We had a great time meeting Jane, Asda Haydon's community and customer champion. It was incredible to be awarded with a grant from the Asda Foundation for £1,000!
Back in April we had a really successful Bucket Collection and Awareness Stall at Asda which saw us meet lots of fantastic members of the public who took a real interest in our work and activities.
A huge thank you to The Asda Foundation for supporting those with a Visual Impairment in Swindon access Sport and Social Activities. We run solely on donations, grants and fundraising efforts so really appreciate this fantastic opportunity to keep Swindon Bats going from strength to strength into 2025!
Thank you!
In early December a group of Bats took on a team from Zurich to have a game of indoor Kurling. There was a break for lunch where mince pies and mulled wine were enjoyed. The overall winner of the games was Bats member Ali, so a big congratulations to her!
Thank you especially to Cheryl from Zurich for putting on a lovely festive challenge, for everyone to enjoy.
We hope to have many more opportunities with Zurich next year.
Swindon Bats had a fantastic night at our annual Christmas get together with 26 members joining us for a meal, Christmas themed quiz, raffle and even a little dancing!
Big thank you to everyone who came along and made it such a wonderful evening.
Thank you to Westlecot Bowls Club for hosting us on the night.
A very special and heartfelt thank you to everyone on the Bats committee ( Sue Mead,Shaun Mansbridge, Maisy McAdam, Andy Cooper, Richard Carter) and our Chairperson Becky Harrison
For all their hard work throughout the year helping to make Swindon Bats a successful Charity and Sports and Social Club for the Blind and Visually Impaired.
Swindon Bats are currently enjoying a 6 week course of indoor lawn bowls at the wonderful Westlecot Bowls Club.
All the Bats who are currently taking part are having lots of fun trying out their new Bowls techniques! We would like to say a huge thank you to all the lovely Westlecot Club members for giving such fantastic guidance and support to all our Visually Impaired members who have really started to improve on their techniques and skills.
Here's to more Bowls in 2025!
20 Bats members recently enjoyed a fantastic social evening of Skittles at The SouthBrook Inn in early December 2024.
Congratulations to the winning team on the night Bats Baubles! And well done to Bats Christmas Crackers for some very respectable scores!
Lots of laughs were had and a it was a great opportunity to get members together for some quality time and a great fun social activity together, we hope to do this again soon!
Swindon Lions and Swindon Bats came together on 11 November fo a tenpin bowling competition. There were many strikes and spares scored on both sides and the match ended with a draw. After the first game the score was Lions 2, Bats 2 and at the end of the second game the score was Lions 2, Bats 2. So the final score was Lions 4, Bats 4. Well done everyone and here's to a re-match!
We were also all bowled over by the Swindon Lions incredible donation of £500 to Swindon Bats! Thank you so much for your kindness and ongoing support.
A massive congratulations, to all those who took part in British Blind Sport Ten Pin Bowling National Summer Pairs Finals held in November 2024.
Swindon Bats had some incredible Results!
Bats Blind Ambition- Andy Cooper, Stu Neale and John Bowie: 2nd place
Bats Strikers-Tracey Nash, Sue Mead and Shaun Mansbridge: 4th place
Bats in the Belfry- Russel Riggs and Peter Noble (Dave): 8th place
Shaun Mansbridge - Most Improved Bowler
Tracey Nash - Female High Handicap
Well done all on your fantastic results!
A huge thank you to Uk showdown Official members Robin and Tom for coming all the way down to Swindon in November to show Swindon Bats members how to play the UKs newest and most exciting Visually Impaired sport, Showdown!
18 Bats members and sighted volunteers came along to Craven House for a Taster day which, saw us start to learn the ropes of the Sport.
Swindon Bats will now be looking to take their first steps towards joining the UK National Showdown league with support from UK Showdown and British Blind Sport in 2025.
Thanks so much to everyone who took part on the day, it was brilliant fun and all those who joined us said they were really excited to get started. Swindon Bats are now definitely raring to go and looking forward to getting started in the UK Showdown League.
So watch this space!
Absent Friends Competition 2025
The 2025 Absent Friends Competition has started!
Bats on BBC Radio 2!
Becky and Sue appeared on Jeremy Vine's radio show talking about sports for people with disabilities.
To hear it click here: Bats on Radio 2
Becky could be heard on the Sue Davies show talking about two young children that went out of their way to help a visually impaired person in Swindon.
Download the item by clicking this link:
BBC Bats!
Leading local BBC TV news programme 'Points West' recently included an item about Swindon Bats!
To view it click here: Bats on TV
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Updated: 9th February 2025