December 2000 Swindon Link

No. 223 223 • Dee embe r 2000 • Circulation 21,000

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Headteacher to leave Greendown

A golden gift

Fifteen years after opening West Swindon's secondary school, headteacher Ian Matthews has announced he will be leaving next August. We interview him on page 44

Honey made by bees visiting West Swindon gardens this summer.

See page 10

• Swindon MPs launch Greendown hyper-speed internet connection. See page 45

Go shopping .. in Wootton Bassett. Avoid the traffic jams and enjoy free parking. See pages 20-21. ... in Old Town, Swindon's village on the hill. Pages 31 - 33

Going for gold at skate championship Makav-c

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See page 25

Now offering free delivery on our takeaway service - call for details

Dressing up to open Catherine Wayte School

Link Centre ice show performer Clive Seabrook passes on some magical advice to his brother Andrew and his partner Tiffany Sfikas before they take part in the British senior pairs skating championships in late November.

Turn to pages 18 and 48 for details of the ice show, the Lion, Witch and the Wardrdrobe.

Emma Allsopp and Marie Spurrett playing their favourite book characters. See page 6

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The Link Maqazine • December 2000

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Hi-tech office attracts prizes

The controversial £6 million Cellular Operations headquarters on the edge of Peatmoor Lagoon has been voted the best large office building in the world and it is in line for two more awards. secretarial is circulated ?.a The space ww abaecretariaico.uk around the age call cen building. tre scooped abc secretarial provide a Thebuildthe prize for 17 professional service for all has also X. 'Best Large -.---your needs .... letters, CVs, sebeen Office'atthis __ reports, dissertations ....

FX lectedtofeayear's flexible support for the small ture in the MagazineInbusiness .... book-keeping, UK'stop100 ternational word processing, financial most visuadministration.

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Surprise your child with a The HQ is up for a prestigious forward looking company philosothemed bedroom. Brighten your phy, while ensuring humane Civic Trust award which will be home with new colourful paint and announced early in the new year. workspaces for the staff.' paper designs. Impress your clients The cantilevered steel and by re-newing your office decor. glass superstructure looking —! onto the lagoon features a huge For a free consultation, glass front door, lifts operated from conception to completion, purely by motion sensors and or advice on do-it-yourself ideas at a water fountain which shoots affordable prices contact: up to greet people as they Wendy Lane Interior Design emerge from them, and tel: 01793 870659/mob. 07990 914192 themed toilets on each floor. email: offthe wall@btinternet.com The dark walls to the rear capture heat from the sun which I QE ^lp°^ ^ a

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Ridge residents object to plans People living on St Andrew's Ridge fear that the development of the Abbey Meads business park by Bookham Technologies will result in higher traffic volumes and industrial pollution.

The site, south of the Abbey Stadium, was originally for light industrial use. But Bookham has taken the whole area to employ 2,700 people.

With 1,400 car parking spaces and a predicted 660 peak time vehicle movements per hour, the main objection is access to the site.

David Simpkins from Reynolds Close said speeding cars on Salzgitter Drive is already a problem. "The new village centre means lots more pedestrians in that area."

Chemist Dr Ian Barnes from Abbotsbury Way has concerns about hazardous processes at the factory and transportation of chemicals, gases and solvents in a residential area.

Senior council planner Martin Trewhella said the company was siting the production centre away from houses and would locate night time car parks at the furthest point. Vehicles would be forced to turn left out of the site and exit St Andrew's Ridge at the Motorola roundabout on Thamesdown Drive.

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Conference calls for formation of Swindon Civic Society A conference - Looking at Swindon.. together - drew people from across the town on 4 November to discuss the areas where they live and the changes taking place in the town.

The Link Magazine • December 2000

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Listening: Judy Jones, Martha Parry, j1'endy Shillam, Paul Bearne, chair of the Mechanics' Institute Trust

Organised by the New Mechanics Institute Preservation Trust, which is battling to save the derelict building in the town centre, the event aimed to give citizens an independent forum to express their viewpoints.

Planning consultant Wendy Shillam presented the town centre regeneration plan and journalist Judy Jones, whose controversial article in the New Statesman in August criticised Swindon and its leadership, chaired a discussion to close the day.

Mary Ratcliffe from Old Town said the event was worthwhile. "It was a stimulating and thought provoking day which gave ordinary people a chance to speak out. To

be brutally frank, Swindon has got a major image problem which needs to be addressed."

Bobbie French from Shaw agreed. "People were able to speak freely; there wasn't the sense that councillors or officers would jump on you if criticism was expressed."

Organiser Martha Parry said the conference had enthusiastically supported the idea of a civic society for the town. "It would provide an umbrella for all the community organisations concerned with Swindon. It would involve a wide spectrum of people and act as an independent non-party political voice for all citizens."

To find out more about the Swindon Civic Society, call 520592.

Think early for January Another year has flashed by and were planning for 2001. As the Janua ry edition has to be printed before Christmas, please note the early date below.

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Editorial copy date for January: 7 December Published: 30 December Copy for February: 12 January The Link was first published for he West Swindon community in December 1978.

It is completely independent of Link Centre and, in fact, won a competition to name the leisure centre in 1984. Distribution in North Swindon commenced in Janua ry 1994."

Publisher/Editor: Roger Ogle General enquiries: Tel: (01793) 872282 Stories for North Swindon, Haydon Wick, Tanya Parkinson The contents of The Link are protected Tel: (01793) 705105 tanyaparki nson @ ameads.freeserve.co.uk by copyright. Use of advertisements in printed or electronic form is fcrbidden unless an advertiser or publisher has TO BOOK ADVERTISING: sought permission. Articles and photoCall Jenni Fowler on graphs require similar authority.

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Acting, Singing & Dance Contact Theatre Express now for a FREE prospectus Tel: 01608 676024 Fax: 07977437891 Or w ri te to: Theatre Express, PO Box 94 Chipping Norton DO OX7 3YL Or e-mail us on: perform@theatre-express.com Visit our Website: www.theatre-express.com THEATRE EXPRESS THE 1ST CHOICE FOR PERFORMING ARTS IN SWINDON

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The Link Magazine • December 2000

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By Christmas 2001 Swindon could have one of the largest shops in Britain. Outline planning permission was granted to Asda-Walmart on 30 October to build a 150,000 square feet supercentre at the North Swindon district centre. centre car parking is And in 12 months time based on a strategy that the roads leading to it car use will be reduced could be completely by twenty per cent. clogged by drivers wantTherefore, whilst the ing to get at the bargains outline permission was on offer, even though the given for the massive new Northern Orbital shopping provision Road (NOR) is being built nearly ten years ago, to by-pass Haydon Wick. new planning guideThere will be a further lines means that there 210,000 square feet of retail space for other high street Looking north over a model of the dis- will be twenty per centre fewer car names, restaurants and cafes. A trict centre. Haydon End Lane is in parking spaces - 1,900 will be progarden centre, private fitness club, the foreground, Lady Lane on the right, vided.

Swindon's planning committee banks, building societies and pet- with a new bus route built through the granted permission to proceed rol station will also be built. centre of the shopping area subject to a few amendments to Space for a library and a youth reduce noise and improve access, centre to be run by Swindon Coun- of the private car owner.

However Government planning Asda-Walmart plan to open for cil will be provided, and there will policy has changed radically and Christmas 2001. be a health centre.

However before construction By comparison the newly ex- car parking provision is now repanded Tesco on Ocotal Way is stricted to encourage use of public can start Asda-Walmart has to en82,000 square feet; the Greenbridge transport. A central feature of the ter into a legal agreement with North Swindon centre is a bus Swindon Council to operate a retail park is about 360,000. 'green travel plan' so that its staff In last month's Link Jean Saun- route through the middle.

The design of the NOR, housing will have to leave their cars behind ders of the Swindon Friends of the Earth explained that the district layouts in Haydon 3 and district and travel by bus. centre is so large because it was given outline planning permission Plans for North houses on show as part of the northern expansion Proposals for the next stage of the North Swindon development were proposals in the early 1990s. At displayed for public comment between 13 and 17 November before the time there were fewer restricthey are put to Swindon Council's planning committee in January. tions on out of town development and nothing was to get in the way

A great deal for December

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Swindon planning officers Viviene O'Connell and Carol Bristow show the plans for Haydon 3 to Robert and Doreen Chapman of Windflower Road, Haydon Wick

The area to the north of the the development area around the Northern Orbital Road (NOR) will village centre, adjacent to the secbe called Oakhurst and includes ondary school site. Swindon planthe site for the North Swindon sec- ners hope that both will be comondary school, due to open in 2003 pleted at the same time.

The plans can be seen at Swinor 2004.

The area will feature strong plan- don Council's Premier House ofning characteristics, moving away fice on Station Road until Christfrom the suburban appearance of mas, but comments are required many parts of Swindon with ap- by 8 December.

Plans for the village of Redhouse, proximately 14 dwellings per acre.

An 'urban core' around a village to the south of the NOR will be put centre will have three and four on display in the Spring and will floor townhouses with a density of be considered by the planning comtwenty per acre. mittee later in the year. However There will be lower densities in house building to the north and a formal area and a rural area, next south of the road will take place at to a site of special scientific interest. the same time.

Building work will start in the • North secondary school parents middle of next year at the centre of consultation. Page 44.

The Link Magazine • December 2000

See us on the net @ www.swindonlink.com

Town centre next thirty years discussion in December

NO NEED TO LIVE WITH HARD WATER CONTACT:

Swindon's vision of building a'world class' town centre over the next thirty years will be discussed in two seminars on 7 December where people can find out what is proposed and put forward suggestions.

The framework for future development suggested by _' consultant planners Shillam and Smith were described in the November Link. These include: • redevelopment of the area around the town hall and Wyvern Theatre as a cultural j and entertainment centre • new, small, niche shopping areas off Regent Street

• re-siting the train station and buses to the south of Bridge Street in a new square • redevelopment of the North Star site as an education campus involving Swindon College, the University of Bath and the research councils, clustered around a new urban park with lake • rebuilding the Oasis leisure centre and creating more housing in the town centre • removing the barriers from Fleming Way and Princes Streets and creating pedestrian friendly

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The free seminars take place on 7December,1.30pmto3.30pmand 6.30 to 8.30pm at venues to be arranged.

To register call Robert Bruce at Swindon Council's planning department on 466326.

The plans canbe seen at the Planning Department, Premier House, Station Road.

The changes will be paid for by

• building a light tram system to link the different areas together, with spurs to Old Town and other parts of the town.

Council will be discussing the proposals and amendments in January before they are adopted into the local plan.

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Photos on show

Opening week of fun

In 1900 Blunsdon Parish Council created a hand written census of eve ry house and the number of occupants. For 2000 councillors decided to repeat the exercise using photography to capture the information.

The prints are now on sale at £1.50 each and residents living in Ash Brake, St Andrew's Ridge and areas of Abbey Meads in the parish can view and buy them on Saturday 9 December, 10am to 1pm, in Abbey Meads School.

If you are unable to make this date contact parish clerk Rachel Smith on 705617.

Children at Catherine Wayte Primary celebrated the official opening of their school in November with a special week of rhyme and fun.

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• Monday: Noremarsh Junior School, Wootton Bassett, 5.30 - 7pm • Thursday: Saltway School, Middleleaze, 6 - 7.30pm A Wednesday: Greenmeadow Prima ry School, Penn Close, 6- 7.30pm A Wednesday: Abbey Meads Community School, Hugo Drive, 8 - 9.30pm * Call Dawn on (01793) 782639 A Call Sally on (01793) 731148 Membership fee £6.00 Class fee £4.25 Exercise only £3.25 (no membership)

Rear, from left, Mark Smith, Kouske Sasaki, Matthew Cannon, Gaye Ching, Eleanor Dill, Megan Hall. Middle, Celia Messenger, Lauren Edmonds, Bethany Dunn. Front, Joshua Shawe, Jessica Neate, Keeley Chapham, Ellie Rusga, Daniel Pupils, staff, governors and Swindon education representatives watched children's poet Kit Wright plant a tree and lay a plaque on Wednesday 8 November, followed by an assembly where children recited poetry and sang nursery rhymes.

Each child was presented with a signed copy of one of Kit's books.

On Friday 10th staff from W H Smith read their favourite stories

to the children whilst everyone, including staff, dressed up as their favourite book character and paraded in the hall.

Prizes were given for most interesting costume and best piece of poetry. Headteacher Gaye Ching, dressed as Mary Poppins, said the events had been memorable. "It was an enjoyable and exciting week which we hope children and staff will never forget."

Football connection to new North pub The chairman of Arkell's brewery Peter Arkell pulled the first pint at the company's ninety-ninth pub at the St Andrew's Ridge local centre on 15 November and downed it in one go.

In his opening speech, managing director James Arkell said he was delighted by the interest in the pub generated by a story in the October Link asking for names. He said his staff had lost count of the letters, cards and e-mails, but up to one hundred suggestions had been received.

The name The Jovial Monk was suggested by Link reader Andy Batch, from Northborne Road on the Ridge, who said that the local reference to the Blunsdon Abbey Andy and Jul:

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was the surface connection. But his northern roots also played a part. "The reason I put forward the name was that the closest pub to Middlesborough FC ground, when I was a season ticket holder, was The Jovial Monk. So I'm really pleased it was selected."

Julie Batch said she was impressed by the pub itself. "It's just what St Andrew's Ridge needs. It really is a cosy and comfortable, with a traditional feel. Arkells have done a good job."

The Jovial Monk has another northern connection. The landlords Oliver and Sheila Cleary hail from Newcastle.

01367 241855

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Councillor surgeries Abbey Meads councillors Charles Lister, Peter Stodda rt and Justin Tomlinson hold surgeries on the first Saturday of the month, I Oam to 11 am, at Abbey Meads School.

Residents with concerns are invited to attend.

Arkells Brewery invites you to visit its 99th pub ^

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Salzgitter Drive, St Andrew's Ridge A traditional pub for the whole family

Peter Arkell OBE pulls the fi rst pint at the opening of The Jovial Monk on 15 November watched by son James and landlords Oliver and Sheila Cleary

The Jovial Monk at STAND -=° - RIDGE

•

• Traditional food • Sunday lunch • Mid-day business lunches • Pool room, darts n Big screen Sky TV (soon) • DVD music system • Supper licence • Opening times: Ham - 11pm

To book your Christmas lunch at The Jovial Monk, call 01793 728636 SALZGITTER DRIVE ST. ANDREW'S RIDGE SWINDON

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Four beautifully designed and decorated banners have been made and are about to mounted in the north site hall at Hreod Parkway School, thanks to funding from Haydon Wick parish council.

The grant funded the work of local

artist Susan Carr to work with year 7 students who designed and made the banners representing each of the school houses.

In the November Link she was pictured with the young artists holding individual silk painted and applique panels to be assembled into three metre long banners made up of thirty to forty elements held together by ribbon and steel rods.

The school houses are named after grand houses to found in Wilt-

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Susan Carr, centre, with youngsters who created the banners and headteacher Andrew Fleet, and left, Richard Hailstone, chair of the parish council, and parish council member Eddie Bedwell, far right

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the results of student research. For example, one of the panels for Wilton House has a picture of William Shakespeare, as he is reputed to have put on a play there.

He is hung next to Winston Churchill, representing the organisation of the D-Day landings which took place at Wilton.

Headteacher Andrew Fleet said the photocall was the first time he had seen the completed banner and he was very impressed. He told the children, "the work is absolutely fantastic and I would like to congratulate you and Mrs Carr for all the hard work."

0

Parish council chairman Richard Hailstone agreed. "The children have been enthusiastically involved in the project; the quality and the attention to detail is tremendous."

The banners were put on public display in the south site hall when

the German ambassador visited Hreod on 20 November.

Susan is employed part time as an art teacher at Hreod and is looking for business sponsorship for more innovative art projects around the school. To help, call her on 527999.

Farewell to voluntary driver A well known character in Haydon Wick will not be seen so often in the area following the retirement of parish council mini-bus driver Nobby Clark.

Always recognised because of lection of interesting beers by the his cap festooned with enamel parish council. "I will be thinking charity badges, Nobby has decided of all the people I have driven when to cut back on his voluntary work, I enjoy this gift," he said. but will continue driving for Dial- No more driving. Parish council chairA-Ride and the Communi ty Trans- man Richard Hailstone presents port service.

Nobby Clark with a retirement gift Parish council chairman Richard Hailstone said Nobby had given his time as a volunteer for ten years and had been a great

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Pat Cutting, chair of the Haydon Wick Age Concern club, said Nobby had been more than a driver. "Our members would like to thank him for his work; he was a good friend to all of us."

Nobby was presented with an engraved beer tankard and a se-

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The mini-bus is used to take Haydon Wick parish residents on shopping and theatre trips, to hospital Parcels on the way appointments and lunch clubs, as well as transporting the lunch from This year's delivery of Christlocal school kitchens. mas parcels to those elderly resiThere are currently three drivers dents living in the Haydon Wick and another volunteer is need. If Parish Council area who applied, you can offer, call the parish clerk will be made on Sunday 17 DeSue Martin on 722446. cember.

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CHRISTMAS SPECIAL FOR TWO From 1st December to'l5th January 2001

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SHAW AND ROUGHMOOR

10

Sweet gift with a local flavour Here's a Christmas present with a difference - honey made by bees visiting gardens in Shaw and the rest of West Swindon.

