I’m happy to tell you that there’s a small contribution from yours truly in this publication. David approached me about writing a paragraph or two regarding the recently-deceased, Swindon artist Ken White and his association with XTC. Something I was glad to do.
New Book Celebrates XTC – front coverBack cover of XTC: I Am the Audience
‘XTC: I Am the Audience explores XTC’s remarkable legacy through in-depth conversations with over two hundred fans around the world.’
It’s a global fan-led tribute featuring:
Unpublished interviews
Unseen photographs and insights from acclaimed musicians, journalists, and producer Steve Lillywhite
The book offers an exploration of the remarkable legacy of XTC. One of the most inventive and influential bands in British music history. Built around conversations with more than two-hundred fans from across the world, the book captures the deep and lasting connection between the band and its audience.
Further, it features contributions from an exceptional lineup of artists and commentators, including:
Pat Mastelotto
Dave Mattacks
Chris Difford
Respected journalists Paolo Hewitt and Jon Robb and …
… Grammy award winning producer Steve Lillywhite
At its heart, XTC: I Am the Audience presents previously unpublished interviews with XTC’s Andy Partridge and Dave Gregory. It offers fresh insight into the band’s creative process, evolution, and enduring influence.
Complementing these interviews are rare and unseen photographs by leading rock photographer Justin Thomas. All adding a rich visual dimension to the story.
More than a biography, XTC: I Am the Audience is a celebration of community and love for a band that consistently defied expectations and reshaped the possibilities of pop music.
XTC has always been an underrated gem, and it’s high time they got the recognition they deserve.
Chrissie Hynde, The Pretenders
Many a Swindonian would agree with Chrissie there I’m sure.
About the author
David Marx entered this world in Swindon, England to a Polish father, a Dutch mother and a Surinamese grandmother. All of which partly explains his speaking Dutch with an Amsterdam accent.
He fell in love with The Beatles at an early age. Then opened for The Clash whilst still at school and discovered George Orwell and Stevie Wonder shortly thereafter.
David moved to London in his late teens. There, songwriting became the norm, followed immediately by music journalism, freelance writing and then everything New York City had to offer. All of it from sleaze, tease, De Niro and The Marx Brothers/Dylan, Cohen and a fleeting sense of belonging.
He says he should have signed to Sire, but then should have done a lot of things.
Whilst studying for a Masters in Ethics, David wrote a screenplay called Under The Sink. Lo and behold thatwon an Arts Council award and got made into a short film.
Since then, the songwriter has produced/released several albums of original material on the independent Revolver label – so named in honour of one of his favourite albums. He’s also written several forewords for a collection of primarily music-related books. Among them, Bringing It All Back Home: Bob Dylan’s Second Big Bang, by Jochen Markhorst (2021).
He published his first book of lyrics and poetry, Lying In The Arms Of Venus De Milo in 2022). He’s now nearing completion of Fear & Loathing In The UK. That’s a collection of quasi-musical and political, satirical essays, along with a book on the recording of the third Squeeze album, Argy Bargy.
With a continuing passion for the written word and all things Lennon & McCartney, Bob Dylan and early Motown induced, the author currently resides near Bruges, Belgium.
A bit about XTC
Formed in Swindon in 1972, chief songwriter Andy Partridge led the band, alongside longtime collaborator Colin Moulding. Emerging from the UK new wave and post-punk landscape, XTC soon acquired a reputation for witty lyrics, razor-sharp melodies and fearless studio experimentation.
Following early live-band success, Partridge’s health issues forced them to stop touring. This might have finished many bands off. But the opposite happened, instead they had a creative rebirth.
Now freed from the constraints of stage, the band evolved into a studio-only project that led to them producing their most celebrated and adventurous work.
Albums such as Drums and Wires, Black Sea), English Settlement, and Skylarking (produced by Todd Rundgren) cemented their status as masters of sophisticated pop songwriting.
Wyvern Half Term Family Fun. Swindon families are in for a treat this February half-term. The Wyvern invites them to enjoy a day packed with creativity, colour and fun at their annual Family Fun Day on Saturday 21st February.
Wyvern Half Term Family Fun – poster
The theatre will come alive with a wide range of free activities. All designed to spark imagination and keep children and adults alike entertained throughout the day. Children can get hands-on with a variety of craft activities. They transform into their favourite characters with free face painting from Pitstop Parties. Or perfect their circus skills with drop-in circus skill workshops. Families can also enjoy story and rhyme times with the National Literacy Trust. All encouraging a love of reading and storytelling in a playful, welcoming environment.
