Schools out for summer, yelled a man called Alice, but that was in 1972. We’re about what you can do THIS school summer holiday with those little munchkins; here’s what we’ve found…
Please note as soon as we publish this we’ll be bombarded with events we have missed; at least that’s what usually happens! So, bookmark this article as it will update, as will our event calendar, as soon-(ish) as they come to us! Do not fear, we’ll help you through this period, parents, and prevent you having bored kids and compulsory wine-o’clock!
WC says school hollibobs begin Thursday 24th July and parents are freed on Monday 1st September, but we’ve found stuff from Monday 21st, so let’s get this ball rolling from there…..
Holiday Club at Southbroom St James Academy, Devizes
A Churches Together in Devizes Holiday Club is taking place from Monday the 18th to Friday the 22nd of August at Southbroom St James Acadamy in Nursteed Road. The sessions are from 9.45am to 12.30pm each day, and itโs for children going into school years one to seven in September. Go along and make new friends this summer. Thereโll be Bible stories, games, activities, crafts, songs, drame, and much more. Thereโs a suggested donation of ยฃ1 per day. Email devizeschurches.holidayclub@gmail.com for further information and booking details.
Forestry England Nightingale Wood invites dog owners to celebrate Walk Your Dog Month this January…..
Walk Your Dog Month is a great opportunity to build your bond with your four-legged family members. It can be tempting to stay indoors at this time of year, but regular walks are essential for a dogโs physical and mental health. The good news is, theyโre pretty good for ownersโ health too! So, grab a lead and some poo bags, and read on for Nightingale Woodโs top tips for a brilliant Walk Your Dog Month.
Beat the January blues
With festivities over, January can be a difficult month of cold weather and long nights. Spending time in nature with your best friend by your side is a fantastic way to enjoy natural light and fresh air. Physical activity can increase your energy levels and reduce stress. Even a short walk can clear your mind and lift your mood.
Fun for the whole family
Fun awaits the whole family at Nightingale Wood. Spot wildlife, build dens, and splash in puddles.
Dog-friendly environment
With clearly marked paths and plenty of space to roam, Nightingale Wood is the perfect spot for exploring. Choose from three easy-to-follow walking trails or create your own route from the network of surfaced trails and forest roads. There are so many scents and sounds to explore, your dog will never get tired of returning to the forest.
Build your fitness
Fancy trying something different? Look out around the trails for pieces of fitness equipment which have been installed as part of the Great Western Community Forest project.
Canine community
With fellow dog walkers enjoying the forest, there is always someone to pass the time of day with during a walk. Human connection is one of the NHSโs essential ingredients for positive wellbeing. You never know whose day you might change with a smile โ or who might change yours.
Donโt miss the chance to celebrate Walk Your Dog Month at Nightingale Wood. Lace up your shoes and head into the woods for an unforgettable adventure.
Chippenham folk singer-songwriter, M3G (because she likes a backward โEโ) has a new single out tomorrow, Friday 19th December. Put your jingly bell cheesy tunesโฆ
Wiltshire Music Centre Unveils Star-Studded New Season with BBC Big Band, Ute Lemper, Sir Willard White and comedians Chris Addison and Alistair McGowan revealing theirโฆ
Daphneโs Family & Childhood Connection to Devizes Celebrations of Daphne Oram have been building in London since the beginning of December, for those in theโฆ
Part 1: An Introduction March 1936: newlywed French telecommunications engineer Pierre Schaeffer relocates to Paris from Strasbourg and finds work in radio broadcasting. He embarksโฆ
Yesterday Wiltshire Council published an โupdateโ on the lane closure on Northgate Street in Devizes as the fire which caused it reaches its first anniversary.โฆ
Join the St Johnโs Choir and talented soloists for a heart-warming evening of festive favourites, carols, and candlelit Christmas atmosphere this Friday 12 th Decemberโฆ
As part of the global Kidical Mass movement, this event combined a family-friendly cycle ride with aย protest, calling for safe streets for everyone. The ride started at the Market Place and finished atย Hillworth Park. Cheered on by shoppers and pedestrians, we saw children and parents loving theย unusual freedom of cycling in town without fear. This all brightened up an otherwise dull day.….
This ride was organised to coincide with the launch of โStreet Tag,’ a Wiltshire council initiative to encourage everyone to lead healthier lives by promoting active travel. This is a shared vision of Cycle Friendly Devizes to highlight the urgent need for safer cycling routes in Devizes so that everyone has the opportunity to choose active travel.
Catherine Read, who is the organiser, is also an environmental campaigner with Cycle Friendly Devizes. She said, โParents are telling me that they want their children to cycle around town and to school, but they worry about the safety of their children with the amount of traffic and close passing. Parents want their children to walk and cycle safely outside and to school, but with the dramatic increase in vehicles and no safe segregated cycle lanes, thatโs not currently an option in Devizes.โ
โWe can improve the situation. Devizes has a local cycling and walking plan, and there are identified routes within the plan that, if actioned, would provide safer cycling for children that parents are calling out for.”
Susan Hayward, who was leading the ride, said, โEvery child has a right to feel safe in the town where they live. They should be able to play and ride in their streets, just like we all did when we were young, many years ago. Our Kidical Mass ride today demonstrates that people want to choose the healthy option of cycling in Devizes. It also gives a voice to children and families calling for Devizes to prioritize people over motor vehicles.โ
Kidical Mass Devizes calls on our town and county councillors to show bold leadership by supporting safer cycling and making it a priority to protect children. Please turn this vision of streets for people into a reality.
You can find Cycle Friendly Devizes on Facebook and Twitter.
Trowbridge RFC V Devizes RFC at Trowbridge Rugby Club
King Alfredโs Tower Charity Abseil for SOS Africa is taking place on the 9th, 10th 16th & 17th September.
Bit hot for cosplay, but thereโs a Sci Fi Day at The REME Museum, Lyneham.
Thereโs a Twilight Cinema at Hillworth Park, Devizes, screening Top Gun Maverick.
Autumn Fabric Pumpkin Making Workshop at the St Johnโs Parish Rooms, Devizes.
Grizzly Rhys plays The Southgate, Devizes.
Chloe Jordan and Pete Lambโs Heartbeats play a Wiltshire Air Ambulance fundraiser at The Corn Exchange, Devizes.
Long Street Blues Club, Devizes opens for a new season with The Ian Parker Band.
Bristolโs boss reggae and ska legend Ya Freshness & The Big Boss Band are at Devizes Scooter Club in the Cavalier.
The Boot Hill All Stars are at The Barge on HoneyStreet, with Whistling Treason.
Barrelhouse play The Lamb, Marlborough.
Mantonfest 2023
Saili Katebe at the Yelde Hall, Chippenham.
Bobbiโs Academy Of Dance โ Dance First Think After at The Wyvern Theatre, Swindon.
Salisbury RFC have their Beggar’s Bash.
The Unravelling Wilburys play Chapel Arts, Bath.
