The Swindonian October 2019

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EDITORS COMMENTS

Can we just say a massive congratulations to everyone that took part in what was going to be the last Swindon Half Marathon last month, at the time of writing there are strong rumours that the event will continue and hopefully you will get to pound the streets of Swindon again next year!

We have reached October and of course that means Halloween, time to start coming up with some pumpkin designs and scary costume ideas for the little-ones.

The trick or treat season is upon us!

This month’s magazine has no tricks but many treats for you, Swindon man Tim Owen shares with us details on his challenge to climb the 5,895 metres of Mount Kilimanjaro in aid of the Prospect Hospice, Local band The Racket are making a come-back at Level III this month and the usual columns from Ben Thomas and Dave Franklin share many of the cultural goings on for you throughout October.

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September Shorts -Just in case you missed it, check out the news from the last month.

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An Up Hill Challenge - An Uphill Challenge - Tim Owen takes on one of the World’s toughest challenges in aid of Prospect Hospice.

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Fine! - This new app aims to give you the ability to report illegal parking.

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Urban Meadows - The community have the chance to get involved in this new Swindon Urban Meadows project.

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Volunteer - Ever wanted to assess how well our hospital meets your needs? Now you can.

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The Judge is back! - Get your tickets to see Judge Jules play Swindon’s MECA

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Avebury Manor - The National Trust are launching an art trail out at Avebury this autumn.

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Comeback gig - The Racket are back on stage Musical Musings! with Dave Franklin

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Meanwhile, The National Trust’s sculpture trail at Avebury Manor runs through to October 13th where a wide range of artists, some exhibiting for their first time brings calm to the gardens after a hectic summer period.

Thank you to everyone who has been in touch with stories and events. The Swindonian is your magazine and we want to hear from you! If you have a story or picture to share, or maybe a local event to promote, you can reach the Swindonian team by emailing getintouch@theswindonian.co.uk

See you in November

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SEPTEMBER SHORTS

Town Centre Stores Closures The Swindon town centre saw a number of stores close their doors for the final time on 14th September.

As well as Dorothy Perkins, Burton, Miss Selfridge, Evans and Wallis the Card Market store inside the Brunel Shopping Centre also closed it’s doors.

This also follows on from the closure of Argos and Starbucks in August. businesses in attracting fresh footfall.

The free event attracted over 250 students in 2018 and has gone from strength to strength since launching in 2017.

Student Lock Down discount event returns for third year in Swindon town centre Students from across Swindon and Wiltshire were invited to the third exclusive Student Lock Down event 4

in Swindon town centre on Monday 30th September, from 5-8pm.

Organised annually by inSwindon town centre BID, the event was another initiative aiming to support the town centre

Students who attended the event were able to bag themselves exclusive discounts of up to 20% off, a free Goody Bag full of treats plus more items from each participating store including free merchandise, vouchers and food and drink treats using a trail card.

THESWINDONIAN.CO.UK // OCTOBER 2019

Council joins Swindon Town to help fans recall their sporting memories Residents living with Dementia will come together at the County Ground on 18 September for a special day of sporting memories.

Organised by Swindon Borough Council and the Swindon Town Football in the Community Trust, 50 residents will get the chance to go on a tour of the County Ground stadium and pitch, take part in a quiz on the club’s history as well as relive some of Swindon Town’s football highlights from years gone by.

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Kilima

TO THE ROO

An uphill challenge!

We are used to people raising money for worthy causes via feats of effort such as running a half-marathon or perhaps sitting in a bath of custard. But what if you really wanted to challenge yourself? Tim Owen’s answer to this question was to plan to walk to the summit of Africa’s tallest peak, the iconic Mount Kilimanjaro.

Thoughts of such an adventure came about after his Gran, Gladys Curtis who lived to the impressive age of 100, spent her final days being cared for by The Prospect Hospice. “It wasn’t just the help they gave to Gran but the support that they provided for the whole family, particularly my mother, in dealing with the emotions and grief that surrounds losing a loved one.” And so the idea of thanking all concerned for the amazing work that they do via such an adventure took root.

