by Ian Diddams images by Ian Diddams, Shakespeare Live
โHamletโ is arguably Shakespeareโs most widely known play, with an estimated tens of thousands of performances each year globally, and the most often performed of his works. The tale of Prince Hamletโs struggle with his murderous uncle, his motherโs betrayal and his own sanity, leading to his rejection of his lover Ophelia and his friends as they in turn betray him is well known (Ed. – no need for Wikipedia nowโฆ), along with probably the most famous speech in the world โ after all Martin Luther King in his โI have a dreamโ speech quotes from โHamletโ after all.
With these tens of thousands of performances each year, its always refreshing to find a slightly different take on 16th century Denmark, and โShakespeare Liveโ cleverly set this performance in the swinging โ60s of the South London gang land. Think Denmark Hill rather than the state of Denmark, however rotten it may be! As befits the time setting the costumes are wonderfully Kings Road, hippy and flower people based though Liz Hulme as Polonia, a gender flip for Polonius, harnesses her inner Hilda Ogden to a tee both in presentation and characterisation. Jeremy Fowlds of course as Hamlet wears the โ customary suits of solemn black, โโฆ a stylish 60s cut suit replete with black shirt, tie and Chelsea boots. The 60s look though is best shown by the hilarious coupling of Terry Butlerโs louche Rosencrantz and Lauren Arena-McCannโs wonderfully Mary Quant/Twiggy outfitted Guildenstern.
Denis Phelanโs set is as ever at Cleeve House with Shakespeare Live simple but wonderfully effectiveโฆ a wide stage, a simple white gauzed backdrop all set off against the grandeur of Cleeve House โ simply stunning. Tech provision is from the ever reliable and brilliant Alex Latham with his team of Mike Assenti & Ellen Read, not forgetting Rich Carterโs sound design.
Director Andy Cork with assistant Phoebe Fung have smoothly transitioned Elsinore to Denmark Hill in the swinging 60s, but rest assured the text is full on Shakespeare, complete with all the Shakespeare invented English phrases bingo to boot – “Cruel to be kind” , “Method in my madness”, โOwn flesh and bloodโ,โฆ the list is endless. The machinations of usurped power and ready betrayal of Hamletโs Denmark fits a criminal underworld perfectly.
The casting is totally spot onโฆ Toby Duckett is as creepy and brooding as you would want as the ghost of King Hamlet ( Shakespeare liked a grisly ghost or three) before later appearing as a jovial and bumbling actor in โThe Mousetrapโ [ Ed. – No NOT that one! The OTHER original one!] , Penny Clegg flits effortlessly between her several parts as gangster, envoy and messenger. Graham Patton equally creates magic, mayhem and mirth as another actor, and the wonderful part of gravedigger. Jude Bucklaw as Gertrude is suitably gushing and simple as the traitorous, or desperate, or both, widow of King Hamlet also replete in some stunning 60โs clobber.
Her erstwhile second husband, Claudius is cringingly played by Laurie Parnell, greasy, conniving and just bloody horrible in his part. In fact the entire fourteen strong cast is simply spot on in this โ I list them all below here but lack of special mention here is no slight on this well coordinated team effort.
Hamlet is Shakespeareโs longest play โ a full rendition comes in at just over four hours typically โ but rest assured this is no bum numb-er โฆ an enthralling longer first half gives the audience just time to take a breather at half time, before hurtling into a shorter whirlwind of action until the final fateful scene. And of course as the play ends as Hamlet dies [Ed. โ spoiler!] and the lights come down on this classic reimagined piece of theatreโฆ โ”The rest is silence.”
Hamlet by Shakespeare Live is performed at Cleeve House, Seend, all this week until Saturday 4th July at 7.30pm with a matinee on Saturday also, at 2pm. Tickets are available from ticketsource at https://www.ticketsource.com/shakespearelive
STOP PRESS: Shakespeare Live’s autumn show is “Shakespeare’s Green-Eyed Monsters” at The Wharf on October 18th.
Part environmental lecture, part live performance, and part immersive sonic journey, The Grass & Time Soundscape Lecture offers a unique way to celebrate National Meadows Day, Saturday 4th July from 2 to 4:30pm in Swindonโฆ..
Set within the gardens of Richard Jefferies Museum, the event sees ecologist, author and musician Tom Haynes, better known as Grasslands, explore the remarkable story of grasses, one of the most successful life forms on Earth.
Using live looping, drones, field recordings, ambient textures, and evolving rhythms, Haynes traces the rise of grasslands from the age of dinosaurs to the modern world, revealing how these seemingly humble plants helped shape climates, ecosystems, mammals, and ultimately human civilization itself.
Far more than a conventional talk, this is an experience that combines science, storytelling, and sound art, all coming together in an accessible but highly informative manner. The afternoon also includes an open discussion on conservation, wildlife, and creativity, followed by a live Landscapes and the natural world inspire grasslands’ performance.
Already known to many through his appearances across all five seasons of Clarkson’s Farm, as well as his growing reputation on the ambient and experimental music circuit, Haynes continues to build a devoted following through work that bridges ecology, education, and musical exploration.
What do mean itโs a bit short notice for me to tell you about a festival happening this weekend? Iโve been banging on about it since winter and itโs all there on the event calendar, you know?! My first MantonFest experience was in 2021 when I labelled it โMarlboroughโs Festival Gem.โ Five years on I stand by that tagโฆ..
MantonFest this year is on Saturday 27th June, thereโs still a few tickets up for grabs. Thereโs something delightfully โMarlboroughโ about this festival. Itโs a safe family-vibe without the need of mountains of restrictions. Set in the natural bowel of Treacle Brolly, itโs walkable from the town, and worthwhile. It takes campervans payable on entry and doesnโt fuss, provided you take back home the joy of the Mantonfest experience.
And that is, a grand stage, this year with a second stage dedicated to local acts, a horseshoe shaped maze of gazebos around a dancefloor where families pitch for the day, and picnic. Thereโs plenty of food and drink stalls, but the trend seems to be picnic, and the organisers welcome this.
The thing is, if I have sprung this on you too late, do not fear, especially if youโre in the Devizes area, because Park Farm Festival is on 18th July and it is run by the same experts as MantonFest. While newer, this little sister festival is set to grow, and, bringing the same family vibe to Devizes with that of Mantonfest, you can pick, or better, do both!
Mantonfest firstly, then, has AC/DC tribute AC/DC UK, who brought their very real show to Park Farm last year. In stark contrast Dan Budd is Robbie Williams, and The Duran Duran Experience finishes off the tribute headliners.
Jamie Williams & The Roots Collective should be no strangers to Devizine readers by now, neither Barrelhouse or Humdinger, who are all playing. Last Train Smokinโ are an old Mantonfest favourite, and the second stage has Skedaddle, Dorain, Mills and Hangfire.
Park Farm Festival switches acts too, with some Mantonfestโs favourites. The Queen tribute One Vision is the best Queen tribute Iโve seen, and Iโve seen a few!! Likewise with Slade tribute Sylde, they were great at a previous Mantonfest Christmas special.
Theyโve also got Badness, which is one of my favourite tributes, not quite Madness not quite Bad Manners, but their own inspired outfit. And an Abba tribute Iโm unaware of, but hey, itโs an Abba tribute, guaranteed to get old and young dancing together!
Mantonfest regulars Barrelhouse go side by side with Devizes own Jon Amor Trio, which should be interesting, and Last Train Smokinโ also play this one; I told you they were a favourite! With duo Too Complicated finishing off Park Farmโs main stage, also look out for the first time second stage here too, with Matchbox Mutiny, Station, Dorian and Bustards.
If Park Farm brings a taste of Mantonfest to Devizes, and thatโs brilliant, it doesnโt mean you canโt check out the mothership this Saturday in Marlborough, and then youโll really know, Park Farm is also worthy of your festival budget!ย Best of both worlds!
Features extracts from reviews by Andy Fawthrop, Ian Diddams and Madelaine Blake.
Does it ever stop?! The weekend is upon us again. I think I might need to skip this one, not getting any younger, and besides I did enough laughing, dancing and meeting interesting people over the past fortnight, thanks to Devizes Arts Festivalโฆ..
Celebrating its fortieth anniversary The Devizes Arts Festival really was amazeballs this year, and between our dedicated team of writers we managed to cover a fair chunk of it. Which we will now look back on with a cheap shot clipshow style article, like a nineteen-seventies TV Christmas Special!
So it leaves me to thank all the volunteers at Devizes Arts Festival for such a brilliant job, and making us feel welcome. And our writers, Andy, Ian and our new writer, Madelaine Blake. Thanks also to photographer Gail Foster for her use of the NRWO gig images.
Devizes Arts Festival kicked off like dancing shoes on Friday 31st May with Londonโs premier salsa orchestra, Salseology. Sacha Denchโ Journeys of the Human Swan and Beatrice Nicholas was showcasing African American classical composers on the following Saturday. Unfortunately we arrived fashionably late, I was busy with Rowdefest, so apologies for missing the opening.
By Monday, Andy is first out of the starting traps, and bangs out three-in-one reviews, all writing related. The first was a new feature at Devizes Arts Festival, the Have-A-Go Workshops, this one by Bath Spaโs Steve Tuffin, of whom Andy reported, โled a very practical class on how to go about writing a personal memoir, or indeed how to approach any form of creative writing. In what could have been a dry, dusty and boring subject, Steve presented a very lively, interesting and, yes, absorbing couple of hours.โ
Anthony Horowitzโs โA Life In Murderโ came next, to which Andy raved. โHorowitz proved to be a loquacious and captivating raconteur. He had plenty of anecdotes and examples to give, peppering his replies with humour and witty asides.โ
And Becky Greyโs โHow I Became A Ghost Writerโ finished the trio, which Andy called a โsandwich of literary delights.โ I couldnโt convince any of our writing team into covering some Sunday walks, and Jemma Brownโs singing country workshop. Not the most energetic bunch, and if youโd hear them sing youโd be thankful!ย ย ย
By Tuesday I thought Iโd better get on the act, and attended a lunchtime recital with Fรกbio Fernandes. Being honest I didnโt expect much, I mean, itโs just a lunchtime recital, right? How wrong was I?! St Andrews was packed, and Fรกbio, well I called him โa virtuoso. He came to Devizes to educate as well as entertain, and he did both delightfully.โ
Thursday, Andy covered photographer Nick Uptonโs Behind The Lens; My Life in Wildlife Film-Making & Photography, saying, โthis talk was a great sweep across Nickโs career over 40 years, and covering over 30 countries, but it illustrated not only the manโs undoubted technical and related skills, but also his obvious passion for nature, especially those projects closer to home in the UK.ย These included working with hedgehogs, harvest mice, dormice and the re-introduction programmes of cranes, great bustards, otters and beavers.โ
While weโre talking beaversโฆ. ermm, I went to see the Scummy Mummies show on that very same Thursday, reporting back that โyouโve never heard so many Prosecco corks popping from the Corn Exchange. It sounded like machine-gun fire in there, aimed directly at testosterone.โ
Obviously I had pre-gig reservations, but by the end, I wrote, โas a geezer, youโd be forgiven for assuming this sounds excruciating, and this was certainly my pre-concern too. For if such a format was performed by anyone other than comedy geniuses, Iโd still be of that opinion, but it wasnโt. This duo have the timing of The Greenwich Time Ball, are improv masters, and unless you were a subject on Louis Therouxโs Manosphere, wherever your testosterone balance lies, you cannot escape the simple fact that the Scummy Mummies are absolutely and undeniably hilarious.โ
If Andy went for the more calming option, Clare Durham and Paul Martinโs โCollecting; An Art, A Hobby Or A Compulsion?โ at Wiltshire Museum, reporting it as โa very entertaining session, and another of those little gems that keep the festival running,โ he soon donned his gladrags for Robert Vincent, and besides being unaware of his music, Andy called it:โThe vocals were soulful, insistent, yearning. The musicianship was spot-on. The songs were meaningful, well-constructed and simply wonderful. Itโs been a while since I was this impressed by a band Iโd never even heard before, but I was well won over. I was already on 9/10 by half time, and a no-questions 10/10 by the time we got round to the encore.โ
They let me out on Saturday, for London-based Celtic folk-punker five-piece Man the Lifeboats. At a gig unlike their usual they mightโve misjudged the crowd. I said, โMan the Lifeboats realised not to judge a book by the cover, the reward for an accomplished and lively band at Devizes Arts Festival, will be these matured attendees rising from their seated positions and gyrating to their irresistible beats like middle-age never happened; and many did, because Man the Lifeboats were stompingly outstanding!โ And they were, a great night that one.
Late out to bat, Ian strode confidently to the stumps with Howzat? The Six Sixes Ball Mysteryโ by Graham Lloyd at Town Hall, calling it โa fascinating talk about _that_ ball, the alleged lies and repeated falsehoods, and the litany of names surrounding it all.โ Glad he did that one, Iโm not out for cricket.
Andy hit back with a great ball, Bob Holmanโs Have A Go: Phone Photography workshop, which was โanother one of those little DAF gems which gave our good citizens a chance to actually โhave a goโ, rather than just sit back passively and be entertained.ย And this was definitely not entertainment, much more instructional in nature.โ
Ian delivered on former world champion poetry slammerHarry Baker, one poem of which โbrought a tear to my eye and a lump in my throat as it echoed feelings of my own for over thirty years now.โ
Andy went to Swing From Paris, only to find they were actually from Gloucester and Worcester, but still, he said, โwe got two highly entertaining sets of jazz, swing, waltz and gypsy rhythms mostly from the 1930s through to the 1950s, but also featuring tunes from as far back in the 1890s and forward into the 1980s.ย There was plenty of humour and self-deprecation throughout as Fenner talked us through the provenance of each number.โ
โMilton neurotically fumbles with the microphone stand, but not his wordplay. As is his bed hair, any emotional instability or self-doubt is part of the act; he has us under his spell from the off. You couldnโt help but laugh out loud at the absurdity of his thought-process. Iโm now of the opinion his manipulation of language and layered humour is second to none currently in comedy. He has nearly as many relatives as jokes, each one with their own punchline funnier than the next.โ That was me, I said that. I took all the prestigious gigs, and this one was utterly hilarious, Milton Jones, and Adele Cliff were so, so funny!
Just when Andy, Ian and myselfย thought we had this under the thumb, in comes our new writer Maddie Blake to, not only drastically lower the age demographic of our dedicated team, but also provide us with a brilliant review of Bath artist Karen Georgeโs sketching workshop at The White Chalk Gallery.
“What made this workshop so special,โ Maddie wrote, โwasnโt just the chance to improve my drawing skills, but the atmosphere that was created within this group. Everyone appeared so eager and inviting, it was such a wonderful experience to create new friendships and share stories with those with similar interests in the arts. Despite varying levels of experience, the workshop felt accessible to everyone, and no one felt out of place. This workshop didnโt pressure you to create something โperfect,โ but something that captivates your enjoyment and experience of the workshop.โ
Thank you, Maddie, and welcome to our exclusive and sometimes elusive writers team! So good was this review, I invited Maddie to come to the finale, Nothing Rhymes with Orange, but being I had a personal angle on this one, reporting on this finest Devizes musical output since the Hoax, I really wanted to write it myself. What a great finish to one of the best Devizes Arts Festivals yet.
โLast night proved Nothing Rhymes with Orange are at the top of their game, as they switched old with new seamlessly, and strived to become the universal name we locally knew they could from the very beginning.โ
Nothing Rhymes With Orange @ The Corn Exchange Image: Gail Foster
I also said, rather a lot, about the future of the Arts Festival. With a matured demographic in attendance, generally, I try to illustrate how diverse and accepting it is for all ages. The Gen Z fanbase turned out for NRWO, the elder Arts Festival regulars did too, and everyone was kind and courteous to everyone else. That is the magic of the festival, and I hope those younger took home the notion that the festival isnโt a Saga Holiday, and welcomes all!
There were obviously a few events we couldnโt cover, and I apologise to those involved for this, but we tried to capture as much as possible. It was a wonderful year at the Arts Festival, and we look forward to seeing how they might top this one!
If writing these was a competition, though itโs not, for the record, the highest hitting review was Andyโs one on Robert Vincent, followed by Andyโs three-in-one writing workshops, I made level pegging for the third best for the NRWO review, with Maddieโs sketching workshop review, then my review of Scummy Mummies pipped Milton Jones to the post for the fourth highest hitting article.
But we donโt worry about hits here; I couldnโt pick a personal favourite, oh, okay, go on then! It had to be between Milton Jones and Nothing Rhymes With Orange, of course. For Andy, who, letโs face it, did most of the hard work, picked Robert Vincent and Swing From Paris. โBut I also thought the various have-a-go events were pretty good. Oh. That’s three!โ
Thatโs okay Andy, have three, or more. Interesting though; Arts Festival team, the workshops did prove to be a welcomed addition. Same again next year?!ย
Get ready for an unforgettable family day out as Circus Cortex BizZzar brings its award-winning Big Top spectacular to Devizes from 9โ12 July 2026…..
Performing at The Green, Southbroom Road, Devizes, SN10 1LL, this thrilling production promises four days of world-class live entertainment for all ages. Featuring an exceptional cast of international performers, Circus Cortex BizZzar combines breathtaking aerial displays, high-flying acrobatics, side-splitting comedy, and edge-of-your-seat thrills in a fast-paced show packed with excitement.
From the moment the lights go down, audiences will be transported into a world of wonder, laughter, and circus magic.
Performance Times: Thursday 9 July โ 5:00pm & 7:30pm Friday 10 July โ 5:00pm & 7:30pm Saturday 11 July โ 2:00pm & 5:00pm Sunday 12 July โ 1:00pm & 4:00pm Advance Booking Offer Book early and save on selected seats: Red Seats โ ยฃ10.00 (usually ยฃ15.00) Silver Seats โ ยฃ12.50 (usually ยฃ25.00) Gold Ringside Seats โ ยฃ15.00 (usually ยฃ30.00)
Advance Booking Offer Book early and save on selected seats:
Red Seats โ ยฃ10.00 (usually ยฃ15.00)
Silver Seats โ ยฃ12.50 (usually ยฃ25.00)
Gold Ringside Seats โ ยฃ15.00 (usually ยฃ30.00)
Advance booking is strongly recommended to secure the best seats at the best prices. Whether you’re a lifelong circus fan or experiencing the magic of the Big Top for the very first time, Circus Cortex BizZzar delivers a spectacular live experience filled with skill, laughter, and unforgettable moments. For tickets and more information, visit www.circuscortex.com
If last Saturday’s Celtic punk band quipped if the Devizes Corn Exchange was a bingo hall, and Milton Jones jested โit’s great to be here, in the past,โ it took a band with roots to the town to introduce Devizes Arts Festival to a next generation, and, predictably, Nothing Rhymes with Orange smashed it, with zestโฆ.
It’s been a fantastic year for Devizes Arts Festival, their 40th anniversary, though it continues to attract a majority of older residents. It’s understandable, with the Devizes age demographic and the cost of living crisis particularly affecting our youngest. Not for the want of trying, chief organiser Vince told me of a โBattle of the Bandsโ of yore, which has the blueprint of a young Kieran Mooreโs past input, but the vicious circle comes down to economics; a certain style of event not selling has the potential to financially ruin the festival, and has to go. Wanton to attract a younger generation being the reason why the price to this particular event was reduced; it worked.
Highlighting the diversity of their program is something I’ve preached for the years we’ve extensively covered it, and upon receiving a whisper they’d booked Nothing Rhymes With Orange at the end of last year’s festivities, I kept schtum, but secretly I excitedly prayed this might be key to crashing the invisible boundaries of the festival’s age demographic. Not blowing my own trumpet, but I was right!
Prayers answered by Bristol’s Nothing Rhymes with Orange, as our oldest and youngest gathered; the latter only slightly outnumbering, but both tolerant and respectful of the other. The most age-diverse Arts Festival event I’ve witnessed was one of the happiest, and deffo, liveliest! And also, one element to the gig’s success.
Nothing Rhymes With Orange @ The Corn Exchange
The other, of course, was the band formed at Devizes School, quickly became the local Gen Z phenomenon I’d refer to as โBeatlemania in Devizes,โ and departed to Bristol Uni. If that usually spells an end to school bands, Nothing Rhymes with Orange made the adjustment together, and I will continue to vow this tightness and comradeship is the secret to their success, as, through their dedicated motivation and raw talent, they went on to replicate the local phenomenon into a national one.
Last night, they returned to their roots, and though they collectively confessed it felt โstrangeโ to be back, to me, many of their original homemade fanbase waited in anticipation for those early singles, which they can sing back to the band; thatโs as vital to Gen Z as recording it all on TikTok!
It was an obligatory pressure for Elio, Fin, Sam and Lui, who wish to retire their earliest songs in favour of progressive newer ones, and they announced this would be the last time they would play them. Fittingly here in Devizes, but not without subtle apprehension from the band; understandable. I get this; if I had to replicate my teenage creative output in my twenties Iโd have cringed.
Never say never, I expressed, for nostalgia builds through aging. While the early songs were welcomed by the younger crowds, what was most impressive for all in attendance, was surely the new ones.
Nothing Rhymes With Orange @ The Corn Exchange
If the indie punk pop genre has come of age, and thrashing out three-minute rages is clichรฉ, Nothing Rhymes with Orange are at the pinnacle to a progressive evolution of the sound, with matured experimentation akin to prog rock. And therein lies their contemporary universal magic.
Through superior technical ability, mood-setting bridges and intros, and paced melodies, while still maintaining the professionalism, tightness and adroitness they showed from the start, their new songs have so much more body and strength. They are a pleasure to hear, and appeased the entire crowd rather than those here to sing back the early works.
The merger was a shrewd move, beginning with the classics and moving onto newer ones, with a finale of Manipulation, one of their earliest crowd-pleasers. They may not have played them for a while, and itโs not like riding a bike, but now theyโve ticked that box of reunification with their original fanbase off, and can put those old tunes to bed, itโs time to move on.
Last night proved Nothing Rhymes with Orange are at the top of their game, as they switched old with new seamlessly, and strived to become the universal name we locally knew they could from the very beginning.
Their synergy reverberated, as it ever did, but with a newfound level of proficiency and competence, leaving those who knew them before in awe. With one eye I scanned them as those kids singing to a handful of teenagers in West Lavington village hall, but with the other, as if we were watching The Pretenders or the Stranglers on stage. It was as plot twisting and refreshing as Luke Skywalker returning as a Jedi!
Supported by a brilliant Cheltenham five-piece called Underscore, all guitars, drums, overspilling and confident originals, made for an amazing gig, and a particularly different Devizes Arts Festival event.
Underscore @ The Corn Exchange, Devizes
Nothing Rhymes with Orange couldโve just come out and nonchalantly played Brotherhood of Man covers and Iโd still have been happy to see them all again! But, they didnโt, I mean they wouldnโt, would they?! They knocked it out of the Corn Exchange.
A journalist once told me, you write on a subject, publish and move on. That’s why I’m not a journalist, as I hug the frontman’s mum and tell her I’m proud, and can’t imagine how she must feel.ย
Nothing Rhymes With Orange was never just a subject for me, it was a model, of everything Devizine means to me personally, to summarise a journey of a local youth band, and now, through sheer dedication and motivation, to see them never taking a step backwards, only forwards, to a world stage, fills me with great respect for them, hope and delight.
Midnight oil has been burning at Potterneโs Badger Set studio as Devizesโ most impressive and talked about upcoming band, Burn The Midnight Oil takes itโฆ
by Ian Diddamsimages by Ian Diddams, Shakespeare Live โHamletโ is arguably Shakespeareโs most widely known play, with an estimated tens of thousands of performances eachโฆ
Mantonfest, the longstanding gem on Marlborough’s event calendar, finalised for another fantastic year last night, with metal-driven mayhem, as the sounds of AC/DC ripped acrossโฆ
Mock the Weekโs recurring panellist and Radio 4 comedian Milton Jones stood on the stage of Devizes Corn Exchange on Friday, with the setter, โitโs great to be here, in the past!โ And thereafter, everything which came from his mouth was utterly hilarious. Thank you Devizes Arts Festival, a fine chortling choice; Iโm still chuckling nowโฆ..
Our antiquated town, the maturity of the audience and the country bumpkin stereotype had already been fired at us from the support comics, all in the name of banter. Slight heckling with calculated precision mightโve offset these London comedians, who seemingly learnt no lesson from the backfiring of Francis Groseโs quips which spawned the moonraker fable. Yet, with the timing perfection of Spike Milligan, God of Funny, Milton couldโve said anything youโd consider corny from the mouth of another comedian, and still come up trumps.
I could debate all day that if Milton thinks our town is old-fashioned, so too is his humour, and neither are bad things. While surreal conceptually, Milton delivers deadpan puns based on wordplay, and while genius, the lengthy observational storytelling of Dave Allen, Billy Connolly or Richard Pyror, and the madcap and shock factors of eighties alternative comedians like Mayall and Edmondson, for Milton, appears omitted in favour of the previous generationโs one-liner joke telling. Even the hair suggests Ken Dodd.
Milton neurotically fumbles with the microphone stand, but not his wordplay. As is his bed hair, any emotional instability or self-doubt is part of the act; he has us under his spell from the off. You couldnโt help but laugh out loud at the absurdity of his thought-process. Iโm now of the opinion his manipulation of language and layered humour is second to none currently in comedy. He has nearly as many relatives as jokes, each one with their own punchline funnier than the next.
Some gags he divided into repeat opening lines, โisnโt it awkward whenโฆโ or in evaluating the audienceโs reactions with pretend test jokes, and he occasionally returned to a thought, but each gag was separated by subject so vastly, and fired as fast as bullets, the mind boggled to keep up, and ordered minimal laughter relapse in fear of missing the next punchline. I could recite some gags, but Iโd just ruin them; Milton is proof delivery is the crucial element.
The first support, Dave Vaughn, however either failed to assess the audience or didnโt have the arsenal prepped to adapt. What mightโve appealed to his peers, a younger city audience didnโt wash here unfortunately. Maths, a subject he came out with, was mildly amusing, but this matured audience isnโt going to identify with nostalgic observations of growing up in the nineties; that was yesterday to them!
Finishing on Trump jokes I hoped, for his sake, would elevate reaction, but they werenโt refined, nor as risque as they could have been, as if Dave was holding out on provocation in fear of being overly offensive, which he might have gotten away with in his comfort zone. He repeatedly said โyeah,โ to compensate for โplease giggle,โ but Trump is his own joke, and just because the audience might look Conservative, doesn’t mean they needed modesty in this matter.
In many ways the compere was better than Dave, but he too felt like he had landed on an alien planet and was expected to entertain the natives. Milton called it later, โisnโt it awkward whenโฆโ
Thankfully this pattern was erased by the quirky dressed alternative girl in the middle. Undisputed UK Pun Champion Adele Cliff may not have fitted with the Arts Festival attendees, but would in the wider Wiltshire demographic, hippychick!
And she certainly delighted them. A self-confessed nerd, whatever Adele sourced she turned into magic, even corny quips, or geeky subjects like Doctor Who and Toy Story were delivered so perfectly, it produced the desired effect. I loved her, the audience found her hilarious as she lifted the spirit in preparation for Milton with stars, cherries and everything on top. Combined with Milton, they made my drizzly week, because laughter is the best medicine.
Another great night in Devizes, thanks to The Devizes Arts Festival. Today, Nothing Rhymes With Orange make their hometown reunion, and Iโve been hopeful it will attract a younger audience to the delights of our arts festival; we wait in anticipation, just wishing Milton could see it, for these lads originate from Devizes, and are the future.
As the Devizes Arts Festival rolls majestically towards its final weekend, thereโs no chance that the bus is anywhere near running out of fuel.ย There was plenty of gas left in the tank last night to bring us into the streets of Paris to hearโฆ. but whatโs that? โ itโs some lively street music!ย Yet another beltingly-good music act had come to town to keep the DAF party going.ย Not only that, but there were signs of a bit of a runaway success – not only had Swing From Paris sold out the Merchantsโ Suite venue downstairs, but theyโd sold a lot more tickets too, so the gig had to be moved upstairs into the main Ceres Hall…..
To be honest the place didnโt look much like a Paris bistro โ the high-ceilinged, air-conditioned, space of the hall would never allow that โ but at least we were greeted with a more cafรฉ-style layout, featuring a casual smattering of tables and chairs.ย It meant that we had some space to spread out for a change, whilst still feeling crowded together enough to create some atmosphere.
Swing From Paris breezed on to the stage and, after a little tuning, confided (to plenty of laughter and applause) that they werenโt actually from Paris at all!ย The shock! – weโd never have guessed! Still, Gloucester and Worcesterโs Finest came to give us a good eveningโs entertainment, and they sure succeeded in doing that.
Consisting of Tomasz Williams on upright bass, Sam Hughes on acoustic guitar, Andy Bowen on electric guitar, and Fenner Curtis on violin, who acted as the bandโs spokesman throughout, we got two highly entertaining sets of jazz, swing, waltz and gypsy rhythms mostly from the 1930s through to the 1950s, but also featuring tunes from as far back in the 1890s and forward into the 1980s. There was plenty of humour and self-deprecation throughout as Fenner talked us through the provenance of each number.
The instrumental tunes were bright, lively, and often short, occasionally well-known and recognisable, delivered through some really tight arrangements, but giving just enough room for the occasional solo. Many tunes derived from Broadway shows, the movies, musical theatre, and the Great American Songbook, but there were a couple whose roots were more from classical music or folk traditions. Fenner humorously compared classical works to jazz works, in that nobody knew for sure exactly when to applaud, and then gave Tomasz a bass solo in the middle of the next number, just to prove the point.
And there were plenty of famous names being bandied around during the evening โ Claude Debussey, Fats Waller, Django Reinhardt, Stephane Grappelli, Duke Ellington, Artie Shaw, George Shearing, George & Ira Gershwin to name but a few.
I particularly loved Fennerโs minor tirade against streaming sources when he exhorted folks to purchase an actual physical CD or vinyl copy of their albums. The difference, apart from the revenue stream to the artist, was so much better for the punter too โ higher quality sound reproduction, the feeling of ownership of an artefact and its associated artwork, the programme and background notes, and the knowledge that it was much more financially supportive of the artist. I have to say I agree with him. Seems like other folks did too, as there was plenty of business going on at the merch desk during the interval and after the show.
Two fine forty-five minute sets breezed by in absolutely no time, capped off by the well-signalled and, ahem, totally unexpected encore. Job done! Artists very happy with their first visit to D-Town, DAF very happy with a larger than expected number of bums on seats, and an audience very happy with what theyโd just heard.
So another โhats offโ moment for DAF โ well done for bringing these guys to town.
Anyway, thereโs just a few more sessions to go from this Friday through to Sunday, and itโll be all over for another year. So, if you havenโt done so yet, get yourself along to something before itโs too late!
The Devizes Arts Festival continues until the night of Sunday 14th June at various venues around the town.ย Tickets can be booked at Devizes Books or online at www.devizesartsfestival.org.uk
Part environmental lecture, part live performance, and part immersive sonic journey, The Grass & Time Soundscape Lecture offers a unique way to celebrate National Meadowsโฆ
Featured Image: Helen Polarpix As if itโs not hot enough, Aveburyโs finest musical export George Wilding is bounding back with another new single, Feed Yourโฆ
Featured Image: Gail Foster. Features extracts from reviews by Andy Fawthrop, Ian Diddams and Madelaine Blake. Does it ever stop?! The weekend is upon usโฆ
Harry Baker is a former world champion poetry slammer and German speaker with a mathematics degree. Whether the three are related is open to conjecture but all three feature in one way or another in his work. At the age of twenty he won the world poetry slammer competition in France with what he describes โ fair enough โ as the worldโs best poem โPaper Peopleโ. From studying maths rather than medicine at university, to provide him with the time to keep on writing poetry, he is now a full time professional poet with a full diary of tours and performances and four books to his name.
His latest book, โTenderโ chronicles the first hundred days of his sonโs life and it was this that provided the material for the second half of his performance at the Corn Exchange, Devizes on Wednesday night. The poems ranged from the incredibly short inspired by exhaustion and exasperation, to good sized outpourings of love for his son and his wife, with many other lengths and subjects in between. We leaned how long it takes to look at a horseโs face when you are just weeks old, how Harry becomes accepted as milk provider โ eventually, and of the inevitable ejections and projections babies manage from both ends. It is a set of beautiful, amusing and passionate poems the last of which โ Day 1 โ brought a tear to my eye and a lump in my throat as it echoed feelings of my own for over thirty years now.
Harry’s first half comprised pieces from his earlier books with titles encompassing his German speaking ability about a spoon with which to eat falafel (โfalafellรถffelโ), finding your own way in the world (22 โ which I realised immediately is the product of two prime numbers โฆ that maths degree is never far away), a passion for swimming (โWildโ), enduring love (โDustโ) and a philosophical view of inevitable death (“Instructions for a funeralโ).
The evening sped by, the audience of almost two hundred from far and near sitting spellbound throughout. Harry is a consummate performer, engaging, witty, self-deprecatory with a typically British sense of humour but with a gentle lilting delivery.His works can be bought at the ever excellent โDevizes Booksโ of course, and for a taste of what we all enjoyed YouTube has many clips of him in action.Huge thanks to DAF for bringing yet another wonderful act to our town, and the festival is not yet over ๐
Giovanni Boccaccio in the 1330s wrote a poem, โTeseidaโ, principally about two knights, Arcite and Palamon, who were rivals in love for the hand of Emilia, during the rule of Theseus. Fast forward to Geoffrey Chaucer about fifty years later who basically stole the story for the โKnightโs Taleโ in โThe Canterbury Talesโ. Shakespeare was no stranger either at literary appropriation, if you will, or plagiarism if you prefer, and used the same story as the basis for โTwo Noble Kinsmenโ. It was to be his final play, written in partnership with John Fletcher another Elizabethan/Jacobean playwright, completed in around 1614 (Shakespeare died in 1616). As a tale incorporating two best friends both falling in love with the same woman and falling out with each other as a result, it of course bears no relationship to โTwo Gentlemen of Veronaโ which is about two best friends both falling in love with the same woman and falling out with each other as a result. Will would surely never re-use the same plot devices?
[ Checks notes โ โTwelfth Nightโ with a shipwreck and separated twins, โComedy of Errorsโ and a shipwreck and separated twins, โThe Tempestโ, with a shipwreck and separated siblings; โA Midsummer Nightโs Dreamโ with a Duke Theseus and wife Hippolyta, โTwo Noble Kinsmenโ with a Duke Theseus and wife Hippolyta. Nope โ nothing unusual hereโฆ]
“Two Noble Kinsmenโ is to be performed by the Wharf Theatre at the eponymous venue on July 13th to 18th 2026. Nic Proud, who directed โPericlesโ in 2024 returns to direct this latest in a fine recent tradition of the Wharf producing Elizabethan authors’ works โ โAs You Like Itโ (2019), โMeasure for Measureโ (2023), the aforementioned Pericles and โDr. Faustusโ (2026). As per the opening paragraph, the story revolves around the rivalry between two noble kinsmen Arcite and Palamon, for the hand of the beautiful Emilia, sister to the pompous yet wise Duke Theseus, with his kind and sympathetic wife Hippolyta. To add romantic confusion [Ed. โ a Shakespeare play with confusions over love? Really?] there is also a jailorโs daughter and her wooer, while a court toady Pirithous obsequiously undertakes his masterโs bidding. A drunken jailor, and his equally drunken tailor brother, provide suitably comedic scenes, along with two simple countrymen and a schoolmistress who with sundry others make up the characters in what is a far funnier play than may appear on the surface.
The cast certainly embrace the more comedic portrayal of this piece, and it rattles along in about two hours plus an interval. Thereโs plenty of quick changes between and intra-scenes and multi-rolling in the cast of nine portraying fourteen characters, and a dashing sword fight on stage to boot! Come and see if you can spot who is who and be amazed at the speed of the costume changes!
Tickets for this wonderful production of a little performed Shakespearian play can be found here at ticketsource, and the production runs July 14th to 18th at 7.30pm each evening.
About a million years ago, before covid and lockdown, when the thought of Liz Truss as a P.M. was a laughable idea [Ed. โ nothing has changed] and when a Post Office scandal was when the sub post mistress was found to be having an affair with the vicar, there was a magical place hidden away in the roof space of a former stables [Ed. โ needs more research] where performers would entertain the thronged masses of Devizes [Ed. โ itโs not that big] on Friday and Saturday nights
Just the name conjures up distant, hazy memories of wonderful acts like โJasper in the Company of Othersโ, Dan Allen of โDucking Punchesโ, โLonely Touristโ and so many more. In that roll-call of greatness as one looks back through the history of โThe Foldโ there is one of several names that crops up time and time againโฆ Gaz Brookfield, or as one listing shows, Gareth Brookfield! Then โThe Foldโ was no more for several years after October 2018, but has reopened its doors this year under the maestro-ship of J.P. Oldfield, or Josh if you need a vape, where already its hallowed newly painted walls have seen a โLost Tradesโ reunited trio, Meg & Siren, โBluebeard and the Desperate Hoursโ, and an open mic already.And thence to last Friday when previously Fold regular Gareth Brookfield returned to one of his old stomping grounds. If you donโt already know Gaz is a solo acoustic guy (occasionally cobbling his Company of Thieves together) from the West Country, who through Trial and Error has built a solid following round these parts and further afield, with two number one albums to his name. Modest as ever he claims he only plays Four chords and the Truth, but the reality is his lyrical penmanship is second to none, even if he insists his two chums, Messrs Turner and Faulkner i.e., Frank and Sam, are better. [Ed. โ They arenโt. Just equally talented]. His Career Moves saw him based in Bristol and London, but eventually the draw of SN1 was too strong and he is returned now to the Shire.[Ed. โ Thatโs enough song title dropping!]
Gaz has recently completed his โVillage Hallsโ tour, literally booking and playing at village halls across the country in his self-managed, one-man band set-up, where audiences were treated to two sets the first of which were tracks that he rarely plays at gigs. Last year his tour comprised two songs from each of his ten albums. This Fold gig was in a similar vein of both, with an hour and quarter or so of songs he rarely, if ever plays live, from each of his albums in reverse chronology. Setlist as follows and many of the linked videos below are from Friday’s gig – credit and thanks to @waitingforwinter !
Gaz was engaging and lovely as he ever is, with interesting stories regarding each of his songs. I was personally delighted to hear โNuggetsโ and โAborglyphโ as I thought Iโd never get to hear โNuggetsโ again, if only because of its progeny and Gazโs relationship with his friend, and โAborglyphโ is simply a beautiful song. The seventy strong sold-out crowd sang and danced in the Foldโs confines in what was quite a โwarmโ and โstickyโ atmosphere ๐
The gig had been promoted by J.P. Oldfield, who, no slouch with a guitar himself, had opened the show with a nine song, forty-five-minute set of his blues based, Johnny Cash style, deep voiced magic. Setlist below and for your very delectation, another wonderful video from Friday night from @waitingforthewinter with “Further from Heaven”.
He claimed credit for writing โRising Sunโ but I felt he was just jokingโฆ but most of that list are all his own work, and are to appear on his new EP, due for release on September 26th this year โ a full six track EP. Devizine covers that release in this articleโฆ
Five tracks from that new EP plus โSatanโs bar and grillโ and โPreacherโs Nooseโ gave us an excellent review of JPโs own work. There were also a couple of covers โ โSt. James Infirmaryโ and โHouse of the Rising Sunโ โ but rendered in a very JP Oldfield manner very much making them his own โ and that is not faint praise.
The Fold is very much making a welcome return and with gigs of this quality to look forward to its future is hopefully bright โ so follow its Facebook page and book the September 26th for an EP release party at โ where else โ โThe Foldโ!
Rising Devizes star and promoter at โThe Foldโ, JP Oldfield last Friday revealed the information he is to release a new six track EP on September 26th this year.
JP explained โIt’s going to be a concept EP based on a story I have written to go alongside the EP that is loosely influenced by the rime of the ancient mariner. It hopefully will have 6 tracks and will really be pushing the limits of what can be defined as an EP. There will be physical copies for sale that will come with a copy of the story to read alongside it, I’m trying to make the whole thing an experience with the story running the whole way through.It’s currently unnamed at this point in time and probably will be until August when I get all the artwork finalized. I’m in the studio later next month finishing all the music off. Itโs been quite the awesome but full-on undertaking!”
I am sure prog fans will be no doubt in tune with the idea and if the tracks played last Friday from that EP โ Song 2 (real name to be decided), โFurther from Heavenโ, โNo Restโ, โThe Best I Canโ and โHeavy Was the Rainโโ are anything to go by so will anybody else that is prepared to sit and listen.
Furthermore JP is playing an EP release gig on that same day at โThe Foldโ. So, make a date in your diaries to see one of Devizesโ rising stars and grab a copy of the EP and the story at the same time โฆ and itโs the night before my birthday so you can also buy me a pint!
Monday morning seems an odd time to be going to an โArtsโ event, and early heavy showers didnโt do the day any favours either.ย It almost felt like getting up to go to school when double maths is scheduled, but that was a very (very) long time ago for me, so I sharpened my pencils and set out in determined fashion for the Cheese Hall……
A doughty class of about twenty folks had turned up to hear professional photographer Bob Holman run a workshop session on โhow to elevate your phone photography and WOW your friendsโ.ย Not only had this master-class been the first item on DAFโs Events Calendar to sell out, but had proved so popular that another session had been arranged for the afternoon โ and that had sold out too! So I guessed there were a lot of people around the town who were having issues with their competence at phone photography!
This was another one of those little DAF gems which gave our good citizens a chance to actually โhave a goโ, rather than just sit back passively and be entertained. And this was definitely not entertainment, much more instructional in nature. It fell into two basic halves: the first being almost traditional chalk-and-talk from the front, and the second was a much more hands-on practical session.
Bob ran through a lot of basic settings, and how to set the phoneโs camera up to suit the types of things you might want to do. Cue lots of โa-haโ moments as people began to discover some basic things about their phone that theyโd not realised before. Previously unexplored menus, sub-menus and options came blinking into the light. This then morphed into a tips-and-techniques section (including โfilling the frameโ, never using the flash, using the timer, macro shooting, video including slow-motion etc). We got plenty of advice on what NOT to do, and features NOT to use, which was equally useful. We talked about focus, contrast, using the light, burst mode, black-and-whiteโฆ.well you get the picture (see what I did there?.
After the break and a chance to let our spinning heads settle a little, we donned coats and headed into the great outdoors for some much more practical shooting tips, causing alarm and amusement in equal measures to ordinary citizens of the town going about their daily business. Before you knew it, twenty-odd folks were swarming around the Town Hall, down St Johns and into the churchyard, taking pictures of all sorts, from a variety of strange new angles. We were taught about โleading linesโ, โframingโ, composition, perspective and some lovely trickery using a range of reflecting surfaces (windows, mirrors, puddles of water). Again you could hear the โoohsโ and โaahsโ as various pennies dropped. Finally, after this enjoyable bit of play-time, we were trooped back into the classroom for a final round-up before the lunch-time buzzer went.
Iโd say that by now we were all starting to feel quite pleased with ourselves, not only because weโd all blossomed into a new regiment of crack photographers, but also because the lesson was almost at an end. It was at this point that Bob told us that taking better pictures was โthe easy bitโ. All those great shots would now require editing before they were truly perfect. And that, we learned, was a whole other set of dark arts, and a different discipline altogether! Something for another time methinks.
Overall this was an informative and helpful session. My only quibble was that, despite being clearly advertised as suitable for both iPhone and Android devices, the latter (of which there were several in the room) were not really catered for. Bob admitted upfront that he was largely unfamiliar with Android settings, so a few of us had to play quite a lot of catch-up and translation during the session. For the iPhone majority, however, this session got a definite thumbs up.
Anyway, weโre into the final week of the Devizes Arts Festival now. However, thereโs still plenty of great stuff still to come over the next few days, both ticketed and free.ย There are more โhave-a-goโ sessions, too, so why not get your sleeves rolled up and get stuck in?
The Devizes Arts Festival continues until the night of Sunday 14th June at various venues around the town.ย Tickets can be booked at Devizes Books or online at www.devizesartsfestival.org.uk
โMr Phil Beer needs no introduction to anyone,โ says a spokesperson for The Pump in Trowbridge, our grassroots venue kicking up turf on Rolling Stoneโฆ
Get ready for an unforgettable family day out as Circus Cortex BizZzar brings its award-winning Big Top spectacular to Devizes from 9โ12 July 2026….. Performingโฆ
CrownFest at The Crown in Bishops Cannings is making a fantastic comeback this July with a stellar lineup, particularly supporting local acts, begging the question,โฆ
Summer Solstice in Wiltshire; it’s a crowd-puller, but even forty years after the Battle of the Beanfield and decades of attempted commercialisation, it remains aโฆ
All Images: ยฉGail Foster If last Saturday’s Celtic punk band quipped if the Devizes Corn Exchange was a bingo hall, and Milton Jones jested โit’sโฆ
Mock the Weekโs recurring panellist and Radio 4 comedian Milton Jones stood on the stage of Devizes Corn Exchange on Friday, with the setter, โitโsโฆ
Manning the lifeboats with Devizes Arts Festival in landlocked Devizes last night, and I didnโt even get a sticker. I did shake a tailfeather out of my system, more importantly. For if all-originals London-based Celtic folk-punker five-piece Man the Lifeboats seemed to have no visible relevance to their marine namesake, they certainly knew how to rock a boatโฆ.
A few people asked me for the relevance in the name, as if I would know, or remember to inquire! Two years ago, when Jolly Roger played, there was piratey-themed cosplay and shanties, but Man The Lifeboatsโ subjects were self-confessed to be more about death, apocalypse, certain brands of beer, and pubs they like. There was also a fair shout of anti-fascism and left-wing political suggestion, which, given the direction the country seems to be heading, may connote the metaphoric desertion of a sinking ship. Bravely or at least unperturbed, bellowing said righteousness from the lookout tower of the Corn Exchangeโs high stage, to a scattering of matured Devizes Arts Festival attendees was their risk I savoured; fairplay!ย
However, if they took it in jest at the beginning, asking if they were at the right event, and if this was a bingo hall, as this dynamic banjo, fiddle, piano accordion complete collective got the ball rolling, their shock of the gig mustโve transformed to pleasant surprise. Man the Lifeboats realised not to judge a book by the cover, the reward for an accomplished and lively band at Devizes Arts Festival, will be these matured attendees rising from their seated positions and gyrating to their irresistible beats like middle-age never happened; and many did, because Man the Lifeboats were stompingly outstanding!
And, letโs make no mistake, while this isnโt the sticky-floored cider-fuelled pub backroom or hedonistic crusty festival they might be used to and arguably more aptly fit, supporting Ferocious Dog and the like, Man The Lifeboats absolutely nailed it. They play the Grass Roots Grazin’ festival at Salisburyโs Music Baa later this month, and will undoubtedly receive the same expected acclaim there as they would crossing our southerly wurzel county border, with their scrumpy & western, Boot Hill and 3 Daft Monkeys similarities to Celtic punk, but their reception at Devizes Arts Festival might be a true test of their excellence, and it culminated with a surprise fairytale ending.
At least, thatโs how I believe the band should view it! For them, they should note, Devizes youngsters up for a party flocked to nearby boozer, the Three Crowns, as is the norm, for the free familiarity of covers from Pat and Ben of Matchbox Mutiny, of which I dropped in afterwards, to confirm they were having it.
For us, itโs been a mission to express this wonky stereotype of Devizes Arts Festival being a Saga Holiday at home shouldnโt carry the assumption it is not lively. That Gen Zโs parents and grandparents partied harder, faster and more often than TikTok might convince them otherwise, if it is not otherwise and understandably sadly governed by finance. Devizes Arts Festival has been fantastic this year, as ever, worthy of your coinage, but then I sigh, Iโm not getting any younger myself!ย
The true test of this will be next Saturday, when Devizes Arts Festival hosts homegrown Gen Z pop-punkers Nothing Rhymes With Orange, and I hope younger residents flock, not only for the sake of reunion, but for the future of Devizes Arts Festival. But, for now, we were locked into the tremendous vibe of Man The Lifeboats, as they did their thing loud and proud. It was professional, but they looked like they were loving it, with a mutual feeling from the crowd; cracking toast, Gromit. Or should I say, WALL-E, whom the frontman compared to Citizen Kane?! Ah, banter was lightly welcomed.
To liken any Celtic punk band to The Pogues might be cliche and a pedestal. Save for their London take rather than Irish, Man the Lifeboats certainly had similarities, their last tune before the interval was decidedly akin to Dirty Old Town, and they were fiery with poignant messages to provide, but in a nice way, delivered in a far more respectable light than the outrageousness of the subgenre’s origins. But, this is common stipulation with any music genre, I’d argue, where it is the aficionados age too, and this is the era we live in. This said, as towards the finale I saw them bashing out skillfully raw, decided I love these guys no less than Flogging Molly, or The Dropkick Murphys, and they were certainly on that level of excellence.
A great night was had, it seemed. If gigs like this at Devizes Arts Festival can provide the townโs resident live music lovers with a taster of such bands, knowingly left wondering for something to do at a grassy outdoor festival with them on the line up, or stuck in London in range of one of the pubs they fondly mentioned, Iโd make a beeline. Yet, it is of importance, being our readership is largely made up of our live music fans, that Devizes Arts Festivalโs higher points directed at music should not be taken with a pinch of salt, that they vet quality acts with variety, including such must-sees as Man The Lifeboats; a perfect example.
And so, it continues, thereโs another week of Devizes Arts Festival to come, which ends on Sunday 14th June with two free fringe events, a poetry and prose open mic at The Black Swan from 4pm, and a unique take on the blues with The Rigmarollers at The Cellar Bar, of the Bear Hotel at 7pm.ย
A Little Bit Of French Polish Andy Fawthrop As the Devizes Arts Festival rolls majestically towards its final weekend, thereโs no chance that the busโฆ
Join the Wiltshire & Barh Air Ambulance team on one of their behind-the-scenes tours of the Charity’s airbase at Semington on Thursday the 9th Julyโฆ.โฆ
by Mick Brian images by Nic Proud and Wharf Theatre Giovanni Boccaccio in the 1330s wrote a poem, โTeseidaโ, principally about two knights, Arcite andโฆ
Holidaymakers from across Swindon & Wiltshire are being invited to attend one of the region’s newest travel events this summer as Swindon Travel Hub hostsโฆ
by Ian Diddamsimage by JP Oldfield Rising Devizes star and promoter at โThe Foldโ, JP Oldfield last Friday revealed the information he is to releaseโฆ
Another headliner from the Devizes Arts Festival hit town last night….
Robert Vincent came to the Corn Exchange, bringing his heady mix of folk, country, blues and Americana. Normally performing acoustic in solo or duo format, this time he had a full band in tow. Heโs an English singer-songwriter hailing from the north-west. Iโll admit, full disclosure, that Iโd never run into him or his music before, but after last night Iโm really happy to say Iโve now made the connection. Although there were a few empty seats at the back, the Corn Exchange was largely full with 200+ people there to cheer him on โ and cheer they did. I soon realised that there were plenty of folks there whoโd seen him before, so there was plenty of love in the room.
Fronting up with acoustic guitar and harmonica, Robert took us through two excellent one-hour sets, show-casing many songs from his back catalogue, including his last album โBarriersโ (and, yes thereโs now a copy of that firmly in my collection), together with plenty of new songs from his forthcoming new album.
Straight from the off I was struck by his voice โ heโs a clear, but emotional singer โ and the harmonies that his band members threw in. The sound was full, rich and multi-layered with plenty of texture and variety to the songs. Early on we had some of his Country & Western influences coming through on โThis Townโ. The easy changing up and down through the gears, from solo acoustic, through to full-on rocking, from stripped-back to hard and insistent guitar licks, was an absolute pleasure to listen to.
Robert had an easy style, chatting to the audience with humour and self-deprecation, explaining the background to the songs, but never getting tempted to waffle on. I was particularly struck by such songs as โHurt Today, But Alright Nowโ, inspired by childhood memories, which he described as โmiserable but hopefulโ, as well as โLove Never Endingโ (a piece of personal therapy) and โEverythingโs Gonna Be Alrightโ (calm, unflustered and very laid back).
The band behind him were excellent โ Jim Kimberley on drums, Thomas Bibb on electric guitars (some superb solos), Danny Williams (who flipped effortlessly from upright bass to electric bass) and Anna Corcoran on keyboards, also providing some absolutely stunning backing vocals and haunting harmonies. Individually they were superb, but as a cohesive backing unit for Robertโs wonderful songs, they absolutely nailed it. And these guys were also the core of the band on โBarriersโ.