Frome 80s Festival at the Cheese & Grain.
Lifesigns are at The Tree House, Frome.
Sunday 10th.
Hillworth Park Proms with Devizes Town Band at Hillworth Park, Devizes.
The Jon Amor residency at the Southgate, Devizes from 5pm, guest this month is Adam Phillips.
Nothing Rhymes With Orange plays at The Exchange nightclub, with Stoneface and Ignotis in support.
Pewsey Carnival Week begins, running until 17th.
Daisy Chapman, with Carrie Martin and the Gordon Wood Band at Schtumm, Queenโs Head, Box.
Old Baby Mackerel at The Bell, Bath.
Swindon Recital Series at Swindon Arts Centre.
Bridget Christieโs Who Am I? at The Wyvern Theatre, Swindon.
Monday 11th:
Di, Viv & Rose opens at The Wharf Theatre, Devizes, running until the 16th.
Wiltshire Motorcycle Rally at Salisbury Rugby Club.
Abigailโs Party opens at The Wyvern Theatre, Swindon, running until the 16th.
Von Wildenhaus at The Bell, Bath.
Tuesday 12th
Kosta Burgess at The Bell, Bath.
Libor Smolds & Daniel Newberry Quartet at Jazz Knights, The Royal Oak, Swindon.
Thatโs all folks, but itโs early days for September, and there is lots more to come!! Let the sunshineโฆ..but do check in on our event calendar too, as updates will be on there, not here, this is just a guide.
This afternoon I find myself contemplating what the future holds for historical discovery and learning for all ages, fun and educational exhibits and events inโฆ
Featured Image: Barbora Mrazkova My apologies, for Marlboroughโs singer-songwriter Gus Whiteโs debut album For Now, Anyway has been sitting on the backburner, and itโs moreโฆ
Having to unfortunately miss Devizesโ blues extravaganza on Friday, I crossed the borderline on Saturday to get my prescribed dosage of Talk in Codeโฆwith aโฆ
No, I didnโt imagine for a second they would, but upcoming Take the Stage winners, alt-rock emo four-piece, Butane Skies have released their second song,โฆ
Featured Image by Giulia Spadafora Ooo, a handclap uncomplicated chorus is the hook in Lady Ladeโs latest offering of soulful pop. Itโs timelessly cool andโฆ
Words by Ollie MacKenzie. Featured Image by Barbora Mrazkova.ย The creative process can be a winding, long, and often confusing journey. Seeing a project comeโฆ
CSF Professional Wrestling returns to Devizes, on Sunday 25th June for a very special edition of CSF SHOWDOWN!
Following multiple sellouts of the venue, The Corn Exchange will again host this spectacular event as twelve top stars arrive to do battle in five Pro Bouts of High Flying, BodySlamming, Action Packed Family Entertainment.
The Undisputed All Nations Champion: ‘Unique’ Jake McCluskey will put his Title and belt on the line as he faces the challenge of Odyssey, whilst the man mountain known as Bullit goes up against the Maori Warrior NIWA!
Other names appearing include: Axel Carter, Bane ‘n’ Bronson, Joshua James, JJย Gilligan Gordon. Doors open at 4pm // First Bell 4:30pm // Event Finish 7pm As always, the wrestlers will be on hand to sign autographs and take photos with their fans. Event suitable for all ages, no ages restrictions.
Tickets are priced at ยฃ12 each, for all ages. Tickets available directly from CSF Wrestling by visiting: www.csfwrestling.co.uk or by visiting Devizes Books in the town centre. For the full line up and all CSF news, please visit Facebook: www.facebook.com/csfprofessionslwrestling
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, who has LMNA congenital muscular dystrophy, a very rare, progressive muscle-wasting condition which affects just one in a million children around the world, relentlessly continues to raise awareness and vital funds for the cause. She is, in short, the most inspiring person I’ve ever had the pleasure to meet, and has fast become an instantly loveable public figure through her sheer determination and drive to highlight the condition of muscular dystrophy.
The condition is likely, in time, to affect Carmelaโs heart and lungs and is also very likely to be life-limiting. Some children with this condition do not survive their childhood or teenage years, while some, with the help of specialist intervention, live into adulthood. However, there is no cure; Carmelaโs family is intent on raising funds to help further research into treatments and a cure, to help children affected, including Carmela, to enjoy a longer life.
Itโs completely free to get involved in the Wonder Wheels Cycling Challenge, but Carmela asks you to try to raise at least ยฃ150 in sponsorship, this could help improve the efficiency of clinical trials, meaning they can reach more people and get results quicker.
If you’re thinking, whoa, Nellie, 100K is too much, there are other ways to Join Carmelaโs Wonder Wheels Cycling Challenge. You can join in on the 2nd July by doing a 10k at Daunstey School, starting at 9am where they have a track suitable for bikes and wheelchairs.
You could also do your own 100Km, or 10km a day if the full distance is too much, at a more suitable date and route, any time in July and set up your own JustGiving page linked to Carmela’s Charity Research Fund.
To register for any of the options click here to sign up, this will take you through to a registration page so that you can support Carmela and research into LMNA congenital muscular dystrophy.
If you can, please join the Wonder Wheels Cycling Challenge, and make a real difference for children affected by LMNA congenital muscular dystrophy. If it all sounds far too energetic for you, I know, I hear you, there are other ways to support the cause.
Recently Carmela has set up a Muscular Dystrophy Buddy Bear campaign, where you can sponsor a teddy bear for a child with muscular dystrophy. Speaking from experience, Carmela explains how she was scared and crying at all the hospital appointments and tests, and first discovering she had muscular dystrophy, so Buddy Bear aims to provide comfort for younger children in a similar situation.
Registration is still open to sign up for Wiltshire Wonder Wheels, and closes on 1st June 2023. Entries for 100km across Wiltshire are closed but 100km and 10km around Dauntsey’s athletic track are still open: 250 laps for 100km or 25 laps for 10km. There is no age limit or restrictions on abilities, even wheelchairs and adapted bikes.
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 ยฃ250,000 target and invited the town to come and see their new skatepark designs earlier this afternoon at St Margaretโs 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!
Who knew? Devizes has an annual Strongest contest; why am I the last to know about these things? Best guess is because I’d only show you all up!
Wiltshire born and bred, the saying goes, strong in the arm and thick in the head! Let’s forget about the latter bit, and concentrate on the first. Who is the strongest man and strongest woman in Devizes? And I don’t mean like a vintage cheddar type strong.
No need to take this outside, on Sunday 2nd April we’ll know for sure, pal, as Pure Grit personal training gym at Hopton Industrial Estate host their second Devizes Strongest competition at Devizes Football Club, and I’m like, that’s a great idea, something a bit different.
To enter costs ยฃ35, including the T-shirt, and places are filling fast. Of course, there’s different categories, from beginners and novice lifters to the experienced, of which you’re big and can find out about these for yourself, I’m more interested to wonder if this is a spectator sport.
