February 2017 North West Swindon Link

No 417 February 2017

Est. overall readership across Swindon: 100,000

North and West Swindon Edition

The Autumn Years

Your guide to making the most of later life p13

Banging the drum for their new school - page 16 One year on since the opening of Tadpole Farm CE Primary Academy

Community: P3-20

Swindon Wide: P21-28

Sport & Leisure: P30-39

Services: P40-45

Puzzle: P46

Community: P2-20

Swindon Wide: P21 - 29

Leisure: P30-39

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20/01/2017 11:55

Charity nights going strong at Swindon restaurants

Started in 2008, popular Indian restaurant Bengal Square in Peatmoor has consistently run charitable fundraising nights donating all profits to worthy causes across the Swindon area.

Now, the restaurant is expanding this charitable evening to their newly reopened sister site Mantra in Old Town.

Held every Monday and Tuesday at Bengal Square, and every Tuesday at Mantra, the charity nights have raised over £100,000 to date which has been shared amongst local causes from youth football teams to Macmillan cancer research.

as much as you like for only

Owner Hanif Robbani said: “We donate all profits raised on the evening to the cause of choice, and this can be further added to if the organisers hold a raffle, quiz or auction.

(available at both restaurants)

“Donations from ourselves of £350+ are not uncommon and the best night we’ve ever had raised a grand total of over £3,000.

“We are happy to host events for any worthwhile cause and it doesn’t necessarily have to be a charity.”

To host a fundraising event at Mantra, email your event details to: info@mantraswindon.co.uk Or to host your event at Bengal Square email: info@bengalsquare.co.uk

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19/01/2017 12:20

Community News P Sw osi in tive do n

Don’t let the future destroy our past

By Group Editor Jamie Hill Swindon is going through an exciting time at the moment.

Looking through these pages and at our website over the past few months you’ll see various stories that are looking at future developments in the town as Swindon strides boldly into 2017.

The development at The Oasis seems to have been rescued from the scrapheap and plans have been revealed to spend £23 million on Queens Drive.

Plans have also been unveiled for the new secondary school at Wichelstowe and work is starting on the Great Western Academy in North Swindon.

Couple this with the new housing developments planned to the east of the town and ambitious plans like the town centre regeneration, the museum and art gallery and the Locarno in Old Town and it’s obvious that Swindon is going through a fertile period of sustained growth.

But at the same time as we look to the future we should also be looking to the past to safeguard our heritage.

This town has some great people who have taken it upon themselves to look after Swindon’s heritage but just lately they have found

themselves increasingly having to lobby the council and developers to protect the town’s past.

It should be a no-brainer for the powers that be to protect the town’s heritage. It should not be an uphill struggle.

Our town’s history is what gives our town its individuality. It’s something that we can learn from and shows our roots. It’s what makes the town special.

Last year’s Swindon 175 celebrations were a chance for us all to show pride in our heritage.

So, only months later, we shouldn’t be having to battle to make sure that the historic health hydro is not turned into flats or that the collection of Swindon’s farming past is not all destroyed in a fire. You can read about them both on page 10.

We all understand that the town needs to move forward but not at the expense of our past. editor@swindonlink.com

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Blue plaque marks birthplace of ‘bombshell’ Diana Dors The birthplace of Swindon’s Blonde Bombshell, Diana Dors, has been marked with an official blue plaque.

Present at the unveiling at 61-62 Kent Road, Old Town were Diana Dors’ youngest son, Jason DorsLake, aged 47, and his daughter Ruby Lake, aged 27 who arrived in style in a 1959 pink Cadillac.

The blue plaque, commissioned

by Swindon Heritage, marks the site of the former Haven Nursing Home, which closed in 1932 just a year after Diana’s birth and became a family home.

Diana Dors (Diana Mary Fluck) was born on October 23, 1931, to Winifred Payne at the former Haven Nursing Home which was once joined to a doctor’s surgery.

The Swindon screen goddess, who died on May 4 1984, appeared in more than 60 films over almost four decades and also made numerous TV appearances including Lady Godiva Rides Again.

She was often referred to as Britain’s answer to Marilyn Monroe.

Arriving in style, Jason Dors-Lake and his daughter Ruby Lake at the site of Diana Dors birthplace swindonlink.com n February 2017

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20/01/2017 11:59

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19/01/2017 12:25

Community News

North Star ski development receives last minute reprieve

A property investment company has submitted a proposal to take over the scheme to create a regional leisure hub at North Star in Swindon.

Seven Capital Investments Ltd, which is one of the UK’s leading private capital investors, has agreed in principle to acquire control of Moirai Capital Investments in order to take forward plans to transform North Star with more than £100m of investment.

Moirai was given until 12 January 2017 to fulfil the terms of the notice or see the development agreement terminated. But following the proposal by Seven Capital, the council withdrew the notice of termination on 11 January.

If Seven Capital’s proposals are supported by cabinet, detailed planning proposals could be submitted later this year.

Cllr Garry Perkins, Swindon Borough Council’s cabinet member for the Economy, Regeneration and

Skills, said: “It was a bold call to serve the notice of termination on Moirai, but we had to take that action to kick-start this hugely exciting scheme and get it moving.

“Our decision has been vindicated as a major investor has stepped forward with an impressive track record of developing major schemes, which is willing to pick up the baton from Moirai and help us deliver what will be a landmark regeneration project for the town.”

Swindon’s Labour group leader Cllr Jim Grant said: “Instead of crowing about resurrecting this deal, Councillor Perkins should be apologising to local businesses who have not received money owed to them by Moirai.

“The fact Moirai have had to find another company to fund the project shows that they had no financial backing in the first place, bringing in to question the council’s ability to carry out due diligence before agreeing these contracts.”

Swindon Council’s bid for Thamesdown Drive extension unsuccessful

Plans for a road linking Thamesdown Drive with Great Western Way have suffered a massive blow after a bid for government funding was rejected.

Swindon Borough Council, working in partnership with Swindon and Wiltshire Local Enterprise Partnership (SWLEP), submitted a bid for £1.27 million from the Department of Transport’s Large Local Schemes Fund in order to pay for a detailed design, all the environmental surveys, and the preparation of both a planning application and business case, although campaign group TDEX believes that the failure was due to a proper business case not being presented by the council.

It was hoped that, if successful, a further bid would have been submitted to the Government for full funding support of the £44 million scheme in two years’ time.

Due to the feedback received

from the Government, the council will continue to explore options for the development and delivery of the scheme. The views of the local community will be sought as part of the review.

Cllr Keith Williams, cabinet member for StreetSmart, Highways and Transport, said: “I am naturally disappointed our bid fell short. The good news is that the Department for Transport gave us some encouraging feedback and we intend to build on that”.

Kevin Fisher, of Shaw Residents Association (SRA) which was part of TDEX, released a statement via the group’s Facebook page, which said: “Members of SRA worked hard to ensure the ‘business plan’ submitted for this latest futile attempt was as good as it could be. Sadly, we reported in December 2015 that we were unable to support the report or the process in which it was compiled.”

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20/01/2017 12:01

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19/01/2017 12:25

Community News

MP backs drive to improve mental health in Swindon A drive to improve mental health support in the town has been welcomed by North Swindon MP Justin Tomlinson.

Under the government initiative, secondary schools will be offered mental health first aid training to increase awareness and help tackle the stigma around the issue.

To support this, new proposals will outline how mental health services for schools, universities and families can be improved.

Children and adolescent mental health services in Swindon will be reviewed, with experts looking carefully at those elements that are already working well and what can

be improved.

These proposals are part of a wide range of measures to improve mental health in Swindon and make sure no one is left behind.

The review will also focus on improving support for mental health in the workplace, and provision of online support.

Check your parish area using online checker Households in Swindon can now check what parish council area they will live in, thanks to a new postcode checker on the Council’s website.

Last month, the council decided to create four new parish councils in Swindon, which will mean that 64,000 additional properties will be incorporated within a parished area for the first time.

Parish councils are already wellestablished in other areas of the Borough and have provided local services for the residents there for many years.

The four new parishes being created are West Swindon, Central Swindon North, and Central Swindon South, all of which are in previously unparished areas, while a new St Andrews Parish has been created from part of the current Blunsdon St Andrew Parish.

In addition, the existing Parish of Nythe has been extended to include Eldene and Liden.

Residents can find out which parished area they live in by using the postcode checker at: www. swindon.gov.uk/parishes In each of the new parishes, a shadow parish council has been formed. This is made up largely of Swindon Borough Council

Reboot anniversary Project Reboot, a Computer Refurbishing Project managed by the ‘Swindon Children’s Scrapstore’ celebrates its second anniversary on January 2017.

The project provides quality, low-cost refurbished computers, laptops and related IT tech to local people who either cannot afford to buy new or who prefer to buy recycled/refurbished tech to help save the environment.

Swindon Children’s Scrapstore, a registered environmental charity, community resource centre and social enterprise set up Project Reboot in January 2015 with a grant of £8,667 funding from the Big Lottery. www.scrapstore.co.uk

Prime opportunity

ward councillors from each area.

The shadow parish councils are responsible for deciding which services they wish to provide in each of their areas, setting their budget and the resulting precept, and putting in place arrangements for services to be provided from 1st April 2017.

Work is currently underway with Swindon Borough Council staff to make these arrangements.

The webpage has links to information for each new shadow parish council, including a list of all shadow parish councillors. The

shadow parish council details will be updated with further information when available, such as when public meetings will be held.

Elections for the new parish councils will be held on 4 May and details of these and how to become involved in parish councils is also available on the webpage.

The decision to parish previously unparished areas of the Borough followed a year-long Community Governance Review process which involved extensive engagement and formal consultation with residents and parish councils.

Swindon selected as part of new ultrafast broadband trial by BT Openreach People living in Swindon will be amongst the first in the UK to benefit from the new ultrafast broadband technology being developed by Openreach, BT’s local network business.

The company recently announced Swindon as a pilot location for its new ultrafast technology, known as G.fast, which provides download speeds of up to 330Mbps – more than 10 times the UK national average.

Openreach plans to make G.fast available to more than 10 million UK homes by the end of 2020, and news of the pilot has been given

News in brief

a warm welcome by Swindon Borough Council.

Thousands of premises in Swindon will be given access to the technology during 2017 with details about exactly where and when to be published shortly.

Councillor Renard, Leader of Swindon Borough Council says of the announcement: “I am delighted that Swindon has been chosen as one of the first pilots across the UK for Openreach’s new ultrafast broadband. Having fast, reliable broadband connectivity is critical for the way our businesses and residents work, communicate, shop

and learn.”

“Swindon’s ambition is to provide access for all businesses and residents to the highest speeds possible and we can now look forward to many more premises in Swindon being able to access broadband through this exciting G. fast technology.”

Clive Selley, Openreach’s CEO, said: “I’m pleased that Swindon will be one of the first locations to get ultrafast speeds using G.fast technology, it’s a technology we’ve chosen because it enables us to get an affordable ultrafast service to people in the fastest possible time.”

Prime Theatre is one of just five theatre companies across England to be awarded a placement with the Regional Theatre Young Director Scheme (RTYDS), the country’s longest running and most influential training scheme for new directors.

Local director Olly Webb, 21, has joined Prime Theatre on a three month placement. Prime Theatre, is a youth-orientated company, based at the Wyvern Theatre.

Raise the rafters Swindon Community Choir the town’s longest running community choir is offering the chance for new members to get involved. The group meets at the Central Community Hall, Railway Village. Sessions cost £7 per session with refreshments. For more information, phone Linda Lee on 01793 875184/ 07570 or check the group’s website www.swindon.singtastic.co.uk or 811873.

Dressability talk

This month’s meeting of the Swindon Osteoporosis Support Group will be “Dressability”.

This Swindon-based charity provides a low cost dressmaking and alteration service for people with disabilities. The meeting is on Friday, 10 February at 1.30pm at the Central Community Centre, Emlyn Square, Swindon, SN1 5BP. Entrance is £2.50. Call Ali on 634424 or email swindonosteoporosis@ googlemail.com.

swindonlink.com n February 2017

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20/01/2017 12:07

Community News

Businesses sign up to Switch On To Swindon

By Jamie Hill The business community has come together to mark the official launch of Switch On To Swindon, a new initiative designed to highlight the town as a great place to live, work, invest in and visit.

With Swindon ranking as the 7th most productive economy in the UK, as well as having the fifth highest employment rate, the town offers a wealth of possibilities for businesses and individuals. However this can sometimes be overlooked.

Switch On To Swindon plans to change this and show the world exactly what Swindon has to offer.

The initiative is supported by Swindon Borough Council but very much led by local businesses, who came together on 24 January at Audi on Delta Business Park to hear more about the plans.

Central to the success of the campaign is the network of the town’s ambassadors - local business representatives, community groups and individuals who support and champion Swindon.

One of the first ambassadors is Pebley Beach’s Dom Threlfall.

