If I can, which I think is best after one too many visits to the Stealth bar, sum today in Devizes up in a word, the word would be “balanced.” Perfectly balanced….
DOCA smashed day one of the 2023 street festival, the sun shone and a brilliant day was had on the Green. We see our town turned into a festival of colour, circus, street theatre, music and dance annually and it never fails to impress and inspire, we’re accustomed to how great this event is. Today in particular, though, managed to pitch that perfect balance in supplying enough for everyone of all ages.
Myself, I bussed it in to find brass nutters Tuba Libres in their civvies busking in the Brittox, making for a grand teaser. The remaining wander to the Green buzzed with anticipation as Devizes was already bustling.
Enter the Green to see folk preparing to be Pac-Man while kids dressed as chaser ghosts and other dads were hit with sponge hammers purely for popping their heads from holes, and other curious video game related shenanigans, but in reality. If there is one thing to distract gamer kids from screens, this was it, and it worked, and it highlighted my point about the perfect balance as others gathered between the willows of a sustainable architectural stroke of genius to hear fantastic upbeat folk duo, Bonnie and Pete encapsulate the audience as Manchester-based Good Habits; they simply charmed and were so apt for chilling in the sanctuary.
With a witty finale folk-disco medley of Those Were the Days and I Will Survive, which worked a billion and one times better than it might sound, Good Habits habitually joined the crowds, while Sustainable Devizes took the mic for a environmental chat, and I sauntered around the site.
Behind us trapeze equipment was proudy erected, but rather than wait for the performance at the end of the day, was being used as a trapeze workshop where revellers queued to give it their best shot. Ten out of ten for interaction, obviously I’d have given it a go, but a food van operated with a virtual queue, and if the mobile device was to vibarate while I was up there my cheeseburger would’ve gone to waste; priorities, see?!
Tuck options aplenty, I confess to a rather splendid cake from the Devizes for Ukraine stall, who had a lovely selection of pastries and cakes you’re unlikely to have seen before.
Jealous because I forgot my sunhat, Welsh-queer mesh dancers plodded to ambient a soundscape, eerily building to a high energy folk dance, here presenting the wild card and receiving mixed verbal reviews from the crowd; certainly had impact.
I say wildcard, I mean, look, there’s a tricycle ridden around by a giant octopus, while its tabletop presents two aquabatic fish-dancers; this isn’t the usual day out in Devizes. But amidst the bizarre Lucid Acid’s Cat Sith was perhaps the most mesmerising, taking the pantomime horse to a whole new level. If it was a botheration to distract my eyes from the genius method of making this acrobatic puppetry appear genuinely feline, it was only to note the toddler next to me completely captivated by it, and my vision circled the crowd to note every person young and old watching in awe.
Miraculous changed into eighties keep fit attire The Tuba Libres blasted their brass at the Willow Sanctuary, and cockney sounding upbeat folk collective The Great Malarkey were as the name suggests, great with a two-tone twist, only to be followed by a spectacular display on the trapeze and now we await day two, which, by the time you read this it will be underway, in the Market Place this time; get your crocs!
I’ve a mildly interesting word origin urban myth to bore you with before we begin on an opinion piece about the latest petty squabbling at Devizes Town Council, which, beggar belief, causes no consequence or botheration to proceedings of the town’s affairs, but stands to illustrate how pathetic and time wasting it’s all become; a council supposed to diplomatically decide necessary changes to better improve facilities in a town yet cannot even concur which hall to hold meetings in without toys being thrown from prams; so, back ofthe class, pay attention!
Word of the day is “text,” as in a body of words most commonly used in “text message.” Obviously, there’s a derivation from the term textiles, but how it came to be was pre-industrial revolution when weavers worked outside as the cloth was too large to manage in small houses. Being outside, they got to hear the word on the street, a bygone equivalent of taxi drivers and hairdressers! As public opinion mattered to early politicians they would gage and take notes from the weavers as they cast their opinion on current affairs, to take to parliament. The annotations, words from textiles, ergo, came to pass text would mean any body of words.
But it illustrates a point, as to read the recent lone ramblings of one rouge councillor’s renownedly biassed Facebook group, that Devizes Town Council aims to bar the public from attending meetings by switching back to a meeting room though historically used and deemed by a majority of councillors more suitable from another used only recently to insure social distancing during the pandemic, that really, upstanding politicians and councillors alike both want and need to gage public opinion, therefore, logically would encourage public interaction.
The Marketplace this weekend might be for street festival, but next Saturday, 27th May, is a bit of a letdown by comparison as the Devizes Town Council have their roadshow, unless they intend to break into a cover of Wonderwall, which is, fortunately, unlikely! But it is a regular occurence, the purpose of which is for the public to meet the councillors and pour out their concerns to them. In turn, it goes to prove the majority of councillors welcome public opinion. Which begs the question, why go to all that trouble, if this rant is genuine and to be believed, that the council doesn’t care for public interest?! It simply doesn’t make sense.
Two other town councillors have independently taken to other local Facebook groups to elucidate the reasons for the room switch, but being like many members of the public who dared to offer a differing opinion to the admin and town councillor of the page that the rant was posted on, the Devizes Issues, their pledge lies separate from the original post and they are unable to comment upon it. This leaves the admin, again, with the final say on the matter there, that other councillors are according to him, switching rooms in order to bar the public from attending meetings.
Longstanding councillor and former mayor Judy Rose was the one who proposed the move from the Town Hall Assembly Room back to the Council Chamber. “The reasons for wishing to return there have been suggested by a Conservative Cllr, Iain Wallis, is in order to keep the public out,” she explained, “I can state clearly that this proposal has nothing to do with keeping the public out, nor the spurious idea of ‘returning home’.”
She continued to outline the reasons for the move,”the acoustics of the Assembly Room are poor for the spoken word, even with mics. At our last Council meeting, an invited speaker used the mic, but still remained inaudible to many of us, and frequently, the same thing happens with councillor’s contributions. The arrangement of tables facing each other does not, at times, make for co-operative, civilised debate or behaviour.”
The public have always been able to attend meetings in the Council Chamber since the Town Hall was built. Prior to Covid, the meetings were moved to the Assembly Room when a larger contingent of the public was expected, a move which was relatively easy to anticipate from the contents of the agenda.
Judy expressed, “the public never have, nor will they ever be excluded from meetings, save under GDPR for certain exempt items concerning staff matters and commercial information about the properties owned by the Town Council. To suggest otherwise is completely mistaken, and to imply such a hidden agenda is not constructive and indeed very unhelpful in aiding the knowledge and understanding of how the Town Council operates.”
Guardian leader Jonathan Hunter also expressed his concerns, “this move is not about excluding any members of the public; it’s about promoting a more positive and cohesive environment. Councillors do not want to exclude members of the public and to suggest that this is the case is completely false.”
“Whilst the super-sized venues of the Corn Exchange and Assembly Room were appropriate for Covid protocols, the Assembly Room has become a venue that promotes distance between councillors and the public. Regular difficulties with communication and, at times, an adversarial and confrontational atmosphere all make the Assembly room a poor choice environment and a venue that isn’t fit for purpose. Councillors should be working together, and the environment should be positive, focused, and non confrontational.”
“Members of the public that were also present last night were asked for their views. Their conclusions were that the Assembly Room was confrontational. In an attempt to sway opinion, it was unfortunate that one or two councillors stated that the public would be sat behind the backs of councillors within the council chamber in future meetings, even though the room layout hasn’t been set up for future meetings. Councillors do not want to have their backs towards members of the public.”
Devizes Guardians, along with the Labour councillor, the Independent councillor and the newly elected Mayor all voted in favour. Three Conservative councillors abstained. The proposal was approved with a majority vote. But with these facts obscured from the more popular Facebook group the readers are faced with a one-sided evaluation of the issue and will likely believe what’s said because no one has come forward to challenge it; ministry of truth type stuff.
The very fact this has happened, and is of no rare occasion, implies more generally, that these accusations made against opposing councillors are in fact, nothing more than the power tripping ramblings of a particular councillor who’s only intentions are to belittle their fellow councillors and create the illusion he is the superhero of hour here to bound in wearing his spandex and restore public access to council meetings; is it a bird? Is it a plane?!
Yet, being a majority of residents, and councillors have been banned from the group, and/or are silenced by comments deleted, alternatively implies otherwise.
Now, I stand accused myself of “bullying and harrassing” this councillor, by none other than him, on an occasion where he posted a request for people to advertise upcoming events consequently causing a number of people to mention that Devizine was a good place to find such information. I didn’t encourage them to do this, and have no access to the group yet sonehow this constituted “bullying.”
Every comment which stated this simple fact was deleted, and many were banned from the group. Suggesting there appears to be a personal vendetta against us, when really, as we cover discrepancies and problematic issues arising from local politics, it so unduly seems to be near every time such a happening occurs within Devizes Town Council it seems the same councillor is at the heart of the squabble. This doesn’t mean we have deliberately targeted anyone in particular, and we certainly haven’t bullied or harassed anyone.
I could go out on a whim and suppose, on this occasion the councillor in question is right, and all the other town councillors intend to bar the public from meetings, but unfortunately for him, there’s simply no logical explanation as to why they would want to do this, and furthermore, if it is the truth, has he never read The Boy Who Cried Wolf?!
Ask yourself this question, who would you believe, the individual town councillor who has lied, maliciously exaggerated and skewered facts, censored anyone opposing him then plays the victim, or a majority of councillors simply motivated by the notion of doing what’s best for our town?
Just remember all this come local council elections, boi, I did say pay attention; it’s petty, I know, but makes one wonder how they fair on bigger issues when they throw their toys out of pram over what room to hold a meeting in to solve said bigger issues! Mind you, if I was mayor the council would be Playboy bunnies and meetings would held in a hotub, so no one’s perfect!
OMG, OMG, another bank holiday weekend coming up, who’s excited, who’s coming out to play?! Here’s what we’ve found this week, find the info and links, and for planning ahead, here, on our event calendar. No prizes for guessing Editor’s Pick of the Week this week!
Obviously more stuff will be added to our event calendar as and when it comes to our attention, this is not comprehensive, so do check in later in the week, and let us know what we missed, we charge one cupcake to add an event, but it must be a chocolate one!
Don’t forget to check out Hail the Curious, the debut exhibit at The Forbidden Carnival in Chippenham, running until 30th June.
Wednesday 24th:
Regular acoustic jam at The Southgate in Devizes.
Skimpy & The Triniti Band at The Bell Inn, Bath, where Little Shop of Horrors runs until Saturday at The Rondo Theatre.
Emmanuel Sonubi’s Emancipated at Swindon Arts Centre, and Gretchen Peters at The Wyvern Theatre, Swindon.
The Mead Community Primary School presents Forever Treasure Island at Wiltshire Music Centre, Bradford on Avon.
Pierre Novellie and Huge Davies, Comedy Previews at Pound Arts in Corsham.
Thursday 25th:
Shindig Festival opens its doors, have a great weekend to all at Shindig, you lucky lot; have a boogie for me!
Open Mic at Stallards in Trowbridge.
Lady Maisery at Pound Arts, Corsham.
The Soap Girls play The Vic in Swindon, I say, ding-dong! Reverend Ferriday is at The Tuppenny, Jen Brister’s The Optimist at Swindon Arts Centre, and it’s all soul at The Wyvern Theatre with the Luther show.
Octopus Dream Theatre presents I Love You, Mum, I Promise I Won’t Die at The Merlin Theatre, Frome.
Friday 26th:
Lou Cox’s n o holds barred one-woman show, Having a Baby and the S**t They Don’t Tell You, at The Wharf Theatre, Devizes for Friday and Saturday; highly recommended from us, but not for the faint hearted!
Meanwhile, 12 Bars Later make a welcomed return to The Three Crowns, Devizes, with the incredible Mark Colton’s solo show at The Pelican.
John Watterson’s celebrated tribute to Jake Thackray, An Evening Without Jake Thackray comes to The Bouverie Hall in Pewsey. Billy & Louie at The Castle & Ball, Marlborough.
Running until the 29th, it’s the opening of Chippenham Folk Festival, while the fantastic Triple JD Band plays The Old Road Tavern.
Find Castro at The Wheatsheaf, Calne.
The most amazing young soul singer I’ve heard for an era or four, Franki Soul is at Trowbridge Town Hall. While Fly Yeti Fly have a double-bill at The Pump with Alex Roberts and Graeme Ross.
The Karport Collective are the Seven Stars, Winsley, Bradford-on-Avon; fantastic these guys are. Dervish, legends of the Irish folk scene at Wiltshire Music Centre.
