March 2017 South East Swindon Link

No 7 March 2017

Est. overall readership across Swindon: 100,000

South and East Swindon Edition

30 years of Swindon Link with Roger Ogle p21

Positive Swindon: a celebration of community - page 13 Pride of Swindon nominee Jacqui Collins is celebrated for her conservation work

Community: P3-16

Swindon Wide: P17-23

Sport & Leisure: P24-27

Services: P28-29

Puzzle: P30

Community: P2-20

Swindon Wide: P21 - 29

Leisure: P30-39

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16/02/2017 14:20

Charity nights going strong at Swindon restaurants

Started in 2008, popular Indian restaurant Bengal Square in Peatmoor has consistently run charitable fundraising nights donating all profits to worthy causes across the Swindon area.

Now, the restaurant is expanding this charitable evening to their newly reopened sister site Mantra in Old Town.

Held every Monday and Tuesday at Bengal Square, and every Tuesday at Mantra, the charity nights have raised over £100,000 to date which has been shared amongst local causes from youth football teams to Macmillan cancer research.

Owner Hanif Robbani said: “We donate all profits raised on the evening to the cause of choice, and this can be further added to if the organisers hold a raffle, quiz or auction.

“Donations from ourselves of £350+ are not uncommon and the best night we’ve ever had raised a grand total of over £3,000.

“We are happy to host events for any worthwhile cause and it doesn’t necessarily have to be a charity.”

To host a fundraising event at Mantra, email your event details to: info@mantraswindon.co.uk Or to host your event at Bengal Square email: info@bengalsquare.co.uk

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52 Devizes Road, Swindon SN1 4BG

01793 323954

info@mantraswindon.co.uk www.mantraswindon.co.uk

16/02/2017 14:21

Community News P Sw osi in tive do n

Celebrating Positive Swindon

By Group Editor Jamie Hill In every corner of Swindon there are selfless people helping others.

These are the people who go out of their way with no benefit for themselves. They volunteer their time and their energy to make Swindon a better place.

They are the altruistic carers and givers that glue our communities together.

This month we aim to celebrate these people and groups with our Positive Swindon feature which starts on page 13.

As part of this we look at the Pride of Swindon awards, which has become a mainstay in the Swindon cultural calendar.

This year it takes place at Steam Museum on Thursday March 16 and it is an awards ceremony we are happy to sponsor.

Every year it is always a surprise how many entries there are for the awards. It’s amazing just how many people are out there who selflessly help other people.

We also look at the newly unveiled Switch On To Swindon

marketing campaign which was launched with much fanfare a few weeks ago. This campaign has seen community and business leaders come together to promote all that is good about Swindon to not only attract businesses to the town but to also make us residents remember all that makes Swindon great.

Another aspect we celebrate is all the volunteer groups in the town - they are the hidden army that deserve our praise.

We take our remit as the ‘positive’ news force seriously at The Link. Our job is to highlight all the great things going on in the town and long may it continue. editor@swindonlink.com

Director: James Phipps ADVERTISING Executive Chairman: Julian Barlow Call 01793 781502 or email: advertising@swindonlink.com Group Editor: Jamie Hill Chief Reporter: Ben Fitzgerald Closing date for April adverts Associate: Roger Ogle and editorial: 8 March Reporter: Mike Barham April edition published: 24 March Sales: Dave Stewart & Rosy Presley Photography: Richard Wintle & Rachel Davis - www.calyxpix.com 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 100,000 in print & c.20,000 monthly online visitors.

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

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

The Spirit of Swindon: The gap between greater wealth and better health

By Tom Wilkes on behalf of Spirit of Swindon “Pain is a gift to draw attention to a problem we have failed to notice.”

This quote from the US pastor TD Jakes was the postscript to last month’s Spirit of Swindon article looking at the impact of income inequality on the health of a nation.

In that article we drew attention to the nine year difference in life expectancy between two neighbourhoods in our town and some uncomfortable realities about our weight and physical activity.

You might expect that people who live in wealthier countries, on average, would enjoy better health and longer life expectancy than those who live in poorer countries.

Yet that is not the case. The data show that what most impacts the health of a nation is the difference in levels of income within a country.

Those with the greatest gap in income between the 20% richest and poorest have more healthrelated problems than more equal societies. Worryingly, the UK is among the more unequal.

Addiction to drugs or alcohol, mental health problems, and infant or child mortality rates are significant issues related to levels of income inequality. It is good to know that the number of children dying in infancy is statistically

lower in Swindon than nationally at 2.3 per 1000 live births but the overall mortality rate for children is higher - 14.6 per 100 000 children compared with 11.9 nationally.

Alcohol or drug misuse by parents seriously impacts their children but also affects the wider community, another reminder that inequality is a problem for us all. In 2013/14 there were 1,184 hospital admissions related to alcohol; the admission rate for males was lower than average for England but for females it was higher.

It is a sobering reality that mental health is the largest single cause of disability and represents 28% of the disease burden in the UK. According to the National Wellbeing Survey, people who live in Swindon feel slightly less satisfied than the national population but on average we feel happier, and less anxious. This sense of wellbeing had slipped back a little in 2012/13 while the South West in general had improved. Overall there was no significant difference between men and women. Of real concern nationally is the rising number of young people with mental health issues. Living in the most socioeconomically deprived areas of the town was associated with the lowest sense of wellbeing.

For TD Jakes, the problem causing

1184

Alcohol related Hospital admissions in 2013/2014

the pain for the USA is inequality.

He described the American dream as having turned into a nightmare because people have not been included in the strategy for success.

Jakes speaks of anarchy erupting when someone in power forgets someone who is not. The divisions in US society are becoming more and more apparent, but the divisions in other countries, including the UK, are also harder to ignore. Not all of our healthrelated issues in the UK will be clearly linked to inequality, but many seem to be. Can Swindon be in the vanguard nationally in naming and finding ways to address this?

What one thing might you do which shows you have noticed the pain and want to do something about it? How about volunteering

to support young people struggling with their sense of wellbeing, or befriending elderly neighbours and helping them get to hospital appointments? Let us know what you have been doing by email to publisher@swindonlink.com with Spirit of Swindon as the subject.

For more information on health issues visit www.swindonjsna.co.uk, and make your voice heard on health issues which have a greater impact on the poorer through www.healthwatch.co.uk. Lastly, don’t forget Stewart Lansley’s talk at Gorse Hill Baptist Church at 7pm on Thursday 30 March.

Spirit of Swindon has emerged from a gathering of people who want to raise consciousness of the impact of economic inequality and help Swindon offer a lead to other towns and cities in the UK. swindonlink.com n March 2017

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17/02/2017 10:49

Community News

All change at Thamesdown Transport Thamesdown Transport Limited has been taken over by the major commercial bus operator Go South Coast after councillors agreed to sell the council’s shares in the company.

The bus company has incurred losses over the past five years due to difficult trading conditions, despite continued financial support from the council. And with the council also facing financial pressures of its own, a review of the bus company concluded that the sale would be in the best interest of council taxpayers, staff and its customers.

Go South Coast’s bid was assessed as offering the best value to the council. The terms of the offer are commercially confidential but included all the council’s shares and the freehold of Thamesdown’s Barnfield depot.

Cllr David Renard, Leader of Swindon Borough Council, said: “We were one of the few local authorities in the country to still own a local bus company, but the council is operating in a really challenging financial climate at the moment and we do not have the resources to continue to support

Thamesdown Transport as we have been doing in recent years.

“We believe this deal is in the best interests of local bus users as it secures the financial sustainability of the bus company, offers the best long-term security for Thamesdown employees, and will provide vital investment.

Alex Chutter, formerly operations manager at Go South Coast’s Salisbury Reds and now general manager at Thamesdown said: “A

full review of how the company operates and what improvements need to be made is underway. The directors may have changed, but at the moment it’s simply a case of steadying this ship.

“We will be looking at things like the exact fare policy and passenger forums to gather feedback. Our aim is to make Thamesdown the bus company of choice for Swindon.

Within the Go Ahead group, local knowledge and management is key,

and taking steps like removing the assault screen at the town centre ticket office and improving the customer approach are key moving forward.”

• The deadline for feedback submissions on the proposed Wichelstowe to town centre bus corridor is 22 March.

To view the plans and share your thoughts visit: swindontravelchoices.co.uk/ projects/wichelstowe

Janet’s Puppy Skool

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3 Playskool class for puppies 3 Adult beginners/improvers 3 Senior Skool/advanced classes 3 One to one advice & training 3 Fun agility workshops

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swindonlink.com n March 2017

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16/02/2017 15:53

Community News

Local focus for new Check Inn owners

News in brief Focus on inequality A public talk will be held at the Baptist Church in Gorse Hill which asks the question ‘How inevitable is inequality?’

The event will be held on Thursday 30 March from 7pm to 8.30pm. Guest speakers include Bishop of Swindon Lee Rayfield and Economist and academic Stewart Lansley.

The free event has been organised by the Swindon Equality Group and the Spirit of Swindon group.