Kaz and Danny Kobylec started flavour whereas hawthorn gives a Marlborough Downs that prokeeping bees three years ago when dark, rich honey. Kaz explained, duces further varieties. The honey a swarm arrived near their home "Many supermarket honeys are is produced to strict EU regulablended from cheap honey mixed tions as bees are classed as animals on Old Shaw Lane.

Unable to get anyone to remove with something like acacia to give rather than insects because they it Kaz literally took things into his it some flavour. Our honey has produce food forhumanconsumpown hands by collecting the bees flavours you won't get from a su- tion.

As well as being a natural sweetand taking them back to his gar- permarket honey." den. They have since gone on to As the bees roam up to two miles ener honey also contains vitamins, win many awards including a first from the hive, the flavour of Shaw calcium and minerals. Some of prize at the Wiltshire Honey Show. House honey comes from the nec- Kaz and Danny's regular customThe taste of honey depends on tar produced by flowers growing ers buy honey for its medicinal properties for conditions such as the flowers that the bees collect in West Swindon gardens. nectar from. For example, clover Keeping bees is not as hazard- hay fever, asthma and as a natural and fruit blossom give a light, mild ous as it sounds. "Honey bees are antibiotic. If a thin smear of honey quite placid so long as you keep is rubbed on a wound it will dry to them fed," said Kaz. form a covering with germ killing They also have an apiary on the properties. f Golden flavours produced by Kaz ÂŁ,.l L air b Sarah z ,^ It's more than the thought that and his West Swindon bees counts in Shaw House honey. In MOBILE HAIRDRESSER i each jar is both the effort of all of Shaw House honey is limited, Would like to thank those hard working bees and the but Kaz and Danny have honey talents of local gardeners. And from their Marlborough hives and all her customers and this unusual giftwillalsogivegood other local beekeepers. You can wish them a health to the receiver. buy the honey from Shaw House, Merry Christmas and The wet summer means stocks 21 Old Shaw Lane.

a Happy New Year For appointments in December call 01793 882186

Me rry4.

Christmas

Gas supplier backs school team Youngsters at Peatmoor community prima ry school have secured a deal with gas distribution company Transco to sponsor their football squad.

The team made up of nine boys and one girl will be wearing the blue and white strip when they play other schools in the West Swindon schools 7 a-side league.

Headteacher Terri Peacock said she was delighted to have a corporate sponsor on board. "Our team will be proud to carry the Transco name into the community."

Mrs Peacock, far right, and the Peatmoor players receiving the kit from Transco local manager Colin Townsend

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Ideas wanted at community school As reported in the November Link, Julia Amies-Green has taken up the lottery funded post of Community Facilitator at Peatmoor community primary school.

Julia, right, has the task opened on Thursdays from of finding out what the 2pm to 4pm during term people want to see haptime to provided a place for a, s pening at the community residents to meet. rooms and has launched Although located in Peata poster campaign and a moor Julia would also like survey of Peatmoor and to receive comments from Sparcells in a questionreaders living in other arnacre distributed with The eas.

Link.

To contact her call 887473 or drop Some changes are already into Peatmoor Primary School at underway. The 'Coffee Pot' has Peatmoor village centre.

TOOTH I LL

Children learn how to building big Children at Toothill School discovered the concepts used by architects and engineers when designing and building large structures at a workshop on 17 November.

Rob Nice from the Architecture Workshop in Cambridge helped Key Stage 2

children, aged 7 to 11, explore in a prac ti cal

way how maths, angles, triangles, quadrilaterals and other geometric shapes are used in buildings.

"We made tetrahedrons out of sticks held together by rubber bands," said Mat- Holding up a collection of tetrahedrons. From left, thew Flynn. "We Shaun Slaven, Sadie Northway, Rob Nice, Matmade quite a few so thew Flynn, Sasha Baker it could be used in a bridge. It was about ten feet long enjoyed the practical sessions and was very strong." which gave them a view into some Deputy headteacher, Martin architectural and engineering conCowell, said, "the children greatly cepts."

Help stock up on blood The Blood Transfusion Service is after your blood in the run up to Christmas.

A blood donor session is being regular blood donor sessicns due held at the Toothill Community to having been to Christmas parCentre on 8 December, from ties.

It is therefore even more impor8.45am to 6pm.

Stocks of blood traditionally fall tant than usual to give blood at to a low level around Christmas this time of year. It could be the time as many people miss their best Christmas present you give.

Christmas Bazaar Toothill Church Saturday 2 December

Over 55s Christmas party

The Toothill over 55s Christmas 2pm - 4pm. Free Handicrafts, toys, books, white party is being held on Tuesday 19 elephant, sweet stall, home-made December.

It is open to Toothill residents cakes & biscuits, childrens' craft corner/biscuit decorating, roll-a-coin, and is being held in the commutombola, nail-painting, guess the nity centre from 6pm to 10pm.

Tickets cost £2 and are available weight of the cake, refreshments.

Santa's Grotto and a Fancy Dress from the centre's office on weekday mornings.

Parade. Eve ry one ve ry welcome!

Bears brought to school Youngsters at Oliver Tomkins Junior School brought their teddies to school on Children In Need day on 17 November.

They were paraded for a fancy dress competition at the morning assembly. There were vampire teddies, bridesmaids teddies, bears dressed in school uniform and even Bob the Builder teddy made an appearance. Over £82 was raised from the donations.

Some of the children with their fancy dress entries. Back, from left, Rebecca Lawlor, Georgina Tyson, Callum Walker-Sturton.

Middle, Aaron Neil, Jessica Lawlor, Seren Jones. Front, Harry Williams, Daniel Green

11

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Sex education group rewarded Voluntary work by teenagers living in Freshbrook was recognised on 28 October when South Swindon MP Julia Drown presented them with Millennium Volunteers certificates.

The ten youngsters based at the ner said the group had worked other young people in an enterFreshbrook Community Centre together for nearly a year because taining way, but using everyday youth drop-in spent two hundred adults do not understand the needs language."

Julia Drown said, "I have been hours each examining issues af- of teenagers. "People don't realise fecting teenagers living in West how many 15 and 16 year olds are really impressed by the work of Swindon, particularly sexual sexually active. But young people these young people. Their Volunhealth matters. In early June they can be naive about sex; they think teer Millennium certificates give gave a hard hitting drama, video pregnancy and sexually transmit- them and their work the recogniand dance presentation to the ted disease will only affectthe lives tion they deserve."

The group have performed their Mayor of Swindon, the MP and of other people. The sex education play at Greendown, Ridgeway and parents. we get is not good enough.

"Our play tries to get informa- Wootton Bassett schools and other Coordinator of the Swindon Sex Eduction Peer Project Rebecca Tan- tion about sexual issues across to dates are being arranged.

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Giles Aspinall of the Swindon Millennium Volunteers, rear right, with members of Swindon Sex Eduction Peer Project at the Megabowl after the certificate presentation. Rear from left, Natalie Haynes, Linda Black, Gareth Green. Front, Becky Tanner, Nicky Windslaw, Sonia Bailey

Freshbrook centre calls for council help

Council listens to youth views on crime

Volunteers from Freshbrook Community Centre presented a 200 name petition to Swindon Council at the West area panel on 2 November calling for help with the maintenance of the building.

Centre sec-

Swindon Council's Crime and Disorder Team organised a meeting in October with young people across Swindon to find out what they think about crime in the town and discover what could make their areas safer.

Statistically young people are most likely to be victims of crime, yet they are often viewed as the most likely perpetrators.

In a recent Fear of Crime Survey conducted by the Crime & Disorder Implementation Team, young people reported that they too feel vulnerable: 66% of under 21s said they felt unsafe walking alone at night and 37% of under 21s said they avoided going out alone.

A group from Grange Park identified the need for better lighting, a graffiti wall, a skateboard park, better youth meeting places and action against drugs.

Young people from other areas at the meeting echoed these views.

They told councillors they felt safer walking about in groups even though their behaviour might look intimidating to other people.

Information and suggestions from the event will be used to break down the barriers between older and younger people and will be

retary Terry

Iles said he has a catalogue of requests for help and action going back many years, but little support has been forth-

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Terry Iles and committee member Ethyl Williams

coming.

These include a port hole window which has become unusable, louvre windows which are in danger of dropping out and hitting people, and a temporary car park which becomes a lake every time it rains.

Terry said, "people who run community centres in Swindon are all volunteers, who put in their time and effort for free. We don't always require immediate action, but we do need to know when jobs will be done. Some of our maintenance requests go back years; we incorporated into an action plan just get fobbed off all the time and for the Crime Reduction Strategy next year. told there is no money to help."

WESTLEA

13

No more doggy gifts in the wrong place West Swindon residents might be able to walk the streets by Christmas without stepping in 'little presents' left behind by dogs, thanks to the efforts of ten-year-old Beverley Harris from Stancombe Park, Westlea.

Apart from bins in Toothill, After a successful campaign, Beverley Westlea, Freshbrook and Shaw, Swindon Council has committed and her Swindon Council is to install ten in £5,000 to a trial to install twenty friends did dog bins across West Swindon. not stop at Lawns.

The first bins should be in place Earlier this year Beverley was so that. In July before Christmas. If successful, disgusted with the dog mess she W e s t 1 e a and if there is sufficient pressure, had to pass on her way to Westlea Guides and the scheme may be extended across School that she started a petition Brownies, the whole borough. that was signed by two hundred were joined fellow pupils and handed to local by coun councillors at the West Area Panel. David Cox Christmas Fair on a sponSaturday 2 December, sored walk 1.30pm f r o m Lydiard Westlea School Park over

Langstone Way

Successful campaigners and fundraisers: 1st Westlea

Shaw Ridge Guides hold up the cheque presented to the council to Shaw which raised £204 to pay for a fur- dog owners pick up the dog mess but leave it in bags hanging from ther three dog bins in Westlea.

Beverley said, "The amount of bushes. The council think this may dog mess around my school is dis- be a form of protest at the lack of gusting. We have to walk in it all dog bins and a sign that dog owners are prepared to pick up the the way to school every day."

Toothill councillors David Cox mess.

Beverley uses The Link map of West and Mary Martin have backed her Earlier attempts to tackle the Swindon to point out where she would efforts. "We really have to do all problem by prosecuting the ownlike her three bins in Westlea, with we can to encourage dog owners ers of dogs caught fouling had been coun David Cox, Mary Martin and to use the bins," said Mary. unsuccessful as the Court only cleansing officer Steve Harcourt In some parts of West Swindon awarded small fines.

Sue Godfrey, chairperson of the Friends of Westlea School, writes: We would like to wish all local companies who have supported the Friends with our fund raising including RVS Group, Trawlerman Takeaway, Mays Carpets, Broome Manor Golf Club, The Link Magazine, Motorola, Thameswood Vets, Olan Mills.

Christmas greetings to them and all those who have supported our events in aid of the school.

Merry Christmas from Coca (yet care professionals THE DROVE

Spread the cost of animal health care The Drove Veterinary Hospital has launched an innovative health care programme for its clients' cats and dogs which allows owners to spread the cost of vaccinations, flea treatments, health checks, worming and more over a twelve month period.

Policies start at £10.12 per month for cats and £8.37 for dogs. For details call The Drove Veterinary Hospital on 522483

VETERINARY HOSPITAL

Abbeymeads Veterinary Surgery For all your pets n eeds when healthy or ill Opening hours:

Unit 5

PETS AT HOME Sheila Mitchell would like to wish all her customers a Happy Christmas and a successful New Year

Swindon 873062 ,vete, . SHAW VETERINARY CENTRE ^ Cent( L

Shaw Village Centre, Ramleaze Drive West Swindon SN5 9PY

A friendly, caring service for you and your pet David Wames BVSc MRCVS • Stefania Glowka DVM MRCVS Michelle Lindsay BVM&S MRCVS

Consultations by appointment: Monday - Friday 8.30am - 7.30pm 9.00am - 4.00pm Saturday 24 HOUR EMERGENCY SERVICE

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Mon - Fri gam - 6.30pm Saturday 2pm - 4pm Consulting hours: By appointment Mon - Fri: 11am -12.30pm, 2pm - 4pm; 5.30pm - 6.30pm Saturday 2 - 4pm

24 HR EMERGENCY SERVICE - All Sunday and Emergency consults by appointment at The Drove Veterinary Hospital - Telephone (01793) 522483

^•z° Thameswood Small Animal Hospital Helping you care more for your pet Swindon's most modern small animal hospital, situated in North West Swindon, offering high quality surgical and medical care at competitive prices within a caring, friendly and professional environment.

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14

Pressed For Time Professional Ironing Se rv ice Free collection and delivery £12 per stone ,.

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Santa to join in with children's activities Father Christmas makes an early visit to West Swindon Library so that he does not miss out on all the fun and games, writes Lesley North. He will be taking part in story time and singing songs with a Christmassy theme on Friday 15 December, 10.30am. The event is free and everyone is welcome to join in.

Library opens longer West Swindon Library will only be closed on Tuesday 26 December and Wednesday 27 December.

Otherwise we shall be open as usual.

Internet use - amendment to booking arrangements Please note that it is not possible to book use of the internet access computers by telephone. Use is free, but all bookings must be made in person at the enquiry desk.

New titles New books arriving in December offer a good choice whatever your particular favourite in fiction.

Perhaps you like a touch of murder and mayhem? Look for the new Colin Forbes, Darkening Shadows, Lawrence Sanders' McNally's Folly or another outing for Kate Ivory, the Oxford sleuth, in Veronica Stallwood's latest, Oxford Shadows (shadows in the title are always good for a scare).

For those who like their some really eerie reading, Dean Koontz has some strange happenings in From the Corner of his Eye.

If historic crime is more your cup of poison, try Michael Jecks' The Boy Bishop's Glovemaker or Alys Clare's The Tavern in The Morning, the third novel featuring Josse d'Acquin and Abbess Helewise.

Are all these dark deeds too much for you? We also have some heartwarming titles arriving.

Popular author Vera Cowie has The Guarded Heart to offer, and Connie Monk From this Day Forward. Barbara Whitnell visits the West Country in The Cornish Legacy and there are dirty deals in Meg Hutchinson's No Place fora Woman.

Historical fiction gets its turn with Fern Michaels' Vixen in Velvet and A Handful of Seeds by Elizabeth Daish.

Draw the curtains, make a cuppa and turn the first page.

0800 7316879

Bargains and charity cards

www.my-clinic/chiropodywiltshire

Bursting at the seams with bargains, Age Concern Swindon's shop at 51 Fleet Street, is the place to find top quality clothes, bedding, books and bric-a-brac. It's also the only outlet in Swindon for Age Concern's own branded Christmas cards which start at just £1.99 for ten cards.

Jo Osorio, director of Age Concern Swindon said "we are grateful for all the donations of quality goods from Swindon people. Our clothing range caters for many sizes and most ages and our prices are some of the best. For Age Concern, providing essential services and making more of life is only possible with hard-earned funds. The shop raises money to contribute towards the work of the charity throughout the year."

To make a donation, call 692166.

Adve rt isement feature

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Look no fu rt her. Bodybliss Beauty and Aromatherapy Salon is the first in Swindon to offer clients this revoof the body can be treated and most people will need an average of four to eight monthly appointments.

chased to use between treatments.

Treatments take between 20 minutes and two hours and cost from £75 upwards. Introductory prices of up to 30% o ff are presently on offer for the first two appointments.

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ning the selected area with a laser li ght beam which is absorbed by the melanin (colour) in the hair and converted into heat which results in selective photothermal damage of the hair follicle. This results in vaporising the hair in the anagen (growing) stage of the hair cycle, that is up to 40% reduction at each treatment.

Everyone has a consultation and a patch test, at a cost of £25, to determine their suitability and specialised homecare products have to be pur-

Haney on 01793 825525.

GET HAIR FREE BY SUMMER Win a free consultation and first treatment (up to the value of £130) by describing how the laser beam destroys the unwanted hair.

Male or female entrants must be 16 or over.

Answers with details to Bodybliss, Stratton Leisure Centre, Grange Drive, Swindon SN3 4JY by 15 December.

e Brunel Centre, Swindon presents FRIENDLY INVADERS

FROM OUTERSPACE AT \ NTA'S SPACE STATION GROTTO anta has landed at The Brunel Centre, Swindon along with his band of space gnomes.

Come and meet Santa and tell him what you would like for Christmas and take a present home too! )pace Station Grotto is open from Thursday 23rd November until ias Eve*. Situated in the Lower Plaza (between Marks & Spencer )ots) children of all ages will be delighted by the animated space gnome displays and, of course, their visit to meet Santa.

e Grot wi ll be open at the f Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday

1 Oam - 5pm 1 Oam --5pm 10am --5pm 1 Oam -- 7pm

t y ing times:

Friday Saturday Sunday *Christmas Eve

1 Oam — 5pm 9am — 5.30pm 10am — 4pm 1 Oam — 2pm

Parents are welcome to bring a camera to take a photograph of their children.

v ^1

For more information on Christmas events and shopping hours at The Brunel Centre, Swindon visit our website at www.brunelcentre.co.uk or ccntact The Centre Management Office on 01793 525857.

Entrance fee to Santa's Space Station Grotto is £3.00 per child. This includes a present.

Managed by Westfield Shoppingtowns Ltd.

16

The Link Magazine • December 2000

Flames burn with talent

Girls pursue hoop dreams

Three skater hockey teams from Swindon Flames competed at the National Championships held in Hartlepool during November.

Girls over the age of 12 have netted their own club to learn how to play basketball.

The Peewees, aged 10- 12 years with three teams winning their catcame 11th out of 24 teams, and the egories in the South West region youth team, 13 - 15 years came league and two players being se13th out of 24. lected for the Great Britain team.

