Tag: devizes

How Ingrained is Hunting on our Society Given Police are Members of Criminal Gangs?

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 of the Beaufort Hunt and has previously ridden with the notorious Avon Vale Hunt. The public outrage of such has spawned a planned protest on 5th March at Devizes Police HQโ€ฆ.

It should hardly come as a shock to those who follow social media of anti-hunt groups like Wiltshire Hunt Saboteurs, as we’ve seen many attempts by hunters to infiltrate the police, and video evidence of police deliberately being awkward with sabs by blocking paths and siding with hunters. Recently we’ve seen it with another hunt member PC, Laura Hughes who turned a blind eye when hunters attacked protesters at Lacock’s Boxing Day meet. And at top level, with former Avon Vale huntsmaster Jonathan Seed defunct from the PCC election and current PCC Phillip Wilkinson’s open derogatory remarks about anti-hunt protesters.

But if bent cops sounds like something from an American thriller movie, no one’s as bold to suggest all Wiltshire Police support hunting. It’s a huge organisation employing many, therefore fair to assume the bad eggs are a minority.

However, their official reaction to the outrage this news has caused, defending Cheryl Knight and warning protesters they will be “seeking independent guidance from other agencies to ensure the protest is in line with those peaceful and lawful requirements and to ensure the Devizes community is not adversely impacted,” borders retaliation to public outcry. Reading between the lines, anyone so much as sneezes at the protest and they’ll shut it down. Wiltshire Hunt Saboteurs stressed to me, “thatโ€™s how we read it too. Well, if they want even more bad publicityโ€ฆ”

It causes me to ponder just how far this rabbit hole goes; how ingrained by the traditions of hunting is this in our society? You may not stop to consider it while watching a children’s cartoon with anthropomorphised characters whereby the fox is nearly always portrayed as a “baddie,” or dining in a local pub, where your dinner is served on a pictorial plate adorned with a scenic landscape and a fox hunt in progress, or similarly on a painting on the wall, but in this glorification of the blood sport, these connotations of the fox spelling trouble, is it our own psychological Colston statue?

“You cannot erase history,” gammonites remark of the statue debate, and I retort with “poppycock!” For historical references in literature will always be, but a statue glorifies and celebrates the slave trade, ergo, is counterproductive to progress against racial discrimination. Likewise, the paintings in the pub, the common pub name, The Fox and Hounds, should they be changed? They clearly idealise this barbaric pastime.

My ponderings stem from a Facebook thread this week, by Devizes Town Councillor Chris Greenwood, (yes, the one who blatantly lied about Defra confirming bird flu on the Crammer) on his own general local affairs group, Devizes News. In posting news of Cheryl Knight’s promotion, he stated, “this group will not tolerate any form of detrimental, nor hateful comments associated with this article. The officer concerned has done nothing illegal whatsoever, and their appointment has been with the full approval of Wiltshire Police. Any false accusations or comments will result in the person posting being excluded from the group.”

It was simply too tempting, and inadvertently my reply, “so, why post it then?” saw me promptly barred from the group, along with a handful of others. But seems the temptation was deliberate for no sooner as we were gone, he posted again, boasting, and celebrating, “it was time for a clearout of activists, bigots and those motivated by negativity.”

Quite where the negativity in opposing the promotion of a possible criminal within the governing body supposed to prevent crime is supposed to derive from will forever confound me. Alas, adjoining various comments like a jigsaw, Chris made in this thread might shed some light on why he, like so many others, are so pro-hunting. Unable to respond to one question given by a concerned so -called bigot, Chris took a trip on memory bliss, and waffled a random interminable history of his affection for horse riding. One might assume this was irrelevant, but further on when we were discussing the social media posts of lists of local companies alleged to be in support of the Avon Vale Hunt, he highlighted a sponsorship of a pony club. So, herein lies his justification for supporting hunting; Avon Vale sponsored the club where his fond memories of riding begun. Ergo, he’s reminiscence through rose-tinted specs is clouding his judgment to the reality it’s a bloodthirsty pursuit, and I’d wager is not alone in this view.

I could agree, horse riding is okay by me, but you don’t need to take a pack of bloodhounds along to bludgeon a fox to death to enjoy it, surely? Though I fear it will fall on deaf ears. Hunts have spent decades and countless fortunes I could only dream of, to ensure their brutal activities are ingrained so deep into our society, economy and way of life, the rose-tinted specs wearers will only ever view it as a harmless tradition, because theyโ€™re trained to by showers of gold sent their way and into charities and causes.

Ergo, when a clear conflict of interests invades our police, these folk shrug, and state the officer concerned has done nothing illegal. So, given innocent until proven guilty, we should ask Wiltshire Hunt Saboteurs if they’ve any proof of the contrary. “Her main association seems to be the Beaufort,” Wiltshire Hunt Saboteurs explained, “that is where most of her hunting images were taken. She also has photos of her at Avon Vale meet, and also photos of her attending beagle meets (hare hunts).”

Besides, the point isnโ€™t whether she has, or hasn’t, the concern lies within her power to sway, ignore, or pervert the cause of justice in such matters she’s so clearly bias in. Does this mean the protest is focused entirely on her promotion, being it would seem there’s other pro-hunting officers?

“At this moment itโ€™s focused on the fact that a fox hunter has been appointed,” they continued, “but I guess the wider issue is who appointed her – and the appalling response they gave. There are other serving officers that have hunted with the Avon vale, which we also oppose, but to be placed into a role like this, particularly in the middle of an investigation by her new team, into the Avon Vale video just is crass beyond belief. Itโ€™s a direct breach of the Code of Ethics which Wiltshire Police are refusing to address.”

We live now in the aftermath of the national media exposure of video evidence proving The Avon Vale Hunt illegally fox hunted, its impact is this undeniable proof you’d have thought would be a catalyst to change, but this latest outcry suggests otherwise.

All my meanderings seem to return to a same point, the point in the video where they successfully pulled the fox out from the dig and threw it to the hounds, and one young hunter shrieks with delight like a little girl getting a pony for Christmas! If hunting was to cull a pest, that’s clearly in past, there’s few foxes left in the countryside, and the shrill of delight reverbs the acknowledgement, is symbolic that this is done purely for fun, the thrill. You don’t see an insect exterminator cry with joy when he clears your home of ants!

So, if you support this in any way, do you deserve to be called out for it regardless of how little your association with the hunts may’ve been formed upon, excusable by ignorance to the notion they were definitely killing wildlife, until now?

Yet while many companies and organisations have found themselves having to publish statements attempting to defuse their association with Avon Vale, or hunting in general, Wiltshire Police seem none too fussed, rather promoting officer Cheryl Knight to the rural crime unit, and have defended their decision to maintain the PC in the role. Others listed, such as ice cream cafe, The Rowdey Cow were quick to announce their association was only to vendor at one of their events, and it’s not just because they make exceptional ice cream, I’m willing to forgive that(!) rather sigh, that’s just business.

The Rowdy Cow I trust has sufficient trade to do without the association now, and hope they do. The last thing anyone wishes by way of boycotting businesses loosely associated with the hunts, is to bring any more damage on our rural economy. Yet Wadworth’s only line of defence seemed to be their association was “historic.” Should we forgive that too, because of the passage of time? Our councillor Greenwood on his pro-hunting rant seemed to suggest this, that the images of Knight hunting was the stuff of ancient history, leading me to ponder how old is she? From recent photos she looks late twenties, so it could only have been after 2004, when the Hunting Act was introduced, not so long ago for us old-timers, Chris!

Forgiveness only ever seems to be when the boot fits. The public don’t seem too keen to forgive Shamima Begum anytime soon, but views Piers Morgan as this cheeky chappie with a penchant for a few offensive comments, rather than the bastard who wrecked a teenage girl’s murder inquiry by hacking her phone. He took personal monetary gain over the life of a child, for Heaven’s sake, but hey, he’s on the tele. I like to call this the “Jimmy Saville Effect,” he raised these incredible amounts of money for charity, so should he be forgiven for paedophilia, necrophilia, and whatever other sick fetishes he performed? Equally, should we forgive hunters if their hunting is all in the past?

I believe this is simply another desperate excuse from pro-hunting lobbies. It matters not if or when Knight hunted, only that she is in support of hunting. To suggest her affiliation with the hunt wouldn’t affect her ability to carry out the role of a rural crime officer is completely and utterly ludicrous. The public know this, it’s hardly rocket science, and the public have the right to voice their outrage at this poor decision. After all, we do pay for the police, they are governed by law, but paid for by the taxpayer. Wiltshire Police make many a statement about building a rapport with the public and how they “serve them,” surely this is the ideal opportunity to prove this ethos right?

But it’s a small piece of a larger puzzle. Akin to the suffragette movement, anti-hunting will look blindly obvious to future generations if we can wash away this ingrained perception. The police’s involvement in watching over so-called trail hunts will be viewed as the massive waste of resources they clearly are, for if hunt organisations cannot be trusted the only solution is to ban them, and eradicate this insane affiliation to blood sports once and for all.

So, to people who share Chris Greenwood’s obsolete and atrocious opinions and see fit to censor opposing views, I say you’re foolish to think you can silence me. Not one to boast stats, but Devizine is read by the number of members in your petty group times a thousand. In a media war you’re the Gassworks Gang and I’m the American military! Accept the majority are anti-hunt, and will share this beyond way Facebook, until its long out of my control, folk will rightfully gather to sound their disgust at this barbaric activity, and the authorities which permit it to continue despite the indisputable evidence.

Their days are numbered, if we throw off our ingrained bigotry and accept it, that is quite possible. It wouldnโ€™t hurt to show your humane side. And in saying that, no one wishes to send Cheryl Knight to the stocks, only to advise she is moved to a department free from her bias. So patently obvious it’s staring everyone in face and making them angry enough to have to spell it out by reacting on offensive social media posts, with disregards to the idea they’ll be futility chastised by a power-tripping would-be tinpot dictator! Knockers I say unto thee, Devizes News indeed, the bastard son of GB News?! Lest we forget come local election time.

Stay Out of Trouble! Wiltshire Councilโ€™s Drop-In Event Targets Young Criminals Only

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 grownupโ€™s experience. Why not make the time later, so it’s convenient to all to cast their views? Why not bring this โ€œroadshowโ€ 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?

https://www.wiltshire999s.co.uk/uproar-police-banned-hunt-member-rural-officer

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 wouldโ€™ve thought, or are we just a community of hypocritical pitchfork welding rednecks?

Actually, donโ€™t answer that one!

Weekly Roundup of Events in Wiltshire: 22nd โ€“ 28th February 2023

Last week of February, then; winter, do one! Lots going on as ever, so letโ€™s not beat around the bush, because left to my devises I know I tend to waffle, and no one ever just stops me and gives it, โ€œjust get on with telling whatโ€™s happening, for crying out loud, man!โ€

I do need to say this though, as usual, more information and ticket links can be found at our ever-updating event calendar. If your event is not on there you didnโ€™t tell us about it, no fault of mine! I do this shit for free, but I ainโ€™t going to chase you up! Tell us about it next time, bring cake.

Wednesday 22nd and Visual Radio Arts stream one of our favourite bands on the circuit, Concrete Prairie, into the comfort of your own front room. If youโ€™ve not seen this band before, do not miss this. Meanwhile itโ€™ll be the regular acoustic jam at The Southgate, Devizes.

Theatre Accord in association with The Production Exchange Ltd. Presents She at Swindon Arts Centre, charting the experiences of different women from childhood to old age, these stories, each with an intriguing twist, are visceral, poignant, and laced with humour.

Prue Leithโ€™s Nothing in Moderation is at Bath Forum, with Grace Campbellโ€™s A Show About Me(n) at Komedia.

Thursday 23rd sees an open mic at Stallards in Trowbridge.

National Theatre Live with Othello at Pound Arts, Corsham.

Concrete Prairieโ€™s name crops up again, theyโ€™re with Cooperโ€™s Creek at The Tuppenny, Swindon, while Kotonic and Failstate play the Vic, with a debut tour for comedian Chloe Petts at Swindon Arts Centre.

Tribute Local Cohen play the Wiltshire Music Centre, Bradford-on-Avon, while Eleanor McEvoy is at Chapel Arts, Bath, โ€œSwiftogeddon,โ€ Taylor Swift club night at Komedia, and Michael Jackson tribute show at Bath Forum.

Regular childrenโ€™s Music 4 Fun session at Brown Street, Salisbury.

Friday 24th Always a great night with the Celtic Roots Collective, who play The Pelican in Devizes.

Over in Trowbridge, chap-hopper Thomas Benjamin is at the Pump.

Native Harrow: Old Magic Tour at Pound Arts, Corsham.

The Jerry Lee Lewis Story at Chapel Arts, Bath, while The Fleetwood Mac Story is at Bath Forum, and cabaret night at Komedia with The Ministry Of Burlesque.

Riot Ensemble at Wiltshire Music Centre, Bradford-on-Avon.

Gary Delaneyโ€™s Gary in Punderland comes to the Wyvern, Swindon, while tribute Dire Streets play Swindon Arts Centre, and Rush tribute Moving Pictures are at The Vic.

AC/DC tribute Livewire at The Cheese & Grain, Frome, and an intimate evening with Will Varley at The Tree House.

Saturday 25th and itโ€™s Devizes Lionsโ€™ Fashion Show at the Devizes Conservative Club, Gardna arrives at The Muck & Dunder, Bone Chapel are at The Southgate, Scott Browne is at The Three Crowns, and Sour Apple play at The Lamb. The Wharf Theatre hosts the Apollo Theatre Companyโ€™s Ode to Joyce, about the songs and monologues of Joyce Grenfell.

As if there wasnโ€™t enough to choose from in Devizes, Iโ€™m out of town for our Editorโ€™s Pick of Week; Will Lawton and the Alchemists are at The Pump in Trowbridge, and itโ€™s a double-whammy if Iโ€™ve correctly sussed the anagram of the support act; โ€œSlotted Hearts!โ€

Hairy Stars at The Neeld, Chippenham.

Mickey Ace & The Wildcards play Melksham Rock n Roll Club, and Mixed Bag play The Pilot.

Phoenix River Band play Chapel Arts, Bath, while Suzanne Vega is at Bath Forum.

Ravers head for The Vic, Swindon, where Midlife Krisis crew are in effect, with a Diversify night.The Blind Lemon Experience play The Swiss Chalet.

Salisbury Arts Centre have Looking For Me Friend: The Music of Victoria Wood.

And a Retro Electro night at The Cheese & Grain, Frome completes our Saturday.

Sunday 26th sees Ronnie Scottโ€™s Jazz Club at the Wyvern, Swindon, while thereโ€™s a secret session at the Vic, with Mickelson.

Simon Brodkinโ€™s Screwed Up is at Komedia, Bath.

Monday 27th sees Gigspanner Big Band play Swindon Arts Centre.

Tuesday 28th and KT Tunstall is at Bath Forum.

Thatโ€™s all I got folks, tell us about anything we missed and Iโ€™ll slip it in! Donโ€™t forget Iโ€™m getting close to 50, and that might mean it takes a little longer, but youโ€™re all invited to laugh at me at the Three Crowns in Devizes on March 4th; oh yeah, weโ€™ve got some amazing live music too, naturally.

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Lady Nade; Sober!

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Ha! Let’s Laugh at Hunt Supporters!

Christmas has come early for foxes and normal humans with any slither of compassion remaining, as the government announced the righteous move to ban trailโ€ฆ

Rooks; New Single From M3G

Chippenham folk singer-songwriter, M3G (because she likes a backward โ€œEโ€) has a new single out tomorrow, Friday 19th December. Put your jingly bell cheesy tunesโ€ฆ

Burning the Midday Oil at The Muck

Highest season of goodwill praises must go to Chrissy Chapman today, who raised over ยฃ500 (at the last count) for His Grace Childrenโ€™s Centre inโ€ฆ

Petrichor; New Album by The Lost Trades

If asked to summarise the themes of songs by The Lost Trades with a song, I believe Iโ€™d pick the classic Americana folk song โ€œKeep on the Sunny Side.โ€ Popularised by The Carter Family in the mid-twenties, itโ€™s the humble yet effective mandate to retain optimism whilst everything thrown at you has the potential to drive you to submit to misery.….

The Lost Trades describe their forthcoming album Petrichor โ€œwith a slightly darker sound and themes including mourning, escape and starting afresh,โ€ which while true, it never drowns itself in melancholy, least perhaps not till the finale, rather is uplifting on the soul, refreshing; the therapeutic equivalent of a nice warm bath, perhaps in candlelight.

It’s been just short of two years since the debut album The Bird, The Book, and The Barrel, and our beloved vocal harmony trio have pre-released four singles from this album, each one leaving us hanging out to dry with anticipation for this second album. 10th March is the date to unpeg yourself from the washing line, pre-orders are already being taken, and Iโ€™ll let you into a secret, which might be obvious to fans; you will not be disappointed.

Last time I spoke with Phil Cooper about the upcoming album, at Bradford Roots Music Festival, we spoke of the delicate balance of the follow-up, on teasing with a precise number of pre-singles but not overdoing it, and other common pitfalls such as exhausting your creative output on the debut with fan pressure to supplement it. Phil was ever-positive, explaining alongside fresh ideas they also had several indistinct drafts left from the first album, theyโ€™d returned to and revised. Unlike those lesser, โ€œcashing-inโ€ Pink Floyd albums of rejected offcuts off the more memorable albums, if the songs here were only fragments of ideas at the time of recording the debut, theyโ€™ve been overhauled with perfection, and Petrichor is undoubtedly the better album of the two. This equates to one main point Iโ€™d like to make; The Lost Trades are the fine wine, perpetually improving with age.

And anyway, four singles are reasonable, as this album weighs in at a value-for-money twelve tunes strong, and strong they most certainly are. There’s not even the one dodgy one, like The Girl is Mine on Jacko’s Thriller!

In reviewing these teaser singles Iโ€™ve been adamant throughout, the unification of the harmonies is now so intricate, so refined, even to have known the trio as individual performers in their own right prior to forming the Lost Trades, they merge now as one unit. Many have one take the lead, but the concord is paramount, the accompany of the other two enhances, whichever way around, like silk on flesh.

Though this is key to why this betters the previous album, the quality of production and reasoned flow of the tracks sprinkles it with magic. This optimistic โ€œKeep on the Sunny Side,โ€ comparison is no more prevalent than in the sixth tune, Under The Hornbeam, in which Tammy leads on this delightfully upbeat ditty, while it reminded me of her earlier days of singing The Jungle Bookโ€™s Iโ€™m the King of the Swingers, itโ€™s obviously far from being puerile, but in comparison with the other songs, it remains the perkiest!

Undecided on the opening track to the debut, in which they acapella an introductory prose of the concept of the Trades, and it comes across rather quirky, thereโ€™s no messing around with Petrichor, diving straight in with a taste of the sublime you can expect throughout the album. Old Man of The Sea, the single from last November bears all the hallmarks of the direction the Trades are heading. Concentrated in the raconteur style of Jamie Hawkins, who takes lead on this marine-themed expressive shanty-type ballad to Hemingwayโ€™s most unlucky character, Santiago. You might think of โ€œWait for my Boat to Come in,โ€ from the debut, but the forlorn and pensive impression is even stronger here.

If this leaves you tingling with anticipation of whatโ€™s to come, Septemberโ€™s single Keep My Feet Dry follows, and this is just mega-bliss! Reminding me at the time of Roger McGuinnโ€™s โ€œBallad of Easy Rider,โ€ with its river metaphor for a missing you theme, it drifts, a thing of beauty, uplifting, with a chorus immediately sing-a-long; every element fits together perfectly on this one.

Time for Phil to take lead, and this joyful sound, Atlas is an exclusive, with thoughtful prose, a personal reflection of carrying the heavens on oneโ€™s shoulders, rather than the Titans’ revolt against the gods! The last single pre-released, Long Since Gone comes next, and is a grower which sneaks up on you, and, with a humble narrative of bereavement and anguish, it loiters while youโ€™re dangling off a Bridge Over Troubled Water.

Returning to the joyful, the springtime first single Daffodils lifts the soul, and with this gorgeous retrospective banjo riff and vocal harmonies of the Carter Family, on its release I gave its technical perfection comparison to the timelessness of Will the Circle be Unbroken together with the more enriching mood of Randy Newmanโ€™s Youโ€™ve Got a Friend in Me.

Six tunes in and you are as immersed as the rocks a waterfall trickle over. Iโ€™ll give no more massive spoilers, for the following songs are new, and all wonderful. Fireflies is drifty, Little Blackbird is enchantingly upbeat, Best Foot Forward is a return journey of thoughtful prose. The title track follows, the aroma of rain after a sunny spell is the textbook interpretation of The Lost Trades in general, as well as this emotive beauty, so is such an apt album title, the song simply enlightens the gist.

Two more songs complete the healthy package, This Dark Forest is at it says on the tin, an emotive autumn ride, perhaps embracing their own description of being โ€œa slightly darker sound.โ€ Valhalla varnishes the album off with distant drumbeat, this haunting acapella holds an ancestral disposition, a haunting finale to the kind of album which will leave you with nought else to listen to next, favouring you might as well just play it again!

The Lost Trades are going from strength to strength, this authorises the detail. You. Are. In. For. A. Treat; but I gather you couldโ€™ve guessed this much by yourself; Iโ€™m just confirming it!

The album will be supported by a 2 month tour taking in much of the UK.

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Butane Skies Not Releasing a Christmas Song!

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One Of Us; New Single From Lady Nade

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Large Unlicensed Music Event Alert!

On the first day of advent, a time of peace and joy to the world et al, Devizes Police report on a โ€œlarge unlicencedโ€ฆ

Weekly Roundup of Events in Wiltshire: 15th โ€“ 21st February 2023

Happy Valentineโ€™s Day, hopelessly romantic yet gullible consumers. If youโ€™ve any money left after your overpriced chocolates and cut-off plants purchases, here is whatโ€™s happening this coming week in Wiltshire.….

Snowdrops, though, to do my usual weather comment, Iโ€™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 TVโ€™s SAS: Who Dares Wins, Jason Foxโ€™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; Itโ€™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 Playersโ€™ 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 Leithโ€™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 itโ€™s his mummy up there!

Ah, anyway, (Iโ€™m sorry, couldnโ€™t resist it!) Over at Wiltshire Music Centre in Bradford-on-Avon we have The Bradfordianโ€™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!

Itโ€™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 editorโ€™s pick of the week! All roads lead to Frome, though, as The Lost Trades play The Treehouse as well.

Alex Carsonโ€™s The Idiot Tour at Chapel Arts, The Musical Box at Bath Forum. Fleetwood Bac @ Salisbury Arts Centre.

Saturday 18th and itโ€™s DOCAโ€™s Festival of Winter Ales at The Corn Exchange Devizes; youโ€™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 Southgateโ€™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 Keyworthโ€™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 Oโ€™clock Circus at the New Century Club. Babatunde Alesheโ€™s Babahood at Swindon Arts Centre, Buddy Holly tribute show Thatโ€™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 19th sees Mr Griff at The Southgate, Devizes.

The Amazing Bubble Man at Swindon Arts Centre, Tap Factory at the Wyvern. Babatunde Alรฉshรฉโ€™s Babahood tour moves over to Komedia, Bath.

Monday 20th Lord of the Rings in Concert at Bath Forum.

Tuesday 21st Iโ€™m Sorry I Havenโ€™t a Clue at Bath Forum.

And thatโ€™s a wrap, folks, unless I missed anything, do let me know. Have a good week, donโ€™t worry, be happy!

Recent….

Winter Festival/Christmas/Whatever!

This is why I love you, my readers, see?! At the beginning of the week I put out an article highlighting DOCAโ€™s Winter Festival, andโ€ฆ

Devizes Winter Festival This Friday and More!

Whoโ€™s ready for walking in the winter wonderland?! Devizes sets to magically transform into a winter wonderland this Friday when The Winter Festival and Lanternโ€ฆ

Snow White Delight: Panto at The Wharf

Treated to a sneaky dress rehearsal of this year’s pantomime at Devizesโ€™ one and only Wharf Theatre last night, if forced to sum it upโ€ฆ

The Jon Amor Trioโ€™s Residency at The Southgate Shows No Signs of Letting Up for 2023

Once fed a feeble excuse for not booking a local act on the circuit because they gigged in town so often it was becoming timeworn and monotonous; I wasnโ€™t swallowing the smallest chunk, it smelt sour. This is Devizes and we cherish the dependable, the analogous; itโ€™s not boring, because we know what we like, and we like what we get. Probable the best example I could give happened again this Sunday, and is something which has fast become as traditionally Sunday here as the aroma of roast potatoes. ย ย 

Homegrown blues legend Jon Amor, with the outstanding bassist Jerry Soffe and celestially-sited drummer Tom Gilkes, who make up the other two-thirds of the trio, again took up the monthly residency at Devizes Southgate Inn, and showed no signs of the consistency faulting this coming year.

Erm, not too much to add, only because weโ€™ve covered this regular occurrence often. Andy has reviewed it, and Ian and myself have had our tuppence too, but itโ€™s worthwhile to mention if only to act as a reminder. Yeah, those who know, know, and Iโ€™d go as far to suggest, when Jon labels the event as โ€œJon Amor & Friends,โ€ it extends further than the trio and his guest. So, for others, you do realise youโ€™re seriously missing out, donโ€™t you? Thereโ€™s something so tremendously communal about the experience you could probably wear your slippers to it.

Iโ€™d wager this is how Jon sells it to the regular guest, and Iโ€™ve yet to note one which doesnโ€™t thoroughly relish in the causal, informal demeanour. This last weekend was Brummie guitarist Thomas Atlas, who found it highly amusing the dogs would unperturbedly wander through the musicians as they played. Yet Thomas is as cool as this, cool as a cucumber, making his contribution solid throughout accompanying, and boy, when his time came to lead on a few self-penned songs, it was sublime, as well as locking in anticipation for the occasion he returns to town with a full band at Long Street. Oh, yeah, you need to know; that is on Saturday 25th March.

Yes, through Juggernaut to audience-participating banter, four-to-the-floor improv, and the occasional but amusing timing blunder, it was as it always is, the superb display of delta and Chicago electric blues we love! Donโ€™t take my word for it, Iโ€™ll pop a YouTube link to Richard Whiteโ€™s filming below, and leave you with the desired information, this is a regular feature at the trusty Southgate, who, not content with supplying our Saturday nights in Devizes with an assortment of free live music, adds this cherry to the cake every first Sunday of the month. Youโ€™ve officially been reminded; there is no better way to while away your Sunday in Devizes……

Recent….

Chatting With Burn The Midnight Oil

Itโ€™s nice to hear when our features attract attention. Salisburyโ€™s Radio Odstock ย picked up on our interview with Devizes band Burn the Midnight Oil andโ€ฆ

The Lost Trades Float on New Single

Iโ€™ve got some gorgeous vocal harmonies currently floating into my ears, as The Lost Trades release their first single since the replacement of Tamsin Quinโ€ฆ

Barrelhouse are Open for Business with New Album

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 releaseโ€ฆ

Shakespeareโ€™s Problem Play Comes to The Wharf Theatre

Following her recent successful production of As You Like It, at Devizesโ€™ Wharf Theatre, Liz Sharman returns with another Shakespeare masterpiece, Measure for Measure.

Often cited as one of Shakeyโ€™s Problem Plays, characterised by complex and ambiguous tones, pugnaciously shifting between straightforward comic material and dark, psychological drama, Measure for Measure is a predecessor to tragicomedy.

Written between 1603-4 Measure for Measure is set in a Vienna which has seen vice run riot. Beset with brothels and loose morals the city has also lost its respected leader. Angelo, left temporarily in power, attempts to restore order by reinstating long-neglected laws against immorality. However, when a novice nun, Isabella, comes to plead for her brotherโ€™s life, he proves himself to be both hypocritical and corrupt when he attempts to strike an intolerable bargain.

Measure For Measure is a hidden Shakespearean gem that has enjoyed a popular revival in recent years thanks to its fresh relevance to the social movement against sexual abuse and harassment, #MeToo. Themes of justice and hypocrisy are woven in typically Shakespearean fashion with comedy and a fast-moving, constantly twisting plot.

Wharf Theatre

The play runs from March 27th to April 1st 2023. Tickets can be purchased by ringing 03336 663 366; from the website Wharftheatre.co.uk and at the Devizes Community Hub and Library on Sheep Street.

recent posts….

Ruzz Guitar Swings With The Dirty Boogie

Bristolโ€™s regular Johnny B Goode, Ruzz Guitar Blues Revue goes full on swing with a new single, a take on The Brian Setzer Orchestraโ€™s 1998โ€ฆ

Joyrobber Didn’t Want Your Stupid Job Anyway

A second track from local anonymous songwriter Joyrobber has mysteriously appeared online, and heโ€™s bitter about not getting his dream jobโ€ฆ.. If this mysterious dudeโ€™sโ€ฆ

Devizes Chamber Choir Christmas Concert

Itโ€™s not Christmas until the choir sings, and Devizes Chamber Choir intend to do precisely this by announcing their Christmas Concert, as they have doneโ€ฆ

Steatopygous go Septic

If you believe AI, TikTok and the rest of it all suppress Gen Zโ€™s outlets to convey anger and rage, resulting in a generation ofโ€ฆ

Weekly Roundup of Events in Wiltshire: 8th โ€“ 14th February 2023

February, not hotting up much temperature-wise, nevertheless plenty of stuff going on across the county and beyond; hereโ€™s what weโ€™ve found to satisfy your soul this weekโ€ฆ.

You know the score, no links here, find them on our event calendar โ€“ something you need to keep an eye on as it has been known to get updated from time to time! If we missed anything you told me about, I apologise, let me know and I can add it. If I missed anything you failed to tell me about, thatโ€™s your own lookout, but still, if youโ€™re nice I might add it, but it will cost you a cupcake.

Letโ€™s not mess about, Wednesday 8th sees the regular acoustic jam at the Southgate, Devizes, an over 60s event at The Neeld, Chippenham, Macie J Kulakowski at the Wiltshire Music Centre, Bradford-on-Avon, Chris McCauslandโ€™s Speaky Blinder at Komedia, Bath, and a folk open mic at Brown Street, Salisbury.

On Thursday 9th we welcome back Devizes Film Club, who are setting up camp at The Wharf Theatre, tickets for the film, Minari have sold out, please note upcoming screenings, here.

Pound Arts in Corsham have a triple bill of folk, Flo Perlin, Daisy Chute and Fern Maddie.

The Tuppenny, Swindon, have one on my hitlist, Canuteโ€™s Plastic Army, with the wonderful Harmony Asia in support.

Phil Beer plays Chapel Arts, Bath, and Terence Blacker presents The Shock of the Old at Rondo Theatre.

Opening night for How The Other Half Loves at Salisbury Playhouse, running until 4th March.

Friday 10th sees the acoustic folk-indie project of now London-based but former Devizes resident Neil Phillimore, Brave New Broken Hearts Club come to St Johns in Devizes for a one-off gig with London folk poet-singer Pearl Fish. Previewed Here.

Upcoming bands battle it out for heat two of Take the Stage 2023 at The Neeld, Chippenham.

The Corsairs play The Bear in Marlborough.

Emily Breeze plays the Pump in Trowbridge for Sheer Music. You need to get in quick on any events at the Pump, they will sell out before you know what’s-what!

Guitar enthusiasts head for Swindon Arts Centre for a show celebrating 50 Years of Fender, while The Shudders play The Vic, with Celtic folkers Liddington Hill and Death is a Girl.

Aaron Azunda Akugbo plays Wiltshire Music Centre, Bradford-on-Avon, Sara Pascoe appears at Bath Forum, while thereโ€™s a free indoor fest at Komedia, featuring Year of the Dog, Nookee, Drop in the Ocean, Ryan Dโ€™Auria and Bohosapiens, and at the Rondo Theatre thereโ€™s a play called Thirst, running over the weekend.

Jolyon Dixson & Steele play The Royal George in Salisbury, Break Cover are at Brown Street, and Jarlath Regan and Garrett Millerickโ€™s Work in Progress at Salisbury Arts Centre.

Henge at The Cheese & Grain, Frome.

Start your Saturday 11th with some deliberation, as the Devizes Town Council Roadshow meets at The Market Place, 10am-1pm! In the evening, find Ben Borrill at The Three Crowns, and Junkyard Dogs at The Southgate.

Big Mamaโ€™s Banned play the Pilot, Melksham, Be Like Will play The Wiltshire Yeoman in Trowbridge, while The Worried Men are at the Pump.

Dave B & The Bop Wonโ€™t Stop presents The Ultimate Shakinโ€™ Stevens Tribute at Chapel Arts, Bath, and thereโ€™s a West End Winter Show at Wiltshire Music Centre, Bradford-on-Avon.

If thatโ€™s not enough difficult decisions already, Don Letts is guest at The Cheese & Grain in Frome, as the Dub Pistols headline.

Find Six Oโ€™clock Circus at The Phoenix in Wotton Bassett, Thickcut play The Swiss Chalet in Swindon, and Bella Notte features Bel Canto, Belle Voci and Bella Musica in an evening of songs from shows and popular music in Everybody Sing at Swindon Arts Centre.

However, Editorโ€™s Pick of Week will see us trek to Swindon, unless a serious hurricane-blizzard-tornado hits, where Adam Ant tribute Ant Trouble play the Vic. If you want a lift from Devizes, give me a shout, but you’ll have to help with my war-paint! Iโ€™ve been looking forward to this for ages, rekindling my youth with some ant music… we are the family!

Sunday 12th sees Bee-Gees tribute Jive Talkin at the Wyvern, while Tom Stade takes The High Road at Swindon Arts Centre.

Phil Cooper is live in Session at The Electric Bar, at Komedia in Bath, while comedian Lloyd Griffithโ€™s One Tonne of Fun play the main hall. Eliza Carthy & The Restitutionโ€™s 30th Anniversary tour comes to the Wiltshire Music Centre, Bradford-on-Avon.

On Monday 13th Strictly Come Dancing champion Giovanni Pernice invites you to join him on a journey to his homeland for his production of Made in Italy at the Wyvern, Swindon.

Tuesday 14th sees The Classic Rock Show at the Wyvern, Swindon. Bath Phil & Jeneba Kanneh-Mason at Bath Forum and Future Cavemen at Komedia.

Into The Future…..

Thatโ€™s all for this week folks, should be something to please everyone there, I think, but nothing will beat some kings of the wild frontier in my honest opinion!

Do scroll through the event calendar, some things you should take note of; Devizes Winter of Festival Ales is near-sold out, you best hurry. Seend Community Centre sees it 43rd village pantomime, The Princess & The Frog start on Thursday 16th and runs the Friday and Saturday.

Friday 17th in Frome, though, with birthday boy Ruzz Guitar at The Cheese & Grain, featuring The Real John Lewis and Peter Gage, and over the road, The Lost Trades play The Treehouse; wowzers! Talking of birthdays and Ruzz, don’t forget, Devizes people, not only is Ruzz playing his own birthday, he’s playing mine too! All welcome on March 4th to the Three Crowns where we’ll have a daytime open mic, the fantabulous Talk In Code will playing too and you can laugh at me reaching the half-century mark.

Spoiled for choice in Devizes on Saturday 18th, Thin Lizzy founder and guitarist Eric Bell arrives at Long Street Blues Club, head-to-head with Devizes Festival of Winter Ales, fantastic improv comedy with Instant Wit at The Wharf Theatre; decisions, decisions, but you need to make your mind up and get tickets, though if you fail, Black Nasty is at our trusty Southgate.

Trending….

The Wurzels To Play At FullTone 2026!

If Devizesโ€™ celebrated FullTone Festival is to relocate to Whistley Roadโ€™s Park Farm for next summerโ€™s extravaganza, what better way to give it the rusticโ€ฆ

DOCAโ€™s Young Urban Digitals

In association with PF Events, Devizes Outdoor Celebratory Arts introduces a Young Urban Digitals course in video mapping and projection mapping for sixteen to twentyโ€ฆ

Jol Roseโ€™s Ragged Stories

Thereโ€™s albums Iโ€™ll go in blind and either be pleasantly surprised, or not. Then thereโ€™s ones which I know Iโ€™m going to love before theโ€ฆ

Vince Bell in the 21st Century!

Unlike Buck Rogers, who made it to the 25th century six hundred years early, Devizesโ€™ most modest acoustic virtuoso arrives at the 21st just shortโ€ฆ

Deadlight Dance New Single: Gloss

You go cover yourself in hormone messing phthalates, toxic formaldehyde, or even I Can’t Believe It’s Not Body Butter, if you wish, but it’s allโ€ฆ

Swan Dies in Road Accident at The Crammer

A swan from the Crammer hit on the road between Morrisonโ€™s roundabout and the traffic lights this morning, has died….

In territorial disputes, the wildfowl will chase others, and they will flee onto the road. In other cases, desperate for food, some venture afield and cross the dangerous road.

Emotionally upset, founding member of the Crammer Watch team took it to McQueens for the incinerator.

It sadly highlights the necessity for signage on both roads warning drivers of birds crossing. We do hope the Devizes Town Council will raise this notion at the next meeting and look forward to reporting their response.

Facebook groups and pages with information and support for the Crammer:

Crammer Watch: Facebook page.

Friends of the Crammer: Facebook group.

If Old Photos of Devizes Were Posted on Social Media Today…..

Looking at old photos of Devizes can be a pleasurable way to spend a Sunday morning, such a beautiful and historic market town we live in, and things haven’t changed all that much…. architecturally….

But what if these photographs were posted on local Facebook groups today? What would the comments be? Our non-roving reporter, Karen McKarenson, speculates….

Is this where I stand 4 the 49 bus? Ive bin waiting 4 ages nuthin, bloody council – tia #devizesbusserviceisrubbish
Saw this van 2day in market plice – derty travellers parked in disabled bay. Where b the police? No bluddy where!
Look at that teenager just sittin on the bridge – where R his parents? Probably vapping as well- Sumbuddy needs to call the police #teenagersrunriotindevizes
Dunt no bout u but im fed up of peeple tryin to turn right at shanes castle – look at this twat #muppetdrivindevizes
Nun of these lot paid 4 parkin with the iphone app 2day – dole scroungers leftie woke whingers git a job
Wat idot put this up? Askin 4 a friend who neerly crashed his fiat into it #health&saftee in #devizes is a joke
Still cee murderous kids killin ducks by feedin them on the crammer wen they no its all infected wif bird flu cos that trusty councillor said it was – sumbuddy needs to string em up #deathtodevizeskidsfeedinducks
Smelly eco actavists rammed market plice 2day – nowhere 2 park the audi to go 2 greggs how wee supposed to #supportlocalbiznis wif these lot stickin there faces to the market X?
Why build up kids hopes of escapin only 2 knock em down – they’ll be waiting here for a while yet. #youthof2day numpties – get yr dad 2 giv u a lift!

Hope you like them, if you know of any more send them in or add them in the comments of social media shares – oh, the irony!

Weekly Roundup of Events in Wiltshire: 1st โ€“ 7th February 2023

Thank the heavens we can kick January out of the door! Itโ€™s been a warmer week though, hasnโ€™t it? Still wouldnโ€™t reach for the Hawaiian shirts and straw sunhats just yet. The weather is a tease, loves to give you a taster of the potential of the coming season, then reverts without warning or the slightest concern that you risked lobbing your thermal long-johns in the wash!

Some people prefer winter though, apparently; weirdos! Hereโ€™s what weโ€™ve found to do in Wiltshire for the rest of us; hermits stay in, covered in blankets, re-watching Wednesday and praying into a bag of cheesy puffs for season two! Get a life, Wiltshire is not a cultureless void, see below if you donโ€™t believe me!

Links and details can be found on our event calendar: here. Just takes ages adding them in here a second time; ainโ€™t nobody got time fโ€™ dat!

Ladies Day continues at The Wharf Theatre, Devizes until Saturday 4th all sold out now, but the next production hosts improvised comedy Instant Wit, for one day and that day being 18th February. Not forgoing the welcome return of Devizes Film Club showing the 2020 film Minari, about a Korean-American family moving from California to a remote Arkansas farm in search of their own American dream. That is on Friday 9th February.

Pinch, punch, Wednesday 1st February it will be then, and Trowbridgeโ€™s Pump celebrates Independent Venue Week with The Howlers, Langkamer and Mumble Tide.

Regular acoustic jam at The Southgate, Devizes.

Seventh Avenue Arts presents Simon & Garfunkel Through the Years at Pound Arts, Corsham. Danny Bakerโ€™s Sausage Sandwich Tour comes the Wyvern, Swindon.

The Greatest Magician continues until 4th at Rondo Theatre, Bath, and staying in Bath, Monkey Bizzle meets The Scribes Komedia, Flats & Sharp at Chapel Arts, and Junior Bill at The Bell.

Thursday 2nd Quiz Night at The Devizes Literary & Scientific Institute in aid of Devizes & District Food Bank by Devizes Labour Party.

Moon plays The Vic in Swindon, Truck at The Tuppenny. Ben Portsmouthโ€™s This is Elvis 2023 Tour at the Wyvern, and Limehouse Lizzy at Swindon Arts Centre.

Brennan Reeceโ€™s Crowded come to Rondo Theatre, Bath, and for music, find Del Barber & Band at Chapel Arts.

Still Moving DJs at Salisbury Arts Centre, Open Mic at The Winchester Gate, and Jamie Linghamโ€™s regular From The Book at Brown Street, Salisbury.

Friday 3rd and itโ€™s Potterne Cricket Clubโ€™s Quiz Night at Potterne Village Hall.

While revellers descend on Weston-Super-Mare for the Incider Festival, Jaz Delorean is at The Pump, Trowbridge, but I believe is near sold out, youโ€™ll need to be quick, or own a time machine for this one!

A new regular feature at The Barge on Honey Street, open mic session continues Friday.

Sophie Dukerโ€™s Hag at Pound Arts, Corsham, Phoenix Dance Presents โ€˜We Are Connectedโ€™ at The Neeld, Chippenham.

In the top three flamenco guitarists in the world, Juan Martin is at Wiltshire Music Centre, Bradford-on-Avon, Malaya Blue Band at Chapel Arts in Bath, some Impromptu Shakespeare at Rondo Theatre, and David Oโ€™Dohertyโ€™s Whoa is Me at Komedia.

Wow; Fairport Convention play the Wyvern in Swindon, with Lucy Porterโ€™s Wake Up Call at Swindon Arts Centre. Dohny Jep headlines a triple at The Vic, with Nervendings and Riviera Arcade.

Cressers Last Standโ€™s The Growing up Tour at Brown Street, Salisbury, while The Jonny Phillips Trio play the Winchester Gate.

Saturday 4th, The Shudders come to The Southgate, Devizes, (Update: The Shudders canโ€™t make it on Saturday. To the rescue, they have laid back dude Grizzly Rhys Morgan at The Southgate instead,)while Devizes Scooter Club hold a Back to the 80โ€™s Party at The Cavalier. But the concentration in Devizes should focus on The Corn Exchange, where we are thinking green. Make a hot-water bottle at Devizes Library during the day, and bring it to the Wiltshire Climate Alliance fundraiser with Seize the Day; preview here. Editor’s Pick of the week? Could be!

Damm! play The Bear, Marlborough, meanwhile it will be Vyv & Jackieโ€™s farewell at The Lamb, after over an incredible 43 years theyโ€™re retiring and we wish them all the very best. A solemn occasion it refuses to be, as Pants will out! If you donโ€™t know what that means, I suggest you read undoubtedly the funniest interview weโ€™ve ever done, with Pants, last week. Got to be Editorโ€™s Pick of The Week, if Seize the Day is too, I can’t decide this week!

Phoenix Dance presents a second night of โ€˜We Are Connectedโ€™ at The Neeld, Chippenham.

Still Marillion play The Vic, Swindon, with One Chord Wonders at the Queens Tap, The Bellflowers at The Tuppenny, Homer at The Swiss Chalet, and Six Oโ€™clock Circus at Coleview Centre. Troy Hawkeโ€™s Sigmund Troyโ€™d at the Wyvern, and Paul Foot at Swindon Arts Centre.

Stray Dogs will be โ€˜Unleashedโ€™ for a Charity Gig for The Music Man Project at Burdallโ€™s Yard, Bradford-on-Avon.

The Roy Orbison Experience at Chapel Arts, Bath, with Akasha at The Bell.

From 11am, Drag Queen Story Time at The Winchester Gate, while the evening in Salisbury gets punked, with Carsick headlining at foursome at Brown Street with Who Ate All the Crayons, Lucky Number Seven, and Seaside Glamour.

Staying punk, The Cheese & Grain hosts the Frome Punk Fest.

Sunday 5th and if youโ€™ve achieved nothing over the weekend all is not lost, the monthly Jon Amor Trio residency at The Southgate, Devizes at around about 5pm, with guest Thomas Atlas.

Also, Julian Gaskell & His Ragged Trousered Philanthropists are at The Bell, Bath, while Stephen Lynchโ€™s The Time Machine Tour arrives at Komedia.

The Psychology of Serial Killers at the Wyvern, Swindon, wraps up our weekend, but do keep a check on the calendar, for updates and planning.

Monday is Monday, not a lot going on. Do a jigsaw puzzle or something.

Tuesday 7th is the Wyvern Theatre Swap Shop at the Wyvern in Swindon, Randy Feltfaceโ€™s Feltopia at Komedia, Bath, and Wiltshire College FE Student Showcase Samphire at Salisbury Playhouse.

