The Queen’s Tap Swindon, New Swindon’s first pub (allegedly), is one of two public houses situated across the road from Swindon railway station. Once known as the Queen’s Hotel, the Queen’s Tap was the first of the two to have thirsty Swindonians leaning on the bar. The other one being the GW (Great Western) Hotel.
Built by JD&C Rigby to a design by the office of Isambard Kingdom Brunel. Rigbys were also responsible for the construction of the cottages in Swindon’s railway village. They also got the deal to build Swindon railway station.
A listed building
Listed by Historic England as Grade IIin 1981, Mark Child, in The Swindon Book, describes it as an heroic survivor of a public house – flanked and dominated as it is by office buildings. He further describes it as a two-storey, three-bayed gem built of coarse rubble limestone with ashlar dressings beneath a hipped bay roof with dentil mouldings. Not that any of that means anything to me! But it might to to you – thus I’ve included that detail here.
Between 1841 and 1850 the original square building had single-storey extensions on either side. Further, considerable stabling was erected at the rear for the use of the Queen’s Royal Hotel.
The 19th century saw sales of cattle and horses in the stable yard at the back of the premises. What remained of those stables in 1991 were then demolished. In, I daresay, the name of progress.
Some of the past landlords
JD Rigby, the builder of the Queen’s Tap, held the first licence. It was granted to him in August 1841. Thus the QT is, probably, New Swindon’s oldest, fully licensed house.
The pub’s later ownership has something of an air of mystery about it. It seems that the only mention anywhere is in the minutes of the New Swindon Board when, in 1886, they issued a closure notice on a foul urinal.
Groves of Weymouth bought it in 1931 following a long lease period. From them it went to Devenish in 1960.
And that makes me wonder if the QT features in this book? It mentions the Goddard’s Arms and the Glue Pot so I rather suspect it does – but I can’t remember. I’ll have to re-read it.
Malmesbury steps back in time to mark its place in the English Civil War.
Malmesbury marks English Civil War.
Picture the scene: King Charles I’s Cavaliers are holding out in a Wiltshire market town when Cromwell’s men storm it. The result is a victory that sees the Parliamentarians take control.
Fast-forward 380 years and the battle that took place in Malmesbury in 1644 is set for re-enactment. Only this time the front of the town’s famous Abbey won’t become peppered with musket shot!
Commemorative weekend
A special commemorative weekend, from May 3 to 5, is being hosted by Malmesbury Town Council. It’s purpose is to mark the two years, from 1644-1646, when Colonel Nicholas Devereux’s Regiment took control of the hilltop town, at the height of the English Civil War.
The highlight of a packed programme of events will be two reenactments. One, on Sunday May 5, of the last attack on Malmesbury. Staging it will be living history group Colonel Nicholas Devereux’s Regiment of Foot.
Malmesbury marks English Civil War – a civil war re-enactment in Malmesbury
The regiment will make a large-scale visit to Malmesbury. They’ll bring with them some of the foe (the Royalists). And then, for the first time, they’ll re-enact the battle on the streets.
Malmesbury town councillor, Cllr Campbell Ritchie, said although reenactments have taken place before, this is the first time one will take place across the scene of the original attack in the town centre.
‘You can see the damage on the Abbey that dates back to 1644,’ he said. ‘But there’ll be no live ammunition this time. Though the battle will take place on the exact location, which brings a real level of authenticity.’
Malmesbury marks English Civil War – musket ball damage to Malmesbury abbey
Many activities
The reenactments are among many activities planned to mark Malmesbury’s place in English civil war history.
On Friday May 3, there’ll be a talk at the Town Hall on ‘Wiltshire and Malmesbury in the English Civil War’ by Dr Chris Scott. Dr Scott is the former director of education for the royal armouries and an accomplished storyteller.
On Saturday May 4 and Sunday May 5 in the cloister gardens and Malmesbury town hall, a military camp will be set up. It’ll have live demonstrations of:
Food preparation and cooking
The officers’ tent
Scribing
Dyeing and making
Sword skills
A beer shop and tavern and music and dancing.
An extra bonus will be a rare opportunity on Saturday May 4 to see the original of the unique bird’s eye wiew map of Malmesbury. It was produced to show the Devereux regiment’s occupation of the town, at the Warden and Freeman’s office on Market Lane.
All events are free, apart from Dr Scott’s talk, for which tickets are £10.
Campbell added: ‘The current Colonel Nicholas Devereux’s Regiment of Foot is celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2024 and will be arriving in Malmesbury in force! They’re also bringing some Royalist opposition with them, which is a great way to mark their birthday.’
For more information about the Devereux Weekend visit the tourist information Centre in Malmesbury. Tickets for Dr Scott’s talk are available at the Town Hall and at https://www.malmesbury.gov.uk/devereux.
