Last week I was incredibly fortunate to spend a day volunteering in a local secondary (high) school, helping to deliver one of Young Enterprise’s educational programmes, “Learn to Earn”.
The programme involves helping younger students (aged 12-13) get to grips with the basics of goal-setting and budgeting (e.g. establish the difference between “needs” and “wants”). During the day I was also able to present to the full year group of 180 students, sharing my career journey from History degree, to delivering a spectrum of digital change at my current employer. I also got to meet other professionals from outside my employment sector, which was a fun and fascinating networking experience by itself!
Overall, it was a great day and I’m very thankful to The Dorcan Academy and Young Enterprise for giving me the opportunity to be involved.
To find out more about Young Enterprise and volunteering opportunities in your area, click here.
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On a sunny Saturday afternoon in mid-February it struck me that I need a dose of culture.
I’d last visited Swindon’s art and artefact collection in Apsley House eight plus years ago. At the time I’d written about it within a list of things to do on a weekend morning. Years later, I published an article where I expressed my frustration at the closure of Swindon museum and art gallery.
External view of Museum and Art Swindon, which is located on the first floor
Museum and Art Swindon (M&AS) had cited its move from Apsley House in Old Town as being due to the pandemic, poor accessibility and spiralling costs to keep the listed building maintained. Some of the permanent exhibits were also becoming outdated, and the collection’s extensive catalogue of art was seeing minimal rotation.
Assuming you find the right building on Euclid Street, (I initially tried to open the door of the neighbouring building run by the police…), on the first floor you are welcomed by wide corridors and friendly staff in an area designated for the shop and permanent exhibitions. This space offers an introduction to M&AS, including its history and collection highlights.
Clarice Cliff Ceramics on display in Museum and Art Swindon (M&AS)
From the opening “Origins” exhibition in the centre, one wing focuses on the history of Swindon, the other features rotational exhibits. At the time of visiting there was only one exhibit available to walk around, titled “Un/common People.” This exhibit included physical objects, photos, paintings and a looped video to showcase a variety of perspectives to the region’s varied folk traditions. There was also a feature of the surreal “Hob-Nob”, a horse-like character that flanked the “Salisbury Giant” during annual processions. I haven’t looked at a biscuit in the same way since.
“Un/Common People: Folk Culture in Wessex” exhibition
The Salisbury “Hob-Nob”
The history Swindon wing has seen arguably the bigger transformation. While informative, the collections in Apsley House did have a reputation for being old-fashioned and stuffy, and felt very much like a product of the latter half of the twentieth century. It gave me a feeling of “here is a cabinet of fossils, what more do you want?”
This half of M&AS, which blends environmental and human history, is fresher and the tone of voice much more engaging. There is plenty to learn, for instance I had no idea that the first Stegosaur remains were discovered in Swindon, the bones of which have since been scooped up and are now displayed in the Natural History Museum in London.
Information board, detailing the discovery of “The Swindon Stegosaur”
Jump forward multiple rooms of human development, and visitors are carted to the near present day. A small display of Covid-19 information leaflets summarises recent events, alongside a request for donations to help develop the museum’s collection.
Photo of Swindon’s infamous “magic roundabout” shortly after it was opened in the 1970s
The way information was presented by curators and staff left me with the notion that Swindon’s rapid population growth has done little to fix the fundamental challenges that started appearing centuries ago. The two separate communities of “Old Town” and “New Town” have never really come together, contributing towards a lack of historic centre and, by association, the modern-day tongue-in-cheek reputation of this Wiltshire town. Whether that was the right message to take away or not, it certainly left an impression on me.
From a timeline of historical events occurring nationally and in Swindon town. Turns out Swindon has a few “claim to fames”
My overall thoughts on M&AS? A significant improvement on the previous exhibits at Apsley House and well worth an hour or two of anyone’s time (especially as it is free to enter). Would I make a special trip out to visit it? Probably not. There is no parking at the museum itself, and while there are plenty of council-owned carparks in the vicinity, you will be at the mercy of a pay and display. Museum and Art Swindon is also not the easiest name to remember, not when you consider it was called Swindon Museum and Art Gallery until 2021.
