west Swindon's Magazine
EXPRESS CYCLE SPECIALIST
cycle helmetsin stock from £17.95 Think SAFETY Concrete hurts heads No. 122 May 1992 • Circulation 10,500
96 - 99 Manchester Road, Swindon
ir (0793) 534907 & 513705 PCs back on the beat
Golden Oldies play for youth 60s concert to launch Midwinter Trust for young people in West Swindon Three top bands from the 1960s will be performing in June in aid of West Swindon's young people. The Tremeloes, Mike Pender's Searchers and The Merseybeats are booked for a charity concert at Link Centre on Sunday 14 June in aid of the new Ricky Midwinter Memorial Trust. The trust is being set up in memory of the area's longest serving councillor and will aim to help the youth of the area. Other well known Swindon artists and local celebrities are being invited to visit the concert. Gilbert O'Sullivan, who lived two doors from Ricky in their youth, and Justin Haywood of the Moody Blues have been contacted.
1,800 tickets are now on sale. If all are sold, the trust will benefit by about £10,000.
TPe refl1eb0es Local companies are being approached for sponsorship in order to keep costs down. Impressario Andy Cotton from
Shawsaid the concert would feature the music Ricky liked. The music of bands like The Tremeloes, the Searchers and the Merseybeats appeals right across all age groups. This concert will bring members of the community togetherto enjoy themselves and help young people in our area. We'll be offering four hours of great entertainment from top names in the 60s era, plus an amazing laser light show." He said that another concert would be arranged if the June event is sold out. Turn to page 10 of this edition of The Link to find out how to buy a ticket.
Oak tree planted in rememberance Ricky Midwiriterwas remembered at a special assembly of children in the playground at Westlea School on the last day of term when his widow May and daughter Phihipa planted an oak tree in his memory. Headteacher Neil Griffiths told the children that Ricky had said that they and the school were the most important part of his life after his family. Ricky was a Governor since before the school opened in 1983. The tree is the centrepiece of a garden ofrememberancededicaled to Ricky planted by parents and children. May said, "It is something he would have liked very much."
Policemen are back on the stitts in Toothill and Freshbrook following a review of police operations which came into force on 1 April. PC Anthony Osman covers Toothill and PC Mark Cams is responsible for Freshbrook in a big effort by Wiltshire Constabulary to improve and strengthen community relationships. Although 'Beat Officers' have been nominally involved ata neighbourhood level in the past, the same officers also carried a full load of Police duties and were used for a wide range of other jobs as well as being sent away on courses. The result has been the often heard complaint that people never see a Policeman unless there's trouble. Now, having carried out consultation meetings and analysed questionnaires, the Wiltshire Constabulary is making a much stronger commitment to community policing. Acting Inspector Joy Robertson, theOfficer responsible forWes t Swindon, said, "the new scheme of management has the long term aim of allowing Constables to ree ally get to know the community and for local people to get to know theirPoliceman. Occasionally Iwill call on them for other duties, but I will have to have justification and give a reason to the Constable concerned. 'We recognise that the public wants to see more Policemen on the beat; they provide continuity, security and public identification. It's the best way to build trust and respect on all sides. Residents will be able to meet 'their' Policeman on the strtets and he will be going into local schools to meet children. Continued on page 2
Don't let election fatigue get you down! Having voted for your M.P. you now have a chance to vote for local councillors to represent you on Thamesdown District Council. On page 4 we have photos and write ups from the candidates in the Toothill Ward (which includes Westlea, Shaw, Sparcells and Peatmoor) where there are two seats to be filled. On page 9, the candidates for Freshbrook (including Grange Park) write about themselves. The election takes place on Thursday 7 May.