To find out more log on to www.equalitytrust.org.uk

The new owners of the Check Inn, Wroughton have emphasised their desire to bring a local focus back to the establishment.

Sharon Johnson took over the Check Inn in late November 2016 and has since overseen its transformation from Thai restaurant back to being a community pub with a local focus.

This is especially evident in their choice of suppliers, with all the ingredients for the rustic menu coming from connections within Swindon. In fact, the eggs and dairy products barely travel over a mile to get to the pub.

Sharon said: “The links with our

suppliers is key to what we are trying to do here. For instance, we would rather pay more to have our vegetables come to us from across the road than have them prepackaged and frozen. We scrub and hand cut all our chips and if we aren’t able to get certain ingredients because of seasonal constraints, we ask the supplier for their recommendation for an alternative.

“It’s almost a back to basics approach, a more old fashioned offering to the community and it seems to be working. We’ve had lots of people come in telling us how much they needed a proper

The Bohemian Balcony continues to draw support from across Swindon

Launch night for the Balcony Arts space, The Bohemian Balcony, will have its official launch on Wednesday 1 March.

Having recently taken part in the January Swindon Soup event gaining a boost of £200 to go towards set up costs and further projects, the Bohemian Balcony is rapidly becoming a focal point for the artistic community of Swindon.

The space now hosts a monthly Swindon Scratch night for performers from across the arts to test new material, as well as acting as the base for creative writers, theatre groups, photographers, musicians and comedians, including former Swindon Live and Local radio

presenter turned comic theatre producer Sean Hodgson.

Sean said: “Over the past few months I’ve been part of the team moving, shifting and painting to help create what will be quite a unique collective and collaborative arts space. It already gives off the vibe of a mid 1960s underground artsy rock club. All we need now is Pink Floyd and some lava lamps!

“The Swindon Scratch is an opportunity for theatre groups, writers and comedians to try out new material. The added benefit is that the audience are actively required to give feedback and tell the acts what they think (this is

pub again. It’s been manic, but really good.

“We’ve got plans to really expand upon this idea, so we will be bringing music back to the pub, we are opening all day, every day instead of closing in the afternoons, we will be doing a beer and cider festival, quizzes, all the things you’d expect but done with our own style.

The pub aims to appeal to the growing Wichelstowe area as well as the existing communities in Wroughton and the surrounding areas.

For more information visit: /checkinnwroughton carefully managed). These nights are the second Tuesday of each month.

“Swindon’s own sketch troupe The Institute of Complementary Comedy are also setting up shop at The Bohemian Balcony and are looking for new members so if you want to perform and create new sketch comedy then come along to a free workshop on 15 March.”

The Balcony, sited at the Palladium Cinema building on Jennings Street in Rodbourne, has been utilised as a bingo hall and printing house before local teacher Dan Rivers struck a deal with the building’s owners to renovate and use the space for the creative arts once more.

Dan said: “We have so many brilliant people living in Swindon, but our arts scene can sometimes be fragmented with people working in pockets. What we want to do is unite these people in a space that informs and excites them, that gives them somewhere to connect and share ideas.

Launching this space will be the next step towards that I hope.” bohemianbalcony.com

Women in Business A strategy workshop to help women in business is one of many sessions at this year’s Swindon & Wiltshire Women in Business Conference, on Wednesday March 8 at Bowood Resort near Calne.

It will be led by Wiltshire-based mentor Isla Baliszewska. The conference programme includes expert speakers, interactive workshops, networking and exhibitions. Tickets: £35. www. theenterprisenetwork.co.uk/ women-in-business

Support group talk Wiltshire Farms Foods will be the subject of the talk at the next meeting of the Swindon Osteoporosis Support Group.

The meeting is on Friday, 10 March at 1.30pm at the Central Community Centre, Emlyn Square.

Entrance is £2.50. For further information call Ali on 634424.

Bake ‘N’ Roll new evening hours Popular cafe/bakery Bake ‘N’ Roll on Groundwell Road will be opening on Thursday to Saturday evenings from 5.30pm to 9.30pm.

Featuring an on site bakery that provides fresh produce on a daily basis, the new evening menus will feature a range of meals to suit all tastes. For more information, visit: /BakenRoll-Bakery-Cafe

Hamlet rebooted Local actor and videogame enthusiast Edward Day is trying to raise £3000 for his new project, Super Hamlet 64: Parody DLC, Hamlet in a computer game style. The show is at Swindon’s Shoebox Theatre on 27 May. Tickets £10. http://bit.ly/hamlet64 swindonlink.com n March 2017

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17/02/2017 12:11

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16/02/2017 14:25

Community News

62 houses proposed for Ambrose Fields site residents and political groups question viability 62 houses have been proposed by developer Taylor Wimpey for a site close to Croft Road in South Swindon that would connect South Leaze with East Wichel, which has raised concerns from local residents.

Taylor Wimpey are currently consulting with residents who are concerned that the proposal does not take into account significant flooding risks associated with the Ambrose Fields site.

One such resident, Anthea Hilson, has been gathering the support of her neighbours and feels Taylor Wimpey have not properly consulted with people in the local area. Anthea said: “I believe there are very real concerns regarding the increase in water/flooding possibilities and the already overloaded sewerage system plus the problems with traffic in and around Old Town.

“This is a huge number of houses in addition to those in Wichelstowe. If these 62 houses are crammed in on a very boggy field which is a major sponge for Old Town run-off, the problems that could be caused not only in the local area but further afield are concerns for us.”

Labour councillor Nadine Watts

took to the group’s Old Town Facebook page to inform residents of her standpoint, saying: “I am keen to work with residents to oppose building on Ambrose Fields. I think we need to look at the Berkeley Farm decision in Wroughton. We need to distinguish from this case, look for evidence and reasons why Ambrose is not suitable for development.”

This was echoed online by the Conservatives in Old Town, who have started an online petition to halt the proposal before it even reaches planning.

The petition states: “We do not support this development and have passed our objections

directly to Taylor Wimpey, as part of the consultation, discussed our concerns with a number of residents and contacted the Council Cabinet Member responsible for planning.

“The development not only falls outside of the current Local Plan, but it would put further pressure on local transport links and also impact on the separation of the established residential areas and the newer community in Wichelstowe.

“We feel a more appropriate use of the land should be found, in partnership with the current owners and local residents so it is secured for the whole community.”

Looking back at a year of celebrating Swindon

News in brief WH Smith’s moving WH Smith’s headquarters are set for demolition – but the future of the company in the town is secure.

Planners have given the go-ahead to build 134 homes, a nursery and a care home.

The company, which employs 450 senior managers and consultants at its Greenbridge office, has pledged that it will remain in the town and is currently working with Swindon Borough Council and Forward Swindon to look for a suitable alternative headquarters building in the borough.

WH Smith, which has been based in the 6,500 sq m office since the 1980s, have been forced to consider the move because of the changing nature of their business and the fact that their current offices are needing repair work.

Employment is up

New unemployment figures have revealed that 1.3 percent of people are out work in Swindon, compared with a national figure of 4.8 per cent.

Since 2010, unemployment across the town has fallen by more than 60% and over 8,400 more people are in work.

Data also shows that annual wage growth is at 2.6%, outstripping inflation; while youth unemployment is down significantly, the number of disabled people finding work has increased and the percentage of women in employment has reached a record high.

Employment across the UK has reached its highest rate since records began and unemployment remains at its lowest level for 11 years.

Hate crime increase A vintage car cavalcade at the iconic Magic Roundabout to celebrate Swindon 175

Swindon 175 is marking a year of celebration with an event on March 1 looking back at all that has been achieved over the year.

The group organised a host of events to showcase the town, celebrating the past, present and future, from a children’s photo competition and classic car cavalcade to the naming of Sir Daniel Gooch Place by HRH Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall and

the creation of a wooden bust of Sir Daniel Gooch by a New College student.

The event, which will be raising funds for the Brighter Futures charity, is an opportunity to also look to the future and consider how Swindon can continue to be celebrated as an industrious, innovative and community focused town.

The event, on March 1, takes place

at the Great Western Hall at the Steam Museum in Fire Fly Avenue from 6.30pm to 9pm A cash bar is available and there will be a complimentary buffet available.

Entry is free but places are limited. For your complimentary ticket please email: Caroline@ Swindon175.com Tickets will be issued on a first come, first served basis.

Record levels of hate crime were reported in Wiltshire in the three months following last June’s historic EU referendum, new figures have shown.

The data, released this week, show a total of 134 incidents being reported to Wiltshire Police between July and September – a 38 per cent increase on the previous three month period from April to June. The figure was the highest recorded number since comparable records began in April 2012. swindonlink.com n March 2017

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16/02/2017 14:27

Community News

New music project at Swindon 105.5

(L-R) Musicians Lewis James and Nathan Baines record with Chris English

A team from Swindon 105.5 community radio have launched a new music project that hopes to help budding musicians from all backgrounds find their voice.

The project is based at Liden Library and utilises the Sir Daniel Gooch studio at Swindon 105.5 to record tracks with artists from across the town, including staff from the station itself.