I know, I’m old, and harking back to the grand days of good ol’ Geoff Capes and Iceland’s Jรณn Pรกll Sigmarsson, when The World’s Strongest Man content was something every man and his dog tuned in for, and thinking this might be a fun Sunday thing to watch. So I dropped a line to organiser and Pure Grit owner, Zoe Trevena, warned her I’ve no intention of lifting any cars in case she got the wrong idea, and she tells me it’s a mere two quid to come watch.
The competition starts at 10am, there will be food and side stalls, Zoe explained “we held our first Devizes Strongest Man & Woman last year. This year we have sixty competitors, 40% women 60% men. We also use the Wadworths Dray as part of our pulling event instead of pulling a truck!”
Story checks out too, via a quick online search I found the Wiltshire Times covered this last time, complete with a picture of Zoe pulling the dray. Wowzers; I’m not arguing with her even if she was making it all up! Is she trying to put the shire horses out of a job?!!
Chippenham folk singer-songwriter, M3G (because she likes a backward โEโ) has a new single out tomorrow, Friday 19th December. Put your jingly bell cheesy tunes … Continue reading “Rooks; New Single From M3G”
Featured Image: Barbora Mrazkova My apologies, for Marlboroughโs singer-songwriter Gus Whiteโs debut album For Now, Anyway has been sitting on the backburner, and itโs more … Continue reading “For Now, Anyway; Gus White’s Debut Album”
Right then you lot, Devizine is five years old today, or at least it was when I begun this monumental mission of reminiscing on how, why and what the hell I was thinking when I started it in the first place. Question is, do you want the short story, or the long, drawn-out one?
Oh well, that’s just tough luck then, isn’t it?! You can’t stop me in full shit stream, because, everyone’s good at something, mine is endlessly waffling on about crap, so that’s what I’m going to do. In the words of the unforgettable Lesley Gore, it’s my party I can waffle on about crap if I want to, or something like that.
In consolation, I’ve sprinkled this piece with a lot of lovely photos, well, itโs been five years and weโve a lot to show off about. And what a wonderful ride it’s been; dancing, dodging, meeting so many wonderful and talented people, rattling a few cages, and I hope it will continue to be so, if I do say so myself.
Best, if any, place to start is childhood aspirations. Note, I never had any dreams of writing, let alone journalism. English at school was a pet hate, like every other subject, especially spelling, I was atrochous…… atreechois…. really bad at it.
Though I have to humour the media industry, I’d grow to detest Fleet Street wank-stains. To be a cartoonist was the thing for me, the like of Charles Schultz or Jim Davis favourably, they did, after all, make the most money. But I’d write for magazines, zines and FINs I submitted cartoon strips for in support, because they needed writers…. bloody slave drivers.
As time moved on and I created my own comic, reviewing works of other creative types within it was an aid to networking, and, most importantly, getting freebies. I also suffered with a lack of writers but plenty of artists, so I’d script for them, and gradually the writing took prominence over the artwork.
Self-publishing is a labour of love, and any excuse for procrastination was on the cards. Unpredictably stumbling upon family life was the perfect excuse for giving it up; there were nappies which needed changing before cross-hatching a nudy caricature of Cameron Diaz, and besides, I’d grown out of the psychedelic nature of the zine; fatherhood can change a lad. Word of warning, whippersnappers.
But once bitten, the creative cannot help but create, that’s why they call them creatives, see? I picked self-publishing up again when eBooks came around, as it was easy, and not so time consuming. As an author I spaffed out more books than Boris Johnson did lies, happy as a method of improving my writing skills; though it’s still a learning cuve…. curth… bendy thing. And okay, that’s the same joke, get used to it.
Devizine came about simply for looking at other avenues in which to offload my wobbly words to the unfortunate world. I pitched to satirical, (or “fake news,” to gammons of which satire is above their understanding) websites, but was only sporadically successful, even lesser-so my attempt to create my own satirical website, called Poop Scoop. Until I noticed a new local news-site called Index;Wiltshire. There, finally through this insane waffling lies the kingpin to Devizine.
The editor wrote to me, “you’re the most powerful person in Devizes,” as my weekly rant column amassed a thousandfold more hits than MP James Gray’s did. Dishonest flattery works; I marched on, slagging off everything that was shit about Devizes as I could possibly think of, for humorous effect, you understand? Some didn’t, and Monday morning hate-mail filled my inbox, which was amusing to start with but being grew tedious.
Aside common complaints from any medium-sized market town, the joke wore thin due to decreasing ammo. Devizes is actually a great place to live; could be better, like freewheeling Frome, or like Tijuana, the murder capital of the world, it could be worse. The need to keep the ideas flowing caused me to post a gathering material question on a local Facebook group. It was Jemma Brown who raised the most important point: why didn’t I focus on the positives about living in Devizes? Of course, she was bang on the money, but it simply wouldn’t do, for that’s not the nature of satire, that’s not the idea of “No Surprises Living in Devizes.”
At the time, I’d just crawled out from my hermit hole and seen for myself talent lurking in the mists of this Tory haven. Richie Triangle played The Black Swan, spurring me to meet Tamsin Quin, who was crowdfunding for a debut album. Jemma, naturally was aiming my attention to her productions, as the TITCO theatre company. I wrote of my findings in an ever-increasingly heavily edited version of my rant column, claiming I was spinning the negatives around, though it was lagging in ethos, because to know me is to know I’m happy-go-lucky, and I couldn’t keep the pretence of being some kind of left-wing Alf Garnett any longer.
The column suddenly became more about what events were forthcoming in Devizes, rather then ranting about how rubbish everything was. I think at one point I joked, โwhat do I look like, some kind of event guide now?!โ Not realising Iโd predicted the outcome.
Frustrated the column was so heavily edited, now a new editor took over, I took to publishing them on a personal blog, but blogs need love and attention, in other words shameless self-promotion. Devizine though, as I came to knock up a new blog with the idea of doing precisely what we do now, promotes itself, as featured creative types share the fact they’ve been featured, and generally, people seemed to flock to this gap in the market. The first ever article was an unedited version of the that weekโs column, the second was about Tamsinโs Crowdfunder.
I never understood, and probably never will, why aside perpetual splashes on national news stories as an aid to fund submissions to scoop sites, regional newspapers here couldn’t at least mention, or give credit to all the talented people here too. There’s room in a newspaper for both surely? But their downfall is our triumph. Devizine is now the go-to to what to do, the rest of it is me just mucking about!
This, coupled with our policy of brute honesty, will always be why Devizine has become something of a (slightly) respectable local institution. Though it may not have started out this way, because a few who were supposed to be responsible for what’s on sections of local media outlets fell short of lifting a finger, and thought it better to sought to trash Devizine’s pending reputation. Funny world, I thought Devizine would be welcomed, and I opened, and still do, my arms to the chances to work with them regardless; c’est la vie.
