Swindonian Blog Posts
Swindon news, views, history and culture
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.
RPA Gets New Performers
Swindon-based company Revolution Performing Arts welcomes new talent, Louise Montague and Charlotte Simonis to their leaders.
Out of the Deep Blue
As part of Ocean’s Awareness Week and raising awareness of the climate crisis, on Sunday 31st July inSwindon BID Co. and the Wyvern Theatre will welcome ‘Out of the Deep Blue’ to the town centre. Out of the Deep Blue is a large-scale outdoor performance.
Bert’s Books Swindon
It’s taken me a while to get to this – I’ve a long list. But at last, here I am with a few lines about Bert’s books Swindon. Bert’s Books, has morphed from an online bookstore – and that still exists here – to a physical store in Swindon’s Old Town.
St Barnabas’ Church Murals
I’m not at all sure how the St Barnabas’ church murals came onto my radar. But onto it they came. Thus I felt compelled to include these astonishing paintings – and the church itself – in Swindon in 50 Buildings. While researching that book, myself and Royston Cartwright had a drive out to Gorse Hill – the location of St Barnabas to have a look. Sadly the church was closed but we got photos of it for the book.
Marios Restaurant Gets Reboot
Marios restaurant on Wood Street in Swindon’s Old Town has got a new owner and has had a refresh.
Swindon in 50 more buildings
West Swindon – What the eye doesn’t see
Swindon – A Born Again Swindonian’s Guide
We Are Swindon
