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No 117 July 2026

GPS-tracked, door to door delivery to homes across Swindon with Est. overall print & online readership of 105,000

Swindon

LINK Your Community Magazine

South & East Edition

A Vision of Elvis on Tour Thursday 27 August See ad on p5

A Focus on Leisure and Activities p14

swindonlink.com

Fleet Street transformed into new public art corridor p12

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SKILLS TO LAST A LIFETIME Save a spot with Better Swim School and give your child essential skills and confidence in and around water.

Better Swim School

Better is a registered trademark and trading name of GLL (Greenwich Leisure Limited), a charitable social enterprise and registered society under the Co-operative & Community Benefit & Societies Act 2014 registration no. 27793R. Registered office: Middlegate House, The Royal Arsenal, London, SE18 6SX. Inland Revenue Charity no: XR43398

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Editor's Note

By Jamie Hill

So summer is here!

Well, kind of, if you just ignore the rain for a few moments.

And with summer comes the best period in the town's calendar when so much is happening that you can't move for festivals, sporting events, fetes, parades and so many goings-ons that you even forget for a moment that 'goings-ons' isn't even proper English.

One such event is UkraineFest, which takes place in August, where we celebrate the lovely Ukrainian community who have made Swindon their home in the last few years. You can read all about it on page 12.

The fact that we're such a welcoming town for people from all around the world is one of the things that I love most about Swindon.

All of these influxes of different cultures into our town has made it such a vibrant place to live and work.

And it's definitely something my stomach is grateful for, especially when there's Brazilian steakhouses within easy reach, as well as Italian, Polish, Goan, Nepalese, Chinese, Caribbean and Thai restaurants and supermarkets also just a mouthwateringly short distance away. jamie@swindonlink.com

Group Editor and Owner: Jamie Hill Deputy Editor: Barrie Hudson Reporter: Amanda Wilkins Sales Manager: Rosy Presley Business Development: Tanya Tymofeienko Accounts Manager: Karen Hewitt-Dean Contributors: Tyler Ody, Becky Cox, Maurice Spillane and Alfie Howlett

Students get to work on Rolling Stones music video

By Amanda Wilkins amanda@swindonlink.com Students at New College Swindon University Centre have been given the opportunity to work on the latest Rolling Stones music video.

Having started his education at New College Swindon (NCS), former student, hair and makeup designer Jimmy Owen Jones was proud to give something back to the college where it all began.

Jimmy presented an unforgettable opportunity for Media Makeup BA (Hons) students to be part of the hair and makeup team on a music video project for The Rolling Stones' new song, In the Stars.

The video, directed by François Rousselet, and produced by Riff Raff Films, gave students valuable handson set experience within the music industry.

Apart from the date, time, location and kit list, the students had no prior knowledge of what to expect, and only after signing NDAs were the staff and students told it was for the iconic Rolling Stones, over a two-day shoot at Battersea Arts Centre in London.

Jimmy started his training in Media Makeup at New College Swindon in 2010, and later studied hair and makeup for film and television at The London College of Fashion.

He has built his career across screen and stage as a

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versatile head of department, designing for notable global productions such as Six the Musical, the Spice Girls tour and many others.

Jimmy has been a passionate ambassador for the Media Makeup courses at NCS, advising on employability, relevance, and holding numerous guest talks and workshops.

Degree-level student Tracey Cox said: “Jimmy was super supportive.

"We got to learn things that we wouldn’t have learnt in the classroom, for example the makeup continuity piece on the models.”

Also part of the work experience team, Alumni student Freya Weir Blankenstein said: “It was exciting to see all of the different departments working together and to be part of something so iconic.

"Having mainly worked in theatre it was great to see how everything works for a music video.”

Celeste Boyd, another

degree-level student, said: “Everyone’s talents shone through this. We got to work with people who have been in the industry a long time, so got a lot of inspiration from them.

"This has given me the confidence for doing things in the future”.

Elouisa Baskerville, Programme Lead of Media Makeup, said: “It was great to be part of so much collaboration and creative talent."

Jimmy said: “It has been a full circle moment for me. I have always valued the power of gaining industry experience, so to be able to give back is delightful.

"I have always been grateful to the staff at NCS for putting me on my path, notably Elouisa Baskerville and Sue Bardwell, who encouraged and supported me through my early education.

"It was great to see such confidence and talent from the students, they are a credit to themselves, and the college.”

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News from SBC

West Swindon Library temporary closure

West Swindon Library will temporarily close later this month for essential repair and upgrade works.

From 24 June, the current library will close and a reduced service will operate from an upstairs room within the Link Centre from 30 June onwards. The temporary service will continue to offer book borrowing and returns. Public-use computers, wi-fi and related services will be temporarily unavailable but will resume following the completion of the refurbishment works.

Library members will continue to be able to access free eBooks and eAudiobooks, reserve items online and use other library branches across the borough.

When the work is completed, the library service will return to its current space and will be included in Swindon Borough Council’s

network of Community Hubs.

The existing Community Hub at Park Library has already helped more than 150 residents and provides a welcoming space where people can access information, signposting and support in one place.

This includes help with employment and skills, housing and homelessness prevention, welfare and financial wellbeing and access to council services and partner organisations.

Work is due to be completed by the end of the year.

Summer activities at Coate Water Coate Water is a great place to visit this summer, with a range of activities for families, walkers and wildlife enthusiasts.

The Splash Park is now open daily, while visitors can also enjoy the miniature railway, lakeside walks, play area and nature reserve.

Those looking for something more active

can try the pitch and putt course or 18hole crazy golf course, both open from 11am to 6pm, Thursday to Tuesday, with no booking required.

Fishing is also available during the season, and bird hides offer a chance to get closer to the wildlife that calls Coate Water home.

Find volunteering opportunities with Team Kinetic Team Kinetic is a volunteering platform run by Voluntary Action Swindon (VAS) that connects people with opportunities across the borough.

With opportunities available from more than 50 local organisations, residents can search for roles that match their interests, skills and availability.

Whether you can spare a few hours, want to meet new people, gain experience or support a cause you care about, there are plenty of ways to get involved.

Charities and community groups can also use the platform to promote opportunities and connect with potential volunteers.

Discover your next great read Swindon is celebrating the Year of Reading 2026 with activities and opportunities to help people of all ages discover the joy of reading.

For those who enjoy getting lost in a novel, listening to an audiobook or sharing

stories with children, reading can be a great way to relax, learn something new and support wellbeing.

Residents can also join Swindon Libraries free of charge, giving access to thousands of books, eBooks, audiobooks and digital

resources.

The council is encouraging as many people as possible to pick up a book, find a favourite reading spot and join in with the Year of Reading 2026.

Work to repair Blagrove Roundabout is underway

Work to resurface Blagrove Roundabout is expected to finish in the next few weeks.

The work, which has been taking place each weeknight (between 7pm and 6am) under lane closures, with diversions in place where necessary, is intended to improve the road surface and reduce the need for repeated short-term repairs.

Thanks to the overnight resurfacing work, the roundabout has been reopened during peak times to help keep daytime traffic moving and minimise disruption for commuters, local businesses, deliveries and visitors.

The roundabout is one of the more than 30 roads set to be resurfaced in 2026/27 as set out in Swindon Borough Council’s Local Transport Plan.

For road closure dates and details of other works being carried out by the council and partner organisations, residents can visit the one.network website.

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Cllr Nick Gardiner, Swindon Borough Council’s Cabinet member for Highways and Transport, said: “Blagrove Roundabout is an important route for residents in West Swindon as well as local businesses and people travelling to and from the M4 corridor.

“We know these works can be inconvenient, which is why this upgrade has been taking place overnight. By carrying out the work at this time, we’re making the improvements safely while keeping disruption to a minimum during the busiest parts of the day. This resurfacing is an example of our planned work to proactively manage the condition of local roads and, once complete, it will provide a smoother and more resilient road surface, helping to keep Swindon moving.”