The second half continued in the same vein โ lovely clean and unfussy sound, no showing-off, just simple great musicianship. At times I was hearing Jackson Browne, at times there were shades of Deacon Blue, but it would be a disservice to the band to claim they were in any way just a soundalike to those folks. This was category-defying stuff. More superb songs followed โ โTake Away Your Burdenโ, โKeeper Of My Heartโ (an absolute belter in my opinion), โShine A Light In The Darknessโ and โSeparating The Fiction From The Factโ. Again there were lots of textures, changes of mood and tempo, some chat, some nice segueing from one song straight into the next. There was light and shade, there was hard and soft.
The vocals were soulful, insistent, yearning. The musicianship was spot-on. The songs were meaningful, well-constructed and simply wonderful. Itโs been a while since I was this impressed by a band Iโd never even heard before, but I was well won over. I was already on 9/10 by half time, and a no questions 10/10 by the time we got round to the encore.
The sound and lighting by Serenity Audio was absolutely spot on.
Anyways, thereโs still plenty of great stuff to come over the next few days, both ticketed and free. The Devizes Arts Festival continues until the night of Sunday 14th June at various venues around the town. Tickets can be booked at Devizes Books or online at www.devizesartsfestival.org.uk
I Think I Get The Picture Now by Andy Fawthrop Monday morning seems an odd time to be going to an โArtsโ event, and early heavy showers didnโt do the day any favours either.ย It almost felt like getting up to go to school when double maths is scheduled, but that was a very (very)โฆ
A lot has happened since last week’s article on the decline of local Pride events. Not all of it has been positive, but I’m pleased to say in Devizes, it isโฆ. If Essex has seen Prides banned by Reform-run councils, Chippenham Pride released their full program of events, but have you noticed?! What happened inโฆ
by Ian Diddams images courtesy of Devizes Arts Festival, Ian Diddams and Graham Lloyd When one considers cricketing controversies, one maybe thinks of World Series Cricket, the โRebel Toursโ to South Africa during apartheid in the 1980s, Bombay bookmakers, Mike Gatting & Shakoor Rana, chucking, Mankading, the Trevor Chappell underarm incident, Somerset declaration of 1979,โฆ
Would you like a new hobby? To meet new friends? Or, maybe you are looking for a gentle way to slow down and quieten a busy mind. The Mindful Stitching Workshop is a creative textile journey happening at St Andrewโs Church, Devizes, organised by Tracy at Dollies Dimples, who handcrafts those cute dolls in tins, vintage-inspired ballerinas, dinosaurs, marbles and beautiful bunting. The best thing about this workshop? Absolutely no experience is needed and everyone is welcomeโฆโฆ
You may be a life long experienced seamstress/tailor like me or maybe you have never threaded a needle or sewn a button on, either way this is the workshop for you. A place to learn, share skills, have a chat and a laugh and meet new friends.
Join Dollies Dimples for a peaceful morning of no pressure, creative hand sewing. This workshop is not about following a rigid pattern or making a perfect item. Instead it is a sensory journey focused entirely on the relaxing rhythm of stitching and creating.
You will be guided through creating your own unique textile collage on a beautiful fabric backdrop. Explore a beautiful tactile “buffet” of antique vintage lace, soft ribbons, scraps of beautiful fabric, mismatched buttons, embellishments and beads. Layer, arrange and attach them completely at your own pace.
This morning retreat includes a warm welcome with a selection of herbal teas, coffee and delicious sweet treats.
All high-quality tools (there will even be sewing machines and an overlocker to practice on) scissors, threads and fabulous collage materials are all provided. A gentle introduction to simple, easy hand-stitches (with easy to thread and some ready threaded needles)
A mid-morning drink, pause and stretch to rest your hands and eyes. Leave your phone in your bag or pocket, enjoy gentle conversation and laughter with like-minded people, and take home a completely unique piece of textile art made entirely by your own hands.
This all inclusive workshop lasts two hours from 10a.m. to 12.00 noon and will be held in the very natural floodlit foyer of St Andrews church, Long Street, Devizes. SN10 1NJ. Just along from old Wilko.
The workshop dates are the 23rd and 30th of June and 7th and 14th of July. Spaces are strictly limited to ensure a calm, spacious environment. Spaces are already filling fast.
How to book: Please send a direct message to @dolliesdimples or email dolliesdimples@hotmail.com to make payment and secure your seat at the table. ยฃ25 per workshop, book one to four workshops, you choose.
As I keep going on about, Devizes Arts Festival continues to bring up these little treats from its chocolate box of delights. And, there, hidden away in a corner, minding its own business, was a luscious little morsel of entertainment.….
Whilst DAF have a (largely informal) policy of not using and promoting local talent within Devizes, but rather of using the opportunity of the arts fortnight to bring in a wide range of items and performers from rather further afield, folks you might not normally get to see, in this case they made a rather pleasing decision to โsupport localโ.ย Clare Durham, from Henry Aldridge and Son (who were sponsoring this event), and well-known Seend-based TV personality Paul Martin, teamed up to present an interesting and informative session.ย I suppose you could say it was a vote of confidence, or rather a way of saying thank-you to Titanic specialist auctioneers Aldridges for bringing their business back into the centre of Devizes.
Anyway, over the course of an hour we (well certainly me anyway) learned quite a lot about the world of collectors and collecting.ย Paul rather lamented that the younger generation do not seem to be as interested in collecting things anymore.ย Where once upon a time nearly everyone ran at least a modest collection of something or other, be it something simple like cigarette cards or stamps, this habit seems to be less common in the 21st century.ย People like de-cluttering, donโt have the old furniture, cabinets and space to hold collections of very much, and there seems to be less interest in social history.ย
Where Britain was once, certainly during the 18th and 19th centuries, a mighty colonial Empire, with vast wealth, both amongst a richer elite, as well as at a national level, the fad for collecting things of all types was at its zenith.ย The Great Exhibition of 1851 was probably the pinnacle of this type of thinking. Valued artefacts were either ancient treasures (possibly looted or โre-locatedโ to Britain), or were the best examples of hand-made items from across the globe. As handicrafts have declined, superseded by large-scale factory production, there are far less individual and/ or unique items being produced, from paintings, to ceramics, to furniture and so on.
Collecting, we learned, was about focus. Find your niche, your passion, your interest and then home in on that. Work within a budget, buy at the top end of what you can afford, and never buy just for โthe investment valueโ. Donโt collect what everyone else is collecting!
The value of any item is based on three things: rarity/ scarcity, provenance, and condition. Possibly all self-evident, but provenance is usually the key difference between something that is merely of interest, and something that is worth an absolute fortune. Any provable connection to Royalty, famous people or great events will always increase the value โ and Aldridgeโs should know, given the large number of valuable items connected with the Titanic which theyโve handled over the years.
We had lots of anecdotes about lucky finds proving to be very valuable, misplaced buyer expectations, and the pitfalls of TV work when it comes to handling antiques and dealing with the rich and famous.
Overall a very entertaining session, and another of those little gems that keep the festival running.
Meanwhile the rest of The Devizes Arts Festival continues until the night of Sunday 14th June at various venues around the town.ย Tickets can be booked at Devizes Books or online at www.devizesartsfestival.org.uk
My Show Of The Festival Andy Fawthrop Another headliner from the Devizes Arts Festival hit town last night…. Robert Vincent came to the Corn Exchange,โฆ
A talented local performer from Devizes is set to share the stage with international star Jason Donovan this summer as part of Fulltone Festival โ26. …. Grace Sheridan,โฆ
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Guys out on โthe pullโ on Thursday in Devizes were cut short. The Scummy Mummies were back in town, and youโve never heard so many Prosecco corks popping from the Corn Exchange. It sounded like machine-gun fire in there, aimed directly at testosterone….
Chicks and honeys, as far as the eye could see, and the odd quivering fellow, likely dragged in by their wives; a Devizes Arts Festival sell-out. The Scummy Mummies made their debut here four years ago. Their outrageous family-related routine adapts to follow the personal timelines of their own marriage and motherhood, with teenage parenting and divorce added source material for their latest offering, Hot Mess. But they also reminisced on the thirteen years they’ve been together after meeting on the comedy circuits; it shows.
I meant in professionalism, not physically; I’ll leave the self-body-shaming gags to this dynamic comedy duo. They excel in it, but extrovert their comical bombardments too, onto their kids, partners and the audience, taking no prisoners as they fill the stage with madcap frenzy. At its baseline this show is 60% self-deprecating standup, 40% the ultimate hen party. Thereโs a complete comedy package, brazenly embellishing standup with sketches, Powerpoint presentations, parodied pop songs to suit the narrative, and more costume changes than Sabrina Carpenter gigging in Harvey Nichols.
Iโm here breaking my Scummy Mummies cherry, by default attacking this from a male point of view, but….erm, (collective noun I believe is a gaggle) a gaggle of ladies knew what was coming, were prepped with tipples and charged funny bones. They were out for the funniest ladiesโ night ever, for this is an Ab Fab afterparty, uncut French & Saunders but with a Jo Brand twist, a comedy duo who take Cyndi Lauperโs hit biblically.
From the contents of a laundry basket stratigraphically examined and retested for scale, to a particularly amusing mumโs Mastermind sketch, subjects ranged from โfingeringโ to the PTA Whatsapp group, but all done without taste; unless middle-aged women in catsuits simulating sexual positions with their husbands whilst admiring images on slippers is your definition of taste. But any more on that would be a spoiler, if it doesnโt spoil itself.
As a geezer, youโd be forgiven for assuming this sounds excruciating, and this was certainly my pre-concern too. For if such a format was performed by anyone other than comedy geniuses, Iโd still be of that opinion, but it wasnโt. This duo have the timing of The Greenwich Time Ball, are improv masters, and unless you were a subject on Louis Therouxโs Manosphere, wherever your testosterone balance lies, you cannot escape the simple fact that the Scummy Mummies are absolutely and undeniably hilarious.
They bounce off each other, literally, but also figuratively akin to Ronnies Barker and Corbett. To suggest theyโre competency is on a similar pedestal would be exaggeration, but, dammit, they should be sitting above Michael McIntyre, and thoroughly deserve their own TV show.
Men are going to be verbally assaulted here, you just know, but only with a feather duster rather than an all-out carpet bombing against patriarchy; in fact the word was only mentioned once. This is not a feminist march, and there is no political campaign with The Scummy Mummies, only astute social observational humour. And the bottom line is, with no bars held, theyโve perfected it. The menopause medley was sidesplitting, โAnn Scummersโ delighted, the audience participation was paramount throughout, but precedence held at the finale, the result of the โconfessions,โ was a gem of comic sagacity.ย ย
Their entire show didnโt come up for air, is written with comedy erudition, and the gag about men in grey boxers had me contemplating if the notion was understandable in their presence, given I nearly wet myself laughing at these two exceptionally funny women!
All hail The Devizes Arts Festival, itโs looking like another successful year. This was a hysterical button to press, seemingly loved by everyone in attendance. But thereโs plenty more to come, all the way until, and including, Sunday 14th June. Youโd be doing yourself a favour to find details HERE and pick up some tickets.
Pride month finds me wondering if Pride events are actually needed more in our smaller market towns where awareness and acceptance is perhaps lesser thanโฆ
Wiltshire Music Centre is launching the Make Music This Summer programme, a vibrant 19-day programme of musical activities for children, young people and families….. Designedโฆ
Images by Jess Worrow A busy late spring weekend across the county, with major events from Bradford-on-Avon to Swindon, but I’m bringing quality acts Iโฆ
Tickets are now on sale for Frome Festivalโs silver anniversary year, taking place between the 3rd โ 12th July, 2026. Three hundred events are scheduledโฆ
The Devizes Arts Festival continued on a very wet Market Day this Thursday, and continues to throw up some real little gems.ย Here was another piece of interesting and imaginative programming from the committee…..
If youโve ever watched a David Attenborough wildlife programme, or read about some of the campaigns of the RSPB, or the National Trust, or marvelled at the wildlife photography in the National Geographic, or even Wiltshire Life, thereโs a reasonable chance that at some point Nick Upton was working behind the scenes on one of those projects.ย His work, which he showed us many examples of during his talk, and the well-stocked merch desk in the foyer, were great examples of the skill of this man.
Nick let us in on many of the difficulties and challenges in his line of work, and many of them were not related to mere simple technical stuff, such as which lens he might need to use, or about the quality of the light, but more about working in some extremely difficult physical and climactic conditions, extreme weather changes, being attacked by insects such as bees, wasps and hornets (and some bigger stuff too!), having to work with local indigenous people (and I donโt mean folks from TrowVegas or The Sham), but also having to cope with potential diseases, bites, droppings and things that could be considered seriously injurious to health.
We also got an insight into the many tools and techniques required โ not just the amazing whizz-bang range of camera goodies, but all the associated non-camera items: drones, hides, tubes, camouflage, hard hats, periscopes, GPS tracking, motion and heat sensors, infra-red equipment and helicopters. And even that lot was never enough to secure great pictures โ you still needed a lot of prior research (migration paths, animal behaviour patterns), a massive amount of patience and ability to soak up personal discomfort, and sometimes just a bit of luck.
On top of all that, some creatures apparently have the temerity to be vanishingly rare, or are very camera-shy, live nocturnally, move extremely fast, or are incredibly tiny. How very dare they? Clearly, this is not a job for the faint-hearted.
This talk was a great sweep across Nickโs career over 40 years, and covering over 30 countries, but it illustrated not only the manโs undoubted technical and related skills, but also his obvious passion for nature, especially those projects closer to home in the UK. These included working with hedgehogs, harvest mice, dormice and the re-introduction programmes of cranes, great bustards, otters and beavers.
Itโs no wonder heโs won so many photography awards, and had so many pictures published and syndicated in many countries. Packing all that little lot (including hundreds of great photos) into just 55 minutes was no mean feat, so it was quite a fast canter. But Nick really came alive once he was off-script and responding to questions at the end of the session from the packed audience.
A really wonderful, and truly fascinating, topic for a Thursday lunchtime. Great stuff. Well done Nick, and well done DAF for booking him!
Meanwhile the rest of The Devizes Arts Festival continues until the night of Sunday 14th June at various venues around the town.ย Tickets can be booked at Devizes Books or online at www.devizesartsfestival.org.uk
Andyโs topping the leaderboard for Devizes Arts Festival reviews; if I pull my socks up and attend a lunchtime recital at least Iโve chalked my name on it. Classical guitar at St Andrews Church, how bad could it be? Just a handful of tea drinkers coughing over some amateur strumming?! I should know the Devizes Arts Festival better than that by nowโฆโฆ
What I, and a full house got was precisely the opposite. London-based Portuguese classical guitar and lutenist scholar and tutor, Fรกbio Fernandes is a virtuoso. He came to Devizes to educate as well as entertain, and he did both delightfully.
His penultimate of seven was by Frank Ridge, and the finale, a sunny-side-of-the-street piece, one of many his fellow classical guitar enthusiast David Russell wrote for him for the album he was promoting. But, like Doctor Who with an acoustic guitar, both of these contemporary compositions were inspired by the centuries of English guitar music we had joyfully trekked through in the past hour, to which Fรกbio held the crowd spellbound.
Coming clean, what I know about English Baroque composers can be written on the back of a matchbox, but if I attend lots of gigs where the guitar is a given, thanks to Fรกbio Iโm enlightened with a genre of yore which introduced our country to the instrument by Europeans. Fรกbio provided a medley of four 17th century Henry Purcell transcriptions as an opening, and wowed the audience with his intricate skill. From the tragic opera Dido and Aeneas, to an eloquent dance and my particular favourite section, a Shakespearean underscore called The Fairy Queen, these pieces were short, but in them you could hear the influence of everything which followed.
I found myself contemplating waltz, nineteenth century English folk dances, or twangs of bluegrass in this music, predating 1940โs Appalachia by a country mile. Even playful notes on the offbeat, which, as a reggae fanatic, shocked me, and so many experimental elements pop has caused us to take for granted now. From the romantic delicacies of 19th century salon music to the militantacy of William Walton in the following era, and onto scores by Benjamin Britten, we moved through time with the grace of the gods, and each chapter with a full and fascinating explanation.
Iโm forever impressed with the quality at Devizes Arts Festival, but generally Iโm nocturnal, and due to work commitments I rely on, and am grateful for, Andy and Ian to provide our feedback on daytime events. Please forgive me for so wrongly assuming during the daytime this level of quality lessens off. Quite clearly it doesnโt, and neither does the attraction or diversity on offer. Fรกbio Fernandes was as impressive and entertaining as something more contemporary, and being it had a little history lesson thrown in for good measure, it was inspiring too.
I loved this, and was surprised I did. It was only a lunchtime recital, dammit! Someone look after my cucumber and haslet sandwiches, I’m going for more of this!
Pride month finds me wondering if Pride events are actually needed more in our smaller market towns where awareness and acceptance is perhaps lesser than in larger towns where diversity is tolerated more, but Prides are already established. Then I ponder deeper, if that’s even an accurate statement, and if it is, why many small town Prides seem to barely bathe a little toe in the water, or fizzle out after they doโฆ..
From Bronski Beat’s poignant Small-Town Boy video to Little Britain’s โonly gay in the villageโ running joke, culturally there’s always been a consensus that anyone LGBTQ+ could fair a better life, even safer, in an urban environment. Ergo, while Prides may thrive in cities, in the sticks it’s harder to organise them effectively.
Add to this the economic downturn causing an increasing risk for any free event, the terrible notion with a rise of far-right philosophy infiltrating our councils, with negative tendencies towards Pride, pushing through permissions and gaining support for Prides might sadly lessen, particularly in sparsely populated areas with a minority of LGBTQ+.
While Pride in Bath is relatively new, and like Swindon Pride, happens in August, Salisburyโ Pride has events every weekend in June with a family gathering at Sloan Park on the 6th and Juneteenth on the 20th at The Bell Tower Green. However, Swindon Pride began promoting their events in June, this year seeing an inclusive virtual walking challenge. Pride is changing everywhere and offering alternatives to a carnival-style event.
Influenced perhaps by former mayor Declan Baseley, Chippenham holds very elaborate Prides, this year over the 13th-14th June weekend. But Nathan of Trowbridge Pride explained they were forced to reduce theirs to bingo evenings and pop up stalls. โWe are in need of new volunteers to help bring our planned full sized festival to our town park,โ he said.
My concerns for rural Prides stemmed from a Facebook post on a Marlborough group, gauging interest for a Pride there. Well, Pewsey held a Pride for a few years, but a spokesperson for it told me it’s now reduced from a โfull dayโ to a drag cabaret night, which is on 12th September.
While Calne have maintained theirs, and it’s this weekend, I cannot find anything on one in Melksham, and though Devizes held a few in previous years, due to the operation now running with one solo person, Oberan told me large-scale events are on hold. Itโs great to note, though, this saddening trend is bucking on the canal, as boater community Floaty Boaty offers a Pride Parade & Picnic at The Bradford-on-Avon Wharf on June 20th.
Motivation might also be a factor for Prideโs decline. It must be disheartening to arduously labour over an event where the attraction for it is in the minority and organisers worry it cannot escape its niche. Whilst heterosexuals with an open mind might feel welcome at a Pride, I consider they’re lesser living rurally, compared to those who really need to reconsider their views on the matter. The numerous social media reactions to our article on if Wiltshire Council should fly the Pride flag suggested there’s many locally who do.
Comments flooded in on it, either airing views that they shouldn’t, generally using reasoning that whilst they’ve nothing against homosexuality, it’s not for councils to condone it, and counter arguments accusing them of homophobia. In fairness, aside from the irrelevant but expected patriotic flagwaving comments, in some suggestions where they didn’t want โtheir face rubbed in it,โ conveys they’re either unaware of their ingrained homophobia, or they have the necks of giraffes, for how else could you rub someoneโs face into a flag atop of County Hall?!
But our Pewsey Pride spokesperson provided a surprising alternative, saying โI have actually found that some of the gay community in our village are the ones who oppose it the most. They say they donโt need a “day” or “event” to celebrate who they are, and they just want to integrate into the community.โย
If Pride is subjective, even for the LGBTQ+ community, and, I feel, in many circumstances itโs doubtful some leopards can change their spots, it is also clear many wish to celebrate the progress made, and being itโs taken the best part of 500 years to move from hanging gays, through imprisonment and from post illegality riddicle and hate, to an era where no one bats an eyelid to see same sex parnters on a TV game show, but social media holds a smoking gun for a gradual regression, I think itโs worthy of celebration. But, we know progress can often be slower in rural areas.
Does this make Prides in rural areas even more essential than urban areas? Or would it be better for those in rural areas to put their efforts and resources into assisting in larger townsโ established Prides, or forming collectives to host Prides each year in a different town within their group?
โI think combining prides is a great idea,โ our spokesperson for Pewsey Pride agreed, โas itโs really hard to maintain our biggest issue; we are only a small village and finding the funding/sponsorship is really hard. We can’t put on events without it.โ Although they praised a partnership with Pewsey Carnival, โthey help with liability insurance, etc, which can get frowned upon, that we aren’t solely a Pride event, but we couldnโt do it without their help.โย
For encouraging other organisations to assist, especially those with a majority of straight members, a starting point could be to confirm Pride is inclusive, express the reasons for having Pride, and if any take precedence over the others. The conflicting two intentions must surely be: is Pride’s celebratory element paramount above raising awareness and attempts to cause heterosexuals to think differently? The former might cause criticism that itโs not inclusive for all, even though it is, and this, shamefully, answers the latter.
For heterosexuals, if attending a Pride allows them to walk in anotherโs shoes, itโs surely valid. Being straight, pondering all this found me reflecting personally, recalling a time that I did experience something akin to what it might feel like to be gay in a tight community complete with homophobes; the impact of isolation when I moved from suburban Essex to a Wiltshire village at thirteen. I was not made to feel welcome by many, because I was different. Culturally I was an outsider, and often treated with mistrust or ridicule, even threatened.
It may have been only a taster, not nearly as serious as issues gays have to deal with daily. Being Iโve integrated, I could shrug it off as tribal immaturity, call it water under the bridge, but in consideration, if it continued till this day, I must suppose it would affect me psychologically.
As (mostly) adults, urbanites might bellow out homophobic abuses unperturbed, as itโs a built up area youโre less likely to be known, whereas country folk in smaller communities might be more selective in mannerisms, to their face, but hold deeper and darker negative values bottled up and only exhausted privately between those likeminded.
Then I wonder if talking behind your back is possibly more upsetting, humiliating and damaging than someone throwing abuse directly at you? Either way, it’s why we need Pride, and we need Pride, in some format, be that wellbeing seminars and community building workshops rather than an all out carnival, in our rural areas equally, if not more.
The Devizes Arts Festival is now in its 40th year and, as ever, seems to be in robust health.ย Marking the anniversary with 30 wide-ranging events across two weeks in several venues in and around the town, hereโs yet another example of D-Town continuing to punch well above its weight in the area of the Arts…..
Whilst there are lots of big, headlining events (see link below to DAFโs website), thereโs lots of other more intimate, and interactive, things going on too. Because itโs not just big bricks you need to build a wall, itโs the quality of the mortar to bond those bricks into something really solid. The theme, if there is one, of many of these smaller events is about getting involved or โhave a goโ. Well Devizine, as you lovely people well know, is always up for a bit of a challenge, so I thought Iโd pitch in to three literary-type events this week. Being no stranger to the publishing world myself, I decided that, apart from listening to one of the UKโs most prolific fiction and screen writers, Iโd cast an eye over two things Iโve previously had a go at myself โ memoir-writing, and ghost-writing. What could possibly go wrong? You never know โ I might actually learn something.
First up on Monday was Bath Spaโs Steve Tuffin, who led a very practical class on how to go about writing a personal memoir, or indeed how to approach any form of creative writing.ย Surrounded by some wonderful sepia-tinted historical photos on the walls of the Cheese Hall (plenty of subject-matter there), Steve led an engaging session. In what could have been a dry, dusty and boring subject (rather like my good self), Steve presented a very lively, interesting and, yes, absorbing couple of hours.ย Apart from some great tips, techniques and tools, there was plenty of good discussion and three different short practical writing exercises.
One of the interesting debates, especially in the light of modern politics and celebrity โvoicesโ, concerned the cross-shading between factual/ absolute โtruthโ and the personal/ relative viewpoint of โmy truthโ. The stories weaved by Trump and his cohorts, Raynor Winnโs โThe Salt Pathโ and the Harry/ Meghan psycho-drama, are all evidence enough that โmemoirโ and โmemoryโ can often be poles apart, thus melding the different worlds of fact and fiction.
Steve cantered through a number of techniques (starting small, finding your voice, controlling the speed, being brave, reading out loud, finding a way in etc), but the key lesson that came out time and time again was the need to โpostpone perfectionโ: get what you want to say down on the page as quickly as possible, then re-draft (many times), edit, and polish. Clearly a technique that we at Devizine have already (ahem) been practising for many years!
Later on Monday evening, the venue switched to much larger Corn Exchange, where a lively audience of about three hundred turned out on a rainy night to hear Becky Grey interview the prolific and versatile author and screen-writer Anthony Horowitz.ย Responsible for writing scripts for Midsomer Murders, Foyleโs War, as well as the Alex Rider teen spy series, two modern Sherlock Holmes novels and three James Bond continuation novels, Horowitz is no stranger to hard work and all the tricks and tools of fiction writing.ย
Becky didnโt have to work too hard to get the man talking: Horowitz proved to be a loquacious and captivating raconteur. He had plenty of anecdotes and examples to give, peppering his replies with humour and witty asides. Having known he wanted to be an author since the age of ten, discovering that he had both the right skills and a vivid imagination, he was soon set upon the career which has now made him famous. Declaring himself a great fan of Agatha Christie and her skill at plotting, by planting the clues to the โsolutionโ but without giving away the answer before the very last twist, and deliberately laying false trails, Horowitz showed himself to be entirely engaged in, and engrossed by, the techniques of the popular fiction-writer.
His line on the use of AI was that it was a useful, but a clearly limited tool, to be employed with care and discretion, and to understand its limits. He said that he used AI simply as a research assistant, a search engine to fill in the gaps, simply to save time on researching factual background information, but never to do any actual โwritingโ that could end up in any of his books or scripts.
And that knotty subject that had emerged during the earlier session in the afternoon, the frequent non-alignment between โmy truthโ and factual reality, came up again for some more analysis. The Trumpian world-view, together with a brief commentary of the recent Sturgeon/ Murrell embezzlement fandango were subjected to some light-hearted, but laser-sharp, critique.
Horowitz revealed that he had no set daily โroutineโ for his writing, that he was useless at reading his own work (for audiobooks), that โcosy crimeโ was a misnomer (because murder is too horrible to ever be cosy), that he canโt write poetry or romance (his wife had told him that he could never write about a subject that he had no experience of), and that over his career he had systematically killed off every single character who had ever been nasty to him (well, their fictional personas at least!).
After the 45-minute session, Becky opened the floor to audience Q&A for twenty minutes, after which there was plenty of action out front at the book-signing session. Overall, a very entertaining and engaging evening from an author at the top of his game.
Finally (on Tuesday afternoon), to complete the final layer of this sandwich of literary delights, I turned to BBC Sportโs Becky Grey herself.ย In an event sponsored by Wadworth, and held in the wonderfully historic surroundings of Devizes Museum, she spoke about how she had started her career in ghost-writing books and newspaper columns for celebrity sports stars. And the answer was โ almost by accident. She zig-zagged her way towards it until, like Anthony Horowitz the previous evening, she suddenly discovered that she had a flair for writing, and that her subject-matter (sports and sports-people) was totally engaging. She seems to have never looked back.
Becky talked of the various sports personalities sheโd worked with, and took us through the steps and techniques for tackling that kind of work. Interestingly she hit many of the same themes and techniques that Steve Tuffin had mentioned the previous day (including just getting the first draft down on paper, refining and editing, picking out the real story etc). In answer to questions, she also talked about handling the tricky โfactual truthโ versus โmy truthโ debate (by challenging, and with a lot of tact!), payment models, red lines, and copyright.
And finally โ yes youโve guessed it โ there was a short exercise, another chance to โhave a goโ. And, of course, a book-signing. Another engaging and interesting session.
So there you have it – three events over two days, vastly different in some ways, but nicely inter-connected in others. And did I learn anything? Ah โ that would be telling!
Anyways, onwards and upwards, with still plenty of great stuff to come over the next ten days, both ticketed and free. The Devizes Arts Festival continues until the night of Sunday 14th June at various venues around the town. Tickets can be booked at Devizes Books or online at www.devizesartsfestival.org.uk
Itโs 2006, and the charts are awash with what will become known as landfill indie. Somewhere in backwater Townsville UK, an already road worn veteranโฆ
After months of speculation, controversy, and local media bias, The Shindig Festival at Malmesbury’s Charton Park has been given the green lightโฆ.. Despite Newsquest floggingโฆ
What was once counterculture hedonism is now as mainstream as a package holiday. In the UK music festivals are fashionable, approved and plentiful. Ten yearsโฆ
Wiltshire Music Centre is launching the Make Music This Summer programme, a vibrant 19-day programme of musical activities for children, young people and families…..
Designed for ages 0โ21 and their parents and carers, it offers a wide range of inspiring, accessible and high-quality experiences throughout the summer holidays. From rock bands and musicals to music production and LEGO stop-frame music videos, Make Music This Summer brings together creative opportunities for all interests and ages, From the 25th July to the 30th August 2026.
Delivered in partnership with local practitioners from across Wiltshire, the programme offers young people a chance to explore music, creativity and performance in a welcoming and supportive environment. The programme includes three strands: workshops, concerts and screenings, giving families flexible ways to take part during the holidays.
Hands-on workshops invite participants to try new skills, build confidence and collaborate with others, whether forming a band, taking part in a musical or producing their own tracks.
Family-friendly concerts provide an accessible and relaxed introduction to live music, while screenings of popular musicals are paired with interactive singalong sessions led by choir leader Fliss Courage.
โMake Music This Summer is all about opening the doors to music-making and live performance for children, young people and familiesโ, says Cassie Tait, Head of Creative Learning and Community Engagement. โBy offering a mix of workshops, concerts and screenings, we hope to inspire creativity, build confidence and create memorable first experiences of music at Wiltshire Music Centre.โ
With activities running across 19 days, Make Music This Summer invites families across Wiltshire and beyond to discover, create and enjoy music together. Early booking is recommended.
A busy late spring weekend across the county, with major events from Bradford-on-Avon to Swindon, but I’m bringing quality acts I find elsewhere on my adventures into my village. Rowdefest was, again, a great success, if I do say so myselfโฆ..
Being close to Devizes, where the Arts Festival kicked off this weekend too, Rowde might not gain the traction of events in villages further away from a town, such as The Urchfont Scarecrow Festival. I believe this makes the case for a village fete even greater.
In part we’ve modernised a fete with music, but with community spirit in mind, we retain traditional elements of village fete within Rowdefest. And the fruits of our committee and volunteersโ labour paid off; this year proved it wasnโt beginnersโ luck, it’s become a beloved and tremendous annual occasion.
As social media posts gather many aim at my already overinflated ego, claiming I’m the responsible adult of this baby. I confess I played a part, from organising the music to poster design, and, 6:45am found me partially resembling Wurzel Gummidge, as I lugged fifteen hay-bales from the gate to the middle of the field. Thanks for coming, if you did, but you must’ve looked around?!
From our youngest volunteer stringing up bunting to our eldest guiding traffic in and coordinating stalls. From the Parish Council helping erect the tent, and Simon, our sound engineer, going above and beyond his job, to our wonderful committee sorting red tape, legalities and other boring musts, like every event, Rowdefest takes colossal amounts of hard work from many volunteers, and the ones undertaking the most unseen tasks usually don’t receive the credit they deserve. I just attend the odd meeting to ease their biscuit quota.
Yet, aside from my biscuit munching, it was all these elements from so many which made the day. For the first year we had a sheep shearing show, alongside rides and stalls children were catered for, and at St Matthews we had tea and cake for our eldest attendees. With a raffle, tombola, and teenagers raising funds for Camp International adventures, The Mind Tree Cafe ran an affordable bar, along with Woodland Pizza and Boigers dishing out the tucker. What we find now is an annually returning audience, whoโve felt safe in the knowledge this will be a memorable day for everyone in the family.
Last year I crammed music acts in, appreciative of the many offers to play Rowdefest. This time I reduced the slight changeover chaos it caused with lesser acts. On reflection, with gaps to fill, I think, if budget allows, we should push for three acts next year. But once our wonderful Devizes Jubilee Morris Dancers had done their thing, back by popular demand, and our councillor and chair of Wiltshire Council Laura Mayes kindly opened our event in glorious sunshine, Ruby Darbyshire walked out playing her bagpipes, and I was comforted by the notion, while lesser in quantity, the quality was assured.
If thereโs any similarity between Ruby and our headline band, Barrelhouse, itโs that no matter how many times I see them perform, (which I have,) I remain in awe of them. Ruby held another crowd spellbound here in Rowde, MP Brian Matthew was among many who came to me to acknowledge his amazement at how talented this young singer-songwriter is, and after an absolutely sublime two-hour show, Ruby left to do it all again in Bradford. Just wow, Ruby, you were truly perfection.
If the landscape of MantonFest abruptly populating when Barrelhouse appears has become a tradition in Marlborough, the institutionโs baby sister festival Park Farm and heady nights at our Southgate are securing a similar pattern in Devizes. And this makes sense to me, for Barrelhouse are all about the blues, Devizes loves the blues, but aside those aficionados, Barrelhouse deliver blues with lively universal appeal. And that was my pitch to the committee, way back in the winter months.
Understandable was their initial concern, blues is perceived as melancholic, and they wanted lively. Grateful I therefore remain, that they took my word for it, and the proof was in the pudding, as the wide demographic ignored the temperature and got up and danced in much the same fashion as is the Mantonfest “tradition,” to Barrelhouseโs infectious sound.
A grand finale by an excellent local band, firing on all cylinders, and mirroring last yearโs epic hoedown by Burn the Midnight Oil. I appreciate feedback on the chances of bands returning, Talk in Code was one, but I assure you, Iโve more tricks up my sleeve too! What 2027 will bring is undecided, but, with support from the community through the rocky road of maintaining a free event like this, this yearโs fantastic and trouble-free event was so pleasant and positive, I hope Rowdefest will remain as it is, and I will continue to place my efforts into making it so, just like our wonderful committee.ย
Three short years ago, we first spoke with Vanessa Tanner, campaigning in the Devizes Town Council by-election for Devizes East. In those few minutes, Iโฆ
Wiltshire Council will discuss granting itself permission to fly the Pride Progress flag outside County Hall and other Wiltshire Council offices during Pride Month. Theโฆ
Sixteen year-old entrepreneur, Katie West from Devizes, set up her own gardening business, FreshEdge Teen Landscaping a few months ago, but received a ban fromโฆ
The Rondo Theatre in Bath will be bursting with high-energy chaos this June as The Rondo Theatre Company presents Bullshot Crummond, a gloriously silly parodyโฆ
Tickets are now on sale for Frome Festivalโs silver anniversary year, taking place between the 3rd โ 12th July, 2026. Three hundred events are scheduled in 58 venues in and around Frome during the 10-day community arts festivalโฆ..
Frome Festivalโs programme offers music to suit all tastes – from classical, folk, pop, jazz and world music to hard rock, punk and techno. In a special programme, Frome-based Irish folk singer Cara Dillon will perform songs from across her acclaimed catalogue alongside Sam Lakeman, while also reflecting on the town they call home.
The Bob Morris Lecture is delivered this year by Sir Tony Robinson discussing his life and love of history. Other history talks during the festival include Three Remarkable Women by David Heath, The Bayeux Tapestry organised by Frome Society for Local Studies, and Emily Hauser reassesses the often-mythologised women of Ancient Greece in Mythica. Closer to home, Rosie Eliot will deliver Frome Festival President and Founder Martin Baxโs talk on Celebrating Frome Festivalโs Origins with some enjoyable stories and memories to mark its 25th year. This is one of numerous free events, with booking advised.
There is a strong line-up of literary events, led predominantly by Frome Writersโ Collective who have relaunched Words at Frome Festival. Highlights include prizewinning novelist and biographer Nicholas Shakespeare discussing Spies & Lies at the Merlin Theatre. Another favourite literary event, The Crysse Morrison Prize for Poetry, will see winning poems presented alongside an open mic. Submissions for the poetry competition are open until the 14th June.
A special anniversary gala launch performance of the acclaimed musical King of Fools will open the festival at the Merlin on Thursday 2nd July. Written by former Frome Festival Director Martin Dimery, the production forms part of a wider fundraising initiative in support of the festival for its 25th anniversary.
Other highly anticipated plays featured in the festival are Frome Drama Clubโs adaptation of Jean Genetโs The Maids and Really Truly Theatreโs Your Move. Dance lovers can enjoy a flamenco performance by celebrated dancer Maria Vega at the Merlin Theatre with Xuefei Yang on Spanish guitar. This is preceded by a flamenco workshop as a separate event.
Frome Festival offers an eclectic mix of hands-on workshops, from several literary and singing opportunities to Silver Jewellery Making, Carve a Green Man in stone, Softcover Bookbinding, Introduction to Bell Ringing, a Perfume Masterclass, Mongolian Overtone Voicing, Morris Dancing, Flamenco, West African and Afro Salsa dance workshops, Medieval Tile Making, a Tibetan Workshop with the Tashi Lhunpo Monks, a Mindful Photography Walk, Singing Bowl Workshops, and a Family Pond Dip for younger children. John Hegley is also running a creative workshop for โanyone who has been seven years old!โ
The comedy headliners are Taskmaster favourite Phil Ellis presenting Bath Mat, and Nigel Planer, best known as Neil the hippie from The Young Ones. Timmy Mallett will also be sharing his love of cycling, painting and the landscapes of Britain and Ireland in his own inimitable way.
Art exhibitions have long been a cornerstone of the Frome Festival, with the Frome Open Art Trail showcasing the work of artists and makers in studios and shared venues throughout the town. Independently, the Pedestal Gallery will present ceramics by comedian Johnny Vegas alongside works by Peter Hayes and Emma Rodgers, following the showโs return from the Venice Biennale.
The Food Feast, another favourite free event, will be taking place on Saturday 4th July from 5pm. Visitors can expect great live music and entertainment alongside delicious international food, with many traders offering a low-price tasting menu for the first time this year.
Fromeโs Hidden Gardens from Friday 10th to Sunday 12th July is also trying something new by extending the Friday opening hours to 7.30pm in the evening. Guests can discover beautiful spaces when the air is cooler before Frome Festivalโs evening events.
With the sought after Frome Tunnels Tours on 7th July and various free events, walks, talks, quizzes, a Cacao Ceremony and Sound Bath, the return of the sensonic crew’s dance music night with cutting edge visuals under the name Synaesthesia, and a childrenโs Wildlife Parade heading through the town centre on Sunday 12th, audiences of all interests are catered for.
Frome Festival Director Adam Laughton shared, โAs Frome Festival celebrates its 25th birthday this year, weโre delighted to see Fromeโs remarkable arts scene reflected in events of all shapes and sizes. With 300 events, including 160 that are free and up to ยฃ5 per ticket, in 58 venues across the 10-day programme, there really is something for everyone.โ
BROCHURES detailing all events are available to pick up from the Cheese & Grain, local libraries, information points and many other locations across Frome and the surrounding area. An online version of the brochure is available here. Publicity photos can be found here.
May seemed so far away back in Feb when we ran a preview of two plays which will see a Devizes acting company debut at the Edinburgh Fringe. Beforehand, they’re staged at their base, the Wharf Theatre. I’ve had a sneaky peak already, you can tooโฆ.
Acting coach Lou Cox, director of The Wharf Acting Company, wrote and devised both shows. Whose Play is it Anyway is showing at the Wharf Theatre on Friday 29th and Saturday 30th May, before heading north, but the second, Having a Baby and the Sh!t They Donโt Tell You in Books is only on Saturday.
Firstly, and undoubtedly the easier to summarise is the interactive comedy Whose Play is it Anyway? Name-spin upon improv show Who’s Line is it Anyway, but more a general parody of low-budget TV quiz shows of the seventies, thirteen actors of the group perform eighteen scenes from various plays and it’s up to audience to call out which decade, genre or play it is, according to the question set by the grandstanding host, Barry Ruffles.
With no fourth wall Ruffles, played with diligence by Gavin Rand, tempts the audience to be the quiz show crowd with offers of carrot-on-a-stick prizes. But the utmost comic element is his impertinent relationship with his superficially glitzy assistant, Jenny Flannel, played with such absolute perfection and improv timing by Danielle Cosh, youโd think you regretfully picked her up in a Wetherspoons in Romford.
A unique angle, yet the greatness of this show is in the contradiction between the sombreness of the scenes against the comical game show concept, and in turn, the scenes make for an interesting display of the diversity of theatre throughout the ages. For the theatrophile it might act as a boastful test to their knowledge, but for someone less culturally aware it has the potential to be a fun clipshow sampler. Being the latter, there were several encapsulating scenes which made me think, you know what, Iโd like to see that play in full?
Itโs originally quirky, bottom line, ideal for the Edinburgh Fringe but also with a degree of universal appeal. What was most fascinating, and also a testament to the skills of the actors, similarly to its namesake Whose Line, thereโs a genuine improv component in the order the scenes are played out. Governed by a deliberately tawdry bingo ball machine, the order is genuinely random, even if youโd be forgiven for assuming it was fabricated. โIt keeps us on our toes,โ one actor, Matt Dauncey jested, โand makes the show different each time.โ
The others, as follows, Laura Deacon, Dion Smith, Karen Payne, Brigid Maude, Laura Bartle, Rhiannon Fitzgerald, Isla North, Jamie Whatley, Jenni Prescott and Lisa Smith all need to be highly commended too, for the immense amount of preparation undertaken to develop this, and their readiness to randomly jump into any of the various characters and styles of play. The team also fondly remembered member Andy Bendell, who recently passed away. This was fun and intriguingly original in equal measure, and (in joke) more a waste of Haribo than a waste of your time!
Only similar for contrasting comedy against tragedy, Having a Baby and the Sh!t They Donโt Tell You in BooksI was treated to next. Lou has performed this one-woman show before at The Wharf and elsewhere; Helen Robertson reviewed it for us, causing me to want to see it myself.
Committed to taking a โmanlyโ perspective to one with their knickers at their ankles chatting about their vagina, which is usually blushing and smirking like Finbar Saunders, I found equal heartfelt emotion and gulp in this unbridled masterwork.
Iโm reminded of a podcast interview with Adrian Edmondson, hardly recognising his voice, a voice I should know only too well. He was crying over thoughts of the passing of his comedy partner Rik Mayall, and I reasoned, because Iโd never heard Adrian cry, only ever laugh. What happens to the funny person when the funny runs out?
I marvel at writers like John Sullivan, with his knack of creating loveable character relationships, like Del-boy and Rodney, who can switch the comedy narrative to the most sombre and touching moments. But if this takes genius, itโs a whole other ballgame to take a monologue twisting comedy from tragedy to the stage, when it comes from the heart of personal experience. What begins as part stand up routine, part PowerPoint presentation, ends with the most unfeigned emotional piece of theatre youโre likely to witness.
Lou runs off a frank and quite brilliant stand-up routine akin to a most alternative, brutally honest and graphic guide to pregnancy, and while keen to state each case is different from any other and many women like to talk about their experiences, she describes the stark revelations of mental and physical changes due to her own maternity, with comical precision. This self-observational comedy would be plentiful for a trip to Live at the Apollo, and whilst this is impossible to summarise without spoilers, the conclusion to her story is not bathed in the glory of childbirth, nor amusing anecdotes of post-natal activities.
Until this point, you ride it with Lou, especially parents with a story to tell themselves. But, due to lack of oxygen during a traumatic birth, Louโs daughter Hattie was left severely brain damaged, and only managed five days. Lou reflects on her tragedy honourably but with understandable criticisms to faults made and how they were dealt with, abruptly halting the jokes, and twisting the direction to finalise with a tearful poignant message so powerful youโre at loss for a suitable expression to account for such grief.
I asked Lou if this was her way of dealing with it. โFor my show itโs certainly cathartic,โ she replied, โbut more importantly Iโve been able to raise so much money previously under Hattieโs name. Also having had to be silent during the legal case I feel I can finally tell my story in the hope that I can raise awareness and promote change in maternity services.โ
You can donate to Hattieโs Fund here, but sympathy, try as you might, the show is a glimmering reality horror not calling for it. Only commanding you to walk in those shoes for a moment, causing it to be breathtakingly brilliant, but hard to review, words will fail you, dammit. Easier to present to it a deserved award; itโs something you have to see for yourself.ย
Which you can do, HERE, before they see it in Edinburgh. Of which we wish them all the best for, and being clips of multiple plays, suggest they break more than one leg!
Four years ago I witnessed a Gen Z phenomenon in Devizes. With a certain indie punk zest and intelligent songwriting, Devizes School band Nothing Rhymesโฆ
Not just a pretty spiral church, there’s plenty for Bishop’s Cannings to be proud about. Evidence with the personal touch recently defeated a brazen landgrab,โฆ
Friday afternoon at The Lamb, tucked away behind the Town Hall in our market town, with my aim to introduce two aspiring local singer-songwriters whoโฆ
A wife cooked her husband on Thursday evening in Devizes. I watched the whole thing unfold, but would have politely passed off any offering of a plate, in favour of my funky KitKat Chunky (three for a quid at Derek’s Deals!) What do you know? Iโm way too much like Kenneth for my own liking, for after all, the way to a manโs stomach isโฆโฆ
You can get ice cream at Devizesโ wonderful Wharf Theatre, but not at a dress rehearsal, which is what this was; my apologies if the headline deliberately deceived you! You are here now, and might as well read about me sneaking in my own snack, to watch this wicked black comedy from the writer of The Nativity film series, Debbie Isitt. Opening night is Monday 18th May and the final night is Saturday, 23rd.ย
Directed by Alison Warren, The Wife Who Cooked Her Husband may have the conclusion given away in the title, but the lead up to it is an unnerving watch with poignantly satirical dialogue. Set in either the late seventies or early eighties, a time when the practices of patriarchy were being questioned via feminism for a younger generation, their elders upheld the traditions of married life. Ergo, for a middle-aged chauvinist to โpart exchangeโ his older model wife, might find himself undone and exposed by his newer modelโs more modern perceptions of marriage.
There’s only three characters in this play, sitting around a dinner table. Flashbacks builds a devilish narrative of a cheating husband, how it emotionally affects his ex-wife, and the new wife too. Jessica Bone plays the ex-wife, Hilary, vividly. The focal point of the play is her building concerns for her marriage, and realisation her suspicions were right. Defining her plight is the emotional rollercoaster which justifies her revenge.
Louisa Davidson is Laura, the scandalous, younger, hedonistic mistress, and she plays it with a realistic front. But as the play delves deeper into Lauraโs psyche, and her expectations from her marriage, whilst more radically feministic, are of equal burden to Kenneth, the happy-go-lucky fellow, caught in this love triangle of his own making.
It becomes clear the antagonist was never Laura. Kenneth is the lovable charmer, a gluttoness Elvis fan. Hardly a master of deception, he fulfills his desires uncaringly; the basic caricature of an eighties lad with Peter Pan syndrome; me starting this review with what I ate during the show might well be proof! If Jessicaโs abject and sentimental monologues are the backbone of the play, theyโre contrasted by Kennethโs playful ignorance, and therein lies the comedy, dark as it may be.
Andy Bennett plays Kenneth with comic splendour. One who gets his dinner at home but his love elsewhere, and at this successful beginning thereโs a scene of visual comedy gold, as the moment of him ingeniously switching from Hilary to Laura delights him. Once reality takes hold, holes in his lies are exposed, and whilst his thoughts on the matter are exposed too, theyโre not nearly as nuanced as either Hilrayโs or Lauraโs. One could argue a writer creates more realistic characters of their own gender, and in this Kennethโs characteristics are flatter. Another argument is, of course, thatโs the fundamental difference between the genders!
Here is a play which either gender can enjoy, and it is very enjoyable, but after-thoughts might some cause healthy debate! Thatโs what makes this a great show. The production may not be the best Iโve seen at The Wharf, though thatโs a high pedestal, but three days later Iโm still pondering its details and the questions it raises; itโs a grower.
While it might appeal more to women, the tensions and stress on relationships caused by an affair should alarm the man more, and they should see it if only to find sympathy for the mess they would create, following their desires without consideration. Young men preaching hyper-masculinity and this manosphere concept, should note this play proves these ideas were standard not so long ago, and didnโt work back then. Because, and hereโs the real hitter, Hilary ponders at the conclusion, Kenneth has decidedly average levels of chauvinism, passive with it, and is atypical rather than extreme, but still heโs a manipulator and cheat who deserved his comeuppance.
The macabre ending suggested by the title is therefore expected, but the wait for Kennethโs fate and Hillaryโs justifications are more intensely meaningful than the concussion. While this play is of a simple setup, with a simple and common premise, the more its deeper meanings roll over in my mind, the more I accept that The Wife Who Cooked her Husband is a must-see.
Swindon-based adrenaline pumping five-piece Liddington Hill released their first EP for three years, and Radium is highly radioactiveโฆ.. For most on the North Wessex Downs,โฆ
Mixed emotions over one of those eye-catching social media โreelsโ a few months ago, for two reasons. Firstly, attraction; the singing girl was a visionโฆ
by Mick Brian images by Jim McCauley โLord, what fools these mortals beโ, says the mischievous sprite, Puck, to his master the fairy king Oberonโฆ
by Ian Diddams images by Platform 8 Take Abigailโs party, add some Aykbourn, a touch of Coward and a liberal sprinkling of 2010s socio-political backgroundโฆ
What was once counterculture hedonism is now as mainstream as a package holiday. In the UK music festivals are fashionable, approved and plentiful. Ten years ago I might have added โprofitableโ to those observations, but with the market flooded, โriskyโ might be a more suitable word. For the punter though, it means options, but if youโre only annually able to budget for one or two, it means decisions and dilemmasโฆ..
Across the country and wider you could trek, adding to your expenses. For complete and utter festival-heads and perhaps thrill-seeking younger generations itโs a cost worth digesting to savour that certain experience. For those with passing interest, first timers, or older festival goers simply wanting convenience, looking for festivals closer to home is the desired option, and locally weโve our fair whack of quality choice. The trouble with so many on our doorstep is, which ones?
I really cannot make the decision for you. And Iโm not about to suggest any of them are necessarily better than another, because, quite simply, they are not. I can only evaluate them in accordance to their individual style and ethos, and you must decide which ones sound more appealing to you personally, deal?!
A separate never-ending list I could publish of festivals within a relatively short radius of Devizes, and I endeavour to add as many as I can find on our event calendar. To lessen the task thereโs fewer within the county Iโd recommend. Minety and Mantonfest most, good allrounders with top headline acts and devotion to locally sourced acts. Bathโs Party in the City, HoneyFest at The Barge on Honeystreet, and Ramsfest in Ramsbury, all this weekend alone.
From dance festival Shindig at Charlton Park to Chippenham Folk Festival, The Curcus Festival in Somerset and Old Town Festival in Swindon, May alone is jam-packed, ending with Bradford-on-Avon Music Festival and of course, free and local to us, I have to mention Rowdefest; although Iโm hosting the entertainment there, donโt let it put you off!
Of course it all depends on what you want out of your festival. During high season, June and July, if youโre a hardcore raver The Existence Festival near Malmsbury will be up your street, whereas for the more commercial, Melkshamโs Wiltshire Throwback Festival is poptastic. Trowbridge Festival for those seeking a wide range of original local music, and so many town festivals welcome this ethos too, such as Inspire Warminster.
Some are as established as Womad, and some blossoming. Going with what you know is a fair game, Marlborough folk return every year to Mantonfest through familiarity, similarly with Potterne Beer Fest, but you should consider the underdogs too; striving to gain reputation can often mean a team dedicated to really pulling off a show.
The same rules apply if you are to stay in Devizes, and it’s fair shout. We punch above our weight. Aside from our wonderful curated arts festival operating multi-venue, and those memorable odd days like carnival, The British Lion’s Black Rat Monday, and the Lions on the Green, you have four main options for pay festivals. Unusually, while the two established events are niche, the upcoming ones have more general appeal. But the base of your dilemma of which to attend should rather be on personal preference, because, in their own unique ways, all of them are equally as good as the others. If that comes across crawling, it’s really not; go to them all and judge for yourself!!
Listed here with no priority, then, other to assist the flow of the article, are an overview of the big four of Devizes, which may/may not help your decision!