Have a great week, behave yourself, within reason, and donโ€™t forget to keep up-to-date with our calendar, for next week sees aforementioned return of Devizes Film Club, now based at The Wharf Theatre, a triple bill of folk at Pound Arts, Canuteโ€™s Plastic Army & Harmony Asia at The Tuppenny, Swindon, Emily Breeze at the Pump, the second stage of Take the Stage 2023 at The Neeld, in which we wish Nothing Rhymes with Orange the best of luck, 50 Years of Fender at Swindon Arts Centre, Ben Borrill at The Three Crowns, Devizes with Junkyard Dogs at The Southgate, and Big Mamaโ€™s Banned at the Pilot, Melksham, Adam Ant tribute Ant Trouble at the Vic, the Dub Pistols with Don Letts The Cheese & Grain, Frome, and so much more!

Trust other websites or Facebook pages with whatโ€™s to do and youโ€™ll miss truckloads; Devizine is the only one around these darkened backwaters to collate them all; give the man a Twix.

Trending….

Things to Do During Halloween Half Term

The spookiest of half terms is nearly upon us again; kids excited, parents not quite so much! But hey, as well as Halloween, here’s whatโ€ฆ

CrownFest is Back!

Yay! You read it right. After a two year break, CrownFest is back at the Crown in Bishop’s Cannings. So put a big tick ontoโ€ฆ

Six Reasons to Rock in Market Lavington

Alright yeah, itโ€™s a play on band names and thereโ€™s only really two reasons to rock on Friday 17th October at Market Lavington Community Hall;โ€ฆ

Weekly Roundup of Events in Wiltshire: 25th-31th January 2023

Oh, hey there, itโ€™s me, here to tell you what weโ€™ve found to do in Wiltshire this week, leading us nicely until the end of January. Second winter month nearly down, one more to go, shorter one, then spring, yay! My feet were so numb from the cold after getting in from work this morning I couldnโ€™t tell if my slippers were on the right feet!

As usual I cannot be bothered spending an age posting links here, you can find them all, with further details on our event calendar: here.

Wednesday 25th Wiltshire Museum in Devizes has The Bookshop Quiz, presented by Devizes Books, where Iโ€™m guessing youโ€™ll find tickets! Staying in the Vizes, donโ€™t forget, regular acoustic jam at The Southgate.

The Shing-a-lings play The Bell, Bath, while thereโ€™s a Queen Extravaganza at Bath Forum.

Thursday 26th find Jules Hill & Charlie Bath at The Tuppenny, Swindon, and Jim Blair at The Beehive, and the regular Chuckles Comedy Club at Meca.

Stallards in Trowbridge have an open mic night.

National Theatre Live film of Othello, at Pound Artsโ€™ The Crucible in Corsham.

And in Bath we see the opening night of The Greatest Magician at the Rondo Theatre, running until 4th February. A dazzling new magic show, presented by James Phelan, the magician most famous for jamming the BBC switchboards after he correctly predicted the lottery, still heโ€™s charging for tickets! This astonishing, enigmatic, five star rated magic show will leave you aching from laughter and dizzy in disbelief, apparently. Directed by the late Paul โ€œthatโ€™s magicโ€ Daniels, the enigmatic show comes to the stage for the first time.

Friday 27th the RSPB will be at Hillworth Park, Devizes, until Sunday, for a Big Garden Bird Watch.

Always great fun, Blondie & Ska play The Pelican in Devizes.

Find the ever-popular Kova Me Bad at The Lamb, Marlborough, while Marlborough Town Football Club has an open mic night from 6pm.

The wonderful Sour Apple are at Old Lane, Chippenham, while thereโ€™s one of those grownup pantos of Aladdin at The Neeld; really, though, has anyone been to one of these? Do let us know if itโ€™s any good!

The incredible Jaz DeLorean features at Chapel Arts, Bath, while The Magic of Motown comes to Bath Forum, and Edward Bourne presents Sketchbook, at Rondo Theatre. A play where songs become sketches and sketches become songs as he embarks on his first gig as a jazz keyboardist, only to find the hour overrun by an hour-long string of sketchy flashbacks.

Flow & Hustle play The Winchester Gate in Salisbury.

In Swindon, find Texas Tick Fever at The Beehive, The Jukebox Graduates at The Swiss Chalet, and a triple punk bill at The Vic with Drag Me Down, Mad by Mourning and I See Orange. T-Rextasy tribute at the Wyvern.

Saturday 28th sees Sustainable Devizes at the Corn Exchange for a Think Energy talk from 10-2pm.

The Worried Men play The Southgate, and is quite simply unmissable for you rock fans, whereas B-Sides are at The Three Crowns, and though Iโ€™ve not heard these guys before, youโ€™re always in for a great night there anyway!

Find Rob Childs at Woodbrough Social Club, and Josh Kumra at The Bear, Marlborough.

The annual charity 7 Bands in 7 Hours at Calne Liberal Club is happening Saturday, with End of Story, Six Oโ€™clock Circus, Homer, Apache Cats, Boston Green, Ukey Dukes and Lonely Daughter; a fiver recommended donation on the door. Think we should make this Editorโ€™s Pick of the Week.

Melksham Rock n Roll Club monthly dance features The Rads, while Sonic Alert play The Pilot.

World Music Club at The Beehive in Swindon, Dury Duty, Mark Coltonโ€™s famed tribute to Ian Dury at The Vic, and the most amazing Bob Marley tribute, Legend is at Meca.

From Melbourne, Australia, sister duo Charm of Finches play Pound Arts, Corsham; haunted indie folk, about love, grief and whispering trees, with support from Luke De-Scisco.

Tim Baker plays Chapel Arts, Bath, while a Lucy Lucy and Pameli Benham comedy play, Itโ€™s the Hope is what youโ€™ll find at the Rondo.

At Salisbury’s Brown Street find the P45s and Break Cover for a Salisbury Cat Protection fundraiser.

A tad further out, Rage Against the Machine tribute The Machine Rages On play Fromeโ€™s Tree House, and thereโ€™s the WinterFest at Clevedon.

Sunday 29th and Melksham Assembly Hall have a record fair.

The Film Orchestra play Blockbuster Movie Themes for an audience on Springfield Campus in Corsham.

Comedian Lloyd Griffith presents his One Tonne of Fun tour to Swindon Arts Centre, while at the Wyvern, Buffy Revamped is an Edinburgh Fringe smash-hit fast-paced parody for Buffy the Vampire Slayer aficionados, told through the eyes of Spike.

Rev. James & The Swingtown Cowboys play The Bell, Bath.

Monday 30th is the opening night of Ladiesโ€™ Day at Devizesโ€™ Wharf Theatre, running until 4th February, Amanda Whittington play, Directed by John Winterton, previewed here, and tickets selling out fast!

Meanwhile, find Aaron Catlow & Brooks Williams at The Bell, Bath

Tuesday, I got nothing, yet, but do keep a check on our event calendar as updates come in, and check ahead for events in February, here. You need to start thinking about tickets for Wiltshire Climate Allianceโ€™s benefit at the Corn Exchange with Seize the Day, of course, The Festival of Winter Ales, Sheerโ€™s Emily Breeze at the Pump on 10th Feb is another one youโ€™ll need to be quick on, and I like the sound of Adam & His Ants tribute Ant Trouble, who play Swindonโ€™s Vic on the 11th. Seriously though, guys, thinking of trying to bring these guys to Devizes, good idea? Just need a venue, any suggestions?

Have a great weekend, wear an extra pair of socks!

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Oh Danny Boy!

Oh Danny Boy, oh, Danny Boy, they loved your boyish Eton looks so, but when ye was voted in, an all democracy wasnโ€™t quite dying,โ€ฆ

A Quick Shuffle to Swindon

Milkman hours with grandkids visiting it was inevitable a five hour day shift was all I was physically able to put into this year’s Swindonโ€ฆ

Swindon Branch of Your Party is Growing

Following the excitement and success of the first meeting of โ€˜Your Partyโ€™ in Swindon, a second meeting has been arranged for 18th September 7.30 -โ€ฆ

Weekly Roundup of Events in Wiltshire: 18th-24th January 2023

Back to a possibility of snow on Wednesday, the big freeze makes an unwelcome return, so please, if youโ€™re heading out be careful. For those careful few, hereโ€™s what weโ€™ve found to be doing this week. As usual you can find more details, links, and whatnots on our event calendarโ€ฆ.

Wednesday 18th sees Winter Gems, a Lawrence Society art demonstration evening by Pam Lewis from Marston at Devizes Town Hall, and the regular acoustic jam at The Southgate.

Meanwhile, Amadou Diagne & Group Yakar play The Bell, Bath.

Thereโ€™s an adult panto at the Wyvern, Swindon, Cinderella & Her Naughty Buttons. And Memory Cinema returns to Swindon Arts Centre screening The Wizard Of Oz.  Memory Cinema provides a facility where those living with dementia, their carers, friends, and families can watch a range of films.

Thursday 19th the incredible ZambaLando are live at The Beehive, Swindon, while the Wyvern, Arsenal legends Ray Parlour, Paul Merson and Perry Groves give a talk.

Friday 20th is heat one of local amateur musicianโ€™s contest Take the Stage, at The Neeld in Chippenham.

Melksham Assembly Hall plays host to Forbidden Nights, ladies, behave yourselves!

In Swindon the A K Poets take The Beehive, Get Carter play The Vic, and thereโ€™s Rave On โ€“ The Ultimate 50s & 60s Experience at the Wyvern.

Daytime in Bath, Rock the Tots take their Around the World Tour to the Rondo Theatre, and in the evening theyโ€™ve The Peopleโ€™s String Foundation Duo. One on my must-see hitlist, Adam and the Ants tribute Ant-Trouble play at The Royal Oak, and From the Jam are at Bath Forum.

Theyโ€™ll be dancing in the dark at the Cheese & Grain in Frome with Springsteen tribute, Bruce Juice.

Saturday 21st and rock covers band Beyond the Storm play The Southgate, Devizes. Find Homer at The Cooperโ€™s Arms, Pewsey, and El Toro at The Lamb, Marlborough.

At the Barge on Honeystreet, find NFA-TV and BishBosh presenting a night of โ€œmusikal mayhemโ€ with the Radical Dance Faction, MC Basher, Doghouse and MCs, tenner on the door, extra ยฃ12.50 to camp.

Editorโ€™s Pick of The Week this week must be the Bradford Roots Music Festival at Wiltshire Music Centre in Bradford-on-Avon, which weโ€™ve previewed HERE and unless completely snowed in, I hope to check it out personally.

Simon & Garfunkel Through the Years at The Neeld, Chippenham.

Devizes-own blues legend, Innes Sibun Blues Explosion play The Bell, Bath, while the Rondo Theatre has Jen Bristerโ€™s show, The Optimist.

The Rolling Clones tribute at The Vic in Swindon, Locomotion at The Swiss Chalet, Voodoo Room at Swindon Arts Centre, and ABBA Forever at the Wyvern.

Man of the World presents the Music of Peter Green at The Tree House, Frome, and thatโ€™s your Saturday night! Unless you know different? Do let us know.

Sunday 22nd Warmington, Lindley and Webb at The Bell, Bath.

Monday 23rd Eddie Martinโ€™s turn at The Bell, Bath.

Tuesday 24th sees a Fish N Chip Supper & Quiz Night for the RNLI at Devizes Conservative Club.

Frank Turner & The Sleeping Souls play Bath Forum, while Cirque โ€“ The Greatest Show comes to the Wyvern Theatre, Swindon.

Keep on scrolling through our event calendar to see just how 2023 is blossoming with things to do, far sooner than spring I might add! Have a great weekend, stay safe and donโ€™t go changing just to please me.

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No Rest For JP Oldfield, New Single Out Today

It’s been six months since Devizes-based young blues crooner JP Oldfield released his poignant kazoo-blowing debut EP Bouffon. He’s made numerous appearances across the circuitโ€ฆ

DOCA’s Early Lantern Workshops

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I See Orangeโ€ฆ.And Doll Guts!

There was a time not so long ago when I See Orange was the most exciting new band in Swindon. Their latest offering released atโ€ฆ

Talk in Code Down The Gate!

What, again?! Another article about Talk in Code?! Haven’t they had enough Devizine-styled publicity?! Are their heads swelling?!ย  Didn’t that crazy toothless editor catch themโ€ฆ

New Lost Trades Single and Album Announcement

If our beloved two-part Devizes one-part Trowbridge folk harmony trio, The Lost Trades should be at the level now of aiming for reviews in the mainstream press and international folk music specialist magazines, theyโ€™re so nice they never forget little olโ€™ me, still bashing away at my keyboard writing this slapdash jumble! Theyโ€™ve sent over Long Since Gone, the fourth single to feature on their follow-up album, the details of which are also being unravelled like a scroll in the hands of an eager pirate; exciting newsโ€ฆ…

Never quite as easy, the follow-up, but via these sneaky peeks, the previous three singles, Daffodils, Keep My Feet Dry, and Old Man of the Sea, anticipation is reasonable. We know its name, “Petrichor,” meaning the aroma of rain after a sunny spell. We have a release date, 10th March, the beginning of their spring tour, Bandcamp pre-orders from Bandcamp Friday, the 3rd February. We also have a glimpse at the cover, in which the trio saunter a one-point perspective open road, Phil looking chuffed, Jamie looking like heโ€™s been duped by the distance theyโ€™ve rambled, and Tamsin set slightly back in the middle, doing the whole Mary Poppins thing!

On the strength of the previous singles, I admit Iโ€™m going in with high expectations. If each song seems to have bettered the preceding one in each of their own unique way, my first impressions were this has levelled out somewhat. Naturally, it bears all the hallmarks of a great Lost Trades song, it still points in the right direction, but ah, unlike the immediate appeal of the others, Long Since Gone is a grower, me thinks; sneaks up on you, and loiters while youโ€™re dangling off a Bridge Over Troubled Water.

Phil takes the lead here, on this dreamy and sentimental harmony, with its humble narrative of bereavement and anguish, naturally awash with the kind of enriching stimulus weโ€™ve come expect. The Trades explain, โ€œit was written for a friend who sadly lost a long battle with cancer two years ago, and deals with the advanced stage of grieving, after the immediate pain fades and you are left with a lingering ache to see your friend once more.โ€

A notion we must all face if not already, and the gift this song gives is this all-encompassing emotion, which will implant in your mind the remembrance of a particular person close to you, that much is concrete. If the manufacture of provocative prose by drawing on personal reflection and generalising it, so its audience can mirror the concept from their own reminiscences is the objective of any artist, The Lost Trades have quickly become masters of how the pull the heartstrings and paint a picture through words and music. Therefore, I take it all back, Long Since Gone sure is a beauty, and another darn good reason to be enthusiastic for the 10th March.

Listening link-tree HERE

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Recommendations for when Swindon gets Shuffling

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A Busy Week For Lunch Box Buddy!

It was great to bump into Lunch Box Buddy in Devizes today. Last week was hectic for him; first BBC Wiltshire stopped by his standโ€ฆ

Wither; Debut Single From Butane Skies

Whilst dispersing highly flammable hydrocarbon gases into the atmosphere is not advisory,  Butane Skies is a name increasingly exploding on local circuits. The young andโ€ฆ

Exchange; Devizes Night Club Starts Regular Open Mic Sessions

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, the club will open at 8pm for open mic. It’s a concept which has launched many a musical career, an opportunity for amateur and upcoming acts to find an audience. There are usually no fees, but equally there’s no restrictions either.

Owner Ian James says, “if you are a singer, or musician and would like to perform, please message me, OR just turn up on the night we will try and fit you in.”

This will be a monthly event on the first Friday of each month, followed by the Retro Disco until 2am.

We think this is great idea, and salute you, sir! If anyone who’d like to be a part of this has problems contacting Ian personally, do let us know and we’ll be happy to connect the dots.

Weekly Roundup of Events in Wiltshire: 11th-17th January 2023

Well into new year and things are building up again slowly, letโ€™s have a little looky at whatโ€™s going on locally over this coming week, if you fancy going out to beat the January bluesโ€ฆ.

As usual, details and links can be found on our updating event calendar; keep checking for future dates, and, some events for this week will inevitably crop up and I donโ€™t often update them on these articles, only on the calendar. 

Wed 11th and I am assuming there will be the regular Acoustic Jam at The Southgate, Devizes. Meanwhile, at the Bell in Bath you can find the Dusk Art Rhythm Quartet.

Thursday 12th is the opening night for Beauty & The Beast, running until the 15th at The Rondo Theatre, Bath. Never too late for a panto!

Mark Farrelly, who you might recall as the creator of Quentin Crisp: Naked Hope, as seen at Devizes Arts Festival last year, has a play at Swindon Arts Centre. Itโ€™s a tribute to Frankie Howerd, called Howerdโ€™s End.

Staying in Swindon, Canuteโ€™s Plastic Army play The Beehive, Swindon, while UK Pink Floyd Experience is at Wyvern.

Friday 13th might be unlucky for some, but not if you like Chicago blues and you live in Devizes. Editorโ€™s Pick of The Week this week takes us to the Long Street Blues Club, where direct from the US of A, Billy Branch presents at night of Chicago Living Legends, Jamiah Rogers, and John Primer.

Suitable for ages 10+, Living Spitโ€™s Puss in Bootsโ€“ More Than A Feline comes to The Neeld in Chippenham, which contains a small amount of strong language and awful puns.

Outrageous comedy at Pound Arts, Corsham with Simon Brodkinโ€™s Screwed Up Tour.

One local band to watch out for, Here Come the Crows, they play the Vic, Swindon, while the Calling Planet Earth show is at the Wyvern, a new romantic symphony that goes on a journey through one of the greatest musical eras of all time, the electrifying 80โ€™s. Obviously, Iโ€™m far too young to remember that!

Oh, and Absolute Bowie at The Cheese & Grain, Frome.

Saturday 14th and youโ€™ll find Finley & Mark at The Three Crowns, Devizes, and Celtic folk at The Southgate with the Cooper Creek Band.

The Buttmonkies at Stallards in Trowbridge, Legacy at the Pilot in Melksham.

For alt-rock, Britpop, and a dash of punk, check out Static Moves at The Pelican Inn in Froxfield.

Lauren Housley & Nigel Wearne play Chapel Arts, Bath.

Find His Way- The Frank Sinatra Story at The Neeld, Chippenham.

The Beehive in Swindon has an Open-Deck Vinyl Night, while Sister Sister play The Swiss Chalet, and Martin Kemp DJs an eighties set at MECA, plus, thereโ€™s a Rapport CIC Performance at Swindon Arts Centre called The Suitcase.

Sunday 15th and The Neeld is the company of Charlie Hides with some Comedy Drag Bingo, while Circus of Horrors: Haunted Fairground is at the Wyvern, Swindon.

For Bath-centric folk instrumental, find The Barton Street Regulators at The Bell, Bath.

Monday 16th sees the first instore session at Sound Knowledge, Marlborough, as Rozi Plain comes to play an intimate set.

Riaan Voslooโ€™s Uphill Game play The Bell, Bath.

And Tuesday I got nought, so far, save the first councillorโ€™s surgery at Devizes Town Hall from 6pm, with Devizes Town councillors Chris Gay and Ian Pennington.

Unless I missed anything? Do let us know!

By now you should be thinking about tickets for Bradford Roots Music Festival at Wiltshire Music Centre, Bradford-on-Avon, happening next Saturday 21st, The line-up can be found HERE. Thereโ€™s also The Neeldโ€™s Take The Stage happening next weekend. At the end of the month The Wharf Theatreโ€™s production of Ladies Day, and lots more good, good stuff happening as ever, but youโ€™ll only find them all collated and neatly folded together as one on Devizine!

 Have a great weekend!

Trending…

Former Devizes Resident Brings His Broken Hearts Club to St Johns Church

Brave New Broken Hearts Club is the acoustic folk-indie project of Neil Phillimore, who might sound as cockney as Ray Winstone singing Any Old Iron on his Facebook videos, but says he’s a former Devizes resident, and he’s returning for a one-off gig at St Johns, Friday 10th February…..

With his trademark brand of “engaging storytelling and warm, affecting songwriting,” he brings waterways London folk poet-singer Pearl Fish with him too.

Promising “an intimate evening of beautiful songwriting and human connection,” tickets are a tenner, HERE.

Are You The Strongest Man or Women in Devizes? Yeah, So You Reckon!!

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?!!

Breaking Hibernation; Adam Woodhouse at The Three Crowns

Arising like a brown bear from hibernation, now the Quality Street tin is all but empty wrappers and toffee pennies, I dropped briefly into The Three Crowns yesterday, to catch Adam Woodhouse strumming George Michael’s Faith….

Admist a quiet Devizes town, the faithful central perk was modesty busy under the circumstances, and this lively acoustic sololist was breaking January blues in the alcove. Perpetual drizzle reasoned me to drive, ergo it was more dipping my little toe into the live music water again, rather than the awakening of a standing dive; I’d rather be writing ‘Barbadoszine’ this time of year!

Though it was plentiful to acknowledge, through misty memories of the utterly spectacular show at Long Street Blues Club last year with Errol Linton, which could’ve obscured any support act, Adam Woodhouse is worth his weight in gold when it comes to putting a man with a guitar in a pub.

My reasoning thus; this guy’s repertoire is carefully selected not to be clichรฉ, but still covers songs the audience will love. I collared him during his break, to question this; does he even do Wonderwall if requested?! He joyfully replied words to the effect of everyone had to have that under their belt in case of emergency clichรฉ request, but asserted he favours an assortment of songs not so commonly covered.

In this, Petty’s Free Falling or Dylan’s Knocking on Heaven’s Door might not be the best examples, though Adam still comfortably rinses them with finesse. No, what I mean is Dire Straits’ Walk of Life, or Billy Bragg’s New England, but more so his affection for early rock n roll classics.

I noted a fair quantity of Elvis Presley covers when I saw Adam play Long Street, but was unsure if this was playing to the audience. Delighted to affirm now this wasn’t the case, when last night he knocked out great covers of rock n roll singalongs, Dion’s Runaround Sue, Cochran’s Summertime Blues and even some Monkees. But as I said at the beginning, I sauntered in to George Michael’s Faith, and he covered The Cure’s Friday, Im in Love too.

Confining himself to an era simply isn’t a thing for Adam, as we mutally agreed those rock n roll classics are timeless, but equally will any cover choices he makes be a delight to the audience. He does this comfortably, with slight banter, making Adam Woodhouse a perfect booking for the universal type pub where age demographics don’t exsist, and everyone enjoys singing along. And that’s precisely
the spirit in The Three Crowns, it’s forward-thinking, fresh and hospitable and caters for everyone.

Food is being served, tasty pub grub, but music is live and frequent. It is, however, elongated enough to hide away at another end for communal chat or eating, and its spacious fully-covered garden with heat lamps acts as a perfect extension to the pub, rather than the unsuitable and unkempt allotment-fashioned beer garden of others. Yeah, I feel at ease in the Three Crowns, it’s nice, and their affection for supporting local acts on the circuit is both popular and welcoming. Check our event calendar as shows at the Crowns fill most weekends.

That’s it, broke the seasonal spell, I’m back on the streets after yule, looking for quality entertainment, and Adam is one to watch.

Full-Tone Festival Announce 2023 Line-up

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. Itโ€™s all on a rather smashing looking poster, unalike darker past posters with neon text, this time with a fresh use of pastel colours on white background, all very Degas I must say. While rain drizzles down our windows, letโ€™s have a nose at what it says on there, shall we, and think of summer?!

A couple of years ago I published one of many list-type articles on the topic of forthcoming local festivals. Ah, phooey, it sparked a debate on social media because I didnโ€™t include Devizes-own Full-Tone Festival, though the event did receive a sovereign preview of its own. My argument at the time was my definition of a festival was of multiple activities happenings across multiple sectors, therefore classing Full-Tone Festival, despite being named Full-Tone Festival, more in line with the word concert.

A technicality Iโ€™ve since altered my perspective of, and aside pigeonholing, for recent similar articles Iโ€™ve adopted the more causal, universal, and a smidgen double-entendre tagline, โ€œBig Ones,โ€ to encompass largescale events without categories, precisely so we can include things like Pewsey Carnival, and of course, The Full-Tone Festival. And in this, hereโ€™s the thing, who wants their event to be typecast and categorised? The Full-Tone Festival is what it is, and that โ€œisโ€ is something spectacular, annually happening now on our very turf, but mostly for point of this argument, something totally unique.

And of my technicality, Full-Tone acts as both sides of the debate, yes it shows off the incredible talent and togetherness of the Full-Tone Orchestra, an ensemble which will voyage to impressive venues like Wells Cathedral and Bath Abbey this year, but also showcases diverse local and national acts. Their social media posts boast โ€œit’s going to be SUCH an amazing weekend of music! 50 musicians and singers, over 100 rotating over the weekend, plus some pretty amazing guests!โ€ If you got it, flaunt it, darling! But honestly, itโ€™s a highly impressive weekend, and theyโ€™ve every right to show it off!

Full-Tone Festival opens on the Saturday, for example, showcasing a set of classical proms, and features Full-Tone chief organiser Jemma Brown with her new vocal quartet, The Four Sopranos, consisting of Lucia Pupilli, Tabitha Cox, and Teresa Isaacson too.

Local rock n roll legends and regulars at Full-Tone, Pete Lamb and The Heartbeats are the first guests, followed by the orchestra taking off again for the ever-popular โ€œbig TV and movie themesโ€ section, of which I always look forward to Jurassic Park the most, donโ€™t know why, just do. Any comments on social media suggesting it’s because I’m a dinosaur will be deleted!

If, so far critics could cough up the โ€œsameyโ€ tosh, Iโ€™d argue possibly, but certain elements of this event have become welcomed stalwarts, and why change it just to please them? We love it just the way it is! Besides, hereโ€™s a totally new one on me, The House Iguanas promises โ€œmassive bonkers brilliant sax, DJ and bongos,โ€ and with that, could you ask for anything more diverse?

Saturday night closes with the reappearance of the orchestraโ€™s The Ultimate Dance Anthems, which being they only scootered around last year with nineties pop hits, for me, personally, and literally from the sheer eruption of enthusiasm of the crowd of previous years, Iโ€™m sure will be a very welcomed return, with glowsticks.

If Saturdays showcases the orchestra foremost, I must say itโ€™s more diverse this year, and, Sunday tends to focus on other acts more, anyways. Though the orchestra opens the day with the โ€œBig Soundโ€ section of this remarkable concert manifold, North Wiltshire big band 41 Degrees take over straight after. Theyโ€™re the wedding function band of the wedding youโ€™d never forget, with a spanning repertoire from Duke Ellington and Glenn Miller, through Rat Pack and Weather Report, to the Killers and Oasis. Thereโ€™s nothing like big band pop covers, often showing shame to the originals, and this sounds cool as.

A highlight of last yearโ€™s Devizes Street Festival, those funky mavericks of Mardi Gras and New Orleans jazz, The Brass Junkies revisit our soil, and remember; brass is class.

Time for the Full-Tone Orchestra to finish off their pizzas and get back onto that notable stage for a section of West End Musical hits. It must be exhausting, blowing into that brass, precisely plucking those strings and whatever else they need to do to create these massive sounds, not forgoing conductor Anthony Brown must be at risk of repetitive strain injury over the weekend.

Wowzers, and Iโ€™ve not got to the best bit, least what I think is the best bit, because this info was leaked to me by the band, but sworn to secrecy I couldnโ€™t even blow my own trumpet and act all smarmy about, until now, so I will, thank you; Talk in Code play the finale guest set. A mighty local indie-pop band which, if you donโ€™t know you must be new to Devizine, and I urge you pay more attention in future! Yes, forgive my plug, but they are coming to my birthday party at the Three Crowns on March 4th, and YOU are all welcome, but again, and in summary to the Full-Tone Festival as a whole, playing up on that breath-taking stage, with matchless acoustics is something else, and well worth the ticket stub. There’s nothing else quite like it in Devizes.

If Talk in Code have that stylised knack of capturing something decidedly eighties within their original material, Sunday aptly closes with the orchestra one final time, giving it whooping eighties bangers, which by then if youโ€™re not completely satisfied, I suggest you urgently seek professional medical attention!

Early bird tickets are HERE, or at Devizes Books. Kids under 14 go free with a paying adult, ยฃ45 for the weekend (ยฃ35 before the 31st January), ยฃ35 for the day. And there it is, apologises for waffling, but it is all terribly exciting!

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Devizes Town Councillors LIED About Bird Flu on Crammer

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 efforts on the natural course of activities for the wildfowl present, as aggressive swans drive others onto the roadside in territorial disputes...โ€ฆ

Meanwhile, confused as to whether they should be fed, due to a lack of official advise to update them on the situation, townsfolk are understandably concerned for their health and wellbeing, after the deaths of two swans and two Canada Geese in December.

But the questions which need to be asked now, but clearly are not, are concerned more with the appropriateness of actions taken by Devizes Town Councillors on the matter; off I go, not wanting to issue a rant so close into a new year, but feeling it’s imperative; someone’s gotta say it……

Firstly, Guardian Town Councillor, Chris Greenwood declared on the Devizes News Facebook page that an outbreak of bird flu had be confirmed on the Crammer, and the birds had been collected by DEFRA for testing. This was backed up by a stern campaign on another Facebook group, Devizes Issues, by the admin and Conservative town councillor, Iain Wallis, not to feed the wildfowl on the Crammer to prevent spread of the disease.

Only when questioned on his statement did Mr Greenwood revert to DEFRA guidelines, stating any suspected outbreak should be treated as a definite outbreak, therefore this governed his advice to stop feeding the wildfowl. Meanwhile, Mr Wallis took it upon himself to delete any differing opinions on his own Facebook group. The argument for continuing to feed being, because of a lack of natural food source, the wildfowl would consequently die of starvation, if bird flu was evident or not.

They both informed the public DEFRA had collected the birds for testing, and this was backed up belatedly by Devizes Town Council, who issued a notice advising the same, not to feed the wildfowl. Clerk Simon Fisher adding in his published musings that the Council were operating on skeleton staff during the period, despite it being some weeks prior to Christmas.

As confirmation from DEFRA didn’t arrive all went quiet on the Western Front, updates were scarce and suspiciously varying. Councillor Wallis stated DEFRA were “busy,” others suggested DEFRA was closed for Christmas, a fortnight prior to Christmas. Councillor Greenwood stated no confirmation was likely, as DEFRA rarely test individual birds. But the real facts are coming to light from a leaked email from Clerk Simon Fisher to a Crammer Watch member; the birds were never collected by DEFRA at all.

In the email Mr Fisher states, “we did report the bird in the hope they would be collected but they werenโ€™t. Given the time period and the level of decay that had started to set in, the birds were double bagged and disposed of. We are pleased that since the initial incidents, that there have been no more deaths, but we are now seeking advice from the Wetland Trust on the best way to feed the birds, which may be something that we do it ourselves in the future.”

Seems evident now it’s all been one big, fat fib, the likelihood of bird flu remains unknown and so does the chances of ever knowing. Only one bird on the canal has been reported dead since the original few during the freezing spell in December, DTC reports today, and well, nature takes its course, wild animals will unfortunately die. There’s as much evidence to suggest there never was an outbreak of bird flu as much as there was, but the truth may never be known. Reasons why the issue has been handled so appallingly would be speculation. Despite no one was pointing a finger, it was a close one to call after all, Iโ€™ll give them that much. Yet, I believe what needs to be questioned is the bolshy way this was pushed into effect via social media hysteria caused by the individual Councillors.

And of course, none of it would be a problem if the birds were in an area with a natural food source, for without it, as is the Crammer, the birds will die of starvation, infected with bird flu or not. Furthermore, there’s a danger to the birds crossing over the busy road to find alternative means of food from nearby pub and supermarket bins. This information of the lack a natural food source was passed to us by Swan Support, when they aided a rescue of swans struck by pollution in the Crammer back in springtime. The reason why Crammer Watch was set up. Crammer Watch advocated feeding the birds safely and individually would give them the sustainability to survive the freezing conditions, and the jury was out for the while, now it seems it was the right thing course of action, after all.

The argument put forward by the councillors active on social media was by not feeding the birds we are reducing the likelihood they’ll congregate and spread the disease. I get this, I really do, yet through various channels Crammer Watch sourced information from DEFRA, from the top UK medical boffins and the King’s Swan Marker; they’re not simply acting on a whim.

They say it isn’t illegal to feed and where local authorities are trying to stop it in most cases, they have installed barriers and taken over safe feeding. Devizes Town Council have none of this yet, and only now, a month too late, have they suggested it โ€œmay be something that we do it ourselves in the future.โ€

But the really concerning issue is by the aforementioned town councillor, Iain Wallis, responsible for the area the Crammer is, in mounting a huge campaign for no feeding, via being admin of the controversial Facebook group, Devizes Issues, which saw any angle of debate questioning the ruling we should stop feeding the wildfowl, promptly deleted and the commenters banned. Mr Wallis furthered the campaign by suggesting townsfolk should take the law into their own hands by reprimanding anyone found feeding the swans.

It’s one thing for admin of a claimed “unbiased” social media group to delete misinformation, it’s another to eradicate personal opinions, especially when there’s no confirmation of the fact. Now temperatures have returned to normal, comments on the post have been turned off, so no updated information seems to allowed, the word is final there; don’t feed the swans.

The final straw in this matter, for me, was to encourage the public to question anyone feeding the birds, as, and let’s be frank here, it’s obvious this would lead to a โ€œtorches and pitchforksโ€ scenario, in which enraged abuse is thrown at anyone who dares to take an opposing opinion to Mr Wallis. Lo and behold, several reports of this have been made by victims of such verbal abuse, one person claiming an angered man shouted at her child for feeding the ducks. What have we become?!

Make no mistake, this outcome is outrageous and despicable, in my opinion, and questions should be raised as to councillor Iain Wallis’s motives behind such a forceful approach. As no official updates were given, people continued obey and not feed the wildfowl, much less drive others away from feeding them by hurling abuse at them.

But why, you understandably ask, and the only answer I can provide is, I donโ€™t know. The birds there would obviously die if not fed, providing more evidence for a supposed but unproven case of bird flu. Councillor Greenwood stated in no uncertain circumstances, such a continuation of deaths will result in a mass cull of all birds in the area, interestingly he noted the gulls and the pigeons. The very gulls Wiltshire Councillor Laura Mayes has been calling for a cull of for months, and likewise the very same town councillor, Iain Wallis, has been pushing for a cull of the pigeons?

Permission needs granting to cull birds, if relevant agencies assess there’s not a significant pigeon problem in the area, they’ll not issue a licence. But we’ve heard nothing of the result on this, and they say no news is good news. I could fairly venture therefore, they didn’t issue any such licence, ergo pushing for a case of bird flu would be the backdoor to having a cull. Of course, this is speculation, but I worry, why else is this being pushed without evidence, and isn’t it coincidental the same councillor pushing this is the one who campaigned to cull the pigeons?

What other reason could there be? That the councillor is, much less a wildlife expert, because he’s not, but a caring soul for wildlife? A confessed Conservative blindly following the advice of DEFRA unquestionably. DEFRA, a government department, the same government which, against advice of financial experts condoned we’re best leaving the EU and plummeted us into recession, a government who, against advice of the World Health Organisation, suggested we’d not need to lockdown in a worldwide pandemic until after international jetsetters flew in for a profitable horse race? A government who profited from said lockdown and partied through it while advising we don’t see our babies born or our elderly relatives die? A government who crushed the NHS and education budgets, have continued to lie at every given opportunity? That government? Oh yeah, sounds viable to me!

If it feels like said government have little respect for human life, why do you suppose they would for animals? A government with the kingpin prime minister stating a fetish of fox hunting, continuing to find reasonable grounds to turn the hunting act around, and advocating other unlawful blood sports, and a badger cull, for example, without any real proof it leads to bovine Tb in cattle. And ultimately, a government which assigns an MP like Thรฉrรจse Coffey as minister for DEFRA, despite voting against protecting Animal Welfare and Food Standards from post-Brexit trade deals, as well as a lengthy voting record of other disgracefully unjust and oppressive issues. Face it, Thรฉrรจse Coffey doesn’t view animals as sentient, least that’s what her voting record revealed.

The MP who defended Rebekah Brooks as chief executive of News International when they thought it’d be fun to hack the phone of murdered teenager Milly Dowler, claiming objectors were on a “witch hunt,” yet had no issue aiding a similar witch hunt against Marcus Rashford, for merely suggesting the poorest children should be fed during the pandemic? Oh right, yeah, she sounds like someone who gives a toss about some swans living in a duck shit pond in Devizes, for sure.

Apologies if you feel I’ve gone off on a wild tangent here, but it feels like another brick in the wall. When a topic is debatable it usually means the motivation behind each side differs. Mine is purely based on the protection of the wildlife, the other side argue the same, but all I called for is a debate, with experts present, on how the Crammer can be improved to help the wildlife there. Chris Greenwood’s response to a call for a natural food source and an island ideal for bird flight paths, was “Thereโ€™s currently no real possibility of providing a natural food source in or near the Crammer, due to it potentially restricting flight paths for the swans and geese, it would also disrupt the aesthetics of the area, by changing the very nature of a feature of our Town.โ€

The latter part of this raises the question of what folk in Devizes want, a pretty looking pond unsuitable and dangerous for the wildlife which visits it, or a conservational area apt for sustaining the needs of the wildlife. Crammer Watch say, “the Crammer had an island in the middle during the Victorian period, there is no other imaginable reason for its introduction unless it was precisely because of the aesthetic enhancement of walks.”

The first part of this, quite frankly, is codswallop. Crammer Watch points out, โ€œswans drop in but canโ€™t take off because there isnโ€™t a long enough stretch of water for a safe runway and they canโ€™t clear the trees or buildings.” Also stating โ€œI have only seen them take off from the Green, albeit one may have taken off from water alone in June. I have started to wonder whether a way could be engineered to put swans off of dropping in. If non breeders drop in they find it impossible to leave in the short term and nothing to eat.”

Ergo, given Occam’s razor, that the explanation that requires the fewest assumptions is usually the correct one, without any confirmation or even evidence of bird flu, and the only birds dying in the extreme cold has now stopped as the temperature levelled, the argument with fewer explanations required is that the birds died of extreme weather conditions, as is the unfortunate natural course of life.

Whether or not the unsuitable conditions at the Crammer played a part in this, well, we could carry on all night with, but what’s clear, without feeding they’ll die anyway, so the logical reasoning is to feed them and anyone who says otherwise are either misinformed or have a different agenda. I also apologise to those councillors I’ve called out on this, all’s fair in love and war, for there’s a fair chunk of speculation presented, I’ll admit, but I can see no other reason for staging such a ferocious campaign against feeding them without the required evidence. But more so, I question the need to incite folk to police it themselves, for this would undoubtedly cause friction.

I believe a full, independent enquiry needs to be done, as to why the councillors perpetrated their fictious campaign; what else are they lying to us about?

Let’s hope for a positive outcome for the new year ahead, but if not, I urge you to leave The Devizes Issues Facebook group, because no one should be taking its advice and reprimanding children for feeding ducks; inexcusable behaviour from a town councillor, for heaven help if incited verbal abuse turned physical.

Devizes to Seize the Day for Wiltshire Climate Alliance

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 campaigns across the world, will arrive at our Corn Exchange for a one-off gig fundraising for Wiltshire Climate Allianceโ€ฆ…

Founded in 1997 by singer-songwriters Theo Simon and Shannon Smy, Seize the Day are renowned for revelling and inspiring the country’s environmental movement. They annually play Glastonbury Festival along with a variety of folk and mainstream UK festivals, and as stalwarts to grass-roots campaigners, they also play many benefit gigs and protest meetings, often with a solar-powered PA.

Wiltshire Climate Alliance are an umbrella campaign group, bringing together the various eco-groups from across Wiltshire, including Sustainable Devizes. Formed in 2019, when Wiltshire Council acknowledged that there was a climate emergency and set themselves a target to make Wiltshire carbon neutral by 2030, Wiltshire Climate Alliance set to ensure that Wiltshire Council was taking this commitment seriously.

In February 2020 they held a rally outside County Hall in Trowbridge, and have since created several active topic groups including energy, transport, land use and business engagement, organizing speakers and workshops, responses to consultations and planning applications, site visits and more.

Continuing to grow, the group welcome new members, partners and people who can help with our organization and administration.

An eight-piece ensemble, Seize the Day, fresh from an XR Christmas party at The Cellar Bar in Bath, Iโ€™m sure will bring a welcomed and refreshing show to Devizes Corn Exchange. Tickets are ยฃ15.00 or ยฃ7.50 for those who are struggling to pay any more, people can choose which to buy. Food will be available to purchase.

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Devizes Dilemma: FullTone or Scooter Rally?!

Contemplated headlining this โ€œClash of the Titans,โ€ but that evokes the idea of a dramatic power struggle with fierce consequences rather than proof Devizes canโ€ฆ

Goodbye to The Beanery but Hollychocs Lives On

Popular award-winning artisan chocolate business Hollychocs has announced that its Beanery Cafรฉ will close on Saturday 23rd August, marking exactly two years since its openingโ€ฆ

Park Farm; Mantonfest Came to Devizes!

The first Park Farm Festival happened Saturday, it was fabulouso, and in some way Mantonfest came to Devizes; conveniently for me as I had toโ€ฆ

Ann Liu Cannon’s Clever Rabbits

Ann Liu Cannon is the Marlborough success story I hadn’t heard of until yesterday; thanks to local promoter and frontman of the Vooz, Lee Mathewsโ€ฆ

Ladiesโ€™ Day Opens a New Year at The Wharf Theatre

The Wharf Theatre in Devizes begin their 2023 program with Amanda Whittington’s Ladiesโ€™ Day, running from January 30th to February 4thโ€ฆโ€ฆ

This play, which premiered in 2005, is the first of a trilogy which follows the adventures of Pearl, Jane, Shelley, and Linda. It’s written by Amanda Whittington with arrangements with Nick Hern Books, and directed by John Winterton.

The ladies are a fish-filleting foursome for whom work, love and life are just one long hard slog until their fortunes look set to change when Linda ๏ฌnds tickets to Ladiesโ€™ Day at Royal Ascot, the year it is relocated to York.

Out go the hair nets, overalls, and wellies as the four of them ditch work, do themselves up to the nines and head off to the races for a drink, a ๏ฌ‚irt and a ๏ฌ‚utter. Secrets are spilled with the champagne but if their luck holds, they could just hit the jackpot and more besides!

Described by The Stage as, โ€œas much fun as a day at the races and, arguably, better value for money,โ€ Ladiesโ€™ Day will be the first production at Devizes Wharf Theatre, with more to follow. So, while we await the Wharfโ€™s homegrown program, outsourced productions include a fresh and inventive improvised comedy called Instant Wit, on 18th February, and on February 25th, when the Apollo Theatre Company presents The Songs & Monologues of Joyce Grenfell.

Though word on the grapevine is youโ€™ll be treated to some Shakespeare and The Railway Children, this coming year, and The Wharf also plans a theatre open day one Saturday in April, when they hope people will join them for refreshments and a tour of the theatre, offering the chance to see what goes on behind the scenes.

Tickets for Ladiesโ€™ Day can be purchased by ringing 03336 663 366; from the website; wharftheatre.co.uk and at the Devizes Community Hub and Library on Sheep Street.

Recent…..

Live in Pewsey, at the First Oak-Fest

Amidst another packed summer weekend’s schedule laid that lovable large village Pewseyโ€™s turn to shine; always a law unto itself, things went off; if itโ€™sโ€ฆ

Explosive Minds & ZambaLando: Swindonโ€™s Connection to Afro Latin Funk

Patiently waiting for a good reason to feature ZambaLando, Wiltshireโ€™s premier funksters of Afro-Latino beats, so upon the release of the follow-up album to 2020โ€™s Carry On, off we virtually trot to Swindon for a worthy tropical musical expedition!

If thereโ€™s ever a criticism over Ry Cooperโ€™s nineties Son adventures with the Buena Vista Social Club, itโ€™s usually the style projected was rather outdated, and not in line with the popular sounds of Cuba at the time. Naturally the counter-argument here is advances in music technology arriving in developing worlds often creates much sparser, avant-garde, and radical subgenres within their pop, which to the western worldโ€™s untrained ear can be difficult to differentiate and adopt. So, makes sense for world music bands in Europe and USA to implement a melting pot, fusing styles under blanket terms such as Afro-beat and Afro-Funk.

While I could throw this debate on ZambaLandoโ€™s table, given Carry On is an unconditionally unique and beautiful album, its melting pot is spiced with salsa, merengue, lando, festejo, samba and bossa nova, yet all conveyed in a rather traditional and jazzy fashion, the world is smaller place than it was when Cooper popularised the Buena Vista Social Club, thanks to the internet, and through websites like Bandcamp one can easily backpack the planet virtually and be more aware of current global trends. Iโ€™m pleased to report back, that ZambaLando have stepped it up a colossal โ€œmodernisedโ€ notch with this monthโ€™s newly released Explosive Mind.

As the title suggests, it is such; explosive, with more contemporary offerings than the styles incorporated within Carry On, which if akin to Antรดnio Carlos Jobim, Latino-wise, and Fela Kuti and Tony Allenโ€™s archaic afrobeat originations, Explosive Mind really pushes the boundaries of experimentation, often with the serenest ambient soundscapes, like the track Hay Mi Lando, or exotically dubbed, like Siku Funk, but what is more, from the off, the title track, it comes across with a greater and more wholesome funk tenet; irresistibly danceable and strikingly modern.

