Best part of a week since Stone Circle Music Events’ Wiltshire Music Awards and I’m still at one thousand feet about what we achieved, and dealing with a cascade of feedback. While some of it has been appreciated constructive criticism, that crazy playground called social media is such that some comments have become unfair, misinformed or even blatantly untrue. I prefer to remain positive, thanks all the same! And here we are, beginning to see positive after effects of the whole grand shebang……
I’ve loved seeing winning and runner-up acts, if not just posting pictures and videos of themselves proudly grasping their trophies, but using their win as an accolade on gig posters and bios. If that’s not a positive outcome in a time when the whole hospitality industry is at its knees, I frankly don’t know what is. Try proving me wrong on this, I double-dare you and might even throw in a Twix for first prize!
There was also the whole “convention” side to the event too, which saw networking between musicians and venues, radio stations and promoters, and the general get-together of folk usually individually dispatched to their respective gigs on a weekend. I have already seen gig posters with added support acts who didn’t know each other before last Saturday, and radio plays for bands featured.
From my good friend Charlotte reuniting with Lifetime Achievement winner Peter Lamb, the producer who took her hopeful nineties girl band under his professional direction, to Fantasy Radio DJ, Mark Lister, who mentioned the awards on Scott Mills Radio 2 morning show, the attention the awards are seeing is phenomenal and the after effects are beginning to flourish.
If Sunday’s piece was a reflection on the night as a whole and a statement of the issues we unfortunately faced. Let today be about our fantastic acts who performed, for that’s where sparks flew and obviously the nature of what we were celebrating.
In order of appearance. Go on, admit it, you didn’t know the sublime Miss Ruby Darbyshire would be present, did you? I managed to not let the cat out of the bag about our opening special guest, despite my excitement!
At eighteen, Ruby is as her name suggests, a gemstone on our circuit. A multi-instrumentalist with bagpipes under her championship belt, a singer-songwriter with an exceptionally soulful voice which puts expression into her diligently crafted writing. Originally the plan was for Ruby to blow a tune of her own choice from her bagpipes and scoot off to another gig in Bradford-on-Avon, returning later in the evening. But we couldn’t let her go without at least another song, her magnum opus to date, Crowded Lightbringer, and then she played a second. It was the best opening ever, even if I was blindly operating the curtains like a bell ringer!
Hey, honestly, I was a raver in the nineties and viewed Britpop as regressive, but I now see its worth and respect the succeeding generation who see them as classics. Being such, we see a lot of cover bands performing Britpop anthems, with varying degrees of skill. The Britpop Boys have been on my must-see list for donkeys but our paths hadn’t crossed before. I’m glad that’s sorted and sound, for they were off the scale brilliant and totally ‘avin’ it are kid.
I was sitting on the stage’s sideline in awe of The Britpop Boys, it could’ve been Madchester in 1996. The sound and appearance held me spellbound, and I felt I should write to The Oxford Dictionary to redefine the word “cool” as “see Britpop Boys!” Yeah, they did Wonderwall, of course they did, but if it’s a cliche cover choice for most, it’s because it’s a beautiful crowdpleaser, and had to be done given only three songs. The ultimate thing about this was, they knocked it out of the Corn Exchange and into the stratosphere; I’ve never heard it done with such attention to detail and precision to honour the original.
If I’ve seen one new band begin wobbly and develop over time I’ve seen a hundred. But Burn the Midnight Oil is one of my most favourite newcomers to the Wiltshire music scene, for the simple reason that it feels like they’ve been here forever, as their ability to deliver crisp blues-rock originals and stamp covers with their own divinity is something to behold. Like mobile phones, you think, how did we ever survive without Burn the Midnight Oil?!
It’s as if they honed their skills over decades and perfected the harmony of a classic rock band in their eighties which toured since their twenties, even if they might have, they did so individually, but that seam never shows. Their perfect performance proved this, it was nothing short of brilliant, fresh and invigorating, showing us what they’ve been working on, a beguiling harder rock sound; they look the part, they sound it too, I have high hopes for them.
Ben was great as a soloist, Pat was too, together it’s a magical connection to charm the pants off a donkey. This cover act could easily work anywhere, from crusty cider festival to wedding reception, it’s got universal appeal. Their set was amazing, Ben might have accidentally hit me on the head with his guitar but they were awesome, and I’ve had worse on my rock n roll journey!!
It might’ve knocked some sense into me, but I know what I liked anyway, and Matchbox Mutiny are high on that list.
George went next, and yeah, this is where we had technical sound issues. Professional till the end, George worked through it, and as a stalwart spirit on our circuit, George is modestly legendary, for his back catalogue of sublime originals and new songs flourishing to his entertaining interactive solo covers show. See our mention of the warm up gig from Friday at the Three Crowns, if you don’t already understand why we love Mr Wilding!
With various issues arising the evening was in need of a reset. I apologise, I announced an interval, thinking Lucas could prepare and we could hold a team talk. Just like George Wilding, Lucas is professional and motivated to the core. He came out like a boxer for a championship belt fight, psyched up for it and couldn’t wait for the bell! Therefore I attempted to recall the interval idea as quickly as possible, because Lucas Hardy was like a greyhound out of the trap! And what an outstanding performance, rinsed with sheer brilliance, Lucas is no stranger to award winning, it’s easy to see why.
As it was it was impossible to estimate how much time the award giving and other acts would take, I apologise if we wrongly assumed time was against us and lengthy speeches were deemed something unpredictable enough to encourage people to keep them short if at all. The original plan therefore was that our Devizes homegrown heroes, the teenage band which shook the rafters of this market town and deployed their exceptional talent to Bristol to further the phenomenon of Nothing Rhymes With Orange, were to play out until the end.
We finished earlier than expected, the barriers broke down, and there to help create a needed frenzy of excitement, ready and eager, was this successful Devizes export, for a hometown return like no other. Nothing Rhymes With Orange were mindblowingly fantastic before they left for Uni, now it’s a monster.
I was ecstatic to see the guys again, and they threw everything into their solid performance, as they always do. They return to Devizes for the Arts Festival, something we would’ve been singing from the highest tree about anyway, but after last Saturday, it’s surely unmissable.
I’ve given my thanks already, I’d like to do it again, to all our performing acts, for you made the ceremony, you furnished it with your brilliance, and that was what the night was always supposed to be about; cheers!
If you believe AI, TikTok and the rest of it all suppress Gen Z’s outlets to convey anger and rage, resulting in a generation of anxiety and mental health concerns, I might take your point as marginally valid, but I’d add politely as I possibly could, “have you, perchance, had the pleasure of listening to Steatopygous? They’re from Devizes, don’t you know?!” Then I’d await the pending detonation of a shocked expression…..
That’s punk, and what it set out to do decades ago, and that is the quality hidden within the rolling drums, raging guitars and screaming vocals of this homegrown riot grrrl four-piece who with their latest single Septic will shake the foundations for as far as it’s willing to travel. Septic, if anything previous from Steatopygous will be the baseplate on how they move from here. Whilst it remains DIY, as it should, it has the produced balance of natural progression and leaves you anticipating what’s to come from this emerging band.
It’s punk on a SmallTown Tigers level, in your face and demanding you pay attention.
On the theme of body image, it takes no prisoners. Fronted by Poppy Hillier with bassist Eliza Brindle, drummer Ewan Middleton and an additional Rufus on guitar who wrote the song, Steatopygous, you’ve really gone and done it now; this is a pinnacle track to your development as a force to be reckoned with, this is outrageous, and I love it!
If Devizes’ celebrated FullTone Festival is to relocate to Whistley Road’s Park Farm for next summer’s extravaganza, what better way to give it the rustic feel than The Wurzels, who have just been announced on the line-up?!
If Somerset’s Scrumpy and Western genre has fermented longer than a cider press from folk roots, it’s surely The Wurzels who brought mass attention to it with their number one parody of Melanie’s Brand New Key, The Combine Harvester. The staggering thing about this is, it was in 1976, but what’s more staggering, is people are still singing it today, and likely will be at FullTone Festival on 11th & 12th July 2026!
Organiser of FullTone, Jemma Brown said of the booking, “there’s not much more we can say to that!” But you know me, I’ve always got something to say, and I’m saying that is a fantastic surprise which only remains to add to the already brilliant show the orchestra and guest acts will deliver.
What else we do know at this early stage, is the huge fifty-piece orchestra will play through sets of Holst’s The Planets & Star Wars, a Symphonic Queen with Ricardo Afonso, The Best of Motown, an eighties spectacular and Devizes-own BBC radio DJ James Threlfall will be on the dance anthems.
If I wonder what songs the Wurzels will play, top choice has to be I’ll Never Get a Scrumpy Here, which contains the line, “’Cos you never get surprises livin’ in Devizes,” and spurred my rant column of the same name, you might remember it. I did write to them to ask permission, they were too busy drinking cider to be in any way concerned. I asked if it was sly stab at our brewery, or that Devizes was as far eastward they favour to venture, but they explained it was used because it rhymed! Well, they’re venturing here in July, and if they give us the key, we can all have a brand new combine harvester.
Well, we did it! I sincerely hope you had a great night at the first Wiltshire Music Awards as we filled the Devizes Corn Exchange with a cross-section of people involved in the music scene of Wiltshire, musicians and fans. Positive feedback already, and a few teething issues, noted, which we must take onboard and learn from….
But for those who unfortunately couldn’t make it, I guess you are eager to hear the results. Let’s do this easy bit first! But before we do, I ask you, please, to take a few issues into consideration. Firstly, there was a monumental process to arrange, coordinate and launch during and also months prior to the ceremony. From the voting process and organisation of a panel of judges, to decorating the tables and corresponding all those trophies to each category.
So many volunteered their time to help with this, and we are extremely grateful to them. Overall, the management of the whole process and ceremony was carried out by Eddie Prestidge of Stone Circle Music Events. Eddie worked arduously on this project, and was dedicated to creating an extravagant event to be remembered. With the help of so many volunteers, myself included, stage tech and the staff of the Corn Exchange, I believe we achieved this to the best of our abilities, and a fantastic evening was had by most.
There should have been one more trophy, it should’ve been big, extra shiny, and presented to Eddie for his dedication and the tireless work he put into this. Exhausted, Eddie fell ill a few days before the ceremony, but strode through it the best that he could. The end result of this was that he was rushed into hospital a few hours prior to the conclusion of the ceremony. I have heard from him this morning, and he’s doing okay.
If you witnessed me on the sideline, rushing up and down the stairs like a headless chicken, it wasn’t my step aerobics workout, it was because I was honouring my part as co-host on stage but attempting to coordinate the floor as well, as best as possible, as Ed seriously needed to take a step back. Whilst the beginning therefore went to plan, as the evening progressed we stumbled on issues, but I ask you to please take this into consideration if you’re intending to criticise the evening on social media. I apologise for any breakdowns in communication, but the condition was out of our control and we strived through best we could.
Results
The results, then. Congratulations to everyone who bagged an award, commiserations to those who did not. To those unable to attend, we have trophies reserved for you and will arrange the best way to get them to you as soon as possible.
Best Venue. Sponsored by Pat Robertson of Trowbridge Motor Supplies ltd.
Runners Up: The Royal Oak, Pewsey. The Vic, Swindon.
