Swindon news, May 2026: day by day
41 stories from May 2026, under the day each one is about. Stories marked Looking back were written later from the published source and show the date Swindo published them.
Sunday 31 May 2026
- Looking backDavid Lloyd Swindon marks fourth year in Best Places to Work top 10
Looking back, 31 May 2026: David Lloyd Swindon thanked its staff after parent company David Lloyd was named in the Sunday Times Top 10 Best Places to Work for the fourth year running.
Business and economy · Source: Swindon24 · Published on Swindo
Saturday 30 May 2026
- Looking backPavement parking ban trial announced for three roads in North Swindon
Looking back, 30 May 2026: An 18-month trial banning parking on pavements and verges on parts of Redhouse Way, Millgrove Street and Eastbury Way in North Swindon was due to start on 3 June 2026.
Transport · Source: Swindon24 · Published on Swindo
Friday 29 May 2026
- Looking backHundreds attend car meet at The Ridge, Shaw Ridge Leisure Park
Looking back, 29 May 2026: Hundreds of people went to a static community car meet at The Ridge Bar & Grill at Shaw Ridge Leisure Park in West Swindon, organised by content creator SamTurbs.
Things to do · Source: Swindon24 · Published on Swindo
Thursday 28 May 2026
- Looking backCoate Water splash park opens early for summer 2026
Looking back, 28 May 2026: Swindon Borough Council said the free splash park at Coate Water would reopen at 11am on Friday 29 May, earlier than planned, in time for half-term and a heatwave.
Parks and nature · Source: Swindon24 · Published on Swindo
Wednesday 27 May 2026
- Looking backSwindon Academy head named chair of £20m Pride in Penhill scheme
Looking back, 27 May 2026: Swindon Academy headteacher Charlotte Beckhurst was named Independent Chair of Pride in Penhill, the programme bringing £20 million of Government money to Penhill over ten years.
Community · Source: Swindon24 · Published on Swindo
- Looking back12 flats approved at former Co-op on Wroughton High Street despite parking objection
Looking back, 27 May 2026: Wroughton and Wichelstowe Parish Council criticised the approval of 12 flats at the former Co-op on Wroughton High Street, saying the scheme was nine parking spaces short.
Housing and living · Source: Swindon24 · Published on Swindo
Tuesday 26 May 2026
- Looking backBeneath the Surface ceramics exhibition opens at Museum & Art Swindon
Looking back, 26 May 2026: Museum & Art Swindon opened Beneath the Surface, the first major exhibition of its studio ceramics collection, covering a century of British pottery.
Arts and culture · Source: Swindon Borough Council · Published on Swindo
Monday 25 May 2026
- Looking backNew day room opens on Saturn Ward at Great Western Hospital
Looking back, 25 May 2026: A former storage room on Saturn Ward at Great Western Hospital was turned into a day room for patients and families, paid for entirely by donations to Brighter Futures.
Healthcare · Source: Swindon24 · Published on Swindo
Sunday 24 May 2026
- Looking backSwindon dancers join 255-mile Rejoin Ramble walk from London to Brussels
Looking back, 24 May 2026: Steve Rouse and Marisa Zoeller, who run Wroughton Bodybalance, had set off from Parliament Square on 23 May on a two-week, 255-mile campaign walk to the European Parliament in Brussels.
Community · Source: Swindon24 · Published on Swindo
Saturday 23 May 2026
- Looking backPolice appeal after van hits two pedestrians on Dorcan Way, Swindon
Looking back, 23 May 2026: Wiltshire Police appealed for witnesses after a four-year-old boy and a 19-year-old woman were hit by a van on Dorcan Way, near Coate Water Roundabout, on the evening of 22 May.
Transport · Source: Wiltshire 999s · Published on Swindo
Friday 22 May 2026
- Looking backRIAT 2026 at RAF Fairford cancelled, a blow for Swindon hotels and pubs
Looking back, 22 May 2026: The Royal International Air Tattoo planned for 17 to 19 July at RAF Fairford was cancelled because of uncertainty over access to the base, hitting Swindon's visitor trade.
Business and economy · Source: Swindon24 · Published on Swindo
- Looking backGary Sumner elected Leader of Swindon Borough Council
Looking back, 22 May 2026: Councillor Gary Sumner was elected Leader of Swindon Borough Council at the annual meeting, heading a Conservative minority administration, and Councillor Neil Hopkins became Mayor.
Council and services · Source: Swindon Borough Council · Published on Swindo
- ABBA Tribute Night at Lydiard Park Hotel
Get ready for the ultimate ABBA tribute experience! Sing and dance along to all your favourite hits performed live by ABBAholics, an incredible four-piece band.
