Well that was all jolly pleasant. A lunch in La Carbonara Italian restaurant with a couple of friends that is. One of whom has some, shall we say, tricky dietary needs? She’s vegan, coeliac and has a nut allergy. Aside from that she can eat anything! But Carlo was able to accommodate her with a gluten free, cheese free pizza and a dish of asparagus in a tomato sauce for her starter. Thus she was happy!
The menu
So the lunch menu has the standard sort of stuff on it. But what they’ve also got now is a Romano menu with a selection of anitipasti, Primi Piatti and Secondi Piatti dishes.
Front of La Carbonara menuInside the La Carbonara menu
Dinner in Italy is an affair that’s eaten at leisure. It tends to start around 8pm and continues late into the evening. It involves settling around the table for course after course. All designed and timed to maximise flavours, pleasure – and even digestion.
First up is the antipasto – a rough translation being ‘pre-meal’. Much like the aperitivo it’s designed to prepare one for the meal to follow.
Next comes the primo piatto/piatti. This firs plate is a little heavier than the antipasto. Enough to satisfy your hunger but not totally sate it. That wouldn’t be good – not when you’re only halfway through dinner.
Risotto, polenta, and pasta are among favorite primi piatti.
Now we come to the second plate, the secondi piatti. This is the heartiest/most substantial of the courses. It’s one to savour in good company – along with a robust red wine for preference. Secondi piatti dishes range from fish to pork to steak.
Dessert – dolce
A good Italian dinner ends with dessert of course. Often accompanied by an amaro, digestivo or espresso. Delicious dolci could be creamy tiramisù, espresso-gelato affogato, or crunchy cantucci and dessert wine. Affogato is a fave of mine and I did have one! I’m not an ice-cream fiend or even big on desserts in general but I do enjoy an affogato. And cantucci biscuits dipped into dessert wine are also scrummy.
Now for some food pics
Angela with aranciniAngela with her Primi piatti – spaghetti alla gricia – this was super tasty Clare with her asparagus in tomato sauceAngela’s secondi piatti – baccala Jo’s risottoClare’s special pizza
Brooks Academy of Irish Dancing. The Brooks Academy of Irish dancing, based in Swindon has had a presence n the town since 1997. Though you might have known it as the Boyd School before a 2017 merger. Either way, under the expert guidance of Ian Boyd, the school survives and thrives.
Brooks Academy of Irish Dancing – 3 Southern England champions
Teaching the Swindon classes is a man of great experience, Ian Boyd. Ian has been involved with Irish dancing since his childhood during which time he competed the world over.
Ian is a qualified teacher with *CLRG since 1997. There he achieved his TCRG before going on to achieve his adjudication qualification, ADCRG, in 2009.
Since then he’s travelled the world, judging competitions and passing on his expertise to such places as diverse as:
Australia
Hong Kong
France
The USA
Canada
Ireland and of course in the UK.
Brooks Academy lessons in Swindon
Monday – Rodbourne Cheney Social Club
Beginners: 5-6pm. Advanced 6-8pm. Adults: 8-9pm
Thursday – Haydon Leigh Primary School
All levels 6-8pm.
Coming soon – adult classes 8-9pm. Call or text to book your free taster session – 07979045133
Founded between 1927 and 1930 by the Gaelic league, the CLRG is the Coimisiún Le Rincí Gaelacha – that’s Irish for the Irish Dancing Commission. The Gaelic League used Irish dancing to promote the Irish nationalist movement.
The CLG comprises the world’s largest and oldest governing body for competitive Irish step dancing. The CLRG is responsible for the TCRG – Teagascóir Coimisiún Le Rinci Gaelacha – the teacher qualification. It qualifies a student to teach both solo and ceili dancing. Students must be at least twenty years old and pass both written and practical exams in dancing, music and the Gaelic language.
A rising start amongst the ranks, Summer been dancing with Ian 7 months and is already U12 Prelim champion with a very bright future aheadRafferty aged 9 – current reigning under 9 boys North American champion x 2Olivia aged 16 – Southern England Champion X 2 Also currently ranked number 1 in the southern region & 15th in the world Izzy aged 7 – She’s been dancing with Ian for 1 year and has gone from complete beginner to Open Championship Level – currently ranked 7th in the Southern Region
Standardizing Irish dance
CLRG creates a standardized system for Irish dance, music, and competitions for its member organizations. It also is involved in accrediting teachers and adjudicators.
ADCRG
ADCRG (Ard Diploma Coimisiún Le Rincí Gaelacha) – this is the adjudicator qualification. As well as teaching it means Ian is qualified to adjudicate at any CLRG-recognised competition.
A bit of Irish dance history
This Celtic Titles blog tells us that the history of Irish dance is somewhat murky. It would seem that there’s little in the way of hard evidence pointing at how, when or even why it became popular. The first native Irish documented evidence dates back to 1413. Though it could well have been performed earlier. Indeed there exists some commentary from visitors to Ireland that points towards social dancing existing.
