January 2004 Swindon Link

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Circulation 23,000

No. 260 • January 2004

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the positive newsforce in Swindon and the swindon wide what's on guide

Bright start to the New Year Richard and Karen Parker and Jayne and Trevor Dowell of Benwell Close put on another spectacular festive display and were joined by an even larger number of neighbours.

There :s a warm New Year welcome from Mr Ali and his staff at `Purton's hidden Indian treasure"

Third North primary school underway September opening could be delayed after change in church plans The Lord Lieutenant of Wiltshire joined the Bishop of Swindon to ceremonially commence construction on Taw Hill Church of England primary school. Story on page 6, plus start on the medical practice.

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The Link Magazine • January 2004

1411,,1 Charles Lucas PRIVATE

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'Poor' rated council promises big performance changes in 04

COME TO YOU /^ Although the Audit Commission still rates Swindon Council as a poor local authority and one of the worst in the country, council AT HOME OR WORK' leader Mike Bawden has pledged that the picture will be very

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* FREE

We're on

different in a year's time.

collection & deliver Y The Government's measure of how councils are doing - the Com/r ,t Servicing & repairs

prehensive Performance Assessment based on a wide range of * New cycles side indicators and inspections of coup* Parts & accessorie s cilservices-continuestoputSwindon in the pits. In the last year the assessment says it has not proFor experienced, pra ctical help call gressed from the 1 out of 4 ranking Swindon 511055 s,, ,oqs for the way it is run. In terms of overall service performance it gets 2outof4.

However, the report recognises that change is afoot and says, 'Over the last year the Swindon Borough Council has appointed a new chief executive, restructured its departments and appointed some new directors. It has begun to address FABRICS CURTAINS weaknesses in its corporate sys• Poles & curtain tracks • Free estimating, design and tems, such as how it manages its 100s of stock fabrics from £1/metre advice performance and its staff.

Lining from £1.50/metre • Make-up service 'Some of the council's services Headings from 40p/metre • Blinds, pelmets, swags & tails have not delivered significant imCushion inners from £2 each • Rail fitting service provements, for example social 100s of trims from 75p/metre • Home visits by appointment services, and revenues and benAll accessories & holdbacks available • Rails & boards made-up efits. But this is because the council has concentrated on improving VISIT OUR NEW SHOWROOM at 252 CRICKLADE RD its internal management arrangeor call Tracey or Amanda on 01793 611051 ments and putting in place measures to deliver better services.

'Swindon Borough Council needs to maintain its commitment to change, continue to address its weaknesses and then focus on issues that will impact on its community before there can be any real improvement in the services it provides to local people. The coun160 County Road, Swindon cil has put plans in place to do this Tel: 01793 529050 andwewillbemonitoringprogress over the next 12 months.'

Coun Bawden, who took over the leadership after May's local elections, would not comment on the responsibilities of his immediate predecessors coun Sue Bates Bosch 1000 spin washing machine: Save £50. Now £279.99 and coun Kevin Small, or the work of former Chief Executive Paul Bosch condenser drier: Save £20. Now £379.99 Docherty.Hesaidthereportwasa snapshot of the council's performSeimans built-in oven, black (1 only): Save £160.00. ance and relied on data which was Now £469.99 now out of date.

He acknowledged there were Leisure built-in stainless steel oven: Save £60.00. still considerable improvements to Now £469.99 be made in the delivery of social services but celebrated the recovZanussi silver retro fridge freezer: Save £110. Now £489.99 cry of the Education Department since private company Tribal took Bosch fridge freezer, 55 wide: Save £50. Now £249.99 on the contract to run the local education authority in partnership Panasonic VCR/DVD/CD player: Save £50. Now £229.99 with Swindon.

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Mike Bawden, expecting to report improvements in 2004

stabilise the council and we are starting to move forward," said coun Bawden referring to the appointment of Simon Birch as Chief Executive and a new Social Services management team, as well as senior appointments in other directorates in the next two months.

"Education is out of intensive care and improving; Social Services is now our number one priority and we hope to have a three year recovery plan in place by the end of January. " We are not in denial of the issues we face and are determined to tackle them. We have the corporate management in place and 2004 will be a year of improvement."

He added that he expects the council to achieve a much better rating in next December's CPA report which will reflect improved performance throughout the councilfromseniormanagementdown. , Looking for Swindon S sporting citizen Do you know somebody who is doing something special for sport in Swindon - as an individual representing the town, or by making a difference for others?

The Mayorcoun DerekBenfield

said is looking for nominations fortheCitizenAwardsinthesporting category.

The closing date for nominations is Thursday 8 January. The winner of the award will be presented with a certificate at the full council meeting on Thursday 15 January.

For details on how to make a nomination, contact the mayor's secretary at the Civic Offices. Euclid Street, Swindon, SN1 2JH or mail: mayor@swindon.gov.uk

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The Link Magazine • Jan

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2004

Consultation closes soon

Watching and waiting in Toothill.

Consulting in Westlea - again

Swindon Council's seven week Councillors on the West Area Panel on 11 December heard from consultation on the Local Plan to Swindon Council traffic engineers that no new measures are pro2011 ends on 12 January. posed to regulate traffic outside Oliver Tomkins School, Toothill.

Planners are looking for public Residents have procomments tested that since the SWINDON on the rer CITY installation of humps CENTRE vised proalong Freshbrook a j _____ p O s a I S OPENING FIRST QUARTER 2004 Way many drivers „^^1 which in- Talking up the town I were by-passing them s _ elude: and using Beaumaris • allocation of land for a univer- Road outside the sity campus and housing next to school. They say im" Coate Water; proved safety for pe• changes to future development destrians walking to congestion outside Oliver Tomkins School, of the town centre; Oliver Tomkins from Morning a ter the Freshbrook Way humps were installed • adjustments to the development the south across f of the Front Garden; Freshbrook Way, has put those saga at Langstone Way, Westlea • amendments to existing policies approaching the school from the after residents' protests stopped on advertising, nature consernorth and east across Beaumaris work on traffic calming measures vation and employment land. in September. Al though curb build Road at risk.

The local plan documents are Traffic safety manager Adrian outs have been installed council available to view in libraries, the Dean said there had been no acci- workmen did not build the proSwindon Council offices at Pre- dents on either road since the posed humps. mier House, Station Road, or via humps were installed in April and People living on Langstone Way www.swindon.gov.uk whilst vehicle counts show a complained that whilst council ofchange in traffic flows, the data is ficers put forward proposals for not yet conclusive. He said that he creating a 20mph zone in January would be visiting Beaumaris Road 2003, the agreed plans were not with the council's road safety of- brought back to the community for consideration. New proposals ficer in the New Year.

The council's cabinet on 3 De- will now be drawn up and further cember considered the ongoing consultation will take placein2004.

Meanwhile on Thames Avenue....

Haydon Wick residents concerned with traffic volume and speeds on Thames Avenue heard little encouragement that things might change at the North Area Panel on 4 December.

Swindon council officers said that the police were investigating speeding issues, but official traffic counts show that the number of vehicles using the road was not as high as residents claim.

No improvement seems likely in the near future to the peak time congestion at the junction of Thames Avenue and Westfield Way. A mini roundabout, traffic lights or a no right turn order have been suggested at various times.

The officers reported that Westfield Way will be downgraded to 30mph and that the housing developers were making adjustments to the phasing of traffic lights on Thamesdown Drive.

The link

Magazine

Published by Swindon Publications Ltd.

Papermakers House. Westlea Swindon SN5 7BD Tel: (01793) 872282

Call Jenni Fowler on (01793) 872531 advertising@swindonlink.com Booking deadline: 6 January

Fax: (01 793) 878189 e: publisher@swindonlink.com www.swindonlink.com Publisher/Editor: Editorial:

•

"The Link was first published for the West Swindon community in December 1978.

It is completely independent of Link Centre and, in fact. won a competition to name the Roger Ogle leisure centre in 1984. Distribution in No rt h Tel: (01793) 872282 Swindon commenced in January 1994."

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

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The Link Magazine • January 2004

Baby love all year round Illustrators from around the world have contributed to a charming calendar for a well-known British baby charity.

Baby Firsts depicts the mile stones in a baby's first year: t j , ,,, : z the first step, the first toy, the first day out, the first word ' ± _ and so on. Poignantly, the •-. proceeds go to the Foundation for the Study of Infant (. Deaths (FSID) that works to d ` prevent infant deaths and to -^ promote baby health.

The calendar is the inspiration of Nick Belson who used to live in Westlea. His corn^\ pany Origin Design regularly per' ".^, wins national business awards for creativity.

Nick chose to support FSID as he and his wife Caroline lost their own baby, Samuel, to cot death nearly 20 years ' ' °& ago. Baby Firsts is dedicated to Samuel's memory.

Caroline is well known as a nursery assistant at Oliver Tomkins Infant School and is Nick Belson and Caroline witlr \h: h"irr, also pictured on page 16. and Faith Rayner. Photo: Simon Apps, ProWork by illustrators in fessional Images Australia, the Netherlands, Argentina and the UK reflect the Baby Firsts is being sold for £5 individual artist's interpretation of from Oliver Tomkins Infant and the magic of the first year of life. Nursery School, Toothill or conThe images are amusing and beau- tact Origin Design, tel: 01249 tifully drawn with supporting text 822688, mail: info@origin design offering sensible advice to parents. .co.uk

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The Link Magazine • January 2004

Taw Hill primary school start, but opening could be delayed Dignitaries and parents gathered on 29 November to see the first sod symbolically cut to start work on Swindon's newest school - St Francis Church of England aided primary school - which is due to open next September. However, because of a late change in the plans, completion of the school at Taw Hill village centre may be delayed.

The original proposal was for a

Taw Hill village centre

school and church to be built together Medic with parts of th eentre church hall bein.; .; •- available for school

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use. However a re-

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plans have had to be redrawn and the church postponed.

The Bishop of Swindon Rev Michael Doe said the diocese had reconsidered its priorities for North Swindon and with a new church at Abbey Meads and a traditional church at Blunsdon St Andrew, it had been decided to see how the community at Taw Hill and the adjacent Priory Vale develops before a commitment is made to a church building to cornpliment the school.

Eighty people, packed into the Taw Hill Worship Centre to dedicate the school site, heard the Bishop offer prayers to God for the new beginning and for the people living in North Swindon, and all those who are working with them to establish community life.

The Lord Lieutenant of Wiltshire, Sir Maurice Johnston, said he would convey an invitation to a member of the Royal family to open St Francis in due course.

Three sites on the go Just when Taw Hill residents thought building works in their area were a thing of the past, construction traffic for three sites at the village centre will be passing up Queen Elizabeth Drive for another nine months.

Originally conceived as an inte- opers over access issues for some grated scheme, the school, shop- months. It is unfortunate that ping area and medical practice are agreement could not be reached to now separate construction projects. avoid the extra traffic through Taw The Co-op neighbourhood store Hill.

"If people have concerns or complus five commercial units were started in early November and plaints, please channel them work on the medical centre started through the residents' association so that we can monitor the situaon 8 December.

Chairman of Taw Hill Residents' tion. It also avoids the dangers of Association Richard Barrass said going onto the building sites."

Richard can be contacted on land ownership disagreements had prevented access to the village 722029. centre site from junction 9 on • Taw Hill Residents' Association Thamesdown Drive which means meets on the last Wednesday of builders and deliveries will be the month at 7.30pm in the Parliamade through the housing area. ment Room at the Tawny Owl on "We have been in discussion with Queen Elizabeth Drive. All resiSwindon Council and the devel- dents are invited to attend.

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North Swindon vicar Rev Ruth Cram said establishing a new area was an exciting and challenging venture for all who live and work there. "Laying the foundations for new communities is hard work, full of challenges, fears, hopes, set backs and successes."

After the ceremony she said, "not having a church building at Taw Hill is disappointing, but our growing congregation will meet in the school; this offers other opportunities to help the community to develop."

Resident Andrew Goddard from Cranborne Chase said he was relieved a start on the school was in sight. "When we moved here in 1996 we were told there would be a school built in two years. We're glad that it's finally underway; it's a really exciting time for the area."

Architect David Freeth from Horsely Huber Associates said the

removal of the church from the project had required re-negotiation on funding with the Department of Education and adjustments to the planning permission.

"Our builders Bluestone Construction are experienced in school projects, but the timescale is now very tight and even they might not be able to achieve a September opening. We have contingencies in place to use temporary buildings for a short time if necessary."

Parents' get together with head to plan school St Francis Primary School headteacher Clive Westall invites parents to a meeting on Wednesday 28 January, 8pm at the Taw Hill Worship Centre.

Application forms for the school are available from Taw Hill Medical Practice or from Rev Ruth Cram on 701353.

Medical practice underway Taw Hill's medical practice third home is taking shape after building works started on 8 December.

Having opened in a temporary surgery in 1999, followed by a transfer to larger temporary facilities in 2001, partner Dr Peter Crouch

t°

promised this would be the final move, ready for the rap1' «, • idly growing North Swindon population.

Housebuilding atTaw Hill is largely complete and homes in Priory Vale are be ^a.+r ing built and occupied very `^ Aga quickly. The first houses at dzq ° ^ ^•s Hayden End, to the east of Taw Hill, will appear later ° this year. Over the next seven years the surgery will have 6,700 houses within its catchDr Crouch and Dr Morris, rear, get stuck ment area and around 12,000 into site work with architect James Lawpeople on its patient list, rence and Project Manager Clive Hughes The medical centre is one of six in the UK to qualify for spe- pation in August.

North Swindon MP Michael cial startup funding from the government to cater for its local popu- Wills congratulated Dr Crouch and lation as well as providing facili- partner Dr Morris. "This is one of ties for town wide specialist clinics the most innovative and enterprisfor minor surgery, vasectomy and ing medical practices in the coundermatology. The practice will con- try, dedicated to constant improvetinue to provide a home for The mentofservicesfortheirpatients."

Swindon SouthMP Julia Drown Swindon Sanctuary, a forensic medical centre for victims of rape is i mpressed by the state of the art and sexual assault, and the Great facilities available to people across Western LaserUnitwill alsobebased Swindon. "The Sanctuary for victi ms of rape is one of the best in the at the new practice.

There will be ten consulting country and its permanent locarooms, two operating theatres and tion will be welcomed by all of us three treatment rooms. These will trying to combat these violent be arranged around a circular wait- crimes."

Visit www.tawhillsurgery.nhs.uk ing area lit with natural light from the south facing glass roof and win- for details and to view building dows. It should be ready for occu- progress from a web cam.

The Link Magazine • January 2004

Homes give young families a start A £1 million supported housing scheme in Toothill built specifically for young families was officially opened by the Mayor of Swindon coun Derek Benfield in early December.

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Go slow communications for 21st Century communities Some rural communities are finding it difficult to persuade BT to convert telephone exchanges to provide high speed broadband internet, but parts of Swindon's urban area at Taw Hill and Priory Vale cannot connect either.

Taw Hill residents have been frustrated by the lack of service, two years after first making contact with BT. Residents' Association member Mark Edwards explained that BT say Taw Hill is too far from the Blunsdon exchange. " Despite countless letters and phone calls to all levels, BT simply are not interested.

"Although ntl was paid by the developer Bryant Homes to lay pipelines all over the development, they did not start cabelling until September this year, following dis-

cussions with the residents' association, but progress is slow.

"The good news is that we had a quick response from Swindon company Wireless Edge who provide high-speed internet using radio waves and a receiver dish mounted on the house. Within weeks of contact the first house at Taw Hill was broadband enabled; the service is outstanding."

Half of Priory Vale can now plug into broadband, but west of Oakhurst Way residents face the same problem as those in Taw Hill.

Sam Allen, spokesman for the North Swindon Development Company, said, "the NSDC appreciates just how important highspeed internet access is for residents and businesses in Priory Vale and we are doing everything we can to bring broadband throughout the whole area. We are in constant contact with BT, stressing the overwhelming case in favour of connecting Priory Vale and they

Perhaps BT has seen these road crossing lights at the north end ofOakhurst Way, close to Tadpole Lane, and thinks Priory Vale is a rural district. Or do the planners think the people buying the apartments above 'stable blocks' in the area will be choosing an older anode of communication?

tell me they are looking at how to overcome the problem, by installing a new cable or building an additional exchange. Unfortunately, the final decision on this rests with BT and will be largely determined by financial issues."

Residents who want to support the case for broadband in Priory Vale can express their views at www.prioryvale.com and/or call the BT new sites office on 0800 373 529.

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Swindon will soon draw national attention when a sculpture nearly fifty feet tall is installed in North Swindon later in the year.

Planning permission for the 15 it is important to plan the installametre high stainless steel struc- tion to minimise disruption." ture to be located at junction 1 on Thamesdown Drive was granted at the end of November. ►f The structure reflects the three roads that make up the junction and coloured glass panels will, when illuminated at night, transform it into a representation of the rare orchis ntoreo, which flowers in North Swindon.

Swindon Artscape manager, Celia Yeoman, described the next step of the £94,000 project which will be paid for by the North Swindon Development Company. "A project team will meet in January to discuss the next stage of the commission. Due to the prominent location for the sculpture on a central island at a busy road junction,

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10 The Link Magazine • January 2004

Euro connected in the West Two West Swindon schools signed up with the Comenius Project in November. Tregoze Primary School in Grange Park hosted teachers from France and Italy, whilst teachers from Sweden and Spain visited Peatmoor Primary. The project aims to promote European citizenship and children from the schools e-mail each other and exchange exhibitions about school life, culture, sport and leisure. The other major feature is to raise standards of teaching and learning within the partnership schools, through sharing good practice. learning about teaching methods, languages, school systems and resources.