Break Cover are at Brown Street in Salisbury.
Tapped at the Theatre Royal, Bath, and The Lynne and McCartney Story Theatre Show at Chapel Arts.
We Were Promised Honey at Pound Arts, Corsham.
Here Come The Crows at The Vic in Swindon, while Rosie Jones’ Triple Threat is at Swindon Arts Centre, and The Roy Orbison Experience comes to The Wyvern Theatre.
Ultimate Coldplay at The Cheese & Grain, Frome, and The Urban Voodoo Machine at The Tree House.
Saturday 27th:
You know it has to be Editor’s Pick of the Week, The Devizes International Street Festival is free, it’s the best weekend in Devizes, and it starts on the Green on Saturday and continues on the Sunday in the Market Place; see you there!
Street Festival after parties, then, find Jonah Hitchens Band at the Southgate, Devizes, Ben Borrill plays at The Moonrakers, and Gerry Jablonski Band plays at the Long Street Blues Club. The Snuff Box has an International Craft Beer Festival, and The Exchange hosts guest DJ, Castro.
Direct from the Pump, Fly Yeti Fly, Alex Roberts and Graeme Ross fly over to The Barge on HoneyStreet, while the Chaos Brothers are at The Lamb in Marlborough.
Be Like Will & Band Of Pilgrims are at The Pump in Trowbridge.
End of Story at The Talbot, Calne, while Band-X play The Wheatsheaf.
A fundraiser for Swindon’s Ukrainian community at Swindon Hub, Rave Against The Regime at The Vic, The Black Hole Sons at the New Inn, Walk Right Back at The Wyvern Theatre, and Tom Davis’ Work in Progress at Swindon Arts Centre.
Ma Bessie and her Pigfoot Band at Chapel Arts, Bath, with You Are The Sun at Theatre Royal, running until 29th May, and A Shining Intimacy at The Egg.
Triple JD are at the Sun in Frome, the Cheese & Grain have Lindisfarne while The Burning Hell are at The Tree House.
Sunday 28th:
Devizes International Street Festival continues, in the Market Place this time, too much to mention here, but do look out for our homegrown upcoming talent Nothing Rhymes With Orange on the main stage at 2:30pm.
The Barge, Honey-Street are Celebrating 50 years of Dark Side of the Moon with Atom Heart Floyd.
Jon Amor Trio at The New Inn, Bath, Jolie Blon at The Bell Inn.
Last Call at The Vic, Swindon.
Frome’s Spring Vegan Fair at the Cheese & Grain.
Monday 29th:
Bank holiday goodness then, arty kids will be pottery painting at Hilworth Park, find Kate and The Unpredictables at The Three Crowns, Devizes.
Swindon’s famous duck race, see poster below.
Mono at the Cheese & Grain, Tryani Collective at The Bell in Bath.
Tuesday 30th I got nought, unless you know better; always tell us if we’ve missed something! Mind you, I think that’s enough for one week, have a day off, stay home and make beans on toast; you can add a little chilli powder to fully clear your system if you so choose! Have a great weekend, stop me and give me grief if you spot me at the Street Festival, I don’t bite…..not on the nipple at any rate!
Marlborough’s darkwave-goth duo, Deadlight Dance push their boundaries to new limits with their second single, Innocent Beginnings this week, and it’s a corker of goth…
If Lidl Shoes, April’s blast from our aspiring homegrown four-piece indie-punkers, Nothing Rhymes With Orange certainty raised the rafters with energetic enthusiasm, I held subtle…
Swindon’s acoustic Celtic folk duo Canute’s Plastic Army played the Southgate in Devizes last Saturday; though firmly on my never-ending must-see-list, even just the name…
Friday night saw the launch of an entirely new musical experience from good old Devizes Town… “The Four Sopranos”….
Attendees at the full house in the Town Hall may well have been familiar with those in the quartet already… Jemma Brown, Terésa Isaacson, Lucia Pupilli and Tabitha Cox. Yet whilst they certainly have historical and ongoing connections with “The Invitation Theatre Company” and “The Fulltone Orchestra”, nonetheless “The Four Sopranos” are a separate entity in their own right; four friends coming together to perform something presented a little differently for audiences to enjoy. As Lucia says, “We have worked on the harmonies collaboratively, we didn’t want to just take them off the shelf and let people hear what they might have heard before, it’s been a fantastic way of working, but is also hard work – but it means our sound is absolutely ours”. And I can confirm it absolutely is.
Doing what their name says on the tin, “The Four Sopranos” were exactly that… four talented and musically excellent sopranos, delivering a widespread program of harmonic song, from opera, stage, film and popular music, sung in harmony – as per the above!
So what of the show? The foursome started with a couple of crowd favourites – two numbers from “Les Mis”; “I dreamed a Dream” and “Stars”. It is true there were some nerves showing – but understandably. A new venture, a new idea, a new approach… but with these two songs under their belt a noticeable lifting of confidence, a collective “what’s going on – let’s get over it” so to speak was evident. And the rest of the show delivered with verve, panache and oozed with the talent before us.
The Musical Theatre genre continued with “Somewhere over the rainbow” and “You’ll never Walk alone”. Followed by a change into a more classical and operatic tone with solos and duets, Terésa with Gounod’s arrangement of Ave Maria, Lucia – a fluent Italian speaker in her own right – with O Mio Babbino Caro by Puccini. And “Sull’aria” by Mozart performed by Lucia and Tabitha plus Delibe’s “Flower duet”. Our quartet finished off a whirlwind first half with numbers from “Phantom of the Opera” and “My Fair Lady”.
Photo by Gail of Devizes
The second half followed in similar vein… I won’t bore you any further with lists of songs performed and if you want to find out what they were you’d best get to one of their gigs! I will add that Tabitha and Jemma also performed solos – with “Never Enough” from “The Greatest Showman” and “She Used to be Mine” from “Waitress” respectively. Other than those two, needless to say it was just more high class, perfectly delivered songs from film and musical theatre including the breath-taking four voice rendition of Adele’s “Skyfall”.
It would be remiss of me to not say that the evening’s performance was accompanied by the hugely talented pianist (and all-round musical virtuoso!) Dominic Irving, whose ivory tinkling was sublime in itself. And making a rare appearance for him of facing the audience rather than with his back to them, Anthony Brown charmed as the evening’s ringmaster.
So there we had it – a whistle-stop tour of music from multiple genres, in a beautiful building, created uniquely by four maestros of their art. What more do you want? Well, for a start… chances to see more of them that’s what!
You can catch all four next Friday night as it is, in Cheltenham Town Hall, including reprising “Skyfall” and “Somewhere over the rainbow” – amongst many other wonderful pieces of music including the phenomenal choral piece “Symphonic Adiemus” by Karl Jenkins; see the link at the bottom for tickets… and keep an eye on the Facebook page for “The Four Sopranos” for more dates and news in the future of course.
From tiny acorns do mighty oaks grow… or words to that effect. And on Friday evening we saw one such acorn planted….
By Ian Diddams Images by Playing Up Theatre Company Samuel Beckett’s existential work is performed in the round this week in Bath’s Mission Theatre, by…
Cyclists of all abilities are invited to ride with our inspirational fundraiser, Carmela Chillery-Watson on their very own Wonder Wheels Cycling Challenge 100km around Wiltshire….Carmela,…
Okay, the king’s bank holiday is over, put your bunting away it’s turning into soggy mush now! Onwards to what’s happening across Wiltshire this coming…
Images: Chris Watkins Media Director Freddie Underwood and the cast of The Railway Children absolutely smashed it last night at Devizes’ Wharf Theatre, and that’s…
By Ben Niamor Long Street Blues Clubs’ offering for the coronation weekend.. Kyla Brox….. The bunting is still up for those keen to celebrate, personally…
Alongside fellow artist Rae Melody from Chippenham, and dressed as a clown, Warminster artist Sarah Christie greets the curious and art lovers at the door…
Chansonnier Yorkshireman Jake Thackray is paid tribute in Pewsey’s Bouverie Hall on May 26th by fellow Yorkshireman John Watterson, aka “Fake Thackray……” An adopted YorkshiremanJohn…
Wednesday, song of the week time, and it’s some smooth jazz from Bristol’s finest purveyors of looping rhythms and upside down chickens, Snazzback. Stokes Croft…
Okay, the king’s bank holiday is over, put your bunting away it’s turning into soggy mush now! Onwards to what’s happening across Wiltshire this coming week…..
As usual, find info and links on our event calendar HERE. But do check in on the calendar throughout the week as updates will be added when they come in, and are not included here. It’s the conflict between getting this out there as early as possible for tickets to ticketed events, and balancing this with the smaller venues who will sporadically put up a social media post on Thursday night! So, it’s not comprehensive, just a guide, check a check on the calendar.
Ongoing, lucky you if you have a ticket for the Railway Children at the Wharf Theatre, which is nearly sold out, and running until Saturday. We reviewed it here.
Also find a review HERE for Hail the Curious alternative art exhibit at the newly opened Forbidden Carnival in Chippenham, go see this!
Wednesday 10th, and there’s the usual Acoustic Jam at The Southgate, Devizes.
Anu Vaidyanthan’s BC:AD – (before children, after diapers) at the Rondo Theatre, Bath. Hang Massive at the Cheese & Grain, Frome.
Broken Robot Production Presents Britain’s Got Talent finalist, Magical Bones at Swindon Arts Centre, and Tony Blackburn brings his Sound of the Sixties to The Wyvern Theatre.
Thursday 11th Spare Snare with Ravetank at The Pump in Trowbridge.
Mark Simmons’ Quip off the Mark at Rondo Theatre, Bath.
Modern Evils & Cosmic Ninja at The Vic in Swindon, Good Habits at the Tuppeny, with Johannes Radebe’s Freedom Unleased at The Wyvern Theatre.
Friday 12th sees The Four Sopranos at Devizes Town Hall, and The Unpredictables at the Condado Lounge. SynthCity plays the Bear in Marlborough.
Bath Festival starts Friday, running until 21st May, lots to see and do there. Rock the Tots are at the Rondo Theatre with some One Hit Wonders.
ZZ Topped at The Vic in Swindon, Suzie Ruffell at Swindon Arts Centre.
Gary Davis BBC Sounds of the Eighties at the Cheese & Grain, Frome.
Saturday 13th is the annual Stert Country House car boot sale near Devizes, for Cancer Research. Rock Hoppaz at The Three Crowns, Devizes that evening, The Duskers at The Southgate, Ben Borrill is at the Moonrakers, and Slade tribute Sladest at the Cavalier for a Devizes Scooter Club night.
Static Moves play The Barge on Honey-Street, Trash Panda at The Lamb, Marlborough, @59 play the Bear.
Scott Doonican’s Bar-Stewards Sons of Val Doonican is at The Pump, Trowbridge; long since sold out I’m afraid; you’ve got to keep scrolling through our event calendar, and be quick!
The Green Man Festival in Bradford-on-Avon, free, see poster below.
Simon Munnery’s Trials & Tribulations is at Rondo Theatre, Bath
Alasdair Beckett-King at Swindon Arts Centre.
XSLF at the Tree House in Frome, Eric Bibb at The Cheese & Grain.
Sunday 14th sees Avebury Artisans Market, and a Wellbeing Nature Day at West Lavington, and Jack Grace Band is at the Southgate, Devizes from 5pm.
Monday 15th I have nought, nada, let me know if something crops up!
Tuesday 16th is Poetika 111, The Great Outdoors at The Winchester Gate in Salisbury,
Anton De Beke & Friends at The Wyvern Theatre, Swindon, and the Pretenders, yes, I said The Pretenders, at the Cheese & Grain; wowzers, every town needs a cheese and some grain, don’t they?!
Looking forward for needy speedy timely ticket takers, Thursday sees folk dance fusion at the Pump with The Drystones, and Lulu come to Swindon, Jack & Jordan’s Sketch Show at the Wharf in Devizes on Saturday 20th, and Lazy Dog comedy comes to the Devizes Cons Club, Big Country at The Cheese & Grain. So much more going on, all you gotta do is keep scrolling, and have a great week.