Pebley Beach was created at the turn of the 20th century. However

the firm as we know it today, the Hyundai and Suzuki dealership, started approximately 40 years ago.

Dom said: “Over the years Swindon has waxed and waned, but if you scratch the surface there is a lot going on here. We’re looking forward to a time where Swindon is going to be reborn again, thanks to the many plans, including Switch On To Swindon and others, to regenerate parts of Swindon and help it achieve its potential.

“What we already have is a great location and connectivity, a legacy of fast growth and boundless enthusiasm, especially from our younger generation. Switch On To Swindon is enabling everyone – businesses, communities and volunteers – to come together with a common goal for where we want the town to go. It’s giving us the direction and focus that we have lacked before. It’s giving the heart of Swindon a shot of adrenaline.”

Leading local business person and

Chair of Influence, Swindon’s business voice, Nicky Alberry has championed the development of the campaign.

She added: “Swindon performs well in many of the key economic indicators of successful towns but the perception of Swindon makes it harder for the town to fulfil its true potential and achieve its economic, regeneration and development goals. Through the campaign we are inviting people to come together to change these misconceptions.

“Our network of ambassadors made up of businesses of all sizes and industries, community leaders and individuals will be the champions of our town and the catalyst for our future. By showing people, both inside and outside of Swindon, just how positive doing business and living here can be, we can shout about the Swindon story and help ensure it prospers.”

For more information or to sign up as an ambassador visit www.switchontoswindon.com

Swindon Fact File

• The UK’s 7th most productive economy with £58,514 GVA per worker – compared to the national average of £53,666 • 5th highest employment rate in the UK. • Between 2010 and 2016 Swindon saw the second largest increase of any UK city in its share of private sector Knowledge Intensive Business Services jobs.

• Nationally significant clusters of high-growth businesses delivering £6.6 billion GVA economic output.

• Swindon is the UK centre of excellence for hydrogen fuel cell technology.

• In the past decade, the number of start-ups has increased by twice the national average.

• The ratio of house prices to earnings is one of the best in the UK. • Swindon has the UK’s highest concentration of foreign-owned businesses (19%).

• In 2014 the number of patents granted per 100,000 of population was 7.88, compared to a national average of fewer than 4.

The Spirit of Swindon: Forget the stethoscope – tell me your postcode

By Tom Wilkes on behalf of Spirit of Swindon Most of us will have heard of the postcode lottery, where people in one part of the country have health treatments open to them which others do not, eg a shorter waiting time for a hip replacement or better support for IVF. But there is a far more worrying association between someone’s postcode and their health which is revealed by the figures for how long men and women might be expected to live in different parts of the same town.

Figures from 2014 reveal that men who live in one of the most challenging areas (a voting ward) of Swindon can expect to live nine years less than men who live in the ward with the highest life expectancy. That is a shocking statistic. You have probably been hearing worries expressed by health watchdogs about the increasing levels of obesity across the nation.

Swindon is slightly better placed than many other towns and cities yet almost 70% of adults here are considered overweight and fewer than 60% of us are sufficiently physically active to positively impact our health. The implications

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of this for the health of well over half of us in the medium and longer term is grave for individuals, their families and their employers, and its impact on the funding and sustainability of the NHS is increasingly worrying.

Those who have followed earlier articles in Link will know Spirit of Swindon’s concern to raise awareness of economic inequality in the UK, and health is an area where that impact is more obvious.

As a country, the UK is at the wrong end of the scale when it comes to health issues such as obesity and life expectancy. The data gathered nationally and internationally over the past 7 years show a clear association with the level of economic inequality. Clearly, there are complex issues at play and a response to our first article in December correctly pointed out that association is not the same as causation. Nevertheless, the link is coherent and compelling.

Two things that we do to improve our wellbeing are to eat more healthily and exercise. However, our ability to make these choices will be limited by income and opportunity.

Having previously raised the issue of

fuel poverty – the choice whether to be warm or hungry – ‘health poverty’ is another way of framing deprivation.

If you need convincing, as some people do, of the reality of deprivation in the UK today reading ‘Breadline Britain’ by Stewart Lansley and Joanna Mack* should open your eyes.

Given proposed changes to the structure of the health region to which Swindon belongs, another ‘one thing’ you might do to engage with issues of inequality which will affect you - will be to contribute to the debate. Where there are opportunities to ‘Sustain

and Transform’ provision locally to make a real and lasting impact on income inequality, then we ought to grasp them.

The American pastor TD Jakes said that pain is a gift to draw attention to a problem we have failed to notice. l Stewart Lansley will be speaking in Swindon on Thursday 30 March, 7pm at the Baptist Church Hall in Gorse hill.

Spirit of Swindon has emerged from a gathering of people who want to raise consciousness of the impact of economic inequality and help Swindon offer a lead to other towns and cities in the UK.

swindonlink.com n February 2017

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20/01/2017 12:09

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19/01/2017 12:28

Community News

Holocaust survivor shares lessons from history Students at Isambard Community School had the opportunity to listen to the harrowing account of 86-year-old Holocaust survivor Susan Pollack.

Students from year nine were able to listen to her testimony as part of a visit organised by the Holocaust Educational Trust, under its outreach programme.

Susan was born Zsuzsanna Blau on 9 September 1930 in Felsögöd, Hungary.

In late May 1944, Susan and her family were sent by cattle truck to Auschwitz-Birkenau. Susan was separated from her mother who she later learned had been sent directly to the gas chambers. Susan was selected to work and remained at the camp for around 10 weeks before being sent to Gubbem in Germany to work as slave labour in an armaments factory.

With the Allies advancing, the prisoners were forced on a Death March to Bergen-Belsen. On 15 April 1945 Susan was liberated by the British Army.

After liberation, Susan learned that her brother Laci was the only other member of her family to have

News in brief Stem cell service given green light

Susan Pollack shares her memories with Isambard Community School students

survived. After the war, Susan lived in Sweden before moving to Canada where she met and married a fellow survivor.

Today they have three children and six grandchildren. Susan now lives in London and regularly shares her testimony in schools across the country.

Speaking to a packed hall of students who listened in rapt silence, she said: “It is important to speak to you at your age, 14, because that is the age when these terrible things happened to me and my family. To this day I cannot understand why it happened. This

was the darkest point in humanity’s history and I live with it every day.”

Natalie Chapman, teacher of Humanities at Isambard, said: “It is a privilege for us to welcome Susan Pollack to our school and her testimony will remain a powerful reminder of the horrors so many experienced.

“We are grateful to the Holocaust Educational Trust for co-ordinating the visit and we hope that by hearing Susan’s testimony, it will encourage our students to learn from the lessons of the Holocaust and make a positive difference in their own lives.”

New group campaign group launched to preserve Swindon’s heritage

The stem cell service at the Great Western Hospital has been awarded an important international accreditation to provide stem cell transplants.

Without this patients would need to travel to Bristol or Oxford for treatment.

Up to 20 patients a year, with blood cancers such as lymphoma and multiple myeloma, receive stem cell transplants at GWH. This is the second time the hospital has received the accreditation which must be renewed every four years, following an inspection by the Joint Accreditation Committee.

Protest over cuts Swindon library campaigners have submitted an official complaint to the department for Culture, Media and Sport following the Council’s cutting of funding to all but five of 15 Swindon libraries.

Campaigners have made the case that this cut to public library provision is in serious breach of the legal duties of the Council under the Public Libraries and Museums Act 1964.

Hamlet rebooted

L-R: Dr Mike Pringle and Graham Carter assessing the damage caused by fire at the Coate Water Agricultural Museum on New Years Eve

Following the announcement that parts of Swindon’s Health Hydro could be converted into flats and the loss of the Agricultural Museum building at Coate Water due to a fire over the festive period, a new group has been set up via social media for local people concerned about Swindon’s heritage.

Set up by Sally Hawson on Facebook, the Save Swindon’s Heritage group has begun a petition via Change.org to save the Health Hydro on Milton Road from plans by GLL to turn sections of the building into housing, which has already surpassed 650 signatures in January alone.

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The group are also actively sharing updates on the progress of works to save artefacts within the Agricultural Museum, which was gutted by fire on 31 December 2016, which Wiltshire and Dorset Fire and Rescue service have confirmed was not due to arson.

Dr Mike Pringle of the Richard Jeffries museum, situated close to the site of the fire, said: “It’s tragic and heartbreaking but I’ve been trying to get artefacts out on display at Richard Jefferies from the Agricultural museum for years.

We’d happily display any of those items, but now we will have to pick through what remains.

“It’s really important to stress that this is an ideal time for the Council to tick all of the boxes and give those who are passionate about Swindon’s heritage the chance to embrace it and put it on show.”

Cllr Garry Perkins, Swindon Borough Council’s Cabinet Member for the Economy, Regeneration and Skills, said: “We are more than happy to work with Mike and his team at Richard Jefferies to get these items on show, and I want to see these on public display. There is a possibility we could show some at Lydiard, but we need to go through everything and catalogue what is available.”

Local actor and videogame enthusiast Edward Day is trying to raise £3000 on crowdfunding site Kickstarter for his new project, Super Hamlet 64: Parody DLC, a one person production of Hamlet in the style of a computer game. at Swindon’s Shoebox Theatre on 27 May. Tickets are £10.

The kickstarter campaign can be found here: http://bit.ly/hamlet64

Join male choir Swindon Male Voice Choir are looking for new members.

Find out more by joining the choir during their open rehearsal evening on February 20 or on any Monday during school term at the New Century Club, Gorse Hill from 7.30pm. Call Gordie Smith 01793 822495.

See Adam Henson BBC’s Countryfile presenter Adam Henson, will be sharing stories about his TV career when he appears at the Wyvern Theatre on 14 September.

To book call 01793 524481.

swindonlink.com n February 2017

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20/01/2017 12:12

Kitchen MaKeover

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We can plan, design and fit your kitchen complete, including any building or alteration work.

call Peter Galbraith now for a free survey and estiMate

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19/01/2017 12:29

Community News The Autumn Years: making the most of later life

Advice on wills, trusts and probate Don’t let planning your will become a worry.

Planning ahead to look after your loved ones and dealing with matters when someone has passed away can be difficult issues to address, both practically and emotionally.

Swindon firm Forrester Sylvester Mackett are one of a number of local firms who can help.

Their specialist team works with care and sensitivity, giving you all the guidance and advice you need to make decisions that are right for you.

Call 01793 522688 or log on to their website www.fsmsolicitors.co.uk

‘It’s about approaching later life in a positive frame of mind’ that there is a wealth of expertise when it comes to recognising this available at organisations such as fact, but it is good to know that Age UK to support people in making many businesses are beginning to the most of this time of life. realise the benefits that employing “Older people are older people can often overlooked bring. by society but it The challenge This stage of life is important that that is facing is one where leisure society nowadays people realise that they have a wealth is that we are not time comes to the of practical and used to having a fore life experience large population of that they can older people. We draw on. We are are a completely a much under appreciated resource different society. and are, as a group, really active People who belong to the older in the volunteering sector. Some generation now have lived through companies are better than others some incredible times and have

,

We are living longer and healthier lives than ever before. This welcome news is a testament to the rapid advances in medicine, increasingly healthy environments and the fact that more of us are leading active and engaged lives beyond retirement age.

The rise of the older generation also brings with it a set of new challenges for the individual and society at large.

Jayne Funnell, head of services at Age UK Wiltshire (previously Age Concern) explained: “As you get older, it is important that you think about how to make the most of later life. The good news is

,

seen things around them change at an astonishing rate. A lot of them say to me that they would not want to be young now and really relish the more simple type of childhood that they experienced when they were growing up.

Most of them would not give up the wealth of knowledge and experience that they have gained over the years. It is important to approach this time of life with a positive frame of mind. This stage of life is one where leisure time comes to the fore and we can spend more time with our families and friends and discover new interests and passions.

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01793 232 588 swindonlink.com n February 2017

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Community News The Autumn Years: making the most of later life

Help is at hand for those who feel isolated or alone It is an unavoidable fact that many of us will live alone in later life. This pattern is exacerbated by changes in society which mean that we are more likely to move further from home for work or a host of other reasons - often leading to families being spread further apart.

But a great deal of work has been done to highlight this issue and now help is at hand for those who need to reach out to make contact with others.

Loneliness and isolation is recognised as a serious issue affecting older people. It can be a precursor to depression and and studies have shown that it can affect your physical health to the same extent as smoking 15 cigarettes a day.

Age UK’s Jayne Funnell explained:

“It’s about understanding how older people became lonely and isolated in the first place - how they got to that point, what are the issues they face, what they want to achieve, and how we can help them.”

This can be tackled through the use of befriending services, but as Jayne explained, it is not always the answer.

“Traditional befriending services involve someone visiting a person in their home on a regular basis. This can obviously be great for someone who cannot easily get out and about, but we are now encouraging people to develop their own social networks if they are able to get out and about.”