Not only a tick on his personal bucket 6 list but also the per-

fect way of putting something back. But the connection with caring doesn’t end there, Tim works for Great Western Hospital and his partner Tracey Parker also works at the Prospect Hospice.

tion Club is a speaking event at The Tuppenny on 21st October, where you will hear 3 different speakers talking about…well, who knows, but it promises to be fun, informal and interesting.

“I see on a daily basis the dedication of my partner, Tracey,” he says. “It’s clear to me just how important it is to her to provide excellent care, support and compassion to both patients and their families during such a difficult period. Tracey regularly goes beyond the call of duty to ensure that patients and their families receive all the help and support they require.”

Tim is aiming to raise £3000, with every penny raised going to the hospice itself; at the time of our chat he was close to a third of the way there and with his flight out being 22nd January, there is still plenty of time to get involved.One way that you can get behind his trip is via a small event that he has set up. Talking Heads Conversa-

All money raised through the small entrance fee, homemade cakes and any other donations will go to the Hospice and if the night proves to be popular there are plans to make it an occasional event as a way of being able to give to the charity on a regular basis. You can find out all about it at this page www. justgiving.com/fundraising/ timowenswindon

anjaro

OF OF AFRICA

Kilimanjaro Facts!

Location

Mount Kilimanjaro can be found in East Africa, and is located in the northern part of Tanzania. Mount Kilimanjaro National Park is located128 km from Arusha, or just a one hour drive from Kilimanjaro airport, and it covers an area of 1,668 sq km.

Coordinates The Mount Kilimanjaro latitude is 3.0674° S, while the longitude is 37.3556° E.

Elevation The elevation for Mount Kilimanjaro is 5,895m (19,341 ft).

Prominence In topography, prominence refers to and characterizes the height of a mountain’s summit by the vertical distance between it and the lowest contour line encircling

it but containing no higher summit within it. The prominence for Mount Kilimanjaro is 5,885m (19,308 ft).

Parent range When looking at a mountain range, many have sub-ranges within them and is best described as a parent-child relationship. Kilimanjaro is a freestanding mountain range, however, the East Rift mountains are considered to be the parent range.

Length The shortest hiking route on Mount Kilimanjaro is 53 km in length, and the longest route is 98 km.

Arrival Mount Kilimanjaro can be accessed from the town of Moshi or Arusha, and is just an hour’s drive from Kilimanjaro Airport.

Peak Mount Kilimanjaro is composed of three volcanic cones: Kibo, Mawenzi and Shira. Uhuru Peak is the highest summit on Kibo’s crater rim and is listed at a height of 5,895m (19,341 ft).

Success rate Success rates for Mount Kilimanjaro can vary from 50% to 95%, depending on the chosen route and length of the hike. On average, the Northern Circuit Route gives the highest chances of reaching the top with success rate of almost 95%, while the title of the least successful route belongs to Marangu Route, with a success rate of 50%.

THESWINDONIAN.CO.UK // OCTOBER 2019

New app will allow you to report cars parked illegally – you could even make money out of it!

A new smartphone app, eFine, launched last months and will allow users to report illegally parked cars by sending videos of illegally parked cars securely to the local council.

There will be no video saved on the users device, instead, it is processed and stored securely, and then sent straight to the relevant council. However, it is not yet known if Swindon Borough Council will be one of the launch partner councils.

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Alex Mühlhölzl, Chief Operating Officer said, “The data is sent to us and stored on a secure system, meaning only the council associated with the infringement notice can see the video and decide if a fine should be issued. We don’t even see it.” eFine will take a 25% share of the infringement fine to cover costs and the user who uploaded the video will also get a 25% share as a thank you for doing a parking officers job.

Users of the app can report back any infringement but Alex expects that, “Those that have a disability and get impacted by people parking on the footpath, those pushing buggies or elderly on scooters who have to go into traffic to get around the illegally parked vehicle,” to use it the most.

If Swindon Borough Council do adopt the app would you use it?

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BBC Young Musician of the Year finalist to give recital in Swindon

Hailing from a farming family in Cambridgeshire , saxophonist Robert Burton was a national finalist in Rotary Young Musician of the Year 2016.

Two years later Robert won the Woodwind Category Final of BBC Young Musician 2018 at the age of eighteen.

