Swindon Charity gets voluntary service MBE from the Lord Lieutenant of Wiltshire.
On Friday, March 7th, the Lord Lieutenant of Wiltshire, Dame Sarah Troughton, presented Big Breakfast Plus with the King’s Award for Voluntary Service.
Big Breakfast Pluswas one of a handful of charities selected to receive the prestigious award. Announced in November 2024, it recognizes its volunteers’ continuous dedication and tireless efforts.
Charity gets voluntary service MBE
Breakfast is served
The charity served over 4,200 breakfasts in 2025. Averaging over 70 a day, BBP prides itself on serving fresh, cooked breakfasts. They do it in a warm and welcoming environment, to those in need. The charity’s volunteers have also contributed over 1,700 hours in 2025, so far.
Presenting the award
Presenting the award, the Lord Lieutenant commended the charity’s service to the Swindon community. She noted how the award recognized how hard all the volunteers worked. They ensure that a fresh cooked breakfast is available seven days a week, for those in most need. Also speaking of the charity’s service to the local community, the Lord Lieutenant commented on the effect the service has on those in need. She highlighted that starting the day with a good breakfast and a good chat with others, can bring hope and strength to many of the vulnerable people accessing the service.
Charity gets voluntary service MBE – BBP KAVS Angela and Jim receiving the award
Receiving the Award from the Lord Lieutenant, on behalf of Big Breakfast Plus, were two of the charity’s volunteers, Angela Proctor and Jim McLeod. Both of whom are long-standing volunteers at the charity.
Commenting on receiving the award, Angela said: ‘It’s a true recognition for Big Breakfast Plus to receive this Award. Every shift I volunteer on brings something different. Knowing that people walk away having eaten a decent breakfast, sometimes the only hot food they’ll have all day, is a feeling like no other.’
Also commenting on receiving the award, Jim added: ‘I’ve volunteered with Big Breakfast Plus for over 10 years. And I’ve enjoyed every shift. Being able to be part of a charity providing vulnerable people with breakfast, brightening some of the darkest days, is one of the most rewarding things you can do. The Kings Award for Voluntary Service is a lovely recognition for the efforts the volunteer teams put in. On every day of the week.’
What Big Breakfast Plus does
Big Breakfast Plus manages to support some of the most vulnerable and marginalised people in the town’s community. They do it by providing breakfast in a warm and welcoming environment. It’s thanks to the support of the wider Swindon community that the charity can run seven days a week and support the numbers of people it does daily.
Swindon’s Wyvern Theatre Nominated for two UK Pantomime Association awards. Actor Ben Goffe, who won the hearts of the audience as lovable Buttons received a nomination for the Best Comic Award. Whilst the wickedly talented duo, Eleanor Burke and Sophie Hirst, received nominations for the Best Sisters Award.
Cinderella, which starred Coronation Street’s Lisa George and Swindon’s favourite dame David Ashley, wowed audiences and press. Critics referred to the show as ‘a sparkling, family-friendly extravaganza’. And a show ‘filled with hilarity, heart, and a touch of Christmas magic’. The magical flying horse and carriage that transported Cinderella to the ball, left audience members spellbound. For sure it was ‘a stunning, showstopper of an end to the first half.’
Following this exciting news, the Wyvern Theatre also confirms that tickets are already on sale for magical pantomime Sleeping Beauty as this year’s ultimate festive family night out. That will run from 06 December 2025 to 04 January 2026.
, Eleanor Burke and Sophie Hirst, are nominated for the Best Sisters Award. Ben Goffe
Sponsors
With announcements of a star cast yet to come, Imagine Theatre will once again present Sleeping Beauty. As a pantomime producer they are themselves in the running for eleven awards across ten categories this year.
Theatre goers will find Sleeping Beauty packed full of all your favourite panto ingredients. All bringing this much-loved fairytale to life in a world full of sparkle and spectacle – the perfect fun-filled family treat to make magical memories with the family.