If I was a betting woman, I would put the rebrand down the council wanting to distance itself from its previous home at Apsley House and the highly vocal “Save Our Croc” campaign group. For those less familiar, in true Swindon fashion a stuffed gharial became a mascot and somewhat national treasure to the town, a permanent feature in Apsley House’s fossil room. From this 2023 report, it has been carefully restored, however it is unlikely to feature in the new museum due to its size. After decades of school visits and family trips, the croc was a cross-generational unifier, beyond politics, age or race. Entirely personal opinion, but I just don’t see that level of artefact connection happening with anything in the new M&AS. It is one of those stand-alone items that has so much history by simply existing. A stuffed gharial.
Anyway, after that tangent, we’ll move onto closing words.
M&AS isn’t the 2020 promise of a cultural quarter. Swindon’s residents will continue to dream of their town becoming, “an internationally recognised exemplar of sustainable, liveable development, [with] world class facilities for the arts and heritage.” However, M&AS does give Swindon something to be proud of and in the face of the jabs and jibes and the relegated gharials, I’d take that as a resounding win.
Museum and Art Swindon is open Tuesday – Saturday, 10:30 – 16:30.For more information, visit their website: https://www.museumartswindon.com/
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So, I’ve just spotted this in one of the recycling crates on my street…
Surprise, surprise the recycling collection crew left it behind.
Given this is the second time random heads have shown up in the immediate vicinity of my house, I’m starting to wonder whether I’m safe to continue living in this postcode area. Don’t people read-up on their local recycling policy anymore?!
Oh Swindon, you never fail to keep me in awe.
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On 11th November 2014, I went to the supermarket to buy toilet roll, which inspired me to start a blog. Ten years later, I’m still here.
Five years ago I wrote the very aptly named piece, Five YearsAgo Today…. Aside from it being very surreal that five more years have gone by, a hell of a lot more has changed since then.
What MHAM is, and always will be, is an insight into my world, from the highs of getting my short stories published, to the foot injury lows and the ranty McRant face of Jus-Rol’s cinnamon swirls. It has also been the place to share all the wonderful holidays I’ve undertaken as a solo traveller and, more recently, with my wonderful “Boyfriend Ben”. I setup a social group for young people, moved to London, came back from London, built a career from a History degree in execution and country houses. I’ve volunteered for nine separate non profits, and met an amazing bloke who to this day continues to champion my corner, inspiring me to strive for the stars each and every day. It really has been a rollercoaster of emotional content.
Around the world there are so many instances of people being denied their freedom of expression and creativity, which is why I feel so privileged to have the family and professional career that supports me to keep doing what I love. It is the utter joy I get from recognition and compliments, the unexpected surprise when someone reaches out to say how much they enjoy my work. The odd competition win or shortlisting. It is those glints of gold that give me the euphoric buzz to keep hitting these keys.
In 2014, on that chilly dark night where nothing seemed possible, I discovered my voice. And you, the reader, are 75% of the reason why I’m still here. Thank you.
With little more to add, I will leave you with visual memories of the last ten years (and a couple from before) and a simple vow, that I will continue to write for ten more years and beyond, whatever form that takes.
May your hearts always be full and your coffee only slightly spilled.
AEB x
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Hello, present-day Alice here. I found this post deep in my draft archives, 2021 deep. On one hand I have no idea why it never got posted, and on the other hand I have every idea.
While some things have changed since this was first drafted (notably the fact I was very much single in 2021), you’ll be pleased to know the cooking skills are still as horrific now as they were then. I did it then, and I have no doubt I’d do it all over again if given half the chance…and a courgette.
So, that in mind, enjoy. AEB
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You know how when someone says they’re a fat person in a skinny person’s body, you nod along? Well, I am that person, the one who doesn’t understand how she’s not yet stuck in a doorway.
