Leisure

New College photography students showcase work at Number Nine Gallery

L-R: New College Photography students Grace Mansfield, Eloise Foster, Mollie Jupp, SuJan Pun, Stephanie Mensing and Sophie Reid

BTEC Photography students from Swindon’s New College have showcased their work at the Number Nine Gallery in Theatre Square during May during a week long exhibition open to the general public.

The collection of work was selected by the students themselves from their second year of the photography course, giving the aspiring snappers an opportunity to show off their work to the public and prospective clients.

Mary Gale, Course Leader for Photography at New College, said: “Every year we help the students put on an exhibition like this, and every year they impress me with their professionalism and quality of work. The students were asked to supply examples of their best photos from throughout their second year, and in some cases they have chosen shots they have taken for clients they have already taken on.

“This is about preparing the students for the professional world, keeping them grounded but giving them a chance to show their work to prospective clients and get noticed in the community.

“Having the exhibition in Theatre Square brings an opportunity for their work to be seen by the arts community as well as the general public too, as we are directly across from the Shoebox and Wyvern Theatres. It’s a great opportunity.”

The students themselves collaboratively set up the finer points of the exhibition, dividing up the various jobs such as publicity and logistics amongst themselves. For more on available courses, visit: www.newcollege.ac.uk

Join your local hospice Lottery Every week someone wins £1,000 www.prospect-hospice.net/lottery or call 01793 816190 to join

6

Prospect Hospice 3 Lottery A chance to win, a way to care

£1to play

4

By Graham Carter of Swindon Heritage magazine

Art meets history in the brand new summer edition of Swindon Heritage, published at the end of May.

The cover features a stunning painting of a Great Western locomotive, and the strapline, ‘Made in Swindon’, refers to both the subject and the artist, whose work is showcased inside.

Craig Tiley was born locally and grew up in West Swindon, where he made a name for himself as an artist before he left school.

He became the youngest ever member of the Guild of Railway Artists when he was just 16, and exhibited in the National Portrait Gallery while still a student.

Now in his thirties and living in Devon, where he works for the railway modelling company, Peco, Craig finds inspiration not just in Swindon’s railway heritage, but also in the air, with his impressive aviation paintings also winning him admiration from his peers.

Subjects include Spitfires, many of which were built at South Marston, and the C-130 Hercules, a familiar daily sight over the town for many years when they flew in and out of RAF Lyneham.

But Craig is best known for his railway paintings, which were the result of a trip to the railway centre at Didcot when he was a pupil at Freshbrook Primary School.

He amazed his teacher and headteacher by painting from memory the engines he saw, and later found inspiration in the works of David Shepherd and especially Terence Cuneo.

In fact, Craig is inspired by the late railway poster artist whenever he picks up a brush because the easel he uses once belonged to Cuneo. And he could hardly fail to be inspired, too, by the GWR and the elegance of the Swindon-built engines “which the other railways couldn’t match”.

However, he does offer a kind of confession. “You may not want to print this,” he told us, “but if I’m honest: as much as I love the GWR, I’ve always actually preferred LMS loco designs, particularly those by Sir William Stanier.”

This may not be as controversial as it sounds, coming from a Swindon-born painter, because Stanier was born in Swindon too.

Although he spent many years working for the GWR, he went on to become the Chief Mechanical Engineer of the rival London, Midland and Scottish Railway (LMS), and after spearheading British Railways loco design, became only the third railway engineer to be knighted.

Curiously, although he has given his name to more than 20 streets across Britain, Stanier Street in Swindon isn’t named after Sir William. His father, WH Stanier, another railwayman and a Mayor of Swindon, was given that honour before his son made his name.

The new edition of Swindon Heritage, which is the 18th to be

Swindon-born artist Craig Tiley using the easel that formerly belonged to the late railway poster artist, Terence Cuneo.

published, now adding up to more than 1,500 pages, is, of course, not restricted to railway heritage.

As ever, it also reflects the great depth and breadth of the rest of the town’s rich history. So readers can also find out about a ‘lost’ church near Cricklade, the rise and fall of farming in Highworth, and even how Swindonians were unknowingly involved in germ warfare experiments during the Cold War.

