North West Swindon Link June 2022

No 480 June 2022 GPS-tracked, door to door delivery to over 42,000 homes across Swindon with Est. overall readership of 105,000

Swindon

LINK Your Community Magazine

North & West Edition

This burger will help Team Link cross a desert p25

swindonlink.com

A primary school adventure under the sea p3

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Swindon pupils enjoy exciting start to term with Underwater Wonderland experience

By Jessica Durston jessica@positive-media.co.uk Staff at Noremarsh Junior School treated Year 4 pupils to an Underwater Wonderland experience.

There was a strange sight to be seen on a recent Monday as year 4 pupils at Noremarsh Junior school arrived wearing scuba masks, goggles and other underwater equipment.

Teachers had pulled out all the stops to introduce their new 'Oceans' topic with an immersive and interactive experience.

Throughout the day, pupils

were invited to explore the underwater world created by staff. They crawled through tunnels of seaweed, discovered strange sea creatures and surfaced on a beach where they left their footprints in the sand.

Year 4 Teacher Mrs Landers, who came in during the Easter Break to set up the experience, said: “We wanted to create an introduction to the topic that they could all engage with and make the whole learning experience memorable.

“It’s great to see the children getting excited about their topic and sharing what they

Pupils from Noremarsh enjoying their Underwater Wonderland experience

have discovered. We gave them the extra challenge of communicating using sign language as they wouldn’t normally be able to speak underwater."

Children had to complete a fact sheet as they explored the underwater world, answering questions about what they had seen.

Year 4 pupil Evie brought in a pink scuba mask to participate in the activity, and said: “It’s been really fun. The classroom looks so different and you can hear the ocean as well."

Head Teacher Hilary MacMeekin, who helped

set up the activity added: “Here at Noremarsh we pride ourselves in providing a happy and stimulating learning environment for all our children. We hope Year 4 enjoyed their introduction to Oceans and that their enthusiasm for the topic will continue as we move through the term.”

Noremarsh Junior School is part of Royal Wootton Bassett Academy Trust.

More information on Noremarsh Junior School can be found at www.noremarsh. wilts.sch.uk

We can't let The Oasis Leisure Centre go to rack and ruin

By Jamie Hill Jamie@positive-media.co.uk We've not had the best month here in Swindon as far as the much-loved Oasis Leisure Centre is concerned.

This comes after the owners of the site, SevenCapital, admitted that they were finding it difficult to incorporate the now listed

Group Editor and Owner: Jamie Hill Deputy Editor: Barrie Hudson Reporter: Jessica Durston Sales: Dave Stewart and Rosy Presley Accounts Manager: Karen Randall Contributors: Tyler Ody, Leigh Robinson, Becky Cox, Maurice Spillane and Alfie Howlett

dome into any plans that would be viable.

The council, as well as campaign group Save Swindon Oasis, have all vowed to do all they can to ensure that the site doesn't simply become more and more derelict.

But with the quite negative air coming off the developers it doesn't fill anyone with any great hope for its future.

ADVERTISING Call 01793 644540 or email: advertising@swindonlink.com Closing date for July adverts and editorial: 10 June July edition published: 24 June Our Statistics Est. Readership of 105,000 in print & c.50,000 monthly online visitors.

Swindon’s largest free publication.

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It'll be a real shame for the whole of Swindon if the site is left to go the way of The Mechanics or The Locarno.

It is a place close to all of our hearts and whatever happens we need to keep applying pressure to the powers that be that will ensure its future, as the last thing this town needs is another blot on the landscape.

Full story page 10

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Got a community story or feature? Contact newsdesk at publisher@swindonlink.com or 01793 644540 swindonlink.com n June 2022

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The Eco Briefing

Solar panel group-buying scheme open for registrations until 14 June

By Jamie Hill jamie@positive-media.co.uk

Swindon residents have the opportunity to come together to invest in renewable energy through a group-buying scheme for solar panels and battery storage.

The scheme, called Solar Together, is a partnership involving Swindon Borough Council, Wiltshire Council and independent experts in groupbuying, iChoosr Ltd. The bargaining power created by coming together as a group is the core principle behind Solar Together. This enhanced buying power allows the scheme to offer more competitive pricing than individual homeowners might get if entering the market alone.

All Swindon residents (and in wider Wiltshire) who own their own house, or have permission

from the landlord to install solar panels, have until 14 June to register for the scheme.

It is free to register, without any obligation to continue. The scheme offers solar panels with optional battery storage and electric vehicle charge points, as well as retrofit battery storage for residents who have already invested in solar panels and are looking to get more from the renewable energy they generate as well as increase their independence from the grid. There is also the

chance to discuss options to divert solar energy to power the immersion heater in your hot water tank if you have one.

How does Solar Together work?

