Swindonian Blog Posts
Swindon news, views, history and culture
Deacon’s Jewellers Old Town Swindon
It’s struck me often that Swindon’s Old Town has, within a few yards of one another, three long-standing and still family-owned businesses. That must be somewhat unusual surely? On Newport Street there’s Gilbert’s. On the corner of Bath Road and Devizes Rd there’s Blaylocks and on Wood Street of course we have Deacon & Son (Swindon) Ltd. The business was founded, by George Deacon, in 1848 as jewellers, watch and clock makers. It remains a family-run business that’s now in its sixth generation.
Baker’s Community Café
29th August 2018 The Baker's Community Café It's been sometime in the coming - you know how it is with building works - it always takes longer and costs more than you think. But at last it's open and getting underway and, best thing of all, it's a lovely bit of good...
SAPAC: Art is for everyone
27 August 2018 South Asian Performing Arts Centre: Art is for everyone This post is largely by way of sharing a lovely Swindon Advertiser Monday Matters piece - Art is for Everyone written by the smashing Sarah Singleton. SAPC - the South Asian Performing Arts...
Art boxes and Swindon Open Studios
August 2018 Art Boxes and Swindon Open Studios Years ago, in my early years in Swindon, I recall going to the Arts Centre in Swindon and there being an old-fashioned vending machine there. You put your £1 coin and out popped a little box of art. Oh I thought this was...
Blue Plaques in Swindon
There are now a number of blue plaques in Swindon. The most recent being unveiled on June 16th, 2018 on Swindon Civic Day.
8 Must visit historical sites in Swindon
10th August 2018 8 Must visit historical sites in Swindon A quick share of an article by Total Swindon. The article features 8 must-visit historical sites in Swindon. It's a nice list and especially so because they've included the Railway Village Conservation area...
Secret Swindon book launch
So. My first book, Secret Swindon, had a gorgeous launch event at Swindon central library on the 28th July. I’ve been meaning to post about it since then but stuff got in the way. Namely some security stuff being done on the blog which was affecting access. So I figured I’d hold on until that was done. And now the lovely Linda Kasmaty has beaten me to it with her super blog on Gardens, Galleries and Walking Around. So I reckon I might as well share that, a few photos and one or two rather lovely reviews and job done.
River Ray Parkway Walk Part 1
The River Ray Parkway is a green walking and cycling route, introduced in 1991 as part of the Great Western Community Forest scheme, it ran for 8 miles from Coate Water to Moulden Hill.
It was expanded from the original effort to create the Swindon Old Town Rail Path, developed with the help of Sustrans, then a small Bristol group formed to create better walking and cycling routes.
Secret Swindon
5th June 2018 Secret Swindon: the book Hello listeners! I can't lie. I can barely sit still for the excitement! The reason? I’m soon to be a published author for the first time. ‘Secret Swindon’, via Amberley Publishing, is due for release in the middle of July 2018....
Uncelebrated journey
29th April 2018 Uncelebrated Journey Swindon's talent - telling Swindon's Story Earlier this week I attended a press launch of the above named-event. This one-off, set-to-be-spectacular event is the brainchild of the new and current, High Sheriff of Wiltshire, Nicky...
Swindon in 50 more buildings
West Swindon – What the eye doesn’t see
Swindon – A Born Again Swindonian’s Guide
We Are Swindon