She explained that this is because there is a concern that some will become reliant on people visiting

them. Far better, if they are able, for them to develop the confidence to join in with a wider group and we can support them in this. It’s about supporting people to remain independent. Age UK also runs a telephone befriending service where volunteers are on hand to chat to older people who are unable to leave their homes.

“We tend to talk about older people as being the over 55 age group - but that covers at least five generations. It is really important not to see the older age group as having the same set of needs and attitudes. The range of needs in this age group are vast. Older people challenge your perceptions all the time - it’s not a one-size fits all what suits one person might not suit another.

Lunch clubs are a great way to beat the blues.

The Rodbourne Lunch Club in Swindon provides a friendly environment for its members to relax in, enjoy a cooked lunch and get involved with a range of activities.

Alan Baker, who has been going to the club for 12 months said: “Everyone here is so friendly - I live alone, it gives me a chance to get out and meet new people.

It’s a life-saver.”

The club, which has been running since December 2011,

is welcoming new members over 65. The club is held every Wednesday between 12pm and 2:30pm, at the Rodbourne Methodist Church, Rodbourne Road. Sessions cost £3.50 which includes the two course meal.

Call 01380 727767.

“There are a number of groups and activities that can provide both social and physical activity.

One of the schemes that are being pioneered in West Wiltshire are fitness and friendship clubs. These have about 40 minutes of gentle exercise followed by a 20 minute break for tea and biscuits. And then the group members engage in something a bit more rowdy like new age curling - much like traditional curling but with the stones replaced by specially made stones with casters on. People say that it has not only encouraged them to exercise, but it has also made them more aware of being more active. They are more likely to walk up the stairs rather than taking a lift, it becomes part of their everyday life.”

Keeping up to date with your financial entitlements In older life, organising your finances is vitally important - this is where organisations such as Age UK can be of enormous help.

Head of services for Age UK, Jayne Funnell explained: “We can help with all sorts of things such as providing information and advice. One of the key areas we can help with is filling out forms.

We estimate that we assist people

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to access more than £2 million in unclaimed money by helping them apply for attendance allowance.

That’s money that will then benefit the local economy.”

Attendance allowance is paid to those over the age of 65 who are physically or mentally disabled. The fund is paid at two different rates and how much you get depends on the level of care that you need. You could either get £55.10 or £82.30

per week and the fund is not means tested.

“A lot of people don’t apply for this money that they might well be entitled to. Sometimes that might be because of the way the form is worded. We can help people in filling out those forms to make sure that they get what they are entitled to.

“In Wiltshire, we have to work hard to reach those people who are

eligible. Many people are reluctant to claim these benefits because they don’t want people to know about their finances. Attendance Allowance is not means tested and it’s tax free - it’s based on need.

It is worth noting that the other benefits you get can increase if you get Attendance Allowance.

Your carer could get Carer’s Allowance if you have substantial caring needs.

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Community News The Autumn Years: making the most of later life

Tips to stay well from Age UK l Take care of yourself Be kind to yourself and have a treat from time to time. It doesn’t have to be expensive, for example, treating yourself to your favourite magazine or going out for lunch might raise your spirits. Or simply take some time by yourself to sit down with a good book. Think about what helps you relax and keep things in perspective. l Do the things that make you laugh and have fun Think about the things you enjoy and make some time for them.

All of us are different. Perhaps you enjoy cooking or laughing at repeats of your favourite TV programmes. Whatever it is, think about what makes you feel good and try to set aside some time every week for it.

l Set your goals Create structure to your day and set yourself goals. Most of us look forward to retirement and having time to ourselves, but when it comes it can be hard to adjust to the loss of structure to our day. But retirement doesn’t have to mean an end to keeping active and busy and is often a time to discover new things. Make sure they’re realistic and start small. For example, rather than saying ‘I plan to exercise for one hour every day’, plan instead to go for a 20 minute walk, three times a week. For more suggestions on what you might like to do, see our information on staying in touch and meeting new people.

l Keep active As well as keeping you healthy, research has shown that regular physical exercise is a great way to l Get enough sleep improve your mood as it increases It’s recognised that sleep patterns the production of brain chemicals change as we get older and lack that make you feel happy. It can of sleep can directly affect the also be a good way to clear your way we feel. If you’re having mind and relax. It’s never too difficulty sleeping, try cutting back late to get active. Try to limit the on daytime naps and reduce the amount of time you spend sitting amount of caffeine you drink. Try and look for simple ways you can to make time become more to relax and active, such unwind each as using the evening, stairs instead perhaps of lifts or by reading escalators. a book or Any physical listening to activity that the radio. You raises your should also breathing minimise the rate for ten amount of minutes or time you spend in bed awake and more is beneficial to health. try going to bed and getting up at And being active doesn’t have the same time each day to get into to involve going to the gym. a routine.

Housework can count as physical activity if it raises your breathing l Eat well and drink sensibly rate, or try going out for a brisk What we eat and drink affects how walk. we feel. Try not to fill up on the Build up gradually, aiming for wrong things, such as sugary and at least 150 minutes of physical fatty foods, and instead eat plenty activity each week, along with of fresh fruit and vegetables. It’s muscle strengthening and balance important to remember that what activities twice a week. Strength we put in our bodies affects how we and balance activities could include feel. Limit the amount of alcohol yoga or Pilates, and can also you drink and keep at least two include every day activities such as days per week alcohol-free. lifting bags of shopping or heavy Many of us enjoy going for a drink gardening. Finding an activity you now and again but remember that enjoy means you’re more likely to alcohol is actually a depressant and do it regularly. can affect your mood. You should Perhaps you enjoy taking time avoid alcohol when taking certain out by yourself to exercise. Or you medicines too. If in doubt, ask your might prefer the social aspect of pharmacist for advice. exercise classes or groups. swindonlink.com n February 2017

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Education News P Sw osi in tive do n

Principal Jane Leo and (pictured left) Assistant Principal John Spencer who are pioneering enquiry-led learning at Tadpole Farm CE Primary Academy

School opens doors to a new way of learning

By Ben Fitzgerald School principal Jane Leo has a particular vision for Tadpole Farm CE Primary Academy, which is growing from strength to strength since opening its doors in September 2016.

Under Mrs Leo’s guidance the whole school has embraced the ethos of enquiry-led learning.

She explained: “It’s about giving the children an environment that they can grow into and allowing them to poke the edges of it.

“They are encouraged to develop their own problem solving skills and use their initiative to explore their capabilities.”

This differs from the traditional model of teaching where learning is clearly divided into subject areas, with children being set tasks by the teacher according to the subject.

“Underlying basics skills have to be secure, for example maths, writing, reading, or enquiry based learning doesn’t work.”

Mrs Leo explained that the approach will set them up for later life, developing essential teamwork and communication skills: “You can’t get those skills by sitting around a table and being told what to do. What we need in this world

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are people who say ‘how can we make this better?’”

She gave an example of how this works in practice, with year 1 children being challenged to work out how to extract a toy penguin from a block of ice.

“What we were looking for is how the children work with each other to solve the problem. The penguin task was a vehicle for them to work on questioning and communication skills. In this case, one of the youngsters suggested that we could use boiling water to melt the ice. But when the teacher poured the hot water, some in the group noticed that it froze when it hit the ground. This developed a whole new child-led discussion.”

Newly appointed Assistant Principal John Spencer has been taken on to oversee the development of Key Stage 2 as the school prepares to take on more children in years 4 and 5.

“At the moment we have 160 children in Reception, Year 1 and 2 and we are looking to open to applications for our new year groups 4 and 5,” he explained.

The bright and airy school building features plenty of natural light and spacious corridors that double as

break out classroom areas.

“We encourage all children to get outdoors if they want to explore their learning in this way and every year group has access points to the outside areas. We are a forest school with two wild areas where children can develop their skills.”

He said that in time Tadpole Farm will have six year groups and be run as a two-form entry school.

As a newly established school, Tadpole Farm is equipped with the latest classroom technology. It also offers nutritious school meals prepared on site and breakfast and after school clubs.

Places are available for year 4 and 5 children starting in September and there are a few remaining places in year 2.

For further enquiries contact the school on 01793 729740, email school@tadpolefarmCEpa.co.uk or visit the school’s new website at www.tadpolefarmcepa.co.uk l The symbolic start of work to build Great Western Academy secondary school - in Tadpole Farm - was due to begin with a ground breaking ceremony on January 26 attended by North Swindon MP Justin Tomlinson and New College principal Graham Taylor.

swindonlink.com n February 2017

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Building Confidence Realising Potential

“Aspire helped me much more than just getting an A in my GCSE Maths, they helped me get where I am today.”

Joshua Snowdon, Law Student at the University of Essex

• English, Maths and Science • Fully Qualified Teachers • Ofsted registered

• 11+ training and preparation • Free assessment and first lesson • Boost your child’s confidence

Tel: 07925 193321 | www.aspireeducationcentres.co.uk

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preschool gymnastics where an early start makes a world of difference!

LittLe Foxes ChiLdCare & eduCation

FOR CHILDREN AND THEIR PARENTS Established 1986 The Common, Brinkworth, Wilts Tel: 01666 510356

Just a 15 minute drive from West Swindon & Priory Vale on B4042

l

l l l l

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

The Springboard to Confidence for your child

daily classes for the under 5’s

01793 822262

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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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For information about local centres call

Liz Davies on 0844 800 0219 www.tumbletots.com/swindon Find us on Facebook

IMAGINATION CHILDCARE is a private day nursery providing high quality inclusive childcare for children aged birth to five Open 8am to 6pm, 51 weeks of the year e: becky@imagination-childcare.co.uk or call 01793 530197

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Family News

Mayor officially opens Greenmeadow Primary School play equipment

Swindon Mayor Eric Shaw at the opening of the play equipment at Greenmeadow Primary school

Children from Greenmeadow Primary School gave a huge cheer and released balloons to celebrate the opening of their new outdoor play equipment by Swindon Mayor Eric Shaw.

At the ribbon cutting ceremony, Cllr Shaw was full of praise for the youngsters who gathered for the opening in January.

“I really like the equipment that has been chosen, it’s nice to see

that it has been made using natural wood rather than plastic, it really is wonderful for the children and a great resource for the school.”

The £20,000 play equipment, which also includes soft rubber flooring, was chosen after a careful tendering process led by youngsters in the school council.

School council member and year 6 student Rhys Marshall said: “We were told by the teachers that there

was £20,000 available to spend.

A couple of people on the school council suggested that we should get some more play equipment and a lot of us agreed with that so then we had to think hard about how to do that.”

Under the guidance of their teachers, the youngsters narrowed down their search to three potential companies who sent representatives to the school.

School council chair, Brianna Dix explained: “We are really pleased with the result, it’s great to have some new play equipment. We all worked together well to make this happen.”

Head teacher Diana Pritchard said: “I’m delighted with the result and I’m impressed with the choices that the children made as the wooden equipment fits well with the landscape of the ground.”

Your child matters

Advice from West Swindon Family Centre Your child has just started at preschool or nursery and the staff are talking about the EYFS, Learning Journeys and next steps. This can be confusing. Let’s take a look.

EYFS stands for the Early Years Foundation Stage and supports the development of children from 0 to 60mths. There are seven areas that all link together, the prime areas being personal, social and emotional development, communication and language development and physical development.

The specific areas are mathematics, literacy, understanding the world and expressive art and design. Each area is divided into six age bands and act as a guide as all children develop at different rates and there are many factors that may affect a child’s development.

Keyworkers use the age bands and the outcomes within these as a guide to what your child should be working towards. The staff will initially discuss with you what your child is able to do on their own

without your support as this helps form the starting point for your child’s Learning Journey.

A Learning Journey is a record of what your child will be doing and the achievements that they will make whilst at the setting. It contains observations, photos, some of your child’s work and progress summaries that you will have the opportunity to see every term. Once your child has settled and their keyworker has established a starting point, they will look at the Prime Areas of the EYFS and decide on a next step for your child to work towards. Your child’s keyworker will use the next step to plan activities that your child will enjoy and help them develop.

Parents will also be able to support their child at home with activities that will support their child’s next step and share this with their child’s keyworker.

Next Month we will consider Personal, Social and Emotional Development and activities that you can do. swindonlink.com n February 2017

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20/01/2017 12:28

Community News

Thameswood Veterinary Clinics

“Making Life Better”

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Click on our website to book your pet’s free initial assessment.

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www.thameswoodvets.co.uk 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

One of the world’s greatest landmarks, the Great Wall of China

Walk the wall for Air Ambulance If you are looking for a new challenge in 2017 then Wiltshire Air Ambulance’s trek of the Great Wall of China could be for you.

As well as taking on one of the most iconic landmarks on Earth, participants will be raising vital funds for Wiltshire Air Ambulance (WAA).

The charity has run overseas treks in the past, including a Sahara Trek in 2015, but this is the first time it has organised a trek to part of the Great Wall of China.

Rebecca de la Bedoyere, Senior Fundraising Manager at WAA, said: “We are absolutely thrilled to offer this once-in-a-lifetime experience, which is by far the most exotic overseas challenge we’ve been involved with.

