Athelstan the Musical. A group of talented creatives are bringing the story of King Athelstan to life. It’s all part of the summer celebrations to mark 1100 years since he became the First King of England.
Being staged for the first time in Malmesbury abbey, in July, is an original, interactive play, Athelstan: A United Kingdom.
Written and produced by Alan Nixon and Paul Overton and directed by Andy Duncan, ‘Athelstan: A United Kingdom!’ is a 50 minute production. It telsl the story of Athelstan through the eyes of William of Malmesbury, the 12th century historian and poet. It’s his legacy that provides some information about Athelstan.
Paul said: ‘We’re not telling this story as an historian would. While we know some things about Athelstan there’s much we don’t know. Alan and I wanted to create a production that’s entertaining, fun and engaging. But that covers some of the main events that we know Athelstan had involvement in.
‘We’ve tried to create a performance with a ‘feel’ of Horrible Histories and the York Mystery Plays. For example, we know that Athelstan overcame opposition to his claim to the throne. So, to illustrate that, we’ve based a sequence on the BBC TV show Gladiators where “Eureka Johnson” will lead the charge as Athelstan takes on his rivals from history including Owain and Constantine.’
Alan, a former script-writer and producer with Radio 4 and Paul, who is a former headteacher with a love of writing, have been working hard with a cast and crew to create a production which will debut in the Abbey on Saturday July 13 at 4pm. There are four performances in total across the weekend. Tickets are free but limited numbers mean you must register.
The community
Community involvement in this production has been vital to its success. Local actor Robert Naylor-Stables will play Athelstan and John O’Brien will play William of Malmesbury.
Athelstan the Musical – John O’Brien who plays William of Malmesbury in the production ‘Athelstan – A United Kingdom’ which is part of the Athelstan 1100 events taking place in July.
Young people who are students of Malmesbury School are also taking part as part of the choir. Lizzi Kew-Ros has created the choreography for some scenes. And Wiltshire blacksmith Isaac Owen has made Athelstan’s crown.
Alan said: ‘The tireless enthusiasm of actors, musicians and singers will guarantee a memorable performance. We cannot thank enough all those who have given so much of their time and energy.’
RPA Lending a Hand. Swindon-based Revolution Performing Arts (RPA) is continuing its support for local families during the summer holidays. RPA is doing this through its Holiday Activity and Food (HAF) programme.
The national HAF programme gets funding from the Department of Education through Swindon Council. It aims to ensure that thousands of children, who usually receive free school meals, have access to nutritious, hot meals during the holidays. And while also enjoying free access to fun and engaging activities.
Sessions in Swindon will run:
Every Monday – Thursday morning from 29th July – 22nd August 2024.
At Croft Primary School, Marlborough Ln, Swindon SN3 1RA.
Fi Da Silva-Adams, Founder of RPA said: ‘I know from personal experience the profound effect the arts can have on children facing personal challenges.
Growing up in sometimes difficult circumstances, the arts became my sanctuary. We don’t provide therapy. But creative activities have a therapeutic element. What’s more they can effect a significant enhancment to a child’s ability to cope during difficult times. Plus, they’re enormous fun!
Support in difficult times
‘School holidays can be a particularly difficult time for some families. Many are struggling to provide food and activities for children. That’s all due to increased food and childcare costs and reduced incomes. To be able to support all children now with such joyous activities, regardless of their family’s financial situation, is such a blessing for me and my team.’
RPA Lending a Hand – Attached is a photo of young people engaging in the summer programme of activities in the summer of 2023.
The summer programme
The summer programme will feature an array of activities, including singing, dancing, acting and street dance. There’ll also be extra activities such as arts and crafts. There’ll also be visits from animal groups and public services, providing unique and enriching experiences for the children.
RPA has supported HAF helping Swindon families in the past. But the Wiltshire County Council’s FUEL programme has also enabled RPA to extend the programme to families in Chippenham, Malmesbury and Royal Wootton Bassett.
The FUEL programme is being held at the following three venues:
Sheldon School Hardenhuish Lane, Chippenham SN14 6HJ
Malmesbury Primary School, Tetbury Hill, Malmesbury SN16 9JR
and Wootton Basset Infants’ School, High Street, Royal Wootton Bassett, Swindon SN4 7BS.
Fi Da Silva Adams founded RPA in 2007. The organisation specialises in encouraging young people to celebrate their individuality through the power of performing arts. And on an equal footing regardless of family income.