It doesnโ€™t lose sight of their roots, though, and pre-subgenres of salsa, merengue, lando, festejo, samba and bossa nova are clearly still present. At times it embraces them fully, as Carry On did, yet at others it plays with them; this makes it the โ€œjourneyโ€ I suggested it is. So, if I expressed how Hay Mi Landos loses you in electronic ambience, it also ingeniously encompasses bossa nova too. Again, the following songs Little Baby and Sorry, are soulfully blessed, yet wouldnโ€™t look out of place of NYPโ€™s Mukambo Global Beats anthologies, which offers only the most contemporary of world music.

Thereโ€™s mellower moments of romantically-themed jazzy blues-fashioned bliss as the album progresses, with masterpieces like Walking Along the River but the finale of this ten-track marvel, Quรฉdate No Te Vayas is precisely the definition of what Iโ€™m trying to convey here; it rocks steady, samba fashion, incorporating up-to-date techniques to present this traditional, magical blend of Latino afro-funk subgenres as something worthy for your modern ears, and it doesnโ€™t try to trick you with complexities of the ever-changing global pop either, just smooths all the way through.

Iโ€™m so pleased ZambaLando have provided this option locally, for their musical multiplicity is a blessing in a somewhat narrowly sundry circuit, and this album presents it in such a sublime way, while they gig prolifically in their hometown, I can imagine this will bring them to wider appeal. If I let you into a secret I might get in trouble for leaking, you wonโ€™t tell, will you?! But on my recommendation, Devizes Arts Festival are in talks with ZambaLando, entreating my passion to get them in playing our humble town, of which Iโ€™m thoroughly grateful for, and this album, Explosive Mind, illustrates exactly why Iโ€™ve such enthusiasm to do this!

Give it a listen this winter, it’ll warm you up cheaper than British Gas will!

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IDLES’ at Block Party

With their only UK shows of the year quickly approaching, the 1st and 2nd August will see IDLESโ€™ and music festival Block Party take overโ€ฆ

Weekly Roundup of Events in Wiltshire: 21st December 2022 โ€“ New Yearโ€™s Eve!

Okay letโ€™s get this out there before the kids munch through all the Quality Street, and have a double whammy Christmas and New Year run down of everything (weโ€™ve found so far) happening around these parts over the yuletide; I feel like the Radio Times for live local entertainment!

But first, allow me take to take this opportunity to wish you a very merry Christmas and a happy New Yearโ€ฆ. I hope you are all on the good list. Find all links and further details on our event calendar, and keep scrolling to plan ahead and scan for updates, they do occasionally happen!

Sustainable Devizesโ€™ The Advent{ure} Reuse Christmas continues at The Little Green, Devizes until Christmas Eve.

Wednesday 21st is Winter Solstice, for sunset at 16:00, and sunrise on Thursday at 7:30. See here for advice if visiting Stonehenge or Avebury. Meanwhile Andy will be on the piano at The Barge on Honey-Street for some carols.  And you’ll find The Hammervilles at The Three Horseshoes, Bradford-on-Avon.

Thursday 22nd Melksham Assembly Hall hold The Polar Express Pyjama Party.

Fin & Mark entertain at The Condado Lounge, Devizes, while Matt Owens & The Delusional Vanity Project play the Tuppenny, Swindon, and Far Cue attend the Three Horseshoes Bradford-on-Avon.

Friday 23rd Illingworth play The Three Crowns, Devizes, while One trick Pony takes over the Southgate for a Ugandan Children Centre fundraiser, with the promise of an afterparty with nibbles and funky disco. Talking funky, Funked Up play the Pelican Inn, while itโ€™s the Long Street Blues Clubโ€™s Christmas party with Gee Baby I Love You. Any of these options can be washed down with a stint at The Exchange nightclub, where Stevie MC is behind the wheels of steel for an Ugly Christmas Jumper retro party night till 2am.

Outside of Devizes Iโ€™ve not got much to offer you, Rave Against the Machine play The Vic in Swindon, ska punk outfit Operation 77 will be at The Lamb in Marlborough, while Marchella are down The Wellington.

Pogues tribute, The Pโ€™Hogues are at Fromeโ€™s Tree House, Frenzy at The Three Horseshoes, Bradford-on-Avon.

Saturday 24th, Christmas Eve finds 12 Bars Later at The Crown in Bishops Cannings, (UPDATED: Blondie & Ska have stepped in last minute as 12 Bars couldn’t make it) and a Christmas Eve party with DJ Lynx in the mix at The Exchange, Devizes. Illingworth play Old Townโ€™s The Royal Oak in Swindon.

Sun 25th is Christmas day, and all silent night, enjoy your Brussel sprouts!

Our calendar from Monday 26th to Friday 30th has also drawn pretty much a blank to-date, hence while Iโ€™m getting the fortnight over and done with one big shebang today! Play it safe if protesting against Boxing Day fox hunts in Lacock or elsewhere. Find details for the protest at Lacock HERE.

Live music can be found at The Beehive in Swindon on Wednesday 28th with the Experimental Blues Orchestra, and on Thursday 29th with The Shudders, both start at 8.30pm.

Kick back into the live music action in Devizes on Friday 30th when Jon Amor plays The Southgate, and then itโ€™sโ€ฆโ€ฆ

New Yearโ€™s Eve, Saturday 31st, and weโ€™ve lots to get through, obviously. Seend Community Centre win my Editorโ€™s Pick of the Week, even if itโ€™s a fortnight special, where the Train to Skaville will be boarding. You need to get tickets for this steaming New Yearโ€™s Eve ska social.

Meanwhile in Devizes, DJ Andy Saunders is at The Conservative Club, thereโ€™s Glitzy New Yearโ€™s Eve Karaoke Party at The Pelican, and Plan of Action play The Crown at Bishop’s Cannings. Then, itโ€™s all fancy dress at the Exchange with DJ Lynx.

Hereโ€™s what weโ€™ve also found round-and-about for seeing in 2023, Get Carter play the Consti Club, Chippenham, while The Salutation Inn have a NYE party.

NYE disco party at The Civic in Trowbridge, and a party at The Wiltshire Yeoman too.

The Tuppeny in Swindon hos a New Yearโ€™s Eve Party, and thatโ€™s all we know about in Swindon.

Shindig Festival takes over Club Lomah in Bath for a Shimmy Discotheque.

No Middle Ground play The Burbage British Legion, the reBBels play Mere Social Club. Paul Jude Wilson is live at The George Inn, Middle Wallop.

New Yearโ€™s Eve Parties at The Lord Nelson, Marshfield, Players Traditional Carvery, Westbury, and The Packhorse, Larkhill.

Subgiant at The Winchester Gate, Salisbury, while The Deloreons play Salisbury Arts Centre, and find Miss Chief and the Makers at The Old Ale & Coffee House, and a NYE party at Ox Row.

In Frome the Foo Fakers and Nirvanot tributes play the Tree House, while The Hammervilles take the Cheese & Grainโ€™s New Yearโ€™s Eve party.

If we missed something, let us know, for now though, weโ€™re into 2023, happy new year, see you on the other side. Event organisers, your new year’s resolution should be to inform Devizine of your events, and don’t make us come looking for you!

Trending…

REVIEW โ€“ Devizes Winter Wonderland of Music 17/18th December 2022

Proving That Thereโ€™s More To Life Than Football!

Andy Fawthrop

Another perishingly cold weekend in D-Town, but there was plenty of music and entertainment on offer to warm the heart.ย  So I went off on a Winter wander to see what was on offer.

Unfortunately I had to miss Friday nightโ€™s Butch Hopkins Memorial Gig at The Corn Exchange, featuring Jon Amor and Innes Sibun.ย  I would dearly loved to have gone, but was prevented by another commitment.ย  Talking to people who did go, however, I was told that a great night was had by all. ย 

But by Saturday I was fully on my mission.  Whilst the editor of this esteemed digital mag was indulging his nostalgic love of Ford Cortinas and Slade tribute bands in Marlborough, I took to the mean streets of D-Town.

First off to St Johnโ€™s for the Big Soundโ€™s Christmas concert.ย  This was a gig of two halves.ย  The first half featured songs by a number of individual guest singers, including some very young soloists, each one of whom knocked it out of the park, despite the daunting prospect of standing up alone in front of hundreds of people.ย  Hats off!

The second half moved up a gear and featured the big guns of the eponymous The Big Sound โ€“ a massive and marvellous choir, marshalled by the enthusiastic Jemma Brown.  The choir was not formed particularly with formal concerts in mind, but more as an ongoing exercise in what Jemma herself describes as โ€œmusic, singing, wellbeing, friendship, laughter and funโ€ (the choir meets and sings every Tuesday night).  Those values certainly shone through as the choir strode their way through a number of Christmas-related songs.  The highlight, particularly in the fun department, was the audience participation in The Twelve Days Of Christmas.  Everyone on stage looked as if they were enjoying themselves hugely, and the audience were kept warm both by singing and by the mulled wine being served at the back.  And to top all that, it would appear that the two charities being supported last night (Devizes Open Doors and Dorothy House) would have benefited somewhere in the region of ยฃ2000 โ€“ a terrific performance all round.  Given that this was the choirโ€™s first-ever gig, it was what I can only describe as a stunning success.

Of course there was other stuff on around town, but my next venue of choice for the night was The Southgate.ย  Unfortunately, due to Covid, Dr. Zeboโ€™s Wheezy Club had had to cancel at the very last minute, but the ever-resourceful Debbie had managed to find her friends (and fantastic musicians) Tim Madden (guitar and vocals) and Melinda Rozsahegyi (12-string pedal-steel guitar), both of The Duskers to play at the last moment.ย  From a relatively quiet start, the crowd grew as the evening wore on, and the place was pretty packed by the end.ย  Timโ€™s laid-back and mournful vocals, accompanied by gentle and under-stated guitar proved a perfect foil for Melindaโ€™s pedal-steel.ย  I think itโ€™s the association with Country music and the heart-rending lyrics of you-done-me-wrong songs, but thereโ€™s something infinitely sad and haunting about the sound of pedal-steel.ย  As it was, we had two great hour-long sets, and I left for home with just a liddle biddy tear in my eye.

But there was still more to come.  D-Town doesnโ€™t stop after Saturday night, it carries on until we all have to go back to work on Monday morning.

So Sunday got off to an early start.ย  When thereโ€™s a Market Place full of farm machinery, why would you want to be anywhere else?ย  Due to (as I understand it) insurance issues, Devizes Young Farmers were unable to stage their now-usual Tinsel & Tractor run through the Wiltshire countryside, ending up in D-Town, and so they did the next best thing – a static display.ย  Whilst this might have been a little less exciting, and to feature rather less units, having the machines parked up in neat rows in The Market Place gave everyone a chance to get really close up.ย  Iโ€™ve never seen so much clean (and often new) farm machinery โ€“ just makes you appreciate the level of modern technology that goes into producing the food that we all take for granted.ย  Iโ€™ve also never seen so many strapping and weather-beaten chaps proudly displaying their vehicles.ย  There were loads of stalls, including food offerings, and stuff for the kiddi-winkies to do too.ย  Hopefully the day raised a shedload of money for Dorothy House, so another hats off to the organisers.

Afternoon is the time to go the pub, right?  Keen to observe this custom in full, and never one to shirk my reporting responsibilities, I fearlessly went to two of our finest establishments.  Itโ€™s a tough job, but someoneโ€™s got to do it. 

First to The White Bear to see my mate Jamie R Hawkins in a now-rare solo performance away from his Lost Trades buddies.ย  It was really good to see and hear him in action again, and good to see that heโ€™s retained all his good humour and singer/ songwriter skills. The songs were still there, that distinctive voice was still in evidence.ย  Always a class act.

Finally it was back up to The Southgate, following the football, to catch Itโ€™s Complicatedโ€™s Christmas party.ย  Again it was good to see an old mate, this time in the shape of Tim Watts behind the drums.ย  Accompanied by Jacqi Sherlock (keys and vocals), Tom Evans (guitar and vocals), and Adrian Mundy (bass guitar), it was another of those gigs that really built momentum ass it went along.ย  Theyโ€™re a covers band, but definitely a musical step up from yer average pub band.ย  They donโ€™t just play the more โ€œobviousโ€ cloud-pleasers โ€“ theyโ€™re happy to take on some less well-known stuff.ย  The musicianship, and their ability to use their own arrangements to lift a number out of the ditch of a mere slavish copy, means that theyโ€™re a notch or two better than the mere average.ย  Jacqiโ€™s vocals, in particular, really lifted some of the songs.

And because it was a Christmas party, the set-list included a number of Crimbo classics that we could all belt out.  You donโ€™t have to go all the way to Marlborough to see a Slade tribute act to get a dose of โ€œHere It Is โ€“ Merry Christmasโ€.  Tim did a passable impression of Noddy Holder, belting out the song, whilst doing some heavy-duty tub-thumping.

So โ€“ all-in-all โ€“ plenty of stuff to keep me out of trouble.  And away from the football.

And โ€“ as a final note – Iโ€™d like to add a massive thank-you to all those shakers and movers, the organisers and planners, those people who get off their arses in our little town and put all of these events on for us to enjoy.  There are lots of them throughout the year, and at a lot of venues, but just based on the above things that fed my particular week-end, a big hats off to Ian Hopkins (Long Street Blues), Dave & Debbie (The Southgate), Marc & Georgie (The White Bear), Jemma Brown (The Big Sound) and the Devizes Young Farmers.  Hats off.  Well done to all of them.

Latest…..

Clock Radio Turf Out The Maniacs

The first full album by Wiltshireโ€™s finest purveyors of psychedelic indie shenanigans, Clock Radio, was knocked out to an unsuspecting world last week. Itโ€™s calledโ€ฆ

Thieves Debut EP

Adam Woodhouse, Rory Coleman-Smith, Jo Deacon and Matt Hughes, aka Thieves, the wonderful local folk vocal harmony quartet of uplifting bluegrass into country-blues has aโ€ฆ

More Wildfowl Die as Situation on the Crammer is Debated

NOTE: This article gives no advise on what to do for the best, honestly, I donโ€™t know what to make of all this, or what side to sit on, as a second swan died on the Crammer in Devizes yesterday, after two Canada geese did prior, only in that the two debating sides are of the same motivation, and Iโ€™m assured they only wish to do what is best for the birds.

The Crammer Watch page announced the RSPCA attended the Crammer today, Sunday, and said, โ€œin the absence of a positive test for bird flu there is no reason to withdraw feeding safely.โ€ In this it is my understanding, though face it, no one arguing any of this are experts, no matter how much some think they are, as the Crammer has no natural food source, not feeding the birds there will either see them move on, thus spreading any potential flu elsewhere (or will it disperse it, I simply donโ€™t know), or stay on the Crammer and die in the freezing conditions. My only condolence in this is the recent higher temperatures. Still, the wildfowl there are under-nourished and this effects their ability to survive in these extreme conditions.

Crammer Watch reasons with heartfelt plea, โ€œwhy did Crammer Watch carry on feeding wildfowl on the Crammer? We monitor these birds daily, saw no classic symptoms of bird flu but expected deaths of weakened birds from the extreme cold. When individual large birds were found dead, one each day, but none of the smaller species – we contacted the official Agency for advice on two separate occasions. We continue to speak daily to wildlife professionals. In the absence of identifiable symptoms or a positive test we continued feeding safely following the safety measures. Crammer Watch has always promoted feeding only what birds eat straight away – one reason why our few volunteers visit more than once a day in winter. We are only attempting to keep our lovely Crammer birds alive.โ€

It is contradicting advise from Devizes Town Council, who state not to feed the birds at all. At times I consider Crammer Watch running on heartstrings, but as of the current situation we are unaware if the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs are even engaging in tests, let alone when we can expect confirmation. Putting the importance of confirmation to Devizes Town Councillor Chris Greenwood yesterday, who has confirmed the birds are dying because of bird flu, writing on Devizes News Facebook group; โ€œBird Flu has been confirmed in Devizes, with several birds having been reported with the virus,โ€ I consider this greatly misleading, as to-date he later confessed there is no such apparent confirmation.

Despite the DEFRA website not reporting any bird flu outbreaks in our area, Chris contradicted himself, now saying confirmation is โ€œirrelevant,โ€ as the situation should be treated as if there is bird flu on the Crammer, according to guidelines. He stated, โ€œthe three cases of death are being treated as infected, under guidance from government and wildlife agencies. Losing three birds within such a short period of time, can only be regarded as potential for grave concern about the health of the Townโ€™s birdlife. Until we have the โ€œAll Clearโ€ it is imperative that feeding large groups of birds and wildfowl is avoided.โ€

So, I asked Chris on the grounds that nowhere on the link provided (the DEFRA guidelines) suggests confirmation is irrelevant, but in fact says; These signs can indicate bird flu, but the avian influenza virus can only be confirmed through laboratory tests, if โ€œDEFRA has done such tests, and if so, when will the results of test be announced?โ€

His responsewas frank: โ€œIf and when it is categorically diagnosed as bird flu, then APHA will come along, capture everything, and cull them. We are desperately trying to stop people feeding birds, which encourages them to congregate, and potentially become infected. There is no middle ground here, and attracting birds to a suspected site of infection, is effectively giving them a death sentence either way. Two more birds have been recorded as sick, which could potentially place the site in danger of a total cull. There are no facilities for hospitalisation or recovery, no fluffy blankets, or hot drinks – the birds will die! As far as the actual testing is concerned, it is highly unlikely that many birds will have post mortem examinations, due to the vast numbers being reported, and collected.โ€ And to add to our concerns, he became quite agitated with my line of fire which was only so because of said inconsistencies, โ€œDoes this reply answer your question, or would you prefer to wait until APHA turn up with their nets and euthanasia equipment?!โ€

โ€œThereโ€™s unlikely to be any announcement,โ€ Chris claimed, โ€œthe next step would be a total cull of all wildfowl, including gulls, pigeons, and any other birds in the area.โ€ Which is bizarre considering friendly town councillor Iain Wallis, in charge of the area the Crammer is in, has been positively open about campaigning for the culling of pigeons for months, and I must wonder if this is the answer to his prayers, though he refuses to cooperate with us due to other disagreements we have had in the past; which is, to be frank, while weโ€™re all obviously being frank here, petty bullshit.

Of course, no one really wants this to happen, and consider my thoughts unfair on the hard-working councillors, but as said, unlike a natural waterside, if the birds there rely on handouts, they will either fly off elsewhere if they can, or die anyway if no one feeds them; that’s the problem, they will die no matter what we do, then again, such is the natural circle of life, I sigh.

We raised the issue of having a natural food source for the wildfowl on the Crammer back in the spring, based on what Swan Support told us while rescuing the swans, when the issue was pollution in the Crammer caused by an overflow pipe running into it directly from the roadside. I asked Chris if he felt if it was dealt with back then we wouldn’t find ourselves in this conundrum now.

โ€œThereโ€™s currently no real possibility of providing a natural food source in or near the Crammer, due to it potentially restricting flight paths for the swans and geese,โ€ he continued, โ€œit would also disrupt the aesthetics of the area, by changing the very nature of a feature of our Town.โ€ The first point is above my sphere of knowledge on the subject, the reasons birds need organised flight paths, like air traffic control, or what?! But the latter is most concerning, yes, it might change the very nature of the unsuitable for wildfowl pond for the better, a mini wildlife reserve on our doorstep would be far better in my honest opinion than a concrete kerb into a duck shit tarn! Though this is costly, I know, accept this, and have said this too in the past. No one is expecting miracles overnight, but cards need to be thrown on the table because overnight the wildfowl are sadly dying.

It is a conundrum โ€œthatโ€™s providing an answer of its own,โ€ Chris suggested, because โ€œfollowing detailed examination and analysis of the silt and water content, by competent professionals, we will shortly be in a position to confirm that there is barely any difference between those recent results, and those taken in 2008. The drainage from the roadside, is currently providing the only method of restoring water content to an optimum level.โ€ Poisonous matter has been dribbling into the water in the Crammer long before 2008.

The concerning conclusion here was when Chris finished, after thanking him for his time, โ€œwe are faced with a situation that affects the long-term welfare of birds, and we have been given sound advice which is being ignored by a few – having the potential for a large loss of birdlife, to the detriment of the very things that the vast majority of us are trying to protect. I find it inconceivable that those few people insist on quibbling over semantics, when faced with the real possibility of a mass cull.โ€

If quibbling means โ€œthe action of raising objections about a trivial matter,โ€ this is terrible wording Iโ€™d ask him to take back, for those asking the questions are needing to know, because theyโ€™re equally as concerned, and the deaths of animals is far from trivial. Still, we must take these ideas as red, coming from the top, and no matter the dire circumstances and how our hearts drive us, accept that feeding the birds is damaging to the situation, if it is so.

The jury is out, Iโ€™m sitting on the fence here and cannot advise what to do for the best, other than follow the advice from the council, and hope and pray for the birdโ€™s welfare. Though I also remain in the dark about how anyone can officially claim bird flu has been confirmed when clearly it hasnโ€™t, and this gives me understandable reason for concern. Dammit, whereโ€™s Chris Packham when we need him?!

Swan Dies on the Crammer, Devizes

Saddened to hear of the death of a swan on the Crammer today, via Devizes Police who were called to its attention last night.…

The Crammer Watch team keep regular watches of the Crammer. Undoubtedly the swans are miserable with the cold spell, but at this current time the cause of its death it’s undetermined. In speculating it may be avian bird flu, the operative word is “may.” The mere mention of it on social media, which has already occured for the purpose of a warning to keep away from the swan, risks the spreading unsolicited rumours.

“Crammer Watcher” Brian, who regularly visits the pond, noted “at no time has any of them shown any respiratory problems. No classic signs of avian flu at all.” Obviously we should all take the advise to keep away from any dead wildfowl, but the last thing we need is scaremonging Chinese whispers.

The bird’s plight of not having a natural food source on the Crammer is an ongoing issue. Recently the Facebook page reached out to the public, suggesting you should feed the swans, ducks and geese, if you can. Some of the swans on the Crammer are underweight, they are all very hungry and need food to get them through this cold spell.

But there was a plea to all from the page, not to feed the wildfowl mouldy food. They need specific food, which you can buy at Rangebourne Pet Care on New Park Street, and the store is offering a 10% discount during this cold spell. But if you are going to feed them, you must keep your distance at this time, and contact the RSPCA or Wiltshire Wildlife Hospital if you are concerned about any of the birds on the Crammer.

Weekly Roundup of Events in Wiltshire: 13th-21th December 2022

What is this life if, full of jostle, we have no time to stand and waffle? A truckload of stuff to do this coming week, donโ€™t let me ramble on pointlessly, you know how it works, more info and links can be found on our event calendar, HERE.

Sustainable Devizesโ€™ Advent{ure} Reuse Christmas continues at The Little Green, Devizes, and runs until Christmas Eve. Little Red Riding Hood continues at the Wharf, but alas, is sold out.

Tuesday 13th there will be beer & carols at The Southgate, Devizes, and some Christmas Memories at Melksham Assembly Hall.

Wednesday 14th and itโ€™s the regular Acoustic Jam at The Southgate, Devizes. Also, a lunchtime harp recital by Lise Vandermissen at Pound Arts, Corsham, and the regular Chuckles Comedy Club at Meca, Swindon.

Thursday 15th and Kairo Beats, Chloe Hepburn and PX do the Tuppeny, Swindon, while Christmas by Candlelight is happening at Meca.

Friday 16th sees the Butch Hopkins Memorial Gig at The Corn Exchange, Devizes.

Humdinger play The Cooperโ€™s Arms, Pewsey.

80s-90s Christmas Party at Melksham Assembly Hall.

Highly recommended Monkey Bizzle play The Three Horseshoes, Bradford-on-Avon, while youโ€™ll find Bluesoul at The Boathouse, and Swinging at the Cotton Club at Wiltshire Music Centre, after a related swing dance workshop.

Thereโ€™s a Rockinโ€™ & Swinginโ€™ Evening at Chapel Arts, Bath.

Over in Swindon, find Barrelhouse at The Queenโ€™s Tap, Bublรฉ at Christmas is happening at Meca, but donโ€™t get over excited, Bublรฉ fans, heโ€™s not there, rather itโ€™s some of the countryโ€™s top musicians celebrating the music, the arrangements, and the tours that the man himself has made so successfulโ€ฆ. apparently!

The Sweet play the Cheese & Grain, Frome, with Abba tribute SOS at the Tree House.

Saturday 17th and itโ€™s Lego club at Chippenham Library from 3-4pm.

Christmas in the Park at Hillworth Park, Devizes, though tickets to see Father Christmas are sold out now. Sustainable Devizes will be at St James for a toy and book swap (details) until 2pm. The Corn Exchange has the Devizes Christmas Vegan Fair.

Near sold out, itโ€™s everyoneโ€™s favourite soprano, Chloe Jordan, who is at Devizes Town Hall with a Classic Christmas concert in aid of Wiltshire Air Ambulance. Devizes Community Choir are at St Johns, for a Big Sing Christmas Concert in aid of Dorothy House and Open-Doors. Highly recommended, Dr Zeebos Wheezy Club play The Southgate.

Editorโ€™s Pick of the Week

Itโ€™s Chrrriissssssmmmasss at Marlborough Memorial Hall, when MantonFest hosts a Christmas Concert with Slade tribute Slyde, and naturally, the fantastic Barrelhouse. Despite all the amazing stuff going on this weekend, itโ€™s not Christmas until Noddy, or least a Noddy-a-like calls it, so Iโ€™m thinking this should be Editorโ€™s Pick of the Week.

Meanwhile, Pete Lambโ€™s Heartbeats play Woodborough Social Clubโ€™s Christmas Dance, and throw in a free ploughmanโ€™s lunch on the deal!

In the Sham, the Assembly Hall has The Rock-A-Toons for a Melksham Rock N Roll Club dance, and The Beverley May Band plays The Milk Churn.

Double-header at The Lamb, Trowbridge with Lucky Number Seven & The Foundations. John Kirkpatrickโ€™s Carolling & Crumpets at Pound Arts, Corsham. Itโ€™s The Most Wonderful Time of The Year show at Chapel Arts, Bath.

Danny and the Randoms do The Swiss Chalet in Swindon, while itโ€™s the annual 12 Bands of Christmas at The Vic, and the Tuppeny has a DJ set from Random Rules, โ€œIโ€™ll Make You a Tape.โ€

Shy FX featuring Stamina MC at the Cheese & Grain, Frome, with The Ramonas at The Tree House, and Flash Harry plays The Cornerhouse.

Sunday 18th The Christmas Celebration of Music for Miniatures will be at Devizes Corn Exchange. Itโ€™s Christmas Party time with Itโ€™s Complicated at The Southgate, and Jamie R Hawkins does an afternoon set at The White Bear.

St Agnes Fountain play Marlborough Folk Roots club, at Marlborough Town Hall.

GBH Big Band at Wiltshire Music Centre, Bradford-on-Avon, while The Worried Men plays The Three Horseshoes.

Christmas Sunday Swingout Social at Meca, Swindon, finishes off our weekend listings, and if I have to type the word โ€œChristmasโ€ one more time, Iโ€™m going to come over all Uncle Scrooge! Note though, this list is NEVER exhaustive, more events are coming to our attention, so keep one eye on our event calendar and the other on our social media pages.

Monday 19th, find Scratchworks Theatre at Pound Arts, Corsham with a show Wild, Wild Woods. Tuesday 20th and Iโ€™ve got nothing; hide under the duvet!

And you know what, events for New Yearโ€™s Eve are looking pretty thin at the moment, perhaps you need to send us details of what youโ€™re doing for the big one?!

Latest…

Carmela To Help in Local Care Home

Over three years since my most memorable โ€œSpider-Milk-Manโ€ run in aid of Carmelaโ€™s Stand Up to Muscular Dystrophy, itโ€™s always nice to catch up with Carmela Chillery-Watson and her family. If I expressed then how much of an inspiration to us all Carmela is, agelessly, it was never said in a patronising manner simply because she was just six years old at the time, because she’s growing up, and surely proving my pointโ€ฆ...

This week has seen Carmela in hospital for an operation, for a monitoring device to be implanted near her heart, and still, she comes up smiles! We all wish you the very best here at Devizine, Carmela, and of course, a very happy Christmas too, but the news Carmela plans to start helping one of our local care homes in the new year is outstanding.

Mum, Lucy explained, โ€œon one of Carmela’s sad days a few weeks back, we discovered she was really keen to help put smiles on the elderly who can’t get outside to do sports and fun activities.โ€

โ€œCarmela said she gets sad because her body won’t allow her to do lots of things she was once able to and she said her weak body is like the elderly. But having me in her life helps her to do lots of other fun stuff. So that’s why she felt she could help the elderly like I do for her.โ€

Carmela will be coaching bean bag boccia and fun hand sensory activities once a month after Christmas, and visited the home last week where she got to have a brief chat with one of the residents who was 99 years old. See what I mean now? She really is an inspiration to us all.

Well done, Carmela, and I just know you’re going to win their hearts!

Last August a team of fundraisers, led by Carmelaโ€™s mum, Lucy, cycled 66 miles through Wiltshire villages for Muscular Dystrophy UK, and plan to do it again in 2023. You can register your interest HERE, or you can donate to the Courageous Carmela fundraising HERE, or the Cure for Carmela HERE.

Latest….

You; Lucas Hardy Teams With Rosie Jay

One of Salisburyโ€™s most celebrated acoustic folk-rock singer-songwriters Lucas Hardy teams up with the Wiltshire cityโ€™s upcoming talent who’s name is on everyoneโ€™s lips, Rosieโ€ฆ

Bands At The Bridge

Organised by Kingston Media – to raise money for Dorothy House and Wiltshire Air Ambulance – the 3rd of May saw Bands At The Bridgeโ€ฆ

Phil Cooper is Playing Solitaire

Trowbridge singer-songwriter and one third of The Lost Trades, Phil Cooper has actually been doing more than playing solitaire, heโ€™s released a new solo albumโ€ฆ

No Alarms No Devizes, Aptly in Devizes!

If I’ve been galavanting recently, gorging on other local townโ€™s live music scenes, what better way to return to Devizes than a visit to theโ€ฆ

Sustainable Devizes Christmas Toy & Book Swap

Grab some free Christmas gifts, clear some space at home, and reduce wasteโ€ฆ “try swapping not shopping this Christmas,” says Sustainable Devizes, as they host a Christmas Toy & Book Swap at St James Church this Saturday (17th December,) from 11am-2pm.

Bring your unwanted toys, games and books to swap for something new, or simply donate some of your older toys and books. Crazy how they grow out of them so fast, isn’t it? While me, I secretly still want to play with them, but I can’t, because they’d moan at me, call me “babyish,” and what’s worse; they’ll tell on me!

Books for adults are also welcome. Toys should be clean and undamaged please (a little bit of wear and tear is ok!) Please note that they cannot accept electrical mains powered items, battery powered toys are fine.

If youโ€™ve nothing to swap, thatโ€™s okay too, everything is still free! And there will be refreshments from Fairtrade Devizes. What a wonderful thing for those feeling the pinch this Christmas; thank you Keith at St James, Sam and all at Sustainable Devizes.

Trending….

Wiltshire Music Awards Website Goes Live

Last month we were pleased to announce our involvement with the new Wiltshire Music Awards in conjunction with Wiltshire Events UK, details of which areโ€ฆ

Soupchick in the Park

And there was me thinking nothing good comes out of a Monday! Today local bistro Soupchick, popular in the Devizesโ€™ Shambles opened their second branch,โ€ฆ

Family Easter Holiday Events

Devizine isn’t only about music and gigs for grownups, y’know? It’s about events for everyone. This Easter we’ve lots of things to do over theโ€ฆ

REVIEW โ€“ Lachy Doley @ Corn Exchange, Devizes โ€“ Friday 9th December 2022

Awesome Aussie!

Andy Fawthrop

On a perishingly cold night in D-Town, the one thing you needed was to get warm as soon asย possible. ย And fortunately for us there was some genuine Australian heat waiting for us.…

Paul Chandlerโ€™s Longcroft Productions had done the business yet again.  Pulling off something of a coup by securing the Lachy Doley bandโ€™s only UK date on their current European tour, they were rewarded by a very large crowd filling all the tables in the Corn Exchange, including folks who had travelled enormous distances just to be there on the night.  Would it all be worthwhile?  Would the reality live up to the hype of the publicity?

There was no support act (and none was needed to be fair), so we were straight on with the entertainment.  After a clearly emotional introduction from Paul, the Aussies hit the stage.  Although perhaps less well known in Europe than in his native Australia, virtuoso keyboard player Lachy Doley (dubbed the Jimi Hendrix of the Hammond), had a lot to live up to.  He was joined by bassist Joel Burton and drummer Jackie Barnes.  

Playing a mixture of self-penned pieces, with a leavening of classic covers, the band absolutely lit upย the stage from the get-go, producing a mounting wave of high-energy numbers. ย Lachy himself wasย an absolute bundle of enthusiasm and commitment, attacking his keyboards with total commitment,ย from every angle and using every part of his body (it seemed) to produce some astonishing music. ย Sitting, kneeling, standing, crouching โ€“ it made no difference. ย Everything came out to stunningย effect.

((Just for the technically-minded, he was playing a 1971 UK spec B3 Hammond with two 122 Leslies, and a vintage Hohner D6 Whammy Clavinet.  The Clavinet is an electrically amplified clavichord invented in the 1960s, which produces sounds by a rubber pad striking a point on a tensioned string, and designed to resemble the Renaissance-era clavichord.  The clavinet was pushed through a Fender Hot Rod Deluxe amp.))  And for the less technically-minded (like me), the upshot of all this clever stuff was a set-up that enabled him to play the keyboard as if it were a guitar.  And it was quite something to both watch and to listen to.  As an early demonstration of just what it could do, the bandโ€™s version of Hendrixโ€™s Voodoo Chile a couple of numbers in nearly brought the house down.

Heโ€™d ย got us – from there on it was all downhill. ย Two hours of soul, blues, funk and rock followed,ย with each number drawing huge applause. ย Lachyโ€™s own numbers such as The Only Cure For Theย Blues Is The Blues, Making It Up As I Go Along, and the storming Frankly My Dear I Donโ€™t Give Aย Damn were certainly superb, but the biggest applause went to astonishingly good covers of Proculย Harumโ€™s Whiter Shade Of Pale, and Chicagoโ€™s Iโ€™m A Man. ย There were set pieces, there was someย jazz-like improv, and there were spaces for solos, but the trio was always tight as gnatโ€™s armpit whenย it mattered.

Itโ€™s hard to stay away from superlatives.  My friend described the man as โ€œawesomeโ€.  Another word I heard used by several people was โ€œgeniusโ€, and โ€œvirtuosoโ€.  We certainly saw and heard something very special.  The evening ended with an encore, a standing/ stomping/ clapping ovation, and another encore.  Astonishing, great entertainment.

And finally a big shout-out (yet again) to all those who made this possible โ€“ stage set-up, the light show, spot-on sound, and general organisation from Longcroft Productions.  All very professional and well presented.  D-Town is indeed lucky to have you guys doing what you do.

Weekly Roundup of Events in Wiltshire: 7th-14th December 2022

Itโ€™s beginning to look a lot likeโ€ฆ. another week in early December; bar humbug! Therefore, hereโ€™s whatโ€™s doing in and around Wiltshire, all of which can be found on our event calendar, with further info and ticket links.….

If we missed your event, did you tell us about it? Itโ€™s free to be listed on Devizine, just drop us a message.

Ongoing, is Sustainable Devizesโ€™ Advent{ure} Reuse Christmas on The Little Green, Devizes, where you can be part of a living Advent Calendar! So many organisations have gathered for this, itโ€™s all very festive, and running until Christmas Eve.

Wednesday 7th is the regular acoustic jam at The Southgate, Devizes, while White Horse Opera hold their Christmas Concert at St Johnโ€™s.

Thursday 8th, thereโ€™s Craft and Chat at Chippenham Library, and the 14th Annual Pound Arts Open Exhibition at Pound Arts in Corsham.

Find a Vocation Naughty & Nice Drink-a-Long at The Snuffbox, Devizes, Oxbowlake & Shedric play The Tuppenny, Swindon, while Boo Hewerdineโ€™s Understudy Tour happens at Chapel Arts, Bath, with The Wurzelsโ€™ Christmas Tour comes to Komedia.

Friday 9th Southbroom St James Academy in Devizes have a Christmas Fayre from 5-7pm.

Little Red Riding Hood โ€“ The Panto opens at The Wharf Theatre, Devizes, running until December 17th, sorry, this has sold out.

Elsewhere in Devizes though, find a Christmas Celebration Concert with Devizes Good Afternoon Choir at St Andrews, and itโ€™s the grand evening for Longcroft Productions with Lachy Doley at The Corn Exchange. Sour Apple play The Three Crowns, and The Muck & Dunder have a Ten Hides Distillery Tasting session.

Sandi Thom plays Pound Arts in Corsham, Courtney Pineโ€™s Spirituality is at Wiltshire Music Centre, Bradford-on-Avon, while Severance plays The Three Horseshoes there. The Super Skas at Chapel Arts, Bath. On my must-see list, Ant Trouble, Adam & His Ants tribute plays The Tree House, Frome.

The Guns & Roses Experience at The Vic, Swindon, while The Britpop Boys takes Level III, Behind Bars at The Rolleston, and the Tuppeny has The Electric Kool-Aid Audio Test. Night one of The Great Gatsby at MECA.

Saturday 10th, regular Lego Club at Chippenham Library from 3-4pm.

Mark Smallman plays The Southgate, Devizes, while Illingworth are at The Crown, Bishops Cannings.

Be Like Will play The Talbot, Calne, while Old Friends are at The Wheatsheaf.

Homer plays The Lamb, Marlborough, while its sound system night at The Barge on Honeystreet, with the Jah Lion Movement Sound System, a fiver on the door.

Looking For Me Friend: The Music of Victoria Wood by The Cabaret Geek at Pound Arts, Corsham, while The Choir of Clare College Cambridge are at the Wiltshire Music Centre, Bradford-on-Avon.

Untamed Burlesque at Chapel Arts, Bath.

While The Great Gatsby continues at MECA in Swindon, ZambaLando are live at Baristocats, and ravers flock to Level III for the Midlife Krisis Crew will be in effect.

Sunday 11th Devizes Town Band have a Christmas Party at The Corn Exchange.

Wiltshire Young Musicians Christmas Festival at Wiltshire Music Centre, Bradford-on-Avon, while Cydernide & Tharsis play The Three Horseshoes.

A Winter Union at Chapel Arts, Bath, and Frome Vegan Fair at the Cheese & Grain.

Monday 12th and Saint Michael and All Angels in Hilperton have a concert; Follow the Star โ€“ Doves Peace Choir & Ebonite. And thereโ€™s the Rock the Tots Christmas Show at Pound Arts, Corsham

Tuesday 13th and find Beer & Carols at The Southgate, Devizes, and some Christmas Memories at Melksham Assembly Hall.

Wednesday 14th regular acoustic Jam at The Southgate, Devizes, a lunchtime harp recital by Lise Vandermissen at Pound Arts, Corsham, and Chuckles Comedy Club at MECA in Swindon.

And thatโ€™s all I got so far, folks, but we do update regularly, so keep one eye on our event calendar. Itโ€™s also good for future planning, just keep on scrollinโ€™, dude!

Things you need to be thinking about for the following weeks ahead: starter for ten, the Butch Hopkins Memorial Gig at The Corn Exchange, Devizes Friday 16th and youโ€™ll be hard pressed for tickets to Bublรฉ at MECA or The Sweet at the Cheese & Grain on that day.

Breathtakingly amazing local soprano Chole Jordanโ€™s Classical Christmas on Saturday 17th at Devizes Town Hall, in aid of Wiltshire Air Ambulance, but Iโ€™m planning be at Marlborough Memorial Hall for MantonFest are having a Christmas party with Barrelhouse and Slade tribute Slyde, and you know itโ€™s not Christmas until Noddy calls it! Do join me for that one.

Have a great weekend but behave; he knows if youโ€™ve been bad or good!

Trending….

Situationships With Chloe Hepburn

A second single from Swindon Diva Chloe Hepburn, Situationships was released this week. With a deep rolling bassline, finger-click rhythm and silky soulful vocals, thisโ€ฆ

Alex Roberts at The Barge, Honeystreetย 

by Ben Romain and Victoria Stanley

We ventured out to the Barge to catch Alex Roberts after first seeing him at The Southgate, Devizes on the highest recommendation of Devizes favourite Vince Bell. That was an introduction to an artist well worth following; so we duly did!ย 

The Barge has had its challenges in years past with unique past owners and misplaced concepts of what this particular Innโ€™s place in the community actually is, but happily this experience was more like earliest memories of folk gigs there twenty years before and a great venue to visit once again.

There was a warm welcome into a crowd of characters, some from miles away, pleased to follow Alex and regulars of the Inn and many boaters amongst them. A good foil for a talented folk singer, this crowd knowing as many on the cut do, how to sing and encourage willing musicians! 

Alex loves the Barge, and settled into the โ€˜stageโ€™ corner with a plethora of instruments, we were treated to interpretations of many great songs in the folk/blues traditions and of course brilliant songs of his own pen. 

Pyramid – Alex Roberts a fantastic song of his own writing, my favourite from his songbook this gig. Then covers such as โ€˜Girl from the North Countryโ€™, Bob Dylan delivered with such warmth and sensibility and a lifelong Dylan fan (such as myself) was enthralled.

So a lovely return to a great local venue and a great gig; everything you want from a Saturday eagerly awaited for this very reason. 

The Barge has a very active Facebook page and many gigs / events, we will certainly be making more of an effort to fit some in following this gig.ย 

Trending…..

Devizes to Host New County-Wide Music Awards

I’m delighted to announce Devizine will be actively assisting to organise a new county-wide music awards administration, in conjunction with Wiltshire Music Events UK. Theโ€ฆ

Ruby, Sunday at the Gate

It’s a rarity that I should drag myself off the sofa on a Sunday these days, one usually reserved for the monthly Jon Amor Trioโ€ฆ

๐€ ๐๐ข๐ ๐ก๐ญ ๐จ๐Ÿ ๐Œ๐ฎ๐ฌ๐ข๐œ ๐š๐ง๐ ๐Œ๐ž๐š๐ง๐ข๐ง๐ : ๐…๐ฎ๐ฅ๐ฅ๐ญ๐จ๐ง๐ž ๐Ž๐ซ๐œ๐ก๐ž๐ฌ๐ญ๐ซ๐š ๐š๐ญ ๐“๐ž๐ฐ๐ค๐ž๐ฌ๐›๐ฎ๐ซ๐ฒ ๐€๐›๐›๐ž๐ฒ

Review by Pip Aldridge Last week, I had the privilege of seeing the Fulltone Orchestra perform at the beautiful Tewkesbury Abbey beneath the Peace Dovesโ€ฆ

Hells Bells! AC/DC tribute in Devizes

With our roads being the state theyโ€™re in, is it any wonder on the 5th April Hells Bells, rated as the UKโ€™s top AC/DC tribute,โ€ฆ

Cracked Machine at The Southgate

If many space-rock acts have more band member changes than most other musicians change their socks, Hawkwind are the exemplar of the tendency. There mightโ€ฆ

Bopping Up Alfredโ€™s Tower; A New Chippenham Band Stronghold

See, Iโ€™m not sure olโ€™ Alfred the Great wouldโ€™ve approved of the whopping gurt folly erected in his name near Bruton. He was there to rally Saxon troops for the Battle of Edington, and if youโ€™re planning to go kick some Viking butt you need to be inconspicuous, not have a hundred-and-sixty-foot redbrick tower sticking out like a sore thumb. He might well have liked this though, a new Wiltshire four-piece named after the tower; because good tunes can be a real morale boost when going into battleโ€ฆโ€ฆ

And good tunes they are, though the group cite from Chippenham on their Bandcamp page, substantial mileage from the Stourhead estate where Alfredโ€™s Tower is situated. Perhaps itโ€™s the connotations of Alfred being the founder of English liberty, as these four tracks they sent us have a Brit โ€œmodโ€ tinge, and mods are patriotic at best. I didnโ€™t like to ask, through fear of coming across all history teacher, and Iโ€™m all out of leather elbow patches for my Tweed jacket. The important part is thereโ€™s some beguiling original songs on offer here, uplifting in a manner Paul Weller, at his most optimistic.

Parachute Baby is a prime example, itโ€™s sauntering along on the sunny side of the street of a crazy world, where only the attention of the object of his desires matters to this character, and itโ€™s got that apt harmonica riff to lighten the darkest of moods. Though, if itโ€™s got it, Roy Orbison style, switching to the next tune, Nothing Good and weโ€™re foot-tapping on an offbeat, bouncy one-drop reggae melody, which counteracts the more dejected romantic theme; Iโ€™m smitten.

Though weโ€™re getting ahead of ourselves now, for these two tracks are forthcoming, the first one out around Christmas time and the latter in the new year, but their Bandcamp page has two other songs equally worthy of your attention. This World is their inaugural release, and while uplifting too, itโ€™s tender and mellowed. With a soulful piano intro, itโ€™s certainly anthemic, with an allowance to note the astute writing, and showy in Alfredโ€™s Towerโ€™s potential.

It is however in the amalgamation of all these tunes which displays their diversity, an EP is a necessity, I feel. The second released single, So Long, is soulful again, along similar lines to This World, but balancing a poignant electric blues element, akin to a meld of The Who at their smoothest and Pink Floyd does pop. And perhaps thereโ€™s a clue to the chosen name in this; itโ€™s a tower of variety, influences wise, reaching for the skies in uplifting narratives, strengthened by some skilfully executed original designs. Catchy within a rock classic formula, oh yeah, if this is foundational, the construction of Alfredโ€™s Tower is one to watch. Like โ€˜em up on Facebook for updates on said progress. We NEED to see them live!

