February 2005 Swindon Link

No. 273 February 2005 • Circulation 24.000

and the swindon wide what's on guide

Twenty years of Link Centre 1 We talk to the architect on pages 24/25

Swindon 1945 See the grand plan on page 7

Lewd, rude, linked to Lydiard Park Hollywood star Johnny Depp portrays the 17 th Century hell-raiser capable of making today's tabloids blush. See page 19

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The Link Magazine • February 2005

A catastrophe never to be forgotten Millions of words accompanied by graphic and heart rending images have told the story of the almost unbelievable horror of the Indian Ocean Tsunami disaster on Boxing Day. the Mercy Ap- effort strong. Call the Appeal Line Who could have believed that peal, said the on 0770 8415362. water, the essence of humanity For latest information go to: group had use of could bring such wholesale dethe Science Mu- www.wiltshiremercyappeal.co.uk struction? Nature's pitiless indifhanger un- • Donations can be made through ference brutally demonstrated til the end of the Disasters' Emergency Commitman's puny presence. \larch. "At first tee on 0870 60 60 900 or via Whilst the media's attention we were collect- www.dec.org.uk moves on, hungry for the next big If you are a UK tax payer, ask ing everything issue, the needs of people whose possible to help about Gift Aid so that tax relief can lives were ripped apart continue. the victims of the be claimed on your donation.

The public response across BritTsunami and were working closely with the Sri Lankan High Commission.

ain has been massive, in terms of cash donations and materials, and of course time. Within hours Manolito Chando had opened his Navaho tiles warehouse in Wroughton to receive donations of goods. Within days volunteers had come together to team up with others from Devizes to form the Wiltshire Mercy Appeal, and the Science Museum at Wrougton had offered the use of a hanger.

A week later the first 20 tons of donated aid from the Swindon region had been sent to Sri Lanka, and an even bigger hanger space had been made available to cope with the constant stream of people delivering clothing, bedding, equipment and medicines.

The Mayor of Swindon coun Peter Stoddart visited the volunteers helping to sort and pack

The Mayor helps unload items at Wroughton goods on 9 January and see the mountain of boxes wrapped and ready to go.

The previous day had seen 500 volunteers at work and that morning 20 loaded vehicles had departed for a central collection centre.

"It really has been a fantastic effort in such a short time," said the Mayor. "The public outpouring of generosity has been amazing and the volunteers have worked so hard; I congratulate them for their commitment."

Jacky Smith, elected secretary of

"The response

from the public has been wonderful and so has the help from businesses who have come up with all the packaging we want, help with transport and refreshments for volunteers.

"By mid-January over 1,000 pallets of aid have been sent, via Islamic Relief, Feed the Children and Child Smile.

"We do not need clothing, but there is an urgent requirement for medical supplies, tents, generators, bed sheets, blankets, pots and pans, tinned food and baby food."

Wiltshire Mercy Appeal still need volunteers to keep the aid

Tsunami appeal events Disaster relief yoga Workshop for complete beginners on Saturday 12 February, 10am to 2pm.

Shaw Village Hall, Ramleaze Drive, Shaw. Cost £25.

Learn Ashtanga and Integral yoga postures and breathing techniques taught by Dawn Cole and Stefan Trefezer.

Twelve places available, but more workshops can be arranged in response to demand. To book a place call Dawn on 700659 or Stefan on 322262.

Trawlerman support Staff at The Trawlerman Fish and Chip shop, West Swindon Centre are giving an hour's wages to the appeal on Friday 18 February. Ten per cent of that day's takings will also be donated.

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The Link Magazine • February 2005 3 Beyond the Tsunami '2005 is our chance to go down in history for what we did do. r,7#701'117,717 what we didn 7 do "Bono

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Charles Lucas Marshall

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The devastation in Asia has highlighted the plight of poorer countries and with changes in the environment, equally terrible disasters caused by humans are predicted. South Swindon MP Julia Drown, a leading supporter of less advantaged nations, reflects on what should be learnt from the tragedy.

The people of Swindon have responded magnificently to the challenge presented by the terrible natural disaster in Asia.

I thank all the many thousands who have donated money or supplies, or given their time for the relief effort. The British government has committed £75 million to the immediate humanitarian response.

And it is pressing for a moratorium on debt repayments for afflicted countries that request it.

Some people have raised concern that the sudden event will remove the spotlight from the disaster that happens in Africa each day. But I'm confident that we can ensure that the awareness raised through the tsunami can help spread awareness of the wider tragedies that happen

the annual meeting of the world's most powerful leaders, as we ll as take over the Presidency of the European Union.

We can use these positions to press the international community for an all-out assault on poverty.

But as Bono has said: "2005 is our chance to go down in history for what we did do, rather than what we didn't do."

I'd urge readers to get involved in what is a historic opportunity.

You can find out more by going to the web site or by contacting my office on 615444. Together we can Make Poverty History. www.makepovertyhistory.org

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Julia Drown with Sir Bob at the Make Poverty And poverty isn't History launch in November highlighting the the only major worldmiserly amount the UK spends on international aid wide concern. Global The Make Poverty History camwarming, if not tackled, is likely to cause not only destruction here in paign is doing just that. The camBritain and internationally but paign is backed by the British Goveven more pover ty , i ll health and ernment as well as by celebrities catastrophes. And, as so often is such as Sir Bob Geldof and Bono. the case, it is the poorest who suf- Many people in Swindon have alfer most as a result. Yet not all ready pledged their support for it.

This needs to be — and I'm glad world leaders have taken this to say is likely to be - the biggest looming disaster seriously.

2005 is a key year to make poli- campaign the world has ever seen. ticians internationally face up to In my role as Chair of the All Party these challenges. The Millennium Parliamentary Group on Heavily Development Goals, adopted by Indebted Poor Countries I am world leaders just five years ago, working with the campaign to enincluded a halving of poverty by sure Parliament plays its part.

A House of Commons reception 2015. With the political wi ll this is possible and affordable. Yet, still, in November to launch the cam30,000 children die each day from paign was packed and I've raised the issue at Prime Minister's Queseasily avoidable diseases.

I' m proud that it is the British tion Time.

Nowhere is more action needed Government that is leading the way on tackling these issues. It is than in Africa, the only continent making climate change a central to have got poorer in the last 25 issue for 2005 as well as a massive years. In sub-Saharan Africa, with extension of debt relief and a reor- the present rate of progress, the ganisation of world trade to fa- goal of halving poverty will not be vour developing countries. The achieved until 2150.

We must therefore create a new Government is also pressing for a new International Finance Facility political climate where it will be that will dramatically increase the impossible for world leaders to let funds that are immediately avail- this situation continue.

By establishing the Commission able to developing countries for for Africa, which is due to report long term investment.

Britain is chairing the G8 group in April, Britain has prepared the of countries and in July will host way for action.

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The Link Magazine • February 2005

Lydiard lottery hopes

Holocaust almost ignored The town nearly did not mark Swindon's bid for a lottery grant to restore Lydiard Park now awaits National Holocaust Memorial a decision after council leader coup Mike Bawden signed off the £3.1 Day on Thursday 27 January un- million application on 18 January. til 77he Link asked Swindon CounThe Heritage Lottery Fund cil if it was bothering. will consider the Management Unfortunately because no events and Business Plan accompawere programmed until 18 Janunied by detailed designs and ary we were not able to publicise documents based on research the memorial gathering at the work over the three years which Friends Meeting House, or the laysets out how Lydiard's 260 acre ing of a wreath at the cenotaph to historic landscape will be recommemorate the 60th anniverstored and visitor amenities upsary of the liberation of Auschwitz graded. concentration camps.

A decision will be made in June and if successful, work, Prospect winner including building a new dam The winner of the January Link and digging out the lake, should Coun Mike Bawden sends off big bid 'Making Each Day Count' com- start in September.

The Lydiard Park Project will has supported the project from the petition to win £26 worth of tickets to the Prospect Hospice lottery total £5.3 million. Swindon Coun- outset. In December BMW Group is Mike Roberts from Covingham. cil has committed £500,000 to the and Intel UK Ltd signed up as partHe has 26 chances to win £1,000. restoration works. English Herit- ners, bringing the total cash cornTo join the Prospect Lottery and age, The Countryside Agency, mitment from businesses and other support an important Swindon DEFRA and Arts in Business have agencies to £446,000.

For details of the work carried cause, call 615870. Members in assisted with the research and deout in preparation for the lottery October will also be entered into a velopment of the application, RWE npower at Windmill Hill bid, go to www.lydiardpark.org special 25th anniversary draw for a top prize of £2,500.

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Top fish and chipper Zoe Sharp is a well known character at The Trawlerman fish and chip shop at the West Swindon Centre - always ready to help customers and her colleagues.

And that's why she was selected to receive a special award in December by Trawlerman managers Alan Clarke and Helen Houghton.

Single mum Zoe rejoined the team after taking a two year break to have a baby, having worked at The Trawlerman since she was 15.

"Zoe's always been committed and the managers, staff and our customers think she has really contributed to our success over the Zoe receives her award from last year," said manager Helen.

Alan Clarke and Helen Houghton Zoe said she was taken aback to be selected for an award. "It was my baby. Everybody here gets on great to come back after having well together."

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Published by Swindon Publications Ltd. Papermakers House. Westlea Swindon SN5 7BD

Tel: (01793) 872282 Fax: (01793) 878189 e: publisher @swindonlink.com www.swindonlink.com

Roger Ogle Tel: (01793) 872282

Publisher/Editor: Editorial:

'

"The Link was first published for the 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 January 1994."

The contents of The Link are protected by copyright. Use of advertisements in printed or electronic form is forbidden unless an advertiser or publisher has sought permission. Articles and photographs require similar authority

iegistered In England & Wales. No 4513027. Registered 0/lice : 1 30 High Street. Hungerlora. Berks. RG17 ODL Printed by pep, Telford

Th e Link Mag azine • February 2005 5

Tesco backs Age Concern drive to combat isolation

Come dancing

The UKs biggest supermarket chain Tesco has selected Age Concern England as its charity of the year and aims to raise £2 million to support its essential work to support older people with few friends.

The Mayor of Swindon coun

Peter Stoddart met Tesco and Age Concern Swindon staff at the Tesco superstore in Ocotal Way on 17 January to launch the fundraising drive, one of eleven simultaneous events across Britain.

Swindon Wildcats ice hockey stars Brock Harrison and Chris Douglas joined in with pensioners Ted and Margaret Sweet from Eastleaze.

Tesco manager Michael Hunt said, "our target nationally is to raise £2 million, but all the money raised locally will go to our local Age Concern."

Age Concern Swindon director Jo Osorio said, "it really is very exciting to launch this project with Tesco. We're looking forward to building a relationship with staff and customers.

"You can help in many ways: the money you give when you visit Tesco will go towards our work, but we also rely on volunteers to

Leave the TV and the celebrities behind. Gwen and Gordon Wheeler organise tea dances at the Memorial Hall in Wootton Bassett twice a month.

They welcome anybody keen on the traditional way, including sequence, modern, ballroom, oldtyme and line dance.

In February, dances take place on 3rd and 17th between 2pm and 4.30pm and then on 3, 17 and 31 March.

For details call 855401.

Stretch out smoothly Launching the Tesco ctrarity (f the year on 1 7 Januart at Ocotal Way

deliver many services - home visi- we're looking forward to taking tors, day centre helpers, advisors, part in different events to help our fundraisers, wheelchair pushers local Age Concern."

The Tesco Express shops around and drivers. Do call to find out how you can contribute your time." the town are joining the fundraisTesco staff member Stella Hearn ing campaign and a big event is said her colleagues supported the being planned for the Ocotal Way choice of charity of the year. "A lot superstore in June. of older folk shop with us and To help Age Concern call 692166.

Neighbourhood shop considered not viable as Tesco put profit before people People living on St Andrew's Ridge are not feeling very charitable towards Tesco who announced on 10 January that their neighbourhood centre Tesco Express would close, having been refurbished a year ago.

The shutters went up five days later. The company claims too few people used the shop: most were going to the store at Abbey Meads Village Centre, next to the primary school, where there is a post office.

Ridge residents will now need to put pressure on Tesco to quickly pass on the lease to another convenience operator, rather than block out a competitor willing to take the shop unit over.

1

Swindon Council's Lifestyle Centre is starting its first ever T'ai Chi course aimed at mature adults.

T'ai Chi is a series of gentle movements linked in a continuous smooth flowing sequence, designed to release the body's internal energy and promote well being.

It can help with balance and mobility, relieve the pain of arthritis and help control diabetes by reducing stress and improving relaxation.

The classes, which are suitable for complete beginners, start on Thursday 3 February, 12noon to 1pm, at the County Ground Lifestyle Centre.

For details call Carole Jones on 514401.

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The Link Magazine • February 2005

Is Swindon to become the middle England megalopolis?

Planners from Swindon and Wiltshire County Council. acting for the Government Quango, the South West Regional Assembly, have been asking people in and around Swindon what they think of another 24.000 houses being built in the area - in addition to the 5,000 already agreed and have yet to be built. Alan Hayward, from Sparcells, expresses his worries about the suggestion.

Swindon is literally on the verge in three senses. Firstly, it is a built up town - a Principal Urban Area as the planners would have it - that has rural countryside surrounding it in every direction. Secondly, it could soon lose most of its valued green surroundings to development.

Thirdly, Swindon is close to swamping and coalescing with the towns and villages that are currently its neighbours.

Swindon's major attraction is its rural setting - twenty to thirty miles to the nearest sizable town in any direction. The quality of life and the relaxed atmosphere of the town are based upon the ability to travel for a few minutes and be in the countryside.

2005 has begun with a plethora of planning related inquiries, consultations and announcements. In Swindon we' are currently undergoing the 'Local Plan Inquiry,' the 'Draft SubRegional Spatial Strategy Plan Consultation' as well as various'objec-

tions to existing proposals' by in- penetrable gobbledygook for the terested individuals and campaign average person. The plain English groups.

Crystal Mark version would sumThis is just inaccessible and im- manse the situation as: The choices: build in the villages around Swindon, or build in between them (Plans ©Swindon Borough Council)

This is the same old story. As with the siting of the Great Western Hospital, the development of the Front Garden, the Northern Development Area plans and the Coate proposals, the question has never been 'what?' or 'if?,' only 'which?'

