The Swindon Art Collection comprises one of the most important collections of modern and contemporary art in the UK. It’s housed in Museum and Art Swindon – the erstwhile museum and art gallery housed in Apsley House in Old Town – now in the civic offices in Euclid Street
Swindon is known for many things
Swindon, as we know, is known for many things. The GWR, Garrards, a gharial, Triumph lingerie, Bluebird toys, XTC and a magical roundabout. To name but a few. And some of those things are VERY well known. But what’s not so well-known, beyond the art world that is, is the astonishing collection of modern British art that resides here in our town. In summary, this collection comprises somewhere in the region of 800 paintings, sculptures, ceramics and multi-media pieces.
Together they form one of the most important collections of modern and contemporary art in the UK.
Now you’ve digested that nugget, upon your lips it wouldn’t surprise me, sit questions of how did ‘clone town, crap town, handy town whenever a London journalist, short on originality, wants somewhere to be rude about,* (John Chandler: Swindon Decoded) come to possess such jewels?
Well – gather round and, in the manner of Listen with Mother (yes I am that old), sit comfortably and I’ll begin.
Back in the 1920s there existed in Swindon a small gallery in an ex-Roman Catholic church. And it had contained a few pieces of local art. Then came the Bomford Gift.
Swindon’s Serious Art Collection – the civic offices home to museum and art swindon
The Bomford Gift
Then, in 1944, local resident HJP (Jimmy) Bomford (1896-1979) donated a collection of artworks to the town – not the council. Thus, Bomford created the Swindon collection of modern British art. A collection that represents artists with national and international reputations while the Swindon museum art collection in the main presents paintings of the locality.
Bomford though wasn’t Swindon’s only art benefactor. Charles Phelps, a Swindonian left, on his 1949 death, a substantial sum of money to Swindon to carry on building its collection. Both he and Bomford felt that some of the art, owned by them, that related to Swindon, should be available to Swindonians.
Swindon’s collection then comprises a selection of British artists from the modern period including Gwen John, Augustus John, Paul Nash, Ben Nicholson, Henry Moore and Ivon Hitchens. More recent artists’ work includes pieces by Terry Frost, Howard Hodgkin and Lisa Milroy. You’ll find too LS Lowry’s 1943 Winter in Pendlebury, a rare Lowry portrayal of a snowy scene, and Lucien Freud’s Girl with a Fig Leaf.
Local artists are represented too. In recent years the collection has taken in works by David Bent and Ken White.
A cultural beacon
You’ve gathered by now then, I hope, that we’re talking about a … serious art collection. Which leads me to mention that the Chair of the Friends of MAS, Andrew Cross, attended the launch of the Vision for the Heart of Swindon at the House of Lords on 17 March at an event hosted by Lord Wills on behalf of the Swindon Borough Council.
The Vision document* sets out eight ambitions, including a creative centre. Prominent in this ambition is the and celebration of Swindon’s 20th century British art collection. It was heart-warming and encouraging to see how widely recognised and supported, the Swindon Collection is, by Swindon – and beyond.
The expectation is that the collection will serve as a cultural beacon and enhance the cultural development, an approach that has proven successful in other towns in the UK.
I mean, that sounds wonderful doesn’t it? A cultural beacon. How simply marvellous. Beacons though, by and large, are easy to spot are they not? Sadly, the same cannot be said of Museum and Art Swindon.
A sign of the times
As marvellous as Museum and Art Swindon is and as thrilled to bits as I am that we have it, it’s high time that we stopped with the Brigadoon-shrouding-the-thing-in-mist-thing and sorted out the signage. Or lack thereof which is more to the point.
It’s nigh on a year now since MAS reopened in the civic offices and the signage situation is simply sub-optimal. The dratted Scarlet Pimpernel would be easier to locate.
There’s a bit of a signage outside the civic offices – where MAS is housed. But you can’t really see until you’re on top of it. Then there’s these things. Okay as far as they go – but that’s not far enough.
The Swindon art collection – map sign on Faringdon Rd
Nothing on Euclid Street
There isn’t even a sign on the top of Euclid Street that people either getting off the bus at Regent Circus or walking up from the railway station would come across.
And speaking of the station, surely, surely, surely, we should have one (at least) of these exhorting people to visit Museum and Art Swindon? With a picture of the civic offices, the MAS branding, the address etc, etc, etc?
Poster for Swindon theatre in the railway station
So here we are, with a lovely museum and art centre in our beautiful Art Deco civic offices. And here we are also in possession of a modern British art collection of inarguable quality and national interest. The only problem being that nay b&gger can find it.
When Labour took over the council they made a huge effort to bring the museum artefacts and the Swindon collection back to the people, after the failure of the Tories to reopen Apsley House post Covid, by creating Museum and Art Swindon in the civic offices. Yay, yay and thrice yay for that!!