• Registration: you can register online at www. solartogether.co.uk/Swindon by providing details about your roof, such as its size and orientation (a roof’s position relative to the sun, for example south facing). The more people that register, the better the deal should be for each

household • Auction: on 14 June a list of pre-vetted solar installers will bid for the work and the most competitive offer wins the auction • Personal recommendation: from 4 July you will be emailed a personal recommendation for your home • You decide: you will have six weeks to decide if you want to accept the recommendation • Installation: if you accept, the winning installer will contact you to survey your roof and set an installation date The above website has lots of information to help residents consider whether solar panels are right for them. The independent Energy Savings Trust also provides a comprehensive guide to solar panels on its website. Search ‘Energy Savings Trust Solar Panels’ online.

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Young robot experts at work

Royal Wootton Bassett Academy students as young as 11 have been learning to write computer programs that instruct robots to carry out their commands.

Paul Reynolds, who teaches ICT and physics, runs the school’s weekly Robotics Club, which is attended by around 20 students.

The students, who are all in Year 7, began the year by building their own robots,

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and over the last term have progressed to writing software that will direct their electronic creations to fulfil simple tasks.

Mr Reynolds said: “The students are learning how to program their robots to carry out an instruction. Robotics are exciting and great fun, but the students are also learning the fundamentals of engineering and technology.

"Robotics helps workers and scientists perform tasks that would otherwise prove difficult or even impossible."

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Celebrating the Jubilee in and around Swindon

By Barrie Hudson barrie@positive-media.co.uk There is no shortage of choices when it comes to celebrating the Queen's Platinum Jubilee in the Swindon area.

Many of the planned gatherings are free to attend, although there will be charges in some instances. Full details of each are available online.

Events over the special fourday Bank Holiday Weekend starting on Thursday, 2 June include: - The Mechanics' Institute Trust Jubilee Celebration on Friday, 3 June from 11am to 3pm at the Central Community Centre in Emlyn Square. www. facebook.com/swindonccc/ - Wroughton Parish Council's family picnic event at the Weir Field, Saturday, 4 June, 12.30-4.30pm. Live music, face painting and entertainers. wroughton.gov.uk - The All British Brunch at

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Boom Battle Bar, Swindon, Saturday, 4 June, 2-6pm.

Games and live events bar will celebrate with a bottomless 90-minute brunch offer. boombattlebar.com - South Swindon Parish Council's Big Jubilee Lunch on Sunday, 5 June from 11am to 2pm at Queens Park. southswindon-pc.gov.uk/event/ big-jubilee-lunch/ - Stratton St Margaret Parish Council Jubilee Event, Sunday, 5 June from noon. A

traditional street party feel with marquees and tables and chairs. strattonstmargaret.gov. uk - Old Town Street Party, Sunday, 5 June, noon to 5pm.

Organised by Old Town Business Association and will include live music throughout the day. www.thisisoldtown. com/events/queens-jubileeparty - Queen's Jubilee Fun Day, Stanton House, Sunday, June 5, noon-5pm. Bouncy castles, face

painting, games, live music. stantonhousehotel.co.uk/upcoming-events.html - Cricklade Leisure Centre fun day, Sunday, June 5, 11am4pm. Featuring Cricklade's Got Talent, a funfair, go-karts, dog display, performances and other attractions. www. crickladeleisure.com - Swindon and Cricklade Railway Beer festival, Friday to Sunday, 3-5 June. swindoncricklade-railway.org/event/ real-ale-and-cider-festival/ - Pimms in the Park, Friday to Sunday, 3-5 June, Lydiard Park, noon-10pm Friday.

Saturday and noon-8pm Sunday. Live music, classic cars, Star Wars characters and other attractions. fb.me/ e/2kMoNjjKR - Highworth's Jubilee celebrations, Saturday and Sunday, 4 and 5 June. Two days of events including parade and pageant. www. highworthtowncouncil.gov.uk

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Swindon's newest GP surgery opens Tadpole Surgery in the newlydeveloped Tadpole Garden Village was officially opened

by North Swindon MP Justin Tomlinson.

The new practice, which is able to register up to 8,500 patients, promises a more local GP service to people living in one of the fastest growing areas of Swindon.

A total of 11 clinicians, as well as eight administrative staff, are based at the new site, which has joined the other Swindon surgeries – Highworth, Taw Hill, Blunsdon and Hermitage – that make up the Westrop Medical Practice family.

More information about Tadpole Surgery, as well as details of how to register as a patient, can be found online at www. westropmedicalpractice.nhs. uk

Amazon staff help community projects Teams from the Amazon fulfilment centre and delivery station in Swindon have taken part in a series of tree planting events.

The workers teamed up with Stratton St Margaret Parish Council and members of the public to help with planting at Meadowcroft Field.