Over the period between the last two Censuses, 1991 to 2001, the

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population of Swindon Borough grew by 8,500.

The City of Bristol 9h dropped by 11,600 and Plymouth Urban Area fell by 10,500.

If a regional strategy for inward migration is absolutely necessary -

Catch the plans before it is too late The outline proposals for the 16.000 to 24,000 home expansion of

Swindon have been on display in different venues throughout January.

The last public display can be seen at the Haydon Wick Parish Council Offices on Thames Avenue on Tuesday 1 February. 3.30pm to 7.30pm.

Comments are invited until 18 February.

The plans can be found at www.swindon.gov.uk

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• Government inspectors are deciding about how the Front Garden should be built upon; • Government inspectors are deciding how the land around Coate Water should be developed; • The public are being asked if they agree with: - building a huge number of houses around Swindon which will fill up the green spaces between the surrounding towns and villages, or, - building a huge number of houses around Swindon which will overrun the surrounding towns and villages.

The people who live in Wootton Bassett, the Lydiards, Purton, Cricklade, Blunsdon, South Marston, Wanborough, Liddington, Chiseldon and Wroughton do

and this itself is questionable then it must be environmentally and sustainably a better option to regenerate the city centres of Bristol and Plymouth, reversing their de-urbanisation rather than destroying the green fields around Swindon.

Whilst our local representatives at the

South West Regional Assembly - who are making these decisions for us - are democratically elected local councillors,

- -» ,,

-

Growth sceptic Alan Hayward

do they truly

represent the views of the people of Swindon when they agree to the possibility of building another so because they have made the 24,000 houses around our town in choice not to live in Swindon itself; the next twenty years, increasing they prefer smaller communities the population from 180,000 to and the rural surroundings. That 230,000 residents? is their prerogative and they have This is a huge, rapid expansion, the right to enjoy it in the future. larger and quicker than anything Why should they be forced to be- we have ever seen. Swindon's income part of 'Greater Swindon?' frastructure - social services, eduYet, Government strategy is to cation, health, transport, water provide homes in the South West supplies and sewerage treatment for people migrating primarily facilities - creaks at the joints now. from the South East, based on fuThe people of Swindon and the ture projections of historical trends. surrounding settlements are on a It does not take into account the very short fuse. I believe we are views of the people who live here. close to a passionate public outcry We have never been consulted against this further expansion. on whether we want this migraMany people have said that the tion or expansion. All we are being proposals to build around Coate asked is, 'which flavour of growth Water 'are the last straw.' Plans to do you want?' concrete over Swindon's verges The opinion of the residents may well just set that straw alight. surely must take priority over na- • What are your views on Swintional and regional diktats to pro- don's continued growth. Let The vide dwellings for incomers?

Link know. Address on page 4.

The Link Magazine • February 2005 7

All change for the centre The New Swindon Company revealed its ideas for the redevelopment of the town centre last July to include a better range of shops, more restaurants and employment opportunities, as well as housing.

Areas of the town centre have been zoned to accommodate the uses, with, for example, cultural and artistic activity proposed for the Town Hall - theatre square area, redevelopment of sites around Fleming Way and new urban housing at North Star.

The Link has been delving into the Swindon archives to look at the proposals for the town centre in the post-war era.

In 1945 planners came up with a grand plan - displaying some fine Soviet style ideas - to create a tree lined boulevard running from a plaza outside the Town Hall on Regents Circus to another plaza joining Fleet Street and Milford Street, close to the bus and railway stations. This would have been intersected by a park running east to west, along the line of the old canal which had already been filled in.

The drawing shows a large number of houses demolished to make way for offices, tinted red and pink, open spaces (green tint), and car parking (yellow).

The plan was obviously not ambitious enough for Swindon's future needs as a much larger number of houses were knocked down to accommodate the office and commercial development of the 1960s and 1970s which we know today around the Brunel Centre, which forms the basis for redevelopment proposals being put forward by the New Swindon Company. These can be seen at www.newswindon.co.uk

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Below: The post-war visionfor the town centre, with European town planning overtones. The Town Hall, complete with concert hall, bottom left, fronting onto Regents Circus, with an ornamental lake, looking down a grand boulevard,fronted by large office blocks and department stores FK ^

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Centre point for communities The old railway museum in Faringdon Road has been renamed the Community Crossroads in recognition of the activities that take place there and its potential for the future.

On 19 February the New Mechanics' Institute Trust will go to Swindon's Cabinet to request a renewable five year lease on the building,

a ground breaking music performance in association with the University of Bath Institute of Contemporar2 andlnterdiscip

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vacated

when the railway museum moved to Steam, so that it can become a meeting point for community and cultural groups in the town centre, and provide a base for the Trust and other town based community organisations.

Over the last 18 months the

Trust, on a short term lease has opened up the building for a skateboard event, two CAMRA beer festivals, several large meetings, and

nary Arts.

The February 2004

Link stated that with all the grand plans for the regeneration of the town centre being drawn up by the New Swindon Company, no provision was being made for large unusual, spontaneous and creative events to take place. Community Crossroads can show how a different face of Swindon can be developed.

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The Link Magazine • February 2005

West residents happy with crime and disorder situation A chance to meet a police chief and local councillors to discuss how criminal activity and anti-social disorder is being tackled in West Swindon was ignored when only six residents turned up to the West Area Forum on 10 January at the Link Centre.

Llspector Wi ll ie Glasgow who supervises the North and West Swindon sector team explained how the police are currently organised. Cheri Wright, Swindon Council's Anti-Social Behaviour Co-ordinator, also attended to talk about the use of new legislation allowing the police to disperse groups of young people gathered in a threatening manner, and also how the movement of individuals can be restricted through targeted anti-social behaviour orders.

Inspector Glasgow said the lat-

"Many more crimes are being dealt with at a quicker rate and the number of violent crimes in West Swindon has dropped. Wiltshire was the second safest county in Britain for this kind of crime and we may be the first soon.

"We know there is a drugs probFreshbrook, Grange Park, The lem in the area and over the last Prinnells is vacant following the few months we have carried out transfer of WPC Sam Kelly to the many more raids where heroin and Abbey Meads beat. I hope five crack cocaine is involved." more Community Support OfficHowever he said gatherings of ers will join the team by the end of young people causing intimidathe year. tion and harassment diverted police resources from dealing with criminal activity.

Cheri Wright said dispersal orders were in effect at Freshbrook CHARISMA and Toothill Village Centres and BLINDS the order covering West Swindon Centre and Shaw Ridge Leisure was being reviewed, having run six months until the end of October. "Dispersal orders run for a fixed period and their effect is then he rainbow at Charisma Blinds assessed. We know problems of anti-social behaviour continue at The factory - the place for quality and value Shaw Ridge and the police are Manufacturers and suppliers of all types of blinds working to identify the ring leadFull fitting service or cash and carry ers and gather evidence for action Factory showroom open Monday to Thursday 9.30am - 5.30pm on the problem."

Friday 9.30am - 5pm. Saturday 10am - 4pm Asda head of security Charles Ross told the meeting that a zero BSS House, Cheney Manor Ind. Est., Swindon. Tel: 01793 434584 tolerance approach to anti-social behaviour was applied at the West Swindon Centre which perhaps shifted the problem to areas where We regret that planning difficulties have delayed our

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est of several reorganisations over the years, last September, was producing results. "In addition to officers in response cars to deal with immediate issues, currently WPC Pat Salter covers Shaw, Nine Elms, Peatmoor and PC Pedro Wiltshire is on the Toothill Westlea beat.

1

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it can create positive alternatives for young people across the town."

To report anti-social activity, call the Council's Crime and Disorder Unit's hotline, 466738. Serious incidents should be reported to the police on 528111. In emergencies call 999.

Insp. Glasgow, in charge of police in West and North Swindon

young people could misbehave

without fear of being moved on.

Swindon Council's youth service was discussed and coun Gary Perkins (Shaw / Nine Elms) said the delivery of consistent high quality youth work had been a problem.

"There is a total reorganisation going on so that youth work is more closely linked with secondary schools. The council is trying to rebuild the youth service so that

Xmas power scooter?

Swindon Police would like to remind anybody who has got one of these expensive pieces of kit that it is illegal to use them on the public highway, which includes roads, footpaths and car parks.

If caught, users could be liable to prosecution. The only place they can be used is on private areas of land where permission has been given. However persistant use which disturbs other people could be considered anti-social behaviour. And anybody hit and hurt could sue for damages.

For a detailed leaflet explaining more, call 01380 735735. Or call Swindon police on 507899 to report misuse of a powered scooter.

Beat officer hotline A dedicated telephone line has been setup so that the public can leave messages for sector beat officers and Police Community Support Officers on issues of community concern and anti-social behaviour.

The line is not intended for urgent or emergency issues.

All messages will be accessed daily, prioritised and actioned accordingly.

To help the police callers are asked to clearly state name, address, a brief description of the problem to be dealt with, and a return telephone number.

The number is 507899.

Coping with teens Are you having difficulties with your teenagers — stress, constant arguments, moodiness, rebellious behaviour?

The Children's Information Service in partnership with Wiltshire and Swindon Connexions are running a new free parenting course, starting in February, to help parents improve their relationship with their teenager.

The course will discuss parenting issues and difficulties in a safe and confidential environment. Parents will have the opportunity to meet others with similar concerns, develop skills, knowledge and confidence in parenting teenagers.

The teenagers themselves will also have the chance to be in-

volved in part of the course so their views can be heard.

For more information, call Karen on 541799.

The Link Magazine • February 2005 9

Campaigner to meet PM Well known Swindon activist Martha Parry will be one of 450 people from the South West who have been invited to meet Prime Minister Tony Blair and wife Cherie at a reception for people involved in the not-for-profit sector.

Martha, right, has 8 setting up the Swindon Civic Trust and is a been a leading figure member of the newly in the development of formed Swindon Culthe New Mechanics' \ tural Partnership.

Institution Trust, The reception in Lonwhich has been bat- . don on 26 February is tling to save the derfor 'those who work so elict Mechanics' Instihard in what is such a tute and return it to diverse field of worthcommunity use. She while causes.' was also involved in

The cutbacks loom The annual machinations at Swindon Council to agree next years' budget come to a head on 21 February when the full council meets to set the level of council tax to be levied.

Chris Lau, director of Voluntary The Conservative administration is proposing a 3 per cent rise, Action Swindon, believes that the £28 per year on a Band D property, council does not understand the and £10 million worth of reduc- relationship with the voluntary tions and efficiency savings to re- sector. "Voluntary organisations direct more money into Education provide services that compliment the council's activities, often in and Social Services.

Over 120 council jobs are being wards which rank in the top 10 per shed and charges for council serv- cent most deprived in Britain. ices will rise. Councillors are look- Those that are cut back may no ing at a 23 per cent reduction in longer be viable which will force funding to the town's voluntary people in need to turn to the counorganisations by removing cil for help. £250,000 from the present £1.1 mil"Although the council makes £1.1 million worth of grants to vollion allocation.

The arts and cultural landscape untary organisations, this is exfor the town could take a hit as ceeded by further grants from other sources like the lottery, central govwell.

The Conservatives complain that ernment or the European Union."

Central Government support for The council's commitment to the local authorities has fallen drasti- arts also looks in line for a savaging. cally, whilst councils have been Swindon Artscape's budget could expected to take on more respon- be reduced by half which means sibilities. Moreover Government fewer exhibitions around the town, support for Swindon is lower than less support for local artists and other councils because it is deemed cutting of arts workshops in the community. to be relatively well off.

The annual summer street festiCynics say that without council elections this year the Conserva- val weekend is likely to be a featives are using the opportunity to ture of the past.

The £10,000 subsidy to the Wiltcut down on voluntary organisations and reduce expenditure shire Festival in Lydiard Park is which they believe unneccessary. likely to be chopped as well.

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10 The Link Magazine • February 2005

Councillor name change

Borough contributes to Haydon parish precept hike

Properties found to be in the wrong parish council area means that Haydon Wick Parish Council will not receive as large an income as expected from April 2005.

Swindon Lib Dem councillor However the parish council feels noyed that they receive no income For the next financial year, the Geraldine Robertson, who reprehard done by. Although it covers from properties occupied during parish council requires council tax sents Freshbrook & Grange Park income - the precept - equivalent most of the northern development the tax year. New arrivals pay a ward, has reto £26.77 from each band D prop- area, with building work proceed- proportion of the year's council verted to her erty to meet its expenditure pro- ing apace, the number of band D tax including the parish apportionmaiden name posals. This compares with the properties which provides the tax ment - but it all goes to Swindon and is now to be Council. £23.75 equivalent for the current base has only increased by 9. known as GeraldHowever, parish council income Swindon Council, which collects year an increase of 12.7%. ine Frost.

Expenditure has risen by a simi- council tax, has notified the parish will be boosted in 2006 as the SwinShe can be lar percentage to £137,590 due, in council that, whilst they may have don Council estimates that 250 contacted on part, to the new provision which expected a larger increase in the Band D properties will have been 877356 or write allows councillors to claim ex- number of houses, a close analysis completed in the parish in the preto4Sheen Close, of the properties being completed ceding 18 months. penses.

Grange Park. shows that some previously reBlunsdon benefit corded as being in Haydon Wick are in fact located in Blunsdon Par- from Swindon blunder Whilst the Haydon parish precept ish.

C The Neighbourhood Centre is going up, neighbouring Council chairman Richard HailSt Andrews Ridge, Swindon rJ &1 &N1 fT -' stone said the number of Band D Blunsdon Parish is reducing its 4rR r R t =v sir. r Tel: (01793) 727245 properties had been expected to band D equivalent precept figure increase by over 100. The tiny in- from £23.46 per property last year Why not treat that someone special 1 crease has a significant impact on to £21.29 despite a 2.5% increase in in your life to a Valentines Day treat! the council's budget. "We have total expenditure.

This is because of the increase in been in dispute with the Borough Hair, massage, body wraps. manicure, facials for many years over the issue of income from North Swindon house - gift vouchers available for all treatments crediting the number of properties building in its area. Including the Free manicure with every colou r hooked throughout February forming the tax base, but this nega- redesignation of properties from on production of this advert tive re-assessment took us by sur- Hayden Wick parish, Blunsdon Specialising in colours. restyles and permanent waves. has acquired 625 Band D properprise."

