February 2016 Swindon Link

No 405 February 2016

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Decision time for Lydiard Park

Join the Link magazine public debate on 15 February and fill in our survey. Story on page 4

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Swindon Wide: P21 - 29

Leisure: P30-39

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Letters: P46-P47

Community News

Win family tickets to the Extreme trampoline park due to open on 1 February A state-of-the-art extreme trampoline park will open its doors for the first time on Monday 1 February at Link Centre.

This is part of the continued investment GLL, under their Better brand, have been making.

Better Extreme are offering five sets of family tickets to our readers so they can experience some bouncing fun for themselves.

A family ticket is made up of two adults and two children.

The trampoline park is a series of interconnected safety padded trampolines which can be used by up to 100 people at a time.

The project is part of a £2million investment in the centre and will include newly created, dedicated birthday party rooms and a refurbished café.

A relatively new concept in the UK, the trampoline park will be accessible to all sectors of the community offering group events, sports training and children’s party bookings.

Steve Woodman, partnership manager for Better, said: “The park will be open to everyone regardless of fitness levels, age or experience, with fully trained coaches on hand

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to provide expert help and advice.

“We’ve had to have a big rethink about how The Link Centre works to make it sustainable for the future but still accessible to all sections of the community. This is reflected by our pricing structure.”

The park will also include big foam pits, battle beams and a viewing area looking out over the trampolines. There will be freestyle coaching sessions as well as corporate events where people can play dodgeball and basketball on the nets.

Jamie Ross, Better’s national Extreme manager, said: “This is a way that people of all ages can keep The trampolines at Link Centre fit whilst at the same time having fun. It’s so multi-purpose and the benefits are huge. There will be special toddler sessions and safety is obviously paramount in everything that we do. Every person that comes in for an hourly session will have to watch a three minute safety video.” l To win one of the five family tickets up for grabs email us at publisher@swindonlink with ‘Trampoline Comp’ in the subject line by 29 February and the winners will be picked at random.

National Extreme manager Jamie Ross and centre manager Steve Woodman overlook the sports hall before the trampolines are installed

Community News

Swindon Soup back for second helping

After an inaugural event, Swindon Soup is returning on 25 February for its second instalment, once again taking place at Arclite House in Peatmoor.

Having played host to over 100 people in December, the Soup concept was well received with Wrong Shoes Theatre Company becoming the first local cause to benefit. All funds were generated from the entrance fee of £5.

Hannah Marquez, marketing manager at Wrong Shoes, said: “Swindon Soup was a fantastic event, and has helped us a great deal – as well as the donation we received, it has given us new contacts in the community, who have offered to support us in lots of different ways. The event also helped us to spread the word about the Shoebox Theatre.”

This month, the participating local causes are Swindon Therapy Centre for Multiple Sclerosis, Highworth Nexus Project and Swindon SUNS. The Swindon Therapy Centre for MS offer therapies, advice and support to people with MS and their families.

The Highworth Nexus Project is a new initiative developed to provide support and activities for young people in the town.

Swindon SUNS is an independent charity which is run by Mental Health Service Users allowing them to have a voice about the care they receive.

They will be pitching their ideas to the audience, with entertainment and soup provided as part of the entrance fee. If you wish to register to attend visit www.swindonsoup.com

It’s judging time for Pride of Swindon The judges will be sitting down in February to decide who deserves to be honoured as one of the town’s community heroes.

The Pride of Swindon 2016 awards will take place on Thursday 17 March at Steam Museum. It is supported by The Mayor of Swindon and since its inception seven years ago has become one of the key events in the community calendar.

This year Excalibur and Positive Media Group have become the event’s main sponsors joining Swindon Advertiser, Intel, Nationwide, Zurich and McDonalds.

Nominations for an individual or a team were made by Swindon residents. Each shortlisted nominee will be presented with a certificate and a select group of people will receive a special badge and their name honoured on a plaque at Swindon Central Library.

Tony Martin, chair of the organising committee, said: “We’re still sifting through the nominations but I can see at this stage that a huge number of people have taken part. The quality of the local people being recognised will make for a very interesting, humbling, uplifting and sometimes emotional afternoon.”

Director: James Phipps Group Editor: Jamie Hill Associate: Roger Ogle Reporter: Mike Barham Sales: Anita Jaynes & Dave Stewart Photography: Richard Wintle www.calyxpix.com

ADVERTISING Call 01793 781502 or email: advertising@swindonlink.com Closing date for March adverts and editorial: 8 February March edition published: 26 February

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Mayor of Swindon councillor Andrew Bennett said: “Every mayor discovers a huge amount about what goes on in their town which they might not do otherwise.

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Previous recipients have included the Swindon and District Branch of Parkinsons UK, Deb Cooke of Foggies - The Swindon Fibromyalgia Support Group, ex-professional boxer Paul Rogers for his community work with Scrappers Gym and former refugee Patronella Mazhindu for her work welcoming people to Swindon with the Harbour Project.

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Community News

Have your say at the Swindon Link public debate on Lydiard Park Swindon Link will be hosting a public debate about the future of Lydiard Park and House on Monday 15 February.

Participants will include Friends of Lydiard Park, Swindon Heritage and Swindon Borough Council and will start at 7pm at Swindon Link’s offices at Arclite House in Hillmead.

We’re also asking readers to take part in a big survey - see opposite.

This comes after Swindon Borough Council revealed in the autumn that they were asking for expressions of interest to take on a lease of the site as they can no longer afford the subsidy due to Government cuts.

Swindon Council’s cabinet are due to meet on Wednesday 10 February to decide whether to put the bidding process out to formal tender and what the deadline and the criteria will be. The deadline will include a three month extension after The Friends of Lydiard Park lobbied for time for a staff trust bid to be put together.

The council has confirmed that, even if no expression of interest has been made before the cabinet meeting, organisations will still be able to put in a formal bid after that time and they will let people

know the process for that.

So far nine different organisations have come forward to run the site in whole or in part including a bid by its current staff, which The Friends revealed they will be supporting at the end of a public meeting attended by 600 people which was held at Lydiard Park Academy on 12 January.

This was closed by Lord Joel Joffe of Liddington, who acted as Nelson Mandela’s defence attorney, who asked for calm and dialogue between all parties.

Mike Bowden, chairman of The Friends, said: “It is obvious that Swindon Council see Lydiard as a financial liability and not the asset that it most certainly is. I get that the subsidy has to be reduced to zero and that 92% of the council budget will end up being allocated to vulnerable adults and children.

But what I don’t get is the lack of engagement from the council with the residents of the town on how we come up with a solution.”

The Friends were formed in 1962 and are an independent charity dedicated to supporting the conservation and continued enhancement of Lydiard. The house and park was bought by the

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Friends chair Mike Bowden (centre, back) at full council on 21 January Swindon Corporation in 1943 for the people of the town.

Councillor Garry Perkins, cabinet member for Economy, Regeneration and Skills, said: “As a council we are having to make some very difficult decisions as we simply do not have the money any more to carry on as normal.

“Let me just make it very clear.

We are not putting Lydiard up for sale. It will still be owned by the people of Swindon. Everyone will still have the same access to the house and gardens and the heritage will be preserved but it needs to be made financially viable by a third party for it to continue.”

A motion was carried by the Conservative group at full council on Thursday 21 January. It read:

“This Council requests that the Board Director, Service Delivery ensures that the report scheduled to go to Cabinet in February sets out a timetable allowing a further three months for all proposals to be developed more fully so as to reflect the Council’s goal of securing a sustainable future for Lydiard House and Park.”

The public debate takes place on Monday 15 February, 7pm at Positive Media Group, Arclite House, Century Road, Hillmead, SN5 5YN. Places are limited so you will need to register for a free debate ticket at www.bit.ly/Lydiardparkdebate

Lydiard Park background and context In 2013 the Council commenced a programme of work aimed at removing the subsidy for its leisure and cultural assets through working with outside operators with a more commercial focus.

The first phase resulted in the leasing of the borough’s leisure and golf facilities from November 2014.

The next phase is looking at the cultural assets like the country parks.

The primary objective of this work is to ensure that all the facilities and assets have a long term sustainable future, which, given the scale of the demand on council finances, must include removing the need for council subsidy.

Last year Lydiard House and Park cost £458,000 to run.

The council, which owns the site, appointed property advisor GVA Bilfinger to invite expressions of interests from commercial and not-forprofit organisations as well

as community groups. Nine organisations have so far responded.

As the process is commercially confidential no details of any of the parties will be made public.

The council’s cabinet will be asked in February whether they wish to invite formal bids to operate the site.

Organisations were advised that the freehold of the site was not for sale and that any offer including the sale of all or part of the site would be rejected.

Other conditions included maintaining access to the site for the people, as well as ensuring proposals are sustainable in terms of the heritage value of the site and from an economic and environmental perspective.

Any proposal must also generate income for the council and not require any on-going financial support from the local authority.

If the decision is made to invite formal proposals at the February cabinet meeting there will also be a public consultation.

Let us know your thoughts about the future of Lydiard Park and House

The council has announced that it can no longer afford the subsidy for Lydiard Park and that it needs to be financially viable. Let us know your thoughts. Send in the below survey to Swindon Link, Arclite House, Century Road, Hillmead, Swindon SN5 5YN. Cut out the page and send it in by Monday 29 February. Alternatively you can fill in the online survey at bit.ly/Lydiardparksurvey How often do you or members of your family visit Lydiard Park and House?

Weekly or more often Less often once a year

Once or twice a month Never visit

Every couple of months or so

Once or twice a year

How do you and your family members use the park and house? (tick each answer that applies - you can tick more than one) Access the parkland

Dog walking

Visit the walled garden

Use the Jungle Parc

Visit the house

Visit the landscaped park

Go to the visitor centre

Use the cafe

Use the playground

Picnic Cycle

By foot

How would you normally travel to Lydiard Park?

Car Public transport Other (please specify)

What do you love about the current facilities at Lydiard Park? (you can pick more than one answer) The parkland

The playground

The historic house

The Jungle Parc

The café

The walled garden

Vintage car show

Craft shows

Other (please specify) What events have you attended at Lydiard Park?

Open air theatre Festivals (Big Weekend etc.)

Concerts

Swindon Food Festival

Other (please specify) What events would you like to see at Lydiard Park?

To make Lydiard financially viable and ensure its future, would you...

Strongly agree

Agree

Don’t care

Disagree

Strongly disagree

a) Be willing to pay for car parking? b) Be willing to pay increased entry for the house and walled garden? c) Be willing to pay an entry price for the entire park? d) Support the creation of a hotel on the site? e) Support the creation of an attraction on the site to encourage visitors? f) Support improvements to the conference facilities? g) Support improvements to catering facilties? h) Support the introduction of camping and caravan facilities? i) Support more small or large scale events at the park?

If you agree with introducing a car parking charge how much would you be willing to pay per hour?

50p

£1

£2.50

£3

£1.50

£2

Other (please specify)

What do you think would be a good way to make Lydiard Park more financially viable?

Age

Name

Occupation

Address

Email Address Tick here if you wish to opt out of receiving the weekly Swindon Link newsletter. Your personal information will not be passed to a third party.

Community News

4G broadband battle goes to planning committee Swindon Borough Council and UKB Networks have responded to claims that their plans for a 4G network across the town is “out-dated” and “unwanted”, as the result of a protest in Haydon End during January.

The council have a partnership with UKB Networks to bring a 4G LTE network to the town, a deal worth £2m.

Rural residents are benefiting from the increase in coverage, but in North Swindon people are adamant the service is nullifying interest from other companies such as Virgin and their fibre broadband options.

The plans have been campaigned against by North Swindon MP Justin Tomlinson who said: “I have pleaded with Swindon Borough Council for eight months to step back from the 4G proposals. There is absolutely no support from residents for this unstable, outdated technology.

“We need fibre and SBC should be channelling every effort into discussions with BT and other major providers.

“It is technology that’s five years out of date. Virgin have shown

strong interest but see a state aided project like the UKB 4G plan as competition and will not proceed until this is thrown out.”

In July 2014, Swindon Borough Council and the Department for Culture, Media and Sport each agreed to invest up to £1.5 million of funding to extend superfast broadband coverage in noncommercially viable areas.

Colin Polonowski, one of the North Swindon residents protesting the plans, said: “The 4G solution is technically inadequate for the residents of North Swindon as it doesn’t meet the OFCOM guidelines for ‘Superfast Broadband’ (anything over 30mbps).

“We are protesting because the council have carried out no market research and all expected uptake is based on the UK Broadband sales team’s opinions.”

Harriet Maltby, a Priory Vale resident, said: “The residents of North Swindon made it very clear that fibre was the answer to local need, but the council are proceeding with this inadequate 4G scheme regardless.

“We urge the Council to listen to residents and pursue a fibre

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From left: Cllr Mary Friend, Labour candidate Rob Heath, Priory Vale resident Harriet Maltby, Cllr Vera Tomlinson with protesting residents solution for the area.”

In response, Will Harnden, The Chief Marketing Officer of UKB Networks said: “We offered ward councillors the opportunity of site visits to discuss potential solutions to concerns, although unfortunately they declined.

“We hope that they will take our offer up in future.

“Our technology is proven to work and is used in Chiseldon already.

Paul Walton, of Chiseldon Parish Council, says it has transformed how his family uses the internet and that they are now getting download speeds of 45mb. It is also in use in Italy by 200,000 people and 100,000 people in Ireland.

“UK Broadband’s new Outdoor Unit will have speeds of at least 24mbps in line with the BDUK requirements for superfast broadband.”

Cllr Mary Martin, Cabinet Member for Corporate, Customer and Digital Services, said: “The Council undertook a fair and open procurement process for the project, overseen by BDUK, and had no interest from Virgin or BT. “If enough people take up the service, UKB Networks have publicly stated they will install fibre at their own cost.”

Planning applications for 4G masts are due to go before a planning committee on 9 February.

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Community News

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Community News

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Younite volunteers on their Easter 2015 trip to Kenya, visiting one of the schools aided by the project Younite Outreach Project, a Swindon based travel charity that organises volunteer trips to Kenya, will be running its first trip to India later this year.

With its core aim ‘enabling life changing opportunities’, Younite put together ‘meaningful’ travel opportunities that involve volunteering in schools, meeting communities as well as experiencing the culture and adventurous side of each country.

To date, the Younite Outreach Project has provided trips to Kenya for over 200 volunteers to aid the causes in the region and has recently begun work replicating this success in India.

They are currently recruiting a new group of travellers for their

October 2016 ten day trip to India, covering areas such as Delhi, Haridwar and Rishikesh.

It will include treks, white water rafting, visits to famous temples and land marks as well as meeting communities in the slums and mountains.

If you would like to find out more about the aid trip to India, YOP will be holding an information evening at Excalibur Communications, Arclite House, Peatmoor, Swindon on Wednesday 17 February, 6pm.

