During these past few weeks we've actually seen some consistent sunlight in Swindon. A welcome change from a seriously damp and miserable winter which seemed endless.
And, as is the town's wont, there's a fair few things happening now from building projects - The Fleming Way improvements and the first phase of the Health Hydro are nearly coming to their completion - to massive cultural events like the Swindon Festival of Literature and the Old Town Festival. It's definitely going to be a busy few months with a packed calendar with something for everyone.
Unfortunately the planning committee meeting that was due to the discuss the plans for The Oasis was delayed for a month so we'll have to wait a few more weeks to find out what's happening there.
As always, though, we implore you also to try out our sister publication The Ink, our subscription-based news service, where analytical and longform news gets sent directly to your inbox and costs £5.99 a month.
Swindonians have really taken to The Ink as it gets under the skin of the town's issues. If you haven't already, sign up below.
Mural with inspiring message of hope at new Swindon youth centre
By Barrie Hudson barrie@swindonlink.com
Recently-opened Swindon youth centre The Base has a special work of art designed by local young people and children.
The painting at the centre in
the new Children’s Emergency Department at Great Western Hospital, in a project developed in partnership with the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner for Wiltshire and Swindon, and WAY Swindon.
Also launched alongside the
they’re designed to benefit.
“This project and the online resource give our young people more tools in their toolbox to make good choices and offers education and trusted guidance in an evercomplex digital world.
Park North, which is open to children and young people from throughout the borough, features a drawing of a whale guided by butterflies, with a light bulb depicting hope for a brighter future for all young people in Swindon.
A QR code also directs visitors towards online resources where they can find advice and guidance on serious violence and child exploitation, among other topics.
A similar mural is in place at
newly renovated building and mural was an online resource for children, young people, parents and guardians in a project involving several partners including Swindon Borough Council, The Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner, Wiltshire Police, Great Western Hospital and The WAY Project.
Police and Crime
Commissioner Philip Wilkinson said: “It’s so important that projects like this are led by the children and young people
“Whilst Wiltshire and Swindon continue to have the lowest crime rate per 1,000 people, we cannot ignore the very real impact that every incidence of serious violence has on victims, their families, wider communities and the children and young people that live within them.
“Violence breeds violence and projects like this are designed to break the cycle and ensure our young people feel safe in addition to actually being safe.”
News from SBC
New youth centre throws open its doors to young people in Swindon
Step through the doors of The Base in Park North and you’ll find more than just a building, you’ll find a space designed by young people, for young people.
Officially opened in March, The Base is Swindon’s new £3.8m youth centre, refurbished by Swindon Borough Council with funding from the Government's Youth Investment Fund. It’s becoming a vital part of the local community, offering support, creativity and connection to those aged 11
to 18, or up to 25 with additional needs.
Inside, the atmosphere is vibrant and welcoming. There’s a dedicated barista training room, training kitchen, a hair salon, a recording studio and even a podcast room, giving young people the tools to build skills and explore their interests.
The chill-out lounge is the perfect hangout spot, complete with a football table, table tennis and comfy seating, and just outside, a brand-new outdoor gym offers another
Swindon roads resurfaced as part of annual programme
A number of roads have been resurfaced over the past two months as Swindon Borough Council continues to improve deteriorating surfaces.
As part of the 2024/25 annual road maintenance programme, roads including Queens Drive, Drakes Way, Thamesdown Drive and the Great Western Hospital access road have been resurfaced to improve them for motorists.
Last month, a new Local Transport Plan was agreed for the current financial year, which will see £1.5m spent on resurfacing several major roads, including on Manchester Road between Corporation Street and Milford Street, and £1.2m on maintaining a number of minor roads.
Maintenance plans have been prioritised using an evidenceled approach, and will continue to be supported by necessary
way to get active.
It isn’t just about fun, it’s about opportunity for children and young people in Swindon. Whether it’s learning something new, meeting people or simply having a safe space. The youth centre will run in partnership between the borough and three local charities, SMASH Youth Project, WAY Swindon and STEP Swindon. Keep an eye out for what’s next at The Base at www.thebaseswindon.org.uk
reactive repairs and road patching.
Cllr Chris Watts, Swindon Borough Council’s Cabinet Member for the Environment and Transport, said: “We know there’s a backlog of roads that need repairing and that road surfaces need to be improved for motorists.
“I’m very glad to see a number of high-traffic roads have been improved already this year and I’m also happy to see funding assigned to future resurfacing works which needs to be done. However, limited funding means we will have to prioritise roads in most urgent need of repair.
“Alongside the resurfacing works, our highways team has been repairing potholes as usual and will continue to do so. If anyone sees a road that may be in need of repair, please report it on our website.”
Residents encouraged to seek support with water and energy bills
Following recent increases in energy and water bills, Swindon Borough Council is reminding residents that local financial support is available to them if they need it.
In April, Ofgem introduced a 6.4 per cent increase in the Energy Price Cap. That means that a household using an average amount of gas and electricity will now spend an extra £111 a year on their bill. Meanwhile, local water provider Thames Water has increased water bills, with an average annual bill rising by £123.
The council is encouraging residents affected by the rise in energy costs to contact their supplier as soon as they can. Suppliers must work to agree on a payment plan under Ofgem rules. This includes reviewing a plan that has been previously agreed. Support is also available with water bills, with Thames Water providing financial support to
those in need. This can include Thames Water’s WaterHelp scheme, for those whose water bill is more than five per cent of their net income. Residents on a water meter, who find it hard to save water because they have a large family or water-dependent medical condition, may also be able to cap the amount of water they are charged for through the Thames Water WaterSure scheme.
Prior to seeking additional grants, residents have been encouraged to use the free access and support provided in part by the council’s contribution to the operating costs of Citizens Advice Swindon. This can be accessed either by calling 0808 278 7813 or popping in during a drop-in session at Sanford House (SN1 1HE). Citizens Advice signpost residents to the best grants and schemes that fit independent needs.
In 2024, the charity saw
a 15 per cent increase in people accessing support to pay energy and water bills compared to 2023. In total, they helped 10,234 people with 50,299 problems. The charity was also able to create a gain of £6.5m in income grants for local people and £9.7m worth of personal debt management for residents.
Cllr Jim Grant, Cabinet Member for Communities and Partnerships, recently visited Citizens Advice Swindon to find out more about the support available locally. Following the visit, Cllr Grant said: “My plea to affected residents is simple: make sure you access the support available if you need it.
“We fund organisations like Citizens Advice Swindon to help support local residents who may struggle to pay for necessities.
“They can help residents get access to financial support and other streams of income,
while other organisations also have schemes to help those struggling to pay their bills. It is important to remember that energy suppliers have a responsibility to work with you to agree repayment plans.
