Swindon Theatres is proud to announce the return of popular free group, Memory Sing sponsored by Willowbrook View. Memory Sing will run alongside their popular memory café and memory cinema sessions. They occur every month at both the Wyvern Theatre and Swindon Arts Centre.
Memory Sing is a friendly and welcoming singing group. It’s held at the Swindon Arts Centre for people living with dementia and their carers. Through familiar songs, music, and shared experiences, the group provides a relaxed space. One where participants can connect with others, build confidence, and enjoy the many benefits of singing together. Memory Sing encourages social interaction, wellbeing, and joyful moments. Thus helping people create new memories while celebrating old ones.
Oli Webb, Creative Learning Manager and Chair of the Swindon Dementia Action Alliance said ‘Musical memory and emotional memory often survive much longer than other memories. It’s proven to help with mood, memory, and connection to those who take part in choirs and singing groups. We want to create a group with deep roots in the community of Swindon, for the community of Swindon. Each session will include a time to chat and have a cuppa, but also go over people’s favourite songs and have guest performers join. Running the group is the wonderful Trudy, an accordionist and singer, and Carole, a singer and dancer. They both work at the Wyvern Theatre and have supported the Memory Events since their inception 10 years ago. Memory Sing hopes to welcome you soon.’
Dementia Friendly Singing Group Returns
The sponsors
Willowbrook View sponsors the Memory Sing. That’s an all-inclusive luxury care home in Wichelstowe providing residential, dementia and respite care. All in a warm and well-designed setting.
The home offers spacious en-suite bedrooms, comfortable communal areas and facilities including a cinema, fine-dining bistro, spa and salon. Under Connaught Care’s all-inclusive model, a single monthly fee covers all the amenities. Thus removing the uncertainty of hidden costs or extra charges. As part of its commitment to the wider Swindon community, Willowbrook View often supports initiatives that:
bring people together
reduce isolation and
create meaningful opportunities for those living with the impacts of memory loss.
Film Classics at the Bowl. It’s lights, camera, action and open air as two much-loved cinematic classics come to the big screen at the Town Gardens Bowl this September.
The Town Gardens Bowl will become an open-air cinema for two nights. Thus offering audiences the chance to enjoy a film in the unique surroundings of the Town Gardens.
Film Classics at the Bowl – the bowl in Swindon’s Town Gardens
I’m ready for my close up Mr DeMille (no doubt showing my age with that reference)
The programme begins with The Wizard of Oz on Friday 4 September. It will transport audiences over the rainbow with one of cinema’s most enduring and beloved adventures. All together now: ‘Follow the yellow brick road, follow the yellow brick road …’
Then, on Saturday 5 September, audiences can experience the magic of Disney’s Fantasia. That’s the landmark animated classic that brings together memorable music and stunning animation.
With the big screen set against the backdrop of the Town Gardens, the screenings offer a different way to experience these much-loved films. Combining the atmosphere of the cinema with the freedom and character of an evening outdoors.
Doors open at 7pm, with screenings commencing at 8pm
Whether you’re looking for a family night out or a relaxed evening with friends. Or a chance to revisit a classic on the big screen, the Town Gardens Bowl provides a memorable setting for an open air cinema experience.
SSPC encourages visitors to bring their own picnics and chairs and settle in for an evening of film under the open sky. Note, you cannot take alcohol or glass into the venue.
WROUGHTON-based financial advisers take on their next fundraising challenge. They’re running Swindon’s Half Marathon for child bereavement charity, Wiltshire Treehouse.
At the start of 2026, Southby & Co Financial Planning announced their charity of the year as Wiltshire Treehouse. So, as part of their fundraising efforts, the team are undertaking a ‘Summer of Fundraising’. September is their biggest undertaking.
They’re kicking off the month with a sponsored 26-mile walking challenge from Stonehenge to Avebury on Friday 4th September. That’s followed by CEO and founder, Dave Southby, and financial adviser, Jenny Ashfield running Swindon’s Half Marathon as a further challenge at the end of the month.
‘We decided to add a half marathon to our summer of fundraising as a challenge to push ourselves!’ said Jenny, who ran the Bristol half marathon earlier this year, also for Wiltshire Treehouse.
‘When I heard about our local half marathon, I knew we had to participate. And after I suggested it, Dave volunteered to join me to make it more of a team event.’
Dave and Jenny will be among the predicted 2,000 runners who’ll take part in Swindon’s Half Marathon. It takes place on Sunday 27th September 2026 through the town and its surrounding countryside.
‘I’ve never before had involvement in a half marathon,’ said Dave. ‘So, this is an exciting new challenge for me and, hopefully, running together will make the race easier. We’ve both been preparing by getting some training miles in and spending time on our feet – despite the heat!’
