Athelstan Museum Volunteer Call. The Athelstan Museum in Malmesbury is appealing for more volunteers to come forward during Volunteer Week (Monday June 2 to Sunday June 8). The museum is the central hub for local history in the town. All with exhibitions about Athelstan and Malmesbury’s history. It has on permanent display, an original watercolour of Malmesbury Abbey painted by the celebrated artist J. M. W. Turner.
It’s run through volunteer hours and support. Without the volunteers, exhibitions wouldn’t exist, and local knowledge would be lost. The team also needs volunteers to join the museum management team to help behind the scenes.
Publicity manager Sian Kuropatwa said : ‘We need volunteers to act as museum hosts. To interact with visitors and run the shop, as well as people to join the management team. That oversees the running of the museum. These volunteers ensure that our town’s history remains a living legacy relevant to the people of the town and Wiltshire today.
Being a volunteer
‘Being a volunteer is not only giving back to the community. It’s preserving history, sharing stories, making friends and combating loneliness.’
The museum has been operating for many years. And, as part of Volunteer Week 2025, they’re honouring the volunteers who keep the museum open to the public and preserve Malmesbury’s history. The theme for this year’s week is ‘volunteers make waves’ and in Malmesbury they do!
Harri Rawlings, aged 21, joined as a volunteer for The Athelstan Museum in October 2024 after graduating from university. He’s one of the museum’s youngest volunteers.
Athelstan Museum Volunteer Call – volunteer Harri Rawlings, at The Athelstan Museum, one of the museum’s youngest volunteers. Picture taken by Richard Harris.
‘I live near Malmesbury and have known about the museum since childhood. I wanted to get involved before I returned to university – so I found out the museum was volunteer run and contacted them. It fulfilled a need to give my time to something important and give back to somewhere I care about.
When I first joined, I said I liked exhibitions and research and the process of a museum acquiring artefacts. Since then, I’ve had invitations to meetings and done research for the museum as part of my volunteering. They’ve looked after me and my own interests.
‘One of the nice things about volunteering is getting to meet people from all over the world and to talk about my town. Children are the best, the history comes alive when you talk to them about it. One of my favourite pieces of Malmesbury history is the story of Hannah Twynnoy, the first person on record killed by a ‘tyger’. We have an activity throughout the museum to engage visitors. It’s such fun.
Kim
Kim Davies, aged 65, has been volunteering at the Athelstan Museum for five years.
‘I moved to Malmesbury in August 2019 after retiring from being a teacher. Before I moved, I didn’t know about the town, so I went into Malmesbury library and saw the volunteer folder. I found the museum as part of a volunteer option. I emailed and haven’t looked back since.
‘My first time volunteering, a lady visited the exhibition and listened to the voices narrating the history. She confided it was her mum on the recording and that she goes back to listen to her mum’s voice. I’ll never forget that first day.
‘I live on my own and having conversations and meeting new people is a big reason I volunteer. It also feels like giving back to a town and feeling part of a community. I’ve made many friends whilst doing this.
‘I don’t know how many people realise how much you get back yourself from volunteering. They’re a friendly group of people around the museum and it’s interesting work. Don’t feel put off if you aren’t aware of the history, you can talk to other people and can pick things up over time.’
The Athelstan Museum is volunteer run and is open six days a week for the public. If you’d like to learn more about the museum or enquire about volunteering or joining its proactive museum management team, visit https://www.athelstanmuseum.org.uk/.
The Swindon Crocodile Returns. Though known as, and loved by, generations of Swindonians as a crocodile, this exhibit is in fact, a gharial. Swindon’s gharial has an interesting backstory and you can find that here: https://swindonian.me/2021/08/14/swindons-famous-crocodile/
The Swindon Crocodile Returns – the gharial in museum and art Swindon – Photo Clare Parsons.Info board with the gharial
Every museum has an iconic exhibit that is synonomous with it. An emblem if you like. The Louvre has the Mona Lisa, the Natural History Museum has its diplodocus and Swindon Museum has its croc.
I’d argue that Swindon has three such touchstones for various generations of Swindonians – most of whom hold fond memories of one or all of the the following:
Apparently, a certain Conservative Cllr once commented on how the gharial was of no consequence, relevance or importance to Swindon. He also commented that no part of the Oasis’ architecture was important and no part of it warranted being listed. But he was wrong. About the Oasis and about the gharial. If for no other reason than the huge affection in which it’s held – it matters. Memories/associations – these things MATTER. To dismiss such things so summarily is symptomatic of recognising the cost of everything and the value of nothing – in other words – philistinism.
