Wiltshire Paralympian Meets Royals. November 7th saw Paralympian Chris Hunt Skelley MBE attend Buckingham Palace to meet the King and the Princess Royal. The event being a reception for Olympians and Paralympian.
Chris, who lives in Wiltshire, achieved a momentous milestone by winning the bronze medal in judo at the Paris 2024 paralympics. His achievement came in a new weight category after winning gold in Tokyo. He is officially one of the most successful para judo athletes the UK has ever produced. And one of the world’s leading judoka.
Wiltshire Paralympian Meets Royals – Chris Hunt Skelley MBE with the Princess Royal at a reception at Buckingham Palace
A right royal experience
‘To be welcomed and honoured by the King and the Princess Royal was an amazing experience. And it was wonderful for us all to get this recognition together, both olympians and paralympians, as elite athletes,’ Chris said.
It was a wonderful experience and I was able to share it with my wife Louise, a former Paralympian.’
Chris with his wife Louise at Buckingham Palace
The King, the Princess Royal and the Duchess of Gloucester hosted the reception.
‘Your achievements across so many disciplines were forged from that invaluable combination of raw talent, true grit and hard toil over many year. Behind every medal won lies a wonderful story of courage, commitment and true talent.’
Chris, who is visually impaired due to oculocutaneous albinism, discovered his passion for judo when other sports were no longer safe for him. Judo became his sanctuary during a challenging time. He rose fast through the ranks by competing blindfolded and prevailing over sighted competitors.
His journey to Paris 2024 was not easy. He faced challenges over his classification around his condition. This meant he was unable to compete in some key competitions. Even though he’d already qualified. These were hidden obstacles which most people knew nothing about.
‘Getting to Paris was a journey like no other. Behind the scenes I was facing questions over my disability. This had a negative effect on my mental health. It literally took me back to my teenage years when no one believed me when I said I couldn’t see.
I’m so proud that I kept going, with the support of my closest family, friends and my team. For me, winning my bronze medal was an even greater achievement than winning gold in Tokyo,’ Chris said.
I’m so proud that I kept going, with the support of my closest family, friends and my team. For me, winning my bronze medal was an even greater achievement than winning gold in Tokyo,’ Chris said.
Paralympian roadshow
Chris is now part of the Paralympian Paris Roadshow. He’s travelling the UK with his para judo colleagues and running classes for those in grass roots martial arts and judo. He also has plans in 2025 to launch his own masterclass initiative on a private basis.
Priority Live Theatre Membership scheme launched! With great delight, The Wyvern Theatre and Swindon Arts Centre announce that they’re part of a brand-new membership scheme from Trafalgar Theatres. Called PRIORITY LIVE the scheme offers exciting new benefits for theatre fans everywhere.
Priority Live Theatre Membership scheme launched
The scheme is now live across all Trafalgar’s UK venues. They include:
Churchill Theatre Bromley
New Theatre Cardiff
Lyceum Theatre Crewe
Orchard West and Orchard Theatre Dartford
Fareham Live
Glasgow Pavilion Theatre
G Live Guildford
Wycombe Swan Theatre
Trafalgar Theatre London
Cliffs Pavilion and Palace Theatre Southend-on-Sea
and Swindon Arts Centre and Wyvern Theatre Swindon.
Membership benefits
Priority booking, wherever possible – Subscribe to our emails and you’ll be the first to know about brand new shows heading to your local venue. And get an exclusive booking period ahead of the general public.
No transaction fee
Ticket discounts on selected events – Priority Live offers the best priced tickets, no extra transaction fees, exclusive West End deals and 20% off our bars and restaurants.
Flexible tickets – Can’t make the date? No worries! You can transfer to an alternative date within the same run.
20% off drinks at the bar
20% off restaurant or café – All you have to do is remember to bring your Priority Live membership card and show it before you pay!
Becky Pepper, Trafalgar Theatres Marketing Campaign Director, said: “We’re delighted to introduce our brand-new UK venue wide membership scheme ‘Priority Live’. We felt it was essential to unite all current membership schemes under one roof. With our strong identity that customers know and trust, but all-important, with great membership benefits on offer for theatre and entertainment lovers across the country.
