THE
TSP 610188
No. 165 • February 1996 • Circulation 15,000
Swindon
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Ii .i zslar HAD AN ACCIDENT? NOT YOUR FAULT! A'%
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VEHICLE HIRE
and the swindon wide what's on guide
Disney dreams for Vanessa Plucky Vanessa Whelp dale from Peatmoor is looking forward to a fun trip to Disneyland Paris with help from the Children's Relief Fund. The tough little five year old has battled against cancer in her stomach since diagnosis last March, coping with chemotherapy every ten days at one point, seven operations during the eight months of treatment, and a bone marrow transplant. Mum Lisa Whelpdale said her faith and the promise of a trip to Disney kept Vanessa going through some very difficult times. "She's in remission now and coming off medication, but she still has to have blood transfusions and further tests to ensure that all is well. "Vanessa's faith has played a major part in her recovery and we plan a trip to Lourdes after some final scans in March.
"When she first became ill, we talked about going to Disney when she recovered and her heart was set on the trip, even through the very worst times. Lisa said she and husband Rob could not believe their five year old had cancer. "It was a nightmare at first. But our optimism grew once treatment started. We had to be positive for Vanessa."
She explained that the Children's Relief Fund heard about Vanessa through St Michael's Hospital in Bristol where she received treatment and offered to help her dream come true. Bouncing with energy, and having just enjoyed a class party to mark her first day back at Holy Family Infant School, Vanessa said, "I want to see Mickey Mouse and all the characters, and go on all the rides." The Fund raises cash to send children recovering from illness on holiday. Donations to Vanessa's trip can be made through NatWest Bank account 81089732, sort code 60-01-17. The Children's Relief Fund can be contacted on 01264 - 356345.
Cameras arrive at village centre The first installation of security cameras at a local shopping centre in Swindon is now taking place at Freshbrook Village Centre. The cameras linked to video recorders are being paid for by Thamesdown Council with contributions from all but one of the local traders who have campaigned for greater protection from vandals. Last March the village centre shop was destroyed in a fire after a ram raid. Local dentist Brendon Ball said, "it's a pity we have to have cameras, but we hope the village centre can return to being a pleasant environment for all to enjoy." The cameras should be in operation by the end of the month.
Group to be kicked out of farm A pre-school group is under threat of eviction from an ideal meeting place and is desperate to find somewhere new to meet. Lower Shaw Farm Kindergarten, which caters for 15 children, has been told to quit the farm in Old Shaw Lane where it has met on three mornings a week since 1990. The farm centre, set up about 25 years ago with a lease from Thamesdown Council, runs weekend courses on a wide variety of subjects which attract people from all over the country. Kindergarten chairwoman Anne Cowie said that the management committee had tried to negotiate a way of working together with the residents but without success. "The farm doesn't think their activities are compatible with the continued provision of a community run kindergarten. We want to stay because of the delightful environment for children. It would be difficult without the goodwill of the landlords.
"There is virtually nowhere else to meet. The Estates Department at Thamesdown say they cannot help; an important community facility could be lost. We feel helpless in this situation." Kevin Glaister, one of the two people still living at Lower Shaw Farm, said the farm is faced with a dilemma and it was with deep regret that the kindergarten had been asked to leave. "The farm's main activity is running weekend courses. The kindergarten uses the lounge dining area and we have to move a lot of furniture before and after courses. There is also a lot of wear and tear to walls and carpets from paint spillage and the room has become quite shabby. "We need to refurbish the lounge to continue attracting people to our courses. Continued on page 2
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