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!
Itโs beginning to look a lot like Christmas at the Rowdey Cow cafe and ice cream parlour; their Christmas Tree Light Switch On is this Friday, the 21st Novemberโฆ..
If you thought an ice cream parlour was restricted to summertime, think again! Itโs the first time the Rowdey Cow near Devizes has held a Christmas light switch on event, and we wish them all the best with it. The fun begins at 5:30pm, and the lights will sparkle at 6pm.
Ice cream might only be for the daring, but theyโve marshmallow toasting and festive food & drinks, plus gift stalls, Christmas crafts, and a cozy Christmas film of which theyโre asking children to vote for their favourite on their Facebook page; Iโm voting Arthur Christmas, hands down!
Free mince pies and mulled wine if you turn up before the big light switch on at 6pm. They promise a very special guest too. I think I might be able to guess who it might be, and Iโve been good all year, well, good-ish!
And if you cannot make it, there’s lots of chances to have Breakfast with Santa at various dates in December, see HERE.
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!
We are creatures of habit here in old Devizes. We’ll stand in the Market Place wearing a vacant expression, wondering where we can bag ourselves a good kebab in town now the Kebab House is sadly no longer. I urge you to think Sidmouth Street, think The Oliveโฆ.
Yeah, I get you. Save the longstanding New Pacific Chinese, the previous takeaways in Sidmouth Street didn’t receive great appraisal, causing the street to be considered a no-go zone for the peckish. Well, times change. With Mustafa Suna, the once owner of the Kebab House content to be relocated a hefty trek away at the Garden Trading Estate, the new option is The Olive Pizza & Grill; you best believe it.
It was newly opened a couple of months ago. By name, it sounds fresher and natural, but does it live up to its name? I thought I’d drag my tastebuds there to find outโฆ..
Shenol Redzheb is the owner of this tidy little takeaway where Acropolis once toppled. He cut his teeth at Chick-O-Land, where he spent thirteen years, but was adamant about building his own new legacy here. It certainly was spotless and hospitable, with everything freshly prepared right before your eyes.
The range is fantastic, too. The standard range of kebabs, combo or wraps, burgers, and chicken, but with a pizzeria too, choices are ample for the most fussiest of families, like mine! One apple of my eye opted for a cheeseburger, the other a pizza, and the wife and I went for the donor kebab, though she favours garlic mayo on hers; sacrilegious! I say this because the homemade chilli sauce here is to die for, really rich, perfect level of hotness and tomatoey; yummy, yummy, yummy, love in my tummy.
In fact, everything was well received. The boy’s burger was apparently โummm,โ and despite explaining I needed a bite for the purpose of the review, he wasn’t giving it up without a fight! The daughter praised the pizza, and she’s the Jay Rayner among us, but she especially adored the chips, describing them as crisp, and they were, I concurred. Perfectly cooked little beauties, and cut just the right size to be best considered โchunky fries.โ
The kebab was lovely too, meat, tasty, a good range of fresh salad, and oh, did I mention the chilli sauce?! It’s worth mentioning twice!
Portions generous, all at a competitive price, the family were happy. I’ll be back faster than Schwarzenegger for an uzi 9mm. You should give this local owner’s new enterprise a try. There’s vegetarian options, phones, and an online ordering website HERE, and they deliver right out to the sticks, at around a four mile radius; dinner sorted!
The Olive Pizza & Grill is at: 26 Sidmouth Street, Devizes, SN10 1LD, UK
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
Devizes Food & Drink Festival launched their 2025 programme of events today. Running from Saturday 20th to the 28th September, the Box Office opens online and at Devizes Books on August 11th; can you wait that long or is your tummy rumbling already?!
The free Street Food and Artisan Marketย will take place in the Devizes Market Place on Saturday 20th, opening the festival. There’s tales and food of Greece, cheese & wine tasting, a teddy bear’s picnic, an exploration of the culinary traditions that have bound French and Russian cuisine together, ย lunch in the Menโs Shed,ย local nutritionist and personal trainer Matt Fruci, lunch of Indian street food at Indigo Antiques, Polly’s lunch on the Water Gypsy, The great Foodie Quiz, a Wadworth tour, a murder mystery dinner, Come Dine With Us, and lots more.
The festival ends with the usual World Food Day, something I very much enjoyed last year when I got my fill! That’s free entry at the Corn Exchange on Sunday 28th September. 12.30 they say, but get there early as the queue will be huge and so might your appetite!
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.
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 opening in Poulshot, near Devizesโฆ.
Founded by award-winning chocolatier Holly Garner, Hollychocs has become a much-loved fixture in the local community, known not just for its handcrafted chocolates but for creating a warm, welcoming space for chocolate lovers to connect, indulge and experience the very best chocolate in the Southwest.
โThis decision hasnโt come lightly,โ said Holly. โSam and I have poured so much into the cafรฉโworking long days, championing other small businesses and suppliers and welcoming thousands of people through our doors. The support from our community has meant everything.โ
The closure comes amidst rising costs that have impacted many small businesses across the country. โWeโve tried everythingโfrom constantly creating new menu offerings, to introducing special offers,โ Holly added. โIn the end, the increased labour costs paired with price increases across the board, have made it time to focus our energy on a future thatโs sustainable for us, our chocolate, and the people behind it.โ
Yet this opens a new chapter for Hollychocs. Although the cafรฉ will no longer offer drop-in visits, Hollychocs will continue to host a wide range of bookable chocolate experiences from their studio just outside Devizes. These include guided tastings, chocolate-making workshops, and sit-down afternoon teasโalready popular with locals and visitors alike.
Hollychocsโ full product range will also remain available for UK-wide delivery and click & collect. Sheโs just released a Hollychocs version of the viral sensation Dubai Bar and has plans to increase her postbox-friendly chocolate gifts which are an increasingly popular way of sending a thoughtful gift.
They will also be focusing more on Corporate Gifting and Wholesale opportunities both locally and nationally.
โWeโre not going anywhere,โ Holly assured. โWeโre simply shifting focusโputting our efforts into the parts of the business we know can sustain us in the long term.โ
The final day of trading at the Beanery Cafรฉ will take place on Saturday 23rd August, and the team welcomes the community to pop in for one last drink or treat.
โWeโd love to see some familiar faces before we close the doors,โ said Holly. โWeโre so proud of what weโve builtโand incredibly grateful to everyone in Wiltshire whoโs supported us on this journey.โ
Devizine wishes Holly and the team all the best with progressing this delicious brand. It’s a shame to hear about The Beanery but I believe they’ve made the sensible decision.
Daphneโs Family & Childhood Connection to Devizes Celebrations of Daphne Oram have been building in London since the beginning of December, for those in theโฆ
Part 1: An Introduction March 1936: newlywed French telecommunications engineer Pierre Schaeffer relocates to Paris from Strasbourg and finds work in radio broadcasting. He embarksโฆ
Yesterday Wiltshire Council published an โupdateโ on the lane closure on Northgate Street in Devizes as the fire which caused it reaches its first anniversary.โฆ
Join the St Johnโs Choir and talented soloists for a heart-warming evening of festive favourites, carols, and candlelit Christmas atmosphere this Friday 12 th Decemberโฆ
This afternoon I find myself contemplating what the future holds for historical discovery and learning for all ages, fun and educational exhibits and events inโฆ
Featured Image: Barbora Mrazkova My apologies, for Marlboroughโs singer-songwriter Gus Whiteโs debut album For Now, Anyway has been sitting on the backburner, and itโs moreโฆ
Poulshot’sAward-winning chocolate studio Hollychocs is proud to launch a heartfelt charity campaign in support of the Cystic Fibrosis Trust UK, with a charming chocolate duck leading the way…..
The star of the campaign is Henry Duck โ a handmade chocolate duck crafted from Hollychocsโ signature 45% cocoa milk chocolate and decorated in yellow and gold cocoa butter, in tribute to Cystic Fibrosis Awareness.
For every Henry Duck sold, ยฃ1 will be donated to the Cystic Fibrosis Trust UK, helping fund vital research and provide life-changing support to families across the UK.
โOur family has seen the impact of cystic fibrosis firsthand,โ says Holly Garner, chocolatier and founder of Hollychocs. โHenry is named after my nephew, and this campaign coincides with their โWear It Yellowโ campaign and is our way of giving something back while sharing a little joy through chocolate.โ
Awl, look at him. I’m quackers about Henry!
To add to the fun, every purchase in her Beanery Cafรฉ and Chocolate Shop between Thursday 13 and Saturday 15 June will come with a free, numbered mini duck. One lucky mini duck number will win a full-size Henry Duck!
Customers can treat themselves to Hollyโs limited-edition Henry Duck Sundae, an indulgent dessert of half a Henry Duck filled with vanilla gelato, and topped with her award-winning honeycomb and lava salted caramel sauce. As with the Henry Duck, ยฃ1 from every sundae goes to the Cystic Fibrosis Trust.
Customers can take part by purchasing a Henry Duck online or in store, stopping by The Beanery Cafรฉ in Poulshot (ThuโSat, 10amโ5pm) for the special sundae, along with all their other delicious treats, or by entering the mini duck giveaway with each purchase in the cafรฉ & chocolate shop
โHenry Duck is a small treat that makes a big impact,โ Holly adds. โWhether you’re indulging yourself, treating a friend, or visiting our cafรฉ, youโre helping support families like oursโand being part of something bigger.โ
About Hollychocs:
Founded by award-winning chocolatier and chocolate engineer Holly Garner, Hollychocs produces ethically sourced, handcrafted chocolates in small batches from their Wiltshire studio. Known for blending scientific precision with flavour-led creativity, the business has earned multiple accolades, including Great Taste Awards and the title of Southwestโs Chocolate Champion.
About Cystic Fibrosis Trust:
The Cystic Fibrosis Trust is the UK’s leading charity for those affected by cystic fibrosis. Through research, advocacy, and frontline support, the Trust is working to ensure a brighter future for everyone living with the condition.
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 a busy opening day for the team. Owner Marc told me how customers were lined up at the doors before they opened, and supposed the cooler climate wasn’t a bad thing, as they were still finding their feet!
Hillworth Park was much the same as usual, scenic yet functional, with a sprinkling of families passing through and children playing games. This is a welcomed addition, though, as Soupchick is renowned locally for quality homemade tasty tucker, though the customer base might change slightly. What then, is different from the Soupchick of the Shambles and the new cafรฉ, and what’s the same? I hear you ask!
Easy. The ethos is the same, fromย the hospitable welcome to fresh quality produce and homemade food, with Anya’s exceptional attention to flavours that compliment each other; it’s all sooo scrumptious!
There’s two of their delicious soups of the day options, naturally, and there’s toasties of similar variety as before. But with a view to more family clientรจle, there’s simplified versions of the toastie, such as plain cheese with ham, tomato or onion, as well as those favourites at the Shambles, such as The New Yorker with pastrami, Swiss cheese, red onion and American mustard, the tuna melt, or Smokey Spanish Chorizo.
While I’m personally partial to a New Yorker toastie, the greater welcomed element will surely be the essential ice cream from Marsh Farm, and a greater concentration on teas, coffees, smoothies, milkshakes and salads. From quiche to baguettes and falafel wraps, it’s a wider variety, but everything retains the fresh quality we’ve come to love Soupchick for.
They’re open for breakfast too, with granola bowls, fruit salads, porridge, toast and wraps, and everything on the menu all day is very reasonably priced; when considering how tasty it all is; you can’t go wrong with a toastie for six pounds, or sandwiches from ยฃ5.50.
It was a shame, for years past, the Hillworth Park cafรฉ perhaps wasn’t reaching its full potential, and selling chocolate bars and drinks which could be found cheaper at the Hillworth Road store a short walk up the street. Soupchick has truly turned the facility around, it offers now something unique with a personal touch, and something, while Devizes residents have become accustomed to through their time spent at the Shambles, a wider appeal than before.
Though, I must stress, Anya, Marc and the team are determined to keep both cafรฉs open, and The Shambles one will continue as before. You could, potentially, buy a takeaway soup at one and walk to the other for a refill!!
We wish them all the best with their new venture, and look forward to the possibility of perhaps having a few events there too some sunny day and meeting you there, of course!
Four months on from the tragic fire on Northgate Street in Devizes which took out the popular Kebab House, owner Mustafa Suna and his dedicated team have set up a mobile unit, The Devizes Kebab Van at The Garden Trading Estate opposite the Travelodge. Business is as busy as ever, and the kebabs are as tasty as ever, too!
It’s a bustling Sunday afternoon at the Devizes Kebab Van as the staff dance around each other, preparing food and serving customers, yet they never fail to greet you with a smile. Any misgivings you might have about mobile street food will be immediately forgotten; it’s spacious and spotless, with a vast selection of quality options from burgers and kebabs to chicken and vegetarian dishes too. It’s of the same exemplary standard as it was back in Northgate Street; ah, we remember it well!
Earlier this month, they upgraded their previous unit, and it’s state of the art now, and they’veย got an online ordering system too; proper job!
I’ve brought kebabs in other towns and been bitterly disappointed. Seems The Kebab House rewarded us with high expectations, and the new van continues that exceptional quality as a standard. Plentiful portions, perfectly cooked and served, that’s one tasty kebab!
Now only open from 4 to 11pm, there might be no chance of falling into the place directly from the Exchange any more, it’s a lengthy wander from town, but it seems the Kebab Van is doing plenty of business on Folly Road and likely at cheaper rates, the team is as busy as ever and happy. Asked if they’d consider moving back to the Market Place if the right property should come along, they seemed adamant they’ll be staying where they are.
Perhaps it’s closer for you where you live, may be it’s not. Perhaps you pass it on the way home from work, maybe it’s not as convenient as the town centre, I certainly miss it being on my wobbly wander home from the pubs, but hey, it’s well worth the trek; work up an appetite, won’t it?!
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.
Having to unfortunately miss Devizesโ blues extravaganza on Friday, I crossed the borderline on Saturday to get my prescribed dosage of Talk in Codeโฆwith aโฆ
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
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
Two upcoming events from Swindon Palestine Solidarity in March. The first is a charity Iftar this Friday 14th March, from 6pm – 8pm at the Broadgreen Community Centre, Salisbury Street, Swindon. The second is an evening of poetry and art at the Friends Meeting House, 79 Eastcott Hill, Swindon, on Friday 21st March, from 7.30-9pmโฆ..
Swindon Palestine Solidarity are raising funds for the HandsUp Project. This project is an amazing initiative that through a network of volunteers, connects children around the world with young people in Palestine. By means of online interaction, drama and storytelling activities, it enables the use of creativity and self-expression to promote mutual understanding, personal growth, and the development of English language skills.ย
The Hands Up Project trained teachers to set up and run drama clubs in schools all over Palestine. These spaces enable students to develop their creativity and discover their talents. They are now very well established as a tool for extra curricular English language development, and as a focal point for Hands Up Project remote sessions with volunteers around the world.
All funds raised will go to teachers in Gaza and the West Bank to help the children there.
This Fridayโs evening will start with a three course meal, where a mixture of different cultural cuisines will be available. Swindon Palestine Solidarity thanks the Lalbagh, Mummy’s Kitchen and Grand Bazaar along with community volunteers who are donating food, goods, money and time to make this event a success.
Swindon Palestine Solidarity are delighted to have a very special guest, Nick Bilbrough who founded the HandsUp Project, accompanied by teachers, to speak about the project and its positive impact for the children who have suffered loss, disruption and trauma. Here is an excerpt from the diary of a young girl from Gaza: โI opened my eyes at sunrise, weariness gnawing at my mind and soul. Yesterdayโs evacuation journey had been so terrifying that I wanted to bury it deep beneath the layers of grim memories. Leaving behind the people I had lived with for more than three months weighed heavily on my heart.โ (HandsUp Project – handsupproject.org)
Tickets are available on Eventbrite HERE, or email @swindonpalestinesolidarity.org, especially if you have special dietary needs, so that they can accommodate you.
The second event is Poetry and Art for Palestine.
Swindon Palestine Solidarity are pleased to announce an evening of poetry and art at the Friends Meeting House, 79 Eastcott Hill, Swindon, SN1 3JF, on Friday 21st March, from 7.30-9pm. This is a free event but booking is recommended on Eventbrite HERE.
Join Peter and Alice Oswald and local poets from the community for an evening of spoken word and poetry, to hear the stories and voices of children in Palestine. Peter will make a stop in Swindon on his Pilgrimage 4 Palestine to Westminster while fasting Ramadan in solidarity with Palestine and raising awareness of Islamophobia.
Come to this event to welcome Peter and his crew on their way and find out how you can help the children in Gaza. Take the opportunity to view an exhibition of art from children in Gaza and meet members of Swindon Palestine Solidarity.
Weโre delighted to hear Anya & Marc of the fantastically tasty Soupchick in the Devizes Shambles are to take over the cafe at Hillworth Park. โWe are excitedly expanding by taking on that little gem of Hillworth Cafe. We aim to source most of our produce as locally as possible to benefit the local economy and to be sustainable,โ said Anyaโฆ.
It is hoping to be going ahead in April, and the dynamic soup duo intend to have a grand opening; watch this space! I supposed to Marc that the cafe at the park cafe seemed to sell mainly cakes, chocolate, teas and soft drinks, many of which one could nip around the corner and buy cheaper from the Hillworth Store. Soupchick would be a game changer.
โThatโs what weโre hoping,โ Marc replied, โAnya has loads of ideas. We will start with a bit of caution, but of course will do hot food, and alcohol, but weโre really excited to see what we can do!โ
Soupchick made an appeal for information today, already using Heritage Fine Foods, Lower Field Farm Meats in Coate, coffee roasted in Warminster and fresh fruit and veg from the Thursday Market, they need suggestions for reasonably priced back ups to guarantee a smooth flow. They are looking for local fruit and veg wholesalers, particularly interested in juicing oranges, salad veg growers, and cheesemakers, particularly feta style, cheddar & halloumi style cheeses. Contact them via Facebook.
We wish them the very best of luck with the project, but I grew concerned; would I still be able to get my soup fix in the Shambles and sit in the lovely Valentina art gallery opposite to eat it?! โOh yes,โ Marc assured me, โwe are keeping the Shambles going, I like being in town.โ We like being in town too, Marc, we like that you like being in town, and I hope you like that we like that you like being in town, andโฆ oh, just lace me with some beef & mushroom stroganoff to stop my over excited waffling, hint, hint!!
If Devizes can have two Greggs, it can have two Soupchicks too!!!!
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
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
Pot pourri, Rodney, mange tout! If weโve brought to your attention as large a variety of local festivals as possible, here is one that is completely unique, and you will learn something from, rather than, like me, remaining speaking French with the fluency of Del-Boy!
Marlborough School of Languages is the newly branded Marlborough Language Tutorsโ Hub; a group of independent language tutors who offer a wide range of courses and workshops for secondary school students and adults. They are now taking bookings for the 2024/25 academic year. But as well as these workshops and a Spanish student exchange program, over the week from the 7th to the 11th July they are holding a summer fiesta across Marlborough’s grand high street; a unique week of language, culture and fun!
The fiesta is an immersive summer experience designed for language enthusiasts of all levels, it includes morning language lessons in Spanish, French, Italian and English as a foreign language with expert tutors. There are afternoon cultural talks and workshops in language, culture, and gastronomy, and to really twist your arm, you will also enjoy meals at top local restaurants, a paella feast on Wednesday, and a finale celebration of wine tasting, tapas and live music the tutors call the “Battle of the Nations.”
It must be a challenge second only to teaching pet hamsters quantum mechanics, to teach the average English person a foreign language! Personally, I assume shouting in the same English what has already been misunderstood, while ingeniously adopting a wonky foreign accent will generally suffice! But you should be rest assured the team at Marlborough School of Languages are a dedicated bunch.
There are eight fully-qualified tutors at Marlborough School of Languages. Valรฉrie Calder for French, who comes from Champagne, Italian tutor Claudia Marin from Venice, Laura Simons who teaches English, Welsh and French, Kate Browne from Canterbury, who teaches English, and four Spanish tutors, Nazaret Garcรญa Val from a town in Zaragoza, Nacho Panadero Carroceda from Vigo, newest member Ignacio Vargas online only from Cantabria, and the founder Marรญa Gonzรกlez.
โAfter years of tutoring students of all ages in Wiltshire and London, I decided to offer the locals the opportunity to make their learning experience a social event too,โ Marรญa explained, native Spaniard from Lugo, in the beautiful Galicia who has lived in the UK for twenty-five years, teaching at Marlboroughโs St John’s Academy, organising Spanish learning clubs in local primaries and is now working at the Department of Modern Languages in Marlborough College.
Marรญa Gonzรกlez
Maria said, โWe aim to give our students, whether secondary school pupils or adult learners, a chance to really immerse themselves in the language and understand a little about different cultures from our base in the picturesque Wiltshire market town of Marlborough and online. We offer them the opportunity to engage in cultures and perspectives beyond their immediate environment.โ
“The tutors at the fiesta will be Andrew Brown (French), Matt Gow (EFL), Claudia Marin (Italian), and I will teach Spanish,” Maria continued, “Andrew and Matt both worked at Marlborough college and they are just doing this event with me. They have 30 and 25 years of experience so, over the moon with their input!”
This could be the golden opportunity to broaden your horizons and learn a language the fun way, discovering new cultures, and making unforgettable memories. Always a silly sausage, I struggled with languages in school truth be told, troubling with English even, but had my teacher brought in a paella feast things might have been oh so different!!
There are limited spaces available for this, so secure your place with a ยฃ100 deposit HERE. The cost overall is ยฃ345 per person. Book now at: www.marlboroughsol.com
Contact Marlborough School of Languages at info@marlboroughsol.com or call 07940910821 for more informationโฆ. or informaciรณn, con su permiso mi amigoโฆ okay, thereโs no fooling you, I used Google translate, but you might not need to after this and the world will be your oyster, or ostra!
There are only a few tickets left for this yearโs Devizes Festival of Winter Ales, an important fundraiser for DOCAโฆ..
This year DOCA has teamed up with the Southgate Inn, who have provided a fantastic selection of thirty ales and ciders, there are pies from Padfield Porkies and sausage rolls from Pig in the Middle.
Saturday 15th February 2025, is the date, at Devizes Corn Exchange. Thereโs an Early Session โ 11am โ 5pm and a Late Session โ 5:30pm โ 11pm.
This year they welcome Glorious Productions, who are excited to bring a taste of their legendary Social Club Cabaret to the Festival of Winter Ales. While you sip your ales and relax they provide comedy, skills and the unexpected! Compere โ Goldie Fiasco, Cabaret โ Jon Udry and Jude Elizabeth. And Vince Bell and Adam Woodhouse play the early session, while Burn the Midnight Oil and Junkyard Dogs take the later session.
New for 2025: based on attendee feedback, there will be a slight difference between the 2 sessions this year. Both sessions will have the same great selection of beers, alongside brilliant entertainment from bands and cabaret. However, the Early Session (11am โ 5pm) will be slightly more low-key for entertainment, geared more towards those who are mostly interested in beer tasting. The Late Session (5:30pm โ 11pm) will be slightly more entertainment focussed for those looking for a buzzier vibe alongside their beer.
This is a fundraising event to help meet the costs of DOCAโs free annual programme of outdoor arts events and activities, including the Street Festival, Confetti Battle, Carnival, Winter Festival and Lantern Parade.
The Festival of Winter Ales is an 18+ event. The layout will be similar to 2024 with some seating, and some standing. If you require a seat for accessibility reasons, please contact DOCA at info@docadevizes.org.uk
More information on the Winter Ales entertainmentโฆ
Goldie Fiasco โ This yearโs Festival of Winter Ales will be compered by the โwonderfully bonkers and totally endearing!โ Goldie Fiasco. Goldie is a veteran performer with thousands of shows under her belt including โ Glastonbury Festival Circus Big Top, Edinburgh Fringe, The Social Club Cabaret, Bestival, Shambala, Komedia, and Main Stage Redfest. She will preside over a smorgasbord of delectable entertainment for your delight. Sit back and enjoy the ride.
Jon Udry โ There are jugglers. There are comedians. And there is Jon Udry. Jon combines the two to such a brilliant effect that his unique performance has his audience roaring with laughter from entrance to the final curtain. Formerly the British Young Juggler Of The Year and New Act of the Year Finalist 2018, Jonโs skills and stage persona have brought his show onto various television and radio shows, as well as being a regular on the bill at prestigious festivals like Glastonbury.
Jon travels internationally, working on a host of luxury cruise lines, at festivals and events, and โ due to his unique comedy style โ his show is also at home on the domestic comedy club circuit. Jonโs repertoire is not the normal type of speciality act โ instead, itโs young, offbeat, quirky and hugely impressive. His current show โJon Udry Punches Gravity in the Faceโ is quickly becoming his most successful to date with a host of bookings around the UK, Europe and beyond.
Jude Elizabeth โ Jude trained as a professional ballet dancer but turned to Circus over a decade ago specialising in Aerial arts and Handbalance. Now internationally renowned, she has performed alongside Hugh Jackman at The Brit Awards, performed for the Royals and at some of the most prestigious venues in the world. We look forward to bringing her exceptional talent and elegance to our stage.
Vince Bell โ A talented singer-songwriter based in Devizes, Vince Bell is a prominent figure in the local music scene. Known for pouring raw emotion into his songwriting, he creates deeply personal yet universally relatable songs. His music is meticulously crafted and delivered with a captivating sincerity, showcasing his artistry and passion. Drawing inspiration from a diverse range of influences, including the likes of John Martyn, Pink Floyd, Bruce Springsteen, and Richard Thompson, Vinceโs sound is both unique and richly textured, resonating with audiences on a profound level.
Adam Woodhouse โ Guitarist and singer, Adam Woodhouse has a love of country, blues and folk music. As a solo acoustic performer, these influences are always apparent, no matter what musical genre he is playing. Adam covers a wide range of music from across the decades, bringing his own style, vibe and humour to a collection of well-known hits.
Burn the Midnight Oil โ are a powerhouse trio that skim the surface of blues, country, folk, rock and pop with an all-original repertoire.
Junkyard Dogs โ Junkyard Dogs are a group of seasoned musicians with a shared love of Blues and goodtime Rock & Roll. Donโt forget your dancing shoes and let the good times roll!
Devizes welcomed a charming new coffee shop to The Market Place today, called Caffe Vialottie; I thought it best to drop by, poke my nose inโฆ..
Caffe Vialottie takes over the listed number 35, where the cherished Times Square closed its doors for the final time in June 2024. The walls are adorned with some nice artwork, the colour theme altered to a dark green and cream, but the tried and tested layout remains much the same as Times Square. It was met with busy enthusiasm by customers, many I suspect devotees of the previous cafe happy to see it back in action. โEveryone wants to try the new cafe,โ manager Chelsie Godden greeted me, between frantically serving customers, โitโs been busy, but nice!โ
While Chelsie worked at Times Square previously, the owner was new to the area. He stressed the importance of creating an individual space, adamant copying the mainstream coffee shop chains wasnโt on the agenda here, he said, โI think weโve got something special here, something nice.โ
If the word nice was coincidentally dropped twice, it certainly is that; nothing negative could be said about Caffe Vialottie. It seemed friendly, with a vibe to fit like a glove into Devizes. Yet with coffee being centre stage, tea and a good choice of soft drinks, thereโs only toasties and a selection of cakes and Kettle crisps to wash down. It is, primarily, a โlight lunchโ stop-off point, rather than attempting to be a restaurant, and despite the call not to replicate the major coffee shop chains, unfortunately we do have a lot of similar establishments already in Devizes.
But hey, it does what it says on the tin, hospitably, and is price-matched with the established competitors in town. While personally Iโd like to see someone trying something different and off the wall, ideas like tapas and Caribbean themed cafes havenโt been so successful in Devizes recently, as the tried and tested formula of tea, coffee and cake, seems to appease locals more. It is with that notion we wish Caffe Vialottie all the best of luck in these trying times, and hope future days will emulate the success of their opening day. Devizes can never have enough coffee it seems!
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 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
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!!
You should know me well enough by now to accept I donโt beat about the bush; itโs supermarkets and chain-storeโs own silly fault for the rise in popularity of the Christmas Market, for lavishing their shelves with uninspiring commercialised, plastic rubbish!
There, there, got that off my chest! Now,Christmas Markets are popping up locally faster than Santa on Christmas Eve, but if you cannot make it to one, or simply prefer to shop in your jimmy-jams, hereโs some ideas for Christmas presents weโve found which won’t break the bank, and support local craftersโฆWelcome to the Devizine Online Christmas Market, jingle your bells!
DIY it, with Pins & Needles!
One affordable and genius idea springs to mind; do-it-yourself. For as well as personal and unique designs by owner Vixter Woolista, Pins & Needles in Snuff Street Devizes has all your knitting and crochet needs, and an online shop too, here. With a fabulous range of accessible crochet and knit kits, patterns and gorgeous hand-dyed yarns, Pins & Needles is a little shop with a big heart, and winner of the 2020 British Knitting Awards for best yarn shop in the south west.
Good Reads!
We donโt get as many book reviews from local authors as weโd like, but this year saw two great reads, which would make ideal presents for your book worm.
First up, Sorrel Pits published Broken Shadows, and this has to be my personal favourite novel Iโve ever had the pleasure of reviewing. A gripping thriller based locally, this really is a page-turner. Hereโs the review, you can grab this from Devizes Books, or online here.
This year also saw local author Molly Andersonโs Dadโs New Dress, an emotional rollercoaster of searing honesty into family ties and commitment. Reviewed here, at Devizes Books and online here.
Polish up on your cooking!
Novel idea we hope your recipient wonโt take the wrong way, cookery classes at The Farm Cookery School on Bromhamโs Netherstreet! They have adult and childrenโs courses available, and various Christmas meal related workshops too! Christmas baking masterclass anyone? Beats a can of Christmas Tinner!! Find them Here.
Chocolate, of course!
Hollychocs in Poulshout, award-winning chocolates; need I say more, other than you shop online for them, HERE.
Getting Crafty
Upstairs in The Healthy Life Company in the Little Brittox, Devizes, you will find the most fantastic display of Christmas gift ideas, many sourced locally. We reported on this last year, see here.Find them online here.
Bramblerose Designs is by local artist Ginnie Burns, stocking lots of Christmas gifts and cards, fantastic tie-dye T-shirts and prints of her colourful local landscapes. Find them HERE.
Cositas Bonitas in Albion Place on Sidmouth Street, Devizes has beautifully handmade crafts, like personalised baubles and cute drawstring Christmas sacks, knitted advent calendars, decorated jars and decorations. Find them on Facebook, here.
Merlin Glass Studio & Gift Shop in Woodborough Yard is run by crafter Louise Spink, has some great Christmas craft workshops, and sells beautiful decorations and glassware designs. How can you resist these little robin brooches? Awl! Find them Here.
Moonflower and Me has original hand illustrated artwork, handmade resin & clay Items and more fascinating gift ideas. Check out their magical mushroom terrarium baubles; gorgeous! Find them Here.
Over the Yarnarm is a small, unique business cruising the British waterways, bringing a touch of handmade warmth to every corner they visit. Operating from a cosy liveaboard narrowboat, sharing our passion for all things yarn. Find their Etsy shop here, be a star and grab yourself a knitted star!
Enter artist Matt Bakerโs World of Thoodles. Donโt know what a Thoodles is? Find stickers, prints, stationary and badges of these colourful kawaii fashioned monster characters here. We think they rock, and Iโm 51 years young! Find Thoodles HERE.
And lest we forget the white bear at Christmas, Arthe! Lots of prints and some fantastic Christmas tees up for grabs, HERE! Find Arthe Christmas cards at Black Dog Coffee on Couch Lane.
That’s all folks! Well, there’s bound to be many more jumping the bandwagon once they see this, expecting me to do a thing called “editing,” I’ve heard it’s all the rage these days. Have a lovely Christmas everyone, here’s our Christmas card video message, filmed on location at DOCA Winter Festival, by Jess…..
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
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
Dumping pumpkins in the woods is bad for wildlife says Forestry England.
As millions of pumpkins hit supermarket shelves and make their way to gardens, porches, and windowsills across the region, Forestry England is reminding members of the public not to leave spent pumpkins in forests or woodlands.ย
Each year, well-meaning social media posts circulate that encourage people to leave pumpkins in the woods for wildlife to eat. But pumpkins are not natural to woodlands and can make some animals very poorly, such as our declining population of hedgehogs. Decomposing food waste can also attract pests and spread disease.ย
Instead, Forestry England recommends getting creative in the kitchen to use up Halloween pumpkins or recycling them at home.ย
Forestry England senior ecologist, Sam Pegler said, โWhile itโs wonderful that people want to do their bit for nature, leaving rotting pumpkins in the countryside isnโt good for wildlife. Some animal centres may accept a small number of pumpkins for their residents, but these are carefully given to appropriate species and removed before they rot down. This isnโt possible in a forest setting, so is best avoided completely.ย
My favourite way to use pumpkin is to explore the countless free and tasty recipes online. It isnโt all about soup, pumpkin is brilliant for stews, curries, pies, and even pasta and risotto dishes. If pumpkin really isnโt your thing, it can be disposed of in your food recycling container or composted at home. The high water content of pumpkin makes it a great composting material to add nitrogen and moisture to your compost bin.โ
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
Devizes Food & Drink Festival came to a close for this year with the most amazing World Food event at the Corn Exchange on Sundayโฆit was yummy on an international scale!
Itโs an annual finale Iโve missed in previous years, but was persuaded to attend by Dora who was there with a sweet Hong Kong dish of tapioca and melon. And thatโs the premise, any local with ethnic roots is invited to serve a taster dish from their country of origin. One raffle ticket equals one dish, a strip of five costs just ยฃ3, the event is free to attend.
This arrangement makes this event arguably the best one on the Food & Drink Festival program, if the others require a ticket and the opening food market, while diverse in choices of tucker, vendors are left to their own devices and tend to sell fuller dishes at fuller costs, therefore should you wish to try something different youโre committed to a single choice or two. Here you circulate the hall safe in the knowledge that if the dish was not to your liking, itโs only set you back sixty pee, and thereโs lots more options priced the same. It is a reserved and courteous dash, being a first-come-first-served situation and only a set amount of dishes from each table; I arrived punctual, and peckish. Best advice I could give about this event is to try and arrive before me!
For this, those who know the score with this event are queuing as far as the old Natwest bank waiting for it to open as if it was an Oasis reunion gig! And they were right to, it was fantastic and gorged-aciously gorgeous, and Iโd kick myself for not attending before if I wasnโt balancing three dishes of various national dishes!
If you know me well youโll know I do love my grub, and Iโve eclectic tastes, save eggs! Iโm in my element here, trekking the world like Jules Verneโs cutlery, without leaving the Devizes Corn Exchange. Though thereโs less than eighty tables, itโs certainly plentiful. First stop, Zimbabwe for some tasty Sadza Balls, onto a lovely Romanian stew Iโm not even going to attempt to spell, and then Iโm back in Africa, for South African Chakalaka; loved the name, preferred the dish, it was probably my favourite if I was forced to pick one!
It is perhaps for the adventurous, this event, and unlike a more multicultural place, weโre restricted here to Italian, Chinese and Indian restaurants, therefore to explore the more unusual is key to experiencing the best of the occasion. With this ethos, the Western European tables arenโt attracting the same attention as the Eastern European, African or Asian ones. Nevertheless, I tried the Italian one as they had something Iโd not seen before, Lenticchie De Capodana, a lentil stew which they told me is traditionally served at New Year and is therefore more of a household dish than something youโd find in restaurants. Herein is the interesting angle of the event as a whole, these are home cooked dishes and not pampered or adapted to an international palette, as meals in restaurants might well be.
There were a few tables I did not try, such as Scottish haggis, I didnโt so in favour of the more exotic ones, and prevention from over-indulging (of which I was close to the border already.) I mean, when do you get to try Rourou patties with Dalo from Fiji, in Devizes, huh?! This one was particularly unusual, and tasty, as equally as those from the Ukraine, a berry and cream pudding from Denmark, even some apple layered sponge cake from Guernsey; yes, they had puddings too, get in!
Though they didnโt have any drinks, so take a bottle of water with you next year. But do go, it was scrumptious, communal, and a grand finale to the Food & Drink Festival. An event I’m unusually tempted to summarise using science, yes science; step aside Heston Blumenthal!
So, forget about Ebbinghausโ Forgetting Curve, and the pun, and focus on Darrenโs Remembering Curve! Eddinghausโ curve is a hypothesis, his methodology is wrought with debatable flaws, especially by modern thinking. Affective Context Theory is the new bag,ย emphasising vehemence in memory retention, in other words, you cannot learn anything youโve no interest in. My curve is the physical example, itโs my belly, and once filled so too is my retention to knowledge, because Iโm interested in filling my gut. I learned a lot today about different world foods, and Iโm likely to remember it because Darrenโs Remembering Curve is particularly full now with new foods Iโve not tried before, see? Okay, donโt base your PHD on it, as long as you get the general gist!
Awl, hereโs to another year, then, cheers, and thank you to all the organisers of the festival and everyone who provided a dish to try; Iโm full!
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
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
Hot sausage and mustard! Devizes Food & Drink Festival got off to a yummy, yummy, yummy start Saturday, leaving Devizes folk with love in their tummies, exotic burgers, pies and unusual street food! But the renowned annual food festival doesnโt end with the Market, weโve a week of grub related events ahead of us, pass the soy sauceโฆโฆ
Unpredictable weather didnโt prevent masses turning out for the free market in, conveniently, the Market Place. And they were blessed by a mostly clement outcome. Tucking umbrellas underarm they noshed and drank till their heart’s content with an array of interesting street food stalls, bars and music.
It was all ukuey shenanigans entertaining the feeding folk with a five-piece skiffle ensemble called the Strungout Ukuleles, and they were a satisfying choice. Surrounding them, hay bales were occupied by seated feasters, the Wadworth bar keeping them refreshed. Hawkstone was another choicest booze outlet, but being endorsed by thick slice of gammon Jeremy Clarkson put me off a smidgen, so I opted for a pint from the Dumb Postโs mobile bar, as it came with a delicious pie; not so dumb, huh?!
Food-wise we were truly spoiled for choice. Popular lunches seemed to be from the Japanese noodle stall, an Indian street food one, but particularly The Tibetan one with their tasty momos, and Calneโs vintage yellow caravan, home of Jamaican jerkinโ Miss Aubreeโs Kitchen, which is like a reggae riddim ina ya belly!
Purbeck supplied the ice cream, and there were more cakes and brownies than I could even eat in a month! Stalls selling homemade sauces, preserves, gins, you name it, where there. I was instructed not to return home without fudge, which was an easy challenge and met with my approval, the fudge judge!
Aside from our regular bustling markets, it is a lovely annual event in Devizes because we get the kind of food stalls we rarely see here, serving the kind of grub we equally donโt get to taste often. Though many assume it’s the be-all and end-all of Devizes Food & Drink Festival, and to them I say youโve only put a little toe into the water. It continues over the week, with a variety of ticketed food-related events, ones such as we highlighted in this yearโs preview and can be found on our event calendar, and on their website HERE.
Each expert in their field joins the festival organisers for a range of events, with links to the subject of food. So, Hillworth Park has a teddy bear picnic, Devizes Fire Station serves a hot dish, The Wharf Theatre has a film night, screening The Hundred-Foot Journey, Helen Mirren and Om Puriโs battle over neighbouring French restaurants, and so on; even food critic Tom Parker-Bowles is coming to town, but you better get in quick as tickets are being snapped up for the separate events with many sold out already; I did pre-warn you!
This all ends Sunday 29th September with the World Food Day at the Corn Exchange; get there by midday to ensure you get tasters of the variety of world food dishes created by local residents of respective ethnic backgrounds. They come at just a quid a dish, so fill your boots!
Once the Market Place was tidied the Devizes Food & Drink Festival moved into the Town Hall for a ticketed Italian-inspired meal with Italian food-related readings, mostly from the Devizes Writers Group and sponsored by Devizes Books and the Healthy Life Company. It was all very posh, for me, but communal, welcoming and we enjoyed it.
Rest assured those wordsmiths will be analysing my amateurish writing, so I better get my grammar in gear! From contemporary literature to the Roman Empire, we were treated to passages from various sources, from Robert Harrisโ Pompeii to Guardian articles about cheese. Most memorable was Lewisโ reading from Mary Beardโs Emperor of Rome, about the prankster emperor Elagabalus who teased his guests with whoopie cushions and throwing drunkards into cells with toothless lions and tigers, and Roger, Devizes answer to Brain Blessed, boldly reciting Shakespeareโs Julius Caesar!
It was a great start to the festival, which continues throughout the week, you can even take your dogs to one event at Black Dog Coffee; zoinks! Scooby snacks!
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
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
I canโt believe itโs been the best part of six months since my son and Iโs half term chocolate making workshop at Hollychocs in Poulshot, it was so much fun and I was as excited as little Charlie Bucket! Holly has released their new program of events, their Hollychocs Experiences for the Autumn & Christmas periodโฆ.
From their signature Hollychocs Experiences, to masterclasses, delicious tasting events and family friendly fun at Halloween, a Spooktacular Chocolate Experience for all ages, and two types of workshops for Christmas; there’s something for everyone.
Their first ever Christmas Tasting Evening sold out quickly last year so they’ve added two more dates to come and try before you buy, but youโll still need to be quick, spaces are limited, this is not a Willy Wonka sized factory!
In addition to their program, which you can find here, Hollychocs has a taster session in conjunction with the Devizes Food & Drink Festival on Monday 23rd of September, which you can find here.ย
These experiences are a fantastic way to learn all about the world of craft chocolate, try a new skill and they make the perfect gift for birthdays and Christmas. Find my account of the experience at a family chocolate making workshop, here. But really, if I type the word chocolate one more timeโฆโฆ.!!
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
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
We love Devizes, we love food, and we love drink too! What’s not to like when the Devizes Food & Drink Festival launch, (or could we say lunch?!) their program of events for this year?!
HollyChocs
The Festival runs from 21st-29th September, in which during that time you could be tasting tucker from Italy to Ukraine, the latter from Soup-Chick, take your dog for a meal, or your teddy bear, lunch in a old mill, explore the realm of gastronomy with Professor Charles Spence, taste the delights our local chocolatier Holly, try hot dishes in the safety of the fire station (!!), sample what the folk who built Stonehenge had for dinner, and the usual unusual meals in various locations and lots more besides!
SoupChick
On the eve of the festival, Saturday 21st September, the free Street Food & Artisan Market, in the Market Place from 10am โ 4pm, with music by Strungout Ukuleles. And the festival finishes (or should I say fishes?…no, I’ve clearly taken the joke too far now, and must punish myself with an ice cream) with the World Food event at the Corn Exchange on Sunday 29th from 12:30pm. This is the other freebie event where you can enjoy tasters of the flavours of the world for less than ยฃ1 per portion . The festival promises foods from Austria to Zimbabwe, exploring real home cooking from local residents who have far flung roots.
I’ve personally never attended this grand finale World Food gig, yet, and get told off by foodie Dora every year for it! I will try extra this time, Dora, honest!
Plus, of course, I will add them all to our event calendar next update, I just need a fish finger sandwich first, all food chat has given me an appetite.
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
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 themโฆ
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 inโฆ
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 toโฆ
Weโre into August already; Christmas before you know it, so you better get outside and taste the sun while it lastsโฆ.
Hereโs what weโve found in the wilds of Wiltshire this coming week, provided the Earth isn’t hit by a meteoriteโฆ.a meaty feast pizza-orite, maybe, that’s okay, and the kind of cataclysmic event I dream about…โฆ
Everything listed here is on our event calendar; go there for links and more info, as it takes too much time to link them all in. It may also be updated as more events come to our attention, so check in later in the week too!
Ongoing: A Wiltshire Thatcher: A Photographic Journey Through Victorian Wessex runs at Wiltshire Museum, Devizes, until the end of August.
Wednesday 31st
Acoustic Jam at the Southgate, Devizes.
Big Jam Session at the Vic, Swindon.
Loonaloop at the Bell, Bath.
Thursday 1st
School Holiday Pirate Boat Trip on the Kenavon, sailing at 10.30 and 13.30 from Devizes Wharf, for a Treasure Hunting adventure on the Kennet & Avon Canal.
Sparkly Singers at Lansdowne Hall, Derry Hill.
Tell Your Story โ Theatre Acting and Directing workshop at Central Methodist Church, Chippenham.
Aldbourne Music Festival starts, running over the weekend.
Fraser Anderson with Bex Baxter & John Parker (Trio) at Chapel Arts, Bath.
Wickham Festival begins.
Valley Fest at Chew Valley also opens.
Friday 2nd
Professor Elemental & Madam Misfit at the Barge, Honeystreet, with the Real Cheesemakers in support. Not everyday we get Chap Hop here, so Editor’s Pick of the Week!
Humdinger at The Bear, Marlborough.
People Like Us at The Brunel Launch Party, Chippenham.
Music For Miniatures have an Under the Sea Tour at Marden House, Calne.
Talk in Code at The Three Horseshoes, Bradford-on-Avon with Ruby Darbyshire.
โSpirit of the Bluesโ with Julia Titus, Mike Denham & Steve Graham at Chapel Arts, Bath.
Cydonia Knights at The Vic, Swindon. Tiger Split Outfit & Jim Blair at the Beehive.
Connor Selby at The Tree House, Frome. Coda โ Led Zeppelin Tribute at the Cheese & Grain.
Saturday 3rd
Curious Kids: the Circus at Wiltshire Museum, Devizes.
Barrelhouse at The Southgate, Devizes. Maurice Menghini has a reggae night at the Bear Hotel.
Stripped at The Lamb, Marlborough.
Rave Against the Machine at The Barge, HoneyStreet.
Seven Wonders: The Spirit of Fleetwood Mac at Melksham Assembly Hall.
People Like Us at Calne Liberal Club.
Summer Party in the Park at Island Park, Chippenham.
The Buttmonkies at West Wilts Cons Club, Trowbridge.
Ooh Beehive at the Beehive, Swindon. Talk in Code at the Castle.
Westbury Cider & Beer Festival at Fullingbridge Farm.
The Blunders at the Three Horseshoes, Bradford-on-Avon.
The Dung Beatles at Chapel Arts, Bath.
Flea and Collectables Market at the Cheese & Grain, Frome. Wrecking Ball โ A Nashville Experience in the evening.
Sunday 4th
Ruzz Guitar at The Southgate, Devizes from 5pm.
Mark Green Blues Band at the Three Horseshoes, Bradford-on-Avon.
At It at The Richard Jefferies Museum, Swindon, free from 1pm.
Monday 5th
The Pop-Up Youth Cafe will be on the Green in Devizes from Monday until Friday 9th.
Princess Dance Party (2-4 Years) and Barbie Dance Party (4-9 Years) at Wiltshire Music Centre Bradford-on-Avon.
Tuesday 6th
Trio Paradis Cafe Concert: Scenes of Childhood at St Andrews, Chippenham.
Music for Miniatures presents The Owl and The Pussycat (3-7 Years) at Wiltshire Music Centre Bradford-on-Avon.
Rod Kelly Trio for Jazz Knights, at the Royal Oak, Swindon.
Important note: events which come to our attention from now on, will be updated on the Event Calendar and NOT HERE. So, be sure to check in from time to time, use the Event Calendar to find more info on everything listed on here, and for ticket links, etc. Use the Event Calendar to check for updates and planning ahead.
Did we miss you out? Did you tell us about your event? Itโs not that we donโt like you, itโs because Devizine uses many sources to collate these listings, and sometimes we miss a few things. Listing your event here is free, but please make it easier for me by messaging or emailing the info, and then, and this is the really important part, make sure Iโve added it and let me know if not!
There was a geographical population imbalance this bank holiday Monday in Devizes which risked the entire town conically sloping into the back of Morrisons; noโฆ
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
A perfect sunny(ish) Sunday at Hillworth Park in Devizes, if not to overcome one’s fear of public speaking while dressed in a giraffe onesie and fantabulous tie, but most definitely for a picnic, for the kids to play, and for a fantastic treat from DOCAโฆ
With the unfortunate cancellation of Devizes International Street Festival due to Arts Council funding cuts, DOCA pulled out all the stops for a fantastic and most memorable Picnic in the Park this year.
Slightly deceiving name, Picnic in the Park, if you didn’t know. For while there’s picnicking and yes, it’s in the park, there’s plentiful side stalls, a bar and enough entertainment to deem it a mini festival, of sorts. Mayor Ian Hopkins opened the event, hilarious street circus artist Able Mable filled the gaps between the bands perfectly with her own brand of clowning and superb audience participation. She was the very definition of entertainment.
Kai Carterโs Old Time Hustle made for an amazing kick off. Beguiling guitar, trombone and fiddle, foot-stomping magic moments as suggested on the tin, finding time for some facts about pigeons and to delightfully deliver long lost covers, particularly those of Virginia’s country legend Patsy Cline. They made tradition look cool, very cool.
Second act was equally as lovely and skilled. From Manchester, Good Habits created the most divine sound, and wonderfully full and bassy, considering it was just a cellist and an accordion duo. Particularly adroit was their Kate Bush cover, but then, their original compositions held equivalent poignancy. They’re the kind of duo who could fit into any festival and simmer an audience in awe.
Delighted to have some input, the third and final act was my personal choice. Local family collective, The Sarah C Ryan Band were perfect for this kind of communal event, they’re unique and original, smooth and cool. It’s a paced, universal sound, reflecting masterful pop-rock classics like Kate Bush, Genesisย and Fleetwood Mac, yet distinctive. Rarely have they played Devizes, so I was hopeful you’d take heed, as their performance was as memorable as the day was in general.
I caught Sarah and the band last week playing the fantastic Minety, which while I thought was awesome, I believe they played even better here at Hillworth. Perhaps being the headliner here renewed their confidence, perhaps it was Simon at the control tower showing off his new kit, or rather, I favour it was more about the flavour of the glorious day.
DOCA’s ability to bring the best out of Devizes, even at their more simpler events is something to behold with pride. For yep, indeedy, the entertainment was first class, the organisation dedicated, the vibe was positively gleaming, someone threw me a Penguin biscuit (thank you!) but above them all is the sum of their parts, monumental in what can be achieved by pulling resources together.
It may not have been the England football team’s night, (who could’ve predicted it?!) but it certainly was DOCA’s day in Hillworth. Just thought you should know, in case you’re thinking I shouldn’t review an event I was involved in. You should note I only helped them drink their tea and ate all the brownies which were supposed to be for the musicians! It’s the real festival makers, those kindly volunteers who really make DOCA what it is, so the last thanks goes to them as we head towards carnival on the 31st August with renewed sense of anticipation.
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
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
Jam-packed July! If thereโs always lots to do throughout the year, July especially so! Hereโs what weโve found in the wilds of Wiltshire this coming weekโฆ.
Everything listed here is on our event calendar; go there for links and more info, as it takes too much time to link them all in. It may also be updated as more events come to our attention, so check in later in the week too!
Ongoing: A Wiltshire Thatcher: A Photographic Journey Through Victorian Wessex runs at Wiltshire Museum, Devizes, until the end of August; review here.
Shakespeare Liveโs Macbeth at Seend Cleeve House until 6th July; review here.
Wednesday 3rd
Acoustic Jam at the Southgate, Devizes.
Christ Church Primary School Summer Show at their neighbouring Wiltshire Music Centre in Bradford-on-Avon.
Encore Screening of National Theatre Liveโs Nye at Pound Arts, Corsham.
The Big Jam Session at the Vic, Swindon. Mal Webb & Kylie at The Beehive. Wilkes Academy at the Wyvern Theatre until the 5th July.
Gusto Gusto at the Bell, Bath.
Thursday 4th
Rum & Records at the Muck & Dunder in Devizes.
3 Daft Monkeys at The Barge, HoneyStreet.
Minety Music Festival Warm-up Gig.
Chris Murphey & Barney Kenny at The Tuppenny, Swindon. John Hegley: An American In Luton at Swindon Arts Centre. Broadtown Brewery Quiz Night.
The Weeping Willows at Chapel Arts, Bath with support from Tomorrow Bird.
Friday 5th
Save Our Ships at the Pump, Trowbridge, with Start The Sirens and Everyone Lies.
Chippenham
Minety Music Festival opens, running throughout the weekend. Iโve not been before, so Iโm planning to pop along on Sunday with Talk in Code and will report my findings back to you! But its continued support of local music makes this Editorโs Pick of the Week!
Katey Brooks at Pound Arts, Corsham.
Not Warriors & Soak at The Vic, Swindon. Texas Tick Fever at The Beehive.
The Electric Shakes, Mikey Ball & the Company at The Three Horseshoes, Bradford-on-Avon.
All roads lead to Frome, they say, as if thereโs not enough happening there, Frome Festival begins today, and runs till 14th July. Therefore, find The Back Wood Redeemers and Dry White Bones at The Corner-House. The Raggedy Men at The Sun. Alberta Cross at The Tree House.
The Music Baa near Salisbury; pub-campsite combo Iโve yet to try, have ‘In D’Field’ mini festival, withDr. Beatroot, Noah’s House, Band High, Shelf Remedy, Gambling Hearts, Love is Enough, Acrustic Badgers, Felix Darlow, The Passenger Club, The Courgettes, The New Group, and Alex Morgan Wardrop.
Saturday 6th
Cocktails and Canapรฉs at Silverwood School, Rowde. All proceeds to the Silverwood School Charity Trust to support children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities.
West Lavington Village Fete and Dog Show. Blondie & Ska at The Green Dragon in Market Lavington.
Devizes Swap Shop at Pamela House. The Bratton Silver Band at the Wharf Theatre. Devizes Chamber Choir presents Showtime at the Musicals at St Andrewโs on Long Street. Illingworth at The Three Crowns. Strange Folk at The Southgate. Back To The 90s Night at The Bear Hotel.
Across the county, Marlborough Open Studios begins today, and runs throughout July, until the 28th.
Rush Hour at the Bear, Marlborough. The famous hangover sessions at the Lamb.
People Like Us at Melksham Cons Club.
Uncle Jack at Chippenham Consti Club.
Robinson Stone at Pound Arts, Corsham.
Cheese & Chilli Festival in Swindon. Street Lights at the Wyvern Theatre. Hair Supply at The Vic.
Cheltenham Music Festival opens too, running until 13th July.
The Authentics at The Three Horseshoes, Bradford-on-Avon.
The Desafinados at the Bell, Bath.
Cara Dillonโs โComing Homeโ book talk at The Cheese & Grain, Frome.
Sunday 7th
Will Edmunds stands in for Jon Amor at The Southgate, Devizes at 5pm, but Tom and Jerry of the Trio will be there too, with guest John Baggott.
Open Mic at Red Lion, Lacock.
Open Mic at The Lamb, Trowbridge.
Courting Ghosts at The Three Horseshoes, Bradford-on-Avon.
Inspire Warminster.
Mr Love & Justice at Richard Jefferies Museum in Swindon from 1pm. Ooh Beehive! Poetry slam at The Beehive, and Gideon Liddiard Photographyโs Music- An Intimate View exhibit opens at The Beehive too. Lisa Doscher at The Tuppenny.
Leonie Evans at the Bell, Bath.
Raghu Dixit at the Cheese & Grain, Frome.
Monday 8th
Rock The Tots Seaside session at Pound Arts, Corsham.
Jim Gallagher & Friends at the Bell, Bath. Carsick are at Komedia with Nothing Rhymes With Orange.
Swinging at the Cotton Club at the Cheese & Grain.
Tuesday 9th
Exhibition on Screen โ John Singer Sargent: Fashion & Swagger at Pound Arts, Corsham.
BD Lenz Trio for Jazz Knights at the Royal Oak, Swindon.
Old Time Sailors at the Cheese & Grain, Frome.
Important note: events which come to our attention from now on, will be updated on the Event Calendar and NOT HERE. So, be sure to check in from time to time, use the Event Calendar to find more info on everything listed on here, and for ticket links, etc. Use the Event Calendar to check for updates and planning ahead.
Did we miss you out? Did you tell us about your event? Itโs not that we donโt like you, itโs because Devizine uses many sources to collate these listings, and sometimes we miss a few things. Listing your event here is free, but please make it easier for me by messaging or emailing the info, and then, and this is the really important part, make sure Iโve added it and let me know if not!
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
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
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Hereโs what weโve found to do in the wilds of Wiltshire this coming weekโฆ.
Everything listed here is on our event calendar; go there for links and more info. It may be updated, so check in later in the week.
Ongoing: A Wiltshire Thatcher: A Photographic Journey Through Victorian Wessex runs at Wiltshire Museum, Devizes, until the end of August; review here.
Devizes Arts Festival got off to a great start, it continues through the week, individual events are listed as normal below.
Wednesday 12th
Acoustic Jam at The Southgate, Devizes. Two Devizes Arts Festival events, Kate Webb and Jon Stock โ The Darker Side of Wiltshire at the Peppermill, and Martin Simpson at the Corn Exchange.
Lunchtime Recital: Meg Morley (Piano) at Pound Arts, Corsham.
In The Night Garden Live at The Wyvern Theatre, Swindon. Memory Cinema, for those with dementia, is showing Annie Get Your Gun at Swindon Arts Centre.
The Archive of Dread Revisited at Rondo Theatre, Bath. Solana at the Bell, Bath.
Wheatus plays the Cheese & Grain, Frome.
Thursday 13th
Duo Tutti at the Town Hall, and The Sound of Blue Note, also at the Town Hall, make up Devizes Arts Festival for Thursday. John Lawson’s Circus opens on the Green, Devizes and runs until 16th June.
In The Night Garden Live at The Wyvern Theatre, Swindon. Ma Polaineโs Great Decline at The Tuppenny, Swindon.
Jonny & The Baptists presents the Happiness Index and Ten Thankless Years at Rondo Theatre, Bath.
An Evening With Harry Redknapp at the Cheese & Grain, Frome.
Friday 14th
Chocolate Truffle Masterclass at HolyChocs in Poulshot.
The Slambovian Circus of Dreams at Devizes Arts Festival in the Corn Exchange. Mr Griff at The Southgate, Devizes.
Tom Davis & The Bluebirds at The Barge, HoneyStreet.
The Carrivick Sisters at Wiltshire Music Centre, Bradford-on-Avon. BuckFest over the weekend at The Three Horseshoes, Friday with Kitchen Lover,, Mimi & the Miseries and Bucky Rage.The Karport Collective at The Seven Stars, Winsley.
Jacob & Drinkwater: 10th Anniversary Tour at Pound Arts, Corsham.
The Carpenters Story at The Wyvern Theatre, Swindon. An Evening of Mediumship with Psychic Medium Nikki Kitt at Swindon Arts Centre. Oasish & The Stereotonics at the Vic, Swindon.
Jonny & The Baptists presents the Happiness Index and Ten Thankless Years at Rondo Theatre, Bath.
Toyah & Robert at the Cheese & Grain, Frome.
Saturday 15th
Summer Fayre at Bishops Cannings School from 12-4pm.
Huw Williams โ St Johnโs Church Organ Recital at St Johnโs Church Devizes, part of Devizes Arts Festival. Bone Chapel at The Southgate. 6 Oโclock Circus at The Three Crowns.
Pianist Tony James with a lineup you can see the poster below, at Market Lavington Community Hall for a Mathieson Music Trust 30th Anniversary.
The Parade Festival, at the Parade Cinema, Marlborough, with The Vooz and Zoots headlining. Room 101 at the Lamb, Marlborough.
Cacti & Succulent Show at Melksham Assembly Hall
Daliso Chaponda: Feed This Black Man Again at the Neeld, Chippenham. NWSO Summer Concert 2024 at St. Andrewโs Church. Grease and Dirty Dancing tribute night at the Pewsham.
Trowbridge Midsummer Festival at Trowbridge Town Park. Free this one, with the incredible Frankisoul on at 8pm! Dead Zebras and Diversion at the Pump. A roller-disco at the Civic.
Bath Symphony Orchestra at Wiltshire Music Centre, Bradford-on-Avon. BuckFest at The Three Horseshoes continues with Bucky Rage, Bully Bones & The Pressure.
VRรฏ at Pound Arts, Corsham.
Shepton Mallet Prison Charity Abseil.
Holding Back The Years at Swindon Arts Centre. Judas Rising at the Queenโs Tap. Shepherdโs Pie at the Vic, Swindon. Thereโs a Wanborough Beer Festival too.
Neuroheadz Festival 2024 at Brokenborough opens.
The Vintage Bazaar at the Cheese & Grain, Frome is followed by The Blockheads.
Sunday 16th
Matchbox Mutiny at The Three Crowns, Devizes from 3pm. LeBurn Maddox & Friends at The Southgate, Devizes from 5pm. The Junco Shakers at The British Lion at 2pm, a FREE Devizes Arts Festival fringe, and a The Poetry Slam from 6pm at the Wharf Theatre is another free fringe event which sadly closes the arts festival for another year.
Open Mic at the Red Lion, Lacock.
Perfectly Frank, Frank Sinatra tribute at Wiltshire Music Centre, Bradford-on-Avon.
BuckFest continues at The Three Horseshoes.
Western Players โ Dead Reckoning opens at Swindon Arts Centre, running until 26th June. Kavus Torabi at the Vic, Swindon
Hodmadoddery at the Bell, Bath.
Monday 17th
Devizes Election Hustlings at Devizes School, see poster.
Troy Redfern is at The Tree House, Frome.
Tuesday 18th
Jon Pearson at Crazy Bird Comedy Club in The Piggy Bank Micropub in Calne.
Lost Songs of Scilly: Piers Lewin & John Patrick Elliott at Pound Arts, Corsham.
QOW Trio for Jazz Knights at the Royal Oak, Swindon.
Saskia Maxwell & Sam Sweeney at the Bell, Bath
And thatโs all weโve got for now; fill your boots! Events listed here are subject to change, we are not responsible for cancellations, errors or postponements in anything listed.
Summer Solstice next Thursday 20h June, and thereโs lots to do over the rest of the month, HERE>
Important note: events which come to our attention from now on, will be updated on the Event Calendar and NOT HERE. So, be sure to check in from time to time, use the Event Calendar to find more info on everything listed on here, and for ticket links, etc. Use the Event Calendar to check for updates and planning ahead.
Did we miss you out? Did you tell us about your event? Itโs not that we donโt like you, itโs because Devizine uses many sources to collate these listings, and sometimes we miss a few things. Listing your event here is free, but please make it easier for me by messaging or emailing the info, and then, and this is the really important part, make sure Iโve added it and let me know if not!
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
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
Hereโs what weโve found to do in the wilds of Wiltshire this coming week. Donโt forget your sunscreen and a nice party umbrella!
Everything listed here is on our event calendar; go there for links and more info. It may be updated, so check in later in the week.
Ongoing: A Wiltshire Thatcher: A Photographic Journey Through Victorian Wessex runs at Wiltshire Museum, Devizes, until the end of August; review here.
