Swindon business owner, Sean Harper running London Landmarks half marathon for Swindon charity, Best Mates on Sunday, 6th April. That’s a local charity dedicated to supporting individuals through difficult times. Sean, co-founder of Just For Fun Holiday Club, has always been passionate about giving back to the community. Having already raised funds while running the London Marathon in 2024, he’s now focusing his efforts on Best Mates. This is a cause that holds deep personal significance.
‘I’m running for Best Mates because they’ve done so much to support a friend and his family over the past year,’ Sean said. ‘In the first instance, we planned to take on this challenge together. But due to unforeseen circumstances, my friends are unable to run. That only made me more determined to do this and contribute to such a worthy cause.’
Sean Harper Running London Landmarks – Sean Harper, founder of For Fun Holiday Club, running the London Marathon in 2024.
About Best Mates
Best Mates, founded by Jeff Tucker and Carl McCulloch, provides vital emotional and practical support to individuals facing hardship. Their peer-to-peer support model connects people in difficult circumstances with a ‘Best Mate’. Someone who understands what they are going through.
Carl, co-founder of Best Mates, expressed his gratitude for Sean’s efforts and said “Sean’s dedication to our cause is so inspiring. By raising awareness and funds, he’s helping us continue providing vital support to those who need it most. We’re so grateful and will be cheering him on every step of the way.’
Sean’s running journey began two years ago when he signed up for the London Marathon, driven by a desire to regain fitness after stepping away from football. Reflecting on his experience, he described the marathon as ‘the best individual thing I’ve ever done.’ Since then, he’s embraced running as part of his lifestyle, improving both his physical health and mental well-being.
While he’s running the London Landmarks Half Marathon for charity, Sean has also signed up for the Manchester Marathon purely for personal achievement. ‘I wasn’t happy with my time in the London Marathon, so I’m looking forward to improving my performance.’
Sean aims to raise £1,000 for Best Mates through his participation in the half marathon. Supporters can contribute to his fundraising efforts via his JustGiving page: https://www.justgiving.com/page/sean-harper-1
Coate Water Mini Golf – a much-loved activity – and not long now to the summer season.
Last summer I had my Surrey-based granddaughter staying with me for a few days. In an action-packed week, we took in the Roman Baths (in Bath #Obvs) Museum and Art Swindon(a big hit) and the mini-golf at Coate Water. The latter only recently re-opened after being closed since the pandemic. And gosh what an excellent pretext for closing, or rather failing to reopen, leisure and cultural facilities that was!
Now, I’ve been in Swindon over thirty years and recall taking my daughter (mummy of said granddaughter) to the self-same mini-golf. And that got me wondering just how old the facility is. A quick tweet (it’s still Twitter to me – and how do you send an X anyway?) to Local Studies produced the answer. They have in their files a copy of Thamesdown News (I love browsing old issues of that now sadly extinct publication) that states that, in 1975, Swindon’s mayor of the time performed the opening ceremony of Swindon’s mini-golf.
So that means that the mini-golf at Coate Water is FIFTY years old this year! That’s surely a cause for cake on the course?!
Coate Water Mini Golf in 1975 – image from Local Studies
What’s in a name?
Quite a lot as it turns out. And what it turns out is that the term ‘crazy-golf’ formed a bone of contention for one Swindonian at least. Back in April of 2011, the Swindon Advertiser reported a council worker feeling aggrieved at the eponymous golf facility now being referred to as ‘crazy’ rather than ‘mini’ golf. His sentiment being, that one might consider the term offensive to those suffering from mental health issues. He told the Adver ‘I was always happy that the council always called its small course ‘mini golf’. All literature concerning this course has always referred to it as ‘mini golf’ in the six years I’ve worked there.
‘I went to work a month ago and found that ‘mini’ had been crossed out on a lot of the signage and ‘crazy’ written in its place. I was offended and insulted by this.
“To say it makes me very sad to see would be an understatement.’