The magazine is available at the Central Library and selected local newsagents, including WH Smith, and more information about sales and subscriptions are available at www.swindonheritage.com

live happy! with Slimming World

New group launching from 7th June: WEDNESDAYS 7.30pm St Mary’s C of E Primary School, College Road, Purton. Consultant: Anna 07729 566252

MONDAYS 9.30am Redhouse Community Centre, Frankel Avenue SN25 2NJ. Consultant: Claire J 07943 396042 live happy!slimmingworld.co.uk 0344 897 8000 MONDAYS 5.30pm & 7.30pm St Johns Church, Thames Avenue, Haydon Wick SN25 1QQ. Consultant: Sharon 07841 119082 TUESDAYS 7.30pm Westlea Primary School, Langstone Way, Westlea SN5 7BT. Consultant: Georgie 07500 970751 WEDNESDAYS 5.30pm & 7.30pm St Francis School, Aiken Way, Taw Hill SN25 1UH. Consultant: Heather 07816 860840 WEDNESDAYS 9.30am & 11.30am Moose Hall, Eastcott Hill, Off Bath Road SN1 3LS. Consultant: Sharon 07841 119082 with Slimming World WEDNESDAYS 9.30am, 5.30pm & 7.30pm Western Community Centre, Somerset Road, Rodbourne Cheney SN2 1NF. Consultant: Pete 07535 637418 THURSDAYS 9.30am, 11.30am, 5.30pm & 7.30pm St Johns Church, Thames Ave. Haydon Wick SN25 1QQ. Consultant: Sharon 07841 119082 FRIDAYS 9.30am & 11.30am Redhouse Community Centre, Frankel Avenue SN25 2NJ. Consultant: Heather 07816 860840 FRIDAYS 9.30am Moose Hall, Eastcott Hill, Off Bath Road SN1 3LS. Consultant: Lisa 07411 430216 SATURDAYS 8am, 10am & 12pm Freshbrook Community Centre, Worsley Road SN5 8LY. Consultant: Lou 07784 098022

Looking for a new and exciting career?

There are currently opportunities for consultants in the Swindon and Cirencester area We’d love to talk to you about it. Talk to your Slimming World consultant or call Heather 07816860840

slimmingworld.co.uk

0344 897 8000

Hilary Coates (left) on the boat at the "Take the Plunge 1" with Wagging Tails Mascot, Bernie, and Wagging Tails Director, Lisa Suswain. Local businesswoman Hilary Coates, owner of Wiltshire dog boarding company Wagging Tails, was recently welcomed to the headquarters of Hearing Dogs for Deaf People at The Grange in Buckinghamshire to celebrate the Wagging Tails' 10th Birthday. Since Wagging Tails began supporting Hearing Dogs for Deaf People in January 2014 they have helped to raise over £10,000 for the charity with Hilary's involvement instrumental to this success, as her

Annual Family Fun Day at Three Trees Farm Shop

2015 "Take the Plunge" event raised over £2,500 for Hearing Dogs.

The celebrations saw Hilary present a cheque for £10,000 to Sir Stuart Hampson, President of Hearing Dogs for Deaf People, before the cutting of the birthday cake and a toast celebrating 10 years of Wagging Tails and 35 years of Hearing Dogs for Deaf People.

Speaking on behalf of Hearing Dogs for Deaf People Nicholas Orpin, Community Fundraising Manager for the South East, stated: "Wagging Tails is such a great company and their customers get a unique and fantastic service. But they don't just stop there, they also help to change lives of deaf people by supporting Hearing Dogs, and that tells you what great people they are too".

Hilary said, "I have loved working

Three Trees Farm Shop will be hosting their Annual Family Fun Day on Saturday, 17th June 2017, from 10am until 3pm.

This year’s Fun Day promises to be another great day out for all the family. Now in its fifth year, the ever-popular donkeys will be back to give children a ride around the field in support of local charity Prospect Hospice. Farm equipment, including tractors, will be on display along with s farm animals. with Hearing Dogs for Deaf People and seeing the great work that they do in helping the deaf and those with partial hearing loss. I would like to thank all of our owners who have made donations to the charity when boarding their dogs with us and all those who attended and supported 'Take the Plunge'. I am really looking forward to 'Take the Plunge 2' and helping to raise more valuable funds for Hearing Dogs."

Take the Plunge 2 will take place on 9 September at South Cerney Outdoor Education Centre, Gloucestershire in partnership with the registered charity Newfound Friends and in support of Hearing Dogs for Deaf People. Please contact Hilary on sn@waggingtailsuk.co.uk or 01793 874 777 for details of how you could get involved.

