The Locomotive for Murder. MURDER, MYSTERY AND MAYHEM COME TO TOWN GARDENS BOWL FOR 90TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION.
Town Gardens Bowl, 3rd May — Get ready for an evening of intrigue, laughter, and deadly deception. The Locomotive for Murder: The Improvised Whodunnit arrives at the Town Gardens Bowl on 3rd May. It’s part of a special celebration marking the venue’s 90th anniversary.
The Locomotive for Murder – the bowl in swindon town gardens
Presented by …
Presented by acclaimed improv company Pinch Punch, this unique theatrical experience invites audiences aboard a train journey. One where not everyone will make it to the final stop. Combining razor-sharp comedy with classic murder mystery tropes, the show is e improvised in its entirety. So no two performances are ever the same.
Hailed as ‘a first class improvised murder mystery with hilarious performances’ (★★★★★ The Reviews Hub), the production puts the audience at the heart of the action. Using live suggestions, the cast creates a brand-new whodunnit each night. All complete with suspicious passengers, dubious alibis and a detective determined to crack the case.
But there’s a twist: only one person on stage knows the identity of the killer—and that’s the murderer themselves.
As the mystery unfolds, audiences must work alongside the detective to:
piece together clues
interrogate suspects …
…and unmask the culprit before they strike again.
Running at approximately 60 minutes (with an optional 90-minute version including interval), the show is suitable for ages 10+. It features comedic depictions of murder, audience interaction, innuendo and occasional strong language.
This special performance forms part of the Town Gardens Bowl’s 90th anniversary celebrations. It brings a fresh and playful twist to the historic venue’s milestone year.
Reach Inclusive Arts Secures Investment. RIA secures major Arts Council England investment in inclusive creativity.
Reach Inclusive Arts (Reach), are a local charity. They’ve been the leading light for inclusive arts in Swindon for more than forty years. They’re delighted to announce that they’ve awarded an Arts Council England National Lottery Project Grant of over £90,000. They’ve got it to grow their bold programme of innovative and accessible creative activities over the next 15 months.
The funding will enable Reach to expand their ambitious portfolio of work. All alongside individuals who experience:
learning and physical disabilities
mental ill health
sensory impairment and social isolation.
It’ll open up the world of inclusive arts to new and existing audiences, throughout Swindon and the surrounding area. And it’ll achieve this by focusing on creating opportunities for individuals to collaborate with experienced and developing practitioners right in the heart of the community within which they live.
Reach Inclusive Arts Secures Investment –
1983
Established in 1983, Reach has often produced and had involvement in a range of professional performances and exhibitions. These include the renowned ‘Big Hat Cabaret’. That’s been a feature of Swindon’s disability arts scene for almost twenty years.
Over the last two years alone, Reach’s Partners Theatre Company has toured to 8 venues with a production of an original drama, ‘To the Edge of the World’. And the Right Time for Art group has exhibited at the STEAM Museum as part of the Railway 200 celebrations. Further, last year, the Mayor commissioned them to create the Mayor’s Christmas card.
Building on this strong history of, and reputation for professionally-produced cultural offerings, this new investment will see the return of ‘Big Hat Cabaret’. That’s its first time since 2023. It will also provide the foundations for the creation of a brand-new Festival of Inclusion for Swindon. That’ll use Reach’s experience, expertise and knowledge leading the way in its development.
A crucial moment
The investment comes at a crucial time for the charity and at an exciting time for the arts and culture in Swindon. Jeni Burchell, Operations Manager for Reach Inclusive Arts said:
‘This is an unprecedented level of funding that will be transformational for Reach.
It will enable us to build on the work that’s already completed and take our development to another level. This means that more people who have disabilities will be able to experience the positivity, fun and opportunities that the arts can bring in a caring, nurturing environment. One where participants are at the heart of all activity.
We’re proud members of the Swindon Culture Collective and supporters of Swindon’s 2029 City of Culture bid. In that, we’re pleased to be making our own valuable contribution to the local arts and cultural scene with this investment from the Arts Council. It will ensure inclusive arts and the talents of individuals with disabilities continue to shine.’