Thus it was not for nothing that the Save our Museum and Art Gallery campaign (following the failure of the Tory administration to reopen the place post Covid – and no I’m not letting it go) have the slogan ‘Save our Croc’ and a croc image for its campaign.
When the Labour administration resurrected the museum and art gallery last year in the civic offices, pretty much the first question on everyone’s lips was ‘is the crocodile back?’ Well, it’s taken a while, and for good reason, but she’s back now. And she looks magnificent.
Restoration and providing context
Having been around the collections for a good ninety years, the poor-old croc looked a croc – as it were. So much-needed restoration was the first thing for Museum and Art Swindon to tackle.
Then came deciding how best to display her. So recent weeks and months have involved working with schools on putting the gharial into context with colonialism, our relationship with the natural world and more – gharials are now almost extinct.
A sneak peek
As a committee member of the Friends of Museum and Art Swindon, getting a sneak peek of the newly-installed gharial was fab. I won’t lie, I wasn’t at all sure that she should be put in a case – but now I see it all – it looks terrific. The museum staff have done a great job of putting together a fitting display and exhibition for the gharial. It’s just lovely to see her home again. And – I’d forgotten how bloody big it is! It’s huuuuuuge.
And in time for half-term too. Jim Robbins, our great and glorious leader, in his speech observed that families will be visiting next week to see the Swindon croc. Well, if they can find the place they will. Signage would help no end. #JustSaying
From left to right: Heidi Alexander MP, Andrew Cross (Chair of Friends of MAS), Frances Yeo (curator), Jim Robbins (SBC leader), Neil Hopkins (deputy mayor)SBC leader, JIm Robbins with the gharial. Photo Claire Parsons
Chilvester Financial Expands with two new offices. In opening new branches in Bristol and Newbury, Wiltshire-based financial planning firm, Chilvester Financial, has expanded its reach along the M4 corridor.
This move, following the company’s relocation to larger headquarters in Chippenham two years ago, aims to better serve a growing client base.
The expansion comes after Chilvester’s 2022 acquisition of Bristol’s Sovereign Asset Management. That gave the business an existing presence in the city. The firm also supports a large client based in the Newbury and Marlborough area.
A natural next step
Chilvester’s Investment Director Sam Binstead said the new offices were a natural next step in the company’s growth strategy. They can now enhance client convenience for in-person meetings. And extend a presence both westward and eastward.
‘When we took over Sovereign we had a period of moving those clients across and settling them in with our team. But it was always part of our plan to open an office in Bristol,’ said Sam. ‘At the same time, having an office in Newbury helps expand our presence eastward. And it’s convenient for our many clients who live in the surrounding area.’
Andy Tottman, Chilvester’s Managing Director, expressed excitement about this next stage of Chilvester’s development. He noted that while central office functions remain in Chippenham, the branches will enable the team to cover a wider geographical area. In turn that has the potential to provide employment.
‘Moving to the new offices in Chippenham in 2023 supported our growth. And this remains our headquarters,’ he said. ‘But through the new branches we can cover towns and villages in a wide area. One that stretches from Bristol and out towards Reading. Over time we can grow our branch offices, taking on local people and so creating employment opportunities.’
Chilvester Financial Expands – the Chilvester team
Teamwork is the dreamwork
Chilvester Financial has a 14-strong team and last year celebrated 25 years in business. The company has a strong management team supporting Andy and Sam. The team comprises Compliance Manager Ian Stone, Head of Advice Shane Lucas and Systems & Operations Manager Jessica Tottman. Between them, they have around 100 years’ experience in the financial planning sector.
The company specialises in personal financial planning advice, tailored to the individual. The experienced planners support a wide range of people. They range from those planning for retirement, to businessowners seeking long-term financial planning, to homeowners considering equity release, to families looking to their financial future.
Chilvester’s Newbury branch is in Oxford Street, while its Bristol branch is in Prince Street. The Chippenham headquarters is in Avon Reach.
Chilvester’s Newbury branch is in Oxford Street, while its Bristol branch is in Prince Street. The Chippenham headquarters is in Avon Reach.
Made in Swindon: a social history. 1840s-1940s. Edited by Philip Garrahan – a new book that I must flag up to you all. It’s a superb addition to the Swindon literary canon that is for sure.