The Mayor of Swindon coun Derek Benfield attended an assembly at Tregoze School in December to meet teachers from Ecole Jacques Prevert, near Rennes, Brittany, France and Instituto Comprehensivo Orciano on the Adriatic coast of Italy.

Thierry Desvaux said French children do not wear a uniform and have a two hour lunch break. "We are very impressed by the teaching at Tregoze and all the computers available to the children."

Antonella Francesconi said children in Italy talk a lot compared to Tregoze which she said was very calm.

"There are so many books and computers here, it is very good."

She pointed out that, although teaching methods were similar, teachers in Italian primary schools are all Tregoze children with their visitors, from left, governors Brian Ray and Mark Tielemans, Antonella subject specialists who work in a team, compared to Francesconi, Antonietta Nasoni, Piera Tombari, the Mayor, Maryvonne Roussel, Josianne Lebret, Thierry Desvaux, headteacher Steve Men/jam, teacher Frances Collins, governor Jean Melville Britain where a teacher will cover all subjects.

Peatmoor into Europe as well as South Africa At the same time as collecting goods to be sent to their partner school in South Africa, children and staff at Peatmoor Primary School hosted teachers from Kyrktsajo Primary School in Sweden and the College Francais Bilbao, Spain.

Inaki Torre from Bilbao said the the visit. "We were very well revisitors were warmly welcomed ceived by nice staff and polite puby everybody. "We were amazed pils. We got many good impresby the latest technology and were sions and ideas; the computer i mpressed by how artistically deco- linked white board was a new exter` rated, colourful, calm and com- perience; we wish we had one.

"Comenius creates possibilities fortable the school is. Everything seems to revolve around the chil- for pupils and staff to appreciate differences and similarities in edudren's needs."

Marianne Salomonsson from cation, culture, traditions, archiSweden was equally pleased by tecture and ways of life."

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p Hands of friendship. Peatmoor coordinating teachers, front, Neil Stop er and Melanie Brough with from left, Catherine Merchan and Iriaki Torre from Bilbao, Peatmoor head Terni Peacock, amid from Sweden Karin Lofstedt, Annika Thunstrom, Marianne Salomonsson, Kristina Johansson, Carola Brr/mark

12 Jan Eve ryday Reading, Writing &Numbers 12 Jan FREE Taster - Using a Computer 12 Jan Numeracy Counts 13 Jan Computing Taster for Over 50s 13 Jan Learn to Use Internet Explorer 13 Jan Spain Re-Visited 14 Jan Application of Number 14 Jan Numbers Count 14 Jan Ready for Spain 15 Jan English - Level 1 16 Jan Fun with Photos 19 Jan Easy English _ English for Speakers of Other Language¢ 19 Jan 19 Jan Ladies Only Basic English 22 Jan Better English 23 Jan Making the Most of Word XP 23 Jan Making the Most of Excel XP 29 Jan Get Familiar with your New PC 2 Feb Ili, Qs(^r g q Basic Computing Skills for Over 50s ixl Inp® 24 Feb Learn to Use Outlook for E-mails Out NOW! 26 Feb L FREE Taster in Powerpoint 26 Feb o ,OlJ9u t-^e Get Confident with your PC 27 Feb o Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS) nytime Microsoft Office Beginners (MOS) nytime S Microsoft Office Improvers (MOS) nytime European Computer Driving Licence 2 Mar Indian Head Massage

South Africa delivery success Children and staff at Dihlabeng School in South Africa which Peatmoor has been helping in conjunction with Swindon Family Church, as featured on the December Link front page, are overwhelmed by the items sent from Swindon.

The Army arranged to air freight clothing, thanks a load.

'Thanks so much fantastic about fifty boxes of clothing, toys, education materials and equip- Peatmoor friends. We had fun ment, as well as 5 a-side football watching you packing the boxes on the video sent to us and then we posts and sewing machines.

In an e-mail children from had double fun unpacking them.

Dihlabeng wrote, 'it was so excit- Thanks, thanks, thanks!!!' at Dihlabeng Below, in ing when the truck arrived and we had to unpack it.

'The most fun we had was digging in the clothes boxes and trying on different things while we were making up "poor parcels" for families in Lesotho who have very, very little.

Wow! You sent so

n,

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Call FREE

0808 172

z New College Drive, Swindon SN3 IAH

1721

I

many

shoes

and

so

much good quality

MORTGAGE SERVICES

B

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Associates

Serving the community since 1987

Mansfield Begbie Associates Ltd

Thinking of a house move or planning to re-mortgage your present property?

START 2004 WITH A MORTGAGE REVIEW. Whether you're moving to a new house or re-mortgaging your property, with over 15 years experience providing mortgages in Swindon, including tracker mortgages. you can be assured of excellent service from Mansfield Begbie Associates Ltd.

4.1% (APR 4.7%) discounted to 31/1/06 For example, £90,000 would cost £486 per month capital repayment (excluding insurance). This is a discounted tracker rate for two years.

(Maximum loan to value 97%). Daily interest. Valuation refunded.

'

II '

3.85% (APR 4.5%) discounted for two years available with special remortgage package. (No up-front arrangement fee - £299 fee added to loan.

Free valuation. £250 cashback). Maximum available 90%.

Also 3.55% (APR 4.3%) tracker rate available for two years for purchases only.

- -

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For a limited period: 5 year fixed rate of 5.39% (APR 5.9%), ( 199 booking fee. Max loan to value 95%)

'

I

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II

. ,

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RE-MORTGAGE SPECIAL A discounted tracker rate of 4.34% on a daily interest basis (APR 5.1%) to 31/12/07. No 'Tie-Ins' and no early redemption penalties at any time.

(Maximum loan to value: 90%). Free valuation, no arrangement fee and £150 cashback.

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

Mansfield Begbie Associates can arrange mortgages with the majority of building societies and banks in the UK For free advice and furrner inforrr

Bali us now on

Swindon 772779 e-mail: info@mansfieldbegbie.co.uk • www.mansfieldbegbie.co.uk Registered with the Mortgage Code Compliance Board: No. 5508399 • Consumer Credit Licence: No. 499646 Mansfield Begbie Associates Ltd. is an Introducer Representative of Allcover Financial Services authorised to give investment and pensions business intoductions only.

Allcover Financial Services is regulated by the Financial Services Authority for investment and pensions business.

Credit broker fees of up to 1 % on the advance may be charged at completion depending on the type of product and credit period. A written quotation on loans can be obtained on request.

Only available to persons 18 years of age or over. Subject to status. Subject to our current lending criteria. A life assurance policy may be required.

General Insurance No. 6740

Example: A married couple aged 30 years and 28 years, both non-smokers, applying for a repayment mortgage of £90,000 over a 25 year term (300 monthly payments), completing before 29/2/04 secured against a property being purchased for £100.000. 300 monthly mortgage payments of £486. Total amount payable £145,999 calculated to include £199 arrangement fee. This calculation is based on the assumption that the discounted rate will apply throughout the term of the loan. Maximum loan £500,000. Rate applied is 4.1% (4.7% APR) discounted tracker until 31/1/06. Rates may vary. The rate applies to loans up to and including 97% of the purchase price or valuation, whichever is the lower. The discounted rate is applicable until 31/1 /06, after which the then current variable base mortgage rate will apply. When an applicant is borrowing more than 75% the lender may require additional security. This is usually in the form of a Risk Charge. Rates correct at time of going to press.

12

The Link Magazine • January 2004

Progress puts Freshbrook in England's top five per cent improvers The publication of the primary school league tables in early December confirmed that Freshbrook School is improving rapidly to pull itself out of special measures.

The Link exclusively revealed in Swindon Council's education de- on taking up the position in Janu- we asked of them.

November that the school had partment which led to a culture of ary and advised Ofsted that they " We still have a great deal to do failed its Ofsted inspection in May under achievement. Headteacher would find a school in difficulties. and must accelerate the rate at which this year, due to poor management Stephen Luke made his governors However changes under the new children learn. Ofsted have set us by the previous headteacher and aware of the dire situation he found leadership since the inspection are the task of closing the gap between already reflected in the league ta- what the children are capable of bl es. Th 1; f ava1 uea dded and what they are achieving." c nc; usrono Former headteacher Jan Milsom measure for the first time demonInfant & Primary School strates the improvement in the edu- has joined the staff since the Ofsted Admissions cation of children now aged 11 inspection as senior teacher reFun with Music Infant to Junior Transfers compared to when they took Sats sponsible for school improvement from the leading UK and is working closely with staff to at age 7.

• Children born between 1 Sept 1999 children's music group Freshbrook, along with Abbey i mprove lesson planning and classand 31 Aug 2000 are due to start school for children aged Meads Community School, is one room practice. in Sept 2004, Jan 2005 or April 2005.

6 months to 5 years Mr Luke said the organisational of three Swindon primary schools • Children transferring from infant to changes and Mrs Milsom's work to appear in the top five per cent of Abbey Meads: Tuesday a.m. junior school are due to start junior schools in the country to have with teachers was having a signifiSparcells: Tuesday a.m. school in Sept 2004. cant impact. "In the same week the boosted their performance.

Peatmoor: Friday a.m.

The closing date for applications

Jo Jingles

is 16 January 2004.

FOR DETAILS CALL VIRGINIA ON

n v

01453 839464

0,<.•

Application forms and further advice from school or Swindon Borough Council, Admissions Team, Sanford House, fC3 Swindon. Tel: 465789. 465790 ^{ Swindon

or 465867

Private Tuition in all subjects & levels

Personal Tutorials

• Infant & Junior • Key Stages 1-4 • GCSE & A Level • Special Needs • 11+ & 13+ preparation Call 01672 539368 01793 542738 or 07785 532085

The Big Adventure

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HoIida

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IBIG \ \p► The Big Adventure Club Qualified staff O Over 10 years experience O Ofsted regulated O Open 50 weeks of the year until 6pm O Flexible - only book the days required O No contract O After school care only £6.50 per day O Holiday care from £12 per day 0

Contact Tracey and Peter Bailey on 01793 875992 or 07'977 570488 Email: peterbailey@thebigaclub.co.uk

Making the grade, Stephen Luke and fait Milsonw with Freshrook School youngsters

Mr Luke said he and his team j were delighted that children had exceeded expectations when they took the tests in the Spring. " We set very high targets for the children to achieve in January and we are delighted they met the level

league tables were published we had a two day visit from Her Majesty's Inspector of Schools to assess our work since the Ofsted inspectors were here. She was very pleased with our progress which is very encouraging."

Change to school year from September In the March edition of The Link, Swindon Council asked for views on the proposal to change from a three term to a six-term school year.

Most responses were in favour ing a six-term year with slight difaregional, if not national, change ferences.

After considering the responses to six terms in order to avoid problems which would arise if neigh- SwindonCouncilwillbeintroducbouring authorities had different ing a six-term school year from September 2004 as follows: school holidays.

Other responses covered the eas- 1st Term: 31 Aug 04 - 20 Oct 04 ing of teacher/pupil stress and 2nd Term: 1 Nov 04 - 21 Dec 04 more effective planning of the cur- 3rd Term: 5 Jan 05 - 11 Feb 05 riculum, childcare issues and con- 4th Term: 21 Feb 05 - 24 Mar 05 cerns about the fixed Easter holi- 5th Term: 11 April 05 - 27 May 05 day. Most responses were in fa6th Term: 6 June 05 - 22 Jul 05 y our of individual schools setting The only Bank Holiday which five training days.

Wiltshire County Council, falls during term time in the 2004/ Gloucestershire County Council 05 school year is May Day: 2 May. The five training days will be and South West Local Education Authorities have decided to intro- determined by individual schools. duce a six-term year starting from Voluntary aided and foundation September 2004. Oxfordshire schools will set their own term L-ounty Council will be introduc- dates.

The Link Magazine • January 2004 13

Aerials available to North schools

plifl

•usiciuits

The Link has donated panorama

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pictures of North Swindon taken from a balloon flight across the area at the end of May to Abbey Meads, Bridlewood and Catherine Wayte primary schools.

We are making available a collection of pictures taken from on high for use when classes concentrate on local studies topics.

The aerial photographs can be found at www.swindonlink.com

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Left: AbbeyMeads head teaeherMarilyn Brown with Joshim Miah and Kat Gr iffi ths holding up the North Swindon panorama which was published in the August Link

u

School highlights maths and computing and becomes a Microsoft centre West Swindon's secondary school Greendown launches its bid to become a maths and computing specialist college in January.

The event, on a date to be confirmed, will be combined with the official opening of the £3 million building expansion project which will give the school capacity for 285 students a year from September 2008.

In order to attract £600,000 in Government funding to develop new courses for both Greendown students and its partner primary schools in West Swindon, £50,000 has to be raised in cash and contributions from business and charitable organisations.

In a recent development the school has become one of only seven secondary schools in the UK to be accredited as a Microsoft Training Centre. Headteacher Steve O'Sullivan said the recognition would allow the school to offer Microsoft training programmes. "It's excellent to come under the Microsoft banner. This will allow us to offer world wide standard qualifications using state of the art software."

0 i0 n n n New College

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(off Queens Drive) Swindon

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Fun song sessions for parents and children 6 months to 5 years

New classes starting January 2004 at

North Swindon Library Come along and join in the fun!

Call 01793 727286 or email: info€?minimusicians.cc.uk for details

I•

Adventure -^_ i -

Play

16

Amusements en 7 days a week 9.30am to 6pm

Come and say hello to Charlie, our Amazon parrot

EENBRIDGE ROAD, SWINDON 01793 522044 www.jollyrogerplay.com

14 The Link Magazine • January 2004

NCT tutor moves on

i

titAfth fIG CU UE day nursery

A brand new purpose-built nursery on the edge of Wootton Bassett Near M4 junction 16, just a short drive from West Swindon Free 2.5 hour grant places available throughout the day Open all year from 8am to 6pm

t'_

Full time and pa rt ti me places r;

For information telephone: 01793 851495

't

www. thedayn ursery. corn Brinkworth Road, Wootton Bassett, Swindon SN4 8DS

Families who have had contact with the National Childbirth Trust in Swindon over the last few years may well have been in touch with Fay Howard who retired as an antenatal teacher at the end of November.

Liz Austin, chairperson Over the last eight years Fay has helped of Swindon NCT, exsome 270 women and pressed her sincere thanks their partners through to Fay for her commitpregnancy. She is rement and wished her U membered most for her every success.

The NCT is now offersense of humour, care ing jobs to antenatal teachand friendly support but ers and breast feeding as a mum to three growcounsellors and is also reing children and, since cruiting postnatal discuslast May, a member of sion leaders. For details Swindon Council, she contact 07005 801635. has had to refocus her energies.

Pre-school vacancies for children and staff in Shaw

Toad Hall Nursery Group =i= Full and sessional day care for 3 months to 5 year olds = After school club and holiday playscheme for 5 to 1 2 years = Open 51 weeks a year, Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm

00

-;; Registered with OFSTED Situated in a large converted church building in Swindon town centre, Toad Hall Nursery provides a safe, exciting and stimulating environment for children to grow and develop.

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With small groups of children cared for by experienced 'hill—, 6 <difsntion qualified staff, two outdoor play areas and a large hall for wet days, our nursery is the ideal setting to meet your child's needs.

For details and a prospectus, call Jane on 01 793 436432 or mail: swindon@toadhall-nursery.co.uk

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Acorn staff and children

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Acorns Pre-school meets at Holy Trinity Church, Shaw Village Centre and has sessions for: • 2 to 3 year olds: Mon, Tues & Fri: 1pm - 2.45pm • 3 to 5 year olds: Mon, Tuec, Thurs, Fri: 9.15am - 12 noon; and Wed: 12 noon 2.45pm For details contact Julie Miller on 07776 187314 Staff vacancies Acorns also has vacancies for a suitably qualified supervisor and preschool assistants. For details call Helga Maddock on 345048.

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' 901

Princess Christian Day Nursery

Pre-Prep School 4-7 yrs

Peatmoor Village Centre

Nursery School 2-4 yrs

Shearwood Road, Peatmoor, Swindon

Baby Nursery

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Prior Park Prep School

• Quality care and education for 0 to 5 year olds • 100 place purpose built day nursery

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• Safe dropping off area & car park • Secure lawned outdoor play area We now

provide nappies

• Registered by Ofsted . Friendly and caring staff `J^ie ^z,k:vu^,^r^11 v^ ^^iry ira ,lauu2!

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Holiday School Flexible fees From £2.50 per hour

Open 7.30am to 6.00pm • Ideal for parents working in the town centre

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7 . 1 3 years

9

For further information on the nursery, or to arrange

a visit, please call the manager on 01793 887602

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Nursery Grant

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Open 7.S0am-6.00pm

Meadowpark School Meadowpark Nursery and

A Meadowpark is a well established thriving school with faultless DfEE and OFSTED

reports across the 0-7 years age range

Pre-Prep School Calcutt Street Cricklade

A Conveniently located for Swindon and the surrounding area in a pleasant rural

Swindon SN6 6BB Contact Mrs S Hanbury or Mrs R Kular

A Come and see why past and present parents believe we are unique

Tel: 01 793

752600

environment in the grounds of Prior Park Prep School

A Registrations being accepted for 2004.

Certain places available for 2003

The Link Magazine • January 2004 15

Spin still big in Swindon Swindon Parent Partnership Service (SPPS) hold their next Supporting Parents Information Network (SPIN) meeting on Tuesday 20 January, 7.30pm at the Drove Centre.

The focus will be on behaviour chologistwithSwindoneducation support to parents and schools and department will talk about the Dr Woodhouse from Child & Ado- work they do. lescent Mental Health Services at Parents, carers and professionMarlborough House and Lucille als are invited to attend. For deJones, Principle Education Psy- tails contact Jill Wells on 466515.

