AN iconic Swindon venue has fallen into disrepair despite being regularly used for summer concerts.

Now Swindon 105.5 manager Shirley Ludford has started a campaign to get the Old Town Bowl in the Town Gardens cleaned up and restored to its former glory before the next batch of big events are held over the coming weeks.

Shirley compered a festival at the Bowl last weekend and was shocked when she saw how much parts of it had deteriorated.

She said: “Everything was covered in mould and dust.

“It’s not been locked after for quite some time but it’s exceedingly well-used by the public and it’s held up as somewhere special for people to visit.

“As a Swindon-born person, I value our heritage and feel very saddened that such a facility set in beautiful gardens is not regarded highly enough to ensure it has regular love and attention.”

When Shirley took pictures of particularly poor parts of the venue and posted them on Facebook, she received several comments from members of the public, former councillors and an ex-mayor.

Claire Ellis, Conservative councillor for Old Town, said: "Following the request to clean up the Bowl, I've spoken with Robert Buckland MP and Parish Councillor Nick Burns Howell, we are going to organise a clean-up this week"

Former Event Manager for Swindon Borough Council

David Hoar, formerly of Swindon Borough Council, said: "When I worked as events manager, I had a struggle trying to keep the Bowl clean and to maintain it in a good condition.

"SBC are happy for the events to take place but very bad at keeping it looking smart."

Former councillor and Swindon mayor Derek Benfield said: "It looks like you have started something Shirley.

"I can remember some years ago I had the pond in front of the stage filled in and now it is used for dancing but those were the days when if, as a councillor, you put in a justified request it would be done.

"I just hope and pray the current council would get their priorities right."

Coun Ellis said: "The Town Gardens is still under SBC, it is on the list of consideration for the parish but the clerk is unsure as to when this will happen as they are considering play areas first.

"So, for the immediate future, it remains in the hands of the council."

Shirley said: “The response has been amazing, lots of people are interested in looking after it.

“I hope this interest transfers into doing something about it, hopefully before the next major event on the 29th.”

Sam Bailey will be performing at the Old Town Bowl as part of the Pride celebrations next week.

The Bowl was built in 1936 and there are only a handful of others like it in the country.

It was restored in the 1990s and is a popular place for live music and performances, but it’s not the only iconic local landmark that Shirley’s keen to clean.

She said: “The diving board in Coate Water has greenery growing all over it, it’s mouldy and mossy.

“The local authority use these two places in their promotion of Swindon and we want people to be impressed when they go here.”