Bunny hops in to bring Easter cheer

The Easter Bunny hopped into Swindon to give out free chocolate Easter eggs to youngsters and pose for photos in his specially-made Easter display.

There was also an Easter-themed arts and crafts workshop for little ones to design and make their own paper eggs and bunnies.

Mr Bunny met hundreds of happy children on his seat under an Easter egg tree surrounded by cushions shaped like hot cross buns and carrots

He'll be at the centre again today and tomorrow from 10am to 3pm on the upper level of the Plaza.

A spokesperson for the Brunel Shopping Centre said: "It's more successful than we expected and it's gone really well, there's a non-stop queue, it's been crazy.

"At one point, we saw 130 children in 40 minutes, and the crafts activity has been choc-a-block, it's encouraging that this has been so popular."

"When the Crossing opens in late June, more characters will be coming to the Brunel."

The props used to make the Easter Bunny's home were provided by New College Swindon students studying for their Level 2 NCFE. The Easter egg tree was made out of papier-mâché and twigs.

The themed arts and crafts are a regular event at the Brunel and are hosted by Creation Station, who also held a similar workshop for Mother's Day earlier in the year.

Over at GWH children's ward there were big smiles when some of the team from Nurse Plus Swindon turned up with armfuls of chocolate eggs to hand out to youngsters facing the Easter weekend on the ward.

Exciting Easter Services and Organ and Piano recital in refurbished Christ Church

Good Friday, 14th April Director of Music at Christ Church, Tim Eyles, will be giving a special Holy Week recital from 7-8 pm. Free entry.

Tim will also give a debut performance on piano. Entry is free, with a retiring collection in aid of the Development and Renewal of the Christ Church building.

The program includes: Passiontide music on the organ, with chorale preludes by composers such as JS Bach, Parry, Dupre and Demessieux. There will also be a thrilling piece by Bristol based composer David Bednall, showing the full range of sounds of the organ.

On piano Tim will play: First Arabesque by Debussy, Ariette by Grieg and the Prelude and Fugue in D minor by JS Bach from the second book of the 48 preludes and fugues.

Director of Music Tim Eyles says: “I have not played the piano in public since my schooldays. Although it’s nerve wracking being under the spotlight, it’s a joy to share some of my piano repertoire.”

Vicar Simon Stevenette says: “Tim’s concert is a wonderful way to celebrate Jesus’ resurrection, for people to hear some sublime Passiontide music, and another way the people of Swindon can enjoy the result of all the work of recent weeks. At this time of renewal it is particularly fitting Christ Church is again open with a fresh look.”

Exciting Easter Services

During Holy week we are refocusing on our purpose as a Christian community with a lively programme. Our services are for the whole of our community, so if you are curious, or have doubts or questions about faith please come along.

Wherever you are on your spiritual journey we at Christ Church with St. Mary’s welcome you.

PTO

Good Friday Noon-3 pm

Meditation on Jesus' last words at the Cross led by Revd Richard Inglesby at Christ Church, with a children’s workshop in the community centre 2-3 pm.

Saturday 15th April

7pm Easter Vigil Welcoming the Resurrection, at Christ Church.

Easter Day 16th April

5.30am Partnership Easter celebration at Holy Rood with Godfrey Room preaching.

8am Holy Communion

9am Holy Communion at St Mary's, Commonweal Road

10am Family Holy Communion with Easter egg hunt

3.30- 5.30pm Family Fun at Messy Church in King William Street School. There will be fun, crafts, songs and worship and, of course, a delicious afternoon tea - there may even be chocolate!

6.30pm Easter Praise in Christ Church.

More information: www.christchurchswindon.co.uk

Contact details:

Please contact Tim if you wish to take a photograph before 1pm today.

Tim Eyles: Tel. 486581, mob. 07817 361681

Any other enquiry: Helen Parker-Drabble, Parish Administrator, Tel. 522832

For information Vicar Simon Stevenette is in Bristol this morning.

“17 students headed to our local care home to spread some Easter cheer this afternoon before school ended for the holidays. The students, selected following auditions for various events all performed brilliantly and received raptuous applause from the residents and staff of Springfield Court.

For some of the year 7 students it was their first performance representing Commonweal and they took it all in their stride.

Before leaving, the students presented many of the residents with bunches of daffodils as an Easter gift to brighten up their rooms,” said Ali Sutcliffe – head of performing arts

Fill events from Flicky's list

Good Friday

Footloose, 7.30pm, Wyvern Theatre, Theatre Square, Swindon. £18 to £20. 01793 524481. The all-singing, all-dancing musical about city boy Ren who is forced to move to Bomont, an American town that has banned dancing. It isn’t long before Ren can’t resist breaking the rules and he’s not alone! With a full professional set & live orchestra, cutting-edge choreography and classic hits including Holding Out for a Hero, Almost Paradise, Let’s Hear It For The Boy and of course the unforgettable title track Footloose. Presented by Tanwood Youth Theatre.

