Free Festive Activities in Town Gardens. Following four years of the Enchanted Gardens Light Trail in the Town Gardens, South Swindon Parish Council has decided to deliver something different for 2025. Thus the focus, this year, is on developing a free-to-access series of activities in the Town Gardens.
The events will take place on:
The weekends of 13th and 14th December
And also the 20th and 21st December 2025
Taking place between 12pm and 4pm the events will feature a range of activities including:
Special character visits
Children’s crafts
Music on the iconic Town Gardens Bandstand and much more.
Free Festive Activities in Town Gardens
Celebrating diversity
To celebrate Swindon’s diversity, SSPC is working alongside organisations such as the Swindon Hindu Centre and Rhythmix Goa. But they’ll announce more soon about who’ll be entertaining visitors on 13th and 14th December.
Young performers from Apollo Performing Arts and Revolution Performing Arts will fill the weekend before Christmas with festive joy. They’ll take to the stage on Saturday afternoon. Further, a series of brass and silver bands will entertain crowds between 12pm and 4pm on Sunday.
Plans in the making and a chance to have your say
There are still many more exciting plans in the making for these dates. So make sure you mark your calendars and follow South Swindon Parish Council on Facebook and Instagram. That way you’ll be the first to hear further details over the next few weeks.
The events team are now focusing on developing new, community-led plans for South Swindon’s offering in 2026. Thus SSPC is seeking responses from both past visitors to the Enchanted Gardens Light Trail and those who’ve never attended.
The Parish Council is keen to make sure that its programme of events reflect the communities it represents. And that they tailor it to suit the needs of its residents.
Cllr John Firmin, Vice-Chair of South Swindon Parish Council’s Leisure, Environment and Amenities Committee and Chair of the Events Working Party said:
‘I look forward to the great range of community groups we have in Swindon having the chance to perform in Town Gardens during December. Look out for more information on our other activities and offerings in the Town Gardens this Christmas. Announcements will come over the next few weeks.
So this little post is to flag up a rather lovely initiative: chat ‘n’ chew sessions for veterans in the Fika coffee shop on Havelock Square in Swindon town centre. I think this is just so … nice.
Martin, the proprietor of Fika is himself a veteran. And he’s created this lovely veterans’ corner in the coffee shop.
A cosy space where great coffee, fine wine, and meaningful moments come together. Inspired by the Swedish tradition of “fika”—a cherished coffee break shared with friends. It’s a place where people can slow down, savour quality drinks, and enjoy good company.
I can’t think of anywhere better for the veterans to get together for their pow-wow. It’s more than handy too that Fika is fully accessible. It’s straight in off the street, is all on one level and has an accessible toilet.
Further, and of equal importance IMHO, the coffee is great and Martin often has some rather delicious Swedish cinnamon buns. I’m rather too fond of them TBH!
Song for Swindon Saturday Night. Swindon’s home-grown music scene is long-considered a hidden gem by music lovers near and far.
Old Town’s annual Swindon Shuffle features dozens of Swindon-based bands and performers over a hectic weekend. And summer festivals like My Dad’s Bigger Than Your Dad provide a bigger stage for more established acts and their fans – all crowded into the Town Gardens Bowl.
London-born singer-songwriter Jol Rose has made Swindon his home for the last ten years. And his new album – released this week – reflects on life at home as well as dreams for a different kind of world.
Ragged Stories
Ragged Stories – Jol’s fourth album – sticks to the artist’s favoured style of ‘rough-edged Americana’. But this time pared down to guitar, voice and harmonica. And all recorded live in the studio, with no overdubs or technical trickery.
Song for Swindon Saturday Night – Ragged Stories album cover
With a country twang throughout, songs hinting at Nashville or Phoenix are something you might expect. More surprising is Swindon Saturday Night, a song that’s long been a favourite at live shows, now for the first time recorded.
I wrote that after lockdown’ he says. “We were all so chuffed to be heading out to the pubs again. Particularly musicians having a chance to play in front of real people. I wanted a song that gave a shout out to all our great pubs in town.’
‘It’s been tricky keeping the song up to date’ Rose adds. ‘New pubs come and, sadly, some others go.’
The Ragged Stories album had its official online release on 1st October. And the CD launch show will take place in the Pulpit, Old Town’s newest pub and live music venue, on Tuesday 21st October, 8pm. Entry to the show is free and, this being one of Old Town’s smallest venues, Jol recommends early arrival.
The gig at the pulpit
The Pulpit gig is billed also as the ‘warm-up’ for Jol’s Germany tour. It kicks off on the 23rd October, taking in 19 shows over a four-week journey from the north of the country down to the Bavarian south.
The new album’s ‘Meet me in Berlin’ is a clue to the ten years the performer spent in that country. The song tells the story of wild nights in the big cities, making friends and losing contact with abandon.
