Festival fever hits town

8:02am Monday 16th June 2008

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THE summer sun was not the only thing lighting up the town centre as Swindon Town Festival reached its climax.

There was plenty to see and do right across the town.

Although there were some bemused expressions and comments of "what's it about?" the entertainment was very well received.

Michelle Ricards, 31, of West Swindon, had brought along her friend's daughter Grace Leigh, nine, of Stratton, to the Fine Artistes' Studio - and was impressed.

She said: "You can just have a look around and see what's going on. Normally you just see people with cider cans so it's nice to sit and do something with a bit of class."

Like many people she had only come in to the town centre shopping, but had caught up in what was on offer.

Alan Robinson, 62, from the railway village, had come down specially to see what was going on after hearing about the event.

He has lived in the town centre for the past three years but this was unlike anything he had ever seen in Swindon.

"I think it's nice - it's really good to see something like this - I don't think there's much in the way of family entertainment because it's more of a drinking culture.

The giant green caterpillar and The Station' sketch by Bash Street Theatre, at the Parade, were two of many events that captivated the children.

Karen Irvine, 41, of Stratton, brought her two children Zac, eight, and two-year-old Jake, to see the wheel walkabout.

She said: "The kids are loving it, especially the caterpillar - I'm going to stay longer, we've been running up and down the town centre."

Other events included the insect circus museum, Bedlam Oz's human slinky display, and Swerve Dance Company's display both in Canal Walk, Road to Nowhere performed by Ramshackilicious, a wheel walkabout by Acrojou and DJ Luke Skywalker at Faringdon Park.

Rupert Le Beurre, from Frome, and Rose Popay, from Bristol, were the father and daughter team behind Fine Artistes.

Rupert said: "People love to draw and it's nice that adults are being attracted to the studio, not just children."

Children were treated to a masterclass in still-life drawing, but were also able to contribute to the Swindon Festival mural.

Rose explained: "They apply the image that says Swindon to them - it could be their house, the Brunel centre, the railway, anything."

Liz Lavender, festival events officer for Swindon Council, said the festival's success was very much a team effort and paid tribute to the 20 to 30 stewards marshalling the events and the quality of the acts.