July 2016 Swindon Link

No 410 July 2016

Swindon’s largest free news publication. Est. 1978

Est. readership: 75,000

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Community News

Super surprise birthday honour for North Swindon school head Jackie Smith, executive principal of Uplands Special School, was named in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List on 10 June in recognition of her Services to Education.

She said: “There are things in your life you think might happen but to be awarded an honour like this was a surprise. Once it had sunk in, I realised that it was both recognition of my career and the importance of education and development of young people with disabilities.”

Jackie took up her first headship at Uplands in 2009. The school has since become a national leader in its field and expanded significantly.

Jackie continued: “My work at Uplands is not necessarily what I’ve done because that’s not how education works; it’s about what everybody involved is prepared to do. I came in very fresh faced and joined a staff absolutely ready for change. We examined everything and refocussed how we provide education and support to the young people and their families.

“It’s been a really exciting journey and my job has been to provide the guidance and leadership; the staff around me are so dedicated to delivering the best education to young people.

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“I know I have a reputation for getting things done and not letting things stand in my way, but it’s all about seeing what’s right for the students, for the staff and the families.”

Uplands today is a great deal more than a school. Jackie is now executive headteacher with oversight of Uplands Educational Trust which was set up in 2012 and Deidre Fitzpatrick is head of Uplands responsible for ensuring high quality teaching and learning.

Under the auspices of the UET, there are now three charity shops which provide work experience for students. The Segal Centre provides supported learning and social enterprise for 19 to 25 year olds. It opened with ten students, there are now 75. There’s also a small farm near Minety, a social enterprise centre in Penhill and a tie-in with a housing association to provide supported housing to students.

Jackie said: “It all started because I wanted to rent a shop to give students real world work opportunities. As a school it wasn’t possible to take a lease on a shop but a charitable trust could. Money was not the motivation at all; I always thought so long as costs

were covered the benefit of work experience would be enormous.

“It quickly became apparent that we could do so much more to provide opportunities for the young people in their own communities.”

Uplands received the prestigious TES Award for overall best school in 2015, and Ofsted has graded the school as outstanding.

The citation about Jackie, from the honours award office comments: ‘Her visionary and innovative leadership have made a huge impact on the lives of hundreds of families in Swindon and the surrounding area.’

MBE photo call for Jackie Smith

swindonlink.com n July 2016

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14/06/2016 16:25

Community News

Link to launch South and East Swindon edition in September

Proud partner of

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

ADVERTISING Call 01793 781502 or email: advertising@swindonlink.com Closing date for August adverts and editorial: 13 July August edition published: 27 July

Positive Media Group Limited, Unit 3, Arclite House, Century Road, Swindon SN5 5YN T: 01793 744677 E: publisher@swindonlink.com Our Statistics Est. Readership of 75,000 in print & c.15,000 monthly online visitors.

Swindon’s largest free publication. Advertising starts from just £57.

John Humphrys during a recent visit to The Link offices for a Radio Four interview about the EU Referendum

From September a new edition of Swindon Link will be delivered door to door to 15,000 homes in South and East Swindon.

The South and East Swindon Link will be monthly and published at the same time as the current North and West Swindon Link, which currently goes door to door to 25,000 homes.

This means a total of 40,000 Links will be landing on people’s doormats every month - making The Link Swindon’s largest printed publication.

By industry standards of 2.5 readers per copy, that will take the magazines’ monthly readership up to 100,000.

As well as unique community news for South and East Swindon, the new edition will include all the things that have put Link at the heart of its target neighbourhoods for the past 38 years, keeping people informed about their local area.

Owner James Phipps said: “Swindon Link has always been about the community and the new edition will fulfil the need to let people know what is happening.

“For years, we have been asked by

community groups, residents and businesses to bring The Link to the rest of Swindon. It is with great pleasure that we will finally be able to do so.”

Swindon Link, which is part of Positive Media Group along with its sister publication lifestyle and entertainment guide The Ocelot, was established in 1978 by Roger Ogle who still works as an associate editor on the magazine.

The new edition will be delivered to Old Town, Wichelstowe, Lawn, Coate, Liden, Eldene, Covingham, Nythe and South Stratton amongst other areas.

Group editor Jamie Hill said: “We are starting with 15,000 homes but we are confident that we will be able to increase this number within a short time .

“We are busy now talking to groups, businesses and people in South and East Swindon; the reaction so far has been very encouraging.”

To publicise any events or news contact: 01793 744677 or publisher@swindonlink.com.

If you would like to place an advert contact: 01793 781502 or advertising@swindonlink.com

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 photographs require similar authority.

Positive Media Group Limited cannot be held responsible for goods or services or the copyright of content supplied by our advertisers.

Reg. in England & Wales. No: 4513027, at Arclite House, Hillmead, Swindon SN5 5YN. Printed by pcp Telford

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Swindon Soup back for another serving Swindon Soup is again taking place at Arclite House in Peatmoor on 6 July.

Swindon Soup, which asks community groups to pitch for funds, was last held on 21 April with social business Catch22 walking away with the profits from the audience entrance fee, and many new contacts to further their incredible work in the community.

Swindon Soup organiser Fiona Simpson said: “The community

keep coming out to support their local projects, showing the strength of spirit and togetherness that we have here in Swindon.

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17/06/2016 14:39

Community News

Parish up - or no street cleaning or grass cutting Swindon Council is to press ahead with plans to create parish councils for the entire borough.

The move comes with a stark warning that essential services like grass cutting and street cleaning can only continue if a parish takes them over, as the borough can no longer afford to pay the £4million a year it costs.

A motion by the Labour Group for a referendum to be carried out in the town’s unparished areas was denied at an extraordinary full council meeting on 15 June.

The plans include the council asking existing and newly created parish councils to take over services like playground maintenance, street cleaning, litter and dog waste bin emptying and grass cutting.

On average this will see a rise of £75 to every household’s annual council tax bill in an existing parished area on top of their existing parish precept. It is still not known what kind of tax levy non-parished areas could see on top of this.

As part of the Community Governance Review, illustrative maps have been prepared showing two options of what the new parish councils could look like,

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to be further discussed at the engagement events.

The council is due to agree draft recommendations in August prior to a full consultation resulting in final recommendations presented in November. The parish councils would then be implemented from January 2017 with shadow parish councils being formed until an election in April.

Cllr Jim Robbins (Lab, Mannington & Western Ward) said: “I’m really worried huge change is going to be imposed on residents without enough consultation. Many residents are unaware, and it needs to be explained much more clearly.”

Shaw Residents Association chair Kevin Fisher said: “Should it be decided to parish West Swindon, we hope the issues we’ve raised as part of the review have not only been considered but that tangible solutions are part of the implementation. Otherwise we fear the public will be alienated from the new form of governance before it has even been implemented.”

Cllr David Renard, leader of Swindon Council, said: “The borough has to prioritise statutory services such as caring for vulnerable people and safeguarding

Funding bid for next stage of Thamesdown Drive extension

Plans to link Thamesdown Drive with Great Western Way via a new road could move a step closer if work to secure funding for the next phase of the project is successful.

This comes after the hard fought campaign by TDEX, the community group calling for it to be built.

Officers from Swindon Borough Council are now working with the Swindon and Wiltshire Local Enterprise Partnership (SWLEP) on a bid to cover the costs of the next phase of the proposed scheme.

The bid will request £1.27 million children and, for the last few years, from the Department of Transport’s we have transformed the way we Large Local Schemes Fund in order do things in order to make millions to pay for a detailed design, all of pounds in efficiency savings. the environmental surveys, and “Unfortunately we are now at the preparation of both a planning the point where there are certain application and business case. services we can no longer afford.”

If successful, a further bid would The following public meetings be submitted for full funding in have been scheduled.: 2019. It is estimated that the cost l Park South Community Centre, would be around £44 million.

Monday 27 June, 7pm to 9pm The new road would alleviate l Broadgreen Community Centre, congestion during morning and Wednesday 29 June, 7pm to 9pm evening peak periods along Akers l West Swindon Library, Monday 5 Way and Mead Way, and discourage July, 7pm to 9pm rat runs through residential areas. l Lethbridge School, Wednesday 6 Development at nearby Tadpole July, 7pm to 9pm Farm and Ridgeway Farm is also To book a place contact cgr@ starting to increase traffic pressures. swindon.gov.uk or 01793 464816.

The Swindon Transport Strategy Viewpoint: campaigner Colin forecasts that demand on the roads Doubleday has his say on page 46 will increase by 48 per cent by 2026 as a direct result of the 22,000 new New equality campaign homes that will be constructed in Swindon over the next 10 years.

Voluntary Action Swindon is The bid, which forms part of the launching The Swindon200 Project Swindon Local Transport Plan has to to raise awareness of equality issues be submitted by 21 July. The council in the town. and SWLEP will find out if the bid There are nine Protected has been successful in the autumn.

Characteristics within the Equality Cllr Dale Heenan, cabinet member Act 2010: age, disability, gender for sustainability, highways and reassignment, marriage and transport, said: “The Thamesdown civil partnership, pregnancy and Drive to Great Western Way link maternity, race, religion, sex and road is one of Swindon’s great sexual orientation. unsolved challenges of the last 30 By raising and addressing equality years. A lot of work has taken place issues, the aim is to continue making over the last two years to complete Swindon a place of fairness and the first stage, the Outline Business opportunity, where people can aspire Case, and for the first time we have and achieve to their best ability. a clear route to securing the £44 VAS has been commissioned by million from the Government.

Swindon Council to deliver this “This is a critical moment because project, which will seek to increase if the Government says no then it’s the number of residents engaged in unlikely anything else will happen equality issues over the next nine for another ten years. months.

“But, if it is successful, then it will Throughout the campaign, there cover the full cost of the second will be public events. Relevant stage and mean Swindon Council support groups and guest speakers can complete all the environmental, will be present , and information ecological and topographical from national bodies will be surveys, detailed design work for available. To find out more mail: the road and submit the planning hannah@vas-swindon.org application in 2019.”

swindonlink.com n July 2016

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Community News

Big Lottery grant helps MS therapy centre to ‘move on up’ Swindon Therapy Centre for Multiple Sclerosis has been awarded a Big Lottery grant of £404,463 for a major expansion project at Bradbury House, its West Swindon base on Westmead Drive.

Its ‘Moving on up’ project to refurbish the upper floor for a substantial extension of services is supported by a 5 year grant from the Big Lottery’s Reaching Communities programme, which aims to help those most in need and build stronger communities.

The MS Therapy Centre, which was established in 1983, has grown dramatically since the move to Westlea in January 2010. The grant will be used to equip a new physiotherapy gym, and provide studio space for essential physical activity including yoga, Pilates, tai-

Members, trustees and funders celebrating the lottery grant at Swindon MS Therapy Centre

chi and Nordic walking.

There will be new treatment rooms for use by health professionals, including the MS specialist nurse and consultants from Great Western Hospital, as well as a larger social area for members and carers to support each other.

Twin town recipes now available

There will also be rooms available for regular Carers Cafes and sessions run by Citizens Advice Swindon, to better support carers and family members in their rights and entitlements.

Centre manager Louise Walker said: “We’re thrilled to be able to develop more services and support.

It will enable our members to remain mobile and receive the best care and support.”

As well as offering people with MS different therapies, including use of a purpose built hyperbaric oxygen therapy tank, the charity assists people with a range of other conditions including Parkinsons, ME, stroke and brain injuries, and children with autism and cerebral

palsy.

Rose Hall, a member of the fundraising committee and a user since 2008 said: “The charity has gone through so much change since we were in tiny premises in Cheney Manor. As my husband is at work during the day, the centre is my lifeline as I’m able to get out for therapy and meet others.

“This lottery grant takes a lot of pressure off us to fundraise all the time because we don’t receive any NHS funding. We would all like to thank the Lottery and our supporters in the community.”

For more information, contact 01793 481700 or stcswindon@ btconnect.com www.msswindon.org.uk

Twin town approval for Nicaraguan recipes from Ocotal visitors Maria Jose Gurrero Figuerro and Jorge Calderon with Gillian and Helen Wallis

A cook book linking Swindon with Ocotal, its twin in Nicaragua, was launched in early May to celebrate 25 years of fraternal support.

It’s the culmination of a lot of voluntary work after a visit to Ocotal in October 2003 by Gillian and her daughter Helen to collect recipes, followed by several years of translation and substitution of

ingredients not available in Europe.

“It was definitely a learning curve, but the recipes have been tested by lots of people involved with Swindon Ocotal Link,” said head cook Gillian Wallis.

The book costs £5 and proceeds go towards helping groups in Ocotal.

To purchase a copy contact Gillian: gilliantiff@yahoo.com

Final total for Downs Group

Two years of fundraising at Sainsbury’s Bridgemead came to an end in May when a cheque for £7,000 was handed over to members of Swindon Down’s Syndrome Group, making the final total £20,000.

Group chair Kim West said: “We would like to thank all the Sainsbury’s Bridgmead staff for being amazing and store customers for supporting us. Without you we would not have been able to achieve this unbelievable amount.” swindonlink.com n July 2016

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17/06/2016 14:49

Community News

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BBC launches Street Auction to boost community spirit A new series for BBC 1 aims to bring neighbours together to enjoy a tea party based around a pop-up street auction.

Presenter Paul Martin, well known for his programme Flog It, and Danny Sebastian, pictured right, are hosting the event on Saturday 2 July, 1.30pm to 5pm, in Deerhurst Way, Toothill.

The unique element of the programme is that the proceeds of the afternoon will be donated to one deserving person from the committee. Of course the worthy nominee won’t know that he or she has been selected for recognition until the end of the afternoon.

Paul and his production crew visited the area to knock on doors and ask for donations of unwanted and unloved items in late May. They also dropped into Little L’s Paint Your Own Pottery shop at Toothill centre and received a £20 voucher to be auctioned on the day. Carrie Dempsey said she was glad to help.

