A NEW WILTSHIRE VENTURE INVITES PEOPLE TO SLOW DOWN, LEARN AND ESCAPE. Three Wiltshire entrepreneurs have together launched a new business. Called Enlightening Escapes, it brings together travel, learning and time away.
The founders are:
Janet Shreeve, founder of care consultancy business Shreeve Care Services
Fiona Scott, founder of Swindon-based PR agency Scott Media and …
… media consultant Lauren Roberts from Chippenham.
A NEW WILTSHIRE VENTURE – from left to right: Lauren Roberts, Janet Shreeve and Fiona Scott
The inspiration behind it
The idea grew out of years of:
Working with people
Listening to their stories, and seeing what actually helps them reset, get clarity and feel more confident.
Rather than big conferences or rigid workshops, the trio wanted to create smaller experiences that feel personal and easy to be part of.
‘This came from conversations we were already having,’ said Fiona. ‘Between us, we’ve built strong relationships with people doing interesting things, from creatives and business owners to chefs and makers. Enlightening Escapes gives us a way to bring those people together in a relaxed setting, where conversation happens naturally.’
Lauren said the focus is on using skills the team has built up over time. ‘We all come from different professional backgrounds. But we’ve spent years working in storytelling, communication and confidence. We know people get more out of learning when they feel comfortable. Hence we’ve desgined the escapes around shared experience rather than being talked at.’
What they comprise
The experiences can be business-focused, lifestyle-led, or a mix of the two, depending on the escape. Each is completely bespoke.
The first overnight retreat takes place in March 2026 at Bowood Hotel, Spa and Golf Resort. The weekend will focus on TikTok and video content. There’ll be practical talks from business owners who use video as part of their everyday work. Speakers include Malmesbury artist and creator Luke Hollingworth, and family law specialist Steven Wade, whose work and videos have reached millions around the world.
Not all Enlightening Escapes involve staying away. In February 2026, Swindon’s Old Town will host a Thai cuisine evening with 2025 MasterChef finalist Sam Kaeokon. The night will centre around food, stories and making connections. Guests will get a real insight into Sam’s journey and love of cooking.
The Italian job
Looking ahead, the team are also planning escapes in Italy later in 2026.
Italy feels like a natural step, said Janet. ‘I lived there for several years and speak the language. That means we already have strong local relationships. It allows us to shape experiences around everyday Italian life, from cooking and olive oil making to visiting local fashion designers.’
Award winning bakery expands into breakfast cereal with new range. Award-winning artisan bakery Pipp & Co is once again expanding its range. And this time it’s into preservative-free breakfast cereals.
The Swindon-based bakery – which recently scooped a national award for its rhubarb and ginger jam vegan doughnut – is launching two cereals. While staying true to its ethos of using only quality ingredients, with no additives or preservatives.
There are two varieties:
Seed and maple granola
Apricot, cranberry and seed muesli
They’re both based on family recipes and are available for both retail and wholesale.
They’ve crafted both lines from the best quality ingredients. And they’re designed for:
At the same time, Pipp & Co, with success founded in its signature range of artisan doughnuts, is also expanding its popular range of savoury bakes.
There’s been five months of successful trials with several large wholesale partners. And now available are spinach and feta brioche pastry diamonds, and brioche cheddar, cream cheese and chive pinwheels.
Pipp & Co supply fresh the two products for wholesale distribution. Purchasers can freeze them to eliminate waste.
We’re confident that our customers are going to love our granola and muesli breakfast cereals. Further, we’re excited to be expanding our product range. We’re now getting recognition for a variety of products beyond our doughnuts.’
Just last month, Pipp & Co’s rhubarb and ginger jam doughnut was the stand out winner at this year’s annual awards, run by PETA. That’s the UK-based charity dedicated to establishing and protecting the rights of all animals.
For more about Pipp & Co’s range of sweet and savoury baked goods, and now breakfast cereals, visit https://pipp.co/
So – Sleeping Beauty – we all know the basic plot don’t we? That of a princess who pricks her finger on an enchanted spindle (spinning wheel) and falls asleep for 100 years. At length she’s awakened by the kiss of a handsome prince. #obvs – the patriarchy and all that …
The antagonist in this story is the Wicked Fairy. In some Disney adaptations she goes under the name of Maleficent – beginning with Disney’s 1959 film of Sleeping Beauty. In other adaptations, including this one, the Wicked Fairy goes under the name of Carabosse. I won’t lie, I think Maleficent is a way more villainous sounding name.
But, be that as it may, Jenny Ryan of The Chase stars in this production as the Wicked Fairy Carabosse. Watching this production last night it became clear to me that I need to start watching quiz shows, as a lot of references whooshed over my head! Well that and not wearing my hearing aids …
What to expect
Well of course, you get all the traditional and much-loved panto elements. The comedy, the slapstick, the costumes, the dancing and water pistols. And, of course, the ultimate triumph of good over evil. Oh – and a rather fabulous dragon. Now I don’t at all remember a dragon featuring in Sleeping Beauty. But then I’ve not seen a production of it for a looooong time so I could well have forgotten.
