The Absurdity of the Unoccupied - A Culture Cafe Talk
2023-09-29 17:30 - 18:30 (Europe/London) | The Cause Music and Arts Centre, 42 The Causeway, Chippenham, Wiltshire, SN15 3DD, United Kingdom
Culture Cafe’s are back! Starting with local photographer Gerard Hilderly in association with Doorway homelessness charity.
The Absurdity of the Unoccupied is a socially engaged photography project that observes the existence of properties left permanently empty. Developed over 2 years, the photography questions the ongoing preservation of such buildings and the detrimental effect upon the local community.
Informed by the work of Allan Sekula and Peter Kennard, the work aims to challenge economic influence and the conventions of power.
A 30 minute talk with Q and A
Bar available. The Cause Music Cafe to follow (£5)

Cause Music Cafe
2023-09-29 19:00 - 21:30 | Cause Arts Centre, 42 The Causeway, Chippenham, Wiltshire, SN15 3DD, United Kingdom
A great evening of 6 different musical acts playing Jazz, Folk and classic pop.

Swap not shop!
2023-09-30 10:00 - 12:00 | Kingsley Hall Community Hall, 16 Kingsley Road, Chippenham, SN14 0AS
Women’s clothes swap.
Come swap your pre-loved clothing for re-wear! Help us save textiles from landfill and reduce your carbon footprint to help fight climate change.
Bring up to 10 items of good quality adult clothing, and swap them for some new items for your wardrobe.
£2 entry fee. If you don’t have enough items to bring, you can but items at charity shop prices. (proceeds donated to Moonbeams Preschool)
It’s kind to your wallet and kind to the planet!

Ultimate Meatloaf
2023-09-30 19:00 - 23:30 | Constitutional Club, 36 Foghamshire, Chippenham, SN15 1HB, United Kingdom
Who doesn’t love a bit of meatloaf? The Ultimate Meatloaf tribute act are performing live at the Constitutional Club, Chippenham on Saturday 30th September.
Doors open 7pm
Tickets available behind the bar or via our ticket line 01249 652387.
Members £8
Non Members £10

Arts Society Lecture : Donatello and the birth of the Renaissance
2023-10-03 10:30 - 12:00 | Kington Langley Village Hall, Church Street, Kington Langley , Chippenham, Wiltshire, SN15 5NJ, United Kingdom
In the early decades of the 15th century, the small city state of Florence was the birthplace of an astonishing, bloodless, revolution, now known as the renaissance.
Many of its painters, composers, musicians, architects, thinkers, philosophers and patrons knew and influenced each other. None more so than the sculptor, Donatello, (above) who created new worlds out of stone, suffusing it with drama, humanity and tenderness.
In the wake of a major exhibition at the V and A, the lecture looks at how he, in harness with many other renaissance figures who are part of his journey, changed the face of European culture for ever.
Arts Society Lecturer: Sarah Dunant.
Sarah is a novelist, broadcaster and critic. Sarah read history at Cambridge, then worked for many years as a cultural journalist in radio and television on such programmes as Kaleidoscope (BBC Radio 4), The Late Show (BBC 2), and Night Waves/Free Thinking (BBC Radio 3). She is a regular contributor to BBC Radio 4’s A Point of View and these talks, alongside her series on history for Radio 4, When Greeks Flew Kites are available on podcast or BBC sounds.
This lecture is part of Kington Langley’s Monthly Lecture Series and members will receive notification as a matter of course. If you are not a member then you may be able to join us for the day as a guest or a day member.

Wiltshire Local Plan - Chippenham drop in event
2023-10-03 15:00 - 19:00 | The Olympiad
Have your say on the Wiltshire Local Plan, with 16 drop-in events & an online event being held across the county. The Local Plan sets out the vision & framework for housing, infrastructure & land for employment growth for the next 15 years.
The Chippenham drop-in event takes place from 3-7pm on Tuesday 3rd October at the Olympiad Leisure Centre, Sadlers Mead, Chippenham SN15 3PA
Find out more: – https://www.wiltshire.gov.uk/article/8048/Current-consultation-Reg-19-autumn-2023

Make Do and Mend: Go Green at the Library
2023-10-04 10:00 - 11:00 | Chippenham Library
Do you remember having to ‘make do and mend’? Come along and enjoy sharing your memories with others, plus find out more about how people were ‘going green’ in the post-war years.
You will be warmly welcomed by Julie Davis, the session lead and Local Studies Librarian at the Wiltshire & Swindon History Centre.
Places limited. Please book in advance at the library desk or on 01249 650 536.