Winner: The Three Horseshoes, Bradford-on-Avon.
Best DJ: Sponsored by Mark Anthony Burdge.
Runners Up: Maurice Menghini – DJ Mister M. Mark Lister of Fantasy Radio.
Winner: Paul Alexander of Solstice Sounds, This is How We Do It Entertainment.
Best Drummer.
Runners Up: Tom Gilkes. Callum Rawlings.
Winner: Jamie O’ Sullivan.
Best Bassist. Presented by Alex Morgan of Waldrop Salisbury Sounds.
Runners Up: Nick Gorman. Nick Beere.
Winner: Mark Turner.
Best Guitarist.
Runners Up: Alastair Sneddon. Nick Beere.
Winner: Jolyon Dixon.
Best Duo.
Runners Up: Jolyon Dixon & Rachel Sinnetta. The Sylvertones.
Winner: Matchbox Mutiny.
Best Covers Band. Sponsored by Simon Woolley of The Three Crowns, Devizes.
Runners Up: Pinky & The Slapcats. The Unpredictables.
Winner: The Brit-Pop Boys.
Best Original Band: Sponsored By Peggy-Sue Ford of Don’t Stop the Music on Swindon 105.5 Radio.
Runners Up: Nothing Rhymes With Orange. Burn The Midnight Oil.
Winner: Talk in Code.
Best Tribute Act.
Runners Up: Painted Bird. BC/DC.
Winner: Mick Jogger & The Stones Experience.
Best Female Artist.
Runners Up: Sammi Evans. Rosie Jay.
Winner: Ruby Darbyshire.
Best Male Artist. Presented by Lesley Scholes of Fantasy Radio.
Runners Up: Lucas Hardy. Vince Bell.
Winner: George Wilding.
Best Original Song.
Runners Up: I Don’t Give a Damn by Rosie Jay. Do I Really Have The Blues by JP Oldfield.
Winner: All In by Talk in Code.
Best Instrumentalist.
Runners Up: Ruby Darbyshire. Andrew Hurst.
Winner: Jolyon Dixon.
Rising Star New Comer.
Runners Up: Ruby Darbyshire. Rosie Jay.
Winner: JP Oldfield.
Best Vocalist.
Runners Up: Chris Stevens. Lucas Hardy.
Winner: Rachel Sinnetta.
There were four special awards given out on the evening which didn’t receive runner-up places as according to the information given to the hosts. If there was an oversight about this, we apologise.
Outstanding Contribution to The Wiltshire Music Scene was won by Colin Holton of Salisbury Live.
Outstanding Contribution to Music in the Community was won by Jo Baines Robbins.
A Special Award was given to Wiltshire Hop & Harmony, The Wotton Bassett Dementia Choir. The Second Special Award was presented to Brian Mundy of BMS Stage Tech.
A Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to Peter Lamb.
Ruby Darbyshire opened the evening with a bagpipe song and two others, as a surprise special guest.
We also had live performances from Nothing Rhymes With Orange, Burn The Midnight Oil, Lucas Hardy, Matchbox Mutiny, George Wilding, and The Britpop Boys. Due to technical issues, Jolyon Dixon and Rachel Sinnetta were unable to perform.
I would like to sincerely thank our panel of judges.
And, Ruby and Brian Darbyshire
The Britpop Boys
Burn The Midnight Oil
Matchbox Mutiny
Lucas Hardy
Jolyon Dixon & Rachel Sinnetta
George Wilding
Nothing Rhymes With Orange
Sponsors:
Val Bewley VB Arts Studios
Alex Organ Wardrop Salisbury Sounds
Colin Howton Salisbury Live
Pam Robertson – Trowbridge Motor Supplies
Simon Woolley – Three Crowns, Devizes
Peggy-Sue Ford – Swindon 105.5 Radio
Mark Jones & Lesley Scholes- Fantasy Radio
And a sponsor and our host DJ Mark Anothony and wife Sandra.
Thanks to Anya and Marc of Soupchick.
To Ian and all the staff at the Corn Exchange
To Brian Mundy and BMS Stage Tech.
To everyone who got behind this, I thank you.
Anthony & Jemma Brown for helping us set up.
Charlotte & Moray MacDonald for help on the front desk.
But massive thanks goes to Eddie Prestidge and Stone Circle Music Events
And finally, thank you for coming, supporting the local live music scene.
This afternoon sees the inaugural grand ceremony of Stone Circle Music Events’ Wiltshire Music Awards taking place at the Devizes Corn Exchange. It’s a sellout show celebrating our county’s music scene, with a lot of local acts performing between the announcements of the results of a public voting system. The legend who is Mr George Wilding kicked off proceedings with what was supposed to be a warm-up party last night at The Three Crowns…..
The temperature dropped and the rain came in, and if that didn’t make the term “warm-up party” seem a smidgen dubious, I’m not sure if anyone else attending the awards other than myself, Jolyon Dixon setting up the PA and George himself made it to the evening; best guess they’re saving themselves for the big day today! Nevertheless, it was a fair turnout and those who did come were treated to Geroge’s human jukebox show and came up trumps, singing and dancing the October chill away.
Equally ambiguous as the warm-up is the term “human jukebox” to describe Geroge’s show, for if a jukebox doesn’t have the song you want it cannot play it. George has a plethora of classics in his repertoire, the audience are encouraged to shout them out, and should they request something George hasn’t a handle on, he’ll attempt it anyway, play a riff of it, and declare he doesn’t know it in his droll way. He might try a medley of the parts he does know with other songs of the same artist, he might look to the audience to help with lyrics, and if all this fails it becomes part of his amusing and interactive show.
Far from a man with a guitar and a setlist who frowns at the idea of requests, does his shift and pulls out. George took no break, played overtime, and seemingly adored every minute. I gather this was his mainstay while working the cruise ships and imagine the cruisers delightedly returning each evening, but such voyages for George are on the backburner and while he doesn’t mind running a covers show, he’s otherwise in the studio with producer Jolyon Dixon building a catalogue of original tracks in which he is toying with the idea of releasing as an album.
But the Three Crowns love a covers show, and George delivered such in this interactive way there can be no arguing his brilliance to entertain and his skill as a musician. So, should an audience member request, as one did, The Eagles’ Hotel California and he ponders it’s a bit slow to fit with the pace of previous songs, he’ll up the tempo. An apt Raindrops Keep Falling on my Head opened the show, and George will set the ball rolling, but once the audience catch the drift, he’s never without a request, and will either attempt the most obscure or tell them in the most charming way that they’re really testing him!
As it was I requested The Ronnettes’ Be My Baby, aware the soulful doowop earworm was a personal favourite George used to regularly put in his set and put his own stamp on. He nodded in fond remembrance, and the regulars approved, dancing on the cobblestones. But I only asked for one, the rest left up to the modest crowd, really feeling they were part of something unique and special, because that’s George’s ability and that’s what has made him one of our fondest favourites on the circuit for many a moon. “Total ledge,” I understand is the gen z terminology!
I cannot tell you if he is to receive an award tonight, but I believe he deserves to; I will announce the winners here as soon as I recover tonight, for those who cannot make it! If you’ve not got a ticket for the awards, there’s a whole list of events happening on our event calendar; just look at it! Just look and see how many are music gigs, and realise the strength of our local music scene. That is what we celebrate tonight, and yeah, George will be singing a song, along with many others. I’m on curtain duty! See you there!
Has anyone else noticed this media trend, or is it just me? There was a time, back when Tories held the majority at County Hall, when I felt like Michael Knight, a lone crusader championing criticisms of the council. Now the Lib Dems have taken command, every man and his blog are jumping the bandwagon claiming Wiltshire Council has descended into chaos and mayhem. From Kenny J Plebb’s local gutter press to… well, I’d expect no less from Newsquest…..
Maybe it has, but more likely, it’s media bias showing its true colours. What I’ve seen coming from the council since the takeover has been mostly positive. Roads being repaired for the first time since the Roman invasion of Britain. Recreation centres and town halls are being renovated and reopening. They’ve reversed the censorship regulations placed on White Horse Publications, such as Melksham News. Wragg’s Visit Wiltshire gets funded again, to bring back that profitable thing called “tourism” you’ve probably forgotten all about. Disabled folk don’t need to trot four miles to get a loaf of bread from the shop. Wiltshire parents and carers are getting free courses, kids can swim free again. They approved a new Air Quality Supplementary Planning Document and switched to an electric fleet of vehicles.
To me, this sounds far better than the previous council who laughed off six million pounds of taxpayer’s dosh which went mysteriously missing on their watch, of which the media conveniently swept under the carpet, spent four million on an unnecessary PCC re-election after their first attempt was a drunk-driving huntsmaster, just to maintain Conservative presence in the force, couldn’t fix a pothole yet proposed a six billion pound project to tunnel underneath our most famous ancient monument, and awarded their families top roles in the council.
Yet the media will have us believe it’s all falling apart, despite progress clearly being made, that they’re hiding secrets despite holding public forums, and rewarding themselves massive pay rises, despite it was only allowances in line with inflation, and their wage not being great to begin with for the work they do and criticisms they have to face, kind of bringing us full circle!
Let’s face it, if there’s any turmoil within Wiltshire Council it’s the few remaining Conservatives hanging on like a milk tooth on a nerve, bitter about losing, and the ten stronghold Weebles who insist we should forget about human extinction and convert to fascism.
But whoa, Conservatives completely hijacked a motion set by Liberal Democrat portfolio holder for arts and culture, Liz Alstrom, supporting the LGBTQIA+ community, and it was sadly rejected. Meanwhile, Reform councillors are singing from the rafters with big sheets of wool to pull over our eyes that they didn’t vote for a pay rise, but took it anyway, and virtual-signalled how righteous and humble they pretend to be; this is an educated state, not a trip a Trumpton!
Provided a dedicated Council is working hard to create better services for us all, perhaps they deserve a bit more pocket money, but should a councillor temper-tantrum against unity and equality, because someone likes to wear Cuban heels, or is a shade too dark for their liking, and resists progress because it doesn’t fit their narrow-minded prejudice rhetoric, maybe a sack of coal is all they deserve from Santa this year.
Take Lib Dem Cllr Jon Hubbard, for example. He might look like he’s doing a paper round, but the guy has done more good for this county than an entire Conservative Vogon Constructor Fleet! Give this dude a rise, so he can get himself a new fleece! Left to the opponents poor children would drown, then who will deliver their future Hadley Rose luxury home furnishings, huh?!
We all wouldn’t mind a pay rise, and probably wouldn’t refuse one either, unless we were funded by Russian oligarchs. Basically it’s a whole lot of hot air from the deceitful Reform ten, who it seems, from locations they’ve miraculously achieved a majority, would rather spend thousands on flags they can shag, than social care, road safety or education facilities.
Yet Calne Reform nut-job, Cllr Augusta Urquhart-Nicholls insists with that age-old malapropistic ultranationalist pufferied slogan, that they’ll “Make Wiltshire Great Again,” when most of its residents would agree, it’s never not been great, just a little misguided since the Conservatives donned the captain’s cap twenty-six years ago.