The volunteers worked together to plant native broadleaf trees with the aim of helping to offset carbon emissions, stimulate wildlife and give back to the community in a sustainable manner.

A total of 900 trees were planted, which Amazon says will offset 225 tonnes of CO2 emissions in their lifespan.

Amazon also made a £6,000 donation to Swindon charity IPSUM, which helps people in the town and surrounding areas to address issues such as mental, psychological, and emotional health through a range of therapeutic work including music and art.

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New mural by acclaimed Swindon artist is unveiled

By Barrie Hudson barrie@positive-media.co.uk

inSwindon BID says a unique mural will help enrich the Regent Circus complex in the town centre.

The Local Business Improvement District (BID) company commissioned acclaimed Swindon artist Tim Carroll, to create an exciting mural display to enrich the complex.

He had been introduced to the organisation by arts showcase Artsite.

Using money from the Government’s Welcome Back Fund, the mural re-imagines a recently discovered lost work by another acclaimed artist, Harold Dearden.

Tim Carroll said: "I have very much enjoyed the whole project and am pleased with the result.

Everyone has been marvellous to work with and a great help.

I have really appreciated the opportunity to work on such a

A section of the large mural

large scale." inSwindon BID Co Director Anita Bellinger said: "Congratulations to Tim on creating such a stunning piece of artwork. We have been delighted to manage this new initiative as one of the many projects inSwindon BID have lined up to encourage visitors back to the Town Centre.

"The mural is very special and unique to Swindon. We are now excited to share this fabulous piece with all

our visitors. Wonderful art, accessible to all."

Swindon is no stranger to public murals. In the 1970s its artists and arts administrators were a pioneering force in delivering vibrant public art on a large scale.

Subjects, often on the gable ends of houses and other buildings, ranged from scenes of railway history to a recreation of Paolo Uccello's Saint George and the Dragon.

Future of Oasis cast even further into doubt Uncertainty over the future of Swindon's Oasis Leisure Centre has become more pressing than ever.

Campaign organisation the Save Oasis Swindon Steering Group says owner SevenCapital is unable to state whether the iconic structure will ever reopen.

The steering group, which last year celebrated the Grade II Listing of the building's dome, announced that it had received a response from SevenCapital (7C) to its request for an update.

The leisure centre has been closed since October of 2020.

A steering group spokesperson said: "SOSSG is shocked and disappointed that SevenCapital has today stated that despite having spent 'many hundreds of thousands of pounds thus far' in searching for a solution that complies with Listing requirements, that the scheme is unviable for SevenCapital.

The pool and its iconic dome are Grade II Listed

"Furthermore, SevenCapital went further to say that it was unable to say whether or not [the Oasis] will reopen."

Swindon Borough Council leader David Renard said: “We recognise the challenges SevenCapital face in reopening the Oasis.

“Clearly the listing of the building has made that process much more difficult as SevenCapital has to ensure certain parts are maintained

and protected - that also comes at huge additional cost.

"It will also take time to find a solution and the building needs to be made sustainable to ensure an operator can be secured for the Oasis’s longterm future.

“I would like to assure everyone we are fully committed to working with SevenCapital so the difficulties in reopening the building can be overcome.”

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Swindon and District Talking Newspaper turns 40 Four decades of recording news for blind and partially sighted listeners have been celebrated by a Swindon charity.

The Swindon and District Talking Newspaper, affectionately known as STAN, marked its 40th birthday with an afternoon tea for both listeners and volunteers.

It was held at the Blunsdon House Hotel and was enjoyed by all..

STAN currently records fortnightly news from the Swindon Advertiser as well as sport and local history before distributing it to its listeners, both on a memory (USB) stick which is sent directly to listeners and online. Boom boxes to listen to the physical recordings are also provided by the charity.

People interested in volunteering can call 01793 522511 or email stan@ swindontalkingnews.org.uk

The Harbour Project welcomes over 30 new visitors from Ukraine Swindon charity the Harbour Project says it has recently seen 37 new visitors from Ukraine.

Together with Swindon Borough Council, the charity has produced a guidance document called 'Ukraine How can we help?'

The document aims to help hosts and families navigate their way around the various processes they will be currently undergoing. People who would like a copy can email info@ harbourproject.org.uk The charity also wishes to remind Ukranian visitors and the hosts that they are welcome to visit their team if they need help with anything.

Pattern Church have also hosted the first weekly dinner for Ukrainian arrivals and host families. The dinner is available every Tuesday, 5 7pm.

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Free Pride community picnic to take place this Summer

By Jessica Durston jessica@positive-media.co.uk The Swindon & Wiltshire Pride team will be hosting a free 'Pride Picnic' for members of the public this August.

The event will take place instead of the annual Pride event this summer.

It will be held at Queens Park on Saturday, 13 August.

The event aims to bring the LGBTQIA+ community and its allies together, promoting equality and diversity.