Laura James, the Theatre Director at the Wyvern Theatre said: ‘We’re so delighted that Ben, Eleanor and Sophie received nomination for their wonderful performances in Cinderella. We’re also thrilled to confirm our title for this year’s festive season as the panto of your dreams – Sleeping Beauty! After the huge success of Cinderella, we can’t wait to welcome you back for more magic and adventure than ever before. The Wyvern panto is the perfect place to make precious memories with your loved ones. And ensure all your dreams come true!’
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?
Make memories this festive season with this spellbinding magical family pantomime. Tickets are on sale now – book early to enjoy the best value tickets for the best seats in the house at swindontheatres.co.uk or visit imaginetheatre.co.uk.
2011 saw the foundation of the UK Pantomime association. It champions creativity, community and the unforgettable experience of live entertainment.
Sunday the 13th April sees the awards take place and the announcement of the winners.
HAINES WATTS BIDS ADIEUTO TWO LONG-STANDING PARTNERS WHO HELPED SHAPE ITS SUCCESS FOR DECADES.
One of Swindon’s most respected accountancy firms, Haines Watts Swindon, is saying goodbye to two of its partners, Mike Lloyd and Sue Plumb.
Haines Watts Swindon is a firm of chartered accountants and business advisors based in Old Town, Swindon. It’s part of the Haines Watts Group. Managing partner Mike Lloyd has been at the helm for almost 30 years. And his colleague Sue, who is the charity and not-for-profit partner has been with the firm for 23 years.
Mike said ‘I’ve had the pleasure of working with Sue for many of my years at Haines Watts. And I hope she enjoys her well-earned retirement. Sue has been a committed and dedicated colleague and friend. But now, as with me, it’s time for her to embrace different adventures.
HAINES WATTS BIDS ADIEU – Mike Lloyd
Three decades
Mike: For me, on March 31 it will be 30 years exactly since I joined Haines Watts. I found myself appointed a partner six months later and became managing partner in April 1996. That’s a role that I’ve fulfilled ever since. It’s been an amazing journey.
Whatever the next chapter entails, it will be different from this one and I’m looking forward to seeing what life brings. I’ve been fortunate to work with so many talented colleagues and business friends. Not to mention fabulous clients in this time, and I consider myself very lucky. There are so many people I want to thank for the joy that this career has given me. They know who they are!’
Mike is looking forward to spending more time with his partner Pat at their second home in the south of France. Also visiting friends and family in Australia and New Zealand.
I’m planning to finally learn to play the guitar that has hung forlornly on my wall for thirty years. And also to try for my race licence and indulge my need for speed legally!,’ Mike said.
‘I’m hoping to get involved in the amazing work done by White Ribbon UK in the ongoing fight to combat violence against women and girls. With Pat and I having three daughters and a grand-daughter it’s something very close to my heart. Au revoir for now!’
Martin said ‘We’d like to thank both Mike and Sue for their commitment over so many years. They’ve built the foundations on which we can build and take the business into the future.’
Festival of Tomorrow’s Impact Doubles as thousands exploreOur Future Earth.
Festival of Tomorrow’s Impact Doubles – Gaia at STEAM museum
Key points:
Attendance at Festival of Tomorrow events and activities reached over 47,000 this February. Thus more than doubling last year’s record figures.
Over 11,000 free student places were booked for the festival’s biggest ever free schools programme of online and in-school activities for Swindon primary schools. That gave thousands of pupils the opportunity to engage with science, technology, engineering and the creative arts.
February 2025 saw the festival’s biggest ever public programme of over 150 events, activities and immersive experience for all ages. All exploring the ideas, research and innovation that will shape our shared future.
The festival presented Luke Jerram’s Gaia touring artwork at Steam – Museum of the Great Western Railway, as the focal point of a curated programme of:
events
FREE family activities
workshops
performances and exhibits
All of which invited festivalgoers to re-imagine the Earth of the future.