Fi’s message to parents and carers is: ‘At RPA, we focus on warmth, love, and inclusion. There are no special talent requirements, auditions, or exams. Children come here to enjoy themselves and shine!’
All the RPA leaders have enhanced DBS police checks and have received full safe-guarding and first aid training.
Eligible families will receive a voucher from their school, including a booking link to sign up.
Families from all backgrounds can also book sessions in private by contacting RPA at 01793 792983. Or by emailing office@revolutionpa.co.uk.
Swindon Polish Day in Queen’s Park on Sunday 9th June. The event runs from 12: – 18:00. ADMISSION IS FREE.
Join us for a day of music, culture, and community as we celebrate Polish Day in Swindon. Experience the lively performances of Kapela Drewutnia and enjoy the rich cultural tapestry that the Polish community brings to our town.
Polish Community in Swindon
The Polish community has been an integral part of Swindon since the 1940s. Following World War II, many Polish families settled in Swindon. They’ve made a significant contribution to the town’s cultural and economic landscape.
Over the decades, the Polish population in Swindon has grown, now forming one of the largest Polish communities in England.
Polish culture is woven into the fabric of Swindon’s community life. There are Polish shops, restaurants, Saturday schools and cultural events adding to the town’s diversity.
The annual Polish Day celebration is a highlight. It brings together people of all backgrounds to enjoy Polish cuisine, music, dance, and traditions.
Celebrating Polish Day
Polish Day in Swindon is a celebration of the enduring Polish spirit and its contributions to the local community. The event, hosted in the picturesque Queen’s Park, will feature a variety of activities. It includes traditional Polish food stalls, Polish local businesses, and family-friendly activities.
It’s an opportunity for residents and visitors to immerse themselves in Polish culture and celebrate the long-standing Polish presence in Swindon.
The day’s events
Performing at the event is Kapela Drewutnia – a renowned folk music band from Poland, dedicated to preserving and promoting the rich traditions of Poland’s diverse folklore. The band is set to enchant audiences in Swindon’s Queen’s Park as part of the vibrant Polish Day celebrations. With a repertoire that spans centuries of Poland’s musical heritage, the band offers an authentic and engaging experience. One that connects audiences to the cultural roots of various ethnic groups living in Poland.
The band was established 25 years ago by four childhood friends who attended a residential school for children with visual impairments. All members of the band, whether blind, visually impaired, or sighted, have different occupations, such as lawyer, physiotherapist, and lecturer. Yet they meet on a regular basis to play and give concerts. This is the only well-known inclusive music band in Poland.
A musical journey with Kapela Drewutnia
Known for their authentic and soulful renditions of Polish folk music, Kapela Drewutnia brings a unique blend of traditional and contemporary sounds. Their music resonates with the essence of Polish as well as Ukrainian and other eastern European folklore traditions. It’s a testament to the band’s dedication to preserving and promoting Poland’s diverse musical heritage. Their performance in Queen’s Park will feature a variety of traditional songs. All promising a captivating experience for all attendees.
The National Lottery Heritage Fundhave awarded the grant, made possible by National Lottery players. The project will use it to fund the excavation of test pits in and around the town on Saturday and Sunday July 6 and 7.
Volunteers and the Malmesbury Town Team will work alongside experts. They hope to uncover evidence of the Anglo Saxons living in the area, as well as reveal other fascinating parts of the town’s history. The Athelstan 1100 Big Dig is part of a wider programme of events. to mark 1100 years since Athelstan became the First King of England. Athelstan had a close relationship with Malmesbury. He chose the abbey as his buriel place. Although the exact location of his burial remains a mystery.
The Athelstan 1100 Big Dig
The Athelstan 1100 Big Dig has a strong community focus. It’ll enable people of all ages, including local primary and secondary students to learn about being archaeologists and taking part in real excavations. Members of the Athelstan 1100 organising team will also be working alongside Cotswold Archaeology. The aim of that being to train budding archaeologists as well as to plan and organise the project.
Volunteers from the community will have an opportunity to get involved in the excavation and the recording and cleaning of finds. The weekend Big Dig Trail will enable visitors and people from the wider community to see what’s going on. And learn more about how archaeology works. All the finds will be on view after the day’s excavations. Participants will produce a report to explain their findings.
Many Malmesbury organisations are working together to bring the Athelstan 1100 project to life across the summer. This includes:
Malmesbury Town Team
The Malmesbury town council
Athelstan Museum and …
more than 70 other organisations and businesses who are giving time, practical support and resources to help celebrate the Anglo-Saxon heritage of the town and this important national anniversary.
