Swindonian Blog Posts
Swindon news, views, history and culture
Swindon in 50 Buildings goes to school
Well this has been a wonderful development. A well or two back I received a contact from the head teacher at Nythe Primary school. She’d seen my posts on LinkedIn about my most recent book, Swindon in 50 Buildings.
Well, I say most recent. In actual fact another book, about Swindon-born artist and mural man Ken White, hit the bookshelves a few days ago.
Beat the Street is Back
Beat the Street is set to return to Swindon and residents can now pick up their cards ready to join in the fun when the game launches.
No 2: Coffee
Hello listeners. Welcome to the second post in my tour round Swindon in 50 Drinks.
Because I don’t want you all getting the idea that I’m ONLY interested in alcohol (almost but not quite) the subject of this post is that magic bean – coffee.
The History of Coffee
This guest blog from The Blog Frog is all about the history of coffee. Sit back and look forward to a few fab facts about coffee and caffeine.
Ken White Triptych Lydiard House
Well here’s a thing. These past few months, alongside writing Swindon in 50 Buildings, I’ve been working concurrently on Ken White’s story: A Ken White Retrospective.
I, like many other people I daresay, had formed the impression that the only piece of Ken’s Swindon work, still in existence, is the Golden Lion mural.
The River Ray Parkway Part 2
You may (or may not) remember that Angela and I walked half of the River Ray Parkway last year, from Moulden Hill to John Lewis. This summer (2019) we finally got around to walking the second half, John Lewis to Coate Water.
No 1: Ouzo – it’s all Greek to me
7th August 2019
Four days ago myself and friends were out celebrating the launch at the Baker’s community cafe, of my second book Swindon in 50 Buildings.
Now, more than once in recent weeks the topic of covering Swindon in 50 Drinks arose. It was somewhat tongue-in-cheek TBH. But then I got to thinking ‘Why not?’ Something a little different for this blog.
Ergo, being as how the location for my book launch celebrations was the Greek Olive, what better drink to have for No 1 in this series than Ouzo.
The GWR Park Swindon
The GWR Park, in the centre of Swindon’s GWR Railway Village conservation area began life in 1844 as a cricket ground. In that year, the GWR bought land from Lt.Col.Vilett, a local landowner. That land, to the west of the new Railway Village, between Faringdon Road and St Mark’s Church became first a cricket ground and later the GWR Park – known also to some as The Plantation or Victoria Park.
Intelligent Dialogue Training and Coaching
IMHO, Intelligent Dialogue is a rather good name for a business that does what this Wiltshire-based business does do: training and coaching. And more of that soon.
But first let’s have a little look at the words that comprise this business’ name. Humour me – I did an English degree not long back – so I rather like a word! And there is a point to it – as I’m sure you’re intelligent enough to see.
Swindon Spitfire Heritage Celebrated
Everyone knows about Swindon’s incredible railway history, and the effect it had on the world during its heyday. But fewer people are aware of is Swindon’s aviation heritage. But this piece of public art at the Orbital centre in north Swindon is doing its bit to spread the word.
Swindon in 50 more buildings
West Swindon – What the eye doesn’t see
Swindon – A Born Again Swindonian’s Guide
We Are Swindon