Phoenix Stewart, the charity’s Community Engagement Manager, said: “We were sad to have cancelled Pride this year due to a lack of people coming forward to fill vital committee roles.

"As a committee we thought that while we can't hold a big scale event like our usual pride event, we are able to hold something smaller that still brings people together and

gives the community a place to make connections, raise awareness and a place to feel comfortable.”

The event will kick off at midday and attendees are encouraged to bring a picnic lunch, a blanket, chairs and a Pride flag.

There will also be music, a Pride stall and a giant Pride deckchair. Formed in 2008, Swindon & Wiltshire Pride celebrates the diversity of the county, and the team say all are welcome to this picnic event.

Sarah Mason, the charity’s Vice chair Manager said::

“Our events have always been inclusive, happy and vibrant, and our Pride Picnic will be no different. What better way to kick-start summer than with a picnic, and being a Pride event you can expect great company, and fabulous fun.

"Dig out your best summer outfits and start preparing those hampers. We'd also like to thank South Swindon Parish Council for their support with hosting the event at Queen's park."

Individuals can download a free ticket at swindonwiltshirepride.co.uk/ pridepicnic

Major backing for Swindon's Great British Railways HQ bid Nationwide and Zurich are among the signatories of an open letter backing Swindon's bid to be home of new national organisation Great British Railways.

Sent to Transport Secretary Grant Shapps, the letter is also signed by other organisations including Swindon Borough Council, Steam, Swindon Chamber of Commerce, Voluntary Action Swindon and New College.

Last month, Swindon submitted its bid in the national competition to find the new home of Great British Railways, which will be in charge of railway infrastructure.

One of the key judging criteria is demonstrating public support, so Swindon needs as many local organisations, businesses and individuals as possible to show their support.

The open letter says, in part: "We strongly urge you and your team to consider the standout merits of Swindon's

bid to host the new national headquarters of Great British Railways.

"You will already know that Swindon is one of England's most important historic railway towns. In the 1840s a greenfield site near the market town was transformed by the Great Western Railway (GWR). At its height, the GWR works in Swindon was one of the largest railway engineering complexes in the world.

"But, while we are immensely proud of our railway heritage, Swindon's bid is about looking forward not back. Swindon will support GBR by establishing a national centre of excellence for the railway sector, building on the wealth of rail organisations and businesses

already thriving here."

The letter adds: "With its superb connectivity, we believe Swindon is the ideal place for Great British Railways to forge the future of our railways, which is why we are all backing the bid."

A shortlist of locations was due in late May followed by a vote to help determine the successful location.

Further information can be found by searching at www. swindon.gov.uk

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The Politics Page Going all out to make Swindon Borough Council carbon neutral Swindon Borough Council leader David Renard's monthly column About 18 months ago, we signalled our intention to make the council carbon neutral by the end of the decade, and to support our town to do the same by 2050.

This followed a council-wide motion to reduce the local authority’s carbon emissions and we have taken a number of steps over the last few years to lead on low carbon interventions and improve the local environment.

This has included investing more than £15m in building solar energy farms, installing electric vehicle charging points, converting the vast majority of the borough’s streetlights to LEDs and replacing our own vehicles with electric alternatives once they reach the end of their life.

But local authorities are only responsible for between two and five per cent of their area’s emissions, which is why our Be the Change campaign is encouraging all of us to do our bit, however small, to reduce the effects of climate change.

One way people can reduce their own emissions, while saving money on their energy bills, is through having solar panels on their homes to generate their own electricity.

We have teamed up with Wiltshire Council and independent experts iChoosr to make a group-buying scheme for solar panels and optional battery storage available to local residents.

The scheme will offer more competitive pricing to residents than they might get if they decided to buy the panels on their own. If you own your own home, or have permission from the landlord

to install solar panels, you can register your interest in the scheme up until 14 June.

Small and medium-sized enterprises (non-domestic) and Commonhold Associations meeting this requirement can also take part. It is free to register and there is no obligation to go ahead with an installation – you can decide once you’ve had your personal recommendation through.

The initiative offers solar panels with optional battery storage and EV charge points, as well as offering battery storage for residents who have already invested in solar panels and are looking to get more from the renewable energy they generate and increase their independence from the grid.

You can even discuss options to divert solar energy to power the immersion heater in your hot water tank if you

have one. There have been a number of really successful Solar Together schemes over the last few years, with more than 7,000 installations saving 130,000 tonnes of lifetime carbon emissions.

To find out a bit more about how the Solar Together scheme works I would encourage you to visit www.solartogether. co.uk/swindon You can also contact iChoosr at wiltshire@solartogether. co.uk or 0800 048 8113. If solar panels are not for you, there are other ways you can contribute to tackling climate change outlined at www. swindon.gov.uk/bethechange

New borough council Labour leader Jim Robbins writes for The Link I really want to thank all of the Swindon voters who supported the Labour Party at the local elections.

