Christmas Gifts for Ukraine Children. As Christmas decorations appear across Swindon, the Swindon Humanitarian Aid Partnership (SHAP) plans to bring some festive joy to children in the worst-hit areas of Ukraine.
SHAP are collecting new or nearly-new toys, games, craft kits, crayons, stationery, and wrapping paper. They’ll then ensure the donations get gift-wrapped and given to orphanages and communities. There, SHAP’s local contacts ensure they’ll get the warmest of receptions.
Swindon may not be able to stop the war. But together we can help to brighten a Ukrainian child’s Christmas.
Christmas Gifts for Ukraine Children
Donation points
The Community Centre @ Christ Church, Cricklade Street, Old Town, Swindon SN1 3HB
The Ellendune Community Centre, Barrett Way, Wroughton SN4 9LW
Christmas wrapping
From the end of October, SHAP are holding wrapping events open to anyone on the first three Saturdays of the November to help with wrapping the gifts. So if you’re a cut-above with a pair of scissors and a roll of Sellotape I’m sure they’d be delighted to hear from you.
About SHAP
The Swindon Humanitarian Aid Partnership (SHAP) is a non-governmental organization (NGO). It formed in the days after the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
Their board comprises British and Ukrainian nationals and with a dedicated team of volunteers. The organization remains determined to support Ukraine and Ukrainians to the best of their ability.
Volunteers undertake all this work – SHAP don’t pay wages or salaries to anyone.
At LAST! I’ve managed to bring to fruition my Swindon in 50 More Buildings project – begun on the blog before the pandemic. This is much to my huge relief I have to say – so I’m now greatly excited to be getting it launched!
This sequel to Swindon in 50 Buildings fills in lots of gaps. I had to leave out of the original book a good number or railway-related buildings – so I’ve addressed that. And this time of course, I’ve included The Oasis and the Motorola buildings. I wanted to get both of those into the first book but had difficult choices to make – so it feels good to have got them covered now. Then I also couldn’t go into the wider borough so I’ve made the effort to do that and included buildings in Wroughton and Highworth.
The back cover of Swindon in 50 More Buildings by Angela Atkinson
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.