Wessex Water Tailored Assistance Programme training
2023-10-04 13:00 - 15:00 | Chippenham Library
Training for representatives of community organisations that support local people who are struggling with bills or need extra support.
The training is a ‘train the trainer’ style session so that delegates can confidently share the advice to other staff and volunteers within their own organisations and support their service users.
The Wessex Water Tailored Assistance programme comprises a wide range of affordability support to help customers who are struggling to pay their bills including flexible payment plans, payment breaks, payments direct from benefits, low income discounts and bill caps. We are doubling the number of people we can support. Find out what support is available and how to signpost service users to access it.
The session will also cover the scope of our Priority Services Register for customers with health or communication vulnerabilities, who require extra support including assistance during water supply disruptions, help with meter readings, password system to protect against bogus callers and alternative format or language communications.
At the end of the session, you will be asked to sign up as a partner on our Partner Hub website and quarterly newsletter, so that we can continue to work together and support your organisation.
The Library closes to the public at 1pm, so we will have the space to ourselves.
Please book via:
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/community-connectors-tailored-assistance-programme-training-tickets-715912813497?aff=oddtdtcreator

Memory Box Reading Group
2023-10-04 14:00 - 15:30 | Wiltshire & Swindon History Centre, Wiltshire & Swindon History Centre Cocklebury Rd, Chippenham, SN15 3QN
A warm welcome awaits at the Memory Box Reading Group as we share memories and thoughts inspired by books about Wiltshire’s fascinating history.
The group comes together once a fortnight to listen to extracts of books from the Local Studies Library on a topic of their choosing, with popular topics such as iron works, fairs, cinema, the railway and more being featured…
We also take a look at original documents that complement our topic and find out more about them, then finish this enjoyable and friendly session with complimentary refreshments.
Sessions are free and start on Wednesday 4th October. They will continue to run on the 1st and 3rd Wednesday of every month, 2-3.30pm at the Wiltshire & Swindon History Centre, Cocklebury Road, Chippenham SN15 3QN.
All welcome. For further information please contact the Memory Box organiser Julie Davis Tel: 01249 705500 Email: archives@wiltshire.gov.uk
Free parking is available on site and the History Centre is a 5–10 minute walk from Chippenham railway station.

Budapest Café Orchestra
2023-10-06 19:30 - 21:30 | Cause Arts Centre, 42 The Causeway, Chippenham, Wiltshire, SN15 3DD, United Kingdom
Electrifying, witty and super-stylish, The Budapest Café Orchestra play a blistering barrage of traditional folk and gypsy-flavoured music from across the Balkans, Klezmer laments, Hungarian Czadas and their own unique re-imaginings of some of the biggest tunes ever written by the classical greats.
Established in 2009 by composer and violinist Christian Garrick, this acoustic quintet weaves jazz nuances with Eastern European folk music, as well as artfully reworking masterpieces by Romantic era-greats like Rachmaninov and Tchaikovsky.
Get set for a fun- fuelled, feel-good and fantastically infectious night out.
“The music is magic in their hands” Sean Rafferty BBC Radio 3.

An Evening of Mediumship with Nikki Kitt
2023-10-06 19:30 - 21:30 | Neeld Community & Arts Centre, The Neeld, High Street, Chippenham, Wiltshire, SN15 3ER, United Kingdom
Psychic Medium Nikki Kitt is a Spiritualist Medium who is currently touring the UK with her successful Psychic / Mediumship Evenings.
As a Medium Nikki Kitt aims to provide evidence of life after life by getting links from loved ones in spirit for people in the audience with amazing accuracy in descriptions, personalities and all sorts of personal information.. to give both confirmation and comfort.
I have been aware of spirit my whole life and so have no doubt that we carry on after this physical life and my demonstrations are to prove the same to everyone else.

Let’s Kick Fraud Out
2023-10-07 11:00 - 14:00 | Chippenham Community Hub
Come along to Chippenham Hub where Rachel Davi’s, the Wiltshire & Swindon Fraud Prevention Officer will be joined by local bank representatives to talk about how we can combat the rising crime of fraud in our town.

The Grief Opera - Love Goes On
2023-10-07 19:30 - 21:30 | St Andrew’s Church, St Mary’s Street, Chippenham, SN15 3JN, United Kingdom
The Grief Opera may be the most moving show you see this year.
“A brilliant musical rendition of the six stages of grief”, “The most thought-provoking evening of my life”, “Everything you would want from a work of art”. “It will resonate with everyone who has lost someone and may help navigate grief in future”.
The Grief Opera is a musical journey through shock and pain to profound love. Nigel Linacre wrote the words in the months after his musician son’s death by his own hand. Jazz band leader Vladimir Miller used George’s rhythms as a starting point to compose the music, which combines jazz and classical forms. International opera star Neil Latchman and rock singer Keri Farish lead the vocalists, accompanied by Nigel Linacre and Gavin Macrae, both of whom have lost a son to suicide.