Festival organisers attribute the success of this year’s programme to the strength of collaborations with Swindon’s creative and cultural networks.
Festival attendance
Attendance at Swindon’s Festival of Tomorrow doubled this year. Thousands of families turned out to explore its biggest ever programme of:
Spectacular performances
Thought-provoking discussions
Immersive art
Hands-on workshops and free drop-in activities for all ages.
It’s a numbers game
Over 47,000 attended this year’s programme. It brought local people together with artists, performers, researchers, universities, charities and organisations from across the UK and the globe to explore the theme Our Future Earth.
Festival Director, Rod Hebden said ‘We’re absolutely blown away by the response to this year’s festival. In our fast-changing world, it’s never been more important that everyone can share in and help to shape the knowledge, research and creativity that will shape our future world. We’re so grateful to the support we’ve received. In particular from the Arts Council, UK Research and Innovation, and Business West. There’s been a real sense of inclusion and community throughout this year’s events, which has been so uplifting.’
Schoolchildren get ahead
Swindon primary schoolchildren got a head-start on the action. They took up over 11,000 free student places on the Festival’s biggest offering yet for primary schools, bringing inspiration and skills into the classroom. Thanks to support from long-term partners:
Swindon-based UK Research and Innovation
Business West
Catalent
and the Science and Technology Facilities Council ..
… organisers were able to offer Swindon schools an exciting range of online and in-school challenges, shows and workshops. Thus giving thousands of pupils the opportunity to engage with science, technology, engineering and the creative arts.
Covingham Park Primary Big bubbles 2
Award-winning local author, Kate Claxton of Really Rather Wild said ‘I’m so excited to combine my love of storytelling with the festival’s ‘Our Future Earth’ theme this year. And kicking off my school visits during National Storytelling Week was perfect! v
I worked with over 500 children to look at how trees tell a story as they grow. And to think about what kind of stories we want to tell while we grow on our precious planet! Storytelling is a wonderful way to introduce children to big important topics. The conversations and creations that came up as we thought about our place on Earth blew me away.’
Talia Wood, a teacher at Covingham Park Primary School, which took part in several festival activities, said, at the end of one session: ‘I think that’s the best workshop for kids I’ve ever watched! If you could’ve seen the awe on my children’s faces! As it progressed, I watched a child who’d been adamant she wouldn’t enjoy it ‘because I don’t like science stuff’ crawling closer and closer to the screen until she was kneeling up near the front, quite transfixed. The talk in the cloakroom on the way out to play was, ‘That was wicked! – and a whole lot of wonder.’ It’s generated lots of questions so we’re going to have to do some Googling after playtime! Thank you for such a brilliant session!’
Gaia
Bristol-based artist Luke Jerram’s giant touring Earth artwork, Gaia was a focal point for festivalgoers during the half-term week. At the heart of a special curated programme of events, workshops, performances and exhibits at Steam Museum it invited visitors to re-imagine the Earth of the future.
Measuring six metres in diameter, Gaia features 120dpi detailed NASA imagery of the Earth’s surface. The artwork provided visitors to Steam the unique opportunity to see our planet on this scale.Floating in three-dimensions, many families opted to stay for several hours enjoying the atmosphere.
Highlights
Highlights of the week included a unique sell-out immersive performance by composer musician Charlie Hooper-Williams, whose haunting music and spectacular AI-generated live visuals provided an unforgettable counterpoint to the softly illuminated Gaia artwork. Free performances on the Sonic Spider captivated almost 15,000 visitors. The spider was a 4m wide playable sculpture, which invited listeners to enter an orb spider’s world of vibrations.
Sonic spider at STEAM
Shoppers at Swindon Designer Outletfound themselves treated to a range of interactive activities. Including the opportunity to help shape future work by local contemporary dance company, Neon Dance. How? By contributing design ideas for wearable sound sculptures in the Sonic Body Lab. A specially designed Sea Creature Superpowers trail was a huge hit. Almost 4000 families completed it by hunting for clues around the centre, learning about marine animal adaptations along the way.
