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.
Swindon Entrepreneur Wins UK Award. SWINDON’S PR expert and media consultant, Fiona Scott of Scott Media, named the UK’s Solopreneur of the Year.
The announcement came at the annual Great British Business and Community Awards, produced by Great British Expos Ltd. The awards were first launched in 2018. They celebrate the outstanding achievements, resilience, creativity and innovation of the UK’s business and community sectors.
The awards shine a light on the people who are making a positive and original impact on their industries, the economy, and society.
Following her March win at The South West Business and Community Awards as Solopreneur of the Year, Fiona found herself in the competitive national awards in the same category.
Shortlisted
Shortlisted alongside 18 others, Fiona travelled to The Crowne Plaza in Marlow to attend the ceremony. Award sponsor, Tina Fincham, announced Fiona Scott as the winner.
‘Fiona’s journey from award-winning journalist to running her own consultancy reflects true entrepreneurial spirit. She’s built her business with integrity and expertise, supporting countless organisations to raise their profile while staying true to her values,’ said Tina. ‘She stands out as a solopreneur who combines passion with purpose making her a deserving winner of this award.’
Fiona felt quite staggered to hear her name.
‘It was an absolute shock to win this national award. I was not expecting it’, commented Fiona. ‘My nomination fell in a category that packed with talent and trailblazers. Being counted among them was an honour. To win was fantastic! I’d like to thank the judges and the freelancers, also solopreneurs, who have supported me along the way.’
Swindon Entrepreneur Wins UK Award – Fiona Scott
Scott Media is a marketing and PR consultancy for small businesses and entrepreneurs. Fiona runs media outreach for various companies and trains countless others in how to engage positively with the media. Scott Media is a marketing and PR consultancy for small businesses and entrepreneurs. Fiona runs media outreach for various companies and trains countless others in how to engage positively with the media.
She also is a successful podcaster, is about to publish her second book and runs Scott Media Speakers. To find out more www.scottmedia.uk
Celebrating 50 Years of Baking. From marzipan mishaps to master baker – Swindon-born master baker, Paul Chambers is celebrating 50 years in the trade.
Paul once found himself banished from cookery lessons for throwing marzipan. But that early mischief didn’t stop him from building a remarkable career in baking. Because Paul is celebrating fifty years in the trade. And he’s now combining a lifetime of experience with a passion for teaching the next generation of bakers at Swindon-based artisan bakery Pipp & Co.
‘I left school at fifteen – as lots of people did in those days,’ said Paul, sixty-five, who lives in Grange Park with his wife, Vicki, and has two sons and two granddaughters.
Celebrating 50 Years of Baking – Master baker Paul Chambers
It started with a Saturday job
Says Paul: ‘I had a Saturday job in The Brunel and discovered a small stall from Swiss Chalet Bakery giving out samples. I tried the gingerbread, saw they were looking for an apprentice, and applied. It’s ironic that I’d been thrown out of cookery lessons for clowning around and throwing marzipan – it hit the teacher as she walked in! Though I’d not intended that of course.
Paul’s apprenticeship marked the start of a career that has spanned fifty years – so far!
Paul completed his City & Guilds at Cheltenham Technical College. He was supervising by age 19, mastering celebration cake decoration and sugar craft. He went on to hone his craft across several small bakeries, before stepping into management at twenty-eight. By then he was overseeing eight-two staff in a BRC food standard accredited business, supplying major retailers including M&S, Waitrose, and Costa Coffee.
Later, Paul joined a family bakery business in Bristol, managing fifty-two shops supplying fresh breads, confectionery and savouries. After eight years, he sought a role where he could pass on his knowledge, mentoring others and shaping the future of the craft he loves.
Training manager
Today, Paul is Pipp & Co’s Training and Development Manager, helping develop new products and guiding a team of passionate bakers.
‘I love it, and I have no plans to retire,’ he said. ‘I’m proud of what we make, and my passion is savouries. So it’s exciting to be expanding into that line while sharing what I’ve learned over the years.’