Easter at Steam, 11am, STEAM, Fire Fly Avenue, Swindon. 01793 466637. This Easter holiday the Museum is bursting with things to see and do for all the family! Among story-telling displays, you’ll find legendary steam locomotives, including King George V and City of Truro, a train simulator, interactive Signal Box and oodles of hands-on exhibits. A collection of working vintage slot machines in our Seaside Pier area completes your round trip, about two hours in all. Join the fun activity challenge 'Bigger, Better, Faster'! to mark 'KGV90' - the 90th Birthday of loco legend, King George V! Easter challenge, at 11am, (Age guide: 6-12 yrs). Join the challenge to make a car and try to get on to leader board for the furthest distance travelled. On every day.

Wroughton Country Market, 9am, Ellendune Community Centre, Barrett Way, Wroughton. Free entry. 01793 638240.

Light Between the Trees, 9am, Westonbirt The National Arboretum, (A433 three miles south east of Tetbury). 01842 814612.This spring take in some beautiful artwork in the picturesque setting of the Great Oak Hall at Westonbirt Arboretum. Artists Caroline Payne and Lorna Hitchen's will be exhibiting their superb paintings of Westonbirt, dogs and all things relating to our beautiful countryside.

Wroughton Choral Society: Good Friday Choral Devotion, 7.30pm, St Joseph's Catholic Church, High Street, Wroughton. Bob Chilcott: Requiem Jan Disma Zelenka: Miserere Soloists: Robert Felstead (tenor), Kate Leedham (soprano), Angela Breakspear (soprano). directed by John Henderson.

Saturday

Meet the Railway Workers, 10am, STEAM, Fire Fly Avenue, Swindon. Free with standard admission. 01793 466637. Take this amazing opportunity to meet real GWR engine drivers and signalmen who will show you the controls and bring the great railway story to life. Just head for No. 4073 Caerphilly Castle and you’ll find friendly STEAM volunteers to welcome you aboard! Children also get a special GWR certificate when they ‘change the points’ in STEAM’s authentic GWR signal box.

Purton and District Age Concern Easter Market, 9am, Outside Pavenhill shops, Pavenhill, Purton. free. 01793 770696. Easter Market will include sausage tasting, bric-a-brac, cakes, books, Easter items, bargains and a raffle.

Weird Wiltshire Art Exhibition, 11am, The Richard Jefferies museum, Marlborough Road, Swindon. free. 07768917466. An exhibition of myth, magic and mystery in Wiltshire, over 40 local artists interpret the theme of Weird Wiltshire.

The Homecoming - Professional & Amateur Boxing Show, 4pm, Pro: Direct Play at PlayFootball Swindon Indoor, Bramble Road Kembrey, Swindon. £10 to £60 per ticket. 01793 833468. An exciting night of Professional and Amateur boxing event featuring 8 professional and 5 amateur fights. Professional fights includes Top 10 UK ranked boxers and the Amateurs feature recent Schoolboy National Champions.

From the Jam, 7.30pm, Meca, Regent Circus, Swindon. 0845 293 8480.‘40th Anniversary Tour 1977 – 2017’ Featuring Bruce Foxton &

Wings & Talons - Wiltshire Falconry Experience Days, 9am, Lacock, Reybridge, near Lacock. 01249 661533 On all week

Easter Sunday

The Great Lydiard Park Easter Egg Trail, 10am, Lydiard Park, Lydiard Tregoze, Swindon. £4. 01793 466664. Hop into Easter at Lydiard Park! The trail begins at the Coach House Activity Centre and will take you round the lakes, woodlands and lawns. Search for clues hidden around the park to claim your Easter surprise.

Easter Sunrise Service, 5.30am, Old Holy Rood, Old Town, Swindon. Free. 01793 536815. A chance to enter the old Holy Rood Church in Old Town for a special Easter Sunrise service as the birds sing in Easter Day.

