Wow! Yet another Swindon-related book. How fantastic. Hot on the heels of Swindon in 50 Buildings and the Ken White Bio/retrospective – both by me – and France Bevan’s recent book we have Last Orders by John Stooke.
The Girl on the Train
I love a whodunnit. Who doesn’t? So last night’s performance of The Girl on the Train at the Wyvern theatre was much enjoyed.
I confess that, somehow or other, this million-seller novel by Paula Hawkins and film adaptation starring Emily Blunt, had pretty much passed me by. Which is sort of appropriate if stop to think about it.
Ken White Exhibition – Swindon
At the ripe old age of 76, Swindon-born, mural painting legend, Ken White at last has a a solo exhibition, Railways and Landcapes, at Swindon Museum and Art Gallery.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Shoebox Theatre
At last! It’s been my intention to feature the small but perfectly formed Shoebox Theatre on here for ages of a crow. Yet somehow or other I’ve failed. Never mind – they’re here now!
David Bent – Out of the Box
Hello listeners. I appear to be reduced to sharing Linda Kasmaty’s blogs at the moment! Pfft. The day it was her post about Tim Carroll at the Bath Society of Arts Exhibition. Today it’s a Friends of Museum and Art Gallery post about David Bent’s recent talk to the friends. I was at that talk so don’t ask me what I was doing – or not doing – I’ve no idea.
There’s so much going on and I’ve got a business to run and Swindon Civic Voice stuff … hark, I hear violins! That’s my excuse and I’m sticking to it. So here’s a link to Linda’s post about David Bent’s ‘Out of the Box’ talk.
Tim Carroll Swindon Artist
t’s always fab to have some nice news to share on Born again Swindonian about any one of the lovely artists here in Swindon. This post is about Tim Carroll and the Bath Society of Artists Open Exhibition 2019.
Blue Plaque for Richard Jefferies
Today, at long last, a blue plaque was unveiled at the Richard Jefferies Museum at Coate Yay!