Devizes Arts Festival got off to a great start, it continues through the week, individual events are listed as normal below.
Wednesday 5th
Acoustic Jam at The Southgate, Devizes. Mike Dilger โ One Thousand Shades of Green and An Evening with Adam Rutherford, both at Devizes Arts Festival.
Ignas Maknickas at Wiltshire Music Centre, Bradford-on-Avon.
Big Monthly Jam at The Vic, Swindon.
Dot, the Faun and the Elfin Child at Rondo Theatre, Bath. SKANKt at the Bell.
Thursday 6th
80th anniversary of D-Day, there will be lighting of beacons across the county. One on Marlborough Common, another one Roundway Hill Devizes.
Rum & Records at the Muck & Dundar, Devizes. Hollie McNish โ The Lobster Tour and Lucy Porter at Devizes Arts Festival. Fantasy Radio will be at the Pelican for a live lounge, featuring Andrew Hurst.
Death is a Girl, Ritual Divide & The Belladonna Treatment at the Vic, Swindon. Splat The Rat at The Tuppenny.
Friday 7th
RNLI Lifeboats Event, Polperro Fishermenโs Choir at The Assembly Rooms, Devizes Town Hall. Jo Carley and the Old Dry Skulls at Devizes Arts Festival.
Open Mic at The Barge on HoneyStreet.
Textiles and Stitch around Marlborough are in Lockeridge, see poster below.
CarmenCo: A Pocket Opera at Pound Arts, Corsham.
Ant Trouble at The Three Horseshoes, Bradford-on-Avon.
Rotten Aces at the Queenโs Tap, Swindon. Bring me the Horizon Party at the Vic.
Meltdown by Tom Hardman (Bath Fringe Festival 2024) at The Mission, Bath. The Collected Grimms Tales by Tim Supple and Carol Ann Duffy (Bath Fringe Festival 2024) at The Mission, Bath. Letโs Unpack That at the Rondo Theatre.
Tangled Roots Folk Festival, Radford Farm, Somerset.
Skinny Lister at The Tree House, Frome. The Buzzcocks at the Cheese & Grain. Not Fragile at The Sun.
Saturday 8th
Cable Street Collective at Devizes Arts Festival, Corn Exchange 8pm. The Unpredictables at The Three Crowns, Devizes. Tom Davies & The Bluebirds at The Southgate. Braeside Summer Extravaganza โ Devizes, free entry, for fun activities, delicious food, live music, artisan market and more.
The Monkey Dolls at The Lamb, Marlborough. RNLI Concert at St Peterโs Church.
Parker, Youngest of 3 and Butane Skies at the Pump in Trowbridge. Donโt forget, Youngest of 3 drummer Flo is also a regular contributor to Devizine, reporting on the youth scene, so please show them some support if you can! Sounds of Seattle at the Civic.
Bradford-on-Avon Food & Drink Festival. Fist Full of Rage at The Three Horseshoes.
Magic & Marvels at Swindon Arts Centre. Rockabilly Rumble at The Queenโs Tap, Swindon.
Masa at The Tuppenny. The Chaos Brothers at The Vic.
Catherine Bohartโs Again, With Feelings, at Rondo Theatre, Bath.
Little Pickles Market followed by Paul Jones & Dave Kelly at the Cheese & Grain, Frome.
Sunday 9th
Lions on the Green at Devizes Green. Tamsin Quinn & Vince Bell at The Southgate, from 5pm. Devizes Arts Festival Walk : Sarsens, Soldiers and Sawpits, and two free fringe events, Rumour at the Three Crowns at 2pm, and Annie Parker Trio at St John’s Church at 7pm.
Open Mic at the Red Lion, Lacock.
Matt Bragg & Seb Cooper at The Three Horseshoes, Bradford-on-Avon.
Destination: Old Hag by Bridget Hardy, Penny Rossano and Samantha Houston (Bath Fringe Festival 2024) at The Mission, Bath. The Saint Melonians at the Bell, Bath.
Monday 10th
Ida Pelliccioli at Devizes Arts Festival.
Rock The Tots: Jungle at Pound Arts, Corsham.
The University of Bath Minerva Lecture Series at The Mission, Bath. Scott Lavene at the Bell, Bath (we love Scott here at Devizine, go see this, and if you do, please write back to tell us about it.)
Tuesday 11th
Devizes Arts Festival: Belinda Kirk and The Life-Changing Power of Adventure. And Discovering Antarctica : Heroic tales of Shackleton, Crean and Scott ~ Play on Words Theatre.
Peter Jones & Tom Berge Trio for Jazz Knights at the Royal Oak, Swindon.
And thatโs all weโve got for now; fill your boots! Events listed here are subject to change, we are not responsible for cancellations, errors or postponements in anything listed.
Do check ahead with our every-changing events diary. Isnโt it high time you snapped up some tickets for the Devizes Arts Festival?
Important note: events which come to our attention from now on, will be updated on the Event Calendar and NOT HERE. So, be sure to check in from time to time, use the Event Calendar to find more info on everything listed on here, and for ticket links, etc. Use the Event Calendar to check for updates and planning ahead.
Did we miss you out? Did you tell us about your event? Itโs not that we donโt like you, itโs because Devizine uses many sources to collate these listings, and sometimes we miss a few things. Listing your event here is free, but please make it easier for me by messaging or emailing the info, and then, and this is the really important part, make sure Iโve added it and let me know if not!
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
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
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
Hereโs what weโve found to do in the wilds of Wiltshire this coming week, with a bank holiday in the mix!
Everything listed here is on our event calendar; go there for links and more info. It may be updated, so check in later in the week.
Ongoing: A Wiltshire Thatcher: A Photographic Journey Through Victorian Wessex runs at Wiltshire Museum, Devizes, until the end of August; review here.
Ongoing: Bath International Music Festival: 17th – 26th May
Wednesday 22nd
Acoustic Jam at The Southgate, Devizes.
The Wizard of Oz at Wiltshire Music Centre, Bradford-onAvon.
Starting a run until the 25th May, I Love You Because at The Rondo Theatre, Bath. The Barefoot Bandit at the Bell, Bath. And the Mission Theatre begins SparkFest with two shows, The Sofa and Dead End.
Big Jam Sessions at The Vic, Swindon. Irish House Party at Swindon Arts Centre.
Thursday 23rd
Runny Snotts Acoustic Sessions at The Neeld, Chippenham.
Nick Helmโs Super Fun Good Time Show at Pound Arts, Corsham.
Here Come the Crows at The Vic, Swindon. Luke Combs at The Wyvern Theatre. Confessions Of Sweeney Todd at Swindon Arts Centre.
SparkFestโs Independent Digital Screenings at The Mission, Bath.
And the last Shindig Festival opens at Dillington Park, have a great time if youโre going to that.
Friday 24th
Chippenham Folk Festival opens and runs until 27th May.
Nothing Rhymes With Orange at Devizes Street Festival
Nothing Rhymes With Orange are back on their home turf, playing The Three Crowns, Devizes, which we make Edโs pick of the week. Full on Fridays at the Exchange in with resident DJ Stevie Mc in the mix.
Shilts & Friends at the Civic, Trowbridge.
Jessica Fostekewโs Mettle at Pound Arts, Corsham.
CapโN Rustyโs Skiffle City Rockers at The New Inn, Amesbury.
Hatepenny at The Three Horseshoes, Bradford-on-Avon. Call The Shots at The Boathouse.Bach Week: at Wiltshire Music Centre, with Quartetto di Cremona The Art of Fugue.
Biggles Sound System is at St James Wine Vaults, Bath. Fleetwood Mad at Chapel Arts. MacPlebs is the SparkFest show at The Mission.
Tyrants at The Vic, Swindon. Nick Helmโs Super Fun Good Time Show at Swindon Arts Centre. Rock It at The Queenโs Tap. And thereโs a Beer and Cider Festival at Swindon & Cricklade Railway.
Be Like Will at Tuckers Grave Inn, Faulkland.
Carsick are at The Tree House, Frome.
Cursus Festival opens in Dorset.
Saturday 25th
Chris Free at The Southgate, Devizes. Sam Briggs joins Stevie MC in the mix at the Exchange.
CapโN Rustyโs Skiffle City Rockers at the Crown, Bishops Cannings.
Mick Jogger and The Stones Experience at Edington Charity Ball at the Three Daggers.
Family Fun Day at Spencerโs Club Melksham from 11am-4pm.
80s Disco at the Talbot, Calne.
Lonely Road Band at Gloucester Road Cons Club, Trowbridge.
Molly Chambers at Hawkeridge Village Hall near Westbury.
The Reason at Prestbury Sports Club, Warminster.
D-State at Tuckers Grave Inn, Faulkland.
aKa Dance: A Real Fiction at Pound Arts, Corsham.
Larkhall at Kington Langley Village Hall.
Steve Backshall begins a few dates at Longleat running until 2nd June.
Biaritz at The Three Horseshoes, Bradford-on-Avon.
Chris Moyles 90s Hangover Festival at Swindon Town FC Rockabilly Rumble at the Vic. The BeatRoutes at The Queenโs Tap. Sonic Alert at Woodlands Edge. Daliso Chaponda โ Feed This Black Man Again at Swindon Arts Centre. Daniel OโReilly: Out Of Character at The Wyvern Theatre.
The Ciderhouse Rebellion at Chapel Arts, Bath. SparkFest at The Mission has Stage Fright, CYCLOPS: More Than Meets The Eye, and The Chipping Norton Incident.
Love Saves the Day at Bristol.
Jeremy Healy at The Cheese & Grain, Frome. The Hammervilles at the Tree House.
Sunday 26th
Muddy Manninen & Pasty Gabble at The Southgate, Devizes from 5pm. People Like Us at The Three Crowns.
Open Mic at the Red Lion, Lacock.
Pete Lane and the Sailing Stones at The Three Horseshoes, Bradford-on-Avon.
Luke Philbrick & the Solid Gone Skiffle Invasion at the Bell, Bath. Bath Fringe Festival shows The Demeter by Lewis Cook at The Mission.
Could Be Real Tribute Festival at Swindon Town FC. Lonely Road Band at the Richard Jefferies Museum, free entry. Mrs Smith โ See Me! at Swindon Arts Centre. Punt and Dennis at The Wyvern Theatre.
Bank Holiday Monday 27th
The Popup Youth Cafe will be on the Green in Devizes from 2-4pm. Funked Up at The Three Crowns, Devizes.
Tom Odell โBlack Fridayโ at The Memorial Hall, Marlborough, check ahead I think this may be cancelled.
Open Mic at The Old Road Tavern, Chippenham.
Wonder Gigs: Sky at Pound Arts, Corsham, followed by John Robbโs Do You Believe in the Power of Rock n Roll.
Bruton Packhorse Fair.
Car Show at Tuckers Grave Inn, Faulkland.
Big Chimney Barn Dance at the Bell, Bath.
Tuesday 28th
Half Term Reduction Linocut Workshop at Hannah Cantellow Studio, Devizes.
Exhibition on Screen โ Painting the Modern Garden: Monet to Matis at Pound Arts, Corsham.
Pop Princesses at The Wyvern Theatre, Swindon. Fleur Stevenson Quartet at Jazz Knights in the Royal Oak, Swindon.
And thatโs all weโve got for now; fill your boots! Events listed here are subject to change, we are not responsible for cancellations, errors or postponements in anything listed.
Do check ahead with our ever-changing events diary. Isnโt it high time you snapped up some tickets for the Devizes Arts Festival at the end of the month running into June?
Important note: events which come to our attention from now on, will be updated on the Event Calendar and NOT HERE. So, be sure to check in from time to time, use the Event Calendar to find more info on everything listed on here, and for ticket links, etc. Use the Event Calendar to check for updates and planning ahead.
Did we miss you out? Did you tell us about your event? Itโs not that we donโt like you, itโs because Devizine uses many sources to collate these listings, and sometimes we miss a few things. Listing your event here is free, but please make it easier for me by messaging or emailing the info, and then, and this is the really important part, make sure Iโve added it and let me know if not!
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
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
From the 5th to the 14th July 2024, Frome Festival plans to up the game of this wonderful and lively town with a bumper programme for allโฆ..ย
In over sixty-one venues across Frome and surrounding villages, Frome Festival is gearing up for its biggest ever programme, with 250 events taking place over 10 days. This yearโs theme celebrates 60 years of Roald Dahlโs โCharlie & the Chocolate Factoryโ, featuring artwork by illustrator Sholto Walker depicting Willy Wonka striding down the streets of Frome. To celebrate this theme, five Golden Tickets will be hidden at various Festival events with winners receiving a scrumdiddlyumptious spending spree at Fromeโs local chocolatier and cafรฉ, Choc et al.
The community arts festival has been a popular fixture in the town since 2001 and aims to offer something for everyone, young and old, including different types of music, theatre, comedy, spoken word, art, dance, film, workshops, childrenโs events, and food or drink experiences. Expect a dash of Fromeโs signature quirkiness!
Children can enjoy bouldering workshops, comic art masterclasses, science exploration of pondlife, theatre productions, a Willy Wonka Rave, outdoor shows and so much more.
And Frome Festival is teaming up with the popular Frome Independent Market on Sunday 7th July, taking over their entertainment stages with music, street theatre, and dance.
Sir Willard White
Headliners for 2024 include internationally acclaimed bass-baritone, Sir Willard White, Jenny Eclair, Richard Herring, Paul Mason, Old Time Sailors, Swinging at the Cotton Club, Alberta Cross, Raghu Dixit, Peatbog Faeries. Alongside one of Fromeโs favourite free events, the Festival Food Feast, returning for a celebration of amazing international street food, live music and entertainment. Sponsored by local Frome company Lilleyโs Cider.
Other highlights include hilarious stand-up comic Jenny Eclair at the Merlin Theatre, the first woman to win the coveted Perrier Award at Edinburgh Festival in 1995 and hasnโt stopped banging on about it since. Indiaโs biggest cultural & musical export, Raghu Dixit is returning to the Cheese & Grain for the Frome Festival after his triumphant debut last year.
Jenny Eclair
The spectacular Swinging at the Cotton Club is a visual and musical feast paying homage to legends such as Duke Ellington, Ella Fitzgerald, and Count Basie with breathtaking dance routines. In the atmospheric setting of Holy Trinity Church, renowned organ virtuoso David Bednall will provide an improvised soundtrack to the classic 1922 horror movie, Nosferatu.
Thereโs raucous Old Time Sailors, former economics editor of Newsnight and Channel 4 and a regular Guardian contributor, Paul Mason presenting this yearโs Bob Morris Lecture, a keynote speech that is an annual highlight of the Festival programme. Legendary stand-up comic Richard Herring presents his brand-new tour show where he talks bollocks about his recent experience with testicular cancer, at the Cheese & Grain, and Scottish trailblazers Peatbog Faeries also appear at the big Cheese, with a glorious mixture of traditional sounds and dance-floor grooves creating a hypnotic sound that no-one can resist dancing to.
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.
Swindon Palestine Solidarity continues to call for a ceasefire in Gaza and for aid to be allowed to enter Gazaโฆ.. Their three recent roadside signโฆ
I want Devizine to be primarily about arts and entertainment, but Iโm often pathetically persuaded by bickering political factions to pass opinion on local politicsโฆ
Photo credit: ยฉ Rondo Theatre Company / Jazz Hazelwood A gender-queered production of William Shakespeareโs classic play, โThe Taming of the Shrewโ, will be performedโฆ
ย Abrilli, sole Director and owner of Tonka Bean Cafe Bar in Devizes announced today, due to โsignificant changes in personal and financial circumstances due to unfortunately slow and inconsistent trade over the past few months,โ the cafe is to closeโฆ.
Tonka Bean will cease trading and close its doors on Sunday 26th May 2024. Abrilli thanked her customers and supporters, and said, โI have loved every minute of bringing my Caribbean flavour and vibes to Devizes, our second home, and who knows maybe now was just not the right time.โย
Just a month short of a year ago I dropped in to see Abrilliโs newly opened Tonka Bean, and publishing the news was one of our highest hitting articles of 2023. There was an air of optimism in the meeting, the idea of bringing Devizes something unique, and huge support for the cafe-bar was felt. It is very sad to hear it will go, I guess in this current economic climate this is a gloomy sign of the times.
Abrilli invites all to join them over the next fortnight, for great coffee and drinks, as they clear their stock. Regular opening hours apply. We wish her and the staff at Tonka Bean all the best for the future.
The first full album by Wiltshireโs finest purveyors of psychedelic indie shenanigans, Clock Radio, was knocked out to an unsuspecting world last week. Itโs calledโฆ
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-upโฆ
by Ian Diddamsimages by Chris Watkins Performing Sondheim isnโt the simplest of tasks. Or, rather, singing Sondheim isnโt the simplest of tasks. With his dissonantโฆ
The phenomenally talented Ruby Darbyshire is performing at Silverwood School in Rowde on 27th June. Ruby has kindly offered to support Silverwood Schoolโs open evening…..โฆ
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
Hereโs what weโve found to do in the wilds of Wiltshire this coming weekโฆ
Everything listed here is on our event calendar; go there for links and more info. It may be updated, so check in later in the week.
Ongoing: A Wiltshire Thatcher: A Photographic Journey Through Victorian Wessex runs at Wiltshire Museum, Devizes, until the end of August; review here.
The Thrill of Love is currently running at the Wharf Theatre until Saturday, hereโs a review.
Wednesday 15th
Acoustic Jam at The Southgate, Devizes.
Patsy Gamble Jazz Trio at St Nicholas Church in Bromham, preview here.
Jonathan Leibovitz at the Wiltshire Music Centre, Bradford-on-Avon.
Mohamed Errebbaa at the Bell, Bath
Memory Cinema at Swindon Arts Centre, for those suffering with dementia and their carers, screening The Lavender Hill Mob (U). Latin funk jazz with Starlings at Jazz Knights in The Royal Oak, Swindon.
Thursday 16th
Royal Wootton Bassett Carnival & Fun Fair starts and finishes at the weekend.
Courting Ghosts at The Tuppenny, Swindon. Rusty Goatโs Poetry All-Stars at Twigs Community Gardens. Memory Sing at Swindon Arts Centre. Pete Allenโs Jazz Band at Swindon Arts Centre. Antiques and a Little Bit of Nonsense at The Wyvern Theatre.
Friday 17th
Full On Fridays at the Exchange, Devizes, with DJ Stevie MC.
Medium Nikki Kitt is at Melksham Assembly Hall .
Mosquito at the Aldbourne Social Club.
Pat Sharp Party Night at the Civic, Trowbridge.
Ion Maiden at The Vic, Swindon. Simplicity at the Queenโs Tap. Ashley Blaker at Swindon Arts Centre. Julian Clary โ A Fistful Of Clary at The Wyvern Theatre.
Ruzz Guitar Trio at The Three Horseshoes, Bradford-on-Avon. Karport Collective at The Boathouse.
Bath International Music Festival begins today, running until 26th May. Bootleg Bee Gees at Chapel Arts. Daliso Chapondaโs Feed this Black Man Again at The Rondo Theatre, Bath.
Dutty Moonshine DJ Set at The Tree House, Frome.
The Chilled Out Motorhome and Camper Weekender in Cirencester opens.
Saturday 18th
Devizes Vegan Market at The Market Place from 10am-3pm. Mynt Image Craft Fair in the Corn Exchange. The Dirt Road Band at Long Street Blues Club. Canuteโs Plastic Army at The Southgate, Edโs pick of the week this one. Adam Woodhouse at The Three Crowns. Caztro is in the mix at the Exchange.
White Horse Soapbox Derby in Westbury.
Mosaic Dogs at The Lamb, Trowbridge.
Talk in Code at The Kings Arms, Amesbury.
Rachel Newton at Pound Arts, Corsham.
Black Wendy at The Three Horseshoes, Bradford-on-Avon. Vocal Works Gospel Choir โ live at 21 at the Wiltshire Music Centre.
Shelf is at the Rondo Theatre, Bath, with a kids version, then teenage men version. Roxy Magic at Chapel Arts.
The Bowie Experience at The Vic, Swindon. Awakening Savannah at The Queenโs Tap.
The Soul Strutters at the Woodlands Edge. Drew Bryant at the New Inn. The Blackheart Orchestra at Swindon Arts Centre. eMotion Dance Competition at The Wyvern Theatre.
Frome Memorial Theatre Open Day followed by Jive Talkinโ. John Lydon is at the Cheese & Grain. ZZ Toppd at the Tree House.
Sunday 19th
The Hoodoos at The Southgate, Devizes from 5pm.
Open Mic at the Red Lion, Lacock.
Shot by Both Sides at The Three Horseshoes, Bradford-on-Avon.
Eddie Martin at the Bell, Bath.
Lee Hurst โ Sweet Sorted Lovely at Swindon Arts Centre.
The Frome International Climate Film Festival at the Cheese & Grain.
Monday 20th
Tony Remy, James Morton & Anders Olinder at the Bell, Bath.
Steeleye Span at The Wyvern Theatre, Swindon.
Tuesday 21st
Letโs Walk โ Caen Hill & Jubilee Wood
Crazy Bird Comedy Night at The Piggy Bank Micropub, Calne.
Gareth Williams Trio for Jazz Knights at The Royal Oak, Swindon.
Ash Mandrake & Jenny Bliss at the Bell, Bath.
And thatโs all weโve got for now; fill your boots! Events listed here are subject to change, we are not responsible for cancellations, errors or postponements in anything listed.
Shindig Festival at Dillington Park begins next week, the last Shindig festival, have a good one from me.Also find upcoming Chippenham Folk Festival 24th-27th May. Love Saves the Day in Bristol. Beer and Cider Festival at Swindon & Cricklade Railway. Cursus Festival 2024 Dorset. Chris Moyles 90s Hangover Festival at Swindon Town FC.
In Devizes Nothing Rhymes With Orange makes a homecoming at The Three Crowns on Friday 24th. And isnโt it high time you snapped up some tickets for the Devizes Arts Festival at the end of the month running into June?
Important note: events which come to our attention from now on, will be updated on the Event Calendar and NOT HERE. So, be sure to check in from time to time, use the Event Calendar to find more info on everything listed on here, and for ticket links, etc. Use the Event Calendar to check for updates and planning ahead.
Did we miss you out? Did you tell us about your event? Itโs not that we donโt like you, itโs because Devizine uses many sources to collate these listings, and sometimes we miss a few things. Listing your event here is free, but please make it easier for me by messaging or emailing the info, and then, and this is the really important part, make sure Iโve added it and let me know if not!
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
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
Here we go with what weโve found to do in the wilds of Wiltshire this coming week, exciting stuff, I know!
Everything listed here is on our event calendar; go there for links and more info. It may be updated with even more things to do than listed here, so check in later in the week.….
Wednesday 17th
Acoustic Jam at The Southgate, Devizes.
Emmanuel Coppey and Antoine Prรฉat at Wiltshire Music Centre, Bradford-on-Avon.
Two times BBC Folk Award winner Daoirรญ Farrell is at Chapel Arts, Bath.
Memory Cinema, for those with dementia, at Swindon Arts Centre are showing A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To The Forum. Tom Houghtonโs Itโs Not Ideal at Swindon Arts Centre. Peppa Pigโs Fun Day Out at The Wyvern Theatre.
Show Of Hands โ Full Circle Farewell Tour at the Cheese & Grain, Frome.
Thursday 18th
Quiz Night at the Peppermill, Devizes in aid of The Cotswolds Dogs & Cats Home.
PSG Choir taster session at the King Alfred Hall, Chippenham.
Thieves & Skiddy at The Tuppenny, Swindon. The Big Fat Monthly Quiz at the Vic.
Memory Sing at Swindon Arts Centre. Primary School Assembly Bangers Live! at Swindon Arts Centre. Peppa Pigโs Fun Day Out at The Wyvern Theatre.
Fretn Keyz with Dave Howell at Rude Giant Beerhouse, Salisbury.
Friday 19th
Youth Work Auction Fundraiser at John OโGaunt School, Trowbridge.
Take the Stage at the Neeld, in Chippenham. Chippenham Beer Festival too.
Bradford Roots Special at The Wiltshire Music Centre, Bradford-on-Avon with Billy in the Lowground, Daisy Chapman and Thieves; Edโs pick of the week, that one is! Preview here.
The Droogs & John E Viztic at The Three Horseshoes in Bradford-on-Avon.
People Like Us at Prestbury Sports Bar, Westbury.
Swindon Jazz & Soul Festival, preview here. Draining The Swamp at Swindon Arts Centre. Barrelhouse & The Leon Daye Band at the Vic.
Winginโ It at The George & Dragon, Salisbury. A Murder Mystery at Salisbury Cathedral.
Johnny Cash Revisited at Chapel Arts, Bath.
ex Wishbone Ash, Martin Turner is at The Tree House, Frome.
Saturday 20th
Roma Antoine Exhibit and Art Sale at Tonka Bean, Devizes. Devizes Swap Shop at St James Church. The Bren Jones Big Band at the Wharf Theatre. Strange Folk at The Southgate. Down the Hatch at The Three Crowns. DJ Tappa Tappa at the Exchange.
Oriental Antiques Indigo Antiques Open Day at Manningford Bruce, Pewsey. Dutty Moonshine at the Barge on HoneyStreet. @59 at The Woodborough Social Club.
Martyโs Fake Family at The Pilot, Melksham.
The Future Sound of Trowbridge #8 at the Pump in Trowbridge; preview Here.
Mighty Magic Animal at The Three Horseshoes, Bradford-on-Avon. Griff Rhys Jones: The Catโs Pyjamas at Wiltshire Music Centre.
Pop-Up Bowie at Chapel Arts, Bath.
Driftwood at Tuckerโs Grave Inn, Faulkland.
Junkyard Dogs at The Kingโs Arms, Amesbury. Are You Worthy & Grant Sharkey at the Winchester Gate, Salisbury. Salisbury Pride Fundraiser at The Hope & Anchor, Salisbury.
Rosie Holt โ Thatโs Politainment! at Swindon Arts Centre. Wrong Jovi at the Vic. The Worried Men at The Queenโs Tap. The Tin Shack Band at The Woodlands Edge.
The Shires at the Cheese & Grain, Frome is sold out, so too is Bare Jams at the Tree House. Try the 41 Fords at The Sun; we love the 41 Fords!
Sunday 21st
Mr Griff at The Southgate, Devizes from 5pm. Devizes Town Band Showtime Sensations at the Corn Exchange, Devizes.
Open Mic at Red Lion, Lacock.
Jazz on Sunday Afternoon at Little Cheverall Village Hall.
The Dirty Weather Blues Revue at The Three Horseshoes, Bradford-on-Avon.
VW Campfest begins at Stonehenge.
Mini Ravers โ Spring Tour at The Cheese & Grain, Frome.
Monday 22nd and Tuesday 23rd
I got nothing, yet; keep a keen eye on our updating event calendar, as Iโm way behind updating it, and still got the front garden to sort out! Weeds, huh? I used go out to the garden to smoke de grass, nowadays I just go out to the garden to cut de grass!!
And thatโs all weโve got for now, other than some technical gubbings to say: Events listed here are subject to change, we are not responsible for cancellations, errors or postponements in anything listed.
Important note two, events which come to our attention from now on in, will be updated on the Event Calendar and NOT HERE. So, be sure to check in from time to time, use the Event Calendar to find more info on everything listed on here, and for ticket links, etc. Use the Event Calendar to check for updates and planning ahead.
Did we miss you out? Did you tell us about your event? Itโs not that we donโt like you, itโs because Devizine uses many sources to collate these listings, and sometimes we miss a few things. Listing your event here is free, but please make it easier for me by messaging or emailing the info, and then, and this is the really important part, make sure Iโve added it and let me know if not!
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
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
Spring has sprung! There were two snails on my milk-float this morning, opening โdoing it,โ without shame; absolute filth! โฆ. I should have filmed it (in a jealous rage!) there might be a gap in the market for mollusc porn! Birds, bees, now snails, theyโre all getting some!
Okay, letโs get you out and about, and you never know your luck, you too can be like those snails! Hereโs what weโve found to do in the wilds of Wiltshire this coming weekโฆ..
Everything listed here is on our event calendar; go there for links and more info. It may be updated with even more things to do than listed here, so check in later in the week.
Ongoing: Devizes RAF Squadron still have their Easter Egg Hunt running across Devizes, until 14th April; Iโd have eaten the lot by now!
And then There Were None runs at the Wharf Theatre, Devizes until Saturday; review HERE.
Wednesday 10th
Crafty Kids at Hillworth Park, Devizes. Acoustic Jam at The Southgate. White Horse Operaโs La Boheme at Lavington School opens and runs up to Saturday.
Runny Snotts Open Mic at the Three Crowns, Chippenham.
Dom Martin Solo Tour with special guest: Demi Marriner, at Chapel Arts, Bath.
Easter Panto, Beauty And The Beast at The Wyvern Theatre, Swindon. Pop Kids Mini Rave at the Vic, with a Big Jam Session in the evening.
Thursday 11th
PSG Choir taster session at the King Alfred Hall, Chippenham.
Boo Hewerdine plus support: Vlado Nosal at Chapel Arts, Bath.
Tommy Hale & the Magnificent Bastards at the Beehive, Swindon. Lost Revellers at The Tuppenny. Tanwood Youth Theatreโs Frozen Jr. opens at Swindon Arts Centre, runs until Sunday. An Evening Of Burlesque at The Wyvern Theatre.
Friday 12th
Karaoke Night with Karl Maggs at the Exchange, Devizes.
Open Mics at The Barge on HoneyStreet, and The Parade Cinema, Marlborough.
Americana Beer Festival at The Bell, Bowden Hill, Lacock.
Sound of the Sirens at the Pump, Trowbridge, with Bluebeard in support.
This Carpenters Masquerade at Melksham Assembly Hall.
West of England Youth Orchestra Relaxed Family Concert at Wiltshire Music Centre, Bradford-on-Avon. Heavy For the Tropics at The Three Horseshoes.
Jon Amor Trio at The Ram, Bath. Emma Stevens Bandโs โBloomโ Tour plus support from BLรNID at Chapel Arts.
Barrelhouse at The New Inn, Swindon. Motorheadache at the Vic. Plucking Different at the Beehive. 12 Bars Later at The Village Inn, Shaw. Sir Bradley Wiggins at The Wyvern Theatre.
The Scribesโ Boombox at the Winchester Gate, Salisbury.
Saturday 13th
Museum Explorers Club โ Animals in the Museum at Wiltshire Museum, Devizes. Museum Explorers club is for 5-7 year olds and is an introduction to popular topics such as the Romans and Ancient Egyptians. The Great British Yarn Crawl at Pins & Needles on Snuff Street, Devizes.
Humdinger at The Three Crowns, Devizes. Cooperโs Creek at The Southgate. Dreamettes at Devizes Conservative Club. And Stevie MC is in the mix at the Exchange.
But, Editorโs Pick of the Week is The Marley Experience at the Corn Exchange, Devizes. Iโve been looking forward to this since CrownFest last summer; hope to see you thereโฆjamminโ โtil the jam is done!
Meatloud at Melksham Assembly Hall. The Corsairs at The Grapes. The Singing Herdsman at The Pilot.
The Chaos Brothers at The Talbot, Calne.
The Monkey Dolls at the Lamb, Marlborough.
The Exact Opposite at the Pump, Trowbridge.ย
The Idle Silence, Cult Python, & Otterman at The Three Horseshoes, Bradford-on-Avon.
Fire & Rain & American Pie at Chapel Arts, Bath.
Stockers Street Food Festival at The Hop, Swindon. The Daybreakers at the Vic.
The Good Old Fashioned Lover Boys at Tuckers Grave Inn, Faulkland.
The JB Conspiracy at the Winchester Gate, Salisbury.ย
Top Secret โ The Magic of Science at the Cheese & Grain, Frome. Mother Vulture at The Tree House.
Sunday 14th
CSF Wrestling at the Corn Exchange, Devizes. Jon Amor Trio Special with guest Stevie Watts at The Southgate.
Open Mic at Red Lion, Lacock.
Deadlight Danceโs The Wiltshire Gothic Album Launch at The Blue Boar, Aldbourne. Album reviewed HERE.
Murder Trial Tonight at The Wyvern Theatre, Swindon.
Barney & Kelly at The Three Horseshoes, Bradford-on-Avon.
Monday 15th
Macbeth at Swindon Arts Centre, also runs on Tuesday.
Tuesday 16th
The Lost Trades at The Piggybank, Calne.
Swindon Jazz & Soul Festival Fringe event for Jazz Knights at The Royal Oak, Swindon, A celebration of Herbie Hancock, with Tom Berge.
Poetika at the Winchester Gate, Salisbury.
And thatโs all weโve got for now, other than some technical gubbings to say: Events listed here are subject to change, we are not responsible for cancellations, errors or postponements in anything listed.
Important note two, events which come to our attention from now on in, will be updated on the Event Calendar and NOT HERE. So, be sure to check in from time to time, use the Event Calendar to find more info on everything listed on here, and for ticket links, etc. Use the Event Calendar to check for updates and planning ahead.
And, while we’re planning ahead, April is hotting up, believe me, loads of good, good, even gooder stuff and stuff gooder than them! Have a look at the coming month HERE.ย ย
Did we miss you out? Did you tell us about your event? Itโs not that we donโt like you, itโs because Devizine uses many sources to collate these listings, and sometimes we miss a few things. Listing your event here is free, but please make it easier for me by messaging or emailing the info, and then, and this is the really important part, make sure Iโve added it and let me know if not!
Melksham & Devizes Conservatives released a statement on the 7th April explaining an internal audit revealed one of their candidates was โnot qualified by residenceโฆ
Last month we were pleased to announce our involvement with the new Wiltshire Music Awards in conjunction with Wiltshire Events UK, details of which areโฆ
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,โฆ
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
The first Kamikaze moth of the year dive-bombed my face the other morning. Forget blossoming trees and tulips, that’s a milkmanโs sure sign of springโฆbecause we wear a headtorch, you see? Oh, never mind, what do you care?! You just want me to tell you whatโs happening over the eggtastic week in the wilds of Wiltshire; suppose so, if I must! Happy Easter one and all!
Everything listed here is on our event calendar; go there for links and more info. It may be updated with even more things to do than listed here, so check in later in the week.ย
Wednesday 27th
Last day to catch Vowvas film screening at Parnella House, Devizes, see poster for details.
Devizes Books PresentsโฆThe Island Continent; A trip through the history and culture of Australia at Wiltshire Museum. From the achievements of early Aboriginal tribes, through visits from European explorers, the inhabitants of the Red Centre and finally to the work of Australian imports to this country, they celebrate all that is great about the Antipodean life and culture. With contributions from Thomas Keneally, Nevil Shute, Clive James, Germaine Greer and Billy Connolly. An evening devised and introduced by Lewis Cowen. 7pm for 7.30pm. Tickets, ยฃ6, includes a glass of wine or soft drink and nibbles. Tickets available from Devizes Books cash only please. Or book by phoning 01380 725944 and pay cash on the door.
The regular Green Grub Club at St James, Devizes. And Acoustic Jam at the Southgate.
Opening night of Editorโs Pick of Week, Devizes Musical Theatre brings Sister Act to Daunstyโs School in West Lavington.
Siรขn Dicker: Waltonโs Songbook and Aly Bain & Phil Cunningham, both at Wiltshire Music Centre, Bradford-on-Avon.
The Rondo Variety Show at The Rondo Theatre, Bath. Bethlehem Casuals at The Bell, Bath.
Buzzard Buzzard Buzzard at The Tree House, Frome.
Thursday 28th
Starting Thursday and running all weekend, Wadworth have open days at the Wadworth Brewery & Tap Shop, Devizes, promising a โWeโll Meet Again Big Weekend.โ
Regular PSG Choir workshop at King Alfred Hall, Chippenham.
Stuart Rolfe and Becky Lawrence at The Old Bell, Warminster.
Robert Brown at The Beehive, Swindon. Flo Parker Bombosch & Sienna Wileman at The Tuppenny. And itโs Vic Fest 2024 at the Vic, celebrating its tenth year, music all Easter โBandโ Holiday Weekend: eggs opening at 7:30pm with Chasing Dolls, Ritual Divide, Kotonic, Trashed and Falls On Deaf Ears.
Luisa Omielanโs Bitter at Swindon Arts Centre, and The Best Of Queen at the Wyvern.
Friday 29th
Easter Bunny Hunt across Devizes by the Devizes RAF Cadets, all weekend.
People Like Us at The Three Crowns, Devizes.
Some reggae and soca with David Brewster at the Bear, Marlborough.
Future Sound of Trowbridge #7 at the Pump, Trowbridge with Nothing Rhymes With Orange, SOAK and Feedback. Junkyard Dogs at The Red Admiral, Trowbridge.
Martyโs Fake Family at The Old Road Tavern, Chippenham. Regular Music event at the Cause Cafe in Chippenham.
Iain Ballamyโs Fascinada at Wiltshire Music Centre, Bradford-on-Avon. The Boot Hill All Stars at The Three Horseshoes.
Funkkinsteins at The Beehive, Swindon. The Chaos Brothers at The Ashford Road Centre. A Country Night in Nashville at the Wyvern. Vic Fest continues at the Vic, with Truck, Nervendings, Men In Vests, The Belladonna Treatment and Fluff.
Tool Shed: A Tribute to Tool at The Tree House, Frome. General Levy at the Cheese & Grain – amazing, and it doesnโt look sold out yet!
Saturday 30th
Melksham Lions Easter Egg Hunt.
Tom Davis & The Bluebirds at The Southgate, Devizes. Funked Up at the Pelican.
Nick Harperโs Tempus Fugitive tour at St Peterโs, Marlborough. Barrelhouse at The Lamb. And a reggae party with Razah-Hi-Fi at the Royal Oak.
Josh Kumra at the Barge, HoneyStreet.
The Unpredictables at The Bell, Great Cheverell.
Brad Stevens at The Consti Club, Chippenham.
The Lost Trades at The Pump, Trowbridge, sold out Iโm afraid. Be Like Will at the West Wilts Con Club in Trowbridge. Miss Bridy & The Two Notes at Gloucester Road Conservative Club. The Ultimate Retro Disco Party at the Civic.
Be Like Will
The Buttmonkeys at The Three Horseshoes, Bradford-on-Avon. The Mix at St Margaretโs Hall.
The Blue Moon Band at Tuckerโs Inn, Faulkland.
The Jukebox Graduates at The Swiss Chalet, Swindon. SGO at The Beehive. The Chaos Brothers at The Ashford Road Club. Awakening Savannah at The Woodlands Edge.
Marquee Square Heroes at Swindon Arts Centre. Bowie Live at the Wyvern. And Vic Fest at the Vic has Modern Evils, Life In Mono, Bluntnose, Sebastian & Me, Nothing Rhymes With Orange and Colour of Bone.
Reubenโs Daughters at the New Inn, Bath.
Junkyard Dogs at The Sun, Frome. The Wurzels at the Cheese & Grain. Viva Morrissey at The Tree House.
Junkyard Dogs
Sunday 31st
Scrambled Eggs Easter Hunt at Hillworth Park, Devizes. Illingworth at The Three Crowns. Adam Woodhouse’s Thieves at The Southgate, highly recommended if you like your Americana.
Thieves
Open Mic at the Red Lion, Lacock.
Junkyard Dogs at Calne Liberal Club.
Rob Clamp at The Barge, HoneyStreet.
Open Mic at The Old Road Tavern, Chippenham.
Sunday at Vic Fest, Swindon sees Kid Klumsy, Visceral Noise Department, AnyMinuteNo, Mr Badaxe, Rebel Station, Disruptive Influence, Bear Noir and Dangermind, from 5:30pm.
James Hollingworth at The Three Horseshoes, Bradford-on-Avon.
The Authentics at Tuckerโs Inn, Faulkland.
Moonlit Poachers with Jake Puntis at the Long Room in Box.
Carmina 3 at The Bell, Bath, and a Palestine fundraiser with DJs Goodgroove, JayCee, and others, see poster.
Monday 1st April
Canal & River Trustโs Letโs Walk through Caen Hill & Jubilee Wood. South Western at The Three Crowns, Devizesfrom 3pm-5pm.
Junkyard Dogs at The Red Lion, Lacock.
Tuesday 2nd
Swindon Jazz & Soul Festival Fringe presents at Celebration of Stan Getz with Terry Quninney, for Jazz Knights at The Royal Oak, Swindon
And thatโs all weโve got for now, other than some technical gubbings to say: Events listed here are subject to change, we are not responsible for cancellations, errors or postponements in anything listed.
Important note two, events which come to our attention from now on in, will be updated on the Event Calendar and NOT HERE. So, be sure to check in from time to time, use the Event Calendar to find more info on everything listed on here, and for ticket links, etc. Use the Event Calendar to check for updates and planning ahead.
And, while weโre on about planning ahead, April is hotting up, believe me, loads of good, good, even gooder stuff and stuff gooder than them! Have a gander at the coming month HERE.ย ย
I would recommend Andrew Hurst at St Nicholas Church in Bromham Thursday 4th, Brian Poole at Long Street Blues Club Friday 5th, Mick Jogger at Seend Community Hall on Saturday 6th and the John Hackett Band at the Pump, or Cara Dillon at Wiltshire Music Centre.
Following week, you can find And Then There Were None opening at the Wharf Theatre, Devizes Monday 8th, and the Marley Experience on 13th April at Devizes Corn Exchange; unmissable.
Did we miss you out? Did you tell us about your event? Itโs not that we donโt like you, itโs because Devizine uses many sources to collate these listings, and sometimes we miss a few things. Listing your event here is free, but please make it easier for me by FB messaging or emailing the info, and then, and this is the really important part, make sure Iโve added it and let me know if not!
Tell Us About Your Event
Please make sure we’ve not already picked it up and listed it before submitting, it saves me a lot of time; thank you!
Big up the Easter weekend, remember Easter is a time for celebrating the coming of spring, the beauty it encompasses, and the bringing of new life to the worldโฆ. by all means cover yourself in melted chocolate and ask your partner to get licking, but unless youโre prepared for all the gubbings bringing a new life into the world personally presents, be sensible and pop a Johnny on it! Filth, I know, but only the headstrong read this far!!
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
Hereโs whatโs happening over the coming week in the wilds of Wiltshire, hold onto your hats!
Everything listed here is on our event calendar; go there for links and more info. It may be updated with even more things to do than listed here, so check in later in the week.…
Ongoing: The Mousetrap at the Wyvern, Swindon runs until Saturday 23rd.
Wednesday 20th
Green Grub Club at St James, Devizes. Acoustic Jam at the Southgate.
Daniel Kemish at Chapel Arts, Bath. Tuto Tribe atThe Bell, Bath.
Thursday 21st
Iona Lane and Ella Clayton at the Pump, Trowbridge.
Jim Blair at The Beehive, Swindon. Somerset Velvet & Hatty Taylor at The Tuppenny.
Memory Sing at Swindon Arts Centre.
Adam’s Apple Jazz Trio at Chapel Arts, Bath.
Sylvertones at the Old Bell, Warminster.
Desperados (Eagles tribute) at The Cheese & Grain, Frome.
Friday 22nd
Devizes Ghost Walk with John Girvan. Eddie Martin Trio at The Southgate, Devizes. DJ Stevie MC at the Exchange.
Open Mic at The Barge, HoneyStreet
Damm! at The Bear, Marlborough
Band of Others at The Grapes, Melksham.
Take The Stage at the Neeld, Chippenham.
Eddie Gripper Trio at the Civic, Trowbridge. Wiltshire Rural Music Fundraiser at Emmanuals Yard.
Pussycat & The Dirty at The Three Horseshoes, Bradford-on-Avon.
Furlined at The Beehive, Swindon. Moving Pictures at The Vic.
Ezio at Chapel Arts, Bath.
Rhythm Presents Funkagenda DJs at 23 Bath Street, Frome.
Saturday 23rd
Easter Egg Hunt at All Cannings. Jumble Sale at St Andrew’s Church, Devizes: 10-11am. John Rutterโs Requiem at St Andrewโs Church.ย Eddie Holgate Trio at the Southgate, Devizes.
Spring Concert at St Mary’s Church, Marlborough. Swipe Right at The Bear, Marlborough.
Peaky Blinders at The Pilot, Melksham. Rockin’ The Joint at Melksham Rock n Roll Club.
The Worried Men at The Talbot, Calne.
Radiation Sickness at The Consti Club, Chippenham. Counterfeit Quo, Status Quo Tribute Band at the Neeld.
Kevin Brownโs Shackdusters at the Pump, Trowbridge.
Moments of Pleasure; the Music of Kate Bush at Wiltshire Music Centre, Bradford-on-Avon.
M&W and Underbliss at The Three Horseshoes.
Soul’d Out at Tucker’s Graveyard, Faulkland.
Solarbird at the Duck, Laverstock. Rob Clamp at The Winchester Gate, Salisbury.
Rachael Sage at Chapel Arts, Bath. Paul Footโs Dissolve at The Rondo Theatre, Bath.
A World Music Club at The Beehive, Swindon. Biffy McClyro at The Vic, Swindon.
Lottery Winners at the Cheese & Grain, Frome. Revelation Roots at the Tree House.
Sunday 24th
Sunflower Easter Fair at Devizes Corn Exchange: 11-4pm.
Josh Pughโs Existin’ La Vida Loca at Swindon Arts Centre. Jonathan Pie at the Wyvern, Swindon.
Junkyard Dogs at The Three Horseshoes, Bradford-on-Avon.
The F.O.S. Brothers at The Bell, Bath.
Stevie Wonder tribute The Wonder of Stevie at the Cheese & Grain, Frome.
Monday 25th
The Great Big Dance Off at the Wyvern, Swindon.
Kevin Figes’ Wallpaper Music at The Bell, Bath.
Tuesday 26th
Spring Wreath Making at Hillworth Park, Devizes. And, it must be the first time Editorโs Pick of Week is on a Tuesday! The James Oliver Band play Devizes Conservative Club.
Jazz Knightโs Swindon Jazz & Soul Festival Fringe Event at The Royal Oak, Swindon, is a celebration of Grant Green with Chris Cobbson. How Sweet It Is at Swindon Arts Centre.
Rhod Gilbert & The Giant Grapefruit at the Wyvern.
Sue Harding at The Bell, Bath.
And thatโs all weโve got for now, other than some important things to say: Events listed here are subject to change, we are not responsible for cancellations, errors or postponements in anything listed.
Important note two, events which come to our attention from now on in, will be updated on the Event Calendar and NOT HERE. So, be sure to check in from time to time, use the Event Calendar to find more info on everything listed on here, and for ticket links, etc. Use the Event Calendar to check for updates and planning ahead.
And planning ahead, donโt forget Devizes Musical Theatre brings us Sister Act at Dauntsey’s School from Wednesday 27th until Saturday 30th March. Next week also sees Vic-Fest at the Vic in Swindon, with a huge line-up, People Like Us are at The Three Crowns, Devizes on Friday, while Nothing Rhymes with Orange headline the Pump in Trowbridge, The Lost Trades are there on Saturday. General Levy at Cheese & Grain Friday, The Wurzels on Saturday!
Nearly into April, where I would recommend Andrew Hurst at St Nicholas Church in Bromham Thursday 4th, Brian Poole at Long Street Blues Club Friday 5th, Mick Jogger at Seend Community Hall on Saturday 6th and the John Hackett Band at the Pump, or Cara Dillon at Wiltshire Music Centre.
Following week, you can find And Then There Were None opening at the Wharf Theatre, Devizes Monday 8th, and the Marley Experience on 13th April at Devizes Corn Exchange; unmissable.
Did we miss you out? Did you tell us about your event? Itโs not that we donโt like you, itโs because Devizine uses many sources to collate these listings, and sometimes we miss a few things. Listing your event here is free, but please make it easier for me by messaging or emailing the info, and then, and this is the really important part, make sure Iโve added it and let me know if not!
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
Hey, teacher! Leave those sausage rolls alone. Hereโs whatโs happening over the coming week in the wilds of Wiltshire, hold onto your hats, there be lots more than your average sausage roll to get through, yer filthy muckersโฆ..
Everything listed here is on our event calendar; go there for links and more info. It may be updated with even more things to do than listed here, so check in later in the week. Nothing ongoing on our list, so, letโs jump right into the weekโฆ.
Wednesday 21st
Green Grub Club at St James, Devizes. Regular Acoustic Jam at The Southgate.
Carducci Quartet at Wiltshire Music Centre in Bradford-on-Avon.
Jessica Fostekewโs Mettle at the Rondo Theatre, Bath. Amadou Diagne & Group Yakar at The Bell, Bath.
Lunchtime Recital at the Wyvern Theatre, Swindon.
Thursday 22nd
Open Mic at the Crown, Bishopโs Cannings.
Devizes Film Club at the Wharf Theatre, screening Official Competition.
Runny Snotโs Acoustic Sessions at the Neeld, Chippenham.
Fin Taylor at Swindon Arts Centre. Adam Rowe at the Wyvern Theatre. Stone Soup, Modern Evils and Phantom Droid at The Vic. Larkham & Hall at the Beehive. Oxbowlake and Jess Marie at The Tuppenny.
Avalon Comedy Network’s Pierre Novellie, Tessa Coates, Huge Davies and Jake Baker at Pound Arts, Corsham.
Paul Cowley at Chapel Arts, Bath. Cindy Stratton Band Everything Changes album launch at the Rondo Theatre.
Rob Newman at the Cheese & Grain, Frome.
Friday 23rd
Devizes Ghost Walk: with John Girvan. White Horse Operaโs Top of the Ops at St Joseph’s School.
Mark Morriss plays the Pump in Trowbridge with Sound Affects in support. Sax Man โShiltsโ at the Civic.โ
Drink and Draw at 31.Co.Work in Chippenham, opening the fringe February events across the town this weekend. Instant Wit โ A quickfire comedy event at The Constitutional Club. Heat 2 of Take the Stage at the Neeld Hall.
Thatโll Be The Day at the Wyvern Theatre, Swindon. The Retro Rock Show at Swindon Arts Centre. The Hamsters from Hell and the Vooz at The Vic. Jay Styles is Michael Jackson at The New Inn.
Shoun Shoun & Venice Treacle at The Three Horseshoes, Bradford-on-Avon.
Nanny Folio Theatre and The Amazing Bubble Man at Pound Arts, Corsham.
CharmType at the Winchester Gate, Salisbury.
Rock the Tots Family show at Rondo Theatre, Bath. The Jake Leg Jug Band at Chapel Arts.
Eddie & The Hot Rods at The Tree House in Frome. Absolute Bowie โ Greatest Hits at The Cheese & Grain.
Saturday 24th
Seed Swap at St Andrewโs, Devizes. Editor’s Pick of Week: Deadlight Dance arrives in Devizes with an instore at Vinyl Realm from 11am, and they play The Southgate in the evening. The Wharf Theatre has The Lonnie Donegan Story. Kennet Gateway Club has the Rockinโ Bandits at Devizes Conservative Club.
@59 at The Lamb, Marlborough.
Wet Franc at The Pilot, Melksham. The Fabulous โ59 Ford at Melksham Rock n Roll Club
Toodles and the Hectic Pity, Charlie Gillman and Luke De-Sciscio at the Pump, Trowbridge. Adult Panto Alice in Wonderland at the Civic.
The REAL nursery rhymes and songs โ toddler to KS1 at Wiltshire Swindon History Centre, Chippenham. Clareโs Circus at King Alfred Hall. Hidden Canvases โ โStreet Art and the Cityโ A talk by Doug Gillen at the Platinum Hall. Letโs build LEGO Chippenham! at Wiltshire Swindon History Centre, Chippenham. Rock the Tots: Baby Boogie atThe King Alfred Hall. Toddler Tango at The King Alfred Hall.
Steppin Thruโ Time โ Mary Lou Revue at The Yelde Hall, Chippenham. The Rosellys at Rivo Lounge. Daft Laffs โ A night of comedy greats at The King Alfred Hall. The Old Road Tavern has a Mega Fringe fest, see poster below.
Louise Farrenc plays Symphony number 3 at Corsham Town Hall. Martyโs Fake Family at The Royal Oak. Shake It Up Theatre presents The Improvised Shakespeare Show at Pound Arts, Corsham.
Holy Popes, Shin Splintz & Big Byrd at The Three Horseshoes, Bradford-on-Avon. Adriano Adewaleโs Cataplufโs Musical Journey at Wiltshire Music Centre.
Mollyโs Chamber at Prestbury Sports Bar, Warminster.
Science Museum: The Live Stage Show at the Wyvern Theatre, Swindon. Straighten Out at The Vic. World Music Club at the Beehive. Danny & The Randoms at The Queenโs Tap.
Glamarama at The Woodlandโs Edge. MetSon at the Swiss Chalet.
Martin Rowsonโs Giving the Gift of Offence at the Rondo Theatre, Bath. Phoenix River Band at Chapel Arts, with Sophie Rose in support.
The Sunbirds at the Tree House, Frome. The Beat featuring Ranking Junior at the Cheese & Grain.
Sunday 25th
Vince Bell at The Southgate, Devizes from 5pm.
Melksham Record Fair at the Assembly Hall.
Open Mic at The Old Road Tavern, Chippenham. Shed-ache Dance Theatre at The Constitutional Club Chippenham. Elvis in Blue Hawaii at the King Alfred Hall.
Bandeoke at Prestbury Sports Club, Warminster.
Schtumm presents DG Solaris & Courting Ghosts at the Long Room in Box. 3 Daft Monkeys Duo at The Bell, Bath.
Garth Marenghiโs Incarcerat at the Wyvern Theatre, Swindon.
CSF Pro Wrestling: Showdown at the Cheese & Grain, Frome.
Monday 26th
Rock the Tots Family at Pound Arts, Corsham.
Josienne Clarke at Swindon Arts Centre,
Ben Tunnicliffeโs Nowhere Ensemble at The Bell, Bath.
Tuesday 27th
Valuation Day with Paul Martin at The Athenaeum in Warminster.
Sophie Stockham Quartet at Jazz Knights in the Royal Oak, Swindon. The Ronnie Scottโs All Stars โ Soho Songbook at the Wyvern Theatre. Connor Burns at Swindon Arts Centre.
Sam Thomas at The Bell, Bath.
And thatโs all weโve got for now, other than some important things to say: Events listed here are subject to change, we are not responsible for cancellations, errors or postponements in anything listed.
Important note two, events which come to our attention from now on in, will be updated on the Event Calendar and NOT HERE. So, be sure to check in from time to time, use the Event Calendar to find more info on everything listed on here, and for ticket links, etc. Use the Event Calendar to check for updates and planning ahead.
Did we miss you out? Did you tell us about your event? Itโs not that we donโt like you, itโs because Devizine uses many sources to collate these listings, and sometimes we miss a few things. Listing your event here is free, but please make it easier for me by messaging or emailing the info, and then, and this is the really important part, make sure Iโve added it and let me know if not!
If I’ve been feeling as excited as little Charlie Bucket all week, I’ll justify why. On Friday my son and I had a chocolate adventure of our own, and while no one fell into a chocolate river or blew up into a giant snozzberry, we had fun at Hollychocs in Poulshot, returned with lots of goodies made with our own hand, and decidedly more enlightened to the art of the chocolaterieโฆ..
It was a birthday present for my ever-growing Oompa Loompa, rather than a recipe for an article, but this half term chocolate making workshop was so fun I feel inclined to mention it anyway!
Holly Garner opened this successful business five years ago, and while she’s yet to install a glass elevator, Hollychocs has won awards and expanded to a cafรฉ known as The Beanery. It’s the ideal space for hosting homey workshops, and there’s plenty to choose from for all ages. We’re here for a family-friendly course; I made enough mess with this one let alone something more technical!
Let’s be honest here, these workshops come at a price, but you certainly get what you pay for, especially if you love chocolate, and if we’re being honest, who doesn’t? Personally I’m as passionate about eating the stuff as Holly is with making it. If stuffing chocolate into a cakehole was a competitive sport, I reckon I’d be up for an Olympic gold medal; a chocolate coin medal, here’s hoping!
Holly’s enthusiasm and passion for her art is exemplified at such events. As her assistant provided us all with delicious hot chocolates, Holly introduced herself with a little background, including her roots as “the queen of caramel” at Cadburys; there has to be a parody of a Billy Ocean song in this, Caramel Queen, now we’re sharing the same dream? No? Maybe? Just me then!
And it was a dream come true. A detailed and educational five minutes kicked it off, explaining the journey from cocoa pod to chocolate liquor, and to your belly, with the use of a mock pod prop. Several example chocolate buttons of various strengths were handed out to try, including ruby chocolate, something you won’t find mass produced because of a lesser shelf life.
We were told their country of origin, facts about fair trade agreements, and after the brief but informative lesson, we were given the raw liquor and double cream to mix ourselves. Needless to say, I was getting a smidgen overexcited at this point!
Starting easy, we made chocolate lollipops and decorated them, followed by a chocolate bar and onto the grand finale, chocolate truffles. The kids all had fun, the parents had more. Some of the treats we made, like leftover buttons, mysteriously went missing before leaving the factory floor, the rest were neatly bagged to take home.
Like a right cheeky Wonka, I even ate the letters of my nametag, which Holly inscribed on our paper base with, yeah, you guessed it, chocolate! From now on, in chocolate language, I’m known as just โren!โ
I wondered if when Holly gets home after her working day, she just craves a packet of crisps, but one thing is for sure, she made techniques in chocolate engineering look simple, when it wasn’t so, and things got sticky; scrummy fun for all the family.
Cadburys, and I’m sure other sweetie factories too, may have their own theme-park-fashioned activities, where you’re a face in an overcrowded commercial queue. At Hollychocs, just down the road, you’re treated to the personal touch, not to mention her divine handcrafted and unique chocolates.
I can’t tell you anymore about it then this, who do you take me for, Slugworth? You’ll have to find out for yourselves!
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
It’s our lovable soup-making duo rightfully in the headlines here today. Anya and Marc of Soupchick are making good use of the unit opposite in Devizesโ Shambles, opening a tranquil art space, plus adding a further dining areaโฆ.
It’ll be a lovely space to relax, lunch, and browse some art for sale; I know, I poked my nose into their grand opening this afternoon!
Valentina, they’re calling it, named in memory of Anya’s grandmother, and while for the initial month there’s a teaser of local artists exhibiting, thereafter individual artists will exhibit a show.
I do believe I’m therefore duty-bound to return with news of said individual exhibits when the time comes, and it’s nothing to do with the absolutely scrumptious soup they serve, so, don’t dare say it is!!
Hereโs whatโs happening over the coming week in the wilds of Wiltshire, hold onto your hats, letโs lots to get throughโฆ..
Everything listed here is on our event calendar; go there for links and more info. It may be updated with even more things to do than listed here, so check in later in the week.
Look, if itโs all the same to you, I cannot choose an Editorโs Pick of Week; too much great stuff happening. Iโm doing a Chocolate making workshop at HollyChocs in Poulshot on Friday (see here,) then off to see Gaz Brookfield at West Lavington Village Hall, (Preview) which has to be one. Saturday, if you loved Adam & the Ants, you need to get to The Vic, Swindon for Ant Trouble (previous review) and if you love hip hop get down the Pump in Trowbridge for the Scribes (preview) but saying all this, when SGO come to the Southgate, Devizes, which they are on Saturday, itโs always a pleasure (past review.) Huge dilemma, ergo, can I have five Editorโs Picks of the Week this week?!!
Ongoing until 17th February, two enlightening exhibits at Wiltshire Museum, Devizes,ย Lest We Forget: the Black Contribution to the World Wars in Wiltshire, and Eric Walrond: A Caribbean Writer living in Wiltshire. Reviewed HERE.
Potterne Pantomime presents Robin Hood at the Potterne Village Hall, running until Saturday.
Wednesday 14th
Seed Bomb Making at Hillworth Park, Devizes, and the regular Acoustic Jam at The Southgate.
Glad to hear The Charlton Cat at Charlton St Peter has a grand reopening on Wednesday.
Counterfeit Sixties Show at the Neeld, Chippenham. Love Stories in Chippenham, don;t know where, One Chippenham your website seems to be down!
A lunchtime recital with violinist Madeleine Mitchell at Pound Arts, Corsham.
Sterling Elliott at Wiltshire Music Centre, Bradford-on-Avon.
Ghost The Musical at The Athenaeum, Warminster.
Memory Cinema at Swindon Arts Centre screens Miss Potter (PG.) The Big Jam Session at The Vic.
Carrie the Musical at Rondo Theatre, Bath. Diddy Sweg at The Bell, Bath.
Thursday 15th
Open Mic nights return to The Cellar Bar, Devizes.
Seend Fawlty Players Presents Aladdin at Seend Community Centre, opening today, running up till Saturday.
Kid Carpet and the Noisy Garden Centre at Pound Arts, Corsham.
B-Sydes, Heartwork & Ed Poole at the Tuppenny, Swindon. Bob Porter Project at the Beehive. The Magic of Terry Pratchett at Swindon Arts Centre. Frankie Boyleโs show opens at the Wyvern Theatre and runs until Saturday.
Bath Bachfest opens and runs until Saturday with lots of concerts across the city.
Friday 16th
Innes Sibun Trio at The Southgate, Devizes. Disneyโs Frozen Jr runs at the Wharf Theatre on Friday and Saturday.
Gaz Brookfield plays West Lavington Village Hall.
Ward Thomas at the Wyvern Theatre, Swindon. Collateral with Zac & The New Men at The Vic. Soulphia, new name for Sophia Bovellโs Soul Rebels, plays The Cow in Swindon.
Classic Rock American Highway Show at Chapel Arts, Bath.
Bootleg Blondie at the Cheese & Grain, Frome. Liam Helm & The Hang Ups at The Tree House.
Sorrel Pitts will be signing copies of her new novel Broken Shadows at Devizes Books. Reviewed HERE. Thereโs a Devizes Town Hall Ghost Hunt. The Truzzy Boys are at The Three Crowns, and SโGO at The Southgate, reviewed here. Oh, and of course, itโs DOCAโs Festival of Winter Ales.
The Devilโs Prefects Album Launch at The Barge on HoneyStreet.
Operation 77 at The Lamb, Marlborough.
The Scribes Boombox reaches the Pump in Trowbridge, preview here.
The George Ward School Reunion Disco Class of the 1970s, at the Spencer Club, Melksham.
Wiltshire Police Band at St Andrewโs Church Chippenham. Valentines Concert in Chippenham, at the Neeld, perhaps? One Chippenham, your website is down.
Gwilym Simcock Trio at Wiltshire Music Centre, Bradford-on-Avon.
Framed! And Help! I Think Iโm a Nationalist! at Pound Arts, Corsham.
Fleetwood Mac & Tom Petty The Legacy Show at Swindon Arts Centre. Apache Cats at Queens Tap. 12 Bars Later at Swiss Chalet. Ant Trouble at The Vic.
Deadlight Dance & Steve Mercy are art Chapter 22 Roots & Records, Bath. Joe Wilkinson
At the Rondo Theatre. This Flight Tonight โ A Tribute to Joni Mitchell at Chapel Arts.