For more information about what YOP gets up to, including the fundraising events they hold for projects they support, email fiona. simpson@yoproject.org.uk or go to www.yoproject.org.uk

Council responds to Thamesdown Drive extension business plan critics Councillor Dale Heenan has hit back at criticism of how the council is managing the business case being put to Government for the Thamesdown Drive Extension.

This comes after Shaw Residents Association chairman Kevin Fisher wrote in the January Link that the plan uses rehashed outdated arguments, contains negative data and flaws including an incomplete options analysis report and no project plan with suggested timelines.

Cllr Heenan, Swindon Council’s Cabinet Member for Sustainability and Transport, said: “I’ve been involved with the Thamesdown Drive extension work for less than 18 months, yet more work has happened in this time than at any point in the last 18 years.

“I’ve met with the roads minister, along with South Swindon MP Robert Buckland and council leader David Renard, to make the case for the road and written to the Minister seeking a memorandum of understanding where if the Government agrees to fund the £5060 million needed then the council

will find a way to pay for the design and legal costs, which have been estimated at £600,000. The Swindon and Wiltshire Local Enterprise Partnership has also included the extension on its list of projects for which it will bid.

“Some people will never be satisfied, and public sniping might make individuals feel better but it really doesn’t help the cause.

“The Department of Transport has a five-stage approach to road projects, and the first is a Strategic Outline Business Case. I am aware it is a complicated process which is difficult to understand, but the council has followed the correct format and has included more detail than any previous bid. The economic, financial, commercial and management business cases all still need to be developed, but the council needs assurances that money will be available for the road, which is why we need to clear the very first hurdle.

“During 2016, I hope we will have clarity from the Government on the funding issue, because without money, there is no project.”

Community News

Highworth couple’s earthquake relief work in Nepal continues Highworth residents Ian and Rosa Matheson are continuing their charitable work in Nepal during 2016, after three visits last year to aid with earthquake relief and manage a children’s home in the region.

The couple have raised funds for the past five years for the Angel Orphanage, and since last April have also been raising funds for earthquake relief.

As the world’s media moved on, whole communities only miles from Kathmandu with no buildings left standing have still not received crucial aid.

Ian, who recently returned from a trip to Nepal in December, said: “Five days after we left from our Spring 2015 visit, a major earthquake struck the country necessitating our return in May to bring tents for our children, who were sleeping under tarpaulins in the garden, with the monsoon season fast approaching.

“We were fortunate in getting the tents through the Nepali authorities, as they were levying a 40% import duty on all aid

arriving in the country and two other passengers on our flight had £4,000 of donated survival materials impounded due to not being able to pay this levy. As we passed through the airport we saw the vast amounts of impounded supplies piled everywhere.”

Ian and Rosa’s visit in November/ December found the country slowly recovering from the effects of the earthquake but now being brought to its knees by an embargo on fuel, medicines and other essential medical supplies such as oxygen, imposed by the Indian government who are displeased by elements of the new Nepali constitution (arrived at after 8 years of political dispute and debate) which they saw as secular and disadvantaging certain tribes in the lowland areas of Nepal bordering India.

Ian said: “What is becoming obvious is that the impact of this embargo on the economy of Nepal and the everyday lives of Nepalis, particularly in the cities, is possibly even greater than that of the earthquake.

“There is now no gas available for

Ian and Rosa Matheson at the Angel Orphanage in Nepal cooking and at the children’s home they are cooking over wood fires but even this fuel is hard to come by in the city and has quadrupled in price.

“Winter has now hit Nepal with no sign of political moves to negotiate an end to the stranglehold. The Nepali government cannot agree who should lead such a delegation. It also becomes difficult to witness the juxtaposition of grossly overcrowded local buses with the huge white 4x4s of many of the

aid agencies usually with just one occupant and the driver.”

Ian and Rosa are planning to return to Nepal in March and hope there will be some improvement in the situation by then. If anyone would like more information or to make a donation they will be more than happy to make sure it gets to the people in need with no deductions or any other costs.

Contact Ian and Rosa on 01793 764979 Alternatively, you can donate via: www.angelsorphanage.com

Plans in for new Swindon Speedway stadium Swindon Council have confirmed that they have received a planning application to build a new stadium for The Robins to replace the current Abbey Stadium.

Back in December, George Edwards, property director at Stadia UK, said that they were hoping to have fans in the new stadium by this summer and will look to reduce the disruption to fans using the

Abbey while work goes on.

Councillor Toby Elliott (Con, Priory Vale) said: “We’ve only just received the application by disc. We were beginning to worry that it was not coming at all. We’ve not had a chance to look at the detail yet but if it is not appropriate we will be looking at further legal means to ensure that the original planning agreement is adhered to.”

New home for Swindon 105.5

Swimathon for hydrotherapy pool

Swindon 105.5 has moved into its new home at Liden Library.

The community radio station has taken over part of the building in Barrington Close after spending several months looking for new premises.

The community radio station, which was awarded the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service by the Duke of Kent last year, broadcasts 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and has helped hundreds of volunteers develop skills and confidence.

Thamesdown Hydrotherapy Pool in Jefferies Avenue, Stratton is holding a swimathon on Saturday 12 March to raise funds.

Each swim in the Swimathon will last 20 minutes.

The warm temperature of the pool water has many benefits, including relieving painful conditions such as arthritis and back pain and can help rehabilitation after joint replacement surgery.

Call 01793 496002 or visit the website at www. thamesdownhydrotherapypool.com swindonlink.com n February 2016

9

Community News

‘Saving Needy Dogs’ in Swindon Alabama Rot found in Swindon dog Saving Needy Dogs is a Swindon group set up to find permanent, loving homes for animals from Swindon’s Dog Pound and beyond.

Formed in 2012 by a group of four dog loving Pound volunteers, Saving Needy Dogs was granted charity status by the Charities Commission in 2015.

SNDogs is also the main point of contact for Swindon’s ‘Lost and Found’ dog community.

Run entirely by volunteers SNDogs provides foster homes, as the

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‘Pat’ is approx. 10 years old and has lived on the streets or in dog pounds for most of his life.

A gentle giant looking for a home. dogs are not kept in kennels, fundraises and attends events with the dogs looking for homes.

All the dogs needing homes can be found on the SNDogs Facebook page – with descriptions of their characters and approximate age.

SNDogs is dependant on donations of food, jumbones and other pet items and is always on the look out for volunteers.

Contact: sndrescue@gmail.com or call 07940 268101 If you would like to adopt one of the dogs or for more information go to www.sndogs.uk

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Veterinary specialists in Winchester have confirmed a case of Alabama Rot in a Swindon dog after a postmortem was carried out.

Alabama Rot (CRGV) is a condition in dogs that can be fatal and was first discovered in the USA in the 1980’s. Skin lesions, typically appearing as ulcers or erosions on the limbs, ventrum or muzzle, commonly appear less than a week before clinical signs, and the disease is thought to originate from toxins produced by forms of E.Coli bacteria.

Jessica Worthington, 26 of Haydon Wick, took her dogs Pippa and Molly for a regular walk in West Woods in Marlborough where they are thought to have contracted the condition.

Jessica said: “We took them for a walk around Haydon the day after and the dogs were as lively as ever.

On the following Sunday, Pippa seemed different somehow so I simply took her to get checked out of concern.

“On the Monday, she had developed lesions on her legs. I am certain they weren’t there before that day, and immediately we took both dogs to the Drove Veterinary Hospital. Molly developed the lesions on the Tuesday before both were referred to Anderson Moore’s specialist centre in Winchester.”

The pets were placed on 24-hour watch with hourly blood tests and fluids, which were all considered within normal parameters within the first few days.

However, Pippa’s blood results started to exceed normal boundaries and concern over her kidney function grew, resulting in a referral to the Queen Mother Hospital for Small Animals, London and a rare plasma exchange procedure was used to try and halt the progress of the disease.

Unfortunately, Pippa’s condition continued to deteriorate and she was put to sleep within a days of arriving in London, a decision that was understandably hard for Jessica.

Jessica said: “All this time, Molly was still in Winchester but thankfully her blood results never elevated to the same level. We had to take the decision for Pippa because you can’t let an animal suffer as she was. It was heartbreaking. Molly is now back home.

She is quieter and does clearly miss her sister, but I’m glad we didn’t lose them both.”

Jessica Worthington remembering Pippa who fatally contracted Alabama Rot Swindon’s Thameswood Vets have posted information for dog owners on their website and social media pages, stating: “The key message is that: ‘Although the disease can be very serious, the number of dogs affected is relatively low in the UK (56 confirmed cases between November 2012 and May 2015)’.

“We would advise owners not to walk their pets in dense woodland during the milder weather we are having, which could be a contributing factor. We are always vigilant regarding new conditions for pets and are happy to advise owners on courses of action should they be concerned.

“Until the end of January we are offering free checks with our senior vet and dermatologist Nick Hartley.

We are currently offering this as standard to our own clients but would be happy to extend it to Link readers if they are concerned.”

Jessica has started a JustGiving page to help raise awareness and funds for research into the disease, that closes on the 29 Febraury, having already raised over £8,000 of the £10,000 target as we went to press.

She said: “Simply raising awareness of this condition is my aim. The funds will all be donated to critical research and hopefully this will mean no-one else has to lose their pets to this horrible condition.”

Jessica’s JustGiving page is: www.crowdfunding.justgiving.com/ jessica-worthington For more information on Alabama Rot you can visit the Anderson Moore’s website: www.andersonmoores.com

Community News

Win a free wedding ceremony at Register Office open day Couples planning to tie the knot are being invited to Swindon Register Office’s first ever wedding fayre on Sunday 7 February, 11am to 3pm, which will showcase everything they need for their big day.

There’s a chance for prospective brides and grooms to tour the facilities, meet the friendly and experienced team of staff, and chat to providers of a range of weddingrelated services.

Every couple that attends will be given a free glass of bubbly on arrival before they browse the many stalls on offer. And couples who

attend will have the chance to win a free wedding ceremony in the Register Office’s Garden Room.

As an added bonus, a wedding fashion show will also be taking place in the Council Chamber.

The Register Office at the Civic Offices in Euclid Street has a choice of three ceremony rooms which can accommodate up to 85 guests, along with an attractive outdoor area for those all-important photographs. For details of the wedding fayre contact 01793 522738 or email: LDonnelly@ swindon.gov.uk

Retired gas fitter tells how he fired up Swindon crematorium

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Peter Beckett and bereavement services officer Zoe Fuller in front of one of the three cremators at Kingsdown With the fiftieth anniversary of the opening of Swindon Crematorium approaching, a retired gas fitter from Haydon Wick has revealed the unique claim to being the first person to ignite the ovens.

Peter Beckett, now 85, was the gas board fitter who worked on the fuel pipeline to the new facility at Kingsdown and installed the regulator which set the pressure of the gas used in the crematorium.

But he had to come to the rescue a few days before it was due to open.

Peter explained: “The mayor, and councillors and building contractors were there for a test run and I came out with my boss. The first thing that went wrong was the trial coffin slid off the rails as it went into the cremator so me and my apprentice used a long bar we had in the van to lever it back into place.

“Then one of the officials pressed the button to ignite the gas and nothing happened. There was a kerfuffle about what had gone wrong. I pointed out that the gas fitting to the cremator hadn’t been set up correctly and after some finger pointing they asked me to have a look at it.

“With my apprentice we opened it up in our mobile workshop and made some improvements and had it back in place quite quickly.

“I just said let’s see if this works and pressed the button. It fired up very nicely. Maybe I should have asked if a VIP wanted to do the honour.”

Before Swindon Crematorium was built in the grounds of the recently demolished Kingsdown House which had replaced an Elizabethan Manor in 1810, families had to travel to Oxford or Cheltenham for cremations, a long and no doubt stressful journey.

The first ever cremation at Kingsdown took place on 25 April 1966 and on Saturday 23 April 2016, residents are invited to talk to crematorium staff, learn about the 50 years of operations and take tours behind the scenes.

There will be funeral directors, florists and stonemasons available to discuss funeral plans, and a remembrance service will be held in memory of all who have been cremated at Kingsdown.

The details of the open day will be published in the April Link.

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11

Community News

Swindon’s wheelie bin waste proving to be a powerful source of fuel A year after a £6 million investment

by Public Power Solutions to turn what we throw away into fuel was launched, the project is proving successful in diverting waste from being dumped in the ground.

And instead of having to pay £4 million annually in landfill charges, Swindon Borough Council is receiving benefits from a reduced cost of disposal as well as income from improved recovery of recyclables.

The waste to fuel plant at Waterside Park was designed and managed by Swindon Council company Public Power Solutions Ltd and puts the town at the forefront of waste management in Britain.

Residents currently separate about 35.8 per cent of waste – glass, paper, plastic and garden waste – for kerbside collection, recycling and resale back into industry - down from 50 per cent in 2010. People also take bulky items to the household recycling centre at Waterside Park, adjacent to the Solid Recovered Fuel Plant where every day up to 200 tons of black bin rubbish picked up from the kerbside is taken.

There it is mechanically sorted on long conveyor belts which carries waste through a series of rotating drums, sieves, vibrating screens, air

Christabel Banks-Coffey with bales of waste ready for export, outside the SRF drying plant blowers, magnets and magnetic force fields to separate material that can be recycled, such as grits and metal, from that which can be further processed.

At the end of the conveyor belt the separated and shredded waste is passed through a giant dryer to reduce the moisture content to flakes of solid recovered fuel (SRF), waste that has been dried to a specified level to produce a higher quality fuel. This is then baled and transported to a power station in Latvia or packed into containers and taken to Portugal to power cement making kilns.

Christabel Banks-Coffey, Head of Waste Solutions said: “Swindon

Recycling charity seeks community investment in a replacement van

Restore manager Ian Howard in the old and costly van Swindon Restore has launched an eight week fundraising appeal on Crowdfunder.co.uk to replace their long wheel based vehicle which is costing a fortune to keep on the road.

The charity works with the long term unemployed and those unable to access the workplace due to ill health. Most of its money comes from collecting and selling second hand furniture and other goods such as clothing, toys, books and household goods.

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These items are sold at low affordable prices at the Restore shop at St John’s Church Hall, Whitbourne Avenue to people unable to afford the basics. Many customers require their purchases to be delivered at cost price which make a reliable vehicle a necessity.

The appeal can be found at www. crowdfunder.co.uk in the charity section, under the title of Swindon Restore van project.

Find out more by calling Restore on 01793 978045.

is the only local authority in the country which has set up an SRF plant and the long term investment is paying off. We launched in late 2013 and are now diverting 90 per cent of the waste that used to go into landfill. Every ton of waste being dumped in the ground costs the council taxpayer in the region of £103.

“Over the last year we’ve processed 57,000 tons of waste but from 1st February, with the introduction of new shift patterns, we aim to deal with 70,000 tons.

The plant has the capacity to deal with 90,000 tons a year so we’re developing a market in local waste by taking material from private waste contractors. The plant was built to cope with the continued expansion of the town.