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New Swindon council leader sets out plans for town's future

By Barrie Hudson barrie@swindonlink.com Cllr Gary Sumner became the new leader of Swindon Borough Council after his Conservative Group secured 23 seats at the recent local elections - enough to form a minority administration against Labour's 19, Reform UK's 14 and the LibDems' one. He agreed to share with Swindon Link his thoughts on the future of the borough "This is a job that I'm very proud we're going to be doing," said Cllr Gary Sumner.

"We want people to see a change in Swindon. We want people to have pride in Swindon and be proud of Swindon."

The new borough council leader, originally from Wokingham in Berkshire, has lived in Swindon for about 40 years, and outside local politics runs a property lettings business.

"Swindon, I've always thought, has enormous promise, and it's been a great start to talk to some of the companies that are looking to come to Swindon, and to visit [drone and AI technology firm] Tekever over at the Spectrum building.

"They're really keen to have a conversation with our inward investment team, and our inward investment team are really punching above their weight in terms of bringing businesses and investment into Swindon. That's really positive."

The new council plans to continue the work of its predecessors to improve the borough, and notably aims to sustain work to make the town centre area a better place to live, work and do business.

These are the core principles of the Heart of Swindon project.

Cllr Sumner said: "There is nothing, realistically, in the Heart of Swindon Vision that wasn't something that we were considering while we were the administration. We 6

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New Swindon Borough Council Leader Cllr Gary Sumner were developing around the train station - yes, absolutely fantastic. Network Rail have been pretty clear, I think, that they don't see viability in Signal Point - the amount of money it would cost to redevelop that.

"It's fantastic to have a vision which is called the Heart of Swindon, which says what you'd like to do. The reality is that if you want to deliver any of that it has to be viable, and if it's not viable it has to be underwritten by a Government Agency such as Homes England."

Cllr Sumner explained that he was concerned about the viability of certain aspects of the project, notably the fact that in certain of the locations under discussion, new buildings might end up costing more to put up than their eventual value as properties.

Another significant priority is the future of The Oasis Leisure Centre, closed since the pandemic, and the intention now is to liaise with owner SevenCapital in a bid to speed its reopening.

Other aims of the new council are to continue work toward the creation of a new entertainment venue in the town centre and address ongoing public concerns about issues such as fly-tipping and antisocial behaviour.

Like many local authorities, the new Swindon administration, like its predecessor and the

administration before that, must contend with severe economic challenges. Also as with many other authorities, the main issue is that of the legal responsibilty to provide adults' and children's social care, which currently accounts for about 86 percent of the budget.

"Obviously, as the new administration we're looking at what we've inherited in terms of the finances. That, fiscally, has enormous challenges which we're going to have to manage. We have no choice.

"It's not so much that we see Swindon heading for bankruptcy, but there are undeniably some really, really challenging areas that we're going to have to deal with, that we were surprised about.

"That's down to us now to work on potential solutions for Swindon. We have statutory services that we have to deliver, and most residents still don't realise that it's that last 14 percent of the budget that does everything that they see - as in the road repairs, the schools, the other bits and pieces that they rely on in terms of services.

"Locally, I think it's got to be about, when you run a council, increasing the income is the important thing. You can only do so much about those cost pressures; what you need to do is bring more investment in, more business rates and also sweat our assets.

"Swindon Borough Council has a lot of property assets.

Obviously, Labour made a conscious choice to sell-off income-producing assets - they sold off an industrial estate, for example, that brought in 1.3, 1.4 million pounds a year of income. Okay, we might have sold that for 15, 16 million pounds, but that recurring income is now gone.

"We need to look at how we rebalance things as far as the income-producing assets for Swindon are concerned.

"Obviously, we can't do that on our own. We're a minority administration; at the Annual Council Meeting we were supported by the Reform Group. Labour voted against me becoming leader, which is rather churlish.

"The reality is that as a minority administration we are going to need support from others in order to get some policies through."

Cllr Sumner vehemently refutes claims made in the wake of the meeting of a deal between the Conservatives and Reform.

"There is absolutely no deal.

Labour approached us after the results of the election, and I'm not going to go into details but shall I say I felt they were a little ambitious in their requests.

"They were simply looking to ultimately dominate all of the committees in the council.

"There was no proposal from Labour to include Reform at all, and what we did in the end was allocate committee chairships on what we felt was a proportional basis, so Labour have three significant committees."

Cllr Sumner was full of praise for all those working to make the borough a better place, including councillors of all parties.

"We've all gone into politics to become councillors because we want the best thing for our town and for the places that we represent.

"That is universally true of councillors.

"None of us want to run the town down."

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The South Swindon Parish Council Column

By Neil Hopkins Chair of South Swindon Parish Council

This is our regular report to keep residents informed of the work South Swindon Parish Council has done over the past month and some of the events coming up across the parish. Our role is to enhance the quality of life in South Swindon by representing residents and managing amenities, green spaces and community initiatives.

Parks and Green Spaces Our gardening and grounds teams have continued working hard across the parish.

The Town Gardens’ gardening team have transformed the flower beds from spring to

summer displays, with 18,840 new plants and flowers added.

In Queen’s Park, hanging baskets, tiered planters and new summer flower beds have been installed to keep the park colourful and vibrant. Nesting baby moorhens have even been spotted throughout the park.

GWR Park has recently undergone Green Flag judging, recognising wellmanaged parks and green spaces. The judges conducted their ‘on the day’ visit with members of the Parish Council team and we look forward to hearing the results soon.

We’ve completed the installation of three new water-bottle filling stations, one in each park that we manage. Residents can refill bottles in GWR Park, Town Gardens and Queen’s Park while enjoying the spaces.

people have been planting flowers and vegetables, painting benches and helping transform part of the old allotment site into a shared community space.

Murals painted by residents during our Blossom Festival have now been installed at the Faringdon Road entrance to GWR Park, helping brighten the area and giving residents a lasting contribution to the park.

We have also improved the drainage at Buckhurst Skatepark following feedback from users. Repair works have now been completed, with a new mural planned for the site.

Community Activities

Community Projects

We have launched a weekly programme of Pride in Place community activities throughout Walcot and Park North, including community action days, coffee drop ins and local walks designed to bring residents together and build pride in the area.

Over the past month we have continued delivering projects focused on improving community spaces and opportunities for residents. This includes the launch of the Outdoor Youth Project at the GAP Community Garden, where young

Find us on Facebook and Instagram .

South Swindon Parish Council Office, Gladstone Street, Swindon, SN1 2AU Website: www.southswindon-pc.gov.uk Email: enquiries@southswindon-pc.gov.uk Slimming World

Riding Lessons & Hacking Suitable for Ages 4+ For more information call Charlotte 07774182463

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South Swindon Parish Council JULY 2026

GWR Park Murals We have installed new murals by the Faringdon Road entrance to GWR Park. The murals were painted by residents during our Blossom Festival and produced by ‘Murals by Sarah’. The design celebrates the Children's Fete, which marks its 160th anniversary this year. Having residents paint the artwork helps connect the park’s past to its present, while also looking towards its future as part of the park’s regeneration. Creating the murals was an opportunity to get young people involved in outdoor activities and contribute to the area. We encourage everyone who took part to visit the finished artwork.

Westcott Road Community Garden Shelter Our maintenance team has built a sheltered seating area for the Westcott Road (Manor Road) Community Garden. Giving volunteers and locals a covered space to sit and enjoy the area. The shelter was funded by Stonewater who manage the site as part of improvements to make the garden more accessible and welcoming.

Buckhurst Skatepark Drainage We’ve improved the drainage at the newly installed Buckhurst Skatepark. After speaking with users, we knew that drainage was one of their main priorities. That work has now been completed. The contractor did it free of charge due to delays, and they’re also funding new mural which will be added to the park soon.

Live at the Bowl Get your tickets now. As part of our commitment to bring more events and entertainment to South Swindon, we have a packed programme of performances showing at the Town Gardens Bowl this July. From live music and tribute acts to stage plays and magic shows, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.

Highlights include Seriously Collins, The Alter Eagles, EXTC, Supersonic Queen and Sabrina Carpenter Tribute. To see the full line-up and book tickets, visit: southswindonparishcouncil.ticketsolve.com/tick etbooth/shows

South Swindon Parish Council Office, Gladstone Street, Swindon, SN1 2AU www.southswindon-pc.gov.uk | 01793 312006 | enquiries@southswindon-pc.gov.uk

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Prime Minister visits Swindon to praise Swindon Drone Hub

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer visited STARK’s drone production facility in Swindon alongside Swindon North MP Will Stone.

