THE
No. 153 • December 1994 & January 1995 • Circulation 15,000
TOOTHILL IT CHINESE tir KITCHEN Fish & Chips and Chinese Food Takeaway
HOME DELIVERY
3,;o 7@V
MAGAZINE
to West Swindon 5pm - 10pm
A Happy Christmas and a peaceful New Year from the positive newsforce in West and North Swindon
ToothUl Village Centre
Swindon's Bishop Michael Doe sends Christmas Greetings to Link readers on page 28,
(Delivery charge from £1)
Tel: 487055
Secondary school places chaos confuses parents
Confusion has been created for West Swindon parents choosing a secondary school for September 1995 as to how many places are available at Ridgeway School. Armed with the Wiltshire Local way were told that the school accompanied by Education Authority booklet stat- would take more children than the Christmas services ing admission arrangements and 240 given in the County admisBelow: Bishop Michael outside Holy the number of places available at sions booklet. Trinity Church, Shaw On the night she attended Moira the three schools designated to receive children from the area - Webster from Shaw was very surBradon Forest, Greendown and prised to hear headteacher Tom Ridgeway - parents attended Axon announce that Ridgeway school open evenings before half could take 30 to 40 more children from the parts of West Swindon term in October. The booklet states that children which are not in the priority catchliving in Too thill and Westlea have ment area. "Given the information in the priority admission to Greendown and Ridgeway, whilst those living Wiltshire booklet lwas taken aback in Freshbrook (including Grange to hear him give a 'guarantee' of a Park, Shaw and Roughmoor have place to any child who wanted to priority to Greendown and Bradon attend his school," she said. "The LEA school application form says Forest. However, parents from all parts parents fromShaw have to make a of West Swindon visiting Ridge-- special case to attend Ridgeway." Alison Barrett, whose son attends Westlea School but lives in Eastleaze outside the Ridgeway catchment, said she was not sure West Swindon Lions will be leading reindeer pulling Santa around the what was happening. "We were told that Ridgeway would take West Swindon area on the following dates in December. more children than the number Tuesday 13th, Thursday 15th, Tuesday 20th. The tours will start at Toothill Village Centre given by Wiltshire. The impresat 6pm and the reindeer will return to the stables at 8pm. sion was that nobody would he On Saturday 17th Santa will bean the road from 5pm and will be stopping off atTexas DIY between 5.30pm and 6.30pm turned away. We've applied for before carrying on round the houses until 8pm. Matthew to go there as there seems Watch out for Lions, reindeers and the man with a white beard. Please put what you can into the collecting bucket. to be a possibility of a place."
Santa's comeback tour 1994
Continued on page 3
All proceeds will go to local charitable organisations or individuals In need.
EXPRESS C:c
E
Open Monday to Saturday 9am - 530pm
For the very best selection of bikes at the very best prices Plus: Bring this ad with you and claim a FREE £20 cycle computer with any bike purchased over £150 (subject to availability) 1,000s OF BIKES & ACCESSORIES * PRICE PROMISE * CHRISTMAS CLUB * FINANCE* (*SUBJECT To STATUS. WRITTEN QUOTATIONS REQUEST)
96 - 99 MANCHESTER ROAD SWINDON • TEL: (0793) 534907