Old Town Festival Events

2019-06-19T12:51:20+01:00

The Partnership of Churches are once again supporting the OT Festival this year. View the whole week’s events here

Thursday 13 June 2019 1-2 pm Lunch time Piano Recital by Paul Turner in Christ Church
Fascinatin’ Rhythm 

Tickets £5 from parish office or on door

Refreshments from 12 noon Sponsored by the Friends of Christ Church & Morris Owen Accountants

A piano recital celebrating the influence of jazz in classical music in classical music

JOPLIN                        Maple Leaf Rag                                              
DEBUSSY                    Le petit negre, La plus que lent
                                      Golliwog’s Cakewalk
GERSHWIN                Three Preludes for Piano

COPLAND                   Four Piano Blues     

KAPUSTIN                  Twenty-Four Preludes Op. 53                   

CHICK COREA           Selection from ‘Children’s Songs’            

GINASTERA               Danzas Argentinas                              

Friday 14th June from 2 – 5pm – Sparkling Afternoon Tea –

with Live Entertainment

 Christ Church, Old Town, Swindon

Cream tea £5.00

Prosecco tea £7.50

Bar open
Tickets on the door

Old Town Festival Events2019-06-19T12:51:20+01:00

Celebrate the change in season on the Railway Path

2018-10-26T16:15:24+01:00

On Sunday 30th September, the Friends of the Railway Path will be running a family-friendly event on the Path next to Three Trees Farm Shop and Café, Chiseldon, SN4 0HT, from 11.00 – 3.30.  You can:

  • Learn to scythe and help us make and rake a meadow
  • Come on a wildlife and wild food walk 
  • Hear about our upcoming hedgehog survey, and how to take part
  • Bring your bike and go for a ride using our new map

If you would like to come, please let me know or book a free place here.

If you can’t come but are interested in the hedgehog survey, please let me know.  Some more details are below.

Best wishes

Dick Millard  (dick.millard@btinternet.com)

Celebrate the change in season on the Railway Path2018-10-26T16:15:24+01:00

AUDITION NOTICE – OLD TOWN NATIVITY – THE JOURNEY – 9th DECEMBER 2018

2018-08-05T00:43:44+01:00

2nd July and 10th July
This December there will be a huge public performance of the Nativity story that winds it way through the streets of Old Town, involving members of the Swindon community as actors, singers, production team members and much much more!
The Journey will tell this well trodden tale but with fresh contemporary eyes, presenting the difficulties and challenges that the whole community felt at having to shift their lives without warning and we are looking for actors to take part now!
Directed by Anna Friend, who led the successful Wroughton Passion Play in 2016, this will be an edgy and energetic version, taking the audience through many locations to finally arrive at the end of the journey and the beginning of the story of Jesus. It will be an exciting and invigorating process through rehearsal and then onto a performance which holds many challenges for the whole team.

Open to experienced actors and those that would like to be involved, the Journey team of Executive Producer Daphne Hardwick and Producer Juliet Webb alongside Director Anna Friend need to hear from you.

Auditions are coming up and we have TWO sessions that you can come along to.

The first session is on Monday 2nd July begins at 5pm and completes at 8.30pm.

The second is on Tuesday 10th July from 5pm once more. Both sessions will be held at Christ Church Old Town Swindon.

We are looking for those that can take on the principal roles of Mary and Joseph as well as some smaller speaking roles.
We are also looking for a huge company of actors who will contribute to the storytelling along the way, performing small vignettes to help the audience to understand all the perspectives of those taking part in this epic journey.
If you would like to be involved in any way as a performer or in production please get in touch and we will arrange which audition session you can come along to.
If you cannot make either session but would like to audition, please get in touch as we might be able to accommodate an alternative date.
Come and get involved in what will be a memorable and amazing event in your community.
Contact thejourneyswindon@gmail.com

AUDITION NOTICE – OLD TOWN NATIVITY – THE JOURNEY – 9th DECEMBER 20182018-08-05T00:43:44+01:00

Partnership Walk from Ramsbury to Marlborough along the River Kennet

2018-05-02T23:11:52+01:00

Easter eve (Easter Saturday) 31 Mar 2018

Most of the way is on footpaths/bridleways.  Some on quiet minor roads.  Two short (300 yds) sections on the Ramsbury/Marlborough road, where there is no footpath. Appropriate footwear is essential – wellies, trainers or walking boots.  There are a few short sections which are muddy and, if wet, will be very slippery and will require care. Bring warm clothes and waterproofs.  The full walk is 7 1/2 miles.  Bus fares between approx £5 and £8.50. Short option – 3 ½ miles to Axford.  Then either the 15.23 bus (service 48A) to Marlborough or 15.49 (service 48) to Swindon (or taxi share).