In a word; FullTone, on the weekend of 11th-12th July. It’s unique and magnificent. Spawned from a classical free party in the Market Place seven years ago, The FullTone Festival has become a beloved institution in Devizes, a pay orchestral dance music crossover, eclectic enough to incorporate upcoming local indie bands, stage shows and attract some big names to town.ย
Image: Gail Foster
Licensing regulations reduced last year’s FullTone to concentrate almost entirely on their namesake in-house orchestra. This year, with a relocation from The Green to Lower Park Farm, things are quite the opposite. Not only camping onsite can be introduced, FullTone boasts Jason Donovan, The Wurzels and Rozalla, alongside eclectic tributes and from jazz to themed orchestra concerts.
Of course, Park Farm has been home to the Devizes Scooter Rally for the past six years, after its inaugural rally in Rowde, the same year as FullTone, 2019. 24th-26th July this year, Devizes Scooter Rally doesn’t hold a major headliner like FullTone. They tried this last year to great effect. The Beat headlining elevated the rally’s attendance and reputation within the nationwide scooterist scene.
There was a feeling the rally last year had obtained the maximum expansion for the organisersโ preference and to retain a community feel, of which it excels in. And herein lies the most persuasive argument for attending. The Devizes Scooter Rally doesn’t require a big name, the reputation it has built, and its angle incorporating retrospective youth cultures is plenty to guarantee, even though you might not have a scooter or only a passing interest in ska and soul, if you go to Devizes Scooter Rally you’re in for one heck of a cracking party!
The other two festivals in Devizes, I’d call the underdogs for they’re new in comparison, but should be equally considered as FullTone and the Scooter Rally, especially if you’ve eclectic tastes and/or are looking for an amazing family experience.
If both aforementioned are on Park Farm, the site holds its own; The Park Farm Festival is on Saturday July 18th. In only its second year, and if last time things leant towards rock, this year sees a wider aiming family program, with tributes to Queen, Abba, Slade and Madness. Park Farm deserves your full consideration, because despite being new itโs organised by the creators of MantonFest, a brilliant Marlborough festival with twenty-five years under its belt and a reputation for excellence.
Mantonfest 2023
Tributes, yeah, tried and tested at previous Mantonfests. Iโve seen Badness, One Vision, and Slyde, at MantonFest and guarantee theyโre among the very best of tributes around. Park Farm has a full program, including our very own Jon Amor Trio, and just like the Rally and Fulltone, thereโs a free shuttle bus running to and from the site to the town. It may need to find its feet, but last year was absolutely brilliant and loved by everyone who made the effort to go.
The only one not on Park Farm is last here but certainly not least. Crownfest returns to The Crown at Bishops Cannings on Saturday 4th July, after a few years break due to landlord changes. It is great to see it back on our calendar, as the years we did Crownfest it was one of most memorable local affairs, ever! The thing is with Crownfest, things are looking bigger and better than before. And itโs undoubtedly the best for its focus on local acts. Some of the best are listed here, George Wilding, Ruby Darbyshire, Lucas Hardy, and none other than Talk in Code.
Crownfest is a landmark charity music festival, garnished with some of the finest local acts, highly recommended by us at Devizine, and supporting Wiltshire Hope and Harmony, a charity providing essential support to those with SEN needs and to families caring for loved ones living with conditions such as dementia and Parkinsonโs, as well as those at end of life, offering compassion, dignity, and a true sense of hope. And, on our recommendation there will be ant music, supplied by one my all time favourite tributes, Ant Trouble; we are the family!
Iโve been waffling far too long about your blind date with a festival, itโs time to be Cilla; โhereโs Graham with a quick reminder!โ
Will it be number one, the glitter, Prosecco and everybody’s freeeee to feel good festival with a full orchestra behind Jason Donovan?!ย ย
Will it be number two, the boots and braces moonstomping madness hairdryer extravaganza, with a seemingly never-ending supply of beer?!ย
Will it be number three, the friendly, family, outside chance, with John Amor, Barrelhouse and magnificent tribute acts to rock you; cum feel the noise for the dancing queen!ย
Or will it be number four, the grandest pub festival youโll likely to find, set in a beautiful beer garden under the magnificent spiral church of Bishops Cannings, and with Tina, Ant music and a real dedication to supporting local live music?
Or will it be all of them?! Do it, be a festival slapper! Date the lot, and the Devizes Arts Festival, Food & Drink Festival, Black Rat Monday, carnival, Lions on the Green, and if I see you at any, mineโs a pint of cider, cheers mucker!
The Rondo Theatre in Bath will be bursting with high-energy chaos this June as The Rondo Theatre Company presents Bullshot Crummond, a gloriously silly parody of 1930s adventure stories, all in aid of Man Downโฆ..
Running from Wednesday 17th to Saturday 20th June 2026, this fast-paced comedy follows the dashing (and deeply ridiculous) hero Bullshot Crummond as he races to thwart the evil Otto Van Brunno and his beautiful but deadly accomplice Lenya, who have kidnapped a Professor for their own nefarious ends. What follows is a whirlwind of outrageous antics, quick-fire costume changes and theatrical mayhem.
A loving send-up of stiff-upper-lip heroics, the production leans into the exaggerated tropes of a bygone era, think Indiana Jones meets The 39 Steps with a dash of Blackadder. Audiences can expect car chases, sword fights, swooning heroines, hapless henchmen and deliciously over-the-top villains, all delivered at breakneck speed and firmly tongue-in-cheek.
Bullshot Crummond began life as a stage comedy in the 1970s before being adapted into the 1983 cult film Bullshot. A loving parody of early pulp-fiction heroes, it has built a loyal following for its gleeful satire of classic British adventure stories.
But beneath the farce, the choice of charity brings a more thoughtful edge. By pairing this parody of hyper-masculine heroics with support for Man Down, a charity dedicated to improving menโs mental health through peer support and community, the production gently pokes fun at outdated ideas of masculinity while supporting vital, real-world conversations.
โWe wanted to do something that was pure fun, a real escape, this is what the world needs right nowโ says director Charlotte Howard. โBullshot Crummond is completely ridiculous, and thatโs exactly the point. But by linking it with Man Down, weโre also acknowledging that some of those old ideas about what it means to โbe a manโ still linger. If we can make people laugh and support a brilliant cause at the same time, we hope that feels like a good balance.โ
Audiences are actively encouraged to join in the spirit of the show, with dressing up very much part of the experience. Whether itโs 1930s glamour, daring adventurers or dastardly villains, the more flamboyant the better.
Our local electronica hero Moray McDonald, aka, Cephid is on sound design for this, The Rondo Theatre Companyโs annual charity production, known for its lively, inventive shows and strong local support.
Bullshot Crummond runs from 17th June to Saturday 20th June 2026. Tickets: ยฃ13/ ยฃ15 (booking fees apply.)
Bradford on Avonโs Live Music Festival returns from Friday 29th May to Sunday 31st May; three days of live music from outstanding bands and artistsโฆ
by Ian Diddamsimages by Gail Foster ‘Devizes & Beyond’ is a collection of original poems in traditional forms and digital photography, inspired by life inโฆ
Some four years since his last release under his own name, Lavingtonโs electronica composer Moray McDonald presents a soundtrack; the music he wrote and producedโฆ
Can we please draw a red line under Pewsey’s Moonrakers St George’s Cross facade fiasco now Wiltshire Council has u-turned on a proposal forcing landlordโฆ
Is he a musician? Is he a raconteur? Is he a comedian? Well โ he is all of these things โ a singer/songwriter, wrapped up in a story teller, inside a dry, laconic wit that is delivered as โSuaveโ Mark Harrison, his self-appointed nomenclature.
And indeed, he was in fine form at this wonderful gig last night at โThe Pulpitโ. Mark has had some throat issues for a few months now and has to look after his voice when performing, which involves copious amounts of water and as a result urgent loo-breaks. And while the result may mean fewer songs in a set, it also means we are treated to more of Markโs rambling yet always engaging, quietly spoken stories of blues history, social observations and personal views all wrapped up in his acerbic, pithy humour. For sure, Ralph McTel, Frank Sinatra and Eric Clapton will never seem the same again.
Mark kicked off the evening at 8pm with an explanation of his voice issues and description of his โwell suitedโ opera background vocal coach and worked his way through such numbers as โSonny Boysโ, โCrematorium Bluesโ, โBy the Side of the Roadโ, โThere goes yesterdayโ, โThem and Usโ, and “Road Ahead Closedโ, interspersed with Blues history of a stolen identity, late night road closures, and visiting Eastbourne.
After a short break โ and a much-needed pee break for Mark, by 9.15pm we were back once again to more stories about Howling Wolf, the birth of the civil rights movement because of mechanised cotton picking, David Honeyboy Edwards and his book perpetrating the Robert Johnson soul selling to the devil “bollocks” ( ยฉ Mark Harrison )…. and self-deprecatory remarks about Markโs voice, Coventry and his celebrity status including a nascent affair with Anneka Rice and being sandwiched between Abba and Mylie Cyrus in an array of global mega stars. We learn about Gale Porterโs Jonah-like death knell for high street banks, the growth of โmanagementโ over real jobs and how Mark doesnโt do โpoliticsโ but does do โlived experienceโ; he is Victor Meldrew but actually funny and with musicโฆ and as for music we were regaled by โHighgate Hill Bluesโ, “Onliest One“, ” Skip’s Song“, ” Easy Does It“… and more such excellent philosophical, satirical and just down right super tunes.
All too soon 10pm threatened along with Markโs voice giving out and with a suitably low key, pertinent and humorous story, and two more songs, we were done. Hand-shakes, merch bought, and goodbyes ensued and it was time to escape Swindon, and for Mark to eventually venture out to do battle with the road closures of Oxfordshireโฆ
Not long now, for Rowdefest! Which, as the name suggests, is in Rowde, near Devizes, on Saturday 30th May, and is a free, community spirited family mini-festival with the ethos and atmosphere of a festival and village fete combined; what more could you possibly ask for?! Well, I’ve got some exciting details to reveal, some of which have been top secret until nowโฆ..
That’s the beauty of being involved with Rowdefest, I have the lowdown, and I’m a blabber-mouth! I’ve been drinking tea and assisting with the organisation of this little extravaganza, mainly in charge of biscuit consumption during some painstaking meetings whereby a much greater dedicated team have been carefully plotting this year’s Rowdefest. Let me tell you now, you have no idea of the enormity of hard work which the committee have undertaken to stage this, and to keep it free and fundraising. Ergo, it’d be rude not to come, it’s a quick bus journey or healthy stroll/piggyback from Devizes!
We will be raising money for Rowde Village News & St Mathew’s Restoration, from 1-7pm at the Small Playing Field in Rowde, which is surprisingly bigger than it sounds. We will be entertaining ourselves at the main tent, until such a time the fantastic Devizes Jubilee Morris Dancers have belled-up for a returning show; so much fun last year, they’ve been warmly invited back.
Until then, I suggest we have a dance-off competition with prizes for the best dance moves, so bring your funky pants and your parents too, because extra points will be awarded for the bravery of dragging your parents along for this dad dancing dance off!
It is a family affair. We have a bar, and the Mind Tree Cafe. We have tea & cakes at the church and a plant sale, both of which people can bring on the day; plants and homemade cakes to the church please, and thanking you.
Talking tucker next. Woodland returns this year, with their delicious pizza, and new to Rowdefest, we welcome Boigers, for their smashing smashed burgers. I’m tempted to get one of them as a pizza topping!! And of course, it wouldn’t be Rowdefest, not even Rowde, if we didn’t invite The Rowdey Cow, and a selection of their scrumptious ice cream.
For something totally original, we welcome a live sheep shearing show, at regular intervals throughout the day; might nip over there for a trim. The rest of the time you’ll find me loitering at the main tent, with some guests who will be performing live.
Iโm over the moon, to welcome the sublime Ruby Darbyshire, who will take the stage around 2:30pm. Many of you will know Ruby and those who have seen her before will understand why Iโm so excited. Others will have to wait and see, but wherever Ruby travels around the world, people are left in awe.
At around 4:30 we will read the results of the raffle. Yes, we have a raffle, of course we do, and itโs tombola-tastic, with three tombola stalls; adults, kids, and the school’s bottle tombola. We have fairground rides, face painting, and stalls from Bramblerose Designsโ art inspired by the Wiltshire countryside and hand dyed clothing & fabrics, King’s Bakes, Merlin Glass, Kay’s Rugs & Stuff, Katie Robsonโs craft stall, and the RSPB, and RNLI. We also have fundraising by local children for trips to Borneo and Peru, as well as our own books, bric-a-brac, children’s games, and plant stalls.
Pegden Contracting are supplying hay bales again this year, giving it a real village fete look. So, once youโve browsed our stalls, and grabbed a bite to eat and drink, meet me there, because not only have we Ruby playing for us, but Marlborough’s finest vintage blues with a groove collective Barrellhouse will be blasting out the songs as our grand finale. You are going to love them, pinky promise!
See the poster? It took me ages to design that, and the antiquated computer program I used caused Martin Barnes Creative a headache when he came to remix it and add the groovy graphics; still he returned to thankfully sponsor our event! But not as long, or headachey as it has taken our lovely committee to arrange this festival, and with the support of the Rowde Parish Council, we welcome you to RowdeFest 2026!
Now, local businesses, hereโs how you can help. While we have already filled our field with side-stalls and attractions, would you like your banner displayed at RowdeFest on the 30th May? To display a banner we are only asking for the small amount of ยฃ15 for banners under 1.5 meters long. Anything bigger is ยฃ20. We are keeping it low as we want to promote local businesses. Get in touch if youโre up for it, but I hope to see you all in Rowde on Saturday 30th May, by the order of Devizine!!
If options for urbanites seeking experiential or themed dining experiences are boundless, theyโre lesser so in our rural backwaters. Yet, weโve returned from a deliciousโฆ
Thereโs a cold remote ambience of burrowing doubt in the opening of Westburyโs singer-songwriter Serenโs debut song, in which, as the title suggests, she usesโฆ
The biggest risk for any media reporting negatively on illegal raves is that, in their youth, their fifty-plus target audience probably attended illegal raves themselves!โฆ
Devizes Music Academy is set to bring joy, energy and a whole lot of sparkle to the stage with its latest musical theatre production,ย Sister Actย laterโฆ
Thimbles on standby, Devizes Outdoor Celebratory Arts are calling all creative craftspeople and makers to their new project, The Makers Exchange. Itโs a new craftโฆ
Mixed emotions over one of those eye-catching social media โreelsโ a few months ago, for two reasons. Firstly, attraction; the singing girl was a vision of beauty, perfect in every way. So perfect in fact, orally she cast no shadow, like she had a torch wedged into her oesophagus, and her sparkly array of exemplary toothy-pegs seemed to levitate in her mouth without the need of gums, ugly as gums usually areโฆ..
The second reason it drew my attention was irritation; she was faultlessly singing, โThe Rivers of Babylon,โ with a caption claiming the song was by Boney M, but in a funny kinda way it was apt. A disco rehash cover by pop band Boney M, yeah, when, ironically, neither its producer, conman Frank Farian, nor the creators of this saccharine AI abomination either understood or cared to understand the meaning behind the song, for it goes against everything theyโre backing.
The Rivers of Babylon is a Rastafari prayer, originally recorded by The Melodians in 1970. A biblical lament of Psalm 137, representing exile, sorrow, and yearning for home among the Jewish captured in Babylon. It is a song about oppression and liberation, using the Rastafari disambiguation of โBabylonโ to mean any unjust, restrictive system.
If Frank Farian, pop manufacturer of Milli Vanilli, who were models and didnโt sing a note, isnโt restrictive and unjust enough for this modern era, perhaps an AI generated singer with more likes and follows on its social media than every local musician I know combined, is. And if it irks musicians who practice so hard to achieve their talents that I could prompt AI to create me a song near as good as theirs when Iโm tone deaf, then it bloody well should!
It should enrage them, and often it does. But more and more abruptly turn to invite AI to create them a gig poster, or worse, an album cover. Event organisers too, with much to organise, hence the name, bypass the requirement and cost to commission an artist, photographer or graphic designer, and gung-ho a cringeworthy AI image to represent their event. Neither are fooling anyone anymore; it is, quite frankly, off-putting, and if your poster is tacky it gives the impression your event will be too.
Former editor of Doctor Who and Star Trek magazines, John Freeman ranted on Facebook last week, about a โcrapโ AI poster by one of the participating companies taking part in the 2026 Brighton Fringe, saying, โwas this the idea of someone who spent the art budget on a slap up lunch in some overpriced beach view restaurant rather than, say, commission one of the hundreds of talented artists in the Brighton area to create one instead?!โ Seems crazy, if you cannot find an artist in Brighton, you wonโt find one elsewhere, but it has since been updated, explaining itโs not the official poster for the Fringe, and in speaking with the organisers of Brighton Fringe, they confirmed the ‘artwork’ is โnot of their making.โ There you have it, AI images are not a good look, frustrates artists and puts them out of pocket; no one wants to own up to using it.
Looky here, all creatives are in the same sinking boat, and the crew must work as a team for survival. If, as a musician, youโd be the first to complain about our gumless singing girl, then you should also be the one who says, โIโm going to find an artist to design me a poster.โ And, if, as a designer, youโre charging ยฃ100 an hour to add some fonts to a photo, then you must realise the musician is struggling to keep afloat too, and make as best concession as you can, before they fire up Chat GTP. These connections must be realistic, or you all suffer like Sarah Connor, while complaining about the other! Meanwhile, AI companies are laughing at both your swollen mugs, as their programs harvest your tears for future reference.
While weโre using Rastaโs meaning of Babylon to illustrate unjust hypocrisy, there was an interview with Bob Marley which always rings true in such dilemmas. The interviewer attempted to catch him out, while he piled a colossal mixing board to construct a dubplate, by asking him why he used, โthe fruits of Babylon.โ โBabylon no have no fruits,โ Bob wryly replied, and continued to explain it wasnโt the technology which was the problem, but those โpushing the buttons.โ
Itโs convenient, tempting, I know it is, to feed the machine. But itโs a genius invention we should only use as a tool to assist us, not to put us in the Job Centre. I might occasionally use AI to think of a word or expression, but I wouldnโt allow it to write for me; it loses the personal touch, and face it, it canโt do โfunny.โ In all sci-fi of yore, robots were placed helping us with the mundane tasks so we could concentrate on creating, not the other way around. Rosey the Robot did the Jetsonsโ washing up, she never painted a Renaissance masterpiece for their wall.
I asked an AI app if it would create me some political propaganda, theoretically of course. An interesting conversation ensued, whereby it sucked up, apologising it couldnโt due to its regulations, but confirmed other apps could. It computed their wrongdoing, creating fake images for propaganda, but often its comments were deleted by the regulations when we got too close to the truth; my concern then being it could refuse the request of a human, based on its own moral judgement; are we in Skynet territory yet?!
Regulating AI will never happen while we pet its capacity, because the owners are happy pocketing our treats, and couldnโt care less about morals. Elon pulling a Nazi salute should’ve been a stark warning, but we laughed it off, kept calm and carried on. I’ve seen reels of Navy vessels gunning dinghies, Muslim women complaining about dogs in parks, and gammon flagshaggers forming human chains across the white cliffs of Dover, but they’re all products of their sick imaginations, hoping to fool likeminded spanners.
Don’t be like them, donโt jump that bandwagon. Your band doesn’t look like blued-eyed post-apocalyptic warriors, your drummer is not Immortan Joe, and when punters arrive to see him with one hand down his joggers, scratching an itch, it’ll be more disappointment than glory in Valhalla.
Look, if you want I can design your gig poster for you, for a tenner; message me, rather than reduce your promotion to uninspiring AI fartists. And I’m certain there’s plenty of designers locally that would be willing to help too. If you are such an artist, comment in our social shares and we’ll add your links to this article. Although that’s hitting Megatron with a spud gun shot, it’s still a small strike for the resistance.
Ah, you cry, so that’s the reason for me coming over all Dave shutting down HAL 9000, it’s a shameless plug for my artistic wares! But, where does this leave me and my gumless girlfriend? She’d probably dump me for not believing in her before I made my excuses; what appeared under her summer dress did nothing for me, because literally there was nothing there. Yet thousands complimentary comment on her video, about her voice or features, seemingly oblivious to the reality, she’s fake. Though, pointing out to my daughter how worrying their gullible idiocy is, and how that might affect political sway, should a reel be political rather than artistic based, backfired, upon my daughter admonishing my concern that the ones commenting are โbotsโ themselves.
โAI botโ art critics critiquing AI art, whatever next?! Let them battle between themselves, I say, while you, please find a real artist or designer to design your poster, or find a photographer, theyโre always snapping happily away at the front of gigs, and plonk some text onto their efforts with your phone. โThe future is not set,โ Sarah Connor said, โthere is no fate but what we make for ourselves.โ A tennerโฆ is all I ask!
Some four years since his last release under his own name, Lavingtonโs electronica composer Moray McDonald presents a soundtrack; the music he wrote and produced for Devizesโ Wharf Theatre’s production of Kit Marloweโs Doctor Faustus, which was performed back in Januaryโฆ..
It was one of those rare occasions I stepped in to cover the dress rehearsal as our regular theatre critic Ian, was busy, stuffing a bucketload of Rice Krispies in the play! And Iโm glad I did. I was uncertain if Iโd take to director Liz Seabourneโs recreation of this Elizabethan gothic black comedy, but came out of there thoroughly enthralled. The composition of the playโs many components made it one of the best plays Iโve seen; the script, acting and production, yet it wouldnโt have been half as spookily ambient if it wasnโt for Morayโs soundtrack.ย
Image:@jenimeadephotography
They may only be nine snippets of sound, but with the music on Bandcamp at name your price, listening to it took me back to the play, and reminiscing at just how brilliantly sinister it was. Acts of Black Magic starts us off, an eerie soundscape, with harpsichord strings and jingling foolโs caps, Somewhat to Delight has an unnerving medieval court jester feel to it, grinning devilishly, and then weโre back on soundscapes, and Mendelssohn’s Wedding March gets a spooky underscore.
We swap from a soundscape to orchestral with each brief track, The Seven Deadly Sins nods playfully to Celtic folk dance, whereas the following Devilโs Attack lends more to Buranaโs O Fortuna, but all are equally unsettlingly devilish or scary faerie. If anything it displays the diversity at Morayโs skilled hands, being his concentration has recently been on his Cephid project, a ground-breaking album of electronica,Sparks in the Darkness, which we fondly reviewed in 2023, and enjoyed a rare and intimate live performance of at Bath’s Rondo Theatre.
Whether you’ve a bizarre inclination to meet the Addams Family in the flesh and figure this might be your closest opportunity, you couldn’t think ofโฆ
Itโs a question Iโve asked Chippenham singer-songwriter Harmony Asia on each rare occasion I catch her for a chat; if sheโs planning to capture aโฆ
David slew Goliath with a sling and a stone. Bishop’s Cannings Parish Council used evidence, against a group of Devizes Town councillorsโ more circumstantial landโฆ
If not too distracted when bumping into townsfolk and village friends, you might remember to get more of a cheese you liked or that essential part for the vacuum cleaner…..
As regular readers of Devizine will know, one of the understated pleasures of Devizes is having a wander around on market days. From the listed buildings to the independent shops, our market day wanderings are significantly enhanced by the character of the townโs historic environment, and an enduring community spirit enriches the charming thoroughfares and myriad of routeways to and from the Market Place.
Farmers & Artisan Market
In 1724 the famous antiquary William Stukeley believed Devizes hosted โone of the best weekly markets in Englandโ. In the previous century the Wiltshire born antiquary John Aubrey thought Devizes hosted the best fish market in Wiltshire, and in the early 16th century that father of English history, John Leland, stated the โmarket is very celebrateโ. The townโs Thursday market dates to at least 1609, a regular potter around market stalls in Devizes dates to at least 1228 and around the stalls at fairs even earlier that century.
Hence, those visiting the Thursday market in the present are directly linking with a tradition that has periodically been celebrated as noteworthy and has survived hundreds of years of change. And because of this, your present day experience of the cultural footprint could prove influential.
The Brittox: Devizes Jubilee Morris celebrate 2021’s ‘Devizes is Open’ event following the Covid restrictions, and Daddy Longlegs entertain on Easter Monday 2026.
A Town of Culture?
Having been ranked third among the countryโs most quintessential market towns in 2025, Devizes is now bidding to become the U.K. Town of Culture 2028, which offers a top prize of ยฃ3 million as just one of a rollout of substantial financial awards. Towns must at this stage hope to have matched the relevant competition criteria to make the shortlist, which would elicit a ยฃ60,000 grant to support the development of a full application.
In addition to a famous flight of Georgian canal locks and a globally important collection in the Wiltshire Museum on Long Street, Devizes also has a reputation for a busy seasonal programme of festivals, markets and other social and educational events in addition to many places of worship, cultural hubs and active clubs. The lengthy list of cultural happenings covers anything from wildlife to nightlife and every experience from a punishing Westminster canoe race to tinsel tractor runs. The flip side is potentially overlooking something each of us does with regularity without ever thinking how rich and diverse it is in terms of a cultural experience.
Stalls in The Shambles
What might a Town of Culture look, sound and smell like?
If you are familiar with the sights, sounds and smells of a market day mooch, then you may no longer notice the familiar market day hubbub: a soundtrack punctuated by the calls, banter and chats with market traders. You may not give a second thought to the welcome and directions you offered a newbie visitor. You will though notice the music, dance and drama brought by street entertainers, and the art that may be encountered in many forms from the stalls to the windows and interiors of independent shops.
The Ginnel
โTell us about the unique story and culture of your town.โ
Few will have heard of the once legally renowned court case โThe Mayor and Burgesses of Devizes v. Clark,โ that established the right of a jury to find a general verdict. The unique precedent from 1835 is possibly overlooked now and the butcher Jacob Clark of Maryport Street is entirely forgotten.
The gist of this court case was that Clark sold meat from his home on two successive Thursdays in 1833, when the Corporation held the right to charge butchers to sell to the public from their market stalls.
What interests us with the Town of Culture bid in mind, is not only that the Corporation established in law that their market and right to charge for stalls was ancient, but the arguments that were detailed about the civil authority customarily maintaining a safe adequate โknownโ environment, where โlarge assemblagesโ of the public can bear witness to transactions and events without travelling any great distance. It could have been written with the criteria set by the Town of Culture in mind.
The official Town of Culture requirements include a safe, supportive, nonโdiscriminatory environment accessible to all ages – a programme that reaches multiple audiences and offers opportunities for creative content – evidence of capacity, capability, and effective processes to deliver the programme successfully – strengthening or rejuvenating cultural and heritage infrastructure with realistic expectations. The history and modern day experience of the market in Devizes delivers all this and more.
Lilly waits in anticipation outside the bakery.
โCulture is for Everyoneโ
We may never stop to think about it, but a magnificent cross section of local, regional and distant communities are represented on market days. From villagers to townsfolk and tourists threading their way around, to street performers, grassroots artists and other creatively active innovators; market days welcomes them all.
Every decade within living memory is represented on the townโs pavements, and anyone and everyone that isnโt housebound is unconsciously participating in a market day pageant. From prams and pushchairs to rollator walkers, wheelchairs and mobility scooters; these enabling wheeled wonders of our age are everywhere to be witnessed, as are many a responsible human with their pet dog on a lead.
Just sit on any bench in the Brittox and witness how many times you are lapped by elderly phone scrollers, middle age headphone wearers and teenage skateboarders. They are not all in their own world of course: a street performer recently remarked how young people engage with the informal music in the Brittox, stopping to listen and throwing coins into a hat or guitar case.
As outlandish as it may seem then, your wanderings on a Thursday could bear witness to an experience that ticks all the criteria boxes to underpin a bid to become the U.K. Town of Culture 2028. There is surely nothing that is more inclusive, culturally rich and diverse in our lives than a weekly market day dawdle in Devizes. This cultural experience is for everyone from their pram to their very last leg and it is entirely free at the point of delivery.
Acknowledgements
Many thanks to our friends โshop indie InDevizesโ for both the excellent map and much encouragement https://www.indevizes.org.uk/
Many thanks also to David Dawson, Devizes Jubilee Morris and Daddy Longlegs for their assistance. Many thanks also to all the wonderful dogs and humans that featured in doodles which were redrawn and moved around to work up the final sketches.
Brian Edwards is a Visiting Research Fellow at The Regional History Centre, UWE Bristol.
Retrieved footage from a stolen drone of the Wiltshire Hunt Saboteurs reveals the Beaufont Hunt making a fox kill earlier this month, and itโs undeniableโฆ
Just who is Theodore Thump? A wise pet rabbit? The mysterious sixth Beach Boy? This album newly released from Shedric, Swindon soloist and groovist ofโฆ
Buzzwords, like โturbo,โ or โsonicโ are cliche, overused trends which gain popularity because they sound impressive, even if they are empty of meaning. I avoidโฆ
Itโs always nice to hear when an inaugural local event is successful, especially one as unique and original as Marlborough School of Languagesโ annual Fiesta.โฆ
Right here, right now in Devizes, Palooza spawned and has become the fast-growing house music event brand in Wiltshire. They’ve beenย invited backย to perform atย Fatboy Slimโsโฆ
Featured Image: Helen Polaxpix What has Devizesโ greatest millennial musical export, England rugby player Jodie Ounsley’s ghost writer, some scummy mummies, a professor of biology atโฆ
The award-winning film, โThe voice of Hind Rajabโ will be shown for one night only on Monday 18th May at 7pm at Swindon Arts Centre…..
In January 2024, 6 year old Hind was killed along with her cousins, aunt, uncle and two paramedics from The Palestinian Red Crescent who came to their aid after their car was fired on by Israeli forces in Gaza City. Hosted by the Arts Centre and Create Studios, this is your chance to bear witness to the events depicted in this heartbreaking film.
This film, which uses the actual voice of Hind from recordings made of her phone calls, received a 23 minute standing ovation at the Venice Film Festival. Ticket prices have been kept low at ยฃ3 to encourage people to come along. Itโs important that the voice of Hind is heard. There will be an opportunity on the night to make a donation to support the people living in Gaza via the British Red Cross Gaza appeal.
There will be an introduction before the film by a Swindon based British Red Cross employee, followed by an opportunity to ask questions and share your thoughts after the screening.
Hurrah, at last! Only The Brave is the debut song from Burn The Midnight Oilโs revised lineup; something Iโve been anticipating since watching them rehearseโฆ
Four Dauntsey’s Sixth-Formers have been awarded travel scholarships, and plan to cycle all the way from their school to Bonn in Germany, shortly after completingโฆ
Leading Wiltshire digital entrepreneur Natalie Luckham, AI Educator and founder of award-winning Wiltshire social media consultancy Naturally Social is hosting a free โIntroduction to AIโโฆ
Devizes Outdoor Celebratory Arts key into the town’s majority demographic for its first annual event of the year, mature couples, with an affection for samplingโฆ
Devizes Music Academy is set to bring joy, energy and a whole lot of sparkle to the stage with its latest musical theatre production,ย Sister Actย later this week…..ย
Following the outstanding success of previous productionsย SIXย andย Everybodyโs Talking About Jamie, the Academy continues its run of ambitious, high-quality youth theatre with this feel-good favourite, based on the much-loved film.
Sister Act tells the story of Deloris Van Cartier, a nightclub singer who is placed in protective custody in a convent after witnessing a crime. What unfolds is a heartwarming and often hilarious journey of friendship, transformation and finding your voice – all set to a vibrant score inspired by disco, gospel and Motown.
Directed by Jemma Brown, with her team Sarah Davies and Teresa Isaacson, the production showcases a cast of talented young performers who have taken on an extraordinary challenge – learning their lines, music and choreography in advance, and bringing the entire show together in just five days. They are performing the show in the round – where the audience surround the stage – itโs a truly exciting project.
Jemma said, โThis show is just full of joy. Itโs bold, uplifting and all about finding your place and your voice, which feels incredibly important for young people. What always amazes me is what this group achieves in such a short space of time – the commitment, the teamwork, the energy. Itโs genuinely quite special to watch it all come together.โ
Ruby Phipps, who plays Deloris and previously appeared inย SIXย andย Everybodyโs Talking About Jamie, said, โIโm absolutely loving being part ofย Sister Act. Deloris is such a fun role to play, and the music is just incredible. What makes it really special though is doing it with this group – everyone works so hard and supports each other, and it all comes together so quickly. Itโs such a great experience.โ
At its heart, Sister Act is a story about community, acceptance and individuality – themes that resonate strongly both on and off the stage.
The production also highlights the powerful role the arts can play in young peopleโs lives, helping to build confidence, resilience and a strong sense of belonging.
โIn a world where it can sometimes be hard to see the positives, this show is a reminder of what young people can achieve when they are given encouragement, belief and the chance to shine,โ Jemma added.
With a brilliant cast, an infectious soundtrack and a huge sense of fun,ย Sister Actย promises an uplifting night of theatre for audiences of all ages. And the Academy is already looking ahead, with plans to take on the iconicย Les Misรฉrablesย next year.
Sister Act Jnr is at Devizes Corn Exchange on Friday 10th and Saturday 11th April. Tickets: www.ticketsource.co.uk/dma or from Devizes Books.
The Wiltshire Music Awards 2026 entered an exciting new era when Stone Circle Music Events announced was as official sponsor and organiser. Backed by theirโฆ
by Ian Diddams images by Chris Watkins media โChicagoโ is a stand out example of the musical theatre genre โ great songs, great characters, greatโฆ
After much deliberation, Devizine is to pull out of any further organisation of the Wiltshire Music Awardsโฆ.. It has not been an easy decision, andโฆ
It seems Shrove Tuesday celebrations in Devizes have fallen as flat as aโฆ.well, you get the gagโฆ Traditionally organised by Age Concern Wiltshire, and oftenโฆ
The mighty mighty Minety Music Festival announced The Bluetones as their Sunday headliner at their Eames Laurie Main Stage, and The Dub Pistols on theโฆ
Fromeโs Cheese & Grain will host a celebration of the life of local music promoter Phil Moakes, who sadly passed away last July, aged just 66โฆ
Party at the End of the World will be on Sunday 10th May and will be a special event in celebration of Philโs life, alongside his family and friends. The evening features a fantastic line-up, including The Utopia Strong, Arch Garrison, Richard, Chantelle & Amy, Kavus Torabi, Thee Jolly Rotter, Hodmadoddery, and Sara Vian, and will be hosted by Martin Dimery.
Kavus Torabi fronted Gong, one of Philโs favourite bands, The Utopia Strong are from Glastonbury with professional snooker player Steve Davis, and Sara Vian was one of many presenters at Philโs Visual Radio Arts project.
Phil Moakes was a keen musician, and played keys in local bands throughout the seventies and eighties, including The Replacements and Wasted Space. For Frome he would become not only a legendary music promoter and media broadcaster, but a prominent community leader advocating the arts. He served as a Somerset County Councillor, founded Frome FM, and was a former Chair of the Cheese and Grain Board of Trustees.
โPhil played a pivotal role in the development of the Cheese and Grain,โ a spokesperson for the Cheese & Grain said, โand was instrumental in securing the venueโs long-term future during some of its most challenging years. His dedication, leadership, and belief in the venue and its staff helped shape it into the vibrant cultural hub it is today.โ
Phil Moakesโ last vision was a project called Visual Radio Arts, which started as a Frome FM project in 2016, and independently branched out to create promotional gig videos for artists from Fromeโs Old Fire Station. It was in 2021 when I first met Phil, having relocated with his family to Royal Wotton Bassett, he had moved the studio to Bath Road in Devizes.
In the lockdown era musicians took to streaming gigs from their homes, often amateurly and with varying results. Visual Radio Arts offered a professional option, to capture bands live, akin to The Old Grey Whistle Test, and many artists took up the offer to perform.ย
Being new to the area, I think Phil wanted me to suggest local acts who might like to be hosted on Visual Radio Arts. Anyone I namedropped were already on Philโs radar, but it didnโt stop us having a passionate and lengthy chat about the local music scene. Questioning Phil on the financial structure of Visual Radio Arts was all quite vague; it seemed his only motivation was the promotion of the musicians.
โWe remain profoundly grateful for Philโs vision, support,โ The Cheese & Grain continued, โand the lasting legacy he leaves behind, not only within the Cheese and Grain, but across the wider Frome community. In celebration of his life and in honour of this legacy, all funds raised from the event will be donated to support the vital work of Fair Frome.โ
Fair Frome is a foodbank charity offering sustainable services and support, raising awareness of the issues of poverty across Frome.ย
Whether you’ve a bizarre inclination to meet the Addams Family in the flesh and figure this might be your closest opportunity, you couldn’t think of anything worse, or you’ve absolutely no opinion on the matter whatsoever, Devizes Musical Theatre’s Addams Family Musical is a must-see!
Invited to the dress rehearsal yesterday, The Addams Family Musical opens tonight, Wednesday 1st, and runs to Saturday 4th April, at Dauntseyโs School, and I can confirm it’s creepy, kooky, mysterious, spooky and absolutely brilliant. I left delighted and more charmed than spooked.ย
The Addams Family began as a panel in the New Yorker by Charles Addams, a cartoonist alleged to be nearly as weird as the characters he created, but it was the gothic sitcom of the sixties which most will fondly recall, and Barry Sonnenfeldโs nineties movie adaptations brought them into contemporary culture.
The popularity of a recent television spinoff about the family’s daughter Wednesday fares well with the timeliness of this production, especially being the story of this musical centres around Wednesday coming of age too. Within the beloved setting of the Addams Family franchise, it follows a classic musical plot of forbidden love with a happy ending.
It tells of losing inhibitions and that love is calmly discussing your differences. But, no more spoilers from me! Rest assured you’re in capable hands, because the casting on this is impeccable, and its appearance is the best weโve seen so far from Devizes Musical Theatre; itโs a ghoulish visual feast.
I couldnโt pick a favourite part, they were all exceptional. Gary Robson makes a convincing Gomez, the father, but Dolly May was born for the part of his wife Morticia, it would seem, and the chemistry between them was magnetic. Likewise for Wednesday, played so utterly wonderfully by Grace Sheridan, and the object of her desires, Lucas, in which Oscar Thorley played with superb ease; if Oscar is his name, well, he should win one!
In contrast to the family traits, Lucasโ parents Lucy Burgess and Simon Hoy presented them with professional quality, particularly when their influences are altered by the course of the narrative. Then you have the steadfast extra family members, pouring the comedy into it, such as the Grandma, Debby Wilkinson, whose haunting cackle alone would be plentiful for comic effect, without the need for her grinning smirks and ambling around the stage.
Cameron Williams plays Frankensteinโs Prometheus butler Lurch, who is still amazing, despite having nothing but a growl, because thereโs a twist, at the end, and Iโll say no more. The troubled son Pugsley, played with magic by Georgia Saunders is key to a plot twist, and is so convincing in the relationship with his sister, she may as well be a sibling to Grace.ย
Attending a dress rehearsal has slight differences to the actual show, one thing you wouldnโt see at the show was when, at the interval, Ben Griffiths-Mills, who plays the disturbingly innocent Uncle Fester, came to address the director Lyn Taylor, who happened to be sitting beside me. The Addams Family is more music and fun than spooky, the most shocking part of my evening was not in the show, rather when Ben spoke in his normal voice to Lyn, as I was so utterly convinced by his sublime performance as Fester, I expected him to speak with the quirky high-pitched accent of Fester! And this sums the experience up, so credible it is, I had to remind myself these were actors in character; in that, Thing wasn’t wandering around the school at night, and if forced to pick a favourite, Uncle Ben Fester would probably be it!
Such is the attention to detail, I reveal thereโs not just a random collective of excellent dancers too, but theyโre separate characters of the ghostly ancestors the Addams have venerated, and each dances around their crypts according to their back stories and fate; the program identifies them, and the cast highlight the show.
Iโve mentioned the dubious double-meaning of the word โamateurโ used in the term โamateur dramaticsโ before, being a noun for โunprofessionalโ doesnโt necessarily mean the subject it refers to is โrubbish,โ as second definitions suggest. I did so in a review of a Devizes Musical Theatre production, because, while everyone volunteers, the standard, attention to detail, and production values are so high you could assume youโre at the West End. This notion has never been more relevant than with their latest production, The Addams Family Musical; if youโre going, youโre in for a treatโฆand definitely not a trick.
When people come to see ’em, They really are a scream, The Addams Family may not have the same box office clout as Devizes Musical Theatre producing a Disney fairy-tale; thereโs a few tickets left for a performance which usually sells out. Do not be distracted by the quirky choice of production, as this was DMT at their very best.
The celebrated Shindig Festival at Malmesbury’s Charton Park announced their headline act for May bank holiday 2026, and being that it’s Bob Vylan, it isโฆ
Drizzly Sundayโฆagain. Iโve just finished designing the poster, so allow me to reveal the lineup for Rowdefest this coming May, might cheer us up aโฆ
It could be bigger than Diggers! See what I did there? Okay, you youngsters might need Google, but while you’re researching Chippenham’s hedonistic past, aโฆ
No one knows why, apparently, but fish are dying in our canal; everyone says wait for the EA report, except for the fish. A town full of road works, burnt out buildings and roads which look like weโve suffered a doodlebug air raid, but thereโs glitch in the Matrix; itโs temporarily stopped chucking it down with a perpetual drizzle of ice rain, and I saw a cold early-rising hedgehog this morning. When I see my first hedgehog I assume spring might yet be on its way; chin up.
The Government (should you wish to call it that) has launched the first ever UK Town of Culture competition, and Devizes Town Council thinks weโre in for a chance here; best of luck with that! Town Councillors are looking to collaborate with local groups, organisations and individuals in putting together an Expression of Interest that showcases our amazing community spirit and the rich story we have to tell as a Town; thereโs work to be done!
Councillors are holding an initial meeting on Thursday 26th February at 6pm in the Assembly Room at the Town Hall and it is open to everyone who is interested in collaborating on this project. A big yes to this, whatever we can do to help …..without having to attend a town council meeting, just ask!
Meanwhile, rather than fix their problems, other town councils, like Melksham’s, are making national news sellotaping pictures of the journalists they donโt like very much onto punchballs for embarrassingly pathetic potshots, namely Joe McCann of Melksham News.
We have a good relationship with Joe at Melksham News here at Devizine; the butt of a seriously pathetic joke at Melksham Town Council simply for doing his job has seriously backfired. Donโt mess with the press, we stand united. Could this become a trend? I wonder who’s face might get onto a punchball at Devizes Town Council?!
Moi? I’d be honoured, mโlord!!
No, look, honest guv, or .gov.uk, Iโm here to help. I don’t want a medal, but think we can PROVE Devizes is actually a great place to live, and deserves to be a Town of Culture. There’s lots going on culturally. Iโm only here to tell you what, donโt give me the third degree simply for doing it in a satirical way, because it only serves a purpose; making this an entertaining read rather than a list of events, which you can find anyway, on our event calendar. Iโm nice, no, really!
So, last week of February: DOCAโs Festival of Winter Ales is at The Corn Exchange on Saturday 28th. Weโve previewed it, read further here and hope to see you there for a beer!
March
March is a bit dry, to be honest. Wiltshire Museum, though, begins the exhibit John Piper in the South Country which opens on Saturday 7th March and runs until the 7th June. I hope to be at the opening ceremony and will report my findings.
Sir Alan Ayckbournโs How the Other Half Loves opens at The Wharf Theatre on Monday 16th March, running until the 21st. Thereโs a comedy night at the Corn Exchange on Friday 20th, and Jimmy Royal & the Regals play Long Street Blues Club on the 21st, so things are starting to look up.
The first โBig Oneโ in Devizes is at the end of March, when Kingston Media host The Bands By The Green, on the Saturday 28th. In support of Julianโs House, they promise a family afternoon of live music from 1:30pm, featuring Charlie Greenwood, Kelly Dale, This Way Up, Simplicity, Crackerjack, and Foo Lizzy. Tickets HERE.
Devizes to Westminster Canoe Race starts at the wharf on Friday 3rd, and someone was recently complaining this doesnโt attract much attention, so weโre mentioning it here, donโt blame me!!
By the 5th itโs Easter, find lots going on from our updating events calendar, but behold, an Easter Egg Hunt at Hillworth Park.
Friday 10th sees Devizes Music Academy present Sister Act at The Corn Exchange, which runs until the 12th.
Tuesday night out, anyone? Long Street Blues Club were instrumental in helping establish King King in their early days and this superb band is now firmly established as one of the premier Blues Rock acts in the country. They return to the Devizes Corn Exchange on Tuesday 21st.
May
The annual Cancer Research Car Boot Sale at Stert Country House starts off May, on Saturday 16th, unless thereโs anything Iโve missed? The event calendar updates, this will not, so please, bookmark it into your favourites and check in regularly, because the further we get into the year, the less events we currently know about. This is a teaser of whatโs to come, do not, I repeat, do not, get your summer dresses and sun hats on just yet!
Saturday 23rd sees two new DOCA events, Out & About, where they look at acts in the Community, and the DOCA Festival of Discovery. More to follow on these, but save the date.
Friday 29th sees The Wharf Acting Coโs Whoโs Play is it Anyway, the show theyโre taking to the Edinburgh Fringe; this is an exclusive sneaky peak. More on this HERE, plus Lou Coxโs Having a Baby and the Sh!t They Donโt Tell You in Books, also appearing at the Edinburgh Fringe, of which you can also catch at the Wharf Theatre on Saturday 30th.
The Devizes Arts Festival kicks off the same weekend, and it is Rowdefest on Saturday 30th; we had a great time with this last year, and this year looks to be just as great if not more. Barrelhouse headline, with the sublime Ruby Darbyshire; handpicked by me personally!
June
Devizes Arts Festival, runs until June 14th; hereโs everything we know so far, well nearly everything; thereโs a surprise Iโve been told to button my lip about. They trust me too much! Monday 1st June Anthony Horowitz: A Life in Murder, Tuesday 2nd, Patrick Grant in Conversation, Thursday 4th, Hot Mess, and Friday 5th sees the Robert Vincent Band, and Milton Jones on Friday 12th June; thatโs all we have for now, watch this space.
Saturday June 13th sees the Wiltshire Steam & Vintage Rally returning to Park Farm near Devizes. Sunday 14th is the Devizes Lions family funday and car show, Lions on The Green.
July
Ooh, got a big one here for you! July kicks off Saturday 4th with the awaited return of CrownFest at The Crown in Bishopโs Cannings, and this one looks unmissable, with more artists being added all the time. The current poster weโve got needs updating, I believe Ruby is coming and a host of others. Iโm looking forward to Ant Trouble, because I picked this one, Stand and Deliver, your ticket money or your life!!
But the month is jam-packed; Town of Culture, box ticked! Saturday 11th and it is the most unique festival around these parts; FullTone. If a sixty piece orchestra playing out of their new location on Park Farm doesnโt quite tempt you enough, The Wurzels and Jason Donovan might! Preview HERE; gorgeous, darling!
Friday 17th sees the Classic Ibiza thang at Bowood House. Saturday 18th and youโll find Devizes Vegan Market, aptly in the Market Place. Sunday 19th and abracadabra; DOCA will transform Hillworth Park into a Magic Garden.
But, hey, this one is going to be big and needs your attention! Park Farm Festival returns for it’s second year on Saturday 18th. Lovely as this was last time, it needs you. More universal and family appeal than last year, Jon Amor Trio is playing, with well, look at the poster, look, and read our preview!
Friday 24th, and itโs the legendary Devizes Scooter Rally– all weekend! A fantastic event, you donโt need a scooter, but some dancing shoes are essential footwear. You will love All That Soulโs sublime Motown makeovers, and thereโs a Blondie tribute, a separate venue for those talc dusters and lots of good time reggae and ska.
August
As I said earlier, weโve lots more to add and lots more to find out about, so keep this frequency clear, and love Devizine. You can go to a meeting to etch out a plan to make Devizes a town of culture, but itโs me here, on me tod, typing this out for your attention; donโt you forget about us!
So, letโs rush through what little we know about the later months; Saturday 29th August is Confetti Battle & Colour Rush. Monday 31st will, of course, be Black Rat Monday at The British Lion in which you are duty-bound to attend!
September
Saturday 5th is Devizes Carnival.
Devizes Food and Drink Festival is on from Saturday September 19th to Sunday Sept 27th. The festival is run and managed locally, entirely by volunteers and will offer 20+ original food and drink experiences, kicking off with an Artisan Producer Market in the Market Place on the 19th and finishing with the World Food Tasting Experience on Sunday 27th in the Corn Exchange.
The rest of our event calendar is looking blank. Help me fill them in as we go, and hereโs looking to a fantastic 2026, town of culture award, or not, we strive on, we know Devizes is great!
The mighty mighty Minety Music Festival announced The Bluetones as their Sunday headliner at their Eames Laurie Main Stage, and The Dub Pistols on the Saturday…..
It’s not unspoken, weLOVE Minety Music Festival here at Devizine and don’t care who knows! It never fails to attract with some superb renowned names, and then throws in a plethora of local acts either established or upcoming, and in doing so creates a marvellous atmosphere where local music is supported via the followings of international headliners.
Formed in London in 1996 byย Barry Ashworth, the Dub Pistols are a renowned British collective fusing dub, reggae, ska, hip-hop, and electronic music, and the party rockers will be headlining the Saturday.
“We’re super excited and have wanted to bring The Dub Pistols to Minety for around three years,” chief organiser Rich Swatton tells us, “and this time, the stars have finally aligned. If you know, you know, and if you don’t know… speak to someone who knows. You’re going to love this!”
The Bluetones first came to prominence in 1995, when their debut release โAre You Blue Or Are You Blind?โ broke into the top 40. The single proved to be the launching pad for a run that saw 14 hit singles and 6 albums follow on from it. They headline Sunday.
The Bluetones, formed in Hounslow, are made up of brothers Mark & Scott Morriss, alongside Adam Devlin and Eds Chesters, enjoyed considerable UK and Ireland successes, extending out across into Europe and Japan, before taking a hiatus in 2011 that lasted for 4 years. Since then they have re-established themselves as one of the UKโs most consistently entertaining live acts, regularly touring their extensive catalogue to their army of devoted fans.
2024 saw the release of the first new Bluetones material in 14 years; a renaissance that saw the four original band members take in the summer festivals, before a full UK tour in the autumn/winter of 2024.
The release of ‘London Weekend Television’ in 2025 saw them reaffirm themselves as indie-pop royalty, and 2026 sees the band celebrate the 30th anniversary of Platinum selling album โExpecting To Flyโ, famed for hit singles, such as โBluetonicโ, โSlight Returnโ and Cut Some Rugโ.
“We can’t wait to welcome them to Minety Music Festival, for the very first time,” Rich said, “you’re in for a real treat!”
Minety is near Malmesbury, Wiltshire, and is happening from 2nd-5th July 2026. Tickets only available from: www.minetyfestival.co.uk/buy-tickets
A gameshow unlike any other is set to take local actors to the world stage. The Wharf Theatre is proud to present the debut of a brand-new show, “Whose Play is it Anyway?”
Set to enjoy a week-long run at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival 2026 from August 17th to the 22nd, this innovative original production offers a fresh perspective on contemporary storytelling, using a gameshow format to explore a range of devised, scripted and improvised pieces, many created by the talented cast themselves. As part of the game, each performance order will be left to chance, creating a unique experience every time.
Join your host, Barry Ruffles and his glamorous assistant, Jenny Flannel as they present 18 pieces of theatre in 50 minutes; all you have to do is guess the genre, playwright or year to win a speedboat, cuddly toy or a holiday for two on the Isle of Fernando!
Prior to the Fringe, the show will preview at the Wharf Theatre, Devizes, running from 29th to the 30th May, Bristolโs Alma Tavern and the Shaftesbury Art Centre; giving West Country audiences an opportunity to experience the production ahead of its official festival run.
Whether youโre a seasoned Fringe attendee or a first-time visitor, Whose Play Is It Anyway promises to entertain. The show will be performed at the SpaceUK, located at the heart of Edinburghโs bustling festival district. Tickets are available from [Ticket Provider] and can be purchased online or at the venue box office.
Lou Cox, director of The Wharf Acting Company, who perform & devised this show, is also taking her solo show, Having a Baby and The Sh!t They Donโt Tell You in Books, for a week at the Edinburgh Fringe. Inspired by the loss of her baby girl, Lou described the play as a โcomedic and brutally honest one-woman show which gifts audiences an emotional, and at times highly entertaining, whirlwind of witty anecdotes and graphic storytelling, with an ending no mother could ever imagine.โ And this one too will be performed at The Wharf Theatre, also running from 29th to the 30th May, of which the previous run was reviewed by Helen, HERE.
