The Swindonian August 2018

Contents What a summer we’ve had so far!

Not only did the first edition of The Swindonian magazine start dropping through letterboxes but the weather has ensured that it has been a summer to remember.

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Neo Nature

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COVER PICTURE Seaside Paradise

Our Swindon Mum shares her experience on a day at the Coate Water splash park and new this month after a number of requests is a puzzles page. If you have any other information that you would like to see in future magazines please do not hesitate to let us know by emailing us at getintouch@theswindonian.co.uk.

That’s it until next time, have a great August and please make sure you stay safe in the sun!

Tom Grasslands Haynes talks about some of the interesting wildlife events going in local meadows this August.

Swindon Town Centre is going to be turned into an urban beach this summer.

Will it hold out for the school summer holidays I wonder?

We’re getting some really good feedback from our launch magazine and we’re glad to hear that you like it so much, this month you will see much of the same, Dave Franklin’s Musical Musings, Ben Thomas’s theatre goings on and Thomas Haynes talking about grass.

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Splashin’ Around with our Swindon Mum. Find out more about a day at the Coate Water splash park.

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African adventures with Kick4Life Find out about the Kick4Life Allstars tour.

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Community News from

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What did the Romans do for us? Do you know how

around your area from the local councillors

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Dorcan and Covingham got their names?

22 Swindon Town Fc

APlan your diary with the STFC fixtures.

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Musical Musings with Dave Franklin

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Plan your month around the musical goings on.

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Stage Coach with Ben Thomas

If you are looking for something to do this month let Ben help you out.

Find us on Social Media:

TheSwindonian 07717 330400 / 07402 084138 getintouch@theswindonian.co.uk Designed / Printed / Distributed by Intouch Print and Marketing - ITPAM LTD 01793 554795 itpam.co.uk

July shorts THESWINDONIAN.CO.UK // AUGUST 2018

New Chief Executive at Swindon Borough Council Swindon Borough Council has appointed Susie Kemp as its new Chief Executive. The appointment was ratified by councillors at the Full Council meeting on 12th July and she started her new role the next day.

Having had the role of Interim Chief Executive, Susie joined Swindon Borough Council in February last year as Corporate Director of Resources & Transformation.

She previously spent time at Barnet Council as Director of Strategy, Customer Services and Transformation and, prior to that, as Assistant Chief Executive at Surrey County Council.

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Susie Kemp said: “I am absolutely thrilled to have been given this opportunity. Swindon is a fantastic place and I am looking forward to continue working with colleagues across the organisation to deliver the Council’s Vision, Priorities and Pledges for the people who matter – our residents.

“We have so much going for us here in Swindon. A growing economy, superb connectivity, affordable housing and great jobs but we are also incredibly ambitious.

Our plans for regeneration and growth make this a hugely exciting role and I can’t wait to get started.”

Prime Theatre wins major support for new Swindon history play Prime Theatre has been awarded a Heritage Lottery Fund grant of £27,000 for an exciting new performance project based on Swindon’s people & places at the turn of the century.

Supported through the Heritage Lottery Fund, the nine-month project began with a major production at STEAM museum at the end of July, ’This Is Our Town’, bringing to life figures and events from between 19031913. After this first production, new young writers and historians will be able to join another creative project with digital stories and an exhibition in the autumn.

Prime Theatre will support up to 150 young participants from across Swindon to get involved with heritage professionals from Swindon Local Studies archives, Swindon Museum & Art Gallery, STEAM Museum, Wiltshire & Swindon History Centre and Swindon Heritage.

THESWINDONIAN.CO.UK // AUGUST 2018

Life saving police officer wins prestigious bravery award

has recently retired from Wiltshire Police, attended the awards ceremony in London on 12th July and was named regional winner for the South West.

The nomination related to an incident where a woman, who had a history of mental health issues and suicidal thoughts, walked out of her house, stating that she was going to kill herself on a railway line.

A retired Wiltshire Police officer who risked his own life to save a suicidal woman from the train tracks has been honoured at the National Police Bravery Awards.

Inspector Ian Stevenson, who Armed police called to Cheney Manor after a gun is spotted Armed police were called to a property in Cheney Manor Road on Tuesday 24th July after a report that a firearm had been spotted on the front seat of a parked van.

Chief Constable Kier Pritchard, who attended last night’s awards ceremony, said he was hugely proud of Inspector Stevenson, who has also received a Chief Constable’s Commendation at the Wiltshire Police Force Awards for his actions.

Armed officers were called to attend with worried members of public calling The Swindonian to find out what was going on.

Following enquiries police established that the gun in question was actually a toy.

Swindon’s M4 Limos treated children from Brimble Hill School to an end of term trip in one of companies Mercedes Party Buses.

The children were chosen by their teachers for the special afternoon out.

Owner of M4 Limos, Jason Ranford said: “Seeing the kids’ faces was amazing. I felt privileged to be able to do this for the school. I would love to be able to do this every day if we could.”