“In addition to the work of Citizen Advice, the Warm & Safe Wiltshire Service is also available on 0800 038 5722 to provide free and impartial energy-saving advice to help residents manage their energy costs and keep their homes warm. It has a track record of helping many thousands to save money on their energy bills.”
Further cost of living support can be found on the council's website by searching ‘Cost of Living’.
Richard Dawkins, The Hammerman Poet and a mysterious Swindon mountain will all feature in this year's Swindon Festival of Literature
By Jamie Hill jamie@swindonlink.com
The programme for the 32nd Swindon Festival of Literature was launched at a packed gathering at Swindon Central Library.
The brand-new full-colour programme for this year’s Swindon Festival of Literature was unveiled in front of the great and the good including Marina Strinkovsky, SBC's Cabinet member for Placemaking and Planning with local musicians Ivy Green providing a lovely musical intro and outro to the event.
This year the festival, which takes place from 5 May to 11 May, includes authors, performers, talks, discussions, readings, storytelling, films, and shows at the Arts Centre, Lawn Woods, Town Gardens, Swindon Hub, Richard Jefferies Museum, Create Studios, Bert’s Books, Stanton Park, iCast
Creative Hub and Lower Shaw Farm.
The festival features a host of writers and will kick off as always with the Dawn Chorus at 5.30am on Monday 5 May in Lawn Woods.
Highlights include author Harriet Hitchen talking about her book Swindon Mountain where a 'mountain' appears unexpectedly overlooking the town.
Professor Richard Dawkins will be discussing his latest book The Genetic Book of the Dead at a talk at Swindon Arts Centre on Devizes Road on Wednesday 7 May at 6.30pm.
On Thursday 8 May at 12.30pm at the Arts Centre, local writer John Cullimore will be holding a talk called 'Swindon Seen - Through Fact and Fiction, Past and Present' where he will talk about some of Swindon's stories and storymakers including The Hammerman Poet, Aflred
Festival organiser Matt Holland rings the bell to officially announce the programme for this year's event
On Friday 9 May there's a comedy double helping at Swindon Arts Centre with Ivo Graham at 6.30pm and Alistair McGowan at 8pm.
The Festival Finale takes place at 7pm on Sunday 11 May at Swindon Arts Centre and features a feast of stories, poems, songs, acrobatics, circus, wordplay and much more.
Festival organiser Matt Holland said: "The Festival
is now firmly established on Wiltshire’s cultural calendar. It is loved locally and held in high regard nationally.
"Authors quite like it too. Jon Snow hailed the Festival ‘remarkable, and a real surprise: the Tate Modern of the M4 corridor’; John Major said, ‘perfect and punctual’; and Joan Bakewell, deemed it 'delightful'."
For the full rundown visit www. swindonfestivalofliterature.co.uk
Raising roof on town centre sport and activities
By Jamie Hill jamie@swindonlink.com
Rooftop activities could be a new feature on Swindon town centre’s skyline if new plans are approved.
A new sports and activities centre is being planned for Whalebridge car park in Islington Street as Swindon Borough Council seeks to reenergise under-utilised areas of the town centre.
The council recently submitted a planning application to convert the top floors of the town centre car park into a dedicated community sports space.
If approved, the new location could feature a variety of sports, space for street food vendors, a recreational hub and more.
The plan is the latest in a series of initiatives the council wants to introduce to generate footfall and activity in the town
centre in an effort to boost the local economy and make the area more appealing to visitors.
Improving the town centre is at the core of the council’s Heart of Swindon vision, which aims to stimulate investment to transform the area over the next decade.
In the vision, the council is calling on local land and property owners to bring forward new uses for their own
empty assets.
Cllr Jim Robbins, Leader of Swindon Borough Council, said: “We want to transform the town centre into a bustling area that people want to come and visit but we know that won’t happen overnight.
“Whalebridge car park is underused and we want to make the most of this location in the heart of the town centre, next door to the soon-to-becompleted Fleming Way.
“While not what you would normally expect, similar proposals have been a success in other locations, including in Bristol where they’ve transformed a former Debenhams store into a skate park.
“We know there’s limited access to recreational leisure in the town centre and, along with being a new space for the local community, it can also become a hub for a variety of sports such as cricket or pickleball.
“This is an outside-the-box idea and I’m looking forward to seeing this project come forward and the benefits it can bring. Hopefully it will also encourage more landlords to look at what they can do to their own properties."
The council hopes the Whalebridge proposal could act as a catalyst for similar activities while major new investment plans come forward.
Williams.
The South Swindon Parish Council Column
By Neil Hopkins Chair of South Swindon Parish Council
Buckhurst Field Improvement Programme
The transformation of Buckhurst Field is progressing wonderfully. By the time you read this, the new pavilion will be complete and proudly serving as home to Robins FC.
I would like to extend my thanks to our contractors and everyone involved for their exceptional work and efficiency throughout this important project.
Meanwhile, the Buckhurst Skatepark redevelopment continues at pace and is scheduled for completion by midMay. We're planning a special opening celebration on May 24th to coincide with the Buckhurst Family Fun Day – an event I hope many of you will join us for. Additionally, I'm pleased to report that planning permission has been granted for the new PlayZone, replacing the current Multi-Use-Games-Area, with construction set to begin in early June.
Summer at the Town Gardens Bowl
Looking ahead to summer entertainment, the Town Gardens Bowl will host a diverse program of events beginning with Comedy at the Bowl on Sunday, 1 June, hosted by the Old Town Comedy Club as part of the Old Town Festival.
The summer lineup includes theatre performances, musical concerts, and children's events.
For tickets and full details, please visit www.towngardens-swindon.co.uk
Mowing Season 2025
Now that Spring has officially begun, parishioners may have seen officers out on their mowers starting the regular programme of grass cutting.
Grass cutting and mowing will now be taking place across the parks, verges, play areas and open spaces that the parish council manage. Most spaces will receive a cut every three weeks if the weather allows it. Our rewilding areas will receive their yearly cut in September.
We appreciate your patience as we
work through the schedule.
If you are interested in hiring one of our community facilities, get in contact with the council’s Community Facilities Officer: community@southswindon-pc.gov.uk
Swindon school dancers crowned regional winners
By Amanda Wilkins amanda@swindonlink.com
Dancers from Lawn Manor Academy brought home the title of best dancers in the South West as part of a national school dance competition, The Great Big Dance Off, held at the Wyvern Theatre.
The dance troupe of 40 pupils from across Key Stage 3 (Years 7, 8 and 9) faced 20 other schools from across the region and wowed the judges with their street dance performance, which told the story of becoming who you want to be, as well as the importance of teamwork and the value of self-expression. As well as winning the category for Key Stage 3, their performance won them a second place overall against dancers aged up to 18. The performance achieved an overall top score of 370 points, based on creativity, complexity,
technique, execution and crowd appeal.
The group will now head to the national finals on Tuesday 1 July in Cheltenham, where they will be performing an updated version of the routine.