The Flames were started four Trials are underway for the 2001 years ago by West Swindon mother season which begins in January.

Bridgette Burnup when her own Skaters of all abilities aged from 10 two children were playing in the to 18 are welcome. A pair of skates streets and could not find a local is all that is required to start. club to join. She contacted the For details, call Sandra Lewis British Inline Skater Hockey Asso- 740370. ciation who gave her assistance to Captains line up, rear from left, Ken form The Flames who entered the Sneddon, youth team captain, Ian South West region league.

Houston, coach, Andy Sneddon, youth The club had a good 2000 season captain and GB player. Front, James

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Cosgrove junior keeper and GB player, Callum Satchell, Peewee captain Some of the girls in the Sonics juniors quad, from left, Katie Cottle, Terri Smith, Jo Woodage, Jodi Steenart, Kate Bodin, Amy Horwood, Sophia To, Helen Knox

Set up by Swindon Sonics basketball club, in conjunction with Swindon Council, the squad meets at the Link Centre on Tuesdays, 7pm to 8.30pm.

The Sonics junior section caters for 7 to 18 year olds and also runs sessions for mixed under 11 s at the Haydon Centre on Saturday mornings, and under 14s and 16s boys on Thursday evenings at Dorcan School. Over 16 women and over 18 men also meet on Tuesday evenings at Link Centre.

Girls coach Graham Chambers said that youngsters who become members receive a club T-shirt and baseball cap. "The number of girls teams is increasing and once the squad has built up experience we'll start to enter tournaments and a league."

Club membership cost £25 and session fees are £2. The first is free.

To find out more, turn up at the Link Centre on Tuesday evenings, or call Graham Chambers on 480595 or Gladys Barr on 465632.

LETTER FROM WESTMINSTER Things are getting better North Swindon MP Michael Wills writes:

'Now, are you as clever as I am?,' thinks Raghar Bali, when Michael Wills visited Abbey Meads school in October, as Nicholas Gibbons ponders what to do next, watched by Aidon Godfrey in the background

I recently met some of Swindon's nurses, pensioners and teachers to find out what they wanted to hear from Gordon Brown's pre-Budget report. They told me that they were beginning to see the results of increased spending, but they felt that more could be done for pensioners and that investment in education needed to continue.

It was with this meeting in mind that I listened to Gordon Brown's Pre-Budget Report last month. I felt the pensioners I had met would welcome the increase in the basic state pension to £5 and £8 and in the increase of £50 in the Winter Fuel Allowance to £200, meaning they wouldn't have worry about whether they could afford to turn on the heating as winter begins.

I thought about the Swindon heads and teachers I had met as

the Chancellor announced extra money for school repairs, and funding to raise standards in schools - initiatives I am sure will be welcomed by all Swindon schools.

The measures the Chancellor announced will provide the platform of stability for sustained investment in our public services.

They will help pensioners and schools in Swindon. They prove the Government is responding to the concerns of my constituents in Swindon.

As we concluded this millennium year, may I wish all readers are a very happy Christmas and a peaceful New Year.

• Michael Wills can be contacted at the Pinehurst People's Centre, Olive Grove, Swindon SN2 3DB. Tel: 481016

A Christmas message from South Swindon MP Julia Drown Seasons Greetings to all readers year which everyone will finally agree is the new century. of The Link.

I hope everyone has a peaceful Swindon has had a good year and enjoyable time and that we all more money for schools, for crime get a bit of a break to recharge the reduction and for the health servbatteries as we head into a new ice. I am particularly pleased that pensioners will have more money this festive season and can have the confidence of more support in the future.

This year has also seen new NHS dentists in the town, the new Peatmoor Community Primary School and the new hospital making progress. It all augurs well for the new millennium.

From the May Link, Julia with Bethany Irving from Toothill, when at Swindon schools day in the Millennium Dome

17

18

The Link Magazine • December 2000

Dramatic stories for primary youngsters Youngsters from three West Swindon primary schools were given a treat when the Sixth Sense Theatre Company presented a selection of Rudyard Kipling's Just So stories on 3 November.

Four shows were put on in the Tomkins Infants schools, who were Greendown drama studio for chil- joined by year 7 and 8 students dren from Salt Way primary and from Greendown.

Westlea primary and Oliver The music and drama based on Kipling's morality tales was the fifth visit by the Swindon based touring company.

Modern Jive Nights at the Goddard Hotel Every Thursday 8pm until 11pm Professionally Qualified Instructors

The actors show off props used in the show to some of the audience. From left, Swindon ass is tan t director ofeducation Ian Bennett, Kelly Haydon, Henry Sargeant, Fleur Perry. Rear, Becky Hastings, Kirsty Smith, Tanfique Ahmed, John Cronin, Jonathan Searancke. Back, Manita Anand, Amy Hanna

Arts fund backs local projects Swindon Arts Foundation, which is sponsored by local businesses and Swindon Borough Council, recently celebrated its tenth year with a name change to Swindon Arts Community Fund and awards totalling £10,000 to fund four exciting projects in the town, writes director Rosa Matheson.

They range from collaboration of Swindon Pegasus the West Swindon Brass Band and Swindon Special Schools Community Schools will culminate in a SwinPlays Festival, fol- don's Special Schools Proms next lowing the incred- summer - a 'first' for Swindon. i bly successful Another award supports priShakespeare Festi- mary school children composing val also supported and writing their own music with by the Fund, to a help from the Bournemouth Symmobile project giv- phony Orchestra together with ing those living tem- Swindon Music Centre. porarily in crisis With one further project tackhousing the chance ling crime and social disorder isto express them- sues through the medium of dance, selves through art we can truly say that the commuon the Octobus. nity of Swindon gets best value Kandu Arts for from the sponsors of Swindon Arts Sustainable Devel- Community Fund. opment will be tackThe fund exists through the genling personal re- erosity of local business sponsorsponsibility and ship. Should yours wish to help igh dramatic work- local arts projects, we would be resentations. delighted to welcome you. For Lures highly and the details, call me on 463197.

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STAGECOACH www.stagecoach.co.uk

l ages are preparing eagerly for this year's Link Centre ice icular, The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, whilst helpers are busily preparing magnificent costumes.

•om Friday 15 to Mon?mber, there will be vibrant costumes, stunning choreography and inspired solo skating including international class routines from Andrew Seabrook and Tiffany Sfikas.

The other skaters in the one hundred plus cast use the Link Centre ice-rink for training and recreational purposes.

The show will be full of colour , and movement, a fight for your emotions between the White Witch and the Black Magician, the jolly antics of the ever-positive beavers, The Black Magician Clive Seabrook adrenaline-pumping battle scenes with some of the zippers and zappers and the glory and majesty ofAslan, from the show, from left, Adam the Lion.

Girling, Kim Moore, Katy Arnold, See page 48 for ticket details.

Gemma Stowe

20

SHOPPING THIS CHRISTMAS IN WOOTTON BASSETT

Take a break at 27 HIGH STREET

Grove jj

In this old market town there still remains an ...

T Ii I)EPEi 1)EN'I' UREENG ROC1:11

on Sa unders MORNING COFFEE MOUTHWATERING HOME BAKED CAKES LIGHT LUNCHES & CREAM TEAS

Tel: 854507 Outside catering se rv ice

PHILIPPA LAWRENCE Prope rty Management Se rv ices 52 High Street, Wootton Bassett Your local independent agent specialising in the letting of all types of residential property in Wootton Bassett and th e surrounding area

Philippa and Fier staff wish their clients and tenants Merry Christmas e 9Iappy New Fear E© 01793 NASA 848506 ^•_ _ _

D E P I LA.JE ser Hair emoval

goodbyt

Born into a market garden family (horse and cart), experienced in growing, wholesaling and retailing fruit and vegetables 132 HIGH STREET WOOTTON BASSETT

K & E.J Crump &Son 120 High h Street Tel: 01793 853284

For the very best in British meat We're no ordinary butcher.

Taste the difference

n^.

Christmas orders now being taken

Easy to get to and the parking is free!

Anybody who went into Swindon last December will remember the long queues on the main roads and in the car parks, not to mention the c ru sh in the shops.

This year it could be a lot worse because the park and ride scheme into Swindon, which has been running successfully for several years, has been cancelled for lack of bus drivers.

So it really is worth thinking about an altern ative. Wootton Bassett presents the ideal place to visit. It has a good range of shops, from national chains to smaller, individual outlets offe ri ng interesting gifts, it's easy to get to - just a mile on the other side of M4 junction 16 - and the parking in the town centre is free.

The High Street comes alive on Wednesday with an all day outdoor

• De-icer • Antifreeze • Fan belts • Spark plugs • Water pumps • Filters • Steering racks • Spares for most vehicles • Large range of accessories • Batteries • Tools

0 1 793 854359 124 HIGH STREET WOOTTON BASSETT

PARTNERS

I

HAIR-i1

5 STAR RATING

" In Good Salon Guide

Specialist in High Fashion & Colour Work

£5 off £25

any service over

with this advertisement*

38C Gainsborough Avenue Wootton Bassett Tel: 01793 853220 market and local farmers set up stalls to sell their produce on the fourth Saturday of the month. The next take place on 25 November and 23 December.

See the details of the Dickensian evening opposite.

*Valid to 31st December

Wootton Bassett Physiotherapy & Sports Injury Clinic Mrs Lesley Catling MCSP

un anted

To arrange your free Depilase consultation call Bernice or Claire on (01793) 854389

Chartered Physiotherapist Tel: 01793 848424 Mobile: 0378 553703

Fc$ 6 ^ ^^^

MOTORSAVE

BfRNICEA. C B

60 High Street 20 High Street, Wootton Bassett

JVatural Beauty STATIONERY Wiltshire's Largest Independent Retail Stationer

Non-Surgical Facelift Smoothes away facial lines and wrinkles, rejuvenates skin tone and texture.

4,000 lines in stock Copying, faxing, laminating and binding available Graphic design service

Slim-Gel Body-Wrap Lose inches as this treatment detoxifies the system and helps to drain off cellulite, leaving you firm and toned.

For fu rt her details contact your

Now offering nail extensions

nearest branch 129 High St, Woo tt on Basse tt

Tel: 01793 855355 Fax: 01793 855353 www.dacstationery.co.uk

& other beauty treatments Gift vouchers for Christmas

Wendy (01793)

21

SHOPPING THIS CHRISTMAS IN WOOTTON BASSETT

9 J/"

Judith Daniels

County Jewellers Excellent selection of gold jewellery, Lorus & Citizen watches, crystal & clocks, Perfect Christmas gifts 3 Apsley House, High St, Wootton Bassett Tel: 01793 850123

Party Box The One Stop` Party Shop See our wide range of Christmas decorations, novelties & gifts

Decoration service DICKENS OF AN EVENING Late night shopping on Friday 1 December 1 3 Apsley House Arcade High Street, Wootton Bassett Tel/fax: 01793 853976

Take a break from Christmas shopping in Bassett at Home-made cakes, all day breakfast, sandwiches, cream teas 4 Apsley House Arcade Wootton Bassett

Dickens of a place to visit Specialists in PVCU, windows, doors and

Tel: 01793 848177 or 770596 22 Ravens Walk, Wootton Bassett,

JEN'S DISCOUNT COSMETICS AND HAIR ACCESSORIES SHOP

NOW OPEN Offering top brand names all at permanently low prices 8, The Arcade, High Street, Wootton Bassett

Tel: 848771 LOTS OF FREE PARKING!

MOSSROUR

As the season of goodwill approaches, Wootton Bassett starts to warm up by turning on its Christmas lights and holding a Dickensian Evening on Frida y 1 December.

The High Street will be closed to vehicles from 6.30pm until 8.30pm and the shops, many decorated in traditional Christmas fashion, will be open late.

The lime trees along the High Street will be lit and two large blue Canadian spruce trees will sparkle next to the Town Hall.

During the evening fire eaters will light up the sky, jugglers and stilt walkers will surprise, whilst Morris Men and clog dancers will show off their steps. There will also be an outdoor carol service and fair ground rides.

The Arcade off the Hight Street is Local charities will have stalls and there will be hot chestnuts a an excellent place to buy a range of items. roasting over braziers.

Inside you will find the House of Hats, Alessandra Crafts, DR Textiles for curtains and accessories, Bassett Electrical for Christmas lights, Radway's key cutting and shoe repairs, Jen's for costmetics and County Jewellers as well the Party Box. And when you need to take a break, pop into Seasons for some light refreshment.

Crafts

For all your CROSS STITCH supplies

ALSO Tapestry & embroidery

Made to measure curtains, swags, & tails.

All other valances, R-blinds, London, etc.

Free measuring & quotations Full fitting service available Handmade footstools to order Re-upholstery of dining chairs etc.

Picture framing service 18 Apsley House Arcade Wootton Bassett

Tel: 01793 848855

1 Apsley House Arcade, Wootton Bassett,

Sandra Middleton Soft Furnishings & Upholstery Wootton Fields Farm, Marlborough Rd, Wootton Bassett Tel: 01793 848085 • Traditional & modern upholstery • Swags & tails, curtains, pelmets and valances • Austrian. Roman, festoon and roller blinds • Loose covers, cushions, bedcovers, quilts, fourposters, lampshades, etc • Curtain rails, poles and sot furnishing sundries )s • Fabrics supplie @

30ou.5e of at Ladies Hats to hire or buy Offer a large selection of hats, handbags, scarfs and Willow Hall porcelain crafts Visit us at Unit 21 Apsley House Arcade, Wootton Bassett 01793 853761 Or visit our web site: www.houseofhats.co.uk

AD RADWAY Shoe Repairs & Leather Goods: Purses, Wallets, Bags etc.

D

RADWAY

Shields, Trophies,;Tankds engraved Key cutting while you wait

ASHINGTON HOUSE SURGERY MEDICAL PRACTICE

Ashington Way, Westlea, Swindon

Queen Elizabeth Drive, Swindon SN25 1WL We wish all our patients and friends a very Merry Christmas

Tel: 01793 709500

Wishes you a very happy Christmas and a healthy New Year from all the doctors and staff f

www.tawhillsurgery.com (online appointments) New patients always welcome

Tel: 01793 - 614840 - - ---

SEASON'S GREETINGS FROM DOCTORS, DENTISTS AND PHARMACIES

4

SERVING

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year Telephone 877422 Ramleaze House, Shaw Village Centre

WEST SWINDON

COOPERS CHEMIST

Dr Kandiah and all the staff at Sparcells Surgery wish their patients a Very Happy Christmas and a Healthy & Prosperous New Year SPARCELLS SURGERY MIDWINTER CLOSE PEATMOOR, SWINDON

Tel: 881928

John & Brigitte Wilkinson and all the staff wish their patients a

FRESHB]ROOK ------ [

WEST SWINDON CENTRE Fine fragrances, toiletries, ear piercing etc.

SEASONS GREETINGS

APS, developing & printing

from Brendon Ball BDS, Sharmila Foster BDS and all the staff at Freshbrook Dental Practice

One free 35mm 24 exp film with every 35mm roll developed on the premises

E\ EAL. PRAC TIC E -----

We extend a very warm welcome to Mrs Linda Swift BDS who will join us in December Freshbrook Village Centre, Freshbrook, Swindon Tel: (0179 3) 8730 44

Open 7 days a week Mon - Fri 9am - 8pm, Sat 9am - 6pm, Sun 1 Oam - 3pm

Ridge Green Practice

Christmas Greetings and a Happy New Year!

Upper Shaw Farm Community Centre Ridge Green, West Swindon Tel: 01793 877999 Dr D Nowotzin Dr A Dwivedi Dr R Williams

ill the patients and friends f the Phoenix Surgery rom Dr Peter Swinyard and Dr Robert Forrester sent tg West aid Ce ttrat swr

Tel: 872033

w

'hoenix Surgery, Toothill Village Centre

Surgery hours: Monday to Friday 8am - 6.30pm

Tel: (01793) 600440

New patients are welcome

23

0

The new quality restaurant with affordable prices

64 u u

RUM" 171-173 Faringdon Road Swindon Tel: 01793 616880

THE LINK MAGAZINk UIIk TO WHAT'S

NOW TAKING CHRISTMAS BOOKINGS

Win a family ticket: to Aladdin Preparations for the popular pantomime Aladdin at the Wyvern Theatre get underway in early December, ready for a month of action packed with antics and enthrallinc special effects.

Open Christmas Eve & New Year's Eve

Like last year's pantomime, the star attraction is an Australian, television soap star Aleetza Wood from Home and Away.

See the adve rt isement below for her co-stars in this year's production which Wyvern manager Ted Doan says is a great show for the whole family.

Set Christmas menus from ' lv £12 50 10% discount for takeaway orders Telephone orders welcome.

All prices inclusive of VAT Seating for 120 people.

Private car park

COMPETITION

For reservations, call 616880

Win a family ticket to Aladdin for two adults and two children, by telling us what season it is now in Australia. Send your entry to The Link, Papermakers House, Westlea, Swindon SN5 760 by Monday 11 December.

Open six days a week Monday-Saturday 12 noon-2.00pm Monday-Thursday 6.00pm-11.30pm Friday & Saturday 6.00pm-12 midnight

Above: Launching Aladdin in June at the Chinese Experience restaurant, young dancers Laura Keogh holding up the dragon's haad and Leanne Williams at the tail with Juliette Kaplan, Geoff Hinslif°, Bobby Dazzler, Dennis Spencer and clowns Tweedy and Alexis

;i!,

West Swindon actress to be a Christmas star Katie Pitts-Drake from Shaw Ridge will be playing a major role in the BBC's dramatisation of Lorna Doone to be broadcast on Christmas Day and Boxing Day. was ve ry muddy," The ten year old she said. "The rest Shaw Ridge pupil of the cast were will be playing the very nice, espepart of the young cially Amelia Lorna, alongside Warner, the older Barbara Flynn, Lorna and even the Amelia Warn-er Mike director, and Martin Clunes.