LEARN j

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Children's Information Service A one-stop shop for FREE information' y_,

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Age 3-5 years

Information and give aways at babes afternoon

Please telephone 01793 465464 for information.

The group

SWINDON

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Why not pop in and see us?

13 Market St, Swindon Tel: 01793 541786 Email: info@cisswindon.co.uk www.cisswindon.co.uk

Monday - Friday . Mornings 9-12

Usually parents see health professionals with babies on their own.

But Health Visitors from Abbey Meads, Haydon Wick and Taw Hill are doing things differently by inviting parents to bring their 6 to 9 month olds to a Discovery Afternoon on 22 January, 2pm to 4pm, at Abbey Meads surgery on Elstree Way, Abbey Meads.

Parents will be able to talk to service providers about fi re safety, accident prevention, road safety and fitting car seats, reading with their children, how to fit the right shoes for growing feet and the range of activities available in Swindon to children of this age.

Each baby attending wi ll receive a gift of baby books and parents will also be able to discuss any issues about their child's health and development, as well as their own health.

n

I

We currently have VACANCIES for:

received ti

excellent OFSTED Vnspectlon.

Headstarts Day-Nursery School I Established 1990

Delta Business Park, Westlea. West Swindon Icadstarts is a friendly, `family' nursery offering a warm, y happy and relaxed environment where ever child bene ts from individual a ention.

C'onrenientlr located nit/u,, were urinates drive from M4 Junction 16, Torun Centre, Westlea and Abbey Meads.

I

fi

Understanding parents and teenagers The Children's Information Service is running three courses for parents/carers who are experiencing difficulties with their teenagers and want to improve their relationship with them.

The six week courses will offer skills and knowledge on how to deal with the difficulties experienced in a safe and confidential environment with both experts and other parents to draw on for guidance. One session will be attended by teenagers.

The course start dates: Wednesday 14 January, 10.30am to 12.30pm, and 6.30pm to 8.30pm; Wednesday 25 February, 6.30pm to 8.30pm.

For details of cost, financial help and creche facilities, ca ll Michelle Zandvoort on 541799 or mail: michelle.zandvoort@btconnect.com

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eddies Nurserit.

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bests a possible frr my chila

It- was the

• Excellence in all areas of care and development • Qualified, experienced and caring staff • Fun, exciting and imaginative environment • Nurturing individual development for children aged from three months to five years

Open 8am-6pm Mon-Fri, with flexible hours and full-time part-time and half-day sessions.

With over 30 nurseries, Teddies Nurseries is one of the UK's leading childcare providers.

For more information call

0800 980 ? ' 7 www.teddiesnurseries.co.

tt

q Monday - Friday 8am till 6pm all year q Sessions for 0 - 5 year olds - am, pm school day, all day. q Real value for money. From £122 per week full time q Funded child-care credits available." q Government Funded Nursery Sessions" Claim up to £37 worth of Nursery Credits per child per week.

L

For further information or to arrange a visit, please call Alison on 877779.

Condit^onsappy" Ratesmayvary --------- —

-------J

16

The Link Magazine â&#x20AC;˘ January 2004

Nursery expands outside the classroom o^Evang.11. ! Worsley Road df

building with people Come and join us

Sunday at I Oam & 6.30pm For further information of other meetings ring: 873050, call into the Church office or visit www.freshbrook.org Jesus said: "1 hare come that YOU night hare LIFE and hare it in its fh/ness"

SWINDON FAMILY CHURCH SUNDAYS 10.30AM WINNER'S LOUNGE

A Newtrontic'rc Chun h

Chaplains available at Looking for the meaning of life in North Swindon The Church of Christ the Servant, Abbey Meads starts an Alpha shopping centre Two North Ministers have been appointed chaplains at Asda

SWINDON TOWN EC For details visit our website at www.sfc-uk.org , call Nigel on 526130 or e-mail: info_west@sfc-uk.org

Children who attend Oliver Tomkins Infant School nursery have the best of all worlds: a busy stimulating classroom to learn in and a secure interesting play area where they can let off steam.

The area includes soft ages and it was great that the and hard play spaces, with young people worked so lots of artistic flourishes hard in quite difficult condiprovided by a team of teentions. We would all like to agers from Millennium ::! say a big thank you to the Volunteers who brightâ&#x20AC;&#x201D; Millennium Volunteers." ened up the surrounding To allow the children to fence and play house with enjoy all year round outdoor decorative daisies and gav ' activity, landscape gardener Keith Burke built a new paan old brick storage a new look. tio, with a variety of paving slabs and bricks to create difNursery assistant ferent textures, during the Caroline Belson said the volunteers had worked in Autumn.

New plants were put in to the garden on one of the complete the job in Novemhottest days last summer. " We seem to have been Caroline Belson with nursery and Year I children ber, after some much needed rain. enjoying the new outside facilities planning this garden for

Walmart at the North Swindon Centre.

Rev Brian Sweetman from Christ the Servant, Abbey Meads, and Church of England vicar Rev Ruth Cram will be visiting the store on a Quench, an independent group of people, meet on the 1st and 3rd regular basis to talk to shoppers Sunday evenings of the month in the community room at Christ the Servant, Abbey Meads. The meetings are an opportunity for people and members of staff. who want to explore 'the meaning of life' and usually start by watching a video based on some kind of life issue, followed by a discussion on the points raised. The group is open to anyone.

For more information mail Annette Derry: annetteC@granny-net.co.uk

West Swindon & the Lydiards churches

All Saints', Lydiard Millicent Holy Trinity, Shaw St Mary's, Lydiard Tregoze Toothill Church; Westlea Church

For God loved the world so much that He gave His only Son. John 3:16

course on Wednesday 14 January, 8pm.

Rev Brian Sweetman said, "Alpha is the well know series of talks and discussions about the Christian faith that six million people across Britain have already completed. It takes place in a relaxed and informal atmosphere and is an ideal way to ask questions and have feedback about a faith that is real and vibrant."

For details call 704886.

For details of our weekly services please contact the Partnership Office on 874221

Singing for a good cause Youngsters at Oliver Tomkins Junior School put money and mouths together by joining a world record attempt on 1 December, the start of Children's Cancer Month.

The 212 children, plus staff, governors and visitors, accompanied a special recording of the song For a better tomorrow, at exactly the same time as thousand of others across the country, in an attempt to break the record of the mostnumberof children singing the same song at the same time. Last year's first attempt involved 83,700 people, raising money for Sargent Cancer Care.

Organising teacher Alana Mead said, "the children really enjoyed the idea of singing for a world record and we will be including the song in future assemblies."

Alana Mead joins in to raise money by song with Oliver Tomkins' children

Sunday Worship 10.30am Sunday School and Creche

NSBC

Meeting at Greenmeadow Prima ry School

The Link Magazine • Januar y 2004 17

New Toothill pharmacy well received The opening of a pharmacy in Toothill, after many years without one, has been met with considerable community approval.

For Ken Schofield, a partner in the Park Lane Pharmacy planning, supervising and opening the Toothill ' outlet has taken up a lot of time over the last six months, and he is already working on opening a third r . unit in another part of town. " He said he was very pleased with the reception at Toothill. "The pharmacy has been very busy since the doors opened on 11 November with many kind comments about bringing our service to the area.

"Pharmacy is changing and we want to be at the forefront of developments to improve patient care.

The aim is to build a team of pharmacists and technicians who will be able to take on new roles such as medicine management' repeat prescribing and various counselling and advice roles."

He added that lots of people who knew him when he ran a pharmacy in West Swindon several years ago have remarked on how much he had changed which ' rather concerned him.

• Cooper Chemist helps Nicaraguan child. See page 21.

Headstarts Nursery in Westlea

require a cleaner as soon as possible for early morning or evening Monday to

Friday.

Lunchtime duties also available from end of Janua ry

•

Tel: 877779 for details

HEALTH, WELL BEING AND

Singing surgeon will serenade

RELIEF FROM ACHES, PAINS

for maternity unit

& INFLAMATION IN 2004

Magnets have been used for thousands of years to relieve a wide range of discomforts.

John Cullimore, obstetrician, gynaecological surgeon, and song

writer is also available Al as a minstral. ^.

John and fellow musical surgeons formed a band called the Smooth Operators last year and released a four track CD called Under the Knife in time for Christmas.

All proceeds will go to the £8,000 appeal for heart monitoring systems for unborn babies in the Maternity Unit at the Great Western Hospital.

The CD is still available at Virgin in the BrunelCentre, Magnum Wine and the WRVS Shop at GW Hospital. to boost the funds so that the target For a suitably generous dona- can be met by Easter. tion John is willing to busk the Contact John via Rhona Jack at catchy numbers in the community Blue Click PR on 535147.

COOPER CHEMIST WEST SWINDON CENTRE. TEL: 87203 3

Also at Coopers: finr I ra ,_, rances, toilctrir,,. gar hicrcing, allergy testis'

Piefures like works of

For a full colour brochure, call 8722

Queen Elizabeth Drive, Swindon SN25 1WL Reception open: Monday to Friday lam to 6.30pm Tel: 01793 709500 • Fax: 01793 723875 E-mail: enquiries@tawhillsurgery.nhs.uk www.tawhillsurgery.nhs.uk

Hei n pntieiits ralwaifs zt'elcome

^.^aVlljq

Toothill Pharmacy

Toothill Village Centre, next to Phoenix Surgery If your New Year's resolution is to improve your health, speak to the pharmacist who can advise on givng up smoking, weight loss, healthy eating etc.

Film processing for 35mm & APS (Free 35mm film for every 35mm roll developer on premises)

an

Now a British company has invented magnets which give continuous daily benefit - to humans and animals.

In store duplicates and enlargements

3 a week. Mon - Fri 9am - 8pm: Sat 9am - 6pm; Sun 10am - 3pm

Tel: 01793 539701 Dunwich Drive. Toothill, Swindon SN5 8SX

18 The Link Magazine • January 2004

Milestones for us - 25 years in West Swindon and 10 in the North The Link has been in publication

for a quarter of a century!

Starting out as a four page newsletter distributed to 600 houses in the 'western expansion' in December 1978, we now print 23,000 copies. This number is set to rise to 30,000 as houses in Priory Vale are occupied over the next six years.

We think we are the closest read publication in Swindon, and many people say that The Link offers by far the best quality in terms of content and appearance, standards which we intend to maintain.

January is also another milestone for us. In 1994 we added five thou-

sand homes in Haydon Wick and Woodhall Park to our target distribution in readiness for the first houses to be occupied in Abbey Meads in October that year. Then we distributed to 15,000 homes, now we go to over 20,000 across West and North Swindon.

History starts today.

Archive material appeal Asa debate rages about Swindon's future growth - Front Garden, Coate, East Swindon- The Link represents a slice of the town's recent history through the stories covered and also photographs in our

archives stretching back to those early days of West Swindon.

However do you have any pictures and other special memories which need to be preserved for

posterity? Time is passing and unless it's collected now the information will be lost.

We ask because the Swindon Society - renowned for its books on Swindon in the past - has asked us to contribute to a book looking at the recent history of the town.

Call The Link on 872282 if you can help.

The same goes for Swindon's northern expansion. Everybody

thinks it is brand new - and indeed there is another six to eight years

CO-OPERATIVE FUNERAL SERVICE SWINDON , ON OppG

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439 Cricklade Road (01793) 534759

& Temple House, 4/5 Temple Street (The closest , funeral director to the Registrar)

Making history up northHugh they have moved barely Althe

in In a ceremony to mark the rust ife from their old house to t he no rt h by occupation on 21 October, David a r Swindon' expansi rd Road. I faydon Wick, the I t has been given the human t and Ann Scotford and sons Daniel Sherfo phere is totally differen on a rs the Scotfond family who am,thefi presented with a b re all move into and Alex we re in g site said Ann. They a of some 30,000 people to bouquet of flowers and champagne g forward to being joined by ca rs, fl the area over the next 15 yuId beoc- by representatives of house build- looW n flew cighbours, Another 20 houses sho d s sector of en lit sts Homes. pander. Ann copied in the Abbey Mead The byC'hnstthe northe rn development • Scot ford mat, out of a total of 10, s

on

The story on our front page in November 1993

(01793) 491091 "n,

of building to be completed at Priory Vale - but the tenth anniversary is a significant moment in its development.

Who has pictures taken in those early days? Could you write down your hopes and aspirations of moving to an area advertised as the 'community for the 21st Century?'

Can the parents of the first baby born in the area contact us?

More important, is there a group of residents willing to bring to gether this material for preservation and exhibition in the future?

If you have ideas and are willing to commit time to making something happen, call 872282 or mail: publisher@swindonlink.com

Below: Do you remember this marketing slogan to attract y u to buy a house in the northern expansion? How has it worked out?

24 hour service Private Chapels of Rest • Monumental masonry Funeral pre-payment plans e

-- -ABBEY MEADS

www.mywishes.coop

ON

0

Community Dividend Scheme A minimum of 1 % of the Society's profits are returned to projects to

benefit the local

A Co-op community dividend grant of £350 has helped Shakers bar for 13 - 17 year olds in Devizes Road. Old Town to be the Community refurbished and re-equipped.

Dividend Scheme.

Pictured are Kevin Swan, Old Town Co-op manager, Jamie Stapleton If you think a project (Shakers manager), Gemma Bourne. Carolyn Brett and you know of could qualify Susan Threshold have a go for a grant of up to E I ,000, on the dance mat.

community through

call 01865 256235 for details.

call 0800 43 5902

for more information Oxford, Swindon & Gloucester

Rediscovering the roots of the Co-op There used to be a Co-op in every neighbourhood of Swindon as well as three bakeries and a dairy, since the first shop opened in 1837. And until the 1960s, areas without a Co-op would be served by shops on wheels.

Despitetheexpansion of other An--3' retail chains over the last century ^'=; [ l -A the Co-op is 'till very much a presence

in

Swindon, with a superstore in Old Town and small shop units around the town, including the re cently taken over David with Old Town Co-op manager Kevin Swan and the neighbourhood basis for an exhibition about the Co-op in Swindon shop at Peatmoor ing old photographs and other and a development at Taw Hill.

Now thirty year employee David material for about five years, but o Macey has set up the Cop His- I'd like to hear from anybody with tory Group which has been pictures and posters which we awarded a £500 community divi- could copy for a mobile exhibition dend grant from Oxford Swindon called the'People's Co-op."'

Anybody with a connection to & Gloucester Co-op to pay for photographic equipment, photocopy- the Co-op who is willing to donate ing and laminating, and display or lend interesting items from the past should contact David on material to stage the exhibition, David said, "I've been collect- 530734.

19

^u^urdoat McDonald's

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

Completing the job at Lydiard Over sixty years ago Swindon Corporation's town clerk David Murray John made a typically incisive move and bought Lydiard House and park from the St John family.

His decision to make the estate a jewel in Swindon's crown was celebrated at a reception hosted by the chairman of English Heritage Sir Neil Cossons and the Mayor of Swindon on 1 December.

The event also looked forward to the £5 million proposal to restore the park with a bid to the Heritage Lottery Fund.

Sir Neil who. forty years ago, worked in Swindon as an assistant curatoratthe railway museum, said he remembered David Murray John as a man of vision. When the nation's time. money and energy was focussed on winning a war, David Murray John recognised that a decaying ruin beyond the borough boundaries would one day have considerable value for Swindon.

today he would be very pleased to know of the work to turn the derelict house into an important attraction; he would be impressed by the plans to enhance the park."

The Mayorthanked English Heritage and the Countryside Agency for their involvement in the project and also Swindon based energy company RWE Innogy for their major financial commitment.

Denys Hodson, who was ap-

pointed by DMJ as the director of Arts and Recreation for Swindon Corporation before it became Thamesdown in 1974 and given responsibility for the Lydiard estate, paid tribute to him. "When appointed David Murray John was the youngest town clerk of any local authority in the country. He -: 1003 Pb

^ t r

M\

DMJ looks down on the VIP line up at Lydiard. the Lord Lieutenant of Wiltshire Sir Maurice Johnston. Denys Hodson. Sarah Finch-Crisp, the Mayor of Swindon coun Derek Ben field, chairman of English Heritage Sir Neil Cossons "It's i mpossible to put a price tag on the historical significance of the decision to acquire Lydiard all those years ago, but English Heritage is now delighted to be a partner with Swindon Borough Council in the project to develop the park for the future."

The Mayor coun Derek Benfield said he was an eleven year old when the park was bought by Swindon Corporation. "Little did I know the magnitude of David Murray John's decision. If he were with us

was a wonderful man to work for, he could instantly produce a soluti on for any problem you took to him. He did not know the meaning of personal vanity, but his commitment and vision for Swindon knew no bounds."

Mr Hodson is again involved with Lydiard as a member of the project board, set up in the summer to take an oversight of the restoration project which was nearly cancelled by the incoming Conservative council administration.

Having been rescued following intensive negotiation with English Heritage and RWE Innogy, the project was delayed in November because the Heritage Lottery Fund asked for a reduction in the financial proposals.

However the Lottery announced on 10 December that £430,000 was being awarded to the Lydiard restoration project to pay for detailed design work. This will open the door for a second stage grant application of around £3 million to pay for the work to be done. This will include rebuilding the dam, dredging the lakes and reinstating the 18th Century gardens.

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ASDA West Swindon VACANCIES

Full and part time staff required If you are interested please contact June Willson on 01793 643945

20

Swirkir Wide

Line Dance

Looking back at Christmas in the sun

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Wedding videos Irreplaceable TV programmes and sports events Children's first steps. Birthday parties.

Christenings & Confirmations.

Multiple copies: overseas copies: edited copies Obsolete formats. i.e. Betamax.

