From small beginnings over a dozen years ago, our volunteer-run charitable trust (Reg. No. 1148966) has created a vibrant, fully accredited museum for local communities and visitors. With over 2500 concerts, festivals, drama, markets, courses, steam engines, masterclasses, family fun, and a lot of cream teas, over a hundred thousand people have discovered this secret gem at the heart of Swindon and Wiltshire life.

But... everything we've done has been within very tight constraints, particularly in terms of our indoor space, which is extremely limited because of the size of the rooms, and the fact that it is a museum. The new building will change that, enabling us to not only continue, but also increase our offer - longer opening hours, more events, and revenue from hirings for community, business, and other cultural purposes.

The building we imagine, will be an environmentally friendly timber-framed building, in keeping with our principles for looking after nature, and the historic agricultural setting of the museum. Inside, it will be a simple 'hall' with furniture that can easily be adapted, or hidden away, for whatever activity is taking place. At one end there will be storage space and toilets, including accessible facilities, and at the other, a small kitchen.

Inside - Arts & Wildlife

We love the arts - all of them! We've had poetry, live music, dance, exhibitions, masterclasses, festivals, painting, and just about everything else. But our reliance on the outside means we are very susceptible to the weather. A new building would let us carry on doing what we do, and do a lot more of it. Meanwhile, the wildlife aspect of what we do, is inspired by the fact that Richard Jefferies is acknowledged as the first person to use the phrase wildlife in a nature context, in his 1879 book, "Wild Life in a Southern County." For our events and activities, we take the broader view of this, to cover:

- wildlife itself, the flora and fauna, both wild and cultivated by us;

- simply being in nature, and the benefits that brings for us all;

- the bigger picture - our relationship with the Earth.

And then of course there is our heritage - we are a museum, after all. As well as heritage related events, we have lots of strange and wonderful things to see, including our amazing collection of agricultural tools.

As well as arts, wildlife, and heritage, the new building would help us to broaden a host of other strands, including rental for classes, parties and externally-run activities, corporate events, and weddings.

Of course, all we now need is lots of money - not to mention a comprehensive business plan and a lot of support, from all directions. If you want to see our outline business plan, and more detail about the plan, visit our website at: www.richardjefferies.org/caw

Thank you!