It was great to have such a positive set of results and amazing to win so many seats, especially the ones we won in areas where we don’t usually win such as Haydon Wick, Priory Vale and St Margaret & South Marston ward.

The results clearly showed our positive message for Swindon is gaining ground, as well as highlighting the concern people have around the Conservative’s Cost-of-Living crisis which is really impacting people and their family finances.

Following the elections, I was delighted to be elected as the

Leader of the Labour Group, and I’m determined to build on the excellent results of my predecessor Cllr Jim Grant.

I’m planning to make the argument to Swindon residents that the Labour Group are an administration in waiting, and that we are ready to take control of the council and deliver the changes that Swindon needs to thrive.

We know that local authority funding has taken a battering during the years of austerity, and we aren’t going to make promises to you that we can’t keep. What we will do is have a relentless focus on delivering the core council services as well as we can, with a focus on doing things

once and doing them right, whether it is collecting your bins, resurfacing roads to get rid of potholes, doing repairs on council housing, looking after our elderly residents or fixing a streetlight. Alongside this, we will be looking to learn from the best ideas from other councils around the world, such as using the successful model developed in Cleveland in the US and Preston in the UK, to prioritise local spend through procurement and keep as much money as possible circulating in the Swindon economy supporting local business.

We also want to rebuild the relationship that the council has with residents and make you real partners in what we are

The most recent local elections left the Conservatives still in control of Swindon Borough Council.

Of the 57 council seats, exactly a third - 19 seats were contested.

By the end of the count at Steam, the Conservatives had 34 seats to Labour's 23.

There were four Labour gains - Priory Vale, Haydon Wick, St Margaret and South Marston and Lydiard and Freshbrook -

while the Conservatives gained Central.

The Conservatives had needed to win only two of the 19 seats in contention in order to retain control of the authority.

doing. We want to stop the feeling that the council does things to your local area, and make it a relationship where you feed in your ideas and priorities and we do things together to create better neighbourhoods.

I’m really looking forward to keeping you updated with our progress and working with you to build a Swindon we can all be proud of.

Conservatives retain control of council in borough elections

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Counting of the votes began early on the morning after the poll, and the Tories' retention of overall control soon became apparent.

A council spokesperson said voter turnout was 33 percent. swindonlink.com n June 2022 17 20/05/2022 12:23

The Business Brief

Mamas Sweets Treats & Fudge celebrates its second birthday with dessert bar expansion

Swindon software development agency undergoes a number of positive changes this year

Mamas Sweet Treats & Fudge a local business in Covingham-is celebrating its second birthday this year.

Founder Hannah has been trading at local events, on her website, and from her home for two years.

After scoring a five star hygiene rating at the beginning of the year she decided to apply for Deliveroo and uberEats (to which she has been accepted and also delivers through during the week.)

This year, Hannah and her husband have also been working hard converting a horse trailer into what will be called ‘Mamas Desserts’ by Mamas Sweet Treats & Fudge.

The dessert bar will be launched the weekend of the 11 - 12 June at the Wiltshire Steam and Vintage Rally, held at Lydiard Park.

Fluff Software have seen a number of changes this year including a new name, new premises and a new addition to the business.

The business have recently completed a name change, (they were previously known as Fluff Digital), added to their team, and celebrated moving into shared workspace The Workshed in Swindon.

The changes come at an important time for the company, as they enter their third year of trading, and are looking to expand further and take on new clients.

Being situated in central Swindon, alongside many other tech-driven and creative businesses that operate from the Workshed, Fluff are now well placed to thrive and grow. New addition Alban Hampton has been hired with a strategic focus for the year on social media. He will

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They will be providing Bubble Waffles, Crepes and milkshakes Mamas Sweet Treats will also have a stall at the event, serving pick & mix and fudge.

Hannah said: "I wouldn’t be where I am now if it wasn’t for my amazing customers and following in and around Swindon and for that I am so thankful. I put my heart and soul into my company and I’m just so thankful everyone seems to love it as much as I do!"

also be delivering software development for Fluff’s clients.

With technology being high on the agenda for many companies, Fluff is helping many to implement their own custom software and mobile apps.

Scott and his team have also developed an online recommendation tool that allows businesses to discover where they are on their software journey.

The Fluff team say that whether you’re a startup with an idea or an experienced CTO, you can find out what you’ll need with their recommendation tool.

Businesses can try the tool at www.fluff.software/ recommendation More about Fluff Software can be found at www.fluff. software/

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Swindon author Original Manfred Mann frontman headline will take toyou out Summer Jazz ofSwindon this world & Blues concert

By Jessica Durston jessica@positive-media.co.uk

LINK

FEATURES

Paul Jones, original frontman of Manfred Mann

This July, the Swindon Jazz & Soul Festival team present a standalone concert with a special headline performance from Paul Jones.

