YOUTH ART CLUB EXPANDS. SWINDON’S largest children’s visual arts organisation celebrates the successful piloting of a new children’s after school club. The ‘Let’s Move Activity Club’.
Let’s Create Art Club, founded by artist Rachel Bray, allows children to explore painting, drawing, sculpture and design in a safe, fun, and pressure-free environment through:
after-school clubs
weekend workshops and …
holiday art camps for children aged four to twelve.
YOUTH ART CLUB EXPANDS – Kevin Bray with schoolchildren
Spreading wings as the youth art club expands
As the business spreads its wings, Kevin Bray, Rachel’s husband, has come on board. He’s joining forces to expand Let’s Create Art Club’s ethos with ‘Let’s Move Activity Club’. This is a no-pressure and supportive environment around movement through games.
‘Over more recent years, as Let’s Create has grown, we had discussed a few times Kev joining the business in this way. And the perfect time came along’ said Rachel. \We expected working together as husband and wife to be a bit of a challenge but it’s been pretty easy so far!’
Through Rachel’s six years of running Let’s Create Art Club she’s seen for herself the need for children to have access to non-competitive and accessible movement-based fun.
I’ve seen and heard for myself that some children don’t want to join team sports. They either don’t feel comfortable with the pressure so don’t join in. Or don’t feel they’re very good at sports and avoid them. But the one thing these children still want to do is have fun and run around!’ she continued.
This expansion is an after school club that Kevin will run along with other leaders. It’ll be full of fun games and activities to get kids moving and active without the competitiveness or pressure of a specific sport.
Keen on sports
Kevin is a sports fanatic. Besides being a qualified gym instructor, he is completing his Level 2 Qualification in Coaching Multi-Skills Development and Sport. Further, he’s been an active team sports player since his youth. Knowing the effect sport and movement has had on his life, he wanted to provide an opportunity for Swindon’s young people to benefit from a supportive and non-pressure environment.
‘There’s been lots of laughter and engaged children over these weeks, it’s been a lot of fun for both the kids and for me!’ said Kevin. ‘We’re excited to see what the future holds for Let’s Move Activity Club.‘
Led by Kevin, ‘Let’s Move Activity Club’ piloted three after school clubs in term 5 across Swindon at Red Oaks, Peatmoor and Kingfisher primary schools. After a few weeks of sessions, the feedback has been most positive.
A Peatmoor Primary parent said: ‘My child loves the club, says it’s the best one she has ever been to!’
Fitness and movement have always been a big part of our lives along with our children’s. It’s my firm belief that creativity and movement are two key fundamentals of childhood. We want children to first enjoy the activity of movement and creating. Then the skills can and will follow but enjoyment needs to be the foundation,’ said Rachel.
Let’s Create Art Club is a member of the Institute of Children’s Activity Providers (ICAP). That ensures the club meets high standards for safety, inclusion and engagement.
To book a place at ‘Let’s Move Activity Club’ or Let’s Create Art Club, or if you are a school interested in offering one of their clubs, please visit Let’s Create Art Clubs’ website: https://www.letscreateartclub.co.uk/
Podpadstudios at Mulberry Gardens throughout the year.
Friday 22nd May sees the first of Podpadstudios open days in 2026. The weather promises to be fantastic and there’ll be lots to see. This year, the popular creative studios and adjoining Mulberry Gardens will be open nine times. All culminating in the last two weekends of September for Swindon Open Studios. Who says that nothing is going on in Swindon?
Podpadstudios at Mulberry Gardens throughout the summer
All things 3D
Each open day at the popular site in Whitworth Road will have a theme. And May’s theme is All things 3-D. On display will be a variety of 3-D creativity. It’ll include Star Wars robots, Daleks and 1⁄6 scale models made by Mark Enright from Podpadstudios. Local model makers Will Jinks, with Dewie from Silent Running and Bad Robot, and Nick Pavone with his dioramas, join the fun.
Robot by Will Jinks – I love this and I really want it!
Ceramicist, Theressa Dowdeswell and sculptor Geoff from Jan and Geoff Arts will be exhibiting work. Visitors will have the chance to do some origami, make boxes, baskets and pop-up cards, with local Author and Illustrator, Zozo Thomas.
Entry is free and the gardens are looking smashing – the ideal place for a relaxing cuppa with a friend. Refreshments will be available, and there will be art for sale.
Anna Enright from Podpadstudios (also known as Mrs Breaker on YouTube) says, ‘We’d like to invite everyone to come along, meet the makers and talk about all things 3-D’. If you want to take her up on this offer, pop down to 225 Whitworth Road SN25 3BX. Do it between 2-7pm on Friday, 22nd May 2026.