‘ … I must find words and make a plea for people like me, who for years have innocently referred to their ‘crazy paving’ garden paths.
Not wanting to cause offence to Mr Battman, or anybody else who may have mental health issues, I’ve tried to find appropriate terminology for my botanical pathway.
“Irregularly-shaped” paving should do, I thought. But what about all those sensitive people with irregular physical shapes? …’
Anyway, the SBC website refers to it thus: ‘Our 18-hole pitch and putt and 18-hole crazy golf are perfect for a fun round of golf.’
Nomenclature aside, I’m happy to report that the child concerned had a blast playing (for that read cheating) her way around the course. And that despite its lack of Arnold Palmeresque lighthouses and waterwheels. Just goes to show that kids don’t need all the bells and whistles to have a good time.
The course has had a bit of TLC. I recall seeing holes/tears in the tarmac some time ago but they’d been repaired. It costs £4.60 for a round of crazy/mini golf. And – bonus – the hut is now selling ice-cream. Brilliant for a half-way or end of game refreshment if you don’t want to walk all the way down to the café.
How it all began – in the UK at least
So, if ours here in Swindon is pushing half a century, I got to pondering on how old is the oldest mini-golf in the UK. Rather a lot older than I imagined as it happens. This Putterfingers blog informs us that the oldest miniature golf course in existence is at St Andrew’s in Scotland. They formed the Ladies’ Putting Club of St. Andrews in 1867 as a members-only green for women golfers.
The club took this step as they deemed it improper (of course they did) for a lady to ‘take the club back past their shoulder’. But a bit of demure putting was permissible. Not chauvinistic and patronising at all.
Anyway, while this course featured a distinct absence of windmills and other kitsch obstacles this particular green was and still is one of the most prestigious of its kind.
The 1930s saw another early mini-golf course on the rooftop of Selfridge’s department store in London.
Swindon Open Studios Final Call for All Artists & Creatives – 31st March.
Time is running out! The deadline is midnight on Monday 31st March for anyone wishing to register for the 2025 Swindon Open Studios (SOS) Community Art event this September.
There’s 18 spaces left for artists who don’t have a dedicated studio or workshop here. People who WORKwithin 15 miles of Swindon’s town centre are welcome to apply. They can join one of several Pop-Up exhibitions around Swindon.
There’s 18 spaces left for artists who don’t have a dedicated studio or workshop here. People who WORK within 15 miles of Swindon’s town centre are welcome to apply. They can join one of several Pop-Up exhibitions around Swindon.
This 21st Open Studios event is FREE to the public and takes place the last two weekends of September.
Open Studios Final Call – Michelle Whitmore
Ethos
The main ethos is for artists to open their studios, workshops and creative spaces. This lets visitors understand where the creative magic happens and ask about techniques and processes, as well as see an artist’s life’s work. It’s particularly fascinating to see how an artist’s interests, chosen themes and colour palettes evolve over time. Think Pablo Picasso’s Blue period!
Yet, sometimes it’s not practical for an artist to have visitors going into their private, creative space. It might not be big enough, parking may be difficult or perhaps they have a pet that doesn’t like strangers.
Chair of the voluntary Committee Anna Enright says ‘Offering small pop-up exhibitions with a handful of artists removes barriers to entry. So we’re totally inclusive. Visitors get to see a wider range of wonderful creations that are otherwise hidden. It’s often affordable original art which is unique. And so much more special because its produced locally.’
Some very high-calibre work is on display. For example, photographer and digital artist Michelle Whitmore has won two international awards with the Society of Wedding & Portrait Photographers in the Portrait and Illustrative Print sections. Michelle liaises with the artists and says ‘A very successful campaign has attracted several first-time exhibitors. And we’re thrilled to welcome them to our friendly community of professional, hobby and amateur artists. So far, we’ve had 66 entries so it might be the biggest ever SOS event and art trail yet for visitors to enjoy exploring!’