Financial Advisors Counting Steps – Dave Southby and Jenny Ashfield of Southby & Co Financial Planning, who are walking a 26-mile trek and running Swindon’s Half Marathon 2026 for Wiltshire Treehouse.
Wiltshire Treehouse
Wiltshire Treehouse provides free bereavement support to children, young people and families across Swindon and Wiltshire. The charity doesn’t receive regular financial support from the government or local authorities. Thus, they’re reliant on public donations.
Dave said: ‘We chose Wiltshire Treehouse because it aligned perfectly with what we stand for. They support local families and they have a direct effect in the wider Wiltshire community. For us, it’s about raising money as well as bringing awareness for the incredible work this charity does.’
‘Swindon Half Marathon and our 26-mile walk are both great opportunities. They allow us to raise money and awareness for the community Wiltshire Treehouse supports.’
At the start of the year, the team pledged to raise a minimum of £3,000. So far, they’ve raised almost £2000 and are on track to meet their goal.
Dave and his team work with individuals, families, and business owners across Swindon and Wiltshire, helping them manage their finances effectively and plan for the future. For more information visit: https://www.southbyfp.co.uk/
Art Auction for Prospect. All money raised through the auction will go to Prospect Hospice, Swindon.
The auction is being organised by Jeremy Holt, a retired solicitor, and former President of the Rotary Club of Swindon. And local artist and Visual Art Swindon founder Caroline Day. Jeremy has before organised two successful charity art auctions in partnership with local artists.
Art Auction for Prospect
When and where
The art auction will be at the DoubleTree by Hilton Swindon Hotel near Junction 16 on Monday 19th October. Viewing from 6pm, auction starts from 7pm.
There’ll be a variety of fine art paintings and limited-edition fine art prints. They’re all kindly donated by both prestigious professional and emerging local artists.
Some of the paintings donated will go under the auction hammer. While the rest are destined to be offered at a fixed price. Free drink on arrival. Please do bring anyone else you think would have an interest. It should be a fun evening!
Best Mates Raise £10,889TO HELP SUPPORT PEOPLE THROUGH LIFE’S TOUGHEST MOMENTS.
A charity golf day attended by 84 golfers has raised £10,889. The money will help Best Mates continue supporting people facing some of life’s toughest moments.
The third annual Best Mates Golf Day took place at Cumberwell Park Golf Club on July 31. It brought together businesses, supporters and friends of the charity for a day of golf, fundraising and plenty of friendly competition.
Teams competed in a Texas Scramble format, but behind the fun was an important reason for getting everyone together.
ounded by Jeff Tucker and Carl McCulloch following their own experiences, Best Mates provides financial, emotional and physical support to adults aged 18 and over facing difficult times in their lives. People can receive one-to-one support from someone with lived experience. Or join one of the Walk N Talk groups. Or get help accessing specialist services where needed.
Best Mates Golf Day 2026, Cumberwell Park Golf Club, Bradford On Avon, United Kingdom, 31/07/2026, Photo Credit: Andy Crook
Facts and figures
The charity’s latest figures show 317 people have received support since the foundation ofBest Mates. With at least 1,373 hours of beneficiary support and 743 hours of talking therapy provided. The weekly Walk N Talk groups are also continuing to grow, with 113 people using the service across six groups in the latest month alone.
Jeff said ‘£10,889 is a fantastic amount of money. But behind every one of those figures is a real person who has come to Best Mates because they’re going through a difficult time.
‘Every golfer who took part, every business that supported us and everyone who donated a prize or gave up their time has helped us to be there for the next person who needs us.’
Thanks go to …
Best Mates thanked Cumberwell Park Golf Club for hosting the day. And Infinity Connect, who returned as headline sponsor for the second year. All alongside the businesses, individuals and volunteers who played, donated or helped behind the scenes.
‘Days like this show us how much support there is for Best Mates in the business community,’ said Jeff.
We want people to come along, have a laugh and enjoy themselves. But everyone knows there’s a serious reason behind it too. To have 84 golfers on the course and raise £10,889 in one day is incredible. And we’re so grateful to everyone who helped make it happen.’
The golf day follows a busy summer for Best Mates. One that’s also seen eight cyclists complete a 308-mile journey from London to Brussels. That effort raised a little under £20,000 for the charity.
There are now two major Best Mates fundraising events left in 2026:
1. the Best Mates Go Kart Grand Prix at Buckmore Park on September 5
2. Followed by the Best Mates Winter Ball at Syon Park, London, on November 28.
‘We’d love to carry the support we’ve seen at the golf day into our final two big events of the year,’ said Jeff.
‘Whether you join us for the karting, come along to the Winter Ball or support us in another way, it all helps us reach more people. Inn the end, that’s what every one of these events is about.’
For more information about Best Mates, its support services and upcoming events, visit https://bestmates.org/
