Ernest Cook Trust Grant Available. National educational charity, the Ernest Cook Trust, is investing in the future of outdoor learning in Swindon and Wiltshire. They’re offering a grant worth up to £60,000 for charitable and non-profit organisations committed to getting young people outdoors.
The grant’s capped at £20,000 a year and spread across three years. It’ll go towards funding the salary of an outdoor learning leader. It’ll be that person’s goal to promote, to young people and their wider communities, the benefits of getting outdoors.
This round of the Outdoor Learning Leader Grant is open only to charitable and non-profit organisations in :
Leicestershire
Cumbria/Lancashire and
Gloucestershire/Swindon/Wiltshire/Bath/Bristol … and all regions where the Ernest Cook Trust has its own land and/or Outdoor Learning Leaders.
Ernest Cook Trust Grant Available – outdoor learning leaders
Inspirational role models
‘We know that inspirational role models are key. They help young people form lasting connections with the natural environment. This is why we prioritise charities and organisations whose approach is to encourage young people to enjoy the outdoors and engage with nature,’ said Suzie Paton, the Trust’s Director of Learning, Grants & Partnerships.
All outdoor learning leaders will also have the chance to join the Trust’s existing network of outdoor learning leaders. Thus allowing them to share best practice, exchange ideas, and build professional skills with peers. Formerly known as outdoor learning officers, the Trust has funded dozens of posts across the UK since launching the grant in 2020. They’ve allocated more £1.8 million to date.
The Outdoor Learning Leader Grant is open to organisations based in postcode areas:
BB
CA
FY,
LA, PR (Cumbria/Lancashire)
BS, GL, SN (Gloucestershire/Wiltshire/Bristol) and LE (Leicestershire).
Applications are open to charities and not-for-profit organisations. The Trust gives priority to projects focused on supporting young people from underserved communities. That includes disadvantagesocial, physical, economic or community reasons.
PERFORMING ARTS’ FOUNDER WINS GOLDAT BEST BUSINESS WOMEN AWARDS.
Swindon-based entrepreneur Fi Da Silva-Adams is a Gold Winner! Where and for what I hear you cry?! She recieved the award at the prestigious Best Business Women Awards 2025. That’s the UK’s largest celebration of female business talent.
Fi, is the founder and CEO of Swindon and Wiltshire’s leading performing arts company for children and young people: Revolution Performing Arts (RPA). She received the award of Best Business Woman Working with Children & Families.
The gold and silver winning announcements took place at the Gala Awards Night at the Daventry Court Hotel, Daventry, on Friday October 11. After an anticipatory lead-up, the announcement came that Fi was the ‘gold’ award winner within her competitive category.
PERFORMING ARTS’ FOUNDER WINS GOLD Fi Da Silva-Adams with her husband Paul, son Zavier and daughter Angel. Fi has been named as the UK’s Best Businesswoman Working With Children & Families.
Launched in 2007
After launching RPA in 2007 as a small drama group for toddlers and preschoolers, Fi soon expanded the programme to offer creative performing arts experiences to children of all ages. RPA was the first organisation to introduce performing arts after-school clubs in the Swindon area.
Today, RPA delivers over 1,200 sessions every year. 400 children attend weekly classes and almost 5,000 young people take part in its Holiday Activity and Food (HAF) Programme across Swindon and Wiltshire. The organisation also stages two public shows per annum. These shows offer inclusive, pressure-free performance opportunities for children from all walks of life.
‘I’m so honoured and privileged to win this national award in such esteemed company. And especially in front of my beautiful family,’ said Fi. “They’ve ridden the waves with me for the past 18 years and for them to celebrate with me is a feeling I can’t put into words.’
Alongside RPA, Fi also leads Rapport Community Interest Company (CIC). That’s a not-for-profit sister organisation aimed at 11–18-year-olds. Rapport explores all forms of performing arts, including drama, singing and dance. All delivered in a way that’s age-appropriate, inclusive and empowering. The focus is on confidence, self-expression, and celebrating individuality.
Judges comments
The judges’ comments upon Fi’s win were:
Fiona has built more than a performing arts company; she has built a community. One where backgrounds, challenges or past traumas don’t define people. One that treasures individuality
From children who lacked confidence or are silenced, to those who simply longed for a chance to shine. Her compassion matches her leadership.
Malmesbury’s Christmas shopping night will have stalls, Santa and season’s greetings. A record number of stallholders have applied to set up at this year’s Malmesbury late-night shopping. It looks set to be bigger and better than ever.
The festive highlight will take place on Friday, December 5th, from 6pm to 9pm. The Malmesbury Mayor, Cllr Stephen James, will perform the official opening.
Stalls will line the streets and once again extend up the High Street and along Oxford Street. Organisers are hoping for good weather after inclement weather at last year’s event forced a relocation to the Town Hall.
Malmesbury’s Christmas shopping night – Santa with gifts and Scouts
For the youngsters
For the children, Cross Hayes car park will feature plenty of attractions, including Santa’s Grotto. Shoppers can also enjoy entertainment provided by local choirs. There’ll also be lots of tasty food stalls, all designed to get people into the Christmas spirit.