Mario Evangelista, who co-runs Pipp & Co with his wife Betina, said: ‘Paul is a fantastic asset to our team. His knowledge, creativity, and dedication inspire everyone. And he plays a huge role in maintaining the quality and artisan standards on which we pride ourselves.’
Pipp & Co bakes all its products in Swindon using only natural ingredients, with no artificial additives or preservatives. For more information, visit https://www.pipp.co
The Grief Opera, a moving musical journey through grief and loss, comes to Christ Church, Swindon. On Saturday 1st November 2025, Christ Church in Old Town, Swindon, will host The Grief Opera, a powerful production that uses music and storytelling to explore one of life’s deepest challenges: grief.
Blending classical, jazz, opera, concert and musical theatre, The Grief Opera follows a father’s final conversations with his son and the heart-rending aftermath of loss. It’s both an intimate portrayal of bereavement and a wider reflection on the enduring presence of grief in human life.
The Grief Opera – the performers
An unusual production
This unique production is not rooted in religious themes, making it accessible to people of all faiths and backgrounds. Its creators hope the performance will not only offer comfort to the bereaved. But also spark vital, potentially life-saving conversations about mental health and suicide. The leading cause of death among young men.
Nigel Linacre, who wrote the libretto after losing his son in 2021, describes the work as ‘giving voice to the unspeakable.’ Nigel is also the Founder Director of the water charity WellBoring. He recieved the British Empire Medal (BEM) in 2023 for his charitable service.
Vladimir Miller is the composer of the music. Vladimir is an Anglo-Russian contemporary composer and band leader known for his expressive and genre-crossing style.
Acclaimed artists are performing the production. Amongst them:
Tenor Neil Latchman
Mezzo-soprano Keri Farish
Soprano Grace Dowdeswell with narration by Ashley Green and a distinguished ensemble of musicians.
‘The Grief Opera opens up a space of recognition, compassion, and healing. By engaging with another’s story, people often find the courage to face their own grief, gently and indirectly,’ said organiser Chris Smith of Christ Church.
Event details
When: Saturday 1st November 2025
Where: Christ Church, Cricklade Street, Old Town, Swindon, SN1 3HB
SALOS Bringing Evita to Town. And rehearsals are well under way for the first-ever production of Evita staged in Swindon. Thus bringing Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice’s legendary musical to local audiences for the very first time.
From the passionate rhythms of Buenos Aires to the iconic Don’t Cry For Me Argentina, Evita tells the powerful and poignant story of Argentina’s first lady. The show traces her rise from poverty to political power and fame.
Evita is one of the most beloved and challenging musicals. And we’re proud to be bringing it to a local audience for the very first time” said Russell Langdown,Director . ‘The response from the cast, crew, and community has been incredible.’
SALOS Bringing Evita to Town – Evita poster
A SALOS production
Presented by SALOS (Swindon Amateur Light Operatic Society), this groundbreaking production marks a historic moment for Swindon’s performing arts scene. With a talented cast and creative team working hard to bring the legendary and gripping story of Eva Peron to life.
The now closed, buzz-worthy West End revival starring Hollywood star Rachel Zegler as Eva Peron saw ticket prices rise to up to £500 per ticket. But with tickets to SALOS’s version of the show starting at only £23, the anticipation is building and tickets are already in demand. SALOS are encouraging audiences to book early to avoid disappointment.
SALOS Presents: Evita | Wyvern Theatre |15 – 18 Oct 2025| swindontheatres.co.uk
Social Media tags:
SALOS – @salosmts
Evita rehearsal 1
A bit about SALOS
SALOS – a Swindon institution since 1951! THAT is even older than me! Blimey. Indeed, back in 2022, they celebrated their 70th birthday.
The society performed their first production, The Arcadians, in 1952 holding auditions at 79 Bath Road. A current VP, Byron Carron, recalls that his job that day was to greet the would-be, hopefuls for the production. His father, Arthur Carron, an international English operatic tenor, produced that show.