Video2000: camcorder tapes

Tuesday: Even Swindon, 7.00 Community Centre Jennings Street (off Rodbourne Road) Wednesday: Rodbourne Cheney, 7.30 Rodbourne Cheney Club, Moredon Road (near Rodbourne Arms)

Thursday: Coleview 7.00 Community Centre. Nythe Road

Step by step instruction for absolute beginners Weekend socials in High worth and Swindon For more details Ring Lewis Watson on 764732 Ten years of teaching!

DON'T LOSE THOSE MEMORIES Tel: 01 793 61 2187 Mobile: 07940 810733 DVD e-mail: vhstodvd@btinternet.com www,vhstodvd.co.uk Unit 2a. Grime to Shine. Greenbridge Roa d, Sw indon

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44 C

As Christmas 2003 fades into memory and the damp chilly winter continues until April, Jennifer Jeffrey-Markey from Freshbrook keeps us warm with thoughts on what it is like to enjoy Christmas in the Caribbean.

don't want a white Christmas with plenty of snow.

Give me a sunshine Christmas with steel-band and calypso........

Christmas is a wonderful time of the year. Just the mere thought of the holidays evokes feelings of warmth, love, closeness to family and good friends, and the frenzy of shopping, wrapping and hiding all those wonderfully anticipated presents. And of course, there is Christmas dinner!!

For those of us who come from the sunny shores of the Caribbean, it is a very poignant time. There are some things that we truly miss.

While we celebrate the festival similarly in some ways, there are aspects that are very different.

Consider waking up to a warm and sunny'Chrismas' mornin' with the smells and sounds of the tropics everywhere: the tiny yellow banana quit bird trilling in the mango tree, and the smell of fresh coffee or rolled chocolate tea and souse (pickled pigs feet) and hot brick oven bread, enticing you to the breakfast table.

Or perhaps you wentto midnight Mass the night before, and stayed up late after coming in from church in order to finish baking the clove, pineapple and brown sugar glazed ham, while sampling the aged sorrel and ginger beer that will certainly accompany the lavish feast later in the day.

IIm magine going to the beach and in the gentle surf of the aqua-blue Caribbean sea. and running along the warm and powdery white sand all in an effort to work up a grand appetite for lunch.

Christmas lunch is normally held oranother at one or another of a favourite au ntie's(aunt's) o f aand everyone brings a dish, whether it's a main course, dessert. or a special beverage. Since Caribbean famili es tend to be large and very close knit, there are usually not less than twenty people at the table, all talking and laughing at the same time.

Our colonial and cultural influences are different and varied and so you will find food on the buffet with a British, Spanish, French, Dutch, Indian, Chinese or Portu guese flair: bol-jol, oil-down, vinnie dalush. accra and ti ponche. pilau, pudding and souse, Bahl pourri, spicy chow mein, rice and peas or peas and rice, depending on which item was more plentiful in the dish.

And the ever present ham and roasted tom turkey with all the trimmings. Dessert, perhaps mango tart, sweet potato pudding. pina colada cake or fruit cake with brandy flavoured hard sauce is ac-

ycx

3

,) companiedbyashotofguavaberry li queur, Guiness punch, or a glass of ponche crema, a rich rum spiked version of egg-nog. Absolutely heavenly!!

Afterthis wonderfully spiced and delicious feast. everyone gathers on the veranda, young and not so young,among the flaming blossours ofthe hibiscus, bougainvillea and passion flower to talk, and laugh, and reminisce about the day and the year that is almost gonee And as the sun sets gloriously over the western horizon and the crickets beginn theirr ch i rrupi ng, Christmas carols and songs float upwards on the balmy breeze of a Caribbean evening: carols aand songs with a calypso rhythm softly emanating from a steel band orem an chestra in the village pan yard. A tropical Christmas serenade. The p erfect end to a beautiful day.

Russian,

German and

Italian get togethers The Russian Connexion next meets on Friday 9 January. 8pm, at the Crown, Ermin Street, Stratton. For details call 337113, 491003 or 638210 or mail: russian connexion@hotmail.com Deutscher Freundeskreis next meets on Friday 16 January. 8pm at the Crown, Stratton. Call for details: 539808 or 337113: or mail d eutscher_freundeskreis Photmail.com After a break the Swindon Club Italiano is being restarted and will meet on Wednesday 7 January, 6pm at the Savoy. Regent Street. mail: or 420579 Contact julie.harrison@bigfoot.com or clubitaliano@hotmail.com

21

Swindon Wide Gracias Cooper por los medicamentos The generosity of a West Swindon pharmacy is helping to make life a little easier for a young asthma sufferer in Nicaragua.

Following a visit to Swindon's twin town Ocotal in Nicaragua by Dr Kandy Kandiah from Sparcells Surgery in early November. Cooper Chemist at West Swindon Centre has agreed to supply inhalers to seven year old Fermina Morazan.

Dr Kandiah was pictured in the November Link before departing fora conference in Cuba. That was postponed, but as a member of Swindon Octoal Link (SOL) he took the opportunity to visit Nicaragua. " We visited several facilities supported financially by the people of Swindon and also went into the remote rural areas around Ocotal," said Dr Kandiah. "We came across Jean Wood and Dr Kandiah hold up a little Fermina and she was so ill. letter of thanks from SOL in Ocotal Jean Wood at Cooper has donated medicines for Ocotal on my past kind to help Fermina. The meditrips and she has again been very cines will relieve her chronic asthma for a time."

Cooper manager Jean Wood said. "the Swindon people who are helping Ocotal are very committed. Our donation is a small attempt to help those who are not as well off as we are over here in Britain. We all hope Fermina's asthma can be relieved."

• Swindon Ocotal Link needs more members. For details call Bruce Fermina Marazon, Clarke on 533338. receiving help from Swindon

Make 2004 your year

Choir concert at Haydon Centre The next in the series of winter concerts presented by the Haydon Wick Bowls Club at the Haydon Centre takes place on Saturday 24 January, 7.30pm. when the Swindon Male Voice Choir and their guests will be performing.

Tickets priced at £4.50 (£4 concessions) are available from the centre or from Barrie Smith on

with Cre'8 Thames Avenue, Greenmeadow

722972.

Newcomers living in the Haydon parish area are welcome to join the bowls club. Call 722972 for details.

Bring *e fami^Y^

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22

Swind ,r Wide What do younger citizens think?

The first ever Swindon Civic Trust competition to find the town's favourite places was a great success and organisers are making an appeal for ideas for next year.

The trust, set up 18 months ago to work for better quality in the built environment, had a variety of entries which were displayed at the old railway museum in Faringdon Road in mid-November. Writing, photographs and videos demonstrated how particular parts of the town are highly regarded by entrants.

Trust chairman John Monniot said his committee colleagues were very impressed by the effort put in by entrants to express their views in different ways. "There are many good aspects to Swindon and we were encouraged by how entrants conveyed their love for certain places. We were particularly pleased with the entries from

schools: it's obvious a number of teachers saw the opportunity to study their town and enthuse their children to think about how they feel about it.

For next year we're thinking of aiming a project directly at schools and children of different ages. It would be good to give young people the opportunity to express their views about Swindon in whatever way they feel appropriate."

John would like to receive suggestions from teachers and young people on how younger citizens can best communicate their ideas about the town in an exhibition or competition.

Call him on 490936 or mail: john@monniot.freeserve.co.uk

Bollywood dance just one of many classes on offer Swindon College offers lots of opportunities to take part in interesting courses during 2004 ,. starting in mid January. The details can be found over the following four pages. Bollywood dance is particularly popular, combining the glam of the movies with all the moves of traditional Indian dance, with hints of western contemporary styles.

Tutors Sonal Patel and Dorothy Clarke, front left and right, will be teaching a new dance routine in January, so newcomers are welcome.

F ^.

f

Spring fair cancelled One of the highlights of Spring at Lydiard Park. the Wootton Bassett Lions May Bank Holiday Fair, is being cancelled until further notice.

In its heyday the event attracted thousands of people to enjoy arena displays and charity stalls but recently the Lions have had a run of bad luck.

In 2001 the day was cancelled because of a waterlogged site and foot and mouth restrictions in 2002 put paid to the event. However declining club membership is a major problem said Lion Peter Brittain. "We've seen several members move away from the area and there aren't enough to do all the jobs needed to put on such a large event.

"It's a great pity that we cannot continue at Lydiard. All the profits were returned to good causes in the Wootton Bassett area: it is money that will no longer be available for distribution."

He said the organisational structure and all the contacts for attracti ons are in place and could be revived if more people come forward.

The Lions meet at 8pm on the second and fourth Monday of the month in the Cross Keys, High Street. Wootton Bassett. Or call Peter Brittain on 01249 812710.

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2004

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.tS PROSPECT )ONCOLLE(

New Courses from SWINDONCOLLEGE from January 2004.

Call FREE on 0800 731 2250 to enrol At Brookfield School Fitness & Tone up with Ballet - Improvers Cost: £24 Code: DGB21 N Starts Monday 1 9th Jan 04, for 10 weeks from 7.00pm - 8.00pm

Graphology - An Introduction.

Cost: £48 Code: UGG43N Starts Wednesday 21st Jan 04, for 10 weeks from 7.00pm - 9.00pm

Fitness & Tone up with Ballet - Beginners Cost: £24 Code: DGB24N Starts Monday 1 9th Jan 04, for 10 weeks from 8.1 5pm - 9.1 5pm

Silk Painting.

Cost: £48 Code: AGG1 1 N Starts Thursday 22nd Jan 04, for 10 weeks from 7.00pm - 9.00pm

At Greendown School Massage for Relaxation.

Cost: £48 Code: PGG87N Starts Monday 1 9th Jan 04, for 10 weeks from 7.00pm - 9.00pm Motorcycle Maintenance - Basics.

Cost: £48 Code: VGG 1 5N Starts Monday 1 9th Jan 04, for 10 weeks from 7.00pm - 9.00pm Painting & Drawing Cost: £48 Code: AGG32N Starts Tuesday 20 Jan 04, for 10 weeks from 7.00pm - 9.00pm Computing and Word Processing for Beginners Cost: £28 Code: CGG28S Starts Thursday 22nd Jan 04, for 10 Weeks from 7.00pm - 8.30pm Classical Arabic for Reading the Quran.

Cost: £48 Code: LGG02N Starts Tuesday 20th Jan 04, for 10 weeks from 7.00pm - 9.00pm Interior Design - The Basics.

Cost: f48 Code: AGG02N Starts Wednesday 21st Jan 04, for 10 weeks from 7.00pm - 9.00pm Creative Jewellery.

Cost: £48 Code: AGG98N Starts Wednesday 21 st Jan 04, for 10 weeks from 7.00pm - 9.00pm Meditation - An Introduction.

Cost: £48 Code: PGG49N Starts Wednesday 21st Jan 04, for 10 weeks from 7.00pm - 9.00pm

Horses - BHS Horse Owners Certificate Level 3.

Cost: £48 Code: KGG07N Starts Thursday 22nd Jan 04, for 10 weeks from 7.00pm - 9.00pm Fast Track Russian. Cost: £45 Code: LGG95S Starts Thursday 22nd Jan 04, for 20 weeks from 7.00pm - 9.00pm Neurolinguistic Programming.

Cost: £48 Code: PGG41 N Starts Thursday 22nd Jan 04, for 10 weeks from 7.00pm - 9.00pm Self Hypnosis for Positive Living.

Cost: £48 Code: PGG76N Starts Thursday 22nd Jan 04, for 10 weeks from 7.00pm - 9.00pm Car Maintenance - Beginners.

Cost: £48 Code: VGG1 1 N Starts Thursday 22nd Jan 04, for 10 weeks from 7.00pm - 9.00pm South Indian Vegetarian Cookery.

Cost: £24 Code: FGG46N Starts Monday 26th Jan 04, for 5 weeks from 7.00pm - 9.00pm Quick-Start Italian. Cost: f29 Code: LGG45N Starts Wednesday 28th Jan 04, for 6 weeks from 7.00pm - 9.00pm Quick-Start Spanish.

Cost: £29 Code: LGG71 N Starts Wednesday 28th Jan 04, for 6 weeks from 7.00pm - 9.00pm Silk Painting - An Introduction.

Cost: £22 Code: AGS37N One-day workshop on Saturday 7th Feb 04 from 10.00am - 4.00pm

Courses local to You! Meditation - An Introduction.

Cost: f22 Code: PGS58N One-day workshop on Saturday 7th Feb 04 from 10.00am - 4.00pm

Haydon Wick Community Centre Tap Dance - Beginners.

Cost: £24 Code: DGH1 5N Starts Tuesday 20th Jan 04, for 10 weeks from 6.45pm - 7.45pm

How to Stop Worrying & Start Living.

Cost: £22 Code: PGS65N One-day workshop on Saturday 7th Feb 04 from 1 0.00am - 4.00pm

Tap Dance - Improvers.

Cost: £24 Code: DGH32N Starts Tuesday 20th Jan 04, for 10 weeks from 7.45pm - 8.45pm

Indian Head Massage.

Cost: f22 Code: PGS77N One-day workshop on Saturday 7th Feb 04 from 1 0.00am - 4.00pm

Tap Dance - Intermediate.

Cost: £24 Code: DGH31 N Starts Tuesday 20th Jan 04, for 10 weeks from 8.45pm - 9.45pm

No frills Car Maintenance.

Cost: £22 Code: VGS01 N One-day workshop on Saturday 7th Feb 04 from 10.00am - 4.00pm

Flamenco Dance - Beginners.

Cost: £24 Code: DGH47N Starts Tuesday 20th Jan 04, for 10 weeks from 12.30pm - 1.30pm

Creating Greeting Cards.

Cost: £22 Code: AGS98N One-day workshop on Saturday 6th March 04 from 10.00am - 4.00pm Chocolate Gifts for Easter.

Cost: £22 Code: FGS21 N One-day workshop on Saturday 6th March 04 from 10.00am - 4.00pm Reflexology - An Introduction.

Cost: £22 Code: PGS12N One-day workshop on Saturday 6th March 04 from 10.00am - 4.00pm

Portrait Photography.

Cost: £24 Code: AGH 1 1 N Starts Tuesday 27th Jan 04, for 10 weeks from 7.00pm - 9.00pm First Aid for Children & Babies.

Cost: £30 Code: PGH88N Starts Thursday 29th Jan 04, for 5 weeks from 7.00pm - 9.00pm

Body Massage - An Introduction.

Cost: £22 Code: PGS57N One-day workshop on Saturday 6th March 04 from 1 0.00am - 4.00pm NLP - What's That All About?

Cost: £22 Code: PGS72N One-day workshop on Saturday 6th March 04 from 10.00am - 4.00pm Motorcycles: MOTs. Cost: £22 Code: VGS1ON One-day workshop on Saturday 6th March 04 from 10.00am - 4.00pm

Continued on the back page...

Swindon College Haydonteigh School.

T'ai Chi & Chi Kung - Beginners.

Cost: £24 Code: YGH41 N Starts Monday 1 2th Jan 04, for 10 weeks from 7.00pm - 8.00pm T'ai Chi & Chi Kung - Improvers.

Cost: £24 Code: YGH44N Starts Monday 1 2th Jan 04, for 10 weeks from 8.00pm - 9.00pm Yoga - Beginners.

Cost: £47 Code: YGS02 N Starts Saturday 1 7th Jan 04, for 10 weeks from 9.00am - 10.30am Salsa & Merengue - Beginners.

Cost: £24 Code: DGH19N Starts Wednesday 21st Jan 04, for 10 weeks from 8.00pm - 9.00pm Salsa & Merengue - Improvers.

Cost: £24 Code: DGH27N Starts Wednesday 21st Jan 04, for 10 weeks from 7.00pm - 8.00pm Jazz Dance - Beginners.

Cost: £24 Code: DGH 1 1 N Starts Thursday 22nd Jan 04, for 10 weeks from 7.00pm - 8.00pm Jazz Dance - Improvers.

Cost: £36 Code: DGH34N Starts Thursday 22nd Jan 04, for 10 weeks from 8.00pm - 9.30pm Tango Dance - Beginners.

Cost: £24 Code: DGH44N Starts Friday 23rd Jan 04, for 10 weeks from 7.00pm - 8.00pm Tango Dance - Improvers.

Cost: £24 Code: DGH51 N Starts Friday 23rd Jan 04, for 10 weeks from 8.00pm - 9.00pm

Moredon Infants School.

Yoga - Beginners.

Cost: £47 Code: YGMO2N Starts Monday 1 2th Jan 04, for 10 weeks from 7.00pm - 8.30pm

North Swindon Business & Learning Centre BSL - Introduction.

Cost: £29 Code: WHL1 1 N Starts Monday 1 9th Jan 04, for 10 weeks from 1 .00pm - 3.00pm National Licensees Certificate - Full On Licence/Part IV. Cost: £119 Code: HHL04S On Tuesday 20th Jan & Weds 21st Jan 04 from 9.00am - 5.00pm National Licensees Certificate - Off Licence.

Cost: £119 Code: HHL22S On Monday 23rd Feb & Wednesday 25th Feb 04 from 9.00am - 5.00pm

Westlea School.

Indian Dance: Bollywood Style - Beginners.

Cost: £24 Code: DGW41 N Starts Thursday 22nd Jan 04, for 10 Weeks from 7.00pm - 8.30pm Yoga - Beginners.

Cost: £47 Code: YGV26N Starts Wednesday 1 4th Jan 04, for 1 0 weeks from 8.00pm - 9.30pm

Plus...

Computer training courses available at The Link Learning Centre, West Swindon.

Call: 01793 873877 and the new North Swindon Learning & Business Centre, inside the Library, Orbital Centre.