Cover Stories at Salisbury British Legion Hall. The Wiseguys at the Rising Sun, Wimborne.
Even N Song at The Ship, Shipton Bellinger.
Judge Jules is at The Cheese & Grain, Frome.
Sunday 18th
Chantelle Smith is with Richard Wileman & Valve at The Vic, Swindon. Brian Conley at the Wyvern Theatre.
The Woodlanders at The Bell, Bath.
Monday 19th
Buffy Revamped at the Wyvern Theatre, Swindon
Swingle-Tree and Whistling Treason at The Bell, Bath.
Tuesday 20th
Ian Bateman Quartet plays Jazz Knights at the Royal Oak, Swindon. Miles Jupp at the Wyvern Theatre.
POETIKA poetry slams at the Winchester Gate, Salisbury.
And thatโs all weโve got for now, other than some important things to say: Events listed here are subject to change, we are not responsible for cancellations, errors or postponements in anything listed.
Important note two, events which come to our attention from now on in, will be updated on the Event Calendar and NOT HERE. So, be sure to check in from time to time, use the Event Calendar to find more info on everything listed on here, and for ticket links, etc. Use the Event Calendar to check for updates and planning ahead.
Did we miss you out? Did you tell us about your event? Itโs not that we donโt like you, itโs because Devizine uses many sources to collate these listings, and sometimes we miss a few things. Listing your event here is free, but please make it easier for me by messaging or emailing the info, and then, and this is the really important part, make sure Iโve added it and let me know if not!
Have a good week- thatโs the last important thingy to say!!
Once the demonic entity Spring-Heeled Jack entered folklore it became subject to many books and plays, diluting the once real threat of this Victorian bogeymanโฆ
Devizes singer-songwriter Jamie Hawkins, famed for poignant narrative in his songs and one-third Lost Trade, has always had a passion for filmmaking; Teeth is theโฆ
There are only a few tickets left for this yearโs Devizes Festival of Winter Ales, an important fundraiser for DOCAโฆ.. This year DOCA has teamedโฆ
A sublime evening of electronic elegance was had at Bathโs humble Rondo Theatre last night, where Cephidโs album, Sparks in The Darkness, was played outโฆ
Devizes-based chocolate engineer Holly Garner, 2023 Chocolate Champion for the Southwest, has launched her new chocolate classes for the first half of 2024โฆโฆ
From learning how to make her signature caramel (she was Queen of Caramel at Cadburys) to perfect hand-rolled truffles, her classes take place at her Beanery Cafe just outside Devizes. And as a mum and busy business owner, she knows all too well how challenging it can be to plan fun half term activities to keep the kids busy. That’s why she plans her kid-friendly classes to coincide with the school holidays, giving you a fun and chocolatey way to start the holidays.
Kids will learn how to make things like truffles, chocolate bars, and lollipops, and are suitable for kids 5+.ย You get to take home your chocolatey creations, as well as enjoying one of Holly’s 12 tasty hot chocolates and a cheeky discount in the chocolate shop, too.ย
All her upcoming classes, including the 2 family-friendly classes during half term on 23 Feb and the Easter Chocolate Class on the 29 March, can be booked on her website hollychocs.comย
V busy week ahead, too busy to type the word โvery,โ (though I just did type the word โvery,โ) despite the cold spell, nothings gonna stop us now, reminding me somewhat of Ollie & Jerryโs theme โBreakinโ, thereโs no stopping us.โ
Not that it takes me much to be reminded of Ollie & Jerry – I think about them all the time, I wonder where they are and what theyโreโฆ..okay, letโs push on, we donโt need you to be like Turbo, no one to dance with other than a broom, (youngsters pipe down and Google it!) hereโs whatโs happening over the coming week in the wilds of Wiltshireโฆโฆ
Everything listed here is on our event calendar; go there for links and more info. It may be updated with even more things to do than listed here, so check in later in the week.
Ongoing until 17th February, two enlightening exhibits at Wiltshire Museum, Devizes,ย Lest We Forget: the Black Contribution to the World Wars in Wiltshire, and Eric Walrond: A Caribbean Writer living in Wiltshire. Reviewed Here.
Artist Clifton Powell with Eric Walrond portrait at Wiltshire Museum
Wednesday 17th
The Melksham & Devizes Primary have a new year meet at the Kings Arms, Melksham; we recently did an interview with them, a really important issue, check it out here.
The regular Acoustic Jam at The Southgate, Devizes.
Lunchtime Recital Series at The Wyvern Theatre, Swindon, with Babatunde Aleshe in the evening.
Opening night of The Wind in the Willows at The Rondo, Bath, running until Sunday the 21st. Meanwhile, Starlings play The Bell in Bath.
British Lion are at the Cheese & Grain, Frome.
Thursday 18th
M3g plays The Tuppenny, Swindon, Zamba Lando at The Beehive, John Otway at The Vic, a memory sing at Swindon Arts Centre, and Get It On at The Wyvern Theatre.
Friday 19th
Borrowed Atlas plays the Pump, Trowbridge, with Ravetank in support.
Cara Dillon is at Pound Arts, Corsham.
Forbidden Nights at Melksham Assembly Hall, ladies!
Stompers at The Boat House, Bradford-on-Avon.
Littlemen at Chapel Arts, Bath.
Dark Prophecy at The Vic, Swindon, UK Pink Floyd Experience at The Wyvern Theatre.
Saturday 20th
Day course: Wood Engraving with Robin Mackenzie at Wiltshire Museum, Devizes.
An album launch gig for Cracked Machine at the Southgate, Devizes, with Clock Radio in support. Siren at The Three Crowns. Real Music are at the Bear, with a Soul, Motown Disco.
Open Mic at The Barge Honeystreet.
Chippenham Record Fair, at The Citadel on Bath Road; free entry.
Editorโs Pick of the Week is Bradford Roots Festival at the Wiltshire Music Centre, Bradford-on-Avon; Iโve been saving myself since new year for this! Incredible line-up, all day Saturday and Sunday, preview here, hope to see you there?
Cara Dillon is at Pound Arts, Corsham.
Ian Diddams and Wendy Dopheide take Happy Jack to the Athenaeum, Warminster for a two night run, Saturday and Sunday; hereโs a review from when this show was at the Wharf in Devizes.
The Korgis โ Time Machine at Chapel Arts, Bath.
Apache Cats at The New Inn, Swindon, The Rolling Clones at The Vic. Abba Forever at The Wyvern Theatre, and an RPA Golden Ticket Show at Swindon Arts Centre.
Sunday 21st
Manos Puestas at The Southgate, Devizes.
Bradford Roots Festival continues.
Sing-A-Long-A Matilda The Musical (PG) at The Wyvern Theatre, Swindon.
Gordie Tentrees & Jaxon Haldane at The Bell, Bath.
Monday 22nd
Giovanni Pernice at The Wyvern Theatre, Swindon.
The Swing Vote at The Bell, Bath.
Tuesday 23rd
Vasilis Xenopoulos & Tom Berge Trio for the regular Jazz Knights The Royal Oak, Swindon.
Giovanni Pernice at The Wyvern Theatre.
And thatโs your lot, let me know what we missed, we can list events for free, but a chocolate muffin works better to persuade me! Lots to look forward to this month, Iโll lob a few posters below, but keep your best eye on theโฆโฆEvent Calendar!! Also note, we have a new page for weekly events including clubs and activities, here: it’s new so we need to list some more, tell us what you know!
I caught up with an excited Jonathan Hunter, leader of Devizes Town Councilโs independent party The Guardians, and local loyal youth worker Steve Dewar toโฆ
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 onโฆ
If Iโm considering reviewing worldwide music again, why stop with this planet?! Though Iโve reasoned two tenacious links to mention this madcap Scottish interstellar outfit;โฆ
The team behind popular all-day music extravaganza, My Dadโs Bigger Than Your Dad Festival, can now reveal that nearly ยฃ11,500 was raised for Prospect Hospiceโฆ
By Ian DiddamsImages by Jeni Meade No aficionado of 1960s and 1970s horror films would have missed seeing โRosemaryโs Babyโ, a story of Satanic pregnancy,โฆ
In November last year I was mightily impressed with Bristol soul-reggae producer Kaya Street, and reviewed their EP The Soul Sessions, read it here forโฆ
Here we are again with another year under our belts and me trying to best sum it up without restraint; I reserve my right to free speech, spliced with a slither of satireโฆ.
2023 was, in a word, wet. ITV reports โsummer 2023 was unusually wet, with 11% more rainfall than average, but it was also recorded as being the eighth warmest on recordโฆ.โ I’m not sure I remember that last bit, just the perpetual drizzle, between the three months of April showers and the floods of Autumn! It was this, and my failure to find a suitable Peppa Pig costume preventing the promised second fundraising milk round; hopefully this summer, coupled with a free live music event, watch this muddy puddle!
Bit dodgy!
Freedom of speech is another sour point. I’ve tried to focus on entertainment and arts, and keep Devizine away from politics as much as possible towards the latter half of the year, it’s all too depressing. Yet it seems standing against prejudices and genocide is frowned upon by a few vocal sorts, who deliberately intended to degrade Devizine without the foggiest notion of what weโre about, for which, laughably, had the opposite effect; we reached record breaking stats again this year topping last year’s hits by 35% and reaching beyond the 150K mark. This is great, though points don’t make prizes in this game, it means we’re continuing to reach out to more people.
So letโs not dwell on the negatives, only to add the epicentre of my frustrations doesnโt derive from any particular councillors, as some might think. Certainly, in reporting some blackmarks on local issues and politics, one name in particular appears to recur, but the satire I write is never deliberately directed at anyone personally, only their actions, or inactions on the subject in hand. If this upsets you, try to act more positively. Example; if you publish a post on your own local Facebook group asking for event listings, some people will instinctively suggest Devizine is a possible place to look, being as thatโs the aim of what we do here. To ban them for life for merely uttering the word Devizine, which is what happened and was completely out of my control, is petty and deliberately undermining all my efforts and the efforts of our contributors who work hard for nothing to make Devizine what it is; and you donโt expect this behaviour from a town councillor to frustrate me a smidgen?!
I laugh off such minor issues, rather my annoyances derive at the middle of this year when I happened to be updating our event listings and came across a Katie Hopkins show at Meca in Swindon. Make no mistake, this bitter and twisted celebrity is outward racist, homophobic and spreads her hate through national hollering. I posted on our Facebook page, we would not list such an event as it goes against our principles, not really thinking of the consequences from some who enjoy being xenophobic.
Rather than Newquest picking up on the work we do to promote local venues, artists and businesses, or our fundraising attempts, it decides on highlighting us for clickbait by publishing an article in the Swindon Adver slating us for sticking to our morals. The effect of this was hoards of haters, who hadnโt even heard of us until this moment, flocked to our social media to sound their disapproval. I was inundated with all manner of threats by those who assumed, rather than us simply refusing to list the event, I was part of some imaginary gang defying their freedom of speech to spout racism and homophobia; you canโt make it up, and in turn, is part of the reason we stand on certain principles and moral codes while, it seems, the mainstream media are hell bent on rocking the boat and creating a hateful ethos in this once great, now damned country.
Ah, bollocks to those noisy twats in the minority, in wailing my frustrations a multitude commented how they love what we do, and their compliments far outreach the sort of oddball nutjob who would pay their hard-earned cash on a ticket to see a karen bath up racism in Swindon!
So, let’s go month by month, looking over 2023, shall we? Trying to maintain positivity throughoutโฆ..I said โtry!โ
January
We started 2023 much like this one, with a review of the past year; I know, Iโm like a stuck record! January saw us preview Ladies Day at the Wharf Theatre, Seize the Day appearing at the Corn Exchange for a Wiltshire Climate Alliance event, the FullTone Festival, Pure Gritโs Devizes Strongest contest, former Devizes resident, the Brave New Broken Hearts Club gig at St Johns, The Exchange nightclub hosting open mic nights, and Bradford Roots Festival at the Wiltshire Music Centre, of which I attended, cherished and reviewed.
Concrete Prairie @ Bradford Roots Festival
One of the funniest interviews Iโve done was with Marlbroughโs Pants, due to play the final gig for landmark landlord Vyv and Jackie at the Lamb, which happened in Jan, and was hilarious.
These Pants!
Adam Woodhouse at the Three Crowns
We Will Rock You @ Devizes School
Venturing out in January isnโt my cuppa though, truth be told. I broke hibernation to catch Adam Woodhouse at The Three Crowns, and Bill Green gave us a review of Devizes School’s performance of We Will Rock You. Other than this staying in listening to new music is favoured, and we reviewed a new single of the Lost Trades and added their second album announcement, On The Wayside EP by Viduals, and Marvin B Naylor and Rebsie Fairholmโs album Psychedelicat.
On ranting, yes, I told on the billions of untaxed investment under our very feet at Gastardโs wine cellars, and the Old Wharf Cafรฉ not meeting its potential by becoming a meeting room, and, of course, how Devizes Town Councillors lied about bird flu on Crammer, because they did, though seemed to successfully brush it under the carpet, but the high hitter, strangely, was one I wrote on my phone purely for fun, Ten Top Tips for Driving in Devizes. A popular topic, it seems, coming in at the second highest hitter this year.
February
Swindon folk ensemble SGO released a live album from The Southgate, and Devilโs Doorbell did one too, live from the Pump. We also reviewed the studio album Petrichor by The Lost Trades, and Painting With Sound, Will Lawton & The Alchemist’s new EP. This was followed by my first trip to the Pump, to see Will Lawton, with the Lost Trades in support, double-whammy!
Will Lawton & The Alchemists @ The Pump
The Lost Trades @ The Pump
I reported that Jon Amor Trioโs Residency at The Southgate shows no signs of letting up for 2023, and it remains the case to this day. Another unforgettable gig was Adam & His Ants tribute Ant Trouble at the Vic, that was something else.
Jon Amor Trio at The Southgate with Thomas Atlas
Ant Trouble @ The Vic
Andy gave us a review of the comedy night at The Piggy Bank, Calne, and after previewing the Brave New Broken Hearts Club gig at St Johns being unable to attend it, we found the wonderful writer Helen Edwards, who would continue to write reviews for us throughout the year. Thank you Andy, Helen, and Bill, from last month!
Brave New Broken Hearts Club
We previewed the Wharf Theatreโs Liz Sharman returning with another Shakespeare masterpiece, Measure for Measure, and a night of nostalgia and karaoke at The Castle Inn for the My Dadโs Festival organisers. I also attempted to introduce our regular song of the week piece, songs coming from Deadlight Dance, Atari Pilot, Sienna Wileman and Ajay Srivastav, the latter of whom I was later delighted to hear was coming to Devizes Arts Festival.
Measure For Measure
If the Crammer was a sour point last month, in Feb it got a whole lot worse as another swan died, this time in a road accident. We highlighted the campaign group asking the Devizes Town Council for a safety sign to warn drivers to slow down past the Crammer, they sadly rejected it, putting the aesthetic look of the crammer, already awash with pointless signage, above the wildlife, and risk to drivers.
But outside Devizes matters are serious. Yeah, we covered The Great Pothole Debacle for kicks, but the ongoing hunting scandal was paramount. One town councillor banning me from yet another Facebook group for merely suggesting the Wiltshire Police officer going for a promotion in the rural crime unit when she was an active member of a hunting gang was a tad conflicting, especially being in the same month the Avon Vale Hunt was suspended from the British Hounds Sports Association for posting a video of them killing a fox.
Besides this, Wiltshire Police maintained the officer was not acting illegally, instead tried to turn focus on to youth crime, with the PCC and Wiltshire Council staging a drop-in event in Devizes which targeted only youths at a time youths would be at college or school so unable to defend themselves. Understandably we were critical to all this, cos someone has to be! For light in Feb, I took some old photos of Devizes and added pretend modern comments as if they were posted on social media today, to lighten the overall gloomy happenings in local politics.
March
Well, warming up a tad now, March was my 50th birthday and so I had a little do in the Three Crowns, which if I could remember any of it I would never have forgotten it in my life! I mean, if a jobs worth doing I say, we had Ben Borrill kick us off, followed by Vince Bell, and then Deadlight Dance, and then Talk in Code stepped in, and I only wanted a support act, not four main acts before the main act! Iโm forever grateful to all of them, and to top it all off Ruzz Guitar Trio played us out, and thus, I was half a century old and feeling it!
I felt I shouldn’t really review my own birthday party on Devizine, if I could recall it anyway! But we did preview the Open Day at The Wharf Theatre, and Waking Back to Happiness, and Andy reviewed Measure For Measure, all at the Wharf Theatre. I also found time to preview Devizes Arts Festival, Potterne Festival, and the first Devizes Pride.
Poetika
Andy reviewed Thomas Atlas at Long Street Blues Club, with Ben Borrill in support. I took to an amazing Devizes Concert for Opendoors with Will Blake, PSG Choir Chloe Jordan and Andrew Hurst, and a huge congrats to Dora and the PSG for organising that. I also made it down to The Southgate for Concrete Prairie, and Helen reviewed the Poetika Open Mic Night at The Winchester Gate, Salisbury.
Opendoors Concert 2023
Songs of the Week came from Talk in Code, Lewis McKale, Lucky Number Seven and Sara Vian. And we celebrated International Womenโs Day by highlighting our favourite local female musicians.
We announced Bradford-on-Avon raising ยฃ250,000 for a new skatepark, we chatted to Catherine Read, the Green Party Parliamentary candidate for Devizes, and Guardian Candidate for the Devizes East byelection, Vanessa Tanner, who won despite pathetic attempts to derail her campaign by the opposition.
Vanessa Tanner
Meanwhile, Guardian Jonathan Hunter hailed Wiltshire Council had โa complete disregard for the residents of Devizes,โ the Crammer Working Party asking Devizes Town Council to endorse a most dubious approach to future management of the Crammer, Wiltshire Police praised protesters against the fox hunting officer at Devizes Police HQ like it was ever going to any but peaceful, we took a stark look at Devizes Food Bank with Alex Montegriffo, where I got told off for speaking my mind about the Conservative approach to food banks, but they do seem to wear the idea theyโve increased the usage of them tenfold as a badge of honour, do they not?!
But the real highlight and top hitter of March was when a resident of Seend noticed a naked bloke rolling in her neighbours muck heap at night!
April
We previewed Chippenham artist Si Griffithsโ Forbidden Carnival Gallery. Girls Like That, and The Railway Children at Devizesโ Wharf Theatre. The Henry Normal and Nigel Planer tour coming to Devizes, The Vintage Bazaar in Devizes,
Swindon Shuffle, Thirty Years of Dreadzone before playing the Cheese and Grain, King Alfredโs Tower Charity Abseil, Devizes Street Festival, A Beginnerโs Introduction to Oils in All Cannings with Arts Together, a hometown gig for Nothing Rhymes with Orange, and all the local Coronation Celebrations.
NRWO at the Pump
Ben Niamor reported on Carsick, NRWO and Meg at Pump. Helen covered a Bournemouth Writing Festival. Andy provided a review of The Billy Walton Band at Long Street Blues Club. I managed to attend Nothing Rhymes with Orange and support acts in Lavington, one important one will be Dauntsys own Paradigm and I’ll explain why later. Oh, and Jon Amorโs Southgate residency with Leburn Maddox, managed this too.
Jon Amor and Leburn Maddox
Paradigm
Song of the Week included ร lesund and Nothing Rhymes With Orange, also reviewed Across the Water EP by Paul Lappin, 41 Fords album Not Dead Yet, Frankisoul’s EP on Fire, and Age of the Liar by The Burner Band.
Now, see what I was saying earlier about being better behaved on social and political matters as the year went on? Hardly anything throughout April, save an article titled Gorillas and the Pissed in Bishops Cannings! But when a minority of disgruntled villagers falsely accuse a pub of stealing a gorilla statue from Scotland in order to sabotage their business, well, you cannot expect me not to jump at the opportunity to stir the pot!
And, strangely I never did get a response from the local newspaper when our protocol April Fools joke was headlined Gazette & Herald to Buy Out Devizine, but there you go, I thought it was a good idea.
May
Previews for May included Devizes Arts Festival, Female of the Species, Devizes Scooter Rally and John Watterson keeping the Music of Jake Thackray alive in Pewsey.
We had Carmelaโs Wonder Wheels Challenge, and our writer Helen Edwards read her poem on BBC Upload. Helen wrote a breathtaking review of Lou Cox’s poignant comedy Having a Baby and the Shit They Don’t Tell You at the Wharf, and I covered the Railway Children.
Ian Diddams reviewed Waiting for Godot at The Mission Theatre, Bath, and The Four Sopranos at Devizes Town Hall.
Ben wrote on Alex Roberts and Fly Yeti Fly at The Barge, Honeystreet, Vince Bell at the Southgate, and Kyla Brox at Long Street Blues Club.
Si’s Forbidden Carnival Gallery in Chippenham opened with the exhibit Hail The Curious, which I attended the opening of, and I reviewed Devizes Street Festival in two daily parts. What a fantastic year it was.
I also took a trip to Frome to see Big Country and Spear of Destiny at the Cheese and Grain. Loved the venue and the vibe of the town, and ended up on a pub crawl with a friend in the know.
Song of the Weeks came from Canuteโs Plastic Army, and Snazzback, but the idea of the feature is starting to wane. We fondly reviewed Deadlight Dance’s debut album Innocent Beginnings, and Nothing Rhymes With Orange released a new single Butterflies.
Still well behaved on the news front, congratulating Vanessa Tanner as the new town councillor, but I did publish a piece called Your Place, or Mine? Devizes Town Council Squabbles Over Meeting Venue!
The top hitting article of the year came in May, How to Tell if Your Parents Were Ravers! It was a fun piece to write, and its universal appeal is likely the reason for its success.
June
In June my daughter sneakily managed to blag a week’s work experience with me, thinking she’d be able to stay in her PJs, but I sent her out to Chippenham to interview young upcoming folk singer-songwriter Meg, and, apple doesn’t fall far from the tree, she did a marvellous job.
As the mainstream local media seemed intent on sensationalising troubles with youth for clickbait, I refused to accept it was nothing more than an issue with a minority of youths. Nothing new, it’s always been this way. Jess’s interview with Meg got the ball rolling in which we would not only cover youth doing good work, bands and artists and others, but also encourage youth to write and photograph them too. I really believe this was the most positive thing to come out of 2023 for Devizine, and to think it stemmed from this negative trend of others publicising this exaggerated notion there’s a youth crime crisis.
In other areas, we previewed the Wharf Theatreโs upcoming season, Keevil Roots Festival, the fantastic CrownFest, CSF Wrestling, The Lavington Community Choir’s Pied Piper, Swindin Shuffle and My Dadโs Bigger Than Your Dad Festival. Ian Diddams previewed Shakespeareโs Henry VI at The Rondo Theatre, Bath. And I did the Devizes Beer & Cider Festival’s music lineup, though by the time the event came around the organisers sadly seemed to neglect our free promotion and gave us a cold shoulder, not sure what we did to upset them and hope to rebuild on this in the future.
The third highest hitting article of the year was the opening of Tonka Bean in Devizes, proving once again food and drink related stories are popular, still not enough outlets contact us for publicity.
Also we covered Talk In Code’s race to Glastonbury Pilton Party, local artist Clifton Powell commissioned by King Charles for Windrush portrait, and a major step towards revitalising Devizes Assize Court as the new home of Wiltshire Museum. But in all, June was about event reviews.
41 Fords
Devizes Doorbell @ Devizes Sustainable Fair
Starter for ten, we had Devizes Sustainable Fair, 41 Fords at The Southgate, Humdinger at the Three Crowns, Watson and Brown at the Wharf Theatre, which Ian kindly covered, and I sent Helen to the film premiere of Translations in Melksham.
But real group collaboration covered the entire Devizes Arts Festival, Helen on Carrie Etterโs Poetry Workshop, Ben took Elles Bailey and Will Kirk, Ian took The Sisters and The Brothers at the British Lion, and I managed three, Ajay Srivastav, Malavita and Noble Jacks.
Malavita at Devizes Arts Festival 2023
It really was a packed program so thanks to everyone for contributing reviews, but no more than Andy, who virtually squatted the festival, providing words on Christian Garrick & The Budapest Cafรฉ Orchestra, Hawes & Catlow, Chris Ingham Trio, Clive Anderson, Lois Pryce, Marcus Brigstocke, Lucy Stevens, Aglica Trio, Onarole Theatreโs Jesus My Boy, Texas Tick Fever, Sir Willard White, Sue Stockdale, and Tango Calor.
Songs of The Week from Beskar which featured vocals from local singer Chrissy aka One Trick Pony, and Ruzz Guitar Blues Revue. I reviewed albums by Danni W, and Liddington Hill.
Liddington Hill
We had some fun with my Top Tips to Survive a Muddy Glastonbury Festival, and another called Wiltshire Council Replicate Table Mountain in Devizes Pothole!
But poor WC, when Devizes New Chair to Area Board of Wiltshire Council was announced I got my knickers in nearly as much twist as Danny Kruger’s did over an Affordable Housing Development in Devizes, but I admit I jumped the gun on that one, but eat humble pie, na, not me. There’s too much other terrible rightwingy crap happening to focus on minor errors, like the counter protest to a drag queen reading stories at Swindon library.
July
Devizes Pride
Mantonfest 2023
Previewed Box Rocks, Embrace All, Swindonโs festival for disabled, and Matchbox Mutiny, Ben Borrill & Pat Wardโs new duo debut at The Gate, but previews are so springtime, reviews are what was happening in July, and lots of them! Devizes Scooter Rally, CrownFest, Devizes Pride, Mantonfest, and Karen Cannings guest reviewed Lavington Community Choirs The Pied Piper of Hamelin.
Bob Marley Experience @ CrownFest
Devizes Scooter Rally
Two art exhibits reviewed, Anna Dillonโs Wessex Airscapes at Wiltshire Museum and Alexander Kaiโs Figures in Focus at St Maryโs Devizes.
Alexander Kai at St. Mary’s
New tunes from Subject A and Beskar featuring Huntr/s, an album by Onika Venus. But on the subject of youth participation, July was exactly what we wanted. The Pump called for young talent with its Future Sound of Trowbridge project, we had a new tune from Nothing Rhymes With Orange, and I reviewed their gig at the Barge, but couldnโt make the one at Devizes Corn Exchange. This is where the drummer of Paradigm, Florence Lee came in, remember I said weโd mention them again? Well, Flo reviewed the gig and Kiesha Films supplied photography. This is precisely what weโre looking for, youth reviewing and capturing their own generationโs gigs.
NRWO @ The Corn Exchange
Flo did such a grand job I sent her on two historic bear hunts, to report on a Sound Knowledge gig in Marlborough with William The Conqueror and Michael Rosen Hunt at The Cheese & Grain, thank you Florence and Kiesha. Other youth interactions came with The Wharf Theatreโs youth production of Girls Like That, a feature on RAE, and a review of Becca Mauleโs Teenage Things EP.
Becca Maule
My only rant was on the subject of the overworked bus driver who fell asleep at the wheel.
August
Soupchick launching a falafel stall, Wharf Writersโ Group first Podcast, Whereโs the Cat? Chloe Jordan playing the Southgate, the return of the Imberbus, and My Dadโs Festival raising ยฃ9,000 for Prospect Hospice were hot topics in August.
Fulltone Festival 2023
The Fulltone Festival was covered with words by Jemma herself, and double-reviewed by Helen and myself. I also managed HoneyFest, Meg at The Neeld in Chippenham, Beyond Chippenham Streets exhibit, ran a general piece on open mic nights, and went salsa dancing with Devizes Salsa; Eso!
Devizes Salsa
Songs of the Week from Paul Lappin and Ruzz Guitarโs Blues Revue. New singles from The Scribes and Atari Pilot, and Sally Dobsonโs new project Foxbaroque. Albums came in from Dylan Smith, The Radio Makers and Junkyard Dogs.
Mr Tea & The Minions at HoneyFest
I managed one rant on the New Devizes-Melksham Constituency, taking a critical look at Michelle Donelan; harmless banter, you understand?
September
Devizes Food & Drink Festival in September, Ian reviewed Di, Viv & Rose at Wharf Theatre. I ran previews of Omega Nebula at the Muck & Dunder, Swindon Rocks for Children In Need, The Big Sleep Out In aid of Devizes Opendoors, and produced a podcast episode too!
We reported on The Future Smiths, Devizes Parish Wins Prestigious Award for Future Plans, and Watching the Winter Solstice at Stonehenge or Avebury: How to Prepare was an advertorial piece I confess, but while I try not to do these, it paid for this yearโs website fees with some pennies left to put on a gig with.
Songs of The Week from Meg, and Canuteโs Plastic Army. Beyond Reverence, Deadlight Danceโs debut album was reviewed.
I donโt usually report crime, but the headline Epic Fail, Devizes Burglar Steals Doormat was too funny not to run! Herein lies my frustrations though when I reported on Swindon’s MECA defending its right to promote racism, and I stand by my guns whatever the outcome, because we really donโt need this behaviour on the hospitality industry already at its knees.
October
A Typical Saturday of Live Music in Devizes is a Beautiful Thing! Was the headline, again me trotting around three pubs in town to include all gigs in one night! Then there was Seendโs own Live Aid, The Female of the Species, what a night.
The Female of the Species
Retro Relics Games Cafe opened in Lavington, 4Youth: New Street-Based Youth Project for Devizes begun, Devizes Libraryโs hopes to start a Lego Club, New Organ Arrives in Devizes Like โA Phoenix Rising from the Ashes,โ Devizes Teenagers Give Up Spare Time to Help Community Gardening Project, and Devizes Town Council Pledge on Single-Use Plastics.
I previewed Shakespeare Liveโs Autumn tour, World War One play The Last Post at The Wharf Theatre, Calne Music & Arts Festival Stand-Up Comedy Night, a Palestine Solidarity March in Swindon, took two trips to the Pump, one for Amelia Coburn, Ruby Darbyshire and M3G, the second for Professor Elemental and Devilโs Doorbell. Andy provided words on the White Horse Operaโs Gala Concert and Blood Brothers at Long Street Blues Club, and I managed to get down there one night too, to see the Billy Walton Band.
M3G @ the Pump
Mick Brian reviewed Happy Jack at The Wharf Theatre, NervEndings launched a scathing attack on the music industryโs chancers and charlatans, Nothing Rhymes With Orange frontman Elijah released a solo tune I paid a visit to the The Healthy Life Company, and we had an interview with Steve Vick, having renewed their sponsorship of Wiltshireโs Youth Orchestras at Wiltshire Music Centre.
For a giggle I answered Wiltshire Councilโs Public Transport Survey, and I wrote a Halloween gag about Eddie Cochranโs ghost in Chippenham!
November
Mick Joggerโs Devizes gig got a preview, 12 Bars Later popped into The Badger Set,
Ruby Darbyshire
Ruby Darbyshire played Glasgowโs Barrowlands with The Charlatans, and Gail and I met Henry Normal and Nigel Planer at Devizes Town Hall; heavy!
With Nigel Planer @ Devizes Town Hall
James Hollingsworth at The Southgate
Chicago Blues and Russ Ballard gigs at Long Street Blues Club were covered by Andy, and James Hollingsworth at The Southgate too. Ian did TITICOโs The Pirates of Penzance at the Corn Exchange.
Pirates!
Jess Self and cast of Jack & The Beanstalk at the Wharf
I did Jack & The Beanstalk at the Wharf Theatre, and loved it. I skanked in the Muck with Omega Nebula, DOCA Winter Festival and lantern parade, and attended the duo exhibits at Wiltshire Museum opening event.
Omega Nebula
We spoke highly of the Wiltshire Music Centre, and took a look at what was happening over Christmas in Devizes. Wicked Weather Watch launched a campaign to empower youth on climate action.
Winter Festival Devizes by Simon Folkard
We reviewed new tunes from The Scribesโ Jonny Steele, and the Dirty Smooth, and an album by the Two Man Travelling Medicine Show.
December
Illingworth at the Three Crowns
Previewed the Bradford on Avon Green Man Festival, reviewed Barrelhouse at the Southgate and Illingworth at the Three Crowns, and a most memorable gig at theย Wiltshire Music Centre with Kasai Masai.
We had new singles from M3G, Billy in the Lowground, and the Viduals,and an album review of Cephid.
Weโre continuing to highlight local festivals for 2024, and yes, Pewsey took a bit of criticism for the Tedworth Hunt parading without permission this Boxing Day. But, I did go all out on a satirical rant about the roadworks situation in Devizes, and got on my high horse with Councillor Iain Wallis, which some people thought was a little OTT.
NRWO at the Southgate
What I didnโt mention was it was through personal frustration the piece was reflected. Having given myself over forty extra minutes to cross town to get my autistic son to his disabilities football session at Wiltshire FA in Green Lane, we were still fifteen minutes late; punctuality key to his meltdown in the car. For Iain to then take to his social media group defending the appalling coordination of Wiltshire Council and turning comments off, which could have been fair suggestions as to how to solve the issue of future roadworks planning, was counterproductive, so he got a little bashing for his actions, as is all what he and anyone else here has ever got here, criticism for their actions or inactions on the subject weโre covering. It was not, and has never been a personal attack, much as he claims it is. But I do take all the opinions cast under my wing and the result was me getting rather frustrated and annoyed with it all. I believe if the actions of anyone in a position of power, such as an MP or councillor are dubious they deserve to be called out for it, and besides, it is only ever with a shrewd slice of satire which we do it with, not to be taken so seriously.
I threw my teddies from the pram, yes, and suggested giving Devizine up. I slept on it while a load of comments praising what we do here flooded our Facebook page, and this gave me a fresh perspective, running a quick photo article joking that,of course, I wouldnโt give it up, only to receive comments from someone who was previous supportive of Devizine stating I duped them into thinking I would quit; you cannot win! I can only assure you, the feeling was real, all these nasty folk who seem to want to derail us, mock us for standing up for what is right, they do get to me, and do make me feel like quitting, that much is true and the joke was it was all a joke, because it wasnโt. My god, why am I pouring my heart out over this silliness; if you like Devizine read it, if you donโt like Devizine, donโt read it, but donโt parade around slagging us off like youโre the victim, which I took the test of then and there myself and it does inflate the ego; simples!!
I wish you all a happy new year and sincerely hope we donโt need to go down this avenue again, I hope we can provide a platform to promote talented locals, venues, the arts and all, but tell me I cannot spice it up with a little controversial satire, whatโs the point in me doing it I ask you?! 2023 has been a great year, with lots going on, lots to report and so many people Iโm grateful for, for their contributions, input, advice and support, for they far outnumber the oddballs who seem to think weโre stifling creativity or backing some imaginary concept like cancel culture. The simple fact is, no other local media is highlighting and promoting local arts, it depends on the individual social media presence, and somewhere to combine and collate it all, I believe, is a positive thing. Rant over……
Onwards with our look through all the big local events and festivals coming our way in 2024. Note, there will always be additions, many annual events still to fix a date, as we work through the year weโll add them to our event calendar. This is just an overview of what we have so far. Iโve already added the Devizes International Street Festival on the May bank holiday, 26th and 27th, for an unmissable example!
We finished off the first part at the end of May, the last day of the month sees the Devizes Arts Festival begin, which continues through the first fortnight of June, which is where we will pick up from now. Only those two summer months to cover in this part, because thereโs so much happening over this period, and weโll conclude with August until December in the third and final section.
June
31st May- 16th: Devizes Arts Festival
Thereโs been a few leaks about acts at Devizes Arts Festival this year, my favourite so far is to catch the wonderful Lady Nade, but also find Martin Simpson, the Jolly Roger, Hollie McNishโs Lobster Tour, Jo Carley and The Old Dry Skulls, Phil Hammond, Rumour, and Antarctic explorer Tom Crean. Keep your eyes peeled for more info, we love the Devizes Arts Festival and we will be featuring it extensively throughout the new year, so, donโt touch that dial!
Malavita at Devizes Arts Festival 2023. Image: Gail Foster
1st: Shambles Festival, Melksham
Shambles Festival is a single-day dance music event happening at The King George V Park in Melksham. It features diverse entertainment combining DJ sets and live music, with 25+ Acts, Big top festival tents, Veli’cious food stalls, a bar located in a marquee and top-end sound systems, as a priority.
Itโs the second annual outing for this blossoming local dance event in the Sham, organised by 21-year-old Melksham-born DJ, James Wilkins, who states he wants to โsee a better representation of local talent in the arts in rural places.โ
This is precisely the kind of initiative we ache to promote on Devizine, thereโs a great need for more dance music events locally, and wish the team the very best of luck with it. Normally Iโm saying check our event calendar for ticket links and info, otherwise itโs time consuming for me, but Iโll drop this one, HERE, because Iโve a lot of time for this.ย
9th: Lions on the Green, Devizes
Wonderful start to summer in Devizes, when the Lions Club presents a free family day with a car show on the Green.
10th: Bradford-on-Avon Food & Drink Festival
Bradford on Avon Food and Drink Festival is a dynamic and fun celebration of all that is wonderful and delicious in the South West. Produce at its very best, plenty to see, drink and eat and in a vibrant atmosphere in the centre of this gorgeous and historic market town.
See Masterclasses and Interviews from local & celebrity chefs, Artisan Market, Street Food, Live Music, Childrenโs Fun Cooking Classes, Childrenโs Circus Skills, FestivAlesโ Pop up Pub, and much, much more.
15th: Chippenham Pride
Last year Chippenham held the best Pride around these country parts, by a country mile! in 2024 they will be expanding into Monkton Park as well as Island Park. There will be some exciting NEW areas for Chippenham Pride 2024, including a fully licensed bar, an awesome Cabaret stage, a kids area including rides, face glitter and fun stall as well an Education tent. And it’s all Free!
There will also be the much loved Pride walk throughout the town centre and into Monkton Park, well-being and retail stalls, 10 hours of Main Stage entertainment and the official flag raising ceremony at 10am!
15th: Neuroheadz Festival 2024, Cotswolds
Back for its third year, this is a one-day dance music festival with limited camping spots in the Cotswolds, Brokenborough to be more precise!
20th: Summer Solstice
Summer Solstice, locatedโฆerm, well, worldwide, but the best place in said world to see it in, is Wiltshire, at Stonehenge and Avebury, but, you knew that already!
20th: Iford Manor Jazz Festival, Bath
Grownups only, jazz performances sweeping across the beautiful woodlands and Japanese Garden, your chance to discover Ilford Manor, near Bath, in all its glory.
26th-29th: Glastonbury Festival
We have to put this mini-festival in, though if you want to go you should plan much sooner than this! The worldโs most famous festival on our doorstep, and it is much in the notion of this which allows the West Country to have a knock-on effect hosting so many others. There is nothing quite like Glasto, more experience than event, but, these days you have to be punctual. One day Iโll make it back there!
28th-29th: Chippenham Food & Drink Festival
Two day Food and Drink Festival at Monkton Park, Chippenham, bringing some of the best chefs, wine, live music and so much more over one summer weekend. Gather your friends and enjoy good food, good wine, & great times.
29th: Melksham Pride
Proud Melksham gets set for another yearโs Pride in the town.
29th: MantonFest, Marlborough
Mantonfest 2023. Image Gail Foster
Last one of June, and itโs an amazing one. We at Devizine love MantonFest with bells on. Such a quaint little secret garden party near Marlborough, itโs well-established and so welcoming and communal. Another year, another great lineup supporting local and youth acts as well as the best quality tributes to polish the night off, we love it, I told you we love it, didnโt I?!
Mantonfest 2023. Image Gail Foster
July
4th-7th: Minety Music Festival
Minety has fast become the most talked about festival locally, hosting some big names annually, but also taking giant leaps in promoting locally-sourced acts too, Minety is your go-to for a friendly local festival with big impressions and standards. The Feeling and Ash are the biggies for 2024, find Queen tribute Flash and, as I said, you can guarantee some quality local bands too.
5th-14th: Frome Festival
Fromeโs arts and culture festival takes place at various venues over a fortnight. Their mission is to celebrate Fromeโs unique arts scene by providing accessible cultural events for over 12,000 attendees per year and championing the creative community by providing an annual platform for over 100 events delivered by local artists and community groups.
6th-13th: Cheltenham Music Festival
Celebrated since its inception in 1945, Cheltenham Music Festival has become one of the UKโs leading classical music festivals, bringing together eight days of live music in the Regency spa town of Cheltenham each July. The Festival prides itself on encouraging a spirit of curiosity and welcoming bold performances. It is renowned for presenting world-class musicians in magnificent venues around various venues across the town.
6th: Cheese & Chilli Festival Swindon 2024
National touring company organised, still these festivals are a popular attraction, this one takes place at Lydiard Park.
10th-13th: 2000Trees, Cheltenham
This largely indie-based award-winning festival is one I only ever hear great things about.
13th: Devizes Beer Festival
Time once again to drink yourself stupid at Devizes Wharf, but we like it like that!
13th: Somerset Kaya Reggae Festival, Caryford
Bruton Dub Club and Kaya Festival bring you some of the best in UK reggae. Limited tickets for this communal reggae do.
14th Godney Gathering, Somerset
The Godney Gathering has quickly established itself as one of the best single-day micro festivals in the UK, achieving outstanding reviews locally and nationally. 2024 lineup yet to be confirmed, go to this on its reputation alone.
20th: Market Lavington Vintage Meet
Bigger and better than the title might sound, this is a large retro family festival with a village fete ethos.
20th: My Dad’s Bigger Than Your Dad, Swindon
The highlight of the Swindon calendar, supporting the local scene and raising funds for Prospect House, My Dad’s Bigger Than Your Dad is now four years young, and the institution you need to be part of!
Held at the Bowl in Town Gardens makes for the perfect location. No lineup announced yet, but in association with Swindon Shuffleย you can be rest assured you’re in good hands.
20th: Classic Ibiza at Bowood
Commercial venture for the Ibiza diehards, this one will set you back a packet, but for those who attend I hear good things.
25th-28th: Womad, Malmesbury
Being that we don’t get much day-to-day world music in our county, it goes without saying we do have the world’s finest word music festival. Annually for as long as I can recall the Charlton Park estate in Malmesbury plays host to Womad. Tickets are not on sale, sign up on their website for announcements.
26th-28th: Devizes Scooter Rally
Mods, skinheads, scooterists, there’s many scooter rallies up and down this great nation, but no other on this scale locally. Devizes should be proud the Devizes Scooter Club organises this brilliant and hospitable event. It attracts soul and ska aficionados from across the country and welcomes curious locals on equal level. Last year was awesome and affordable. The club is set for another boss rally, so put your braces together and your boots on your feet, and give me some of that old moonstomping!
27th-28th: FullTone Festival, Devizes
Fulltone Festival 2023 Day Two. Image Gail Foster.
It seems a shame FullTone is the same weekend as the Scooter Rally, but that’s the way the cookie crumbles. The FullTone Orchestra returns to the Devizes Green this weekend, with guests and its blend of orchestral and pop. An amazing weekend, a lovely vibe, and breathtaking stage and sound. Talk in Code returns again this year, and I’m certain a scattering of others will separate the Orchestra’s wonderful concertsโฆnice!
27th: Bristol Comic & Gaming Con
Ashton Gate Stadium hosts this convention of all things comic, gaming and film. These events are the commercial side of comic cons, but great fun for families.
28th: Potterne Festival
The best bank holiday you’ll ever have in Potterne! This annual showdown at Potterne Cricket Club is immensely popular and sells out each year. It brags a collection of great local cover and tribute acts and is lots of fun.
28th: M4 Festival, Swindon
Rumour is abound the M4 Festival is happening at Lydiard Park in 2024, but as of yet nothing official has been announced. Be careful, M4 went into liquidation, cancelling last year’s festival at the last minute.
All links to all festivals are on our event calendar, and I am sure many will be added over the coming months. We await news from Trowbridge Festival, Swindon Shuffle, Box Rocks, CrownFest at Bishops Cannings, and so many others yet to announce. For now, summer is nearly upon us, honest!! We will return to cover August and the rest of 2024 asap. I think just June and July are quite enough to take in for now, what with all this wintery wind and perpetual drizzle! Oh, come on summerโฆ.spring would do!
Another Stunning Week-End For Live Music Andy Fawthrop Normally Iโd be raving about just how good the live music was at The Southgate on Sundayย afternoon.โฆ
Developed in Devizes, blossoming in Bristol, as well as a snazzy new website, indie-punk phenomenon Nothing Rhymes with Orange released their next single, and itโsโฆ
Seems odd the perfect combination between Devizesโ only theatre, The Wharf, and one of the longest-running performance group, White Horse Opera hasnโt linked before, butโฆ
Featured Image Credit: Stewart Baxter Riot predictor Nick Hodgson formerly of the Kaiser Chiefs has a new band, the charmingly named Everyone Says Hi, andโฆ
Bob Marley sang โjamminโ โtil the jam is through,โ Jimmy Cricketโs catchphrase was โcomeโere, thereโs more,โ but it looks like The Southgate in Devizes isโฆ
Something I was trying to skive off doing this year, being time consuming, is a local Christmas shopping piece, but then this terrible roadworks situation occurred, and not knowing when it would end I invited local businesses with websites and/or delivery options to send us their links. Now we can happily declare DEVIZES IS OPEN, the roadworks greatly reduced, and congestion is back to its average levels, which I dare say could do with improvements, but it’s not so bad, and another story for another time!
DEVIZES IS OPEN!
Devizine!
Here’s a rundown of those shops and small businesses who dared opt for the challenge of being presented on this controversial website, (you know, you love it really, as long as you don’t take it too seriously!) and their links for home delivery or website ordering, just in case you’re thinking โI’m all in my cosy jimmy jams now and I’m staying that way till new year!โ
Who knows, perhaps there’s gift ideas here, for the guys still running around like headless chickens. I know all you lovely ladies have it sorted, probably do your Christmas shopping in May; philistines! Where’s the fun/anguish/trauma in being so proactive?! Wait till Christmas eve, guys, it’s great for your stamina and blood sugar levels.
Before we begin, don’t forget the best place to start your journey into local shopping is the wonderful Devizes Retailers and Independents site at indevizes.org.uk where you’ll find much more info, even a map; the map I’d imagine is a real asset for the headless chicken running guys, save them from accidentally landing themselves in the pub!
Some listed here didn’t comment on the Facebook post, but I love them too much to miss them out, some have shops, some are online businesses, some have valid Christmas ideas, others I suspect are just in it for a mention, but we love them all the same!! Listed alphabetically for no other reason than to prove I know my a,b,c, here we go!
Beeze’s
Ah, handmade gifts a plenty, and the toy shop, Little Beeze’s next door too! They can deliver as far as Wroughton, you can pay them a visit in The Ginnel, Devizes….lovely place!
Handmade in town, vintage inspired dollies in tins, dinosaurs in tins, stationery sets and lots of other goodies, Dollies Dimples products are soooo cute they make me go all squishy, and I’m a grown man, (apparently!) Dear Santa, please can you…..
Ah, the Giving Tree, fifteen years strong in the Little Brittox, wonderful gifts, lovely selection, and they can deliver within Devizes. Do you guys remember our 2020 Christmas Shopping challenge, when you found me a Galileo thermometer? See, Devizes, got it all, even a Galileo thermometer!
standing gonk stood in front of a Christmas tree and wrapped presents
The way to man’s heart, or anyone’s with brownies this tasty! You’ve been in there, I know you have, probably have a loyalty card! We love the award-winning Gourmet Brownie Kitchen, we love them there brownies!
Okay, if I give my better half a tea-towel for Christmas……yeah, I think you know where I’m going to end up, move aside Rover, I’m pitching up in your kennel tonight! But you have to see local printmaker Hannah Cantellow’s definite Devizes tea-towel designs, they are rather special. If I had one of these I’d want to keep it, and never wash the dishes with it at all….hey, now there’s an idea!!
Looking to open a printmaking studio near Devizes next year, Hannah Cantellow plans to offer Studio Memberships, Presses & Equipment and Courses & Workshops.
Devizes Treasures Tea Towel ~ Screen printed on 100% natural cotton. Available in a range of gorgeous colours to compliment your kitchen. This pattern design is inspired by the original limited edition linocut โDevizes Treasuresโ. The print celebrates my favourite places and symbols in my home town Devizes in Wiltshire, including the Millennium White Horse, Roundway Hill, Caen Hill Locks, Devizes Castle and many moreโฆ These tea towels have a beautiful quality and will make a gorgeous addition to your home!
With a wonderful Christmas gift shop upstairs, this longstanding eco-friendly shop in the Little Brittox, Devizes, always wins our heart. We’ve mentioned them recently, They also have a delivery and online service too.
Okay, so our very own Wilma Wonka, Holly didn’t respond to our callout, too busy to be scrolling Facebook, I guess, but we cannot have a local shopping article without our mentioning Poulshot’s award-winning chocolatier; we would love you Holly if you didn’t make chocolates, we’re smitten that you do! You can find Hollychocs at the Poulshot Lodge, or go toher website, here.
Yeah, I know, right… me too! Me three!!
Kittags
Made it Poulshot, Kittags supply personalised luggage tags. They claim they are “loved by the military, blue light services and many a parent who has suffered lost school bags!” Mate, I’ve been there; tempted to attach some to the actual child too sometimes!
Local designer and owner of Pins & Needles Vixter Woolista has a fabulous range of accessible crochet and knit kits, patterns and gorgeous hand-dyed yarns. On her website, you’ll find special deals and clearance bargains from Pins & Needles, that are no longer available on general sale in the bricks & mortar shop…. and get knitting; I could do with a new Christmas cardy!
Pins & Needles (Devizes) – a little shop with a big heart and winner of the 2020 British Knitting Awards for best yarn shop in the south west, has a HUGE amount of stock, and a knowledgeable, enthusiastic team.
Roses Ironmongers
Easy to spot when they put a lawnmower on the balcony over the shop! Roses is Devizes’ historic ironmongers, and you can buy literally everything in there; just ask. But they do also have an online presence too, which you can find here.
Shire Garden Machines
Sister to Roses the Ironmongers, Shire Garden Machines have everything to keep your garden perfect all year around, from mowers and tractors to leaf blowers, chainsaws and hedge-trimmers to fuel and spare parts for your garden equipment. They also service all your garden equipment. And there it is, get your hubby a chainsaw for Christmas, he’ll love you forever, it’s a bloke thing!
Okay, look, I’m grateful if I get a Lynx Deodorant set for Christmas, but a restored bespoke French stove is pushing my luck. Maybe not a Christmas shopping item, unless you’re either exceptionally showy, or want to treat yourself, which I think is a necessity too, but we love these classic stoves from the Stove Hunters, who are similar to the Bounty Hunters, just less coconutty!
You can find them online here, or visit them at The Old Granary on Roundway Hill Business Park, Hopton Road, Devizes. And if you do buy one, can I come over for a baked potato? Yes, baked beans AND cheese on it, I’m not a savage!
Sun Flower Macramรฉ
Knot a lot of people know this, (see what I did there?) Catherine, from Potterne, knots macramรฉ home dรฉcor, and also has kits available for you to try your hand at macramรฉ too! Look at this splendid Christmas tree, makes a great decoration, I’m not one for neon flashing lights visible from the moon, these are far nicer; great for your nan too!
The way to any music lover’s heart, vinyl. The toys I got for Christmas when I was young, (and believe it or not, I was, once) are but a fleeting memory, whereas my first long-player, Absolutely by Madness, I still have. Even if you’ve not got a record player, they do these too, and repairs, all the kit you need, expert advise and stacks of records.
Tamsin Quin outside the original Vinyl Realm, 2018. Image: Matthew Hennessy
I’ll be honest, when I handbraked turned my milkfloat into the snowy St John’s Street many moons ago, and popped into meet Pete and Jackie a day before they opened, I fell in love with what they were doing, but, being what I deemed, niche, I admit, I gave the shop a time limit. But today, still going strong, moved to a larger location on Northgate Street, you can’t miss it, all yellowly faรงade, Vinyl Realm, you rock!
That’s all happy shoppers, have a lovely time shopping, I’ll be snoring the theme to Airwolf in the corner! Oh, and if I don’t get the opportunity again, have a merry Christmas and Happy New Year, but I’m sure I will….
Everything to do in Wiltshire this coming week, right in one handy listing, you know the drill, jump to it, preferably before putting your Christmas tree up, it is, after all, only mid-November; take a chill pill!
Okay, please be aware this is not comprehensive and new events can and might yet still be added to our blossoming, occasionally updating EVENT CALENDAR; they might not be added here, so do check in regularly. You can also find links to everything mentioned there, and plan ahead.
One other really important thing before we get going, the thing everyone seems to brazenly browse past pretending it didnโt apply to them, we need donations to fund this, so, if you can, please donate a little something to keep us going; awl, thank you. If you love it, donโt lose it, like Bez on a nineties dance floor. For info on how, see HERE. Please and thank youโฆ
Ongoing: Dark, the latest exhibit at the Forbidden Carnival in Chippenham runs until 26th November.
Two exhibits at Wiltshire Museum in Devizes: Lest We Forget: the Black Contribution to the World Wars and Eric Walrond: A Caribbean Writer living in Wiltshire. Reviewed Here.
Wednesday 22nd
Acoustic Jam at the Southgate, Devizes.
Memory Cinema at Swindon Arts Centre showing Who Framed Roger Rabbit?
Running until Friday 24th Voices for Life Extraordinary at Wiltshire Music Centre, Bradford-on-Avon.
Kroke at Pound Arts, Corsham.
Clusterfunk at The Bell, Bath. Former ELO 2 Frontman Phil Bates Up Close And Personal Solo UK Tour at Chapel Arts.
Thursday 23rd
Kim Emery at La Bobina, Marlborough.
Dead Man’s Whiskey with Wicked in support at Underground, Swindon. A Christmas Carol at Swindon Arts Centre, Jake Leg Jug Band at the Beehive. Luna Barge at the Tuppenny.
Entertaining Angels at Wiltshire Music Centre, Bradford-on-Avon.
Hear my Voice, the LGBTQ+ poetry night at The Rondo Theatre, Bath.
Passenger Club at The Winchester Gate, Salisbury.
Friday 24th
Continuing into Saturday but the main show is Friday, folks, the DOCA Winter Festival in Devizes is always a wonderful evening. With the lantern parade, light switch on, Devizes Town Band and market, itโs my obvious choice for editorโs pick of the week!
Staying in Devizes, Chicago Blues Trio at Long Street Blues Club, Stones Throw at The Three Crowns, and a lantern parade Karaoke Party at The Pelican.
But itโs Marlboroughโs light switch on and market too, and Mean as Custard plays the Bear.
Writing and Researching a novel with Keith Stuart at Chippenham library, music cafรฉ at the Cause, and Kate Lomas, with Laissez Faire and others play a fundraiser in support of the new Chippenham Arts Centre, No.7.
Sad Dad Club at Stallards, Trowbridge. Parker plays the Pump, with A Bottle of Dog and Happy Dogs in support. And thereโs jazz with the Stilts at the Civic.
Carmen Co at St Michaelโs Church, Mere.
Red Light at The Three Horseshoes, Bradford-on-Avon, The Remnants at The Boathouse, Bradford-on-Avon.
Running to Saturday, The Bean Spillersโ Improvised Musical at The Rondo Theatre, Bath. Sheer Music is at Moles with Pet Needs, the Glitchers and Nothing Rhymes With Orange in support.
Oasish Vs Stereotonics at The Vic in Swindon, Phantom Lymb at the Beehive.
Frome Lantern Parade and Christmas Light Switch on too, with The Membersโ โSound of the Suburbs tourโ coming to the Tree House.
Saturday 25th
Thereโs a lecture at Wiltshire Museum, Devizes called The Hunt for Stourton Castle.ย ย Adam Woodhouse is at The Three Crowns, The Worried Men at The Southgate.
Alex Roberts is at The Barge on HoneyStreet. Trash Panda at The Lamb, Marlborough,ย
Static Moves at the Burbage Legion Hall, The Crofton Stokers at the Woodborough Club,
Billy & Louie at The Crown in Aldbourne, and the Ramsbury Christmas Food and Artisan Market .
The Heart Beats at Melksham Rock n Roll Club.
Freepeace at The Red Admiral, Trowbridge, Ed Byrneโs Tragedy Plus Time tour at the Civic.
Chippenham parkrun at Monkton, Wiltshire College & University Centre Chippenham Campus Open Day also in Chippenham. Chippenham Christmas Market at the Old Road Tavern. Spotlight 3: Modern & Contemporary Art from the Collection of Chippenham Museum, and a Pre-loved Clothes Event at Hardenhuish school.
The Fairytale Ceilidh: A Fantastical Dance Party at Pound Arts, Corsham, and Carmen Co at Grittleton Village Hall.
Bradford-on-Avon Floating Winter Fair today, with Bath Symphony Orchestra at Wiltshire Music Centre, and Borrowed Time & The Sinictones plays The Three Horseshoes.
Justin Adams & Mauro Durante at The Bell, Bath.
Moon at The Vic in Swindon, the World Music Club at the Beehive. Stephen K Amos at Swindon Arts Centre, Swindon Old Town Comedy Club has a Winter Showcase, Gaz Brookfield is at The Hop, Post 12 at the New Inn, and The Flashback Band hold an 80โs night at The Woodlands Edge.
Craig Charles Funk & Soul House Party has sold out at the Cheese & Grain, so has Depeche Mode tribute The Devout at the Tree House, Frome.
Sunday 26th
James Oliver Band at The Southgate, Devizes.
The Stu Henderson Trio: Jazz at the Horseshoe, Mildenhall, Marlborough.
Melksham Record Fair at Melksham Assembly Hall.
Mark Simmonsโ Quip Off The Mark at Swindon Arts Centre.
Wiltshire Youth Jazz Orchestra Concert with Steve Banks at Wiltshire Music Centre, Bradford-on-Avon. Ruzz Guitar Trio makes an appearance at The Three Horseshoes.
Schtummโฆ. presents Sarah McQuaid at The Queenโs Head, Box. The Schmoozenbergs are at The Bell, Bath.
Frome Vegan Fair at The Cheese & Grain.
Monday 27th
David Celia at The Bell, Bath.
Tuesday 28th
Sarah McQuaid at Swindon Arts Centre, and thereโs a bebop blowout for Jazz Knights at the Royal Oak, with special guests Ian Bateman & Alex Clarke, to remember the great Jazz promoter David Knight on what would have been his birthday.
And thatโs all weโve got so far, but more stuff is added all the time, so keep a beady eye on
The second feature film for director Keith Wilhelm Kopp and writer Laurence Guy, First Christmas enters development, to be produced by Shropshire-based production company, Askโฆ
Image credit: Forestry England/Crown copyright. Forestry England Nightingale Wood invites dog owners to celebrate Walk Your Dog Month this January….. Walk Your Dog Month isโฆ
This week I popped in to see Justina at Devizesโ Healthy Life Company in the Little Brittox, and she took me upstairs โฆ. okay, pack it in, you lot! If youโre reasoning I best not read this any further think again, especially if youโre stuck for a few Christmas shopping ideas, because upstairs, and I didnโt even know they had an upstairs, a wonderful Christmas market is blossomingโฆโฆ
There I stood amidst a mini winter wonderland, chock full of gift ideas as Justina explained they do this every year, and showed me the centrepiece, a colour-changing mushroom lamp which will be raffled at the end. She told me a delightful story of a past raffle prize, which fascinated a young boy who came up everyday after school to see it. โHis Dad eventually bought him a ticket,โ Justina continued, โand when we went to pull the raffle we pulled out two tickets by accident. One was the little ladโs and the other was my other half! So we had to tell him what had happenedโฆโ Thereโs me speculating Justinaโs โother halfโ was left disappointed, โit was very sweet.โ Then she directed my attention to this yearโs prize.
โWe do it every year, and weโve still got lots of things to arrive. Itโs all from good companies that we like, like the English Soap Company, most things we have here are from English companies.โ
And there was me thinking Justina had some bad news, on the basis of the Little Eco Shop in Couch Lane shutting down. โThe whole industry of zero-waste shops, most of them have closed, thereโs hardly any left,โ she expressed. But the Healthy Life Company has been trading for an amazing forty years, and Justina has been at the helm for the last fifteen of them, it was popular, shoppers dropping in throughout our chat. โI never meant to stay this long,โ she told me, โBut Devizes does that to you, doesnโt it? And I love it!โ
So, long live the Healthy Life, I reckoned, as Justina showed me the more daily products downstairs. โThis is all our refills which weโve been doing for a long time now,โ she explained, showing me a tiered system for storing products. They have to sell fast in the refills and if they donโt, Justina showed me some packaging made from potato starch, โso itโs home compostable. Another thing we do, if it comes in this packaging, that gets taken away and is made into pet food bags.โ
Twenty-six different liquid products I was introduced to next. โWe have this thing we call the Devizes Refill Challenge,โ Justina went on to, โwhich says, just make one change. Itโs not about making masses of changes. If every family in Devizes went, right, one bottle, what one can we lose, letโs do washing up liquid, or laundry; itโs a real easy win. If everyone did one tiny change, youโd probably save six hundred plastic bottles a month.โ I supposed, once you were doing this, and you were here among the other liquid refills, you’re more likely to try others, until it becomes the new norm.
Organic veg is a new thing for the Healthy Life Company. โResearch from the Soil Association is saying now that one of every three foods has pesticides in it. So, organic is about minimising the amount of stuff thatโs in your shopping basket which isnโt good for you.โ Though, the blinkered illusion is this comes at a price, wonderful though these independent and caring shops are. โIโve done a price-check,โ Justina said, โcomparison against Sainsburys and our organic veg is cheaper, and it’s not a not a massive difference between organic and non-organic.โ Then she worried it all sounded middle-class, โbut if youโre going to cut meat out of your diet, occasionally, perhaps once a week, and go to veg, you might as well have some veg with optimal nutrition, and it will be cheaper than buying that meat!โ
Optimal nutrition was a term Justina used quite a bit, and there was me, thinking about nipping into Greggs afterwards! But what of this current trend of lunch on the run? I wondered why The Healthy Life didnโt sell lunchtime snacks, and lo-and-behold, it seems I came here on the right day. โWe just want people to come in, do a price check; we are mindful of quality and price,โ she told me, a tad understandably frustrated with the scaffolding outside and the roadworks; herein where I suggested my lunchtime snack idea.
Great minds think alike(!), a new fridge was being installed later on that day, by coincidence, to offer vegetarian Buddha bowls, salads and wraps. Although Devizes may be awash with choice for such, The Healthy Life are hoping, with over twenty nutritional ingredients in each, and available from Wednesday to Friday, lunchtime you might pop in, and while youโre there, check out the Christmas gift ideas upstairs, try the Devizes Refill Challenge or just browse this lovely independent shop we are lucky to have here in town.
The Healthy Life Company can be found at 4 Little Brittox, Devizes. Tel: 01380 725558 or email: enquiries@thehealthylife.co.uk and they also have a wonderful online shop with more products they can store in the shop, HERE.