Long overdue is our annual poking our nose into Devizes Scooter Club, see what peaky blinders they’re pulling off, including of course, the Devizes Scooter…
Since the recent byelection for Devizes East, Guardian Vanessa Tanner was welcomed to The Town Council this month; Guardians of the Galaxy ensemble, or, maybe…
By Ben Niamor Vince is often shy of praise, yet his gentle, respectful delivery of his own wonderfully written songs and carefully chosen covers deserve…
Whoa, decided today, Thursday, I’d have to start planning this one immediately, because there’s soooo much going on, and all, or mostly all, because of…
By Ben Niamor (with Devizine edits) This evening I’ve been reminded of a different feeling, something missing in recent years; noisy, energetic, bordering madness….. Youthful…
Less than a month away now until the best day out in Devizes, our International Street Festival; who’s overexcited, who wants to know what’s happening…
Director Freddie Underwood and the cast of The Railway Children absolutely smashed it last night at Devizes’ Wharf Theatre, and that’s coming from someone who doubted it would be their cuppa…..
Said doubt derived from the social expectations and restrictions of my own childhood; aware of the Railway Children film, it just wouldn’t have done to have watched something I’d deem “girly,” and outdated (the film from 1970;) imagine the teasing from my elder brother, and I’d dread to think what would’ve transpired if my school friends found out! Though, at a younger age I relished in children’s period drama, of Enid Blyton, The Velveteen Rabbit, and archaic representations in The Beano comic where teachers still wore mortarboards. But by the grand age of ten plus, there were expectations of me to rather indulge in “boy’s stuff;” The A-Team, Monkey Magic, and a series with a talking car!
Coincidentally, much of the context of the Railway Children deals with social expectations and reputation, yet in a far stricter Edwardian era in which the book was written and set. A fairly affluent London family is uprooted to Yorkshire when the father is unexpectedly taken away by his employers at the Foreign Office. While the mother deals alone with the grief, the social etiquette of keeping the reasons secret from the children only shrouds the affair in mystery. Dealing with newfound poverty and cultural differences between London and the North, the mother and particularly the three children take a few hard-knocked lessons in the mannerisms of the working class.
Yet it is in the misadventures the children engage in, willfully upstanding by all modern reasoning, which the emotional roller coaster evokes the most prevalence and where lessons are sorely learned, yet in turn, sees their father acquitted from the accusations of spying. Not only dealing with the social ethics of the rich/poor and north/south divides, the two eldest children also contend with the issues of coming of age without a father figure.
But its beauty lies not from the genius plot, rather its point of view taken from a children’s innocence perspective. In this, the three children are the only ones allowed to break the fourth wall, as their excitable narration is so cleverly blended with the happenings. It all makes for a highly emotional ambience and thought-provoking mood. With minimal props or effects, the flow feels as imaginative as in the mind of a child. Of course, this couldn’t be carried off with such precision without the need of some top class acting, and herein is the icing on the cake.
The side characters are played enchantingly, Mari Webster as the emotional mother, the kind hearted well-to-do nature of Wharf boss John Winterton as the old gentleman, and the bubbling pomposity of Jon Lewthwaite as the doctor are all played superbly, but it’s within the comical hard-knock mannerisms of station master Perks and the amusing bumbling of the Russian exile Mr Szezcpansky which this play really shines, played with certain skill by Debby Wilkinson and Ellie Mayes respectively.
The play hinges rather on the three protagonists, the children, and, for me, this made it the breathtaking experience it was, plentiful to revert any preconceived doubts on their head and go for broke that this is the best performance I’ve seen at our wonderful Wharf Theatre so far.
Both the eldest child, Bobbie, and middle boy Peter, played immaculately by fifteen year old Katy Pattinson and twelve year old Poppi Lamb-Hughes, just oozes delight and believability by their dedication to the parts and the divine proficiency in which they carry this off. It is with such utter conviction I had to duck back into my car straight afterwards, because as such talented actors it would be impossible to imagine these two as anything but the Edwardian children they were portraying. Ergo, the chance to meet and witness them chatting as usual twenty-first century kids I feared would’ve broken their perfected illusion!
If Bobbie and Peter deal with the conflict of expectations versus growing up and their confusions between what’s right and wrong while everything they expect praise for seems to be returned with reprimand, and equally, anything they seem to do right is hastily turned on its head by the misunderstanding of working class etiquette, the absolute icing on this performance’s cake is without doubt the comical element of the far more carefree youngest child, Phyllis. Influenced by both older brother and sister, she plays the two against each other, and charms all with gusto, wit, and risk taking, just as the typical youngest sibling tends to do!
The mechanics of the part of Phyllis is where this play could have taken a nose-dive, for this surely needs a certain something, a sheer sparkle. And that star is fourteen year old Jessica Self. Simply put, Jessica’s acting ability is sublime, of West-End/Broadway level already. She cam charm when charm is needed, evoke emotion and amuse at the drop of a cue.
Since returning last night I’ve been pondering two possibilities, the first being this part was made for her, but I’m tendering towards the latter possibility, that Jess has the natural skill to become whatever character she is given. I gave thought to the best movie actors, of Dustin Hoffman, of Tom Hanks; how you cannot imagine the persona of the real Tom Hanks through the character he’s playing in each and every film he becomes. I similarly cannot imagine Jessica as being anything like the cheeky girl of Phyllis, rather an imminent actress of boundless talent.
This combination of genius plot, perfect direction and the wonderful acting of particularly Katy, Poppi and Jessica, makes this a delightful, thought-provoking marvel. But you need to hurry as this is near sold out, as expected and deserved.
Another landmark performance at our wonderfully welcoming and devoted little theatre, the pride of arts in Devizes. And if it’s the family oriented ethos you love about it, note it is director Freddie Underwood’s eighth production here, the first time she’s directing her husband Chris, who plays the Father, and of whom she fell in love with during a performance together at the Wharf, and their nine year old daughter Gigi, who is named after said play, and appears in the Railway Children as the child of the station master, Perks; I mean, unless you’ve a grandad you could find a walk-on for to make it a hattrick, you cannot get much more family-felt than that!
Virtual bouquets thrown, then, to all involved with this fantastic show from someone who, if they had Steven Crowder’s “Change My Mind” Campus Sign meme template in the eighties may’ve added “The Railway Children is soppy girly mush!” As you did change my mind, with bells on!
In strict contrast to the synopsis and setting of the Railway Children, the upcoming Girls Like That is the next production I’m advising is unmissable, my preview here. Find all forthcoming events at the Wharf Theatre on our event guide and at their website.
Marlborough’s darkwave-goth duo, Deadlight Dance push their boundaries to new limits with their second single, Innocent Beginnings this week, and it’s a corker of goth … Continue reading “Deadlight Dance: Innocent Beginnings”
Long overdue is our annual poking our nose into Devizes Scooter Club, see what peaky blinders they’re pulling off, including of course, the Devizes Scooter Rally 2023; because no matter what the people say, this sound leads the way…..
While I’d half-heartedly shrug at critics giving it scooter rallies can be a niche market, retrospective lager-fuelled skinheads admiring each other’s hairdryers in an overgrown field while some northern soul DJ spins his 7” rare grooves, this is where Devizes Scooter Rally differs from the status quo. Of course, appeasing the diehards who will trek vast land to amass at such events is crucial, but on its third year, Devizes Scooter Rally never feels insular, rather it’s the genuine article, affordable fun and welcomes curious townsfolk and those who may only have a passing interest in the scene. That’s its beauty, and long shall it be so.
You only have to check the interest when the club ride the carnival parade looking dapper in suits and braces, to note this is more than a retrospective cult; the merger of youth cultures of yore, the mod, the soul boys and skinheads and all inbetween is something impossible for those caught up in to let go off, simply because it’s irresistibly beguiling, and fun. To relish in soul and reggae of yesteryear is valid, as all mainstream pop since relies so heavily on its influence.
So, we’re talking the weekend of 28th-30th of July, when the club invites all to gather at Lower Park Farm, just off the dual carriageway on Whistley Road, where scooters will be on show, and will ride out no doubt, but that’s not all. Activities for the children will be added, with food stalls and of course, the bar! And all raising funds for such a wonderful organisation, The Devizes & District Opportunity Centre, our most fantastic pre-school for children with disabilities and learning difficulties.
Expect legendary Northern Soul DJ Terry Hendrick of the Soul Pressure sound system to be spinning tunes between bands, and the bands are, a reunited, I believe, Killertones, the perfect ska outfit of Cath and Gouldy from Sound Affects and the Day Breakers, who are stalwarts on the local scooter scene. Those trusty Roughcut Rebels, who never fail to bring the party with them, as is their era-spanning repertoire of anything from swinging sixties to Britpop.
The other locally-based act is perhaps the wildcard; Trowbridge’s 41 Fords play with all the vigour of ska, but are decidedly more rockabilly with a dash of scrumpy & western folk. We fondly reviewed their debut album Not Dead Yet, last month. Here’s a shining example of what I mean about the congenial and welcoming mesh of subgenres you’ll find at Devizes Scooter Rally, see, rude boy? There were no mockers in eras past, they’d have been fighting each other! Thus the scenes merge and it’s a one love happy aura for everyone to enjoy as, which is ironically the entire ethos of reggae and soul in the first damn place!
And reggae I’m certain you’ll find there, of the boss variety of yore, predominantly, and of course it’s predecessor ska, which though saw a second generation influx through Two-Tone in the eighties, thrives today on the scene. Now, if you know me, you’ll know I’m something of an aficionado of this, and seen many a great ska band; Orange Street, named after the location of Duke Reid’s legendary Kingston studio, Studio One, are one of the tightest ska bands I’ve witnessed, blowing my socks off at the inaugural Devizes Scooter Rally in 2019; having them return is the icing on this cake.
Going in blind for the last two in the line-up, first, Sharp Class, with a corporate identity akin to The Jam causing me to ill-conceive it would be an old bunch of mods knocking out Jam and Merton Parkas covers. Rather this young, fresh-faced London-based trio have a sharp image, hence the name, and original songs grounded in realism and spattered with an English essence. Merging punk and soul into power-pop and Britpop, they claim. They’ve recently released a debut album “Tales of the Teenage Mind,” and are set to tour Boston this month, but you can say you saw them in Devizes!
And the Butterfly Collective, Southampton based ska, soul and mod covers and originals five-piece, heavily influenced by The Who and the Mod/Rock fraternity including Oasis, Ocean Colour Scene, Kinks, Small Faces and The Hiwatts. They have become a renowned band within the Scooter and music scenes across the U.K. Being The Devizes Scooter Club tend to evaluate their lineup based on past experience touring other rallies, I’m assured we’re in good hands, and this weekend will deliver a damn fine spectrum of entertainment to get you snapping your braces and skanking up the Whistley Road!
Now, if you’re thinking where the catch might be, it’s only your two-tone trouser suit, with a weekend wristband at just thirty notes and cheaper day options, you’ve got to hand it to Devizes Scooter Club for maximum dedication to making this jumping jiving rally affordable and irresistible.
Prior to skanking up Whistley Road, the club’s base at The Cavalier in Devizes sees Slade tribute Sladest on May 13th, and following the rally, Bristol’s big boss sound of Ya Freshness and the erm, aptly titled Big Boss Band will make their Devizes debut on Saturday September 9th. Self-styled rude boy Ya Freshness has worked with two-tone’s best, from the likes of Neville Staple, and made groundbreaking original work with Bristol’s retrospective reggae greats through his label Strictly Rockers. If you recall my radio show on Boot Boy Radio, those shout-outs were by this absolute legend.
Then, on 28th October it’s the mandatory skalloween night at the Cavy, with ska band Skamageddon, and the club see of 2023 with a NYE party. Though as I said, there’s a welcoming atmosphere for those with a passing interest, local scooter enthusiasts should contact the club for ride-outs, social get-togethers and beanos to other rallies and clubs are organised. So get up on your feet, put your braces together and boots on your feet, and give me some of that old moonstomping!
Organisers of the popular Swindon music event have announced that Swindon Shuffle will return this September….. The Swindon Shuffle has been a fixture in the…
Whoa, decided today, Thursday, I’d have to start planning this one immediately, because there’s soooo much going on, and all, or mostly all, because of that King bloke, who I just thought had a pop hit in 1984 with “Love & Pride,” but apparently it’s a smidgen more complex than that, the guy is royalty or something. So, grab your celebratory mug, wrap it around your bunting, and let’s have it out now…..
Firstly, I must interject and explain; our article highlighting coronation-related events received criticism from anti-royalist keyboard warriors who either didn’t digest if bothered at all to read the article, just jumped to conclusions, they did. If you think for one second I’d support a defective archaic institution which uses tax-payer’s money to bail-out nonce family members then you don’t know me at all. I do, however, despite being as anti-royalist as the next anti-royalist, support the Coronation for all the local entertainers and small businesses which will benefit from getting bookings, only a couple of short years after having no revenue at all. So, wind your neck in, and I hope that’s cleared that up!
