west Swindon'5 Mcigci zine
THE
OFFICE FURNITURE WE SELLBUY- HIRELEASE WITH A SAME DAY DELIVERY 17/20 HIGH STREET WO3TON BASSETT TEL SWINDON DON 853887
Est. 1978
Circulation 10,000
No. 72 March 1988
GRANGE PARK LANDMARK SOON TO BE READY SCHOOL VICTORY Grange Park residents are closer who collected signatures and The weather destroyed any ideas to getting a primary school built wrote letters should be thanked. of completing West Swindon's So should the Councillors from latest piece of public sculpture. - where they want it. A well organised campaign of all parties - Cordon, Winmill, 'The White Horse Pacified'. And petitioning, letter writing and Pixton, Savage and Esme Smith." to show how difficult conditions A school could be open for have been for artist in residence lobbying by residents has resulted in a proposal by Wiltshire County September 1989, if negotiations Julie Livsey, gale force winds Council officers to impose a com- with Bradleys can be completed and heavy rain almost washed pulsory purchase order on a local with haste. A compulsory pur- out the visit by the Mayor and farmer being thrown out by coun- chase order would delay matters Mayoress of Thamesdown on 13th cillors on the Property Services significantly. February. Forty people attended sub-Committee. Objections were the unveiling, ankle deep in raised because the proposed site In a tent under the Horse's Head off Hook Street was on the westJulie Livsey with Coun. and Mrs. Owen flanked by Tony Mayer, ern edge of Grange Park and a Chair of Thamesdown's Arts and Recreation Committee (left) and more central one was available. local craftsman Dave Bindon of Tristar Engineering (right). The committee unanimously agreed that negotiations should take place with developers Bradleys who own land off Hay Lane, in the centre of Grange Park. If Bradleys do not agree to sell or swap land, the County may have to take out a compulsory purchase order. Resident Dermot Elworthy is delighted with the decision. "It was heartening to see democracy in action. It was a victory for common sense and a triumph over bureaucracy. Councillors Cordon and Winmill fought our case magnificently." Freshbrook County Councillor Simon Cordon said he was very pleased. "A lot of people worked very hard, very quickly. This was a genuine grass roots campaign where Grange Park people rose up and made their views heard with great effect." Hook Street land owner Joan Rummings is also very happy. "I would like to thank every body for their support. I'm glad the school will go where people want it." Another Grange Park resident Paul Timbrell, said many people should be recognised "All those
mud, under the sixteen foot steel and concrete sculpture, protected by a scaffold and tarpaulin tower. The work, largely paid for by the Gulbenkian Foundation, symbolically represents the ancient 'god like' horses cut into the chalk downlands around Swindon. Julie hopes to finish her sculpture in early March and later in the year, the surrounding area off Cartwright Drive, Shaw, will be landscaped and play equipment installed. Earth banking and tree planting will hide the horse from the nearest houses, but from Roughmoor Way, the huge structure will have a striking presence. Holding up raw hands with every finger bandaged, Julie said she would not have missed the experience. "It's a rare opportunity to create such a large sculpture, though at times it has felt like a prison sentence. The damp conditions caused havoc with the special equipment used to spray on the concrete. The sand had to be completely dry and we were constantly having to clean and dry the machinery." Julie is very appreciative of the back-up she has received from all quarters. "A lot of people have been involved to make the White Horse possible - structural engineers, JCB drivers, paint manufacturers and Dave Bindon of Tristar Engineering. He's been on site with me assembling and welding all the steel together. I was also encouraged by local people who have passed by.,, A community event is planned for later in the year when (it is hoped) better weather will allow 'The White Horse Pacified' to be celebrated.