Please let the walk leader know in advance if you would like to join the walk, and if you would like to be included in a sandwich lunch at the Red Lion (extra cost – to be confirmed).

Organiser and walk leader (c/o PCC Christ with St Mary’s, Swindon) – Daniel Pitt  Swindon (01793) 521732 Mob   07834 704350 fdpitt@yahoo.co.uk

 

Walk from Ramsbury to Marlborough along the River Kennet 

  •  10.30   Meet at Swindon Bus Station
  • 10.40   Thamesdown Service 46 bus to Ramsbury
  • 11.22   Bus arrives at The Bell in Ramsbury
  • 11.30   Depart The Bell on foot.  3 1/2 miles to Axford
  • 13.15   Arrive The Red Lion, Axford.
  • 14.30   Depart The Red Lion on foot (short option as below).
  • 15.30   Arrive St John the Baptist church (11th Century) Mildenhall.
  • 16.00  Depart St John the Baptist on foot for Marlborough
  • 17.00  Arrive Marlborough (Castle and Ball)
  • 17.55  Depart Marlborough Service 48 bus
  • 18.49   Arrive Swindon Bus Station

(Alternative buses Thamesdown Service 80 or Salisbury Red, X5.  NB – need Wiltshire Day Rover for X5).

 

Partnership Walk from Ramsbury to Marlborough along the River Kennet2018-05-02T23:11:52+01:00

Partnership Lent Course – Romans For Today

2018-03-30T21:13:47+01:00

 Five reflections during Lent 2018 for the Old Town Partnership of Churches from Wednesday 21st Feb until Wednesday 21st March, Swindon 7.30pm – 9.15pm.Led by the Revd Dr David Wenham.
Romans is arguably the most influential letter the world has ever. The great theologian Karl Barth called it ‘the clearest gospel of all’, but for many readers it is anything but clear. In our time together we will hope to unlock its profound and wonderful teaching, and to see how relevant it is to today’s church and world.

 

If you missed it – Listen again to Week 1. Wed 21st Feb What’s Romans all about, and why it is important to us? (chapters 1 and 15, also a look at chapters 9-11)

If you missed it Listen again to Week 2. Wed 28th Feb What’s wrong with the world? Diagnosing the human problem (chapters 1-3:20)

Week 3. Weds 7th Mar Amazing grace: making sense of the cross (chapters 3:21-5)

If you missed it listen again to Week 4. Weds 14th Mar New life for humanity and all creation (chapters 6-8)

Week 5. Wed 21st Mar Being a Christian in the real world (chapters 12-15)

Partnership Lent Course – Romans For Today2018-03-30T21:13:47+01:00

Partnership Walks Programme 2018

2018-03-25T14:53:59+01:00

I would like to put together a walks programme for 2018. Please join us on the New Year’s Day ramble with a view to sharing ideas for the 2018 programme. Maybe six planned walks throughout the year – possibly including a weekend visit to southern Snowdonia.

Background
The first outing of the Walking Group was on New Year’s Day 1999, when we walked over the M4 curly-whirly bridge and over the fields to the Calley Arms at Hodson – and back home in the fading light! The group has met about 5 times every year since. We walk by canals, rivers, over downland and beside less well known places in Swindon. We have walked around the boundary of Old Town Parish many times.

The walks have always been promoted amongst the Old Town Partnership of Churches, and new ways of promoting the walks to a wider group in Swindon – and further afield – are always sought. Everyone is welcome.


Apart from the joys of fresh air, scenery and peace – and the benefits of exercise – there is another special feature of a walk. The special feature is that one is not alone, even if, for a while, one is content with one’s own company. When you fall in step with another person, the conversation can be about whatever you like. Walking side by side need not be intense. Sometimes more than a book’s worth of words are spoken in silence over a mile – with just the singing of the skylarks, or the noise of air in beech trees.

I love walks because they have movement and flow, and sometimes you find simplicity and answers. Walks can be fabulously romantic – also you don’t need to keep your imagination or ideas safely in a bottle!

Join in if you can.