Paul is best known as the original frontman of Manfred Mann.

He is a singer, harmonicist, radio personality, actor and television presenter.

Manfred Mann were at the forefront of the 60s pop revolution alongside The Beatles, The Rolling Stones and The Animals.

They enjoyed many millionselling records before Paul left to pursue an acting career in 1966, that saw him appear in films, on TV and on the theatre stage.

Swindon Jazz & Soul Festival held its second successful event on 9 April this year, after a two-year break due to covid restrictions.

Later this July, a unique headline concert will be held to raise funds for the 2023 Festival.

The concert - held at Swindon's Christ Church - will see Paul perform with a specially put together group playing jazz and blues classics.

Festival Director Evie Em-Jay said: "We are so proud to present the legendary artist Paul Jones in the stunningly beautiful Christ Church.

"This concert is part of

building the 3rd Swindon Jazz & Soul Festival which will be in April 2023.

"The evening will also include a Trio performance led by 15 times UK Jazz award winner, pianist David Newton."

Paul Jones co-composed many of Manfred Mann's hit records including the theme for 'Ready, Steady, Go!' After pursuing acting, Paul returned to music in the 1970’s. He formed The Blues Band, a group which has, so far, released 17 albums and toured the world up to the present day. Along with Mike D’Abo, Paul also continues to front The Manfreds with many members of the original Manfred Mann lineup.

Paul was also the presenter of BBC radio’s long running The Blues Show.

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LINK CULTURE

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LINK HERITAGE

In addition, The Manfreds frontman has recorded and worked with many music icons such as Tina Turner, Percy Sledge, Memphis Slim, Katie Melua and The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra.

His songs have been recorded by artists as diverse as Steppenwolf, Helen Shapiro and Ten Years After.

A spokesperson for the artist said: "Paul Jones’ passion for, and knowledge of Blues and Jazz history is legendary and both his vocals and virtuoso harmonica playing demonstrate this deep understanding when he takes the stage."

For this special concert on Saturday, 30 July, Paul will be accompanied by Denny Ilett (guitar), Dave Newton (piano), Joe Pettitt (bass) and Pete Cater (drums).

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Members of the public can find tickets online at www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/ paul-jones-in-concerttickets-325087634867 Those wishing to find out more information can email jazzknightswiltshire@gmail.com More information about the Swindon Jazz & Soul Festival can be found on its Facebook page at www.facebook.com/ SwindonJazzAndSoul Additionally for fans of the genre, Evie Em-Jay also holds weekly free entry Jazz sessions at the Royal Oak public house in Old Town.

More information about these upcoming jazz sessions can be found online at www. jazzknights.co.uk/venuesevents/royaloak

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My Dad's Festival reveals superb line-up for 2022

The popular My Dad's Bigger Than Your Dad Festival is back at The Old Town Bowl on Saturday 16 July from 12pm to 10pm and this year they've put together a stellar line-up.

The festival held its inaugural event in August 2021 in tribute to local music legend Dave Young who died of cancer in June of that year.

Like last year the festival will be raising money for Prospect Hospice, who provided care for Dave in his last few months.

So far the festival has announced some of the main stage and acoustic stage draws with amazing acts like Stay Lunar, Rave Against The Regime, All Ears Avow, The Lost Trades, Concrete Prairie, Joli & The Souls, Si and Matt Hall, The Shudders, Mick O'Toole, Kicking Edgar and Canute's Plastic Army. The main stage is in the Bowl itself whilst the acoustic stage is the the bandstand during the day.

There will also be a plethora of market stalls and rides for kids during the packed day out as well as a bar and food outlets.

Organiser Ed Dyer said: "This year's line-up is something we are really excited to be able to announce. Last year's event was such a success and so well received that we haven't messed with the formula, so expect the same entertainment-packed day from some of the best local musical acts around. The committee has also recognised that the current rise in the cost of living is causing a lot of people to struggle so we are very pleased to be able to announce that we have frozen our ticket price to 2021's level."

Tickets can be purchased online via the festival website at www. mydadsbiggerthanyourdad.co.uk Children aged 10 and under still go free and the organisers would like to remind members of the public that children under 18 must be accompanied by a responsible adult.

Future Planning announced as headline sponsor for this year's My Dad's Festival

Old Town-based Future Planning has been named as this year's headline sponsor for the My Dad's Bigger Than Your Dad Festival.

Future Planning, based in Devizes Road, specialises as independent financial planners and mortgage advisers with clients based across the country and overseas.

The team pride themselves on their passion for helping every client to lead a more fulfilling life, taking the time to understand what’s important to you, to understand your situation and what your future could look like.