‘Our existing valued members will continue to enjoy all the perks they love. But plus a whole lot more. And of course, we hope the scheme proves to be an attractive proposition to potential new members. If you’re a regular theatregoer, then the benefits and savings of a membership scheme can be most rewarding.’
Museum/Art Artist Takeover by Helen Savin. Helen’s a Swindon-based abstract artist. Earlier this year she received an invitation to show her work at the launch of the new Museum & Art Swindon. It marked a real high point for her after going through a rocky time when she hit the menopause in 2019.
Making art has always benefitted Helen’s overall health and wellbeing. And she’s found it especially good for her mental health. In the last few years it has become a lifeline though. Art has helped Helen cope with the many challenges she’s faced going through menopause.
In the first instance Helen’s symptoms were emotional and psychological. She experienced an acute phase of extreme anxiety that stopped her functioning as she should for quite a few months.
Museum/Art Artist Takeover – Helen Savin outside Museum and Art Swindon
A difficult and distressing time
It was a most distressing time but with a lot of support, Helen did start to get back on a more even keel and wanted to paint again. She produced a large body of work reflecting her experience going through menopause. Painting was a massive help to Helen and got her through the process and integrate this challenging time.
Some of the work she produced represented her experiences on a mental and emotional level going through the initial acute phase of anxiety. Something that’s hard for her to verbalise. The rest of Helen’s work reflected the renewed joy and vitality she felt when she started to feel well again and back to her normal self after such a dark time.
Some of these paintings are currently hanging in the new Museum & Art Swindon located in the Civic Offices on Euclid Street.
Helen will be there on Saturday 7th December from 11.30am-3pm with a selection of her other work as well, from small to larger pieces. And she’d love to meet visitors to chat more about my art and how it has helped me. All welcome.
Helen Savin holding painting
Tim Carroll
I should mention at this stage that Swindon artist Tim Carroll is also doing an artist takeover thingy at Museum and Art Swindon this coming Saturday, the 30th November.
What I should also mention is that signage to Museum and Art Swindon is utterly inadequate. They might as well have done a Brigadoon and shrouded it in a magical mist. So there isn’t, as you might expect, a large poster on the entrance tunnel of the railway station. Nor are there adequate signs in general.
So:
The wonderful art deco civic offices, in which MAAS is located, are on Euclid in the centre of the town. If you’re using Google maps or Sat-Nav the postcode is SN1 2JH.
There are steps and a ramp at the entrance to the building. MAS is located on the first floor and is accessed either by stairs or a lift.
MAAS is about 15 to 20 minutes-walk (depending how slow/fast you are) from Swindon railway station or bus station. If you’re approaching from Regent Circus, with the central library to your right and just behind you, there are two Pelican crossings to navigate to Euclid Street. A few steps down Euclid Street and you’ll see the Civic Offices on your left.
There’s a limited number of parking spaces for blue badge holders.
Community Spirit Shines Bright AT SOUTH SWINDON’S CHRISTMAS LIGHT SWITCH ON EVENTS.
South Swindon Parish Council’s series of Christmas tree light switch on events proved to be a tremendous success last week. Hundreds of residents came together to celebrate the start of the festive season across three local communities.
The Mayor of Swindon, Cllr Imtiyaz Shaikh was delighted to attend all three events with South Swindon Parish Councillors.
The kick off
The celebrations kicked off at Broadgreen Community Centre on Tuesday 19 November. That event featured Rhythmix Goa, St Luke’s Choir and dance group Sizzling Stars entertaining residents with fantastic Christmas carols and dancing. The community centre hall was also packed with stalls and food. Santa also made a special visit, giving out free treats to the young people in attendance.
Community Spirit Shines Bright – The Mayor of Swindon, Cllr Imtiyaz Shaikh, to his left Cllrs Rebecca Banwell-Moore and and Cllr Marianne Le Coyte Grinney & to his right, Cllr Neil Hopkins & Cllr Trish Philpot
Cavendish Square came alive on Wednesday evening with musical performances from Natasha Bushnell and the Parish Youth Club. The Parish Youth Club’s festive tombola proved super popular. And local vendors, Mazza’s Munchies and Lizzy Bakes kept the community well-fed. Swindon’s own Stilt walker also towered above the crowds.