“It was lovely to see Paul when he popped in to see what we do. He was so charming, I couldn’t say no when he told me that a special person from Toothill will benefit from the day’s fun.”

Leaflets had been distributed asking people to take items to Toothill Community Centre. Some will be sold on bric-a-brac tables and the more interesting items will be auctioned.

BBC researcher Amy Ford said: “There’s going to be a great street party atmosphere with stalls, and other fundraising initiatives which will all add to the total being raised.

At the end of the afternoon, the grand total will be announced and also who the event has been in aid of.”

Amy is looking for people to help organise the afternoon, to bake cakes, bring items to sell on the day, or just come along for the fun. To offer help, mail: amy.ford@bbc.co.uk

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swindonlink.com n July 2016

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Community News

Engaging men in coping with suicide

Swindon Sobs, the local charity which helps people deal with the difficult issues around the suicide of a loved one, is launching a programme aimed at helping men to understand what has affected them.

Retired headteacher Steven Carter will share the presentation with Sobs founder Jacky Parry, to explain the lack of support there is for men after his son took his own life, and how they bottle up their emotions in isolation.

She said: “Swindon Sobs Engaging Men programme comes out of how Steve had to understand and adjust to losing his son, and how he managed to cope with everyday life and support his family afterwards.

“Men tend to be more activity based, so this programme will be looking at how to involve and support male grief with social activities based around interests, whether it’s watching or taking part in sports events as a group, or whatever would be an interest and a focus for men.”

Monthly evening meetings with a focus on social activities and events are being planned, including a barbecue being hosted by

Nationwide in August.

The launch event on Friday 8 July is being held at the new offices of North Swindon MP Justin Tomlinson at the Orbital Shopping Park in North Swindon.

Male survivors affected by suicide and interested in attending are asked to contact jackyswindonsobs@gmail.com • Swindon Sobs was established in September 2013 to support families who have lost a loved one to suicide by breaking the isolation and helping survivors to talk in a safe, confidential environment, in which they can share their experiences and feelings.

Many of the volunteers who facilitate the group have themselves been bereaved by suicide, including Jacky Parry who started the group some years after her brother took his own life.

Jacky said: “Suicide recognises no social, ethnic or cultural boundaries -neither do we. Our groups are free of charge and open to all survivors of bereavement by suicide aged 18 and over.”

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17/06/2016 14:54

Community News Advertorial

Quality shutters and blinds from Swindon’s Shuttercraft

Local business Shuttercraft Swindon is run by father and son team, Bob and Adam Horrell. They sell premium plantation shutters to households in the Swindon, Newbury and Marlborough area, and offer a full survey, fit and after care service.

Bob Horrell was previously a plumber and senior engineer in the building industry. He has always been a great handyman in his spare time, doing up friends and families’ houses, as well as fitting kitchens, bathrooms and plantation shutters.

Therefore when the opportunity arose to start a shutter business in Swindon, he leapt at the chance.

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His son Adam Horrell complements this friendly local team with his strong business background.

After serving in the Royal Air Force he ran his own IT consultancy and now works with his wife helping to raise awareness of the Shuttercraft Swindon name, as well as running the business on a dayto-day basis and assisting Bob with surveys and installations.

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July 2016 Master Pages.indd 8

17/06/2016 14:57

Community News

Plans for Lydiard face possible six month delay Plans to put the running of Lydiard Park and House out to tender could be delayed by six months in order for a community bid to be put together.

Organisations were originally asked to submit their formal bids by early May, but that deadline was put back until early July so that structural surveys on the house could be carried out.

Now the council has agreed that the lease for whoever takes over will in all likelihood be more than 25 years. This has triggered a moratorium under the Localism Act 2011 that states that a community organisation should be given a chance to put together a bid for community asset being leased for more than 25 years.

Community organisations now have six weeks to come forward to put in expressions of interest to run the site. If one does they will be given another six months to assemble their bid.

If none come forward the current process will continue and a final decision of a preferred organisation to take on the heritage asset will be announced in September.

The current process will still be able to continue in the background

and if a six month moratorium is confirmed the council would still have the power to choose whichever organisation it feels would be best for the future sustainability of the site whether they are commercial or not.

A report going before the council has also revealed the criteria that all the organisations putting forward a tender will have to abide by.

These are: - Secure a sustainable future for Lydiard House and Park within the council’s ownership that does not rely on an on-going council subsidy.

- Safeguard the historical importance of the Lydiard House

Car parking charges for Coate and Lydiard

Car parking charges at Swindon’s two most popular country parks are to be introduced to bring income that will help to maintain and protect them for all users.

The council plan would affect visitors to Lydiard House and Park and Coate Water Country Park, which between them see thousands of visitors arrive by car each year.

The charges are £2 for up to 2 hours, or £4 all day, to park at Lydiard, and £1 for 2 hours, or £2 all day, to park museum and its collections and at Coate. the walled garden and ensure they Annual season tickets would also remain accessible to the general be offered, at a cost of £45 for public.

Lydiard, £30 for Coate or £60 for - Protect the historic landscape both. Discounts are available for and structures within the park, tickets issued this year due to the which were restored as part of the implementation happening part way £5.1million Heritage Lottery Fund through 2016.

Project, and reflect the long-term It is estimated that the move could plans submitted in 2015. bring in £400,000 in ring-fenced - Allow the continuation of public income to spend on the upkeep of access to the park and grounds. the parks each year.

- Address the on-going A public consultation on Lydiard maintenance and repair of the House and Park carried out between house and park.

22 February and 29 April saw 51 per Potential bidders have also been cent of residents who responded offered a ‘reverse premium’ of accept the need for charging to £850,000 as a contribution to a maintain the parks, including 9% current maintenance backlog. who saw the move as a good idea.

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swindonlink.com n July 201617:499 12/04/2016

17/06/2016 14:59

Community News

BIOS activity van helps Swindon youth A mobile youth centre is in operation around Swindon, helping to combat anti-social behaviour and youth problems in the community.

The BIOS van is operated by Swindon Youth for Christ to meet and work with hundreds of young people across Swindon every week. The van parks up in secondary school playgrounds, car parks and fields around Swindon.

It was established in 2010 with sponsorship from businesses across Swindon.

Children and young people of all

ages make use of the Xbox One, Playstation 4, iPads, laptop, music, microphone, sports equipment and craft equipment and spend time talking to the team of staff and volunteers about their issues, big or small.

The BIOS van volunteers often meet young people who feel they have to follow the crowd in order to fit in, spending time with them, engaging with them and listening to their often heart breaking stories.

For more information, visit: www.settings4life.org.uk

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Fundraising for 40th anniversary of kidney transplant

Jan Taylor with her sons Dan (right) and Greg (left)

North Swindon resident Jan Taylor is celebrating 40 years since having a kidney transplant, with her son, Dan, creating a year long fundraising campaign to mark the occasion.

Money raised will be donated to the National Kidney Foundation and already the total was over £2,000 as we went to press.

On their JustGiving page, Dan says: “Without my mum having her transplant 40 years ago, I would not be here nor would my brother, and all the experiences that we have had throughout my life would never have happened.

“Forty years ago, it was not easy trying to get a transplant, because my mum was only nine years old and the hospitals were tentative about doing operations at such a

young age. ”We aim to raise awareness of kidney disease and the support available to people and families with this condition. We are supporting the NKF as they provide assistance to people across the country. It is a problem which my family has faced and which has now been changed with the work that charities like the NKF have done over the years. ”We as a family would like to extend our warmest thanks to all the staff, past and present” A number of events are planned to help raise the figure ever higher including a cake sale at the David Lloyd Leisure centre, Latham Road on 14 July. Find out more at: www.justgiving.com/fundraising/ kidney-40

Virgin Media answers residents’ calls for fibre broadband in Swindon Virgin Media announced on 15 June that it will expand its fibre optic network to 7,000 homes and businesses in Swindon as part of its £3bn Project Lightning programme.

Fibre optic cables will be connected directly to premises in Swindon (known as fibre to the premise – FTTP) offering ultrafast, future-proof connectivity with speeds of 200Mbps for consumers and 300Mbps for businesses and home workers.

Work will start in the next two months and will be completed in early 2017. A significant part of the build will take place in north-west Swindon covering the Haydon, Priory Vale and Blunsdon St Andrew areas.

Network gaps will also be filled throughout the town in areas including Greenmeadow, Old Town, Toothill and Eastleaze.

Residents can find out more details about when their homes will be connected at virginmedia.com/ cablemystreet and registering their

interest.

Cllr Toby Elliott, Swindon Borough Council’s cabinet member responsible for superfast broadband, said: “Residents and businesses across the town have been calling for quality, high speed, fibre broadband for some time.

Justin Tomlinson MP, the ward councillors and myself have worked with Virgin Media for over a year to deliver this and I couldn’t be more delighted about their investment in Swindon.”

The Superfast Swindon initiative to deliver broadband to the entire area, offered by Swindon Borough Council, was officially launched on Friday 11 June in the town centre.

The first part of the network is now live and available to residents and businesses in Highworth, Chiseldon, Central Swindon, Old Town, West Swindon and East Swindon. Other areas will be able to buy into the scheme during July and August. www.superfastswindon.com

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Community News Eastcott Community Organisation hosting History Afternoon Tea

Town Office 1 Groundwell Road, Swindon SN1 2LT Tel: 01793 422422 A variety of items available at the Eastcott Community Free Shop on 2 July

In celebration of 175 years of Swindon as a Railway Town, volunteers in Eastcott are researching the history of Savernake Street Social Hall and the surrounding area.

To gather memories and share information, Eastcott Community Organisation, the group of volunteers managing Savernake Street Social Hall, are holding a special History Afternoon Tea at the community centre on Friday 22 July, 2pm.

The group hopes that those who lived or worked in the area with memories of any period from the 1940s to the present day, will come along for sandwiches and cake and share their memories.

With the help of Local Studies at Swindon Central Library, volunteers

have discovered a host of fascinating facts, including details of how the land was originally donated by local philanthropist James ‘Raggy’ Powell.

The intention is to put together a timeline for the history of the site and the buildings on it, with stories and pictures showing the development over the years.

Those who cannot make the History Tea but have memories to share are invited to contact the group at eastcottcommunity@ yahoo.co.uk, 07599256969 or write to Savernake Street Social Hall, Savernake Street, Swindon SN1 3LZ. The organisation also runs monthly events such as a Free Shop to swap unused items amongst the community, taking place on 2 July.

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01793 832072 or 01793 422422 www.pearcefuneral services.co.uk info@pearcefuneralservices.co.uk * prices valid 1st April 2016 to 31st March 2017 swindonlink.com n July 2016

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Community News

Out of Daniel tragedy comes hope for the future Over the last 12 months the parents of eleven year old Daniel Climance have been so overwhelmed by the response from friends and family and also complete strangers that they are launching a charity in his name on 1 July.

Daniel tragically died on 10 June 2015 when he collided with a road sweeper whilst out on his bike in Station Road, Purton.

Daniel’s parents and step parents Helen and Michael Lucas and Stuart and Joanne Climance - decided to start the charity because of the wide impact Daniel had made beyond their immediate circle.

Helen said: “The response from everybody at Bridlewood Primary School was overwhelming and then in November my good friend Claire Smart, the mother of Callum Smart who was Daniel’s best school friend, raised more than £20,000 for the road safety charity BRAKE. “After their Doing it for Dan virtual run in his memory, we started thinking we wanted to help

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other children in the community achieve their dreams in memory of Daniel.

“He was very sporty and excelled in football, Tae Kwon Do and athletics. He was also a very caring boy and liked to help others where he could.

“We therefore decided that the purpose of our charity would be to encourage children and young adults to engage and participate in sport and leisure activities by awarding grants to individuals and organisations in Wiltshire and surrounding areas.”

The start of Doing It For Dan on 1 July will be followed by a number of fundraising events including the return of the virtual run in November and a charity ball at DeVere Hotel on Shaw Ridge on Saturday 26 November.

Helen is asking readers to Like the We Are Doing It For Dan page on Facebook, follow @DoingitforDan on Twitter and find out more at the website from 1 July. www.doingitfordan.co.uk

Sewing bees needed to dress people with disabilities

Judy Farmer, left, testing out her prototype cape for people in wheelchairs and mobility scooters, on charity trustee Rosemary Morgan

Have you been inspired by the recent series of the Sewing Bee on TV? If so Swindon’s unique clothing adaptation charity, Dressability is desperate to recruit volunteers with a good level of sewing ability to keep up with demand for their output.

Requests for help arrive from all over the country.

Dressability, which is one of the Mayor of Swindon’s chosen charities this year, adapts high street clothing so that people

with disabilities can look stylish.

Every wearer’s requirements are different so sewers need to be able to imagine how garments will look after they have been picked apart and sewn again with velcro instead of buttons and easy release fixings rather than zips.

To find out more contact marketing and fundraising manager Andrea Hawker on 01793 512878. www.dressability.org.uk Facebook: Dressabilityuk Twitter: @dressabilityuk

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Community News Can you spare a few hours for a child in care?

Volunteers are needed to befriend children in care.

Coram Children’s Rights are currently recruiting independent visitors for their ever expanding service and are looking for anyone who thinks they have the time and energy to devote to a child in care.

Volunteers enjoy the challenge of building a lasting friendship with an individual child and the children benefit greatly from a consistent, fun relationship with someone outside the care system.

Activities will depend on the age and interest of the child but could include things like a walk, playing in the park, swimming, visits to a museum, bike riding, sports etc.

This is a long-term, one to one commitment.

Volunteers must be over 18 and are welcome from all backgrounds.

Full training and ongoing support will be given, and out of pocket expenses paid for mileage and activities. Volunteers will be subject to enhanced police checks.

For further information, please contact the Independent Visitors Co-ordinators: Sharon Woodhouse or Toni Adams Tel 01793 487490 or e-mail swindon@coramvoice.org.uk

Come join the RAFA

Farmers’ Market date

The RAFA club just off Drove Road is looking for new members.