He went on to secure a place in the Grand Final at Birmingham’s Symphony Hall, where he performed with the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra conducted by Mark Wigglesworth, broadcast live on BBC 4 and BBC Radio 3.

A winner of other competitions as well, Rob is in high demand around the UK, including playing at the 10

Cheltenham Festival, Windsor Castle and Buckingham Palace.

Rob studies Classical Saxophone at the Royal Academy of Music with Simon Haram and Huw Wiggin. He was a pupil at Hinchingbrooke School in Huntingdon alongside studies with Paul Stevens (saxophone) and Derek Hannigan (clarinet) at Junior Guildhall, where he was a Sax.co.uk Scholarship holder. Rob has also achieved Grade 8 Distinction in Saxophone, Clarinet, Piano and Recorder.

He has even been as far as Caracas in Venezuela where he took part in the European Soloists Festival. At Swindon’s Arts Centre,

accompanied by Swindon Recital Series Founder and pianist Paul Turner, he will present a virtuoso performance demonstrating the huge variety in the saxophone repertoire, ranging from Baroque (Marcello) to Tango (Piazzolla) with compositions by Decruck, Demersseman, Milhaud, Grovlez and Itturalde for good measure. Rob can be found on Youtube playing Itturalde’s Pequea Czarda.

Rob and Paul will appear at the Arts Centre, Swindon, on Sunday 20th October at 3pm. Tickets are £15, seniors £12.50, students £2.50 and accompanied children (14 and under) are free.

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THESWINDONIAN.CO.UK // OCTOBER 2019

Community can get involved in new Swindon urban meadows project A project to enhance urban meadows and forest habitats while improving people’s health and wellbeing is about to be launched in Swindon.

Swindon Borough Council has teamed up with Wiltshire Wildlife Trust (WWT) to deliver the three-year programme, the Forest Meadows Project, which will include 12 sites within the borough covering more than 170 hectares.

Most of the meadow and forest sites are located 12

along the corridor of the River Ray, but the project will also link to other areas including Sevenfields, the Lawns and WWT reserves where wonderful meadows already exist.

The project, which is being funded by the Council with £80,000 in Section 106 developer contributions and other biodiversity grants, will be led by WWT, who will work with the Council, parish councils and local community groups. It will involve sustaining existing meadows by establishing

annual maintenance programmes to form traditional ‘hay meadows’ as well as more intensive management of other locations, such as, stripping existing vegetation and re-sowing and planting wildflowers.

Grazing animals such as cattle could also be introduced on some of the areas in order to improve biodiversity and sustain the management of the sites.

Some community groups, such as those in Highworth, Hreod Burna and Rivermead, already manage the

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sites and the project will support them to improve their meadows and hopefully recruit new members.

Where there is limited or no current community activity, such as at Mouldon Hill, WWT and the Council will work with parish councils to establish new community groups.

One of the main focuses of the project will be to link in with existing health and wellbeing groups in Swindon to encourage their members to get involved in a wide range of activities from the sowing and planting of wildflowers through to the biological monitoring of sites for wildlife such as butterflies and moths.

Councillor Gary Sumner, Swindon Borough Council’s Cabinet Member for Strategic Planning, said: “This is a wonderful project which has so many benefits attached to it.

“On the one hand there is the work to enrich our wildlife habitats, while on the other there are opportunities for local people to get involved in a community project in their area and have the chance to experience the health and wellbeing benefits that are associated with working outdoors in a calm and relaxing environment.

“I am particularly delighted we will be enhancing the meadows we already have by sowing and planting new wildflowers. We have already planted wildflowers on some of our roundabouts and I am keen we boost our local ecosystems by ensuring they form part of the landscaping for the junction improvements at the New Eastern Villages.”

WWT Chief Executive Dr Gary Mantle MBE said: “We are delighted to enter into this three-year project with

Swindon Borough Council, and look forward to working with parishes and local groups.

“This comes at a time of increasing public concern about and demand for action on a range of critical environmental issues, including loss of wildlife, the decline in insects (particularly pollinators), climate change, and a heightened awareness of the importance of the natural world for our health and wellbeing.”

“The Trust has been active in managing land for wildlife in Swindon for over 40 years and community engagement has always been at the heart of this effort. We are thrilled to have the opportunity to consolidate this effort in a focussed way through the Forest Meadows Project.”