Sue Welsh, Arts Coordinator for Reach Inclusive Arts added:
‘Many participants have never experienced the arts before. And, at Reach, we help people to develop their skills, try new activities and reach their own artistic goals. We never compromise on quality. All our activities have professional artists and directors leading them. And we, our participants and practitioners, are all so excited to be part of the next chapter in this wonderful organisation.’
Summer, a young leader reflected that: ‘This funding will help so many of our Special Education Needs and Disability (SEND) participants. They can have a place to feel they can be themselves, in a world that hasn’t accepted them yet. I’ve never felt like I belonged anywhere. Then Reach came into my world and 4 years later I’m now doing things I thought I’d never in a million years do. I’m proud to be part of Reach’s team.’
Activity funded through this programme will begin in the coming months. Opportunities for participants, artists and volunteers to get involved are set to be announced soon.
Swindon FameLab Academy Winner – Déjà vu? It might be echoes of the mind.
Isabel Aguilar found herself chosen as the winner of the first ever FameLab Academy Swindon. It took place on Friday 20 March, in the final event of the Festival of Tomorrow 2026 Schools Programme. This year it reached more Swindon students than ever before. Isabel – a year 9 student from Abbey Park School – amazed the judges with her talk, ‘Echos of the Mind’, that explored the neuroscience of déjà vu.
Winner Isabel Aguilar accepts certificate from Rod Hebden, Festival director
The FameLab Academy final took place at the Civic Offices. It followed months of preparation in schools across Swindon. Each participating school selected two students to take part in the final.
FameLab Academy, developed by Cheltenham Science Festival but delivered by the Festival of Tomorrow in Swindon, challenged students to present on a science-related topic of their choice. No PowerPoints were allowed and with only props the student could carry on stage with them. Judging the students’ entries on content, charisma and clarity was a panel of judges from:
UK Research and Innovation
the Science and Innovation Park …
… and Cllr Marina Strinkovsky from Swindon Borough Council.
New addition
The competition was one of the new additions to this year’s Festival of Tomorrow Schools programme. This year it provided over 12,500 fully-funded student places on an inspiring range of in-school and online activities. All designed to give young people the opportunity to engage with the research, knowledge and ideas that will shape our future.
Thanks to support from:
Arts Council England
Swindon-based UK Research and Innovation
Business West
Catalent
the Science Museum Group’s Science and Innovation Park
and the UK Electronics Skills Foundation …
… organisers were able to offer Swindon schools an exciting menu of challenges, shows and workshops. All giving thousands of pupils the opportunity to engage with:
Science
Technology
Engineering and the creative arts.
Swindon schools
Over 35 Swindon schools participated in this year’s programme. It included school visits from role models such as astrophysicist Dr Sarah Crick. Also hands-on workshops facilitated by researchers from Ulster University Future Island-Island project or the University of Oxford Vax Hub. Then there were creative sessions with local author Kate Claxton and exciting special assembly shows bringing big concepts to life.
Festival Director, Rod Hebden said ‘There’s a growing body of evidence that children as young as seven are forming attitudes and beliefs about who can and can’t have a career in research or the arts. The latest research shows that, whilst the public are recognising the importance of science to their lives, more and more children are being put off these subjects before they even leave primary school. This can have a negative impact on their aspirations and opportunities as they move forward in life.
Giving young people these rich experiences and chances to meet a diverse range of inspiring role models is important in helping to change some of those perceptions. Programmes like FameLab Academy Swindon are a fantastic way to encourage curiosity about the world. All while supporting young people to develop transferable skills like communication and critical thinking. We’re so grateful to the support of all our funders, partners and presenters for making this possible. And we’re now on the lookout for organisations to support this work to continue next year.’
Entrepreneur Runs for Air Ambulance. Louise Muir-Sage, founder and CEO of Something Kind of Woo, who lives and works in Royal Wootton Bassett, has completed another charitable challenge. She ran the Bath Half Marathon 2026 for the local air ambulance service.
The Bath alf Marathon is one of the longest established and most popular city-centre road events in the UK. It took place on Sunday 15th March covering the centre of the historic city.
Louise was among the 15,000 runners. She set the goal to raise £200 for the run towards her total commitment of raising £1000 for the charity this year.
This was not Louise’s first time running the Bath Half Marathon. Nor her first time running for Wiltshire and Bath Air Ambulance.