“Our plant started by producing Refused Derived Fuel (RDF) which is not such good quality because of the higher moisture level. The upgrade to SRF means we produce fuel with a high calorific value to deliver a consistent energy output needed for different industrial processes. None of the fuel is used in Swindon, it’s all used elsewhere.

Unfortunately there isn’t yet a market in this country, but there is demand for SRF in Northern Europe and Portugal.”

Some waste is still difficult to deal with. Mattresses, being large to handle and full of densely woven material and steel springs which are difficult to disassemble, still have to go to landfill. uPVC windows and doors contain harmful chemicals if burnt, and are also buried. Shoes and trainers are problematic too as they have a high calorific value and PPS is testing equipment to break down and shred them.

Christabel added: “In the last six months PPS has also introduced an improved metals recovery sorting

system. It’s surprising how much metal we pick up from black bins, about 2 tons a day. Aluminium cans, which could be put into recycling boxes, make up the bulk of the metal. There are a lot of pots, pans, woks and also old washing racks, and also high value metals like lead, copper and brass.

“This is separated from general waste and taken into another building where a team of people physically pick through the metal on a conveyor belt before it goes past a magnet. The metal is then mechanically sorted again and baled ready to be picked by metal recycling merchants. This cleaned ferrous and non-ferrous metals is worth a lot more than if left mixed with plastic bags and dirt.

“This year we will be carrying out tests on how to clean the sand, grit, vacuum cleaner dirt and cat litter mixed up in the black bin waste. This is sieved out from the waste sorting line and dumped into landfill because its contaminated. If it can be efficiently cleaned we can recycle it.

“As a company we’re always looking at new technologies which we can use to turn waste into a value product, and also find local markets for it.”

PPS might be using a combination of technology and physical effort to sort waste and Christabel says the council taxpayer would be helped if all residents see their service as the last in the waste chain which is: • don’t produce so much waste • reuse it where possible • sort it into recycling boxes for collection or take large items to Waterside Park • put it into the wheelie bin for responsible disposal.

Find out more at: www.publicpowersolutions.co.uk

Community News

Scrapstore on the move again Swindon Children’s Scrapstore is relocating to new premises in February, and after four moves in 14 years, they are hoping to raise enough money to purchase their own building.

Scrapstore has been going since 1985, set up to support community groups by providing a wide variety of clean, re-usable materials for use in educational and recreational play.

Project manager Olivia McCann, right, said: “The Scrapstore has been in operation for the past 30 years and benefits over 40,000 people in Swindon each year. We’ve proved ourselves as an amazing environmental resource by turning waste things into play things, but having moved from short lease buildings in Pinehurst, Cheney Manor Industrial Estate, West Swindon, and now Elgin, we need to try and put ourselves on a more sustainable footing by securing our own building.”

Over the years the charity has had to use up valuable money and volunteer effort on organising moves, decorating, storage and display of material for groups to choose. A permanent home would allow energy to be focussed on building closer links with donors

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Scrapstore project manager Olivia McCann of resusable business waste and improving the service to users.

Olivia said: “Thankfully the DHL Logistic Team support us by kindly moving the Scrapstore. We would also like to thank Howdens, R&K Design and Build, Adgas & Sons, Buildbase and Travis Perkins for their help in refurbishing our new unit.”

Scrapstore will be moving to Unit 7, Bramble Close, Elgin Industrial Estate, SN2 8DW from Unit 2 and and will close on Saturday 13 February, 2pm. It will reopen on Tuesday 16 February, 10am.

Contact Olivia McCann at Scrapstore on 0773 023290 or email: olivia@scrapstore.co.uk www.scrapstore.co.uk

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13

Community News

Volunteers needed to make Swindon an even better place for the hard of hearing North Swindon MP and Minister for Disabled People Justin Tomlinson met up with members of Let’s Loop Swindon before Christmas for an update about their work to make the town more friendly for people with hearing impairment.

The group has established the town as a UK leader in ensuring public premises have functioning hearing loop equipment which helps people wearing aids communicate more easily when out and about.

Over the last three years hearing aid wearers accompanied by volunteers have carried out approximately 300 surveys at shops, banks, pharmacies and public buildings to find out if installed equipment is working.

Let’s Loop committee member Rosemarie Phillips said: “My role is to check if my hearing aid is picking up what shopkeepers or pharmacists are saying. Sometimes you see a sign in the shop window saying a hearing loop is installed and discover it isn’t, or it’s badly positioned, it’s not turned on or the batteries have run out, or staff don’t know how to use it. Sometimes the loop is working well but there isn’t a sign telling customers that it’s available.

“By carrying out these audits

we’ve managed to raise awareness of how important and quite easy it is to make things better for people wearing hearing aids.”

CEO of Hearing Link, Dr Lorraine Gailey said Swindon is a leader across Britain in adopting hearing loops. “We support groups in 18 towns actively promoting hearing loops and Swindon is by far the best in ensuring that people with hearing loss can participate in the community and enjoy life to the full. It’s only when people act that you get change on the ground and Let’s Loop Swindon has shown how to bring organisations, people using hearing aids and volunteers together to make things happen.”

To promote the project New College TV production students have made a short film scripted

by Let’s Loop member Lin Barker and starring Kayleigh Williams from Freshbrook which shows the difficulties of living with hearing impairment and the difference hearing loops make to people’s lives.

Lloyds Pharmacy provided the set where the film was made.

Justin Tomlinson said he is proud that Let’s Loop Swindon is at the forefront of ensuring places provide a better service.

“Hearing loops are a vital part

Justin Tomlinson MP with a hearing loop and Let’s Loop volunteers including Lin Barker, left, and council representatives and Dr Lorraine Gailey of Hearing Link, right. Below, Lin with Robert Buckland MP who uses a loop at his surgeries of an inclusive society and with the spending power of disabled households calculated at £212 billion, making shops accessible is good for business too. I don’t think retailers deliberately keep loop equipment in poor condition, but they need to realise that somebody in their organisations should have responsibility for ensuring hearing loops are available. And if they’re not providing a good service to people with disabilities they’ll lose trade and reputation.”

In his role as disabilities minister Justin agreed to write a joint letter with Dr Gailey to the chief executives of major supermarkets, to encourage them to listen to calls

to improve their facilities.

Let’s Loop Swindon chair Tim Mason, who coordinates volunteers through Rotary Community Corps, said: “It’s exciting that Swindon is a champion town for hearing loops.

But to ensure we provide the very best service possible, we need more volunteers able to visit premises to make checks and advise how shop keepers and building managers can make sure their equipment is available at all times.”

Find out more by contacting Tim. Mason@1100rotaryclub.org Watch the New College video at: http://bit.ly/letsloopswindon www.1100rotaryeclub.org/lets-loopswindon

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Justin Tomlinson MP is urging people to don their glad rags for Phabkids at a dinner dance and auction on Saturday 13 February at DeVere Village, Shaw Ridge.

The charity fundraises for youngsters with a range of disabilities and complex needs, enabling them to experience greater independence and freedom.

There are great prizes on offer

including a shirt signed by cricketer Stuart Broad and a private tour of the Houses of Parliament. Tickets are £30 each from Sarah Bladen on 07815915965 or email sarah. bladen@gwr.com

Community News

Swindon medic inspired to improve nutrition for the critically ill following California visit on Winston Churchill travelling scholarship Zoe Barber, an NHS surgical registrar, has returned from the West Coast after spending two months studying the impact of Project AngelFood, which delivers nutritious meals to the critically ill in Los Angeles.

The trip was made possible after Zoe applied for a Winston Churchill Memorial Trust travelling fellowship. On the back of the opportunity to discover more about a project without a comparison in Britain, she has taken a12 month sabbatical from surgical training

based at Great Western Hospital to investigate how it can be implemented here.

Zoe, from Royal Wootton Bassett, explained: “Project AngelFood is a non-profit organisation based in Los Angeles which began in 1989, in response to the HIV/AIDS explosion.

It started with a small group of volunteers making meals to deliver to people too ill to leave their homes or to purchase ingredients to cook their own meals. Now there are 38 permanent members of staff providing 10,000 frozen meals

Thanks for the old instruments

Following the visit by renowned classical composer and conductor Luis Szaran from Paraguay in July 2015, when he renewed his appeal for old musical instruments to help young people in his country to join community orchestras, he has Luis Szaran with John and Matt Holland welcomed donations instrument. Music is in our soul and which were delivered in November. we use it to bring people together.

John Holland from Purton and “You would be amazed what his brother Matt, from Shaw, people living in the poorest delivered the collection to Sonidos situations, in slums or on dumps, de la Tierra (Sound of the Earth) can achieve, making and playing for distribution to music making instruments made from recovered projects around the country. pipes and bottle tops.”

In between touring the world John Holland commented: “Luis to conduct top orchestras, Luis and Sonidos de La Tierra are always is the inspiration behind the grassroots music making project for so welcoming and appreciative of the cultural bridge between disadvantaged children and young people in neghbourhoods across the Swindon and Paraguay.

“They send their warm thanks for country. all the instruments that we were Speaking through an interpreter able to deliver.” to Swindon Link last July, he Collections carry on throughout said: “Sonidos de la Tierra is also the year. Contact John on 07771 about community life; we help 615663 to discuss making a young people gain a skill and build donation. confidence through playing an

every week to the terminally ill in Los Angeles County. They prepare meals tailored to particular medical requirements, such as renal failure or diabetes in a customised 8,000 square foot kitchen.

“I applied for the fellowship because, while I am able to make a difference to a small number of people on a daily basis in the operating theatre, I wanted the opportunity to make a difference in the longer term. Some patients go home from hospital with limited support. The basic tasks such as shopping and cooking can be really difficult after a major operation.

“The staff and volunteers at Project AngelFood were so positive about the help they provide to their 2,000 clients and they couldn’t have been more helpful with the mass of questions I had. I was able to visit some of the clients with one of the delivery drivers. For many, their weekly delivery was their only contact with another human being.”

Even though Project AngelFood is a response to very difficult circumstances, Zoe found the cando American outlook shone through and she was impressed by the commitment to volunteering.

“The LA ‘yes we can’ attitude is so different to the usual UK sarcasm and cynicism. I was worried that I’d find the permanent optimism irritating or fake but I found it really inspiring. Everyone I met smiled and chatted; when I told them about my charity plans, they congratulated me on the idea and offered me their business cards in case I needed any help or anywhere to stay in LA - the generosity and kindness of complete strangers was truly humbling and, perhaps, the biggest lesson I’ve brought home with me.

“The US health and social care system is great for two groups of people - those wealthy enough to pay for private insurance, and the poor who qualify for Medicare. The huge group in the middle of ‘normal’ people who don’t earn enough to pay for insurance but earn too much to qualify for State care are under huge pressure because of the cost of health or social care. It made me realise how lucky we are to have, and how proud we should be, of the NHS. It certainly has its limitations but it is such a wonderful institution in being free to all at the point of access. We are so privileged to have it - we should protect and cherish it.

“On the other side of things, Americans are brilliant at volunteering - it is part of normal

Zoe, above and left at Project AngelFood life. Businesses donate their employees for a day or longer a month to volunteer, schoolchildren are expected to volunteer to gain the required credits to graduate (and colleges look very favourably on volunteering). For a country with an outwardly materialistic reputation, its enthusiasm about volunteering was really heartening.

“There is definitely a need for a similar project in the UK, and seeing the impact of Project AngelFood in America, it has made me even more determined to set up something similar here and that’s my task over the next few months.” www.angelfood.org

Quiz teams wanted Three friends who are planning to climb Africa’s highest mountain in August are recruiting teams for a quiz on 12 March.

Ian Lawrence, Dan Hopkins and Becky Prince are raising money and awareness of Retinitis Pigmentosa, a genetically inherited disease - which currently has no known cure or treatment.

Daniel suffers from RP which has destroyed the parts of his eyes which give peripheral vision, leaving him with deteriorating tunnel eyesight. It’s the most common form of inherited blindness in the world and next year will be the fortieth anniversary since the charity RP Fighting Blindness was founded.

Contact ian@lawrencerose.co.uk to take part in the quiz night, which includes waitress service and licenced bar, at Wanborough Village Hall.

Help the team at: www.justgiving.com/IRLawrence www.rpfightingblindness.org.uk swindonlink.com n February 2016

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Education News

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Education News

Offering young people the chance to excel Young athletes from Swindon and the surrounding area have until 20 February to apply to join the GLL Sports Foundation and get support for whatever activity they are involved in.

The GLL Sport Foundation (GSF) is the largest independent athlete support programme in the UK and has so far provided over 8,400 athletes with awards across 105 sports, totalling over £4.9 million.

Talented prospects can apply for up to £1,250 to cover travel, competition and equipment costs.

Recipients also benefit from sports performance support and free access to more than 200 sport and leisure venues managed by GLL and partners across the UK The programme works in

partnership with sport national governing bodies through SportsAid to support the next generation of sporting talent.

In 2015, GSF supported 1,700 athletes across 105 sports. With over 90 per cent of recipients receiving no other funding the programme helps athletes at the right time in their careers.

The programme is focussed on athletes aiming for the 2020 and 2024 Olympic Games, with over 70 per cent of recipients being under 21 years of age. To be eligible for a grant, applicants must live or be in education in an area where GLL or its partners operate, such as Swindon.

Find out more and apply via www.gllsportfoundation.org

Swindon leisure centres within the Better network run by GLL are calling on members and nonmembers to walk, run, swim and cycle themselves proud while fundraising £500,000 for Sport Relief.

Better staff have devised a series of spectacular sporting events under #Teambetter as part of Sainsbury’s Sport Relief Games, from Friday 18 to Sunday 20 March.

Existing members and non-members at Better facilities can take part in challenges at Link Centre, Oasis Leisure Centre and Croft Sports Centre.

Drop into one of them to become part of #Teambetter or find out more at: www.better.org.uk/sport-relief

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17

Family News

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Businesses called to help North family support As Swindon Council withdraws funding from family support work, Butterflies Family Centre is becoming increasingly reliant on business to sustain its crucial activities to help North Swindon families under pressure.

The Christmas party held at Redhouse Community Centre is a good example where local companies helped make the festive season special for a number of families. Over eighty 0 to 5 year olds and their carers participated in craft and musical activities before enjoying a party and a visit to Santa in his magical grotto.

The event was made possible by a generous grant from Asda, whose Community Life Champion Kerry Switzer transformed into an elf for the day. A team from Zurich fundraised as part of a Christmas challenge to provide presents and decorations, and then helped out on the day.

Homebase also donated a tree and lights for the grotto.

Butterflies manager Tanya Parkinson said: “As well as getting funding from grant applications Butterflies Family Centre needs businesses to help fund parenting

Tanya Parkinson courses and one to one support, as well as running groups and courses for 0 to 5 year olds and their carers, in addition to fun events such as the Christmas party.