I honestly think the only reason I’m still a healthy weight is be because I’m a slave in the Matrix, and the aliens are milking me for battery juice. (It’s a normal thought process to have, right?)
Take this evening and my portion control when it comes to this mass-produced Quorn Spaghetti Bolognese:
(FYI, not a vegetarian, just trying to do my bit for the planet…and stop Paul McCartney coming after me.)
And yes, there are also frozen vegetables in there, but let’s not dwell on the lengths I go to to ‘stodge-out’ a meal.
The thing is, it was a perfectly normal* (*Alice’s version of normal) meal. But then I had this courgette. And the courgette was on the turn (it was a little bit squidgy), but it was something Mumma B had given to me, so I was determined to not let it go to waste. But the mince-stuff was already cooked and rapidly burning.
Basically, I panicked.
I hurry-sliced the courgette, coated it in black pepper, drowned it in olive oil and then threw it in the oven. I don’t know why, I just did. And even as I type this, I am very much aware this is an Alice-world problem.
Anyway, about ten minutes later (Married at First Sight was on and I may have got distracted), I retrieved the cooked-baked mush that was once a courgette and dolloped it onto my dinner plate. By now the pasta was stodgy and the mince mostly burnt on the bottom of the pan. To add to this, I didn’t quite feel satisfied that the first picture illustrated the large portion of food I had on my plate. So what did I do?
Yes, that’s right, I compared it to the size of a teabag.
This, this is what I do for content. Jeeze.
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As a little nod to some of the many hundreds, thousands, millions of independent coffee shops in the world, I’m going to do the odd coffee shop shout out to celebrate all the wonderful things they do, in and around caffeine.
So it’s a big, fat shout out to Darkroom Espresso in Swindon (Wiltshire, UK). A trendy little spot just outside the town centre and one that has never judged me for sitting in the window with my laptop for two hours. (That alone is worth its weight in cappuccino gold.)
If you’re in the area, check them out.
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Following official PR, I am now able to share with you details of two writing competitions I won, and their associated launch events. And, eek! They were both an absolute blast!
Boy, did Bournemouth pack a punch! As well as receiving free tickets to attend some interesting talks held by the festival, there was also a Sunday evening showcase and awards presentation.
Photo credit: Solid Imagery
There was a weird knotty feeling in the pit my stomach watching people read copies of the book, and it was only later that evening, when boyfriend Ben pretty much forced me to sit down and listen to him read my story, that I noted what I’d written was actually pretty good.
After the showcase, we made a toast to my success with a glass of prosecco and a McDonald’s in the hotel room. It was wonderful.
A lovely sunny weekend, spent on the English south coast.
Swindon Literary Festival
The launch of Swindon Writers III came with a packed-out library venue, much to everyone’s surprise. Boyfriend Ben was unfortunately not feeling well on the night but I sent him a message to reassure him that I had more than enough attendees to keep me company.
Words were said by the editors and extracts read from the publication. To know my short story, “Bee Kind”, had been selected to sit alongside them in the book meant a lot.
A close up of some of the audience, featuring the back of my head
Two book launches, two reasons to celebrate and a very happy author in between. As I say to people, prizes and publication aren’t the sole reason why we do what we do, but it damn well helps.
Alas, “the emergency Bentos” at the back of my cupboard has expired. This is indeed this is a very sad time for all…so who wants to watch me struggle to dispose of it?
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Not wanting to toot my own horn, but, I’m going to toot my own horn.
The looks staff gave me coming along with my trolley, approaching the self-service tills with thinly disguised smugness usually reserved only for the scan as you shop crowd.
I see your tiny space for basket shops and I raise you this:
(Although not going to lie, I was annoyed I couldn’t get the ice cream fully onto the scales.)
All the years of playing Tetris have clearly not been lost on me. And if you want the best words of guidance for getting staff to walk on by, wearing a face covering and buying a pack of cold relief medication will go a long way.
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