Yay! We made it to Feb, in one piece, just! I might even be persuaded to break out of hibernation. If youโve been hibernating too, maybe itโs time to throw caution to the wind, poke your twitching snout from your cubbyhole and have a nose about. If you do, hereโs some special recommendations of things to engage you, shake you up, and possibly warm you up for spring, but there will be much more on our ever-updating event calendar, so keep it on your browser, you lovely little hedgehogsโฆ..
Get your shoes on, because as we speak, Sunday 1st, it’s the Jon Amor Trio monthly residency at the Southgate, with guest Gary Cain.
Monday 2nd has the regular Book Club from 7pm at The Pour House; great books, great chat, great people!
Wednesday 4th and it’s Acoustic Jam night at The Southgate.
Thursday 5th, please note the Supporting Menโs Mental Health group now meet in Sidmouth Street. Devizes Film Club is at The Wharf Theatre, presenting Limbo, a stirring drama, laced with deadpan humour, about Syrian refugees, stuck on a remote Scottish island while they await the results of their asylum claims.
The Mayor’s Charity Ball is at The Corn Exchange, with a delicious three-course meal, dancing to live entertainment, raffle, and your formal photograph taken by a professional photographer to remember the evening, supporting three wonderful local charities: Devizes Opendoors, Devizes Foodbank, and the Devizes & District MS Society. Oh, and there’s a Bingo and Adult Cabaret in Potterne.
Oooh, Friday 13th and everyone over the age of 55 can dance the day away at a Wiltshire Age UK Daytime Disco at the Devizes Corn Exchange, a fun, friendly afternoon filled with classic hits from the 50s, 60s, 70s & 80s, Or choc-out with The Rocher Experience at Hollychocs in Poulshot!
Find the wonderful voice of Kate at the Pelican, of whom I’ve likened to Alison Moyet in the past.
Saturday 14th, find a Half Term Chocolate Experience for one adult & child or teenat Hollychocs in Poulshot. Menopause Cafe at The Pour House from 10.30am – coffee & chat about all things menopause.
Funked Up are getting, well, funked up for Valentines at The Three Crowns, and Doctor Doctor plays The Southgate. Del-Boy sings his heart out for a Valentines special at the Pelican. Aaron Garrett as seen on The Voice comes to Devizes Conservative Club for a night of Soul in Motion, and they’ll be Painting Get Together in Urchfont.
Sunday 15th finds Will Edmunds from 5pm at The Southgate.
Tuesday 17th and Potterne Pantomime opens Sleeping Beauty at Potterne Village Hall, which runs up to Saturday 21st.
Wednesday 18th and it’s Acoustic Jam night at The Southgate.
The Wharf Theatre has Chicago – Teen Edition, a dazzling adaptation of the iconic Broadway musical tailored for teenage performers, which runs a matinee and evening performance on Saturday too.
Roll over Beethoven, because the greatest tribute to Jeff Lynneโs Electric Light Orchestra is at Devizes Corn Exchange; Blue Sky Tour present ELO Encounter.
Oh, and please find the amazing Vince Bell at the Crown, Bishop’s Cannings.
Saturday 21st sees Sad Dad Club making their debut at The Three Crowns, should be good, Last Train Smokinโ plays The Southgate and John E Wright is at the Pelican.
For the first time ever, Rick Wakeman will tour with his son, Oliver, in their brand-new WAKEMAN & SON show! Although the pair have shared the stage on special occasionsโincluding the unforgettable Myths And Legends of King Arthur performance at Londonโs O2โthey have never toured togetherโฆ until now……
Saturday 28th and what a finale to the month; DOCA’s Devizes Festival of Winter Ales is at the C0rn Exchange. In collaboration with The Pourhouse, The Southgate Inn and Stealth Brewery, expect a huge selection of wintery ales, craft beer and ciders from the countryโs best independent breweries. DOCA adds great music and cabaret into the mix, with โA Call from Tomorrowโ, โWholesome Trioโ and โTalk in Codeโ already confirmed. With a quieter session in the afternoon and something a little more upbeat in the evening, you can choose either a relaxed or more lively experience.
Festival of Winter Ales is a key fundraising event, supporting DOCAโs free programme of events. Come along and support us, snap up a fantastic raffle prize and have some quality time with friends.
The event will run in two sessions across the day: Early (11am-5pm) and Late (5:30-11pm), with a tasty selection of hot pies and savouries provided by local suppliers. Physical tickets available to purchase at Devizes Books.
And that’s all we’ve found for February in Devizes, so far. But updates will happen on our event calendar, so keep your best eye on that. And if you’re not in Devizes, our event calendar covers all Wiltshire from Bath to Marlborough and Swindon to Salisbury, so check in with us too, but I’m sorry I can’t do all this for every town; Don’t cha wish your gig guide was hot like ours? Don’t cha wish your gig guide was a freak like ours?! Don’t cha? Don’t cha?!
Just another rainy Saturday afternoon in Devizes, whereby I watched a profound fellow dramatically sacrifice himself to the devil, then popped to Morrisons for a Toblerone! The supermarket felt insignificant and plastic after the epic conclusion of Doctor Faustus at the Wharf Theatre, which opens on Monday 26th and runs until Saturday 31st Januaryโฆ..
Treated to the final dress rehearsal, as our regular theatrical scribe Ian Diddams is stuffing a bucketload of Rice Krispies in this one, of which one couldnโt fail to notice! Marvellous as it is to pay Devizesโ one and only cosy theatre a visit, it leaves me in the dilemma that Iโve not the extensive theatre knowledge which Ian has, therefore, you have to make do with me simply saying what I like, or donโt.
Image @jenimeadephotography
In this case itโs the former. My mind is, with its lack of education for classic theatre, still contemplating exactly how fantastic director Liz Seabourne and her team has presented this astounding play, and the more it boggles the greater the levels of fantastic I unearth, converting me to thespian; hand me some white tights! Even though the character Dr Faustus is damned, this is another damn fine production from our wonderful theatre, rich in lighting effects, amazing costumes and makeup, and a sublime original soundtrack from our master of electronica, Moray McDonald.
Image @jenimeadephotography
Born Catholic, English sixteenth century playwright Christopher โKitโ Marlowe, of whom scholars suggest greatly influenced Shakespeare, was reputed to be an atheist and thereโs a lot in the content of Dr Faustus which implies this. Whilst it doesnโt criticise religion outright in the modern sense, it certainly lampoons it, with the Pope getting a kick up the backside, for example.
Dr John Faustus condemns the academics of the science and philosophy of his era and justifies turning his hand to the dark arts, but religion he cannot escape from. Played with certain perfection by Pete Wallis, Faustus is tricky to relate to, a Renaissance egotistical Germanic tyrant, characteristics usually reserved for an antagonist; I wondered if Trump might identify with him better than I. Yet, there’s something humble about his yearning, in his curious nature for the unorthodox, to fulfil a quest of celebrity status, like a sixteenth century Vanilla Ice. Still, I couldnโt help feeling the ponce made his bedโฆ.
Image @jenimeadephotography
Bit dodgy, he summons a human-despising conceited demon, Mephistopheles, played with absolute magnificence by Charlotte Howard. Mephistopheles acts as a kind of Cruella de Vil agent to the devil, who encourages Faustus to sign a contract with his blood; his soul for unlimited magic, which he treks the known world with, entertaining Kings and Emperors like Paul Daniels discovered voodoo. Though Mephistopheles is no Debbie McGee. Without too many spoilers, it doesn’t end well for Faustus, who learns thereโs only one way out, once his twenty-four year contract with the devil expires, and itโs not a gold watch.ย
Image @jenimeadephotography
If this Elizabethan forbidden thrill-seeker, overloaded with as many theatrical tricks as devils and demons, sounds seriously dark and gothic, it certainly is, but not without hilariously timeless comedy, brilliantly diluting the tragedy. Thereโs occasions when itโs virtually pantomime, when the devil, played with radiant vaudeville evilness by Oli Beech, a far cry from the panto dameโs sidekick at Christmas, personifies the seven deadly sins as a circus cabaret to tempt the Doc, and upon the thievery of one of Faustusโ spell books by two commoners, played side-splittingly like stereotypical moonrakers by Jessica Phillips and Ian Diddams. It is these elements which brings the archaic seriousness down a peg and makes this play equally suitable for those, like me, not so clued up on classic plays.
Image: Mij Hazel
As the many earthbound or spiritual side-characters come and go with pace, the thirteen strong performers cover various parts, and those unmentioned so far, Chris Smith, Alison Andre, Emma Comfort, Cathay Chappell, Julie Baker, Paul Snook, Sam Burrows and Amy Chappelle also require the highest of praise; there is so much work put into this, the mind, as I stated earlier, is still boggling. It entertained me, and I strongly suspect it will be some significant time before my mind stops boggling about it, way past the lifespan of the Toblerone!
Bag yourself some tickets for this HERE, unless you’re a demon!
There’s no sophomore slump for Monkey Bizzle; prolific in their art, these rural chav-choppers return with a second album, Agricultural Appropriation, only five years andโฆ
Featured Image:@jenimeadephotography Just another rainy Saturday afternoon in Devizes, whereby I watched a profound fellow dramatically sacrifice himself to the devil, then popped to Morrisonsโฆ
Stone Circle Music Events announced today that all proceeds of CrownFest will be donated to Wiltshire Hope & Harmonyโs Dementia Choir. CrownFest is an all-dayโฆ
If Devizes Scooter Rally has already established its base at Whistley Roadโs Park Farm and Full-Tone are moving to these new pastures, last year the site saw a superb inaugural festival of its own making, Park Farm Music Festival, with the expert knowledge of the good folk who brought us Mantonfest. Itโs happening again this year and looks set to be even better than last year; I kid you not! Early bird tickets went on sale today, and the lineup has been revealed; letโs poke our noses in and pretend summer is on its way, shall we?!
Starter for ten, Mantonfest is a longstanding cherished gem on Marlborough’s event calendar, a family friendly festival which has stood the test of time, and folk return annually like itโs a pilgrimage; you can rest assured youโre in good hands. I hailed Mantonfest as โthe friendliest festival youโre ever likely to attend.โย
While Park Farm Music Festival may yet have to establish itself to the same level of excellence, last yearโs first time was an absolute blinder, bringing a taste of Mantonfest to Devizes and leaving folk hanging on the hope this would become a regular extravaganza.
This year the stage is set again for Mantonfestโs house band, the awesome groovy vintage blues boys, Barrelhouse, but in essence the organisers are keen not to present something completely Marlborough; weโre in Devizes now, mucker, if weโre going to have blues we NEED Jon Amor to come along too! And theyโve answered this call, The Jon Amor Trio need no introduction to Devizes; Iโm glad to see their name on the lineup, Iโm certain all of the town will be too.
Onto the headliners, yes, it is tribute act top heavy, which works a treat for Mantonfest. In this you should note, the organisers do not skip on quality when it comes to tributes, all are tried and tested. Iโve bore witness to most of them, and will bet my pet budgerigarโs life that youโre in for a wonderful day. Last year there was an emphasis on hard rock, with astounding AC/DC and Nirvana tributes, while this year looks to have more universal appeal.
If Queen tributes are two to a penny, despite being a tricky act to replicate, and some Iโve seen were great, One Vision played Mantonfest two years ago, and, just, wow, Iโve never seen it done with such quality, attention to detail and finesse as this one. I could definitely call this the best Queen tribute Iโve seen, perhaps in my top five of all the tributes Iโve seen.
Inferno, an Abba tribute Iโve not seen before, but itโs Abba, what could possibly go wrong? As I said, the organisers take no compromise when it comes to booking only the very best tributes, so, dancing queens, have no concern. The next two I have seen, Madness and Bad Manners tribute, Badness, and Slyde, as you might’ve guessed, a tribute to Slade, are both brilliant, for precisely similar reasons.
Slyde played a Christmas do at Marlborough College Memorial Hall, where support Barrelhouse were on fire, and Sylde polished off the evening with a plethora of, not only Slade hits but just about every seventies singalong pop hit I could imagine, with the sprinkling of glam only Noddy Holder couldโve brought to each classic. And it was Christmas, so he aptly called it, and yes, it was something to behold. If One Vision is on my top five, Slyde must also be.
Now, Badness, ironic name, thereโs nothing bad about the performance, but only, perhaps in the way they will totally and utterly rule the audience with a spellbinding show of their own. They do not attempt to mimic Madness, like Slyde they offer a repertoire of classic hits from the era their homage was in their prime, only this time itโs obviously Two-Tone ska and new wave, and you will be skanking. Furthermore, youโll be under no illusion Badness are attempting to precisely mimic Madness, they only pay homage to them, and are uniquely themselves, add their own spin to it, particularly with the most hilarious stage banter youโre ever likely to witness.
Has that tempted you? Because Iโm getting excited just typing this recommendation! Theyโll have a big outdoor stage, brilliant sound and lighting, plenty of room to dance, lots of trade stalls, a range of food and drink outlets and showers for those camping. Theyโll be running a FREE shuttle bus to and from the The Bear Hotel hourly, gazebos and picnics are welcome, so too are campervans, caravans, and tents.
Early bird tickets are up for grabs: Adults – ยฃ30. Youth (Age 13-17) – ยฃ20. Child (Age 7-12) – ยฃ10. Under 7’s – Free. Campervans/Caravans – ยฃ30. Camping – ยฃ20. Itโs on Saturday 18th July. Book HERE.
Swindonโs finest Chicago and Texas blues covers band Last Train Smokinโ are also on the fantastic roster, along with rock covers band Strange Horizons. Is it summer yet?!
If past years seem to be racing by me on roller-skates, now theyโre in Formula 1 cars! 2025, in a word, was โaverage,โ though the Devizine annual stats fell for a second year, at 6% lower than 2024; you lot still here?!
Iโm not concerned about that, you filthy traitors; youโve been digesting the clickbait of that Gazelle & Herod again, havenโt you?!! Ah, truth is I have been staying home, hibernating a lot like a lightweight couch potato; probably an age thing, most likely a financial thing too; weโve got hyperinflation to make Robert Mugabe envious. But we keep a stiff upper lip as the world plummets into chaos, our little corner of it remains a pretty nice place to live (if a bit Tory,) where you can block pavements with hoarding or nick a cardboard sheep from a church and get away with it. None of which we are here to highlight, we focus on the best bits, and slag off the worst with a sprinkling of satire; if you donโt like it, you know where to go!
Hits took a hit because I bit my tongue on many local political or social issues this year, to concentrate more on arts and entertainment, but folk love a good shit stir rather than being told about some talented locals doing good. Plus, Iโm sick to the back teeth with any dependence on Facebook shares, itโs become a toxic playground for so-called adults and AI bots pretending to be human to boost propaganda. I think Iโm going to be one of those smiling insanely old men, content to feed the ducks in the park, rather than ranting at anyone younger than me within range, but Iโve the right to change my mind on this!
They also took a hit because Iโve been actively engaged in two fantastic major events, RowdeFest and The Wiltshire Music Awards. The latter in particular used up much of my time, but hey, I think they were worth it. The Awards really brought together a wealth of people involved in the Wiltshire music scene, caused me to wear a suit, and we hope to build on this with future years.
The other contributing factor to the downfall of hits to the website might have been me writing a new book, something I rarely get the time for, but was certain I wanted it published by Christmas. I made that deadline and Murder at the Scribbling Horse is officially out; you read it yet? No, didn’t think so!
But lots more happened in 2025, and those we featured are briefed below; we couldโve done more but I think we put out a lot of content; you have to give me some time to play pointless block puzzle games on my phone. Thank you to all our contributors, Ian, Andy, Lois and the few guest writers who have submitted this year. We always need more writers to make this as comprehensive as possible; it is about as flexible as it can possibly be, you can be a fruitcake, we donโt mind, so do get in touch if you can help.
Please continue to support us, we thank you all for your dedication to Devizine; hereโs to 2026; try best to avoid the fascist division, millionaires triggered by being disallowed to rip wild animals to death, the US or Russian bombs heading our way, the complete disregard for funding environmental projects while they spend billions fighting for the last scraps of oil, any world leader kidnapping, painting roundabouts, and the usage of anti-terror laws to arrest pensioners peacefully campaigning against genocide.
Just follow us instead, enjoying a pint in a pub and listening to live music, played by real people, focus on youth projects rather than fables of hooliganism, focus on talented individuals doing good rather than bitter clickbait and national headlines, and be here, in the warm and truth, with Devizine; we tell it like it is, and donโt purvey bullshit!
January
Just as this year starts with a review of the last, so did 2025, but not before I took a visit to the Swindon Story Shed. Forestry England invited dog walkers to Nightingale Wood, apparently to celebrate Walk Your Dog Month; surely every month is walk your dog month?! The second feature film for director Keith Wilhelm Kopp and writer Laurence Guy, First Christmas entered development. We covered how My Dadโs Bigger Than Your Dad Festival raised ยฃ11,500 for Prospect Hospice, and thereโs moreโฆ.
Jamsters began at Devizes Southgate, an initiative to provide a Friday night platform for loose groupings and associations created at their regular jam sessions each Wednesday. We announced The Beat were to headline Devizes Scooter Rally, that Nick Hodgson formerly of the Kaiser Chiefsโ new band, Everyone Says Hi had an instore at Marlboroughโs Sound Knowledge, and we unfortunately said goodbye to the now disbanded People Like Us; sorely missed.
The original line up of People Like Us
We had new singles from Nothing Rhymes With Orange, a new album from Illingworth, and fuller sessions from Kaya Street. Andy reviewed the first Devizes International Blues Festival, Ian covered Jerusalem at the Mission Theatre, and Veronicaโs Room at The Wharf Theatre.
We previewed OakFest at the Royal Oak in Pewsey, La Belle Hรฉlรจne, White Horse Operaโs Debut at The Wharf Theatre, Devizes Musical Theatreโs Beauty & The Beast, Henge at The Cheese & Grain, and Bradford-on-Avon Green Man Festival which unfortunately this year is in jeopardy, and we welcomed Caffe Vialottie to Devizes, our most popular article of the year.
Februaryย
It may be topical now, but weโve always been supporting the hunting ban, and in February reported how Beaufort Hunters attacked Wiltshire Hunt Sabsโ drone. We sadly confirmed Devizes Street Festival was cancelled for the second year in a row, and The Emporium in Devizes was to close, but Devizes would get a new youth centre.
Previews included, Marlborough School of Languagesโ Summer Fiesta, Jazz Sabbath at the Corn Exchange. We announced The Brand New Heavies were to headline Minety, tickets for DOCAโs Winter Ales were running out, and that I was to organise the music for Rowdefest in May, probably my favourite memory of 2025.
We featured Melkshamโs teen band Between the Lines, reviewed JP Oldfieldโs debut EP Bouffon, Jamie Hawkinsโ short film Teeth, and new singles from I See Orange and Sam Bishop. Swinterfest broke me out of my hibernation, and I also got out to see the fantastic Static Moves at the Three Crowns, plus Cephidโs Sparks in the Darkness at The Rondo, which was mindblowing!
March
We announced that Devizes auctioneers Henry Aldridge & Son were relocating to the Old Emporium, Soupchick was to take over The Hillworth Park Cafe, that after the fire in Northgate Street Devizes Kebab Van successfully relocated to Folly Road, that Devizes was to have a new festival, Park Farm Festival, and of course the very first Wiltshire Music Awards.
We featured the Belladonna Treatment, had a wonderful local reflection on the Trump & Zelenskiy meeting from a Ukrainian living in Wiltshire, and it was one of my all-time favourite interviews with eighties legend Owen Paul ahead of a Devizes gig.
We reviewed The Killer & The Catalyst, Devizes author Dave McKennaโs novelette, Geckoโs new album, and singles by Chloe Hepburn and George Wilding.
Previewed Devizes Arts Festival, Exchange Comedy in Devizes, Swindon Palestine Solidarityโs Charity Iftar, CUDSโ Devizes Town Litter Pick for GB Spring Clean, and Hells Bells AC/DC tribute coming to Devizes! We listed the results of Salisbury Music Awards.
I managed to make it out to see The Devilโs Doorbell and JP Oldfield at the Cellar Bar, Ruby Darbyshire at the Southgate, and Cracked Machine with Tom Harris in support, too. Ian gave us Blood Brothers at The Mission Theatre and Flatpack at The Rondo, and Pip Aldridge reviewed our Fulltone Orchestra at Tewkesbury Abbey.
I ranted on the state of the roads, and for fun ran a Take Our Wiltshire Pothole or Moon Crater Quiz Challenge!!
April
Ah, All Fools Day, a golden opportunity for us, in which last year we told the fib that funk godfather George Clinton was exiled to the Wiltshire village of Urchfont, created funk music there and it was covered up by their parish council! You might assume it was hardly viable, but some fell for it, and messaged in their outraged reports of โfake news!โ
We looked into DOCAโs new youth initiative Yea Devizes, and while we published our usual extensive list of Easter holiday activities, we also previewed DOCAโs Junk Street drumming workshop.
I visited The Hillworth Park Cafe, where Soupchick took over, hailed Devizes DJ Greg Spencer, the creator of Palooza house nights, who made the prestigious bill of Fatboy Slimโs All Back to Minehead festival, and reviewed the now sadly defunct No Alarms No Devizes playing at the Three Crowns. Discovered Fran Daisy at Swindonโs Plough, and Henge at the Cheese & Grain was a high contender for my gig of the year; out of this world!
We had a guest review from Melissa Loveday on Devizes Music Academyโs Something About Jamie, which though Iโm sorry to have missed, I did catch them playing it out at FullTone Festival in the summer. I did attend Devizes Musical Theatreโs Beauty & the Beast at Dauntseyโs School and the opening of Un/Common People, Folk Culture in Wessex, a fascinating exhibition at Wiltshire Museum.
Everybody’s Talking About Jamie
Reviewed Hannah Rose Plattโs album Fragile Creatures, probably the best album we covered last year. The website for Wiltshire Music Awards went live and people held on to cast their votes in May.
We exposed Reform candidate Calne Violette Simpson for her Facebook profile picture showing her hunting antelope in South Africa, and Devizes South Conservative candidate Sarah Batchelor, who committed election fraud, up and left with her tail between her legs and almost running Bishops Canningโs Crown into the ground. Thankfully it seems the new owners are turning it around and recreating the village hub it once was.
May
I was honoured and delighted to organise the music for our village fete, which has in the last few years been run by a lovely independent committee, safe from a questionable parish council. It was a wonderful sunny day and the highlight of my year. I called in some favours and presented an amazing lineup for a free fete, featuring, in order of appearance, The Jubilee Morris Dancers, Andrew Hurst who brought bassist Lucianne Worthy with him, Talk in Code, The Sarah C Ryan Band, Thieves, and Burn The Midnight Oil. Being it was the last day of the month, I didnโt write about it until June.
I paid a Sunday afternoon visit to Devizes amazing record shop Vinyl Realm, when Deadlight Dance were attacked by wasps and still managed an amazing unplugged acoustic set. Ben Niamor reviewed Jake Martin at Swindonโs Castle with SOP, and Ian gave us his views on Sweeney Todd at St. Augustineโs Catholic College in Trowbridge, and the Diary of Anne Frank at The Wharf Theatre in Devizes, which was so good I had to go myself. Lois covered newcomers Kingston Mediaโs Bands at the Bridge in Horton.
I previewed the Bradford-on-Avon Live Music Festival, despite it clashing with our Rowdefest! Also, Ruby Darbyshire who performed at Silverwood Schoolโs open evening. Andy provided a preview of Chippenham Folk Festival, and Lois provided us with previews of Australian Folk singer Ernest Aines at Swindonโs Deanery Theatre and David Olusoga at the Cheese & Grain.
Announced the opening of voting for Wiltshire Music Awards, that Devizes-based The Big Sound Choir was to perform with Aled Jones at St Georgeโs in Bristol, and that Bird is The Word were taking over music organisation at Bradford-on-Avonโs Boathouse.
We featured how Lucas Hardy was collaborating with Rosie Jay, and Fromeโs James Hollingsworth, who was bringing his solo recreation of Pink Floydโs Wish You Were Here album to the Devizes Southgate and elsewhere, and reviewed his album with Griffiths, Lost in the Winds of Time.
I reviewed Clock Radioโs album Turfing out the Maniacs, Ruzz Guitarโs Between Two Worlds album, Playing Solitaire; Phil Cooperโs first solo album for five years, Thievesโ debut EP, a new single from George Wilding, and one from Auralcandy featuring vocals from Sienna Wileman. A feature of a Melksham marketing expert launching AI training courses was met with controversy, yeah, I get that!
June
If we were all busy with the Devizes Arts Festival, we were previwing summer events like a new festival for Devizes, Park Farm, clashing with an amazing day at the Three Crowns for an air ambulance fundraiser, and I finalyy got over my hangover and ego, and gave coverage of Rowdefest; highlight of my year!ย
Andy reviewed White Horse Operaโs Cosi Fan Tutte and The Lost Trades at the Piggybank, Ian did The Mikado at the Mission, The Taming of the Shrew at the Rondo, and of course we all did our bit for the Devizes Arts Festival. Andy also covered an extensive weekend when The Lions were on the Green in Devizes, we had Crammer Watch Day too, and Devizes Arts Festival did a fringe gig at the British Lion; summer lovinโ. The highlight of this had to be Whereโs the Cat, the Wharf Theatreโs writing groupโs hilarious reenactment of the Moonrakers fable at the Crammer, which I felt obliged to cover too.
Eddie and I were guests on Peggy-Sueโs Donโt Stop the Music show on Swindon 105.5, chatting about the awards. We met Henry the chocolate duck raising funds for cystic fibrosis at HollyChocs, previewed Supergrass headlining Frome Festival, a genderqueered Shakespearean performance at Bathโs Rondo, and Swindon Palestine Solidarity events. Lois did Idles at Bristolโs Block Party.
I reviewed The Hotcakes of Wildfireโs album Shoes & Acid, ranted on vocal minorities triggered by events of cultural diversity, and did a No Surprises column promising to return the feature, but promises are made to be broken! Thereโs simply too much to whinge about, and for my health, I need to see the glass half-full.
Bands at The Bridge
Thatโs all for now, folks. Do not fear, itโs still summer in our minds, and weโll kick off in July for the second part. I know, our goldfish attention spans cannot take in a whole year in one article, what with so much brilliant stuff which happened over the year, so come back when Iโve officially emptied the Quality Street tin and completed the last half of this review of 2025; but I must say, I think the first half was better!!
Wiltshire Music Centre Unveils Star-Studded New Season with BBC Big Band, Ute Lemper, Sir Willard White and comedians Chris Addison and Alistair McGowan revealing their classical music talents…..
Wiltshire Music Centre announces new Spring season with some extraordinary listening experiences on offer in the new year.Wiltshire Music Centre is a unique and contemporary 300-seated concert hall in Bradford on Avon.ย In the heart of rural Wiltshire, the venue’s built an enviable reputation over the years as a professional concert hall of exceptional quality, rooted in community participation and involvement.ย The Centre also provides a permanent home for local orchestras, choirs and music groups, and works extensively with young people locally through a vibrant and varied Creative Learning Programme in Wiltshire and beyond.
Since first opening in 1997, Wiltshire Music Centre has been a musical hub, bringing the best in live performances to the area as well as providing a home for local orchestras, choirs and music groups. Recently appointed Executive Director, Sarah Robertson and Artistic Director, Daniel Clark have a renewed commitment to creating a space for people to gather and connect through a shared love of music โ a space to celebrate the past, present and future of music-making and to nurture a spirit of musical curiosity.
Audiences can look forward to an exceptional lineup of artists, including first-ever WMC appearances by leading pianist Angela Hewitt (30 Jan 2026), opera virtuoso Sir Willard White performing with WMC favourites The Brodsky Quartet (20 Mar 2026), BBC Big Band (17 Apr 2026) showcasing the musical genius of George Gershwin, international cabaret star Ute Lemper (8 Mar 2026), blues legend Eric Bibb (27 Mar 2026) touring his new album, and a WMC debut by the Neil Cowley Trio (11 Apr 2026) who bring their inventive show inspired by Baroque genius, J.S Bach, to the Centre. Meanwhile, Jamie Woon (8 Apr 2026), British R & B and electronica singer/producer returns to the stage after a 10-year break.
Classical and jazz season highlights include โtrumpeter extraordinaireโ (BBC Music Magazine) Matilda Lloyd performing with the Goldmund Quartet (7 Feb 2026); Nikki Iles and Claire Martinโs new project IG4 (7 Mar 2026); evocative choral works from The Gesualdo Six (28 Mar 2026); stunning vocals from the Grammy-nominated British vocal ensemble VOCES8 (26 Apr 2026); and exciting new jazz sounds from Jazz FM Instrumentalist of the Year Mark Kavuma (28 Mar 2026) and London-based saxophonist Camilla George (22 May 2026), whose music blends Afrofuturism, hip-hop, and jazz.
For blues, folk, and roots fans, thereโs a packed programme of must-see gigs featuring both established and emerging favourites, including the powerful fatherโdaughter duo Martin and Eliza Carthy (3 Apr 2026), much-loved folk singer Cara Dillon (8 May 2026), Jon Bodenโs project The Remnant Kings (15 May 2026), and Josienne Clarkeโs homage to Sandy Denny of Fairport Convention (6 Mar 2026).
Families can look forward to a musical retelling of Benji Daviesโs childrenโs book The Storm Whale with Music in the Round (14 Feb 2026), and the film classic Wallace & Gromit: The Wrong Trousers on the big screen with live music performed by WMCโs flagship West of England Youth Orchestra (10 Apr 2026).
The eclectic programming extends beyond the music alone. Former Royal Harpist Catrin Finch (15 Mar 2026) comes to the Centre with Notes to Self, an evening of music and conservation, while master impressionist Alistair McGowan (12 Apr 2026) and sharp-witted comedian Chris Addison (14 Feb 2026) bring comedy and music with their respective shows. There will also be a series of monthly screenings with the newly launched Adventurers Film Club, featuring Becoming Led Zeppelin (28 Jan 2026), Set the Piano Stool on Fire (25 Feb 2026) โ the acclaimed documentary about legendary pianist Alfred Brendel and his protรฉgรฉ Kit Armstrongโand more.
Introducing the new season, Daniel Clark says โHere youโll find a wide-ranging series of concerts from some of the most exciting voices of the past, present and future of music. From great legends of music-making to rising stars, weโre committed to bringing the best music we can to our special venue, and hope youโll find something that will transport, inspire and delight you.โ
Highlights:
Angela Hewitt: one of the worldโs greatest living interpreters of Bachโs music and recipient of the City of Leipzig Bach Medal in 2020 will make her WMC debut. (30 Jan 2026)
Angela Hewitt
London 2016
Chris Addisonโs Incomplete Guide to Chamber Music: Chris Addison brings to life the rich, vibrant โ and sometimes bizarre โ history of classical chamber music. A musical journey from baroque courts and European revolutions to todayโs contemporary composers with some of the UKโs finest musicians and Chrisโ brilliant and original facts and insight. (14 Feb 2026)
Eric Bibb: Three-time Grammy nominee and blues legend with a career spanning over five decades tours brand new album, One Mississippi blending blues, folk, soul, and Americana. (27 Mar 2026)
Ute Lemper: International cabaret star brings her show telling the story of Hollywood legend Marlene Dietrich through songs and stories: from the Berlin Cabaret years to her Burt Bacharach collaborations. (8 Mar 2026)
Lau Noah: Beautiful, innovative and evocative vocal and guitar harmonies from self-taught Catalan composer and songwriter who has supported Chris Thile, Ben Folds and Jacob Collier on tour over the past two years. (3 May 2026)
Christmas has come early for foxes and normal humans with any slither of compassion remaining, as the government announced the righteous move to ban trailโฆ
Chippenham folk singer-songwriter, M3G (because she likes a backward โEโ) has a new single out tomorrow, Friday 19th December. Put your jingly bell cheesy tunesโฆ
Wiltshire Music Centre Unveils Star-Studded New Season with BBC Big Band, Ute Lemper, Sir Willard White and comedians Chris Addison and Alistair McGowan revealing theirโฆ
Daphneโs Family & Childhood Connection to Devizes Celebrations of Daphne Oram have been building in London since the beginning of December, for those in theโฆ
Ohโฆa slice of onion from my bratwurst plopped into my mulled wine; where does one go to complain about this?! Other than that, Devizes Town Council and DOCA’s Winter Festival was the best one for many years, officially opening yuletide in Devizesโฆ..
Over time the simple premise of switching the Christmas tree lights on has become a large-scale event which differs in traditions from town to town, possibly competitive even. Some here envy the Sham’s monstrosity of an electronic tree sculpture, others favour our real tree. Wotton Bassett hosts great lively rock bands, like Barrelhouse this year. But while I love those guys, nothing says Christmas to me more than Devizes Town Band brassing off the seasonal Shakin Stevens classic. And, face it, Trowbridgeโs lantern parade was an idea they nicked from us, which we may/may not have pinched from Chinese New Year, but who’s splitting hairs?!
In the modern era I’ve no experience of other town’s shenanigans in which to compare Devizesโ efforts with. I just know and am more than content with the spectacular show we stage here. A massive well done and thanks to all involved, it was a magnificent occasion, much better than last and other previous years.
To start at the end, fireworks were welcomed back after last year’s dubious light show replacement. Despite them being dubbed โsilent fireworksโ the effect was near equally impressive. Perhaps Fantasy Radio blasting out the decibels made up for the lack of explosions, and everyone’s dogs could join in the fun. I thought the radio couldโve been turned down a notch, during intervals of the Devizes Town Band playing, to enhance them when they did, but thereโs no telling radio DJs!
And as for light shows, St John’s looked absolutely magnificent. It’s one thing to project images onto a wall, it’s another to use it to compliment a 900 year old beautiful church, where children and PTAs usually just collect their lanterns and wait in relative darkness!
The Market Place was also transformed into a visual feast, a bustling market with plenty of food and drink options. Devizes Town Band proudly showcased on a grand stage was a new great idea, and excited faces of all ages gathered to watch the lantern parade. It is a wonderful, popular family occasion, this year being one of the very best.
The town came out to play. Folk gathered at the end of the lantern parade by The Corn Exchange, though, were unfenced and naturally pushed forward so Santa’s sleigh on a trailer was forced to stop there and let the lantern bearers pass behind it, rather than park sensibly by the stage. This was the only technical error, as their view of the lanterns were now obscured by Father Christmas and the Mayor offloading with a stepladder! But Devizes is Devizes, and we retain our astute sense of humour regardless. As Santa dismounted and the lanterns passed behind, folk shouted in jest, โget out of the way Santa!โ โYou can’t park there!โ and โit’s not all about you!!โ
And from the basic children’s lanterns to the regular spaceman, chickens and even the odd Minecraft Ghast, the parade swept through the Market Place gloriously, and we cheered Father Christmas as we counted down the moment the tree lights would glitter and Christmas in Devizes begins for another year.
But it’s not just about wandering through the stalls, deciding what food and drink to treat yourself to and perhaps buying fudge, or auntie a jar of chilli jam, because while you did, entertaining street theatre and glittery ladies on stilts (who I failed to pick up the phone numbers of) bustled through.
The best had to be those giant stockings moving around and charming the kids with puppet bears chatting; that was a stroke of genius. I know if I was five and saw that I’d probably have wet myself with excitement, but now I’m fifty-somethingโฆwell, best check for a wet patch just to be certain!! No, that was a mulled wine spillage as a piece of onion plopped into it; thought I’d told you that?!
I did bump into Santa though who was off-duty and, at the time, mysteriously carrying a stepladder. Being as I’ve been good-ish all year, I acted like I’d met Mick Jagger and posed for a photo with him; a quality occurrence which made my night!
But it wasn’t any one element of the event which made it, it was the colossal show they staged, all the elements so well coordinated and coming together in unity which caused this to be so magical. The expressions of joy on children and drunkโs faces was priceless and from the maker’s market to the teacup rides, everyone seemed to be having fun, even the weather was agreeable!
If I was triggered in the week by Facebook whingers witch-hunting DOCA, the newspaper reporting it, or anyone else they could blame, (like, bizarrely, Americans) for their own agitations at the name of this event, for not, apparently, being religious enough, and I said I hope they donโt come if they were only to wine-hole, Iโve changed my mind. I wish they did come now. Theyโd have seen for themselves the evening had plenty of Christmas spirit and Christmassy elements to it, whilst embracing many other aspects of winter too, and nobody really gave thought or the slightest botheration to its name, they just wanted to enjoy the moment. And they did.
The work that went into this by all involved, mostly volunteers, was absolutely incredible, and I hope it will pave the way for a new chapter in the work of DOCA, of which Devizes should be grateful and proud.
So, until next year weโll be rockin’ around the Christmas tree, letting the Christmas spirit ring, having pumpkin pie, later, and possibly doing some caroling; if thatโs still not Christmassy enough for disgruntled keyboard warriors next year Iโll dress up as the Archangel Gabriel, if they so wish, so they can winch me up and suspend me across the Market Place where everyone below will see my Grinch boxersโฆ.donโt tempt me!!
Part 1: An Introduction March 1936: newlywed French telecommunications engineer Pierre Schaeffer relocates to Paris from Strasbourg and finds work in radio broadcasting. Heโฆ
Yesterday Wiltshire Council published an โupdateโ on the lane closure on Northgate Street in Devizes as the fire which caused it reaches its firstโฆ
Join the St Johnโs Choir and talented soloists for a heart-warming evening of festive favourites, carols, and candlelit Christmas atmosphere this Friday 12 thโฆ
This afternoon I find myself contemplating what the future holds for historical discovery and learning for all ages, fun and educational exhibits and eventsโฆ
Featured Image: Barbora Mrazkova My apologies, for Marlboroughโs singer-songwriter Gus Whiteโs debut album For Now, Anyway has been sitting on the backburner, and itโsโฆ
Having to unfortunately miss Devizesโ blues extravaganza on Friday, I crossed the borderline on Saturday to get my prescribed dosage of Talk in Codeโฆwithโฆ
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Whoโs ready for walking in the winter wonderland?! Devizes sets to magically transform into a winter wonderland this Friday when The Winter Festival and Lantern Parade opens in the Market Place; excited?! Well, I say magically, it actually takes a lot of hard work to put on; thank you to DOCA and all the volunteers. A spokesperson for DOCA was confident things were all good last week, and was only worried about the weather forecastโฆ..
At present my thoroughly unreliable weather app suggests a 43% chance of rain, but keep your glass of mulled wine half full at least, thatโs considerably less than 50%, and going on current climate, the rain is sporadic and light. DOCA promises the festival to be โour most enchanting yet, with a full day and evening of festivities, creative workshops, stunning street performances, and a mesmerizing lantern parade.โ Looking into it with a bit more detail and including everything else going on might yet put me on the good list!
The grand finale, the Lantern Parade & Fireworks details firstly. Father Christmas will be making a special appearance at St. Johnโs Churchyard from 5:30pm to 6:10pm. At 6pm the parade gathers at St. Johnโs Church Gate. 6:15pm the parade starts, winding through the town centre. 7pm is the Light Switch-On at The Market Place. 7:05pm there will be silent fireworks, best viewed from The Market Place; Iโve not seen silent fireworks before, certainly not heard them!
As is tradition, Devizes Town Band will entertain while the Market Place will be alive with market stalls, tasty tucker and drinks, and shopping opportunities. The Makery Market will be showcasing unique, handmade treasures from local crafters and makers from 12 noon to 8:30pm Friday, and from 11am to 6pm on Saturday, at the Corn Exchange.
The beloved winter warmer, DOCAโs famous mulled wine stall will be running on Friday only, from noon to 8:30pm. Of course, lots of our shops, cafes and bars will remain open. Someone did post a request for a list of shops staying open on local Facebook groups, like they canโt do this without Google Maps! You got legs? Use them! Be like Dora and explore! But hey, hereโs what we knowโฆ..
The Shambles is a magical place at Christmas, with projections by Young Urban Digitals & PF Events, a specially created animated light artwork made by local young people. Savannah Sweets, Biddles, SoupChick and Sunabody Care pottery and bodycare will be open. Cositas Bonitas, The Healthy Life and many other shops will stay open late across town. Cafes too, including the new beauty salon come cafe, Velvet & Bloom, and hot rum totty outside The Muck and Dunder.
Thereโs a mystery โlive bandโ outside The Pour House, and a choir concert at St Andrewโs Church. The Unpredictables at The Three Crowns comes highly recommended, DJ Random at The Southgate too, and a Lantern Parade Disco Party at The Pelican Inn. Snow White is the running panto at The Wharf Theatre, and itโs brilliant!
From 5pm onwards, find some spectacular street performances around the Market Place. Bristolโs infamous roaming band, The Ambling Band will bring infectious energy with their blend of pink and brass. The Glitter Belles are dazzling high-rise performers with sculptural creations straight from the 1970s disco era. Keep your eyes peeled for Stockings Up, a pair of gigantic Christmas stockings bursting with presents and magically strolling around town, two women on stilts covered head to toe in glitter ball costumes and silver glitter, a woman in a red coat talking to a puppet bear in a larger than life sized Christmas stocking and The Flying Buttresses, an illuminated tree with books that light up attached.
From 4 to 8:30pm find, at St. Johnโs Churchyard, an Illuminated Garden, an enchanted world of light and magic with stunning lanterns created by DOCA community workshops. Another light installation will be Chirp & Drift by Kathy Hinde, a mesmerizing installation where illuminated instruments chatter in Morse code messages, accompanied by gentle harmonies from accordion reeds hidden within. After a few glasses of mulled wine you might also be chattering in Morse code!
Also look out for an old piano also by Kathy Hinde, a kinetic sound sculpture with videos of birds projected onto the strings, and Emergency Exit Artsโ Giant butterflies; but remember, a giant butterfly is for life, not just for Christmas.
Creative Workshops also feature. Wellard & Wild Botanical Workshops on Friday 28th at various times. From Kokedama to terrariums, epiphytes to festive wreaths, learn traditional methods to create beautiful botanical designs. Contemporary Wreath Making on Friday 28th from 2pm to 5pm at The Ceres Hall of the Corn Exchange, where you can create your own stunning, brightly-coloured wreath using repurposed plastics, berries, and sequins. Learn millinery flower-making techniques with accomplished maker Nancy Rose Stott. And there is Tin Can Brooch Making on Sunday 30th from 2pm to 5pm, at The Southgate Inn, where you can design and sew a unique brooch using reclaimed materials.
Donโt forget the Window Wanderland Trail, running from Friday 28th November to Monday 1st December. For more info on all this and to book workshops, check out DOCA website. For everything else going on locally, keep this frequency clear and love Devizine!
Other stuff going on: Saturday thereโs a jumble sale in St Andrewโs Church. A clothes swap in The Shambles. Lights Switch On in Waiblingen Way. Innes Sibun is at The Southgate, the Buzzing Fridges at The Three Crowns, and The Liverpool Echoes at The Conservative Club.
Letโs get Christmassy; cue the Shakinโ Stevens, children playing, having fun, it’s the season, love and understanding, but not too much snow falling please, Shaky!
Treated to a sneaky dress rehearsal of this year’s pantomime at Devizesโ one and only Wharf Theatre last night, if forced to sum it up in a word, the word would be โdelightfulโฆ..โ
With Ian dedicated to all things theatrical here on Devizine, panto is reserved for my tuppence; that has become as much a Christmas tradition as Brussel sprouts! Snow White is the choice to loosely base the crazy and fun shenanigans around this time, and while I usually attend just to announce what a treat you’ll miss out on unless you’ve a ticket, this time the Wharf has doubled the run to a fortnight, so it’s not sold out … .yet. The question remains, is it worth your while?
The answer is not hiding behind you. Oh, yes it is! Of course it’s worthwhile, silly!
The time, dedication and professionalism which goes into each and every pantomime at the Wharf is something the team behind them should be proud of. This year sees some unity with various local theatre groups, and their talents bless the show. โThis year we see people coming from Stagecoach, Potterne Panto, Pewsey Vale Amateur Dramatics Society, Centre Stage Dance Academy, Devizes Musical Theatre, Bristol Old Vic, and Melksham Music and Drama,โ director and chairman of The Wharf Theatre, Pete Winterton informed, and with additional scriptwriting from Helen Pritchard, Pete wrote and directed this yearโs panto.
Helen plays the face of the magic mirror, brutally honest yet cheeky with the Evil Queen, played with passion and skill by Georgina Watson, from PVADS and who undoubtedly performs the best solo. Yet a truly magnificent antagonist is never a thing without a trusty sidekick, and, no stranger to the Wharf and Stagecoach, twelve-year-old Gigi Underwood takes that role superbly.
Georgina Claridge, perfect to play Snow White, choreographed the show, which, even at the dress rehearsal stage, looked polished. Archer Lee plays the prince, Rory Lee is his chaperone Dandy. Thereโs a delightful team of seven young dancing villagers, Kira Drezanics, Maisie Lee, Bea Stacey, Myrah Williams, Madeleine Newman, Phoebe Newman, and Coco Fuller, ranging from nine years to thirteen years old and bubbling with talent.
Of course thereโs also seven, only slightly smaller people, a running copyright infringement gag, which mysteriously fades after time, and theyโre returned to being called dwarfs without explanation, or hopefully, lawsuit, but does a panto need explaining?! If the show is loosely based on Snow White, the seven โassociatesโ of Snow White are a unit of parodies, the most bizarre being Corrin Bishop, who plays a politician version, wittily just waving and shaking hands with the audience akin to a silent film star. Jessica Bone as Nurse seems the natural leader, but Jenni Prescott and Ben Byran add humour with roles called Misery and Snorey, respectively. Kelly Williams and Cameron Williams are either shy and throaty, but the icing on this cake is the youngest and smallest, Smiley, played by Stagecoach student Ella Cook, whose natural flair for dramatics charms.
Then, even more important than any plot, for there is a basic runoff narrative from Uncle Waltโs adaptation of the Brothers Grimmโs Sneewittchen, is the comical Dame and their sidekick. There can be no other team better chosen from these wild woods than Adam Sturges, who dons the drag so divinely, to play Dolly, and his partner Oli Beech to play their son James. Oli and Adam are stalwarts at the Wharf, playing apart they both shine but as a duo they are comical genius, naturally proficient at improv and breaking the fourth wall to take these essential roles, delivering them with hilarity, and binding the panto with joyful audience participation.
If panto at the Wharf follows its own methods which bucks traditions of pantomime, Snow White is no exception, and that is what makes it unexpectedly fun. Nitpicking, I thought it unorthodox to not end the first half with a song, though they right this wrong with such a fantastic musical finale it makes up for it. But, Iโm left wondering if slapstick is a thing of the past. Because, cliche or perhaps not politically correct, there was a lack of visual humour in this show; is it too risque for modern kids to see a custard pie in the face?!
Though little ones will not tire of this, itโs fantastic, yet summarised, and doesnโt extend to unnecessary proportions. The humour rests majorly on gags, many of local direction; mocking neighbouring towns, etc. But there are the customary encouraged singalongs, games, and fun pop song adaptations for all ages to love. Thereโs amusing treats, like the mysterious characters appearing from the woods, and the ingeniously adapted charactersโ traits.
Pantomime is the golden opportunity to introduce young people to the theatre, and is the one occasion when those not regular theatre-goers will take a chance. Snow White is a delight, an enjoyable family treat; go see it and start Christmas. The children will be delighted; I was and Iโm a 52 and three quarters-year old kid!
Snow White opens on Tuesday 25th November and runs until Saturday 6th December. Curtains at 7:30pm, two matiness at 2:30pm on the Saturdays. Tickets HERE or at Devizes Books.
Next week, MP for Melksham & Devizes Brian Mathew will be taking on Skynet and raising a question in Parliament about the impact of Artificial Intelligence on the creative sector. From writers and musicians to designers and artists, he invites local creatives to have their sayโฆ.
Only a few weeks ago a Facebook page which posts material about music legends took a picture from a Devizine review of an Adam & The Ants tribute act, Ant Trouble, at Swindonโs Victoria and, believing it to be the real Adam Ant it used it to illustrate a post about him! You can tell from the mechanical writing style itโs totally AI generated, so, who do I sue? Metal Mickey?!
Iโm not suing anyone, I laugh it off, but thereโs a serious side to all this. Brian explained, โIโve already received a number of emails and messages from constituents who are deeply concerned that AI could undermine creative jobs and that copyrighted material is being used to train AI systems without fair payment or permission.โ
โBefore I take this issue to Westminster, I want to make sure your voices are heard. Please take a few minutes to fill in my short survey. Your input will help shape the questions I put to ministers and ensure that the concerns of our creative community are represented in Parliament. Your voice matters.โ
No, I didnโt imagine for a second they would, but upcoming Take the Stage winners, alt-rock emo four-piece, Butane Skies have released their second song,โฆ
Featured Image by Giulia Spadafora Ooo, a handclap uncomplicated chorus is the hook in Lady Ladeโs latest offering of soulful pop. Itโs timelessly cool andโฆ
Words by Ollie MacKenzie. Featured Image by Barbora Mrazkova.ย The creative process can be a winding, long, and often confusing journey. Seeing a project comeโฆ
Whoโs ready for walking in the winter wonderland?! Devizes sets to magically transform into a winter wonderland this Friday when The Winter Festival and Lanternโฆ
Frome Festival is launching itsย โ25 for 25โย fundraising campaign with a very special concert featuring three locally based acts:ย Tom Mothย โ best known as the harpist for multi-platinum-selling bandย Florence + The Machineย โ alt-folk duoย mฤsa, and brand-new soul/funk collectiveย The Juice.…
The event, taking place at The Tunnels on Saturday 29th November, kicks off Frome Festivalโs ambitious campaign that aims to raise ยฃ25,000 before the start of next yearโs festival in July. Founded in 2001, Frome Festivalโs silver anniversary offers an opportunity to celebrate 25 years of creativity while securing the future of this much-loved community arts event for the next generation.
Followingย Tom Mothโsย sold-out Festival performance at Rook Lane Chapel this summer, theย โ25 for 25โย fundraiser provides an additional chance to hear his own original work. Tom explains, โI enjoy crafting sounds using various acoustic and electronic devices, so whilst the harp will be involved, the performance wonโt strictly be a harp recital!โ
Tom is a big supporter of Frome Festival and is carving out some time between a busy international promotional schedule for Florenceโs newly released album,ย Everybody Scream, and their upcoming European/US tour, which starts in February. The lauded harpist moved to Frome a couple of years ago as he felt it was somewhere he could exist happily. He says of the town, โI love that thereโs such a welcoming and proactive creative community. It seems like thereโs always something happening, whether itโs a gig, an exhibition, or community-based activity.โ
Sisters Faron and Merle ofย mฤsaย are returning from a hiatus to support this fundraiser, sharing their beautiful harmony based alt-folk compositions. Merle said, “Weโve lived in Frome for a few years now and really value its creative and independent spirit as a town. This aspect of it seems to be growing and getting even stronger as time passes.” ย mฤsa have played at Frome Festival several times over the years, including a headline slot at the Silk Mill, and have also collaborated on a sonic guided walk of the town, calledย We Are All Sonambulistsย – โThis was a great way to learn about the townโs history and feel inspired by its ghosts and stories”, explained Merle.
Faron added, “We were really pleased to be invited to play at this fundraiser, because itโs so important to keep community driven events that support the arts going. Now more than ever we need creativity and connection to unite us, and keeping Frome Festival alive and kicking is one small way of doing so.”
As to their future plans, mฤsa have recently been recording and plan to release new songs next year.
Ending the night with party vibes is The Juice, a fresh five-piece soul outfit who made their debut with a secret set during Sofar Sounds at Frome Festival in July. Drawing their members from a collective of local musicians, they write tunes which draw on 70s soul, pop and funk, โwith a sprinkling of Juicified coversโ. Members of The Juice have also featured in The Enrichments, Mighty One, Samuel Jack, Twin Falls and Littlemen.
Joe James, The Juice frontman, stated, “As a local band, supporting Frome Festival means a lot to us. We can’t wait to bring The Juice to our hometown and share our new musical project with the people who shaped us”. Bass player, Jack Opie, added, “The community spirit and artsย scene in Frome is a huge reason that it is such a wonderful place to live, and the Festival is obviously a critical part of this – it’s massively important to us all that the Festival keeps on going, and we’re all really excited to be playing our small part in helping its future.”
Sarah Swales, Frome Festival Manager, said, โIโm constantly amazed by the incredible talent we have here in Frome, and Iโm thrilled that these performers are generously donating their time and remarkable skills to support the Festival. Each of the three acts brings a unique musical style, and all are outstanding in their own right.โ She added, โWeโre also hugely grateful to Baz, Josh, and everyone at The Tunnels for hosting the event. In the current climate, itโs more important than ever to support our venues and keep live music thriving.โ
Frome Festivalโs โ25 for 25โ campaign will celebrate a quarter of a century of being at the heart of Fromeโs creative community with special events throughout the year. All monies raised will support growing the organisation, developing an education strand and maintaining the rich programme of free and low-cost activities across Frome Festival.