Melinda Parry from Brimble Hill commented “This is the third year running Jason has treated the children at the end of term and the parents and children are extremely grateful.”

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THESWINDONIAN.CO.UK // AUGUST 2018

Healthy Mouth – Healthy Life Free dental check up’s during August and September

Dogs and cats will often start to accumulate the first signs of dental problems by the age of 5 and even earlier if predisposed dental decay e.g toy breeds such as Yorkshire Terries and Jack Russell’s.

Good daily dental care and the correct food can help to delay onset but most pets require a basic scale & polish every 2 years from about the age of 5.

Your pet should have an annual dental check, which is usually performed at the time of their vaccination. If however you notice any of these common signs of dental issues then you should get them checked out.

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Common signs include: • • • • • •

Bad Breath Broken or loose teeth Discoloured or tartar covered teeth Abnormal chewing or drooling Reduced appetite or a reluctance to chew hard food Bleeding or swelling surrounding the mouth

At Thameswood Vets we are able to help you maintain your pet’s teeth in a good condition by offering regular dental checks, a variety of dental products and value for money scale and polish procedures.

To help keep your pets teeth pearly white our team of nurses are offering FREE DENTAL CHECKS DURING AUGUST AND SEPTEMBER for all dogs and cats.

Contact us today on 01793 526780 to book your pet’s free check during which you will also receive a free dental goodie bag.

THESWINDONIAN.CO.UK // AUGUST 2018

Police called as pet left in parked car as temperatures soared over 26C Concerned Swindon shoppers called police to a town centre car park after spotting a dog left locked inside a car as temperatures soared.

The dog was spotted in a Ford Focus estate in the Granville Street car park at around 12:30pm as the temperatures outside reached 26C – which means it could have been as hot as 47C inside.

owners parked up at 10:47 and had a valid ticket through to 13:47 meaning the dog could have been left in the car for three hours had onlookers not called the police.

It is understood he owners turned up and became verbally aggressive to the waiting police and refused to give their details. The dog is believed to have been seized and taken to a vet for a check up.

The parking ticket on the car indicates the

Image supplied via Facebook.

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THESWINDONIAN.CO.UK // AUGUST 2018

Neo Nature with Thomas ‘Grasslands’ Haynes

While rocking-out as Grasslands at Swindon’s premier original music festival The Swindon Shuffle, I was asked a question about the largest area of chalk grassland in the UK. I couldn’t fully hear the question through the cacophony of The Beehive, but it was indeed an excellent question and guess what?

The largest areas of chalk grassland in the UK (and Europe) are found across the plateaus of Salisbury Plain, so we are very lucky to have such important areas of wildlife on our doorstep with a wealth of wildflowers and insects.

I went out for a spot of butterfly hunting across some Wiltshire chalk grassland a few weeks ago and followed the flutterings of some of my favourite butterflies: the Blue butterflies. Blue butterflies can be tricky to identify to species, but most are 8

rather small and can be identified with a good look at the closed wings and the patterning of the wing tips. One butterfly I haven’t seen in a long time is the Adonis Blue and there is no mistaking the vibrant glow of this pretty blue butterfly; it really is something special!

On the 4th August, you can visit the ancient earthworks of Barbury Castle and explore the chalk downland specialist butterflies including the Green-veined white, Common Blue, Chalk Hill Blue and the beautiful Adonis Blue. Contact Robin Griffiths for further details on 07761 290725 or robswildlife@googlemail.com There is plenty going on at Lower Moor Farm this August including a special nature detective scavenger hunt on the 9th August for children ages 3-12 (contact). On the 13th August, there is a wildlife

photography day for the whole family where you can learn how to get the perfect photo of your favourite creature.

Places are limited, so make sure you book early. On the 17th August, there is also a 3-day family nature camping experience to enjoy. For all these events please contact events@wiltshirewildlife.org to book and for more info.

On the 19th August, there is a minibus trip from Royal Wootton Bassett to visit the best site in southern England to see raptors in flight, hosted by the Hawk Conservancy Trust. The trip leaves Boroughfields car park at 9.30am and will return home in the late afternoon.

Contact Barry Bissett on 01793 848217 to book a place and for further info.

Grasslands Out!

Discover a Seaside Paradise in Swindon town centre this August Wharf Green will be transformed into an urban beach this summer, bringing a taste of the seaside to the town centre, from 25-29th August from 10-5, daily.

Organised by inSwindon BID Company, the first ever FREE urban beach experience comes complete with a man-made beach, deckchairs, buckets and spades, children’s rides, seaside music, soft volleyball, food and trade stalls and a giant deck chair for those summer holiday photo opportunities!

Saturday 25th August will see the official opening at 10am, followed by a ‘Family Beach Party’ at 2-6pm with a live DJ, glitter face painting, games, competitions and more.