Me? I bypassed Greggs in the end; another time, cold and malign sausage and bean melt, another time!
Salisbury acoustic singer-songwriter Rosie Jay released her debut EP today, taking its title from her first single from June this year, I Donโt Give aโฆ
I’m loving this new tune! Swindon’s upcoming reggae singer/DJ Silver-Star has teamed up with the legendary General Levy for a drum n bass golden nuggetโฆ
Somewhere just outside Westbury a sizable barn hosted the most memorable new year’s eve raves in the mid-nineties, but Iโd never have imagined then, thatโฆ
A Scooby snack-sized pinch punch, first day of the month came from Minety Music Festival this morning upon announcing their headliner for 2025, The Funโฆ
Here I am again, like Huey Lewisโฆ..with the news. No national headlines though, no, thatโs all too depressing, just the lowdown on things to do this coming week across our gurt lush county of agricultural rolling downs, neolithic monuments, and a seemingly endless succession of Greggs bakeriesโฆ..
Okay my little sausage and bean melts, please be aware this is not comprehensive and new events can and might yet still be added to our blossoming, occasionally updating EVENT CALENDAR; they might not be added here, so do check in as regular your digestive system after a vindaloo throughout the week, or you might miss something really up your street. You can also find links to everything mentioned there, and plan ahead.
One other really important thing before we get going, the thing everyone seems to brazenly browse past pretending it didnโt apply to them, we need donations to fund this, so, if you can, please donate a little something to keep us going; awl, thank you. If you love it, donโt lose it, like Bez on a nineties dance floor. For info on how, see HERE.
Final days to pay a visit to Wiltshire Museum, Devizes, for the Anna Dillon exhibition; reviewed HERE, this ends on October 15th.
Oh, and this above, and this below, clowns, in Chippenham, a must-see!
Wednesday 11th
Regular Acoustic Jam at the Southgate, Devizes.
Calne Music & Arts Festival continues. The Avebury Vocal Ensemble, and a Calne Wordfest Writersโ Group at Marden House during the afternoon, and standup comedy with Graham Coulam introducing Paul Ricketts and Steve Gribbin in the evening.
Thereโs a lunchtime recital at Pound Arts, Corsham with pianist Simeon Walker.
Opening at The Wyvern Theatre, Swindon and running until the 15th, Salos Presents Elf, The Musicalโฆtoo early? Too late!
Thursday 12th
Calne Music & Arts Festival has The Primary School Choirs in concert at Kingsbury Green Academy Hall, and Calne Speech and Drama School present โSea, the Fool, the Devil and the Catsโ by Ted Hughes at Marden House, followed by some jazz with The Nick Sorensen Trio.
Sean Collinsโ Smokin Funny arrives at Swindon Arts Centre, Andy Oliveri & Kizzie at The Tuppenny, Swindon.
Kiki Dee & Carmelo Luggeriโs The Long Ride Home Tour comes to Chapel Arts, Bath.
Friday 13th
Join Devizes OpenDoorsโs Big Sleep Out and help raise funds to support homeless and vulnerable adults in our community. You can sleep out at St Jamesโ Church in Devizes, organise your own sleep out at work, at school, even in the garden at home, or pay to stay in bed by making a donation. Find out more and register at devizesopendoors.org.uk
Calne Music & Arts Festival has Ukrainian Jazz Harpist Alina Bzhezhinska in Concert at Marden House, followed by The Lost Trades.
Wilts & Berks Canal Trust Quiz Night at The Neeld, Chippenham.
My Octopus Mind plays the Pump in Trowbridge, with The Message in support.
Jazz at Wiltshire Music Centre, Bradford-on-Avon, with Dario Napoli Hot Club. Start the Sirens & Ophella Waiting at The Three Horseshoes.
An Evening Of Mediumship With Nikki Kitt at Swindon Arts Centre, Soulweaver Reigniting The Fire at Underground, formerly Level III, Bedrock at The Queens Tap, Evanescence of Fire at The Vic.
Rusty Shackle, Ninotchka and Concrete Prairie play Komedia, in Bath, Damien OโKane & the Ron Block Band are at Chapel Arts.
Saturday 14th
Marlborough Mop Fair. The Magnitones play St Michael’s in Aldbourne.
Itโs the Lions Arts Coaching Day in Devizes, and a first, I believe, for Danny & The Randoms who play at The Three Crowns, and The Unpredictables, Finely Truslerโs new ensemble play the Moonrakers.ย The Jack Grace Band is at the Southgate.
Pig Race night at Erlestoke Golf Club! Bring your own ketchup!
Dub roots reggae at The Barge on HoneyStreet with Jah Lion Movement.
Be Like Will play Stallards in Trowbridge.
Editor’s Pick of the Week is Amelia Coburn is at the Pump in Trowbridge, with Ruby Darbyshire and MEG in support.
Thereโs seven acts playing Hullavington Live at The Village Hall, and itโs free entry.
At Calne Music & Arts Festival, โFlowers in art from Botticelli to Hockney,โ a talk by Gail Brown followed by โMeet the Artistsโ with Cathy and Nick Pearce and โHMS Pinaforeโ โ presented by Opera Anywhere.
Taylor Swift tribute Katy Ellis at The Pewsham, Chippenham.
Back to the eighties party night at Spencerโs Club, Melksham.
Iโve Every Whitney at Kingsdown Golf Club, Corsham.
Brodsky Quartet 50th Anniversary of the Shostakovich Cycle at Wiltshire Music Centre, Bradford-on-Avon. Dreamwave at The Three Horseshoes.
Happy Dogs at HMV Bath at 3pm.
Carl Hutchinson โ Watch Till The End at Swindon Arts Centre, David Flynn Memorial night at The Vic, Swindon, Concrete Prairie at Rodbourne Cheney Social Club, The BeatRoutes at The Castle, Rockabilly Rumble at The Queens Tap, Homer at the Rolleston, Dimensions at North Swindon Club, Vicky Jackson is PINK at Underground, and Swindon Ska Fest at The Moonrakers.
Sunday 15th
All About The Music Record Fair at Devizes Conservative Club from 10am-4pm.
PSG Choirs are at Marlborough Town Hall for an Autumn Concert. Starts at 6pm, tickets are ยฃ8.
Gothic Acoustic Matinee with Deadlight Dance at the Blue Boar, Aldbourne.
Calne Music & Arts Festival has Evensong at St. Maryโs Parish Church, and a Photographic Talk โ โArcticaโ with Pam and Eddy Lane at Marden House.
Wiltshire Music Centre, Bradford-on-Avon have Groove Baby Grooving With Pirates!
Below the Salt at The Three Horseshoes, Bradford-on-Avon.
Waterlines at Underground, Swindon, an Elvis tribute at The Castle, and Damn at the North Swindon Club, and SGO at The Tuppenny.
Monday 16th
Sounds of the 60s Live with Tony Blackburn at The Wyvern Theatre, Swindon.
Tuesday 17th
Do You Believe In Ghosts at The Wyvern Theatre, while the Eric Mylod Okafo Quartet take the Jazz Knights at The Royal Oak, Swindon.
Thatโs all weโve got for you so far, but remember to keep an eye onour event calendar for updates. Iโm delighted to rap stats with you, and announce this week Devizine has hit level on the record-breaking annual hits from last year, and thereโs still two and half months to go. Devizine is going out to over 100,000 local folk and listing your event will remain free, all you have to do to insure it is here is to tell us about it!
by Ian DiddamsImages by Josie Mae-Ross and Infrogmation Tennessee Williamsโ quasi autobiographical drama โA Streetcar Named Desireโ was first performed in 1947 as theโฆ
Okay, so, Iโm aย little behind, recently opting to perfect my couch potato posture and consider hibernation, meaning Iโve not yet mentioned Kirsty Clinchโsโฆ
With Black Friday just a few weeks away, Wiltshire based Blackmore Computers Ltd, is encouraging people to think pre-loved if theyโre planning on buyingโฆ
Congratulations to Rosalind Ambler and Paul Snook from Devizes Writers Group… At the National Community Radio Awards held in Cardiff on 16th November Together!,โฆ
Summer is done and dusted, youโve got to lower yourself onto the toilet seat that little bit steadier, as we move into autumn. Still, the silver lining is thereโs always lots to do locally; hereโs what weโve found coming up this weekโฆ.
Not comprehensive, as I tell you each time, more will be added to our event calendaras we move through the week and they come to our attention, so check in on it from time to time. If you donโt let us know about your event you cannot expect it to be here, drop us a line and guarantee itโs listed here, it costs nothing.
Please, if you can donate a little something to keep us going, do, thatโs all I ask. We need to fund this, and any extra will be put into hosting events, something we would like to do more of but without financial support it makes it impossible. Any donations will be kindly accepted, you will get special attention, and we thank you. For info on how, see HERE.
Pay a visit to Wiltshire Museum, Devizes, for the Anna Dillon exhibition; reviewed HERE, this ends on October 1st.
Ongoing until 29th Sept, The Incredible Quizzical Bath Pub Tour.
Clown Soup exhibit by Si Griffiths at the Forbidden Carnival in Chippenham.
Devizes Food & Drink Festival is up and running, until 1st October.
Wednesday 27th
Acoustic Jam at The Southgate, Devizes.
Subject A at The Bell, Bath.
ZambaLando at โMoose Hallโ Old Town, Swindon, Lunchtime Recital at The Wyvern Theatre, with Ed Byrneโs Tragedy Plus Time in the evening.
Thursday 28th
Devizes Film Club Presents Lunana at The Wharf Theatre, and thereโs a Murder Mystery Dinner at The Corn Exchange.
Marlborough Literature Festival opens, running until 1st October.
The Unravelling Wilburys at Melksham Assembly Hall.
The Last Baguetteโs Playtime! at Pound Arts in Corsham, with the The Jackie Oates Trio in the evening.
Zambalando plays Savernake Street Hall, Swindon, Guy Tortora at The Tuppenny, Cooper Creek at The Beehive. Big Drink, One Man Boycott, Liddington Hill and the Starkers at The Vic. Magic Of Motown at The Wyvern Theatre, and the Phoenix Players โ โI Thought I Heard A Rustlingโ at Swindon Arts Centre, running until Saturday 30th.
Ed Byrneโs Tragedy Plus Time goes to the Cheese & Grain, Frome.
Friday 29th
The Unpredictables are at The Churchill Arms in West Lavington.
Autumn Beer Festival at The Bell, Lacock.
Open Mic at Marlborough Town FC. El Toro at The Bear, Marlborough.
Sice Boo from The Boo Radleysโ โThe Secret of Happinessโ at The Pump in Trowbridge.
Martin Kempโs Back to the 80s at The Civic.
Thereโs a 24 hour Danceathon at Cumberwell Park Golf Club in Bradford-on-Avon, for the Fearless charity.
The Unravelling Wilburys at The Athenรฆum, Warminster.
Diverse Disco, a party for disabled and learning difficulties, at The Tree, Swindon. The Britpop Band at the Vic, The Heretic Order and The Self Titled at Swindon Underground (formerly Level III,) Devizes Road Oktoberfest at the Tuppeny in Swindon continues all weekend. Echo at the Queenโs Tap. Tea & Tour of the Spotlight Room at Wyvern Theatre, followed by Babatunde Alesheโs Babahood.
LGBTQ+ poetry night, Hear my Voice at Rondo Theatre, Bath, The Alter Eagles at Chapel Arts.
The Tom Petty Legacy at the Tree House, Frome, with Graham Parker & the Goldtops at the Cheese & Grain.
Saturday 30th
Leburn Maddox at The Southgate, Devizes, Illingworth at The Three Crowns, Strange Folk at The Lamb.
Thereโs also a grand lineup at The Crown, Bishops Cannings, with music from 4pm, Steve Morano Band, Talk in Code and Purple Fish. they’ve a fire-dancer between the acts, BBQ and pizza, free entry, splendid pub, twist my arm, why don’t you?!
Thereโs the Hillbillies at the Barge on HoneyStreet, and The Monkey Dolls at The Lamb, Marlborough.The Monkey Dolls @ The Lamb, Marlboroug
Josh Kumra @ The Bear, Marlborough
Pete Lambโs Heartbeats play an Alzheimerโs Support fundraiser at The Spencers Club in Melksham. Seriously Collins at The Melksham Assembly Hall.
Truckstop Honeymoon at the Pump in Trowbridge, with Swingletree in support, The Jon Amor Trio at The Red Admiral, Hilperton. Scout Killers at the Civic and Be Like Will at The Greyhound.
Ultimate Meatloaf at The Consti Club, Chippenham.
Six Oโclock Circus at Calne Liberal Club.
Sarah-Louise Young: The Silent Treatment at Pound Arts, Corsham.
The Lone Sharks at The Three Horseshoes, Bradford-on-Avon. And a Bradford Roots Sessions evening at the Wiltshire Music Centre, with Concrete Prairie, Courting Ghosts, and Fly Yeti Fly, proper job, ed’s pick of the week that one right there be, oo-argh!
The Spooky Kids and Korn Again at The Vic, Swindon, Tundra at The Woodlands Edge, And Solo at North Swindon Club, Click at The New Inn, Hush at The Queens Tap, and Sh!t-Faced Shakespeare โ Much Ado About Nothing at The Wyvern Theatre.
Celebrate Zappa : Treacherous Cretins at The Tree House, Frome, Motรถrheadache at The Cheese & Grain.
Sunday 1st
Monthly residency for the Jon Amor Trio at The Southgate, Devizes, with guest Ruth Hammond.
Fireman Sam is at The Wyvern Theatre, Swindon, and Victorius at Underground.
Interstate Express at The Bell, Bath.
Monday 2nd
Ope
Billy Billingham MBE โ Always A Little Further at The Wyvern Theatre, Swindon
Orfic at The Bell, Bath
Tuesday 3rd
Calne Music & Arts Festival starts with the Nonpareil, a Local Photography Group Exhibition. It runs across the festival until 28th October, at the Heritage Centre, Calne. Open 10:00 โ 16:00 Tuesdays to Saturdays (closed Sundays & Mondays) Visit the Heritage Centre to see the exhibition of photography by โNonpareilโ, a small group of very experienced local photographers. It includes Award Winning Images from their Exhibitions and Salons that have been exhibited around the country. The festival lineup is in full on our event calendar.
100 Years of Silents: Our Hospitality (1923) with live musical score, at Pound Arts in Corsham.
Queenz โ The Show With Balls! at The Wyvern Theatre, Swindon, with
The Haunting at Swindon Arts Centre.
Thatโs all folks, but there are lots more to come!! Let the sunshineโฆ..but do check in on our event calendar too, as updates will be on there, not here, this is just a guide. Have a great week whatever you do do!
And hey, we’re doing a monthly podcast again now; a bit of fun and some great local music on there, please take a listen…. at your own risk!
The sun certainly shone on Devizes yesterday as the Devizes Food & Drink Festival kicked off with its celebrated free foodie market in, aptly, the Market Place……
You should take note itโs not the be-all-and-end-all of the festival, only the starter. The Devizes Food & Drinks Festival combines twenty-four separate events over nine days, ending on 1st October. Thereโs a packed programme from a teddy bearโs picnic at Hillworth Park to Saxon Forager Craig Brooks introducing Viking and Anglo Saxon age cuisine, but for many, the market is the icing on the cake.
The finale is also popular, a free World Food Day, where for a 50p taster you can explore worldwide cuisines created by local residents with their roots from various countries. This takes place at the Corn Exchange on Sunday 1st October from 12:30.
Now, not wanting to criticise the amazing efforts and hard work which goes into the event, as it is fantastic to wander the square and smell the lovely food being prepared, browse some great local produce stalls, and enjoy taking a break at the Wadworth bar with some live music, but I confess, nothing particularly lurched out at me demanding me to eat it! Perhaps Iโve become accustomed to the annual affair, or perhaps I was in a grump, but in previous years there were a selection of interestingly different stalls, of Baos, street ravioli, or a grill selling burgers of kangaroo, ostrich, crocodile and various other unusual slices of dead animal, which sadly seems to lessen with each year that passes.
I tip my hat to the Rutts Lane Cider stall, The Goat Farmer, and the Cosy Gyros also in attendance, and salute thereโs many welcomed returning participants, from Tray Cake to that strange silver van which although the cooking is hidden from view, does magically produce a tasty burger. There was a Japanese noodle stall, paella and churros, but these are all things weโve seen at previous yearโs markets, or else other town events.
The only one to sell it to me was a Caribbean preserves stall selling banana jam, which surprised me, otherwise I shrug at food stuff I can buy from regular places in town already and cheaper too. This conclusion ended with me fulfilling my promise to bring something home for the family, but popping over to Savannah Sweets in the Shambles, to bag a gurt lush variety of goodies for a similar price to three negligible packets of fudge on one of the stalls. Now I know it costs to independently create and market your own produce, and Iโm even willing to accept the fudge on the stall mightโve tasted superior, but in this economic car-crash era, there has to unfortunately be a budget. Dammit if even a hotdog would set me back seven quid; am I at Wembley?!
I reflected on this samey feel last year, considered virtually copying and pasting the article and changing the dates, but I kept it positive, as I really want to convey a positive review as much as possible, and for what it was, especially if youโve not been to a previous yearโs before, as I said, it is great, donโt wish to sound like Iโm taking it for granted, just think some creative input and souring of something usual and new is an angle fading annually.
In last yearโs report I said, โif last year I winged โFromeโs eclectic-influenced folk four-piece, The Decades made for the perfect entertainment, but again, they were the same band which played there in 2019,โ they were there again this time too,โ they were even there again this time! The Decades are great, and apt for the occasion, but working an entire day is hard on them, and they regularly need to take breaks, where the Market Place is left void of entertainment. I know and accept the focus is on food and drink, being the Food & Drink Festival and all, but offering some different musical acts would be an easy change to make.
I also bore witness to bored kids being dragged unwillingly around. Once theyโve had an ice cream, erm; perhaps workshop tables could be introduced, build your own pizza, decorate a gingerbread man, or dare I suggest a Bugsy Malone fashioned custard pie fight? Thatโd certainly liven it up a bit!
Grumpus Maximus rant over, concubines can spoon feed me grapes and fan me down, and I will say, The Devizes Food & Drink Festival market will always be a regular must-do on our event calendar, is always worthwhile attending, though I believe some further thought is needed to prevent it becoming monotonous to regular annual attendees.
Two of the county’s top retrospective cover bands meet for a double-bill of action in Market Lavington This Saturday. Calneโs indie rock five-piece Six Oโclock Circus have diverse influences to win any crowd, but itโsโฆ
Again we find ourselves congratulating and thanking young Chloe Boyle for fantastic fundraising efforts for Devizes homeless charity OpenDoorsโฆ. With friends and family she spent Saturday morning selling teddies and soft toys outside Morrisons inโฆ
Images: Chris Watkins Media 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, orโฆ
Long overdue a visit to the Pump in Trowbridge, Jamie Thyer, frontman of the Worried Men twisted my arm Friday night and there I was, to witness, once again, these wonderful weavers of sublime bluesโฆ
Sheffieldโs DIY punk queer emo five-piece, Slash Fiction will be at the Pump in Trowbridge on Wednesday 20th November as part of their nationwide tour. A winter-warming double-header with their tour buddies, Londonโs math-emos, Theโฆ
Devizes is often spoiled for choice when it comes to live music. Swindon folk ensemble SGO at the Gate would’ve been an excellent decision for this Saturday night, and I considered dropping by at someโฆ
by Ian Diddamsimages by Playing Up Theatre Company When is a mousetrap not a mousetrap? When itโs written by Tom StoppardโฆIf you have seen โThe Mousetrapโ you may find elements of โThe Real Inspector Houndโโฆ
Due to my real job making regular home deliveries I get to know when folk are away on their holibobs, and when they plan on returning. I could, if I wanted, start a โresidents watchโโฆ
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,โฆ
In 1985 Tenor Saw toasted the lyric, โanother sound is dying,โ in Ring the Alarm. It implied his sound was the contemporary champion, yet while it’s true reggae is competitively progressive, this particular tune’s dubplateโฆ
With the last minute heatwave looking as if it MIGHT be packing its bags, we move into autumn still with lots to do locally, the silver lining of the clouds aboveโฆ..ย ย
Not comprehensive, as I tell you each time, more will be added to our event calendaras we move through the week and they come to our attention, so check in on it from time to time. If you donโt let us know about your event you cannot expect it to be here, drop us a line and guarantee itโs listed here, it costs nothing.
Please, if you can donate a little something to keep us going, do, thatโs all I ask. We need to fund this, and any extra will be put into hosting events, something we would like to do more of but without financial support it makes it impossible. Any donations will be kindly accepted, you will get special attention, and we thank you. For info on how, see HERE.ย ย
Pay a visit to Wiltshire Museum, Devizes, for the Anna Dillon exhibition; reviewed HERE.
Ongoing until 29th Sept, The Incredible Quizzical Bath Pub Tour.
Di & Viv & Rose opens at the Wharf Theatre in Devizes on Monday, and continues until Saturday 16th.
Abigailโs Party continues at The Wyvern Theatre, Swindon until Wednesday 13th.
Wednesday 13th
Acoustic Jam at The Southgate, Devizes, bring an instrument, voice, or just do as I do, just sit back, perhaps joke about playing the triangle, and enjoy the musicians doing their stuff!
Rosalie Cunningham comes to Chapel Arts, Bath, weโve seen Rosie at MantonFest, groovy, psychedelic rock n roll, loved it! The Bobby Kennedy Experience at the Rondo Theatre, and
Dusk Art Rhythm Quartet at The Bell, both in Bath too.
Thursday 14th
Melksham Music & Drama presents Joseph & the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat at Melksham Assembly Hall, opening Thursday, running till Saturday.
Editorโs Pick of Week made easy this time, Swindon Shuffle not only raises funds for Prospect Hospice, itโs free, and a virtual cathedral of our local live music circuit. In the words of the great Zaphod Beeblebrox, โeveryone who’s anyone is going to be there,โ albeit he was referring to Millways the restaurant at the end of the universe, weโre only on about Swindon, still, it fits! feat your eyes on the poster below, enough said….
Running across the various pubs over the entire weekend, kicking off on Thursday, Iโm not going to list them all, because hereโs the poster and that says it all.
Elsewhere in Swindon, The Story of Guitar Heroes at The Wyvern Theatre, and Andrew Birdโs Taken Seriously at Swindon Arts Centre.
The Annie Keating Band at Chapel Arts, Bath, plus support from Steady Habits. Markus Birdmanโs Platinum at the Rondo Theatre.
Friday 15th
Seend branch of the Royal British Legion hosts the Pop Pickers at the Seend Community Hall.
The Future Sound of Trowbridge series sees a third instalment at The Pump, with Rae and Foxymoron supporting The Sunnies.
Rockabilly Rumble at North Swindon Club, John Kearnsโ The Varnishing Days at Swindon Arts Centre, The Ultimate Boyband Party Show at The Wyvern Theatre, Swindon, and the Shuffle continues throughout the weekend.
Aretha & the Soul Sisters with Lisa Grand & the Jezebel Sextet at Chapel Arts, Bath, Will Collierโs Chet Baker Project at the Rondo Theatre.
Peter Doherty plays the Cheese & Grain, Frome.
Saturday 16th
Devizes Heritage Day, leaflets are available from participating venues and also Devizes Books, and Wiltshire Museum. Devizes RFC V Chosen Former Pupils at Devizes Rugby Club.
Dr Zeboโs Wheezy Club at The Southgate, Devizes.
Live Music and Family Funday for Wiltshire Mindโs 30th Anniversary at The Pilot, Melksham, and a Psychic & Crystal Fayre at Melksham Scout Hut, 10am-4pm.
Heritage Open Day: Hidden on the High Street at the Neeld, Chippenham, and a new exhibit by Si Griffths at the Forbidden Carnival, see poster.
Sour Apple plays Kings Arms, Hilperton. Matt Owens and Courting Ghosts at The Pump in Trowbridge.
Train to Skaville are at Swindon Underground, formerly Level III, Simplicity at The Woodland’s Edge, 80s Mania at The Wyvern Theatre, Swindon, And Solo at the North Swindon Club, and of course the Shuffle continues throughout the weekend.
Roving Crows at Chapel Arts, Malone Sibun unplugged at the Rondo Theatre, Bath.
These Wicked Rivers at the Tree House, Frome.
Sunday 17th
Eddie Martin plays a Sunday session at The Southgate, Devizes from 5pm.
Ruzz Guitar Blues Revue at The Three Horseshoes, Bradford-on-Avon from 3pm.
Warminster Heritage Open Day at the Athenaeum
Emerald Storm at The Wyvern Theatre, Swindon, Ska Katz @at North Swindon Club.
The Glad Rags at The Bell, Bath.
Monday 18th
Thatโll Be The Day at The Wyvern Theatre, Swindon.
Lewis Barfoot at The Bell, Bath.
Tuesday 19th
Psychic Sally at The Wyvern Theatre, Swindon, and Jazz Knights has Roger Beaujolais & Tom Berge Trio at The Royal Oak.
Thatโs all folks, but there are lots more to come!! Let the sunshineโฆ..but do check in on our event calendar too, as updates will be on there, not here, this is just a guide. Have a great week whatever you do do!
By Mick Brianphotos by Chris Watkins Media Disney aficionados will need no introduction to โThe Little Mermaid,โ Disneyโs 1989 film about mermaids falling in loveโฆ
Remember, remember, weโre moving into November; leaves, loads of โem! Being as we are no longer doing weekly roundups, hereโs some highlights of events inโฆ
The simple answer is yes, very concerned. Following the publication of an article in Melksham Newsโs last issue questioning the councilโs public notice policy, Wiltshireโฆ
Dumping pumpkins in the woods is bad for wildlife says Forestry England. As millions of pumpkins hit supermarket shelves and make their way to gardens,โฆ
If Phil Cooperโs 2018 โThoughts and Observations,โ was one of the first albums we ever reviewed here on Devizine, itโs been a while since Iโveโฆ
Trowbridge RFC V Devizes RFC at Trowbridge Rugby Club
King Alfredโs Tower Charity Abseil for SOS Africa is taking place on the 9th, 10th 16th & 17th September.
Bit hot for cosplay, but thereโs a Sci Fi Day at The REME Museum, Lyneham.
Thereโs a Twilight Cinema at Hillworth Park, Devizes, screening Top Gun Maverick.
Autumn Fabric Pumpkin Making Workshop at the St Johnโs Parish Rooms, Devizes.
Grizzly Rhys plays The Southgate, Devizes.
Chloe Jordan and Pete Lambโs Heartbeats play a Wiltshire Air Ambulance fundraiser at The Corn Exchange, Devizes.
Long Street Blues Club, Devizes opens for a new season with The Ian Parker Band.
Bristolโs boss reggae and ska legend Ya Freshness & The Big Boss Band are at Devizes Scooter Club in the Cavalier.
The Boot Hill All Stars are at The Barge on HoneyStreet, with Whistling Treason.
Barrelhouse play The Lamb, Marlborough.
Mantonfest 2023
Saili Katebe at the Yelde Hall, Chippenham.
Bobbiโs Academy Of Dance โ Dance First Think After at The Wyvern Theatre, Swindon.
Salisbury RFC have their Beggar’s Bash.
The Unravelling Wilburys play Chapel Arts, Bath.
Frome 80s Festival at the Cheese & Grain.
Lifesigns are at The Tree House, Frome.
Sunday 10th.
Hillworth Park Proms with Devizes Town Band at Hillworth Park, Devizes.
The Jon Amor residency at the Southgate, Devizes from 5pm, guest this month is Adam Phillips.
Nothing Rhymes With Orange plays at The Exchange nightclub, with Stoneface and Ignotis in support.
Pewsey Carnival Week begins, running until 17th.
Daisy Chapman, with Carrie Martin and the Gordon Wood Band at Schtumm, Queenโs Head, Box.
Old Baby Mackerel at The Bell, Bath.
Swindon Recital Series at Swindon Arts Centre.
Bridget Christieโs Who Am I? at The Wyvern Theatre, Swindon.
Monday 11th:
Di, Viv & Rose opens at The Wharf Theatre, Devizes, running until the 16th.
Wiltshire Motorcycle Rally at Salisbury Rugby Club.
Abigailโs Party opens at The Wyvern Theatre, Swindon, running until the 16th.
Von Wildenhaus at The Bell, Bath.
Tuesday 12th
Kosta Burgess at The Bell, Bath.
Libor Smolds & Daniel Newberry Quartet at Jazz Knights, The Royal Oak, Swindon.
Thatโs all folks, but itโs early days for September, and there is lots more to come!! Let the sunshineโฆ..but do check in on our event calendar too, as updates will be on there, not here, this is just a guide.
Devizes Outdoor Celebratory Arts announced their upcoming project, YEA Devizes today. Made possible by a grant from National Grid Electricity Transmissionโs Community Grant Programme, theโฆ
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 Bathโฆ
Chippenhamโs young folk singer-songwriter Meg, or M3G if you want to get numeric, will release her 6th single The Mist on Friday 18th October, andโฆ
Our very own illustrious orchestra, The Fulltone Orchestra, are staging live performances of Enyaโs 1988 breakthrough album, Watermark in Basingstoke, Bath and Cheltenham later thisโฆ
Forget the feud between Notorious B.I.G. and Tupac Shakur, this is England’s West Country rivals The Skimmity Hitchers and Monkey Bizzle in a vicious rapโฆ
Here’s a Devizes foodie top secret I’m about to spill the chickpeas about; Anya of that delicious kitchen in the Shambles, Soupchick is launching a falafel stall a little bit closer to the main Shambles’ gate, by the community fridge; twist my arm why don’t you!
Inspired by Peter Vaughn’s popular falafel stand at The Bistro, a past divine smelling regular feature at Devizes carnival, Falafel Out Loud will open on carnival day this coming Saturday. Thereafter, over September, it will open on Mondays. “We don’t really have a falafel stall in town,” Anya explained, “although I don’t think there’ll be a demand for it everyday, but once a week if everybody knows it’ll be here on a Monday, they can come.”ย
Well, they do now. Thanks for the scoop, Anya, I only popped in for a bowl of soup! And in that here’s the thing, it was just a bowl of tomato soup with fennel and chilli, served with a seeded roll; how does she make tomato soup with fennel and chilli so absolutely scrumptious I had to check my surroundings, see if I could get away with licking my bowl?!
Given this, I’m only imagining what heavenly delights her falafels will offer. Because me, right, I love a cholesterol-hugging cheeseburger as much as the next carnivore, but those little Middle Eastern herby balls of spiced chickpeas are tasty enough to turn Colonel Sanders into a vegan, and I swear by them at big festivals like Glasto where I wouldn’t trust the meat vendors. So, I might catch you down there, and we’ll become fanatical falafel friends?!
Bank holiday done and dusted, hope you had a good one whatever you did. But Wiltshire shows no signs of letting up on great things to do moving into September; hereโs a roundup of events this coming weekโฆ..
Not comprehensive, more will be added to our event calendar as we move through the week, so check in on it from time to time.
Pay a visit to Wiltshire Museum, Devizes, for the Anna Dillon exhibition; reviewed HERE.
Ongoing until 29th Sept, The Incredible Quizzical Bath Pub Tour.
Wednesday 30th:
Acoustic Jam at The Southgate, Devizes.
Devizes Salsa at West Lavington Village Hall; new members welcome!
The Deadnotes play the Pump in Trowbridge with The Sunnies and Lindup Brothers
Thursday 31st:
Thereโs an Open Mic at The Crown, Aldbourne.
Happy Kingsley plays The Neeld Bar in Chippenham from 8pm.
End of the Road Festival in Salisbury opens, running until Sunday.
VirginMarys & Lucky Number Seven play The Vic, Swindon.
Friday 1st:
Thereโs an Open Mic at the Barge on Honey Street.
Too Complicated at The Wellington, Marlborough.
Letโs Rock this Country with Shania & Friends at Melksham Assembly Hall.
The Pump in Trowbridge begins its series of Future Sound of Trowbridge gigs, with Nothing Rhymes With Orange, Feedback and Paradigm.
Queen 2 at the Neeld Hall, Chippenham, The Blue Moon Band at The Old Lane.
41 Fords at The Three Horseshoes, Bradford-on-Avon.
2 Sick Monkeys at The Castle, Swindon,Blind River Scare at The Beehive, State of the Quo at The Vic, and the Deprivation Festival at Underground, formerly Level III.
Phil Beerโs 2023 Solo Tour at Chapel Arts, Bath.
The Scribes play The Winchester Gate in Salisbury.
Ion Maiden at The Tree House, Frome, with Aynsley Lister at the Cheese & Grain.
Saturday 2nd:
Devizes RFC V Thornbury at Devizes Rugby Club.
And, of course, itโs Devizes Carnival: The parade departs from the Green at 5:45pm, with an environmental theme.
Julien Biddulphโs trio, Work Experience debut at the The Southgate, thereโs karaoke at The Three Crowns, and a Carnival Disco Party at the Pelican.
Swindonโs Apache Cats make their debut at The Bell in Great Cheverall.
Over The Lamb in Marlborough we see the second Famous Hangover Sessions, with a great lineup, Royal Soul from 12pm, George Wilding from 1pm, Jimmy Morre at 2:30, Jolie & the Souls at 4pm, Rivera Arcade at 5:30, Nothing Rhymes With Orange at 7pm, Mick OโToole from 10pm.
Trash Panda plays Great Bedwyn Cricket Club.
And itโs Pewsey Pride at The Coopers, with The Reason and, of course, Miss Luscious Lips!
The celebrated homemade festival, Party on the Drive 3 is in Chippenham, and Yanniโs Old Skool Reggae Night at The Neeld.
Be Like Will play Southwick Sports & Social Club, Shot By Both Sides at Stallards in Trowbridge, and From Jovi are live at Trowbridge RFC, with The Sunnies as special guests.
Swindonโs second annual Paint Fest will be happening across the town centre. Blitz Kids with Head Noise and Thee Acid Tonguea offer a night of new wave and synth, psychedelic punk at The Vic.
Hatepenny at The
Dire Streets tribute at Chapel Arts, Bath.
41 Fords are at The Sun in Frome, Sex Pistols Exposรฉ at the Tree House.
Sunday 3rd:
Gunina Lane Saxophone Quartet with The Pewsey Players, Take Five and Pewsey Winds at St Maryโs Bishops Cannings.
The White Horse Vehicle Show, Westbury.
Old Town Street Foods Festival, in Swindon, with Absolva and Furyhead offering some melodic metal at the Vic.
Monday 4th:
I got nothing, yet, keep an eye on the calendar!
Tuesday 5th:
Curious Kids at Wiltshire Museum, Devizes.
Thatโs all folks, but itโs early days for September, and there is lots more to come!! I’m telling you, next Saturday you are seriously spoiled for choice, you lucky, lucky, people!
Itโs been a fantastic summer for Wiltshireโs indie-pop favourites Talk in Code. I think Iโve caught them live at least four times, and only onceโฆ
I was chatting to Josh Oldfield last week, a Devizes singer-songwriter I believe weโll be hearing a lot more of. Though this interview was pendingโฆ
by Ian Diddamsimages by Josie Mae-Ross Noel Coward is probably best known for โBlithe Spiritโ but he in fact wrote sixty-five stage plays over aโฆ
Comedy in Devizes is a rare thing, unless you count visitors turning right at the Shaneโs Castle junction, reading opinions on the Devizes Issues (butโฆ
Seems like an age since I last visited Bradford-on-Avonโs wonderful Wiltshire Music Centre, though Iโve been listing their vast range of events on our calendar.โฆ
Wiltshire Music Events UK has hosted tons of memorable events locally, from CrownFest and The Marley Experience at Devizes Corn Exchange, to more everyday gigsโฆ
Guess who limboed into Tonka Bean, to poke their nose in a day before the official opening? Though I’m a sucker for new ventures, especially with a Caribbean twist!
Nestled nicely on St John’s Street where sadly The Vaults micropub once stood, this is the new cafe-bar labour of love of mum and daughter team Abrilli and Mya. Abrilli was sweeping up, getting everything ready for opening day tomorrow (Friday 23rd June at 8:00am and closing at 21:30 pm,) but stopped to welcome me with her backstory. A school teacher who has lived in Devizes for sixteen years with her roots in Trinidad, these new pastures hope to bring both a little piece of Trinidad to Devizes, with a general Caribbean theme to boot.
The bar is situated in the same place it was with the Vaults, the rest is transformed with a bamboo wall and colourfully painted tables and chairs, yeah, I get the vibe, there’s definitely a tropical ambience already. Though you shouldn’t make the word association of bean with coffee, tonka beans are South American black seeds akin in flavour to vanilla, this is not a coffeeshop, though they will serve coffee!
If Abrilli is rather restricted without a kitchen, she’s determined to overcome; the motto of Trindad is “together we aspire, together we achieve,” after all.
Hot and cold foods will be bought in, she was keen to note ninety percent locally sourced. The Happy Food Company will supply sandwiches and salad boxes, Jamaican patties were a sure thing, and she smiled to announce her own recipe curried goat too, served in roti. This sparked a chat about Eastern influences in Caribbean culture and cuisine; she was impressed with my slim knowledge of chutney style, a soca subgenre using Indian instruments!
But turning it back to Trindad cuisine possibilities, Abrilli explained saltfish accra, and a sailfish breakfast dish she called buljol. Alongside wine and spirits, passionfruit, papaya, and mango smoothies, she wet my appetite with “those kinds of tropical flavours that give people that fresh Caribbean feel.” Here was the point where she gave her utmost respect to the success of the Muck and Dundar rumbar in town, but with no dilemma if Tonka Bean is Caribbean themed it had to sell rum punch too, “of course I’m going to have rum punch!”ย
Neither would a Caribbean themed bar be complete without accompanying the standard issue sweet tooth, and Abrilli introduced me to her snow cone machine in which shaved ice with syrup is a popular snack in Trinidad.
The building has a spacious basement the renovation of which to extend Tonka Bean hinges on its initial success, while Abrilli intends to reapply for a live music licence, this won’t happen anytime soon, but expect background music of tropical twist! This bold venture I wish the very best of luck, but if the success hinges on creating a happy atmosphere, you only need to look at carnival to acknowledge you can not beat the Caribbean for happiness!
Small acorns, or tonka beans even, at this early stage, but I came away feeling overwhelmed with positivity about this place, and the cafe bar in Devizes with a different angle. Of course, it all depends on the support the town shows it, and enthusiasm is already building. Abrilli had to close the gates after I left, as people tended to poke their noses in to see if it was open yet; I was the lucky one, but here to report Tonka Bean is going to be irie with all the joy of a Caribbean getaway in our hometown!
If, like me, youโre teetotal and never touch a drop, you can still enjoy the CAMRA Devizes Beer & Cider Festival on the 1st July, for thereโs food and a great musical lineup awaiting you there. Now, back to honest reporting (hic!); the lineup of which Iโm about to reveal now!
Thereโs some stable regulars and some exciting new acts performing, but the first wouldnโt be the same Devizes Beer Festival without them; Devizes Town Band, undoubtedly opening the proceedings.
First great, awesome, amazing surprise to me personally, one of my favourite things, Concrete Prairie will make their debut at the Beer Fest this year; get in! Concrete Prairie are an alt-folk Americaina five-piece ensemble, delivering a veritable soundtrack for the glamour and grit of modern living. Personal opinion incoming, this is enough to seal the deal for me!
But, we also have, hailing all the way from my motherland, the utterly fantastic Jamie Williams and the Roots Collective. Regulars at the Southgate, their unique brand of Americania and folk-rock has seen them settle into the current super-tight line-up after hundreds of shows the band are on fire, playing hundreds of shows and festivals, including a couple of rapturous nights at London’s legendary 100 Club, their ethos is always to have fun and make sure the crowd does too. This is not a band that stands onstage staring at their (red) shoes.
Theyโve shared line-ups with the likes of Wilko Johnson, The Blockheads, The Darkness, The Pretty Things, The Quireboys, Dr Feelgood, the Yardbirds, Eddi Reeder & the Animals to name a few.
Jamie is a prolific writer of accessible songs; songs good enough to hold their own in a solo acoustic setting, which really light up when the band add their own brand of energy & musicianship to the arrangements.
They are like the classic touring bands of the 70s: almost a travelling circus; a dysfunctional family of a band. They’re tight without being boringly slick, leaving just enough rough edges to become one of the most exciting and fun ‘originals’ live bands on the circuit today.
Back to the homegrown talent, Wiltshire four-piece rockers Plan of Action will be in attendance too. Derived from the old well known band ‘El Nino’ they have gathered pace to become one of Wiltshireโs most popular covers bands, packing venues everywhere, circa 2017. Expect the classics from AC/DC to Thin Lizzy and Fleetwood Mac through to Oasis, Red Hot Chilli Pepper and Foo Fighters, something for everyone!
And, as per-last year,Knati P will be providing the sound system reggae chill. Handpicked reggae tunes from Knati P, with more years of playing records and running sounds systems than we dare mention … .you can be assured a wealth of popular reggae picks and some quality laid back material you may not have heard of!
And thatโs your lot, I love it though, there’s not a single one I wouldn’t have picked myself; great minds think alike!Saturday 1st July at Devizes Wharfside 11:30 until about 10pm, tickets are ยฃ19.50 which includes your glass, programme and an initial ยฃ5 of beer tokens, which as you might be able to guess, is ample beer tokens for me, then Iโm on the Tizer!
The “Business Fit For Future” programme has launched with startups across Wiltshire seizing the opportunity to participate in free online business planning workshops. This initiativeโฆ
Featured Photo: Forestry England/Crown copyright Planned timber harvesting is set to begin at popular walking destination, West Woods, from the end of September until Marchโฆ
Despite the population of Devizes throwing confetti and paint at each other in their most celebrated annual ritual, I believe I picked the right weekendโฆ
The newly drafted forest plan for West Woods and Collingbourne is open for public consultation until Monday 7 October. The plan outlines how each woodland willโฆ
If there’s been welcomed stand-ins for the monthly Jon Amor Trio residency at the Southgate in Devizes recently, Ruzz Evans and Eddie Martin, Jon โtheโฆ
Supporters of local live music know, least they should do by now, that Swindon is the place to head this following weekend, 12th-15th September, becauseโฆ
You may know the tiny village of Keevil, the name of which will never cease to remind me of Evel Knievel, for its airfield steeped in spitfire history, but there are some things in the village deeply rooted to the ground. One is a rather exclusive folk club regularly held in the village hall.…
It first came to my attention when the Lost Trades announced it as a date on their ambitious album tour, leading me to gulp, Keevil, you mean the Keevil, for like Christopher Lambert in Highlander, there can be only one? Yes, came their reply like a Facebook whisper, as if it was all as top secret as Area 51. A low key affair, I was told, hardly exploited on the social media sites Iโm addicted to sourcing all known information from. And, if Iโm honest, Iโve never had need to physically pass through there; for fear of treading on a Trowbridge patch, my milk-float turns around at Bulkington, which incidentally will never cease to remind me of the Lipps Inc disco classic, you know how it goes; โwant to take you to, Bul-kin-town!โ
However, away with such disco and American stuntman silliness, we did receive an email from Rachel Howe about next week’s Keevil Summer Roots Festival, which aside elucidating the folk nights were a, โsmall affair; only 76 allowed in our village hall with tables and chairs,โ this event will be open to a larger audience, and itโs free during the day, other than a fiver to park.
So, from 3pm next Saturday, 17th June, the village welcomes their inaugural Summer Roots Festival, on the Barnfield Recreation Ground. Find afternoon activities and entertainment on the Recreation Ground, completely free to enter, with happenings catering for all ages including children’s activities, tug-of-war, crafting corners, artisan gift stalls, food van, ice cream, Festival Bar, โmuch more.โ
That โmuch moreโ includes the Wilshire Police Band, so behave yourselves, and Forest of Dean acoustic duo Jan & Ian.
Raymondoโs food truck, the Festival Bar and doors open at the village hall, ready for the music to start at 6pm. The tried and tested at their regular folk club musical haul includes Wiltshire based foot-stomping five-piece Stoneโs Throw, with a Keevil-own drummer they will be playing classic rock and pop anthems. Grassroots folk singer songwriter Alan Hinds. Westburyโs easy-listening family duo MGB, Frome-based ukulele renditions of classical tunes marvels The Frukes, and Bathโs lounge jazz duo, Body & Soul, local acoustic eyeopener Ian Rayney, ragtime and music hall aficionado, Hilary Pavey.
Keevil may be one of the smallest villages in Wiltshire but, thanks to the tireless efforts of a group of volunteers, it seems theyโve packed a punch. Wishing they could do more with theirย Recreation Ground. They are excited to be bringing this festival-style celebration of local creative talent to the village, and we wish them all the best with it. So, put that in your pipe, Evel, who never did attempt the Grand Canyon jump!
Devizes-own indie-pop-punk youth sensation Nothing Rhymes With Orange smashed the Exchange on Friday as a farewell to their local fanbase. They pursue a music courseโฆ
Reports of another road traffic accident at the notorious Black Dog Crossroads near Lavington today coincides with Wiltshire Councillor for the Lavington constituency, Dominic Munsโฆ
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 butโฆ
Trowbridge-Devizes finest musical export for a decade or two, acoustic folk vocal harmony trio, The Lost Trades, step out for a nationwide tour this September.โฆ
The Fulltone Orchestra has confirmed today that their annual festival will take place on The Green in Devizes from 25th โ 27th July 2025โฆ. โItโsโฆ
Devizes Street Festival 2023 came to a glorious close in the Market Place yesterday with the unique and dynamic brass, keys and guitar combo, Misha & His Merry Men, a collective of varying musicians on a theme of peace and love, which made for the perfect summary of the event as a whole; our waffle about the first day is HERE.
With new DOCA coordinators Annabel and Ashley at the helm and the barrier set high by their predecessor Loz Samuals, there was no telling how this would go. Maybe thereโs a few lessons learned by the new team, as this is no easy feat to pull off, but backed by the knowledgeable and ever-friendly volunteers I think they made an excellent team and carved a vision of how DOCA events will carry on the traditions set by previous coordinators, from Loz to Ian Hopkins, and of naturally, add their own stamp too.
It was an honour, even if last millisecond planned, to be on the stage to introduce the bands and see the mass of people flooding the Market Place with happy smiles and cheers; Iโve never done anything like this before and though like a rabbit in the spotlights, it gave me an insight into what it feels like for a band to be in front of a colossal crowd; nerve-wracking! So be it for me to say, the opening act on the main stage was also one Devizine had a hand in picking, with a want to introduce a local act amidst the national and international performers across this amazing street festival.
Now, you should note Iโve no intention of continuously getting all Royston Vasey on DOCA, for I fully support and love the fact that rather than hosting just local acts which can be seen on our pub and venue circuit, that they source these outside performers moreso. But I also feel room should be made to bring the crowds one thing specifically Devizes. So, I am hoping this will become an annual thing, when we can suggest a local act which we think has had a particularly good year, and present them on that main stage; not everyone there is able to attend our live music scene across the many pubs and venues.
The proof was in pudding; see the featured photographic evidence. With a fanbase predominantly teenage and unable to attend pubs so easily, the age demographic was so varied, the crowd had amassed to near full capacity. The fanbase stood at the front, the more curious further back, but just to wander through the crowds and see the same look of awe and admiration for a young local band on the pinnacle of greatness, was mind-blowingly epic. Nothing Rhymes With Orange smashed it out of the park, that being the Market Place, and to every surrounding village with an absolutely sublime performance to lodge a firm place in the history of Devizes Street Festival.
Nothing Rhymes With Orange at Devizes Street Festival. Image: Gail Foster
Gaps between bands on stage are so because you need to also focus your eyes on the various street theatre and circus acts happening all around, though slighter, it felt, this year, the quality of them was equal to previous years, and something about small acorns for the new coordinators to ponder through feedback. There will always be those few with a preference to hang around the bar and stage area, so perhaps some lower volume music could be added to entertain them while families explore the side-stalls and circus acts, or at least quarter-of-an-hour prior to the next band coming on, so the area in front of the stage can refill.
Nothing Rhymes With Orange at Devizes Street Festival. Image: Gail Foster
It is certainly how it seemed as crowds waned after NRWOโs spectacular set, regaining the momentum and their attention back to the stage was slighter, which was a tiddly shame, because I donโt know about you but Plymouthโs Cabarats were right up my street and knocking loudly at my door!
My favourite outside band bought in for our entertainment, by a long shot, The Cabarats were solid with the perfect balance of folk and reggae, so downtempo offbeat when building, and layers of uplifting folk once roused, it pushed my every button. If reviews are simply opinion-based, itโs my opinion they supplied the exact ingredients we want and need at the Street Festival, and did with gusto, zest and a unity of tightness musically which simply delighted.
And in a review, of kind, it is impossible to summarise every individual happening at such a special occasion, so I rest my case, I think it was slighter in content this year but only so to break the new DOCA team in gradually, but again, the whole shebang hinges on us bonding and helping out wherever we can, and the massive thanks has to go out to all individual organisations and volunteers which go into making this, annually, the best weekend in Devizes. Look, thereโs a giant woman with a stage of devils and circus acrobats under her skirt where on any normal day you are just waiting for a bus with some hoody eating a Greggs sausage roll; what an utterly fantastic weekend, we love you DOCA!
Chandra, Hindu God of the Moon, with his own NASA X-ray observatory named after him, and also frontman of a self-named friendly Bristol-based four-piece pop-punkโฆ
Paul’s self-made cover to his latest single, Some Days depicts a fellow sitting under a tree pondering life, while an autumn zephyr blows leaves aroundโฆ
Itโs when you hear those American addresses, like house number 21,456 Park Avenue, you realise Long Street in Devizes is a long street only comparableโฆ
Impressive, in a word, is the Lawrence Art Societyโs annual exhibition at Devizes Town Hall this year, in both quality and quantity; you’ll be amazedโฆ
Following on from last monthโs email, this is a final reminder that yearโs Imberbus service will be running this coming Saturday โ 17th August 2024.โฆ
Hereโs our bitesize look at whatโs happening in the wilds of Wiltshire this coming weekโฆ. Everything listed here is on our event calendar; go thereโฆ
by Ben Niamor A first outing on Saturday to Sound Knowledge for Devizes favourite Elles Bailey, whose latest album dropped Friday, and this mini tourโฆ
All the ickle birdies singing in the blossom, and itโs beginning to look at bit more like spring, which it should, being equinox, which basically means, take a raincoat to all the events weโve found to do in Wiltshire this coming week!
As usual, more information and ticket links to everything I waffle on about here can be found on our event calendar. I know, like a stuck record I say this every week, but listen up; this article is put out on the Monday or Tuesday of each week, and is compiled from many sources, from individual venueโs websites, and various social media groups. Once published you can guarantee someone, somewhere, usually on a Facebook share, will inevitably say โoh, you forgot this!โ
So, with this in mind, I do try to update the article, but be aware not always, so the best place to go and check for updates towards the end of the week is our calendar, as it will be updated there.
It’s never an easy task, to remember to check everywhere, itโs like data juggling, and often stuff gets missed, but never think itโs because we donโt like you, or something similar, itโs only that we missed it within the perpetual overload of information coming in! We love you all, please message us if you know of something we forgot and weโll do our upmost to get your event out there.
Onwards, to Wednesday 22nd March 2023, when as ever thereโs an acoustic jam at the Southgate in Devizes. Opening night for Made in Dagenham at the Neeld in Chippenham, and thatโs running up to Saturday 25th.
Also running until Saturday, Sheelagh Stephensonโs dark comedy, The Memory of Water is presented by Rondo Theatre Company at The Rondo in Bath.
Afrobeat/funk at The Bell in Bath with Worm Discs Attackโs DunDunDun.
Argentine tango king and Strictly Come Dancing legend, Vincent Simone, brings his show Tango Passions to the Wyvern Theatre, Swindon, with Paula Duarte as his leading lady.
Thursday 23rd and The History of Soul, a joyous, life-affirming celebration of soul music through the years performed by a truly exceptional 9-piece band can be found at Melksham Assembly Hall.
Jessie Phelps plays The Tuppenny in Swindon, with Trashed, Sweet Diego and Palps at The Vic. Endorsed by Rodโs own family, Some Guys Have All the Luck โ The Rod Stewart Story comes the Wyvern Theatre.
The Sylvertones play The Bear in Bradford-on-Avon, Steve Knightleyโs 2023 solo tour, Unlock Me & Other Lockdown is at Chapel Arts, Bath. Wildlife presenter Gordon Buchananโs 30 Years in the Wild is at The Cheese & Grain, Frome.
Friday 24thWilswood Buoys, Meg and Ed Dyke play the Pump in Trowbridge, The Lost Trades are at Chapel Arts in Bath.
Celebrated Irish singer songwriter Brigid Mae Power paints expansive songs that are effortless, hypnotic, and folk-oriented, at Pound Arts in Corsham.
Find Stanton PLC and Yur Mum at The Three Horseshoes, Bradford-on-Avon. While The AKA Trio play the Wiltshire Music Centre. AKA Trio is the result of 12 years of friendship between three world-renowned virtuosos: Italian guitarist, Antonio Forcione; Senegalese kora player, Seckou Keita and Brazilian percussionist, Adriano Adewale.
Looks like the last time youโll ever get to see punk legends Cockney Rejects, as they play a farewell tour at The Vic in Swindon, with Angry Itch and Street Outlaws in support. For a more relaxed evening in Swindon, find The Simon and Garfunkel Story at the Wyvern Theatre.
Black Sabbath tribute, Sack Sabbath at the Tree House in Frome, while more dance tributes play The Cheese & Grain, Chemical Dance and Daft Punk Experience.
Right, now, starting off with a craft fair at Melksham Assembly Hall, Saturday 25th is humongous, so pay attention! Iโm at least triple-booked with no idea which I want to do; might have to flip a coin!
Guest at the last Jon Amorโs monthly residency at the Southgate, Thomas Atlas brings his full band to Long Street Blues Club in Devizes, and thatโll be lovely. But folk artist John E Wright plays down The Cellar Bar, the incredible Plan of Action play The Three Crowns, Devizes Scooter Club presents legendary northern soul DJ Terry Hendrick at The Cavalier, and DJ Flash is at The Exchange.
Any of these will be great, but, one of our favourite-most, local dark country blues band, Concrete Prairie play The Southgate, Devizes, and this is unmissable, guys; that means donโt miss it(!!) and Iโm sorry to everyone else, but I must, by law, make this Editorโs Pick of the Week!
Now, thatโs not all, because there will be trippy sita playing at The Barge on Honey-Street when Omnivibes arrive in the evening, but before this, from around 3pm, our favourite Marlborough eighties new-wave/goth duo, Deadlight Dance will play a set, you may recall they came to my birthday party a few weeks gone. Personally, Iโm having difficulties remembering much of that evening, with no explanation why.
Another damn fine choice, is to head to The Lamb in Marlborough, for if Pants were invited to play Vyv and Jackieโs farewell party as landlords there, the new owners have only gone and invited them back; utter madness, is precisely what youโll find, and The Vooz are also playing.
Sheer Music presents indie favourites Arms & Hearts at the trusty Pump in Trowbridge, with Ed Poole in support (ignore the date on my poster, it’s changed.) The lovely Sour Apple play the Wiltshire Yeoman.
Ignore the date here, it is on Saturday!
Tequila Slammers play at Melksham Rock n Roll Club, while Peaky Blinders Band do their thing at The Pilot in the Sham.
A whole host of amazing choirs from across Wiltshire descend on Calneโs Pocket Park for The Big Sing 2023: A song for Elton, a glittering finale to this yearโs fabulous Calne Spring Sing, as they film a very special 76th birthday message for one of the best-selling artists of all time, Sir Elton John.
Iron Maiden tribute at Chippenhamโs Consti Club, Ed Force One.
Find the wonderful Kirsty Clinch at Suave in Westbury.
Triple bill at The Three Horseshoes, Bradford-on-Avon, with The Bolsheviks, The Setbacks & Split Dog. Dom Martin plays Chapel Arts, Bath.
Pearl Jam tribute, Earl Ham at the Vic in Swindon, and social media sensation and Chortle Award winner, Rosie Holt debuts an hour of comedy based on her smash-hit satirical videos at the Wyvern Theatre.
Thom Belk will be at Wilton Live at Michael Herbert Hall in Wilton.
Gaz Brookfield plays The Tree House in Frome, while King King play The Cheese & Grain, with Glenn Tilbrook.
Sunday 26th, Furlined at The Three Horseshoes in Bradford-on-Avon, Fly Yeti Fly at Schtumm, The Queens Head in Box, and thereโs an album crowdfunding launch for this ever-hotter Blues & Rhythm ensemble, Kirris Riviere & The Delta du Bruit at The Bell, Bath.
Revolution Performing Arts School presents The Soaring Revolution at Swindon Arts Centre.
At the The Cheese & Grain, Frome Voices sing Mozart.
Monday 27thand itโs the opening night of hidden Shakespearean gem Measure for Measure at The Wharf Theatre, Devizes, running until April 1st, when they have their open day. Directed by Liz Sharman, see preview here.
Ben Tunnicliffeโs Nowhere Ensemble bring synth bass, bass clarinet, drums and keys into the room marked jazz and donโt entirely behave as expected, at The Bell in Bath.
Tuesday 28th, Crazy Bird Comedy is back at The Piggy Bank in Calne, with Andrew Bird headlining, and Tuesday also sees Dreamcoat Stars at the Wyvern Theatre in Swindon, and Ivo Grahamโs My Future My Clutter at Swindon Arts Centre.
Ruth Blake plays The Bell in Bath.
And thatโs your lot. If itโs not enough to be getting on with, you need to be thinking about buying tickets for Devizes Musical Theatreโs 9 to 5 at Dauntseyโs, which starts on Wednesday 29th. Have a great week, hope to see you around!
Itโs one Devizine overlooked somewhat last year, arranged rather last minute, clashed with Full-Tone, but was still a 1,250-strong sell-out nonetheless. Potterne is not all about Ruth Pearce and Mummer plays, it has an annual festival, and so I caught up with organiser Richard Fred Kerley, to question him about this yearโs.
Two hundred tickets have gone already, for the sunny date of Sunday 27th August. He told me, โWe have increased tickets to 1,500 this year.โ Ticket prices capped the same last year, and are tremendously reasonable; adults at ยฃ15, under 18s for a fiver and under 5s go free.
Once known as Potterne Beer Festival, I asked Richard if the beer-tag had been dropped to make it more universal. โYes,โ he confirmed, โwe used to concentrate on beer when we first started. Now it is more about music and families.โ Still got a handsome beer glass on the poster with a large selection of beers and ciders promised, so never fear!
โGood line up, we think,โ Richard continued. With two tributes, Forever Elton and Bootleg Bee Gees, and the Fortunate Sons, I agreed, plus some our fav locals here at Devizine, astounding brit-poppers Billy Green 3, those faithful Truzzy Boys, and the amazingly talented Illingworth.
Noting children’s entertainment on the poster, I expressed, though Iโm personally not one for bouncy castles these days, I think this is an often-overlooked important feature at our smaller local festivals as the last thing you need is bored kids! โWe have two bouncy castles and face painting,โ Richard informed me, โwhich is extra this year.โ Then he boasted three food stalls; pizza, hog roast and a burger van, he sure knows how to push my buttons!
But hereโs another great thing about Potterne Festival; thereโs nothing Royston Vasey about it, it provides a free bus service from Devizes. โThe bus runs from outside Devizes School,โ Richard explained, โto the Grove, starting at 11.45, roughly every twenty minutes.โ One might fairly conclude itโs bonkers to provide Devizes folk with a means to escape and flood their village, but hey, sometimes you need to let them off their leash, and this all sounds good to me!
Tickets are limited and selling fast for a staged reading of Oscar Wildeโs most renowned comedy masterpiece, The Importance of Being Earnest, performed in theโฆ
People from the Swindon community flocked to protect their town and itโs residents, in anticipation of the rumoured far right anti-immigration march through their townโฆ
New single out today from Swindon-based gothic-folk duo, Canuteโs Plastic Army, and itโs three yeses from meโฆCan one person give three yeses? Iโm way pastโฆ
Second impressive single from young Salisbury singer-songwriter Rosie Jay is released today. Sing Another Love Song; a sound of the summerโฆ.. Her debut breakup trackโฆ
March on! Letโs say no more about the impending spring other than YES!!!! As you might be able to tell, Iโm not a winter person. Hereโs what weโve found to be doing this coming week.…….
Find details and tickets links at ourevent calendar, and plan your month ahead. Watch out though, itโs always updating and more stuff is added all the time!
Wednesday 1st March, finds Harriet Burnsโ ballads, bards and minstrels at Wiltshire Music Centre, Bradford-on-Avon, Wilson & Wakeman at Chapel Arts, Bath, and Spirit Of The Dance at the Wyvern Theatre, Swindon.
Regular acoustic night at The Southgate was amazing last week, just as they get everyone organised in a circle, another musician comes in the door! Happens every Wednesday.
Thursday 2nd and thereโs this Wiltshire Council Devizes drop in event to update on work to reduce anti-social behaviour in the town at the Corn Exchange. I had a whinge about this the other day, read here. Good idea as it sounds, itโs on during the morning when the people it really affects will be at school or college. I really feel our younger generation should be included in this, if Iโm honest.
Anyway, find Magical Bones at Swindon Arts Centre, Paul McClure & Black Sheep Apprentice at The Tuppenny. Over in Bath, Brooks Williams & Boo Hewerdineโs State of The Union is at Chapel Arts.
Friday 3rd and The Exchange club in Devizes has its second open mic night, some talent down there last time. Well done to Ian for sorting this out, and heard good things about it.
Soul Strutters play The Three Horseshoes, Bradford-on-Avon, with Blazinโ Fiddles at the Wiltshire Music Centre.
Larkham & Hall feat: Charlie Rose at Chapel Arts, Bath, and the Shindig lot, always up for a party, have their Shimmy Discotheque with Cโest Chic at Walcot House; squidgy house fun!
โZambaLandoโ are live at Fiesta de Cuba in Swindon, where the Vic has Phantom Droid, Modern Evils and Froglord, and Sophie Dukerโs Hag plays at Swindon Arts Centre.
Saturday 4thsees a Sustainable Devizes swap shop at St James Church.
Then, did I tell you about my 20th birthday?! Is it fair to make this Editorโs Pick of Week? Executive decision; ermm, letโs think, Ruzz Guitar, Talk in Code, Vince Bell, Deadlight Dance, Ben Borrill, yes, I think itโs perfectly fair!
Editorโs Pick of Week this week is the editorโs own inflated ego birthday bash at the Three Crowns, Devizes, but in fairness we have got free live music all day, where Iโm hoping Ben will kick us off at around 4pm, and from there Vince is on at 5pm, Deadlight Dance at 6pm, Talk in Code at 7:30pm and Ruzz Guitar Trio from 9pm. Hopefully there will be some other guests, you are all welcome, bring cake. Note the pub is open as usual, this is NOT a private invite, you are welcome. Note, they serve food until 9pm, and itโs card-only at the bar, but bring some cash and weโll have a whip round for the Devizes & District Opportunity Centre.