During the visit the Prime Minister highlighted the increase in the defence budget to 2.6 percent of GDP and the prospects this investment would bring to towns such as Swindon.

Sir Keir met with the first wave of STARK’s apprentices in Swindon, as well as an intern and a recent graduate.

The investment in the young people of Swindon and surrounding areas by companies like STARK, he said, highlighted how the investments in defence could support young people into high skilled and long-term work.

This forms part of the Government's wider stated mission to spread opportunity across the country and keep the nation safe.

The Prime Minister said: “It is no exaggeration to say that we’re living in more dangerous and volatile times than at any in my life.

"Ukraine and Iran is having an impact back here in the United Kingdom, you can see it, the economic impact it’s had.

"The most obvious is energy prices, but it’s not their only impact.”

He went on to point to the steps he said the Government were taking to address this threat, raising the Defence Investment Plan. “That is a plan that says, here’s the money that goes with the capability, we bring the two together, and it is another step up."

Will Stone MP spoke of his pride in showing the Prime Minister around the facility to highlight the work being done there to support allies and provide highly skilled jobs for people in Swindon, amid his mission to make the town the UK's drone hub.

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High Sheriff visits Swindon charity Society Without Abuse

By Amanda Wilkins amanda@swindonlink.com High Sheriff of Swindon and Wiltshire Dr Alexander Goodwin visited Society Without Abuse (SWA) ahead of the annual High Sheriff Concert at Christ Church in Old Town.

During the visit, Dr Goodwin met with staff of the Swindonbased charity and learned more about the vital services SWA provides to individuals and families.

He found out about the charity’s work with children and schools through the HOPE Outreach and HOPE Schools Award.

SWA team members also explained how they are changing lives through their behaviour change programme, Open2Change.

The programme works with those who cause harm through domestic abuse and aims to stop it happening again, as

well as equipping business and local community groups with the knowledge needed to help end domestic abuse through Ambassador training.

This year’s High Sheriff Charity Concert raised money for SWA. Organised by Rotary Swindon Cares, it featured performances by young choristers from the JTP Trust Youth Choir, performing an extract of their own youth opera, Brunel, the Little Man in The Tall Hat; and Ten in a Bar. Dr Goodwin said: “Finding

out more about the extent of domestic abuse in the area was eye-opening.

"The work SWA does in and around Swindon is so important in one day achieving their goal of a society free from domestic abuse.

"I am very excited to host the annual High Sheriff’s Charity Concert to raise money to help SWA continue in its work with women, men and families in the area and make a difference to so many lives, now and in the future."

Local artist donates works to Great Western Hospital

By Amanda Wilkins amanda@swindonlink.com

Artist and patient Levon Biss has donated a remarkable selection of photographic works, The Hidden Beauty of Seeds and Fruits, to Swindon's Great Western Hospital via its Brighter Futures charity.

These works form part of his internationally touring collection of the same name.

The specimens featured are from the carpology collection at the Royal Botanic Garden in Edinburgh, where Levon spent a year creating this body of work.

In 2025, Levon was unexpectedly diagnosed with a genetic heart condition that required life-saving surgery.

Living locally to GWH, he spent time on the cardiac ward and often found himself wandering the corridors in the early hours, seeking a change of scenery.

During this time, Levon

realised how beneficial it would be to have uplifting and engaging artwork on the walls to help take his mind off the sudden medical situation he had found himself in.

Levon was keen to give something back and said: “If the donated artworks help entertain more patients during a difficult time, then it would be the best way I could say thank you to GWH. "I sincerely hope that patients, staff, and visitors enjoy the artworks for years to come.

"I will always be grateful for the wonderful care I received.”

Catherine Weaver, Associate Director of Charitable Funds at Brighter Futures, said: “We are incredibly grateful to Levon for this generous and thoughtful donation. His work not only transforms our hospital spaces but also plays an important role in supporting the wellbeing of our patients, their families, and our staff."

More information can be found at www.levonbiss.com/ seeds-and-fruit

July 2026

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They look forward to hearing from you!

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Europe's largest indoor drone testing facility opens in Swindon

The Ministry of Defence has opened its largest uncrewed testing facility at Panattoni Park in Swindon.

At four times the size of NATO's small tactical drone centre in Latvia, the site cements Swindon as a key player in the uncrewed systems space and represents a significant statement of Government commitment to both UK security and the strategic role Swindon plays in supporting the nation's defence.

The MOD says the facility will be world-leading in the testing of uncrewed systems for warfare, providing the ability to pressure-test the next generation of technology in a safe environment.

It will enhance product quality and support the UK's export market through certification. It is also the largest new defence investment in the South West.

Swindon North MP Will Stone said: "Having the MOD Uncrewed Testing Centre in Swindon is fantastic news for the town.

"It is going to provide hundreds of good jobs for the people of Swindon whilst supporting national security.

"Getting to this point has been a journey, but I am proud to have worked alongside the MOD, especially Brigadier Stu Nasse, as well as the Panattoni team and Swindon Borough Council officers to get it across the line.

"Having the largest uncrewed testing facility in Europe based in Swindon will only increase investment in the town."

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UkraineFest 2026 to take over Town Gardens next month The fourth annual UkraineFest takes place on Saturday 22 August from noon to 7pm.

The festival promises to be a vibrant celebration where you will discover not only the beauty and symbolism of Ukrainian vyshyvankas, but also the rich culture, traditions, music, dance, art, history, and authentic Ukrainian cuisine.

The day, in association with Swindon Welcomes Ukraine, will include music and dance as well as an art exhibition, a Ukrainian market, kids' entertainment and workshops.

Cllr Jake Chandler, Deputy

Leader of Swindon Borough Council, said: “The council continues to be proud to support this important event, which coincides with Ukrainian Independence Day. "For me, the iconic backdrop of the Town Gardens is the perfect venue to showcase the culture, pride and community

spirit across Swindon, in this particular case illustrated by our Ukrainian community.

"The event rightly has drawn national praise for its authenticity and involvement of the wider community, and is one of if not the largest of its kind in the UK. “With the increased interest in Town Twinning in Swindon, exploring building bonds with places in Ukraine, most notably the city of Rivne, this is a great event to attend to celebrate the cultural fabric in Swindon.” www.ukraineswindon.com

Fleet Street transformed into new public art corridor

By Amanda Wilkins amanda@swindonlink.com Fleet Street in Swindon has been transformed through a major public art initiative celebrating local heritage, biodiversity and urban regeneration.

The largest artwork in the series has now been completed on the prominent wall between the Ibis Hotel and Holiday Inn, overlooking a leisure and hospitality area that includes pubs, restaurants and independent venues such as Drinks Valley Bar and Microbrewery.

Helen Salter, Public Art Project Manager at Artsite, said: "We’ve put a great deal of passion and thought into creating something that supports local artists and businesses. The artwork celebrates our town’s heritage and biodiversity, while bringing new life to the area.

These murals feel like a real milestone for a part of town that I’ve known, enjoyed, and cared about for many years."

Created by local artist Ed Poster, the striking British Wildlife Corridor design features native wildflowers and a dragonfly, symbolising biodiversity and referencing the historic Wilts & Berks Canal, part of which once ran through Swindon town centre.

This latest piece completes a series of four murals redefining

Fleet Street. Highlights include works by Caryn Koh and Dayna Baxter, exploring heritage and the concept of nature reclaiming urban spaces, alongside a large bold geometric “prism gateway” mural by Ed Poster at 42-45 Fleet Street and an immersive, architecture-inspired façade design.

Curated and managed

by Artsite, the organisation behind Swindon Paint Fest, the programme was commissioned and championed

by Swindon Borough Council, with support from Swindon Culture Collective thanks to Arts Council England’s National Lottery Place Partnership Fund. The project introduces a series of large-scale artworks designed to celebrate Fleet Street’s heritage, strengthen community pride, and create a more vibrant and welcoming destination.

