Accountant Running for Wiltshire Treehouse. It’s ever fab to share stories of businesses doing their thing for various charities. This time it’s Sally Holland, partner at Swindon based PPS Chartered Accountants lacing up her trail shoes. She’s taking on a 50-kilometre ultramarathon this July. And it’s all in support of bereavement charity Wiltshire Treehouse.
On Sunday 13th July, Sally will take part in the Race to the Stones. This is a scenic but tough trail run along Britain’s oldest path, the Ridgeway. It covers 50km from Wantage to Avebury. It’s a challenge that combines Sally’s love for the outdoors with her commitment to giving back to the local community.
Sally’s passion for running began somewhat unexpectedly.
‘I decided to go for a run one day. I’d never much liked it before,’ she said. ‘I went out with my mother-in-law then joined the Highworth Running Club. At length I started enjoying longer distances. It turns out I’m better suited to slow, steady endurance runs.’
Since then, Sally’s running journey has included everything from the London Marathon – she ran that in 2015, to 100km endurance events. A self-confessed fan of cross-country trails, she’s even managed to convince a few friends to join her in the mud along the way.
Accountant Running for Wiltshire Treehouse – Sally Holland in her running gear
Personal goals – and more
This year’s challenge is about more than personal goals. ‘I’m running the 50K to raise money for Wiltshire Treehouse,’ Sally explained. ‘They do incredible work supporting children and young people grieving the loss of a parent, sibling or other loved one. It’s such an important cause and I’m proud to be helping raise awareness and funds for them.’
Sally won’t be running alone. Two of her close friends will be taking on the ultramarathon with her, making it a shared challenge and celebration of friendship and resilience.
PPS Chartered Accountants has before supported Wiltshire Treehouse through its business charity breakfasts. They raised over £400 at their event in March. Sally’s personal fundraising adds another layer to the company’s ongoing commitment to the community.
‘This run is going to be tough, but so worth it,’ said Sally. ‘I do it because:
I love the freedom of being outdoors
The challenge of pushing myself, and, in this case, knowing that it’s for a super important cause.’
Swindon Dance Hosting Art Exhibition. Swindon Town Hall has been bustling with activity as it prepares for an art exhibition by local artist Sheryll K Fox. The Grade II listed building is home to Swindon Dance. And they’re proud to host the exhibition of original figurative and landscape paintings. Inspired in some cases, by their classes.
Artist Sheryll said, ‘I’ve been sketching in classes at Swindon Dance for more than a year. It’s been such a delight to work in this creative space with inspirational teachers and students. As well as paintings from these sessions, there’ll be a mix of landscapes and drama inspired works on display. I’m creating some brand-new pieces for the exhibition as well as sharing some paintings which I’ve never exhibited before.’
Swindon Dance Hosting Art Exhibition – artist Sheryll K Fox in her studio
The idea
The idea of mounting the art exhibition was that of Viv Slayford, Director and CEO of Swindon Dance. She said; ‘It’s been a joy to have Sheryll in the building sketching such a range of people enjoying some form of dance. From the professional artists we work with, to our students on the Centre for Advanced Training and some of our community classes. To see her sketches develop into finished artworks and watching this beautiful cultural building transform into an art gallery has been a wonderful experience. One that I hope our local communities will also enjoy.’
The exhibition titled ‘Moving Moments,’ will be open to the public for one evening only. Thursday 17th July, 5.30-7.30 pm (last entry 7 pm). You can book your free ticket here: https://swindondance.org.uk/events
Sarah, Vicky, Maille and Jan-Ming admiring Sheryll’s painting ‘Connections’. The painting features three of the dancers. It drew its inspiration from the ‘Making Connections’ inclusive monthly movement sessions that they attend at Swindon Dance.
PR Partnership Supporting Swindon Hub. Leading PR agency, Scott Media, is lending its support to a charity, that runs a community space for people and organisations in Swindon.
Swindon Hub, in the heart of Swindon town centre, is a place for people to:
connect
learn
and relax, using facilities which include a cafe, art displays, exhibitions, and workshops.
Supporting Swindon Hub – Swindon hub in swindon town centre
Supporters of Swindon
As a Swindon-based PR agency, and vocal supporters of the town, Scott Media are now partnering with Swindon Hub to help raise its profile. All by sharing stories and successes of the volunteers and those who use it, as well as promote events and generally support the Hub’s visibility in the area.
Lauren Roberts, media consultant with Scott Media, said: ‘We’re working together with Swindon Hub so more people within the town know about this fantastic resource. We also plan to promote it to areas and villages beyond Swindon. Places that may not have their own hub or community space and whose residents may want to benefit from what Swindon Hub has to offer.
PR Partnership Supporting Swindon Hub – Lauren Roberts of Scott Media
‘This is such a positive partnership. One where we can use our media skills to support a cause that aligns with our community values. And in the town where our business was founded, where I grew up and where our founder, Fiona Scott, lives. Swindon has been such a big part of my life. So being able to support a space like Swindon Hub, that brings people together, offers so much to the community, and creates real impact, is something we’re proud to be a part of.’