There’s plenty of stuff to do this coming week, if you want flag-waving or not, so let’s drop the subject and get on with listing them. Don’t forget, all links and info can be found on our event guide, and updates through the week will be added, so keep abreast, and up-to-date; this article is not conclusive.
Ongoing from Monday 1st to 7th May, is the Swindon Festival of Literature; lots happening there worth checking out.
Opening night for Zog at The Wyvern Theatre, Swindon, on Tuesday 2nd, and running until Thursday 4th, family entertainment based on the book by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler.
Wednesday 3rd, is the regular Acoustic Jam at The Southgate, Devizes.
Seeds of Memories is a wistful and uplifting show packed to the brim with puppetry and poetry. It offers a gentle exploration of losing a loved one and dealing with grief through the magic of the memories they leave behind, and it’s at the Rondo Theatre, Bath.
Thursday 4th: Sees Derailer & Dangermind at The Vic, Swindon, the Hothouse Flowers at The Cheese & Grain, Frome, and some raw, open and honest but most importantly…funny comedy at the Rondo Theatre, Bath with Richard Hardisty’s Silly Boy.
Friday 5th: and King Charles Coronation kicks off, with a school art exhibition at St Peters Marlborough, events at Hilperton Village Hall, and the Junkyard Dogs are in Bromham.
The Blackheart Orchestra are at the Pump in Trowbridge, Sack Sabbath tribute at The Vic, Swindon. A homecoming for Will Lawton & The Alchemists at Malmesbury Town Hall. Six O’clock Circus at The Three Crowns, Devizes.
Rock For Heroes at The Wyvern Theatre, Swindon, and an extra show for John Kearns’ The Varnishing Days at Rondo Theatre, Bath.
Saturday 6th: Wiltshire Farmers’ Market in Devizes.
King Charles Coronation continues, you’ll find live music from 4pm at The Crown, Bishops Cannings with White Horses, Tom Davis & The Bluebirds, and Plan of Action, other events include Urchfont, Picnic in the Park at King George’s Playing Fields in Melksham, Coronation Live Screening at John Coles Park, Chippenham, at Foxham Reading Room, Seend Village Community Centre, The Parade Cinema in Marlborough, The Cooper’s Arms Pewsey have a great music programme, in Westbury Be Like Will are at The Players, and Westbury Cons Club has a party too. Picnic in the Park at The Rec in Calne from 10am-9pm, looks amazing, Coronation Celebrations at Devizes Market Place from 10:30-4pm.
Away from all that, find the Leon Daye Band at The Southgate, Devizes, and Kyla Brox Band at Long Street Blues Club; it’s all too royal with cheese for me, so yeah, Kyla Brox, Long Street you got my Editor’s Pick of the Week, hands down!
Acoustic punk band, Abdoujaparov of ex-Carter USM guitarist Les Carter headline the Pump, Trowbridge, with support from former Browfort frontwoman, Claire Kearley, and “Song for Trowbridge” hero Gavin Osborn.
Rammlied at The Vic, Swindon, Sonic Alert at the Queens Tap, Homer at The Sun in Coate, Rosie Holt’s Woman’s Hour at The Wyvern Theatre.
Jah Wobble’s Invaders of the Heart take the Cheese & Grain, Frome, nice.
Sunday 7th: King Charles Coronation celebrations at Ogbourne St George Primary school, Ludgershall, All Cannings with Alfred’s Tower, Rowde with People Like Us, Parade House Trowbridge, and Spring in the Park at Westbury. Devizes Town Band have a coronation concert at the Corn Exchange, called Animal Magic.
Unmissable monthly jaunt for Jon Amor & Guests at The Southgate, Devizes. Phil Samuel’s The George Michael Experience is at the Bridge Inn, Horton, Devizes.
Open Mic night at the Barge on Honey Street.
The King’s Reggae at The Castle & Ball, Marlborough, with Razah-I Fi; ding!
Courting Ghosts & Becky Lawrence are at The Stallards Inn, Trowbridge.
Sour Apple at The Kings Arms, Amesbury.
Blues Jam at The Vic, Swindon.
Magpie Market at The Cheese & Grain, Frome.
Monday 8th: King Charles Coronation at The Crown in Bishops Cannings with Illingworth, also a Produce Show at The Village Hall.
By the time you read this I’m predicting it a sell-out, but worth checking, opening night for The Railway Children The Wharf Theatre, Devizes, running until 13th May.
Tuesday 9th: Seven Drunken Nights at The Wyvern Theatre, Swindon.
And that’s your lot, enough for you to do?! Here’s to the king, let us hope his reign is long and healthy, even if only so I don’t have to type all that for one weekend again for a while!!
This summer SOS Africa will host a 160ft charity abseil fundraising event from King Alfred’s Tower at Stourhead in celebration of the organisation’s 20th birthday! Taking place…
Dreadzone, the Phoenix rising from the ashes of Big Audio Dynamite’s success, when drummer Greg Roberts and keyboardist Dan Donovan teamed with Julian Cope’s sound…
Featured Photo: Richard Davies Writer, poet, TV & Film producer, founder of the Manchester Poetry Festival (now the Literature festival) and co-founder of the Nottingham…
In a deal I’ve been trying to clench for a year now, Newsquest, owners of Wiltshire based newspapers, including the Gazette & Herald have taken the decision today to buy out Devizine and merge it with the Gazette…….
It is fantastic news for us, as Devizine readers will no longer have to put up with second-rate content, unprofessionally written by a kinky milkman, steering on honesty and commitment. Instead, our readers can expect slapdash clickbait articles with little or no reference to local matters, shameless advertorials, towing the Conservative line to the letter and endorsing illegal fox hunting activities.
In turn the Gazette will have a glossy pull-out section, a funky, freewheeling socialist magazine- fashioned spotlight on local arts and entertainment, highlighting the blossoming cascade of talent we are blessed with here; something they’ve not bothered to do since 1864.
It will rally the concepts of social and political change, be a crucial and pivotal hub for campaigning, fundraising, and highlighting charitable needs, offering free advertising for schools and charities, provided they cross our palms with silver, or at the very least buy us a nice Marks & Sparks Battenburg cake.
We can expect to see a regular environmental news column by Devizes & District MP Danny K Booger, who voted for dumping more raw sewage into our rivers, a sports section by Wiltshire PCC Phillip Willykissingson (blood sports that is,) a fun, games, and undernourishment section for kids by Chippenham MP Michelle Donenought, who voted against free school meals during lockdown, spot the pothole competitions from Wiltshire Council Cabinet Member for Transport, Dr Mark McBellend, and regular updates by Devizes Town Councillor Liam Wallyish (or whatever his name is) on all the crap we can’t read on local Facebook groups because we’ve been perversely banned for no good reason.
We will be celebrating this fantastic news by erecting a humongous and obtrusive signpost on the Crammer in Devizes, blatantly advertising our reprehensible merger, with no indignity. Now defunct from the Guardians, independently bias and in a tizzy town councillor, Chris Greenpants welcomed the obstructive billboard, despite not really favouring proposals for a small ‘ducks crossing’ warning sign. He said, “the last thing anyone wants to see is a squashed duck or swan on our roads, hopefully this sign will distract drivers enough to not notice, until such a time we can kick the carcase into a pothole and cover it over with either horse manure, or the bullshit that comes from our own mouths.”
A spokesman for the Gazette and Herald, Martha Fokker said, “this is officially the most unconvincing April Fool’s joke Devizine has pulled since that statue of MP Claire Perry crap. If only we could think of something to counter attack this pathetic attempt we would, but being we’re a sad sack of spuds, awaiting boiling, we can’t. Oh, by the way, we’re running on the scoop Strictly Come Dancing star Molly Rainford has just bought a house in Lancashire, now, that’s local news.”
It got me reminiscing, the EP helping through washing-up the roast dinner plates this Sunday, Trowbridge-based Frankisoul’s newly released debut, On Fire. Ruminating my student…
Do you remember the wonderful sounds of The Shadows and The Tornadoes beaming across the airwaves from Radio Caroline with their spellbinding instrumentals; Apache, Foot…
Without cloning technology it was another Saturday night dilemma still as easily solved; Concrete Prairie were at The Gate, arm twisted…. From The Barge to…
Last Week, the Green Party announced Catherine Read as their candidate for the next General Election in Devizes…..And I know what many will have to say…..
You carry on with your inane imaginings of Catherine being some dreadlocked hippy-chick, twirling uncontrollably barefoot at a love-in, if you must, we’ve surpassed your pathetic stereotyping. For Catherine is a health professional, with thirty years experience as a clinical radiographer working in the NHS. Now, looking for a different role, she is an active member of her community, working alongside local government to promote sustainable transport options and cleaner air.
Previously, she set up full time nursery provision and a BMX riding facility in her local village. Catherine has been a school governor at both primary and secondary level and a Parish Councillor. As a member of various environmental groups, Catherine is involved in activities to address climate change, shares eco friendly tips on social media and is gardening for wildlife.
Catherine said, “I am proud to have been chosen as the Green Party’s candidate for Devizes. More people are supporting the Greens and we have seen a record number of Green councillors being elected across the country, including in Wiltshire. The Devizes area has the opportunity to select a different MP, one from a party that has not become complacent. Living in this community, I will be standing up for local people and bring a fresh outlook and vision.“
“After 12 years of a Conservative government, we are experiencing crisis after crisis because of poor political choices. People are struggling with an out of control cost-of-living crisis, soaring energy bills and public services that are just not working for us. Increased sewage in our rivers and seas, an attack on nature and a failed climate promises, where our government have not stepped up and committed to the actions that are needed.“
“I am optimistic that this can change. We are seeing how people are supporting our public sector workers, calling for our water industry, railways and energy to be in back public hands. The NHS would be safe with the Green Party. We would take control of the NHS and end creeping privatisation. It is the Green voices in Parliament who are speaking out and challenging the government when they are not doing right by the public.’
“If you agree with me that we need a fairer greener country, one that puts people and the environment first, then please vote for me at the next General Election.”
Devizine wishes Catherine the very best of luck. We have to be thinking green now, don’t we? Not aiming for an amber tag on your recycling bin! While I accept the public should focus on reducing the workload, Wiltshire Council’s hanger idea, I feel is counterproductive, and will inevitably result in more landfill, as well as being another unnecessary slip of sliced tree itself. We have to do this because we want to do this and not being pushed or punished for not. We have to do this because a worshipping money system is not the way to govern, you can’t take your wallet with you when it goes belly-up. I think we need to pose some serious questions for Catherine, and a few silly ones to lighten the mood, closer to general election time….even if we have to sail to the polling station.
More information about Green party policies are available at greenparty.org.uk
Song of the week this week comes from Brighton’s singer-songwriter Lewis McKale, a Billy Bragg-ish harmonica and guitar combo breakup song from his forthcoming album,…
Bristol’s purveyors of emotive post-grunge verging on etherealwave, Lucky Number Seven get our song of the week today, for their latest burst of harrowing energy,…
Here we go, headlong into April with lots to do.….
Said it before, I’ll say it again, more stuff will be added, this is published on Mondays so you’ve time to grab any tickets for ticketed events, but live music in pubs and things like this will no doubt come to our attention through the week, so please keep in the loop with our event calendar as it’d be impossible if not very cluttered to post individual events onto our social media pages.
The one link you need is here, our event calendar, or two perhaps, March and April, for planning ahead, more info and ticket links.
Opening night tonight at The Wharf Theatre, Devizes, for Shakespeare’s lots play, Measure for Measure, and this continues until Saturday 1st April.
Wednesday 29this the opening night of Devizes Musical Theatre production of Doly Parton’s 9 to 5, also running until Saturday at Dauntsey’s in West Lavington. Regular acoustic jam at the Southgate, Devizes.
The Sing Space’s Musical Theatre Choir has a Greatest Showman & Prosecco Masterclass at St Mary’s Church in Marlborough and welcomes new members. Details are here.
Kathryn Roberts & Sean Lakeman play Chapel Arts in Bath, while Annie Gardiner supports Sci-Fi, post-jazz rhythmists Run Logan Run at The Bell on Walcot Street, and the Rondo Theatre have Whimsi-Co Theatre’s Escape to Wonderland, running until 30th March.
Award-winning garden designer and Gardeners’ World presenter, Adam Frost is at the Wyvern Theatre, Swindon.
Thursday 30thsees Funke & The Two-Tone Baby at the Pump in Trowbridge.
In Swindon, Lile Rode & Rob Beckinsale play The Tuppenny, Preacher Stone & The Sons of Liberty at The Vic, The ELO Experience at the Wyvern Theatre, and Mike Bubbins at Swindon Arts Centre.