Alongside the murals, a newly installed 100-year timeline brings Fleet Street’s history to life through archival images and stories, connecting its rich architecture, industrial and

nightlife past with its creative future.

Louise Halliday, Swindon Culture Collective, said: “Ed has done an amazing job on the Hotel Ibis mural. Every time I walk past, I’m blown away.

We’ve had lots of comments from the public telling us how much they value Swindon’s vibrant street art, and these new artworks are a testament to the amazing talent we have here – not just of the artists who create the murals, but in the dedication of the Artsite producers, working behind the scenes to make it possible.”

While the main transformation is now complete, further plans are in development to enhance the area with additional arts and community spaces, including potential green space and planting. The team is also inviting local businesses with suitable walls or shutters to explore opportunities for smaller-scale artworks, continuing Fleet Street’s creative and environmental evolution. Interested businesses can contact: swindonpaintfest@ gmail.com

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Leisure and Activities It's definitely going to be an interesting summer in Swindon with plenty to do, from cultural highlights to getting active.

There really is no excuse not to get out and about

and make the most of Swindon, whether you're getting your body into shape or just enjoying all the stuff that's going on.

Here's a few things to whet your appetite.

A Vision of Elvis comes to Swindon's Wyvern Theatre A Vision of Elvis returns to the Wyvern Theatre on Thursday 27 August with an epic new production starring worldrenowned Elvis tribute artist Rob Kingsley.

Featuring a full live band, backing vocalists, dynamic visuals and stunning lighting, this high-energy theatre concert delivers an electrifying celebration of Elvis Presley’s legendary career — from timeless classics to the iconic Vegas years.

Award-winning performer Rob Kingsley is widely regarded as one of the world’s leading Elvis tribute artists, captivating audiences with powerhouse vocals, authentic style, and

commanding stage presence.

More than a tribute show, A Vision of Elvis is a premium live concert experience that continues to attract strong box office sales, repeat bookings, and outstanding audience feedback across theatres nationwide.

Rob Kingsley said: “This production of A Vision of Elvis is our biggest, most thrilling show yet. Fans can expect an unforgettable night, packed with Presley’s iconic songs, delivered live with passion, energy, and absolute authenticity. It’s Rock ’n’ Roll at its finest!”

For tickets see ad on Page 5 or visit trafalgartickets.com/ wyvern-theatre-swindon

Plenty to do at Old Town Bowl this summer South Swindon Parish Council have been busy little beavers with a whole host of things going on throughout July and August at the Old Town Bowl in Town Gardens.

It all kicks off with Seriously Collins – A Tribute to Phil Collins and Genesis at 7.30pm on Saturday 4 July.

Following this at the Bowl on Sunday 5 July at 2pm is The (Almost) Complete History of Britain. Join the critically-acclaimed Pantaloons Theatre Company on a breathless race through the centuries in this delightfully inventive show that tells the entire story of Britain in under two hours.

Then on Saturday 11 July, you have tribute band The Alter Eagles, and on Sunday 12 July, is a theatre adaptation of The Great Gatsby.

On 18 July XTC fans will be able to pop along for EXTC: Terry Chambers and Friends.

This is followed by Supersonic Queen on Saturday 25 July.

On Friday 31 July there will be a Sabrina Carpenter tribute with a live Kapow wrestling show on Saturday 1 August.

On Sunday 2 August there will be an adaptation of Alice in Wonderland.

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And if that all isn't enough you can catch Calne punk band End of Story on Friday 14 August and then you can join a Step Back in Time dance workshop on Sunday 16 August.

There's also plenty for the kids. On Thursday 23 July, families will be able to bring their children for Comedy Club4Kids.

A family magic show will take place on Tuesday 28 July, a Rock The Tots summer party on Wednesday 29 July, The Mushroom Show on Thursday 30 July, and Stuart Lloyd Gould's kids play Nuts on Tuesday 4 August.

See all events & book tickets: southswindonparishcouncil.ticketsolve. com/ticketbooth/shows

Love Where You Live - Get There With Swindon Bus Company This Summer!

As fuel prices begin to soar and many holiday destinations are off the agenda, we thought it was worth reminding everyone of the joys and delights we have available in our hometowns and surrounding areas.

Make the bus journey part of your day out.

With comfy seating and no parking stresses the bus is a great option. It’s cheaper than you think too.

Single fares are just £3 or less and you might be surprised how far that will take you. You can go all the way from Swindon to Salisbury for just £3! Or why not visit picturesque Marlborough? If you are travelling with children, up to 2

under 5s can travel for FREE with a fare paying adult. If you are traveling with friends or as a family, we have group tickets that offer even better value. Plus, you can hop on and off all day, travelling on multiple services.

Plan your journey on our website or app.

You don’t even have to worry about where your bus is, as you can track it in live time.

What are you waiting for? Get there by bus!

July 2026

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Leisure and Activities Summer of events at Lydiard Park

You Fit - your destination for fitness

Lydiard Park is hosting a packed programme of summer events, with something for all ages to enjoy across July, August and September.

July highlights include the return of the Swindon Balloon Festival (3 - 4 July) and an outdoor theatre performance of Romeo & Juliet in the beautiful Walled Garden on 25 July.

Visitors can also enjoy guided tours of Lydiard House with cream tea on selected dates throughout the month.

August begins with The Great British Food Festival (1 - 2 August), featuring artisan producers, street food, chef demonstrations and family entertainment. Outdoor theatre returns on 2 August with The Jungle Book, while a Summer Paint & Sip takes place on 5 August.

Mad4Animals returns on 8 August with a day of animal encounters,

If you’re looking for a gym or a swimming pool in Swindon You Fit is the health club for you.

Join You Fit Swindon today to start your fitness and wellbeing journey.

The team will ensure you always feel welcome and inspired by providing you with expert advice whilst guiding you through your workout, whether that is in the fully-equipped gym, in one of the exercise classes or whilst you relax in the swimming pool, sauna or spa pool.

You Fit's exercise classes are open to all members and cater for all fitness levels, allowing you to work out at your own pace and within your own comfort level.

Classes include stretch, aqua aerobics, yoga, and pilates.

It can be found at You Fit Health Club, Holiday Inn Swindon on Marlborough Road, just off the Coate Water roundabout. For details call 01793 817 012 or email swindon@youfitclubs.co.uk www. youfitclubs.co.uk/club/swindon

Kick off your fitness journey with Swindon Allstars Running Club

Swindon Allstars run two beginners' courses each year which will definitely kick off your running journey.

By the end of the 10-week course most people are able to run for 5K nonstop.

The beginners' course starts with an information and registration evening on Tuesday 15 September at 6.45pm at St John’s Church Hall, Haydon Wick, SN25 1QP The running course starts the following Tuesday 22 September at 6.45pm. www.slinnallstars.co.uk

entertainment and educational activities.

On 22 August, enjoy an afternoon of live music, food and drinks in the Walled Garden at the inaugural Lydiard Garden Party.

Lydiard House Museum will be open Wednesday to Sunday from 5 August, with regular art and nature activities on offer for families, including a new ‘mystery at the museum’ puzzle to solve. Further events include Birds of Prey on 12 September, an 80s Experience at Lydiard Park Hotel on 19 September and Heritage Apple Day on 19 September.

For more information and tickets, visit: www.lydiardpark.org.uk/events

Explore The Thames by boat this summer

Summer is finally here, bringing the excitement of school holidays, longer days, and the perfect opportunity to escape the everyday routine.

For families, couples, and groups of friends looking for a memorable day out, Cotswold Boat Hire offers the ideal summer adventure on the water.

Based at picturesque Buscot Lock, just a short drive from Swindon, Cotswold Boat Hire provides the chance to explore some of the most beautiful stretches of the River Thames at your own pace. Day hires allow you to cruise downstream, perhaps stopping for a leisurely pub lunch before returning, while half-day trips can head upstream towards Lechlade. Along the way, everyone can enjoy the fun of working the locks, spotting wildlife and taking in the stunning countryside views. For shorter trips, pack a picnic to make use of one of the many scenic riverside spots.

No boating experience is required, making it an accessible and enjoyable activity for all ages. With mobility parking, accessible facilities, passenger assistance available and dogs welcome on board, there's no need to leave anyone behind.

