May 2008 Swindon Link

www.swindonlink.com - The Link and more No. 312 May 2008 • Circulation 27,000

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the positive newsforce in Swindon and the swindon wide what’s on guide

Mits for Moon Bears success

Isambard visit ends Mayoral year

There’s always a warm welcome at Purton’s hidden treasure

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Sarah and Dave Chilvers have been overwhelmed by knitted mits from Link readers. See page 38

One of the last duties by the Mayor and Mayoress of Swindon Michael and Sue Barnes was a tour of Isambard Community School. See page 38

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BBC producer Erik Burnett-Godfrey at the big screen

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swindonlink.com • May 2008

Age Concern to celebrate country life at mini-Chelsea show

Age Concern Swindon is hoping to attract over 10,000 people to a brand new festival in the town from 5 to 7 September.

Taking place in Stanton Park the Swindon Garden Show will have all the elements of well established flower shows around the country with horticultural and vegetable exhibits, show gardens and trade stands, as well as family attractions.

There will also be Show organiser Jacquie Sheppard with left, Jane Day of an arts and crafts Blunsdon House Hotel, one of the sponsors, and Mel Richards, pavilion to buy ear- Age Concern Swindon fundraising manager ly Christmas presents, brass bands, donated prizes. Richard Deacon of cream teas and a beer tent.

Deacon & Son said his great-great Event organiser Jacquie Sheppard grandfather Hubert had a great said, “we want everyone to get interest in beautifying the town and involved and joining in; it’s going helped to design Town Gardens in to be like a mini-Chelsea Flower Old Town in the 19th Century.

Show in Swindon, with something Jane Day of Blunsdon House for everyone.”

Hotel said the Clifford family, who Keen gardeners are invited to own the hotel, were always keen to show off their talents in a range of support community initiatives. produce competitions and schools Call Age Concern Swindon on are being asked to design and build 692166 for show information and scarecrows. competition details, or to book A number of Swindon companies display space. Also see: are sponsoring the show and have www.swindonlink.com

Parish sets up emergencies’ planning group Meet members on 29 April The heavy rainstorms on 20 July last year illustrated for many the need for local organisation close to those most affected by the floods.

Households in Haydon Wick were flooded and there have been many meetings with engineers from Thames Water and Swindon Council to sort out why it took place and what actions are required to prevent it happening again.

However Haydon Wick parish councillors want a better coordinated response at critical times in the future. It formed an Emergency Action Committee some months ago which aims to relieve the distress of parishioners, coordinate communications and direct assistance where necessary.

The council has the support of the Swindon Borough Civil Protection team and there is no intention of duplicating the emergency services.

Members of the Emergency Committee will introduce themselves at the annual Parish Assembly on Tuesday 29 April,8pm, in the Haydon Wick Parish Council Offices, Thames Avenue.

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swindonlink.com • May 2008

Shaw Forest on the home stretch

Finishing touches are being made to Shaw Forest Park over the next few months to complete a major green lung close to the centre of the town.

From the air Landscape architect Chris Annis the land has been said, “Shaw Forest has evolved over shaped to repquite a long period and has involved resent Gaia, the the community at many stages in its ancient god of development. The park should look the earth, on its wonderful over the summer and I’m side. The humps hoping lots more people will visit and bumps that to see the work undertaken over can be seen from the last few years.” g ro u n d l e v e l close to a large events field and Forest clean-up. The park is car park, repbecoming very spoilt with rubresent its head, bish. The Link is organising a shoulders, hands Chris Annis, holding up the plans for the forest with new community litter pick on Sunday and leg, on its trees overlooking the River Ray Parkway in the background 11 May, 10am to 12noon. Wear side. boots and gloves and come along Last year a network of stone appalled that a project that they had to help. Meet in the car park off footpaths was built and in April been so fully involved with could Mead Way. contractors planted 5,000 trees to be sold off.

Discuss the forest and its future. add to the 60,000 planted since The forceful campaign had a Landscape architect Chris Annis 1994 when the project to turn the quick result when Swindon Council will be attending the West Swinformer landfill site into a country in July 2004 reaffirmed its policy don Forum on Monday 12 May, park was included in the Great made ten years previously that 7.30pm, in Link Centre community Western Community Forest 30 year all three phases of the developing suite to review the work on the Master Plan. park would be protected from forest over the last few years, as 1 May is the fourth anniversary development. well as explaining short and longer of a huge gathering of 1,500 people Later this year footpaths and term plans for the area. on Mead Way to protest at the pos- drainage will be completed, the The Forum is open to all intersibility that the park could be com- Mead Way entrance will be imested in West Swindon community mercially redeveloped to include a proved, with a large new sign, and affairs and is an opportunity to new football stadium for Swindon fencing is to be erected around the meet the eight councillors repreTown. Many had attended three car park to prevent people driving senting the area. community days over the previous onto the events field. ten years, to plant trees with their In May grass and wildflower seeds children as symbols of hope for the will be scattered across the head and future. Some had scattered ashes of shoulders of Gaia to turn the whole loved ones on the site. They were park green by the summer.

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Unwelcome by-product of dumping The Shaw Forest is built on a landfill site which served Swindon for forty years until it closed in the mid-1980s.

Nobody really knows what went into the site when it was controlled

by Wiltshire County Council and an environmental disaster was feared if it was disturbed by a stadium development. Methane and leachate containment has always been part of the landfill, but with heavy rains in the last 12 months there has been an increase in low level contamination seeping out of the site where the layer of clay has failed.

Swindon Council reported the problem to the Environmental Agency who promptly took them to court and they were fined £10,000 which was paid by council taxpayers.

The council has set aside £1.4 million to build a large reed bed designed to EA standards to biologically treat leachate. This should be ready by the end of 2009. In the short term leachate is being pumped out from a holding pool and transported for specialist treatment.

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swindonlink.com • May 2008

Do you have any Gold?

Is more housing in the West inevitable?

Swindon Council could withdraw objections to building more houses next to Sparcells and Peatmoor, on its border in North Wiltshire when it decides its future development strategy.

North Wilts District Council is council’s Core Strategy Document Water from development continues. considering a planning application after publicity in the April Link. It “The leader of Swindon Council for 200 houses at Moredon Bridge clearly shows Moredon Bridge and said a couple of years ago, no If you have, then (between the railway bridge and the Ridgeway Farm, north of Peatmoor, housing without a university. Bath you have cash!

University pulled out of the ComRiver Ray) which will go before its could be developed.

9 – 14 – 18 – or 22 carat “If the application is turned down monhead site, but the council has planning committee in May. Swin= Best Prices Paid don Council has written to North this time, there will be another later. identified the area for 750 houses We buy scrap Gold, any Wilts to say it is currently opposed More housing will put a lot of strain and employment development. amount any condition.

“This must not take place; the on the roads and schools. I’m really to the development.

Dawn Hobbs from Sparcells has worried about building next to the environmental and historic reasons Contact Barry on sent her objections to North Wilts River Ray; flooding could be a major for protecting the area are too im07798 - 682198 portant and Swindon Council must but fears Swindon Council is pre- problem.”

Turn that unwanted Since the beginning of the year stand by its promise.” paring to accept more houses next Gold into Cash Swindon councillors say the town to West Swindon. “I’ve looked at the The Link has highlighted demands from Central Government that cannot cope with more growth withSwindon continue growing. The out major infrastructure investment decision that over 35,000 new by the Government. In the March homes are to be built by 2026 has Link coun Peter Greenhalgh, cabinet already been taken. The Swindon member for Highways, Transport Core Strategy identifies sites where & Strategic Planning, said, “if the they could go, including land in government wants Swindon to For colours, cuts North Wilts, at Tadpole Farm, north grow we must have the resources of Oakhurst and Commonhead, to do this in a managed way.” or the latest re-style Consultation on the Core Stratbetween Coate Water Park and the egy will end on 12 May. A copy Great Western Hospital.

Jean Saunders of the Jefferies can be seen at a Swindon library 13 Rodbourne Rd, Swindon Land Conservation Trust said the or see: www.swindon.gov.uk/ long running battle to protect Coate corestrategy Call now to book an appointment

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Curry nights total tops £4,400 Nine good causes have benefited from charity curry nights at the Bombay Lounge at Peatmoor Village Centre and nearly every Monday until December has now been allocated.

Small local groups, swimming and football clubs through to large national charities like the Army Benevolent Fund are booked in. There are two evenings still available in 2008. See www.swindonlink.com To book an evening call Roger Ogle at The Link on 608840.

Curry nights in May and June. Call the Bombay Lounge, see left, to book a table to support the following organisations: 12 May Sunny Smiles Parent & Toddler Group 19 May Swindon Tigersharks Amateur Swimming Club 2 June Breakthrough Breast Cancer 9 June Homestart Swindon 16 June Coleview Juniors U9s Football Club 23 June Friends of the Hydrotherapy Pool 30 June Ashington House Patients Representative Group

Swindon Publications Ltd. 71 Basepoint, Rivermead Swindon SN5 7EX Tel: (01793) 608840 Fax: (01793) 608841 e: publisher@swindonlink.com

www.swindonlink.com Publisher/Editor: Roger Ogle Editorial: Tel: (01793) 608840

ADVERTISING ENQUIRIES Call Nicola Norridge on (01793) 602540 (9am - 3pm) advertising@swindonlink.com June bookings by 1 May “The Link was first published for the West Swindon community in December 1978.

It is completely independent of Link Centre and, in fact, won a competition to name the leisure centre in 1984.

Distribution in North Swindon commenced in January 1994.”

The contents of The Link are protected by copyright. Use of advertisements in Copy for July: 9 June printed or electronic form is forbidden unless an advertiser or publisher has Registered in England & Wales. No: 4513027. sought permission. Articles and Registered Office: 130 High Street, Hungerford, Berks.

Printed by pcp, Telford photographs require similar authority The Link cannot be held responsible for goods or services offered by its advertisers

Editorial copy date for June: 6 May Published: 24 May

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18/4/08 09:42:35

swindonlink.com • May 2008

5

Big Screen will be a window on the world and a mirror for Swindon

Friday 2 May sees Wharf Green, Swindon become the official host of the first permanent BBC Big Screen in the South West of England. game playing and live relays of Throughout the day local films sport and culture will transform will be screened and a penalty the newly refurbished square into shoot-out takes place from 2pm, a major civic arena.” followed by urban dance from 4pm However he added that the poto 5pm. At 6.30pm Alex Lovell from lice will have a say on whether big BBC Points West will start a count sporting occasions can go ahead down and officially launch an event when public order issues have to for all the family, with a live broadbe considered. cast, street dancing and interactive The Wharf Green development games into the evening. forms only part of the extensive BBC producer Erik Burnettplans to transform Swindon town Godfree is looking forward to procentre into an appealing and excitgramming the Big Screen to reflect ing business and leisure district what’s going on in the town and enfor residents and visitors alike. couraging people to look outwards.

Regeneration in Swindon is be“The Big Screen in Wharf Green is ing co-ordinated by The New a window on the world, a mirror to Swindon Company on behalf of Swindon and a showcase for talent.

Erik Burnett-Godfree, in front of the Big Screen at Wharf Green Swindon Borough Council and the It will broadcast the best of BBC TV, showing the progress of the Olympic flame through London in early April South West Regional Development screen the work of independent filmmakers and cover local news company, on public space events sociation with Swindon Borough Agency. which will be organised in as- Council. Open air performances, Coun Phil Young, Swindon and events round the clock.

Council’s cabinet member for eco“In the past we have tended to nomic development, regeneration withdraw into our living rooms to What’s in store for 2008 and development, said, “it’s great For those who couldn’t make the 5.30am launch of the consume television. The Big Screen 5 May to see work coming along so well at Swindon Festival of Literature, relive it at 12.30pm aims to bring people together to Wharf Green and it’s thrilling to see enjoy and participate. There will 28 - 30 May BBC Blast, Creative Workshop Bus the regeneration of the town centre be tremendous interactive oppor- 1 June The Royal Ballet perform Romeo and Juliet (3pm, take a gathering some momentum. picnic and enjoy one of the most famous ballets) tunities; the camera on the screen “Big Screen Swindon will be Wimbledon Finals Weekend can pick up the crowd and it will 5 - 6 July something special for the people First Night of the Proms be possible to transmit Bluetooth 18 July who live near and visit the town signals from your mobile to the 8 - 24 August Olympics from China centre. I hope it will provide the 6 September Last Night of the Proms screen. local community with an outdoor “We are working with inSwin- 2 November BBC Children in Need space they can use and enjoy.” don, the town centre management More details of programming will be found via: www.swindonlink.com

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18/4/08 09:43:09

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swindonlink.com • May 2008

New bus services to improve access to North Swindon

Thamesdown Transport is introducing brand new routes to its bus service network in North Swindon and also increasing services on existing routes. From Tuesday 27 May there will be: mation will be available from the “where there are growing numbers a new fares structure.

• New No. 15 service for Haydon A newsletter explaining the Travel Shop in Fleming Way from of people using our services, as in End every 15 minutes North Swindon, we will be running changes will be delivered to homes 6 May and also at: • New No. 24 service for Ash more buses. In other areas where across the town in May. The infor- www.thamesdown-transport.co.uk Brake every 30 minutes not enough use is being made of • Improved No. 18 service for services, frequencies are being Redhouse, Oakhurst and Taw reduced in line with demand.

Hill every 20 minutes “We have worked closely with • Improved No. 24 service for Swindon Borough Council, who Blunsdon every 30 minutes In addition services 1 and 1A for provide financial support for A resident of Redhouse, who does not want to be named, believes that Nythe and Covingham will be im- socially necessary services, to en- some of the chronic congestion on Redhouse Way has been caused by sure that essential links have been garages and driveways not built in accordance with council approved proved to every 10 minutes plans, forcing people to park on the road.