Local author, Barbara Townsend, will be reading her book The Savernake Big Belly Oak to children, after which they can participate in traditional bark rubbing.

Other activities will include face painting and glitter tattoos, outdoor games for children and more, with delicious homemade refreshments available throughout the day.

Follow on Facebook for more details and the schedule of events for the day. fb/ThreeTreesFarmShop

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

• NECK PAIN • BACK PAIN • HEADACHES • SPORTS INJURY • CAR ACCIDENT INJURIES

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

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

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

Clare Duncan-Hawes BSc (Hons) MSc DC Member of the British Chiropractic Association & College of Chiropractors. Registered with GCC

Affordable Personal Care for Your Feet

Treatments:

Nail cutting (feet & hands) Nail deformities & ingrowing toenails Nail infections Verrucae treatment Corns & callus treatment Diabetic foot care Contact Joan Schofield MCFHP MAFHP

07763 908167

Hours to suit your busy lives

www.healthy-happy-feet.co.uk

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

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

IF YOU SUFFER FROM:

• Backache & Leg Pain • Neck, Shoulder, Arm Pain • Head Pain • Numbness • Arthritic Pain • Sports Injury • Injury after Accident

THEN YOU SHOULD CONSIDER CONSULTING A CHIROPRACTOR SANDRA E. DAVIES D.C. Doctor of Chiropractic BCA Member • GCC Registered Member of the College of Chiropractors

FREE SPINAL CHECKS

EVENING & SATURDAY APPOINTMENTS

5 Ramleaze House, Shaw Village Centre, Swindon SN5 5PY

Kathryn Gater

MCFHP MAFHP

Registered member of the British

Association of Foot Health Professionals

■ Treat your feet at the Foot Health Clinic ■ Corns, callous, cracked heels,

nail infections, nail care and

Thai foot massage

■ Professional care in a relaxed and

friendly setting

■ Gift vouchers available

Call Kathryn: 07789 542282 or 01793 602449 Basepoint Centre, West Swindon SN5 7EX

Adele Taylor Psychotherapy

Life is challenging. You may be feeling overwhelmed, suffering from anxiety, sadness or struggling with relationship issues. Psychotherapy can provide a safe and confidential place in which to explore life issues. If you would like to make sense of things, I provide a warm, empathic space in which you and I can gain deeper understanding of the roots and patterns of your life. If you would like to talk, do get in touch. I offer affordable fees for all clients.

Tel: 07887768313

W: atpsychotherapy.co.uk E: atpsychotherapy@gmail.com

Swindon Wide Fans look for brighter club future after relegation

Trust STFC chairman Steve Mytton's monthly column

So, we're down into League Two and at the time of writing, the search for a new manager is on.

We’re hoping the club advertise the post and get someone in who has total control in the running of the football side of things, someone who is allowed to recruit who they need, and someone who gives the fans a style of football that shows passion and commitment to the cause.

On the Trust front we are continuing in our pursuit to buy the County Ground, and work to bring about positive change.

We’ve had two meetings with Swindon Borough Council off the back of our £1.1m stadium bid, and discussions continue.

We have also been working closely with ‘Supporters Direct’ and, at the time of writing, we are about to hold a public fans meeting to update supporters and continue our work to protect the long-term future of the club.

Our fundraising has improved significantly since our public AGM in March, with almost 300 people now signed up to monthly contributions into the Red Army Fund (www.redarmyfund.co.uk) – this is dramatic growth, more than doubling the size of the previous fund in just two months.

At the AGM we talked about “Let's Work Together!” – a campaign for club, council, media and fans to help each other in these troubled times, and we believe it’s in the interest of both Swindon Town FC and all Swindon Town fans to make the effort to find a positive way forwards.

Hopefully you are behind our stadium bid, and will support the Trust as we look towards a brighter future.

Your Club, Your Trust.

On Two Wheels by Rob Derry of Swindon Cyle Campaign

Swindon BUG is changing its name. We’re now known as the Swindon Cycle Campaign. We’ve also got a new Facebook page if you search for Swindon Cycle Campaign. We’re really excited about this change of name as it signals a slight change of direction for the group but we maintain our friendly and approachable nature.

We’ve made the name change because a lot of people weren’t sure what BUG stood for and there are many similar organisations around the country that have successfully adopted the “Campaign” moniker.