An expression of interest from the group has been put in to operate half of Liden library and expand the project to include full recording facilities, space for instrument lessons and more.

Andy Watts, who has helped set up the project said: “Anybody from

the community is welcome as long as they have fun. This is for those people who want to make music but thought they couldn’t for whatever reason.

“We will be running a 10-week training course with anyone interested in using the recording equipment and creating their own tracks, and setting up events for project users. This is a user led service that focuses on people and finding their musical voice.”

The project kicked off their first live show at Bake ‘N’ Roll on Groundwell Road in early February as part of the cafe’s new evening opening hours, providing a well attended open mic session.

Minister visits pioneering schools Minister of State for Schools, Nick Gibb MP, insisted that Ofsted were ‘doing a very good job’ in the wake of blanket criticisms of primary and secondary schools by Ofsted Regional Director Bradley Simmons.

The Minister, who was in town to learn about pioneering approaches taken by Swindon Academy and Nova Hreod, refused to criticise Mr Simmon’s controversial stance, adding that Ofsted have an “important job to do.”

Mr Gibb began his tour at Swindon Academy, where he was introduced to the school’s new Grammar Stream programme which has been established in partnership with Marlborough College.

A total of 30 places have been offered to the most academically able students in year 7 who follow a challenging curriculum which also sees them visit Marlborough College one afternoon a week, study Latin and work an extended school day.

Mr Gibb also visited Nova Hreod

Schools Minister Nick Gibb

Academy which has been able to raise the percentage of pupils achieving 5 GCSEs graded A* to C from 21 per cent in 2014 to 63 per cent in 2016 and under the leadership of Principal Darren Barton, has transformed the culture of the school by introducing a strict discipline policy. swindonlink.com n March 2017

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Community News

Community trust throws a lifeline to libraries in town An Expression of Interest has been submitted by Swindon’s only Community Library Trust to take over up to eight of Swindon’s community Libraries.

The Community Library Trust bid involves Covingham Library and Liden Library being taken over with a five year plan, and six other community libraries – Stratton, Even Swindon, Moredon, Old Town, Penhill, Pinetrees – from 1 September if there are parish councils willing to help fund them, and volunteers or community groups able to support them.

In addition to the Library Trust, it is anticipated two parish councils and two shadow parish councils will submit their own bids for running

individual libraries. Any community group wishing to take over a community library had to submit an expression of interest by 31 January to be considered.

The Community Library Trust is the only known group in Swindon that has submitted an expression of interest to manage the remaining eight community libraries that are at risk of closure after Swindon Borough Council cut the library budget by over £1 million in December.

Following submission, there is now a two month period where the Library Trust can work with Parish Councils, Shadow Parish Councils and community groups to act as an umbrella to bring everyone

together into a true One Swindon partnership. Final bids, supported by a business case, must be submitted by 31 March 2017 with a decision by 30 April.

Dale Heenan, who is also the Conservative councillor for Covingham and Dorcan, is heading the trust. He said: “Months of hard work mean that we are confident plans for Covingham Library and Liden Library are realistic and achievable with lower running costs, and professional Library staff.

“The Library Trust is independent, non-political, and willing to collaborate with anyone to ensure Swindon’s Community Libraries are saved from closure.

“On day one, the ideas the Trust

has can make savings of more than £17,000 for Liden Library and £5,000 at Covingham Library, but these same ideas can be applied to other libraries such as Upper Stratton Library at £12,000, or Penhill at £5,400.

These are all easy savings which Swindon Borough Council and the Parishes cannot implement by themselves.

“This approach will only be successful if Parish Councils, community groups and all of the political parties work together.”

Any group, business or individual who wishes to assist the Community Library Trust should contact Dale Heenan at dale.heenan@gmail.com

Budget pressures lead to council job losses and tax hike Swindon Borough Council plans to cut up to 90 jobs to save £1.5m as part of its proposed budget.

And the council tax is set to rise by 7.2 percent – made up from a 4.99 per cent rise levied by Swindon Borough Council coupled with the tax levied by the parish councils.

This means that the average bill will rise by £59.47 per year – excluding extra costs levied by parish councils.

The increase comprises 1.99 percent for the basic amount of council tax and a specific adult social care precept of three percent.

Speaking about the proposed job cuts, Cabinet Member for Finance, Russell Holland, said: “We are hoping that a significant proportion of those posts will be lost through a process of voluntary redundancy.

“We are not in a position to say which departments are being

Council leader David Renard

affected at the moment.”

He explained that a total of 80-90 posts will be lost from a current council staffing level of 2,900. This will be in addition to the recent announcement of the loss of approximately 40 full and part

time posts from the library service following the cutting of funding to 10 of the town’s 15 facilities.

Mr Holland added that the process of reducing ‘headcount’ would begin as soon as possible in order to maximise savings.

Continued demand pressures on adult social care, combined with increased costs of waste and recycling, lower than expected parking income and increased demand on the council’s homelessness budget has contributed to a predicted overspend of £6.5m.

Council leader David Renard explained that the council is looking carefully at where savings on adult social care can be made and has made use of consultants and worked with other local authorities to help guide them in this process.

“A lot of work is being done on

identifying where early intervention can be made to improve the long term outcomes for patients and reduce the need for support.

“We are also working with other organisations to look at how social workers do their jobs. We are keen to re-enable people to get back on their feet and be able to lead more independent lives.”

He explained that the predicted overspend in this sector was partly a result of demographic change: “More people are living longer with more complex health needs.”

He added that further cost increases have been brought about by having to comply with tighter regulations on care homes and the introduction of the National Minimum Wage, which has meant an increase in the wage bill for the large number of low pay workers who work in the sector.”

How can you get involved in Swindon’s new parish councils?

The first election cycle for the new parish councils in Swindon will take place on 4 May. In each of the new parishes, a shadow parish council has been formed. This is made up largely of Swindon Borough Council ward councillors from each area.

The shadow parish councils are responsible for deciding which services they wish to provide in each of their areas, setting their budget and the resulting precept, and putting in place arrangements for services to be provided from 1 April.

Work is currently still underway with Swindon Borough Council staff to make these arrangements.

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The decision to parish previously unparished areas of the Borough followed a year-long Community Governance Review process which involved extensive engagement and formal consultation with residents and parish councils.

The statutory minimum number of parish councillors for each area is five - there is no maximum number.

The number of parish councillors in existing parishes in Swindon range from 5 to 23.

Anyone who is interested in becoming a parish councillor can find information about what is required on the ‘How to become a councillor’ webpage.

Prospective candidates should contact the election office from 1 March for a nomination pack. All nominations must be received by 4pm on Tuesday 4 April.

Anyone wishing to vote but unable to get to a polling station

on 4 May can request a postal vote.

To apply, call 01793 464601 or email: elecreg@swindon.gov.uk Residents who still remain unsure which parished area they live in can use the postcode checker at: www.swindon.gov.uk/parishes

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Manor Garden Centre Cheney Manor, Swindon 01793 526691 Open 7 days a week

Quality TGB garden buildings for any situation Bespoke sizes available Base laying & installation available

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SAL CONTINE UES

16/02/2017 14:29

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Community News Positive Swindon

Hundreds gather to promote Swindon Grants available

Gavin Calthrop of Place Marketing at the Switch On to Swindon event

More than 400 representatives of business, the arts and local government gathered at the launch of an ambitious campaign to promote all that is great about our town – Switch On to Swindon.

Taking to the stage at Swindon’s £16m Audi showroom in the Delta business park, Gavin Calthrop, head of Place Marketing, was joined by speakers Nicky Alberry, chairman of the Influence board and Jo Miller, chief executive of Doncaster Council.

Gavin said: “Swindon’s strength

is its economy and its desire to grow. We need to share the positive stories about the town. That is what Switch On To Swindon is all about. This campaign is all about harnessing that energy. We need to be telling the real stories of Swindon.”

Statistically, Swindon is the seventh most productive economy in the UK and the employment rate is the fifth highest in the country.

The town has the UK’s largest concentration of foreign owned enterprises (19 per cent) and has

seen a 15 per cent growth in the number of businesses, with 281 businesses per 10,000 population.

It is home to RCUK, Honda, Nationwide, Intel, Johnson Matthey, BMW Mini pressings plant, National Trust, English Heritage, WH Smith to name a few.

It’s also a great place to live with exceptional transport links.

There is also a thriving arts and culture scene – being home to the finest collection of British Modern Art outside London as well as the renowned Festival of Literature.

Grants for organisations with an income of less than £50,000 are available from the Wiltshire Community Foundation.

The Foundation Small Grants Programme will support projects which will make a sustained impact on the lives of disadvantaged people in Wiltshire and Swindon. You can apply for up to £2,000 per year.

Log on to wiltshirecf.org.uk

Support network Medium sized charities with an income of more than £100k can benefit from a “Business Buddy” - a support network of business skill support.

