Page 31 - link magazine

Swindon Wide

Some words about love by a bleak Welsh poet in a world in Do you have a love poem that
Poetry column by Poetry Swindon’s Thomas. He was a big influence servitude to time. resonates for you?
Maurice Spillane on me as a young poet. I heard She was young; The Swindon Poetry Festival is
him read back in the 90s, though I kissed with my eyes coming soon. We have several
I cycled across Wales he read as if he preferred to be closed and opened events reaching out to the
with four friends elsewhere. them on her wrinkles. community. If you fancy reading
from Shrewsbury to He was an ardent nationalist and ‘Come,’ said death, a favourite poem, come along to
Aberystwyth recently. promoted the burning of English choosing her as his ‘Poems Aloud’ at Central Library on
It was stunningly holiday homes in Wales – and he an partner for Thursday 29 September at 10am, or
beautiful and everyone we met was Anglican cleric. And yet, for all his the last dance. And she, just come along and listen. It’s free.
friendly and chatty. misery, he wrote this most beautiful who in life Join me and my friends for an
Poets and poetry came up in love poem, ‘A Marriage’: had done everything evening of poetry and music at
conversation, as they always do We met with a bird’s grace, Savernake Community Hall on
in strange places. The friendliness under a shower opened her bill now Friday 30 September at 7pm. It will
we met was contrasted with the of bird-notes. for the shedding be the best fiver you ever spent.
taciturn bleakness and dourness Fifty years passed, of one sigh no Book soon as it’ll be a sell-out!
of my favourite Welsh poet, R S love’s moment heavier than a feather. www.poetryswindon.org

Heritage that holds traction

The 101-year-old Earl Kitchener is returning to Swindon for a ‘reunion’ of
Strandz
traction engines (Courtesy of Carl Brown/Colin Hatch)
will put the emphasis on the steam-
History column by Graham Carter driven beasts that powered the rides Unit 72 Pembroke Centre
of Swindon Heritage magazine Cheney Manor, Swindon SN2 2PQ
and were also used to pull them
from venue to venue. Likewise,
Local history fans should stand Barnes used engines to haul timber. By Sue
by for a weekend of treats on 10 The engines on display will include ◆ Your local family hairdresser
and 11 September as the town the majestic 101-year-old Earl
celebrates both Swindon 175 and Kitchener and the even older Joe ◆ 25% discount for Seniors
the annual Heritage Open Days. Chamberlain, which was restored in Call now for an appointment Sheralee, Emi and Julie
STEAM’s annual Swindon Railway 2011, complete with its distinctive
Festival will draw crowds from towering crane jib. on 01793 871120 Tel: 01793 616668
across the country on both the Colin Hatch, a heritage steam or 07967 363322 Open Tuesday to Saturday
Saturday and Sunday, especially engineer from Wanborough, who, HOME VISITS AVAILABLE Late nights • Free parking
model train enthusiasts. earlier this year, built the replica Cash or cheque only
And this year the event will have Swindon Works hooter, is organising
extra local interest as it hosts this part of the event. As well as
a unique ‘reunion’ of Swindon the Edwards/Barnes reunion, he has
traction engines. At least eight will also mustered four locally owned
attend the festival. engines, including his own, to see
All were once owned by either up-close. There will also be displays
EJ Barnes or R Edwards & Sons - by Frank Edwards, The Swindon
and sometimes both, as the timber Society and Swindon Heritage.
merchants at Rushey Platt and the With the traction engines being
fairground showmen often bought stabled at Wanborough in the days
and sold engines between them. leading up to the festival, people
Ferndale Road-based Edwards should look out for information
were nationally renowned for their about their procession to STEAM
impressive travelling fair rides, through the streets of the town,
several of which are at Devon’s which is always an impressive sight.
Fairground Heritage Centre. See Heritage Open Days:
But the festival, which is open Railway Cottage p.25
from 10am to 5pm on both days, St Mary’s Church p.10
swindonlink.com n September 2016 31

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