Paul Jenkins, Thamesdown maintained where possible.”

The company is also introducing Transport managing director, said

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Priory Vale was planned in line with central government guidance of the late 1990s to deliberately reduce car ownership by providing some 20 per cent fewer parking spaces than on earlier developments. But the shift in behaviour has not taken place and car parking and congestion is a problem across the area, particularly on Redhouse Way which is a major access road.

There are few lay-bys, so at peak times queues of cars back up when a bus stops. In the evening, the road is reduced to a single lane due to parked cars with drivers dodging in and out of spaces or side roads to avoid each other.

The resident has lodged a complaint with the Local Government Ombudsman that planning permission for Priory Vale has been breached. Swindon Council granted outline permission in June 2000 and the document can be viewed in the planning section of their website.

It states that residential garages should be at least 2.4 by 4.8 metres and residential drives should measure a minimum of 6m by 3.2m. The complainant finds that his garage and driveway do not meet these specifications and wonders how many others are in a similar position and forced to park on the road.

A remedy will be difficult to find in smaller streets where houses front directly onto the road. On Redhouse Way it could be possible to reduce the wide pavements to to create parking bays and bus stopping places. This would be a major change in the agreed planning permission for the area and

residents fear that when the road is adopted by Swindon Council that double yellow lines might be put down.

Michael Wills MP said that, although reducing reliance on the car is crucial to avoid gridlock, simply reducing parking spaces is not enough. “I have been pressing Swindon Borough Council to improve public transport links and to introduce traffic management schemes to improve safety and ease congestion in Redhouse Way.” Local councillor Justin Tomlinson believes much of the road layout in Priory Vale was poorly designed and the problems were due to the Government’s guidelines. “Retrospectively, we can only look at redesigning the road and parking areas where practical,” he said.

Priory Vale pub on the way Marstons Brewery have applied to Swindon Council to build the pub at Redhouse Village Centre, between the first phase of shops and the market square.

The plans can be viewed at www.swindon.gov.uk > planning or at http://194.73.99.13/publicaccess The search reference number is: S/08/0709 Comments can be made until 2 May. The application should be considered in early June.

Marstons are well established in North Swindon and manage the Abbey Mead and the Manor Farm pubs.

18/4/08 14:42:43

swindonlink.com • May 2008

7

Chocolate to unite communities and raise money for charity

At a Chocolate Extravaganza, to take place at the Oasis Leisure Centre on 24 May, even the savoury dishes will include chocolate.

The centre piece of the fundraising event organised by four Muslim women who have set up a Swindon based charity, will be a four foot high chocolate fountain, with assorted dips including fruit, marshmallows and profiteroles. More surprisingly, there will be a selection of chocolate based savoury food including beef and walnuts, chilli ribs and salmon in Victims of the devastating cyclone a white chocolate sauce. that hit Bangladesh late last year There will also be an assortment of traditional Bangladeshi children with special needs.

Inspiration for the event came dishes and desserts. Children will be entertained with a bouncy castle to group coordinator Jannah Khan and activities including hair braid- when she saw a chocolate fountain at a London exhibition. She ing and face painting.

The four women stepped in to said, “I’m not a big chocolate fan organise Swindon’s annual Interna- but I tried some and went to bed tional Food Fair when the regular dreaming about it. The chocolate organisers were out of the country. was delicious and I went back the They enjoyed working together and next day and booked it.”

The Swindon chocolate for chardecided to set up their own charity United Ummah, which means ity day takes place between 12noon United Community, to raise money and 4pm. Entry is £1 for adults; free for local and international causes. for children.

Craft and trade stalls can be Funds raised on 24 May will be shared between charities helping booked by calling 07870 595831 or victims of the cyclone in Bangladesh mail: unitedummah@aol.com and Koalas pre-school group for •Koalas support - see page 19

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swindonlink.com • May 2008

Quacking for charity

The annual Rotary Club of Old Town Duck Race takes place again on Bank Holiday Monday 26 May, on the River Ray on Wootton Bassett Road, next to The Running Horse.

Nationwide has donated £3,000 sponsorship which means the cost of prizes and organising the event will be covered and all money raised will be for charity.

Half the money will go towards completion of the Swindon Cancer & Leukaemia Movement (CALM) well of contemplation in the walled garden at Lydiard Park, the remainder will go to charities supported

by Rotary.

Look out for Rotary members selling ducks at events in May. Right, last year’s Rotary president with CALM parents Jackie Lambeth and Sam Jarvis in Lydiard’s walled garden

Beware: purse dippers still at work

PCSO Amanda Baker is making another appeal to shoppers at Asda, West Swindon to take care of their money and is offering a way to beat the opportunist thieves.

In the March Link she reported a number of people had their purses stolen when thieves spot them in trolleys or open handbags and only discover the crime when they get to the checkout.

Here’s your chance to catch the villains red handed. The police are giving away purse and bag alarms at the next Police Surgery on 9 May, 4.30pm to 6.30pm, in the library at Link Centre.

Meet the police

The West Swindon police team are holding consultation meet-

ings with residents of Westlea, Eastleaze, Shaw, Nine Elms, Middleleaze, Peatmoor and Sparcells on: Tuesday 27 May and Friday 27 June.

They take place at 7pm in the police point opposite Link Centre.

“Come along and have your say about crime and disorder issues, Entries are now being taken for the 15th CALM Golf Day at the Wrag and other matters of community Barn course near Highworth on Thursday 26 June. concern that need to be taken up A range of competitions for men volunteers aim to support the whole elsewhere,” said Amanda.

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family both during treatment and in the stressful period after treatment ends, or after bereavement.

For details of the golf day mail: calmgolf2008@live.com For information on CALM, call the secretary Helen Willstead, on 01672 841098 or mail: calmpost@ hotmail.com www.calmcharity.org

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Police plans available to view

Every community across the country is now part of a Neighbourhood Police Team to comply with legislation.

Each which has come up with a set of objectives for their area, based on discussions in their community. For a copy of your local

NPT newsletter send an e-mail with your area name to PCSO Jess Sowden: jessica.sowden@ wiltshire.pnn.police.uk or call 0845 408 7000 ext 735822.

Light jumpers, you could be nicked

Some drivers on Thamesdown Drive are using excess speed and are regularly jumping the lights reports PC Troy Smith of the North Swindon Neighbourhood Police Team.

He says that there has been an increase in overt and covert enforcement on the road and this will continue.

Police ready to take on out-of-order residents

People living in some fifteen properties across West Swindon could soon have action taken against them because of continued refusal to stop their anti-social behaviour.

Speaking at the eviction of Sharon Sheppard and her three teenage sons from their James Butcher Housing Association home in Oakham Close, Toothill in April, area inspector Adrian Burt said the police are working very closely with housing associations and Swindon Council’s housing department to reduce the occurrence of anti-social behaviour.

“Thankfully evictions are quite rare but the residents in Oakham and surrounding streets have had to put up with continuous problems which have included violence, burglary, drug dealing, stolen motor bikes being ridden on footpaths. A whole catalogue of complaints have led us to this property.”

However Mrs Sheppard said she could not understand why police were needed to back up bailiffs at her door. “I’ve had a load of trouble with people coming to my house; but they’re nothing to do with me.”

She said the housing association had obtained possession of the house because she did not have the money to contest the injunction in court. However Caroline

Getting ready to board up the Oakham Close house

Tiller for the housing association said several thousands of pounds in rent was owed.

Inspector Burt said that a crack house had been closed down in Crawford Close, Freshbrook and action could be taken against people living in another 15 properties across West Swindon. “We work with other agencies and take a three stage approach: prevention, where we discuss anti-social behaviour with residents; intervention, where we will actively work with people to stop aggravating the community around them; and enforcement through the court.

“All the while, if the law is being broken, the police will take action.”

18/4/08 09:44:18

swindonlink.com • May 2008

Businesswomen’s club offers a helping hand with training award

Cash support of up to £500 is on offer through the Make It Happen Award, open to all women who live or work in Swindon.

The annual prize offered by the Swindon Businesswomen’s Breakfast Club is to cover the costs of business related training for women returning to the workplace, or who wish to further their career. As well as up to £500 towards training, the successful applicant will receive support from a mentor from SBBC and free club membership for a year.

Applicants are asked to Last year’s winner Tessa Webb, who runs Colour set out where they would in the Cotswolds, is presented with the MIHA by like to be in five and ten the group chairwoman Nicky Borman and hear speakers on a wide range year’s time, their plans on achieving their goals and how the of topics and raise money for local Make It Happen award would help. charities.

The closing date for applications Those shortlisted will be invited to an informal interview with a is Friday 9 May. The entry form can panel of club members and will be be found at: www.womensbreakoffered a group session of career fastclub.org counselling. In previous years, the quality of candidates has been so • Ladies Who Latte is an informal high that two have been selected networking group which meets every 3rd Wednesday of the month, for the award.

SBBC has members from a 10am to midday, at the Old Bank, variety of businesses and meets Wood Street, Old Town.

There is no joining fee or agenda, at the Tawny Owl in Taw Hill on the last Thursday of each month. it’s a chance to chat. For details call Members network, exchange views Jacqueline Rawlings on 722386.

1 - 21 May 08.indd 9

A great retail opportunity in Old Town Have you thought of setting up a business but have been put off by sky high rentals and long lease commitments?

Here’s the chance to launch your idea without a huge outlay The Arcade in Wood Street, Old Town has small units available on a low deposit basis.

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Church Partnership of West Swindon and the Lydiards

VACANCY We are seeking to appoint a Partnership Administrator to work in our office to:

• operate and organise the Partnership Office • to support the organisation and work of the Partnership, Partnership Council, and other governance bodies • to support the mission and ministry focus of the Staff Team and local churches • to provide timely information services for Partnership events, meetings and activities Hours will be at least 15 hours per week and the skills required include organisation, computer skills with Microsoft Office, communications skills and self motivation.

For details contact the Partnership Office on 01793 874221 or e-mail: partnershipoffice@btopenworld. com or see www.wswinlyd.org.uk Closing date for applications is May 23 and we will hold interviews in June.

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The mayor and mayoress opening the Redhouse surgery with dentists Foad Abbassian, right, and Sharokh Erfanmanesh and their staff

At the official opening in early April, Swindon Mayor Michael Barnes, said, “people will welcome the Redhouse surgery because it is located right in the middle of a new development; it is so convenient for people.”

Dentists Foad Abbassian and Sharokh Erfanmanesh have known each other for twenty years and took over the Milton Road practice five years ago. Recognising the need for dentists in North Swindon they decided to branch out with a second surgery.

“We have known about the Priory Vale development for many years,” said Foad. “We first visited the village centre site about five years ago but it was all green fields then. Now there are houses going up all around.”

Initially adult patients will be seen on a private basis but the partners hope to soon complete negotiations on an NHS contract.

Foad said, “I think that we will be able to give the very best service to all the people living in North Swindon.”

Looking round the newly fitted treatment rooms, dental practice advisor to Swindon PCT, John Haines, was impressed by the state-of-the art equipment. “North Swindon has a fast growing population and there are lots of people in need of dentistry.”

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1 - 21 May 08.indd 10

Sports and relaxation in Abbey Meads

On Thursdays, 9.30am to 11am, ladies can take part in volley ball, netball and hockey, led by a professional coach. There is a free crèche.

For those who like to exercise at a more relaxed pace, 50+ Tai-Chi on Wednesdays, 1pm, is a gentle way to increase flexibility and muscle strength.

The sessions cost £3 and take place at Abbey Meads Community Primary School. For details call Roxy Cox on 0796 6023636.

17/4/08 17:16:20

swindonlink.com • May 2008

Seniors help out families

The energetic fundraisers who live at Elsie Hazel Court sheltered housing in Freshbrook have raised about £2,000 for good causes in the last year, including Macmillan Cancer and Leukaemia research.

Their latest project is support for the West Swindon Childrens’ Centre, based in Freshbrook, to which they gave £220 in early March, as a result of a Valentine’s Day fun event, serving lunch to fellow residents, bingo sessions and an auction.

“We’re always keen to fundraise for others and we try to help the local groups as well as the big national appeals,” said resident Gill Russan.

“People here are very generous and want to help wherever they can, and it’s good fun at the same time.”

Pictured below, Julie Batson, manager of the Childrens’ Centre, with Elsie Hazel fundraisers Eileen and Ken Purdoe, Joyce Keen, Gill Russan, Eileen Clark

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TRAVELWISE

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ART1216 / 08 1 - 21 May 08.indd 12

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swindonlink.com • May 2008

13

Council website connects motorists as petrol prices set to rise

With a litre of petrol at £1.07 and diesel now £1.16, and higher prices predicted - compared to an average price of 91.35p a year ago - sharing fuel costs could make a real difference to your bank balance. sharing their daily journey. It takes Swindon Borough Council has the scheme means less just a few moments to register and set up a car-sharing scheme which congestion and polluyou don’t even need to own a car offers a network so that people can tion, and a lower carbon to take part. The other great thing match journey destinations and footprint. about carshareswindon.com is that The software behind passengers to help reduce the cost you decide when and with whom of motoring. Register your journey the system is now used you share. Why not start off by shardetails free of charge at: www.car- in over 200 car-sharing ing your journey to work just once schemes across the UK shareswindon.com a week and go from there?”

The system tells you if anyone with some 220,000 regFree offer: The first 1,000 people to else is going in the same direction, istered members. This leaving it up to you to make con- means users are not restricted to are considerable benefits to joining. register at www.carshareswindon.

“A typical carshareswindon.com com can claim a free cotton shoptact through a secure messaging sharing in their own area.

Marc Argent, Swindon Council’s member can save around £1,000 ping bag to help Swindon to cut service.

As well as reducing travel costs, Travel Awareness Officer, said there and a tonne of CO2 every year by down on single use plastic bags.

