New OPPORTUNITY FOR GRASSROOTS MUSICIANS IN SWINDON’S BELOVED CONCERT VENUE. With the longer days upon us and a glimpse of summer in the sky, it’s not long until Town Gardens welcomes visitors back for their famous free Sunday bandstand concerts.
OPPORTUNITY FOR GRASSROOTS MUSICIANS
The 2025 season
The 2025 season kicks off on April 6th, with JGMusic on the Bandstand from 3pm till 4:30pm. The bandstand concerts will take place every week until the end of September.
Last year, South Swindon Parish Council extended the afternoon of music by introducing an extra performance at 12pm. This year, the Parish Council is hoping to expand the reach of these performances by offering grassroots and young performers from the local area.
Young musicians are being encouraged to:
come and develop their skills
test out new ideas and approaches,
and prepare to engage with audiences.
Ellis Evason, 25, Hip Hop artist participated in the Signal Festival in 2024 and performed on the Town Gardens Bandstand. He said: ‘Performing in the Town Gardens was a great experience. It’s important more young artists get opportunities like this to connect with their own community.’
Mark Powell, Artistic Director of Prime Theatre, said: ‘Working in partnership with South Swindon Parish Council to showcase youth music talent was a key part of 2024’s Signal Youth Arts Festival. This platforming of musicians was a highlight for the artist and audiences alike. I can’t wait to see more young people take part in the season on the Bandstand this year.’
Loreli Huntley, South Swindon Parish Council’s youth worker, said, ‘Having the opportunity to perform in front of the audience is great for young people’s confidence and motivation. This is an amazing opportunity for young people to showcase and develop their talents. And I’m excited to see how the participants use this platform to find and explore their passions further.’
f you yourself are a grassroots musician, or know someone who is, they can get in contact with the Council directly through – eventsofficer@southswindon-pc.gov.uk, to get booked in and join this seasons line up of free bandstand concerts.
Find out more
For all the latest updates on events and music within Town Gardens, follow South Swindon Parish Council on Facebook and Instagram. Make sure you never miss a thing!
You can find more information about South Swindon Parish Council on its website at www.southswindon-pc.gov.uk
Free music concerts will take place as below, all at 3pm:
6 April – JGMusic – Town Gardens Bandstand
13 April – North Swindon Big Band – Town Gardens Bandstand
20 April – JGMusic – Queen’s Park
27 April – Swindon Brass – Blossom Circle, GWR Park
4 May – Ukey Dukes – Town Gardens Bandstand
11 May – The Cricklade Band – Town Gardens Bandstand
18 May – Swindon Concert Band – Queen’s Park
25 May – Saxophonics – Town Gardens Bandstand
1 June – Swindon Brass – Queen’s Park
8 June – Cirencester Band – Town Gardens Bandstand
15 June – Emma Doupé – Town Gardens Bandstand
22 June – Salvation Army – Town Gardens Bandstand
29 June – Kennet Accordion Orchestra – Town Gardens Bandstand
6 July – Malmesbury Concert Band – Town Gardens Bandstand
13 July – Ramsbury Silver Band – Queen’s Park
20 July – What The Pluck – Town Gardens Bandstand
27 July – The Swing Bird – Town Gardens Bandstand
3 August – Big Brunch Band – Town Gardens
10 August – Wantage Concert Band – Queen’s Park
17 August – Chippenham Band – Town Gardens Bandstand
24 August – TBC – Town Gardens Bandstand
31 August – Ellendune Entertainers – Town Gardens Bandstand
7 September – JGMusic – Queen’s Park
14 September – Ramsbury Silver Band – Town Gardens Bandstand
21 September – The Lost Hills – Town Gardens Bandstand
28 September – Mid West Big Band – Town Gardens Bandstand
Parajudo champion starts mentorship. Paralympic champion, Chris Hunt Skelley MBE, has announced the launch of his Hunt-Skelley Masterclass, to judo, Brazilian jiujitsu and martial arts groups. Thus offering the opportunity for Chris to work inclusively with anyone who loves their sport.
The Hunt-Skelley Masterclass offers groups the opportunity to work with Chris. And, perhaps, to bring his Paralympic medals and lead a session on the techniques and moves that have been successful for him during his world-class career as an elite athlete.
‘I approach my sessions around making it inclusive for all. Because what might work for me, may not work for someone else. There’s no ‘one-size fits all’ in judo or martial arts. For me, I may not have had the best techniques but I had determination. I was stubborn and I worked so hard and that won the day. For someone else their goals may be quite different.
