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Li Est 1978
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No.63 June 1987
EXCLUSIVE Will W. Swindon Consumers Get A Choice?
T. V. H. Q.
West Swindon became the headquarters for Britain's newest television channel in May - for just one week. The People Channel did not actually get off the ground but the real satelite dishes and the hoardings outside the Windmill Hill Business Park were quite convincing that something big was happening. Inside one of the hi-tech buildings next to the re-built windmill, all was a hive of activity. A BBC 2 film crew were making a two hour film called 'The Vision' with stars Dirk Bogarde and Lee Remick. It tells the story of how a rightwing American religious TV channel is launched in Europe, using this country as a base. Dirk Bogarde plays the familiar, friendly front man for the new channel. Lee Remick is the controller of the U.S. parent organisation. Whether The People Channel captures our hearts and minds remains to be seen but, as the BBC production controller said, 'The Vision' has an interesting plot with a twist in the tail.
NEW PLAYGROUP OPENS
Ready for the first slide. Councillor Ricky Midwinter and Canon John Rogan cut a ribbon surrounded by parents and helpers.
A dream in the imaginations of a small group of women became a reality when West Swindon's newest playgroup was officially opened on 21st May. The Oliver Tomkins Playgroup started in July 1985 when a group of mums were chatting about the difficulties of getting children into playgroups. Helped by Mary James, worker with the Bristol Diocese Board of Social Responsibility, the group decided to get a building and set up their own. Not quite realising the enormous task they had taken on, they proceeded to raise over £14,000, get planning permission, buy and completely refurbish a building and employ staff. The first children to enjoy the results of this great effort started on June 1st. Money was raised from church charities, the BBC Children in Need Appeal, Thamesdown Community Trust and other sources. A loan was made available by the Allied Dunbar
Charitable Trust and Thamesdown Council arranged sites services and landscaping. In thanking all those who helped the project, Chair of the Management Committee Janice Gullen paid particular tribute to Mary James, Selectline Flooring and the fathers who did all the internal works, John Neate, Geoff Gullen, Martin Woodman, Tim Wilstead and John Jenkins. Canon John Rogan brought a warm welcome from the Bishop of Malmesbury saying that the playgroup would enrich family life. Toothill Councillor Ricky Midwinter, who battled for the site and for planning permission in Council committees,- thanked the playgroup for the opportunity to be involved. He said he had been "inspired by the enthusiasm of the parents and it was a pnvilege for the Council to assist such tremendous voluntary effort. The playgroup would be an asset to parents in Toothill, Grange Park and Freshbrook".
A major company may be denying West Swindon residents the chance to buy cheaper food by restricting competition in its own centre. The giant Dee Corporation, which owns the West Swindon Centre, has received a bid by a local trader to operate a Fruit and Vegetable outlet in the empty unit which used to be a toy shop. The Centre is a tiny part of the Dee Corporation empire which includes Gateway, Fine Fare, International and Carrefour supermarkets, Linfood Cash and Carries, and a whole range of other food and non-food interests valued in millions of pounds.
Not Let Yet Although the application to set up the Fruit and Veg. shop was submitted over four months ago, no decision has been forthcoming as to whether competition with Carrefour is acceptable. The Link Magazine has made a large number of enquiries to see if the interests of the consumer in lower prices is to be taken into account. It has not been possible to discover the real situation from the Dee Corporation. CONGRATULATIONS TO SWINDON TOWN F.C. ON THEIR PROMOTION TO DIVISION 2 FROM LINK MAGAZINE