When I first conceived this blog I needed a starting point. So I came up with the idea of 10 things to celebrate about Swindon. This post is No 2: Arts and Culture
I have often heard it said that there is no culture in Swindon. Of the arts sort that is, rather than the bacteria type. I daresay there’s a lot of the latter around but I know for certain that there’s plenty of the former.
It might be well hidden, one might have to root it out – but it is there nevertheless. For starters Swindon hosted, for 25 years, a literature festival – thanks to the efforts of Matt Holland. That literature festival has now moved into a spring arts festival.
Town Hall Swindon – the home of Swindon Dance. A fab example of No 2: Arts and Culture in Swindon
Poetry in Swindon
The vintage bus from Swindon poetry festival 2012
Back in 2012 I went on a journey on a Vintage Poetry bus – an actual embodiment of a magical mystery tour. I’ve never done drugs, but I wouldn’t be surprised to learn that an acid trip is similar to my experience on that bus. It was, quite simply, the most stupendously, superbly surreal experience of my entire life!
Collecting its passengers at the bus station, the tour had two guides: Barry Dicks (aka Michael Scott) and Mabel Watson (aka Hilda Sheehan) who between them provided hysterical commentary, banter and badinage interspersed with poetry readings.
The journey took us around corners of Swindon that we might rarely see and highlighted some surprises – the view of the Marlborough downs from Penhill for one of many.
We stopped for refreshments and a comfort break at Lower Shaw Farm, http://www.lowershawfarm.co.uk, in West Swindon before returning to the bus station where, somewhat dazed (well I was anyway!), our journey ended. A truly fabulous and fun experience.
According to their website:Â “The Western Players originated as “The Great Western Railway(Swindon) Mechanics Institute Amateur Theatrical Society” in the early 1900’s (the first production was of “Checkmate” by A Halliday on April 25th 1904) and celebrated its 100 year anniversary in 2004. It has performed over 240 plays at the last count (although research is still ongoing!)” Â
10 things to celebrate about Swindon. No 1: Parks and Green spaces A: Lydiard Park and house
When I first conceived this blog I needed a starting point. So I came up with the idea of 10 things to celebrate about Swindon. This post is No 1: Parks and Green spaces – Lydiard Park.
November 2014: Sadly the stormy weather of Christmas 2013 destroyed the ancient walnut tree pictured below. Go here for more information about it.
Below is a picture I took the day before the storm came in and destroyed it.
Ancient walnut tree
Swindon is a town blessed with a huge amount of green space. It’s my understanding Swindon is classified as the greenest town in England.
Its green spaces range from the formal Town Gardens with its lovely bandstand, to large green areas, including a stately home and park in West Swindon: Lydiard House and Park.
I live a hop, skip and a jump from Lydiard Park but don’t go nearly as often as I should. However, even if I don’t utilise it too often many people do. It’s popular with runners, families out on bikes, dog-walkers, strollers and, in the summer months, picnickers and BBQers. If only more people would take their blasted litter away with them. How hard can it be? Grrr!
Lydiard House and Park
As the website says: Lydiard Park is a beautiful historic estate on the western edge of Swindon, with the Palladian House, Church and Walled Garden, set in 260 acres of parkland. The children’s play area, Cafe & Tea Rooms, events and education programmes make Lydiard Park a great destination for a family day out.
And on Lydiard House: ‘At the heart of the park is Lydiard House – a striking Grade I listed Palladian house that for 500 years was home to the St John family. The ground floor state apartments of Lydiard House have been beautifully restored and are open to visitors to view the ornate plasterwork and original family furnishings displayed alongside portraits and photographs of the St John family.Your visit starts in the grand Main Hall, which was originally the impressive entrance to the St John’s family home as well as being a space for dancing and entertainment. To the right, you will find the Library, lined with bookshelves decorated with classical plaster busts of famous philosophers.’
A few years ago (okay a LOT of years ago) I was given, to celebrate a special birthday, a hot air balloon flight from the park. It took place on a perfectly clear, warm, sunny early September evening. The operators inflated the ballon in front of the house and when we ‘took off’ and floated right over the house it was so, so magical. One of the loveliest experiences I’ve ever had. Simply amazing.
St Mary’s Church
Just behind the house is the Parish Church of St. Mary’s, Lydiard Tregoze. This is a gorgeous little church. It has closed in pews – something I’d not come across before. There’s recently been a big conservation project going on there so it’s well worth visiting if you’ve not been.
“St Mary’s is one of England’s finest small churches and dates back to the 12th century. It is packed with fascinating monuments to the St. John family including St John Polyptych, erected by John St John in 1592 and the Golden Cavalier, a full-size effigy of Edward St John, who died in battle in the English Civil War in 1644.”
I went up there for a walk just before Christmas (2013) and here a few pictures I took. It was a lovely sunny day and was even relatively mild. The house always looks very lovely in the sunshine.
Sunday 29th December 2013 – more photos:
Other parks are available
In no particular order, just some of the other parks/green spaces Swindon boasts are: Town Gardens, Queen’s Park, The GWR Park, the Polo Ground, Coate Water, Shaw Forest Park and Barbary Castle – a misleading name as it’s not actually a castle at all.