Faringdon Folly Tower and Woodland, 11am, Faringdon Folly Tower and Woodland, Stanford Road, Faringdon. Adults £3, 11-16s £1, Under 11s Free 0845 475 8386. This unique unusual 100ft tower is Faringdon’s icon and the last major folly to be built in England. It sits on Folly Hill, within a charming circular 4 acre woodland of splendid Scots Pine and broadleaf trees, some more than 200 years old. Check out the fantastic views over 5 counties and find out about the history of Folly Hill, Henry James Pye (of Sing a Song of Sixpence fame), Oliver Cromwell and the very eccentric Lord Berners (the creator of the tower). There are many fun things to do in the woodland. Seek out the 24 black birds and giant willow pie, Cromwell’s cannon, the fairly useless bridge, Lord Berners in a tree, a fairy house and a variety of birds and animal sculptures lurking among the trees. You might even see a troll, or a giraffe - but please do not feed him’ The Tower is open from April to October on the first and third Sundays of the month The woodland is always open and entry is Free Book the Tower for your own event www.faringdonfolly..org.uk Boat Trip on the Kenavon Venture, 2.30pm, Kenavon Venture, Devizes Wharf, Devizes. Adult £6. 00, Seniors £5. 00, Children (5-15) £4. 00. 01380 721279.Every Saturday, Sunday and Wednesday from the 1 April to 29 October 2017. Also an additional trip on Thursdays at 2.30pm during the summer school holidays

Monday, April 17

Easter Cycle Orienteering, 10am, Richard Jefferies Museum, Marlborough Road, Swindon. Free event. 07962 118849. Hop on your bikes this Easter to explore Swindon's cycle paths with a cycle orienteering challenge! Choose between 1, 2 or 3 hour rides (must be finished by 3pm). Collect orienteering points along the way and hand your points cards in at the checkpoint when you finish - prizes awarded for the three highest scores in each time category. All you need is a roadworthy bike, but we have volunteers on site to check it's safe to ride. We also recommended that you carry a pump and a spare inner tube or puncture repair kit just in case! The Richard Jefferies Museum are kindly hosting us and providing some lovely homemade cakes and refreshments. They'll be lots on site to enjoy if your legs are tired from cycling. So come along and find out how easy it is to get around Swindon by bike. Sign up in advance and collect a free goodie bag from Richard Jefferies on the day! There will be limited on-the-day entries. Sign up here: http://bit. Ly/2mf9YNB Lock Experience Boat Trip, 2.30pm, Kenavon Venture, Devizes Wharf, Devizes. Adults £6. Seniors £5. Child (5-15) £4. 01380 721279. Bank Holiday Mondays at 2.30pm and Wednesdays during the summer school holidays at 11am we are going through some locks. The trip takes about 2 hours. We leave from Devizes Wharf and head west through 3 locks to the Black Horse Public House where we turn and return. We pass through 3 locks down and 3 locks back. Children under 5 years of age travel free.

Miniature Railway Train Rides, 1pm, Great Bulkington Railway, Mill Lane, Bulkington Village, Devizes. £1. 01380 828101. The private miniature railway will be open for ‘diesel’ powered train rides for adults and children of all ages. Light refreshments will be served by the Ladies of Christ Church in the village hall in aid of church funds. Google ‘Great Bulkington Railway’ for demo video.

There is a thousand feet of railway track, a 40 foot long tunnel and lots of workings signals. We have ride on carriages for our passengers - all profits will go to Wiltshire Air Ambulance.

Vintage Motorcycle Club Jumble Sale, 9am, Lotmead Farm, Wanborough. £1. 01793 790137.

Tuesday 18/04/2017

Dick and Dom, 6pm, Wyvern Theatre, Theatre Square, Swindon. £15. 01793 524481. The legends of Children’s TV, Dick and Dom are about to be unleashed on Swindon! Touring the UK in a show that promises to get the whole family on their feet, the performance will be full of madcap challenges and audience participation games that will guarantee to have you in stitches. This is a show you won’t want to miss! The BAFTA winning stars of such memorable shows as Diddy TV, Absolute Genius with Dick & Dom, The Legend of Dick & Dom and of course Dick & Dom in Da Bungalow will be live on stage and bringing their unique bundle of fun and anarchy to life! And 2pm matinee Hansel and Gretel, 11am, Arts Centre, Devizes Road, Old Town, Swindon. £13. 01793 524481. Two children go on a journey of bravery and discovery to an enchanted forest, where all is not quite as it seems… Will Hansel and Gretel be able to use their wisdom, love for their family and, above all, courage, to fend off the Wicked Witch and find their way home? Will the Gingerbread Man get lost in the house made of sugar, spice and all things nice? What secrets and surprises does the forest hide? Courtyard Productions bring this classic tale of mystery, intrigue and magic to life through a blend of interactive puppetry, original song and humour. Directed by David Durant, this show will delight and excite children over two years old and will charm young and old alike. And 2pm matinee on both days Easter Half Term Bounce, 10am, MECA, Regent Circus, Swindon. 0844 579 3322. Bouncy Castles (up to 10yrs) Inflatable Obstacle Course (up to 10yrs) Toddler Soft Play (0-4yrs) 0-6 Months - Free Under 4's - £4 4 Plus - £6 Adults.

Wednesday 19/04/2017

Art Club, 11am, Artsite, The Post Modern, Theatre Square, Swindon. 07910959036. £5 per session.