It is also now fishing season. This summer, cast off, relax, and create lasting memories with a boating adventure the whole family can enjoy.

More information: www.cotswoldboat.co.uk - use the orange tab for live availability and to book online.

Learn to ride along The Ridgeway

Established in 1987, Charlbury Farm Stables Ltd is a friendly, family-run riding school situated in Hinton Parva catering for ages four and above.

Lessons and hacking available Monday to Saturday for all abilities and experience levels.

We offer group and private lessons with our qualified instructor, alongside opportunities to enjoy countryside rides as we are based near the foot of the historic ridgeway path.

Come and visit us during half terms for our fun pony days and courses, involving mornings for younger children and full days for those with more experience.

For all enquiries please contact Charlotte on 07774 182463. swindonlink.com n July 2026

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School Profile: Lawn Manor Academy This issue: Lawn Manor Academy Address: Salcombe Grove, Swindon SN3 1ER Contact: 01793 487286 Email: admin@lma.ascendlearningtrust.org.uk Website: www.lawnmanor.org

Welcome to Lawn Manor Academy We believe that within each child there is real potential to achieve and that as teachers, it is our job to ensure that this potential is met through academic studies, creativity and high expectations.

We take pride in our school and in the focus we give to each child as an individual, and how we help them to develop and grow to achieve well and be a good citizen.

We have high expectations for our pupils and ‘The Lawn Manor Way’ encompasses this. Pupils enjoy their time at Lawn Manor

Academy and it is always a pleasure to see them leave us with the qualifications and skills that they need to prepare them for their futures ahead.

Lawn Manor Academy opened on 1st Sept 2017 and was the first new secondary school in Swindon under the Ascend Learning Trust. We take pride in ‘Inspiring and Creating Futures for All’, and this extends to our staff and pupils, driving everything we do throughout the school, but with a focus on teaching and learning.

We have an ambitious vision for our

school with a robust strategy for achieving it. Our I LEARN values - Independence, Literacy, Equipment, Attitude, Resilience, Numeracy - are at the heart of our strategies for success.

Lawn Manor Academy received a ‘Good’ from OFSTED in July 2023 with the inspectors commenting that “Pupils at Lawn Manor Academy are polite, considerate and respectful. Leaders have high expectations of all pupils.” and “Pupils value diversity and they respect those from different backgrounds.”

School Profile:

Royal Wootton Bassett Academy This issue: Royal Wootton Bassett Academy Address: Lime Kiln, Royal Wootton Bassett, Swindon SN4 7HG Contact: 01793 841900 Email: admin@rwba.ascendlearningtrust.org.uk Website: www.rwba.org.uk

Welcome to Royal Wootton Bassett Academy Choosing your child’s secondary school is one of the most influential decisions a parent can make. I hope we will get the opportunity to give you an insight to the vibrancy and real ‘can-do’ attitude of Royal Wootton Bassett Academy and the exceptional educational experiences we aim to provide for every student.

Academic qualifications are crucial for their next steps and future ability to make choices, but we also value working with our young people to develop the ‘whole of them’. We centre ourselves around

being the best version of ourselves, every single day and this does not just mean academically. When a Bassett student realises their potential to be socially responsible and accountable for their actions, we thrive as a community, and we take our role in this seriously.

Our staff and facilities are outstanding and the academic outcomes for our students are amongst the best in the South West.

We are proud of the very high achievements of our students and most stay

to continue their studies in our Sixth Form.

Many progress onto the top Universities, including Oxford and Cambridge, and a growing number are gaining meaningful apprenticeships.

We know our students choose to come to school because they know they will be challenged, they find their learning engaging but most importantly, because they know we care for them.

We hope you and your child will consider joining our Royal Wootton Bassett Academy community. swindonlink.com n July 2026

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BUSINESS PROFILE

Business - Studley Grange Nature of work - Garden Centre, Craft Village, Leisure Park and Zoo Address - Hay Lane, Swindon, Wiltshire SN4 9QT Founded - 1990 Telephone - 01793 852736 Website - www.studleygrange.co.uk Email - info@studleygrange.co.uk We are an independent garden centre first opened in Wroughton in 1990 by Tony Miller, who has decades of experience in horticulture.

He has put his wealth of knowledge into building a thriving centre, where you can pick up everything you could possibly need to create an oasis in your own garden.

A lot of the plants are grown here on site in our own propagation tunnels, which ensures that we can offer the highest quality specimens to our customers.

We have expert staff on site providing a core principle of 'right plant, right place.'

So you can be guaranteed a year-round stunning display.

But we are not just a Garden Centre, we pride ourselves in being a lifestyle store; this means that we focus on everything you could possibly need in your home and garden.

We have an extensive range of beautiful giftware, bedding, candles, houseplants and garden furniture.

We have a Food Hall where we are always striving to offer our customers the freshest local produce whilst having the least impact on the environment. This includes our own pork, lamb, 18 swindonlink.com n July 2026 SE July 2026 Master pages.indd 18

eggs and honey from the farm.

There is also a deli counter offering mouthwatering treats baked fresh in our bakery.

Treat yourself to a flaky savoury or a mouthwatering dessert.

There are two separate places for you to have a bite to eat.

Decide between the Garden Restaurant with its own outside

eating area or the Butterfly Café where you can watch the butterflies through the window.

Our Function Room can be booked for meetings, celebrations of life and birthdays.

We can provide light refreshments through to full catering options.

Keep the little ones entertained in the holidays with cupcake and cookie decorating classes in our Cake Creations or visit our air conditioned Soft Play area.

We are delighted to welcome Cotton Traders and Julian Charles. We also have

independent units where you can learn to do quilting, crochet or paint your own pottery.

You could get your hair cut, your nails manicured or even pick up a new outfit.

Much more than an excellent Garden Centre If you are looking for something special, we have retailers that can personalise gifts for you.

You can also visit Butterfly World & Farm Park and see everything from free flying butterflies and creepy critters to sleek otters.

Marvel at the family of raccoons or watch the meerkats playing and foraging in the sand.

Don’t forget the farm favourites such as our sheep, pigs, cows and goats.

Treat a loved one to a Keeper Experience or an Adoption Pack.

Learn about the work the zoo does in providing safe, permanent homes for abused, confiscated and neglected animals.

We work closely with the RSPCA and rescue centres across the country to give a fresh start to many different species.

29/06/2026 16:17

Interview: Retired journalist Geoffrey Bennett, who lives in Swindon, recently released a memoir of his career, The Wolf of Small Street, which includes memories of many years spent covering high-profile court cases in Bristol

By Barrie Hudson barrie@swindonlink.com The title of Geoffrey Bennett's memoir, The Wolf of Small Street, refers to the location of Bristol Crown Court.

It was there, over the course of 20 years as a specialist court reporter, that he covered some of the highest-profile cases in recent memory.

These included the murder of Joanna Yeates in 2010 by a neighbour who was subsequently jailed for at least 20 years.

Before working in Bristol, Geoffrey had spent a number of years as a journalist in and around Swindon, including a long stint on the Swindon Advertiser. While working in Bristol he lived in Swindon.

In all, he spent some four decades reporting news.

"The idea of an autobiography has been in my head for years," he said, "especially about my early days.

"I have fond memories about mates and school and I've a plethora of funny bits and pieces too good not to share.

"My father left home when I was 17, and his view of me getting into reporting was that '...he will never be a journalist as long as he's got a hole in his arse.'

"I was spurred on by that, but after journalism college I drifted for 10 years until it was obvious reporting was the only thing I both wanted to do and could do."

Crucially for the future memoir, Geoffrey diligently set aside cuttings of his stories as they appeared. They were to prove an invaluable aid.

"After I managed to break into reporting I kept a record of everything I wrote.

"In the back of my mind I thought it would be useful for a memoir, though that remained a

fancy pipedream for years."

It wasn't until some two years after leaving the Bristol Post that Geoffrey found himself somewhat incapacitated by a medical issue and decided the time had come to get the biography off his chest.

"The early years were all retained in my mind and form the first half of the autobiography.