Friday 31stthere’s live music at the Pelican in Devizes, with The Thieving Magpies, so watch your pint! And oh, I love the name, darling, Camilla Parkyaballs brings their live show to The Exchange for a Devizes LGBTQ+ night.
Six O’clock Circus play The Pheasant in Chippenham, while it’s heat 4 of Take the Stage 2023 at the Neeld.
Sour Apple play The Castle & Ball in Marlborough.
Pussycat & The Dirty Johnsons at The Three Horseshoes, Bradford-on-Avon, while Ashley Wass plays Wiltshire Music Centre.
Jayde Adams: Men, I Can Save You already sold out at Pound Arts, Corsham.
Hannah James & Toby Kuhn at Chapel Arts, Bath, with global folk collective Mishra Featuring Deepa Nair Rasiya at Rondo Theatre.
Nikki Kitt at Swindon Arts Centre, a Total 90s night at the Wyvern Theatre.
Tribute, Absolute Britney at The Cheese & Grain, Frome.
All Fools Day, Saturday 1st April, sees Devizes Farmer’s Market from 9:30-3pm, Devizes Lions Sports Coaching Weekend, where children in school year groups 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8 are invited to try one of up to 16 different sports that they might not otherwise can experience and with tuition provided by qualified coaches.
Open Day at The Wharf Theatre in Devizes is free from 10am to 2pm. Corinthian Casuals play The Southgate, Roughcut Rebels at the Three Crowns.
Ravers young and old, head to The Barge on HoneyStreet where the Midlife Krisis crew are in effect. This guarantees to go off, if I break out a whistle and some white gloves I could rekindle my youth, embarrassingly or else just sulk in self-pity in the chill-out room! Nevertheless, I think it’s high time we made Midlife raves our Editor’s Pick of the Week; anyone got any Veras?
Six O’clock Circus play the Wheatsheaf, Calne, The ELO Encounter at The Neeld, Chippenham, GM Live’s A Tribute to George Michael at Melksham Assembly Hall.
Sour Apple are at The Rose & Crown, Warminster.
Sansara Vox Machina at Wiltshire Music Centre in Bradford-on-Avon, while there’s an all-out triple bill at The Three Horseshoes with Hell Death Fury, Kings Alias, and Felis Margarita.
Long For the Coast at Chapel Arts in Bath.
Aniimalia play The Vic, Swindon, with Seek Harbour in support, comedian, and actress Jayde Adams at Swindon Arts Centre, while a retelling of the classic film Die Hard from Fringe First-winner, London poetry slam champion, BBC Audio Drama Best Scripted Comedy Drama award-winner Richard Marsh presents Yippee Ki Yay at the The Wyvern Theatre.
Sunday 2ndsees Devizes Half Marathon, with an 8:30am start, and Devizes Strongest 2023 at Devizes Town Football Club, usually only a couple of quid to spectate, I usually don’t like to lift a finger on a Sunday!
The fantastic James Hollingsworth plays The Three Horseshoes, Bradford-on-Avon.
One for the little ones, Sing-A-Long-A Encanto at The Wyvern Theatre, and Easter panto, Rapunzel, while Sheila Harrod presents 7 Guys and a Piano at Swindon Arts Centre.
Monday 3rdand there’s more fun kid’s stuff I’d secretly like to do myself, with a Lego Animation Workshop at Trowbridge Town Hall.
Open Mic at The Lamb in Marlborough at 8:30pm.
Look out online for the wonderful Strange Folk are at Visual Radio Arts, and is estimated to be out on this day.
Also sees the Ukrainian National Opera’s Carmen at The Wyvern Theatre, and Eshaan Akbar’s The Pretender at Swindon Arts Centre.
That’s all I have for now, but like I say, more will come in so keep checking our event calendar, and if there’s something we’ve missed do tell us and I might, for chocolate cake, add it!
Have a great week, things to look forward to in April? Yeah, I can do that too: Vic Fest at the Vic I Swindon comes next week, Jon Amor’s monthly residency is on Sunday 9th this month at The Southgate, Devizes, and The James Oliver Band plays The Three Horseshoes, Bradford-on-Avon same day, Eddie Martin is in Bromham on Thursday 13th, Swindon Jazz & Soul Festival is coming, White Horse Opera, and Nothing Rhymes With Orange make a hometown call on 22nd April, and lots more, and I’m getting over-excited, so check the calendar, don’t make me tell you again!!
Communities, getting together, fundraising, and doing something good for their town’s youth. It might sound like the stuff of Terry Pratchett fantasy here in Devizes…
It’s 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…
Today’s protest at Wiltshire Police headquarters in Devizes over the appointment of PC Cheryl Knight into the rural crime unit despite being photographed riding with…
If establishing Pride events in our cities and larger towns is sooo last decade, darling, we’re both keen and overjoyed to join the newer trend of small towns, even villages hosting Prides, as Devizes LGBTQ+ announce the very first Pride in Devizes on Saturday July 1st….
It was an overexcited notion I put to Devizes LGBTQ+ group organiser, Oberon Christmas when they first started up a couple of years ago, and though taking it onboard as a future possibility I think they figured small acorns to begin with. Understandable, but now, with regular meets and events at The Exchange nightclub, it looks like the time is near to our own Pride here in Devizes.
Pewsey is also hosting a first Pride at the Cooper’s Field on 15th July. Melksham Pride is a couple of years strong now, that’s on 24th June at the Assembly Hall. Calne also pops its Pride cherry with a small event on Castlefields Park on the 4th June. Of course, Pride is well-established in Chippenham, and this year sees our favourites Concrete Prairie on stage at Island Park on 17th June.
Though our details are yet to be revealed, it is a wonderful thing to be able to announce that Devizes is too to travel over the rainbow and join this festive fun. One thing, I see a lot of town councils assisting to get these small town Prides off the ground, and I do hope Devizes Town Council will follow this trend.
I’m having a nose at Devizes Arts Festival website, as they’ve just published this year’s line-up, which you can find HERE. There’s a lot of stuff I don’t know of this year, but that’s no bad thing, because I’m something of an uncultured swine!
This wonderful annual arts festival on our doorstep has cultured me; turned me from bonehead bozo to bohemian squire in just a few short years! I’ve discovered so much I never thought I’d like but I did, whereas before all this I was happy with a karaoke and a bag of chips!
Bearing in mind there might be a few things left to add, particularly the free fringe events, let’s see what’s in store we know about, shall we? Not to get you over-excited, it isn’t until 2nd June through to the 17th, and the box office opens on 28th April, unless you’re a “friend” booking for friends starts on 11th April, see here to become a member now and get ahead of the game. But you know us, let’s dip a toe in the ocean now. I’ll put pretty little stars next to ones I personally think are unmissable; favouritism, I know!
It opens with some tango, at the Assembly Room of the Town Hall on Friday 2nd June, with polar adventurer and motivational speaker Sue Stockdale at St Johns Church on the Saturday, and an evening with opera star Sir Willard White with the Kymaera Duo at Corn Exchange.
The Three Crowns plays host to the first fringe event we’ve got, at 2pm on the Sunday 4th, with banjo and guitar roots combo Texas Tick Fever, and one we gave a song of the week too a few months back, the amazing Ajay Srivastav is the second free fringe gig at the Cellar Bar from 7pm, this is a must for me! First star, two stars **!
Ajay Srivastav
Walks are a big part of Devizes Arts Festival, personally I’m fine walking from the Three Crowns to the Bear on a Sunday. But the Festival Walk takes you over civil war battlefield Roundway Down, which actually sounds kinda doable!
First full week sees micro-artist Graham Short at the Town Hall on Monday 5th June, and Onarole Theatre’s Jesus, My Boy at the Corn Exchange on Tuesday 6th.
Welsh, Polish, and Belgian influences fuse with the Aglica Trio at the Town Hall on Wednesday 7th, and see, that’s exactly what I meant earlier when I said about discovering new things; this year is an eye-opener, gets a star! *
And let’s not stop there, because the Town Hall plays host to cello and guitar duo Dieci Cordeon on the Thursday, and you don’t see this everyday in D-town! Also on Thursday, actor and singer, Lucy Stevens, and pianist Elizabeth Marcus meet for A Lovely Way to Spend an Evening.
Comedy by the weekend, with someone I do know (!) BBC New Comedian Award winner at the Edinburgh Festival, Marcus Brigstocke, is at the Corn Exchange on Friday 9th June, oh yes, star! *
Tessa Dunlop’s Elizabeth & Philip – A Story of Young Love, Marriage, and Monarchy kicks off Saturday 10th, at the Town Hall. Rip-roaring alt-folk with Noble Jacks at the Corn Exchange, while fringe event is at 2pm in the Condado Lounge, Jukebox James.
It’s a hard stompin’, bluegrassy, old-timey start to Sunday with a free fringe event at the British Lion with The Sisters and the Brothers, (star *,) a walk along the Wansdyke, and back to the Corn Exchange for the furniture restorer from The Repair Shop, Will Kirk.
One not to miss, local blues legend, Elles Bailey Band, on Tuesday 13th June, 8pm at the Corn Exchange, this is cool, we’ve not seen Elles for an age, and it will be good to welcome her back to Devizes; star, deffo! *
Elles Bailey
Also on Tuesday, author Lois Pryce’s Revolutionary Ride – One Woman’s Solo Motorcycle Journey around Iran at The Bear, and Wednesday sees Clive Anderson, yes Clive Anderson, chatting about Macbeth; could be one of those where are they now moments, oh, they’re in Devizes, incredible!
I mistakenly read the next one, and thought fictional female equivalent to Dan Dare, Kitty Hawke was coming, rather St Andrews Church on Thursday 15th play host to folk duo Kit Hawes and Aaron Catlow, while Chris Ingham Trio plays the Jazz of Dudley Moore at the Town Hall.
The festival draws a close with the unconventional and snappily attired boutique orchestra, Christian Garrick and the Budapest Café Orchestra at the Corn Exchange on Friday 16th June, traditional Balkan and Russian, I’m going to star this too! *
Saturday 17th June sees a poetry workshop with Carrie Etter at the Town Hall, and the grand finale is Devon’s reggae Latin funk powerhouse Malavita, which if you know be by now, they said Latin, they said reggae, I’m saving my last star for this – here it is *, and I’m there already.
The more I delve into this programme the more exciting it sounds, as ever, a refreshing break from the normal circuit, where variety knows no bounds. Well done Devizes Arts Festival, it all sounds irresistibly worthwhile looking forward to. In the meantime I’ve got to add all these to our event calendar; does it ever end?!!
Of course, today’s opinion rant comes from news Wiltshire Police have promoted officer Cheryl Knight to the rural crimes department despite allegedly being a member…
Ka-pow, ker-runch, ker-splat! Fear not good citizens of Devizes, waftastic Wiltshirecouncilman is here to save us from the evil delinquent Dylan and the Acne Street…
While it may’ve been a week of social media turmoil at Devizes Town Council, the type usually reserved for national politics, a few hours prior to the uproar, I put the phone down after the kind of conversation which left me feeling more like I’d been catching up with an old friend, rather than interviewing a candidate for a local election……
I got the notion before chatting to hopeful Guardian Town Councillor, Vanessa Tanner she feared I’d come over all Jeremy Paxman! It’s not fair play for me to interrogate a person any more than it’s the opposition in this by-election’s morals to post exaggerated and prejudicial statements about them, though they did.
It’s impossible to publish concentrated material, such as an interview, to match the velocity of which social media accelerates, therefore I intend to produce this interview as it was said before this whoha, hoping it will shed some light on the Guardian candidate’s character and personality. Then, it is up to residents of East Devizes to decide if it’s the kind of refractory group who would slanderously magnify a trivial error in hope of sabotaging the opposition which they want on their seat at the town council, or an active member of the community, too busy cleaning the streets, engaging in support groups, and with the public, to fuss over some bitterness on bias Facebook pages.
The opposition party’s outrageous claim
Vanessa’s statement explaining the situation
Though the appropriateness of sole Councillor-controlled social media groups was a subject I coincidently wanted to verbally jab Vanessa with, it was something she didn’t dwell on, and our chat begun with the reason why we have this by-election in the first place.
Town clerk, Simon Fisher said of Jane Burton, “She was fiercely knowledgeable about all things Devizes. In the Council Chamber, Jane was a formidable force unafraid to take on anyone to get her point over; however, whilst she would not always agree with a viewpoint others would over, she would always be respectful of differing opinions. She had many skills and attributes we all admired, but she had a special ability to connect with residents, to listen and advise.”