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THESWINDONIAN.CO.UK // OCTOBER 2019

Volunteers needed for inspections at Great Western Hospital

Great Western Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is looking for people to take part in their annual PatientLed Assessment of the Care Environment (PLACE) on Wednesday 23rd October at the Great Western Hospital in Swindon.

PLACE assessments involve local people (acting as patient assessors) going into hospitals as part of a team, alongside NHS staff and assessing how well the environment is meeting the needs of patients and identifying where improvements can be made.

The team visit different areas of the hospital inspecting parts of the patient experience against set criteria. Patient assessors make up at least 50 per cent of 14

the team, who review areas such as privacy and dignity, food, cleanliness, general building maintenance and how well the needs of patients with dementia or a disability are met.

Anyone can volunteer to be a patient assessor. Patient assessors do not need to have any experience and do not need to have any relationship with the NHS, but should be enthusiastic and interested in helping to inform improvements to the local NHS. Members of the general public are encouraged to take part, including patients, relatives, volunteers, members, students, governors.

Former members of Trust staff can also volunteer, as long as they have not

been employed by the Trust in the last two years.

The assessment should take about five hours and patient assessors will be provided with lunch, free parking and full training.

Although the date of the inspection has been revealed, the wards and departments to be inspected will not be revealed until the day.

Laura Coulson, Head of Facilities, Great Western Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, is organising this year’s PLACE assessment: “It’s so important for us to get a clear picture of the environment from a patient and public perspective and patient assessors always make up at least half of the assessment team.

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“Anyone can volunteer to take part. You could be a patient or former patient, a volunteer, a carer, a student or just somebody who wants to support their local NHS. “We will be looking at the buildings, signage, cleanliness, food and drink, waiting areas, clinic areas and reviewing how the environment meets the needs of patients, from privacy and dignity, to the specific needs of patients with dementia or a disability.

“In the past volunteers have really enjoyed the experience and their input is always incredibly valuable.

This is an opportunity for us

to better understand how the environment affects the experience of our patients and how we can make improvements.”

PLACE assessments take place across all hospitals, hospices and independent treatment centres providing NHS-funded care annually and the results are published so that the public can see how organisations are performing in relation to others providing similar services.

Anyone interested in volunteering in this year’s PLACE assessment of the Great Western Hospital should contact Laura Coulson, Head of Facilities, Great Western Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust – 01793 605922 / laura.coulson1@ nhs.net The assessment will involve walking around the hospital so volunteers are asked to highlight any assistance they will need which the Trust is happy to arrange.

Anyone interested in volunteering in this year’s PLACE assessment of the Great Western Hospital should contact Laura Coulson, Head of Facilities, Great 15

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THESWINDONIAN.CO.UK // OCTOBER 2019

we look forward to taking the “Judge Jules Live” tour on the road.

This truly is a new take on the ‘live dance music’ phenomenon and the tour bus starts rolling shortly.” – Judge Jules

The legendary Judge Jules coming to the MECA One of the scene’s most best-known names for more than three decades, Judge Jules has never shied away from pushing the boundaries in dance music.

And this year, for the first time ever, audiences will be able to experience the iconic tracks that have defined his career through a ten-piece live band with Judge Jules himself at the helm.

Jules’s in-depth involvement in many of the recent wave of “classical” dance events, including Gatecrasher, Colours, Club Class and 2019’s Ministry of Sound tour, inspired the decision to take the impact and emotion of the classical shows, but refine the feeling with a wholly new take on live dance music.

With complete creative free rein, Jules curated every element of the performance.

Each track has been 18

bespoke reinvented and reworked in a style unique to this live show, featuring a full ten-piece band, with brass, percussion, drums, bass guitar, lead guitar, keyboard, singers, and of course Judge Jules himself.

A 90-minute show from start to finish, the music has been selected to represent the breadth and scale of his career.

“There is something about music being played live that never fails to send shivers down your spine – it doesn’t matter what the genre is, hearing a track performed by live musicians on stage is something you cannot replicate in the studio, or even in the best nightclub environment.