"The journalism years form the second half, focusing on my training and jobs in Wiltshire until my specialist job as Crown Court Reporter at the Bristol Post from 2003.

"I picked out the bigger stories I covered as well as the smaller, quirkier ones which I think will be of interest to people."

Geoffrey says that his most memorable case was perhaps that of the murder of landscape architect Joanna Yeates, 25.

"I was joined by the national press for that one, and was one of the reporters who visited

Joanna's Clifton flat after the jury visit and saw how it was trapped in time.

"What was obviously once a home prepared for the warmth of Christmas was just cold rooms smeared with grey fingerprint powder, trapped on the day of a senseless. tragic death."

Like many reporters of his generation, 63-year-old Geoff has witnessed what can only be described as seismic changes in the industry.

There was, for example, a time not so long ago when every regional morning and evening newspaper, not to mention many weeklies, had dedicated court reporters.

The courts of just about every city and most substantial towns had dedicated freelance court reporters who made their livings by providing stories for national newspapers and regional and local publications and broadcasters.

The role of court reporter required- and still requires - a thorough knowledge not just

LINK PEOPLE of various court protocols but a raft of complex laws and precedents covering everything from contempt of court to defamation.

Traditionally, editors entrusted the role of specialist court reporter only to journalists on whose technical expertise and nose for the best stories they knew they could rely.

Geoffrey said: "I lived through the rise of the internet and birth of social media and went from trying to master a good print story to writing online, video making and live blogging.

"I was lucky to have that specialist job and I'm aware that newspapers may not have the resources today to allow that role.

"If trials are being missed and verdicts come from police press releases that is a foreseeable consequence but is a great shame."

Geoffrey decided to call time on his own court work three years ago.

"By the time 2023 came around I had lived through Covid and had also attempted to report court cases via videolink, with mixed results.

"I was tired of online courses, the unrelenting pressure for everyone to strive for a big online readership and my complete inability to master technology easily.

"I re-evaluated my life, decided I had put in a good shift, and took voluntary redundancy.

"Though I miss the job and the great people I met, I made the right decision to go."

The Wolf of Small Street is available on Amazon Kindle at £3.99.

Geoffrey has been married to Jeni for 26 years. Jeni, also retired, has qualified as an independent travel agent.

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BUSINESS PROFILE

Business - Haine & Smith Opticians Nature of work - Comprehensive opticical and hearing care services Address - Various locations in and around Swindon and the region Founded - 1975 Telephone - Enquiries 01672 513686 Website - www.haineandsmith.co.uk Email - info@haineandsmith.co.uk Patients visiting Haine & Smith Opticians may have noticed something a little different recently.

Across our practices, website and patient materials, we have introduced a refreshed new look, one that feels more contemporary, natural and considered while still staying true to who we are.

The rebrand wasn’t about becoming a different business.

It was about better reflecting the care patients already experience when they visit us.

Our new colour palette brings together deep brown with soft green and teal tones, creating a look that feels more welcoming. As opticians, we spend a lot of time thinking about detail, colour, clarity and confidence, so it felt important that our own identity should be considered in the same way.

You will now see the refreshed look across our practices and online. We wanted to look and feel fresh and modern, but not corporate or impersonal and above all, it needed to reflect something we have been proud to offer on local high streets for 50 years: professional eyecare, carefully chosen eyewear and service that feels genuinely personal.

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of how we support patients’ wider health and wellbeing.

Although many people know their local Haine & Smith practice, they may not realise that we now have 20 practices across the region, mainly in Wiltshire, with two in Gloucestershire and one in Oxfordshire. n and around Swindon, our teams care for patients at

service of more than 10 years.

Familiar faces, experienced teams and long-standing relationships are a huge part of what makes a visit to Haine & Smith feel personal.

Eyecare should never feel rushed. A sight test is not just a clinical appointment, and choosing new glasses is not simply a practical purchase.

Our patients want to feel

Regent Street, Gorse Hill, Highworth, Royal Wootton Bassett and Wroughton.

That local presence matters to us. We are proud to employ great people across Wiltshire and the surrounding area, with around 130 active employees and an average length of

listened to, understood and confident in the advice they receive, and that is why we continue to invest in the services our patients need, from routine eye examinations and contact lenses to eyewear styling and the latest technology for advanced imaging.

More than half a century of excellence

Haine & Smith has been part of local high streets since 1975.

We have grown over the years, and the look of the business has changed too, but the principles behind it have remained remarkably consistent: take time with people, give honest advice, and provide eyecare patients can trust.

So, although our new branding marks a fresh chapter, it is certainly not a change in direction.

It is a clearer expression of what Haine & Smith has always aimed to be: a family of local opticians where patients feel welcome and confident in the care they receive.

We are excited to share this new look with our patients and communities, and to continue playing our part in the local high streets that have supported Haine & Smith for so many years.

Modern equipment is important, but so is the time taken to explain what it shows, answer questions properly and give advice that suits the individual.

29/06/2026 16:17

SS LE

St. Joseph’s Catholic College Open Evening

E NEEAVW AILABL

MTD

SERVIC

C H A RT E R E D A C C O U N TA N T S

ANCE ASSIST

Fast, reliable and accurate accountancy Come and get a taste of College life!

Wednesday 23rd September 6pm - 8pm

We offer a full range of services for business and personal clients across Wiltshire and Nationwide business services include:

Bookkeeping & Accounting, Business Planning Business Start Up, Corporate Tax Planning Payroll, VAT Returns, MTD Reporting personal services:

Rental Accounts, Personal Tax & Capital Gains Tax Returns

www.sdknee.com Book your visit on our website

www.stjosephscollege.net

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tel: 01793 430000

email: office@sdknee.com

S.D.Knee Chartered Accountants & Business Advisers 10 Bath Road, Old Town, Swindon, Wiltshire, SN1 4BA

29/06/2026 16:17

CHARITY PROFILE

Charity - Dressability Nature of Work - Adapting clothing for people with physical challenges, enhancing comfort and dignity Address - Unit 2, Bradbury House, Westmead Drive, Swindon SN5 7ER Tel - 01793 512878 Website - www.dressability.org.uk Dressability, based in West Swindon, is a specialist charity that adapts clothing for people with disabilities and physical challenges, helping to improve comfort, independence and dignity.

For most people, clothing is simply part of everyday life. But for those living with disabilities, illness or limited mobility, getting dressed can present significant challenges.

Dressability's skilled seamstresses and dressmakers work with clients to adapt garments, so they are easier to wear and better suited to individual needs.

Service Delivery Manager Tia Shortall explained that the charity believes clothing should be an enabler rather than a barrier.

"Clothing is part of our self-identity and part of the function of our lives," she said.

"For some people, that flips on its head and clothing becomes a barrier - a challenge in someone’s daily routine. That's when we are able to help."

Through thoughtful and highly skilled alterations, the team helps people overcome clothing barriers to regain confidence, freedom and the ability to wear clothes they love.

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for a supporter with reduced mobility. Invisible zips were added to both shoulder seams, allowing the neck opening to extend across the full width of the garment and making it much easier to put on. Once zipped up, the alterations were virtually undetectable.

"You wouldn't know from the outside that the garment had been altered," said Tia. "But it

make a huge difference to a child navigating school life independently.

The charity offers a free assessment service to discuss individual requirements, before carrying out the necessary alterations. The service is heavily subsided to ensure that cost is never a barrier to benefiting from the charity’s work.

Alongside its clothing

Dressability General Manager Sharon Tombs at work meant that young man could wear the football shirt he loved."

Dressability undertakes adaptations for everyday clothing for people of all ages.

One of the biggest benefits is increased independence. It’s not just about getting dressed in the morning but also managing throughout the day – whether that’s personal care, changing for activities, or other everyday tasks. Adaptations to school uniforms, for example, can

adaptation service, Dressability is involved in wider community projects including creating 20 activity packs for children at Great Western Hospital, containing items ranging from puzzles and modelling clay to games and crafts. The charity is now embarking on an exciting collaboration with the NHS to provide specialist garments for patients recovering from surgery and enhancing the comfort and dignity for patients undergoing treatment.

Help always welcomed

Like many charities, Dressability relies on support from the local community.