I ran the Bath Half Marathon last year for the same charity. It was a challenge but one where I enjoyed every minute’ said Louise. “So much so, I had to go back. Knowing to take my time, enjoy the views of the beautiful city of Bath and all while raising much needed funds makes something I’m committed to achieving.’
Entrepreneur Runs for Air Ambulance.
Louise Muir-Sage (camera left) founder of Something Kind of Woo, who’s fundraising for Wiltshire and Bath Air Ambulance by completing the Bath Half Marathon earlier this month.
About the air ambulance
Wiltshire and Bath Air Ambulance is a charity that started in 1988. It provides critical medical care land and air across Wiltshire and Bath.
With their helicopter and critical care cars, the team are on call all year round. They respond to an average of four calls daily. They provide the same level of critical care as a hospital with their expert team and specialist equipment to those who need it. They’re entirely funded by donations.
Louise has raised a total of £365 for Wiltshire and Bath Air Ambulance to date.
‘As someone who’s lived in Wiltshire for most of my life, I’ve known about Wiltshire and Bath Air Ambulance. I first met the team when I ran the Bath Half Marathon in 2025. They were phenomenal and when I went behind the scenes at the beginning of this year, I saw the crucial work they do and how much our community relies on their services,’ she said.
‘This charity means a great deal to me and it’s a privilege to fundraising for them,’ Louise continued. ‘The support of my family and friends has been invaluable.’
Something Kind of Woo is Royal Wootton Bassett’s signature ‘woo’ high street shop. It offers group workshops, Coffee & Crystal events, Reiki sessions, chakra balancing, all whilst selling crystals. All products are from responsible sources, from crystals to incense to pure essential oils. To find out more visit: https://somethingkindofwoo.co.uk/.
PPS Accountants Charity Breakfast raised £400 for Ainslie’s Pavilion project. The money came from its latest business charity breakfast, held on Wednesday, March 12th at the DoubleTree by Hilton Swindon.
The event welcomed 28 attendees on the day. It brought together local business professionals for a relaxed morning of networking, conversation and fundraising. All in support of the community-led project based at Purton Cricket Club.
The pavilion project
Ainslie’s Pavilion Project launched in memory of Ainslie Duffell. It aims to build a new accessible pavilion, helping ensure that illness or disability does not prevent people from staying connected to sport and their community.
Sally Holland, Partner at PPS Chartered Accountants, said she was super pleased with how the morning came together. ‘We were so pleased to raise £400 for Ainslie’s Pavilion Project. It’s a charity with a strong local connection and a story that resonates, so it meant a lot to be able to support it in this way.’
She added that the event struck the right balance between business and community. ‘We had some great feedback on the morning. People enjoyed the talk from Darren. And there were some strong connections made, with a few people already following up on business after the event.’
Darren Earney (left), Sally Holland (centre) and Phil Duffell (right) – PPS Accountants Charity Breakfast
The event
The event featured a talk from Darren Earney, owner of Elevate Online Marketing, who shared practical advice on how businesses can improve their visibility online.
Phil Duffell, speaking on behalf of Ainslie’s Pavilion Project, said, ‘We’re so grateful to PPS and everyone who attended for their support. Every bit raised helps us get closer to creating a space that means people can stay connected to their sport and their community, even during difficult times.’
Sally said the relaxed format continues to be a big part of the appeal. ‘There’s no pressure, no 60-second pitches, just proper conversations. People come along, enjoy a good breakfast, and get to know each other.
We actually started back in 2017 as Ladies Love Lunch. Then it became the PPS Business Lunch Club. And more recently the PPS Business Charity Breakfast. It’s always been about bringing people together and supporting good causes in the locality.
Since launching, the events have supported 23 charities and community projects, raising a total of £8,545.
‘What’s been nice to see is that charities often gain more than the fundraising alone. They make new connections, find volunteers, and sometimes even pick up further support or funding afterwards.’
The PPS Business Charity Breakfast will continue throughout the year. The team have committed to supporting local charities. All while keeping the same informal, welcoming approach that regular attendees have come to expect.
PPS Chartered Accountants is a Swindon-based firm. They offer:
accounting
tax and business advisory services to companies and individuals across Wiltshire and beyond.
The team focus on practical advice and clear communication, helping clients understand their numbers and make confident decisions.
