Held under the theme ‘Lines of Connection’, the independently organised event featured speakers from Swindon and further afield covering topics including business, science, heritage, creativity, ageing and social impact.
A packed out Town Hall, including the Mayor of Swindon, the High Sheriff of Wiltshire, local business leaders, creatives and representatives from community organisations.
Across 14 talks, speakers shared personal stories, professional expertise and ideas designed to encourage conversation beyond the event itself.
TEDx Railway Village was organised by Rob Jandy and Debbie Bryan, who said they wanted to create an opportunity for local voices to be heard.
“We wanted to create space for Swindon’s ideas to be heard and valued,” they said.
“The energy in the room, from our speakers, our audience and our partners, was incredibly special. It felt like the beginning of something, not just a one-day event but the start of new conversations, collaborations and confidence in what Swindon can be.”
Among those attending was Tana Wollen, who praised both the speakers and the atmosphere throughout the day. She said:
“TEDx Railway Village was a genuinely special experience, bringing together powerful talks and performances that resonated long after the day.
“Highlights like Soumik Datta’s moving and captivating performance showed the strength of connection and storytelling woven throughout the event.”
The event was supported by several Swindon organisations, including Swindon Dance, Swindon 105.5, Create Studios, GEL Studios, Tom Faulkner, Jordy’s Private Events & Catering and Advanced Printing Services UK Ltd.
TEDx events are independently organised under licence from TED, the global non-profit organisation behind the ‘ideas worth spreading’ platform. Each event follows the TED format of short talks designed to share ideas with wider audiences.
Recordings of the TEDx Railway Village talks are expected to be published on TED’s official YouTube channel in the coming weeks, allowing those who were unable to attend to watch the presentations.
The event highlighted Swindon’s growing confidence in showcasing local talent, sharing new ideas and encouraging collaboration within the town and beyond. The organisers are planning to make the event even bigger in 2027.
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