I have great memories of my time in Germany and I love touring there – visiting places I know as well as new ones’ he says. ‘Some places there seem stuck in another century while towns like Berlin change as you watch them,’ he added.
Ragged Stories as well as his previous three albums and several singles are all on Spotify, iTunes and other streaming platforms, as well as www.jolrose.com
Not only but also
As well as the CD launch gig on 21st October, Jol is supporting Americana artist Rob Vincent at the Hop Inn, Old Town, on Saturday 11th October.
Swindon Entrepreneur Wins UK Award. SWINDON’S PR expert and media consultant, Fiona Scott of Scott Media, named the UK’s Solopreneur of the Year.
The announcement came at the annual Great British Business and Community Awards, produced by Great British Expos Ltd. The awards were first launched in 2018. They celebrate the outstanding achievements, resilience, creativity and innovation of the UK’s business and community sectors.
The awards shine a light on the people who are making a positive and original impact on their industries, the economy, and society.
Following her March win at The South West Business and Community Awards as Solopreneur of the Year, Fiona found herself in the competitive national awards in the same category.
Shortlisted
Shortlisted alongside 18 others, Fiona travelled to The Crowne Plaza in Marlow to attend the ceremony. Award sponsor, Tina Fincham, announced Fiona Scott as the winner.
‘Fiona’s journey from award-winning journalist to running her own consultancy reflects true entrepreneurial spirit. She’s built her business with integrity and expertise, supporting countless organisations to raise their profile while staying true to her values,’ said Tina. ‘She stands out as a solopreneur who combines passion with purpose making her a deserving winner of this award.’
Fiona felt quite staggered to hear her name.
‘It was an absolute shock to win this national award. I was not expecting it’, commented Fiona. ‘My nomination fell in a category that packed with talent and trailblazers. Being counted among them was an honour. To win was fantastic! I’d like to thank the judges and the freelancers, also solopreneurs, who have supported me along the way.’
Swindon Entrepreneur Wins UK Award – Fiona Scott
Scott Media is a marketing and PR consultancy for small businesses and entrepreneurs. Fiona runs media outreach for various companies and trains countless others in how to engage positively with the media. Scott Media is a marketing and PR consultancy for small businesses and entrepreneurs. Fiona runs media outreach for various companies and trains countless others in how to engage positively with the media.
She also is a successful podcaster, is about to publish her second book and runs Scott Media Speakers. To find out more www.scottmedia.uk
Celebrating 50 Years of Baking. From marzipan mishaps to master baker – Swindon-born master baker, Paul Chambers is celebrating 50 years in the trade.
Paul once found himself banished from cookery lessons for throwing marzipan. But that early mischief didn’t stop him from building a remarkable career in baking. Because Paul is celebrating fifty years in the trade. And he’s now combining a lifetime of experience with a passion for teaching the next generation of bakers at Swindon-based artisan bakery Pipp & Co.
‘I left school at fifteen – as lots of people did in those days,’ said Paul, sixty-five, who lives in Grange Park with his wife, Vicki, and has two sons and two granddaughters.
Celebrating 50 Years of Baking – Master baker Paul Chambers
It started with a Saturday job
Says Paul: ‘I had a Saturday job in The Brunel and discovered a small stall from Swiss Chalet Bakery giving out samples. I tried the gingerbread, saw they were looking for an apprentice, and applied. It’s ironic that I’d been thrown out of cookery lessons for clowning around and throwing marzipan – it hit the teacher as she walked in! Though I’d not intended that of course.
Paul’s apprenticeship marked the start of a career that has spanned fifty years – so far!
Paul completed his City & Guilds at Cheltenham Technical College. He was supervising by age 19, mastering celebration cake decoration and sugar craft. He went on to hone his craft across several small bakeries, before stepping into management at twenty-eight. By then he was overseeing eight-two staff in a BRC food standard accredited business, supplying major retailers including M&S, Waitrose, and Costa Coffee.
Later, Paul joined a family bakery business in Bristol, managing fifty-two shops supplying fresh breads, confectionery and savouries. After eight years, he sought a role where he could pass on his knowledge, mentoring others and shaping the future of the craft he loves.
Training manager
Today, Paul is Pipp & Co’s Training and Development Manager, helping develop new products and guiding a team of passionate bakers.
‘I love it, and I have no plans to retire,’ he said. ‘I’m proud of what we make, and my passion is savouries. So it’s exciting to be expanding into that line while sharing what I’ve learned over the years.’
Mario Evangelista, who co-runs Pipp & Co with his wife Betina, said: ‘Paul is a fantastic asset to our team. His knowledge, creativity, and dedication inspire everyone. And he plays a huge role in maintaining the quality and artisan standards on which we pride ourselves.’
Pipp & Co bakes all its products in Swindon using only natural ingredients, with no artificial additives or preservatives. For more information, visit https://www.pipp.co