For those keen to discover what happens behind the scenes, backstage theatre tours will offer a rare chance to step into the world usually hidden from the audience. They’ll learn how live performances get brought to life. Meanwhile budding explorers won’t want to miss the Dinosaur Fact Trail. That will lead visitors around the theatre whilst discovering fascinating prehistoric facts along the way.
This year’s event will also welcome Prime Youth Theatre and CAN Studios. They’ll be hosting a range of engaging dance and drama workshops designed to ignite young imaginations. Spaces for these free workshops is limited, so we advise early booking.
Workshops are available to book via the following links:
Festival of Tomorrow 2026 commences! The Festival of Tomorrow 2026 public programme opened today with more events, for more people, in more venues than ever before.
In the first place a two-day event when it started in 2020, this year’s festival takes place over almost two weeks. It starts with evening events at the Science and Innovation Park this week. And ends with the family favourite Festival Finale at the Deanery in Wichelstowe. That’s on Friday and Saturday at the end of the February half-term break.
This year, the festival asks us to imagine Living in the Future. That takes us from robotics in the home to the food on your plate. And from astronauts travelling further than ever before, to exploring the workings of your own mind.
Bringing together
The popular event brings together:
artists
performers
researchers
universities and organisations from across the UK.
All coming together for a programme of:
spectacular shows
immersive art
hands-on workshops and FREE drop-in activities for all ages. All thanks to the support of partners including Arts Councils England, Business West and UK Research and Innovation.
With over 150 events and activities around Swindon, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.
BEHIND THE SCENES AT THE SCIENCE AND INNOVATION PARK’S HAWKING BUILDING
Audiences will get special access to the Hawking Building at the Science Museum Group’s Science and Innovation Park at Wroughton, near Swindon. The series of four evening events, aimed at adults and older teenagers, will feature talks and panels of experts from different fields. There’ll also be live links to contributors from around the UK giving visitors behind the scenes access to working laboratories. And after-hours into the Science Museum in London.
Early bookers will have the option to book onto four different curated tours of areas of the museum collections linked to each topic. Also objects once owned by Stephen Hawking, himself. And the events will go beyond Swindon with live, online streaming.
FREE HALF-TERM FUN AROUND TOWN
Unmissable immersive experiences at Steam Museum 14 – 21 February.
Embark on a journey inside of the mind with Network by artist Gemma Wood.
Embark on a journey inside of the mind with Network by artist Gemma Wood.
Explore three giant illuminated inflatable neurons
Listen to the internal chatter soundscape
and watch the messages impulse and travel through the network of neurons in a beautiful array of rainbow colours.
Immerse yourself in State of Mind, an entrancing walkthrough audiovisual experience developed by creative studio Squid Soup to explore the effects of today’s digitised world on the workings of our brains.
The Happiness Sum asks important questions about what makes us happy… and by how much? Have fun finding out how your favourite things compare!
These must-see experiences are part of a whole week of:
FREE shows
creative activities
challenge
workshops and exhibits at Steam to keep everyone entertained throughout the half-term.
In the clouds
Don’t miss the chance to smell, touch and taste clouds as Dr Sarah Bearchell returns with her wonderful Cloud Factory. Find out how spacesuits keep you alive. And how to avoid disasters and toileting errors as you Journey to the Stars. Or get ready for bubbles of all sizes, shapes and colours in Bubble Superstars.
Festival of Tomorrow 2026 commences! – cloud factory in action
Make your own brainwave-inspired wearable art. Or contribute a line to a communal Chain of Thought poem. Why not join an interactive story workshop for budding young writers with award-winning local children’s author Kate Claxton.
Other highlights include the chance to:
discover the science of circus through aerial skills and hands-on activities
become a nature detective at the Owl-some Pellet Discovery Lab
or join in with fun challenges that will have the whole family thinking like engineers.
Explore your senses at Swindon Designer Outlet – Saturday 14 – Saturday 21 February
Test yourself against some of nature’s weird and wonderful animal abilities with a free family-friendly Super Senses Trail around the centre.
Look out for Unfit For Vision – A Journey Beyond Visible Light, an intriguing interactive art/science exhibit developed for the Festival. Explore how wavelengths beyond human sight get used to reshape our understanding of bodies, environments, and technologies and have a go at making your own infrared artwork.
