Malmesbury Community Groups Join Forces to preserve riverside heritage. A popular riverside beauty spot in Malmesbury, named after a 9th century monk, is being acquired by Malmesbury Town Council. All with the aim of restoring and preserving it for local people for generations to come.
Daniel’s Well and surrounding farmland bordering the River Avon is being bought by an alliance of local groups. They comprise:
and Malmesbury River Valleys Trust, with support from Malmesbury Civic Trust.
Malmesbury Community Groups Join Forces – Daniel’s Well
The site of the site
The 8.5 acre site stretches from Foxley Road, along the river towards the bank opposite St Aldhelm’s Mead. It forms part of Malmesbury’s scenic river walk. It gets its name from a 9th century monk and disciple of Aldhelm, called Daniel. He had a daily ritual of submerging himself in the cold well water. The well is still present, but is currently capped.
Until now, the land has been part of Daniel’s Well Farm. That’s for sale too and Malmesbury town councillor, Cllr Steve D’Arcy is leading negotiations to buy it.
We’ve long wanted to get this land. To restore and preserve it for the local people of Malmesbury. So when the farm came up for sale this was a perfect opportunity,’ said Cllr D’Arcy. ‘It’s a popular place for walkers, dog owners and people in general and is a wonderful facility for the town.’
The restoration plans
Restoration plans will include:
tree planting
repairing the riverbank, and restoring a stone clapper bridge damaged by flooding. Longer term, the team hope to make the area accessible for wheelchairs and pushchairs.
Andy Kyte, of Malmesbury River Valleys Trust, said: ‘Our mission is to protect the natural environment in the Avon Valleys surrounding Malmesbury. It’s our belief that this purchase secures a great future for flora and fauna. We look forward to working with the team to make this vision real.’
The land sits within St Paul Malmesbury Without Parish Council. But Malmesbury Town Council will become the new owner. There are plans to set up a small working group to identify restoration work needed, with invitations to go to local builders and farmers to tender. There’ll then be a public presentation of plans and the creation of a voluntary group to manage the area.
Cllr Roger Budgen, on behalf of St Paul Malmesbury Without Parish Council, said: ‘We support this initiative. Not only for the benefits already mentioned, but as means of preserving the much-loved pedestrian route into town for parish residents living in Foxley and Common Roads.’
Keith Maslin, on behalf of Malmesbury League of Friends, added: ‘Our trustees are delighted to be able to support this exciting project. It’s an invaluable area of land, crucial to the future of accessibility of public open space around the town. There’s no doubt there’s a lot of work needed to make this area accessible to all, but we look forward to providing whatever help we can to facilitate this.’
Choir of Man Cast Announced – the show comes to the Wyvern theatre on Tuesday 29th September to 3rd October 2026.
The Olivier Award-nominated international smash hit musical THE CHOIR OF MAN today announced full casting for the show’s first ever UK & Ireland tour. It comes direct from the West End, and includes a stop at Swindon’s Wyvern Theatre. The producers are also delighted to announce, The Jungle Choir Community Project. That’s a new nationwide initiative inviting local choirs to take part in the production on opening night in every touring city/town.
About the project
The Jungle Choir Community Project will involve a search for local choirs in each touring city/town. They’ll get an invite to attend the opening night performance and take part in the final moments of the show.
Participating choirs will get discounted tickets and rehearsal materials in advance. They’ll also get an invite to experience the opening night performance as part of a wider celebration of music and community. Interested choirs should email officeassistant@kennywax.com.
The Choir of Man, Performed at the Arts Theatre West End, 2022.
Creator & Producer Andrew Kay;
Creator, Director & Producer Nic Doodson;
Musical Supervisor, Vocal Arranger & Orchestrator Jack Blume;
Movement Director, Choreographer &
Resident Director Freddie Huddleston;
Monologues Writer Ben Norris;
Scenic Designer Oli Townsend;
Costume Designer &
Associate Scenic Designer Verity Sadler;
Lighting Designer Richard Dinnen;
Sound Designer Sten Severson;
Musical Director & Associate Musical Supervisor Hollie Cassar;
Associate Choreographer & Movement Director Rachel Chapman;
CAST
Michael Baxter; Matt Beveridge; Owen Bolton; Matt Thorpe; Levi Tyrell Johnson; Lemuel Knights; Matt Nalton; Ben Norris;
Jordan Oliver; Sam Ebenezer; Mark Irwin; Lucas Koch; Gavin Ryan;
BAND
Emmanuel Nana Kwasi Bonsu;
Jack Hartigan; Darius Luke Thompson
Caleb Wilson
About the production
Set in an on-stage pub The Jungle, THE CHOIR OF MAN is the best trip to your local you’ll ever have. Here, a cast of nine (extra)ordinary guys combine beautiful harmonies and foot-stomping singalongs. All combined with world-class tap dance and soulful storytelling.