Made in Swindon book – edited by Philip Garrahan
The book is a collaborative effort with chapters contributed from:
Adam Busby – Adam grew up in Swindon and he wrote his undergraduate dissertation on the GWR Medical Fund society.
Graham Carter – retired journalist and a proud Swindonian born and bred.
Philip Garrahan – a social scientist. He taught in four English universities and after completing his doctorate at Reading. He’s researching the contributions of art to social history.
Harry Lewis – another proud Swindonian (and why not?) with a family history intertwined with the fortunes of the Works.
John Stooke – a Swindonian to his marrow. In 1871, John’s grandfather migrated to Swindon from Devon for secure and better paid industrial work. John lectures on local history on a regular basis and is involved with the committees of many local societies. Having lost two children to poor mental health, in 2002 he set up (and Chairs at the present time) a successful community health support charity, The Kelly Foundation.
Panto 2025 Cast Announced. Imagine Theatre and the Wyvern Theatre announce that popular professional quizzer and performer, The Chase’s Jenny Ryan, will star in the Wyvern’s popular annual family pantomime Sleeping Beauty.
Joining Jenny, playing Wicked Fairy Carabosse, will be Swindon’s much loved favourite Dame, David Ashley. And award-nominated comedy actor Ben Goffe. He’s hot off the heels of recent nomination for as ‘Best Comic’ in the UK Pantomime Association Awards. That was for his appearance as Buttons in last year’s pantomime Cinderella.
In 2015 Jenny joined the hallowed team of Chasers on ITV’s award-winning teatime hit The Chase. That’s now in its fifteenth series. Nicknamed ‘The Vixen’ and ‘The Bolton Brainiac’ by host Bradley Walsh, you can also see Jenny in the prime time spin-off series Beat the Chasers for ITV1. She’s a regular guest on Fighting Talk on BBC Radio 5 Live and has appeared on many other favourites. They include:
Would I Lie to You?
Celebrity MasterChef
Ant and Dec’s Saturday Night Takeaway
Blankety Blank and Celebrity Catchphrase.
Panto 2025 Cast Announced
Jenny Ryan
A talented singer and musician, Jenny and her fellow Chasers won BBC1’s Let’s Sing & Dance for Comic Relief . With Jenny making to to the final of The X Factor: Celebrity in 2019.
Of her debut on the Swindon stage Jenny says: ‘I’m thrilled to be at Swindon this Christmas to appear in Sleeping Beauty. I’ve heard how wonderful Wyvern Theatre audiences are. I can’t wait to get started. I know that we’re going to have a lot of panto fun. And I look forward to hearing everyone booing loudly!’
Swindon panto royalty David Ashley’s career has seen him perform across the West End in shows such as Cats, Les Miserables, Blood Brothers and many more. Back for his twelfth year in panto at the Wyvern David says he’s ‘Over the moon’ to return. And adds ‘the audiences in Swindon always feel like my extended family. And I cannot wait to get started with all the brilliant panto fun in Sleeping Beauty alongside Jenny and Ben.’
Panto dame extraordinare David Ashley
Ben Goffe has most recently been performing in West End show The Choir of Man. Alongside his may stage appearances in panto and with the National Theatre, the RSC and ENO Ben’s also appeared in TV and film :
Hapless
Big Brother’s Big Mouth
The Friday Night Project
Artemis Fowl
AmStarDam and Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban.
Ben tells us: ‘The audiences in Swindon were so welcoming last year. I had such a wonderful time appearing in Cinderella. So I’m thrilled to be returning to the Wyvern to appear in Sleeping Beauty. It’s going to be a lot of fun!’
Ben Goffe in panto at the Wyvern theatre
Imagine Theatre
Imagine Theatre are once again panto producers. They’re bringing this much-loved fairytale to life, packed with all your fave panto ingredients. It promises to be the perfect magical fun-filled family treat full of sparkle and spectacle.
Laura James, the Theatre Director at the Wyvern Theatre said: ‘We’re thrilled to have Jenny joining us this panto season! Jenny is a fantastic performer and perfect for the role of Carabosse. I know our team and all our wonderful Swindon audiences will make her feel welcome. And with the legendary pairing of David Ashley and Ben Goffe to share the stage with, it’s going to be one incredible show!’
When the wicked fairy Carabosse’s evil curse causes the Princess Beauty to prick her finger on a spinning wheel and fall into an enchanted sleep, can anyone rescue her from the magical slumber before it’s too late?
Sleeping Beauty will run from 06 December 2025 to 04 January 2026. Make memories this festive season with this spellbinding magical family pantomime.