Discover how our bodies can make music, shape space, and connect with others with Pulse. That’s a fun experimental playable project by Neon Dance and technologist Hemma Philamore of Bristol Robotics Lab.
Venture into The Sound Garden – a super fun musical playground filled with colourful, musical sculptures made from recycled objects.
More free activities around town
Shoppers at The Brunel will also be able to join in with an exciting lineup of free drop-in fun. There’s different hands-on activities on offer each day between Monday 16 – Friday 20 February.
Test your skills with a bridge-building challenge
get creative and design new technologies for a mission to the moon
learn about awesome UK insects and collage your own insect illustration
look out for the Noise Technicians who will show you how to rock a bass riff on a distorted rubber band, or strum a beautiful melody on an egg slicer
or make your own ooey-goeey pot of slime to take home.
Meanwhile, the historic Carriage Works will host a vibrant exhibition of artworks by local artists of all ages and experience, responding to the Festival’s Living in the Future theme. Visitors will have the chance to get creative with free workshops and drop-in arts and craft activities.
EVENING ACTIVITIES FOR ADULTS AND TEENS
Comedy lovers won’t want to miss an evening of science-inspired laughs organised by Old Town Comedy Club on Wednesday 18 February, headlined by Robin Ince.
Meanwhile Swindon Wordsmiths- Poetry and Comedy Night on Saturday 21 February brings together witty stand-up and thought-provoking spoken word. There’ll be headline performances from genius jokesters, Iszi Lawrence and Andy Kind, plus word nerd, Dan Simpson.
Or join Mission Astro and Nova Stargazing for an unmissable Star Hop astronomy evening at Lydiard Park Hotel on Friday 20 February.
THE FESTIVAL FINALE – THE DEANERY CE ACADEMY, PEGLARS WAY, WICHELSTOWE – FRIDAY 20 & SATURDAY 21 FEBRUARY
Explore five FREE Discovery Zones packed with intriguing interactive exhibits. All bringing the latest research and innovation to life. With free live demonstrations, creative activities and fun challenges from organisations including the James Dyson Foundation, Catalent, UKRI and many leading universities, there’s always so much to see and do. Be sure to allow plenty of time for your visit!
Discover cutting-edge science through hands-on activities featured at the Royal Society’s Summer Science Exhibition in London. Meet the organisations who are helping to care for our environment. Or get up close and personal with the tech that’s shaping our future, or explore the universe with an immersive planetarium show.
And if that’s not enough excitement the spectacular line-up of family shows is sure to get you fired up! What’s more, show tickets are free for under 18s – under 16s must have an adult ticket holder with them.
The Rocket Show
Festival favourites, Wonderstruck are back with a spectacular show. It looks at the history and science of rockets from the discovery of black powder to the most recent exploits of SpaceX and others. Expect to see a full size, working rocket car, a working hybrid rocket motor, a working jet engine and a very large fireball!
Sealife Superheros
Go on an adventure around the world to meet SUPER sea creatures – and borrow their powers! You will get to decide which of the amazing adaptations we borrow to help fight against a supervillain and help save our seas! Packed with eye-popping props, tons of fun facts, experiments, audience participation and lots of laughter!
Wonders of The Human Body
Join Dr Jo for a fun and interactive show as we journey around the human body. Explore oddities relating to our vision and hearing, glimpse how our brains work, consider how we can trick our senses, and investigate some weird and wonderful things about our muscles.
Chemistry Lab Adventure
Devon Science brings the intriguing world of chemistry to life with this exciting interactive show which includes plenty of audience participation and live experiments. Brace yourself for vigorous reactions – including the Elephant’s Toothpaste!
Ghosts in the Machine
Ghost hunting and science on the same billing! Discover how ghost hunters use technology to find spooks, and how that tech really works. Even if the camera never lies, how are both we AND technology bamboozled by natural things? This IS a family show, so don’t panic. There are no chances of us encountering a real ghost… hopefully.
Explosive Food
See food in a whole new light in this show packed with exciting demonstrations. From fountains of fizzy coke to some rather gross demonstrations of what goes on in your digestive system, this demo-packed show from the Royal Institution is sure to delight and disgust in equal measure.
Am I Normal?
What do you think is normal? Does ‘normal’ exist? In this fun, interactive show, we dive into statistics, genetics, evolution and brain plasticity as we discover what makes you you, and why each of us is truly unique. Packed with demos and experiments, including creating our own brain art, this show explores the concept of neurodiversity and the strengths we can all bring to society.
