That’s right, lovers of local live music countywide, you have less than a week now to cast your votes for your favourite acts in our prestigious, one-of-a-kind Wiltshire Music Awards!
The closing date for voting is Tuesday the 10th June, so get your thinking caps on and VOTE HERE NOW.
Who’s tickled your fancy the most? Who’s brought tears to your eyes with their self-penned ballad? Who’s dragged you off your seat and commanded your feet to the dancefloor, like nobody’s watching?! Who’s provided that ideal space for you to shake a tailfeather? And who deserves to be recognised for their outstanding contribution to local live music in your honest opinion? We need to know, but don’t tell us here- keep it secret and cast your votes now!
We’ve already had way over seven hundred ballot papers sent into us, and I’ve not taken one sneaky peek yet, but I’m informed the results are close to call, so your vote might yet tip the balance.
So don’t procrastinate on me now, will you? Not for your favourite musicians’ finest hour. They need you; this is important, dammit!
And here’s an added special message to all musicians, bands and promoters, we love you all, so, please help us to help you, by sharing this news with your fans, as there’s nothing wrong with shameless self-promotion; order them to vote for you, offer them custard creams if they do, tell your mum you want her to vote for you, tell them all you wanna win a shiny medal for all you’ve done to entertain them. You deserve this, goddammit, everyone creating music around these backwaters does, but there’s only so many awards we can give out on the night – make sure one of them is yours, yay!
I’m so excited, I just can’t hide it, and I am officially about to lose control…and, guess what? I think I like it. At least, those are my inspirational words to motivate you into the groove.
Wiltshire residents are being asked to donate their old Laptops, PCs & Mobile phones in the new year, as part of the 3rd annual Donate Your Digital Day…..
Taking place just after Christmas on Friday, January 10th, 2025, Donate Your Digital Day was created by Wiltshire Digital Drive (WDD) to encourage people to donate any tech they had replaced over the festive period such as laptops and tablets, to reduce the amount of technology that goes to landfill and to address digital poverty in the county.
Once donated, devices will be refurbished and handed back out to schools, organisations, and charities, to help people access the benefits that technology affords such as education, employment and better wellbeing.
Natalie Luckham, Chief Executive at Wiltshire Digital Drive, said: “We had such a positive response to previous Donate Your Digital Days. In 2022 we received 1,000 donated devices in just one day! We had a break last year but we’re back for 2025. So many people receive new laptops and tablets for Christmas, or treat themselves in the Black Friday or Boxing Day sales, now is the perfect time to let us have your old tech. By giving it to us, not only will the device help another member of our community, but it will also stop it going to landfill.”
“The figures speak for themselves. Since we began our mission in 2020, we’ve given more than 3,500 school children, families and organisations a laptop or computer. Imagine how many more we could help if we all worked together. And it’s not just members of the public that can get involved; we’re also asking businesses who are looking at upgrading their IT to consider donating their old tech to us.”
Local businesses across Wiltshire will be opening their doors to become drop off points for the donated items. They can be taken to:
Naturally Social, Melksham Aster Housing, Devizes Ford Dealership, Trowbridge Hearing & Mobility Store, Marlborough/ Swindon/ Wroughton Household Waste & Recycling Centre, Swindon Castle Sundborn, Malmesbury Godolphin School, Salisbury Retro Relics Games Café, Market Lavington The Mind Tree Café, Rowde Town Councils in Bradford On Avon, Tidworth and Calne The Home Guard Club, Warminster
Anyone wishing to help who doesn’t have a device to give can donate to the non-profit’s Gift of Tech Crowdfunder page. A £45 donation will cover all the parts needed to refurbish one laptop, with all donations match funded by the Aviva Community Fund. www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/the-gift-of-tech
The CIC ensures that every piece of technology donated is tested and securely wiped. If a machine isn’t feasible to upgrade, it will remove all reusable parts and recycle the rest, so nothing goes to waste.
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I have, what I like to call, a fortuitous fashion sense, meaning I open the wardrobe and whatever happens to fall out of it, I put on. Much as I’m a vogue window shopper, it doesn’t prevent me from telling you about an important fundraising fashion show happening right here in Devizes…
Yep, Devizes! Devizes fashion, is that even a thing?! It is now and for a worthy cause. Sit back and enjoy your complimentary glass of fizz (or non-alcoholic alternative) as you watch a spring style showcase event live at the Condado Lounge, Devizes on May 2nd, 6-8pm, hosted by the BBC’s Ali Vowles.
