Art Helps Overcome Illness. Two Swindon Open Studios Exhibitors Share Their Stories.
For centuries, people have used creative pastimes as therapy when recovering from grave illness. That’s because the creative act is so absorbing that it distracts the mind. Two local artists tell stories of how they found relief from physical suffering through creativity. They are Adrian Dent and Toni Foot. Both are opening their studios to the public during the 20th and 21st September, (the first weekend only) as part of Swindon Open Studios.
Adrian and Susan Dent
Adrian and Susan run Bishopstone Pottery, venue 56 – a little east of Swindon. Back in 2005, Adrian received a diagnosis of mouth cancer, from which, at length, he recovered. But then, in 2014, he developed head and neck cancer, meaning further major surgery and radiotherapy.
Art Helps Overcome Illness – Adrian and Susan Dent
During the 2020 Covid pandemic, the isolation of lockdown led them to join Grayson Perry’s Art Club. Together they created a conceptual piece of pottery using Adrian’s radiotherapy mask. The piece features the dark despair of cancer and the isolation of Covid on one side. And the joy of recovery, hope and survival on the other. The lighter side features images of the Wiltshire countryside. It has bright colours and well-known landmarks as the future opened up again.
Unfortunately, a disastrous kiln accident meant the piece needed repair, so they used the Japanese Kintsugi technique – that repairs cracks with gold. It symbolises how it’s possible to mend something so broken and still be beautiful and precious! They submitted the piece for consideration for Grayson Perry’s Covid Art Club exhibition in Manchester, alongside work from Anthony Gormley (The Angel of the North). Adrian and Susan’s piece entitled ‘It’s not just time that heals’, beat over 10,000 entrants! With not a little irony, Grayson Perry got Covid, so they didn’t get to meet him in person at the private view! Susan says ‘Covid, like cancer, is a journey. The road to recovery can be difficult. We need the support of family, friends and the NHS within a landscape that promotes healing. After all, it’s not time alone that heals!’
Art Helps Overcome Illness – Bishopstone Pottery
Toni Foot
Abstract artist Toni Foot (Venue 54) has neurological conditions and sometimes she suffers from intense pain in her spine. One particular oil painting represents this pain, and she says ‘It feels like people’s hands are grabbing me. It’s a biological pain that moves.’ It’s not all doom and gloom though.
Toni uses the name ‘Positively Rainbows’ as her moniker and much of her work is full of vibrant colours. She also writes powerful poetry that accompanies her paintings. She says ‘I have two types of work. The first is where I ‘work stuff through’ and the other is to escape from it all.’ She adds ‘Sometimes I plan things with great care to pinpoint what I’m feeling. Other times, the emotions seem to hit the page running! When I let it go, I can trap the emotion on the page, so I don’t have to feel it so much. It’s a huge release!’
Artist Toni footWork by Artist Toni foot
Exhibitors invite visitors to join the conversation to share what art means to them as observers, while artist’s share what self-expression does for them.
As Swindon Open Studios venues are open on different days and at different times, we advise visitors to plan their route with care.
NOTE: Artists in Wanborough and the East are ONLY open the FIRST weekend: 20th and 21st September. Entry is free of charge, and many places offer refreshments.
Rare Wiltshire Tokens for Sale. It’s rather cool all this. As a fan of finding stories in buildings, plaques, park benches etc, what follows appeals for the stories told by these tokens that are going up for sale.
A remarkable collection of rare historic tokens connected to Wiltshire is set to go under the hammer at RWB Auctions in Royal Wootton Bassett. It’ll take place on Wednesday September 24.
The tokens, dating back as far as the 17th century, form part of a single-owner collection built up over many years. There’s an expectation that collectors from across the UK and beyond will bid.
In bygone days
In centuries past, when official small change was scarce, local business owners took matters into their own hands by issuing their own tokens. These pieces acted as everyday currency in shops and markets. They now provide a fascinating window into Wiltshire’s own history.
Among the highlights is a rare 17th-century token issued by Grace Naish of Devizes – one of the few known women making these things. Decorated with three cloves, likely a reference to her trade in luxury spices, the token also directs customers to her premises near Devizes Castle.
Rare Wiltshire Tokens for Sale – A Grace Naish of Devizes token
William Heath of Swindon struck another notable piece. This from the days when the town was a modest market settlement, long before the coming of the railway. Heath may have been a clothier, but further research could help confirm his trade.