Di Powell, inSwindon Chief Executive said, “We’re thrilled to be welcoming Swindon’s first urban beach experience to the town centre. The programme of events is brimming with something for everyone to enjoy. We feel it’s a chance for the whole family to get together and experience something new right on their doorstep, whilst taking advantage of being able to shop, grab a drink or a bite to eat.”

will take place daily between 12-3pm and incudes Beach Fitness on Sunday 26th with Buzz Gym who are offering Zumba and Soft Volley Ball

all-important sunscreen for visitors to take advantage of, as well as a range of other products all available in-store as well as other

tasters. There will also be children’s Donkey Rides on Monday 27th, live music and dance on Tuesday 28th and not forgetting an afternoon of beach mayhem with a live children’s entertainer playing games, ballooning and more on Wednesday 29th August. Local retailers LUSH will also be on hand offering free samples of that

local retailers taking part across the five day event.

With so much to see and do this August, Swindon’s Urban Beach Experience is not to be missed and guarantees something for all the family to enjoy to celebrate the end of the summer holidays.

For further information please visit www.swindontowncentre.co.uk or follow @inSwindon on Facebook and Twitter.

Plus there’s more – exclusive beach themed fun 9

But First, Tea.

THESWINDONIAN.CO.UK // AUGUST 2018

Just a Swindon Mum winging my way through life with my boy.

Splashin’ Around

More often than not at the moment, I can be found ditching my beloved tea and instead secretly stealing from my 4-year old’s stash of ice lollies. When it’s hot and let’s face it, it is hot hot, there’s just nothing better and I can happily swap out most of my meals for a Calippo or Fruit Pastel lolly. (Of course this doesn’t make for a balanced diet and I would never let the little one do the same, I mean ice lollies are a once-a-weektreat, right? Ahem.)

Anyway, meal choices aside, the real dilemma in this glorious heat (when you can’t spend your weekends lying in the garden only moving to sip your frozen cocktail or wash yourself down with the hose), is how to entertain the kidlets.

Somehow, they still have boundless energy and yet it’s not really practical to ask them to amuse themselves in the garden while you collapse on the sofa with a wet flannel on your face.

Neither does it seem right to stay indoors and waste the good weather, when you know in a few months you’ll 10

be climbing the walls while the rain lashes down. Soft Play is out for me when it’s 20+ degrees, and spending too long in the car is a big no-no, so what to do that’s close to home and will keep us both happy and cool? A couple of weekends ago we ventured to Coate Water to try out their Splash Park.

Built in 2012 and open for families every summer, entry is free of charge.

The Splash Park is an interactive area with waterspitting dragons and flowers and for smaller children there is an area where more gentle sprays create mist.

The enclosed attraction has access to toilets and includes a large green are with trees that provide small areas of shade. At the beginning of the summer there were some teething problems with parts needing to be replaced and fitted, but we were happy to find it up and running and already busy with families enjoying the water by 12pm.

There are no staff on site at the Splash Park so children need to be accompanied and watched at all times, but this is to be expected and means you can join in with the fun!

There are no restrictions on food and drink being taken on site and my friend and I took a full picnic for our

boys. The Coate Water café is just outside and provides reasonably priced snacks, drinks, ice creams and even hot food if you don’t fancy bringing your own. The water area is completely exposed to the sun so I would recommend full swimsuits/ t-shirts and hats if it’s hot, and an umbrella might be a good idea as shaded areas are limited and get taken quickly.

Our two boys (aged 2 and 4) were so excited when we arrived and once changed and lathered in sun cream, bounded off with squeals of delight to enjoy the water.

We spent a good 3 hours at the Splash Park, during which time the boys only briefly came out for drinks and the odd snack.

They were thoroughly entertained and it was brilliant to watch their smiles and laughter at getting wet again and again (and drenching us at any opportunity, which I secretly loved).

For a free family attraction in the centre of Swindon, I really can’t fault this fantastic park. With this crazy but beautiful summer set to stay, make sure you check it out.

Email me: butfirstteamum@outlook.com

BFT x

THESWINDONIAN.CO.UK // AUGUST 2018

The Swindonian’s Shaun Jones links up with African based football charity Swindon’s Shaun Jones is again linking up with Kick4Life, a unique charity based in Lesotho in Southern Africa.

As a charity and a social enterprise, Kick4Life’s mission is to change the lives and long-term prospects of vulnerable young people in Lesotho, through a wide range of social development activities focused on health, education and support towards sustainable livelihoods.

The Kick4Life All Stars Tour is a life-changing experience where participants get to play football, make friends and most importantly change lives.

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During the trip the Kick4Life All Stars will be trained to deliver life-saving health education activities to local school-children as well as have the chance to play football in front of hundreds of supporters.

Kick4Life has worked with more than 100,000 underprivileged children at their centre in the heart of Maseru, Lesotho’s capital city.

They have also set up a restaurant and a hotel that generate income for the charity as well as providing training and employment for young people.

To take part in the tour, participants need to raise £2,500. This covers flights, accommodation and meals, with the majority of the funds directly supporting the work of Kick4Life.