Full range of beauty treatments available, including massage, Parish councillors are also an- ties in the last year. pedicure, manicure, facials, waxing and nail extensions \ Wedding hair ups and make up End to Westfield Way traffic queues

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Open: Mon: 9-5; Tues & Thurs: 9-8; Wed: 9-5.30; Fri: 9-6; Sat: 9-3

After 10 years of lobbying by Haydon Wick Parish Council, and recently by Swindon councillors representing the area, the problems for drivers at the junction of Thames Avenue and Westfield Way, close to Morrisons, are to be reduced by a mini roundabout to be installed, hopefully, by the end of March.

Delays during the mid-after- hope that the introduction of this noon school run and at evening mini-round about will significantly peak times often causes traffic to reduced peak time queues, and also back up on Westfield Way for hun- that road safety is enhanced by the dreds of yards, whilst traffic nego- provision of the footpath."

The work will be part of the tiating the entrance to Morrisons on Thames Avenue, and adjacent Westfield Way Local Safety curb build outs and humps out- Scheme where the speed limit has side the Haydon Centre often cre- been reduced from 40 to 30 mph.

• The plans are on display in the ates near gridlock.

Hopes for a mini-roundabout North Swindon Library. were raised when Safeway received planning permission for Thames Avenue redevelopment. However the changes in the project was killed off by the arrival pipeline of ASDA Walmart at the nearby Swindon Council traffic planners North Swindon District Centre.

Swindon Council traffic plan- are looking at waiting restrictions ners have always been concerned on two stretches of Thames Avthat improvement to the junction enue and adjoining roads.

Yellow lines are being considwill increase the amount of through traffic on Thames Avenue. How- ered for the Pen Close cul-de-sac ever parish council chairman Ri- outside Greenmeadow Primary chard Hailstone is pleased by the School, and nearby roads, which is breakthrough in thinking. "The heavily used by parents. parish council has been campaignThe other part of Thames Aving for this for over 10 years and enue in the sights of the traffic have had countless meetings with engineers fronts the Greenmeadow borough council officers." shops and the Trent Road area.

At the same time, a footpath is to To find out more and comment, be built along Westfield Way from visit www.haydonwickintouch.com the Manor pub and the junction or contact Bob Sanders at Swinwith Thames Avenue. don's Traffic Management and Swindon councillor Wayne Road Safety Team on 466391 or Lawley commented, "we sincerely mail: bsanders@swindon.gov.uk

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12 The Link Magazine • February 2005

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If you started in your teens, you're now in your mid 40s and smoke just 20 a day, you've smoked over 220,000 cigarettes and burnt £50,000 in the process. And that's before you count in the incalculable cost to your health.

With social pressure mounting and an increased realisation of the long term harmful effects of smoking you may decide to quit. With National No Smoking Day coming up on Wednesday 9 March, wouldn't it be great to have stopped by then?

But how do you take that first step? Firstly set yourself a date.

Make it 7 to 10 days in the future.

This is your Quit Date.

Leading up to this day keep a simple diary to record where, when and why you smoke. You'll be able to recognise your 'danger zones,' the circumstances that your mind now associates with smoking. This will enable you to change your routine or establish a means of distraction. The evening before clear away any smoking paraphernalia: you're now ready to stop.

But try to build in some new features to your life: • Exercise each day: even a 15minute walk will help you feel better and reduce cravings; • Get more sleep. If you're experiencing insomnia, try taking a long walk several hours before bed; • Find time to relax, read a good book, take a hot bath at the end of the day, whatever makes you feel good is a great choice; • Reward yourself at the end of every single smoke free day: you're doing a great job, so celebrate your victory eve ry single day.

If you feel overcome with the urge to smoke use the 5 D's:

Cancer support in Swindon The Swindon Cancer and Carers Support Group was formed seven years ago to provide help to sufferers of cancer and their carers and to support those who have lost someone to the disease.

Anyone affected is welcome to drop in to the Central Community Centre, Emlyn Square (next to the former Railway Museum) on Thursdays between 12noon and 4pm for a chat, companionship and support.

For more information call Beryl Bowles on 528636

1. Delay until the urge passes, usually just 3-5 minutes; 2. Distract yourself, call a friend or go for a walk; 3. Drink water to fight off cravings; 4. Take deep breaths - relax! Close your eyes and take 10 slow, deep breaths; 5. Discuss your feelings with someone close to you.

Some people find that using some form of nicotine replacement therapy, patches or gum, may help, particularly if they suffer from the physical symptoms of withdrawal like headaches, nausea, tiredness, change in bowel movements. However these often pass within 48 hours of the last cigarette.

For those who feel that the psychological symptoms of anxiety, depression, irritability and difficulty in concentrating are holding them back, then hypnotherapy may be the answer. This deals with smoking at a behavioural level, recognising it as a habit and allowing the individual to break the associations that their mind has made through repetitive tobacco use.

Make that commitment to stop today. Good luck!

• Hypnotherapist Andrew Hill from Middleleaze runs AH Associates. Tel: 873451.

• Other hypnotherapists who advertise in The Link: Sally Belcher on 875694 and Hilary Norris-Evans on 01249 740506. See page 33.

Daft people wanted Marie Cancer Care is desperate for help for its Great Daffodil Appeal in March - the charity's biggest annual fundraising event.

They are looking for people to take a box of daffodil pins to 'sell in schools or businesses for donations.

Anyone willing to organise events on their behalf should call Sophie Kinsman on 0117 924 7275.

•

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The Link Magazine • February 2005 13

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14 The Link Magazine • February 2005

Hreod celebrates inspection success Hreod Parkway School is free of educational supervision at last and is making good progress to become one of the best schools in Swindon following a week long Ofsted inspection in November. perAfter years of deterioa strong senior team has own ration and dif fi culty, the inspired a widespread form a n ce school was put into specommitment to im- and we were ,t cial measures in 2000 A 'S provement. Subject particularly /, t ,r- , 300 8 whichrequiredconsiderleaders are also effective. pleased that able work to rebuild the They understand and the ins peer_ staffingbody and give the Q . 3> , operate the school sys- tors endorsed school new direction and tems well." our own self 6Oy fO0A ®,ry ? purpose, closely moniInspectors applauded evaluation: ^OQ tored by Her Majesty's the imaginative links the they said we Inspectors. school has developed knew and The latest report recognises the with other agencies which it says were honest ti good progress at Hreod Parkway 'enable extensive support to be pro- about our since thelastHMlvisitin2002and vided' for pupils of all abilities. strengths and the increase in good and very good 'The school gives high priority weaknesses. teaching. Test results for 14 year to individual care. Extensive sup- This means Hreo^ ^oill be bidding to hecome a Science and MnNrernatics olds have a steady upward trend port is available through imagina- thatourplan- specialist school. Ms San, Rees Year 7 class make maths fun and GCSE results have continued tiveplanning,ensuringthatallpu- ning is well to rise since HMI named the school pils feel very well supported. The founded and we will not become report the problems we have with as one of the 100 most improved in induction arrangements for pupils complacent." poor accommodation so we are the UK in 2003. are so successful that pupils settle He added that the report reflects greatly looking forward to the The inspectors identified that quickly and are enthusiastic about how governors play a full part in opening of our new school on one 'parents express favourable views their new school.' monitoring progress and holding site in 2006," said Mr Fleet. "This of the school. It is increasingly The report states that the school the school to account. will give us state of the art facilipopular with them and is now 'makes very good provision for In February Hreod will submit a ties, a much greater sense of unity oversubscribed. They recognise the work-related learning and offers bid to become a Science and Math- and further means to success and important improvements that have very good opportunities for ac- ematics with Computing Special- widening opportunities for our been brought about in recent tivities beyond the school day.' ist College, whilst the emphasis pupils. The endorsement of Ofsted years.'

Over 1,000 pupils participate during 2005 will be a strong drive gives us confidence and a firm The report praises the good lead- each week in the after school classes on literacy, learning skills and fur- foundation from which to apership that has enabled the school and activities. ther building its ICT provision as proach these exciting future deto grow and flourish: 'The farHeadteacher Andrew Fleet, the next stage of further raising velopments." sighted leadership provided by the above, said, "the new emphasis by pupil achievement.

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The Link Magazine • February 2005 15

Re-organising primary schools in the West Being pro-active about change or letting unpopular schools wither The provision of primary school which schools might close to fund places is a problem all over Swin- the new-look extended schools. don forwhich the council is strug- Achieving a positive way forward gling to find solutions. depends on correct information beIn North Swindon there are not ing made available and consultaenough places in the locations peo- tion which is both meaningful and ple want them - not even for sib- relevant. lings - and as Alison Carr writes In January 500 parents attended on page 16, parents like her may be a meeting called by Westlea School forced to move an older child to governors incensed by a confidenanother school. tial but inaccurate education deIn West Swindon the baby boom partment report in late November is over. The good provision of to headteachers, outlining school places at 11 primary schools since reorganisation proposals.

Toothill School opened in 1978 has Parents expressed anger that now turned into surplus. The Westlea was being considered for number of empty places is pre- closure and vowed to defend it in dicted to rise to around 700 in 2009 every way possible. which means a lot of money being Deputy chair of governors Mick spent on maintaining unused class- Adams said the turnout was stagrooms. gering. "It showed the depth of

formed and everyone will have number of surplus places at each the opportunity to have their say school and gives options for the about the future of schools in West future, including taking no action.

Swindon. We look forward to hear- • Subject to the cabinet ratification ing the views of local people and on 2 February. displays and meetworking with them and the schools ings with parents are planned to to develop these exciting plans." take place at West Swindon pri• The report to the Education Partnership Board `/mproving Educat/on Prov/s/on In West Sw/ndon. explaining the extended school, can be found at www.swindon education.org.uk The report also sets out the

mary schools. Details had not been confirmed at the time of going to press. Contact your local primary school or go to the web site.

• Westlea School governors are organising another parents meeting for Tuesday 1 March. 7.15pm.

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Half of the packed hall of concerned parents at Westlea School on 11 January

At the same time Central Gov- feeling there is for Westlea School. ernment is requiring greater inte- Remove the mobile classrooms and gration between education, health the school does not have any surand social services, whilst want- plus places; I would argue it is a ing to see school use extended to good example of an extended provide more community facili- school serving its community.

"It really is appalling how this ties.

As school roles continue to fall, threat has come out, accompanied the council has difficult decisions by an aggressive time-scale for to make. It can be pro-active in change." taking new approaches to educaThe options in front of the countion and community development cil to alter West Swindon primary or allow some schools to wither school provision went to the Edubecause parents choose to send cation Partnership Board on 20 children elsewhere, eventually January which recommended to leading to closure. the council's cabinet which meets The December Link exclusively on 2 February that a process of outlined the radical plans Swin- formal consultation should start. don Council has in mind for priCoun Gary Perkins has sought mary schools described at the No- to calm parental fears. "We have vember West Swindon Area Fo- the potential to do some very exrum by cabinet lead member for citing things for schools in West education, councillor Gary Swindon, putting them right at the centre of community life and buildPerkins.

At the meeting Director of Edu- ing state of the art facilities for cation Hilary Pitts was nervous children. about admitting in public that re"This means some reorganisaducing surplus places and invest- tion and includes options for amaling in educational development gamation and possibly closure in could well mean some schools be- some cases.

"I appreciate that this creates ing closed.

The January Link reported the some uncertainty and anxiety but rumours and speculation circulat- I want to make it very clear that ing across West Swindon as to local people will be kept fully in-

16 The Link Magazine • February 2005

North siblings caught in catchment area chaos Parents who thought their younger children could attend Abbey Meads Primary School have been told by Swindon Council that the siblings will have to go elsewhere because there isn't enough space forthem. Alison Carr, soon to be a mother of four, has been arguing her case with Swindon Council education officers for months and has got North Swindon MP Michael Wills involved with little effect. She explains the problems

Lower Shaw Farm Children's Project holds its Annual General Meeting on Thursday 10 February, 10am at Lower Shaw Farm.

There will be a creche available, stricted. There will be no way I can walk between two schools in time, but please let us know if you wish to use it, together with a craft acwith a toddler and a baby.

The council tell me they provide tivity for adults.

All are welcome to attend, and after school clubs but when I stated that I couldn't afford them, they to put forward nominations for committee posts. For details call said, that 'it isn't their problem.'

How is a parent supposed to Andrea Hirsch on 771080 or mail: support their children if they are childrensproject@lowershawfarm.co.uk During the year the project runs split between different schools? under fives' sessions on the first There should be no question that my other three children will get Wednesday and Thursday morninto the school that my eldest son ing of the month. Activity days for is in. I have family and friends all older children take place during over the country and no-one can school holidays. believe the policy that our council Lower Shaw Farm has, a policy which is ruining fam- Childrens' February Events ily lives with unnecessary stress.

Family Activity Sessions Although we have involved Wednesday 2nd and Thursday 3rd Michael Wills to intervene our let10am to 12noon ters to him are returned with stock Fun onthefarmfor word processed answers from young children and s--' Swindon Council. their parents or Our main problem now is that carers. Follow the because the council slightly nature trail, feed LL y-^ amended the 2005 intake condithe hens and tions, giving a slightly higher pricollect the eggs, seasonal art and ority to siblings in changed catchcraft work. ments, all these people presume A snack is provided and you are they are 'safe' and so aren't acwelcome to bring a picnic lunch. In tively supporting us anymore. case of bad weather activities will be But they are not guaranteed inside. Suitable for children from two places at all, yet they seem to be and a half years, though younger very blase about it all. siblings can come too. Free, but The council may not put the places must be booked on 771080 same clause in place for the folHalf Term Activity Days lowing years as there won't be as for 5 to 12s many appeals as more children will Wednesday 16th & Thursday 17th have got into where they want. In £15. (Concessions available) Must short, for 2006 we're stuffed.

Siblings have to be the first pri- be booked on 771080 www.lowershawfarm.co.uk ority, above all others, whether they are in catchment or not, across the board, no messing about. Give us parents a break for once.

faced by parents in her position.

Up to 2002 we lived in Tracy Close, at the centre of Abbey Meads, close to Catherine Wayte Primary School.

We were told by Swindon Council that the catchment for the road was split between Catherine Wayte and Haydon-leigh primary schools and they could not advise us which one to apply to for our son James.

If you don't apply to your catchment school you get sent wherever there is a space.

