Sarah Singleton takes a look at what to do and see around Swindon this weekend

Letting off steam at railway museum

Take a step back in time to Meet the Great Western Railway workers of Swindon’s past at the Steam Museum tomorrow.

Over the course of the autumn the museum has organised several special days when visitors can hear real stories of the railway. Volunteers will bring the exhibits to life with first-hand knowledge, to help visitors understand what it was like to work in the industry that built the town we know today.

From 10am until 4pm former railway workers will welcome visitors aboard two famous locomotives, the No 4073 Caerphilly Castle and No 6000 King George V – and explain how the controls worked on these mighty engines.

Museum-goers of all ages are invited to hear stories about what it was like to be a GWR engine driver, fireman or labourer, or an engineer, craftsman or office worker at one of the ‘shops’ inside GWR’s Swindon works.

The railway workers are a mix of former GWR employees, such as Ted Abear, a former driver and fireman on the steam trains, and steam railway enthusiasts.

The event at the museum in Fire Fly Avenue is free with standard admission and to Steam season ticket holders.

Sensational stuff

Enjoy the sounds and styles of the ‘60s at the Wyvern Theatre on Sunday, when the touring show The Sensational ‘60s Experience stops off in Swindon.

The show offers a chance to see some of the top stars of the ‘60s music scene, as five legendary names will take to the stage and deliver a brand new production for 2017.

Starring Mike Pender, the original voice of The Searchers, Chris Farlowe, Herman’s Hermits, The Fortunes and The New Amen Corner, the set will include performances of well known hits such as Needles And Pins, Out of Time, Bend Me Shape Me and many more.

Mike Pender was one of the talents to emerge from Liverpool and he has more than 50 years of success in the music world. He is still touring worldwide, performing million-selling hits by The Searchers, such as Sweets For My Sweet.

Originally of Chris Farlowe and The Thunderbirds, Chris started out in the late ‘50s and his hits include classics such as Reach Out I’ll Be There.

Herman’s Hermits were stars in the mid-’60s and chalked up 23 top 20 singles. The Fortunes were also formed in the ‘60s and produced hits such as Here It Comes Again, while The New Amen Corner were famous for If Paradise Is Half As Nice.

Tickets for the show, which begins at 7.30pm, are £32. To book, call 01793 524481 or visit swindontheatres.co.uk.

Pull on your dancing shoes

Five-piece band Get Carter, one of Swindon’s best cover groups will be playing at the Victoria pub in Swindon tonight.

With a set promising an eclectic mix of crowd-pleasing anthems, Get Carter offers an energetic and edgy performance.

Popular rock, pop and indie favourites will be given the Get Carter treatment at the concert tonight, with flawless vocals, a funky rhythm section and dynamic lead guitars.

Covering songs ranging from Bastille to Blink 182, Snow Patrol to Stereophonics, REM to Radiohead and Kaiser Chiefs to The Killers, Get Carter are always busy with gigs and like to see their audiences having a good time and wearing thin their dancing shoes.

The band has been performing since 2007 and will be well known to music fans in the town.

Doors open at 9pm and admission is free.