excited and nervous about the trip.
It’s a challenge and a healing process for the fundraising veteran paddles his own canoe
The challenge will push the boundaries of my mental wellbeing, endurance and physical capability. Mental health and PTSD is a real challenge for veterans that often goes unrecognised for many years after service. There’s a desperate need for funds so I’m determined to do my bit to help those who have given so much for their country.”
Graham added “This is also part of my own healing process. It’s my hope that I’ll encourage others to reach out about their own difficulties and seek help like I did. I want to show there is light at the end of the tunnel.”
This is not the only way Graham supports veterans causes.
He’s also founder of Swindon’s Mfor Festival. Mfor – where a family fun day meets music festival – supports veteran, military and mental health charities, including The Veteran’s Hub.