‘Now it’s about imparting my love of this area of sport and sharing it with others. Showing the benefits around fitness, team work, personal achievement and building confidence.’
Parajudo champion starts mentorship – Chris Hunt Skelley MBE, paralympic champion and multi-medallist, who has launched his ‘Hunt Skelley Masterclasses’ for Judo, Brazilian Jiujitsu and martial arts groups nationwide. Here Chris is running one of his masterclasses.
The sessions
These sessions are on offer for any group as Chris seeks to bring the under-represented sport of Para Judo into the limelight. He knows it can open many doors for those with or without disabilities. These masterclasses will aid and inspire individuals and teams to break through barriers and achieve success.
‘My judo is for me. We’re all individuals and what works for me, isn’t forced to work for another,’ said Chris. ‘There’s no pressure to do this technique in your own judo. I will be offering golden nuggets of information that will make your Judo, your Judo.’
Chris has already worked with many judo and martial arts groups across the country. They include ‘Simply Judo’ in Northern Ireland, ‘Relentless Judo’ in London and ‘The Ray Stephen’s Academy’ in Merton.
Chris commented: ‘The great thing about judo is you can adapt it to anyone. I can’t wait to see where this takes the sport.’
Paralympian Receives Honorary Award. Paralympian Louise Hunt Skelley PLY has received a Special Recognition Award. The honour comes for her tireless work in the media, in the world of wheelchair tennis, and in being a champion for diversity and inclusion.
Louise is a former British wheelchair tennis athlete and Paralympian from Wroughton, Swindon. She attended the South West Business & Community Awards as a nominee in the hotly- contested category of Female Entrepreneur of the Year.
Paralympian Receives Honorary Award – Louise Hunt Skelley PLY who has been awarded the 2025 Special Recognition Awards at the South West Business and Community Awards (March 12).
A total surprise
Louise was unaware that she’d receive the Special Recognition Award that night (March 12). But her husband Chris, her parents Tim and Linda and her friends were all in on the secret!
‘I did not see that coming. Gosh, I’m in shock,’ Louise said. ‘A big thank you to whomever nominated me and the amazing judges. I could thank a million people. I’ve got the best family and friends in the whole world and I didn’t achieve that on my own. I did it because they believed in me and pushed me.
A big thank you has to go to my husband Chris as he literally makes me think I can achieve anything and believes in every crazy idea I have. He understands my level of ambition is beyond normal!
The award honoured her achievements including the release of her book What’s Wrong with You? And her commentating at the Paris 2024 Paralympics, the Tokyo Paralympics and many Wimbledon championships. She’s also an accomplished speaker and tennis tournament director. Further, she’s made a successful transition from full-time world class wheelchair tennis player to a successful businesswoman.
Elite athlete
Louise is one of Wiltshire’s most accomplished elite athletes. She represented Great Britain at the London 2012 and Rio 2016 Paralympic Games.
Paul Day, of Filestream which was the headline sponsor for the event and who presented the award said:
‘As judges, someone will come to our attention for a special recognition award. She stood out to receive this award in 2025. She proves to us all that ‘impossible’ is not a word she recognises.
By being positive, ambitious, and determined Louise defies boundaries. Every morning, she puts on a necklace given to her by her husband that says, ‘Abnormally Ambitious’. That paints the most accurate picture of her.’
The event played a recorded message from Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson. In it she congratulated Louise for her sporting achievements and her dedication to supporting others since leaving elite sport.
From her website: ‘This isn’t just a memoir; it’s a rallying cry for anyone who’s ever been told they can’t. With sharp wit, unshakable grit, and a refreshing no-holds-barred perspective, Louise shares the highs and lows that have shaped her, proving time and time again that society’s limits are meant to be shattered.’
PR podcast hits milestone of 5,000 downloads and 100 episodes. Getting in front of national journalists, the power of influencers and using stories to build a brand have all featured in a PR podcast which has hit 5,000 downloads.
The show – ‘PR not BS with Fiona Scott’ – has also reached almost 100 episodes since it started airing twice a month in December 2021. The creation of Fiona Scott, who runs Swindon-based PR consultancy Scott Media, the podcast aims to throw the spotlight on PR. It also busts a few myths and helps give small business owners tools to leverage PR to raise their profile.