Leg power rules during W2S week

Children across Swindon will be urging parents to leave the car at home during a week in May. Swindon Council’s School Travel The campaign runs from 19 to in Swindon; W2S week organisers 23 May and this year focuses on hope many more will join in during Advisor Jane Deeley said, “walking is the most environmentally exploring the local environment the week, and beyond. friendly form of transport; it’s a through sound. Pupils are being great way to keep fit and healthy asked to become ‘sound detectives’ and can offer children a degree of and pay special attention to the difindependence.” ferent types of street noise they hear Those families who live a long as they walk to school. way from school, or drop off chilSome 50 Swindon schools have dren on the way to work, can join signed up to take part. Pupils will in one of the many ‘Park & Stride’ all receive activity packs, and many schemes, where arrangements have schools are arranging assemblies, been made for parents to park safely competitions and special events to off-road in a local car park a short get over the message that walking is walk from the school gate. both healthy and safe for children.

Some schools are also setting Currently around 60 per cent of children regularly walk to school Greenmeadow kids show how it’s done up walking buses, which pick up

children from various points and accompany them to school along a set route. This gives children the opportunity to enjoy all the benefits of walking - healthy exercise, fun and friendship whilst safely supervised by responsible adults.

Jane said that parents also benefit from walking buses as it gives them a little extra time in the morning without the hassle of driving and parking at school, although they can offer to help out with the bus when possible.

For details call Jane Deeley on 466335. www.walktoschool.org.uk

Ready steady cook at Millbrook

Youngsters and their parents jumped at the chance to taste frogs legs when chefs from Swindon College visited Millbrook Primary in Freshbrook for a live cooking roadshow at the end of term.

The evening began with a brief introduction to the healthy eating programme for schools from chef lecturer, Steve Matthews, followed by a cooking demonstration. Two of his fellow lecturers, cooking on portable gas stoves, made pasta with pancetta, leek and mushrooms.

To encourage people to be more adventurous in their food choices, the chefs brought out frogs legs College lecturers Paul Kelly and Sian Vockins with eager young cooks from Millbrook Primary which were passed round for inspection before they lected children to whip up a wild mushroom risotto and chicken were cooked. ”A lot more people than I expect- with stir fried vegetables which ed tried the frogs legs,” said Mill- was then tasted by members of the brook’s healthy school co-ordinator, audience.

Ms Pringle said she was looking Eileen Pringle. “I didn’t though; I couldn’t get the image of frogs in forward to the Swindon College chefs returning to do some cooking my garden out of my mind.”

The evening was rounded off with the children, and would like to with a Ready, Steady, Cook chal- hold another Ready, Steady, Cook lenge. Chefs were joined by se- event in the future.

1 - 21 May 08.indd 13

18/4/08 09:45:41

14 swindonlink.com • May 2008

Hard work behind Billy Elliot success

Many parents become unpaid taxi drivers for their growing kids but Steve and Nicci Nyahwa from Nine Elms are clocking up more miles than most taking their daughter Adina to perform twice weekly at one of the West End’s biggest hit shows.

A student with Swindon Academy of Dance, Adina, right, has been performing in Billy Elliott since December. The thirteen year-old dances in two performances a week, with two extra matinees every three weeks.

To make sure she keeps up with her studies, teachers at Bradon Forest set extra homework to make up for missed classes. Adina’s hectic schedule means a massive commitment from the whole family.

“It’s not something you plan for,” said Steve. “It creeps up on you gradually but being selected for a West End show was a jump into the stratosphere because we’re travelling up to London to be there by 6pm for an evening performance and not leaving until 10.30pm with a two hour drive ahead.”

He added that the hardest thing is killing the time while Adina is on stage as there is no provision

for parents to wait in the theatre unless they buy a ticket.

Steve and mum Nicci have no qualms about giving up their evenings and he recalls the first time they saw Adina on stage. “We just sat there beaming with Cheshire Cat grins. It was a phenomenal experience; Adina’s mum and me were so proud.”

On the evenings when he isn’t waiting outside the theatre, Steve makes sure he spends time with his footballing son Tayten, 11.

“It’s important not to neglect what he is doing and we make sure that the light isn’t just shone on Adina.”

North schools express identity The April Link looked at the innovative art work that has taken we look at how children have been exploring At Moredon Primary School Dutch artist Maarten de Reus has installed his artwork ‘You are Here’ at the main entrance.

Maarten, below, worked with pupils before they moved to their new building and developed his artwork on the theme of transitions. It plays with perspective and viewers must stand in a specific spot on a plate spelling ‘You’ and rest their chin on a totem spelling ‘are’, to allow the seemingly random shapes above the entrance to come together to form the word ‘Here.’

Also at Moredon local artist Gordon Dickinson ran art workshops with pupils to create life size images of themselves, which have been positioned in the corridors pointing towards the school hall where the children’s aspirations and the

school motto are displayed, right.

Pupils from Isambard Community School took part in a project with graphic artist Kate Parsons, which led to the creation of the new school logo. Pupils also took part in sessions with Jeremy Wood from GPS Drawing, which culminated in an aerial photograph of staff and pupils mapping out the logo on the school field, right.

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swindonlink.com • May 2008

and purpose through art place at new schools in North Swindon. This month, who they are with the help of professional artists.

15

Don’t let the kids have all the fun!

Adult dance classes for all abilities from beginners to advanced Ballet, Tap & Jazz

Isambard pupils have started working on an exciting music project with musician and producer Barry Andrews, a former member of XTC, to compose a school song.

The children will take part in music composition, lyric writing and recording workshops and the song will be performed to the school and parents at an end of year concert.

Ready for the school’s second intake in September, artist Andy Hazel is creating four 2.5m high totem sculptures for Isambard which will be installed in August. He started his design process by running a series of creative workshops with the pupils. Clay tiles produced by the students will be incorporated into the sculptures, which have been designed around each school ‘house:’ Earth, Air, Fire & Water.

Over the last year pupils from all seven new schools have taken part in multi-media workshops coordinated by Swindon Mobile Media.

Isambard pupils came together to make a documentary about new beginnings and their transition between primary school and their brand new secondary school.

The documentary The Child & Me won the best documentary at the national First Light Awards, as reported in the April Link.

Pupils from Orchid Vale and Red Oaks worked with industry professionals, right, to create a film about moving to a new estate and making friends with local children, titled Step into the Dark.

1 - 21 May 08.indd 15

New term about to start Classes held at Greendown School and the Haydon Centre For more information call Gemma on 01793 703043 weekdays before 6pm

Pupils from Nova Hreod, Moredon Primary, and Uplands and Brimble Hill Special Schools on the Learning Campus also explored digital creativity on computers with artists Mark and James Carroll of Evil Twins Artworks.

The art project is being managed

by Artpoint Trust as part of the Percent for Art agreement between Swindon Borough Council and PFI company Education Support (Swindon) Ltd, a John Laing plc company.

Beccy Waldman of Artpoint said, “the outcomes of the work is remarkable, both in terms of educational gains and the growth in confidence and talent.”

• Next month The Link will look at art activities at Orchid Vale Primary and Nova Hreod.

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16 swindonlink.com • May 2008

Nurturing school receives Ofsted praise

Ofsted inspectors have reported that Tregoze Primary has made exemplary provision for pupils with social and emotional problems.

The school was described as good Headteacher, Helen Swanson, was delighted with the report fol- with some outstanding features. lowing an inspection in February. “Pupils’ personal development “We came out as a good school and well-being and their spiritual, with outstanding features. One of moral, social and cultural develthe things the inspectors picked up opment are excellent,” wrote the was our nurture room and chill out inspectors. They commented that facilities which help children who children are aware of other cultures, may otherwise have been excluded through their involvement with the Gambia Project and their work in from school.” literature and art. The inspectors found that caring and guidance were outstanding.

Mrs Swanson found the inspection process a positive experience, with open discussions between staff and inspectors. “It gave a true The Blackthorn School reflection of what is happening on a day to day basis. There weren’t of Photography many recommendations and those Digital image-making things mentioned had already and black and white printing been addressed and measures put based at our specialist in place.” teaching centre near Cricklade The whole staff celebrated their Evening, day and weekend excellent report over dinner at a courses for beginners and local pub. “We are lucky we all get advanced photographers www.photography-courses.com on and work well together and that is what has made the school Tel: 01454 416937 as successful as it is,” said Mrs or 07920 116492 Swanson.

1 - 21 May 08.indd 16

Greendown’s loss, Commonweal’s gain

A multi-talented teacher from Greendown School has moved on after 20 years, to become deputy head of Commonweal School in Old Town.

As well as meeting Bob Linnegar, who his wife Lindsey at the started at Greendown school, his job also afas a Science Technician fected Bob’s spiritual in 1988, before taking a life. “In 1996, I became a teaching qualification Christian because of the was one of the last origipeople in this school,” nal members of staff. he said. “I was keen on As well as teaching becoming ordained, but Science, a couple of God had other plans for years ago he took an me and I remained in NVQ in catering, and education.” started teaching a vocaDeputy headteacher John Young tional cookery course in an unused regrets having to lose an exceptional kitchen at the school.

Over the last few years he took individual. “Bob has been a good on the role as a professional tutor, friend to many of us and a reassurworking with some of the 30 trainee ing person when there are probteachers working at Greendown lems. His presence will be missed by both staff and students.” each year.

Day of tears for school favourite

When Jill Morkot joined Shaw Ridge Primary School as admin officer in 1986 she spent a lot of time counting out dinner money and wiping noses.

She retired as school burser at the Jill’s long service. Headteacher end of term, as a controller of a large Sally Cowell said, “Jill was a true budget and being responsible for professional colleague dedicated processing huge amounts of pupil to making the school a great place data. “The job changed out of all for the children. She is a friend to recognition as more responsibili- absolutely everybody and will be ties was passed down to schools,” greatly missed.”

Sad as she was to depart Jill said said Jill.

Emotions ran high on her last it was the right time. “With the new day with cards and gifts arriving school about to be built, I’m glad from children, parents and staff, to be leaving the old Shaw Ridge and an assembly dedicated to which I’ve known for 22 years.

18/4/08 09:55:18

swindonlink.com • May 2008

17

Uplands take up Duke’s challenge

A group of seven young people at Uplands Special School in North Swindon have enrolled on a Duke of Edinburgh award course run by the school and Swindon Council’s youth service.

Youth worker Carole Anne They will be learning about Rapson, said there is very little gardening over the coming months, for people with learning difmaking use of the school’s vegetable ficulties to do after school and plot with its own greenhouse and staff had been very enthusiastic shed. A variety of seeds have been and supportive of the scheme. sown and there should be a harvest The award is a personal chalof salad, vegetables, leaves and lenge and each participant’s herbs before the end of the school programme is tailor-made to year. The young people have choreflect their individual starting sen kick boxing as their physical point, abilities and interests. activity.

“It’s really exciting and Later in the year they will plan an the young people are lovely,” expedition and community service said Carole Anne. “I feel pasprojects. sionate about working with Uplands and making sure that the required to have evidence covering young people have this type of four areas of achievement. They have started work on two sections: opportunity.”

To receive their award, the teen- learning a new skill and taking part agers, aged between 16 and 19, are in physical recreation.

Science fireworks at Bradon

There was exciting stimulation for Year 7 pupils in the last week of the Spring term at Bradon Forest School when science teachers and technicians turned the school’s theatre into a performing science space to put on a series of large scale and spectacular experiments which were followed by a how and why session.

Conjuring with flames. Teacher Catherine Chappell demonstrates her flame sparkling skill

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Come and be the star that you are at Drama Babes Imagine ... flying through the sky on a magic carpet ... diving under the sea, playing with mermaids and shooting through the sky on your space rocket ... being a superhero, rescuing your friends or being a princess twirling around in your magnificent palace!

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swindonlink.com • May 2008

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Reiki course will give youngsters a powerful self-help tool

Close to M4 junction 16, just a short drive from West Swindon For children 3 months to five years Open all year from 8am to 6pm Extensive outdoor play and garden Grant places available For information telephone: 01793 851495

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Charitable landlords to support Koalas

When Beverley Reynolds, the manager of Basepoint Business Centre, was looking for a Charity of the Year to support, she came to The Link office in the building to ask for suggestions.

With our wealth of local knowledge and contacts, we were immediately able to suggest three organisations she might consider.

Beverley finally selected Koalas, the playgroup for children with special needs, based at the Salt Way Childrens’ Centre in Middleleaze.

Their work fits well with the aims of the ACT Foundation which owns twenty-one Basepoint manager Beverley Reynolds with Basepoint business centres Koalas parent and committee fundraiser Alison across the country. A percent- Fielden. Picture: www.martinbennett.biz age of all profits from the business a local charity raise some much centres is paid to ACT and for the needed funds,” said Beverley. first time this year, each Basepoint “Koalas do such great work. They has been asked to get behind a lo- provide an excellent facility for children to develop and make cal charity.

Basepoint Swindon will match up the most of their lives. And they to £5,000 in funds raised by Koalas give such tremendous support to by running a series of events to parents as well.” include coffee mornings, networking lunches and a health and wellness day.

“There’s a huge sense of achievement in helping Koala’s supporters DeVere Hotel at Shaw Ridge Leisure Park organised a gala fundraising evening which raised £4,000 from auctions, raffle and entry tickets. The DeVere also donated a further £2,000.

Right, Koala’s Stephanie Hathway with DeVere manager Andrew Spink

1 - 21 May 08.indd 19

l l l

An independent family run nursery offering quality care and education within a safe, secure, stimulating environment for all babies and children from 0-5 and an out of school club for children aged 5-11 years Open: Monday to Friday, 7.30am-6.30pm, 51 weeks of the year Full, part time and term time places. Government funding for 3-5 year olds High staff to child ratios with qualified and experienced teaching staff and nursery nurses Nutritious 3 course meals, hydro pool, multi sensory room, school hall with gym apparatus, secure gardens, mini bus for trips out and about

Headstarts Day Nursery Established 1990

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A course from West Swindon based Reiki Master Cherri Ann Matthews will teach young people a gentle way to harness their own energy for healing and relaxation.