Hansel and Gretel, 11am, Arts Centre, Devizes Road, Old Town, Swindon. £13. 01793 524481. Two children go on a journey of bravery and discovery to an enchanted forest, where all is not quite as it seems… Will Hansel and Gretel be able to use their wisdom, love for their family and, above all, courage, to fend off the Wicked Witch and find their way home? Will the Gingerbread Man get lost in the house made of sugar, spice and all things nice? What secrets and surprises does the forest hide? Courtyard Productions bring this classic tale of mystery, intrigue and magic to life through a blend of interactive puppetry, original song and humour. Directed by David Durant, this show will delight and excite children over two years old and will charm young and old alike. And 2pm matinee on both days.

Dinosaur World, 1.30pm, Wyvern Theatre, Theatre Square, Swindon. £15.50. 01793 524481. Dare to experience the dangers and delights of Dinosaur World in this interactive new for show all the family (ages 3+). Grab your compass and join our intrepid explorer across unchartered territories to discover a pre-historic world of astonishing (and remarkably life-like) dinosaurs. Meet a host of impressive creatures, including every child’s favourite flesh-eating giant, the Tyrannosaurus Rex, a Triceratops, Giraffatitan and Segnosaurus, to name a few! Book now for this entertaining and mind-expanding jurassic adventure, live on stage! Tickets: £15.50 Danger Zone: £18. Family of 4 (must include 1 adult): £14.50 each (exc. Danger Zone) Wednesday 19 Apr 2017 at 1.30pm Thursday 20 Apr 2017 at 11:00am Thursday 20 Apr 2017 at 2pm

Thursday April 20

King Arthur Day, 10am, Oxenwood Outdoor Education Centre, Oxenwood, Marlborough. £30. 01264 731274. Looking for a fun day out for the young ones over the Easter Holidays? Come join us at Oxenwood Outdoor Education Centre spending a day living the adventure of King Arthur!! A fun, informative and action packed day!

Tea & Tour, 2pm, Wyvern Theatre, Theatre Square, Swindon. £10/£15. 01793 524481. After sell-out dates last season, we are thrilled to be continuing with our Tea & Tour packages. Let our expert guides lead you behind the curtain to explore the backstage secrets of show business. Tread the boards and see the auditorium from the stars’ point of view. After your tour, relax and enjoy a delicious afternoon tea created by our hospitality team. Tours begin at 2pm, followed by afternoon tea at approximately 2.45pm. Available for pre-bookings only. Please let Ticket Office know of any mobility or dietary requirements at the time of booking. Tour and Afternoon Tea: £10 per person Tour and Champagne Afternoon Tea: £15 per person

Textile Craft Break, Lower Shaw Farm, Old Shaw Lane, Swindon. £175 (Includes 3 nights’ accommodation). 01793 771080. Immerse yourself in a tactile world during this long weekend. The warm and friendly atmosphere of a small group will be conducive to creativity! Learn the art of needle felting (sculpting using wool and a barbed needle), to make toys, pincushions or small sculptures. We will also use this technique two dimensionally to make a picture, embellish clothes or a hat, or to make decorative repairs to holes in jumpers. You will learn embroidery stitches, which you can use creatively to make a work of art, or up-cycle a garment. Towards the end of the course we combine some of the techniques, and incorporate beads, to make wearable textile jewellery. No previous experience necessary. Tools provided. £20 charge for materials. All weekend

Friday April 21

Alice in Wonderland, 1:00pm, Arts Centre, Devizes Road, Old Town, Swindon. £13. 01793 524481. Follow Alice and the White Rabbit as they set off on a colourful, topsy-turvy adventure like no other and meet a host of outlandish characters including the troublesome twins, Tweedle Dum and Tweedle Dee, the notorious Queen of Hearts, the Cheshire cat and of course, the Mad-as-a-bat-Hatter! Immersion Theatre proudly bring their trademark energy to their most spectacularly bonkers show to date, as children and adults alike are invited to join in the hilarity of seeing this classic story brought vividly to life before having the opportunity to meet the characters after the show…why not come dressed up as your favourite? A perfect day out for the entire family, you’d be mad to miss it! And 4pm.

April Working Weekend, Lower Shaw Farm, Old Shaw Lane, Swindon. Free. 01793 771080. This is a chance to get to know the farm, turn your hand to old jobs and new, enjoy good company and good food too! An opportunity to have bright ideas by the compost heap, happy talk in the hen house, and cool chat in the kitchen. Join us to prove that many hands make light work and that today’s stranger is tomorrow’s friend. Our Working Weekends are run in the beautiful spirit of the WWOOF organisation: we feed and accommodate you, you work, with us. For more information on WWOOF, see www.wwoof.org.uk.