Trending….

Geckoโ€™s Big Picture

In 1998 a pair of pigs escaped while being unloaded off a lorry at an abattoir in Malmesbury and were on the run for aโ€ฆ

Park Farm; New Music Festival in Devizes

A new music festival is coming to Devizes this July. Organisers of the long-running Marlborough based festival MantonFest are shifting west across the downs andโ€ฆ

Results of Salisbury Music Awards

All images: ยฉ๏ธ JS Terry Photography An awards ceremony to celebrate the outstanding musical talent within the city, aptly titled The 2024 Salisbury Music Awards,โ€ฆ

Devizes Carnival Returning to Traditional Date

Something Iโ€™m personally impartial about, though DOCAโ€™s carnival consultation flagged it as a major issue for many, the recent date changes of carnival is set to be returned to the original date.…..

Announced this evening, DOCA said, โ€œbased on what we’ve heard, we have made the decision to move the Carnival back to the traditional date, the first weekend of September.โ€

Confetti Battle and the Colour Rush will remain on a Saturday, DOCA suggesting itโ€™s โ€œbeen a welcome change overall,โ€ and will be set two weekends prior to Carnival. This will create the “Carnival Fortnight,” as it was before, alongside some fringe events of entertainment in collaboration with local businesses. The International Street Fair will stay in early summer.

The key dates for next year look at little something like this:

International Street Fair – 27th & 28th May

Picnic in the Park – 18th June

Colour Rush & Confetti Battle – 19th August

Carnival Parade – 2nd September

Hummm, summer; Iโ€™m there already!

Trending….

Static Moves at The Three Crowns Devizes

Bussing into Devizes Saturday evening, a gaggle (I believe is the appropriate collective noun) of twenty-something girls from Bath already on-board, disembark at The Marketโ€ฆ

The Emporium in Devizes to Close

If Devizes boasts an abundance of independent gift shops of unique and exquisite or often novelty items in the face of a national pandemic ofโ€ฆ

Mental Rot; New I See Orange Single

Hold on tight, the new single from I See Orange, Mental Rot embodies everything I love about this Swindon grunge trio, and takes no prisonersโ€ฆ..โ€ฆ

Mighty Mighty; The Scribes Storm the Muck!

Another fantabulous evening at Devizes’ tropical holiday resort, The Muck and Dunder rum bar, where Bristol’s boom bap trio I’ve been hailing since day dot, The Scribes, came, saw, matchlessly interacted with the audience, and tore the place down with a riotous show of incredible skill and talent; secretly, it was foreseeable months ago……

Again, straw hats off to the Muck, just like previous evenings with the Allergies, Jimmy Needles and recently the BBC Introducing showcase, it’s the like we don’t usually see in our humble market town. Something I’ve been excited about before even leaking the scoop, hyping up here till the cows come home, and still, it exceeded my expectations. It did so with one most important element; Devizes showed their respect loud and proud, attending in full force for this sell-out show, and made me honoured to illustrate what Iโ€™d hitherto promised to frontman Ill Literate, and even his dad, Literate senior(!); this is our hometown, it punches well above its weight in knowing how to party.

For if there are others of this calibre currently on the UK hip hop scene, I’m unaware of them. The Scribes, I find no quarrel in dubbing โ€œour Tribe Called Quest,โ€ for the similar way they can lyrically interchange and bounce off each other, extend their presence further afield from the niche. They’re about spreading their love of hip hop and rap, using an exuberant and carefree east coast old school ethos, blended with contemporary rap techniques, blessing new audiences with what they’ve got, and aside their addictive and inimitable style, they’re having a heap of fun doing it. Just donโ€™t do like I did, and try to capture a snap of them, they move about like Michael McIntyre on fast-forward!

Tunes played out were tricky to pinpoint, not while jigging and balancing my pina colada! Undoubtedly, they dipped into the vitrine of their latest EP, a forthcoming second in the series of the Totem Trilogy, and I did pick out my dub-inspired favourite, Mighty Mighty. Yet in rap no tune is ever precisely replicated, making an improv live show different every time. What was a highlight of the miscellany was the Doug E Fresh moments of drafting in the single-most amazing beatboxer this side of Barnard Star, which if youโ€™ve never seen the like of in good olโ€™ Devizes before, it’s equally unlikely youโ€™ve seen the like of anywhere before, if you catch my drift?! What? Iโ€™ve had rum!

With the upmost respect for the influence Mel Bush left on Devizes, the legendary promoter who bought Thin Lizzy to the Corn Exchange, I find it fascinating the same year he did, 1973, across the ocean in a Bronx block-party, Kool Herc isolated percussion โ€œbreaksโ€ by switching between two turntables via a mixer, to prolong the beat of the track. Yet to many here, what he fashioned that night is still regarded as new-fangled!

Albeit progress out of the ghettos of New York for hip hop was sluggish, at best not arriving on our shores until a decade later, hip hop culture is no new thing. So, while this legacy for electric blues and prog-rock is still felt today, through the likes of Jon Amor, who plays the Southgate this afternoon, Innes Sibun and whenever Robin Davey returns, and this marks a blessing on our music scene which I fully appreciate, rum bar The Muck and Dunder aim for diversity, for daring to present dance, club, and hip hop, perhaps reaching out to the twenty and thirty-somethings wanting more than a standard nightclub. And for this, providing theyโ€™ll accommodate my aging sorry existence, I cannot thank them enough!

For me, you see, I loved it since a nipper; the cuts of Grandmaster Flash, the moves of the Rock Steady Crew, the subway graffiti, and right through to Public Enemy and the Beastie Boys, so I believe Iโ€™m conversant on the subject to assess the Scribes are the freshest on the block, and Iโ€™m glad we showed them what weโ€™re worth in Devizes. Because, hereโ€™s my final point, and I feel itโ€™s the most important one, at least in destroying an ill-conceived misconception about the genre which The Scribes highlight with bells on. And that is, the pretentiousness, the bling, guns, and chip on the shoulder stereotype is a product of commercialisation, and is more often than not, an unwelcomed division.

The Scribes circumnavigated the good ship Muck & Dunder prior to the hoedown, chatting enthusiastically with all. To talk with Ill Literate is to find a kindly fellow with definite goals, a positive agenda, and ardent in the direction he needs to take this. Take his recent solo EP, The Shipwreck as a prime example; hereโ€™s a rap record on the level of concept album, akin to prog-rock, with a conscious narrative flowing throughout. This isnโ€™t just rapping to make a noise, this is dedicated writing and production, though on a night like last night at the Muck, itโ€™s also about appeasing the crowd, which they did, sublimely. I walked home in the pissing rain, smiling all the way.

Trending…

RowdeFest 2025!

Okay, I canโ€™t keep the secret any longer or Iโ€™ll pop! While all the hard work is being organised by a lovely committee, because theyโ€ฆ

DOCA Step into Christmas!

As sparkly as Elton John at his most sparkliest, Devizes Outdoor Celebratory Arts pulled the tinsel out of bag for the annual Winter Festival yesterday evening, leaving no niggles for a ‘review’ here, as such, just saying, and besides, if you live in or around Devizes, you were likely there anyway!

Edited out of my chat with one half of the new management team, Annabel, a few months ago, was the part where I described partaking in a lantern parade of yore, when the nippers were nippier and I was lesser of grey hair. It was met with a torrential storm, after we’d walked from St Johns, the lantern collection point, to the starting blocks at the Wharf. After a lengthly wait, while professional lantern makers gasconaded and kids became tiresome already, we marched on, around the entire town, arriving in the Market Place like war-torn soldiers. We carried freezing slain underarm, tired toddlers unable to stay concious and victims of gale forces gallantry still waving a bare stick in the air, of where a lantern once stood, only because it was frozen to their hand!

Okay, please allow slight exaggeration for artistic licence, but it was a trek even for the able-bodied. If the route these days is far more suitable, just a loop around the Market Place via Long Street and returning along the High Street, it was about the only change made, opting for all the custom aspects of the occasion; should keep the traditionalists content!

Except Devizes Town Council seemed to not warrant inviting Father Christmas to make for the high ground to make the light switch, as is tradition and a grand element of excitement for the little people, which was a shame. Otherwise, everything was in place for a wonderful time, this mild November evening.

The few art installations were aside the usual routes, so not trying the event to be akin to street festival, it was left to Devizes Town Band to entertain, under the memorial, which they did, kicking off with Hark the Herald Angel Sing; yep, definitely in the Christmassy mood now!

Devizes Young Farmers parked their tractors, adorned with fairy lights and tinsel, ahead of their Tinsel Run on Sunday 18th, a newer event by comparison, but over the last couple of years, fast also becoming a tradition. I’m unsure if they’ll keep all those lights on and flashing until the 18th, while working the fields, or if they take them all off again until the big day.

From the bustling Shambles to the Market Place crowds gathered, a variety of stalls, a great selection of tucker, and a busy craft fair in the Corn Exchange, coupled with the ever-fantastic lantern parade, which, once gathered the tree lights go on and the finale of fireworks commence. It’s the working method Devizes has seen in the season with for decades, and it made no sense to alter it; if it’s not broken…… congratulations again, DOCA, a super evening was had.

Trending….

Devizes First Ever Life-Size Advent Calender

For the first time, Devizes will have its own life-size interactive Advent Calendar starting from the 1st of December. Devizes Adventure is a community event to bring our town together as we approach Christmas….

Each night throughout Advent, Devizes Adventure will be on the Little Green, where the calendarโ€™s doors will open for one hour to reveal a different festive and fun display each day.

With 24 days of Advent there are 24 different groups involved, including local schools, charities, arts organisations, churches, families, and The British Lion pub! The โ€˜Christmas Storiesโ€™ theme chosen for this yearโ€™s Adventure allows each of the groups to give their own creative take on the Christmas stories we all know and love.

Each night will be a unique creative event – some nights the Devizes Adventure doors will open to live music, on other nights it may be storytelling, drama, a creative workshop with things to make and take home, or a fantastic display.

If you pick up a Devizes Adventure flyer at the event, or bring the one delivered to your home, and have it stamped each night you attend, those who come along to the most will be entered into a draw to win a gift just in time for Christmas.

The idea โ€“ inspired by the hugely successful Brighton beach hut advent calendar – is the brainchild of a group of volunteers.

Rev. Richard Saint of St Jamesโ€™s Church, one of the organisers, said: “It’s intended to be a really fantastic, creative event – by the community for the community – and a lovely way to bring people together on the journey to Christmas. Itโ€™s definitely one for every age, and especially for children, whoโ€™ll love each new life-size Advent display and collecting the stamps.โ€

Devizes Adventure will open its doors from 5:30-6:30pm each night on the Little Green from December 1st until the doors finally close at 6:30pm on December 24th.

List of Participating Groups



1st – Bishops Cannings School

2nd – Sustainable Devizes

3rd – Devizes 6th Scout Group

4th – Christingle

5th – Featherbrook Connect Group

6th – Wiltshire Police

7th – 10:10 Youth Group

8th – Oliver’s Connect Group

9th – Lighthouse Youth Group

10th – The Journey Group

11th – Remembering & Thanksgiving

12th – Sibson’s Connect Group

13th – DOCA

14th – Trinity School

15th – Big Sound! Community Choir

16th – The MacDonald Family

17th – Southbroom St James School

18th – Home for Good

19th – St Andrew’s Church

20th – Hope for Justice

21st – Sheep Street Baptist Church

22nd – Jones’ Connect Group

23rd – The British Lion

24th – St James Church

Weekly Roundup of Events in Wiltshire: 22nd โ€“ 29th November 2022

Heads down for the last week of November, and thereโ€™s so much to get through. As usual, links and details to all events mentioned here are listed on our event calendar HERE, so check it out, as it may yet be updated before the week is through.…

The observant among us (Iโ€™m told there are some!) will notice Iโ€™m deleting past dates now, so todayโ€™s date will show at the top of the calendar, hopefully making it easier to follow. Iโ€™m looking at better ways to present this info, but to be honest, Google calendars are impractical for storing the vast amount of info we have here, and the site is restricting on what we can do. Iโ€™m working on it but finding a method which is easy and quick to put up the information and equally user-friendly is tricky.

Anyway, lots to get throughโ€ฆ Tuesday, I got nothing, the regular acoustic jam night down The Southgate Devizes on Wednesdays, and on this Wednesday, 23rd, Richard Robbins presents Passage of Time at Wiltshire Music Centre, Bradford-on-Avon, Matt Deighton plays The Tree House, Frome and thereโ€™s a Willow Reindeer Festive Workshop starting at Salisbury Arts Centre, running until 30th.

To be honest, thereโ€™s so many craft fayres and Christmas events happening itโ€™s impossible to keep track and also keep sane! Do look out for them on your local social media groups.

On Thursday 24th Milton Jones brings his Milton Impossible tour to the Cheese & Grain. Thereโ€™s open mic at Stallards, Trowbridge, while their town hall has The Iโ€™s Have It, a pre-Christmas celebration of Italian and Irish, with music from Luca Rossi and Ruairi Glasheen, plus a delicious three-course Italian feast.

With the theme โ€˜Cold Weather, Warm Heartsโ€™ the week ends with DOCA in Devizes, starting Thursday Devizes Window Wanderland 2022 will be go! DOCA are inviting our local community to create something special in their windows to show just what an amazingly creative place Devizes is. Anyone with a window can create a display, but you should have registered for this already. All the public now need is the interactive map of Devizes highlighting all the different window locations.

And onto Friday 25th, the Devizes Winter Parade will light up the town, need I say more? Only to wish all the DOCA volunteers the very best, and Annabel and Ashley especially for their maiden voyage at the helm! Thereโ€™s been a few social media posts about what to expect, such as the Celestial Sound Cloud; an interactive sound art installation from Pif-Paf Theatre, to be installed in the grounds of St. John’s on Friday and Saturday. They all look breath-taking, and the Shambles will be open late for shopping, and all this is leading me to believe this is going to be the most memorable one yet. Lanterns assemble!

Atop of this, The Pelican holds a Christmas Lantern Parade Festive Karaoke Party, and it might be your last chance to catch the highly recommended People Like Us before Christmas; theyโ€™ll be at the Three Crowns, Devizes; tidy!

Elsewhere on Friday, John Otway plays the Pump, Trowbridge. Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment presents The Moon Hares at Wiltshire Music Centre, Bradford-on-Avon, and Matt Owens & The Delusional Vanity Project play out their album โ€œBeer For The Horsesโ€ at its launch at Chapel Arts, Bath.

Fossil Fools play The Vic, Swindon, while Fort Boyard & SexJazz do the The Rolleston, and its soul night at Meca, with an evening called Lost in Music.

Barnstormers Comedy at Salisbury Arts Centre, and thatโ€™s Friday done.

Saturday 26th is big, and itโ€™s not just Lego Club from 3-4pm at Chippenham Museum! Winter Festival in Devizes continues, plus…….

I believe theyโ€™ve sold out now at SoupChick, who hold their second feast in the Shambles, Light of Kashmir promises to be beguiling, exclusive evening celebrating Kashmiri Cuisine and Couture, hosted by Angela Cave of The Parrot Cage and Anya Toropov of Soupchick. I attended the first one of these fabulous feasts, my tastebuds are still loving me for it. I am so sorry to miss out, but I will be at our Editorโ€™s Pick of The Week!

Editorโ€™s Pick of the Week: The Sribes at the Muck & Dunder

Despite Fridayโ€™s Lantern Parade, which should in most reasoning be my pick of the week, Iโ€™m certain there will the entire population of the Devizes area attending, ergo thereโ€™s no need to plug it anymore. No, what Iโ€™m talking about is the evening at the Muck & Dunder Rum Bar in Devizes Iโ€™ve been waiting for an age for, when hip hop sensations The Scribes bring boom bap to town; this, I tell you now, will go off. Tickets are running low, get in now, theyโ€™re only a fiver, and I hope to see you there, with one hand in the air! I did a poster for it, but they didnโ€™t use it, I thought it quite good, and being theyโ€™ve not done another poster for it, Iโ€™m using to highlight it here, but you should note, itโ€™s not the official poster!

Rockport play The Southgate, Pink Mac at the Barge, Honey-Street, Chaos Brothers at the Lamb, Marlborough. Melksham Rock N Roll Club have The Delray Rockets, and thereโ€™s the 20 Things for 20 Years Big Ball at Spencerโ€™s Club.

Oh, and donโ€™t forget The Toy Pig Race at Erlestoke Golf Course, which sounds too much fun for me!

The Moscow Drug Club, another disappointed missed gig for me after reading Andyโ€™s superb review when they came to Devizes Arts Festival; they play the Pump, Trowbridge. Meanwhile find The Reservoir Hogs at The Wiltshire Yeoman, on Chalk Road.

Lonely Road Band play Colerne Liberal Club, Alter Eagles at Chapel Arts, Bath. Also in Bath, the interactive Alice in Wonderland Experience begins. Calan at Wiltshire Music Centre, Bradford-on-Avon, also there, Bath Camerate presents Mother & Child.

In Swindon, thereโ€™s a Sahara Trek Fundraiser for Prospect Hospice with Slagerij, Death is a Girl, and Buswell & Nyberg, plus DJ Dust at Level III, while State of Quo play The Vic; they might be a tribute act, but Iโ€™m not certain of whom!!

Panto time, of course, Wharf Theatre announced theyโ€™ve sold out for Little Red Riding Hood, though we may yet be able to bring you a review of the night. So, find Cinderella starting at Salisbury Playhouse, opening Saturday, and running until January 23rd. Staying in the Spire, The Spitfire Sisters play Salisbury Arts Centre.

Thatโ€™s Saturday dusted, from hip hop to panto, and rock n roll to pig racing! Last but by no means least, lucky ones get to see Turin Brakes play the Cheese & Grain, Frome; where else?!

Sunday 27th and Jon Amorโ€™s residency at The Southgate, Devizes has been shifted from itโ€™s usual spot, first Sunday of the month to this Sunday, donโ€™t say I didnโ€™t warn you!

The fantastic N/SH plays Avebury Music Night, and the Bath Symphony Orchestra are at Wiltshire Music Centre, Bradford-on-Avon; weekend over, unless youโ€™ve heard something we havenโ€™t; then why did you not tell us about it?!

Nothing on Monday and Tuesday, yet; get some shopping done, donโ€™t be like me and wait to the last minute because youโ€™re too busy telling everyone else what they should be doing!! See you at The Muck? Hip hop hooray!

Trending….

Discovering Swindon Story Shed

With Dad’s taxi on call in Swindon and a few hours to kill whilst her majesty is at the flicks, it was fortunate local authorโ€ฆ

The Rise of Winter Festivals

Once upon a time it seemed to me, that folk would grin and bear the winter weather for the sake of a Christmas lights switchingโ€ฆ

REVIEW โ€“ Jazz Sabbath @ Corn Exchange, Devizes โ€“ Sunday 20th November 2022

You wait for one to come alongโ€ฆ.

by Andy Fawthrop

After Saturdayโ€™s double-header at Long Street Blues Club with the Alex Voysey Trio and Hardwicke Circus, there was hardly time to draw breath on this exciting musical weekend.ย  A quick shift from the Con Club to The Corn Exchange, and there we were on a rare Sunday night out.ย  Yesterday evening D-Town hosted Jazz Sabbath as part of their UK tour, a date long in the calendar thanks to the forward thinking of Paul Chandlerโ€™s Longcroft Productions.…..

Iโ€™m sure Paul had been hoping for a somewhat larger audience to pack out the Corn Exchange, but there were still plenty enough people there to enjoy the club-style layout of dimly-lit tables and a sparsely-lit stage.  And the quality of the music provided was absolutely top-notch.

First up in the Support slot was London-based Billy Watman, who turned out to be an absolute wizz on the guitar.ย  Having spent his training in classical and flamenco styles, Billy treated us to an absolute master-class in how to get every sound possible out of his instrument.ย  With the occasional use of loops and pedals, he laid down his own backing tracks before playing some of the most virtuoso acoustic guitar work that Iโ€™ve seen or heard in a very long.ย  Explaining what he was doing as he went along, in modest and understated style, he laid out fingerstyle versions of Back To Black, Boney Mโ€™s Rasputin and even Pink Floydโ€™s Brick In The Wall.ย  This guy was massively proficient โ€“ thereโ€™s just no other way to put it.ย  He had the audience on side right from the get-go.ย  In fact there was only one thing wrong with his set โ€“ it was simply too damned short at only 20 minutes.ย  Iโ€™m pretty sure the audience would have liked a lot more.ย  Great stuff.

After the interval, and before the main act took the stage, we were treated toโ€ฆ.a film!  A short docu-style item, featuring many celebrities, setting up the myth of the band doing their first gigs for 53 years!  (If you go onto their website you can read all the spoof material for yourself).  The joke/ conceit was maintained throughout the evening with further bits of film, and Adam himself pretending to be an 84-year old (heโ€™s actually 48, just be clear).

I donโ€™t know โ€“ you wait for years for a Black Sabbath tribute band to play in D-Town, and then two of them come along in a matter of a few weeks (Black Sabbitch played here only a month ago).  And then they were on stage.  Jazz Sabbath featured Adam Wakeman, son of Rick Wakeman, keyboards, Dylan Howe, son of Alan Howe on drums and Jack Tustin (son of his parents Iโ€™m sure), on upright bass.

The whole idea was to produce jazz interpretations of Black Sabbath classics.  Sounds mad, but it wasnโ€™t.  Adam has cut his teeth working for many years both with Black Sabbath, and with Ozzy Osborneโ€™s Band, so heโ€™s pretty familiar with the heavy metal basic material.  However his arrangements were an almost unrecognisable world away, and lots of the material was Adamโ€™s own contemporary compositions.  This was very little Sabbath, and very much Jazz.

The two sets, apart from the spoof interruptions, were confident, laid-back, melodic and highly enjoyable.ย  Adam himself, taking the lead on piano, did all the talking.ย  It was uncanny to see him sitting in exactly the same place as his father Rick had done almost four years ago when he played the same stage with his KGB band. The audience, who were soon into both the music and the comedic wrap-around, were attentive and appreciative.ย  There was a richly deserved encore, and the crowd hit the streets happy, having been royally entertained.

And just time for a general shout out to all those who worked so hard behind the scenes to make this gig happen, and to transform the barn of the Corn Exchange into a warm welcoming club atmosphere โ€“ from the sound guys, the stage setting/ lighting, the table lay-outs โ€“ a perfect backdrop for some great music.  This is the sort of gig that helps to put D-Town on the UK musical map, and further proof that the town can punch above its weight in terms of musical quality.  The gig was a bit of a (financial) risk, and whilst it might not have entirely paid off, it was nevertheless (musically at least) an absolute triumph.  Maybe the tickets were a bit expensive?  Maybe folks donโ€™t like going out on Sunday nights?  Who knows?  But this sort of gig needs all our support.

And thereโ€™s a chance to do just that in a couple of weeksโ€™ time when virtuoso keyboard player Lachy Doley (dubbed the Jimi Hendrix of the Hammond) plays his only UK date in D-Town on Friday 9th December.ย  Get out and get those tickets โ€“ this is going to be a real one-off!

Trending….

In Retrospect With Gary Martian

So yeah, not only has Cracked Machine and Clock Radio drummer Gary Martin added a letter A to his name to make it sound moreโ€ฆ

Christmas Greetings From Devizine!

Here’s our Christmas video Greeting, ho-ho-ho! Filmed on location at DOCA Winter Festival, Devizes, 2024 by Jess Worrow. Merry Christmas everyone!

REVIEW โ€“ The Alex Voysey Trio & Hardwicke Circus @ LSBC, Con Club, Devizes โ€“ Saturday 19th November 2022

Double-header, Double the Fun!

by Andy Fawthrop

In yet another busy musical weekend for Devizes, it was hard to choose where to go, with gigs all over the place.ย  A nice problem to have I guess, but on Saturday night I threw my money into the Long Street Blues Club hat to see two bands that were completely new to me.…

First up was the Alex Voysey Trio. Alex had previously played the club back in February as support to Mike Zito.ย  On that occasion he played a solo acoustic set and impressed enough to be invited back with his full trio.ย  Alex has worked as a session and support musician to many big names in the business, and in many musical genres.ย  Heโ€™s a passionate advocate for blues music, and used his trio to great effect here, covering both traditional numbers and to his own modern compositions.

With Paul Arthurs on drums and Ben Hands on bass, Alex hit the stage with a range of snappy and upbeat blues/ rock numbers.  He soon had the crowd on-side, and used the opportunity to mix it up a little with a couple of slower, more laid-back numbers.  His one-hour set was sound, competent and thoroughly professional, featuring some nice flourishes on lead guitar.

The second half featured the first D-town appearance for Carlisle-homed five-piece Hardwicke Circus who, quite rightly it seems to me, are being tipped for big things. They’ve already opened for mega stars such as Bob Dylan at Hyde Park and for Southside Johnny.  Paul McCartney allegedly persuaded Glastonbury festival to get them to play, which they duly did.   And it didnโ€™t take long for everyone last night to see why theyโ€™re so well thought-of.

The band featured Jonny Foster (lead vocals and guitar), Tom Foster (drums and vocals), Joe Hurst (bass and vocals), Lewis Bewley-Taylor (keyboards), Jack Pearce (saxophones).  This combination provided a great solid and multi-dimensional sound.

Theyโ€™re a hard-working, hard-gigging band and it showed.  Theyโ€™re young, sparky, almost punky, occasionally poppy, accompanied by some healthy doses of attitude.  But theyโ€™re very good, and they know it.  Their sound is strong and fresh, and has brought comparisons to all sorts of bands.  For me that included Dexys, Wilko Johnson, Madness, Fratellis โ€“ a little bit of something for everyone.

Straight from the off we knew we were in for a great set.ย  Lots of heft and drive, fast numbers, no messing about.ย  Loads of healthy banter with the crowd, and some well-placed audience participation in some of the choruses (โ€œHands Up, Donโ€™t Shootโ€ springs to mind).ย  There were plenty of good tunes, catchy hooks.ย  No long intros, just plenty of songs packed into their 90-minute set.ย  The crowd absolutely loved it, and an encore was never going to be in doubt.ย  But what an encore! ย The band were joined on stage by Texan Joe King Carrascoa, guitarist and vocalist, and proceeded to deliver a six-song masterclass in how to play a crowd.ย  In among there were a solid rendition of The Bandโ€™s โ€œThe Weightโ€ and a stonking version of Gerry Raffertyโ€™s โ€œBaker Streetโ€.

If the future of music is in the hands of bands like this, we really have nothing to worry about.ย  This was an old-fashioned rock band in very capable young hands.

Future Long Street Blues Club gigs:

Friday 23rd December 2022                         Gee Baby I Love You

Friday 13th January 2023                              Chicago Living Legends

Saturday 18th February 2023                       Eric Bell Band

Saturday 1st April 2023                                  Dave Weld & The Imperial Flames

Saturday 15th April 2023                               Billy Walton Band

Saturday 6th May 2023                                  Kyla Brox Band

Saturday 27th May 2023                               Gerry Jablonski Band

Saturday 24th June 2023                               Earl Slick Band

Saturday 28th October 2023                        Susan Santo

Trending…..

Chapters, New Single From Kirsty Clinch

Okay, so, Iโ€™m aย  little behind, recently opting to perfect my couch potato posture and consider hibernation, meaning Iโ€™ve not yet mentioned Kirsty Clinchโ€™s newโ€ฆ

SGO Folk Up The Southgate

What of the apostrophe, diacritical, a punctuation marking a possessive case of nouns, a contractive omission of letters, or perhaps, in this case, a leftover smudge on a pub chalkboard?! Taking said chalkboard listing S’Go as the omission would read “S” for something, “go,” which could easily be ill-perceived as ultramodern funky electronica, or something loosly along those lines; not the case for this wonderful Swindon-based five-piece folk assemble.

Debroah, landlady of Devizes’ Southgate afirmed to me earlier in the week,“theyโ€™re an eclectic folky blues collective. They played a few crazy tunes in a circle in the middle of the pub once. Everyone loved it, we booked them!โ€ and to know the affectionately dubbed “Gate” is to know never to doubt her word on this subject. So, far from potluck, I dropped in, Deborah was already up dancing with the crowd, while George the pub alsatian slept in the makeshift apron.

Cleared up any band name confusion with the bowler hat attired frontman during their halfway break. Seems the apostrophe is old hat for the band, favouring it as an abbreviation, SGO, of which he may’ve broken down for me but I missed it in the alcohol-infused noisy moment. Regardless, he suggested a dislike of the name was unanimous between its members, so subject to change, ergo; none of this really matters anyway.

What matters is ever the music, atmosphere and levels of enjoyability, and while Devizes hosted another Long Street Blues Club night and the Condado Lounge was brimming with fans of Finley Trusler and Mark, only an adequate houseful graced the dependable tavern, I’ll confirm those who did wouldn’t deny for what matters, SGO skyrocketed all said levels.

Pub dog George seems to detect the impending intoxication levels of the human punters, connecting it to their need of dancing, and, after time prefers to slumber under the bar hatch. But one ponders the attraction in kipping directly in front of the performers is likely the natural heat they give off makes it the warmest spot. Though steady to begin with, SGO certainly gave British Gas a run for their money.

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 accordian, 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. Akin to what Dr Zebo’s Wheezy Club are putting down, this is achieved through replicating the timeless sounds of which folk have revelled in for centuries, and validates its worth in modern day.

All tradtions of folk were honoured, SGO covered classics, sporadically upping the tempo, enthused their audience, were amusing with localised ditties and personal prose. Referencing an expedition between their hometown’s landmarks the Richard Jefferies Museum to Coate Water as a sea shanty being a particularly adroit example. Yet they were at best producing some sublime instrumental moments of skillful union. The crowd were swaying in bliss, and perhaps, booze too.

Therefore the demanded encore was aptly Gretchen Wilson’s “You Don’t Have to Go Home, but You Can’t Stay Here.”

My lucky dip came up trumps, and a great night was had, although that’s the standard model at the Southgate. You should note Jon Amor’s monthly residency has been shifted to next Sunday, Rockport rocks up there next Saturday, one third Lost Trader, Phil Cooper follows on 3rd December.

For SGO, I’d recommend S’going to check them out, and can be found at Swindon’s The Gluepot on Thursday 1st December, with support from Shedric, and The Hop Inn with support from Canute’s Plastic Army on Wednesday 7th. Follow their social media HERE for updates.

The Dinner Party – TITCO @ The Wharf Theatre, Devizes

An Open Love Letter โ€“ To TITCO

by Ian Diddams

Most reviews are quite sombre, written in the third person with a degree of distance.  Not this one. It’s time to throw that book away and speak from the heart. This โ€œreviewโ€ is openly praiseworthy and could even appear sycophantic. Meh. Whatever. It probably is somewhat cringeworthily first person centric โ€“ always a no-no. Though I would hasten to add that while I mention โ€œmeโ€ and โ€œIโ€ quite a lot the real recipient of attention is most definitelyโ€ฆ  โ€œThe Invitation Theatre Companyโ€ a.k.a TITCO.…

Some history.  TITCO was started by Jim and Mary Roberts, in Devizes, back in the 70s, based on a bunch of friends coming together to put on shows others didnโ€™t. They both passed on in time and TITCO โ€œwent to sleepโ€ for a while โ€“ until resurrected with a passion by Jim and Maryโ€™s daughter Jemma in 2009. Since then, Jemma and her husband Anthony have driven TITCO on in a similar vein to her parents โ€“ a bunch of friends putting in shows nobody else does.

Thereโ€™s one very important word in the above paragraph.  The F-word.

Fast forward to 2022, November. And โ€œThe Dinner Partyโ€. Itโ€™s been mentioned that this will be the last TITCO show for a while โ€“ and the setting of โ€œThe Dinner Partyโ€ (TDP for future reference!) is a beautifully framed homage of that situation. Set as if in Jemma and Anthonyโ€™s home (complete with genuine pictures and wall art from their real home I can testify โ€“ plus their lovely dog, Wilson!)  the setting is that of a get together for โ€œTittersโ€ โ€“ the members of TITCO.

This is where my review gets personal, and breaks the traditions as explained above. I was invited into the TITCO fold in 2015 for โ€œPirates of Penzanceโ€, was made a Titter in 2015 and have shared a stage on multiple occasions since then. The rollcall is amazingโ€ฆ  including โ€œJeff Wayneโ€™s Musical Version of the War of the Worldโ€™sโ€ (WOTW)โ€“ twice. Driven by Anthonyโ€™s pride and joy โ€œThe Full Tone Orchestraโ€ (FTO) of course.

So you see, I am part of this amazing company.

โ€œWe few, we happy few, we band of brothersโ€ โ€ฆ  As some bloke once saidโ€ฆ
And of course, Sisters (Sister Act 2016!).

Friends.  Friends that come together and create amazing shows.

Which brings us back to TDP. Naturally.

So, the bunch of friends meeting for a dinner party naturally โ€“ this being TITCO โ€“ leads to spontaneous singing and performing as everybody takes it in turns to entertain the table or sing together in shared beauty. The eveningโ€™s menu is a mix of old and new, well-loved songs. From a starter of a few run-a-dub, London based favourites (โ€œLast Night at the Conductors Armsโ€) onto a main course where some pretty serious singing came out. Promoted from his youthful renditions of Frederick, Sean Andrews gallantly moved into Major General mode โ€“ followed shortly after by โ€œLuck Be A Lady Tonightโ€ (A FTO Big Band speciality of his). South Pacific made its appearance (Brief History of Musicals 2015) with a heart rendition from the chaps of โ€œNothing like a dameโ€ but not until after a spirited, marigolds glove tassel twirling (*cough*) performance of โ€œWash That Manโ€ !

The revamped TITCOโ€™s first musical โ€“ JCS โ€“ was paid tribute to with Herodโ€™s song โ€“ led by the joyous Tim Hobbs โ€“ and the ladiesโ€™ exquisite โ€œCould we Start Again Pleaseโ€? Blood Brothers came to the party also with โ€œMarilyn Monroeโ€ by Ally Moore and an ensemble โ€œTell Me Itโ€™s Not Trueโ€. The โ€œbig showโ€ additions continued with Chris Worthy singing โ€œForever Autumnโ€ from WOTW โ€ฆย  but we were also shown little TITCO in-jokes throughout the show. Let’s just say that one Titter is NOT a fan of Gilbert and Sullivan โ€“ but succumbed to the (Hot) Mikadoโ€™s โ€œThe Hour of Gladnessโ€ โ€ฆย  good on ya Jemma! The main course came to its end with a couple of light-hearted pieces โ€“ โ€œMe and My Shadowโ€ by Chris and Anthony โ€“ somewhat a party piece of theirs, truth be told โ€“ and a fantastically hilarious version of โ€œPamโ€ by Tina Duffin.

That wasnโ€™t quite all of the main course though. As an almost surprise and wonderful lets-slip-this-in, one of TITCOโ€™s stalwart accompanists Dominic Irving dueted with Mari Webster on โ€œCity of Starsโ€. Dom is one of those people that can play about a million instruments brilliantly โ€“ but Iโ€™ve never had the pleasure of hearing him sing โ€“ until tonight. Wow. Just โ€“ wowโ€ฆ.

The night was hurtling towards its conclusion now. Five ensemble pieces completed our pudding course โ€“ with tear jerking numbers โ€œSeasons of Loveโ€ and โ€œHallelujahโ€, and the uplifting and vibrant โ€œCircle of Lifeโ€, โ€œFrom Now Onโ€ and โ€œRhythm of Lifeโ€.

Then the dinner party was over, and so the guests wended their way into the night, Jemma said good night to Anthonyโ€ฆย  who called Wilson into the garden.

Lights Out.

I started this review saying this was an open love letter to TITCO.ย  And it is. From your invitation in 2015 until today as a company TITCO has shown me friendship, inclusion, and provided me with every opportunity I could want in TITCO shows โ€“ and allowed me to run the show bars!.ย  From a somewhat fay pirate (Pirates of Penzance), to a mobster (Sister Act), The Voice of Humanity (WOTW โ€“ twice), to cow & narrator (the โ€œcowratorโ€ in โ€œInto the Woodsโ€), Albert the publican (Last night at the Conductorโ€™s Arms ), then a hectic seven characters and twelve costume changes plus ladder climbing in two hours (Spamalot). And of course ensemble singing and solos in concerts and the FullTone Music Festival. You built me. Iโ€™ve done amazing shows with other companies, but TITCO built me. And I thank you.

I wasnโ€™t involved in tonightโ€™s Dinner Party โ€“ a medical procedure (a good one I hasten to add!) precluded my involvement. But I sat in the audience, watching my friends deliver another polished smooth performance. Under my breath I sang with them. I laughed at the little in-jokes. I wanted to be there with them โ€“ but then I couldnโ€™t have enjoyed their joie-de-vivre, seen the love, the friendship oozing from their every pore. As a sign said on stage โ€œFriends are the greatest gift in lifeโ€.

Chapeau TITCO. I raise my walking stick to you all tonight.

A final word (or tenโ€ฆ).ย  This is โ€œthe last TITCO show for a whileโ€.ย  So I just want to say as I sign off my open love letter isโ€ฆ

From Now On โ€ฆย  Could we Start Again Please.

Love you all

Didds
xxxx

Trending….

Devizes Writers Group Win Silver Award

Congratulations to Rosalind Ambler and Paul Snook from Devizes Writers Group… At the National Community Radio Awards held in Cardiff on 16th November Together!, theโ€ฆ

Hansel & Gretel: Panto at the Wharf!

Images: Chris Watkins Media It was lovely to spend Sunday afternoon at Devizesโ€™ Wharf Theatre, to see how this yearโ€™s pantomime Hansel & Gretel, isโ€ฆ

No Worries; Worried Men at The Pump

Long overdue a visit to the Pump in Trowbridge, Jamie Thyer, frontman of the Worried Men twisted my arm Friday night and there I was,โ€ฆ

Ian Siegal at Long Street Blues Club

Devizes is often spoiled for choice when it comes to live music. Swindon folk ensemble SGO at the Gate would’ve been an excellent decision forโ€ฆ

Devizes Girl Wins Vernon Kay’s Talent Nation

A huge congratulations to Jess Self, 13, from Devizes, who has won Vernon Kay’s Talent Nation…..

Presented by Park Dean Resorts, Talent Nation had over 2,500 applications and  ran at 52 holiday parks across the UK.

Jess travelled to Skegness where she made the final twelve, and was then crowned the overall winner by judges, including Alison Hammond and Strictly star AJ Pritchard. She performed a medley from Hairspray The Musical.

Jess said, “it’s like a dream come true. It was such an amazing experience and was a great opportunity.”

You can see Jess, performing as Red Riding Hood at the Wharf Theatre’s pantomime, Little Red Riding Hood, running from 9th to 17th December. Tickets HERE.

Jess, who loves performing, and is currently at Stagecoach performing arts school in Trowbridge, added she “can’t wait” to perform in the Wharf Pantomime and is excited to see everyone’s hard work come together. She says she’s extremely grateful for every opportunity that comes her way.

Well done, Jess; keep up the amazing work, fingers crossed, next stop, Broadway!

Town Council Register Warm Spaces Devizes

Like a descriptive paragraph from a Dicken’s novel, as similar across the UK this season, Devizes Town Council has provided information about a local “warm spaces” initiative, of which you need to resigter your venue or activity, if you can help.

Register HERE.

They will be adding a downloadable list of all registered warm space venues to their website soon. I hope we can replicate it here to spread word of this saddening yet essential service. Feel free to contact us if we can help in any orher way too.

Warm Spaces Devizes is a local community provision of safe, welcoming warm spaces that are free and open to all in Devizes and nearby villages. The spaces will provide a warm location, refreshments, companionship and information on how to weather the cost of living crisis. You do not need to freeze this winter.

This follows a similar pattern across the county, Wiltshire Council has created an online interactive community directory to help people find warm spaces and community food providers in the county to support them.

Access this HERE, to find what support is available nearby and across the county. Go to the directory and select your postcode area, this will automatically generate a list of what is available, as well as a host of other useful features.

Those in other locations, can find their nearest warm space HERE.

Naturally, they all suggest attending can help to reduce your heating bills. In this “starve or freeze” coming winter, make no mistake, this is a disheartening article to have to publish, particularly in an area assumed to be affluent.

While I’m pleased to hear such schemes are being created, it is clearly symbolic of the absolute failure of this government, and while county councils like Wiltshire continue to tow the Conservative line, I’m of the honest opinion they are duty bound to attend to this crisis. We will not thank them here, but we will acknowledge their efforts.

Weekly Roundup of Events in Wiltshire: 17th โ€“ 23rd November 2022

Got a proper soaking this morning, fat lot of good it is whinging to you about it, you are here only for the lowdown on autumn happenings this coming week, so Iโ€™ll waste no time waffling, donโ€™t worry about me, yeah, yeah, Iโ€™ll be fine!

Currently up and running, until Saturday, is TITCOโ€™s Dinner Party at The Wharf Theatre.

Staying in Devizes, Thursday 17th sees the opening of the historic event, Devizes Eisteddfod. Hereโ€™s the place to find future local stars of the arts, a five-day festival of over 400 classes of music, speech, drama, dance, writing, art, photography, and composition, for people of all ages, who may enter individually or through a school or group. There are competitive and non-competitive classes. The Music, Speech and Drama classes will be held in Devizes Town Hall. Find out more HERE.

Over in Bradford-on-Avon, check out Dylan Smith who has an official launch gig for his Cruel to be Kind album at The Boathouse.

Also find Ezio playing Chapel Arts, Bath. And for some doom metal and stoner rock, try a double-header at The Vic, Swindon, with Phantom Droid and Dark Prophecy.

Friday 18th is Marlboroughโ€™s Christmas Light Switch-On.

After The Rocky Horror Experience, Soul II Soulโ€™s Feel Free Tour comes to Meca. Yes, I said Soul II Soul, wowzers! But if youโ€™ve no tickets get in or check the alternatives in Swindon; The Beverley May Band at The Sun Inn, Coate, Splat the Rat play The Hop Inn for Swindon Folk Club.

In Devizes, itโ€™s pub quiz time in aid of Arts Together at the Cavalier, and Iโ€™ve got to recommend the highly entertaining Blondie & Ska duo, who play The Pelican. Chippenham duo, as it says on the tin, do Blondie covers but also include those Two-Tone classics, in a kind of fashion youโ€™d wished Blondie covered them; itโ€™s lots of fun. In fact, it was going to be editor’s pick of the week! UPDATE: sorry to hear this has been cancelled. Postponed until 3rd February.

Drag Show at the Neeld, Chippenham, with The Dazzling Diamonds. Limehouse Lizzy at Salisbury Arts Centre.

After Nโ€™Famady Kouyate at Wiltshire Music Centre in Bradford-on-Avon, theyโ€™ve got something on my hitlist, the acclaimed Moments of Pleasure, a Kate Bush tribute. Meanwhile, itโ€™s bonkers at The Three Horseshoes with a triple bill of Hell Death Fury, Lone Sharks, & Monkish.

Craig Charles is on the wheels of steel at the Cheese & Grain, Frome, while Richard Norris plays sister venue, The Tree House.

Saturday 19th, kids, Lego Club, at Chippenham Museum from 3-4pm. I know I keep mentioning this regular event, but I love the sound of it, wish there was a Lego club when I was a kid, and well, I might go one day anyway. My own kids will be like, โ€œdad, I need a lift to my science book writerโ€™s guild annual general meeting,โ€ and Iโ€™ll be like, โ€œfat chance, Iโ€™m off to Lego Club!โ€

Find handmade jewellery, woodwork, hand-poured candles, scented soap, artwork, and handbags at the Mynt Image Craft Fair at Devizes Corn Exchange from 10am-4pm. And in the evening find the Hardwicke Circus and The Alex Voysey Trio at Long Street Blues Club; upcoming talent Saturday, sounds tempting, very tempting! UPDATE: being our Editor’s pick of the season has been postponed, this isnew Editor’s pick of week!

The Southgate promises folky blues with Sโ€™Go, a new one on me; Deborah tells me, โ€œTheyโ€™re an eclectic folky blues collective. They played a few crazy tunes in a circle in the middle of the pub once. Everyone loved it, we booked them!โ€ Cannot argue with that. Ye gods, that sounds tempting, very tempting too, what am I to do?!

Night Jar play Woodbrough Social Club, Miranda Sykesโ€™ Show of Hands is at Marlborough Folk Roots, at the Town Hall, and the local favourites, Humdinger play The Lamb, Marlborough.

Thereโ€™s a Trowbridge Weavers Christmas Market, and Gaz Brookfield plays the Pump, with Heartwork and Be Like Will in support, but I believe itโ€™s sold out, check their website, but be quick on the flux capacitor. You could always head to the Somerset Arms, Semington failing that, where youโ€™ll find The Beverley Maye Band, or The Buckly Rage at the Three Horseshoes, Bradford-on-Avon.

The wonderful seven-piece soul band, aptly named Blue Soul Band play the Contsti, in Chippenham, tributes The Faux Fighters at The Vic, Swindon and Coldplace at the Cheese & Grain, Frome.

Jessica Fostekewโ€™s Wench runs at Salisbury Arts Centre, and thatโ€™s your Saturday night.

Sunday 20th. Iโ€™ve checked this over and over, and it definitely says, Jazz Sabbath is at the Corn Exchange, Devizes on Sunday, are we sure itโ€™s not Saturday, people? Damn your eyes, thatโ€™s a school night!

