One Chippenham

Rediscover the Past through Audio
2025-05-01 10:15 - 15:00, 2025-05-08 10:15 - 15:00, 2025-05-15 10:15 - 15:00, 2025-05-22 10:15 - 15:00 (Europe/London) | Wiltshire and Swindon History Centre, Cocklebury Road, Chippenham, SN15 3QN
 Great opportunity for neurodiverse young people
 A set of cassettes tapes from the 1980s which haven’t been accessible for many years have just been digitised as part of the Sounds of the South West project.
 Be the first to find out the content in these oral histories, become skilled in the technical aspects of working with audio material, get creative using the contents as a starting point, with the chance to be mentored by experienced practitioners who will support you every step of the way.
 You’ll be able to create something special to share with others, learn new skills, have fun, and maybe make some new friends. Come and enjoy spending time in a calm, accepting and welcoming environment.
Join the sessions in person or online if you’d prefer.
The project will run every Thursday from 10.15am-3pm from 20th March to 22nd May. We can pay the cost of your travel to and from the Wiltshire & Swindon History Centre too.
Contact Gianna Torchia, Project Administrator, for further information. Email: gianna.torchia@wiltshire.gov.uk or tel: 01249 705500
Sounds of the South West has been made possible with the National Lottery Heritage Fund.

Doorstep Sports Club
2025-05-02 16:30 - 18:00, 2025-05-09 16:30 - 18:00, 2025-05-16 16:30 - 18:00, 2025-05-23 16:30 - 18:00, 2025-06-06 16:30 - 18:00, 2025-06-13 16:30 - 18:00, 2025-06-20 16:30 - 18:00, 2025-06-27 16:30 - 18:00 and 3 more dates | Ladyfield Evangelical Church, Hungerdown Lane, Chippenham, SN14 0BA
Are you looking for a fun, active way to spend Friday afternoons? Our Doorstep Sports Club brings exciting sports and activities to Chippenham – completely free of charge!
What is Doorstep Sports Club?
Doorstep Sports Club offers weekly sessions packed with games, sports, and activities designed to get young people moving, laughing, and making new friends. These free sessions take place right in your community, making it easy for children to participate regardless of their background or experience level.
The Details
When: Every Friday, 4:30-6:00 PM (during term time)
Where: Lady Evangelical Church, Hungerdown Lane, Chippenham, SN14 0BA
Who: Young people aged 8-16
Cost: Completely FREE!
Why Join?
Our sessions are led by professional coaches from the Bath Rugby Foundation who bring their expertise and enthusiasm to create a positive, engaging environment. Every week features different activities designed to:

Build confidence and social skills
Develop teamwork and communication
Improve physical fitness and coordination
Create a sense of community and belonging
Most importantly—have FUN!

Beyond Participation
For teens aged 16 and over, we offer exciting leadership opportunities! As a young leader, you can:

Support younger participants
Gain valuable experience for your CV
Access specialised training and mentorship
Develop confidence and leadership skills

Our Mission
At Doorstep Sports Club, we believe every young person deserves access to quality sports and activities. By bringing these opportunities directly to your community, we remove barriers like transportation and cost that might otherwise prevent participation.
Our partnerships with local organisations, charities, schools, and sports clubs help us create safe, consistent spaces where young people can thrive, build confidence, and develop healthy habits that last a lifetime.
For more information, contact our Sports Development team via email.

The Other Sister Josephine - Community Song Writing Workshop
2025-05-24 10:30 - 12:30 | Chippenham Museum, 9-10 Market Pl, Chippenham, SN15 3HF, United Kingdom
Chippenham’s Sister Josephine Toomey didn’t found the convent pontoon team or rest her boots on the altar screen (like the one of Jake Thackray fame), but she did escape the Irish famine, help found the town’s Catholic church, teach children and have stones thrown at her.
Bring instruments, voices and minds to help collaborate and create a new song exploring and celebrating her life.
Led by musician Louise Jordan (lead musician on Maud’s Way project 2024) and local women’s history specialist Lucy Whitfield (Women Who Made Me project). Part of Chippenham Folk Festival 2025, open to everyone.
Themes: Migration. Displacement. Famine. Prejudice. Faith. Poverty.

Shooting Roots Youth Folk Arts Workshops
2025-05-24 13:00 - 20:00 | Masonic Hall, Emery Lane, Chippenham, SN15 3AU, United Kingdom
Across Chippenham Folk Festival weekend, nationally-renowned youth folk arts organisation Shooting Roots are offering a series of workshops, which are heavily discounted for local young people.
There are workshops in singing and theatre, with evening folk arts activities, and a chance to perform on the festival’s main community stage on Monday.
Expect songs, harmonies, devising ridiculous plots, tableaus, games, music, and a chance to meet new friends. All take place at the Masonic Hall in Emery Lane, the YOUTH HUB for the festival weekend.
Local (all SN postcodes, plus BA14 and BA15) 11-17 year olds can access each Shooting Roots workshop for just £3 on the door. Or £20 for all sessions if a wristband is purchased from Chippenham Folk Festival box office.
More details here

