Swindon Schools invited to join new FameLab Academy initiative. The organisers behind Swindon’s successful Festival of Tomorrow are issuing an invitation. It’s for local schools and STEAM professionals to sign up for an exciting initiative. One that aims to turn the tables on science communication to schools in Swindon and Wiltshire.
The team have joined forces with Cheltenham Science Festival. Together they’ll deliver the first ever UK regional pilot of their science communication initiative for secondary school students. The FameLab Academy.
FameLab Academy (FLA) is the sister competition to FameLab. That’s the largest, public-facing science communication competition and training programme in the world. Developed by Cheltenham Festivals, thirty-five counties have hosted FameLab.
FameLab Academy is the schools’ version for Year 9 students. The programme aims to develop young people as science communicators. It does that by:
Increasing their scientific knowledge
And building their confidence and communication skills.
New FameLab Academy Initiative
The competition
In the competition, Year 9 students, supported by their teachers and a STEAM mentor from academia or industry, will prepare a three-minute presentation. With this presentation they’ll explain a scientific topic of their own choice in a dynamic and engaging way to a panel of judges.
The winner from each school will receive a science communication masterclass. They can use that to help them perfect their performance ahead of the Swindon and Wiltshire finals in March 2024.
‘We’re delighted to be able to bring FameLab Academy to schools in Swindon and Wiltshire. Whether you’re into art, programming, science, maths, engineering. Or if you simply like performing this could be for you. FameLab Academy gives all Year 9 students a chance to shine. It’s a brilliant initiative that’s already inspired thousands of students in Gloucestershire. So we can’t wait to see what Swindon and Wiltshire students bring to the finals in March 2024.
Participating schools will receive all the resources they need to take part. And that’s including FameLab Academy and science communication training for teachers.
The organisers are also keen to hear from local STEAM professionals who’d like to help inspire students by volunteering as a mentor for a participating school.
To find out more and register interest, schools and prospective mentors should contact louisehalliday@newelements.uk
For the finale of Wessex Week 2023, the story of a shallow grave will take centre stage.
JEWELLERY, silver and swords will start a journey into Anglo Saxon history. It’ll happen when well-known archaeologist Richard Osgood leads the finale to Wessex Week 2023 in Malmesbury on Saturday October 21.
Richard, an archaeologist and senior historic adviser at the Ministry of Defence, will share the story of the excavation of graves found on land near Tetbury. And – the stories those graves have told – so far…
A metal detectorist, surveying a field with the landowners’ permission, discovered the site. They found various artifacts and informed the appropriate authorities,’ Richard said.
‘That led to us launching Exercise Shallow Grave. There we investigated some of the site and found the remains of individuals, and a child. It became clear that here was a site which was both Roman (43 AD until early 5th Century) and Saxon (410 to 1066 AD).
‘We found two individuals with grave goods including swords, a buckle and beads. It’s clear that someone saw these people as important.
Richard Osgood (centre) with TV presenter Tony Robinson and Tim Taylor, director of Time Team.
Revisiting
We intend to revisit the site in 2024. We’ll continue our dig which we know the landowner is keen for us to do. It’s our belief the site could give yield important information about the re-use of a Roman site in the early Saxon period.’
Richard, who grew up in Bradford on Avon and always wanted to be an archaeologist, is also the founder of Operation Nightingale. That supports veterans and serving military people injured in conflict. It allows them to take part in digs as part of their recovery and to aid their wellbeing.
It may seem strange that finding remains of people and artifacts could help people. Yet there is something magical that happens around these digs. Veterans and those who still serve can find solace and support in the experience and team work which goes into any dig.’
Richard’s talk
Richard’s talk, The Shallow Grave, will take place in Malmesbury Town Hall on Saturday October 21 from 7pm. At time of writing, there were only 20 tickets available.
This year’s Wessex Week features a series of events that will celebrate the region’s history, culture and art through the centuries. It’s had a particular emphasis on Malmesbury and the Anglo-Saxon period. The events take place in the town between Saturday, October 14 and Saturday, October 21.
Tickets for any of these events are available online via the Wessex Week website https://wessex-week.org
And there are some also available to buy at the Tourist Information Centre based at Malmesbury Town Hall. Â Please be aware that some events have already sold out.
Malmesbury’s First Folk Festival hits the right note as bands play to capacity crowds at the folk and roots festival.
They came, they danced and they sang at Malmesbury’s first ever folk festival, with bands playing to a capacity audience. The Folk & Roots Festival was pulled together in a few weeks by a small team. It took place in the beautiful cloister gardens of Malmesbury Abbey. The festival sold out, with 500 attendees.
Malmesbury’s First Folk Festival – Festival-goers at Malmesbury Folk & Roots (pics by Richard Harris, RJH Studios)
Backed by Malmesbury Town Council, and timed to coincide with the inaugural European Folk Day, sideshows, stalls and Morris dancing sides complemented a stellar line-up on stage.
One of the organisers was Malmesbury resident Catherine Burke, who runs the renowned Purbeck Valley Folk Festival. Catherine was able to book top folk bands, including 3 Daft Monkeys, Martha Tilson, Old Baby Mackerel and Wiltshire band Fly Yeti Fly.
