THE
No. 147 • June 1994 • Circulation 15,000
TOOTHILL CHINESE KITCHEN Fish & Chips and Chinese Food Takeaway
HOME DELIVERY
N il
to West Swindon 5pm - 10pm (Delivery charge from £1)
Distributed in West Swindon, Haydon Wick & Woodhall Park
Toothill Village Centre
and the swindon wide what's on guide
Police positive action to give youngsters summer fun
1
Free transport laid on for weekly Lydiard Park outing
Six major fun events during the next three months are planned for this years annual West Swindon Under 5s Festival. The first takes place on Friday 17 June with the opening of a brand new play area at Tumpy Fields on Shaw Ridge with a picnic and balloon launch hosted by Brampton Bear. Named after the nearby housing area, Brampton Bear is described by his creators at Thamesdown Council's Community Forest team as a 'wonderful little bear who enjoys adventurous play and having fun.' Members of the Brampton Bear Club are being being invited to the picnic and membership is free to any children under 11 years. Parents of under 5s who would like to receive an invitation should drop a line to Julia Castle, Leisure Services, Thamesdown Borough Council, Civic Offices, Swindon by 10 June at the latest.
The complete list of under 55 festival events during June, July and August is given on page l7.
Teenagers are going to get the chance in June to burn off excess energy in a new initiative being organised by Swindon Police. Area team sergeant Terry Cuss is organising free transport from different parts of West Swindon to Lydiard Park for weekly softball games, starting on 9 June. Explaining the project, Sgt. Cuss said, "there were conflicts between residents and young people in Freshbrook last summer and a lot of people said 'somebody should do something.' So, we're doing something. "We've chosen softball because anybody of any age or ability can play. There's no age limit, but essentially were aiming this project at the 11 to 16 age group. Youngsters are welcome to make their own way there. Parents can also come along, so long as they join in."
Sgt. Terry Cuss, organising a ctivities for youngsters
Volunteer helpers are needed in case more than one game has to be organised. Call Sgt. Cuss on 528111 if you can offer a couple of hours each Thursday evening. Turn to page 15 for details of minibus pick up points.
Inspectors from the government's Office for Standards in EducationOfsted - have given Greendown, West Swindon's secondary school, top marks for the quality of education on offer. The main findings of the report say that Creendown is good school with high standards of achievement. The quality of teaching and learningis high and pupils are motivated. There is a strong and effective ethos in the school and pupils demonstrate high standards of behaviour. The school is commended for its effective management and development planning. The report states that standards of achievement in 85% of lessons observed are average or above in relation to national norms, with 19% being above average. The quality of pupil learning is unusually high, with 94% of lessons being satisfactory or better. Pupils are generally well motivated and make clear progress. Satisfactory is a positive term for Ofsted in that it meets their demanding standards. The quality of class teaching seen is also high, with 94% achieving Continued on page 2
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