Things to do · Source: Swindon Borough Council
Thursday 21 May 2026
- Looking backFree August bus travel for children aged 5 to 15 announced, covering Swindon
Looking back, 21 May 2026: The Government had announced free bus travel for children aged 5 to 15 from 1 to 31 August 2026, a scheme Swindon South MP Heidi Alexander said would help local families.
Transport · Source: Swindon24 · Published on Swindo
Wednesday 20 May 2026
- Looking backSwindon Town Women given civic reception after league title win
Looking back, 20 May 2026: Swindon Town Women were thanked at a civic reception in the Mayor's Parlour after winning the FA Women's National League South West Division and a county cup double.
Sport and fitness · Source: Swindon24 · Published on Swindo
Tuesday 19 May 2026
- Looking backDirect Swindon to Oxford trains return after 23 years with £6 fares
Looking back, 19 May 2026: Direct GWR trains between Swindon and Oxford were running again after a 23-year gap, with £6 introductory singles and the fastest journey under 30 minutes.
Transport · Source: Swindon24 · Published on Swindo
Monday 18 May 2026
- Looking backSwindon Rotary Swimathon 2026 held at Highworth Recreation Centre
Looking back, 18 May 2026: Dozens of swimmers took part in the annual Rotary Charity Swimathon at Highworth Recreation Centre, raising money for Phoenix Enterprises and other causes.
Community · Source: Swindon24 · Published on Swindo
Sunday 17 May 2026
- Looking backFree junior parkrun launches at Moredon Sporting Hub in North Swindon
Looking back, 17 May 2026: A free weekly 2 km junior parkrun for children aged 4 to 14 was announced for Moredon Sporting Hub, the third junior parkrun venue in Swindon.
Sport and fitness · Source: Swindon24 · Published on Swindo
Saturday 16 May 2026
- Looking backSwindon Town retained list 2026: ten players released, 18 under contract
Looking back, 16 May 2026: Swindon Town released ten players, including Junior Hoilett, Billy Bodin, Ryan Delaney and Will Wright, after missing out on promotion from League Two.
Sport and fitness · Source: Swindon24 · Published on Swindo
Friday 15 May 2026
- Looking backFree water refill fountain installed at Town Gardens, Swindon
Looking back, 15 May 2026: South Swindon Parish Council installed a free drinking-water fountain beside the cafe at Town Gardens, the second of three planned for its parks.
Parks and nature · Source: Swindon24 · Published on Swindo
Thursday 14 May 2026
- Looking backHowie's cafe on Victoria Road, Old Town, Swindon reopens as Studio
Looking back, 14 May 2026: The Old Town cafe Howie's reopened as Studio, an art cafe on Victoria Road showing work by local artists, after a two-month refurbishment.
Food and drink · Source: Swindon24 · Published on Swindo
- Looking backWales & West Utilities £8.9m gas pipe upgrade to bring roadworks to Swindon
Looking back, 14 May 2026: Wales & West Utilities announced an £8.9 million, 18-month programme to replace more than 33 kilometres of gas pipes in Swindon and four Wiltshire towns.
Transport · Source: Swindon24 · Published on Swindo
Wednesday 13 May 2026
- Looking backGreener Business Day announced for The Workshed, Swindon on 22 May 2026
Looking back, 13 May 2026: Swindon Borough Council invited businesses to a free Greener Business Day at The Workshed in the Carriage Works on Friday 22 May 2026.
Business and economy · Source: Swindon Borough Council · Published on Swindo
Tuesday 12 May 2026
- Looking backSwindon City of Culture 2029 bid launches 'We Dream In Public' campaign
Looking back, 12 May 2026: Swindon's bid to be UK City of Culture 2029 moved into its next phase with a public campaign, #WeDreamInPublic, asking residents for ideas before a 10 August deadline.
Arts and culture · Source: Swindon24 · Published on Swindo
- Looking backSwindon Designer Outlet raises £22,000 for Julia's House children's hospice
Looking back, 12 May 2026: The Designer Outlet in Swindon and children's hospice charity Julia's House marked three years of partnership that had raised more than £22,000.
Community · Source: Swindon24 · Published on Swindo
Monday 11 May 2026
- Looking backRegent Circus, Swindon: former Morrisons fully demolished, drone photos show
Looking back, 11 May 2026: Drone photographs showed the former Morrisons at Regent Circus in Swindon town centre completely demolished and about half of the old cinema building gone.
Business and economy · Source: Swindon24 · Published on Swindo
- Looking backSwindon foster carers and bus company join forces for Foster Care Fortnight
Looking back, 11 May 2026: Swindon Borough Council and Swindon's Bus Company launched a drive for more local foster carers, using six buses to show the 300-plus children in care in the town.