“Supporting such projects is a great marketing and publicity opportunity; more importantly it is such a rewarding experience when company employees visit our centre and see first hand how the families benefit from their funding.”

Currently Butterflies is seeking help to run another cycle of

therapeutic groups where mothers who have had suicidal thoughts, self-harmed or experienced depression and low mood, are invited to join a group for six weeks.

Whilst children are looked after in a crèche, the mums take part in craft activities run by a specialist tutor. A counsellor also leads relaxation sessions.

Ladies meet others in a similar situation and don’t feel so alone with their issues; they make friends and start to meet each other independently.

Tanya added: “We measure the impact on mental health and the improvements are significant. From past courses, participants say things like ‘it’s somewhere safe to go; very supportive; much, much, much needed.’”

“Each group costs £500 to run, so please donate to enable us to organise another. If you or your business are able to help in any way, please do get in touch on 01793 722984.” www.abbeymeads.swindon.sch.uk/ butterflies

The importance of taking time out Information and advice for parents from Experts in Parenting Support Being a parent is rewarding and challenging, but it is healthy to take time out now and then, switching off from everyday responsibilities, relaxing and recharging the batteries, writes ePIP consultant Lorraine.

Valentine’s Day provides an opportunity for those who may feel labelled as just ‘Mummy’ or ‘Daddy’ to reconnect as a couple.

Strange as it may seem, there is no set age for leaving children home alone. The law simply says you shouldn’t leave a child if they will be at risk. NSPCC advise that any child under 12 shouldn’t be left unsupervised and any child under 16 shouldn’t be left alone overnight.

Here are a few tips to consider when looking for a babysitter: • The babysitter should be mature enough to handle any problems that may arise. Ask them some important questions - what would they do if your child refused to go to bed, or became ill.

• Introduce them to your children days in advance, so they get to know each other before the first babysitting session.

• Ask if you can speak to other families they’ve babysat for. Follow

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your intuition; if you do not feel comfortable then it is always best to look for someone else.

• If the babysitter is under 16, then you, as the parent, remain legally responsible for your own child’s safety.

• When taking a night off, leave details of where you are going and contact numbers with your babysitter.

It’s also polite to leave a little something in the fridge for them to nibble on. Pay rates depend on a number of factors (an inexperienced family friend is likely to charge less than a qualified childcare professional), but the average is between £6 and £10 per hour.

Safe children are happy children, so don’t feel guilty about leaving them in safe hands and enjoying some well-earned time out!

About - ePiP

ePiP provides a range of innovative and exciting parenting services.

They are already working with local employers, providing services for working parents, but will shortly be launching a direct service which will be accessible to all.

Find out more at: www.epipdirect.com

Family News Busy Fingers group settling in to new rooms

Busy Fingers Baby and Toddler group at the Haydon Centre Busy Fingers Baby and Toddler group is settling in to their new rooms in familiar surroundings, after GLL quite literally knocked down walls to accomodate them.

Busy Fingers is Swindon’s largest baby and toddler group. The toddler sessions for children between the ages of 18 months and school age have been running at the Haydon Centre for many years, but were under the threat of having to move to a new room when GLL took over the management of the Haydon Centre.

In April 2015, SwindonLink was contacted by group organisers about their worry that GLL planned to turn the hall they use into a gym.

However, since October 2015 the new rooms have been in use as GLL fulfilled their promise to accommodate the group. Now they are benefiting from the addition of outside space for the children.

Group coordinator Debbie MusaEigee said: “We had initial concerns about our place at the Haydon Centre but everything has actually worked out for the best. The outside space we now enjoy is really beneficial for the children; it means we can continue to provide our service to the families in the area.”

If you would like more information on Busy Fingers, including a full list of available sessions, visit www.busyfingersswindon.co.uk

How can Musical Minis help your child be ... .. a skillful communicator - by developing language and co-ordination. .. emotionally developed - through sharing stories and songs whilst meeting new friends. .. a confident child - by joining in the activities in a relaxed group atmosphere. .. a creative child - by exploring instruments, sounds, rhythm and movement.

Phone Chrissie on 01793 725259 www.musicalminis.co.uk

Musical Minis is a pre-school fun time music group for babies and toddlers.

Each structured session encourages cognitive, physical and emotional development through the use of music, instruments and stories.

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An independent family run nursery offering quality care and education within a safe, secure, stimulating environment for all babies and children from 0-5 and an out of school club for children aged 5-11 years Open: Monday to Friday, 7.30am-6.30pm, 51 weeks of the year Full, part time and term time places. Government funding for 3-5 year olds High staff to child ratios with qualified and experienced teaching staff and nursery nurses Nutritious 3 course meals, hydro pool, multi sensory room, school hall with gym apparatus, secure gardens, mini bus for trips out and about

Please call us at Windmill Hill to arrange a nursery tour just for you and we will look forward to welcoming you to our Outstanding Nursery

Britain’s leading National Active Physical Play programme for children from 6 months to 7 years.

Your child will learn agility, balance, climbing, co-ordination appropriate to his or her age.

Structured programmes designed to build self confidence and develop essential listening and language skills.

Supervised by trained staff in a fun and caring environment.

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Liz Davies on 0844 800 0219 www.tumbletots.com/swindon swindonlink.com n February 2016

19

Community News

Making a difference Volunteers provide vital support to organisations in Swindon and the people they are working with.

Do you want to gain retail experience?

The Cancer Research UK charity shop needs people who can help out on weekday afternoons or on a Sunday to assist with pricing items, operating the tills, sorting and displaying stock and talking to customers.

The Prospect Hospice is looking for cafe volunteers to support the catering team who provide services to patients, families, visitors, staff and other volunteers.

You can help behind the counter, serve snacks and meals or operate the till.

The West Swindon Family Centre is looking for volunteers to help with their under 2s Panda Group.

As part of a team you will help set up and clear away, and join in with

activities with the children.

Willows Counselling Service needs people to provide a couple of hours reception and general administrative help to support the friendly parttime team.

Help Young People reach their potential. Inner Flame works with people aged 16 to 25 years develop their potential through inspiring training, coaching and challenging experiences.

They are looking for volunteers with experience and skills to help deliver CV writing, job coaching and mock interviews Find out more about these and many other volunteering opportunities by contacting Volunteer Centre Swindon on 01793 420557 or email: info@swindonvolunteers.org.uk Visitors are welcome to drop in at 1 John Street, Swindon from Monday to Friday, 11am to 3pm.

See more at: www.do-it.org

Keep the fun alive in the North

After two successful summer fun days a number of North Swindon Community Group members have moved on and the organising committee is looking for new people to join them in pulling together future events.

Find out more by mailing Wayne Sims at: nscommunitygroup@gmail.com

West Swindon and Lydiard Tregoze Church Partnership Please join us in worship on Sunday mornings Westlea Church, Westlea School: 10am St Mary’s Lydiard Tregoze - the church in the park: 10am Holy Trinity, Shaw: 10.30am Toothill Church: 10.30am For details of these and our other services call the Partnership Office on 01793 874221 Email: wspartnershipoffice@gmail.com Website: WSwinlyd.org.uk

Anglican • Baptist • Methodist • United Reformed Church

St. John’s Haydon Wick On Thames Avenue next door to Morrisons Contact: Revd Raymond Adams Tel: 634258

Sunday 9am Services 11am

Traditional communion service Eventful, contemporary worship with children’s groups meeting www.stjohnshaydonwick.org.uk

Open to all, serving tea, coffee, cakes & light lunches Fridays and Saturdays: 10am - 2pm

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swindonlink.com n February 2016

Open Door aims to have hit its £30,000 target in its thirtieth year

The Lord Lieutenant of Wiltshire Sarah-Rose Troughton launching the Open Door’s fundraising calender in February 2015 The Open Door Centre, based in Gorse Hill, will be revealing whether it has reached its 2015 £30,000 fundraising target at a VIP event on 12 February.

The centre provides a specialist day resource for adults with learning disabilities, who may also have physical disabilities and/or mental health issues.

Open Door enables members to achieve their highest potential by providing a range of activities within a safe, supportive and nonjudgemental environment. Members are involved in every level of decision making about the running of the centre.

They are encouraged to be independent adults, understanding their rights and choices, in order to become respected, confident, valued members of society.

The centre is partly funded by a grant from SBC but mainly from grants and fundraising.

Launched in January 2015, the charity’s Festival 30 campaign set out to raise funds to keep the service going and to raise the profile. It was the brainchild of Carol

Gibbon, their Volunteer Fundraising Ambassador for the year. The Lord Lieutenant of Wiltshire, Sarah Troughton, set the ball rolling, opening the first door on their Festival 30 ‘advent calendar’ raised from a donation from MAN Trucks and the members’ sponsored silence.

Throughout the year fundraisers were out in force collecting money and organising events like quizes, Motown dances, chocolate bingo, a zero to hero boxing event, an Elvis night, sponsored walks, a choir festival, and even a fashion show.

The big event of the year was the anniversary ball in September and a visit from HRH Duke of Gloucester.

A spokesperson said: “We have had many supporters helping us in small ways – knitting Easter chicks, donating birthday money, hosting collection tins, and so on and we have been touched by the many people who have been so kind to us throughout our Festival 30 year.

We are still awaiting some funds from events, but as we re-opened in the new year our Festival 30 total stood at £24,600.”

21

Classical Guitar Lessons by qualified teacher DBS checked Over 30 years of experience

Getting ready for Swindon Festival of Literature 23 Plans are now well advanced for the annual Swindon Festival of Literature which takes place from 2 to 14 May in various venues around the town, including the Arts Centre, Central Library, Town Hall and Lower Shaw Farm.

This year’s festival promises a mischievous mix of ideas and entertainment, including the serious, the not-so-serious and the downright hilarious.

Providing the latter will be the likes of Dom Joly, he of the big phone, with his book Here Comes the Clown; and word-playing poetmagician Paul Hyland.

Offering more of a serious look at life will be veteran writer A N Wilson with his latest publication The Book of the People: how to read the Bible.

Also taking things seriously will be philosopher Roger Scruton with his book The Soul of the World, which addresses questions of the sacred over the scientific.

Another philosopher spinning new ideas in Swindon will be Kevin Dutton who has written The Good Psychopath’s Guide to Success in partnership with Andy McNab,

the former SAS sergeant who emerged from the shadows a few years ago to become a best selling thriller writer.

Their book offers ideas on how to get the best out of life, doing good things, by using your inner psychopath.

On an international front, Professor Christian Felber from Austria will be visiting Swindon to introduce us to ground-breaking theories on economy for the common good, as described in his book Change Everything!

On a lighter fictional note, bestselling novelist Joanne Harris, famed for her book turned into a film Chocolat, unveils her latest work, Different Class.

And new kid on the novel-writing block, Amy Liptrot, comes to town to talk about her disturbing memoir, The Outrun, about a challenging life in the Orkneys and London, and how a new look at nature can be the best cure for addiction.

Many more writers, speakers, and entertainers are due to confirm their participation and all will be revealed in forthcoming editions of The Link.

The full festival programme will be launched at midday on Thursday 17 March at Swindon Central Library.

For details and to receive festival mail outs, call 01793 771080 or email: Coming to Swindon in May, top, Dom Joly. litfest@lowershawfarm.

Above, Joanne Harris co.uk

Call Jan 0750 1066 717

LEAP YEAR COMPETITION Running during February First prize is a VIP appointment with added extras See our Facebook page for more details www.trousseaux.co.uk 01793 724578 Studio D2, Gemini House, Hargreaves Rd Groundwell Estate, Swindon SN25 5AZ

swindonlink.com n February 2016

21

Swindon Wide

International accolade for Swindon poet from Huffington Post Swindon poet Hilda Sheehan has been listed as a ‘Poet of 2016’ by international online publication Huffington Post.

Hilda, of Old Town, is heavily involved in the Swindon Festival of Poetry and the Festival of Literature as both a performer and organiser.

The Huffington Post article, written by American poet Robert Peake, described Hilda as ‘deft and quirky in equal measure. She inhabits a range of alter egos, and generally makes poetry fun. That she has fun in her work is also

evident, and infectious, tilting the spirit level on readers at every possible turn.’

Robert Peake added to his online comments by saying: “I first encountered Hilda at the Troubadour Cafe in London, reading as part of the CoffeeHouse Poetry Series.

“Her work is captivating, because you can’t predict where you are going to end up - except to say somewhere very different than where you began.

“Her best work is the sort of thing you can’t take your eyes off,

like a mad scientist experimenting in your kitchen. Nothing is certain about the future for poetry or poets, but I can say that from Hilda I am sure we can expect more linguistic experimentation, rich community-making, and wild creative abandon.

“Hilda’s work seems strongly influenced by American poets, but in a uniquely British way, which is why I think it deserves more exposure from audiences on both sides of The Pond.”

You can visit Hilda’s blog at hildasheehanpoetry.blogspot.com

Hilda who coordinated the Toothill Long Poem in 2012

RSA Engage heritage event taking place on 1 March The RSA (Royal Society for the encouragement of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce) is running an engagement event on 1 March at Central Community Centre,

Emlyn Square, as an opportunity to learn more about RSA’s current activities and a chance to meet fellows from the society.

There will be a focussed discussion

on RSA’s Heritage Index and how projects that you are involved in.

Swindon and the surrounding area Non-fellows who are interested in could use this to take a conversation finding out more are welcome. about heritage forward. There will Registration for this free event is also be an opportunity to pitch required at: www.bit.ly/RSAengage

You can’t beat the flavour captured by our super hot charcoal Grill, the famous Josper.

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07/08/2015 07:32

Swindon Wide Young pianists have the chance to play Jamie Cullum’s Yamaha grand at Swindon festival

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Jamie Cullum playing a farewell to his piano at Commonweal in September 2015 St Patrick’s Day will see some very lucky young musicians tinkling the ivories on Jamie Cullum's piano - if they enter Swindon Youth Piano Festival which takes place at Commonweal Academy's C6 auditorium on Thursday 17 March.

Josie Williams, the school’s community arts development officer and joint festival organiser with Commonweal’s music leader Kirsty Driver, said: “The piano is used on a regular basis for lessons and concerts and it's fantastic we are able to offer this wonderful instrument for all young people in Swindon to play on and it really does make a difference to inspire the next generation.”

The event is a sharing opportunity and not a competition. Prior to the evening concert students will take part in a masterclass with music teacher Jon Driver who will close the recital with some classical pieces. The aim is to give young people tips on how to improve their performances and piano technique.

Any young person living in or attending a school in the borough of Swindon can apply irrespective of ability.

If you have a child, or know of a child who would benefit from taking part, email: josie@commonweal. co.uk or call 01793 427860 for an application form.

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23

Swindon Wide

The February 2003 edition of Swindon Link published images of military maps held at Swindon Central Library, but in the Winter 2016 edition of Swindon Heritage magazine, Frances Bevan delved deeper into how the Soviet Union kept tabs on Swindon, and examines chilling documents in the Swindon Local Collection to find out just how real the threat of nuclear war was deemed to be during the Cold War – both by Warsaw Pact countries and by our own government - and the devastating impact on the local population if the armaggedon button had been pressed.