Our team of organisers and volunteers are working hard to make sure this annual event is bigger and better than ever. We’re keeping our fingers crossed for good weather,’ said Cllr James. ‘I’m looking forward to seeing local people and visitors enjoying our town under the festive lights and the children excited to see Santa. The whole event is a great start to the Christmas period.’
A few weeks ago I’d booked myself on a tour of the Health Hydro – AKA – Milton Road Baths. In the event, I couldn’t make it – family ties etc. So I asked a chum, Helen George, and fellow Swindon Heritage Preservation Trust, trustee to fling together a few words on the topic. And here they are below – edited a little for SEO purposes.
I joined a tour of the Health Hydro this week. We donned boots with steel toe caps, high vis jackets, gloves and hard hats. Whilst Health and Safety is high on list of requirements from the contractors, Fourth Street, I thought it was a bit ott. But then they explained that we’d align with the workers. They had to wear the same gear in the building. So it was, in part, out of respect for them.
There’s been a lot of work done since the last time I saw the building before covid. But much of it, the nuts and bolts of the building, aren’t on display. New pipes, boilers and a myriad of working parts have – all now renewed.
The new filtration system is one of only eight of their kind in the country. It’s the latest technology, resulting in eco-friendly and economic future proofing.
A Health Hydro Visit – Milton Road Baths
Original features
One original feature, impossible to ignore, is the use of windows in the roof. These bring in fantastic natural lighting around the building and in many of the rooms. Even though it was a sunny day when I visited, I could imagine it being equally joyful on a dull day.
There’s been a lot of care taken, maximising space and access. But all whilst attempting to keep as many original features as possible. Swimmers, wet and towelled, used to have to cross a large expanse of the foyer to get to and from changing rooms. That situation is now remedied.
And what a renovation it is. The new women’s changing room is resplendent in rippling and glossy pale grey tiles bouncing off the sunlight from the roof.
I’m very impressed by what I saw and heard. And I’m confident that the building, with more funding along the way, will be a magnificent addition to Swindon’s heritage once again.
I can visualise it being an important community asset fit for modern use.’
Swindon has a remarkable history and unique collection of heritage assets, fuelled largely by the development of Brunel’s Swindon Railway Works in the 1840s. After years of declining demand and changes in the railway industry, the works closed in 1986. Since then, many of these historic buildings have been neglected, becoming a visual impediment to inward investment and frustrating regeneration.
What’s currently happening at the health hydroWhat heritage can be
Para-Badminton Player Show Speaker. The revitalised care show taking place in January 2026, in Swindon Wiltshire, has announced Para-badminton player David Follett as their guest speaker.
The Care Show Swindon is the South West’s Premier Health & Social Care Expo. It’s where care industry professionals, suppliers, and service providers gather to share their insights and expertise. This all-day event brings information and knowledge to businesses and members of the public.
2025 debut
The Care Show debuted as an event in 2025 and saw massive attendance. With co-owners, Hannah Edwards and Kevin Griffiths at the helm, The Care Show comes back for its second event in the new year.
When we announced we would be back for a second year, we wanted to make sure we came back with a bang,’ said Hannah Edwards, co-owner of The Care Show. ‘We’re very excited to have David join us at The Care Show Swindon. His story is inspiring and we’re looking forward to him sharing his story on how he became a Paralympian.’
David Follet
David Follett is para-badminton player for England. In his category, David ranks number 16 in the world and number 1 in England. He’s been playing para-badminton for ten years. Further, he’s competed in three world championships:
Guatemala 2011
Dortmund 2013
Stoke Mandeville 2015.
He’s competed in a range of national and international competitions and continues to play for his country.
Para-Badminton Player Care Show Speaker – David Follet
In April 2007, David suffered a road traffic accident leaving him with a spinal cord injury and paralysis from the chest down. After intensive rehabilitation at Salisbury Spinal Unit, David returned home to Exeter and kickstarted his para-badminton career.
‘Life after injury has taught me resilience, adaptability, and above all, the importance of mindset. I’m genuinely excited to attend The Care Show. Not only to share my experiences, but also to connect with others who understand the value of care, support, and community.’
This is the first time David will be a guest speaker for The Care Show. He’ll talk about his journey, from the accident that changed his life to rehabilitation and living with a spinal cord injury to his achievements in badminton and beyond.
‘I’ve been speaking at events for over fifteen years, and in that time, I’ve learned that sharing lived experience can make a real difference. I hope people listening at The Care Show will gain a deeper understanding of spinal cord injuries and the realities of navigating life afterwards,’ continued David. ‘If even one person leaves feeling a little more hopeful or motivated, then I’ll consider it a success.’
I’m an open person and I welcome any questions, whether during my session or afterwards. Conversations like these are what bring us together and help us all learn from one another.’
The Care Show Swindon takes place on Thursday 29th January 2026 at The DoubleTree by Hilton.
