The sun’s over the yardarm

GIN has become a fabulously popular tipple over the past few years, and now the UK’s first gin festival is visiting Swindon this weekend – with more than 100 gins to try.

Gin Festival Swindon will take place in the atmospheric surroundings of Steam, and as well as giving visitors a chance to try a huge variety of gins, there will be live music, great food and a gin cocktail bar.

Gin beginners and gin connoisseurs may enjoy gin masterclasses, and a chance to meet distillers in person, to try their brands and chat about the

gin.

On arrival, you will receive your own Gin Festival Copa Balloon glass and a guide to all the gins at the festival.

The bars operate a token system and do not take cash so you can buy £5 tokens, with each one paying for a single measure of gin, garnish and a Fever-Tree mixer.

The event takes place today from 6.30pm to 11pm, and Saturday from 12.30pm to 5pm and 6.30pm to 11pm.

The event is for anyone aged 18 and over and ID may be required.

Picture this

A FASCINATING exhibition of photographs explores life and times in Swindon between the wars.

Called Swindon in the Frame: The Woodfield Studio, 1915-1939, the pictures are part of a huge archive of some 3000 photographs taken by George Woodfield.

The photographs are a mixture of regular professional work, such as individual portraits, wedding couples and military shots, as well as more personal pictures, such as landscapes and pets.

The selection in display was chosen by curators at the museum, with the help of volunteers who have spent part of the summer cataloguing the collection.

From his studio in Old Town, he photographed people, pets, special events and local scenes.

The collection captures the individuals and families and their lives in atmospheric black and white shots.

The exhibition, at the Swindon Museum and Art Gallery, runs till December 30, 10am to 5pm and entry is free.

Rocking all over The Vic

POPULAR Status Quo tribute band State of Quo will be rocking Swindon at a concert tomorrow night.

State of Quo, billed as one of the longest-established and most popular Quo cover bands, will be playing at the Victoria pub in Victoria Road, with doors opening at 8.30pm

Originally formed in the mid-90s by rhythm guitarist Paul Carr, State of Quo plays some of the legendary hits from the 70s that made Quo one of the most popular bands in the world, as well as material from more recent albums, such as Heavy Traffic and Quid Pro Quo.

The tribute act plays as faithfully as possible to the original recordings and live performances.

Tickets are £6 in advance or £8 on the door.