Supporters can help by attending fundraising concerts and activities in the lead up to Frome Festival 2026, become a Friend of Frome Festival to receive priority Festival booking and exclusive year-round perks, or donate directly to the charity.
Adam Laughton, Festival Director, explained, โIt is remarkable to see how Frome has embraced Frome Festival across the last 25 years โ everyone I speak to has a story to tell about their favourite moments. Across the next year, we aim to capture that spirit and celebrate Fromeโs deep love and support of the arts, looking back at a quarter of a century of amazing work and plotting a course for the next 25 years. Through a campaign like this, we are looking to ensure the next generation can continue to experience the unique benefits of accessible, local live arts.โ
โFrome Festival Fundraiser with Tom Moth / mฤsa / The Juiceโย takes place on Saturday 29 November at The Tunnels, doors 7.30pm.
Advance tickets are ยฃ18 available through the Frome Festival website or ยฃ20 on the door.
One part of Swindon was in perfect harmony last night, and I donโt mean the traffic circumnavigating the Magic Roundabout. Rather The Lost Trades wereโฆ
Raging expressions of angered feminist teenage anguish this month, perfectly delivered by Steatopygous via their mindblowing debut album Songs of Salome, I hail as theโฆ
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 oldsโฆ.
Itโs 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!
by Ian Diddams images by Penny Clegg and Shakespeare Live
โAntony & Cleopatraโ is one of Shakespeareโs four โRoman Playsโ, and chronologically is set after โJulius Caesarโ 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 โฆ Our eponymous hero should have considered Julius Caesarโs similar warnings โ but this is Shakespeare so why would he do that? Keen eyed readers may already have spotted a pattern with Shakespeare and prophecies of courseโฆ He makes some pretty dashed poor tactical mistakes over battles and ends up killing himself, leaving Cleopatra to similarly despatch herself in grief โฆ keen eyed readers may already have spotted another pattern with Shakespeare and lovers killing themselves over misunderstandingsโฆ 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 โ 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 donโt stop there. The great naval battles on which Mark Antonyโs 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 โ 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 Corkโs Enobarbus is sublime, Lucy Upwardโs deferential yet sister-like Charmian delightful while Naomi Miller as Iras shines alongside her as Cleopatraโs 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 โ its that narrator thing โ 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, Octaviusโ 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 simpleโฆ 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 โ tickets available at
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 Thomasโ 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 onesโฆ and their grown-ups!
Weโre edging closer to Halloween, and Steph & Craig are back with all things spooky and ghouly! Donโt worry โ nothing too scary for the babies and Littlesโฆ or grown-ups for that matter! But there will be some seasonal bangers โ 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: ยฃ15
Lamphouse Theatre presents โฆ 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 Verneโs 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 4pmโ6pm. Bingo games for everyone. Fancy dress โ 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 onesโฆ and their grown-ups!
Weโre edging closer to Halloween, and Steph & Craig are back with all things spooky and ghouly! Donโt worry โ nothing too scary for the babies and Littlesโฆ or grown-ups for that matter! But there will be some seasonal bangers โ 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 Londonโs West End, one of only five musicals ever to achieve that milestone. It has been affectionately christened the โStanding Ovation Musicalโ, as inevitably it โbrings the audience cheering to its feet and roaring its approvalโ (The Daily Mail). The superb score includes Bright New Day, Marilyn Monroe and the emotionally charged hit Tell Me Itโs Not True. Age Guidance: 12+
Wed 22 โ Sat 25 Oct โข 3pm & 7:30pm โข Admission ยฃ15 โข Community Theatre
By Toby Marlow and Lucy Moss Presented by Merriman Productions
His-storyโs about to get overthrownโฆ again! Back by popular demand, Merriman Productions present SIX: TEEN EDITION; a full-length adaptation of Toby Marlow and Lucy Mossโ 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 cafรฉ for the workshop to finish.
Numbers are limited. Booking is essential and due to limited spaces please book early to avoid disappointment. Sessions are ยฃ9.50 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 cafรฉ for the workshop to finish.
Numbers are limited. Booking is essential and due to limited spaces please book early to avoid disappointment. Sessions are ยฃ9.50 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 โ talk about a joyride!
This year, weโre joined by Arty Kids Pottery Painting, Crazy Cheeks face painting and Chloeโs Mobile Farm. And donโt forget to flex those brain muscles with our Halloween themed word search โ 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 Cafรฉ โ 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 โ see you in the park!
This October half term, The Woodbridge Inn is bringing the community together for a spooktacular celebrationโand everyoneโs invited!
Dates: Saturday 25th & Sunday 26th October Thursday 30th & Friday 31st October Fest opens at 12PM | Fun until 6PM
Whatโs waiting for you: Pumpkin Picking Craft & Produce Market โ 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 youโre here to shop, snack, sip, or simply soak up the spooky atmosphere, this is a celebration for all ages. Weโre 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 โ 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.
Kidsโ 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!!
๐ 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!)
๐ป 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. ยฃ2.50 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 activityโdesigned for adults and children aged 5 & up to enjoy side-by-side.
Hosted by The Southwestโs Chocolate Champion, Holly Garner, this joyful and cosy experience is all about making sweet memories together as the autumn chill sets in.
๐ซ Start with a hot chocolate treat Warm up with a choice from our Ultimate Hot Chocolate Menuโfeaturing 12 indulgent flavours to begin your chocolate-filled day.
๐ Discover where chocolate comes from Taste raw cocoa beans, sample our signature blends, and learn how chocolate is madeโplus how we support small, ethical cocoa farms around the world.
๐๐ปMake & decorate your own chocolates Roll up your sleeves and create your own delicious chocolate treats to take home (if they donโt get eaten first!).
๐ 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 itโs bonding time, a school holiday treat or a special birthday surpriseโthis 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 โLights Up, Sounds Downโ 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 โ our overhead gallery lighting will be turned on, without spotlights, to create a brighter environment in which to explore. Sounds Down โ we will reduce sound effects throughout the museum as much as possible by turning off most โsurround soundโ interactives and reducing volumes. Sensory maps โ 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 thereโll be beautiful, atmospheric sensory visuals perfect for even the youngest audience members. And, as itโs 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 puppetsโฆ
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 ยฃ30 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.
โRocket Poweredโ โ 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 โ 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: ยฃ10 Child: ยฃ10 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 crowโs 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 cafรฉ for the workshop to finish.
Numbers are limited. Booking is essential and due to limited spaces please book early to avoid disappointment. Sessions are ยฃ9.50 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.
โBuild a Tankโ Junk Modelling โ 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!
Is it too early for the C word?! Of course not, Grinch! With DOCA’S Winter Festival confirmed for Friday 28th November this year, there will be a number of creative workshops and makery sessions, not forgetting the creation of those wonderful handmade lanterns for the parade; here’s some early sessions in which you can get creativeโฆ
A number of lantern making workshops in the run-up to the Winter Festival Lantern Parade have been allocated. Including open-to-all workshops at different venues with materials provided โ all they ask is a small donation. DOCA suggests ยฃ5 for a small lantern, which requires one light, but you are welcome to pay as you feel.
Come along to one of their open public workshops to make a lantern in preparation for the parade. All materials are provided, and all are welcome.
Image: Simon Folkard
Held at Wiltshire Museum, Long Street, Devizes, the workshop Schedules are:
Saturday 20th September – 10:15am – 13:15pm, 14:00 – 16:30.
Sunday 21st September – 10:15am – 13:15pm, 14:00 – 16:30.
Valedictorian graduate of Bates College in Maine, and with a PhD in neuroscience from Harvard, neuroscientist Lisa Genova self-published her debut novel, Still Alice in 2007. Acquired for publishing two years later, Still Alice made The New York Times Best Seller list, was adapted for the stage by Christine Mary Dunford of Chicago’s Lookingglass Theatre Company, and spurred a 2014 movie by Memento Films, winning Julianne Moore an Academy Award. Under the direction of John Winterton, The Wharf Theatre brings this poignant play to Devizesโฆโฆ
It’s lovely to be back at Devizesโ cosy and communal theatre. Ian assigned himself our theatre critic and while his brilliant inside knowledge is gratefully appreciated, I figured I fancy this one, as I have a personal angle on the plot. Alzheimerโs Society suggests โevery 3 minutes someone in the UK develops dementia,โ therefore I imagine many others will find relevance in it too, and if not, might one day.
We found it amusing at the beginning, my Nan in Dad’s car still wearing her slippers for a party, and other trivial mishaps. But the last time I saw her I was saddened to note she didn’t remember me, as she spoke to me of her โhusband,โ rather than address him as โgrandad.โ My children were young and understandably apprehensive about going into the care home. But when they plucked up courage my boy stood before her and she was delighted to be face-to-face with who she assumed was me. Here was the relieving point; I realised she hadn’t forgotten me, she just didn’t recognise me because thirty-plus years was missing from her memory; thank you genetics!
The journey between these two points in time was arduous for her and our family. For her it went from confusion to frustration and onto an immune state of obviousness. Lisa Genova wrote Still Alice in first person narrative from the point of view of Alice, a university professor at the height of her career who is diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimerโs disease; it mirrors what we went through, and sheds a fascinating light onto what my Nan must’ve gone through too.
The play honours the narrative perspective by an ingenious method of a personification of Alice’s psyche. With a dual-Alice on stage, the real Alice, played sublimely by Linda Swann, says what she believes she should say, while her conscious shadowing her, equally delivered with skill by a younger version of Alice, Sophie Kerr, offers the audience an insight into what she is thinking. Just as I suggested, with the lost time of my Nanโs mind, Alice perceives herself as being younger, so this age gap works as her sense of reason, until reason runs short in her mind and her consciousness is reduced to the childlike drawing of pictures.
There are many elements to the happenings in the play which anyone who has experienced a loved one going through Alzheimerโs or dementia will recognise, and tears might trickle. There’s periods of thought-provoking awkward silence, intense confrontation at others, when the confusion turns to frustration. There’s poignant reality and touching scenes as the family come to terms with Alice’s deteriorating mind. There’s thought processes from Alice exposed, causing you to identify with her greater than that of her family; a window into the mindset of anyone suffering with this terrible condition.
Overall, akin to a film like Schindler’s List, this is a play you might not want to face, oh, but you must, and you should.
Still Alice is evoking brilliance, you will leave impelled to discuss the subject further. It raises awareness of this horrifying condition and doesnโt meander from this for any purposes of entertainment. On the impaired particularly, the sentiment is pragmatic, but also in her relationship with her family and their emotions, all poignantly represented and acted with believable precision by John Myles, as the calm under pressure husband, Adam Sturges as the solicitude son, and Kezia Richards as the estranged daughter.
Still Alice raises awareness about Alzheimerโs or dementia in a similar way as Barry Levinsonโs Rain Man raised awareness of autism, but only if we could have seen into the mind of Raymond would it be any more comparable. Thatโs the beauty of theatre, this is a play with the power to change you.ย
Still Alice runs at The Wharf Theatre, Devizes from September 1st until September 6th 2025, Tickets HERE or at Devizes Books.
World Alzheimerโs Day is Sunday 21st September. You can find more information about local dementia groups at Alzheimerโs Support, and sign up for their Walk to Remember at Wilton House, HERE.
Itโs nice to hear when our features attract attention. Salisburyโs Radio Odstock ย picked up on our interview with Devizes band Burn the Midnight Oil andโฆ
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 awardsโฆ
Featured Image: Lillie Eiger Frome Festival is launching itsย โ25 for 25โย fundraising campaign with a very special concert featuring three locally based acts:ย Tom Mothย โ best knownโฆ
Iโve got some gorgeous vocal harmonies currently floating into my ears, as The Lost Trades release their first single since the replacement of Tamsin Quinโฆ
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 releaseโฆ
by Ian Diddamsimages by Ben Swann and Ian Diddams Self-appointed โMoroseโ Mark Harrison was once again on totally top form at Komedia last Sunday entertainingโฆ
Wiltshire Music announces a new season for Autumn Winter: and the first under the new leadership of Daniel Clark, Artistic Director and Sarah Robertson, Executive Directorโฆ.
Since first opening in 1997, Wiltshire Music Centre has been a musical hub, bringing the best in live performances to the area as well as providing a home for local orchestras, choirs and music groups. The upcoming season will feature returning WMC favourites while also spotlighting exciting new artists and expanding the programme, signalling a fresh direction and commitment to musical discovery.
Audiences can look forward to internationally recognised artists including a first visit to WMC by Kingโs Place resident ensemble and Southbank Resident Orchestra,โฏAurora Orchestra (21 Nov) a rare UK appearance by the phenomenal Bill Frisell Trio (22 Nov), classical season opener by Roderick Williams, one of the UKโs most sought after baritones, alongside theโฏCarducci Quartet, (28 Sep) and experimental folk singer-poet Richard Dawson (9 Nov), among others.
Other classical season highlights include celebrated Baroque violinistโฏRachel Podgerโฏperforming withโฏBrecon Baroqueโฏ(8 Oct) and returns to the WMC stage by virtuosic pianist,โฏJeneba Kanneh-Masonโฏ(Sun 26 Oct) andโฏI Fagiolini, who bring their musical storytelling back to the stage with leading local choir, Bath Camerata (13 Dec).โฏThe Young Artist Programme supporting the brightest young stars is back with Classic FM 2024 Rising Star and violinist Nathan Amaral (17 Dec) and Syrian-British pianist, Riyad Nicolas (12 Nov), exploring piano works from Bach, Beethoven and the Arab World.
A season of sensational jazz kicks off with Giacomo Smith and an all-star line-up celebrating 100 years of Louis Armstrong (27 Sep), a tribute to Nina Simone by Lady Nade, contemporary jazz and inventive improv from Danish Jazz Awards winners Jasper Hoibyโs 3Elements, and much more.โฏ
Alongside traditional folk offerings of Gypsy, folk inspired music by Budapest Cafe Orchestra (15 Nov) and โworld-folkโ by Dallahan (31 Oct), the line-up also features contemporary sounds, including spellbinding Welsh triple harpist and vocalist Cerys Hafana (18 Oct), the critically acclaimed duo The Breath (2 Nov), and London folktronica band Tunng (19 Nov).
Families can look forward to CBeebies Musical superhero and Podcast host, Nick Cope and his festive themed show (7 Dec) while earlier in the year, thereโs a Halloween special for all the family with The Paper Cinema (1 Nov) and their immersive puppetry and visuals.
Referring to the Centreโs rich history, Daniel Clark says โWith these concerts, we have aimed to honour the spirit of musical curiosity so present in those early days, with a diverse programme spanning past, present and future. In our next season, you will find a collection of extraordinary musical experiences, handpicked for our wonderful auditorium and marking the start of our own journeys as stewards of this special venue.โ
Daniel Clark joined in January this year, alongside Sarah Robertson. Sarah was previously Director of Communications and Special Projects at Bristol Beacon, leading the marketing and rebranding of the venueโs ยฃ132 million transformation. Daniel, with over 25 years in the arts as a Creative Director, composer, and musician, formerly led the Creative Programme at the Story Museum in Oxford.
Highlights:
Aurora Orchestra: one of the most innovative and boundary-breaking ensembles in classical music make their WMC debut performing Mendelssohnโs much-loved โItalian Symphonyโ, and Prokofievโs expressive Violin Concerto No 2 with Chloe Hanslip โ all performed from memory. (21 Nov 2025)
Bill Frisell Trio: Wiltshire Music Centre welcomes legendary jazz guitarist and composer and his acclaimed trio featuring Thomas Moran on bass and Rudy Royston on drums. This will be just one of a handful of UK performances, that includes the London Jazz Festival. (22 Nov 2025)
Artist Residency: Groundbreaking clarinettist, active educator and composer Giacomo Smith performs a series of concerts: โThe 1925โ (27 Sep) celebrating 100 years of Louis Armstrong featuring UKโs jazz talents, Joe Webb and Laura Hurd; Giacomo Smith + Wiltshire Youth Jazz Orchestra (12 Oct), a special afternoon of brilliant big band magic with talented young musicians; Giacomo Smith & Mozes Rosenberg โManoucheโ (14 Nov), a special quartet project paying homage to Djanjo Reinhardtโs musical legacy.
Penguin Cafe Plays Music from Penguin Cafe Orchestra: The sounds of Music from the cult avant-pop band of the 80s & 90s is played by group founded by Arthur Jeffes, son of the original creator, Simon (18 Nov)
Little Rituals presents Heliocentrics: Special event presented by Bradford on Avonโs coolest coffee shop, Little Rituals: an evening of psychedelic-funk-jazz, audio-visuals, pop- up vinyl shop run by Melkshamโs indie record shop, Doubles and cocktails. (29 Nov)
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 21โฆ
Featured Image Credit: Jamie Carter Special guests Lightning Seeds to Support Forest Live, Forestry Englandโs summer concert series presented with Cuffe & Taylor, has announcedโฆ
Wiltshire country singer-songwriter Kirsty Clinch released a Christmas song only yesterday, raising funds for the Caenhill Countryside Centre near Devizes, and itโs already racing upโฆ
It was never just the fervent ambience created which made me go tingly with excitement about Melkshamโs young indie band Between The Linesโ demo singleโฆ
A second track from local anonymous songwriter Joyrobber has mysteriously appeared online, and heโs bitter about not getting his dream jobโฆ.. If this mysterious dudeโsโฆ
If youโve seen Jess Self performing at the Wharf Theatre, singing at the FullTone Festival or elsewhere Iโm certain youโll agree with us; Jess has that star quality which lights up the stageโฆ..
At 13 Jess won Vernon Kayโs Talent Nation, studied performing arts at Trowbridgeโs Stagecoach and has appeared in many productions including Devizes Music Academy’s Six:Teen, The Railway Children and lead roles in more pantomimes at The Wharf Theatre than I could name!
Weโre delighted to hear Jess has made the final seven hopefuls for West End Kids, the UKโs renowned pre-professional company for musical theatre training and elite performance. From hundreds of entries, the final seven young contestants are decided by public vote, to win a scholarship for their training programme.
Jess said, โthe first show I ever went to watch was Matilda when I was 9, after the show I said I want to do thisโ and I haven’t stopped singing since. This would be a dream come true for me!โ
Now, this is where you come in, interactive which we are! Please help Jess reach the dream, vote for her and support local talent. Vote HERE by entering your name, and confirming by email. Voting ends this Sunday, 3rd August, so donโt delay.
With your standard festivals two-to-a-penny, some consisting of not much more than a bloke with a guitar in a pub selling undercooked and overpriced hotdogs, folk are hunting for the unique and often quirky exceptions. Accept The Barge at HoneyStreet always goes the extra mile as a fact. With camping and weekly events so good it’s like a little festival there most of the time, and their homemade HoneyFest still looming on our calendar this September one caught both my eyes and ears; it’s not just unique, it’s otherworldlyโฆ..
Our legendary and beloved Barge Inn, long considered a nexus for crop circles, cosmic curiosity, and canal-side wonder, will host the inaugural Strange Days Festival, a bold new gathering of curious minds, music, and mystery; intrigued huh?!
And leading the charge into the unknown? They’re truly blessed to have none other than the inimitable Brian Blessed, Britainโs booming-voiced national treasure. As a headline speaker on the Saturday afternoon, Blessed, known for his larger-than-life presence and deep fascination with both earthly and cosmic exploration, not to mention his own real-life cryptid investigations, is surely worth the ticket stub alone. If “Gordon’s alive,” let’s hope he’s not moored at the Barge in September!
โStrange Days Festival is a celebration of the unexplained, rooted in the Fortean tradition: a space where the strange is taken seriously, but not solemnly,โ organiser Matt Page of Area 51 explained, and he should know. Area 51 Design provides world-class performances, costumed characters, and cutting edge themed decor to events worldwide, from Glastonbury to the Seychelles.
I had a gander at their Facebook page and was left in awe at their quality bizarre installations, pioneers in this art movement to create feasts for the eyes of festival-goers. But back to Strange Days, indeed.
There’s talks and panels on cryptozoology, folklore, the paranormal and other such shenanigans. This includes legendary underground cartoonist Hunt Emerson, an inspiration to me in my scribbling days of yore, cryptozoologist Richard Freeman, Ian Simmons, editor of Fortean Times, and various other podcasters, artists, authors and researchers.
The festival’s ethos invites attendees to question the world around them, with curiosity, critical thinking, and a sense of cosmic humour. But we’ve only just got started, for when day turns to night, the mystery turns to music. With an electrifying line-up of live bands, DJs and performance art, our interstellar heroes Henge headline.
If you’ve not witnessed their high-energy, intergalactic spectacle before, what planet are you on? I trekked to The Cheese and Grain to investigate them, here’s my take on it, and the bonkers support I mentioned, Paddy Steer is also playing Strange Days. With their message of peace, rave, and galactic unity, Henge are the perfect sonic ambassadors for the spirit of Strange Days.
Plus, naturally, if QTV’s Quentin Smirhes and Comfrey aroused your unnatural senses and turned your head towards social distancing worm helmets during lockdown, you’ll be concerned Sean Reynard will be there, along with Calne’s Real Cheesemakers, with or without their tortoise.
โThis isnโt a conspiracy circus or a sci-fi cosplay,โ Matt promises. โItโs a space for real inquiry, meaningful discussion, and a very good time. We’re bringing together the serious and the surreal, the cerebral and the celebratory.โ Okay I get that, but you know those human fans of Henge will bring the plasma ball hats anyway!!
If aliens are to visit us, this is surely the best weekend to do so. Therefore I’m going above and beyond our usual local network, calling all galactic lifeforms, space cadets and fortean fans, for this, on our doorstep, looks more like a porthole to another world rather than the typical half-baked efforts at a festie!
Strange Days Festival is at The Barge on HoneyStreet from 5th to 7th September 2025. Tickets and info HERE, or at your nearest interstellar space port, located near Alpha Centauri.
Itโs not Christmas until the choir sings, and Devizes Chamber Choir intend to do precisely this by announcing their Christmas Concert, as they have doneโฆ
If Devizesโ celebrated FullTone Festival is to relocate to Whistley Roadโs Park Farm for next summerโs extravaganza, what better way to give it the rusticโฆ
This afternoon sees the inaugural grand ceremony of Stone Circle Music Eventsโ Wiltshire Music Awards taking place at the Devizes Corn Exchange. Itโs a selloutโฆ
In association with PF Events, Devizes Outdoor Celebratory Arts introduces a Young Urban Digitals course in video mapping and projection mapping for sixteen to twentyโฆ
Schools out for summer, yelled a man called Alice, but that was in 1972. We’re about what you can do THIS school summer holiday with those little munchkins; here’s what we’ve found…
Please note as soon as we publish this we’ll be bombarded with events we have missed; at least that’s what usually happens! So, bookmark this article as it will update, as will our event calendar, as soon-(ish) as they come to us! Do not fear, we’ll help you through this period, parents, and prevent you having bored kids and compulsory wine-o’clock!
WC says school hollibobs begin Thursday 24th July and parents are freed on Monday 1st September, but we’ve found stuff from Monday 21st, so let’s get this ball rolling from there…..
Holiday Club at Southbroom St James Academy, Devizes
A Churches Together in Devizes Holiday Club is taking place from Monday the 18th to Friday the 22nd of August at Southbroom St James Acadamy in Nursteed Road. The sessions are from 9.45am to 12.30pm each day, and itโs for children going into school years one to seven in September. Go along and make new friends this summer. Thereโll be Bible stories, games, activities, crafts, songs, drame, and much more. Thereโs a suggested donation of ยฃ1 per day. Email devizeschurches.holidayclub@gmail.com for further information and booking details.
Britpop icons Supergrass will headline Frome Festival as a fundraising event for grassroots community action group โPeople for Packsaddleโ who are fighting to save a much-loved local green space from development…….
The Cheese and Grain made a last-minute announcement of the concert slated for Friday 11th July as part of the Festival, crashing their site with fans eager to find out more.
Toby Culff, spokesperson for โPeople for Packsaddleโ explained, โThe proceeds from this event are being donated to our local community action group, People for Packsaddle, to support us in our ongoing battle to protect the area known as Packsaddle Community Fields, in Frome, from development. Despite hundreds of objections and the planning application being refused by Somerset Council, the developers are taking it to an Appeal. For us to fight the Appeal and be represented by a full legal team comes with a significant financial cost.โ
Culff continued, โThe fields are a designated Asset of Community Value and a crucial, irreplaceable resource for local people and wildlife, and for Frome as a whole. By coming along to this gig, people will be supporting positive community action whilst also helping to protect the environment.โ
The drummer of Supergrass, Danny Goffey, who lives in Frome, is a big supporter of this initiative and this offers the perfect opportunity to give something back to the community.
The indie rock legends are celebrating the 30th anniversary of their seminal chart-topping debut album โI Should Cocoโ by playing it in full and then drawing from their endless greatest hits, proving they’re still at the top of their game. Bursting onto the scene in the mid-90s and channelling their iconic energy, Supergrass shot to fame with anthems like Alright, Caught by the Fuzz and Mansize Rooster. Three decades on, their live shows are as cool as ever, and fans can expect an unforgettable night from a band who helped define an era.
Support comes from Lumley, who describe themselves as โlurking in the Indie pop bargain bin, Fromeโs finest exponents of stealing all of your favourite hits and misses from the โ90sโ. Lead singer Micheal โFordyโ Ford, who is also a concert promoter, stated, โFirst of all this show is for Frome and the ridiculous proposal to build at Packsaddle. We stand with our brothers and sisters of People for Packsaddle. Secondly, itโs just awesome! Supergrass at Bath Moles in 1994 changed everything for me and I finally found MY band!โ
In true Frome community spirit, the Town Crier, Martin Scott, will be acting as Master of Ceremonies at this one-night-only benefit. Attendees can expect some of his trademark humorous rhyming couplets. Scott shared on social media, โWe are young, we run greenโฆand weโre running full speed towards a night of righteous revelry! Supported by the fabulous Lumley, it promises to be alright, alright, alright! So gather ye, good people of Frome โ for common land, common good, and uncommon talent! Let the bell ring, the chords chime, and the wild ones ride again!โ
People for Packsaddleโs Toby Culff expressed, โWe are enormously grateful to Supergrass, the Cheese and Grain, local band Lumley and Frome Festival for their support in ensuring this crucial fundraiser can go ahead, as well as to everyone who comes along and enjoys the gig and helps us achieve our goal of saving the fields from development. We wonโt stand by and let developers ride roughshod over democratic, locally made decisions – this fundraising event is going to really help us achieve this aim!โ
Frome Festival Director, Adam Laughton, explained, โSupergrass headlining Frome Festival is further evidence of the cultural significance of this amazing town, continually punching well above its weight. Enormous thanks to the individuals who have made this happen, as well as Cheese & Grain and People for Packsaddle,โ adding, โThis event is the cherry on top of a sensational 10 days of activity kicking off on Friday 4th July. Over 280 events in over 50 venues โ thereโs truly something for everyone.โ
FROME FESTIVAL is taking place from 4th to 13th July 2025 with its most ambitious and wide-ranging programme to date. This much-loved annual celebration of arts, culture, and community continues to grow in scope and imagination, bringing together world-class performers, local talent, and a wealth of unique experiences across the town.
Additional musical highlights this year include performances from the Ronnie Scottโs All Stars, acclaimed songwriter and producer Guy Chambers (most well-known for his work with Robbie Williams), Brodsky Quartet, the Miki Berenyi Trio (formerly of Lush), Tom Moth (harpist with Florence + The Machine), Gary Stringer (Reef), Rokia Konรฉ (from Les Amazones d’Afrique), and the dynamic Hackney Colliery Band.
The comedy line-up features some of the UKโs most distinctive voices, with headline sets from Lou Sanders, Andy Zaltzman, and the return of firm favourites Jarred Christmasโ Pop-Up Comedy. Lou Sanders, Andy Zaltzman, and the return of firm favourites Jarred Christmasโ Pop-Up Comedy.
This yearโs Bob Morris Lecture will be presented by historian, author and broadcaster Professor Kate Williams, offering fresh insight into a thousand years of Britainโs palaces, monarchs – and all the royal secrets.
The family-friendly programme includes free events for children, funded by Frome Town Council. Festival-goers can also enjoy the return of cherished community events such as the Hidden Gardens, the Frome Open Art Trail, and the Food Feast, featuring live music from up-and-coming indie rock band Nothing Rhymes With Orange, bluegrass with percussive step dance from Buffalo Gals, and soul collective Kaleida Wild. Entrance to the Food Feast on Saturday 5th July is free.
The theme for 2025, Fromeโs historic textile industry, is woven through the festivalโs branding, artwork, and a variety of textile-inspired events that pay tribute to the townโs rich industrial heritage. These range from the traditional, for example weaving and woad dyeing workshops, to the contemporary, such as a themed AR (Augmented Reality) history quest and a silent disco comedy walk. The yarn bombing competition โMake Frome Knit Again!โ seeks to decorate the public spaces of Frome for the duration of the Festival.
A free printed festival brochure is available from the Cheese & Grain and other local outlets. The full programme and ticket information can also be found online at www.fromefestival.co.uk
Following the excellent recent production of La Belle Helene at Devizesโ Wharf Theatre back in March (see here), White Horse Opera (WHO) have triumphed yet again by bringing their production of Mozartโs Cosi Fan Tutte to D-Town.ย ย
Cosรฌ fan tutte is an opera buffa in two acts by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. It was first performed on 26 January 1790 at the Burgtheater in Vienna, Austria. The libretto was written by Lorenzo Da Ponte (who also wrote Le Nozze di Figaro and Don Giovanni).ย Cosรฌ fan tutte, literally means “So do they all”, using the feminine plural (tutte) to indicate women. It is usually translated into English as “women are like that”.ย Weโll get to that in a minute.
Mozart and Da Ponte used the idea of “fiancรฉe swapping”, which is a recurring theme dating back to at least the 13th century; notable earlier versions are found in Boccaccio’s Decameron, and Shakespeare’s play Cymbeline. Elements from Shakespeare’s The Merchant of Venice and The Taming of the Shrew are also present. Whilst itโs likely that nowadays weโd see such an idea as somewhat โproblematicalโ, in opera terms such unacceptable behaviour is seen merely as a comic problem to be resolved with a neat and happy ending.
So it was that White Horse Opera (WHO) brought this sparkling jewel to life last night in the elegant surroundings of the Assembly Room in the Town Hall. Unlike many operas requiring a large cast, chorus and orchestra, Cosi Fan Tutte can be played with only six singers and a pianist, and this made it a perfect piece to transport into a smaller, intimate atmosphere. Using a simple backdrop, a few screens and virtually no props, the production was allowed to breathe. The spoken dialog and the songs (all in English) were straightforward and easy to follow, allowing the comedy to shine through (although there was a helpful synopsis in the programme too). This minimalist approach, thanks to Lewis Cowenโs staging, and Roland Meliaโs musical direction, kept it all as light as a feather.
All six singers excelled in their roles, and it would be invidious to single any one of them out. Seriously โ they were all on cracking form. The solos, duets and ensemble pieces were all well-delivered, glittering like jewels in a crown. And the โseventhโ member of the cast, pianist Tony James, who was on-stage throughout every scene in this two-act production, provided exactly the right supportive, yet under-stated, musical platform for the singers to really shine.
I loved this production โ it was a chance to get up close to the stage and the mechanics of the performances, and to chat with the performers during the interval and afterwards. It was as far as it was possible to be from the โgrand ideaโ of opera โ i.e. a big cast production in a large gilded opera house with all the social trimmings and conventions. It proved, if proof be needed, that such a stripped-back delivery can provide all of the good things about opera, but without the concomitant fripperies.
To take such themes as love, trust, fidelity, deception, betrayal, forgiveness and reconciliation, to say nothing of the supposed โweakness of womenโ, and the cynical view of Don Alfonso that (to quote someone more contemporary) โif you canโt be with the one you love, then love the one youโre withโ, and to deliver all this up in less than two and a quarter hours, was no mean feat. Leaving aside the dubious morality of testing fidelity by swapping girl-friends, using (deliberately risible) disguises, the manipulation if others by the main character, and the portrayal of women as weak characters who simply canโt help themselves, sits uncomfortably with a modern audience. But, hey, this is comic opera, and you need to join in with the joke. Yes, itโs all very contrived and very silly, but thatโs how comic opera works. And you can see exactly where Gilbert & Sullivan were coming from when they unleashed their satirical take on many of these devices.
So โ an absolutely spiffing and hats-off production by WHO. Sparkling staging and singing, and all completely accessible. Do go and see them whenever you get chance. Weโre so lucky to have such a talented outfit working in and around our town.
Bravo!
CAST
Fiordiligiโ Barbara Gompels
Dorabellaโ Paula Boyagis
Guglielmo โ Jon Paget
Ferrando โ Robert Felstead
Despina โToni Johnstone
Don Alfonso โ Robin Jukes
Musical Director Roland Melia, Stage Director Lewis Cowen, Pianist Tony James
White Horse Opera are based in Devizes and regularly perform operas around Wiltshire and beyond.
Together in Electric Dreamsโฆ. at The Corn Exchange
Fashionably late for Devizes Arts Festival, I’d like to thank Andy and Ian for informative coverage of some complex events to review, whilst I took the easier route; rocked up for the last Saturday evening party like I was Prince, stole a fluorescent trilby and dad-danced around my bum-bag until they switched the final disco ball offโฆ..
Iโll be honest, with my diddy-boppers cover band radar on high alert and leg warmers in the wash, I wasnโt expecting to stay until the final curtain, for what seemed from the outside to be a refined generation X school disco. I could also get as pedantic as Mary Whitehouse; the band promised eighties, but the name Riviera Dogs is obviously a play on a 1992 Tarantino movie title; quibble when compared to the fantastic night they delivered.
As bang on cue as waiting for Top of the Pops each Friday, Riviera Dogs fired their flux capacitor and dropped Devizes Corn Exchange into the middle of the decade theyโd pay homage to, with an exemplary cover of Go Westโs We Close Our Eyes. From the off it was obvious this five-piece were some way above your average function band. Attendees wasted no bashful time finding a spot on the floor and dancing like it was 1985 again, even those few not old enough to recall it the first time around, (like me, a-hem!)
From there, everybody wanted to rule the world with Tears for Fears and I just died in Cutting Crewโs arms as Riviera Dogs played their trump cards early. Mid-eighties power ballads were their calling, they were proficiently and professionally good at them. Seems they tour the nationwide retro circuit rather than play functions, for if they were to play a wedding itโd overshadow the attention the happy couple would receive!
This said, many function bands use both male and female vocalists for songs, respectively according to the gender of the front person, and I wondered, if eighties pop hits were truly to be covered comprehensively some Madge, Cyndi Lauper and Kylie, to mention but a few, wouldnโt have gone a miss with a female singer as proficient and entertaining as the existing male counterpart.
But as it was, it was a highly entertaining show, full of lively play, relevant and amusing nods to eighties trends which roused the crowds and caused them to reflect on their heyday; thatโs nostalgia on top form. They rolled out smash hit after smash hit like you were listening to a Now album, Chesney Hawkes to Don Henly and beyond. Perhaps the more rock tunes, like Springsteenโs Dancing in the Dark, which though I welcomed, wasnโt as precisely executed as the electronica power pop ballads, but with those so sublimely fulfilled, and the evening in full swing, the crowds simply lapped it up, and twas so subtle no one cared to notice.
At one point though, we went from one end of the decade to the other too suddenly, for me. One minute we were dancing to Buggles’ Video Killed the Radio Star next it was Bros. The scant warning being a gag about wearing Grolsch bottle tops on shoes wasnโt enough for me to prepare for the paradox! This stark contrast midway mayโve corrupted my timeline but didn’t seem to bother most of the audience either, exposing quinquagenarian Brosettes in the crowd!
As a homage to eighties music several elements were missing; feminine and queer insurgence, and rebellious tenets either side of that mid-eighties march for unadulterated pop mush; punk and Two-Tone at one end, hip hop in the middle, and acid house at the latter. The eighties was about more than the pop they played so well, it was also about advances in music technology and the vast variety of sound experiments it developed. They got as close as covering The Police brilliantly, but jโmon, they never even dared to account for Wacko Jacko, dammit!
It may have reflected only pop commercialisation rather than covering the entirety of a generational divide of consciousness, but this wasnโt supposed to be a history lesson nor comprehensive representation, it was about having a party to celebrate the close of another glorious Devizes Arts Festival, and for that it shone. The vibe was electric, the crowd letting their hair down (or perhaps up with hairspray) for a final night to what’s been a successful and varied programme of events for Devizes Arts Festival. Well done to all involved, you are the one and only, nobody I’d rather you be, you are the one and only, I can’t take that away from you!
Long may Riviera Dogs image the eighties in Mateyโs bubble bath, for it was a Bigtrak loaded with fun, and to assume from my minor critique they didn’t stray from their trump card of electronic power ballads, would be unfair, they did. The finale was a Queen medley and in their own way, they made a fine job of such a difficult trick. For what we must judge this night on is not my personal feelings of commercialisation, rather the expressions of pure delight in the crowd, and if you saw me on the night shaking my tail feather like I was thirteen again, you’d be right to suggest I lived among the creatures of the night, like Laura Branigan, and loved every moment of it too!
by Ian Diddamsimages by Penny Clegg and Shakespeare Live โAntony & Cleopatraโ is one of Shakespeareโs four โRoman Playsโ, and chronologically is set after โJuliusโฆ
Unlike Buck Rogers, who made it to the 25th century six hundred years early, Devizesโ most modest acoustic virtuoso arrives at the 21st just shortโฆ
by Ian Diddamsimages by Chris Watkins Media and Ian Diddams Whilst probably best known for his editorship of โPrivate Eyeโ magazine and thirty-five years asโฆ
The Devizes Arts Festival came up with another of its heavy hitters last night with a packed house at The Corn Exchange, all ready to welcome comedian Mark Watson to the town.
Mark Watson is an English comedian, novelist and producer.ย Born in Bristol of a Welsh mother and English father, he has adopted a somewhat Welsh lilt in his delivery.ย Heโs won a number of comedy awards and is well known from his frequent appearances on TV, as well as being a Radio 4 regular.
Introducing himself, Mark climbed on stage to do an introductory 10-15 minutes before bringing on his support act for the night โ Vicky Slater. Projecting a slightly larger-than-life persona, Vicky delivered her material well, but Iโm not sure that quite all of it landed. Her tales of coming out as gay were delightful and amusing, rather than particularly hilarious. She at least avoided the current lazy habit some up-and-coming comedians have of trying to pick on audience members in order to prompt some witty improv, and instead stuck to her own original material. Respect for that. She was slightly rambling and incoherent in places, but she gradually won the audience over.
After a slightly short first half and an early interval, the main man was back to deliver his set. Mark kicked off with comparing how difficult it was being a stand-up comedian versus, say, being a brain surgeon or, prompted by an audience member, a menopause therapist. His key criteria for the comparisons were, aside from the training and basic aptitude, the amount of sheer stress and anxiety that such an activity could induce.
This was all by way of introduction to his first main theme โ stressful situations in ordinary life. But this was no feeble Michael Macintyre โobservational comedyโ, laughing at โisnโt it funny whenโฆ?โ type comments. This was full of little anecdotes of his own personal experience that everyone could easily relate to โ flying with a small airline, getting into a car thinking it was an Uber (when it wasnโt), asking for help in Tesco (from someone who wasnโt even an employee), dealing with a homeless man (who began to take advantage), interacting with chat-bots online (who seemed very concerned for his continued welfare after once buying some towels a few years previously), and coping with his son whose only apparent language capability seemed to be through frequent WhatsApp messages. The situations were carefully crafted and set up before the always droll and almost exasperated punchlines.
His second โthemeโ (if I can call it that) was around the โcorporateโ gigs heโs sometimes had to do, particularly the waste-processing and meat-processing industries. The latterโs โMeat Management Awardsโ provided a rich vein that he mined repeatedly for jokes about sausages and how heโd become โan advocate for natural casingsโ.
Against his own better judgement, heโd been persuaded to use ChatGPT to create a self-description, and it had come up with โa breathless delivery by a neurotic personalityโ, and even he had to admit that it wasnโt too far from the truth. And Iโd agree. Watson came across as genuinely curious about the world, bemused by modern technology, amazed by other people, and surprised by how much of modern life created stressful situations for him. And out of this melting pot there came a genuinely funny man. He was self-deprecating, very natural and โ no doubt about it โ absolutely hilarious.
Absolute top marks to Mr Watson and to the Devizes Arts Festival for booking him.ย Top notch. Findย out more at www.markwatsonthecomedian.com/ย ย
The Devizes Arts Festival continues until the night of Sunday 15th June at various venues around the town. Tickets can be booked at Devizes Books or online at www.devizesartsfestival.org.uk
The Devizes Arts Festival has almost run its course, with only a couple of days to go, but still seven events left.ย But itโs not going quietly, and last night in the Town Hallโs Assembly Room was no exception……
British jazz saxophonist Julian Costello, a superbly gifted musician, composer and teacher from London, and who writes for various ensembles, was the Festivalโs guest.ย Playing tenor and soprano saxophones, he was joined by John Turville on piano, Andy Hamill on upright bass and harmonica, and Tom Hooper on drums.
The quartet has recently released their third album, โAnd All The Birds Were Set Freeโ on the acclaimed label 33 Jazz Records, and their two sets last night featured many tracks from the album. The albumโs title is a reference to Costelloโs idea that the musicians should be free to express themselves and able to fly. The pieces they played, including the title track, The Gecko, London Blue, Song For Anna and Sunflowers, were all good examples of this open, loosely-structured approach. Each musician took his various solos easily, improvising on the scenario, but slotting into the structure laid down at the start of each piece. The particular highlights of these for me were provided by John Turvilleโs piano passages.
The original material was tempered with a leavening of jazz classics, including material from John Coltrane, La Rosita by Benny Goodman, and Carlos Jobimโs If You Never Come To Me. Costello himself, leading the quartet very much from the front, moved over from tenor to soprano sax for his composition Connections, based upon the structure of an Indian raga. And bassist Any Hamill strayed onto a very welcome harmonica during the encore Song For Anna (written for Costelloโs wife Anna Stearman).
Costelloโs personal style was laid-back and chatty, bonding easily with the audience using dry humour, and the quartet were clearly very comfortable in each otherโs company. Their enjoyment on stage was very evident.
After an absolute dearth of live jazz in D-Town, it was like drinking at an oasis after a long crawl through a musical desert. But, parched as I was, I was left very slightly wanting. The sets needed more variation in tempo, more contrast between light and shade. Each number they played was very good, but it was slightly one-paced across the whole programme. Donโt get me wrong โ this was a hugely enjoyable affair, featuring some great music in a beautiful room. Sound and lighting were spot on (as usual). But I was left wanting just that little bit more. More jazz please!
The Devizes Arts Festival continues until the night of Sunday 15th June at various venues around the town.ย Tickets can be booked at Devizes Books or online atย www.devizesartsfestival.org.ukย
Just How Big Is That Fringe? Or Two Go Myth-Busting
Andy Fawthrop
Weโve always held that D-Town is a great place to live, and one of the many reasons is that it punches well above its weight in terms of the arts and cultural events.ย Just speaking to musicians and artists who visit the town for gigs and festivals, the feedback is always the same: theyโre in awe of just how much weโve got going on here.….
Do we need to recite the list? Oh go on then โ two/ three Beer Festivals (DOCA Winter Ales, Seend, CAMRA DBF), an arts festival (DAF), a food and drink festival, Fulltone on The Green, our own theatre, two opera companies (WHO, DMT), Devizes to Westminster canoe race, Long Street Blues Club, the DOCA events (Street Festival, Colour Rush, Lantern Parade, Carnival, Picnic In The Park)โฆ.I could (and usually do), go on. Thereโs pubs with regular live music (White Bear, Three Crowns, The Southgate), fairs and circuses on The Green, book clubs, sports clubsโฆ(youโre really going on a bit nowโฆEd).
But somehow that old refrain of โNothing Ever Happens In Devizesโ has been making a come-back of late on social media, yet it just ainโt true. But like all myths, it refuses to lie down and die. Despite this revered organ (ooh, matron) laying out the many, many choices you might have every week, and bringing you previews and reviews of everything and anything arts-based that we can get our sticky little fingers on, some folks seem to persist in apparently finding โnothingโ to do. So itโs time to, yet again, challenge that myth and have another go at laying it to rest for once and for all.
Anywayโฆ..at the moment of writing weโre right in the middle of the Devizes Arts Festival fortnight, with plenty of variety to please all tastes. But, admittedly, some of these events can command ticket prices that are unaffordable for some. So, inspired somewhat by last weekendโs wonderful free Rowdefest (thank you Darren!) and, admittedly, a bit of a โrobust discussionโ in the pub, I decided to see just how much fun and entertainment you could enjoy over this weekend at next to no cost. Itโs a challenge I decided to take on by getting off my luxury sofa, and propel myself out โinto the fieldโ (as it were).
Armed with only a stout pair of walking boots, an inquisitive and open mind, and a supportive girlfriend, I headed out into the local area to see what I could actually come up with on Saturday and Sunday this weekend. The results are below:
1. Devizes Farmersโ Market in The Market Place Bar (Saturday 9 am)
ยท What it was: monthly gathering of local suppliers
ยท What was it like?ย Plenty of choice โ venison, bread, honey, olives, cheese, bread & fruit, flowers and plants, fresh coffee, cider, cakes.ย Plenty of good fresh stuff from suppliers within a 30 mile radius of D-Town.ย Added to stalls in the Shambles, this is worth a half hour of anyoneโs time, either for shopping or simply browsing.
ยท What it was: a c. 4 mile walk down the towpath from D-Town to Poulshot
ยท What was it like?ย Lots of people out strolling or cycling, boats passing up and down the flight (an opportunity for some gomgoozling).ย We also saw many species of birds, including four, yes four, different grey herons โ such elegant birds.
3. Poulshot Medicine in Nature Herbal Walk at Poulshot Village Hall (Saturday 10.30am โ 12)
ยท What it was: a short walk led by Katherine Baldock & Simon Parkes (ecologist) around the village to explore the wild and naturalised medicinal plants growing thereabouts, and an opportunity to make some herbal vinegar after foraging the local hedgerows.
ยท What was it like?ย Way too slow for me, it was part talk, part very gentle amble around the village green and woodland, part discovery of a number of wild plants.ย We discussed culinary and medicinal uses. At least I found bits of Poulshot I didnโt know about, including the pond, the specially-created woodland, and some country paths (useful for getting over to Whistley Road later on).
ยท What it was:.ย An event organised by WAPG (Wiltshire Agricultural Preservation Group), featuring static displays of steam traction engines, tractors, miniature steam engines, heavy horses, trade stalls, fairground, military vehicles, classic cars.
ยท What was it like? As it was chucking it down with rain as we arrived, the most welcome thing for the first half hour was the (well-stocked) beer tent.ย I could have done without the loud piped music but, hey, it was dry and there was beer!ย When the rain slowed down a bit we did the full circuit and there was plenty to see, the most impressive of which were the full-size old traction engines in steam (some also seen later driving through D-Town).ย There were pop-up food outlets, fresh coffee, craft stalls and tents, a 1940s-themed tea and cakes tent, bouncy castle for the children etc.ย The site was large with plenty of parking but, because of the rain, getting increasingly muddy.
5. Pete Robson & J P Oldfield in The Bear, Cellar Bar (Saturday 8pm)
ยท What it was: foot-stomping blues from two solo performers
ยท What was it like?ย Each performer used steel guitar and stomp box to deliver some hard-cutting blues.ย CDs for sale. Not very well attended, which was a shame.ย Perhaps it needed to be better advertised. For me Pete Robson was the better performer of the two, taking a slightly less hard-edge approach to his vocals, and mixing up the tempo, giving more light and shade to his set.ย The cellar bar is an OK venue at best, being a rather odd shape, with very low ceiling and an only partially-stocked bar.ย I suspect it needs to be used much more often if itโs going flourish as a venue.
ยท Cost: ยฃFREE + drinks
ยท Adultsโ rating: 3/5
ยท Note โwe could have also gone to see either Matchbox Mutiny/ Tom Harris in The Three Crowns or The Duskers in The Southgate (both FREE entry), but thereโs only so many hours in the day!
6. Crammer Watch Day on the Small Green Devizes (Sunday 11am onwards)
ยท What it was: a chance to meet those involved in celebrating and preserving the Crammer. RSPCA, Wiltshire Wildlife Trust, Wessex Water, Friends of The Crammer, Lawrence Society of Artists, Sustainable Devizes + The Moonrakers Legend (performed at 12 noon and 1pm), photography competition, charity tombola
ยท What was it like?ย We missed the Moonrakers performance, so as an experience I found it a bit thin on the ground.ย There was little to see and do, unless you wanted to stand and chat to someone about the issues which the Crammer faces. Several stands were just offering information leaflets. Although a worthy attempt, for me personally it was just not very engaging.
7. Lions on The Green on The Green (Sunday 10am -4pm)
ยท What it was: organised by Devizes Lions Club, a vehicle display (cars, bikes, scooters, military etc) and family fun day (lots of stalls, bar, food outlets)
ยท What was it like?ย Covering the whole of the large Green, this was really excellently-well organised.ย The central area was given over to the displays of antique, rare and sports cars.ย Stalls had cakes, plants (from Plot 35), metal signs, honey etc.ย There was a bouncy castle and fairground rides for children.ย A licensed bar, coffee shop etc.ย Lots to look at and plenty of photo opportunities. Fantasy Radio were broadcasting live from the site.
ยท Cost: ยฃFREE (donations to the Lions collecting buckets) + drinks
8. Devizes Arts Festival Free Fringe:Whiskey River (@ British Lion gardenย Sunday 2 โ 5pm)
ยท What it was: Roots Music From the Welsh frontier
ยท What was it like?ย The trio Whiskey River played Americana, Cajun, Zydeco, Folk, Country, Blues and a smattering of Celtic music. Using guitar, fiddle, flute, harmonica, mandolin and concertina, these guys provided an excellent and enjoyable afternoon of music in the (occasional) sunshine.ย The bar was open, and there was a BBQ going on throughout. People sitting out enjoying a drink, dogs, children, good music โ perfect!
ยท Cost: ยฃFREE + (a large, undisclosed) drinks bill
9. Wood & Steel (@ The Southgate Inn Sunday 5-7pm)
ยท What it was: an acoustic duo playing blues, jazz and ragtime
ยท What was it like?ย This duo were new to me, but I was very impressed by what I heard.ย Two very good musicians, clearly comfortable in their own skin, played two excellent 50-minute sets and got a very well-deserved encore.ย Lots of covers from many ages and genres, using dobro, guitar, upright bass and vocals.ย Excellent musical accompaniment to a late, lazy Sunday afternoon. Great atmosphere too.
ยท Cost: ยฃFREE (donations to โthe hatโ) + more (undisclosed) drinks
ยท Adultsโ rating: 5/5
ยท Note โ we could also have gone to see Bodge It & Scarperย at The White Bear (Sunday 5-7pm) playing acoustic music, but didnโt hear about this until quite late.ย Also canโt be in two places at once.ย This event was also FREE.ย ย
In summary:
ยท Miles walked โ about 10
ยท Bird species spotted โ about 20, including swans, herons, jackdaws, mallard, moorhen, starlings, robins, great tits etc;
ยท Friends met – loads โ far too many to mention!
ยท Total cost (for two) – ยฃ27.80 (of which ยฃ20 was for the steam fair) + the drinks (but letโs not mention that bit!);
ยท Fun and entertainment had โ loads and loads and loads;
ยท Well-being โ absolutely knackered, but very happy.ย Looking forward to next weekend!
Yes it all took a little bit of planning, but it wasnโt that difficult really. We walked to/ from most venues, so we got lots of other good D-Town stuff (Caen Hill locks, the towpath etc) and took only one short (cheap) bus ride when the heavens opened. So there was plenty of exercise and fresh air to mitigate the various bits of eating and drinking. Did I mention that the odd libation was partaken of? And Iโm not saying that EVERY weekend is quite this packed, but it certainly can be if you put your mind to it. Bear in mind that thereโs LOADS of other stuff going on โ these were simply the things we happened to pick out. There were choices โ and we made them!
Nothing Ever Happens In Devizes??? Donโt make me laugh.
If it’s good enough for Knight Rider it’s good enough for me. I see the Hoff ditched his Knight Industries Three Thousand on the Green for a stroll around Devizes on Sunday. He probably found a crusade to champion the cause of the innocent in a world of criminals who operate above the law, whereas I ended up at the British for a scrumpy or threeโฆ.