But we’re not campaigning for more people to cycle and to tell people that they should cycle and to leave their nasty motor cars. What me mean by campaigning is to increase the awareness among the population of Swindon and surrounding areas about cycling for all purposes: commuting, shopping, leisure, visiting friends and sport.

We’re also campaigning to the borough council to ensure that there is sufficient infrastructure to allow people to cycle. Over the last 10 years, many people have seen the benefits of cycling and most of them say that the biggest barrier to them is a lack of safe infrastructure.

We don’t want to lecture to people that they should cycle, rather we know from the experiences of other towns and cities like London, Bristol and Leicester, that if the local authority provides good facilities for people to cycle, then they will choose to do so where it is practical.

Of course, there are benefits to cycling that we want to highlight as well such as general fitness, cleaner air and less congestion. But we’re not lecturing – we’re campaigning to make people aware of cycling and to ensure that the facilities are there to allow more people to cycle more often in more safety.

For more information visit fb/swindoncyclecampaign

Support Workers x 3 and 1 Care Team Leader

Sport and Leisure Prior Park Prep School pupils get the call to join Wiltshire County Cricket squad

Celebrations are the order of the good performances playing district day for six Prior Park Prep School cricket, they were then selected for pupils who have been selected to county trials. The tough selection play for Wiltshire County Cricket process covered all aspects of Club. the boys’ cricketing performance

Selection to the prestigious including bowling, batting and cricket club has meant months fielding. of hard work and commitment The selected Prior Park Prep pupils during which the boys have had are Joseph and Aryan who have to compete at a consistently high been selected to play for the U10’s, level for both their school and their James and Nicholas for the U11’s club. and Oliver and Ethan for the U12’s.

The boys' cricketing skills then On hearing that he had been saw them selected for an intense selected, Ethan said: “I love cricket 12 week programme with the and I’m so pleased to have been North East Wiltshire Cricket selected. I can’t wait for my first District. After their constantly match.” Swindon Cricket Club to host charity fun day The Rotary Club of Swindon and Lucky Dip, Hook a Duck, Jamberry Swindon Cricket Club are holding Nails plus many more. another Charity Fun Day at the There will also be ‘All Stars historic cricket club next to the Programme’ cricket matches, a County Ground on Sunday 9 July. national programme for 5-8 years

The Charity Fun Day has a VIP olds, which is being run throughout lunch, auction and Q&A session May and June at Swindon Cricket with ex England International Club. cricketer Phil DeFreitas, compered All proceeds raised will be by ex Swindon Town player Phil donated to rotary charities, King. It is being held in the historic including ‘End Polio Now’. cricket pavilion from 1pm (tickets Tickets are available from £25pp), while free entrance to the Deacons Jewellers, Old Town. fun day being held on the field will To keep up to date with events be from midday. follow ‘Swindon Cricket Club’ on

The day will include Face Painting, Facebook or @swindoncricket on Sand Art, Glitter Tattoos, Tombola, Twitter.

Mobile Car ServiCing & repairS

★ Electrical work ★ MoTs arranged (no re-test fee) ★ All vehicle diagnostics

For a reliable local service with over 30 years experience SAVE 20% - No VAT to pay

Call Graham on (01793) 873045 or 07867 556350

The Audi A1: Small Is Beautiful.

According to a dictionary (Yup. Still using one), A1 means ‘Very good or well. Excellent’. If a ship is described as A1 it means it is equipped to the highest standard. All these definitions apply to the Audi A1 hatchback.

Not cheap mind. The diminutive motor on this test was a Sport model and it costs almost £25k (with options) which is a lot to pay for a supermini.

On The Outside

When it comes to Audi however, price doesn’t seem to matter. You get what you pay for I guess and for a small car the Audi A1 is elegant and sophisticated. Featured in my image in a smart Nano Grey with a contrasting silver roofline, there is no sign of its close familial relationship to the VW Polo. Attractive two-tone 17” alloys complete the ensemble.

The test car was a three-door which meant the usual clamber to get into the back seats. You can get a five-door but I think the car loses some of its style in that format. I’d go for the three-door model and, if I really needed five doors, I would

Geoff Maxted of Drivewrite.co.uk takes a look at the Audi A1

step up to the A3.

On The Inside

It seems superfluous to describe the interior in detail, because all modern cars from the German brand look alike on the inside. Very comfortable and supportive seats are embellished with leather and Alcantara. There’s the to-beexpected soft-touch dashboard materials and even more leather dotted around the cabin.

