Latest news with #SwindonCouncil
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Museum centrepiece missing for five years seems finally set to return
An iconic museum centrepiece that has been missing for years could soon be back. The hugely popular Indian gharial, nicknamed Apsley, has not been seen by Swindonians since the borough's art gallery and museum closed for the 2020 Covid-19 lockdown. But she could well be on her way back home. Swindon Borough Council, which opened a renewed gallery and museum without Apsley in the upper storey of its civic offices in Euclid Street last year is certainly serving up some teasers. Historic pub set to be demolished saved by greenlight for new use Bus gates, no parking and 20mph limit: What new Fleming Way will be like A posting on the authority's Facebook page showed a dramatic picture of the 20-foot crocodile from its fishy prey's perspective, giving a close-up view of Apsley's rows of razor-sharp teeth under the legend 'it's been a while crocodile… Coming soon to Museum & Art Swindon.' It has also posted a cryptic video: A (slightly shaky) camera travels from Apsley House in Old Town to the civic offices, welcomed by council leader Councillor Jim Robbins and the recent Mayor Imtiyaz Shaikh, and up to the door of the museum. Coming Soon: Swindon's most famous resident returns to Museum & Art Swindon 🐊🏛️ — Swindon Borough Council (@SwindonCouncil) May 21, 2025 The caption says: 'Coming soon: Swindon's most famous resident returns to Museum & Art Swindon.' Assuming that the caption isn't suggesting Diana Dors or Billie Piper are soon to move into the civic offices, it seems likely it's another clue to the gharial's return.
BBC News
20-03-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Two new Wiltshire solar farms 'could power 29,000 homes'
Plans have been revealred to build two new solar farms in Power said it has earmarked the Mount Pleasant site in Wanborough and Hoopers Pool in Southwick for the company says the two sites will meet the energy needs of almost 29,000 homes.A public meeting is being held in Wanborough's Sports Pavillion later to outline the Mount Pleasant plans, ahead of a formal planning application being submitted. An online webinar to discuss the Hoopers Pool development will be held on 26 March at 18:30 Thorne, from Belltown Power, said that if approved the solar farms would not only provide "much-needed renewable energy" but would help support the local councils to meet their "net zero carbon emissions targets". According to the company's website, both the 150-acre Mount Pleasant site and the 120-acre Hoopers Pool site could still be used for agricultural purposes, such as grazing also states that the "proposals are temporary" and after 40 years the land would be returned to its original applications for both solar farms are expected to be submitted to Wiltshire Council and Swindon Council by early summer.