The UK & Ireland Tour cast will feature:
Gustav Melbardis as ‘Maestro’ (Choir of Man NCL, Rent)
Oluwalonimi (Nimi) Owoyemi as ‘Poet’ (The Second Woman, Young Vic, The Wind in the Willows, Shakespeare North Playhouse)
Levi Tyrell Johnson as ‘Hard Man’ (Choir of Man, West End, Hamilton, UK & Ireland tour)
Ben Mabberley as ‘Joker’ (Calamity Jane, UK tour, Blood Brothers, UK tour)
Rob Godfrey as ‘Beast’ (Choir of Man, West End & US tour)
Jack Skelton as ‘Handyman’ (My Fair Lady, Curve, Aladdin, Wolverhampton Grand)
Joshua Lloyd as ‘Barman’ (Chicago, The Lion King, UK & Ireland tours)
Sam Walter as ‘Romantic’ (Choir of Man, West End, Kinky Boots, NCL)
Aaron Pottenger as ‘Bore’ (Choir of Man, NCL, Ragtime) …
… with Sam Ebenezer (Choir of Man, West End, The Mousetrap, West End)
Jared Leathwood (Choir of Man, West End, Billionaire Boy, UK tour)
Niall Woodson (Choir of Man, West End, Frankie’s Guys, UK tour) and
Lewis Dragisic (Choir of Man, West End, Twelfth Night, UK tour) as Swings.
All the hits
Featuring hits from artists such as Queen, Luther Vandross,Sia, Paul Simon, Adele, Guns & Roses, Avicii and Katy Perry to name but a few, this uplifting celebration of community and friendship offers something for everyone – including free beer! This is feel-good, foot-stomping entertainment so good you’ll want to come back and see it again and again.
The UK Tour is produced by HH Productions, Nic Doodson, Andrew Kay, Global Creative and Kenny Wax. Their collective credits include award-winning shows like:
Six the Musical
Bluey
The Play That Goes Wrong
42 Balloons
Maddie Moate’s Very Curious Christmas, and many more.
Nic Doodson, Creator and Director said, ‘The Choir of Man has always been about individuality, generosity, humour and the joy of making music together. And this company embodies all that.
As we take the show around the UK and Ireland for the very first time, it felt vital to open the doors even wider and invite local choirs to raise their voices with us. Every city has its own musical heartbeat. And welcoming those voices into the show on press night is a powerful reminder of why this piece exists. It celebrates community, connection and the extraordinary feeling of singing together.’
THE CHOIR OF MAN has already played three sold-out seasons at the Sydney Opera House and many sold-out US and European tours.
West End journey
THE CHOIR OF MAN’s West End journey at the Arts Theatre began in 2021. There it’s enjoyed over 1000 performances with many sold-out shows and an Olivier award nomination for ‘Best Entertainment or Comedy Play’. All before concluding its run on 4 January 2026.
Nic Doodson and Andrew Kay are the creators of The Choir of Man. It’s directed by Nic Doodson, with musical supervision, vocal arrangements and orchestrations by Jack Blume.
Holocaust Memorial Day 2026, this year falls on Tuesday 27th of January. To mark the occasion there’ll be a gathering at the Friends Meeting House, Eastcott Hill, SN1 3JF.
It’s expected that the gathering will last one hour and will rovide time for remembrance, reflection, readings, and hope.
Holocaust Memorial Day 2026
The theme
Every year, this occasion has a theme and 2026 is no exception and so this year’s theme is Bridging Generations. It’s a reminder that the responsibility of remembrance doesn’t end with the survivors – it lives on through their children, their grandchildren, and through us all.