Over at the Wharf Theatre theyโve Olive Oatman for one night only, the story of an American woman celebrated in her time for her captivity and later release by Native Americans in the Mojave Desert region when she was a teenager.
Sad to have to miss Barrelhouse who play The Southgate. And DJ Stevie MC is at the Exchange.
Heading southwest, Triple JD Band play The Three Horseshoes in Bradford-on-Avon, and Jason Rebello & Tim Garlandโs Life to Life is presented at Wiltshire Music Centre.
The Saviours Collective at Chapel Arts, Bath.
Sour Apple are at The Phoenix, Wotton Bassett. A karaoke warm-up for the My Dad festival, My Dadโs Wackier Than Your Dad! at The Castle, Swindon, Will Lawton & the Alchemists at The Hop Inn, Just Floyd at The Vic, Homer at The Sun in Coate, Showaddywaddy at the Wyvern Theatre, Eshaan Akbar: The Pretender at Swindon Arts Centre, Swindon
Thereโs an intimate evening with Zion Train at the Tree House in Frome, with The Beat featuring Ranking Junior at The Cheese & Grain.
Sunday 5th Avebury Spiritual and Psychic Fayre at Avebury Sports & Social Club from 10:30-4pm, free entry.
Wiltshire Hunt Saboteurs plan a protest at Devizes Police HQ from 1pm, to protest about the promotion of alleged fox hunter Cheryl Knight into the rural crime unit.
At 5pm, if Iโm still standing, Iโm invading The Southgate for 5pm, for the regular monthly Jon Amor residency with Jim Crawford as guest of honour.
Talis Kimberly plays The Tuppenny in Swindon.
The awesome Junkyard Dogs are at The Three Horseshoes, Bradford-on-Avon, while WYJO with Jason Rebello and Tim Garland play at Wiltshire Music Centre.
Monday 6th Iโve found nothing, but you know, it is Monday! Whoa there, Nellie: update, a brand new open mic session at The Lamb in Marlborough has been announced, first one Monday 6th at 8pm. Facebook group here.
Tuesday 7thBlood Brothers at the Wyvern Theatre, Swindon.
Thatโs your lot, have a great week and I hope to see you Saturday; you are permitted to buy me a pint, as long as itโs not semi-skimmed.
Looking forwards, you need to snap up a ticket for the Open Doors charity night at the Corn Exchange on Saturday 11th, support this great cause, and if youโve never heard Chloe Jordan sing before youโre basically missing one of lifeโs most extraordinary occurrences.
Tory tears welled at County Hall this week, when Cllr Richard Clewer, leader of Wiltshire Council threw his teddies from his pram over the Government’sโฆ
Weโre into August already; Christmas before you know it, so you better get outside and taste the sun while it lastsโฆ. Hereโs what weโve foundโฆ
If it’s been a fantastic weekend on Devizes Green with the orchestral Full-Tone Festival, further out of town scooterists, mods, skins and anyone else withโฆ
Jam-packed July! If thereโs always lots to do throughout the year, July especially so! Hereโs what weโve found in the wilds of Wiltshire this coming weekโฆ.โฆ
Gallivanting through festival season omits crucial visits to my local watering hole; I’ve missed it sooo much, and now feel thoroughly refreshedโฆ with a hintโฆ
Thank the heavens we can kick January out of the door! Itโs been a warmer week though, hasnโt it? Still wouldnโt reach for the Hawaiian shirts and straw sunhats just yet. The weather is a tease, loves to give you a taster of the potential of the coming season, then reverts without warning or the slightest concern that you risked lobbing your thermal long-johns in the wash!
Some people prefer winter though, apparently; weirdos! Hereโs what weโve found to do in Wiltshire for the rest of us; hermits stay in, covered in blankets, re-watching Wednesday and praying into a bag of cheesy puffs for season two! Get a life, Wiltshire is not a cultureless void, see below if you donโt believe me!
Links and details can be found on our event calendar: here. Just takes ages adding them in here a second time; ainโt nobody got time fโ dat!
Ladies Day continues at The Wharf Theatre, Devizes until Saturday 4th all sold out now, but the next production hosts improvised comedy Instant Wit, for one day and that day being 18th February. Not forgoing the welcome return of Devizes Film Club showing the 2020 film Minari, about a Korean-American family moving from California to a remote Arkansas farm in search of their own American dream. That is on Friday 9th February.
Pinch, punch, Wednesday 1st February it will be then, and Trowbridgeโs Pump celebrates Independent Venue Week with The Howlers, Langkamer and Mumble Tide.
Regular acoustic jam at The Southgate, Devizes.
Seventh Avenue Arts presents Simon & Garfunkel Through the Years at Pound Arts, Corsham. Danny Bakerโs Sausage Sandwich Tour comes the Wyvern, Swindon.
The Greatest Magician continues until 4th at Rondo Theatre, Bath, and staying in Bath, Monkey Bizzle meets The Scribes Komedia, Flats & Sharp at Chapel Arts, and Junior Bill at The Bell.
Thursday 2ndQuiz Night at The Devizes Literary & Scientific Institute in aid of Devizes & District Food Bank by Devizes Labour Party.
Moon plays The Vic in Swindon, Truck at The Tuppenny. Ben Portsmouthโs This is Elvis 2023 Tour at the Wyvern, and Limehouse Lizzy at Swindon Arts Centre.
Brennan Reeceโs Crowded come to Rondo Theatre, Bath, and for music, find Del Barber & Band at Chapel Arts.
Still Moving DJs at Salisbury Arts Centre, Open Mic at The Winchester Gate, and Jamie Linghamโs regular From The Book at Brown Street, Salisbury.
Friday 3rdand itโs Potterne Cricket Clubโs Quiz Night at Potterne Village Hall.
While revellers descend on Weston-Super-Mare for the Incider Festival, Jaz Delorean is at The Pump, Trowbridge, but I believe is near sold out, youโll need to be quick, or own a time machine for this one!
A new regular feature at The Barge on Honey Street, open mic session continues Friday.
Sophie Dukerโs Hag at Pound Arts, Corsham, Phoenix Dance Presents โWe Are Connectedโ at The Neeld, Chippenham.
In the top three flamenco guitarists in the world, Juan Martin is at Wiltshire Music Centre, Bradford-on-Avon, Malaya Blue Band at Chapel Arts in Bath, some Impromptu Shakespeare at Rondo Theatre, and David OโDohertyโs Whoa is Me at Komedia.
Wow; Fairport Convention play the Wyvern in Swindon, with Lucy Porterโs Wake Up Call at Swindon Arts Centre. Dohny Jep headlines a triple at The Vic, with Nervendings and Riviera Arcade.
Cressers Last Standโs The Growing up Tour at Brown Street, Salisbury, while The Jonny Phillips Trio play the Winchester Gate.
Saturday 4th, The Shudders come to The Southgate, Devizes, (Update: The Shudders canโt make it on Saturday. To the rescue, they have laid back dude Grizzly Rhys Morgan at The Southgate instead,)while Devizes Scooter Club hold a Back to the 80โs Party at The Cavalier. But the concentration in Devizes should focus on The Corn Exchange, where we are thinking green. Make a hot-water bottle at Devizes Library during the day, and bring it to the Wiltshire Climate Alliance fundraiser with Seize the Day; preview here.Editor’s Pick of the week? Could be!
Damm! play The Bear, Marlborough, meanwhile it will be Vyv & Jackieโs farewell at The Lamb, after over an incredible 43 years theyโre retiring and we wish them all the very best. A solemn occasion it refuses to be, as Pants will out! If you donโt know what that means, I suggest you read undoubtedly the funniest interview weโve ever done, with Pants, last week. Got to be Editorโs Pick of The Week, if Seize the Day is too, I can’t decide this week!
Phoenix Dance presents a second night of โWe Are Connectedโ at The Neeld, Chippenham.
Still Marillion play The Vic, Swindon, with One Chord Wonders at the Queens Tap, The Bellflowers at The Tuppenny, Homer at The Swiss Chalet, and Six Oโclock Circus at Coleview Centre. Troy Hawkeโs Sigmund Troyโd at the Wyvern, and Paul Foot at Swindon Arts Centre.
Stray Dogs will be โUnleashedโ for a Charity Gig for The Music Man Project at Burdallโs Yard, Bradford-on-Avon.
The Roy Orbison Experience at Chapel Arts, Bath, with Akasha at The Bell.
From 11am, Drag Queen Story Time at The Winchester Gate, while the evening in Salisbury gets punked, with Carsick headlining at foursome at Brown Street with Who Ate All the Crayons, Lucky Number Seven, and Seaside Glamour.
Staying punk, The Cheese & Grain hosts the Frome Punk Fest.
Sunday 5th and if youโve achieved nothing over the weekend all is not lost, the monthly Jon Amor Trio residency at The Southgate, Devizes at around about 5pm, with guest Thomas Atlas.
Also, Julian Gaskell & His Ragged Trousered Philanthropists are at The Bell, Bath, while Stephen Lynchโs The Time Machine Tour arrives at Komedia.
The Psychology of Serial Killers at the Wyvern, Swindon, wraps up our weekend, but do keep a check on the calendar, for updates and planning.
Monday is Monday, not a lot going on. Do a jigsaw puzzle or something.
Tuesday 7this the Wyvern Theatre Swap Shop at the Wyvern in Swindon, Randy Feltfaceโs Feltopia at Komedia, Bath, and Wiltshire College FE Student Showcase Samphire at Salisbury Playhouse.
Have a great week, behave yourself, within reason, and donโt forget to keep up-to-date with our calendar, for next week sees aforementioned return of Devizes Film Club, now based at The Wharf Theatre, a triple bill of folk at Pound Arts, Canuteโs Plastic Army & Harmony Asia at The Tuppenny, Swindon, Emily Breeze at the Pump, the second stage of Take the Stage 2023 at The Neeld, in which we wish Nothing Rhymes with Orange the best of luck, 50 Years of Fender at Swindon Arts Centre, Ben Borrill at The Three Crowns, Devizes with Junkyard Dogs at The Southgate, and Big Mamaโs Banned at the Pilot, Melksham, Adam Ant tribute Ant Trouble at the Vic, the Dub Pistols with Don Letts The Cheese & Grain, Frome, and so much more!
Trust other websites or Facebook pages with whatโs to do and youโll miss truckloads; Devizine is the only one around these darkened backwaters to collate them all; give the man a Twix.
Featured Image by Simon Folkard Following the announcement earlier this year about the cancellation of the Devizes International Street Festival due the loss of Artsโฆ
Jam-packed July! If thereโs always lots to do throughout the year, July especially so! Hereโs what weโve found in the wilds of Wiltshire this comingโฆ
The 50th Anniversary of the now legendary Village Pump Festival, which was brought back to the UK festival circuit in 2018 by director Nicholas Reed,โฆ
Jam-packed July! If thereโs always lots to do throughout the year, July especially so!ย ย Hereโs what weโve found in the wilds of Wiltshire this comingโฆ
With the unfortunate cancellation of Devizes International Street Festival this year due to Arts Council cuts, all eyes are on our wonderful Hillworth Park nextโฆ
If the last thing you’d expect as the final sound you hear before leaving a festival carpark is of scraping frost off windscreens, notion of festivals as a summer thing is about to be turned on its head. January blues is curable in Wiltshire, The Bradford Roots Music Festival is your prescription.…
Devizine is not Time Out, writing about our music scene is a personal voyage of discovery, but until now I’d not reached the core. Because Bradford-on-Avon boasts The Wiltshire Music Centre, a modern, purpose-built hub of music and arts, and I’m happy to confirm it’s a wonderful place.
Andy fondly reviewed their past roots festival, on the strength of this and the stunning line-up, it deserved sending my grumpiest of hibernating reviewers, so here I am, with beanie on.
Situated on a housing estate next to a school, first impressions are school-like, by design and decor. Interesting, a festival in a school, even has a coat rack, and fire doors held open by polite teenagers; imagine! If I get a detention here, Iโll be glad.
I believe itโs part-funded this way. Cause and effect are a wide age demographic; yes, a majority are those elders who can afford to fork out ยฃ20 in January, but it notably caters for the youngest too, with a vast craft area and workshops, a dinnertime finale of the latter being a Wassail kids’ procession led by Holt Morris Club in the foyer.
Also noteworthy, though I missed this, part of the proceeds goes to Zone Club, an in-house musical programme for learning disabled adults, who’s improv show opened the festival. The other half goes to the centre itself, which has charitable status, and is worth its rather hefty weight in gold.
Wowzers, I was impressed enough already, with plentiful to engage in, yet I’m told this three-stage single day is scaled-down post lockdown, previously housing two other stages and a food court, over three days. Though it was expressed this is the level they’d like to see it return to in future. Iโm letting the cat out the bag, you canโt keep it a secret forever, Bradford, the south-west needs to know!
Though if food options were filtered to one, Bradford’s own Evie’s Mac N Cheese wagon is most definitely the one, my burger was to die for! There’s me, stomach-thinking first, when I’ve so much to report, so, so much great music, some completely new to me, others well-grounded in my favourites, and many to tick off my bottomless must-see list.
Aqaba
If I told you what I didnโt love, itโd be quicker, but blank! The only way to do this, is to get chronological, but before I do, itโs crucial to point out what’ll become clear by the end; the logo’s tree growing out of a guitar, and the whole name of Bradford Roots Music Festival can be a tad misconceiving; going in with the preconception it’s all folk, fiddles and hippy-chicks dancing barefoot, though these are present, to assume it’s the be-all-and-end-all is wildly off target. The diversity on offer here is its blessing, its quantity and quality is serious value for money, and likely the most important elements I need to express in order to sell next yearโs to you, which I do, because it was utterly fantastic.
Not forgoing the hospitable atmosphere, its easy access under one roof, and its professionalism in staging the best indoor local festival I’ve been to, if not a forerunner for the best local community-driven festival, period. On programming I could point similarities to Swindon Shuffle, in so much as grabbing an international headline isn’t their thing, favouring promoting local acts. But unlike the Shuffle where you wander Old Town pub-to-pub, there’s a treasure behind nearly every fire-door.
Lodestone
Arriving as prompt as possible, unfortunately not as early as I’d have liked, finding Phil Cooper and Jamie R Hawkins packed up and chatting in the foyer, I consoled myself by noting there’s so much happening under this cathedral of music’s roof I won’t miss. Firstly, I found the main stage, a colossal acoustic-heaven seated hall, where came the cool mellow vibes of Chris Hoar’s Lodestone, soon to be renamed Courting Ghosts, with drummer Tim Watts from It’s Complicated, a band booked to headline the third stage, Wild and Woolley, but had to cancel.
Lightgarden
Though at this time, I’d not even found said third stage, dragging myself away from the balcony to the foyer, where a smaller makeshift middle stage hosted the duos and acoustic acts. The beautiful folk of Lightgarden currently attracting a crowd.
Mark Green’s Blues Collective
People tended to settle in one place, I rushed from stage to stage, excited as a sugared-up kid at Disneyland! Discovering the third stage was the best thing I did, as Mark Green’s Blues Collective thrilled with a reggae-riffed version of Knocking on Heaven’s Door.
The Graham Dent Quartet
Decided I need to settle down, smooth and accomplished piano-based jazz on the main stage by The Graham Dent Quartet could’ve easily helped, but hot-footing back to the third stage to catch Junkyard Dogs was a must.
Likely my acme of the daylight hours, if it’s nearly as impossible to rank the best thing any more than picking faults in the festival, Junkyard Dogs rocked this stage with sublimely executed Carl Perkins, Chuck Berry timeless classics of the raw RnB origins of rock n roll, (apt for a “roots” festival,) with added amusing originals, a downtempo Suzie Q, and a funky guitar chilled Dusty Springfield’s Spooky.
Junkyard Dogs
With fantastic delta blues in the foyer, via Westward, and a Wassail choir workshop in the main room, I tended to hover around the more unorthodox third stage, where Mod-type synths band Aqaba rolled out some damn fine originals.
Westward
Caroline Radcliffe Jazz Trio
Meanwhile joyful lounge jazz was blessing the foyer with the Caroline Radcliffe Jazz Trio, as I made my way to way to the main stage once more, to tick Billy in the Lowground off my must-see list. Missed this unique banjo and fiddle five-piece folk ensemble when they’ve graced the Southgate, but though their fiery foot-stomping loud โnโ proud scrumpy & western is hard-to-pigeonhole, I won’t be missing them next time.
Billy in the Lowground
This is where the stages vacated for dinnertime, and the Wassail children’s parade accompanied an entertaining Morris dance ruled the hour. It mayโve felt as if the festival was slowing pace, but it was only temporary. Outstanding Bristol-based soloist Zoe kicked off the foyer happenings again, a stalwart of the festival, while young Swindon popular post-grunge wild card, Viduals blasted the third stage.
Zoe
Viduals
It was great to meet the level-headed youths of Viduals, one to watch on the indie circuit, asserting the third stage now was for younger attendees. Man, they had some upfront drumming I likened to Animal from the Muppets, and some defined originals!
Foxymoron
The similarly youthful band, Foxymoron, to grace the headline at the third stage since It’s Complicatedโs unfortunate cancellation, sounded prodigious, slightly more accomplished with slithers of retro post-punk, but I confess with so much going on, I didn’t catch enough for a full assessment. Because, I was equally surprised by Karport Collective at the main stage, but in a different way. Didnโt get any info on these guys, only to lean over to the frontman expressing my delight at them daring to cover Outkast classic Hey Ya at a roots event! If a pop repertoire of Fatboy Slimโs Praise You medlied with that Elvis breakbeat rework, wouldnโt fit at a folk festival, they did Bowieโs Letโs Dance too, engaging a mass-exodus to the dancefloor; surely a defining factor in my point about diversity here. Gallant five-piece, Karport Collective pulled a rabbit from their hat, and would be a superb booking for a function or large lively pub with universal appeal.
Karport Collective
Dilemmas over what to watch beached, the ultimate decision was the finale, where subtle yet powerful folk duo Fly Yeti Fly took the foyer, and my new favourite thing, Concrete Prairie played the main stage. Letโs get this straight, okay? Concrete Prairie are unmissable by my reckoning, though this is my third time seeing them live, and Fly Yeti Fly is one I so desperately want to tick off my list. The problem is solved by this easy access, weโre only one fire-door away from simultaneously viewing both, which I did; bloominโ marvellous!
Complete with double-bass accompaniment, predicted gentle positive acoustic vibes from Fly Yeti Fly, if a song about burning the furniture for firewood on a frozen canal boat is gentle and positive! But, oh, how a duo can hold an audience spellbound, Fly Yeti Fly are the enchantment. My night was completed by their tune Shine a Light, which (plug) you can find on our Juliaโs House compilation, together with swinging that fire-door to catch the sublime country-folk of Concrete Prairie as they polished off a set of debut album tracks, covers and new songs, with the magnum-opus Devil Dealt the Deck.
Concrete Prairie
Still at 1,000 feet of an impressive mountain; Bradford Roots Festival, I conclude, is faultless.
Need to keep informed and updated on the general election and its effect locally? Don’t bother with national media sources, everything you need to vomitโฆ
Jam-packed July! If thereโs always lots to do throughout the year, July especially so! Hereโs what weโve found in the wilds of Wiltshire this coming weekโฆ.โฆ
With the danceable penultimate act attracting a packed crowd, I observed a young teenager, who, on spotting a disregarded beer bottle, picked it up andโฆ
By Mick BrianPhotos by cast and arenaphotography William Shakespeareโs tragedy, inspired by real life eleventh century Scottish kings, is well known by anybody thatโs doneโฆ
Well into new year and things are building up again slowly, letโs have a little looky at whatโs going on locally over this coming week, if you fancy going out to beat the January bluesโฆ.
As usual, details and links can be found on our updating event calendar; keep checking for future dates, and, some events for this week will inevitably crop up and I donโt often update them on these articles, only on the calendar.
Wed 11th and I am assuming there will be the regular Acoustic Jam at The Southgate, Devizes. Meanwhile, at the Bell in Bath you can find the Dusk Art Rhythm Quartet.
Thursday 12th is the opening night for Beauty & The Beast, running until the 15th at The Rondo Theatre, Bath. Never too late for a panto!
Mark Farrelly, who you might recall as the creator of Quentin Crisp: Naked Hope, as seen at Devizes Arts Festival last year, has a play at Swindon Arts Centre. Itโs a tribute to Frankie Howerd, called Howerdโs End.
Staying in Swindon, Canuteโs Plastic Army play The Beehive, Swindon, while UK Pink Floyd Experience is at Wyvern.
Friday 13th might be unlucky for some, but not if you like Chicago blues and you live in Devizes. Editorโs Pick of The Week this week takes us to the Long Street Blues Club, where direct from the US of A, Billy Branch presents at night of Chicago Living Legends, Jamiah Rogers, and John Primer.
Suitable for ages 10+, Living Spitโs Puss in Bootsโ More Than A Feline comes to The Neeld in Chippenham, which contains a small amount of strong language and awful puns.
Outrageous comedy at Pound Arts, Corsham with Simon Brodkinโs Screwed Up Tour.
One local band to watch out for, Here Come the Crows, they play the Vic, Swindon, while the Calling Planet Earth show is at the Wyvern, a new romantic symphony that goes on a journey through one of the greatest musical eras of all time, the electrifying 80โs. Obviously, Iโm far too young to remember that!
Oh, and Absolute Bowie at The Cheese & Grain, Frome.
Saturday 14th and youโll find Finley & Mark at The Three Crowns, Devizes, and Celtic folk at The Southgate with the Cooper Creek Band.
The Buttmonkies at Stallards in Trowbridge, Legacy at the Pilot in Melksham.
For alt-rock, Britpop, and a dash of punk, check out Static Moves at The Pelican Inn in Froxfield.
Lauren Housley & Nigel Wearne play Chapel Arts, Bath.
Find His Way- The Frank Sinatra Story at The Neeld, Chippenham.
The Beehive in Swindon has an Open-Deck Vinyl Night, while Sister Sister play The Swiss Chalet, and Martin Kemp DJs an eighties set at MECA, plus, thereโs a Rapport CIC Performance at Swindon Arts Centre called The Suitcase.
Sunday 15th and The Neeld is the company of Charlie Hides with some Comedy Drag Bingo, while Circus of Horrors: Haunted Fairground is at the Wyvern, Swindon.
For Bath-centric folk instrumental, find The Barton Street Regulators at The Bell, Bath.
Monday 16th sees the first instore session at Sound Knowledge, Marlborough, as Rozi Plain comes to play an intimate set.
Riaan Voslooโs Uphill Game play The Bell, Bath.
And Tuesday I got nought, so far, save the first councillorโs surgery at Devizes Town Hall from 6pm, with Devizes Town councillors Chris Gay and Ian Pennington.
Unless I missed anything? Do let us know!
By now you should be thinking about tickets for Bradford Roots Music Festival at Wiltshire Music Centre, Bradford-on-Avon, happening next Saturday 21st, The line-up can be found HERE. Thereโs also The NeeldโsTake The Stage happening next weekend. At the end of the month The Wharf Theatreโs production of Ladies Day, and lots more good, good stuff happening as ever, but youโll only find them all collated and neatly folded together as one on Devizine!
by Ian Diddamsphotos by Richard Fletcher & Lisa Hounsome The concept of historical brutal dictatorships and comedy is not necessarily one that one considers asโฆ
A leopard doesn’t change its spots, and neither does a British Lion. Watch other Devizes pubs change landlord, decor, attractions, and styles. Watch them close,โฆ
Cool, Man Andy Fawthrop Devizes Arts Festivalโs programme continued on Thursday night, and it was time for a little jazz.ย As I often say (apparently)โฆ
A Lunchtime Amuse-Bouche by Andy Fawthrop Devizes Arts Festivalโs programme continued on Thursday afternoon with a lunchtime classical concert in the beautiful surroundings of theโฆ
Happy New Year from Wiltshire’s wackiest what’s-on website. It’s that time again when I waffle on endlessly in hope of summing up an entire year on Devizine. What can I say? It helps me grasp the ups and downs, highlights the things we could’ve done better but most of all, the things that went down well in 2022. And you get to see for yourself, our local area is awash with so many great events, so much great talent, and few things of concernโฆโฆ
Though I’m reserved to the fact, Santa’s good list starts afresh as early as January, so those who deliberately go out of their way to spoil the wellbeing of others and upset public peace will be called out accordingly, regardless of what position of power they might think they hold over others; Santa reads Devizine and Devizine states the facts, fact! See? It just did!
For the most part, though, Devizine is a happy place. If I must pick a favourite article I wrote this year, I’ve chosen an interview with John Petty, the brainchild of Devizesโ legendary event, the Boto-X. But it’s a rare thing for us to be retrospective, most coverage is about the here and now, and there’s so many highlights to mention, advance apologies for waffling!
January, I was still reviewing international music releases, as per-lockdown when we scrambled somewhat in the dark for content. It put me between a rock and hard place, the ol’ melon twister as to what exactly Devizine is; a music review blog, or a site dedicated to local affairs. While it straddled between the two for a while, I made the executive decision that Devizine is, first and foremost, a local affair, for local people, therefore if you’re not local the “things for you here” have been greatly reduced this year, as I’m sworn to dedicate it to the first and foremost.
Not to suggest I didn’t appreciate receiving new tunes from afar, and if I can make a tenacious link to something local, such as bands including a local venue on their tour, I will. The biggest niggle has been time, and time is key to decisions I’ve needed to make with content. As Devizine grows and lockdown is archived to the history books, I get inundated with enough local content to keep me busy, therefore reviewing international music has been put on the back-burner. Though reviewing locally produced music is still something we relish in, please send them in to us.
If I had the time, I’d consider reintroducing it, and in that there’s a reason to brainstorm how I balance my in-tray with working full-time and spending quality time with the family.
Part of this begun end of last year, when Christmas saw my son gain a “gamer’s corner” of our lounge, and to create the space I relocated my PC to my bedroom. At first, I admit I liked the idea, gave me office type space to think, but as the year went on, I realised I was missing family time, upstairs like a hermit. This meant I was either rushing out content fast as I could, or attempting to create content on my phone app, which doesn’t work quite as well. The new year’s resolution, then, is to acquire a shiny new laptop, allowing me to disappear upstairs when I need to concentrate, but create content and update the event calendar far more efficiently while still spending time downstairs with the family.
If I used the term “Devizine Towers” to make you believe we’ve a Trump-like office block, employing staff in various departments, (mostly in the complaints department) it was a big fat fib for humorous effect. But you’re no fool, I guess you knew this anyway.
Fact is, Devizine is a non-profit labour of love. Though this notion hasn’t put more folk off contributing and helping to make Devizine comprehensive in coverage. I’m eternally grateful for everyone who has helped in this, from longstanding reporter, Mr Andy Fawthrop, to Ian Diddams, Ben and Vicky, Lorraine, and the few other occasional contributors.
Take the “Devi” bit away, and you’re left with “zine,” and that’s the ethos we run with, a free press, DIY concept without the confines of mainstream publishing; ergo, we can publish whatever we see fit, and anyone and everyone is welcome to submit anything for consideration. This transpires to you all, if you go to a gig, for example, and think “everyone needs to know how fantastic this band are,” please consider jotting down a few words on the subject, snap a couple of wobbly photos on your phone, and send it to us. You don’t need to be Shakespeare, we are not your English teacher, and can even edit any spelling or grammatical mishaps to the best of our ability!
To stats and all that mathematical malarkey. 2021 we received well over double the hits to the site, but to double it again felt a little ambitious. We didn’t achieve it, but we did get 23% above the record-breaking 2021 with a further +18K, so again we’re heading up the right direction, with 100K hits seeming like an achievable target this year. To have achieved this, being I feel I slacked off slightly with supplying regular content sometimes through the year, I think is amazing, and I appreciate everyone who enjoys reading Devizine; thank you all, blinking love yer, group hug!
The best hitting article this year was from May, when immediately after DOCA’s Street Festival, I highlighted all the forthcoming big events coming in Devizes, headlining it “The Big Ones; Forthcoming Summer Events in Devizes.” Strange how, going on the success of this, in December I published a second “Big Ones” piece, this time highlighting on a wider scale, the best large-scale events and festivals locally over the entire 2023, incorporating anything deemed conceivable to travel to from here. But this was not nearly as successful on hits. Pondering why, I must consider we’re Devizes based, ergo content about Devizes seems to get most attention. Start to venture any further than the Lavingtons and that’s foreign soil!
Yeah, I’m aware the name Devizine directly links to Devizes, but I like the name, it’s grounded now, besides, I believe it’s important to let folk from other local areas know, Devizine’s boundaries are flexible, incorporate anywhere conceivable to travel to for an event, so ideally from Salisbury to Swindon, Bath to Marlborough, but hey, like I say, we’re flexible and I’m not going to hold it against you if you live in Newbury!
In fact, even if I often loiter sober, Billy-no-mates fashion, I’ve enjoyed my voyages of discovery outside of D-town most of all. Particularly Swindon Shuffle, MantonFest, Trowbridge Town Hall, Seend Community Centre for The Female of the Species gig, a trip to Aldbourne to see Painted Bird and Deadlight Dance, and especially the fond memory of going on the road to a Portsmouth gig with Talk in Code. It also goes a long way in the introduction of acts from elsewhere, who often find gigs in town after we’ve featured them playing elsewhere, or within an album review.
Fair to point out at this conjunction, our preview of The Party For Life organised Suicide Prevention gig at Melksham Town FC was the second highest hitting article this year, blowing my Devizes-only theory out of the water, and forgoing the best hit articles are often based upon how many people share and re-Tweet social media posts. The organisers of this one was so pleased to get some press coverage, in an area where the mainstream press seem more interested in national headlines and celebrity click-bait tosh, they rarely support local affairs, especially in entertainment.
This is what gives me the motivation to continue with Devizine, despite some criticism of a completely fictional political sway, or knickers twisted from the few we’ve had to call out the behaviour of. To know we’re appreciated, to hear stories of how we helped, be it a venue finding a band, or visa-versa, or a charity able to reach out, these things are what keeps our spirits up.
Feel-good articles, you know? That’s the ticket, so when young local actress Jess Self won Vernon Kay’s Talent Nation in November, people flocked to our coverage, making it our third best-hitting article this year. These bring the person(s) of the subject delight and joy, and that’s really what it’s all about, smiles on faces, people, smiles all round.
And given this, I really don’t understand why some people want to criticise us, ban us from their petty, clique social media groups, but they will, and that’s life. I got a name for them, I won’t spell it out here today; smiles on faces, remember?!
The fourth best-hit article of the year was a 30th anniversary piece on the Castlemorton free rave, a personal reflection on the historic event and the impact it had on society. But more importantly should be local current affairs, and when we broke the story of pollution in the water of The Crammer Pond in Devizes, well that became our fifth best hitter. Sadly, I really thought we’d made an impact here, and plans were afoot to address the unsuitability of the pond for wildlife and what can be done to rectify it by the town council.
Unfortunately, the issue has raised its ugly head again after the death of some wildfowl during December’s freezing conditions, of which bird flu was blamed but never proven. Nevertheless, no bird has died since a rise in temperature, bird flu is being used to politically point score and to suit other agendas by the powers that be. Is there nothing off limits to boost their egos, not even the deaths of wild animals?
Apparently not, as we continue to assist in campaigns against animal cruelty, especially of blood sports, the badger cull, and expose the trial hunt as the smokescreen it is. So, not only did we cover Lacock’s violence at Boxing Day perpetrated by the Avon Vale Hunt, when it came to light, the single police officer was a member of the hunt and did little to keep the peace, but other suspicious factors too, such as the proposed closure of Savernake Forest. Allowing only for a few set paths to be accessible around the Postern Hill site, environmental benefits to the forest were used in excuse, but residents were suspicious it’d give game hunters unrestricted access without the watchful eye of ramblers.
I cover these issues because I believe in them, and we don’t see enough being done to tackle the issues in, not only other local media sources, but within Wiltshire Police too, who’s fall into special measures surely proves what we’ve always said; the bogus re-election of a PCC in order to sustain totalitarianism for the Conservative Party has resulted in a candidate completely unsuitable for the role, a lack of motivation within the force, and people’s conviction in the Police in general.
I strive to wish to help any such organisations, to illustrate what they are doing to improve, should they wish to, but if it’s fluff they seek, they’re in the wrong place. Our services, our schools and charities are suffering from the incompetence of an uncaring government, we continue the fight for the everyman. That is not political sway, that’s common sense.
We will be reporting the facts of the Crammer debate as opinion pieces here, if you disagree that’s no issue, we won’t hold it against you, for it’s a close one to call. Much less certain councillors have decided their way or the highway. Okay, whatever hidden agendas lie there, but if you convince others to take matters into their own hands, resulting in children being harassed and verbally abused simply for feeding ducks, what have we become, blindly taking the word of someone with a popular Facebook page?!! Well, more’s the pity for them when I call them out on it.
On a happier note, sixth most popular article announced; George Ezra coming to Trowbridge, in what must’ve been the highlight of many young faces in our area. The response was overwhelming, and special thanks goes to Roger of Sound Knowledge, Marlborough and Kieran Moore of Sheer Music for making that happen. Bringing a top act like this to our area, without the need of an extortionate price, or ticket stub of festival proportions, allowing children and teenagers to catch a glimpse of live music by an inspiring popular act like Ezra was nothing short of miraculous, and I had a great time too!!
Something which doesn’t bother me as much as it seems to for a majority, the news DOCA have reset the date of Devizes carnival to the traditional date to the 2nd September was our 7th most popular article. MantonFest revealing their 2022 line-up came 8th, and what a brilliant festival it was, tickets for this year’s are on sale now, though I’ve procrastinated on a preview for the line-up, save inclusion on our aforementioned “Big Ones” article. Something we’re sure to knock up as soon as, because 2023โs line-up sounds equally as great.
From a proposal raised at a Devizes Town Council meeting by national organisers, the idea of a Devizes Cheese & Chilli Festival proved popular, being our 9th most popular article of 2022. Though, did this ever actually happen?! I certainly don’t recall hearing any more about it. Fact is though, Devizes already has our regular Devizes Food & Drink Festival, and that is well-established and as popular as ever. Dates for this year are to be confirmed, cheese and chilli I’m sure will be included, all you must do is support it.
The 10th most popular article of 2022 was concerned with Wax Palace, who held an officially licensed “rave festival” near Erlestoke. Much to the preconceptions of locals concerned, we spoke to organiser Harry, the man who ingeniously got a rave approved by Wiltshire Council, but when chatting to him it became clear how he managed it.
After this the sheer mountain of content we published continued, the day-to-day reviews of nights down our favourite venues, the concerns of public interest, and some silliness to boot! Though I must say, our cheeky, satirical pieces I’ve laid off from recently; must try harder!
Always popular, though not as previous years, like the very notion a McDonald’s would come to Devizes, was our essential April Fools joke. Our 11th most popular article this year, when I suggested Devizes Market Place will be pedestrianised; oh, the very thought of environmental progression angered gammons from afar, but seriously struck a chord with campaigners like Sustainable Devizes, and when you think about it, might yet be an environmentally sensible solution.
Yet, last year I struggled with an April Fools joke, while previous years were founded long before the date, I’m pleased to whisper to those brave enough to have read this far, I’ve already got a killer for this year, and it came to me immediately after All Fools Day 2022. On this though, no one seemed to have noticed the service road on my diagram was deliberately shaped like a small penis; a gag failed, maybe because clearly, none of you own a small penis!
But what of the importance of stats and popularity against our own personal enjoyment of attending events and giving our tuppence on them? Speaking to Andy about what we should or shouldn’t attend, I stressed, as we’re far from professional here, our focus should be on enjoying ourselves rather than seeing ourselves as pro-journalists, having to cover events we might not enjoy. Our objective therefore is surely to enjoy ourselves foremost; so, mine is a pint of scrumpy when you see me, cheers! Excuse the wobbly photos, we should view this as enjoyable or it’s not worth doing.
Taxing Andy’s superior mind for his most memorable events of 2022, off the top of his head, and in no particular order, he suggested: when Tankus The Henge played Devizes Arts Festival, and the Darius Brubeck Quartet too. Longcroft’s Lachy Doley gig in December, and Jazz Sabbath in November. Long Street Blues Club also features understandably high in his hitlist, noting April’s Carl Palmer,Skinny Molly, and March’s Soft Machine gigs. For me, both the Birdmen and the Errol Linton Band were my most memorable nights at Long Street, up skanking with the town councillor! Our gratitude to Ian and Liz for perhaps the most interesting and diverse programme at Long Street, ever!
As for Devizes Arts Festival, Andy became part of the furniture there, not missing a gig. I, on the other hand, skived, apologise profusely, and regret it too. Although, to catch Baila La Cumbia, or simply to have cumbia in Devizes was something I couldn’t miss, and must be one of my favourite gigs of 2022. That said, on my venturing out of Devizes note, I was welcomed over to Calne for their Arts Festival, to see one my new favourite things after fondly reviewing their debut album, and that is Concrete Prairie, who I’m glad to say, come to the Southgate on Saturday 25th March, do not miss it.
On our dependable Southgate, there’s too much to type about, again proving itself for another year to be the stalwart in providing regular live music, and simply for being such a fantastic watering hole. Andy notes the first Sunday of the month residences of Jon Amor, and I cannot possibly argue against this, reviewed them too, and even Ian Diddams stepped in to write his take on it.
Though despite working his little socks off at the Stealth bar, Andy was also quick to mention the Full-Tone Festival, which goes without saying. Such a marvellous annual event on our calendar, we had a fantastic time Full-Tone, thank you. Think classical festival, I’ll give you, but with Kirsty Clinch breezing the sunny Sunday vibes with her brand of pop-folk, or James Threlfall up there on the wheels of steel, how can we possibly now marginalise this? It’s incorporating everything, aside their love of classical, to the point the only part of the word classical we need to sum it up with is the beginning part; class.
Image: Gail Foster
Image: Simon Folkard
Time for tiny niggle, then, for Full-Tone comes at a price, a price you’ll see where your money goes should you attend, but with this in mind, the most fantastic event in Devizes must remain as the free-for-all DOCA Street Festival. This year I took a taster in volunteering to help, and consequently saw how much hard work goes into putting this on. All this said, I still partied, cider in one hand, clearing the bins in the other! And must say, throughout the wealth of talent present, the circus acts, and musical activities, which are too many to mention here, Mr Tea and the Minions rocked my world, and Loz’s farewell gift to Devizes, the Ceres display by Bassline Circus, was nothing short of the most breath-taking, inspiring, and apt thing I’ve EVER seen happen in Devizes.
Image Simon Folkard
But Devizes has seen the most amazing year for entertainment events in general, post lockdown, we are celebrating big stylee! Just think, I’ve written all this without even mentioning CAMRA’s Devizes Beer and Cider Festival yet, and that was phenomenal this year. With Ben and Vicky taking on the music task, they did a spectator job, Dr Zebo’s, I give you, Vince Bell giving it “you ain’t ever leaving,” and why would we? With Triple JDโs Hendrix-fashioned brilliance, followed by a reggae jam with Knati P and Nick; wowzers! Yes, it was so good I did fall into the flowerbed; thanks to my rescuers!
And while Wadworth gave us a free mini-fest, supporting local acts like Ben Borrill and The Roughcuts, Ruzz Guitar and the gang rocked Saddleback, which after a plethora of acts from Derby, turned into a full-scale dance event for an apt charitable cause. And The Crown at Bishop’s Cannings pulled out all the stops, giving us the inaugural CrownFest, something so utterly spectacular, I shit you not, Freddie Mercury mingled with the crowd!
Outside our area, I did MantonFest, which was a beauty, and later witnessed a Noddy-a-like yell “it’s Christmassss” at Marlborough College, while trips to Trowbridge Town Hall blessed me with meeting Gecko, and The Scribes, and wow, if Professor Elemental didn’t host a fantastic night with Boom Boom Racoon and The Real Cheesemakers. Nights I’ll never forget.
To bring hip hop to Trowvegas is one thing, to do it in Devizes is another, and though I sadly missed James Threlfall’s BBC Introducing night at the Muck and Dunder, I tip my straw hat to the rum bar, not just for presenting diversity to Devizes’ music events, but doing it in such style it bought the house down. I am, of course referring to the incredible Scribes visiting us in November, wow, that was a pina colada level of cool!
As far back as February, People Like Us played a packed Three Crowns in Devizes, affirming the pub’s reputation as a firm player on our live music scene. It’s always a great night, universally welcoming. Thinking back to The Roughcut Rebels playing a blinder one summery August, to the point, I’m basing my birthday down there on 4th March. Free to all, just turn up, we’ve hopefully some acoustic music in the afternoon followed by Talk in Code and the Ruzz Guitar Trio.
There’s just so much great, great stuff which happened last year, apologies if I missed mentioning your favourite bit, the article is going to epic proportions now and I need to put a cork in it. I just get so excited noting all these great happenings, it gives me great pleasure to be the happy chappy who helps to inform you about them.
I mean, look, I’ve not even mentioned our fabulous Wharf Theatre yet, who I’m delighted to really touch base with this year, and be invited to dress rehearsals, so we can get our views out on the performances prior to you delving into your purse for. Andy, Ian, and myself have given you the lowdown on TITCO’s The Dinner Party, Picnic at Hanging Rock, Hedda Gabler, Lovesong, but my favourite most was when Georgina Claridge played a Dorothy-type character in a most thoughtful, homemade children’s play by Helen Langford, calledThe World Under the Wood. We love the Wharf!
It was a shame to have to report how popular local Facebook group, Devizes Issues, administered by Tory town councillor Iain Wallis has seen it fit to block and ban Devizine for absolutely no given reason, as it has done with many individuals and even a local Covid support group. Nothing to do with a failed, laughable attempt to set up their own what’s on guide, (which only includes town council organised events,) no, of course not! It seems to enjoy regular culls of anyone who holds an alternative opinion to those of the admin’s, despite inviting members to participate in political debate on both local and national scales. So be it, we’re not looking back… the GB News of Devizes!!
We haven’t banned anyone from our social media pages, you can still enjoy the apolitical Devizine whatever side of the fence you sit on. We are an entertainment events and what’s on guide, ergo, there’s no need to include our personal political views, so we don’t. Why some think we should or shouldnโt do are shit stirrers from both sides, and we don’t play ball with shit stirrers. If you think different that’s your own issue, seek a doctor’s advice, not mine!
What a shame, that had to be said, but I feel it did. I’m not going out like that! For the most part Devizine continues to be the Time Out of Wiltshire, and I’m proud of this, and I’m eternally grateful to everyone who supports it. So, here’s to 2023, hoping it will be as good as last year, hoping we’ll get to cover more of it, be as comprehensive as possible, to not rise to witch hunts against us, and be the go-to website for the free-thinking local.
I urge you to tell us your story, inform us of your events, give us the scoops to cover, tell us about your talented family member, tell us about a niggly issue in need of exposure. Yeah, you can rant on Facebook or Twitter, but you won’t get the same level of attention, we are here to shake up the area, we are here to bring you the news on how great-a-place this is. If this means we’re the black sheep because we refuse to comply, so be it.
Devizine for 2023, I say, though I would, wouldnโt I?! We want to host some events too, btw, we want to raise some funds for charities, and we want to have a good time doing it! Do not get in our way of this simple ethos, with your pathetic and frankly perverse urge to kiss arse!
What better time than when the temperature drops like a sack of potatoes on official potato sack dropping day, to think about next year and all the fun you can have without having to trek over mountainous landscapes or oceans?Sometimes even with your clothes on!
So, without further ado, letโs take a sneaky peek at some of the many festivals and large events happening around these supposed “cultureless backwaters” in 2023, and I think itโll put any critics on their assโฆโฆ
It should be noted this list in far from comprehensive, and many other events will surely come to our attention, ensure youโve message us with your events we mayโve missed. Meanwhile, some of our favourite regular events have yet to secure a date. As soon as they do, we will add them to our event calendar, and slot them into place on this here article too.
No dates set yet for Trowbridge Festival, Devizes Arts Festival, and Swindon Pride, among others, but we suspect theyโll announce soon; watch this space. But what we do know is thisโฆโฆ
Now, before we headlong into the summer months, some folks are like polar bears and do not allow winter to spoil their party, so letโs kick this off in January. Donโt let me sound like your mum, but take a warm coat!
January
21st January: Bradford Roots Music Festival
A stable and reliable indoor multi-day event at the ever-busy Wiltshire Music Centre in Bradford-on-Avon, where you can find a series of events, showcasing the very best of local talent. Expect folk, jazz, indie and, of course, roots music, combined with crafty local beverages and delicious food offerings for the ultimate celebration of this iconic community festival. Last year the festivities were broadcasted online too for the first time, and we assume this will happen again this time. Details are HERE.
28th January: Winterfest Clevedon
Perhaps a little early for a trip to the seaside, but WinterFest in Clevedon offers sixteen bands over two stages at The Salthouse. Line-up is a whoโs-who of local Bristol-based talent: Adam & The Hellcats, The Shucks, Mr Zippy, Louis Stone Band, Captain Zero, Mireille Mathlener, Eddie Mole Band, Ragz, The Black Museum, Sophie & The Sticks, Magpie 22, Telhalla, Billy Driscoll, MJ Reynolds, and Drew Bryant.
Bowled over by boasting all this, they however neglected to give any tickets details! But we know previous years hasnโt cost much over a fiver, habitually on the door, and is usually charity fundraising. Info HERE.
February
3rd-5th February: Incider Festival (Weston-Super-Mare)
Staying west coast, this one is dangerously entertaining, and fuelled by cider! A trio of days indoors at Sand Bay Holiday Village near Weston-Super-Mare. Starting at ยฃ159 per person with no booking fees, your ticket includes chalet accommodation, meals, live music, entertainment, and leisure facilities; all you need to bring is a towel, a big smile and money for the bar!
To put things into perspective, the festival states these strict rules: No tribute bands. No X-Factor. No Carling lager. No tossers! Which should give you a vauge indication of what to expect! Tickets on sale now.
18th February: Festival of Winter Ales (Devizes)
DOCA in association with Stealth Brewery kick off 2023โs Devizes event calendar with this regular beauty. The Festival of Winter Ales is essential fundraising for DOCA, but what is more, itโs a whole lot of drinking fun with entertainment and a more types of beer and cider than you could sensibly test them all; but who said anything about sensible, you can least try! Our roving reporter Andy might be able to shed some light on the line-up, he has leaked that Alex Roberts will be present for the afternoon, and the fantastic Dr Zeboโs Wheezy Club for the evening session, and thatโs all I got for now!
Two sessions running on the Saturday, first from 11am-5pm, and later from 5:30-11pm, at The Corn Exchange, Devizes. Tickets on sale now.
March
Iโve got nothing yet for March, what the heck is wrong with March?! But I will be celebrating my 50th at the Three Crowns, Devizes on March 4th and hope you can come to that? Talk in Code, Ruzz Guitar Trio, Ben Borrill and hopefully and few other special guests will be coming, they might even give us a tune or two! Itโs free but I plan to have a whip round for a chosen charity, so bring your purse; yes, the pink one.
April
15th April: Swindon Jazz & Soul Festival
The Jazz Knights return for their 3rd year of the Swindon Jazz & Soul Festival at the Christ Church in Old Town, the venue with undoubtedly the best acoustics in Swindon. Not much more to go on this for now, other than there maybe some extra days around the weekend added, but for now, itโs the Saturday only. More info to follow, hereโs the Jazz Knights website.
May
1st-7th May: Swindon Festival of Literature
At thirty years strong, plans are now underway for the next live in-person Swindon Festival of Literature. If you have any authors or speakers you would like to recommend, please get in touch with them HERE.
12th-21st May: Bath Festival
From books to music, Bath Festival is the cityโs long-established gem. Sign up for their newsletter to find out more, HERE.
25th-28th May: Shindig Festival (Ilminster)
The dance music Mecca, Shindig is set in the posh grounds of the Dillington Estate in Somerset and while looks too good to be true, is well-established and known for its reliability. As well as camping and glamping, you can, at a price, stay in the plush hotel, and Shindig has an inspiring childrenโs program. Tickets are on sale, hurry, HERE.
26th-29th May: Chippenham Folk Festival
Early bird tickets are on sale for Chippenhamโs gem in folk music. The High Street is engulfed in a sea of colour and sound. Dance Sides, representing traditional styles from the UK and beyond, perform at key points around the high street and the main festival site at Island Park. Sides can also be found dancing and singing in the local pubs, as well as showcases on three public stages around Island Park. Open to the Public is a craft tent showcasing traditional crafts, hand produced wares and tasty treats from fudge to mead, also a music fair and many varied food stalls.
Those wanting a more participative festival experience can immerse themselves in tune and song sessions, both programmed and spontaneous, across the towns pubs. Beside the towns historic Butter Cross an outdoor ceilidh takes place each lunch time.
Inside more formal festival venues there are over 200 events. These allow ticket holders to plan a weekend to suit their own tastes. To soak in the sounds at the concerts, perform in club style events, develop skills in a vast array of workshops or stomp, twirl, and swing into the night with a choice of ceilidh, contra, and folk-dance eventsโฆ. sound good? Itโs just up the road! HERE.
27th-28th May: Devizes International Street Festival
The best day in Devizes, fact! DOCAโs International Street Festival is a double-day of music, street theatre, food, and drink, and itโs all free! The Market Place and all around it becomes a colourful festival; be rude not toโฆ. go HERE
June
17th June: Test Fest (Taunton)
Taunton Rugby Club plays host to a one-day music festival, fundraising for It’s in the Bag Testicular Cancer Support, and offers great music, good food, beer, children’s activities and a silent disco. Details HERE.
21st-25th June: Glastonbury Festival
Elton John headlines the Saturday night at unarguably the worldโs most historic festival, only across the county border. Need I say more about this one?!
24th June: Melksham Pride
Plans still underway for Melkshamโs second Pride, but to mark it your diary will be good enough for now. HERE.
30th June-2nd July: Minety Music Festival (nr Malmesbury)
This renowed festival continues to go from strength-to-strength. Tickets are up for grabs already, and theyโre boasting Owen Paul, Reef, Dodgy, EMF and locally based legends such as Gaz Brookfield, The Dirty Smooth, Rave Against the Regime, Talk in Code, Will Lawton & The Alchemists and too many more to list. Not been myself, but everything I hear about Minety tells me to make the effort! Tickets out now, HERE.
July
1st July: Mantonfest (Marlborough)
This is one which should be on everyoneโs agenda, itโs quaint and simple but effective and fun. If Marlborough was a festival, this would be it! A friendly vibe with a vast demographic, it is the gem on Marlboroughโs event calendar. Rolling Stones Now tribute headline, with James Oliver, Madness tribute Badness and of course, the constant jewel of MantonFest, Barrelhouse. I love it there, and I say, do this one if nothing else!! Tickets and Info HERE.
1st July: Devizes Beer & Cider Festival
In its 22nd year, The Devizes Beer & Cider Festival is the stable must-do for everyone in Devizes, because they all love beer! Spoiled for choice, hundreds of brands of real ale and cider, and the dependable music program which supports our local scene; Iโm there already in my mind! HERE.
6th-9th July: Nass Festival (Shepton Mallet)
If Shepton Mallet was never a hip hop capital, it is now. Nass is all about high energy stuff; skating, BMX, street art and an urban musical line-up, including the Wu-Tang Clan, there to celebrate their 30th anniversary. Thereโs camping, and tickets are up for grabs now, HERE.
8th July: CrownFest (Bishops Cannings)
Terrible poster, great event! To list here every local pub which puts a man with a guitar in a gazebo, flogs some manky hotdogs and tries passing it off as a festival would be insanely unfair on those who really makes an effort, and last yearโs inaugural CrownFest was one of them, one of the best of them; it was top notch. With proper-job stage and pyrotechnics, lots of food choices and kidsโ entertainment, camping and generally all-round good vibes, this has bags of potential for a second year.
8th July sets the date for 2023, at thirty quid, tickets will go on sale from 3rd January, and camping is ยฃ15 extra. Itโs all rather tribute top-heavy with Bob Marley & The Wailers, Abba and Tina Turner tributes, with Capโn Rastyโs Skiffle City Rockers, Junkyard Dogs, and The Leon Daye Band. Thereโs me contemplating a few more original local acts would better suit, but thatโs just my personal preference, itโs a good day out nonetheless.
8th & 9th July: Chippenham Food & Drink Festival
Double-day food and drink festival at Monkton Park, Chippenham, bringing some of the best chefs, wine tasting and talks, craft beer and cider, live music, childrenโs entertainment (kids go free,) and cheese masterclasses; tickets are going like hot cakes, HERE!
15th-16th July: Market Lavington Vintage Meet
This ever-popular family fun event in aid of Wiltshire Air Ambulance and local community projects will have displays of vintage and classic cars/vans/motorcycles/commercial and tractors, military vehicles, stationary engines, miniature & full-size steam engines and miniature train for kids to ride on.
Several car clubs will be having club stands. Wiltshire Air Ambulance fund raising team will be there as well as Wiltshire Police and Wiltshire Wildlife Trust. Thereโs a static display of birds of prey from K&H Falconry, who will also be doing a flying demonstration in the arena on both days. There will be gun dog demonstrations in the arena from BASC. A fun dog show will take place in the arena on Sunday followed by the popular tug of war competition. There will be numerous trade and craft stalls as well as demonstrations & collectables. Several catering outlets will provide a delicious range of food and Botanico bars will be providing beer, wines and spirits from their converted classic 1976 VW bay window camper van. Children’s entertainment will be a bouncy castle, swing carousel, fun house. Organisers have again applied to the RAF for a flypast by aircraft from the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight and the Red Arrows.
22nd July: My Dad’s Bigger Than Your Dad (Swindon)
The inaugural Swindon Shuffle organised one day music festival at the Old Town Bowl, in tribute to Swindonโs premier music promoter, Dave Young, and raising money for Swindon’s Prospect Hospice was heralded legendary last year, and though few details have been released to-date for 2023, Iโll guarantee you right now, this one will be very worthy or your attention. Backing the very best of our local music scene, My Dad’s Bigger Than Your Dadโs tickets are up for grabs now, HERE.
22nd July: Marlborough Festival
If Marlborough has scrambled somewhat in the dark since the closure of its historic Jazz Festival, Marlborough Rising set to replace it but phased out, this year we see a new kid on the block, simply titled โMarlborough Festival;โ why not?!
This inaugural one dayer takes place at Marlborough Town Hall, where they outline the plans for a community Music & Arts festival in 2023 and beyond. Suggestions welcome, but it already offers guest speakers, live music from Romeo Stodart of The Magic Numbers, a champagne reception with food from Rick Stein, Tipi Tapa and Pieโs Pies. Tickets are ยฃ30 each, available from Sound Knowledge, The Lamb, and HERE.
27th-30th July: Womad (Malmesbury)
Pricey, but you get what you pay for, and this is nothing short of legendary. This most diverse, world music extravaganza is on our doorstep, and attracts people worldwide. How they are coping with post Brexit visa issues will no doubt add to the ticket stub, but this magical festival really speaks for itself. If you can, do it, and report back to me, if nothing more than to make me jealous! Tickets not on sale yet, but HERE is the link where you can add your name to the mailing list.
27th-30th July: Camp Bestival (Lulworth, Dorset)
Se in two locations, the other in Shropshire, the Jurassic Dorset coast is within reach for us, and this one also speaks for itself. Tickets up for grabs now, HERE.
28th-29th July: Mfor Festival, Lydiard Park (Swindon)
Postponed from last yearโs cancelled festival, this pop-based festival at Lydiard Park has been cancelled again, claiming the next one will be July 2024. Unless you apply for a refund your ticket will automatically be transferred to the 2024 dateโฆ. this is including the already transferred tickets from this year! With this track record Iโd be asking for a refund if I was you, rather than hope and pray your 2022 tickets will see you into a festival two years too late. It is a shame, but it also sticks as a warning to festival-goers; be vigilant in where you splash your festival budget. The other side of the coin says advance ticket buyers are essential for organisers to make ends meet, and without them it risks the future of the event; a double-edged sword. All enquiries should be directed to info@mforfestival.co.uk
28th-30th July: Devizes Scooter Rally
If Mfor was the only local large event we currently know of clashing with Devizes Scooter Rally, its cancellation might be Devizes Scooter Clubโs advantage, not that the clientele rests in similar genres. The Devizes Scooter Rally is nuts and bolts modest, retrospective goodness of the mod, skinhead and scooterist variety. Though for some itโs a niche theyโre prepared to trek the country to attend, on their hairdryers, one thing which separates this from other scooter rallies is its continued devotion to attracting and catering for locals with only a passing interest too. That is why I will sing its praises, plus for two other simple facts; itโs affordable and wonโt leave you feeling ripped off, and after two previous years it is surprisingly reliable, for a bunch of skins!
Look, see what I mean, early bird weekend passes include camping, and thatโs a snip at ยฃ25.00, but a weekend pass anyway is only ยฃ30. There are also day passes for half-price, and a Saturday day pass is only a fiver. Live music from ska legends Orange Street, who were the highlight of their inaugural rally in 2019, Sharp Class, The Butterfly Collective, and local ska covers from Killertones. DJs also play a large part of the scene, and Fenton, Big Phil and Phil Seymour spin the tunes ahead of Northern Soul legendary DJ Terry Hendrick. The Devizes Scooter Club work tirelessly to bring us this annual event, and itโs worth every penny. Tickets HERE.
August
3rd-7th August: Wilderness Festival (Chipping Norton)
Complete change of scene now from our Devizes mods, Wilderness is a four-day boutique festival spanning music, the arts, food, and wellbeing, all set amidst the idyllic surroundings of Cornbury Park, near Chipping Norton. The Chemical Brothers, Christine and The Queens, Fatboy Slim, Sugababes, Confidence Man and Pip Millett are amoung the hefty line-up. Iโm in dark on this one, but it looks rather special, in a hippy-love freakout kinda fashion; have I got time to grow and beard and buy a straw hat? Tickets on sale now, HERE.
25th-27th August: Reading Festival
Reading festival, the younger man with tighter jeans and high-topsโ Glasto! Say no more, itโs fairly local, itโs grounded in historic legend, perhaps only overshadowed by Glastonbury itself. I could research the line-up but being honest, I think youโre like me, and too old to know any of them!
Okay, just in case youโre not, Billie Eilish, Sam Fender, Foals, The Killers, Imagine Dragons and Lewis Capaldi headline; lucky tickets HERE.
26th-27th August: FullTone Festival (Devizes)
Not much to go on yet, but early bird tickets are up for grabs for Devizesโ third orchestral merges with pop extravaganza. On the Green, as usual, The Full Tone Orchestraโs homecoming plans to serve up six amazing sets from Proms to Iconic Themes from TV and Film, Huge Dance Anthems, Big Band, Massive Great Big Musical Theatre and The Absolute Best of Elton John. Plus, of course guests which are to be confirmed. Though I know a secret which Jemma might tell me off for breaking, so Iโll keep it under my hat, for now, but it will be something to look forward to, trust me!
Sunday of the bank holiday is also the regular date of another great shindig which sells out faster than it takes to drive there from Devizes, just down the road in Potterne. The Potterne Festival, not called “PotFest,” or it might have different connotations, organised by Potterne Cricket Club, is a regular mini-festival which punches above its weight. Details to follow on this, but see HERE for updates.
31st August-3rd September: End of the Road Festival (Blandford)
End of The Road Festival is located at Larmer Tree Gardens, near Blandford, in Dorset. Line-up yet to be announced, but it offers as much alternative shows as well as music, from comedy, talks and films to literature and healing workshops. Seems like a great all-rounder. Get in quick though, this sells out fast. HERE.
September
10th-17th September: Pewsey Carnival
Weโd surely be here all night if I was to list every local town and village carnival, but Pewseyโs is different, for a week it is Wiltshireโs Rio de Janeiro! Okay, usually a chilly Rio de Janeiro, but a Rio de Janeiro all the same. The marvellous things about it is the simple notion that everyone comes out to enjoy it, and truly is historically our countyโs most widely renowned carnival, so put it in your diary and Iโll see you feeling sorry for yourself in the Cooperโs field come September! HERE.
14th-17th September: Swindon Shuffle (Swindon)
Swindon is the place to head this weekend, if you wish to worship our local music scene. The Shuffle is free, supplies multiple gigs in all of Old Townโs pub venues, and raises vital funds for Prospect House. No details yet, though it offers no headliners, no hierarchy, just the very best of local live music; just another to stick firmly in your diary. HERE.
23rd September -1st October: Devizes Food & Drink Festival
Always with a packed program to fill your bellies, Devizes Food & Drink Festival is a stalwart for foodies. Details of this year’s festival are yet to be announced, stay in touch with them by signing up for their newsletter HERE.
23rd September- 2nd October: Bath Childrenโs Literature Festival
From Bath Festival comes a second event, just for your little bookworms. This is grounded in absolute top-notch guest authors, and no doubt will be no different this time. More info HERE.
28th September- 1st November: Marlborough Literature Festival
Pam Ayres has been rescheduled from the pandemic year, and goes to show just how prestigious the Marlborough Literature Festival has become. Check the link for info and the brochure, and where to get some tickets.
October
14th October: Swindon Ska Fest
A new one from last year, I believe, though The Moonrakers Inn in Swindon has always hosted the best local ska bands. This sees The Killertones, The Corsairs UK, The Bee-Skas, Skaโd For Life, and Sister Sister, an Amy Winehouse tribute from Caroline Lowe and DJ Dave Clark. This is a Specialized project, fundraising for various charities, including the Teenage Cancer Trust, and wait for it, tickets, on sale soon, are only a fiver; pick em up, pick em up, HERE.
Do not take this list as exhaustive, though it might make for exhausting reading! But for now, that’s all folks! Updates will be added, when details of more large events are released, so bookmark the page, or pay attention to our event calendar. Letโs make 2023 a real belter!