Future Planning Managing Director Sanjay Badhan said: "We’re quite passionate about helping our local community.

We’re very focused on community and Prospect Hospice is a great cause. We were happy to get involved.”

Festival organiser Ed Dyer said: "We are really excited 22

to be partnering up with Future Planning as headline sponsor, as they are an Old Town based business set up and run by Swindonians.

It is humbling to have a business like this recognise what this event does for the local community and want to invest and share in that.

Sanjay Badhan of Future Planning We cannot run this event and raise such large sums of money for Prospect Hospice without the support of local businesses and groups."

For more information on Future Planning visit their website at www.futureplanningwm.co.uk Other sponsors so far for this year's festival are Swindon Link, Leightons Opticians, Gastech and Magnet Sales.

The event itself is run in conjunction with South Swindon Parish Council.

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‘Heaven on earth’: Kelmscott Manor, the Cotswold Retreat of William Morris Kelmscott Manor was the iconic country home of William Morris, poet, designer, craftsman, socialist and founding father of the Arts and Crafts movement.

This Grade I Listed house was said to have been loved by Morris as a survival of traditional craftsmanship in harmony with the nearby village and surrounding landscape, which lies towards the very upper reaches of the Thames, inspiring many of his most important designs and writings, including the worldfamous Willow pattern.

Today, visitors will find an outstanding collection, from early 17th Century furniture to a unique collection of furnishings chosen by Pre-Raphaelite painter-poet Dante Gabriel Rossetti and pieces from each of Morris’ London homes, including several designed especially for the iconic Red House.

Morris’ wife Jane and daughter May also have a vivid presences at Kelmscott Manor.

Many examples reflect their beautiful and accomplished needlework; much of this was designed by May, a significant and accomplished designer in her own right.

The Manor has so many intriguing stories to tell; its collections span over 300 years and reflect the lives, ideas and creative legacy of those who lived and stayed there.

Perhaps the most famous portrait of Jane Morris by Rossetti is The Blue Silk Dress which was completed in 1868, currently hanging in the White Room.

The domestic charm and ambience of the house is still retained, despite having influenced Pre-Raphaelite art and design and the Arts & Crafts Movement, a legacy still very

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HERITAGE

much treasured today.

Kelmscott Manor also boasts enchanting riverside gardens and the River Thames is located just a few hundred yards away.

Beyond the walls of the formal garden stand the impressive farm barns – two of them house the tearoom and shop. The tearoom is said to be a must-visit, with its friendly staff and home-made meals and cakes, while the shop is packed with decorative and unusual items ideal for gifts or mementoes.

After major restoration and improvement works, the team are looking forward to welcoming visitors back to Morris’ “heaven on earth”.

The Manor is open to the public from Thursday to Saturday, April to October. People can visit www.sal.org.uk/ kelmscottmanor.org.uk for more details and to book tickets.

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Pick Up Point lends a helping hand for Link Sahara Trek

FOOD & DRINK

By Jamie Hill | jamie@positive-media.co.uk

Swindon Link has assembled a team to cross the Sahara Desert in March 2023 in aid of Prospect Hospice. The team of four, including Link editor Jamie Hill, have been busy fundraising but now local businessman and chef Josh West has pledged that for every sale of his popular Seoul Surviver burger at his restaurant The Pick Up Point on Devizes Road, Old Town, a pound will be donated to Team Link's fundraising efforts.

If you've ever been to the Pick Up Point in Old Town, you'll know that it's something special, serving the best burgers, steaks and wings in town bar none, courtesy of chef Josh West.

So when he approached us to say he wanted to donate a pound for every sale of his amazing Seoul Surviver

burger to Team Link's Sahara Desert Trek Challenge in aid of Prospect Hospice, we bit his arm off (not literally but we did take a rather large bite of the delicious burger instead).

So from 1 June every time you pop to The Pick Up Point and order a Seoul Survivor burger, which is a delicious chicken burger served with

Josh's own fantastic Korean hot sauce with kimchi, you will be donating £1 to help us lot in Team Link cross a desert in aid of Prospect Hospice.

The Pick Up Point opened its doors in October 2021 and has been one of Old Town's most popular eateries ever since.

It's a great and very stylish independent restaurant with a cool Americana-type vibe.

It also serves some of the best burgers to have ever passed the lips of a mortal human being.

If you're a meat fan you'll be in heaven as this Josh West fella, who was professionally trained in Paris having worked

his way up from being a ceramic hygienist, knows exactly what he's doing when it comes to chicken, beef, pork or lamb.

He's also not bad when it comes to his delicious sides as he applies the same quality and attention to detail to everything he cooks.

The menu is always changing so there's a new taste adventure every time you visit.

The cocktails are also worth a good try as they really do know how to pack a punch.

