Arthur Dallimer is Event Speaker. Arthur will be among the guest speakers at the first ever TBE Big Breakfast to take place at Lydiard Park, Swindon. He’ll speak about the economic and cultural future of the town.
Make your networking count and join us for the first ever TBE Big Breakfast at Lydiard Park, Swindon on Thursday 23rd April 2026.
Organised by Anita Jaynes, managing editor of the TBE magazines for Swindon & Wiltshire, Bath & Somerset, the event will bring together business leaders and professionals. They’ll explore growth opportunities and the evolving future of the town and its place in the region.
With a focus on the new fiscal year, the theme centres on growth and Swindon. It’ll examine the town’s reputation versus its reality highlighting its role as an underestimated powerhouse within the regional and wider UK economy.
Arthur Dallimer is Event Speaker
Possibilities
‘Swindon is my home and I’m proud to be part of this community,’ Arthur said. ‘We now have an opportunity to be open in our pride of being part of this town as it looks towards its UK City of Culture 2029 bid. And the possibility of joining forces economically with Oxfordshire and Berkshire as a Mayoral Strategic Authority.’
The choice of Lydiard Park as the venue reflects a deliberate effort to showcase Swindon. Emphasising its green spaces and cultural assets alongside its commercial strengths.
Arthur, as a landlord and property developer, has delivered more than £20 million pounds-worth of projects across Swindon and Wiltshire since 2014. He works at close quarters with private investors on structured development schemes. He’s currently developing Burderop House Estate.
‘I’m looking forward to being part of this important conversation about Swindon’s future,’ he said. ‘There is a great deal of potential within the town. And it’s vital that businesses and communities work together to realise it. We also need to express our belief in the amazing positive potential of Swindon. It’s is the second most economically active urban area in the whole of the South West, second only to Bristol.’
Joining Arthur are Kate Westbrook, Partner and Head of Commercial at Thrings, and James Phipps, Executive Chairman of WestSpring IT and a long-standing advocate for the region’s business community. Chairing the discussion will be Anita Jaynes, founder of The Business Exchange.
Anita said: ‘We’re delighted that Arthur has agreed to be part of this important discussion. He’s gone about this own personal mission to celebrate and save the heritage and enhance the culture of the area. Something which is not always easy or straight-forward. To hear the voice of this young entrepreneur will, I’m sure, inspire many.’
On topic
Topics will include:
Swindon’s reputation versus reality
Its positioning as an economic hub
Emerging opportunities linked to new regional connections.
And the role of culture and placemaking in reshaping perceptions. That’s including developments such as the town’s City of Culture bid and projects like Burderop House and Apsley House (Swindon’s former museum and art gallery, now owned by Arthur).
The Locomotive for Murder. MURDER, MYSTERY AND MAYHEM COME TO TOWN GARDENS BOWL FOR 90TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION.
Town Gardens Bowl, 3rd May — Get ready for an evening of intrigue, laughter, and deadly deception. The Locomotive for Murder: The Improvised Whodunnit arrives at the Town Gardens Bowl on 3rd May. It’s part of a special celebration marking the venue’s 90th anniversary.
The Locomotive for Murder – the bowl in swindon town gardens
Presented by …
Presented by acclaimed improv company Pinch Punch, this unique theatrical experience invites audiences aboard a train journey. One where not everyone will make it to the final stop. Combining razor-sharp comedy with classic murder mystery tropes, the show is e improvised in its entirety. So no two performances are ever the same.
Hailed as ‘a first class improvised murder mystery with hilarious performances’ (★★★★★ The Reviews Hub), the production puts the audience at the heart of the action. Using live suggestions, the cast creates a brand-new whodunnit each night. All complete with suspicious passengers, dubious alibis and a detective determined to crack the case.
But there’s a twist: only one person on stage knows the identity of the killer—and that’s the murderer themselves.
As the mystery unfolds, audiences must work alongside the detective to:
piece together clues
interrogate suspects …
…and unmask the culprit before they strike again.
Running at approximately 60 minutes (with an optional 90-minute version including interval), the show is suitable for ages 10+. It features comedic depictions of murder, audience interaction, innuendo and occasional strong language.
This special performance forms part of the Town Gardens Bowl’s 90th anniversary celebrations. It brings a fresh and playful twist to the historic venue’s milestone year.