So, I opened said passive interrogation(!) suggesting Vanessa had some “big boots to fill!” But she extended this like birds of a feather, “it was actually Jane who asked me to join the Guardians,” continuing with a recollection of a quiz night, “and before I knew it I was a Guardian!”
Vanessa has been a volunteer of Devizes Clean Up Squad for four years, and we spoke of the fantastic work they do. Though Vanessa is so active in the community, we moved swiftly onto her involvement with the “Love Devizes” group. “Yes,” she explained, “it started off with Love Devizes during Covid, and I was delivering meals during that time, for the people who couldn’t get out, and then it changed to Love Ukraine, which I became heavily involved in, because we had the first Ukraine guests here.”
Devizes CUDS
Meandering already, a heart-breaking tangent ensued about her guests. Vanessa revealed how they only stayed a couple of months; after Russian concentration lessened in her hometown of Kiev, they returned to help her family, and for concern to their children’s wellbeing. To encourage our conversation back to her as a candidate, as I felt her passion on the subject would’ve led her to talk on this subject forever, I offered all this was evidence enough that she is a people-person. But does Vanessa hope to get the time to carry-on groups like the CUDs if she was to become a councillor?
With a tone of upmost sincerity she replied, “I hope so,” expressing her job had come to an end and venturing she should have enough time. Being she had stated she only had half-hour to chat, and I’d already diverted it to Ukraine, she replied, “I’m quite good at time management!” Best rush through my questions, because I’m hopeless at it!
I wondered if there was any other charities or support groups Vanessa was actively engaged in, and that was precisely why we only had a half-hour window; she was off to work at the Dorothy House shop. “And Sustainable Devizes is a big thing for me,” Vanessa continued. Though a hot topic with the public, The Crammar isn’t part of East Devizes, her association with the environmental group is enough to convince me of her penchant for wildlife and environmental issues. The Guardians in general have been engaged with talking to the Friends of the Crammar campaign group, and so we switched to the lack of electric-car charging points in Devizes. Again, though Vanessa relayed the question to a personal anecdote; her son came to stay, who has an electric car, but there is nowhere in town which an accessible charging point. “So, I raised it with Wiltshire Council, and asked on Devizes Issues, where are these car charging points, and…. There aren’t any!”
Vanessa wrote to the supermarkets to ask them when they were likely to put them in, “and I worked out that Devizes is the biggest town in Wiltshire without any electric car charging points.” I sighed, as she sustained, “I think they’re coming, there was a debate in the council a couple of weeks ago, about when they should be putting them in.”
New builds, I turned the subject onto. Vanessa agreeing encouraging contractors to up the percentage of affordable housing on new builds was vital to maintaining an age demographic in town, otherwise younger residents are priced out of the market. Neatly bringing us around to the other hot topic, youth crime. I asked Vanessa if she agreed we needed to improve funding for youth groups and associations. “I think with any bad behaviour there’s always a reason which we have to get to the bottom of,” she replied, “what is motivating some to smash a window rather than play football, and if you can get to the bottom of the issue, it’s a lot easier to get these people engaged in society again, because at the moment they’re marginalised but everybody misbehaves for a reason.”
I reasoned it’s for the prestige, so to reduce several youths away from following the perpetrators, they’ve less of an audience reaction, lessening the thrill. “That’s never a bad thing,” Vanessa replied, “to have more facilities. If we can get those reopened, it would be great.”
I admit, I hoped Vanessa would bring the subject of subsidising youth initiatives and groups up of her own accord, but in agreeing with me they should was, to be honest, a good enough baseplate. Plus, she did continue to say, “I think by what Jonathan (Hunter-leader of the Guardians) was telling me, we’re already quite a way down the road to getting a youth engagement officer, so, that will get the ball rolling.”
The importance of selecting the right person for such a job was her resultant, “and that’s something a trained youth engagement officer will know how to do; we’re on the road to getting one of those, and hopefully we can get to the bottom of it. Nobody wants to get their window broken, or be frightened to go out at night, and you don’t want that in a town. As soon as this is dealt with the better, but I think I’m more of a carrot than a stick person!”
more of a carrot than a stick person!
Unaware of this idiom, I laughed, proposing it could be our headline: Vanessa; Carrot or Stick?!“Nobody likes to be told what to do,” she explained, as I did bring my grievance about Wiltshire Council holding an open-event on the youth crime subject whereby youths themselves were unable to attend. “They like be involved with decision making. Discussion, compassion, and kindness is the way forward,” Vanessa stated. In this, we must ask ourselves, exactly what is a town councillor, and what do we want from them?
Do we need them to be academics of law and national politics, seemingly expert enough to spot a minuscule flaw in the opposition’s election leaflet and expand it to a full-blown attack only for the purpose of upstaging them in a race to the position, or do we need someone so obviously concerned for our amenities, our environment and public wellbeing, motivated and active towards changing it? For the subjects we covered which do appear on Vanessa’s promises, she was clearer and more adamant on; the green issues of car-charging, and cycle paths, and creating shared spaces, and keeping Devizes independently run.
Indeed, my question was one of statements inviting discussion, that national political parties should be kept out of local council, the very ethos of the Guardians. “Yes,” she explained, “so everyone in the Guardians have their own political views but they’re not bought to the table, because we are all about the town. We’re about what happens here, not about what the national parties have dictated to us.”
Ironically, other parties entering this election pledge a similar promise, though assigned to a national party for funding, they unyielding suggest they too are independently based, though I must ask, surely if someone is funding your campaign, they’ll demand you sway in their favour, at least tow the party line, and carry out the position with the shared philosophy. “I can’t answer for them!” Vanessa laughed it off, “I just know the Guardians are independent, and we will do what’s best for our town.”
And herein lies my concluding section, on councillor’s use of social media, of which you should note happened before the brash and vastly embellished statements of their breaking of election law, by the opposition’s Conservative campaigner Iain Wallis, on his self-run Facebook group. I put to Vanessa, “social media is another sour point with the public now, because while it’s an advantage for councillors to gage public opinion, and visa-versa, some feel those councillors active on social media aren’t really listening to them, rather brashly using it to blow their trumpets, and those who disagree are censored. Do you feel what we need is more attention to a create a united council social media output, so the majority, voice of a united council is the definite article?”
“Wouldn’t that be lovely?!” Vanessa responded with, “in an ideal world! You’ve got twenty-odd different characters, haven’t you? I think they came together for Covid, Ukraine, the bigger things, but they’re different adults from different backgrounds who are bound to disagree.”
But that’s what a council is, isn’t it; to discuss these things, nail out a definite agreeance, and then go onto social media, unitedly announcing the decision? “Social media is a tool, but also a dangerous place to air your grievances. We have got a social media policy, created by Wiltshire Council, and in the main work occasionally there’s a little bit of spat, but it settles down again. But that’s not the place to air your dirty laundry, in my opinion. I use social media to inform people of what’s going on, not to have an argument.” How sad that not hours after Vanessa told me this, she was victim to this precise kind of attack by the opposition, only to better their chances of winning the by-election on 30th March? It says more about them than her.
Vanessa would like to conclude, she is “a real-person, just because I do a lot of community work doesn’t mean I don’t find time to get out and enjoy the pubs and restaurants of Devizes.” She giggled throughout this bit, “I try to frequent all of them, but not all at once! There are twenty-two drinking establishments, you’d be a mess at the end of it, wouldn’t you?” I didn’t like to suggest, I’d given it my best shot, so our chat regressed back to local environmental issues, for it’s something Vanessa is obviously passionate about, but in this is precisely her character and charm, and it’s infectious, exactly what I believe we need in a town councillor.
In the same week Corsham Town Councillor Ruth Hopkinson unveiled a sign, warning drivers to slow down for their peacocks, designed by a schoolgirl via…
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New one on me, Bracknell-based Graham Steel Music Company being my gateway to this astounding London rootsy acoustic soloist, and I’m impressed. With the subtle…
Communities, getting together, fundraising, and doing something good for their town’s youth. It might sound like the stuff of Terry Pratchett fantasy here in Devizes right now, but over in Bradford-on-Avon, it’s a reality…..
They’ve successfully raised their £250,000 target and invited the town to come and see their new skatepark designs earlier this afternoon at St Margaret’s Hall.
Maverick Skateparks have been busy perfecting their final plans and are presenting them to the full council, to vote on passing on to the construction phase. Campaigners intended to cram the council offices with supporters, we hear it went well.
This is what working with and listening to the public can achieve, Wiltshire Council, proactive engagement in providing facilities for youth, rather than condemning them in meetings, least so-called “drop-in” events deliberately arranged at such a time our younger generation would be unable to attend, much less air their views upon.
Well done, Bradford-on-Avon, for it’s more than a skatepark. It’s a testament to community spirit in an era that has seen so many youth enterprises and facilities cut back. If heaven is a halfpipe, you are the gods of the 180!
It’s 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 year’s.
Two hundred tickets have gone already, for the sunny date of Sunday 27th August. He told me, “We have increased tickets to 1,500 this year.” Ticket prices capped the same last year, and are tremendously reasonable; adults at £15, 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. “Yes,” he confirmed, “we used to concentrate on beer when we first started. Now it is more about music and families.” Still got a handsome beer glass on the poster with a large selection of beers and ciders promised, so never fear!
“Good line up, we think,” 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 I’m 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! “We have two bouncy castles and face painting,” Richard informed me, “which is extra this year.” Then he boasted three food stalls; pizza, hog roast and a burger van, he sure knows how to push my buttons!
But here’s another great thing about Potterne Festival; there’s nothing Royston Vasey about it, it provides a free bus service from Devizes. “The bus runs from outside Devizes School,” Richard explained, “to the Grove, starting at 11.45, roughly every twenty minutes.” One might fairly conclude it’s 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!
Following her recent successful production of As You Like It, at Devizes’ Wharf Theatre, Liz Sharman returns with another Shakespeare masterpiece, Measure for Measure. Often…
February, not hotting up much temperature-wise, nevertheless plenty of stuff going on across the county and beyond; here’s what we’ve found to satisfy your soul…
A swan from the Crammer hit on the road between Morrison’s roundabout and the traffic lights this morning, has died…. In territorial disputes, the wildfowl…
Akin to Ghostbuster’s nemesis Slimer when he appears over the hotdog stand, I was squatting a spacious windowsill at Wiltshire Music Centre with an Evie’s…
Marlborough News reported “in the Seventies, Marlborough boasted well over twenty pubs. Now there are just six,” in an article about the retirement of longstanding…
Still a tad fragile around the edges from my birthday party, here’s what’s I’ve struggled on through to find for this coming week, in which I was, last week, perhaps somewhat too optimistic about the coming of spring. Pass the Alka-Seltzers…….
As usual, further info and links to everything listed can be found on our ever-updating event guide, likely the most comprehensive thang of its kind around these backwaters because we go hunting rather than waiting for venues and creative types to contact us; they can be terribly unreliable! Therefore to take heed of other event guides will see you either staying in to watch Catchphrase or nipping to your village hall for karaoke with a drunkard called Gav!
Firstly, today, Monday 6thsees a live art demonstration with the wonderful Caroline LeBourgeois at Devizes Conservative Club, and the first of Nick Beere’s Open Mic sessions at The Lamb, Marlborough.
Around About Dusk night at The Bell in Bath too, with some sultry femme vocalists, and they’ve left the coolest till last; Rachel from up tempo swing conspiracy Gin Bowlers, but this claims to be a jazzy hazy acoustic drift through the roots of the blues; noice!
Tuesday 7th. Congrats to the campaigners for a new skatepark in Bradford-on-Avon, who’ve raised their target of £250,000, and invite people to come and see the new skatepark designs on Tuesday 7th March – 7pm at St Margaret’s Hall. If heaven is a halfpipe, you’re ye fundraising gods, well done!
Blood Brothers is at Wyvern Theatre, Swindon; on the GCSE drama silly-bus this is – have fun, kids of the Lavingtons!
Wednesday 8th Western Players’ caravan comedy Third Week in August is at Swindon Arts Centre.
Tongue-in-chee[k]se Bristolian musical internationalism, Fromage en Feu are at The Bell, Bath; sacré bleu!
Regular acoustic jam at The Southgate, Devizes, after a Dark Side of the Moon anniversary celebration.
Thursday 9th At Pound Arts, Corsham, find Rachel Newton, a singer and harpist who draws on poems and ballads that are hundreds of years old, working them into her contemporary compositional style to create a rich sound that is ambitious, original, and unique.
Mark Harrison plays The Tuppenny, Swindon, while The Vic has new wave alt-rock Men in Vests, with The Crystal Wolf Project, Adriana, Lee Knott and N/SH.