And being most of the reject Musk androids called Reform councillors merely shifted their rosettes from indigo to sky blue to keep their jobs, perhaps what we need to allow this Lib Dem majority is a little bit of time to repair the damage, get a nice trim and organise themselves, before we burn down Bythesea Road’s Reichstag, arrest anyone opposing and remove their civil rights, huh?!
But what we must definitely do, is stop believing the media claptrap and propaganda; “Wiltshire Council in Turmoil,” you say? Go paint a roundabout. Like it ever wasn’t before?!
In association with PF Events, Devizes Outdoor Celebratory Arts introduces a Young Urban Digitals course in video mapping and projection mapping for sixteen to twenty years olds….
It’s an introductory session on video mapping and projection mapping, hosted by PF Events and run by a professional video engineer. These sessions will cover the basics of projection mapping and introduce attendees to the software used to create beautiful works of technological art.
These will be preliminary sessions used to build the content for the final video map that will be projected onto St Johns Church on the night of the lantern parade on the 28th November.
This is an opportunity to gain an Arts Award certificate while training and learning. You’ll produce a record/log to tell the story of your journey through the process of making this work of art. You’ll learn about relevant artists who create similar work, and share your journey with others.
Training will be at The Lounge on 25 Sidmouth Street, Devizes SN10 1LD, on dates 15th, 22nd and 28th of November, from 09:30 – 13:00 and 14:30 to 17:00, 16:30 to 20:20 on event day, 28th November. Ages sixteen to twenty are welcome and up to twenty-five for SEND participants.
There are limited places available so enrol quickly to avoid disappointment!
There’s albums I’ll go in blind and either be pleasantly surprised, or not. Then there’s ones which I know I’m going to love before the first notes ring out. Quite familiar with Swindon’s beloved Dylanesque singer-songwriter Jol Rose, Ragged Stories is another notch in his sublime discography you simply have to listen to on repeat….
Similarly there’s many attempting Americana, a few leave themselves open for criticisms of cliché or authenticity while others refine it with a certain level of finesse, then there’s Jol Rose. Prolific writer and recording artist, but a perfectionist with that defining quality to paint mind masterpieces through his music.
Though Jol has no standalone anthem, there never seems to be a magnum opus and fans select a wide range of his songs as their personal favourites. His portfolio is never samey, nor completed. Euro ballad Meet me in Berlin makes an appearance on this new album, and is one of my favourites from last year’s album, Peace, Love & Americana. But this is a stripped back acoustic version, and that’s the thread through a variety of themes and temperaments; this Jol, raw.
There’s other stories of travels; two songs venturing over to the USA it wouldn’t be Americana without, and some Road Boogie to boot. But it’s not without ditties of homebased subjects too. If Springsteen writes romantically of New Jersey gangland warfare, why can’t Jol humbly justify Swindon’s attractiveness with a certain beguiling jollity?! But if Swindon Saturday Night is tongue-in-cheek, Not My Cherie takes cheekiness to a whole other level, as a jokey French rejection from Swindon Conservative Councillor Cherie Adams.
Yet if Not My Cherie doubles-up as his social political observations and Liars & Thieves, makes its political stab humorously, the others on this sixteen songs strong album are far more poignant than satirical. A battle with corruption, Eucalyptus Lullaby opens the album, with the lines, “As I lie on a bed made of ashes, and ponder the wreckage below, I survey all the things brought upon us, by ignoring what we should have known,” which confirmed we’re in for brilliantly constructed anti-establishment prose.
Perhaps none more than Day & Night Collide, underlining our anger and ignorance hiding our fears in regards to immigration. If you only listen to one song before going to a polling station, make it this one.
Afternoon Nightmares, is relationship bittersweet, the most Dylanesque, and yes, Jol tackles romance themes with equal edge. In its simplicity Beautiful Denial is gracefully wonderful, but my biggest surprise came via Love Story, a simple title which does what it says on the tin, and you might recognise it, but Jol stamps his mark, and makes this Taylor Swift cover his own.
Just man and guitar, the pure essence of sole quality, and in Jol Rose it is exceptional, this album showcases it without pretence or ignorance. He’s a figure of reality in a world gone sour, and he expresses it sublimely.
CD of Ragged Stories is available from Jol Rose’s website HERE.
It’s nice to hear when our features attract attention. Salisbury’s Radio Odstock picked up on our interview with Devizes band Burn the Midnight Oil and…
In thanking everyone who supported this year’s Wiltshire Music Awards, Eddie Prestidge of Stone Circle Music Events revealed his intentions of continuing with the awards…
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by Ian Diddams images by Penny Clegg and Shakespeare Live
“Antony & Cleopatra” is one of Shakespeare’s four “Roman Plays”, and chronologically is set after “Julius Caesar” as the new triumvirs Mark Antony, Octavius and Lepidus between them oversee the Roman Empire. Basically we start with Mark Antony all loved up, and avoiding his duties until recalled to Rome by Octavius to help fight pirates whilst playing down their distrust of each other. The rest of the play concerns itself with political chicanery egged along by the inevitable soothsayer complete with prophecies of doom and gloom … Our eponymous hero should have considered Julius Caesar’s similar warnings – but this is Shakespeare so why would he do that? Keen eyed readers may already have spotted a pattern with Shakespeare and prophecies of course… He makes some pretty dashed poor tactical mistakes over battles and ends up killing himself, leaving Cleopatra to similarly despatch herself in grief … keen eyed readers may already have spotted another pattern with Shakespeare and lovers killing themselves over misunderstandings… Shakespeare Live bring this Shakespearian tragedy to life on tour, opening at the Rondo.
The play takes anything up to three hours to normally complete – but director Jacky Crosher has superbly trimmed the text to just a hundred minutes, concentrating on the juicier scenes and real plot developments while using extraneous introduced Greek chorus style narrators to fill in the more prosaic plot areas. The result is a rollocking production that keeps the audience entranced but her directorial influences don’t stop there. The great naval battles on which Mark Antony’s fate resides rather than being glossed over as per the text are brought to the fore in riveting scenes of their own, played out with two full navies on a tempestuous sea via choreography and music. Similarly the land battle is performed in stylised choreography quite superbly.
All of this also wrapped with various well known musical items from Rodriguez to Black Sabbath. Full kudos to Jacky for creating such a wonderful melange of art styles to tell this tragedy.
The cast are no less excellent. When you portray a pair of lovers it is important to have on stage chemistry – a belief that the two characters are into each other, so how better to cast such a couple than with a real life couple; so step forward Mr. & Mrs. Finlay, Rob and Maria as the wonderfully played eponymous pairing. Andy Cork’s Enobarbus is sublime, Lucy Upward’s deferential yet sister-like Charmian delightful while Naomi Miller as Iras shines alongside her as Cleopatra’s companions.
Liz Hollis cameos her way almost sprite like as the inevitable Shakespearian soothsayer, all melodramatic cloak waving, and as a messenger and finally as Eros, squire to Mark Antony. Jeremy Reece advises Mark Antony smoothly while many of the already mentioned also then wade in as a clown, Egyptian and soldier.
Naledi Withers almost surpasses her excellent role of Octavius Caesar in her presentation – its that narrator thing – of a newspaper reporter, while in her main role in Rome she is excellently supported by Jeremy Reece (again!) as Lepidus, the far more sensible member of the Triumvirate! Naomi Miller also doubles up just as splendidly as Octavia, Octavius’ sister who gets married off to Mark Antony, while the stalwarts of Shakespeare Live Gill Morell and Graham Paton as ever shone in their roles as Dolabella and Thidias, and Agrippa respectively.
Tech as ever is delivered by the ever dependable Alex Latham, with more back stage stalwarts of James Dennis and Connor Palmer stage managing it all. The costumes are sumptuous, the set perfectly simple… a black box with a settee, easy to tour with and never distracting on the eye.
For a roller-coaster ride through post Julius Caesar Roman history, a love story, political chicanery and a tragedy you can do WAY worse than catch Shakespeare Live on tour – tickets available at
Unlike Buck Rogers, who made it to the 25th century six hundred years early, Devizes’ most modest acoustic virtuoso arrives at the 21st just short of twenty-six years late! We’re looking at Vince Bell‘s EP, Songs, Poetry and Motivation, as it makes off for a futuristic online adventure…..
Devizes knows “our Springsteen” Vince, loves Vince, unless they’re selling tickets for “The Bin.” “It’s three quid to get in,” Vince jests in a song popular with locals, as reasoning for not attending the town’s only nightclub, which is actually quite reasonable these days! Its references strictly imply Devizes, but the concepts could relate to another market town, that song of his. Composed of contemporary scuttlebutt and twisting it into urban legend for intoxicated natives to chant the chorus’ self-mocking punchline about never leaving, back at him, if Vince is, (and deserves to be leaving at least on a national tour,) branching worldwide, this one rightfully doesn’t appear on the EP.
When plugging his new Spotify account to me, we meandered onto the better between the ZX Spectrum and Commodore 64, after he confessed his family encouraged him to put his songs online. A self-deprecating retrospective attitude relayed in Spiderman Pajamas, which also doesn’t appear on the EP, and was likely the reasoning behind the world waiting so long for Vince to give into the virtual realm.
Vince doesn’t have stars in his eyes, he’s an unassuming musician who sees it as an eternal labour of love. Yet in true folk fashion, his guitar finesse is equal to his delivery of some genius wordplay, and that love for more universal observations are of those five tracks which made his own exceptionally high level of EP grade. Songs of local satire or retrospective are adored here, but concentrated observations are more universally acceptable.
Though the opening title Lisa’s Kitchen has obvious personal, homely connotations. It’s a five minute sketch comparing the cliche places of solitude to the simplicity of a family kitchen, and an apology for casually acting on promises made in the freedom of this daydreamy oasis of ménage calm.
The guitar riff rolls intensely after this, and things aren’t so calming. Haunting like embers randomly sparking from a campfire, for First Fire of Winter. This song is a summary of the contemplating sentiments evoked by a fire; of trust and conviction, weakness against strength, pain of loss and fire in a heart of longlost boys homecoming. When Vince mentions “submissive machines in a world that’s gone too far”, and “God’s own simulation,” it’s a vehemence against war, yet while the poetry is poignant enough, it’s the urge in his delivery which drives the sentient home.
With a more lighthearted and playful muse, Monkey Puzzle Tree is a metaphor for the progression of time and the difficulty in the acceptance of ageing. Whereas in Preacher, Leaders and Dealers, the contentment in delivering fear are compared and contrasted from all three classifications, and is delicately expressed with perfect pathos.
We’re Between Earth & Paradise for the finale to this outstanding EP. There’s an instrumental two-minute opening where intricate guitar-work sets a scene of seemingly encapsulating the beauty of nature. Despite the title, there’s still dark pressure in the narrative in the form of bleak news stories, but it offers an escape with a virtually heavenly premise. And in this, it sums up the EP and Vince’s impressive ability to conjure and project vivid images and lucid ideas within his music, a rare gift.
Though this is commonplace in the celebrated artist, so too is modesty and undervaluing of one’s own work, risking it falling into obscurity unless we take it upon ourselves to shout about how engrossed, entertained or enthralled we were, on their behalf. Vince has, and here I am, advising you to take heed, not because he’s a friendly guy locally gigging on my circuit, though he is, but because Vince’s music is breathtakingly brilliant and deserves a far wider accolade than that which a Wiltshire market town can provide. This EP proves it.