When/where
From 2pm to 7pm Friday 22nd May 2026, Podpadstudios, 225 Whitworth Road Swindon SN25 3BX.
Podpadstudios …
…. makes creations for film, TV and exhibitions and has a considerable catalogue of props for hire. It is a family business based in Swindon, run by husband and wife team, Anna and Mark Enright, who share a passion for prop making. Both directors have alter egos; catch up with Master Maker and Mrs Breaker on their YouTube Channel …. with over one million views across their social media platforms. No one is safe!
Zozo Thomas
Author and Illustrator, Zozo Thomas has collaborated with Podpadstudios for open studios, for many years, as they are both based in the Rodbourne Cheney area of Swindon. Her illustrated children’s books, based on the plants and animals in a fictional version of her own garden, are fun for all the family.
Swindon Open Studios
The ever-popular Open Studios event is run entirely by volunteers. Artists all over Swindon open their studios or exhibit at other venues.
New Moredon Junior Parkrun. North Swindon kids are set to walk, run, hop, skip and jump at new Moredon Sporting Hub junior parkrun.
A new community-led initiative is set to transform Sunday mornings for families in North Swindon. The Moredon Sporting Hub junior parkrun launched its inaugural event today, Sunday 17 May. The event provides a free, weekly and fun way for children to stay active.
The event, which takes place every Sunday at 09:00 am, offers a 2km course designed for children aged 4 to 14. Unlike a traditional race, junior parkrun is a community event where children can run, jog, walk, hop, or skip at their own pace.
Aurélie Soulier, Co-Event Director, said:
‘We’re so excited to finally bring junior parkrun to the Moredon Sporting Hub. Our goal is to create a welcoming, pressure-free environment. One where local children can build confidence and enjoy being outdoors. It’s not about being the fastest; it’s about taking part and having fun.’
New Moredon Junior Parkrun
The parkrun experience
The junior parkrun experience starts before the run begins. Local families are encouraged to travel to the Hub on foot or by cycle where possible. All participants are encouraged to arrive at least 10 minutes early to hear the pre-event briefing. And take part in a high-energy group warm-up, ensuring everyone is ready to move and have a great time.
Running the event there’s a team of dedicated local volunteers.
Claire Gallagher, Co-Event Director and parkrun Ambassador, added: ‘The Moredon sporting hub will now host the 3rd junior parkrun in Swindon. Thus demonstrating a wonderful commitment to the health and wellbeing of young people in the town. We cannot wait to see our junior parkrun grow and thrive. We welcome interest from local schools, sports clubs and families to join us. Whether that’s to run or walk, volunteer or spectate.’
The new event also strengthens the local network of parkruns, fostering a pathway for young runners to progress within the community.
Phil Jefferies, Event Director for Seven Fields parkrun, said:
‘It’s fantastic to see the new junior parkrun launching at Moredon Sporting Hub. At Seven Fields parkrun, we’re so excited to be working with the team there and building strong links between the two events. This is a great opportunity to inspire young children in the area to get active and build healthy habits. And, it’s hoped, continue their parkrun journey into the 5k events as they grow.’
A free event
Participation is completely free. But children need to register once on the parkrun website to receive a barcode. That allows them to track their progress and work toward milestone wristbands.
The event organisers are also keen to hear from local residents who would like to join the volunteer team. Roles range from marshalling and cheering, to timing the event.
Local dancers who trained at Swindon Dance are taking centre stage. This as the pioneering dance company, BalletBoyz, brings their latest production, Still Pointless, to Wyvern Theatre this June.
Marking 25 years since Michael Nunn and William Trevitt’s critically-acclaimed debut performance Pointless at the Roundhouse. Still Pointless celebrates a quarter-century of daring commissioning and producing. And also performing dance across stage and screen. Among the 10 world-class performers are local dancers Dan Baines and Dylan Jones. Both of them began their professional journeys through Swindon Dance.
Local Dancers Taking Centre Stage – Ballet Boyz
Dan Baines
Growing up in the Wiltshire countryside, Dan attended Swindon Dance’s Centre for Advanced Training. He later became a member of the National Youth Dance Company. During his training, he joined BalletBoyz as an apprentice dancer before touring with the company in 2022 in Deluxe.
Dan Baines in dancing action
Since graduating, Dan has worked with leading choreographers and creatives including:
Tim Burton
Damien Jalet
Christopher Bruce
Akram Khan
Matthew Bourne
Maxine Doyle
Corey Baker
Paul Roberts
Tom Dale
Tom Jackson Greaves
Arlene Phillips and James Cousins.
