West Swindon's
Magazine /
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Over 1,000 cycles usually in stock Also good stock of reconditioned bikes
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96- 99 Manchester Road, Swindon
No. 107 • February 1991 • Circulation 10,500 21
(0793) 534907 & 513705
Meet the people who run Thamesdown Council leaders to listen to YOUR views at meeting on 7 February West Swindon people have the chance to tell senior members of Thamesdown Borough Council what they think of the services the council provides. The Council is holding a series of public consultation meetings around the Borough and West Swindon has been chosen for the first one. It takes place on Thursday 7 February, 7.30p.m. at the Link Centre. An opinion survey carried out byThamesdown thmughmeLink Magazine fifteen months ago indicated that residents had a positive view of West Swindon. But a conference of community workers and residents last November showed that many people living
in the area experience great difficulties. The Leader of the Council Tony Mayer, who will be chairing the meeting on 7 February, said that West Swindon had been chosen for the first meeting because it was a self-contained part of the town where work had already taken place to investigate local opinions. "The recent survey and conference revealed interesting results and we wanted to follow them up by giving residents the opportunity to tell senior councillors and officers what they think," he said. "The survey showed that for many, West Swindon is a 'good' and 'friendly' place to live. Obvi-
ously not everybody thinks this, we know there are still lots of improvements to be made. The meeting on 7 February is the chance for local people to state their case for doing better." Councillor Mayer wanted to stress however that Tha mes-down was not in a position to make improvements quickly for a number of reasons. "The Council does not have responsibility for all the things that affect people's lives. For exa mple, education and youth services are a Wiltshire County Council function. Also, because of Government controls, the Council is more restricted now than ever before in what it can spend.
Katie takes trip of a lifetime Brave five year old Katie Orme from Sparcells has just returned from a memorable trip to Disney World in Florida. Last September Katie and her mum Julie said a big thank you through The Link to all who had wished her well in her fight against a rare kind of children's cancer. After having intensive chemothrapy treatment last year, Katie is being given a rest before a new round of tests which will hopefully see her clear of the disease. Katie's trip with her mother at the end of January came about after the 'Make a Wish Foundation' made her wish to visit Disney World come true. The charity aims to help terminally ill children have their wish of a lifetime. Lone parent Julie said the last few weeks had been wonderful. "We've had some tough times since Katie was diagnosed. She was very low after her treatment sessions. But she's been so strong recently that she's been able to start school for a few days a week. "We had a lovely Christmas and the trip to America was amazing.
The Foundation organised absolutely everything, quite unbelievable. We stayed in the Holiday Inn Kids Village and visited all the sights." Katie said her choice of wish was easy. "I like Disney Club on TV and I wanted to see Mickey Mouse." Her chemotherapy treatment is thought to have been successful, but a series of scans and tests at the
Surrey Royal Marsden Hospital will tell if the cancer is still active. If tests are negative, Katie will undergo a final three weeks of intensive chemotherapy to destroy any remaining cancerous cells. If it is still present, Katie will receive a new targeted treatment which concentrates onthediseased areas. Julie would like to thank those who continue to pray for Katie's full recovery.
Off to fantasy land. Katie and Julie Orme getting ready for their trip to see Mickey Mouse and all his friends
Tony Mayer, leader of Thamesdown Council
"We certainly want to do a great deal to improve the quality of life of people across Thamesdown, but only time will tell whether we can achieve our aims. "At present we are stocktaking by gathering in the views of people across the Borough. Whilst the Council may not have responsibility for all services, I guarantee that all the points raised at the meeting will be taken up with the appropriate departments and authorities, and a reply given. The important thing is that members of the public come along to the meeting to express their views." The meeting on 7 February will be attended by the Leader and Deputy Leader, local councillors and officers of Thamesdown.
For Mums, Dads, Wives and Husbands with loved ones in the Gulf, the newly formed West Swindon Gulf Support Group is here to help. Telephone Babs Harris on 490769.