Oh yeah, catch him down the Southgate, Devizes, on Thursday 30th October 2025 for a session with Tamsin Quin; see what I’m on about if you don’t know already!
Less than a week to go until the first ever Stone Circle Music Events’ Wiltshire Music Awards at the Corn Exchange, Devizes. We’re not printing a programme of events, so here’s everything you need to know about the ceremony this coming weekend….exciting, isn’t it?!
Firstly, all tickets have now sold out, sorry! But if you’re coming or not, there will be a free warm up party on Friday 24th October at the Three Crowns Devizes, where we will be entertained by the incredible George Wilding. Everyone is welcome!
And now onto Awards Ceremony on Saturday 25th October 2025.
The doors open at 17:30pm. The bar will be open, and we have scrumptious tucker available from Soupchick. Chilli beef or vegan alternative with rice, with nachos, cheese, sour cream and guacamole toppings; £7:50 for a bowl, I’m in!
Please arrive as soon as possible so we can get everyone seated. There will be music in the hall. I’ve come over all Jive Bunny, and created a mega-mix of local music! I’ve tried to display the diversity and quality of the Wiltshire Music Scene and cram as many songs as I can into one hour; it’s been no easy task.
Being I accept you’ll all be chatting rather than listening, I’m kinda proud of my virtual DJ skills, so for prosperity I’ve leave the mix here so you can listen at your own risk!
Tracks are listed here; apologies if your song isn’t there, I tried to include as many as possible.
Jamie R Hawkins – Not Going Anywhere, Gaz Brookfield – Tale of Gunner Haines, Tamsin Quin – Home, Griffiths & Hollingsworth – Ocean, Andrew Hurst – Tower of Fallen Heroes, Timid Deer – Shallows, Kirsty Clinch – Stay With Us, Deadlight Dance – Samurai Sunset, Will Lawton & Ludwig Mack – Atlantic ‘O, M3G – Waiting, Phil Cooper – Bijou, Concrete Prairie – I Wish You Well, JP Oldfield – Magpie, Jol Rose – Make Some Hay, Thieves – I’m Coming Back, S’Go – King of The Fairies, Sarah C Ryan Band – Woman in White The Worried Men – Manacle Alley, Junkyard Dogs – Suzie Q, Deadlight Dance – Love Will Tear Us Apart, The First Book of English Magic – Richard Wileman, Barrelhouse – Mainline Voodoo, Aural Candy & Sienna Wileman – Mirrorball, Jon Amor – Peppercorn, Daisy Chapman – Waterloo Sunset, Canute’s Plastic Army – Hollow Children of Men, George Wilding – Dirty Dream Balloon, Ruby Darbyshire – Don’t Give Up Now, 41 Fords – Emily, Liddington Hill – Maid of Mayhem, Ursa Way – Chasing the Sun, Boot Hill All Stars – Night Bus, I See Orange – Doll Guts, The Belladonna Treatment – Bits of Elation, NervEndings – Democracy Manifest, Nothing Rhymes with Orange – Monday, Talk in Code – All In, Cephid – Terminus, Subject A – Paradise.
Now, the Awards Ceremony begins at 18:30…. on the dot!
Please make sure you are seated by 18:20. If this sounds all a bit like orders barked at you from your cub scout leader, there’s good reason: We’ve got a lot to squeeze in, and secondly, you don’t want to miss the opening of the show, believe me!!
We’re not revealing our very special guest opening the show, so don’t even try bribing me with booze! Then you’ll meet the hosts, DJ Mark Anthony and myself.
Stone Circle Wiltshire Music Awards Event Schedule
18:30: Opening Act (Nope Still not Telling!)
1. Best Music Venue
2. Best DJ
3. Best Covers Band
Live Performance: Britpop Boys
There’s a champagne supernova trip back to the nineties with The Britpop Boys,renowned for blasting those sing-a-long anthems across the county and beyond.
1. Best Drummer
2. Best Bassist
3. Best Guitarist
4. Best Duo
Live Performance – Match Box Mutiny
Ben Borrill and Pat Ward, aka Matchbox Mutiny, will be there, the lively Devizes-based duo who never fail to charm.
1. Best Original Band
2. Best Tribute Artist
Live Performance – Burn the Midnight Oil
Devizes own Burn The Midnight Oil will be playing. They’ve come so far in such a short space of time with their own brand of breezy blues-rock, and they’ve a new song to play us; we’re excited to see them perform.
1. Best Solo Female Artist
2. Best Solo Male Artist
Live Performance – George Wilding
Our lovable legend George Wilding is a name most of you should know, and he’s coming to play a few songs, of course he is!
1. Best Original Song
2. Rising Star Newcomer
3. Best Instrumental
4. Best Vocalist
Live Performance – Jolyon Dixon and Rachel Sinnetta
Then there’s Salisbury-based Joylon Dixon and Rachel Sinnetta – a duo who raised the roof off the Three Crowns recently, but I knew it was coming as Rachel’s supreme vocal range and Joylon’s professional accompanying will enthral all.
1. Outstanding Contribution to the Wiltshire Music Scene
2. Outstanding Contribution to Music in the Community
3. Special Awards (1)
Live Performance – Lucas Hardy
Award winning Lucas Hardy is coming too. Loved on the Salisbury circuit, Lucas will delight you, for what will be, I believe, his first time playing in Devizes; I could be wrong!
1. Special awards (2)
2. Lifetime Achievement Award
Live Performance: Nothing Rhymes with Orange
Devizes homegrown indie-rock phenomenon Nothing Rhymes With Orange will polish off the evening. They created a storm locally a few years ago as a teen sensation, the likes of which I claimed to be the “Beatlemania of Devizes!” Now studying together at Bristol Uni, their popularity has spread nationwide. Back home they have inspired a new generation to form bands, and we welcome them back delighted.
Image: Gail Foster
Evening closes around 11:30pm, when you have my permission to drag me down to the Exchange nightclub below and buy me a Bacardi Breezer!
I look forward to seeing everyone on Saturday, and I hope you all enjoy the evening.
I would like to thank our sponsors: Stone Circle Music Events. Trowbridge Motor Supplies. DJ Mark Anthony. VB Art Studios. The Three Crowns Devizes. Don’t Stop The Music Radio Show. Our guest announcers, Ian and the staff at the Corn Exchange, Devizes Books, and Fantasy Radio.
You go cover yourself in hormone messing phthalates, toxic formaldehyde, or even I Can’t Believe It’s Not Body Butter, if you wish, but it’s all the same soap but in a different bottle to me. Lab mice with slap and economical slaves in sweatshops, so unethical multinational bastards can prey on your vanity, when unless you can photoshop yourself for real you’re never going to look like the girl in the magazine; the actual girl in the magazine doesn’t even look like the girl in the bloody magazine! Ah, our dynamic gothic duo Deadlight Dance are onto them, with a brand new single out today….
Edgy and with synths heavy enough to make New Order blush, Gloss attacks the beauty industry, its harmful lies and unrealistic standards, in an era most pop stars are encouraging it; good on them…. Deadlight Dance that is, not the pop star!
Punk enough to meet the Stooges, yet the dark electronica of Joy Division mostly, it comes in laden for its three and a half minutes entirety. Nick and Tim state it’s not strictly typical of the forthcoming album that the band is releasing in 2026, yet they always apply a unique and innovative narrative, so we look forward to whatever direction it takes.
For now, though, Gloss is a storming dark sound, with Nick’s howling vocals somewhere in the distance, sighing the same thought-provoking lyrical content we’ve come to love Deadlight Dance’s for. It’s a monster in Dior.
The duo have held our attention only last week with a great gig at Devizes’ Cellar Bar with JP Oldfield. But if the live show is blossoming, Gloss does likewise for recordings. Ah, top production again from that purple-bearded legend Nick Beere at Mooncalf Studio.
Out on Ray Records and streaming worldwide across all platforms from Friday 17th October 2024. Gloss is accompanied by a video on the band’s YouTube page, another collaboration with Haunting the Atom.
Deadlight Dance suggests it’s a new chapter for the self-styled Wiltshire Gothic; I welcome it, and as I’ve said before, whilst I was a mere window-shopper to gothic rock in its heyday, Deadlight Dance caused me to realise what I missed.
Right, review done, I’ve got to go shave my eyebrows off, and draw them back on with a Sharpie…..
The spookiest of half terms is nearly upon us again; kids excited, parents not quite so much! But hey, as well as Halloween, here’s what family fun and activities we’ve found locally to pass the time, save on Haribo and prevent wine 0’clock overloading…..
There’s a list of pumpkin patches at the end! What more do you want?!
Have a fangtastic fortnight, and oh, and come back to spook this list again soon, as I’m sure more will be added!
Wed 15th
Okay, let’s kick off early, Wednesday 15th, school gates still open, but St Thomas’ Church Trowbridge has a Brownie Trail session from 6:45, find the link below…..
Rag and Bone Arts CIC‘s recurring event in Chippenham for ages 12+. You can do art and design or acting improvisation, delivered in 10 week blocks. Taught by professional actor Rebecca Osborne, learn how to think on your feet, respond and listen and make up scenes using just your brilliant mind and spontaneous ideas.
With over 4.5 million social media followers and countless TV appearances under his belt, Pete Firman is the UK’s top comic magician. Join him for an evening of ‘Tricks & Giggles’, as Pete brings his trademark blend of magic and comedy from the small screen to stages around the UK with this brand-new show. Expect impossible feats, sleight of hand and big laughs from one of magic’s most exciting performers! As seen on Amazon’s Good Omens, ITV1’s Tonight at the London Palladium and The Next Great Magician, BBC1’s The John Bishop Show and The Sarah Millican Television Programme. He’s probably also popped up on your social media feeds with his mind-boggling and regularly viral magic videos. Age restriction: 11+.
Steph & Craig Mitchell presents a spooky and ghouly edition of their Gigs for little ones… and their grown-ups!
We’re edging closer to Halloween, and Steph & Craig are back with all things spooky and ghouly! Don’t worry – nothing too scary for the babies and Littles… or grown-ups for that matter! But there will be some seasonal bangers – think Monster Mash, Ghostbusters and The Cranberries to name a few.
Get into the mood and come in spooky fancy dress. Who ya gonna call? Rock The Tots!
Sessions are approximately 1 hour long, without an interval. Suitable for children aged 0-6, and their adults. Under 1s go free!
Journey to the Centre of the Earth @ Pound Arts, Corsham
Standard: £15
Lamphouse Theatre presents … Journey to the Centre of the Earth!
Take a break Rick Wakeman, back to your trailer Brendan Fraser, watch and learn Jules Verne, Lamphouse are going on a journey all the way to the centre of the Earth! Two intrepid explorers, one impossible mission (featuring at least one joke about a big hole), and no special effects budget whatsoever. What could possibly go wrong?
From the makers of War of the Worlds (On a Budget) and Frankenstein (On a Budget) this new comedy take on Jules Verne’s classic novel will be one epic night out, full of belly laughs, brand new music and really impressive* dinosaurs.
Featuring Tom Fox and Becky Owen-Fisher, the familiar faces behind the On a Budget series, Journey to the Centre of the Earth will be another fan favourite. Expect silly jokes, catchy tunes, ridiculous costumes and lots and lots of cardboard.