The club is a great social hub offering a variety of opportunities live music, quiz nights and various entertainment events and you don’t have to have been in the RAF to join. Membership is from £15.50.

More information is available on the Swindon RAFA Club Facebook page including upcoming events.

The next Wanborough Farmers’ Market is on Saturday 16 July from 9am to midday in Wanborough Village Hall. Please note there will be no market on 20 August owing to a clash with the village show but markets resume in September, 3rd Saturday of every month.

For more information contact Sue and David Birley on 01793 790438 or sbirley@gn.apc.org

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Education News

Primary school posters appeal to people not to litter A project organised by students at Lydiard Park Academy will soon be having an impact across West Swindon after the Mayor Cllr Eric Shaw met winners of a competition to design anti-litter posters in his parlour on 17 June.

Over 1,000 pupils at nine primary schools across the area heard a role-play presentation created by LPA 6th formers and delivered by student ambassadors from all year groups. As a result 400 designs were submitted. All entrants have received a certificate and a winner from each school was presented with a £10 WH Smith voucher

sponsored by Rotary Club Phoenix.

Macdonalds are funding the printing and lamination of the winning designs which will be displayed in shops and fast food outlets in the area - subject to agreement by the owners.

LPA 6th former Adam Talbot said: “The primary school children immediately understood the issues around litter, how it can damage wildlife and spoil their neighbourhood. The number of entries indicates how keen they were to be involved.

“We all hope the project will have a big impact across West Swindon.”

The Mayor with the poster designer winners at the Civic Offices

From 25th July to 26th August

Summer Club

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Celebrating Britishness & the Queen

More than 400 youngsters at Catherine Wayte Primary School in Abbey Meads ended a week studying British values by celebrating the Queen’s 90th birthday on 10 June with cake in the playground.

Headteacher Emma Brown said: “It’s been a great opportunity to look at what makes us British.

Children have learnt about the life of the Queen and how she represents us, studied the make up of the union flag, held a parliamentary debate, enjoyed a traditional roast lunch and the breakfast club tried foods from England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland.”

Youngsters at the party entertained visitors by singing the school song ‘We are Catherine

Week 1

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Waite School’ and ‘Happy Birthday your Majesty’ before consuming cake made by the school cooks.

At Hazelwood Academy in Toothill children from Foundation Stage to Year 6 celebrated the Queen’s birthday on 9 and 10 June by taking part in art and craft activities and workshops to learn dance through the ages.

At the royal picnic in the school grounds, dressed up for a garden party, they enjoyed traditional British refreshments and royal cakes donated by the Friends of Hazelwood.

Classteacher Leah Breeze said: “The Queen’s 90th Birthday is a wonderful cause for celebration and everyone enjoyed themselves thoroughly.”

New theme each week To find out more email us (look right) or call 07432 562806

9am-3pm Ages 7-14 Drop off from 8.30am 20 Ergo Business Park Kelvin Road Swindon SN3 3JW www.steamtuition.com info@steamtuition.com swindonlink.com n July 2016

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Education News

High achieving academy joins Leading Edge educational network Lydiard Park Academy in Grange Park has been recognised as a highperforming school and has joined Leading Edge, a national grouping of secondary and special schools run by the Schools, Students and Teachers Network (SSAT) which must demonstrate statistically significant levels of progress and show that their students perform above the national average.

It supports schools in working in partnership to raise achievement, develop innovative practice and share practical strategies within and beyond the network.

Destiny Africa in West Swindon

Destiny Africa Children’s Choir will be visiting Lydiard Park Academy on Wednesday 29 June, 7pm, to perform lively mix of contemporary and traditional song, dance and drumming as well as gripping stories of transformed lives.

All proceeds will go to support the work of Kampala Children’s Centre in Uganda. Tickets costs £6 for adults and £4 for children from Laura Paterson: paterson@ lydiardparkacademy.org.uk

The academy’s recognition follows its exceptional 2015 performance where 67 per cent of students achieved 5 or more A* to C grades including English and Maths, putting it top of the league table for secondary schools in the Swindon area.

According to SSAT the school is in the top 20 per cent nationally for progress made by pupils between their key stage 2 results at primary school and their key stage 4 results.

Sue Williamson, chief executive of SSAT, presenting the Educational Outcomes Award, said: “It’s my great pleasure to commend Lydiard Park Academy on their excellent 2015 performance. I have the privilege of visiting a lot of schools and I am always impressed by the creativity of teachers in engaging and inspiring their students.”

Lydiard Park Academy principal Clive Zimmerman expressed delight at receiving the award. He said: “It represents several years of tremendously hard work by everybody involved with Lydiard Park Academy.

“We are all committed to making the learning experience the very best possible for the young people attending the school.

Pictured top: Clive Zimmerman receiving the Educational Outcomes Award from Sue Williamson of SSAT in May

“Notice is being taken of LPA because we’ve continued to make ground at a time when the examination regime nationally is being toughened and many schools are finding their results slipping backwards. Because of this, there’s a great deal of interest in what we’ve been doing and people are even more impressed when they realise that we’ve managed to achieve it in spite of some of the lowest funding anywhere in England.

“I think what others take away from LPA is that we have a relentless focus on classroom standards and that we’re always looking for ways that we can improve.”

In March 2016 Education Secretary Nicky Morgan visited LPA to confirm that it has become a Multi-Academy Trust where it will partner another secondary school to pass on good practice to achieve improvement.

HIGHWORTH WARNEFORD SCHOOL Shrivenham Road, Highworth SN6 7BZ

An Academy Putting Excellence First

OPEN MORNINGS/AFTERNOONS Monday 26 September to Friday 14 October Highworth Warneford is an excellent secondary school providing an outstanding learning environment which allows pupils to thrive and develop their academic, personal and social skills.

In our most recent Ofsted report (May 2013) pupils’ behaviour was described as ‘outstanding both in lessons and around the school’ and such behaviour makes a ‘strong contribution to their learning’.

So that you can see for yourself the quality of our provision, we would like to invite you to visit the school on a normal working day. Each visit lasts for up to 1½ hours and will give you the opportunity to see lessons and meet pupils and staff.

To book your visit please contact Mrs Lewis, Admissions Officer, on (01793) 767083 or email: llewis@warneford.swindon.sch.uk

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Education News

School’s rapid progress results in Ofsted upgrade A journey of improvement at Bradon Forest in Purton, has been reflected in a report from Ofsted inspectors who visited on 19 and 20 April. The school has been judged ‘Good’ in all areas.

The pace of change since the last inspection in 2014 has been rapid, driven by headteacher Dr Andrew Morrison who joined the school in September of that year. With his leadership team and school governors, nurturing ambition and aspiration has been put at the forefront of Bradon Forest’s culture.

The inspectors note that Bradon Forest students are fiercely proud of their school and they are well looked after and feel safe in school.

An example of this pride is the delight students take in their new uniform which they helped to devise.

They comment that students across different year groups and subjects achieve well. They are confident, happy and articulate, keen to talk in an animated way about their school.

Furthermore ‘The warm

relationship that exists between teachers and students is a reflection of mutual trust and respect. The students at Bradon Forest are known as individuals and cared for by staff who value the relationships they share with them. These positive relationships are reflected in a welcoming school where they are all respected regardless of background or circumstance.

The report recognised that the well-thought-out curriculum ensures that students are well prepared for life beyond school.

It was also noted that they leave

the school with high levels of attainment. In 2015 students’ results for both English and Maths were significantly higher than the national average for the second year running.

Dr Morrison said: “We’re delighted that inspectors highlighted the rapid progress that has led us to being one of the 100 most improved nonselective state schools over the last two years.

“While the report is extremely positive we continue on our journey of improvement to make our school an even more special place to learn.”

Andrew Morrison with proud students at Bradon Forest School

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Family News

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

daily classes for the under 5’s

01793 822262

www.esprit-gymnastics.co.uk

Playgroup to relocate from Link Centre to Toothill Link and Learn Pre-School which has been based at Link Centre for 21 years will transfer to Toothill Farm after centre managers GLL were given notice to leave by late July so that the gym can be expanded.

Playgroup supervisor Gilly Betts said she and her colleagues were relieved that another venue is

available. “It’s been very stressful to think we might have to close, but Swindon Council officers Danielle Maundrell and Gail Light have been really helpful, as well as Link magazine. It’s wonderful to know we can continue in a new home from September.

To find out more: linkandlearnpreschool@yahoo.co.uk

Nursery expands to offer places for 0 to 2 year olds Imagination Nursery in Moredon, which opened last September, is growing again to provide care for babies up to the age of two.

Proprietor Becky Shore admitted: “Opening a baby unit wasn’t in our business plan, but when Swindon Council decided to close its five remaining children’s centres to create a family support hub, the opportunity was there to take over the part of the building occupied by Moredon Children’s Centre.”

Imagination launched with 15 children; now there are 80 registered.

Becky added: “Opening a nursery of my own was always my dream when I bid to use half the building to start Imagination. I’ve had such wonderful backing from my parents to start the business and Swindon Council have been very helpful.

“It’s great that we can now expand our offer to families across North

Becky Shore at Imagination Childcare

Swindon, but it means we have to reorganise things again.

“The builders are remodelling the centre so that, from September, the 2 and 5 year olds will have better access to the outdoor play area and we can create a nice twelve place

baby care unit.

“Now we need babies.”

To find out more and to register for a place in September, contact Becky on 07501 919 057 or becky@ imagination-childcare.co.uk www.imaginationchildcareuk.co.uk

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n Extra curricular activities such as Boogie Mites, French lessons and PE n Delicious, healthy and nutritious food freshly cooked on-site n Open 51 weeks of the year, Monday to Friday, 7.30am–6.00pm

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01753 20 11 22

email parents@asquithnurseries.co.uk or visit www.asquithnurseries.co.uk Inverary Road, Wroughton, Swindon, Wilts SN4 9DL “The safety and wellbeing of the children and staff is our number one priority.”

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Family News

Family centre first birthday hope for the future Butterflies Family Centre at Abbey Meads Community Primary School marked a successful first year by inviting user families and VIPs from Swindon Council to a birthday party on 23 May. Present were the leader of the council Cllr David Renard, who represents Haydon Wick Ward, Cllr Fionula Foley, cabinet member for children’s services, and council chief executive John Gilbert.

Formed out of the Butterfly Children’s Centre, the family centre has been refashioned to give more support to vulnerable families

Butterfly branded Cllr Foley with centre manager Tanya Parkinson, left, Bob Buckley head of Abbey Meads Primary School and facepainter Nicola Walton

who need extra help, under an agreement with Swindon Council to make support provision financially independent over three years.

Cllr Foley, who has overseen the rationalisation of the borough’s children centres in the face of severe reduced funding, said: “I suggested to cabinet in 2013 that we develop the family centre model. Tanya, Bob and the Butterflies team are doing important work with families who need extra support and I’ll be speaking out in favour of funding the centre in the future.”

Weekly walk around the park Expectant parents and/or anyone with a child in a pushchair are invited to meet up in Lydiard Park on Wednesdays, 10am.

Run by volunteers from Swindon NCT - though you don’t have to be a member - the 30 minute walk is a chance to get some fresh air in the company of others in a similar situation, ending with a get together in the cafe. Organiser Kathryn Hollingworth said: “We meet up whatever the weather, though if it’s really wet, we might decide to chat and stay in the cafe.

“We talk about pretty much anything from sleeping tips to what was on TV last night. I’ve found it a great way to meet new people who are in a similar situation to me or who have been through it and survived.

“The walks happen all year round

July: The Digital Age? Information and advice for parents from ePIP Physical touch is the foundation of all human development and culture.

According to Dr Ashley Montagu, the well-known anthropologist and author, ‘human beings cannot survive without touch; it is a basic behavioural need.’

Touch has huge emotional and physical health benefits for everyone. It is one of the key ways that we communicate and interact non-verbally. Touch used in a positive way shows affection, reassures, soothes and builds trust between people, all incredibly powerful emotions that reinforce emotional and social wellbeing.

It is the release of the hormone oxytocin which is mainly responsible for the increase in these positive feelings. Oxytocin is released when people snuggle up and bond socially, which is why it is often referred to as the ‘cuddle’ or ‘love hormone’.

In an increasingly digital age, it can feel like our digits spend more time tapping, swiping and interacting with technology rather than with other people .

It‘s important to remember that,

especially at an early age, healthy touch between a parent and child promotes the bonding process and enables infants to thrive. Skin-toskin contact helps a new born feel close to its mother, protected, warm and safe. Waves of oxytocin are also released during labour, to assist with the birthing process, milk production and to stimulate bonding with the baby.

A baby can communicate very early on by how they respond to touch. Infant massage is a great way to spend time with your baby.

However, whilst most babies enjoy massage, for some who are premature, hyper sensitive or have additional needs this may not be the case. There are alternative methods that can be used to ensure the bonding process still happens and the child feels safe, secure and loved.

All our ePiP parenting coaches are infant massage trained and can deliver one-to-one sessions in the home at a time to suit.

Find out more at www.epipdirect. com

including during school holidays when older siblings are welcome.

Some people even bring their dogs for the exercise.”

Just turn up at the Lydiard Park visitor centre. See more information at Facebook: NCT Walk and Talk Swindon

The place for Swindon sewing bees

With the Great British Sewing Bee giving sewers ideas or the inspiration to dust off the sewing machine, local haberdashery Nimble Thimbles in Cheney Manor can satisfy just about every requirement.

What started as an eBay shop in 2013 has grown into a fabulous retail outlet offering a wide range of dressmaking fabrics and haberdashery, gorgeous quilting fabrics from top designers, knitting yarn and patterns, dressmaking patterns, plus sewing machines from Elna and Janome.

Nimble Thimbles also offers classes in sewing, knitting, crochet and craft for people of all abilities.

It’s an ideal place to learn a skill or pick up new techniques. Proprietor, Vikki Loeber-Hughes said: “You can make some amazing things and absolutely anyone can learn to sew, knit or crochet. It’s definitely having a revival.”