Natasha Dixon, Head of Dance at Lawn Manor Academy, said: “We have such a great amount of talent across our dancers at LMA and I’m beyond proud of them.
"The expressive arts are at the heart of our school and it’s
great that everyone supports our pupils through creative arts.
“They have all put in so much time and effort into creating, learning and perfecting their choreography and to have performed and won at the Wyvern, their local theatre, was just the best outcome possible.
"I would also like to thank the judges who came and spoke to the pupils.
"They said that they truly enjoyed their performance and
could see how well the pupils worked as a team and their genuine love for the art, as well as their support for each other and the other teams.
“We’re now busy practising for the national finals this summer and I can’t wait to see the magic in what they create for the final.”
Lawn Manor Academy is part of the Ascend Learning Trust.
For more information on Lawn Manor Academy, people can visit www.lawnmanor.org
Swindon Hub seeking a lift
Swindon’s town centre community hub has launched an appeal to raise funds for its lift.
The Hub, which has become a calm retreat and hive of activity and events for the whole community, has struggled to meet the rising costs of repairing the ageing lift.
Having spent over £12,000 on repairs over the first three years of operation, the Hub trustees decided last year that they could no longer afford to keep it going.
Whilst the cafe and many social activities take place on the Hub’s ground floor, bigger events, as well as quiet spaces, the kitchen and the toilets are all on the first floor - now inaccessible to many since the lift has been out of order. The crowdfunder can be found online at www. crowdfunder.co.uk/p/swindonhub---get-our-lift-workingagain or people can donate at the Hub cafe. More information about the Hub can be found at info@swindonhub.org.uk
Historic garden centre opens new cafe
The Potting Shed Café has opened at Toomers Country Store & Garden Centre in Lydiard Millicent.
A spokesperson said: "Take a seat and enjoy a delicious cake or sandwich with views over the beautiful range of plants in the garden centre.
"The Potting Shed Café is a must visit this Spring."
Toomers is a traditional garden centre with an extensive range of plants and gardening essentials.
It also offers a local pet shop with everything the owner of a dog, cat or small animal needs, and is an equine specialist with great value feeds and a range of horse and rider accessories, and an agricultural feed and bedding supplier with a range of feeds and accessories for poultry, sheep, pigs, goats and cattle.
Wildlife trust bid to raise £20,000 in a week
By Barrie Hudson barrie@swindonlink.com
Wiltshire Wildlife Trust announced it was taking part in the Big Give’s Green Match Fund.
The charity said it aimed to raise £20,000 in just one week, from 22 to 29 April, with the vital extra funds being used to protect Wiltshire's 135 critical-list species through enhanced habitat management and nature-based climate solutions.
Donations made to the trust’s Double the Difference for Nature Appeal during the Big Give’s Green Match Fund will be doubled by Big Give’s Champions, effectively doubling the impact of every contribution towards safeguarding Wiltshire’s precious wildlife.
Becki Mckinlay, the trust's Director of Fundraising and Engagement, said: “This year,
we’re aiming to raise £20,000 to deliver crucial conservation work across Wiltshire.
"To unlock the £10,000 match funding, we need to raise £10,000 in online donations over one week. It’s a tall order for the team, so we are asking everyone to give generously and help us achieve our target, enabling us to continue
the vital work we are so passionate about.
"By supporting us, you’ll be directly contributing to the survival of 135 species that are vital to our local ecosystem.”
The appeal was set to run until noon on 29 April, with people able to donate by visiting BigGive.org
New exhibition explores becoming a steam engine driver
By Barrie Hudson barrie@swindonlink.com
A new exhibition at Swindon’s STEAM Museum tells the story of those who turned the popular childhood dream of being a train driver into reality.
‘A Job for Life’ explores the career path that many railwaymen aspired to, from humble beginnings as an engine cleaner to the prestigious role of a driver.
It delves into the long and challenging journey to the footplate - a slow and rigorous process requiring immense dedication.
The exhibition shines a spotlight on the vital role of mutual improvement classes, with historical documents on display that offer an insight into how railway workers developed their knowledge and skills.
Visitors also learn about the role of Swindon’s Park House,
which provided the crucial medical examinations needed for those aspiring to work on the engines.
Cllr Marina Strinkovsky, Swindon Borough Council’s Cabinet Member for Placemaking and Planning, said: “This new exhibition at STEAM offers a rare glimpse into the world of railway training and the dedication required to become a driver.
“The museum does an incredible job of showcasing the town’s rich railway history
and it’s great to see new exhibitions opening at the museum.
“This new exhibition, along with the history already on display, is such an important asset to residents and especially to children who want to learn more about where they grow up."
The exhibition is included in admission to the STEAM Museum and runs until 31 December. Tickets for the museum can be bought at www.steam-museum.org.uk
Adonis Blue pictured by Steve Smailes
The Festival of Sustainable Homes is
back!
The ‘Festival of Sustainable Homes’, sponsored by Good Energy, is an exciting, familyfriendly show, highlighting how we can all live more sustainably in our homes and communities.
Offering the latest advice on improving the energy efficiency of properties for both new builds & existing homes it takes place on Friday 16 and Saturday 17 May from 9am to 5pm at NSBRC in Lydiard Fields.
The two-day festival will avoid ‘greenwash’ and offer genuine inspiration for anyone interested in creating welldesigned, healthy homes, through exhibits, seminars, live demonstrations and an unrivalled line up of experts on hand to share their knowledge.
FREE advance tickets at: www. nsbrc.co.uk
Swinpex returns for annual show
The Swindon Philatelic Society will be holding its annual event this summer and will show that philately is much more than just stamp-collecting.
'Philatelic' is an all-embracing term that refers to the collection and study of everything related to the worldwide post, covering postal history, postcards, used envelopes, printers' proofs, postal stationery, prepaid cards and letters and stamps in their many categories.
'Swinpex 25', will take place on Saturday 14 June at the Grange Leisure & Community Centre in Stratton St. Margaret from 10am to 3.30pm.
Dr Christopher L Scott, Chair of the Swindon Philatelic Society, said: “You do not have to be a collector to visit, entry is free and open to all."
Significant progress made in Health Hydro restoration
By Amanda Wilkins amanda@swindonlink.com
The first phase of the £8.6m Health Hydro restoration work is expected to be complete by the end of the year.
Two years on from its closure, work is well underway to bring Swindon's historic Health Hydro back to its former glory.
Although the restoration project is taking longer than originally anticipated, there is light at the end of the tunnel, with this important first phase of restoration due to be completed by the end of the year. It is anticipated the pool will reopen to the public in early 2026 after a period of fit-out by leisure operators GLL.