Masterclass by Andy Fawthrop Devizes Arts Festivalโs programme continued last night, and it was the turn of another big name to grace the stage ofโฆ
Over the coming weeks I’m having cuppas with candidates of the Melksham-Devizes constituency crazy enough to indulge my political ignorance and endure my inane waffling;โฆ
World Class Piano by Andy Fawthrop And, following a lively few days of varied events over this last weekend, weโre now into Devizes Arts Festivalโsโฆ
Seven-piece sui generis ensemble The Cable Street Collective were everything I expected them to be last night at The Corn Exchange; another impressive booking forโฆ
As if the FullTone Festival isnโt exciting enough for Devizes, the Town Council has allowed them an extra day, on the Friday 26th Julyโฆ.. Seeingโฆ
Andy Fawthrop Itโs All In The Genes Today Devizes Arts Festival presentation took on a more serious and talkative tone with another marquee signing takingโฆ
The first gig and club night by Devizes Youth Action Group exclusively for secondary school aged youth in Devizes back in February was hugely successful,โฆ
Hereโs what weโve found to do in the wilds of Wiltshire this coming week. Donโt forget your sunscreen and a nice party umbrella! Everything listedโฆ
Have you had โthe visitโ yet? Your local councillor house-calling hand-in-hand with Conservative candidate Michelle Donelan? I have. At least it broke up my busyโฆ
If the opening Friday evening of Devizes Arts Festival was amazing for lively pirate-punk craziness, Saturday night was too for precisely opposite reasons. Bristol’s soulstressโฆ
With a rolling hook in the chorus, piano riff over acoustic guitar and a heartfelt narrative, hereโs a promising debut single from Salisburyโs young singer-songwriterโฆ
Land ahoy me hearties! Devizes Corn Exchange was boarded last night by Cornish punk pirates Jolly Roger, for a frivolous and swashbuckling opening to Devizesโฆ
What is this life if, full of jostle, we have no time to stand and waffle? A truckload of stuff to do this coming week, donโt let me ramble on pointlessly, you know how it works, more info and links can be found on our event calendar, HERE.
Sustainable Devizesโ Advent{ure} Reuse Christmas continues at The Little Green, Devizes, and runs until Christmas Eve. Little Red Riding Hood continues at the Wharf, but alas, is sold out.
Tuesday 13th there will be beer & carols at The Southgate, Devizes, and some Christmas Memories at Melksham Assembly Hall.
Wednesday 14th and itโs the regular Acoustic Jam at The Southgate, Devizes. Also, a lunchtime harp recital by Lise Vandermissen at Pound Arts, Corsham, and the regular Chuckles Comedy Club at Meca, Swindon.
Thursday 15th and Kairo Beats, Chloe Hepburn and PX do the Tuppeny, Swindon, while Christmas by Candlelight is happening at Meca.
Friday 16thsees the Butch Hopkins Memorial Gig at The Corn Exchange, Devizes.
Humdinger play The Cooperโs Arms, Pewsey.
80s-90s Christmas Party at Melksham Assembly Hall.
Highly recommended Monkey Bizzle play The Three Horseshoes, Bradford-on-Avon, while youโll find Bluesoul at The Boathouse, and Swinging at the Cotton Club at Wiltshire Music Centre, after a related swing dance workshop.
Thereโs a Rockinโ & Swinginโ Evening at Chapel Arts, Bath.
Over in Swindon, find Barrelhouse at The Queenโs Tap, Bublรฉ at Christmas is happening at Meca, but donโt get over excited, Bublรฉ fans, heโs not there, rather itโs some of the countryโs top musicians celebrating the music, the arrangements, and the tours that the man himself has made so successfulโฆ. apparently!
The Sweet play the Cheese & Grain, Frome, with Abba tribute SOS at the Tree House.
Saturday 17thand itโs Lego club at Chippenham Library from 3-4pm.
Christmas in the Park at Hillworth Park, Devizes, though tickets to see Father Christmas are sold out now. Sustainable Devizes will be at St James for a toy and book swap (details) until 2pm. The Corn Exchange has the Devizes Christmas Vegan Fair.
Near sold out, itโs everyoneโs favourite soprano, Chloe Jordan, who is at Devizes Town Hall with a Classic Christmas concert in aid of Wiltshire Air Ambulance. Devizes Community Choir are at St Johns, for a Big Sing Christmas Concert in aid of Dorothy House and Open-Doors. Highly recommended, Dr Zeebos Wheezy Club play The Southgate.
Editorโs Pick of the Week
Itโs Chrrriissssssmmmasss at Marlborough Memorial Hall, when MantonFest hosts a Christmas Concert with Slade tribute Slyde, and naturally, the fantastic Barrelhouse. Despite all the amazing stuff going on this weekend, itโs not Christmas until Noddy, or least a Noddy-a-like calls it, so Iโm thinking this should be Editorโs Pick of the Week.
Meanwhile, Pete Lambโs Heartbeats play Woodborough Social Clubโs Christmas Dance, and throw in a free ploughmanโs lunch on the deal!
In the Sham, the Assembly Hall has The Rock-A-Toons for a Melksham Rock N Roll Club dance, and The Beverley May Band plays The Milk Churn.
Double-header at The Lamb, Trowbridge with Lucky Number Seven & The Foundations. John Kirkpatrickโs Carolling & Crumpets at Pound Arts, Corsham. Itโs The Most Wonderful Time of The Year show at Chapel Arts, Bath.
Danny and the Randoms do The Swiss Chalet in Swindon, while itโs the annual 12 Bands of Christmas at The Vic, and the Tuppeny has a DJ set from Random Rules, โIโll Make You a Tape.โ
Shy FX featuring Stamina MC at the Cheese & Grain, Frome, with The Ramonas at The Tree House, and Flash Harry plays The Cornerhouse.
Sunday 18thThe Christmas Celebration of Music for Miniatures will be at Devizes Corn Exchange. Itโs Christmas Party time with Itโs Complicated at The Southgate, and Jamie R Hawkins does an afternoon set at The White Bear.
St Agnes Fountain play Marlborough Folk Roots club, at Marlborough Town Hall.
GBH Big Band at Wiltshire Music Centre, Bradford-on-Avon, while The Worried Men plays The Three Horseshoes.
Christmas Sunday Swingout Social at Meca, Swindon, finishes off our weekend listings, and if I have to type the word โChristmasโ one more time, Iโm going to come over all Uncle Scrooge! Note though, this list is NEVER exhaustive, more events are coming to our attention, so keep one eye on our event calendar and the other on our social media pages.
Monday 19th, find Scratchworks Theatre at Pound Arts, Corsham with a show Wild, Wild Woods. Tuesday 20th and Iโve got nothing; hide under the duvet!
And you know what, events for New Yearโs Eve are looking pretty thin at the moment, perhaps you need to send us details of what youโre doing for the big one?!
Images used with kind permission of Pacific Curd Photography West Wilts and Somerset folk-rock collective Courting Ghosts are about to release their debut album, Fallingโฆ
We’ve been chatting with the Community Organiser and Campaigns Manager of Devizes and District Foodbank, Alex Montegriffo, about an important free community conversation on Mondayโฆ
By Ian DiddamsPhotos by Gail Foster In 1971 Ken Russell enchanted film audiences with โThe Devilsโ, which incorporated nuns in the story โ somewhat controversially.โฆ
Friday evening in the liveliest of Devizes pubs, The Three Crowns, with Devizes best upcoming band, Nothing Rhymes With Orange pulling a two hour setโฆ
In recognition of his selfless ministry and leadership of St James Church, where the community and residents are at the core of everything, birthday boyโฆ
Itโs going to be all strawberries and cheese baps in pith helmets swinging in trouserland bedlam, with chap-hop shenanigans galore at the Barge on Honeystreetโฆ
No point in amending your bad behaviour now, far too late; youโve got to have been good all year round to get on the good list. So, may as well carry on as usual, as this week sees us in the wintery but festive season. Are you ready, excited? Hereโs our rundown of stuff to do this coming week in our local province, walking in the winter Wiltshireโฆ.
Last day of November then, tomorrow; Wednesday 30th, acoustic jam at the Southgate, Devizes, and Doric String Quartet at the Wiltshire Music Centre, Bradford-on-Avon.
Starting Thursday 1st December on The Little Green, Devizes and running until Christmas Eve, Sustainable Devizes have the Advent{ure} Reuse Christmas, where you can be part of a living Advent Calendar! Create a scene or event for one evening during advent on a Christmas story or theme, to be displayed/performed for all to enjoy, and so many organisations have contributed to this. More HERE.
Meanwhile, Sarah McQuaid plays The Pump, Trowbridge, Martin Harley at Chapel Arts, Bath, The Bob Porter Project at The Beehive, Swindon, and UKโs hottest drag act, Holly Stars presents their first solo show Justice for Holly, at the Cheese & Grain, Frome.
Friday 2nd December, Sour Apple play The Pelican, Devizes, B-Sydes at The Pump, Trowbridge, Train to Skaville at The Three Horseshoes, Bradford on Avon. Thereโs also an evening of acoustic country with the Alan West Band at Chapel Arts, Bath.
Every Friday night from now until Christmas is Christmas Party night at the Exchange nightclub in Devizes, doors at 10pm, free entry before 11.
Shows include Through the Decades with Roy & Buddy at Melksham Assembly Hall, and Stardust: A Musical Journey at Wiltshire Music Centre, Bradford-on-Avon.
Pink Mac play The Vic in Swindon, while Bone Chapel take The Beehive.
Oas-is tribute at the Cheese & Grain, Frome, while L1nkn P4rk tribute at the Tree House, and for want of an originals band in Frome on Friday, the incredible 41 Fords play The Sun Inn.
Saturday 3rd, and Devizes Lions have their Christmas Fair at the Corn Exchange, from 9am-2pm. The Churchill Arms, West Lavington also have a Christmas Fayre, from 2-5pm. Regular Lego Club at Chippenham Library from 3-4pm. And Iโm sure thereโs Christmas fairs going off all over the place, but itโs a daunting task keeping up with all of that!
Onto music, and our Phil Cooper plays The Southgate, Devizes, Alex Roberts is at The Barge on Honey Street. Grant Sharkey plays The Pump, Trowbridge, while Triple JD are at the Old Road Tavern, Chippenham. The Ultimate ABBA Tribute play The Consti Club, Chippenham.
St Marys, Marlborough host the Marlborough Concert Orchestra Winter Concert, and Barrelhouse on their home-turf at The Lamb. Meanwhile, in Swindon, Oasish & Stereotonics play The Vic.
Westwards leading and itโs a Boot Hill All Stars pilgrimage to The Three Horseshoes, Bradford-on-Avon, Oye Santana at Chapel Arts, Bath, while DJ Dave Pearce presents Dance Anthems at the Cheese & Grain, Frome, and Billy in the Lowground take The Tree House.
Sunday 4th, Seend Community Centre has a Christmas Concert in aid of Alzheimerโs Support, and the Wessex Concert Orchestra play a Winter Concert at Devizes Town Hall.
Trowbridge Philharmonic Choir at Wiltshire Music Centre, Bradford-on-Avon, and an ultimate Christmas party for the little ones at Meca, Swindon called Calling all Elves.
Itโs not a massive weekend for live music, the build up to the festive period, but if in Bath on Sunday, it must be an afternoon session at The Electric Bar, where youโll find Concrete Prairie live in session.
And thatโs all folks, have a good weekend. Please do send me some details of your Christmas events, and especially New Yearโs Eve, which is looking unusually bare on our calendar this year.
ย Abrilli, sole Director and owner of Tonka Bean Cafe Bar in Devizes announced today, due to โsignificant changes in personal and financial circumstances due toโฆ
White Horse Opera members, Soprano Barbara Gompels, Mezzo Soprano Paula Boyagis, Tenor Carlos Alonso together with pianist Tony James join forces with international cellist Anupโฆ
By Ian DiddamsImages by Chris Watkins Ruth Ellis was hanged aged 28 years old, by Albert Pierrepoint the official executioner in the UK, at Hollowayโฆ
Heads down for the last week of November, and thereโs so much to get through. As usual, links and details to all events mentioned here are listed on our event calendar HERE, so check it out, as it may yet be updated before the week is through.…
The observant among us (Iโm told there are some!) will notice Iโm deleting past dates now, so todayโs date will show at the top of the calendar, hopefully making it easier to follow. Iโm looking at better ways to present this info, but to be honest, Google calendars are impractical for storing the vast amount of info we have here, and the site is restricting on what we can do. Iโm working on it but finding a method which is easy and quick to put up the information and equally user-friendly is tricky.
Anyway, lots to get throughโฆ Tuesday, I got nothing, the regular acoustic jam night down The Southgate Devizes on Wednesdays, and on this Wednesday, 23rd, Richard Robbins presents Passage of Time at Wiltshire Music Centre, Bradford-on-Avon, Matt Deighton plays The Tree House, Frome and thereโs a Willow Reindeer Festive Workshop starting at Salisbury Arts Centre, running until 30th.
To be honest, thereโs so many craft fayres and Christmas events happening itโs impossible to keep track and also keep sane! Do look out for them on your local social media groups.
On Thursday 24th Milton Jones brings his Milton Impossible tour to the Cheese & Grain. Thereโs open mic at Stallards, Trowbridge, while their town hall has The Iโs Have It, a pre-Christmas celebration of Italian and Irish, with music from Luca Rossi and Ruairi Glasheen, plus a delicious three-course Italian feast.
With the theme โCold Weather, Warm Heartsโ the week ends with DOCA in Devizes, starting Thursday Devizes Window Wanderland 2022 will be go! DOCA are inviting our local community to create something special in their windows to show just what an amazingly creative place Devizes is. Anyone with a window can create a display, but you should have registered for this already. All the public now need is the interactive map of Devizes highlighting all the different window locations.
And onto Friday 25th, the Devizes Winter Parade will light up the town, need I say more? Only to wish all the DOCA volunteers the very best, and Annabel and Ashley especially for their maiden voyage at the helm! Thereโs been a few social media posts about what to expect, such as the Celestial Sound Cloud; an interactive sound art installation from Pif-Paf Theatre, to be installed in the grounds of St. John’s on Friday and Saturday. They all look breath-taking, and the Shambles will be open late for shopping, and all this is leading me to believe this is going to be the most memorable one yet. Lanterns assemble!
Atop of this, The Pelican holds a Christmas Lantern Parade Festive Karaoke Party, and it might be your last chance to catch the highly recommended People Like Us before Christmas; theyโll be at the Three Crowns, Devizes; tidy!
Elsewhere on Friday, John Otway plays the Pump, Trowbridge. Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment presents The Moon Hares at Wiltshire Music Centre, Bradford-on-Avon, and Matt Owens & The Delusional Vanity Project play out their album โBeer For The Horsesโ at its launch at Chapel Arts, Bath.
Fossil Fools play The Vic, Swindon, while Fort Boyard & SexJazz do the The Rolleston, and its soul night at Meca, with an evening called Lost in Music.
Barnstormers Comedy at Salisbury Arts Centre, and thatโs Friday done.
Saturday 26th is big, and itโs not just Lego Club from 3-4pm at Chippenham Museum! Winter Festival in Devizes continues, plus…….
I believe theyโve sold out now at SoupChick, who hold their second feast in the Shambles, Light of Kashmir promises to be beguiling, exclusive evening celebrating Kashmiri Cuisine and Couture, hosted by Angela Cave of The Parrot Cage and Anya Toropov of Soupchick. I attended the first one of these fabulous feasts, my tastebuds are still loving me for it. I am so sorry to miss out, but I will be at our Editorโs Pick of The Week!
Editorโs Pick of the Week: The Sribes at the Muck & Dunder
Despite Fridayโs Lantern Parade, which should in most reasoning be my pick of the week, Iโm certain there will the entire population of the Devizes area attending, ergo thereโs no need to plug it anymore. No, what Iโm talking about is the evening at the Muck & Dunder Rum Bar in Devizes Iโve been waiting for an age for, when hip hop sensations The Scribes bring boom bap to town; this, I tell you now, will go off. Tickets are running low, get in now, theyโre only a fiver, and I hope to see you there, with one hand in the air! I did a poster for it, but they didnโt use it, I thought it quite good, and being theyโve not done another poster for it, Iโm using to highlight it here, but you should note, itโs not the official poster!
Rockport play The Southgate, Pink Mac at the Barge, Honey-Street, Chaos Brothers at the Lamb, Marlborough. Melksham Rock N Roll Club have The Delray Rockets, and thereโs the 20 Things for 20 Years Big Ball at Spencerโs Club.
Oh, and donโt forget The Toy Pig Race at Erlestoke Golf Course, which sounds too much fun for me!
The Moscow Drug Club, another disappointed missed gig for me after reading Andyโs superb review when they came to Devizes Arts Festival; they play the Pump, Trowbridge. Meanwhile find The Reservoir Hogs at The Wiltshire Yeoman, on Chalk Road.
Lonely Road Band play Colerne Liberal Club, Alter Eagles at Chapel Arts, Bath. Also in Bath, the interactive Alice in Wonderland Experience begins. Calan at Wiltshire Music Centre, Bradford-on-Avon, also there, Bath Camerate presents Mother & Child.
In Swindon, thereโs a Sahara Trek Fundraiser for Prospect Hospice with Slagerij, Death is a Girl, and Buswell & Nyberg, plus DJ Dust at Level III, while State of Quo play The Vic; they might be a tribute act, but Iโm not certain of whom!!
Panto time, of course, Wharf Theatre announced theyโve sold out for Little Red Riding Hood, though we may yet be able to bring you a review of the night. So, find Cinderella starting at Salisbury Playhouse, opening Saturday, and running until January 23rd. Staying in the Spire, The Spitfire Sisters play Salisbury Arts Centre.
Thatโs Saturday dusted, from hip hop to panto, and rock n roll to pig racing! Last but by no means least, lucky ones get to see Turin Brakes play the Cheese & Grain, Frome; where else?!
Sunday 27thand Jon Amorโs residency at The Southgate, Devizes has been shifted from itโs usual spot, first Sunday of the month to this Sunday, donโt say I didnโt warn you!
The fantastic N/SH plays Avebury Music Night, and the Bath Symphony Orchestra are at Wiltshire Music Centre, Bradford-on-Avon; weekend over, unless youโve heard something we havenโt; then why did you not tell us about it?!
Nothing on Monday and Tuesday, yet; get some shopping done, donโt be like me and wait to the last minute because youโre too busy telling everyone else what they should be doing!! See you at The Muck? Hip hop hooray!
A group of local women and their families are gathering together to lay a huge installation of childrenโs clothes outside the office of Justin Tomlinsonโฆ
Got a proper soaking this morning, fat lot of good it is whinging to you about it, you are here only for the lowdown on autumn happenings this coming week, so Iโll waste no time waffling, donโt worry about me, yeah, yeah, Iโll be fine!
Currently up and running, until Saturday, is TITCOโs Dinner Party at The Wharf Theatre.
Staying in Devizes, Thursday 17th sees the opening of the historic event, Devizes Eisteddfod. Hereโs the place to find future local stars of the arts, a five-day festival of over 400 classes of music, speech, drama, dance, writing, art, photography, and composition, for people of all ages, who may enter individually or through a school or group. There are competitive and non-competitive classes. The Music, Speech and Drama classes will be held in Devizes Town Hall. Find out more HERE.
Over in Bradford-on-Avon, check out Dylan Smith who has an official launch gig for his Cruel to be Kind album at The Boathouse.
Also find Ezio playing Chapel Arts, Bath. And for some doom metal and stoner rock, try a double-header at The Vic, Swindon, with Phantom Droid and Dark Prophecy.
Friday 18th is Marlboroughโs Christmas Light Switch-On.
After The Rocky Horror Experience, Soul II Soulโs Feel Free Tour comes to Meca. Yes, I said Soul II Soul, wowzers! But if youโve no tickets get in or check the alternatives in Swindon; The Beverley May Band at The Sun Inn, Coate, Splat the Rat play The Hop Inn for Swindon Folk Club.
In Devizes, itโs pub quiz time in aid of Arts Together at the Cavalier, and Iโve got to recommend the highly entertaining Blondie & Ska duo, who play The Pelican. Chippenham duo, as it says on the tin, do Blondie covers but also include those Two-Tone classics, in a kind of fashion youโd wished Blondie covered them; itโs lots of fun. In fact, it was going to be editor’s pick of the week! UPDATE: sorry to hear this has been cancelled. Postponed until 3rd February.
Drag Show at the Neeld, Chippenham, with The Dazzling Diamonds. Limehouse Lizzy at Salisbury Arts Centre.
After NโFamady Kouyate at Wiltshire Music Centre in Bradford-on-Avon, theyโve got something on my hitlist, the acclaimed Moments of Pleasure, a Kate Bush tribute. Meanwhile, itโs bonkers at The Three Horseshoes with a triple bill of Hell Death Fury, Lone Sharks, & Monkish.
Craig Charles is on the wheels of steel at the Cheese & Grain, Frome, while Richard Norris plays sister venue, The Tree House.
Saturday 19th, kids, Lego Club, at Chippenham Museum from 3-4pm. I know I keep mentioning this regular event, but I love the sound of it, wish there was a Lego club when I was a kid, and well, I might go one day anyway. My own kids will be like, โdad, I need a lift to my science book writerโs guild annual general meeting,โ and Iโll be like, โfat chance, Iโm off to Lego Club!โ
Find handmade jewellery, woodwork, hand-poured candles, scented soap, artwork, and handbags at the Mynt Image Craft Fair at Devizes Corn Exchange from 10am-4pm. And in the evening find the Hardwicke Circus and The Alex Voysey Trio at Long Street Blues Club; upcoming talent Saturday, sounds tempting, very tempting! UPDATE: being our Editor’s pick of the season has been postponed, this isnew Editor’s pick of week!
The Southgate promises folky blues with SโGo, a new one on me; Deborah tells me, โTheyโre an eclectic folky blues collective. They played a few crazy tunes in a circle in the middle of the pub once. Everyone loved it, we booked them!โ Cannot argue with that. Ye gods, that sounds tempting, very tempting too, what am I to do?!
Night Jar play Woodbrough Social Club, Miranda Sykesโ Show of Hands is at Marlborough Folk Roots, at the Town Hall, and the local favourites, Humdinger play The Lamb, Marlborough.
Thereโs a Trowbridge Weavers Christmas Market, and Gaz Brookfield plays the Pump, with Heartwork and Be Like Will in support, but I believe itโs sold out, check their website, but be quick on the flux capacitor. You could always head to the Somerset Arms, Semington failing that, where youโll find The Beverley Maye Band, or The Buckly Rage at the Three Horseshoes, Bradford-on-Avon.
The wonderful seven-piece soul band, aptly named Blue Soul Band play the Contsti, in Chippenham, tributes The Faux Fighters at The Vic, Swindon and Coldplace at the Cheese & Grain, Frome.
Jessica Fostekewโs Wench runs at Salisbury Arts Centre, and thatโs your Saturday night.
Sunday 20th. Iโve checked this over and over, and it definitely says, Jazz Sabbath is at the Corn Exchange, Devizes on Sunday, are we sure itโs not Saturday, people? Damn your eyes, thatโs a school night!
Also occurring, Wiltshire Youth Jazz Orchestra with Huw Warren at Wiltshire Music Centre, Bradford-on-Avon, Clinton Baptiste tour at the Cheese & Grain, Frome, after a record fair, and tribute L1nkn P4rk at The Vic, Swindon.
And thatโs your lot, I got nought for Monday and Tuesday, but donโt forget itโs the regular acoustic jam at the Southgate Devizes on Wednesday, 23rd, and Richard Robbins presents Passage of Time at Wiltshire Music Centre, Bradford-on-Avon, thereโs a Willow Reindeer Festive Workshop beginning at Salisbury Arts Centre, which runs until 30th, and Matt Deighton is at The Tree House in Frome.
The biggies next week are of course, the Winter Festival and lantern parade in Devizes, Friday, and the start of the Window Wanderland. Saturday sees the second feast at Soup Chick, of Kashmir cuisine, and The Scribes come to Devizes, at the Muck & Dundar. We love the Scribes here at Devizine and are thoroughly looking forward to this; get a ticket!
John Otway at the Pump, Trowbridge on Friday, and The Moscow Drug Club on Saturday, both worthy of your attention. Then, gawd blimey, itโll be December. Iโm trying to keep up and update as regularly as possible, including getting the biggies up for next year. Have a great weekend, keep a check on our event calendar for updates, and planning ahead.
by Ian Diddamsimages from Mark Harrison Facebook Last summer I was lucky enough to see Mark Harrison play at the โTangled Rootsโ festival over Radstockโฆ
In what appears to be a deliberate attempt to smear the campaign of opposition candidate for Wiltshire Police Crime Commissioner, independent Mike Rees, it seemsโฆ
If we spoke only last month about Wiltshire Councilโs threats to prosecute Wiltshire Music Events over posters advertising a Bob Marley tribute event in Devizes,โฆ
By Florence Lee Images by Kiesha Films โThey promised hardcore shenanigans which never fall below 180 bpmโ SHOX: After seeing Shox in February I wasโฆ
Discover your favourite glass of festive cheer at St Mary’s, Devizes this December 1st, and join in the uncorking of a selection of wines designed to make the festive season sparkle this Christmas…..
Renowned local vintner Casper Bowes will be on hand with entertaining insights and helpful hints to guide guests through a selection of wines guaranteed to add sparkle to the Christmas celebrations.
The masterclass will provide the opportunity to sample a range of wines from around the world in the unique historic setting of the Grade 1 listed building in New Park Street.
Co-founders of Bowes Wine, Casper and Victoria, who describe themselves as a โhealthily wine-obsessed husband and wife teamโ, started the business in 2002 and focus on sourcing new and exciting wines from both the classic and lesser known regions of the world, with both young and older vintages in their sights.
The tasting, which starts at 6.30pm, aims to enable those imbibing to get a better understanding and appreciation of a wide range of specially selected wines. The evening will finish with a glass of bubbly and light refreshments.
Tickets, which cost ยฃ25, can be purchased from Ticketsource and Devizes Books – visit www.stmarydevizestrust.org.uk for further details and to learn more about the plans to transform the building into a vibrant community arts venue for future generations.
Girls, girls, girls, we love them here at Devizine, especially our esteemed all-female local supergroup The Female of the Species. 2024 will be their ninthโฆ
Two teen Devizes punker bands appear on Trowbridgeโs Pump triple-bill this Saturday, as the search for the Future of Trowbridge reaches its eighth instalment; unsureโฆ
There will be some foot-tapping folky goodness at the wonderful Wiltshire Music Centre in Bradford-on-Avon on Friday. This year’s Bradford Roots Festival may be aโฆ
After an inaugural midweek gig with local legend Andrew Hurst this month, it seems Bromham’s St Nicholas Church could be the unexpected new rural musicโฆ
So, Rishi Sunak is prime minister, eh, how about that for diversity? Last time, a woman, of sorts, now an Asian chap. A tax-avoiding billionaire Asian chap with a name which sounds like a brand of orange fizzy-pop, but one nonetheless. You’ve got to wonder who it’ll be next week.
My money is on a Klingon, but I must commend the Tories, seems they’re not quite as prejudice as Nazis after all. It doesn’t matter, age, gender, race or religion; providing you’re working class they’ll shit on all of us from a-high, but with a degree of equality.
It would’ve been nice if Liz Truss could’ve stuck around for another week, if only for topical pumpkin carving purposes, because yes, it is the ancient American-over-commercialised Gaelic feast of Samhain, or Halloween to Christian cultural thieves.
After a family outing to pick our own pumpkins on a farm near Rowde in torrential rain last Saturday, confirming I married into a rural family, and kids who consider themselves too matured to trick or treat, I’d like to go out on creepy tiles (see editor’s pick of the week) but tickets are being grabbed fast, and I’m not sure how I’ll feel by the weekend after being brutally attacked last Saturday by a hanging basket.
Where were Wiltshire Police when the attack took place, you cry? Nowhere to be seen, that’s where. Typical, and that hanging basket is still at large somewhere, be warned. Needless to say, I sustained a surprisingly substantial head injury, though not the reason I’m talking complete toilet; I’m always like this.
I did manage to see a doctor. After a reply I pre-empted to be a telephone appointment sometime in May 2023, going by social media rants, I was invited to Southbroom surgery faster than I could change out of my Paddington jimmy-jams, and within the hour I was let back on the street. Not forgoing I retain a sore head with bolts of pain shooting through it upon the slightest of movement, but I’m after no sympathy. It’s the worry of 50 coming like a rocket over the hill at me. Any previous age and I’d have been, like, ah, just a bump to the noggin, be right as reign come morning. But now, any slight aliment and I’m drafting my bucket list; though I’d suspect Kylie Minogue won’t respond favourably in any case.
Onwards with what’s happening this creepy weekend, before I dose myself in more paracetamol. As usual the only link you need for more info and tickets is our event calendar HERE. If thereโs stuff going on Iโve not mentioned below, stay tuned to the guide as I might yet update it through the week, and if itโs your event I missed, thatโs likely because you didnโt tell me about it.
Wednesday 26th, and itโs the White Horse Operaโs opening night of Lโelisir dโamore at Lavington School, which runs until 29th. And the Rondo Theatre, Bath has Female Transport, also running the same dates.
On Thursday 27th Devizes Lgbtq+ hold their Drag Queen Bingo, Halloqueen Edition at The Exchange in Devizes, which was a sell-out last time, so get in quick.
Find reggae at Level III, Swindon with the Erin Bardwell Three, and Grim Slickers at The Vic.
Friday 28th, Halloween Family Disco at The Neeld, Chippenham. LGBTQ+ Halloween night at The Exchange, Devizes.
Violin, rapper and loop artist, Mike Dennis is at The Pump, Trowbridge.
Bit confused as Iโve a poster from the Specialised Project, advertising Monkey Ska at the Vic, Swindon, but listings show Getrz, Vicuals and I See Orange playing there too, so perhaps the first one has been cancelled, unsure. The Terraplanes Blues Band play the Rolleston Arms, though, that much I do know!
Also find Barnstormers Comedy at Salisbury Arts Centre, Muze at The Tree House, Frome, while The Freddie & Queen Experience are at the Cheese & Grain.
Saturday 29th, everything is awesome at Chippenham Museumโs Lego Club, 3-4pm every Saturday. Itโs Autumn in the Park at Hillworth in Devizes, see poster, and St Johnโs Michaelmas Fayre too.
Getting very Halloween now, with Halloween Karaoke at The Pelican Inn, Devizes, Devizes Scooter Clubโs Skalloween at the Cavalier, a Halloween party with DJ James Therelfall at the Muck & Dunder, Thriller Halloween party at the Exchange, and The Monster Ball at Melksham Assembly Hall.
Kind of optional creepy fancy dress at Editorโs Pick of The Week: The Female of the Species 7th Annual Fundraising Gig at Seend Community Hall.
Tickets are going like hot cakes for this annual extravaganza from our lovely all-female local supergroup, now packing a punch at Seend, so get in quickly, it is always an amazing show.
Away from Halloween vibes, those masters of vintage blues, Barrelhouse play The Southgate, Devizes, Trash Panda, The Bastard Son of Humdinger & My Mateโs Band play The Coppers Arms, Pewsey. Strange Folk at The Three Horseshoes, Bradford-on-Avon.
Stop Stop at The Vic, Swindon, Judas Rising at the Rolleston.
Congress at Salisbury Cathedral, Spritato โ Inspiring Bach at Wiltshire Music Centre, Bradford-on-Avon. Oh, and The Lightning Seeds play The Cheese & Grain, Frome.
Sunday 30th, The Innes Sibun Band arrive at The Three Horseshoes, Bradford-on-Avon, guaranteed knockout.
Spooky stuff continues as Monday 31st is the opening night for Picnic at Hanging Rock at The Wharf Theatre, Devizes; of which Iโm hoping to get a review of out by Monday, or Tuesday latest. Running until 5th November, preview here.
And weโre into November, Wednesday 2nd donโt forget, acoustic jam at the Southgate, Devizes, and Jordan Bak is at Wiltshire Music Centre, Bradford-on-Avon.
Keep on scrolling for future fings to do, hopefully Iโll join you real soon, hanging basket though, I ask you, evil hanging basket; why canโt they just plant flowers in the ground like normal folk? They should be brought to justice! Have a good week, the doctor told me to stay off devices and screens, so Iโm outta here, going to take up badminton instead, which is an extreme sport to me!
Spring has sprung! There were two snails on my milk-float this morning, opening โdoing it,โ without shame; absolute filth! โฆ. I should have filmed itโฆ
By Mick Brian.Images by Chris Watkins Media Mention the name of the author โAgatha Christieโ and most people will immediately think of her two mainโฆ
Here we are again, happy as can be, but slightly older, opps, soz, missed a C, slightly colder! Though we are a week older too, but that means nothing, only as old as you feel. Quite aggravated by chipping ice of the car windscreen this morning though, itโs only October for cryingout loud; who do I need to write to about this diabolical travesty?
Still, going out is the new going out, and hereโs a lowdown of local stuff to do this coming week. The link you need is HERE, our ever-updating event calendar; you know the score by now.
Thereโs Craft and Chat at Chippenham Library on Thursday 13th October, and Beauty the Beast: The Guardians of the Forest at the Neeld.
Meanwhile lots still happening at the Calne Music & Arts Festival, with the Music Scholars of St. Maryโs School, Calne, The Primary School Choirs present: โSongs from Disneyโ, Kingsbury Green Academy Music Department in Concert and Tim Hughes presents โ120 years of the Blues.โ
Dick and Dom, yes, I did say Dick and Dom, are in Da Bungalow at the Cheese & Grain, Frome, while Mitch Bennโs Itโs About Time tour takes to the Rondo Theatre, Bath.
Friday 14th, thereโs an instore session at Sound Knowledge, Marlborough with Rachael Dadd. Sour Apple at The Condado Lounge, Devizes, while Illingworth play The Three Crowns, and Funked Up funk up the Pelican. But all eyes will on the Corn Exchange in Devizes when Longcroft Productions presents the all-female Black Sabbath tribute, Black Sabbitch; if it’s good enough for Dave Grohl it’s good enough for us!
DJ Stevie Mc holds the afterparty at the Exchange below, Friday nights is retro 80s,90s,00s night, free entry before 11pm.
Calne Music & Arts Festival has a piano recital from Helen Davies, and an evening of traditional Andalusian guitar and flamenco dance.
The astounding acoustic rave act, The Showhawk Duo plays Salisbury Arts Centre, while Erlestoke Golf Club has Barry Paull as Elvis!
Billy in the Lowground at The Three Horseshoes, Bradford-on-Avon, The Derellas & Liabilities at The Vic, Swindon, The Chesterfields & Mighty One at the Tree House, Frome, while the Rhythm of the 90s bang out at The Cheese & Grain; sorted.
Impromptu Shakespeare at Rondo Theatre, Bath.
Moving on up to Saturday 15th, when the big Marlborough Mop Fair hits, with Grey Smith at The Bear.
Rockhoppaz at The Southgate, Devizes. Exchange has resident DJ Stevie Mc in the mix. Mick Jogger & The Stones Experience are at Steeple Ashton Village Hall, tickets ยฃ15 from their village shop.
Lego Club, never forget Lego Club at the everything-is-awesome Chippenham Museum, 3-4pm, every Saturday. While Wiltshire Museum, Devizes has a Building Materials conference on Industrial Archaeology.
Trowbridge has their annual Apple Festival at Emmanuelโs Yard, while NerveEndings play the Pump, with support from The Sunnies; ah yes, loud and proud.
Over in Swindon, the long-awaited Swindon Paint Fest begins; really good this looks, for all street art fans, head into Swindon Centre over the weekend. And The Moonrakers has The Specialized Project holding a ska fest too. Peloton play The Vic, and Hip Replacements at The Woodland Edge.
Tributes in Chippenham, The Tom Petty Legacy at the Neeld, and The Beatles for Sale at The Pewsham.
Siren plays The Talbot, Calne, which leads me nicely onto my editorโs pick of the week, in a minute, because the Calne Music & Arts Festival reaches its crowning, after Chris Dunn and Genevieve Sioka have a โMeet the Artistโ session, and a Photographic Talk titled โDown the Mekong, Cambodia and Vietnamโ the grand finale is my editorโs pick of the weekโฆ…
Editorโs pick of the weekโฆ…
Concrete Prairie at Marden Hall, Calne
My new favourite thing, Concrete Prairie will be at Marden Hall, Calne as part of the Calne Music & Arts Festival, for a full set. Itโs a tenner, seated event, which is going to be tricky if I go, I might just break into my jig down the aisle! Review of their album here.
Anyway, Apache Smoke at The Three Horseshoes, Bradford-on-Avon, Ion Maiden at The Tree House, Frome, while eighties electronica band Blancmange play The Cheese & Grain; no, never heard of them, far too young!!
Mitch Benn is at Salisbury Arts Centre today, and Rob Autonโs The Crowd Show is at Rondo Theatre, Bath.
I mean, there might be more added as time goes on, but thatโs all I got for now; smaller venues, please submit your event listings to us asap, as you are the important ones which we really need to get the information out about. If you make me come find you on social media it never works, because I donโt know about you, but Iโm getting really narked off about social media at the moment!
Sunday 16th, then, and Wiltshire Soul & Blues Club have their exclusive monthly jam at the Owl Lodge, Swindon Paint Fest continues, and sax lovers, do check Guinea Lane Saxophones, Pewsey Players and Take Five at Pewsey Heritage Centre.
Highly recommended, Jack Grace Band at the Southgate, Devizss and The James Oliver Band plays The Three Horseshoes, Bradford-on-Avon, and Blackbeardโs Tea Party and Imprints at The Winchester Gate, Salisbury.
Frome Wessex Camera Fair at The Cheese & Grain, with Ned Boulting in the evening.
Monday, I got nought, but nobody likes Mondays anyway. Ban them, ban them all now!!
Tuesday 18th, Assassins opens at Rondo Theatre, Bath, runs until 21st October, Good Luck, Studio at Salisbury Playhouse, and legendary folk at The Cheese & Grain, Frome, with Steeleye Span.
Wednesday 19th, and Swindonโs dub reggae outfit Subject A are live at the Bell on Walcot Street, Bath, Beth Nielson Chapman at The Cheese & Grain, Frome and donโt forget, Wednesday evening acoustic jam at the Southgate, Devizes, ah, yes.
Have a good week, donโt work too hard; that is a direct order!
Wiltshire Councilโs ambitious plans to resurface all the roads in Devizes before the next ice age have been cancelled because rare dinosaur fossils have beenโฆ
November was one crazy month for our friend and researcher from the Regional History Centre at the University of the West of England, Brian Edwards.โฆ
With howling, coarse baritones Nick Fletcher, the main vocalist of Marlboroughโs gothic duo, Deadlight Dance chants, โhere comes the rain, and I love the rain,โฆ
An exodus of musical lovers and, I’d assume, a healthy handful of friends and family, trekked southwards through winter’s final ambush last night, to enjoyโฆ
The first Kamikaze moth of the year dive-bombed my face the other morning. Forget blossoming trees and tulips, that’s a milkmanโs sure sign of springโฆbecauseโฆ
The Liberal Democratโs are today celebrating a historic election win in the heart of Marlborough, in the first contested Town Council election for thirteen yearsโฆ.โฆ
It’s early days, but it’s great to see the Devizes Community Fridge standing proud in the Shambles today. Running since the beginning of the month as a pilot scheme, Fridays will be the day to visit the fridge, the concept is simple, take out only what you need, put in items which you don’t.…
It has been a success in Marlborough, among a hundred other towns, and stands to cut down on waste and provide food for those in need. The project has been coordinated by Sustainable Devizes and the Devizes Living Room group, as the mastermind of Martin Elliot.
There will an official launch on Friday 18th November in the Market Place, but it really is one of those projects the success of hugely depends on those aware and making good use of it. So, we welcome the community fridge, so pleased to see it there when passing through, and I wish it all the best of success.
And, correct me if I’m wrong, but I believe that is the first time I have ever wished a fridge the best of success!!
After a larger quantity of social media teasers than previous years, Devizes Arts Festival has today revealed their full line-up for 2024. Better take a peaky sneaky gander at it, keep in their good books, because it looks rather special! Based on previous experience they usually range from pretty awesome to super-duper lights are gonnaโฆ
Hereโs whatโs happening over the coming week in the wilds of Wiltshire, hold onto your hats! Everything listed here is on our event calendar; go there for links and more info. It may be updated with even more things to do than listed here, so check in later in the week…. Ongoing: The Mousetrap atโฆ
Image: Czampal Iโm laughing, not at the Glasto lineup, but the incalculable comments of negativity it has encouraged in Facebookland. It should be said though, most disapproving remarks appear on shares of the post and not the original, and most of them were posted this morning when most ticketholders are likely at work, funding theirโฆ
Here we go for this coming week, excuse me for not waffling, really not in the mood. Oh, okay, just one whinge then, if you insist!
Itโs just the power-hungry draconian admin of Facebook groups, again. Now Iโve been banned from โThe Devizes Issue,โ not to be confused with โDevizes Issuesโ which Iโve been banned from for yonks, and โDevizes Issue,โ โDevizes Issues (but better,)โ โDevizes Got Issues,โโThe Issues in Devizes,โ or any other originally titled local Facebook group. One has to wonder if thereโs really that many issues in Devizes which warrants so many Facebook groups with the words โDevizesโ and โIssues,โ or perhaps, just perhaps, that there is the very issue in Devizes; canโt we all just get along?!
I was banned for sharing our article about an upcoming comedy show by Devizes Arts Festival, likely because the headline comedian was the guy who handed Theresa May a P45. With the Gazelle & Herod concentrating on The Jeremy Kyle Show returning to some TV channel no oneโs heard of, media here highlighting all the good stuff going down locally is becoming increasingly limited, and Facebook groups are untrustworthy, ask the town council! So, stick around, and Iโll get onto whatโs happening shortly.
First you should know, is, more info and ticket links to everything listed, and for planning ahead, the one link you need is our updating event calendar, or least two links this week as we delve headlong into October.
Wednesday 28th thereโs a Lunchtime Recital at Wyvern Theatre, Swindon.
Sustainable Devizes will at St Andrewโs Church for a free community film screening on the story of plastics. Starting at 7, Iโll drop the poster below.
Thursday 29thand thereโs a Jazz Social at Salisbury Arts Centre, the ultimate music quiz at The Cheese & Grain, Frome. The Lawrence Society of Art begins an art exhibit at Devizes Town Hall, free entry, running until Saturday 1st October.
Friday 30th September, the exceptionally talented Adam Woodhouse is at the Pelican Inn, Devizes, while those Somerset crazy folked up hip hoppers Monkey Bizzle bring the noise to The Southgate; this is a hilarious show, throw preconceptions aside and join the fun.
Jen Bristerโs The Optimist is at Pound Art in Corsham, while you can find The Music of Carole King at the Wyvern Theatre, Swindon, and the regular Barnstormers Comedy at Salisbury Arts Centre.
Stay Lunar play The Vic, Swindon, The Toasters play The Tree House, Frome, with Toyah at The Cheese & Grain. Illingworth play The Royal George in Salisbury.
Pinch punch and build, Saturday 1st October sees the regular Lego Club at Chippenham Museum from 3-4pm, but real Lego enthusiasts should head to Steam, Swindon, for The Great Western Brick Show. Happening Sunday too, and always amazing!
The Brook Street Band come to St Maryโs Devizes for some Kaffeehaus Culture, expect some Bach, Handel & Telemann.
Meanwhile, editorโs pick of the week comes from Icarus Theatre Collective, who bring a touring, award-winning dark comedy to The Wharf Theatre, called The Lesson.
Icarusโ blistering, magical and award-winning production of Eugene Ionescoโs classic dark comedy returns to the stage, following sold out runs at Teatrul de Comedie in Bucharest, among others. A mild-mannered professor takes on a new pupil, and swiftly descends into tyranny, becoming bent on her destruction. A comically surreal exposรฉ about power, knowledge & those who hoard bothโฆ. but thatโs not only why Iโm picking this as my pick of the week.
Performances are enhanced by a bold projection design that features exciting new Creative Captioning Technology, which is supported by Arts Council England. It ensures that every performance is now accessible to deaf and hard of hearing audiences as well as enhancing the creative story and encapsulating the beating heart of Ionescoโs text; which is a fantastic initiative I hope will find its way to more productions.
If some mod covers are more your thing, Devizions, check Six Oโclock Circus live at The Three Crowns, always kicking up a stink, and the Roughcut Rebels are at The Churchill in West Lavington.
Sheer Music is at Trowbridge Town Hall with The People Versus, Pecq and Fly Yeti Fly in support, will be amazing.
Regular fav, Faze is at the Bear, Marlborough, Fire Gazer at the Barge on Honeystreet.
Thereโs writer Jim Read and performer Louise Jordanโs afternoon of memorable monologues exploring what it is to use paths and pavements at Salisbury Arts Centre, with Pavement Life.
Homer are at The Phoenix Bar, Wotton Basset, Shepardโs Pie play The Vic, and Barrelhouse at the Rolleston in Swindon, with Mortellica next door at Level III, while Devizes Road Oktoberfest goes off at The Tuppeny, Swindon, while the Bell in Bath also has an Oktoberfest.
Junkyard Dogs at the Bear in Bradford-on-Avon, Bully Bones at The Three Horseshoes, and CHK CHK CHK play The Cheese & Grain, Frome. The Zucchinis play Brown Street, Salisbury.
Sunday 2ndand find Melksham Climate Fest at the Assembly Hall, The Great Western Brick Show continues at Steam, Swindon, Magpie Market at The Cheese & Grain Frome, and Saba Douglas-Hamiltonโs In The Footsteps of Elephants shows later there too. Funky MH at The Three Horseshoes Bradford-on-Avon, Chai For All & Radio Banska at The Queen’s Head, Box.
But itโs all down to the Southgate in Devizes, where Jon Amor holds his monthly residency, this time featuring guest Dan Moore, whoโs played keys for everyone from Tom Jones to Massive Attack; ding dong!
Monday 3rd, sees the regular dream club at the Vic, Swindon, Tuesday find Improvers Art Sessions at the Cause, Chippenham and Spike at Salisbury Playhouse.
And thatโs your lot for this week, enough to keep you amused for a weekend?! Keep an eye out for updates, I do do them, occasionally! And donโt forget, support Devizine with all your might! Times like this we need you sharing, caring and sending us your event details too, donโt make me come find you! Have a great week.
Ian Diddams Written by Jonathan LarsonPresented by Maple Theatre Company It’s always hard reviewing a show that one has seen multiple times before, performed byโฆ
In true Royston Vasey style, unfortunately due to time and resources we donโt review international music as we did during lockdown, choosing to focus moreโฆ
On International Womenโs Day a group of women from the Swindon community decided to organise a clothes memorial for the over 11,500 Palestinian children killedโฆ
Wowzers! Huge congratulations and a colossal thanks to young Chloe Boyle from Devizes, who is planning to spend the night of April 5th sleeping outsideโฆ
Newly formed and locally based collective Palooza hosted their opening night at The Exchange nightclub in Devizes yesterday, offering house music with universal appeal andโฆ
Salisbury-based event organisation Wiltshire Music Events has been ordered to remove posters advertising the Marley Experience gig at the Devizes Corn Exchange on 13th April,โฆ
The fifth single coming out from Chippenham singer-songwriter M3g on Friday, Ashes of Memory, and if Iโve said in the past what separates Meg fromโฆ
Though risky, weatherwise, September seems to be the month The Devizes Food & Drink Festival has settled on, returning again this year on this pleasant Saturday with their grand opening of the food market, and gifting the bustling Devizes Market Place with the beautiful aroma of street food; who am I to resist a stroll through, and maybe a brownie or two?
Though the Gourmet Brownie Kitchen has its own shop now in town, still they put their regular stall up, and I felt the urge for their delicious stodgy bites, though I didnโt see any competition for them there, as there has been in the past. That said, a lot of the stalls seemed to be reappearing from previous years, but if youโve a winning formula why change it?
The circuit had changed slightly, with stalls facing the street, and folding back into the Market Place carparking area, perhaps not containing browsers so well, but encouraging more from their daily shopping. Paella to burger, itโs all there, chocolate pizza, gin and churros, you name it.
If last year I winged โFromeโs eclectic-influenced folk four-piece, The Decades made for the perfect entertainment, but again, they were the same band which played there in 2019,โ they were there again this time too, and throughout my time there they were taking a break. I couldnโt help feel, though the array of food stalls were plentiful, sitting and eating is rather dull if thereโs no entertainment, and a little more concentration could be taken on this, although I know and accept the focus is on food and drink, being the Food & Drink Festival and all.
Wadworth takes the beer sponsor, an arrangement previous done by Stealth Brewery, who ensured consistency in music, with a selection of local talent, and Iโm certain Waddies could take from their example, and provide as they did with their own WadFest in the summer. Otherwise, itโs just, go get some lunch there and wander off.
But itโs far from the bee-all-and-end-all of the festival, with huge options for ticketed side-events, which youโd better be quick to get yourself in on, here. Me? Iโm dining on a Georgian feast at SoupChick tonight so didnโt want to overdo it, a brownie Iโm out of there, apologies to the organisers but Iโd like a further selection of stalls Iโve not seen before, Iโd like to be entertained, and Iโd like to be buried under free samples, of which maybe a sign of the times, but I saw much less of this year. Still, busy though, and a joy to have in Devizes at the end of summer.
Swindonโs sonic indie popsters Atari Pilot are a prolific bunch, and have a new single out called The Rules Never Changeโฆ. And, they donโt. Thereโsโฆ
Members of Swindon Palestine Solidarity made themselves heard at the Labour Party fundraising dinner, where Jess Phillips MP was the guest of honour, protesting atโฆ
Swindon indie popsters Talk in Code return tomorrow (1st March) with a new single, Something Of Nothing โฆ..hold tight to your Deely-Boppers, things are aboutโฆ
Think early nineties dance-indie crossover and the Madchester circuit might understandably spring to mind. Yet Pop Will Eat Itself were Brunmies, The Shamen were Scots,โฆ
I trouble procrastinating upon being gifted a previously released CD from an artist for review, unfortunately they land on the backburner, prioritising upcoming news items.โฆ
Ian Diddams Regular readers of Devizine may be well accustomed to hearing the name โVince Bellโ. For those less frequent readers or those that haveโฆ
Right then you lot, Devizine is five years old today, or at least it was when I begun this monumental mission of reminiscing on how, why and what the hell I was thinking when I started it in the first place. Question is, do you want the short story, or the long, drawn-out one?
Oh well, that’s just tough luck then, isn’t it?! You can’t stop me in full shit stream, because, everyone’s good at something, mine is endlessly waffling on about crap, so that’s what I’m going to do. In the words of the unforgettable Lesley Gore, it’s my party I can waffle on about crap if I want to, or something like that.
In consolation, I’ve sprinkled this piece with a lot of lovely photos, well, itโs been five years and weโve a lot to show off about. And what a wonderful ride it’s been; dancing, dodging, meeting so many wonderful and talented people, rattling a few cages, and I hope it will continue to be so, if I do say so myself.
Best, if any, place to start is childhood aspirations. Note, I never had any dreams of writing, let alone journalism. English at school was a pet hate, like every other subject, especially spelling, I was atrochous…… atreechois…. really bad at it.
Though I have to humour the media industry, I’d grow to detest Fleet Street wank-stains. To be a cartoonist was the thing for me, the like of Charles Schultz or Jim Davis favourably, they did, after all, make the most money. But I’d write for magazines, zines and FINs I submitted cartoon strips for in support, because they needed writers…. bloody slave drivers.
As time moved on and I created my own comic, reviewing works of other creative types within it was an aid to networking, and, most importantly, getting freebies. I also suffered with a lack of writers but plenty of artists, so I’d script for them, and gradually the writing took prominence over the artwork.
Self-publishing is a labour of love, and any excuse for procrastination was on the cards. Unpredictably stumbling upon family life was the perfect excuse for giving it up; there were nappies which needed changing before cross-hatching a nudy caricature of Cameron Diaz, and besides, I’d grown out of the psychedelic nature of the zine; fatherhood can change a lad. Word of warning, whippersnappers.
But once bitten, the creative cannot help but create, that’s why they call them creatives, see? I picked self-publishing up again when eBooks came around, as it was easy, and not so time consuming. As an author I spaffed out more books than Boris Johnson did lies, happy as a method of improving my writing skills; though it’s still a learning cuve…. curth… bendy thing. And okay, that’s the same joke, get used to it.
Devizine came about simply for looking at other avenues in which to offload my wobbly words to the unfortunate world. I pitched to satirical, (or “fake news,” to gammons of which satire is above their understanding) websites, but was only sporadically successful, even lesser-so my attempt to create my own satirical website, called Poop Scoop. Until I noticed a new local news-site called Index;Wiltshire. There, finally through this insane waffling lies the kingpin to Devizine.
The editor wrote to me, “you’re the most powerful person in Devizes,” as my weekly rant column amassed a thousandfold more hits than MP James Gray’s did. Dishonest flattery works; I marched on, slagging off everything that was shit about Devizes as I could possibly think of, for humorous effect, you understand? Some didn’t, and Monday morning hate-mail filled my inbox, which was amusing to start with but being grew tedious.
Aside common complaints from any medium-sized market town, the joke wore thin due to decreasing ammo. Devizes is actually a great place to live; could be better, like freewheeling Frome, or like Tijuana, the murder capital of the world, it could be worse. The need to keep the ideas flowing caused me to post a gathering material question on a local Facebook group. It was Jemma Brown who raised the most important point: why didn’t I focus on the positives about living in Devizes? Of course, she was bang on the money, but it simply wouldn’t do, for that’s not the nature of satire, that’s not the idea of “No Surprises Living in Devizes.”
At the time, I’d just crawled out from my hermit hole and seen for myself talent lurking in the mists of this Tory haven. Richie Triangle played The Black Swan, spurring me to meet Tamsin Quin, who was crowdfunding for a debut album. Jemma, naturally was aiming my attention to her productions, as the TITCO theatre company. I wrote of my findings in an ever-increasingly heavily edited version of my rant column, claiming I was spinning the negatives around, though it was lagging in ethos, because to know me is to know I’m happy-go-lucky, and I couldn’t keep the pretence of being some kind of left-wing Alf Garnett any longer.
The column suddenly became more about what events were forthcoming in Devizes, rather then ranting about how rubbish everything was. I think at one point I joked, โwhat do I look like, some kind of event guide now?!โ Not realising Iโd predicted the outcome.
Frustrated the column was so heavily edited, now a new editor took over, I took to publishing them on a personal blog, but blogs need love and attention, in other words shameless self-promotion. Devizine though, as I came to knock up a new blog with the idea of doing precisely what we do now, promotes itself, as featured creative types share the fact they’ve been featured, and generally, people seemed to flock to this gap in the market. The first ever article was an unedited version of the that weekโs column, the second was about Tamsinโs Crowdfunder.
I never understood, and probably never will, why aside perpetual splashes on national news stories as an aid to fund submissions to scoop sites, regional newspapers here couldn’t at least mention, or give credit to all the talented people here too. There’s room in a newspaper for both surely? But their downfall is our triumph. Devizine is now the go-to to what to do, the rest of it is me just mucking about!
This, coupled with our policy of brute honesty, will always be why Devizine has become something of a (slightly) respectable local institution. Though it may not have started out this way, because a few who were supposed to be responsible for what’s on sections of local media outlets fell short of lifting a finger, and thought it better to sought to trash Devizine’s pending reputation. Funny world, I thought Devizine would be welcomed, and I opened, and still do, my arms to the chances to work with them regardless; c’est la vie.
I believe it’s levelled now. Hardly anyone posts on local Facebook groups, “any live music going on tonight?” And if they do, rather than being directed to Devizine by yours truly, someone else beats me to the recommendation. Which brings me nicely on to the ten zillion quintillion thank you accreditations.
For aside my waffling, the bulk of this article is nothing more than a tedious clip show, which has taken longer to load up than I planned, probably be the sixth birthday by the time I publish it! Maybe we’ll refer to it as a โphoto gallery in dial-up connection speed!โ
Cider in one hand trying applause without spillages, my photography skills are best avoided whenever possible. Though I do believe I’m getting better, nothing illustrates a review better than a professional or semi-pro photographer. We’ve used and abused so many, and other than Nick Padmore, who makes me sit on his knee, most of them allow us to use their wonderful snaps for free! Which is handy, cos Devizine has not made millionaires out of us, quite yet.
So, a massive thank you, which would deserve a huge hug, if I wasnโt to wonder if that was a zoom lens in their pockets, rather than them being pleased to see me, and also an apology, there’s so many photos here it’d be a minefield wracking my miniscule mind recalling who took what, so excuse me, I hope that you donโt mind, I’ve not been able to credit them individually. Take it as red, though, the out of focus ones are likely from me. The rest I owe to so many photographers, some mentioned here and now: Gail Foster, Nick Padmore, Simon Folkard, Helen PolarPix, Ruth Wordly, Matthew Hennessy, Abbie Asadi, and Chris Dunn of Inscope Design. Please give them a virtual applause and go check out their work via their websites and social media.
But everyone needs a thank you, donโt they? So many good people have come to my rescue, submitted reviews, scoops and content, to make Devizine both comprehensive, and how I see it; a community-led, erm, thingy. I’d appreciate any help I can get, I’m totally overloaded here, and apologise to things I’ve missed, but Mrs Miggins has to get her pint of semi, also. You know you run a what’s on guide when Facebook pings the notification, “you have 55 events this weekend!”
Sporadically then writers have contributed, and I have Ian Diddams, Jemma Brown, TD Rose, Jenny Dalton, Phil Bradley, and Helen Robertson to sincerely thank too. But none more than our esteemed man in the field, the brilliant Andy Fawthrop, for his constant bombardment of most excellent reviews have been a godsend, to the point we need a statue of the good fellow here, front and centre of the lobby in the prestigious Devizine Towers. Seriously, if I cannot get hold of any marble, though, it might have to be made of paper cups.
All I have to say now is thanks everyone, everyone who has supported us, everyone I missed on the roll-call, contributed in some way, and that’s a long list, folk like the ones who’ve helped us out with technical bobs and bits; Ida McConnell, and musically, Dean Czerwionka, Mike Barham, Cath, Gouldy and the DayBreakers, Clifton Powell and Nick Newman, Daydream Runaways and The Roughcut Rebels.
Or those who’ve given their time to play for us at one of our fundraising gigs, the above mentioned, plus, Chole Jordan, Will Foulstone, Tamsin Quin, Phil Cooper, Jamie R Hawkins, George Wilding, Bryony Cox, Lottie Jenkins, Mirko Pangrazzi, Bran Kerdhynen, Finley Trusler and Sam Bishop.
And I think I’ve waffled enough; sorry if I missed anyone, but they know who they are. Bloody love ’em too, I do; group hug.
Being the Wiltshire Air Ambulance bear, touring homemade breweries, the Palace cinema, spending a day with Clifton Powell with Arts Together, going behind the scenes with DOCA, a day on tour with Talk in Code, press screening of Follow the Crows, riding an E-bike with Sustainable Devizes, meeting Neville Staple backstage, plus all the event invites, and so much more my brain is aching, there’s been so many fond memories, but I think, if you had to ask me to pick just one, it’d have to be the time I did my milk round in my Spiderman onesie and met with Carmela Chillery-Watson and her lovely family. A day I’ll never forget.
It leaves me now, to sign off, you must be tired looking at all those people having fun, but I did pre-warn you about my waffling! Enjoy the remaining pictures in our picture show, maybe you’ve spotted yourself in there, five or less years younger. If so, I want you to know, you’re still that gorgeous, gorgeous for showing us your support and partying with us; here’s to another five years, gorgeous!!
Trivia: What is the most popular article on Devizine to-date?
A: The April Fools Day joke 2021, when I announced, McDonalds was coming to Devizes. I believe that one broke the internet! Sad, but true.
Trivia: When did you first force Andy Fawthrop against his will and better judgement, to write reviews?
A: I believe it was October 2018, and the first review was Joe Hicks at the Three Crowns; I maybe wrong, I often am.
Trivia: Who was that country looking gent who used mascot on Devizine?
A: I donโt know, stop hassling me with inane questions like a fanboy at a Star Trek convention!
Slight seasonal changes, wetter but still warm, slight Prime Minister changes, dryer but still a narcissistic numpty; ah well, letโs see, a day later than usual I know and apologise, whatโs happening in Wiltshire over the next weekโฆ…
The one link you need as usual, is our event calendar, where itโs all listed with ticket and info links, and itโs updated (fairly) regularly, so bookmark the beast and remain as you will be after reading this; in the know. ย
Thursday 8thand thereโs the Swindon Comedy Club at Kioki, with headliner Abi Clarke.
Friday 9th Hedda Gabler begins at the Wharf Theatre, Devizes and runs until 24th September. Hedda Gabler is recognised as one of the worldโs great plays written by one of the worldโs great playwrights and is generally regarded as Ibsenโs masterpiece. Hedda, on the face of it, is not your archetypal tragic heroine. Starting quietly, and quite humorously, the drama builds to its terrifying and riveting climax, involving the presentation set of pistols that Hedda inherited from her father.
One to watch, Sour Apple play the Pelican in Devizes on Friday, and look out for a new music program called Vamos, at The Old Road Tavern, Chippenham, theyโve got the wonderful Harmony Asia supporting Hoggs Bison. And find Illingworth at The Royal Oak in Marlborough, all free gigs.
โHurrah, they are back to Schoolโ runs the tagline of the end of summer barbeque at Seend Community Centre.
Our renowned house DJ, George G Force is at Marston Park, Frome, while tribute The Smyths play The Cheese & Grain. Festival season hasnโt quite closed yet, itโs The Mucky Weekender Festival at the Winchester Bowl.
Meanwhile, In Swindon, Dangerous Kitchen play The Vic, The Salts at Swindon Arts Centre, and A Country Night in Nashville at the Wyvern Theatre.
Saturday 10thand back by popular demand, the start of the legendary Pewsey Carnival, yay! Procession is next Saturday 17th, with the Wheelbeero race on Thursday 15th, but this Saturday is Pewsey Carnival Wine Race.
Our editorโs pick of the week; Party for Life, Melksham
A world suicide prevention day fundraiser in the Sky Bar at Melksham Town FC. The Soul Strutters, Blind Lemon Experience and Roughcut Rebels play this big one, with DJs and pizza and others; sounds fantastic, we did preview it a while back, and I believe a few tickets are still up for grabs, follow their Facebook page for more details.
Staying in the Sham, The Pilot has a Family fun day with music and, fundraising for MIND, see the poster for details.
Crafts, stalls and entertainment are promised at Devizes Rotary Clubโs Health & Wellbeing Showcase on the Small Green from 11am-3pm on Saturday, and for a musical evening in Devizes, rock covers band Black Nasty are at The Southgate, while People Like Us do their awesome thing at the Three Crowns.
Time also, for the Burbage Beer, Cider & Music Festival.
Another upcoming local band to watch is Salisbury indie-kids Carsick, who plan to blow the lid off of Trowbridge Town Hall.
Contrasts in Swindon as Rage Against the Regime play The Vic, while Shape Of You brings the music of Ed Sheeran to the Wyvern Theatre.
You might have caught him at Devizes Arts Festival this summer, Alfie Mooreโs show Fair Cop Unleashed comes to Salisbury Arts Centre.
No prizes for guessing who Motorheadache is attributing, theyโre at the Cheese & Grain, Frome, while Dana Gavanski plays their sister venue the Tree House, with Cornelia Murr in support.
And unfortunately, The International Comics Expo, ICE in Birmingham which Iโve still got listed, has been cancelled, Iโm just being too lazy to delete it!