The blog goes on to state though that, by the 17th century, Irish dancing had become popular across the country. Several written accounts exist detailing different forms of Irish dancing. For example, Sir Henry Sydney, Lord Deputy of Ireland, wrote to Queen Elizabeth I with great enthusiasm for the Irish jigs he’d witnessed on his trip.
It’s possible then that Irish dance developed alongside Irish music. It’s thought too that other dance forms, such as the Quadrille, from continental Europe, brought influence to bear on the genre.
Westlea Station Fireman Santa – what a lovely thing this is. A gorgeous, festive community event that delights West Swindon’s families and raises money for charity – the Firefighters Charity – as it goes.
Westlea Station Fireman Santa – vintage fire engine touring West Swindon on different nights in the run up to Christmas
‘This year marks the 25th year of the Westlea Fire Station’s Santa run. It’s been the honour and privilege of our family to provide our beloved vintage fire engine “Martha” to the people of West Swindon. To collect money for the Fire Fighters charity. And to provide a bit of joy and celebration to a time of year where many people struggle.
Martha is now 81 years old. She’s spent more of her miles on raising money for charity than in her service within the fire brigade in WWII.
We’re extremely lucky to be the patrons of a vehicle that means so much to the community. We’ll continue to maintain, love and provide her to the Westlea Fire Station for as long as they can run this special event.
This event began 25 years ago by our late grandfather/dad Christopher Wannell in partnership with Simon Owen and the Westlea Fire Station. It’s expanded over the years into something we could never have imagined. And we’d like to extend our thanks to the Westlea Fire Station and the volunteers who make all this possible. And of course to the people of West Swindon. They stand outside in the cold for a glimpse of Santa and give to a charity that’s so important to the life blood of the Fire and Rescue Service.
Thank you and Merry Christmas from the Wannell family.’
What a lovely, lovely thing!
The fire fighters charity‘Martha’ and Santa‘Martha’ and Santa
About the Fire Fighter’s charity
The fire fighter’s charity offers specialist, lifelong support for members of the UK fire service community. The charity empowers individuals to live happier and healthier lives.
The charity exists to help fire fighters live happier and healthier lives. It does that by offering a broad range of health and wellbeing services both online and in person.
Malmesbury Benefits from Athelstan Project. Malmesbury is measuring the success of its Athelstan 1100 project which marked the anniversary of Athelstan becoming the first king of all England.
Thirty-six events took place in the town across across June, July and August this year. And statistics gathered from the events show that Malmesbury, with its current population of around 7,000 attracted over 8,000 external attendees.
Cllr Campbell Ritchie, who led the steering group of community groups and individual volunteers on behalf of Malmesbury Town Team said: ‘This campaign set out to generate a long-lasting legacy of interest in Athelstan’s place in Malmesbury’s history. Mission accomplished we’d say.
Events delivered
‘We delivered events where we used artwork, creativity, music and story-telling. And we also achieved our aims of delivering many of these events free of charge. Of the thirty-six events which took place, twenty-two were free. And 6,000 people came along to ticketed events.’
Kicking off the events, were a series of specialist talks delivered by leading historians:
Tony McAleavy
Professor Michael Wood OBE
Tom Holland FRSL and …
… the Very Reverend Professor Sarah Foot.
Tom Holland
Community activities centred on three weekends in July. They started with the Big Athelstan Dig. That involved excavating thirteen test pits in various locations including private gardens.
Malmesbury Benefits from Athelstan Project – one of the digs that took place during the Athelstan project
Also enjoyed were:
Anglo Saxon food, drink and craft fair
A community Anglo-Saxon picnic
An Anglo-Saxon re-enactment event by the organisation Regio Anglorum at St Aldhelm’s Mead.
There was also a celebration Anglo Saxon feast – that sold out within days.
An Anglo-Saxon fair in Malmesbury 2024
Across the summer The Athelstan Museum, also run by volunteers, staged an Athelstan exhibition. It brought together relevant artefacts never before displayed in one place. These included the ‘Abingdon Sword’ loaned by the Ashmolean Museum. That’s an iron sword hilt found in 1874 yet dating from the time of Athelstan. Also:
A charter signed by Athelstan dating to 939 AD loaned by the British Library and ..
… Rare coins some dating back to the time of Athelstan and his grandfather Alfred The Great (loaned from Noonans). This exhibition ran until September 30.
Other moments to note:
The opening of Athelstan Pilgrim Way in collaboration with the Diocese of Bristol.
And the unveiling of King Athelstan banners in the high street with many designs by local school children.
the specially created ‘Athelstan – A United Kingdom’ play held in the Abbey – written and produced by Alan Nixon and Paul Overton.