King Athelstan
King Athelstan ascended to the throne in 924 and 100 years ago. In 1924 the whole of Malmesbury came out to celebrate King Athelstan’s 1000th anniversary. The community is doing the same in 2024.
Cllr Campbell Ritchie heads up the team organising the Athelstan 1100 project and also the Big Athelstan Dig.
‘We’re delighted to be able to offer so many events for the local, and wider Wiltshire community to enjoy across the summer of 2024. We’re very excited about the Big Dig. It’s a huge opportunity for us to try to understand an important part of town’s history.
‘Through learning the skills of archaeology and this hands on approach to heritage the hope is to get people of all ages engaged with town. And to be able to understand the Anglo Saxon influence in the town’s development,’ Cllr Ritchie said.
‘We’re thrilled to have received this support thanks to National Lottery players. We’re confident the project will engage local people and will help raise the profile of Malmesbury to a much wider audience.’ Cllr Ritchie added.
Swindon Irish Dance School Triumphs. And who know we had an Irish dance school? Not me! Anyway. SWINDON dancers have become world champions in the most prestigious global, Irish dance competition.
The Farrell School of Irish Dance,led by Clare Crocker, is celebrating outstanding victories at the 2024 World Irish Dancing Association (WIDA) world championships. The contest was recently held in Liège, Belgium.
Competing against top dancers from across the globe, the team of 18 dancers came home with two world champions and one dancer was a runner-up. The group meets at Grange Drive Community Centre in Stratton St Margaret.
Courtney Ringham, aged 23, emerged as the U23 WIDA World Champion. Kerry Maskell (39) secured the title of Senior Ladies WIDA World Champion. And Jaycee-Mae Jones achieved 2nd place and runner-up in the U9 WIDA World Championship.
Swindon Irish Dance School Triumphs – Irish dancers wearing medals
Participation in this prestigious event required rigorous qualification. That process started with the British Open Championships held in October 2023.
Extensive preparation
Preparation for this global stage was intense, with dancers attending classes up to three times a week, in addition to private lessons. Their commitment and dedication paid off.
Irish dancing isn’t easy by any stretch. And, as these girls have shown, it takes years and years of training to even enable them to walk onto that world’s stage’ said Clare.
I’ve watched Kerry & Courtney grow over the years and they never gave up, even though at times they felt like it. They carried on listening and applying corrections and worked hard to earn their top spots. I’m so immensely proud of them both!
The journey to the world championships was supported by the tireless efforts of Clare and the Friends of Farrell School Committee. Fundraising initiatives included displays across Swindon during St. Patrick’s Day weekend and their annual Irish Night. All of which showcase the school’s talent and dedication to the community.
Courtney, who lives in Pinehurst shared her excitement:
‘I can’t believe it, I have no words. It means the world to me to have this title. And I’d like to thank Clare, my teacher, for always believing in me and pushing me to never give up on my dreams. I’d also like to thank my mum, who without fail comes to every single competition and always ensures I do my absolute best’.
Kerry, from Nine Elms, also expressed her gratitude:
‘It was a heart-stopping moment realising I’d made the podium! To then go on and actually win takes it to a whole new level. I love Irish Dancing, and for any dancer to win the worlds is a huge achievement. Thank you to my mum, dad, husband, and two boys for cheering me on! And to Clare, my teacher, thank you. Without you, I wouldn’t be where I am today.’
Jaycee-Mae Jones, who is eight years old and lives in Oakhurst, reflected on her achievement:
To come second in the world in such a tough competition is a great achievement. I’m excited to work hard and with luck win next year!’
‘Jaycee-Mae took to the world’s stage for the first time and took part in the international championships at the age of eight years old. She pushed herself hard to perform steps that at frist she found tricky. But in true dance form she worked hard and made it to 2nd place and runner up in a fantastic competition too’ Clare said.
The trophy presentation took place on the same day as the competition. All first-place winners participated in the Parade of Champions, a celebration of their hard work and success.
The Farrell School
The Farrell School of Irish Dance provides classes for both adults and children aged 4 and above in Swindon. Whether you seek a new challenge or simply want to enjoy some fitness fun, they design lessons to be exciting and enjoyable for all.
Irish dancing offers a fantastic opportunity to forge new friendships, maintain fitness, and with dedication, explore the world through dance.