To find out more about business buddies contact involve@swindonvolunteers. org.uk

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Community News Positive Swindon

Nominations for Pride of Swindon were many and varied Judges at the Pride of Swindon Awards were faced with the unenviable task of sifting through more than 50 nominations for people who contribute in a dizzying variety of ways to the people and environment of the town.

Those nominating were asked to identify what it was about that particular individual or group that meant they would be worthy recipients of the title Pride of Swindon award winner.

Those put forward included Alan Butler, who has single-handedly organised support and sponsorship for the RunVember fundraising event which challenges people to raise money for the homeless of Swindon by running every day for 30 days.

His nomination reads: “The madness of him running in his speedos and swimming hat on a freezing November evening to raise

awareness of RunVember will stay with me for a long time. He is a quiet and humble man who takes no personal credit for the effort he has put in.�

Those facing personal challenges were also nominated, including Clare Stow who was nominated for her tireless work for charities and community groups over the years. Clare plays an active role in the Swindon Downs Syndrome group, local churches, and was instrumental in setting up a community cafe.

People working in the arts and education were also well represented in the nominations.

Falling into this category is Barbara Moody, who was one of the founders of the Haydon Artists group, which she has helped to run for 14 years.

In this capacity, she has also worked closely with schools and the

wider community.

Development officer Lee Bowen was praised for his work to promote table tennis in the town. Head of Performing Arts, Alison Sutcliffe was nominated for the work that she puts into promoting music in the town and Neil Bromley was nominated for working to promote fencing in the town for 15 years.

Noreen Vitale was nominated for the huge efforts she puts into ensuring that Christmas is a time to celebrate for many people who might otherwise find themselves isolated and alone.

Working as catering manager for the Swindon Care Shelter for the last 9 years, Noreen collects donations from all over Swindon. She also works all over the Christmas period providing breakfast, lunch and an evening buffet for more than 60 people.

Community stalwart Caroline

Watson was singled out for her work with those she lives alongside in Walcot. Over the 30 years that she has lived in the area, she has acted as a community champion, helping elderly residents with household tasks.

A volunteer for the Wiltshire Wildlife Trust since 1981, Kathleen Wyatt has played a key role in the development of the organisation.

She has also played a large role in inspiring others to get involved in environmental conservation speaking to schools and community groups to talk about her role and how others can get involved.

Groups who were nominated included the Swindon Lagoons Volunteer Group, The Harbour Project which works with refugees in the town, youth theatre group Prime Theatre and the Witness Service which supports victims of crime

Jacqui Collins who has been nominated along with her friend Colin Crook for their conservation work

Conservation volunteers praised for their efforts Conservation volunteers Colin Crook and Jacqui Collins don’t like to be in the spotlight.

The friends, have been nominated for the Pride of Swindon 2017 awards in recognition of the many hours

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they spend placing bird boxes around the green spaces in the borough.

Often hidden from view, nestled in the low branches of trees, it is easy to miss the efforts of these conservationists who have set up

and maintain 700 bird boxes in 13 different sites in Swindon over the past 20 years.

Colin and Jacqui first met when they were both working for the Swindon ranger service and have continued their passion for

conservation after stepping down from the role.

The also carry out voluntary work for the RSPB, Wiltshire Wildlife, Cotswold Water Park, Swindon Dormouse Conservation and Swindon Volunteer Rangers.

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Community News Positive Swindon

Judges faced the difficult task of identifying winners The ninth annual Pride of Swindon awards were launched in December and since then suggestions have been flooding in.

The event aims to honour unsung heroes in the town who make a difference in their community.

Speaking at the launch of the awards, Swindon Mayor Eric Shaw said: “We are looking for people who are making a difference to this town. It can be someone who has saved a life or people like Phoebe who are increasing awareness of a condition. Pride of Swindon is one of the best events of the year.”

Judges drawn from Voluntary Action Swindon, Volunteer Centre Swindon, Nationwide, Zurich, McDonalds, Swindon 105.5, Positive Media Group and Swindon Advertiser faced the difficult task of sifting through more than 50 nominations to draw up a shortlist.

Nominees who were thought to have gone the extra mile to

Previous winners and representatives of the sponsors attended this year’s launch event

contribute to their community or improve the lives of others were judged on their merits rather than the number of nominations received.

Among the nominations were those who had quietly served as

volunteers in their community for years, others who were the driving force behind fundraising activities in the town or youngsters who had reached out to others in need.

After a lengthy debate and vote by the judges, chaired by volunteer

development manager of Zurich Community Trust Tony Martin, the winning 10 individuals and six teams were decided upon.

The winners will be revealed at the awards ceremony on March 16 at the Steam museum.

Inspirational Oscar launched fundraising drive for friend One of those nominated for the Pride of Swindon awards is 9-yearold Oscar Moulding.

The inspirational Robert Le Kyng pupil, despite facing his own personal challenges, has shown a maturity beyond his years to help raise money to fund a wheelchair for a friend from Bosnia.

Oscar heard about Sofija Jevdic’s story from a Facebook group dedicated to those affected by merosin-negative congenital muscular dystrophy.

The youngster understood that Sofija’s family needed to raise at least £400 to fund a wheelchair for his friend and set about the task with determination.

Oscar’s mum Alex explained: “Without help, Sofija would have had to make do with a wheelchair that is not suitable for her.

“The chairs that were available to her were all the same size and she would have had to be propped up with pieces of foam.

“Oscar decided that he should do all that he could to help out. We’re really proud of him.”

In order to hit his fundraising target, Oscar held a variety of fundraising activities, including a wear yellow day at his school where fellow pupils were asked to donate towards the fund.

He also made a guest appearance on BBC Wiltshire Radio to

Inspirational youngster Oscar Moulding with his mum Alex

encourage people to donate to his Just Giving fundraising page.

Oscar said: “We started out asking people to help raise £400, but we got that really quickly and soon we

had about £2,000.”

The money has been sent to Sofija’s family to buy a new motorised wheelchair and help her family support her over the next

few years.

Alex said: “I feel really proud of Oscar and what he has achieved.

It’s brilliant and he deserves to have the spotlight on him.” swindonlink.com n March 2017

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Community News

Janet’s Puppy Skool celebrates 10th anniversary

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Dog trainer Janet Garrett celebrates 10 years of her Puppy Skool in March

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A North Swindon puppy training school will be celebrating 10 years of canine tutelage on March 1.

At the age of 51 and at the top of her profession, Janet Garrett, Executive Bilingual PA to the CEO of a large multi-national company based in Paris, decided it was time to stop working where head and bank balance dictates .... and to follow her heart. So she decided to create Janet’s Puppy Skool.

Janet had been very involved with dogs since the age of three when she was thrilled to see her granddad’s collie bring his slippers or find his keys when needed.

As a hobby, she was

demonstrating during her time in Paris with one of her own Bouvier des Flandres, Blue, who appeared at Crufts NEC and Discover Dogs Earls Court as part of the Kennel Club’s Good Citizen Gold Level demonstration team. Janet made the decision that helping others with dogs and puppies was a passion worth pursuing.

Studying canine behaviour became intrinsic to her daily life and with many qualifications to her name it was only a matter of time before she felt brave enough to let go of the ‘day job’.

In February 2007, she took the jump and now 10 years on, with many more qualifications to her name, including the most recent in 2016 of Canine Nutrionist, she is still incredibly happy that she made the decision.

Janet said: “The time was right – my qualifications fitted perfectly with my years of experience - and my husband, friends and family were behind me all the way. It has been an enormous privilege as well as fantastic fun to meet so many wonderful people and their fab dogs and I’m hoping for many more anniversaries to come.” www.janetspuppyskool.co.uk

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IN ASSOCIATION WITH with in association

in association with

in association with

Swindon Fringe Festival returns in associationstand-up withcomedians on Monday 3

Swindon Fringe Festival is back this year from 1 - 9 April taking place across four wonderful venues in Swindon.

Now into its fifth year of providing Swindon with the weird, wacky and wonderful, the once undergound event has become a 10-day monster with performers from across the globe coming to Swindon to share their performances and skills.

Opening night for the 2017 edition of “Swinge” will be on 31 March at The Bohemian Balcony in Rodbourne with glasses of champagne and nibbles on hand as you enjoy some music and stand-up comedy while the Fringe organisers offer prizes, raffles and display their Swinge Week.

The children’s shows this year will include Alf the Highwayman, What’s Under The Bed?, The Homeless Panda and The Missing Easter Egg all at £5 per person so the whole family came come along.

This year there will be free performances at The Victoria in Old Town, starting on Sunday 2 April with The Groovy Pig Music Festival. From mid-afternoon until late local favourites such as Sweet Nightingale, Terra 45, Spunking Octochoke and Flame&Co will take the stage, as well as some great visiting bands bringing jazz from Ella – Celebrating 100 years and a bit of folk with Plucking Different.

The Victoria will also feature

and Tuesday 4 April with last year’s favourite Matt Hoss coming back alongside James Luckraft-Law, Paul Lawless and Swindonian Tony Cowards.