While financial donations are always welcome, raising awareness of the service remains a key priority.

"Our biggest challenge is making sure we are known to all the people who might need us," said Tia. "If you know somebody who would benefit from our service, please refer them and send them our way."

Dressability is also actively recruiting volunteers, particularly people with sewing and dressmaking skills who would like to join its friendly and dedicated team, which is currently almost 20 strong.

Those who volunteer in any capacity can rest assured that their work will have an enormously positive impact on the lives of others.

Dressability currently alters around 1,100 garments per year.

Anyone who would like to support Dressability, volunteer their time, or find out more about the charity's services can contact the team on 01793 512878 or visit www.dressability.org.uk.

29/06/2026 16:17

2026

Swindon Academy Secondary “Have a Go” Open Evening

23rd Septem ber 6 - 8pm

Discover. Explore. Connect.

Join us for an exciting evening designed for parents/carers and families to: Explore our vibrant school environment Meet our friendly and dedicated staff Take part in fun and engaging taster sessions Learn more about what makes Swindon Academy a great place to learn and grow

✨ �� �� ��

Whether you're considering Swindon Academy for your child or just curious to see what we offer, this is the perfect opportunity to get a real feel for our community.

Swindon Academy Grammar Stream We run the only Grammar Stream in Swindon!

2026

tream S r a m m a r G in Action

24th Sept nd ct &2 O 9 - 10am

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A unique opportunity for academically ambitious students with an enriched curriculum and exclusive links with Marlborough College.

Find out more: - Scan the QR code, or - Go to https://www.swindonacademy.org/secondary/grammar-stream

29/06/2026 16:17

LINK POLITICS 'Swindon's economic growth is gaining momentum' A column by Swindon Borough Council Leader Cllr Gary Sumner Over recent weeks, there have been several encouraging signs that Swindon’s economic growth is gaining momentum, with growing confidence in our town’s potential as a hub of defence innovation and technology.

One of the clearest examples is the recent visits of the Prime Minister and Defence Secretary, respectively. Their interest in Swindon reflects the increasing national recognition of the role our town is playing in defence, technology and advanced industries.

That recognition is being driven by real progress on the ground. We are seeing surging interest in Swindon as a defence powerhouse – winning investment, creating highquality jobs and strengthening

the skills pipeline so that Swindonians will continue to benefit from opportunities in the years ahead.

Much of this progress has been enabled by the Conservative-led transformation of the former Honda site into Panattoni Park. The multi-billion pound redevelopment has unlocked thousands of jobs and created the space for new industries to grow, attracting major employers to the Borough. The project has been a fantastic catalyst for many of the opportunities we are now seeing come to fruition and is one of the most significant

economic developments in Swindon’s recent history.

Special thanks are also owed to Will Stone MP for his proactive and collaborative approach in bringing together industry and the Council.

My administration is focused on how we can further strengthen Swindon’s economy by embracing the opportunities that devolution and closer working with neighbouring councils can bring. On 17 June, Thames Valley leaders met to develop these discussions, which represent a significant opportunity for Swindon to play a leading role as one of the most prosperous and productive regions in the country. With our location on the M4 and our excellent rail connections, the Thames Valley is the natural choice for Swindon.

Beyond our strong economy, it is the thriving sense of

community that makes Swindon a great place to live. As the summer gets into full swing, it has been wonderful to see residents coming together at events such as Polish Day and the Wood Street Party.

Village fete season is now also underway – my favourite time of year as a rural ward councillor!

Finally, I would like to recognise the outstanding work of the Swindon Borough Council staff who were recently recognised at the Local Government Chronicle Awards. Their dedication and professionalism play a vital role in delivering services and supporting residents every day.

Recent weeks paint a positive picture of a town moving forward with confidence, and my focus is on ensuring all successes translate into real benefits for residents and across Swindon.

A change in Leadership – but progress continues A column by borough council Labour Group leader Cllr Jim Robbins The recent election has brought a significant change for Swindon, with the council moving into no overall control and my time as Leader coming to an end. It has been a privilege to hold that role, and naturally I am disappointed.

But public service is never about one person – it is about the progress we make for our town together.

And that progress is real.

Just last week, Swindon was chosen as the home of Europe’s largest MOD drone testing and development centre – a major national investment that will bring highly skilled jobs and cement our place at the forefront of advanced technology.

This didn’t happen overnight.

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for innovation and is built on our strong reputation for advanced manufacturing, and it shows what is possible when we are ambitious for our town.

I was also incredibly proud to see council officers recognised at the LGC Awards. These are among the most respected awards in local government, and they highlight something we sometimes take for granted: the professionalism and dedication of the people who keep services running and deliver real improvements for residents.

Against that backdrop of achievement, the political

picture is more complicated.

The election left the council finely balanced, with Conservatives on 23 seats, Labour on 19 and Reform on 14. No party has a majority, which means decisions now depend on how councillors work together.

Before the Annual Meeting, we were told clearly and repeatedly that there would be no arrangement between the Conservatives and Reform.

Yet in practice, we have seen them repeatedly vote together to install the Conservatives as the new administration, taking a disproportionately large number of paid roles, and hand Reform Councillors key committee roles.

The Conservatives and Reform insist that no deal has been done, leaving residents to draw their own conclusions.

No overall control can work, but only if it is built on openness, consistency

and genuine collaboration.

We haven’t seen that yet, but I’m hopeful that the new administration will step up.

It should be about bringing people together in the interests of Swindon – not saying one thing and doing another.

Despite the change in leadership, my optimism for Swindon remains strong. The foundations we have laid – in investment, economic growth, and community ambition as well as our clear long-term missions to build a Fairer, Greener and Better Swindon – are still there. The opportunity now is for all councillors to build on that and keep moving the town forward.

For my part, alongside my 18 Labour and Co-operative Group colleagues, we will continue to serve and speak up for Swindon, just as we always have. Because while roles change, our commitment to this town will not.

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FOOD & DRINK

By Jamie Hill jamie@swindonlink.com Swindon Deputy Mayor Gayle Cook officially opened new Turkish restaurant Lux in Godwin Court in June.

Promising quality Turkish cuisine in a friendly, authentic, sophisicated atmosphere, Lux is the newest entrant to the Swindon restaurant scene.

The new eaterie held its official launch in June with VIP invitees wowed by a spread of its delicious food and a ribbon-cutting ceremony by the Deputy Mayor.

Lux is run by General Manager Halil Pashaoglulari and is owned by a partnership of Turkish businessmen from Swindon.

Halil said: "We saw there was a niche in the Swindon restaurant scene for authentic

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POETRY

Turkish delight comes to Swindon

high quality Turkish food. There are a lot of kebab shops in the town but nowhere serving restaurant quality food.

"We are very proud of what we've achieved here. We have had people coming from Bristol and Oxford to try us out and eveyone has gone home very happy.

"All of our ingredients are sourced from authentic suppliers and our chef is from one of the kebab capitals of Türkiye and is passionate about what we are serving, which is Anatolian cuisine.

"It's not like a fast food place as our menu items include meals like authentic Turkish lamb kleftiko and slow-cooked stews, as well as mezzes.

"Our vision is to bring authentic Turkish dining to Swindon through carefully prepared dishes, premium

Counselling makes good first lines as she pulls pints and makes notes. Publication will follow.

I’d tell her poetry gave me great stories. Here’s one. I applied for a Civil Service scholarship when I was 19. A grumpy interviewer saw on

Alinazik, which is char-grilled aubergines with garlic and yoghurt, topped with succulent lamb cubes, and Tavuk Sarma Beyti, minced chicken with garlic & herbs, wrapped in bread with cheese, butter and tomato sauce, served with yoghurt, as well as a host of other delicacies.

Lux is open seven evenings a week and you can reserve a table by calling 01793 575565 or visiting the website at luxswindon.com

Lovely Linda at The Pulpit pub is writing a poem accessible, written to tease.”

Maurice Spillane: Of Poetry Swindon

Punters like me had better watch out. Linda can harvest stories from the patchwork beyond the counter.

ingredients, elegant presentation, and a warm atmosphere designed for both families and couples.

