Public art at Swindon’s Orbital centre recognises the role of Swindon people in both the defence of the realm and the town’s transport history
Everyone knows about Swindon’s incredible railway history, and the effect it had on the world during its heyday. But fewer people are aware of is Swindon’s aviation heritage. But this piece of public art at the Orbital centre in north Swindon is doing its bit to spread the word.
Swindon Spitfire Heritage Celebrated in a public art piece called Made in Swindon. In this video Dr Mike Pringle talks about it
In the 1800s, Swindon-born, Victorian nature writer, Richard Jefferies, predicted manned flight. From that to the town’s links with today’s space industry, Swindon reaches fo the skies. And even beyond!
Swindon Spitfire Heritage Celebrated
This public art piece celebrates the town’s commitment to being at the forefront of transportation and the defence of the nation.
A range of artworks and interpretation boards tell the story. The installation includes: 1. paving slabs with pictures from students at Abbey North School 2. poems from children at Haydon Wick and Haydonleigh Primary Schools … 3…. and ever-changing art from other local children in the British Land Visitor Centre.
The centrepiece is a sculpture based on the shape and size of a Spitfire wing. It stands in honour of the aircraft built in Swindon towards the end of World War II.Â
Mike Pringle with the aviation related public art piece called ‘Made in Swindon’ at Orbital
About the Made in Swindon sculpture
The research and design of the sculpture and other works around the Orbital, is the work of local historian/artist Mike Pringle, of Green Rook. Mike is also director of the Richard Jefferies Museum near Coate Water.
The figures within the wing represent the men and women of Swindon involved in the town’s aviation heritage. Both in the sky and on the ground. Swindon provided pilots for the Battle of Britain, and female pilots for transporting planes from one place to another. Besides that, many women working on aircraft repair and construction.
Inthe centre of the sculpture, the two uprights and the glass panels represent tracks and sleepers of the railways. Out of which Swindon’s rich engineering heritage was born.
The management of Orbital shopping park, Broad Gates Estates, commissioned the public art on behalf of British Land. Local fabricators, Stainless Supplies Limited laser cut and welded the sculpture.
For more on the Spitfire you see above:
‘I only learned recently of Swindon’s connections with the aviation industry. And that’s where Supermarine and Vickers came in.Â
Around 1912 the first aeroplane, a Bleriot monoplane, visited Swindon. Then, not so many years later, Swindonians found themselves thrust into the midst of both aviation industry and history. In 1938 South Marston was chosen as a shadow site due to its good communication links and proximity to the skilled workforce of the Swindon’s GWR works. As Swindon Web explains, shadow sites were sites intended to provide back-up to the leading aircraft factories in the event of war-time attack.
As the jolly useful Swindon Web website further describes, at length the factory passed to Supermarine. The South Marston site became a shadow site of the Castle Bromwich site in the Midlands and the original Supermarine factory in Southampton.Â
Little remains of that factory now – it’s become an industrial estate. And in part of the massive Honda plant there are echoes while the sports club that was once part of Vickers still retains the name.
In addition of course, there’s the Supermarine roundabout and further homage to the Spitfire is paid in the industrial estate in the area.’
You may remember the Weighbridge Brewhouse under the management of the people from the Three Crowns at Brinkworth. It’s USP was that it was the same format as the Three Crowns: no starters, large plates of meat, tons of veg and lots of cream and butter. It was the closest thing that Swindon had to Fayn Dayning – though it wasn’t really. I loved it – though these days my digestive system is less enamoured of rich sauces. The desire is strong but the gut is weak.
Anyway – you have to now forget all that.
Cutting a long story short, new management took over the Weighbridge and it all went horribly wrong. Details not needed – suffice to say it went pear-shaped. So the owners, the Upham Group,decided to take stock, do a Fagin, and think it out again.
The place has been refurbed both inside and out. The front courtyard is now astro-turfed and equipped with some super luxus outdoor dining furniture. A mixture of stylish bench seating and tables, chairs and cushions. All with huge parasols. It’s rather smart. I had my eye on the plant pots on the table I admit.
The astroturfed outdoor dining area at the restaurant.
While indoors, they’ve reupholstered the seating and installed these rather funky illuminated tress. Possibly slightly kitsch? But I love kitsch. It’s a cavernous place is the Weighbridge so they do fill the space and add atmosphere. Overall a big thumbs up.
How do I know all this?
Well, as part of their thinking it out again process, the management decided to do some dry runs, with invited guests, to try it all out and – crucially – ask for feedback, before they unleash themselves upon the public. And I , and five fortunate pals, were blessed with an invite. I now feel guilty that the building is not included in Swindon in 50 Buildings… I couldn’t get them all in … sorry …
The happy diners and David!
What were our impressions?
Overall: really good. We’ll definitely go back.
Between us we picked a good cross-section of stuff from the menu. Again overall we were delighted but there were a few niggles – duly fed back at the end of the evening. Someone ordered a quinoa salad which was rather more green than quin … someone else felt that the lobster should have had a sauce and new potatoes rather than fries. While others in the group were delighted with their choices. I for one was happy to see a chimichurri dressing for steak alongside the usual cream sauce and pepper sauce. The sharing dessert platter got rave reviews and the sharing starters platter was also rather nice,
So a bit inconsistent – and needs sorting out. But nothing that would stop us going back.
Also fed back to them was to have low-level table centrepieces rather than tall vases. Nice touch to have them, but it got in the way of our view across the table. After we’d shifted it around umpteen times, Sandra, owner of Fabulous Functions UK and someone who knows a thing or two about table centrepieces, snapped off most of the stalks to create a lovely low arrangement that we could all see over.
