I’ve long admired Dona’s work. So when she expressed interest in having a feature in this ‘Made in Wiltshire’ section on the blog, thrilled didn’t cover it. It’s a b*gger that I’m out of wall space – fridge magnets it is then!
1. The County Ground Hotel Swindon 1897
The County Ground Hotel Swindon
Hello lovely listeners. Hot on the heels of Secret Swindon, came my second publication for Amberley – Swindon in 50 Buildings – published in 2019.
Radnor Street Cemetery blog
From Frances’ new blog:
‘Welcome cemetery followers to this new blog launching today.
Radnor Street Cemetery tells the history of Swindon. The civic dignitaries and members of the Great Western Railway hierarchy; the boilermakers and platelayers; the philanthropic benefactors and trailblazing women; the teachers and tradespeople and the 103 servicemen who lost their lives as a result of their military service in two world wars. The ordinary men, women and children of the town…’
The Journey
15th December 2018 The Journey Last weekend saw me - and many others - in Swindon's Old Town being part of The Journey. The Journey, as described on photographer Elmar Rubio's website, was 'an immense, immersive theatrical telling of the Christmas story'. It entailed...
Aladdin at The Wyvern
12th December 2018 Aladdin at The Wyvern Aladdin: Saturday 8th December - Sunday 6th January 2019 To clear any doubt: the story of Aladdin didn't start life as a Disney franchise. Aladdin is, in fact, is a folk tale originating in the Middle East. Aladdin is one of...
Event: The Journey
This event looks like being epic. Though not as epic as the journey it sets out to portray: that of Joseph and the pregnant Mary from Nazareth to Bethlehem. They had to travel 90 miles to the city of Joseph's ancestors: south along the flatlands of the Jordan River,...
Community Choirs in Swindon
Thanks to Jo Garton for this lovely guest blog post focusing on some of Swindon’s choirs. Which are many and various.
This is your note – sing it! Swindon’s lungs are bursting with singing opportunities.
Ken White Swindon Artist
This blog is an opportunity to share a few photographs of the work of Ken White Swindon artist.
In my recently published book, Secret Swindon, I made a big effort to convey that Swindon’s cultural and creative present is as rich as its cultural and creative past. Many people/entities/artists contribute to Swindon’s varied cultural landscape as the recent Swindon Open Studios even will testify. And one of whom is Swindon born Ken.
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.