“The Great Wall is on many people’s bucket lists and what better way to experience it than on a guided tour with a small group of like-minded people, whilst raising funds to help us save lives?

“During the ten day adventure, participants will be able to enjoy some of the highlights this iconic structure has to offer, with

breath-taking views of mountains, villages and farms, as well as having opportunities to explore Beijing and The Forbidden City. We’ll be heading off the beaten trail and away from the tourist hotspots to experience a real taste of China.”

The 60km trek takes place from 21 to 30 September 2017. Led by an experienced guide, the trek is for people with a good level of fitness.

Nicola Earle, of Malmesbury, who took part in WAA’s Sahara Trek, said: “Signing up to do a Wiltshire Air Ambulance trek is a great way to have an adventure in a part of the world you might not ordinarily have a chance of visiting and raise money for a really worthwhile cause. Nobody knows when they might require the services of Wiltshire Air Ambulance.

The organisational aspects of the trek are taken care of which means all you have to do is get fit, raise money and then walk.”

For more information about the trek visit the website www. wiltshireairambulance.co.uk or call WAA’s fundraising team on 01380 739453.

Opening hours: Mon - Thu: 8.30 - 17.00 Fri: 8.30 - 14.00. Please check the website for holiday periods

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swindonlink.com n February 2017

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IN ASSOCIATION WITH with in association

in association with

in association with

in association with

Steam museum braced for celebration of Retro-Futurism Swindon’s Steam Museum is set to host a celebration of Victorian Retro-Futurism with the launch of the Swindon STEAMpunk Spectacular.

The event, staged over the weekend of March 25 and 26, brings specialist steampunk traders and craftspeople, together with live entertainment, to the wonderful and very appropriate setting of the STEAM Museum of the Great Western Railway, itself being part of the original Swindon Locomotive Works.

Steampunk is often described

as Victorian Retro-Futurism, or a genre where The Empire continues, Steam rather than electricity or petrol is the motive power, and every fantastical thing imagined by Jules Verne and H G Wells has come to pass. So a museum dedicated to God’s Wonderful Railway, built by that Titan of Victorian engineering excellence, Isambard Kingdom Brunel, is the ideal place to celebrate and enjoy Steampunk.

Visitors to the family friendly event are encouraged to throw themselves into the fun by dressing up.

The entertainment includes Ichabod Steam and his Animatronic Band, who will be performing his dark bitter-sweet steampunk musical, “The Arc Of The Spark” - telling how he lost his beloved wife when a steam boiler exploded, and how he tries to make her a new body because she seems to be trapped in the ether. Also to hand will be Moth, Kiss Like Ether, BB LoneDog, The Wattingers, Victor & The Bully, and the multitalented Greg Chapman, who is an escapologist, comedian, story-teller, magician, juggler, and unicyclist.

There will be entertainment throughout both days in and around the museum. There is also the Secret Museum Show, but that must remain secret!

On Friday night and on Saturday night in the Hawksworth Hall we are arranging separately ticketed shows, featuring the performers and acts.

Full details are available on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ Swindon-STEAMpunk-Spectacular Tickets for the evening shows are online at www.crewe-steampunkconvivial.co.uk

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Swindon Wide MUSIC Friday 3rd, 8pm Willie and The Bandits & Blackballed. Having toured their unique brand of roots rock with the likes of Deep Purple, Joe Bonamassa, The John Butler Trio and Status Quo, Willie and the Bandits are now proudly touring their brand new, critically acclaimed album Breakfree. £8, The Victoria.

Friday 10th, 7.30pm Swindon Recital Series. Michael Whight (clarinet) & Paul Turner (piano). £16, concessions £13.50, students £3.50. Arts Centre.

Saturday 11th, 8pm Beverley Craven. BRIT Award winner back on the road performing her acclaimed latest album ‘Change of Heart’. £25. Arts Centre.

Sunday 12th, 8pm Little Mix Experience. Four hugely talented girls pay tribute to one of the finest girl bands of the century. £16. Wyvern.

Wednesday 15th to Saturday 18th, 7.30pm Ten In A Bar - In Their Element.

A cappella singing at its best. £13.

Arts Centre.

Thursday 16th, 7.30pm Rumours of Fleetwood Mac. The world’s ultimate homage to Fleetwood Mac returns on their latest World Tour. £27 - £37. Wyvern.

Thursday 23rd, 7.30pm New College Recital Evening. A wide range of instrumentalists will be showcasing their great musical talent in a variety of styles. £3.50. Phoenix Theatre.

DRAMA & MUSICALS Saturday 4th, 7.30pm

WHAT’S ON SWINDON CHILDREN & FAMILY Sunday 12th, 11am & 2pm Monstersaurus. Follow the young inventor Monty as he creates a whole world of whacky inventions and incredible monsters. £14.50, children £2.50 off. Wyvern.

Tuesday 14th, 11am & 2pm Mr. Bloom’s Nursery - Live! Bring your ‘tiddlers’ along and join Mr Bloom and the Veggies on their first ever live tour. £17.50. Wyvern.

Saturday 18th, 2.30pm & 7.30pm Chinese New Year Extravaganza.

Come and see the magic unfold as Chinese New Year lands in Swindon with a unique and exciting show of cultural spectacle to welcome the start of the Year of the Rooster. £24, concessions £22, children £16.

Wyvern.

TALKS Saturday 4th, 7.30pm Michael Portillo: Life - A Game of Two Halves. It took him little more than ten years to get a seat in the Commons and then rise in power.

Listen to the extraordinary story and then feel free to question Michael about it. £21. Wyvern.

DANCE Saturday 4th and Sunday 5th, 2.30pm, 4pm & 5.30pm Wootton Bassett School of Dance present their third show at the Wyvern. £13.50, concessions £2 off. Wyvern Tuesday 7th, 8pm Wiltshire Schools Dance Festival.

Primary and Secondary schools from across Wiltshire come together to perform dances under the theme ‘Number One’s’. £10. Under 16s £3 off. Wyvern

Burton. Winner of Best FILM International Show at the Hollywood Fringe Festival 2010. The Wednesday 1st, 7.45pm life of the great Welsh actor in his Our Little Sister (PG) own words. £15. Friends discount £1.

Swindon Film Society. Arts Centre Arts Centre.

Wednesday 8th, 7.45pm Sunday 19th, 7.30pm The Crow’s Egg (PG) Swindon Film Society. Arts Centre Lady Chatterley’s Lover. A dramatic and scandalous love story Swindon Film Society (SFS) films are told by Blue Orange Theatre. £12.50. for members only. It is possible to Friends £2 off. Arts Centre. join at any film screening.

Monday 20th to Saturday 25th, Friday 24th, 7.15pm 2.30pm & 7.30pm Highworth Community Cinema Blood Brothers tells the captivating and moving tale of twins who, separated at birth, grow up on opposite sides of the tracks, only to meet again with fateful consequences. £26.50 - £34.50.

Friends £5 off, concessions £2 off.

Arts Centre.

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present: Brooklyn Eilis Lacey (Saoirse Ronan), a young Irish immigrant navigates her way through 1950s Brooklyn. Lured by the promise of America, Eilis departs Ireland and the comfort of her mother’s home for the shores of New York City. £5. St Michael’s Hall.

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Swindon Wide

SWINDON COMEDY Thursday 2nd, 7.30pm Chekov’s Shorts. European Arts Company returns with a hugely entertaining collection of classic one-act farces by Anton Chekhov. £17.50; Concessions £2 off.

Arts Centre.

Friday 3rd, 7.30pm Tiff Stevenson - Seven. Inspired by a gig Tiff did in David Lynch’s nightclub in Paris last year, just one month before the Bataclan attacks £15. Arts Centre.

Sunday 5th, 8pm Gary Delaney. A regular on Mock The Week, Gary has won two Sony Awards, as well as receiving a Chortle Award nomination. £16.50.

Arts Centre.

Tuesday 7th, 8pm Carl Donnelly - Bad Man Tings.

Join twice Edinburgh Comedy Award nominated comic for an all new hour of funnies, takking us through his thoughts on reaching the ripe old age of 34, the age that is statistically the happiest of your life. £15. Arts Centre.

Thursday 9th, 8pm Danny Baker - Cradle to the Stage. Star of radio and screen in his debut live tour. £23.50, students & seniors £2 off. Wyvern.

Thursday 9th, 8pm Lucy Porter - Consequences. A hilarious new show of heart-felt personal revelations and incisive cultural observations. £16.50. Arts Centre.

Friday 10th & Saturday 11th, 8pm Henning Wehn - Westphalia Is Not An Option. Join German Comedy Ambassador Henning Wehn for an evening of Teutonic jolliness at its best. £20.50. Wyvern.

Wednesday 15th, 8pm Jonathan Pie. Join Jonathan for this live show where he hilariously reveals the truth behind recent news events both home and abroad. £22. Wyvern.

Wednesday 22nd, 8pm Lee Hurst - Comedy Show No. 9.

It’s a show, it’s the ninth one and it’s comedy. What else do you need to know? £18.50. Arts Centre.

Wednesday 22nd, 8pm Justin Moorhouse takes to the road doing what he does best - no-frills, big-hearted, stand up comedy with his brand-new show £17.50. Arts Centre.

Sunday 26th, 7.30pm Mitch Benn confronts his - and YOUR - mortality with hilarious (and tuneful) consequences. £16.50. Arts Centre.

Spring Activities at Roves Farm

Lambing If a ewe is lambing during opening hours you can watch a lambing live demonstration. The centre are expecting over 100 lambs to be born this Spring.

Gingerbread Race (11th - 19th) Bringing the classic fairy tale to life, visitors can enjoy gingerbread themed Tractor Rides around the centre. “Drive, drive as fast as you can, you can’t catch me, I’m the Gingerbread Man.” Day tickets are £7 per person 3yrs & over until 10th, and £9 from 11th to 31st March. More information and tickets are available via www.rovesfarm.co.uk

Every Cloud Arts & Crafts at Stanton Country Park Why not enjoy a refreshing country walk on a frosty Sunday in February in Stanton Park and then warm up in Every Cloud tea-room, with a hot drink and some delicious home-made cake.

Tea-room opens every Sunday 10am – 3pm.

Wanborough Farmers’ Market Saturday 18th, 9am Meat, vegetables, cakes and pies, honey, rapeseed oil, plants, milk and fairly traded goods. For more information call Sue or David Birley on 01793 790438 or email sbirley@gn.apc.org VENUES Arts Centre, Devizes Road SN1 4BJ. Tel: 01793 524481 The Bohemian Balcony, Jennings Street, Swindon SN2 2BD. Tel: 07874 366256 Phoenix Theatre, New College Drive, Swindon, SN3 1AH. Tel: 01793 732889 The Rolleston, 73 Commercial Road, Swindon SN1 5NX. Tel: 01793 534238 Shoebox Theatre, Theatre Square, Swindon SN1 1QN. Tel: 07340 758497 St Michael’s Hall Lechlade Road, Highworth, SN6 7HQ. Tel: 01793 763907 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 The Victoria, 88 Victoria Road, SN1 3BD. Tel: 01793 535713 Wyvern Theatre, Theatre Square SN1 1QN. Tel: 01793 524481 Confirm date, time & price with venue

Quality shoes with quality service from Swindon’s family shoe shop Handbags and Accessories Shoes and seasonal footwear for adults Shoe Repair Service

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1 & 3 Bath Road, Old Town, Swindon SN1 4AS Tel: 01793 534271 swindonlink.com n February 2017

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Be part of something positive

www.swindonlink.com NW February 2017 Master Pages.indd 24

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Swindon Wide

Dentist Brendon Ball looks back at 31 years’ of helping people smile From The Archives with Link founder Roger Ogle When newly trained dentist Brendon Ball made the long journey to Britain from his native New Zealand in the mid-1970s, he spent some time studying an AA road map and plumped for Swindon because it was ‘sort of in the middle.’

After setting up a successful business in West Swindon and a home in Wiltshire, he retired at the end of 2016, returning for a surprise party on 14 January attended by former patients and staff at Freshbrook Dental Practice.

Brendon worked as a dentist in Penhill when he first arrived, but his intention was always to set up his own practice.

He said: “I quickly became aware of Swindon’s growth to the west and saw an opportunity to provide dental services. Council planners first suggested a site in Toothill but then directed me to Freshbrook Village Centre which was on the drawing board.”

Anybody who knows Freshbrook centre will have wondered why there is a bright blue tall triangle of a building at its midst, but Brendon is keen for people to know it was not his choice.

“The planners at Swindon asked me to provide three proposals and I drew the layout floorplan to fit the plot and my architect came up with two conventional designs, and we stuck in a third throwaway idea,” he said.

“We were dumbstruck when they chose the triangle and also advised the colour it should be; it was something about making a building memorable so people could navigate the suburbs.”

