Great open meeting tonight, loads of familiar faces and loads of new ones too! Our plans for the site layout went down well – phew! We announced our major sponsor Swindon Travel Choices who are really keen to work with us and develop a partnership that works both ways, they need exciting ways to promote sustainable transport and we need funding! We are so pleased they have come on board and look forward to sharing more as the partnership develops.

The idea to introduce Busk Stops – dedicated spaces for first time buskers – went down well with our youngest attendee keen to book his slot already!! The arts and crafts folk liked the move to a quieter area of the site and there were loads of offers of help and support with everything from marketing to sound equipment, fundraising and even cleaning up! Indeed the Big Sing Thing, Swindons newest community choir that grew out of last years finale project, have already said they will raise £150 for us – thank you so much, at the risk of sounding like a well known supermarket “every little does help”. :0)

We also launched the new audition process for bands/musicians email swindondoesarts@swindon.gov.uk and we will send you the information and registration details. The concept of a family friendly opening 3 hours was well received with a special children’s zone in the Avenue. And yes we will have a film and media zone this year too…

As you can tell I’m still buzzing…