Also occurring, Wiltshire Youth Jazz Orchestra with Huw Warren at Wiltshire Music Centre, Bradford-on-Avon, Clinton Baptiste tour at the Cheese & Grain, Frome, after a record fair, and tribute L1nkn P4rk at The Vic, Swindon.

And thatโ€™s your lot, I got nought for Monday and Tuesday, but donโ€™t forget itโ€™s the regular acoustic jam at the Southgate Devizes on Wednesday, 23rd, and Richard Robbins presents Passage of Time at Wiltshire Music Centre, Bradford-on-Avon, thereโ€™s a Willow Reindeer Festive Workshop beginning at Salisbury Arts Centre, which runs until 30th, and Matt Deighton is at The Tree House in Frome.

The biggies next week are of course, the Winter Festival and lantern parade in Devizes, Friday, and the start of the Window Wanderland. Saturday sees the second feast at Soup Chick, of Kashmir cuisine, and The Scribes come to Devizes, at the Muck & Dundar. We love the Scribes here at Devizine and are thoroughly looking forward to this; get a ticket!

John Otway at the Pump, Trowbridge on Friday, and The Moscow Drug Club on Saturday, both worthy of your attention. Then, gawd blimey, itโ€™ll be December. Iโ€™m trying to keep up and update as regularly as possible, including getting the biggies up for next year. Have a great weekend, keep a check on our event calendar for updates, and planning ahead.

Trending….

Wiltshire Music Centre Announces New Joint Leadership

Wiltshire Music Centre is delighted to announce the new appointments ofย Danielย Clark as Artistic Director, andย Sarahย Robertson as Executive Director.ย Danielย andย Sarahย join Wiltshire Music Centre in a new co-leadershipโ€ฆ

What’s Happening During November in Devizes?

Remember, remember, weโ€™re moving into November; leaves, loads of โ€˜em! Being as we are no longer doing weekly roundups, hereโ€™s some highlights of events inโ€ฆ

Review: Cracked Machine at the Southgate

by Ben Romain and Victoria Stanley

Following a night in the Corn Exchange Friday, the chance arose for something completely different, something new to our earsโ€ฆ…

Life got in the way, and the support- Clock Radio were regrettably missed on this occasion, one to look out for soonโ€ฆ

Wondering into a rammed Southgate just in time for Cracked Machineโ€™s set we were aware of them clearly having a strong following.

How can we describe the sound? Heavy but relaxing? The strongest bass delivery you are likely to hear anywhere, incredible layering of sound from that bold bass, the prodigious lead guitar and backed with some fine, crisp delivery from the drums.

With no vocals, comes a name to hold court with musicianship. It didnโ€™t appear to pose any pressure for this machine. We found ourselves captivated, enthralled entirely by something so different.

Our limited research prior to the gig, (we were encouraged to try by drummer Gary) threw up a tag of โ€˜space rockโ€™. Thereโ€™s not a huge amount of it anywhere in the world it appears, Germany and Japan seemingly the widest exponents.

Yet here we are in Devizes, in what guitarist Bill Denton proclaimed as โ€˜the best live music venue in Wiltshireโ€™ watching space rock. (Ed’s note: yes, here’s a review of them at The Gate by Andy, from 2018.)

In the same way fans like ourselves might immerse their senses in big musical landscapes of say Pink Floyd, you find yourself in fact listening mesmerised, personally oddly relaxedโ€ฆ. thereโ€™s that driving bass and sufficient volume to shake the rafters, yet itโ€™s like youโ€™ve found yourself in the bars of Tatooine.

Years of music collecting and gigs have left no reference, no recollection of anything quite like it. So, chatting with the band, Prog Rock people often like them, space rock people love them, and as of yesterday so do we!

Check them out! I cannot remember the last time a band I liked left me with such difficulty describing their incredible music.

As ever and in full agreement with Bill, thank you Deb and Dave at The Gate for their unrivalled passion for live music in Devizes. Thank you to Cracked Machine, look forward to next time.

Trending…

YEA Devizes: DOCA New Youth Project

Devizes Outdoor Celebratory Arts announced their upcoming project, YEA Devizes today. Made possible by a grant from National Grid Electricity Transmissionโ€™s Community Grant Programme, theโ€ฆ

The Mist; New Single from Meg

Chippenhamโ€™s young folk singer-songwriter Meg, or M3G if you want to get numeric, will release her 6th single The Mist on Friday 18th October, andโ€ฆ

Review: Is this the Blues? Beaux Gris Gris & the Apocalypse at the Corn Exchange

by Ben Romain and Victoria Stanley

We cannot pretend we didnโ€™t approach this gig with keen anticipation based on previous times this band has graced Devizes with a spot on their tourโ€ฆ…

As ever they did not disappoint; line ups over the years have seen a few faces, but the core of the group, Robin and Greta, steers the band with a note-perfect delivery, showing their experience and musicianship. With a quality band, as always, backing them up, they launch into every song with a knowing smile, many assembled being familiars, the floor is filled with participation, dancing and joining in, especially with crowd pleaser โ€˜donโ€™t let the bastards get you downโ€™; rarely have we seen the roof raised in such style in Devizes.

Is this the Blues? Well yes, the contemplation of both the good, and bad in life in the well-crafted lyrics certainly say so. In its delivery, thereโ€™s showmanship, an ability to hold a crowd, to raise a roof, or usher in near silence at will. We would go with Blues-rock, if pressed for a genre, as itโ€™s accessibility would please the ears of many who would not classify themselves as fans of traditional Blues.

What makes the tangible feeling of a real connection with the band? Perhaps this being Robin Daveyโ€™s hometown? Or his musical journey with game changing band, The Hoax, who formed in Devizes? Audiences are now treated to guest appearances on Beaux Gris Gris tours from the best musicians in the U.K. Blues scene from all the links and friendships that come with such a rich history as a professional musician.

For this gig Robinโ€™s often-time stage mate Jon Amor was away with his band, and so we were treated to the incredible guitar playing of Scott McKeown. A new name to us, but more than impressive enough to warrant investigation in his own right.

This gig was a great example of the capacity of our town to draw top bookings. Perhaps we shall enjoy a return to form for our once popular venue in the Corn Exchange? Thank you to everyone who makes it happen and if you didnโ€™t catch this one, check them out, you might just discover this is the Blues for you.

Trending….

Autumn-Winter Comedy in Devizes

Comedy in Devizes is a rare thing, unless you count visitors turning right at the Shaneโ€™s Castle junction, reading opinions on the Devizes Issues (butโ€ฆ

New Lost Trades Single; Old Man of The Sea

If decades havenโ€™t lessened the appeal of the galling quip, โ€œMonsieur, with these Rocher you are really spoiling us,โ€ every time some spanner in a tank-top pulls out a box of chocolates at a party, then I reserve the right to modify it here today, for wonderful local folk harmony trio, The Lost Trades are really spoiling us, with another sublime teaser we hope to see on a subsequent album sequel.

Yet, I hailed the last few tunes for this progressive tighter bonding, so both vocally and in concept their voices and characteristics merge, this one is rather concentrated in the raconteur style of Jamie Hawkins, who takes lead.

When considering one of personal favourites on the inaugural album, The Bird, The Book and the Barrel being Jamieโ€™s led โ€œWait for my Boat to Come in,โ€ this too has a marine theme, and using Hemingwayโ€™s most unlucky character, Santiago, is the perfect subject for the forlorn and pensive impression weโ€™ve come to expect as standard from this enriching trio. Adapting the book title, The Old Man and The Sea, to The Old Man of the Sea, itโ€™s another delightfully expressive shanty-type ballad, with all the hallmarks of their set style, and that being a treat on the ears.

The Trades proudly announced itโ€™s the fastest tune of theirs to have reached the 100-stream mark, but the proof is in the pudding; take a listen, you know youโ€™ll be pleased you did. It just keeps getting better for The Lost Trades, and in that a journey weโ€™ve all followed locally, and appreciated every step of the way.

Trending….

Forestry Operations Due to Start at West Woods

Featured Photo: Forestry England/Crown copyright Planned timber harvesting is set to begin at popular walking destination, West Woods, from the end of September until Marchโ€ฆ

Swindon Gets Shuffling!

Despite the population of Devizes throwing confetti and paint at each other in their most celebrated annual ritual, I believe I picked the right weekendโ€ฆ

The Juggernaut Delivers Back at The Southgate

If there’s been welcomed stand-ins for the monthly Jon Amor Trio residency at the Southgate in Devizes recently, Ruzz Evans and Eddie Martin, Jon โ€œtheโ€ฆ

Tutored Wine Tasting at St Mary’s Devizes

Discover your favourite glass of festive cheer at St Mary’s, Devizes this December 1st, and join in the uncorking of a selection of wines designed to make the festive season sparkle this Christmas…..

Renowned local vintner Casper Bowes will be on hand with entertaining insights and helpful hints to guide guests through a selection of wines guaranteed to add sparkle to the Christmas celebrations.

The masterclass will provide the opportunity to sample a range of wines from around the world in the unique historic setting of the Grade 1 listed building in New Park Street.

Co-founders of Bowes Wine, Casper and Victoria, who describe themselves as a โ€˜healthily wine-obsessed husband and wife teamโ€™, started the business in 2002 and focus on sourcing new and exciting wines from both the classic and lesser known regions of the world, with both young and older vintages in their sights.

The tasting, which starts at 6.30pm, aims to enable those imbibing to get a better understanding and appreciation of a wide range of specially selected wines.  The evening will finish with a glass of bubbly and light refreshments.

Tickets, which cost ยฃ25, can be purchased from Ticketsource and Devizes Books – visit www.stmarydevizestrust.org.uk for further details and to learn more about the plans to transform the building into a vibrant community arts venue for future generations.

Trending…

Deadlight Dance New EP Chapter & Verse

Marlborough gothic duo Deadlight Dance are due to release an EP of new material. Itโ€™s called Chapter & Verse and itโ€™ll be out on Rayโ€ฆ

Snap Up Some Orignal Artwork and Help Arts Together

Small Wonders is up and running again this year, an online art auction raising funds for Arts Together, a Wiltshire charity bringing creative workshops to those most in need of social interaction, the vulnerable and elderly.

It was one of my most memorable moments working on Devizine, when some years ago I attended a workshop in Melksham with renowned artist Clifton Powell. At a sheltered accommodation centre for the elderly, I witnessed an art group which far exceeded my expectations. It was about so much more than the art, it was an opportunity for social interaction, and when one chap bought out a guitar and sang, I realised it verged on a party! Said exceeded expectation came via talking to the members and realising how much Arts Together meant to them. One couldn’t help but be touched by the experience.

But moreso, the amazing work Arts Together do covers a wider area, with 72 places within six key centres in Devizes, Melksham, Bradford-on-Avon, Trowbridge, Marlborough and Pewsey.

And here’s your chance to help, and bag yourself some original art too, perhaps it’d make a great Christmas present. There’s over 40 pieces to bid on or buy outright, some for as little as thirty quid. Bidding starts on the 18th of November. All the artwork has been donated by renowned local artists, and there’s an impressive variety.

The gallery is open now, click here to have a browse.

REVIEW: Devizes Arts Festivalโ€™s Comedy Night @ Corn Exchange, Devizes โ€“ Friday 4th November 2022

An Early Night of Fireworks

Andy Fawthrop

Just when youโ€™re least expecting it, a crackling night of comedy suddenly looms out of the Autumn mist.ย  Here we were on a Friday night for a 400-seat sell-out of the Corn Exchange for Devizes Arts Festivalโ€™s Comedy Night.…..

And a smashing little box of crackers it was.  First up on stage, and binding the whole evening together, was compere West Country native and Bristol comic James Redmond.  Heโ€™s previously been seen on BBC TVโ€™s West Country Sitcom, and The Outlaws.  Jamesโ€™ style was laconic, laid-back and relaxed, poking gentle fun at a few of the locals up at the front.  Whilst some comperes can slightly overstay their welcome, serving only to delay the entry of the โ€realโ€ comedians, there was no danger of that here.  A few sparklers and then he was gone.

First up was Aideen McQueen, a late substitute, but no less good for that.  She proved her worth from the get-go with some hilarious material, and lived up to her reputation as one of the brightest sparks in the new generation of Irish comics.  She was cheeky, yet self-deprecating, and very funny with it, also choosing to delve into the front rows for some of her off-the-cuff impromptu material.  A real whizz-bang.

After the first interval, and some more of James Redmond, we were introduced to Stella Graham, a naturally funny stand-up comedian, writer and actor.  We learned that she was a half Sri Lankan gal from Coventry.  Plenty of riffing on lazy race stereotypes and another great set.  A Catherine Wheel of delights.

And finally, following a second chance to grab a drink at the crowded bars, was headliner of the night, the acclaimed comedian and professional hoaxer, Simon Brodkin.  Heโ€™s best known for handing Theresa May a P45 at the Conservative Party Conference and for showering Sepp Blatter with dollar bills at a FIFA press conference.   His longer set made no reference at all to these previous victories, and instead he delivered a full-powered main-stream stand-up set.  More delving into the audience, more riffing on D-Townโ€™s somewhat back-water, country-bumpkin West Country reputation.  But it was very well handled, very funny, and without malice.  A spectacular rocket display.

All four comedians were spot-on with their material, read the audience well, and made lots of new friends in the room.  And it was refreshing to hear so much wonderful material delivered without descending into mere crudity and profanity.  Of course there was some swearing, and some near-the-knuckle topics, but it was well blended in and genuinely hilarious.  An excellent show.

The audience obviously loved it, and the evening served to clearly demonstrate (yet again) that thereโ€™s a real appetite for some comedy gigs in D-Town.  Interestingly, the best gigs (from a perspective of ticket sales) during the main Devizes Arts Festival recently were the comedy gigs (remember Scummy Mummies and Alfie Moore?)  Perhaps itโ€™s time to get the old regular Comedy Club going again?

In sum – plenty of bangers, some sparklers and a real bonfire of the vanities.  And all this was delivered for a mere tenner โ€“ an absolute bargain in my book!  Great night out.

Trending…..

Fulltone Confirmed For 2025 in Devizes

The Fulltone Orchestra has confirmed today that their annual festival will take place on The Green in Devizes from 25th โ€“ 27th July 2025โ€ฆ. โ€œItโ€™sโ€ฆ

Get ‘Lifted’ by Chandra

Chandra, Hindu God of the Moon, with his own NASA X-ray observatory named after him, and also frontman of a self-named friendly Bristol-based four-piece pop-punkโ€ฆ

Local Book Review: Dadโ€™s New Dress

Spent most of Pride month, and the following month too (what? Iโ€™m a slow reader and a busy chap!) reading an apt book, given toโ€ฆ

Some Days with Paul Lappin

Paul’s self-made cover to his latest single, Some Days depicts a fellow sitting under a tree pondering life, while an autumn zephyr blows leaves aroundโ€ฆ

Imberbus is running this Saturday !

Following on from last monthโ€™s email, this is a final reminder that yearโ€™s Imberbus service will be running this coming Saturday โ€“ 17th August 2024.โ€ฆ

Hillworth and Coate Housing Developments Rejected

Word on the grapevine is both controversial housing developments, one west of Hillworth Road, and the other off Coate Road in Devizes have been refused permission, Hillworth from five votes to three with one abstention at this morning’s Wiltshire Council Strategic Planning Committee meeting.….

The Hillworth site proposed the odd number of fifty-nine new houses, allowing only for the limit of 30% of affordable homes, meaning 18 of the 59, 11 affordable renting, and 7 shared ownership. But the plans faced criticism from both residents and Devizes Guardians, with residents protesting against it on October 30th.

The second far more ambitious proposal, a maximum of two-hundred houses, with again limited affordable housing, 36 rented, and 24 shared ownership, over near Coate was rejected soon after the Hillworth announcement, even with persuasive technique promising shops, because, you know, we haven’t got enough retail space in Devizes awaiting someone to occupy them.

Organiser of the Hillworth protest, Steve Cole told the Gazette, โ€œthis development is purely speculative, and its only aim is to make money from one of the townโ€™s most valuable wildlife habitats. We donโ€™t need speculation; we need preservation and protection to ensure our community and the wildlife can continue to enjoy this area for years to come.”

Yet this quote from the same article really takes the biscuit for a walk to cloud biscuitland, and dunks it in the tea of fibs lake. The developers added โ€œthe existing highway network would satisfactorily accommodate the additional traffic arising from the proposed development without resulting in any severe impacts.โ€ Earth to planet developer, who blatantly has never attempted to turn out of Hillworth Road, much less drive anywhere in Devizes during peak hours! Must’ve graduated from the Boris Johnson school of honesty.

Such wildly inaccurate assessments against a market town already in dying need of improvement to infrastructure makes me suspicious of the whole shebang, don’t know about you? Yeah, new homes need to be built, but around towns with bypasses like Calne, not towns without the capacity for a bypass, like Devizes. Take the already bustling tight rat traps at your own peril. And besides, is anyone in a position to be buying a home right now, anyway? Putting their’s on the market and gathering some cardboard boxes more like. We need a much higher percentage of affordable rented homes, not just the minimum to satisfy the regulatory.

Devizes Guardians have been against both proposals, town Councillor Jonathan Hunter told me he believes “the current infrastructure in Devizes, including services like dentistry, GP surgeries, schools and local transportation provision is not adequate for an ever increasing population. Our current road infrastructure is certainly not able to cope”

Apologies if this newsflash is hardly breaking, and you’ve read opinions about it already plastered over your favoured local Facebook groups, but trekking back from Swindon earlier, I hit Devizes bang-on 5pm; shock-horror, I’m wagering you’ll never guess what happened next?!

A 35 minute journey magically tranforms into an hour and a quater, fighting the town congestion like Immortan Joe, proving Jonathan’s point I think; could’ve got the better half to jump out at the Market Place for a takeaway, and it’d be cooked, served and eaten by the time I pass the Brewery roundabout!

While I’m rapping on a curry tangent, always thinking about my tucker, Jonathan sees the wider issue, and continues, “this is not a nimby issue, society needs more homes and especially ones that families, single parents, single people or low income families can afford and enjoy. There should be much better provision of low cost quality rental properties too.”

“However new developments need to be well thought out and located where the infrastructure can more than just cope meaning the local road network isnโ€™t gridlocked as a result of mismatched locations or people arenโ€™t waiting weeks to see a GP.”

“From planning experts to local residents – they have all listed the many factors that make these two developments a very poor fit for Devizes and believe that these developments are not suitable.”

Good news all round today, then, common sense prevails in the end, prospective moneybags hold off until the next unjustifiable housing proposal rears its head, me? I got a Chinese takeaway in the end! Yeah, was nice, thanks for asking.

Upcoming in Devizes; Nothing Rhymes With Orangeโ€™s Debut EP

The younger they are the more tempting it is to excessively praise, despite honest constructive criticism being far more helpful than flattery. So, I press play on these three tracks which make up the debut EP from Devizes-based teenage indie-pop band, Nothing Rhymes With Orange, with the intention of deliberately finding a possible downgrade or two, to convince you itโ€™s not the case here, which is not as easy as it soundsโ€ฆ…

It’s not even near beginnersโ€™ luck, that which we fondly reviewed their first single from the EP, Chow For Now, in October, and if I went in blind, Iโ€™ve a better perspective of where theyโ€™re coming from now, and predict very soon everyone will, least should.

The fact theyโ€™re releasing an EP called Midsummer bang central in autumn is the only bombast in me. This is unconditionally distinction-type stuff, the like Iโ€™d have said of a band of ten plus years of professional experience under their belts. Far from the odious din of antagonism and rage of many a youthful punk-pop experiment, which isnโ€™t my preferred cuppa, this is universally age demographic spanning, appealing to all.

If they cite their inspirations from The Wombats, Smashing Pumpkins and Arctic Monkeys, my elderly soul picks out early Jam, and a plethora of bands from that late seventies, early eighties era. Mind, they also cite The Cure; Iโ€™m happy with that compromise, though suggest it’s never as gloomy as goth. Look at the picture, they bounce; Robert Smith never bounced!

Reason being it ticks every box is itโ€™s shrewdly written with original angles on themes of fledgling passion and relationships, yet itโ€™s lively, happy, beguiling, and danceable, and, concluding with a cliche word I donโ€™t like to overuse but find myself in a position no better than to define it as โ€œcatchy.โ€

Recorded at The Badger Set Studios in Potterne and released this Friday, 4th November, if Chow For Now rides a degree of optimism in the despair of a relationship breakup, Creatures is equally as expectantly ingenious and dynamic, commenting on a larger picture of teenage delinquency, reminding me somewhat of Supergrassโ€™ Alright, yet with far more punch. This one is simply anthemic, picture future fans singing back to them, perhaps even more than Chow. But while Manipulation reduces the tempo, proving the boys can execute the obligatory melancholic superlatively too, though subtly, the wordplay steps up another notch. Example; โ€œyou make manipulation seem like a lullaby, go get your education, Iโ€™m not your type of guy,โ€ just, yeah, works.

You can pick these tunes apart and if the characters in Creatures, suggest they think theyโ€™re โ€œcool because they donโ€™t listen to the teachers,โ€ I really hope your English teachers are listening to you, guys, for this is quality badinage, astutely written pop. To retort on my mockery of the EPโ€™s name unfortunately inconsistent to the current season, these tracks were put down during the summer, in a barn in rural Wiltshire. Country schoolkids, huh? Typical, nothing better to do than hang around barns, picking up guitars and drums, practising like hell, precisely promoting, and marketing their outpourings, and coming out with this monstrously superb sound to upstage the best of our local scene, you should be ashamed of yourselves!

The original four-piece line up consists of frontman Elijah Easton on guitar, with the apt strain of adolescent sincerity in his vocals, Fin Anderson-Farquhar, also on guitar, and drummer Lui Venables, with bassist Ivor Ritson who since moved on to be replaced by Sam Briggs. Fast creating a loyal fanbase after reaching the finals of Riverbank Chippenhamโ€™s Take the Stage, theyโ€™ve managed their own sell out gig, and supported upcoming Carsick at Trowbridgeโ€™s Pump. I suggest you do yourself a favour, young and old, pre-save this EP here, ready for Friday, and keep a keen eye on these lads. Theyโ€™re playing a Freaky Friday at St James Vaults in Bath, Friday 11th November, with Chasing Kites supporting Harmer Jays. Iโ€™m sorry not to be able to make it but urge local promoters to get these guys booked.

Trending…

Marlborough, I’ve Seen Your Pants

โ€œWe can’t stop here. This is Tory country,โ€ I chuckled while fiercely yanking the handbrake, as if Dr Gonzo was in the car. We canโ€ฆ

Ruzz Up The Gate!

I was intending to start this along the lines of โ€œyou don’t need me to provide another reason why I love The Southgate,โ€ but thisโ€ฆ

REVIEW โ€“ Picnic At Hanging Rock @ Wharf Theatre, Devizes โ€“ Monday 31st October 2022

Strange Happenings

Andy Fawthrop

A wet and windy Halloween night was quite an odd elemental preparation for going to see this atmospheric play.ย  Set in the wide-open spaces and searing heat of 1900 Southern Australia, the tight confines of our lovely little Wharf Theatre seemed as if it would present a stretch of the imagination just a step too far.ย  But not a bit of it, and Director Debby Wilkinson had done a marvellous job in transforming the obvious physical limitations of a small stage into a much bigger canvas.

The plot of this mystery tale, rumoured to be loosely based on real events, is initially quite straightforward.  On St Valentine’s Day in 1900, a group of schoolgirls from Appleyard College set out for a picnic at Hanging Rock, a volcanic beauty spot in rural Victoria.  After their picnic, a group of the girls climb into the blaze of the afternoon sun.  But their idyllic day turns to tragedy as three of their number inexplicably vanish, never to be seen again.  The complexities then arise.  Despite extensive searching, no bodies are found.  Questions begin to be asked, and the answers are rarely forthcoming.  Back-stories and under-currents are discovered.  Memories differ.  Uncertainly prevails.  We begin to understand that, in fact, there are many things that we do not understand.

Using just five female actors to both narrate and to act out the story, there is little room for manoeuvre.  We are compelled to use our own imaginations to fill in many of the blanks.  The bare, stripped-back set, and the use of virtually no props, only serves to reinforce the bleakness and emptiness of the rough landscape.  We are taken through the disappearance and its aftermath, its many layers of uncertainty and a whole range of contrasts โ€“ truth and lies, light and dark, dreams and nightmares, the real and the imaginary, and the unsettling way in which facts seem to simply dissolve into nothingness. The open-ness of the great outdoors is set against the stifling atmosphere of the school, and the claustrophobia of the rules of genteel society.

This was a wonderful cast.  There were five very strong, word-perfect performances from Helen Langford, Imogen Riley, Louise Peak, Lucy Upward and Cassidy Hill.  Their pace and movement around the stage, as one role melted into another, was confident and assured.  Their ability to switch genders, voices, tones and attitudes was excellent.  Without apparent effort, they immersed you in both the story itself and into the motives and feelings of the different characters.  Totally convincing and professional throughout.  Top work.

The adaptation of Joan Lindsayโ€™s original 1967 novel by Tom Wright is a tautly pared-back affair, yet there is no loss of poetic and lyrical language.  Previous film and TV adaptations have had the luxury of using the great Australian landscape as their background, but here it all had to be in the language and the acting.  And the five actors absolutely nailed it.  The sense of mystery was never lost, and the audience were bound in.

This is exactly the sort of production that the Wharf excels at.ย  The stage and the arena are, by many standards, very small.ย  Thereโ€™s always going to be a skill in selecting the right productions and using the best directors to make the best of these limitations.ย  Picnic At Hanging Rock is absolutely one of those productions. Please go and see it.ย ย  This production is excellent and fully deserves your support โ€“ you wonโ€™t be disappointed! ย ย The production runs from tonight (Tuesday) through to Saturday 5th November at 7.30pm each evening.ย  Book your tickets HERE

Future productions at The Wharf Theatre:

Mon 14th โ€“ Sat 19th Sept                                TITCo Evening of Musical Theatre

Fri 8th โ€“ Sat 17th Dec                                        Little Red Riding Hood

Mon 30th Jan โ€“ Sat 4th Feb                            Ladies Day

For all information about The Wharf Theatre and its productions go to www.wharftheatre.co.uk

Trending….

Sing Another Love Song with Rosie Jay

Second impressive single from young Salisbury singer-songwriter Rosie Jay is released today. Sing Another Love Song; a sound of the summerโ€ฆ.. Her debut breakup trackโ€ฆ

Cotswold Water Park to be Renamed

Here’s a prime example as to why I could never be a councillor….. Cotswold District Council will vote on changing the name of Cotswold Waterโ€ฆ

Devizes Scooter Rally Rules, OK?!

If it’s been a fantastic weekend on Devizes Green with the orchestral Full-Tone Festival, further out of town scooterists, mods, skins and anyone else withโ€ฆ

The Next Season at the Wharf Theatre

Featured image byย Chris Watkins Autumn, finish your ice lolly, as we need to to start thinking about it! Our wonderful, one and only, theatre inโ€ฆ

Barrelhouse Rams The Gate!

When Barrelhouse visited the Southgate last easter, it was a great affair, though I was surprised to have been among a lesser crowd than a typical night down Devizes’ ever-dependable tavern. Given our blues obsession and this largely Marlborough based five-piece’s exceptional talent for providing exactly that, a clashing evening at Long Street Blues Club, if memory serves me well, is the only logical explanation. This time made up for itโ€ฆโ€ฆ

See, Iโ€™ve witnessed the crowd-pulling ability of this band on their home-turf, as residents of MantonFest, and was pleased to strut headlong into the rammed mosh pit, even if it meant accidently tripping over a dog, who got their own back with a nip of my badly executed apologetic hand! Rammed in there for birthday-boy landlord Dave, indeedy, but also, I confirm Devizes has awakened to how good these guys are. So rammed, even, I gave up trying to get a decent photo.

The dancefloor proved my point, Devizes has cottoned onto the Barrelhouse fanatical, and last night they took the packed boozer on their magical journey. Squeezed into our legendary alcove, it’s a good job they’re only barrel by name, otherwise it could’ve gone all Popup Pirate! I arrived fashionably late, plastered in badly grafted zombie makeup, but in time enough for the signature tune, and the one which attracted me to their most brilliant originals, Mainline Voodoo, a track they submitted to our first Juliaโ€™s House compilation. And being this was followed by their delta-version of Ace of Spades, I was happy to be there.

Itโ€™s when they slide in a cover of The Weight, you know youโ€™re in good company, bassist Stuart jesting to me they only run it so Jim Morrison fashioned frontman, Martin Hands can sing the word โ€œfanny.โ€ And there it is, see, not a band with a standout character, but a real tight teamworking collective, they bind and entertain like clockwork, and the sound they produce is as it says on the tin, โ€œvintage blues with a hard-edged groove.โ€

An encore was demanded, after Everybody Needs Somebody to Love, they only went and did Honkytonk Woman, and rinsed it with the skill they put into every one of their originals. Much so, you cannot see the seam, there is no wandering off to the bar when they call it, โ€œhereโ€™s one of our originals;โ€ no; crowd be like, okay, Iโ€™m happy with that. Especially at The Southgate; we like it like that.

It only leaves me to direct your eyes to the poster below, a kind of interim MantonFest, where alongside a Slade tribute, youโ€™ll get the full impact of Barrelhouse on their home turf, and unless you hold out until theyโ€™re at the Gate again, you should make a beeline for this Christmassy offering.

Trending….

A Perfect Picnic in the Park

A perfect sunny(ish) Sunday at Hillworth Park in Devizes, if not to overcome one’s fear of public speaking while dressed in a giraffe onesie andโ€ฆ

Female of the Species; Deadlier in Seend!

A glass half-full or half-empty scenario, to be at Seend Community Centre. The optimist in me ponders least it’s central, bang tidy between the Sham, Vizes and Trowvegas, or even if it matters if it is a wholly Seend affair, whatever; their Community Centre sure is a village venue to be proud of.

Neither am I here to dabble in petty town council politics. What’s been held at Melksham’s Assembly Hall for so many years and raised so much wonga for apt local charities, the local all-female supergroup Female of the Speciesโ€™ outing now packed out the new place last night for their annual extravaganza, and as always, it’s a beautiful, highly entertaining shebang.

This time in aid of teenage advice organisation TeenTalk, the girls were adorned in costumes in a manner superior to anything gone before. With corresponding stage decor, they were looking absolute dynamite; gothic halloweenish, to suit the theme, and they knocked a series of sublime covers out of the park.

I mean yeah, with the look of celebrity divinity they charged the stage, opened with a more Bangles’ Hazy Shade of Winter than Simon & Garfunkel’s, followed it with Sledgehammer, but stars really came out on the third tune, with saxophonist Karen Porter’s matchless riff of Baker Street. Here the penny dropped for those not-in-the-know; Seend was aching towards a party in a calibre of magnitude, though I suspect many there were fully aware and prepped, the anticipation was positively buzzing.

The lesser capacity of this hall only breathing more atmosphere into their performance than ever previously. Yet either way in either hall, the frontwomen of these local bands, Jules of Trowbridgeโ€™s Train to Skaville, Nicky Davis from People Like Us and The Reason, Julia Greenland from Soulville Express, Claire Perry from Big Mammaโ€™s Banned, and solo artist Charmaigne Andrews, never have a Jagger and Bowie moment of Dancing in the Street. That upstaging yearning simply doesnโ€™t compute with them, and with every year which passes sees them more harmonious and in solidarity, save perhaps the customary saucy banter! Itโ€™s the reason why itโ€™s as firm a fixture on my calendar as Christmas.

A covers night it maybe, but one of the highest qualities, with each singer adding their own genre preference into the cauldron. The method is this combined acquaintance, the magic is in the pop diversity they nimbly execute together. An example came quickly, when Jools led a floor-filling blast of Dawn Penn’s reworked rock steady classic, No, No, No. Through slight Halloween themed Hungry like Wolf and People are Strange, each tune was building into a continuingly improving pop compilation, arriving at an apex with a breathtakingly soulful version of The Faces’ Stay with Me, verging on Aretha-level of greatness.

But none of this happened before a superb support set of originals by young Trowbridge country-pop singer-songwriter Becky Lawrence, who, donned in a tiny witch’s hat and accompanied by warlock-looking guitarist Dylan Smith (more on this chap at a later date) treated us to her crystal-clear vocals and acute observational wordsmithing. Particularly poignant was her single, Loud and 17, even if seventeen is a long-vapourised recollection for me personally! Such was the performance; both these musicians are bleeping promptly on my radar.

With the thought of Jools returning with her band, Train to Skaville for New Yearโ€™s Eve this year, as The Female of the Species blasted through their catalogue of wonderful covers, it draws a double line under Seend Community Centre as a seriously contending venue and their lively and diverse range of events. Quality night, as to be expected based on past experience, but with an added bonus of a Halloween spooky theme and in a new venue; enough for me to don some zombie slap, which promptly melted off my face in the heat of the dancefloor moment!

Trending…..

The Pleasure was all Minety!

Broke my Minety Music Festival cherry, and it was gurt lush! When it comes to live music and festivals, I initially set a high bar.โ€ฆ

DOCA Picnicing in the Park!

With the unfortunate cancellation of Devizes International Street Festival this year due to Arts Council cuts, all eyes are on our wonderful Hillworth Park nextโ€ฆ

Michelle Gonelan Makes History

Last political rant from me for a while, given all that happened today, pinky promise! Hitler shot himself, then, as requested, he was doused inโ€ฆ

MantonFest Magic, Again

With the danceable penultimate act attracting a packed crowd, I observed a young teenager, who, on spotting a disregarded beer bottle, picked it up andโ€ฆ

Return of DOCAโ€™s Window Wanderland

To look back at the pandemic as a terrible era in our lives is justified, but as with all hard times some positives came from it; how we can care and respect each other, how to try our best to carry on, and, how we can continue traditions we once took for granted. In the latter, changes were made to events and entertainment, some changes which worked remain. Devizes Outdoor Celebratory Arts, like all event organisers were under pressure to come up with some way of celebrating Christmas, Window Wanderland was it. So popular with Devizes residents it is great to see it happening this year.

DOCA invite our local community to create something special in their windows, to show just what an amazingly creative place Devizes is. This Winter Festival theme is โ€˜Cold Weather, Warm Heartsโ€™ and they would love to see some windows decorated around this to feed into the other work they are doing across the weekend. This window extravaganza will run from 24th โ€“ 27th November 2022, from 5pm-9pm daily.

Anyone with a window can create a display which they hope will light up Devizes. Make sure you wrap up warm, get out and enjoy the change of window scenery. To take part is free, all you have to do is register your window. This will allow it to be included on the interactive map of Devizes, highlighting all the different window locations.

Register Here. More about Devizes Window Wanderland Here.

Trending….

Devizes Arts Festival Rules, OK?!

Alas, it’s been a long week since the Devizes Arts Festival called time. It feels a little like when my Dad would take the Christmasโ€ฆ

Talk in Code are All In for New Single

Swindon indie pop virtuosos Talk in Code released their brand new single, All In, Yesterday, via Regent Street Records. And We. Love. Talk in Codeโ€ฆ

PREVIEW โ€“ White Horse Operaโ€™s Production of Donizettiโ€™s โ€œLโ€™Elisir dโ€™Amourโ€@ Lavington School, Devizes โ€“ Wednesday 26th, Friday 28th, and Saturday 29th October 2022

Opera Is Back! โ€“ The Elixir Of Love! – Go See This Show!

by Andy Fawthrop

Weโ€™ve said it before, and we feel no shame in saying it again, but we are incredibly lucky to have so many talented musical and dramatic companies on our doorstep.ย  White Horse Opera (WHO) is but one of these, a company packed with plenty of both talent and enthusiasm.ย  Theyโ€™d previewed this weekโ€™s offering with a few early excerpts at their Spring Concert way back in March in Devizes Town Hall, which I also attended, but tonightโ€™s dress rehearsal was a chance to see how the full operetta had panned out.…

And I have to say that it is a total and delightful success!  Regular readers will know that Iโ€™m no expert on opera, but itโ€™s one of the musical forms that I do happen to love.  This particular 19th-century two-act comic opera production is a very accessible and easy-to-love piece, with some absolutely gorgeous music. 

The plot, as is fairly usual in any comic opera, is somewhat ludicrous and unbelievable.  Briefly – Nemorino, a poor peasant, is hopelessly in love with the beautiful Adina, a rich landowner.  Aware of his adoration, she torments him with her indifference and allows herself to be courted by the recently-arrived Captain Belcore.  Nemorino resorts to buying what he thinks is a love potion (in this case a cheap bottle of Bordeaux) from the shameless Dr. Dulcamara, but will it work to enable him to win her love?  Thatโ€™s the set-up in the first act.

Will everything be resolved in the second act?โ€ฆ..well, youโ€™ll have to come and see the production to find out!  Suffice to say that there are lots of twists and turns, deceptions, misunderstandings, a secret inheritance and plenty of improbabilities before everything is finally sorted out.

The opera, which essentially is about the triumph of sincerity over trickery and duplicity marks Matt Daunceyโ€™s directorial debut, and heโ€™s made a fine job of it.  Heโ€™s introduced some nice visual comedy into the production, but without obscuring the essential comedy of Donizettiโ€™s plot.  It also features three big duets between the exciting lead tenor (Robert Felstead making his debut opera performance with WHO) and lead soprano (beautifully sung by the ever-reliable Lisa House).  There are other star turns too from Jon Paget as the dashing Captain Belcore and Stephen Grimshaw as the duplicitous Doctor Dulcamara.

For regular opera lovers, this show is an absolute must, and for those wondering about whether to dip their toes into the shallow waters of opera, this would be a cracking one to start with.  Itโ€™s very accessible โ€“ itโ€™s sung in English and there are programme notes to guide you through the plot โ€“ but, more importantly itโ€™s really well done.  To say that WHO is an amateur opera company is to somewhat undersell itself โ€“ what they deliver is an extremely polished and professional performance.  The opera itself is a delight, featuring lots of great songs and choruses, and it delivers a great nightโ€™s entertainment.

In summary the main reason you should go and see it is that itโ€™s bloody good!

Tickets are still available for performances tonight (Wednesday), and for Friday and Saturday.

Future WHO events:

Sat 12th Nov 2022              Gilbert & Sullivanโ€™s Ruddigore    7.30pm Hilperton Village Hall

Fri 25th Nov 2022               Top Of The Ops                                 7.30pm Holt United Reformed Church

Wed 14th Dec                     Christmas Concert                           7.30pm St. Johns Church, Devizes

More information on WHO is available at www.whitehorseopera.co.uk

Trending….

Anyone For Table Tennis at Hillworth Park?

Yep, it’s true, Devizes’ wonderful Hillworth Park is to get an all-weather outdoor table tennis table, installed over the coming weeks, agreed at a Devizes Town Council recreation and properties committee meeting yesterday.…

Funded through the council’s CIL receipts, the project has been a bit ping-pong since the idea was put forward at the beginning of the year, with supplier and contractor issues, but looks likely to be smashed over the net very soon.

A positive strategy has also been served into action for those remaining town playparks in need of attention. Playgrounds in Cowslip Close, Festival Close and Wadworth Road have been earmarked by the council’s play area working party for repair and funding has been confirmed for them.

Councillor Jonathan Hunter, who has been formulating youth objectives and a working group structure recently said, “I believe the council has listened, and continues to listen to the community with action orientated follow up work that will improve play areas.”

Moving in the right direction to address youth issues could see a safe space youth venue, youth council inclusion schemes and a youth civic award scheme too. But little acorns, Devizine plans to grill Mr Hunter soon about progress on these exciting ventures addressing young people’s issues, over a nice cuppa, naturally, but for now, anyone for table tennis?!

Weekly Roundup of Events in Wiltshire: 26th Oct โ€“ 2nd Nov 2022

So, Rishi Sunak is prime minister, eh, how about that for diversity? Last time, a woman, of sorts, now an Asian chap. A tax-avoiding billionaire Asian chap with a name which sounds like a brand of orange fizzy-pop, but one nonetheless. You’ve got to wonder who it’ll be next week.

My money is on a Klingon, but I must commend the Tories, seems they’re not quite as prejudice as Nazis after all. It doesn’t matter, age, gender, race or religion; providing you’re working class they’ll shit on all of us from a-high, but with a degree of equality.

It would’ve been nice if Liz Truss could’ve stuck around for another week, if only for topical pumpkin carving purposes, because yes, it is the ancient American-over-commercialised Gaelic feast of Samhain, or Halloween to Christian cultural thieves.

After a family outing to pick our own pumpkins on a farm near Rowde in torrential rain last Saturday, confirming I married into a rural family, and kids who consider themselves too matured to trick or treat, I’d like to go out on creepy tiles (see editor’s pick of the week) but tickets are being grabbed fast, and I’m not sure how I’ll feel by the weekend after being brutally attacked last Saturday by a hanging basket.

Where were Wiltshire Police when the attack took place, you cry? Nowhere to be seen, that’s where. Typical, and that hanging basket is still at large somewhere, be warned. Needless to say, I sustained a surprisingly substantial head injury, though not the reason I’m talking complete toilet; I’m always like this.

I did manage to see a doctor. After a reply I pre-empted to be a telephone appointment sometime in May 2023, going by social media rants, I was invited to Southbroom surgery faster than I could change out of my Paddington jimmy-jams, and within the hour I was let back on the street. Not forgoing I retain a sore head with bolts of pain shooting through it upon the slightest of movement, but I’m after no sympathy. It’s the worry of 50 coming like a rocket over the hill at me. Any previous age and I’d have been, like, ah, just a bump to the noggin, be right as reign come morning. But now, any slight aliment and I’m drafting my bucket list; though I’d suspect Kylie Minogue won’t respond favourably in any case.

Onwards with what’s happening this creepy weekend, before I dose myself in more paracetamol. As usual the only link you need for more info and tickets is our event calendar HERE. If thereโ€™s stuff going on Iโ€™ve not mentioned below, stay tuned to the guide as I might yet update it through the week, and if itโ€™s your event I missed, thatโ€™s likely because you didnโ€™t tell me about it.

Wednesday 26th, and itโ€™s the White Horse Operaโ€™s opening night of Lโ€™elisir dโ€™amore at Lavington School, which runs until 29th. And the Rondo Theatre, Bath has Female Transport, also running the same dates.

On Thursday 27th Devizes Lgbtq+ hold their Drag Queen Bingo, Halloqueen Edition at The Exchange in Devizes, which was a sell-out last time, so get in quick.

Find reggae at Level III, Swindon with the Erin Bardwell Three, and Grim Slickers at The Vic.

Friday 28th, Halloween Family Disco at The Neeld, Chippenham. LGBTQ+ Halloween night at The Exchange, Devizes.

Violin, rapper and loop artist, Mike Dennis is at The Pump, Trowbridge.

Bit confused as Iโ€™ve a poster from the Specialised Project, advertising Monkey Ska at the Vic, Swindon, but listings show Getrz, Vicuals and I See Orange playing there too, so perhaps the first one has been cancelled, unsure. The Terraplanes Blues Band play the Rolleston Arms, though, that much I do know!

Also find Barnstormers Comedy at Salisbury Arts Centre, Muze at The Tree House, Frome, while The Freddie & Queen Experience are at the Cheese & Grain.

Saturday 29th, everything is awesome at Chippenham Museumโ€™s Lego Club, 3-4pm every Saturday. Itโ€™s Autumn in the Park at Hillworth in Devizes, see poster, and St Johnโ€™s Michaelmas Fayre too.

Getting very Halloween now, with Halloween Karaoke at The Pelican Inn, Devizes, Devizes Scooter Clubโ€™s Skalloween at the Cavalier, a Halloween party with DJ James Therelfall at the Muck & Dunder, Thriller Halloween party at the Exchange, and The Monster Ball at Melksham Assembly Hall.

Kind of optional creepy fancy dress at Editorโ€™s Pick of The Week: The Female of the Species 7th Annual Fundraising Gig at Seend Community Hall.

Tickets are going like hot cakes for this annual extravaganza from our lovely all-female local supergroup, now packing a punch at Seend, so get in quickly, it is always an amazing show.

Away from Halloween vibes, those masters of vintage blues, Barrelhouse play The Southgate, Devizes, Trash Panda, The Bastard Son of Humdinger & My Mateโ€™s Band play The Coppers Arms, Pewsey. Strange Folk at The Three Horseshoes, Bradford-on-Avon.

Stop Stop at The Vic, Swindon, Judas Rising at the Rolleston.

Congress at Salisbury Cathedral, Spritato โ€“ Inspiring Bach at Wiltshire Music Centre, Bradford-on-Avon. Oh, and The Lightning Seeds play The Cheese & Grain, Frome.

Sunday 30th, The Innes Sibun Band arrive at The Three Horseshoes, Bradford-on-Avon, guaranteed knockout.

Spooky stuff continues as Monday 31st is the opening night for Picnic at Hanging Rock at The Wharf Theatre, Devizes; of which Iโ€™m hoping to get a review of out by Monday, or Tuesday latest. Running until 5th November, preview here.

And weโ€™re into November, Wednesday 2nd donโ€™t forget, acoustic jam at the Southgate, Devizes, and Jordan Bak is at Wiltshire Music Centre, Bradford-on-Avon.

Keep on scrolling for future fings to do, hopefully Iโ€™ll join you real soon, hanging basket though, I ask you, evil hanging basket; why canโ€™t they just plant flowers in the ground like normal folk? They should be brought to justice! Have a good week, the doctor told me to stay off devices and screens, so Iโ€™m outta here, going to take up badminton instead, which is an extreme sport to me!

