SWINDON baked under a scorching sun yesterday, but forecasters warn it won’t last.

They branded the day the hottest early May Bank Holidays on record.

Temperatures in Swindon hit 24C, with families enjoying picnics under blue skies.

At Coate Water, cars backed up along the lane as people struggled to find anywhere to park.

But there were smiles for those who were able to find parking spaces.
Paul Williams, of Old Town, said: “The kids are going to play in the park and run around. It’s important to come here when it’s like this. We had a barbecue yesterday so we’re having a picnic today.”

Sarah Nicholls drove from Biddestone, near Chippenham, to enjoy the sun at Coate. She said: “It’s our first time exploring this part of the park.

It’s a really nice surprise to find the crazy golf. We’re also going to see the little railway and we’ve come prepared for a picnic after. We’re just going to make the most of it.”

Sweating in the sun, Highworth man Martin Lowe said: “I’ve just cycled from Croft to Park South and later I’m going to Stroud to see some friends for a barbecue. I’ve got the usual burgers, sausages and chicken.

At the moment I’m trying to keep hydrated and hope to get out of the heat at some point.”

But there were complaints that the children’s pool was closed and an overflow car park had not been opened, resulting in traffic backing up along the approach to Coate Water from Marlborough Road.

Tracy Richmond, of Nythe, said: “It’s lovely. We’ve been to the park and the kids have been doing the rock painting. It’s a shame the pool here isn’t open but we’ll go back and have a paddling pool at home.”

Owner of the Coate Water café, Craig Poole, told the Adver: “The last couple of days have been great. It’s only May and it’s already fantastic. If it’s sunny we’re busy. If it’s not, it’s quiet. 

“It’s been ice creams and more ice creams. We never know how long the sun is going to last, so long may it continue. We had a terrible Easter, it was a wash out. Traders all over lost a fortune. You need days like this to compensate.”

In Old Town there were queues out of the door at Ray’s Ice Cream. Owner Hadi Brooks said: “We’ve had a great weekend. We’re pretty much selling everything. By the end of each day we’ve had to restock the shops. 

“Our Guinness ice cream has gone down really well all weekend. But I’ve probably only sold three coffees all weekend.
“Winter seemed to be long this year. Hopefully it’s over.”

The Met Office say that the good weather won’t last. On Saturday, temperatures are expected to drop down to a chilly 12C and the whole weekend could prove a washout.

Forecaster Charlie Powell said: “It looks like we should be prepared for some pretty changeable weather throughout the second half of May.
“We’re still going to see some dry days, but there’s still going to be some wet days mixed in as well.”

Looking ahead to the royal wedding next weekend, Mr Powell added: “We’ve got this idea that there could be some warmer spells, most likely across the south and east of England, so at least that bodes well for wedding locations.”

He said temperatures will generally be above normal, but this will depend on whether it is a sunny day or a sunny, wetter day.

“So it doesn’t look like it’s going to carry on in a similar kind of vein to high pressure in charge, sunshine, light winds, high temperatures, that we have now.

“Neither does it look like it’s going to be a complete washout, horrible end to the month of May.

“But I think we can expect things to be not as warm as they are now, but also not as dry as they are now,” he said.
Mr Powell added: “Fingers crossed it all kind of ties in with one of the drier days.”