Daniel Pitt 26 November 2017
Home 521732
Mobile 07834 704350
fdpitt@yahoo.co.uk

Partnership Walks Programme 20182018-03-25T14:53:59+01:00

Concert – Black Feathers with Rob Richings – Friday October 20th 7.30

2017-10-24T17:56:59+01:00

You can now buy your tickets for this concert on our website. £10 https://www.christchurchswindon.co.uk/events/reserve-a-ticket.php?r=se

The ability to write songs that are both modern and ancient is a rare thing. The product of an arcane art of weaving in traditional influences so thoroughly that they become the warp and weft of fresh creations.

The Black Feathers, made up of Ray Hughes and Sian Chandler, are two such talents. They first became aware of the magic between them while collaborating on several musical projects, becoming The Black Feathers and life partners in 2012.

Americana, Folk, and Acoustic Indie Rock sensibilities coexist comfortably in their musical world, with Hughes’ guitar work buoying the kind of harmonies often only heard in family bands.

2016 has been an incredible year for the The Black Feathers. Their debut album was met with critical acclaim and broke into the Top 10 in the iTunes Country chart and the Official UK Americana Chart. A live album recorded at The Convent in Stroud has also just been released and very well received.

Tours in the UK and the USA, as well as an Irish tour supporting Eddi Reader, have kept Sian and Ray busy throughout the year. They could easily rest on their laurels, but instead have been spending their downtime working on new material to be released in 2017.

9

Listen to some of the Black Feather’s music here.

Concert – Black Feathers with Rob Richings – Friday October 20th 7.302017-10-24T17:56:59+01:00

Autumn Fayre is here – 9th September 2017 12-4pm

2017-09-13T22:35:25+01:00

Come along and support our annual Autumn Fayre. Old fashioned family fun with vintage rides, petting farm and games. Lots of craft stalls, real ale tent, local craft gins, delicious organic burgers and sausages plus tasty vegetarian options. Tradititional afternoon tea and homemade cakes. Everything you need for a fun day out with the family.

Doors open at 12.00.

Interested in family history or our local heritage? Come and take a look at our newly refurbished church building where you will find a range of fascinating activities as part of our celebration of Heritage day. Find out about traditional lace making, and take the opportunity to try it for yourself. Talk to English Heritage volunteers about local history and research methods.

Watch historic Pathe films about Swindon on our new Laser projector and big screen.  (showings 12.30 and 2.30) See historic pictures supplied by the Swindon Society

Look up your family’s Christ Church burial records on our online database. Enjoy a tour of the church building from one of our expert guides. Experience the fascinating world of bell ringing up close – tours of the belltower 12 – 3 (you do need to be able to handle some steep steps though).

Explore your family’s past using ancestry.com, findmypast and forces-war-records with our family historian.

Display of work from the Old Town Stitching Bee

Something for everyone.

Autumn Fayre is here – 9th September 2017 12-4pm2017-09-13T22:35:25+01:00

Join our Workshop on Growing Leaders led by James Lawrence – Sunday 21st May

2017-05-28T15:42:25+01:00
This Sunday morning 21st May 10am at Christ Church we have the ​acclaimed speaker James Lawrence from C.P.A.S coming to preach.  He has kindly agreed to lead a workshop following the service between 12 and 1pm in the Community Centre. I would like to invite you to come to the service and/or workshop, ideally both!!  I can highly recommend him as a speaker and he will be talking about growing leaders which is so important.
Please do feel warmly welcome to join us on Sunday.
Simon
Join our Workshop on Growing Leaders led by James Lawrence – Sunday 21st May2017-05-28T15:42:25+01:00

Easter Eve Ramble – Saturday 15 April 2017

2017-04-26T19:53:44+01:00

A walk from Avebury to Marlborough via Fyfield Down. Meet outside Prospect shop in Victoria Road Old Town, to catch 10.10 bus to Avebury (Stagecoach service 49). 7 miles walk Avebury to Marlborough. Please bring a packed lunch, spare clothes and waterproofs. Late afternoon bus back from Marlborough (e.g. 16.35 Stagecoach service 80). Option of early evening supper at Pino’s in Marlborough at 6 pm, and then 20.15 bus (Thamesdown Transport, service 70A) back to Swindon Old Town. Please let me know if you would like to join for supper so I can confirm booking numbers. Daniel Pitt, 521732 or 07834 704350

Easter Eve Ramble – Saturday 15 April 20172017-04-26T19:53:44+01:00
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