Barker. "When we This is not got something Katie's first screen wrong he would tell role as she has us what he wanted previously apand asked us to do peared in Casualty it again," said Katie. and plays a French Mother Jane sees her daughtraveller in the yet to be released ter's confidence grow with every fil m Chocolat.

She is an accomplished dancer pa rt . "She revels in acting and takes and has been studying with the it all in her stride."

Katie will be one of the twentyTanwood School of Dance since she was five. Katie is now an four Tanwood dancers appearing associate with the Royal Ballet in Aladdin at the Wyvern Theatre School in Bristol, but of all the from 15 December until 13 Janumany dance styles she is learning ary. There are eleven other dancat Tanwood, jazz is her favourite. ers from West and North Swindon, The Lorna Doone role involved including Cheryl Heuston who was fil ming on location in Farnham and chosen by director Charles Vance Wales. "It was hard work in Wales to play the princess opposite where the weather was bad and it Aleetza Wood from Home & Away.

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OFFICE: 01793)

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0870 0063572-

24

Su^i^sdo^2Uide

PLAN DESIGN & PLANNING SERVICES House Extension Loft Conversion Planning application New Build Design services

Studio IX Tel/fax: 877891 Mobile 07939-286499 Email: studionine@lineone.net

Postman Pat to deliver in Swindon Postman Pat and his cat Jess will be visiting Swindon in January.

They are taking a break from Greendale and can be seen at the Wyvern Theatre from Thursday 25 January until Sunday 28 Janua ry .

Pat has given The Link a pair of tickets to see the show.

To win them, tell us the name of

Postman Pat's cat.

Entries by Friday 15 December to The Link, Papermakers House, Westlea, Swindon SN5 7BD.

Mini-winter jazz fest Fretless & Friends, the people behind Swindon's first jazz festival in

May, is organising a mini-festival on 10 December at the newly opened GW Bar and Grill, oppo-

site the railway station.

Five bands will play between 12noon and 10.30pm, and admission is free.

On the bill are the Swindon Big Band, John Currie's HotStuff, the Jazz Jiants, right, Nick Gill's Rag-

ti me Duo and Fretless and Friends with Jamie Cullum on the piano.

Next boy band to come from Swindon Take That, Westlife and Five are all past their sell by dates. That is the opinion of Mark Pounderfrom Shaw and Paul Gray who lives in the town centre.

disabled people We can provide • NVQ's in Information Technology, Business Administration, Care (levels 1-3) • On-line courses in association with Swindon College • Voluntary placement, within Living Options and external voluntary organisations • Personal development • In-house training • Assertiveness, confidence building etc • Power skills - literacy and working with numbers • Preparing for paid work • Make your experience count And many more

Help us to help you Contact Nalni, Volunteer Co-ordinator

Living Options is a 'userled' voluntary sector organisation that is available to any physically disabled adult in the Swindon area. Participants work with others on a variety of projects and services which promote choice, control and equality for disabled people.

We are based at: The Shaftesbury Centre, Percy Street, Rodbourne, Swindon SN2 2AZ Telephone: 01793 542074 direct Switchboard: 01793 514055 Ext. 121 Email:livopt @ scp-swindon.co.uk

Together they form PM Music

ness instructors, as well as the

Management and they are running

management and public relations

a competition to find the members of the next big act of the millennium.

It is open for boys aged 14 to 1 8 years who should send a photo, CV and demo tape, minidisc or CD by 12

people. Now we're looking for young men eagertosucceed."

Mark is confident of success, but the partners are looking for

January.

a IN\F

SCOPE

The best will be invited to audition

on Saturday 10 February at Ridge-

Swindon's Art, Craft & Picture Framing Outlet Huge range of products for the Artist, Student, Crafter & DIY picture framer Many items suitable for children

New products include: SNAZAROO face paints Clay for throwing and sculpting Plaid FolkArt range of paints & mediums

Pie y of gif 4 ideas for Christmas

way School.

Paul comes from Manchester where he was involved in a similar competition that resulted in a girl group Cleopatra being formed. He was their business manager before moving to Swindon in 1998 when he met Mark. "Nowadays it

is essential for acts to have an organisation behind them to bring out their star qualities," he said.

"We already have a team in place including songwriters, choreographers, vocal trainers, physical fit-

The Wyvern Theatre is experiencing a wave of Abbamania with two

we can show you how Instructional videos running all day 20% off RSP of all needlework kits until 23rd December 2000

All year round low prices guaranteed 63 Pembroke Centre Cheney Manor Trading Estate Swindon SN2 2PQ

Hours of opening Mon/Fri 9.00am to 5.30pm Sat 9.00am to 5.00pm Closed Bank Holidays

Free parking Phone for directions Tel/Fax (01793) 513069 Closed from 5.00pm Saturday 23rd December Re-open 9.00am Tuesday 2nd January

bassadors for the town," said Paul CVs and demo recordings should be sent to PM Music Management, PO Box 2191, Swindon SN5 5LL. Application forms can also be printed off from the PM web site at www.pmmusic.co.uk The auditions are sponsored by AM TV Ltd of Shrivenham.

Win tickets to see an Abba band

If you would like to try a particular craft

Framework Art & Craft

lads who are willing to work very hard. "The li ghts bright beckon; the boys we select will be outgoing and very committed to becoming stars."

They also see this band boosting Swindon's name around the world. "As only a few will be chosen, we want them to become am-

The Wyvern Theatre management do their Abba impression, from left, Nicky Weston, Jamie Walker, Ted Doan, Lisa Bates

Abba tribute bands making three pe rf ormances at the venue.

Abba Gold will be appearing on Sunday 3 December and again on Wednesday 6 December.

On Sunday 14 Janua ry there is a double dose of 70s music with a visit from the Mama Mia Tribute Show playing featuring Abba Magic and Bee Gees Magic.

Nicki Weston, from the Wyvern, said, "the 70s are incredibly popular in Swindon. It is a great chance to dress up and have a good song and dance."

To win a pair of tickets to see Mamma Mia tell us who the members of Abba were. Entries by Friday 15 December to The Link, Papermakers House, Westlea, Swindon SN5 7BD.

25

Sc^usdowZf/ide

Win a video memory Swindon Remembered is

An excellent Christmas present A new book looking back over the last one hundred years of the town is

available from WHSmith.

a fascinating

Written by members of The Swindon Society and published in hardback at £14.99 by Sutton Publishing, A Century of Swindon is a fascinating visual and written insight into the

new video looking back through the t wentieth century, released just in ti me for Christmas.

Written

events, people and places that have made Swindon the place it is today.

The winners of the two copies

made available by WH Smith for a competition in the November Linkare Margaret Huntley, Park Springs, Westlea and Peter Ber ry , Arundel Close, Swindon.

and researched by the Swindon Society, and produced by

Video by Design, the 55 minute film draws upon the Society's extensive collection of photographic images.

It incorporates interviews with lo-

cal characters, archive film and modern day footage of the town.

Topics covered include views of the early market town, Swindon's indust ry , canals, railway, the health service, education, sport and leisure, the war years, housing, shops and shopping.

This delightful record of Swin-

don's past is available from the

49t'? Pv4

7tn&1

Add the finishing touches to those special evenings out:

NAIL EXTENSIONS WITH FREE NAIL PAINTING Tourist Information Centre in Regent Street, WH Smith, Waterstones and Victoria Bookshop.

To win a copy, thanks to Video

by Design, tell us what is your most moving memory of Swindcn. (This can be a childhood thought, or for a newcomer, something more recent).

Send your answers to The Link, address on page 3 by 13 December.

UV GEL/FIBREGLASS ONLY £30.00 (DECEMBER ONLY) For that extra bit of confidence

BODY WRAP - IMMEDIATE INCH LOSS FIGURE CONTROL ONLY £29.00

Much more available at

KELLY'S SALON The Hilton, Swindon Please contact 07720 051013

for further information Mobile service avail ab le

r

Swindon Wide

26

Swindon & Cricklade Railway

Santa Specials in December Saturday 9th

Sunday 10th Saturday 16th Sunday 17th Saturday 23rd Trains run l lam - 4pm Blunsdon Station, Tadpole Lane.

Tel: (01793) 771615

PARKING CENTRAL SWINDON Annual long stay parking only £45.50 per month Contact: Alison Kearney

j

WCE

I J^

^^F

OPERTIES

GRANGE FARM NURSERIES Your local garden centre for

•

CHRISTMAS TREES ••• HUGE RANGE OF GARDENING GIFTS National Garden Gift Tokens PEN DAILY

Monday 4 December Friday 1 December to Christmas party held by SwinSunday 24 December Country House Christmas at don & North Wilts Branch of the Embroiders Guild. Churchfields Lydiard House, see below.

School, 7.30pm. £3, fordetails call Saturday 2 December Arts training Lydiard Christmas 537481 cards, suit 5-1 1 yr olds. Print cards Music Sean Wilson plus special & wrapping paper, make saltdough guest Bonnie Stewart. Wyvern, decorations. Lydiard House, 2pm 7.45pm. £10.50 - 4pm. £2, to book call 770401 Tuesday 5 December Music Raymond Froggatt. WyFriday 1 December Music Quimantu with a blend of vern, 7.30pm. £12.50 Latin American from Andean melo- Wednesday 6 December to dies to Cuban dance rhythms. Arts Saturday 9 December Centre, 8pm. £8 Theatre Mo rt presented by Old Theatre Co. Arts centre, 7.30pm.

Friday 1 December to £5 Sunday 3 December Dance Tap Crazy - a cabaret' of Thursday 7 December song and dance. Town Hall Stu- Music Australian Pink Floyd Show. dios, 8pm (Fri & Sat), 2pm (Sun). Wyvern, 8pm. £14.50 £6.15 Friday 8 December Saturday 2 December Music The Corrz. Wyvern, 8pm.

Comedy Dominic Holland, who £11 .50 has written for Harry Enfield, Bob Saturday 9 December Monkhouse and Clive Anderson. Arts training New Decorative Arts Centre, 8pm. £7 Paint Skills, includingfrotage, wood Sunday 3 December graining & malachite veining. Arts Music Abba Gold. Wyvern, Centre, 1 Oam - 4pm. £17 7.30pm. £13.50

Festive displays, music and tinsel teds at Lydiard House

Haydon End Lane, Haydon Wick

Swindon 721221

SUPERGLIDE WARDROBES The Bedroom Specialists Mary Golding and Janet Po rter in the decorated dining room at Lydiard House last year

If you have visited Lydiard House during December in recent years you will know that the Victorian Christmas decorations, created by florist ry students from Wiltshire College at Lackham, are a real delight, writes Sarah Finch-Crisp, keeper of Lydiard House. * Superb award winning wardrobes made to measure in our workshops Ik Our wardrobes will utilise your storage space to the maximum Ik Wide range to choose from in the comfort of your own home * A local company with 15 years experience built on quality & service with excellent guarantees on all products

Call now for free estimate on 01793 861584

This year, especially for small children, the Lydiard teddy bears are dressing up for the occasion and can be spotted around the house in their tinsel fine ry .

The state rooms are decked in traditional greenery from the park.

Mistletoe and Christmas trees tri mmed with sweets, hand-made paper decorations and toy soldiers transform the elegant setting. Willow wands and feathers provide some of the more unusual displays while popery and dried spiced fruit fill the house with a real Christmas scent.

Hot drinks, chocolate logs and delicious mince pies are available in the entrance hall and there are plenty of stocking fillers to choose from in the gift shop.

Visitors who come in the afternoon on Sunday 3 December will enjoy period Christmas music performed in the drawing room by the Abbleimenti Recorder Quartet.

Entry to the house is free for under fives, adults: £1.20, under 15s: 60p. There is no extra charge forthe sesonal entertainment. The house closes at 4pm every day.

Call 770401 for further information.

December overview Saturday 9 December Arts training Taster sessions: drama, 1 Oam - 12noon, silk painting, 1 pm - 3pm. Steam Museum. £2/session, for details call Art Start on 619825

Music Roll Out The Barrel. Wyvern, 7.30pm. £10.50 Christmas concert by Highworth Choral Society. St Michael's Church, Highworth, 7.30pm. Tickets on the door or call 764376 Sunday 10 December Music Kentwood Christmas Cracker with guests: The Band of the Army Air Corps. Wyvern, 5pm & 8pm Thursday 14 December to Saturday 16 December Variety Music Box. Music, song, dance and comedy in aid of charity. Arts Centre, 7.30pm. £6 Friday 15 December to Saturday 13 January Pantomime Aladdin. Wyvern, see advert on page 23 for details Saturday 16 December Arts training Christmas Angels, for 8 to 12 yr olds. Arts Centre, 1 Oam - 4pm. £6 Walking tour National Monuments Record Centre, Kemble Drive. An introduction to work and collections of NMRC. 2.15pm, free Christmas concert by Swindon Choral Society, includes Vaughan Williams' Fantasia on Christmas Carols, Finzi Magnificat & selection of carols. Pilgrim Centre, Regent Street, 8pm. £7/£5 from Arts Centre box office

Wednesday 20 December, Arts Centre, 7.45pm Happy Texas (15) Jeremy Northam and Steve Zahn star as two escaped convicts who assume the identity of gay beauty pageant producers on the way to a hick town in Texas, with predictably hilarious results. Presented

by Swindon Film Society, for details call 720051

27

Sunday 17 December Music Christmas with the Salvation Army. Arts Centre, 7.30pm.

Learn The Modern Jive & Experience A Night of

Graham McCallion

£5

Thursday 21 December Family A Christmas Carol presented by Image Theatre. Suit age 6 +. Arts Centre, 7pm. £5.50

CEROC

PHOTOGRAPHIC

STUDIO

Professionally

WEDDINGS PORTRAITS COMMERCIA

=

l Qualified Instructors

Dance to the classic sounds of the 40's to the 90's Just Turn Up

The Barn, 116 High Street Blunsdon, Swindon

I- --------

-1

Need a picture framed Looking for a mirror

ry

DISCOUNT FRAMING CENTRE

The Dance House

Unit 44 BSS House Cheney Manor Ind Estate Swindon Tel/Fax: 01793 432592

High energy Christmas ceilidh with Cock and Bull Saturday 16 December, 8pm•11.30pm Ellendune Centre, Wroughton £7, concs £5, under 12 £1, family £16 Call 641107 for ticket reservations booth-howe @ netmatters.co.uk

Full disco Drinks available

I

For friendly professional advice and huge range of frames all at great prices 0

Lower Shaw Farm Old Shaw Lane Swindon

Come on your own or with friends No previous experience necessa Complete Obeginners welcome - anytime

Every Friday at W the Memorial Hall Station Road Wootton Bassett 7.45pm to 11pm

Cut out for 10 % discount

Information Line: 07899 967144

www.ceroc.org

L--------J

I

Children's Activity Morning Wednesday 6 December 10am - 12.30pm For children and their parents or carers. £5 per family. Book in advance on 771080.

Carols by Candlelight Saturday 9 December 6pm - 8pm. An old-fashioned 21st Century evening in the big barn with all the right seasonal ingregients to eat, drink and sing.

Dress warmly, bring a torch. No need to book. Adults £3, children £1.50, includes glass of mulled wine and a mince pie

Regular Entertainment t

^

Music Nights, Quiz Nights, Race, embershif*.

Nights, Darts, Pool, Skittles available Open 7 nights a week and DnlY £6oQ"° weekend lunch-times The Red House Club, bring the family, and enjoy prices you probably haven't seen for years.

MEASU & FITT rollers • romans • pleateds

iM

INTEREST FREE CREDIT

O TO

BLIND FOR BLIND

roNco

FF

Visit our website at www.hillarys.co.uk E-mail us at enquiries@hillarys.co.uk

NO-ONE

®8 `OFF CURRENT PRICES ON SPECIALLY SELECTED RANGES

llhI

BEATS OUR PRICES

28 SGG^GGcdr4 af 6 e

As Big As You Like Lingerie Independent Lingerie Retailers

THE size 16 PLUS Ladies Fashion Shop Genuine compliments: Your prices are so reasonable.'' Excellent made to measure service.'' The designs are modern, fashionable, comfortable and suit all ages.'

22 Bath Road, Devizes Wed, Thurs, Fri & Sat, I Oam - 4pm Call 01380 728972 for di re ctions or go to www.fulle rf igure.co.uk

GOGGLEBOX TV & VIDEO REPAIR SERVICE Free home estimates

* No call out charge * All repairs

guaranteed Tel: 01793 - 812738

Railway workshop raising steam Railway engineering in Swindon is on the rise again with the opening of a live workshop within STEAM, the Museum of the Great Western Railway.

• Most Brands of Quality Lingerie, Nightwear and Swimwear • All Age Groups & Sizes Catered for from 28A - 561 & Size 10-32 • Bridal Wear, Mastectomy & Maternity Wear, and all types of Corsetry • Elderly/Disabled Home Visiting Service • Disabled Access & Changing Room Full Measuring & Fitting With Personal Service Gi ft Vouchers Available 62 Cricklade Rd, Gorse Hill, Swindon.