Trending……

Lady Nade at Devizes Arts Festival

If the opening Friday evening of Devizes Arts Festival was amazing for lively pirate-punk craziness, Saturday night was too for precisely opposite reasons. Bristol’s soulstressโ€ฆ

REVIEW โ€“ Chaz Thorogood @ The Southgate, Devizes โ€“ Sunday 24th October 2022

Thoroughly Good Thorogood

In Praise Of Sunday Afternoons At The Gate

Andy Fawthrop

Do you ever get that feeling that each day has its own special feeling, its own atmosphere? ย Do weย even need to talk about Mondays? ย Fridays, especially Friday evening, have that โ€œthank God itโ€™s allย over for another week; letโ€™s go out and have a drink to get the weekend startedโ€ vibe. ย Saturdays areย sport, leisure, shopping, maybe a meal out, perhaps a music gig. ย And Sundays, well Sundays areย different yet again, arenโ€™t they? ย Yes I know thereโ€™s that well-documented slight anxiety about theย coming working week, but thereโ€™s just something more laid-back, more relaxed about the wholeย atmosphere.

And thatโ€™s how it is at The Southgate on Sunday afternoons โ€“ comfortable, relaxed and a nice buzz amongst the regular music-goers.  Some of my best memories of 2022 have been those lazy, hazy Sundays at Dave & Debโ€™s place, watching some of the best local musical talent on show.

All year, on each first Sunday of the month, local hero Jon Amor has been showcasing his musicalย โ€œfriendsโ€ – his trio with Tom Gilkes on drums and Jerry Soffe on bass, together with an eclectic set ofย special guests (Beaux Gris Gris & The Apocalypse in the early part of the year being a particularย highlight). ย But one of those guests, guitarist Chaz Thorogood, impressed so much that he was askedย to come back with his own band and do his own gig, and yesterday we were treated to the results.

But first a short aside โ€“ last Sunday afternoon featured another superb artist: Jack Grace and his trio. ย What a show that was. ย More than two hours of country/ folky/ blues/ rock songs stitched togetherย by Jackโ€™s amazing commentary and stories. ย There were echoes in there of Hot Tuna, Tom Waits,ย Alex Harvey and a whole vaudeville vibe that was by turns exciting, hilarious and totally infectious. ย Itย was genuinely one of those gigs that you just donโ€™t want to end. ย Musical entertainment of the veryย first order.

Jack Grace Band

However, I digress โ€“ back to Chaz.  As if last week-endโ€™s show couldnโ€™t be bettered, here was something equally good.  Playing plenty of rock-infused blues, Chazโ€™s two sets were a revelation.  Taking several blues standards by the throat, he and his boys steadily squeezed new life out of them.  Crossroads, Got My Mojo Working, Folsom Prison Blues all got the treatment, with some absolutely inspired leas guitar work.  And then, if it were possible, he went up another gear.  What he did to Hendrixโ€™s Voodoo Chile was absolutely stunning (โ€œfilthyโ€ was the word used by a friend of mine).  Later he repeated the trick with All Along The Watchtower, and even managed (I canโ€™t believe Iโ€™m saying this) to kick seven bells out of Britney Spearsโ€™ Toxic.  And there was a final cherry on the cake โ€“ a stonking and inspired version of the Beatlesโ€™ Come Together.  To say that this guy knows his way around a guitar is a massive understatement.  Entertainment of the very first order.

So yet another brilliant Sunday afternoon completed โ€“ good beer, great company, wonderful atmosphere and some stunningly good music.  Itโ€™s what lifeโ€™s all about in my book โ€“ stuff Monday!

So if youโ€™ve not poked your nose around the door of The Southgate yet, I strongly suggest that you do so.  Thereโ€™s gigs on various Fridays and Saturdays too but, for me at least, Sundays just have that edge.  And your next chance to experience just what I mean is in a couple of Sundaysโ€™ time, when Jon Amor returns to his monthly residency with his trio and another musical guest.

Future gigs at The Southgate:

Saturday 29th October  Barrelhouse

Saturday 5th November  41 Fords

Sunday 6th November ย Jon Amor + Friends ft Ben Waghorn (sax)

As Cool as an Eddie Martin; Blues at The Southgate

It was a typical, standard Saturday night at Devizes Southgate, but a typical and standard night at the Gate equates to an absolutely blinding night in most other pubsโ€ฆ…

Amidst friendly faces, welcoming staff and warm familiar surroundings, the unpredictable drizzling autumn was set aside for Mr Eddie Martin to group with the finest drum and bass section to grace the alcove, Tom Gilkes and Jerry Soffe respectively. And together they blasted us full in face with some sublime three-piece electric blues. An unchanged formula for decades, because it works.

Though Eddie himself is diverse, the last time I saw him he was solo, filling gaps between bands in at The Wiltshire Blues and Soul Club’s grand evening at the Corn Exchange, where clad in golden suit he executed vintage blues akin to Muddy Waters. A high accolade it may well be but fully deserved. With full horn section he went for the big band style recently at the Long Street Blues Club, but here at the Gate, he’s truly rocking the electric blues, in DMs, black jeans and one too many shirt buttons open. He can do this, with apt blue shades and shaved head he looks the part, and certainly sounds it.

With a few blues covers, but nothing immediately recognisable or clichรฉ, Eddie mostly rolled out original tracks from his plethora of albums, in a suitcase at his feet. This matched the appreciation of the slight but blossoming crowd. It was, in short, electrifying yet cool as a cucumber; an electrified cucumber, if you will. In fact, I could skewer the idiom to cool as an Eddie Martin!

Nimble on the strings, with extended instrumental breaks of mesmerising proportions, he polished those songs right there before our very eyes, and it was something to behold. I believe, if memory serves me well, my top drunken exclamation was a rather Punch and Judy, “that’s the way to do it,” because it is.

Not that this was the night I had planned, intentions were to get to Bath for a bit of ska and boss reggae with Ya Freshness, but difficulties with non-existent public transport meant I’d have to drive, and being I’ve galivanted elsewhere the past few weekends, sometimes one desires a few too many ciders, where everybody knows your…erm, cue classic American sitcom theme, because it’s apt. The Southgate is that dependable tavern, which hasn’t failed me yet, and neither on this occasion either.

Eddie, a local bluesman of international calibre knows exactly what he’s doing, Devizes renowned blues circuit love him for it. Not only does he know his way around a guitar, but he also even attaches his harmonica holder stylishly and he knows how to rouse a crowd. Which means I donโ€™t make comparisons to blues legends lightly, but justifiably, and the thought hangs on the Howlinโ€™ Wolf. Needless to say, I had a great night, and even flagged a taxi home with ease, cool as an Eddie Martin, what is this now, 2019? No one gets an unbooked taxi in a rank at midnight in Devizes anymore; luck is a lady!

Trending…..

LilyPetals Debut EP

One of many young indie bands which impressed me at Bradford Roots Festival, and proof thereโ€™s more than the name suggests at The Wiltshire Musicโ€ฆ

Courting Ghosts Debut Album: Falling My Friend

Images used with kind permission of Pacific Curd Photography West Wilts and Somerset folk-rock collective Courting Ghosts are about to release their debut album, Fallingโ€ฆ

Devizes Opendoors Starts Regular Woman’s Group

Good to hear homeless and sheltered charity Devizes Opendoors is planning to open a new session every other Tuesday, for women only.

Promising coffee, crafts and pamper sessions, as well as health and wellbeing awareness, it will be the safe space for women in the community to find clothes, common ground, and oh yes, cake! It begins on 8th November from 10am at the Southbroom Centre on Victoria Road.

Great initiative, Opendoors.

Devizes Outdoor Celebratory Arts; A New Chapter

Threw my cards on the table, and pitched being Father Christmas at Devizes Winter Festival, but was informed that was arranged by the Town Council…. so, that’s that idea well and truly quashed! It was great, though, to meet Annabel, one half of the new management team of Devizes Outdoor Celebratory Arts, to chat on changes and new visions for carnival and the various other annual town events they organise……

It’s been an autumn since I quizzed former DOCA artistic director, Loz, on whether she had a say on choosing people for the role. I was glad her reply confirmed this, through fear fond events like the street festival might get all ‘village fete.’ Make no mistake, keyboard warriors on social media were quick to sound negativity on decisions taken by DOCA recently, but I’d argue Loz justified these rightfully, did an outstanding job stamping her own mark on DOCA. This came to an apex at this year’s street festival, with the mind-blowing Ceres display telling the Ruth Pearce story, something I’d dub Loz’s farewell gift to Devizes. Annabel was due to be production manager on the project, but caught covid, though she praised Baseline Circus who staged it, explaining sheโ€™d worked with them before and would use them again for DOCA.

Photo: Simon Folkard Photography

And thatโ€™s where we open said episode, continuing from Lozโ€™s input. Iโ€™m partly aware of Annabel’s past experience on the festival circuit, I was as pleased as punch to hear she’s taken on the role, and I came away from our chat at New Society positive this opens a new chapter for DOCA. If one reaction to changes made, such as moving the dates of summer events to spread the workload and effort, not forgoing allowing time for schools to participate better, was this rather insular notion Loz was not from the area. Rather I liked this aspect, Loz bought in acts we otherwise may never have known. Put your pitchforks away, Annabel really is Devizes born and bred. The role though has been split into two, as Bristol-based Ashley takes the artistic side responsible for booking acts; best of both worlds.

“Ashley and I really love that she split the job between us,” Annabel began, “you’ve still got the element of someone who’s got their finger on the pulse of the artists, and I’m from Devizes. But though I’m based here, I’ve got the experience of twenty years of doing different festivals!”

I asked her what festivals, Boomtown, Glastonbury, I knew of. “All of them really,” she responded, “Secret Garden Party, Leeds Festival, and over winter I’ve been working in Edinburgh, so, Hogmanay and their street party. So, quite a lot of variety, but I always come back here.”

Not beating about the bush, my first question was on Street Festival, because personally it’s my favourite! I love that we get these colourful and lively carnival type bands full of brass and blend of gypsy ska-folk type shenanigans, but I’m also keen to suggest the event also highlights local musicians too. I’ve also heard criticism of lengthy changeovers on the stage, where Loz expressed it was to allow for the circus sideshows, of which the sound of would be drained out by bands on stage.

This idea was met in 2019 when Vinyl Realm funded and organised a fantastic second stage, my vision is now driven towards getting local acts on the main stage, rather than it being a ‘bolt-on.’ My pitch suggests if we host a number of acoustic acts between main bands, it wouldn’t drown out the circus acts, would satisfy bar loiterers, and it would highlight our local circuit to an audience who perhaps doesn’t make it out to our pub-venues. Iโ€™m pleased she made a note of this, though it was perhaps better put to Ashley, who wasn’t present. “Ashley’s got some great ideas on that,” Annabel replied, “about bringing in different types of acts from different places, and also keeping it accessible locally as well.“

She toyed with this word, โ€˜accessibleโ€™ extending it to what’s important to her, โ€œparticularly in participation, whatever form that takes, whether it’s volunteering, attending, or performing, I want to make it accessible, finding out what will make it easier for people to enjoy it and in taking part as well.” Fire in the hole, golden opportunity for my summary on people’s, often passionate, feelings about the events, is it’s that delicate balance of pleasing everyone. โ€œThat’s the difficult bit,โ€ Annabel confessed, โ€œunfortunately you’re never going to please all the people all of the time, however I think by listening to people and communicating, would really help.โ€

And in fact, they’ve done precisely this, an online “carnival consultation” survey, which is still open, so too early to analyse results. Based solely on carnival, โ€œbecause,โ€ she explained, โ€œI think there’s a particularly strong feeling DOCA wasn’t always listening to the people of Devizes, which they were to a certain extent, but maybe the communication wasn’t there, so we’re trying to make it as clear as possible, by opening it up and allowing people to have their say.โ€ Annabel moved onto lower participation levels recently, due to difficulties of the pandemic era being โ€œsomething we’d really like to address, and find out how we can make it easier for everyone.โ€ A meeting about the results of the survey will follow, and really, you cannot ask for a better response than this, in my humble opinion!

There was one Facebook rant recently, comparing Devizes carnival with Pewseyโ€™s, something I felt a tad unfair as Pewseyโ€™s renowned reputation has taken decades to build, and a carnival is formed by people, Pewsey works because everyone comes out to play. โ€œIt takes an awful lot to get it to that level and keep it continuing,โ€ Annabel mused, โ€œitโ€™s not a straight forward thing to do, and throwing in the spanner of a couple of years of nothing happening, and, yeahโ€ฆโ€ I trailed back to the tricky subject of satisfying everyone.

โ€œThe way we want to move forward is taking away the concept of us and them,โ€ she expressed, โ€œitโ€™s all of us together, and that collates what you said as well, it needs to be something that everyone can feel they can get onboard with and get involved with, whether itโ€™s something theyโ€™re already familiar with, or shared love of something new.โ€

If only those so quick to criticise could see, what I described as an iceberg, whereby itโ€™s equal in size underwater as it is above, the inner-working of what it takes to stage these huge town events, theyโ€™d not, as dubious they do, take it somewhat for granted. Volunteering at this yearโ€™s street festival, which mightโ€™ve ended with me just clearing bins, opened my eyes to the mammoth task.

โ€œYes,โ€ Annabel agreed, โ€œand when youโ€™re doing a good job, itโ€™s when people donโ€™t realise whatโ€™s going on behind the scenes, the amount of pre-planning, private funding, all of that sort of thing to bring it together, itโ€™s a huge amount, especially these days when youโ€™ve got all the red tape, but we trying to open it up, find out whatโ€™s going to make it easier for people to get involved, and do something about it. Thereโ€™re a few different ideas weโ€™ve outlined in the consolation, one idea was a โ€˜makers week,โ€™ which could be weeks prior to carnival, where people who want to make something for carnival can come together and learn different skills.โ€

โ€˜Togetherโ€™ was becoming a word of the day, Annabel talking a lot on widening the volunteer spectrum to an almost โ€˜festival training coreโ€™ concept, and between this and her parenthood reasons for wishing to reduce her, what she described as โ€œnomadicโ€ festival life and be based here, โ€œbecause I just love it,โ€ is whyI came away positive from our chat.

The Winter Festival will be the proof in the pudding, Annabel and Ashleyโ€™s first DOCA event; had to wonder if this was possibly the most difficult of them to find a balance. โ€œItโ€™s all systems go,โ€ she replied, โ€œbut Iโ€™m really excited about it already,โ€ then told of the anticipation surrounding schoolโ€™s lantern workshops, adding methods for creating similar enthusiasm for carnival.

For some unexplainable reasoning, I commenced waffling about Glastonbury festivals of yore, the different the weather makes, and we settled returning the conversation back to the beginning; changes, after Annabel spoke of Winter Festivalโ€™s indoor craft markets. โ€œitโ€™s difficult,โ€ she responded, โ€œbut times do change. Thereโ€™s a lot to be said for tradition, but a lot also to be said for new experiences; itโ€™s about finding the right balance between the two, and making it work for as many people as possible, for the right reasons.โ€

As I said, I came away from our chat at New Society positive this opens a new chapter for DOCA, and I sincerely wish Ashly and Annabel the very best with their roles in our delightful carnival committee.

Trending….

Poppy Rose, Ready Nowโ€ฆ.

Not being able to hold a note myself, I tip my hat to any musician in a band. Yet thereโ€™s something so much more valiant,โ€ฆ

Weekly Roundup of Events in Wiltshire: 19th- 26th Oct 2022

Hereโ€™s our weekly summary of things to do over the coming week. It saves you surfing every individual event calendar, and saves me waffling on about some unrelated rubbish, which I admit I have a tendency to do, but in the words of the great philosopher, KC, and, of course, his Sunshine Band; thatโ€™s the way, uh-huh uh-huh, I like itโ€ฆ… oh, Iโ€™m doing it again arenโ€™t I?!

Onwards, not forgetting further details and links can be found on our event calendar, itโ€™s too time consuming adding them a second time, and besides, there you can scroll away until your heartโ€™s content, planning future weekends.

Best way to kick off live music early is Swindonโ€™s experimental dub duo, Subject A, are at The Bell on Walcott Street, Bath, on Wednesday 19th; consider it highly recommended. Meanwhile, Beth Nielsen Chapman plays The Cheese & Grain, Frome.

Thursday 20th sees a Very Hungry Caterpillar, on show at Neeld Hall, Chippenham.

Mr Love & Justice are at The Beehive, Swindon, Hannah Sanders & Ben Savage at Chapel Arts, Bath. But the link to Faustus at Salisbury Arts Centre seems to be broken, unsure if thatโ€™s still going ahead.

Friday 21st and Trowbridgeโ€™s Pump is the place to be, Matt Owens of Noah & The Whale headlines, with the amazing Concrete Prairie in support.

The magical Lady Nade plays Pound Arts, Corsham, The Little Unsaid at Chapel Arts, Bath.

Hatepenny at The Three Horseshoes, Bradford-on-Avon, The Reservoir Hogs at The Old Ham Tree, Holt. And in Marlborough youโ€™ll find @59 at The Wellington, and the incredibly good fun, Dr Zebos Wheezy Club at The Bear.

That just leaves me with the tributes, Queen tribute, Majesty at Melksham Assembly Hall, while Fleetwood Bac are at The Cheese & Grain, Frome.

Devizes, I have got nothing at all for this Friday, unless you know different? When near-on every known pub in town put live music on last Friday night, with a guaranteed crowd-puller from Longcroft at the Corn Exchange too! This town isnโ€™t a competition, guys, please try to coordinate, through us, if you like, but it works better for you all if we do. Rant over!

Swiftly onto Saturday 22nd, itโ€™s Trowbridge Carnival, plus Lego Club at Chippenham Museum, free and at 3-4pm every Saturday; everything is awesome!

Thereโ€™s an evening of Irish classics with Asa Murphy and Shenanigans at the Devizes Corn Exchange, and the unmissable Eddie Martin Band is back for some blues at The Southgate.

Daz n Chave at Neeld Community & Arts Centre, Chippenham sounds a laugh, and thereโ€™s a Melksham Rock n Roll Club dance this week, with Glenn Darren & The Krewkats.

Full-Tone Orchestra presents their Symphonie Fantastique at Marlborough College, and if you check the quote on the poster, yes, I said that! Itโ€™s always nice to be quoted, on the rare occasion I say something nice, that is!

Sheer are down the Trowbridge Town Hall, putting on Lucky Number 7 and the Lindup Brothers, with promising local teen band Boston Green in support. Meanwhile The Forgetting Curve play The Three Horseshoes, Bradford-on-Avon. A tribute to Pearl Jam at The Vic, Swindon, Earl Ham, and Tundra plays The Woodlandโ€™s Edge.

But if you want to boss the night away with some serious skanking, I cannot recommend Bristolโ€™s legendary ska and reggae skinhead, Ya Freshness, of Strictly Rockers Records enough, who is with his Big Boss Band at Odd Down Football Club in Bath. Fiver a shot for a cracking knees up. In fact, what the heck, letโ€™s make this one Editorโ€™s Pick of The Week!

For a mellower experience in Bath, try The Tom Petty Legacy at Chapel Arts.

The Grief Opera, Love Goes On at St Andrewโ€™s, Chippenham, Shift Social presents I Was Born in the Wrong Decade at Salisbury Arts Centre, and a Vintage Bazaar is followed by Moments of Pleasure, The Music of Kate Bush, at The Cheese & Grain, Frome.

Halloween Scavenger Hunt at Hillworth Park on Sunday 23rd October, PSG Choir hold an autumn concert at Devizes Town Hall, and the Chas Thorogood Trio play an afternoon session at the Southgate.

Kavus Torabi, Richard Wileman & Amy Fry at The Vic, Swindon, Richard and Amy appear on our Juliaโ€™s House compilation album, show them your support if possible. Always in for a great night with the Joh Amor Band, who play The Three Horseshoes, Bradford-on-Avon. And oh, CSF wrestling at the Cheese & Grain finishes our weekend off.

Got nothing through the weekdays Iโ€™m afraid, but lots of updating to the calendar still to do, so check in from time to time. That is, of course, until Wednesday, the 26th, when White Horse Opera presents Lโ€™elisir Dโ€™amore at Lavington School, which is running until 29th October, and also running on the same dates, Female Transport at the Rondo Theatre, Bath.

And thatโ€™s your lot for this week, can I go now?!

Trending…..

Nothing Rhymes Orange, Fact

Oh, for the enthusiasm of emerging talent; new track from Nothing Rhymes with Orange is a surprisingly garage band delight……

My dad never revealed his feelings about being in an amateur teenage band. Though I knew he was, he played down its importance. Sacrificing his guitar for parenthood, heโ€™d shrug and tell me they were never any good, anyway, then explain it was the trend of the era, everyone tried picking up a guitar. A tendency succumbed to electronica and the pop machine of my youth; we grew up hailing the DJ and the sound system. Yet the DIY ethos of swinging sixties is very much revitalised these days, and if thereโ€™s lots of current notable young bands on Wiltshireโ€™s circuit, one to watch are called Nothing Rhymes Orange.

But, if itโ€™s fact nothing does rhyme with orange, I confess to know little else about this emerging talent, save theyโ€™ve a Devizes connection, recently rocked up Lavingtonโ€™s Churchill and supported Carsick at The Pump, as Sheerโ€™s incentive to promote upcoming locals never fails to spot greatness. And greatness it is, if raw and somewhat undercooked; such is the delight of discovering a garage band, as they come out of Martin Spencerโ€™s Badger Set studio with a blinding original track this week, Chow For Now.

Garage is an appropriate blanket term, I was pleasantly surprised not to hear some expected grunge-inspired thrash, rather the balance of indie-pop akin to the Coral, with occasional nod to post-punk, when fitting. This sounds garage, yeah, basslines of early Jam, even, which rings out a beguiling riff of contemporary sparkle, not forgoing an original concept for theme. Ah, Scouting for Girls, or more; taking on local favourites like Longcoats and Daydream Runaways.

Immediate like from me, guys; one to watch. Aside another two tunes in the works, you can find Nothing Rhymes Orange supporting Harmer James and Chasing Kites at a Freaky Friday down St James Vaults, Bath on 11th November. Link-tree is here, go figure.

This is what picking up a guitar is all about, albeit to suggest it takes perseverance; likely where my dadโ€™s Who-like wannabes failed, but Nothing Rhymes Orange seem to excel. Guess Iโ€™ll never be sure about the first, but Iโ€™m certain of the latter.  

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REVIEW โ€“ Black Sabbitch@ LSBC, Corn Exchange, Devizes โ€“ Friday 14th October 2022

Awesome!

Andy Fawthrop

The Long Street Blues Club season is now in full swing, giving us a second gig within a week, and with several more to come before Crimbo.ย  Last night was a switch of nights to Friday from the usual Saturday, and of venue from the usual Con Club to the more intimate surroundings of downstairs at The Corn Exchange in The Bin.

Our treat for the night was Los Angeles-based all-female tribute band Black Sabbitch.  Theyโ€™re now coming towards the end of their Autumn UK tour, and so they were already at full tilt as they hit D-Town.  They served up a stonking two-hour, one set performance that was brim-full of energy, enthusiasm (and volume) as they ploughed through all things Black Sabbath.

There was no support act, nor was any needed.  It would have been a thankless task for anyone to do the warm-up for a band like this.

Right from the outset we had that trademark loud and grinding rhythm section, provided by Angie Scarpa on drums and Melanie Makaiwi on bass.  To be honest, you couldnโ€™t so much hear the bass as feel it, with every deep note seeming to seep right out of the floor.  Good vibrations โ€“ oops, wrong band, but you get the point!  Lead guitar featured Emily Burton, and the line-up was completed by Alice Austin on vocals and (occasional) keys.  What followed was a master-class in paying homage to a very British band by four very talented and committed musicians.  The Sabbath fans were there in numbers, cheering every intro and mouthing the words to every song.

Picking up some of the doom-laden back-catalogue, they managed to lift the old material and make it shine somehow brighter.  I wouldnโ€™t necessarily count myself as the countryโ€™s greatest Sabbath super-fan, but I couldnโ€™t help but be impressed by how the band managed to nail every number.

It was a rousing set, capped by two well-deserved encores, finished out by (what else?) โ€œParanoidโ€.  The only thing wrong with it was that it didnโ€™t last longer!

Another great night โ€“ an awesome gig.

Future Long Street Blues Club gigs:

Saturday 5th November 2022                     Robbie McIntosh Band

Friday 11th November 2022                        Beaux Gris Gris & The Apocalypse (Corn Exchange, Devizes)

Saturday 19th November 2022                   Hardwicke Circus and The Alex Voysey Trio

Friday 23rd December 2022                         Gee Baby I Love You

Trending….

A View to a Thrill

“The Thrill of Love” at the Wharf Theatre by Ian Diddamsimages by Chris Watkins Media Just over a year ago, the Wharf theatre performed aโ€ฆ

Lou Trigg, and Some Flowers

Uplifting and sentimental, Flowers is the new song by Chippenham singer-songwriter Lou Trigg very worthy of your attention and playlist. A chorale delicacy, it trickles along sublimely, like staring thoughtfully through a rain-drenched window, nice and cosy, perhaps with a hand painted chipped-mug of lukewarm but earthy tea.……

Lou is a new one on us here at Devizine, and a welcomed blessing, explaining the idea for Flowers is โ€œabout loving someone in a long-distance relationship. Like my other songs, itโ€™s very honest and close to my heart.โ€ Which is precisely the way it comes across, if only one good reason to give it a listen.

Long distance relationships, though, do they ever work out, I mean, really? Any parallels from my own life I reminisce as infatuations only! But itโ€™s the thought is, here, more than anything; the fervency of passion is expressed exquisitely through Louโ€™s hauntingly acute vocals. There’s a touch of folk, reminding me of Daisy Chapman, somewhat, but this euphoric orchestral ambience is the kingpin.

Thereโ€™s a further five angelic and orchestrally ambient ballads up on Spotify ranging from 2019, unsure if theyโ€™ve all been bought to life by Martin Spencer of Potterneโ€™s Badger Set, but Flowers has, and itโ€™s a little piece of gorgeous.

Trending….

Remembrance Service in Devizes, 2022

Featured image: Remembrance Sunday 2019, Devizes by Gail Foster.

With thanks to the secretary of The Devizes Branch of the Royal British Legion, Vera Richmond, we have some details of this year’s remembrance service in Devizes. An important year, 2022, because it’s the first time since 2019 there has been a full remembrance service….

On Monday the 2nd of November there will be the opening of the Garden of Remembrance at 10.45hrs at the War Memorial.

On Friday the 11th of November there will be a short service at 10.45hrs to Join with the Nation for two minutes silence at 11.00hrs for Armistice Day.

On Remembrance Sunday, the 13th of November, there will be an inspection and parade from the Market Place to St Johns Church in Long Street, where will be a service. Afterwards, the parade will reform in Long Street, and around the War Memorial for the Last Post and two minutes silence at 11.00hrs.

The wreaths will be laid by the Representee of the King, Royal British Legion,ย local councils and organizations, after the Last Post. The parade will then return to the Market Place, given the saluteย to the Kings Representee, Mayor and Chairman of The Royal British Legion.

‘God of our fathers, known of old, Lord of our far-flung battle line, Beneath whose awful hand we hold, Dominion over palm and pineโ€”Lord God of Hosts, be with us yet, Lest we forgetโ€”lest we forget!’

Rudyard Kipling

Weekly Roundup of Events in Wiltshire: 13th -19th October 2022

Here we are again, happy as can be, but slightly older, opps, soz, missed a C, slightly colder! Though we are a week older too, but that means nothing, only as old as you feel. Quite aggravated by chipping ice of the car windscreen this morning though, itโ€™s only October for crying out loud; who do I need to write to about this diabolical travesty?

Still, going out is the new going out, and hereโ€™s a lowdown of local stuff to do this coming week. The link you need is HERE, our ever-updating event calendar; you know the score by now.

Thereโ€™s Craft and Chat at Chippenham Library on Thursday 13th October, and Beauty the Beast: The Guardians of the Forest at the Neeld.

Meanwhile lots still happening at the Calne Music & Arts Festival, with the Music Scholars of St. Maryโ€™s School, Calne, The Primary School Choirs present: โ€˜Songs from Disneyโ€™, Kingsbury Green Academy Music Department in Concert and Tim Hughes presents โ€˜120 years of the Blues.โ€™

Dick and Dom, yes, I did say Dick and Dom, are in Da Bungalow at the Cheese & Grain, Frome, while Mitch Bennโ€™s Itโ€™s About Time tour takes to the Rondo Theatre, Bath.

Friday 14th, thereโ€™s an instore session at Sound Knowledge, Marlborough with Rachael Dadd. Sour Apple at The Condado Lounge, Devizes, while Illingworth play The Three Crowns, and Funked Up funk up the Pelican. But all eyes will on the Corn Exchange in Devizes when Longcroft Productions presents the all-female Black Sabbath tribute, Black Sabbitch; if it’s good enough for Dave Grohl it’s good enough for us!

DJ Stevie Mc holds the afterparty at the Exchange below, Friday nights is retro 80s,90s,00s night, free entry before 11pm.

Calne Music & Arts Festival has a piano recital from Helen Davies, and an evening of traditional Andalusian guitar and flamenco dance.

The astounding acoustic rave act, The Showhawk Duo plays Salisbury Arts Centre, while Erlestoke Golf Club has Barry Paull as Elvis!

Billy in the Lowground at The Three Horseshoes, Bradford-on-Avon, The Derellas & Liabilities at The Vic, Swindon, The Chesterfields & Mighty One at the Tree House, Frome, while the Rhythm of the 90s bang out at The Cheese & Grain; sorted.

Impromptu Shakespeare at Rondo Theatre, Bath.

Moving on up to Saturday 15th, when the big Marlborough Mop Fair hits, with Grey Smith at The Bear.

Rockhoppaz at The Southgate, Devizes. Exchange has resident DJ Stevie Mc in the mix. Mick Jogger & The Stones Experience are at Steeple Ashton Village Hall, tickets ยฃ15 from their village shop.

Lego Club, never forget Lego Club at the everything-is-awesome Chippenham Museum, 3-4pm, every Saturday. While Wiltshire Museum, Devizes has a Building Materials conference on Industrial Archaeology.

Trowbridge has their annual Apple Festival at Emmanuelโ€™s Yard, while NerveEndings play the Pump, with support from The Sunnies; ah yes, loud and proud.

Over in Swindon, the long-awaited Swindon Paint Fest begins; really good this looks, for all street art fans, head into Swindon Centre over the weekend. And The Moonrakers has The Specialized Project holding a ska fest too. Peloton play The Vic, and Hip Replacements at The Woodland Edge.

Tributes in Chippenham, The Tom Petty Legacy at the Neeld, and The Beatles for Sale at The Pewsham.

Siren plays The Talbot, Calne, which leads me nicely onto my editorโ€™s pick of the week, in a minute, because the Calne Music & Arts Festival reaches its crowning, after Chris Dunn and Genevieve Sioka have a โ€˜Meet the Artistโ€™ session, and a Photographic Talk titled โ€˜Down the Mekong, Cambodia and Vietnamโ€™ the grand finale is my editorโ€™s pick of the weekโ€ฆ…

Editorโ€™s pick of the weekโ€ฆ…

Concrete Prairie at Marden Hall, Calne

My new favourite thing, Concrete Prairie will be at Marden Hall, Calne as part of the Calne Music & Arts Festival, for a full set. Itโ€™s a tenner, seated event, which is going to be tricky if I go, I might just break into my jig down the aisle! Review of their album here.

Anyway, Apache Smoke at The Three Horseshoes, Bradford-on-Avon, Ion Maiden at The Tree House, Frome, while eighties electronica band Blancmange play The Cheese & Grain; no, never heard of them, far too young!!

Mitch Benn is at Salisbury Arts Centre today, and Rob Autonโ€™s The Crowd Show is at Rondo Theatre, Bath.

I mean, there might be more added as time goes on, but thatโ€™s all I got for now; smaller venues, please submit your event listings to us asap, as you are the important ones which we really need to get the information out about. If you make me come find you on social media it never works, because I donโ€™t know about you, but Iโ€™m getting really narked off about social media at the moment!

Sunday 16th, then, and Wiltshire Soul & Blues Club have their exclusive monthly jam at the Owl Lodge, Swindon Paint Fest continues, and sax lovers, do check Guinea Lane Saxophones, Pewsey Players and Take Five at Pewsey Heritage Centre.

Highly recommended, Jack Grace Band at the Southgate, Devizss and The James Oliver Band plays The Three Horseshoes, Bradford-on-Avon, and Blackbeardโ€™s Tea Party and Imprints at The Winchester Gate, Salisbury.

Frome Wessex Camera Fair at The Cheese & Grain, with Ned Boulting in the evening.

Monday, I got nought, but nobody likes Mondays anyway. Ban them, ban them all now!!

Tuesday 18th, Assassins opens at Rondo Theatre, Bath, runs until 21st October, Good Luck, Studio at Salisbury Playhouse, and legendary folk at The Cheese & Grain, Frome, with Steeleye Span.

Wednesday 19th, and Swindonโ€™s dub reggae outfit Subject A are live at the Bell on Walcot Street, Bath, Beth Nielson Chapman at The Cheese & Grain, Frome and donโ€™t forget, Wednesday evening acoustic jam at the Southgate, Devizes, ah, yes.

Have a good week, donโ€™t work too hard; that is a direct order!

Trending….

The Tap at The Peppermill to Host Open Mic

Two local musicians have joined forces as Nightingale Sounds to host their first Open Mic Night at the new Tap at the Peppermill in Devizesโ€ฆ.โ€ฆ

The Wiltshire Gothic; Deadlight Dance

With howling, coarse baritones Nick Fletcher, the main vocalist of Marlboroughโ€™s gothic duo, Deadlight Dance chants, โ€œhere comes the rain, and I love the rain,โ€ฆ

REVIEW โ€“ Eddie Martinโ€™s Big Blues Band (with The Little Big Horns) @ LSBC, Devizes โ€“ Saturday 8th October 2022

Big Band Blues

Andy Fawthrop

The Long Street Blues Club season continued last night with some great music.

First up was Kelvin Davies (guitar) and Gary Jones (harmonica), a duo making their first visit to the club.  They delivered an absolutely charming set of upbeat numbers, wandering around blues, folk, country and ragtime.  Kelvinโ€™s guitar-picking was first rate, and he was ably supported by some haunting and expressive harmonica work by Gary.  The audience absolutely loved them, and I wouldnโ€™t be surprised if Ian had them back again in the future.  Great entertainment.

Then onto the main business of the night, and we were treated to a rare, if not unique performance. ย Not that Eddie Martin is any kind of stranger to Devizes audiences, having played at a number ofย local venues over the past few years. ย What was unusual this time however was the format. ย Weโ€™veย seen him play solo, and weโ€™ve seen him play fronting his own trio and supporting various blues-based combos, but last night we were treated to a run-out in a โ€œbig bandโ€ format. ย Eddie shared thatย had actually done this before, but many years ago, but as far as I was concerned, this was a veryย special โ€œone-offโ€ show.

And how great it was.  Setting up as a 7-piece, fronted by Eddie on guitar and harmonica, the band featured drums, bass, keyboards, trumpet (Phil Storer), trombone (Andy Wrathbone) and saxophone (Patsy Gamble).  And what a lovely fat, rich sound they produced.  It was funky, it was full-on and it carried some real heft.  Paying his usual tributes and homage to such masters as Elmore James, T-Bone Walker, Muddy Waters, Johnny โ€˜Guitarโ€™ Watson, Muddy Waters and Pee-Wee Ellis, Eddie led the band through two superb sets of funky blues, with some great early 60s dance rhythms.  I was put in mind at times of Southside Johnny & The Asbury Dukes, which in my book is a big compliment.

We had some quite jazzy sections, the musicians playing off each other and taking their well-deserved solos, and all the while looking as if they were thoroughly enjoying themselves. ย Eddieย himself, turned out in his usual dapper style, with his trademark gravel voice, absolutely led from theย front, chatting with the audience between songs and working the room with some call-and-responseย material.

We had some great-titled songs โ€“ โ€œTough Timesโ€, โ€œSomeoneโ€™s Making Money, But I Know Itโ€™s Not Meโ€, โ€œThe Birds And The Beesโ€ and โ€œWith A Big Enough Lever You Can Lift The Worldโ€.  The set concluded with a standing ovation and a fully-deserved encore.  Cracking stuff, and a great nightโ€™s entertainment.

And if you want to catch Eddie again, heโ€™s playing The Southgate, this time as a trio, on Saturday 22ndย October. ย I suggest you get yourselves along there โ€“ you wonโ€™t be disappointed.

Future Long Street Blues Club gigs:

Friday 14th October 2022  Black Sabbitch (Corn Exchange, Devizes)

Saturday 5th November 2022  Robbie McIntosh Band

Friday 11th November 2022   Beaux Gris Gris & The Apocalypse (Corn Exchange, Devizes)

Saturday 19th November 2022   Hardwicke Circus and The Alex Voysey Trio

Friday 23rd December 2022 ย Gee Baby I Love You

Talk in Code: The Big Screen

Talk in Code’s second album has been out a while, overdue to mention it……

January 2019, and I find myself making several eighties cultural references in reviewing Resolve, the debut album by Wiltshireโ€™s own Talk in Code. A band which turned my aged preconceptions of the โ€œindieโ€ pigeonhole on its head.

For me, wedged in the nineties, imaginings of that somewhat depressing outlook of the riot-grrrl, the post-gothic period of indie my rave fixation required an abhorrence of by default. Though it was hardly mods and rockers in that era, as in we didnโ€™t fight, โ€œraversโ€ and โ€œindie kidsโ€ simply didnโ€™t recognise each other until the remerging of the crossover, through the likes of the Chemical Brothers and Prodigy, yet, reflecting, it was always there with Madchester and the progressive Primal Screamโ€™s Screamadelica.

So, whoโ€™s up to debate it, does any of it matter now? I likely chewed the ears off of guitarist Alastair Sneddon on the most memorable occasion of a road trip with the band last March! Weโ€™re in a period where the trend is to cast-off that nineties flavour in favour of citing influences like U2 and Simple Minds, and Iโ€™m game for that, even if the band tend to name more modern inspirations.

The point is, Talk in Code build on this ethos, their sound ever strives towards it, ergo, everything after Resolve increasingly adds to this method, of its standout single Oxygen and its gorgeous dreamy emotions akin to a John Hughes soundtrack, and gradually onward. Yet somehow this panache isnโ€™t regressive, forgive the eighties references, itโ€™s retaining freshness in the contemporary, just allowing a serious nod toward early to mid-eighties feelgood pop.

It’s a fashion which Talk in Code hooked me onto bands like Longcoats, Daydream Runaways and Atari Pilot too, and a scene has developed to the point Swindonโ€™s pop darlings are now Talk in Code; they played the Coleview Music Festival this weekend, entertained crowds during the interval of the Wildcats ice-hockey game at the Link, and generally, the excitement is consistently blossoming for them, and deservedly so.

Back on our outing to Portsmouth they stressed the importance of both gigs and recording, and since their connection to Regent Street Records, there was a keenness in the band to grab wider appeal in anticipation of the forthcoming album, The Big Screen. The release of it was pushed back to accommodate this collaboration but has been up-for-grabs since last month. Having already reviewed many of the tracks of singles Iโ€™ve been biding my time, apologies to Talk in Code, but here it isโ€ฆ.

To begin, The Big Screen has had nearly as many singles coming off it as Jackoโ€™s Bad, yet the comparisons end there. The opening title-track though, is exclusive, and it rings as the perfect intro as all the shaping Iโ€™ve described above. Illogical chronologically follows, their last single released, which I defined at the time as summing up โ€œtheir undeviating style, upbeat and optimistic,โ€ and suggested it was more danceable than the previous singles.

One of my personal favs follows, Talk Like That, came out back in January 2020, of which I suggested would โ€œblow your diddy-boppers off!โ€ Track four is Hindsight, an album track, perhaps, least one I havenโ€™t heard of, but again, listening to it everything just falling so neatly into place. Talk in Code are so stylised, this flows as an album rather than a collection of singles, and nothing here will disappoint.

April 2020โ€™s single Courage (Leave it Behind) is followed by a cooling new song, Someone Elseโ€™s Shoes, which takes on the Wham boys at their earlier best. This is a drifter, but yeah, I said Wham, I donโ€™t know about you, but it got me reminiscing the greatness of Everything She Wants, a hidden gem of their discography often obscured by later hits.

But Save It returns to paced euphoric, and one canโ€™t go wrong towards the finale, as the last three tracks are recently celebrated singles. The Molly Ringwald moment of Young Loves Dream, autumn during lockdownโ€™s neon song Secret and ending on the summery Taste the Sun, dripping in fun, and sunshineโ€ฆ. club tropicanaโ€™s drinks are free, yโ€™ know? And in that, a certain moreish finesse weโ€™ve come to accept as standard from Talk in Code shines on.

In all, despite reviewing the singles as and when they were released, itโ€™s worth revisiting as together in the compilation of The Big Screen, you can hear what Iโ€™ve been waffling on about with each and every single review, about the tightness of the band to create this uniformed joyous chic of universal pop appeal. Honest, in a Tardis, feels like you could pull out a Smash Hits poster of Talk in Code and blu-tac it to your wall, and your dad will approve. Whatever did happen to Terrence Trent Dโ€™Arby?!

Get the album here, s’ only seven quid.

Trending….

The Drum n Bass Huntr/s of Old Devizes Town

In true Royston Vasey style, unfortunately due to time and resources we donโ€™t review international music as we did during lockdown, choosing to focus moreโ€ฆ

Picnic at Hanging Rock, Via The Wharf Theatre

Opening on Halloween and ending on Guy Fawkes Night, the next production at Devizes Wharf Theatre promises to be a mysteriously eerie….

Written by Joan Lindsay adapted by Tom Wright and directed by Debby Wilkinson, Picnic at Hanging Rock takes place on St Valentineโ€™s Day in 1900, when a group of schoolgirls from Appleyard College set out for a picnic at Hanging Rock, a volcanic beauty spot in rural Victoria, Australia.

After lunch some of them climb into the blaze of the afternoon sun, pressing on through the scrub into the shadows of the rock.ย  However, their idyllic day turns into a nightmare when three of their number inexplicably vanish, never to be seen again.

The question remains and intrigues audiences to this day โ€“ is the plot an eerie re-telling of a real event?ย  ‘Hanging Rock’ exists, as do the surrounding towns mentioned; the boarding school is loosely based on Clyde Girls’ Grammar School in Melbourne, which the author attended and there was reportedly a case of two girls who went missing in the 1800โ€™s.ย  Or could it be that the author simply dreamt the plot, as she once said? Shrouded in mystery Picnic at Hanging Rock remains a firm favourite with film and theatre audiences alike.

In this Wharf production five female narrators perform all parts and recount the mystery of the disappearance and looming hysteria as the illusion of genteel society is torn apart. Tom Wrightโ€™s adaptation pares down the events and uses evocative and poetic language to create an edgy and mysterious play and Debby Wilkinsonโ€™s incredibly strong cast bring a wealth of experience and talent.

Get your tickets here, before they mysterious disappear!

Weekly Roundup of Events in Wiltshire: 6th -12th October 2022

Hereโ€™s what weโ€™ve found to do round and about Wiltshire this coming week, unless you like staying home, scowling at your electric smart meter as it ticks down pounds like a stopwatch attached to a timebomb.…..

In a week where our illustrious MP Danny Kโ€™s words of reassurance blazed a rim-job op-ed in the trustworthy journal Gazelle & Herod, that we need not worry, he doesnโ€™t think the illusory budget car-crash will affect votes for the Conservative Party next election, and heโ€™s probably right too, thereโ€™s much slander of opposition to be done, lots of backhanding persuasive mainstream media to convince you starving to death is all for the best for Britain.

One point I would like to make, for all in Devizes, is we are saddened to hear about the violence last Saturday. Devizine is not here to report such incidents, but we wish the victims well. I was shocked, though, by the Gazetteโ€™s completely superfluous reasoning to use a stock image of the British Lion free house, as the event did NOT even happen there, rather further along the road.

If a bike was nicked in the same area, would they post a piccy of Bikes N Boards, or if a dog bit a cat, would they pin it on the vets? What if a Hawaiian pizza started chucking its pineapple onto an unsuspecting pepperoni one, would they launch an attack on Dominoes?! I hope you get my point, The British Lion is a wonderful pub, and for numerous times Iโ€™ve visited, over decades, and I donโ€™t know about you, but Iโ€™ve never once seen the slightest bit of trouble there, not so much as one fellow tickling another inappropriately with a feather! The British is a great and safe pub, donโ€™t be persuaded by wonky journalism, they didnโ€™t even get the name right and called it the Red Lion, for crying out loud into a sick bucket!     

These days, provided you take Shanksโ€™s pony, itโ€™s probably cheaper to go out than heat your home, so on we go. Donโ€™t forget all details and links can be found on our magical updating event calendar, HERE.

And just to note, my plug-in crystal ball is whacking up leccy bill, so excuse me if I didnโ€™t have a premonition of your event, perhaps tell me about next time, eh?! Itโ€™s free to be here, weโ€™re all friendsโ€ฆ. most of the time. Of the few Karens I did joyfully nark on Facebook this week, one had the audacity of calling me a snob, which was so funny I had to get all Iain Wallis on her!

Now Iโ€™m waffling, donโ€™t mind me. Thursday 6th October, find Jambon Chapeau, a new duo of Mike Pickering and Derrick Jepson of Paradox at the Three Crowns, Devizes for a Fantasy Radio Live Lounge from 7-9pm.

Chippenham Community Conference in the Neeld. Two days of guest speakers, networking, priority setting and celebrating the work of the community and voluntary sector in the Chippenham area.