Cllr Marina Strinkovsky, Swindon Borough Council’s Cabinet Member for Placemaking and Planning, said: “Like many residents, I am desperate to see this beautiful building reopened to the public. The Health Hydro is a nationally significant heritage site and the story it embodies of workers self-organising to provide services to their community is one that should make all Swindonians proud.
“The Health Hydro is a Grade II* listed building that also has a lot of engineering complexity, so while I am as disappointed as everyone else that the refurbishment is taking longer than originally
planned, it’s important that the work is done thoroughly and with care and attention. We’re working closely with Beard, the construction company for the project, and Fourth Street, our lead consultant, to make sure we’re doing the right things for this historic building.
“When the Health Hydro does reopen, I know it will be welcomed by the Swindon community and I look forward to everyone being able to enjoy the work so far.”
Since the closure, works have been progressing to make the site safe and to refurbish the former Washing Baths Hall, changing rooms and plant areas. Once complete, the first phase of works will create an accessible route through to the newly-restored changing rooms and the impressive main pool hall, which houses the 33m-long pool (the longest in Wiltshire).
Due to the age of the
building, investigations – which were only possible after the building had been closed to the public – have revealed a series of challenges which have had to be overcome by redesign, with careful consideration given to the best approach to respect the building’s heritage. The carefully controlled removal of asbestos to make sure the building is safe for future use has also added time to the programme. Additional money has been made available through a grant from Historic England, reallocated Government Towns Fund money and S106 funding from developers, to ensure the first phase of works is completed and the site reopened as soon as possible. The total funding for the scheme is now £8.6m rather than the initial £6.5m which was provided by the Towns Fund and the council.
Swindon’s Famous Duck Race 2025 takes place in May
It’s Spring time and just a few weeks to go until the end of May Bank Holiday, Monday 26 May, so it must be the day of Swindon’s Famous Duck Race 2025.
As usual, the day’s events will take place at the Westcott Recreation ground opposite the Runner Pub, as they have for well over 20 years.
As well as the actual Duck Races, there will be many other activities, charity stalls, refreshments etc., promising a good family day out.
Food Fairies for Street Dogs and Cats will again be organising a Dog Show.
This year there will be two race categories – a Sponsored Business Drake Race at 2.15pm, and the Main Duck Race at 3.30pm.
The Ducks and Drakes are not real of course,
and the organisers are very vigilant to ensure every single one is retrieved from the River Ray after the races so there is no pollution.
All money raised will be used to support a range of Rotary causes, and many local charities will be selling tickets in advance. Tickets, at £1 a duck, will also be available on the day.
The winning Main Duck Race Ticket holder will receive £1,000, and there will be six runnersup prizes of £100 each.
This event is organised by members of the Rotary Club of Swindon Old Town, and supported by friends of the club and Nationwide Volunteers.
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Cllr Marina Strinkovsky, SBC's Cabinet Member for Placemaking and Planning at the Health Hydro
Fencing Needs?
Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander unveils blue plaque for Great Western Railway pioneer
By Amanda Wilkins amanda@swindonlink.com
A blue plaque honouring Great Western Railway’s first locomotive driver has been unveiled as part of the 200th anniversary celebrations of the birth of the railway.
James ‘Jim’ Hurst, who worked closely with railway pioneers George Stephenson, Daniel Gooch and Isambard Kingdom Brunel, was appointed as the first locomotive shunter for Great Western Railway (GWR), taking to the tracks on 28 December 1837. His plaque was unveiled by Swindon South MP and Secretary of State for Transport Heidi Alexander in a ceremony hosted by GWR. The commemorative inscription sits above the front door of the last place Jim called home, in Taunton Street, Swindon,
located in the heart of the historic Railway Village.
Born in Lancashire in 1811, Hurst began his life in the railway at the age of 14 when he assisted engineer and 'Father of the Railways', George Stephenson, in surveying the land that would become the Liverpool & Manchester Railway. This led to Stephenson employing him at an engine house in Salford as a fireman in 1832, followed by a promotion two years later to become an engine driver. It was while driving locomotives to the Vulcan foundry of Charles Tayleur & Co. in Lancashire that met and became friends with a young apprentice by the name of Daniel Gooch. Gooch went on to be appointed as the first Locomotive Superintendent by the chief engineer of Great Western Railway, Isambard
Kingdom Brunel, with Jim joining his good friend soon afterwards, relocating to Paddington.
Jim's 38 years of service for GWR eventually brought him to Swindon, where he lived out his days with his wife of 61 years, Ann, passing away in 1892 at the age of 81. His two sons, Edward and Jim Jr, followed in their father’s footsteps, both working at the Swindon works and going on to have lifelong careers in the railway. Five generations of the Hurst family ultimately worked for GWR.
With many landmarks across the GWR network and further afield paying homage to Brunel, Gooch and Stephenson, this plaque represents someone who is less of a household name than his comrades, but whose role in the Industrial Revolution was just as noteworthy.
Ms Alexander, said: “I’m thrilled to unveil James Hurst’s blue plaque, which not only honours one of the lesser-known pioneers of the railway, but also celebrates the part that Swindon and its community played in the founding of the railway 200 years ago.
“While names such as Brunel, Stephenson and Gooch are synonymous with the history of the railway, there are many other individuals whose contributions over the past two centuries have played a significant part in making the railway what it is today. James Hurst – a northern lad who became a proud Swindonian –was just one of them.”
OLD TOWN FESTIVAL RETURNS WITH BIGGER FOCUS ON THE ARTS
The Old Town Festival returns to Swindon from 1–8 June 2025, with an even stronger focus on arts and creativity at its heart. While keeping its successful format and familiar venues, this year’s festival expands its creative programme, offering more ways for the community to get involved.
The festival opens with a vibrant Family Fun Day at Town Gardens on Sunday 1 June, followed by a week of fringe events across Old Town, and concludes with the ever-popular Street Party on Wood Street on Sunday 8 June
interactive storytelling, painting, and hands-on workshops for all ages.
A highlight this year is the “Grow a Story” project by award-winning author Kate Claxton of Really Rather Wild
In partnership with local schools, Badbury Park and Old Town libraries, Kate will co-create an illustrated story trail with children, inspired by the flora and fauna of Town Gardens.
Art takes centre stage with live painting from Open Studios artists promoting the Swindon Arts Fringe, alongside creative sessions led by local artists Deepti Arora, Hazel Paine (ARTventurers Swindon), Sue Bardwell (Artsite), and Inspire Enrichment. Music and dance at the Bandstand and Bowl complete the week-long celebration.
1ST JUNE FAMILY FUN DAY TOWN GARDENS
New for 2025 is a strong focus on sustainability delivered in partnership with Plastic Free Swindon. “After each Old Town event, we fill around 10 bins with single-use plastics and mixed waste,” says Kris Talikowski, Chair of the Old Town Business Association. “We are taking steps this year towards running more sustainable, low-waste events.”