Community · Source: Swindon Borough Council · Published on Swindo
Sunday 10 May 2026
- Looking backBilly Bodin confirms he is leaving Swindon Town
Looking back, 10 May 2026: Swindon-raised forward Billy Bodin told supporters he was leaving Swindon Town after a second spell at the County Ground that he called frustrating.
Sport and fitness · Source: Swindon24 · Published on Swindo
- Looking backLongevity Games at Foundation Park, Swindon draws nearly 200 people
Looking back, 10 May 2026: Nearly 200 people took part in the Longevity Games at the Harris Athletics Track at Foundation Park, which organisers called their largest event so far.
Sport and fitness · Source: Swindon24 · Published on Swindo
Saturday 9 May 2026
- Looking backGreat Western Railway to be nationalised on 13 December 2026
Looking back, 9 May 2026: It was reported that Great Western Railway, which runs the trains through Swindon, would move into public ownership on 13 December 2026.
Transport · Source: Swindon24 · Published on Swindo
Thursday 7 May 2026
- Looking backOfsted monitoring visit finds progress at New College Swindon
Looking back, 7 May 2026: An Ofsted monitoring visit to New College Swindon in March 2026 found progress in learner achievement, support for vulnerable students, careers guidance and work experience.
Education · Source: Swindon24 · Published on Swindo
- Looking backSwindon council election 2026 result: no overall control
Looking back, 7 May 2026: Swindon Borough Council was left under no overall control after the 7 May elections, with the Conservatives on 23 seats, Labour 19, Reform UK 14 and the Liberal Democrats 1.
Council and services · Source: Swindon Borough Council · Published on Swindo
Wednesday 6 May 2026
- Looking backSwindon Town FC debts consolidated under owner Clem Morfuni
Looking back, 6 May 2026: Swindon Town said a £1.4 million debt to a third party had been repaid with money from owner Clem Morfuni's Axis group, leaving all club debt owed to him or his companies.
Sport and fitness · Source: Swindon24 · Published on Swindo
- Looking backComic Con returns to STEAM Museum, Swindon on 20 June 2026
Looking back, 6 May 2026: Swindon Borough Council announced that Comic Con would return to STEAM Museum on Saturday 20 June 2026, with Warwick Davis, Brian Blessed and Ben Whitehead as guests.
Things to do · Source: Swindon Borough Council · Published on Swindo
Tuesday 5 May 2026
- Looking backTekever applies to redevelop the Spectrum Building on Mead Way, Swindon
Looking back, 5 May 2026: Portuguese technology firm Tekever applied to turn the Grade II* listed Spectrum Building on Mead Way, the former Renault centre, into a factory for unmanned aircraft.
Business and economy · Source: Swindon24 · Published on Swindo
Monday 4 May 2026
- Looking backSwindon primary school places 2026: 95.5 per cent get first choice
Looking back, 4 May 2026: Swindon Borough Council figures showed 95.5 per cent of children were offered their first-choice primary school for September 2026, and 99.3 per cent one of their top three.
Education · Source: Swindon24 · Published on Swindo
- Looking backWichelstowe in Swindon wins national sustainable travel award
Looking back, 4 May 2026: Wichelstowe was named Residential National Site of the Year at the Modeshift STARS National Travel Awards for its work to cut car use.
Transport · Source: Swindon24 · Published on Swindo
Sunday 3 May 2026
- Looking backDisused room at Eldene Community Centre refurbished for free by Swindon builder
Looking back, 3 May 2026: A former pre-school room at Eldene Community Centre in Swindon reopened for hire after a local building firm refurbished it free of charge.
Community · Source: Swindon24 · Published on Swindo
Saturday 2 May 2026
- Looking backGWR manager Paul Gentleman of Swindon made Deputy Lieutenant of Wiltshire
Looking back, 2 May 2026: Paul Gentleman, a Great Western Railway communications manager who lives in Old Town, Swindon, was reported to have been appointed a Deputy Lieutenant of Wiltshire.
Community · Source: Swindon24 · Published on Swindo
- Looking backSwindon Town lose 2-1 to Chesterfield at the County Ground as season ends
Looking back, 2 May 2026: Swindon Town's season ended with a 2-1 home defeat to Chesterfield in front of a sold-out County Ground, and manager Ian Holloway called it an absolute failure.
Sport and fitness · Source: Swindon24 · Published on Swindo
Friday 1 May 2026
- Looking backSwindon election debate at Create Studios: five party candidates lined up for 5 May 2026
Looking back, 1 May 2026: Swindon24 announced a live debate between candidates from five parties at Create Studios, to be shown online two days before the Swindon Borough Council elections.
Council and services · Source: Swindon24 · Published on Swindo