As childhood becomes more universe has energy.

Reiki can help children to imstressful, Cherri has seen the number of young clients seeking help prove their concentration and cope rise. All her therapies are safe for with the stresses of school and aids children and she has been teaching relaxation and a better balance of both Emotional Freedom Technique mind, body and spirit. “People who (EFT) and Reiki to individual use Reiki tend to be calmer and more youngsters with excellent results. centred,” said Cherri. “It empowers This summer, alongside her regu- people; they become much more lar adult workshops, Cherri will bodily aware. For children it gives run courses specifically for children them a sense of their own self.”

Workshops on 28 June and 23 aged from 6 to 17. Participants will learn the basic principles of Reiki August will cost £60 for adults; free in an age appropriate way, work- for accompanied under 16s.

To book, call Cherri on 871410. ing outdoors when possible. At the www.cherriannmatthews.co.uk end of the day, youngsters will be attuned and capable of using Reiki on themselves and their family.

Open at Link Centre Originating from Japan, the holis- Link & Learn Playgroup holds an tic treatment uses energy to balance open day on Saturday 17 May, 10am the emotions and treat physical to 3pm, for parents and prospective ailments. Cherri emphasises that children to meet the staff, see the the practice has no religious connec- venue and play. tions and is based on the scientific For details about places call the principle that everything in the playgroup on 465464.

Special offer FREE child care worth £50 with this advert* *Conditions apply **Rates may vary

18/4/08 10:05:57

20 swindonlink.com • May 2008

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1 - 21 May 08.indd 20

H0083791

772779

Ethiopia could be the next place for lights charity

Following The Link’s exclusive story in March on councillor Gary Perkin’s involvement in Ethiopia, we have introduced him to the Cricklade based charity Lights for Learning which has been featured many times over the last five years.

Charity founder Roger Mugridge invented a simple solar powered lighting system which stores energy in batteries to allow children to see after dark in areas where there is no electricity. He tried out his prototypes in village huts in Kenya and, with a team of volunteers, has progressed to lighting whole schools. Systems have been installed in seven schools in Kenya, Uganda and Zambia.

Most recently, last November, the team went Roger Mugridge demonstrating his solar powered mini-system to Gary Perkins to the Phillippines to fit out twelve buildings in a deaf mute Gary said, “as an electrical encommunity. They had enough kit to gineer I’m impressed by Roger’s light up classrooms and a village invention and will be telling contacts hall in a former, but still dangerous, in Ethiopia that it’s good way of rebel resettlement area hidden in providing light to schools in remote the mountains. and poorer areas of the country.”

All the solar panels are donated In this year alone Roger has had by an American company and the enquiries for the Lights for Learnwires and special light bulbs are sold ing volunteers to fit lights to more to the charity at cost price. schools in Zambia, Uganda and also We asked Roger to demonstrate Madagasca and Tanzania. An Inhow the system works to Gary be- dian businessman based in Canada fore his trip to Ethiopia in March. He is discussing how the system could has fallen in love with the country be fitted to schools in India. and has set up business interests In March Roger received a Rotary there, whilst making contact with International ‘Service Above and the government and locally based Beyond Self’ award for his work charitable organisations. www.lightsforlearning.org

Safety concerns over web bought bikes

Buying a bicycle via the internet is an attractive option for many looking for a keen price but a cut price machine may bring more problems than people bargained for. they can go through West Swindon the spokes and cause based Bike Doca lot of damage. If the tor, Phil Mitchell, pedals aren’t put on advises a thorough properly, they can check-up before rip the threads out of taking a new bike on the cranks, and that’s the road. “You may expensive to fix.” be saving money He recommends but you could be that people spend putting someone’s some of the money life at risk,” said saved from an onPhil. “Bikes don’t line purchase to enarrive ready to ride. sure they, or family Vital components members, are riding have to be fitted and safely. the bike has to be asFollowing an inisembled properly.” tial once over, Phil He added that a recommends regular bike which has been incorrectly set up can be difficult to services and a spring check-up for ride: at worst it could result in seri- bikes that have been stored away ous injuries to the cyclist. “If they all winter. He offers a collection are not checked, the brakes may and delivery service from home or not work when you need them or, the workplace. See the Bike Doctor if the gears are not set up properly, advert on page 3.

18/4/08 10:07:31

21

REAL ALE WEEKEND

Saturday 3rd, Sunday 4th & Monday 5th May 11am - 5pm

Swindon’s other railway steams into 30th year

The Swindon & Cricklade Railway Society is holding a gala weekend at the end of May to celebrate three decades in pursuit of their dream to restore part of the old Midland and South Western Junction Railway, between Cricklade and Swindon.

Now established as a major regional visitor attraction, over the last two years the volunteers who run the railway have doubled the length of its passenger line by laying refurbished track towards Cricklade, which they will proudly open to the public on 25 May. Track has already been laid south to the edge of Moulden Hill Country Park, off Thamesdown Drive. A bridge has to be rebuilt and planning permission sought, but the society hopes to run trains from North Swindon to the edge of Cricklade by 2010.

See the advert on the right and details at: www.swindon-cricklade-railway.org

Old Duffers give airtime to 50+ ge, ge, generation

Sheila Parsons, David Brown and Patrick Williams are talking about their generation on a show aimed at over 50s on the town’s new volunteer run community radio station - Swindon 105.5fm.

Sheila, from Haydon Wick, has recording on such tiny devices.”

Their weekly Old Duffers’ Hour, Catch up with the Old Duffers introduced by The Zimmer’s version a long standing relationship with of The Who’s classic, features lively radio since working at the BBC each Monday, 11am. discussions on topics of interest in the early 60s. “It’s the medium • To become a presenter on 105.5fm over 50s and each week music is that I love the most. Radio is great call Shirley Ludford on 07951 chosen from one year, from the because you have to use your 366289. imagination more.”

1980s back to the 40s.

As a young secretary, she was The presenters are particularly keen to hear from anyone who in the team which produced pilot would like to vent their spleen with a recordings which convinced BBC ‘rant of the week.’ So far, topics have governors that local broadcasting included drivers who don’t indicate, was the way forward. She then went vandalism of bus shelters and the on to train as a studio manager and excessive number of mother and worked for the World Service.

Almost fifty years later, she toddler car parking spaces. has come full circle, although the equipment is very different since she was last in a studio. “We used huge tape machines and we were still playing 78s; LPs were just coming in.

Now, equipment that would have been housed in a separate room is all in front of the presenters in the studio and Licenced to rant, Old Duffers presenters David Brown, Patrick Williams and Sheila Parsons you can do outdoor

30th ANNIVERSARY WEEKEND Sunday 25th & Monday 26th May Official opening Sunday 25th, 11am of northern extension towards Cricklade (doubling the existing length of track)

Blunsdon Station Tadpole Lane.

Tel: 771615 Trains: 11am-4pm Cafe, shop and free parking www.swindon-cricklade-railway.org Licenced to carry out wedding and naming ceremonies

Scarecrow population explosion predicted

From past experience, during half term week at the end of May, some very unusual characters are going to appear at the annual Roves Farm scarecrow workshops.

Youngsters and their parents can show off their artistic skills and create some small ones to take home or help farmer Rupert Burr by making big ones to scare birds from his field crops.

He’s running competitions to find the most beautiful, funny or scary creatures. For details see the advert right.

Get into practice for the Age Concern Garden Show scarecrow competition in September - see page 2.

21-52 May Extreme.indd 21

18/4/08 15:12:54

Swindon Wide

22

24-26 Cricklade Road, Gorse Hill, Swindon “The only unique and genuine Indian Restaurant in Swindon” with five star recommendation from Swindon Borough Council

BUY ONE MAIN COURSE AND GET A SECOND ABSOLUTELY FREE* Sunday to Thursday, Lunch 12noon - 2pm & evenings 5.30pm - 8pm (pre bookings only) Come and sample for yourself our succulent free range dishes, all freshly prepared and cooked to order using only fresh natural ingredients with no artificial colour or flavourings. We are confident once you have tried our unique cuisine you will return with friends, family and business colleagues. *Call to book your table, and mention The Link to qualify for this offer Not available on Charity event nights or in conjunction with any other offer

ESTABLISHED 1972

7 Wood Street Old Town Swindon

Tel: 01793 531556

Where you’ll find the finest Italian food and the friendliest Italians in town Celebrating 36 years in Swindon

Two lunchtime options: EXPRESS BUSINESS LUNCH Eat as much as you like Pizza and Pasta £5.95 BUSINESS LUNCH Main Course & Soft Drink £6.50 Open Monday to Wednesday 6pm - 11pm Thursday to Saturday 6pm to 11.30pm

www.mariosrestaurant.co.uk

21-52 May Extreme.indd 22

Much stimulation on offer in May

It appears that this year’s 15th Swindon Festival of Literature programme has really caught people’s imagination, writes festival director Matt Holland It might be the eye-catching front cover, a townscape view of Swindon’s older terraced streets, newer commercial buildings and the Brunel Tower, or it might just be because of the exciting contents.

Whatever the reason, programmes are flying off shelves and display stands, and ticket sales are booming. In fact, if you want to get a seat, it is important to book early for many of the more popular events.

These include Johnnie Walker, right, who will be talking about his autobiography and is presented in association with The Link; local Lord Joel Joffe talking about the State versus Nelson Mandela; Steven Berkoff on an actor’s life; and the Poet Laureate Andrew Motion, right.

Events which include performance rather than talk are also generating great interest. If you have never experienced the excitement of semi finals and quarter finals in a live head to head poetry performance competition, then come along to the Swindon Slam on 10 May. Or if you haven’t been transpor ted by storytelling from around the world you can do so at the Arts Centre with Annamation, right. This trio of delightful tellers tell tales of love and adventure in a dazzling fusion of mythology, movement, colour and words.Their show will captivate anyone over ten.

As well as offering great entertainment, this year’s festival also explores a wealth of topical issues, not least of which are matters of ecology and environment. One whole day, on 11 May, is devoted to Eco Ideas and includes authors who have books with an intriguing range of titles. These include The Selfsufficient-ish Bible, Fighting the Banana Wars, Living With the Planet and Diary of a Reluctant Green.

On other days you can hear about food swindles and medical prescriptions; the uncanny array of strange old laws still in force; how to trace your family history; how words get into dictionaries; or even insights into knitting and knowing.

A completely different event that is eagerly awaited is the publication and launch of Commonhead. This is a brand new book that promises to be ‘a good read’ for and from Swindon. It contains the work of over twenty authors, most of whom are local.

Festival 15 ends with a lively day of action for Children and Families and a fabulous Finale at the Town Hall performed by a brilliant line up of home-grown young people.

Pick up a programme from libraries, information, arts, and leisure centres, call 530328 or see it all at: www.swindonfestivalofliterature. co.uk

Link exclusive - September 2007, editors Hilda Sheehan, Matt Holland and Alexandra Martin, launch Commonhead

17/4/08 17:33:22

Children & Family

Saturday 3rd, 9.30am - 4pm Swindon Stamp & Postcard Fair Entry 20p/children free. Western Community Centre, Rodbourne Cheney. Tel: 528664 Saturday 3rd to Monday 5th, 11am - 5pm Real Ale Weekend. Swindon & Cricklade Railway, see page 21 Sunday 4th, 10am Claytime. Interactive theatre for 3 to 6 year olds using clay. £5 - £7.50.

Wyvern Thursday 8th, 15th, 11am Drama Babes. Theatre play-based workshop for children aged 3 to 6 years. £4.50. Wyvern Saturday 10th to Sunday 11th, 10am - 5pm Swindon Kite Festival. Organised by White Horse Kite Flyers. Free. Lydiard Park. www.whkf.org.uk Saturdays 10th & 24th, 10am 5pm Meet The Railway Workers who worked on the locomotives and in Swindon Works. £4 - £6. STEAM Sundays 11th, 18th & 25th, 3pm Band Concerts. Corsham Band, Wroughton Silver Band and Swindon Brass Band. Town Gardens Bandstand Saturday 17th, 2.30pm The Secret Garden. Children are taught to join in with chorus songs in this classic story. £6. Arts Centre Sunday 18th, 10am - 4pm Children and Families Day with the Swindon Festival of Literature.

Bring a picnic. Writing and storytelling workshops for all ages plus puppet shows. Adults £5, children £4. Lower Shaw Farm

Swindon Wide What’s On in May Friday 23rd & Saturday 24th 10.30am & 7pm. Sunday 25th, 11am & 2pm

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We are local Property Traders FOR A FREE NO OBLIGATION VALUATION, PLEASE CALL Fungus the Bogeyman. Repulsive yet compulsive viewing for all the family. £5 - £10. Wyvern Saturday 24th, 11.30am & 2.30pm The Elves and the Shoemaker. Elvis the cobbler makes the most beautiful blue suede shoes but has hit hard times. Can anybody help? £6, family £18. Arts Centre Saturday 24th to Saturday 31st 10am - 5pm Playthings Trail drop-in activity. Find toys from the past and present. £1 per child (includes small prize). Swindon Museum & Art Gallery Saturday 24th & Sunday 25th, 10am - 5pm Swindon Nostalgia Weekend. Vintage vehicles and exhibits, antiques, auto memorabilia, trade stalls, fun fair. £3. Polo Ground, Marlborough Road.

