SOS 2025 New Venues. Or new venues for Swindon Open Studios 2025.
It’s almost time to celebrate Swindon’s colourful creativity with a fun day out for all the family! This is the 21st year artists will welcome the public behind the scenes into their studios, workshops and homes to see their work. It happens during the last two weekends in September. This year, sees three new venues have added. This is because exhibitors are at different stages of their creative journey and not everyone has a dedicated workspace.
The new venues are:
The Wyvern Theatre – it will be open both Saturdays 20th and 27th September.
STEAM: Museum of the Great Western Railway
Great Moorleaze Farm near Wanborough
The latter two are open only for the first weekend: 20th and 21st September.
John Webb
John Webb (deceased) used to work for Great Western Railways and recorded scenes in and around Swindon’s works. It will please railway enthusiasts to see his paintings displayed in such an appropriate space as STEAM.
John Webb salvaging engine parts at Swindon workshops
STEAM is also an apt setting for Alex Crump because he loves and paints trains too. Alex is a well-established children’s book illustrator. He says, ‘I usually work at home in a converted loft. But I can’t invite people up there because I have to climb up a rickety old ladder to reach it! I’m so grateful for the venues making exhibition space available!’
To date, Alex has illustrated ifty-four books using watercolours, charcoal, his iPad and a computer programme called ‘Procreate’. His best-known illustrations feature in ‘Dragon Air’. The author realised that every country has its own version of these strange, winged creatures. Another story Alex is proud to have illustrated is the best-seller Niky Naky Noo published last year.
Alex Crump with a copy of Niki Naki Noo – photo credit, David ChalkAlex Crump – credit David Chalk
The Great Bustard
As a bird-lover, Alex always wanted to see a Great Bustard – featured on Wiltshire’s Coat of Arms. He posted an illustration of one on Facebook and the CEO of The Great Bustard Group invited him to visit. And then to create some images that the charity has used on merchandise.
Downton Distillery commissioned Alex to paint one as the mascot for their new Great Bustard gin. It’s won several global awards. More proof that Swindon can be proud of the work of its artists, seen all over the world!
The beauty of this event is that you can plan several visits in a day.
All kinds of arts and crafts are on show and this year about forty per cent of exhibitors are first-timers. Everyone is looking forward to conversations about art, stories behind each work, their inspiration, techniques and processes they use. Feedback on what people like is r encouraging and helps artists develop. Demonstrations and taster sessions are free but you might need to book workshops in advance. If you visit artists in their own studios, the added bonus is seeing the chaos that often accompanies creativity! Who knows – you might even get inspired to pick up a paintbrush yourself or find a new hobby for the winter months!
Doughnut Maker Branches Out. Artisan doughnut maker Pipp & Co, launched its first vegan doughnut earlier this year. And its now expanding its plant-based range with a new vegan banana and walnut loaf, plus four more vegan doughnut flavours.
The banana and walnut loaf bake, which has proved popular in Pipp & Co’s Bristol café, has gone on general sale via the company’s regular channels. That’s wholesalers, stockists, caterers and via its website to you and me.
Doughnut Maker Branches Out – Vegan Lemon Glazed Ring Doughnut with Pistachio Nib Sprinkles
Use your loaf!
‘We trialled the vegan banana and walnut loaf in our café, and our customers loved it,’ said Mario Evangelista. He co-runs Swindon-based Pipp & Co with his wife Betina. ‘Although we’re best known for our doughnuts, we wanted to expand our range to showcase our diversity as a bakery. And this includes our commitment to creating delicious plant-based products.’
Made with 45% real banana and nutritious walnuts, the loaf is rich, moist and naturally sweet. A satisfying plant-based option that doesn’t compromise on flavour or texture.
The new vegan banana and walnut loaf is available whole or sliced. Pipp & Co also bakes a non-vegan version. It’s also on sale in the café and will soon be available through wholesalers, stockists, and caterers.
Vegan doughnut
In March, Pipp & Co launched its first vegan doughnut, a mixed berry flavour, in response to growing demand from customers looking for a plant-based alternative. It’s since launched a second vegan doughnut – lemon and pistachio. And, this month (September) three more vegan flavours are being introduced. They are mango and Tajin, raspberry and basil, and rhubarb and ginger.
Pipp & Co bakes all its products in Swindon. Its entire range meets the baker’s strict criteria of using only natural ingredients. There are no artificial additives or preservatives here. Nor hydrogenated fats, palm oils or GMOs.
Mario said: ‘In the last three months, we’ve produced more than 20,600 vegan doughnuts. That’s a clear sign that demand for delicious vegan options is growing and here to stay.’
Banana Walnut LoafRhubarb and Ginger Jam Vegan Doughnut
Success Story
The expanding range is part of the Pipp & Co success story. The baker now makes 25 to 30 different products daily, compared to half-a-dozen two years ago.
And in more good news, Pipp & Co succeeded in completing its first SALSA audit. SALSA – Safe and Local Supplier Approval – is a robust food safety standard. It’s designed specifically for small UK food and drink producers, operating from a commercial kitchen. It goes beyond basic legal requirements to reflect the high standards that professional buyers expect.
Mario added: ‘This certification reassures our customers, buyers, and partners of our commitment to best practices in food safety management. And it opens the door for us to grow with confidence and supply even more delicious products to the people who love them.’
