Politicians Join Longevity Games. Two MPs, several Swindon councillors and hundreds of locals are throwing their weight behind a new wellbeing event. The organiser hopes it’ll turn Swindon into the fittest town in the country.
Tim Howe is the founder of the Longevity Games. It’s inspired by the success of an informal meet-up he started during lockdown. One where people started coming along and training alongside one another outdoors.
Trialled twice last year, with five events taking place during 2025, the Longevity Games are open to people who want to start to get fit, or test their fitness, with no pressure to compete against anyone other than themselves. ‘Your pace not a race’ is the philosophy.
Politicians Join Longevity Games – Tim Howe’s Longevity Games
Tim, a fitness enthusiast whose day job is selling forklift trucks, said: ‘The life expectancy of people is eighty-one. Yet the health expectancy is sixty-three which means people are living with illness for the last 20 years of their life, which are preventable. I want to build a template here in Swindon to prove that if you bring people together to be more active and more inclusive, you can change a community. I want to make Swindon the fittest and strongest town in the country.’
Last September’s Longevity Games included Swindon North MP Will Stone. And Swindon South MP Heidi Alexander was a guest at the games in February. The next Longevity Games – planned for May 18 at Swindon Harriers Athletic Track – will feature several Swindon councillors, including Swindon Borough Council Leader Cllr Jim Robbins.
Tester event
Tim said: ‘We did a tester event in May last year, and our first full event in September. The first was pulling in friends, family and anyone who wanted a go. Lots of them then came back for the next ‘proper’ event. When we ran the games in February, we had 103. And signups are even better for May with 140 signed up. It’s blown my mind. To go from nothing to where we are going, is super humbling.’
Tim, 51, who’s married Lee, with two children, has always been into his fitness. His interests range from running and gym, to triathlon, long-distance cycling and fitness events.
But Tim, from North Swindon, could see the fitness events he was taking part in were very commercial focused. They had prohibitive entrance fees, as well as a strong competitive element, which can put people off.
He wanted instead to deliver an inclusive event, that anyone could come along to, without feeling intimidated or breaking the bank.
I’ve aimed the Longevity Games at people of all ages and levels of fitness. Events include:
running or walking
lunge walks
burpee jumps and squats … and participants can choose from three categories – novice, intermediate and proficient.
A non-scary environment
‘I wanted to create an environment that’s not scary. But one that’s fun, and where people want to come back, and next time bring along their friends. It’s all about investing in yourself to reap the rewards that will come. Participants can be as competitive as they wish – or not at all. There are no timing chips, so no pressure.’
Tim’s vision is for the Longevity Games to have a far-reaching and positive effect on the health of people in the town. At every event he invites other sports and fitness clubs to come along and promote themselves. That way participants can see what’s available and find inspiration to carry on their fitness. He’s also hoping GPs will refer patients to the Longevity Games as part of a fitness plan.
He already has other towns asking him to duplicate the Longevity Games and there’s even interest from the United States.
Tim Howe taking part in the Longevity Games
After the May event, there are three more Longevity Games planned for this year:
Support Malmesbury Carnival. VOLUNTEERS BEHIND MALMESBURY’S COLOURFUL CARNIVAL ARE APPEALING FOR SUPPORT TO POWER UP THE 2025 EVENT.
Plans are speeding up for the 2025 annual carnival in the Wiltshire market town. The carnival involves a range of events organised by the community throughout August. Organisers are appealing for:
Businesses to sponsor events
Volunteers to take part and …
also families and households to ‘host’ and ‘create’ scarecrows.
The August programme of events needs lots of volunteers. Organisers hope to raise £1000s to donate to local community and charitable causes. ‘Our ‘carnival is ‘by the community for the community’.
It’s all run by volunteers, so we’re appealing for local people and businesses to get involved in whatever way they can,’ said Paul Overton – Chair of Malmesbury Carnival Committee.
Support Malmesbury Carnival – scene from the 2024 carnival
A long-standing event
The carnival began in the town over 100 years ago. It now offers a range of events for locals and for visitors from wider Wiltshire or elsewhere over the school holidays. Events already planned included:
Open gardens – where lovely local gardens are open to the public on Sunday August 3
The scarecrow trail, which this year has the theme The Best of British, with scarecrows to be displayedthroughout the town.
A Petticoat Lane festival day – Sunday August 17. That’ll be full of crafters, independent retailers, locallyproduced food and drink and entertainment.
New for 2025
There are plans to hold a silent disco. And also a ‘Movie -Sing-a–Long’ – more details coming soon.
The Carnival Procession takes place on Saturday August 30. ‘We’d love to see as many people as possible taking part in the procession,’ said Paul. ‘We’d love this year’s event to be the best ever.’
Last year, the range of events under the carnival’s umbrella raised £26,438, distributed in grants to 26 local charities and organisations.
It’s hoped that this summer will see it matched or even exceeded.
To enter the Scarecrow Trail, join a scarecrow workshop or to be part of the Carnival Procession enter via the website visit https://www.malmesburycarnival.co.uk/
So – what this is – it’s a light-hearted talk, called Five of the Fifty. Doing what it says on the tin, it takes five buildings from my Swindon in 50 Buildings book published pre-pandemic.
I’ve simply picked five of my favourites and talk about why I like them – and in some cases there’s more information than there is the book.
After that and a short break there’ll be a fun picture quiz – find out what you do or don’t recognize from around the town. There WILL be a prize.