The show has been curated by independent boutique, Spirit, and circular fashion pioneers 1st Impressions. Once you’ve viewed the show, you’ll have an opportunity to browse and buy the clothes as well as be in with the chance to win some fabulous prizes in the raffle, including a three course meal for two at The Pig, Bath, a gin tasting experience at Still Sisters, Sustainable candles from Paddywax Candle Bar and gift vouchers for a pampering session at the Beauty Bar, Bath.
You can choose from two ticket options, the gold gets you a free glass of fizz and tasty tapas board for one, whereas the silver just gets you the fizz!
Fashion against Fear is the ultimate night out for fashionistas, supporting FearFree, a charity working to break the cycle of domestic abuse, sexual violence and stalking across the Southwest. Free-Fear supports over 10,000 adults and children every year to not only keep them safe but help them to rebuild their lives free from fear and abuse. Find out more about FearFree here.
Now, I know, you’d all like me to steal the show in my LBD, all satins and statement sequins, a daring off the shoulder, or mini cowl neckline number perhaps. I know you know I’ve got the legs to pull it off, and I know you know I know, but really, darlings, others have to have their turn in the spotlight. Don’t let the fact I’ll probably be slouching on the sofa in my Batman onesie stuffing onion rings into my chubby cakehole rather than shaking my little tush on the catwalk put you off! If you’re too sexy for Milan, New York or Japan, vogue Devizes style and raise some cash for a worthy cause; you’re a superstar, yes, that’s what you are, you know it!
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Perhaps best known as the frontman of Afro Celt Sound System, the Belgium-based artist N’Faly Kouyaté will be hitting the road for nine intimate shows with his new solo project. Beginning at Southampton’s Turner Sims on 8th February, the tour will include Bradford-on-Avon’s Wiltshire Music Centre on the 11th February….
N’Faly Kouyaté’s UK tour will be preceded by the release of a brand new single, “Premiers Pas”, a powerful, political track that finds the artist echoing Africa’s call for total autonomy. Offering a poignant reflection on Africa’s tumultuous history, the single will shine a light on the suffering, terror, and an unquenchable thirst for freedom the continent has endured. Merging French and Malinké languages, the lyrics reflect Africa’s fervent call for complete control, with N’Faly Kouyaté requesting the world recognise Africa’s right to shape its own destiny. It will be streaming on all services on 3 February 2024.
The release of “Premiers Pas” will be accompanied by a striking official music video co-directed by N’Faly Kouyaté, his manager Sandra Werner, and their team. The metaphorical visuals will depict Africa’s journey to freedom, celebrating cultural diversity and the inner strength of its people. Filmed in South Africa, the choice of Nelson Mandela’s homeland as the filming location underscores continental solidarity in the pursuit of autonomy. In tandem, the artist sheds light on similar phenomena in daily life, such as workplace abuse of power, domestic violence, and many others.
Speaking about the new single N’Faly Kouyaté says: “I am raising a cry with ‘Premiers Pas’ to demand total autonomy for Africa. This song is the expression of the determination of an entire continent to finally take control of its destiny.”
More than a song, “Premiers Pas” is the resounding cry of a continent seeking to reclaim its voice and place on the global stage, sung by one of its most passionate musical advocates.
Originally hailing from Guinea, N’Faly Kouyate is a world-renowned Griot master musician and multi-instrumentalist. Moving to Belgium in 1994, he formed the ensemble Dunyakan (The Voice of the World), before joining Afro Celt Sound System in 1996. Frequently performing at WOMAD, the latter have released many albums through Real World Records and performed with stars including Peter Gabriel, Robert Plant, and Sinéad O’Connor. Owning an innovative sound that blends electronica with music from Ireland and West African countries, Kouyate prominently provides vocals, kora and balafon for the group.
Famed for his irrepressible energy and virtuoso performances on stage, N’Faly Kouyaté’s latest solo project will promise a spellbinding mixture of polyphony and electronic music in symbiosis with traditional instruments, called Afrotronix.
On his upcoming ‘Ré-Génération Tour’, N’Faly will be joined each night by his extraordinary ensemble, promising a unique opportunity for British audiences to experience this visionary artist like never before. He comes to Wiltshire Music Centre in Bradford-on-Avon on 11th Feb, Tickets here.
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