Pipp & Co doughnuts and other products are available through stockists from Reading to Oxford, and from Stroud to Bristol.
The company, which produces more than 25,000 doughnuts a week from its Swindon bakery, also opened their first café in Bristol last year. And there are plans for other outlets in the future.
More ‘Woo’ for Wootton Bassett. Yes, I know it’s Royal Wootton Bassett but the Yoast SEO prefers headings of only four words. So I’m flouting Google preferences using five! Anyway – to the point:
ENTREPRENEUR Louise Muir-Sage is quite overwhelmed by community support for her new crystal and spiritual emporium, Something Kind of Woo. So much so that she’s already expanding with the opening of Something Kind of Woo Too!
t was only two months ago that town mayor Cllr Steve Bucknell cut the ribbon on her first retail shop at 23 Merchant House, selling crystals of all types and other spiritual goods. Since then the shop has been a hive of activity.
She said: ‘My aim was to share my love of crystals, their beauty and their properties with others. The response from the community has been overwhelming. It’s allowed me to make a substantial expansion far sooner than I’d ever hoped.
More ‘Woo’ for Wootton Bassett – Lou with the deputy mayor of Royal Wootton Bassett
A variety of customers
‘Customers have ranged from people with a love of shiny objects, to those who embrace crystals in their everyday lives. Parents come in to get products for their children and locals often come in to browse.’
Louise has also supported fellow business owners by stocking their products. This includes silver jewellery from Charming Bee Accessories and the latest books of local author Lis McDermott.
Something Kind of Woo Too has now opened next door at 24 Merchant House. It offers something related but different to the shop itself.
Louise has held an interest in crystals for many years. But it was in 2024 that she began running Coffee & Crystal events in collaboration with fellow retailer The Little Gem Café. Now she still offers these events in person and online.
Cllr Fiona Holness, Royal Wootton Bassett’s deputy mayor, said:
‘It was a pleasure to meet with Louise. I’m so thrilled to see that, within a few short months, she’s expanded her business next-door and will be offering Reiki treatments accessible to the people of Royal Wootton Bassett and nearby. I wish her all success for the future.’
To learn more about Something Kind of Woo or to book a healing session at Something Kind of Woo Too, visit: https://somethingkindofwoo.co.uk/.
The Pulpit Cheese Club. Doing what it says on the tin, I’ve today spent a convivial couple of hours in the The Pulpit on Devizes Road, eating cheese and drinking wine. The premise of the cheese club is a simple one – as the wee sign below explains. If you enjoy a chunk of Cheddar or a slice of Stilton or a wedge of Wensleydale get yourself along to The Pulpit on the first Sunday of the month and get stuck in.
The Pulpit Cheese Club – small blackboard signAn array of cheeses at the cheese club at The Pulpit
From their website: ‘Located in the Original 1830 Brewery coach house owned by the Hart “Brewing” Family of Broad Town and Royal Wootton Bassett, once again the town and surrounding villages have their own local brewery… Only, this time it has alpacas!’
They describe their beer as being ‘niche batch brewed’. That, it seems, means that they pay the utmost attention to detail and quality. ‘Every brew we undertake starts with high quality ingredients from the best maltings, hops and yeast that we can source, with a nod to consistency and a sense of adventure.’
Since their 2019 launch, their beers have proven popular. So popular that they’ve upscaled from using a 500L german-made Braumeister to a 6BBL (918L) brewhouse, now based in Calne. They’ve converted their original brewing location into additional seating in their quaint taproom, the Hop Chapel.
And I’m wondering if the name The Pulpit is to form a relationship to the Hop Chapel?
WEST END FAVE IN PANTO CAST. West End Star and TikTok Sensation Abbie Budden will join Swindon’s Wyvern Theatre Pantomime cast to tell the much-loved tale of Sleeping Beauty this festive season.
The show runs from 06 December to 04 January.
Abbie, who has amassed a huge following online with her original comedy shorts, theatre and impression videos, most recently appeared on stage in Cruel Intentions (The Other Palace & UK Tour). She’s also appeared in panto at Ipswich Regent Theatre.
WEST END FAVE IN PANTO CAST – Abbie Budden
Joining her are:
The previously announced professional quizzer, TV presenter and general knowledge ace Jenny Ryan
Swindon’s ‘resident’ Dame David Ashley …
… and The Choir of Man’s Ben Goffe, returning for his second year following his recent nomination as Best Comic in the UK Pantomime Awards.
A panto fan
Abbie says ‘I’m a panto fan. As a family we visited panto every year. It was a real tradition for us, so I’m delighted to be a part of other Christmas’ for other families! It’s going to be a lot of fun. Sleeping Beauty is a classic fairy tale that you know and love. It has all your favourite little panto gags and this cast is going to bring something special to the stage. I can’t wait!’
Bringing this much-loved fairytale to life are the producers and the award-winning Imagine Theatre. It’s packed full of all your favourite panto ingredients.
Once again, the Wyvern panto promises to be the perfect, magical, fun-filled family treat full of sparkle and spectacle.
When the wicked fairy Carabosse’s evil curse causes the Princess to prick her finger on a spinning wheel and fall into an enchanted sleep, can anyone rescue her from the magical slumber before it is too late?
Sleeping Beauty will run from 06 December 2025 to 04 January 2026. Make memories this festive season with this spellbinding, magical family pantomime. Tickets are on sale now.