Not forgetting the staging of a performance of the musical Oh Athelstan! by the pupils of St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School, also held in the Abbey.
Media stories about the project went around the world. In particular the revelation of 1,000-year-old remains of individuals found in early 2024 in the grounds of the Old Bell Hotel. They’re now undergoing extensive research. They featured in a double spread about Malmesbury’s Big Athelstan Dig in a national newspaper in September.
Measuring the effects
Malmesbury has measured the effect of this project by various means including:
Counting the number of tickets bought and booked
Recording the number of visitors to each separate event
And registering the uptick in sales and visits around the town.
Campbell said: ‘Our statistics have now started to filter through. For example, our tourist information centre saw a seventy per cent increase in traffic in June 2024. Then a seventy-six per cent increase in July and a fourteen per cent increase in August. It’s the first time in its history that we have recorded more visitors in July than in August.
‘As for the Athelstan Museum, visitors almost doubled in July alone and sales in the museum’s shop tripled during this period. These were the measurable effects within Malmesbury. They don’t even consider the stories told regionally, nationally and internationally.”’
Across the summer, 104 organisations and businesses took part in various events with the town decked with King Athelstan merchandise including badges, T-shirts, fabric, stickers, bunting and even Athelstan ale and sausages. The event generated an income of £61,000 in ticket sales, sponsorship and grants with services in kind estimated at more than £28,000. Taking all this into account it achieved its target of breaking even. It’s expected there’ll be a small surplus to invest back into the community for future events.
Not the end
‘This is not the end,’ Campbell said. ‘The finds from Athelstan’s Big Malmesbury Dig will be on display in Malmesbury Town Hall on the 15th and 16th March 2025. There’ll be supporting explanations by Cotswold Archaeology. And we’re continuing our visits to people in the local community unable to attend our events to tell Athelstan’s amazing story.
‘The original films and songs made for Athelstan 1100 will also feature on a new Explore Malmesbury YouTube channel launching in Spring 2025. And Malmesbury’s Athelstan Trail will be available to enjoy for years to come.’
It’s not the end of this story. There will be new events and collaborations as the 1100th anniversary of other key moments in Athelstan’s reign come around. The Malmesbury team are liaising with colleagues in Kingston Upon Thames next year as they celebrate his coronation which took place there in 925AD.
Cinderella at the Wyvern. Yep. It’s Panto time again. And for 2024 the Wyvern Theatre are serving up that Christmas classic, Cinderella, featuring she of the glass slipper.
As ever, this production has all the elements you know and love. There’s tiaras, tantrums, slapstick, sparkles and a stunning, showstopper of an end to the first half. But to say more than that would be spoilers!
In the role of Molly Miggins, the Panto dame, David Ashley is as polished and professional – and funny – as you’d expect from someone with his long experience treading the boards. And wearing outrageous outfits. Obvs.
Meanwhile, Lisa George of Coronation Street fame, did us a lovely turn as the Fairy Godmother in an enviable green cloak that I can’t help think would complement some green velvet loafers I have in my possession. Anyway …
… Ben Goffe gave us a turn as a charming and bouncy Buttons and Maisie Scarlett delighted in the titular role.
But of course everyone is wonderful and I must and will give a special mention to the ensemble and junior ensemble. They’re the glue that pulls the whole thing together. All credit to them.
Cinderella at the Wyvern Theatre 2024
About the Cinderella story
As with most of our well-known, much-loved pantomimes the story of Cinderella has its roots in an ancient folk tale. Known also as The Little Glass Slipper, this one, according to that fount of all knowledge, Wikipedia, has thousands of variants told around the globe.
The protagonist is a young girl living in poor circumstances who’s suddenly blessed by remarkable fortune in the form of ascension to the throne via marriage.
Emerging sometime between 7 BC and AD 23, came a tale of a Greek slave girl, Rhodopis, who marries the king of Egypt. This story is often seen as the earliest known variant of the Cinderella story.
Giambattista Basile, in Italy, published the first literary European version of the tale in 1634. But 1697 saw the version that’s most known in the English-speaking world published in French, by one Charles Perrault. He did so in something called Histoires ou contes du temps passé, as Cendrillion. And that became Anglicized into Cinderella.
And of course the Brothers Grimm had their fingers in the Cinderella pie. They published a version called Aschenputtel in their folk tale collection Grimms’ Fairy Talesin 1812.
Name change
Although the story’s title and main character’s name change in different languages, in English-language folklore Cinderella is an archetypal name. The word has embedded itself in the language to mean someone/something whose talents and attributes aren’t noticed and recognized. Thus in the sporting world the term ‘Cinderella’ gets used to refer to a team or club that wins over stronger, more favoured competitors.
This ever-popular story continues to influence popular culture internationally, lending plot elements, allusions, and tropes to a wide variety of media.