So we decided to find a house in a definite catchment area. We moved to Ground-well West into the Abbey Meads School catchment in August 2002.

In May 2004 the council ch an ged the school boundaries putting us in the Penhill School catchment.

At the end of this year we have to apply for a school place for Samantha but have been told that

Children's Project meeting

Alison and Andrew Carr with James, Samantha and Toby

there will be no space at Abbey Meads School. James is settled there and will be entering Year 3 when Samantha starts school in 2006. We will have the same problem in 2008 for Toby and, as I am pregnant again, in 2009.

The situation is a nightmare for Get ready for parents and extremely stressful if another sale you are 6 months pregnant.

The ever-popular National ChildYou presume that once you get birth Trust (NCT) Nearly New one child into a school, the rest will Sale held last October proved to follow. Practically every council be yet another great success, in the country gives siblings first writes Jennifer Mallorie- priority even above catchment as Williams. they realise it is in the interest of Baby, childrens' and maternity the children. But our council does wear, toys, books and nursery not seem to think this is important. items were snapped up by satisAt the meeting in September fied bargain-hunters. called by MP Michael Wi ll s (reThe Swindon Branch of the NCT ported in the October Link), Ibrought would like to thank everybody this up but council officers could who supported the event which not give a satisfactory answer as to raised over £4,000 towards the why they do not do the same as training of antenatal teachers and every other council. help fund local services for parAs a soon to be one car family, ents and parents-to-be. my movement will be severely reThe next Nearly New Sale at the Scallywags Parent & Toddler Group meets on Oasis Leisure Centre takes place Tuesdays, 10am to 11.30am, at Abbey Meads Primary School on Saturday 16 April. Information about sellers' packs will appear in To join call Catherine Wallace on 723460 the March Link.

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The Link Magazine • February 2005 17

Don't mess with our futures Parents of toddlers in Westlea have reacted angrily to the hint that their community primary school could be in line for closure in a reorganisation by Swindon Council.

Little Hands, which meets in the attends and I want my daughter to community room at Westlea go there as well. I'll be joining any School asked The Link to promote protest to block closure for sure."

Group coordinator Michelle their concern that their pre-school children may not have a school to McCarthy said she could have sent her children to Holy Rood School go to in a few years time.

Mum Kate Hill said she attended but chose Westlea. "It has a good the school as a child in the early reputation and is the centre of our 1980s. "I live in Westlea because I community. It cannot close."

There is currently a waiting list wanted my own children to go to the school because it provides an to join Little Hands. For details call excellent education. My son now Michelle 873358.

No to closure say Little Hands

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1 8 The Link Magazine • February 2005

Protect your property against burglars

W INTED

A spate of burglaries in Sparcells during the late afternoon at the beginning of the year has highlighted

Link Mach ctzine

the need to take steps to make homes more secure. Robert Walton from the Swindon Police crime prevention department offers up some tips on how to make it more difficult for burglars.

d istribu4ors Sl

Ramleaze Freshbrook - Crawford/ Cottington area

Most burglaries are committed by opportunist criminals. So the first advice is not to present them with an opportunity, Alwayscloseandlockdoorsand windows - even if you are 'just popping out' and are 'only going to be a minute:' the burglar needs less than a minute.

Make sure that all your doors and windows are fitted with sub stantial locks. Insurance compavies will insist on a minimum standard of security, so ensure you comply because any claim following a burglary may be affected.

All ground floor and other ac-

low to reduce places of concealment.

Make sure that access to rear gardens is restricted by good fencing and a gate that can be (and is) locked when you are out.

Invest in security lighting at the front and rear to deter potential criminals.

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We get far more reports of burglaries to sheds and garages than to dwellings. They also often contain ladders and tools that a burglar will use to break into your home. Make sure they are as secure as possible.

In short, do as much possible to foil the opportunist thief.

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The perimeter of a house is important. Shrubbery and plants in

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Burglar alarms are affordable and effective.

If you have a computer, top of the range plasma television or other goods that may attract a villain, don't position them where

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THE LINK MAGAZINE'S GUIDE TO WHAT'S ON IN AND AROUND SWINDON

Lydiard's X-rated poet, pornographer and scandal monger who ripped through Royal circles Emma Valentine says the forthcoming film The Libertine. starring Johnny Depp as the 17th Century rake Lord Rochester in the court of Charles II. will reveal a different side to the history of Lydiard House and also a different meaning to the word restoration Johnny Depp will be remembered for two starring roles in 2005. At the end of July he will appear in a truly sticky role as Willy Wonker in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.

But sometime this Spring he will be revealed as Swindon's first and perhaps only public lecher when he portrays one of Lydiard's most notorious family members, John Wilmot. 2nd Earl of Rochester.

TheLibertinetells the story of this infamous 17th Century poet. famed for his excessive drinking and wild behaviour that scandalised the corrupt and debauched court of King Charles II. Wilmot was typical of his ti me: a courtier in fashionable Restoration society, a skilled poet who served as a model for countless witty young rakes in Restoration comedy. Born in 1647 to Anne, daughter of Sir John St John of Lydiard. and Henry Actor Jon as Rochester in front of John Wilmot. a Royalist General Riley s portrait of Rochester during the under Charles I. Rochester Swindon Festival of Literature 2003 arrived at the court of Charles II at the age of 17 and quickly set Samuel Johnson, the 18th Centhe pace for the band of wits, who turywritersummed up Rochester's surrounded the king. life so: "With an avowed contempt His fine poetry won him acclaim. of decency and order, a total disrethough the explicit nature and lewd gard to every moral, and a resolute content of verses also drew deri- denial of every religious observasion. Rochester also started to at- ti on, he lived worthless and usetract a reputation for hard drinking less and blazed out his youth and and wild behaviour. He was even health in lavish voluptuousness.'

A portrait of John Wilmot hangs banished from court at one point after mistakenly - possibly drunk- in the dining room at Lydiard House enly - handing King Charles some along with other members of the St coarse lines on the king himself John family, who lived through the instead of a lampoon on ladies. social and political upheavals of Eventually his career plummeted the English Civil War and Restorainto illness and depression. He fell tion period. Inside St Mary's out with his friend John Dryden. the Church. there is a statue of greatest poet of the age. and was Rochester's mother. Anne. as a embroiled in fights and lawsuits. girl kneeling at the foot of her faNever robust in health, Rochester ther. Sir John St John, in his mardied in 1680, at the age of 33. ble tomb.

• The Libertine, directed by Law- I rence Dunmore. is provisionally i slated for release towards the end of May. Depp is supported by John Malkovich and Johnny Vegas.

Penguin Books will be publishing an uncensored collection of Rochester's licentious poems to coincide with the film.

Lydiard House is open daily.

Seven state rooms complete with original furnishings and family portraits. provide a unique insight into the people of Lydiard. For details, call 770401.

Do you want to make a difference to people's lives?

Do you enjoy working in the community?

Do you value quality training and support?

Do you have your own motor transport?

We are looking for

very special people to join our team of Care Assistants to undertake regular work evenings, weekends and early mornings.

Swindon Carers Centre 1 Wood Street Swindon SN1 4AN

Telephone (01793) 542285 for an application pack

All That Jazz Saturday 19th February at 8pm Tickets £13.50 Excellent live musicians and amazing dancers, the cast will 'razzledazzle" with exciting renditions of jazz and popular favourites from top musical shows and fil ms of all time.

An Evening vith Jane McDonald Monday 28th February at 8pm Tickets £19.50 The sensational Jane McDonald comes to the Wyvern Theatre with a brand new show — a breathtaking trip though the songs of the great female stylist.

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It seems the word is out. Authors are saying: I'm a celebrity! Get me into the Swindon Festival of Literature writes festival director Matt Holland.

Following last May's exceptionally successful eleventh festival, plans are now well advanced for the twelfth, from 1 to 15 May Authors and speakers already booked to appear include establi shed names from the world of literature and also from politics, entertainment, and television.

Among those coming to town in May, with new books and celebrity looks, will be Swindon boy made good, Julian Clary. with his autobiography A Young Man sPassage: trigger-happy television trickster Dom Joly, with his mischievouslytitled book LookatNleLookatMe: outspoken politician Clare Short; BBC news correspondent Fergal Keene: a QC who dares see what's right and wrong with the law Helena Kennedy: columnist Max Hastings: BBC garden history expert Jane Owen: bright-tied newscaster and author Jon Snow: very popular novelist Katie Fforde: TV impressionist and raconteur Alistair McGowan; brain expert Professor Steven Rose: and man of moral mazes and televisual 999 calls Michael Buerk.

Also appearing will be a good number of literary thoroughbreds.

These include, all the way from Canada, Orange Prizewinner Anne Michaels; revered veteran artist, writer, and thinker John Berger; prizewinning novelist and television personality David Baddiel; sports and birds-writing man of letters Simon Barnes: bookish professor Lisa Jardine; Guardian lifeguide Guy Browning; and columnist and sometime philosopher Michael Bywater.

Negotiations are still underway with ex-Mirror media man Piers Morgan, astronomer royal Sir Martin Rees, film maker John Pilger; sometime politician, novelist, and celebrity Anne Widdicombe: columnistand man abouttown Simon Hoggart; and, by way of somebody completely different, Michael Eavis. founder of the Glastonbury Festival with a book on its history.

Of course, in true Swindon Festival of Literature tradition, it will not just be famous names that make this a highspot on the town's cultural calendar. During the 15 days of the festival, described by Mo Mowlam as the best-organised festival in the country,' there will also be the seventh Clive Brain Memorial Lecture, the eighth Poems & Pints, the now nationallyfamous Swindon Performance Poetry Slam competition, a Chil-

dren and Families Day, plus a wide range of literary talks. discussions, and readings at theatres, arts venues. libraries, schools, pubs, parks. and, new this year, the old railway museum.

Festival frolics begin in Lawn Woods, overlooking Queen's Drive, at 5.30am on Sunday 1 May, with the ever-popular Dawn Chorus, where early birds gather for a spring carnival of poetry, song, storytelling, dance, and hot breakfasts, plus a good deal of May Day morning mischief.

Jane Owen, to/king about garden design at L ydiard House on 2 May The festival's profile and reputation continues to grow. Each year it attracts bigger names and a larger following. At every level, it has become a fantastic celebration for Swindon of things well written and things well said. People of all ages and backgrounds have avery good ti me. They get together, meet authors. join in lively talk, explore new ideas, and even have a laugh.

It is all very exciting.

The 2005 Swindon Festival of Literature has been made possible by funding from the Arts Council of England South West, whose support represents recognition of what has been achieved in literature development in Swindon.

Financial support is also provided by Dominic Winter Book Auctions. Swindon Borough Council. the University of Bath in Swindon. Swindon Learning Partnership and Lower Shaw Farm. Support in kind is received from numerous other local and national organisations and individuals. including The Link.

It is heartening that all these people see the value of a festival of literature in Swindon.

The festival programme is published in March. To go on the festival mailing list, call 771080 or mail: swindonlitfest@lowershaw farm.co.uk

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The precise amount will depend on your circumstances but we estimate it would be f350 which can be included within the loan amount

You tell us what your requirements are and we will try to provide the arrangements to suit your needs.

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Swindc r Wide

22

Are we going to be safer in a Bush second term?

George W. Bush's burning vision for his version of 'freedom and democracy' around the globe has already profoundly affected the world. His zeal is undimmed says former Greendown School and Swindon College student Alex Ogle, who was given secret service clearance to cover the swearing in of the 16th two-term president of the United States on 20 January, in the American capital for his university newspaper.

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Though Bush's first term officially ended at midday, he began his second term four minutes before noon in front of half a million people gathered in the bitter cold in front of the Capitol, stretching almost a mile away down the Mall to the Washington Monument.

As the first inauguration since the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, miles of metal barricades enclosed the vicinity of the Capitol building. Snipers lined rooftops, and thousands of armed police and bomb-sniffing dogs were stationed around the surrounding snowtopped landscape.

Standing on the steps of the Capitol, Bush recited the 35 word inaugural oath that every president since George Washington has taken, following the frail-looking William Rehnquist, 80, the Chief Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court.

Rehnquist, who has been suffering

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Maria Braechel, a student in Washington D.C., complained about what she believed were inconsistencies in the speech. "He is really just contradicting himself when he is talking about freedom, because he has been taking freedom away from all Americans and others around the world.

"I go to school here in D.C., and the public schools are terrible. The U.S. is falling apart, and he is talking about 'prosperity'?"

There were no major crowd disturbances as Bush spoke. The few people who had brought signs held Alex Og/e, arriving at the them up to steely-eyed Capitol to report the stares from the president's president's inauguration supporters. Keith Nelson from Washington simply wandered silently in and out of the crowd, holding aloft a placard that read: 'Same old Cold War oildependent logic.'

The president cited Lincoln, drawing upon the words of the 16th president of the United States, who made his first inaugural speech 144 years The president's address focused ago. on foreign policy and he made "The rulers of outlaw regimes sweeping pledges for a greater can know that we still believe as role for the United States around Abraham Lincoln did," Bush said. the globe.

"Those who deny freedom to oth"The best hope for peace ... is ers deserve it not for themselves; the expansion of freedom in all the and, under the rule of a just God, world ... we have proclaimed the cannot long retain it." imperative of self-government, "By our efforts, we have lit a fire because no one is fit to be a master a fire in the minds of men." and no one deserves to be a slave."

"It warms those who feel its In the crowd Dave Whitt, who power. It burns those who fight its works at the Pentagon, was in- progress. And one day this unspired by Bush's words. "It is what tamed fire of freedom will reach I was expecting him to say. How- the darkest corners of our world." ever, although it is good to say Observers outside America will these things, it is much harder to either feel assured by the rightdo than say. It is the challenge to eous proclamations, or fear what make it happen." is to come.

Whitt said he appreciated the Be%w : one ofthe minority/r7 Washpresident's continual references to ington who came to protest oppoGod, and the reaffirmation of God's sition to American foreign policy place in the legacy of the United States: "From the day of ourfounding, we have proclaimed that every man and woman on this earth has rights and dignity and matchless value, because they bear the image of the maker of heaven and Earth."

Iraq was not mentioned, but Bush implied a response to critics of his administration's foreign policy.

"Some, I know, have questioned the global appeal of liberty ... though this time in history, four decades defined by the swiftest advance of freedom ever seen, is an odd time for doubt." from thyroid cancer was making his first public appearance in three months. Now fitted with an artificial larynx following a tracheotomy. every few words were interrupted by the sound of a respirator that reverberated around the Mall from a multitude of loudspeakers.