Pewsham Scarecrow Trail 2023
2023-10-08 10:00 - 16:00 | King’s Lodge School, Lodge Road, Chippenham, United Kingdom
Another year of this lovely family fun event around Pewsham. This year’s theme is Famous Films. Trail starts at King’s Lodge Primary School lots of fun on the playground with refreshments, BBQ, games, Tombolas, stalls and more.

Free Women's Recreational Football Sessions
2023-10-09 18:30 - 19:30 | Stanley Park
Free recreational women’s football sessions will be taking place at Stanley Park Sports Ground on Monday’s in October. Women of any ability can simply turn up to attend the sessions and take part for free, as an opportunity to meet new people and get active with the community.
She Can Be Active partners with Community ISP Lit Fibre to provide the hour-long sessions will take place every Monday at 6.30pm from the 9th October until the end of the month, with the aim of increasing women’s participation in the sport.
Chloe Monk, Coach for the She Can Be Active football sessions, says: “We are thrilled to be partnering with Lit Fibre to offer free women’s football session for the month of October. We aim to support women to overcome barriers to being physically active and we are looking forward to a long-standing partnership with Lit Fibre to help Chippenham get moving.”
As part of the ongoing partnership, Lit Fibre will then fund the ‘She Can Be Active’ coach until the end of the year, so local women can continue to enjoy the benefits of these recreational sessions at the grounds at a small cost.
Lit Fibre is also a proud sponsor of Stanley Park Sports Ground, one of Wiltshire’s largest outdoor sporting venues offering world-class grounds and indoor facilities. The grounds recently received a striking facelift by Lit Fibre to help boost the team spirit of over 125 local sports teams, clubs and organisations that use the space.
Paul Harvey, Head of Leisure Services for Chippenham Town Council comments on the partnership: “We are looking forward to kicking off this long-term partnership with Lit Fibre to help boost the community and all that use the grounds. The ideas Lit Fibre has already shared have driven excitement for the future of this partnership and we can’t wait to get to work.”
Daniel Budd, Community Manager at Lit Fibre, comments: “Community is at the heart of Lit Fibre and we are thrilled to begin our partnership with ‘She Can Be Active’ sessions at Stanley Park Sports Ground to help encourage women to have a go. We are looking forward to seeing this partnership grow and sharing the exciting things we have in store.”
Lit Fibre’s full fibre broadband service is now available in Chippenham. Residents can use Lit Fibre’s postcode checker www.litfibre.com/get-lit to see if their home is covered by the service and register for further information.

Chippenham Film Club October feature
2023-10-09 19:30 - 22:00 | The Reel Cinema, 91 Marshfield Rd, Chippenham, SN15 1JR, United Kingdom
Chris is a caravan fan and aspiring writer who takes his girlfriend Tina on a road trip. At their first stop, the National Tramway Museum, Chris confronts a man who is littering, after which things take a decidedly dark turn. Sightseers is a 2012 British black comedy written by and starring Alice Lowe and Steve Oram, the film was selected to be screened in the Director’s Fortnight section at the 2012 Cannes Film Festival.

Wiltshire Local Plan - online event
2023-10-10 18:30 - 20:00 | Online
A live webinar will be held on Tuesday 10th October, on Microsoft Teams, and will feature a presentation, followed by the opportunity to ask questions. You will need to register for this via the ‘Live webinar: registration’ link.
The draft plan will now move to the final public pre-submission consultation, running from Wednesday 27th September, to Wednesday 22nd November. This is an opportunity for all interested parties to have their say on the proposals – there will be a live webinar, and 16 drop-in events at libraries and leisure centres across the county.
Find out more: https://www.wiltshire.gov.uk/article/8048/Current-consultation-Reg-19-autumn-2023

Chippenham Lions - Live Blues Night
2023-10-14 19:00 - 23:00 | Sutton Benger Village Hall, Chestnut Road, Sutton Benger, Chippenham, SN15 4RP
An evening of Live Blues Music with the west country’s very own ‘Slightly Blue’. They will be playing for us at Sutton Benger Village Hall on Saturday 14 October from 7:00pm.
Mark on Double & Acoustic Bass – Rob on Lead Guitar & Banjo – Ed on Harmonica, Uke & Percussion – Ian on Cajon – Buddy on Vocals & Percussion.
Music from the Classics to Blue Grass to West Coast Swing so give Derek a ring on 01249 446 764. Tickets £20 to include a Ploughman’s.

