Paralympian Launches Life Story. Former British wheelchair tennis player Louise Hunt Skelley PLY has launched her first book ‘What’s Wrong With You? Redefining What’s Possible. Unapologetically & Unstoppable’.
Louise, who lives in Wroughton, has spent months writing her story. In it she shares her journey from being born in Wanborough near Swindon. In it she describes her total acceptance by her family for her vibrant personality and sheer determination to succeed. She then moves on to going to secondary school and then finding out that she was ‘disabled’ a word she’d not heard before.
She learned very fast that, to be all she wanted to be, she was going to have to be a rebel and kick against society’s narrow definition of what a ‘disabled person’ can do. In this she followed in the footsteps of her parents, Linda and Tim. They’ve never considered Louise to be anything other than remarkable and full of potential.
The book, which doesn’t hold back and is a ‘warts and all’ story, shares how she became a successful road wheelchair racer. Further, why she chose to go into wheelchair tennis and how she made her way to the top ten players in the world at the height of her career.
Paralympian Launches Life Story -Louise Hunt Skelley PLY with her first book, recently published with Turquoise Tiger Press ‘What’s Wrong With You?”
Launch
Louise launched her book to an audience of family and friends at The Ridgeway Barns on October 15th. Near Liddington, this is a place close to Louise’s heart. It was here that she played with her brother and spent many happy hours in her childhood.
‘My book has been within me for many years. It’s enabled me to talk about the people who’ve changed my life and know I hope my story will change the life of someone else.
I’ve been as honest as I can be. My story is about the people who supported me and believed in me. And I do feel that this is one of my greatest achievements in my career so far – something I was able to do with the support of my publisher Asha Clearwater.’
Louise, born with Spina Bifida, has transitioned from a decorated playing career as a world class wheelchair tennis player to commentary and tournament directing. She is one of Wiltshire’s most accomplished athletes, having represented Great Britain at the London and Rio Paralympics.
An illustrious career
Over her impressive career, Louise has:
Competed in 13 world team cups
Won 13 senior singles titles
41 senior doubles titles
and achieved a career-high world ranking of 10.
After retiring from competitive sports in 2021, Louise has continued to affect the world of wheelchair tennis and business through her various roles as:
An inclusivity expert and consultant
A tennis commentator and tournament director
Professional speaker and, now, author.
What’s Wrong With You? Redefining What’s Possible. Unapologetically & Unstoppable’ is published by Turquoise Tiger Press run by Asha Clearwater. You can find it here https://louisehunt.co.uk/my-book/
Wyvern Theatre Fun Day. On Sunday 27 October, from 10am – 3pm, the Wyvern Theatre will once again be opening their doors for a day of fabulous free family fun.
Activities will range from crafts and competitions, panto cast appearances to an amazing array of free workshops and story times. There’ll even be a chance to take part in an interactive tour around the theatre. All themed around their spectacular sparkling pantomime, Cinderella.
Wyvern Theatre Fun Day
Joining Swindon theatres is their friend Kate Claxton. Kate is an award-winning local children’s author and storyteller. Kate will run interactive story explorer’s workshops.
Also, their friends at Prime Theatre, will be hosting free drama workshops throughout the day, aimed at ages 6-8. There’ll also be a spooky Halloween SFX workshop hosted by the students at New College for the older children.
Laura James, Theatre Director shared her excitement for the event ‘We can’t wait to welcome the local community to the Wyvern once again this half term for our annual family fun day! With a variety of free workshops, theatre tours, magical Panto cast appearances, crafts and much more, it’s the perfect opportunity for families to engage with the Theatre. And to explore what we have to offer for all ages over the coming season.’
Where and when
The Wyvern Family Fun Day is open from 10am-3pm on Sunday 27 October 2024.
For more information and to book your children onto the free workshops, visit:
Joining Swindon theatres is their friend Kate Claxton. Kate is an award-winning local children’s author and storyteller. Kate will run interactive story explorer’s workshops.
New Sexual Harassment Rules. Employers are being urged to take note of new rules around sexual harassment in the workplace.
Experts at Swindon-based HR Dept say the Worker Protection Act, coming into force in October, places the onus on employers taking steps to prevent sexual harassment. This is a change from before, when the emphasis was on redress, rather than prevention.
New Sexual Harassment Rules – Helen Imbusi of the HR Dept Swindon
The aim of the act
The aim of the Act is to increase protection against sexual harassment in the workplace. Employers must comply with their new duty. It’s on them to ensure they’re taking ‘reasonable steps’ to prevent sexual harassment of their employees.
Most employers have policies in place about harassment. But this will no longer be enough to meet the new obligations,’ said Helen Imbusi. Helen works as an HR Consultant at the HR Dept Swindon, North Wiltshire, and East Cotswolds. “We recommend employers take steps now to ensure they are compliant.’