Call: 01793 727451

S U C C E S S @SWINDONCOLLEGE

Swindon Wide Whct's Cr Jr J

i rq

Music

Workshop

Saturday 10th. 7.30pm Swindon Young Musicians Consort 10th Anniversary Concert.

From the diminutive sopranino to the great bass recorder, the consort's repertoire stretches from Byrd to The Beatles. £5.50. concs £3, tickets from Swindon Music Centre only. tel: 487802. Arts Centre Thursday 15th. 7.30pm Acoustic Strawbs (below). Dave Cousins on guitar. dulcimer and vocals, Dave Lambert on guitar and vocals. and Brian Willoughby on lead guitar. with a mix of music and old favourites. £11.50. Arts Centre

Saturday 31st, 10am - 4pm Absolute Beginners. Always wanted to paint but didn t knowwhere to begin? This workshop with Ann Radu will get you started. All materials included. £20. Arts Centre

I.j'

r_.

f. •

Dance Wednesday 28th, 7.30pm Henri Oguike Dance Company.

Performance includes premier of 'White Space using film and dance set to Scarlatti. From £9. Wyvern

Venues

The Arts Centre. Devizes Road.

Tel: 614837 i Lydiard House. Tel: 770401 National Monuments Record Centre. Kemble Drive. Tel: 414600 ( STEAM - Museum of the Great Western Railway Kemble Drive. Tel: 466655 Swindon Museum & Art Gallery Bath Road. Tel: 466556 Westonbirt School Tetbury, Glos. Tel: 01666 880333 West Swindon Library Link Centre. Tel: 465555 The Wyvern Theatre Theatre Square. Tel: 524481 Confirm date, time and price with !' the venue

CYCLECARE - Purton sales • spares • repairs

Comedy Saturday 17th, 7.30pm Tina C (left) as Lifestyle Guru.

Country singer and agony aunt Tina C helps her audience with their problems and their ability to laugh at other people's problems. £10. Arts Centre

Film

Friday 16th, 8pm Colosseum. Jon Hiseman's legendary jazz/rock supergroup are back. £16. Arts Centre Saturday 17th, 7.30pm The King's Consort An evening with one of Europe's leading period instrument ensembles. Robert King will lead the group in an original programme of Italian and English chamber music. £15. Westonbirt School Thursday 22nd to Saturday 24th, 7.30pm Best of Ten presented by Ten in a Bar. This popular local group look back over ten successful years at the Arts Centre. £7. Arts Centre

27

Wednesday 7th, 7.45pm Morvern Callar (15) Morvern Callar covers up her boyfriend's suicide - or is she just denying his death? She embarks on ajourney which could lead to literary fame, with the help of his unpublished novel. in this intruiging tale from director Lynne Ramsay. SFS Thursday 8th & Friday 9th, 7.45pm The Singing Detective (15)

Trial

Swindon Film Society All films are shown at the Arts Centre: tickets are sold in advance: Film Society leaflets are available at the Arts Centre: join the society when purchasing tickets.

Golden Lion Quilters Golden Lion Quilters meet on Wednesdays 14 and 28 January, 6.45pm in the Design and Technology Room at Kingsdown School.

New members welcome. For more information call Francis on 825382

89 High Street, Purton

Tel: 778123

Flights:

e ._ experiencA of a lifetime!

Something different for someone special!

...

li ghts from f50 for 30 minutes

14

Robert Downey Jr stars as Dan Dark, a pulp fiction novelist debilitated by psoriasis, in this film version of Dennis Potter's surreal tale which is part detective story. part rock-and-roll musical, and part character study. £4. Arts Centre Tues 13th & Wed 14th, 7.45pm Bright Young Things (15) Stephen Fry's accomplished directorial debut is a period drama which gently satirises celebrity culture 70 years ago. £4. Arts Centre Wednesday 21st, 7.45pm Russian Ark (U) Shot entirely in a single take in St Petersburg's Hermitage Museum. travel with a 19th Century diplomat through the collection's masterpieces and 300 years of Russian history.

Subtitled. Swindon Film Society

PUKY German made kids bikes.

ADAMS trailer bike with smart hitch for age 4- 8. BROMPTON folders GIANT family bikes.

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UJullerffq T_))01_f6( at Studley Grange Garden & Leisure Park on Hay Lane, south of M4, junction 16

Visit the tropics in Wiltshire, rain or shine, summer or winter.

Walk amongst some of the most beautiful butterflies in the world. flying freely against a backdrop of tropical plants and skimming over fish filled pools - a truly magical experience.

Observe the full life cycle of the butterfly from the tiny egg to the ever hungry caterpillar. through to the pupa stage before emerging as a beautiful butterfly.

Spiders. scorpions. mantis and many more fascinating insects are on display in our mini beast house.

Studley Grange Garden and Leisure Park Hay Lane, Wroughton, Swindon SN4 9QT Tel: 01793 852400 info: studleygrange.co.uk

Other attractions at Studley Grange include: • Craft Village, • Blooms Garden Centre , • World of Water • Pet Shed Bonkers children's soft play area

Swirkr Wide Wt's On it

28

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MEMORIAL DAY Swindon marks Holocaust Memorial Day. Tuesday 27 January. with performances and an exhibition of work specially created by children from Abbey Meads School. Commonweal School. Oaktree Primary School and Swindon Creative Education Project. Working with professional artists from Cre8, Artscape and Swindon National Dance Agency the children will express their thoughts about holocaust and genocide.

From 12noon to 2pm there will be li ve music, dance and media throughout the Arts Centre and a formal remembrance ceremony involving community representatives at 1 pm. Entry is free.

Theatre Wed 28th to Sat 31st, 7.30pm Stepping Out presented by Phoenix Players. Richard Harris's cleverly observed play centres on a group of people who meet at their tap dancing class. £5. Arts Centre Thurs 29th to Sat 31st, 7.30pm All The Great Books (abridged)

Tel: 01793 727297 FENSA Registered Com

presented by the Reduced Shakespeare Company. Direct from the USA - save yourself a lifetime of reading! £12. £15. Wyvern

Familyevents and children's activities Saturdays 10th & 24th Meet the Railway Workers. Join former engine drivers, firemen and railway workers as they bring stories of the steam age to life with practical demonstrations. STEAM. Normal admission charges Saturday 24th, 2pm - 4pm Chinese New Year. Celebrate the Year of The Monkey. make a vibrant Chinese dragon. lanterns and other crafts and hear traditional tales. Suit 5 to 11 yearolds. £2, booking advised.

Swindon Museum & Art Gallery

Exhibitions Wyvern, Lower Foyer From Tuesday 6th Rhythm of Colour David Shears explores colour relationships through abstract expressionism.

Arts Centre Thursday 8th to Saturday 24th Contemporary Open Art Contemporary Artists of Swindon (CAOS) present their views of future public artworks in Swindon.

Arts Centre Tuesday 27th to Saturday 31st Holocaust Memorial Day An exhibition of works by young Swindon people. See also above

A Unique offer Buy any Tempur bed during January and well give you a fabulous Tempur Pillow worth £75 absolutely Free

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Abbey Meads association invites residents to meeting, but postpones AGM A year ago the Abbey Meads Community Association was struggling for survival but after a winter when activity was suspended, the association resumed operations in April, with a small, dedicated team working to assist voluntary groups in the area and ensure continued publication of the Abbey Chat newsletter.

The organisation welcomes all adult residents of Abbey Meads, Ash Brake and St Andrews Ridge to its meetings on the second Wednesday of each month in the community room at Church of Christ the Servant.

Chairman Mike Warr asks residents to note, however, that the AGM will not be held on 12 January as publicised, but on Wednesday 14 April, 7.45pm.

ine • January 2004

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Community association to close.

New charity fund proposed

29

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After twenty years in existence the last Annual General Meeting of the Haydon Wick Community Association took place on 1 December when members took the decision to dissolve the association.

The association has played an The association has significant important community develop- reserves and the trustees suggested ment role in the area and during that the most productive way of the last 12 years managed the using these would be to establish a Haydon Centre in conjunction with trust fund with assistance from the recreation services of Swindon Wiltshire and Swindon CommuCouncil. nity Foundation.

This function came to an end in The meeting agreed that the trusJune 2003 when the association was tees lodge remaining assets with forced to pull out of the arrange- the foundation. If the Charity Comment as organisational structures mission approves a proposal, a acceptable to the council and the panel of local representatives will Charity Commission could not be be set up to assess applications for agreed. With no building to run, grants for charitable purposes in trustees could see little justifica- the Haydon Wick Parish and imtion in continuing and recom- mediate surrounding area.

Full details of arrangements will mended that the organisation be wound up. he reported in due course.

Sewcraft tk Haberdashery

Also Knitting yarns Dress fabrics Quilting material/accessories Beads and sequins Craft products Card making materials Cross stitch & tapestry kits DMC Main Agents 33 Havelock Street Swindon lThTel: 01793 536778

Haydon Centre adjusts to new management Haydon Centre manager Ken Scott is disappointed that Haydon Wick Community Association will no longer be involved in running the highly successful facility, but regards the change as a new chapter in the centre's history.

Unlike most other leisure facilities in Swindon, the centre has always functioned as a community centre as well as a recrea-

tional facility since it openHaydon Centre staff with children who attend the after school ed in 1991.

Building club Lisa Hughes, Travis Stead, Elaine Holden, Gill Lovett, on the pro- Nathan Hall, Ken Scott, Jackie Andrews gramme developed by the com- the community remain the top conmunity association in its tempo- sideration. The centre will be oprary building off Thames Avenue, erated by the team who previously the Hayden Centre quickly at- ran it for the community associatracted a wide range of commu- tion."

He confirmed that there have nity activities: from the busy parent and toddler groups to the ever been no radical changes; the afterthriving over 60's club, as well as school club and the school holiday camp continue to be popular and casual sport and keep fit classes.

Ken says this programme will are run to a high standard. "Most remain and be developed. "With customers will have noticed no experience Swindon Services has difference in the service they regained from working with the trus- ceive. We wish to build on the tees, we aim to ensure the needs of existing successes."

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30

GET FIT, LOOK GOOD It's New Year and time for resolutions...

So what have you been thinking about changing?

L-WeightWatchers WESTLEA SCHOOL Thursday 5.30pm

Andrew Hill asks, do you want to stop smoking or lose weight, cut down on your alcohol consumption, actively reduce your stress levels or change some aspect of your life?

Ironically making the first real To any other mammal, change is Whatever it is, why do we have to wait for a New Year to come accepted as an inevitable way of steps towards change can be a around to finally decide that it is life. If a food source becomes scarce massive relief in itself that inspires ti me to bring about major change in a location or if there is no poten- you to go from strength to strength. in our lives? After all, what was tial mate to be found, then the ani- The reason for the effect is that really wrong with starting last mal simply ups and looks else- having started on the process, your where. It doesn't spend time think- mind begins to understand that month, last week or yesterday?

Well, we put things off because ing about what it needs to do, be- there is not so much to fear as it change is something that doesn't cause thinking wastes time and is first assumed.

Whatever you want to change, come naturally to us human be- therefore risky - no, it just gets on make the decision and go for it, with what it has to do! ings.

Humans on the other hand are you'll feel invigorated by it. You both blessed and blighted by the need to allow yourself to enjoy the ability to think in a much more journey, as opposed to always foHead for the complex way. Therefore the deci- cusing on arriving at your destinam o u nto • n s siontochangeanythingmajoralso tion. Also if you're planning on Outdoor education teachers at becomes a complex issue. Our in- giving something up, your mind Plas Pencelli, Swindon Council's stinctistostaywithwhatweknow, may see this as a punishment, so outdoor centre in the Brecon Bea- for better or worse, rather than to be prepared to treat yourself in cons, is organising a skiing and gamble on change and therefore some other positive way. Whatsnowboarding trip to Austria the unknown, this is why we take ever you want to achieve you can from 13 to 21 March 2004. so long to make major decisions or do it!

The cost of travel, accommoda- even put them off altogether. It is • Andrew Hill is a Consultant tion, tuition, equipment and ski pass our fear of the possibility of failure Hypnotherapist and Stress Counis £465, or £500 for snowboarding. that stops us from trying... we are sellor and can be contacted on 873451.

Insurance is £35 if required. avoiding the outcome.

For details or the trip and other outdoor courses organised by the Getting to the inner sole of many problems centre, call Gethin Thomas on Many readers may remember Alison Deacon who practicised reflex01874 665241 or visit www.plas ology in West Swindon about five years ago - apart from helping to pencelli.co.uk / ski start the 'Friends' organisation, an organic vegetable box scheme and also a Local Enterprise Trading Service (LETS), which were all regularly featured in The Link.

Although finding reflexology hard skin, as well as athlete's foot benefitsmany,Alisonrealisedthat and problems with nails and the problems like back pain required a removal of in-growing toenails. different treatment, whilst other Alison is delighted to be able to people asked for routine podiatry provide both a podiatry (chiservices such as nail cutting and ropody) and reflexology service on a home visit arrangement and hard skin removal, Alison has now returned to West can be contacted on 0794 70 22 949.

Swindon having completed a three v J eardeg reeinodiatr p ywhich coered biomechanics, use of orthotyour dreams with ics, sports therapy and exercise regimes.

Slimming World The course also covered routine Monday: 6pm & 7.30pm podiatry (chiropody) treatment Rodbourne which included work experience Community Centre in specialist diabetic clinics and Kathryn 871430 hospital surgical units dealing with Monday: 6.30pm & 8pm treatment of corns, verrucas and

FRESHBROOK CHURCH Wednesday 7pm ABBEY MEADS PRIMARY SCHOOL Thursday 6.15pm HAYDON CENTRE Monday 9.30am, Wednesday 6pm & 7.15pm Discover the new Time To Eat' programme

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

ALISON DEACON Podiatrist (Chiropodist) & Reflexologist B.Sc.(Hons) Degree in Podiatry Registered with the Health Professions Council(HPC) Member of The Society of Chiropodists and Podiatrists(MChS) Qualified with, and Member of the International Institute of Reflexologists Member of the Association of Reflexologists Fully Insured. Home visits by arrangement For appointment please telephone: 0794 70 22 949 e: alideacon@uk2.net Clinics at Abbey Meads Medical Centre and Trax Gym & Fitness

ouur

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'

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Shape up

Liz Donovan who runs the Beauty Studio in Grange Park has recently acquired a state of the art _- machine to kick start the metabolism, break down fatty tissue, banish fluid retention and firm up those areas of the body which many find difficult to tighten up.

The non-surgical facelift reduces puffiness around the eyes, and eradicates fine lines and wrinkles - all completely painless and I without nasty side effects.

Call Liz on 870902.

Tuesday: 9.30am & 6pm

Toothill Community Centre Sharon. 527332 Tuesday: 6.30pm & 8pm Abbey Meads School Paula. 701442 Thursday: 6pm & 7.30pm St John's Church, Haydon Wick. Peter. 764684 £10 membership. £3.75 a week Save £5.00. Hurry, join now Offer ends 27th February 2004 www.shmming.world.com

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AND FEEL BETTER IN 2004 Ear Acupuncture w Acupuncture points are

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Can effectively help with stopping smoking, weight loss, arthritis, muscular pain, sinusitis, migraine, snoring, depression & many more Gift vouchers available The Body Clinic Fitness First West 1 Non-members scelcome)

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Helen Tilley MSAAc www.healing-rays.com

Restoring Health & Well Being •'• Reiki v Indian Head Massage •'• Crystal Healing v Personal Coaching Phone Jane on 01793 701523

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Reflexology Indian head masse Manicure/Pedicure Henna body tattoo' Chill-out evenings/ parties

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Advanced Hypnotherapy, Stress Management and

New Year. .. New You?

Personal Coaching

What's your New Year resolution?

To Stop Smoking To Lose Weight Reduce Stress & Anxiety Improve Motivation overcome Fears & Phobias Etc. Etc. Etc. To find out how I can hp 'you achiev our resolution, either visit www.ahassociates.org and see what others have to say about the help that I have given them, or call 01793 873451 an d I will be delighted to discuss your needs with you. References available on request.

Want to lose weight: stop smoking; change your life; overcome anxiety, depression, panic attacks or fears: improve your confidence, sports, exam or work performance?

Then get help here

Hilary Norris-Evans BA Hons. DABCH. MCAHyp, NLP Cert. MNCH

Andrew Hill B.Sc. (Hons) Dip Hyp MAPT MNCH (Reg.) Consultant

Assoaates

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Professional Healing Courses Learn this ancient healing art Reiki is a safe, completely natural and highly effective complementary therapy.

Reiki is not a religion or belief system

Hypnotherapist & Stress Counsellor Full-time. Caring & Professional Central Swindon Clinic

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CHIROPODIST Advanced Reflexologist & Kinesiologist CLINIC AT 113 HIGH STREET WOOTTON BASSETT

For an appointment with Mrs Lesley Taylor

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Freephone 0808 108 8545 (01793) 849914 anytime

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Courses available at all levels, small informal groups, individual attention, comprehensive manual, certificated.

Acupuncture at Taw Hill Medical Practice

After course guidance and support.

Mark Ackland BSc PhD Lic Ac MBAcC

FREE INFORMATION PACK Reiki Master/Teacher. Guild of Complimentary Practitioners F. J. Taylor. (01793) 529360 Mobile: 07740 516238 email: reikifred@aol.com Reiki treatments available for relief of stress, pain, depression, low enegy, etc.

^^

Free new patient consultation Free Chirocheck always available IF YOU ARE SUFFERING FROM: 0 Backache, Leg pain 0 Neck, Shoulder, Arm Pain 0 Headache & Migraine 0 Sciatica 0 Sports Injury 0 Arthritis 0 Whiplash YOU SHOULD CONSIDER CONSULTING A CHIROPRACTOR

Shaw Chiropractic) Clinic SANDRA E. DAVIES D.C. SIMON BODLEY MSc. D.C.