Tel: 07711 905510 Sunday 25th & Monday 26th, 10am - 4pm 30th AnniversaryWeekend. Swindon & Cricklade Railway, see page 21 Sunday 25th, 2.30pm Duck Race.. Westcott Recreation Ground, Wootton Bassett Road, Swindon Wednesday 28th, 11am - 4pm School Holiday Diesel Train Rides.

Swindon & Cricklade Railway Saturday 31st to Sunday 1st June Swindon Festival of Sport. Sixteen activities in seven venues across the town including angling, badminton, basketball, beach volleyball, dragon boats and inflatable table football. Tel: 511033 or see www.challengeswindon.org.uk

The auditions Sunday 11 May Wyvern Theatre’s Summer Youth Project returns with a family classic.

The theatre is looking for 250 talented young people aged between 9 and 21 to create a full-scale production, as singers, actors and technicians to perform this musical classic in just 12 days.

Members of Fagin’s urchin gang, flower sellers and back stage hopefuls are invited to audition at the Wyvern on Sunday 11 May, 9am. Register from 8am. Download an application form from: www.wyverntheatre.org.uk/syp The show takes place from 21 to 24 August. For tickets, call the box office on 524481.

21-52 May Extreme.indd 23

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Spice Girls Tribute

Friday 30th May 2008 With live vocals and all the girl power they can muster The Spice-ish Girls provide an action packed performance including all the hits that made the Spice Girls one of the most successful acts in pop music history!

Fully choreographed to simulate the original dance routines and concert performances of the real Spice Girls… A must see show!

The Sweet Taste of Summer Murder

Thursday 19th June 2008 The chairman of a highly-successful confectionery business is found murdered on the eve of his naming his successor. But why is the only clue several lengths of liquorice shoelaces? Could it be that the victim is trying to indicate his killer and yet how?

Dance to your favourite tribute artist and disco or become a detective for the evening

Both events are £35.00 per person and include a set 4 course dinner (Not suitable for children) To book please call:

18/4/08 11:02:07

24

Old Bell Pottery & Crafts High Street, Lechlade • Tel: 01367 252608 E-mail: enquiries@oldbellpottery.com www. oldbellpottery.com

SPECIALISTS IN DOLLS HOUSE MINIATURES Traditional games and toys.

Local craft items

FOR GREAT GIFT IDEAS Knitting & Haberdashery

Sewing needs: X-stitch ~ Tapestry ~ Rowan ~ Jaeger ~ Patons ~ Yarns and Patterns Mail order service available.

In the stable and garden

A great selection of local pottery. China seconds from Stoke-on-Trent. Pots, planters & ornaments from around the world Mon to Sat 10am to 5pm • Sun 11am to 5pm

Dance

Swindon Wide What’s

Thursday 8th to Saturday 10th The Big Mission Festival 08 celebrating Black Dance. Cutting edge perfor mances, master classes, classic and street dance from international artists. Information and tickets from the Wyvern

www.stateofemergencyltd.com

Comedy

Friday 2nd, 8pm X-Files Improv. Computer geek improvises a new X-Files episode at each performance based on audience suggestions with comic results. £10.

Arts Centre Saturday 17th, 8pm Lucy Porter’s Love-in. Lucy looks at every aspect of that crazy thing called love. £12 - £14. Arts Centre Monday 5th, 8pm Paul Merton’s Impro Chums. Top comedians take audience suggestions and create cascades of fantastic tumbling laughter. £16.50 - £18.50.

Wyvern Tuesday 27th, 7.30pm An Evening with Gervase Phinn.

Hilarious tales of life as a schools’ inspector in the Yorkshire Dales. £15.50. Wyvern Friday 30th, 8pm Jongleurs Comedy Club. Over two hours of laughter, three comedians and a compere. Suitable for over 18s only. £10. Wyvern

Theatre

Friday 16th and Saturday 17th 7.30pm, Saturday matinee 2.30pm Music Hall Shadows written by Jean Leo. Wroughton Amateur Dramatic Society present the first junior production for many years. £5 - £8.

Ellendune Community Centre. Tel: 813307/813847 Tuesday 20th, 8pm Ashes to Ashes Story of two people caught in the prison camps of 1940 with a moving exploration of the human spirit. £6 - £10. Arts Centre Thursday 29th to Saturday 31st, 5.30pm Talking Heads by Alan Bennett.

Superb pieces epitomising Bennett’s gripping stories and masterly style. Old Town Theatre Company will be performing A Woman of No Importance, A Lady of Letters and Soldiering On. £5 - £7.50. Arts Centre Saturday 31st, 7.30pm Beyond the Barricade. Recreating the songs, music and sound of the world’s most popular musicals. £19.

Wyvern

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Exhibitions

Thursday 1st to Saturday 31st Bookish Design - the Beauty of Book Covers. Classic literature and groundbreaking graphic design made into posters and prints. Free, Arts Centre Thursday 1st to Saturday 10th, 10am - 5pm On Assignment. Exhibition by students from New College’s photography foundation degree course including pictures of council employees at work in a variety of unusual settings.

Free. Arts Centre Thursday 1st to Saturday 28th June Mon to Sat 10am - 5pm Queen’s Park Family Scrapbook.

Views and memories of Queen’s Park over the last fifty years. Free. Swindon Museum & Art Gallery Thursday 1st to Saturday 30th August, Mon to Sat 10am - 4pm Resonant Forms Exploring the dynamic relationship between artists’ ideas and the ways they structure their work. Free. Swindon Museum & Art Gallery Thursday 1st to Saturday 3rd In God’s Own Country. Photographs from the West Bank by Swindon based photojournalist Jason Moore. The Beehive Pub. Tel: 523187

Film

Tuesday 12th,11am, 2pm & 7.30pm No Country for Old Men (15) Violence erupts as Llewelyn Moss finds a pick-up truck carrying a load of heroin and two million dollars. £5. Wyvern Monday 19th, 7.30pm Juno (12A) Teenager confronts an unplanned pregnancy. £5. Wyvern Thursday 22nd, 1pm & 7.45pm Before Midnight. An exceptional collection of documentaries of India before partition. £4. Arts Centre.

Sunday 1st June,10am & 2pm The Bucket List (12A) Terminal illness brings a billionaire and working class mechanic together as they decide what to do before they die. £5. Wyvern

Venues

Arts Centre Devizes Road.

Tel: 614837

Lower Shaw Farm, Old Shaw Lane. Tel: 771080 Lydiard House Tel: 770401 Swindon & Cricklade Railway

Tadpole Lane. Tel: 771615 Swindon Museum & Art Gallery Bath Road. Tel: 466556

Swindon Information Centre

Regent Street. Tel: 530328 STEAM - Museum of the Great Western Railway. Churchward.

Tel: 466646 Wyvern Theatre. Tel: 524481 Confirm date, time and price with venue.

18/4/08 10:32:19

On in May

Talks & Meetings

Saturday 3rd to Monday 5th The Fforde Ffiesta - Jasper Fforde Festival featuring a wide range of activities including teenage angst poetry competition, games, flying, boat trips and races, Shakesperian performance, treasure hunts, author readings and much more. DeVere Hotel. www.ffordeffiesta.com Wednesday 7th, 7.30pm Planning A Faith Garden. Organised by Swindon Inter-Faith group.

Donation towards expenses. Swindon Pilgrim Centre, Regent Circus Wednesday 7th,10am Recent USAF Roles, Thamesdown Probus Club. Speaker Col. Joseph Dill.

Blunsdon House Hotel. Tel: 763733 Thursday 8th, 7.15pm The Fair Sex - Women’s Work in GWR. Author Dr Rosa Matheson talks about her recent book.Wiltshire Family History Society meeting. Gorse Hill Community Centre. Tel: 823632 Wednesday 14th, 10am - 4pm Richard Jefferies Museum Open Day. A writers’ group also meets on the day. New members welcome.

Richard Jefferies Museum, Coate.

Tel: 783040 or 466556 Friday 16th May, 7pm

Threatened with demolition, the north end of the Mechanics’ Institute in the foreground The Building of the New Swindon Railway Village. Daniel Rose, chair of the New Mechanics’ Trust, talks about the history of the village and gives an update of the campaign to save the derelict Mechanics’ Institute. £3. Lawn Community Centre.Tel: 523048 Saturday 17th, 10.30am - 5.30pm Swindon Bowls Club Open Day Marsh Farm Lane (off Shrivenham Road). Tel: 614255 Monday 19th,10am - 12noon Local and Family History. Free consultations and advice to researchers. Free. Swindon Central Library.

Tel: 463796

Saturday 3 May 28 Morley Street, Swindon Tel: 520300 www.swincitycomics.co.uk

21-52 May Extreme.indd 25

25 Thursday 22nd, 7.15pm Swindon Football. Family History Society branch meeting with speaker Dick Mattick. Gorse Hill Community Centre, Chapel Street. Tel: 823632 Wednesday 21st May, 10am Tolstoy’s War and Peace. Speaker Prof. Tony Briggs. Thamesdown Probus Club. Blunsdon House Hotel.

Tel: 763733 Wednesday 28th, 10am - 12.30pm & 1.30pm - 4pm Finds Service. Wiltshire’s Finds Liaison Officer will look at archaeological finds. Free. Swindon Museum & Art Gallery Friday 30th, 7.30pm The Story of Swindon Town Hall.

The design and eventful history of the Victorian town hall is explored by architect Michael Gray from London based firm Stanford Eatwell. £4.50.

Swindon Museum & Art Gallery

FUNDRAISING Thursday 1st, 7pm & 9pm Fashion for Children in Conflict Catwalk show of donated and modified clothes. Proceeds to Action for Children in Conflict. £3.

New College Theatre Tel: 0845 3000 789 Saturday 10th, 10am - 4pm Book Day Raising funds for Maggie’s Cottage.

Hard and paper backed books, competitions, readings Bradon Forest School.

The Peak, Purton. Tel: 771452 Saturday 10th, 7.30pm.

Spring Serenade’ Evening of duets and solos for soprano and contralto. £6 All proceeds to Christian Aid St Mary’s Church, Purton Tel: 814346 Saturday 10th, 1pm - 6pm Health, Beauty & Wellbeing Day Therapists and beauticians offer taster sessions, treatments and advice. £2. Raffle and refreshments in aid of The Foundation for the Study of Infant Deaths (FSID).

Wroughton Parish Hall Thursdays 8th & 22nd 2pm - 3.30pm Bargain Bazaar Good quality second-hand clothes household items bric-a-brac and books. Donations of good quality items for sale welcome.

St Andrews Methodist Church, Moredon Road Tel: 636444 Saturday 17th & Sunday 18th 10am - 4pm Table Top Sale in aid of Prospect Hospice Clothes, books, toys videos, bric-a-brac. Refreshments 96 Gipsy Lane, Gorse Hill Tel: 320805

MOORCROFT New Edition for 2008 Swaledale designed by Philip Gibson

DEACON & SON (SWINDON) LTD Established 1848 11 - 15 Wood Street, Old Town, Swindon Tel: 01793 527530 / 522072 Also: 44/45 High St, Marlborough. Tel: 01672 519955 42 High Street, Wootton Bassett. Tel: 01793 852945

www.deacons-jewellers.com

18/4/08 11:01:24

Swindon Wide What’s On in May

26

S

NAZZY STAMPING & SCrapbooking

Wiltshire’s largest specialist stamping & scrapbooking store Quality products at great prices, plus friendly, helpful, expert advice 50 workshop sessions monthly Regular, free, demonstrations New stock just arrived 88-89 Basepoint, Rivermead, Swindon

01793 855377 / 602470

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Swindon’s widest choice of discounted

Art & Craft products

Framework Art & Craft

NOW LOCATED AT

Unit 35 BSS House Cheney Manor, Swindon See & feel the products before you buy, and get personal advice from our knowledgeable & friendly staff Well worth a visit!

Tel/Fax 01793 513069 www.purplenimbus.co.uk

ARDECCA COUNTRY RETREATS

are having SEWING DAYS on Saturday 10th & Sunday 11th May

10am until 4pm Bring your UFO’s £5 per day Tea & coffee supplied all day.

Book your place and come and join us

Tel: 01793 721238 e-mail: chris-graham.ardecca@fsmail.net Fieldrise Farm, Kingsdown Lane, Blunsdon

SUE’S GALLERY & FRAMING Specialist framer of memorabillia, unusual objects, cross stitches, jigsaws Frame visualisation system Dry mounting and laminating Dynamic glass art

105 High Street, Cricklade Tel. 01793 759016 www.suesgallery.co.uk Fine Art Trade Guild Commended Framer

Music

Thursday 1st, 8pm Heidi Talbot. Expressive Scottish ballads. £10 - £12. Arts Centre Thursday 1st to Saturday 3rd Thurs & Fri 7.30pm, Sat 2pm & 7.30pm The S Factor. The Sullivan School of Dance presents an exciting show. £8.50. Wyvern Saturday 3rd, 8pm The Storys. Rock harmonies of The Eagles and West Coast pop, plus the acoustics of Led Zepplin. £10 - £12 Arts Centre Sunday 4th, 7.30pm Journey South. X Factor Andrew and Carl perform songs from their new album. £17.50. Wyvern Saturday 10th, 8pm - 12.30am Moloney School of Irish Dancing.

Dance with music by Liam O’Leary and support band Riky Denham. £6.

Polish Club, Whitbourne Avenue. Tel: 642368 Thursday 15th to Saturday 17th, 7.30 & 2pm.

Stage Struck presents Something Wicked. Funtastic mix of comedy, music and dance. £8.50 £10. Wyvern

Wednesday 21st, 8pm Andy McKee. Acoustic soloist with something new and interesting to listen to. £10 - £12. Arts Centre Friday 23rd, 8pm Gary Fletcher Band. A talented line up combining youth and experience. £10 - £12. Arts Centre Tuesday 27th, 2.30pm We’ll Meet Again. Recalling the days when the spirit of Britain was at its highest. £9 - £11. Wyvern Wednesday 28th, 7.30pm The Counterfeit Stones. The history of the greatest rock ‘n roll band from 1963 through to the stadium gigs of the 1980s. £19. Wyvern Thursday 29th, 7.30pm That’ll be the Day. Over 100 classic hits from the 50’s, 60’s and 70’s. £19.

