Page 23 - link magazine

Swindon Widendon Wide 23
Swi

Making culture the X factor
in Swindon So Elegant
Swindon is alive with cultural activities if you think as widely as the town’s
head of culture Helen Miah.
ARRIVING SOON!
New Autumn & Winter ranges
Look stunning for your Dinner Dance,
Christmas Party or Formal Cruise.
Take time-out and choose early.
Mother of the Bride or Groom &
Bridesmaids outfi ts in stock. Sizes 6 - 24
94 Basepoint, Rivermead Drive, Westlea, Swindon
01793 608822 www.so-elegant.co.uk
Opening times: Tues & Wed 11am - 5pm Thur & Fri 11am - 6pm Saturday 10am - 5pm

Taking a different view at the Swindon Summer Festival, Helen Miah, left,
with Stuart Webb, Culture Business & Development Manager and Swindon
Council’s leader Rod Bluh and deputy Fionula Foley. Photo: Mark Pepperal
“I think we need to change the wants to persuade more people to
perception of people outside the set aside their cynicism and get
town so they take another look at involved. She said that the benefi ts
Swindon; but people inside the town are tremendous, as seen from the
also need to look differently at the young people who take up the many
place they live in,” said Helen. opportunities provided by Arts-
Her position embraces arts cen- mad, Flux and Create Studios.
tres, festivals and events, visual arts Her remit is to make culture
and partnerships and contracts with visible, valued, enjoyed and eas-
organisations including the Wyvern ily accessed by the people of
Theatre and Swindon Dance. She Swindon. Helen is also involved in
is also responsible for the heritage fi nding a permanent home for the
portfolio which includes museums, Swindon Collections and she is
art galleries and Lydiard House working to ensure that culture is a
and park. central feature in the town centre
Helen, who was previously Arts redevelopment. “I’m just one person Madness Tribute
Services Manager, said that there in a much bigger system but I want Friday 26th September 2008
was much to celebrate already, in- to be a conduit for ideas; bringing This has to be the liveliest, energetic and fun
cluding the Mela and Swindon Sum- people together and pushing ideas packed show you are ever likely to see!
mer Festival. And she is pleased with forward.” Right from the opening number the venue
the importance placed on arts and Helen said she is looking at how starts rocking. Complete Madness has the
culture by Swindon Council. the council can work with large ability to whip-up any crowd from the word
“There is very strong political sup- organisations to put on big events GO! and cascade all of the nuttiest sounds
port,” she said. “The leader of the again. It is four years since the last around onto the excited, expectant audience.
council Rod Bluh understands that Wiltshire Festival at Lydiard Park.
culture is the X Factor for the town Since then, it has not been possible
and this recognition that the arts are to fi nd commercial backing. Status Quo Tribute
a good thing for the community is a There are ambitious plans for the Friday 24th October 2008
tremendous endorsement of what I future, with a huge event planned An adrenaline charged set sees the band
and others are trying to do.” for 2010. Helen won’t reveal details, crash their way through Quo’s best known
Swindon is one of only three lo- other than the working title: Swindon hits. Any temptation to ‘lighten up’ has been
cal authorities in the South West to Culture Thing. But she guarantees fi rmly resisted. What you get is Heads Down,
No-Nonsense Boogie. Counterfeit Quo have
set itself the target of improving the that it will raise the town’s profi le been given the seal of approval from Quo’s
cultural life of their authority and the big time. very own Francis Rossi and Rick Parfi tt
arts have been included among 35 www.swindon.gov.uk/artsandcul-
performance indicators, enshrined ture Dance to your favourite tribute artist and disco
in the Local Area Agreement Tickets are £35.00 per person and include a set 4 course candle lit dinner
Conscious that culture is a mis- Annual General Meeting Doors Open at 8.00pm. (Not suitable for children)
used word, Helen said that for her of Swindon Ocotal Link Why not meet your party in Carrie’s Bar for a pre-dinner drink?
it covers everything from gardening Friday 12 September, 7.15pm
to reading, cooking, visiting histori- Even Swindon Community
cal sites and galleries. She wants Centre, Jennings Street
people to realise that the arts and
culture are part of everyone’s life, Rodbourne
and that sharing an arts event with Celebrating Swindon’s link
family and friends improves the at- with Nicaragua
mosphere of the town immensely. Refreshments available.
As well as trying to remove physi- For details call Bruce Clarke
cal barriers to participation, Helen on 533338

21-52 September 08.indd 23 21/8/08 11:14:11