We urge Festivalgoers to book now to secure their spots on ticketed shows and events, as many sessions are filling up.
To be first in line for tickets and the latest Festival announcements, sign up for email updates at www.festivaloftomorrow.com and follow @festivaloftomorrow on Facebook and Instagram.
Three Businesses Champion Collaboration on International Women’s Day.
To celebrate International Women’s Day. Three businesses are coming together to explore one of the most powerful, yet often overlooked, drivers of success: collaboration.
The trio are:
Businesswomen UnLtd
Connect Network and
Scott Media
And they’re staging a free webinar on Friday March 6. It’s open to businesspeople who want to discover how collaboration can accelerate success.
Three Businesses Champion Collaboration – l-r: Stefan Thomas, Sharon Thomas, Debbie Gilbert, Hannah Edwards and Fiona Scott
Debbie Gilbert, of BusinesswomenUnLtd, which champions and supports women in business, said: ‘In a world that still rewards competition and individual achievement, people are choosing a different path. One built on partnership, shared growth and collective impact. Our interactive online event brings businesses together to explore how collaboration accelerates success.
The webinar complements the theme of this year’s International Women’s Day, ‘Give to Gain’. It highlights how collaboration helps create lasting, meaningful change.
Fiona Scott, founder of Swindon-based PR agency Scott Media, said: ‘By listening to real-life growth stories and challenging the ‘go-it-alone’ narrative, we hope people will build meaningful connections. And gain practical tools for more effective collaboration.
Collaborative approach
‘Although the event celebrates International Women’s Day, it’s open to people of all genders and identities. This collaborative approach works across the board.’
Stefan Thomas, of Connect Network, which helps business people maximise the value of networking, commented: ‘Collaboration is how I built my business. And, as we approach International Women’s Day, the invitation from Debbie Gilbert and Fiona Scott to collaborate thrilled me.
When we all stick together, great things happen. I’ve known both Fiona and Debbie for around fifteen years now. And both of them have built businesses and networks where collaboration is the cornerstone.’
Free half-term family fun in the Brunel centre with the Festival of Tomorrow. Swindon’s Brunel Shopping Centre is once again joining forces with the Festival of Tomorrow. Together they’ll offer a week of free, family-friendly activities during the February half-term.
Running daily from 10am to 4pm, Monday 16 February to Friday 20 February, the interactive events will take place downstairs in The Brunel, near Boots. They form part of Swindon’s annual Festival of Tomorrow. The festival celebrates science, technology and the arts, with this year’s theme, ‘Living in the Future’.
Free half-term family fun – image shows October half-term activities
When it starts
The programme begins on Monday 16 and Tuesday 17 February with ‘Invent, Build and Imagine’. Children can try their hand at:
a bridge-building challenge with Sarah Cosgriff
learning about the physics behind strong structures …
… while artist and space science educator Helen Schell leads the ‘Invent the Future’ moon mission workshop. This drop-in session encourages youngsters to combine art and science as they design their own ideas for a future lunar colony.
THEN:
Wednesday 18th February
On this day, the focus turns to the ‘Science of Sound’. Interactive ‘science busking’ from Noisy Toys will demonstrate acoustics using upcycled materials. Meanwhile DJ Morgan Thomas hosts drop-in workshops giving children the chance to learn the basics of DJ skills and music production.
Thursday 19 February …
… explores the natural world with ‘Bugs and Beasties’. Children can learn about insects before creating their own artwork with illustrator Marian Hill. The day also includes ‘Be a Superhero for our Seas’ with Marine Mumbles. That’s an interactive art-based session highlighting the role of marine life in tackling climate change.
Friday 20 February …
… sees the week conclude with the ever-popular ‘Slime Sensation Station’. Hosted by Devon Science, this hands-on chemistry workshop allows children to make and personalise their own slime to take home.
Louise Halliday, Head of Programming and Outreach for the Festival of Tomorrow, said: ‘Families have told us how valuable it is to have free activities they can enjoy together in the town centre. We’re thrilled to be back at The Brunel, which is such a great space for the local community.’
Tim Knowles, Founder and Managing Director at FI Real Estate Management, said:
The Festival of Tomorrow helps engage young people and families with science and technology. Offering these activities for free gives parents a hands-on option in the town centre. And it helps inspire curiosity in the next generation.’