So, I decided to create my own bespoke versions of my all-time favourite records with a specially selected band. It’s taken a long time to put together, but finally

This is not a show to sit down for – combining the energy of specially-chosen outstanding musicians with his own inimitable presence behind the decks, Jules will take the audience on a tailor-made journey through dance music with vocals, hands-in-the-air moments and plenty of basslines that’ll take you right back to your very first rave.

With audiences demanding more from dance music and newfound focus on a visual as well as a sonic spectacle, Judge Jules Live is a chance for dance fans to lose themselves in the moment with the kind of experience that you just can’t replicate with a solitary DJ. The Judge still won’t budge.

Judge Jules will play Swindon MECA on 25th January 2020. Doors open at 8pm – late and tickets are £17.00 for early bird + BF Tickets are on sale now from: www.mecaswindon. co.uk/events-tickets/2020/ january/judge-jules-live/

THESWINDONIAN.CO.UK // OCTOBER 2019

National Trust launches fourth sculpture exhibition Throughout the early autumn Avebury Manor Garden once again becomes an art gallery, with over 80 sculptures to be found at every turn.

If you take a wander down Lion Walk you’ll encounter marble sculptures nestled in the borders, wander through the Orchard and you’ll see a trio of hares playing in the grass – at every turn you’ll find something thought-provoking, delightful or amusing – and all with the perfect backdrop of this beautiful and tranquil garden.

Hazel Barry-Scott, Senior Visitor Experience Officer and organiser, said “Now in its fourth year, this

exhibition has become a well-established feature in the Avebury calendar.

Avebury especially for those visitors who enjoy a relaxed and cultured experience.

“We’ve a wide range of artists; some have exhibited here before while for others it’s their first time – which brings an eclectic mix to the display. It’s one of our team’s most lookedforward-to events of the year and it’s so wonderful to bring a different dimension to the garden.”

Simon Brooks, Head Gardener, says “The exhibition is something that complements the garden perfectly, reminiscent of time past when the garden would have been adorned with statues and sculptures.”

Every year a certain sculpture will make me look at the garden in a new way which never fails to delight.”

With the busy summer holiday months now past, the exhibition brings a sense of calm and tranquillity back to

The exhibition runs from Saturday 7th September until Sunday 13th October, 11am-5pm and is free with entry to the garden.

If you would like to come along and see for yourself you can find out more at www.nationaltrust.org.uk/ avebury.

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THESWINDONIAN.CO.UK // OCTOBER 2019

Raising a Racket!

With The Racket looking set to make an unexpected return to the live stage, Dave Franklin caught up with main man Plummie to get the inside scoop.

Q : It was quite unexpected to hear that The Racket would be hitting the stage again but there is a very serious reason behind the gig, can you tell us about that? We have been toying with the idea of reforming for couple of years now but we just weren’t at a point in our lives where it would have worked. Jon, Jim and I all had kids and George was far too busy…being George.

But the main reason behind it finally happening was due to some very on sad news. Late June we lost our best friend to mental

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health issues, he was our brother, we grew up with him, we lived with him in the “doghouse,” the house we all lived at when we started the band. He was at every gig we ever played and music was everything that he was about. We got through the funeral and at the wake we all said this is actually the best reason to reform, a tribute to him and the chance to put on a show that he would of loved.

Q : So what’s it like revisiting those songs?

Revisiting the songs is quite comical really, times have changed

in a big way and I have to laugh at the lyrics, going into rehearsals singing about being on the dole and on the run from debt collectors and being angry that my Sony Ericsson is on its way out. It all seems a million miles away from being settled down as a married man with two kids.

Q : Has it been hard to get the set gig ready again or does it feel like you have never been away?

Rehearsals have been alright straight from the off really, I think we were all quite surprised with that one! We’re just now trying to pick out the right tracks, we are going to go right back and play the first songs we ever put to paper. I found this old email

THESWINDONIAN.CO.UK // OCTOBER 2019

from the first producer we worked with, Pete Rowe, and it had loads of recordings attached to it which was a blessing because a lot of the old ones I would have had no chance in remembering as it was a bit of a blurry time as you probably remember.

Q : And you are joined by a couple of bands who might just qualify for local legends? The bands we are playing with, The Unions and Charred Hearts are in this for exactly the same reason that we are, also being such close friends.