But if people outside Swindon, who want to see our art, are struggling to find it – and anecdotally they are – then we’re looking at a massive exercise in futility.
So, out of interest, do people out there know where the civic offices are? I’ve been asked, on social media, where the building is – by people in Swindon. So if they don’t know, what chance do external visitors have as things are? Nil and slim I venture to suggest. But if you’ve struggled to find the place – let me know.
And if you do know where the civic offices are, do you know that they contain Museum and Art Swindon?
Awards for Two Swindon Volunteers. Two Swindon volunteers with Big Breakfast Plus have each received a ‘hidden heroes’ award. They came after the charity they support nominated them. Angela Proctor and Jim McCloud both volunteer with Big Breakfast Plus. The charity provides breakfasts seven days a week for homeless and hungry people in Swindon. It operates from the Pilgrim Centre in Regent Street.
Big Breakfast Plus nominated Angela and Jim for ‘hidden heroes’ awards from Room To Reward. RtoR offers hotel breaks for inspirational volunteers as a way of saying thank you. Now, Jim and his wife Doreen, and Angela and her husband John, will both be able to go on separate breaks in the UK.
Charlotte Mannion, who recently stepped down as Chair of Trustees of Big Breakfast Plus, said: ‘We’re blessed with wonderful volunteers here. They ensure we’re able to offer a cooked breakfast to our guests, in a warm and welcoming atmosphere.
‘Angela goes above and beyond. She takes home washing and recycling. And even when we have rare incidents of challenging behaviour from our guests she remains calm and non-judgmental, ably managing the situation.’
Of Jim, the charity’s longest-serving volunteer, Charlotte said: ‘He’s supportive with our guests, who have enormous respect for him. He takes the time to talk so everyone feels wanted and welcomed. Volunteers love working on his shift because he always takes the trouble to ensure they’re comfortable with their tasks. And that everyone is enjoying themselves whilst delivering the breakfast service.’
Awards for Two Swindon Volunteers – Charlotte Mannion centre with Angela Proctor and Jim McCloud.
Not only but also
The pair were also chosen by Big Breakfast Plus to accept The King’s Award for Voluntary Service. The Lord-Lieutenant of Wiltshire Sarah Troughton, presented the award to the charity on behalf of the king.
The award itself is the highest award a local voluntary group can receive in the UK and is equivalent to an MBE.
Jim said it was an honour to accept The King’s Award for Voluntary Service on behalf of Big Breakfast Plus. As well as receiving the hidden heroes award from Room to Reward. Jim went on: ‘I didn’t expect it, and I’m sure there are people who do much more than I do. I’m one of the longest-serving and one of the oldest, and I do like to think I make a difference. The Room To Reward award was a nice surprise too – it’s not often I get a certificate at my age!’
Angela, who has been volunteering for three years, added: ‘It was lovely to receive this award along with Jim. I get such a lot out of volunteering, I feel so passionate about it, and my family say it does me good too.’
For more about Big Breakfast Plus, volunteering opportunities, and how to support the charity, visit https://bigbreakfastplus.org.uk/.
Cast your mind back (assuming you’re old enough!) to 1990. In that year, the film Ghost, starring Demi Moore, Whoopi Goldberg and the late Patrick Swayze became one of cinema’s all-time hits. The highest grossing film of that year, Ghost won an Oscar for screenwriter Bruce Joel Rubin. And now Rubin’s adapted his screenplay to bring Ghost to the stage. All in the form of a musical.
#Obvs the iconic, 1965 Righteous Brothers’ ‘Unchained Melody’ features – along with many more fab songs co-written by Eurythmics’ Dave Stewart.
The plot and the production
I’m not going to mention the plot – if you’re old enough you’ll know it. And if you’re not then Google is your friend. But what I mostly want to say is this:
‘Should you have seen this in the Wyvern programme and be pondering – STOP. And GO. This is quite the best thing I’ve seen in a while. I loved, loved it, loved it.’
Updated for the 21st century with mobile phones and laptops, the staging and special effects are clever and innovative. The opening to the second half made everyone jump. I just about held on to my red wine. That was almost a red-wine-on-pink-coat disaster!!
Of more importance, it’s arguable, both voices and performances are strong – with James Mateo-Salt as the villainous, duplicitous Carl having a particularly good voice I feel. But they were allgreat – in all aspects – and brought the story beautifully to life.
Indeed, an article in the programme entitled The Afterlife of Ghost (see what they did there?) concludes thus:
‘…In the years since, it’s been transformed again with a new and intimate reworking that brings out even more of the heart-wrenching love story at the centre of the tale.’
Signal Youth Festival Returns for a second year. Swindon’s only festival dedicated to showcasing and celebrating youth arts returns this summer for its second year. Signal Festival, organised by Prime Theatre, is a partnership between the town’s venues, organisations and freelancers. They all work together to support, showcase, and inspire young creatives aged 11–25.