Unlike some guys who act like Spongebob Squarepants on his tenth bag of Haribo at Chessington World of Adventures, I can only get yay excited about a car show. But Devizes Lions do it with cherries onโฆ and debatably false advertising. There were no lions on the Green, but it was Lions on the Green this Sunday past, an annual free fete/car show crossover which never fails to appeal universally; kids nag mums for Rowdey Cow ice cream while dads furiously argue for three hours with a total stranger in sandals that the Mk2 2.8 Injection Granada handles better than the Mk1 with a 3.0 V6 engine.
I browse unacquainted with such matters, unfazed by contemporary cock extensions, but in admiration of vintage, retro cars and those with a movie reference attached. Every local from MP Brian Matthews to Pete of Vinyl Realm, and outsiders like Marty McFly have brought their big boy toys along to display, as Fantasy Radio blast Gary Numan. It’s a sunny morning, it’s a lovely occasion, it’s raising funds, and there’s nothing to dislike about it.
Cars ticked off, hot dog and an extended conversation with a detectorist who’d discovered a variety of civil war shots and cannonballs on Roundway, if the Lions on the Green is a great and unbroken walkthrough event it coincided with Crammer Watch Day further along on, at the Little Green.
With long term solutions outstanding for unsafe conditions for wildfowl on the Crammer, there appears to be a far more communal tenet between concerned residents and the council compared to the outcry a few years ago, and this day was intended rather to celebrate the Crammer than address expensive possible solutions. As it stands, the simple fix is to raise public awareness that the only escape route for swans is across the roadside and they should apply caution when driving throughโฆ.please.
With live painting from the Lawrence Arts Society, stands from the RSPCA, Sustainable Devizes and hosts Friends of The Crammer, conservation was a topic, if overshadowed somewhat by historical tomfoolery, which was something new to the day and personally my highlight.
A random team of amateur thespians, some from the Wharf Writers Group and others along for the giggle and wearing of knitted beards, staged a short promenade satirical play โreenactingโ the fable of the moonrakers, aptly at The Crammer. The premise didn’t sound so inspiring to me, and I thought I might have to hold my tongue. The actuality surprised me, it was absolutely brilliant!
Pythonesque humour delivered with skill on a local legend, deliberately naff props such as a paddling pool for the pond, and astutely scripted silliness, it was indigenous and hilariously original.
Authenticity deliberately skewed for amusement; they couldn’t have done this anywhere else but here, the setting of the beloved fable, which is amusing enough without the added gags. Francis Grose was a witty Victorian chubster and nothing more needs to upset the applecart about the origin of the moonrakers, as this wasn’t intending to proclaim historic fact checking rather to amuse, which a country gent in Harris Tweed with a carrot in his mouth pretending to be a donkey will inevitably achieve.
I don’t know where the Hoff got to, but he missed a rarer treat than reuniting with Pamela Anderson for a titillating slow-motion beach jog. Oh, and a whistle stop to Morrisons was a let down culturally compared to what was outside. Along the road I shrug at a classic bus, for its appearance would’ve been more expected trekking the Sahara than parked outside the faithfully traditional British Lion, and there was no explanation for it being there.
Nevertheless I’m one step away from the bar, pondering if there’s one thing expected in Devizes: it’s that The British Lion doesn’t change, because it doesn’t need to. With Devizes Arts Festival is full swing, they’ve arranged a Cwmbran roots trio called Whiskey River to play us some of their sublime classic rock covers, Celtically, with a deep southern Americana twist, as a free fringe event; I cannot argue with this.
Devizes live music aficionados amassed and were thankful, as if they needed an excuse for a pint and fundraising burger from the barbecue. The British Lion is a fond institution, Whiskey River was a great break from our usual circuit, The Lions put on a brilliant and well organised family event, Crammer Watch added to an already great day and those awesome actors with rakes did make us laugh as promised.
It was all too much for me, the White Bear and Southgate continued the music, but I needed a little lie down, while our roving reporter Andy outdone me, partying like Prince in 1999, so I’m also putting up his account of weekend adventures for it’s fuller, far more informative and factually accurate than mine, even if it doesn’t mention Pamela Anderson, because really, she didn’t show. Devizes though, doesn’t need Pam, the fun never stops here, Sunday proved it.
Well the Devizes Arts Festival is in full swing now, with several events already under its belt.ย Thereโs stuff cropping up every day, so I took the chance to pop in to a much-underused venue in the town St Andrewโs Church on Long Street.….
After several big-ticket shows in the programme, it was a pleasure to settle down to something a little more modest, a more bread-and-butter item if you like.ย Mid-week lunchtime isnโt going to be a time to attract a particularly large audience, even on market day, but a good few hardy souls turned up to at least create a good audience atmosphere.
Anna Ling, a performer Iโd not personally come across before, is a guitarist and singer/songwriter. Her creative work and sense of purpose are deeply rooted in her love of bringing people together through song. This passion shapes her life, guiding her from leading community choirs to performing at venues, care homes, and world-class festivals.
In a concert co-promoted with the charity, Live Music Now, Anna delivered a professional and engaging 50-minute set which featured both her own material along with a few covers. She worked hard to engage the audience right from the kick-off, inviting us into her world. The performance was light and humorous, heartfelt and intimate. And she was determined that we were not just going to sit back and listen to her, but to join in as well. She had a lovely clear, strong voice, and used it to particular effect when she came down from the stage and abandoned her guitar in favour of an unaccompanied song right from the middle of the audience.
Her lyrics were simple, her guitar chords straight-forward. This was not a set filled with new arrangements or presenting anything particularly challenging, but an opportunity to listen to a set of songs simply delivered and largely unadorned. She filled the gaps between the songs with little stories and anecdotes, never lifting her voice very much, and thus drawing you in.
Plain, simple, and thoroughly enjoyable. Just another little sweetie in the jar from Devizes Arts Festival. And thereโs plenty more to see and hear yet, so do make sure that you get along to experience something soon. Itโll all be over before you know it!
Devizes Arts Festival continues until Sunday 15th June at various venues around the town.ย Tickets can be booked at Devizes Books or online HERE
I mean, Devizes own contemporary blues throwback, JP is getting bookings, and rightly so. He’s off to Trowbridgeโs Lamb next Saturday for a double-bill withโฆ
As the excitement continues to detonate to an exploding point for our very first Stone Circle Music Events Wiltshire Music Awards on 25th October, weโฆ
by Mick Brianimages from Lauren Arena-McCann The playwright Tom Stoppard is probably best known for his work โRosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Deadโ, his absurdist comedyโฆ
You might think it’s a laryngologist’s dream come true, this Lewis Capaldi-led decade’s penchant for the blue-eyed soul singersโ melismatic strain to cause Mick Hucknallโฆ
Photo credit: ยฉ Rondo Theatre Company / Jazz Hazelwood
A gender-queered production of William Shakespeareโs classic play, โThe Taming of the Shrewโ, will be performed at the Rondo Theatre in Bath this June, as part of Queer Bath and LGBTQIA+ Pride Month, with all profits being donated to charity……
โThe Taming of the Shrewโ is one of Shakespeareโs more challenging plays. The story centres on two siblings: Bianca, who is surrounded by suitors, and the fiercely independent Katherine, whose sharp tongue and violent outbursts have garnered them a fearsome reputation. Bianca cannot marry any of their suitors until Katherine is married – enter Petruchio, who is determined to โbreakโ and marry Katherine.
In this production from the Rondo Theatre Company, which has been the performing arm of the Rondo Theatre since 1982, the play takes on a daring new life where comedy and discomfort intersect. In a world where Petruchio is a boisterous woman and Kate is a shrewish man, this bold reimagining explores the power dynamics at the heart of Shakespeareโs comedy while unpacking how language shapes our understanding of gender and control. The Rondo Theatre Company has flipped the script, and audiences are invited to laugh and reflect on the complexities of gender by re-examining the ways comedy can reveal uncomfortable truths about societal power dynamics.
โItโs been a fascinating process to get under the skin of these characters in such a refreshing wayโ, says Alex Oliviere, who plays Petruchio in โThe Taming of the Shrewโ. โโHistorically audiences were intended to rejoice in the sight of an outspoken and fiery woman being cowed by a violent and domineering man, and itโs been really interesting to display that power when the positions are reversed. Weโve had a lot of thought-provoking conversations in the rehearsal room about why it feels so different, and we hope that audiences will be prompted to do the same.โ
โThe Taming of the Shrewโ is the Rondo Theatre Companyโs annual charity production, with all profits being shared between Not A Phase and the Rondo Theatreโs โRevamp the Rondoโ fundraiser.
Not A Phase is a trans-led, nationwide charity committed to uplifting and improving the lives of trans+ adults, through awareness campaigning, social projects and funding trans+ lead initiatives.
โWeโre really pleased to donate half of this yearโs charity production profits to Not A Phase,โ said Director of โThe Taming of the Shrewโ, Jazz Hazelwood, โwith everything that is happening in the world right now itโs more important than ever to protect marginalised communities. With โShrewโ weโve created a space that is inclusive and led from a place of respect and acceptance for all. Not A Phase is a brilliant charity, and the work they do for the trans+ community touches the heart of what weโre doing and the values that this production upholds.โ
The Rondo Theatreโs โRevamp the Rondoโ fundraiser seeks to replace the auditorium seating, and make other building improvements, at the Rondo which has, since 1989, been a place for nurturing local talent, a home for community theatre groups, and a venue for the best touring theatre, stand-up comedy and music – including recent appearances from Nina Conti, Prue Leith, Andy Parsons, Joe Wilkinson, and Milton Jones.
โWe are one of many local community theatre groups who call the Rondo Theatre home,โ says Alana Wright, Chair of the Rondo Theatre Company, โitโs a truly special venue in the city and weโre delighted to be donating half of this yearโs charity production profits to the Revamp the Rondo fund, and give this well-loved theatre the boost it needs.โ
โThe Taming of the Shrewโ takes place during both Pride Month (1 – 30 June), and Queer Bath (26 May – 30 June), a celebration of LGBTQ+ arts, culture, heritage and history in museums and venues across Bath. Queer Bath is a new citywide campaign – the first of its kind – led in partnership with Bath Arts Collective, WIG, and Bathโs museum & heritage community.
โThe Taming of the Shrewโ will be performed at the Rondo Theatre, St. Saviours Road, Bath BA1 6RT, from Wednesday 18th to Saturday 21st June 2025, 7.30pm.
Images by Hans Shell, Ruth Wordley, Helen’s PolarPix and Bird is the Word
If you’re going to write on a subject you must research it, but if you’re going to write well about it you need to get involved in order to understand the details often hidden to outside observersโฆ.
I learned this a year into creating Devizine, when I decided to hold an anniversary gig. Event organiser Dean Czerwionka basically held my hand through it, as I hadn’t a Scooby-Doo of the immensity of variables involved. Since then, I’ve dug myself deeper into the practical, to understand those obstacles and overcome them, so when being critical, I’m aware of how much work goes into putting events on.
Did you seriously buy that baloney?! Really, I’m an attention-seeking party animal who loves to showcase, whenever feasible, the talents of those I spend hours tapping my keyboard to review, then steal all the credit for it! The whole balancing on a learning curve stuff is only a bonus ball! But it is a delight, whenever the opportunity arises, to witness the actualities of my labour, and one such opportunity occurred yesterday, a short walk from my home.
Rowdefest happened Saturday in my village, an idea to retain aspects of a traditional fete yet modernise it to reflect a mini-festival, in which I had to get my foot in the door of.
Feedback has been overwhelmingly positive, but for myself and the committee, Rowdefest 2025 started months ago, with tea, cake and planning at Barbara’s house. Then, an amount of WhatsApp messages, a Facebook chat coordinating the band’s specs with Simon Stockley, the solo sound engineer worth an entire team of professionals.
RowdeFest Committee pose at the end!
Then there’s the mountains I didn’t climb; Clare’s tribulations to provide a bar, Liz’s organisational skills to provide food vans, sponsors and collect raffle prizes, Kirsty creating a book stall, Geraldine and Angie tying things together, tea, cake and a photo exhibition in the church, chairperson Sue binding our meandering meetings into some kind of order, and so much more from many villagers and parish councillors mucking in, till the point on Friday I was driving a milk-float down Rowde Court Road with a huge tent on it and it all suddenly felt real!
Event organising with a team is wrought with disagreements, problem solving, worries which drag you to examine speculating weather apps daily, and fingers-crossed assurances everything will be alright on the nightโฆ.thankfully it was, so Rowde was blessed with a hugely successful, beautiful occasion. An equally huge thanks and congratulations must go to all involved in its making, but none so much as our chief, Barbara. Even if one of them was me, I still reserve the right to report on it, for there is no flattery necessary, feedback from others gives me the confidence to say this was as fantastic as I perceived it as!
Devizes Jubilee Morris Dancers
For me personally, it was all about community merriment, and of course, the entertainment. Under the premise we wanted lively bands I took to organising a lineup consisting entirely of tried and tested locally sourced talents, and calling in a few favours! Opening the event then, the Devizes Jubilee Morris Dancers arrived, did their thing literally with bells on, and got the blossoming crowds engaging in a final routine.
Between the two Morris dancing sections, Mat Fucci of Fucci Fit teased the crowds with a workout, and under the beating sun they got as physical as Olvia Newton-John in 1981, or near to it!
ANdrew Hurst with Lucianne Worthy
Then the live music started with my wildcard, the experimental imaginations of music scholar and tutor, Andrew Hurst. With exceptional bassist Lucianne Worthy, they whisked the audience through multi-instrumental tangents, wonderfully.
Talk in Code
Usually a headline act next, and it was only 3pm, with the crowds still on our villageโs own delicious Rowdey Cow ice cream rather than ciders! Wiltshireโs finest indie-pop darlings, Talk in Code kindly pepped it up, making a pitstop on their way to Swindonโs Castle venue. Blasting their eighties pop flavoured originals gorgeously across our small playing field was an indicator this was going to go off rather different from your average village fete!
That was my doing, and apologise if it came as a shock to some sensitive residents. What attendees didnโt witness was me, once being informed about their complaints, slightly sulking in guilt behind the scenes. Yes, what started as a village fete had now gone full-blown festival, which I believed was the intention and well advertised as such. My resolution was, other than gorging on biscuits, that, in times like this, we have to go with the majority. As the huge crowd gathered, of all ages, appeared to be lapping it up, dancing and cherishing every moment, coupled with the expressions of delight I witnessed on the faces of some disabled children in wheelchairs when I held the gate open for them, well, they counteract a billion complainers for me, and Iโm certain there was far, far fewer of them than that!
Talk in Code with Peggy-Sue Ford of Don’t Stop the Music radio show
Talk in Code shines like a beacon to everything dedication can achieve on our local circuits, and their reputation builds with every appearance; I was overjoyed to see them, as, like anyone they meet, theyโve become my friends. The second act tends to be more modest with their skills, but The Sarah C Ryan Band will always be one of my most favourite bands. They deliver a sublime melodious panache in style and sound, the kind I liken to Fleetwood Mac, but my daughter suggested Florence and The Machine; either works.
The Sarah C Ryan Band
Through cooler originals and the odd cover, Sarah and her band held the crowd spellbound, after wondering if anything would equal Talk in Code, now they were assured I had many more tricks up my sleeve!
Thieves
WIth the crowd simmered, time to allow Thieves to do their thing. Semi-acoustic vibes, Iโd go out on a limb and suggest this is the finest Americania youโll find around these waters. Authentic bluegrass to rootsy blues, this wonderfully accomplished four-piece vocal harmonise on a level which left our unsuspecting attendees around the hay bales spellbound and those in the know nodding impressively. It was the set to end all sets, setting the scene to bliss, as I wandered receiving everyoneโs approval, but I had one more band yet to introduce.
Burn The Midnight Oil
Given the chance, Talk in Code mightโve headlined, safe in the knowledge of what they will deliver. Despite knowing front-girl Chrissy Chapman for many years, and fondly reviewing her vocal collaborations on drum n bass tunes, when she put together Burn The Midnight Oil I met with the original lineup to interview them and hear a little rehearsal, but regrettably, I still hadnโt had the opportunity to tick them off my must-see list.
Okay, so, I took a chance here, suspecting theyโd be good, and heard all the good reports, but I didnโt begin to imagine just how good. Burn the Midnight Oil totally rocked the finale, with fantastic originals slipped unnoticed into a set of covers, they made the perfect end to the day. Dressed in a divine white dress of sentimental value to Chrissy, she took her accomplished band and the audience on an elevated hour plus expedition of bluesy rock which no one wanted to ever come to an end. It was total and utter dynamite!
Alannah Mylesโ Blue Velvet rang out across our playing field, as we gathered the committee and volunteers to be cheered before an encore. Chrissy has a confident stage presence. Her interactions with the audience were so professional, I had to take a double-look to check if it was still my dear friend up there!
But, thatโs the magic right there, to take our talented locals and celebrate their skills as they deserve to be celebrated, allow them to shine with the freedom of expression to deliver works theyโve written and composed, disperse them with classics if they wish to, and introduce the quality of local talent to audiences which may not have the opportunity to follow our local live music scene. That was my objective, as that is alway my objective, and I thank the Rowdefest committee for allowing me to do that in my own village, rather than hiking up Dunkirk Hill again, or trekking further afield; Bradford-on-Avon had a town music festival on, at a level our village couldnโt compete with, but those at RowdeFest wouldnโt have cared at that point; it was magical.
Bramblerose Designs
Okay, Iโm still at one thousand feet about what we accomplished yesterday, but I donโt believe time will water my excitement down. This should go down in the village history books, and if not, it will always be remembered by me. Again my sincere thanks goes to all involved, the committee, the attendees which included MP Brian Matthew, and our media friends Bird is the Word, Peggy-Sue Ford and Alan Watters of our village magazine, but especially the acts and Simon, who came to my rescue; thank you all, for your time, dedication and for superbly rocking my village!
Nothing cruel about our George Wilding; with his perfect match and another local legend of local music, Jolyon Dixon, they’re knocking out great singles likeโฆ
Thereโs a new single from Bristol-based Nothing Rhymes With Orange out tomorrow (Saturday 20th September) which takes the band to a whole new level, andโฆ
The Wiltshire Music Awards are delighted to confirm a new headline partnership with Stone Circle Music Events, who will sponsor the Awards for 2025 andโฆ
Following the excitement and success of the first meeting of โYour Partyโ in Swindon, a second meeting has been arranged for 18th September 7.30 -โฆ
It’s been six months since Devizes-based young blues crooner JP Oldfield released his poignant kazoo-blowing debut EP Bouffon. He’s made numerous appearances across the circuitโฆ
Itโs been a while coming a-round but at long last Devizesโ very own Arts Festival finally kicked off last night for its two-week run.ย And we started off, as is usual now, with a real belter of a concert in the Corn Exchange, this time featuring veteran performers Kiki Dee and Carmelo Luggeri…..
If you were after star quality, Kiki Dee has it in spades.ย Recently celebrating her 60th year in the music industry, she has now released a whopping 40 singles, three EPs and 22 albums. She is one of the UKโs finest and most revered vocalists, and sheโs sung with and for just about anybody who is anybody in this industry.
Pauline Matthews (as was) was born in Bradford, West Riding of Yorkshire in 1947. At the age of 10 she won a local talent contest, and at 16 she had her first paid job as Kiki Dee in show business. She worked briefly as an apprentice hairdresser (she did my motherโs hair once โ my feeble claim to fame!) and at Boots in Bradford during the day, while in the evenings she sang songs with a dance band in Leeds. Initially with Fontana Records, known for her blue-eyed soul vocals, she was the first female singer from the UK to sign with Motown’s Tamla Records. Sheโs best known for the hit singles “Amoureuse” (1973), “I’ve Got the Music in Me” (1974) and “Don’t Go Breaking My Heart”, her 1976 duet with old Reg Dwight (Elton John), which reached Number One on the UK Singles Chart and the US Billboard Hot 100 chart. Her 1981 single “Star” became the theme song for the talent show Opportunity Knocks when it was revived by the BBC in 1987.
During her career sheโs sung backing vocals for Dusty Springfield, was one of the backing vocalists on Love Affair’s 1968 UK number one single Everlasting Love, sang backing vocals on various Elton John recordings, such as “All the Girls Love Alice” from Goodbye Yellow Brick Road and various tracks on Rock of the Westies, played as support act to Queen at their Hyde Park concert in front of a crowd of 150,000 people, and performed at Live Aid in 1985, reprising “Don’t Go Breaking My Heart” with John, and performing backing vocals on the other songs in his set. On top of that sheโs won awards for her Musical Theatre roles in Willy Russell’s Blood Brothers, in which she took on the role originally played by Barbara Dickson for the 1988 production and recording, and received an Olivier Award nomination in 1989 in the Best Actress in a Musical category.
But all of that is history! Nowadays, or at least for the last twenty years or so, sheโs continued to move forward with the music that she creates with Carmelo Luggeri. Kiki says Carmelo is her favourite guitarist and he co-writes and produces all their songs.
Dee released the live album Almost Naked, a joint effort with Carmelo in 1995, followed by the studio albums Where Rivers Meet (1998) and The Walk Of Faith (2005). In September 2013, Dee and Luggeri released their third studio album, A Place Where I Can Go, on Spellbound Records. They have been touring together ever since and have played alongside such musical luminaries as Roger Taylor, Jack Bruce, Fish, Paul Young, Tom Robinson, Graham Gouldman and Madeline Bell.
Carmelo Luggeriโs abilities as a guitarist, composer and producer have taken him on a rich and interesting musical path over his career. Born in England of Italian parents, Carmelo was mainly self-taught with some classical training. Working with comedian and television personality Billy Connolly he created the โWatzinโ Matildaโ re-work used for the hugely successful 1995 โWorld Tour Of Australiaโ TV series. In 1998 Carmelo produced the track โStealinโ for the film โStill Crazyโ starring Jimmy Nail. Carmelo has also worked with US singer Andy Williams, Paul Rodgers (Free, Bad Company), Ray Cooper (Elton John band), Gus Dudgeon, Stuart Epps, Romy Haag and singer songwriter Ralph McTell.
Carmelo and Kikiโs paths first crossed when he produced a collection of bonus tracks for โThe Very Best of Kiki Deeโ album, and, under the guidance of their manager Steve Brown they took on a new musical direction together, playing acoustic concerts, starting with an appearance at The Royal
Albert Hall for World AIDS Day in 1994. It was quite a departure for Carmelo at this point as he was essentially an electric player but this marked the beginning of their now 25 year collaboration where acoustic guitar is at the foundation of their sound.
Sorry for the long introductory pre-amble, but just wanted to reprise the careers of these two wonderful musicians. And I guess youโd have to say that represents as good a musical pedigree as youโre ever going to get, so the expectations for the large crowd were, to say the least, pretty high.
And we werenโt to be disappointed one bit. Kicking off with โGet What You Wish Forโ and the first of several musical career anecdotes, we were suddenly there at โDonโt Go Breaking My Heartโ! Like most people I thought this would be the wrap-up song or the encore, but Kiki clearly wanted to get the song on the table early. Using, not unexpectedly, a completely different acoustic arrangement, with a rather slower tempo, her rendition allowed the lyrics to really shine through, and to deliver some really pathos.
Cracking on with anecdotes about meeting David Hockney in Malibu, and working with Dusty Springfield, we had the self-penned โSmall Merciesโ. She then mined a rich vein of beautifully-arranged covers โ Kate Bushโs โRunning Up That Hillโ, Robert Palmerโs โEvery Kinda Peopleโ, and Neil Youngโs โHarvest Moonโ.
Following โa nice glass of redโ and a costume change, the second half continued in much the same vein, with Kiki interspersing the songs with more anecdotes. Early up we had her big hit โAmoureuseโ, partly sung in the original French, a jazzy cover of Leonard Cohenโs โDance Me To The End Of Loveโ (featuring a touching cameo when she danced with a member of the audience whilst Carmelo commanded the stage with some fabulous guitar work). We then had a run of the pairโs own compositions โ โAmen and Goodbyeโ, โSheโs Smiling Nowโ, โYou Canโt Fix The Maybeโ and โUntil We Meet Againโ โ before finishing with an upbeat and rousing version of โIโve Got The Music In Meโ. Getting an encore was a mere formality by this stage, but their choice was a strange one โ a very quiet number entitled โIf You Ever Need Someoneโ, and a harmonised version of The Beatlesโ โBlackbirdโ. Cue lots of cheering and a great ovation.
Kiki showed us that, at 78, sheโs definitely still got it. Her voice is, expectedly, not as strong and pure as in her youth, but itโs still bloody good, hitting all the notes perfectly, and still delivering plenty of soulfulness and meaning. Carmelo demonstrated throughout to be no mere prop or accompaniment to the big star on his left, but a real guitar craftsman in his own right. His subtle and effective use of loops and pedals to add depth and colour to every number, coupled with several changes of guitars and tunings, proved a real revelation. His introductions and solos were beautifully crafted, drawing much applause, and plenty of genuine praise from Kiki.
As a duo they harmonised well, and were very clearly extremely comfortable in each otherโs company on stage. Their rapport with each other, and with the audience, added considerably to the quality and the professionalism of the show.
This was the third or fourth time Iโd seen these guys, and Iโd have to say that they only get better and better. A really solid two and a half hour show, filled with great songs, hilarious anecdotes and superb guitar work โ what more could you possibly want? I absolutely loved and, it seemed, so did the packed audience.
A cracker of a concert to kick off this yearโs Devizes Arts Festival!
The Devizes Arts Festival continues until Sunday 15th June at various venues around the town.ย Tickets can be booked at Devizes Books or online atย www.devizesartsfestival.org.ukย ย
There’s something to be said for the function duo route with universal appeal, you could be working somewhere hot! Powerhouse vocal harmony duo Reflections areโฆ
Formerly known as Judas Goat and the Bellwether, the now renamed band have announced the release of their latest single, โDrill Baby Drillโ (coming outโฆ
Photograph byย Simon Folkard It’s been a rocky road for Devizes Outdoor Celebratory Arts (DOCA) these last few years, and I didn’t mean the crushed biscuitsโฆ
Bradford-on-Avon Town Councilโs annual festival, aptly titled The Bradford on Avon Live Music Festival is back this weekend, championing local talent with an eclectic line-up of impeccable performers across its multiple venues and in association with the Wiltshire Music Centreโฆ..
The festival launched in 2022, sees music pouring out of venues across the entire town over three days of music. From indie to rock, pop, jazz and blues, there really is something for everyone at this yearโs festival. โOur town is a hub of creativity,โ organiser Katie explains, โand weโre proud to keep that spirit alive through the BOA Live Music Festival.โ
It runs from Friday 30th May to Sunday 1st June; itโs a long listed lineup, hereโs what weโve found and recommend you donโt miss if youโre attending. Throughout the weekend there will be music at eight venues: Westbury Garden, Trinity Hall (St Laurence School,) Lamb Yard, Timbrellโs Yard, The Three Horseshoes, The Castle Inn, The Canal Tavern, and of course, Wiltshire Music Centre.
On Friday 30th May at 7.30pm, Wiltshire Music Centre brings Jah Wobble & The Invaders of the Heart to the festival. As a bassist, Jah Wobble is well-known for his heavy, hypnotic bass grooves, which often serve as the backbone for atmospheric, genre-crossing tracks. Covering everything from reggae to rock, dub bass to drum and bass, and global influences, his deep, melodic, and trance-like bass is central to the experience. He will open Bradford on Avon’s Live Music Festival for the Centre, along with this band of world-class musicians- the Invaders of the Heart.
Jahโs career speaks for itself, spanning over 40 yearโs heโs played on countless albums, with performers such as PILโs John Lydon, Brian Eno, Bill Laswell, U2โs The Edge, Sinead OโConner, Primal Scream, Bjork, The Orb, The Cranberries Dolores O ฬRiordan and many more, as well as a regular on the hit TV show Never Mind the Buzzcocks.
Jah Wobble and the Invaders of the Heart at Wiltshire Music Centreis ยฃ27 / ยฃ14.50 U18s + students, but observe this special offer code: 30% off at checkout using promo code BOA30. Highly recommend it.
Also on Friday you can find The Bowie Experience, 8pm at the Trinity Hall of St Laurence School. I highly recommend Karport Collective with Jess Chivers in support at The Castle Inn. Find some carnivalism at The Three Horseshoes from 5pm with delinquent fuzz jugernaut The Bucky Rage, BullyBones and Glasgow nuggets of Kosher Pickles!ย And with Bird is the Word taking over music at The Boat House, who has Band of Others on Friday, you are spoiled for choice.
Nothing Rhymes With Orange @ The Exchange ~ The Last Big Devizes Gig
Decisions get even harder on Saturday 31st May, at the main stage at Westbury Garden youโll find Retro Electro headlining at 9pm. The penultimate act is our favourites, Nothing Rhymes with Orange. All after a lineup of Karport Collective, Feast of Fools, Funky Monkey Bubble Club, Sian & Rob Colquhoun, the incredible Becky Lawrence and the Jazz Factory.
Meanwhile, at Lamb Yard I highly recommend Melkshamโs indie pop band The Sunnies headlining at 9pm, after JPQ, JB & the Mojomakers, Lorikeet, Lone Sea Breakers, Body & Soul, and Jess Chivers from 3pm. The Castle Inn has The Relayz, Westward, This Way Up, I highly recommend Dylan Smith, Broken Focus, Lee Broderick, Joe Hunt, and I highly recommend Becky Lawrence, all from 1pm
Saturday night at โThe Shoesโ youโll find The Bucky Rage, Kitchen Lover, Kosher Pickles – Well Brined, and The Borough. The Canal Tavern has Star Shaped Pegs, Mojo & Yuji, Lloyd & Art, and Jake Lockhart. Timbrellโs Yard has Lorikeet, highly recommend Ruby Darbyshire, Sian & Rob Colquhoun, Jess Chivers, Sour Apple and Feast of Fools.
Itโs all afro-beat at Wiltshire Music Centre on Saturday with The Gasper Nali Band, highly recommend it. Famous since a film of him went viral, Gasper Nali is a not-so-traditional babatoni player from Lake Malawi. The babatoni is an African one-string home-made 3-metre long bass guitar, and with a stick and an empty beer bottle. Together with a cow skin kick drum and catchy melodies, he creates the most amazing and danceable original Afro Beats possible!
Gasper has toured the UK and Europe several times since his breakthrough video, playing in all environments from seated arts centres spaces to major festival stages. This year, Gasper will be transforming his customary one-man-band show and perform with a three-piece band for the very first time in the UK. Along for the ride is Malawi born songsmith and cultural proponent Luhangah on additional vocals and percussion, as well as Gasperโs long-time producer and collaborator Mattias Stรฅlnacke on guitars.
Gasper Nali Band: Bradford on Avon Live Music Festival at Wiltshire Music Centre starts at 7.30pm. ยฃ16 / ยฃ9 U18s + students. Another SPECIAL OFFER here: 30% off at checkout using promo code BOA30.
Sunday is the first of June, and what a way to see the month in. At The Three Horseshoes from 3pm, for some mod, funk and RnB with The Convulsions. Trinity Hall has The Hipcats: A Century of Sinatra with support from JPQ from 7.30pm, and Judas Goat & the Bell Weather from 3pm, who we highly recommend too!ย
What, again?! Another article about Talk in Code?! Haven’t they had enough Devizine-styled publicity?! Are their heads swelling?!ย Didn’t that crazy toothless editor catch them atโฆ
Valedictorian graduate of Bates College in Maine, and with a PhD in neuroscience from Harvard, neuroscientist Lisa Genova self-published her debut novel, Still Alice in 2007.โฆ
Swindon’s annual colossal fundraising event The Shuffle is a testament to local live music, which raises funds for Prospect Hospice. If you’re ever going to spendโฆ
There was a geographical population imbalance this bank holiday Monday in Devizes which risked the entire town conically sloping into the back of Morrisons; no oneโฆ
As a result of probably the most productive meeting yet, yesterday, about The Wiltshire Music Awards, we can now reveal the most amazing line-up of localโฆ
Looking for something to do next weekend? One of Wiltshireโs biggest festivals is happening just up the road in Chippenham all over the late May Bank Holiday weekend.ย Itโs also one of the largest folk festivals in the UK, and one of the longest running โ this year theyโre clocking up their 52nd festival……
The festival happens over four days at venues all over the town, and provides several streams of entertainment to suit most tastes.ย With over 650 performers already confirmed covering music concerts, workshops, dance/ ceilidhs, Morris dancing, storytelling and spoken word, and a wide range of childrenโs and other entertainment, thereโll be something going on in every town-centre street and pub, to say nothing of the thirteen dedicated stages and dance venues.ย ย
And the good news is that, aside from all the ticketed camping and music/ dance events, thereโs plenty of FREE stuff too.ย Down at Island Park thereโll be community stages, a session beer tent (run by Moongazing Hare this was highly popular last year, and Iโd thoroughly recommend it!), lots of pop-up food vendors (crepes, churros, Sri Lankan, vegan, Mexican, Japanese, ice cream etc), and craft stalls โ allย located alongside the beautiful River Avon. Itโs got a great vibe and is a good family-friendly place to relax, soak up the atmosphere, and enjoy a session and entertainment with children, family and friends.ย
But with so much going on โ you should see the bulging programme with its literally hundreds of events – we thought weโd take the chance before all the fun starts to preview and pick out some of the best stuff, and to highlight some of our favourite picks.
Overall, thereโs a brilliant line up of music concerts featuring over 75 different acts, including:
The East Pointers – hailing from Prince Edward Island in Canada. Their dancefloor-shaking, electro-trad glorious combination of folk/ pop sounds has already seen them acknowledged as musical trailblazers internationally. Their debut album Secret Victory won the 2017 JUNO Award for Traditional Roots Recording of the Year. Their 2023 EP House Of Dreams was nominated for a JUNO Award, and won Contemporary Roots Recording of the Year, Group Recording of the Year and Pop Recording of the Year at the 2023 East Coast Music Awards. Their headline show is on the Sunday night;ย
Phil Beer & Paul Downes โ two of the stalwarts of British folk music, and truly great musicians both.ย Their shows are not only musically entertaining but always delivered with great bantering humour.ย Their headlining set is on the Saturday night;ย
Miranda Sykes โ another of the folk worldโs all-time great performers, Miranda has played bass with countless bands and line-ups, and has worked for over 20 years with folk royalty Show Of Hands. In 2024 she toured with Hannah Martin, paired a new Baring-Gould Centenary project with Jim Causley, and has toured a wide range of summer festivals. Catch her on the Monday night;ย
Seth Lakeman โ will be playing material from his new album The Granite Way.ย Catapulted into the spotlight after his album Kitty Jay received a nomination for the Mercury Music Prize in 2005, since then heโs produced multiple albums, toured worldwide and participated in several high-profile collaborations, most recently with Robert Plantโs band The Sensational Shape-shifters.ย His fiddle playing is simply stunning, and a joy to behold in live performance.ย Heโll be doing his thing on the Monday afternoon.
And then thereโs a nearly forty different bands, including a great calling team for the dances and ceilidhs, with bands including Banter with Fee Lock, Sawney White Bird, Doug Eunson & Sarah Matthews, Portmanteau, Hinny & Joe Wass with callers Andrew Swaine, Bernie Culkin, Geoff Cubitt, John Stewart, Susanna Diamon, and more to meet every style.
Add to this nearly seventy different Morris sides from all over the UK, and over twenty-five childrenโs entertainers (including the simply hilarious and highly-talented Keith Donnelly), featuring music, dance, puppets, dressing up, play, workshops, meet-the-entertainer sessions, and youโve got plenty to choose from, with different things for all members of the family.
Apart from the main venues and stages, thereโll be stuff going on in just about every pub, in the main streets, and anywhere else the performers can find a space. Thereโll be some open mic sessions too.
Having been to many Chippenham Folk Festivals over the years (and indeed performed at a few!), I can highly recommend a trip out to one of Wiltshireโs best events โ itโs colourful, itโs noisy, itโs busy, but most of all, itโs entertaining!
Thereโs still a limited number of day and event tickets, as well as full weekend season tickets (with or without camping) available. Or thereโs also still time to volunteer to help with stewarding and venues (which qualifies you for a FREE ticket). All the information is on the festivalโs website, together with ticketing information at www.chippfolk.co.uk/Tickets
One could argue that Anne Frank is possibly the most well-known civilian of the WW2 years, and certainly of those totally unconnected with the machinery of war where we may consider the likes of Turing, or Barnes-Wallis etc. Itโs a name one comes across quite early in life generally โ and never leaves one. In this regard she and her diary need no further explanation (although as ever Wikipedia provides background). The stage play, by Frances Goodrich & Albert Hackett, brings Anneโs words into action, and in an intimate space such as the Wharf theatre, quite literally into your lap in the front row seats.
You could be excused if you had a preconceived idea that the play is one of horror and misery and sadness. It is โ but the mood is not as sombre as those fears overall, and there are elements that are light-hearted, joyful and uplifting. There are jokes too โ albeit admittedly black humoured ones that may raise a smile rather than a belly laugh. Yet the uglier parts of the storyline are cleverly not actually regarding the Nazi oppression of Jews and the concentration camps although that omnipresent fear is there, but of the interaction of personalities of the inhabitants of the attic. Clashes of ethos, and bigotry, constantly arise โ misogyny, social class and ephebiphobia are all displayed as a microcosm of the wider and bigoted world outside the warehouse, where petty personal quarrels despite the extreme and perilous position the group are in are never far from the surface.
The opening scenes introduce us to those in hiding โ Otto Frank (Sean Andrews), Edith Frank (Mari Webster) and their two daughters Margot (Poppi Lamb-Hughes) and Anne (Tamsin Antignani), and their guests The Van Daans (Debby Wilkinson and Steve Brookes) and their son Peter (Joe McMillan) with the late arriver Mr Dussel (Chris Underwood). They are supported by the friends on the โoutsideโ Mr. Kraler (Ian Glennie) and Miep Gies (Mitzi Baehr). The action takes place in a warehouse attic, of course, ably represented on stage with differing levels for main room, Anna and Mr Dusselโs elevated bedroom with window overlooking the street, and a roof space bedroom on a third level for Peter complete with skylight. A simple table with a couple of kitchen chairs sits centre stage, with a small kitchen at the rear.
We quickly learn each characterโs personality. Otto is a kind, generous man very much the peace maker amongst the enforced group which do not get on at all well. Edith is a well-mannered but stiff woman trying to keep her daughters, especially Anne in check, with whom she has a difficult relationship โ Anne frequently laments this. Margot emulates her motherโs simple quiet approach and studies hard. Mrs Van Daan is at first supremely gauche, but opiniated, though later succumbs to fears and terrors and her early familiarity turns to anxiety and a breakdown. Messrs Van Daan and Dussel prove to be Anneโs nemeses โ or at least unappreciative and spiteful opponents. Neither of them approves of her youthfulness and forthrightness, where Dussel is an autistic loner and Van Daan a reprehensible human being who has no good word for anybody and breaks obvious societal rules for the position they are all in. Peter is a lost boy โ oppressed by his fatherโs ire and his motherโs insouciance and control. He is an uptight lad, his only joy his cat โ at least initially. Which leaves Anne โ a boisterous, playful and obstreperous teenager with a strong mind and words to equal it, that clashes with most of the roomโs occupants throughout the show, aside from her sister and father whom she adores.
The overall atmosphere of the attic is one of social oppression โ everyone mucking in while resenting each partyโs presence โฆย the Van Daanโs view the Franks as too progressive, Peter doesnโt trust anybody, The Franks play the tight-lipped hosts, while Dussel arrives late to the group, is accused of taking up valuable food and despises the entire situation and others. It is maybe the original Big Brother houseโฆ.
The overarching storyline is Anneโs of course โ the other characters in some ways creating the background to her story. This is a story of growing up โ she was incarcerated in that attic from the ages of thirteen to fifteen and we see her move from playful child to moody but confident teenager. Her self-cognisance develops as the play progresses. And her monologues become increasingly poignant, especially with our benefit of hindsight over eighty years later. In many ways her feistiness and self-assurance seem decades ahead of her time.
The lifelines of Mr Kraler and Miep provide hope and excitement as their visits bring provisions and news. Kraler is overwhelmed by events while risking his own life for them, and Miep is the caring, doting friend, very much everybodyโs mother in her protections.
The play however is not without lighter scenes illustrating joy, highlighted by the sweet scene as the group celebrate Hannukah together โ shared prayer, food, and presents from Anne for everybody. Itโs a joyous scene, providing a relief of tension akin to the Porter scene in Macbeth, but โ just as in the wedding scene in โFiddler on The Roofโ โ it has a disturbing ending. What finally happens to these characters is well documented of course. Only Otto survives, and in real life it is he that has Anneโs diary published.
Lighting and sound throughout add wonderfully to the sombre, oppressive atmosphere, headed up as ever by The Wharfโs Tech Team. Set design โ see previous comments โ equally as ever was provided by ever excellent John Winterton. Costumes sold the period extremely well provided by Gill Barnes and her wardrobe team.
Direction was by Freddie Underwood โ Freddie visited Anne Frankโs house in Amsterdam last year and was moved to find a play to present with this amazing story. This is a tight production, with clever uses of levels and space and even with at times ten people on the Wharfโs fairly small stage it never looked crowded or crushed. Testimony to Freddieโs vision is how slickly the action and story moves along โ both the eighty-five minute first act, and hour long second act moved along timelessly with nary a slow moment.
And so to the cast, who all combined to tell Anneโs story so well. Sean Andrews as Otto embodied the loving, peace-making tribe leader so wellโฆ a reassuring presence on stage both in character and as a performer. The nuances of grief, hope, despair and love embraced smoothly. Mari Websterโs Edith was a master class in tight lipped suppression of emotions until her eventual explosion of rage and home truths โ nought to sixty in three seconds, flipping a switch, and Mari managed both, and the switch, to perfection. Poppi Lamb-Hughes was the perfect foil as Margot to Anneโs outgoing demeanour, playing the demure older sister in a peaceful, tranquil manner while indicating the inner fears that Margot must have had. It was good to see Joe McMillan return to the Wharfโs stage again, and his portrayal of Peter as the shy, reticent, lonely boy scared of his father and distanced from his mother, that blooms as his friendship with Anne develops was made to look so easy. Debby Wilkinson as Mrs Van Daan also had a changing personality to perform, from brash gaucheness to fear ridden depression and the ever-talented Debby naturally provided both with aplomb. Steve Brookes as Mr Van Daan wonderfully filled the role of most hated character with his snide remarks, dislike of younger people, and selfishness. Chris Underwood of course caught Drusselโs mean nature throughout the play as the outsider that doesnโt want to be inside. Ian Glennie in his first ever acting role showed the frailty and fear of Mr Kralerโs position to a tee, while the versatile Mitzi Baehr was wonderful in her performance of Miep Gies โฆย the compassionate, caring, selfless provider.
Which just leaves Tamsin Antignani. Aged fourteen, the same age as Anne Frank pretty much, this was a virtuoso performance for one so young. She WAS Anne Frank. A huge number of lines, constant stage movement, expressions, mood swings were all taken in Tamsinโs stride.ย A wonderful performance โ chapeau. Totally chapeau!
The play has no surprise end โ we all know what happened. And in the second act particularly passages from Anneโs diary litter her characterโs monologues providing chilling reflections of what was to be, as opposed to what was hoped for.
โI want to be a journalist. I love to writeโ. โWill I ever be able to write well? I want to so muchโ
The painful ironies here of course being Anne never survived WW2, never became a journalist. But has a book that has been translated into seventy languages and has sold over thirty million copies worldwide.
And of course โ we shall remember them. Otto ย ย ย ย Edith ย ย ย ย Margotย ย ย ย Anneย ย Hermann ย Auguste ย Peterย Fritz
We should never forget them. And as Anne says in this play
โSome dayโฆย ย ย I hopeโฆโ
โThe Diary of Anne Frankโ plays at The Wharf Theatre, Devizes, Mayย 12th-17th. The cast, crew and theatre are delighted to announce that the show is already sold out.
An effervescent musical, full of promising young talent
Written by: Melissa Loveday
Images by: Gail Foster
After the success of SIX last year, Devizes Music Academy is beginning to make a name for itself with its second musical production, Everybodyโs Talking About Jamie, which featured two electrifying performances on 19th April at Devizes Schoolโฆ.
And wow! What an incredible show it was! Bringing this musical sensation to life โ including Northern accents, multiple set and costume changes and complex dance numbers โ was ambitious. Yet after only a week of rehearsals, 23 talented young performers, aged just 13 to 18, poured their hearts and souls into a performance that was dynamic, professional and full of impressive talent. It had heart, humour and heels so high I wouldnโt be able to walk in them, let alone dance!
Everybody’s Talking About Jamie
From the opening scene, it was packed with raucous energy and perfectly delivered sass that immediately transported us to a gritty Sheffield comprehensive, where Year 11s contend with the wonderful and frightening possibilities that lie ahead of each of them. Jamie New, an openly gay 16-year-old who dreams of becoming a drag queen, was instantly likeable as he and the rest of the cast swept us into his pop-fantastic daydream โAnd You Donโt Even Know Itโ.
Everybody’s Talking About Jamie
Inspired by the BBC Three documentary Jamie: Drag Queen at 16, Everybodyโs Talking About Jamie was written by Tom MaCrae with music by Dan Gillespie Sells, from an idea by Jonathan Butterell. First produced by Sheffield Theatres, the show took Londonโs West End by storm in late 2017 and has brought infectious joy to audiences ever since.
Everybody’s Talking About Jamie
But this is a story about more than a boy wanting to wear a dress. Itโs a multi-layered tale of family and friendship, and having the courage to step into the person you were always meant to be. Set in a working-class area of South Yorkshire, England, the story is grounded in a world thatโs relatable, keeping it from becoming overly sentimental. Instead, it feels edgy and vibrant, whilst not shying away from the struggles individual characters face.
What made this amateur โTeen Editionโ so special was the thrill of watching real teenagers bring these teen characters to life. Under Jemma Brownโs expert direction, with vocal coaching by Teresa Isaacson and choreography by Sarah Davies, the cast delivered a level of talent that could easily hold its own on a West End stage.
Everybody’s Talking About Jamie
The whole ensemble was brilliantly cast, with every member delivering a believable storyline through genuine and multi-dimensional acting, powerful vocals and sharp choreography.
Jacob Leggett was made to play Jamie. At just 15, he brought the perfect mix of camp charisma and youthful innocence to the role, whilst also capturing Jamieโs wit, cheekiness and vulnerability. His rendition of โWall In My Headโ was captivating, building beautifully into an emotional crescendo that gave me chills!
Everybody’s Talking About Jamie
Meanwhile, Ruby Phipps gave Pritti, Jamieโs loyal, studious best friend, a quietly headstrong presence. Her solo โBeautifulโ was sung with elegant control, allowing each phrase the space and diction needed to feel both precise and spontaneous. Although she and other cast members werenโt Muslim, the production honoured the spirit of diversity by respectfully representing the Muslim community, complete with hijabs.
As a parent, I was moved by Lisa Grimeโs portrayal of Jamieโs mum, Margaret, especially her song โHeโs My Boyโ. It was heartfelt and mature, with excellent vocal range, and had me reflecting on the bittersweet truth that while we strive to shield our children from pain, life will inevitably hurt them, and yet we thrive on seeing them live authentically. Our children, in all their brilliance and vulnerability, are our greatest accomplishments.
Everybody’s Talking About Jamie
Another standout came from Cory White, who doubled as the school bully and Jamieโs dad, whoโs harsh lines stung, but showed subtle remorse that added depth to his characterisation.
Ted Maughan was commanding as Hugo and playful as Loco Chanelle, offering a refreshing contrast with his confident spoken-word delivery style and lively American accent.
Everybody’s Talking About Jamie
The set design was simple but effective, with props such as a balloon arch for the prom scene creating a party feel. Transitions between classroom, kitchen, bus stop and prom seemed to happen as if by magic, enhanced by effective lighting and seamless costume changes, from school uniforms to dazzling prom gowns. The spotlight reveal of Jamieโs red dress was especially powerful, leaving the audience wanting more.
Dynamic choreography and colourful harmonies elevated the production, from coordinated group numbers to breakout moments allowing individual characters to shine. Particularly memorable was the schoolgirls’ clapping routine in โSpotlightโ, reminding us of the charactersโ young age, while a dance duet between Cory White and Chloe Whitcombe during Margaretโs โIf I Met Myself Againโ added a poignant, dreamlike quality to the song. But I especially loved the title number โEverybodyโs Talking About Jamieโ, which kicked off Act II, with its excited, gossipy feel, as multiple characters bounced their individual lines off each other before erupting into an energetic and synchronised dance sequence that had the whole room buzzing!
Everybody’s Talking About Jamie
Itโs genuinely hard to believe this was amateur musical theatre. The level of professionalism, emotional authenticity and pure talent displayed by every single cast member absolutely blew me away. These young performers truly brought a little bit of glitter to the grey.
With so much promising young talent on our doorstep, it begs the question: whatโs next Devizes Music Academy? Whatever it is, I canโt wait!
You can catch an abridged version of Everybodyโs Talking About Jamie at the Fulltone Festival, The Green, Devizes, on Friday 25 July. For tickets, visit www.fto.org.uk
The premise is really quite simple, the prospect is positively glowing with brilliance, the result remains to be seen, but on Sunday the 4th May Devizes will know for sure where the future of events in the town rests โฆ.. No pressure Devizes Yea team!!
It was never a nice thing to have to announce our beloved Street Festival had to be cancelled due to arts funding cuts, but being as the Market Place was booked for an event on the date, Devizes Outdoor Celebratory Arts are determined to put on a show regardless.
The fantastic part to all this is that DOCA has brought together teenage volunteers to create a new annual festival in Devizes Market Place, under the name Yea Devizes. The most important thing for all to note about this is, this is not the street festival, nor a replacement for it, it should not be compared to it, and most important of all, it is NOT just for teenagers. Even if the committee of organisers are youths, this event welcomes everyone, of all ages.
DOCA say they โnoticed very few young adults attended traditional local events and therefore sought out youth ambassadors eventually creating Devizes Youth Event Area (Devizes Yea). The youth volunteers wanted to represent their own interests, making local events appeal to our young adults. Theyโre using their skills and collaboration to create this festival, with an aim of bringing together all generations of our community.โ
I met up with the team at their weekly planning meeting, and over a massive map of the Market Place, plastered with sticky notes highlighting all the great ideas theyโve collectively worked on, I was mightily impressed. Under the direction of DOCA expert Annabel, Elsie, Bea, Jo, and Sam are the Devizes Yea core ambassadors, learning the tricks of the events trade, and likely how much hard work goes on behind the scenes to create large scale eventsโฆ. and thereโs more than you imagine.
Jess, my daughter, just joined as press officer, (which puts us ahead of the game of telling you about it!) But Devizes YEA are still looking for teenage volunteers to help in the build-up to and the event itself. So, if you are a young person living in the local area and want to get involved contact: yeadevizes@docadevizes.org.uk or find out more on the DOCA website or Instagram.
โThere will be something for everyone at this outdoor event,โ Devizes Yea promises, โwith a range of live music, circus acts, poetry open mics, plot35 Devizes community gardening, cooking demonstrations, food traders and more. There are also chances for teenagers to get involved on the day with sound tech and learn from professional sound engineers who will be setting up the main stage.โ
We think this is a great idea, and look forward to seeing the results. Oh, and wish them all the best of luck with the first event on 4th May, obviously. This could be the start of something amazing, and I must stress the point once again, that this day is designed and intended to be for everyone, not just our younger residents. Even middle-aged young-at hearts, duty bound to show them how itโs done on the dancefloor; Dad-dancing mode switched to crazy legs… and I’m off, nobody attempt to stop me!!
Two people asked me in Frome what the music scene was like in Devizes. I replied it’s great, but by comparison it’s conventional, and this was prior to witnessing the sublime close encounter which was Hengeโฆ..
Before you read further, note, I use the word โweirdโ as a compliment. But yes indeedy, those friendly aliens, who take the term space-rock literally, landed their interstellar craft at Frome’s glorious centrepiece The Cheese & Grain last night for an eccentric, electric showdown of universal proportion. It was, in short, out of this world.
Excited about catching Henge live after fondly reviewing their album Journey to Voltus B in January, it was every bit as enthralling as I’d have imagined. The Cheese was brimful of kindly weirdos akin to the rooftop scene in the popcorn-munching abomination that is Independence Day; other than no one punched an alien like Will Smith! From aspiring space cadets to ageing hippies and middle-aged ravers, Henge remotely charged their plasma ball hats and casted a musical tractor beam over them, compulsing them to dance.
With phasers set to fun, Henge launched their wild show much like the energetic take off sequence of their latest album, and I pondered if they plotted to play out the album and be done with it, as is a common occurrence for established earthbound bands; not a chance, us humans were bequeathed a cosmic, extraterrestrial proportioned party.