The loud rasping prompted one youngster in the crowd to comment that the arch-conservative judge, appointed by the Republican President Richard Nixon in the early 1970s, sounded like the dark lord of the Star Wars fantasies, Darth Vader.

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Without doubt the Link Centre was ahead of its time, but then Thamesdown Council. as Swindon was then known, was in front of other local authorities in terms of recreation, arts, culture and community development.

The West Swindon District Centre had been zoned for commercial and recreation purposes in the master plan for the western development of the town which had commenced in 1974 when the first infrastructure was built.

When the shopping centre site jointly owned by the council and private developers Bradleys, was bought by Carrefour, councillors were already committed to spending the council's share of the income on a major recreation and community facility on a large section of the district centre site.

Inspirational for putting ideas in front of councillors were the Director of Arts & Recreation Denys Hodson and Recreation Officer Graham Swatton. Stitching together the land deals across West Swindon was the council's Project Development Officer Ken Hislop who was told bluntly at local consultation meetings in 1983 by people who had moved into West Swindon in the previous seven years that they were not happy with the

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proposal for a grandiose building when the promised permanent community centres were nowhere to be seen.

Community buildings were quickly added to the package of facilities to be developed. Toothill and Freshbrook community centres at their respective village centres opened in September 1984 and the converted and extended Upper Shaw Farm. to serve Westlea and Shaw, opened in March 1985.

tremendous pressure to build e quickly as possible and we used number of innovative building tech niques. With inflation running at 1 to 20 per cent - unheard of today the budgetwould havedisappeare very quickly. Consequently we wet for a very fast design and constru( ti on scheme; designing the detail whilst the building was going ut which is why the Link is the shap and form it is. " We had an international team c consultants involved in different at

But the big excitement was the opening of the Link Centre at the end of April 1985 with an evening at the ice rink for the people of West Swindon.

The second stage of the huge project - the library, community suite, arts/drama studios, swimming pool,snooker hall, health and fitness suite and sports hall - were opened in May and June.

The name for the leisure centre came from a competition. Ostensibly open and transparent, in fact we at the magazine were asked to submit a suggestion that the building be called Link Centre to reflect all the different features to be found there. Confusion as to who had the name first has reigned ever since.

Nigel Honer, the council's assistant chief architect in charge of the project, said the building of the Link broke new ground in all directi ons.

Now principal at his Bristol based Bruges Tozer Partnership practice, he recalls that the decision to incorporate so many different uses under one roof was a huge commitment by the council. "There was a

pects of the project, built by Bovi: Construction, with the borough ar chitects department undertakin( the co-ordination and design. Th( roof was erected first, held up b' four central pillars and support; around the perimeter so that therf was dry environment to build, at well as creating very large space: for the final use.

Nigel recalls a major problem it the very early stages of construc ti on when a known geological arte Sian well under the site turned ou to be a lot bigger than expected

2F !re centrem arks zu years ' life, opened twenty years ago in April and in a series of articles on the building, we look back on how it came about The piles being driven into the ground for the central support just kept on going.

The solution was to increase he number of piles from six o ten per column after the oof was built.

Nigel is proud of another nnovation. "Refrigerating he ice rink and warming the wimming pool demand a of of energy so we commisioned a new kind of heat xchange system, one of the irst of its kind in the world nd the first time the equipent had been installed in ritain. Consequently the entre won a string of en-

Nigel is not impressed by the suggestion by some within Swindon Council that Link Centre should be closed to save money. or perhaps replaced on another site using private finance initiative funding. "Thamesdown Council hadtremendous foresight to build such an all-encompassing building. At the ti me £9 million, including the community centres, was a lot, but the tax payers of Swindon got a very good deal. To replace the facilities on offer would probably cost ten

ti mes that amount.

"Link Centre has a lot of life left in it, though equipment needs to be

rgy saving awards."

Nigel recalls an engineer from exas was called in when the ice rink was being built to ensure an y en temperature across the ice u rf ace, whilst the heat exchange

ing. But youth anti-social behaviour caused major problems. resulting in a change of designation and use of security officers to restrict entry where necessary. equipment came from Japan with The ice rink doors opened to the public just eighteen months after instructions in French. planning permission was given, a The fire officer at the time made severe demands on the design remarkable achievement given the architects and engiteam to create separate neers were working on areas in the building, as Competition well as a requirement to the details as building Guess how many evacuate 3.000 people was going on. and the within three minutes. people use Link Centre problems with the founeve ry year? dations.

This added considerable Send your entries to Nigel is keen to point cost, such as the fire The Link on page 4 by out that Link Centre safety glass between the 14 Februa ry. mall and the sports hall. owes little to Lord NorPrize: a unique photograph man Foster's much pubAnother problem never Lin k C e s over adequately dealt with li cised Renault distribuLin Centre' Link tion centre on Mead was reducing the effect Way, under a mile away. "The of noise between different parts of Renault building is much smaller the building. and full of columns which makes The council required an open internal use difficult. Our task was access building and for the first few years The Mall was part of the to create large spaces in the most public highway through the buildcost effective way. Link Centre is very flexible in that the walls do not U support the roof so it is relatively straightforward to rebuild or refurbish different parts.

"I think the building looks well for its age. considering the number of people who use it, though it needs cleaning and some of the cladding could be replaced. I'm surprised by how little has changed: I'm sorry the arts suite was closed, but it reflects changing current interests, oIflA { towards West Swindon tv Ridge as construction of gets underway

I can see why the space is now a gym and I like how the climbing area has been developed and integrated into the sports hall."

upgraded in line with current requirements and any building should be properly maintained to avoid unnecessary deterioration. Per-

haps it is because they are taken for granted. but I don't think people realise how much Link Centre and the council's other recreation faciliti es enrich the Swindon community."

• Link Centre and the West Swindon library are planning a series of events and displays to mark the twentieth anniversary.

• What are your memories of the Link Centre? Contact The Link magazine. Address on page 4.

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Comedy

Music

Thursday 10th, 8pm

Tuesday 1st,8pm 3 Men + Black! Revisit the music and influences of some of the leading musical innovators of the late 70s and 80s with this acoustic supergroup. £15 Wyvern

The

Worst Jobs in History.

Tony

Robinson talks about his life and describes

some of The Worst Jobs in History - the subject of his Channel 4 series. £15 Wyvern Thursday 10th, 8pm Ed Byrne: Me Again. More Irish blarney-with-charm with Ed Byrne's blend of edgy and incisive stand-up show. £12.50. Arts Centre Thursday 10th. 7.30pm Jim's Blue Christmas. Jim Davidson plus special guest live and uncensored. Adults only. £20.50/£19.

Oasis Leisure Centre Monday 14th, 8pm Jack Dee. Join the nation's bestloved deadpan comedian as he takes you through life's pet hates. £22.50.

Wyvern Wednesday 16th. 8pm Roy Hudd's Exceedingly Entertaining Evening. A one-man cavalcade of stories. songs. monologues and impressions. £14. Wyvern

Thursday 3rd, 8pm The King of Swing featuring the music of Frank Sinatra. Tony Bennett.

Dean Martin, Nat King Cole and more. £16.50. Wyvern Thursday 3rd, 8pm Paul and the King Snakes

Friday 4th. 7.30pm Think Floyd - the Spring of 05 tour.

All the atmosphere. visual magnitude and musical excellence of Pink Floyd recreated onstage. £12 Wyvern Saturday 5th, 7.30pm Cor Godre'r Aran and Swindon Male Voice Choir. Presented by Swindon Male Voice Choir. Cor Godre'r Aran. one of UK's finest Male Voice Choirs, is making a special appearance in Swindon. £10 Wyvern

Think Floyd. Friday 4th, Wyvern

Saturday 5th, 8pm Uiscedwr. Traditional music with Friday 11th, 7.30pm li vely playful rhythms from the folk At the Drop of a Hippopotamus. band that won the Radio 2 Young An evening of Flanders and Swann Folk Award in 2002. £10. Arts Centre with their wonderful songs including The Hippopotamus Song. The Gas Monday 7th, 7.30pm Man Cometh, The Gnu Song and The Big Chris Barber Band. Over more. £10. Wyvern the years Chris Barber has influenced many leading jazz and blues music- Saturday 12th, 7.30pm ians: this concert features his eleven Romance in Vienna. The grace and piece band playing a wide selection romance of late 19th Century Vienna of his favourite music. £16. Wyvern is brought to life in this enchanting soiree. featuring soloists from Tuesday 8th, 7.30pm Recently inducted into the British Fairport Convention. The winter national and international opera Blues Awards Hall of Fame. Paul tour repertoire mixes long-estab- companies. £14. Wyvern Lamb is one of our foremost blues li shed favourites and brand new Tuesday 15th, 7.30pm harmonica players. £14. Arts Centre material from their latest album. £16. Colin Blunstone and Rod Argent The Zombies. The duo are together Friday 4th, 8pm Wyvern again with Argent's bassist. Jim Jah Wobble. wild punk and reggae Friday 11th. 7.30pm maestro is now a reformed family An Evening with Alan Price. Alan Rodford. his son Steve and guitarist man with an interest in spirituality Price recalls over 40 years of a Mark Johns. to celebrate their songs and a BA in music philosophy. As charmed musical life, in his own once more. £16 Arts Centre bass supremo he continues an words and with all that memorable Thursday 17th, 8pm Whole Lotta Led featuring all the extended tour with his English Roots music. £16. Arts Centre Zeppelin classics. £12 Wyvern Band. £16. Arts Centre

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On in Februcry Friday 18th, 7.30pm Symphony Bournemouth Orchestra play Mozart Symphony No. 38 Prague. Mozart Violin Concerto No. 1. Mozart Symphony No. 40. £18.50. Wyvern Saturday 19th, 8pm All That Jazz. Led by the versatile vocal talent of Mark Rattray. with his excellent live musicians and amazing dancers. £13.50. Wyvern Sunday 20th, 7.30pm Swindon Recital Series: Sacha Johnson, betowright (vibraphone/ marimba) and Paul Turner (piano). present a concert with a fusion of diverse musical influences, including classical, jazz and world music.

Afternoon: £5; evening. £10. Arts Centre. To book call 612775 only Monday 21st, 2pm The Dreamzone Tour from Dream Concerts. Pop, Sk8ter, Dance, RNB, Busted and Mcfly all in one chart packed concert. £750. Wyvern Tuesday 22nd, 8pm Mountain. This legendary powerrock band made their electrifying debut at the Woodstock Festival in 1969. Join original members, guitarist Leslie West and drummer Corky Laing, plus bass guitarist Richie Scarlet for a night of high-energy rock. £20. Arts Centre Wednesday 23rd, 7.30pm Sing-a-long-a ABBA. With a live band on stage. a party bag for

everyone, fancy dress and the big screen with lyrics. £15 Wyvern Thursday 24th, 2.30pm Bee & Bustle Old Time Music Hall.

The Bee & Bustle company with an afternoon of Victorian and Edwardian music hall entertainment. £B Wyvern Thursday 24th, 7.30pm Pluck. This inventive trio - a cellist.. violinist and viola player entertain with their infectious antics and superb musicianship. £12 Arts Centre Friday 25th, 8pm Aynsley Lister. A young English blues guitarist with his three strong band. £12. Arts Centre Friday 25th, 8pm Complete Madness. Go One Step Beyond and enter the world of Complete Madness, as the unique sound of Suggs and his band is recaptured and brought to the stage. £13.50. Wyvern Saturday 26th, 8pm Juliet Turner. An Irish singer who draws on musical influences as diverse as reggae and jazz. £10. Arts Centre Sunday 27th, 8pm That'll Be The Day. Over 100 hits, bringing back the good times of the 50s, 60s and 70s. £17 Wyvern Monday 28th, 8pm You Belong To Me - An Evening with Jane McDonald. A breathtaking trip through the songs of the great female stylists. £19.50. Wyvern

Children and Family Events Tuesday 1st, 10.30am The Calculating Mister One. A musical comedy whodunit based on the Maths curriculum for 4 - 11 year olds. presented by Quantum Theatre. £5 Arts Centre Saturday 12th. 11am 4pm In The Wild Woods.

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For ages 5-11 . £4. Swindon Museum and Art Gallery Sunday 20th, 3pm Swindon Recital Series: Sacha Johnson

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bring your shakers and tambourines. £5 Arts Centre. To book call 612775 only Saturday 26th, 1 pm & 3.30pm Tractor Tom. Brave and resourceful, Tractor Tom saves the day. but with heaps of fun and adventure along the way. For 3 - 7 year olds. £8.

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Dance Organised by The Moloney School of /rish Dancing in association with The Pilgrim Trust Seamus Moore and his JCB Band plus support, Riky Denham Exhibition of Irish Dancing Saturday 19 February, 8pm Late bar to lam Thistle Hotel, Fleming Way For tickets. £8. call 642368 Proceeds to taking local disabled children to Lourdes at Easter

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SWindGr Wide What's On in Febri ry

Exhibitions Swindon Museum & Art Gallery 1940s: art for a new world As Britain commemorates the 60th anniversaries of D-Day and V.E. Day, Swindon Art Gallery celebrates the establishment of the Swindon Collection of Modern British Art in the same years (1944 - 1945).

Swindon Museum & Art Gallery From Saturday 5th Nature for all An exhibition celebrating the variety and importance of the natural world, as seen in and around Swindon. Find out about the local nature reserves and ranger service.

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Arts Centre Tuesday 1st to Saturday 26th Ray Hedger: Paintings and Works on Paper A unique chance to see Ray Hedgers vibrant semi-abstract paintings and life drawings in the town where he was born. Last seen here over 30 years ago.

Wyvern, Lower Foyer Until Saturday 5th Nicola Scott: Collectives Figurative paintings isolate a particular moment, and translate it into a form the viewer can identify with.

Film

Tuesday 1st, 7.45pm Inside I'm Dancing (15) 'East is East' director Damian r_ O'Donnell's engaging tale stars James McAvoy and Steven Robertson as two wheelchair bound Dubli ners, who want independence.