Come along to the 1st Devizes Halloween Bingo for an afternoon full of treats and spooky fun at 1st Devizes scout hall 29 Southbroom Rd Devizes SN10 5AD. Eyes down 4pm–6pm. Bingo games for everyone. Fancy dress – come in your best Halloween costume! Prizes & goodie bags. Yummy food and refreshments. Raffle with lots of surprises. The perfect way to enjoy Halloween with the whole family!
It’s Trowbridge Carnival, see the link below for details!
Join Waterstones, 29 Borough Parade, Chippenham SN15 3WL for their Sunday afternoon storytime where they will be reading the slimy ‘The Dinosaur That Pooped A Monster’ by Tom Fletcher and Dougie Poynter. All are welcome.
Mon 20th
Rock the Tots: Spooky Fun @ Pound Arts, Corsham
Steph & Craig Mitchell presents a spooky and ghouly edition of their Gigs for little ones… and their grown-ups!
We’re edging closer to Halloween, and Steph & Craig are back with all things spooky and ghouly! Don’t worry – nothing too scary for the babies and Littles… or grown-ups for that matter! But there will be some seasonal bangers – think Monster Mash, Ghostbusters and The Cranberries to name a few.
Get into the mood and come in spooky fancy dress. Who ya gonna call? Rock The Tots!
Sessions are approximately 1 hour long, without an interval. Suitable for children aged 0-6, and their adults. Under 1s go free!
Our friendly historian Brian Edwards has a talk on white horses in Pewsey. I’m not sure how family-friendly this will be, but budding historians might find it of interest.
Running until Saturday 25th. Written by Willy Russell, the legendary Blood Brothers tells the captivating and moving tale of twins who, separated at birth, grow up on opposite sides of the tracks, only to meet again with fateful consequences. Few musicals have received quite such acclaim as the multi-award winning Blood Brothers. The production ran for more than 10,000 performances in London’s West End, one of only five musicals ever to achieve that milestone. It has been affectionately christened the ‘Standing Ovation Musical’, as inevitably it “brings the audience cheering to its feet and roaring its approval” (The Daily Mail). The superb score includes Bright New Day, Marilyn Monroe and the emotionally charged hit Tell Me It’s Not True. Age Guidance: 12+
Wed 22 – Sat 25 Oct • 3pm & 7:30pm • Admission £15 • Community Theatre
By Toby Marlow and Lucy Moss Presented by Merriman Productions
His-story’s about to get overthrown… again! Back by popular demand, Merriman Productions present SIX: TEEN EDITION; a full-length adaptation of Toby Marlow and Lucy Moss’ international phenomenon SIX, modified for performance by teen actors for family audiences.
Divorced, beheaded, died, divorced, beheaded, survived. From Tudor Queens to Pop Icons, the SIX wives of Henry VIII take the mic to remix five hundred years of historical heartbreak into a euphoric celebration of 21st-century girl power! This new original musical is the global sensation that everyone is losing their head over.
All children must be accompanied by one adult per child. If you have multiple adults coming (parents/grandparents), we kindly ask that they wait in the café for the workshop to finish.
Numbers are limited. Booking is essential and due to limited spaces please book early to avoid disappointment. Sessions are £9.50 per child. Refreshments will be available from our coffee shop to purchase. Our age recommendation for our Art Clubs is 3-11.
All children must be accompanied by one adult per child. If you have multiple adults coming (parents/grandparents), we kindly ask that they wait in the café for the workshop to finish.
Numbers are limited. Booking is essential and due to limited spaces please book early to avoid disappointment. Sessions are £9.50 per child. Refreshments will be available from our coffee shop to purchase. Our age recommendation for our Art Clubs is 3-11.
Our awesome Parks and Open Spaces crew is rolling out their tractors, electric vehicles, and cool machinery for you to explore – talk about a joyride!
This year, we’re joined by Arty Kids Pottery Painting, Crazy Cheeks face painting and Chloe’s Mobile Farm. And don’t forget to flex those brain muscles with our Halloween themed word search – go on a letter hunt around the park and see if you can conjure up the spooky words!
Dress to impress in your Halloween finest! The Deputy Mayor will be on the lookout for the best costumes at 1:30pm right outside the Café – and there are prizes up for grabs in these categories:
Ages 6 and under
Ages 7-12
Ages 13+ (adults, unleash your inner ghoul!)
Come for the fun, stay for the spooky vibes – see you in the park!
This October half term, The Woodbridge Inn is bringing the community together for a spooktacular celebration—and everyone’s invited!
Dates: Saturday 25th & Sunday 26th October Thursday 30th & Friday 31st October Fest opens at 12PM | Fun until 6PM
What’s waiting for you: Pumpkin Picking Craft & Produce Market – handmade gifts, bakes, jams, plants, sweets & more Sweet & Cake Stalls Arts & Crafts Activities Face Painting & Hair Braiding Burgers, Hot Dogs & Autumn Eats Fun Tarot Readings Live Music & Autumn Vibes Beer, Wine & Seasonal Sips from the Bar
Whether you’re here to shop, snack, sip, or simply soak up the spooky atmosphere, this is a celebration for all ages. We’re proud to support local businesses and bring our community together for a few days of festive fun.
The Parade Cinema Marlborough Family Halloween Trail
Our annual halloween trail makes it’s return on Saturday 25th October at The Parade Cinema Marlborough!
Each ticket purchase for Corpse Bride or Hotel Transylvania on the 25th October gives a child a free spot on our yearly Halloween Trail around Marlborough, open from 11am to 2:30pm. We expect the trail to take around 45 minutes to complete, so last entry for the trail will be 1:45pm.
Book your tickets now… if your dare! www.theparadecinema.com 01672 646232 (Between 10am & 7pm)
Longleat Ghost Tours
This October Half Term, Ghost Tours are making a spooky return during Longleat’s Great British Autumn event. Longleat House was built between 1567 – 1580, and it is believed to still have people who featured in its history making their presence felt. Discover the supernatural stories as expert guides reveal the tale of Lady Louisa Carteret, known as the Grey Lady, who is said to still walk the corridors searching for her lover.
Kids’ Halloween Spooktacular @ Broadtown Brewery – Hop Chapel and Hop Gardens, Lydiard Tregoze
Bring the kids along to The Hop Chapel on Saturday 25th October from 1 – 3pm as we transform The Old Brewhouse into The Old BOO-house!!
🎃 We’ll have two whole hours full of Halloween fun, with pumpkin carving, ghoulish games and more (all treats no tricks, we promise – we don’t want to scare your little ones!)
👻 We’ll have a prizes up for grabs for the best pumpkin design, best pumpkin carving and the best dressed, so don’t forget your costumes!
from 25th Oct to 2nd Nov 2025, get out into the great outdoors this October half term for an insect-themed trail around the 270 acres of parkland. £2.50 per trail (normal admissions apply). Booking not required. Running 10am to 4pm, with last entry at 3pm.
Looking for a fun and creative way to spend time with your child or grandchild this October? Our Autumn Half Term Chocolate Experience is the perfect school holiday activity—designed for adults and children aged 5 & up to enjoy side-by-side.
Hosted by The Southwest’s Chocolate Champion, Holly Garner, this joyful and cosy experience is all about making sweet memories together as the autumn chill sets in.
🍫 Start with a hot chocolate treat Warm up with a choice from our Ultimate Hot Chocolate Menu—featuring 12 indulgent flavours to begin your chocolate-filled day.
🌍 Discover where chocolate comes from Taste raw cocoa beans, sample our signature blends, and learn how chocolate is made—plus how we support small, ethical cocoa farms around the world.
👉🏻Make & decorate your own chocolates Roll up your sleeves and create your own delicious chocolate treats to take home (if they don’t get eaten first!).
🎁 Enjoy a special shopping discount Take home even more chocolatey joy with an exclusive Hollychocs discount on the day.
Rowdey Cow Halloween Festivities
Perfect for parents, grandparents and carers looking for something memorable to do with their children this autumn. Whether it’s bonding time, a school holiday treat or a special birthday surprise—this is time well (and sweetly) spent.
Join us at the Rowdey Cow for our halloween festivities
Pick a pumpkin from its patch & come in to carve your spooky artwork!
Join us for a more relaxed visit at the REME Museum during this special opening outside of our regular hours.
We have designed these ‘Lights Up, Sounds Down’ days to reduce sensory input for individuals who would prefer a quieter experience. These sessions are primarily for, though not limited to, anyone who has sensory processing disorder; autism; social, emotional or mental health needs; dementia, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or any other sensory needs.
During these days we will have:
Lights On – our overhead gallery lighting will be turned on, without spotlights, to create a brighter environment in which to explore. Sounds Down – we will reduce sound effects throughout the museum as much as possible by turning off most ‘surround sound’ interactives and reducing volumes. Sensory maps – we have marked out any areas around the museum where you may find louder interactives or visual effects that we cannot turn off. This means you can choose your own route and avoid any areas as you wish.
If you would like to bring any sensory items (including but not limited to ear defenders, magnifying glass, book, squeezy toy) that will help you or your loved one to enjoy their experience better, please feel free to do so, just make sure you hold onto it and take it home with you!
Join Filskit Theatre for an uplifting and relaxing hour with a talented live musician playing beautiful acoustic versions of well-known folk, jazz and pop songs. Enjoyable for both big and small ears alike there’ll be beautiful, atmospheric sensory visuals perfect for even the youngest audience members. And, as it’s halt term, bigger kids are welcome too so bring them along for this hour of fun and sensory play for the whole family.
October Holiday Activities @ Wiltshire Museum Devizes
October Holiday ActivitiesLecture Hall 28th October 2025 10:30 am – 12:00 pm 10:30 am – 12:00 pmCome along to our spooky Halloween activities for ages 3 to 11: pebble skulls spooky ghosts paper pumpkins and puppets…
Book OnlineOctober Holiday ActivitiesLecture Hall 28th October 2025 1:30 pm – 3:00 pm 1:30 pm – 3:00 pmCome along to our spooky Halloween activities for ages 3 to 11: pebble skulls spooky ghosts paper pumpkins and puppets.
Art Workshop in Rowde
On Tuesday morning, the 28th of October, from 9am to 12 noon, an Art Workshop takes place, at The Mind Tree Cafe in Rowde. It’s creative fun with collage and mixed media, hosted by Nancy Rose. It’s £30 for the session, and you must book in advance by emailing nancyrosehats@yahoo.com
This October Half Term, join us at the REME Museum for spooktacular STEM and crafts activities for all the family to enjoy.
‘Rocket Powered’ – Tuesday 28 October Drop-in, Education Suite
Design and launch your own bottle rocket or air powered car, using the same principles of engineering in rocket science! Led by our Education Officer, Andrew.
Miniature Assault Course – Every day 28-31 October Drop-in, outdoors
Take on our miniature army-style assault course! Race your way across the course or take your time and enjoy the challenge! Please note: This activity is weather dependent.
Princess Pirate @ Pound Arts, Corsham
Adult: £10 Child: £10 Under 2s: FREE
Pirate Princess is a heartwarming story of hope against adversity told with physical theatre, clowning and circus. This brand new solo show by circus performer and professional idiot Gemma Bond tells the tale of poor shipwrecked Princess Poppy. Can she overcome a big dress, extreme weather and the ultimate test of strength to see her way to safety?