Just 25 years ago Europe lived under the threat of a nuclear attack from the USSR, and Swindon was central to emergency planning operations.

If a nuclear war was imminent central government would have been relocated to redundant stone mines under Corsham with an operational centre beneath the now demolished Swindon Police Station in Princes Street.

The town’s close proximity to three strategic RAF air bases at Lyneham, Fairford and Brize Norton, and other military installations nearby, meant we were also vulnerable to

radioactive fall-out.

On 9 November 1989, the East German government announced that GDR citizens could visit West Germany and West Berlin, and as German people flooded through the former checkpoints they began to hack at the fabric of the Berlin Wall and over the ensuing months Communist regimes across Eastern Europe and the Soviet Union itself eventually collapsed.

With the end of the Cold War, and the threat of a nuclear attack diminished, a collection of original maps came on the market. Michael Marshman, a local studies librarian at Wiltshire County Council, quickly snapped up the Wiltshire editions.

They show Communist military planning and intent in some detail with Swindon streets and important landmarks delineated in Cyrillic script.

Also in Central Library is a report produced in the early 1980s for Thamesdown Borough Council by Scientists Against Nuclear Arms which makes for terrifying reading.

Predictions of nuclear attacks showed severe damage to property in the Highworth area, with Moredon, Groundwell and Penhill placed at the centre of a fire zone, where those in the open would have th weal a ishes publ Swindon Heritage received second degree burns. of articles about the town on a Casualty figures were calculated to e quarterly basis. Find out wher at 1,260 killed and 13,868 injured, cribe subs to how and purchase a copy out of a population of 126,077. at www.swindonheritage.com Additional casualties due to

24

swindonlink.com n February 2016

radiation were anticipated to be 25,216 killed, while another 12,000 would receive ‘sub-lethal’ doses.

A further analysis was published

by Wiltshire County Council in April 1985, with a slightly moderated forecast, but the numbers were still horrifying. Depending on the size of the weapons used, an estimated 45,000 to 85,000 people would be killed or seriously injured within a three-mile radius of the strike.

Did local residents realise just how vulnerable Swindon and the surrounding towns and villages were

during the Cold War period? If we are in any doubt today, the official maps with familiar local place names replaced by their Russian alternatives remind us of how different international politics was within living memory.

The fascinating reminders of those not-so-distant days can be viewed in the local studies archives at Central Library, Regent Circus. Staff are available to retrieve the maps to view on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 10am to 4pm, and Saturdays, 10am to 1.30pm.

Target Swindon was constantly updated. The town and its region is shown above. Below, the western expansion has been added

Swindon Wide

Love is in the air this February With two dates in February that scream romance you’re going to be hard pressed to get away from loved up Swindonians this month.

With both Valentine’s Day on 15 February and Leap Year Day on 29 February, traditionally a day for proposals, it’s a month where the romantic gesture would definitely go down well (and it could involve buying something magical from Deacons (see right)).

Unfortunately Swindon does not have an airport that you can make a last minute romantic dash for (which seems to be the ending of every romantic film ever) but it has plenty more that should keep potential lovers happy. Here are five date ideas: 1. Take a romantic stroll around Lydiard Park. With its glorious landscaped gardens and house this is the ideal spot for love. Just make sure it’s not been raining before getting down on one knee as muddy trousers do seem to ruin the moment.

2. For a date with a difference there’s Roves Farm in Sevenhampton just outside of Swindon. The farm is chockful of cute critters and nature walks that

are bound to inspire romance. Be careful where you step though as there might be more than love in the air if you tread in anything undesirable.

3. If you’ve ever seen the film Brief Encounter, you’ll know that steam railways are full of romance. Steam Museum will take you and your loved one back to the days of the old engines. It’s bound to get your love on ‘track’.

4. How about a date at the pitch and putt at Coate Water? Nothing says I love you more than taking 15 shots to get that blasted ball into a hole whilst trying not to swear.

5. Dinner out followed by a trip to the cinema. It might be a cliche but a meal followed by the flicks is still prime date fodder. Be warned though Deadpool released on 14 February is not a romantic comedy.

Schoolhouse Restaurant HAPPY HOUR £12.99 (per person)

Reservations are recommended.

Daily changing choice of 5 starters, 5 main courses & 5 desserts Every day 11am to 12 noon and 5pm to 6.30pm Starters (sample)

Crispy fish fritter with remoulade sauce Mushroom tempura with soy & sweet chilli sauce Cream of tomato soup with tarragon & rye bread Breaded cod’s roe with parsley mayonnaise Thai prawn & cod cakes with sweet chilli sauce Breaded mushrooms with aioli Greek salad with balsamic dressing Fresh vegetable broth with artisan bread

Main Courses (sample) Boeuf Bourguignon with mashed potato & fresh vegetables Thai vegetables, fish or chicken & rice Veal steamed suet pudding, mash, gravy & root vegetables Honey roasted pork with cider jus, mashed potato & pickled cabbages Battered fish, remoulade sauce, sauté potatoes & mushy peas ‘Garbure’; French broth of pheasant, ham & vegetables in bouillon with bread

Desserts (sample)

Steamed toffee pudding with caramel sauce Choice of ice cream & toppings Dark chocolate mousse and ice cream & white chocolate sauce Caramelized orange with flamed whisky and honey sauce Christmas pudding & brandy sauce Rhubarb & apple crumble & pomegranate cream Crispy apple & cinnamon fritter with apricot sauce

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Swindon Wide MUSIC Thursday 4th, 7.30pm Barry Steele & Friends with the Orbison Story in recognition of Roy Orbison’s 80th birthday in 2016. £23.50 Wyvern

WHAT’S ON Wednesday 17th to Saturday 20th, 7.30pm Ten In A Bar. A performance of classic harmonies plus a brand new comic sketch featuring Sunday evening TV dramas. £12. Arts Centre

Wednesday 24th, 7.30pm The Classic Rock Show. Celebrating their sixth year, this critically acclaimed show will toast the occasion with some of the greatest moments in rock guitar history.

Friday 5th & Saturday 6th, 7.30pm £23.50 - £33.50. Wyvern & Saturday 6th, 2.30pm Thursday 25th, 7.30pm Ray Dance & Judith Sharp: An New College Music Department Evening of Rodgers & Hammerstein. Recital Evening. A wide range of Ray and Judith are again singing for New College student instrumentalcharity in this, their 25th producists present music from all genres. tion featuring many of Rodgers & £3.50, tickets from Wyvern box Hammerstein best-loved songs. £12. office; £4 on the door. The Phoenix Wyvern Theatre Saturday 6th, 7.30pm Thursday 25th, 7.30pm The Drifters. The current line-up of The Simon & Garfunkel Story. A one of the greatest bands in music 50th anniversary tour using projecindustry history perform all the tion photos, original film footage classics and many newer recordings. and a full band performing all the £26. Wyvern hits. £20. Wyvern Sunday 7th, 3pm Saturday 27th, 7.30pm Swindon Recital Series: Hadyn’s The Bon Jovi Experience. Lead London Ladies. Clare McCaldin, singer Tony Pearce takes on the task mezzo soprano and Paul Turner, of emulating the legendary Jon Bon piano. £12; seniors £10; students Jovi with ease and panache. £18. £2.50; accompanied children age 14 Wyvern and under free. Arts Centre Friday 5th, 7.30pm Let’s Hang On. An award winning celebration of the legendary Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons. £23.50 Wyvern

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Friday 12th, 7.30pm A Viennese Strauss Gala. Recreating the romance of the Viennese festive season the show features highlights from some of the great operettas of the Strauss family, Kalman and Lehar. £21. Wyvern Friday 12th, 7.30pm Viva Neil Diamond. Bob Dury celebrates Neil Diamond’s 50 year recording career with a new oneman show. £15. Arts Centre Saturday 13th, 8pm Larry Miller. The blues/rock guitar with his unique showmanship. £15.

Arts Centre Saturday 13th, 7.30pm Syd Lawrence Orchestra with ultimate big band music. £20. Wyvern Sunday 14th, 8pm

MUSICAL Friday 26th, Saturday 27th, Monday 29th, 7.30pm & Sunday 28th, 5pm The Pirates of Penzance.

A quirky new production of Gilbert & Sullivan’s masterpiece updated to 1953, while respecting Gilbert’s witty dialogue and Sullivan’s sparkling score. £12; under 18s £8. Arts Centre

OPERA Tuesday 16th, 7.30pm Madam Butterfly sung in Italian with English subtitles performed to a live orchestra, presented by Russian State Opera. This touching story of innocent love crushed amidst two utterly different cultures resonates as strongly as ever today. £30 - £36. Wyvern

DANCE Andy Fairweatherlow & The Low Riders. £22. Arts Centre Wednesday 17th, 1.05pm Lunchtime Recital Series: Piano Preludes with Hamish Brown. £5; £8.85 with tea and cake. Wyvern

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swindonlink.com n February 2016

Friday 19th & Saturday 20th, 7.30pm; Saturday 20th, 2.30pm Swindon Academy of Dance. An explosion of all genres of dance performed by over 200 local childern. £12 - £15. Wyvern

Swindon Wide

SWINDON CHILDREN & FAMILY

COMEDY

Saturday 13th to Sunday 21st Gingerbread Race. The classic story is brought to life, with a twist. Normal admission charges apply. Roves Farm. See the advert on page 26

Thursday 11th, 8pm John Cooper Clarke. Biting, satirical, political and very funny verse delivered in a unique rapid-fire style. £20.50. Arts Centre

Sunday 14th, 1pm Milkshake! Live. Lots of singing and dancing as the Milkshake team explore some of the world’s favourite fairy tales. £13.50; child £11.50; family of 4 £46. Wyvern

Thursday 11th, 8pm Tom Stade: You’re Welome! Candid and alluring, Tom Stade ruminates on life’s oddities and revels in his own perpetual shortcomings. Age 16 years +. £18. Wyvern

Monday 15th, 11am

Wednesday 17th, 7.30pm An Evening with Aggers & Tuffers.

Jonathan Agnew teams up with Phil Tufnell for an entertaining, no-holds-barred evening for cricket fans and non-lovers of the game alike. Money raised will go to the Professional Cricketers Association’s Benevolent Fund. £26 - £60. Wyvern

The Great Jaydini with his unique style of magic blended with comedy suitable for 4 year olds and over. £10, incl squash and ice cream; adults free. The Place, Wyvern

FILM Wednesday 3rd, 7.45pm Force Majeure (15). A man’s selfish reaction to the danger posed by an avalanche causes cracks in his marriage and relationships with his children. Arts Centre. SFS Sunday 7th, 2pm Sing-along Frozen. Join in with the full Frozen experience with lyrics on the screen and a host to judge the fancy dress competition. £15.50; child £10.50; family tickets available.

Wyvern Sunday 7th, 7.30pm Sing-along Grease. A fully interactive screening of the classic film with sub-titles and a host to lead the warm-up and judge the fancy dress competition. £15.50; child £10.50. Wyvern Wednesday 10th, 7.45pm When I Saw You (12A). It’s 1967 and in Jordan tens of thousands of refugees are crossing the border from Palestine. Tarek, 11, and his mother are in a refugee camp separated from Tarek’s father and hoping that he will one day turn up.

Arts Centre. SFS Wednesday 24th, 7.45pm The Priest’s Children (15). Don Fabijan, a young priest, comes to serve on a small island in the Adriatic.

He sees the island’s population is dwindling and helps ban all forms of birth control for the entire island.

Arts Centre. SFS Swindon Film Society (SFS) films are for members only. It is possible to join at any film showing

Sunday 21st, 7.30pm Jenny Éclair: Guide to Being A Middle Aged Woman. Splash survivor, amateur soup maker and novice knitter, puts middle age under the microscope. £18.50. Wyvern Sunday 21st, 8pm John Robins Speakeasy. All new show from comedian, firebrand, sometime DJ and all-time vibe magnet John Robins. £13. Arts Centre Monday 22nd, 8pm Adam Hills. Wyvern. SOLD OUT Friday 26th, 8pm Sean Lock. Wyvern. SOLD OUT Sunday 28th, 7.30pm Lee Nelson: Suited and Booted, and fresh from headlining Glastonbury with Kanye West and bribing Sepp Blatter at FIFA’s headquarters, £21. Wyvern

EXHIBITION Until 20 February 100Stories: exploring Swindon’s WW1 past. Original films and photographs that were produced in response to young Swindon people exploring regional First World War resources. Swindon Museum Art & Gallery

VENUES Arts Centre Devizes Road SN1 4BJ. Tel: 01793 524481 MECA Regent Circus SN1 1PR Tel: 01793 251111 Phoenix Theatre, New College, New College Drive SN3 1AH Roves Farm Sevenhampton, Nr Highworth SN6 7QG. Tel: 01793 763939 Swindon Information Centre, Central Library SN1 1QG. Tel: 01793 530328 Swindon Museum and Art Gallery, Bath Road SN1 4BA. Tel: 01793 466556 Wyvern Theatre Theatre Square SN1 1QN. Tel: 01793 524481 Confirm date, time & price with venue

Behind Closed Doors: A Programme of Special Events supported by the Friends of Lydiard Park Swindon Council is closing Lydiard House during January, February and March 2016. This will provide an opportunity to undertake intensive cleaning and care of the collections, prior to re-opening with a new exhibition in time for the Easter holidays in 2016.

During this closed period The Friends of Lydiard Park are partnering Lydiard House to offer a series of fascinating behind the scenes talks and tours.

Wednesday 3 February, 2.30pm: Wigs, Ruffs and Robes. Discover hidden stories behind the portraits of sumptuously dressed aristocrats with Lydiard House educationalist Nancy Heath.

Saturday 13 February, 2.30pm: Keeping up Appearances. Frances Yeo, Curator of Lydiard House shows how the Lydiard collection is cared for and demonstrates ways you can look after your own treasured possessions and furnishings.

Saturday 20 February, 2.30pm: Grand Designs. Architect Michael Gray explains how the St.John family tried to assert and maintain their aristocratic status by commissioning art, architecture and landscape at Lydiard Park between 1615 and 1748.

Wednesday 24 February, 7pm: The Ladies of Lydiard. An entertaining tour with local historian Frances Bevan revealing the secrets and talents of Lydiard ladies through the centuries Wednesday 16 March, 7pm: Uncovering History. Jane Rutherfoord talks about ancient wall paintings and her fascinating conservation work in St. Mary’s Church, Lydiard Tregoze.

Donations to the St. Mary’s Conservation Appeal are welcomed.