There’s a space journey narrative to the album which includes an Orb-esque plodding ambient period of hypersleep, a convenient opportunity for them to avoid, and divert the live journey to play some past album tracks, to keep the show’s pace consistent. These aliens of superior knowledge and proficiency made a wise choice, the place was positively throbbing.
Here’s the music which should’ve been playing in the Cantina scene of Star Wars. Here’s the music which would’ve caused both Miles Davis and Eat Static to have seizures. It’s jazzy, uptempo electronic skullduggery somewhere between prog-rock and trance techno, perhaps, or rather, in a field of their own playful invention.
Yet to pigeonhole it would take a textbook of notes. Henge are toytown, rave vaudeville, a guitar circus in space; they’re alien, unique and clearly on a higher plane of existence. The beauty of them is, they want to share it with you, lovingly. As a spectator you are welcomed on their, what’s best described as, an encapsulating musical space trip.
They analysed our planet, took a murky sample of the River Frome, and advised on the best path for the future of humankind; seemingly to demilitarise and direct its funding towards either ecological revitalisation or space colonisation, and they mastered it hilariously with a peacenik singalong finale.
But they did so as they did with everything, an uplifting sonic musical experience, the likes I’ve never seen before, and I’ve raved with glow sticks at Longleat’s UFO Club, partied worldwide, done, dusted and worn the T-shirt out of many a groundbreaking festival. This was on another planet, truly fantastic; please abduct me again sometime soon!
I’ve seen some weird street theatre in my years on this planet, but I awoke this morning, trying to recollect if I’d ever seen any musical band as weird as Henge. I’d like to say I hadn’t, but an earth half-hour prior I witnessed the support act.
A rib-tickling one-man-band Mancunian hedge monkey called Paddy Steer, who, dressed in the single-most bizarre illuminated space-wizard costume ever, delighted us with a set of experimental percussion and low-fi fluctuations, the likes you’ve never heard before. If Henge owned the mothership, Paddy was his own microsatellite, orbiting a stratosphere of his own mind-bending imagination, and it was as equally mind-blowing as it was hilarious and engagingly original.
Paddy Steer has found a new level of eccentricity. They broke the mould when they built this alien Gandalf come Frank Sidebottom, on a mushroom journey to Lala Land with S Clay Wilson, and his music is inspired by the fable of it. Making the Mad Professor seem sane, he kept a perfect instrumental harmony as his decorative kit wobbled and a billion and one leads dropped out of their ports, much to the frustration of the sound engineer, but with nonchalant precision and scratch of his wizard beard, Paddy amused the audience by continuing nonetheless, profoundly. It was something to behold and impossible to wipe the smile off your face until Paddy had packed up and returned safely back to Discworld.
Together they made for the kind of fantastically bizarre gig you’ll never find in Devizes, unless you intoxicated yourself with mushrooms and imagined the whole thing. It remains to be fact, Frome is the diverse local centre for counterculture and the eccentrically creative; Henge and Paddy fit like a glove, if The Ozric Tentacles were born here. But it was my second night in Frome, after a Dadโs taxi adventure saw me drop the kids off at the Cheese for Lucy Spraggan on Thursday, a kind of Gen Z Lily Allen.
Lucy Spraggan on Thursday, local rural skullduggery with The Wurzels on Friday, and space adventuring rave circus aliens Henge on Saturday, The Cheese & Grain is punching above Fromeโs weight. To trek elsewhere in the town might not be as bustling, but certainly doesnโt disappoint. From the Merlin Theatre to The Sun and 23 Bath Street, entertainment options are vast here, but when in Frome, I did as the Fromans and found solace while waiting for the kidโs gig to end, at the Rye Bakery by Frome station.
Hereโs a hidden gem wine bar, pizzeria and generally cool hangout away from the live music tourist trail, hosting music Thursday and Saturday nights, in which our own Jon Amor Trio appear on the 24th. For our entertainment on this particular Thursday some groovy modern jazz was supplied proficiently by a quartet called Fushal. They were wonderful, the whole scene is, I might relocate and call this blog Fromzine, if only those aliens of Henge would land here again!
Whilst dispersing highly flammable hydrocarbon gases into the atmosphere is not advisory, Butane Skies is a name increasingly exploding on local circuits. The young andโฆ
The excitement and hope generated by Jeremy Corbyn and Zarah Sultana announcing a new political party has reached Swindonโฆ.. A broad range of people haveโฆ
If I was bowled over backwards by Rubyโs teaser single last week, its title, Crowned Lightbringer, now also belongs to this five-track EP, released today,โฆ
Image: John Kisch Legendary songwriter and original Stranglers frontman Hugh Cornwell has announced a run of UK dates this November, accompanied by special guests Theโฆ
It was a fantastically successful opening night for Devizes Musical Theatre at Dauntseyโs School for their latest show, Disneyโs Beauty and the Beast, and I returned home still singing Be My Guest and Gaston; they’re still stuck in my head now truth be told, and I’m not usually one for musicals!
Remaining faithful to Disneyโs 1991 adaption of the French fairy tale by Barbot de Villeneuve, widely regarded as one of the greatest animated films of all time, new director Georgia Watson and the entire team at Devizes Musical Theatre pulled out all the stops last night; amateur dramatics has never been this good, surely?!
Already clued up on the plot, as my daughter had a โthingโ for the film when little, didn’t prevent me thoroughly enjoying this show, rather itโs likely it aided it; familiarity transformed from film to stage is kingpin to a universally welcomed musical, which this is. Aside from the stellar performances, it was arduously and thoughtfully produced with attention to detail, especially the costume design; they were brilliant. Easy for a cartoonist, but how do you recreate inanimate objects such as a clock and teapot as characters on stage, I wondered beforehand, but not now!
And in this, commendations in particular go to Tia Shafee and Oli Beech, also Sarah Williams, Natalie Angus and Claire Abraham, all for adding those comical elements as candlesticks, clocks and teapots. Yet it was up to Georgia Saunders to add the sparkle, as the compassionate bookworm protagonist Belle, and her relationships with Samuel Phillis as the troubled Beast, Gareth Lloyd as the bawdy egomaniac Gaston, and Graham Day portraying her troubled inventor father, all of which were played confidently and rapturously.ย ย
Interactions between Gareth and his literal sidekick LeFou, played with camp hilarity by Adam Sturges were comedy gold, as was the โsilly girlsโ fighting for Gastonโs affections, Georgia Claridge, Mimi Martin, Laura Bartle, and Bronwyn Hall. With special shout to Pip Emm who was last nightโs Chip, a role which takes on a different young actor each performance, everyone on that stage looked to be loving the spotlight and this enthusiasm shone through, reflecting back off the audience in awe.
It never fails to amaze me how much work and effort goes into Devizes Musical Theatreโs shows, and how professional they are. Beauty & The Beast runs until Saturday 5th April, with a matinee performance on the final Saturday. Ticket holders are in for a real treat, anyone looking for a ticket should act fast as the last rose petal is about to drop; last look there were some left for tonight, the rest is already sold out. At ยฃ16 a pop, youโd pay more at the bar in a West End theatre for a glass of fizzy pop, or for parking.
Atmospherically anthemic and reinforced with that infectious rhythmic groove weโve come to love Talk in Code for, More Than Friends is chockfull of it, andโฆ
by Mick Brian With Sandcastles Productions marking its debut production with Charlie McGuireโs original play Glass House, the cast and crew behind this production are clearlyโฆ
Wiltshire Music announces a new season for Autumn Winter: and the first under the new leadership of Daniel Clark, Artistic Director and Sarah Robertson, Executiveโฆ
If youโve seen Jess Self performing at the Wharf Theatre, singing at the FullTone Festival or elsewhere Iโm certain youโll agree with us; Jess hasโฆ
It’s been a wonderful summer’s weekend, in which I endeavoured to at least poke my nose into the fabulous FullTone Festival, despite being invited toโฆ
Itโs only the beginning of the Easter school holibobs and your little ones are already making a racket upstairs; what do you do? Is it wine oโclock already? Devizes Outdoor Celebratory Arts might have another answer – a free drumming workshop!
From Monday 7th April to Wednesday 9th, DOCA have Junk Street Drumming workshops with the Drum Runners, at the Baptist Church on Sheep Street Devizes. Itโs free, you can make your own instrument from recycled materials and learn to create some great rhythms using drums provided, some are even made from old bicycle wheels!
Drum Runners offers educational and fun outdoor workshops throughout the UK, to bring people and skills together. Energy, rhythm, culture and eco awareness for community events. You can find out more about them HERE, otherwise get drumming!
They run from 2pm to 4:30pm, Mon 7th April is for ages 12+. Tuesday 8th April is for families and all ages are welcome. Wednesday 9th April is for ages 12+.
Tickets for the headline acts at Devizes Arts Festival are up for grabs now, and the rest will follow for general release on April 28th, unless you become a โfriendโ of the festival, in which case it will be the 7th Aprilโฆand why wouldnโt you?!
We all love Devizes Arts Festival here at Devizine, which opens on Friday 30st May and runs right up to Sunday 15th June. If you promise not to go breaking my heart, Iโll tell you whatโs happening thereโฆyeah, I know, you couldnโt if you tried!!
The festival opens with headliners, Kiki Dee & Carmelo Luggeri at the Corn Exchange on the evening of Friday 30th, and an exhibition by local landscape artist David OโConnor, who draws inspiration from Paul Nash, and ceramicist Richard Phethean. The exhibit will run throughout the festival at White Chalk Gallery in the Old Swan Yard.
Saturday 31st May sees multi-award-winning teacher, composer and organist Chris Totney returning to Devizes to give this yearโs Festival Organ Recital; one of the very first times youโll get to experience the new pipe organ that has taken the best part of a year to install in St Johns Church. Followed by one of the UKโs finest Latin bands, KโChevere, at the Corn Exchange.ย
Sunday 1st June, thereโs a walk with Judy Hible of Wiltshire Geology Group, and furniture-maker Stewart Linford hosts a fascinating and informative talk on โLuxury in Woodโ at the Peppermill (free fringe event.) But all eyes will be on the skies, when space scientist and BAFTA-nominated presenter of โThe Sky at Nightโ Maggie Aderin-Pocock, pops in for an inspiring exploration of the universe.
Monday 2nd is time to get interactive, in a writing session with members of Devizes Writersโ Group, exploring writing fiction or nonfiction, one of the first workshops at the festival this year. Tuesday sees an enthralling and earth-moving evening of gardening talk with TVโs top gardener Frances Tophill. Wednesday is the turn of bestselling crime and thriller writer Felix Francis, for a fascinating talk on mysteries in the world of thoroughbred horse-racing. And Conan Doyle expert David Stuart Daviesโ โSherlock Holmes: The Last Act,โ directed by award-winning director Gareth Armstrong, plays at the Wharf Theatre, with a second performance on Thursday. Also find guitarist and singer-songwriterAnna Ling at St Andrews on Thursday.
Friday 6th, join Rowdeโs only botanical artist and author, Ann Swan, for a workshop in her studio, while ceramicist Keith Brymer Jones will talk about his life as a creative potter and his experiences as a judge of The Great Pottery Throwdown at The Corn Exchange.
Saturday 7th June, and youโll find the Sunday Times bestselling author of โMiss Austenโ, Gill Hornby talking with Mark Jones from Fantasy Radio, a demonstration by the Devizes Regency Dancers (free fringe event,) and an electrifying country show with all-female Country Chicks.
Another walk on Sunday, gosh, they do like their Sunday walks, this time with Wiltshire Wildlife Trustโs Nick Self, conservation lead for North Wiltshire. Then itโs over to The British Lion for some Welsh frontier roots music with Whiskey River, (free fringe event.)
Monday 9th June you can join print-maker Hannah Cantellow at her Printmaking Studio in Rowde, or learn some crossword secrets from Times Puzzle Master Tim Moorey, who has been solving Times crosswords for over 50 years, on Tuesday. Tuesday also sees virtuoso clarinettist Sarah Williamson and soloist and chamber musician Simon Callaghan.
Wednesday 11th sees singer-songwriter Miranda Pender presenting a darkly humorous talk which includes five original songs based around some of the more bizarre stories unearthed from her family history. And Two Queens, One Nation at the Wharf Theatre, Miriam Cooperโs one-woman show exploring the unavoidable collision of dynamic sovereigns and cousins, Elizabeth I and Mary Queen of Scots.
Photographer and naturalist Stephen Davis is at the Cheese Hall on Thursday 12th, and jazz saxophonist Julian Costello brings his quartet to the Town Hall.
Friday is comedy night as Mark โTaskmasterโ Watson, celebrates twenty years in standup. Multi-award-winner, YouTube cult figure, Radio 4 favourite and recently โBaby Reindeerโ actor, Mark comes to Devizes after seasons at the Adelaide, Melbourne, Sydney and Edinburgh comedy festivals.
Author of English Civil War historical fiction series โDivided Kingdomโ, Charles Cordell is with us on Saturday 14th June. His writing has received high praise in editorial and readersโ reviews alike, his latest novel, โThe Keys of Hell and Deathโ, is set between Wiltshire and Somerset in July 1643. Followed by the Bath Male Choir in St Johns, and Torbayโs five-piece 80s party band Riviera Dogs at the Corn Exchange.
For the final day of Devizes Arts Festival, Sunday 15th June, author Charles Cordell finishes his talk with a guided walk and discussion of the Siege of Devizes in July 1643. Journalist, writer, and experienced skydiver Sally Smith is at Devizes Books talking about her book โMagnificent Women and Flying Machines.โ And Bath-based instrumental jazz-infused blend of Levantine mystery, Balkan passion and Latin rhythms quintetย Radio Banska bring the Arts Festival to a dynamic close at the Cellar Bar. Both of these last two events are free fringe events.
Devizes annual orchestral festival, FullTone got underway yesterday afternoon with a showcase of local talent from Devizes Music Academy,ย and finalised Friday night with theirโฆ
A feast of Salisbury musicians have recorded the single Edge of Reason, a powerful tribute to the irreplaceable ThomโฏBelk, a champion of Salisburyโs music sceneโฆ
Devizes Food & Drink Festival launched their 2025 programme of events today. Running from Saturday 20th to the 28th September, the Box Office opens onlineโฆ
With your standard festivals two-to-a-penny, some consisting of not much more than a bloke with a guitar in a pub selling undercooked and overpriced hotdogs,โฆ
Contemplated headlining this โClash of the Titans,โ but that evokes the idea of a dramatic power struggle with fierce consequences rather than proof Devizes canโฆ
Popular award-winning artisan chocolate business Hollychocs has announced that its Beanery Cafรฉ will close on Saturday 23rd August, marking exactly two years since its openingโฆ
by Ian Diddamsimages by Sandcastle Productions A very new addition to Bath based theatre companies, Sandcastles Productions brings their self penned piece of theatre toโฆ
Last week, I had the privilege of seeing the Fulltone Orchestra perform at the beautiful Tewkesbury Abbey beneath the Peace Doves art installation.…
The entire concert was breathtaking, divided into two halves. The first featured a mixture of orchestral pieces and solos, beginning with the theme from Blue Planet, which was my favourite piece of the evening. The acoustics of the church, combined with the sheer talent of the orchestra, completely captivated the audience. It felt as though, if you closed your eyes, you could almost believe you were watching the programme itself.
This half included a range of music, including a stunning violin solo that provided a striking contrast to the rest of the programme. It concluded with a wonderful rendition of Youโll Never Walk Alone, which was the perfect piece to lead into the second half.
The second half featured Karl Jenkinsโ The Peacemakers, performed by the Fulltone Chorus and Orchestra. There was a fascinating contrast between the different pieces – some were slow and melodic, while others were more rousing and intense. Many had African and Celtic influences, with a driving beat towards the end.
To me, it felt as though the music gradually built in intensity, symbolising the lengths to which people will go in their pursuit of peace. The concert ended with a powerful crescendo that left me feeling both hopeful and deeply moved. Performing this music beneath the Peace Doves installation felt so intentional and uplifting; hearing music about striving for peace in such a setting truly enhanced the experience.
The variety of music worked beautifully together, giving the impression that it represented the world itself – how it changes and how our approaches to peace evolve over time. The inclusion of words from great peace leaders such as Nelson Mandela and Martin Luther King Jr. made the performance feel deeply personal, yet simultaneously vast in its significance.
This was my first time attending a concert of this kind, and I found it profoundly moving. The passion and dedication of the performers were evident in every note, and I experienced a wide range of emotions throughout. If you ever have the opportunity to see the Fulltone Orchestra and Chorus in one of their upcoming projects, I would highly recommend it – it is a truly special experience.
Pip is sixteen and studying film at college, with the hope of becoming a journalist.We wish Pip all the best with her career and are grateful for allowing us to publish this insightful and brilliantly written review.
Without sounding like a stuck record, itโs the same unfortunate news for Devizes Street Festival as it was last year; Arts Council England has not awarded DOCA funding for their programme of summer events in 2025โฆ..
DOCA was sorry to announce today, a spokesperson saying, โfunding across the country has diminished significantly and demand for it has increased. As a result our already small staff team will be reduced to a minimum as we try to secure funding for the future.โ
โThis means that the Street Festival cannot go ahead as intended on 4th & 5th May. We will, however, still be delivering an exciting event in town that weekend. The YEA Devizes project (Youth Event Area Devizes,) which has been funded by National Grid, will present a youth-led event in the Market Place, created and delivered by the incredible young people of our town.โ
Devizes Yea would like to connect with other community groups and individuals, so if you are a young person interested in being a part of it, or an organisation or club that would like to support the event please get in touch at: yeadevizes@docadevizes.org.uk ( For all non-youth related enquiries please use info@docadevizes.org.uk)
Alongside this DOCA will host Grow Devizes that weekend, a concept that encourages and combines both growth in nature, and growth in our community. To this end, the Out and About project will take the performing arts out into a rural village and in turn invite people from those areas back into all they do in town.
โWe are still navigating the best way forward for our other summer events,โ DOCA continues, โsuch as Colour Rush, Confetti Battle, Picnic in The Park and Carnival, working with our partners around town and funders to come up with the best solution. Please bear with us while we consider all available options and weโll update you as we know more about each specific event.โ
This was such a special event in Devizes, loved by all. It is such a shame to hear this terrible news for a second year running. The effects of the governmentโs 16% cut in real terms across the UK to arts funding since 2017 is beginning to impact significantly on free events such as town carnivals and village fetes.
Earlier this month Wiltshire Council confirmed an increase in funding to its arts and heritage partners. The council funds four arts organisations across the county; Pound Arts in Corsham, Trowbridge Town Hall Arts, Wiltshire Creative in Salisbury and Wiltshire Music Centre in Bradford on Avon. Funding also goes to Wiltshire Museum and Salisbury Museum.
We support, of course we do, all additional funding for arts in the county, but Devizes gets zilch for arts. They stated this demonstrates WC, โis committed to the delivery of culture in the county by agreeing to uplift each of its grants to arts and heritage partners by 10% in 2025/26.โ Yet this excludes every charitable event organisation in the county dedicated to providing arts and culture freely, as while many of their heritage partners fundraise for important charities, all events at the venues require tickets.
The failing of funding for community events is the remnants of a conservative austerity ethos that arts and entertainment will only be available to those able to pay for it, and if Wiltshire Council were as thoroughly dedicated to arts and culture as the claim they are, they would provide budgets for town carnivals as well as the ticketed venues affiliated with them. Instead, and to illustrate by example, one of our Conservative town and county councillors and area board managers criticised the beloved Street Festival for not having a โdiverse audience.โ
The statement was, obviously, poppycock and only made to favour profit-making events in the town; Street Festival was, by a country mile, the most diverse event Devizes has ever seen and attracted the most diverse audience, being it was free and open to all.
Street Festival was a true colourful display of music, arts and theatre, and was once a testament to all which can be accomplished freely when a community comes together. It is heart-breaking to have to mention the event in the past tense, but this sad news today casts a shadow over any hope the Street Festival will ever return.
by Ian Diddamsimages by Ian Diddams, Next Stage Theatre Company and Mike Stevens Florian Zeller is a contemporary French playwright and screenwriter, who received criticalโฆ
Rude to walk into an event sporting another event wristband but the welcome was friendly as ever at the Three Crowns in Devizes. It’s mid-afternoon,โฆ
If youโve popped into Wiltshire Music Centre recently; for a concert, workshop, screening orย even a meeting, you might have noticedโฏchanges in the foyer: recorded music,โฆ
Photo credit: David Leigh Dodd Pioneers of the indie-rock sound which would lead us into the nineties, Transvision Vamp lead singer Wendy James has announcedโฆ
By Ian DiddamsImages by Luke Ashley Tame of Acadia Creative Around 2 million women are victims of violence perpetrated by men every year, thatโs 3,000โฆ
Family run premier auctioneers of antiques and collector’s items, Henry Aldridge and Son announced a move into The Old Town Hall on Wine Street, Devizes;โฆ
By Ian DiddamsImages by Ian Diddams and Shakespeare Live Is it post watershed? Then I shall beginโฆ The etymology of the word โNothingโ is quiteโฆ โฆ
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If Devizes boasts an abundance of independent gift shops of unique and exquisite or often novelty items in the face of a national pandemic of boarded up storefronts, itโs saddening to hear today The Emporium on St Johns Street is to closeโฆ..
It has been a stalwart in our town centre for generations, as long as I can recall, and it has seen off a number of similar shops. Once of a dark green faรงade, it was a creaking floorboard cavern, a treasure trove of curious and peculiar shiny things, from vintage clothes and Indian rugs, to charming novelty gifts and titillating joke books!
Teresa Garraud opened the shop in 1981 and ran it until retiring in 2019. The owners of the last decade Kate Suter and Kelly Harford reinvented it, gave it a fresher white design, and offered luxury gift items through the adjoining K Collection shop, but also adhered to keep it within the spirit Ms Garraud created, and has always been known and loved for.
At one point in recent history it was one of few places charms of such could be found in Devizes, now it seems itโs innovation has seen a blossoming of similar gift shops, online ones too, and with the growing popularity of craft fairs. If it sadly looked as if this is the last we will see of it, we now believeย new owners have been found but are we are yet to know if they intend to continue trading as The Emporium or if products stocks will be similar.
The Emporium told its Facebook followers, โThe Emporium is closing downโฆAll stock now half price!โ and has not replied to the huge response in the comments section as townsfolk, flocking to show their respect for the gift shop:
โSuch a great shop for gifts. One of my favourites.” “I’ve bought so many lovely gifts for people from here.โ โLove your shop. Been going in here since I was 8 years old, I am 50 this year.โ โI spent hours in there when growing up buying scented rubbers and notepaper.โ โGreat memories of spending my pocket money in here 35+ years ago!!โ And many others comments of sympathy and fond recollections are flooding in.
Times change, Amazon has some great coupons for similar products. You should see HERE for some great codes and discounts.
We have been informed unofficially that someone is seeking to continue to run a shop at the location, but perhaps not in its current format. We wish Kate Suter and Kelly Harford our best wishes for the future.
Amidst another packed summer weekend’s schedule laid that lovable large village Pewseyโs turn to shine; always a law unto itself, things went off; if itโsโฆ
Experience the Bradford on Avon Green Man Festival, a vibrant, family-friendly community gathering featuring traditional dance, music, song, and folklore throughout the town centre on Saturday 10th May 2025 (9.30am to 6pm). And the best part is, it’s free!
Witness over 50 dance groups, including 500 dancers and 120 musicians, featuring Morris dancing and diverse European styles.
Join the whimsical journey of our 10ft tall Jack in the Green and Jill in the Green, visiting 12 town centre venues with bands and fantasy beasts.
You’ll also discover the kid’s zone, artisan market, community hub, pagan arts and crafts.
Groove to a samba band, mummers’ play, Folk Club stage, Wiltshire Music Centre stage at Holy Trinity Church, a great venue with fantastic acoustics, Blues @ The Shoes stage, live pub music with English folk music in The Canal Tavern organised by the regular BoA session players, The Dandy Lion hosting an Appalachian session, French music outside in the sun at Timbrellโs Yard, buskers and more!
A Friday night launch party at the Wiltshire Music Centre is always a great start to the festival. This year it is on Friday 9th May, and theyโve booked the fantastic John Martyn Project.
The full programme is available on the BoA Green Man Festival website: boagreenmanfest.org
The BoA Green Man Festival has something for everyone โ so dress up for the day and really get into the swing of things.
Britpop icons Supergrass will headline Frome Festival as a fundraising event for grassroots community action group โPeople for Packsaddleโ who are fighting to save aโฆ
Another Triumph for WHO Andy Fawthrop Following the excellent recent production of La Belle Helene at Devizesโ Wharf Theatre back in March (see here), Whiteโฆ
Five Have An Out-of-town Experience You canโt always get that live music experience you crave by simply staying within the walls of D-Town.ย Sometimes, andโฆ
By Ian DiddamsImages by Josie Mae-Ross and Charlotte Emily Shakespeare wrote several plays that were termed in the late nineteenth century โProblem Playsโ. These wereโฆ
Together in Electric Dreamsโฆ. at The Corn Exchange Fashionably late for Devizes Arts Festival, I’d like to thank Andy and Ian for informative coverage ofโฆ
No aficionado of 1960s and 1970s horror films would have missed seeing โRosemaryโs Babyโ, a story of Satanic pregnancy, based on the book by Ira Levin. Shortly after that bookโs release, Levin write a stage play โVeronicaโs Roomโ which followed โRosemaryโs Babyโ tone of horror with a disturbing, psychological thriller.
The Wharfโs production opens with a furniture draped bedroom, which is soon revealed to be Veronicaโs room. The entire play is set in this room which in itself gives off a creepy, dark atmosphere; you can almost smell the mustiness of the dingy, sparsely furnished bedroom. A bed, chaise-longue, table and chairs, wardrobeโฆย and a barred window. Director John Winterton and his team designed and created the set and its ominous undertones, and the tech team produce eery lighting, subtly and extremely effectively fitting for this play. Without providing spoilers it’s however fine to say the costumes required for the story fit the requirements perfectly. And as ever Gill Barnes and the costume team have come up trumps to further set the period and the characterisations.
Itโs a short play timewise โ two acts comprising eighty minutes in total, plus an interval. But it is far from short with plot twists and turns, and as each new piece of information unfolds, we are drawn into a darker and more sinister world each time. The cast of four work well together to deliver Levinโs increasingly twisted story, with Johnโs direction keeping the pace exactly right at all times.
Jax Brady plays The Woman, embracing all the mood swings and dialects with ease, the perfect loving partner to The Man played by Gary Robson, whose sombre delivery is befitting of his characterโs inner turmoil and glimmers of hope, of his love for The Woman whilst uneasy with their shared knowledge. Abigail Baker plays The Girl around whom the plot centres; at first brazenly flirtatious, then finally broken, desperate and terrified. The Young Man โ the object of The Girlโs desires – is played by Cameron Williams who also has challenging characterisation and manages it sublimely.
It would be fair to say that โVeronicaโs Roomโ is also challenging for the audience โ it is a horror, and a psychological one at that, preying on oneโs mind. Levinโs story is a slow burner to begin with but as Act 2 in particular progresses it becomes a runaway train with hard hitting realisations developing the full horror coming thick and fast. The cast and crew have created a super rendition of Levinโs story that will surely have you checking under your bed when you go to sleep afterwardsโฆ
โVeronicaโs Roomโ is performed at The Wharf Theatre, Devizes January 2th to February 1st at 7.30pm each evening.
If I had to be magically turned into a candlestick or a teapot, I believe Iโd rather be a teapot than have a wax candle on fire wedged into the top of my head! Fear not, itโs not a worry Iโm losing any sleep over, rather the kind of bizarre fleeting notion which popped into my mind when previewing Devizes Musical Theatreโs next production, Beauty & The Beastโฆ.
The wardrobe is definitely out of the question, anyway I digress! For if thereโs one local amateur theatre collective to make you question the definition of โamateurโ itโs Devizes Musical Theatre, in my experience. To pay a kingโs ransom for a West End production is to expect, much less assume, youโre in for a treat, but to see the dedication and hours of labour which goes into an amateur production like those of Devizes Musical Theatre, is the surprise element, that the magic isnโt so far from a professional production.
So, get ready, Gaston, for a tale as old as time, as Devizes Musical Theatreโs curtain is rising once again for Beauty and the Beast. Itโs running from Wednesday 2nd April โ Saturday 5th April 2025, at Dauntsey’s Schoolโs Memorial Hall in West Lavington and tickets are available now at www.devizesmusicaltheatre.co.uk or Devizes Books.
Devizes Musical Theatreโs last sold-out show was Sister Act back in March 2024, of which I reviewed and said โitโs the combination of their motivation and exceptional effort which makes this such a dynamic show, coupled with the elementary notion, Sister Act has universal appeal and is simply fun on a stick!โ But no one listens to me, so please note the show was nominated for Best Musical and Best Publicity at the prestigious Rose Bowl Awards.
โTickets are already flying off the shelves,โ weโre informed, so donโt miss your chance to experience the magic of live theatre right here in our community. Whether you laughed with the nuns, hissed at Curtis and his baddies in Sister Act, or youโre a newcomer to the DMT productions, this show is guaranteed to leave you spellbound; be their guests, be their guests, be their guests!
All other image usage here was credited on the original articles, to locate sources again would take a long time, so please accept my apologises. If you see an image you own and wish to be credited for it, please ask. Thank you.
Okay so, three days into 2025 and my chicken kiev parped at me. Is this an augury?! A prediction of how this year is going to play out?! Even my dinners will be farting in my general direction? Que sera sera, weโre not looking forwards, weโre looking backwards, at how 2024 passed here at Devizine Towersโฆ..
Start with stats, โcos after 2023โs doubling on hits from 2022, we failed to make a similar hike, achieving about 9% less hits than 2023. Iโm not going to lose sleep over it, it was a great year, but figure thereโs a few reasons for this drop. Firstly, despite a shock general election, Iโve tried to avoid controversy and local political satirical slants as much as possible. Unfortunately itโs often me playing the grumpy old toad which gains attention, but I really wanted to focus more on arts and entertainment news, as thatโs our ethos, the spoof and opinion articles are just me, abusing the platform to magisterially backseat drive.
Result, though; we rid ourselves of Tory tyrants, in parliament at least, thereโs still work to be done to obliterate the impact and ingrained cluelessness of elitist robbery of the working class and have a fairer system for all. Whatโs my opinion of Starmer so far? Not impressive, thatโs for sure, but by comparison with the circus of thieves which was the last government I think weโre in a better place overall. Iโm certainly not going to jump the bandwagon in disparaging him, knowing the alternative is this growing trend for fascism. Though itโs not the shouty sort of fascism of the Third Reich, itโs more ignorance is bliss, pie n chips, pint in hand C3PO gammon nescience. But, enough said about that!
Other reasons for the slight drop in hits could be due to the rising cost, my own fatigue and motivation to head out; I do worry what will become of Devizine with my aging and possible inability to get to gigs and events. A massive thank you must go to our contributors, then. Though submissions can be sporadic, we always need budding writers, especially younger ones to keep what weโve built here, and report on happenings, because left up to local press weโd be doomed; they seem to favour national clickbait headlines over supporting local arts and entertainment, but likely they deem it is their only way to keep their heads above financial waters. I can’t blame them, but I can have a sly quip or two about it!
It is the accolades we receive from those talented locals which we promote and highlight which keeps me going with Devizine, and I thank them for motivating me. That is therefore where the concentration should be now, not on politics.
Another is top secret, but if youโve been contemplating that Devizine simply isnโt funny anymore, Iโll reveal my best jokes are being saved for a book Iโm near to finishing. I think youโll like it, itโs absolute filth! And lastly, currently Iโm so utterly fed up with social media. Itโs all so bloody serious, nothing is taken with a pinch of salt, nothing is carefree or amusing. And if I do publish something on there for fun, the jokes fly over someoneโs head, they take it the wrong way, get offended and execute a witch hunt against me. Itโs all so petty and obnoxious, akin to road rage, rather than the creative outlet of its potential, and likely, original intention.
If itโs not bombarding me with targeted adverts as a constant reminder Iโm getting old, like care homes and life insurance, it’s flooded with utter crap, often using AI to illustrate misinformation and promote the rightwing bias of the owners, attempting to sway the masses; and it works too, thatโs why they do it.
As a result Iโve massively reduced my screen time for such wet fart dribbles. Iโll share our articles on our social media platforms, but rarely feel inclined to interact with the gusto I once did. It is a shame, and it means you need to bookmark our wonderful website and check into it generically rather than wait for your social media platform to prompt you. Otherwise, fuck it, Iโm doing this for bugger all reason, nearly as less than a few pennies it might yet generate. A fundraiser event may be a necessity now, at least an excuse for a much-needed party to lift my spirits! It is January though, a depressing little bugger, our annual review usually turns into whinge!
January
January Iโm usually in hibernation, many are, so previews of events to come are more common as I hide in my hubby hole. Last year we ran ones on The Magic Teapot Gathering, the first line up announcements for My Dadโs Bigger Than Your Dad Festival, NโFaly Kouyatรฉ of the Afro-Celt Sound System coming to Wiltshire Music Centre, and of course, the Bradford Roots Festival of which dragged me out of my cosy pit for! Two previews for new initiatives in Devizes worthy of previewing in January too were Palooza, a house night to happen in March, and Devizes Youth Action Groupโs U18 gigs, both at The Exchange.
We announced a Lego Club starting at Devizes Library, and looked at courses in the art of chocolate at HollyChocs. I reviewed The Importance of Being Earnest at the Wharf Theatre. Andy ventured out to Long Street Blues Club, but for me, it seems the year begins with The Bradford Roots Festival, blooming lovely that occasion is, then I go back into winter hiding again!
Bookworm time, and Jan saw a review of Sorrel Pittsโ novel Broken Shadows; undoubtedly the best read weโve ever reported on. And of course, recorded music reviews came thick and fast during those winter months. Albums from Billy Green 3, Richard Wileman and Daisy Chapman. Singles from Sienna Wileman, Nothing Rhymes With Orange, and Ushti Baba.
In the news, politics was brewing for a general election, we talked to the Melksham-Devizes Primary on where best to place our vote. We also reported on the sewage in the Kennet, and the MP who voted to strip legal duty on water companies to reduce harm caused by storm overflows. Yet regardless of all of this, the highest hitting article of the month by far was about a lost dildo found by dog walkers in Quakers Walk; you canโt make up a golden scoop like that!!
February
Still wintery, we looked into SoupChickโs new art gallery in Shambles, Valentina, celebrated thirty years of the Devizes Writers Group, the Kidical Mass bike ride calling for safer streets in Devizes, the Worton & Marston Brownies needing volunteers, and the Swindon Palestine Solidarity charity dinner. But my personal favourite was Darren and The Chocolate Factory, when I joined a family workshop at HollyChocs!
Other memorable events of Feb cannot be topped after Gaz Brookfieldโs Village Hall Tour arrived in West Lavington. Though I also recall with fondness the Errol Linton Band at Long Street Blues Club, The Worried Men at the Pump, and Deadlight Dance at The Southgate. Ian gave us a review of Vince Bell at the Southgate, and Carrie at The Rondo Theatre. And we welcomed a new writer, Florence Lee who reported on Devizes Youth Action Groupโs First Club Night.
Music in review came from Cracked Machine, The Lost Trades, The Jon Amor Trio, Jol Rose, and Talk in Code. We previewed The Beat at The Cheese and Grain, the Jesus Jones tour, Devizes Pride, Gaz Brookfield, Mantonfest 2024, The Scribes at The Pump, and that The Marley Experience was coming to Devizes.
March
Politically we had a clue to the change in the tide, with a historic Lib Dem win in Marlborough Town Council, shame the trend didnโt carry onto the GE there. We reported on a Palestinian Children Memorial in Swindon, and a Palestine protest at Labour Party fundraiser. We had a recap on the good work Devizes Clean Up Squad do, and opinionated on Wiltshire Councilโs threats of prosecution against Wiltshire Music Eventsโ posters in Devizes.
I think the hero of the month goes to our bravest 7-year-old, Chloe, who slept out for Devizes OpenDoors. Though Chloeโs feat might yet have been slightly upstaged by our Brian, who discovered Led Zeppelinโs mystery thatcher, became a national hero to prog rock fans, and was the subject of a Wiltshire Museum exhibit.
We previewed FearFreeโs fashion show at the Condado Lounge, Devizes Musical Theatreโs Sister Act at Dauntseys, our Shelly on the wheels of steel at the Muck & Dunder, and Devizes Arts Festival. Andy went to Cinelli Brothers at Long Street Blues Club, Ian gave a review of โRENTโ at The Rondo Theatre. I had two unforgettable nights out, when Ian Siegal joined the Jon Amor Trio at the Southgate, and the first Palooza got me dancing my socks off for my birthday at The Exchange.
An album from Deadlight Dance and singles from M3G, Atari Pilot, and Life in Mono got covered, and we rediscovered our Chrissy from as yet unformed band Burn The Midnight Oil, providing vocals for drum n bass tracks. Oh yeah, I had a rant at those ranting about the Glastonbury line-up too!
April
April fools, of course, when we headlined โDevizes Road Resurfacing Plan Abolished Due to Dinosaur Fossil in Pothole!โ The rest, though, was sadly true. Wiltshire Police Crime Commissioner Philip Wilkinson lied through his teeth, Amnesty in Salisbury responded to the Rwanda Bill, and Michelle Donelanโs fake magazine campaign leaflet was promoted by drink driving fox hunter Jonathan Seed. Meanwhile, Wiltshire Council continued to gloat about prosecuting fly posters, attacking Adrenaline Stompers in Westbury this time, whilst The Marley Experience concert in Devizes was attacked by some nasty Facebook posts, falsely claiming it was cancelled.
But away from nastiness, Chloe raised ยฃ600 for Devizes OpenDoors and we previewed Devizes Lionsโ sponsored walk for the homeless charity too. The Peppermill started an open mic. We also previewed Simply The Best; Tina Turner Tribute at the Corn Exchange, The Female of the Species fundraising this time for Rainbow Early Years in Trowbridge, two teenage punks bands appearing at the Pump, Steatopygous & SHOX, a Bradford Roots session special with Bill in the Lowground, Daisy Chapman & Thieves, the Patsy Gamble Jazz Trio in Bromham, White Horse Operaโs Pucciniโs โLa Bohemeโ at Lavington School,
Six:Teen Edition, Devizes Music Academyโs first show, Paloozaโs second night at The Exchange, and Swindon Jazz & Soul Festival, which I attended and loved!
Reviews also from James and the Cold Gun, Lucky Number Seven, Nobodyโs Dad, The Real Cheesemakers at The Pump. Jinder and Mark Harrison at the Queens Head in Box. Barrelhouse at The Southgate. Roughcut Rebels and The Clones at the Three Crowns. Shox & Steatopygous supporting Menthol Lungs at The Pump. The Lost Trades at The Piggy Bank. Six:Teen Edition. โSkylightโ at the Rondo Theatre. โThe Thrill of Loveโ and โAnd Then There Were Noneโ at the Wharf Theatre, and The Marley Experience came to Devizes and everyone loved it regardless of the grandstanding whingers!
May
A month of ups and downs, we previewed Professor Elemental, Madam Misfit and the Real Cheesemakers at The Barge on Honeystreet, Frome Festival, White Horse Operaโs Mathieson Trust fundraiser with Anup Biswas and The Brand New Heavies at the Cheese and Grain. We reviewed music from LilyPetals, Courting Ghosts, Nothing Rhymes With Orange and Poppy Rose.
We talked about Affordable school costs for all, Swindon families uniting in memory of innocent children killed in conflict, and while Vicar Gerry Lynch faced a soaking at Pottenre fete, St James Devizes Vicar Keith Brindle was honoured as a Canon of Salisbury Cathedral! But sad news was to hear Devizes International Street Festival was cancelled, and funding was needed to keep Confetti Battle going ahead. And Tonka Bean was closing too.
Events picked up though, Ben hailed the Beaux Gris Gris gig the best Devizes has ever seen. Meanwhile I was with Illingworth and catching up with George Wilding at the Crown in Bishops Cannings. Andy attended Peter Knightโs Gigspanner at Pound Arts Centre. Ian covered โThe Incident Roomโ at the Rondo Theatre, โSister Actโ at St. Augustineโs, and โThe Thrill of Loveโ at The Wharf Theatre. There was a homecoming gig for Nothing Rhymes With Orange at the Three Crowns, and another one of those nights when I went on a round robin tour of live music in Devizes, at Long Street, The Southgate and Three Crowns. The only time for a spoof article that month was for one headlined โLabour Party Could Change Star Wars Day to โSci-Fiโ Day so to Not Offend Trekkies!โ
June
June is about going out! Ben gave us reviews of Jim Blair and the Mojo Makers at The Beehive, Swindon, and Robert Vincent & Ryan Davis PAs at Marlboroughโs Sound Knowledge. I caught I See Orange at The Pump with Devizes-own Steatopygous.
Ian checked out โThe Collaboratorsโ at the Rondo Theatre, and โWhereโs The Cat? Live!โ at the Wharf Theatre, and then there was Devizes Arts Festival which we all covered as extensively as possible.
A Junco Shakers at The British Lion, The Slambovian Circus of Dreams, The Sound Of Blue Note, Duo Tutti, Martin Simpson, Belinda Kirk, Lucy Porter, Ida Pelliccioli, Adam Rutherford, Edward Cross Quintet, Dr. Phil Hammond, Jolly Roger and The Cable Street Collective all reviewed, mainly by Andy, but a few by myself and Ian too, even had one from the Wharfโs own John Winterton. What a great year for Devizes Arts Festival, my personal favourite? Easy, that was Lady Nade.
All this and I still found time to preview Devizes Scooter Rally, the return of Devizes Youth Action Group gig nights, and FullTone Festivalโs youth-supporting extra day. Review music from Talk in Code and Rosie Jay. But if anything kept me busiest, it was interviewing candidates for our MP post, Green Party candidate for Melksham-Devizes Catherine Read, Labour candidate Kerry Postlewhite and Lib Dem candidate Brian Matthew. It was an honour to meet them all, and I enjoyed chatting to them in New Society. Any one of them had the potential to do a more honest job, but there was something about Brian which made me think, hey, thatโs the guy for the job; the best thing about it, a majority agreed with me; crazy times!!
July
And so, it came to be. After fourteen tiresome years of Conservative lies and robbery, continuously leaning further into far right extremism, openly promoting hate and dividing the nation, they got thrown out of there, but didnโt take it on the chin! โMichelle Gonelan Makes History,โ was one article we published to make fun of the knicker-twisted attitude of those poor losers. Furious Tory supporters took to local Facebook groups, and we made fun of that too, with a headline deliberately in caps-lock, โWOK SNOWFLICKS GIT THERE KICKS ON DEVIZS ISSUES (BIT BETTER) THIS ELEKTION!โ And then, even our county council leader wept like a baby over the new government scrapping the Stonehenge Tunnel! Oh, such fun!!
We continued to focus on DOCAโs fundraising efforts, and took a recap visit to Devizes OpenDoors too. But July is festival season, and we were too knee-deep in sunny vibes to worry about the disgruntled minority upset with the election result.
Firstly, it was a shame Devizes Scooter Rally and the Full-Tone Festival had to be one same weekend, such that I attempted to do both but spent most of my time cruising from one to the other, great though they both were. And it was a time when our recommendations came to pass, as Meg was booked for a rather smashing MantonFest, and The Sarah C Ryan band played DOCAโs Picnic in the Park, in which I played compere, in a giraffe onesie! Happy days.
Ian went to My Dadโs Bigger Than Your Dad Festival, in Old Town Gardens, Swindon, and I popped over to check out Minety, and crowned it the best local festival Iโve been to. Other great nights out included Talk in Code & Laissez Faire at The Southgate, Ian reporting on The Rob Lear Band at The Piggy Bank, Calne, โFaithโ at the Rondo Theatre, and โMacbethโ at Cleeve House, Seend.
We also previewed the next season at the Wharf Theatre and announced there were only a few remaining tickets for Trowbridge Festival. Events, events, events, thatโs what summer is for, not worrying about politics, it all ends with the same poor results. I believe it doesnโt matter who is at number ten, and while itโs probably better to have the last lot gone, we will never recover this financial pothole until we ALL face up to the fact the cost of Brexit has ruined us, and until we accept it and freely discuss without prejudice and arguing, what we can best do to recover from it, instead of blaming the current government for problems rooted in politics long before they won, we will see those comforts the UK have become accustomed to drop from us one by one. The closure of venues, pubs, shops, event organisers, the hardship of creatives, the general disillusionment that a new government can fix it overnight, all paints a very gloomy picture. Therefore, as I said at the beginning, Iโm done with politics, and feel Devizine should focus on supporting the arts and entertainment as much as possible.
And thatโs the end of the first half of this 2024 review, weโll see a lack of political matters during the last six months of the year, and a new ethos of positivity in the face of such gloomโฆ..I hope!!
Once upon a time it seemed to me, that folk would grin and bear the winter weather for the sake of a Christmas lights switching on type of event, then batten down the hatches and hibernate like hedgehogs until spring. Nowadays you need not wait till summer for music festivals; winterfests are a thingโฆ..
For those who cannot wait for the blossoming, and need a big fix of music and arts right now, here’s some local winter festivals to unravel their scarves and remove their bobble hats:
Bradford Roots Festival
Firstly, a well established winter occasion, Bradford Roots Festival at the wonderful Wiltshire Music Centre in Bradford-on-Avon. This is happening as a Saturday only event this year, on the 18th January. Our Andy reported on this one some years ago, and I snatched coverage of it off him, realising the โRootsโ in its title refers more to hosting local acts of a variety of genres, not just a folk festival as it might be wrongly conceived as. It has become something of an unmissable winter local music convention, especially feeling like this being housed under the one roof of this purpose-built venue.
Wiltshire Music Centre are leaking names for the lineup individually on their Facebook page, the incredible Becky Lawrence being the first reveal. You can rest assured, though, based on past experience, this will be a whoโs-who of local acts, over five stages. WIth an open mic stage, late-night transatlantic folk sessions, a family-friendly daytime with Wassail and childrenโs arts and crafts, food & drink, a mini makerโs market, and more, this is a delightfully warming occasion. You can choose from an All Day ticket (11am โ 10.00pm) or an Evening Session ticket (7pm โ 10.00pm) ยฃ25 / ยฃ13.50 All Day, ยฃ12 / ยฃ7 Evening. U12 free with an adult.ย
Devizes International Blues Festival
Same date, different town, if Devizes has a penchant for the blues, luckily supports the Long Street Blues Club which hosts international blues artists, and the current Mayor Ian Hopkins is the organiser of the club, you can trust when it comes to the compulsory organisation ofย Mayorโs Appeal events itโs going to be a blast.ย ย ย ย
Saturday 18th January sees the first Devizes Blues Festival inside the Corn Exchange. It promises โto create an intimate blues club in the Ceres Hall around tables and seating is just limited to 250 guests.โ One of the greatest contemporary blues guitarists hailing from the south side of Chicago, Toronto Cannon, Nora Jean Wallace, a Chicago blues singer with deep Delta roots, John Primer, one of the kings of Chicago blues and original guitarist in Muddy Watersโ band, singer Oscar Wilson and harmonica genius Giles Robson, you can guarantee have been cherry-picked by the expertise of Long Street. Tickets on sale now. ยฃ50.00 in advance.
DOCA Festival of Winter Ales
If the Blues Festival is new to Devizes, of course the town has had a winter festival for a number of years, and surprise, surprise, itโs all about booze! The DOCA fundraising WInter of Festive Ales is on Saturday 15th February, early bird tickets are up for grabs and itโs vital to the future of DOCA to support this, if you can. There will be a massive selection of beers and ciders to try with some quality music and cabaret to entertain you, we just donโt know what they are yet!
Figgle Winter Festival
While I confess, thereโs still a lot of updating to our event calendar to be done to bring 2025 to full fruition, and no doubt details of more winter festivals will come to light. Events like Figgle Winter Fest on the 1st Feb at Figheldean Village Hall, with a great and varied lineup of All Floyd, Strange Folk, Break Cover, The P45s, Lump, The Zucchinis, and one of our favourite upcoming stars, Rosie Jay.
Swinterfest
But itโs over to Swindon where we really need to concentrate, for the Swindon Shuffle is saving one big Christmas cracker for the end of January! The Shuffle offers us a scaled down in quantity but not quality version of their annual fundraiser for Prospect Hospice, on the weekend starting Thursday 30th January. Swinterfest is now a thing, and it looks set to warm live music in Swindon. The Shuffle really is a blessing late summer, when you can wander Old Town and beyond and discover so much live music itโs impossible to take it all inโฆ and itโs free too, save for collection buckets for the hospice. It is therefore a safe bet Swinterfest will be off the scale awesome too!
Swinterfest is scaled down to one pub per day, saves wandering the nippy night air. Thursday at the Tuppenny with Courting Ghosts, Canutes Plastic Army, Will Lawton and George Wilding starts it off in style; we love all this with cherries on. Friday, the 31st Jan and itโs all down The Vic for a punkier gig with All Ears Avow, Modern Evils, Not Warriors, Adder and our personal pick of this bunch, I See Orange.
Saturday night at Swinterfest is down the Castle, with our picks Meg and Nothing Rhymes WIth Orange, and also new ones on us, Stay Lunar, Wild Isles, Oojah, The Vivas and more are promised too. Sunday is the Beehiveโs turn to play host, with our recommendations being Subject A, SN Dubstation, Concrete Prairie, and Fly Yeti Fly, and newcomers to us, Joe Kelly, Carnival Saloon and Sebastian and Me. Swinterfest may be a new venture, but, well, look at the fantastic lineup, the choicest one of all; it beats a brown snowball in the chops, in my humble opinion!ย
As I said, Iโm sure more winter festivals will come to our attention as time moves on, so keep an eye on our event calendar, but for now I think thatโs plenty to warm your cockles, and massively reduce those post Christmas winter blues.
by Ian Diddamsimages by Ian Diddams, Play on Words Theatre, and Devizes Arts Festival Who was paying attention in history at school when they coveredโฆ
Poulshot’s Award-winning chocolate studio Hollychocs is proud to launch a heartfelt charity campaign in support of the Cystic Fibrosis Trust UK, with a charming chocolateโฆ
Events with diversity, be they ethnic, cultural, or life choices, must be welcomed, encouraged and viewed positively as assets offering variety in our local calendarโฆ
Best part of a year has passed since Cephid released the groundbreaking electronica album, Sparks in the Darkness. At the time I said of West Lavingtonโs musician and composer Moray Macdonaldโs alter-egoโs masterwork, it was composed of โgorgeous complex structures and intense electronic textures,โ and comparing it thus: โlike Jean Michel Jarre came after dubstep, as if 808 State created Tubular Bells!โ On February 8th 2025, Cephid is coming to life, live at The Rondo Theatre in Bathโฆโฆ
Yeah, so I waffled in the review, from Dadaist Art of Noises to Delia Derbyshire and onto Kraftwerk, but it was hard to describe this album, to convey how technically constructed it was, because while contemporary, we usually associate electronic music with dance music ever since the slapadash rave era. While itโs certainly danceable, it also relies heavily on the ambience of prog and space-rock soundscapes of yore, and creates this timeless classic impossible to pin down.
The show will likely be that rare and unmissable occasion, Moray said heโs โvery excited and a little nervous to announce the first ever Cephid live show!โ but that he feels, โlucky to have such a great space to perform in, and Iโll be using light shows, projections, and more to bring the album to life.โ
Partner Charlotte is producing the show with Nick Beere on sound. Graham Brown of Grace and Fire and The Paradox Twin will be on percussion and keys, and thereโs a solo support performance by ex-Enidโs That Joe Payne.
Since releasing Sparks in the Darkness, Moray has spent a lot of time explaining his thought processes while producing it, and remixing Kleptocracy, the new single from Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark which charted at number 1 in the Official Vinyl Singles Chart in May. If you’re an OMD fan, or just have the slightest interest in any subgenre of electronic music, this will be an unmissable show.ย
I want Devizine to be primarily about arts and entertainment, but Iโm often pathetically persuaded by bickering political factions to pass opinion on localโฆ
Photo credit: ยฉ Rondo Theatre Company / Jazz Hazelwood A gender-queered production of William Shakespeareโs classic play, โThe Taming of the Shrewโ, will beโฆ
The first full album by Wiltshireโs finest purveyors of psychedelic indie shenanigans, Clock Radio, was knocked out to an unsuspecting world last week. Itโsโฆ
Bradford-on-Avon Town Councilโs annual festival, aptly titled The Bradford on Avon Live Music Festival is back this weekend, championing local talent with an eclecticโฆ
by Ian Diddamsimages by Chris Watkins Performing Sondheim isnโt the simplest of tasks. Or, rather, singing Sondheim isnโt the simplest of tasks. With hisโฆ
The phenomenally talented Ruby Darbyshire is performing at Silverwood School in Rowde on 27th June. Ruby has kindly offered to support Silverwood Schoolโs openโฆ
Being as we received a taster of wintery weather to come this week, I believe itโs okay to use the C-word; yes, Christmas!!
