Swindonian Blog Posts
Swindon news, views, history and culture
21. The Corn Exchange Old Town 1866
With Swindon in 50 Buildings, I had to keep to a firm brief set by the publisher, Amberley. I had to stay central – nothing from the wider borough. And the buildings I wrote about had to be still standing – they couldn’t be ex-buildings. So in this series of Swindon in 50 More Buildings I’m redressing some of that. Ergo, though I haven’t yet, I will include at least a couple of buildings from the wider borough and, if only one, an ex-building. Namely, ,Old Town’s Corn Exchange aka the Locarno.
An Augmented Reality Swindon
This coming weekend, people in Swindon will get the chance to travel back and forward in time. It’s all part of a free augmented and virtual reality immersive storytelling experience.
21st Century ABBA at the Bowl
August 2022 CALLING ALL DANCING QUEENS! IT’S TIME TO PARTY AT THE BOWL WITH 21ST CENTURY ABBA THIS BANK HOLIDAY MONDAY! Following a critically-acclaimed sell-out tour in 2021, 21st Century ABBA are heading to Swindon’s iconic outdoor venue, the Town Gardens...
Mechanics’ Matters No 5
The latest updates from the Mechanics’ Institution trust.
The Wiltshire New Forest
Wiltshire is the land of chalk and cheese. In other words, the chalk downland contrasting with the clay lowlands. But there are other, less typical areas, such as the Wiltshire section of the Cotswolds and the New Forest.
Wyvern Summer Youth Project 2022
Omigod You Guys… how I’ve MISSED the summer youth project at the Wyvern Theatre. They’re always amazing and summer youth project 2022 is no exception to that rule! How can one not love a night in a theatre stuffed to the rafters with young talent all living their very best life?! It’s such a joyous and uplifting experience.
Jane Eyre at the Bowl
Heartbreak Productions, Leamington Spa based open-air theatre company, is doing its 30th trip around the UK and Ireland this summer. And they’re returning to the much-loved Old Town venue, the Town Gardens Bowl, on Friday 19 August at 7.30pm. They’re bringing an exciting new adaptation of Charlotte Bronte’s classic, Jane Eyre.
Walk and Sketch in Turner’s Footsteps
Local artist Anne Hayhoe will lead a free walk and workshop for budding artists on Saturday August 13. It will focus on the time spent in Malmesbury by the famous landscape artist JMW Turner.
Duke’s Theatre Company Return
The Fairy Kingdom is at War. Oberon and Titania’s marital mayhem unleashes chaos on four young lovers with disastrous – and hilarious – consequences. In another part of the forest, a troupe of aspiring actors prepare for the most important night of their lives – a command performance before the Duke and Duchess. As the King and Queen of the Fairy Kingdom become entwined with the human world, a night of madness, mayhem, magic, love, hilarity ensues. And don’t forget the donkey!
William Morris Blue Plaque
Swindon gets another blue plaque, with thanks to Swindon Heritage and Noel Ponting and Noel Beauchamp. Before I go any further, let me dispel the oft-encountered, mistaken belief that OUR William Morris is one and the same as the William Morris of Kelmscott Manor and father of the arts and crafts movement. He isn’t.
Swindon in 50 more buildings
West Swindon – What the eye doesn’t see
Swindon – A Born Again Swindonian’s Guide
We Are Swindon
