Royal Wootton Bassett and Swindon Businesses – You Showed Up

Royal Wootton Bassett and Swindon Businesses, You Showed Up!

By Angela Roberts, Founder of Cotswold Networking

On Thursday 17 September we opened the doors on our ninth Cotswold Networking group, upstairs at The View Gallery in Royal Wootton Bassett. Within minutes the room was buzzing, and it stayed that way all evening. Over fifty people came along, the launch sold out well ahead of the night, and the group already has 20 founder members. For a brand new group, that is quite a way to begin.

First, the thank yous

Barbara Leatham photographed the evening, and her pictures capture the energy in that room beautifully. Giles and Ellie Edwards of Octopus Films were filming throughout, and the video is amazing. If you couldn’t join us, their photos and film will show you the warmth and energy of the night.

A great venue

A huge thank you to Jon White of Gold Traders and Royal Wootton Bassett Auctions, who has given this group its home at The View Gallery. We couldn’t have asked for a better place to launch, and we’re thrilled to be meeting there every month. Jon also spoke on the night, welcoming everyone to the gallery and to the town, and it was the perfect opening to a group that is proud to be local.

Handing over to Fiona

Our second speaker was Fiona Scott of Scott Media, and we are delighted that Fiona will be taking over as Group Leader from October. Fiona is one of the most well connected PR professionals in the region, and she knows this area and its businesses inside out. I have been looking after the group through its launch, and I cannot think of better hands to pass it on to.

Back in the room after 20 years

Our final speaker was Simon Read of Accountants for Sale and Reads M&A Advisory, who shared his own networking journey. Simon has been with me since the very beginning in 2022 and has played a huge part in helping me build Cotswold Networking. After a 20 year break, he started networking again, and he told us how much it has changed both his business and his life. It was a lovely reminder of what can happen when you get back out there and start meeting people again.

Around the table

Once the talks were done, everyone settled into our around the table networking. Small tables, a proper chance for everyone to talk about their business, then a swap so you meet a fresh set of faces in the next round. It is the part of the evening our members tell us they value most, and on launch night it was loud in the very best way. New introductions, old friends reconnecting, people swapping cards and arranging meetings before the evening was over.

Our founder members

To our 20 founder members, thank you for believing in this group.  Each of you had a goody bag waiting on the night, and everyone who came through the door was welcomed with a drink on arrival. You are the foundation this group will be built on, and we cannot wait to watch it grow with you.

Why Royal Wootton Bassett

Cotswold Networking started at The Old Bell Hotel in Malmesbury in 2022 (and we are still there), as we emerged from the lockdowns and local businesses were keen to reconnect. It has grown steadily since, one group at a time, because the friendships, collaborations and new work that come out of these rooms are worth protecting. Royal Wootton Bassett brings that same spirit to the town and to businesses across Swindon and the surrounding area, somewhere we had never been before. Judging by that Thursday, it was worth the wait.

Become a member

If you came along on the night, or you have been reading this wishing you had, now is a lovely time to join. As a member you see the same friendly faces each month, and that is where the real relationships form, with work, referrals and collaborations following naturally. You also get your own page on our members directory, so people looking for what you do can find you, plus access to our online Circle community, two SWAPs a year to visit other groups, and the freedom to switch groups whenever you like.

There is no upfront joining fee. You can pay monthly, or pay upfront and get one month free.

Our next Royal Wootton Bassett meeting is on Thursday 15 October at The View Gallery. Please join us at cotswoldnetworking.co.uk/membership/ and be part of this group from the very start.

Socialise, Share, Succeed. Cotswold Style.