I’m delighted with how the festival went. There was a great atmosphere, the music was awesome, and everyone had a lot of fun,’ said Catherine. ‘It was a shame to have to turn people without tickets away. To have sold out on the first year of a festival is unheard of. It’s a lovely surprise and we’re all over the moon!’
Profits raised
Any profits raised will go to Mayor of Malmesbury Cllr Gavin Grant’s three Mayoral charities:
HEALS of Malmesbury
Malmesbury animal sanctuary
Malmesbury River Valleys Trust
It was a fantastic atmosphere, the Abbey made a beautiful backdrop and we showcased Malmesbury at its best,’ said Cllr Grant. ‘A big thank you to everyone who worked so hard to make it happen and we hope it can become an annual fixture of Malmesbury’s music calendar.’
Malmesbury Mayor Cllr Gavin Grant with Wiltshire band Fly Yeti Fly (pic by Liz Cook)
Paralympian ‘PATH TO PARIS’ Ambassador. CHRIS Hunt Skelley MBE, gold judo medalist at the Paralympics in Tokyo, is one of five paralympic ambassadors chosen for the ‘PATH TO PARIS’ initiative. Its aim to encourage children to get active by following in their sporting heroes’ footsteps.
Chris Hunt Skelley MBE who is one of five Paralympic ambassadors, alongside five Olympic ambassadors for the Path to Paris programme to get children active in the run up to the Game in Paris in August & September next year.
One of five
Chris will be one of five Paralympic ambassadors. And there will also be five Olympic ambassadors. They’ll be encouraging schools, community groups or families to set up teams for children to take part, for free, and also learn about the Olympic and Paralympic Games.
‘I’m humbled and thrilled to be part of this project,’ Chris said. ‘Sport has always been an important part of my life. And, when I realised that I was losing my sight and there was nothing I could do about it, the sport of judo saved my life.
‘When I started out in this sport, I didn’t dream I could become the best in the world or win a medal at the Paralympics, yet here I am. If I can inspire one young person to embrace sport, get active and feel great about themselves then I’ve done my job.’
It’s all Greek to me!
The virtual challenge ‘begins’ in Athens, the birthplace of the Olympic Games. From there, children will embark on a virtual journey around the world in a team bus. They’ll complete fun activities as they explore different places on their way to the Paris games.
Every physical activity logged will earn kilometres to power a virtual team bus to its final destination. Whether it’s jumping on the trampoline in the garden, playing wheelchair basketball, attending a weekly judo club, or dancing around the living room as a family, it all counts. So everyone can get involved and get their hearts racing doing something they enjoy.
It’s an education too
As well as getting active, children will learn about athletes and their sports. Also the history of the games, and can win prizes too. These range from sports equipment, posters and stickers to help them track their progress. There’s even exclusive school visits from Olympic and Paralympic athletes! Team members might also get shout outs on social media from athletes, or win awards for their outstanding achievements. Whether that’s as an individual or as a family. Jamie Piggins of Team GB said: ‘The Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games will inspire the nation. With the best British athletes providing incredible performances on the global stage.
The Path to Paris programme will allow young people from across Great Britain and Northern Ireland to feel closer to these unforgettable moments. All by taking part in physical activity, meeting inspirational athletes, and learning more about the Olympic and Paralympic movement.’
David Clarke OBE PLY, ParalympicsGB CEO, said: ‘We’re excited that, as part of this programme, there’ll be a focus on disabled children and their families. This focus will help to inspire and support them to take part in more physical activity. It’s our belief it will have significant social impact across the country. As children embrace the values of the paralympic games they’ll build active networks with their families and communities and form regular habits. That way they can continue an active lifestyle long after the 2024 Games are over.’
Path to Paris
Path to Paris is easy for schools to activate. It fits with the curriculum, with key links to PE, PSHE/health and wellbeing, geography, and history.
Malmesbury folk festival tickets flying. Indeed, tickets are selling like hot cakes for Malmesbury’s first ever folk festival. It’s happening this weekend in the Abbey’s beautiful Cloister Gardens on Saturday September 23.
Malmesbury town council are backing the Malmesbury folk & roots festival, timed to coincide with the inaugural European Folk Day.
Capacity crowd
Bands look set to be performing before a capacity crowd of 500. Organisers hope the festival will become an annual highlight of the folk music calendar.
Malmesbury Mayor Cllr Gavin Grant urged people to get their tickets soon, as there’s no guarantee there’ll be any left on the day. ‘We have such a thriving music and arts scene in Malmesbury that we were confident people would want to come along. Indeed this has proved to be the case.
Ticket sales are going well and we hope the event will be a sellout. It’s going to be a fantastic day, and we hope everyone enjoys themselves. A big thank you to the small team of volunteers who’ve pulled out all the stops to make this happen.’
Line-up
There’s a varied lineup, including 3 Daft Monkeys, Martha Tilston, The Carrivick Sisters and Wiltshire band Fly Yeti Fly. Rock legend and Jethro Tull frontman Ian Anderson has appeared in a video, giving his backing to the festival and encouraging people to come along.
Fly Yeti Fly – one of the acts taking part in the festival – and the Malmesbury folk festival tickets flying
During the day groups of Morris dancers will be performing in the town, and there will be food and drink stalls at the festival itself. Burton Hill campsite is offering a discount to festival-goers. Meanwhile local cafes, shops and restaurants are getting ready for a busy day’s trading.