Wyvern Friday 30th, 8pm Spice Girls Tribute. Girl power in Blunsdon. Blunsdon House Hotel.

See advert on page 23 Friday 30th to Saturday 31st, 7.30pm, Saturday, 2.30pm The Rhythm of Music. Performed

by Ellendune Entertainers. £5 £6. Ellendune Community Centre Wroughton. Tel: 813519/812912

Benefit for the Bowl • Saturday 31 May, 6pm Council chief exec Gavin Jones dusts off his Stratocaster and struts his stuff with Aeshena, plus The Edge & Beatbullyz to raise money to refurbish the Town Gardens Bowl in Old Town Advance tickets from 614837

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21-52 May Extreme.indd 26

18/4/08 10:40:31

Swindon Wide

27

The Russian State Opera of Siberia presents great opera masterpieces

Madam Butterfly Monday 9 June 7.30pm

Puccini’s tragic masterpiece featuring some of the most famous arias in all Italian opera.

La Traviata Tuesday 10 June 7.30pm

The tragic tale of ill-fated courtesan Violetta in a sumptuous and moving production.

La Boheme Wednesday 11 June 7.30pm Puccini’s emotionally charged score never fails to captivate.

Ticket Office: 01793 524481 www.wyverntheatre.org.uk

21-52 May Extreme.indd 27

17/4/08 17:37:01

Swindon Wide

28

Happy memories of Forces life

Retired RAF officer, Eric Hayes, has taken a humorous look back over his career in his newly published book, Your Number’s Not Dry. Eric, from Lydiard Millicent, joined the RAF as a boy entrant aged 15 and trained as an electrical mechanic. He spent twenty years of his service overseas and retired as an officer flying with the Hercules fleet.

The last years of his career were spent in Germany as a NATO staff officer. In his retirement Eric worked with Mission Romania and helped raise £350,000 before the charity was wound up.

At his family’s suggestion, he decided to set down his recollections to a commonly heard put down to of service life. The title harks back raw recruits. He hopes the book will be enjoyed by a wide audience and not just those who have been in the services.

“It’s not a memoir,” said Eric. “It’s a series of two paragraph stories that For just over 21 illustrate laughter through life.When years, the muchmy wife Gitti read it, she asked when loved award I found time to do any work.” winning Aussie “I have been fortunate in life and soap has been I hope that this shows in my writing entertaining UK and that all who read this book laugh viewers every as much as I did writing it.” weekday first on Having discovered a love of BBC and now writing, Eric is well on the way to on Five.

And here’s your chance to win a completing his second book, this great DVD Collection of the defining time a thriller set in Australia.

Your Number’s Not Dry is availmoments in the lives of the residents of Ramsey Street. We have three able from Waterstones in the Brunel Centre priced £14.95. It can also be copies on offer at: ordered from Amazon. www.swindonlink.com

Historic work opened up

The extraordinary triptych artwork in St Mary’s Church, next to Lydiard House, will be open on the first Sunday of every month from May to September, from 12noon to 4pm, thanks to volunteers in the congregation.

The work is a family tree of the St John’s who owned the house, and describes the family lineage from 15th to 17th Century and compliments the other monuments in the church.

One of the ultimate family trees on display, the Lydiard Triptych

Are you a Neighbours Nut?

High flying at Lydiard

The Swindon Kite Festival returns to Lydiard Park, the site where it was first held in 1991, after a five year break.

Kite flyers from Germany, USA and all over Britain will be flying spectacular wind bourne devices, with incredible demonstrations. Kite traders will be on hand to advise and sell the right kind of kite for you.

Entry on 10 and 11 May, 10am to 5pm, is free. For details see: www.whkf.org.uk

01793 886222

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21-52 May Extreme.indd 28

17/4/08 17:37:24

21-52 May Extreme.indd 29

17/4/08 17:37:54

Swindon Wide

30

@

the bigger picture

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Call now for an appointment on 01793 871120 or 07967 363322 HOME VISITS AVAILABLE

GOING TO ASCOT? NEED A HAT? T hen call

Light fantastic. Inside the covered atrium at Nova Hreod Specialist College, Moredon

Photo essayists wanted

The Link has always been a highly visual publication, but is limited in how much space can be offered to photographers to express their work. However we’re now offering you the chance to tell your Swindon story in the gallery section at www. swindonlink.com Our first contribution, below, already on site, is by Lynette Thomas, right. In May Marcus Dimbleby of Digital Attractions - see bottom of page - gets in focus.

If you have up to 20 images that convey a message about the town, or a particular aspect of it. For details mail: publisher@swindonlink.com

in Haydon Wick to see the large selection of Hats to HIRE!

(01793) 704005 or 07710 298790 Make a personal appointment to find just the right hat for you

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21-52 May Extreme.indd 30

17/4/08 17:38:13

FANTASTIC CHINESE CUISINE AT TWO GREAT VENUES www.swindonrendezvous.co.uk

Swindon’s first 5 star Chinese Restaurant (Swindon Borough Council scores on the door)

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A la carte & our famous All You Can Eat Menu 7 days a week Choose from over 100 dishes from Sunday to Thursday £16 per person.

Fridays & Saturdays £19 per person and 20% OFF menu prices on all takeaways

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A fantastic new restaurant offering the best in oriental cuisine All You Can Eat Menu

Sunday & Tuesday to Thursday: £16 per person Fridays & Saturdays: £19 per person

Sunday lunch £12.50 all you can eat Private dining room for up to 20 guests Private free parking after 5pm (George Whites yard opposite)

36-39 Haydon Street, Swindon Telephone: 01793 526111

Available at both restaurants

21-52 May Extreme.indd 31

Reserve a table for your birth date

Free Bottle of wine

If a table is booked for 6 or more the birthday boy or girl eats for free (For example 5 pay and 1 eats for free.

Birthday must be on actual day booked.

(Only valid on all you can eat or any set dinner.

I.D. will be required)

Book a table for 4 and receive a FREE BOTTLE OF WINE for every 4 guests (Offer only available on all you can eat and set menu, please present this voucher when ordering.)

17/4/08 17:38:38

32

swindonlink.com • May 2008

Pint sized kick boxer seeks backing

Nine year old kick boxer Ryan Embling from Toothill is looking for sponsorship to send him to Greece to compete in November’s World United Martial Arts Championships.

Last year he won two prizes at and every weekend in Cheltenham. the world championships in Malta. “He loves being active,” said SanHe now fights in the under 135cm dra. “Sometimes he gets so hyped catergory and is coming up against up with training that it’s difficult to get to sleep.” tougher competition.

“There’s one Welsh lad in the The family need to apply early competitions at the moment that to secure a place for Greece and he’s having trouble beating,” said need to raise £1,200 to cover travel mum Sandra. “It’s good for Ryan and competition costs as quickly because he’s got something to work as possible. A penalty shoot-out at for. He’s edging towards it and I’m Cirencester football club in April sure he’ll beat the lad soon.” kick started a fundraising drive and Ryan, a pupil at Toothill Primary, Intel has donated £100. If you can trains twice a week at Cirencester help, call Sandra on 528575.

Ollie plans for professional game

A rugby player at Greendown School is showing great promise and hopes to make a career of the sport after being accepted at Hartbury College which is linked to the Gloucester RFC Academy.

Ollie Jefferies attended Toothill’s Oliver Tomkins Church of England Primary School and hopes to follow in the steps of former pupil Mike Brown, who plays for Harlequins and has toured with England.

Ollie joined Wootton Bassett Rugby Club after starting to play at Greendown, and has played for the Wiltshire under 15s, 17s and 18s.

This is an impressive record given that many of the players are from ‘all rugby’ private schools.

However he saw what he’s up against when interviewed at Hartbury in February. “The England Under 16s were training there and top player.”

At college Ollie will work towards Another health walking group will be launched in Middlealeaze on they were all about a foot taller Thursday 8 May, aimed at parent and toddlers, and babies in buggies. and a lot heavier,” said Ollie. “It 4 A levels and is thinking of training will take a lot of hard work to get to be a PE teacher whilst pursuing up to the level needed to become a professional sports aspirations.

More walks out West

Second rugby victory for Bridlewood

Step out from Lower Shaw Farm on Mondays, 4pm

Take a 45 minute trek with your toddler around Lydiard Park and Shaw Ridge, every Thursday, 2.30pm, starting from the Salt Way Centre, Pearl Road, Middleleaze.

Mum Caz Caple, who has trained as a volunteer walk leader, will guide the group on a circular route, returning for tea or biscuits.

Nan Pratt of Active Swindon said that Spring is a great time to introduce children to the sights and sounds of the outdoors. “Walking in green spaces has a proven therapeutic effect, both physically and mentally. The walks give people the chance to meet new friends and socialise.”

Other walks Swindon take place

from Lower Shaw Farm, Penhill, Broad Green in the town centre and Eldene. Everyone is welcome regardless of age or ability. For details call Nan Pratt on 466202 or mail: or npratt@swindon.gov.uk

Train to be a leader

The next walk leader training course will be on Thursday 22 May from 9.45am to 3pm.

For details contact Nan Pratt on the number above.

Early morning outing

Monday 5 May, 4.45am. Walk to the launch of the Swindon Festival of Literature: minstrels, musicians, poets, performers and a bacon butty. Call Nan to join in.

NOW OPEN

Tony’s Bikes Bikes for all the family - even tandems!

Repairs to all bikes normally in 24 hours

Tel: 01793 431745

40 Hawkins Street, Rodbourne, Swindon Opening times: Tuesday to Saturday, 9.30am - 5.30pm

21-52 May Extreme.indd 32

After fighting off stiff competition, Bridlewood Primary are Swindon Schools Tag Rugby Champions for the second year running.

Year 3 teacher and PE co-ordinator, Dave Barnett, is proud that the school has held its own despite facing the challenge of low pupil numbers in the older classes. Fortunately tournament rules created a level playing field as teams had to be made up of children in Years 4 and 5.

The tag team won their place in the Swindon competition at a tournament in this school; it has an important place in the curriculum. But it’s not against North Swindon schools.

In the final they beat Ruskin all about winning. Children who Primary but Mr Barnett said the don’t make it into teams can take team’s biggest challenge in the heats part in a range of after-school clubs was against Robert le Kyng, who to improve their performance.”

This season, the netball team fielded a number of club players.

Bridlewood won through with a were also winners, taking the North Swindon title, and the hockey team sudden death try in extra time “It was great,” said Mr Barnett. were runners up.

The youngsters have started “The other teams were good but we didn’t crumple and our squad preparation for upcoming cricket and athletics competitions in North pulled together.

“There is a strong sporting ethos Swindon and across the town.

Sharks open day aims to save lives Tigersharks Amateur Swimming Club is inviting parents and swimmers to attend their open day at Link Centre on 18 May, 5pm to 7pm, to find out more about the club’s ‘Learn To Swim Development Plan.’

The programme introduces the essential life saving skill of swimming to as many local children as possible. “Most people are astonished to hear that water related incidents are still the second leading cause of accidental injury or death in the EU”, said head coach Lesley Leffers Parents and swimmers will learn more about the Tigersharks Learn To Swim School, meet the various ASA qualified coaches and see training demonstrations from squads throughout the club.

There is also a free trial swim session for existing swimmers who want to register for the swim school, or join the competitive section. Further information can be found at: www.tigersharks.co.uk

18/4/08 10:43:07

swindonlink.com • May 2008

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21-52 May Extreme.indd 33

B JU NOW OOK NE CO FOR UR SE S

ASHTANGA YOGA & PILATES COURSES PILATES CLASSES Shaw Mon: 6 - 7pm Shaw Mon: 7 - 8pm (Beg) 24 Hour Gym Tues: 10 - 11am Cricklade Tues: 6.30 - 7.30pm Priory Vale Wed: 7.30 - 8.30pm Taw Hill Thurs: 6 -7pm

YOGA CLASSES Cricklade Priory Vale

Mon: 7.30 - 8.45pm Priory Vale Tues: 6.30-7.30pm (Beg) Tues: 7.30 - 9pm

Monday 6.30pm & 8pm St John Church Haydon Wick Sharon 527332 Tuesday 10am Toothill Community Centre Sharon 527332 Tuesday 6.30pm Abbey Meads School Paula 701442 Wednesday 7pm Brook Field Primary School Sharon 527332 Wednesday 9.30am Gorse Hill Community Centre Sam 723416 Thursday 6pm & 7.30pm St John Church, Haydon Wick Andrea 724333

Details of all classes from Dawn Morse BSc (Hons) on 700659 www.achievesuccess.uk.com

17/4/08 17:39:15

34

swindonlink.com • May 2008

Youth football scores sponsorship deal

Each Sunday over 6,000 young football players take part in the North Wilts Youth and Minor Football League which has secured a sponsorship deal with Mann Egerton Volkswagen.

The dealership is backing all of liams, said that the sponsorship move the league forward,” said “It will hopefully allow the North Wilts League to grow bigger and the cup competitions which now would help the league to develop Kevan. “I’ll be doing my best to a website to simplify the co-ordina- make sure that Mann Egerton Volkfaster than it would otherwise,” bear their sponsor’s name.

On 26 and 27 April, the season tion of 60 clubs, and 300 teams. It swagen get value for money and said Mann Egerton sales manager, Howard Dowler. “They play a good culminated in nine cup finals, from has also been possible to buy new hope it will build into a long term relationship, as with our league level of football; let’s hope that in under 9s to under 18s, which were kit for the representative teams.