Inspired by strong and inventive women of history, Poppy must transform physically and mentally if she is to have any hope of rescuing herself from eternity on an island in the ocean. The show encourages all to reuse, repurpose and recycle as Poppy reinvents her outfit and her mindset to overcome her predicament.
A visual feast of colourful costume and a unique crow’s nest on a pole prop, this is a fun filled show for children aged 5 to 11 and their families.
All children must be accompanied by one adult per child. If you have multiple adults coming (parents/grandparents), we kindly ask that they wait in the café for the workshop to finish.
Numbers are limited. Booking is essential and due to limited spaces please book early to avoid disappointment. Sessions are £9.50 per child. Refreshments will be available from our coffee shop to purchase. Our age recommendation for our Art Clubs is 3-11.
The Sheep Ate Up The Fairies @ Trowbridge Museum
3 days of captivating talks, hands-on crafts & engaging activities start today!
A one hour boat trip on Friday 31st October at 16:00 and 18:00 along the canal packed with fun and games for the children. Fancy dress welcome.
Please Note: Dogs are accepted at the discretion of the Skipper on the day who will check with other passengers first. Family tickets not available.
Children must be accompanies by at least one adult.
Kenavon Venture is a wide beam boat, seating up to 38 passengers, operated by volunteers of the Kennet & Avon Canal Trust. To book a private charter of this or any other trip, please send an enquiry via the main website.
‘Build a Tank’ Junk Modelling – Friday 31 October Self-led, Creation Station
Come and create your own special REME-inspired vehicle to take away with you! Get creative and see what you can make from recycled materials. The only limit is your imagination!
by Ian Diddams images by Chris Watkins Media and Ian Diddams
Whilst probably best known for his editorship of “Private Eye” magazine and thirty-five years as a team captain on the BBC’s wonderfully satirical “Have I Got News For You”, Ian Hislop has also over time turned his focus to screen and playwriting. Amongst the five plays he has co-written probably the widest known is the one that has also been made into a film which starred Burt Reynolds, “A Bunch of Amateurs”. This week the Wharf Theatre, Devizes, performs the stage play albeit without Burt Reynolds!
The general plot of the play is a simple one – ageing, fading, Hollywood ex-A lister signs up to star in Shakespeare’s “King Lear” at “Stratford” to find that in fact it isn’t the Royal Shakespeare Company he will be performing at, but a village hall one hundred and seventy miles away at “Stratford in Pigshit”, where the local amateur dramatic society are trying one last dig at surviving by attracting a celebrity to perform with them to boost ticket sales.
The play’s style and plot follows in the grandest traditions of British comedies of creating a nonsensical scenario and running with it as if it was thoroughly possible, with the usual hilarious misunderstandings, fallings-out and fallings-in along the way before a glorious finale where everything pans out perfectly and everyone is happy ever after.
Directed by Lyn Taylor, there is a delicious irony – or indeed really homage – in a play about an amateur company being put on by an amateur company… and here we can look at that label “amateur”. As an adjective to the noun “dramatics” the combined term often has a negative inference amongst many, but the reality is such consideration is to malign high standard productions and consummately skilled performances. To quote from a google search on the etymology of “amateur”
‘The word “amateur” comes from the French “amateur”, which in turn comes from the Latin “amātor”, meaning “lover”. It originally described a person who loves and practices an activity for the passion of it, rather than for money.’
And there is the nub of it all – in this play, “King Lear” is being performed by a group of people that are doing so through love for the art form, and of course Lyn’s direction and perfect casting has brought together a group of amateurs performing this play for love of the art form. And talking of cast …
Gary Robson plays the allegedly professional Jefferson Steel, contracted to play King Lear himself, encapsulating the arrogance and insouciance of the Hollywood star in self denial to his waning star. He embraces the personality shift of his character’s journey from self centred egoist to life embracing acceptor bringing a palpable warmth to Steel’s persona. Steel’s daughter, Jessica, is delightfully and impishly played by Megan Hughes who herself moves her character’s unforgiving, surly teenager to loving offspring while taking the opportunities presented her with aplomb, as we can see mirrored in her deserved inclusion in the cast.
The inevitable ultimate love interest is superbly provided by Ange Davis as Dorothy Nettle, director of “King Lear”. Ange really drives the show along as the pivotal character for decisions and actions within the plot and she delivers this smoothly and thoroughly believably, with warmth and understanding when portraying Dorothy’s insecurities allied to the protagonist’s passion. Dorothy’s total opposite within the company is Nigel Dewbury, excellently represented by Matt Bragg as the loathsome, self promoting and supercilious solicitor with pretensions. Its kudos to Matt that he has created a perfectly toe curling portrayal of Nigel, as well as sporting an extremely fine collection of bow ties during the show!
Two more depictions of lovers of their art, both full of over the top keenness and desire to become closely associated with Steele are from Steve Brookes as handyman and low key jobsworth Denis Dobbins, and Claire Abraham as local B&B owner Mary Plunkett. Steve’s comic timing for Dennis’ daft ideas is sublime, and his mobility scooter driving skills are thoroughly fine tuned to boot! Claire is simply brilliant with her initially gushing and fawning spinster acting, turning to surly and spurned grump!
But all productions need finances and so enter stage left Louisa Davison as the slightly slimy, cocksure marketing type Lauren Ball whose husband’s brewery is bankrolling Steel’s visit, with appropriately named bottled beers including “King Beer”! Louisa encapsulates Lauren’s executive-going-nowhere-slowly persona with ease and aplomb.
The whole show is kept smoothly on the rails by Stage Manager Jess Sneider who also arranged the genuine beer bottle labels mentioned above, with tech delivered perfectly as ever by “The Tech Team” on the simple but highly effective set built by John Winterton and his team and all wrapped up with music by Sam Warner.
“A Bunch of Amateurs” is a simple to follow, laugh out loud, gentle and inoffensive comedy that will appeal to everybody – it’s easily worth the two hours plus interval of your life to sit back and enjoy the silliness in the lovely Wharf Theatre, Devizes.
Dunno bout you, but I’ve still not gotten over the horror a majority in Marlborough blindly voted him in. Or even that he doesn’t believe women have the right to decide what to do with their own bodies, but after Clactonising his Wiltshire constituency despite their unwillingness to join the Black Shirts, their reborn fascist MP Danny Kruger really has done gone blown his mental head gasket on a journey to Lala Land’s Reform office this time. And it’s at boiling point over an imaginary religion, which, according to him, is too woke to even be classified as woke…..swear me in, if it triggers this contemporary King Ethelbert…..
Mushroom season in Marlborough always finds a few oddballs taking in tongues, but straightjackets on standby, as this goes way beyond reasonable psychedelic intoxication and reverts us back to Anglo-Saxons.
Days after daring Danny Dog posted a letter of heartfelt baloney to his constitutes, pleading they follow him like Jesus’ selfless plea in Matthew 16:24, to “deny themselves and take up their cross daily,” regardless of his political treachery, whilst he plans to lick faeces off the backside of Nigel Faragührer and deport all three of Marlborough’s dark skinned residents, his address to Parliament from July, or more like preach, has resurfaced on social media. Merging politics with religion, the bizarre result is a speech so far removed from reality it’s virtually sci-fi.
Largely for Islamophobia succour his waffle begins by denouncing secularist separation of church and state, praising The House of Commons for taking their prayers in earnest, and big-ups Henry VIII expressing rather obviously, “our democracy is founded on Christian faith.”
Only since 1534, I might add. Prior, we had various ancient philosophies blanket-termed Paganism, which Christianity crushed in the Christianisation of Anglo-Saxon England in the 6th century, and herein lies the most bizarre segment of his rant.
Not before grandstanding his horror at the recent bill decriminalizing abortion, he audaciously quotes John Lennon’s Imagine, forgoing The Beatles claimed they were “more popular than Jesus,” and lambasts any freedom for welcoming other religions or philosophies as “ugly and aggressive new threats,” claiming “all politics is religious, and in abandoning one religion we simply create a space for others to move into.”
Here he cites the first, “there are two religions moving into the space from which Christianity has been ejected, and one is Islam.” But the following paragraph concerning the apparent second, his fictitious nightmare, is the real eye-opener to a loony climax.
Danny Kruger said, “It is the other religion that worries me even more. This other religion is a hybrid of old and new ideas, and it does not have a proper name. I do not think that “woke” does justice to its seriousness. It is a combination of ancient paganism, Christian heresies and the cult of modernism, all mashed up into a deeply mistaken and deeply dangerous ideology of power that is hostile to the essential objects of our affections and our loyalties: families, communities and nations. It is explicitly and most passionately hostile to Christianity as the wellspring of the west. That religion, unlike Islam, must simply be destroyed, at least as a public doctrine. It must be banished from public life—from schools and universities, and from businesses and public services. It needs to be sent back to the fringes of eccentricity, like the modern druids who invest Stonehenge in my constituency with a theology that is seen as mad but harmless because its followers are so few and no one serious takes them seriously.”
Wha?! Is it? Erm, oh…he forgot Jedi.Yew’ve garn flipped shagger, gurt quanked ‘n’ all-a-huh! Not that he’d understand what that means because he’s spent less time in Wiltshire than Anakin Skywalker. He’s turned to the darkside too.
Without getting all history teacher on you, let’s add some logic to this tomfoolery with a basic timeline. For 949,509 out of the 950,000 years humans have inhabited Britain they’ve been content looking to the natural elements, the earth, moon and sun, and gradually forming understandings surrounding their interconnectedness to it.
And from the pandemic through to the science of the climate emergency, we realise their basic concepts of their interconnectedness with nature was more bang on the money than the idea some bearded bloke living in the clouds with a frisbee above his head sculpted mankind from clay, and a woman is just their rib. And, in fact it was most likely our conviction in the cloud cuckoo land stories of organised religions which divided us from nature and created our impending extinction.
But our Danny boy couldn’t fathom this because he’s now aligned to a company disguised as a political party which, despite proof, claims it’s all a hoax and we should give up at least trying to lessen the impact. What a silly sausage who’s taken his constituents headlong into the casserole whether they wanted to, or not.
When the real truth is, if there’s anything ambiguous or speculative about the beliefs or practices of modern paganism it’s because Christianity forcibly obliterated the origins, or twisted them to suit their own narrative…unless you believe Easter eggs are the body of Christ?!
But the bottom line is, there isn’t a religion, culture or movement anywhere which attempts to undermine or conquer Christianity in the UK. All, just like Christianity, promote peace, understanding and unity. It’s only in the wonky minds of extremism which seeks to suggest one who doesn’t support their faith is therefore an enemy.
To condone the destruction of someone else’s belief as Danny has done here is extremist, oppressive and certainly not in any way, Christian. Marlborough is now default facism, and that is the disgrace and crying shame their residents must deal with, protest and take to the polling stations, if Reform snipers aren’t picking them off by then.
I mean, Devizes own contemporary blues throwback, JP is getting bookings, and rightly so. He’s off to Trowbridge’s Lamb next Saturday for a double-bill with Joe Burke. Likewise our favourite Goth duo Deadlight Dance too, Tim showing me some fetching snaps from Friday night’s gig at Frome’s Tree House. But sometimes it’s nice to play an intimate home gig you DIY, so we’re down The Bear Hotel’s Cellar Bar, reviving a once beloved venue with alternative options to Devizes’ status quo…..
