Santa’s On His Way to Swindon town centre. Yes! Santa Claus is returning to Swindon this Christmas! He’ll once again be setting up his popular grotto at The Brunel Shopping Centre. And, because Santa knows that times are hard he’s frozen prices from last year. And, what’s more, this year time-poor, hard-worked parents can pre-book. That way they can avoid having to queue and have more time for Christmas shopping.
Quiet times
Also, for the first time this year, The Brunel has organised special ‘quiet’ sessions during the first 30 minutes on Sundays. These sessions are for children who would prefer to visit Santa when there are fewer people around. These sessions must be pre-booked.
Where to find him
You’ll find Santa’s grotto, expertly run by a well-trained group of elves at the Brunel centre, on the ground floor, opposite Boots. It launches on Saturday November 15, and the last day is Christmas Eve.
Santa’s On His Way – Santa and elves
Because of Santa’s busy seasonal commitments, the grotto isn’t open every day. So it’s advisable to check opening times in advance and take advantage of the online booking.
Every child receives a small gift and the chance to tell Santa what they’d like for Christmas. There will also be a post box near the grotto, for children to pop their letters to Santa.
Santa was a little too busy for an interview. But Laura Hepple – centre manager of The Brunel, has been liaising with his North Pole team. And she said: ‘We’re delighted to be welcoming Santa back to The Brunel for our traditional grotto. We know for some families, every penny helps, which is why we’ve kept the cost to meet Santa the same as last year.
Being able to prebook for the first time will mean shorter queuing times for families. And we hope families who prefer visiting when it’s less busy, will take advantage of the ‘quiet’ sessions on Sundays.’
Families can book up to four children per time slot, and the cost is £4.50 per child. Walk-ins are still welcome but it’s recommended that you pre-booking to reduce queuing times.
Daughter Joins Mum’s RPA Business – Revolution Performing Arts to be precise. Swindon-based Revolution Performing Arts (RPA) is marking its 18th anniversary with a special new arrival. None other than founder Fi Da Silva Adams’ daughter, Angel. She’s now joined the family business.
Angel, who’s 18 and lives in Swindon, has taken on the role of Leader at RPA. That involves supporting the delivery of classes, social media and the day-to-day logistics of the award-winning performing arts organisation.
Daughter Joins Mum’s RPA Business – Angel Da Silva Adams
For Angel, stepping into RPA is about more than a job. ‘The atmosphere when the young people walk into a room and give you a big hug because they’ve missed you – it’s unmatched. When you show them something new, like a dance move, and they get it right, their pride is incredible. There’s no better feeling than seeing a young person feel proud of themselves.’
After studying at Royal Wootton Bassett Academy, Angel spent time assisting her mum with RPA before gaining other work experience. She now combines her leadership role at RPA with a part-time job in a South Cerney pub, where she loves the community atmosphere.
Ambition
Ambitious and passionate about performing, Angel hopes to audition for drama school. She’s aiming one day for the West End, screen acting and even creating her own music.
‘My vision is to help young people feel seen and to ease the pressures they carry. For me, success will is measured by the joy and confidence they gain in our sessions.’
Fi Da Silva Adams, who founded RPA in 2007, said ‘Having Angel join the team, in an official capacity, in our 18th year feels so special. RPA has always been about creating safe, joyful spaces for children and young people. And to see Angel take that forward with her own unique energy, empathy, and ambition is wonderful.’
When she’s not working or performing, Angel enjoys time with her friends, watching her favourite films with chocolate at hand. She also credits her boyfriend Jenson with encouraging her to take on extra opportunities when she needed them most. And for supporting her creative journey.
Revolution Performing Arts runs classes across Swindon, North Wiltshire, Oxfordshire and Gloucestershire. All helping children and young people grow in confidence, creativity and self-expression through the performing arts.
Swindon Shock Wheelchair Basketball are seeking sponsorship. Is that something you could do? Could your business support this wonderful team?
Wheelchair basketball in Swindon. Who knew? What’s more, they’ve been getting the ball in the net since 2012.
Swindon Shock Wheelchair Basketball
As their website says: Swindon Shock WBC has one mission. That’s to provide a platform for everybody to participate in sport together. Whatever your age, ability or gender, everyone can become part of the Shock family.
What else?
The squad has around thirty members in total – thus they’re one of the most important disabled sports teams in Swindon. They compete in the British Wheelchair Basketball League central division. There, there’s seven teams in total, including teams from Coventry and Leicester.
Further, they get involved with schools across the town, providing classes and and clubs for schools across Swindon. These sessions provide awareness on inclusivity and give students with SEND needs an opportunity to take part in sport with their peers.
The squad also supports events within the community, providing opportunities for those who would otherwise struggle to get involved – no matter their ability.
What’s in it for you
Obviously sponsorship is a two-way street – they know that. So below is the payoff for sponsoring this wonderful team. In return for your sponsorship, the team would invite your staff member and and of your clients to attend the games and training sessions and to pose for photos with the team.
Further:
Members of the team might be able to attend your offices to pose for photos and also to talk about their experiences of living in a wheelchair.
Your company logo would be on the playing kit for the next two years.
Bespoke design kit to ensure that your logo is highly visible.
They could, if you wish, send a playing shirt to your offices for you to display.
All sponsorships are for two years. The money goes to supplying brand new kit for the team . It also helps towards their running costs and travel to the tournaments.
Sponsorshop options
Front of match shirt: £1995 (+ VAT)
The front of training shirt worn at weekly training sessions £1495 (+VAT)
Front of training shirt worn at both training sessions and at competitive games and travel: £1,995 (+VAT)
Front of tracksuit tops worn at both training sessions and at competitive games and travel, £1995 (+vat)
Exclusive sponsorship deal with your logo on the front of all the playing kit, training kit and tracksuit tops £3995. Discount of £1500 in total.