When it opened in Cottington Close, the practice quickly acquired a large patient list. At the time the maximum NHS charge for dental

Have you ever seen a poetry film?

It’s a modern way of linking both media and it’s certainly to the advantage of poetry.

Anything that makes poetry more accessible works for me.

The film I would like to share with you is called “Rocket Tom.” The background is that I bought a

like Pom and Dom to hear how they went and even tried Bomb in an Irish accent, but they didn’t fool us and wouldn’t fool Tom so we called him Rocky.

The video was made by my two grandchildren and me and we had a hoot making it. It’s only a minute long. We had more trouble with the adult in it than we did with the children and the dog.

This year I will be making more poetry films with A level students so watch this space.

You can see the video on vimeo. com/180018813.

There are several other films that are popular, “Mallow County Cork” has a big following. Enjoy!

• Open Mic is on Monday 13 February from 6pm at Richard Jefferies Museum • We have a Masterclass for poets with the wonderful Kim Moore on Sunday 12 March at 10am • Open Mic is on at the Beehive Pub on Tuesday 14 February at 7:30pm Book at www.poetryswindon.org

Brendon with practice manager Jayne Hall who has taken over the business

treatment was £14.50. But a week after moving to the new building at the village centre in 1985, NHS subsidy for dental work was slashed and patients were faced with treatment charges of up to £115.

“That was a very rocky time because suddenly patients stayed away in their droves,” said Brendon.

“The financial pressures on people were enormous because mortgage interest rates had hit 17 per cent, which is unbelievable today.”

However patients started to return after a few months and while Brendon started wholly within the NHS, in 1996 after continuous changes in NHS treatment levels, he decided to make the practice a private provision, offering a discount rate for patients’ children.

Brendon explained: “For me, the service was not about satisfying numbers. My patients were more family rather than clients. Perhaps

Naming a dog is less of a slog... with poetry Poetry column by Poetry Swindon’s Maurice Spillane

being so far away from home in New Zealand made me more connected with the people coming to see me.”

Brendon and Link magazine have been closely connected since he arrived in Swindon and in 1998 he read an article about the work of the charity Dentaid in Ukraine which was providing surgical help to children born with a cleft palate.

Brendon made his first trip with medical supplies to Ukraine in support of Dented in 1999. He discovered treatment was given without pain killers and found almost no dental health advice.

He quickly set up his own charity - Smile Menders - with plans to help improve dental services in the country. Now, after seven trips to supply materials and provide training to local dentists, he says the difference is huge.

“Our contact with senior dental

staff and government people has eased access to the country and we are now highly regarded in the Cherkassy region.”

Three of the trips involved delivering redundant dental caravans and a mobile dental truck donated by local health authorities.

It meant services could be taken to remote parts of Cherkassky which is the size of Wales. Brendon and Smile Menders’ volunteers had to equip each mobile surgery, insulate them against the harsh winters in Ukraine, and he had to purchase right hand drive tow vehicles.

Brendon jokingly blames Link magazine for helping his marital status after he met and fell in love with his translator Natasha, on his first trip to Ukraine, whom he married in 2000.

They will continue to visit Ukraine as Natasha’s mother still lives there.

“It’s been a privilege to look after such a nice group of patients in Freshbrook,” said Brendon.

“Some have been with me since I arrived in Swindon and I’ve been the dentist for three or four generations in some families. I received some lovely cards of appreciation before I departed at the end of December.”

Freshbrook Dental Practice is now in the ownership of practice manager Jayne Hall, which has delighted Brendon. “I was honoured that Jayne decided to take on the business; she has considerable experience in dentistry and knows the needs of patients. Chris Richards continues as a dentist in the practice and I’ve met Webber Emile and the other part-time dentists who are arriving to replace me.”

Apart from his charitable work, Brendon is rediscovering his passion for motorcycle restoration. He is planning a trip to the Isle of Man TT races this summer and is considering a visit to New Zealand.

black Labrador from a friend who couldn’t get on with the dog.

The dog was called “Tom” and we couldn’t use that name, as you will see in the poem, so we renamed him: We got a black lab ten months on who came with a name, named Tom. But my wife has a son who died at six, very much loved and he’s called Tom. So we bent some rhyme

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Swindon Wide

guide to live music in Swindon for February Swindon’s live music scene is as diverse and widespread as any in the country. Whether you like chilled out acoustic music, blues, folk, pop, dance, electronica, rock or any other genre you can think of, the scope for musical entertainment is endless.

Now we are really back into the swing of things, the winter blues are cast aside and we are all in the mood to party again, why not kick things off with an exclusive full band show from Gaz Brookfield at The Vic on 2 February.

Gaz is touring his new album “I Know My Place” and due to popular demand his place for the night will be right back where he started in Swindon for the only full band show of the tour. Support comes from local out and out rockers Raze*Rebuild and the exceptionally talented Nick Parker. We can’t stress enough how good this show is going to be!

Veterans of the Swindon music scene might remember a group of promoters called South West Hardcore that used to put on the odd successful show at 12Bar and other venues. They’ve been quiet for a little while but are now back with

Paul Tiernan will take over The Beehive on February 24 with George Wilding

a bang (which you can read about in more detail over on page 20).

To give you the Cliff Notes, the boys from SWHC are making their comeback on 24 February by setting up a charity show in aid of Swindon Foodbank, headlined by local hardcore royalty in Roads to Nowhere. Support on the night comes from At The Helm and Erase The Rat, who will be launching their new EP on the night. Moshpit

fans unite!

To calm things down a little, you could head to the Beehive on Prospect Hill for a slice of folky goodness. Paul Tiernan, who has released seven solo albums and has played his trusty mandola with Nick Harper, Boo Hewerdine, Robyn Hitchcock, Mark Geary, Maria Doyle Kennedy, Sinead Lohan, Katell Keineg and Glen Hansard to name but a few. Paul will be performing

material from his extensive back catalogue thanks to those cheeky chaps at Songs of Praise on 24 February. Support comes from our best bohemian boy locally, Mr George Wilding, who offers the charming, contemporary foil to the evening.

Want something in the town centre on a Friday night? Aching for an alternative to Old Town?

Well, The Rolleston just might have something for you. Three fantastic up-and-coming bands, reasonably priced booze (at pub prices) and a DJ set until late. All at only £3 entry.

What more could you ask for dear music fan?

The Rolly will have Smooth Ends, Big Happy Forever and Beach for Tiger playing the catchiest indie tunes throughout the night on 17 February, followed by a DJ playing everything from Arctic Monkeys through to The Stone Roses and beyond.

There is a world of music to discover in Swindon, besides just our picks here, so for more information on events in the town and beyond, visit: www.theocelot.co.uk

Lentil and chorizo ragu with cod wrapped in Parma ham

By Angela Barlow Christmas has been and gone, the New Year is a distant memory and you feel as though you have been eating for days and days. It’s time for a 2017 detox and this fish dish is ideal for those who feel they have been “carnivored-out” and want something that passes the taste test and is not too fattening but makes you feel like you have had a substantive eat. Don’t be put off by the sound of lentils…. this is as good a meal as you are going to get in a top notch restaurant and sometimes it’s nice to have a change from the good old carbs.

Method l Heat the oil in a large pan add the onion, carrot, celery, garlic and chorizo and cook on a medium heat until everything is softened. l Add the tomato puree and cook for a further minute l Stir in the chopped tomatoes, passata, red lentils and stock l Bring to a simmer and cook for 30-40 minutes or until the lentils are tender and most of the liquid has been absorbed. Season to taste.

l While the lentils are cooking prepare the cod by laying eight slices of Parma ham on a chopping board. l Place the cod flat on the Parma ham, brush the fish with the green pesto and wrap the Parma Ham around the cod l Oil a baking tray and bake for 20 minutes l To serve : place the lentil ragu on a plate and top with the roasted cod. Serve with a few green vegetables.

Ingredients 1 tablespoon of olive oil 1 red onion finely chopped 1 large carrot finely chopped 1 celery stick finely chopped 1 clove garlic crushed 100g chorizo sausage cut into small chunks 1 tablespoon of tomato

puree 1 can of chopped tomatoes 100ml passata 200g red lentils 500ml of vegetable stock 4 cod fillets 8 slices of Parma ham 4 tablespoons of green pesto. swindonlink.com n February 2017

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Swindon Wide

The forgotten legacy of WG Little

By Graham Carter of Swindon Heritage magazine Swindon’s heritage has been taking a bashing in recent weeks, but for those who care about the legacy the past has left us, the picture is even bleaker than we might have realised.

Thanks to GLL’s scheme to turn the Health Hydro into flats and councillors’ refusal to rule out such cultural vandalism in the future, plus the Borough’s hamfisted handling of the aftermath of the fire at the former Agricultural Museum at Coate, another issue has slipped under the radar.

Just before Christmas it was announced that 1-3 Faringdon Road are to be sold off.

Many people will remember these buildings as the one-time home of the Citizens’ Advice Bureau, but since 2012 they have been boarded up and neglected, while awaiting their fate at the hands of Forward Swindon.

This unaccountable arm of Swindon Borough Council seems to have been charged with making key decisions about historic buildings in the town, and in the case of 1-3 Faringdon Road their plan to sell them to the highest bidders as shops and flats carries the same hallmarks as the Health Hydro controversy.

The remnants of an old advertisement can still be seen on the face of the corner building, and if you look closely you will also see the initials ‘WGL’ and the date 1892 - ironically the same year that the Health Hydro opened.

The initials stand for WG Little, a true visionary with an extraordinary story, which we will be telling in detail in the spring edition of Swindon Heritage when it is published at the end of February.

A highly successful draper and milliner, Little was also a leading councillor, and saw his duty to the community as something that should continue even beyond the grave.

So he ensured the great wealth he amassed during his lifetime could be used to benefit the people of Swindon for generations after his death, and in particular he was anxious his legacy should help young people.

So a trust fund was established, which still exists, and since his death in 1927 it has paid out well over £1million, targeting needy Swindon children and putting

28

Swindon Foodbank to get rocking boost

The remnants of the old advert at 1-3 Faringdon Road

up money to promote his other passion: music.

WG Little’s only error, it seems, was to assume that also leaving his properties in trust to councillors meant they would always be kept for the good of the community, as he intended, rather than being flogged off.

The fund, we hope, is safe, but in the usual absence of any public consultation, the best hope for preventing the buildings from being lost to the community forever is a petition, and that seems to have been overlooked, amid desperate battles to protect other, higherprofile attacks on our heritage.

You’ll find it here - www.change. org/p/swindon-borough-councilsave-swindon-s-heritage-1-3faringdon-road Even worse than the loss of the buildings is the way in which everything WG Little stood for is being forgotten.

He came from a time when Swindon was home to people of true vision, who felt a genuine duty to the community.

He was the embodiment of a spirit of philanthropy that defined the town, and a caring instinct that is still evident in the fantastic work of warm-hearted and caring volunteers and organisations in Swindon today.

Turning his buildings into yet more flats tells us much about the prevailing attitude to Swindon’s rich historic legacies, but we should think carefully about what is left before allowing councillors or their proxies to make irreversible decisions about them.

At a time when local heritage groups would love to be concentrating on various positive projects to celebrate our heritage and boost the tattered image of the town, 2017 already seems certain to be another year consigned to trying to defend it. www.swindonheritage.com

L-R: Chris Derry, Amy Caswell and John Derry check out Level 3 before their relaunch charity show

Swindon music promoters SouthWestHardcore will be giving back to their community in February by hosting a ReLaunch party at The Rolleston Arms on February 24 in aid of Swindon Foodbank.

Having taken a break from the music scene for a few years, John Derry and his brother Chris are returning to promoting shows in 2017, and have decided their relaunch should give a helping hand to a critical local charity.

Chris said: “We loved putting on these shows, and got pretty successful doing it. But when the credit crunch hit, people weren’t coming out as much. I found myself having to use the foodbank now

and again to keep going.

“If we are relaunching SWHC, we wanted to make sure it gave something back to those guys, after they helped me when I needed it.”

John added: “We were inspired by a music video by a band called Stretch Armstrong, where they had a gig with food for charity as the entry fee, so that’s what we are doing here. People should be allowed to help others in whatever way they see fit, not how they are told to. We want to bring the punk spirit back to Swindon.”

An item of nonperishable food should be presented on the door as entry fee and the show will be headlined by Chippenham based metal band Roads to Nowhere.

Swindon songwriter releases anti-bullying pop anthem

Singer/songwriter Jodie H Dunn has released an emotional anti-bullying song ‘I Belong In Hell’ with support from family and friends.

Jodie, who lives and works in Swindon, has been involved in music from a young age, teaching herself keyboard at the age of nine. During her early teens she was subjected to a lot of bullying, forcing her to change schools in the middle of her exams.

However the bullying then developed onto social media, giving Jodie no real escape. After studying at the Academy of Music and Sound, music became Jodie’s diary whereby she expressed her emotions via her lyrics. Her songs have progressively become more meaningful, leading to ‘I Belong In Hell’ based on the idea of someone

controlling you at your lowest point.