Also, Holocaust Memorial Day provides an opportunity to reflect, not only on the large-scale persecution and killings of the European Holocaust in the early 1940s, but also other genocides in Cambodia, Rwanda, Armenia, Bosnia, Myanmar, Darfur, Xingjang, and, of course, the terrible deaths and sufferings right now in eastern Europe, and also elsewhere in our one and only so-called civilized world.
Would you like to contribute?
Anyone with appropriate personal stories, thoughts, or readings, is welcome to speak or read at the gathering. If this is you, please let Matt Holland know (see email below) before the 27th if at all possible.
Following the hour together, there will be a chance to chat and to enjoy light refreshments provided at the venue by kind Friends.
Holocaust Memorial Day was first marked nationally in the UK in 2001. It’s now established as an annual day of remembrance. Local authorities, faith and community groups, and individuals were asked to take a lead in developing local memorial events and appropriate activities. Swindon decided to mark this day and has done so every year of this century.
The date, 27 January, marks the 1945 liberation day of the Auschwitz concentration camps.
This day is also an opportunity to remember and reflect on many other human rights tragedies around the world, including persecution and wars, past and present. It aims to help raise awareness among people of all ages and backgrounds.
You can find further information and a more national perspective about Holocaust Memorial Day at www.hmd.org.uk
So, today I met Tina Mason Swindon Milliner. I wasn’t able to get to her pre-Christmas pop-up shops and I was on a mission. But more of that later.
Tina has opened her premises in what had been, for a good three decades, the Baguette Bar on Prospect Place, in Old Town. And way before that the premises held an Arkell’s off-licence followed by a newsagent/off-licence/sweet shop called Drury’s. Thus, via all those businesses, the premises hold memories for many Swindonians. Indeed Arkell’s still owned the building and, as Tina related, it’s been something of a saga buying it. But it’s theirs now.
Tina Mason Swindon Milliner Tina outside the shop on Prospect Place
Original features
Having sold their home in Haydon Wick to buy the property and to make the flat above the shop their home, Tina and her husband have been busy restoring the place.
Original fireplaceSwindon stone flagstones on the shop floor
How it all started
Tina quit her job as a beauty therapist so she could turn her hobby into a full-time career. Back in 2020, Tina set about getting a professional, City & Guilds qualification and then proceeded to spend lockdown perfecting her craft and learning from online experts.
As Tina told the Advertiser: ‘I’ve always been a hat lover and grew frustrated with not being able to find something that went with my outfits, so I started customising hats from the Outlet – retrimming them – and then learned how to make the hats themselves from a retired milliner.’
She’d been trading at wedding fairs but was tired of humping everything about so wanted a space for customers to be able to chat about their needs. And now she has one!
Hats off to her I say!!
Swindon’s new town crier
As the aforementioned Adver article describes, Tina recently made a hat for Rob Hardy, Swindon’s new town crier.
‘She ensured the fine piece of headwear had the right weight of felt, robust brim edging, fitted leather sweatband, embroidered lining, a colour-matching petersham ribbon trim, and the special addition of an historic GWR badge sourced from an online antique dealer.’
Tina Mason with Rob Hardy, Swindon’s town crier Photo by Jeanette Ellis
My mission
Just before Christmas I espied this hat on Tina’s Facebook page but I had no chance to get to the shop before the festive season. Thus my purpose in going there today. How cute & jolly is this? That’s now going away in readiness for next Christmas. Ho, ho, ho!
Santa type knitted hat from Tina Mason millinery in Swindon Photo credit: Jeanette Ellis
Swindon’s New Domestic Violence Resource: Fresh Thoughts.
The month of December tends to see a sharp rise increase in the number of Domestic Abuse (DA) incidents. Thus the launch of this resource to support victims is of particular significance. The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Minister for Safeguarding and Violence Against Women and Girls), Jess Phillips MP referred to the new Fresh Thoughts booklet in a recent speech.
Swindon’s New Domestic Violence Resource Fresh Thoughts: Amanda Burt Salisbury Soroptomists with the booklet
The launch of the booklet
Around sixty people attended the launch of a new information booklet called Fresh Thoughts.
It’s aimed at guiding Wiltshire victims of DA through the complex legal process after having the courage to flee their abuser. In the first instance, Poole, Purbeck and District Soroptimists in Dorset supported their local Women’s refuge. In doing so they realised victims had little information about what was going to happen next. The Fresh Thoughts booklet was the brainchild of a magistrate, head teacher and a citizen’s advice advisor.