To get a better idea of who they are, here they are in the ether:
Jamie Lennon to Speak at PPS charity breakfast in support of the charity, SANDS. Business professionals from across Swindon and Wiltshire are invited to attend the next PPS business charity breakfast. It’s going to be happening at DoubleTree by Hilton Swindon later this month.
The event will raise funds for Sands, the UK’s leading pregnancy and baby loss charity. Sands provides vital support for anyone affected by the loss of a baby. The charity offers a safe, understanding and caring community.
Guest speaker
The guest speaker will be Jamie Lennon, founder of Sixteen Sixty Four Training Solutions Limited. Jamie spent 21 years in the Royal Marines and the Army. There he led and trained teams in challenging environments. He now shares his experience in leadership and coaching to help businesses strengthen their people and client relationships.
Jamie Lennon to Speak at PPS charity breakfast
Jamie said ‘My session will focus on practical, innovative strategies for retaining valuable clients in today’s competitive market. All without the need for huge investment or reduced profitability. I’m looking forward to connecting with inspiring local business owners. All while supporting an incredible charity and the vital work they do.’
Attendees will also enjoy a delicious breakfast and the chance to connect with fellow local professionals in a relaxed and friendly setting.
There’ll be a charity raffle, supported by PPS and other local businesses, during the event. Tickets will be £5 each with all proceeds going straight to SANDS.
We’re so looking forward to welcoming Jamie to this event,’ said Sally Holland, Partner at PPS Chartered Accountants. ‘His expertise in leadership and client engagement will be valuable to anyone running or managing a business. And, as always, we’re delighted that our community can come together to support such an important cause.’
PPS hold their charity business breakfasts several times a year. They’ve become a popular date in the local business calendar. The events offer professionals the opportunity to network, learn and give back to their community.
When, where etc
The next event takes place at the DoubleTree by Hilton, Lydiard Fields, Great Western Way, Swindon, SN5 8UZ. It’s on Thursday, November 13th, 2025, from 7:30 am to 9:30 am.
Swindon’s town centre will come alive on Saturday 22 November. There’ll be a magical one-day festival of:
Culture
Creativity and community.
Along with community workshops in the weeks leading up to the event and a special festive trail lasting until Christmas Eve.
A Winter Fest for Swindon – A group of giant handmade rustic ethereal white paper lanterns
Swindon Winter Fest
Swindon Winter Fest celebrates the creativity of Swindon through FREE family-friendly, imaginative experiences. Taking place at locations around the town centre, the festival will invite families to follow a whimsical winter trail. On it they’ll discover giant, interactive imaginary creatures, a magical lantern forest and lots of inspiring free activities along the way.
Prepare to be mesmerised as The Whilers, by innovative creative tech studio Air Giants, interact with the crowd and each other. These larger-than-life, otherworldly glowing creatures are unlike anything you’ve seen before. They’re part sloth, part spirit, part dragon. Standing at an incredible 3 metres tall and powered by advanced robotic technology their expressive movements allow them to interact with:
audiences
their surroundings and each other to create an unforgettable, almost dreamlike encounter.
The winter wonder continues thanks to local artists. They’ll be transforming a vacant retail unit into an ethereal lantern forest. All with the help of community groups, school children and visitors. This magical installation will grow throughout the day as visitors create their own lanterns to add to the display.
Run, run as fast as you can you can’t catch me I’m the gingerbread man
Children of all ages will love following the panto-inspired Muddles’ Gingerbread Man Trail. On it they can find decorated characters hidden in local business windows as part of a fun discovery challenge organised by Artsite.
Families can also join in with a range of free creative workshops and activities organised throughout the day. These include Sleeping-Beauty themed crafts inspired by the Wyvern Theatre’s unmissable pantomime.
Alongside the other activities, Winter Fest will present ‘Once Upon a Thriftmas. That’s an initiative to encourage visitors to come and start their Christmas and festive shopping in the town centre. There, there’ll be a wonderful community of charity shops offering budget-friendly, sustainable gift options.
Oh Christmas tree, oh Christmas tree
Brightening The Parade in the town centre will be festive lighting and a Christmas tree.
This new event is a first pilot for new ways of bringing the public and creative sector together. It’s the beginning of an ambitious 2-year programme to raise the profile of the town’s vibrant creative and cultural sector. Organisers hope to build on learnings from 2025 to develop more ambitious plans for the festive season across the town in future years.
Making it happen
Supported by Arts Council England’s National Lottery Place Partnership Fund, Winter Fest is a partnership between:
Swindon Culture Collective
Swindon Borough Council, Wyvern Theatre
Artsite
Gel Studios, along with artists drawn from across the town.
Dr Rod Hebden, Director of Swindon Culture Collective CIC, said: “It’s been a joyful experience working with so many local people and organisations to create something so magical this year. And something different from the standard approach where there’s a divide between performers and the public. This year, families can get involved and help create the magic together and make wonderful memories.’
Councillor Marina Strinkovsky, Swindon Borough Council’s Cabinet Member for Placemaking and Planning, said: ‘I’m so pleased that we can bring Christmas activities to the town centre again. And that we’re doing it in collaboration with our partners at the Swindon Culture Collective.
‘Swindon Winter Fest is going to be full of creative activities and opportunities for sustainable Christmas shopping. The town centre has lots of thrift and charity shops that offer pre-loved gifts looking for a new home. And it’s a great opportunity to support local organisations in an environmentally friendly and affordable way.
It’s clear the experience won’t be complete without a Christmas tree in the Parade and Christmas lights to cheer up the darker season. So looking forward to it!’