Swindon Hub is open 10am to 5pm, Tuesday to Saturday. It’s based at 36 The Parade – what used to be the River Island store.
For more information, visithttps://swindonhub.org.uk/.
Scott Media specialises in PR and marketing services for small business and entrepreneurs. For information visit https://scottmedia.uk/.
Lis McDermott Launches 4th Novel. Lis McDermott, a Royal Wootton Bassett-based author and poet, has released her fourth novel Honey. This book is the first in a series: The Beaconsbury Forest Series.
Following the success of her 2022 debut novel, He is Not Worthy,Lis hasgone on to write two more novels. She’s now finished her fourth ‘Honey’. Itfollows the story of a young girl who grows up in a tight-knit community around a forest called Beaconsbury.
Lis said: ‘This novel is rather different from my others. It’s the first in a series of three following the lives of a mother and daughter from 1954 right up to 2024. I’m already knee deep in the second book, which will come out later this year.
Lis McDermott Launches 4th Novel – Lis with her latest novel Honey
Characterization
I love characters and I wanted to write about two main characters from their point of view over a long period of their lives. The first character is Honey who lives a sheltered life with her mother and grandmother. She marries at a young age and makes a bad decision that leads to a secret with far-reaching consequences across many years.’
Lis, who lives in Royal Wootton Bassett, launched her book at an event at Stanton House Hotel recently (June 18). She’s loosely based Beaconsbury Forest on the Forest of Dean where she lived many years ago and she visits often.
‘I wanted the ‘place’ to be very pivotal to this book and the two others in the series. It has its own community which is very tight-knit and almost has its own voice. Living in the forest impacts on characters in very different ways. For some, the forest is magical, warm and welcoming, but for other’s it appears insular and claustrophobic. The strong sense of the forest community develops as the series continues.’
The reviews are in
Early feedback from beta readers has been overwhelmingly positive:
‘Your use of conversation to convey the story line is compelling. Lots of twists and turns kept me reading and the mysterious murders added extra excitement.’ – Carolyne
‘The opening sentence of Chapter 2 is fab. It definitely hooked me in. I wanted to know why she always felt guilty and knew something interesting would come out of that.’ – Nicki
‘I started this book in the afternoon and only put it down to cook dinner and eat. I can’t wait for the next book, it got me gripped. The people seem real and I could actually feel as though Honey’s life was mine. I laughed and cried!’ – Bobbie
‘Lis’ way of describing relationships makes you feel as though you are living in the story. Reading this was a rollercoaster of emotions. I couldn’t put it down and devoured it within a weekend. I’m counting the days until I can read book 2.’ – Hannah
As a prolific writer, Lis’s literary repertoire includes novels, four poetry collections, and two non-fiction books. Beyond her own work, she mentors aspiring authors, guiding them through the publishing process.
Wyvern Secures SYP Sponsorship. With much delight, the Wyvern Theatre announces it’s secured sponsorship for its upcoming summer youth Project, Annie. This exciting partnership will be with leading local road construction company,Coatstone Surfacing.
Over 100 local youngsters will perform the timeless classic. It promises to bring energy and heart-warming performances to audiences of all ages. Coatstone Surfacing feels honoured to support the beloved Swindon youth project.
A second sponsorship year
Coatstone Surfacing is proud to support the summer youth project for a second consecutive year. Watching young people develop confidence, creativity, and teamwork as they bring a West End classic like Annie to the stage is so rewarding.’ says Joe McGarvie, managing director of Coatstone Surfacing. ‘We’re passionate about giving back to our community. And this project offers children a unique opportunity to shine, both on and off the stage.’
Wyvern Secures SYP Sponsorship
Oli Webb, Creative Learning Manager for Swindon Theatres says ‘We’re so fortunate to have Coatstone Surfacing as our sponsors once again this year. The summer youth project is an incredible thing. Throughout the past 30 years we’ve had:
West End stars
Cambridge classicists
teachers and stage managers come through the project in all sorts of roles.
It’s a real privilege to be part of something that has such a vibrant history and strong community ethos.’
The first SYP
The first summer youth project took place at the Wyvern Theatre in 1994 with Bugsy Malone. It was one of the first community ventures of its kind in the local area. Since then it’s become an annual tradition. So many young people have taken part in the projects over the years.
The aim of summer youth project is to provide up to 200 youngsters, aged 9 – 21, with the opportunity to work together in a professional theatre. The two-week project culminates in five performances of a full-scale musical under the supervision of a skilled creative team. That includes a professional director, choreographer, musical director, musicians and technical team!
Set in 1930s New York during The Great Depression, brave young Annie lives a life of misery at Miss Hannigan’s orphanage. Her luck changes when she’s chosen to spend a fairytale Christmas with famous billionaire, Oliver Warbucks. Meanwhile, spiteful Miss Hannigan has other ideas and hatches a plan to spoil Annie’s search for her true family.
With its Tony® award-winning book and score, including the unforgettable songs It’s The Hard Knock Life, Easy Street, I Don’t Need Anything But You and Tomorrow, you can bet your bottom dollar that you’ll love it!
You can see Annie at the Wyvern Theatre from Wed 14 – Sat 16 August 2025.