Note to management – you’d do a lot worse than speak to Sandraabout these things. #justsaying
So that’s it for the negatives. To pick out the positives of the experience:
a. We loved the new look – both inside and out. b. It’s an interesting menu that will have seasonal variations c. It has a lovely outside eating area – few and far between in Swindon d. There’s lots of good places to eat in Swindon but they’re mostly … casual …what the Weighbridge represents is somewhere to go for something a bit special. e. ABOVE ALL what impressed me was that the management are making a huge effort to put right what evidently went wrong. Kudos to them for that. And I think that deserves our support.
So if you’re one of those that went there in recent weeks and months and weren’t happy – give it another go. They’re working super hard to get it right.
‘Our building used to be a Weighbridge! At the turn of the industrial revolution Weighbridges were used in station yards and at railway depots to weigh goods before they were sent onto their destinations.
Our building is pretty big as it had to be able to house massive amounts of freight. It was nearly derelict when it was purchased and renovated and now is a fantastic dining space with room for 120 downstairs and 30 on our mezzanine level which houses a beautiful glass piano.’
At last! It’s been my intention to feature thesmall but perfectly formed Shoebox Theatreon here for ages of a crow. Yet somehow or other I’ve failed. Never mind – they’re here now!
Who or what are they?
The box office/cash desk/reception at the Shoebox Theatre
Managed by the Wrong Shoes Theatre Company, the space supports new and contemporary work, hosts an exciting programme of contemporary theatre and provides quality theatre training.’
*In truth the historic and important Health Hydro/Milton Rd baths lie just outside the boundary of the actual railway village conservation area. Though they are in the railway village.
Having been in the Artsite/Postmodern/old post officebuilding on Theatre Square, the theatre company are now ensconced in Milton Road baths in the former laundry rooms. Here, in collaboration with GLL and the Wrong Shoes theatre company, they’ve converted these historic rooms into an affordable fringe theatre and rehearsal venue.
It seems to me that this theatre and arts space is a fabulous addition to Swindon’s cultural offering. I love that they have Swindon-born (well Purton but close enough for government work) Billie Piper as a patron! Before she filled our screens as Rose Tyler in Dr Who, my awareness of her had been a passing one. I’m sure as heck aware of her now as she’s gone from strength to strength. Well done Billie.
Having been in the Artsite/Postmodern/old post officebuilding on Theatre Square, the theatre company are now ensconced in Milton Road baths in the former laundry rooms. Here, in collaboration with GLL and the Wrong Shoes theatre company, they’ve converted these historic rooms into an affordable fringe theatre and rehearsal venue.
It seems to me that this theatre and arts space is a fabulous addition to Swindon’s cultural offering. I love that they have Swindon-born (well Purton but close enough for government work) Billie Piper as a patron! Before she filled our screens as Rose Tyler in Dr Who, my awareness of her had been a passing one. I’m sure as heck aware of her now as she’s gone from strength to strength. Well done Billie.
He’s right in this: ‘Swindon has an abundance of talented young performers and emerging artists but, like me, they were seeking theatre out of town and more importantly they relied on creative opportunities further afield. We needed an affordable creative space to create new work and so do the other amazing talents in the town and that’s what we want to achieve with the Shoebox Theatre.’
The theatre runs an educational programme, with weekly classes for beginners, advanced classes for the more experienced. Also weekly stage combat classes and masterclasses with theatre professionals. Find out more about the theatre’s education programme here.
All in all Shoebox Theatre is a perfect fit. No blisters here! Long may that continue.
It’s really best to read Linda’s post but here’s a teeny extract:
‘David’s Father was, in his words  ‘an aviation nutcase’, he was also a brilliant aeromodeller whose first job was at Croydon airport working for Sir Alan Cobham a pioneering aviator . David & his dad watched the first public flight of the Red Arrows in 1965 together at Biggin Hill.’
David’s talk at Swindon’s museum and art gallerycame close to the end of his Out of the Box exhibition there. It’s been a gorgeous exhibition with a super cross section of David’s output. Because, all though most known (it’s arguable) for his aviation work and his association with the Red Arrows, that isn’t all he does.
David’s exhibition garnered some super feedback as can be seen in this image from the Museum and Art gallery’s Twitter feed.
‘Circus’ by David Bent
NB: For only £15 a year, you can become a Friend and come along to their talks, join them on trips out to places like The Royal Academy and Pallant House Gallery. There’s always something going on. To become a Friend or find out more about about them visit: www.friendsofsmag.org
Not only is one of Tim’s paintings, Orangerie, on the exhibition poster, he also has some paintings in the exhibition.
‘This highly popular exhibition showcases the best of the region’s artistic talent. It’s a must for art lovers and collectors alike, with all works for sale.
The Society was founded in 1904 with 26 members. It has grown over the years to a membership of around 120 diverse, talented artists.
With Tim being exhibition organiser, Linda has all the ‘behind the scenes’ info. As she says: ‘it’s a tremendous undertaking to select and gather work together to exhibit in the prestigious Victoria Art Gallery.’
And a few more photos below:
More about Tim Carroll Swindon Artist work
See also this post below about Tim’s wonderful body of work, 100 Views of Swindon.
Doing a Ronseal, this is exactly what it says it is. A book comprising a collection of paintings that comprises 100 personal and intimate views of Swindon. #obvs
I love these paintings for: 1. Thee style and I love the colours. 2. Their depictions of Swindon and … 3. … their lack of focus on the iconic and the picturesque. Tim has painted the everyday too.
And now Tim’s collected them all together in to a lovely little book.
It’s a super collection of work. I had a job on choosing one. And there had to be a choice as I simply don’t have the wall space. In the end I plumped for one that featured the David Murray John tower. I’ve contented myself with that one and a few others in postcard form – notably The Blondinis. This post shows Tim, a few years back now, doing some restoration work on this gorgeous and exuberant piece of public art.