The charity has received multiple international accolades, including the Nelson Mandela Children’s Award, has been funded by the likes of UNICEF, the Vodafone Foundation and BT Sport, and supported by Prince Harry and former England manager Fabio Capello.

The tour will run from November 23rd to December 2nd 2018.

To offer your support for the tour you can donate at Shaun’s Just Giving page: www.justgiving.com/shaun-jones11.

More details on Kick4Life can be found at www.kick4life.org

THESWINDONIAN.CO.UK // AUGUST 2018

Community News Old Town & Local Area Events Old Town Library – New Extended Opening Times The Old Town Library is now open on more days and for longer hours, thanks to South Swindon Parish Council. Please note the new times: Tuesday: 11am - 4.30pm Wednesday 11am - 4.30pm Thursday: 11am - 4.30pm Friday: 11am - 4.30pm Saturday: 10am – 1pm

Finally, a reminder that the Splash Park at Coate Water is open from 11.00 to 5.00 every day until mid September for free summer holiday fun.

Please contact your Labour councillors. Call Nadine on 07595 071381 or Jane on 07864 839746 or email : oldtown@swindonlabour.co.uk Stratton St Margaret News Update

The Old Town Library will be taking part in the summer reading challenge for children aged between 4 and 11 years old. More information can be found at: https://swindonlibraries.wordpress.com/summerreading-challenge/

I am writing to update you on local issues affecting Lower Stratton & Coleview. I am a Stratton Parish Councillor, however I am writing in a personal capacity and my views are not necessarily those of the Parish Council’s.

Opening hours at the Museum and Art Gallery in Bath Road have been reduced. The Museum and Art Gallery is now open from 11.00 to 4.30, Monday to Saturday. Entry is free.

Planning Application on Former Averies Yard A new planning application has been submitted on the “Averies Yard” in the Marshgate industrial estate, next to Greenbridge. The application proposes for the site to be used as a waste treatment facility and an end of life vehicle authorised treatment facility. A site office and vehicle de-pollution workshop would also be erected.

Old Town Festival: It was another great year for the Old Town Festival. Many people enjoyed the parade and family fun day on the Lawns, a series of activities in the week, ending with music at the Bowl.

Thank you to all the volunteers involved in putting on this fantastic community event. As soon as we know the dates for next year’s festival, we’ll let you know.

The Old Town Sausage & Ale Trail is now in its fifth year!

From 12.00 to 5.00 on Sunday 2nd September there will be a wide range of food stalls in the Wood Street area, with local pubs and bars offering quirky beers.

Full details are on the Sausage & Ale Trail 2018 FB page.

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Last year a planning application to install a new chipped waste wood biomass plant on this site was rejected for fears it would have a negative impact on the character or appearance of the local area, as well as the living conditions of neighbouring occupiers.

To read the planning application, access the Council’s planning portal at http://pa1. swindon.gov.uk/publicaccess/ and type in the planning case reference number: S/18/1000 Griffith Close/Sandgate Footbridge Due to engineering difficulties, the closure of the

footbridge between Griffiths Close and Sandgate will now extend to September. An exact date for the bridge re-opening has not been set. I have been in touch with Swindon Council and the Council have said they will be pushing Network Rail’s contractors to complete the works before September.

Keypoint Incinerator Campaign SKIP (Stop Keypoint Incinerator Project) are asking for volunteers opposed to the Keypoint incinerator development who can spare a half or whole day to attend the appeal (2 weeks from Jan 22) to contact them on stopkeypoint@gmail.com.

Eastern Villages Development A Planning Application to build 2,800 homes at Lotmead Farm, within the Eastern Villages Development, has been rejected by a government planning inspector.

The Eastern Villages Development will lead to 8,000 homes being built and this application would have been a tranche of the development.

This application was submitted two years ago but the Council refused them on the grounds they failed to include sufficient basic infrastructure, such as schools and roads.

I welcome the fact this application has been refused, however sadly there is still much more to do before residents will feel reassured that the traffic impact of this development will be mitigated.

If you have any local issues or concerns please don’t hesitate to contact me.

You can call me on 07944740562 or email 1strattonjennings@gmail.com

THESWINDONIAN.CO.UK // AUGUST 2018

Eastcott Labour Team Ward Update King William School Crossing Patrol Officer (lollipop person) Recently, Eastcott Road’s crossing patrol officer (lollipop person) was cut by the Conservative administration on Swindon Borough Council.

Following pupil safety concerns raised over this decision by King William Street School, Eastcott Labour Parish Councillor, Patrick Herring, started a petition calling on the Council to reinstate the crossing patrol officer.

Labour’s petition received more than 1400 signatures. This triggered a debate at a recent Council Meeting on the issue. Sadly the Conservative Group on Swindon Borough Council blocked Labour’s attempt to reinstate funding for the lollipop person. It is a shame that the Council is willing to risk the safety of school pupils by cutting the lollipop person.