Jodie said: “I couldn’t do this without my family. They persuaded me to not give up on music. After getting signed to a label who gave me major issues, I found myself disheartened from songwriting, but my mum especially was key in getting me back writing again.

“I Belong In Hell is my confidence builder, and because writing it was so cathartic and the recording was so laid back and different from my previous experience. I’m just so excited by music again, and I want to give everyone that confidence after being knocked down”.

‘I Belong In Hell’ has been produced by Andy Whitmore, who has worked with major names such as Elton John and is available via soundcloud.com/jodiehelendunn

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Link Magazine ad March 2015.indd 1 NW February 2017 Master Pages.indd 29

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Sport and Leisure New martial arts school in West Swindon A new martial arts school for children aged four to 10 will be opening at a venue to be revealed in West Swindon on Saturday, 11 February.

Free taster sessions for budding martial artists are available on the opening morning from the school’s founder Marc Harris.

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Peppa Pig and Save The Children launch Muddy Walk fundraising campaign

Call Graham on (01793) 873045 or 07867 556350

Between 8 and 14 May, nurseries, early years groups, families and children up and down the country are being encouraged to take part in a Peppa Pig’s Muddy Puddle Walk for Save the Children.

Organising a Muddy Puddle Walk is a great way for your little ones to explore the world around them and jump in muddy puddles, like Peppa Pig, for a worthy cause.

However you choose to fundraise – you’ll help Save the Children make life better for children around the world.

There are lots of easy ways to raise money on your Muddy Puddle Walk for Save the Children.

The free fundraising pack is full of great activities and fundraising ideas, so you can choose which option will work best for you and your children.

Your little ones can get sponsored

to walk or splash in puddles at the park, or they can simply donate to join your muddy puddle walk.

You can even top up your total by baking and selling Muddy Puddle cupcakes with the website even helping you put a delicious recipe together.

Vicky Fallon, Head of Community Giving at Save the Children, said: “We hope that nurseries and families across the nation sign up and take part in their very own Muddy Puddle Walk!

“By jumping in muddy puddles like Peppa Pig and raising money for Save the Children – you can help the world’s most vulnerable children to have a brighter future.”

Sign up your nursery or family at MuddyPuddleWalk.org to get your free Muddy Puddle Fundraising Pack, including Peppa Pig stickers and Save the Children balloons.

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Sport and Leisure

New website launched to bring Swindon Town fans together Come On You Reds - The Trust STFC column with chairman Steve Mytton

Finally, after much work behind the scenes, our new website has launched.

Please take a look and get involved at www.truststfc.tv The site is all about the fans, who are the lifeblood of any footie club.

It’s a place where we can create, debate and vote on new ideas, remember the good times, recognise supporters who have made great efforts for the club, and have a bit of fun as well.

The site has been produced by the Trust team, at no cost. Now it’s

over to you - the fans - to make it a success, by contributing your ideas and articles whenever you can.

We have Sam Morshead editing the site, and he has gathered a team of fans who will generate articles on a regular basis - but we will always want to hear from you, so please don’t be shy!

TrustSTFC.tv: It’s for Town fans, by Town fans.

We look forward to hearing from you!

Red Army Fund Thank you to each and every one

of you who continue to support us financially with monthly contributions.

To everyone else, please give it some thought and if you can spare a pound or more each month, signup at www.redarmyfund.co.uk Gold Membership equates to 82p a day (£25 a month).

Silver Membership equates to 33p a day (£10 a month).

Bronze Membership equates to 16p a day (£5 a month).

Red Membership from as little as 3p a day!

Remember that together as a larger group we get stronger, so please invite others to ‘Like’ our Facebook page. Follow us on Twitter and of course sign up to our newsletter via www.truststfc.com

200 years of getting on your bike On Two Wheels by Rob Derry of Swindon Bicycle Users Group (BUG)

Happy New Year to you all. What a momentous year for cycling 2017 is going to be.

It is 200 years since the bicycle was invented by Baron Karl von Drais of Mannheim, Germany. The bike has been credited for many things and it is nothing short of amazing that 200 years on, it is still a massively important invention all around the world. How many things invented in the last 200 years are now consigned to the past? Even in the last 40 years we’ve had the VCR and many other things come and go.

The bicycle was hailed as an amazing invention that allowed people to move around quicker than before without having to feed, stable and look after a horse (not to mention you could go further in a day).

It allowed people to move between villages and towns and it is thought that this widened the gene pool in many rural areas by allowing people to meet potential partners from other towns and villages. In the early 20th century it gave freedoms to women that had not previously been enjoyed.

Despite only around 2% of journeys in Swindon being made by

bicycle with a similar ratio around the country, there are hotspots within the UK. Around 25% of vehicles on London’s streets at rush hour are bicycles. And if we look to our European neighbours, the Dutch, Danish and Finnish cycle a lot more than we do. Bikes are used widely in India, China and all across Africa. It is no coincidence that countries that have low levels of cycle use have high levels of obesity. The mayor of Paris has declared 2017 to be “The Year of the Bicycle” with aims to double the amount of cycle paths and increase the amount of areas and time that motor vehicles are prohibited.

People in power are starting to realise that cycling has enormous benefits in terms of public health, pollution levels, movement of people and for the economy.

Not bad for a 200 year old invention, heh? Happy 200th birthday to the good old bicycle! www.swindonbug.co.uk

Busy month ahead for The Wildcats The Wildcats ice hockey column with Mike Wray

Aaron Nell believes February will be Swindon Wildcats most challenging month so far.

With January throwing up nine games, the shorter month of February quickly follows suit and with five of those coming at home, the Wildcats coach doesn’t think the upcoming fixtures will be any easier.

Looking at the month, Nell said: “This will be our most challenging month so far.

“We have tough games and with the injury list we’ve got, we’ll really have to dig deep, find solutions and find ways to win.”

The 27-year old who has been off the ice since picking up a shoulder injury at the end of October, is currently viewing his off-ice spell as a “positive experience” - and says he’s learning a lot from it.

“It’s obviously frustrating being off the ice, but if I didn’t feel I had the skills to be able to coach from the bench, then I wouldn’t do it,” he said.

“You can learn different things from the rink side so I think about it as a positive experience. I’ve learned a lot of things already, but it’s a whole other way of seeing the game than from on the ice so there’s so much more that I can pick up and it’s helping to develop me as a coach.” www.swindonwildcats.com swindonlink.com n February 2017

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Sport and Leisure

Prospect Hospice 10k Mud Run to take place in February Are you at work all day?

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Tel: (01793) 887801 www.shawchiropracticclinic.co.uk

IF YOU SUFFER FROM: • Backache & Leg Pain • Neck, Shoulder, Arm Pain • Head Pain • Numbness • Arthritic Pain • Sports Injury • Injury after Accident THEN YOU SHOULD CONSIDER CONSULTING A CHIROPRACTOR

Prospect Hospice’s 10K Mud Run, supported by Nationwide, will be taking place on 19 February from the pavillion off Pipers Way in Swindon.

This year, however, there will be the added optional feature of being able to take on obstacles as part of the 10K. For the same £15 registration fee, runners can select the option to add obstacles to their race. Classed as entry level obstacles, they are suitable for all levels of fitness and add even more muddy fun to the 10K.

Sign up today to get your place at www.prospect-hospice.net/10k, or alternatively, if you’d like to chat to a member of the fundraising team, please call on 01793 816180.

If you’d like to support Prospect Hospice this year by taking part in an exciting fundraising event then don’t forget to have a look at the website and take advantage of the Early Bird sign up offers before the end of March. You can find out more about all of Prospect Hospice’s 2017 events at www.prospecthospice.net/events or by calling the Fundraising Team.

Take a free tour of newly revamped Blunsdon gym

SANDRA E. DAVIES D.C. Doctor of Chiropractic BCA Member • GCC Registered Member of the College of Chiropractors

FREE

SPINAL CHECKS

EVENING & SATURDAY APPOINTMENTS

5 Ramleaze House, Shaw Village Centre, Swindon SN5 5PY

PAINFUL FEET? Mrs Lesley Taylor MCFHP, MAFHP, MIIR, MAR

Corns, Calluses, Verrucas, Thick Nail or Ingrowing Toenails

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Affordable Personal Care for Your Feet Treatments: Nail cutting (feet & hands) Nail deformities & ingrowing toenails Nail infections Verrucae treatment Corns & callus treatment Diabetic foot care

Call Freephone 0808 108 8545 or 01793 849914

Contact Joan Schofield MCFHP MAFHP 07763 908167

Clinic at: 113 High Street Royal Wootton Bassett

www.healthy-happy-feet.co.uk

Hours to suit your busy lives

Swindon-based Blunsdon Fitness is inviting anyone interested in joining up to book in for a free tour.

To celebrate the opening of the gym’s newly extended and refurbished fitness studio, visitors to the Blunsdon House Hotel gym will be given the opportunity to try out a range of classes for free.

Blunsdon Fitness is a family run fitness and leisure club with a team of friendly, passionate and qualified

staff whose mission is to put their members at the centre of everything they do.

Facilities include a cycle studio, indoor swimming pool, 9-hole golf course, resistance gym, tennis court, cardio suite, fitness and dance studio.

To reserve your free tour of the gym call the staff on 01793 720640 or alternatively email info@ blunsdonfitness.co.uk

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Sport and Leisure

Revamped Swindon Half Marathon opens for applications The re-launched 2017 Swindon Half Marathon will be taking applications at the start of this month for the event which will be held on September 3.

Last year’s event was due to take place on Sunday, October 16 but was cancelled due to a lack of funds.

Organisers said there was a shortfall of about £25,000, despite money being raised from a crowd funding campaign, sponsorship and donations.

The new route starts and finishes in the town centre.

The new course is largely very flat and brings runners past key Swindon landmarks including the Magic Roundabout, the County Ground, the Oasis, the Railways, the McArther Glenn Outlet Village as well as Old Town before a downhill dash into the Town Centre, finishing under the big screen of Wharf Green.

A split start and finish will allow roads along the route to remain open for people to be able to go about their daily business and runners will be able to drop off their bags at the start and collect

The new route of the Swindon 2017 half marathon, taking in key landmarks

them at the finish of the route.

The town centre provides parking for several thousand cars, and the

new car parks in Princess street or the rear of Debenhams provide a 0.4mile walk to the start, and just a

0.3mile walk from the finish.

To apply online log on to www. newswindonhalf.co.uk/enter

MONDAYS 9.30am Redhouse Community Centre, Frankel Avenue SN25 2NJ. Consultant: Claire J 07943 396042 MONDAYS 5.30pm & 7.30pm St Johns Church, Thames Avenue, Haydon Wick SN25 1QQ. Consultant: Sharon 07841 119082

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TUESDAYS 7.30pm Westlea Primary School, Langstone Way, Westlea SN5 7BT. Consultant: Georgie 07500 970751

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THURSDAYS 9.30am, 11.30am, 5.30pm & 7.30pm St Johns Church, Thames Ave. Haydon Wick SN25 1QQ. Consultant: Sharon 07841 119082 THURSDAYS 7.30pm Redhouse Community Centre, Frankel Avenue SN25 2NJ. Consultant: Emma D 07792 127826 FRIDAYS 9.30am & 11.30am Redhouse Community Centre, Frankel Avenue SN25 2NJ. Consultant: Heather 07816 860840 FRIDAYS 9.30am Moose Hall, Eastcott Hill, Off Bath Road SN1 3LS. Consultant: Lisa 07411 430216 SATURDAYS 8am, 10am & 12pm Freshbrook Community Centre, Worsley Road SN5 8LY. Consultant: Lou 07784 098022 SATURDAYS 9.30am Redhouse Community Centre, Frankel Avenue SN25 2NJ. Consultant: Jac B 07469 245888

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for consultants this deliciousincurry recipe visiand t Cirencester area There are currently opportunities for the Swindon We’d love to talk to you about it.

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0344 897 8000

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Sport and Leisure

Paralympic footballer sets shining example to students The Captain of the England and Great Britain 7-a-side football team and GB Paralympian, Jack Rutter, gave an inspirational presentation to Swindon College students on Thursday.

The star was diagnosed with cerebral palsy after a serious head injury in 2009 which put his professional football career on hold.

However, against all odds, he gradually rebuilt his football career to represent his country at the Rio 2016 Olympics.

He said: “I hope that by sharing my story I can make an impact and demonstrate that anything is possible if you have determination and self-belief.”

Swindon College student Rhys

Poultney, 17, was born with cerebral palsy and was there to listen to the talk.

He said: “Today has been really inspirational. It’s my goal to become a personal trainer, so hearing that Jack has realised his own ambitions has made me feel even more positive about my future.”

Jack later also presented Rhys with his own personal pair of signed football boots.

Jo Wilson who arranged the event said: “It’s given everyone a real boost, and will hopefully encourage more of our students to take part in sport, no matter what their ability.”