Friday 10th, here we go, getting fresh for the weekend…… folk singer-songwriter David Ford brings his tour to the Pump, Trowbridge. Cara Dillon plays Pound Arts, Corsham.
The Radio Makers at The Three Horseshoes in Bradford-on-Avon, while The Sad Dad Club play The Boathouse.
Saints of Sin at The Vic, Swindon, ZambaLando at Fiesta de Cuba.
Folk Law at Chapel Arts, Bath.
Green Day tribute Warning play the Tree House in Frome with The Blink 182 Show, while Limehouse Lizzy play the Cheese & Grain.
Saturday 11th, got to be Editor’s Pick of the Week, when the Corn Exchange, Devizes hosts a Charity Concert for homeless charity, Devizes Opendoors. It features an incredible roster of Andrew Hurst, Chloe Jordan, and Will Blake with his PSG Choir. Tenner a ticket, to a wonderful charity, will be a lovely evening with a mahoosive raffle.
Staying in Devizes, The Wharf Theatre, tells the story of The Man Who Left the Titanic. White Star Line Managing Director J. Bruce Ismay stepped into a lifeboat and sailed away from the stricken ship, sailed away from his passengers, sailed away from the cries, and screams and tears. The Man Who Left The Titanic evokes that terrible voyage and asks whether Bruce Ismay only did what any of us might have done in the same circumstances, or should his actions that night consign his name to infamy? Was he a coward, or merely human?
New one on me, Rev plays The Three Crowns, Devizes, the Lightnin’ Hobos are at The Southgate, and DJ Karl Maggs is on the wheels of steel at the Exchange.
Psycho-Acoustic Coat, I’m hoping that speaks for itself! They’re at The Barge on Honey-Street.
Best of luck to the Lost Trades, touring their fantastic new album, they’re at Keevil Village Hall.
Marty’s Fake Family play The Pilot, Melksham, Junkyard Dogs at Chippenham & District Constitutional Club.
John D Relevator at The Three Horseshoes, Bradford-on-Avon, while the Wiltshire Music Centre celebrates International Women’s Day with Bones Apart, a Wonder Women Family Concert.
Rorke’s Drift versus Black Rose at The Vic in Swindon.
Witchfest at the Cheese & Grain, Frome, with a witch’s market followed by Damh the Bard. Clash tribute, London Calling at The Tree House.
Sunday 12th sees My Science Fair at Wiltshire Music Centre, Bradford-on-Avon, where the Gasoline Bandits play The Three Horseshoes. Matt Owens & Jason McNiff at The Bell, Bath.
Oops, Deb at The Southgate has let me know we left out Manos Puestas at 5pm at The Southgate, Devizes. Latin/Gypsy Jazz & Rumba to warm up your summer, and we have the power to update and add it, see?!
The Fureys at Wyvern Theatre, and Tom Houghton’s Absolute Shambles at Swindon Arts Centre.
Frome Symphony Orchestra at The Cheese & Grain.
Monday 13th, Westcountry acoustic blues with Stompin’ Dave & Lucy Piper at The Bell, Bath.
Macbeth at Swindon Arts Centre.
Tuesday 14th is Worsley Training’s Emergency First Aid at Work or Basic Life Support course at Devizes Town Hall.
Theatre director Andy Burden playing self-penned songs at The Bell, Bath, the Graham Dent Trio’s jazz night at il Fiume, Bradford-on-Avon.
Wednesday 15th and there’s Memory Cinema at Swindon Arts Centre, showing Dad’s Army.
Franz Nicolay & Aimless Arrows at The Pump in Trowbridge. Franz Nicolay is a musician and writer living in New York’s Hudson Valley. In addition to records under his own name, he was a member of cabaret-punk orchestra World/Inferno Friendship Society, “world’s best bar band” the Hold Steady, Balkan-jazz quartet Guignol, co-founded the composer-performer collective Anti-Social Music, was a touring member of agit-punks Against Me!
And there’s some world-folk into jazz, at The Bell, Bath with Solana.
And that’s your lot; unless you’ve forgotten to tell me something?! No secrets here, free listings too, all you gotta do is let us know; I’m not your mum, and can’t keep following you around picking up your lost socks.
What is a psychedelicat, a tin of magic mushroom flavoured Felix?! His picture on the tin certainly displays some suspiciously dilated pupils, but this exaggeration…
I know, it’s hardly festival weather, but this one is all inside! Inside the glorious Wiltshire Music Centre in Bradford-on-Avon that is, on Saturday 21st…
Commendation must go to The Exchange night club in Devizes this week, for introduing regular open mic sessions on Fridays…. Starting on Friday 3rd February,…
Today’s protest at Wiltshire Police headquarters in Devizes over the appointment of PC Cheryl Knight into the rural crime unit despite being photographed riding with fox hunting associations, including the notorious Avon Vale Hunt, went peacefully.….
Devizes Police commended and thanked the protesters, “for the way that they conducted themselves.” Patronising is in the training manual.
The event passed peacefully, and no arrests were made. Online speculation there would be “trouble,” was unfounded; anti-hunting campaigners are passive by default. There are no grounds for claims made by PCC Philip Wilkinson, ousted by ITV for claiming to have “covertly” monitored sabs committing public order offences.
Organisers of the protest, Wiltshire Hunt Saboteurs, say “for over eighteenth years hunts have been prolific in breaking the law, and doing so with both the implicit and explicit consent, support and even membership, of those with the power to do something about it. Wiltshire Police deployed over 50 officers and multiple resources to turn their cameras on sabs, as terriermen await dig out instructions from the Avon Vale Hunt behind them.”
Superintendent Conway Duncan said: “We know people want to make their voices heard and the right to lawful protest is a key part of any democracy, which UK police uphold and facilitate.”
“We had a presence at the event to do just that, but also as part of our responsibility to ensure the local community were not adversely impacted.”
We hope they will listen and assign officers accordingly rather than with clear conflicts of interests. Please sign the petition HERE.
Wiltshire Hunt Saboteurs replied in a Tweet, “how dare they even consider themselves worthy of praising the protestors. Wiltshire police are by definition of their own criminality, beneath contempt. We do not praise the way they are conducting themselves over this sordid affair, nor the 18 years of them turning a blind eye.” Ah, but it’s do as we say, isn’t it? Not as we do!
You’ve got to award Gazette & Herald reporter Jason Hughes the journalism medal of bravery this week, for his dissemination on head of the Devizes Guardians, Jonathan Hunter’s mien concerning the tardiness of communication by Wiltshire Council over the current state of our roads!
The headline read “Devizes potholes cause misery for motorists, councillor claims.” Claims? Wha?! Does this guy get to go outside at playtime?! Has he seen the state of it out there? It’s like a lunar landscape after a flipping meteor shower! When Jules Verne wrote Journey to the Centre of the Earth, fittingly about volcanic tubes that reach the centre of the earth, he was inspired by Wiltshire’s roads; fact!
Honestly, honesty is a must here, let’s not get impassive on this breaking scoop; we all know the truth, we’ve known for some time, and hats off to town councillor Jonathan Hunter for digging the claws in.
“A road repairs promise was made two years ago,” he explained, “last week I wrote to Cllr Caroline Thomas on behalf of the residents of Devizes who face the reality of an appalling local road network. Cllr Thomas, has given a statement through the press but after a week I’m still waiting for a reply to my email, which apart from being unprofessional and rude, it signals that the cabinet members approach is not community first and shows a complete disregard for the residents of Devizes.”
I responded, “probably because she owns a Chelsea tractor,” with a little emoji of a tractor in hope to cheer him up! What can I say? I was under pressure and it was the best I could come up with at the time. But what can we do about it? Here’s Jonathan’s top four tips, which makes a terrible headline, because people love “top ten tips,” five, perhaps, Jonathan, but not four, no. Still, they’re good ones.
1. Continue to bombard WC using MyWilts the app, to report potholes. Whilst this system is very reactive it’s the best that they can offer.
2. Write to Cllr Thomas and share your concerns, I can’t guarantee that she will read or even reply but the more residents that express their concerns may make a difference. caroline.thomas@wiltshire.gov.uk
3. Please identify hazardous areas to your friends, neighbours or colleagues who are vulnerable. In particular, those with mobility difficulties.
4. At the 2025 Wiltshire Council unitary election remember the promises that were made in 2021 and the reality of how those promises have been implemented across your local road network.
“There are three areas of key concern in Devizes,” Jonathan told the Gazette, “London Road is the main road coming in and out and that isn’t great at all. Bath Road and also Windsor Drive, which is an interconnecting road, the surface degradation on those roads is really poor.” And continued to express his concern for damaged pavements reducing the accessibility and safety for vulnerable pedestrians.
After such, the article does give this press reply by Cllr Thomas, which goes thus: “The hot, dry summer of last year, and the very wet and very cold weather so far this winter has unfortunately created the perfect conditions for potholes to form across the 2,500-mile road network. We’re doing all we can to repair them, using all our skilled workforce and resources, with the priority being to make the road safe.”
Now, I did rant on this subject at the beginning of February, quoting Cabinet Member for Transport, Dr Mark McClelland’s axiomatic piffle direct from the council’s website, so let’s have a little game of spot the difference here: “The weather has provided the perfect conditions for potholes to form, and that’s why we’re seeing an increase in the number of road defects throughout the county.”
Uncanny, huh?! At least they’re singing off the same song sheet I suppose. Probably written on the wall at county hall, “just reword this weather-blaming twaddle if the press asks!”
Well, please accept my apologises, but I’m not the press, just the milky, the milky inspired by Stephen Mulhern of Catchphrase to “say what I see,” and with a tendency to do precisely that; it’s an abomination which so obviously could have been avoided with ongoing proactive maintenance, even Mr Chips can see it, and he’s a fictional yellow bollard with a clown’s nose, naked other than a cravat.
“The roads are very dangerous for all users,” Jonathan expressed his concern, “pothole repairs should just be an emergency fix to prevent a serious accident, they are not a permanent solution as the substance shrinks within the original road defect. Unfortunately, it would seem WC have adopted pothole repairs as their main strategy to improve crumbling roads with surface degradation. The lack of engagement is a poor show and speaks volumes.”
The Full-Tone Orchestra have released details of the 2023 line-up for their annual extravaganza, The Full-Tone Festival on Devizes Green, August bank holiday. It’s all…
As temperatures rise from the coldest December spell in a decade, life on Devizes Crammer is returning to normal. The Crammer Watch team concentrate their…
Having trouble driving in Devizes? We’re not surprised, it’s got the infrastructure designed by a six-year-old given some Lego road plates. There are rules, on…
And that day is Saturday 4th February. Celebrated frontline folk band, Seize the Day, who specialise in conservational protest songs, and have supported many environmental…
The Wharf Theatre in Devizes begin their 2023 program with Amanda Whittington’s Ladies’ Day, running from January 30th to February 4th…… This play, which premiered…
March on! Let’s say no more about the impending spring other than YES!!!! As you might be able to tell, I’m not a winter person. Here’s what we’ve found to be doing this coming week.…….
Find details and tickets links at ourevent calendar, and plan your month ahead. Watch out though, it’s always updating and more stuff is added all the time!
Wednesday 1st March, finds Harriet Burns’ 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 there’s 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, it’s 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 I’m honest.
Anyway, find Magical Bones at Swindon Arts Centre, Paul McClure & Black Sheep Apprentice at The Tuppenny. Over in Bath, Brooks Williams & Boo Hewerdine’s 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 Blazin’ 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 C’est Chic at Walcot House; squidgy house fun!
“ZambaLando” are live at Fiesta de Cuba in Swindon, where the Vic has Phantom Droid, Modern Evils and Froglord, and Sophie Duker’s 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 Editor’s Pick of Week? Executive decision; ermm, let’s think, Ruzz Guitar, Talk in Code, Vince Bell, Deadlight Dance, Ben Borrill, yes, I think it’s perfectly fair!
Editor’s Pick of Week this week is the editor’s own inflated ego birthday bash at the Three Crowns, Devizes, but in fairness we have got free live music all day, where I’m 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 it’s card-only at the bar, but bring some cash and we’ll have a whip round for the Devizes & District Opportunity Centre.
Over at the Wharf Theatre they’ve 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 Garland’s 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 Dad’s 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
There’s 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 I’m still standing, I’m 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 I’ve 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.
That’s your lot, have a great week and I hope to see you Saturday; you are permitted to buy me a pint, as long as it’s 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 you’ve never heard Chloe Jordan sing before you’re basically missing one of life’s most extraordinary occurrences.