If not, The Moscow Drug Club play The Cheese & Grain, Frome; you mayโ€™ve seen these guys at Devizes Arts Festival.

Friday 7th and Calne Music & Arts Festival opens, a fortnight with lots going on, and ending next Saturday with the amazing Concrete Prairie, more on individual events with this as we go.  

 The London Philharmonic Skif๏ฌ‚e Orchestra play at The Wharf Theatre, Devizes, and staying in town thereโ€™s options, options, people.

Sheer Music is back in town with a freebie at The Exchange, our very own NervEndings with Lucky Number 7; that will be loud, and Iโ€™ve rumour you might be able to remain hiding in a corner when the nightclub kicks in afterwards!

Meanwhile the wonderful Sour Apple play at The Pelican, a gig postponed after the Queenโ€™s Funeral.

Over in Trowbridge, Jol Rose supports the Often Herd at the Pump, while The Soul Strutters strut to The Three Horseshoes, Bradford-on-Avon, tribute All Floyd play Salisbury Arts Centre, and Beatles tribute the Prefab Four play The Vic, Swindon.

Staying in Swindon, Coleview Music Festival has sold out for the Saturday, but thereโ€™s still some Friday tickets and Sunday is pay on the door with familiesโ€™ welcome. Friday has Go Span Duran, Tasha Leaper as Madonna and Talk in Code, Sunday find Pink Mac, Splat the Rat, Disco Dollz and Busy Fools.

Saturday 8th, and Chippenham Museumโ€™s Lego Club is from 3-4pm, every Saturday. Happy 40th to The Royal Wotton Bassett Orchestra, who play at St Bartholomewโ€™s Church.

The first Mop Fair in Marlborough, the following is next Saturday 15th.

Time for some Long Street Blues Club in Devizes, when Eddie Martin brings his full Big Blues Band to the Conservative Club. Over the road, the wonderful The Hoo-Doos play The Southgate. Things promise to get ska, a little way down the hill, at Potterne Social Club, when Andy McGowan does his One-Man Nutty Boys Tribute.

The Britpop Boys are booked to play The Consti Club, Chippenham, but do check ahead on this one, The Consti Club have been going through some changes, have sadly axed some event organisers from their books, and Iโ€™m not to speculate the reasoning, but some events might not be going ahead. Back to Calne Music & Arts Festival, they have a Family Day, and Opera Anywhere presents The Magic Flute.

In Trowbridge the Pump presents the Finn Collinson Band, and Sonic Alert are at Stallards. The Blunders at the trusty The Three Horseshoes, Bradford-on-Avon, and if youโ€™re in Bath, well, Iโ€™d highly recommend Rosalie Cunningham at Bath Arts Centre.

The Rondo Theatre has an Andrew Oโ€™Neill tour, with the strapline, โ€œwe are not in the least bit afraid of ruins; we carry a new world in our hearts.โ€ Jen Brister tour, The Optimist at Salisbury Arts Centre.

Mad Dog McRea at The Cheese & Grain, and Sweet Machine at Tree House, Frome.

Operation 77 @ The Woodland Edge, Swindon, and staying in Swindon, do check FatFest at Level III. Fatfest rock event is in support of Fatboyโ€™s Charity, raising money to help kids dealing with cancer and leukaemia. Confirmed to appear so far are Dan Reed Trio, Revival Black, Twister and local band Fall From Ruin.

Onto Sunday the 9th, and Pewsham Scarecrow Trail begins, The Worried Men play The Three Horseshoes, Bradford-on-Avon, and Herman Dune plays The Cheese & Grain, Frome.

For Calne Music & Arts Festival, thereโ€™s The Serenata Guitar Trio, and Even Song at St. Maryโ€™s Parish Church. The festival continues Monday, with The Yehudi Menuhin School In Concert, The Kassia Trio, Louis Stephenson Piano Recital, and a Drink & Draw.

Tuesday 11th and find the regular Improvers Art course at The Cause, Chippenham. Calne Music & Arts Festival brings you Music Scholars of Marlborough College In Concert, and Kit Hawes and Aaron Catlow at Marden House.

Bird watchers might like RSPB: Pura Vida โ€“ Costa Ricaโ€™s Magical Birds at Salisbury Arts Centre.

Wednesday 12th, Calne Music & Arts Festival has the Calne Singers โ€˜Songs from the Shows,โ€™ and The Roaring Trowmen.

Donโ€™t forget Wednesday night is acoustic jam night at the Southgate Devizes.

Salisbury Playhouse has The Wellspring, and Rondo Theatre, Bath has The Greatest Magician, and no, thatโ€™s not Kwasi Kwartengโ€ฆ. A snob, honestly, did you see them call me that, on the book of Face?! Oh, my years, could you get any less snobby than me, Iโ€™m picking my butt crack as I write this shit?! Hey, you have a good weekend now, take care out there.

Trending….

Let’s Clean up Devizes!

You’ve got to love our CUDS, the Clean up Devizes Squad, hardworking volunteers who make the town look tidy and presentable. Here’s your chance toโ€ฆ

Ashes of Memory; New Single From M3G

The fifth single coming out from Chippenham singer-songwriter M3g on Friday, Ashes of Memory, and if Iโ€™ve said in the past what separates Meg fromโ€ฆ

Never Changing the Rules With Atari Pilot

Swindonโ€™s sonic indie popsters Atari Pilot are a prolific bunch, and have a new single out called The Rules Never Changeโ€ฆ. And, they donโ€™t. Thereโ€™sโ€ฆ

REVIEW โ€“ The Brook Street Band @ St Marys, Devizes โ€“ Saturday 1st October 2022

Baroque & Roll

Andy Fawthrop

The last time I was in St Maryโ€™s church was well before the C-thing to see TiTCo perform Spamalot, and not a lot has changed to the venue since then.ย  Itโ€™s still a largely a disused church, with all the religious fixtures and fittings still in place, and with exactly none of the trappings one might expect of a proper music venue, nor of (letโ€™s hope sometime) a real Arts Centre.ย  But thatโ€™s a whole different story for another day.

In the meantime, The St Mary Trust had done their best to make the place as hospitable as it could be on a cold, rainy October night.ย  The guests for the evening were the Handel-inspired The Brook Street Band, come to bring us a wonderful short programme of baroque music.ย  Their presentation was built around the idea of musical nights from 18th Century Leipzigโ€™s Kaffeehaus culture, featuring pieces from Handel himself, Bach and Telemann.

The performers โ€“ Lisete da Silva Bull (flute & recorder), Kathryn Parry (violin), Tatty Theo (cello) and Carolyn Gibley (harpsichord) โ€“ turned in a polished and professional performance.  The quartet, formed back in 1996, have been regulars on the BBC and have played at all the principal classical venues across the UK and Europe.  Making the best of the chilly conditions in this large church, the four of them took to the six pieces with great humour and enthusiasm.  The pieces were not only introduced and explained, but so were their individual baroque instruments.  Thus we had both entertainment and some education thrown in for good measure.

Despite the technical difficulties presented by the tunings needed for the various pieces (the explanation of which was way over my head), what we got was a programme that was up-tempo, light and uplifting.  My partner-in-crime Gail used the word โ€œcheerfulโ€ and I wasnโ€™t about to disagree with her.  My particular favourites were the first Telemann piece (Trio Sonata in G Minor) and the final Handel (Op. 2 No. 4 in F).

On the down side, the acoustics of the church are not currently of the best, it was definitely quite chilly in there, and the audience of about 50 could have been larger.  But on the positive side, we had a really excellent and uplifting recital of baroque music.  Well done to St Mary Trust for staging this event.

Once again D-Town had thrown up a little musical gem out of (it seems) absolutely nowhere.  Yet again proof, if it were needed, that the building of St Marys could (and should) be refurbished and re-used as what I think will be a great venue for the town.

Trending…..

Peace, Love, Americana and Jol Rose

I trouble procrastinating upon being gifted a previously released CD from an artist for review, unfortunately they land on the backburner, prioritising upcoming news items.โ€ฆ

Date Set for Devizes Pride

Hear ye, oh, hear ye, with much yet to plan for the event, we’re pleased to announce the date of Saturday June 29th has beenโ€ฆ

Devizes Public Living Room Finds New Home

It’s great news today, as the social circle Devizes Public Living Room has been offered The Cheese Hall to continue their weekly gatherings, by Devizes Town Council.…

Living Room projects like this have been running across the world, pre-pandemic, and can be a lifeline for communities, providing nonspecific engagements, activities and a meeting point. There are no requirements, no age, gender or any limitations. Active member Angela Giles told me what she loves about the group, “there is no agenda and no labelling. We just come and be ourselves. Free to chat about whatever we want to, or not, and basically all over a cuppa!”

Originally operarting in the Shambles, the group have been meeting outside at the Wharf for a few months, as the Shambles was no longer an available option. With concerns of the changing season, the group have been concerned about finding a new base.

Angela Giles together with other members, Thomas Green and Nic Ola approached Devizes Town Council at a meeting yesterday evening, and their request was granted to use the Cheese Hall.

Councillor Jonathan Hunter said, “Iโ€™m absolutely delighted that a great facility can be used to benefit others and promote social inclusion. I thank my fellow councillors for believing in this group and supporting the request for a safe space for Devizes Public Living Room to call their home.”

You’d be forgiven for assuming, if you’ve been following certain local Facebook groups recently, that the concentration of Devizes Town Council meetings have been preoccupied by a petty squabble over social media policy. This great and righteous permission goes some way to illustrate the content of Council meetings are far from the temper tantrums being hypocritically portrayed, and positive outcomes can be reached.

Here at Devizine, we would like to thank the town council for their decision, and congratulate the camerados of the Devizes Public Living Room group; put the kettle on, guys, as soon as you’re settled in the big cheese I’ll bring some custard creams over!

Unless, of course, you prefer bourbons?

For more info about Devizes Public Living Room, follow their Facebook page, here.

Weekly Roundup of Events in Wiltshire: 28thSeptโ€“ 4th Oct 2022

Here we go for this coming week, excuse me for not waffling, really not in the mood. Oh, okay, just one whinge then, if you insist!

Itโ€™s just the power-hungry draconian admin of Facebook groups, again. Now Iโ€™ve been banned from โ€œThe Devizes Issue,โ€ not to be confused with โ€œDevizes Issuesโ€ which Iโ€™ve been banned from for yonks, and โ€œDevizes Issue,โ€ โ€œDevizes Issues (but better,)โ€ โ€œDevizes Got Issues,โ€ โ€œThe Issues in Devizes,โ€ or any other originally titled local Facebook group. One has to wonder if thereโ€™s really that many issues in Devizes which warrants so many Facebook groups with the words โ€œDevizesโ€ and โ€œIssues,โ€ or perhaps, just perhaps, that there is the very issue in Devizes; canโ€™t we all just get along?!  

I was banned for sharing our article about an upcoming comedy show by Devizes Arts Festival, likely because the headline comedian was the guy who handed Theresa May a P45. With the Gazelle & Herod concentrating on The Jeremy Kyle Show returning to some TV channel no oneโ€™s heard of, media here highlighting all the good stuff going down locally is becoming increasingly limited, and Facebook groups are untrustworthy, ask the town council! So, stick around, and Iโ€™ll get onto whatโ€™s happening shortly.

First you should know, is, more info and ticket links to everything listed, and for planning ahead, the one link you need is our updating event calendar, or least two links this week as we delve headlong into October.

Wednesday 28th thereโ€™s a Lunchtime Recital at Wyvern Theatre, Swindon.

Sustainable Devizes will at St Andrewโ€™s Church for a free community film screening on the story of plastics. Starting at 7, Iโ€™ll drop the poster below.

Thursday 29th and thereโ€™s a Jazz Social at Salisbury Arts Centre, the ultimate music quiz at The Cheese & Grain, Frome. The Lawrence Society of Art begins an art exhibit at Devizes Town Hall, free entry, running until Saturday 1st October.

Friday 30th September, the exceptionally talented Adam Woodhouse is at the Pelican Inn, Devizes, while those Somerset crazy folked up hip hoppers Monkey Bizzle bring the noise to The Southgate; this is a hilarious show, throw preconceptions aside and join the fun.

Jen Bristerโ€™s The Optimist is at Pound Art in Corsham, while you can find The Music of Carole King at the Wyvern Theatre, Swindon, and the regular Barnstormers Comedy at Salisbury Arts Centre.

Stay Lunar play The Vic, Swindon, The Toasters play The Tree House, Frome, with Toyah at The Cheese & Grain. Illingworth play The Royal George in Salisbury.

Pinch punch and build, Saturday 1st October sees the regular Lego Club at Chippenham Museum from 3-4pm, but real Lego enthusiasts should head to Steam, Swindon, for The Great Western Brick Show. Happening Sunday too, and always amazing!

The Brook Street Band come to St Maryโ€™s Devizes for some Kaffeehaus Culture, expect some Bach, Handel & Telemann.

Meanwhile, editorโ€™s pick of the week comes from Icarus Theatre Collective, who bring a touring, award-winning dark comedy to The Wharf Theatre, called The Lesson.

Icarusโ€™ blistering, magical and award-winning production of Eugene Ionescoโ€™s classic dark comedy returns to the stage, following sold out runs at Teatrul de Comedie in Bucharest, among others. A mild-mannered professor takes on a new pupil, and swiftly descends into tyranny, becoming bent on her destruction. A comically surreal exposรฉ about power, knowledge & those who hoard bothโ€ฆ. but thatโ€™s not only why Iโ€™m picking this as my pick of the week.

Performances are enhanced by a bold projection design that features exciting new Creative Captioning Technology, which is supported by Arts Council England. It ensures that every performance is now accessible to deaf and hard of hearing audiences as well as enhancing the creative story and encapsulating the beating heart of Ionescoโ€™s text; which is a fantastic initiative I hope will find its way to more productions.

If some mod covers are more your thing, Devizions, check Six Oโ€™clock Circus live at The Three Crowns, always kicking up a stink, and the Roughcut Rebels are at The Churchill in West Lavington.

Sheer Music is at Trowbridge Town Hall with The People Versus, Pecq and Fly Yeti Fly in support, will be amazing.

Regular fav, Faze is at the Bear, Marlborough, Fire Gazer at the Barge on Honeystreet.

Thereโ€™s writer Jim Read and performer Louise Jordanโ€™s afternoon of memorable monologues exploring what it is to use paths and pavements at Salisbury Arts Centre, with Pavement Life.

Homer are at The Phoenix Bar, Wotton Basset, Shepardโ€™s Pie play The Vic, and Barrelhouse at the Rolleston in Swindon, with Mortellica next door at Level III, while Devizes Road Oktoberfest goes off at The Tuppeny, Swindon, while the Bell in Bath also has an Oktoberfest.

Junkyard Dogs at the Bear in Bradford-on-Avon, Bully Bones at The Three Horseshoes, and CHK CHK CHK play The Cheese & Grain, Frome. The Zucchinis play Brown Street, Salisbury.

Sunday 2nd and find Melksham Climate Fest at the Assembly Hall, The Great Western Brick Show continues at Steam, Swindon, Magpie Market at The Cheese & Grain Frome, and Saba Douglas-Hamiltonโ€™s In The Footsteps of Elephants shows later there too. Funky MH at The Three Horseshoes Bradford-on-Avon, Chai For All & Radio Banska at The Queen’s Head, Box.

But itโ€™s all down to the Southgate in Devizes, where Jon Amor holds his monthly residency, this time featuring guest Dan Moore, whoโ€™s played keys for everyone from Tom Jones to Massive Attack; ding dong!

Monday 3rd, sees the regular dream club at the Vic, Swindon, Tuesday find Improvers Art Sessions at the Cause, Chippenham and Spike at Salisbury Playhouse.

And thatโ€™s your lot for this week, enough to keep you amused for a weekend?! Keep an eye out for updates, I do do them, occasionally! And donโ€™t forget, support Devizine with all your might! Times like this we need you sharing, caring and sending us your event details too, donโ€™t make me come find you! Have a great week.

Trending….

Devizes Arts Festival Annouce November Comedy Night with Simon Brodkin

Devizes Arts Festival pokes its head out of its nest this autumn, with a one night only comedy gig on Friday 4th November at the Corn Exchange, headlining Simon Brodkin, the genius who handed Theresa May a P45 at the Conservative Party Conference.

Hilarious at the time, but after three years of Boris Johnson, which felt like thirty, and some new spanner in number ten, I forget her name now, maybe better the devil you know. The stunt put Simon Bodkin on the mainstream comedy map, and heck, I think we all deserve a good laugh right now.

London doctor-turned-comic, and professional hoaxer, Simon Brodkin also showered Sepp Blatter with dollar bills at a FIFA press conference, and is famed for creating quirky characters, such as the annoying chav, Lee Nelson.

Supporting Simon is Stella Graham, a naturally funny stand-up comedian, writer & actor. Shameless, charmingly aggressive and unladylike, sheโ€™s the funniest half Sri Lankan gal from Coventry.

Stuart Goldsmith is an absolute top level comedian who has performed all over the world. Heโ€™s the regular studio warm-up comic for the Graham Norton Show (BBC), which is apparently even more fun than it sounds!

Compere for the evening is Bristolโ€™s finest, James Redmond, who you might have seen on BBC TVโ€™s West Country Sitcom, The Outlaws. James is a dry, slick and subtle stand up who delivers unexpected twists with a distinct West Country tinge to his routine.

“Well good” tickets are just a tenner, live from their website from 3rd October.

SoupChick’s Georgian Feast Got me Contemplating Usage of The Shambles

Spud-gun is an amusing epithet underutilised as much as the Shambles often is in ol’ Devizes town, in my honest opinion. Spudgun, best describes the far removed from reality councillor who suggested a mezzanine floor is what’s needed to ensure the longevity of The Shambles. Is there even room for a second floor? I gazed upward to answer my own question, with a sigh of possibility, but would enough traders come and fill new units, if they did would it compensate for the cost of adding a second floor, and would shoppers even accend it to explore? Not forgoing lessening the aesthetic value of the building’s glorious height, it sounds like an impractical soultion focussed only on unachievable profit.

Having a feast in the Shambles casted a whole new perspective on the hidden beauty of this building, for me, and its possible usages too. SoupChick hosted a knockout supper there last night for near-on forty guests, celebrating owner Anya’s Georgian roots with an inspiring presentation from her artist mother, followed by a banquet of Georgian cuisine, but somehow, in that wonderfully tall hall, akin to a feast in the great hall of Vaulhalla!

I haven’t enough flowery shirts to be Jay Rayner, but I know what I like, and this was an experience my tastebuds will love me forevermore for! Pampered with a consistent stream of wine and gorgeous dishes, no expense was spared to show off the skills of Anya and her team in a unit the size of a bedsit kitchenette, and confirmed SoupChick is about as close to dishing out a mug of Cup-a-Soup as a daytrip to Canvey Island constituents a tropical holiday!

I feel for you if you missed this exclusive dinner, but keep abreast of their Facebook page or posters, as this was inaugural with future events planned, a Greek one, followed by an Italian, Anya’s partner Marc informed me.

Aside the continuing Devizes Food & Drink Festival, which coincidentally kicked off yesterday too, we’re somewhat limited for world cuisine here, like many rural areas, so this is a welcomed additional option, and just like the art show they organised back in November, it goes a long way in making perfect use of The Shambles.

Proof, I believe, that surely we should keep our feet on the ground, concentrate on what we have got? Starter whinge for ten, the entrance from the Market Place is hardly whetting the appetite, hardly screams come in here and take a look around; just some tables and chairs in a dank hall, occasionally occupied by a trader or two on market days. I accept an open space is practical and convenient, but this needs to occupy the rear end of it while those fantastic units in the middle and rear-end should greet passers-by at the beginning, much less it needs a lick of paint and some decoration.

Vibrant market halls of yore send me on a memory bliss, of sauntering Camden Lock, or the Lanes of Brighton. But this isn’t the nineties, and it’s Devizes, certainly not Brighton or Camden. And with that a chilling thought comes to me, of a couple of weeks ago, decending into the once bustling indoor market in Trowbridge town centre, to find it 99.9% desolate, my daughter reminding me it’s the after effects of the pandemic. By comparison with this, and not a bustling bygone city market, The Shambles is a wonderful market hall, and we shouldn’t take it for granted.

I’m guilty myself, I rush through it on my way elsewhere, but to add lively communal events, to welcome, as it once did, community groups like Devizes Living Room, and the addition of a piano were real positive moves. I’d like to suggest extending this, to welcome buskers, put some acoustic musicians in there, Devizes has plenty to offer.

I say they should encourage a flow of foot traffic through the Shambles by concentrating on adding arts, entertainment and street food, make it colourful and lively, add events such as book or record fairs, the possibilities are endless, let’s have a self-publishing zine convention with affordable tables, let’s have a creche, play area, and things to do for our younger generations, let’s go for it, and visting folk will bookmark Devizes as an even more fantastic day out than previously anticipated.

But hey, you know me, just a thought! For the best part of this is to thank SoupChick for a wonderful meal, it was interesting and an experience, I know now about Georgia, it’s culture and art, and certainly had the best possible taste of its food. All in good company, here’s a local event with a difference, truly tantalising the tastebuds, so much so I took to donning my modest gladrags, much to the shock of regulars at the Southgate, where I bee-lined afterwards for the contrasting headbanging thunder of Plan of Action!

The band were fantastic, though I wasn’t there for long enough to fairly justify a fuller review this time, mentioning it here it is only a method of expressing what a wonderfully diverse calendar of events we have in Devizes, and after last weekendโ€™s gig excursion to Swindon, it was great to return. If buildings like the Shambles can be used as an addition for events, I believe we should make full use of it, diversify and celebrate the talent we have here inside it; go figure, miss-firing spudgun!

Devizes Food & Drink Festival, Back with a Dollop!

Though risky, weatherwise, September seems to be the month The Devizes Food & Drink Festival has settled on, returning again this year on this pleasant Saturday with their grand opening of the food market, and gifting the bustling Devizes Market Place with the beautiful aroma of street food; who am I to resist a stroll through, and maybe a brownie or two?

Though the Gourmet Brownie Kitchen has its own shop now in town, still they put their regular stall up, and I felt the urge for their delicious stodgy bites, though I didnโ€™t see any competition for them there, as there has been in the past. That said, a lot of the stalls seemed to be reappearing from previous years, but if youโ€™ve a winning formula why change it?

The circuit had changed slightly, with stalls facing the street, and folding back into the Market Place carparking area, perhaps not containing browsers so well, but encouraging more from their daily shopping. Paella to burger, itโ€™s all there, chocolate pizza, gin and churros, you name it.

If last year I winged โ€œFromeโ€™s eclectic-influenced folk four-piece, The Decades made for the perfect entertainment, but again, they were the same band which played there in 2019,โ€ they were there again this time too, and throughout my time there they were taking a break. I couldnโ€™t help feel, though the array of food stalls were plentiful, sitting and eating is rather dull if thereโ€™s no entertainment, and a little more concentration could be taken on this, although I know and accept the focus is on food and drink, being the Food & Drink Festival and all.

Wadworth takes the beer sponsor, an arrangement previous done by Stealth Brewery, who ensured consistency in music, with a selection of local talent, and Iโ€™m certain Waddies could take from their example, and provide as they did with their own WadFest in the summer. Otherwise, itโ€™s just, go get some lunch there and wander off.

But itโ€™s far from the bee-all-and-end-all of the festival, with huge options for ticketed side-events, which youโ€™d better be quick to get yourself in on, here. Me? Iโ€™m dining on a Georgian feast at SoupChick tonight so didnโ€™t want to overdo it, a brownie Iโ€™m out of there, apologies to the organisers but Iโ€™d like a further selection of stalls Iโ€™ve not seen before, Iโ€™d like to be entertained, and Iโ€™d like to be buried under free samples, of which maybe a sign of the times, but I saw much less of this year. Still, busy though, and a joy to have in Devizes at the end of summer.

@ The Pelican, Devizes

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Mantonfest 2024

Images: Gail Foster Whilst festivals around us come and go Mantonfest has been a constant of the Wiltshire music calendar since 2009….. The 29th ofโ€ฆ

Swindon Palestine Solidarity Hold Charity Dinner

On Saturday, people from across Swindon came to Swindon Palestine Solidarityโ€™s charity dinner to raise funds for Medical Aid Palestine and raise awareness of theโ€ฆ

The Lost Trades to Release Live Album

To international acclaim on the folk circuit, weโ€™ve loved to follow the progress of the Lost Trades since day dot, when Phil Cooper enthusiastically toldโ€ฆ

Wormwood; Cracked Machineโ€™s New Album

A third instalment of space rock swirls and cosmic heavy duty guitar riffs was unleashed in January from our homegrown purveyors of psychedelia, Cracked Machine.โ€ฆ

Sheer Music Grand Return to Devizes

Ah, it’s on the grapevine alright; godfather of Wiltshire’s millennial live indie scene, Kieran Moore isn’t sneaking in the back door with his tail between his legs like the prodigal son, rather he’s returning to Devizes, the origins of his promotional stamp Sheer Music, in a blaze of heavy rock glory.

Not content with setting the soul of live music in the bright light city of viva Trowvegas on fire, or getting those stakes up higher at Komedia in Bath and legendary venue the Vic in Swindon, he’s
just a devil with love to spare…. for his roots!

It’ll be loud and proud, that much is for sure, when Sheer takes the Corn Exchange on Friday 7th October, and, hold your breath, it’ll be a free gig, yes I said free. When was the last time you got in the Corn Exchange for nought? Obviously as chief blagger I’m not at liberty to answer that question myself, but you catch my drift I hope!

They’ve got that kick-ass skater punk collaboration of Trowbridge, Devizes, Westbury and Wotton Bassett,ย Start The Sirens as support. A promising upcomer we handsomely reviewed their debut “Just the Beginning,” back in June.

Next up is two-thirds homegrown purveyors of noise NervEndings, who should need no introduction locally, abielt to note the boys are creating quite the stir forever further abound, headlining this Saturday at the very same Victoria, for the Swindon Shuffle.

Plus hard-rocking contemporary punkers Lucky Number Seven, which I’ll confess is a new one to me, but they certainly sound like a belter, featured alongside NervEndings at the Shuffle, and who tore Bristol’s Fleece apart at the beginning of the month.

Kieran labels his promo posts with “shit the bed, Devizes,” leaving me pondering; are you sure you’re ready for this, Devizes? Stage diving all the way to Chick-O-Land?!

Hedda Gabler at the Wharf is Seriously Thought-provoking

Featured Image: Chris Watkins Media

Home after previewing a dress rehearsal at The Wharf Theatre, Devizes last night, I kissed my wife goodnight. She didn’t understand the relevance, but Henrik Ibsen’s magnum opus, Hedda Gabler is one seriously thought-provoking playโ€ฆ…

They didn’t have Billy Joel’s doo-wop fad in nineteenth century Norway, see, otherwise the protagonist’s husband, George Tesman could’ve benefitted by taking heed of the lyrics of Tell Her About It, such as the line “let her know how much she means.”

Image: Chris Watkins Media
ย 

Whereas it’s typical for a fellow to be wilfully pig ignorant in taking their partner for granted, George, played impeccably by Chris Smith, is seemingly oblivious of his psychological man-shed. In modern terminology one might suggest he’s on the autistic spectrum, but definitely, this academic lacks common sense over a work obsession. This is expressed rather amusingly in the opening scene with the assertive “Aunt Ju-Ju,” grandly represented by Jessica Bone.

She interrogates him in pompous nineteenth century mannerisms, in the hope of gaining some pregnancy gossip, but poor old George just doesn’t take the hint any more than Frank Spencer.

Seems he proudly spent his lengthy honeymoon researching for his new book, much to the dismay and rancour of his rather stubborn wife, Hedda, who, longing for a spirit of adventure and drama, finds herself feeling trapped, lonesome and unloved; it’d be an epic fail for Match.com!

Together, her frustrations and his nescient glee, combined with four other exceptionally well-defined characters, twists the kind narrative Ricky Gervais needs to be taking notes from. Character-driven, elements might feel comical at first, but subtle black humour is gradually collapsing into tragedy; such the reason you’ll come away from it realising its stroke of genius.

Image: Chris Watkins Media
ย 

A feminine Hamlet, perhaps, as the plot thickens to a dramatic climax, but I’ll relax my waffling for fear of spoilers. Though if the plot relies on conflicting characters, this wasn’t the case behind the scenes. Director, Lewis Cowen delighted to tell me the casting immediately fell into place effectively, and indeed this convincing team bounce of each other so well it’d be impossible to extract their real personalities. There’s no way I’m going to attempt to obtain trigger-happy lead role Ange Davis’s phone number, for instance, not after witnessing her sublime expressions of bitterness and contempt for her fellow characters! Her second stint at the Wharf Theatre after appearing in Revlon Girl in March; in layman’s terms, Ange takes on the protagonist roll like a boss.

Pete Wallis wonderfully plays the woeful Eilert Lรถvborg expressively, personifying the bleeding heart of the artist. With his heart on his sleeve and love for the bottle, he’s easily convinced, but the kingpin to George’s jealousy.

The weak and diffident Thea Elvsted is played to perfection by Anna McGrail, her despair at her broken marriage is paramount to yield Hedda’s vengeance and bullying nature.

Undoubtedly housemaid Bertha, acted subtly but professionally clownish by Merrily Powell, retains the comedy noir while it spirals into tragedy, via her shocked expressions, omniscience but knowing her place to remain silent.

The unscrupulous and advantageous persona of Judge Brack, played sternly by Rob Gill, pitches him as the dark horse, the archetypal baddie, if there has to be one. Rather the depth of all the characters, needy or lusting after Hedda in their own way, here shows far more layers to them then the typically flatness of the Hollywood template.

Image: Chris Watkins Media

For if said template is becoming tiresome for you, you know the sort; a couple or amount of people with conflicting personalities come together with an abhorrence of each other but thrust unwillingly into a set of circumstances find mutual ground and befriend with a happy ending, perhaps you should grab up a ticket for Hedda Gabler, running at the Wharf Theatre from the 19th to the 24th September. Because if the cliche template is a reversible jumper, akin to classics such as Easy Rider or Quadrophenia, this intelligently crafted dark play turns it inside out.

I mean, I’m no theatrical critic, just know what I like, but if the hospitable and non-pretentious Wharf Theatre welcome me to assess such quality productions as this, on our doorstep, I’m game!

If opposites attract, love is calmly discussing and accepting your differences, but the escape clause wasn’t so simple in days of yore, and in the confines of the era’s strict conducts, a terrible entrapment can twist a person; that’s the contemplation I took away with me after this engaging and quality production; go see for yourself.

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The Worried Men Take the Pump

And Morpheus said unto Neo, โ€œunfortunately, no one can be told what the Matrix is. You have to see it for yourself.โ€ Funny cos, Iโ€ฆ

Daisy Chapman Took Flight

Okay, so, if I praised the Bradford Roots Festival last weekend and claimed to have had a fantastic time, itโ€™s all as true as Harrisonโ€ฆ

New Nothing Rhymes With Orange Single

Friday is over, I’m a day late to the party, but there’s a new single from Devizes-own Nothing Rhymes With Orange, and you’ve not heardโ€ฆ

A Baroque Blast at St Mary’s!


Kaffeehaus Culture comes to St Mary’s, Devizes on the 1st of October, bringing you some Bach, Handel & Telemann……

The acoustically rich space of St Maryโ€™s Church, Devizes, will be filled with music from the best-known baroque masters on Saturday, 1st October.

Playing on traditional instruments The Brook Street Band will transport the audience back to the mid-18th century as they perform pieces by Bach, Handel and Telemann – three of the most famous German composers from the period.
The programme reflects the rhythm and harmony of these baroque giants whose music was regularly heard at the famous Zimmerman Kaffeehaus in Leipzig.

The Brook Street Band takes its name from the street in Londonโ€™s Mayfair where composer George Frideric Handel lived and composed for most of his life.
Since its formation in 1996, the ensemble has established itself as one of the countryโ€™s foremost interpreters of baroque music performing at many of the UKโ€™s major chamber music venues, as well as at Early Music Festivals in the UK and Europe.

The group has released eleven CDs, all receiving high critical acclaim; the Bandโ€™s debut disc โ€œHandel Oxford Water Musicโ€ was selected as Gramophone Magazine Editorโ€™s Choice, as was its โ€œJS Bach Trio Sonatasโ€.

The St. Mary Project

The Church of St Mary the Virgin, Park Street, Devizes, dates from the Norman times and is one of the most important buildings in the town, with the church tower a particular landmark.

The building is listed Grade I, putting it amongst the top 2.5% of listed buildings in the country. The St.Mary Future Group is working hard to turn this wonderful building into an arts and community space that will become a hub for future generations.

Doors open 7pm for 7.30pm; tickets ยฃ18. See www.stmarydevizes.or.uk for booking details. email: info@stmarydevizestrust.org.uk

The Queen, Some Footbridges and Wiltshireโ€™s Wackiest Race; Chatting to the Creator of Devizesโ€™ Boto-X

โ€œWhen the Queen came to open it, the boat which was doing the ceremonial opening was on the lock below the Waterways Board yard. The approach was through there, where she met the union members, and they walked out along the bank, above the first of the top of the Boto-X lock. She met people who were lined up along the bank, trying to not to push each other into the water! She came to the footbridge but didnโ€™t go over, she got in the boat, cut the ribbon, and the canal was open. But she was introduced to people, and she was laughing, I mean, Jill said it โ€˜looked as if she was having a day out,โ€™ not on official business.โ€

โ€œShe was introduced to me as the chap who organised this ridiculous race up and down the locks, before there were boats going along it. She said โ€˜oh what was it?โ€™ So, I started to explain. I was facing down the locks, and she was facing me. It was no good trying to explain it without seeing it, so I asked her if she would mind turning around, so I could show her. I stood beside her, which apparently wasnโ€™t permitted, and I illustrated vigorously with my hands how the starting gun went, and everybody jumped to their boats, charged down the hill, fell into the boats, getting very wet in the process, paddled like hell, climbed out the other end, over the hill, and by the end, she was in fits; Iโ€™ve actually got a picture of her laughing. I was told afterwards that you should always face the Queen when speaking to her, and you shouldnโ€™t wave your hands around rather keep them decorously by your sides. So, I was expecting to be arrested for high treason! I asked Bill to send her my apologies, but he said, you donโ€™t need to do that, she was having a day off!โ€

Some forty-five minutes into our chat, John Petty apologised for taking up too much of my time, which I wouldnโ€™t accept, I couldโ€™ve listened all day to his fascinating recollections. For John wasnโ€™t feeling up to what heโ€™d planned this weekend, visiting Devizes for nostalgic reasons and to plan a presentation on what he is renowned for here; being the brainchild of the legendary Boto-X.

If you take the Devizes stretch of the Kennet and Avon Canal, and the beautiful surroundings of the Caen Hill locks for granted, you might be surprised to know for decades after the coming of the railway, once the motorways of their day, canals were left to dilapidate. The Caen Hill Flight was reopened for leisure purposes in 1990, by the Queen. But prior to this much campaigning and fundraising had to be done, and as well as most likely the largest annual event ever in Devizes, the Boto-X was instrumental in that campaign.

โ€œThis was something specific, something which could only be done in Devizes; thatโ€™s what we tried to find.โ€

John Petty

If it wasnโ€™t Devizes, I mightโ€™ve not believed my wifeโ€™s memories of the Boto-X when she relayed them some years ago, how โ€œeveryone came out.โ€ Itโ€™s surely a story essential to archive, not only because due to health and safety regulations the chance of reviving it would be minimal, but the fact that, as well as the Queen, thousands upon thousands of people laughed, and thousands upon thousands of pounds were raised over the near decade it ran for.

John now resides in Exmouth. He came with his wife, Jill, to the Devizes area in 1978 from Ipswich. John was employed to run engineering firm, Roundway Mill. Having holidayed on canals, they were inactive members of the Canal Trust. The Trust at this time had moved their headquarters to Devizes, and so Jill became the Membership secretary, and John soon took the post of chairman of the local branch. At this time, John explained, โ€œtheyโ€™d done a lot of the restoration, from Foxhangers to Bath, and from Devizes up to Reading; but they were left with the twenty-six blooming locks, all forlorn with empty gates and side ponds.โ€

โ€œWe used to get annoyed, walking down the flight, thinking nothing was happening, but they needed another ten million quid, or something, to buy gates; we wished somebody could do something.โ€ The Caen Hill Flight wasnโ€™t used as parkland, โ€œyou went down the Flight, you couldnโ€™t get across the locks, with no gates on them, and the other side the ponds had all been cleared out and were barren.โ€

The Rotary Club were assigned to organise an annual fundraising event. โ€œIt was suggested,โ€ John chuckled, โ€œwe should have a dance, at Dauntsyโ€™s School. We looked at each other and thought, bugger that, weโ€™re not into doing dances!โ€ Adamant an event needed to relate to the canal, inspiration came from the already well-established Devizes to Westminster canoe race, as they had to get out and carry the canoes around the locks. But John explained, โ€œit was quite a gung-ho event, commandoes, army cadets, ranger scouts and pretty tough people. It was a great event, but it did nothing for Devizes, because people arrived about 2am, setting sail in the dark, and were gone.โ€

It’s unlikely the Flight would be the attraction it is today without Johnโ€™s pitch to the union for footbridges. The only way across the canal before this was climbing over the lock gates which was forbidden through safety factors. At the time public assistance was reduced to pruning brushes, since the union didnโ€™t want work taken from labourerโ€™s hands. Because youโ€™d need twenty-six bridges, they werenโ€™t in the tight budget. As an engineer, John asked, โ€œif I could get them made, would you blokes put them in? They all looked at each other and replied, โ€˜yeah, why not?โ€™โ€ Management approved his plans. โ€œEach bridge had a plaque with the name of the donators on them; we had Pewsey Primary School, all sorts of schools and colleges, workplaces, volunteers from all over the place, arriving with a Land Rover and trailer with a footbridge on it. As soon as they were in, people started walking their dogs, and the place started to come alive.โ€

Asked by the Trust to raise some money, The Rotary thought, โ€œwhy not do something big and bold?โ€ And the idea for the Boto-X was born. There is little information about it online; to Google โ€œBoto-Xโ€ will get you cosmetic surgery sites, a practise which came along during the reign of Boto-X, and John joked, they suggested suing them for taking their name! Though the name of this event is pronounced โ€œboat-o-cross,โ€ like Motor-X.

For those grown up here, this will be a trip down memory lane, for others new to the area, like me, what exactly the Boto-X was can be best explained by this video, submitted to YouTube by Noel Woolrych, who also played a major part in the Boto-X. It was, in short, and by tagline, โ€˜the Wackiest Race in Wiltshire!โ€™

The two-day event ran from 1985 to 1994, encompassing the grand opening of the Caen Hill Flights in 1990. But John reminded us at the time the pounds were dry. โ€œI went to my friends in the Union,โ€ John continued, โ€œwho were friendly, because they liked their footbridges, and said โ€˜if you drop the stop planks into five locks, what would happen?โ€™ โ€˜Well, donโ€™t be silly,โ€™ they replied, โ€˜theyโ€™d fill up with water, wonโ€™t they?!โ€™ So, I said, โ€˜would you do it?โ€™ โ€˜Suppose so,โ€™ โ€˜would you have to ask anyone?โ€™ โ€˜Not really!โ€™โ€

The original idea was a raft race, but people would have to build the rafts. โ€œYou couldnโ€™t have canoes either, because theyโ€™d be terribly unwieldy,โ€ he clarified. Avon Rubber Company from Melksham supplied dinghies. โ€œThis had never been done before,โ€ John delighted to tell us. โ€œWe got just about every local charitable organisation, The Lions, Round Table, Rotary, Ladies Circle, Motherโ€™s Union, scoutsโ€™ groups, everybody got the message, without mobile phones and internet.โ€ In a quest for publicity, John borrowed the boats a couple of months prior, and asked beneficiary surgeons to paddle across the pond for the sake of newspapers, television and radio. This was also an aid to finding out how long it would take to complete the course.

They even created a free newspaper to promote the idea, an eight-page broadsheet which the Ladies Circle raised money for through advertising. โ€œNoel [Woolrych] took over from me as chairman,โ€ John explained, after also telling me about the programme. โ€œThe Boto-X News was just a single A3 fold, Noel was Raynet, the emergency communications people, and provided radio communication.โ€   

Finally, after this amazing origin backstory, we got to talking about the actual race! โ€œWe had teams of eight, and each eight was given a three-man inflatable,โ€ John recollects, โ€œbecause that was cosy!โ€ Split into two, half the team raced down five locks, while the others raced back up. โ€œWe had the start and finish lines in one place, so we only needed one stopwatch. We also said we wanted them to get sponsored hereto very worthy causes, weโ€™re trying to finish the canal off, and trying to get money for the Bath Cancer Unit.โ€ Put into assorted sets, teams could be made up of girl guides competing against commandoes, โ€œit didnโ€™t matter!โ€

The heats were timed, the money was counted, ten of the fastest teams of each category got a plaque, and the best sponsorship handicap too. This equated as the money raised divided by the time taken, โ€œso that you could go very fast, and not raise much money, but perhaps win, or you could raise a lot of money going ever so slowly, and still lose.โ€ The winning teams of heats were put into semis and a grand finale, and cheques were awarded to the beneficiaries there and then. โ€œWe raised nearly ten grand the first year, from scratch, and it poured with rain the whole weekend!โ€

โ€œThe ladies all arrived in their best summer dresses and high-heels, and by the time they got to the locks they were plastered in mud, and it was so wet, and so muddy that everyone ended up in hysterics!โ€

โ€œThe ladies all arrived in their best summer dresses and high-heels, and by the time they got to the locks they were plastered in mud, and it was so wet, and so muddy that everyone ended up in hysterics!โ€

John Petty

I wondered if the idea came from programs like Itโ€™s a Knockout, but John said not. โ€œThis was something specific, something which could only be done in Devizes; thatโ€™s what we tried to find.โ€

This historically astonishing extravaganza, which at its peak attracted around 25-30,000 people, sadly ended. John recalled after twelve events, though records suggest it started in 1985 and ended in 1994. It folded because of the finding of viral disease in the water. โ€œJill and I were involved for five years, then we were punch-drunk, thought it needed reviving and passed it over to Noel Woolrych, under very good committee.โ€

โ€œIt was Devizes event of the year,โ€ John proudly said, so I asked him if there were many large-scale events in town at the time, other than carnival, of course. โ€œNope! I donโ€™t think there was even a carnival at the time, or if there was itโ€ฆ.โ€ John trailed off at this point, to continue affirming, โ€œthe Boto-x was the biggie of the year, no doubt about it. As I say, it was always the canoe race which got Devizes mentioned, but it had gone by the time people woke up on Saturday morning. Whereas we had beer tents, helicopter rides one year, and we had teams from RAF Lyneham.โ€ At about 4:20pm on the Sunday before the award ceremony, John explained, โ€œif you looked down the flight towards Trowbridge, you could see a little black dot, and that was a Hercules, which would do a flightpath up the Boto-X course!โ€

The Boto-X remains confined to history books, surely to revive this, or to organise something like this today through modern health and safety regulations would be a minefield. Though, John was quick to express, โ€œwe never had any complaints, locally, about traffic, bad behaviour, anything. And the thing, this โ€˜wackiest race ever,โ€™ they called it, it must have been in contravention of health and safety regulations, but we were careful, we had a lifesaver in every pond. We were careful and so well organised, I donโ€™t how we managed it!โ€ Wiltshire Constabulary sent one cadet to police the entire thing, John fondly giggled, โ€œI can remember her coming, this sweet little girl, who said โ€˜Iโ€™ve come from Wiltshire Constabulary to look after you!โ€™ There she was, in a crowd of what must have been twelve thousand people, that was our law and order!โ€ ย ย 

We breezed over methods of documenting this event, and I hope my efforts today will be a catalyst to discussion, photos and memories being posted on social media to build more attention to this, absolutely astounding event, perhaps otherwise lost in time. Then, people looking online for Botox will be completely confused by an overload of images of people falling from dinghies, into muddy Wiltshire ponds!

@ The Pelican, Devizes

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Devizes-based chocolate engineer Holly Garner, 2023 Chocolate Champion for the Southwest, has launched her new chocolate classes for the first half of 2024โ€ฆโ€ฆ From learningโ€ฆ

Richard Wileman on the Forked Road

Fashionably late for the party, apologies, the fellow Iโ€™m not sure if he minds me calling โ€œthe Mike Oldfield of Swindon,โ€ though itโ€™s meant asโ€ฆ

Devizine 5th Birthday!

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, itโ€™s been five years and weโ€™ve 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, โ€œwhat do I look like, some kind of event guide now?!โ€ Not realising Iโ€™d 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 weekโ€™s column, the second was about Tamsinโ€™s 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 โ€œphoto 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 wasnโ€™t 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 donโ€™t 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, donโ€™t 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 donโ€™t know, stop hassling me with inane questions like a fanboy at a Star Trek convention!

Weekly Roundup of Events in Wiltshire: 8th-14th September 2022

Slight seasonal changes, wetter but still warm, slight Prime Minister changes, dryer but still a narcissistic numpty; ah well, letโ€™s see, a day later than usual I know and apologise, whatโ€™s happening in Wiltshire over the next weekโ€ฆ…

The one link you need as usual, is our event calendar, where itโ€™s all listed with ticket and info links, and itโ€™s updated (fairly) regularly, so bookmark the beast and remain as you will be after reading this; in the know. ย 

Thursday 8th and thereโ€™s the Swindon Comedy Club at Kioki, with headliner Abi Clarke.