Reach Inclusive Arts Secures Investment. RIA secures major Arts Council England investment in inclusive creativity.
Reach Inclusive Arts (Reach), are a local charity. They’ve been the leading light for inclusive arts in Swindon for more than forty years. They’re delighted to announce that they’ve awarded an Arts Council England National Lottery Project Grant of over £90,000. They’ve got it to grow their bold programme of innovative and accessible creative activities over the next 15 months.
The funding will enable Reach to expand their ambitious portfolio of work. All alongside individuals who experience:
learning and physical disabilities
mental ill health
sensory impairment and social isolation.
It’ll open up the world of inclusive arts to new and existing audiences, throughout Swindon and the surrounding area. And it’ll achieve this by focusing on creating opportunities for individuals to collaborate with experienced and developing practitioners right in the heart of the community within which they live.
Reach Inclusive Arts Secures Investment –
1983
Established in 1983, Reach has often produced and had involvement in a range of professional performances and exhibitions. These include the renowned ‘Big Hat Cabaret’. That’s been a feature of Swindon’s disability arts scene for almost twenty years.
Over the last two years alone, Reach’s Partners Theatre Company has toured to 8 venues with a production of an original drama, ‘To the Edge of the World’. And the Right Time for Art group has exhibited at the STEAM Museum as part of the Railway 200 celebrations. Further, last year, the Mayor commissioned them to create the Mayor’s Christmas card.
Building on this strong history of, and reputation for professionally-produced cultural offerings, this new investment will see the return of ‘Big Hat Cabaret’. That’s its first time since 2023. It will also provide the foundations for the creation of a brand-new Festival of Inclusion for Swindon. That’ll use Reach’s experience, expertise and knowledge leading the way in its development.
A crucial moment
The investment comes at a crucial time for the charity and at an exciting time for the arts and culture in Swindon. Jeni Burchell, Operations Manager for Reach Inclusive Arts said:
‘This is an unprecedented level of funding that will be transformational for Reach.
It will enable us to build on the work that’s already completed and take our development to another level. This means that more people who have disabilities will be able to experience the positivity, fun and opportunities that the arts can bring in a caring, nurturing environment. One where participants are at the heart of all activity.
We’re proud members of the Swindon Culture Collective and supporters of Swindon’s 2029 City of Culture bid. In that, we’re pleased to be making our own valuable contribution to the local arts and cultural scene with this investment from the Arts Council. It will ensure inclusive arts and the talents of individuals with disabilities continue to shine.’
Sue Welsh, Arts Coordinator for Reach Inclusive Arts added:
‘Many participants have never experienced the arts before. And, at Reach, we help people to develop their skills, try new activities and reach their own artistic goals. We never compromise on quality. All our activities have professional artists and directors leading them. And we, our participants and practitioners, are all so excited to be part of the next chapter in this wonderful organisation.’
Summer, a young leader reflected that: ‘This funding will help so many of our Special Education Needs and Disability (SEND) participants. They can have a place to feel they can be themselves, in a world that hasn’t accepted them yet. I’ve never felt like I belonged anywhere. Then Reach came into my world and 4 years later I’m now doing things I thought I’d never in a million years do. I’m proud to be part of Reach’s team.’
Activity funded through this programme will begin in the coming months. Opportunities for participants, artists and volunteers to get involved are set to be announced soon.
Swindon FameLab Academy Winner – Déjà vu? It might be echoes of the mind.
Isabel Aguilar found herself chosen as the winner of the first ever FameLab Academy Swindon. It took place on Friday 20 March, in the final event of the Festival of Tomorrow 2026 Schools Programme. This year it reached more Swindon students than ever before. Isabel – a year 9 student from Abbey Park School – amazed the judges with her talk, ‘Echos of the Mind’, that explored the neuroscience of déjà vu.
Winner Isabel Aguilar accepts certificate from Rod Hebden, Festival director
The FameLab Academy final took place at the Civic Offices. It followed months of preparation in schools across Swindon. Each participating school selected two students to take part in the final.
FameLab Academy, developed by Cheltenham Science Festival but delivered by the Festival of Tomorrow in Swindon, challenged students to present on a science-related topic of their choice. No PowerPoints were allowed and with only props the student could carry on stage with them. Judging the students’ entries on content, charisma and clarity was a panel of judges from:
UK Research and Innovation
the Science and Innovation Park …
… and Cllr Marina Strinkovsky from Swindon Borough Council.
