Unveiling the Model of the new Museum and Art Gallery

This event was held for the press to take photographs and publicise them widely so everyone knows what the plans for the building look like, and make comments. I was present as chair of the Friends, it felt like history was being made, as in fact I hope it is with this iconic new building in the centre of the town.
The morning started with members of the Trust formed to manage the bid, along with Councillor David Renard present for photographs

 I'm going to start with models of the building in case Facebook takes the first photo as an illustration of what's in the post. Below there's a close up with the Gharial mounted on the far wall!

 The rest of the photos are of groups of people being photographed:

 Below Cllr David Renard talking to Nicky Alberry, and in the background, Brian Mattock chatting with Joel Joffe.

 Below, I rather liked this shot of Robert Hiscox, Chair of the Trust, and Hadrian Ellory van-Dekker, Director of the Trust standing smiling.

 Another one

 Here are Roger Ogle and Richard Wintle looking at the model. I'll be interested to see Richard's photographs, he's already Tweeted quite a lot.

 Below a photo of members of the Trust together

 Graham Carter has already published his piece on this morning in the online version of Swindon Heritage magazine: http://www.swindonheritage.com/
Another here: http://www.swindonnews.org.uk/vision-for-a-landmark-museum-and-art-gallery-for-swindon-revealed/
and Swindon Link magazine: https://swindonlink.com/plans-for-swindons-new-22m-museum-and-art-gallery-unveiled/
What an exciting day for Swindon.

Friends' Christmas Social

There was a change to our advertised programme of talks and trips in December because Steven Pippin was unable to come on the the arranged date, Thursday 8 December, we have therefore postponed his visit until some time next year, and we decided to hold a social event instead. To cover the cost of drinks, we appealed for prizes and held a raffle which raised £219 to cover the cost of drinks, and also raise more money for the restoration of 'Landscape' by George Downs, having already raised enough money to restore Jack Smith's 'Night Sky'.

 I took a few photos of groups of people

 and a few more

 we had a lovely time

 There were updates from Sophie Cummings on the recent acquisitions which included the pot in the back of the group of 3 by Sarah Purvey, the Friends were thrilled to be able to purchase this pot entitled 'Witnessed' just last week.

 Below 'Elms at Fresden, near Highworth' painted in 1971 by David Rolt is another new acquisition.

 More on new acquisitions here: http://swindonmuseumandartgallery.org.uk/recent-acquisitions/

 Sophie also talked about some pieces in the collection going to the Osborne Samuel Gallery from 12 January- 11Febuary, maybe30 pieces. Other pieces are being loaned to the Bishop Otter in Chichester for their exhibition whose details I can't find just now. And last but by no means least, Nicki Western unveiled a model of the proposed new iconic Museum and art gallery building. There was an embargo on taking photographs until today 13.12.16 at noon, everyone respected this, and Nicki whisked the model away after 10 minutes.

Thank you to all who attended this brilliant evening.