I believe it’s levelled now. Hardly anyone posts on local Facebook groups, “any live music going on tonight?” And if they do, rather than being directed to Devizine by yours truly, someone else beats me to the recommendation. Which brings me nicely on to the ten zillion quintillion thank you accreditations.
For aside my waffling, the bulk of this article is nothing more than a tedious clip show, which has taken longer to load up than I planned, probably be the sixth birthday by the time I publish it! Maybe we’ll refer to it as a โphoto gallery in dial-up connection speed!โ
Cider in one hand trying applause without spillages, my photography skills are best avoided whenever possible. Though I do believe I’m getting better, nothing illustrates a review better than a professional or semi-pro photographer. We’ve used and abused so many, and other than Nick Padmore, who makes me sit on his knee, most of them allow us to use their wonderful snaps for free! Which is handy, cos Devizine has not made millionaires out of us, quite yet.
So, a massive thank you, which would deserve a huge hug, if I wasnโt to wonder if that was a zoom lens in their pockets, rather than them being pleased to see me, and also an apology, there’s so many photos here it’d be a minefield wracking my miniscule mind recalling who took what, so excuse me, I hope that you donโt mind, I’ve not been able to credit them individually. Take it as red, though, the out of focus ones are likely from me. The rest I owe to so many photographers, some mentioned here and now: Gail Foster, Nick Padmore, Simon Folkard, Helen PolarPix, Ruth Wordly, Matthew Hennessy, Abbie Asadi, and Chris Dunn of Inscope Design. Please give them a virtual applause and go check out their work via their websites and social media.
But everyone needs a thank you, donโt they? So many good people have come to my rescue, submitted reviews, scoops and content, to make Devizine both comprehensive, and how I see it; a community-led, erm, thingy. I’d appreciate any help I can get, I’m totally overloaded here, and apologise to things I’ve missed, but Mrs Miggins has to get her pint of semi, also. You know you run a what’s on guide when Facebook pings the notification, “you have 55 events this weekend!”
Sporadically then writers have contributed, and I have Ian Diddams, Jemma Brown, TD Rose, Jenny Dalton, Phil Bradley, and Helen Robertson to sincerely thank too. But none more than our esteemed man in the field, the brilliant Andy Fawthrop, for his constant bombardment of most excellent reviews have been a godsend, to the point we need a statue of the good fellow here, front and centre of the lobby in the prestigious Devizine Towers. Seriously, if I cannot get hold of any marble, though, it might have to be made of paper cups.
All I have to say now is thanks everyone, everyone who has supported us, everyone I missed on the roll-call, contributed in some way, and that’s a long list, folk like the ones who’ve helped us out with technical bobs and bits; Ida McConnell, and musically, Dean Czerwionka, Mike Barham, Cath, Gouldy and the DayBreakers, Clifton Powell and Nick Newman, Daydream Runaways and The Roughcut Rebels.
Or those who’ve given their time to play for us at one of our fundraising gigs, the above mentioned, plus, Chole Jordan, Will Foulstone, Tamsin Quin, Phil Cooper, Jamie R Hawkins, George Wilding, Bryony Cox, Lottie Jenkins, Mirko Pangrazzi, Bran Kerdhynen, Finley Trusler and Sam Bishop.
And I think I’ve waffled enough; sorry if I missed anyone, but they know who they are. Bloody love ’em too, I do; group hug.
Being the Wiltshire Air Ambulance bear, touring homemade breweries, the Palace cinema, spending a day with Clifton Powell with Arts Together, going behind the scenes with DOCA, a day on tour with Talk in Code, press screening of Follow the Crows, riding an E-bike with Sustainable Devizes, meeting Neville Staple backstage, plus all the event invites, and so much more my brain is aching, there’s been so many fond memories, but I think, if you had to ask me to pick just one, it’d have to be the time I did my milk round in my Spiderman onesie and met with Carmela Chillery-Watson and her lovely family. A day I’ll never forget.
It leaves me now, to sign off, you must be tired looking at all those people having fun, but I did pre-warn you about my waffling! Enjoy the remaining pictures in our picture show, maybe you’ve spotted yourself in there, five or less years younger. If so, I want you to know, you’re still that gorgeous, gorgeous for showing us your support and partying with us; here’s to another five years, gorgeous!!
Trivia: What is the most popular article on Devizine to-date?
A: The April Fools Day joke 2021, when I announced, McDonalds was coming to Devizes. I believe that one broke the internet! Sad, but true.
Trivia: When did you first force Andy Fawthrop against his will and better judgement, to write reviews?
A: I believe it was October 2018, and the first review was Joe Hicks at the Three Crowns; I maybe wrong, I often am.
Trivia: Who was that country looking gent who used mascot on Devizine?
A: I donโt know, stop hassling me with inane questions like a fanboy at a Star Trek convention!
We canโt wait until roundup Tuesday, when we usually roundup the weekly roundup, itโs the last big summer blowout bank holiday, so weโre simply too excited and thought you might wanna plan early, so here it is, hold on to your horses… or just let them run wild, I’m not worried, just too excited, did I say I was too excited?!
Repetition is fine, but there’s no links here, too time-consuming, so please us this link to our event calendar, and you can grab details and ticket links from there, but you knew that already, I hope. Oh, did I say, repetition is fine?
All quiet on Wednesday 24th, but if youโre eager to get the ball rolling, 41 Fords play the Kilminton Home Guard Club in Warminster, entry by donation, and donโt forget Wednesday s are the regular acoustic jam night down our trusty Southgate in Devizes, and is always a wonderful night.
Thursday 25th then, and Honey Fest kicks off at the Barge on HoneyStreet, and banging out the whole weekend; I believe thereโs a few tickets up for grabs.
Meanwhile, unmissable rock soloist Adam Masterson plays The Tuppenny in Swindon with Jules Hill in support. Bath Forum have The Billy Joel Songbook, and lots of lucky people will be making their way to either Reading Festival or GoatFest; have fun!
Warming up to Friday, the 26th August, when our brilliant Irish folk duo, the Celtic Roots Collective are at the Pelican in Devizes.
Over in the land of chips and ham, thereโs an August Bank Holiday Beer & Cider Festival at the Three Crowns, and ska-punkers Operation77 play The Black Horse, Chippenham.
Illingworth takes on triple gigs this weekend, catch them at Flan OโBrianโs in Bath on Friday, where Komedia have a night with The Ministry of Burlesqueโs Cabaret; ding dong!
Mod band Peloton plays The Vic, Swindon, and wow, the Cheese & Grain, Frome have Morcheeba, yes, I said Morcheeba; show offs!
Saturday 27th, is the big one. Shall I start it with theโฆ.
Editorโs Pick of Week: The Full Tone Festival, The Green, Devizes
Yep, you probably guessed it, itโs time for the hills of Devizes to come alive with the sound of music. It is the Full Tone Festival Weekend. Hurry and get your ticket, and say hi if you see me wandering around like a lost puppy. Said what needed to be said about this corker, let the show begin.