The HR Dept’s recommendations include:
Reviewing current policies and procedures to ensure they’re robust and easy to follow
Also providing training, so managers understand how to identify and deal with sexual harassment
And helping employees understand what constitutes sexual harassment. And how to report any incidents.
Helen added: ‘If a staff member makes a complaint, managers need to investigate and take appropriate action. We’d also recommend examining the culture of a business. That will identify any areas ripe for improvement.’
Employees won’t be able to make a claim solely under the new Act. But if there’s an existing claim, any further breach under the Act will be an aggravating factor.
In the event of an employer breaching the Act, employment tribunals will be able to increase compensation to the employee by up to 25%.
Where there are many forms of harassment claimed, the uplift will apply to all compensation awarded for the claim, not the sexual harassment element alone.
Helen added: ‘It’s clear it’s important to put measures in place to prevent sexual harassment taking place. Where it does, and a successful claim is made, then this could be costly to the employer.’
Big Breakfast With Added Fruit. Homeless and hungry people in Swindon are getting the chance to enjoy their five-a-day thanks to town charity Big Breakfast Plus.The charity, that provides breakfast seven days a week from its base at The Pilgrim Centre, is now offering take-away fruit bags to its visitors.
In the first week alone, they gave out almost 1,800 pieces of fruit. Guests could choose what they wanted from a wide range including bananas, grapes, apples and plums. Apricots proved particularly popular!
Big Breakfast With Added Fruit – Big breakfast volunteers
Charlotte Mannion, the charity’s Chair of Trustees, explained that the Government Household Support Fund, allocated by Swindon Borough Council, has funded the scheme.
Out of the blue the ccouncil offered us £3,000 from the Government Household Support Fund. And we all thought offering fruit would be a good addition to the breakfast we already provide,’ she said.
‘It’s gone down very well with our guests, who are enjoying this extra food we are able to offer. They take a paper bag and can select what they like. As soon as people heard about the scheme, we started to receive donations from generous members of the public, who’ve brought in apples and plums.’
About Big Breakfast Plus
Big Breakfast Plus is the only charitable organisation in Swindon providing a free cooked breakfast, cereal and toast, with unlimited refills of hot drinks. And further, an opportunity for people to meet and socialise in a warm and inviting place.
It’s open from 7.30am to 9am every day and relies on donations to keep running. For more information, visit https://bigbreakfastplus.org.uk/.
RPA Announces Casting Date. Leading south west performing arts company, Revolution Performing Arts, is seeking young people to audition. They want them to try out for its upcoming production of the National Theatre’s Connections play Tuesday by playwright Alison Carr. It’ll be taking place in Gloucestershire next year.
Artistic Director Laura Barnes said:
‘This exciting project is open to all secondary school-aged students, from age 11 to 18. It offers a unique opportunity to be part of a dynamic, inclusive and creative-led experience.
The casting workshop will be informal and welcoming. It’s designed to explore creativity, rather than serve as a high-pressure audition. RPA encourages young people interested in participating to attend and experience the fun of theatre-making in a supportive environment.’
Where
They’re holding the casting workshop at the Revolutionary Tuition Centre at Redhouse Village Centre in Swindon The postcode is: SN25 2FW. It’ll be on Tuesday the 22nd October.
In Tuesday, an ordinary day takes a strange turn when the sky over Lane End School tears open. The tear pulls students and teachers into a parallel universe while a whole new set of people falls from above.
As the two groups struggle to make sense of the situation, tensions rise. The play explores themes of:
Identity
Friendship
Loss and responsibility
All against the backdrop of intriguing multiverse theories.
RPA Announces Casting Date – young people engaging in a previous show presented by Revolution Performing Arts.
In the director’s chair
Laura Barnes, artistic director at RPA, is directing the production. Laura is also a professional theatre director. She has an impressive portfolio that includes acclaimed projects across Wiltshire, Gloucestershire, and London.
Laura said: ‘We’re so excited to bring Tuesday to life with the young people of our community. This play offers a unique and imaginative exploration of identity and connection. Themes that resonate with our mission. We can’t wait to see how these talented individuals will interpret and bring their own creativity to this extraordinary story.’
Rehearsals for the production will then take place on Tuesday evenings after the half-term break in late October. And the performance takes place on Sunday 16th February, at The Griffin Theatre, Rendcomb College, Cirencester.
Please note that a project fee of £150 will apply to take part in this production. This will cover room hire for rehearsals and associated costs. It’s payable in up to three instalments.
Revolution Performing Arts has its base in Swindon. It offers classes and performing arts services across the town. And also in Wiltshire, Oxfordshire and Gloucestershire.