Tel 01793 497766 (Shop) Tel/Fax 01793 340713 (Office) e-mail: asbigasyoulikelingerie@ukgateway.net website www.asbigasyoulikelingerie.com (from November 2000)

D & L Blinds Rollers • Verticals • Venetians Roman Blinds • VELUX® Conse rvato ry Blinds QUALITY BLINDS AT AFFORDABLE PRICES Fast and reliable service Evenings & weekends no problem All blinds fitted free Choose from a wide range of fabrics from the comfort of your own home Contact Paul on 01793 619428 FREE QUOTES NO OBLIGATION

Helen O'Grady ' ^^'.^^''^i \^^ Drama Academy',

A business opportunity for teachers An outstanding business opportunity has emerged in Wiltshire and West Berkshire for a qualified teacher who would enjoy teaching a stimulating drama programme.

The Academy currently has 34 branches throughout the UK. Each week over 9,000 children attend classes at more than 300 locations.

You will receive sound training, ongoing support and an excellent reward for your efforts in this long-established and successful business.

For further information, telephone Nigel Le Page on 01481 254419

Steve Atkins, right, with engineer Viv Franklin, and year 11 work experience students from Commonweal, Jim D'Avila and Tobias Yates The viewing gallery and the STEAM Wall of Names can be seen in the background

Operated by Swindon Railway railway works and are of considerEngineering Ltd (SREL), the work- able historical value. One piece of shop employs some apprentices equipment, a pendulum grinder, is of the original railway works. Visi- the only one in existence in Britain.

Steve Atkins, SREL Managing tors to the museum can watch them at work on restoration and repair Director, has plenty of experience of restoring vintage machines, havprojects from a viewing galle ry .

Andrew Lovett, the museum's ing spent fou rt een years working General Manager said, "it is excit- on World War II Spitfires.

Although the purpose of the ing to know that the traditional skills that made Swindon so famous are workshop is to restore a rt ifacts, it continuing into a new millennium. is also looking to the future. Steve This active workshop is a great said, "we intend to develop an ongoing training programme, workadded feature to the museum."

The engineers are currently car- ing with Swindon College, to bring rying out repairs to a pair of steam new blood into the business."

The museum is located on the locomotives, one of which was built in Swindon and was the one old railway works site, a short walk hundreth to be salvaged from scrap from the Designer Outlet Village, and restored in the workshops 16 which is the nearest car parking.

Opening hours are 10am to 5pm months ago. It was pictured in the March Linkon trials at the Swindon Monday to Saturday and 11 am to and Cricklade Railway Society 5pm on Sundays. It will be closed on Christmas Day, Boxing Day and track at Blunsdon.

The machines used in the work- New Years Day but will be open as shop originate from the Swindon usual at other times.

A dramatic business opportunity The Helen O'Grady Drama Academy is dedicated to helping children and teenagers gain confidence and self esteem, through the use of drama and dance activities. been very successful, at one The exciting opportunity stage involving 550 children, has now arisen for an indieager and enthusiastic to vidual (or individuals) to ^ express themselves. She own the branch covering -= says, "it is a fun, energetic Wiltshire and West Berk- business with so much shire. It would suit a' scope for creativity and imteacher or someone who agination. You get so much works in a related field, -1' with energy, enthusiasm and a pas- from the children."

There are opportunities for sion for the pe rf orming a rt s.

The Academy provides compre- classes in many areas, from West hensive training and support and Swindon to Chippenham, from the curriculum is provided. The Cricklade to Newbury. Locations activities involved are stimulating, of studios can depend on the home area of the new 'boss'. exciting and above all fun.

Ring Nigel Le Page on 01481 The branch in this area, run by teacher Jenny Hatch, above, has 254419 for further information.

29

Sew n (o*2U^de

Santa in STEAM The big bearded one makes his first visit to STEAM on three weekends in December when he will be meeting children in his gro tt o.

There will also be some great 'looking and making' activities with the Christmas Wacky Loco.

SantawilI be in his grottoon2 and 3; 9 and 10; 16 and 17 December.

On Friday 8 December the Salvation Army Band will be leading a carol conce rt to celebrate the first Christmas, with warm refreshment and mince pies.

On Saturday 9 December expe rt Mike Hanscomb brings the STEAM signal box to life with a talk about the vital work of the signalman.

Former engine drivers, firemen and railway workers will be talking about working'inside'the Swindon works.

On Saturday 16 December the Salisbury & District Gauge 1 Association will be displaying their model railway layouts.

It's a busy time at STEAM and eve ry one is invited to join in with the seasonal fun.

I Russian Christmas

Don't ignore

the Mechanics 'Experts' at STEAM have managed to snub a major historical institution in Swindon.

To be found inside the STEAM education pack for teachers, published in mid-November is a map directing pedestrians from the new museum to the cottage in the Railway Village, past a building marked the 'former GWR museum', and past a 'derelict building.'

connexion Swindon's Russian speaking group meets for a festive get together on Friday 8 December, 8pm, at The White Hart, Oxford Road, Stratton.

Newcomers with an interest in Russia and the langauge are always welcome. To find out more, call 337113 or 01793 491003 or email russianconnexion @ hotmail.com

Christmas fundraising Turn to page 37 for fayres and bazaars, cra ft and co ff ee mo rn ings

PHILIP STONE

PAINTER & DECORATOR For a high standard of work References available Telephone now for a FREE ESTIMATE

Tel: 870515 or Mobile 0374 - 208527

Ltk MAR SERVICES Martha Parry, trustee of the New Mechanics Institution Preservation Trust, which is trying to save the building, said, "it is very disappointing that the council want to eliminate the Mechanics, rather than identify it properly."

She also drew attention to the incorrect description of the Mechanics in the pack which attributes it to the GWR. "Research shows that it was the workers who were the driving force in establishing the Mechanics with the GWR only making a contribution," she said.

For all types of central heating and plumbing repairs System updates & new controls, New showers & fitted bathrooms All types of wall and floor tiling For quality workmanship from a local established company contact

Brian Jenkins 01793 725454

Mobile: 0798 9102703

Est. 1981

H EN DE RSO N Broken handles replaced

Broken springs replaced

YOUR LOCAL GARAGE DOOR SPECIALIST • Up and Over, Roller & Sectional Garage Doors • Remote Operational Doors • 2 Year Guarantee • Maintenance Free Doors

n00Rl

(Mail order available) ,

• Superb Security Locking Facilities

Maxwell House Maxwell Street Swindon SN1 5DR

Stockists of the largest range of spare parts in the South West of England

01793 513796 www.garagedoorsupplies.co.uk email: swindondoorservices@btinternet.com

30 The Link Magazine • December 2000

Children's Information Service Swindon

Beauty & Aromatherapist Fully qualified. I.I.H.H.T. Waxing, facials, manicures, pedicures, massage.

Tel: (01793) 541786

Telephone Carol on

aus f ofE Call

to book an appointment

01793 886876

and your childcare worries are eased!

CIS is funded by Swindon Borough Council, and supported by the Early Years Development and Childcare Pa rt nership Reg. chari ty: 1 081621

ur at

6

e Beautiful •-

Colour Analysis Make-Over £35 Includes free lipstick Look fantastic for that special party or treat your partner with GIFT VOUCHERS

7 =

Call NOW to book that appointment

ti

Registered Childminder situated in Freshbrook has two full time vacancies from January 2001 References can be supplied from happy children and parents Tel: 01793 514684

Quality Haircare

by June

Children due to start infant or primary school in September 2001, January 2002 or April 2002, should be regis--r: by the above tered date, even if your choice is your local school. Parents can obtain an application form from that school.

Swindon education welfare officers Irene Stollery and Ian Prestwich, left hold monthly drop in advice sessions at the West Swindon Family and Community Project, Gainsborough Way, Freshbrook.

For help on admissions in West and North Swindon and to arrange an appointment, call them on 465791.

Back into education and work Six mums completed a ten week Return to Learn course run by New College at the West Swindon Family Project during the Autumn, covering basic skills and an introduction to computers.

They were presented with certificates at the Family Project annual general meeting on 10 November.

Tel: 01793 702947 Mobile: 07747 061129 Free consultation for bridal hair

Ann Summers

Pictured with Steve Ridge, head of

Ladies for an evening of fun and shopping, gather your friends for a party

community studies at New College and Emma Clay, Family Project outgoing chairperson, centre, with two successful students

Excellent hostess benefits Plus a fu rther £5 off with this adve rt

To book call Trade on 07790 716581

Ridgeway Pre-School Inverary Road, Wroughton

<

February 2001.

Qualified freelance hairdresser 10 years experience

All areas covered

Chad 7! e /wit 9 2uah4 educa ^

Q1L1

School deadline looming Don't jeopardise your child's chances of obtaining a place at the school of your choice by missing the registration deadline of 16

Safe, Loved & Learning

Quality education and childcare for 18 months to 5 years Open 50 weeks a year, 8am-6pm Full range of schedules available Qualified teachers For more information and to arrange a visit, following the please contact nursery outcomes Mrs D Bailey for learning (01793) 845572

New manager Alison Barrett has been appointed the new manager at Headstarts Nursery, next to the Delta Tennis Centre, in Westlea.

A West Swindon resident for 19 years and well known in the Westlea School playground where her three children went, Alison has worked in a number of nurseries in Swindon and started at the 43 place Headstarts in early November.

The majority of children attending Headstarts live locally. There are a few places Alison with one year old available in the baby unit.

Jaye Hawkins Call Alison on 877779 to arrange a visit.

Places in a village group Lydiard Millicent pre-school has a few places available to children who would like to join a small, friendly group which meets in a large hall with lots of equipment on Monday, Thursday and Friday mornings, and Tuesday afternoons. For details, call Pina Brown on 770081.

Pre-school supervisor Jackie Hymers, rear right, with assistant Tracey Marsh with youngsters in the village hall

31

7i#4ei6eâ&#x201A;Ź6 Enchanti Gifts For that species

f

`3

Christmas present-

A visit to Old Town should be at the top of any shopping list this month.

It's one of the nicest parts of salon opened in November, next For enchanting Swindon according Richard door at 101 Victoria Road. miniatures and gifts Deacon of one the oldest firms in The glass fronted building is the for children, call into " R the town, Deacons Jewellers. "It dream of Richard and Joanna Tinkerbells. Josie has the most interesting buildings Simpson and has been designed by Hobbs, right, has all and the shops have stock which an architect usually involved in manner of unusual you might not find elsewhere," he nightclubs and bars. Richard said, items in stock. _f says. "Old Town has character, the "it has a sleek, modern feel which /' And it's worth parking is good, it's well worth a would fit easily into the West End getting your New trip to see what we offer." of London. We have tremendous Year fancy dress gear sorted out Confidence is flowing back into confidence that Old Town is the early at the Giant Party Shop at the the area with new businesses place to be." bottom of Victoria Road. starting up and adding to the 1 1 diversity to be found there.

-An fists impression of the West One interior FlamboyantinteriordesignerTony Knowles opened his shop inAugust =" and a striking new West One hair

Lots of new stock, fancy dress, miniature teasers, garden ornaments, toys, books, decorations .... and lots more 93 Victoria Road, Old Town, Swindon

Fancy dress for Christmas and the New Year at the Giant Party Shop Balloon archways Table arrangements Helium balloon in a box Wedding stationery Wedding time capsules Hire a 6 foot greeting card Birthdays, anniversaries etc.

All occasions catered for

(01793) 692929/695858 183 Victoria Road

(near the college)

L..

NOW OPEN - The most exciting salon experience!!

I!

hair salon THALGO

health spa

nnincq studio 14

appointments available T: (01793) 614034 (01793) 614093 101 Victoria Road Swindon Wiltshire SN1 3BD Opening times

Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

Friday

Saturday

Sunday

8.30-9.00pm

8.30-9.00pn:

8.30-9.00pm

8.30-9.00pm

8.00-9.00pm

8.00-6.00pm

10.00-4 00pm

E: crew@westl salons.co.uk

also at: 1 Westcott Place Swindon Wiltshire. Tel: 644499

www.westlsalons.co.uk

Old Town: a great place to shop

32

I

I'Dondelion

The Christmas decorations are shining in Old Town and the shops beckon. In Wood Street there are several charming shops worth calling into. Dandelion is full of interesting gifts, toys and jewellery.

A few doors along is Spotlight which probably has the most com-

BLAYLOCKS

I'

SLIPPERS

Trying to find that 'something different'?

Then pay us a call Gifts, toys and jewellery to suit every budget

THE IDEAL GIFT Extensive range for M all the family

Sunday opening from 26 November

prehensive range of dancewear

Blaylocks( Bath Road Corner Old Town Tel: 534271

10 Wood Street Old Town Tel: 511099

Time slips away amongst the 1000s of books on our shelves An old fashioned bookshop for customers who like things the way they used to be with a standard of service for today.

BOOK TOKENS MAKE PERFECT GIFTS

VICTORIA BOOKSHOP 30 Wood Street, Old Town, Swindon • Tel: (01793) 527364

A New Look for the New Year Top designer labels. Ladies fashions & accessories

JUVALS Wood Street, Old Town, Swindon Tel: 513196

KOBE PEARLS purchased especially for Deacons by our Japanese pearl buyer, and imported directly. ., •^ eilm (/ 9' 7

l?

1

and accessories in Swindon, catering for all ages, from tots to mature dancers.

Deacons, opposite, stocks exquisitejewellery, pens, china and glass from top designer names.

With a long tradition of personal service, the attention you'll receive will be unrivalled.

Richard Deacon with china shop At the Devizes Road end of nnanageress Georgina Stacey Wood Street you'll find Juvals with top designer ladies fashions and accessories and two doors along Victoria Bookshop is an excellent place for new and second hand volumes. Proprietor Steve Austin will help you find the right book, especially if you're looking for a book about Wiltshire or Swindon, such as the new Swindon Society publication A Century of Swindon.

Opposite Wood Street in Devizes Road is Hallidays, an emporium of fascinating and constantly changing range of quality gifts, paintings and original prints. Janet Halliday has an eye for the unique to satisfy the interest of the disja4 Halliday cerning customer.

Quality gifts & paintings make ideal Christmas presents

A t/7

pERFECT GIFT

A superb selection of necklets, brooches, earrings, pendants and rings

"ODEACONS

65 Devizes Road, Old Town, Swindon

Tel: (01793) 641353

THE ONE STOP DANCE SHOP Massive stocks from all leading dancewear manufacturers

Deacon & Son (Swindon) Ltd. The Jewellers. Est 1848.

A comprehensive range of dancewear and accessories

11 - 15 Wood Street Old Town, Swindon

Large stocks of dance shoes, ballet, tap, pointe, jazz, character and ballroom

Telephone: 522072/527530 Christmas opening hours Monday - Saturday: 9.00am till 5.30pm

www.deacons-jewellers.com

Authorised supplier for all major dance manufacturers

We cater for all ages from small tots to mature dancers

SPOTLIGHT DANCEWEAR 8 Wood Street, Old Town, Swindon • (01793) 532250 Open: Monday to Saturday, 9am - 5pm

Old Town: a great place to shop At the main junction of Old Town where Bath Road meets Victoria Road and Devizes Road is Blaylocks shoe shop, recently

modernised but offering quality footwear and personal service.

Opposite is Pets Kitchen with everything you need to keep your pet healthy and happy.

Go one way up Devizes Road and you come across Connie's Chinese restaurant, a good place for a light lunch or an evening meal offering great value. Closeby is Antiques and All Pine, Swindon's answer to the old curiosity shop. It's full of interesting items, lace and linen, as well as modern

IS YOUR HOME SECURE?

pine, brass and forged metal beds.

Walk the other way along Victoria Road and you come across Tony Knowles curtain and blinds shop, the West One salon and Spillers Furnishings, a family firm with over 150 years of service. If you're looking for quality furniture, carpets and excellent advice on home furnishings, its the place to go.

Closeby in North Street is Wear It Well, Wiltshire's largest as new clothing agency just a short walk from the Prospect Place car park.

And don't forget to protect your home this Christmas. Call on Swindon Security Centre for locks, keys and alarm systems.

lk

¢i

111, !I

;^►

Jt4

Tel: 527057 Open Mon - Sat, 9am - 5.30pm Free delivery locally We stock all your pet requirements: Repnor, Hills Science, Eukanuba, Pedigree, Omega, We have rabbits, guinea pigs, hamsters. birds, chinchillas, tropical & cold water fish

and a great selection of gifts for pets Steve Austin of Victoria Bookshop

Quality traditional beds

To complement our bed selection we stock a full range of pine furniture and old lace and linen.

For all your security needs call on The Swindon Security Centre The Victoria Centre (half way down Victoria Road)

` -g--

) ^.

s ._l l.+

Free quotations & 24hr emergency services

Est 1978

Co,r,u'es'

59 North Street, (off Eastcott Rd) Old Town, Swindon. Tel: 695223 Open: Tues, Thurs, Fri, Sat loam - 4.30pm

102 victoria road

WE'RE BIGGER THAN YOU THINK! Home

O'1

Over 200 designer label evening dresses, most brand new, from £20 to £140. You won't find a better selection anywhere.

Really sparkle this Ch ristmas without spending a fortune.

11 Newport Street, Old Town, Swindon • Tel: 01793 520259

l

.

}- .

Tel: 01793 486644

Oi'c oe

It's the party season at Wear it Well

In wood, brass, cast and forged metal - T.