And it was; Nick Fletcher and Tim Emery were on the cobblestones first, attired marvellously macabre with whitewash faces; All Hallows’ Eve comes early for goths, and they don’t require Haribo! Equally terror-fically tenebrous was their set, sublimely shadowy synths, then their gloomy guitar rhythm fragments darkened by Nick’s howling vocals. When they came for air you could hear a pin drop.
Deadlight Dance found my inner-goth and devoured it some years ago, still their show improves like a fine Dracula’s blood-wine ….with age and nightly kills! They worked precisely through several tunes from their three albums, concentrating particularly on Chapter & Verse, last year’s gothic literary inspired outpouring. They sprinkled the set with covers, a synth-driven Cure’s Just Like Heaven, for example, quite different from the acoustic version on their breathtaking homage album, The Wiltshire Gothic.
They finished on their ghostly reverberating post-punk makeover of Heartbreak Hotel, because if you’re a goth duo planning to cover an Elvis Presley song, one about a lonely man jumping from a hotel window is apt. Then they stripped it back for an acoustic wandering through the crowd encore.
Herein lies the connection which made a double-bill of post-punk goth and rootsy blues work; JP Oldfield duties the plaintive projection of original southern blues, often termed gothic. Therein the expression of rural, economically disadvantaged African-American communities, and through his gorgeous bass vocal range, the metallicity of his resonator and pounding suitcase drum, it’s about as authentic as you’re going to get on our local circuit.
Yet if JP’s writing is foreboding and disquietude, in line with its influences, some of the darkest corners of his debut Bouffon wasn’t inclusive at this live show, and replaced by some outstanding, intricate and rightfully resonate guitar-work; plus there’s always the kazoo and his natural banter to brighten things up.
His latest single polished off an amazing set, No Rest, indeed. It embodies everything progressive about this rising star’s skill and bittersweet panache; a fellow who can hold an audience spellbound despite being, perhaps, an acquired taste. But I challenge anyone critical to stay whilst JP thrusts out House of the Rising Sun, making it his own, as it’s so befitting to his encapsulating style. Yet the broadest evaluation of JP Oldfield is simply that, through his dedication and blossoming experience he continuously improves. It is this then which encourages me to call this gig in, slight in attendees which it unfortunately was as the chills of autumn blast through, the best and most passionate I’ve seen JP play.
Mind you, I groaned about the weather shift to Nick of Deadlight Dance, who replied with positivity. Apparently, he likes Autumn, I joked, “that’s because you’re a goth and I’m a milkman!”
I do hope we can find more gigs down the Cellar Bar, and bring it back to its former glory, a sentiment I believe will be reflected by the live music hunters of Devizes.
Featured Image: Lillie Eiger Frome Festival is launching its ‘25 for 25’ fundraising campaign with a very special concert featuring three locally based acts: Tom Moth – best known…
I’ve got some gorgeous vocal harmonies currently floating into my ears, as The Lost Trades release their first single since the replacement of Tamsin Quin…
Rolling out a Barrelhouse of fun, you can have blues on the run, tomorrow (7th November) when Marlborough’s finest groovy vintage blues virtuosos Barrelhouse release…
by Ian Diddamsimages by Ben Swann and Ian Diddams Self-appointed “Morose” Mark Harrison was once again on totally top form at Komedia last Sunday entertaining…
Wiltshire Council confirmed Blue Badge holders can park freely in council-operated car parks again, following a vote at the Full Council meeting on Tuesday 21…
Featured Image Credit: Jamie Carter Special guests Lightning Seeds to Support Forest Live, Forestry England’s summer concert series presented with Cuffe & Taylor, has announced…
Wiltshire country singer-songwriter Kirsty Clinch released a Christmas song only yesterday, raising funds for the Caenhill Countryside Centre near Devizes, and it’s already racing up…
Yay! You read it right. After a two year break, CrownFest is back at the Crown in Bishop’s Cannings. So put a big tick onto the 4th July 2026 in your diary, and maybe jot down 1st November this year down too, because that’s when the first set of fifty early-bird tickets will go on sale, a snip at just twenty quid….
With an iffy weather forecast for July, one Saturday in 2023 I found myself waiting for bus 49 in Devizes, and met with a group of kindly but disorientated folk attempting to get to Bishop’s Cannings for the second Crownfest. I assured them I was heading there too, so all they needed to do was follow my lead.
As it was you couldn’t miss it; the bus stopped right outside. On the journey a number of people were wondering which stop to get off at and so I assured them too. It was at that point I addressed the entire bus, as everyone looked up for a party, “is anyone here not going to Crownfest?!” Seemed only the driver wasn’t, and probably would have if he wasn’t working!
That poor bus driver would’ve loved it, as it was a far better attendance than the inaugural one the previous year. Even torrential downpours didn’t stop the fun, as its fully deserved outstanding reputation had blossomed. It was a fantastic event, check my words on it HERE. Unfortunately due to a change of ownership Crownfest wouldn’t see its way to a third this sumner. But every cloud, literally, has a silver lining. Crownfest is back and recharging for 2026; Bishops Cannings has never had it so good!
Save the date and Stone Circle Music Events will save the day. With camping available, this is a golden nugget on this summer’s local festival hotlist. The only returning act will be Kinisha, the Tina Turner tribute act called (and undoubtedly is true) Simply The Best. Kinisha turned my head around about Tina Turner tributes; we don’t need another hero if we’ve got her headlining, oh, but we have…. lots of heroes.
Firstly, while we’re on tributes, this one is my recommendation; someone listens to me! It’s Ant Trouble, the Welsh Adam & The Ants tribute which I’ve been dying to get a gig locally since I witnessed their lively and precise volcanic eruption at Swindon’s Vic in February 2023. This is so good when some Facebook wombles prompted AI to write a piece on the real Adam Ant, it nicked my photo of Ant Trouble! I dunno, who do I sue for that, The Terminator?! Nevertheless, prepare for some ant music.
The remaining lineup consists of only the toppermost acts on Stone Circle’s books. If I say indie-pop darlings Talk in Code will be there, that’s surely enough to entice you. But there’s pioneers of ukular fusion with Mother Ukers Ukuele Band, The Tipsy Gypsies will enthrall with lively folk goodness, and it’ll get all Celtic when the sublime Publicans get on that stage. Five-piece Salisbury rock band Innovator will be there, alongside acoustic goodness from George Wilding and Lucas Hardy.
Fantastic lineup, wonderful pub with great tucker, camping, or with that trusty 49 bus running later now, you could potentially bus it there and back, provided the bus driver isn’t Tina Turner’s number one fan, feels an uncontrollable compulsion to dance like there’s no tomorrow, and shouts “end of the line!” What more do you want?!
All Pop Master T-shirt wearers would like to think it does, but will the music of an era stand the test of time? Make a record, seal the deal, surely? True, your songs will be immortalised, but will they be remembered, or will they sadly be sadly archived, to slowly fade through generation gaps…. unless Ed Sheeran covers one?!?
Growing up in the eighties we ransacked our parent’s records. Ergo, I know my fair share about the music of the sixties, despite only being an itch in that decade. Similarly, my daughter can name a whole list of groups, singers and songs from my era, the eighties, but can she go further back? Can the younger generation even begin to imagine their grans and grandads frolicking at a love-in with eyes the size of saucers and wearing nothing but flowers in their hair, racing helmet-free on motorbikes into the night, drinking whiskey from a bottle until they dropped, then waking up in Mick Jagger’s bed with four others?!
With three teenagers loitering on my sofa I thought I’d get all Tony Blackburn on them, and distract them from TikTok to find out. That’s the knives’ edge I live on in order to provide you with such engaging content! Being there’s a triple headline sixties tribute act bonanza forthcoming at the Devizes Corn Exchange on the 31st October, with tributes to The Beatles, The Rolling Stones and the Who, I thought I’d ask if the Gen Z of my family were remotely aware of any of them, or if they were more Gen Zzzz!
The result, though far from surprising, was a smidgen disheartening. My daughter knew of The Beatles, and named one averagely obscure song which happened to appear in a Marvel movie soundtrack. The boys didn’t have the foggiest, so I wasn’t holding any chances for the others. My daughter’s fella had heard of the term “rolling stone,” but didn’t realise it was a band name. My son shrugged at the lot, and all asked “who?” when I name-dropped The Who; unsure if that was clarification or coincidental!
Incidentally, they all knew the 2010 Maroon 5 song, “Move Like Jagger,” but only my daughter guesstimated Jagger might’ve been the frontman of one of the bands I was referring to!
Without getting any satisfaction, unless I resolve to forcibly thrusting pop history down their throats like it was on the GCSE curriculum, yesterday all my troubles seemed so far away, as it seems all of them will get fooled again, know not of the pinball wizard’s supple wrist, Ruby Tuesday or Lucy in the sky with diamonds, and I wouldn’t even attempt to explain why I’d like to be under the sea in an octopus’s garden in the shade. Where’s Jack Black and his school of rock when you need them?!
Streaming music might affect future generations from becoming aware of music before their time. Without physical copies who knows where this will end, music will be throwaway, and maybe the nineties welcomed that concept in. But everything is online, even if Sgt Pepper might have adverts for Marks & Sparks Food Hall, it has to be worth trying to educate our youth that pop music would sound a whole lot different if it wasn’t for the sixties and bands like The Beatles, The Rolling Stones and The Who!
So, here’s food for thought; though you might presume this Ceres Promotions triple headed sixties tribute show might be something for the Saga holidaymakers, perhaps you should reconsider, and see it more family outing, a vital history field trip?! Musicians of the sixties fired all their guns at once and exploded into space like a true nature’s child, whereas ours are content browsing Instagram with a bag of Haribo. We cannot stand idly by and allow this to happen!
Tickets are HERE fill your boots made for walking, that’s just what they need to do, and march them to the Corn Exchange on Friday 31st October rather than trick or treating, or one of these days these boots are gonna walk all over you!
As the excitement continues to detonate to an exploding point for our very first Stone Circle Music Events Wiltshire Music Awards on 25th October, we are thrilled to announce that Fantasy Radio, Devizes’ own beloved local broadcaster, will be joining us on the night in a special media partnership role…..
Represented by Lesley Scholes and Mark Jones, Fantasy Radio will be interviewing winners and nominees throughout the evening, capturing the stories, emotions, and celebrations as they unfold. These exclusive interviews will be broadcast on Fantasy Radio after the event, giving listeners across the county a chance to share in the fantastic moment.
In addition, Fantasy Radio will proudly display promotional banners inside the Corn Exchange on the day of the event, further cementing their support of local music and community talent.
One of the event organisers Eddie Prestige, UK Director for Stone Circle Music Events expressed his delight at the collaboration. “We’re honoured to have Fantasy Radio involved in our inaugural awards. Their passion for local talent aligns perfectly with our mission to celebrate the incredible music scene here in Wiltshire. We’re especially grateful for Fantasy Radio’s offer to assist during the evening. It’s this spirit of community that makes the event so special.”
