29th April 2018
Earlier this week I attended a press launch of the above named-event. This one-off, set-to-be-spectacular event is the brainchild of the new and current, High Sheriff of Wiltshire, Nicky Alberry.
Uncelebrated journey celebrates Swindon and its journey by celebrating that of the much-unsung Alfred Williams – aka -the Hammerman poet.
The image below gives more information of what the event will comprise. If you can’t see it too well then visit the Uncelebrated Journey Facebook page. It’ll be much clearer there: https://www.facebook.com/UncelebratedJourney/
What’s so exciting about this innovative event is that it maps the entirety of Swindon’s cultural landscape. Just as the landscape of our beautiful country is more varied and rich than one can comprehend so too is Swindon’s cultural scene. It’s simply astonishing. What’s more it’s being brought together to tell Alfred’s story. And that story is as fascinating as that of Swindon itself.
As Total Swindon so helpfully say in their write-up:
‘The evening, full of specially commissioned pieces of music and dance seek to illustrate Williams’ amazingly varied life. Not only was he a factory worker and poet, he also served in the First World War as a Gunner and travelled to India.’
Alfred educated himself to an astonishing level: he taught himself Greek and Latin so he could read the Classics. His literary output was huge though largely – though not entirely – unrecognised in his lifetime. Alfred – THIS is your moment.
For those of you unaware of how much Swindon has to offer culturally, here’s a round-up of some of it that you can experience at this event. These are the ones I’ve covered on this blog at various times.
Then there’s:
Swindon Choral Society and a whole heap more. I could be listing them all day.
Uncelebrated Journey will be taking centre stage at Swindon’s Wyvern Theatre on Saturday the 6th of October.
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24th April 2018
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Bank Holiday Monday May 28th 2018
at Westcott Recreation Ground (opposite ‘The Runner’ pub)
Wootton Bassett Road, Swindon
supported by
and
featuring the Blue Cross Fun Dog Show
Find the Duck Race on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pg/SwindonsFamousDuckRace/photos/?ref=page_internal
Please note you will be able to get your duck tickets for this year’s race from us at Asda Saturday 31 March,10am to 4pm, The Co-Op Old Town 14 April 10am to 4pm, GWH 25 April 9am to 3pm;
Christchurch Beer Festival 11, 6pm to 10pm & 12 May
10.30am to 4.30pm GWH 9 to 3pm; Co-Op Old Town 19 May 10am to 4pm
It’s a fun day out, all in a great cause – and you never know – your duck might win!
And now to Swindon Old Town Rotary
‘The Rotary Club of Swindon Old Town meets every Wednesday morning to share breakfast with likeminded friends before work.
We meet on Wednesday mornings at Hotel 20 (formerly the Kings) in Wood Street SN1 4AB for breakfast. In just over an hour a week, you’ll have the opportunity to meet other professionals who want to offer their service in the community, share ideas for fundraising, hear great speakers and get connected with the local community. Together we can do so much more. For more details contact us at Swindonoldtownrotary@mail.com‘
Now a bit about the Rotary Club in general: You might not be aware bit the Rotary Club is an international, global organisation of:
‘1.2 million neighbors, friends, leaders, and problem-solvers who see a world where people unite and take action to create lasting change – across the globe, in our communities, and in ourselves.’
The Rotary movement began in 1905 in Chicago when Paul Harris, a Chicago attorney, formed the Rotary Club of Chicago on the 23rd February. Rotary’s name came from the group’s early practice of rotating meetings among the offices of its members. Who knew? Not me.
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Swindon Philosophical society – image from their websit
Well listeners. As you know, on the odd occasion I’m known to demonstrate frustration at the suggestion that there’s nothing of cultural value in Swindon. One has to question how hard these people look! Anyway – the suggestion that Swindon has no culture is a risable one.
Now I’m pretty sure the subject of this post has passed onto my radar before but I’ve been looking the other way or something. Whatever – I’ve not, until today, registered that Swindon has a Philosophical Society. But it does! What’s more it’s been here since 1963! Interesting! Radio 4 do intermittent light drama plays around the Ferryhill Philosopher’s club and Alexander Mcall Smith, writes novels about Isabel Dalhousie and the Sunday Philosopher’s club. All of which I’ve enjoyed. It’s a rich vein it seems.
Find it here: https://swindonphilosophicalsociety.wordpress.com
The Swindon Philosophical Society meets in term-time, on Fridays from 7.40 to 9.40, at the Friends’ Meeting House, Eastcott Hill, Swindon SN1 3JF.
A typical evening’s format is a one hour talk, followed by an hour’s discussion – which generally continues in a nearby pub. Everyone is welcome – we’re a friendly bunch – just turn up on the night.
We first met in 1963 – over 50 years of great thinking!
There’s a charge of £2.00 (students free) to cover expenses.