Find out about the shop and the programme of classes at www. nimblethimbles.co.uk Nimble Thimbles is located at 27 BSS House, Cheney Manor Ind. Est. Swindon.

Contact 01793 950750 or nimblethimble@virginmedia.com

LittLe Foxes ChiLdCare & eduCation

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

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

l

l l l l

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

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

fering Now of for e c pla s lds ro 0-2 yea

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Community News

Church submits another lottery request as fundraising spend goes on show St Marys Lydiard Tregoze Building & Conservation Appeal will be submitting a second appeal to the Heritage Lottery Fund in July to complete the restoration of the church in Lydiard Park.

The request for £630,000 will help to save the extensive medieval wall paintings which have been identified by the Church of England as one of the 100 artworks currently most in need of conservation in their 100 Church Treasures Appeal.

The committee is committed to raising £310,000 from donations and grants, some of which funded the £40,000 repair to the church wall and conservation of the 18th Century Reredos, the artwork behind the alter.

Chairman Paul Gardner said: “The work by internationally acclaimed conservator Jane Rutherfoord has both revealed the magnificent colours in the Reredos which have been so long hidden, and informed the approach to the conservation of the historic interior in the longer term.

“Our latest Heritage Lottery Fund application responds to their request to show stronger outcomes for people and communities, and the need to show closer links between

Parishioner Joan Rummings, 90, who first started attending St Mary’s in 1946, in front of the returned Reredos with conservator Jane Rutherfoord

the historic aspects of St Mary’s and West Swindon Church Partnership Flower and Music Festival the heritage of Lydiard House.

Friday 1 to Sunday 3 July, St Mary’s Church, Lydiard Park “The HLF committee acknowledges Flower displays, historic monuments & artworks, the exceptional heritage importance and information about the church restoration programme of the church and its contents and indicated that they would welcome Open: 1st & 2nd: 10am to 7pm; 3rd: 11.15am to 7pm a revised application.”

Strawberry teas available daily 2pm to 4.30pm The Reredos and the unusual St John Polyptych multi-panel artwork will be on view to the public on Sunday afternoons in June. They can also be seen at the flower and music festival 1 to 3 July and on 22, 23, 24 Volunteers provide vital support to for this rewarding role.

July to mark the 401st birthday of organisations in Swindon and the SNDogs are seeking for dog walkers the St John Polyptych. people they are working with. Could to ensure their rescue dogs get the you free up some time to help? exercise that they need to remain West Swindon and Lydiard Tregoze Bowling with Bats. Swindon Bats healthy and happy.

Sports & Social Club for Visually The Alzheimers Society requires Church Partnership Impaired People is looking for people volunteers to enrich the lives of to support them at their regular 10 their clients in their Side by Side Please join us in worship on Sunday mornings Pin Bowling sessions at Shaw Ridge, project. They are especially looking Westlea Church, Westlea School: 10am to act as pin spotters, and helping for volunteers who have other members with their bowling. languages besides English.

St Mary’s Lydiard Tregoze Enjoy dressmaking or sewing?

- the church in the park: 10am Find out more about these and Dressability needs volunteers with other volunteering opportunities Holy Trinity, Shaw: 10.30am skills to alter and adapt clothes for by contacting Volunteer Centre Toothill Church: 10.30am people with disabilities. Read more Swindon on 01793 420557 or info@ on page 12.

For details of these and our other services swindonvolunteers.org.uk Coram Voice is looking for Visitors are welcome to drop in call the Partnership Office on 01793 874221 Independent Visitors to support a at 1 John Street, Swindon from Email: wspartnershipoffice@gmail.com Website: WSwinlyd.org.uk young person in care. You will need Monday to Friday, 11am to 3pm.

Anglican • Baptist • Methodist • United Reformed Church to make a long term commitment See more at: www.do-it.org

Making a difference

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

Sunday 9am Services 11am

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

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

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IN ASSOCIATION WITH with in association

in association with

in association with

It’s time to bring culture home… in association with

Following the June Link’s exclusive interview with Hadrian Ellory-van Dekker, Swindon Museum & Art Gallery Trust’s newly appointed director responsible for developing a new museum and art gallery, Daniel Rose of the Mechanics’ Institution Trust argues that there is a better location for such a facility in the town.

‘A hive of community, culture, learning and creativity’ – you could be forgiven for assuming such a headline is straight out of modern marketing spin for regeneration.

But actually this description is about something that all started 175 years ago, namely the highly innovative and far-reaching work of Swindon’s Mechanics’ Institution.

Even before the Institution built its premises in 1854 the organisation was rising to the social, health, learning and cultural challenges of the day.

The Mechanics’ was the epicenter of Swindon life, so popular and successful that it quickly burst out of the Mechanics’ and further buildings and organisations were formed around it. Organisation’s like the Medical Fund Society were created to meet the challenge of Swindon’s health needs and later built the Milton Road Baths in 1891.

The recent Link article about ‘Swindon’s new museum and art gallery’ makes you wonder how a gaping hole by the Wyvern Theatre pictured on the front page has managed to get ahead of a 30-year community effort to re-claim the derelict Mechanics’ Institution for the people of Swindon.

Swindon Borough Council decided some time ago to create a ‘cultural quarter’ in and around the proposed site of this new museum and art gallery. What has been ignored is the potential of the Railway Village area to once again be Swindon’s true ‘cultural quarter.’

Earlier I mentioned marketing spin – Swindon is immensely lucky that we have a real ‘cultural quarter’ just waiting to be dusted off and brought back to life. We all want to see excellent culture and heritage in Swindon but let it be authentic and grounded in our sense of place - not just some off the shelf, instantly forgettable modern development you could find in any town or city.

located within a few minutes of the train station as well as the Outlet Centre which now attracts millions of visitors a year; • Great visibility from the train line for promotion - ‘lets get off the train at Swindon!’;

In the distance, the Carriage Works between London Street and the London to Bristol railway line, with UTC Swindon in the foreground and the National Monument Record close to STEAM on the other side of the tracks.

Out of shot on the right are the Railway Village and the Mechanics’ Institute

Swindon has an impressive modern art collection hidden away in Old Town in a building erected purposely in the 1960’s. And it might be better displayed in the town centre, in a larger building.

But is this the right place? Who has decided, and by what process, that this is so important, now?

Does it make sense to pursue that goal now, in a time of ‘austerity’, at the cost of £5 million borrowing, in the hope of £10 million Heritage Lottery funding, when the Mechanics’ Trust has long expected this very same Lottery Fund to support the renovation and re-use of a community achievement of international status?

If the goal of a new museum and art gallery is to make our collections more accessible and celebrated, then an alternative vision that truly has heart and soul is required.

Imagine a restored Railway Village, once again the centre of Swindon’s social and cultural life, with the Mechanics’ Institution at its core providing a facility for community action, large events spaces, performing arts, theatre, independent cinema, conferences as well as a café and restaurant Across the road in the former GWR Carriage Works on London Street - the home of a new museum and art gallery. The street frontage

could become a new Museum of Swindon and the extensive sheds behind an impressive and inspiring space for the modern art collection.

So would the Carriage Works be viable? Yes. Such former industrial spaces are popular and provide large, adaptable spaces for collections. David Hockney himself paints in such a shed in Yorkshire and Bristol’s recent new museum is housed in very similar surroundings.

• Overall regeneration of the area creates an exciting and inspiring hive of activity which Swindon deserves – retail at the Outlet; community, culture and performance at the Mechanics’; heritage visitor attractions including the much needed boost to Steam; art and local history; independent restaurants and cafés, places to meet; leisure facilities in the beautiful Health Hydro; green spaces to walk and play within the GWR Park..…. the list goes on….

Swindon is a town where people used to decide which local needs should be met, and in what priority.

That’s what the Mechanics’ Institution, the Health Hydro, the former hospital in Emlyn Square all represent, just by standing there; the film ‘Railway Town’ proved The advantage of this plan: this point recently. All our derelict jewels need to be restored and • The desire to create a new functioning in the interests of museum and art gallery also enables the regeneration of derelict local people, and be welcoming to visitors too. heritage; Let’s think ambitiously, and in a • Creates a real, authentic heritage joined-up fashion to get the best and cultural quarter; we can for Swindon in the spirit of • More attractive to the Heritage those who left us such a legacy.

Lottery Fund due to the added And what about that gaping benefit of restoring heritage and hole in the town centre? I’m sure shows a commitment and clear plenty of developers in the current strategy regarding the Railway market would be keen on a town Village and Mechanics’; centre site for housing, say mid• Better value for money and rise apartments, providing a very the ability to create a mix of welcome financial boost to the other uses in the Carriage Works council and provide more shoppers and surrounding area to make a for the retail area. stronger sustainable model and This alternative vision is focal point; essentially everything nearly all of us have always wished Swindon • Location – the art collection is could be. Surely it’s a no-brainer? predicted (and deserves) to attract Find out more at: many visitors from outside Swindon. www.mechanics-trust.org.uk The Carriage Works is ideally swindonlink.com n July 2016

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The Ocelot guide to live music in Swindon during July Swindon’s live music scene is as diverse and widespread as any in the country. Whether you like chilled out acoustic music, blues, folk, pop or rock, the scope for musical entertainment is endless.

This month we have cherry-picked five just to get you started.

July sees some of the biggest events in Swindon’s musical calendar take place, with the Swindon Shuffle and Stratton Stroll.

The Swindon Shuffle is a five day musical extravaganza, starting on Wednesday 13 July and continuing until 17 July.

This year the Shuffle is celebrating its tenth anniversary, and will be taking place at The Victoria, The Beehive, The Castle and Baila Coffee & Vinyl, featuring prominent local acts such as All Ears Avow, SN Dubstation, RAIN and Swindon’s

up to host chap-hop superstar Professor Elemental on 21 July, with support from Wurzel-rap legend Corky. The Professor has grown an audience in Swindon with his Victorian styling and very British sense of comedic music. If you like your tea brown, your safari jacket pressed and want to giggle your socks off, this is the show to go to.

Looking slightly further afield, the Marlborough Jazz Festival is Swindon’s very own All Ears Avow will headline The Victoria between 15 and 17 July, with big on Friday 15 July as part of this years Swindon Shuffle names from the world of jazz once never forgotten son Gaz Brookfield. Stratton’s pubs. Already confirmed again descending on the Wiltshire Tickets for all shows and more for this year’s event are Kova market town. Expect exceptional information is available from Me Badd, Hooch, Slagarij, Zing, performances from the likes of www.swindonshuffle.org.uk.

Oscillator and Josie and the Outlaw. Clare Teal, Alice in Grooveland and The Stratton Stroll, taking place More information is available from Wiltshire’s very own Ben Cipolla, on 23 July, is organised as a www.strattonstmargaret.gov.uk/ who won Best Newcomer at the collaboration between Stratton stratton-stroll-2016 festival in 2014.

Parish Council and the wider music If you’re looking for something a For more information, or for more scene to showcase the area, and is little more off-the-wall, The Victoria events happening in Swindon, visit: a great excuse to visit nearly all of and Sheer Music once again team www.theocelot.co.uk

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Swindon Wide Review: Complicated Game By Andy Partridge

By Graham Carter As clichéd as it may be to claim a book is ‘essential reading’, a newly published one about XTC is certainly essential reading for fans of the Swindon band.

And if those fans happen to be from Swindon too, then Compicated Game comes with a big bonus.

A collection of transcripts from interviews of Andy Partridge by American Todd Bernhardt, the book focuses on more than 30 XTC songs, doing as much as anything previously published to unlock the enigmatic band and distill their brilliance.

Partridge candidly reveals much about each song in turn, including what inspired him in the first place, where the lyrics come from, the musical technicalities, what went on in the studio, and the Swindon connections in minute detail.

It is revealed, for instance, that the inspiration for Respectable Street, a satire of middle class suburbia and one of several singles that were censored, controversial or banned by the BBC, is one street in particular: Bowood Road.

The book no doubt unlocks some mysteries for XTC’s fans who are

scattered around the world, who must be puzzled by unfathomable local jargon, but it is also an eye-opener for fans much closer to home.

That’s because although XTC are famously from Swindon and there are plenty of obvious references to the town in their albums, Complicated Game demonstrates just how great an impact on the creative process the town had.

So while it will come as no surprise that The Everyday Story of Smalltown is, indeed, Swindon in disguise, we learn the album it appears on, The Big Express, is Swindon all over.

“Part of me wanted to do an out-and-out concept album about Swindon,” explains Partridge, and while Train Running Low on Soul Coal is another obvious local reference on the same album, he also points out that another, I Remember the Sun, is about him and bass player Colin Moulding growing up in Penhill.

These are only a few of many examples of the Swindon influence, and Compicated Game will also help readers understand more about the band’s complicated relationship with their home town,

with the ingredients of defiance, loyalty, pride, despair and more besides all adding up to what Partridge admits is a “love/hate relationship”.

“Our managers begged us not to tell anyone that we came from Swindon... But everyone’s proud of their little town. Other Swindonians get worked up when I sometimes talk the town down, but... I grew up here, and still live here, and know it as well as they do.”

Complicated Game, by Andy Partridge and Todd Bernhardt, is published by Jawbone (£14.95).

Swindon author publishes Heathrow book

To mark Heathrow Airport’s 70th year, Swindon author Adrian Balch has published his tenth aviation book ‘Heathrow in Photographs –celebrating 70 years of London’s Airport’.

The book describes the changes at the airport using over 250 high quality colour photographs depicting the aircraft, airlines and buildings over the years.

Rushey Platt resident Adrian, 66, spent 22 years in the Royal Air Force, during which he travelled worldwide, photographing aircraft.

Adrian has flown with the Red Arrows and has undertaken many other photographic sorties for leading aviation periodicals worldwide.

The book is available from www.thehistorypress.co.uk or 01235 465500.

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Brunel Opera revival features a moving model railway on stage Tickets are on sale for the One Act Opera ‘Brunel: The Little Man in the Tall Hat’ to be performed on 9 and 10 July at Steam Museum as part of the Swindon175 celebrations.