The Unions are old school pals and haven’t taken to the stage

for 15 years despite at every party everyone begging them to get up and do at least one track, but they never have.

They are back in rehearsal now and I personally can’t wait to share a stage with them. Charred Hearts are also close family friends it was actually Flynny who got me and Dermot chatting and we went on to play a night in Swindon supporting Sham 69 a few years back, one of my favourite memories from The Racket.

Charred Hearts are an absolute beast of a band, I’ve had many nights out watching them and I’m sure I’ll have many more, my

all time favourite Swindon band.

Q : What are you looking forward to most about the night? I’m looking forward to getting back on stage with my best mates, kicking out some tunes, toasting our pal and being in a room full of top people, all up for the music and having a good time, just like it used to be.

Thanks for your time and I’ll see you there.

The Racket, Charred Hearts and The Unions play Level 3 on 18th October

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Wed 27 - Sat 30 November

THESWINDONIAN.CO.UK // OCTOBER 2019

THESWINDONIAN.CO.UK // OCTOBER 2019

We understand that visiting the vets can be a fearful experience for our pets and an anxious time for you as an owner especially if your pet is unwell.

If injury or illness requires hospitalisation in to our clinics both our staff and facilities allow us to minimise fear in all our hospitalised patients and many have a peaceful stay with us.

Our aim now is to address the more upsetting journey for nervous pets which is from the home to the consulting room. If you wish to engage with us to try and minimise this journey then our fear free clinics can advice you on how we can help.

So, what does fear free mean?

If you as your pet’s owner are willing to put in the time, we will do the same. Dogs and cats are very different and need to be approached accordingly and can involve many different methods - Suitable carriers and pheromones both at home and during the car journey - Suitable appointment times, which may be longer than average or during quitter periods 26

- Anti-anxiety medication given at home prior to visits (often a gel administered on the gums) - Consultations stopping when your pet starts to get too anxious and starting again another time / another day at no extra cost - Many, many more including our favourite...

A FULLY STOCKED TREAT TIN for positive reinforcement.

Being able to have a relaxed pet and in turn a relaxed owner in the practice means that examinations and the overall experience is smoother and more beneficial to all involved.

So, what’s involved in fear free clinics?

Fear free appointments are arranged with a designated nurse or trained member of staff who will work one on one with you and your pet.

Clinics can begin with something as simple as your dog walking up to the door for a treat and you having a chat with us.

For cat owners a chat with you to discuss your worries before even making an appointment is the best way forward.

If your worried about taking your pet to the vet then contact us on 01793 526780 or reception@ thameswoodvets.co.uk

THESWINDONIAN.CO.UK // OCTOBER 2019

Musical Musings

with Dave Franklin

I thought that I’d start with a little reminder that this column is only as good as the information that is available. It might be driven by my own personal tastes, it might favour the bands that I already know and love but more than anything it is driven by what information is easily found in the great digital cloud of knowledge.

So if your music promotion amounts to a couple of posters in the toilets of your own venue and a facebook event created 48’s before the gig then I

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can’t be held responsible for not mentioning it. And on a more positive note….The Tuppenny’s autumn dance card continues to shine on 3rd with the welcome return of Will and Weasel, an unmissable blend of classical piano soundscapes, odd jazz timings, complicated yet groovesome rhythms, proggy leanings, samples, beards, strange sartorial choices and musical brilliance.

Gary Nash starts the night, a drummer no less, but here playing the part of guitar

wielding troubadour.

Over the 4th and 5th Level III plays host to Fat Fest, a fund-raiser for Fatboys Cancer Charity and an amazing line up of bands which also spills over into the Rolleston, the headline acts on the respective nights being none other than Rock Goddess and The Quireboys.

At The Victoria on 10th, Gaz Brookfield can be found in solo mode, anthem singing and guitar slinging.

With a knack for instantly memorable songs and at

THESWINDONIAN.CO.UK // OCTOBER 2019

turns poignant, silly, moving and rousing, he is one of the biggest draws on the local circuit. He is joined by his frequent travelling companion B-Sydes and Flour Babies’ Will Davis boils down his band’s complex music to its very essence.