“Through a reusable cup scheme, clear signage and public engagement, we can enjoy a fantastic festival while protecting the environment,” adds Ben Bell from Plastic Free Swindon. Visitors are encouraged to bring their own cups and tupperware, and to use separate bins for food waste, recycling and general waste – just like at home.
To support or volunteer, email events@thisisoldtown.com.
8TH JUNE STREET PARTY WOOD STREET
It is vital for the council to engage with the people it serves
A column by Swindon Borough Council Leader Cllr Jim Robbins
It’s been another busy month at the council, with the opening of The Base - the new Youth provision for the town.
It is great to have met with the young people who codesigned the venue with us and understood the thinking behind their design. The centre boasts a recording studio, design lab, podcasting studio, hair and beauty centre, gym as well as a hangout area and place for the charities who will be running the centre to run their sessions and work.
It is great to be working with WAY UK, SMASH and STEP Swindon and it is really great to see the centre up and running. We’re really looking forward to seeing how the space develops and what the young people using the centre can do.
Hearing that Youth Voice is really important to us and we are keen to find more ways to engage with them.
The Health & Wellbeing Board has a duty to receive a report from the Director of Public Health each year, and we were delighted to receive a report that was coproduced with young people from WAY UK, setting out the key priorities for young people in the town. They raised mental health support, access to dentists and the ongoing inequality in the town as key issues, and we have looked to address these through the council’s work over the coming
months.
Engagement with residents and responding directly to their concerns is exactly what we want the council to be doing, and we have directly responded to comments that it is too hard for people to engage with the council faceto-face by creating a new help desk at the Central Library where residents can speak directly to council officers to raise concerns and get support. If this is a success, we will look to widen the scheme to the other libraries to try to get support to residents closer to where they live.
We are also holding another series of Let’s Talk Swindon events, which have been well-received before. This set is looking at skills development, so that we can support Swindonians to build up their skills and reach their potential. We are looking to work with businesses, education
establishments and residents to understand the different skills needs and how we can create effective pathways for people to get their skills they need to build their careers. Check out the council’s website and Facebook pages to see when the sessions are happening! I wanted to end the column this week with a thank you to the Chief Exec of the council for her hard work helping us transform the council and congratulate her for a shortlisting for Chief Exec of the Year at the Municipal Journal’s annual awards. It is great to see her passion and commitment being rewarded. It is really nice to see the external praise for the work we are doing to try to turn the council around and make it a more inclusive and effective organisation that is working with residents to build the better Swindon we all want to see.
Doing everything to make Swindon a cleaner and safer place
A column by borough council Conservative Group Leader
Cllr Gary Sumner
In 2019, Swindon Conservatives launched a campaign to clean up our streets.
We called it #lovewherewelive – and well, we are still at it!
Conservative councillors are working with local volunteers every month to organise litter picks, plant trees and carry out activities that will help make the town cleaner and greener.
I am so proud that in our town we already have a lot of people and groups who regularly pick litter and who support our parks and open spaces to make sure they are clean and tidy.
It’s about everybody doing their bit.
It became clear to many of us that many of our road signs
were in need of attention.
When signs are dirty or obscured, it’s not just an eyesore - it’s a potential safety hazard.
Rather than waiting for others to address the problem, we decided to roll up our sleeves and clean a bunch of these ourselves.
You will have seen councillors and volunteers regularly out and about with buckets and sponges!
We all know that visible local environmental action can make a huge difference and I am pleased that the Conservatives have championed, and led
on, clean and green issues for many years.
Whilst running the council, we tackled our internal use of single-use plastics, encouraged renewable energy; recycling; protecting and enhancing our country parks; supporting allotments, food growing and gardening; community cleanups and green action days.
Over the spring and summer, we want to highlight the positive work taking place across the borough, and encourage residents and companies to join us in thinking cleaner and greener.
It is a proven fact that cleaner streets are safer streets.
When we clear footpaths of weeds, brambles and litter, we make them safer for older people and those with disabilities.
We know residents and businesses here in Swindon share our frustrations that
during the last two years, bins have been left unemptied and litter allowed to build up on the streets.
Therefore, I’d ask residents to contact their local Conservative Councillors and to share images of fly tipping and graffiti.
I make a promise to you that if we were in charge we would ensure laws to prevent illegal dumping and littering were rigorously enforced.
We would also return to regular street sweeping and gulley clearing to improve the aesthetics of our streets.
In 2020, we launched the Trees for Climate programme and since then, over 50,000 trees have been planted.
Please let your local Conservative Councillor know if you have a suitable piece of land (however small) in your community where we can plant and we’ll do the rest.
Business Profile - Pest Wizards
Business Type - Pest control and prevention
Founded - 2023
Business Location - Swindon and surrounding area
Telephone - (01793) 550926/07446 377816
Website - pestwizards.co.uk
By Barrie Hudson barrie@positive-media.co.uk
Pest Wizards is open for business in Swindon!
Over the past 18 months, a trio of people with years of experience in the trade between them have invested in a local pest control business that had been previously running for 12 years, and rebranded as Pest Wizards. They are Mark, who lives in Faringdon, Luke who lives in Swindon and Teresa, who runs the office.
Teresa said: "Our mission is to offer an excellent and reliable service for every one of our customers, whether domestic or commercial.
"With an office manned Monday to Friday 9am until 5pm, we are always easy to get hold of, and because we have two technicians, we are always on hand to help you at short notice.
"The bulk of our work is the removal of mice and rats from domestic homes around the Swindon and Oxfordshire area, and also dealing with lots of wasps' nests and ants throughout the summer.
"But we also deal with a broader area of pest control problems. We have lots of experience of ridding customers' lawns of moles
and we do lots of work bird proofing solar panels.
"At Pest Wizards, we like to take a long-term view to our pest control solutions, so when we’ve finished our treatment, we can advise you on how to prevent a re-occurrence of the problem.
"We carry out lots of work pest-proofing houses after we have worked out where the
pests are getting in. We can also survey your drains with remote cameras to try to find rodent entry points and then fit a rat trap (non-return valve) in your drains if needed.
"We are happy to pop into you without charge when we’re passing and give you a free assessment and a free quote for any pest control work you might need doing."
Like all animals, rats and mice are opportunists - they seek food and shelter, so if they have an opportunity to enter your home in search of food they will do so.
Although most of us have no problem sharing our wider environment with these rodents, it is not a good idea to have them in your house.
Apart from stealing your food, the main dangers from rodents are that they can spread some very unpleasant diseases and that they can chew their way through your possessions and through critical parts of your house’s infrastructure.
When Pest Wizards carry out a pest treatment to rid you of rats, we leave motionsensor cameras on site so we can monitor the traps to see if there is any activity. That way we can be sure that there are never any animals suffering in the traps.