It’s taking place at the Moose Hall in Old Town – start time 7pm. Wednesday 21st May.
Eastcott Rd, Swindon SN1 3LS
The bar will be open.
Event for Prospect Hospice – Five of the Fifty
The aim?
1. To keep two words: Prospect and Hospice in people’s minds. 2. Maybe make a few quid for Prospect 3. Have a drink and a giggle
Admission is free but I do ask that you make a donation to Prospect. That being the point – well one of them – of the exercise. There’ll be collection buckets present so please bring cash.
Not only but also
Further supporting the cause is Alex from Bert’s Books. He’s coming along with copies of Swindon in 50 Buildings to sell at the RRP. He’s covering his costs only – all profits to Prospect.
Vote for the Carriage Works. Joseph Armstrong’s carriage works are in-line for a prestigious award. But they need YOU. They need you to vote for them.
Vote for the Carriage Works
This is very exciting and reflects the huge efforts and persistence of Mirabelle Stobbs and her team since 2017 – if not earlier. As well as conservation expertise and funding from Historic England. Not to mention the many other construction professionals involved.
Winning this award will bring positive publicity for the Carriage Works and draw attention to the Works where we are all based and to Swindon in general.
Local residents are being urged to vote in the public voting by Swindon Borough Council, helping the Carriage Works win.
Unit 7B, which hosts the University of Bath and Oxford’s Innovation Centre for Applied Sustainable Technologies (iCAST) facility, was nominated earlier this year in the Regeneration and Conservation category of the Construction Excellence South West (CESW) Awards.
The icast unit, a joint endeavour between the two universities that supports private businesses with developing sustainable technologies, is part of a wider regeneration scheme at the Carriage Works site.
A number of units have so far been renovated and occupied, including The Workshed, the Royal Agricultural University’s Cultural Heritage Institute and Create Studios.
Said Councillor Marina Strinkovsky, SBC’s Cabinet member for Placemaking and Planning: ‘It’s great to see the Carriage Works getting the recognition it deserves.’
Well thought out
Cllr Strinkovsky continued to say that much thought went into the design of the space. It’s a future-facing workspace that feels modern and convenient but retains the historic identity of the building.
The work to regenerate the site is a long process. But with four units already occupied and a further four on the way, it’s starting to get a new lease of life.
Sean Harper, co-founder of Swindon-based Just for Fun Holiday Club, has taken on a new and rewarding challenge. This one as a therapeutic mentor with The Platform Project.
Sean has spent the last 15 years working in education. That’s included leadership positions in secondary schools. He’s now been helping young people navigate emotional challenges by offering tailored support and mentorship.
His work focuses on creating a safe space where young people can express themselves and explore their feelings. That includes issues such as anxiety, self-harm and emotional dysregulation.
Sean Harper Therapeutic Mentor
Wanted to do more
‘After years of working in education, I felt there was more I could do to make a difference in young people’s lives,’ said Sean. ‘The Platform Project allows me to help in a more personal way. And I’m grateful for the opportunity to support young people through their struggles.’
Sean is part of the organisation’s Connect Therapeutic Mentoring programme. It provides one-to-one support for young people aged 11–18. Youngsters who are struggling with emotional and mental health challenges, including Emotional Based School Avoidance (EBSA).
Using trauma-informed and attachment-based approaches, the mentoring helps young people to:
better understand their own needs
manage their emotions and build healthier coping strategies.
The Platform Project
The Platform Project is well known for its innovative work in:
enterprise
employability
and personal development. All supporting young people to build confidence, explore career pathways, and take positive next steps in education or work.
‘I work at close quarters with each mentee to find activities that feel right for them,’ Sean said. ‘Some prefer spending time talking, others enjoy getting out and doing something practical. The aim is always the same: to create a space where they feel comfortable, listened to, and able to explore what’s on their mind.’
An education background
Having spent years in various roles within secondary education, including as a welfare manager, Sean brings a wealth of experience to his mentoring. His background in working with children aged 11-18 has equipped him with the tools to navigate a variety of situations. They range from behavioural issues to emotional challenges, enabling him to connect with young people from all walks of life.
Having spent years in various roles within secondary education, including as a welfare manager, Sean brings a wealth of experience to his mentoring. His background in working with children aged 11-18 has equipped him with the tools to navigate a variety of situations. They range from behavioural issues to emotional challenges, enabling him to connect with young people from all walks of life.
‘No two children are the same, so I adapt my approach to suit each individual,’ Sean shared. ‘Sometimes that means drawing from my own life to build connection, other times it’s about helping them see their own progress and strengths. Everyone deserves the chance to grow and feel good about who they are.’
Tony Niester, DSL and Welfare Manager at The Platform Project, commented on Sean’s mentorship with the organisation.
‘Sean joined the Platform last year and became an invaluable team member showing commitment and compassion to the young people he’s working with. He’s always willing to share his knowledge and skills and views all young people through a therapeutic lens. He is a fantastic asset to our team.’
Sean’s involvement with The Platform Project sits well alongside his work with Just for Fun Holiday Club. He co-founded that in 2018. The club was set up to give children a place to feel safe, included, and able to enjoy themselves during the school holidays. In particular those who might not always find that kind of space elsewhere. Whether through holiday activities or mentoring sessions, Sean focuses on making children feel listened to, respected and encouraged to be themselves.