There’s a fine 19th-century example issued John Lamb of Purton and Cricklade. It served as not only a currency but as an advert for his wide-ranging business as a draper, grocer, and ironmonger. It’s not so surprising then that he chose a lamb as his emblem.
Wiltshire-Grace Naish-Devizes-Token. Devizes-CastleWiltshire. William Heath-Swindon – Token-NameWiltshire. William Heath of Swindon-Token-Swindon
Also included
The collection also includes tokens from:
Calne
Malmesbury
Chippenham
Marlborough
Salisbury and Bradford-on-Avon
All along with 20th-century Co-op tokens, medals and GWR pay checks. A large and significant collection of historic Irish tokens adds further depth to the sale.
Kimberly Day from RWB Auctions’ Coin Department said ‘We’re delighted to bring this important collection of Wiltshire tokens to auction. They reflect a fascinating part of our county’s history. Not only of value to collectors they also offer a unique insight into local life, trade and economy over the centuries.’
The auction forms part of RWB Auctions’ busy autumn schedule. It also features antiques, collectables and jewellery, attracting strong interest from bidders around the world.
£150K for Breakfast Charity thanks to national lottery funding. And that’s a lot of bacon butties!
The National Lottery Community Fund grant, spread across three years, is a huge boost for the charity. BBP offers a cooked breakfast seven-days-a-week to homeless and hungry people in the town.
Nathan celebrating the National Lottery Community Fund award Mandy with Jonathan at Big Breakfast Plus
BBP has its base in the Pilgrim Centre on Regent Circus. It’s run be volunteers aided and abetted by a mere handful of staff and a committed board of trustees. The charity provides around 100 breakfasts a day. And offers a warm, welcoming, safe environment for homeless and hungry people.
James Puttick, chair of trustees, said: ‘This is a fantastic level of funding. It’ll enable us to continue to offer fresh cooked breakfasts to those who are hungry in Swindon all provided in a warm and welcoming environment.’
James said the funding would also help support investment in the charity’s longer term strategy, as well as pay for day-to-day costs, like the food and equipment.
‘In recent times, we’ve seen the need for our service grow due to rising food and energy costs. This funding will enable us to keep up with that demand. It”ll also let us expand on some of our wider initiatives, like our giveaway fruit bags, and other nutritional projects.’
£150K for Breakfast Charity – National-Lottery-Community-Fund-award-Big-Breakfast-Plus-celebrates
National Lottery Community Fund
The National Lottery Community Fund recently launched its strategy, ‘It starts with community’. That underpins its efforts to distribute at least £4 billion of National Lottery funding by 2030.
As part of this, the funder has four key missions. They are:
To support communities to come together
Be environmentally sustainable
Help children and young people thrive and …
… enable people to live healthier lives.
National Lottery players raise over £30 million a week for good causes across the UK. Thanks to them, last year (2023/24) The National Lottery Community Fund awarded over half a billion pounds (£686.3 million) of life-changing funding to communities across the UK. That supported over 13,700 projects to turn their great ideas into reality.
SOS 2025 New Venues. Or new venues for Swindon Open Studios 2025.
It’s almost time to celebrate Swindon’s colourful creativity with a fun day out for all the family! This is the 21st year artists will welcome the public behind the scenes into their studios, workshops and homes to see their work. It happens during the last two weekends in September. This year, sees three new venues have added. This is because exhibitors are at different stages of their creative journey and not everyone has a dedicated workspace.
The new venues are:
The Wyvern Theatre – it will be open both Saturdays 20th and 27th September.
STEAM: Museum of the Great Western Railway
Great Moorleaze Farm near Wanborough
The latter two are open only for the first weekend: 20th and 21st September.
John Webb
John Webb (deceased) used to work for Great Western Railways and recorded scenes in and around Swindon’s works. It will please railway enthusiasts to see his paintings displayed in such an appropriate space as STEAM.
John Webb salvaging engine parts at Swindon workshops
STEAM is also an apt setting for Alex Crump because he loves and paints trains too. Alex is a well-established children’s book illustrator. He says, ‘I usually work at home in a converted loft. But I can’t invite people up there because I have to climb up a rickety old ladder to reach it! I’m so grateful for the venues making exhibition space available!’