“Their sponsorship has helped sponsors ESP Colour Ltd.” the future some stars come out of played at the County Ground.

League chairman, Kevan Wilthe North Wilts league.”

Don Rogers, League President, thanks Mann Egerton’s

Under 12s needed

general manager Howard Dowler

The Shaw FC under 12s squad are make plans for next season and want to sign up new players who are under 12 on 1 September.

The squad practises on Fridays, 6.15pm to 7.30pm, at Greendown School in Grange Park. For details call Andy Phillips on 871044.

Henman’s gone, Hutt could soon be our Wimbledon hope

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21-52 May Extreme.indd 34

Thirteen year old Sam Hutt began playing tennis at the Delta Tennis Centre aged five when he attended Westlea Primary School.

Currently ranked priority and he number six in the will take his first country for his GCSEs this year, age, the youngster two years earlier hopes to make it than usual. onto the profesSam enjoys besional circuit in due ing at school with course. like-minded peoCoaches at Delta ple who share the were quick to spot same goals. “It’s Sam’s exceptional fun and I’ve made hand-eye coordinaa lot of friends. tion and he joined We’re competitive their junior programme, pro- in tournaments but good friends off gressing to play for the Wiltshire the court. The coaches have helped squad. me a lot.”

Combining twice daily training Weekends are taken up with with his studies at Bradon Forest training back at the Delta Centre was becoming difficult, so last or competing in tournaments. This September Sam began boarding at season he has represented Great the WinTennis specialist academy Britain at internationals in the UK, at Bisham Abbey National Sports France and Belgium.

Centre near High Wycombe.

To meet Sam’s travelling expensWith state of the art facilities on es, his mum Susan Teale is looking site Sam trains for four or five hours for sponsors, who could receive a day with top UK coaches, headed some impressive press coverage by former Davies Cup captain Mike in return. To find out more, mail: Walker. Academic work is still a susan.teale@talktalk.net

As easy as riding a bike After the huge success of the first ‘Up ‘n’ Cycling’ project, a second course has been planned for early May. Suitable for complete beginners or people getting back to cycling, the course helps boost confidence and will get you into a regular fitness regime.

The sessions take place at the County Ground Lifestyle Centre on Fridays, 10am to 11am and are led by a fully qualified cycle trainer. All bikes and helmets will be provided.

To join call Carole Jones on 514401 or mail: cjones@swindon.gov.uk

17/4/08 17:39:36

swindonlink.com • May 2008

Power fitness regime gives Pinehurst performance edge

The season might be over but Pinehurst Netball Club is recruiting players in May for next year’s campaign.

Having now settled into their She added that the club has used new facilities at Swindon Acad- sponsorship from Cranham Haig to emy, the club is now able to offer pay for fitness professionals Meta their players a range of training Sports to improve the structure of techniques covering all aspects of training. Using standards set by the game and fitness, said head the renowned Australian Institute coach Pat Harris. “We have always of Sport, players have improved offered our players an excellent their fitness standard dramatically, level of coaching but this season with some exceeding levels used for we have also tapped into the ex- international players. tended coaching sessions offered The club also brought in Swindon by the Netball South West region. based reboundologist Richie Jeffers Jess Garland, the England under 21 to offer novel and fun fitness trainassistant coach, came to work with ing to give players extra bounce, us and the results were immediate; see below. all the teams won that weekend by The club is keen to meet players high margins. who want to return to the game or “Team Bath coaches Adele Mod- are play at a higher level. See the este and Rachael Henry have also details right about the upcoming brought their expertise.” trials.

35

Pinehurst Netball Club (CAPS & Clubmark Accredited) Are you getting the training you would like?

Are all your coaches qualified and insured?

We have the most qualified and experienced coaches in Swindon across all levels and offer fitness and fun sessions.

If you are serious about your netball or just wish to play socially then we can offer you an experience second to none!

Come along to our trials on Tuesday 29th April, Tuesday 6th May & Tuesday 13th May, 8pm to 10pm at Swindon Academy, Headlands Grove, Swindon For more details call Pat Harris, tel: 750250 Sally Millet, tel: 513429 or Steve Richmond, tel: 535900 Contacts for Pinehurst Juniors (reference only): Rachael Swatridge, tel: 520512 or Tracy Watt, tel: 815414

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21-52 May Extreme.indd 35

18/4/08 10:43:52

36

swindonlink.com • May 2008

First Mad March Hare hailed a success

After a false start when the event had to be postponed because of a flooded course, the runs and power walks from Greendown around Lydiard Park took place on 30 March.

Now that the first one is out of the way, the Swindon volunteers from Breakthrough Breast Cancer who organised the day in memory Irene Hare are raring to go for another. “We’ve learnt a huge amount about organising an event like the Mad March Hare,” said Margaret Nicholson. “The marshalls did a fantastic job; it’s an experience we want to build on and get more people participating in.”

The organising committee want to thank sponsors and supporters for their help: Les Slinn Personal Training, the Big Adventure Store, Triumph International, Doves Farm Organics, Swindon Council, the National Lottery, Greendown School and The Link.

• Pictures of the day can be found at www.swindonlink.com Left, organisers and sponsors, Eunice Salmon, Ralph and Shirley Garmen and Margaret Nicholson with Chris Peglar of the Big Adventure Store and Clare Slinn of Les Slinn Personal Training Top right, Adam Yavuz, 14, who ran the 10k Right, Arthur Beltrami, 73, by Lydiard’s lake Below, the Butler family from Westlea Below right, Sam Hartley and Mandy Martin Bottom, a big turnout by the members of the Hindu Samaj

One walk, a thousand memories and a galaxy of stars Join us on May 10th for Prospect Hospice’s first ever Women’s Nightwalk

For details contact fundraising on 01793 815142

or www.prospect-hospice.net Reg charity: 280093

PERSONAL

TRAINING

• One to one Personal Training at the studio or your home • Exercise programmes to follow at home and the gym • Nutrition & weight management advice • Lifestyle checks • Running Club FITNESS CLASSES

Motivation Confidence Weight Loss De-Stress Look Good Feel Great

Monday Tuesday

12.30-13.15 12.30-13.15 18.00-18.45 Wednesday 13.00-13.45 Thursday 12.15-12.45 Friday 12.30-13.15

FITBALL SALSA SALSA YOGA CORE BODY TONE

Unit 86, Basepoint, Rivermead Drive, SN5 7EX Email: lslinn@supanet.com Tel: 01793 703156

www.lspersonaltraining.com

21-52 May Extreme.indd 36

www.thebigadventurestore.com

We cater for triathlon, running & adventure racing!

• Mizuno, Brooks, New Balance, Saucony, asics • Issac, Cube • Video gait analysis • Free parking

18/4/08 10:45:58

swindonlink.com • May 2008

KUDOS FENCING

Tailor-made

by SueLynn

Patios, decking & landscaping

Local Family Business • All types of fencing installed • Full patio/decking service • Made to measure gates • All pressure treated timbers • Help/advice on all fencing & landscape matters

Free estimates on 01793 855800 Unit 23 & 24 Oaklands Ind. Est. Braydon, Swindon

37

D & L Blinds

Rollers • Verticals • Venetians Pleated Blinds • VELUX® Conservatory Blinds

Curtains Pelmets Roman blinds Swags & tails Cushion covers

QUALITY BLINDS AT AFFORDABLE PRICES Fast and reliable service Evenings & weekends no problem All blinds fitted free

Choose from a wide range of fabrics from the comfort of your own home

No job too small For further information call

Sue: 01793 870451 or Lynn: on 01793 330595

Contact Paul on 01793 619428 FREE QUOTES NO OBLIGATION

THE COMPLETE CURTAIN SERVICE CURTAINS TO SATISFY EVERY REQUIREMENT • Free estimating, design and advice • Home visits by appointment • Make-up and fitting service

AND BLINDS OF ALL KINDS •Wooden •Venetian •New linen •Roman •Verticals •Roller •New Eastern materials

FREE PARKING OUTSIDE THE SHOWROOM at 252 CRICKLADE RD or call Tracey or Amanda on 01793 611051

• CARPETS • WOOD • LAMINATE • VINYL • UNDERLAY • ACCESSORIES No gimmicks, no sales, no promotions JUST THE RIGHT PRICE AND THE TRUE VALUE HOME SELECTION SERVICE Personal estimating service - no obligation or charge Fitting service by qualified & professional fitters

Call Mike Edwards

01793 480777 or 07834 685871 6 Wood Street, Old Town, Swindon SN1 4AB

FARINGDON UPHOLSTERY 31 Park Road, Faringdon Buy direct from your local manufacturer and save money Top quality upholstery supplied direct to the public.

We make your furniture the way you want it, with thousands of fabrics to choose from

★ Established 25 years

Don’t settle for mass produced ★ All suites fully guaranteed when you can ★ All suites covered in have made-toyour own choice of fabric measure for the ★ Solid wood frames same price! ★ Craftsman built

★ Made to measure ★ Re-upholstery service ★ Curtains

✆

01367 241855

Come and see our wide selection of suites today

Open Monday to Saturday 10am - 5pm

21-52 May Extreme.indd 37

See the carpet or floor covering of your choice, where it will be laid, next to your other furnishings.

Appointments to suit you: day, evening or weekend.

Home Choose Carpets has over 30 year’s experience of serving customers in the Swindon area.

Estimating is free. Luxury underlay, all accessories and installation are included in the price! There are no hidden extras - and no obligation.

Call Trevor Salter on

01793 812995 or 07860 882588 or email:

homechoosecarpets@hotmail.com www.carpetsswindon.co.uk

17/4/08 17:41:23

38

swindonlink.com • May 2008

Swindon to launch 10th anniversary tour by bear sanctuary founder

The plight of bears farmed for their bile has touched the hearts of Link readers, with tickets for the forthcoming Animals Asia charity gala evening on Friday 13 June at the Pagoda Palace selling fast.

Jill Robinson, founder of the char- ticle; The Link is so well read. We’ve on the Animals Asia website, she Flog It presenter and UK patron of describes the appalling condition of Animals Asia, Paul Martin, acting ity, chose Swindon as the starting sent 300 mittens to China.”

Last year, the couple made a the latest batch of rescued animals; as auctioneer. point for her UK tour because of the Tickets cost £35 from Sarah on ten day trek along the Great Wall eleven of them died within days of level of support in the town.

07866 519232.

Sarah and Dave Chilvers from of China before visiting the bear reaching the sanctuary.

The fundraising evening will • At a charity curry night at the Peatmoor have worked closely with sanctuary at Chengdu where they include a vegetarian banquet, Bombay Lounge on 15 April, £600 The Link over the last six months met Jill Robinson.

At the Pagoda Palace she will be disco and Tina Turner tribute act. was raised for Animals Asia. to raise the profile of the camwww.animalsasia.org paign. Their appeal in the March celebrating the 10th anniversary of There will be a grand auction with edition for large mittens to keep the charity and will talk about the the bears warm whilst under anaes- challenges to come.

To date, 247 bears have been thetic brought a massive response from Swindon knitters. “We’ve been rescued and a new sanctuary in The science wing at Isambard Community School is home to a meamazed by the response to the ar- Vietnam has just opened. However, nagerie that is so popular that pupils arrive at school early and stay

Animal magic at Isambard

back after lessons to care for its inmates.

The Mayor and Mayoress of Swindon Michael and Sue Barnes on their tour of the school visiting pupils in the animal room

It’s Springtime. Brighten up your home with a rainbow of colours!

Charisma Blinds - the place for quality and value

Manufacturers and suppliers of all types of blinds Full fitting service or cash and carry Factory showroom open Monday to Thursday 9.30am - 5.30pm Friday 9.30am - 5pm, Saturday 10am - 4pm BSS House, Cheney Manor Ind. Est., Swindon. Tel: 01793 434584

Hand built bedrooms of distinction

PETER GALBRAITH EST 1986 • Individual custom made fitted bedroom and home study furniture • Traditional and modern design • Wide variety of finishes available • Free estimates and expert advice

Call 01793 526335

www.petergalbraith.co.uk

21-52 May Extreme.indd 38

The room houses chinchillas, bearded dragons, a gecko, corn snake, rabbit, guinea pigs, hamsters and a rat. A team of ten senior monitors take responsibility for feeding, cleaning and handling the animals, arriving at 8am and returning during breaks and after school. The room is open to all pupils who can drop in to see the animals in their free time.

Keeping animals that pupils can handle is the pet project of assistant headteacher Sue Banks. “It’s not a common feature in schools because animals take a lot of looking after.

But there are many benefits: it’s somewhere to go where you’ve got company, you can meet other people with similar interests and you’ve got responsibility for something other than yourself.

“I see a growth in responsibility, a growth in respect for life and for other people. Pupils learn to cooperate and to share.”

Senior monitor, Katy Stallard, has a soft spot for Kerry the rat. “Rats are very intelligent creatures and they love human company so we have to get her out quite a lot.”

As a baby, Kerry used to bite but Katy, along with fellow monitor Scarlett, has tamed her.

The animals have starred in class, as drawing subjects and in science lessons, but they are there primarily to give students responsibility and to show them how to care for pets.

The school aims to have a representative of each of the major animal groups and the next project is to buy a stock of tropical fish.

Anything Stone Showroom at Cheney Manor Ind Est, Swindon. Tel: 08702 422 998

Fireplace Showroom NOW OPEN

Granite Worktops, Tiles, Fireplaces, Bar Tops, Commercial Projects

www.anythingstone.co.uk

18/4/08 10:50:24

swindonlink.com • May 2008

Becky’s Small Animal Care Leave your small animals (except dogs)

with us while you are away House sitting.

Very competitive rates!