During the week, Swindon Fringe will be running between the Shoebox Theatre and Swindon Town Hall where there will be several new plays; Breaking Point, The Door, The Justice Equation and older works such as A Visit From Miss Prothero

by Alan Bennett and Pugilist Specialist by Adriano Shaplin.

This year also includes physical theatre with Antigone and Blooming Out, as well as musicals; A Snap Musical and Only For Now. Comedy magic will also be on show with Laughs With Tricks and Man Of 1000 Farces, and troops of comedy poets will perform shows such as Kevin, King Of Egypt.

Swindon Fringe has added several hilarious improv sessions as well including April Fools by Fools Gladly and Gatecrash Tasty Comedy Improv Feast for those wanting to get involved off the cuff.

And there are even clown and spoons workshops for family and friends at £5 each.

More information, dates and times for all these amazing performances and workshops can be found at swindonfringefestival.com. Tickets available at The Wyvern Theatre Box Office: swindontheatres.co.uk

Top - Comedian Matt Hoss. Below - Swindon’s very own Sweet Nightingale

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17/02/2017 11:31

Swindon Wide Protecting our heritage must be a priority

By Graham Carter of Swindon Heritage magazine Do you want the good news or the bad news?

Many a light-hearted conversation has begun like this, but when you publish a magazine about Swindon’s heritage, deciding on whether to deliver good news or bad news is crucial.

When we founded our magazine in 2013, it was a determined attempt to be positive about our town, because we genuinely feel proud of Swindon, its people and their achievements, and we strongly believed our heritage was being understated.

With four years and now (with the publication of our new Spring 2017 edition) seventeen 84-page editions under our belts, we are still finding plenty of positive things to say about our amazingly rich heritage.

And we are the bearers of good news again, including the opening of a mini-museum at Highworth; the latest on the ambitious project to restore the glories of the exquisite St Mary’s Church at Lydiard Tregoze; and a makeover for Christ Church.

We are also excited about our

role in moving forward the dream of bringing Swindon’s last tram back to the town.

So there are plenty of reasons to be cheerful, and it all fits nicely with two thirds of our mission, which is “to celebrate, promote and safeguard Swindon’s heritage”.

But how do we satisfy that awkward third aim? What can we do to safeguard it?

In the face of some disappointing decisions and actions by Swindon Borough Council since we published our winter edition, we are faced with the dilemma of how to handle all that bad news in our spring edition.

So much has happened since we last went to print that a new organisation has even been formed as a response, the Facebook group Save Swindon’s Heritage rapidly drawing in more than a thousand members because of the proposed conversion of the Health Hydro into flats and other threats to our heritage.

So it would be wrong of us to concentrate only on the positives in the town’s heritage when so many of us feel powerless and angry about the negative things that are happening in Swindon.

We aim to safeguard heritage - as our mission statement demands - by speaking up when we think the local authority is getting it wrong, and by restoring balance when we think councillors are given ample opportunity to put their side of the story in the local press.

But sometimes just getting to the heart of the history does the trick of educating people about why it is special, and that is the first step to safeguarding it.

So in our new edition we reveal new research that is putting the spotlight on the national importance of the Health Hydro, as well as reporting on the appalling handling of the aftermath of the fire at the Agricultural Museum at Coate.

We run the risk of being accused by councillors of putting undue emphasis on the bad news about heritage in Swindon, but if that happens it will not be the first time.

As a self-funded, not-for-profit CIC (community interest company) where everyone who puts the magazine together or organises our projects and events does it voluntarily, we are united by our mission to celebrate our heritage and promote a better image for Swindon.

And if doing our bit to safeguard it also means not just educating but

Swindon’s last tram could be moving back to the town

sometimes also speaking out, then so be it.

Hopefully the pages of our new spring edition will emphasize why it is time for attitudes to change in Swindon, where heritage is sometimes cast as a liability by a cash-strapped Council, when we would all benefit if we simply saw it for the huge asset that it is. www.swindonheritage.com

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Swindon Wide

takes over The Victoria for a night to remember We are going off the rails this month. That’s right dear reader, this month we aren’t bringing you a round up of some of the best offerings from Swindon’s diverse music scene, but rather selfishly concentrating on a show we are running ourselves!

We are teaming up with our good friends at The Victoria in Old Town to bring you three incredible acts from the area we lovingly call “Ocelotshire” on 23 March, an evening of musical amazement we are calling...

THE NIGHT OF THE OCELOT

So who’s our pick from the wider area then? Who could we possibly choose amongst all the incredible acts from across Wiltshire, Oxfordshire and West Berkshire?

People of Swindon, we will be introducing you to Oxford’s champions of bluesy garage rock; Little Brother Eli. Having featured on Radio 6 Music, Classic Rock Magazine, and a whole host of other media outlets (including our little mag) Little Brother Eli combine the blues with hip hop rhythms to give you ‘the feeling that every single second has

been filled with crafted perfection’ (Right Chord Music). But even this kind of juxtapositional statement doesn’t quite cover it. With a sound that brings Jack White or the Black Keys to mind, Little Brother Eli take powerful vocals, growling guitars and gritty solos to create their own twisting, driving music that will have The Vic rocking for sure.

Sandwiched in the middle of our evening are the equally special

and almost legendary Swindon group Hip Route. If you’ve heard of these guys and what they can do, you’re probably only halfway to knowing just how good they really are. We are talking phenomenal musicianship, with slide guitar from front-man Jim Blair in particular that leaves you stunned it’s happening right in front of you. And the fact they are based in Swindon as well shows the strength

of the musical output of the town.

As if it was ever in doubt!

Opening our evening will be Royal Wootton Bassett based singer/ songwriter Bradley Cowtan, who you may have heard launching his new EP Catfish Part 2 on BBC Wiltshire radio in February. Armed with youthful exuberance, but a highly professional and hard working attitude, Bradley is exactly the kind of musician we at The Ocelot love to get behind. He’s a promising young lad who can really put himself and the region on the map, so you don’t want to miss his set. We can’t guarantee that we won’t come armed with a series of fishy puns though...

On top of all this, our Ocelot team will be in attendance to guide you through the evening and for those of you who may remember Ocelot shows of yore... Yes, the Ocelottery will be held at some point during the evening!

Did we mention that the night is going to be free entry as well?!

Pick up your copy of The Ocelot in venues at the end of the month, or check out the website: www.theocelot.co.uk

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17/02/2017 10:06

Swindon Wide

Academy of Music and Sound relaunches in town centre with mayoral approval

The Mayor of Swindon officially opens the new AMS Swindon centre Local musician Nick Harper “christens” the new AMS Swindon centre

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The Swindon branch of the Academy of Music and Sound celebrated moving to their new home in the town centre on Monday 30 January with the Mayor of Swindon officially opening the new centre.

Previously based at the Bentley Centre on Shrivenham Road near Stratton, the Academy of Music and Sound offers the artistic youth of Swindon and the surrounding area a variety of further education courses to help them explore the musical industries.

With the new year and relocation of the centre comes a new centre manager also, with Paul Hughes taking control of AMS and proposing a fresh approach with big

ideas.

Paul said: “I have to say right from the off that I really am loving this job. I’ve been a musician and head of department in several schools including here in Swindon, so taking on this role feels like the perfect fit.

“I’m working with a brilliant team and we really are putting our students first with our Foundation Degree, BA and a Masters qualification coming in September.

On top of this, our new location puts us right in the heart of a strong musical area. We have Level 3 and the Rolleston Arms literally across the road, Holmes Music round the corner and The Platform within minutes. We couldn’t be in a better position.”

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Swindon Wide

It all started 30 years ago

Members of West Swindon Women’s Institute in 1987

From The Archives with Link founding publisher Roger Ogle March marks the thirtieth year since Link magazine first appeared as a regular monthly, commercial publication.

As I explained in January, The Link as a community newsletter had been produced every six weeks since December 1978, but having grown from 500 to 8,000 copies, it was time for a step-change to provide more regular community based news which would expand to keep up with the continued growth of West Swindon which was planned to be 11,000 homes.

As the first chair of governors at Greendown Community School, which had opened to its first intake in September 1986, I was one of the first to know that Princess Anne would perform the official opening ceremony on 23 March 1987. The occasion was a good target around which to launch the new look magazine.

As a newsletter Link stories were typed onto paper then cut and pasted on layout sheets, and Letraset stick-on lettering was used for headlines. It was very crude in appearance. As a monthly magazine The Link was going to have a more consistent look, yet still be entirely funded by advertising and given away so that every household receives a copy.

HRH Princess Anne at the official opening of Greendown Community School on 23 March 1987

Computers and desktop publishing software was in its infancy and very expensive. So, producing a magazine was still a really physical, long winded activity. Instead of a typewriter I started working with a design company and spent much of January and February that year talking to advertisers and collecting and writing stories which still had to be typed and delivered to the designers for typesetting and layout. I also set up a darkroom at home in our utility room to develop film and print photographs.

Thankfully businesses bought into the idea of a monthly magazine focussed on West Swindon, and gathering news and asking contributors to write articles was quite straightforward. The tough job was actually writing the pieces for the rest of the publication which took up much of March until the royal opening.