Sunday 11th, after terrible weather last Sunday postponed Devizes Town Bandโs Childrenโs Proms in the Park at Hillworth, it will be combined this week with the planned main Proms in the Park.
And save a Recital Series at Swindon Arts Centre, also on Sunday, that about wraps it up for the weekend, unless you know different? Unless you dare to tell me that I missed something?! Please do, I donโt bite, at least only a nip, on the bum; itโs free to list stuff on Devizine, just message us, weโre in it for the love.
Through the week Iโve not got much, but you know updates of the event calendar occasionally happens, though Iโm currently undergoing the arduous task of getting next yearโs calendar up and running, so bear with, bear with.
Tuesday 13th, Iโve got Kaleidoscopic at Salisbury Arts Centre and a RSPB: A Victorian Birderโs Wiltshire at the same venue.
Next week though you can look forward to Pewsey carnival, Swindon Shuffle, and the White Horse Opera is back too, along with lots more events to get your teeth into; Iโll catch you around at one sometime, maybe? What else are you going to do, โSimpsoniseโ yourself with a phone app; get real?!!
Bit Wintery, innit? Calendars are going forward, weather is going backwards! Hereโs whatโs happening over the coming week in the wilds of Wiltshire, hold ontoโฆ
Hey, teacher! Leave those sausage rolls alone. Hereโs whatโs happening over the coming week in the wilds of Wiltshire, hold onto your hats, there beโฆ
West-side in the Lavingtons last night, tumbleweeds could’ve blown along the High Street as an army of highway operatives rode into the village with heavyโฆ
Featured image by LoraDore After an impressive forty-five years of Guiding in Worton, through Brownies, Guides, Young Leadership, and as the Unit Leader there forโฆ
It might not be bank holiday, but itโs not blank holiday, if you see what I mean? Nah, forget it; hereโs whatโs happening over the next week in Wiltshire.
Pinch punch, Thursday is the first of September, and Iโve got nothing, yet! Do keep a check when updates come into our event calendar, the one link you need for info on all the stuff below and for planning future events.
Friday 2ndis the Wax Palaceโs Kaleidoscope Festival in Erlestoke, ravers, thereโs also the End of the Road Festival, Salisbury way on the Dorset border, and the Punchbowl Festival in Codford.
Closer to us, The Devizes Living Room has a โbloc-party,โ on the Green, all welcome. Potterne Social Club has People Like Us, The Roughcut Rebels play The Barge Inn at Seend Cleeve, Navajo Dogs are at The New Inn, Winterbourne Monkton.
Comedy at The Boathouse, Bradford-on-Avon with Sally-Anne Heywood.
And over in Swindon, youโll find the Groove Club Collective at The Vic, Mac N Cheese at the Queenโs Tap, and The Total Stone Roses playing Level III.
Saturday 3rd, and itโs the start of Salisbury Art Trail, running until 18th September.
Itโs Malmesbury Carnival, the Melksham Food & River Festival, and Tripwire Presents Bristol Comic Con over the weekend. Lego fans check out The Cheese & Grain, Frome where thereโs a Lego show and market, Brickinโ It!
Editorโs Pick of The Week
In Devizes itโs Confetti Battle time, and the Colour Rush, yay! No tokens this year, so you will just need to line up to buy you confetti so arrive early to avoid the queues. Youโll still need to line up to collect your confetti prior to the 8pm kick-off.
As far as we know Devizes is the only town in the world that has a Confetti Battle tradition. No one can remember the first official battle but we know its roots date back to the old Devizes Carnival in 1913, where confetti and rose petals were thrown by the crowd at people in the procession. The tradition evolved into a fully-fledged battle around 1955 when it was started by Jim Jennings; should make it my editorโs pick of the of the week really.
This year the Confetti Battle continues to grow and the colourful chaos has been added to with the introduction of the Colour Rush, an amazing 5 km mixed terrain fun run โ what better way to arrive at a Confetti Battle than covered in multi-coloured powder!
There is no โbattleโ as such, just a very silly half-hour during which a lot of fun is had, and a lot of confetti is thrown about. Expect to get โattackedโ by complete strangers throwing paper! The Battle continues to gain popularity and 2017 saw over 3500 people take part. The event takes place at the finish line of our new Colour Rush 5k run so expect to see some exceptionally colourful visitors in the crowd.
Jennings funfair is in the Market Place on Friday 2nd September until Sunday 3rd of September operating between 5.30 pm until 11.00 pm.
The DOCA website says โkeep your eyes peeled when collecting your confetti as one lucky person will receive a Golden Ticket in a confetti bag,โ it continues so say, โthis will entitleโฆโ and then it ends, so Iโve no idea what the golden ticket entitles you to! Maybe they need to keep their eyes peeled on their typos, but I guess theyโre too busy making fun for us all, and I, for one, bless them for it.
Staying in Devizes for confetti free events, Jamie R Hawkins will be at The Southgate, while Paradox plays The Cellar Bar of the Bear Hotel. Tamsin Quin plays the Barge on HoneyStreet.
Wiltshire BKA Honey Bee Health Day at Market Lavington, some Carnival Music by Jenny Bracey at The Crown in Aldbourne. Local Heroes Inc play Prestbury Sports Bar, Warminster.
In Swindon Moonwire and Lung at The Vic, Dragon Eye at The Rolleston, Larkhill at the Queens Tap, Echo at Coleview Community Centre and Dreuw & Will Killen at The Hop Inn.
Sunday 4th September, and thereโs a RSPCA fun dog show on the Green in Devizes, and the monthly residency of Jon Amor at the Southgate at 5pm, featuring guest Nat Martin.
Composer-pianist and creative coder, Larkhall will be taking his innovative live show to venues across the UK this year, he comes to Schtum in Box on Sunday, and playing Pound Arts in Corsham on the 9th.
White Horse Classic and Vintage Vehicle Show in Westbury, and Minety has a Beer & Cider Festival.
Rainbow Fest at The Olive Tree Cafe in Swindon, promises crafts, live Music and poetry for ยฃ2 entry (under 12 free) with all funds going to charities supporting LGBQIA+. Meanwhile, local acoustic duo Sweet Nightingale play Queens Park.
And thatโs your weekend, folks. Monday 5th sees a live art Demonstration by Artist Paul Oakley at Devizes Conservative Club, organised by the Lawrence Society of Art. And that for now is all I have for midweek, but I promise to do some digging and update the event calendar more often, pinky promise.
Okay, that leaves me with stuff to get prepared for, that means buying tickets, dammit! September 10th sees the Party For Life fundraiser at Melksham Town FC, details here, get yourself a ticket for this, raising funds and awareness of Suicide prevention.
Also, the Wharf Theatre opens for its Autumn/winter season with Hedda Gabler running from 9th to the 24th. Bath Children’s Literature Festival, Devizes Food & Drink Festival, Swindon Shuffle and Swindon Folk & Blues Festival; itโs still happening, summer isnโt throughโฆ. yet!
And if you’ve still found nothing to interest you, stay in and listen to our new volume of the 4 Julia’s House compilation album, which we released last week. 35 amazing, locally-sourced songs, and all the proceeds go to Julia’s House Children’s Hospices; thank you!
Hereโs whatโs happening over the coming week in the wilds of Wiltshire, hold onto your hats, letโs lots to get throughโฆ.. Everything listed here isโฆ
This Saturday sees Bristol’s Hip Hop phenonium, The Scribes bringing their Boombox show to The Pump, Trowbridge, and will be the group’s only performance inโฆ
As part of the global Kidical Mass movement, this event combined a family-friendly cycle ride with aย protest, calling for safe streets for everyone. The rideโฆ
We canโt wait until roundup Tuesday, when we usually roundup the weekly roundup, itโs the last big summer blowout bank holiday, so weโre simply too excited and thought you might wanna plan early, so here it is, hold on to your horses… or just let them run wild, I’m not worried, just too excited, did I say I was too excited?!
Repetition is fine, but there’s no links here, too time-consuming, so please us this link to our event calendar, and you can grab details and ticket links from there, but you knew that already, I hope. Oh, did I say, repetition is fine?
All quiet on Wednesday 24th, but if youโre eager to get the ball rolling, 41 Fords play the Kilminton Home Guard Club in Warminster, entry by donation, and donโt forget Wednesday s are the regular acoustic jam night down our trusty Southgate in Devizes, and is always a wonderful night.
Thursday 25th then, and Honey Fest kicks off at the Barge on HoneyStreet, and banging out the whole weekend; I believe thereโs a few tickets up for grabs.
Meanwhile, unmissable rock soloist Adam Masterson plays The Tuppenny in Swindon with Jules Hill in support. Bath Forum have The Billy Joel Songbook, and lots of lucky people will be making their way to either Reading Festival or GoatFest; have fun!
Warming up to Friday, the 26th August, when our brilliant Irish folk duo, the Celtic Roots Collective are at the Pelican in Devizes.
Over in the land of chips and ham, thereโs an August Bank Holiday Beer & Cider Festival at the Three Crowns, and ska-punkers Operation77 play The Black Horse, Chippenham.
Illingworth takes on triple gigs this weekend, catch them at Flan OโBrianโs in Bath on Friday, where Komedia have a night with The Ministry of Burlesqueโs Cabaret; ding dong!
Mod band Peloton plays The Vic, Swindon, and wow, the Cheese & Grain, Frome have Morcheeba, yes, I said Morcheeba; show offs!
Saturday 27th, is the big one. Shall I start it with theโฆ.
Editorโs Pick of Week: The Full Tone Festival, The Green, Devizes
Yep, you probably guessed it, itโs time for the hills of Devizes to come alive with the sound of music. It is the Full Tone Festival Weekend. Hurry and get your ticket, and say hi if you see me wandering around like a lost puppy. Said what needed to be said about this corker, let the show begin.
Over in Devizes Market Place from 9am-1pm thereโs a Mind, Body & Spirit Market. Thereโs free live music all day at the Crown Inn, Bishops Cannings, with 12 Bars Later, Plan of Action, and Itโs Complicated. Later, 12 Bars Later nip across to the Southgate, Devizes!
And where do I even begin elsewhere? Holt Scarecrow Trail begins, itโs Aldbourne Carnival, a Rod Stewart tribute at The Pewsham, Near Chippenham, thereโs a Summer Party at Westbury Cons Club with Wade Merritt and Jay, followed by People Like Us, and the West of England Youth Orchestra perform at Wiltshire Music Centre, Bradford-on-Avon.
A debut performance, at the Gloucester Road Conservative Club in Trowbridge for soul band Dimensions, and thatโs free entry. Kurt Vile & The Violators at Bath Forum, Apollo Ghosts at the Cheese & Grain, Frome, and in Swindon, the wonderful The Daybreakers are live at The Vic, while The Tin Shack Band play the Woodlands Edge. Oh, and The Swiss Chalet has a Harryโs Heroes fundraiser.
Sunday is where things usually start to calm down, but not this weekend. The 28th sees the second day of Full Tone, Great Cheverall Soap Box Derby and Potterne Festival.
Illingworth play The Churchill Arms in West Lavington today, and a young local band to watch out for, Nothing Rhymes With Orange are in support.
Thereโs a mini fest at the Talbot in Calne with Six Oโclock Circus, People Like Us, Wet Frank, End of Story and others.
LodgeFest aptly at Warminsterโs Lodge, an M4 Classic Car & Bike Show in Chippenham, and the Hammervilles have a bank holiday beach party at the Cheese & Grain, Frome.
Swindon is gearing up for the Shuffle next month, but in the meantime, Shades of Seattle plays the Vic, highly recommended Atari Pilot are at the Castle, and for the kids, thereโs always Milkshake live at the Wyvern.
If youโre still standing in Devizes on Monday, 29th August, hereโs what to doโฆ. Black Rat Monday, down The British Lion, with the Celtic Roots Collective and a jam to follow. Or Finley & Mark support The Reason at the Three Crowns; nice either way!
From 5pm Illingworth will be at the Waterfront, Pewsey, and the Beverley May Band play The Milk Churn, Melksham. Itโs the Chippenham River Festival, thereโs a massive line-up for a free music festival across the entire village of Box, it is Box Rocks. The Lost Trades and Dolly Mavies headline a mini-festival at The Lamb Yard in Bradford-on-Avon, and Abba tribute 21st Century ABBA play The Bowl in Town Gardens, Swindon.
Iโm sure thereโs going to be more added as the week goes by, so keep up-to-date with our event calendar. Thatโs the weekend forecast to date, though.
Tuesday 30thand Gently Tender play The Royal Oak in Marlborough, the regular Jazz Knights at Swindonโs Royal Oak has the Kevin Figes Quartet, during the day thereโs a Farmyard Circus at Queenโs Park, and Russell Brand comes to the Wyvern.
Wednesday 31st, look out for the Wind in the Willows at the Corsham Almshouses, and phew, thatโs me done, dusted and ready for a nap; have a great weekend!
On Saturday, people from across Swindon came to Swindon Palestine Solidarityโs charity dinner to raise funds for Medical Aid Palestine and raise awareness of theโฆ
To international acclaim on the folk circuit, weโve loved to follow the progress of the Lost Trades since day dot, when Phil Cooper enthusiastically toldโฆ
A third instalment of space rock swirls and cosmic heavy duty guitar riffs was unleashed in January from our homegrown purveyors of psychedelia, Cracked Machine.โฆ
Feeel the melody that’s in the (Devizes) air! If the nineties house clubbing revival is whatโs happening elsewhere around the nation, we have to admit,โฆ
Hey you, Feb already, hereโs whatโs happening over the coming week in the wilds of Wiltshireโฆโฆ Everything listed here is on our event calendar; goโฆ
Perhaps best known as the frontman of Afro Celt Sound System, the Belgium-based artist N’Faly Kouyatรฉ will be hitting the road for nine intimate showsโฆ
Ah this is more like it, the English summer we know and love! Tad wet, but hereโs what we have to do this week and the last weekend before the big summer blow-out which is the August Bank Holiday.….
Donโt forget, more info and all links for bookings are on our event calendar, where you can also plan ahead, so long as it keeps updating, which Iโm trying my best to, honest!
Thereโs a floral demonstration at Devizes Town Hall on Wednesday 17th August, by the Devizes Flower Club; opens at 7pm, ยฃ5.
Parents head for the Wiltshire Music Centre, Bradford-on-Avon where thereโs a messy art session and a singing day ahead.
Manchesterโs noughties art rock band Everything Everything play the Cheese & Grain, Frome.
Thursday 18th, and again, kids can visit The Musical Zoo at the wonderful Wiltshire Music Centre, Bradford-on-Avon. Three bands at The Beehive, Swindon on Thursday, The Acoustic Buzz 52, Larkham & Hall and Jol Rose. Also, at The Vic the have Monasteries, Creak, Persadian & Chasing Dolls. The Summer Youth Project performance of Legally Blonde is at the Wyvern.
Onto Friday 19th, and itโs the Wine Tasting event at St Maryโs Devizes, previewed here.
If youโre lucky you can still book a fantastic Survival Camp for any young adventurous children who are aged between 10 years old and 12 years old, with the Wild Edge Survival Camp at West Lavington.
Folk duo Fly Yeti Fly are at The Bear Inn, Bradford on Avon, The Beverley May Band at The Kings Arms, Melksham, Hayden Lloyd at Komedia, Bath. @59 play The Wellington in Marlborough.
In Swindon, Judas Rising plays the Vic, while Bobbi Nicholles is at Woodlands Edge.
Saturday 20th, itโs my pick of the week; the Bath Comic & Gaming Festival at Bath Uni. Full of UK based comic artist guests, some film and tv guests and cosplay guests, a dinosaur zone, Stranger Things, Ghostbusters and Star Wars props, and lots of stuff for kids to empty fanboy dadโs wallet! Lord, help me!
Roots and folk at the Southgate Devizes, with Barney Kelly, and the welcome return of Long Street Blues Club with Skinny Molly, I believe is a sell-out. Worth checking though, I might be wrong, as, I sometimes am; I said sometimes!
Dutty Moonshine Big Band play The Barge, HoneyStreet, Emily Barker is at The Pump in Trowbridge, and another successful Pipe & Slippers Rave at Trowbridge Town Hall goes off; I have to see this for myself; dust off the old whistle and white gloves! Oh, and if Sausage & Cider is more your thing, thereโs a Day of it at The Brewery Inn, Seend Cleeve.
Shame Live at Lydiard had to cancel, but People Like Us play The Swiss Chalet, Swindon and Click! are at Woodlands Edge.
Sunday afternoon on the 21st August then, has another Fantasy Radio Lark in Hillworth Park, Devizes, though Iโve no idea whoโs playing, because they never say. But Chaz Throughgood is at the Southgate.
Itโs the August Jam for the exclusive Wiltshire Blues & Soul Club, in their hiding place at Lacock, while the fantastic Sarah C. Ryan Band play a lazy afternoon at Richard Jefferies Museum, Swindon, and Jim Blackmann plays Komedia, Bath.
And thatโs your weekend over. On Tuesday 23rd Radio Banska play Jazz Knights at The Royal Oak, Swindon, and at this moment in time Iโve nought else in the week until Thursdayโs opening of HoneyFest at the Barge on HoneyStreet.
But it will be bank holiday next weekend, and thereโs much to be looking into and planning. Weโll be at The Full Tone Festival on the Green in Devizes, and that one, I promise you, will be awesome, but not the same without you, so get your ticket as soon as possible!
But yeah, same weekend you can find Reading Festival, GoatFest, Potterne Festival, Holt Scarecrow Trail, the Great Cheverall Soap Box Derby, Mini Talbot Fest at The Talbot, Calne, LodgeFest at The Lodge, Warminster, an M4 Classic Car & Bike Show in Chippenham, Chippenham River Festival, a live music festival at the Lamb Yard in Bradford-on-Avon, 21st Century ABBA at The Bowl, Town Gardens, Swindon as well as multitude of smaller gigs at just about every local pub and venue you can mention; and itโs all here on our event calendar, just hope the rain gives it a break!
The Importance of Being Earnest is rather like a newfound interest in jazz, you must โunlearnโ the four-beat pop you’re accustomed to, to fully appreciateโฆ
Hey frozen duckling, hereโs whatโs happening over the coming week in the wilds of Wiltshireโฆโฆ Everything listed here is on our event calendar; go thereโฆ
Devizes-based chocolate engineer Holly Garner, 2023 Chocolate Champion for the Southwest, has launched her new chocolate classes for the first half of 2024โฆโฆ From learningโฆ
Tuesday before Christmas Iโm in New Society. I gazed across to a table by the window, recalling an optimistic response from local Labour candidate Rachaelโฆ
Steeple Ashton’s Summer Spectacular at the church paddock on Saturday 10th September promises a three-course street food feast, with an auction from Paul Martin of TV’s Flog It, a casino, and entertainment from a magician and Abba tribute, Angels.
Tickets are ยฃ45 from the Steeple Ashton village shop, or online here, and proceeds go to a number of chosen and worthy charities.
Wiltshire Air Ambulance needs no introduction, but you should be aware it relies entirely on fundraising.
The organisers are keen to add the event is also supporting Motor Neurone Disease Association, which focuses on improving access to care for those people and their families living with or affected by this fatal disease that affects the brain and spinal cord.
And Evieโs Gift too, which was set up by Bryan & Patsy Clover after their 13 year old daughter, Evie, tragically died of an aggressive brain tumour. During the time she was in hospital they saw tired and anxious parents of very sick children sleeping on chairs, or even in their cars, as they couldnโt afford hotel accommodation.
The charity pays for accommodation and help for parents in these stressful situations. All very worthy causes for what sounds like an awesome party; tickets are on sale now.
Discover new tipples at a professionally-led tutored tasting.
Communion wine wonโt be among the offering at a tutored tasting in St Maryโs Church, Devizes, on Friday, 19th August, but instead look forward to exploring an eclectic mix of interesting wines chosen by renowned local vintner Casper Bowes. There will be something to appeal to every palate at the masterclass, which will provide the opportunity to sample a range of fine wines from different parts of the world in the unique historic setting of the Grade 1 listed building in New Park Street.
Co-founders of Bowes Wine, Casper and Victoria, who describe themselves as a โhealthily wine-obsessed husband and wife teamโ, started the business in 2002 and focus on sourcing new and exciting wines from both the classic and lesser known regions of the world, with both young and older vintages in their sights. The tasting will enable those imbibing to go away with a better understanding and appreciation of a wide range of specially selected wines. The evening starts at 6.30pm and will end around 8.30pm with a glass of sparkling wine and nibbles.
Tickets, which are limited and cost ยฃ20, can be purchased through St Mary Devizes Trust website at: www.stmarydevizestrust.org.uk where you can also find further information about future events in the church and learn more about the plans to transform the building into a vibrant community arts venue for future generations.
Dry January, anyone? Well, Lady Nade just plunged into an outdoor 4ยฐC eucalyptus sauna for a social media reel. But whilst I’d require a stiff … Continue reading “Lady Nade; Sober!”
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 tunes … Continue reading “Rooks; New Single From M3G”
If I said of the Full Tone Festival, last year, “and in the history of events in Devizes, the magnitude of what The Full-Tone Orchestra achieved yesterday will forever be imprinted,” it was for two reasons; that it was, and also, aside their free gig in the Market Place, it was inaugural. Still, there’s a number of annual events well established in town, already historically imprinted.
One firm favourite, The Devizes Beer & Cider Festival returned post-lockdown, yesterday, for it’s 21st anniversary, a day which can be best described as monumental, if more expected to be than first timers, like FullTone.
I’ve been to a few drinks festivals, where you can choose from top to bottom, left or right, from the displayed kegs, work your way through the lot and return home a tad tipsy. Not so here, unless you’re Oliver Reed. There was just too many to choose from, and I’m only a cider drinker, beer drinkers would’ve needed Norris McWhirter on standby for a Guinness World Record.
You will need to join Devies branch of the beer trainspotters club CAMRA for some detailed analysis of indivdual brands on offer, I took the pin-in-a-map system and came out on top with such a variety of appley tipples I couldn’t begin to list, unless you have all day? Which you might have, being it’s Sunday, and if you attended, you’re probably not feeling motivated to cut the grass!
The main concentration here should, I believe, be focussed not in review of the contents of my souvenir glass, but in sincere thanks to the volunteers who had this huge beer hall running like clockwork.There must have been a pile of socks around the back, because they sure worked them off, and like robots with charisma programming as standard, they served proper job.
The most common verbal appraisals to Devizes Wharfside being transformed into a beer top-heavy festival, on the day, was, like Christmas day after the Grinch, ones of sheer delight that said monumental occasion has been returned to them after the triple year break.
But it’s far from Devizions just loitering, downing this vast selection and singing the event’s praises. Rather than hoist in hired food vans of varying quality, Devizes Rotary took care of the nosh, superbly. With standard barbecue favourites and king sized woks of meat or vegetable chilli, and the ice cream van was busy too.
Busy is an operative word for the event as a whole. Rapping with organiser Don Jones, I was informed attendance figures were very much governed on how much beer they had to sell. Yet by the end, the approximate 1,700 strong crowd prioritised drinking that colossal beer tent dry, and should you be new to town, welcome to Devizes!
It must take experienced organisers to estimate so precisely how much a crowd of this size will drink without too much waste or predicted riot if underestimated. I have trouble guessing how much pasta to plop into the pan when cooking for four!
Anyhoo, rain didn’t rear its ugly mug, and under shaded skies of tolerable temperature, surrounded by deck chair city, sat the main attraction aside the beer tent, ah, some musical entertainment; twist my arm why don’t you?! Atop transport company Garrbutts’ trailer the stage was set for a host of locally-sourced acts. Devizes CAMRA made a wise move to bring in local music aficionados, Ben and his partner Victoria to arrange the entertainment. Being their first time coordinating they knocked it out of the park, or at least, the wharf!
Devizes Town Band opened. I rolled up to Tom Harris and Claire’s rather sea shanty set, inspired by the neighbouring canal I gather, giving it Chicken on a Raft, and other joyful sing-a-longs, they never fail to please.
Followed quickly by Devizes favourite, unpretentious singer-songwriter Vince Bell, who’s intelligently crafted songs and guitar skills shines with every tune. Not content with showing his spellbinding aptitude with self-penned songs rich in emotion and often topically local, he covered David Gray’s Babylon, and proved talent is hereditary, when his, also all-singing (for Devizes Musical Theatre) partner, Lisa’s daughter, Evie, joined him for a homely enchanting tune, Lisa’s kitchen. The finale was the icing, his audience participation unofficial Devizes theme, which if you know, you know!
New to me, Warminster’s Dr Zebo’s Wheezy Club was up next, proving the timelessness of classic olde timey Americana. They were a highly skilled trio, guitarist, double-bass and fiddle authenticity breathed life in 1920s swing, tango, and a touch of bluegrass. Something different and welcomed, Tom Waits covers and revised banned rarities, shockingly more effective than it sounds.
With the only warning from “voice of Devizes,” compere Ian Diddams, we were next whisked away to Irish taverns with popular flute and guitar combo, The Celtic Roots Collective, who never fail to engage an audience with isometric Irish folk dance, and seem to me to improve tenfold with every day that passes.
Headlining was the rock classic covers band, Triple JD, from Chippenham, yet a welcomed and regular feature of Devizes’ Southgate’s never-ending musical rota. Cover bands aplenty and available for hire, but if you want something mindblowingly above average, Triple JD put the overtime in. Even dropped from four-piece to three on this occasion, sublime covers of Cream, Deep Purple et al, came thick, fast and acutely delivered with unsurpassed accuracy. But it’s the plethora of Hendrix classics which both dominate the set, and astound; any band who can do that without offending the legend is a cut far above the rest, and Triple JD really push the boundaries of what a cover band should produce.
And so came the end of a hugely successful and highly entertaining day here in Devizes, putting The Beer & Cider Festival firmly back on the event calendar, where it so obviously belongs. It’s affordable, enjoyable through variety, and it’s already historically bookmarked, yesterday served only to reaffirm it.
“It’s not really a reggae crowd,” Nick Newman professed to me, “so, we’re just going to play some Bob Marley and popular tunes.” But if the finale was the wildcard, it proved though a show of heavy dubplates might be niche, everybody loves reggae and it moves the crowd like nothing else.
Dancing broke out across the Wharf as Knati P and Nick Razah did their sound system ting. Knati toasting the crowd, a majority perhaps unaware of “rewind” Jamaican DJ methods, but nevertheless feeling the vibes of a set akin to a breif history of everything that’s great about reggae, from Marley to Millie Small, from Two-Tone to contemporary subgenres, like Groove Amarda. In this they showcased the diversity of a misunderstood genre around these backwaters; causing me to uncaringly spill my cider down my t-shirt in gyrating to the Wailers inaugural ska hit, Simmer Down!
And on that point, it surely clarifies my point about Ben and Victoria’s devotion to bring as larger quality and variety to the music program as the selection of beers and ciders, in what was the perfect denouement to a wonderful evening; in my honest opinion, naturally!
Dry January, anyone? Well, Lady Nade just plunged into an outdoor 4ยฐC eucalyptus sauna for a social media reel. But whilst I’d require a stiff … Continue reading “Lady Nade; Sober!”
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 tunes … Continue reading “Rooks; New Single From M3G”
Yes, itโs that time again, stay-at-home parents. Time to either max your Majestic Wine warehouse loyalty card or fight school holiday boredom like a boss. Hereโs some ideas in Wiltshire and around and about, to occupy your little devils and demigods; you know, save them climbing the walls, and save you some hair...โฆ
Itโs not exhaustive, check back here from time to time for updates. There will be those who despite my asking on social media, will suddenly materialise from the woodwork screaming news of their events, workshops and other ideas. And to them I say, the more the merrier, message us, we have the technology to edit this, so please send us details.
Fuel & Wilshire Council Activities
FUEL was supposed to be for young people who are eligible for benefit related free school meals, are of school age and either be a resident of Wiltshire or attend a school in the County. Camps will be running in Melksham, Trowbridge, Westbury, Amesbury, Salisbury, Royal Wootton Bassett, Calne, Chippenham, Devizes and Warminster. Links to Fuel’s survey seems to be broken, and have left people confused how to book. Clearly WC have not provided enough places, but there’s lots of other activity camps across the county, to be found here.
Chippenham Kidsโ Comic Club
Make your own comic at Chippenham’s Neeld Hall on Tuesday 26th July. Tickets are just ยฃ1.50.
Outdoor Theatre show in Chippenham
โSomewhere in Britain, a long time ago, a very, very, very long time ago. So long ago that nobody quite knows whether it happened or not. Or where it happened or not. A boy pulled a sword from a stone and became King. A story of the old world, with knights, wizards, mist and magicโ.
This fun and farcical adventure is a deliberately anarchic re-telling of the Arthurian Legend with live music, physical comedy and lo-fi acrobatics. And some silly jokesโฆ
Kids Summer Art Club at Wiltshire Scrapstore & Resource Centre
All children must be accompanied by an adult. Adults must wear masks throughout the workshop. Numbers will be limited to ensure social distancing measures can be adhered to. Booking is essential and due to limited spaces. Book early to avoid disappointment. Sessions are ยฃ9.50 per child.
Groove and Move in Great Cheverall
A music and creative workshop for kids on the 8th and 9th of August in Great Cheverall. The days are intended to be a really fun day that will include listening to music, writing songs as a group, singing, dancing and a bit of drama added in. It will be a chance to let off steam, whilst joining in fun workshops intended to educate and stimulate literary skills, musicality and physical exercise.
The Mini Fair at The Rowdey Cow
in Rowde returns throughout the holiday. Operating on a wristband system thereโs bouncy castles, rides and games from 22nd July, 10am to 4pm.
Holiday Activities at Wiltshire Museum
Always a packed program over the summer hols, Wiltshire Museum in Devizes has school holiday craft activity sessions, suitable for children aged 11 and under; under 8s to be accompanied.
The sessions are usually held on the Wednesdays of school holidays, but they are so popular they sometimes run extra sessions on the Tuesdays too!
Braeside provides safe, inclusive, fun and challenging experiences for young people aged 8 -14. A whole range of activities take place. For a full detailed programme, for the current school holidays, please click the link. New dates have been added due to popular demand!
Devizes Tennis Club Summer Camp
If watching all the action at Wimbledon the past couple of weeks has put your little ones in the mood for tennis, be sure to book them in for Devizes Tennis Club’s Summer 2022 Tennis Holiday Camp.
Trowbridge Rugby Football ClubSummer Camps
On Sundays beginning 24th July until 28th August you are invited to join Trowbridge Rugby Football Club to give rugby a “TRY!” Boys and girls aged 4-12 years are welcome to come along to Doric Park from 11am-12 noon to take part in games, make friends, and learn what rugby is all about – FUN!
For more information about ๐ ๐๐๐ Summer fun sessions, please contact Andy Evans on 07872 065499 or summer.funsessionstrfc22@yahoo.com
Active Trowbridge
A range of sporty holiday activities for children, aged 4 upwards. Active Kids Camp, Soccer Schools and the Girlโs Football Camp, run in February Half Term, the Easter holidays, May Half Term, across the summer and finish for the year at October Half Term (excludes Bank Holidays). Offering sports and entertainment for your children for the entire day throughout the school holidays. They also offer breakfast as part of our extended day offer that will fuel them for the day ahead! Details HERE.
Summer Holiday Camps at The Farm Cookery School
A wide selection of cookery classes at The Farm Cookery School Netherstreet Farm, Bromham, to browse, book and then cook, see HERE!
Multi Sports Programme at Hardenhuish School
Up and Under are running their popular Multi Sports Programme to all abilities aged 5 -13, offering a fantastic variety of sports & activities each day. The course will run from 9am โ 4pm daily from 25th to 29th July.
ยฃ30 per day / ยฃ135 for all 5 days / 10% sibling discount is available
Sports include Trampolining, Climbing, Archery, Inflatable obstacle course, Football, Mini Olympics, Tennis, New Age Kurling, Handball, Hockey, Cricket, Ultimate Frisbee, Dodgeball, Multi Skill โ Martial Arts, Lacrosse, Basketball, Tag Rugby, Team Building Challenges along with daily competitions, prizes and certificates.
A Teddy Bearโs Picnic at King Alfred Hall, Chippenham
Join us for a musical Teddy Bearโs Picnic! Bring your teddy and journey with us to a magical garden to play with all the other teddies! Suitable for age 0-4 (older siblings welcome too!)
Summer holiday climbing sessions at The Arc, Chippenham
Climbing and games with expert coaching from one of our experienced instructors available over the summer holidays. These sessions will allow our younger climbers to work on their climbing skills, NICAS logbooks as well as engage in other activities and games. No experience necessary.
Bristol’s biggest retro video game and retro arcade experience is back and now fully open with 300+ games at the Galleries Shopping Centre, Bristol.
All day tickets with a wrist band so you can come and go.. (no coins required) – the Ultimate family and friends fun day! advance booking only. Buy one get one free (saving ยฃ14!) including weekends for all of the summer holidays July 24th – Sept 11th.
Family Space Day in Bath!
Coming to Bath this summer, enjoy a guided tour of the night sky; travel to the International Space Station; zoom across the Solar System; and handle a famous meteorite from outer space. Details & tickets
B-Smart B-Ballers: Fantastic football skills for kids age 18months โ 6 years; at Trowbridge Town Hall
Tuesday 19th July @ Trowbridge Town Hall. Fantastic football skills for kids age 18months โ 6 years!
Football is an amazing activity for children and most children will be kicking and throwing a ball of some sort as soon as they can walk.
At B-Ballers, We recognise that parents and guardians are by far the most important influence in a childโs life. Including parents in our mini and mighty Bee classes has a real positive impact on their football training. What better way to be involved and support their development whilst having lots of fun together
To book your 2 FREE lessons, simply call coach Emma reid on 07833788465 or visit www.b-smartballers.com
Performance: Catch That Beast! in Trowbridge
The Royal Society of Beastologists are a group with one mission: to track down mythical beasts. They canโt wait to come to Trowbridge Town Hall, meet their new members and capture the Terrible Beast of Trowbridge. Theyโve heard itโs been causing all sorts of nuisance.
But Jessy, the youngest Beastologist, has her doubts about beast hunting. What if beasts donโt want to be found? When Jessy is left behind at camp, an encounter with the Beast could help her transform the ways of the Beastologists for goodโฆ
Catch That Beast! is a magical, deliciously silly show about how we interact with wild things and how the youngest among us might bring about change. Full of humour, live music, inventive puppetry and audience participation, it is suitable for everybody aged 5+.
Art & Drama Workshops for aged 11 upwards at The Cause Arts Centre, Chippenham
Work with Charlie on colourful still life drawings, or play lots of fun games, exercises and make up short scenes with Laura.
A great way to spend a couple of hours and to find out if weโre for you before enrolling for a term. Weโre buzzing with ideas and canโt wait to get back to it! See you there.
4.30-6.30 on Wednesday 27th & Wednesday 3rd August. Find out more here.
Devizes Hockey Club Summer Camps
Junior Summer Sessions are here – limited places so get in quick!
Running weekly on Tuesday nights, from 12th July to 16th August, at Melksham Oaks astro, from 7pm-8pm. These sessions are suitable for U11s, U12s and U13s (Y6, 7 and 8 ) and for both boys and girls. Cost for all sessions: ยฃ30.
A fantastic Survival Camp on Friday 19th August, for any young adventurous children who are aged between 10 years old and 12 years old. Small groups of only 12, with a maximum intake of only 24 children; get in quick!
Devizes Netball Summer Camps
Mini netball Summer camps on Tuesday 23rd and Wednesday 24th August, open to members and non-members of the club. These will take place outside on the netball courts at Devizes Leisure Centre.
Each day there will be two age groups:
9am – 11am – current years 2-3 (going into years 3/4 in September)
11.30am-1.30pm – Years 4-5 (going into years 5/6 in September)
runs from the 27th to 31st August. In its tenth year, Holt Scarecrow Trail welcomes everybody. Main trail with 50 scarecrows to be found and guessed! Children’s trail will be run separately but can also be done alongside the Main trail too.
Summer Swimming โ Crash Course at Starfish Hydrotherapy Pool, Chippenham
Neptune Aquaticโs small-group intensive swimming crash courses at Starfish Hydrotherapy Pool are suitable for children aged 3 years+ and are the perfect way to introduce your young child to a swimming lessons environment or build on skills learned in weekly lessons. We currently offer crash courses (with a maximum of 6 children in each class) for our Ducklings, Turtles and Jellyfish stages (equivalent to Swim England Stages 1-4.) All courses are 5 days, with children swimming every morning for 25 minutes. We welcome all swimmers, including those who do not currently swim with Neptune Swim School.
Chippenham River Festival is on Bank Holiday Monday 29th August 2022 from 10am-4pm. An Artisan market, community stalls, a duck race, Tree high ropes activity, Boat trips and Stand up paddle boarding.
In the words of the King, โlord almighty, feel the temperature rising,โ itโs set to be scorchio this weekend; hereโs what weโve found to occupy yourself, but remember the code portmanteauโฆ. sunscreen! Iโm a kinda radish colour now as I didnโt listen to my own advice, which you didnโt need to know, but Iโm telling you anyway….
Iโm also telling you, as usual I ainโt, as ainโt nobody got time for adding links to this here overview, find all the addition info you need and ticket links on our Event Calendar HERE.
Donโt forget Marlborough Open Studios ongoing until 24th July. On Thursday 14th July find Ray Cooper at Marlborough Folk Roots club.
By Friday 15th you should be prepared to get your booties movin’ with a bit of Salsa dancing at The Muck & Dundar, Devizes.
Dan Whitehouse plays the Pump, Trowbridge, Holly Carter at The Royal Oak, Bath, Road Trip at The Vic, Swindon, and this one needs no clarification; MeatLoud โ Bat Out of Hades at the Neeld Hall, Chippenham! Ah, and breath, the fabulous Chicken Teddys gig at the Railway Inn, Yatton, The John E Vistic Rock N Roll Sound System at The Three Horseshoes, Bradford-on-Avon, and thereโs outdoor theatre at Trowbridge Town Hall with Wuthering Heights.
Saturday is start of the Market Lavington Vintage Meet & Family Weekend. Rumours about cancelation is rubbish, this is going ahead, deffo, and tickets are still available.
Devizes sees its first Italian Auto Moto Festival in the Market Place on Saturday 16th and take Frunch at The Muck & Dundar with a pop-up kitchen. Staying in that lovely holiday-at-home rum bar, DJ James Threlfall plays a set in the evening. Live music spoiled for choice Devizions can find The Reason playing The Three Crowns, Rockhoppaz at the Southgate, or take a downhill walk to The Cross Keys, Rowde for The Life of Brian band.
It’s good news for Attack! The Wargames Show, as it finally makes a return to Devizes School on Saturday and Sunday. Over 30 trade stands with Military books, brushes, paints, terrain pieces and supplies (good for model railway enthusiasts too), models and figures. They have 100 competitors playing in 8 competitions and 12 participation games, to come and try. Plus, canteen and bar (provided by the British Lion). The show usually brings around 1000 people in so do come and see what the hobby is all about. This is the Facebook group to join for more details.
Or, for a rare opportunity these days; you can go to a record fair at Melkshamโs Assembly Hall on Saturday.
Menu and Music at The Crown in Marlborough, Bottfest continues at The Seven Stars, Bottlesford with surfers Hooch, and a beach barbeque, although Iโm not sure how a lorry carrying a beach is going to be able to squeeze around Bottlesford corner.
Billy in The Lowground play Trowbridge Town Hall, lovinโ the name, The Invincible Pigs at The Three Horseshoes, Bradford-on-Avon, and Green Day tribute Green Haze at The Cheese & Grain, Frome. BlitzKidz at The Vic, and Miss Kel’s Dance Academyโs Legends at The Wyvern, Swindon.
Pick-of-the-Week
But eyes of Swindon should be on our pick-of-the-week this week, the townโs tribute to Dave Young at the Old Town Bowl, the ingeniously titled My Dadโs Bigger Than Your Dad Festival.
The Swindon Shuffle, in partnership with South Swindon Parish Council and Dave’s friends and family are very pleased to bring you the 2nd โMy Dadโs Bigger Than Your Dad Festivalโ – a tribute to Dave Young.
The event is once again happening in the beautiful surroundings of Town Gardens Bowl on Saturday 16th July, from midday until 10pm and is being held in tribute to Dave Young, the former landlord of The Victoria and 12 Bar, who sadly died last June at the Prospect Hospice after a hard-fought battle against cancer. Profits from the event are being donated to the Prospect Hospice in Dave’s name – last years totalled over ยฃ14,000!
The event will take the shape of an all-day community music festival with a stellar line up of live acts, finished off with the high-energy Rave Against The Regime, a live band who play reinterpretations of synth-heavy dance music classics with no synths…
The rest of the line-up is headed by local alternative pop-rock act All ears Avow and also features Soul band Joli and the Souls, indie act Stay Lunar, Irish folk-punk outfit Mick O’Toole, Swindon Americana stalwarts The Shudders, Wiltshire Folk collective The Lost Trades, indie band Kicking Edgar and more. Plus, on the Bandstand stage acts like Baths Concrete Prairie and Swindon’s own Canute’s Plastic Army and Si & Matt Hall.
Alongside the music there will be plenty of activities for all the family, a huge local makerโs market courtesy of Swindie Makers Markets and food and drink from a variety of locally based vendors like Streets of India and a licenced bar by The Tuppenny.
Tickets are available online via seetickets.com (booking fee applies). Physical tickets are available from The Tuppenny and Holmes Music in Swindon and Tesco’s in Calne.
And thatโs about your lot; bit of a quieter weekend, especially in Devizes; save some pennies for Beer Festival the next weekend. Find Marty Wilde & The Wildcats at The Wyvern, Swindon on Sunday, the Infant Voice Festival same place on Monday, with Sarah Millicanโs Bobby Dazzler tour on Wednesday.
In Devizes on Tuesday 19th, it’s the Devizes Community Choir’s first performance at The Bear, The Big Sing; break a leg, guys!
Another recommended option for Wednesday is at Wiltshire Rural Music Centre, Trowbridge, where Daisy Chapman & Amelia Wise play an intimate set.
Fashionably late for the party, apologies, the fellow Iโm not sure if he minds me calling โthe Mike Oldfield of Swindon,โ though itโs meant asโฆ
Bristolโs fine purveyors of idiosyncratic folk-raving, Ushti Baba, who if youโre in Devizes you might recall played Street Festival in 2022, have a new singleโฆ..โฆ
With an album review in the pipeline for Dad which includes vocals from Sienna, our Swindon princess of melancholic poignancy has a new single, Timeslipsโฆ..โฆ
Our favourite loud Brit-popping local Geordie and gang are back with a second album. Theyโre calling it Gazelles, after the previously released single opener Endlessโฆ
Full throttle into July, then; hereโs what the weekend looks like around these parts. These parts of cultural void, so itโs claimed, we say otherwiseโฆ. You want proof?
As usual no links here, the only link you need is here, our event calendar. Have a great weekend whatever you do!
Ongoing from Wednesday until Sunday the Wyvern Theatre, Swindon has got Shrek the Musical. Thursday and Friday, Devizes Musical Theatre presents their Summer Concert, Miss Fortunes at The Wharf Theatre, see the poster, always see the posters!
Iโm delighted to hear Devizes LGBTQ+ groupโs first big event, Drag Bingo at the Exchange has sold out on Thursday 30th; well done to them and hereโs hoping for some similar events in Devizes in the future.
One of folk musicโs greatest innovators, Martin Carthy is at Trowbridge Town Hall Thursday, Paul Jones Live in Concert at Christ Church, Swindon while Swindon Arts Centre has a play called Blithe Spirit, running until Sunday.
Friday is pinch punch. Chippenham Comedy Festival at The Old Road Tavern, starts, running all weekend. Limited Weekend Tickets ยฃ60, individual shows are all ยฃ7 each. Friday 1st July: 7pm Sam Michael & John Matthews: Cister Act, 8.30pm Juliette Meyers: Passport Face,10pm James Dowdeswell: Beers of a Clown. Saturday 2nd July: 5pm Jo Caulfield: Here Comes Trouble, 6.30pm Sooz Kempner: Playstation, 7.45pm Katie Mitchell: She Festers, 9pm Andrew O’Neill: We Are Not In The Least Afraid Of Ruins; We Carry A New World In Our Hearts, 10.15pm Wil Hodgson: Barbicidal Tendencies. Sunday 3rd July: 5.30pm Jessie Nixon, Dannie Johns & Millie Haswell: Dumb Belles,7pm Joe Wells: I am Autistic, 8.30pm Beth Black.
Devizes School Summer School Concert in the main hall. Minety Festival kicks off for the weekend. Melkshamโs One Love reggae night has been moved from the Assembly Hall to Spencerโs Club on Beanacre Road, I just havenโt changed the poster, so forget all I said about paying attention to the posters!!
The Ukey Dukes play The New Inn, Winterbourne Monkton. Ska punkers head to The Barge at Honeystreet, for Slageri J headline there, and surfers should wipe-out at The Three Horseshoes, Bradford-on-Avon, where theyโll find the highly recommended Palooka 5. Rorkeโs Drift play The Vic, Swindon, and fresh(ish) from Glasto, Jo Whiley plays 90s Anthems at The Cheese & Grain, Frome.
Saturday 2nd, Longleat continues showing off; those who donโt mind standing for hours, with a bottomless wallet and advance planning can see Tears for Fears, the rest of us are not left without optionsโฆ. like Salisbury Pride at Queen Elizabeth Gardens.
Arts Together fundraise with a day painting at Bowood, see the poster for real this time!
Six Oโclock Circus headline The Vale of the White Horse Scooter Rally at The Cooperโs Arms, Pewsey. While thereโs a reggae day at The Wheatsheaf, Calne; the Bee Skas play at 3pm!
The Seven Stars in Bottlesford has a Burger BBQ for twenty quid, but you do get The Reason playing.
The amazing Jack Grace is at Southgate, and popular covers band Paradox are down the Cellar Bar in Devizes; yes, I did say The Cellar Bar, glad to see this venue back on our listings.
Band X at the Three Horseshoes Bradford-on-Avon, Siren at the 12 Bells, Trowbridge, with Hatepenny rocking the Town Hall. @Fest mini-festival at the White Hart in Attsworth. Down & Dirty at The Vic, Swindon.
Swindonโs Midlife Krisis sound system was due to setup at The Barge at HoneyStreet, however, due to issues with their secondary camping field it is unfortunately cancelled. We wish the Barge all the best with this issue, and hope it can be resolved as soon as possible.
Sunday 3rd July is DOCAโs Picnic at Hillworth Park. British Blues with Trevor Babajack Steger from 12pm, from 1pm, find some jazz-tinged klezmer and old-world Yiddish folk, from Mozzle Brocha, branch of the collective, Chai for All, who we tried to get to play a Ukraine fundraiser at St Maryโs, but it unfortunately fell through. It will be good to meet you, guys.
Eastern European folk traditions follow that with East of Eden at 2:40, South African at 4pm with Otto & The Mutapa Calling, finishing off your Sunday entertainment. Also look out for Rose Popay, the โArt Tart,โ sounds hilarious, and various carnival workshops, suitable for all ages; see the DOCA website.
Elsewhere, People Like Us headline free live music for Inspire Warminster, preview here. The Cosmic Sausages play The Bell, Bath, The Lost Hills play The Tap & Barrel, Swindon. Blues legend Andy Fairweather Low plays The Cheese & Grain, Frome, with Ruzz Guitar in support, and oh, itโs Aldbourne Doggy Day!
Thatโs your weekend wrapped up, unless I missed anything? Did you let us know? Itโs not too late, I can edit our event calendar, if youโre nice and send cake!
Through the week you can catch a Live Art Demonstration by the wonderful Caroline le Bourgeois at Devizes Conservative Club on Monday 4th, meanwhile David Olusoga presents A House Through Time at The Cheese & Grain, Frome.
Tuesday sees carparks in Devizes closed for the Birmingham 2022 Queenโs Baton Relay; for a whole half-hour! Heaven help us! Keyboard warriors, Iโd advise you walk or bus it into town to get your garibaldi biscuits!
The New Forest Folk Festival starts Wednesday, while thereโs a bit of Shakey at Bathโs Rondo Theatre, Macbeth; all proceeds go to Marie Curie. Best of luck to the two Devizes actors appearing in this, Lucy Upward and Ian Diddams; break a leg!
Next weekend you need tickets for a fundraising concert for Devizes GAC’s chosen charity, Juliaโs House Childrenโs Hospice, at Devizes School Hall, on Friday July 8th at 7.30pm. Special guests at the concert will be the Pewsey Belles Ladies Choir. Tickets are priced ยฃ8 and available from 01761 472468.
Both Readipop Festival and Cornbury Festival, next weekend, and of course, Devizes Carnival and Trowbridgeโs ParkFest, both on the Saturday 9th. I believe Iโll be painting the whole village purple at Bishopโs Cannings mini festival at The Crown; please come and support this too. And on Sunday, give our Essex country-rocker favourites, Jamie Williams & The Roots Collective a warm Devizes welcome at the Southgate.
And if youโve read this far I salute you; people like you who pay attention really need to grab up tickets to the Full-Tone Festival August Bank Holiday, AND Devizes Scooter Rally, AND Devizes Beer Festival too!
Featured Image: FullTone Festival, Devizes 2023 by Gail Foster Onwards with our look through all the big local events and festivals coming our way inโฆ
The Tedworth Hunt intend to stage a meeting in Pewsey this Boxing Day, despite not making an application to the Parish Councilโฆ.. Their usual meetingโฆ
Featured Image: Colin Rayner Photography It wonโt be long before the only Quality Street left in the tin are empty wrappers and those toffee pennies noโฆ
By T.B.D and D Rose for Devizine.The author can be reached at housetyg@gmail.com This month the historic Cooper Tires factory in Melksham which began theโฆ
There’s still time to suggest your ideal sandwich filling fit for the Queen! Devizes Food & Drink Festival are hoping for seventy sandwich fillings…..even I couldn’t eat seventy butties, but I never refuse a challenge, if they need a judge!
“Lots have been suggested,” they say, “and BBC Wiltshire’s Sue Davies was suitably horrified by Jenny’s favourite smoked mackerel and banana.” I’m with Sue on this, see, I love banana but not as a sandwich filling, no, no, no, let alone with mackerel; Jenny walks on the wild side of delicatessens… what about you?!
Though, it has to be said, banana is already a major component of the King’s sandwich. Yep, The Elvis Sandwich really is a thing, a thing of banana, peanut butter and bacon; I’ll leave the building.
They need more, to come up with a list of 70 before judging. It can be exotic, weird, or just plain delicious. Personally I say don’t overthink it, simplicity is key here, Queeny is probably sick to the back teeth with truffle and foie gras, escargot caviar et al. What she craves, I’d wager, is a good ol’ fish finger butty!
Winners receive a prize from the wonderful Jack Spratt sandwich bar in Devizes, and all you got to do is post your suggestion on the Devizes Food & Drink Festival’s Facebook or Instagram pages, to be automatically be entered into the competition. Plus, your sandwich will be made and sold at Jack Spratts, over the Jubilee celebrations.
Central at The Parade, Swindon Hub, an accessible, friendly community space which opened in October are aiming to host regular Saturday jamming sessions, to promote local artists and give them a platform where they can performโฆ…
The Hub is a comfortable volunteer-led centre trying to bring the community together. Theyโve an affordable cafรฉ where they invite you to relax in their โsnug,โ read and share books in their bookshop, browse items for sale from local retailers and upcycled furniture by Renew Men’s Shed. The profits of any surplus of stock items donated from shops for sale go to Swindon Night Shelter.
They are currently building a calendar of regular events including a monthly craft market, weekly knitting circle and writerโs club, as well as art workshops and regular music jams on the weekends. Theyโve just hosted Swindon ZineFest, which Iโm sorry to hear I missed, and from a Womenโs History Month exhibition or a Ukraine fundraising jumble sale to Dub in the Hub sessions, the last one by Suitcase Sound System, thereโs something for everyone here, especially those who like cake!
Music last Saturday came from The Thieving Magpies, but it was far from the be-all-and-end-all of activities at the Swindon Hub, as well as the aforementioned zine festival, there was a kidโs comic workshop too; it really caters for all.
“The Jam is a Community project as much as a Music one,” organiser Claire told me.
“It focuses on confidence building, teamwork, social interaction and collaboration.
The Jam has been running already since September last year and there have been hundreds of people who have taken part.
There are loads of people who take part who have no background in music or performing to an audience and it creates an opportunity for people to get involved with music without the traditional barriers that stop so many people from taking the first step.
That said there are also many talented musicians who take part and it creates a wonderful mix of experience and enthusiasm that allows people of all experience levels to have a meaningful musical and emotional experience.
The key to creating a successful jam is building a relaxed atmosphere with little pressure or expectation that allows people to share without fear of criticism, ridicule or humiliation.
The Hub has a great atmosphere for this kind of activity due to the warm, friendly and supportive nature of the volunteers and visitors to the space.
There are already some fantastic success stories of people who have had their confidence built up by attending the event.“
Post lockdown has seen a real boost in community spirit, and such volunteer-based projects like this are a lifeline, in rural areas and debatably more crucial in urban areas too; the larger the population doesnโt necessarily mean the large scope for friendships to occur, in fact it can be harder. So, a massive congratulations to the good folk at Swindon Hub, this looks like an amazing space doing some amazing work, and I might add for a wide-spanning age demographic.
They always need volunteers, if you want to join and help shape the future of communities in Swindon, and any musicians interested in performing for their day sessions should contact them. Facebook Page here.
If The Southgate is Devizesโ finest and most reliable pub music venue, it’s usually favoured by an adult crowd. Yet it’s without doubt that Nothingโฆ
Something I was trying to skive off doing this year, being time consuming, is a local Christmas shopping piece, but then this terrible roadworks situationโฆ
I’m enjoy Monday’s stream from the wonderful Visual Radio Arts, recorded right here in Devizes. They’ve been hosting some great shows recently, from Richard Wilemanโฆ
So yeah, I thought Iโd be funny by commenting โcanโt waitโ on Chippenhamโs upcoming folk singer-songwriter Megโs Facebook post announcing her latest single, because, youโฆ
Featured Image: Colin Rayner Photography If Iโve recently been singing the praises of arts diversity in Bradford-on-Avon, centred around the Wiltshire Music Centre and notโฆ
Join the Devizes Slugs Facebook page they said, be fun they said; I even considered the U in slugs might be a typo. No one expressed the horror which might possibly be revealed to me by these mollusc-loving conservationists, that slug eggs are on the menu in swanky restaurants.
Yet a post went up on the page telling of the group’s “ever increasing horror” of reports of slug eggs being described as a new “super food” which are apparently being actively harvested from the wild by foragers for use in high class restaurants as “Caviar Blanc.’
Now, the trusty ol’ Wikipedia defines caviar blanc as snail caviar, “a type ofย caviarย that consists of fresh or processed eggs ofย land snails. It is a luxury gourmet speciality produced in France and Poland. They were also a delicacy in the ancient world, also known as “Pearls of Aphrodite” for their supposed aphrodisiac properties.” And it goes onto describingย heliciculture snail farming and the process of farming or raising land snails specifically for human consumption.
Look, I’m fine with a pizza, thank you, but if you choose to eat snails eggs properly farmed to ensure the delicate balance of wildlife isn’t effected by your werid obssesion, that’s entiely your perogative, note only I’ll politely decline the offer of dinner at your gaff.
But to forage for slug’s eggs must be upsetting the entire food chain, not to mention a liitle twisted, and should you get swarmed by an angry mafia of crows that’s your own lookout.
But the new trendy grub must have cocaine dealers admiring the profit margin, and can fetch ยฃ75 for just 75 grams! Supposing the slime has to be separated prior to human consumption, and that labour intensive method must be costly.
Devizes Slugs, a page for all those interested in Slugs in the Devizes area which emphasises their ecological benefits, defends them against all forms of chemical and physical attack and provides a rescue and shelter service, say “if you see Caviar Blanc on the menu of any local restaurants please tell us as a matter of urgency. This has to stop.”
Firstly you’d need evidence they’ve been foraged rather than farmed, but secondly, as easy money as it might appear, I’d like to suggest it’s really not going to go down well on a first date if, when asked what you do for a living, you reply “I separate slug eggs from slime,” so don’t do it, it’s filthy!
Cheese, Chilli, in a festival format was on the cards at a Devizes Town Council meeting this week.….
The Market Manager is in communication with a company to attend Devizes, for a possible Cheese and Chilli Festival in 2023. As of yet details are unconfirmed, but if a cheese and chilli festival is something you’d stomach, you should let them know by shouting “cheese and chilli!” whenever you see a passing town councillor!
Cheese and Chilli Festivals are popular, held annually in locations throughout the south of England, including Christchurch, Winchester, Swindon and Guildford. They support live variety acts, like the rather apt fire juggling, and music, and would be a welcome addition to our town’s event calendar. But don’t don your sombrero yet, amigo, just keep fingers crossed.
“I fell into a burning ring of fire I went down, down, down And the flames went higher And it burns, burns, burns The ring of fire, the ring of fire,” Johnny Cash (after a chesse & chili festival.)
Dry January, anyone? Well, Lady Nade just plunged into an outdoor 4ยฐC eucalyptus sauna for a social media reel. But whilst I’d require a stiff … Continue reading “Lady Nade; Sober!”
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 tunes … Continue reading “Rooks; New Single From M3G”
Parliament mayโve dissolved Covid regulations and passed the buck to public responsibility, for those still listening to them, but voluntary support group, Pewsey Community Coronavirus Assistance, originally established to assist the people of Pewsey and surrounding area during the pandemic, is not only still operating, but making improvements and necessary changes to fight, more generally, rural poverty in our area.
They proudly posted a photo of their new double-decker bus on social media, which just passed its MOT, but still needs support, help with electrics, carpentry and gas. โOur community bus was purchased to enable us to continue to fight food waste,โ they explained, โfood poverty, malnutrition, loneliness, isolation fatigue and cultural deprivation through our radical action plan in the heart of our community.โ
The PCCA are currently operating out of the villageโs Wesley Hall, โoffering Foodshare by collecting food from supermarkets that would otherwise go to waste and by redistributing into the heart of our community where itโs needed most,โ they continued. โThe guys down at the hall have been kind enough to offer us the use of the hall while we are converting our bus, but as soon as we are good to go, the bus will be our new home.โ
They deliver emergency food and household supply boxes to individuals and families suffering from financial hardship leading to food poverty, cooking nutritious meals every week for those more vulnerable members of our community, to ensure they get nutritious home cooked meals. The PCCA also run a donations-based fresh fruit and veg market and friendship cafรฉ, โso people who are in isolation can come down, meet new friends and have a chat over free tea, coffee and cake, going home afterwards with a bag of fruit and veg.โ
The extent of rural poverty is something seriously undersold and misguided through the seductive popular myth of the idyllic British countryside, and often imagined solely as an urban affliction. Austerity and the effects of lockdown has seen massive cuts to public infrastructure and services, so while often hidden, rural housing has an affordability crisis, employment has dwindled particularly for youth, together with increasing fuel prices, making ends meet is becoming increasingly difficult in rural areas like Wiltshire.
I would like to extend a warm hand of gratefulness for all the sterling work the PCCA has done so far, and will continue to do so, hopefully now more mobile. As well as the food packages, home cooked food delivery and community cafรฉ, the amenities they cover is vast, from the Community Farming Initiative, library, and โbuddyโ helpline, to being a helping hand in dog walking. Everything they do is voluntarily, and they need helpers, plus funds to convert their bus to meet food safety standards on a mobile vehicle, which will cover the numerous villages of the Pewsey Vale area.
To look around our beautiful landscapes youโd be understanding of visitors who assume itโs a barren outback with nothing going on, but we know different;โฆ
How did you celebrate your seventeenth birthday? Did you pop up to Glasgow to accompany The Charlatans, on bagpipes, at the historic Barrowlands ballroom, andโฆ
Photographs by Simon Folkard Astronomical winter starts on the 22nd December, yโ know, but the Met Office uses a meteorological definition of seasons, making theโฆ
Wiltshire-based charity, Wicked Weather Watch (WWW), is looking to expand its innovative approach to climate education with their upcoming Big Give Christmas Challenge campaign….. Theโฆ
Next weekend folks, you should know the drill by now, but being Friday sessions had to be cancelled and those tickets transformed into Saturday ones, tickets for Saturday’s afternoon and evening sessions are virtually sold out for The Devizes Winter of Festival Ales. You need to sort your tickets out now, if you want to go, or be left sobbing in the Market Place carpark!
So, just a quick post from me, as this event sells itself anyway, but it is a vital fundraising bash for DOCA, and always a great shindig.
Saturday evening sees The Rob Lear Band providing the entertainment, and the afternoon session will be The Lost Trades; say no more, aside the vast selection of ales on offer.
If you’re as lucky as Charlie Bucket, these golden tickets can be found online at the DOCA website, or at Devizes Books, Wadworth Visitors Centre and of course the Vaults, as Stealth Brewery put on this show… but I urge you get a pace on!
If we recently reviewed Ian Diddams and friends meeting at the Vaults for their annual festive Jackanory, the first article of 2021 was the very same funny fellow reciting his yarn as a live stream from his mocked garden grotto, and in that, surely displays how far weโve come from the restrictions of lockdown we entered the year with. Though not without the same notion as last Christmas looming over us, like a dirty black shroud, that it was, perhaps, all too soon, and weโve not seen the backside of the Covid19 yet.
Summarising, 2021 was marginally better than 2020; there were gung-ho moments of throwing caution to the wind, and there were others to make us stop and ponder the consequences of our actions. Thereโs little doubt the world will never be the same for decades to come; social interaction, shopping, even work practises; but we did get to party on occasions, and when it was good, it was really good.
And if it ended with a Boxing Day brawl, I suspect some wished for the bash-a-sab fest. Even police it seems, who would likely send in The Wealdstone Raider to crowd control a Wealdstone V Whitehawk FC game, if given the assignment. Did I predict this when I saidโmake no mistake, thereโs a civil war under our noses, which comes to an apex when blood-thirsty predators triumphantly parade their wrongdoing on a day when most of us struggle out of bed to reach the fridge?โ
Hardly crystal ball stuff, tensions at their highest for rural Wiltshireโs most contradictory dispute, it was on the cards since day dot; when the county voted in a foxhunting Police Crime Commissioner, whose misadventures in drink driving caused him to pull out at a cost of millions to the taxpayer. A calamity most shrugged off with โoh, ha-ha, those naughty Tories, bless โem.โ
Allowed Out to Play
It was May before I set foot in a pub, lockdown eased and live music was back on the agenda, albeit with hefty restrictions; early ending times, remain seated, table service, no mingling outside of โbubbles,โ and deffo no dancing or singing. It felt awkward to begin with, not quite the same, but it was a start, and who better to kick off proceedings than the brilliant Daybreakers, gracing the trusty Southgate? One could sense the joy from Cath, Gouldy et al, to be singing to an audience once again, proving their dedication to the cause. A handclap emoji just isnโt the same.