Seven pop up venues still have spaces available including:
Artsite
Great Moorleaze Farm
Richard Jefferies Museum
STEAM
Stratton Juniors FC, Swindon Museum & Art Gallery
and The Wyvern Theatre.
To book one of these spaces, be quick! Four other venues are already full! To apply you will need a hi-resolution square image of recent work and a means of paying online.
Work by Stephanie CosgroveFox – Jason RichardsonLydiard House – Colin May
Webinar Spotlights Employment Law Changes. Leading HR advisers are running an open webinar to help businesses get to grips with and navigate employment law changes. The changes are coming into force from April.
The free webinar, which will run on Thursday March 27, from midday to 1pm, is being staged by the HR Dept. It’s open to all businesses, as well as their many clients.
The event will also focus on what’s coming up in employment law and HR. There’ll be advice on how businesses can tackle the problem of returning staff to the office.
Employment Law Changes – Peter Jones of the HR dept
Peter Jones, Managing Director of the HR Dept Swindon, North Wiltshire and East Cotswolds, said the webinar would focus on key legislative changes and what they mean for business.
‘One change coming in next month, that employers need to be aware of, is the introduction of neonatal care leave. This will allow parents to take paid leave if their newborn needs neonatal care,’ said Peter.
‘There are also new pay rates coming in for the National Minimum Wage, National Living Wage and apprenticeship rates. Benefits like statutory sick pay and maternity and paternity pay are also changing. So employers must take these into account.’
The HR Dept’s Hayley Preedy will lead the interactive, one-hour webinar. She’ll provide expert guidance and answer questions. As well as imminent changes, she’ll look at what’s on the horizon and how to prepare for future employment law developments.
Peter added: ‘The webinar will also advise employers wanting to encourage their staff to get back to working in the office. And how to navigate this transition. Working in a traditional office setting offers distinct advantages over remote work. And many businesses want this way of working to be the primary model once again.’
Or email Managing Director Peter Jones: peter.jones@hrdept.co.uk or call 01793 683 398.
Peter and his team work with businesses across Swindon, Chippenham, Hungerford, Marlborough, Calne, Devizes, Burford, Lechlade and Carterton. And they have a sister company working with businesses based in London.
Rob Curtis Running Half Marathon. Swindon-based digital marketing specialist Rob Curtis is hitting the pavement for a cause close to his heart. Rob will be running the London Landmarks Half Marathon to raise funds for the charity Best Mates.
Rob, founder of The Pursuit Agency, has long been passionate about giving back to the community. While his agency focuses on helping businesses grow their digital presence, he also believes in using his platform to make a meaningful difference beyond the business world.
Rob Curtis Running Half Marathon
I’m running the London Landmarks Half Marathon for Best Mates. ‘m doing it because I believe in their simple yet powerful mission. One of connecting people with someone who truly understands what they’re going through,’ Rob said.
‘I’ve been on a journey, from being a young dad to starting my business. Best Mates and its work resonates with me and I’m honoured to contribute to such a worthy cause.
‘I’ve seen firsthand how their network of volunteers, who’ve all faced their own challenges, provide that crucial support when someone needs it most. The connections they create are genuine and life-changing. I’m running to ensure more people can access this support when they need it.’
About Best Mates
Best Mates is a charity dedicated to supporting individuals facing difficult times. It connects them with others who have experienced similar challenges. The organisation ensures that those in need get paired with a compassionate peer – a ‘Best Mate’ – who understands their situation.
Beyond emotional support, Best Mates also provides practical help. This includes counselling and financial aid, to help ease the burdens people face.
Jeff Tucker, co-founder of Best Mates, said “Rob’s support means so much to us. His dedication helps raise awareness of the vital work we do, ensuring that more people can receive the support they need when they need it most. We’re so grateful for his efforts and will be cheering him on every step of the way.’
Rob aims to raise £1,500 for Best Mates through his participation in the half marathon. Supporters can contribute to his fundraising efforts via his JustGiving page: https://www.justgiving.com/page/pursuitwithbestmates