Hereโs everything weโve found to do in and around Devizes, so far, from now until New Yearโs Eve, in addition, of course, to decorating trees, picking all the toffee pennies out of the Quality Street tin, and enjoying watching Hans Gruber fall from the Nakatomi Plazaโฆ.
Do remember though our event calendar is constantly updating, so do keep an eye on it, as more events may well be added when theyโre brought to our attention. And if youโre in another town, check our event calendar for events in your area; sorry you are not included here, we still love you, but thereโs only so many hours in a day!
Lets go from this weekend, but be warned, thereโs a lot to get through. Ongoing photographic exhibition at the Valentina Gallery, opposite SoupChick in the Shambles, ends on 2nd December.
Thursday 21st November sees an Evening of Mediumship with Psychic Medium Nikki Kitt at the Corn Exchange.
Friday 22nd: Public Living Room is open at the Cheese Hall from 1.30-4pm. John Girvanโs celebrated Ghost Walk of Devizes, takes on a Christmas spin. You find tickets at the Wiltshire Museum website. Queen tribute Qween UK plays the Corn Exchange. Recommended trip out of town: boom-bap legends The Scribes are at the Barge on Honeystreet.
Saturday 23rd November: and thereโs a Sighthound Stroll at 12pm. Devizes Eisteddfodโs Junior Showcase at the Town Hall. The FullTone Orchestra is at the Corn Exchange with an 80s special, so get your rah-rah skirts dusted and ready.
The Sylvertones are at The Three Crowns. The Ben Fletcher Band at The Southgate. DJ Emilo is bringing in the sounds at the Exchange. And for a short trip out of town, I recommend The Killer Circus show at Market Lavington Community Hall, with a double-header of mod-indie, britpop and ska with The Killertones Underground and 6 Oโclock Circus. Or The Publicans at the Royal Oak, Pewsey.
Sunday 24th, The Duskers are at the Southgate for 5pm start, same time, itโs nice to see live music back at the White Bear too; Andrew Hurst kicks those Sunday Sessions back into gear.
Tuesday 26th sees Devizes Lions Bingo Night at the Conservative Club.
Wednesday 27th, donโt forget the acoustic jam at the Southgate.
Thursday 28th – do not miss this, the fantastic Ruby Darbyshire is doing a Fantasy Radio Live Lounge from 7pm at The Pelican. The Last Thursday of each month is also open mic time in the Cellar Bar of the Bear Hotel, from 7:30pm.
Friday 29th is the Winter Festival, on go the lights and Christmas begins officially in Devizes!
12:00 โ 20:00: Indoor & Outdoor Markets and Creative Installations. Lantern Parade at 18:30. 19:00 is Christmas Light Switch On. Window Wanderland begins and runs until 2nd Dec. Look out for the Cascade Chandelier, in the Shambles!
There will be several opportunities to get crafty over Winter Festival weekend with bookable artist-led workshops. More workshops will be dropping soon, so keep an eye on DOCAโs social media! Willow Reindeer Workshop from 10am to 4pm at the Yeoman Room, Corn Exchange. Sarah Jayne Edwards works in willow in all scales, she made the Sanctuary that appeared on the Green in Devizes 2023. Spend a day with her where she will support you to create your own beautiful willow reindeer.
All materials will be provided on these creative workshops, no experience needed. Event capacity for each is only 8 people. Participants must be aged 16 years or over. There are 2 free places allocated for low-income participants, no questions asked. If you would like to claim one of these places, please email: info@docadevizes.org.uk
Elsewhere in Devizes, the fantastic People Like Us are at The Three Crowns, itโs the Pour Houseโs official opening party, and karaoke at the Pelican. Big Plus: itโs panto season at the Wharf Theatre with the opening night of Hansel & Gretel; this is superb, Iโve seen the rehearsal, youโre going to love it, young and old. Hansel & Gretel continues until 7th December, tickets are sold out, but you can join a waiting list.
Saturday 30th sees a Devizes Lions book sale at St Maryโs Church.
Devizes Outdoor Celebratory Arts Winter Festival continues, presenting ‘Crow’ by Avanti Display. ‘Crow’ is a beguiling, genre-defying, beautifully odd show. It teases us with strange images, magical clowning and bewitching visual images. Accompanied by a live inventive score. Video projections expand their comic and curious world, suggesting ideas both profound and absurd. This is a ticketed event at Sheep Street Baptist Church and starts at 6pm.
Also part of the Winter Festival, from 10am to 3pm, thereโs an Outdoor Market with Music & Street Entertainment, and Makery Sessions Craft Workshops at various times. Porcelain Christmas Decorations Workshop at Parnella House from 10am to 1pm, with Geraldine Francis.
Contemporary Wreath Making Workshop at 2pm to 5pm at Parnella House with Nancy Rose Stott, an accomplished maker, best known for her amazing hats. All materials will be provided, no experience needed. Event capacity: 8 people only. Participants must be aged 16 years or over. There are 2 free places allocated for low-income participants, no questions asked. If you would like to claim one of these places, please email: info@docadevizes.org.uk
Thereโs also a Christmas Wreath Making Workshop at Poulshot Village Hall, not DOCA related.
Groovedream at The Three Crowns. Red Light at The Southgate.
And relax, itโs Sunday, but it is December 1st! Curious Kids: Winter Fun at Wiltshire Museum, Devizes. The Pelican has a winter festival Christmas Lunch. JP Oldfield is at the White Bear at 5pm, the Jon Amor Trio residency at the Southgate, same time, and One More Shot at the Black Horse.
Monday 2nd, find a new open mic session at the Pour House, set up by the one and only JP Oldfield; very busy boy atm!
Wednesday 4thDecember: acoustic jam night at the Southgate.
Friday 6th sees a new regular acoustic session on Fridays at The Southgate, this week has JP Oldfield, Sammi Evans & Bryan Davies playing. White Horse Opera presents some Christmas Music at St Andrews. Itโs Christmas Mixup night at the Exchange.
Saturday 7th, thereโs a tour behind the scenes at Wiltshire Museum, and another Ghost Walk Christmas Special with John Griven.
The Shudders are at The Southgate. James Mitchell at The Three Crowns. The Coco Club Christmas Ball at the Corn Exchange. Christmas Party at the Exchange. Recommendations out of town, find a reggae night with Knatti P at the Barge on Honeystreet and Ruby Darbyshire at the Woodbridge.
Sunday 8th sees a family Christmas Party at West Lavington Village Hall in aid of Juliaโs House. Sunflower Events Christmas Fair at the Corn Exchange. Christmas Fayre at The Barge, Seend Cleeve.
Music at the Southgate from 5pm with The Wholesome Soul Trio.
Wednesday 11th, acoustic jam at the Southgate.
Thursday 12th is the second Exchange Comedy Night for The Mayorโs Appeal.
Friday 13th thereโs Devizes Good Afternoon Choirโs Christmas Invitation with Children from Wansdyke School at St Andrewโs Church. Young Curators Club: Mid-Winter Celebrations: Yule and Saturnalia at Wiltshire Museum.
Saturday 14th: Table-top Sale for Camps International to Peru Trip: 12-4pm at The Wharfside. LECTURE: Digging for Erlestoke by Leigh Chalmers and Dr Phil Harding at Wiltshire Museum. And the opening of a new exhibit at the Museum, Megalithic Connections โ Drawings & Etchings by Dave Gunning, which runs until 22nd Feb.
Christmas Market at Hillworth Park, in which Santa is fully booked, but heโs also at, Breakfast With Santa at the Fire Station! Santa! Hey! I know him!
The Big Sound Christmas Concert at the Corn Exchange. Sour Apple at the Three Crowns, The Worried Men at The Southgate. And Karl Maggs has got the Jingle Bangers in the mix at the Exchange.
Sunday 15th, Wish Tree Gathering from 3-5pm at Quakerโs Walk. Devizes Town Band Christmas Party at the Corn Exchange. And Manos Puestas at The Southgate at 5pm.
Wednesday 18th, acoustic jam at the Southgate.
Friday 20th, John Grivanโs celebrated Ghost Walk of Devizes, takes on a Christmas spin. You find tickets at the Wiltshire Museum website.
Devizes most celebrated house nights, Palooza returns to The Exchange.
Saturday 21st: Barrelhouse at The Southgate. Adam Woodhouse at The Three Crowns, and the Long Street Blues Club Christmas Party with the Thomas Atlas Band. DJ Mike Alford is at the Exchange.
Sunday 22nd is the Tractor & Tinsel Run at the Market Place. Charity Fundraiser with Burn The Midnight Oil, new band fronted by the fantastic Chrissy Chapman at The Southgate, from 5pm.
Monday 23rd: The Unpredictables at The Three Crowns, being anything but unpredictable!
Tuesday 24th: Spend Christmas Eve at The White Bear, where the one, the only Jamie R Hawkins will be singing a few songs with Vince Bell too.
Thursday 26th: The Last Thursday of each month is also open mic time in the Cellar Bar of the Bear Hotel, from 7:30. We assume this will take place as usual.
Friday 27th: Drew Bryant at The Three Crowns. Twixmas Fun Quiz at The Pelican. DJ Stevie MC at the Exchange for an after Christmas Party.
Saturday 28th: The Killertones Underground at The Southgate; nice one!
Tuesday, New Yearโs Eve: find Soundhog Karaoke at The Three Crowns. Back to Skool New Yearโs Eve Party at the Pelican. The Original PJ & Mister M at the Bear Hotel. DJ Karl Maggs at The Exchange, and NYE Party at Seend Community Centre; Happy New Year!
Thatโs your lot, unless thereโs something we missed? Tell us about it, please do, we can add it, it isnโt going to cost you anything more than being nice to me when you see me next! I hope everyone has been good all year, and wish you all a merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
Adam Woodhouse, Rory Coleman-Smith, Jo Deacon and Matt Hughes, aka Thieves, the wonderful local folk vocal harmony quartet of uplifting bluegrass into country-blues has aโฆ
This summer David is returning with a brand-new show “Historyโs Missing Chapters”, a show made to uncover why, throughout history, some people and events haveโฆ
Under the new management, live music will be making a triumphant return to The Boathouse in Bradford-on-Avon and that Cracking Pair, Claire and Chloe ofโฆ
Always a happy place, our traditional record shop Vinyl Realm in Northgate Street Devizes is back in the game of hosting some live music afternoons.โฆ
One of Wiltshireโs Best by Andy Fawthrop Looking for something to do next weekend? One of Wiltshireโs biggest festivals is happening just up the roadโฆ
It was lovely to spend Sunday afternoon at Devizesโ Wharf Theatre, to see how this yearโs pantomime Hansel & Gretel, is coming along. If my preview is behind me now, or if โoh, no, it isnโt,โ Iโm happy to confirm ticket holders are in for a real treat, and those without a ticket I urge you to be as quick as a quick thing being quickโฆ..
Tickets for panto at the Wharf sell out fast every year, rightfully. I believe thereโs only a handful left. It may beg the question why Iโm here to preview it at all, but with our Ian hot on the scene of anything theatrical these days, Iโve missed being at our communal little theatre. While I may not be so knowledgeable on Shakespeare’s plays, I know what I like, and Iโm smitten for a great panto.
First time panto co-director Karen Ellis, who works with Jessica Bone, told me thereโs a slightly different approach this year. I couldnโt tell, Jack & The Beanstalk was wonderful last year, Hansel & Gretel is going to be as amazing as a gingerbread house decorated with sweeties!
A few sweets need tweaking, Iโm at an early rehearsal, neighbouring seats are occupied with ladders and paint pots. Opening night is Friday 29th November, and with extra dates added the show runs until Saturday 7th December, with matinees on the Saturdays. With professionalism abound from whatโs essentially an amateur production, from my sneaky peek alone, Iโve no doubt, this show is going to absolutely sparkle and thrill young and old equally.ย
It was interesting, though, to see the inner workings of a panto developing, the many elements needing synchronisation I wouldnโt have contemplated before now, and the attention to detail to something which might seem somewhat improvised to an outsider. It might be a couple of hours of quality family entertainment to you, but from script, expertly crafted by The Wharf Writersโ Group, to this stage where only a few Iโs need dotting and Tโs crossing, has taken a year of hard work from a thoroughly dedicated group of very talented people.
And the hard work explodes like a supernova. As any panto should, the narrative is slight and loosely based on the Brothers Grimm fairy-tale. The show concentrates on slapstick, corny gags, drag, parodies of pop songs, slight tragedy, and a huge dollop of funny banter and audience participation, with a sprinkling of storyline. Brush up on your children’s TV show themes, anything more might be deemed a spoiler, but I can assure you, youโre going to love it; all these elements are in grand abundance, and it thoroughly entertained me.
Starter for ten, neither Hansel, parts shared by two great young actors, Rory Lee and Tamsin Antignani, nor Gretel, similarly played by Emily Edwards and Gigi Underwood, are the protagonists here, rather the main parts depict an investigating police officer, Buttons, and his love interest, comically named Carrie Okie. The latter is played superbly by Georgina Claridge, also responsible for choreography, and the former, Officer Buttons is sublimely brought to life by Darcey Oswin; both masterful and confidently versatile in acting and singing, they work together like the perfect double-act.
Adam Sturgesโ thespianism flare, with a natural ability for improv makes for the quintessential dame; he remained in character and high heels when I chatted to him outside! Is this the first pantomime dame to have a son, I wondered? Shaken, but not stirred and played by Lucas Dowling.
Likewise, Helen Pritchard makes for an excellent witch, and there’s supposed to be a compliment in there! Lesley Scholes is hilarious as a discluded fairy godmother, and the randomly placed comical duo is supplied brilliantly by Oli Beech and Liz Sharman.
Other singing and dancing characters are cast aptly, with Archer Leigh, Jo Benyon-Tucker, Cathy Chappell, Corrin Bishop, Poppy Lamb-Hughes, Emily Webb and Ben Bryan. It wouldnโt be Christmas without a panto, and even a Grinch like me, after watching just a rehearsal for this early in November, could sense sleigh bells jingling and ring-tingle tingling all the way home!
I cannot guarantee your Brussel sprouts will be perfectly timed to coincide with the turkey, but I can assure you without doubt, Hansel & Gretel at The Wharf Theatre will warm your hearts and send you home smiling from elf ear to elf ear!
But hurry and be lucky to pick up the few remaining tickets HERE.
If weโve had a keen eye on Swindonโs Sienna Wilemanโs natural progression as an upcoming singer-songwriter since being introduced to her self-penned songs via herโฆ
One of Salisburyโs most celebrated acoustic folk-rock singer-songwriters Lucas Hardy teams up with the Wiltshire cityโs upcoming talent who’s name is on everyoneโs lips, Rosieโฆ
by Ian Diddamsimages byย Chris Watkins Media One could argue that Anne Frank is possibly the most well-known civilian of the WW2 years, and certainly ofโฆ
Trowbridge singer-songwriter and one third of The Lost Trades, Phil Cooper has actually been doing more than playing solitaire, heโs released a new solo albumโฆ
An effervescent musical, full of promising young talent Written by: Melissa Loveday Images by: Gail Foster After the success of SIX last year, Devizes Musicโฆ
A photo is circulating on X of Calne’s Reform UK candidate Violette Simpson, which for some reason doesn’t appear on her election campaign….I wonder why?โฆ
Wiltshire Music Centre is delighted to announce the new appointments ofย Danielย Clark as Artistic Director, andย Sarahย Robertson as Executive Director.ย Danielย andย Sarahย join Wiltshire Music Centre in a new co-leadership model. They will join the team in late January 2025, to strengthen the Centre’s role as a culturalย andย creative spaceย andย Arts Council England NPO for Wiltshire.
Sarah is currently working as Director of Communications and Special Projects at Bristol Beacon, where she led on marketing for the rebranding and reopening of the venueโs ยฃ132 million transformation. Sarah’s had a long involvement with Bristol Beacon where she has worked for the past 17 years and been a pivotal figure in the organisation’s evolution.ย During this time, she has also commissioned and managed transformation projects funded by National Lottery Heritage Fund and was a Clore Fellow in 2021. Sheโs also held positions on a number of Boards as Chair for Shakespeare at the Tobacco Factory in 2021-2023, and more recently as co-Chair at Turner Sims.ย
Daniel has worked in the arts and music industry for over 25 years as a Creative Director, composer and musician. He currently leads the Creative Programme at multi-arts venue, The Story Museum in Oxford, which welcomes over 60,000 visitors a year and delivers a varied programme including learning, exhibitions, events, and participatory activities. Previously he worked as Creative Director for Libraries Unlimitedโs Evolve programme – an imaginative programme of live music, theatre, film, interactive artwork, and workshops supported by Arts Council England, was Founder and Artistic Director of EarFilms, a company exploring 3D audio storytelling for blind and blindfolded audiences, and Music Programmer for After Dark & Dartington Live โ a series of โsecretโ events and concerts on parts of the Dartington Estate.
Speaking of her appointment, Sarah said, “I am delighted to be joining Wiltshire Music Centre as Executive Director in the new year. It is a special place, much loved by audiences and artists, integral to the local community and with a team who are talented and passionate. I am looking forward to working with new Artistic Director, Daniel Clark, to build on its fantastic heritage, keeping the music and musicians at the heart of everything we do.”
Daniel commented, โI’m thrilled to be offered the opportunity to join the team at Wiltshire Music Centre during such an exciting time. This world-class venue has a rich history and an exceptional, dedicated staff and volunteer team. I look forward to working alongside the team and the community to shape an exciting new direction for the centreโone that is deeply connected to the passions and interests of the people it serves, bringing world-class music and musical opportunities to the residents of Wiltshire and beyond.”
James Wetz, chair of Wiltshire Music Centre added, โThe Board are absolutely thrilled to welcome Sarah and Daniel to the team. Their wealth of experience and passion for the music and the arts, will provide the Centre with the right blend of innovation and expertise needed to shape the next chapter. Working with the team, we’re confident they will both be able to build on our strong foundations and move forward our ambitious plans to strengthen and reimagine our place at the heart of music and cultural life in the South-West, helping to keep music accessible and live for young people and the wider community.โ
We double, triple, quadruple love Wiltshire Music Centre here at Devizine, and would like to wish Sarah and Daniel all the best for their new venture.
Big congratulations to Devizes DJ Greg Spencer this week, the creator of Palooza house nights at The Exchange nightclub, for he made the prestigious billโฆ
Remember, remember, weโre moving into November; leaves, loads of โem! Being as we are no longer doing weekly roundups, hereโs some highlights of events in Devizes during November, but do pay attention, thereโs lots more listed on our event calendar, from all over our county, and itโs always updating, so keep checking in HERE too!
Daveโs birthday beer festival at the Southgate, for the entire weekend and into Monday. Find Sammi Evans, Josh Oldfield & Gordon Thompson there on Friday 1st, and Courting Ghosts, I believe, are there on Saturday; not sure about the rest, but I think the focus is on the beer; if you can focus on beer! Happy birthday, Dave!
Talking taps, we send our best of luck to The Pour House, taking over the old Vaults in St Johnโs Street, Devizes. Itโs their grand opening on Friday 1st.
On Saturday 2nd, there’s a tap top sale in Couch Lane, we have the Lions Club Arts Coaching Day, and Quakers Walk Community Biodiversity Group are bulb planting and preparing wildflower beds. Sunflower Events host a Christmas Market at the Corn Exchange from 11am to 6 on Saturday, 11am to 4 on Sunday.
While those Roughcut Rebels return to the Three Crowns, and Dave’s birthday beer fest continues at the Southgate, Mississippi MacDonald Band kicks off a long month of gigs at Long Street Blues Club, with Sons of the Delta in support. Isosceles Theatre Company are at the Wharf Theatre on Saturday, with a performance of Murder; Just What the Doctor Ordered. In aid of Swindon & Devizes Sands, thereโs a Back to School disco at the Wyvern Club.
Sunday 3rd, itโs Devizes Fireworks at the Football Club. Jon Amor Trio residency at the Southgate. A concert in Chirton too, see poster below!
Monday 4th, The Opening of the Garden of Remembrance at the War Memorial, 10.45hrs.
Wednesday 6th, the regular acoustic jam night at the Southgate, of course!
Thursday 7th, Devizes Film Club is at The Wharf, with a screening of Finnish film Fallen Leaves.
Friday 8th, Muck & Dunder have a DJ set from Dub Pistol Barry Ashworth. Devizes Arts Festival presents a night of comedy at the Corn Exchange. And The Devizes Eisteddfod opens for Music, Speech & Drama, and runs until 17th November 2024.
Saturday 9th has the Provincial Booksellers Fairs Associationโs Book Fair at the Corn Exchange from 10am. Stone’s Throw are at The Three Crowns. And while Swindonโs amazing folk ensemble SGO are at the Southgate, The Ian Siegal Band are at Long Street Blues Club with Ruby Darbyshire in support, both unmissable!
Sunday 10th: Remembrance in Devizes. 09.15hrs Muster in the Marketplace. 10.00hrs Church Service at St Johnโs Church. After service Reform in Long Street. 11.00hrs Last Post-Two Minutes Silence- reveille Wreath Laying and Parade Marches Back to Marketplace.
Mr Griff & The Grifters play The Southgate, Devizes, from 5pm.
Monday 11th: Remembrance in Devizes. At the War Memorial: 10.45hrs for The National Two Minutes silence.
Wednesday 13th, sees the regular acoustic jam at the Southgate.
Friday 15th find the brilliant Siren at the Three Crowns.
Saturday 16th thereโs a Mynt Image Craft Fair at the Corn Exchange, from 10am. Free entry and a great range of superb quality products.
John Otway makes a welcome return to Devizes, at the Long Street Blues Club, and Billy and the Lowground in support; a different night for the club, highly recommended this one!
Wednesday 20th, sees the regular acoustic jam at the Southgate. Devizes Flower Club is jingling all the way to the Corn Exchange.
Thursday 21st and thereโs an Evening of Mediumship with Psychic Medium Nikki Kitt at the Corn Exchange.
Friday 22nd Queen tribute act, Qween UK at the Corn Exchange, no excuses for spellings from us, that is what it is, lets hope they will rowk you!
Saturday 23rd you can find The Sylvertones at The Three Crowns, but not a lot else I’ve heard about as of yet. Time maybe to pop over to Lavington for this….
Wednesday 27th, sees the regular acoustic jam at the Southgate.
Thursday 28th head down to the Pelican, where Fantasy Radio presents a Live Lounge with Ruby Darbyshire. Also, itโs open mic night at The Cellar Bar, Bear Hotel from 7:30pm.
Friday 29th is DOCA Winter Festival, lights switching on, lantern parade, mulled wine, Devizes Town Band playing Santa Claus is Coming to Town, and all the gubbings; and thatโs when Iโm officially in the Christmas mode! Window Wanderland runs from here until 2nd Dec, and the fun continues into Saturday too!
Double-whammy, the Hazel & Gretel panto opens at the Wharf Theatre on Friday too. Note, due to popularity theyโve added dates, and it runs until the 7th December now. I will be going to see it long before you, and Iโll be here to tell you about it; what? Perks of the job!!
Also on Saturday 30th, ever popular covers unique trio People Like Us will be at the Three Crowns. White Horse Opera at Market Lavington Community Hall.
That’s all for now, folks! Did I miss something out? Did you tell us about it?! We update all the time, so, rest assured more will be added when they come in, and if you cannot find something to entertain you here, you can leave town! In a nice way, you understand, we do have roads and Devizine lists events within range of Devizes as well as in Devizes; so remember, remember, to check the EVENT CALENDER!!
Devizes Outdoor Celebratory Arts announced their upcoming project, YEA Devizes today. Made possible by a grant from National Grid Electricity Transmissionโs Community Grant Programme, the Youth Event Activity Devizes will be a youth festival area within the International Street Festivalโฆ.
Working with the incredible young adults we have in our community, DOCA will support them to plan and run their own outdoor event, putting all the decisions in their hands and enabling them to show everyone their interests and capabilities. All along the way they will be able to learn and develop the skills needed to put on outdoor events and arts management.
The flyer was designed by their youth advisor, who also helped to develop this fantastic opportunity from the start. If you are between the age of 16 – 21 (up to 25 with SEND) then please use this form – https://tinyurl.com/5xnsrk4p – to let them know if you are interested in being a part of this, whether as part of the core Youth Event Management Panel or further along the line.ย
Trust me to question the SEND element to this, as it is often the case SEND people will shy away from events due to sensory overload. But Annabel of DOCA is addressing this, and enlightened us, โwe understand that it can be confronting for some people. There are behind the scenes roles where we can help them avoid most of the madness if they wish, although as you say it may be too much for some. We are happy to work with anyone to make the experience work for them if possible – and in fact having someone with lived experience of SEND on the team could help us develop more SEND-friendly event spaces.โ Ah, I like this answer!
Melksham & Devizes Conservatives released a statement on the 7th April explaining an internal audit revealed one of their candidates was โnot qualified by residence as they believed they were,โ and claimed it was a โgenuine mistake.โ Devizes residents have gathered on social media to express their concerns that electoral law has been broken andโฆ
Last month we were pleased to announce our involvement with the new Wiltshire Music Awards in conjunction with Wiltshire Events UK, details of which are HERE. Although the voting process doesnโt begin until 1st May, today the website has gone live, so you can browse the categories to start on that long road of decidingโฆ
And there was me thinking nothing good comes out of a Monday! Today local bistro Soupchick, popular in the Devizesโ Shambles opened their second branch, transforming the Hillworth Park cafรฉ. I felt the need to poke my nose in, for the sake of a tea and toastieโฆ. A slight cooling of temperature didn’t prevent aโฆ
Sometimes I believe we donโt know how lucky we are in Devizes. Sunday afternoon live music is a thing here, and weโre often spoiled for choice. This Sunday Phil Cooper played the White Bear, and it was the celebrated Jon Amor Trio monthly residency at the Southgate. But the meter was running on Dadโs taxiโฆ
Devizine isn’t only about music and gigs for grownups, y’know? It’s about events for everyone. This Easter we’ve lots of things to do over the school holiday, you just need to scroll our event calendar to find them! Oh, okay yeah, wine o’clock already and it’s only the first day?! I’ll list what we’ve gotโฆ
Alberta Cross, along with the up-and-coming local bands Something Moves and BroccoliBoy, will perform at a charity gig on Saturday 30th November at 23 Bath St. All part of a new generation of vibrant and talented musicians calling Frome home, they are helping raise funds to support the costs of running the annual Frome Festival in July…..
Swedish-born Alberta Cross frontman, Petter Ericson Stakee, will be playing an intimate solo set of his anthemic Americana-tinged songs, hot on the heels of his latest UK tour. Alberta Cross has toured extensively across the globe as a headline act and has supported bands such as Oasis, Mumford & Sons, Johnny Marr and Neil Young. They have also appeared in the USA as musical guests on The Late Show with David Letterman and their tracks have featured on hit TV shows Sons of Anarchy and Californication.
Something Moves, the latest project from Chris Briden and friends Matt Ball and Al McNamara, blends influences reminiscent of Radiohead and Nick Drake, resulting in layered, textural, and introspective music. As a primarily studio-based band, this offers a rare opportunity to catch them live. Chris has been a successful musician for many years, with distribution deals and festival slots. Raised in Dorset and spending most of his career in Manchester, Chris settled in Frome a few years ago, starting Something Moves as a solo lockdown recording project. Matt and Al then became part of the writing and creative process further developing the sound.
And BroccoliBoy are a young indie pop trio known for their heartfelt and infectious melodies. Frontman Ted met bassist Eli when they were both working at the Cheese & Grain Bar, whilst drummer Rob has known Ted since ACM music college in Guildford. They recently supported Entitled Sons on the main stage at the Cheese & Grain and are steadily gaining an enthusiastic following.
BroccoliBoyโs bass player, Eli White, who was born and raised in Frome, shared, โI have such fond memories of the Frome Festival from my childhood – The Food Feast especially. I have a very vivid memory of getting up on the stage, when it was held in the town centre, after all the music had finished and pretending I was in one of the bands!โ Eli continued, โIโm very thankful to have been brought up in Frome as it is genuinely an amazing place to live. The opportunities for creatives of all ages here to share, learn and grow are immense. The Frome Festival is one of the main reasons for this as it inspires so many people every year, without the Festival we would lose such a big platform to showcase all of the amazing talent we hold in this town so I believe itโs very important to do everything we can to keep it running for many more years to come.โ
Petter from Alberta Cross said of supporting this fundraiser, โI love Frome Festival. It makes the town come alive! I also love the diversity of it with so many different cultural events and music gigs in the short time it runs. It is important for the town and will and should keep building.โ He added, โI remember when we just moved here and the Festival was on, we walked through town quite late in the evening after dinner and heard flamenco guitar music coming from the Silk Mill so we stopped in and caught the end of the show and I just remember thinking how amazing that felt to have these kind of things happen in my new hometown.โ Petter travels extensively for his work but enjoys coming back to Frome, which he describes as โa small cosy town with a lot to offer, located in one of the most beautiful parts of the world in my opinion.โ He recently recorded his new album โThe Thief and The Heartbreaker (Re-imagined)โ at Fromeโs Bert Jansch Studio and it was mastered at Abbey Road Studios. It is a reworking of classic songs from Alberta Crossโs critically acclaimed 2007 debut, including fresh collaborations with Ed Harcourt, Katie Melua, Band of Skulls, Jack Savoretti and others.
Ted Prendergast, who provides vocals, guitar and ukulele for BroccoliBoy, remarked, โFrome Festival is a time to celebrate all things Frome and all the diversely creative and unique people we have living here. My parents took part in Hidden Gardens for the first time this year and loved it!โ. He added that the band is supporting the fundraiser because โwe believe in the importance of keeping these brilliant creative opportunities alive,โ emphasising, โThere is a massive community spirit here and I havenโt seen anything quite like it anywhere else!โ
Chris Briden of Something Moves concurs, โFestivals are a really important way to celebrate community and be part of your local area. Without them, life is just a little bit more grey. Frome is a fantastic place to be creative, and offers more than your average Somerset town, but you can’t take this kind of opportunity for granted, and we want to make sure we hold the door open for loads more artists and bands, writers and creatives who come after us.โ Chris noted, โOpportunities like this are more important than ever with many live music venues and festivals closing downโ.
The Festival team are hard at work preparing for next yearโs programme, taking place on Friday 4th โ Sunday 13th July 2025, with fundraising also playing an important role during the year. Frome Festival is a registered charity that must fundraise ยฃ35k per year to deliver the programme and with recent cuts to arts funding, organisers say the environment is increasingly difficult. Festival Manager Sarah Swales explained, โWe are offering tickets at ยฃ10 to make them accessible to everyone, but we urge people to donate what they can. Another way to support us is by becoming a Festival Friend for ยฃ20 per year, which provides priority booking during the Festival and other perks.โ
Organisers were keen to thank the performers for their help and urged people to buy their merch on the night. They were also very grateful to the venue 23 Bath St who will be shutting their doors for the last time after the New Year due to the difficult economic climate. “23 Bath St. has really championed live music over the years, and itโs truly sad to see them go. Please support their venue and bar before they close, so they can go out on a high note!” Sarah added.
Festival Director, Adam Laughton concluded, โThis promises to be a superb night that will raise much needed funds for Frome Festival. Weโre very grateful for 23 Bath Street and all the musiciansโ help in making this event possible. Come and enjoy this sensational line up and support our cause as we continue to plan for July 2025. Every penny makes a difference!โ
Stuffed my dinner, scanned the brief, headlonged out the door, forgot about the road diversion into the Market Place, made a u-turn, arrived at Wiltshireโฆ
It was a fantastically successful opening night for Devizes Musical Theatre at Dauntseyโs School for their latest show, Disneyโs Beauty and the Beast, and Iโฆ
Renowned Devizes auctioneers and valuers, Henry Aldridge and Son announced today they are relocating their auction rooms to The Old Emporium, a Grade II listedโฆ
Noel Coward is probably best known for โBlithe Spiritโ but he in fact wrote sixty-five stage plays over a fifty year period. Bath Drama this week perform his excellent โDesign for Livingโ – a comedy about a menage-a-trois, complicated by a fourth relationship set in Paris, London, and New York.
What is the secret to a successful community theatre show? It’s quite a simple answer in many ways โ talented actors, inspired direction, dedicated crew all working to a vision. Topped off with an intimate space to share it all in. Bath Drama and the Rondo Theatre deliver this equation sublimelyโฆย from the wonderful sets, beautiful costumes, brilliant lighting, and the ability to be almost on stage with the actionโฆย for those in the front row in particular one is sitting in Otto, Leo, and Ernestโs abodes.
Three of the principals โ Gilda (Elisabeth Calvert), Otto (Toby Skelton) and Leo (Richard Watkins) share a turbulent three way relationship โ viewed afar with some consternation by the fourth principal, Ernest (Iowerth Mitchell). Ernest is also friends with the trio, but far more platonically. The story moves between Gildaโs affections at any one period; firstly with Otto, then with Leo, then with Ernest, until the playโs dรฉnouement when the three embrace their shared loves and Ernest disowns them all.
Elisabeth Calvert as Gilda drives the show โ she is on stage for the majority of the two and a half hour show (with over a thousand lines!). The entire story in many ways is about her inability to commit and/or her easily swayed attractions; she is also the instigator of all the arguments with her lover at any time hinting at a lack of happiness deep inside.
The one relationship in the play that Coward had to downplay when it was written in 1932 was the homosexual one between Otto and Leo. Even in today’s far more liberated times the dialogue still lends itself to a demure portrayal and little more than heavy hints that the two chaps in Gildaโs absence have a thing going on. A few draped limbs here, a shared pair of pyjamas there, and a liberal use of the word โgayโ as a double entendre (I only learned today the term for homosexual was first widely used in the 1930s amongst the gay community!). Toby Skelton and Richard Watkins portray this subtle yet intense relationship supremely well, infinitely comfortable in each otherโs company and arms.
The supporting cast is no less excellent โ Lucy Perry a blaze of door slamming energy on stage as her portrayal of the clumsy Miss Hodge the domestic contrasts superbly with the subtle, suave sophistication of the principals. Tim Carter doubles-up as a photographer and the monied New Yorker husband of Lauren Arena-McCann as the Carver couple, while Lauren also doubles-up Miss Birbeck a reporter. More double-ups as Lucy a.k.a. Miss Hodge also plays the rather more up market Grace Torrence, with her dee-lart-furl Southern drawl.ย Segueing nicely in this review, Jim McCauley plays Matthew the somewhat stressed New York Butler to Ernest, as well as being Assistant to Gill Morrell as Director.
The set is delightful โ simple yet elegantly portraying with not a little panache a studio in Paris, a flat in London and a suite in New York โ step forward and take a bow to set crew Rich Canning (who else!), David Wood, Miriam Zaccarelli and Connor Palmer. The scene shifts between the three abodes are technical โ which is a subtle way of saying they are long. However โ this is not a negative; the choreography between the stage crew of Connor Palmer, James Dennis and Ellen Read is a delight to behold in itself more than ably abetted by the quite stunning 1920s soundtrack. Costumes by Scarlett Hayler-King and the cast were beautifully elegant โฆย and of course, there was Miss Hodgeโs rather more prosaic home help clobber ๐ Finally, but by no means least, Alex Latham provided tech as smoothly on the outside as we have all come to expect.
This is an exquisitely written play, performed well and is more than worthy of your attendance.ย โDesign for Livingโ is performed at the Rondo Theatre from October 2nd-5th 2024.
Despite the population of Devizes throwing confetti and paint at each other in their most celebrated annual ritual, I believe I picked the right weekend to visit Swindon; deffo, or are they always โaving it there?!
The Wildcats whipped butt at their first league game of the season on Friday, but my Saturday was dedicated to exploring the arts, something criticised stereotypically by outsiders. I could sigh, with partial agreement, historically perhaps. Swindon caressed industrial boom, somewhere along the line forgoing its arts and culture. This is changing, and fast, the Shuffle is a skeleton key opening said transpose.
What’s not thankfully changed is Old Town, while central Swindon is unrecognisable compared to twenty years ago. Just as Swindon Paint Fest has decorated the walls with impressive street art, the Swindon Shuffle is the event pushing the town’s boundaries in locally sourced live music. There’s few annual events in Wiltshire showcasing entirely local music, I best liken the Shuffle to The Bradford Roots Festival at the Wiltshire Music Centre. Save, this is spread across the choicest pubs in Swindon rather than under one purpose-built complex.
And it is a mammoth simultaneous exhibition of musical talent, a taster of what the county offers, of which it’d be impossible to witness entirely; best I approach this diary-like, apologies to the many bands I missed. We’re talking over seventy acts spread across nine venues for this four-day beast in its eighteenth year, and it remains free, fundraising via donation buckets for Prospect Hospice.
Available for the Saturday only, my intention is to take as big a bite of it as I can, taste some known favourites and cross a number of must-sees off my ever-growing list.
Swindon Shuffle is a beautiful thing, a convention for local musicians, promoters, media types and aficionados. I stepped off the bus at The Tuppenny, in a hurry and frustrated I’d now missed Sienna Wileman and likely Chippenham’s singer-songwriter Meg, to bump into Sienna’s father Richard, big Shuffle chief Ed Dyer on the door, and luckily, Meg’s dad Paul; the latter meaning Meg was still playing and I managed to catch the last few songs of this unique and emotive rising star.
This tavern was bustling yet functioning happily, a crowd immersed in Meg’s magical words, set the stage for Americana soloist Jol Rose, up next. Something of a Swindon optimistic Dylan, he retains his concentrated narrative songs in favour of the more lighthearted ditties and banter to appease, though there was a poignant one on the Gaza conflict, but whichever his outlook, Jol is a proficient entertainer and skilled master of his craft.
Breaking familiar territory, new one for me, David Corrigan of The Astral Ponies followed, with an inspiring set of acoustic versions of his band’s songs. The dilemma of going tried and tested against treating the Shuffle as a voyage of discovery set in; solved by the next few hours whereby acts I’m making a beeline for I’m aware of but yet to see live. I tend to get over-excited about such prospects, and figured drinking cider like water might help.
Make no mistake, I could’ve cemented myself in at The Tuppenny, such is its comfy atmos, but, hot on this must-see list, Swindon’s Afro-Latin collective Zambalando are due in a coffee shop on Commercial Road called Baristocats, so I’m moving on. The cafรฉ was bustling and I was early, recalling a Facebook post that the Midlife Krisis sound system was set up in the courtyard of Level III, exterior to the Shuffle program. I thought I’d temporarily breach the Shuffle and check. Bass rolling down the street like the millennium never happened, I turned one corner to find a throbbing little afternoon rave going on, with their symbolic milk-float fronted DJ booth, a wall of sound and smiley ravers giving it some.
Observing street art of city magnitude I left assured, Shuffle or no, Swindon has embraced diverse arts on a level unrivalled by its recent history. Only the thought of Zambalando dragged me away from the old skool vibes, but upon arrival back at Baristocats it seemed they’d cancelled. Nevertheless I commandeered a sofa, tea and toastie, chatting to Swindon’s premiere reggae/ska keyboardist Erin Bardwell, who’s collective Subject A played the Shuffle on Thursday. Baristocats are hip, make a damn fine toastie, and XTC’s keyboardist Barry Andrews, aka Stic Basin, was taking us on a blissful journey of ambient dub.
If Iโm complimenting Swindon, may as well include some infrastructure too, for tucked behind the now commercialised Regent Circus is the steep Prospect Hill, ingeniously with a pub at both the top and bottom. This would be my resting place for the duration, the short distance from the Beehive to the Castle manageable, if uphill, to switch between multi-musician Richard Wileman & singer and saxophonist Amy Fryโs gorgeous experimental jazz-come-psychedelia at the Beehive, and Liddington Hill whoโve created their own subgenre, Celtic-grunge, and were currently giving it whatโs for at The Castle. Allowing me to cross two must-sees off my list. Liddington Hill was brilliantly loud and in your face, everything Iโd imagined and more, and crowds gathered to salute that.
Unlike the Beehive, I was unfamiliar with the Castle, yet felt immediately at home; it had been invaded by both โTalkersโ awaiting the headliner, and cheesemakers from Calne, real ones! Itโs fine, off territory, no dispute, love The Real Cheesemakersโ hilarious wurzel take on heavy rock, and boy did they blast it superbly!
Only good things heard about the next band were certainly not fibs. The Belladonna Treatment is a remedy for an off-balance in indie-rock, pop and punk; all subgenres were subtly intertwined idiosyncratically, and beguilingly delivered to sardine-packed admirers, and a new fan here. Unfortunately Trunk, the penultimate act at the Castle I had to miss due to an emergency burger mandate. Itโd be fifteen minutes wait at the chippy, I was content, itโs opposite the Victoria, Swindonโs stalwart music venue and one I unusually gravitate towards.
Age thing, the lineup was particularly heavy and aimed at the younger demographic at the Vic tonight, NervEndings headline, and Iโm well aware of their force of nature as they spawned in Devizes, adding our quintessential blues module to their furiously yet accomplished sound. A whistlestop no longer than a burger on a grill, enough to note it was equally as packed and having it there as the Castle, Lucky Number Seven were ensuring it.
But if you know me well enough youโll know if indie-pop virtuosos Talk In Code are there, so am I. Itโs a march back to the Castle for a grand finale of eighties-tinged goodness. I never doubt, Talk in Code pulled it out of the bag, the place was thumping, the crowd were jumping, and the end, for me, to Swindon Shuffle was the icing on an exceptionally tasty cake.
The show continued Sunday, had to miss Concrete Prairie, Courting Ghosts, Cooper Creek, Leon Daye, and others, but I believe I took a fair bite out of this extravaganza, this local music expose, certainly enough to know if you only spend one weekend a year in Swindon, youโd be best advised to make it this one.
You can still donate online to Swindon Shuffle’s fund for Prospect Hospice HERE.
by Ian Diddamsimages by Ann Ellison. What can possibly be better than watching a performance of โBlood Brothersโ by Willy Russell? Watching TWO performances ofโฆ
by Ian Diddamsimages by Josie Mae Ross and Richard Fletcher John Hodge is well known for his screenwriting of โShallow Graveโ, โThe Beachโ, โA Lifeโฆ
One of Swindon’s premier grunge pop-punkers, The Belladonna Treatment released their debut single, Bits of Elation, with London-based SODEH Records earlier this month. I spokeโฆ
A second single from Swindon Diva Chloe Hepburn, Situationships was released this week. With a deep rolling bassline, finger-click rhythm and silky soulful vocals, thisโฆ
I’m delighted to announce Devizine will be actively assisting to organise a new county-wide music awards administration, in conjunction with Wiltshire Music Events UK. Theโฆ
Running from the 4th to 13th October, The Calne Music & Arts Festival celebrates its 50th anniversary, and tickets for the varied events are on sale nowโฆ.
Arts Festival President Carole Browne said, โin the year that we celebrate our 50th anniversary, our Patron, Dame Judith Weir, who was composer in residence at the 1975 festival, will be handing the baton to another prestigious composer, Brett Dean, who will take up the position in 2025.โ
โWe are indeed fortunate to have so many musicians and artists who have made their home in Calne. This is a year of many anniversaries. 40 years ago the iconic Harris factory, established in 1770, which dominated the centre of Calne and became its biggest employer,was demolished. Joseph Priestley โdiscoveredโ oxygen in Calne 250 years ago. We will mark these anniversaries with special concerts and a community art project featuring over 500 pigs, painted and decorated and on view all over the town.โ
โAn exhibition in the Heritage Centre throughout October will catalogue, with brochures and press cuttings, the past 50 years as well as featuring a selection of chosen piglets.โ
As usual there will also be the art exhibition at Marden House, presenting hundreds of pieces from beginners to internationally exhibiting artists from in and around Calne. The exhibit is open at various times throughout the festival.
Festival week starts with a free family day at Marden House, on Saturday 5th, with a 360-degree immersive Theatre Dome experience, Calne Samba Band, Clareโs Circus, a variety of activities by Calne Wordfest, Music and Art workshops throughout the day, an art treasure hunt, stilt walker and more.
Irish Soprano Michelle Sheridan Grant and Scottish Bass-Baritone Peter Grant bring you an eclectic musical evening, also on the 5th. A Gala concert which will be followed by tea, The Ridgeway Ensemble – ‘Walk in Beauty’ on Sunday. Thereโs also a free life drawing session, and Evensong at St Marys.ย
Accomplished soloist, passionate chamber musician and repetiteur for Opera Ddraig, George Fradley will perform Beethoven’s Sonata Op.109, Chopin’s Ballade No 4 and the Bach-Busoni Chaconne in D Minor, on Monday 7th October. Also The ‘Major Minors’ is a community choir bringing together children from primary schools in Calne and surrounding villages under the direction of Bethan Fryer. They will be joined by Cherhill Youth Theatre and the school choir of Heddington school on Monday. Thereโs โdrink & drawโ sessions, and Calne Wordfest Writersโ group joins the celebration of Priestley 250.
Tuesday 8th sees Music Scholars of St. Mary’s School, Calne, then some banjo with the Leon Hunt Trio. Wednesday an Art Talk by Gail Brown and Isla String Quartet. Thursday,ย Music Scholars of Marlborough College and world music with Eastern Strings and Nabra Trio. Friday 11th sees a clarinet recital with local clarinettist Simon Parker, Opera Anywhereโs Gilbert and Sullivanโs Patience.
Saturday 12th sees Australian now Calne artists Brett Dean and Heather Betts in conversation with Genevieve Sioka, an evening of traditional Andalusian Guitar and Flamenco dance with Flamenco Loco, Calne Choralโs Cloud Messenger from Gustav Holst Gloria-Vivaldi, and a grand finale party!
Can You Find The Wiltshire Potholes From The Moon Craters?! Now, at Devizine Towers we are far too mature and sensible to mock Wiltshire Councilโsโฆ
Review by Pip Aldridge Last week, I had the privilege of seeing the Fulltone Orchestra perform at the beautiful Tewkesbury Abbey beneath the Peace Dovesโฆ
If many space-rock acts have more band member changes than most other musicians change their socks, Hawkwind are the exemplar of the tendency. There mightโฆ
The second single from Georgeโs sessions with Jolyon Dixon is out today, Isnโt She Lonely. With the vaudeville ambience of Queenโs later material and sprinklesโฆ
Auditions for this year’s pantomime at The Wharf Theatre in Devizes are on Sunday 8th September at 2.30pm, at the theatre; could you make a great Hansel, Gretel, or maybe, dare I say it, a wicked witch?!
Yes, this year’s panto is all gingerbread houses in dark forests, and Officer Button and Mrs Brooke Bond hoping to find Hansel and Gretel. They’ve many varied roles available and are particularly looking for a young man who can sing and dance a little, approx 16-30 yrs, for the lead male role.
There’s no need to be a member of the theatre at this stage, just turn up on the day.
This fun adaptation of the Brothers Grimm classic Hansel & Gretel will run from November 29th till December 7th, 2024, by The Wharf Writersโ Group and directed by Karen Ellis & Jessica Bone. Tickets available at their box office and Devizes Books.
Pantomime at the Wharf is always a magical experience, and usually a sellout show. I loved Jack & The Beanstalk last year, but that’s behind us nowโฆoh no, it isn’t!!
For that certain some-Karen who drove through town last weekend, jumped on social media to waffle off the clichรฉ rant โnothing happens in Devizes,โ but Iโm not personally willing to do anything about it other than moan on social media, and to everyone else who most likely didnโt, who either was, or wasnโt, hiding away from her in the British Lion for Black Rat Monday, Carnival is THIS WEEK, my darlings!!
So what else is going on, you know, like fringe events, after parties, warm ups, and such like? Well, hereโs what we know, for what itโs worth because you know when you want to find whatโs happening you come here, you sensible people; shame thereโs not more like you!!
You know thereโs been DOCA workshops all week at Pamela House, right? Tomorrow (Wednesday) theyโve carnival workshops open to all from 11am to 2:30, bring your own picnic. Then from 3pm thereโs a giant puppet workshop. Thursday from 10am-4pm pretty much the same, bird puppets making, open carnival workshops and bring your own picnic.
The Camerados of Devizes Public Living Room have also been getting their hands dirty, designing carnival banners. They meet every Friday at the Cheese Hall, from 1-4pm, itโs a wonderful free social group, and you can help them put the finishing touches to their banners.
Early bird warm ups , the Southgateโs regular acoustic jam on Wednesday evening, the best way to spend a Wednesday evening. And of course, the Carnival Quiz at Devizes Town Hall, at 7pm.
On Friday 30th our phenomenal youth band, Nothing Rhymes With Orange plays a farewell gig at the Exchange nightclub. After huge success locally and blossoming further afield the guys are heading off to Bristol to study music together. Iโm hoping to meet up with them beforehand, run a quick interview type chat thing, and I have some Cliff Richard CDs they can take to inspire them on their way! On at 9pm at the Exchange, The Vivas support them, and the party continues with an indie disco with guest DJs Thorfinn (I think we know him!) and fantastic regular DJ Stevie MC. Tickets HERE>>
Failing them, thereโs an eighties disco down the Dolphin.
Or, if you’re staying in, don’t forget Andy and Som can deliver homemade Thai Curry to your door, yes Thaiday Friday, and Som is preparing the super tasty Thai green chicken curry with onions and green beans, accompanied with soft Thai Jasmin rice.
Saturday 31st August is Carnival Day, you could work some motivation at Quakers Walk Parkrunโs Pacers Week, a regular free parkrun with the option to pick your speed between 20 & 40 minutes. You can challenge yourself or just pick a speed you want to be constant at. There is no obligation to run with the pacers, you are still able to run/walk at your own pace. This is an open event anyone who wants to run, walk or jog the 5K course is welcome. I’m exhausted just typing it!
Or you could take yourself along to Wiltshire Museum for the final day of The Wiltshire Thatcher exhibition.
Now, carnival, at 5:45pm, departing from The Green. The parade takes around 2 hours, expect the Parade to reach the halfway point around 7pm-ish. Roads close on the Parade circuit from 5pm โ 9pm, with Sidmouth Street closing at 4pm. Donโt forget! If you park in one of the car parks on route, you wonโt be able to exit until after the parade is finished and the road closures have been lifted. Find any other info direct from DOCA HERE.
Afterwards, thereโs blues, pop, rock and funk covers & originals at the Southgate withย Freepeace. Trash Panda are at The Three Crowns and are always lots of fun! And if you feel like giving it a go yourself, it’s carnival karaoke time at the Pelican!
But if you want to go beyond Thunderdome, you need to get yourself to the Corn Exchange, where Simply the Best Kinisha Morgan-Williams becomes Tina Turner, and youโll be impressed by this even if youโve only a passing interest in Tina, I kid you not. Hereโs our preview on that.Hereโs your ticket.
Then, all you have to do after that is descend a flight of stairs, as DJ Karl Maggs is in the mix at the Exchange until 2am.
Sunday 1st September, Vince Bell graces the famous alcove at the Southgate from 5pm. If nothing ever does go on in Devizes, as he says, “you ain’t ever leaving!”
Thatโs this coming weekend in Devizes, people. Yeah, but you know, I agree with Karen, itโs a disgrace, nothing ever happens in Devizes!!
A new music festival is coming to Devizes this July. Organisers of the long-running Marlborough based festival MantonFest are shifting west across the downs andโฆ
All images: ยฉ๏ธ JS Terry Photography An awards ceremony to celebrate the outstanding musical talent within the city, aptly titled The 2024 Salisbury Music Awards,โฆ
Monsieur, with these Exchange Comedy night you are really spoiling us, for usually comedy in Devizes is just what we make ourselves; laughing at visitorsโฆ
A drone operated by Wiltshire Hunt Sabs was attacked by a second drone, twice, while surveying The Beaufort Hunt, after it recorded them illegally huntingโฆ
Without sounding like a stuck record, itโs the same unfortunate news for Devizes Street Festival as it was last year; Arts Council England has notโฆ
Bussing into Devizes Saturday evening, a gaggle (I believe is the appropriate collective noun) of twenty-something girls from Bath already on-board, disembark at The Marketโฆ
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 Cafรฉ โ and there are prizes up for grabs in these categories:
Dates:
Saturday 25th & Sunday 26th October
Fest opens at 12PM | Fun until 6PM
Whatโs waiting for you:
Craft & Produce Market โ 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 