Mark and Teresa
Tackling a mole problem
Swindon skater secures Olympic spot for Great Britain during World Championships
By Jammie Hill jamie@swindonlink.com
Swindon-based figure skater
Kristen Spours earned Britain a place at the Milan 2026 Winter Olympics.
She took 22nd place in the World Figure Skating Championships.
By finishing in the top 24 at the event in Boston, Massachusetts, Kristen ensured that Great Britain will be represented in the women’s singles event at the Winter Olympics, which are due to be held in Milan next February.
Kristen was awarded a score of 55.10 for her short programme, placing her 22nd of 33 competitors, enough to advance her to the free skate portion of the competition.
Her second routine of the championships did not entirely go to plan, with an attempted triple flip resulting in a fall for the Swindon athlete, but
she recovered well enough to maintain her position in the standings and achieve her best world championship result to date.
This was Kristen's third time competing at the World Championships, and the first time she scored highly enough in the short programme to qualify for the free skate.
It is also the first time she has competed at the World Championships since moving to Swindon in 2022 to train under the guidance of Chris Boyadji and Zoe Jones, both accomplished international skaters in their own right. Her time in Swindon has presented its challenges, though, most notably in 2023 when flooding at the Link Centre caused the town’s only ice rink to close for several months, forcing Kristen and her training partners to travel elsewhere to keep up their training on the ice.
However, since the Link Centre’s rink reopened, she has bounced back, winning her first senior British title in November of last year and following this up with a ninth place finish at the European Championships in January.
Despite her success in Boston, her place on Team GB still hangs in the balance, as figure skating awards qualification places to national federations and not individual competitors. As a result, Kristen will have
to show good form throughout the upcoming season, and score highly at a number of competitions including the British Championships, in order to book her place on the plane to Milan.
Should she be selected for the Olympics, she will become the first woman to represent Britain in the singles event on Olympic ice since Jenna McCorkell, who finished 25th at the 2014 games in Sochi, Russia.
Foster carers across Swindon share their stories
Foster carers in Swindon have been sharing stories of the care they provide to children across the borough in the run-up to national Foster Care Fortnight (12 to 25 May).
More than 300 children are currently in the care of Swindon Borough Council because they cannot stay in their own home.
Around a third of these children and young people are living miles away from Swindon, separated from their family and friends because the council does not have enough local foster carers who can provide a home.
The council will be celebrating Foster Care Fortnight and its theme, ‘The Power of Relationships’, to highlight the many ways relationships transform the lives of children and young people in care.
Throughout the two weeks, the council’s fostering team will be attending events across the Borough to encourage residents to start their fostering journey.
Sarah, who has been a foster carer for more than five years, has shared her experience as a foster carer who cares for a brother and sister. She said: “Fostering has been everything we had expected.
It's been so rewarding at times and I feel that we've had a really positive experience overall.
“Keeping the children together is the best outcome anyone could ever wish for when they can’t be with their family any longer. It means they will grow up together, will always be able to relate to each other and share memories.
“We've always wanted a big family and through fostering we are able to fulfil this lifelong dream.
“Fostering isn't about just caring for the child, it's been providing everything they need, from the basics in life, to love,
understanding and compassion. We really hope we can give the children the best of everything and that they have the happiness they truly deserve.”
To find out more about fostering in Swindon visit: www.swindon.gov.uk/ fostering. Alternatively, you can call 07917 503447 or email fosteringrecruitment@ swindon.gov.uk
Interview: DJ Dust has been a much-loved fixture of the
clubbing scene for 30 years and remains in demand today
By Barrie Hudson barrie@swindonlink.com
DJ Dust - Darren when not working - is modest when it comes to personal publicity.
He is the tiny figure who can just be seen bent over the decks toward the top right of our photograph.
It is impossible to calculate how many thousands of individual nights out, particularly at what was then Level 3, he has provided a soundtrack for, how many memorable personal moments and how many friendships and relationships begun.
For three decades he has been a major figure on the local clubbing scene, and he has no intention of slowing down.
He currently runs two regular monthly nights. Ashes to Dust at Levels Nightclub features New Wave, Indie, Synth Pop and other genres, and there is also a monthly night called Dissolve at The Tuppenny in Devizes Road.
"They're two quite different nights, really. Dissolve is basically background music, where I'm playing Indie, triphop, electronica type of stuffmostly down tempo but I do rev it up occasionally as well!
"And Ashes to Dust? If you look at it, the feel I'm trying to give you is is the 80s retro computers look.
"It's got pictures of bands like Pet Shop Boys, Erasure, Depeche Mode, Siouxsie and the Banshees. Technically it's New Wave, indie, synth pop night, but I'm not trying to make it just rooted in the 80s!
"I'm trying to play 90s stuff, Noughties stuff and some stuff that's bang up to date as well, so it's not purely a retro night even though the night looks like that."
A recent set, for example, saw him play much-loved 1985
classic Take On Me by A-ha and successfully mix it with Blinding Lights by The Weeknd from 2020.
Darren spent the early part of his childhood in Evesham and has lived in Swindon since he was nine or 10 years old.
As with many people who achieve remarkable things, he came to the vocation which would make his work known to thousands entirely by accident.
"I never thought I'd last this long! I've had times in the past when I thought I'd retired and my career was over and that was it, but then it always seems to keep coming back to life, which is kind of nice!
"Thirty years ago, in 1995, I'd left home the previous year. I was a regular at Level 3, which was thriving and busy and I loved all the music there. I hadn't thought about being a dj in a million years."
It was at this time that a random sequence of events changed his life for good, a sequence which began with an unsatisfactory dj and a record by 'Madchester' pioneers The Stone Roses.
"I remember vividly. Myself
and some friends went out one night and went to what was Charlie Parker's nightclub back then."
Charlie Parker's was one of many names taken by the Theatre Square venue over the years including, latterly, Po Na Na.
"It was a Tuesday nightstudent night, student music. We got there and it was actually rubbish!
"The dj wasn't playing anything we liked. We liked indie - Pulp, Radiohead, Happy Mondays, that kind of stuff. He went through his bag and found a 12-inch of Waterfall by The Stone Roses. So he put that on and we all had a dance, and then he didn't have anything else indie-wise, so he started playing other stuff and we left the dance floor again - and he basically played Waterfall about four times.
"Afterwards we left, and we were walking home and saying what a load of rubbish it had been. I remember I said, 'I could have done a better job than that!' and my friend Scott said, 'Darren, you probably could have done - you've got
all the records! You should be a dj.'
"It was like a lightbulb came on in my head."
Borrowing equipment from friends as well as using his own, Darren assembled enough to put sets together, and recalls with a chuckle an early appearance at a house party in County Road which was raided and shut down by environmental health personnel.
The next career milestone saw him booked for a relaunched student night at Charlie Parker's, and he subsequently boosted his reputation still further at a Milton Road student bar, The Underground. It was there that he became DJ Dust, the name inspired by The Dust Brothers, who became The Chemical Brothers.