Bus Depot Development Decision Delayed A decision to build 45 homes on the old Stagecoach bus depot site, off of Eastcott Road, has been delayed to extend talks between the developer and the Council over how much affordable housing the developer will provide.

Two years ago the site was the subject of a proposal to build 61 retirement apartments and was rejected by Swindon Borough Council.

Since this new applica-

tion was first proposed your Labour team had pressed the developer to listen to residents’ concerns and the developer did submit a revised application as a consequence. Your Labour Team believe this application represents the best development the bus depot site could offer and does offer much needed housing units in the area.

Radnor Street School Demolition Your Labour team has welcomed the Council’s objection to an application to demolish the old Radnor Street School. The developer had started to demolish the old Victorian school building when residents and your Labour Team forced the developer to have to apply to the Council to demolish the building.

The Council refused permission for the demolition of the building as it would ‘’result in the loss of the Victorian school building’’ and that there was ‘’no clear and convincing justification for its removal... with a detrimental impact upon the character of the local area’’.

Councillor Paul Dixon, Mobile: 07454 736 769 Email: p.dixon8@ntlworld. com Councillor Imtiyaz Shaikh, Mobile: 07894543786 Email: imtiyazshaikh135@

yahoo.co.uk

Councillor Patrick Herring, Phone: 07986994309 79869 Email: patrick.m.herring@googlemail.com

THESWINDONIAN.CO.UK // AUGUST 2018

Swindon charity receives £10,000 donation a child and our care team work to ensure we are providing the best possible service to families with a terminally ill child. Our mission is to ensure these children have the very best quality of life, and are provided with high quality respite and palliative care services in their homes.

Swindon-based children’s hospice charity Jessie May has been awarded £10,000 by the Charlie Froud Foundation.

Jessie May, which cares for local terminally ill children in their homes, has received the donation in recognition of the work its nurses do across the area, including vital respite care, emotional support, end of life care, and bereavement support alongside family events.

The funding comes from the Charlie Froud Foundation, a charity set up in memory of Charlie, a 14 year old boy from Bristol who tragically died in an aircraft crash in 2008.

The donation will help fund the Jessie May nurses working across the city and beyond to support life limited children and their families. Currently 16

the charity supports 72 families in the Bristol area, and a further 113 across the rest its service area, including South Gloucestershire, North Somerset, Wiltshire, Bath and North East Somerset.

Trust and Foundations Fundraiser at Jessie May, Fiona Foster, said: “We are absolutely astounded at the foundation’s incredible support.

This funding means we can continue to provide the essential nursing care we do, directly within the homes of life limited children, and ensure we can continue to welcome children to our growing caseload.

“This is a particularly moving donation, as Charlie was so local to us, and where many of the families we support are currently living. There is no worse pain than losing

“We are hugely touched by this gesture and look forward to working with the foundation, who have kindly pledged their support.” Heather Froud, Founder and Trustee of The Charlie Froud Foundation said: “The foundation is a small charity, working hard to make a difference where we can in the local area.

Because the namesake of our Foundation – Charlie – died aged 14 we feel particularly passionate about supporting other small charities who look after children.

“I heard about Jessie May from an ex-employee of theirs. Her experience was of a genuinely loving environment where children, their parents and siblings get vital support through the toughest of times as well as becoming part of the Jessie May family where they can meet and make friends with others in similar circumstances which they find invaluable.

“Jessie May receives very little government funding so the other Trustees and I are delighted to add our support, albeit in a small way.”

THESWINDONIAN.CO.UK // AUGUST 2018

WHAT DID THE ROMANS EVER DO FOR US ?.

DUROCORNOVIUM = DORCAN and COVINGHAM.

NOW I WONDER HOW THOSE TWO ESTATES GOT THEIR NAMES.

People have been living in Swindon for at least 10,000 years going back to the Mesolithic Period but it was the Romans who built the first Town and settled here in the true sense of the word.

They built their roads and villa’s here and started Swindons first industries when they quarried the stone from off the hill that today we call Old Town for their fine houses and used the clay at West Swindon to make their pots and jugs, 24 Kilns have been found in West Swindon alone and some of the rarer products were unguent Jars ( ointment ), candle sticks, and cheese presses.

We all know the Roman Road called Ermin Street that runs from Londinium (London) to Corinium (Cirencester) but how many of us know that there were two Roman roads in Swindon, the second one came up from Mildenhall (Cvnetio) near Marlborough and joined Ermin Street at Lotmead Farm (Spinae) on the Wanborough Road, if you stand on the flyover and look down you will see how the road takes a sharp left turn under the bridge, that’s where the T. Junction was. It was at this point that in the later first century a town was established which covered at least 94 acres and stretched over a mile either side of Ermin Street.

We know from a road map (Itinererium Antonini Augusti) in the early third century that they called this place Durocornovium, and aerial photography and excavation has revealed many side streets with shops like a bakery, bath house, and market hall have been found. Here also was a mansio thats a staging post for

soldiers and official travellers that were issued with licences (diplomata) by the Emperor himself, today we would call it a motorway service station.