Access Control Systems

Come to Kitchen Top of Vic M112, Old Town

,i ii

ANTIQ i S & ALL PINS -

Locks • Key Cutting • Safes Fire Equipment • CCTV

i

33

Co-ordinates

rI

t

BN 1 3BD tel/fax:

Bedroom Showroom — _

1 01793) 43 57 57

creative inspiration for your home

/ vG(//r

The finest in Cantonese, Sichuan, Peking & South East Asian Cuisine i

b

Menu available on request Fully Licensed

53 Devizes Road Swindon Tel: (01793) 521515

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u

a

r

^® -/

i •

Parker Knoll I.

,

1

Willi. &,lldf',

STRONGBOW

r

ri

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old town Swindon wilts

UR OLD SUITE & 1 DISPOSED DF

LIBED

OCCASIONAL FURNITURE FIRESIDE CHAIRS

Spillers Furnishings & Bed Centre ESTABLISHED 1843 • SERVING SWINDON FOR OVER

150 YEARS

K .

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free design and measure service J o , j e 2 u

34 T he Link Magazine â&#x20AC;˘ December 2000

Abbey Meads florist celebrates 1st anniversary

Only the best will do at Christmas

The Floral Studio has a serene atmosphere, far removed from the old back street flower shop. Perhaps this is why its reputation is growing so quickly.

For a wide selection of top grade Christmas trees, come to Stone Lane Garden Centre

Come and see Santa every weekend during December

All our trees are bushy and we stock many sizes from 3ft. to 12ft!

Many varieties of tree available to suit individual preferences.

Bigger range of decorations on display this year

Nicole Levett of The Floral Studio

HTA Gift Tokens available.

Ideal presents for gardeners Or, view the range of gifts, from houseplants to propagators, seasonal shrubs and garden tools Christmas presents for your pets! We have lots of tasty gifts for your favourite animal Real Wreaths, Holly and Mistletoe * Open 7 days a week * Plenty of free parking * Coffee Shop

@- 1c

Stone Lane, Lydiard Millicent, Swindon

Tel: 01793 771766

Purton

urton Road

eatmoor, ine Elm Shaw

From ,Haydon Wick & Abbey Meads Sparcells

eaze w Westlea, Freshbrook, Grange Park, Toothill

The studio at Abbey Meads Village Centre is owned by Nicole Levett, who worked for a florists in Bristol before travelling extensively around the world, developing her unique floral designs in Europe and Australia.

Nicole, who says her passion for flowers has become a way of life, has designed the premises to convey a feeling of space and elegance, with attention to detail.

Together with her team of four floral designers, Nicole is proud of the fact that each customer is treated as an individual. She says, "we have become well known for dynamic use of colours, combined with traditional and unusual flowers with different textures and scents."

Businesses across Swindon use Nicole to design their reception and public areas, and staff regularly hold consultations on site to discuss floral arrangments with clients. She believes this side of her business is successful because she buys the freshest flowers which last for a long time.

With Christmas approaching the studio is already taking orders from companies and individuals and expects to be very busy.

Future plans include setting up a site on the Internet.

Nicole and her team would be very happy to meet with you to discuss your flower needs.

Call into the Floral Studio or telephone 702123.

See us on the net @ www.swindonlink.com

The Link Magazine • December 2000

Garden maintenance & fenein

Landscaping,

* Fencing and gates

patios, paths &

Panels, trellis, closeboard, picket, etc.

ponds, fencing, block paving

Grass cutting, tree and shrub pruning, clearance etc

free

quotation

,a 0

clearance,

* Garden maintenance

For

NEED HELP WITH YOUR GARDEN?

GET YOUR GARDEN FIT

Chelworth Landscapes

Mr Rotavator Creative Gardens I

phone (01793) 750390

Tel: 01 793-702076 Mobile: 0831 269308

35

• Block paving • Garden walls • Patios /fencing • UPVC fascia boards

• Garden maintenance • All exterior work

Phone Rob or Paul on (01793) 334831 or 337096

Winter tidy up!

Pruning, planting O rn amental gravel All types of fencing _a

No job too smal

Call for a free quote in & Ann Wadsworth 01666 860400

A Happy Christmas from your local garden professionals

A

Christmas Open Days at local training gardens LAWN & HEDGE CUTTING GENERAL GARDEN CLEARANCE FENCE STAINING & MAINTENANCE Give your garden a makeover

Tel: 01793 873630 Mobile: 07818430556 gardengroomer@aol.com

^A E jO

LAI I!^^Arii IG GENERAL GARDEN MAINTENANCE & CONSTRUCTION

• Patio cleaning, grass cutting, gardens tidied up • D ri ves & patios - slabs, concrete, block paving

• Turfing & grass seeding • Fencing - closeboard, p an els etc.

• Ponds & pergolas

Contact 01793 692687 1Mobile 07711 253508

Jubilee Gardens Project, Pu rt on Stoke Saturday 2 December, 10am - 2pm. Free Hyacinths, conifers, mince pies, bulbs, house plants, dried flowers, cakes, pickled shallots, chutneys, flower arrangements TWIGS Therapeutic Work in Gardening Moredon Gardens, Cheney Manor Sunday 10 December, 10.30am to 3pm. Free Christmas crafts for sale and make your own in the workshop Tours of the gardens and the polytunnels. Refreshments.

Find out about TWIGS which provides rehabilitation oppo rt unities through ho rt iculture and craft activities for people who are experiencing emotional distress or mental ill health.

• Locally run family business • Close board/panel or picket fencing & gates

• Repairs & refurbishment • Concrete posts available on panel fencing • Made to measure gates • Pressure injected timber treatment on all close board • Friendly help and advice on all fencing matters

PATIOS SUPPLIED AND LAID

SOUTHLEAZE

Special offer, limited period onl e.g. 14ft x Eft from £195

CHRISTMAS TREES

• Free estimates • Paths • Shed and greenhouse bases laid • Gravel and shingle drives • Paving: various sizes, patterns & colours • Turfing • Sand and ballast VERY COMPETITIVE PRICES WHY NOT GIVE US A CALL FOR A FREE, NO OBLIGATION QUOTE?

Wesf Swindon's supplier THE WIDEST RANGE OF CHRISTMAS TREES AT THE BEST PRICES Ring or fax to reserve your tree or just visit • Free delivery

DAR N

S LAN

PING

LANDSCAPING & GARDEN MAINTENANCE • Fencing: Close board/ Panels/Gates • Block Paving

Patios, Paths, Turfing • Hedging & Mowing

•

Trained team • Fully insured For free quotation Tel: (01793) 526571

AMI

SKIPS

2,212,3,4,5 yards capacity 5 days given to fill skip 12.3 tonne Mini-digger for hire

Freephone 0800 - 387613 Tel: 731610

8am - 8pm

Assortment of trimmings and spuds, firewood, stands etc.

Open daily 10am - 7pm

Tel/Fax: 523134 Mead way

Signposted off

'N

Mannington Roundabout, Great Western Way (behind Comet)

We 1ia

w

NoM^ Swintlon

w-°

Ma nn^^

Two ^•`0

so an la

36 SERVICE

ACCOUNTANCY

`GRA'

--

REPAIRS

ACCOU ----------

APPLIANCE REPAIRS

ACCOUNTANCY • Business Start Up • Book-Keeping • Annual Accounts • Self Assessment Tax Short & long term assistance and projects Free initial meeting Tel/fax: 01793 871790 Free phone: 0800 5422 778

www.graaccountancy.co.uk

BUILDING SERVICES --- -------

Hall & Son Ltd A reputation built on quality Traditional carpentry & building services

Kitchens, loft conversions, stairs, doors, building work, bedroom fitments, domestic & commercial works undertaken Free, no obligation quotations

Call 01793 644313 or 0468 271994

ELECTRICIAN - ---

Dave

Ody

For all your domestic & commercial requirements New installations • Showers Extensions • Extra sockets Re-wires • Security lighting New fuse boards Free quotes 24hr call out facility

Tel: 01793 878609 Mobile: 0585 543294 Ramleaze, Swindon

PLUMBING & HEATING

AX AS sisr Dirt a CT -

The tax and accountancy service for small businesses and taxpayers

Self assessment • Tax returns Annual accounts • Book-keeping PAYE • VAT etc • Employed Self employed • In business

PA

(UK)

O Boiler upgrades O Bathrooms & showers supplied and/or fitted O Central heating installations O Repairs and maintenance For free advice and a no obligation quotation Tel:

01793 436539

Mobile: 0973 760167

wherever possible

Washing Machines Twin Tubs, etc.

0 0 Member of Tumble Driers I. S.E. Food Waste Disposal Units Service Spares Repairs

1

• Most leading brands • Guaranteed repairs • Same day service No call out charge • No VA A SUDS

For a free initial discussion call Lyndon Day Tel/Fax:

01793 766000

BUSINESS SERVICES -------- -------

CARPENTR Y/JOINE RY

Your very own

Palm Joinery Quality carpentry & joinery for the home/office

We ate indigo internet can get your company on line for only £ 199.00 Call (01793) 825682 E-mail: enquiries@indigosolutions.co.uk

indigo www.indigosoloutions.co.uk

* Doors, internal & external * Kitchens * Skirtings & mouldings * Fitted and free-standing wardrobes, bureaus etc * Manufacture & fitting * Supply & fit/fit only No job too big or small Tel: 01793 721401

DECORATOR GK DECORATORS Tel:01793 701394 Mobile: 0777 5894563 Interior & exterior painting and decorating Ceramic tiling Coving • Dado rails 1 No job too big or too small. Free estimates and friendly service

GA S REPA I RS

Shaw Electrical & Plumbing Ltd Domestic, commercial & industrial installations Maintenance & repairs

* lighting * rewiring * security lighting * garden electrics * heating * bathroom installation Tel: (01793) 874480 Mob: 07860 760364 N'"Eg¢ National Inspection Council for Electrical Installation Contracting

PLUMBING

&

Lee Orton empir

Same day, local service

Plumbing & Heating

LPG & Natural Gas Services • PARE • Boilers

• Fires&fire places • Cookers • Boiler changes 29 Meares Drive • Also riverboat Shaw, Swindon appliances, Tel: 01793 874742 installation & Mobile: 0468 027860 servicing Sponsor to Wrought on • Aga, Rayburn specialist Shotokan Karate Club Dennis Brown Gas Engineer

CONTRACTOR

E]

ROB HALL HEATING, GAS & PLUMBING SERVICES Central heating installations, boiler servicing and repairs, bathroom and power showers All areas of plumbing Tel: 07989 950070 or 01793 339546

PL UMBING & HEATING

SUNBED HIRE

Quality Plumbing & Heating • Central heating installation

Deb's

• Boiler servicing & repairs • Replacement boilers • Outside taps • Power showers • Bathroom installations ACCIUDUUU

* Central heating * Bathroom and showers * Boiler servicing and repairs * All plumbing work undertaken * Reliable service * Corgi registered

All plumbing work undertaken Reliable service, realistic prices

Tel: 01793 874076 Mobile: 0378 787868

Tel: 01793 881905 Mobile: 0973 663367

=, Reg: 187606

Sunbeds Home Rental Fast tanning canopies and doubles also available Free installation & local delivery Tel: Swindon 726906 anytime (Mobile 0378 - 641052)

37

SECTOR APPLIANCE REPAIRS

BUILDER

BUILDING SERI

r

Penhill councillor

empire Repairs to most makes of: 3 Washing Machines 3 Dryers 3 Dishwashers 3 Microwaves i 3 Vacuum Cleaners s

John Phillips Servicing 25 years experience All work guaranteed

DECORATOR

------------------

Highly experienced painter and decorator All interior and exterior work unde rt aken

For free estimates call Paul on

0 Extensions

O General building O UPVc conservatories and windows

Tel: 01793 436539 Mobile 07775 621764

DECORATOR

ELA LAN N

WHE

High Quality Painting & Decorating Interior & Exterior

THE ODD JOB MAN Small building work, carpentry, joinery, painting &

decorating, fitted wardrobes and kitchens, plugs and washers fi tt ed "No job too small" Very reasonable prices Free estimates

Kitchens • Bathrooms Conservatories For a no obligation quotation call Dave Durup on 07967 867213

PREMIER PROPERTY SERVICES The only call you'll need to make for quality: • Painting & decorating • Paper hanging • Ceiling repairs • Coving & artexing • Wall & floor tiling Insurance work undertaken High standards guaranteed

IVEN CLEANING

I OVENU® The UK's favourite oven cleaners Our technicians will safely restore your oven to sparkling condition using our own product range & patented equipment.

Superb results in 2-3 hrs

No aerosols, no sprays, no residue We also clean hobs, hoods & microwaves to the same am az ing standards.

Call Tony, the Odd Job Man

Call OVENU today for free quote (01793) 831 944

on 01 793 - 886022

www.ovenu.co.uk

TV REPAIRS

We supply and fit a large range of ceramic tiles, terracotta tiles and patio slabs

Tel: 01793 871592 Members of the Federation of Master Builders and Master Bond Warranties

OR 07833 147327

OD D JOBS

TILE SPECIALIST

ie ^u^iQd^ ^fr/

---------------------------

CALL 01793 725699

]IILE-F

Extensions, Lo ft Conversions & All Contractable Building Work All work fully guaranteed

:CORATOR

FOR FREE QUOTATIONS

Mobile: 07712 749315

isi r t

O Garage & loft conversions O Kitchens supplied and/or fitted

ILLIAMS rV & VIDEO Specialists in repairs of TVs, videos, satelite,

U PV C CLAD DI NG

PAUL. DRAPER uPVC Fascia, Guttering & Cladding CLADDING

FASCIAS

_microwaves, audio equipment

& in car hi-fi's. computer builds & repairs.

Free estimates OUNTY ROAD, SWINDON

el: 01793 423371 Mobile: 0976 752073

] I 2J E'

SIN

® GUTTERING

* FREE ESTIMATES *

Tel: (01793) 825965 3 Overton Gardens, Stratton St Margaret, Swindon

David Glaholm has changed his telephone number to 638157.

Supporters of Penhill and Abbey Meads surgeries (SPAMS)

is holding a Christmas draw to raise funds for its liaison work between patients and staff.

Tickets are available from the Abbey Meads medical centre and Penhill practice. The winners will be drawn on 12 December.

Money for spo rt Every sports club could use more money and practical advice on how to raise cash more effectively is being provided at a 'Finding the Funds' workshop run by Swindon Council's Sport Development team on Monday 4 December.

Call Nikki Green on 466526 for details

Fundraising St Ma ry 's Church Lydiard

Tregoze

i

Christmas Bazaar Saturday 2 December, 1.30pm Freshbrook Community Centre Stalls, cakes, refreshments, raffle Admission 20p In aid of Church funds Christmas Fayre Even Swindon Community Centre, Jennings Street Saturday 2 December, 2pm Stalls, games, refreshments, Father Christmas Entrance 20p In aid of St Augustine's Church, Summers Street Mulled wine and mince pies in aid of Age Concern Haydon Court Sheltered Housing Scheme, Haydon Wick Saturday 2 December Bric-a-brac, guess the weight of the cake, book stall, raffle Christmas Bazaar Pendlebury Nursing Home, Old Shaw Lane Saturday 9 December, 2pm Stalls, cakes, tombola, raffle, crafts. Proceeds to Residents Amenity fund. Entrance free.

Christ Church with St Marys' Festive Coffee Morning Saturday 9 December, 10am - 12noon The Church Hall, Devizes Road Also book & bric-a-brac sale In aid of church projects Christmas Craft Fair Freshbrook Community Centre Saturday 16 December Enquiries: 870453 or 538905

38 The Link Magazine • December 2000 QAT,^

Hillside Building Services

ERB^,.°W° Extensions, loft conversion, specialists in all types of building & plastering All work fully insured Contact Dave on 01793 488470 L L.A

A 2 Z Home Improvements All your needs in one number Kitchen/Bathroom fitting, Tiling, Plumbing, Electrics, Painting, Decorating, Carpentry and much more 111 Pinehurst Road Swindon

Tel: (01793) 339671 Mobile: (0378) 207977

QII L\J

For Sale

For Sale

For Sale

For Sale

Boys bike, suit 9 - 12 yrs, 15 gears, black & yellow, £35 ono. Tel: 870729 Girls pink bike in good condition, suit 5 - 9 yrs, £25. Tel: 878943 2 girls mountain bikes, suit age 9-13, excel condition, helmets included, £55 each. Tel: 535458 Girls Raleigh Cassis bike, suit 8-10 yr old, £10. Mothercare booster seat, £5.

Tel: 874138 Boys mountain bike, 18 gears, 15" frame, Townsend, Stone Creek, good condition, £35 ono. Tel: 877462 Raleigh Big Shot bicycle, 5 speed Shimano gears, suit boy age 5-9, vgc, £25 ono. Tel: 877341 Britax Club Class Extra reclining car seat, £60. Wooden cot & bedding, £30.

Mothercare 3 in 1 high chair, £50. Tel:

Mothercare Italia pram, sunshade, bag, £40. Britax Club Class car seat, £30, both vgc. Tel: 703796 Mamas & Papas 2 in 1 pram, hood, bib, cosytoes, sun canopy & rain covers, gd cond, £65 ono. Tel: 870320 Chicco navy print, side by side double buggy, umbrella handles, folds flat, vgc, £50. Tel: 882405 Selection of toys up to age 3yrs, o ff ers.