Signal Youth Festival Returns for 2025 – Swindon dance signal festival 2024
When
Running from Friday 25th July to Saturday 2nd August, Signal Festival will offer:
A varied and engaging programme of performances
Workshops, and exhibitions across Swindon — from music to photography, creative writing, and more.
The festival promotes talent and opportunity. It does it through a dynamic and accessible mix of performance, participation, professional development and pop-up events.
Following its successful launch last summer, the 2024 edition of the festival collaborated with 61 local organisations and artists. They delivered 90 events, attracting over 4,000 attendees and showcasing 170 young artists across 21 venues.
A team of young senior producers curate and manage the festival. They lead on programming, organising, and promotion.
Clarissa Boyce-Johnson (24), one of the festival’s returning producers, said:
‘It’s wonderful that Signal is returning for another year, and I’m so grateful to be part of the producing team! Signal is so important for young people. It grants them access to creative mediums and outlets. It also instills hope that they can make something of themselves in Swindon.’
For 2025
This year, Signal Festival will welcome a team of new producers and volunteers to work alongside those returning from last year. Louise Aust (22), who is joining the production team for 2025, said: ‘After taking part last year as a performer, I’m delighted to be a senior producer for this year’s Signal Festival! Being a local performer, I’ve seen firsthand the immeasurable passion and talent in Swindon. I’m proud to be part of a festival that highlights opportunities for young people and showcases all the wonderful things they bring to the creative arts.’
Signal Festival will soon be recruiting a team of paid trainee producers to assist with the planning and delivery of the festival. It’s a unique opportunity to gain real-world experience in festival production. And all the while shaping the festival’s programme and the experience of its audiences and participants. The festival is also calling on local organisations to get involved by hosting events or delivering activities as part of the week-long programme.
Mark Powell, Artistic Director of Prime Theatre, added: ‘After last year’s success, we’re back encouraging other organisations and artists to come together for a week and show our commitment to new talent. It’s a celebration of the creativity already thriving in Swindon and the rising stars of the future.’
Artists and organisations interested in participating can visit the ‘Get Involved’ section of the Signal Festival website to sign up.
Councillor Marina Strinkovsky, Cabinet Member for Planning and Placemaking, said: “I couldn’t be more delighted that Signal Festival is returning for another year. It’s a unique event that combines a sheer love of the arts with real opportunities for young people to expand their skills. Ultimately, I want everyone in Swindon to feel that they’re entitled to great art — both as an experience and as a career — and that’s what Signal is all about.’
Signal Festival 2025 will run from Friday 25th July to Saturday 2nd August. There’ll be events happening at venues throughout Swindon.
Janet Shreeve Chairs BusinessWise. Wiltshire businesswoman, Janet Shreeve from Shreeve Care Services, has been appointed Vice Chair of Swindon’s long-standing business referral group, BusinessWise.
The independent, not for profit business group is one of the most established in the town and the county. It has a history dating back more than ten years. Business owners attending the networking group which operates a ‘single seat’ model – only one person representing each business discipline can join. Janet Shreeve, who has been a member for two years, holds the ‘care services’ seat.
Janet Shreeve Chairs BusinessWise – Janet Shreeve of Shreeve Care Services, who has been appointed Vice-Chair of local networking group, BusinessWise.
‘I joined BusinessWise in October 2023. I was at once impressed with both the members, its single seat structure, and the organisation of the meeting. The ethos, integrity and kindness of the group is exceptional,’ commented Janet.
‘Even though at that time I used to drive over an hour each way to get there, I don’t regret having joined. And now I’m living in Devizes it is great to only be half an hour away.’
Janet Shreeve is a care services expert and owner of Shreeve Care Services. That’s an organisation supporting care companies around best practice and business growth. Also families attempting to navigate the care system on behalf of loved ones.
Vital networking
‘Networking is vital to the development of a business. In the sector I work it’s very much a people business,’ said Janet. ‘I don’t go into a networking group thinking I’ll get a client straight away. It’s about building trust and that network referring you to possible clients.’
BusinessWise’s Chair, John Lewis, commented on Janet Shreeve’s appointment:
‘It’s wonderful to have Janet onboard as our Vice Chair. She’s brought new expertise to BusinessWise adding a new positive dynamic to the organising team. We can’t wait to see what the future holds.’
With Janet stepping into this new role, she said: ‘I hope I can bring a different perspective regarding the development of BusinessWise. I’mlooking forward to working with a group of people I both like and respect. It’s important we represent all views and ideas of the group to look at ways in which the group can grow.’
BusinessWise meets fortnightly at Basset Down Complex near junction 16 of the M4 in Swindon. The group shares over £1.5million a year of business between its members and their contacts.