Shakespeare Live! Two Gentlemen of Verona
2023-10-14 20:00 | The Cause Music and Arts Centre, 42 The Causeway, Chippenham, Wiltshire, SN15 3DD, United Kingdom
An early play, ‘Two Gentlemen of Verona’ has feisty heroines, lovelorn & bickering young men, dictatorial parents, foolish suitors, cross-dressing, letters galore, wild outlaws, witty servants, a big fight, and a lugubrious clown with a dog.

Shakespeare Live, best known for over 30 years of outdoor productions in Wiltshire, have been touring their popular annual autumn show for several years, focusing on plays less often performed or on original Shakespeare-based pieces. This year, as often before the pandemic, we are proud that the production was picked by the RSC for performance at their open-air Dell space in Stratford upon Avon in August. Directed by Gill Morrell. featuring well-known Shakespeare Live actors together with some talented newcomers, including Bernard the golden retriever, and featuring fabulous medieval costumes and live original music, Shakespeare Live promises ninety minutes of fast, furious, and very, very funny entertainment.

Tickets bookable here.

Bath Half for RUHX
2023-10-15 | Queens Square, Queens Square, Bath, BA1 2HX
Always wanted to run the iconic Bath Half Marathon? Why not do it whilst raising money for your local hospital, the RUH.
We still have a number of RUHX charity places available, so sign up today for your free RUHX running vest, dedicated support throughout the whole journey and the loudest cheers on the day.
Help your local hospital, and sign up today: https://ruhx.org.uk/events/bath-half/

Do you need help with technology or getting online?
2023-10-16 10:00 - 12:00 | Chippenham Library
If you need help with getting online, e-mail, WhatsApp or some general advice about devices or staying safe on-line, come along and speak to us. You can just drop in or you can pre-book a short session.
For further questions or booking, please enquire at the desk or call us on 01249 650536.

Living Well Drop In
2023-10-16 11:00 - 13:00 | Chippenham Library
Come and join us for a chat to find out more about the wellbeing advice, financial support, social clubs and events we can help you access.
Between 10am and 12 noon, we will also be offering help to anyone who needs a hand getting online or using technology.
For further information, please contact the library on 01249 650536.

Bingo
2023-10-16 19:30 | Constitutional Club, 36 Foghamshire, Chippenham, SN15 1HB, United Kingdom
Calling All Bingo Fans
Don’t forget our weekly bingo is back again every Monday evening.
Doors open 7pm for game to start at 7:30pm with cash prizes up for grabs. All welcome.
£5 for 10 games plus 2 flyers

National Lottery Award Celebration at Chippenham Community Hub
2023-10-18 10:00 | Chippenham Community Hub
Chippenham Community Hub has been awarded funding from The National Lottery Community Fund that will ensure its sustainability and progress for the next three years. Help us celebrate by popping in between 10am and 12pm.

Open Evening at Chippenham Museum
2023-10-19 18:30 - 20:30 | Chippenham Museum, 9-10 Market Pl, Chippenham, SN15 3HF, United Kingdom
We would like to invite local Ukrainian families and their hosts to an open evening at Chippenham Museum.
During the evening you will be able to explore the museum and discover the history of Chippenham and the surrounding area. It will be an opportunity to meet new people and share stories.
There will also be the opportunity to learn about the Museum’s ‘Making Spaces’ project, exploring Chippenham and the surrounding area as a place of refuge.
Refreshments will be provided.
This event is free, drop in 6.30pm-8.30pm, no need to book.

FOQC Pumpkin Trail
2023-10-21 - 2023-10-28 | Wiltshire
We are pleased to announce the return of the FOQC Pumpkin Trail.
Visit https://linktr.ee/foqc to download the trail map, make a donation, find your entry form & vote on your favourite!
Keep up with updates throughout the event on our Facebook page and the 🎃 Pumpkin Trail 2023 event page .

🎃 🎃 🎃 🎃 🎃 🎃 🎃 🎃

Women In Rock
2023-10-21 19:30 - 21:30 | Neeld Community & Arts Centre, The Neeld, High Street, Chippenham, Wiltshire, SN15 3ER, United Kingdom
Since 2016, Women in Rock have been wowing audiences across the UK & Europe with their sell-out show. Having just returned from a hugely successful global tour, they are back in the UK and ready to take you on a journey featuring soaring vocals, choreography, audience interaction, striking costumes and backed by a band of world-class musicians. Women in Rock has built a reputation as one of the most enjoyable music shows now touring UK theatres.
You will dance and sing along to this spectacular show celebrating five decades of the world’s greatest female rock legends. From Quatro to Joplin, Cher to Turner, Pink to Blondie, Heart to Benatar, the set list is one classic after another and has something for everyone.
A show for the whole family to enjoy and an unforgettable night of female rock music, so grab your tickets and let’s go!