Assortment of 2/3 yr boys clothes, offers. Tel: 872531 Baby clothes, birth - 2 yrs, vests, sleepsuits, outfits, wellies etc, good brand names, good cond, cheap prices, Tel: 01285 862513 Childs football table with extra balls, vgc, £10. Activity table, (Argos), excel cond, 9 months +, £10. Tel: 01285

Exercise bike, small walking machine, total Gym 1000 (as seen on shopping channel), all nearly new, £200. Tel:

Sony mini-system CD player, double tape, cassette, radio, 4 speakers, surround sound, excel cond, £100. Tel:

873808

07779 736374

872531

862513

Maclaren 2 in 1 pram complete with apron, raincover, cosytoes & sun canopy, £75. Tel: 876384 Graco Literider pushchair unused, 2 positions, washable comfo rt seat, hood, lockable swivel wheels, £35. Tel: 771640 Travel cot, vgc, £20. Peter Rabbit rocker chair, 0-9 months, £8. Car seat, 0-9 months, £15. Tel: 875698 Mothercare bouncer, navy/white, excel cond, £8. Tel: 881353 Cosa tt o changing unit, beech, vgc, interchangeable drawers - shelves, £20.

Tel: 881353 Avent steam sterilizer, excel cond, with box, £10. Raincover suit Silver Cross pram/buggy, excel cond, never used, £10. Tel: 01285 862513 Klippan baby seat, birth - 9 months, polka dot style with head hugger, vgc, £15. Tel: 01285 862513 Car seat with matching head hugger, £5. Tel: 881353 Car seat, 6 months - 4yrs, £8. Trike, £2.50. Bike seat, £4. Bike with stabilisers, age 3+, £4. ELC bouncy castle, £5.

Tel: 882429 Silver Cross pram, pushchair, Victorian teddy design c/w sun canopy & rain cover, £50 ono. Tel: 882504 Mamas & Papas high chair, £20. Silver Cross pram with pushchair, raincover, sun canopy, £70. Mothercare steam sterilizer, £5. VTech computer suit 6-9, £15. Tel: 886770

Brio wooden train track, £50. Hamster cage, £20. Bike, suit 7-10yr old, £5.

Tel: 639728 Brio train set, trains & accessories, all in original boxes, excel condition. Tel:

Mirror, 65cm x 88cm, stylish Aztec frame, as new, £10 ono. Tel: 870320 5ft artificial Christmas tree, green, bushy, good quality, cost £55, sell for £20 ono. Tel: 870320 Wardrobe white, with interior shelf, fully assembled and gd cond, £40. Tel: 875382 (pm) Single bed & headboard, £30. Plastic wheelbarrow, £15. Box briefcase, lockable, £5. Tel: 722158 2 breakfast bar stools, black tubular frames with pale wood seats and back rests, £5 each. Tel: 336293 Rocking chair, antique pine colour wooden frame with rattan seat and back rest, £15. 2 small coffee tables, stackable, teak coloured, £5. Tel:

Musicians flight box, almost new, excel condition, black, ring for details.

Tel: 874767 Keyboard Casio CTK 630, excel cond, full size keys, can be seen working, £80 ono. Tel: 338023 Keyboard, Yamaha, 5 octaves, 100 voices, 15 tunes, stand, vgc, ex SYM pupil, £60. Tel: 886757 Violin 3/4 size, bow and case included, good condition, suit beginner, £45 ono.

Tel: 870533 Violin, 3/4 size, Czech redwood, intermediate, bow, case, chin piece, vgc, £79. Tel: 886757 Accoustic guitar with bag, £30. CD player/2tape deck/fm am radio, remote control, 2 speakers, £30. Tel: 346144 Alto saxophone, used once, plus case, £550 ono. Tel: 854780 Orla electronic organ, two manuals, ideal for beginner, excel cond, with stool, £80.

Tel: 828407 Hamster large wire cage, plus large bag of accessories, £20. Tel: 873013 Habitrail for hamsters: maze, various wheels, small and large tanks, less than 2 months old, £60ono. Tel: 886346 Trigano trailer tent, 4/6 berth, electric hook-up, gas cooker, spare wheel, garage stored, £200. Tel: 488509 Two extension driving mirrors for towing, used once, £12 for pair, ono. Tel:

876324

Winnie The Pooh tandem dolls pushchair with matching pram bag, excel cond, £17.50. Tel: 701275 Winnie The Pooh baby bath & matching top & tail bowl, £8. Microwave sterilizer, £6. Bouncy chair, £3. Avent batte ry powered breast pump & storage bottles, £15. Tel: 874533 Asso rt ed children's story books incl pop-up books, Thomas the Tank, Rupe rt Bear, from 50p. Tel: 525001 Fisher Price cooker with microwave, highchair, sink, pink, white & blue, vgc, £25. Tel: 877029 Formula Tyco mego loop, Tyco's fastest racing track, boxed excel cond, 7.6m track. Tel: 872051 Ex German army parka, size extra large, detachable thermal lining, ideal for outdoor work, £20. Tel: 726147 Lady's winter coat, wool, full length, size 16, light camel colour, stylish with fake fur collar, as new, M & S, £25 ono.

Tel: 870320 Mobile phone, Ericsson T10, blue, no chip, all normal extras, £40. Tel: 875938 Sports hold-all, large, zip top, black simulated leather, separate shoe compa rt ment, as new, £25 ono. Tel: 524285

Free private for Sale & Wanted ads i Send to address on page 3 by 12th of the month

336293

Black cane conservatory suite, floral cushions, 2 seater, 2 armchairs, excel cond, £180. Tel: 524651 Solid wood gate-leg table and two dining chairs, dark oak, tapestry seats, £100 vgc. Tel: 875699 Pine effect TV cabinet with middle shelf & two glass doors, £50. Tel: 538374 Sofabed, child's brightly coloured, nearly new, name your price. Tel: 872030 Hi-fi cabinet, smoked glass door & top shelves, £20. Tel: 704511 (eves) Two kitchen chairs, 1940/50s type. £12.

Tel: 882892 Creda electric cooker, ceramic top, double oven, 18 months old, £250. Tel: 612500

Electric oven & gas hob, vgc, £45 & £35 respectively. Tel: 722675 Belling Compact electric cooker, brown, gd cond, £75 ono. Tel: 643353 Hoover, Turbopower upright cleaner model U2464, complete with tools, gd cond, £20. Tel: 870951 Glen fuel effect, elec fire, 3 individual bars, convector, thermostat, free standing, 12 months old, cost £150, £49 ovno.

Tel: 870951 Superser calor gas heater plus two gas bottles, hardly used, £50. Tel: 724842 Smith Corona electric typewriter in hard case, £20. Tel: 695040 Photocopier free to a good home. Tel: 889602

ICL computer keyboard, Sony speakers, etc, Windows 95, £200 ono. Tel: 643353

Minolta Vectis 300 APS zoom camera, case, film & box, as new £100. Tel: 874034

Tel: Name & Address (not for publication) L-------------------J

Record collection approx 140 LPs, mainly classical, £20 the lot. Tel: 726147 Collection of 70 records of Big Bands etc & Ferguson 5 watt solid state gram deck. £90 ono. Tel: 345569 Arcam Alpha 6 hi fi amp vgc, can be seen working, £80. Tel: 882868

644179

Motorcycle tank bag, Euro design, fit any bike, £10. Tel: 771934 after 4pm Marauder 380/2, 1990, vgc, £1,300 ono.

Tel: 724544 Dog guard for Renault Megane hatch back, good cond, £35. Tel: 770927 Mobility scooter, electric four wheel, vgc, with charger, £895 ono. Tel: 702186 Suzuki Katana scooter, 1 yr old, red, vgc, low mileage, £900 ono. Tel: 874417 Mazda 323 F 1.6 SE Exec, H reg, 5 dr, flame red, 77K, PAS, e/w, e/sunroof, stereo, 3 months, MOT, £1,795 ono.

Tel: 873027 Vauxhall Cavalier, 1.4 litre, 1989, F reg, taxed, MOT, blue, £495 ono. Tel: 432350

Ford Fiesta 1.1 Popular Plus, F reg, red, excel cond, 2 careful owners, full service history, long MOT & tax, highest offer over £800 secures. Tel: 770929 Ford Esco rt , 89, 1300cc, blue, taxed 31/1/01, MOT April, 54K miles, 2 owners, gd cond, £450 ono. Tel: 870951 Escort Popular 1.3, £150 ono. Tel: 762771

Wanted White dishwasher, in very good working order, sensibly priced. Tel: 433254 Older style car ry cot with transpo rter wheels to put pet carrier in for trips to vets. Tel: 874924

The Link Magazine • December 2000

See us on the net @ www.swindonlink.com

Prospect Hospice to benefit from CD of Christmas choral works The Swindon Choral Society is hoping to sell 1,000 copies of their new CD of seasonal works.

Entitled Comfort and Joy, a Christmas collection, the disc recorded in the Marlborough College chapel features many well loved carols and some lesser known songs.

The CD costing £9.99, with £1 being donated to the Prospect, is avail~t able from WH Smith. It can also be obtained by post by sending a cheque for £11 (includes postage) to The Swindon Choral Society, 13 Croft Road, Old Town, Swindon SN1 4DG.

39

superwidegraphics prints banners t

t

Latest American technology. We print directly onto heavy-duty banner material.

Full colour. Any size. Lasts outdoors for up to 5 years. Cheaper than stick-on vinyl letters. 24-hour turnaround. Call for samples, prices, etc. (01793) 496 500

Could you form a group to suppo rt the hospice?

The Prospect Hospice is looking for volunteers willing to form support groups in Swindon and surrounding areas.

Members would be involved in raising funds to help the work of the hospice through the annual sunflower appeal, sales of Prospect Christmas cards and calandars, promoting the box collection scheme and the lottery, as well as organising local fundraising events and raffles.

With help from the Hospice fundraising department, the groups would also promote Prospect and provide information on the specialist palliative care that it provides.

For an informal chat about setting up a support group, or how you can help the Prospect Hospice, call community fundraiser Gillian Richardson on 815142.

Lottery celebrates first year The Prospect lottery has gained 3,200 paying members since it was launched in November 1999, helping to create a new income stream for the hospice.

It costs £1 per month and there are 79 weekly cash prizes on offer including a top prize of £1,000. New players are always wanted. To find out more, telephone the lottery office on 615870.

Ir 'IOND ^L^VISION

15 Rodbourne Rd, Swindon

Tel: 01793 497591 www.diamondtv.co.uk

THE LOEWE RANGE OF WIDESCREEN TVs Now available in Swindon from Diamond TV with 12 months interest free credit (subject to status) Other ranges available. Call in for demonstration at our new showroom

Pictured: PLANUS • Digital 100 HZ anti-flicker technology • Super-flatline picture tube with NICAM (Dolby Pro-Logic upgrade available)

Quality TVs available from local supplier A couple from Grange Park are celebrating their appointment as representatives for top German manufacturers Loewe.

Mick

and

Lynda

Goy

opened

Diamond TV as a family business in Rodbourne six years ago to supply quality products and a personal service to their customers.

Mick, who has been in television repair for nearly 35 years, said the Loewe wide screen range is highly acclaimed. "They really are fantastic TVs in terms of their design, innovation and quality of finish. They are fully digital and operate at 100hz as opposed to the 50hz of most televisions, which means the picture is completely flicker free. They need to be seen to appreciate the difference.

"With the twelve month interest free option on offer, they area very attractive buy for Christmas."

Diamond TV also stocks Thompson, Ferguson, Grundig and Decca Tatung, as well as small electrical items such as kettles and toasters. They sell a professional closed circuit TV observation systern for the home and small business.

A full repair service is offered, including in-house repairs if the customer cannot take the equip-

FIVE I : I P

I

&

LABOUR GUAI4ANT ^

with an LG washing =

machine at

sm

/

WJiWi U ___

ment to the shop. There is no charge for a call out and Mick will provide an honest assessment if equipment is not worth repairing.

"Nowadays, if you're at the smaller end of the business, you have to give a personal service to be successful," said Mick. "We combine reputation for customer attention with really good TVs. Come in and view them."

Diamond TV is at 15 Rodbourne Road, Swindon. Tel: 497591

_

160 County Rd, Swindon.

Tel:

5 Remember the difference ... e- delivery ...

Gre service ...

Indep ndent advice

40 The Link Maqazine • December 2000

Historic window arrives home

M M OMTM Cars, Motorcycles, Class 7

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Thamesdown h$' kCCe jo,- Y(f//^Ut7x(,/

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WH -ETTLE FOR

SECOND BEST? When you can buy Britain's best selling scooter from The Cycling Centre, Swindon's No.1 scooter dealer

New 50cc scooters from €1,124 OTR Huge range of accessories, helmets, lights, boot racks etc r Also stockists of ice skates, skate boards & mini scooters 0 ^a 233 Ferndale Road, Swindon Swindon Tel: (01793) 536657

f

Open Monday to Saturday 9.00am - 5.30pm Sunday 10.00am - 4.00pm

The congregation at St Mary's Church in Lydiard Park is looking forward to the return of the 17th Century stained glass east window in December after repair and restoration.

Dated from the period 1628 to 1631, the window is the work of renowned Dutch artist Abraham van Linge and portrays St John the Baptist and St John the Evangelist with the St John family crests, longtime owners of Lydiard House.

The window was damaged in 1997 by stone throwing vandals and was boarded up until church members could raise money and obtain grants to pay for the repairs.

Hopefully the protected window will be unveiled in time for Christmas services. There are plans to hold an open weekend earl y in the new year.

Councillors listen to juniors Swindon children aged under 14 have been given a place to tell councillors what they think of play provision across the town when Focus — the Forum of Children United to Succeed — met on 26 October at the Link Centre Youth Unit.

Youngsters from Toothill, Freshbrook, and Eastcott met councillors to talk about activities in their junior clubs and also tell them what the council needs to do for

them.

Marie Fitzgerald, who attends the Toothill Farm junior club said she would like to have a meeting place on Councillor Barrie Thompson and play worker Jean more nights. "All Goncalvez and, rear from left, Kerr: Cummings, the play equipment Kayleigh Stratton, Joe Maher. Front, Charlotte Love, in the parks around Crystal Love, Zena Haimes, Marie Fitzgerald where I live has been taken away by the council. pleased to attend the meeting to There are not enough facilities close hear the young people express their to home where children can go; it needs and aspirations. This will would be nice to have a cafe at enable the council to consider them Toothill Community Centre." in relation to the rest of the comKayleigh Stratton, also from munity when setting budgets and Toothill, said younger teenagers deciding policies for future years. need somewhere safe. "If you're I hope we will have regular meetmeeting your friends at the village ings so that we are constantly liscentre or near Asda, the police are tening to young people's views." always keeping an eye on you."

However Kerni Cummings exCabinet councillor Barrie pressed an adult cynicism about Thompson, with responsibility for the prospects for quick action. She equalities and partnerships said it said, "we'll be grown up and have is important for the council to lis- our own kids who will want the ten to young citizens. "I was very same things we're asking for."

Going online this Christmas' Visit The Link's web site

www.swind n ink.com To advertise in The Link or swindonlink.com, call (01793) 872282

The Link Magazine • December 2000

See us on the net @ www.swindonlink.com

41

Congregation to celebrate last Christmas at school Members of the Church of Christ the Servant, the community church that holds its se rvices in Abbey Meads prima ry school, is busily preparing to move to its new permanent building.

The outside of the new church Events are being planned for May, building at the village centre is June and July, including a performalmost complete and Minister Dss ance by Swindon Male Voice Choir, Maureen Spinks and the congre- with the aim of getting everybody gation are deep into decisions in Abbey Meads involved. about the decor and equipment, Rooms are to be let to the Little and fundraising for furnishings.

Sunshines pre-school, other todThe building will be officially dler groups and uniformed youth opened on 9 June, but Maureen is groups so that the church will be hoping to use the church for the alive with community activity Easter Sunday service in April. from day one.

Despite the lack of a building the church has grown over the last four years to thirty families. Apart from the regular Sunday services there are also two bible study groups.

Maureen, whose five year term as United Reformed Minister comes to an end next summer, is involved in the process of appointing the new Baptist Minister.

Member of the Church of Christ the Servant waiting for their building to be • Christmas services are listed on ready in afew months page 46.

DUNCAN F

'SELF DRIVE HIRE I/— ZM41 eWtae G^omjt4.cry

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IOBILE CAR SERVICING & REPAIRS tuning it Welding it Elect ri cal w t Electronic y

t MoTs arranged (no re-test fee) For a reliable local service with over 20 years experience (No VAT to pay)

CALL GRAHAM ON (01793) 873045 or 07867 556350

GARY WILKINSON Car Body Repairs and Paint Spraying M.o.T. Repairs and Welding Free Estimates Unit 12 Brindley Close Cheney Manor Industrial Estate Swindon

$ 0 1793 421 125

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42 The Link Magazine • December 2000

New landmarks soon for canal group

Weekday and weekend homecarers required for Swindon and surrounding areas HOURS TO SUIT

Tel: Karen on (01793) 612333 The Care Company Ltd, Rochester House, 27 Victoria Road, Swindon

2001 will be another busy year for the volunteers with the Wilts and Berks Canal Amenity Group, with the start of a second major bridge reconstruction and the extension of the canal at Moredon.