Fresh Thoughts provides practical information about:
Online personal safety
Going to court
Financial help
Housing advice and contact details of local DA support agencies.
The booklet’s aims
The aim of the booklet is to educate, empower and enable victims to take back control and move forward with their lives. This project won an award for Best Practice at the Soroptimists Great Britain & Ireland (SIGBI) 2024 National Conference. And, so far, seventeen UK clubs have adapted the template for their local area. Swindon & Salisbury Soroptimists are the latest to launch it with the help of:
left to right: Club president Eleanor Evans, Society Without Abuse Chair Nicky Alberry, Salisbury MP John Glenn, Wiltshire Police Chief Constable Catherine Roper, and Laura Jones, FEAR FREE.
Distribution
There’ll be distribution of the booklet to:
Wiltshire’s Women’s Refuges
Charities and domestic abuse support services
City Councils
Citizen Advice centres
Victim Support
Housing Associations
Solicitors, Legal Aid
Wiltshire Police and the Courts.
Salisbury Soroptimist Liz Batten told those present there had been 12,246 Domestic Abuse crimes in Wiltshire during the last 12 months. The police know that less than 20% of incidents get reported. Hence it’s estimated that 60,000 people experience Domestic Abuse each year in Wiltshire alone.
Fear Free
She described the serious challenges a victim faces as they go through the court system to get injunctions against perpetrators. She says, ‘our courts and legal system are not ‘trauma-informed’. So victims often have to face their attackers all over again, standing a mere a few feet away from them before hearings and child access proceedings.
For many women this is their first experience of court. And we know that perpetrators use the court process as a further control and intimidation tactic. We must understand that alongside this process, the victims are often working, raising children, engaging with other agencies, dealing with post separation abuse such as harassment or stalking, and working on their own trauma. This can be a most overwhelming time.’
In her spare time, Chief Constable of Wiltshire Police Catherine Roper, is Assistant District Commissioner for the Girl Guides.
In 2019 she launched the national Girl Guide Police Challenge Badge. She was recently approached by a young girl who set up a ‘Safety for Women and Girls’ day as part of her Girl Guide Queen’s Badge award. Chief Constable Roper found it very sad that 100 young girls in the room had to go through training and get advice on how to stay safe. She said, ‘This is not the kind of world we want!” She praised the Soroptimists for this “tactical and practical” booklet, saying “We know that at Wiltshire police we haven’t always got it right with survivors of domestic violence. We have improved but it’s not enough. We support this initiative and we’re committed to keeping women and girls safe!’
EVAWG
Nicky Alberry is deputy chair of Wiltshire End Violence Against Women and Girls (EVAWG). And she’s both a Trustee and Chair of Swindon charity Society Without Abuse. Nicky commented, ‘SWA has a great, long-standing relationship with Swindon Soroptimists. And I’d like to thank the Salisbury and Dorset groups for this very important work. SWA’s vision is to one day see an end to domestic abuse. And as part of this, it’s so important for men to stand alongside women and call out bad behaviour among their peers. We’re all grateful to Salisbury MP John Glen for lobbying parliament for better support for the most vulnerable of our nation’s citizens.’
Queen Camilla also supports movement to bring to and end domestic abuse. She recently attended an SWA event in the county and said that ‘Domestic abuse is the scourge of our society’.
Jess Phillips MP is Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Minister for Safeguarding and Violence Against Women and Girls.
When launching the government’s new Violence against Women and Girls Strategy in parliament, she responded to John Glenn MP with the following statement: ‘Thank you for giving me the perfect opportunity to pay real credit to Soroptimists from all over the country. Some of the work that appears in the strategy around having specialist advocates for rape victims in court, started because of volunteer programmes run by Soroptimists.
I want to give them the confidence that they can change government policy and can work through your good offices (MP John Glen) to reach out to me. They (Soroptimists) do amazing work in their local communities!’
The Fresh Thoughts booklet has been well-received by many organisations working with survivors of domestic violence.
A thousand copies of the booklet have been printed so far. But because of the explosion in the number of cases of DA in recent years, this won’t scratch the surface of the need in Wiltshire.
The Salisbury and Swindon Soroptimists are seeking sponsorship for a second print run to get the information into the hands of those who need it most: Survivors!
If you or an organisation you know can help, please contact 1rhonajack@gmail.com who’ll forward your details.