Originally commissioned by JTPTrust in 2006 for the Brunel200 South West Celebrations, the 2016 performance again features talented adults and children from the Swindon area.

The opera tells the story of the life of Isambard Kingdom Brunel as revealed through the chatter of Swindon railway workers and their families as they travel on the annual ‘trip’ train to St Ives in Cornwall.

As well as IK Brunel, engineers Daniel Gooch, George Stephenson, JS Russell and Dr Lardner all make an appearance.

And to make the 2016 production unique, the show includes the appearance of a model train on stage, courtesy of the Blunsdon and Cricklade Railway Society.

Celebrate 150 years of the free Children’s Fete on 9 July

Music college student William Pearson who performed in the 2006 production, returns in the role of IK Brunel, with Brodie Lee who plays the boy Brunel in July

The music and song is mixed with evocative sounds of the GWR iron foundry, the ghosts of Box Tunnel and the excitement of crossing the Tamar bridge into Cornwall.

This is Swindon showing off its talent at its best. Show times are 7pm on Saturday and Sunday and a matinee at 4pm on Sunday.

Buy tickets at the Wyvern Theatre or www.swindontheatres.co.uk

The town’s biggest community event Circus performances, Swindon Dance, Prime Theatre, live music, arts and crafts, charity and community information stalls, funfair rides, cinema, sports, ending with fireworks GWR Park Faringdon Road, Saturday 9 July, 12noon to 10pm Organised by the Mechanics’ Institution Trust

Swindon Arts Trail until Sunday 3 July

Magic Roundabout steel cavalcade: 9 July, 7am

Featuring some of the very best art Made in Swindon exhibited at 16 venues across the town. Enjoy fresh and exciting ceramics, textile art, a new community mural, fine art drawing and painting.

See more at www.swindon175.com and Facebook: Swindon Arts Trail

A choreographed convoy of present and past cars, all of which have parts made in Swindon at the town’s Mini Plant, formerly Pressed Steel.

Celebrating 60 years of Mini Plant Swindon the cavalcade will be on show at Steam Museum at 9.45am. See details at www.swindon175.com

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Swindon company leads the way in tech

As part of our series of articles celebrating Swindon’s businesses for Swindon 175, we look at tech comnpany Excalibur Communications who recently picked up a coveted Mobile Industry Award

Communications and IT for Business In a major coup for Wiltshire and the South West last month, Excalibur Communications picked up the coveted Mobile Industry Award for Best Unified Comms Dealer.

At a ceremony dominated by industry heavyweights such as Tesco and EE, the Swindon-based company, which provides mobile and IT solutions for business,

was judged to be the best across the whole of the UK for the way in which it integrates communications for its customers.

Excalibur Group is based at the prestigious Arclite House in Peatmoor and is also the umbrella company for Positive Media Group.

James Phipps, Excalibur’s CEO, commented: “This is a tremendous landmark in our company history.

It recognises the extremely high levels of service that we strive to provide for our customers so that true, future-proofed, unified communications work in harmony, allowing them to operate more effectively as a result”.

The Mobile Industry Awards’ judges recognised Excalibur’s considerable innovation, particularly with converged services that enable voice and data products to work together – and how the company has helped businesses of varying sizes across

numerous market sectors to use mobile devices as highly effective enablement tools.

Whilst maintaining its solid reputation for mobile, Excalibur has actually doubled its non-mobile customer base each year for the past three years. In the last 12 months alone, Excalibur has also launched 20 new products – all backed by its managed service agreements that give customers a dedicated account manager and support contact.

Judges commented that a commitment to customer service tipped the balance in favour of Excalibur in what was one of the most fiercely competitive awards on the night.

James Phipps said: “We pride ourselves in being a true business enabler.

“We operate in a competitive market and realise it’s our customer service and commitment to help our customers succeed that set us apart from the networks and other dealers. I am so proud of all we have and all we continue to achieve”.

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WHAT’S ON SWINDON MUSIC

Friday 15th, gates 6pm, performance 7pm Sense and Sensibility. An openair performance

by Chapterhouse Theatre Company. Follow sisters Elinor and Marianne as they find their path and lose their hearts in their quest for a perfect balance of sense and sensibility. £14; child £10; family £42. Tickets from Wyvern box office. Performance at Lydiard Park.

Saturday 16th, 2.45pm & 6pm Stagecoach Theatre Arts of Swindon presents its first Charity Gala Show.

All profits to Juvenile Diabetes Research Fund and Swindon’s community radio 105.5fm. £14.50. Wyvern Thursday 21st to Saturday 23rd; Thurs, Fri 7.30pm; Sat 1pm & 6pm The Odyssey. Set sail on a new version of this ancient story written and performed by Prime Youth Theatre. £12. Arts Centre Thursday 28th to Saturday 30th, 7.30pm & Saturday 1.30pm The Crucible presented by Gatecrash Theatre. Miller’s timeless classic attacks the terrorising power of false accusations and consequences of damning mindless gossip. £13.

Arts Centre

Saturday 2nd, 7.30pm The Songs That Got Away. Rarely sung songs presented by Sheila Harrod and Friends. £12. Arts Centre Friday 8th, 7.30pm A Night of Dirty Dancing. Re-live the passion, indulge in the romance and celebrate the greatest movie soundtrack of all time. £22. Wyvern Friday 8th, 8pm Genesis Connected. Hits from the 70s onwards are brought to life in a celebration of Genesis. £17. Arts Centre Sunday 10th, 7.30pm Chas N Dave perform the songs that made them famous. £30.50. Wyvern Tuesday 12th & Wednesday 13th, 4.45pm & 7.30pm Make Music Swindon-The Infant Voice Festival. Children from over 45 schools celebrate the values of the Olympics. £6; concs £4. Wyvern Friday 15th, 7.30pm The Elvis Years. Be transported back to the golden years of rock’n’roll. £22. Wyvern Saturday 16th, 7.30pm Wessex Male Choir Summer Concert. A superb evening of entertainment with the highly acclaimed Wessex Male Choir. £15; under 16yrs free but reserved ticket required; tickets from STEAM or Swindon Information Centre. STEAM Thursday 21st, 7.30pm Westrock. Take a nostalgia packed journey through America’s classic rock sound. £21. Wyvern MUSICAL THEATRE Thursday 28th, 7.30pm Russell Watson. The UK’s bestTuesday 5th to Thursday 7th, selling classical crossover artist 7pm; Wed & Thurs, 2pm Wilkes Academy An evening of mu- returns with Songs From The Heart. £45. Wyvern sical theatre from first, second and third year students. £15. Wyvern Friday 29th, 7.30pm Showaddywaddy. A dynamic and Saturday 16th, 2.45pm & 6pm uplifting show featuring all their Stagecoach Swindon School of biggest hits. £20. Wyvern Performing Arts present a charity Gala Show. £14.50. Wyvern Sunday 31st, 7.30pm Totally Tina. Experience the spectaWednesday 13th to Saturday cle and energy of Tina Turner’s live 16th, 7.30pm & Sat, 2pm shows with a six-piece band, four Rock of Ages. Chocolate Theatre presents a jukebox story of a small- stunning dancers and Justine’s incredible impersonation of the queen town girl and city boy following of rock and soul. £19. Wyvern their dreams on LA’s rock’n’ roll Sunset Strip. £15. Arts Centre Friday 22nd & Sat 23rd, 7.30pm COMEDY Stage Starz School of Performing Friday 1st, 7.30pm Arts. Over 100 students showcase Danny Bhoy Preview Show. See their talents in dance, drama and this renowned comic in an intimate musical theatre. £12. Wyvern and relaxed setting as he trials his new show. £11.50. Arts Centre FILM Saturday 9th, 8pm Gyles Brandreth. Wit, word-meister Friday 8th, 7.30pm and former MP on an uproarious Grease (PG). John Travolta and and unexpected magic carpet ride Olivia Newton-John star in this around the awesome world of classic film. £15, inc buffet and words. £20. Arts Centre interval ice-cream. Wyvern

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SWINDON EXHIBITION Until Saturday 16th; Wednesday to Saturday, 11am to 3pm Swindon in 175 Images. 175 rarely seen images from the museum’s local art, photographic and postcard collections, many original, show the variety and vibrant nature of life in Swindon, both urban and rural, at work and leisure, and major events and celebrations. Free entry. Swindon Museum & Art Gallery Sunday, 10th, to Saturday 16th; Sun, 1.15am to 4.30pm; Mon to Fri, 10am to 4.30pm The Guild of Wiltshire Artists Summer Exhibition. In addition to over 100 framed paintings in various styles and media, there will be a selection of postcard size, original sketches for sale at £5 each . Free entry. St. Peter’s Church, High Street, Marlborough SN8 1HQ Until 31 March 2017 Swindon: Then and Now. Using a rich array of local photographs the exhibition charts the change in the town’s urban landscape. Entrance is included with standard admission.

STEAM Until April 2017, Wednesday to Saturday, 11am to 4pm Lydiard at War. The story of the impact of the First World War on the St John family and the wider estate – the people that fought and the people who stayed behind. Normal admission charges. Lydiard House

TALK Thursday 7th, 7.15pm 1916 – Slaughter: by Mark Sutton. Local historian and author Mark Sutton continues his much praised series of talks concerning Swindon in the Great War, reflecting on the battle of Gallipoli, the disaster at Kut, the battles of Jutland and the Somme. £2.50 (£1.50 library members) tickets from all Swindon Libraries. Central Library VENUES Arts Centre Devizes Road SN1 4BJ. Tel: 01793 524481 Central Library Regent Circus SN1 1QG. Tel: 01793 463782 Lydiard House Lydiard Park SN5 3PA. Tel: 01793 466664 Roves Farm Sevenhampton, Nr Highworth SN6 7QG. Tel: 01793 763939 STEAM Fire Fly Avenue SN2 2EY. Tel: 01793 466646 Swindon Information Centre, Central Library SN1 1QG. Tel: 01793 530328 Swindon Museum and Art Gallery, Bath Road SN1 4BA. Tel: 01793 466556 Wyvern Theatre Theatre Square SN1 1QN. Tel: 01793 524481 Confirm date, time & price with venue Booking fees may apply

DANCE Saturday 2nd, 7.30pm

Italia Conti Newbury. A show by students aged 4 to 18 years, full of variety from hip-hop and commercial to jazz, ballet and tap dance. £15. Wyvern Saturday 9th, 1pm & 6.30pm Bedknobs And Broomsticks presented by students of Fitzgraham Academy of Dance. £15. Wyvern

OPERA Saturday 9th & Sunday 10th, 7pm; Sunday 10th, 4pm Brunel: The Little Man In The Tall Hat. See page 24 for details Saturday 9th, 6.30pm Don Giovanni performed by Heritage Opera. Young nobleman, Don Giovanni lives every day as though it was his last until finally he is confronted with the terrifying consequences of his gluttony and lust. £15 - £40, tickets available from Wyvern box office. Bring a picnic for the interval. Performance at Memorial Hall, Marlborough College

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CHILDREN & FAMILY Saturday 16th to Friday 22nd Hungry Caterpillar. Feed the wibbly wobbly caterpillar to help him grow into a beautiful butterfly. Make caterpillars and butterflies in craft.

Normal admission prices. Roves Farm. See the advert on page 26 Saturday 23rd to Sunday 31st Superhero School. Test your strength and agility as you duck, dive and dodge your way through an elite training course. Normal admission prices. Roves Farm. see the advert on page 26

FUNDRAISING Friends Of Brook Field School Annual Summer Fair Saturday 2 July, 12noon to 4pm Fun games, children’s race for life, bouncy castles, go karting, barbecues, beer and Pimms tent, photo booths and much more Cartwright Drive, Shaw Jellytots Playgroup Fun Day Saturday 9 July, 12noon to 3pm Lots of stalls. Refreshments Mini Graduation Ceremony Brook Field School playing fields swindonlink.com n July 2016

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Swindon and Cricklade railway launch appeal after devastating fire destroys historic train A devastating fire that destroyed a 1964 diesel engined multiple-unit at the Swindon & Cricklade Railway Society base at Blunsdon Station on Friday 20 May is being investigated

by Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue and Wiltshire Police and has triggered an appeal to help recoup some of the repair costs.

By the time emergency services arrived the blaze was going strongly and well on the way to completely wiping out any recognition of the rare ‘Thumper’ train valued at more than £100,000, as well as three storage wagons parked next to it.

Thumper is the name used for the unit because of the sound of the diesel engine.

Although investigations are still ongoing Swindon Link understands that three individuals from the Swindon area have been arrested and released on conditional bail; a 22-year-old male on suspicion of causing criminal damage, a 21-year-old male and 23-year-old female on suspicion of arson.

Swindon and Cricklade Railway has launched an appeal. A statement on the society’s web

page says: ‘The Thumper was the backbone of our diesel train services, having been in constant use since arriving at the railway in 2004.

‘In addition, three adjacent box wagons, all containing signalling fixtures and fittings, many of them irreplaceable, as well as large specialist power tools, were lost to the fire.

‘Much as insurance will cover some of the losses, we are certain it will not cover everything. If you think this is a worthy cause, whatever you wish to donate will be gratefully received.”

The railway will be running events as normal over the summer, with Kids Go Free events on 23 and 24 July, the latter also offering a cream tea on the ‘Moonraker’.

Steam, cider and sausages are on offer on 16 and 17 July.

Enjoy a murder mystery on the rails on Friday 15 July from 7:30pm (pre-booking required).

Donate online at www.thebiggive.org.uk and search for the Swindon and Cricklade Railway Fire Appeal. www.swindon-cricklade-railway.org

The charred remains of the ‘Thumper’ carriage

GWR Colouring Book competition results The winners of Swindon Link’s competition for a limited edition Great Western Railway colouring book courtesy of GWR are Mr J C Dodds from Groundwell and Marilyn Middleton from Rodbourne Cheney.

