46 minute read
Community
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. 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. “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
Every Thursday & Sunday All Inclusive Eat & Drink as much as you like for only £19.90 (available at both restaurants)
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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 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. 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.
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Community News North Star ski development receives Swindon Council’s bid for Thamesdown last minute reprieve Drive extension unsuccessful
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.” 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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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. 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 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
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 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 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 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
Check your parish area using online checker
online support. 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
Swindon selected as part of new ultrafast broadband trial by BT Openreach
and parish councils. 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.”
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
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.
Community News Businesses sign up to Switch On To Swindon
By Jamie Hill the firm as we Chair of Influence, The business community has come know it today, Swindon’s together to mark the official launch the Hyundai business voice, of Switch On To Swindon, a new and Suzuki Nicky Alberry has initiative designed to highlight the dealership, championed the town as a great place to live, work, started development of invest in and visit. approximately the campaign.
With Swindon ranking as the 40 years ago. She added: 7th most productive economy in Dom said: “Swindon the UK, as well as having the fifth “Over the years Swindon has waxed performs well in many of the key highest employment rate, the town and waned, but if you scratch the economic indicators of successful offers a wealth of possibilities for surface there is a lot going on towns but the perception of businesses and individuals. However here. We’re looking forward to a Swindon makes it harder for the this can sometimes be overlooked. time where Swindon is going to be town to fulfil its true potential and
Switch On To Swindon plans to reborn again, thanks to the many achieve its economic, regeneration change this and show the world plans, including Switch On To and development goals. Through the exactly what Swindon has to offer. Swindon and others, to regenerate campaign we are inviting people
The initiative is supported by parts of Swindon and help it to come together to change these Swindon Borough Council but very achieve its potential. misconceptions. much led by local businesses, who “What we already have is a great “Our network of ambassadors came together on 24 January at location and connectivity, a legacy made up of businesses of all Audi on Delta Business Park to hear of fast growth and boundless sizes and industries, community more about the plans. enthusiasm, especially from our leaders and individuals will be the
Central to the success of the younger generation. Switch On champions of our town and the campaign is the network of the To Swindon is enabling everyone catalyst for our future. By showing town’s ambassadors - local business – businesses, communities and people, both inside and outside of representatives, community groups volunteers – to come together with Swindon, just how positive doing and individuals who support and a common goal for where we want business and living here can be, we champion Swindon. the town to go. It’s giving us the can shout about the Swindon story
One of the first ambassadors direction and focus that we have and help ensure it prospers.” is Pebley Beach’s Dom Threlfall. lacked before. It’s giving the heart For more information or to sign up Pebley Beach was created at the of Swindon a shot of adrenaline.” as an ambassador visit turn of the 20th century. However Leading local business person and www.switchontoswindon.com
Swindon Fact File
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 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 • 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
The Spirit of Swindon: Forget the stethoscope – tell me your postcode
than 4. 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.
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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
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.
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
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. 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
New group campaign group launched to preserve Swindon’s heritage
L-R: Dr Mike Pringle and Graham Carter assessing the damage caused by fire at the Coate Water Agricultural
their own lives.”
“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.”
Stem cell service given green light
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
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.
Advice on wills, trusts and probate
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
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
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 is important that people realise that they have a wealth of practical and life experience The challenge that is facing society nowadays is that we are not used to having a large population of This stage of life is one where leisure time comes to the fore , ,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 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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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:
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.
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 “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
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,
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 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.
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.
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
“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
Keeping up to date with your financial entitlements
everyday life.” 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.
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 Get enough sleep It’s recognised that sleep patterns change as we get older and lack of sleep can directly affect the way we feel. If you’re having difficulty sleeping, try cutting back on daytime naps and reduce the amount of caffeine you drink. Try to make time to relax and unwind each evening, perhaps by reading a book or listening to the radio. You should also minimise the amount of time you spend in bed awake and try going to bed and getting up at the same time each day to get into a routine.
l Eat well and drink sensibly What we eat and drink affects how we feel. Try not to fill up on the wrong things, such as sugary and fatty foods, and instead eat plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables. It’s important to remember that what we put in our bodies affects how we feel. Limit the amount of alcohol you drink and keep at least two days per week alcohol-free.
Many of us enjoy going for a drink now and again but remember that alcohol is actually a depressant and can affect your mood. You should avoid alcohol when taking certain medicines too. If in doubt, ask your pharmacist for advice. 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 improve your mood as it increases the production of brain chemicals that make you feel happy. It can also be a good way to clear your mind and relax. It’s never too late to get active. Try to limit the amount of time you spend sitting and look for simple ways you can become more active, such as using the stairs instead of lifts or escalators. Any physical activity that raises your breathing rate for ten minutes or more is beneficial to health.
And being active doesn’t have to involve going to the gym. Housework can count as physical activity if it raises your breathing rate, or try going out for a brisk walk.
Build up gradually, aiming for at least 150 minutes of physical activity each week, along with muscle strengthening and balance activities twice a week. Strength and balance activities could include yoga or Pilates, and can also include every day activities such as lifting bags of shopping or heavy gardening. Finding an activity you enjoy means you’re more likely to do it regularly.
Perhaps you enjoy taking time out by yourself to exercise. Or you might prefer the social aspect of exercise classes or groups.
Positive Swindon
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 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.
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Swindon Mayor Eric Shaw at the opening of the play equipment at Greenmeadow Primary school
Children from Greenmeadow that it has been made using natural Primary School gave a huge cheer wood rather than plastic, it really and released balloons to celebrate is wonderful for the children and a the opening of their new outdoor great resource for the school.” play equipment by Swindon Mayor The £20,000 play equipment, Eric Shaw. which also includes soft rubber
At the ribbon cutting ceremony, flooring, was chosen after a careful Cllr Shaw was full of praise for the tendering process led by youngsters youngsters who gathered for the in the school council. opening in January. School council member and year
“I really like the equipment that 6 student Rhys Marshall said: “We has been chosen, it’s nice to see were told by the teachers that there
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. 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.”