The Roman settlers were dotted all over the Swindon Area Purton, Stanton, Chisledon, and one of the largest complexes found in Britain was at Badbury which was partially excavated when I and others were building the M4 Motorway in 1969 - 1971.

This area was massive according to a story in the Advertiser in March 2010 which the paper refers to as a small city but most of it now sits under Junction 15 of the motorway.

Alfred Williams tells us in one of his books that the Saxons pulled down the Roman villa at Stanton to use the stones to make their pig sties so I guess some things never change when it comes to buildings.

In 1996 a huge Roman complex was discovered at Groundwell ( means deep springs ) and is now protected as a ancient monument.

Excavations here revealed what they think was a healing sanctuary and a water shrine with a lead plaque depicting the goddess Isis, in 2003 Time team came and did one of their two day digs for channel 4.

So apart from their roads, villa’s businesses, farms, place names, and language what did the Romans ever do for Swindon ?.

Roy Cartwright Picture of Groundwell Ridge excavation supplied by Bernard Phillips Swindon Archaeologist

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THESWINDONIAN.CO.UK // AUGUST 2018

The Swindonia Kids for a quid

@ STEAM

Spice Girls @ Wyvern 7pm

RollerDisco MECA 6pm

Town vs Macclesf 3pm

Pretty Woman Lydiard 7pm

Harry Pott Lydiard 7pm

Robins against Belle Vue @ Abbey 7.30pm

Wine Tasting @ Ellendune 7pm

Town vs Tranmere 3pm

SYP

Peter Pan @ Lydiard 5.30pm

Urban Bea @ Wharf Green

Robins against Leicester @ Abbey 7.30pm Town vs Forest Green 7.45pm

present

Oliver @ Wyvern 7.30pm

Robins against Poole @ Abbey 7.30pm

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Simple Minds @ Lydiard 6pm

www.theswindonian.co.uk

an

field

Lydiard Park Dog Show 11am

ter

ach

Music Quiz at Tuppenny 5.30pm

_____________________________________________ _____________________________________________ _____________________________________________ _____________________________________________ _____________________________________________ _____________________________________________ _____________________________________________ _____________________________________________ _____________________________________________ _____________________________________________ _____________________________________________ _____________________________________________ _____________________________________________ _____________________________________________ _____________________________________________ _____________________________________________ _____________________________________________

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THESWINDONIAN.CO.UK // AUGUST 2018

TEST MATCH SPECIAL WITH HENRY BLOFELD

“It was an extraordinary send-off. Surreal. Do you know, in a funny way, I was almost embarrassed.”

Henry Blofeld: cricket commentator, bon viveur and natural-born performer shakes his head in happy disbelief at the farewell ovation he got from an adoring Lord’s last summer on the occasion of his last Test Match Special.

He looks around the sitting room of his London home – a room that, like Blofeld, is warm, fun, eccentric, and stuffed to bursting with memories, images, stories and larks from a life well lived – and, just for a second, appears to be lost for words at the outpouring of affection. Not for more than a second, though.

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He’s soon off on a whistlestop series of uproarious anecdotes, impressions and reminiscences about his life in radio as a TMS regular since 1972 and his plans now that he has hung up the BBC microphone. He explains that his forthcoming nationwide tour, 78 Retired, is something of a misnomer:

“I’ve been having all sorts of adventures that I am eager to tell everyone about, and I’m just not the sort of person who can tolerate inactivity so I cannot wait to get on the road”. He is very much looking forward to spilling the beans on cricket, life, the universe and everything.

From brilliance as a young cricketer that was curtailed by being run over by a bus (his frequent references to the vehicles on commentary suggest he holds no grudge) to Ian Fleming adopting the Blofeld family name for James Bond’s arch-nemesis, Blofeld has always lived the life less ordinary, and has made even the grimmest England batting collapses bearable.

It seems unthinkable to have TMS without Blofeld but, as he points out: “TMS, like everything, is evolving.

The commentators today are excellent, so professional, but I suppose when I began there was a little more room for the strong individual characters, the willing enthusiastic a mateurs. In the old days, the

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The ultra-professional, scrutinised BBC of today might not have been so forgiving of another legend of the TMS box. John Arlott’s name comes up and Blofeld recalls the 1975 Lord’s Test when Arlott “was taken for lunch by his publisher, which meant that what was normally a twobottle affair became a four, probably five, maybe even six-bottle affair, especially because the publisher was paying.”

BBC wasn’t oppressed by the fog of political correctness.”

One such unique character was Blofeld’s great pal Brian Johnston. “I remember him in Madras, England were touring. Johnners was the most fastidious of eaters, boring, boring, boring. Awful food he had. But of course, being the man he was, he kept getting asked out for dinner by everyone.