Over in Devizes Market Place from 9am-1pm thereโs a Mind, Body & Spirit Market. Thereโs free live music all day at the Crown Inn, Bishops Cannings, with 12 Bars Later, Plan of Action, and Itโs Complicated. Later, 12 Bars Later nip across to the Southgate, Devizes!
And where do I even begin elsewhere? Holt Scarecrow Trail begins, itโs Aldbourne Carnival, a Rod Stewart tribute at The Pewsham, Near Chippenham, thereโs a Summer Party at Westbury Cons Club with Wade Merritt and Jay, followed by People Like Us, and the West of England Youth Orchestra perform at Wiltshire Music Centre, Bradford-on-Avon.
A debut performance, at the Gloucester Road Conservative Club in Trowbridge for soul band Dimensions, and thatโs free entry. Kurt Vile & The Violators at Bath Forum, Apollo Ghosts at the Cheese & Grain, Frome, and in Swindon, the wonderful The Daybreakers are live at The Vic, while The Tin Shack Band play the Woodlands Edge. Oh, and The Swiss Chalet has a Harryโs Heroes fundraiser.
Sunday is where things usually start to calm down, but not this weekend. The 28th sees the second day of Full Tone, Great Cheverall Soap Box Derby and Potterne Festival.
Illingworth play The Churchill Arms in West Lavington today, and a young local band to watch out for, Nothing Rhymes With Orange are in support.
Thereโs a mini fest at the Talbot in Calne with Six Oโclock Circus, People Like Us, Wet Frank, End of Story and others.
LodgeFest aptly at Warminsterโs Lodge, an M4 Classic Car & Bike Show in Chippenham, and the Hammervilles have a bank holiday beach party at the Cheese & Grain, Frome.
Swindon is gearing up for the Shuffle next month, but in the meantime, Shades of Seattle plays the Vic, highly recommended Atari Pilot are at the Castle, and for the kids, thereโs always Milkshake live at the Wyvern.
If youโre still standing in Devizes on Monday, 29th August, hereโs what to doโฆ. Black Rat Monday, down The British Lion, with the Celtic Roots Collective and a jam to follow. Or Finley & Mark support The Reason at the Three Crowns; nice either way!
From 5pm Illingworth will be at the Waterfront, Pewsey, and the Beverley May Band play The Milk Churn, Melksham. Itโs the Chippenham River Festival, thereโs a massive line-up for a free music festival across the entire village of Box, it is Box Rocks. The Lost Trades and Dolly Mavies headline a mini-festival at The Lamb Yard in Bradford-on-Avon, and Abba tribute 21st Century ABBA play The Bowl in Town Gardens, Swindon.
Iโm sure thereโs going to be more added as the week goes by, so keep up-to-date with our event calendar. Thatโs the weekend forecast to date, though.
Tuesday 30thand Gently Tender play The Royal Oak in Marlborough, the regular Jazz Knights at Swindonโs Royal Oak has the Kevin Figes Quartet, during the day thereโs a Farmyard Circus at Queenโs Park, and Russell Brand comes to the Wyvern.
Wednesday 31st, look out for the Wind in the Willows at the Corsham Almshouses, and phew, thatโs me done, dusted and ready for a nap; have a great weekend!
Whoโs ready for walking in the winter wonderland?! Devizes sets to magically transform into a winter wonderland this Friday when The Winter Festival and Lanternโฆ
One part of Swindon was in perfect harmony last night, and I donโt mean the traffic circumnavigating the Magic Roundabout. Rather The Lost Trades wereโฆ
Raging expressions of angered feminist teenage anguish this month, perfectly delivered by Steatopygous via their mindblowing debut album Songs of Salome, I hail as theโฆ
Itโs nice to hear when our features attract attention. Salisburyโs Radio Odstock ย picked up on our interview with Devizes band Burn the Midnight Oil andโฆ
Wadworth are raising money for Dogs Trust on International Dog Day with their very first Wadwoof Walkies event!
On Friday August 26th, dogs and their humans are invited to take a stroll starting and ending at the Wadworth Brewery Tap & Shop, in aid of the charity. The UK is currently experiencing a dog welfare crisis following an increase in โlockdown dogsโ bought during the pandemic and now being abandoned due to the cost-of-living.
REWARDS FOR THE TAIL-WAGGERS
The first five people to sign-up will receive a special โthank youโ, a ceramic dog bowl personalised with their poochโs name by Wadworthโs super-talented sign-writer, Wayne Richings.
Wadworth will also reward every dog that completes the walk with a rosette, as well as some treats and a much-deserved glug of dog beer thatโs guaranteed to get tails wagging at the finishing line.
TREATS FOR THE LEAD-HOLDERS
For the humans, thereโll be hand-made pizza, available to buy from The Woodland Pizza Kitchen between 4pm and 8pm, as well as beer and other drinks to wash it down with from the Brewery Tap. Wadworth recommend pre-ordering pizzas before setting off on the walk.
Participants will also get the chance to have a professional photo taken of their dog looking their best with their Wadwoof Walkies rosette. Wadworth will share these with event-goers after the event.
SIGN UP TODAY
Entry costs ยฃ10 per person and is payable by card only on the day. ยฃ5 from each ticket sale will be donated to Dogs Trust. Sign-up HERE.
The walk starts promptly at 5.30pm and event-goers can choose from a 30-min or 1-hour route. The route is mainly shaded with few roads to cross. There will be a water station en-route. The Woodland Pizza Kitchen will be open between 4pm-8pm and pizzas can be pre-ordered via direct message on their Facebook page.
In thanking everyone who supported this year’s Wiltshire Music Awards, Eddie Prestidge of Stone Circle Music Events revealed his intentions of continuing with the awardsโฆ
Featured Image: Lillie Eiger Frome Festival is launching itsย โ25 for 25โย fundraising campaign with a very special concert featuring three locally based acts:ย Tom Mothย โ best knownโฆ
Iโve got some gorgeous vocal harmonies currently floating into my ears, as The Lost Trades release their first single since the replacement of Tamsin Quinโฆ
Rolling out a Barrelhouse of fun, you can have blues on the run, tomorrow (7th November) when Marlborough’s finest groovy vintage blues virtuosos Barrelhouse releaseโฆ
by Ian Diddamsimages by Ben Swann and Ian Diddams Self-appointed โMoroseโ Mark Harrison was once again on totally top form at Komedia last Sunday entertainingโฆ
Wiltshire Council confirmed Blue Badge holders can park freely in council-operated car parks again, following a vote at the Full Council meeting on Tuesday 21โฆ
Featured Image Credit: Jamie Carter Special guests Lightning Seeds to Support Forest Live, Forestry Englandโs summer concert series presented with Cuffe & Taylor, has announcedโฆ
Whatever the outcome of today’s Women’s Euro final at Wembley, it’s undoubtedly history in the making for the Lionesses, and in turn for English football. A victory would not only be the first major trophy for the England women’s team, but the first football honour for England since 1966.
