Find your people.

Highworth Community Centre, The Dormers, SN6 7PQ·highworthcamclub@gmail.com·Website·Map

Going strong since 1982, the camera club welcomes photographers of every level — phone snappers and seasoned enthusiasts alike. Evenings mix talks from visiting speakers, practical sessions like still life and portraiture, digital shows and friendly competitions, and there's an exhibition each autumn.

Meetings are at 7.30pm on the second Tuesday of each month. You can simply turn up to one that takes your fancy — refreshments are served in the break.

Community Room, Council Offices, Gilberts Lane, SN6 7FB·Website·Map

A society for local painters and makers who want to develop their work in good company. There are workshops every Tuesday — a morning session from 10am to 12.30pm and an afternoon session from 12.30 to 3pm, at £3 a session — plus demonstrations by professional artists, trips to exhibitions and two shows a year where members display their work.

To join, bring along three examples of your own finished work for a friendly selection review.

St Michael's Church, Highworth·Website·Map

Founded in 1978 when a local GP invited anyone who enjoyed singing to come along — and they've been singing ever since. The choir of soprano, alto, tenor and bass voices performs everything from Handel and Mozart to musical theatre, and there are no auditions: if you can sing in tune, you're in.

Rehearsals are on Mondays, 7.30–9.30pm, from the start of the September school term through to the final concert in July. The annual subscription is £120, with reduced rates if you join mid-year. It's a registered charity (no. 1096246) — get in touch through the website.

Highworth.SB@gmail.com·Website

A friendly, non-contesting brass band that plays at concerts, fetes, weddings and community events around Highworth and Swindon. New players are always welcome, and there's a training band for those still learning.

The main band rehearses on Thursdays, 7.30–9.30pm; the training band meets on Saturdays, 10–11.30am, from September to July. Email the band for the rehearsal venue and a friendly welcome.

Facebook page

Highworth's own am-dram society, putting on shows for local audiences. The best way to find out about upcoming productions — and how to get involved, on stage or behind the scenes — is through their Facebook page.

Film lovers are catered for too: the town council notes that a film society meets in the town's church halls, and a community cinema is among the local groups listed by Visit Highworth. Ask at the library or check the Highworth Link magazine for current screenings.

St Michael's Church, Highworth SN6 7NA·07954 587364·info@highworthhistoricalsociety.org.uk·Website·Map

Formed in 1972 and now around 100 members strong, the society covers everything from prehistoric Highworth to living memory — past talks have ranged from the Highworth Light Railway to the Mary Rose. Members also help scan old photographs, record oral histories and join trips to places like Greenwich and Winchester.

Lectures are at 7.30pm on the fourth Wednesday of the month, September to June (no meeting in December). Members go free; visitors are welcome at any lecture for £3 cash on the door, and membership is £12 a year. The chair is Caroline Pooley.

Highworth Visitor Centre, High Street, Highworth·Website·Map

The Historical Society runs museum displays at the Highworth Visitor Centre on the High Street, including local railway artefacts, coins and banknotes, and changing exhibitions. There's also a free outdoor display of farming equipment — much of it over a century old — at the Community Centre in The Dormers.

Two branches — evening and afternoon·fedsec@wiltshirewi.org.uk·Website

Highworth is lucky enough to have two WI branches, so you can pick the time of day that suits you. Highworth Evening WI meets at St Michael's Hall on Lechlade Road (SN6 7HQ) at 8pm; Highworth Afternoon WI meets at the Recreation Centre, The Elms (SN6 7DD), at 2.15pm. Expect talks, craft, outings and plenty of cake.

To confirm which day of the month each branch meets, drop a line to the Wiltshire Federation of WIs before your first visit.

King and Queen, High Street, Highworth·0808 802 8080·Website·Map

The local branch keeps remembrance alive in Highworth and supports serving and ex-service people and their families. You don't need to have served in the Armed Forces to join — men and women of all ages are welcome.

The branch meets at 7.30pm on the first Wednesday of every month at the King and Queen pub. To join, register online or call the RBL.