Wiltshire Landscapes create a charming window display
Sheryll K Fox Swindon Artist moved to the town twenty-five years ago. Swindon’s proximity to the Wiltshire countryside attracted her to the town. Although Sheryll’s known locally for her figurative art, she often sketches and paints ‘en plein air’ during the summer.
For the first time this winter she reviewed her studies and has made a larger set of paintings in the warmth and comfort of her home studio. This body of work features views near the village of Wanborough where she lives. Also some of the stunning vistas further afield in Wiltshire such as Uffington and Corsham.
She’ll be taking over the window of the enchanting Cotswold Gallery, The Corsham Gallery for two weeks with this collection of Wiltshire landscapes. From 13th – 27th March you can see her work and you’ll be able to meet her in person for tea and cake on Sat. 16th March from 11 am – 3 pm.
Sheryll K Fox Swindon Artist – Sheryll in her studio
Sheryll’s style
Sheryll uses a mix of abstract and graphic techniques in her paintings to create an emotional connection with the landscape. Her work features texture, layers and a love of mark making in acrylic paint and mixed media on wooden panels and specialist paper. Her paintings have delightful finishes and are framed in bespoke wooden tray frames.
Young Performers Inspire at IWD. TICKETS are still available to watch young performers from across Swindon take to the stage. It’s a special performance to mark International Women’s Day 2024.
Youngsters from the award-winning Revolution Performing Arts will celebrate the rights, power and passion of women in a new show, entitled ‘Actually, I Can,’ at Swindon Arts Centre on Sunday March 10.
Around twenty-five members of Swindon and Wiltshire’s leading performing arts company for children and young people will perform in the show. They’ll be sharing messages of resilience, hope and strength.
For Mothering Sunday
The event, which aptly takes place on Mothering Sunday, is supporting several local charities and organisations. All led by, and for women, who’ll be represented at the event including:
Swindon Domestic Abuse Support Service
The Emporium of Loveliness
Mardy Moo
Nightingale Florists
Beauty Care by Suzanne and …
… Ainslie’s Pavilion Project.
Fiona Da Silva-Adams, founder and CEO of Wanborough-based Revolution Performing Arts, said: ‘Our members, aged between eight and 18 include our:
Level Up Dance Company and
Level Up Theatre Company
They’ll be performing emotive dance and drama that they chose and choreographed themselves.’
Young Performers Inspire at IWD – Fiona Da Silva Adams, founder of Revolution Performing Arts
‘They’ve been rehearsing for a few months. And to see their excitement, pride and togetherness has been fantastic. We can’t wait for them to share their message of resilience, hope and strength.’
As well as the performance, the audience will hear from inspiring guest speakers. Their number will include local media consultant and journalist, Fiona Scott. She’ll talk about the community project Ainslie’s Pavilion. Fiona set that up in memory of friend who died of breast cancer after a twelve-year fight. And Kate Rowland from Swindon Domestic Abuse Support Service.
A celebration
It’s a celebration of all that it is to be a woman. Along with recognition of:
Women’s rights
Gender equality
Reproductive rights and
Violence and abuse against women and what changes we can make as a society.’
We hope it will inspire and empower women to be the best they can be regardless of societal bias,’ added Fi. Only last month (February) she won an award for Outstanding Contribution to the Community at the South-West Business and Community Awards.
‘Actually, I Can’ takes place at Swindon Arts Centre at 7pm on Sunday, March 10.
Oscar Wilde – sort of! What do I mean by that? Well, what I mean is a performance of Oscar Wilde’s, The Importance of Being Earnest– but as you’ve never seen it before.
Last night, at the Wyvern Theatre, I saw the Say It Again, Sorry? theatre company present their anarchic version of this much-loved play. And it’s very, very funny!
Oscar Wilde – sort of!
As their flyer says:
‘You might think you know this chaotic story of love, mistaken identity and double lives. But you’ve never seen it like this before. Filled with Wildean wit and bursting with Bunburying, join us for a hilarious and unpredictable twist on the world’s favourite comedy classic.’
The basic premise of this show is that a troupe of actors begin to perform Oscar’s famous play – but it goes wrong at once when Ernest misses his cue. Cue audience involvement. And if you think avoiding the front row will save you – it won’t!
This is an interactive show, it’s a clever bit of comedic theatre – the actual actors have to bounce off and work with the audience members they’ve got on stage – and they can’t know what they’re going to get. And they’l get different with each performance. As will the audience.
I won’t lie – I spent a lot of the time wondering if it was all a set-up. But apparently not!
It’s an exceedingly entertaining show. There’s a performance this afternoon and again this evening. There are tickets available so if you can -do!