Whereas the newsletter averaged 8 to 12 pages, the magazine was going to be 32 pages, and once the first edition was published, the next one was due just four weeks later. It was a daunting thought, and became a feature of life for both myself and my wife and business partner Ruth until the magazine was bought by James Phipps in August 2014. Many is the time people would suggest that

producing The Link was a part-time hobby without realising what went into creating an informative, accurate, well designed publication.

Hitting the print deadline so that it could be in the hands of distributors at the right time has always been the imperative. It was only missed on two occasions, including the first edition when I turned up at the designers on press day to make finishing touches to discover they had not even started work on typesetting the stories and adverts, or scanning the photographs, let alone laying out the pages. It was a nightmare at the first hurdle, eventually overcome later that day after a dozen people worked at top speed.

Other stories which featured in the April 1987 edition included announcements for the housing development at Peatmoor and the agreement to build Shaw Ridge Leisure Park. The Chinese Experience restaurant was due before Thamesdown Council’s planning committee and we reported that the last committee meeting had rejected an application to build an all-terrain vehicle track on Shaw Forest Park.

We described the council’s efforts to explain HIV/AIDS in a leaflet to be distributed to every household in the town. West Swindon librarian Linda Black wrote about a day in her life and Swindon Cable advertised the

chance to win a video recorder, if you signed up to cable TV offering 15 channels including Home Cinema showing 28 films a week.

What a contrast to today.

For somebody starting a new enterprise with only limited experience on how to deliver the product and without any business background, it was a huge learning curve to create a readable and financially viable publication.

Unquestionably the support of advertisers should be recognised, without them Link would not have survived as long as it has. And as the business grew we were able to employ an advertising salesperson and also part-time writers.

In all the years it has been going, I’ve not come across any other comparable publication with such a high level of editorial whilst being delivered to homes in such large numbers free of charge.

And thirty years on, in parallel with our success, Greendown School has now achieved great things.

Now Lydiard Park Academy, it is one of the top performing schools in the town and a multi-academy trust working in partnership with Isambard School in North Swindon.

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16/02/2017 14:57

Swindon Wide MUSIC

Monday 6th, 7.30pm Robert Winston explores the controversial idea of human modification. £20.50. Friends £2.50 off. Wyvern

Sunday 5th, 7.30pm Camille O’Sullivan has a respected reputation for her interpretations of Bowie, Arcade Fire, Nick Cave and Radiohead. £22.50. Wyvern

Tuesday 7th, 7.30pm An Evening With Levison Wood.

Best-selling author, photographer and TV presenter shares his experiences and exploits as a modern day explorer. £26. Under 16s £18.50. Wyvern

Saturday 11th, 7.30pm Swindon Recital Series - Dale Piano Trio. Final programme of this season of concerts. £16, £13.50 conc. Students £3.50. Arts Centre Wednesday 15th to Thursday 16th, 4.45pm & 7.30pm Make Music Swindon - Junior Voice Festival. Over 1,100 junior aged children will, for the first time, sing their hearts out and raise the roof. £7. £2 conc. Wyvern Sunday 19th, 7.30pm ABBAMANIA. UK’s original ABBA tribute are widely regarded as one of “Europe’s Premier ABBA tribute Bands”. £25. Wyvern Friday 24th, 7.30pm Elkie Brooks. One of the most successful and popular singers the UK has ever produced. £27.50.

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FILM Wednesday 1st, 7.45pm Rams (15) Swindon Film Society. Arts Centre Wednesday 8th, 7.45pm The Second Mother (15) Swindon Film Society. Arts Centre Wednesday 22nd, 7.45pm Son Of Saul (15) Swindon Film Society. Arts Centre Swindon Film Society (SFS) films are for members only. It is possible to join at any film screening.

Friday 24th, 7.15pm Highworth Community Cinema present: Theeb A young Bedouin boy follows his beloved older brother to guide a British army officer to a long-abandoned well. £5. St Michael’s Hall Tuesday 21st, 7.30pm BANFF Mountain Film Festival.

An evening of short films from the world’s most prestigious mountain film festival. £15. £1.50 conc. Wyvern

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Saturday 4th, 7.30pm Andy Fairweather Low and The Low Riders. Worked alongside Eric Clapton, George Harrison, Bob Dylan, Jimi Hendrix. £24. Wyvern

Friday 10th, 7.30pm Richard Digance celebrates 50 years of songs and stories that led to a BAFTA Nomination. £15.50.

Arts Centre

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WHAT’S ON SWIN

Saturday 18th, 2.30pm & 7.30pm Gemma Short School of Dance and Theatre Arts showcase of Saturday 25th, 7.30pm dance, drama and musical theatre The Bootleg Shadows bring their £14.50. £2 conc. Wyvern outstanding tribute to Swindon Arts Centre for a night of fantastic foot Monday 27th, 3pm & 6.30pm tapping classics. £20.50. £1.50 conc. The Great Big Dance Off. National dance competition open to primary Arts Centre and secondary schools across Sunday 26th, 7.30pm England. £10. £3 conc. Wyvern The Fureys. Legends of Irish Tuesday 28th, 6.30pm music and song make their 10th Swindon Academy Gym & Dance appearance at the Wyvern. £23.50.

Display - A Night at the Movies.

Wyvern Swindon Academy present their Monday 27th to Saturday 1 April, Gym and Dance Show for 2017. £4. £3 children. Wyvern 12pm Swindon Music Festival. Platform ART for performance for all ages. £2 day sessions, £3 evening. Contact Box Wednesday 29th, 11am Office for details. Arts Centre Creative Wiltshire: Celebrating modern art and design from Monday 27th to Thurs April 6th Swindon and Wiltshire.

Make Music Swindon each year Contemporary work from across gives over 600 children aged three to five years old the opportunity to Swindon and Wiltshire collected in come together and make music in a partnership with Wiltshire Council and museums across the county. fun and friendly environment. £3.

Free entry. Museum and Art Gallery Platform

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Swindon Wide

ON SWINDON DRAMA & MUSICALS Thursday 2nd, 7.30pm FOSAC Young Arts Showcase.

Back for a second year, the Young Arts Showcase, produced by Prime Theatre and funded by the Friends of the Swindon Arts Centre, celebrates the creative talent of local young people. £5. Arts Centre Friday 3rd, 7.30pm William Shakespeare’s Long Lost First Play (abridged). Acclaimed stars of the West End stage, the Reduced Shakespeare Company, are back with another hilarious celebration of our cultural heritage £22.50 - £23.50. 2-for-1 for Friends.

Wyvern Weds 1st to Friday 3rd, 7.30pm Pugilist Specialist. Winner of every major award at the Edinburgh Festival with this soaring and timely play dissecting the American military’s hunt for evil in foreign lands. £10. £8 conc. Phoenix Theatre

COMEDY Tuesday 14th, 7.30pm Rob Beckett is back with a brandnew show of funnies and he’s taking on the big issues like Kit Kats and flatbread! £18.50. Wyvern Tuesday 21st, 7.30pm Sara Pascoe - Animal. After her book exploring the evolution of the female body, Sara now considers further issues. £13.50. Arts Centre Wednesday 22nd, 8pm Count Arthur Strong - The Sound of Mucus. Showbiz legend, pays tribute to one of the best musicals he can remember. £24.50.

Wyvern Thursday 23rd, 7.30pm Chris Ramsey. Biggest UK tour yet from promising young comedian. £23.50. Wyvern

Lawn Art Exhibition

Friday 3rd to Sunday 5th, 7.30pm Constellations. After receiving rave reviews for their performance of The Crucible, Jerusalem, Wroughton Passion Play and Breathing Corpses, Gatecrash Theatre return. £13. £2 conc. Arts Centre Tuesday 9th, 7.30pm Noel & Gertie. Warm and witty musical comedy based on the friendship and collaboration of actor, playwright and songwriter Noel and the charismatic actress Gertie. £16.50. £2 conc. Schools £3 off.

Friends & FOSAC £2.50 off. Arts Centre Sunday 12th, 7.30pm Menopause: The Musical. An allsinging, all-dancing comedy set in a department store. £28.50. Wyvern Wednesday 15th to Saturday 18th, 7.30pm Western Players - Don’t Dress For Dinner. A fast moving comedy by Marc Carmoletti, adapted by Robin Hawden. £11. £1 conc. Arts Centre Sunday 19th, 7.30pm Holmes and Watson - Farewell Tour. Fresh from their sold-out run at the Edinburgh Fringe. £17. £2 conc. Arts Centre Thursday 23rd, 7.30pm Ventoux. The story of Lance Armstrong and Marco Pantani battling through the Tour de France in 2000, retold by 2Magpies £14.50. £2 conc. Arts Centre

Friday 11th to Friday 18th 9am - 6pm A free entry exhibition by local artists.