Appointments call: 07973 - 185158 SESSIONS: FRIDAYS 2pm to 7pm Please contact the practice or visit www.tawhillsurgery.nhs.uk for details.

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George Irwin D.Hyp. BSCH(Assoc) Registered t:gpnoairrfiin Practitione F Now at West Swindon and Highworth e-mail: georqeirwin43@aol.com

TEL: 01793 709500 • FAX: 01793 723875 E-MAIL: ENQUIRIESCATAWHILLSURGERY.NHS.UK

Tel: (01793) 887801 Members of BCA • Registered with GCC Members of the College of Chiropractors *presentation of this advert will entitle you to a free new patient consultation which will include othopaedic and neurological testing together wit a confidential report of findings (Treatment will incur a fee.

Otter excludes insurance claims)

GET FIT, LOOK GOOD

32

Diets. Do they work?

Health & Beauty at the De Vere Swindon...

Hannah Fishlock, State Registered Dietician at the Great Western Hospital, considers what you really have to do to lose weight

Have you overindulged this Christmas?

Feel in need of detox treatment for the new year?

Try one of our detox treatments or purchase a New Year Survival Kit which includes Detox Seaweed Bath, Detox Salt Scrub and a Weekend Detox Guide.

This is available until the end of January at the special price of £35.00 (normally £51.00) For more information or to book treatments ca ll the Health & Beauty Suite direct on 0 17 9 3 889362

THE DE

De Vera Hotel, Shaw Ridge Leisure Park, Whitchi0 Way, Swindon, SN5 T G Tel: 01793 878785 Fan: 01793 877822 u^rw.devereswiedon.co.uk

VERE

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New Year. New You 'January Offers '

Keep those resolutions & visit us

We haw some fantastic offers to hero reap you iuru.,ed Buy 1 treatment & get the 2 n ° for % price on the

following treatments.

Massuae, Aromafh racy Man,Csiea, °ed :coih Fm-sic.

8rcm3 Leh Tucts&clay , eer.:, l r e,ogvE,.,-.f,V-; Other Fabulous Treats for

January...

-St Tropez Tanning-perfect for looking glum When skiing -Anti Cellulite Treatments R Body Wraps - detox delights -UV Gel Nails - first inflll free, on (January.i onruary)

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NEW BEGINNER COURSES STARTING I N JANUARY - BOOK NOW (places limited) NEW YOGA CLASSES Greendown School Tuesday: 8pm - 9pm Friday: 7.30pm - 8.30pm

NEW DAYTIME YOGA CLASS Starting January - call for details Dawn

Cole

PILATES CLASSES Holy Trinity Church, Shaw Village Centre Monday: 6pm - 7pm; Wednesday: 7.30pm - 8.30pm Taw Hill Worship Centre Tuesday:8pm - 9pm Primebodies Fitness Centre Tuesday: IOam - I lam

We've all heard of the diets promising rapid weight loss with minimum effort, even allowing you to eat the foods you thought were forbidden! With more than half the population overweight or obese, and most of us wishing we were thinner, its no wonder the dieting industry is booming.

But do these diets work? To lose weight the energy that you take in from food (calories) needs to be less than the energy that you use up in a day (daily activity plus any structured exercise).

In this situation your body is forced to burn up body fat i stores to fuel the deficit. Result weight loss. Simple.

Any 'diet' will find a way to ensure that you eat fewer calories than you need. This often leads to rapid initial weight lossbuta difficult to maintain or unhealthyorunbalancedeatingregime.

So, what happens when you get bored with eating the same foods day in day out or begin to crave some of the essential foods that you are strictly avoiding? In many cases you cheat, eventually ditching the diet and regaining the weight lost by returning to original unhealthy eating habits, It's pretty simple. There is no quick fix to weight loss. The key is to work towards changing unhealthy habits into healthy ones in the long term and maintaining these for life.

A healthy, balanced diet is generally low calorie eating; regular meals, low fat, low sugar, at least five portions of fruit and vegetables a day, high fibre starchy foods, low fat dairy products and small amounts of protein, plus plenty of low calorie drinks.

Within this framework, what you choose to eat is based on your preferences and if most of your food intake is healthy you can allow yourself a small treat now and again — no foods are forbidden.

Importantly, combine this with an active lifestyle and some structured exercise and you will become a healthier, fitter, lighter and happier person. Use the stairs not the lift, find reasons to get up from your desk and walk around the office, take the bus/cycle instead of using the car, do something active in the evenings rather than veg out in front of the TV.

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Remember, whatever you do and however motivated you are to change, your unhealthy habits have taken many years to get established, you won't change them overnight.

Set yourself small goals, things that are fairly easy to achieve and use your achievements to move you forward in small steps. Enlist the support of family and friends, find someone to exercise with or join in classes or team sports and make friends on the way. These all help you to keep motivated and that's what you need to achieve.

However you do it, weight loss takes time and effort, stick with it, the health benefits and emotional kick you will receive when you notice changes in your body are well worth the effort. Trust me!

The place to launch your New Year's resolution A visit to one of Swindon Council Active Lifestyle Centres is a good way to ease into exercise if you've not done much lately.

Assuming you have a SwindonCard there's no joining fee, you don't have to commit to big monthly charges and you don't have to wear fancy stretchy lycra to show off.

It's pay as you go and you get expert guidance on how to use up to date exercise equipment. The only initial cost is a £5 induction.

There areALCsatthe LinkCentre, tel: 445566, and the Oasis, tel: 445401.

AND FEEL BETTER IN 2004

33

Climbing for clean water

CHERRI ANN MATTHEWS

Swindon's new outdoor specialist shop Mountain Shack joined forces with WaterAid at the end of November to sponsor an indoor climb at the Link Centre to match the efforts of Alan Hinkes, the UK's top high altitude mountaineer.

II HHT FICHT Make 2004 your year to look good!

See this season's new make-up collection, the latest anti-ageing skin care. expert beauty advice and free hostess gifts.

Add friends and your favourite drink!

Flexible pan time job or a new career Most of our party plan consultants have another job. but they have a lot more fun at a Virgin make-up party.

Holistic Therapist & Reiki Master/Teacher NewYear - NewYou Are you stressed out, overweight, have a phobia or want to give up smoking?

Then EFT, the fast and effective new therapy, is the answer!

They can also earn more money too - enough to payoff their credit card pay for a holiday, new car or achieve their dreams.

To host a pa rt y or for details of becoming a consultant. call Rachael on 877870

Call today for a free brochure or informal consultation.

Discounts and

gift vouchers available.

•

John Roe front right with WaterAid volunteer Steve Pagett u'ho works for Thames Water and colleagues Kim Cook and Pam Holley. On the wall Stuart McInnes and Simon Ager

Alan, a supporter of WaterAid, who is aiming to climb the world's fourteen mountains over 8,000 metres, opened the Mountain Shack shop in the Brunel Centre in early November.

To boost WaterAid's vital work to improve water quality and s an itation in under developed countries, climbers across Britain of any standard were asked to take part in fund raising climbs at 14 indoor climbing centres across the country on the same day.

On Link Centre's ten metre wall, fifty new and experienced climbers paid £25 each to climb the

equivalent of 8,000 metres.

Mountain Shack owner John Roe said he had good cause to support clean water projects. "Several years ago I contracted hepatitis following two expeditions to Canada and the Himalayas which put me off work for six months. People in poorer countries suffer constant illness and early morta li ty because of poor quality water which WaterAid is trying to do something about."

Mountain Shack can be found at 35 The Arcade in the Brunel Centre. www.mountainshack.com www.wateraid.org

EFT (Emotional Freedom Technique) - as seen on TV

• Reiki Treatments/Courses • Reflexology

• Aromatherapy Indian Head Massage • Holistic (Swedish) Massage • Holistic Facial Massage Tel: 01793 871410 Mobile: 07720 635761

rw

TAEK

2i!I4..•

Hockey players say thanks for Lions support

SUNDA\Y 18th JNURY

Junior ice hockey players from the Link Centre who were sponsored by Swindon Lions for a week long trip to Canada last February returned the favour by handing over pennants donated by Lions clubs in the Ottawa area.

Eighty players aged 6 to 18 made the trip, playing nine games and taking part in training with Canadian coaches.

Alan Mitchell from Swindon Lions zoith players from the under 10s hockey club, Chris Beale, Zachery Dolphin, Jacob Ford

Slimmers get male encouragement The Slimming World class in Haydon Wick is now being run by Rob Leighfield who became a consultant after shedding 561bs.

Now a trim 12 stone Rob hopes his example will encourage both men and women to join his class on a Monday fr om 6.30pm to 8pm at St John's Church. Details of other Slimming World classes are on page 30.

0

0

0

Children's class fully booked until September 2004 Rob, before losing 4 stone

^2^ oo

pe^^

For your free information pack, call Sarah on 01749 343385 or email: sarah.nash@talk2l.eom

34 The Link Magazine • January 2004

Garage sponsors school players Keen footballers at Abbey Meads School will be sporting a new name on their shirts in the New Year thanks to The Link.

Advertisers MOTest at the Hawksworth Industrial Estate have agreed to sponsor the school and players will be choosing shirt designs to be printed with the MOTest logo in January. Watch out for a team line-up in a future edition.

WHO GIVES YOU SPEEDY MOT TESTING 7 DAYS A WEEK WITH NO APPOINTMENT ...... AND MORE?

From warm bodies to car bodies There is nothing more annoying that seeing the value of your vehicle reduced in front of your eyes from an accidental scratch, or worse a dent left by an unthinking fellow driver.

But now Shiatsu practitioner lower than conventional body Mike Jeffers from Nine Elms has shops. turned his healing hands to repairMike and Barbara will be available to meet potential customers ing cosmetic damage to cars.

Together with his wife Barbara, and explain the Trimline techMike has just launched TrimLine niques at Asda Walmart in the Systems, a mobile service offering North Swindon Centre car park on quick, professional and high qual- Saturday 10 and Sunday 11 Januity repairs at a convenient time ary.

Get a quote and you could win a and place.

Using state of the art techniques free repair. Alternatively, call and products, bumper scuffs, paint 07050 266325 or mail: info@ chips, scratches, and interior trim trimlineswindon.co.uk to arrange can be repaired to showroom a quote for a repair standards, with costs appreciably www.trimlineswindon.co.uk

MOBILE CAR SERVICING IN REPAIRS Electronic tuning * Welding * Electrical work * MoTs arranged (no re-test fee) For a reliable local service with over 25 years experience (No VAT to pay)

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3 Helpful service with 30 years experience 3 Modern through to classic cars/vans welcome 3 Large vans & motor homes up to 3500kg (class 7)

• Business Sales Department w and Used tar bales

rvice (FREE collection & delivery)

3 Two testing lanes for speedy turnaround

EE courtesy cars

3 Fully equipped modern repair workshop

its and accessories

3 12 months MOT reminder system

Hawksworth Industial Estate, Swindon (close to the Oasis Leisure Centre)

Tel: 613448 C^EN^ i

FAWCETT'S GARAGE (SWINDON) LIMITED Unit 1, Callenders, Paddington Drive Churchward Park, Swindon SN5 7YW.

Tel: 01793 881110 NtsoSnwr ES!,!,

The Link M

Ready to deal with any crisis New on the roads around Swindon is a recently commissioned emergency support vehicle based at Westlea Fire Station.

The Mercedes is packed with ties which improves our ability to equipment to cope with all even- respond more effectively." tualities, from chemical spillages Firefighters Andy Collins and Steve to road traffic accidents.

Field with the Westlea based emerFirefighter Steve Field said the gency support vehicle support vehicle is one of four purpose built for the Wiltshire brigade and based at strategic points E, + around the county. "The emer- --r-fl fl 4 • r. gency truck is much larger than c 1 the one it replaced and there is a greater range of equipment which ] •'. is secured in purpose built racks and trays so that we can get at what we need quickly and easily. p 'The vehicle has huge capabili-

35

:i ne • January 2004

;• Car Park

PARKING CENTRAL SWINDON

Valeting

Now open at West Swindon Shopping Centre (car park B)

Annual long stay parking from only £58.08 per month

Prices from £4.99 q Quick and convenient

Contact Christine Jenkins Tel: 01793 - 690600

q No booking needed

q Trained and qualified r Fully insured

Jll J

Tel:

549203 or drop

o

o

your partner in business

in and see us Car Park Valeting

1st Peatmoor Guides made a visit to Westlea Fire Station in December to prepare for their fire safety badge. The girls were shown round the emergency support vehicle by firefighters Sean Tarr and Shaun Carpenter

..

M.O.T.

Cars • Motorcycles

01793 428430 More than just your local bus company

T Thamesdown oK s ow>it if clalaftg Corporation

Street.

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Providing friendly & efficient

c Gyy ywt

* servicing

+ Dent removal + Bumper scuffs + Stonechips + Interior trim repair ♦ Windscreen repair

* engine & gearbox rebuilds =Il * electrical repairs _ * brake and clutch

J

repairs

*

cam belt

K

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'

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a/1 14 s^a21 4u a4uuu^i da aac/,e

Service Check ^k MOT repairs

* sales

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ALL MAKES OF CAR SERVICED AND REPAIRED

/

We visit your home or premises for a convenient and fast repair

OPTIMA Tel: (01793) 840667

#U at ced r

..

.N ►alm

us at Asda 10th & SundaYN 1th Saturday on

Eeet

SwifldOfl

(There's a chance to win a free repair)

36

The Lin k Mag azine • January 2004

Buyer beware. Know your rights Rosemary Clifford from Westlea recounts a saga of mis-selling, misrepresentation and legal harassment. If you've bought an item for Christmas or in the sales which has gone wrong, its worth reading on.

In February 20021 bought Nokia was entitled to was a repair under phone and in person on several 8210 mobile phone for £170 from the 12 month warranty and was occasions. Each time I was rethe West Swindon branch of given the address to send it away ferred on; twice I was told that Dixons. myself. I was not happy but felt themanagerwas'toobusytosee 1 i mmediately discovered a mi- that I had no other option than to me.' urt jud 9, nor faultand wentback to the store. do what I was told.

I eventually complained to ,.y I was encouraged to carry on using Four attempts at repair were Dixons customer care departthe phone 'to see how I got on.' made over the next six weeks, cur- ment who said they would get Within two months it had devel- ing some but not all the faults. I the manager to contact me. oped several more serious faults struggled on with the phone until When he did it was to say that so I went back to Dixons to ask for April 03, after the sixth repair, I if I wanted a refund I would a refund. But I was refused as I had asked again for a replacement. have to contact the company's had the phone for more than 16 This time I asked Nokia and 02 solicitor! days. I therefore asked for a re- who refused and told me to go back At this point I visited the placement but was told that all I to Dixons. I contacted the shop by Trading Standards' Advisor at w the Safer Swindon Shop to ask for help. To my surprise she told me that not only should I have had a refund when I reported fund when I first asked for one?

Why did the litigation departthe first fault to the shop, but I was ment go to such lengths to try and also entitled to a refund or a reLet Stress Busters Accounting Services help placement when I went back two frighten me off? Why didn't they by taking away the tension and worry. months later with further faults. try and settle out of court? They Had I been happy for the phone to should have known they would We help with personal, sole trader, partnership be repaired, the shop should have not have a leg to stand on. What and small business bookkeeping and accounting needs. did it all prove - except what bad organised it for me.

Self assessment tax return from £50 She suggested the time had come customer care Dixons offer.

VAT/bookkeeping from £25 per month Look at the number of almost to write to Dixons asking for a full These are just some examples of our highly competitive rates refund within 14 days or else I identical complaints to be found at We fit in with your availability: daytime, evenings or weekends would take them to the Small the web site the Dixons Support Claims Court. I did this and two Group: http: / / groups.msn.com / Free collection and delivery of records. Free initial meeting letters followed from Dixons say- DSGretailsupportgroup Call 07952 433548 for a worry free future The moral of this story is know ing that as the phone was now Or mail: stressbusters.accountingservice@virgin.net more than 12 months old I was no your rights and be prepared to stand up for them. If you are entilonger entitled to anything.

I filed the papers with the Small tled to a refund, do not leave the Claims Court in June. What fol- shop until you get one or else comlowed I can only describe as total plain to the head office.

If they still won't pay up, take dera ment by e llerialdepartment. I received ived a letter al- them to the Small Claims Court. If most once a week asking for detail enough people do this perhaps we after detail to prove my claim. They will stop getting such shoddy servwanted to know the names of eve- ice from our local chain stores.

I one p I had spoken to each time • The Safer Swindon Shop is in complained,the relevant dates and and Havelock Street, Swindon. Tel: even petrol receipts for each jour- 525114. aev I made to the shop. They also anted copies of itemised bills to prove each 'phone call I had made Group support for (costing £25 from BT for the entire James Butcher Housing period) and they wanted an inde- carers of drug users pendent engineer - of their choos- Swindon Druglink will be runAssociation provides a ng and costing me £90- to test the ning an ongoing support group wide choice of quality, phone to prove it was faulty. forparents,family members and affordable housing for This was despite the fact that I carers of persons misusing had discovered on theinternetthat drugs. those in retirement in the the Nokia 8210 was the subject of This group will provide memSwindon area. court cases in America and Aus- berswiththeopportunitytodraw tralia for being sold when it had on experiences of drug related proven inherent faults which could family problems within a safe Tel: 01672 515622 environment supported by pronot be cured, www.jbha.co.uk By the time the case came to fessional facilitators.

It will enable members to discourt in October I had a file full of letters to and from Dixons and I cover appropriate strategies to would notbe put off. Guess what— manage their problems.