Meanwhile, the final celebration at Badbury Park Community Hub on Thursday proved to be a real festive treat. Local businesses including:
Lizzy Bakes
Stockers Street Food and …
Badbury Park Pizzeria … all created a festival atmosphere with their variety of refreshments. And Fandangos bar served festive drinks to the adults. Santa’s story time session proved to be a particular highlight, drawing crowds of excited children.
Oh Christmas tree!
The Christmas trees will be in place until early January for all residents to enjoy during the festive period.
Cllr Linda Kasmaty, Chair of Leisure, Environment & Amenities, said:
‘It’s fantastic to see so many families come out and enjoy the switch on events, supporting local performers and businesses and creating such a festive atmosphere. We’d like to thank all our local performers, vendors and community groups who helped make these events so memorable.’
Mayor of Swindon, Cllr Imtiyaz Shaikh, said:
‘It was a true honour to have attended the three wonderful Christmas light switch-on events hosted by South Swindon Parish Council. These occasions showcase the heart and spirit of our community. They bring people together to celebrate the festive season. I want to offer my sincere thanks to the residents and local businesses. Their support and enthusiasm has been second to none. It all makes these events so special. Your contributions and community spirit light up Swindon as brightly as the beautiful displays we’ve switched on. Wishing everyone a joyful and peaceful holiday season!’
Community singingChildren community singingChildren singing at Christmas tree community event
Words from the Hub 2-Extra Tasks and Other Stories.
Here we go with another eclectic mix of work by a variety of writers and artists. And including members of the creative writing group, Words on Wednesday, based at Swindon Hub.
A book launch
Members of a local creative writing group, Words on Wednesday, invite everyone to join them in celebrating the launch of the second book in their anthology series. It’s entitled Words from the Hub 2 – Extra Tasks and Other Stories.
Words from the Hub 2 – book cover
Matt Holland, founder of Swindon Artswords and the Swindon Festival of Literature, wrote the foreword to the book. In it he described it as, ‘Writing that is authentic, sincere, raw, and readable.’ This colourful little book includes poems and prose by twenty-two writers. An it features twelve illustrations by local artists.
Matt is an avid supporter of local writers and he’s taken time out of his busy schedule to be compere at the book launch. He will be joined by Stuart Lloyd Gould, a published writer in his own right, and the main sponsor of the book. Without access to his publishing company, The Anxiety Society Publishing Proprietary, this publication wouldn’t have been possible.
The short presentation will begin on Wednesday 11th December at 10:30 am, with doors opening at 10:00 am, upstairs at Swindon Hub, concluding by 11:45 am.
All welcome!
All proceeds are being donated to Swindon Hub CIO Charity No. 1196338. With free light refreshments and great company, we hope to encourage book sales. At only £4 a book it will make a great stocking filler.
Book launch details
Where – Upstairs at Swindon Hub, 36 The Parade, Swindon SN1 1BA. Free entry. When – Wednesday 11th December at 10:00 – 11:45 the presentation starts at 10:30. Free Refreshments.
Words on Wednesday Creative Writing Group
Now a little bit about us. We’ve subtitled the anthology Extra Tasks and Other Stories, referring to prompts given to the creative writing group each week. There’s no pressure to complete tasks. But they often inspire wonderful, eclectic results. Co-facilitator, Sarah Young, says ‘Prompts are useful and helpful. But at the end of the day, you’re writing. And writing is something everyone can do.’ Thus demonstrating the inclusive, supportive nature of the Words on Wednesday group. Penni and Sarah, co-facilitators, would like to invite you to join us in celebrating the launch and find out more about this amazing, free, Swindon-based creative writing group.
Swindon Hub – a community space
Swindon Hub is an accessible, friendly space run by the community, for the community. They aim to build a strong, cohesive and sustainable community with well-being for all at its heart. The Hub does this by providing spaces for groups like Words on Wednesday to meet.
Some useful links
Words on Wednesday – The creative writing group meets every Wednesday at 10:30 -11:30, no cost to attend.