Should three lionesses on a shirt inspire your daughter to be a “baller,” or if she already run rings around you in the garden, where do you get the ball rolling, locally?
Applications for the forthcoming grassroots seasons end mid-August, so get in quickly,; here’s our guide to kicking off your daughter’s, or son’s football career.
Starting off young, Little Kicker Sessions are held at Devizes Town Football Club, every Thursday from 5pm – 6pm, suitable for ages 3-6 Years. So, Devizes Town Youth Football Club might be your first port of call for the younger ones, but they’re also looking to add to their U15 squad in particular, but girls of all ages are welcome. Girl’s football is relatively new to Devizes Town FC, and needs some support.
Training at Green Lane, new players are welcome at Bishop’s Cannings Youth FC. Spaces are limited for these mixed teams: Under 11 – Typhoons, Under 12 – Scorpions, Under 14’s – Titans, and Under 11 – Spitfires. The Butterflies and Dragonflies Girls teams are for under 12’s and upcoming year 6 and 7 respectively, but enquire as they have a range of ages available. Fridays at 6pm, are training for girl’s teams.
Chatting to three elite young players from Devizes, who are all signed for Swindon Town, Izzy, Cara and Jess, they felt more needed to be done to promote girl’s only leagues locally in comparison to other areas of the UK. Yet this is mainly down to interest. “Football is the fastest growing women’s sport in the UK,” Jess reminded me, but stressed the importance of opportunities for other women’s sports such as hockey and rugby.
On our way to the County Ground to catch a coach to Wembley, they gave surprising examples of how, occasionally friends had felt “bullied” out of mixed teams by the boys, even at the youngest of ages. They seemed, however, happy with their school programs, after I reminded them girl’s simply didn’t do football in school, in my time! But they wished again for better structure to school leagues. Cara lived in Swindon, started her love of football at camps in Dorcan, whereas Jess joined Bishop’s Cannings, and moved to Melksham, where Izzy started. They both spoke highly of Melksham FC, who have a well-established girl’s structure.
Melksham Town Youth Football – Charter Standard Club has an ever-growing girls section, and is represented at all levels from Wildcats, Under 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16s and Under 18s.
Staying in the Sham, Forest Youth are a newcomer to the game, and have U13 mixed and an U14 girl’s team. Ages start from 4 years, find out more, here.
Derry Hill FC is also widely renowned for supporting girls in football throughout their club, in both our girls and mixed teams. They have girls only teams from Year 3 to Year 11 in the 22/23 season and a Wildcats programme for younger girls.
Jess, who has completed seasons at Reading and Bristol, was keen to point out summer camps were equally important for new starters, as teams, praising Future of Football, which runs out of Bowerhill in Melksham. They start with mixed sessions for ages 3-4, continuing up to all ages. You can book free taster sessions online. Sponsored by women’s sports brand, Miss Kick, Jess added they had an all-girls national foundation running since 2018.
If once you’ve found your suitable local team your offspring is still booting goals past you in rapid succession until your fingers are bent backwards, the next stage is applying for trials at the development centres. Look to Swindon Town FC Community Foundation for the best local development centre, and advice on where to go from there, and if you think you’ve got what it takes, Reading, Bristol and Southampton pick their players from this catchment area.
Swindon girls at Wembly today!
On grassroots level, Cara recommended Highworth and Stratton clubs for girls. The girls are fresh back from a tournament in Barcelona, one of the many perks of playing for Swindon! Swindon FC is one of 72 league clubs with a community programme affiliated to the English Football League Community Trust, delivering sporting and social opportunities to people within their communities.
Founded in 1991, the Foundation delivers football and Multi Sports based programmes within Swindon and the county of Wiltshire, and endeavour to deliver and increase participation for people from 2 โ 82 years of age; so even I’m legible, just, if only I could kick a ball in the general direction I intended!
This is the point in time where you’re clocking up the miles and the floor of your banger is filled with those nasty tiny 3G pitch black balls! But you don’t need to travel so far, FC Wiltshire also run a similar development program out of Green Lane, Devizes.
Since Channel 4’s 2017 shocking documentary with Clare Balding, exposing truths behind how the massive popularity of women’s football during the first World War was dwindled when the FA banned it 1921, we understand where this ill-conceived notion that football is a man’s sport came from. Though it was never an act of chauvinism, rather more simply, The FA made no money from it, because the women’s games were fundraising for injured soldiers, only goes to reinforce how totally unjust, not to mention, ironic this old-fashioned and preconceived idea is, and though we’ve some way to go for equality in the ironically dubbed “beautiful game,” we’re at least moving in the right direction.
Today will prove this, as Wembley fills with spectators, young and old, male and female. The girls may’ve wished for better structure in local leagues, but one informed how Marlborough’s girl’s team recently folded, so it’s simply a matter of increasing interest, and this can only be done by the club’s engaging girls and making them feel welcome and appreciated. It’s easy for a club to prioritise boys, as that’s where the profit is, and this must, and so very gradually is, changing.
Will the same level of celebration erupt today, if England win, as it would if the men’s team got even remotely as far the women?! Time will tell; come on Lionesses!
Wiltshire country singer-songwriter Kirsty Clinch released a Christmas song only yesterday, raising funds for the Caenhill Countryside Centre near Devizes, and itโs already racing upโฆ
It was never just the fervent ambience created which made me go tingly with excitement about Melkshamโs young indie band Between The Linesโ demo singleโฆ
A second track from local anonymous songwriter Joyrobber has mysteriously appeared online, and heโs bitter about not getting his dream jobโฆ.. If this mysterious dudeโsโฆ
Itโs not Christmas until the choir sings, and Devizes Chamber Choir intend to do precisely this by announcing their Christmas Concert, as they have doneโฆ
If Devizesโ celebrated FullTone Festival is to relocate to Whistley Roadโs Park Farm for next summerโs extravaganza, what better way to give it the rusticโฆ
This afternoon sees the inaugural grand ceremony of Stone Circle Music Eventsโ Wiltshire Music Awards taking place at the Devizes Corn Exchange. Itโs a selloutโฆ
Good to hear from Adam Dempsey, organiser of many events at Bromhamโs Social Club, and neighbouring bar,The Owl, which tragically caught fire last year, to tell me about a Coffee Morning and Family Fun Fete, to be geld on Saturday 6th August, from 10:30 – 1:30pm.
“I couldnโt decide wether to call it a Family Fun Day or a Fete,” he laughed, “I like alliteration so come up with Family Fun Fete!” Works for me.
Said “Family Fun Fete” will be held in the Clubhouse, a temporary building in lieu of The Owl/Social Centre rebuild.
There will be tea, coffee, cakes, etc, and outside will be a selection of fun activities and games, a bouncy castle, Giant snakes & ladders, bottle tombola, Mini Golf and more!