Alongside performing, Dan often leads workshops for the next generation of dancers at various institutions. They include Pineapple Dance Studios and Rambert School of Ballet and Contemporary Dance.
Dylan Jones
Dylan Jones also developed his dance training through Swindon Dance’s Centre for Advanced Training programme. This after first beginning his movement journey in Parkour. From the southwest of England, Dylan joined the National Youth Dance Company at 18. He then continued his studies at Rambert School of Ballet and Contemporary Dance.
Since graduating, Dylan has performed nationally and internationally with:
Avant Garde Dance
Matthew Bourne’s New Adventures and Sadler’s Wells’ Quadrophenia.
Also, performing, choreographing and teaching. Dylan is also an accomplished musician and composer for dance theatre.
Dylan Jones in dancing action
The production
The production itself opens with an excerpt from Russell Maliphant’s seminal work Critical Mass. This was first performed as part of the original 2001 Roundhouse show. The programme also features the world premiere of a new commission by choreographer Seirian Griffiths. That’s alongside excerpts from works by:
Christopher Wheeldon
Maxine Doyle
Liam Scarlett
Xie Xin and Javier de Frutos
With music by composers including Cassie Kinoshi, Keaton Henson and Max Richter.
As I’ve said elsewhere, I have a tendency to think of Old Shaw Lane as a little bit of Swindon’s yesteryear. But of course, it’s not. Because it wasn’t Swindon at all – Swindon as we know it now, didn’t exist over that side of town at all. But it’s a survivor of the 1980s western expansion development all around it and that’s one good reason for featuring it here.
And thanks to its being by-passed, the lane maintains an air of times-gone-by.
Before that, a visit to the Nine Elms pub, in the hamlet of *Nine Elms, comprised a sedate stroll into the countryside for the residents of nearby Swindon – thus providing the landlord with a flow of passing trade as steady as the beer from the pumps.
The Nine Elms pub on Old Shaw LaneSection of 1886 Ordnance Survey map showing Old Shaw Lane West Swindon – note Nine Elms at one end and Shaw House towards the other endOld Shaw Lane from the Nine Elms end looking towards the Spectrum building – squint and you can see the David Murray John Tower way in the distance! Photo credit Jason Spickett Swindon from the AirOld Shaw Lane from the Cartwright Drive end – photo credit Jason Spickett – zoom in and you’ll see the green-roofed Mediterranean-style villa mentioned below
An ancient thoroughfare
Running between the former Lydiard Millicent parish boundary and the tributary of the River Ray, this lane dates back to the Middle Ages. According to the writings of Frances Bevan, building was slow along the thoroughfare known, in 1668, as Shaw Street. Indeed, 200 years later, there were a mere two farmhouses beside the lane.
Shaw Farm, once the property of Viscount Bolingbroke, stood at the south east end and Lower Shaw Farm near the west end. A further thirteen cottages and houses straddled the verges.
Today an eclectic mix of old and new housing rub shoulders along the length of Old Shaw Lane, from the stone-built Shaw House (See Swindon in 50 More Buildings) dating back to the later 17th century to Bradshaw House with its distinctive green roof and Mediterranean vibe.
The 2001 census recorded a population of 9,608 in Shaw and Nine Elms yet, as indicated above, a walk down Old Shaw Lane does still manage to feel like a stroll in the countryside.
Lower Shaw Farm
Worthy of some particular mention, while we take a pleasurable perambulation down Old Shaw Lane, is the aforementioned Lower Shaw Farm; it being the crucible of Swindon’s festival of literature, a renowned cultural happening of some thirty-odd years standing.
Lower Shaw Farm on Old Shaw Lane Photo credit Ben Cavanna
Grade II listed in 1989, owned by Swindon Borough Council, this 18th century farmhouse sits in grounds that once were part of a much larger dairy farm. Now firmly part of Swindon, this farm once sat in the North Wiltshire countryside – a fact illustrated on the front cover of the flyer you see below.
Since 1980, Matt Holland has been tenant at Lower Shaw Farm. Together with his wife, Andrea Hirsch, Matt has built a centre of small-scale farming, arts and literature – and turned the farm into a valuable resource of both national and international standing.
Lower Shaw Farm flyer
*The Nine Elms hamlet
Frances Bevan conjectured, in the Swindon Advertiser back in 2008, about whether the hamlet took its name from a group of elm trees at a junction in the Swindon to Lydiard Millicent road. But that’s an unconfirmed theory. Be that as it may, the end of the 19th century saw land at Nine Elms, owned by William Breadmore, former farm bailiff at Brook Farm, sold to Henry Carter. Carter built various properties in the hamlet, including a bakery where he later set up business and the Nine Elms public house.