For more information about Swindon College visit swindon.ac.uk or call (01793) 491 591.

Swindon College Student Rhys Poultney, left, with Paralympian Jack Rutter

Rugby star inspires students at Commonweal’s Hub Sam James, disabilities outreach worker at Commonweal School’s Hub writes about a visit to the school by Rugby Star Thinus Delport For the 3rd year, Commonweal School has signed up students from ‘The Hub’ to the Sky Schools Sports Project - a national schools project which helps them integrate into mainstream PE. It also showcases one of the many extra-curricular activities that the Hub provides its students.

The project assigns a mentor to all schools. We were delighted to be assigned Rugby Union player Thinus Delport. He has played for various UK clubs including Worcester Warriors, as well as playing internationally for South Africa.

On the 12 January, Thinus spent a day with ‘The Hub’ Students.

During the day they learnt about Thinus’s story and how he got to play for South Africa. He told them about how he grew up in a South African farming community, the struggles he had to face in working towards his dream of playing for his country. He really engaged all the students and they loved all of his clips of him playing and especially loved seeing the Hakka.

Thinus went through five key skills to success that the students could take with them in their studies in school and on-going further more in their future careers.

He did an activity session with the students to help them understand the importance of team work. This was great to see all the students

34

Staff and students from Commonweal School’s Hub with rugby star Thisus Delport

working together and seeing leadership qualities emerge that may have never been picked up.

They even got to work together to create their own Hakka.

All the students loved having Thinus in and they all got so much out of the day.

Lee Chadwick from year 8 said: “It was really fun, but I do want to rugby tackle him next time. The best bit was when we played tag rugby.

Mum is getting me a frame to put my signed t-shirt in.”

Dominic Tiley from year 7 said: “I loved the day and it was so much

fun, the tag rugby was my favourite bit along with the Hakka. I also enjoyed watching the videos of Thinus being tackled.”

Teaching assistant Steve Paulizky said: “Thinus had so much passion and you could tell he loved being a rugby player. He was such a good inspiration and was extremely good

at engaging the students.’

Thinus said: “I loved their enthusiasm and their willingness to try new things. They were fantastic to work with.’”

We would like to thank Thinus for the day and we all loved having him here and even the staff got something out of it too.

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www.swindonfringefestival.com

#Swinge NW February 2017 Master Pages.indd 36

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Motoring

Volkswagen Polo – a match for any supermini

Geoff Maxted of Drivewrite.co.uk takes the Volkswagen Polo for a spin

Whenever a prospective buyer considers a choice of supermini hatchbacks, the first thought is of the evergreen Fiesta. In fact, this segment of the car market is awash with decent small cars and at the top of any list should be the Volkswagen Polo.

As well as a very pleasant, if conventional, interior and some smooth and efficient petrol engines, you can choose from a range of advanced safety features that you rarely see on this class of car. VW

have delivered the goods again.

Front seat passengers get more than enough head and arm room. They’ll also find enough storage spaces for drink bottles, a smartphone and the inevitable collection of detritus that we all accumulate. The glove box is well-sized integral to the smart dashboard, and for once the door pockets and boot are a useable size.

The German brand has fitted three-door versions with seats on which the backrests are hinged so

that they fold further forwards than they normally would making access to the back seats easier. Once in, rear passengers will have good headroom, but leggier folk will find knee space a bit on the tight side.

Although it costs a little more, I’d go for the five-door every time for the convenience.

It is hard to fault the quality or usability of the Polo’s design. Many features have been lifted from bigger VW models giving the Polo that premium feel. All models are fitted with a clear touchscreen, through which you control audio and (optional) navigation functions.

Heater controls, USB, Bluetooth and AUX functions are all to hand, if specified.

The most popular engine, the 1L three-cylinder petrol with 60bhp, is okay for local routes but perhaps not so great for longer journeys.

Upgrade to the 74bhp version of the same engine, as tested here, and the Polo will confidently keep pace with motorway traffic. This is the one to go for.

It’s a good, lively engine that makes driving fun, if not especially quick. A well-weighted clutch,

five-speed manual ‘box and light steering help. An automatic gearbox is only available for the 1.2L and 1.4L petrol models.

‘BlueMotion’ technology aids fuel economy and the Volkswagen Polo proved to be a sparing user of the precious fluid. A definite plus.

Diesels are available but in my opinion are not the best choice for this excellent car.

Visibility out of the Polo is excellent making it easy to drive and park. It’s not a car that takes to being thrown about like some. The soft suspension and light steering (a plus for some) and total lack of feedback from the road discourage an ebullient driving style. The Polo prefers a more genteel approach to motoring. It is none the worse for that.

It’s a Volkswagen, so you can expect excellent build quality and interior finish.

Despite this, the Polo is not an expensive car. The model as tested and pictured here in ‘Match’ trim is priced at £13570 OTR which is decent value for what is a very complete supermini. Definitely one for the short list.

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Sport and Leisure

©Steve Birt

All creatures great and small at Studley Grange Butterfly World, Farm Park and Craft Village at Studley Grange is the ultimate destination for anyone this half term.

The hot house at Butterfly World is home to over 30 species of butterflies and moths.

Rain or shine, the tropical garden and ponds that feature in Butterfly World are perfect for a peaceful stroll, whilst watching the butterflies, as well as inspecting the caterpillars feeding on potted plants.

You may even be lucky enough to see a butterfly hatch from its chrysalis in their emergence unit.

After exploring the butterfly

houses, visitors can continue through to the zoo area and Farm Park – to find a menagerie of indigenous and exotic animals.

The animals at Studley Grange are many and varied - from otters to rare breed cattle, sheep, goats, pigs, to a family of meerkats, Rigby the raccoon, alpacas and wallabies.

As spring is in the air, there are plenty of animals who are expectant with young, with some due to arrive by mid-February.

If scaly creatures are your thing, snakes, lizards, and a tarantula spider can be found in the reptile house. Visitors are also likely to meet with George the Sulcata

tortoise who is often on his rounds in the Farm Park. And, if that’s not enough, the Craft Village at Studley Grange provides plenty of crafting activities for all ages.

Visitors can have a go at making their own personalised chocolates or seasonal cards from the workshops held regularly at Chocolate Comforts and Sparkle Dreams respectively. Specific workshops will also be held with a Valentine’s, Mother’s Day and Easter theme.

A further feature to keep the children entertained is the newly refurbed Soft Play at Studley Grange. The soft play area is a

packed indoor adventure play area for children up to eight years, featuring an exciting range of animal themed, safe soft climbing frames, slides and dens.

To complete your visit to Studley Grange, parents and children can enjoy delicious lunches and freshly made on site cakes at the Butterfly Café.

Open seven days a week including bank holidays. Studley Grange is located just off junction 16 of the M4. Studley Grange, Hay Lane, Wroughton, Swindon, Wilts, SN4 9QT For further information visit studleygrange.co.uk

Carers are wanted to provide a holiday home for dogs Did you know that researchers have noted that there are a great many health benefits to having a dog in the family?

Writing in the British Journal of Health Psychology, Dr Deborah Wells reviewed a number of previous research papers concluding that dog ownership can be shown to help prevent us from becoming ill, facilitate recovery from illhealth, reduce levels of anxiety, loneliness and depression as well as

38

enabling greater social interaction for owners.

But perhaps the best news is that now you don’t have to take on full time ownership of a dog to enjoy those benefits.

Barbara Webb took the route of joining dog boarding company Wagging Tails as a dog carer. She now welcomes guest dogs into her home for their holidays when their owners go away and in addition to the health benefits of having

dogs around also receives a small payment for looking after her fourlegged guests.

“I’ve been a carer for two and a half years and it’s absolutely wonderful.

“You get to take dogs out, socialise with other people and get plenty of exercise.”

Hilary Coates of the SN branch is on the lookout for carers, who must be home most of the day, be experienced with dogs, enjoy

walking and have a secure garden.

“I would love to hear from anyone who feels that they could offer a home to a well behaved dog for his holidays, and am looking to expand my team of carers.

If you have your own sociable dog you can still become a carer.’

Contact Hilary via email (sn@ waggingtailsuk.co.uk) or call her on 01793 874777 for more details, and start your fitness campaign with a furry friend this year!

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Sport and Leisure

Gardeners invited to share seeds Keen gardeners are being invited to a free community seed swap at the Central Community Centre, Emlyn Square, Swindon.

‘Seed Swap Swindon’ will be held on February 25 from 2 – 4pm.

David Sparks, from Incredible Edible Swindon explained: “Seed swapping will be free with the idea that people try new seeds they’ve not grown before, or have a go again with old favourites.

“If you have them, bring along your excess seeds as a costeffective way of replenishing your

spring seed stocks and to do your bit to protect biodiversity.”

Any funds raised on the day will help pay for the seed swap event plus costs for other Incredible Edible Swindon projects including seeds and tools.

Details are also available at the group’s website www. edibleswindon.co.uk “To get involved Incredible people get together socially at 6pm on the third Wednesday of the month at the Glue Pot, Emlyn Square in Swindon town centre.”

ALL TREE WORK COMPLETED TO THE HIGHEST STANDARD

Hedge cutting • Stump removal Fruit tree pruning • Tree planting

For a free quotation contact: Contact Dermot

01793 420652/07870 191746 igs.swindon@yahoo.com

D.A. DRIVEWAYS & PATIOS ❐ Block Paving ❐ Landscaping ❐ Fencing ❐ Decorative Stone ❐ General Maintenance For a professional and affordable service, free consultation and written quotation

Tel: 01793 878062 or 07866 523898

• 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

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Tree Surgeon

From a single flower container to a complete makeover and everything in between, including hedging, fencing, paths and walls, turfing and a full range of garden maintenance.

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• Tip runs • General/full garden maintenance • Hedge cutting • Mowing • Garden design • Soft/hard landscaping and much more Fully insured and licensed For a free quote call Lee on

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CJ Gardening Services

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Professional care `````` for your garden Grass cutting - regular maintenance Landscaping - Patios & Paving - repairs & cleaning Decking and Fencing Hedge cutting & pruning No Job Too Small. All works insured

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for free quotation on 01793 703306 or Mobile 07771 956294

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maintenance service

• Hedgecutting, pruning and weeding

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For a free no obligation quote call Cliff on 01793 703986 or 07973 391 668

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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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Established locally for over 8 years References available

FREETH FENCING & GARDEN SERVICES LTD Est. 1990 35 Spencer Close, West Swindon ❖ Fences, gates & sheds supplied and erected ❖ Landscaping ❖ Trees pruned and felled ❖ Rubbish removed ❖ Patios and shingle laid ❖ Wood chip & compost supplied ❖ Turfing and grass cutting ❖ And all aspects of garden maintenance

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PROFESSIONAL TREE SURGEONS Comprehensive service Qualified staff Fully insured • Pruning and Shaping • Felling and Removal • Hedge Cutting • Stump Grinding • Tree Planting

Free quotations and advice Call Ian Walding (N.C.Hort N.D.Arb)

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Email: treeman@iwalding.freeserve.co.uk

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REPAIR & IMPROVE YOUR GUIDE TO HOME MAINTENANCE

D E Carpentry For all your carpentry needs k Door hanging

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k Kitchen fitting

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k 15 years experience

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DJR General Builders Ltd Competent, reliable and fully insured.

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

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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

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info@grangekitchens.co.uk 40

All plumbing work undertaken Reliable service, realistic prices

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

01793 670115 or 0784 182 6390 for a Free Estimate

J’s Electrical ✭ Extra sockets and lights ✭ Shower and cooker installation ✭ Fuse board replacement ✭ Complete re-wiring ✭ Security lighting ✭ P.A.T. testing ✭ 24 hours

NO JOB TOO SMALL Mobile: 07985 195893 Tel: 01793 320447 Also general plumbing, tiling & plastering

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or email advertising@ swindonlink.com for more information

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REPAIR & IMPROVE

41

YOUR GUIDE TO HOME MAINTENANCE

Alison J Hook Painter, Decorator & General Handywoman • Free no obligation quotes • Fully insured • Interior/exterior work • No job too small • Reliable, honest, friendly service

t: 01793 692149 m: 07780 915446 e: ajh.decor@gmail.com

Misted or Broken Windows?

DOUBLE GLAZING REPAIRS ● Repairs to all upvc doors and windows ● 24 hr boarding up service and lock change ● Hinges, Window/Door Locks and Handles etc.

Call Jamie for free advice and quote on all aspects of upvc.