For a while then The Southgate remained the only venue in Devizes providing live music, and we thank Deborah, Dave and all staff for working within the rules to create a safe space to be blessed with music; it was like they were on roller-skates at times, up and down the beer garden, ensuring not a mouth was left dry!
I also ventured out to the Barge at Honeystreet, to see how they were coping with the boundaries too. And what a show The Boot Hill All Stars put on there, under a spacious marquee, so tempting to get up and dance, but couldnโt; mastered foot-tapping though.
The return to some normality for many in Devizes came in clement early June, when Devizes Lions held a fantastic car show, plus, on the Green. With side stalls aplenty, nervously folk began to socially distanced mingle; it was a breath of fresh air and a testament to what can be safely achieved with forward thinking and dedication.
Image by Nick Padmore
By July I made it out a few times, the idea of Vince Bell teaming with the individual performers of The Lost Trades, Phil, Jamie and Tamsin was too much of an irresistible hoedown of local talent to miss, and a third trip to the trusty Southgate to tick TwoManTing off my must-do list also proved to be a memorable evening.
The beginning of August I ventured to TrowVegas to tick another off said list, catching those Roughcut Rebels with new frontman Finley Trusler. They blasted the Greyhound, and didnโt disappoint. The month shifted gear for many, and things simply blossomed like there never was a lockdown. Back-to-back weekends saw both my favourite largescale of 2021, the single-most amazing festival near Marlborough; MantonFest is a real gem, professionally done with a real communal atmosphere, the type perpetual drizzle couldnโt put a downer on. This event wowed.
Back in Devizes, the events of the year were the weekend which followed, sitting nicely between a stripped back version of DOCAโs International Street Festivalsprinkled across town, was of course, The Full Tone Festival. Without the refreshing emergence of folk out of lockdown, this would have still been something for the townโs history books, but being as it was, the opportunity to head back out and enjoy life once again, the timing, the best weather, the whole ambience was electric. The time and work gone into pulling this off was absolutely outstanding, and for which folk of Devizes will forever mark it as a celebration of post lockdown.
Awakenings even drew Andy out of hiding by September, and I was overjoyed to have him back on the team, without putting his bag and coat on the hook, he went out to play, reviewing Devizes Musical TheatreโsGallery of Rogues, and Devizes Town Bandโs Proms in Hillworth Park. Meanwhile I was delighted to see The Wharf Theatre reopen with a fantastic performance of Jesus Christ Superstar.
September also saw the welcome return of Devizes Comedy at the Corn Exchange, and The Long Street Blues Club, who, kicking off with Creedence Clearwater Review, wasted no time catching up with their rescheduled programme of the most excellent blues nights money can buy. Andy covered these, while I ventured to see Kieran J Mooreโs new digs at Trowbridge Town Hall. After a brilliant street art exhibit from Tom Miller, I went to taste the music there, with a most memorable evening from Onika Venus. I returned to the scene in November, for a great gig from ร lesund with support from Agata.
Other than a trip to the White Horse Opera and Southgate to see Jon Amorโs King Street Turnaround, Andy pitched a tent at Long Street Blues Club, one time shipped out to the Corn Exchange in late November for Focus, which Andy crowned best gig of the year. I made it out to the Cross Keys in Rowde for The Life of Brian Band, and to the Southgate see Strange Folk again, since their fantastic set on Vinyl Realmโs stage at a Street Festival of yore. But October held my best gig of the year, the reasons manyfold, and Iโm lay them on the lineโฆ.
For the outstanding fundraising efforts of the Civic award-winning local supergroup, The Female of the Species, I hold them all up as my heroines, therefore the chance to see them again at Melkshamโs fantastic Assembly Hall too much to miss, and the fact theyโd chosen this time to raise funds for another of my local heroines, Carmela Chillery-Watson, was almost too much to take! With an electric night of awesome danceable covers and a massive raffle, they raised a staggering ยฃ1,763 for Carmelaโs Therapy Fund.
It will never cease to amaze me the selfless lengths our musicians will go to for fundraising. Even after a year and half of closed hospitality and no bread-and-butter gigs, they continue to offer their precious time to help. While events blossomed late this year, and November saw the return of TITCO, and Devizes Arts Festival added a spellbinding mini-autumn-festival with Ronnie Scottโs Jazz Club, Sally Barker and Motown Gold, Devizine continued also to preview events and do what we had being doing to find content during lockdown. Yeah, we rattled some cages with social and political opinion pieces, tasted some great takeaway tucker, and we reviewed recorded music further afield as well as local, but we had a number of feelgood stories, most memorable being things like our snowman competition in January, but there was a project which highlighted the sterling effort from musicians to fundraise, and it will be something Iโll never forget.
Image: Gail Foster
So, in April I announced we would be putting together a compilation album, fundraising for Juliaโs House Childrenโs Hospices and by late June it was a thing. It was hard work to put together, but Iโm astounded by the plethora of great bands and artists who took the time to send us a tune for inclusion. Knowing time was precious for artists popping out of lockdown, in need to source bookings and rehearse, I only asked them to provide us with an existing tune to prompt their albums, but some went beyond this, giving us exclusive outtakes such as the brilliant Richard Davis & the Dissidents, or some even recorded new songs, like Blondie & Ska, Tom Harris and Neonian.
I picked a staggering forty-six tracks to bind together, to create a boxset so humongous it would need far too many CDs to make it actual, so due to this and the expense of outlaying, it exists as a download on Bandcamp. Think of it as a teaser for the many great acts weโve supported and reviewed over the years, and for a tenner, it works out under 5p a tune.
For me this was a momentous achievement, and canโt thank them enough. While Iโve put it out to the right places, to the Gazette & Herald and Fantasy, and airtime on West Wilts Radioโs fantastic Sounds of Wilderness Show, there is obviously more I need to do to get the message out there, as sales have been slow, unfortunately.
I could fathom a number of reasons for this, but in all, weโve raised approximately ยฃ177 for Juliaโs House, hoping to reach a ยฃ200 target before we send them the money, still sales have waivered off so significantly I feel I need to send what weโve had so far. Please help us to up the total if youโve not already bought this fantastic album. Gloom aside I will say Iโm planning a second volume, and already have a few contributions from incredible acts such as Nick Harper, Onika Venus and Catfish.
Returning to events for the last part of the year, While Andy fondly reviewed Focus, I popped into the Corn Exchange for a quick interview with The Lost Trades, and left to attend a great art show at the Shambles. That weekend the Full-Tone Orchestra played Swindonโs Wyvern, and Iโm grateful to Ian Diddams for his review. This is what we need, people, we cannot cover everything, but if youโve a few words to say about an event or anything local, please, help to make Devizine a comprehensive community, erm, thing!
Of course, one delightful addition to our team TD Rose has been submitting some lovey features, firstly of ramblings, and more recently she made friends with Wiltshire Museum, and reviewed DOCAโs Winter Festival. Thank you so much Tyg, Iโve yet to meet, but we need to arrange this for the new year.
Image: Chris Dunn
Towards the end of November Andy remained seated at Long Street, I did the rum bar thing. Such a refreshing addition to Devizes, The Muck & Dundar pulled off a blinder with Bristol DJs, The Allergies. This was one smooth funky night, best for an age, and it was great to shake my greying tailfeathers. Both Andy and I finished off the year with a Boot Hill bash at the Southgate, where hip hop misfits Monkey Bizzle supported, and was shocked by Andyโs positive reaction, being more my cup of cheddar, this was an awesome night too!
Having live music back, no matter the limitations was a breath of fresh air. Prior to it I was still scrambling around in the dark as I was in 2020, hunting for something to write about. But I guess a year of lockdown had given me time to contemplate and improve on the content. This boosted the stats, for if 2020 saw a drop in readership, I hoped to better it, and Iโm pleased to announce we had a record amount, well over doubling the figures of 2020. This is awesome news, and I thank everyone for keeping the faith in us, and continuing to support Devizine.
I keep looking at the bar graph of stats, not believing the skyscraper which is 2021. How much weโve grown, become a โthingโ now. Itโs fantastic and I hope we will continue to entertain you. I must stress though, we donโt harass you to subscribe or any rubbish like this, we keep advertising to a minimum, and nothing should pop up and distract your reading, and we uphold the ethos features should be free to the end user.
Yet we do need to maintain some budget to keep the site going. Thatโs currently around ยฃ60 a year; we fund our own beer money, thank you, weโre not MPs, we have no expense forms! So please consider donating to keep Devizine afloat, please donate when sending us an advert, unless it is fundraising. Iโd really like to build up a small fund to get some charity events off the ground, as I believe the artists should be paid for their time considering their predicament too. So, anything extra will go towards this, and promoting the Juliaโs House album.
What can we expect from Devizine in 2022, you might ask; well, if itโs not brokenโฆ…letโs happily bash on shall we?! Thank you all so much for your support over 2021, the stats show weโre heading in the right direction.
On Food
Said this before, but I take pride in repeating myself; food reviews get an enormous response, yet still eateries seem reluctant to come forward. A food review here will do wonders for your sales, and Iโm not just saying that because Iโm a greedy so-and-so. Places weโve eaten out or takeaways weโve had which failed to live up to our expectations have not been mentioned. Iโm no Gordon Ramsey and Iโm not about to publish a slagging off. Iโd rather tell you to your face why Iโm not reviewing it!
During lockdowns the takeaway became essential part of a weekend treat for families with nought else to do, and new establishments opened, while pre-existing ones flourished. In January we praised the Massimosโ Pizza, and the following month saw me queuing halfway down a frozzled Nursteed Road for a rather tasty Greek Gyro from the Cosy Kitchen mobile van; such was the popularity of these mobile units during the bleakest of times.
When things begun to open up in April I went for my first vaccination jab, where they told me not to drive for fifteen minutes. They didnโt say go find a new Indian lunchtime takeaway in the Brittox, but we did, and long should Naan Guru live on!
Not much further into the same month, I tracked down The Feisty Fish, a fish n chips van like no other. They donโt come into town being thereโs chip shops here, but track these guys down for the single best gourmet fish n chips you will ever taste, I tell no lie!
June saw a second IndieDay, organised by InDevizes, and prompted people to get out and shop with a bustling farmerโs market, in which I discovered the rosy cheeked benefits of Lavington’s Rutts Lane Cider, and merrily made my way home on the bus! I also had to mention, unsurprisingly to those who know me, that month, that Plankโs Dairies introduced a new locally-sourced organic milk, yogurt and juice range, in sizable and reusable glass bottles, which has proved hugely popular.
Naturally, without a main stage this year, there was a greater interest in the food market at The Devizes Street Festival in August, and the following month we mentioned Devizes Food & Drink Festivalโs Market, where I was reunited with Rutts!
Mildly amusing than most, I offered a Battle of the Best Devizes Breakfast, in November, something we need to follow up on when the kids are back in school, as Round One, The Condado Lounge Vs New Society was a popular post. I bloominโ love food, me, yโknow, invite me to your cafรฉ, pub or restaurant and Iโll give you my honest opinion, except I donโt do eggs or liquorice; yuck!
On Music
If Iโve already mentioned our awesome 4 Juliaโs House project, and all the artists who contributed are in my good books, we also covered a whole heap of new releases. Plus, we started a Song of the Day, where we post a YouTube link for your pleasure, and generally donโt say much else about it, rather waffle on a tangent! But mostly recorded sound reviews waned when live music reopened, still we strive to continue telling you what we like.
Will Lawton
Will Lawton proposed to open a music school, JMW held a lockdown festival in support of musicians, Wiltshire Council asked Gecko for a Road Crossing song and video, and Wiltshire Rural Musicโs announced producing live steams from Trowbridge Town Hall.
Kirsty Clinch announced her music school and book plans, and covered Swindonโs sound system Mid Life Krisisโs live streams. We chatted to The Scribes, announced The Lost Trades Live Stream in Advance of Album Launch, and The Ruzz Guitar Sessions, and Asa Murphy returning to Devizes.
We announced Sheerโs Salem gig, the Dear John Concert Album for War Child, and the bid to help Calne Central. Announced Sheerโs Frank Turner gig at the Cheese & Grain, chatted to Blondie & Ska. Announced Wharf Theatreโs Youth Theatre, Pound Arts Blue Sky Festival, My Dadโs Bigger than Your Dad Festival in tribute to Dave Young. This list goes on, but most enjoyable recently, meeting up with Visual Arts Radio who moved from Frome to Devizes.
We reviewed Terry Edwards Best of Box Set, Ainโt Nobodyโs Business by Ruzz Guitar Blues Revue and Pete Gage, Skates & Wagons, Kirsty Clinch, Small Town Tigers, Django Django, Chole Glover, Araluen and Ariel Posen. Trowbridge DJ and producer Neonian, The Direct Hits, Andy J Williams, Erin Bardwell, Nigel G Lowndes, Mike Clerk, Cutsmith, Timid Deer, and Cult Figures.
Horses of the Gods, Lone Ark & The 18th Parallel, Longcoats, Black Market Dub and The Lost Trades.
Brainiac 5, Sitting Tenants, Stockwell, Storm Jae and Nory, Sam Bishop, Longcoats, The Bakeseys and Elli de Mon.
Liddington Hill, Boom Boom Racoon, Longcoats, Girls Go Ska and Daisy Chapman.
Monkey Bizzle, Webb, The Hawks, Captain Accident & The Disasters, Onika Venus, Death of Guitar Pop, The Burner Band, Mr. B The Gentleman Rhymer, and Scott Lavene.
Spearmint, Captain Rico & The Ghost Band, Sonny Vincent, Freya Beer, Near Jazz Experience, Beans on Toast, Old Habits, and most recently, Paul Lappin! That enough for you?!ย
On the Social and Political Side
The fate of every nation depended on how their governments dealt with the pandemic, and how the public responded to them. Iโm not here to dwell on international or even national politics, for this is a review of Devizine, what I define loosely as โan entertainment news and events guide,โ for the locality of Wiltshire, focussing particularly on our base, Devizes. Yet tenaciously it is linked, undeniably affecting limitations to what we could and couldnโt do. By the very appalling national statistics, despite rolling out vaccinations like no other country, it revealed true horrors of conflicting government decisions, their general disrespect and selfishness for the public theyโre supposed to serve, and the publicโs reaction to them.
Like a blind vacuum, sucking in every government blame game, it never ceases to amaze me keyboard warriors on social media turning culpability onto mainstream media, when their task is purely to report news, and capture the mood of the nation. The mainstream media is ruled by the elite, funding the government, theyโre in bed together, literally. To publicise shortage of goods is informing of a potential issue, they didnโt enforce panic buying, the public did; chicken and egg. Equally, to publish mood change in the majority lost faith in government, is because thereโs a mood change; weโve lost faith in government.
Iโm not here to say I told you so; Iโve not lost faith in this government, I had none to start with!
Take the last set of pandemic announcements, made only hours after government-controlled media broke news of Downing Street Christmas parties, best part of twelve months earlier. A day where the public felt betrayed, even those who voted for Bojo and his cronies held their heads in shame and had to confess it was all too much for a government to break rulings it set itself, and party on while the public suffered, and died. The mood was understandably bleak; why should we do what they say when they clearly donโt?
Why, you ask, for crying out loud? To protect ourselves from a global pandemic, numpty! Government announcements are fed counsel from health organisations and medical experts, skewered by bent politics, naturally, but the bullet points are there. It is not the same self-entitled buffoons, theyโre voiceover artists on this occasion; given free reign theyโd have โherd immunity,โ against WHO advise.
Can you not see through the wool? The government press released the Downing Street Christmas Party scandal themselves, bang on cue of an announcement, so we would all think precisely that, why should we do what they say when they clearly donโt? If we rebel from their restrictions, weโve only got ourselves to blame when the virus spreads. The government gets what they always wanted, herd immunity, and theyโve shifted the blame away from them and onto you, me, and everyone else.
Therefore, we need to take precautions ourselves, be a community, care for others around us. No hard and fast lockdown is needed, if common bloody sense prevailed, but government seem intent to rinse it from our craniums. Weโre not self-service tills, do not robotise us!
We know now how to prevent the virus spreading; keep your distance from others, wear facemasks in public places, follow NHS guidelines in testing and get vaccinated as soon as possible, whether they tell you to or not.
These things should be commonplace, but whenever restrictions ease, like a naughty school-boy triumphantly marching out of detention only to offend again, we forget everything weโve learned and pay the cost for it. Iโm not preaching like a saint, caged too, I urged for a pint, to lob my facemask into the air, hug, and flaunt the rules when the rules relaxed, at times reflecting if we did the right thing, least if we did it too soon. But itโs done now and we canโt turn the hands of time. If we could, Iโd still be on Castlemorton Common.
Old Skool Rave
In this, one series of articles I was proud of this summer was in reminiscence of my youth, being the thirtieth anniversary of 1991, an explosion for the rave scene. But another similar premise based on news of illegal raves happening in lockdown, was to ask those old skool ravers if theyโd still go raving if there was a similar pandemic in the nineties; with interesting results.
Return of the Rave
And if it sounded like I was defending mainstream media, I wasnโt, only applying a smidgen of sympathy. With Facebook, Twitter et al, media is everyone now; Iโm living proof any idiot can publish a blog and make look it like reputable news! Reason why, I guess, criticising other local outlets always brings hits, the occasion I felt the need to defend Devizes against the sharp eye of local gutter-press Wiltshire Live, proved to be our third most popular article of the year.
Devizes is a great place to live, Tory top-heavy, but thatโs something anyone with an alternative opinion has to unfortunately suck up. Our fourth most popular article this year was in January, breaking the news Tory PCC candidate for Wiltshire, Johnathan Seed, was a bad card. Something as more evidence came to light, namely drink-driving offences, proved to be true, at the time I put my finger on something conflicting in his chat with us, calling anyone who cared to address fox hunting a โtroll,โ but requesting we talk on his trespass pledges, blatantly linked to restrict the movement of sabs, the only folk we see actually policing this disgusting and unbelievable smokescreen of trail hunting. Something we covered more recently, suggesting Boxing Day Hunts need better policing.
Moan Iโm bias, yeah, no shit, Sherlock. Do I attempt to hide it like others? Why the hell should I side with anyone butchering wildlife for so-called sport, and in that, why the hell would you?! But hey, I remained impartial during local elections, giving each and every candidate a platform, so there!
Never has a PCC election run with such controversy. Aggravation between sides fired, and we did more than blow the lid off Seedyโs bogus campaign, causing some alarming revelations in local social media bias. Tories back Tories, no matter what theyโve done wrong, itโs an allegiance to admire, even if you feel itโs malicious. As well as chatting with Lib Dem candidate Liz Webster and independent Mike Rees, we tried a few spoofs: Play the Wiltshire PCC Game, Basil Brush Missing, and upon the Tories hustling in an alternative candidate by stalling the re-election, we ran a short story The Adventures of Police Crime Commissioner Wilko, which was based upon a better received satire, a long-running mock of Wiltshire Council, inThe Adventures of Councillor Yellowhead.
At times Mike seemed such a threat to Wiltshireโs Tory totalitarianism, a media attack seemed the best method to deflect people taking the common-sense vote. The first bout came in January, when Mike was barred from volunteering to administer lateral flow Covid tests, the second in July affected me personally as the Devizes Issues Facebook group revealed its fiercely denied bias, by banning me for using a George Orwell quote to express my concern at the taxpayer having to fork four million quid for a re-election which was clearly the Conservative Partyโs fault! Iโm adamant it was justified.
Nineteen-eighty-four was supposed to be a warning, not a fucking self-help guide.
Annoyed, I struck out, naturally, and was begged back, after the full-gone conclusion a Wiltshire majority blindly vote for the blue rosette no matter what! But it was a month after the ban, the smear reached its apex, with all posts about the independent candidate immediately banned and deleted on the popular Facebook group, and anyone complaining were blamed by members for the downfall in Mikeโs success! You canโt make up hypocrisy that nasty.ย
Tory Devizes Town Councillor Iain Wallis on โthe Devizes Issues.โ
Itโs not the politics which bothers me as much as the kind of world they envision. Stories of injustice swamped Devizine this year, more than ever before, even our April Foolโs Joke had stark repercussions.
Every minute an adolescent arm reaches out of a window, unceremoniously handing a bag of fast food to a driver, they nod a thanks, and leave. That seemed to me to be the maximum social interaction of 2020, yet commonplace in modern living, pandemic or not. I recalled going to a Tesco, paid at the pump, masked expressions as I sauntered the aisles, paid at the self-service till and on the way out considered one could live their life in modern times completely unnoticed, months need pass without human contact. My mind meanders if thatโs something young folk actually want, or if theyโve been robotised, or if itโs an age thing leaving me in a care-home for terminally bewildered.
The best hitting article of the year was again, our April Foolโs Day joke, where this time I misleadingly announced the opening of a McDonalds in Devizes. Maliciously planned, it broke the local internet, and despite suggesting it was All Fools Day in the piece, comments and messages flooded in from headline scanners. In favour of it or not, the debate is such popular the joke was lost on many desperate souls dying for a McFlurry; causing faith, just like Chippenhamโs recent pandemonium for a bucket of battery chicken in gravy, yes, Aldous Huxley was bang-on, many folks do want to live in this commercialised bubble, void of individualism.
On Everything Else
Individualism, free thinking and fair and just causes we stand for here, it is not my fault the many attempts to counteract this seem to come from a conservative ethos, and therefore get criticised for it. Iโm not dead against conservativism, but they seem dead against me, as if weโre supposed to know our place tip our hat and reply, โvery good guvnor, Iโll bail your shit for a shilling!โ
My god, how they hate common people who can articulate, thatโsโ why they slash away like Freddy Kruger at the education budget while back the grammar school relaunch. Then keyboard warriors whinge at juvenile delinquency like itโs a new thing and something stringing them up for will somehow solve. Weโre heading into days as dark as the early eighties, perhaps medieval for some, days I remember with a horror in my heart.
The audacious legacy building bashes on with grand and glorious plans, I reported Stonehenge had been saved by the High Court, but they operate above the law and continue to ignore the justice system, plotting to bury a road underneath it, shaking it to ruin, least knocking it of the World Heritage List, for the sake of knocking minutes off commuting times.
I criticised the reality of building a whole new train station miles out of Devizes, against popular opinion, cos Iโll believe it when I see it, and furthermore, I feel thereโs more pressing issues which looking at. If not our terrible infrastructure, the state of our roads, and the endless chain of bureaucratic nonsense to get the simplest of notions pushed through bumbling pompousness of councillors and apparent do-gooders, itโs the increasing homeless on our streets, the need for Food Banks which the Tories selfishly assume is a good thing, the poverty level submerging a continuous population and the outright condoning of racist, sexist and homophobic acts. Sort them out, and Iโll gladly stand on Devizes Parkway platform with you, or any other brazen legacy-building pledge you dream up!
Every time Iโm duped, I feel like an idiot, unable to get my message through the red tape. You want a train station, yet I reported the dangerous state of a Wiltshire Council playpark in Rowde, FIVE years ago, and I have to seriously throw my toys out of the pram to get anyone to pay it any attention. In February this year I was delighted, based on my article, Councillor Laura Mayes secured ยฃ20,000 from WC to re-design the playground and she proudly used it to publicise her election pledge.
But still the playpark remains in the same state of disrepair, not a penny pledged has been spent. Whether this is WCโs fault or the Parish Council I donโt know, they got what I suspect they wanted, a successful election result, and my whinging reduced too. Iโve just lost all faith and interest in continuing to bother with it. You want a train station, huh? Traffic lights at the Black Dog crossroads? A no left turn sign at the top of Dunkirk Hill? Yeah, good luck with that, weโre moving into six years for them to fix a dangerous baseplate of a bouncy chicken in a playpark!
Yet perseverance can pay off; we loved it when Rab Hardie of Duck N Curver broke into Stonehenge to raise awareness of his wish to film a video inside the stone circle, we asked if the Fire & Rescue Service were Cutting Vital Flood Equipment, defended Wiltshire Police from keyboard warriors upset they used a rainbow as their Facebook logo during Pride Month, wished Devizes Lions a happy 50th, supported Joe Brindle on his campaign to save Drews Pond Wood, attended Save Furlong Close protests, added some reflection on the Travellers based in Bromham, praised local artist, Clifton Powell when he was commissioned for English Heritage Exhibition, The African Diaspora in England, had a great time at Breakout, Chippenhamโs Alternative Art Show, congratulated the award-winning British Lion. Crickey, the list goes on; the vast array of subjects weโve covered, even war memorials which look like bins!
I must be boring you into an early grave, which isnโt the best way to start a new year!
One last thing, we did plenty of spoofs and satirical pieces, too many to name, yet, allโs fair in love and war, and it was a great year; hereโs to 2022! I leave it there before your head explodes!
Ladies and gentlemen, live from the Market Place, through ongoing bouts, it’s high time to discover who will be the title holder for the heavyweight Devizes breakfast champion. Tonight, in the Little Brittox corner, a newcomer to the competition, weighing in at twelve pounds seventy-five pee, all the way from the The Condado Lounge, the Big Lounge Breakfast!
And in the erm, middling corner, the undefeated heavyweight champion of Devizesโ breakfasts, weighing in at nine pounds and seventy-five pee, ladies and gentlemen, I give you, all the way from New Society, the High Society Breakfast; let’s get belly to rumble!
No messing around, we want a good, clean, fight. There’s gonna be blood, sweat, toast, and perhaps a few tears, but my belly and I are determined to, by left hook or crook, find the best breakfast in ol’ Devizes town; or die trying.
And I feel it goes without saying, first rule of breakfast club, is we talk about breakfast, and secondly, breakfast means breakfast. If I’m patriotic about only one thing, I stipulate it HAS to be a full English breakfast, a large one, without avocado or maple syrup, plated, not squelching from the sides of a bread roll.
Donโt get me wrong, I like pancakes, on Shrove Tuesday, I like a pain au chocolat, as a snack, I like a selection of marmalades, cooked meats and bouncy cheese, for lunch. And for breakfast, yeah, I do every cereal from muesli to Coco-Pops, at home. But when I’m out to eat, in the a.m., there isnโt, and never will be, anything better, worldwide, than a full English cholesterol-hugging breakfast. Correct me if I’m wrong, pancake consuming Yankee-doodle-do.
With something to prove, new kid on the block, The Condado Lounge came out fighting. A wide, open-plan restaurant with dรฉcor a fusion of English pub furnishings and Mexican design, itโs colourful and welcoming. Thereโs comfy sofas and generously distributed seating.
Putting up their dรฉcor guard, New Society is equally welcoming, with a cross between wine bar and grand home kitchen, the partial antique look is wonderfully fitting with the town, and includes the stunning stained-glass window bearing the Devizes crest; evidence this was once the tourist information building. Yet they never did serve sausages, so to hell with them. It is as it has been since it opened its doors two years ago, homely and snug.
The Big Lounge Breakfast dealt some serious body-blows; this was an exceptionally tasty breakfast, tomatoes sprinkled with basil, it struck out with herby double-sausage, eggs and bacon combo, with black pudding, mushrooms, toast on the side and that little pot of baked beans. I must say, all these weโre cooked to perfection. Though it promised hash browns, they didnโt deliver, thus the Big Lounge Breakfast left itself open for retaliation.
Please note, I was too hungry to time out and take snaps, these images are taken from the respective websites and Facebook pages!
Spotting its opportunity, the High Society Breakfast served up a less spiced but equally scrumptious breakfast, with precisely the same items, but posher condiments. While it was clear this was going to be a tough fight, it managed to deliver everything it sworn to, and low and behold, with the addition of hash browns, especially when so crunchy and golden-brownly cooked, it put the Big Lounge Breakfast on the ropes.
But for our first time in there, we were welcomed at the Condado by manager Joel, who expressed his dedication to his customers and staff; the hospitality was convivial despite the busyness. This forced the boxers to the centre of the ring, clinching.
For a moment there was a notion of level-pegging, being New Society also put their baked beans in a pot. I sigh, seemingly standardised practice these days. Warming to concept I originally deemed sacrilege, on the grounds tipping them out is optional. Which I did at the Lounge, to soak up the goodness and bind the meal with their sauce. Though I figured I give leaving them in the vessel a try at New Society, it only ended with flaking bits of dipped hash brown floating in the pot, which was uninvited; Iโm tipping them from now on! Fat was good for you, then it wasn’t, now it is again, who knows what’s what, and when in consumption of a full English, who really cares?
The main thing is taste, and Iโm having trouble deciding, both were great, and both replaced the eggs I donโt care for with another item of my choice, without asking, and this is always a point-scorer for me. But admittedly my tummy felt fuller at New Society, and itโs a biggish one to fill! The Big Lounge Breakfast is forced to the ropes once more!
It is a shame, because The Big Lounge Breakfast put up a good fight, but price-tag has to come into play, and for the consistency in baking a splendid breakfast, it could have gone either way. It must be said, heftily weighing in at ยฃ12.75 against the middle-weight ยฃ9.75, three quid goes a long way in the finale. Therefore, New Societyโs knockout High Society Breakfast dealt the final uppercut, sadly, The Big Lounge Breakfast hit the deck with a thud, the ref threw the baked-bean-stained towel in, and in assuming the hash browns watched helplessly from the kitchen, it was all over, save those cores of the tomato which no one finishes.
Please note, I was too hungry to time out and take snaps, these images are taken from the respective websites and Facebook pages! This is the vegan breakfast at New Society. Very unprofessional of me, I accept, but I didn’t know at the time I would write this; blame a slow news week!
An impressive bout puts New Society top of our leader board, and will go up against the winner of round two, which maybe sometime what with the cost of Christmas to cough up. Unless, of course, your Devizes cafรฉ or restaurant wishes to rise to the challenge sooner and can invite my better half and me to taste your lovely breakfast; do let me know, before I prep porridge!
Wherever there are sausages, you will find me. Wherever bacon is suffering from being undercooked, we’ll be there. Wherever liberty is threatened by beans in pot, you will find… Devizineโs Battle of the Best Devizes Breakfast; it’s a dirty job, but someone’s got to do it.
Everything to do in Wiltshire this coming week, right in one handy listing, you know the drill, jump to it, preferably before putting your Christmasโฆ
Intriguing and divergent is my two word summary of the latest exhibition at Devizes’ Wiltshire Museum, from one who grew up with first-hand second Worldโฆ
Devizes celebrated rum bar, The Muck & Dundar are hosting a dub reggae night with Omega Nebula on Saturday, and received this weekโs prestigious awardโฆ
This week the organiser proudly presented a cheque for a whopping ยฃ9537.75 to Prospect Hospice staff. The third year of My Dadโs Bigger Than Yourโฆ
Contemporary folk rock in the UK tends to come in three formats which never the twain shall meet, usually. Firstly you’ve got your acoustic goodnessโฆ
If youโre like me and leave shopping to the last-minute Christmas eve frenzied dash like a headless turkey, or even if you’re arranging next yearโs already, hereโs some local Christmas gifts and ideas, which will build up, I hope, to a virtual Christmas market, a warm winter wonderland!
Surfing through the Net, with a one-maned open search engine, over Facebook we go, laughing all the way! Hey, crafty crafters, cheeky chefs and any other local creative types, I havenโt got a naughty or nice list, so donโt make me hunt you down. I know youโre busy, but it takes a second or three, and costs nought, to message us at Devizine and get your Christmassy products and ideas listed here, on our online local Yuletide market.
So, do bookmark this page and drop back in regularly, as it will be updated.
And for those who prefer the physical, there’s a list of Christmas Craft Markets at the bottom of this list, just keep on scrollin’!
Real Christmas Trees in Devizes
Back at the Bell on the Green this year from the 26th November, as it has been for 23 years, real Christmas trees will be for sale. You can pre order your trees for click and collect or delivery at www.merryChristmastrees.co.uk
AbraKadabra
AbraKadabra make these wonderful handmade magic seed-bombs, always popular at Christmas! Contact them via Facebook or Esty, and if you are in Devizes, put the discount code DEVIZES at checkout and youโll get free postage!
Alan Watters
Rowde artist Alan Watters has limited edition signed and mounted prints of his recent drawing of a highland cow, and gives some of the proceeds to charity. This picture is also a signed cow greetings card with each print and posting worldwide. Have a look at https://alansfineart.com if interested. Cost is just ยฃ30 with delivery included.
Arthe
From the creators of Devizes-ownartistic, hectic, eclectic, chaotic, linguistic, poetic, bombastic, fantastic, and perhaps a little anarchistic, kawaii bear, Arthe, there’s some groovy greeting cards and gifts on their website, tote bags, mugs, tees, etc; check it out funk soul bears.
Andy Fawthrop
Whilst some people might have spent their Lockdown baking banana bread or stockpiling toilet rolls, our very own roving reporter, Andy was hard at it, writing short stories. These have now been published in three volumes. There’s 49 new stories in all, featuring the usual gentle topics of murder, blackmail, mistaken identity, revenge, infidelity, piracy, robbery and…oh…well, anyway, they’re jolly entertaining, and by turns spooky, bizarre or comic. You can buy them direct from Andy for a tenner each, or order them through the wonderful Jo at Devizes Books, or even buy them from Amazon (paperbacks ยฃ10, Kindle downloads ยฃ3). “They would obviously make ideal Christmas presents,” Andy says, “particularly for that special person that you don’t like very much.” I’ve read his “stuff” and beg to differ.
Beeze’s
Easy choice, you just know Beeze’s in Devizes’ Ginnel are going to have some great ideas for Christmas gifts; they’ve got a whole Christmas Collection, not to mention Little Beeze’s toys next door. Chocolate message bars? Say no more!
Devizes-based Blossom Hill Cards has five Christmas wonderful card designs, with all proceeds going to Alzheimerโs Society. You can buy them HERE.
Cositas Bonitas
The brilliant shareware craft shop in Sidmouth Street Devizes, Cositas Bonitas is a must stop off on your Christmas shop, you will be spoiled for choice. Check out Facebook, to see what I mean!
The Little Eco Shop, Devizes
I’m so glad to hear the Little Eco Shop is back. Go there for zero waste Christmas Eco wrapping essentials. Recycled craft wrapping paper in brown, green and red. Compostable brown paper tape. Christmas patterned brown paper tape (perfect for jazzing up the paper) Natural twine. Coloured twine made from recycled plastic. Paper bows. Craft card tags. Make your own elf Christmas crackers.
Such a lovely name for this Devizes-based small decoupage business; so it’s mainly bottles and jars, with lights or wooden hearts hanging plaques, but owner Cassie tells me, “pretty much anything I can get my hands on that will work!”Join her Facebook group for more details.
Caroline Le Bourgeois
If you’re lucky to find this amazing wildlife artist at the Shambles, or many local fairs and markets, her cute pictures would make a perfect wall hanging gift, or greetings cards. If not, her website is here.
Dollies Dimples
Devizes-based Dollies Dimples makes these charming secret pocket tins with personalisation, visit their Etsy shop here.
The Healthy Life Company
From Green and Blacks, Montezuma, Moo Free and Clipper tea advent calendars to Vaughn’s Kitchen Christmas Cake Packs, the Healthy Life in Devizes’ Little Brittox is more than muesli. With a reduced carbon footprint focus, they have a pop-up gift shop each year, with those gifts that you wonโt find elsewhere on the high street. For a healthy, planet-friendly Christmas, visit The Healthy Life, or on Facebook.
FM by Gem
Perfume, the ideal gift; Gemma is your local FM rep with everything from real discounted perfumes, to home fragrances, makeup and even cleaning products. You will need to join this Facebook group to find out more.
Shaz’s Chutneys and Pickles!
Shaz’s homemade chutneys, pickles and hampers are up for grabs from the Southgate, Devizes. With a 5 star Food Hygiene Rating, they do look tasty!
The Devizine Compilation Album, of Course!
If youโre not fussed about unwrapping gifts, I could shamelessly plug our Devizine compilation album. It canโt be on CD, because itโs far too mahoosive, it would need approximately 6 discs to cram onto, ergo you can download it, and your money goes to Juliaโs House Childrenโs Hospices. And on it youโll find the very best of what local music has to offer, I pinky promise you that much!
Newly opened in Devizes, The White Chalk Gallery would be the perfect stopping place on any Christmas shop, there’s handmade jewellery and sculptured pots as well as art, and will you just look at these two needle felted cutties made from pure wool by Jo Lilley @miceandmole. Find the White Chalk Gallery in Devizes Market Place, or website here.
Simon Folkard Photography
Amazing photographer Simon Folkard has a range of Devizes themed Christmas cards, as well as his celebrated calendars. He will be at the Corn Exchange’s Christmas fayre on Saturday 15th November, look him up or contact him via Facebook.
The Gourmet Brownie Kitchen
The way to a manโs heart this festive season I can tell you, for Iโm dreaming of a brownie Christmas, and no one, I repeat, no one makes a brownie as good as The Gourmet Brownie Kitchen. Currently based at Poulshot Farm Lodge, plans are afoot for a new shop, but while it looks like Devizes, itโs all top secret at the moment, so keep in the loop via Facebook, and visit their website! UPDATE: it’ll be on Maryport Street; yay!
Kit Tags
Personalise your kit bags with combat proof tags, here!
Will Do Studio
On a Bauble or hanging decoration, personalisation is trending, Westbury’s Will Do Studio have personalised Christmas ornaments. Write your wishes on the bauble and give it to the person who is important to you. Add any text and make this souvenir on the Christmas tree.
I could recommend a billion albums, but this debut from our brilliant The Lost Trades would be my pickermost for the yule season, it’s just sooo nice! And yes, they have this on CD, so you can gift-wrap it! Buy it here.
Hannah Cantellow Studio
From Poulshot’s to Lockeridge’s village halls, Hannah runs linocut Christmas card workshops, a great way to create multiple cards yourself. Youโll be able to make and handprint a set of 10 Christmas cards and a carved block to take away with you, which youโll be able to print again and again. All materials, tools, design templates and refreshments are provided (however, youโre welcome to bring your own design if you prefer.) Check the website for dates and booking.
Wix n Scents
Based at Castle Combe, who wouldn’t want a pug or boxer fart scented candle, I ask you? Other scents are available! Check them out here.
Christmas Shopping in Devizes
Our friends at InDevizes has created this map of all the independent shops around Devizes, for refence when out there shopping, and the cafes too, naturally!
Coming over all Oliva Newton John? Prefer the physical? Yeah, for shopaholics thereโs nothing like trampling around a craft market this time of year, so Iโve also included a list of known Christmas craft fayres locally. If I missed yours, my gift to you is I can add it, which is not quite as good as socks or a Lynx deodorant set, but cโest la vie.
Oh, and send me them via our Facebook page, with your name and age, and we’ll decide winners in December. If anyone of the lovely businesses we’ve helped by plugging their wares could offer a prize, do let me know!!
If our ground-breaking heroes of boom bap, the Scribes bring the noise during live performances and bless any venue with crowd-pleasing positive vibes, yet areโฆ
Snotty nose, change of weather, otherwise Iโd have dragged my sorry ass down to Underground, formerly Level III in Swindon for last weekendโs Children inโฆ
Residents from communities across Swindon are organising another show of solidarity with the people of Palestine….. They are inviting everyone to join them at 2pmโฆ
Steve Vick International (SVI), a leading innovator in pipeline engineering solutions, is thrilled to announce the renewal of their sponsorship agreement with the Wiltshire Musicโฆ
Boo! Weโve got everything to do in Wiltshire this coming week, leading us into Halloween and the end of the monthโฆ..as we always doโฆ.boo! Itโsโฆ
Fantastic and spooky image of St Johns, Devizes, used with permission from Simon Folkard Photography
I say everyone, but itโs the inbetweenies always at a loss during Halloween, I tend to find. Too old for patronising trick or treating, only a handful of idiots, sulking at their lack of Harbio, who opt for the terrorising old folk kind, which spoils it for them, and for younger kids too, when everyone under the age of eighteen is tarnished with the same witchโs broom.
Yet too young to attend adult Halloween parties, which we all know, generally end up as mindless drunken satanic orgies, full of naked chicks pouring the blood of scarified male counterparts over themselves in a hellfire pit of inequity to the sound of evil giggling, and thrash metal roaring from the raftersโฆ. at least, in my mind it does.
What?! Iโm speculating, I wouldnโt know whether they break out the leather, or not. I grew up in a household where the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain was considered American commercialisation, and since escaping the nest I built my own, whereby on All Hallows’ Eve I don a beanie and wander aimlessly in the background, as โprotectorโ parent of hyperactive children, getting ecstatic about being out under street light.
I awkwardly grimaced at housekeepers like a vagabond, as neighbours loaded their pumpkin-shaped buckets with cheap confectionary they donโt like anyway. Weโd join chains of other trick or treaters, my watchful duties waning with each grouping; safety in numbers Iโd suppose perfunctorily, as I tire and they run off in merriment and sugar-fuelled frenzy. Responsibility is a bitch.
Iโve got cheap, Wilkos luminous paint on my jersey from a leaking zombie, whose mask is sagging where they broke the elastic, otherwise I blur into the background and children organise themselves, until one genuinely gets scared, and I get to return home, ignore door-knocking and slope on the sofa, groaning like a headless horseman, wishing one day theyโll grow out of it.
And before you know whatโs what, they do, and you pity the complaining, realise you miss the thrill in their eyes, and await the welcomed subsequent phase, grandchildren, when you hope them to provide the perfect excuse to get back out trick or treating again; by this age you need no mask or makeup, but you can return them sugar-bursting; mwahahaha!
Anyway, enough of my problems, you came here wanting to hear about all the spooky events and monster mashes going down over the Samhain, and thatโs what Iโm about to do, just, you know, had to get that off my chest.
Although if Iโve missed yours, I can always add them, if you liked, just message, email or howl under the full moon when the wind is blowing my direction, but the first โhalloweenyโ type event weโve found, is All Canningsโ Pre-School Half term Halloween Trail, starting on 23rd October and running until the 30th. Take your little ones to All Cannings, buy a trail map from the village shop and walk the village looking for clues to spell a spooky word! Put your completed maps into our box at the back of the village hall for your chance to win a Halloween prize.
Leading up to the Halloween weekend, Crazy Pโs Ron Basejam brings some Halloween disco to Komedia on Thursday 28th, but Saturday is when the spookiness really comes out to playโฆ.
In Devizes, the trusty Cavalier have a childrenโs Halloween fancy dress disco, with prizes for the best dressed boy and girl. Youโll need a ยฃ3 ticket, available here.
Forgive me if Iโm wrong but I believe wonderful DJ, Holz Stone will be on the spooky wheels of steel for the Halloween fancy dress disco at the Wyvern Club. Thereโll be hot dogs, burgers and sweet bags, a novel hook-a-skull game, guess the weight of the pumpkin and whatโs in the box, as well as best dressed prizes. This oneโs ยฃ2 per child, on the door.
For Devizes grownups, over 21s, thereโs a DJ set from Houses of Joy Soundsystem at The Muck & Dundarโs Zombie Cocktail Special night. Free entry, walk-ins, favourably like a zombie, and feel free to dress up or down. I think theyโll need an exorcist like me, to purify those spirits!
And of course, the traditional Krazee Devil Halloween Karaoke Disco will be down the The Pelican, Devizes. Only numbers are limited this year, so if you want to Party Pelicano style this Samhain then shout Sarah-Jane on (01380) 723909.
The Truzzy Boys welcome fancy dress at their Halloween Party at the Churchill Arms in West Lavington, also on Saturday. Honey-Streetโs Barge have a monster mash rock ‘n’ roll Halloween party, with Little Miss Blue Bass, Mutley and Rockin Rich. Best dressed wins a ยฃ20 bar tab, which beats a bucket of Freddos. They want only ยฃ6 off you for the pleasure, tickets here.
Meanwhile, over misty graveyards and ancient burial mounds to Bradford-on-Avon, where the Three Horseshoes host Strange Folk for a Halloween party. If you checked them out last weekend at the Southgate, or read our review, youโll know this will be a great, and very apt Halloween venture. It should go without saying by now, its fancy dress, with a prize for best dressed.
In spooky Swindon, The Swiss Chalet have one hell of a show from 2pm onwards. Train to Skaville, The DayBreakers, Hip Replacements and Mark Colton bring the skalloween tunes, all in aid of the fantastic Big Yellow Bus Project. Door tax is just a quid, with mac n cheese and a chance to win a Nintendo Switch!
Vampires and zombies of Frome only need head to The Cornerhouse, where theyโll find the highly recommended Back Wood Redeemers, with a dark country, twisted blues and religious fervor eve of Halloween. Expect special guests and theyโll be introducing the MagiGant Ska Sound System. There will be dancing afoot! Bring your relevant body parts and dress up should the whim arise… you’ll be in good company.
But not everyone wants dancing afoot, and for a relaxed meal-type Halloween event, Rowdeโs legendary George & Dragon have a Rocky Horror Tunnel Party, in, as the name suggests, their secret, aptly spooky, tunnel. Dress up in your favourite horror costumes for a three-course BMF supper, and a party to follow.
And on the Sunday, the 31st, The Roebuck Inn, Marlborough, has a Halloween Open mic Night, while over in Market Lavington’s Green Dragon, there will be all sorts of spooky bonkers things going on all day, perfect for kids and grown up kids alike; with the fantastic People Like Us playing from 8pm.
Iโm sure that list isnโt exhaustive, and Iโll add your event if you tell me about it. Otherwise have a grand Halloween, and as I say, Iโll be maxing relaxing, safe in the knowledge my kids now consider themselves too old for the trick or treating fiasco. I mean, Iโm not naming and shaming, but one of my nippers must be the only person who can lose a tooth bobbing for apples, for crying out loud into the cold night air!
Creators of original music who may psychologically build a hierarchy with them atop, tribute acts on the bottom and cover bands hovering somewhere between, tendโฆ
4Youth (South West) are pleased to announce the beginning of a 2.5 year street-based youth work project based in Devizes, Wiltshire on Monday and Thursdayโฆ
Gliding through October at colossal speed, with temporary bursts of cold spells hinting winter at us, and some, some I repeat, faintly whispering the Cโฆ
Devizes Town Councillors voted unanimously to adopt a Single-Use Plastic Policy and appointed Councillor Vanessa Tanner as the Plastic Free Champion for the town, atโฆ
An early and rarely-performed play, ‘Two Gentlemen of Verona’ has feisty heroines, lovelorn & bickering young men, dictatorial parents, foolish suitors, cross-dressing, letters galore, wildโฆ
Crowds gathered in Devizes Market Place today, for the pushed back grand market and street food festival, all part of the fantastic Devizes Food & Drink Festival, a fabulous start to the series of events happening over the coming fortnight. Itโs been a great success, most events sold out already, but as this is a freebie provided by the organisers for many townsfolk itโs considered the icing on the cake, pardon the pun!
Iโve always enjoyed this day, food and festival being two of my favourite things and to combine them is music to my ears; this yearโs was no exception. It was the usual bustle of stalls either selling street food, drink or things to take home. Yet the operative word is usual. Perhaps it being later in the year due to obvious circumstances, but I felt stalls were lesser this year compared to previous ones, and, more importantly, there was nothing which hadnโt appeared before.
Gin was the order of the day, drinks wise, and predictably Wadworth sold the ale, Rutts Lane brought the cider, the ever-popular Cosy Kitchen attended with their fantastic gyros, but all these are stable elements to the market, including the Chinese food stall, bratwursts and Coalโs smoky barbeque, the latter of which rustled me up one darn fine lamb & mint burger. The previous year had more choice, the baozi stall so popular in the past wasnโt there, neither was a number of others. I recall with fondness innovative stalls, such as the guy selling ravioli, because itโs a rare thing to have as a street food, and that is what makes the market interesting.
The Gourmet Brownie Kitchen being something I was looking forward to, (to take home for the kids you understand!) but from Poulshot Lodge, only Holychocs attended, fabulous though they are. Likewise, last time the Muck & Dundar mobile bar stole the show for me, but their absence wasnโt missed, as I wandered down the Brittox for a quick rum from their new bar, which was just what the doctor ordered!
Quick Mount Gay rum at the Muck & Dundar!
Another unpreventable shame being Daydream Runaways had to pull out of playing some music, due to frontman Ben having lost his voice. Agreed Fromeโs eclectic-influenced folk four-piece, The Decades made for the perfect entertainment, but again, they were the same band which played there in 2019.
Iโm sorry to be the burden of bad news, though tis but a niggle, but as great as it was, it felt โsamey.โ I do hope next yearโs will provide some different stalls, be progressive, as the amazing effort which goes into organising such a fantastic annual event on our calendar thoroughly deserves it.
We should though, consider the market is only a small part of the overall Devizes Food & Drink Festival, and thereโs many other events still to come, from craft cider making to teddy bearโs picnics, and at the end of it all, the grand finale being The World Food event, free at the Corn Exchange on Sunday 3rd October from 12.30. There you can explore the globe on a plate. An event for all the family, where local residents with far flung roots invite you to sample a family favourite from their homeland. Basically, you get little taster portions for 50p a pop. Such a novel idea, and wonderful way to end the festival, one Iโve not yet tried, so Iโm certain it will re-raise the bar.
If my Saturday’s entertainment at The Pump was decidedly offbeat and a tad bizarre, what with chap-hop, pith helmets and vintage jazz played through aโฆ
With a wide selection of family-friendly and retro board games, RPGs such as Magic the Gathering, Warhammer and Pokรฉmon,ย and serving tea, coffee, cakes and, oh,โฆ
Wiltshire Council are asking public transport users, residents, businesses and visitors in the county to take part in a public transport review, to help shapeโฆ
Righty-oh, no time for messing about, weโve lots to get throughโฆ. What have I become?!! Thereโs always time for messing around. Hereโs a snapshot ofโฆ
Not as eminent as the Yorkshire pud or the Bakewell tart, Devizes does have its own pie; who knew? Furthermore, what kind of monstrosity could the filling be;a generous helping of 6X, farmer Perkinโs old boot fished from the crammer, perhaps?! How offal could it possibly be (see what I did there?)
Iโll tell you, shall I, as thatโs a lot of questions to digest? Though when I do tell you, you might favour digesting them instead. Basically, itโs cold calfโs head, complete with brains, some pickled tongue, sweetbreads, lamb and veal added, with bacon, and hard-boiled eggs; nice.
It might not sound very Devizes, being itโs got brains, but the final couple of questions for today are, can we modernise it, with, I dunno, doner meat and chips? And why all the fuss now about some fifteenth century pie recipe?
While Iโm happy to hear many events of The Devizes Food Festival have already sold out, theyโre keen to bring back the pie, least with an opportunity to create a new Devizes Pie.
Yes, keen cooks and pie enthusiasts are being invited to create a new recipe for the celebrated Devizes Pie, which will appeal to modern tastes at this year’s Devizes Food and Drink Festival.
There will be two categories – a meat pie and a vegetarian pie – and an entrance fee of ยฃ3 per pie.
Sponsored by multi award-winning West Country Devizes based butchers, Walter Rose & Sons, the winner of each category will receive a ยฃ100 voucher to spend on Roseโs exceptional locally sourced meat, fresh fish or choose from their extensive delicatessen products.
Entrants will be asked to create a pie containing any assortment of meat, vegetables, and other flavourful ingredients encased in pastry and suitable to be served and eaten cold [as was the original].ย Imagination and taste exploration is the order of the day!
Judging will take place at 12 noon on Saturday 25th September, the opening day of the weeklong festival, in the Corn Exchange, Market Place, Devizes. The Walter Rose Devizes Pie competition 2021 will be judged by Lisa Markwell, editor of โDishโ, the Sunday Times food magazine, Steve Cook, director Walter Rose & Sons and Chris Gay, Mayor of Devizes, who said, โthis is such an excellent competition. I have eaten a Devizes pie made from the original old recipe and it is certainly not a pie that would appeal to many modern pie eaters! A new and delicious Devizes Pie, to add to all our other tasty, local specialties, is a wonderful idea. Well done, Devizes Food Festival.โ
Quite; you and Terry Wogan alone, Chris!
TO ENTER: Enter on-line via the festival website or via Devizes Books, tickets will be available from 16th August. Entrants will need to register their interest, complete the entry form and purchase a ยฃ3 ticket per pie [link on website]. Each person may enter as many pies as they like, with each pie attracting a ยฃ3 entrance fee.
PIES must be served cold, measure about 20cm/8โ in diameter and be enveloped in a pastry case. An ingredients list should be provided highlighting any known allergens. Two categories: Meat and Vegetarian.
But away with all this, sounds far too nice for a Devizine article, I want to get the lowdown on exactly why we have a calfโs brain pie in the first place, why we couldnโt be famous for an ice cream sundae or something like that instead!
The cookery book of one Mrs Dalgairns holds the answer, and sheโs not even local, God dammit!
She was born in 1788 on Prince Edward Island in Canada, the location of the Anne of Green Gables books. Mrs Dalgairns was of American\Scots heritage and had family in India; she didnโt even know where Derrickโs Deals come from, let alone who Ruth Peirce was!
She produced a prodigious volume of recipes, 1,597 in total, in multiple editions, dating from 1829-1860 and with culinary influences that reflected her origins, but Devizes Food Festival explains, it is not at all obvious how she came by the recipe for Devizes Pie. She just stuck a pin in a map, Iโd presume, a pie with brains after all is hardly apt!
Though the Food Festival say, the lack of clear connections can only allude to the fact that our pie was popular and is therefore a good one. You be the judge of that, Iโm off down the Rowdey Cow, and would rather look forward to an updated recipe; the original recipe is below:
Cut into very thin slices, after being dressed, cold calfโs head, with some of the brains, pickled tongue, sweetbreads, lamb, veal, a few slices of bacon, and hard-boiled eggs; put them in layers into a pie-dish, with plenty of seasoning between each, of cayenne, white pepper, allspice, and salt; fill up the dish with rich gravy; cover it with a flour-and-water paste; bake it in a slow oven, and when perfectly cold, take off the crust, and turn the pie out upon a dish; garnish it with parsley and pickled eggs cut into slices.
Devizes teenagers from Wiltshire Army Cadets recently gave up their Saturday morning to help with a community gardening project on Windsor Drive in Devizes….. Theโฆ
Featured Image: Gail Foster If the most popular band to come out of Devizes recently, Nothing Rhymes With Orange are really gathering pace and attentionโฆ
The Winter Solstice at either Stonehenge or Avebury remains one of the most awaited Pagan celebrations of the year, with thousands of visitors gathering toโฆ
The Future Smiths, a new community-driven organisation set up to advance entrepreneurship and innovation, is proud to announce an exciting initiative aimed at aspiring entrepreneursโฆ
There are two giant kangaroos hopping through Long Street in Devizes, one bantering to a passer-by in a mock-Aussie accent, โno, I’m not into bondage, you can’t tie me down, sport!โ
Meanwhile a gypsy woman riding a quad-cycle with a double bass attached follows a dapper man in top hat and tails, playing a piano on wheels, adorned with flowery ornaments and mirrors, past the Nationwide on Maryport Street. This isn’t your archetypal afternoon in town, this is a scattered post-lockdown version of DOCAโs beloved Devizes Street Festival, and while this isn’t going to be quite as simple for me to angle this time around, it is, unarguably, something fantastic.
With the main stage outside the Corn Exchange missing this year, there was no centrepiece binding the annual event together, therefore from the outside looking in, one could perceive it being all rather mishmash. I feel this was intentional, to avoid crowding, and a wise move considering the circumstances. The crucial point is, the magic was still there, for all ages; side stalls, street food, fairground rides, static and wandering circus acts and street theatre all played as colourful and lively part of the street festival as it ever did, it was just dispersed around the town centre.
If the lack of live music was a shame this time around, least it drew attention to side attractions. I’ve a particular penchant for the offbeat street theatre, fondly reminding me of sunny Glastonbury festivals of yore. It is, then, precisely this, and the variety of side attractions, especially catering for children which spells out to me, this is so much more than the perceived monumental piss-up locals dub, โBlack Rat Monday,” with its monocultured ethos of cider-swigging debauchery.
However, and this is a big however, if DOCA wishes to cast off this label, that is it’s prerogative to do so, but they should note the nickname is not to be taken seriously, it is all part of a running joke in true west country fashion, an inward banter of ironic overstatement. Folk know it’s more than the sum of downing as much cider as they can, that’s the joke. Backside of the coin, though, a large part of the community does want exactly that. Far from loutish behaviour, the spirit of eat, drink and be merry is imbedded in our history.
But, as of yet, there’s no indication DOCA wish to cast the namesake off, being despite informing The British Lion, after their mainstay position serving the apple poison about-centre for a mere couple of decades, that their presence is no longer required, they themselves sold Black Rat cider solely other than Pimmโs, at their own bar. I sigh at this, considered titling this piece, “a shame,” but supposed later, DOCA’s overheads must be ginormous, laying such a memorable and legendary event on for free, scraping a tad back from sales of said cider plays a small part and the need to do this is understandable.
I’m impartial on this one, not here to cast accusations or play a blame game, taking on board, and agreeing with much of the hearsay and rumours revolving through the natives, though. Local politics isnโt my bag, if there’s monopolising tactics at the root of this, I think that’s unfair and certainly not in the community spirit of the event, at all.
And there it lies, in a word; community. Keep the “international” in the title, by all means, I, and I believe I speak for most of us when I say bringing the worldwide stage to our doorsteps with a plethora of top world music acts is a wonderful idea and we love DOCA for it, but this doubles-up, and always did, as a festival for the community. DOCA abide by this with plentiful locally sourced side attractions, but personally I think we need to honour local talent too.
I’d welcome artistic director Loz to give me a bell come the time for booking acts, and be it from my own personal judgement or a Facebook poll, ask me to name two local acts who deserve to be on the main stage billing. And at least two do, those who’ve excelled through these challenging times and take a little piece of Devizes with them around the country. If it’s a mouthful to call it, โthe Devizes International Community Street Festival,โ then just โDevizes Street Festivalโ will suffice.
Of course, DOCA did take heed, and allowed a secondary local music stage in 2019, of which Pete and Jackie of Vinyl Realm completely funded and organised. This was something beautiful, and became a key feature of the street festival that year. But no matter how large this goes, it will always feel like a bolt-on, when what I’d really appreciate is the pick of local talent up on that main stage.
There, said my piece, and don’t wish to end on a sour note, not that it was, just constructive criticism. Children are trampolining in Sidmouth Street, while a couple of, what can only be described as “rock n roll slappers” entice passers-by to peak into their ‘peepshow’ wooden box at the other end. Limbo dancers outside the town hall, with a man rolling around inside an oversized metal hull-a-hoop, and a giant exoskeleton puppet wanders down the Brittox, stopping to sniff the hanging baskets. How can I possibly be critical about any of this? Rising against the challenges, DOCA made an absolutely fantastic show of colour, curiosity and entertainment, amidst vibrant atmosphere, this is a town-wide show unlike any other and should never be taken for granted.
I tip my hat to DOCA as a samba band play by the Market Place cross, but I feel impelled to check out the British Lion, all things considered, and that lengthy beer garden sure is alive with punters, those loyal to the Black Rat. Tom Harris, Pat Ward, Claire et all, play unplugged as a barbeque for Dorothy House sizzles and friends gather to mark their appreciation of โthe British.โ And that is the true meaning of “community,” it doesn’t need props and extravagant shows, it just takes hospitality and compromise.
That said I’m pleased to see those trampolines, extending the street festival out from the Market Place, as it’s a stone throw from the welcoming pub, and combined it into the event rather than making it feel out on a limb, and for that, for the whole bank holiday weekend, what with Full Tone frenzy too, Devizes is truly great, when it works together. The British Lion is an institution here in the โVizes, the reliably stable free house has stood the test of time with little need to fix its unbroken charm. This is the only regular gig on their calendar which sees them gallivanting from their bar and making an appearance in the Market Place, something which has become equally as traditional as the event itself. It is a shame not to have them present this year. Competition is healthily, remember, a range of breweries can compromise and find a solution, of that, I’m certain, and look forward to the possibility it will be so in future years.
Summer is done and dusted, youโve got to lower yourself onto the toilet seat that little bit steadier, as we move into autumn. Still, the silver lining is thereโs always lots to do locally; hereโs what weโve found coming up this weekโฆ. Not comprehensive, as I tell you each time, more will be added toโฆ
The sun certainly shone on Devizes yesterday as the Devizes Food & Drink Festival kicked off with its celebrated free foodie market in, aptly, the Market Place…… You should take note itโs not the be-all-and-end-all of the festival, only the starter. The Devizes Food & Drinks Festival combines twenty-four separate events over nine days, endingโฆ
Saturday 4th November Underground, 73 Commercial Road, Swindon, SN1 5NX Swindon’s biggest indie pop Talk In Code are working alongside Underground, based on Commercial Road in Swindon, our local live music venue to run a “Swindon Rocks for Children In Need” live music charity event on Saturday 4th November. With four local bands on the bill (Talk In Code,โฆ
Quick one from me today, you’ll be happy to hear! Song of the week comes from Meg, dreamily expressing her romantic thoughts, hidden from the rain; how apt for today! Okay, we’ve mentioned Meg quite a bit recently, she got song of the week for the last single, saw her perform at the Neeld, andโฆ
Pinky promise or idol threat? I’ll let you decide, but the aim is to produce a monthly podcast after prototypes at the end of last year failed due to my procrastinating agenda. Here’s the first one, an hour of great locally sourced music, unfortunately in bad company! Tuneage of the highest quality, and thankfully notโฆ
Okay, clever clogs among us Iโm sure will tell me the Eskimo Nebula is a bipolar double-shell planetary nebula, 6,500 light-years away which is surrounded by gas making it resemble a person’s head surrounded by a parka hood, hence its name. I knew that already and didnโt need you to tell me, or Wikipedia, honest,โฆ
With the last minute heatwave looking as if itโs packing its bags, we move into autumn still with lots to do locally, the silver lining of the clouds aboveโฆ..ย ย Not comprehensive, as I tell you each time, more will be added to our event calendar as we move through the week and they come toโฆ
Swindon Celtic folk at it’s finest, Anish Harrison and Neil Mercer smash it again, this one is sublime, it’s called Wild, no spoilers, just listen, immerse yourself, and perhaps buy it for a quid, you can’t even get a chocolate bar for that these days! Canute’s Plastic Army played Swindon Shuffle last night, too earlyโฆ
According to the confines of youth cultures of yore, I shouldnโt like Marlborough-based duo Deadlight Danceโs debut album, Beyond Reverence, as while attempts to fit into my new surroundings of Marlborough meant my teenage musical tastes meandered in a rock direction, I drew the line at โgoth,โ but on matured and eclectic reflection, still donโtโฆ
By Ian Diddams Three women meet at university in 1983. Mixed backgrounds, sexual preferences, dreams. From early reticence, to friendship, to love. Sharing despair, hope, loss. Love conquers all…… The play opens with a simple set, three cleverly used telephones โ pre mobile days as an era. Early scenes are short, sharp, frenetic, reflecting youthโฆ
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 