Thanks to a £360,000 National Heritage Lottery Grant, an ex '- -:..+ > ;'_ act replica of -—

Beavans Bridge off Mill Lane was corn pletedinSep tember and _ the canal dredged.

tii ^.

y,,

X}:

-

I nitial

CAKTEK,KEAD & DOVE S

QL IC I T O R S

Commerce House, 34/35 Commercial Road Swindon SN1 5NS A fast efficient fully computerised service for * Conveyancing * Family Law * Wills & Probate For more information visit our website: w w u , . tld.org.uk

Or telephone for a quote:

Tel: (01793) 617617

Fax: (01793) 511249

work will start on an- Making sure it will stand up, buii rs k ni Robertson, left, and other bridge son Billy (in red) test out Beavans Bridge with Swindon Council close to the landscape architect Maxine Woolgar and Henry Smith M4 in December. When completed the origi- term plan to link the canals tonal canal route will be open for gether, past Bridgemead. over a mile from Kingshill to the Contractors Nuttalls will have M4 at Blagrove, close to where a to close the road over a weekend new Swindon Town stadium is early in the new year in order to proposed. insert pre-cast tunnel sections.

To the north, where the canal Much of the work on the canal is has been dug out at Moredon, the being undertaken by volunteers.

Northern Development Company The Swindon branch of the Amenwill be paying for a culvert to chan- ity Group meets at the Kings Arms, nel the canal and towpath under Wood Street, Old Town on the first Purton Road as part of the con- Tuesday of the month, 8pm. struction of the Northern Orbital For more information call Henry Road. This will open up the long Smith on 875775.

WITH THE CLOSURE OF

25

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MORTGAGE SERVICES

o

Serving the community since 1987

Mansfield Begbie Associates

Mansfield Begbie Associates would like to thank all their clients for their support during Year 2000 We wish all Link readers a Very Merry Christmas and a Prosperous New Year IiitI'1

1

.

Li

T

5.84% (APR 6%) for 18 months (variable)

•• •

iT '

•iiz.

•

_••

• • • •

•

• • • •

For example, £50,000 would cost £243.33 per month interest only (excluding insurance). This is a discount of 1.9% for 18 months, with 1% cashback at completion. No arrangement fee or 'Tie-Ins.' (Maximum loan to value 97%) Rates from 4.49% (APR 4.8%) or 4.99% (APR 5.3%) (subject to 'loan to value') to 30/4/02. Available with special remortgage package (No arrangement or valuation fees; legal fees paid).

Maximum available 95% for purchases and remortgages RE-MORTGAGE SPECIAL A discounted rate of 5.74% (APR 6%) for two years. Legal fees paid. Free valuation. No 'Tie-Ins.' (Maximum loan to value: 95 %)

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NEGATIVE EQUITY MORTGAGES ALSO AVAILABLE

You tell us what your requirements are and we will try to provide the arrangements to suit your individual needs Mansfield Begbie Associates can arrange mortgages with the majority of building societies and banks in the UK. For free advice and further information, call us now on

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e-mail: info@mansfieldbegbie.co.uk "Representative only of CORNHILL INSURANCE PLC for the purpose of effecting investment business introductions only.

CORNHILL INSURANCE PLC is regulated by the Personal Investment Authority for investment business'.

Registered with the Mortgage Code Register of Intermediaries: No. 5151731 • Consumer Credit Licence: No. 222123

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Credit broker fees of up to 1 % on the advance may be charged at completion depending on the type of product and credit period. Rate applied is 5,84% (6.0% APR) for 18 months. APR is variable. Rates may vary. A written quotation on loans can be obtained on request. Only available to persons 18 years of age or over Sublect to status. Subject to our current lending criteria. A 1.9 % reduction applied to the variable base mortgage rate, currently 7.74%. A life assurance policy may be required.

Example: A married couple aged 30 pears and 28 years, both non-smokers, applying for an endowment mortgage of £50,000 over a 25 year term (300 monthly payments), completing before 3t March 2001 secured against a property being purchased for £55,005 300 monthly mortgage payments of £243.33. Monthly endowment premium of £74.96. Total amount payable £145.642 calculated to include valuation fee £t 55. This calculation is based an the assumption that the discounted rate will apply throughout the term of the loan. Maximum loan £150,000. The rate applies to loans up to and including 97% of the purchase once or valuation. whichever is the lower. The discounted rate is applicable for 18 months, after which the than current rate will apply.

44 The Link Magazine • December 2000

Headteacher to leave on a high Ian Matthews, headteacher of Greendown Community School in Grange Park, has announced he will be leaving at the end of the school year in August 2001 to pursue new challenges in the education system, applying his skills as an Ofsted inspector and a headteacher performance assessor.

Appointed in early 1985, he moved with his family to live in West Swindon when the school building was just a steel frame.

When Greendown opened in September 1996, there were thirteen teachers, two support staff and 125 year 7 children. Now there are 1,230 children and 120 people employed on site.

Ian explained that the school was at a successful point in its development and he wanted to give governors and a new appointment as much time as possible to prepare for the future.

"Greendown has the largest roll in its history and this summer's GCSE results with fifty four per cent A to C passes were the highest ever. This is probably the best point to make changes; the governors have the time to make the

right appointment and the transition to a new head can be as smooth as possible. The important thing is to minimise the disruption to the

teaching body and the education of the children.

"Following the good Ofsted report in 1999, a new person will have the time to get their feet under the table and drive the school forward to build on the achievements over the last 15 years."

He added that recent developments at the school made it particularly attractive to applicants for the job. "Education is under enormous pressure from all sides," he said. "But the improvement in

standards right across the age and ability range at Greendown is very pleasing, so is the performance by boys at GCSE. "Our investment in the Future School computer based maths tuition system to cope with teacher shortages which affect all schools, and our involvement in the broadband internet project puts Greendown at the forefront of innovation. Underpinning this is the commitment from enthusiastic staff and solid management systems."

Disquiet at North school parents meeting

According to a senior Swindon Council education official it would be a 'catastrophe' if the North Swindon seconda ry school does not open in September 2004 at the latest.

Education officer Norrie Porter Mr Porter, right, said from Woodhall Park told parents at a meeting held at there were five new prisaid this was inadAbbey Meads primary school on mary schools planned, equate as the present 15 November that 'there would be with one managed as a accommodation at a crisis in the council' if the dead- Church of England Hreod is sub-standard. line was not met.

Aided school at Taw A number of parents The packed and sometimes Hill. The Catholic expressed anger when P^c^ocee' er rd Deeo^cata^c heated meeting heard the coun- Church may also be reMr Porter said the new cil's proposals to build anew school sponsible for one. Howschool was likely to Interior in Haydon 3, rebuild Hreod Park- ever the next primary open with year 7 and decorating carried out to way on one site and provide five school to be built will be possibly year 9 only. new primary schools. either next to the secThere was further a high standard including: With adequate publicity more ondary school in Haydon 3 or ad- disquiet when he told the meeting • Painting • Wallpapering people could have attended. Apart jacent to the Redrow development, that children attending Abbey • Tiling • Coving from a story in the November Link, near Lady Lane.

Meads and Catherine Wayte • General Maintenance parents were only informed of the His announcement that it is not schools might not have the auto• Gardening meeting in a letter sent out via programmed to open until Sep- matic choice of the new school. A primary schools two days before- tember 2002 caused upset, as this decision would be made by the hand. And as it was held in a small would involve erecting up to three council closer to the opening date.

For a prompt friendly room, some people were seen to mobiles each at Abbey Meads and The council is to circulate a conprofessional service leave because they could not get in Catherine Wayte schools. sultation document to parents via Telephone: 875354 and take part.

He said the building of the first schools, to be returned by early Mobile: 07970 483393 houses in Haydon 3 by late 2001 January. A decision to proceed on would release the land for the sec- the proposals will be made by the ondary school, but it would be a cabinet in February, to be followed 'catastrophe' if it did not open in by a three month period for objecSeptember 2004 at the latest. tions.

There will be a need for 540 secFinal decisions will be made by ondary school places and the coun- the end of the academic year. cil proposes to rebuild Hreod ParkHreod parents get the chance to way on one site, but work would discuss the council's plans on MonHica^clgs not start until 2003. Alison Jarvis day 4 December, 7pm.

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The Link Magazine • December 2000

See us on the net @ www.swindonlink.com

School gets hyper-speed connection Students at Greendown School can now access the internet at lightning speed, thanks to a government funded project to exploit the power of broadband technology.

Both Swindon's Members of Parliament, Michael Wills and Julia Drown, attended the launch of the super fast connection at Greendown School on 10 November with education representatives and students from schools in the Learning

children will use computers before coming to school, after school and at weekends, accessing courses and researching information to help them with their studies."

He added that because broadband technology is at the cutting

Force Re-

giona1 Broadband

Consortium, made up of local educa-

tion authorities covering Bath and North East Somerset, Gloucestershire, South Gloucestershire North

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dents, pages for teacher development, and creating links to sites which have been quality assured for educational value.

Greendown student Claire Hogan is finding the broadband connection useful in her research for school work. "It really is quick to get information. You don't have to wait for pages to load."

Teacher Chris Denley, Greendown project coordinator said the technology was showing great benefit in the short time it had been available. "It has increased the productivity of internet based lessons tenfold and has fostered a new-found enthusiasm for computerbased learning. The students are using the internet with much greater confidence and have improved no end in terms of their research skills.

45

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band allows data to be transmitted forty times faster than the average home computer. For example a page heavy with photographs on The Link web site www.swindonlink.com might take 50 seconds to download. At Greendown it appeared instantly.

Addressing the assembled officials and councillors North Swindon MP Michael Wills, who is also Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Learning and Technology, said that every school will be connected to the internet by 2002, but the eight consortium across the country being funded by Department for Education were exploring how the next level of internet technology will change learning in schools and at home.

"At the heart of learning is the teacher, to inspire and motivate and provide what a computer cannot. But the barriers between home and school are breaking down fast;

Dean Scott shows South Swindon MP Julia Drown her picture on the swindonlink.com site whilst Michael Wills gets a super fast lesson from Clare Hogan and Harjinder Khaira, watched

by Daniel Rashid-Thomas, chair ofgovernors Andrew Basson and project coordinator Chris Denley

edge, the pilot projects were needed to explore how it can be used best and to test different ideas.

Apart from the speed of finding information, students will be able to talk to others live using video links and can watch a teacher at another location giving a lesson, either live or by a recording.

A major part of the project involves schools creating content based on courses and information on local points of interest: students can for example explore the rooms at Lydiard House.

The Learning Force consortium is also creating pages aimed at stu-

Parent support group looks for volunteers The Swindon Parent Parthership Service has been in existence for a year and is recruiting volunteers to help support parents, writes Lindsey Corkill.

We provide parents with inforThe training lasts twelve weeks. mation and support about their Once registered as an Independchild's special educational needs ent Parent Supporter (IPS) you will by offering whatever suits them - a be allocated a family. quick telephone call or a home visit, Volunteers are supported via the support at meetings or on visits to telephone by a co-ordinator and at schools. Parents might also need half-termly meetings. If you have help with writing letters or under- the time, the enthusiasm and the standing professionals, reports and commitment then we can train you education jargon. for this rewarding work.

Volunteers are trained to underFor more information and destand the SEN assessment process tails of the introductory session and what provision is available contact me on 466515.

SPPS is also willing to give talks locally, as well as listening skills, how to support parents and to interested groups who want to equalities issues. know more.

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46

The Link Magazine â&#x20AC;˘ December 2000

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SWINDON FAMILY CHURCH

Not long now!, writes Revd Andrew Hetherington, team leader for the Parish of West Swindon and the Lydiards. through the angels, and A few more shopping days, and the precious gift for togenerally made sure that then it will be Christmas! Some of day. the veil between heaven Many people feel us love it and some.. well, dread it. and earth was drawn I came across this quote recently more spiritual at Christback. and it made me think: 'At Christ- mas or wish that they But to make this feelmas time we receive presents we did. That is not surprising of being spiritual don't really need, while God offers ing because God's last, we need to 'unwrap whole purpose at the us a gift we cannot do without.'

God's present to us and Surprises are always exciting first Christmas was to make room for Jesus in and since many children don't make himself accessible the way we live. know what will be underneath the to us. He came in a form Our churches are here wrapping paper on Christmas we all love, a baby; he morning, their faces can be a real sent messages to the baby's mum to help you do that and we are those picture. I always enjoy the time in and dad, Mary and Joseph: told havens of peace and quiet, as well church on Christmas morning the shepherds to take a look, as fun. You'll be very welcome. when we have fun exploring one of their presents. Their excitement and happiness is infectious, and always helps us to celebrate God's present to us.

I am talking of Jesus, who came from God to make spiritual realities come alive for us. He was a wonderful person and he is still

CHURCH SERVICES THIS CHRISTMAS

BC The person who changed AD History is changing peoples lives Today

o^Evange11c

SUNDAYS 10.30AM MEETING AT THE WINNERS LOUNGE SWINDON TOWN FOOTBALL CLUB AND AT THE PINEHURST PEOPLE'S CENTRE All ages of children & teens cared for

Igformation: call Brian on 849731 in association with NEW FRONTIERS INTERNATIONAL

N$BC

SO

2 (z, m

d

af^

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builtling with people Come and join us Sunday at 10am & 6.30pm For fu rt her information of other meetings ri ng: 873050 or call at the Church office Jesus said: "I have come that YOU might have LIFE and have it in its fulness"

We are

Greenmeadow Pri ma ry School

here!

Pastor Dennis Weaver

The Church of Christ the Servant LEP meeting at Abbey Meads Community School Community carol & Christingle service Sunday 17th, 5pm Family service Sunday 24th, 10.30am Sunday 24th, 11.30pm Christmas eve communion at St Leonards Church, Blunsdon Christmas Day, 10.30am Family service Emmanuel United Reformed Church, High Street, Haydon Wick United Carol Service with Sunday 17th, 6pm St John's Church at Emmanuel Family carol service Sunday 24th, 10.45am Midnight communion service Sunday 24th, 11.30pm Christmas Day, 11am Christmas celebration St Mary's (C of E), Rodbourne Cheney, on Akers Way Sunday 17th, 6.30pm Carols by candlelight Communion service Sunday 24th, 9.15am Sunday 24th, 10.30am Family service Midnight communion service Sunday 24th,11.30pm Christmas Day, 9.30am Communion service

North Swindon Baptist Church

Sunday Worship 10.30am - Sunday School & Creche -

Freshbrook Evangelical Church, Worsley Road, Freshbrook Christmas presentation by young people Friday 15th, 7pm Saturday 16th, 7.30pm Simeon musical production by church choir Carol service with choir Sunday 17th, 6.30pm Carol service with Sunday school children Sunday 24th, 10am Service of Thanksgiving Christmas Day, 10am

Web: http://nsbc.org.uk TEL: (01793) 345051

North Swindon Bapist Church meeting in Greenmeadow Primary School Family carol service Sunday 17th, 6pm Family service Sunday 24th, 10.30am Christmas Day, 10.30am Family Christmas service

If you have no church family, we invite you to worship with us!

17 Dec. Family Carol Service 6.00pm 24 Dec. Family Christmas Service 10.30am 25 Dec. Christmas Day Service 10.30a

St John's Haydon Wick [next to Safeway] Sunday 10th, 4pm Christingle service Carols for all ages Sunday 17th, 11 am Sunday 24th, 11 am Carols for all ages Sunday 24th, 11.30pm Midnight communion Christmas Day family service Christmas Day, 10am

.4

-

The Parish Church of St Andrew, Blunsdon Sunday 17th, 4.pm Service of nine lessons and carols Family communion service Sunday 24th 10am Christmas Day, 9.30am Family communion with carols

Baptist Church of England Methodist United Reformed Church

Christmas Services 2000

DECEMBER

All Saints, Lydiard Millicent

Rev Peter Knight tel. 772417

17

Sunday

24

Christmas Eve

25

Christmas Day

Christingle Service* Candlelit Carol Service Communion Communion Christmas Eve Family Service* Midnight Communion Communion Family Service*

10.30am 6.30pm 8.00am 10.30am 5.00pm 11.30pm 8.00am 10.30am

St Mary's, Lydiard Tregoze

Rev Ann Mackenzie tel. 870244

17

Sunday

22 24

Friday Christmas Eve

25

Christmas Day

All Age Nativity Service* Carol Service Carols in Hook Village Hall Family Service* Crib Service* Midnight Communion Family Communion*

10.00am 6.30pm 7.00pm 10.00am 4.00pm 11.30pm 10.30am

Holy Trinity, Shaw

Rev Andrew Hetherington tel. 770568

10.30am 6.30pm 24 Christmas Eve 10.30am 3.00pm 11.30pm Christmas Day 10.30am 25

Children's' Nativity Service* Candlelit Carol Service All Age Carol Service* Crib Service* Midnight Communion Family Communion*

Toothill Church

Rev Mark Roper tel. 692620

17

Sunday

17 24

Sunday Christmas Eve

25

Christmas Day

10.45am 10.45am 4.00pm 11.00pm 10.45am

Westlea Church ( meeting in school) 10 17

Sunday Sunday

24

Christmas Eve

25

Christmas Day

10.00am 10.00am 6.30pm 10.00am 3.00pm 10.00am

Christmas is a time for celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ. Come and join us at any of the places listed on the left and discover what Christmas really means.

Nativity Service* Carol Service Christingle Service* Midnight Communion Family Service*

Rev Peter Knight tel. 772417 Adult Nativity Service* Morning Worship* Carol Service Morning Worship* Crib Service* Family Communion*

* Indicates services particularly appropriate for children

The Partnership of West Swindon and the Lydiards

The

Lb i he

and the

. 11

Ic LINK

CENTRE Friday 15 to Monday 18 December Tickets £6.00 (Group discounts available) Booking fee of 50p per ticket (max £5.00) applies to telephone or postal bookings

Matinee and Evening Performances

Box Office: 01793 465435 ^T SwinDon BOROUGH COUTICIL

Whitehill Way, Westlea, Swindon SN5 7DL