Then came Level 3.
"That's the place I'm proudest of in my career. When I first started going to Level 3 the resident dj there was a gentleman called Glyn Prince, who passed away last summer. He was really good to me and took me under his wing, and I'd hang out with him in the dj box a lot.
"I'd do occasional half-hour sets, once every couple of months or so, and then, in 1997, I got the job as regular guest dj - but I wasn't really a guest because I was there every week! Every Friday and Saturday night at 11.30 I'd play a half-hour set. That was a big success and then just a few months after that he got me to be his stand-in, his understudy.
"If he had a night off, I did the whole night instead."
By 1998, his mentor having stepped back, DJ Dust became the resident Saturday night dj.
Full schedules for Ashes to Dust and Dissolve can be found on Darren's Facebook - www. facebook.com/therealdjdust/and his work can also be found on Mixcloud.
Air ambulance raises awareness of safety after aborted landing
Wiltshire and Bath Air Ambulance Charity has released a step-by-step guide to the community after having to abort a landing in Swindon recently.
The aircrew were about to touch down to respond to a trauma injury incident on 30 March when children came running towards the landing spot, forcing the pilot to abort.
Chief pilot Matt Wilcock, who was in the cockpit at the time, says: “Safety is our top priority. We had to make the difficult decision to abort the landing to ensure the safety of everyone involved, including the children who unexpectedly entered the landing zone.”
The helicopter was able to land at the second attempt, but there was an inevitable delay to our arrival on scene.
Matt added: “We urge the community to be aware of the dangers and to follow the guidelines we’ve provided to
prevent such incidents in the future. Every second counts in an emergency, and delays can have serious consequences.”
The safety guide released by the Charity includes eight simple steps which should ensure the experience for everyone runs smoothly, and most importantly safely.
The guide includes information about making space, watching for downwash and staying clear until the aircrew have landed and the blades have stopped turning.
The pilot will remain with the helicopter whilst the critical care team carry out their work. Once they have finished the necessary paperwork, and if time permits, this is usually the opportunity to approach and meet the pilot (wait to be called forward). There could even be the chance to look around the aircraft and take pictures, if the situation permits.
The charity’s helicopter and
two critical care cars all have QR codes on their livery, which will help you learn more about our charity and submit photos and videos.
Matt continued: “Our guide will help ensure a positive experience for you, but most importantly, a safe environment for everyone, including our aircrew and patients.
“Your help and continued support is truly appreciated.”
The charity's guide to helping the air ambulance land
MAKE SPACE
If you spot the helicopter coming to land nearby, please keep clear and make as much space as possible. That could be by moving to the edge of a field, or vacating a school playing field, or potentially even returning to your home if we are looking to land in a residential area. If you have any possessions, children or pets, please take them off with you and hold them tight. WATCH FOR DOWNWASH
The helicopter’s rotors produce over three tonnes of downwash to the surrounding area, so the further you are from the aircraft, the better. Think about items like picnic blankets, chairs and handbags. Look after children and animals. You may also want to cover your eyes in case of any dust, debris or cut grass that may be displaced as we land, or take off.
STAY CLEAR ONCE WE’VE LANDED (INITIALLY)
Please ensure no one approaches the helicopter until the blades have stopped and the pilot has left the aircraft. You will see the paramedics and doctors leave to carry out their lifesaving work, while the pilot will need to complete essential paperwork. Please refrain from approaching them at this time.
A CHANCE
TO MEET THE PILOT
The pilot will remain with the helicopter whilst the critical care team carry out their work. Once they have finished the necessary paperwork, and if time permits, this is usually the opportunity to approach and meet the pilot (wait to be called forward). There could even be the chance to look around the aircraft and take pictures, if the situation permits. Just be aware that
at any point the pilot may be called back into action to convey a patient to a nearby hospital or return the crew to base.
NO SMOKING/VAPING
The helicopter is an expensive commodity and an essential part of the community for the people of Wiltshire and Bath. It carries fuel, so smoking (or even vaping) around the aircraft is not allowed.
REMEMBER THE PATIENT
When our team are called out, it’s likely to be the worst day of someone’s life. It’s also going to have an impact on friends and family. If you see work being undertaken by the critical care team, please give them as much space as possible and respect the privacy of the patient and their family too. This includes the use of mobile phones. It could be traumatic, especially for young people.
READY TO TAKE-OFF
Similar to when the aircraft lands, as much space as possible is required. If directed, please move as far as possible away from the helicopter and repeat the advice for steps 1, 2 and 3. Do not approach the area that has been vacated until you see the helicopter making a forward motion and being fully clear from the area. This is essential in case something happens which requires the pilot to take evasive action or to abort a take-off and return to the ground.
TAKE PICTURE AND SHARE TO CELEBRATE OUR CHARITY
As long as it is safe to do so, feel free to take pictures and videos of our helicopter landing, taking off or when it’s on the ground (remembering the privacy advice in step 6).
Investment interest in Swindon high following House of Lords showcase
Investor interest in Swindon has been boosted by a recent House of Lords event to showcase the town.
Swindon Borough Council organised a special investment summit in Westminster last month which sought to promote Swindon’s buoyant economy and potential to 170 guests including investors, businesses and the Government.
Several meetings and conversations have already taken place with prospective investors and developers since the event, who are keen to find out more about the council’s ‘Heart of Swindon’ vision.
More than 50 national regeneration and residential investors joined senior figures in key Government agencies, including Homes England, The Department for Transport, The Department for Business & Trade, Network Rail and the Government Property Agency to hear why now is an ideal time to put their money into
Swindon.
Swindon-based and national arts and cultural institutions, including a number of prospective operators for the proposed new Swindon entertainment venue, were also present at the event in London, which was hosted by Lord Michael Wills, as well as Higher and Further Education institutions already based in Swindon and institutions located in neighbouring cities.
To build on the momentum, an investment prospectus is currently being drawn up which will promote the opportunity to be part of delivering up to 8,000 new homes and amenities to support a Swindon population growing much faster than the national average. The prospectus will also outline the investment opportunities available, ranging from shovel-ready projects in Swindon to longerterm strategic sites that can come forward in a phased
Starlight Walk for Prospect Hospice
Prospect Hospice is inviting you to join hundreds of walkers on their 17th Starlight Walk on Saturday 28 June from 7.30pm.
All funds you raise will ensure that local people living with a terminal illness are cared for and supported to improve their well-being and quality of life. The walk is an opportunity for you, your family and friends to come together and walk a choice of 10km or 15km making some fantastic memories. The walk takes place at dusk starting from
The Deanery Academy and there will be beautiful lighting, lanterns, and a point of reflection to enjoy along the way.