Friday 9th Hedda Gabler begins at the Wharf Theatre, Devizes and runs until 24th September. Hedda Gabler is recognised as one of the worldโ€™s great plays written by one of the worldโ€™s great playwrights and is generally regarded as Ibsenโ€™s masterpiece. Hedda, on the face of it, is not your archetypal tragic heroine. Starting quietly, and quite humorously, the drama builds to its terrifying and riveting climax, involving the presentation set of pistols that Hedda inherited from her father.

One to watch, Sour Apple play the Pelican in Devizes on Friday, and look out for a new music program called Vamos, at The Old Road Tavern, Chippenham, theyโ€™ve got the wonderful Harmony Asia supporting Hoggs Bison. And find Illingworth at The Royal Oak in Marlborough, all free gigs.

โ€œHurrah, they are back to Schoolโ€ runs the tagline of the end of summer barbeque at Seend Community Centre.

Our renowned house DJ, George G Force is at Marston Park, Frome, while tribute The Smyths play The Cheese & Grain. Festival season hasnโ€™t quite closed yet, itโ€™s The Mucky Weekender Festival at the Winchester Bowl.

Meanwhile, In Swindon, Dangerous Kitchen play The Vic, The Salts at Swindon Arts Centre, and A Country Night in Nashville at the Wyvern Theatre.

Saturday 10th and back by popular demand, the start of the legendary Pewsey Carnival, yay! Procession is next Saturday 17th, with the Wheelbeero race on Thursday 15th, but this Saturday is Pewsey Carnival Wine Race.

Our editorโ€™s pick of the week; Party for Life, Melksham

A world suicide prevention day fundraiser in the Sky Bar at Melksham Town FC. The Soul Strutters, Blind Lemon Experience and Roughcut Rebels play this big one, with DJs and pizza and others; sounds fantastic, we did preview it a while back, and I believe a few tickets are still up for grabs, follow their Facebook page for more details.

Staying in the Sham, The Pilot has a Family fun day with music and, fundraising for MIND, see the poster for details.

Crafts, stalls and entertainment are promised at Devizes Rotary Clubโ€™s Health & Wellbeing Showcase on the Small Green from 11am-3pm on Saturday, and for a musical evening in Devizes, rock covers band Black Nasty are at The Southgate, while People Like Us do their awesome thing at the Three Crowns.

Time also, for the Burbage Beer, Cider & Music Festival.

Another upcoming local band to watch is Salisbury indie-kids Carsick, who plan to blow the lid off of Trowbridge Town Hall.

Contrasts in Swindon as Rage Against the Regime play The Vic, while Shape Of You brings the music of Ed Sheeran to the Wyvern Theatre.

You might have caught him at Devizes Arts Festival this summer, Alfie Mooreโ€™s show Fair Cop Unleashed comes to Salisbury Arts Centre.

No prizes for guessing who Motorheadache is attributing, theyโ€™re at the Cheese & Grain, Frome, while Dana Gavanski plays their sister venue the Tree House, with Cornelia Murr in support.

And unfortunately, The International Comics Expo, ICE in Birmingham which Iโ€™ve still got listed, has been cancelled, Iโ€™m just being too lazy to delete it!   

Sunday 11th, after terrible weather last Sunday postponed Devizes Town Bandโ€™s Childrenโ€™s Proms in the Park at Hillworth, it will be combined this week with the planned main Proms in the Park.  

And save a Recital Series at Swindon Arts Centre, also on Sunday, that about wraps it up for the weekend, unless you know different? Unless you dare to tell me that I missed something?! Please do, I donโ€™t bite, at least only a nip, on the bum; itโ€™s free to list stuff on Devizine, just message us, weโ€™re in it for the love.

Through the week Iโ€™ve not got much, but you know updates of the event calendar occasionally happens, though Iโ€™m currently undergoing the arduous task of getting next yearโ€™s calendar up and running, so bear with, bear with.

Tuesday 13th, Iโ€™ve got Kaleidoscopic at Salisbury Arts Centre and a RSPB: A Victorian Birderโ€™s Wiltshire at the same venue.

Next week though you can look forward to Pewsey carnival, Swindon Shuffle, and the White Horse Opera is back too, along with lots more events to get your teeth into; Iโ€™ll catch you around at one sometime, maybe? What else are you going to do, โ€œSimpsoniseโ€ yourself with a phone app; get real?!!

Trending…

Lego Club at Devizes Library Announced

Everything is looking awesome at Devizes Library as they announce the Lego Club for six to twelve year olds will begin on Saturday 27th January!โ€ฆ

Rootless; New Single Ushti Baba

Bristolโ€™s fine purveyors of idiosyncratic folk-raving, Ushti Baba, who if youโ€™re in Devizes you might recall played Street Festival in 2022, have a new singleโ€ฆ..โ€ฆ

Timeslips; New Single from Sienna Wileman

With an album review in the pipeline for Dad which includes vocals from Sienna, our Swindon princess of melancholic poignancy has a new single, Timeslipsโ€ฆ..โ€ฆ

Gazelles: Follow-up Album from Billy Green 3

Our favourite loud Brit-popping local Geordie and gang are back with a second album. Theyโ€™re calling it Gazelles, after the previously released single opener Endlessโ€ฆ

The Magic Teapot Gathering

Okay, so there must be a truckload of local social and political ranting to cover, but itโ€™s new yearโ€™s day, Iโ€™m going to waffle aboutโ€ฆ

Devizine Review of 2023

Here we are again with another year under our belts and me trying to best sum it up without restraint; I reserve my right toโ€ฆ

New Single from Billy in the Lowground

The third single from Billy in the Lowground in as many months was released today, they’ve been ploughing their own furrow since 1991, been meaningโ€ฆ

Big Events Like Confetti Battle are Great for Devizes, But Where Can the Disabled Park?

I believe I speak for most of us, when I say we all love that Devizes punches above its weight when it comes to hosting some grand universal events, such as yesterdayโ€™s historic, if bizarre local ritual, Confetti Battle. DOCA and others, such as the Devizes Food & Drink Festival, use the Market Place to be exactly what it was intended for, free social gatherings. They take a lot of organising, and are open to everyone to enjoy, or are they?

When the parking places in Market Place are occupied by an event and carparking is closed there, there is no provision or replacement for the absence of disabled bays, and a lack of them causes some disabled people to be unable to attend.

I spoke to Claire, who is disabled and lives in Devizes. Claire wouldโ€™ve liked to attend the Confetti Battle this year, โ€œI would like to attend Christmas events too,โ€ she said, โ€œbut there is no option for disabled people to park.โ€

โ€œI do appreciate how hard people work to make our lovely town fun,โ€ Claire expressed, โ€œbut I had to miss last night because there was nowhere close enough to park.โ€

I must confess, in promoting our events I hadnโ€™t stopped to consider this, and would like to be clear, this is, I suspect, an oversight on Devizes Town Councilโ€™s part. Therefore, Iโ€™m not out to point fingers and play the blame game, (ha, not this time!) rather to suggest some provision is introduced so when disabled bays are closed for events, suitable temporary bays can be created specifically for disabled badge-holders. โ€œEven if one extra disabled person could enjoy the events,โ€ Claire stated, โ€œthis will make a difference to someone’s life, rather waiting to see it all in Facebook, which is what I do.โ€

This is unfortunate and unfair, certainly unintentional, but Iโ€™m confident with some awareness spreading itโ€™s easily resolved. Iโ€™d be interested to hear any town councillorโ€™s views on this, their feedback would be helpful; hey, no, their feedback is essential! I will call out ignorance on the issue if not, (they know that by now!)

No large-scale event goes ahead without meeting requirements for the disabled, simple as. Iโ€™d suggest perhaps arranging a booking-in system so a specific number of parking bays can be reserved, this way everyone with a blue badge who wants to attend can, and needless spaces wouldnโ€™t be used as disabled bays. That would take one DTC admin and one spreadsheet five minutes to produce.

โ€œThese events should be for all,โ€ Claire asked me, โ€œwouldnโ€™t you agree?โ€ That doesnโ€™t need answering, Claire, not from me Iโ€™m afraid, Iโ€™m with you fully, and Iโ€™m here to pitch the same question to the powers that be. Perhaps there is some provision already in place that we donโ€™t know of, but Iโ€™m happy to publish any such answer too.

Iโ€™m aware Wiltshire Council is introducing paying for disabled parking in their carparks, but that is a different topic for another time, donโ€™t even get me started on that. Weโ€™re here today to assume something as simple as allowing space for disabled folk to accessibly park to be able to enjoy the events as we do, be resolved. Whether or not they have to pay for that space is the responsibility of Wiltshire Council, who, to be honest, Iโ€™m at my tethers end with anyway.

โ€œI had to cancel plans this weekend in town,โ€ Claire continued, โ€œbecause I couldn’t park close enough. Not even close enough to get to the pharmacy, so I went without my pain relief.โ€ We await your response with thanks, Devizes Town Council.

Click to buy Vol 2 of our compilation album; all proceeds go to Julia’s House

Trending….

The Closing of Cooper Tyres

By T.B.D and D Rose for Devizine.The author can be reached at housetyg@gmail.com This month the historic Cooper Tires factory in Melksham which began theโ€ฆ

Nothing Rhymes With Orange Storm The Southgate

If The Southgate is Devizesโ€™ finest and most reliable pub music venue, it’s usually favoured by an adult crowd. Yet it’s without doubt that Nothingโ€ฆ

Keeping Your Feet Dry, with The Lost Trades

New single from The Lost Trades, due out on those streaming sites next Friday, 9th September, but our lovable folk trio decided as itโ€™s the celebratory โ€œBandcamp Friday,โ€ theyโ€™d get it on there earlyโ€ฆ.and I thought Iโ€™d get a breather today!

Is this a conspiracy? Is there a secret WhatsApp group where local musicians gang up on me and decide to all release their new material in the same week?! So much new music being pushed my way, I love it, but repetitive strain injury of the typing digits, people, think about that for a second! This, though, is more than worth mentioning.

Iโ€™ve been listening to it for a few weeks, holding my breath from mentioning it until next week, seems now I can exhale and tell you just how absolutely awesome this new single from The Lost Trades is. I even, at one point, had it playing in the car when nipping out for Derrickโ€™s Deals at the Spar shop in Devizes, windows down, when I was struck with terror someone might overhear this exclusive early, and like the automatic blinds of the Lego ideas office, I fastened the gap!

Last time around, on All Fools Day, the tune was called Daffodils, and I dubbed it a โ€œlost trades mark,โ€ trying to be clever and play on words, but for the simple reason it summed up everything which was great about their debut album, The Bird, the Book and the Barrel, in one single, stating โ€œthis wonderful sunny side of the street tune is a neat little package tallying up the brilliance of the Trades.โ€

So where do we go from here? Iโ€™m going to big it up, you know that, because the trio havenโ€™t yet disappointed, ever, and Iโ€™m therefore obviously going in with high expectations. But it had been one of those days, you know the sort, we all have them, and night was drawing near when I remembered I still had the single to listen to, and despite all said prospects, I just fell headlong into it, like tumbling into a blissful dream. It lifted me out of the swirling thoughts of that sort of day, it elevated me above cloud nine, and hereโ€™s whyโ€ฆ.

It’s the production this time around, yes Phil, Jamie and Tamsinโ€™s, while Tamsin takes the lead vocal, least most predominate, voices are truly merged into one harmonious glory, the production of this single, a real step up. The entire mood surrounding it will engulf you, whether or not youโ€™ve been following the progress of this exceptional trio or not. This is the way forward, it knocks spots off of anything which mayโ€™ve gone before in their building discography, and that, like Bananrama once said, is really saying somethingโ€ฆ. not that thatโ€™s a comparison, by the way!!

It needs no comparison other than with their own material, now, though it got me contemplating Roger McGuinnโ€™s โ€œBallad of Easy Rider,โ€ theme-wise, if rivers are a common metaphor in folk; the lyrics Dylan infamously gave to The Byrds, but declined credit in the film as he didnโ€™t like its ending. But, I digress, with a โ€œmissing youโ€ theme, Keep my Feet Dry is a boost in the right direction for the Trades, it drifts, a thing beauty, uplifting, with a chorus immediately sing-a-long. The guitar riff sooths, and every element fits together perfectly; wowzers, you only need bring your ears, and they will love you for it!

By the way, Jamie of the Lost Trades is at the Southgate, Devizes, Saturday, while Tamsin is playing the Barge on HoneyStreet; make your own mind up, I can’t help you with this dilemma!

Trending…..

Waiting for M3Gโ€™s new Single…..

So yeah, I thought Iโ€™d be funny by commenting โ€œcanโ€™t waitโ€ on Chippenhamโ€™s upcoming folk singer-songwriter Megโ€™s Facebook post announcing her latest single, because, youโ€ฆ

Bradford on Avon Green Man Festival

Featured Image: Colin Rayner Photography If Iโ€™ve recently been singing the praises of arts diversity in Bradford-on-Avon, centred around the Wiltshire Music Centre and notโ€ฆ

Viduals Release New Single

Is that ex still playing on your mind? It’s been an age, mate, but no amount of friendsโ€™ attempts to console you will help, orโ€ฆ

12 Bars Later Pop into The Badger Set

Mustโ€™ve been a sweaty August night last year at our trusty Southgate, when I turned up on the off chance, and staggered home mightily impressedโ€ฆ

Wharf Theatre Opens For Autumn/Winter Season with Hedda Gabler

The wonderful Wharf Theatre in Devizes is reopening this month for a new autumn-winter season; I know, don’t say “winter,” not yet!

Hedda Gabler is the first production, running from 19th to 24th September. It’s written byย Henrik Ibsen with a translation byย Michael Meyer. The Wharf’s chief director, Lewis Cowen is on this one, and it’s the second work of Henrik Ibsen to be performed at our trusty theatre.

In 2007 The Wharf Theatre staged an adaptation of the highly successful โ€˜A Dollโ€™s Houseโ€™ by acclaimed Norwegian playwright Henrik Ibsen.ย  They are now delighted to introduce, perhaps, his greatest work, Hedda Gabler.

Having its world premiere, in Germany 1891, the play initially opened to mixed reviews however, a more sympathetic, naturalistic London production three months later was a triumph. Now considered a masterpiece within the genres of literary realism and 19th century drama it is rarely out of the repertoire of the great theatre companies of the world.

The title character herself remains one of the greatest female dramatic roles and has been portrayed by some of the biggest names in theatre and film, including Ingrid Bergman, Peggy Ashcroft, Dianna Rigg, Geraldine James and, more recently, Sheridan Smith.

Sometimes described as a female version of Hamlet, Hedda is a character firmly set against the backdrop of the Victorian era when women could only achieve success vicariously through the men in their lives. The daughter of a General and national hero, Hedda idolises her Father but harbours her own political ambitions. She attempts to achieve these by influencing firstly her husband and later an admirer

A drama which starts quietly and humorously gradually builds to a riveting and terrifying climax.

Tickets can be purchased by ringing 03336 663 366; from the website Wharftheatre.co.uk and at the Devizes Community Hub and Library on Sheep Streetโ€ฆโ€ฆand donโ€™t forget to follow them on Instagram and Twitter

Weekly Roundup of Events in Wiltshire: 1st-7th September 2022

It might not be bank holiday, but itโ€™s not blank holiday, if you see what I mean? Nah, forget it; hereโ€™s whatโ€™s happening over the next week in Wiltshire.

Pinch punch, Thursday is the first of September, and Iโ€™ve got nothing, yet! Do keep a check when updates come into our event calendar, the one link you need for info on all the stuff below and for planning future events.

Friday 2nd is the Wax Palaceโ€™s Kaleidoscope Festival in Erlestoke, ravers, thereโ€™s also the End of the Road Festival, Salisbury way on the Dorset border, and the Punchbowl Festival in Codford.

Closer to us, The Devizes Living Room has a โ€œbloc-party,โ€ on the Green, all welcome. Potterne Social Club has People Like Us, The Roughcut Rebels play The Barge Inn at Seend Cleeve, Navajo Dogs are at The New Inn, Winterbourne Monkton.

Comedy at The Boathouse, Bradford-on-Avon with Sally-Anne Heywood.

And over in Swindon, youโ€™ll find the Groove Club Collective at The Vic, Mac N Cheese at the Queenโ€™s Tap, and The Total Stone Roses playing Level III.

Saturday 3rd, and itโ€™s the start of Salisbury Art Trail, running until 18th September.

Itโ€™s Malmesbury Carnival, the Melksham Food & River Festival, and Tripwire Presents Bristol Comic Con over the weekend. Lego fans check out The Cheese & Grain, Frome where thereโ€™s a Lego show and market, Brickinโ€™ It!

Editorโ€™s Pick of The Week

In Devizes itโ€™s Confetti Battle time, and the Colour Rush, yay! No tokens this year, so you will just need to line up to buy you confetti so arrive early to avoid the queues. Youโ€™ll still need to line up to collect your confetti prior to the 8pm kick-off.

As far as we know Devizes is the only town in the world that has a Confetti Battle tradition. No one can remember the first official battle but we know its roots date back to the old Devizes Carnival in 1913, where confetti and rose petals were thrown by the crowd at people in the procession. The tradition evolved into a fully-fledged battle around 1955 when it was started by Jim Jennings; should make it my editorโ€™s pick of the of the week really.

This year the Confetti Battle continues to grow and the colourful chaos has been added to with the introduction of the Colour Rush, an amazing 5 km mixed terrain fun run โ€“ what better way to arrive at a Confetti Battle than covered in multi-coloured powder!

There is no โ€˜battleโ€™ as such, just a very silly half-hour during which a lot of fun is had, and a lot of confetti is thrown about. Expect to get โ€˜attackedโ€™ by complete strangers throwing paper!  The Battle continues to gain popularity and 2017 saw over 3500 people take part. The event takes place at the finish line of our new Colour Rush 5k run so expect to see some exceptionally colourful visitors in the crowd.

Jennings funfair is in the Market Place on Friday 2nd September until Sunday 3rd of September operating between 5.30 pm until 11.00 pm.

The DOCA website says โ€œkeep your eyes peeled when collecting your confetti as one lucky person will receive a Golden Ticket in a confetti bag,โ€ it continues so say, โ€œthis will entitleโ€ฆโ€ and then it ends, so Iโ€™ve no idea what the golden ticket entitles you to! Maybe they need to keep their eyes peeled on their typos, but I guess theyโ€™re too busy making fun for us all, and I, for one, bless them for it.

Staying in Devizes for confetti free events, Jamie R Hawkins will be at The Southgate, while Paradox plays The Cellar Bar of the Bear Hotel. Tamsin Quin plays the Barge on HoneyStreet.

Wiltshire BKA Honey Bee Health Day at Market Lavington, some Carnival Music by Jenny Bracey at The Crown in Aldbourne. Local Heroes Inc play Prestbury Sports Bar, Warminster.

In Swindon Moonwire and Lung at The Vic, Dragon Eye at The Rolleston, Larkhill at the Queens Tap, Echo at Coleview Community Centre and Dreuw & Will Killen at The Hop Inn.

Sunday 4th September, and thereโ€™s a RSPCA fun dog show on the Green in Devizes, and the monthly residency of Jon Amor at the Southgate at 5pm, featuring guest Nat Martin.

Composer-pianist and creative coder, Larkhall will be taking his innovative live show to venues across the UK this year, he comes to Schtum in Box on Sunday, and playing Pound Arts in Corsham on the 9th.

White Horse Classic and Vintage Vehicle Show in Westbury, and Minety has a Beer & Cider Festival.  

Rainbow Fest at The Olive Tree Cafe in Swindon, promises crafts, live Music and poetry for ยฃ2 entry (under 12 free) with all funds going to charities supporting LGBQIA+. Meanwhile, local acoustic duo Sweet Nightingale play Queens Park.

And thatโ€™s your weekend, folks. Monday 5th sees a live art Demonstration by Artist Paul Oakley at Devizes Conservative Club, organised by the Lawrence Society of Art. And that for now is all I have for midweek, but I promise to do some digging and update the event calendar more often, pinky promise.

Okay, that leaves me with stuff to get prepared for, that means buying tickets, dammit! September 10th sees the Party For Life fundraiser at Melksham Town FC, details here, get yourself a ticket for this, raising funds and awareness of Suicide prevention.

Also, the Wharf Theatre opens for its Autumn/winter season with Hedda Gabler running from 9th to the 24th. Bath Children’s Literature Festival, Devizes Food & Drink Festival, Swindon Shuffle and Swindon Folk & Blues Festival; itโ€™s still happening, summer isnโ€™t throughโ€ฆ. yet!

And if you’ve still found nothing to interest you, stay in and listen to our new volume of the 4 Julia’s House compilation album, which we released last week. 35 amazing, locally-sourced songs, and all the proceeds go to Julia’s House Children’s Hospices; thank you!

Trending…

Opera Meets House at Devizes Full Tone Festival

Featured image above by Gail Foster

It has been undeniably a variety music show at the Full Tone Festival this bank holiday weekend on the Green in Devizes, of tremendous proportions and matchless quality.

The stage I’ve previous dubbed “like something out of the Jetsons,” was once again erected, deckchair city assembled around it, with a bustling collection of food and drinks stalls beyond, and the sun with his hat on, shining down on all the shiny happy people.

It is a remarkable achievement and something to be truly proud of, to have here in our humble market town. The Full-Tone Orchestra taking their show to prestigious venues like Bath Abbey and Marlborough College, returned home, looking even more professional than ever. Conductor Anthony Brown waving his hands around like manual control of the world’s air traffic; it was, in a word, magical.

Highlights came thick and fast, Dominic Irving thrilled, heading a Tchaikovsky concerto on piano, for an opening of obligatory classical elements. The stage emptied as Will Foulstone took control of the keys, solo. Full Tone platforms young talent, like TikTok trumpeter Oli Parker, on Sunday, to an audience majority unlikely to know what TikTok is. Similarly, Will performed some videogame themes among Coldplay and contemporary pop, which is better in reality than it sounds to my generation bought up on ZX Spectrums or Mega Drives!

Will’s finale was an astounding cover of Elton John’s I’m Still Standing, and the orchestra realigned for a concentration of movie scores, largely dependent on the western themes of the late Ennio Morricone; liked this.

Then, BBC Introducing DJ skateboarder, James Threlfall took to digital wheels of steel and blasted the zone, and across the road to the chippy, with a set of contemporary and commercial high-energy house; lights came on blazing like the Green was the Ministry of Sound. Here is where I need to revert to my reviewing template, which resides on two major contributories. One is, did the event appease me personally, the second, more importantly is, did it do what it said “on the tin,” i.e., was it everything it posed to be. For the latter, the Full Tone Festival 2022 hit top marks, without a doubt. I watched the joy on hundreds of faces, as they danced the night away to James and the following Full-Tone Orchestra set of “nineties smash hits.”

The grand finale of Saturday night was certainly intrenched with nostalgia, perfected by an orchestra where no penny was left unexpended, no rehearsal was spent playing tiddlywinks, where the professionalism is first rate and the atmosphere was nothing short of sublime. The Full-Tone Festival was superb last year, this time around comes the typical stigma of a sequel, the โ€œhow can we ever top that” enquiry, and I’ve a duty to be honest, based upon the imperative Saturday evening, I’m not completely certain they did, on personal reflection, you understand?

Image: Gail Foster

Song choice at this conjunction was the only thing which let it down, for me. Started off okay, the Britpop beginning I can tolerate, but as it progressed to the pop hits of S Club 7, Britney Spears and Cher’s I Believe, et al, these, for me, were the excruciating pop slush of a generation below; I detested them at the time, and retain said detestation.

It was a far cry from the club anthems of last year’s, because that’s the point where creatively, electronic music technology truly challenged the orchestra. But, sigh, it’s all subjective, I told you about the hundreds of faces, didnโ€™t I? They matter, it did what it said on the tin, with high gloss, it just wasn’t my cuppa.

Image: Gail Foster

I’m sorry I couldn’t make it to Sunday’s extension, we don’t all have bank holidays y’ know? But I can rest assured with the years of rock n roll experience of Pete Lamb’s Heartbeats, Kirsty Clinch’s angelic country vocals, and the fact Jonathan Antoine has been done BGT, it’d have been alright on the night.

Image: Gail Foster

Feedback on the orchestra’s big band showcase has been fantastic, with particular praise of vocalist Will Sexton. On opera, spellbinding local soprano who could turn even me to opera, Chloe Jordan, said, “it was my dream to sing ‘Song to the Moon ‘Resulka with an orchestra. Thank you so much to The Full Tone Orchestra for allowing that dream to come true!” And that, in a nutshell, is the kingpin to assessing this spectacular; if dreams come true there, you can’t argue how special an occasion it was.

Image: Gail Foster

Though the headcount was slightly lesser-so than last year’s, trouble to many events this, as a sad reflection on economic issues, here’s hoping this awesome weekend on the Green will be enough to convince Full Tone to make this a permanent fixture on our event calendar. Devizes loves you Full Tone, that much is certain.

Trending….

Skanking Up The Muck with The Omega Nebula

What an electric and energetic night of dub-fuelled goodness at the Muck & Dundar in Devizes, with Omega Nebula; I need a historical rewind toโ€ฆ

Wiltshire Music Centre; Proper Job!

Devizes celebrated rum bar, The Muck & Dundar are hosting a dub reggae night with Omega Nebula on Saturday, and received this weekโ€™s prestigious awardโ€ฆ

Snakebite Tune From The Dirty Smooth

Snotty nose, change of weather, otherwise Iโ€™d have dragged my sorry ass down to Underground, formerly Level III in Swindon for last weekendโ€™s Children inโ€ฆ

12 Bars Later at The Southgate

Could be a pub crawl, more likely the chord progression of blues, but my drunken jesting query met with a shrug from the guitarist, the name 12 Bars Later means either, whatever!

I might not have been so far from a truth, in that over this bank holiday 12 Bars Later nail four bars; played the Crown at Bishop’s Cannings Saturday afternoon, switched to The Southgate later, and Sunday it’s over to Calne to play the Talbot’s mini-fest at 2pm, and the Gurkha Baynjan Restaurant at 8. Given a few more days I reckoned they could’ve shaken the rafters of a further eight!

Why is this narrowboat three-piece Wiltshire blues band fully-booked for gigs this weekend? Proof in the pudding, arm twisted, I nipped to the Gate to find out for myself.

Arriving late due to FullTone, it was immediately obvious, jigging up to the bar like the crows in Dumbo, their sound in its simplicity is irresistible, their stage pressence is immediately likeable. Confident Female fronted bassist, Helen Carter, banters well with the slight crowd and has the gritty vocal range of Joan Jett, while drummer and guitarist work in unison,ย  and we’re grinding to some down and dirty electric blues.

Yet there’s something more universally appealing here, 12 Bars Later will hook any classic tune duck, and ease it out of the pool with a blues makeover. The prize on the butt of said duck for anyone who books them will be enthused and delighted punters. This could be because they were once known as The Blue Rose Band, a seemingly more function band type name.

So yeah, while Howlin Wolf, Muddy Waters and obviously apt Rolling Stones covers were adroitly delivered with passion and a deserved hard-edge, they applied the same ethos to some well-crafted originals, of which they’ve recently recorded for a forthcoming debut, and what was more for the supportive audience, sing-along covers like Elvis’ Burning Love, You Never Can Tell by Chuck Berry, and even Eddie Floyd’s Knock on Wood. The latter of which they amusingly claimed was “as close to disco as we get!”

It’s an appropriate rebranding, for a highly entertaining pub band; certainly floated my boat, and likewise the blossoming crowd at The Southgate, as FullTone closed and folk headed over. For me, as acomplished and professional the sound of a full orchestra pushing pop hits is, it was of a generation next, for me, and I couldn’t nostalgically relate to Britney and Spice Girls covers any more than I did at the time. The Southgate was my safe haven, and boy, 12 Bars Later fit there like a glove, cumulative to another fantastic night at our dependable best pub in Devizes for the down-to-earth music aficionado.

Richie Triangle; Imposter Syndrome

Coming around to Devizineโ€™s fifth birthday has got me reminiscing on how all this started in the first place, who is really to blame?! It wasnโ€™t Richie Triangleโ€™s fault, really, for he cannot help who comes to see him play, but as for our mainstay support of local live music, a hefty portion transpired from a rare occasion the better half and I dropped into the Black Swan and was surprised and blown away to hear some live music in town, this good.

Here’s the thing, there is and always was a lively music scene in Devizes, I know this now, but I went from the raver-clubber into parenthood and neither of them warrant the angle to have gone searching for a band in a pub, not that it was something I disliked, far from it. At the time my local rant column for Index;Wiltshire was becoming tiresome and heavily edited, it was time to spin it around, reflect on what was good about living in Devizes. Richie Triangleโ€™s residency at the Black Swan was the catalyst, and I ventured off to find Tamsin Quin, and the rest erupted from there.

Times move on, landlords of pubs do, and so did Richie, now residing on the Kent coast, yet, I still think we owe it to him to mention his latest album, Imposter Syndrome, released this week. Itโ€™s a far cry from the acoustic young man belting out Irish folk songs and pop covers in the same format. Richie is a force to be reckoned with, an intricately weaver of wordplay and original compositions, and if David Gray coined the term folktronica, Richie has epitomised it.

Here’s your for instance; twelve songs blending acoustic goodness into pop, with echo-delays of dub, an acapella intro with oddities of voice synthesisers, followed by The Tide, a modish-come-country angle, much in the flavour Elvis Costello, or what Jon Amor achieved with Red Telephone. From there thereโ€™s really no pigeonholing, Trying to Get Home rolls with a slither of old eighties soul-disco, and Richieโ€™s not afraid to add a rap.

It gets a deeper melting pot track by track, Hope in your Eyes, definitely electric blues rock, while Sign of Times, hints of electronica of yore. From there oneโ€™s ear settles on this wavering style, but thereโ€™s surprises again towards the ends, nothing is off the cards as folky goes rap and a non-compliance theme and jazzy piano bridge. Itโ€™s systematic, purposely blending and experimental, the finale characteristic of Adrian Sherwoodโ€™s On U Sound, who while Iโ€™m unsure if this is produced by them, Richie has worked with them in the past.

All I do know is, even if you recall attending Richieโ€™s regular gigs at the Black Swan as he camped out the back of the Devizes pub, or not, hereโ€™s a upcoming marvel, who once graced our town with his presence, and proved himself as a inimitable talent then, this album is a pleasure to listen to; itโ€™s long overdue you checked in on him again.

Trending…..

REVIEW โ€“ Skinny Molly @ LSBC, Devizes โ€“ Saturday 20th August 2022

What A Sell Out

Andy Fawthrop

Seems ages since we were last turning up at the Con Club for Long Street Blues, but last night the new Autumn/ Winter season began, and there we all were again.  And what a way to start, with a cracking US band and a ticket sell-out….

The place was, therefore, obviously packed out. Whilst it might suit the music โ€“ hot & sweaty โ€“I think itโ€™s time that the Con Club looked into installing some air-con.  Just like the The Homingโ€™s gig back in June, as part of the Devizes Arts Festival, the room was really stifling and airless.

Nevertheless we had some great entertainment to distract the huge crowd. ย First up were Koerie &ย Andy, a duo new to me, introduced by host Ian Hopkins as recently discovered busking. ย As might beย expected with such a heritage, they were a little raw and rough around the edges, but very effectiveย and entertaining for all that. ย Using guitar, vocals and harmonica, they delivered a string of covers,ย including โ€œWild Thingโ€ and โ€œShould I Stay Or Should I Go?โ€ ย The crowd gave them a good listen and aย good welcome, and hopefully weโ€™ll see them again.

But that was as nothing to the roar that went up went Skinny Molly finally hit the stage to start their 75-minute one-set performance.

This band, hailing mostly from Tennessee, is a major force on the US Southern Rock scene.  They were formed by guitarist/vocalist Mike Estes (formerly of Lynyrd Skynyrd and Blackfoot), original Molly Hatchet guitarist Dave Hlubek (who has since left the band) and drummer Kurt Pietro (who also played drums for Blackfoot).  By 2008, the line-up was solidified with the addition of Blackfoot guitarist/vocalist Jay Johnson and  Grand Ole Opry stalwart bassist Luke Bradshaw.  And this was the line-up featured last night.

Skinny Molly’s mantra is apparently “Never let one fan leave a show disappointed” and they set about trying to fulfil this promise right from the outset, with a string of rock-infused blues and country numbers. There was newer SM material, mixed in with some older Skynard classics, and some covers.  Freeโ€™s โ€œWishing Wellโ€ was perhaps a surprise, less so Steve Earleโ€™s โ€œCopperhead Roadโ€, but the biggest cheer of the night of course came about an hour in when they launched in to probably their biggest hit โ€œSweet Home Alabamaโ€.  But there was nothing one-dimensional about their material โ€“ we had a good old Southern gumbo of different ingredients, including southern rock, old country, blues, hard rock, and general Americana.

They built up the mood and the atmosphere, and there were soon plenty of folks rocking along and dancing. They kept the inter-song chat to a minimum, instead focusing of packing in as much music as possible, culminating in a standing ovation and well-deserved encore. I donโ€™t think anyone went home disappointed, so I guess they did exactly what they said on the tin.

Future Long Street Blues Club gigs:

Saturday 8th October 202-   Eddie Martin’s Big Blues Band

Friday 14th October 2022  Black Sabbitch (Corn Exchange, Devizes)

Saturday 5th November 2022  Robbie McIntosh Band

Friday 11th November 2022   Beaux Gris Gris & The Apocalypse (Corn Exchange, Devizes)

Saturday 19th November 2022   Hardwicke Circus and The Alex Voysey Trio

Friday 23rd December 2022  Gee Baby I Love You

Weekly Roundup of Events in Wiltshire: 24th โ€“ 31st August 2022

We canโ€™t wait until roundup Tuesday, when we usually roundup the weekly roundup, itโ€™s the last big summer blowout bank holiday, so weโ€™re 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 youโ€™re eager to get the ball rolling, 41 Fords play the Kilminton Home Guard Club in Warminster, entry by donation, and donโ€™t 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 thereโ€™s 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, thereโ€™s 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 Oโ€™Brianโ€™s in Bath on Friday, where Komedia have a night with The Ministry of Burlesqueโ€™s 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 theโ€ฆ.

Editorโ€™s Pick of Week: The Full Tone Festival, The Green, Devizes

Yep, you probably guessed it, itโ€™s 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 thereโ€™s a Mind, Body & Spirit Market. Thereโ€™s free live music all day at the Crown Inn, Bishops Cannings, with 12 Bars Later, Plan of Action, and Itโ€™s Complicated. Later, 12 Bars Later nip across to the Southgate, Devizes!

And where do I even begin elsewhere? Holt Scarecrow Trail begins, itโ€™s Aldbourne Carnival, a Rod Stewart tribute at The Pewsham, Near Chippenham, thereโ€™s 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 thatโ€™s 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 Harryโ€™s 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.

Thereโ€™s a mini fest at the Talbot in Calne with Six Oโ€™clock Circus, People Like Us, Wet Frank, End of Story and others.

LodgeFest aptly at Warminsterโ€™s 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, thereโ€™s always Milkshake live at the Wyvern.

If youโ€™re still standing in Devizes on Monday, 29th August, hereโ€™s what to doโ€ฆ. 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. Itโ€™s the Chippenham River Festival, thereโ€™s 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.

Iโ€™m sure thereโ€™s going to be more added as the week goes by, so keep up-to-date with our event calendar. Thatโ€™s the weekend forecast to date, though.

Tuesday 30th and Gently Tender play The Royal Oak in Marlborough, the regular Jazz Knights at Swindonโ€™s Royal Oak has the Kevin Figes Quartet, during the day thereโ€™s a Farmyard Circus at Queenโ€™s Park, and Russell Brand comes to the Wyvern.

Wednesday 31st, look out for the Wind in the Willows at the Corsham Almshouses, and phew, thatโ€™s me done, dusted and ready for a nap; have a great weekend!

Trending….

Devizes Library Hopes To Start Lego Club

Everything is awesome upon hearing that Devizes Library is hoping to start a regular Lego Club, and they are asking folk to donate unwanted Legoโ€ฆ

Shakespeare Live – Autumn Tour

An early and rarely-performed play, ‘Two Gentlemen of Verona’ has feisty heroines, lovelorn & bickering young men, dictatorial parents, foolish suitors, cross-dressing, letters galore, wildโ€ฆ

Waxinโ€™ the Palace; Chatting to the Man Who Convinced Wiltshire Council to Have a Rave!

All the local mainstream are on it like a fly on a turd, and the negativity of keyboard warriors is flowing fast and furious. Who am I to steer off the bandwagon, yet you know weโ€™ll handle the news Wax Palace obtained permission for a โ€œrave festivalโ€ to happen near Erlestoke with a slightly different angleโ€ฆ…

An angle much less based upon the fact your esteemed editor had a youth some indeterminable time yonder, where he gyrated in muddy fields with eyes like saucers, masticating the shit out of a Wrigleyโ€™s Doublemint, and more on the notion, I hope, that while we have a great music scene in these backwaters, there is little to tickle our younger residentโ€™s tastebuds. This then, is great news, surely?

But is raving still a progressive thing, or does it dabble largely in retrospection? And what exactly will this Wax Palace provide in the way of entertainment? Harry, one of the organisers, a man who unbelievably convinced Wiltshire Council, conservative at the best of times, to grant them permission to hold whatโ€™s best described, to avoid media confusion, as a โ€œrave festival;โ€ can he sell ice to Eskimos, or what?! In a short chat with him, I suspected he could.

He giggled at the question, โ€œweโ€™d do our best, thatโ€™s for sure! Itโ€™s been a bit of a task, but we got it through, and they seemed very with it, during the hearing.โ€ Throughout Harry projected himself as level-headed, reliably assured of the achievement of Kaleidoscope, the name of the event.

The first myth from the Gazetteโ€™s report to dispel is that these guys are bundling down from Yorkshire to ruin our peaceful community, when Harry explained the company is only registered there, and he lives close to Erlestoke himself. โ€œThe group who first run it were students in Leeds,โ€ he explained, โ€œbut weโ€™re very much Wiltshire born and bred.โ€ Herewith the reason for bringing it to Devizes.

Promoting this today is neither here nor there, theyโ€™ve a solid base and early bird tickets have already sold out for the estimated 800 strong event. โ€œThis is our third edition of the festival,โ€ he said with me interrupting about how to define it, โ€œit is very much a festival, but we hope it has the apogee of a rave, though licenced, as the articles have focused on. It started as one night event, next time it was two, now weโ€™ve got the full weekend, and our largest line-up yet.โ€

To spoil my queries of disambiguation, musically, Kaleidoscope will offer the whole range of rave subgenres, from house and disco to techno to drum & bass; โ€œyou name it will be there!โ€ But this only got me pondering the setup, if it would, as legendary pay-raves like Universeโ€™s Tribal Gatherings once attempted, to host each subgenre in a different tent. Because much as this appeased the then evolution of the diversity, it tended to clash into one immense noise when central! โ€œWe donโ€™t have genre-split tents,โ€ Harry clarified, โ€œtheyโ€™re split more-so by their set design. Weโ€™ve got three stages, one indoors, another outdoor, in which weโ€™re shaping out an old school bus for the DJโ€™s, which should be really fun.โ€

Harry jested jealously at me rapping about raves of yore like Universe, โ€œwe missed that golden era, but we very much like to be inspired by the ethos.โ€ This is great, though Iโ€™m trying to avoid an Uncle Albert moment where I preach on memory lane, but it does bring to question how niche is the market, does Harry think rave is either coming back, or it never really lost its appeal?

โ€œI think it is coming back, commercially, perhaps it did lose a bit of what it was meant to be. In the last few years, Iโ€™ve heard people referring to their club nights as raves. I think the term rave now covers something broader and less political than it did, originally.โ€ Harry hopes it does come back, encouraged to bring back those original values.

Though Iโ€™d suggest, rave was apolitical, it wasnโ€™t until government interjected with the Justice Bill post-Castlemorton which both forced it underground and for ravers to think politically. Originally it was solely a celebration of life, and to party, and that really was our only objective. Which neatly covers another misconception; we raved everywhere and anywhere, if it meant standing in a muddy field, or if it meant going clubbing, location was irrelevant, so long as we could blow off steam and dance!

And herein lies my pitch at why I think this is a fantastic addition to our local events, because if youโ€™re the first to complain about this, I sure hope youโ€™re not the same one whinging about acts of anti-social behaviour in youth culture. If Wax Palace can provide a safe haven for young to go and enjoy themselves, itโ€™s surely a positive.

Wiltshire Council were keen to label this a festival rather than a rave, as rave connotes to some to be an illegal, uncontrolled gathering. I say, this is the name of the genre, and doesnโ€™t relate to illegal gatherings at all. After the Justice Bill the scene became anarchistic in frustration to the restrictions, but it never began like this. There was a sense of one big family, a tribal movement, and it was all about smiles. This, I feel is an important point to reduce this common misconception, and something Harry was also keen to express. โ€œWeโ€™ve worked really hard to build a real sense of community,โ€ he explained.

Today, of course, the original ravers have come of age, and organisations like Raver Tots have marketed retrospection in the form of taking your kids to a rave, but throughout our chat I got the feeling the ethos of Wax Palace was much more progressive, about introducing “rave; the next generation,” and thatโ€™s good to hear. โ€œWe like the idea through the way we organise events and our approach will introduce the idea of raving to a market who are only just coming to an age where theyโ€™re able to go to clubs. So, itโ€™s nice to think we have the chance in shaping that impression they have. For a lot of people, this could be their first music festival, and for it to be local and described as a rave would be really exciting; exactly what Iโ€™d wish Iโ€™d have had in my village when I was 18.โ€

Tickets are here, Kaleidoscope takes place from 2nd-5th September.

Avoid negativity of misconceptions bought about by a bygone era, well organised and safe pay raves have happened since day dot, and providing youth with entertainment is paramount to building bridges; Wax Place, I salute you!

Trending….

Retro Relics Games Cafe Opening In Lavington

With a wide selection of family-friendly and retro board games, RPGs such as Magic the Gathering, Warhammer and Pokรฉmon,ย and serving tea, coffee, cakes and, oh,โ€ฆ

Citizenโ€™s Adviceโ€™s Plea for Funding From Local Councils as Wiltshire Council Slash Their Budget

Do you take Citizenโ€™s Advice for granted? For many itโ€™s a lifeline, the first port of call for any issues rising from legal, debt, consumer, and housing, yet Wiltshire Council has slashed ยฃ100k off its funding, about one-third of their budget. Makes you wonder why they ever dropped their slogan, โ€œwhere everybody matters,โ€ really, doesnโ€™t it?!

The independent organisation has been rallying local town and parish councils for support. A spokesman from Citizenโ€™s Advice was heard at the Devizes Town Council Committee Meeting on Tuesday 16th August, to plea for financial help.

The trade publication Third Sector states around 60% of Citizens Advice funding comes from government sources, but Citron contends thereโ€™s tension between Citizens Advice and the government, because while the charity relies on government funding to survive, itโ€™s most effective as a high-profile critic of government policy. As if the government has any policies worthy of criticism! But cuts like these forces the bureau to seek much more funding from other sources. Locally, theyโ€™re approaching major towns and parishes for support.

As well as rising prices, Devizes Town Council explained the spokesperson was keen to point out this was โ€œunfortunate in timing as they anticipated a rash of applications for help when the next raise in energy caps occurs, as well as coping with the other challenges of inflation.โ€

Councillor Ian Hopkins rightfully criticised the savagery of the cut and the timing, suggesting the town council โ€œwere not the authority to whom they should be appealing but, in suggestion a more rational approach, suggested an application in the autumn, prior to budget setting.โ€

Our local branch is situated in New Park Street, yet serves a wider community across villages and other local towns, so, Councillor Burtonโ€™s enquiry if funds would be spent on supporting Devizes people only could not be reassured by the spokesperson. She did however confirm they had received some responses offering various sums.

Councillor Hunter asked whether any other of their services could be redirected back to Wiltshire Council or other agencies. The representative confirmed that Age UK has been supportive but CAB remains the first port of call during which they hope to empower clients to follow up themselves, leaving it unlikely that Wiltshire Council would be impacted.

There was a surge amidst Devizes Town Council of favouring grants which would be kept for local use, but the councillor Hopkins suggested that ยฃ1,500 should be given, pending a more formal application for better funds, a proposal that was carried unanimously.

So, well done DTC, youโ€™re officially in my good books (were you ever not, you need ask?!) No, really, I’ve applied some Lynx Africa and I’m coming in for a group hug, asap! Citizens Advise is a sustenance for so many, providing free advice and help is essential even more in this day and age, yet itโ€™s a sad reality of a failing government when Citizenโ€™s Advise needs its own advice on how to fund itself.

Trending….

Swindon Rocks for Children In Need

Saturday 4th November Underground, 73 Commercial Road, Swindon, SN1 5NX Swindon’s biggest indie pop Talk In Code are working alongside Underground, based on Commercial Road in Swindon, ourโ€ฆ

Song of The Week: Meg

Quick one from me today, you’ll be happy to hear! Song of the week comes from Meg, dreamily expressing her romantic thoughts, hidden from theโ€ฆ

Wadworth Put Best Paw Forward with Wadwoof Walkies!

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 โ€˜lockdown 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 โ€˜thank youโ€™, a ceramic dog bowl personalised with their poochโ€™s name by Wadworthโ€™s 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 thatโ€™s guaranteed to get tails wagging at the finishing line.

TREATS FOR THE LEAD-HOLDERS

For the humans, thereโ€™ll 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.

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