Leading the comedy is of course that doyenne of pantomime dames, the one and only David Ashley – whose costumes get more and more outrageous as the production progresses. Giving superb support in the comedic stakes is the brilliant Ben Goffe as Muddles the court jester. Oh yes he does!!
Now – I can’t wrap this blog post up without giving special mention to the ensemble – all drawn from local dance schools. I know they work jolly hard and they do a splendid job supporting the production.
I’ll leave you now with the words of 12-year-old Ruby (with a bit of help from mum and dad) with whom I watched the panto last night:
‘Sleeping beauty was a colourful and vibrant pantomime. I really enjoyed the audience interaction and the silly jokes that made me laugh my socks off. Fantastic family fun which was a great start to our Christmas. A five star show which I highly recommend.’
So there you have it folks. High praise indeed from Ruby. And mum and dad.
INDEPENDENT BUSINESS STOCKS CRYSTAL ‘CATHEDRALS’.
WILTSHIRE-BASED crystal shop owner, Louise Muir-Sage, is now stocking two rare amethyst cathedrals in her high street shop.
Amethyst cathedrals, also known as amethyst geode cathedrals or amethyst caves, have gone on sale at Royal Wootton Bassett’s Something Kind of Woo. The shop opened its doors earlier this year.
The amethyst cathedrals form over millions of years inside volcanic rock. They’re often found in Brazil and Uruguay. These two cathedrals were once part of a single large rock and they’re cut apart and cleaned during preparation. These large, cave-like crystal towers mirror each other in shape, structure and energy and are rare.
INDEPENDENT BUSINESS STOCKS CRYSTAL ‘CATHEDRALS’ Louise Muir-Sage, founder of Something Kind of Woo, with two amethyst cathedrals. Â
Amethyst crystals
Amethyst crystals have an association with calm, clarity, and emotional balance. Often used for stress relief and better sleep, these cathedrals of deep purple crystals are perfect for:
Collectors
Healers …
… or businesses seeking to highlight their room.
It’s believed that large formations transform a room’s atmosphere. Therefore, ideal settings for their uplifting and cleansing energy are:
Bedrooms
Meditation or therapy spaces
Yoga studios and wellness centres
‘Large, high-quality cathedrals are becoming ever hard to source. And matching pairs are rare,’ continued Louise. ‘This is the perfect opportunity for someone to own a unique, statement piece without having to import privately. Something that comes at high risk and cost for buyers.’
Something Kind of Woo’s unlikely find amethyst cathedrals are on sale for £899 each or £1,599 for the pair.
‘I would love these to go home with a single buyer. I hope whoever takes them home feels the beauty and steadiness they bring. They’re have a quiet magnificence – softening a space and helping people feel calmer and clearer. To me, that’s the magic of woo: something beautiful that genuinely makes a difference in everyday life,’ said Louise.
Something Kind of Woo also offers group workshops, Coffee & Crystal events, Reiki sessions, and chakra balancing, all while also being a crystal shop. All products are from responsible sources, from crystals, to incense to pure essential oils. To find out more visit https://somethingkindofwoo.co.uk/.
Town Gardens Christmas Event this weekend. South Swindon Parish Council is set to bring free festive cheer to Old Town, and it’s all starting this weekend. On 13th, 14th, 20th and 21st December, from 12pm until 4pm, the historic Town Gardens is transforming into a lively hub of:
Christmas activities
performances and family fun …
And it’s all open to the public, and at no cost.
Ensuring that no-one needs to miss out on the festive fun this year, the parish council has arranged for RevoLOOtion to attend all the Christmas in Town Gardens dates. They’ll bring their fully-accessible mobile toilet. It comes complete with lift, grab rails, hoist and adult changing bench.
Winter wonderland
A winter wonderland welcomes visitors. It’s filled with creative workshops, live entertainment and seasonal treats. Families can drop into Santa’s craft corner. There they’ll be guided through a range of hands-on craft sessions. All designed to keep the little ones busy with delightful make-and-take activities.
Adding a touch of winter magic, you’ll find Air Giants’ captivating larger-than-life interactive plants around the Town Gardens bandstand. Meanwhile, Swindon Culture Collective invites visitors to explore their Magical Lantern Forest, featuring work from outstanding Swindon-based artists.
No advance booking needed. All you have to do is arrive between 12pm and 4pm on 13th, 14th, 20th and 21st December. Free parking is available at The Commonweal School.
Make sure to keep up to date with event details by following @SouthSwindonParish on Facebook and Instagram.
Stilt walkers dressed as candy canesFather Christmas
