Singers saved the day for new charity

Let me tell you about the Swing Birds!

They are an all-girl big band (well perhaps with the occasional touch of masculinity around the edges) and are a truly outstanding group of musicians, inspired by Ivy Benson and under the present leadership of the quite extraordinary Mo Squires. If you haven't attended one of their concerts yet, you are really in for a treat.

Outside rehearsals, they come together four or five times a year to raise money for some of the best known local charities we have, the Prospect Foundation, Brighter Futures, the Nelson Trust, Swindon Women's Aid, the NHS, Swindon Vixens, the Multiple Sclerosis Well-being Centre, Wiltshire Air Ambulance and most recently, our own modest mental health support charity, The Kelly Foundation.

This latest concert was at the Deanery Theatre and was a complete sell out, partly because of the cause but also not least of which, because of the following the Swing Birds have developed. Four days before the concert they became plagued with late illness and were forced to draft in four new members with whom they hadn't even rehearsed. Remarkably, and a testament to just how talented they all are, what looked like being a disaster ended up as a note perfect performance, with attendees still talking about just how good it was three weeks later. Although they travel quite long distances, they would not even allow me to cover their expenses!

These girls raise thousands of pounds for local charities and many of them also play in other bands, at other times of the year, again raising yet more money for local charity.

If you do want to see them, (and you’d be foolish not to), then they are performing at the Deanery Theatre on April 16th a Sunday evening, this time in support of the marvellous Wiltshire Air Ambulance. On this occasion they have Stephen Tilly adding a different dimension to the vocals. (www.ticketsource.co.uk)

So, the next time you hear about the so-called honours lists, populated by minor celebrities, failed clapped-out party politicians and fabulously wealthy sports people, at least you will know who really should be on such a list, but I recommend you not hold your breath!

John Stooke

Haydon End

Young priced out of home ownership

The average price for a house in Swindon is £314,000 and this works out at a 16 per cent increase in the last year.

Many house owners might think that this is wonderful news because on paper they are a lot richer but the truth is the only change is that the house is a year older.

Millennials are the people who are worse off because they are looking for a home to buy or rent.

This is how inflation hurts the next generation. Inflation is pushing up house prices and rents.

First time buyers are being pushed out of the market.

The young people cannot afford to get married and have babies and this is bad for the health of the nation and the British economy.

Steve Halden

Beaufort Green

Swindon

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