"From charcoal grilled meats to traditional recipes served with a contemporary touch, every detail at LUX is built around quality, flavour, and experience.

"We believe great dining is not only about food, but it is also about atmosphere, service, and creating moments people remember.

"For a lot of people it will be their first taste of Turkish food outside of the fast-food based kebab market and they will soon see that this is totally different."

House specials at the restaurant include Kusbasili

my CV that I liked poetry.

“How would you rate WH Auden?” he snarled.

“Not very highly,” I responded. He blustered purple and shouted “What?

What? Why not?”

“Auden has great first lines,” I said cockily, “but every other line is like another first line, so his poems are incoherent. It made him bookish, but poetry should be

The old boy had a go at me. I quoted Auden in rebuttal, and we dingdonged until I said: “Hang on.

This seems like an ambush.

I expected an interview.” I didn’t get the scholarship. It turned out the interviewer had written a book about Auden.

I’d tell Linda she has a great journey ahead – festivals, Open Mic, other poets, recommending poems, finding lines for your own solace.

As I left, we shook hands and he said: "It was a pleasure knowing you." It was the terminal handshake that rocked me, still does.

This stanza speaks to that conversation: How to speak love in a storm? means finding the right inflection.

Not offering words and hollow prayers but walking backwards with you into your abandoned years www.mauricespillane.co.uk

Stewart Henderson’s poem, How to Speak Love in a Storm? helped me when a friend died recently from rapid cancer. We’d a couple of hours to reminisce.

Pulpit Pub in Old Town for Open Mic, Wednesday 29 July at 7:30. We’d a lovely group last month. If you feel brave, read a poem! swindonlink.com n July 2026

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BBC Radio 2 presenter to headline panto BBC Radio 2 star Richie Anderson and Britain’s Got Talent finalist Jamie Leahey will join Swindon’s Jack and the Beanstalk panto adventure.

Richie Anderson, one of the UK’s most recognisable broadcasters, will star as the Squire.

After six years as a familiar voice on the Radio 2 Breakfast Show with Zoe Ball, Richie now hosts his own Sunday evening show on BBC Radio 2 and regularly covers some of the station’s most popular programmes including shows hosted by Rylan, Dermot O’Leary and Sara Cox. Alongside his hugely successful radio career, Richie has become a regular face on British television. He currently presents BBC One’s Escape to the Country, has appeared on Strictly Come Dancing, Celebrity MasterChef and Celebrity Gogglebox, and was

WROUGHTON Wroughton Club, Bulls Court, 15 Devizes Road, SN4 0SA Mondays 4:15 & 5:15pm

RODBOURNE CHENEY Western Community Centre, Somerset Road SN2 1NF Wednesdays 8am, 9:30am, 4pm, 5:30pm & 7pm STRATTON Stratton Churchway Bowls Club, Grange Drive, SN3 4JY Fridays at 7:30am, 9am & 10:30am

part of the BBC’s Eurovision coverage for the fourth consecutive year.

Following his successful panto debut last year, Richie said: “I’ve always been a huge fan of panto, growing up attending every year in Birmingham, so I know just how special it is for audiences to come together and have a brilliant time.

“What I enjoy most is the pure escapism, playing a silly character, singing, dancing, and making sure everyone leaves with a smile on their face."

Joining Richie is ventriloquist Jamie Leahey, one of the UK’s brightest rising comedy talents, who will appear alongside his puppet sidekick Chuck as Simon Trott. Jamie shot to national fame in 2022 as runner-up on Britain’s Got Talent.

Dates: 5 December 2026 to Sun 3 January 2027 www.swindontheatre.co.uk

Home care with more get-up and go Contact Walfinch: 01793 380777

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July 2026

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Volunteers needed to support inclusive cycling Monthly column with Becky Cox of Swindon Cycle Campaign.

Do you enjoy cycling?

Would you like to help people have life-changing experiences and support your local community? Why not consider volunteering at Moredon Sporting Hub to support inclusive cycling sessions?

At Moredon we aim to provide inclusive cycling opportunities for anyone, no matter their ability.

A key focus is providing cycling sessions for disabled adults and children and learnto-cycle programmes for all ages.

These programmes are run with the support of grant funding and a team of dedicated volunteers.

We're always looking for new volunteers, and we can provide a range of

Alfie Howlett: Swindon Town FC writer

Tumbleweed rolls across SN1.

There’s nobody in Town. It's customary for this period to be quiet, it’s the off season after all, but there is an eerie silence at Swindon.

It strikes me as a hungover summer to date. Last season dismissively brushed under the lumpy carpet, no accountability from those at the top. I suspect Ian Holloway might still be wallowing in his own selfcreated misery.

I've already offered my two pence on that. What I should be doing now is looking ahead to pre-season and preparing to do it all over again.

Despite a marginal drop, season ticket sales remain steady, the supporters are ready too. But is the football club?

Make no mistake, my concern here lies off the pitch rather than on. More on that side

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volunteering opportunities from regular weekly hours to work experience and corporate days.

Training is provided, along with opportunities to join coaching and ride leader courses.

Here's what Limitless cycling volunteer Pete has to say about volunteering at MSH: "I love riding my bike and experience a lot of joy from it, but it's something I took for granted before becoming involved in the Limitless programme.

"It's incredible to see the range of adapted cycles available and it is an honour to be able to volunteer to help disabled people experience the joy cycling brings to me, it's a highlight of my week."

We are looking for volunteers to support a wide range of

community cycling sessions and events, from learn-tocycle sessions to our upcoming fundraising ‘Cyclothon’.

Key roles of volunteers include: • Setting up and packing away (e.g. Getting bikes and

equipment out of storage) • Helping fit helmets • Helping fit participants to the right bike for them • Meeting and greeting participants • Riding around the traffic-free track, providing

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CYCLING

encouragement and monitoring the safe running of the session • Supporting our bike mechanic with routine maintenance and servicing and repairs of bikes and adapted cycles We're particularly keen to hear from people who are interested and/or skilled at fixing bikes, passionate about cycling or have experience of working with disabled people and marginalised groups.

We aim to provide inclusive opportunities for all, so welcome all applicants.

For more information about our community cycling sessions and volunteering opportunities, please get in touch with Community Developer Becky Cox. Email cycling@ centralswindonnorth-pc.gov.uk or phone: 07961 908615.

STFC: The Summer Season

LINK FOOTBALL

support and hierarchy, why should I buy into the no news is good news concept?

To stress, Swindon have the 15th most expensive season ticket in the EFL. They most recently were the 57th team out of 72 in the pyramid.

The fans pay good money to see the football club be ambitious rather than dormant.

They deserve better.

The Robins will begin their ninth season in the past 10 in League 2 come August. But for once they have a nucleus of players to begin it. A warm weather training trip to Alicante should provide a solid building block.

Despite injuries and questionable tactics, Swindon certainly appeared lacklustre in the final furlongs of the last.

The opportunity to build endurance in hot conditions should serve them well come

the latter end.

So which areas need strengthening?

The first question is, are Town playing a back three or four?

In the case of a back four, full backs are a must.

The current wing backs of Snowdon and McGregor won’t offer the necessary protection to just two centre halves.

Regardless of the backline, two midfielders must be added to compliment Kilkenny. He needs a combative and a creative midfielder to match his energy. They’re hard to come by, but they are available. I do wonder if Town might’ve faired better with Nnamdi Ofoborh last season.

A certain Diallang Jaiyesimi is a free agent.

So, lets put on our flip flops and see what we can take away from what looks like one of the sterner pre-seasons. swindonlink.com n July 2026 27

later. Swindon once again appear to be stalling. The vacancies of commercial and media managers illustrate this.

I've had the pleasure to deal with Swindon since 2021, and in that time, I've seen four Heads of Media come and go.

All arrived with energy and enthusiasm only to be worn down in a position with an unhealthy turnover rate.

It's such an important position in setting the mood and identity of a football club, I find it concerning that Town’s ownership so frequently undervalue it.

You might recall Clem Morfuni setting out his stall as a transparent owner. How can he even claim to achieve this without a media manager?

Now there might be work behind the scenes which I'm not aware of. But due to the broken relationship between

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