Events are free (donations welcomed) but places are limited. To book your place, contact: Charlotte Thwaites on 01793 465277 or email: CThwaites@swindon.gov.uk Friends of Lydiard Park

Valuation Day opportunity with

Thomas Plant TV expert on Flog It! The Antiques Road Trip & Bargain Hunt

Bring along your portable items for a FREE valuation with Thomas, OR members of his team from Special Auction Services

Monday 8th February, 10am to 3.30pm

Jury’s Inn, Fleming Way, Swindon SN1 2NG Valuations are by appointment only.

To arrange a time, please call 01635 580595 or contact us via

www.specialauctionservices.com

Special Auction Services swindonlink.com n February 2016

27

Swindon Wide The programme of events to mark Swindon’s 175th anniversary year is growing. Below are those which have been confirmed with more to follow.

11 February: Digital Journeys, a digital arts exhibition including film,

The Hatch hooter to blow on 26 March

photography and iPad interaction

by Create Studios celebrating the shared experience and aspirations of people of Swindon in the 175 year.

See more at www.createstudios.org 25 February: Primary schools across the town have been invited to hold an assembly to mark the day in 1841 when the plans drawn up by Daniel Gooch were approved by the Great Western Railway Company, thus heralding the expansion of Swindon. A tree will be planted in GWR Park off Faringdon Road.

22 March: Create Studios miniDigital Journey exhibition until 11 April.

24 March: An event at Steam to mark the anniversary of the closure of Swindon railway works on 26 March 1986 which will include, on 26 March at 4.30pm, the first official sounding of a replica of the Swindon Hooter built by Colin

Hatch of Swindon company Hatch Heritage & Steam Engineers using the original GWR plans.

1 to 10 April: 3rd Swindon Fringe Festival, theatre and arts with a 175 theme.

2 June to 5 July: Swindon Arts Trail at a host of venues displaying ceramics, textile art, a new community mural, fine art drawing and painting which reflect the industrial and urban heritage of the town, as well as the open space in and around Swindon.

11 June midday to 10pm: Celebrating the 150th anniversary of the Swindon Mechanics’s Institution Children’s Fete in GWR Park. Organised by the Mechanics’ Institution Trust

23 June: Capture Swindon in Pictures on the 175th day of the year. A photography challenge for children and students in the town..

9 & 10 July: Brunel the Opera: The Little Man in the Tall Hat at Steam.

Janice Thompson Performance Trust reprises the opera staged in 2006 which celebrated the birth of IK Brunel in 1806.

27 November: Swindon Symphony Orchestra concert at Steam.

See more details of these events at www.swindon175.com

The pint-sized story of Arkell’s Brewery During the Swindon 175th anniversary year, the Link is looking at some of the key businesses in the town, including Arkells which has grown in tandem with the town, writes Nicky Godding At 173 years old, Arkell’s Brewery is one of just a few family breweries left in the UK. The beer is still brewed in much the same way as it was when John Arkell first began the process in 1843 and the brewery buildings seem untouched by the passing years.

But Arkell’s has not achieved its unique position as Swindon’s oldest company and one of the oldest traditional breweries still operating in Britain today, by standing still. It invests in staff, equipment and pubs, and most importantly the beer itself.

Brewhouse investment in 2015 included a new specially designed £18,000 racking machine which enables the barrels to be filled more gently, with less wastage and less oxygen pickup and a new £28,000 labelling machine to support an increase in demand for bottled beers.

It also runs the Arkell’s Academy in conjunction with Swindon College, offering local training on nationally recognised hospitality qualifications.

The brewery was established as an offshoot to the family farm near Swindon when Isambard Kingdom Brunel was building the Great Western Railway locomotive works. Founder, John Arkell was born into a farming family in 1802 in Kempsford.

He emigrated to the New World in his late twenties and took with him a group of local people seeking new lives from the tough

conditions endured by agricultural folk at that time. It was a brave step. They arrived in Canada and established the small community of Arkell, which still exists today. John returned three years later to marry.

He set up home at Stratton St Margaret where he grew barley on his farm. It was a natural step to turn to brewing beer, which, at that time, was commonly produced by many pubs and in many more private homes.

But it took John’s foresight to realize the potential market for supplying beer to a string of other

pubs as well as his own Kingsdown Inn, which he had also bought.

His timing was perfect. Isambard Kingdom Brunel had just chosen Swindon as the site of his works on the Great Western Railway because of its equidistance between London and Bristol. The once sleepy rural market town rapildy developed into a bustling industrial centre and Arkell’s beers helped quench the thirst of workers in the hot environment of the railway works.

The historic railway works closed down in the 1980s, but Arkell’s Brewery has both survived and

Carrying on a family brewing tradition, Alex Arkell, left, and George Arkell

grown.

The Arkell’s family still works at the brewery, alongside generations of other local families, brewing real ale and looking after over 100 pubs across Wiltshire, Gloucestershire, Oxfordshire, Berkshire and Hampshire. The business believes ongoing investment in its pubs is essential to maintain standards and provide customers with the warm welcome they expect. Over half its pubs now offer accommodation.

James Arkell is chairman and his oldest son George is managing director. George’s brother, Alex, took over as head brewer in 2012.

Since then, the brewery has boosted its haul of awards from the Society of Independent Brewers (SIBA) to the World Beer Awards and Taste of the West.

Arkell’s regular ales include Wiltshire Gold, 3Bs and Bees Organic. The brewery also brews an award-winning lager: 1843.

Special ales are brewed regularly, keeping the art of craft ale alive and offering drinkers new tastes and flavours. Later this year a special Swindon 175 brew will be available.

“Beer drinking is changing,” comments head brewer Alex Arkell.

“I’m always trying out new flavours and tastes when I go to the pub, as well as continuing to drink my regular favourites. It’s a bit like having a beer with your best friend after being out with some new mates.” www.arkells.com

swindonlink.com n February 2016 29

Swindon Wide

Love on the page

FULL MARKETING on 13 property websites including Zoopla, Rightmove and Prime Location, Video Tour, Floorplan Conduct your own viewings

With Valentine’s Day in sight, top selling local author Nicola Cornick will be talking about romantic fiction – from the medieval troubadours to Sir Walter Scott, Jane Austen and Barbara Cartland.

With tips for aspiring authors and advice on how to get published, Nicola reveals all about turning romance into pounds. She’ll also be signing copies of her new novel ‘House of Shadows.’

Nicola has been shortlisted four times for the US Romance Writers

of America RITA Award and twice for the UK Romantic Novelists Association Romance Prize.

She is also awards’ organiser for the Romantic Novelists’ Association and a mentor for their New Writers’ scheme, which critiques manuscripts for aspiring authors.

The talk takes place at Swindon Central Library on Thursday 11 February, 7.15pm. Tickets are £2.50 (£1.50 library members) from any Swindon Library or mail: ccurtis@ swindon.gov.uk

Novel tells of every parent’s nightmare

Call: 01793 522669 Email: info@moovahome.co.uk

Father of three Jim Ody from Abbey Meads has self-published a debut mystery thriller set in Wiltshire.

Lost Connections, describes how a child is kidnapped and held ransom for something wanted from behind a locked door in an old cellar. The plot unravels through sharp paced dialogue.

Jim designed the cover with his daughter Leena acting as the model. Lost Connection is available as a print to order paperback via Amazon and as an e-book on Kindle.

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Swindon Wide

Day for women: 5 March International Women’s Day in Swindon this year will focus on arts and culture, business, communities and charities, design and technology The aim is to enlighten, stimulate and inspire women and girls of all ages, bringing as many as possible together at Central Library on Saturday 5 March, 10am to 3.30pm, and an evening performance and talk at Swindon Dance on Friday 11 March.

Explaining this year’s themes, co-organiser Karen Roswell, said: “Our motto this year is all about Equality for Women in the Age of Technology. Research shows that there has been a marked decline of women in computing since the 1980s and there are still too few girls and women entering the industry.

“We want to encourage and empower girls and women to engage with coding and computing; we will have some inspirational experts to share their knowledge and insight.”

On 5 March a talk and panel

discussion will provide information on technology and women in business, with advice on offer to women of all ages - from business clubs to local charities and community group.

A variety of workshops and performances will feature coding for girls, arts and crafts, website building, poetry, song and dance.

Free health checks will also be available.

A three-venue exhibition titled ‘Dress:Code’ at ArtSite’s Number 9 Gallery, the Museum of Computing and Central Library from 4 to 31 March will address the topic of women and girls in technology, through a mix of contemporary art, information and museum exhibits.

There will also be workshops and special events throughout the month.

IWD Swindon 2016 is a partnership with ArtSite, Swindon College, Swindon Dance, Swindon Library and The Museum of Computing.

See the full programme of events: www.iwdswindon.org or Facebook: swindoniwd

Get your skates on for the roller derby

Wiltshire Roller Derby host a Valentines themed bout on 13 February Wiltshire Roller Derby are the first to host a double header in Tier 5 for the 2016 British Roller Derby Championships First, Neath Port Talbot Roller Derby will play Bedfordshire Roller Derby, then hosts Wiltshire Roller Derby take on Reaper Roller Derby (from Swansea). The Valentines Day themed bout is on Saturday 13 February, at Futsal Swindon in Kembry Park, doors open at 12pm, suitable for all ages to come and watch. Tickets cost £6 in advance and £8 on the door.

As well as two action packed games, there will also be a raffle with some great prizes including an experience day, a number of stalls and lots of delicious cakes for sale. Fans, family and friends are also welcome to join the team at the after party at Kembry Inn afterwards.

More details can be found at ww.wiltshirerollerderby.co.uk

Recruitment Drive for Army reserves The Royal Wessex yeomanry, the nation’s only armoured reserve regiment is currently seeking men and women to join Y(RWY) Squadron in Swindon.

The Army Reserve provides unrivalled opportunity to learn new skills and gain qualifications whilst being paid by the British Army.

The Army Reserve web page says: ‘With a commitment of as little as 19 days per year you can fit more adventure into your life.

Trooper McAnerney says: ‘Being a Reservist has made me more confident and fitter. It has opened up so many opportunities and I have made some good friends.”

Find out more at an open evening at the Army Reserve Centre, Church Place, SN1 5EH on Wednesday 10 February, 7.30pm to 9.30pm, or email: Rwxy-ysqn-srt2@mod.uk

Your VHS video, camcorder tape or cine film transferred to DVD Disc from £15

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31

Sport and Leisure Runner aims for five marathons for charity A driving instructor from Swindon is preparing to run four marathon distances on a treadmill, before taking on the real London Marathon this year.

Fifty year old Phil Jefferies from Haydon Wick is aiming to raise £2,500 by the time he tackles the world famous city route on 24 April.

An asthmatic since childhood, Phil has joined a team of dedicated runners representing Asthma UK, the leading asthma charity in the UK. As part of his fundraising efforts,

Phil is collecting funds from the public by running on a treadmill in various shopping centres around Swindon.

The first was in January and he will also be attempting treadmill marathons on 14 February, at West Swindon Centre, and twice in March, 13th at Morrison’s Supermarket, Dorcan Way, and later that month on Easter Monday, 28th in The Brunel shopping centre.

Support Phil via his page at uk.virginmoneygiving.com/ PhilipJefferies

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The Swindon Wildcats column with Mike Wray

Bronze For Wildcats U20s Stars

The GB U20s won bronze at the World Championships in France picture by Duncan Speirs Six of the Swindon Wildcats players returned to Wiltshire with bronze medals last month, after representing the GB U20s at the World Championships in France.

Jordan Hedley (NM), Callum Buglass (D), Harvey Stead (D), Toms Rutkis (F), Michael Stratford (F) and Owen Griffiths (F) were all part of the third-placed team, who won three of their four games to take home a medal.

An overtime win against top seeds Slovenia [3-2] in their opening game was followed by a disappointing 9-3 defeat at the hands of Poland, but further wins against hosts France [4-3] and the Ukraine [3-2] ensured the side would bring home silver or bronze.

However a final day 7-2 regulation time victory by France over the previously unbeaten Poland not only bumped GB into bronze but also lifted France into gold medal position. The hosts had needed to win by four goals to overturn the goal difference in the three-way tie between France, Poland and GB. All finished with 8 points from their four games and, having each beaten one of the other teams, the tie breaker went to goal difference.

Speaking after the bronze medal was secured, GB U20s head-coach Tom Watkins said: “We came into the tournament as sixth seeds, to go home with a bronze medal is a phenomenal achievement and everyone should be proud of what they’ve achieved this week.”

Many years of training paid off the for the sextuple after they sealed the medal. This was the final time Hedley, Buglass, Stead and Griffiths will represent the age group and Wildcats player-coach Aaron Nell, who himself represented the U18s, U20s and senior GB side was quick to praise his young stars said: “All six of the guys work incredibly hard for the club and it was amazing what they achieved.

“Representing your country at any age level is such a fantastic experience and to have six of our roster be part of the World Championships – to get the opportunity to play some phenomenal games against the best players in the world will only improve their game.

“They really did themselves and our club proud.”

You can find out more about the club at swindonwildcats.com

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Phantoms

Sport and Leisure The Swindon Town Supporters’ Trust (Trust STFC ) column with chairman Steve Mytton

Show your support for STFC by signing up to the Red Army Fund We anticipate an exciting year ahead for the Trust, as much of our time last year was dedicated to becoming more organised: creating our fundraising capability, and establishing a team of people that can really move us forward in 2016.

A few months ago we launched the Red Army Fund which now has around 100 people signed up to a monthly direct debit and will return nearly £10,000 during the course of the calendar year. It’s a good start, but can we do better?

Our aim is to gain some kind of financial independence that allows us to make a difference for the football club that we all love. We want to improve the council-owned stadium, to inject fresh enthusiasm into the supporters with some new ideas, and to attract the next

generation of supporters, and much more.

Let’s prove that we are bigger than Grimsby Town, and that we can compete with the passionate fan base at Portsmouth. Last year, these two groups raised a combined total of almost £400,000 towards their clubs in just a couple of months. We are lagging behind at present, but we know we can, and will, do better.

We’re simply asking that you donate whatever you can afford on a regular basis. Are you willing to donate just £1 a month towards Swindon Town supporter causes?

If so, visit www.redarmyfund.co.uk and sign-up - It only takes a couple of minutes. Thanks!

For more information on Trust STFC, visit www.truststfc.com

Trust Chair Steve Mytton, fundraising outside the County Ground on a Matchday, along with his son Joe

Are Chairman you Steve looking to make Mytton welcomes James Phipps positive changes in your life?

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Cycling column by Rob Derry of Swindon Bicycle Users Group (BUG) Finally the days are getting longer and the prospect of Spring is just around the corner. How many New Year’s resolutions are still being adhered to, I wonder?

Personally, I enjoy cycling at this time of the year. The air feels fresher and there is a much bigger sense of satisfaction that you’re taking on the elements and winning. On my cycle to work, there doesn’t appear to be a drop-off in the number of people that cycle in the winter compared to the summer. As is often quoted, “There’s no such thing as bad weather, just the wrong clothes.”

You don’t have to buy lots of expensive, specialist clothing to enjoy a bike ride. If your bike has a chain guard then your trousers are not going to get oil on them.

