Page 20 - link magazine

Swindon Wide

guide to live music in Swindon through May

Now that we are all getting over amongst the flock.
being stuffed with easter eggs and And the fun at the Arts Centre
loud noises from VicFest in April doesn't stop there, with Pete Brown,
(which was incredible by the way) son of Rock’n'Roll veteran Joe, and
we can get ourselves prepared for his new and wonderfully talented
another monthly jaunt through the bluegrass band The NewGrass
live music offerings in Swindon. Cutters, returning to entertain fans
But firstly, are you one of those in the town on 27 May.
people who has always watched The One for the pop-punk kids in the
Voice on TV and thought "I could town now; Boston Manor will be at
have a go at that"? Level III on 24 May. Support comes
Then May is your chance as Level taking to the stage as only he will be welcoming those 'teenage from tour buddies Casey, the always
III on Commercial Road hosts an knows how. Known for his overly dirt-bags' Wheatus for a show that impressive local rockers A Way With
Open Mic audition to appear on this energetic performance on The Old will likely go down in Swindon's Words and the travelling genius
year's show, taking place on 5 May. Grey Whistle Test back in 1977 musical history books. known as Heartwork. This is another
Bring your instrument, a few songs (where he managed to leap onto Swindon Arts Centre will be in one of those Sheer Music shows, so
and, of course, your voice to be part an amplifier and land precariously full flow on 14 May as the Swing you know it'll be quality.
of this popular TV phenomenon. straddling a large wooden box) Birds return, flying in to celebrate To keep your finger on the musical
Mixing things up a little at The Otway has never really calmed the anniversary of their sell out pulse in Swindon and further afield,
Victoria on 12 May, cult hero John down. Seen to be believed. performance last time in Swindon. pick up your copy of The Ocelot in
Otway will be bringing his chaotic Keep something left in the tank An all-female Big Band with venues at the end of each month, or
live show to Swindon once again, though, as on 16 May The Vic legendary drummer Crissy Lee head to: www.theocelot.co.uk

A plaque for the Health Hydro

By Graham Carter of Swindon Mechanics’ Institute in the same
Heritage magazine year, the baths saw the completion
The Health Hydro is back in the of the social development of New
news - but this time for all the Swindon, where workers had access
right reasons. to facilities that were far better
Controversially earmarked, earlier than their counterparts in other
this year, for conversion into flats industries or other towns and cities. be a result of the benevolence of of heritage, and the blue plaque
by current occupiers, Greenwich In a period when most of the railway company, the baths, is a chance for them to turn their
Leisure Ltd, the former Milton Road Britain’s workers had no access to like the Mechanics’ Institute, passion into something positive.
Baths, which opened in 1892, is the permanent washing baths, let alone were actually down to the vision And it will go hand-in-hand
latest focus of Swindon Heritage’s swimming baths, in Swindon they and co-operation of the workers with planners’ new vision for the
blue plaque scheme. could even enjoy Turkish baths. themselves, financed by the town's future, which now sees old
We've launched a crowdfunding The concept of the new building Medical Fund they paid into. buildings as an asset, rather than a
page to raise the £400 required to was decades ahead of its time, However, the materials and the liability.
cast and install a plaque on the combining leisure and wellbeing skills to put the building up came According to Forward Swindon, in
building - the fifth in the series. facilties with medical provision, from the Works, including the their released Masterplan Review
Project manager Noel Beauchamp housing consulting rooms and a bricks, trusses for the roof, and and Delivery Plan: “Expectations
said: “Our first four plaques, modern dispensary. magnificent stained glass windows of Swindon will only be fulfilled
which honoured a pioneering Thanks to the boarding-over and doors, designed by a Mr Rice, when the town’s internationally
suffragette, two war heroes and a of the pool, the building was an employee in the Works. The significant heritage quarter is
film star, underlined the breadth of also adapted for other uses over water was supplied via a tunnel perceived to be fully restored and
Swindon’s amazing heritage, but the years, including a makeshift that ran from the Works, under making a dynamic contribution.”
we thought it was time to return to hospital in the First World War, a the Railway Village and into the To donate to the Health Hydro
our railway roots for the next one. concert venue, a rollerskating rink basement. blue plaque fund, visit www.
“It is of national importance and to host dances. As you might expect from crowdfunder.co.uk/blue-plaque-for-
because of its links with the birth It is nationally important because Victorian baths, the sexes were the-gwr-medical-fund-hq-baths
of the NHS, but it also has huge it was the headquarters of the segregated, with men swimming Crowdfunding pages for two
significance in local history. GWR Medical Fund, which would in the main pool, and the smaller further plaques, honouring
“And there couldn’t be a better have a key role to play in the pool, which is currently out of use, Swindon-born author Ralph Bates
time to put it back on the map, formation of the NHS, providing a reserved for women and children. and Sam Allen, the first manager
with this year marking the 125th blueprint for the health revolution The debate over the future of of Swindon Town Football Club,
anniversary of its opening.” that followed World War Two. the Health Hydro has highlighted have also been set up. See www.
Along with the extension of the Although commonly assumed to people’s concern over the handling swindonheritage.com for details.
20 swindonlink.com n May 2017

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