Romola Garai excels as the young woman they hire as their PA. £4. Arts Wyvern, Lower Foyer Centre From Tuesday 8th Wednesday 2nd, 7.45pm Royal Photographic Society The Miracle of Bern (PG) Digital Imaging Group A collection of innovative digital Set against the grim background of 1 950s post-war German, this photography from the RPS. unashamedly feelgood film charts Great Western Hospital West Germany's unexpected win in John Hodder: Light on the Land the 1954 World Cup through the eyes Travel, memories and inspirations. of 11 year old Mathias. Subtitled in a series of abstract landscapes Swindon Fi/rn Society inspired by travels round Britain and Monday 7th & Tuesday 8th, 7.45pm the American Wilderness, Super Size Me (1 2A) After hearing of two girls suing McDonald's over their obesity, Morgan Spurlock resolves to eat Friday 25 February, 7.30pm National Parks by Mervyn Silver nothing but McDonald s food for a from the Friends of National Parks. month. From the Michael Moore £3/54.50. Swindon Museum & Art School of documentaries, this will amuse and appal in turn. £4. Arts Gallery Centre Wednesday 16th, 7.45pm The Return (12A) A gruff dominating father returns home after an unexplained absence of 12 years, and takes his two boys on a fishing trip - but what is he really up to? Subtitled. Swindon Film Society Tuesday 22nd, 2pm Shark Tale (PG) The story of a little fish who tells a lie

Talks

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NEW SEASON OPENS ON 12th FEBRUARY Sevenhampton, Nr Highworth, Swindon Tel: 01793 763939 Map: www.rovesfarm.co.uk Open every day during school holidays and Friday, Saturday and Sundays during term time, 10.30am - 5.00pm Season tickets available

* New big bale straw stack & brand new willow village * Meet and feed the animals * Tractor and trailer rides & electric tractors * Take a stroll around our 7 different nature trails * Animal racing at weekends * Adventure play area, giant sandpit & bouncy castle * The largest living willow maze in the world! * Indoor heated toddlers soft play & sandpit * Crafty half hour * Granary Tea Rooms - homemade cakes!

BARN DANCES & WEDDING RECEPTIONS CHILDREN'S BIRTHDAY PARTIES

wants in life - fame, fortune, respect and even love. But the good life is right in front of him: he just doesn't see it. £4. Wyvern Wednesday 23rd, 7.45pm Intimate Strangers (15) Abeautiful, nervous woman mistakes a staid, lonely tax advisor for a psychiatrist and confides in him about her awful love life. Subtitled Swindon Film Society Swindon Film Society All films are shown at the Arts Centre: tickets are notsotdinadvance: society leaflets are available at the Arts Centre, join when,ourchasing tickets.

Theatre Saturday 12th, 7.30pm The Vagina Monologues presented

by Old Town Theatre Company. As part of the V-Day 2005 world-wide campaign to stop violence against women and girls, OTTC present Eve Ensler's polemical, poetical play.

Contains sexual references and strong language. All proceeds to local women's charities. £8.50. Arts Centre Thursday 17th to Sat 19th, 7pm Swindon One Act Play Festival.

Contact Arts Centre booking office for details.

Monday 21st, 8pm The Gospel of Matthew. In 70AD the Romans sacked Jerusalem. killing a million Jews, after insurgents resisted the occupation of Judeah.

The Gospel of Matthew was written, an account of the life and teachings of Jesus as inspiring, terrifying and challenging today as it was then.

George Dillon delivers his own translation with original music and video in this powerful solo performance, acclaimed by critics and audiences alike. £10. Arts Centre.

Dance Friday 11th, 7.45pm Hotel choreographed by Fleur Darkin. An exploration of the underworld of casual labour and economic migration. Hotel isthestory of hiding things in public places. £8.50. Town Hall Studios Thursday 17th and Friday 18th,

7.45pm

A selection of dance work on tour in 2005. A mix of solos and company pieces made for the small scale stage, touring regionally and nationally. £6/ £4. Town Hall Studios Friday 25th, 7.45pm Electric Tales. An irresistible blend of stand-up comedy, dance and physical theatre, devised by Tom Roden and Pete Shenton. £8.50.

Town Hall Studios

Venues Arts Centre. Devizes Road.

Tel: 614837 Oasis Leisure Centre. Tel: 445401 STEAM - Museum of the Great Western Railway Kemble Drive. Tel: 466655 Swindon Museum & Art Gallery Bath Road. Tel: 466556 Town Hall Studios. Tel: 463210 Westonbirt School. Tetbury, Glos. Tel: 01666 880333 West Swindon Library.

Link Centre. Tel: 465555 Wyvern Theatre. Tel: 524481 Confirm date, time and price

with the venue

SwirdGr Wide

29

WOODLANDS EDGE PEATMOOR OPENING NIGHT In . li

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Friday 4th February, 7pm Food served from Saturday 5th February - ---

Nick. Shelagh and sta ff would like to welcome you to the newly refurbished Woodlands Edge. Located in Peatmoor. West Swindon, the Woodlands Edge is all you could want from a traditional English pub.

We are ideally placed for all amenities and shops or as a refreshing port of call for those on a working lunch break. Here you will find an attractive decor and a congenial atmosphere, whether you are seeking a bite to eat. a quiet pint. the big game on TV or our spacious lounge area.

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British Heart Foundation Fundraiser Sunday 13th February, 12 noon to 10.30pm Fancy dress - doctors & nurses theme - disco. karaoke, kids fanc y dress competition

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5wirkkr Wide Roves Farm makes early start to tourist season with half term opening

The doors at Roves Farm will be bursting with half term holiday fun from Saturday 12 February.

Whatever the weather,, Roves Farm has a lot on offer for all ages. The tractor rides around the farm are a delight with so much wildlife to look out for.

And with a huge area under cover in the farm barns, children are able to let off steam. Not only are there newborn lambs to bottle feed, always a great favourite, there's also a brand new big bale straw stack to explore.

Roves Farm is open every day during the holidays, then on Fridays. Saturdays and Sundays until the Easter break when the doors open every Farmer Rupert Burr day. www.rovesfarm.co.uk of Roves Farm

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Zeeks aims to put Swindon on musical map

A musician from Middleleaze has set himself on the path to global dominance with the launch of his music production company Catchy Creations on 28 January.

Ezekial Whyte, 26, aka Zeeks.

E-Ki// or Phi//y is a man of many parts. Registered disabled from a childhood injury, father of two.

Zeeks runs a successful massage therapy business and can be found working out in the Link gym. But music is his passion and he has been building the Catchy Creations idea for a couple of years.

He said, "I've been writing songs and poetry for a long time, played different instruments from a young age and performed with several bands, and this leads to my unique sound. My roots are in reggae and ragga. but I take in a wide range of genres including jazz.

The tracks I played at last year's Swindon Afro-Caribbean Carnival went down well and my CD has had airplay on several radio stations like Passion fm in Bristol and Blues & Vibe fm in London."

Members of Zeeks family are involved in sound systems, playing instruments and singing. It's given him the confidence for live performance and encouraged him to move towards production of other artists through Catchy Creations.

Over the last year he has completed an Advanced Music Technology course to take him to the leading edge of sound production.

Zeeks is also committed to making an impact in the community. In October 2003 he was stage manager for / memba when, the successful production atthe Arts Centre by Swindon's black community for Black History Month and plans

to make his skills available to others.

"There is a lack of avenues for young black people to express themselves through music," said Zeeks. "There is so much creativity out there but without an outlet young blacks can get involved in the negative issues of crime. prison and repeat offending. I've been in prison in the past but I'm one of the fortunate ones, my music gave me an outlet and I want Catchy to set a positive standard for younger unfocussed minds and give them inspiration to succeed."

In between producing his own material and others' in the Catchy stable of artists, Zeeks is keen to set up workshops with youth organisations and schools.

Zeeks can be contacted on 07821 216077 or mail: catchy creations@hotmail.com www.catchycreations.co.uk

Tenth year gala for music group Here's your chance to perform Wrougton based Opus One vocal entertainment group celebrates its tenth year with cabaret evenings from 7 to 9 May and they're on the look out for performers to join them.

Over the last ten years Opus has performed all kinds of popular music at venues around the town and staged five full musicals at Ellendune Community Centre.

Proceeds from Fiddler on the Roof, South Pacific, Oklahoma, The Scarlet Pimpernel, and Hello. Dolly have raised significant donations for local charities.

The cabaret will feature solo and group singing as well as comedy and drama performances.

Anyone interested in auditioning for Opus One is invited to a rehearsal on Mondays, 7.30pm. in the Wroughton Working Men's Club.

Opus are also looking for an assistant accompanist to play for occasional rehearsals and concerts.

Musical and production directors Sandra Burchell and Bob Hills can be contacted on 814877.

The Link Magazine • February 2005

Twin town hockey tour open to all There's a chance to get a taste of Torun in the company of other towns people when Swindon Junior Ice Hockey Club under 16s squad make a trip to Swindon's newest twin town for an international tournament over the weekend of 17 to 21 March.

The club is inviting independent travellers who want to sample Polish culture to join the party.

Severalpeople, including ex-major Stan Pajak, are committed to the trip. Apart Ready to tour: Swindon Junior Ice Hockey Club under 16s from booking your own Easyjet flight, other year. The trip in March will be the and the players are really keen transport arrangements, hotels and largest band of Swindonians to about travelling to Poland to enjoy a great hockey and cultural experitours of Torun will be made for make the trip.

Junior ice hockey supporter Pete ence. you.

"Torun was founded in 1233 and This is a good opportunity to Cejer, said the club, which has five discover a beautiful city with an teams based at Link Centre, has nowadays is a thriving commerancient history, now linked to been awarded 'Best Junior Devel- cial city. But for the visitor it is one Swindon through business, cul- opment Club' five years out of the of the best preserved gothic towns ture, tourism and environment, last seven. It hosts international in Poland, full of magnificent hisand of course Poland's member- teams and attends many tourna- toric buildings, churches, market ship of the EU. The town has had a ments throughout Europe and squares and museums which strong Polish community since North America. "We enjoyed a visit warrents its inclusion on the list of World War II who have contrib- from one of Toruri s sides last year UNESCO World Heritage sites.

"With 35,000 students at Coperuted to its growth and success. nicus University Torun has a reSeveral visits by groups in both ally exciting feeling about it with directions have taken place, including an ice hockey team from Torun The Haydon Centre is offering an excellent clubs and bars, and lots which played at Link Centre last exciting and stimulating yoga of restaurants serving a wide range course for juniors, using stories, of international cuisine at very reagames and interactive activities sonable prices. This is the place to to introduce children to the ben- sample the joys of Polish dishes, but there are also two McDonalds efits of physical activity. for the unadventurous."

For details of the Torun trip mail Free Chirocheck Peter Cejer at: pcejer@hotmail.cotn www.torun.pl (click on Union Jack) always available www.sjihc.org IF YOU ARE SUFFERING FROM:

31

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Players wanted Shaw under 7s FC (Year 2) are looking for players to join their squad. Training takes place at Greendown Community School on Wednesday 6.30pm to 7.30pm.

For details call Elaine Neves on 877071.

Tutor Ian Baker says yoga provides great alternative exercise to competitive and team games. "It allows children to hold onto and develop their natural flexibility in muscles and joints. It is also very good at calming children and reducing the stress which even youngsters experience nowadays.

"The emphasis is on fun and exercise through the yoga postures."

Yoga for Kids takes place at the Haydon Centre on Thursdays, 4pm to 4.45pm, 5 to 8 years; 5pm to 5.45pm for 9 to 12 years.

For details call 706666.

_WeightWatchers WESTLEA SCHOOL

Thursday 5.30pm FRESHBROOK CHURCH

Wednesday 7pm ABBEY MEADS PRIMARY SCHOOL

Thursday 6.15pm HAYDON CENTRE

Monday 9.30am, Wednesday 6pm & 7.15pm Discover the new 'Time To Eat' programme

Call 08457 123 000 for other meetings in the area or visit Meeting Finder at www.weightwatchers.co.uk

91 cliieve Success \J Consultancy YOGA CLASSES Haydon Wick Monday: 7.30pm - 8.30pm

PILATES CLASSES Shaw Village Hall Monday: 6pm - 7pm Wednesday: 7.30pm - 8.30pm Haydon Wick Tuesday: 8pm - 9pm

Tuesday: 8pm - 9pm Friday: 7.30pm - 8.30pm

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Tuesday: I Oam - I I am

Monday: 7.30pm - 8.30pm Thursday: I pm - 2pm

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32 The Link Magazine • February 2005

Is your resolution receding?

Research shows that by March many New Year's resolutions have withered, those good intentions have gone out of the window and old habits return.

Get fit with Jake the Juggler - develop coordination and make friends Spin the plates, toss the balls, swing the poys, flip the sticks and hula the hoops. Whether it's a diablo or unicycle, Jakes Juggling Club is a great place to develop circus skills.

You don't have to be an expert. Absolute beginners of whatever age are welcome on Tuesday evenings in the Community Crossroads, the old railway museum, in Faringdon Road. Develop your skills with more experienced jugglers or teach others and take part in games.

Nine to 12 year olds are welcome between 7pm and 8pm and anybody over 13 to adults, between 8pmn and 10pm.

The cost is £3 for children and unwaged; waged £4. All the equipment is provided but participants are welcome to bring their own.

For details call Jake Holland on 771080 or mail: jake@lowershaw farm.co.uk

February is a critical time: if your aim was to get fitter, lose weight, or find a new direction, then you might need some help to keep on track to achieve those goals. The advertisers on pages 31 and 33, and below, could help you.

If you have yet to start, they are there to get you going.

If losing weight is your target, recent research suggests that it does not matter which diet regime you go for, success depends on your selfdiscipline to stick with it. And there's no getting round the fact that the best way to lose weight is to reduce calories and exercise more.

Ainsley's inspiration for healthy eating Swindon Slimming World consultants Sharon Painter from Wood hall Park and Kathryn Applegate from Freshbrook received an extra special cuddle from celebrity chef Ainsley Harriot at the annual Slimming World Awards Ceremony in December, where guests celebrated life changing achievements of slimmers from all corners of the country.

Sharon was overwhelmed by Ainsley's infectious personality.

"He is such an amusing man, just like he is on TV; we were all laughing the moment he came into the room. He just made us so enthusiastic about healthy eating."

Sharon and Kathryn, who run 7.

Slimming World classes at Toothill, Shaw and Rodbourne, have been very busy since the beginning of the New Year helping regular attenders and newcomers shed those post-Christmas pounds.