“These are the latest 2 โThingsโ in my โ20 Years for 20 Things,” Adam explained, “to mark the 20th Anniversary of being diagnosed with Leukaemia, raising money for Young Lives vs Cancer (formally CLIC Sargent) and Ronald McDonald House in Bristol.” The total of “things” is building now, and included a and 100 mile walk over June and July.
Throughout August Adam will be virtually cycling the distance from Bromham to Landโs End (234 miles) on an exercise bike.
He’s planning various other events and challenges, culminating in a final shebang in November; The Big Ball, will be a black tie event in Melksham, where he hopes to announce rough totals raised for the two brilliant charities.
“Iโve also not been wearing any comedy/slogan/funny t-shirts at all,” he tells, “which doesnโt sound like much of a challenge I know but anyone who knows me will understand it is!”
But not all his challenges have been so strenuous as the walk or bike ride. Adam adds a little humour too. It started with a beard/head shave, and followed with an abstinence of crisps, his favourite snack!
Funny t-shirts was a passion of Adam’s I did note, way back when BromFest’s beer & cider festival was an annual must do. Always with a fantastic community spirit and great music lineup, it’s good to hear village life there is returning to normal since the tragic fire. We wish Adam all the best with this anazing fundraising effort. You can find out more about 20 Years for 20 Things, on his website HERE.
Yes, itโs that time again, stay-at-home parents. Time to either max your Majestic Wine warehouse loyalty card or fight school holiday boredom like a boss. Hereโs some ideas in Wiltshire and around and about, to occupy your little devils and demigods; you know, save them climbing the walls, and save you some hair...โฆ
Itโs not exhaustive, check back here from time to time for updates. There will be those who despite my asking on social media, will suddenly materialise from the woodwork screaming news of their events, workshops and other ideas. And to them I say, the more the merrier, message us, we have the technology to edit this, so please send us details.
Fuel & Wilshire Council Activities
FUEL was supposed to be for young people who are eligible for benefit related free school meals, are of school age and either be a resident of Wiltshire or attend a school in the County. Camps will be running in Melksham, Trowbridge, Westbury, Amesbury, Salisbury, Royal Wootton Bassett, Calne, Chippenham, Devizes and Warminster. Links to Fuel’s survey seems to be broken, and have left people confused how to book. Clearly WC have not provided enough places, but there’s lots of other activity camps across the county, to be found here.
Chippenham Kidsโ Comic Club
Make your own comic at Chippenham’s Neeld Hall on Tuesday 26th July. Tickets are just ยฃ1.50.
Outdoor Theatre show in Chippenham
โSomewhere in Britain, a long time ago, a very, very, very long time ago. So long ago that nobody quite knows whether it happened or not. Or where it happened or not. A boy pulled a sword from a stone and became King. A story of the old world, with knights, wizards, mist and magicโ.
This fun and farcical adventure is a deliberately anarchic re-telling of the Arthurian Legend with live music, physical comedy and lo-fi acrobatics. And some silly jokesโฆ
Kids Summer Art Club at Wiltshire Scrapstore & Resource Centre
All children must be accompanied by an adult. Adults must wear masks throughout the workshop. Numbers will be limited to ensure social distancing measures can be adhered to. Booking is essential and due to limited spaces. Book early to avoid disappointment. Sessions are ยฃ9.50 per child.
Groove and Move in Great Cheverall
A music and creative workshop for kids on the 8th and 9th of August in Great Cheverall. The days are intended to be a really fun day that will include listening to music, writing songs as a group, singing, dancing and a bit of drama added in. It will be a chance to let off steam, whilst joining in fun workshops intended to educate and stimulate literary skills, musicality and physical exercise.
The Mini Fair at The Rowdey Cow
in Rowde returns throughout the holiday. Operating on a wristband system thereโs bouncy castles, rides and games from 22nd July, 10am to 4pm.
Holiday Activities at Wiltshire Museum
Always a packed program over the summer hols, Wiltshire Museum in Devizes has school holiday craft activity sessions, suitable for children aged 11 and under; under 8s to be accompanied.
The sessions are usually held on the Wednesdays of school holidays, but they are so popular they sometimes run extra sessions on the Tuesdays too!
Braeside provides safe, inclusive, fun and challenging experiences for young people aged 8 -14. A whole range of activities take place. For a full detailed programme, for the current school holidays, please click the link. New dates have been added due to popular demand!
Devizes Tennis Club Summer Camp
If watching all the action at Wimbledon the past couple of weeks has put your little ones in the mood for tennis, be sure to book them in for Devizes Tennis Club’s Summer 2022 Tennis Holiday Camp.
Trowbridge Rugby Football ClubSummer Camps
On Sundays beginning 24th July until 28th August you are invited to join Trowbridge Rugby Football Club to give rugby a “TRY!” Boys and girls aged 4-12 years are welcome to come along to Doric Park from 11am-12 noon to take part in games, make friends, and learn what rugby is all about – FUN!
For more information about ๐ ๐๐๐ Summer fun sessions, please contact Andy Evans on 07872 065499 or summer.funsessionstrfc22@yahoo.com
Active Trowbridge
A range of sporty holiday activities for children, aged 4 upwards. Active Kids Camp, Soccer Schools and the Girlโs Football Camp, run in February Half Term, the Easter holidays, May Half Term, across the summer and finish for the year at October Half Term (excludes Bank Holidays). Offering sports and entertainment for your children for the entire day throughout the school holidays. They also offer breakfast as part of our extended day offer that will fuel them for the day ahead! Details HERE.
Summer Holiday Camps at The Farm Cookery School
A wide selection of cookery classes at The Farm Cookery School Netherstreet Farm, Bromham, to browse, book and then cook, see HERE!
Multi Sports Programme at Hardenhuish School
Up and Under are running their popular Multi Sports Programme to all abilities aged 5 -13, offering a fantastic variety of sports & activities each day. The course will run from 9am โ 4pm daily from 25th to 29th July.
ยฃ30 per day / ยฃ135 for all 5 days / 10% sibling discount is available
Sports include Trampolining, Climbing, Archery, Inflatable obstacle course, Football, Mini Olympics, Tennis, New Age Kurling, Handball, Hockey, Cricket, Ultimate Frisbee, Dodgeball, Multi Skill โ Martial Arts, Lacrosse, Basketball, Tag Rugby, Team Building Challenges along with daily competitions, prizes and certificates.
A Teddy Bearโs Picnic at King Alfred Hall, Chippenham
Join us for a musical Teddy Bearโs Picnic! Bring your teddy and journey with us to a magical garden to play with all the other teddies! Suitable for age 0-4 (older siblings welcome too!)
Summer holiday climbing sessions at The Arc, Chippenham
Climbing and games with expert coaching from one of our experienced instructors available over the summer holidays. These sessions will allow our younger climbers to work on their climbing skills, NICAS logbooks as well as engage in other activities and games. No experience necessary.
Bristol’s biggest retro video game and retro arcade experience is back and now fully open with 300+ games at the Galleries Shopping Centre, Bristol.