There will also be a donation station on the night for you to bring your pre-loved clothing and support the hospice further. Entry costs £20 per person with each walker recommended to get sponsorship of £100. For more information and to enter the Starlight Walk visit www.prospect-hospice.net/ events/starlight-walk-2025
manner over the next five to 10 years.
Cllr Jim Robbins, Leader of Swindon Borough Council, said:
“The positivity generated from the House of Lords event was great to see and I have been really encouraged by the feedback and conversations we have been having over the last few weeks.
“I don’t need any encouragement to talk up our great town, but it was really
pleasing that partners from the private sector were only too happy to explain why Swindon is the place to invest their money.
“The word is definitely out that Swindon is a pro-growth, can-do town that has untapped potential and we need to build on that by working with investors and developers to deliver exciting projects for the town centre and beyond.”
My friend, Colin, conducts bell ringing in churches around Swindon.
Over a pint my friend, Des, and I encouraged him to dig deep into the maths of bell ringing, the ringers moving from change to change, the conductor calling the changes.
Colin showed examples from Fabian Stedman’s change map published in Tintinnalogia in 1668. You can see how the change moves through the pattern of
The exquisite poetry of the bell-ringer's art
Maurice Spillane: Of Poetry Swindon
five bells like a slow river.
Imagine the conductor feeling the sound intuitively, and you’ll get how a poet feels the internal rhyme of a poem.
With internal rhyming, not just at the end of the line, you know when you read aloud whether it works. If you underline the words, the pattern is as beautiful as Stedman’s map.
Long poems with the sameness of dum-de-dum
and line-end rhymes can become very tedious. Take Longfellow’s poem 'Song of Hiawatha' which runs to about 150 pages and you’ll see what I mean:
From the brow of Hiawatha
Gone was every trace of sorrow,
As the fog from off the water,
As the mist from off the meadow.
Years ago, a friend and mentor, Mimi Khalvati, enjoyed a poem I’d read but said it had an internal clanger – so appropriate to this article! We played with the poem and only changed one word. I’ve never forgotten that.
Feel the internal rhyme yourself in Edgar Alan Poe’s classic 'The Raven.'
Once upon a midnight dreary, while I pondered, weak and weary,
Over many a quaint and curious volume of forgotten lore,
While I nodded, nearly napping, suddenly there came a tapping,
As of someone gently rapping, rapping at my chamber door.
“‘Tis some visitor,” I muttered, “tapping at my chamber door —
Only this, and nothing more.”
Christopher Lee reads the poem beautifully on YouTube.
www.mauricespillane.co.uk
What’s on: www. poetryswindon.com
Getting the children of Swindon cycling!
Monthly column with Becky Cox of Swindon Cycle Campaign.
During the Easter Holidays a very nervous and teary Teddy joined us at Moredon Sporting Hub for his second attempt at 'Ditching the stabilisers'.
With the help of our coaches and volunteers Teddy learned to ride a bike within an hour, he was so proud of himself! The next day, Teddy spent two hours doing laps of the track with his family. Teddy has now turned five years old, and guess what he got for his birthday? His very first bike with pedals!
Every school holiday we run sessions at Moredon Sporting Hub to help children learn to cycle and improve their confidence on two wheels. As part of these days we also run dedicated ‘Ditch the stabilisers’ sessions for SEN children and a ‘Next steps’ confidence session for those who can cycle
Alfie Howlett: Swindon Town FC writer
What an incredible final stage to the season it has been. A truly enjoyable finale which has been pulsating and breathtaking.
The County Ground has become the place to be in 2025.
It might mean little in terms of accolades, but this conclusion will mean so much to so many. In recent weeks I can sense a reconnection between the fans and the team once again. All football fans crave and demand a team which they can simply be proud of.
Thanks to springtime perfection from those in red, those in the stands have a team which they can once again take into their hearts.
I personally haven’t found a game as entertaining as the recent 5-4 victory over title-chasing Bradford City. It not only had everything, but
independently but need to improve skills such as braking, bike handling, gear selection etc.
'Ditch the stabilisers' sessions are funded by Sport England, and cost just £5 per child. Children can bring their own bikes and helmets, or they can borrow them. The sessions are one hour long and take place on the enclosed, trafficfree cycle track at Moredon Sporting Hub. The average age of learners is six to seven years old, and we welcome children aged between four and 11.
The sessions are led by experienced cycle coaches and volunteers in a group of up to 10 children, with a maximum of five children in SEN sessions. Our aim is to ensure everyone feels welcome and has fun, and even the most nervous
riders are often cycling around independently before the end. Our next 'Ditch the stabilisers' and 'Next steps' cycling sessions are taking place on Tuesday 27 May. We’ll have plenty of sessions during the summer holidays too. These sessions are very popular so booking early is advisable; follow Swindon Cycle Campaign on Eventbrite or Facebook to be alerted of when booking is open. Women and girls of all ages
can also join us at Moredon Sporting Hub every Tuesday between 11 and noon for support with learning to cycle and improving their confidence on two wheels. I’m looking to organise more dedicated learn to cycle sessions for SEN children and people aged 12 and up. If you would be interested in these please get in touch with me on: rebeccacox@britishcycling. org.uk
STFC: I’ll miss it over Summer LINK FOOTBALL
it perfectly captured just the 2024/25 season in a nutshell.
To begin with four rather weak and cheap goals were conceded.
Although Town have tightened up as the season has progressed, there can still be a frustrating tendency to allow old sloppy habits to creep in.
Elsewhere, we saw an incredibly potent and pressing attack pry open the Bradford backline on numerous occasions. This attack was spearheaded by the imposing Harry Smith who has been a revelation at Swindon.
Smith went the first five league games without a goal before being banned following a reckless red card at Barrow. From there it looked as if had reached the point of no return; since then his revival in red has been sensational.
Smith has epitomised
everything which this Town team has become.
However, the biggest takeaway from that game and the conclusion of the season must be the incredible strength of belief implemented in the players and consequently the fans.
Even when Swindon got a goal, or even two, down there seems to be an air of inevitability about a comeback. They simply don’t know when they’re beaten.
There have been various alternative examples where they refuse to lie down. It’s clear that through sharing these dramatic experiences a tight bond has formed between players and fans.
Speaking of bonds, Ian Holloway has committed to forging a further one with Swindon. He has put pen to paper on a deal which will
keep him at the club until 2028.
I’m thoroughly excited, Holloway has made Swindon a force to be reckoned with, especially at The County Ground. Under his stewardship Swindon have recorded the longest home unbeaten streak in League 2 this season. At the time of writing, Swindon are the highest scorers across the top five English leagues in 2025. More of the same over the next three years please! So, a positive wrap up to a season which was shaping up to be a nightmare. It looked as if this would be the campaign which broke so many supporters' love for the team. Instead, it has reignited and strengthened that unconditional love. I’ll massively miss enjoying these feelings over the coming summer months. I normally can’t wait for the season to end!