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The Link Magazine • February 2005

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34 The Link Magazine • February 2005 Car boot sale Freshbrook Community Centre Large hall or car park at rear Every Sunday, from 7am £4/car or table Tel: 877650 for details

The lost farms of West Swindon Frances Bevan, from Middleleaze has been investigating the families who lived in and worked the farms across West Swindon, before it was engulfed by the creeping urban development of the town in the 1 970s and 1 980s.

Over recent years The Link has covered Frances' re-

search which she has aligned with the national curriculum so that children can study the farm nearest their school.

She has distilled her work into a series of articles for us.

PARKING CENTRAL SWINDON Annual long stay parking from only £63.00 per month Contact Christine Jenkins Tel: 01793 - 690600 J '3'

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Brook House Farm, now part of a pub chain, stands on the corner of

Thomas Plunmer. The 1841 Tithe Map for

Middleleaze Drive and Tewkesbury Way. Perched on the 19th Century parish boundary of Lydiard Tregoze and Lydiard Millicent, the farm derives its name from the brook, which meanders through the former estate of Lord Bolingbroke.

The farm buildings and some 50 acres of land in Lydiard Tregoze belonged to the Bolingbroke family, a further 119 acres in Lydiard Millicent were owned by John Lewis Mallet, and farmed by the Victorian tenant at Brook Farm,

Millicent Lydiard records fields of pasture called Middle Leaze and Ram Leaze, names preserved in the 1980's development of the area.

The earliest reference to Thomas Plummer as tenant at Brook Farm is in the 1836 Rate Book for the parish of Lydiard Tregoze.

However, Thomas may have been farming at Brook a few years prior to this as the parish register for St. Mary's Church records his marriage on 19 April 1831 to Joan Dore, daughter of William Dore, tenant

farmer at Wick Farm and Thomas' closest neighbour.

Joses Badcock owned Brook

Farm when it was auctioned at the Goddard Arms Hotel, in 1901. The sale catalogue describes the farm as 'comprising Picturesque House with Gardens and grounds, Farm Buildings, Cottages, and Pasture Lands having a total area of about 165a 2r 33p forming a High Class Residential pasture farm.'

It continued as a working farm until the 1970s, when Jeff Stephens, who kept a herd of pedigree Dutch Fresian cows, owned it. The Haines

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In the era of large families, Thomas and Joan Plummer appear to have had just two surviving children, Sarah born 1832 and Thomas in 1835. In 1853 Sarah married Richard Frampton Tuckey, the son of yeoman farmer Robert Tuckey, and made the short journey across the parish to begin a new life at Shaw Farm (Lower Shaw Farm).

Thomas Plummer died in February 1865 and his wife Joan in

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n

their daughter Sarah Tuckey had been widowed and in 1868 she married Joses Badcock, from Radley in Berkshire.

In 1876 the Swindon and District Directory lists Joses Badcock as the farmer at Brook and the census returns for 1881 show the Tuckey/Badcock family living at Brook Farm, Sarah's childhood home.

family li ved in the part of the building and recall how at times of heavy rainfall the farmyard was frequently flooded by the rising water of the brook, re-routed during the modern development.

Today, Brook House Farm which was converted into a restaurant in the 1980s, is decorated in a rural motif. Victorian farm implements and reproductions of 19th century signboards and posters surround modern day diners.

Brook House Farm is today a busy place, open long hours and employing a fl eet of staff, much as it was in the 19th Century. What Sarah Badcock would make of a pool table in her elegant morning room is anyone's guess!

• Frances will next look at Upper Shaw which was converted and opened as a community centre in March 1984.

The Link Magazine â&#x20AC;˘ February 2005

35

Getting it right for the children The Family Mediation Service, established in Swindon since 1981, is a child focused, not for profit organisation, that works with children and families with the aim of protecting the welfare of children, caught up in the breakdown of their parents' relationships.

It helps parents manage their organisations or groups. separation and place their chil- Re-Connect. Mediation is offered dren's interests first. It also pro- to young people and their families vides direct services to children. to prevent homelessness and to Without help the emotional dam- help them continue a relationship age to children can last through- with their family. Referrals can be made by anyone and it is free. out their lives.

There are now five distinct Supervised Contact Centre. A new project where children at risk of projects: Family Mediation. This enables harm can have contact with their parents who have decided to sepa- non-resident parent, often a Dad, rate to take joint decisions which by being supervised by a worker. give priority to their children's Currently the Court makes referneeds amid their own life crisis. rals, although solicitors willbe able to make referrals in due course.

Money and property matters are dealt with as well as issues concerning children such as contact and residence. r u Children can be consulted as part of the process.

Family Mediation clients who are not eligible for public funding (a free service), but earn less than the average national wage, are subsidised from charitable sources.

Using solicitors can SomeoftheFamilyMediation team, from left, Christine be costly; mediation can Rigby, Kate Skelton, Jane Bryan, Wendy Hall, chief be a cheaper way for- executive, Julia Waygood, Michelle Sanders ward.

Together all these activities make 5 - 18 Counselling - for children and young people to help them a comprehensive service that supadjust to and manage their new port family life in today's environfamily circumstances, such as new ment and reduces the emotional relationships in the extended fam- and economic costs of separation. ily and step families. There is a Mental health is improved, and focus on children who are socially parental agreements can result in excluded or are moving into a low financial security for children income situation because income which improves their quality of is having to cover two homes. The life. Children at risk can also continue to see a parent and not lose service is free.

Community Mediation. This project part of their identity.

To find out more about any of reduces or removes conflict between neighbours. Issues dealt with in- these projects call Family Mediaclude noise, anti-social and chil- tion on 527285, or write to 34 Milton dren's behaviour, and boundary Road, Swindon. www.northwiltsfms.co.uk disputes. It can help individuals,

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Avoid being stuck in the future, call Clive Lamdon to arrange a convenient time.

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36 The Link Magazine • February 2005

Bikers damage nature reserve The Seven Fields Conservation

Area is again being spoilt by the activities of motorcyclists.

The conservation group which assists Swindon Council in the management of this recognised nature reserve has raised the issue with the council and the police.

Group secretary, Marilyn Beale, complained that after a couple of years of relative peace, the problem re-emerged over the summer.

It became much worse after Christmas: it would appear there were lots of mini-bikes and quad bikes under the tree. She said, "one of the best wildflower meadows in Wiltshire has been damaged by the motorcycling. " Walkers have grown tired of dodging out of the way of dangerously driven bikes. Somebody will be hurt soon."

The activity is illegal on several grounds and the group is calling for the public to report incidents to Swindon Police on 507899.

• The nature reserve, in a valley between Penhill, Abbey Meads and Greenmeadow is rich in diverse plants and animals. It is an important recreational area for the comy munit . For details about Seven Fields and the conservation group. mail marilyn.beale@ntlworld.com

1

=

i=

Going the ebay way Dozens of readers responded to the January Link story on Let Us Auction It, a new business set up by Marc and Julie Tielemans from Grange Park who aim to make selling on ebay easy.

Marc said over forty people Let Us Auction It does what it prepare the description and dismade enquiries in the first half of says - they take your unwanted play them to the 175 million peoJanuaryandnearlythirtyhadcome items and turn them into cash by plc worldwide who regularly use doing all the work for you. They'll ebay, and also despatch the sold forward with items to auction, items - in return for a commission.

"It's been a brilliant reaction," said Marc. "Most people say Two youngsters from Shaw who modelled for teen magazine Mizz in they've been waiting for a busiJanuary are going to have to get over the embarressment of seeing ness to offer a service like Let Us themselves in The Link again.

Auction It. Doing ebay can be time consuming and many people can't Lots of readers combe bothered. mented on Grace Evans "In the last month we've sold a and Abby Hayes picture lot of Sylvac pottery - two vases in the January edition ,, went for £51 - we've sold a travel and the page is pinned cot for £26, and three stair gates up in a classroom at went for £51 in under one hour.

Bradon Forest School.

"The most valuable item sold The photo shoot was has been a diamond ring which arranged by mum was bought for £200 and we have Vanessa Evans for her , 8. ' 1 a large collection of OXO memoradaughter's thirteenth bilia to sell for a reader." birthday. She said that 9)'.

Let Us Auction It also auctions the girls could not wait 3. surplus business stock. Rather than for the magazine to be let it gather dust, see if you can published but then ' spent days congratulatmake some money out of that spare stuff. For details call Marc and Julie ing each others' appear= Tielemans on 0845 226 9422. ance and being over critical of themselves.

Grace said the pictures made • The Link has set Let Us Auction It Abby said, "more people than I them look older than they are. "It a challenge: to auction a pair of thought saw us in Mizz and my is really strange to see yourself all ancient, frayed, holed but well entutor put The Link up in the tutor made up. We had a really great joyed jeans. Bid for them or watch room for the whole school to look time in London doing the fashion whether they will sell at: www.letusauctionit.co.uk at." shoot before my birthday."

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The Link Magazine â&#x20AC;˘ February 2005

Bag a bargain in the library Previously enjoyed books, as well as some D V Ds, music CDs, videos and playstation games, will be on sale at the West Swindon Library on Saturday 19 February, 10am to 2.30pm.

More recent books promoted by the Richard and Judy Bookclub on Channel 4 are available to borrow.

The West Swindon readers' group meets in the library on Tuesday 15 February, 7pm, to talk about The Sixth Lamentation by William Broderick. Anyone who has read the book is welcome. For details call Tracey Dowling on 465554.

The Hayden Ar ti sts' Society will be showing off their talents between 1 and 26 February in the exhibition area.

Vets offer pet talks A veterinary practice is looking to its future clients by offering visits by staff to pre-schools, schools and groups of under 11s, and also community organisations for adults.

Having made several visits to pets and emphasise that animals schools in the last couple of years, can't ask for themselves. They are staff at the Drove Veterinary Prac- made aware to be cautious when tice have developed a programme approaching any animals they which can be adapted to different don't know because they may bite educational and group settings. A or scratch. We also cover the imvet, nurse and marketing coordi- portance of hygiene when hannator Jane Carter make the visits dling animals.

"The aim is to educate the ownwith a number of creatures to demonstrate the importance of proper ers of the future in preventative care and understanding the needs healthcare and good animal husbandry, alleviate fears and misof a pet.

Jane said children are given the conceptions, while teaching rechance to scan Shmikey the dog spect and understanding."

Staff from Drove Vets are also for a microchip, listen to Tango the cat's heartbeat with a stethoscope, happy to visit WI meetings and as well as meet a tortoise and touch seniors groups. To arrange a fun a snake. "We explain the impor- but informative educational talk, tance of looking after their own call Jane Carter on 610195.

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PETS AT HOME Worried who will look after your pet whilst you're on holiday?

Pets At Home could be your answer Pets At Home is a service which cares for all your pets (except dogs) in their own home anywhere in the West Swindon area only.

Telephone Sheila Mitchell for further details on 873062 sheila@hannahlightfoot.freeserve.co.uk

SHAW VETERINARY CENTRE Shaw Village Centre, Ramleaze Drive West Swindon SN5 5PY

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37

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Local care for local people and their pets

Tel: 01793 512400 Fax: 01793 512444

38 The Link Magazine • February 2005

Community tree plant planned for 5 March The Great Western Community Forest team and the Woodland Trust are organising another of the very popular family tree planting days to take place, the first to the west of Swindon since 2001.

The event is returning to Purton Wood, on the edge of Moulden Hill work of local environmental groups.

Planting will take place between 10am and 4pm. There is very Country Park, close to Taw Hill. The last one on this site took place in early December 1999 and both the trees planted then and the popula- restricted parking near Purton Wood so the community forest team are tion living in North Swindon has grown enormously. This will be the asking people to walk or cycle along the safe routes from West and first opportunity for many new Swindon people to participate in a North Swindon where possible.

They hope to organise a park and ride from the Hillmead Employcommunity tree plant.

This will be a fun family day out. You don't need experience, the trees ment Area on Mead Way. Wear wellies, bring gloves and wrap up against the weather. are free and experts will be on hand with advice.

For details call the Great Western Community Forest on 466315 or go There will be live music, face painting, children's workshops and exhibitions about the community forest, the Woodland Trust and the to www.forestNNweb.org.uk

Forest protection get-together planned

Parents ground force to make an outdoor classroom

on the early December consulta- Swindon's newest school has received £500 to help it develop a pond Did you turn out to one of themeetings last April and/or the I May tion exercise about the park's fu- garden.

The Parents Teachmass protest on Mead Way to pro- ture and how the community can take part in shaping the strategy. ers and Friends Astect Shaw Forest Country Park?

Anybody interested in the coun- sociation at St Francis The protest group that spontaneously combusted into life to ex- try park is invited to attend. To be Church of England press the community's collective advised of the date of the meeting SchoolatTawHillapanger against plans to build a foot- mail: alan.d.hayward@talk2l.com plied for a grant to ball stadium on the country park is • During February and March con- Swindon Council's still very much in existence and is tractors will be planting several Local Agenda 21 for holding its first annual general thousand trees at Shaw Forest thepurchaseofmatemeeting in late February or March. which means construction traffic rials and plants to create an area for science The Swindon Forest Protection using the Mead Way entrance.

Group will be reporting its activiHowever the pedestrian en- studies. ties over the last nine months and trance near the Mead Way under- Headteacher Clive looking to the future of Shaw For- pass, from Cartwright Drive, has Westallsaidthetransbeen widened and tarmaced to fer to the new faciliest Country Park.

Heather Lilley of the Great West- give foot access to the woodlands ties from the temporary accommodation ern Community Forest will report at the southern end of the park. occupied since September went smoothly so that children Parent Clare Arthurs and St F r ancis children could start in their permanent class- receive the Agenda 21 cheque from Gillian Chandler with Clive Westall and nursery nure Celia Shaw rooms at the beginwith the help of parents we will ning of term in January.

He said, "the building contrac- soon see dramatic changes."

The Local Agenda 21 grants are tors dug out the area and fenced it before handing over the school in designed to kickstart small scale December to give us a head start projects to promote sustainable on making an outdoor classroom. lifestyle, education and citizen"We hope to have a deck from ship. "Its great to be in on such a which children can pond dip and brand new project and I'm looking also a range of plants around the forward to seeing how it develpond to encourage insects and ops," said Agenda 21 community wildlife. There is nothing there yet worker Gillian Chandler.