All day tickets with a wrist band so you can come and go.. (no coins required) – the Ultimate family and friends fun day! advance booking only. Buy one get one free (saving ยฃ14!) including weekends for all of the summer holidays July 24th – Sept 11th.
Family Space Day in Bath!
Coming to Bath this summer, enjoy a guided tour of the night sky; travel to the International Space Station; zoom across the Solar System; and handle a famous meteorite from outer space. Details & tickets
B-Smart B-Ballers: Fantastic football skills for kids age 18months โ 6 years; at Trowbridge Town Hall
Tuesday 19th July @ Trowbridge Town Hall. Fantastic football skills for kids age 18months โ 6 years!
Football is an amazing activity for children and most children will be kicking and throwing a ball of some sort as soon as they can walk.
At B-Ballers, We recognise that parents and guardians are by far the most important influence in a childโs life. Including parents in our mini and mighty Bee classes has a real positive impact on their football training. What better way to be involved and support their development whilst having lots of fun together
To book your 2 FREE lessons, simply call coach Emma reid on 07833788465 or visit www.b-smartballers.com
Performance: Catch That Beast! in Trowbridge
The Royal Society of Beastologists are a group with one mission: to track down mythical beasts. They canโt wait to come to Trowbridge Town Hall, meet their new members and capture the Terrible Beast of Trowbridge. Theyโve heard itโs been causing all sorts of nuisance.
But Jessy, the youngest Beastologist, has her doubts about beast hunting. What if beasts donโt want to be found? When Jessy is left behind at camp, an encounter with the Beast could help her transform the ways of the Beastologists for goodโฆ
Catch That Beast! is a magical, deliciously silly show about how we interact with wild things and how the youngest among us might bring about change. Full of humour, live music, inventive puppetry and audience participation, it is suitable for everybody aged 5+.
Art & Drama Workshops for aged 11 upwards at The Cause Arts Centre, Chippenham
Work with Charlie on colourful still life drawings, or play lots of fun games, exercises and make up short scenes with Laura.
A great way to spend a couple of hours and to find out if weโre for you before enrolling for a term. Weโre buzzing with ideas and canโt wait to get back to it! See you there.
4.30-6.30 on Wednesday 27th & Wednesday 3rd August. Find out more here.
Devizes Hockey Club Summer Camps
Junior Summer Sessions are here – limited places so get in quick!
Running weekly on Tuesday nights, from 12th July to 16th August, at Melksham Oaks astro, from 7pm-8pm. These sessions are suitable for U11s, U12s and U13s (Y6, 7 and 8 ) and for both boys and girls. Cost for all sessions: ยฃ30.
A fantastic Survival Camp on Friday 19th August, for any young adventurous children who are aged between 10 years old and 12 years old. Small groups of only 12, with a maximum intake of only 24 children; get in quick!
Devizes Netball Summer Camps
Mini netball Summer camps on Tuesday 23rd and Wednesday 24th August, open to members and non-members of the club. These will take place outside on the netball courts at Devizes Leisure Centre.
Each day there will be two age groups:
9am – 11am – current years 2-3 (going into years 3/4 in September)
11.30am-1.30pm – Years 4-5 (going into years 5/6 in September)
runs from the 27th to 31st August. In its tenth year, Holt Scarecrow Trail welcomes everybody. Main trail with 50 scarecrows to be found and guessed! Children’s trail will be run separately but can also be done alongside the Main trail too.
Summer Swimming โ Crash Course at Starfish Hydrotherapy Pool, Chippenham
Neptune Aquaticโs small-group intensive swimming crash courses at Starfish Hydrotherapy Pool are suitable for children aged 3 years+ and are the perfect way to introduce your young child to a swimming lessons environment or build on skills learned in weekly lessons. We currently offer crash courses (with a maximum of 6 children in each class) for our Ducklings, Turtles and Jellyfish stages (equivalent to Swim England Stages 1-4.) All courses are 5 days, with children swimming every morning for 25 minutes. We welcome all swimmers, including those who do not currently swim with Neptune Swim School.
Chippenham River Festival is on Bank Holiday Monday 29th August 2022 from 10am-4pm. An Artisan market, community stalls, a duck race, Tree high ropes activity, Boat trips and Stand up paddle boarding.
23 years of wrestling, is a lot of wrestling, Iโve got to wonder if Iโd manage 23 seconds in the ring. Because if you know me, youโll know dangerous sports just isnโt my bag. If I went on the school skiing holiday, Iโd be the one, because thereโs always one, who comes home with their leg in a cast.
I mean, words like high flying, body slamming and bone crunching simply donโt compute, if they threw the chair at me, like they do though, donโt they though, Iโd probably take it with me and go find a nice quiet place in the corner with a good book, if there is such a thing as a quiet corner of a wrestling event. And if there was, youโd probably want your money back.
No, think Iโd just spectate, if itโs all the same with you; youโd want more than your money back if you saw me attired in a leopard-skin leotard anyway, youโd need compensation.
Because itโs a loud and proud show, isnโt it, and like Marmite, men tousling in a leotard is something you even love or hate. Yet for Devizes Corn Exchange to host CSF Professional Wrestling for 23 years is something of a great achievement, ergo I have to tip my hat at the organisers for bringing something different to town and helping create the diverse program of events we have for a town our size.
So, help to celebrate 23 years of CSF Professional Wrestling live events as the Corn Exchange in Devizes, at their ‘Saturday Night Slam!’ on October 23rd!
Twelve top wrestling stars will do battle in five professional bouts of high flying, body slamming, bone crunching, action packed family entertainment. International star, multiple time Heavyweight and TNA / IWGP World Tag team Champion Doug Williams will be live and in action, as will All Nations Champion: ‘English Lion’ Eddie Ryan, JD Knight, Lance Cole, White Tiger, Karl Atlas, Big Country, Kian Enderby, ‘Professor’ Gilligan Gordon, Bane ‘n’ Bronson and Dan Splash.
Tickets are limited, available directly from http://www.csfwrestling.co.uk. Devizes Books (Devizes Town Centre) also have tickets to purchase in person.
In association with PF Events, Devizes Outdoor Celebratory Arts introduces a Young Urban Digitals course in video mapping and projection mapping for sixteen to twentyโฆ
by Ian Diddamsimages by Penny Clegg and Shakespeare Live โAntony & Cleopatraโ is one of Shakespeareโs four โRoman Playsโ, and chronologically is set after โJuliusโฆ
Unlike Buck Rogers, who made it to the 25th century six hundred years early, Devizesโ most modest acoustic virtuoso arrives at the 21st just shortโฆ
by Ian Diddamsimages by Chris Watkins Media and Ian Diddams Whilst probably best known for his editorship of โPrivate Eyeโ magazine and thirty-five years asโฆ
I mean, Devizes own contemporary blues throwback, JP is getting bookings, and rightly so. He’s off to Trowbridgeโs Lamb next Saturday for a double-bill withโฆ
devizine.com 