The restaurant can be found at 52 Devizes Road and you can book a table by visiting the website at thepickuppoint. com

Help Team Link cross the Sahara Desert for Prospect Hospice Team Link are a four person team comprised of Kieran McCarthy, Amy O'Reilly, Laura Johnson and Jamie Hill.

The team has already started its training, going on walks around the Swindon area to prepare them for the trek that will take them more than 60 kilometres over the sands of

Morocco in March 2023.

This is all in aid of Prospect Hospice who have organised the trip and provide end of life care for Swindon and the surrounding area.

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Bikes for Ukraine

CYCLING

Monthly column with Becky Cox of Swindon Cycle Campaign.

The people of Swindon have been doing their bit to help support the people of Ukraine through the Swindon Welcomes Ukraine project.

The project helps new arrivals from Ukraine find community and fulfilment in the local area.

Within this project a ‘Bikes for Ukraine’ scheme was set up, reflecting the requests of new arrivals wanting to find their way around and reach local services in a cheap and accessible way.

Providing refurbished bikes to new residents of Swindon has been a long-established programme for the Harbour Project, the Swindon-based charity which has long supported asylum seekers and refugees to rebuild their lives in the town.

After sending out a plea to the Swindon community, the Alfie Howlett: Swindon Town FC writer As I sit down to pen this latest column, Swindon currently find themselves in the midst of a play-off campaign.

But instead I'd like to focus on the journey which took them to the play-offs. Or should I say fairytale?

If someone had offered a film director a script of how Swindon's season would pan out in July, it would have been thrown away for being too unrealistic.

The script would've started with the crisis. The club just days away from the brink of nonexistence, unpaid staff and a handful of senior players.

The future looked bleak.

Cue the introduction of Clem Morfuni, Rob Angus and Ben Garner. When Clem and Rob arrived at the club, the task that they entrusted Ben Garner with was an obvious one.

Survival. But even at the time 26

Bikes for Ukraine scheme has received 35 offers of bikes.

Local businesses such as Run and Repair, Recycles (social enterprise) and Swindon Cycles have been busy volunteering their time to safety check and fix 13 donated bikes to date.

Over the last couple of weeks local volunteers from Swindon Welcomes Ukraine have passed on 12 preloved bikes to new residents from Ukraine, who have very happily received a bike along with accessories such as locks, helmets and a Swindon cycle map.

My mini co-pilot and I enjoyed showing Sofiia (Chair of Swindon Welcomes Ukraine), her mother and her sister the beautiful trafficfree route from the Orbital Shopping Centre to Lydiard Park one weekend.

They hadn’t cycled for years but were so keen to practice and to improve their confidence and skills.

There’s still plenty more to do. So far, 48 loving homes are awaiting a refurbished bike, a shortfall of 13 bikes at present, and there will almost certainly be more requests

Enjoying exploring Swindon on bikes donated by Swindon residents

The endurance of Swindon Town FC with pre-season fading and a transfer embargo in full force it looked like a tough ask.

I'll always remember when I first took my seat this season in a 3-2 defeat to Carlisle.

I felt happy to firstly even be back in a stadium after the pandemic.

But most of all I felt relieved that I still had a club to support.

My expectations were low until a 2-0 away win at league leaders Forest Green. The victory was part of a nine game unbeaten away record.

After dismantling the leaders in their own back yard, I realised that against the odds Town had assembled a special group of players. And perhaps simply surviving would be an underachievement.

Swindon would welcome in the new year with a 5-2 thrashing of Northampton before a dream FA Cup tie

over the coming weeks and months.

So, if you’d like to find out more about this great project or if you have a pre-loved bike in good condition that you’d like to donate please go to Bikes for Ukraine — Swindon Welcomes Ukraine (ukraineswindon.com)

with the champions of England.

In the third round for the first time in 10 years Swindon did themselves proud against a star-studded Manchester City side.

Not to mention Harry McKirdy writing his name into Swindon Town folklore. However the script would soon throw up Swindon's first mini crisis.

With Town enduring suspensions, recalls and injuries everything looked as if it was falling apart.

The early season optimism was quickly being overshadowed by a wretched five-game winless run seeing Town fall out of the play-offs.

Perhaps it was a step too far.

The Robins would work their way back into the promotion picture, until an injury to talisman Harry McKirdy coincided with just one win in five. With the season entering

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the final straight a home defeat at the hands of Richie Wellens really did look like the final straw.

I as a fan had accepted that next season would be another one of league 2 football at the County Ground. However fortunately Ben Garner and the players didn't see it that way.

In mid July 2021 it looked as if the football club was finished.

In mid April 2022 it looked as if the season was finished.

But no, four wins in the final four games saw Swindon secure a sixth place finish. A position that looked impossible in April, let alone in July.

Miracles really can happen.

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TRADE PAGES

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TRADE PAGES

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