To date, Alex has illustrated ifty-four books using watercolours, charcoal, his iPad and a computer programme called ‘Procreate’. His best-known illustrations feature in ‘Dragon Air’. The author realised that every country has its own version of these strange, winged creatures. Another story Alex is proud to have illustrated is the best-seller Niky Naky Noo published last year.
Alex Crump with a copy of Niki Naki Noo – photo credit, David ChalkAlex Crump – credit David Chalk
The Great Bustard
As a bird-lover, Alex always wanted to see a Great Bustard – featured on Wiltshire’s Coat of Arms. He posted an illustration of one on Facebook and the CEO of The Great Bustard Group invited him to visit. And then to create some images that the charity has used on merchandise.
Downton Distillery commissioned Alex to paint one as the mascot for their new Great Bustard gin. It’s won several global awards. More proof that Swindon can be proud of the work of its artists, seen all over the world!
The beauty of this event is that you can plan several visits in a day.
All kinds of arts and crafts are on show and this year about forty per cent of exhibitors are first-timers. Everyone is looking forward to conversations about art, stories behind each work, their inspiration, techniques and processes they use. Feedback on what people like is r encouraging and helps artists develop. Demonstrations and taster sessions are free but you might need to book workshops in advance. If you visit artists in their own studios, the added bonus is seeing the chaos that often accompanies creativity! Who knows – you might even get inspired to pick up a paintbrush yourself or find a new hobby for the winter months!
Doughnut Maker Branches Out. Artisan doughnut maker Pipp & Co, launched its first vegan doughnut earlier this year. And its now expanding its plant-based range with a new vegan banana and walnut loaf, plus four more vegan doughnut flavours.
The banana and walnut loaf bake, which has proved popular in Pipp & Co’s Bristol café, has gone on general sale via the company’s regular channels. That’s wholesalers, stockists, caterers and via its website to you and me.
Doughnut Maker Branches Out – Vegan Lemon Glazed Ring Doughnut with Pistachio Nib Sprinkles
Use your loaf!
‘We trialled the vegan banana and walnut loaf in our café, and our customers loved it,’ said Mario Evangelista. He co-runs Swindon-based Pipp & Co with his wife Betina. ‘Although we’re best known for our doughnuts, we wanted to expand our range to showcase our diversity as a bakery. And this includes our commitment to creating delicious plant-based products.’
Made with 45% real banana and nutritious walnuts, the loaf is rich, moist and naturally sweet. A satisfying plant-based option that doesn’t compromise on flavour or texture.
The new vegan banana and walnut loaf is available whole or sliced. Pipp & Co also bakes a non-vegan version. It’s also on sale in the café and will soon be available through wholesalers, stockists, and caterers.
Vegan doughnut
In March, Pipp & Co launched its first vegan doughnut, a mixed berry flavour, in response to growing demand from customers looking for a plant-based alternative. It’s since launched a second vegan doughnut – lemon and pistachio. And, this month (September) three more vegan flavours are being introduced. They are mango and Tajin, raspberry and basil, and rhubarb and ginger.
Pipp & Co bakes all its products in Swindon. Its entire range meets the baker’s strict criteria of using only natural ingredients. There are no artificial additives or preservatives here. Nor hydrogenated fats, palm oils or GMOs.
Mario said: ‘In the last three months, we’ve produced more than 20,600 vegan doughnuts. That’s a clear sign that demand for delicious vegan options is growing and here to stay.’
Banana Walnut LoafRhubarb and Ginger Jam Vegan Doughnut
Success Story
The expanding range is part of the Pipp & Co success story. The baker now makes 25 to 30 different products daily, compared to half-a-dozen two years ago.
And in more good news, Pipp & Co succeeded in completing its first SALSA audit. SALSA – Safe and Local Supplier Approval – is a robust food safety standard. It’s designed specifically for small UK food and drink producers, operating from a commercial kitchen. It goes beyond basic legal requirements to reflect the high standards that professional buyers expect.
Mario added: ‘This certification reassures our customers, buyers, and partners of our commitment to best practices in food safety management. And it opens the door for us to grow with confidence and supply even more delicious products to the people who love them.’
Pipp & Co doughnuts and other products are available through stockists from Reading to Oxford, and from Stroud to Bristol.
The company, which produces more than 25,000 doughnuts a week from its Swindon bakery, also opened their first café in Bristol last year. And there are plans for other outlets in the future.