The group will run every TuesI WON! (ahot c).

The judge said I was 'undeni- day evening from 20 January at a bly entitled to damages' and I got the Well Woman Centre, Milton Housing Association Road Health Hydro. m yrefund uld and court expenses.

Providing accommodation throughout the central and south of England.

For more details call Gina But I can't help thinking —why why?

A charity, incorporated as an Industrial and Provident Society No. 16602 R. Moroney on 610133.

Y at Druglink $ Why didn't Dixons give me a re-

Stressed out trying to make sense of your self assessment tax return?

WeOfr4e

Ok4n

James Butcher

37

The Link Magazine • January 2004

Author reveals secrets to young readers

It's all a game at North library The success of the games club at West Swindon Library is to be reproduced at North Swindon Library when a new club is launched on Tuesday 13 Janu-

ary, 4pm to 6pm.

Experienced garners and youngsters who would like to learn how to play are invited to become members.

Just turn up and take ers Katie Barnett and Dawn Carpenter, librarian Matthew part.

Brown and Jason Hewington from Games Workshop

Homework club for older pupils GCSEs are looming and the pressure is mounting on sixteen year olds to complete course work.

In response the Support Our sterscanfocusontheircoursework Kids homework club at North and revision targets.

Swindon Library will be continuBooks and free internet access ing until April and is being opened are available for research, and the up to pupils studying for GCSEs. library can provide free photoThe club is run as a drop-in ses- copying. A support tutor is also sion on Wednesday afternoons, available to suggest ways of find4.30pm to 7.30pm, where young- ing out relevant information.

Swindon libraries' four month long project to find the town's teenagers favourite book closed at the end of the year with votes being counted for the shortlisted five books.

One of the authors short listed by teenagers in Swindon was award winner Gillian Cross, who visited West Swindon Library on 3 December to talk to youngsters abou t her books.

She was asked questions about the inspira ti on behind her well known stories, The Denson Headmaster and the Great Elephant Race.

Gillian Cross with Bradon Forest pupils Ashler/ Lucas, Laura Randall-Smith, Annabelle Black

Goivg away on

SCRUPLES

kolidcnj ov

PET SITTIN.M

&

A caring service at competitive rates.

o

bcssiv ss?

Creature Comforts

0

^.

• Home / pet si tt ing - live in or out • Home visits - including feeding/ walkies • Dog walking

A volunteer to select and deliver library materials to housebound people in West Swindon is needed. The commitment is for a half a day every three weeks. For details call Home Library Co-ordinator Debs Osorio on 707127 or mail: dosorio@swindon.gov.uk

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

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

Telephone Sheila Mitchell for further details on 873062

Portraits

c

ent

from

You can be sure of a total peace of

Contact Helen Murphy Tel: 01793 635498 Mobile: 07798 568462 E-mail: helen.murphy2@ntlworld.com

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

t

>:r

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A friendly, caring service for you and your pet David Wames BVSc MRCVS

-

For that extra special keepsake. call Vikki

Consultations by appointment: Monday - Friday 8.30am - 7.30pm

Saturday 9.00am - 4.00pm 24 HOUR EMERGENCY SERVICE

01793 513536 or 0779 9605045

e: v.loebereavirgin.net

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THE DROVE VETERINARY HOSPITAL

Abbeymeads Veterinary Surgery For all your pets needs when healthy or ill Unit 5 Abbe y meads Village Centre Elstree Way Abbeymeads Swindon Tel: (01793) 728728

For details, please call Estelle on 07810 814953 or Tracey on 01367 253844 or 07799 488652 e-mail: tracey@hoefnagels.fsnet.co.uk

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• Travel to airports / ferry ports • Transport/collection from any

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For otters, 'r

Thames wood prices•advicea information, log on Small Animal Hospital to our wed site 24 hour Emergency Service Swindon's most modern small animal hospital, offering high quality surgical and medical care at competitive prices within a caring, fi-iendl y and professional em'ironnrent. .

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3.30pm - 5pm; 5.30pm - 6.30pm Saturday 12noon - 3pm

24 HR ESIERGENCY SERVICE - All Sunda y and Emergenc y consults b,N appointment at The Drove Veterinar y Hospital - Telephone (01793) 522483

Open all day: Monday - Friday.

Saturday 9am - 1l am I*

Consultations by appointment. Ample free parking

38 The Link Magazine • January 2004

Bright entrance to school The December Link exclusively featured a sculpture created by

DUNCAN

Gordon Dickinson of No Added Sugar to mark Westlea's twentieth birthday.

Gordon's steel figure of a parent and child called Together stands close to a welcome arch at the school's front entrance, put up ten years ago.

He returned in November to refurbish the arch, cutting out new letters and designing symbols suggested by children to be attached to the structure.

Gordon said, "they came up with great ideas for the shapes. There's the key of knowledge on the centre post with the sun which represents the warmth and friendship in the school, plus birds which remind us that no matter what the barriers, we can let our imaginations fly.

"It was a lot of fun decorating the arch and I have to say thank you to Hannah Godfrey and Jemima Williamson who were incredibly helpful assistants."

Westlea headteacher Suzanne Seaton said, "the arch is fantastic.

It's bright, fresh, thought provoking and epitomises what Westlea School is all about."

Above, a welcoming view, from left

F 'SELF DRIVE HIRE ?—z,^oeae

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ee

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Tel: 822193 Radio de-coding while you wait FREE PARKING Open daily 8.30am - 5.30pm Sundays 8.30am - 9.30am

H VISA

Make the most of paper and cardboard in 04 Use the collection box and we'll do the rest WHAT CAN BE PUT OUT FOR RECYCLING? Z Newspapers 0 Magazines Q BT Phone Books • Catalogues Z Flyers

headteacher Suzanne Seaton, Jacob

C Junk mail Card, cereal boxes and cardboard packaging Envelopes with plastic windows Z Z Yellow Pages

WHAT SHOULD NOT BE PUT OUT: X Non-paper material!

U Paper and card which is not clean

WHAT ELSE DO I NEED TO KNOW? ) Please do not over-fill the box.

O Please keep the papers as dry as possible by using the lid provided.

J Please do not put papers into plastic bags inside the box.

O If you do not wish to take part please call the number below to arrange for your box to be collected

You can also recycle glass, cans, textiles, books, foil and paper at numerous recycling sites across Swindon.

Please call the number below to find your nearest site or visit www.recycle-more.co.uk and type in your postcode For more information and also paper collection dates, call 463463

r l

h

SwI d©n ^'

Services

.nk .

r

)'1111111111M trees

t;^t Swmoon

Roberts, deputy head Karen Winterburn, Sunil Rana, Charley Hill, Tyler Roberts, Laura Hale, Toni Robinson of No Added Sugar, Hannah Godfrey, Jordon Bonello, Gordon Dickinson

Call to support St George The Royal Society of St George Wiltshire Branch is calling on people to celebrate England's patron saint on 23 April, which will be the 11700" anniversary of the martyrdom of St George The basis of the Swindon branch was founded five years ago but only recognised as a branch of the society in April last year. Founded in 1894 it now has over 10,000 members worldwide.

The aims are to promote the celebration of St George's Day, to raise money for charities and good causes in the county and/or provide a service to them and to hold a St George's Day service in Salisbury Cathedral.

Over the last nine months Swindon members have raised money for charity at the Old Town Festival and the White Horse Show.

Branch chairman Lloyd James said he hopes that many more people will celebrate St George's Day and would be pleased to hear from anybody who would like to know more about St George and the local branch. Call him on 827620.

39

The Link Maaazine • Januar y 2004

Feed a feathered friend this winter There are usually some very cold days in January and February with few natural sources of bird food. Help birdlife pull through to the Spring by making your own bird feeders from empty plastic milk bottles, writes Swindon Wildlife Officer Neil Pullen for Wiltshire Wildlife Trust.

Wash a litre milk bottle, leave while anything that £2.50 a bag, you'll be ferent bird species. Windfall apthe top on and carefully cut two U- falls on the ground helping wildlife twice. ples are a magnet for blackbirds shaped flaps about two centime- should be eaten by A share of the profit goes and songthrushes, both of which tres from the bottom, on opposite ground-feeders such as back into the Wildlife are declining. sides of the bottle. Bend the flap robins, dunnocks and Trust work across the Birds also need a constant supupwards to a 90-degree angle (to sparrows.

UK. ply of clean, fresh water from a stop all the food falling out!). Put a One common birds It's important to bird-bath or any shallow container. stick or piece of dowelling through such as the house wash out the bird And by the way, reusing the milk the bottle, just under the flaps, as a sparrow are becoming feeder with hot soapy bottle means it does not sit in a Tree sp 2rrow perch. Pierce two holes in the bot- a threatened species water every couple of landfill site for hundreds of years.

by And v Hay tle top and put string through. and the domestic garweeks. And try to hang For more information contact Now buy some wild bird seed den is now one of their most im- your bird-feeder in a place where Neil Pullen, Swindon Environment mix, and add some black sunflower portant havens. cats will find it difficult to pounce. Centre, 47b Fleet Street, Swindon. seeds. This will attract greenIf you buy your bird seed from the It's a good idea to provide a Tel: 526228 or mail wwtswindon@ finches, chaffinches and bluetits, Swindon Wildlife Project Office at wide range of food to attract dif- cix.co.uk

Lunch club looks like

LANDSERVE

it's off to a good start

Garden Maintenance

A new lunch club launches at Toothill Community Centre on Friday 9 January with some 40 members already signed up.

The club can cater for fifty people over the age of 55 from any part of West Swindon. The cost of lunch will be £2, plus a one off £2 membership fee.

Call Annette Kennedy weekday mornings on 614492 for details. To book a lunch call her by Wednesday noon.

& Landscaping For Your Garden Grass Cutting Regular Maintenance

LANDSCAPES

Patios & Brick Block Paving Hedge Cutting & Pruning No Job Too Small. Free Quotations

Call Martin Emery 11I Hort. on 01793 870956

CL Timber New & reclaimed

LANDSCAPE SERVICES www.horticare.co.uk

New & old

O Paving, Walling

0 Fencing, Patios 0

Water Features

sleepers, ply,

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"No job too small'!

Delive ry arranged in Swindon area

For reliable service and quality work

Drop by or tel: 8297 15

Tel: 01367 710772 Mob: 0775 4245160

d= .

Landscaping

The volunteer cooks and helpers who got some practice for the new lunch club by preparing Christmas dinner for eighty five over 55s at Toothill Community Centre in early December, from left, Marie Denton, Sandra Brown, Pat Walters, Anita Buggins, Sue Hull, Annette Kennedy, Maureen Sherry

EDEN

III

^fl

Professional Care w

p

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*3 Patios * Pond * Turfing ** Fencing Garden maintenance * Garden design * Decking * Pergolas ALL WORK GUARANTEED

DOCTORS JJ LANDSCAPIN LANDSCAPING & GARDEN MAINTENANCE

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Tel: 01793 873630 Mobile: 0781 8430556 e-mail: davidsmith@garden-groomers.com www.garden-groomers.com

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IG

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• Fencing - closeboard, panels etc.

• Drives and patios - slabs. concrete, shingle • Patio cleaning, grass cutting. gardens tidied up • Turfing and grass seeding • Ponds & pergolas i

GARDEN LAWN & HEDGE CUTTING

LAND

,

Contact: 01793 692687 lobile:0771I253508

40

Digital station swamped with interest from Link readers

MW

Swindon FM's search for new staff in the November Link could not have gone better writes Carl Humphreys.

The station has been inundated year on digital radio in January with offers from potential present- 2004 and will mark its anniversary ers, engineers and other people pre- by counting down Swindon's Faparedtohelpoutbehind thescenes. vourite 100 put together from lisFollowing a series of interviews, a teners'votes accumulated over the number of them will be starting last two months. work in the near future.

There is still time to take part.

However, if you are interested Send your three favourite songs of in joining Swindon's only dedi- all time along with any reason cated digital service, it is not too why these are particularly special late: contact Carl Humphreys on to you to Swindon's Favourite 100, mail: carlh@ Swindon FM, 10 - 14 High Street, or 509892 swindonfm.co.uk Swindon SN1 3EP or mail: Swindon FM celebrates its first studio@swindonfm.co.uk All those who enter will be in line to win tickets to see concerts at Wembley Arena or a digital radio to hear their selections being resolution? played.

Swindon Volunteers is a great The station aims to provide it place to find out about volunteeringopportunities across the town. digital service on a full time basis They are in touch with hundreds to Swindon and the surrounding of organisations covering a huge area in the early part of 2004.

It also hopes to undertake two range of activities catering from trial broadcasts on FM in March the youngest to the oldest.

Swindon Volunteer staff will dis- and September with the ultimate cuss your interests and match you aim of obtaining a full FM broadwith an organisation who needs casting licence for Swindon when you. For details of how to make the this becomes available.

To keep up to date with all tha most of your time in the New Year, call 420557 or mail: info@ is happening with the station, listen each weekend on digital radio swindonvolunteers.org.uk www.swindonvolunteers.org.uk or via www.swindonfm.co.uk

Looking for a 2004

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Telephone for a free estimate: 07774-208527 days or 870515 eves.

•

Domestic & commercial Suites, curtains, rugs Stain protection Odour treatments Insecticide treatments

J.F.K BUILDING SERVICES

COMPLE'n: PROPERTY SERVICES (Formerly Merlin Property Services)

Kitchens Bathrooms I Renovations 2 Alterations I Industrial maintenance + Plumbing + Electrical UPVC Doors & Windows + Carpentry + Floor & wall tiling Painting & decorating

Extensions, Alterations, Renovations All aspects of garden construction including fencing All general building work

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42 !L_

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Bathroom & kitchen installations

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& decorating • Tiling Wallpaper hanging • Replacement skirtingboards, •

•

coving, picture rails Laminate flooring fitted And other carpentry & building services

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UPVC windows Et doors Conservatories, fascias and guttering Roofing Et building maintenance

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Painting, decorating, ceramic tiling

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F LOORING

♦

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All aspects of flooring: wood to carpet

• • •

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Up and Over, Roller & Sectional Garage Doors Remote Operation Doors aoARAGED00N 2 Year Guarantee Maintenance Free Doors

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Superb Security Locking Facilities Highly trained fitters Full Back-up services

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Largest stockists of top quality branded products in the South West of England

MASTERFITTER

Broken Handles & Cables Replaced

Wood & ceramics • Supply or fit only Commercial/domestic • Safety flooring All work guaranteed • 14 years experience 1

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Call now for a free, at home consultation

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Mobile: 07860 760364 II

N.G. Dyer Property Maintenance

All types of plumbing undertaken - leaking taps, pumps, tanks, burst pipes, machines installed

security lighting garden electrics power & electric showers

BUILDING SERVICES

Also • Floor & wall tiling • Plastering • Plumbing • Internal & external • Building work undertaken

Domestic, commercial & industria

installations. Maintenance & repairs lighting rewiring

BATHROOMSJKITCHENS

07970 865883 25 Kennet Avenue, Greenmeadow

HO ME

MAINTENANC E

G R SERVICES Interior and exterior painting, decorating & tiling Gardening/fencing/patios Roof repairs Fascia & guttering

Replacement and cleaning service Friendly, reliable and competitive Call Glen on: 01793 487450 07774 841879

Tel: 01793 513796 Maxwell House Maxwell Street Swindon SN1 5DR www.garagedoorsupplies.co.uk • email: swindondoorservices@btinternet.com

HOUSE/GARDEN D & G HOUSE

MAINTENANCE

& GARDEN MAINTENANCE

ALL EXTERNAL & INTERNAL WORK Tel/Fax: 01793 723495

Mobile: 07771 617992 All garden work Concreting paths Patio repairs Repair or replace small walls Grass cutting Hedges & trees cut Plumbing repairs Toilets, wash

Building Small roof repairs Guttering and Fascia All carpent ry External painting Internal painting & decorating Electrical

basins, bath taps,

Replace sockets

Extra sockets overflows repaired or replaced Outside lights ALL WORK GUARANTEED, FULLY INSURED

GENERAL MAINTENANCE SERVICES

All inte r ior and exterior maintenance problems solved

• Bathrooms & • Carpentry kitchens • Fascia/ cladding • Plumbing • Painting • Electrical Quality service guaranteed Fully insured Special rates for senior citizens Free no obligation quotation Tel: 01793 434184 or 07719 272393

www.generalmaintenanceservices.co .0 Our reputation is built on your satisfaction

43

CARPENTRY J&R Carpentry

BUILDING SERVICES

G.P. Building Specialist Ltd

Extensions and loft conversion specialists Also painting, decorating and paperhanging

Maintenance work undertaken Est 15 years

For a free quotation call 07767 417079 (day) or

SG

INSTALLATIONS

ELECTRICIAN

Dave Ody

C7*Wadsworth ELECTRICAL

New installations • Showers Extensions • Extra sockets Re-wires • Security lighting

% L Ali ,& A

New fuse boards

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Free quotes

For quality windows and doors Tel: 01793 331551 07775621764/07799 284998

24hr call out facility

FENSA See our advert on page 8

Tel: 01793 878609 Mobile: 07885 543294

HEATIN G & PLUMBING

HEATIN G & PLUMBING

M'OPOS Heating & Plumbing

HEATING, GAS &

PLUMBING

For gas central heating, bathrooms, showers and all other plumbing & heating b work

Central heating installations,

CALL 01793 522579

boiler servicing and repairs,

MOBILE: 07816 906437 matt@mpshcating.co.uk www.mpsheating.co.uk

SERVICES

bathroom and power showers All aspects of pintnbing

Tel: ®

Ova 674r6

Quality Domestic Electrical Installations Extractor fans Outside lighting Pond pumps Power to sheds & garages Extra lights & sockets Electric showers Experienced & reliable

Tel: 01793 821377 Mob: 07930 284293

HEATIN G & PLUMBING I

PLASTERING

Brian Jones lastering Services External rendering

* Plastering two coat * Re-skimming ** Dry lining * Coving * New or repairs

Tel: 01793 849010

Mobile: 07976 572905

Re 8 : 187606

P LASTERING

1 1st Call

Plastering Services F • Fully insured • Quality workmanship • Competitive rates

All aspects of plastering covered Tel: 01793 882329 M: 07766 525959

Tel: 01793 887690 Mobile: 07798 682271

NEWTECH U .K. Ltd New electrical installations Additional sockets and lights Additional telephone points Security lighting & alarms Fault finding & repair Electric showers

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Rewires P.C. networks

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FREE QUOTES Phone 01793 877032 Mobile 07711 458026 All work guaranteed and undertaken by a qualified engineer

HEATING & PLUMBINGI RJ PEARCE

Don't be left out in the

COLD this winter!