Contact: Richard Pearce·rjjnpearcehta@gmail.com·Website

Highworth has been twinned with Pontorson in Normandy since 1990 and Wassenberg in Germany since 2011. The association makes a group visit to one twin town each year and hosts visitors from the other, with summer lunches, picnics and quiz nights in between. Everyone in Highworth is welcome to join in — travelling, hosting or just helping with the fun.

Heritage and Rural Skills Centre, Coleshill·Website

A place to make, mend and natter. Affiliated to the UK Men's Shed Association but open to women as well as men, working or retired, the shed exists to bring people together, combat loneliness and share practical skills. Members of the Armed Forces, past and present, are especially welcome. Registered charity no. 1200839.

The shed is based at the Heritage and Rural Skills Centre at Coleshill, just outside Highworth — contact them via the website's form or Facebook page for session times.

Town council volunteering page

The Lions run the community minibus that many local groups rely on, funded by their volunteer-run charity shop in town. A good choice if you want your spare time to do visible good locally — and there's more like it on our local charities page.

office@swindonu3a.org.uk·01793 614629·Website

Retired or semi-retired? u3a petanque and tai chi groups meet in Highworth's church halls, and the wider Swindon u3a has more than 1,700 members and around 130 interest groups — from languages to science — within easy reach.

Federation directory listing

Highworth has a gardening club affiliated to the Gloucestershire Federation of Gardening Societies, whose directory lists a local contact for meeting details. The listing looks a little dated, so do check current details before you set out.

The Dormers, Highworth SN6 7PQ·01793 765408·enquiries@highworthcommunitycentre.co.uk·Website·Map

The town's biggest activity hub, run entirely by volunteers in the former Northview school buildings. It hosts classes and clubs from sports and exercise to workshops, music and children's groups, and its halls and rooms can be hired for everything from a toddler class to a party for a hundred.

Open Mon–Fri 9am–10pm, Sat 9am–11pm and Sun 9am–5pm. For hall and room bookings, call Keith Smith on 07748 587234.

Brewery Street (above the Co-op), Highworth SN6 7AJ·01793 463500·libraries@swindon.gov.uk·Website·Map

More than just books: the library offers free Wi-Fi, public computers, computer courses, study space and exhibition space, plus weekly story and rhyme sessions for under-fives in term time.

Open Mon 10am–4pm, Tue 9am–5pm, Thu 9am–4pm, Fri 12–6pm and Sat 10am–1pm; closed Wednesday and Sunday. Hours do occasionally shift, so check Swindon Borough Council's website before a special trip.

Council Offices, Gilberts Lane, Highworth·Website·Map

A simple way to do your bit: volunteers meet at 10am on the first Sunday of each month outside the Council Offices on Gilberts Lane. All the equipment is provided — just bring yourself.

The Scout Hut, Eastrop, Highworth SN6 7AT·01793 762669·Website·Map

Adventure for ages 4 to 25 from the Scout Hut at Eastrop. Sections run right through the ages: Squirrels (4–6), Beavers (6–8), Cubs (8–10½), Scouts (10½–14), Explorers (14–18) and Network (18–25). Adult volunteers are always needed too, with training provided.

Sign up through the Join Today page on the group's website.

Newburgh Place, Highworth SN6 7DN·07596 745205·Website·Map

One of the largest and most successful squadrons in the Dorset & Wilts Wing, with around 45 cadets. Activities include flying in the RAF Tutor, gliding in the Viking, sports, adventure training and camps at RAF stations.

The squadron parades on Monday and Wednesday evenings, 7–9.30pm. Calls may only be answered during parade times.

Highworth Library, Brewery Street, SN6 7AJ·Website·Map

Free weekly sessions in term time for children aged 0–5 with a parent or carer: half an hour of rhymes, songs and a story. Pre-booking is essential, and you'll need a Swindon Libraries card for your child — sign-up is free at the library.

Book through Swindon Borough Council's online form, or just ask in the library.

Town council page

A mentoring charity that has been supporting children and young people in and around Swindon and north Wiltshire, including Highworth, for over 20 years. The churches also support the Nexus Youth Café project in town.