Refreshments available as well as a prize draw for just £1 Wyevale Garden Centre, Stratton

Wanborough Farmers’ Market Saturday 18th, 9am Meat, vegetables, cakes and pies, honey, rapeseed oil, plants, milk and fairly traded goods. For more information call Sue or David Birley on 01793 790438 or email sbirley@gn.apc.org VENUES

Valuation Day opportunity with

Thomas Plant TV expert on Flog It! The Antiques Road Trip & Bargain Hunt

Arts Centre, Devizes Road SN1 4BJ. Tel: 01793 524481 The Bohemian Balcony, Jennings Street, Swindon SN2 2BD. Tel: 07874 366256 The Platform, Faringdon Road, Swindon SN1 5BJ Phoenix Theatre, New College Drive, Swindon, SN3 1AH. Tel: 01793 732889 The Rolleston, 73 Commercial Road, Swindon SN1 5NX. Tel: 01793 534238 Shoebox Theatre, Theatre Square, Swindon SN1 1QN. Tel: 07340 758497 St Michael’s Hall Lechlade Road, Highworth, SN6 7HQ. Tel: 01793 763907 Roves Farm, Sevenhampton, Nr Highworth SN6 7QG. Tel: 01793 763939 Swindon Information Centre, Central Library SN1 1QG. Tel: 01793 530328 Swindon Museum and Art Gallery, Bath Road SN1 4BA. Tel: 01793 466556 The Victoria, 88 Victoria Road, SN1 3BD. Tel: 01793 535713 Wyvern Theatre, Theatre Square SN1 1QN. Tel: 01793 524481 Confirm date, time & price with venue

Bring along your portable items for a FREE valuation with Thomas, OR members of his team from Special Auction Services

Monday 13th March 10am to 3.30pm

Jury’s Inn, Fleming Way, Swindon SN1 2NG Valuations are by appointment only.

To arrange a time, please call 01635 580595 or contact us via

www.specialauctionservices.com

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Sport and Leisure

It’s as easy as riding a bike On Two Wheels by Rob Derry of Swindon Bicycle Users Group (BUG)

There is a well known phrase that goes something like “It’s as easy as riding a bike”, so it’s no wonder that some people may feel a little intimidated or embarrassed if they have never actually learnt to ride a bike.

If this is you, and you want to ride a bike to get to the shops or get to work or just for a bit of exercise, did you know that there are courses run by Swindon Borough Council that can help you?

There are also courses to help you become a more confident cyclist on paths and roads if the thought of mixing with pedestrians, other cyclists or larger vehicles puts you off popping out for a ride.

The best bit about this? It’s all completely free.

So, if you’re sitting at home staring at another salad and wondering how you can get more active and maybe shift a couple of the pounds you put on over the winter, then why not give it a go?

Cycling is a great way to move efficiently around Swindon and it’s great for your health. Full details

24

Callum on ice after innocuous challenge of how to get on these courses are below and there is a lot more information for you on the Swindon Travel Choices website here: www. swindontravelchoices.co.uk/cycle Give it a try. Before you know it, you’ll be hooked!

Swindon Borough Council’s ‘Be Active’ project run a weekly ‘Learn to Ride’ session every Friday from 10am - 12 noon. These FREE sessions are held at the County Ground Athletics Track in Swindon.

There are also free ‘On Road Cycle Training’ courses for those who want to get more confident on our cycle paths and local roads.

For more information and to book on a course please contact cycling officer Becky Cox on: bcox@ swindon.gov.uk or 07769281761 www.swindonbug.co.uk

themselves short benched this term.

Having been out of the side since the incident in October, the Welshman added: “Being out is Standing by the lockers inside the frustrating, as hockey is my life and Swindon Ice Arena at the latest I’ve gone from training every day training session, Callum Buglass to not being able to do anything. searched for words about how an It’s been a massive lifestyle change innocuous challenge sent him into and I can’t wait to get back into the the boards and ended his season. swing of things.

“I fell awkwardly after a hit and “I had to wait for my operation knew that something was wrong as we wanted the best surgeon in instantly,” Buglass said. “I couldn’t Wales to do the job. Everything move my arm, I was laying on my went really well – it was a complete left and as my right was not moving success as far as that part of the I couldn’t signal for help. recovery process went.

“I just started kicking my legs “I now have physiotherapy in hoping they would stop play and Cardiff, but I still travel up to luckily they did. Everyone involved watch our home games and have helped so much and I’m very additional physiotherapy here [in grateful for that.”

Swindon] too and I’m really doing With fellow Wildcats teammate everything I can at focussing on and coach Aaron Nell also ruled returning to the ice next season.” out, the Cats have often found www.swindonwildcats.com The Wildcats ice hockey column with Mike Wray

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Sport and Leisure

Swindon Cricket Club appoint ex-England international Phil DeFreitas as head coach Swindon Cricket Club have announced the appointment of exEngland international cricketer Phil DeFreitas as club head coach for the next three years.

Phil has enjoyed a long and prolific career in the game, playing for England at the highest level.

Club Chairman, Tom Foreman is thrilled with such a coup for the club and said: “I’m excited about the benefit this signing can have for both current, prospective and future players in the Swindon area.

“We plan to deliver success on and off the cricket field in a manner that matches the history and former pedigree of the club. The signing of a head coach with Phil’s calibre and experience represents a key milestone within the club’s ambitious five year plan.

“We are forging a new relationship aimed at delivering a long lasting legacy for Swindon Cricket Club, its members and the local sporting community. I’d like to take this opportunity to thank our fantastic sponsors Excalibur Communications, Deacon & Son Jewellers and David M Coe Financial Planning, whose support has made this signing a

reality.”

As head coach, Phil will be working closely with the existing team of England Cricket Board qualified coaches, in order to help players of all ages and abilities to develop.

This includes youth teams, ladies teams and adult senior teams.

As head coach Phil’s first coaching sessions will be delivered across the age ranges through fun, but structured, indoor sessions at the Croft Sports Centre.

Following this Phil will continue to lead coaching sessions when outdoor training begins in April.

These sessions will take place at the club ground, which is located next to the County Ground, home of Swindon Town Football Club, utilising the club facilities which have been heavily invested in over recent years.

The signing of Phil DeFreitas as head coach, it is hoped, will help enable Swindon Cricket Club to develop cricketers of all ages, helping to ensure the future strength of cricket at the club and in the local area. swindon.play-cricket.com

David Hawkins

Tree Surgeon ALL TREE WORK COMPLETED TO THE HIGHEST STANDARD

Hedge cutting • Stump removal Fruit tree pruning • Tree planting

Contact Dermot

01793 420652/07870 191746 igs.swindon@yahoo.com

Fully insured Free estimates Over 20 years experience

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Refresh your Kitchen this Spring

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Sport and Leisure

Newly launched company gets to the root of hair loss For many people, living with hair loss can affect self-esteem and confidence. But help is at hand thanks to a new business recently set up in Swindon – Scalp Innovations – offering an alternative treatment to hair transplant.

Swindon born Carl Newman, 49, launched the business after discovering a new treatment that gives the illusion of a shaved head.

He explained: “At around the age of 20 I started to lose my hair. I always felt that my image aged me and affected my confidence. I spent many years looking forward to

winter to get out that hat and not feel like I stood out. I spent money on hats like people do on hair styling. I started Scalp Innovations to give back the confidence to men and women of all ages as I felt I could relate to their experiences.”

Carl offers a variety of treatments from the NU U Clinic in Old Town.

These include scalp micropigmentation (SMP), which replicates the appearance of a shaven head by introducing thousands of tiny pigment deposits into the epidermis of the scalp.

Also on offer is tricopigmentation a more temporary treatment. This

is considered by many to be a good first step before committing to a permanent form of the treatment – it also allows for the option to alter their hair line in the future to reflect their age.

SMP does not claim to cure hair loss but it does conceal the symptoms.

It is advisable to seek professional medical advice before undergoing treatment.

To find out more contact Carl at Scalp Innovations on 51 Godwin Court, Old Town, Swindon SN1 4BB. Call 07833630335 or log in to www. scalpinnovations.co.uk

Carl Newman of Scalp Innovations

New animal warden Jordan spreads a caring message A new animal warden has been appointed by Swindon Borough Council.

With experience of working in a zoo and vets, Jordan McEwan is more than equipped to tackle her new role.

The 23-year-old, who has moved from Scotland to Swindon, is a big animal lover, especially of dogs, which fuels her determination to encourage residents to think carefully before they take on a pet.

She said: “Having an animal, particularly dogs, is tremendously rewarding but it’s also a huge responsibility. All too often people get one without considering the hard work, time, cost and overall commitment involved.

“Part of my role is to raise awareness of this and urge everyone to be kind, not cruel, to all animals.”

In 2016 a total of 218 stray dogs were reported to the council, a third of which were unclaimed. The

TE Connectivity in Swindon are looking for

Experienced Harnessing Production Operators

This role will involve building production harnesses from basic information or drawings, supplied in-house or from customers, using TE Connectivity products.