If it doesn’t then either some slim-fitting jeans or cycle clips will

sort that out. One piece of useful clothing for those really cold days is what is now known as a snood or a ruff to go around your neck.

But, there is no need to splash the cash – a good old fashioned scarf is more than adequate.

You don’t need specialist gloves or tops either. Normal clothes and a jacket will usually suffice unless you’re off on a 50-miler at the weekend when cycle clothing can help make the ride more comfortable.

The only bits of kit you really need to invest in are some decent lights so that you can be seen, not to see by.

LEDs are bright and very efficient when it comes to battery life.

Make sure you’re wearing some bright clothing, if you’re going to be riding on roads. The key is to make yourself visible.

Follow BUG on Facebook and Twitter (search for Swindon BUG)

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Sport and Leisure

Sibling skydive for Prospect in March Three brothers from family firm impressed that we were determined Alan Hawkins Estate Agents in to give something back to show our Royal Wootton Bassett are to jump appreciation. from the skies in thanks to Prospect “As we were leaving the hospice Hospice for the care their father after Dad passed, I saw a leaflet Alan received in his final days. about Parachute for Prospect and Steve, Kev Chris thought ‘we owned could do this,’ Weand are anHawkins independent family andso we have all signed up to take the oversigned up.” of combined run agency offering 50 years plunge over Redlands airfield in The jump takes place on Sunday property experience servicing, Royal Wootton Wanborough. Having set themselves 20 March, and there are still Bassett, Purton, Swindon and who a combined sponsorship total of Lyneham, places available for people surrounding villages. £2,000, well-wishers have already would like to take part. Register donated £1,000. at: www.prospect-hospice.net/ We pride“Dad ourselves our customers Kevin explained: received on providing parachute4prospect with service that at: only a brilliant careaatprofessional the end of his and life personal Sponsor the brothers www. at Prospecttotally Hospice.committed We were so family justgiving.com/Kevin-Hawkins5 team can provide.

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Cllr Dale Heenan, cabinet member for sustainability and transport viewing the guide with Claire Fleming of Swindon Travel Choices in Wichelstowe A new guide has been published which highlights the landmarks and attractions alongside a soonto-be revamped Southern Flyer pedestrian and cycle route between Wichelstowe and the town centre.

The aim of the scheme is to deliver a safe, direct and continuous cycle and pedestrian route to encourage people to get on their bikes or walk.

Funding of £716,000 has been secured from the Government’s Local Sustainable Transport Fund and is expected to be completed by the Spring. The route will be resurfaced and widened, existing road markings will be upgraded

and new ones installed, while the scheme will also include new street furniture, new posts, wayfinding plinths, improved lighting and tree planting.

The Southern Flyer complements the 2 mile long Western Flyer connecting West Swindon to the town centre which has seen a 50 per cent increase in cycle trips since its completion in 2014.

Copies of the guide have been delivered to residents living close to the route and is available free of charge from Swindon libraries or can be downloaded from: www.tinyurl.com/z7a2aca

Slimming World couple changing lives with passion for good health

13/10/15 18:45

Luxury Park Home living for the over fifties

34

Wichelstowe to Swindon cycle/pedestrian guide leaflet launched

Steve Ireland joined Slimming World in 2009 and quickly got to grip on his 30 year weight problem. His partner Jac Bingle joined last year to lose a few holiday lbs too.

Apart from the extra pounds they used to have, what they also have in common is that they are now Slimming World Consultants.

Jac kicked off the new year in the best of styles by launching her Saturday group at Redhouse Community Centre.

Former RAF aircraft engineer Steve, having shed 4 stones through Slimming World after years of yo-yo dieting, now runs 5 groups. He said, “Many members have come off or have reduced their medication, in some cases their diabetes is now controlled by food, in short members lives have been totally changed by the power of good nutrition .

“For me, the hardest part of losing weight was going through the doors thinking I was the only man there.

One of the reasons I started running groups was to encourage blokes to deal with their weight issues.”

Jac, who’s full time job is as a student support assistant at

Consultants Jac and Steve Isambard School suffered from bulimia in her 20’s, which later turned to depression and anxiety about food. “I now feel completely in control of my eating and it doesn’t control me. Changing my relationship with food (thanks in part to Slimming World) has motivated me to become a consultant to help others with food issues.

“We’re both passionate about supporting & helping our members to change their lives by encouraging them to enjoy cooking and preparing fresh quality food, realising this is a long term lifestyle choice not some gimmicky fad diet.”

See the Slimming World advert on page 37 or call Steve on 07791 041411 or Jac on 07469 245888 also see on FB Slimming World – Redhouse Saturday Group

Gardening

Stream eco project quickly comes into its own Although the Wiltshire Wildlife Trust project at Whitehill Stream is primarily about improving habitats, the newly excavated ditches at the Rivermead flood storage area certainly held back water from rushing into the River Ray during the downpours in December and early January.

The River Ray is currently failing to achieve Good Ecological Status (GES) because tributaries show poor habitat quality and species diversity.

The series of channels close to Rivermead Industrial Estate are designed to reconnect Whitehill Stream with the floodplain in order to reduce pollution finding its way into the river. This in turn

CLIFF WHITEWAY SERVICES For all your home & garden needs Patios Decking Paths Turfing Walling Fencing Driveways For a free quote call Cliff on

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will encourage a wider range of creatures to return to the area. The muddy site pictured above will be fully grassed over by the summer.

International bonsai

Swindon Bonsai Club holds its annual Winter Image show at Grange Leisure Centre, Stratton St Margaret, SN3 4JY on Sunday 28 February, 10.30am to 4pm.

Ten clubs from around the UK and one from Austria will be displaying with 15 invited guest exhibitors. There will also be trade stands selling everything required to keep trees in top health. www.swindon-bonsai.co.uk

Wroughton and District Gardeners Society

Gardening broadcaster Pippa Greenwood will give a talk ‘Grow Great Veg and Have Fun’ on Monday 7 March, 7.30pm, at Ellendune Community Centre, SN4 9LW. Tickets at £10 are available from Tina Grice: 01793 638240 or mail: t.grice@ntlworld.com

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35

Sport and Leisure

Dealing with the post festive blues By counsellor Simon Vizard I’m actually writing this on “Blue Monday”, allegedly the most depressing day of the year (18 January), or so the experts say.

It’s true, this time of the year can be tough, and for many reasons.

We’ve left the festive season behind, yet some of the pressures from that time may remain with us.

The holiday season can be joyful or a time of stress and even a time of loneliness.

Families and friends thrown together can experience fun and euphoria, but for some it can lead to discomfort, resentment and undue pressure to ‘enjoy yourself’.

The season always sweeps in with a degree of commercialisation and media pressure to perform and to follow the crowd in order to achieve this prescribed happiness is immense.

I love Christmas personally, but I find my feelings about it have changed as I get older, and as loved ones passed on or moved away, it has evolved into something different. It’s still a special time but very different from my childhood.

I believe this happens for all of us, and evolving can prove challenging.

Let’s also consider the British

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swindonlink.com n February 2016

Toothill drinkers go sober for Macmillan

Staying sober in Toothill: From Left Robert Porteous, Steve McNally, Steve Goodrick of Macmillan and Ian Baxter. climate. Often we live under gloomy skies, with few glimpses of the sun. The winter months can be miserable, and this can impact many people, some may even develop SAD (seasonal affective disorder).

Whatever the period means for you, it’s important to pause, and take stock of your needs, your dreams, even your fears, and to do as much (or as little) as you desire to find your own level of happiness.

We too often follow the instruction of others who tell us what we need to do to be happy. Re-evaluation of our lives and needs is not always simple though.

If you need to talk get in touch, I can help. www.simonvizard.com Registered Counsellor MBACP/Dip Couns (732631)

07519 411585

Three loyal drinkers at Toothill Community Centre bar gave up the booze in support of Macmillan Cancer Support Go Sober for October campaign.

Robert Porteous, Steve McNally and Ian Baxter managed to raise £1,107.

Steve said: “I’ve been drinking in the club for over 30 years; Rob, Ian and I meet up most evenings after work.

“One day we were talking about how many people were being treated for cancer and those who had passed on because of it.

“Then we started challenging each other to raise money for Macmillan and we agreed to have a go.

“Nobody thought we could do it but we showed them.”

Ian said: “The drinkers at The Windmill pub in Freshbrook and my

workmates at Swindon Grab Hire gave me a lot of encouragement.

It’s a sobering thought the number of people we know with cancer or have died.”

Robert added: “We had lots of support from people in the centre bar, even though they put a lot of temptation in front of us.

“They were surprised we could deny ourselves, after all we’re here drinking most of the week. Bar takings were down in October, but we made up for it since.”

Steve Goodrick, Macmillan fundraising manager for Wiltshire, said: “It’s a fantastic total. It’s so impressive to know how people are willing to change their ways to help the charity. The money raised is so important to help us provide support to people diagnosed with cancer.”

Advertorial

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Staff from In House Estate and Letting Agents hand over a cheque for £420 to Prospect Hospice This year, instead of sending Christmas cards to clients, In House Estate and Letting agents decided to send e-cards and donate the £420 saved to Prospect Hospice.

For over thirty years, the Prospect Hospice has worked within the local community in partnership with patients, their families and organisations to provide understanding at the end of life and influence after-life support.

The cheque was presented to Amy Francombe and Ennie Shokunbi of Prospect Hospice by Heidi Maller with Darron Bailey and Vicky Yoxall from the In House Old Town office.

Heidi Maller said: “We are pleased to be supporting such a worthwhile

charity held in great affection by the local community.

“We hope to continue with further fundraising events in the future, supporting local charities.

“The Prospect Hospice were very pleased to receive our donation and were amazed by how simple such a thing as saving the money usually spent on cards and the postage could amount to this sum.”

Established over 27 years ago as a specialist letting agency providing property management of the highest quality, In House now maintains a high standard in both residential sales and lettings, serving all areas of Swindon and the surrounding villages.

Every week someone wins £1,000 www.prospect-hospice.net/lottery or call 01793 816190 to join

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37

Motoring

Mobile Car ServiCing & repairS

Looking back for longer is the way forward

Hundreds of children are killed or seriously injured every year, but Swindon area mums Jayne Caul and Kirsty Peters are literally turning things around. ★ Electrical work Their shared passion in keeping ★ MoTs arranged children safe in the car led them (no re-test fee) to found Securatot and become ★ All vehicle diagnostics leading UK experts in rear facing For a reliable local service with over 30 years experience car seats for children up to six years old.

SAVE 20% - No VAT to pay Kirsty said: “When our babies Call Graham on (01793) were born we wanted to keep them 873045 or 07867 556350 safe as possible. We looked for

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swindonlink.com n February 2016

the best available car seats and discovered that rear facing seats were not only safest for babies, but are also much safer for young children. They really save lives.”

At the time there was so little information about rear facing seats and they were incredibly difficult to obtain in the UK. In the end they had to import them from Sweden. Soon their friends asked for help and so they started Securatot to pioneer rear facing seats in the UK. Science shows that the best protection in the most common and dangerous car collisions is to be rear facing. These seats simply spread crash stress much better.

This is so important for children who are much more vulnerable than adults to the forces experienced in a car crash.

A child travelling rear-facing is safely pushed into the seat during a collision. The force of the impact is absorbed by the seat and spread evenly across the child’s body. Rear-facing seats cushion and limit the head’s movement, reducing the force on the neck by up to 600%.

A rear facing car seat for longer is safer for children They also protect the child from flying debris and provide the best protection for the child against excessive stretching or even snapping the spinal cord, which can result in a head-on crash.

Rear facing seats are widely accepted to be up to five times safer than forward facing.

Jayne said: “In Europe children travel rear facing until they are at least four and as long as possible.

The UK is now catching up and things are changing fast. Our new Securatot.co.uk website is full of advice for parents, and the recent BBC Watchdog programme and the new i-Size regulation has only added to the interest.”

Motoring

Peugeot 308 GTi – back on form and supportive with red stitching coupled with a smart leather effect and Alcantara finish.

The front seats have lumbar adjustment. The front passenger is well catered for with plenty of legroom, some of which can be absorbed to give the rear near-side passenger some knee room. It’s less ideal on the other side when the driver is tall. It’s a bit cramped for a full sized adult. Fit and finish is excellent and there’s the option of a full Geoff Maxted of Drivewrite.co.uk takes the Peugeot 308 GTi Cielo glass roof. I should also for a spin mention that Peugeot’s Connect SOS & Assistance and Open & Go Sometimes I wonder if the pleasure roads. hasn’t gone out of driving and then The 308 GTi comes in regular paint features are available as worthy options. a car comes along that renews my but also in a two-tone whereby The Peugeot 308 GTi is a good faith. The Peugeot Sport department the back quarter is painted a have spooned into their new contrasting colour to the rest of the looking yet discreet car - even when photographed on an range-topping 308GTi hatchback a car. It’s called Coupe Franche and appalling day - hiding its sporting generous dollop of good ol’ fun. you either like it or not. credentials behind the guise of It comes in two flavours; 250hp I absolutely love the minimalist a regular family hatchback. The (246bhp) and 270hp (266bhp) dashboard. Less is more. Virtually versions. I was concerned that the all the controls are managed by the only giveaway is the modest lesser THP250 would seem underwell-sized touchscreen and crucially body kit, the chunky wheels, the badges and the traditional hot nourished. I need not have worried. it is really well thought through.

Peugeot red line on the face.

Sure, the THP270 gets bigger wheels There’s a selection of apps on There is nothing that really makes and a Torsen differential but I’m offer too which are all easy to use, it stand out as a Golf GTi rival, not sure how much real world including navigation. which it is; even the spoiler is difference it would make on our The sports seats are comfortable

underwhelming, but that’s the trend these days.

This is a car that you want to drive. It is a useful hatchback with a decent sized and well shaped boot and parking aids but give it the beans and it can really shift. The 1.6L turbo motor is flexible making the car lively, responsive and properly quick backed up by a sorted chassis and dependable brakes. There’s tons of grip from the fitted Michelins and minimal body roll thanks to the stiffer suspension which, on our test car, managed the clever trick of being both comfortable and drivable at the same time. Sport mode adds throttle response and changes the dials to dramatic red.

The Peugeot 308GTi is the real deal. It’s a safe (5*) family hatch when needed until you unleash the beast within when you’re on your own and when the road opens its arms to welcome you.

The hot Pug is back where it belongs, at the front of the pack. I had a great time with the car and it is definitely in my top three for the year.

Well done Peugeot.

swindonlink.com n February 2016

39

REPAIR & IMPROVE YOUR GUIDE TO HOME MAINTENANCE

Alison J Hook

The Plumber you’ll Recommend!