Congratulations from the team at Swindon Link and thank you to all entrants.

Library exhibits Britain’s best digital images Pictures by some of the country’s best photographers are displayed at West Swindon Library at Link Centre until 30 June.

Organised by members of the Digital Imaging Group (DIG) of the Royal Photographic Society, the entries on display have been selected by a panel of eminent photographers, who have also chosen the RPS Medal and Trophy

winner and the six RPS Ribbon winners.

DIG is the largest special interest group in the RPS and was formed in the very early days of digital imaging, when most photographers were still using film or slides.

For more information, visit the Royal Photographic Society website: www.rps.org

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Swindon Wide Everything you ever wanted to know about Swindon’s history History column by Graham Carter of Swindon Heritage magazine

If you are interested in our town’s proud local history, then don’t miss the brand new Summer 2016 edition of Swindon Heritage, which is now on sale.

Our 14th quarterly publication is available at a number of outlets in the town, and details can be found at www.swindonheritage.com However, publishing the magazine is only half the story.

We also get involved in a range of other projects and initiatives involving people who work on preserving and bringing to life the town’s past.

We were founding members of the Swindon and District History Network, which is run by Local Studies staff at the Central Library and involves many local history groups and individual researchers and historians from across the town and beyond.

We also sit on Swindon Borough Council’s Heritage Board, which meets quarterly to consider strategic and long-term issues relating to the town’s heritage.

This year we are especially proud to be represented on the organising committee of Swindon 175, and, as part of the celebrations, we are staging the Swindon Heritage History Day at Radnor Street Cemetery from 10am to 4pm on Sunday, July 10.

The plan has always been for Swindon 175 to be the catalyst for an ongoing celebration of the town’s heritage, continuing after the 175th anniversary has passed, so we came up with the idea for what we hope will become an annual event.

We already run monthly guided walks at the cemetery on the second Sunday of the month during the spring, summer and autumn, and are using the July walk as the basis for what is shaping up to be a large but still free event.

When we contacted our colleagues on the local history

Theatres support Wiltshire Treehouse As part of a new community outreach program, Swindon Theatres, which runs The Arts Centre and The Wyvern, are teaming up with local charity, Wiltshire Treehouse, to aid with fundraising and facilities support.

The fledgling charity, which supports bereaved children and young people in Swindon and the surrounding area, does not receive government support and to run a full service needs to raise around £30,000 a year.

In order to help Treehouse raise

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Radnor Street Cemetery

scene, inviting them to put on displays in and around the cemetery chapel on the day, we were delighted that many of them agreed to attend. So if you have a query about or an interest in local history, this is a rare chance to come along and tap into the combined knowledge of experts in the field.

It’s also a good opportunity to share information with the individuals and groups who are taking part, whose areas of interest range from football to photography and family history to archaeology.

So if we don’t know the answers to your questions, we can put you in touch with somebody who does.

The history day also includes guided walks around the cemetery on railway and military themes, look-ups of the cemetery’s burial registers and refreshments, and we are encouraging families to bring their own food and drinks - because we think the cemetery is a great place for picnics.

When we founded Swindon Heritage it was with the intention of providing a showcase for the work of local historians, and while the magazine continues to do that, we hope the history day will encourage even more people to join in and celebrate our fantastic local heritage.

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The month ahead for Prospect Hospice l Parachute for Prospect: 3 July at Go Skydive in Salisbury, Wiltshire.

The booking fee is £50 and there is a minimum sponsorship £395. l Outdoor Swim: Saturday 23 July at Bowmoor Sailing Club, Lechlade. Registration costs £20 and distances vary from 500m to 3.8km. l Emi Mazzotta of hairdressers

this amount and keep the much needed service free for families, Swindon Theatres will arrange fundraising opportunities as well as providing activities for the charity’s young users such as free tickets. www.treehousewiltshire.org.uk

Strandz, celebrating its first anniversary this month, would like to thank her customers.

She said: “In memory of my dad Nick, I raised £512 for the Prospect Hospice Starlight Walk, in the salon in May. I want to thank all the clients who donated and helped me reach my target.” www.prospect-hospice.net

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Sport and Leisure

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Another marathon bike journey through Europe for Ricardo Defazio

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Ricardo, centre, leading out his cycling team on their last EU adventure in April

West Swindon based Pride of Swindon award winner, Ricardo Defazio is again planning to help local charities by cycling across Europe with five other bikers.

The team cycled 950 miles in eight days to Barcelona in April and their overall target is £10,000 for Brighter Futures and YouNite Outreach Project.

On 1 September, the intrepid bikers take off on a 20 day circular route starting in Paris, heading south through Spain to reach Vila Nova de Milfontes in Portugal, before riding back across Spain to take a ferry crossing from Barcelona

to Sicily on 15 September.

Ricardo said: “We have 220 miles to cycle from Palermo to Gimigliano, which is where my dad is originally from, high in the southern Italian mountains.

“Then we ride up through Italy as far as we can before we have to return to Swindon for a barn dance at Blunsdon Hotel on 24 September.

We hope to at least reach Switzerland. I would love to cycle through the Alps.”

Help the team achieve their fundraising target via: www.justgiving.com/RicardoDefazio

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Sport and Leisure

On your bike for Swindon Cycle Fest Swindon Cycle Festival takes place on 17 July from 10am, at the County Ground Athletics Track.

The fun, free event is for all the family to celebrate cycling in Swindon.

Hosted by Mitchell Cycles, the festival will give you the chance to try your hand at a Shoretrax mountain bike course, a kid’s cyclo-cross course, and various led rides for all the family.

People can bring their bikes along for a free checks from the mechanics and there will be security marking, a bike jumble sale, maintenance tutorials, and lots of bikes from electric to adapted ones to have a go on.

There will also be a bouncy castle, face-painting, kids races and plenty of delicious food and drink.

Visitors can also ‘Come and Try’ bowls with the Swindon Bowls Club next to the Athletics Track.

Facebook: Swindon Cycle Fest

A good news cycle for Swindon

provide an Eastern Flyer in to the town centre.

Members of Swindon BUG have It’s been a great couple of months been hard at work to try and ensure for cycling in the town. that this money, and ongoing The Swindon Cycle Framework regular expenditure, is spent in the has been signed off and adopted by right places and on the right things. the council and in June, Swindon We have drawn up a list of Borough Council was awarded priorities to improve infrastructure significant amounts of government in and around the town. This will money to fund cycling. appear on our website as a live There is over £350,000 to be spent action plan. in this financial year on encouraging We’d love to have the opinions people to cycle where it is practical of everyone on what needs doing and possible. This money will be so look out on our Facebook page: targeted towards schools, employers Swindon BUG for updates. and the general population.

It’s been a really exciting year There is also £1.25m of central for BUG so far and good progress government money provided for is being made in our objective to infrastructure improvements, mainly improve things for cyclists so that around the new Eastern Villages. more people can cycle more often.

This will provide links between this To top off the good news, there is new development and the existing a family cycle festival at the County infrastructure. It may also include Ground on Sunday 17 July. See upgrades to existing paths to above for details.

On two wheels by Rob Derry of Swindon Bicycle Users Group (BUG)

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Sport and Leisure

Janet’s Puppy Skool sponsors youth football squad Janet’s Puppy Skool is delighted to announce that it will be sponsoring Northside Athletic Under 14s football team for the 2016/17 season.

Janet was commercial manager at Swindon Town FC in the Glenn Hoddle era so knows the importance of encouraging young talent.

The sponsorship was formally announced and the kit handed over to the 16 boys and their coaches on Friday 10 June.

North Swindon youth football team gains £3,000 grant Sky Sports News presenter Hayley McQueen has congratulated FC Abbeymeads after they received a £3,000 Grow the Game grant.

The funding from the country’s largest sports charity has paved the way for FC Abbeymeads to ensure another 100 boys and girls have the opportunity to participate in the game.

The money will support the club’s U15s and U17/18 teams in the upcoming season and will allow new U8’s,U9’s,U10’s,U12’s

to be formed, as well as helping with new coach training, kit and equipment purchase and fees for pitches and officials.

Grow the Game is funded by the Premier League and The FA and delivered by the Football Foundation to increase participation amongst underrepresented groups.

Clint Ricketts, FC Abbeymeads assistant secretary, said: “Because of the extra funding we have managed to speed up our club

FC Abbeymeads Under 9s ‘Tigers’

growth plan.”

For information about FC Abbeymeads, contact Clint Ricketts: clint.ricketts@fcabbeymeads.co.uk

Counsellor Simon Vizard: ‘Change your thinking - Change your life’

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Sounds simple doesn’t it? It isn’t always as simple as that of course but it’s also not impossible to make positive changes, when you are ready and given the right support.

It’s easy to get into a rut when we all lead such busy lives, and with so many demands on our time, when it comes to looking after ourselves and questioning what we want, we find little time to do so, or lack motivation to make a change.

Life challenges can often feel so overwhelming, yet somehow we just carry on. We grin and bear what life throws at us without question.

That’s great, and very admirable, but does just ‘carrying on’ make

you happy? It’s OK to admit if you are not happy, or if something isn’t working. You are allowed to think

this way, and everyone deserves to be as happy as they can be.

The challenge is, when we start thinking like this, it can feel a lonely place. Who can I talk to? What if I get it wrong? What if I make things worse?

A counsellor is there to support people through this process of making a change, which can often be defined in 3 stages: Stage 1: Your current situation, what’s really going on?

Stage 2: Your preferred scenario, what do you want or prefer, explore possibilities.

Stage 3: Action plan, define possible realistic and achievable actions you can do to make the changes you need.

Again, it sounds so simple when it’s written in black and white. But it can be made easier by working with a counsellor.

Counsellors are empathic, supportive and genuinely interested in your story, they want to be there with you as you face your challenges and as you make your changes. If you (or anyone else you know) are starting to ask yourself the questions above, get in touch, I’d be happy to help you: www.simonvizard.com Registered Counsellor MBACP/Dip Couns (732631)

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Sport and Leisure

Full house wanted to watch Swindon Robins Sky TV meet on 4 July

Robin’s Jason Doyle ‘slidin.’ Photo: Les Aubrey

July cream tea to boost channel swimmers target

Bethan, second left, and Lyndsey, right, with the Aspire swimming team training in Dover

A team of six swimmers including Bethan Sowden and Lyndsey Adamson from Swindon, will attempt to relay swim the English Channel in aid of the Aspire spinal injuries charity in August, with a fundraising afternoon cream tea event planned for 2.30pm on Sunday 3 July at Purton Village Hall.

Bethan and Lyndsey’s JustGiving page has reached 50 per cent of their fundraising target and with more events planned, they hope to add another £1,500.

Bethan is no stranger to the channel crossing, having attempted twice already, successfully completing a team swim in 2012.

As one of the busiest shipping lanes in the world, the channel is not just an arduous distance swim but also a mental challenge as the team face the bitterly cold water for an hour at a time during the planned 12 hour crossing.

Support Bethan and Lyndsey effort for Aspire at: www.justgiving.com/fundraising/ Bethan-Lyndsey

Speedway fans have a super event on Monday 4 July, 7.30pm, when Swindon Robins go up against top team Coventry Bees.

And this is a great opportunity for anybody who hasn’t visited Abbey Stadium recently to discover the excitement of speedway says Robin’s newly appointed commercial manager Stella Walton.

“The clash with Coventry has been moved to 4 July for Sky and we’re making the night a big one by discounting tickets to £10, and under 11s are free.

“If you like action packed and exciting, speedway is for you.

What’s not to love about watching

bikes without brakes, accelerating faster than an F1 car, screaming down the straights and sliding the corner with shale flying around?

“Why not make it on 4 July and see Robins take on Coventry Bees newly crowned British champion Danny King and former champion and GP star Chris ‘Bomber’ Harris?

Team manager Alun Rossiter added: “We want to see the Abbey packed for this crucial meeting. It always looks better on TV when there’s a big crowd and knowing our fans are behind us gives a great boost to our performance.”

Find out more at: www.swindonrobins.co

West Swindon skate day A Skate Jam on Saturday 23 July at Rivermead Drive, Westlea will offer competitions and demonstrations by professional extreme sports athletes from 12noon to 3pm.

The event is being organised by skate park designers Wheelscape who won the bid from Swindon Council to build the £65,000 facility opposite the Spectrum building. It was supposed to take place when the skate park opened a year ago but was cancelled due to torrential rain.

The relatively small skate park has become a huge hit with skate, BMX riders, rollerbladers and scooter beginners and youngsters improving their techniques, often with parents watching on as they have fun The competition element on 23

July, which is open to all ages and skill levels, will see prizes awarded for notable achievements during a run. www.wheelscape.co.uk

Brighter Futures receives quilters cheque

Poppydown Quilters presenting their cheque to Chloe Thomas, Brighter Futures community and events fundraiser

Members of Poppydown Quilters who meet at Shaw Ridge Primary School have boosted the Brighter Futures appeal with a cheque for £770 raised from the group’s annual sewing day.

The group also makes Blankets of Love which are given to Stillborn and Neonatal Death Charity (SANDS) to support parents at Great

36

Western Hospital maternity unit.

Poppydown Quilters have been running for 26 years and there are over 30 members.

The Brighter Futures appeal continues to gain support as they raise funds for a new radiotherapy unit at Great Western Hospital. Find out more at: www.brighterfuturesgwh.nhs.uk

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Motoring

Room For All In The Volvo XC90 parking camera. The Volvo XC90 is one of the biggest SUV’s on the road yet it can be reversed into the tightest of spaces with ease.

It’s a valuable must-have feature that’s part of the large 12.3 inch portrait format central screen. This has touch controls for most items, augmented by steering wheel buttons. Navigation directions are offered clearly both on the console screen and in the driver’s eye on the Geoff Maxted of Drivewrite.co.uk takes the Volvo XC90 for a spin dashboard. All the safety kit you The Volvo XC90 is a class-leading 1,102 litres. With all seven seats up could name is onboard and airbags SUV. In entry-level Momentum there’s still 451 litres - good enough all round means a Euro NCAP score of five stars. Faultless. trim as seen here. It is a car for all for a ‘normal’ family.

