Leisure

Head Rush

73 Basepoint, Rivermead Drive Westlea, West Swindon Tel: 01793 602552

Open Tuesday to Saturday. Late night Wednesday & Thursday

Free parking Head Rush Hair www.headrushsalon.co.uk

DANCE, DRAMA AND MUSICAL THEATRE CLASS FOR CHILDREN 18 MONTHS TO ADULT

f facebook.com/tkfda Twitter.com/tkfda 07980 918192✆ www.tkfda.co.uk enquiries@tkfda.co.uk Lessons held at: Unit 1, Isis Trading Estate, Swindon SN1 2PG

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.

For more information, contact decash7@icloud.com

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Peppa Pig and Save The Children launch Muddy Walk fundraising campaign

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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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 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 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 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 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). 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.”

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

200 years of getting on your bike

On Two Wheels by Rob Derry of Swindon Bicycle Users Group (BUG)

Busy month ahead for The Wildcats

www.truststfc.com

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

Sport and Leisure Prospect Hospice 10k Mud Run to take place in February

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Are you at work all day? Going away? Or just too busy? The National Pet Care Company Dog holidays with host families, Cat Care, Pet Feeding The Complete Pet Service Pet Taxi/Ambulance Tel: 07496 855694 info@swindondistrict.animalsathome.co.uk www.animalsathome.co.uk/swindon-district

THE CHIROPRACTIC HEALTH CENTRE CLARE DUNCAN-HAWES FREE SPINAL HEALTH CHECK

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Free 20 minute consultation to assess if Chiropractic will benefit you. Please call 01793 602454

Chiropractic is a natural and safe approach to help the problems above and many more such as knee and elbow pain, repetitive strain, heavy lifting injury, etc. And we can help young and old alike.

57 Basepoint Centre, Westlea, Swindon www.cjduncan-hawes.co.uk

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Are You In Pain? We Can Offer Effective, Affordable Treatment

Get to the root of your problem: Tel: (01793) 887801 www.shawchiropracticclinic.co.uk

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Hours to suit your busy lives

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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. 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

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

Take a free tour of newly revamped Blunsdon gym

Fundraising Team. 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

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

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Sport and Leisure Paralympic footballer sets shining example to students

The Captain of the England and Poultney, 17, was born with cerebral Great Britain 7-a-side football team palsy and was there to listen to the and GB Paralympian, Jack Rutter, talk. gave an inspirational presentation He said: “Today has been really to Swindon College students on inspirational. It’s my goal to become Thursday. a personal trainer, so hearing that

The star was diagnosed with Jack has realised his own ambitions cerebral palsy after a serious has made me feel even more head injury in 2009 which put his positive about my future.” professional football career on hold. Jack later also presented Rhys

However, against all odds, he with his own personal pair of signed gradually rebuilt his football career football boots. to represent his country at the Rio Jo Wilson who arranged the event 2016 Olympics. said: “It’s given everyone a real

He said: “I hope that by sharing boost, and will hopefully encourage my story I can make an impact more of our students to take part in and demonstrate that anything is sport, no matter what their ability.” possible if you have determination For more information about and self-belief.” Swindon College visit swindon.ac.uk

Swindon College student Rhys 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

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.

www.swindonfringefestival.com

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.

©Steve Birt

All creatures great and small at Studley Grange

Butterfly World, Farm Park and Craft houses, visitors can continue tortoise who is often on his rounds packed indoor adventure play area Village at Studley Grange is the through to the zoo area and Farm in the Farm Park. And, if that’s not for children up to eight years, ultimate destination for anyone this Park – to find a menagerie of enough, the Craft Village at Studley featuring an exciting range of half term. indigenous and exotic animals. Grange provides plenty of crafting animal themed, safe soft climbing

The hot house at Butterfly World The animals at Studley Grange are activities for all ages. frames, slides and dens. is home to over 30 species of many and varied - from otters to Visitors can have a go at To complete your visit to Studley butterflies and moths. rare breed cattle, sheep, goats, pigs, making their own personalised Grange, parents and children can

Rain or shine, the tropical to a family of meerkats, Rigby the chocolates or seasonal cards from enjoy delicious lunches and freshly garden and ponds that feature in raccoon, alpacas and wallabies. the workshops held regularly at made on site cakes at the Butterfly Butterfly World are perfect for a As spring is in the air, there are Chocolate Comforts and Sparkle Café. peaceful stroll, whilst watching the plenty of animals who are expectant Dreams respectively. Specific Open seven days a week including butterflies, as well as inspecting with young, with some due to arrive workshops will also be held with a bank holidays. Studley Grange is the caterpillars feeding on potted by mid-February. Valentine’s, Mother’s Day and Easter located just off junction 16 of the plants. If scaly creatures are your thing, theme. M4. Studley Grange, Hay Lane,

You may even be lucky enough snakes, lizards, and a tarantula A further feature to keep the Wroughton, Swindon, Wilts, SN4 to see a butterfly hatch from its spider can be found in the reptile children entertained is the newly 9QT chrysalis in their emergence unit. house. Visitors are also likely to refurbed Soft Play at Studley For further information visit

After exploring the butterfly meet with George the Sulcata Grange. The soft play area is a 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 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!