All gas appliances serviced, repaired & installed Landlord/moving house safety inspections Bathroom suites installed and all other

plumbing work undertaken Central heating systems flushed (powerf lash)

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PLUMBING & HEATING LTD 20 years experience in plumbing work • Central heating • Bathrooms & showers • Competitive

rates All work guaranteed • No job too small

Hot water systems descaled

Quote on request 24 hour call out Natural gas & LPG qualified British Gas trained

01793 815254

Insurance backed guaranteed

I ELECTRICIAN

ROB HAL •

IO years

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Full range of finishes

ELECTRICIAN

For all your domestic & commercial requirements

NATHAN PERKINS LTD

Windows Doors Porches Conservatories

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Free no obligation quotes Kevin Cook Tel: 814833 or 07776 142981

01793 435876 (eve)

DOUBLE GLAZING

Srvks

O Fitted bedrooms and kitchens O Replacemen & staircase Laminate floors 0 Household repairs and general maintenance O Decking - supplied and fitted

CONSERVATORIES

Reg: 202015

Tel: 722449 • Mob: 07956 410982

PLASTERING

L.P.A PLASTERING From a patch to a whole: house Free estimates Mobile: 07909 983462 Tel: 01 793 530416

For further details

call Richard on N.

01793 879156 or 07747 723606

Reg: 203455

I PLUMBING General plumbing

services • Radiators • Pumps • Tanks t• Boilers • Cylinders • Burst pipe y • Taps • Washing machine installed A local service by

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Sao

Tel: 01793 435392

SERI/ICE

44

ACCOUNTANCY

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The tax and accountancy service for small businesses and taxpayers Self assessment • Tax returns Annual accounts • Book-keeping PAYE • VAT etc • Employed Self employed • In business

For a free initial discussion call Lyndon Day Tel/Fax: 01793 766000

I BOOK-KEEPING I Savage Complete Book-keeping Services • Management accounts

• VAT return • Sage - payroll • Sage-accounting • Self assessment • Self employed • Small business For a professional & friendly service

call 01793 616170 for a free no obligation consultation

GARDEN SERVICES Grass cutting Hedge trimming • Regular, occasional or one-off • Long grass no problem • Clean, tidy work • Sensible prices • Odd jobs, fencing repairs, etc.

Friendly, 7 day service

Chris Reed Swindon 538839 Mobile: 07702 285865

ACCOUNTANCY H.S.A. Accounting Services for all your accounting needs Our friendly and experienced staff are ready to help you with: VAT Returns • Tax Returns Payrolls • Construction Industry Partnerships • Sole-traders We offer a tailored service to suit all your needs Call us now for a free no obligation quote Tel: 01793 632249 Mobile: 07810 543325 helen@hsaaccountingservices.fsnet.co.uk

AERI AL S ERVICES

AE RIA L SERVI CES

Aerial & Television

CHRIS PAYNE

Services

AERIALS

• TV & FM aerials • Extra satellite points • Video & TV repairs • Freeview installation • Signal amplifiers

* Satellite TV

No call out

* Extra TV, telephone & electrical points

& SATELLITE SYSTEMS Sky & digital terrestial

charge

All work guaranteed :

Iq

Tel: 01793 702601 Mobile: 07774 943 783

CARPET CLEANING

COMPUTER SERVICES

^ jff Whiteway

www.puretechsolutions.co.uk

The Carpet & Upholstery Cleaning Specialist • Carpets. rues. curtains, suites etc • Emergency call out available • Hard floors cleaned and sealed • Stain removal • Protection treatment • Fully insured N C[+a • Quickly usable

*: Storm damage Tel: 01793 700078

SKY

Mobile: 07116236415

COMPUTER SUPPO

11 SIGMA

• Computer

repairs

Computer Solutions

• Supplies F:, • Training for home, education small business

NEW PCs/Spares/Repairs Upgrades/Service/Support Internet & Network Solutions

• Free callout service • Desktop PC's: new & used

For friendly EXPERT advice & PROMPT on-site service

You'll be amazed how affordable it is ...call for your free estimate from your local independent on 01793 731418 or mobile: 07808 355487

• Friendly professional service

Email: clitt.whiteway hiinternet.com

info@puretechsolutions.co.uk

sales@sigmacomputersolutions.co.uk

G AS SERVICES

HEATING ENGINEERI

INTERNET

Tel: 0845 128 4362 or mail:

Don't get caught cold this winter!!

GAS CARE LPG & NATURAL GAS SERVICES &

fireplaces • Cookers & Hobs

• Boilers

• Boiler changes

•

Fires

Dennis Brown. Gas Engineer

Tel: 01666 860119 Mobile: 07768 027860 BRITISH GAS 4 ^ r.0WTq,r,^„ CONTRACTOR

LAS Heating for service, repair and installation of all gas appliances 200216 and heating systems.

Competitive rates, British Gas trained Call Lee on 01793 877214 or 07956 410981

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REMOVALS / PACKING / STORAGE DENNIS'S REMOVALS THORNHILL IND ESTATE SOUTH MARSTON• SWINDON SN3 4TA TEL: (01793) 828224 FAX : (01793) 828248

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Tel: 01793 772888

What ever your trade we can review or design your business website and our package is not as expensive as you may think. for free telephone consultation ring 01793 875854, 07708 333661

RUBBISH REMOVALS COMMERCIAL & DOMESTIC RUBBISH DISPOSAL DEMOLITION

HOUSE CLEARANCE THE MAN WITH A VAN

Established over 30 years • UK & European domestic moves Container storage in our own on-site secure warehouse Professionally trained staff • Packing materials supplied Packing service available • Commercial removals & storage Archive storage & document retrieval Confidential shredding and disposal • Free Estimates

Are you happy with the way your website is helping your business?

Has it been recently revamped?

Has it been optimised for the search engines?

oremailinfo@structured.co.uk

REMOVALS & STORAGE ,,HR

Tel: 01793 633924 Mobile: 0781 6014363

(Est 1993) • 24hrs - 7 days a week • Single items to a full house • 8 different size vehicles • Disposal of unwanted items

Tel: 01793 772888 Fax: 01793 772444 EMail: ashobbs@theashgroup.freeserve.co.uk

You name it, we move it Quick and clean service Monday to Friday 8am to 6pm

Tel: 01793 772268

45

SECTOR AIRPORT TRAVEL

APPLIANCE REPAIRS

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

APPLIANCE REPAIRS

Jt

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Most leading

Same day, local service wherever possible Washing Machines

brands • Guaranteed

repairs Same day service

•

!

Twin Tubs. etc.

Tumble Driers I. S.E. Food Waste Disposal Units Service Spares Repairs

Me mber of

No call out charge • No VAT

A SUDS

Tel: 725 000 COMPUTER SUPPORT . Com IT-2C) ___

PC Support straight to your door • Computer running slow?

• Need some advice?

• Looking to upgrade?

DOMESTIC HELP

jusTTHEJOB Quali[y cleaning with pride and care

Commercial &Domestic Services Agency ARE YOU TOO BUSY TO CLEAN? 4

www.it-2-u.com

We offer: cleaninrhouse cleani n g • Ironing ^/ Gardening • Carpet cleaning ^% Also office cleaning service For full details, call us on 01793 861112 (tel/fax)

IRONING

IRONING

Equipment required?

Virus and Internet attack questions?

• Wishing to backup?

• •

01793 887883 / 07949 288996 contact@it-2-u.com p

•

• •

Creaseless Ironing Services b y Kas

6m L G bc ` h0

B LO CKED DRAINS

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

Tel: 01793 435392 OVEN CLEANING

UNCLEAN LH IRONING SERVICES

ARCHITECTURAL Complete design, plans, at planning service for New build Extensions Conversions Refurbishments For prompt service, tel: 321943

ELECTRICAL SERVICES

DRAINS ^o C

ARCHITECTURAL

E eSe SPARES • REPAIRS • SERVICE YOUR FIRST STOP FOR ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT From a 13 amp fuse or cleaner bag to fridges or vacuum cleaners we offer an efficient & person al service.

DOMESTIC APPLIANCE SERVICE CENTRE 11 The Arcade, High Street Wootton Bassett Tel: 01793 854378

REMOVALS/STORAGE

ABBEY MOVE E V ^y

The Domestic Oven Cleaning Service I

(est. 1998) One-off, weekly. fortnightly or simply whenever!

Pick up and delivery back to your front door the next day.

Good Prices

Call Karen

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01793 341644

Mobile: 07752 020722

SECURITY SYSTEMS ssaib

Crown Security Burglar alarms

Access controls CCTV • Fire alarms

Installed, repaired, maintained 24 hour monitoring for police response

For details call Doug Marshall on 433999

IRONING A CHORE??

NOT ANYMORE!!

Ironing collected & returned to your door within 24 hours.

Fully insured For a friendly, reliable service telephone 32 1 665

SKIP HIRE BASSETT SKIPS LTD 7 2, 4 or 6 ton skips Same day o ff road delivery 20 to 40 yard roll-on roll-off containers Hire the grab lorry to pick up a pile of waste

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

also undertaken

Tel (01793) 727307 Mob 07811 188564 WWW.ABBEYMOVE.CO.UK

TV & VIDEO REPAIRS I I WEB DESIGN/PC GOGGLEBOX TV & VIDEO REPAIR SERVICE

Hardcore/crushed

* Free home estimates

concrete available

No call out charge

Domestic, industrial or commercial

All repairs guaranteed

Tel: 01793 848951

Single Items / Full House Long / Short Distance Storage Specialists Packing Service Late Bookings

Tel: 01793-812738

jw, yne com'usanc SERV3CES LID Established 1993 + Fully Qualified Web Design + One-to-One PC Training + Internet & Email + Word & Excel + Digital Photography + Web Design & HTML + Competitive Hourly Rates Contact Alayne on 01793 875647 www.robaynecomputing.biz email: info@robaynecomputing.biz

46 The Link Magazine • January 2004

LEARN TO PLAY THE VIOLIN with Swindon Suzuki Strings Suitable for all ages

01793 700099 http://www.mab.tgis.co.uk

GUITAR TUITION - All levels r

- Beginners welcome Electric or Acoustic â Most styles Set ups Call Andy Hobbs on 824907 or mobile 07742 093572

http://members.lycos.co.uk/

Digital Cameras PCs, Laptops & Accessories Specialising in supplying and sourcing pre-owned, refurbished & end of line Also PC Services Setup, spares, upgrades, tuition etc.

Please telephone, fax or email with your requirements T: 01793 531201 M: 07747 747000 Fax: (11793 430774 Email: sales@amos-uk.com website: www.amos-uk.com

IJ

For Sale

<4DISC SERVICES We transfer anything onto DVD Disc - Cine Film, Video tape, Wedding Photos Phone for a leaflet or advice Tel: 01793 705333 Mobile: 07831 575758 H.O. Bath PO Box 2079 Manvers Street, Bath BA1 3TJ

DECOTEX Painter & Decorator Specialist Artexing Tel: (01793) 791388

AMETHYST ',.

CRYSTAL & REIKI HEALING ' Julie Hopkins Crystal Healer & Reiki Master Tel: 01793 870109

r fI E (UTTIN4

clue I

London trained ( 7 mobile hair stylist (^ Call Sue on 0779 6432700

Back pain, depression, fatigue, stress and many other ailments can be relieved by REFLEXOLOGY & REIKI For further information call Simone Campbell M.I.I.R. (Reg'd) r ^'01793 51141 6

Y.D.

Friday and weekends

Call 07957 166529 or 871466

NCMA Registered Childminder in Ash Brake With full/part time vacancies Non smoking environment Flexible hours • Fully enclosed garden An

& craft-outim_s-toys-hooks-cooking

For further details, call 01793 703 64 2 or 07751 4 2 7 174

materials or iii )'our own For /ii-tbe r details call 01793 871 808

Hairdressing at home Qualified & insured stylist For all your hairdressing requirements: Cut and blow dry • Highlights / lowlights • Tinting • Perming etc

on 07986 042 366

For Sale

Available Monday to Friday for school drop-offs from Sam to 9am, and pick-ups from 3pm to 9pm Also available all day on Monday, Thursday,

Gpbolstet r repairs recovering , from £ 18 ^A Large range of

Aromatherapy • Iteiki Indian Head Massage Ear Candling St Andrews Ridge Area To book(an appointment call Barbara

J V` )-A .^-^ J J

Experienced 7 years Flexible, friendly, negotiable rates

upkolstery

PURE E'SSE91^CE

www.pureessence.org.uk

Registered childminder

Contact Norja on 0794 705 5132

D V

For Sale

development 'O Self^develo p for women

9

Julia Merlo (BA Hons) Diploma in Counselling

Mob: 0781 788 9260 House to rent 2 bed, garden and garage in Westlea. newly decorated, furnished/unfurnished. gas central heating. Non-smoking. £550/ pcm. Call 872282 for details

Ice hockey kit, full kit, excludes skates, Rocking chair, brown leather, good condition. £25. Tel: 876173 adult size. £99 ono. Tel: 705479 Calvin Klein Eternity gift set, unused Belling Format electric double oven oift £25 ono. NissanMicrawheeltrims. ceramic hob good condition. £45. Tel: Police Point public 741295 £15 one. Tel: 0781 7061290 enquiry opening times Single chair, unfolds into single bed. Dishwasherfull size. 4settings. £180. ideal for guests. £30 ono. Tel: 322194 Footspa. blue. £10. Tel: 611853 Following incorrect details given Mahogany wall unit, 6ft long. 3 Cannon gas cooker. £215. Zanussi in the December Link for the North cupboards, 4 drawers, glass display fridge, £45. Corby trouser press, brand Swindon Police Point, below are the correct times for police contact and drinks cabinet. £60. Tel: 741295 new. £25. Tel: 01285 860995 Dining table and 4 chairs. one year Calorgas heater.3settingswith bottle, ! points in the Swindon area. old. beech wood effect. £40 ono. Tel: buyer collects, £45 ono. Tel: 872180 j Swindon Central Police Station, 706850 Earlexsteamwallpaperstripper, used ' Princes Street, Swindon Pine hi-fi cabinet. £25 ono. Ladies once, under guarantee. £14. Tel: Mon to Sun: 7.30am to 10pm Raleigh compact bike, offers. Oft 705119 vvestlea Police Station, artificial Xmas tree. £10 ono. Tel: 0781 Philips Magic 2 fax/phone (plain The Chesters, Westlea 7061290 paper). 6 months old approx, Mon to Fri: 8am to 4.30pm Bee vgc. easy to sail, £125 ono.

Conservatory suite, new, sale due to instruction books. excellent condition, Sat & Sun: Not open Gaastra Total Flow Fl 58", race/speed house move, rattan, 2 seater, chair, £30 ono. Tel: 721677 West Swindon, Link Avenue, sail, vgc, £90 ono. Tel: 824562 (eves) table, £450. Tel: 701442 Coal basket with real coals. 13.5 x West Swindon Centre 18.5. modern style. used twice, £20.

Mon, Tues, Sat, Sun: 12noon to 2pm Tel: 813162 Wed, Thurs, Fri: 4pm to 6pm AHP (u3m) Powerwave 262 (2001), Send to: The Link, Papermakers House, Rivenhall Road, Westlea, used twice, vgc, £350 ovno. Tel: North Swindon Swindon Centre Swindon SN5 7BD, by 12th of the month Mon, Tues, Sat, Sun: gam to 11am 824562 (eves) Megadrive in carrying case and a few Wed, Thurs, Fri: 7pm to 9pm games. £20 ono. Tel: 638300 Swindon Police can be contacted Gameboy Advance new, boxed, full on 528111 for general enquiries. instructions, includes one game: Fifa Football 2003. £44. Tel: 870792 Competition winner Tel: Mobility scooter, four wheels, very Mrs S Hayes, Sharp Close, Shaw modern, £725 ono. Tel: 876969 Name & Address (not for publication) won the family ticket to see Trailer 4 x 3, galvanised with cover Goldilocks and the Three Bears at and lights, as new, £120. Tel: 725756 the Wyvern Theatre in December.

L ------------------- J Britax Freeway carseat 6 months to 4yrs, vgc, £25. Mothercare Explorer 0 - 4yrs. jungle design. vgc. £25. Baby multi gym £5. Tel: 872460 Pram, Britax travel system including car seat. cosytoes. raincover, excellent conditon. with guarantee, £50. Tel: 618718 Hauck Winnie the Pooh high/low chair, padded. reclines, hardly used, cost £120, £75. Tel: 875714 3 foot speed boat remote control with charger and carry case, excellent working order. £90. Tel: 872645 Health Rider exercise machine. £500 new. sell for £80 no offers. Tel: 522168 Windsurfing items: Fanatic (V3M)

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