For details of Local Agenda 21 but we are planning some family working days in the Spring and grants, call 463180.

Parties with added education Finding new activities for children's birthday parties can be a nightmare but Studley Grange Butterfly World near M4 Junction 16 have got a package which is both fun and educational.

There's also a party room with Feed the koi carp, learn about the life of a butterfly, find hungry catering facilities for the birthday caterpillars, meet cockroaches, tea which can be provided or scorpions, snails and other inter- brought in. esting mini-beasts. And parents Other activities which can be can just sit back, relax and marvel booked include 'paint a butterfly at the beauty of hundreds of but- wall plaque' that children can take terflies from all over the world fly- home and pottery painting, as well ing around them in over 12,500 as the supervised soft play area.

For details of the range of treats square feet of a tropical paradise.

The tour lasts about 45 minutes, on offer at Studley Grange, call and based on groups of ten or more, 852400, or mail: info@studley prices start from £2.75 per child. grange.co.uk

The Link Magazine • February 2005

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SERVICE

44

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Pro-R

REMOVALS

WHITE VAN MAN ';- Single items Full house Long/short distance Disposal of unwanted items House clearance Single items moved anywhere in Swindon for £15 r

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SUPPORT I

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01793 887883/07947 831378 www.it-2-u.com

COMPUTER

REMOVALS & STORAGE REMOVALS & STO RAGE Ia

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To book your Oven Clean call 01793 520362 We use caustic free cleaning products with a fresh solution each time. Hobs, extractors. microwaves and barbecue grills also undertaken

Call for a free quote Tel: 01793 706821

Mobile: 07780 946267

THE MAN WITH A VAN (Est 1993) 24hrs - 7 days a week Single items to a full house 8 different size vehicles Disposal of unwanted items

Tel: 01793 772888 Fax: 01793 772444 Email: ashgroupl @btinternet.com

Single Items / Full House Long / Short Distance Storage Specialists Packing Service Late Bookings Tel (01793) 727307 Mob 07811 188564 WWW.ABBEYMOVE.CO.UK

45

SECTOR AERIAL SERVICES

AERIAL SERVICES Aerial & Television

CHRIS PAYNE

Services AERIALS

'

TV & FM aerials • Extra satellite points • Video & TV repairs • Freeview installation • Signal amplifiers ,'f, -ticed •

& SATELLITE SYSTEMS * Satellite TV * Sky & digital terrestial * Extra TV, telephone & electrical points

Specialist airport transfer services by car, MPV or 8 seater minibus Reliable travel for holiday makers Competitive prices

All work guaranteed

Tel: 01793 700078 Mobile: 0111 6236415

SKY

ARCHITECTURAL

Complete design, plans, and planning service for New build Extensions Conversions Refurbishments

For prompt service, tel: 321943

I BOOK-KEEPING

BOOK-KEEPING ARMSTRONG BOOKKEEPING SERVICES Leeve the aeC0tl Its to

Can't face doing the books after a hard day's work?

US

whilst you eoneclitrate

on your busint•ss Natasha Armst ro ng (MICB) Certified Bookkeeper

µ Q ie

For a brochure or to arrange a free initial consultation, please ring me on 887393 or e-mail: natasha.armstrong@virgin.net

IRONING Creaseless Ironing

DRAINS

poo

BLOCKED DRAINS CLEARED FAST • CCTV surveys • High pressure jetting • Pipe relining • Locally based - competitive rates • 24 hour call out • No call out charge

Tel : 01793 435392

Services

'

;

Call Leonard Fuller, A. I.C. B, qualified bookkeeper with over 15 years' experience.

Tel: 01793 700637

Burglar alarms Access controls

CCTV • Fire alarms Installed, repaired, maintained

One-o ff , weekly, fortnightly or simply whenever!

Free pick up and delivery back to your door the next day.

All items delivered on hangers and wrapped in cellophane Guaranteed animal and smoke free environment

Call Karen on 01793 822659 or 07843 690720

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securrfy systems ltd

Expe rt Design & Installation of Electronic Security for Commercial, Industrial and Residential Customers

• ccTv • Access Control & Intercoms • Intruder Alarms Gates & Barriers • 24 Hour Monitorine

•

24 hour monitoring for police response

For details call Doug Marshall on 433999

of f Whitewa,^

The Carpet & Upholstery Cleaning Specialist

• Carpets. rugs, curtains, suites etc • Emergency call out available • Hard floors cleaned and sealed • Stain removal • Protection treatment • Fully insured • Quickly usable

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You'll be amazed how affordable it is ...call for your free estimate from you local independent on 01793 731418 or mobile: 07808 35 487 I' mail: clifl.whitewav@btinternet.com

L5 Ironing eat 1998

Tel (01793) 321665

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Security

CARPET CLEANING

IRONING

Valentine's Day 14th February Why not remove the chore of ironing for someone special?

Gift vouchers plus FREE box of chocolates. Guaranteed to please WE COME TO YOU AT HOME OR WORK! Providing a reliable 24 hour door to door service at a price you can afford FREE collection & deliver y • FREE garment packaging

SECURITY SYSTEMS SECU RITY SYSTEMS SKIP HIRE

Crown

Tel: 702000

Tel: 01225 706379 Mobile: 07774 943 783

ARCHITECTURAL

1

RPORTS Connect Ltd

No Call oil! charge

Storm damage

MG ego

AIRPORT TRAVEL

BASSETT SKIPS LTD If all that clutter is getting you down call Bassett Skips for the best prices in town.

O Prices start from just £50, all incl, for 4 days hire (private) O 2, 4 and 6 tonne with drop dowr doors for easy loading O No hidden costs or charges

^ £ 'ssaib

email:

01793 84 89 51

TV & VIDEO REPAIRS

GOGGLEBOX TV & VIDEO REPAIR SERVICE Free home estimates 4> No call out charge

* All repairs guaranteed

Tel: 01793-812738

46 The Link Magazine • February 2005

Registered Childminder Childminder in Taw Hill area has places available from January 2005 Call Tina 01 793 701683 for more information

B

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Domestic Cleaning Services • Regular weekly cleans • Fortnightly cleans • One-off Spring cleans Call Christine on (01793) 701413 (9am - 5pm) Mob: 07951 184424

DISC SERVICES We transfer anything onto DVD Disc - Cine Film, Video tape, Wedding Photos

WE MAKE MOVIE CLIPS OF YOUR CHILI) GROWING UP Tel: 01793 705333 Mobile: 07831 575758

Flexible, friendly, negotiable rates 8 years experience. One week free Available Monday to Friday. 6am to 9pm. including school drop-offs and pick-ups.

Also weekends & late evenings Call 07957 166529 or 871466

A ELISABETH

Beautiful hancdma wedding stationery Individually designed stationery created with exquisite materials Contact Anna on 07717 775577 or annaelisabethdesigns@yahoo.co.uk www.annaelisabeth.co.uk PIANO & THEORY LESSONS

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Relaxed and friendly atmosphere Beginners welcome. All ages Graded exams - not compulsory End of term musical evenings

Contact Mrs G Bush CT ABRSM Swindon 873012

DECOTEX 5.D. 21pho(stery Repairs & Recovering

Painter & Decorator Specialist Artexing Tel: (01793) 791388

Antique and Modern Large range of fabrics

e-Citizen campaign The Swindon based British Computer Society launches a new national IT literacy campaign on 14 February, to encourage people with little experience of computers to get online.

The BCS is working with Swindon College to offer the chance to study for an e-Citizen certificate before courses are set up in the rest of the UK. For details call 417530.

• Age Concern Swindon has published a booklet about how older people can get computer connected. For a copy send three second class stamps to 14 Milton Road, Swindon SN1 5JE.

LETTERS TO THE LINK More people should come forward at parish level Front: Hanson Wick Parish Couucittor Phillip Eagle

Hayden Wick Parish Council has places for 18 councillors, but currently there are only 11.

It would appear that not enough people are willing to give the time and effort to take part.

Around the free world the cry is 'democracy,' and 'government by the people and for the people.' No one disagrees but it seems the people here don't want to bother.

Many community groups, be it parish councils or junior football teams, are struggling to find responsible members to organise their affairs. Surely it is a mark of a responsible and mature society that it wishes to govern the running of its own community.

Do those who daily manage the great commercial enterprises during the day not wish to use their skills to influence a small part of

Call 871808 for competitive prices

their communal lives at the cost of one or two evenings each month?

Would you care-or even noticeif local government disappeared from our society to be replaced by central government control?

Wasn't that what we fought wars to avoid?

Parish councils are in danger of losing their right to self-goverment without more volunteers to represent their residents. This cannot happen.

Haydon Wick Parish Council would be better for an injection of new faces and ideas. As a result this will benefit the Hayden Wick community and the parts of North Swindon that the parish covers.

• For details about Hayden Wick Parish Council and becoming a parish councillor, call the clerk on 722446.

No to a university campus at Coate Water Country Park From Chris Barn, Chairniau of Chisciclon Parish Council

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YOUR LOCAL PVC-U MANUFACTURER • Buy direct from our factory • We make it and we fit it • High security

In the January Link Swindon counci ll or Barrie Thompson wrote of his support for the Gateway proposals on land near Coate Water.

If I can summarise him fairly, he says that he's always been opposed to any development at Coate other than enhancements to the park, and that he supports a 'substantial' buffer zone around it - the size to be guided by a scientific evaluation. But he doesn't oppose de-

velopment around the actual coun-

• 10 year guarantee

• Lowest prices

Why not let us handle everything from start to finish?

Call today 01793 790944 or 07973 232435 (evenings and weekends) The Marsh, Lower Wanborough. SN4 OAS

try park.

He eloquently described the advantages of having a university, but contends that the arguments for having a town centre universi ty arefalsebecausethereisn'troom.

He asserts that if the University does not come to the Gateway site y at Coate, 'by 2030 it will be co ered in large measure by houses and the economy of Swindon will be in decline.'

What he did not say is: • Well before 2030, that site will be covered 'in large measure by houses' with these current proposals. The university will take up only one third of the site - the rest would be houses, with a 'Science Park' next to M4 Junction 15; • The 20 people who sent him

cards were as nothing compared to the 414 from his constituency who signed the petition against development in its first few weeks, and an estimated 3,000 who, at the same rate, will have signed it by now; • Reputable studies have shown that there is plenty of room in the town centre for a university, provided there is some medium to high rise building and that playing fields are not adjacent.

Bath University does not want that - but they've been offered the land for free by the Gateway developers, so no wonder! And if the developers have done that, they're hardly going to be agreeable to contributing further to public amenities. Free land to Bath, vast profit to developers - what cost to Swindon?

We all agree about planning development properly and that peoplc create communities. So how about meaningful regeneration of the town centre by having a university there, perhaps subsidised by a progressive council - and respect for the stated opinion of over 13,000 people by preserving a meaningful buffer zone around Coate Water Country Park?

47

The Link Magazine • February 2005

Day of fundraising for Climb to become annual event On 31 October Janet Garrett turned over her Haydon Wick Farmhouse home in Pond Street for a Ladies Day to raise money for CLIMB, the UKs only dedicated organisation providing advice, information and support on all metabolic diseases to children, young adults, families. carers and professionals. Here she thanks all

evangel,

who supported the event.

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What a wonderful day, what won- rich, Arval PHH and Threadderful people and a total of £2,300, needle's Community Trusts helped boost the amount raised. what an amazing amount.

Throughout October more and All of the stallholders donated more people heard about the event items to sell or raffle, as did the and the work that Climb does and cake makers who ran the Olde i mmediately offered to help - Farmhouse Coffee Shoppe.

Morrisons supermarket, Millen- We had set out to remember nium Radio Cars and Drove Vet- Jamie Lewis Kirk, our beloved erinary Hospital all sponsored the child and grandchild who died just day, whilst donations from Zu- thirteen days old on 29 June, raise the profile in Swindon of Climb, have a lovely day with friends and family and perhaps raise a few hun-

nual event for Climb.

Metabolic Disease Week takes place between 3 and 10 July so it seems a lovely way to commemorate Jamie's short life by holding the Climb Ladies' Day on 3 July.

Thank you to all who donated

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building with people Sunday services are at Oam & 6.30pm For further information you can either ring (01793) 873050; e-mail: office@freshbrook.org or visit: www.freshbook.org

and to those who shared such a

special day with us by buying goodies and enjoying a coffee let's do it all again in July. www.climb.org.uk

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Sunday Worship 10.30am

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Sunday School and Creche

along the way.

The day was

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Meeting at Greenmeadow Prima ry School Greenmeadow Primary School 7'nrnesq^o^

Graham and Lauren Kirk (nee Garret), Janet Garrett and Steve one that should become an anHannigan, E.'ccutive Director of Climb

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Menopause support Women who are either starting or The Swindon & District Branch of already experiencing the effects of the Parkinson's Disease Society the menopause will meet in a reholds regular meetings which pro- laxed informal environment on vide opportunities for mutual sup- Wednesday 16 February, 7.30pm port, social activities, fundrais-ing at Freshbrook Church, Worsley Road. Tea and coffee provided. For and practical help.

For details call the branch secre- details call 771487.

Support for Parkinson's sufferers and their families

tary, Elaine Ware, on 783026

Whitworth

The Church of Christ the Servant, Abbey Meads

starts an Alpha on 30

course January

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For details on how this exploration of the Christian faith may be for you, call 607170 or 344171 or mail: brian.sweetman@virgin.net

West Swindon & the Lydiards churches All Saints', Lydiard Millicent Holy Trinity, Shaw St Mary's, Lydiard Tregoze Toothill Church; Westlea Church

'For God loved the world His only Son.' John 3:16

a large selection

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For details of our weekly services please contact the Partnership Office on 770568 partnershipoffice@btopenworld.com

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• LOUNGE, DINING & BEDROOM FURNITURE in a variety of wood colours and finishes • BEDS, MATTRESSES AND HEADBOARDS

•

3 PIECE SUITES in a wide choice of fabrics and styles

• FIRESIDE CHAIRS & RECLINERS probably Swindon largest choice on show-

you must be looking for

MANOR FURNITUR www.manorfurniture.co.uk

TEL: 513444 Open 7 days a week • Large showroom.

Ample free parking • Free delivery to a wide area

From Great Western Way follow WE ARf signs for Cheney H£AE Manor Industrial r Estate

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