Painter, Decorator & General Handywoman • • • •

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Home Improvements & Building Services • General building maintenance • Garage conversions • Bathrooms and Kitchens • Carpentry • Wall & floor tiling • Plastering/Plaster boarding/Coving • UPVC doors, windows & repairs • Fascias, soffits, guttering • Patios and fencing Insurance work undertaken For a prompt professional service contact Andy: 07969350160 /01793 435513 www.acphomeimprovements.co.uk

Haydon Wick Heating Services Affordable luxury fitted wardrobes, measured, manufactured and fitted from only £495 Made to measure, floor to ceiling, a wide range of traditional and modern designs in various finishes For a free brochure and no obligation quote Call 01793 827188 www.mryprojects.co.uk

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swindonlink.com n February 2016

Tel: 593 Tel:01793 01793 871 826322 Mob: 07503 210 748 Mob: 07503 210748

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DJR General Builders Ltd

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All aspects of building and maintenance work carried out to private and public properties.

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Also general plumbing, tiling & plastering

24 The Elms, Nine Elms Swindon SN5 5XA

Providing plumbing services to clients throughout Swindon 30 years experience Friendly, reliable service OAP discount on request Tel: 01793 271185 Mobile: 07813 950899

REPAIR & IMPROVE

41

YOUR GUIDE TO HOME MAINTENANCE

SWINDON GAS SERVICES

Approved Electrician Approved Electrician Part P Registered Part P Registered

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Extra Sockets/lights • • Fuse Board Upgrade

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GASTECH THE INDEPENDENT GAS SPECIALISTS

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k Real wood and laminate flooring k Fitted wardrobes k 15 years experience

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upvc-swindon@hotmail.co.uk swindonlink.com n February 2016

41

REPAIR & IMPROVE YOUR GUIDE TO HOME MAINTENANCE

Plumbing

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Call 01793 618936 or 07976 885203

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eco &D

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01793 781502 42

swindonlink.com n February 2016

DECORATOR INSIDE AND OUT • High class painting and decorating •30 years experience •Competitive rates •Interior & exterior •References available •Reliable friendly service, all work undertaken For free quotation call Paul on

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DECORATOR

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Experienced in all aspects of interior and exterior decorating ✓ Domestic, commercial & letting ✓ Specialist in insurance claims & DIY 'rescues’ ✓ Competitive rates (no VAT) ✓ Excellent references ✓ Registered & recommended by the Painting & Decorating Association ✓ Age UK Registered ✓ Full public liability insurance

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(Household Maintenance) Handyman • Plastering • Carpentry • Garden maintenance • Decorating, Coving • Groundwork • Tiling • Bathroom & Kitchen installation • Fencing & Patios • Power jetting • Building, installing partition walls, loft boarding & repairs Competitive rates, flexible hours, reliable, no job too small For a free no obligation quote call Gary on

Mobile: 07764 511933 or Tel: 01793 879069

• 20 years experience • Competitive rates • No job too small • Reliable & friendly service • Free estimates

Call Stuart on 01793 727659 or 07809 368051

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PLANS DRAWN

Services

INTERIOR H EXTERIOR H WALLPAPERING H COVING H

Loft conversion & extension specialist. Complete house design and commercial work undertaken.

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Please contact Brian Jones

Mobile: 07976 572905 Home: 01793 725834 Professional, reliable and friendly service

www.swindonplasterer.com

REPAIR & IMPROVE

43

YOUR GUIDE TO HOME MAINTENANCE

General carpentry Fitted kitchens / bedrooms Laminate and solid flooring Replacement doors Skirtings / architraves Decking and patios General building maintenance

Free estimates Call Jamie on 01793 704309 or 0777 594 8833 www.jspropertyservices.co.uk

DECORATING & CARPENTRY • Interior/exterior painting and decorating • Wallpaper • Tiling • Coving • Laminate flooring • Doors & skirting replacement • Kitchen & bathroom refits • Internal alterations No job too small • Rooms left tidy daily Free no obligation 24 hour quotations

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Quality Plumbing & Heating Est. 30 years • Central heating installation • Boiler servicing & repairs • Replacement boilers • Bathrooms & tiling • Power showers • Outside taps Reg: 128966 All plumbing work undertaken Reliable service, realistic prices

Kevin Rolfe Tel: 01793 881905 Mobile: 07973 663367 www.swindonheating.co.uk

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J S Property Services

Paul Rhind

A C h a n g e o f Co l o u r

CARPENTRY

exterior decorating ❐✓ Domestic, Block commercial Paving& letting ✓ Specialist in insurance claims ❐ Landscaping ❐ Fencing & DIY 'rescues’ ❐ Decorative Stone ✓ Competitive rates (no VAT) ❐ General Maintenance ✓ Excellent references & recommended For a✓ Registered professional and by the Painting & Decorating affordable service, Association free✓ Age consultation and UK Registered written quotation ✓ Full public liability insurance

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Earthmoving Services • Garden/site shaping, levelling, clearance • Footings, trenches & ditches excavated • Hardcore sub-bases & roadways/tracks • Concrete, tarmac, hedge & stump removal • Soil screening/debris removal • Micro excavator, minimum access width required: 29” (730mm) C.P.C.S Licensed • Fully Insured Call Steve to discuss your needs and receive a free estimate Tel: 01793 848708 or 07967 341567 www.earthmovingservices.co.uk

on 01793 497461 or 07919 671307

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GBD Services 01793 979282 or 07453 966627

G R SERVICES Painting and decorating Carpentry services Grounds maintenance Turfing, fencing, patios Kitchen & bathroom installations Wall tiling Fascias & guttering Roof repairs Friendly, reliable & competitive

Call Glen on: 01793 487450 07774 841879 email: grservices@hotmail.co.uk

www.grservicesswindon.co.uk

UNITS 19-20 KENDRICK INDUSTRIAL ESTATE SWINDON WILTS SN2 2DU

TEL: 01793 536784 SANSUM SAND & GRAVEL SUPPLY TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC AND TRADE CUSTOMERS BRICKS, CONCRETE BLOCKS,

GILES BROS

CELCON BLOCKS,

FLOOR & WALL TILING SPECIALISTS

WALL & FLOOR SPECIALIST

Free Quotes

Please call Leon for a free quote

Call Lee on 0771 8102 921

TEL: 01793 330975 MOB: 07919 255673

Call Mike on 0778 8444 084 or 01793 520526

Email: leon.jack@hotmail.co.uk

TILING

Kitchens, Bathrooms and Conservatories

BLOCK PAVING, PATIO SLABS, SAND, GRAVEL, TOP SOIL, BARK, CANTABURY SPAR, LANDSCAPE FABRIC, DRAINAGE CHANNELS, BUILDING CHEMICALS, ROCK SALT AND CEMENT

www.sansums.co.uk swindonlink.com n February 2016

43

SERVICE SECTOR YOUR GUIDE TO LOCAL SERVICES

ACCOUNTANCY

CJD

ACCOUNTANCY LTD

Craig Dell FCCA

Chartered Certified Accountant Over 20 year’s experience for all your accountancy & taxation needs including: • Self Assessments • Sole Traders • Partnerships • Limited Companies • Available evenings and weekends • Fixed fee quotes • No VAT • First consultation free

Tel: 01793 343255 M: 07557 399987 Email: cjd.accountancy@virginmedia.com

www.cjd-accountancy.co.uk

AERIAL SERVICES

Chris Payne

aerials & satellite systems ✭ ✭ ✭ ✭

Freeview & Sky installations TV & radio aerials Home cinema Extra TV & telephone points NO VAT

Tel: 01793 700078 Mobile: 07904 330724

BOOK-KEEPING

CARPETS

We bring the showroom to you!

Carpet, Vinyl, Wood & Laminate

01793 200071

Then contact your local VAT free aerial and satellite installers

01793 744957

50% off digital aerials

CARPET CLEANING

COMPUTER SUPPORT

Promote what you do on paper and online @ swindonlink.com Call Sue Roberts to discuss our combined advertising packages

01793 781502 44

swindonlink.com n February 2016

TV AERIAL SERVICES Poor Reception Solved Aerials repaired & supplied TVs - Hung on your wall and tuned Extra TV Points - For aerial and Sky (In HD!) Sky TV - Also Foreign Language TV

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

• Quickly usable

Hard Floors Cleaned & Sealed Carpet & Upholstery Protection Treatments Insecticide & Anti-Static Treatments Spot & Stain Removal Fully Insured, NCCA member Independently owned & operated To arrange for a free estimate call

Great personal service with great prices!

Email: cliff.whiteway@btinternet.com

www.abacuscleaningswindon.co.uk

COMPUTER SUPPORT

COMPUTER SUPPORT

FURNITURE WANTED

01793 421802

Est 2002 For all your computing needs

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Hardware & Software Installs & Upgrades Repairs • Maintenance • PC Security Home or Business Networking Wireless Setup On Site Service, Home or Business

For a dedicated local service with a Microsoft Certified Professional, with over 21 years experience, call 01793 320 439 or 07799 337 918 E: info@compucareuk.com www.compucareuk.com

is a West Swindon based charity, providing furniture and white goods to people in need Call the collections line on 07714 091011 HELP US TO HELP OTHERS

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Do better business!

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Letters Write to Swindon Link at publisher@swindonlink.com with ‘Letters’ in the subject line, alternatively you can send a letter to Swindon Link, Positive Media Group, Arclite House, Hillmead, Swindon, SN5 5YN

To parish or not to parish, that is the question (with apologies to Shakespeare) The current hot topic is whether or not Swindon Borough Council should parish the un-parished areas of the borough. I am not going to discuss the financial reasons for SBC to consider parishing the borough or what the cost might be on residents of such an action.

That part of the argument is for others to put over. I already live in a parished area, so for me this isn’t up for debate. I’m also a parish councillor which ought to make me biased but it doesn’t.

I believe that it is up to local communities to make up their own minds. But what does concern me is that people may make the decision based on some misconceptions about what a parish council does.

At meetings, the same comments keep coming up for not supporting parish councils: “I want to represent my community, not be a parish councillor”, “I’m only a volunteer”, “I don’t want to manage budgets”, “It’s another level of bureaucracy”, “It won’t work in built-up areas, it’s for rural communities” and “I’m not a retired man”.

So let me try to debunk a few of

these. My urban parish council is made up of 18 councillors, of which three are currently co-opted (not elected), we asked for volunteers to take up the seats unfilled at the last election. Co-opted councillors have exactly the same powers as those elected. 55% of councillors work, 40% of councillors are women, 90% live in the parish and the others have close ties to the area. My particular parish council has no ties to churches or political parties.

I’ve been a parish councillor since 2007 after my neighbourhood suffered severe sewer flooding.

What started as a residents’ flood alliance ended with me on the parish council, representing my neighbours’ concerns about the lack of support being received from various bodies. I started off as a co-opted councillor and have now been through two elections, but I still consider myself a volunteer. By putting myself up for election, I feel that I give my neighbours a direct opportunity to confirm that they still want me to represent them.

All parish councils have a clerk and a financial officer, often the

same person. These people are highly qualified and knowledgeable in local government, they are the ones who know the law and have to keep their councillors within it. They are the money managers not the councillors.

And on that subject, the parish precept (parish council tax) is legally required to be spent within the parish and is set by the parish council. Whilst it is collected through the borough council tax system on the parishes’ behalf, 100% must be paid back to the parish. This is a marked difference to council tax which the borough can collect from say, Shaw and spend in Walcot.

We are statutory consultees on planning applications within the parish, we deal with open spaces, litter collection and play areas. We run a minibus, provide room facilities for local groups and manage allotments. We are responsible for grass cutting and shrub maintenance in some areas. We don’t do big stuff like street lighting, refuse collection or road repairs. as we simply do not have the facilities to cover these services and are never likely to. All parish council meetings are open to

Linda Brown of Haydon Wick Parish Council the public. We have heated debates, disagreements and sometimes we even agree with each other. What we don’t do is sit between the borough council and the residents.

We deal with different grass root issues and we can contact the borough on parishioners’ behalf.

Before saying no to parish councils because of the reasons I list above, come and see for yourself. If you would like more information or a parish councillor to talk to your community group, please contact any parish clerk. Type ‘parishes in Swindon’ in any search engine for a list of contact details.

Linda Brown, Chairman – Haydon Wick Parish Council

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swindonlink.com n February 2016

Letters

Commissioner consults on £3.12 a year increase in police part of council tax

Police and Crime Commissioner Angus Macpherson The Police and Crime Commissioner for Wiltshire and Swindon, Angus Macpherson, is carrying out a consultation on a proposal to increase by 1.9 per cent the police part of the council tax for 2016-17.

That would mean an extra £3.12 a year (or 6p a week) for the average band D property. At present, band D homes pay £163.98 a year.

Out of the 43 forces in England and Wales, only two receive less funding per head of population than Wiltshire.

Mr Macpherson said: “The police grant settlement that we received from the Home Office in December showed a slight reduction in the central government grant for Wiltshire Police.

“Initial indications are that a further saving will need to be made in 2016-17 of between £2.6m and £3.4m.

“The proposed £3.12 a year increase would provide me with an additional £769,000 of local income for 2016-17. This would help to cover rising costs, including £2m worth of National Insurance contributions from which we have previously been exempt.

“The money raised from the police part of the council tax will also be used to protect community policing which I believe is greatly valued by people in Wiltshire and Swindon.

“This is an average increase of just over £3 a year, little more than the price of a large coffee in some coffee shops or a pint of beer.

“It is also important to point out that Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary (HMIC) recently (20 October 2015) praised Wiltshire Police for its commitment to continuously improving services and for its robust financial management.

“The Force was given a ‘good’ rating by the inspectors for efficiency who reported that it was in a good financial position.

“The HMIC calculated that the cost per head of population of a Wiltshire Police officer was just £75 in 2014-15, compared to £115 across England and Wales, and yet victim satisfaction with Wiltshire Police matched the national figure of 84 per cent.

“It is important to note that the cost of policing to the people of Wiltshire and Swindon is the lowest in the South West region.

“Ensuring value for money for residents in Wiltshire and Swindon while maintaining high quality services is very important to me.

“That is why we are embracing new ways of working across the public sector, collaborating with other PCCs and police forces in the south west and with local partners.

“As public sector budgets continue to be squeezed, the aim is to work more effectively together to both improve customer service and reduce costs.”

The consultation opened on 5 January 2016 and closes at 10am on Tuesday 2 February.

During this time the Commissioner and senior staff from his office will be attending Wiltshire Council area boards and Swindon Borough Council locality meetings to talk to the public about the proposal.

Parish and town councils and the business community will also be invited to contribute to the consultation.

The Police and Crime Panel meets again at County Hall, Trowbridge on Thursday 4 February, when the Commissioner will formally present his proposal.

You can have your say on the proposal by going to: www. wiltshire-pcc.gov.uk where you can also find more information.

Paul Deal Communications Officer Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner

Who you gonna call?

Wiltshire Police have launched a campaign to make sure people call the right police number at the right

time. The campaign highlights that 999 is for emergency only and 101 is for non-emergency police calls. swindonlink.com n February 2016

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