Festivalgoers also enjoyed the opportunity to experience the work of some of Swindon’s talented local artists. Paintings by Sheryll Fox, Andi Theokle and Carol Burns were on display at both Steam Museum and a pop-up gallery at the Designer Outlet. They were joined at the Outlet by a spectacular display of ceramics by Lisa Lowe. Meanwhile, the festival’s first open art exhibition, curated by Artist in Residence Jo Beal, showcased more than 60 works by local artists of all ages and experiences. That attracted over 2000 visitors to the historic Carriage Works.
Stem to STEAM
Local resident and international advocate for STEM to STEAM – which adds the arts to the world of STEM – Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics – Carole Bent said ‘Fantastic – a wonderful mix that made us smile, laugh, think and learn. Every single person that we encountered on the magical mystery tour seemed as uplifted as I felt.
A confident, friendly, eclectic festival that made me feel proud to live in the town where this came to life. I loved the breadth of people involved & sense of openness.’
Festival finale
Families flocked to the ever-popular festival finale hosted by the Deanery CE Academy on the 21 and 22 February, for two action-packed days of discovery, innovation and creativity.
Almost 5,000 visitors explored five free interactive discovery zones.They were packed with:
amazing demos
intriguing exhibits
hands-on activities
challenges and free workshops from organisations
Including:
the James Dyson Foundation
Catalent
the University of Bath
Swindon Paint Festival
the European Space Agency
Kings College London
the Woodland Trust and United Kingdom Research and Innovation (UKRI) ……. as well as an exciting programme of shows and performances.
Calling All Swindon Artists!Register for Open Studios 2025 by 31st March.
After last year’s successful 20th celebration, Swindon Open Studios is again inviting local artists and craftspeople of all stripes, to register by 31st March.
The town’s premier arts community event showcases a wide range of talents. And, as more artists get inspired to join each year, the organisers are expecting a bumper year. This is great news for the public as the event is free to enter for visitors.
Calling All Swindon Artists! – Swindon open studios logo
Over the last two weekends in September, dozens of professional, amateur and hobby artists fling open wide the doors to their working spaces. Then visitors can celebrate Swindon’s creativity and see wonderful works of art on their doorstep. It’s a great opportunity to learn about the creative process involved or to get stuck in by joining a workshop. It’s a lot less formal than a visit to a gallery and you might even get a cup of tea or piece of cake!
Artists develop their practice by:
talking through working methods with visitors
honing exhibition skills
promoting their work and being part of a supportive creative community.
Chairperson of the SOS Committee, Anna Enright, says ‘Swindon Open Studios has grown for the last three years and we’re keen to invite a wide range of art styles and mediums. It promises to be bigger, brighter and more exciting than ever this year, so don’t leave your application too late!’
Deana Baker jewellerPottery throwing at Eastcott StudiosPaula Sullivan at work
Registration
The registration DEADLINE is earlier this year, closing on 31st March. The £50 registration fee remains unchanged. It gives exhibitors:
full colour entries in thousands of brochures
a personal page on the website
free posters and leaflets promoting the event
as well as learning resources, guides and support.
Anna adds, ‘If there are any young people or artists who’ve never exhibited before, we’d love to help you begin your journey to share your work with a wider audience.
There is no selection process and we’re lucky to have some very experienced members. They’re not only skilled artists but also seasoned exhibitors very willing to help new members. Our community is very friendly. Artists say they get so much encouragement from discussing their work, sharing it with visitors and other artists alike.’
To open up a home studio, offer workshops or book into a pop-up exhibition, artists can register NOW at www.openstudios.org/registration
For those new to exhibiting who need to explore further before committing, there’s a ‘FIND OUT MORE’ event on Thursday 13th March at 7pm at Swindon Rugby Football Club, SN3 3LA.
