May Bank Holiday 30 May 2011
Hey, hey! The bank holiday weekend is almost here!
As always, we know there may be a few of you out there who haven't yet decided how to spend that extra day off.
So, check out our guide below for a few ideas on what to do and where to go. And not forgetting it's half-term week as well there's plenty to keep the little ones occupied.
It's going to be a brilliant weekend for bands - local and legendary - taking to the stage around Swindon.
Lechlade Festival
Riverside Park
Saturday 28 May & Sunday 29 May
50 bands over 2 days at Riverside Park, Lechlade with plenty of family entertainment also on offer.
30 stalls including a real ale bar, hog roast and food.
For kids
Bungee Trampolines
Inflatable Circus Slide Helter Skelter Mini Roundabout Ride Fairground Games Traditional Candy Floss Arty Smarty Party
Children under 12 go FREE.
CAMPING available.
Riffstock 2011
Riffs Bar Friday 27 - Monday 30 May
4 days of live music from unsigned bands near and far. Chilled acoustic to metal and rock.
FREE entry.
NOTE: this is an
indoor festival held in the main Riffs Bar.
United Punk Fest
MECA Swindon
Sunday 29 May
Sham69 headline a frenzied night that includes The Business, Anti-Nowhere League, Goldblade, Vice Squad, Disorder, The Grit & Shag Nasty.
Over 18s ONLY.
CASH - Johnny Cash Tribute + Black Sheep Apprentice
Friday 28 May
Recreating the sound, vibe and appeal of the master himself.
Secret Lives
Saturday 28 May
Top Swindon band play their own blend of indie pop with a rhythm pumping live set.
Well, you can't enjoy a pub-lic holiday without a tipple or three, can you?
Wanborough Beer Race
Starting at The Black Horse, Wanborough
Monday 30 May
This year sees the 54th annual Beer Race taking place throughout the village of Wanborough, with competitiors racing a 2.2 mile course and downing half a pint of bitter at each of the six local pubs.
This year it starts at the Black Hhorse before runners head off to The Plough, The Harrow, The Brewers Arms, The Crosskeys, then up Green Lane and Kite Hill to the New Calley Arms. Registration at 12pm, racing starts at 12.30pm - spectators welcome!
Real Ale and Cider Festival
Swindon & Cricklade Railway
Saturday 28 - Monday 30 May
The ideal day out for dads! Shuffle the kids off for a ride on a steam train while you pop off for a swift half!
Highworth Cider and Perry Festival
The Fox Inn
Saturday 28 - Sunday 29 May
Noon - midnight
A fantastic Cider and Perry Festival featuring up to 20 local and original ciders, scrumpy, perry and fruit ciders. With live music and a BBQ to help line the stomach! For any further information, contact Dale on 01793 762313 or email thefoxinn@live.co.uk
Scarecrow Week at Roves Farm
Saturday 28 May - Sunday 5 June
Dad might end up looking like a scarecrow if he spends too much time at the beer fest, but at Roves Farm kids can have a go at making a mini scarecrow before hopping on for a tractor ride to spot some more around the farm.
Expect to see new lambs and piglets running around as well!
Swindon's Famous Duck Race
Westcott Recreation Ground
Monday 30 May, 10.00am - 4.00pm
This fun family event is back once again and taking over Westcott Recreation Ground.(opposite Arkell's pub The Running Horse)
Buy your duck, pop it in the water and keep those fingers crossed that it reaches the finish line first....... There’s £1000 to be won! There are loads of great prizes on offer and
most importantly, lots and lots of money will be raised for charity - you'd be quack-ers to miss it!
Fforde Ffiesta 2011
De Vere Village Swindon, Shaw Ridge
Friday 27 - Sunday 29 May
Tickets are £85.00 per person and include access to the weekend's Ffiesta events, a programme, a place at the Gala Dinner and much more.
The Lure of Water
Swindon Museum and Art Gallery
Wednesday - Saturday, 10.00am - 5.00pm
Showing a range of approaches in the depiction of water, The Lure of Water features work from the Swindon collection of modern art with artists such as John Piper, Alfred Wallis and John Nash and guest artist Emma Stibbon. Admission is FREE.
Substance - Contemporary Textiles Exhibition
The Post Modern Gallery
Saturday 28 May, 11.00am - 6.00pm
A curated group exhibition seeking to capture the essence of an important 20th Century female figure. The exhibition provides innovative, colourful art that explores pattern and surface quality considering the historical and social aspects of textiles by using a diverse range of contemporary materials such as wire, wood, metal, paint, stitch, cloth, knitting, weaving and lace work.
Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat
Wyvern Theatre
24 - 29 May
Matinee & evening performances on Saturday & Sunday
Featuring sing-a-long classics, dancing and vibrant costumes this is a show the entire family can enjoy.
Comedy Live at MECA
Saturday 28 May
Sean Hughes, Rufus Hound, Beeny Boot & Andre Vincent all headline what promises to be a rip-roaring first live comedy event at M.E.C.A.
And it's still not too late to win tickets!
And why not! Look out for these three events if you're partaking in some retail this weekend.
Wrestling Stars Autograph Signing
at Fan Favourites
Brunel Shopping Centre Sunday 29 May, 11.00am - 3.00pm Get readyyyyyyy to rumble! Head down to The Brunel Centre to meet some of the best wrestlers of the 90s.
In conjunction with OneProWrestling, Kid Kash, Al Snow, X-Pac, Bad Ass Billy Gunn and Road Dogg Jesse James will all be right here in Swindon! > Fan Favourites - website
Farmers Market
Swindon Designer Outlet
Sunday 29 May
The perfect opportunity to stock up on fresh, local vegetables as well as other essentials at this popular market. The free-range hot dogs from Hinton Marsh Farm also make an ideal hangover cure!
Swindon Talent 2011
Wharf Green Saturday 28 May, 12.00 - 2.00pm
Take a break from the shops and enjoy the first heat of this year's fantastic Swindon Talent competition.
If you think you have a talent that everybody should know about just click on the link below to find out how to enter.
Take your cheeky monkeys somewhere they can really run wild! Places in and near Swindon open all year round with fun activities to do and lots of animals to see.
Cotswold Wildlife Park
Catch the animals - especially the giraffes - at feeding time, jump around in the play area or take a train ride! > Cotswold Wildlife Park - website
Baby Meerkat Manor!
Now this is a sight to behold - the latest litter of meerkats at Studley Grange.
Another four babies have joined the gang at their purpose-built home in the animal paddock just off jnct.16.
Ugly Bug Ball
Coate Water
Monday 30 May
2-4pm
An eye-opening walk of discovery - look for the habitats of bugs, creepy-crawlies and flying insects!
A FREE night at the dogs
Friday 27 & Saturday 28 May
And with a mySwindonWeb voucher available for
FREE ENTRY on both Friday and Saturday - it's the perfect excuse!
For your voucher simply click on the link below.
Introduction To Mountain Biking
Barbury Castle
Saturday 28 May, 10.00am - 4.00pm
Open to anyone aged 16 or over, all you need is a well-maintained mountain bike, a helmet and a few basics.
The cost of the course is £15.00 to MB Swindon club members and £20.00 to non-members.
Just down the road at the Cotswold Water Park, where there's a beach as well.
We've tried it - and can definitely vouch that it's... absolutely brilliant fun!
Bank Holiday and half-term trips including: Alton Towers, Monkey World, Legoland and much more! For more information please visit the website below.
Bank Holiday Bus Services
Thamesdown Transport
Please be aware of alterations to the bus timetable over the Bank Holiday period. Please visit the Thamesdown Transport website for more information.
Time for a spring clean?
With SwindonAds, you can sell on any unwanted items + we've tips on de-cluttering and storage.
And remember, one man's junk is another man's treasure!
Get your garden ready...
Summer is nearly upon us, so why not spend some time this bank holiday getting your bit of England ready for the sunny season ahead.
.... for a barbecue!
It's what the last May bank holiday is made for. Time to toast your well-deserved time off with a BBQ alongside friends and family.
So get sizzling with our guide.
Fancy some DIY over the bank holiday weekend? If so, get down to Swindon's National Self Build & Renovation Centre . Self Build & Renovation Workshops National Self Build & Renovation Centre Saturday 28 & Sunday 29 May, 10.00am - 5.00pm > Self Build & Renovation Centre - website
Black Cat Archery are offering a course based on the writings of medieval experts, and is designed to teach you how to use a sword effectively and introduce wrestling and dagger fighting to your arsenal of martial skills.
In other word learn to shoot, cut, stab and throw your enemy to the floor.
You will need shorts/tracksuit, T-shirt, water or soft drink. No prior experience required only a willingness to have fun and learn.
If nothing else this bank holiday, why not just take a walk in the beautiful countryside that surrounds us.
Swindon's parks, gardens and open spaces are wonderful places to enjoy a stroll and some good old fresh air - especially after a Sunday Lunch or a picnic!
..... or just find a nice pub garden?
It just feels better enjoying a Sunday afternoon and evening taking it easy knowing you don't have to get up for work the following day.
For those who want to make full use of every minute of the 72 hours....
Have a great bank holiday!....
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