No.ir blend progressive metal with rap at The Victoria on 17th and the following day sees The Racket back together for a one-off gig at Level III. As a

tribute to a lost friend and to raise awareness for male suicide they reconvene their punked out-brit-pop shenanigans and will be joined

by Charred Hearts and The Union.

The 24th sees moon madness break out with Luna Rosa bringing their raw and majestic, psychedelic indie to The Victoria whilst Stay Luna and Brightr strip things back for a gig at The Tuppenny.

And finally, at The Rolleston on 25th, a band I first saw half a life-time ago supporting The Mighty Blyth Power, to give them their full title, Folk The System, roar into town. Proving that there is still a lot to rail against in the country today these ferocious cats (see what I did there?) fire off salvos of rhetoric and rebellion, frantic folk and punky swagger; literally fiddling whilst the country smoulders!

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Stage Coach With Ben Thomas

On 5th and 6th October an alien armada from the planet Mars will be swooping down to ravage the Earth, enslave our people and capture our mineral worth for their own ends.

If that’s the worst thing that happens to us in October, then – as it stands – we’ll have dodged a bullet. Wait until they see who our leaders are.

The Martians won’t stop laughing until Easter.

What I’m trying to say, in my own roundabout way, is that Jeff Wayne’s rock opera adaption of HG Wells’ “War of the Worlds” is coming to the Wyvern Theatre at the start of the month. Maybe just go along and pretend

that aliens are flattening southern England as light relief?

From 8th to 10th October at the Swindon Art Centre ‘The Dickens Theatre’ present a stripped down, 70 minute three-actor production of “William Shakespeare’s Macbeth”. Brief synopsis: a man driven by his lust for power plots his way to the top only to be undone by his own hubris.

Any similarities to recent events in Westminster are purely coincidental.

Moving on: the stage adaption of “The Girl on the Train”, based on Paula Hawkins’ thrilling novel and the DreamWorks film of the same name, visits the Wyvern Theatre from 7th to 12th October.

“This gripping new play will keep you guessing until the final moment”.

Unless you’ve read the book or seen the movie, obviously.

The stage adaption of “The Girl on the Train” stars Samantha Womack. Née Samantha Janus. And “Janus” is the name of the Wrong Shoes Theatre Company’s new immersive theatre experience at the Shoebox Theatre 29th October to 2nd November.

See what I did there?

That’s a segue and abloody-half! Seamless.

BOOM! Sorry, I can’t top that. See you next month.

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Cribbs Causeway & Ikea, Bristol

Gloucester quays & boat trip

Fri 25th Oct 2019 Adult Ticket: £24.00 Child Ticket: £19.00

Sat 26th Oct 2019 Adult Ticket: £23.00 Child Ticket: £14.00

Destination star trek, nec

bletchley park: home of the codebreakers

westonbirt (inc. treetop walkway)

Thu 24th Oct 2019 Adult Ticket: £16.00 Child Ticket: £12.00

Sat 26th Oct 2019 Adult Ticket: £21.00 Child Ticket: £14.00

monkey world

Mon 28th Oct 2019 Adult Ticket: £21.00 Child Ticket: £14.00

Sun 27th Oct 2019 Adult Ticket: £39.00* Child Ticket: £27.00*

cotswold wildlife park & gardens Tue 29th Oct 2019 Adult Ticket: £32.00* Child Ticket: £23.00*

London: park lane or kensington

Sun 27th Oct 2019 Adult Ticket: £26.00* Child Ticket: £15.00*

peppa pig world happy halloween Thu 31st Oct 2019 Adult Ticket: £51.00* Child Ticket: £45.00*

london zoo

Sat 26th Oct 2019 Adult Ticket: £23.00 Child Ticket: £14.00

Bovington tank museum - coach only

Mon 28th Oct 2019 Adult Ticket: £21.00 Child Ticket: £14.00

thorpe park: fright night Fri 1st Nov 2019 Adult Ticket: £61.00* Child Ticket: £51.00*

view our full list of DAY TRIPS COMING UP FOR OCTOBER HALF TERM on our website OR CONTACT THE BARNES TEAM TO request a free copy of our day trip leaflet!

tours marked with an * include admission