Welcoming Back the Gharial on 23 May 2025

 News on the blog is retrospective at the moment. So much happened in 2025 at Museum and Art, much of it not recorded here, so with the long nights continuing for a bit longer yet, I thought I'd try and include some of what was missed.

The long anticipated return of the gharial was welcomed by all of us. Those of you who remember following the large footprints painted on the carpet at Apsley House, will be pleased that the much loved gharial is back on the first floor of the Civic Offices, in the Origins Gallery where the shop and reception are located. In its absence, it has been fully restored, with new teeth, eyes and a case to prevent further degradation. Articles appeared in the Swindon Advertiser and The Swindonian celebrating the return.

It was of course a brilliant photo opportunity with Cllr Jim Robbins Leader of the Council, Heidi Alexander, MP for South Swindon and Deputy Mayor, Cllr Neil Hopkins attending.

Not only attending, but unveiling

And above, the first glimpse of the restored gharial

Heidi Alexander chatting to Frances Yeo above

Left to right: MP Heidi Alexander, Andrew Cross Chair of FMAS, Frances Yeo Head of Museums, Cllr Jim Robbins Council Leader and Cllr Neil Hopkins Deputy Mayor

These two excellent photos were taken by committee member Claire Parsons who takes fantastic photos and judges how and where to take them so well

If you haven't visited the museum and art gallery in the Civic Offices, it's well worth doing so. They are open Tuesday - Saturday 10.30am-4.30pm