PR podcast hits milestone – Fiona Scott
The guest list
There’s a guest on almost every episode and they come from all walks of life. They run the gamut from business owners, journalists, to other PR companies. In the main discussing business, PR, and journalism. But the topics are wide and varied. There’s been:
Chris Skelley MBE talking about life as a Paralympian
the moving story of trans woman Katie Neeves
and surviving Dragons’ Den with Julianne Ponan MBE, CEO of Creative Nature.
Among the most popular episodes was ‘Do you feel safe in Wiltshire?’ featuring former police officer Mike Rees.
‘Our team are proud of the podcast and the reach it’s now having,’ said Fiona. ‘There’s a lot of smoke and mirrors around PR. And some agencies use it as an excuse to pull the wool over their clients’ eyes. We do things differently at Scott Media and work in a transparent way, to help raise our clients’ profiles.
The podcast is another way of adding value to the small business community, so they can use PR and the power of the media to build their brands. PR is a marathon not a sprint, and is an essential yet often overlooked tool in the marketing arsenal.”
The majority of the podcast’s 5,000+ downloads have come from the UK. But it’s also popular in the US, South Africa and Australia, with growing numbers in Sweden and France.
Fiona added: ‘We’re delighted to see the popularity of our podcast growing in the UK and overseas, because it has universal themes. We’ve also loved giving people the opportunity to tell their stories to an appreciative audience.’
Bothy Gardens and Soil Science. As Spring arrives, the couple behind Bothy Gardens in Wiltshire are urging gardeners to consider both their planting and the soil in their gardens. *
*Being of a certain age, any mention of gardening and soil brings to mind the late, great Kenneth Williams and his gardener character Arthur Fallowfield whose stock answer to any question was ‘… the answer lies in the soil.’ I rather suspect Jules and Mark would agree. Anyway, moving on ….
Jules Gilleland and Mark Wheeler have spent several years curating and bringing back to life the walled-garden and Grade II listed Bothy at Burderop, Chiseldon, near Swindon. They’re turning it into a vibrant natural space which will be both a business and a meeting place.
Bothy Gardens and Soil Science – Jules Gilleland and Mark Wheeler in their Bothy Garden on the Burderop Estate, Chiseldon, near Swindon.
Open day
Jules and Mark are holding their first open day in May. Visitors can book and browse around the site – and soil will be a big topic for the event.
Mark said: ‘Healthy soil is paramount when it comes to sustainability. The secret to a thriving garden is the soil beneath one’s feet.
‘Healthy soil is soil that’s alive with bacteria, fungi, and earthworms. That all breaks down organic matter, releases essential plant nutrients and retains moisture. Gardeners need to create well-structured soil which acts like a sponge, soaking up rainfall and preventing flooding.’
Wiltshire’s soil is chalky and limestone-rich with high alkaline pH level. Ergo it supports plants such as Cornus Mas, Acer Campestre, and Carpinus Betulus (Common Hornbeam). Whereas Rhododendron Cultivars, Azalea, and Hamamelis (Witch-Hazel) struggle in these environments because they need more acid.
Jules said: ‘Adding organic matter (compost or well-rotted manure) to lower pH levels and this will improve soil structure. If plants prefer alkaline conditions, you can use lime to keep the pH level in the plant’s comfort zone. Be sure to test your soil to ensure plants can thrive on a regular basis.’
The couple can also talk about testing/identifying arsenic which is present in most soils at low and safe levels. At Bothy Gardens, soil testing confirmed that arsenic levels are within normal background concentrations. There are plants which can mitigate as well.
‘By keeping soil neutral to slightly acidic, growers can reduce arsenic uptake in plants. Three plants that aren’t prone to accumulating arsenic from the soil are: European Beech, English Lavender, Japanese Rose,’ Mark said.
Implementations
They couple have implemented practical changes at Bothy Gardens when it comes to planting. They’ve planted Stock plants along walled edges and have added recycled organic matter to improve fertility and lower pH.
Mark and Jules have also installed a potting machine which can pot up to 5,000 plants per day using peat-free compost and recycled plastic pots.
Their horticultural advice is amongst the many opportunities available on their first open day of 2025 on Saturday May 10. Visitors can enjoy a guided tour, a beepkeeping class and nature art workshops as well as food and drink.
Jules Gilleland of Bothy Gardens, said, ‘Our first 2025 open day is going to be an exciting day for the start of summer. We can’t wait to welcome people and offer our amazing opportunities for people to learn about Bothy Gardens and all that we can offer. It will be a day of soil, sustainability, and sparkle.’
Those who interested in the open day can drop in and for more information visit www.bothygardens.com