Sunbirds
2023-10-22 19:30 | The Neeld
The man who once told us he loved us from the bottom of his pencil case, founder Beautiful South member Dave Hemingway returns with his new band SUNBIRDS.
Having retired from the live scene at the back end of 2016, Dave has been keeping busy together with erstwhile South colleague, guitarist/songwriter Phil Barton, new discovery singer/violinist Laura Wilcockson and drummer Marc Parnell.
‘Cool To Be Kind’ was released in November 2020, on the independent label Nectar Records signalling the arrival of Sunbirds with new songs and a new sound.
Although born and bred in England, the band’s sound predominantly features the instrumentation of traditional American roots music combined with the occasional outburst of guitar heavy melody more associated with Seattle in the late 80’s/early 90’s.
However, you can only sing about what you know.
“Although a lot of the songs have an Americana feel” says Dave “they’re still about life in England. You’re going to feel a bit daft singing about pick-up trucks and low down honky-tonks when you live in Yorkshire.”
Their debut album produced by cult producer Teo Miller, captures truthful, open-hearted, funny and sometimes painfully honest songs, turning the page to a new chapter for Dave Hemingway and The Beautiful South story.
‘Cool To Be Kind’ is the result of a few transitional years in Dave and Phil’s individual personal worlds. It tells tales that cover contemporary themes as well as age-old matters of the heart and soul – all viewed through the bottom of a recently drained pint glass.
“Now we’re Sunbirds we’re free to dig a little deeper into ourselves”, says Phil “having said that, there’s no exact science here, we’re just enjoying ourselves and expressing whatever we want whether it’s about love, longing, depression or Gary Lineker’s crisp adverts”.
“Cool To Be Kind is a must-have album which helps us forget the pandemic and lust after the days where this amazing new band can deliver their songs live” – UK Music Reviews
“A highpoint of it’s rootier ilk” – We Are Cult
“Appealingly understated song writing” – Classic Pop Magazine
“An album with warmth to spare” – MOJO Magazine
Sunbirds ‘Cool To Be Kind’ debut album is out now available on Spotify, Apple Music, Deezer, Amazon UK & Music, all HMV stores and via the website – www.sunbirds.co.uk
Sunbirds are:
Dave Hemingway – Vocals
Phil Barton – Guitar
Laura Wilcockson – Vocals & Violin
Marc Parnell – Drums
Chris Offen – Guitar & Keybaords
Jerry Jobson – Bass
For more information on Sunbirds, please visit the links below:
Website
Facebook
Twitter
Instagram
‘Meet You On The Northside’ video link – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JD_xiHG7CGk
Tickets: £15 Advance | £17.50 on the door
Duration: 1 hour 50 minutes, including interval
Please contact the venue for any access requirements.
Tickets are also available through our Box Office on 01249 446699, or at the Town Hall.
Tickets are non-refundable unless this event is cancelled or postponed

Halloween Children’s Trail
2023-10-23 09:00 - 17:00 | The Pewsham, The Pewsham, Chippenham, Wiltshire, SN15 3RU, United Kingdom
Looking for some half term fun?
A mini Halloween trail at The Pewsham might be just the thing 🎃
Just the right length for little legs, a playpark in the middle, magic coffee at the beginning and the end…..
Pick up a £1 map from our witches 🧙‍♀️ & impress us with your fancy dress 🧟‍♂️
#thepewsham #thepewshamhalloweentrail #halloween #chippenhamhalftermfun #wiltshirehalfterm

Eerie-on-Sea Monster Museum Tour
2023-10-23 10:00 - 2023-10-28 16:00 | Chippenham Museum, 9-10 Market Pl, Chippenham, SN15 3HF, United Kingdom
Join us this half term as we take part in Kids In Museums Eerie-on-Sea Monster Museum Tour.
Can you spot all the monsters of the mysterious seaside town of Eerie-on-Sea at our museum? Complete the trail and get a free Eerie-on-Sea bookmark and sticker!
Draw your own mythical monster or magical creature and share it on social media for a chance to win a bundle of all five books in the Eerie-on-Sea series.
More information here
Don’t forget we’ll be holding additional craft activities for families on Tuesday 24 and Thursday 26 October with a spooky Halloween theme.
Free, drop in 10.30-3.30.