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Late November last year I took the Southgate’s landlady Deborah on her word, and it paid off; a word you should never doubt when it comes to bands booked. She told me Swindon ensemble SGO are “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!” On this chancer I dropped in and it was a pleasant surprise, such an apt band for the pub.
At the time I described it thus, “Brimful of sea shanties, hornpipe, parissienne and gypsy jazz, with subtle hints of Americana and country blues, SGO are both charming and accomplished. Melodically harmonising through geetars, fiddle and accordion, they reaffirm folk is the backbone to all modern musical genres, and launch preconceived notions of frumpiness within the modern scene out into the stratosphere.”
But hey, ain’t nobody got time to copy and paste anymore, you can read the full review HERE. All you need to know is, it was a brilliant gig, and now you don’t even need to take my word for it, if anyone ever does, because they’ve released it as a live album, Bandcamp download only. It’s one of those you listen back to and realise it wasn’t just a cider leakage in the brain, it really was as good as I recall. But if you didn’t attend here’s a taster of the Southgate at its best, for the recording contains the typical atmosphere and background noises, including George the pub dog, who seemed to approve.
Live is best for the rowdy pub folk of this kind, and this recording will put you right in the very spot of a most memorable gig, and if you attended or not, will ache you to catch them next time they’re around.
Grab some free Christmas gifts, clear some space at home, and reduce waste… “try swapping not shopping this Christmas,” says Sustainable Devizes, as they host…
Ka-pow, ker-runch, ker-splat! Fear not good citizens of Devizes, waftastic Wiltshirecouncilman is here to save us from the evil delinquent Dylan and the Acne Street Gang! The devastating plan is to hold a “drop-in event to update on work to reduce youth anti-social behaviour in the town,” at the Corn Exchange from 9:30am to noon on Thursday 2nd March; that’ll give them a ruddy good telling off for sure!
Does anyone else see an immediate flaw in the plan? By very definition it’s counterproductive. Wiltshire Council send out a powerful message to our youth; their crimes are unacceptable, but we’re all fine with crimes committed by older people. Why not drop the “youth” tagline all together, and see any crime committed by any age with the same degree of urgency? Just, y’ know, a fleeting notion of fairness.
Way to go to marginalise society and section off a particular group according to age, that’s sure not to stoke the fire. And when can we expect a similar event to tackle crimes committed by adults, pray tell?!
We have a current issue in Devizes with some wayward youths, no one can deny it, it’s no secret, but from a minority. That’s the crucial point, all pigeonholing them is going to do is encourage a barrier between age groups and welcome more teenagers into the rut; you’re only going to make matters worse, you blind and foolish old fuddy-duddies!
We cannot expect to obtain upstanding young citizens by tarnishing them all with the same brush. Still social media is awash with pitchfork welding folk, condoning medieval punishments, and admin of these groups fail to deal outrageous comments promoting vigilante violence; look at yourself, publishing your futile online vengeance on youths, and still then ponder why they rebel so. Ever heard of a thing called an endless circle?
Places of real-life social interaction are no better, full of elders firing daggers from their eyes at any younger person who happens to pass by. I’ve spoken to young people about their fear of going into cafes for the dirty looks they’ll receive, despite doing no wrong and not having any intentions of. What else is there here for them to do, where do you expect them to go?
Cllr Peter Hutton, Portfolio Holder for Safeguarding at Wiltshire Council said of the event, “this will be an informal and interactive morning where you can talk to the people who are working with Devizes residents in all sorts of ways with a common goal of making the town a safer place to live.” But what about the people who this really effects most? We must readdress the balance here, focus too on the victims, not just the criminals. Children and young people are disproportionately more likely to be victims of crime, particularly the most serious crimes, by any age group including their own. And where are the group most affected by this issue between the set hours of 9:30-noon? At school or college most likely.
The very fact they’ve been excluded from this event sends a shiver up my spine. It’s as if to say they’ve no valid point to bring to the table, or any they might have, are worthless, amidst this wealth of grownup’s experience. Why not make the time later, so it’s convenient to all to cast their views? Why not bring this “roadshow” to schools and colleges?
As we age it’s all too easy to forget how it feels to be younger, but not giving young people the benefit of the doubt is detrimental to them reacting angrily against the system. I may’ve been criminalised in my youth, but day-to-day I forget those occurrences, wish I was that age again, only because I view it through rose-tinted specs. It was never as easy as memory serves me. I rebelled, and much of the anguish came from my elders; the powers that be, parents, et al. They never understood, I felt trapped, a child in an adult world, and reacted with rebellious anger. Why? Because it was a thrill to, it exposed a crack in the boredom, an escape.
Yet top-heavy Conservative thinking Wiltshire Council and Police are backing a government which has acted far worse than these few wayward kids. They’ve lied their way through government, they’ve profited and partied while ordinary folk watched their loved ones die. They continue to drain every penny out of public services, to reduce the education budget to the point the teachers must strike, they’re determined to increase the poverty divide to line their own pockets, and we ignore it in order to focus on some naughty children. They are hardly setting the shining example of moral upstanding citizens. As Michael Jackson said, “if they wanna make the world a better place, take a look at yourself and then make a change.”
Or perhaps a more poignant musical quote could come from Woody Guthrie, “some will rob you with a six-gun, some with a fountain pen.” Purchase a security light for your home if you favour being robbed by the energy companies rather than some hoodlums in your shed at night.
Here’s a better plan, councillors, et al who follow the blue rosette, resign from your Conservative Party, and stand independently. Show them you don’t side with criminals before invoking your hypocrisy on the youth. For our young are no fools, and I, for one, salute them for taking a stance, I applaud their patience and endurance with the disgusting way they’re being treated.
Some will resort to crime, it’s a terrible thing, I wish it didn’t have to be this way, and I certainly would never condone it. But they’re not alone as a generation; history proves time-over during eras of abject poverty crime will increase. It’s not a problem with “youth of today” rather a problem with a minority of youth, historically. Rubbing their faces in it, plotting behind their backs isn’t going to help.
Wiltshire’s Police and Crime Commissioner, Philip Wilkinson, an advocate of conservatism, says of the event, “this is a great opportunity for members of the public to hear first-hand the importance of the work that is being done as a result of the Home Office funding to tackle youth anti-social behaviour in the Devizes area and focus on ways to help prevent it.” But what’s his views on rural crime in general, to have called hunt saboteurs only gathering evidence of crimes committed by those who should be considered mature enough to know better, “balaclava wearing thugs,” when we’ve all seen the recent concrete evidence as to who the real thugs are?
The only smidgen of positive came from inspector Ben Huggins, Devizes sector Policing Inspector, who said, “we recognise that there are some anti-social behaviour issues in Devizes at the moment. We are and have been tackling them. My officers will always respond swiftly and robustly to reports of this nature; however, we know more needs to be done and this is not a problem that can be solved by us the police alone. So, this initiative is very much welcomed – involving not only the agencies we already work with but the wider community. Hopefully, we can all resolve this problem by working together.”
It goes without saying, we offer our eternal thanks to the bobby on the beat. I certainly don’t envy their job at times like these, and in having to deal with the issues which arise from this, but there’s radical thinking we need to put on the table in order to tackle it, not the seemingly militant stance of conservatism. Communication with the youth is key, obviously, for crying out loud, including them in events like this, allowing them a voice.
Give a little to take a little, isn’t it? Treat them with respect and that respect will come back to you; see if it doesn’t, but apply something out of Robocop it will never be solved and we just go round in circles. I welcome the idea of this gig, but if they wished to build bridges, making it time appropriate for those most affected to attend would be logic, really, one would’ve thought, or are we just a community of hypocritical pitchfork welding rednecks?
Happy Valentine’s Day, hopelessly romantic yet gullible consumers. If you’ve any money left after your overpriced chocolates and cut-off plants purchases, here is what’s happening this coming week in Wiltshire.….
Snowdrops, though, to do my usual weather comment, I’ve seen snowdrops, and moths; is this spring already, or am I asking too much? But we can confirm, moth-action, sir, moth-action, bring on the warmer weather.
Also, as usual, details and links to everything listed here can be found on our event calendar, which scrolls through the future like a plutonium-fuelled DeLorean, so do go with it as if your name was Marty, for if you wait for this weekly update tickets for ticketed events might well have sold out.
Wednesday 15th sees the regular acoustic jam at The Southgate, Devizes.
Recommended for children aged 5+ and their families, Squashbox Theatre presents a cosmic Journey to the Stars at The Neeld, Chippenham, while ex-special forces soldier and star of TV’s SAS: Who Dares Wins, Jason Fox’s talk, Life At The Limit is at the Wyvern, Swindon. This show also plays Bath Forum on Thursday.
Scottish band acclaimed for their dynamic, sonically adventurous post rock, Mogwai play Bath Forum, with comedy from Hal Cruttenden at Komedia; It’s Best You Hear It From Me.
Some Irish folk at Brown Street, Salisbury with Sharon Shannon.
Thursday 16th is opening night for Seend Fawlty Players’ production of the Frog Prince at Seend Community Hall. Their 43rd village pantomime runs till Saturday.
Fantasy Radio will be at The Three Crowns, Devizes. Comedy night at the Civic, Trowbridge.
Splat The Rat play The Tuppenny, Swindon, and Prue Leith’s Nothing In Moderation comes to the Wyvern; who knows you might be sitting next to baby-face Danny Kruger, nudging you and telling you it’s his mummy up there!
Ah, anyway, (I’m sorry, couldn’t resist it!) Over at Wiltshire Music Centre in Bradford-on-Avon we have The Bradfordian’s presentation of Fantastic Mr Fox. And staying on foxes, the aforementioned Jason Fox is at Bath Forum, Lissie at Komedia.
Friday 17th Trash Panda play The Bear, Marlborough, Bob Bowles at The Green Dragon.
Duran at Swindon Arts Centre, Dreamboys, ladies, Dreamboys I say, at the Wyvern!
It’s a big happy birthday to Ruzz Guitar, who plays at The Cheese & Grain, Frome with his full Blues Revue, Pete Gage, and The Real John Lewis as support; that will be something else; got to be editor’s pick of the week! All roads lead to Frome, though, as The Lost Trades play The Treehouse as well.
Alex Carson’s The Idiot Tour at Chapel Arts, The Musical Box at Bath Forum. Fleetwood Bac @ Salisbury Arts Centre.
Saturday 18thand it’s DOCA’s Festival of Winter Ales at The Corn Exchange Devizes; you’ll be like Charlie Bucket to find a golden ticket to this now, but good luck anyway! Staying in Devizes, The Eric Bell Band, due to play Long Street Blues Club has been postponed, and the amazing talent we witnessed as guest at the Southgate’s Jon Amor monthly residency last Sunday, Thomas Atlas brings his band from Birmingham, and that will be a brilliant swap. Talking Southgate, Black Nasty plays there.
Improvised comedy for one night only at the Wharf Theatre with Instant Wit, a bunch of very Unusual Suspects, forever on the run from the Comedy Police!
Find Ed Cox at Woodbrough Social Club.
Robbie Williams Live at Knebworth 20th Anniversary Tribute tour is screened at Melksham Assembly Hall. Sarah Keyworth’s Lost Boy at Pound Arts, Corsham. Homer play Westbury Cons Club. Tequila Mockingbird at Stallards in Trowbridge. Junkyard Dogs play The Three Horseshoes in Chapmanslade.
Stranglers tribute, Straighten Out at The Vic, Swindon, Click at The Swiss Chalet, and Six O’clock Circus at the New Century Club. Babatunde Aleshe’s Babahood at Swindon Arts Centre, Buddy Holly tribute show That’ll Be The Day at the Wyvern.
The Korgis Last ever complete performance Kartoon World at Chapel Arts, Bath, with Fairport Convention at Bath Forum, Clare Hammond at Wiltshire Music Centre, Bradford-on-Avon.
A Salisbury Live 2023 fundraiser, The Beggars Bash at Salisbury Arts Centre.
Judge Jules on the wheels of steel at The Cheese & Grain, Frome, while Eagles tribute The Alter Eagles are at The Tree House.
Sunday 19thsees Mr Griff at The Southgate, Devizes.
The Amazing Bubble Man at Swindon Arts Centre, Tap Factory at the Wyvern. Babatunde Aléshé’s Babahood tour moves over to Komedia, Bath.
Monday 20thLord of the Rings in Concert at Bath Forum.
Tuesday 21stI’m Sorry I Haven’t a Clue at Bath Forum.
And that’s a wrap, folks, unless I missed anything, do let me know. Have a good week, don’t worry, be happy!