We will beat any like for like quotation

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

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REPAIR & IMPROVE YOUR GUIDE TO HOME MAINTENANCE

BSJ PLASTERING & DECORATING SERVICES All areas of Plastering, Decorating and Refurbishment undertaken • Ceilings and Walls Plastered • Coving • Rendering • Painting & Decorating - Internal & External • Complete Home Improvements undertaken • Free quotations

Please contact Brian Jones

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GILES BROS • Specialise in wet rooms • Supply and fix service • Complete bathroom service • Underfloor heating • Wall & floor tiling • Plastering • Free estimates Contact Mat: 07738 298803 or 01793 728283 mat@middlesextilingltd.co.uk www.middlesextilingltd.co.uk

FLOOR & WALL TILING SPECIALISTS Free Quotes Call Lee on 0771 8102 921 Call Mike on 0778 8444 084 or 01793 520526 Find us on Facebook

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INTERIOR EXTERIOR H WALLPAPERING H

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

Call Stuart on 01793 727659 or 07809 368051

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

Call Andy: 01793 729354 or 07900 835116

• 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

STYLISH BATHROOMS Approved installer for BATHSTORE and WREN. 5 year guarantee on all workmanship.

Fully insured CRB Police checked

01793 320773 07779 006360

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

www.grservicesswindon.co.uk

42

Extensions, Garage & Loft Conversions Driveways & Patios All building work undertaken All work guaranteed, FREE quote and advice Mob: 07956 301957 Tel: 01793 348597 www.haynesconstruction.org.uk

Doctor Glass repairs & replaces cracked, broken or misted double glazed windows

Call 01793 721455 or 07976 885203

www.trevorwyse.com

Also hinges and locks Call: 01793 854448 or 07976 219671

RJ PeaRce Plumbing & Heating ltd Over 20 years experience in plumbing & heating work • Central heating • Bathrooms & showers

7 YEAR GUARANTEE on Worcester Bosch Ri Si and Cdi boilers

• Competitive rates • All work guaranteed

Accredited Installer

• No job too small

For further details call Richard on 01793 879156 or 07747 723606

darrenbakerstewart@ rocketmail.com

JS

203455

CARPENTRY

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

Building/Groundworks & Hard Landscaping

TILING WALL & FLOOR SPECIALIST

l

Please call Leon for a free quote

l

TEL: 01793 330975 MOB: 07919 255673

l

Email: leon.jack@hotmail.co.uk

Kitchens, Bathrooms and Conservatories

l

l l

Property Services

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

Free estimates Call Jamie on 01793 704 309 or 0777 594 8833 www.jspropertyservices.co.uk

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REPAIR & IMPROVE

43

YOUR GUIDE TO HOME MAINTENANCE

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

From initial concept to full working drawings my service includes: • written specifications; • contractor tender documents; • all forms and paperwork carried out; • liaison with relevant authorities; • Party Wall Act paperwork and advice given.

7 DAY DESIGN SERVICE for most domestic work Established 1980. All areas covered

Call Bob on 07778 324228

PR

ID

or rat eco

&D ter

EP

ain

REDUCTIONS FOR OAPs

Fall in Love with your kitchen again!

• Dry Lining • Plastering • Painting & Decorating • Electrical works • P.A.T testing • Kitchen/bathroom installations • Complete extensions • Property cleaning • Oven cleaning No job too small or too big

Free estimates 07519 147388 pcs98@live.co.uk

Plumbing

FREE ESTIMATES INTERIOR & EXTERIOR

PC Property S Services

Call 01793 334823 or 07788 572043

& Heating ❉ Quality bathroom suites fitted - tiling, electrics, flooring, all taken care of ❉ All types of plumbing undertaken - leaking taps, pumps, tanks, burst pipes, machines installed 302877 Free estimates

01793 876600 07748 964433

Approved Plumber

mjplumbing64@gmail.com

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

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

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

01793 321981 07775 840236

BRICKS, CONCRETE BLOCKS, CELCON BLOCKS, BLOCK PAVING,

MJP Home Creations Creation Born Of Perfection Specialists in kitchens bathrooms and wetrooms Design and installation, plastering, plumbing, electrics, underfloor heating and tiling

Contact Matthew Pollard: 07779 318717 info@mjphomecreations.com See our customer testimonials: www.mjphomecreations.com

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

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SERVICE SECTOR YOUR GUIDE TO LOCAL SERVICES

M & J Upholsterers

Do better business!

RE-UPHOLSTERY & ALL SUITE REPAIRS

Promote what you do on paper and online @swindonlink.com

Re-upholstery of 3 piece suites, dining & fireside chairs etc.

Call Sue Roberts on 01793 781502 to discuss our combined advertising packages

Also new seat interiors Seams - Zips - Springs

LEATHER CLEANING

or email advertising@ swindonlink.com for more information APPLIANCE REPAIRS

Repairs carried out in situ Established 1972

Call 07709 453949 emanjayupholstery@gmail.com

FURNITURE WANTED

WHITE VAN MAN SINGLE ITEMS MOVED ANYWHERE IN SWINDON FOR ONLY £35

A charity providing furniture, white goods and household items to local people in need Call the collections line on 01793 683146 HELP US TO HELP OTHERS

Computer problems?

Let us help

COMPUTER SUPPORT

Homes That Sparkle From People Who Shine

We provide a range of computer services for both home and business including: • • • • • • • •

CLEANING

Affordable & reliable cleaning programmes, tailored to meet your needs and budget

PC repairs and maintenance System upgrades, networking Custom built computers Windows home server installs Virus removal Data recovery Internet solutions Web design With over 15 years experience, you can rely on us

Regular cleans, Spring cleans, Moving in or out cleans Trained and insured staff Equipment and supplies provided Quality Service Guarantee

Call us now for free, no obligation quotation Tel: 01793 511885

Tel: 01793 325685

• Full house removal • House clearance • Disposal of unwanted items • Any distance long/short • Fully insured NEW: Licensed to remove fridges

Call for a FREE quote Mobile: 07796 236436

Nice ‘n’ Gleam OVEN CLEAN Domestic & commercial Fully insured Professional service Prices from Ovens £35.00 Carpets £30.00 Free no obligation quote Call Martin on T: 01793 611036 M: 07771 821757 W: nicengleamovenclean.co.uk E: info@nicengleamovenclean.co.uk

HALE SKILLS • Washing Machines • Cookers • Dishwashers • Dryers • Vacuum Cleaners Over 30 year’s experience

Call 07963 131429

Est 2002

For all your computing needs • 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 25 years experience, call 01793 320 439 or 07799 337 918 E: info@compucareuk.com www.compucareuk.com

or 01793 490668

e.mail: haleskills@gmail.com

44

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SERVICE SECTOR

45

YOUR GUIDE TO LOCAL SERVICES

BOOK-KEEPING Can’t face doing the books after a hard day’s work?

Call Leonard Fuller, A.I.C.B, qualified bookkeeper with over 20 years’ experience.

ACCOUNTANCY

CJD

OVEN CLEANING

Abacus Cleaning Services Carpets, Rugs and Fabric Upholstery

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 700637 or 07963 637748

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

www.bookkeepingswindon.co.uk

www.cjd-accountancy.co.uk

Hard Floors Cleaned & Sealed Carpet & Upholstery Protection Treatments Insecticide & Anti-Static Treatments Spot & Stain Removal

OVEN CLEANING

Plus hobs and extractors Fixed pricing examples Single Oven £45 - Range £75 No hidden extras, includes racks, doors, glass 20 years experience No toxic chemicals in your home Reliable & Friendly Free Quotation To book your oven clean call

Fully Insured, NCCA member

Independently owned & operated To arrange for a free estimate call

01793 421802

01793 877677 or email:

office@enlan.co.uk

www.abacuscleaningservices.co.uk

Installation & Repairs New Doors • Automation No Obligation Quotes Est. 1981 Showroom: Maxwell House, Maxwell Street, Swindon SN1 5DR Tel: (01793) 618499 or 513796 swindondoorservices@btinternet.com

www.garagedoorsupplies.co.uk

SWINDON ROOFING COMPANY

34 Queens Road Royal Wootton Bassett Swindon SN4 8AW

01793 239 559

info@swindonroofingcompany.co.uk www.swindonroofingcompany.co.uk

OVER 20 YEARS EXPERIENCE ALL WORK COMES WITH A CERTIFICATE OF GUARANTEE THE COMPANY YOU CAN RELY ON!

After

GUTTERS CLEANED FROM £20

TV AERIAL SERVICES

Working in and around the Swindon area • NEW BUILDS & EXTENSIONS • PLUMBING • JOINERY • FASCIAS & SOFFITS • GARDENING & MAINTENANCE • PROPERTY MAINTENANCE

FREE SCAFFOLDING NO EXTRA COST

Before

Shaun Guard

Call 07970 061123 Email errol@jpsm.co.uk www.jpsm.co.uk

■ ■ ■ ■ ■

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

Call Swindon 01793 474720

Electrical Automation • Up & Over • Roller • Sectional • Repairs • Unit 8, Central Trading Estate Signal Way, Swindon SN3 1PD

Tel 01793 847545 Email enquiries@dimensions.org.uk www.dimensions.org.uk swindonlink.com n February 2017

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Puzzle

14

16

15

17 22

18

21

19

20

21

25

22

26

23

24

26

25

28 30

31

32

N C

I

C A R

There is just one simple rule in Sudoku. Each row and each column must contain the numbers 1 to 9, and so must each 3 x 3 box. This is a logic puzzle, you should not have to guess.

9 8

ACROSS

DOWN

1.

4.

8.

10.

11.

12.

14.

16.

17.

19.

22.

26.

27.

28.

29.

30.

31.

32.

1.

2.

3.

5.

6.

7.

9.

10.

13.

15.

18.

19.

20.

21.

22.

23.

24.

25.

Front (6) Upward slope (6) Invertebrate (6) Sell door to door (6) Large stream (5) Paddled (6) Clandestine (6) Follow orders (4) Ripped (4) Catch sight of (4) Pace (4) Very strict (6) Boredom (6) Later (anag.) (5) Stimulus, boost (6) Threefold (6) German songs (6) Pal (6)

H A S

SUDOKU

27

29

Any word found in the Concise Oxford Dictionary is eligible with the following exceptions: proper nouns; plural nouns, pronouns and possessives; third person singular verbs; hyphenated words; contractions and abbreviations; vulgar slang words; variant spellings of the same word (where another variant is also eligible).

Wince (6) Gambling room (6) Edict (6) Three-dimensional (6) Tolerate (6) Score (6) Neat (4) Nuisance (4) Abnormally fat (5) Wept (5) Helpful (6) Develop, disclose (6) Commend (6) Sharp cry (4) Let it stand (4) Great fear (6) Inflamed spot (6) Threaten (6)

1

6 8 5 1 7 2

2 2 6 1

SOLUTIONS

7 8 6

5 8 1 7 6 6 9 5 4 3 1 4 5 8

Evolve; 20 Praise; 21 Yelp; 22 Stet; 23 Terror; 24 Pimple; 25 Impend.

13

QUICK CROSSWORD Across – 1 Façade; 4 Ascent; 8 Insect; 10 Peddle; 11 River; 12 Canoed; 14 Secret; 16 Obey; 17 Tore; 19 Espy; 22 Step; 26 Severe; 27 Tedium; 28 Alter; 29 Fillip; 30 Triple; 31 Lieder; 32 Friend.

12

Using all 16 letters of the phrase above, form four words each of four letters which, when placed correctly in the grid, will form a magic square in which the words can be read both horizontally and vertically.

NONAGRAM anarch; anarchic; arch; archaic; arnica; cairn; carina; cash; chai; chain; chair; chana; char; characin; charas; chic; chin; china; cinch; circa; craic; cran; crash; inarch; inch; rachis; ranch; rich; SACCHARIN; scan; scar; scran.

16 Good; 19 Very Good; 22 Excellent.

MAGIC SQUARE emit; more; iris; test.

10

Down – 1 Flinch; 2 Casino; 3 Decree; 5 Stereo; 6 Endure; 7 Twenty; 9 Tidy; 10 Pest; 13 Obese; 15 Cried; 18 Useful; 19

9 11

MISTER, IT IS REMOTE

7 9 3 4 6 5 1 2 8

8

How many words of four letters or more can you make from this Nonagram? Each word must use the central letter, and each letter may be used only once. At least one word using all nine letters can be found.

Target scores:

4 1 6 8 2 9 5 7 3

7

5 2 8 3 7 1 6 4 9

6

3 4 9 2 1 6 7 8 5

5

8

1 5 2 7 8 4 3 9 6

4

6 8 7 9 5 3 4 1 2

3

2 6 4 1 3 8 9 5 7

2

MAGIC SQUARE

8 3 1 5 9 7 2 6 4

1

NONAGRAM

9 7 5 6 4 2 8 3 1

QUICK CROSSWORD

Treated Landscape Sleepers (Pine for longevity) 2.4 metres long by 200 x 100mm • • • • • • •

Gates Fencing Decking Trellis Panels Wood Preservatives Garden Tools Raised Garden Beds

T: 01793 783879

E: jez1@webbswood.co.uk

W: www.webbswood.co.uk

Find us on facebook.com/webbswood Proud sponsors of Swindon Supermarine FC

Southdown Farm, Faringdon Road, (A420) Longcot, Oxon SN7 7UA 46

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