New addition
The competition was one of the new additions to this year’s Festival of Tomorrow Schools programme. This year it provided over 12,500 fully-funded student places on an inspiring range of in-school and online activities. All designed to give young people the opportunity to engage with the research, knowledge and ideas that will shape our future.
Thanks to support from:
Arts Council England
Swindon-based UK Research and Innovation
Business West
Catalent
the Science Museum Group’s Science and Innovation Park
and the UK Electronics Skills Foundation …
… organisers were able to offer Swindon schools an exciting menu of challenges, shows and workshops. All giving thousands of pupils the opportunity to engage with:
Science
Technology
Engineering and the creative arts.
Swindon schools
Over 35 Swindon schools participated in this year’s programme. It included school visits from role models such as astrophysicist Dr Sarah Crick. Also hands-on workshops facilitated by researchers from Ulster University Future Island-Island project or the University of Oxford Vax Hub. Then there were creative sessions with local author Kate Claxton and exciting special assembly shows bringing big concepts to life.
Festival Director, Rod Hebden said ‘There’s a growing body of evidence that children as young as seven are forming attitudes and beliefs about who can and can’t have a career in research or the arts. The latest research shows that, whilst the public are recognising the importance of science to their lives, more and more children are being put off these subjects before they even leave primary school. This can have a negative impact on their aspirations and opportunities as they move forward in life.
Giving young people these rich experiences and chances to meet a diverse range of inspiring role models is important in helping to change some of those perceptions. Programmes like FameLab Academy Swindon are a fantastic way to encourage curiosity about the world. All while supporting young people to develop transferable skills like communication and critical thinking. We’re so grateful to the support of all our funders, partners and presenters for making this possible. And we’re now on the lookout for organisations to support this work to continue next year.’
Entrepreneur Runs for Air Ambulance. Louise Muir-Sage, founder and CEO of Something Kind of Woo, who lives and works in Royal Wootton Bassett, has completed another charitable challenge. She ran the Bath Half Marathon 2026 for the local air ambulance service.
The Bath alf Marathon is one of the longest established and most popular city-centre road events in the UK. It took place on Sunday 15th March covering the centre of the historic city.
Louise was among the 15,000 runners. She set the goal to raise £200 for the run towards her total commitment of raising £1000 for the charity this year.
This was not Louise’s first time running the Bath Half Marathon. Nor her first time running for Wiltshire and Bath Air Ambulance.
I ran the Bath Half Marathon last year for the same charity. It was a challenge but one where I enjoyed every minute’ said Louise. “So much so, I had to go back. Knowing to take my time, enjoy the views of the beautiful city of Bath and all while raising much needed funds makes something I’m committed to achieving.’
Entrepreneur Runs for Air Ambulance.
Louise Muir-Sage (camera left) founder of Something Kind of Woo, who’s fundraising for Wiltshire and Bath Air Ambulance by completing the Bath Half Marathon earlier this month.
About the air ambulance
Wiltshire and Bath Air Ambulance is a charity that started in 1988. It provides critical medical care land and air across Wiltshire and Bath.
With their helicopter and critical care cars, the team are on call all year round. They respond to an average of four calls daily. They provide the same level of critical care as a hospital with their expert team and specialist equipment to those who need it. They’re entirely funded by donations.
Louise has raised a total of £365 for Wiltshire and Bath Air Ambulance to date.
‘As someone who’s lived in Wiltshire for most of my life, I’ve known about Wiltshire and Bath Air Ambulance. I first met the team when I ran the Bath Half Marathon in 2025. They were phenomenal and when I went behind the scenes at the beginning of this year, I saw the crucial work they do and how much our community relies on their services,’ she said.
‘This charity means a great deal to me and it’s a privilege to fundraising for them,’ Louise continued. ‘The support of my family and friends has been invaluable.’
Something Kind of Woo is Royal Wootton Bassett’s signature ‘woo’ high street shop. It offers group workshops, Coffee & Crystal events, Reiki sessions, chakra balancing, all whilst selling crystals. All products are from responsible sources, from crystals to incense to pure essential oils. To find out more visit: https://somethingkindofwoo.co.uk/.