The Wiltshire Music Awards will take place on October 25th at the Corn Exchange, Devizes, bringing together musicians, industry supporters, and local media for an unforgettable night of recognition and entertainment. All tickets have now sold out, unfortunately, but the demand continues and excitement builds.
To add my own tuppence as one of the organisers, “it’s great to see Fantasy Radio onboard with this project, and I’m over the moon to watch the attention for this event blossom, from our early planning stages with Eddie and myself, to the point we’re at now, with a sold-out Corn Exchange, seven live acts performing for the evening, plus lots of surprises and guest appearances. I’m also delighted to say as well as the bar, Devizes-own Soupchick will be preparing a few delicious dishes for attendees to tuck into.”
Stay tuned to Fantasy Radio in the coming weeks for updates, and after the event to hear the exclusive interviews with Wiltshire’s rising stars! Obviously we will be reporting live from the scene too, as much as possible in-between hosting and presenting!
When I put together the 4 Julia’s House compilation albums a few years ago I decided I shouldn’t pick favourites out of the eighty-one songs donated, but if I had to, it would’ve indisputably been Atlantic O by Will Lawton and Ludwig Mack. With the ambience of the gods, this track is such a soothing sentimental earworm it makes you go all tingly as it drifts like a lost ship on the sea. Now the duo have released a debut album, matching the sublimity of Atlantic O. The story behind it is of an absorbing coincidence, and its unique marketing is equally as genius as the music…..
At the time I was aware of the virtuosity and diversity of Malmsbury musical magician, Will Lawton, from solo performances and fronting The Alchemists. At the time he sent the tune for the project he briefly explained Ludwig was an Argentinian musician he had been working with, but their connection is far more complex and is explained in the book to the album, which is in turn, currently the only way to hear it.
A story of serendipity expressed earnestly through a 36-page hardback, which continues to detail the thought processes of the album, each individual song, and the musicians which accompany them along the titled journey Five Years in the Cotswolds. Then, on the back cover there’s a QR code to scan, leading you to streaming options; I suggest you do, your ears will love you forevermore.
Enticed by the lure of English music, and his European travelling plans cut short by the pandemic, Argentinian musician Ludwig Mack arrived in the UK from Spain a day prior to lockdown. He had already connected with Will via Instagram, not realising when he settled in Hullavington he was coincidently only a few miles away from Will’s home. They jammed together, the song Atlantic O, and within a year produced the EP Heroes.
Ludwig explored the UK, and found work whether he could, whilst Will continued with family life, his band the Alchemists and his employment as a music psychotherapist. But Ludwig often dropped in to see Will, and it was inevitable this project would blossom like the opening tune, aptly Blossom, a tender springtime daydream contrasting aging with memories. It’s as majestic as the morning chorus, and includes a naturally sourced one too.
The fabric of this album continues on this theme, indeed Songbird follows suit into the most gentle flow of concentrated bliss. It’s the first single released this Friday (10/10) of the goodness of nature rather than society’s machine, unhinged and timeless piano-based folk, and celebratory of the glory wildlife in all its splendour, wrapped in the warmest serenity. By its very composure it defines the sum of all this goodness and shapes a heart in your mind; if an album was a wander through a springtime meadow, this is a stroll to remember.
It comes as no surprise Will is a music psychotherapist, if the vocation is to improve wellbeing, increase happiness and overcome issues. One listen to Five Years in the Cotswolds is the best remedy. Ten solid tunes, all the like to make the little hairs on the back of your neck stand to attention. There’s few artists able to accomplish this, I could cite many, from Bill Withers to John Denver and you will contemplate your favourites when this caresses your senses.
The album lifts with euphoric pace at God’s Plan, and I’m left thinking of Marvin Gaye’s What’s Going On as its aperture opens the album to a similar width of beauty. From the guitar chimes of November to the quirkiness of the bluegrass-esque Walk Each Other Home, and from the amorous ambience of Clouds to Freya Everest’s haunting vocal range on I Noticed, this album continues flowing on the theme as a paragon, never meandering off course.
Its production is as crisp as autumn leaves, the arrangements are like sunlight. The composition is a Vivaldi, its versification is W. H. Davies’ Leisure, the musical expression of a Monet, a pilgrimage to a Constable masterpiece, or all of these wonders capturing the beauty of nature equally combined and consumed, it really is this breathtaking. Devizine
Its production is as crisp as autumn leaves, the arrangements are like sunlight. The composition is a Vivaldi, its versification is W. H. Davies’ Leisure, the musical expression of a Monet, a pilgrimage to a Constable masterpiece, or all of these wonders capturing the beauty of nature equally combined and consumed, it really is this breathtaking.
Bath’s producer and musician, Rob McLeod, aka Mac Lloyd, Spanish multi-instrumentalist Guillem Mitchel, London based jazz singer-songwriter and producer Freya Everest and drummer Tony Partridge who met Will at Schtumm in Box, are the other collaborators behind this enchanting project, alongside composer and arranger Benjamin Lawton, Will’s son.
Streaming platforms are held off until next year on this, the book to Five Years in the Cotswolds is the album’s only current access point, and is available on their website, and at upcoming gigs, The Castle, Swindon on 16th October, and Pound Arts in Corsham on 6th November, details of which are also on their website.
In association with PF Events, Devizes Outdoor Celebratory Arts introduces a Young Urban Digitals course in video mapping and projection mapping for sixteen to twenty…
by Ian Diddamsimages by Penny Clegg and Shakespeare Live “Antony & Cleopatra” is one of Shakespeare’s four “Roman Plays”, and chronologically is set after “Julius…
Alright yeah, it’s a play on band names and there’s only really two reasons to rock on Friday 17th October at Market Lavington Community Hall; Six O’clock Circus and The Reason. See what they did there? Genius! But, they’re two of the heaviest heavyweight headline acts you should discover on our local cover circuit, so, as for the sum of the entertainment you’ll receive by attending, you could deservedly multiply them by at least three, and make six! (I do maths too!)
Big time Calne mod-Britpop loving lads Six O’Clock Circus will raise the roof, and Westbury’s The Reason, with a penchant for timeless rock classics only intend to double it. Fronted by Nicky Davis, formerly a member of People Like Us and co-founder of the Female of the Species fundraising supergroup, find The Reason gigging locally and strap yourself in for a party! Not usually a function band, likely because they’d upstage the reason for the actual function, (ambiguously the story behind their name?!), they recently performed at Melksham’s proudest country-rock singer-songwriter Becky Lawrence’s wedding, where the bride simply had to join in!
Likewise with Six O’clock Circus, find them gigging locally everywhere. A longstanding band of friends knocking guitar frenzied indie-mod-pop-rock favourites out of any park they care to stop by, and a few others along the way! I appreciate there’s already been a lot of maths for a Sunday article, but this is simple; tickets are £12 a pop. The show starts at 7:30pm (NOT 6′ o’clock like the circus) at Market Lavington Community Hall, next Friday 17th October for a highly recommended party!
The playwright Tom Stoppard is probably best known for his work “Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead”, his absurdist comedy based around Shakespeare’s “Hamlet”. Equally absurd is his country house murder mystery “The Real Inspector Hound” which has no *cough* resemblance to Agatha Christie’s “The Mousetrap”. A lesser known work of Stoppard’s, though no less absurd, is “Travesties” which has more than large hints and homages to Wilde’s “The Importance of Being Earnest” that is set in Zurich in 1917 and features such prominent people of the day as Lenin, James Joyce and Tristan Tzara.
“Travesties” is to be performed by Bath Drama at the Rondo Theatre, Larkhall, Bath next week from Wednesday 8th to Saturday 11th at 7.30pm.
Henry Carr, a somewhat confused and muddled old man, relates his experiences as a British Consular official in Zurich 1917, kept abreast of current affairs by his butler Bennet, who it is clear has an interesting past of his own. Carr’s topsy-turvy memoirs interweave a social group consisting of the author of Ulysses, the founder of the Bolsheviks and the co-founder of the Dada movement set again the background of World War One and the Russian revolution. Amongst the turmoil we meet two young women keen on love in a confusing triangle of obfuscated names.
Jim McCauley directs this masterpiece in daftness, being a lifelong admirer of this play, more than ably abetted by Lauren Arena-McCann and the two of them have created a truly Stoppardian maelstrom – you’ll need to stay awake and concentrate to keep up as the characters deal with mislaid writings, revolutionary plans, mismatched trousers, library etiquette, court cases, Charleston dances and limericks.
Henry Carr is played by Andrew Chapman, wonderfully portraying a confused old man and a younger, somewhat bemused Consul with a wonderful delivery and brilliant comic timing; his acting is of course thoroughly ernest (no, not Ernest – the other one). Carr’s love interest, Cecily Carruthers is played by Amy Smith, all strict demureness until her passions are roused by a decadent nihilist. Amy totally nails Cecily’s prim but not-so-proper presentation and is another whose comic timing is sublime.
His Butler, Bennet, played by Ian Diddams is a gentleman’s not-so-gentle man who it seems has far more going on than his – mostly – calm exterior may indicate… Ian encapsulates Bennet’s complex history and presence excellently, and – three witches like – is seemingly omnipresent.
Cecily’s partner in crime as young women forging new socio-political paths is Sophie Turner as the Wilde-ly in love Gwendolen, but her pièce de résistance is as the straight woman to the most complex scenes which she effectively leads.
Gwendolen’s love interest, Tristan Tzara is portrayed by Jem Andrews, nonchalance and devil-may-care superbly louchely played, with and without monocle. Jem’s comic timing – again! – is superb and his interactions with Carr encapsulate multiple moods and attitudes easily.
Now, we mustn’t forget here James Joyce, A man with an Irish voice, Played here by Felix Byrne Who gives us a great turn As an actor in which we rejoice.
Which leaves us with Mr and Mrs Ulyanov. Also known as Lenin. Sam Fynn as ever pours his heart and soul into his portrayal, as shown by his dedication to learn the correct pronunciation of the Russian he speaks in his role. I’d put a quid on him. Imogens Notshaw portrays Lenin’s wife as narrator of their lives and dedicated partner… she too studied the Russian she speaks and whilst the “straightest” of characters in the play has a powerful presence throughout.
Tech as ever is provided by Alex Latham, with Connor Palmer as Stage Manager and Penny Clegg as his ever able assistant, with the ever brilliant Rich Canning as set design, costumes by Scarlett Hayler-King and Bath Theatrical with wardrobe support from Chloe Harris.
So come on along to the Rondo theatre to learn far more than you imagined about 1917 in Switzerland and Russia … or then again… not.
fortnight, and oh, and come back to spook this list again soon, as I’m sure more will be added!
Dress to impress in your Halloween finest! The Deputy Mayor will be on the lookout for the best costumes at 1:30pm right outside the Café – and there are prizes up for grabs in these categories:
Dates:
Saturday 25th & Sunday 26th October
Fest opens at 12PM | Fun until 6PM
What’s waiting for you:
Craft & Produce Market – handmade gifts, bakes, jams, plants, sweets & more
Sweet & Cake Stalls
Arts & Crafts Activities
Burgers, Hot Dogs & Autumn Eats
Fun Tarot Readings
Live Music & Autumn Vibes
Beer, Wine & Seasonal Sips from the Bar
01672 646232 (Between 10am & 7pm)
devizine.com 