I like that these important driver reasons and all seasons. When I The youngster absolutely loved aids are unobtrusive. Try changing say ‘entry-level’ I mean the Volvo sitting in the third row of seats lanes without indicating and the definition of ‘entry-level’ at £50,000 where she could chant ‘Are we steering wheel gives you a gentle including options. I was fortunate nearly there yet’ with impunity. At to test it on a family breakaway a pinch, you could get adults in the nudge as a reminder to watch your recently. surprisingly comfy rumble seats that step. There’s a lot of additional kit available if you work your way up How can a family unit of four fold flat into the floor, but really through the trim levels and option adults and one child generate so they are for children. much luggage for just a few days There’s easily space for five adults list but, in my view, a lot of what is available is superfluous unless you away? There’s probably an equation in the cabin. It’s a Volvo, so it goes really like spending money. to work it out. Hannibal had less without saying that the XC90 is Downsizing is now the thing and gear when he crossed the Alps. very comfortable. The SUV offers Fortunately, the new Volvo XC90 genuine legroom in the second row the XC90 comes with a fourcylinder diesel as the mainstay of was up to the job. even with a child’s safety seat. the engine range with 222bhp and All our luggage went into the Driver visibility is clear all around 362lb ft of torque. There is a fourhuge boot (with the third row and the stand-out feature has cylinder petrol, the T6, which seems seats down) thanks to a capacity of got to be the 360° Surround View

a bit superfluous in this car and is said to be a tad noisy and thirsty.

Finally, there’s the ultra-clean T8 plug-in hybrid, the quickest and most expensive version.

All Volvo XC90 variants come with an eight-speed automatic gearbox. If I’m honest, I found, at times when I needed to be quick off the mark for overtaking and the like, the gearbox felt a bit hesitant on the uptake. Otherwise, it was smooth-shifting all the way with the added all-weather security of four-wheel drive as standard. The diesel offers strong low down pull and has a reasonably broad power band. Unladen, the car sprints to the magic 62mph in 7.4 seconds, although the XC90 is so big you don’t really notice.

From the front, it is imposing, with a large grille and redesigned Volvo badge, plus classy LED headlamps.

You can get big wheels if you must but I would stick to the standard offerings for maximum ride comfort.

It makes for a comfortable car to cruise in, gripping well in corners, but it’s no sports car, so it leans a fair bit. That’s the compromise.

So just sit back and enjoy the relaxed and hushed drive.

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Tea & Scones, as above, plus: A glass of house Champagne, daily changing gateau, fruitcake, selection of petit fours, smoked salmon & cream cheese finger sandwiches, individual quiche lorraine, individual chicken & mushroom pie, Croque Monsieur.

May be reserved by phone with full pre-payment swindonlink.com n July 2016

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Gardening Wild and wonderful in wire

A workshop inspired by nature in the beautiful environment of Stanton Country Park Farmhouse takes place on Saturday 9 July, 10.30am to 1pm.

Participants will create wild flowers, using wire, tissue paper, fabric, glue and paint, to take home.

The workshop organised by Every Cloud Arts & Crafts is suitable for all abilities and will proceed at a gentle pace in a small friendly group.

The cost is £25 per person with all materials and light refreshments included.

Advance booking advised by contacting: info@ everycloudartscrafts.com or 01793 692596.

Afternoon of music Toothill Community Centre Thursday 30 June, 2pm to 4pm, with the U3A 16 piece dance band and strawberry tea sponsored by Asda in aid of breast cancer care and research. £2 entry on the door Call 01793 614492 for more information

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Nature on show again at Abbey Meads After two years of hard work by staff, children and parents at Abbey Meads Primary School, the pond and wildlife area in the grounds has been completely redeveloped.

Led by teacher Tracy Dangerfield and teaching assistant Jo Woods, the project has seen a total transformation of what had become an overgrown wilderness.

Jo said: “Three ponds were made on the hillside when the school was built in 1999, on a natural streamline from St Andrew’s Ridge.

“By 2015 they were lost in the undergrowth and we decided to renew the area so that we could offer a much better curriculum environment to study nature.

“Wiltshire Wildlife Trust provided advice before the school was built and again helped us develop a plan.

“Volunteers from Nationwide did an incredible job strimming down and removing a huge quantity of vegetation.”

Pond specialist Aqueous were brought in to dig out and line the ponds, and Newson Interiors built paths, pond dipping and viewing

Reflecting on a job well done at Abbey Meads Primary School

platforms, as well as an open-sided timber outdoor classroom.

On Friday 10 June parents, staff and children were joined by representatives from Oak and Furrows Wildlife Rescue Centre for tours around the pond area before taking part in nature activities on the school field.

Jo added: “We were amazed how quickly nature rediscovered the ponds after all the disruption. We were thrilled to see frogs, toads

and newts return to our beautiful wildlife area, and bumble bees buzzing around the new plants put in by parents.

“We’re now using the outdoor classroom regularly for our forest school activities and outdoor learning. The whole area is stimulating the imagination for all the children.”

The project was funded by the school governing body and the Friends of Abbey Meads School.

The wonder of reed warblers

This is the first of a quarterly contribution by Matt Prior, Wiltshire Ornithological Society Conservation Officer, about the birdlife around us and what to look out for.

Reed beds are special habitats that are scarce in Wiltshire.

In North Swindon we are very lucky to have some in the disused canal that runs alongside Mouldon Hill Park and at the lake within the park, and there is a smaller area at Peatmoor Lagoon.

Most reed beds are dominated by one plant, the common reed Phragmites australis. They are a priority habitat in the UK biodiversity action plan because of the threatened species that they can support.

The problem is, from the observer’s point of view, they are very difficult to see into so they can appear to be devoid of life. However, during the summer they are bursting with the song of the most common breeding bird which lives in reed beds.

Reed warblers are the classic ‘little brown job;’ they give their presence away with their rasping repetitive song and even though they are a tiny bird they make quite a rustle in the reeds as they move around.

They arrive in the UK in April and breed throughout the summer. They build a compact nest that is secured to the stems of the reed, normally above the water. Once they have finished breeding they return in Autumn to their wintering grounds in West Africa.

Bird ringing studies show that reed warblers can live up to 13 years and they return to the same beds each summer.

As the pressure of human population growth and development on natural habitats increases, it is important that we protect all our existing reed beds and also look for places to create more.

Reed warblers can be found at all of the sites mentioned above, but the disused canal is by far the best place. There are 18 active nests along the stretch this summer.

The canal can be accessed from Elborough Bridge or from Mouldon

Hill Lake and a walk along the towpath takes you right alongside the fantastic beds that flourish there.

Matt being introduced to a reed bed he was unaware of next to Positive Media Group HQ in Peatmoor. Top, reed warbler chicks in their nest

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Gardening

Mixed results from rocket seed planting

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

Holding their crops, Elaine Jackson with Year 2 pupils

An experiment at Peatmoor Primary School to grow rocket seeds that were sent to the International Space Station has not gone well.

Ten thousand UK schools were asked to plant seeds by the Royal Horticultural Society and the UK Space Agency to compare how well those that went to the ISS did with those that did not. Whether it was the ‘blue’ pack or the ‘red’

which were space rocket seeds was not known until Major Tim Peake returned to earth on 18 June.

“Whatever the pack colour, our efforts were terrible,” said Peatmoor eco-teaching assistant Elaine Jackson. “We would not be able to nourish many astronauts if our efforts were anything to go by - hopefully the other schools had more success.”

ALL TREE WORK COMPLETED TO THE HIGHEST STANDARD

Hedge cutting Stump grinding Fruit tree pruning Fully insured Free estimates Over 20 years experience

01793 976084 07967 594707

david.hawkins100@hotmail.co.uk

Garden Maintenance & Landscaping

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

Call Martin Emery MI Hort.

for free quotation on 01793 703306 or Mobile 07771 956294

and weeding

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

and much more

Email: gardencareswindon@hotmail.com

Hard & Soft Landscaper

stevebrander@hotmail.co.uk 01793 329472 / 07949 896349 www.brandnewgardens.co.uk

Tree Surgeon

maintenance service

• Hedgecutting, pruning

01793 813853 07813 906863 cwjgarrett@tiscali.co.uk

Manor Garden Centre SN2 2QJ Plants and crafts for sale. www.twigscommunitygardens.org.uk

LANDSERVE

• Full garden

• Planting, clearance

TWIGS Community Gardens NGS Open Day

David Hawkins

mowing

For a free quotation contact:

Patios & Decking Panelled & Close Board Fencing Hedge & Shrub Pruning Regular Lawn Cuttings & Maintenance

Sunday 17 July, 1am to 5pm. £3 for adults; children free

• Regular lawn

Free Quotes & Advice

ERITAGE CLIFF WHITEWAY H TREE CARE SERVICES PROFESSIONAL

For all your home & garden needs

Patios Decking Paths Turfing Walling Fencing Driveways For a free quote call Cliff on

Tel: 01793 731418 Mobile: 07808 355487

Established locally for over 8 years References available

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

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

01793 790210 07971 566880

Email: treeman@iwalding.freeserve.co.uk

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

Tel: 01793 875451 or 07940 247152 www.freethfencingandgardenservicesltd.com

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

THE INDEPENDENT GAS SPECIALISTS

• Extensions • Driveways • Conservatories • Patios • Garden Walls • Fencing All general building and landscaping projects undertaken NO JOB TOO SMALL Call Stewart on

01793 670115 or 0784 182 6390 for a Free Estimate

• Servicing, Repairs, Installation • Central Heating (including Combination boilers and Warm Air) • Landlord Safety Checks • Cookers, Fires, Water Heaters

142573

SERVICE CONTRACT SPECIALISTS

FOR GAS SERVICE CALL 01793 848800 6 Templars Way Industrial Est, Marlborough Rd, W. Bassett SN4 7SR

www.gastechwilts.co.uk

J’s Electrical • • • • • • • • • •

Extensions Garage & Loft Conversions Conservatories Garden Walls Patios & Fencing Plastering Wall & Floor Tiling Laminate & Wood Flooring Block Paving Painting & Decorating All our work is carried out to your complete satisfaction

Contact: Pete

Tel: 01793 932 570 Mob: 07790 283 186

Misted or Broken Windows?

217129

24 YEARS EXPERIENCE Installation & Servicing NG & LPG ✓ Boiler & System Upgrades ✓ Breakdown & Maintenance ✓ Bathrooms, Showers & Wet Rooms ✓ Power Flushing / Descaling ✓ For ALL your plumbing, heating & gas requirements call Assured on

07845 90 80 60 or 01793 700 820

www.assured-plumbing.co.uk

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

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

We will beat any like for like quotation

k Kitchen fitting

Make an impact!

Promote your business on paper and online @ swindonlink.com Call Sue Roberts to discuss our combined advertising packages

01793 781502 40

Also general plumbing, tiling & plastering

559105

Tel: 01793 753341

www.heatingswindon.com

Please call for a free quotation.

01793 871660 (Office) Mob: 075151 25060

k 15 years experience

Call 01793 514069 or 07885 972172

derek.richardson5@virginmedia.com

e: ellisj10@sky.com

24 The Elms, Nine Elms Swindon SN5 5XA

www.delliscarpentry.co.uk

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

u 10% discount with this advert (quote ref WL 2714) u £500 off any new boiler installed

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

k Fitted wardrobes

Home Improvements & Building Services

• Boiler breakdowns and maintenance contracts from £15/month • Boiler servicing from £59 + VAT • Landlords Gas Safety and PAT testing • Boiler and heating systems upgrades • Full central heating designs and installation • Power flushing / Descaling Combi • General plumbing boilers from from tap washers to £1,350 full bathroom suites + VAT • Free no obligation quotes

Competent, reliable and fully insured.

k Real wood and laminate flooring

ACP

WARMSHIELD SERVICES LTD

DJR General Builders Ltd

For all your carpentry needs k Door hanging

upvc-swindon@hotmail.co.uk

NO JOB TOO SMALL Mobile: 07985 195893 Tel: 01793 320447

D E Carpentry

DOUBLE GLAZING REPAIRS

01793 940089 or 07526 647673

✭ Extra sockets and lights ✭ Shower and cooker installation ✭ Fuse board replacement ✭ Complete re-wiring ✭ Security lighting ✭ P.A.T. testing ✭ 24 hours

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

MILESTONE Building Services

Complete Property Renovations & Alterations Kitchens / Bathroom Tiling / Flooring Brickwork / Blockwork Paving / Patios Fencing / Decking & Ground Works Carpentry / Plumbing

DLS Property Services Ltd Garage conversions Part/full house refurbishments Kitchens & bathrooms supplied & installed from start to finish Plumbing • Electrics

All Building Works Undertaken No job too small • Free estimates

For a free estimate from a Home Improvement Specialist please call David on

Contact: Dean Scanlon Telephone: 01793 422032 Mobile: 077 8968 1536

www.dlspropertyservices.com

Tel: 01793 338275 Mob: 07796262942 Email: info@dlspropertyservices.com

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YOUR GUIDE TO HOME MAINTENANCE

D.A. DRIVEWAYS & PATIOS

Chrome sockets and switches Home extensions/rewires

❐ Block Paving ❐ Landscaping ❐ Fencing ❐ Decorative Stone ❐ General Maintenance

Replacement fuse boards Kitchen & bathroom electrics Data cabling/office conversions Garage/garden power Decorative lights Fault finding/repairs

Fully insured to £2m

Free help and advice

Call Dan: 07791 791513 Email: dan@boylectrical.co.uk Visit: www.boylectrical.co.uk

For a professional and affordable service, free consultation and written quotation

Tel: 01793 878062 or 07866 523898

Haines

Plastering & Home Improvements

• Plastering • Tiling • Coving • Dry-Lining & Plasterboarding • Rendering • Screeding • Fencing Free quotations and a friendly service

or email: hainesplastering@gmail.com

Tel: 01793 848708 or 07967 341567 www.earthmovingservices.co.uk

Approved Electrician Approved Electrician

Semi-retired Plumber

07853 966003

Part P Registered

SWINDON GAS SERVICES www.swindongasservices.co.uk

01793 847517 ★ boiler changes ★ boiler breakdown ★ full central heating systems ★ heating system upgrades ★ power flushing ★ bathroom suites ★ all types of plumbing work undertaken ★ no call out charge ★ 15 years experience 550065

FOR ALL YOUR PROPERTY MAINTENANCE REQUIREMENTS

Extra Sockets/lights • • Fuse Board Upgrade

• Kitchen/Bathroom Installations • Painting & Decorating • Plumbing • Tiling • Minor Electrical • Carpentry • Garden landscaping/Maintenance • Patios & Decking

• No job too small!

