Swindon musicians have got together to reel in some cash to enable Swindon’s own community TV archive to continue.

On Friday December 20 at MECA in Regent Street acts such as Tin Spirits featuring former XTC guitarist, Dave Gregory, Bully from The Beatbullyz, rap prince AJ, new stars on the block Colour The Atlas, the popular reggae and Two-Tone king, Erin Bardwell, Nudy Bronque and The Teddy White Band with Pete Cousins, will grace the stage.

The Grand Benefit Concert is marking Swindon Viewpoint’s 40th anniversary. It was started in 1973 with the aim of filming the visual life and times of the people of the town.

Martin Parry has been involved with the community station for more than 30 years and when it finally folded, due to lack of funds, in the early 1990s, he began an online archive of the footage, which he continues today.

Viewpoint is now a registered charity that promotes Swindon life via the website and Martin is digitalising all the old footage. The community TV station also became a platform for local filmmakers including David Yates, who directed some of the Harry Potter films, projects with Warner, other notable films such as The Titchborne Claimant and TV shows such as The Bill and the political thriller State of Play. The oldest film on the Viewpoint archive is of Swindon 100 years ago. To take a peek at the past or see what Viewpoint is doing today visit www.swindonviewpoint.com The benefit gig has been sponsored by Arkells, the local brewery who have also created a Swindon Viewpoint Anniversary Ale to mark the occasion.

Tin Spirits have been nominated for Prog Rock Limelight Award and Dave Gregory’s own band Big Big Train has been nominated for best album and breakthrough artists. Colour the Atlas used to be called the Jess Hall Band. They were taken up by BBC Introducing. AJ has released his latest album, The Never Ending Weekender, recorded in Melbourne and released in 2013. It is a collaboration with Lotek.

The benefit gig begins at 7pm and tickets are £5 from Holmes Music, Pig On The Hill or by visiting www.seetickets.com. - Flicky Harrison