See Swindon differently with free virtual reality events this weekend

People in Swindon will get the chance to travel back and forward in time as part of a free augmented and virtual reality immersive storytelling experience.

As part of the national Unboxed Festival, Swindon Libraries is one of only 15 UK library services chosen to host StoryTrails, which uses cutting edge technology to bring local stories and places to life in completely new and unique ways.

The experience will run over the bank holiday weekend all day on Saturday, 27 and Sunday, 28 August in Central Library and the town centre.

An augmented reality trail around the town centre will take people on a story journey of Swindon’s most famous photography couple, William and Mary Hooper, who documented the town’s people and buildings in the early 1900s.

Visitors can borrow devices from the library and follow the guided trail, or take the route independently by downloading the StoryTrails app on their own devices. The trail was created using film from the BBC, British Film Institute and local archives, and is narrated by BBC Radio Wiltshire presenter Ben Prater.

Inside the library, an immersive map of Swindon showcases stories of local people, told in their own voices with a 3D scan of a themselves and a local landmark of importance to them and their story. Contributors include local historian Frances Bevan, Swindon Town Football Club legend Don Rogers, Chris Barry with the Dragonfly canal boat, and The Beehive pub landlord Andy Mercer.   

There will be seven virtual reality (VR) headset experiences created especially for StoryTrails, one of which has been nominated for an award. Visitors can step into the lives of others to experience teenage rebellion through to living with Dementia. Plus a celebration of British South Asians and their rich musical heritage; a trip through city scenes; and predictions on how humans and technology might live in balance with nature in the future.

David Olusoga, the historian and television presenter of the BBC’s A House Through Time, narrates another experience where visitors turn on a giant, virtual radio to travel back in time.

StoryTrails will culminate with a specially commissioned film by David Olusoga which will screen in cinemas and libraries across the UK and be made available to audiences on BBC iPlayer.

As a taster for StoryTrails, libraries have been running VR demo sessions at Summer Reading Challenge Activity sessions. Children and families used a 3D scanning app to create a 3D avatar, which was overlaid onto a photo of themselves and moved into fun positions and proportions. Nicknamed ‘Big Me, Little Me’ it will also be available to try for free at the StoryTrails event.

Allie Brown, Swindon Libraries’ Development and Innovation Manager, said: “This is fantastic for Swindon, especially that it’s all completely free and accessible to everyone. You don’t need any special knowledge or equipment as the StoryTrails team are providing everything, including equipment and staff to help guide people through the experiences. It’s a great way of making exciting new technologies – like virtual reality and the 3D internet – free and accessible to all.

“The augmented reality trail is especially exciting. There will be a physical portal outside Central Library where the trail starts. Guided by a mobile app, you’ll be led at your own pace to different story points. You can experience stories literally where they happened - and actually be part of the experience.”

It is a chance to see Swindon differently, bringing the town’s history and heritage to life. The StoryTrails team has worked with a wide range of local people to find new voices and their untold stories – stories that have made Swindon the place it is today.

Allie added: “There will be something for everyone. Whether you’re old or young, tech-savvy or a technophobe, you can just turn up and try it for free. It’s something that different generations can enjoy together.”

“If you want to borrow a device for the augmented reality trail, you just need to bring a photo ID and proof of address. Or you can download the free StoryTrails app onto your phone or tablet.”

“If you can’t make the event, we’re working with the StoryTrails team to keep some of the equipment in Central Library. So we’ll be able to offer virtual reality experiences and activities in future.”

Councillor Oladapo Ibitoye, Swindon Borough Council’s Cabinet Member for Education and Skills, said: “This is a great event for people of all ages to discover the history of Swindon and the town centre.

“It’s important that we celebrate our heritage and this is just one of the ways people can learn more. I hope more of these events will start to come forward in the future.”

Watch a short teaser of Swindon’s augmented reality trail and one for the main StoryTrails project, and follow the libraries’ StoryTrails Facebook event page for updates about the event.