“I ran into him on the first morning of the Test match and I have never seen anyone look ill-er in my life. I said to him, ‘Johnners is it really as bad as it looks?’ ‘Oh Blowers, it is worse,’ he said. ‘Last night I invented a new curry. It is called the Boycott Curry.

You got the runs just the same but they come a great deal more slowly’.”

On returning to the ground, “feeling distinctly mellow”, Arlott was straight into the radio hot seat. Blofeld recalls: “After five minutes he had the greatest bit of good fortune a commentator has ever had: the first streaker at Lord’s.

A young, rotund merchant seaman clad only in short socks and trainers and called, as it turned out, Michael Angelow – truthfully – came galloping out from the Tavern. A blond policeman eventually caught up with him and got his helmet over the offending weapon.”

When Blofeld started on TMS, he says, he was instructed to remember that it was a unique programme, and that while the job was in part about cricket commentary it was even more about “providing company” for the listener.

There is no better company than Henry Blofeld, and the radio’s loss is the theatre’s gain. So if you enjoyed these unforgettable tales from Henry’s time on TMS, there are plenty more to be told on tour.

Come and join in the fun at Swindon Arts Centre on Fri 14 September.

Henry Blofeld is touring the UK with brand new live show, 78 Retired and will be at Swindon Arts Centre on Fri 14 September. For tickets and more information visit swindontheatres.co.uk or telephone the Ticket Office on 01793 524481.

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To win family tickets to a movie of your choice, please email us the words “WIN TICKETS” to the email address below?

Please send your email to us at getintouch@theswindonian.co.uk Closing date for the competition is the 20th August 2018

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Congratulations to Alice Redmond from Stratton for winning the July Competition. Good luck for August!

Remember closing date for the competition is the 20th August 2018

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EXPERIENCE A VIRTUAL AVEBURY STONE CIRCLE Visitors to the Alexander Keiller Museum at National Trust Avebury have a unique opportunity to take part in a research project looking into the development of immersive simulations of ancient heritage sites.

to walk or fly through the henge, great stone circle, the two smaller circles and the newly discovered square monument. It also gives an idea of just how deep the ditches and how high the banks were when originally built.

This involves wearing a virtual reality headset and spending a few minutes moving through and exploring the Avebury henge and stone circles as they are thought to have been 4,300 years ago.

All the researchers ask in return is that once the experience is complete, a questionnaire be completed to describe their experience. “This is a really amazing experience” said Abby George, Marketing and Communications Officer for the Wiltshire Landscape.

This is available to all visitors over the age of 16 years on particular days through July and August, and there is no charge. The available dates are listed on the project website at https://tinyurl.com/virtualavebury Participants are asked to wear a virtual reality headset and earphones which allows them 26

“To be suddenly transported back to 4,000 years ago with the clutter of modern life removed from the landscape was very special and in particular the ability to view the henge from a height gives a real sense of perspective and scale that you just don’t get from the ground.”

Virtual Avebury is part of a nine month project exploring the potential of online virtual simulations to help people understand Avebury and its surrounding virtual landscapes.

The virtual Avebury is built as accurately as possible and calls on the latest research to produce the final images and soundscape.

The research is being carried out by Bournemouth University in partnership with Daden Limited (a 3D simulation development company), Satsymph (a consortium of sound specialists) and the National Trust. The project has been funded by the Arts and Humanities Research Council and the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council.

You can find out more about the research via the www. nationaltrust.org.uk/avebury

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Lydiard House is given new lease of life as repair works get underway

Vital maintenance work to rejuvenate historic Lydiard House has begun in earnest.

Swindon Borough Council is in the process of putting £850,000 into the Grade 1 listed building to carry out essential repairs.

So far, improvements have been made to the external stonework by specialist stonemasons, the Conference Centre and hotel has been spruced up – including the fitting of a brand new kitchen – and the whole house has been properly insulated.

The works show the Council’s commitment to ensuring the much-loved house and park remain in a good condition for

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the people of Swindon to enjoy.

Cllr Keith Williams, Swindon Borough Council’s Cabinet Member for Lydiard House and Park, said: “I am pleased to say that the repair work is underway and progressing well.

“This is a major part of the Council’s commitment to ensuring this favourite heritage spot is preserved for future generations.

“There are exciting times ahead for Lydiard and I would urge people not to worry if they see scaffolding or workmen on site over the coming months.”

Earlier this year, it was announced that Lydiard Park would remain in Council

control. The Council has taken on the onsite accommodation, catering and entertainment venue from the previous operator and the facilities have remained as popular as ever, with bookings increasing week on week.

In the coming month, repairs are expected to be made to the windows, the electrics, the plumbing and the building’s exterior.

The house and annexe offers a tranquil environment for corporate events, training courses and meetings. A special wedding show is being held on Sunday 2 September from 11am until 3pm.

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Rough sleepers to receive additional help over winter period

Swindon Borough Council will for the second year running offer special temporary winter housing provision for the town’s most vulnerable rough sleepers.