13 April Equitable Water Sharing in the Blue Nile
20 April Fundamentalism
27 April Post Work
4 May Warfare and Welfare
11 May Swindon Festival of Literature
18 May Swindon Festival of Literature
25 May The Jordan Peterson Phenomenon
The Society meets on Fridays from 7.40 to 9.40 at the
Friends’ Meeting House, Eastcott Hill, Swindon SN1 3JF.
Find them on Twitter: https://twitter.com/swindonphilsoc
At its simplest, philosophy (from the Greek 
or phílosophía, meaning ‘the love of wisdom’) is the study of knowledge, or “thinking about thinking”, although the breadth of what it covers is perhaps best illustrated by a selection of other alternative definitions:
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24th March 2018
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Eastcott Heritage Exhibition
The good people of Savernake Street community hall in Eastcott have been busy again. I LOVE what they’re doing up there. It’s such a lovely thriving community centre that does some terrific stuff with its residents. At the back end of last year they launched their book: Legacy of a Rag and Bone man. Caroline Davis Khan, who helps run the community centre, has recently won a Pride of Swindon award – and so very well deserved it is too. Congratulations Caroline!
The book tells the story of a century of Eastcott community life. Savernake street hall has had several incarnations: British restaurant, civil defence – you name it really.
Now, building on that, they’ve launched an exhibition at the Museum and Art Gallery on Bath Road. All of this stuff has been made possible with help from the Heritage lottery fund – HLF South West.
It runs until the 5th of May so do go and see it.
A key character in Eastcott’s history is one ‘Raggy Powell’. There’s a quote in the book from the lovely Frances Bevan, local historian, who comments that Powell is one of ‘Swindon’s forgotten heroes’. ‘Despite his philanthropic contribution to the town, no street, or building has been named after him’. But the book and this exhibition are surely addressing that situation – as is only right and proper. The exhibition features a knitted Raggy Powell – one of the Swindon celebrities created by the good ladies of Stitch n Bitch.
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12th March 2018
It’s always the greatest pleasure to write about David Bent on this blog. Because he’s a Swindon artist and because I’m a fan of his work. ‘Nuff said.
He’s featured here several times before and if you want to explore any of the other posts you’ll find them here: https://swindonian.me/category/artscultureheritage/david-bent/
Or visit David Bent Studio: http://davidbentstudio.com
Below you’ll find a clip of David Bent talking on British Forces radio about the RAF and his exhibition.
David is a talented chap with many brushes in his pot, but he is of course, well-known for his aviation art. So in this anniversary year of the RAF this exhibition is fitting. You’ll find the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire. It’s a year-round centre for remembrance.
The arboretum is part of the Royal British Legion and has almost 30,000 maturing trees and over 350 memorials.
An exhibition by leading modern aviation artist, David Bent Hon CRAeS, unveiled at the National Memorial Arboretum, in Staffordshire.
‘Tribute 100’ is a new collection of work. It’s David Bent’s personal response and tribute to the legacy and ongoing contribution of the Royal Air Force.
The Arboretum, which is part of The Royal British Legion, is hosting the exhibition to celebrate the centenary of the Royal Air Force. Formed towards the end of the First World War, the RAF bears the distinction of being the oldest independent air force in the world.
On display in the Arboretum’s Remembrance Centre from 30 March to 30 June 2018, this free of charge exhibition features a selection of individual pieces by David Bent. The exhibition encourages visitors to spend time giving the artworks close examination, to discover elements and perspectives hidden within. As with most of David’s work, ‘the more you look, the more you see.’
As an artist, David finds inspiration in the world around him. That includes social issues, human design, technology and the natural world. Over the past 18 years, David’s pioneering approach to aviation art has attracted widespread support from many ares. This includes among many members of the Royal Air Force and the wider aviation community.
His solo exhibitions include:
Said David: “The Royal Air Force’s attitude has always been progressive and cutting edge; out there. For me, their motto Per Ardua ad Astra – from adversity to the stars – sums them up perfectly. From the earliest days, a century of hard work, imagination, skill and courage has taken the Air Force to the extremes of modernity and 3D space. This has provided the inspiration for my new collection of work.
Using a variety of aircraft and propeller shapes representing one hundred years, these images attempt to evoke the spirit of that propulsive force that moves them forever forward, turning theory into evermore fantastical reality. I‘m pleased that this collection is launching at such a significant and meaningful place as the National Memorial Arboretum.”
Sarah Oakden, Head of Marketing at the National Memorial Arboretum, said: “This exciting exhibition will allow visitors to explore an amazing collection of colourful works that celebrate the contributions of the Royal Air Force. Our new Remembrance Centre has allowed us to host a series of inspiring and engaging temporary exhibitions. This selection of vivid images from David Bent is a brilliant cultural addition. It’s also an important component of our programme marking the centenary of the formation of the Royal Air Force.
We’ll have a wide range of RAF 100 events and activities taking place between April and July and further information will be available on our website over the coming weeks.”
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