Key tasks of the job: ✦ Build wiring harnesses using TE Connectivity products in a production environment. ✦ Follow process control documents and codes of practice. ✦ Visually and electrically inspect and test wiring harnesses at all stages of manufacture. ✦ Use manufacturing drawings and quality standards. ✦ Build prototype harnesses as required.

Salary from £18k to £21k pa dependent on experience plus excellent benefits.

For further information or to apply contact Jan Sangster at Janet.Sangster@te.com or on 01793 572121 26

most common breed affected are Staffordshire Bull Terriers which are readily available and cheap.

“Staffies are wonderful dogs and, despite their reputation, can be big softies. But because they are so common and easy to get hold of, people sometimes rush in without thinking about all the implications of owning one,” Jordan said.

“It’s so sad because they make lovely pets, although can be a handful if you don’t take ownership seriously. That’s often when the problems set in and instead of sticking at it, people cruelly discard them or report them to us as a stray.”

In the run up to Christmas six dogs were handed in as strays and following investigations three of the owners were tracked down and admitted they were abandoned because the dog had chewed furniture. Another had moved to a house where dogs were not permitted.

Jordan said: “This really upsets me because the dogs are basically victims of people’s irresponsibility and lack of proper care or planning.

People often let their hearts rather than their heads make decisions when it comes to pet ownership, so my message is not to act on impulse but to think really carefully and factor everything in. I’d love to own a dog again but will have to wait until my living arrangements allow it, hopefully not too far in the future. Fortunately I have a bearded dragon called Kaz instead.”

As well as picking up stray dogs and liaising with owners, part of Jordan’s job will involve working with local schools, in partnership with the Blue Cross and other groups, to develop this sense of responsible ownership and care

Jordan McEwan with Sprocker Spaniel Annie from an early age.

She said: “Ever since I was a child, I’ve always loved animals and wanted to work with them. I think it’s really important to instil this early on.”

With an internship at a family-run zoo in Scotland and a stint as a veterinary care assistant under her belt, Jordan already has a wealth of experience working with all sorts of animals.

She said: “I looked after the primates and small mammals in the zoo, which was fantastic. As a family, we’ve owned lots of dogs, as well as guinea pigs, rabbits and reptiles. I’ve also helped all these animals and so many others working in a vets. It’s definitely a labour of love and I’m really looking forward to developing my skills and passion in this role.”

To report a lost or found dog to the council, please call: 01793 445500.

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SERVICE SECTOR

Service Sector - Your guide to local services YOUR GUIDE TO LOCAL SERVICES

APPLIANCE REPAIRS

Electrical Automation • Up & Over • Roller • Sectional • Repairs • Unit 8, Central Trading Estate Signal Way, Swindon SN3 1PD

Tel 01793 940096 Email enquiries@dimensions.org.uk www.dimensions.org.uk

Working in and around the Swindon area

www.swindongasservices.co.uk

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

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

SWINDON ROOFING COMPANY

34 Queens Road Royal Wootton Bassett Swindon SN4 8AW

01793 239 559

info@swindonroofingcompany.co.uk www.swindonroofingcompany.co.uk

Part P Registered

• Fuse Board Upgrade

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SWINDON GAS SERVICES

Call Geoff : 07824 314080 or Tel: 07824 314080 or 01793 703308 01793 703308 Email: connectedelectrical01@gmail.com

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PLANS DRAWN 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

Abacus Cleaning Services Extension & Garage Conversion Specialists • Alterations/Renovations • New Builds and Barn Conversions Fully insured. 18 years experience Call Neil now for a free, competitive quote on

0800 1357063 or 07967 155502 or email: info@benchmarkconstructionswindon.co.uk benchmarkconstructionswindon.co.uk

28

Carpets, Rugs and Fabric Upholstery

Hard Floors Cleaned & Sealed 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.abacuscleaningservices.co.uk

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SERVICE SECTOR

Service Sector - Your guide to local services 27

YOUR GUIDE TO LOCAL SERVICES

WHITE VAN MAN SINGLE ITEMS MOVED ANYWHERE IN SWINDON FOR ONLY £35

Chrome sockets and switches Home extensions/rewires Replacement fuse boards

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

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

Kitchen & bathroom electrics Data cabling/office conversions Garage/garden power Decorative lights Fault finding/repairs Free help and advice

Fully insured to £2m

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

Misted or Broken Windows?

DOUBLE GLAZING REPAIRS ● 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

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

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installed for hard to get at or seized stop cock

• 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

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

• Free no obligation quotes

Also general plumbing, tiling & plastering

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

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Semi-retired Plumber

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Painter, Decorator & General Handywoman

• Fully insured • Interior/exterior work • No job too small • Reliable, honest, friendly service

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

FURNITURE WANTED

RE-UPHOLSTERY & ALL SUITE REPAIRS • Specialise in wet rooms • Supply and fix service • Complete bathroom service • Underfloor heating • Wall & floor tiling • Plastering • Free estimates Contact Mat: 07738 298803 or 01793 728283 mat@middlesextilingltd.co.uk www.middlesextilingltd.co.uk

www.trevorwyse.com

Also new seat interiors Seams - Zips - Springs

LEATHER CLEANING Repairs carried out in situ Established 1972

Call 07709 453949 emanjayupholstery@gmail.com

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

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Re-upholstery of 3 piece suites, dining & fireside chairs etc.

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

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

Tel: 01793 700637 or 07963 637748 www.bookkeepingswindon.co.uk

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

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

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Puzzle

14

16

15

17 22

18

21

19

20

21

25

26

22

23

24

26

25

28 30

31

32

N C

I

C A R

There is just one simple rule in Sudoku. Each row and each column must contain the numbers 1 to 9, and so must each 3 x 3 box. This is a logic puzzle, you should not have to guess.

9 8

ACROSS

DOWN

1.

4.

8.

10.

11.

12.

14.

16.

17.

19.

22.

26.

27.

28.

29.

30.

31.

32.

1.

2.

3.

5.

6.

7.

9.

10.

13.

15.

18.

19.

20.

21.

22.

23.

24.

25.

Front (6) Upward slope (6) Invertebrate (6) Sell door to door (6) Large stream (5) Paddled (6) Clandestine (6) Follow orders (4) Ripped (4) Catch sight of (4) Pace (4) Very strict (6) Boredom (6) Later (anag.) (5) Stimulus, boost (6) Threefold (6) German songs (6) Pal (6)

H A S

SUDOKU

27

29

Any word found in the Concise Oxford Dictionary is eligible with the following exceptions: proper nouns; plural nouns, pronouns and possessives; third person singular verbs; hyphenated words; contractions and abbreviations; vulgar slang words; variant spellings of the same word (where another variant is also eligible).

Wince (6) Gambling room (6) Edict (6) Three-dimensional (6) Tolerate (6) Score (6) Neat (4) Nuisance (4) Abnormally fat (5) Wept (5) Helpful (6) Develop, disclose (6) Commend (6) Sharp cry (4) Let it stand (4) Great fear (6) Inflamed spot (6) Threaten (6)

1

6 8 5 1 7 2

2 2 6 1

SOLUTIONS

7 8 6

5 8 1 7 6 6 9 5 4 3 1 4 5 8

Evolve; 20 Praise; 21 Yelp; 22 Stet; 23 Terror; 24 Pimple; 25 Impend.

13

QUICK CROSSWORD Across – 1 Façade; 4 Ascent; 8 Insect; 10 Peddle; 11 River; 12 Canoed; 14 Secret; 16 Obey; 17 Tore; 19 Espy; 22 Step; 26 Severe; 27 Tedium; 28 Alter; 29 Fillip; 30 Triple; 31 Lieder; 32 Friend.

12

Using all 16 letters of the phrase above, form four words each of four letters which, when placed correctly in the grid, will form a magic square in which the words can be read both horizontally and vertically.

NONAGRAM anarch; anarchic; arch; archaic; arnica; cairn; carina; cash; chai; chain; chair; chana; char; characin; charas; chic; chin; china; cinch; circa; craic; cran; crash; inarch; inch; rachis; ranch; rich; SACCHARIN; scan; scar; scran.

16 Good; 19 Very Good; 22 Excellent.

MAGIC SQUARE emit; more; iris; test.

10

Down – 1 Flinch; 2 Casino; 3 Decree; 5 Stereo; 6 Endure; 7 Twenty; 9 Tidy; 10 Pest; 13 Obese; 15 Cried; 18 Useful; 19

9 11

MISTER, IT IS REMOTE

7 9 3 4 6 5 1 2 8

8

How many words of four letters or more can you make from this Nonagram? Each word must use the central letter, and each letter may be used only once. At least one word using all nine letters can be found.

Target scores:

4 1 6 8 2 9 5 7 3

7

5 2 8 3 7 1 6 4 9

6

3 4 9 2 1 6 7 8 5

5

8

1 5 2 7 8 4 3 9 6

4

6 8 7 9 5 3 4 1 2

3

2 6 4 1 3 8 9 5 7

2

MAGIC SQUARE

8 3 1 5 9 7 2 6 4

1

NONAGRAM

9 7 5 6 4 2 8 3 1

QUICK CROSSWORD

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

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