The project, which will see a select number of homeless people given shelter and intensive support during the colder winter period, received Cabinet approval last night and will run for four months during the forthcoming winter.

The Temporary Winter Housing Provision scheme was introduced last year to provide a safe refuge for rough sleepers. Of the eight people who were given permanent accommodation after completing the scheme, not a single one has returned to the streets and the Council is keen to replicate this success.

Councillor Cathy Martyn, Swindon Borough Council’s

Cabinet Member for Housing and Public Safety, said: “I am proud to be able to say that the project will go ahead again this year.

“Those who successfully complete the programme will be given suitable, permanent accommodation by the Council afterwards, which we hope will be the fresh start they so badly need.

“The people we help are among the most vulnerable in our community. As well as being homeless, they often have severe alcohol and drug problems as well as delicate mental health issues.

“The local homelessness support organisations who worked to make the scheme such a success last year did a brilliant job and I am sure that together we can achieve the same positive results again.”

The previous programme, which ran from January to March this year, saw around 50 volunteers work with rough sleepers in the old Carfax Street Health Centre building.

A new venue will have to be found for this winter and the Council hopes to be able to offer accommodation to 10 rough sleepers.

The cost of the project in 2017/18 was £42,000, which included building refurbishment and compliance work, staff costs and other provisions.

Following a successful bid for funding from central government to help reduce rough sleeping, the Council has been awarded £194,000 to be spent by March 2019.

This year, £60,000 of this funding will go towards the Temporary Winter Housing Provision, with a further £30,000 earmarked for the 2019/20 financial year.

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Musical Musings with Dave Franklin One of the great things about attending last month’s Swindon Shuffle, was the chance to check out new bands.

Even as immersed as I am in new music, I still get a buzz out of stumbling across a new band doing something truly exciting, it reconnects be with my inner teenage kid experiencing the awe and wonder of gigs for the first time.

The biggest buzz of the festival for me was The Compact Pussycat.

They mix pop, rock, dance and indie in brilliant ways, they write great songs, they look the part and not only do they have a brilliant focal point in their singer, even without him the rest of the band would still be the most exciting show in town.

perhaps more so. Jake Martin and Chuck S J play the role of perfect support acts.

And it isn’t all about people with guitars, sometimes it is about people with synths and other technical gubbins.

Reinventing Failure is the new release from local duo No Side Effects, best described as the melding of man and machine, an organic heart beating in a digital body, a perfect blend of nods to post-punk revolutionaries and forward thinking, emotion and algorithms.

And if you are looking for something chilled and quietly magnificent, Catgod can be found at The Tuppenny on 2nd September, a shimmering dreamscape of ethereal sounds and ambient magic.

Whatever you do, just remember the golden rule. Buy a CD on the way out. Musicians need to eat too!

Check out their EP Kangaroo Court, but better still, see them live.And talking of that inner kid, he was very excited to hear that the front man of one of his favourite bands, New Model Army, is in town on 16th August.

The Victoria plays host to Justin Sullivan, who even in solo mode is just as passionate and poignant, funny and insightful as when doing the bigger shows, 33

Stage Coach

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With Ben Thomas

to the playhouse. 80% of theatre audiences have need of this book.

‘Get Me the Urgent Biscuits’ by the delightfully pen-named Sweetpea Slight (Orion Publishing) is the memoir of the author’s time as the secretary to formidable theatre producer Thelma Holt in 1980’s London.

A funny and poignant coming-of-age story set in the slowly-vanishing world of late last Century’s Wild West End.

Welcome to your monthly guide to theatre in Swindon and...

‘Oliver!’ at the Wyvern Theatre. Beware pickpockets.

…Well, options are limited.

Swindon’s main theatres have grabbed their buckets and spades and are taking a well-deserved break for the summer.

Also, further afield, Swindon’s Wrong Shoes Theatre Company are taking their witch trial drama, ‘The Unbinding’, to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival (2nd to 11th August).

It’s not a complete theatrical famine: if you believe in fairies there’s ‘Peter Pan’ in the open air at Lydiard Park (24th August).

For fans of teenage suicide pacts there’s Whole Hog Production presents ‘ Romeo & Juliet’ at the Phoenix Theatre, New College (16th to 18th August).

And the annual Summer Youth Project presents 34

But, failing those options, why not read a good theatre book while sunning yourself on the Costa Del Swindon?

‘Everything You Always Wanted to Know about Going to the Theatre (But Were Afraid to Ask, Dear!)’ by the anonymous “West End Producer” (Nick Hern Books) is a witty and arch primer on how to not to disgrace yourself on a trip

Finally, for fans of stage travelogues, there’s ’Hamlet: Globe to Globe’

by Dominic Dromgoole (Canongate Books).

An enthralling and exhilarating chronicle of the author’s attempt to stage Shakespeare’s famous tragedy in all seven continents to mark the 400th anniversary of the Bard’s birth.

There, that should keep you busy until Swindon’s theatres awake from their collective slumber.

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