Margaret's Search and Rescue - Community Song Writing Workshop
2025-05-24 14:30 - 16:30 | Chippenham Museum, 9-10 Market Pl, Chippenham, SN15 3HF, United Kingdom
Margaret Bruce Griffin (née Long) originally lived at Chippenham’s Rowden Hill House. She was a pioneer in training dogs for police work and bravely saved 21 lives in the blitz of World War Two.
Bring instruments, voices and minds to help collaborate and create a new song exploring and celebrating her life.
Led by musician Louise Jordan (lead musician on Maud’s Way project 2024) and local women’s history specialist Lucy Whitfield (Women Who Made Me project). Part of Chippenham Folk Festival 2025, open to everyone.
Themes: Innovation. Bravery. War. Motherhood. Dogs.

Basketball Club
2025-06-25 18:00, 2025-07-02 18:00, 2025-07-09 18:00, 2025-07-16 18:00, 2025-07-23 18:00 | Sheldon School, Hardenhuish Lane, SN14 6HJ
Aged 8 to 16? Come join the Chippenham Cheetahs!
Email: chippenhambasketball@gmail.com
Visit us on Facebook.

Chippenham's secret tunnels - fact or fiction?
2025-08-26 19:00 - 21:00 | Wine Monkey, 20 Borough Parade, Chippenham, SN15 3WL, United Kingdom
The opening taster meeting for History Portal Club.
Together we’ll explore myths and truths about various tunnels believed to exist under the town.
Where are they?
Who built them?
Where do they go?
Why do we love the idea of a secret tunnel?
This fun opening session will look at the subject from all angles, and also help to establish the direction of the History Portal Club going forward.
History Portal Club aims to be a different sort of history club. No lectures, no stuffy rooms, just walking, talking, pub chats and stories you won’t find in the guidebooks. It’s about finding value in ordinary lives and heritage, and connecting with places. A meet-up for curious locals who love stories from the past, hidden landmarks, and great company. Taking on topics we see around us every day.
A club that isn’t afraid to ask “what is history anyway”? One that values and encourages ordinary experiences, doesn’t subscribe to the way history was traditionally taught, and values nostalgia and memory as well as books and facts.
It’s a meet-up for curious locals who love stories from the past, hidden landmarks, and great company.
There’s no obligation to become a member, just come along and give it a try. And, after this, there’ll be a programme of topics (walks and static) as we go into the autumn.

Youth Club
2025-09-24 19:00 - 20:00, 2026-01-14 19:00 - 20:00, 2026-01-21 19:00 - 20:00 | St Paul’s Church Hall, Malmesbury Road, Chippenham, SN15 1PS
We’re starting a FREE youth club for relaxing, playing games and having fun with people your own age (12+).
Thanks to the National Lottery and Department of Culture Media and Sport – part of our Tell Your Story project with Knapsack Productions – we’ve heard that this is what you want and we’re bringing it to you.
We’ll play some games, run around or sit and chat – it’s up to you how you spend the time, as long as you’re having a nice time.
Join us – all we need is an emergency contact number, a few details and you can join some of our artists and actors from the Teen session 5.30 – 7pm.

FREE Hamilton-Inspired Workshop with Lisa Southam
2025-10-29 11:00 - 16:00 | Neeld Community & Arts Centre, The Neeld, High Street, Chippenham, Wiltshire, SN15 3ER, United Kingdom
Step into the room where it happens!
Join actor and drama coach Lisa Southam for a high-energy drama and musical theatre workshop inspired by the smash-hit musical Hamilton.
Through rap, rhythm, movement, script and character work, you’ll dive into the world of Alexander Hamilton and the American Revolution. Expect fun warm-ups, scene and song exploration, creative devising, and even your own mini rap battle. Perfect for young performers who love to sing, act, move – and make some noise!

Creative Writing Workshops: 16-18 Year Olds
2026-01-15 16:30 - 18:00, 2026-01-22 16:30 - 18:00 | Chippenham Museum, 9-10 Market Pl, Chippenham, SN15 3HF, United Kingdom
Join us as we celebrate the 400th anniversary of the birth of local antiquarian and famous biographer, John Aubrey. Open to young people aged 16-18, these free workshops offer the chance to develop your writing skills and see your work in print.
Aubrey was an archaeologist, scientist, and historian who, from a young age, collected stories and local legends from people across Wiltshire. He used these to create a series of mini-biographies collectively known as Brief Lives.
Inspired by Aubrey’s work, participants will use the museum’s collection of portraits, taken by local photographers in the 1900s, as creative prompts to write their own ‘brief life’ for these anonymous figures.
An experienced writer will lead the workshops, helping young people develop their skills and explore new writing forms and genres, including:
Poetry and lyric writing
Dramatic monologues and short scripts
Short stories and flash fiction
The project is supported by the Friends of Chippenham Museum and will conclude with a special celebration of the work produced, including a printed publication.
These workshops are free, but spaces are limited, so booking is essential. Please contact the museum to reserve your place.

Find out more about the Chippenham – Our History project on this website here.