Tel: 01793 721677 Mobile 07919415849

C.P.C.S Licensed • Fully Insured Call Steve to discuss your needs and receive a free estimate

• Extra Sockets/lights

For a FREE no obligation quote call now on 07874 021004 or 01793 701797

• Garden/site shaping, levelling, clearance • Footings, trenches & ditches excavated • Hardcore sub-bases & roadways/tracks • Concrete, tarmac, hedge & stump removal • Soil screening/debris removal • Micro excavator, minimum access width required: 29” (730mm)

Call Luke on

Part P Registered

Fitted Kitchens Bathrooms & Bedrooms Tiling & Worktops Laminate Flooring Skirtings & Architraves Dados & Coving Doors & Decking And much more

Earthmoving Services

• •

• Fuse Board Upgrade andInspection Inspection • Testing Testing and • Complete Complete Rewires Rewires • No job too small!

Connected Connected Electrical Electrical && Property Services Property Services Call Geoff : 07824 314080 or Tel: 07824 314080 or 01793 703308 01793 703308 Email: connectedelectrical01@gmail.com

Email: connectedelectrical01@gmail.com

24hr emergency call out • Leaks & burst pipes • Blocked drains, sinks & toilets • Immersions & hot water cylinders • Tap washers & ball valves • Complete bathrooms refitted • Dishwashers & washing machines plumbed in • Radiators changed

Tel: 01793 324116 Mob: 07788 621772

EJS-Link-QPC_93x133mm.pdf 1 12/11/2015 13:55:31

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

Alison J Hook Painter, Decorator & General Handywoman • • • •

Free no obligation quotes Fully insured Interior/exterior work Gardening services grass cutting and hedge trimming • No job too small • Reliable, honest, friendly service

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

Haydon Wick Heating Services

All heating and plumbing works undertaken • Full central heating systems • Boiler changes / services and repairs • Power flushing • Full bathroom / ensuite installations • General plumbing works • Free quotes and realistic prices

Tel: 01793 748333 Mob: 07733897039

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REPAIR & IMPROVE YOUR GUIDE TO HOME MAINTENANCE

Paul Rhind

Plumbing

& Heating

BUILDING SERVICES Bathroom suites and kitchens fitted UPVC windows & doors Conservatories, fascias and guttering Roofing & building maintenance Painting, decorating, ceramic tiling Telephone/fax: 01793 874807

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

01793 876600 07748 964433

Approved Plumber

mjplumbing64@gmail.com

No job too small • Rooms left tidy daily Free no obligation 24 hour quotations

Call Andy: 01793 729354 or 07900 835116

Call Sue Roberts on 01793 781502 to discuss our combined advertising packages or email advertising@ swindonlink.com for more information

or eco

&D ter

EP

Call 01793 334823 or 07788 572043

H

INTERIOR H EXTERIOR H WALLPAPERING

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

Call 01793 721455 or 07976 885203

www.trevorwyse.com

01793 264568 07415 431340

garyfulford1@sky.com www.garyfulfordpaintingand decorating.co.uk

All areas of Plastering, Decorating and Refurbishment undertaken

TILING

• Ceilings and Walls Plastered • Coving • Rendering • Painting & Decorating - Internal & External • Complete Home Improvements undertaken • Free quotations

WALL & FLOOR SPECIALIST

Please contact Brian Jones

Mobile: 07976 572905 Home: 01793 725834

Call Stuart on 01793 727659 or 07809 368051

Professional, reliable and friendly service

PLANS DRAWN

Doctor Glass

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

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

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

Call Bob on 07778 324228 42

(Unlike many of our competitors)

BSJ PLASTERING & DECORATING SERVICES

Do better business!

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

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

16 years experience Fully insured Excellent references Discounts for senior citizens FREE no obligation quotation not an estimate!

ain

REDUCTIONS FOR OAPs

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

Domestic & commercial Internal & external Wallpaper specialist

rat

INTERIOR & EXTERIOR

ID

• Interior/exterior painting and decorating • Wallpaper • Tiling • Coving • Laminate flooring • Doors & skirting replacement • Kitchen & bathroom refits • Internal alterations

J S Property Services

DECORATOR

FREE ESTIMATES

PR

DECORATING & CARPENTRY

CARPENTRY

www.swindonplasterer.com

repairs & replaces cracked, broken or misted double glazed windows Also hinges and locks Call: 01793 854448 or 07976 219671

Please call Leon for a free quote

TEL: 01793 330975 MOB: 07919 255673 Email: leon.jack@hotmail.co.uk

Kitchens, Bathrooms and Conservatories

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

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YOUR GUIDE TO HOME MAINTENANCE

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

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

www.grservicesswindon.co.uk

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

Services

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

Mobile: 07764 511933 or Tel: 01793 879069

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

Kevin Rolfe

01793 321981 07775 840236

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

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

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

on Worcester Bosch Ri Si and Cdi boilers

• Competitive rates • All work guaranteed

Accredited Installer

• No job too small

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

MJP Home Creations

7 YEAR GUARANTEE

For further details call Richard on 01793 879156 or 07747 723606

203455

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

TEL: 01793 536784 SANSUM SAND & GRAVEL SUPPLY TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC AND TRADE CUSTOMERS BRICKS, CONCRETE BLOCKS, CELCON BLOCKS, BLOCK PAVING, PATIO SLABS, SAND, GRAVEL, TOP SOIL, BARK, CANTABURY SPAR, LANDSCAPE FABRIC, DRAINAGE CHANNELS, BUILDING CHEMICALS, ROCK SALT AND CEMENT

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SERVICE SECTOR YOUR GUIDE TO LOCAL SERVICES

ACCOUNTANCY

CJD

ACCOUNTANCY LTD

Craig Dell FCCA

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

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

www.cjd-accountancy.co.uk

AERIAL SERVICES

Chris Payne

aerials & satellite systems ✭ ✭ ✭ ✭

Freeview & Sky installations TV & radio aerials Home cinema Extra TV & telephone points

Then contact your local VAT free aerial and satellite installers

01793 744957

01793 200071

www.jcarpets.co.uk

www.bookkeepingswindon.co.uk

Great personal service with great prices!

COMPUTER SUPPORT

COMPUTER SUPPORT

Est 2002 For all your computing needs

• • • • •

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

Abacus Cleaning Services

THE CLEANING & IRONING SERVICE

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

01793 421802

www.abacuscleaningswindon.co.uk

Call 07818 550347

russell@whelanpest.co.uk

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

Ironing £17 per basket, collected and returned the next day

Call 01793 875665 07780625244

Showroom:

Maxwell House, Maxwell Street, Swindon SN1 5DR Tel: (01793) 618499 or 513796 swindondoorservices@ btinternet.com

PROPERTY SERVICES

www.garagedoorsupplies.co.uk

REMOVALS

We like to move it Swindon Working in and around the Swindon area

• NEW BUILDS & EXTENSIONS • PLUMBING • JOINERY • FASCIAS & SOFFITS • GARDENING & MAINTENANCE • PROPERTY MAINTENANCE

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

44

Weekly, fortnightly or monthly cleans.

One-off Spring cleans

Installation & Repairs New Doors • Automation No Obligation Quotes Est. 1981

Cost Effective Pest Prevention and Control

Highly competitive pricing Swindon based • Fully qualified Specialists in all pest removal Bird proofing 7 Day - No call out charge

House cleans from £16 per house.

Around £26 for a 4 bed.

GARAGE DOORS

Tel: 01793 325685

PEST CONTROL

Call Swindon 01793 474720 CLEANING

Hard Floors Cleaned & Sealed We bring the showroom to you!

Carpet, Vinyl, Wood & Laminate

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

CARPET CLEANING Carpets, Rugs and Fabric Upholstery

Tel: 01793 700637 or 07963 637748

We provide a range of computer services for both home and business including: • PC repairs and maintenance • System upgrades, networking • Custom built computers • Windows home server installs • Virus removal • Data recovery • Internet solutions • Web design With over 15 years experience, you can rely on us

TV AERIAL SERVICES

50% off digital aerials

CARPETS

AERIAL SERVICES

Shaun Guard

• Does your picture freeze and break up?

• Would you like TV points in other rooms?

• Do you want Freesat or Sky installed?

Tel: 01793 700078 Mobile: 07904 330724

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

Computer problems?

Let us help

Aerial Solutions

NO VAT

BOOK-KEEPING

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

AERIAL SERVICES

We move anything anytime single items, complete house moves or a house clearance Call Mark or Wayne for a free quote on: 01793 323220/531022 07955 716630 / 07484 215063 mark492@hotmail.co.uk

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45

YOUR GUIDE TO LOCAL SERVICES

APPLIANCE REPAIRS

APPLIANCE REPAIRS

APPLIANCE REPAIRS

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

Call 07963 131429 or 01793 490668

e.mail: haleskills@gmail.com

Guaranteed repairs to all makes of domestic appliances Same day/next day service

Tel: 01793 469300

CLEANING

CLEARANCE

COMPUTER SUPPORT

Homes That Sparkle From People Who Shine Affordable & reliable cleaning programmes, tailored to meet your needs and budget Regular cleans, Spring cleans, Moving in or out cleans Trained and insured staff Equipment and supplies provided Quality Service Guarantee

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

GARAGE DOORS

Electrical Automation • Up & Over • Roller • For our fast Sectional • Repairs • friendly repair service call New doors/general enquiries 01793 940096 01793 847545

Unit 8, Central Trading Estate, Signal Way, Swindon SN3 1PD Email enquiries@dimensions.org.uk • www.dimensions.org.uk

FURNITURE WANTED

Ovens, ranges, agas, hobs extractors and microwaves Fixed pricing examples Single Oven £45 - Range £75

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

REMOVALS

TV REPAIRS

UPHOLSTERY

WHITE VAN MAN

Gogglebox

M & J Upholsterers

SINGLE ITEMS MOVED ANYWHERE IN SWINDON FOR ONLY £35

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

Call for a FREE quote Mobile: 07796 236436

New TV tuning & system set-up In house TV repairs In house estimates

Call Darryl Pace on 01793 812738

OVEN CLEANING

No hidden extras, includes racks, doors, glass 20 years experience No toxic chemicals in your home Reliable & Friendly Free Quotation To book your oven clean call

01793 877677 or email:

office@enlan.co.uk

WINDOW CLEANING

RE-UPHOLSTERY & ALL SUITE REPAIRS Re-upholstery of 3 piece suites, dining & fireside chairs etc.

Also new seat interiors Seams - Zips - Springs

LEATHER CLEANING Repairs carried out in situ Established 1972

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Viewpoint

Why not be democratic about creating a democracy?

Old Town resident Colin Doubleday gives his personal views about the local authority proposals to create parish councils across the entire borough. He is a member of Better Swindon and Pipers Area Residents Association.

In a bizarre twist to democracy, Swindon Borough Council consulted on creating new parishes – the people overwhelmingly said ‘no’ - so the council is to proceed anyway.

Cllr Renard offered some reasons which were - well almost exactly what he said before the consultation and yet he offered no understanding of those who said ‘no’.

This does not feel like the democracy we all expect. It is strange when the ruling party wanted to see May elections as a mandate, yet they lost seats and overall votes, very likely on this issue.

Well Cllr Renard can I also repeat, this is the wrong solution at the wrong time and for the wrong reasons. So this is the wrong solution. It just won’t create the democracy you believe.

Looking at existing parish councils, Highworth Parish Council and Wroughton Parish Council work well.

Then consider the other existing parishes in borough.

These are parishes where two thirds of councillors were elected unopposed.

46

They can vote for themselves, so they are, in effect, self-appointed.

A quarter of councillors are appointed, so not elected and a third of councillors have been in post for more than ten years.

The £4m+ to be raised over and above our current council tax is to be handed to a group with very little democratic control.

Why is Cllr Renard so certain that ‘local democracy provides more choice over what monies are spent and where’? Not that the group of volunteers will get to spend much.

Because the very act of setting up parish councils with a meeting place, and IT, and an office, costs tens of thousands. And then there’s the costs of running them with a parish clerk and a communication budget. How much of that money will be left?

Each parish clerk will cost over £50,000 each and that’s before National Insurance and pension contributions. Yet more will be spent if we create two or three or six councils.

It is the wrong time – basically old Swindon is creaking a little.

Colin Doubleday believes the borough council is not listening to the people

Many areas need new lighting, potholes reappear with every rainfall, weeds grow in gutters.

Let’s predict what may be the next activities that the borough may wish to pass to parishes in 2019 or 2020?

This may be the right time for the borough, but not for the residents.

I think we can guess the reasons. the borough does not want to be the bad guys.

They don’t want to fail us, or charge us lots more because a parish council can do that just as well and the borough does not get the blame.

I ask, is this what a city or town with self-respect would do? Are there options? I suggest so.

How about we hold a poll in the areas with no parish, the options are: 1 - Keep it as is and put the council tax up £75.

2 - Keep the money centrally, but offer grants to local associations and groups to do works under council control.

3 - Create one or more parish councils covering their area.

I wonder if we have such a poll whether the council will listen to the people then. Is that not a little more like democracy?

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