Plenty of the latest technology as will be expected at this price point plus quality sounds from the speakers. There is not much on the market to challenge Audi’s premium class interior and it just feels so expensive when behind the wheel.

The Audi A1 is designed as a four-seater and like many in this segment, it is cramped in the back. With the driving seat set perfectly for me, an adult could not sit behind. I would have to drive with my knees up around my ears to accommodate a lanky sort. Okay for children but this is not family-sized. The boot isn’t the biggest in class either at 210L so I reckon this is an ideal little car for two with the occasional passenger catered for.

On The Road

You’ll pay a big premium for the admittedly very economical 1.6L diesel but I wouldn’t bother frankly, particularly in this day and age. There’s a feisty 2.0L quattro if more pizzazz is required and a less powerful 1.4L petrol version too, but in my opinion the best of the Audi A1 engine choices is the 1.0L TFSI petrol unit with 94bhp as driven here.

Sure, 0-62mph takes 11.0 seconds but it is a revvy, lively and refined engine that makes the car fun to drive. It has enough grunt to keep up with the motorway rush and for most buyers should be the engine of choice.

Some say that the ride is too firm but for me it is just right. I really enjoyed piloting this small hatchback around the local highways and byways. The suspension (it varies with model choice, the softest being on SE versions) keeps the Audi A1 well controlled in the corners and there’s minimal lean. The steering, although inevitably lacking feel, is accurate and light, making parking a doddle.

Good to drive and easy to park, the Audi A1 is a sophisticated, albeit expensive, choice in the supermini marketplace.

Treated Landscape Sleepers (Pine for longevity) 2.4 metres long by 200 x 100mm

• Gates • Fencing • Decking • Trellis Panels • Wood Preservatives • Garden Tools • Raised Garden Beds T: 01793 783879 E: jez1@webbswood.co.uk W: www.webbswood.co.uk

Find us on facebook.com/webbswood Proud sponsors of Swindon Supermarine FC

Wiltshire’s Iron Man: Richard Browning prepares for lift off The dream of flying around like a superhero has taken a giant leap forward - thanks to the single minded vision of an inventor from Wiltshire.

Richard Browning, 38, has stunned audiences around the world after posting incredible footage of himself hovering above the ground and manoeuvring around a farmyard in a jet-powered Iron Man style flight suit.

And now he has been showcasing his startling invention around the world.

Former City oil trader Richard explained: “I’m a believer in the genuine spirit of how innovation takes place. For me it is all about spending less time arguing about whether something is possible and more on working out how to make something work.”

Richard, who lives in Salisbury, explained that his idea - dubbed the Daedalus suit by his eight year old son Thomas - grew out of a series of conversations with like-minded enthusiasts.

He said that the exoskeleton suit had been developed over the past couple of years in a careful stepby-step evolution, with a series of increasingly ambitious test flights in a farm in Wiltshire.

“We started out with just one thruster. I initially wanted to see if it was possible to stand there and hold the thruster. Some people said that it would be incredibly dangerous but it was absolutely fine, no shredded arms, no burns - it was then that I knew we were onto something.”

Although safety is at the forefront of his flight demonstrations, the suit is capable of flying at 200 mph and cruising at an altitude of a few thousand feet with a current flight duration of around ten minutes.

Although Richard wears fireproof protective gear and tough rattlesnake-proof boots that he sourced from the US, he was surprised that being in such proximity to the four small jets he directs with his hands was entirely painless.

“Given that you are looking at temperatures of 700 degrees centigrade from the exhaust, it’s remarkable that you don’t get burned. But the heat very quickly dissipates in the air - the technology works.”

The project is being taken forward under a startup company Gravity which has had huge interest from commercial and military representatives. The firm has had a lot of interest from investors, including a recent investment of £600,000 from Tim Draper, an American venture capitalist.

No stranger to danger, the Royal Marine Reservist threw himself into getting into shape to meet the demands of human-guided flight by embarking on a gruelling regime of physical training alongside developing the design of the Daedalus flight suit.

“People ask me what’s the point - and I reply that I’ve done this for exactly the same reason that you might look at a mountain and decide to climb it. After all, what’s the point of a jet ski? There isn’t one, but they are great fun. I’m doing this for the journey and the challenge.”

Most children think their dad is a superhero, but for Richard’s two sons, Thomas, 8, and Oliver 10, their claim is closer to the truth than most. When Oliver was asked what he thinks about his dad, he just had one word “Awesome”.