Business fully insured. Police checked Pick up service within 10 mile radius

Contact Becky on 01793 642403 or 07870 849351 e: beckylay@hotmail.co.uk

Pets At Home Worried who will look after your pet whilst you’re on holiday?

Pets At Home could be your answer Pets At Home is a service which cares for all your pets (except dogs) in their own home anywhere in the West Swindon area only

Telephone Sheila Mitchell for further details on 01793 873062 email: sm4hannahlightfoot@talktalk.net

Celebrate Our Great British Pets National Pet Month 5th April – 7th May 2008 National Pet Month is a nationwide incentive to help raise awareness of responsible pet ownership. Thameswood Veterinary Clinics are supporting this event and promoting preventative healthcare as this is essential to help promote life and longevity in your pet.

Do You Want To Win a Year‘s Supply of Preventative Healthcare for your pet?

Simply book your pet in for a FREE Healthcare Examination and Preventative Healthcare talk with our vets and nurses and you will gain automatic entry into our Prize Draw.

Recommend a friend, and they also will get the chance to win this great prize.

Remember…You have to be in it to win, so don’t delay, book your appointment today.

Attention all kidz……..Grab the chance to win a huge Thameswood Ted by entering our Great British Pets Poem competition. Simply write a poem about your great British pet and send into the clinic by 31st May 2008. Go to our website KidzClub page for an entry form. Good Luck

Ring our Team of Lovely Client Girls on 526780/511267 for more information or to book your free appointment and get entered into our prize draw.

Offer expires 31st May 2008 www.thameswoodvets.co.uk.

21-52 May Extreme.indd 39

39

74 Basepoint, Rivermead Drive, Swindon

Professional friendly service in a large modern salon for every aspect of your dog’s grooming needs Collection & delivery service Appointments not always necessary

Ring Denise on 01793 608747 or 07866 507633 www.hairofthedoguk.net

“Making life better for you and your pet” Care - always Compassion - for you and your pet Communication - we listen

Continuity - of care throughout your pet’s life Cost - good value, great offers

Convenience - a clinic near you Car parking - plenty!

Thameswood Veterinary Clinic

62 - 64 Purton Road Swindon SN2 2LZ (end of Akers Way) Tel: 01793 526780

Win

A year’s supply of preventative

Open: Monday to Friday, healthcare

9am - 6.30pm for your pet

Saturday 9am - 12noon

24 Hour Emergency Service. Tel: 01793 526780 www.thameswoodvets.co.uk

18/4/08 10:50:59

40

swindonlink.com • May 2008

West Swindon compost ambassador ready to help boost garden performance

You may think of an ambassador as someone who talks high international politics at elegant parties, but Jane Eatwell has just become a compost ambassador with Wiltshire Wildlife Trust: comfy wellies, not tiaras are more her thing.

For help mail Jane now at: bettyEveryone knows that compost- and how to mix it up nice and Wildlife Trust is selling a kit and ing kitchen and garden waste is proper to generate good stuff for it comes with the worms ready to boop_354@hotmail.com or call the WWT Waste Minimization Officer a good idea for the environment the garden, rather than just throw get you going.

Half the contents of a usual Kate Robinson on 814823. but many are not sure how it is the rubbish away.

Now that Swindon has wheelies, wheelie bin can be composted. Start • Swindon Council offers subsidised done. That’s where Jane comes in to help you get the right balance she’ll also show you how to turn recycling this way and reduce your bins from only £17 from 0845 077 0757. of materials in your compost heap. a redundant dustbin into a great carbon footprint.

She’ll show you what to include wormery for only £10. Wiltshire

School can now fly its eco-awareness flag

Join the Mayor for breakfast Councillor Steve Wakefield, for Toothill, will become Mayor of Swindon in mid-May and his first local engagement will be breakfast at Toothill’s community cafe, in its new home at Toothill Church. Join Steve from 9.30am and chat about his forthcoming year.

KUDOS FENCING SUPPLIES LTD. Kudos

To Purton From M4 J16 & West Swindon Wootton Bassett

.

...

...

...

......

.... ....

.

..

... ● All

fencing ● Gates ● Chain link

● Trellis ● Decking ● Tools ● Fixings ● Cement ● Trade

From the June 2007 Link, eco-coordinator Mel Brought, eco-teaching assistant Elaine Jackson and Andrea Hirsch from Lower Shaw Farm with members of the school’s eco club

Highworth Landscapes Electrical & Building Services Est. 1977

...

.......

To Brinkworth

Peatmoor Primary School was the second in town to win the coveted Eco-School Award, but it’s taken 10 months to raise the money for a flag pole at the school entrance, and most important, to gain planning permission for it. The flag will be unfurled for all to see at the end of April.

& DIY welcome

Tel: 01793 855800 Unit 23 & 24 Oaklands Enterprises Ind. Est. Braydon, Swindon

Patios • Paths Block paving • Drives All walling inc. natural stone Lighting • Decking Fencing • Pergolas All types of water features Tel/fax 01793 764362 Mobile: 07860 762339

B L U E P R I NT GARDEN DESIGN

Garden Magic

Royal Horticultural Society Silver Medal

PROFESSIONAL DESIGN, CONSTRUCTION AND LANDSCAPING SERVICE For a free consultation in the Swindon area call Jill Blackwood on: TEL: 01793 322880 MOBILE: 07951 014119 or email: gillian.blackwood@ntlworld.com

www.jillblackwoodgardendesign.co.uk

D.A. DRIVEWAYS & PATIOS LTD ❐ Block Paving ❐ Landscaping ❐ Fencing ❐ Decorative Stone ❐ General Maintenance For a professional and affordable service, free consultation and written quotation

Tel: 01793 878062

or 07866 523898

LYDIARD LANDSCAPES

LTD

Est. 1987

Patios, Block Paving, Walling, Fencing, Close Board, Gates, Decking, Tree Work, Turfing, Building and Property Developing.

Portfolio and Client Testimonials Available

Office/Fax: 01793 827117 Mobile: 07790 922081

Free estimates

21-52 May Extreme.indd 40

Director: Nicholas Garner

Fully insured

All types of garden work undertaken from maintenance to full landscaping. Modern & traditional garden design including: Fencing & Decking • Qualified Tree Surgeon Shed, Summerhouse & Garden Room Construction Garden Clearance • Local Family Business Have your garden ready for the summer Contact us now for a FREE quotation

Tel: 07788 582843

Email: blueprintdesign@ntlworld.com

Blackford Timber Supplies ALL FENCING & ROOFING PRODUCTS • CHAIN LINK

• POSTS & RAILS

• DECKING

• CLOSE BOARD • GATES

• TRELLIS

• CEMENT

• TILES & SLATES

• FELT

• TRADE & DIY

• FREE LOCAL DELIVERY

HOW TO FIND US

GREENHILL FROM WOOTTON BASSETT

BLACKFORDS

FROM LYDIARD MILLICENT & WEST SWINDON

FROM PURTON

GREENHILL, GREATFIELD, WOOTTON BASSETT, SWINDON Weekdays 7am - 4.30pm Saturday 7am - 11.30am Local delivery contact Laurie on 01793 778070 or 07887 907904

18/4/08 10:52:02

swindonlink.com • May 2008

PAVECLEAR Driveway, Paving and Patio Cleaning For a Free no-obligation quote call:

01793 701741

FREETH GARDENING SERVICES LTD EST 1990 ❖ Landscaping ❖ Fencing and gates supplied and erected ❖ Trees pruned and felled ❖ Rubbish removed ❖ Patios and shingle laid ❖ Wood chip & compost supplied ❖ Turfing and grass cutting ❖ And all aspects of garden maintenance

Tel: 01793 875451 or 07940 247152

www.paveclear.co.uk

GARDEN DOCTORS LANDSCAPES LTD LANDSCAPING & GARDEN MAINTENANCE

Fencing: Close board Panels & Gates Block Paving • Patios Paths • Turfing • Trained team • Fully insured For free quotation

Tel: (01793) 526571 Mobile: 07760 127139

GAZEBO LANDSCAPING GENERAL GARDEN MAINTENANCE & CONSTRUCTION

• Fencing - closeboard, panels etc.

• Drives and patios - slabs, concrete, shingle • Patio cleaning, grass cutting, gardens tidied up • Turfing and grass seeding • Ponds & pergolas Contact: 01793 692687 Mobile: 07711 253508

35 Spencer Close, W Swindon

Quality products & workmanship

David Hawkins Tree Surgeon

a w garden services

All types of tree services and landscaping Hedge cutting Turfing • Fencing Fruit tree pruning

Fully insured Free estimates 14 years experience

01793 611861 07967 594707

Chelworth Landscapes

Fencing & Garden Maintenance

• Fencing and gates Closeboard, trellis, panels, picket, chainlink, security etc

• Landscaping Shingle, paving, water features, turfing and planting

• Garden maintenance Grasscutting, tree and shrub pruning, clearance etc.

For free quotation phone (01793) 702029

www.chelworthlandscapes.co.uk

Every client & every garden is different.

To fulfil the potential of your garden we offer a planning & design service, from a Gold Medal winning designer, that is individually tailored to suit your taste & home.

We offer a complete or phased project to suit budget and circumstances as well as planting plans, beds and border designs.

General garden maintenance & landscaping also undertaken.

Fully public liability insurance.

Tel/Fax: 01793 850595 Mobile: 07919 543733 www.awgardenservices.co.uk

41

LANDSERVE

Garden Maintenance & Landscaping

Professional care for your garden Grass Cutting - regular maintenance Landscaping - Patios & Paving - repairs & cleaning Hedge Cutting & Pruning

No Job Too Small. All works insured

Call Martin Emery MI Hort. for free quotation

on 01793 703306 or Mobile 07771 956294

Landscape & Garden Specialists Patios, Driveways, Fencing, Turfing, Bricklaying and General Maintenance

1st Premier Landscaping

For all your creative needs

07876 232776 47 Worsley Road, Freshbrook, Swindon

SKI’S TREES

TREE SURGEON NPTC QUALIFIED TREE FELLING / DISMANTLING HEDGE TRIMMING STUMP REMOVAL TREE THINNING AND PRUNING GENERAL GARDEN MAINTENANCE LOGS FOR SALE

FOR FREE ESTIMATES AND ADVICE 24 HOURS, 7 DAYS A WEEK CALL NEIL ON:

01793 870441 OR 07828910093

Lawn & garden maintenance Hedge cutting & planting Tree planting & pruning Weeding & much more

Tel: 01793 486507 Mob: 077382 98004

willslatergardencare@hotmail.com www.acerpaving.co.uk

01793 725051

www.gardenroom-uk.com Patios・Planting・Turfing・Fencing・Decking・Maintenance

21-52 May Extreme.indd 41

17/4/08 17:42:54

42

swindonlink.com • May 2008

Charity desperate for building project support

www.chipsaway-sven.co.uk

FIAT & ALFA ROMEO ✶ All cars welcome ✶ ✶ ✶ ✶ ✶ ✶

cam belt replacement engine & gearbox repairs & rebuilds electrical fault code reading MOT repairs Air-Con service £58.75 vehicle sales inc. VAT servicing to light commercials

Open 8.30am 5.30pm

Call for friendly advice, reliable service & quotes. All major credit & debit cards

OPTIMA MOTORS Tel: (01793) 840667

39A Station Road, Wootton Bassett (Opposite St Ivel)

I N D E P E N D E NT

BMW & MERCEDES SPECIALISTS • Fixed Price Service & Inspection • Full Diagnostic Service • Full Air Conditioning Service

PC AUTOCARE

01793 772542 www.pcautocare.co.uk

Unit 1, Bagbury Park, Lydiard Millicent

The Swindon Therapy Centre for Multiple Sclerosis has just over two months to find £170,000 so that it can start its move to West Swindon - and it needs the whole of the town to get behind its fundraising appeal.

The centre, which is entirely ing, has £330,000 in its Moving Soon funded by donations and fundrais- Appeal bank balance but needs to be well onto its way to the target of £500,000 by July.

At stake is a £185,000 donation from the Hong Kong based Bradbury Foundation. Centre coordinaMotorcycle Repairs tor Jackie Wray explained that this may be lost if work cannot Servicing & Tuning money start within 6 months of the 30 years experience grant being Factory trained made.

“The deadHonda • Suzuki line is looming Kawasaki • Yamaha and we just cannot let this grant away. We need everybody in Call (01793) 481008 slip the town to get involved in some Mob: 07787 183719 kind of fundraising activity to help us reach our goal.

Unit 91, Pembroke Centre, “Any group or individual who Cheney Manor Estate, Swindon wishes to raise funds for us can buy one square foot of the new centre for every £100 raised.”

The MS Centre is currently located in cramped and difficult to access premises in Cheney Manor.

The aim is to move to a purpose built facility on Rivermead Drive, • Servicing West Swindon, where they can • Repairs house their large oxygen chamber • Brakes which helps people with MS cope • Exhausts with the debilitating effects of the disease. They will also have several • M.O.T. rooms for exercise and therapy • Free call out sessions, as well a place for people • No VAT to socialise.

• Engine

GARY VARDY

MOBILE CAR REPAIRS

diagnostics

SLATER’S MOBILE SERVICES

Tel: 079999 44262

Give us your help say Jackie Wray and Maggie Gill of the MS Centre

Fundraising events coming up: 25 April: Charity auction at Hilton Hotel. The centre hope to reach their £10,000 fundraising target.

21 June: The Ridgeway Walk, a 20 mile overnight hike. More walkers are needed - can you help?

11 - 13 July: Snowdon MS Challenge which entails a team of twelve carrying someone with MS in a wheelchair over a 10k orienteering course. More volunteers are needed to take part.

If you can organise a fundraising event, big or small, in the community, school or at work, call Maggie Gill on 07739 806791 or Jackie Wray at the MS Centre on 481700. www.ms.swindon.org.uk

21-52 May Extreme.indd 42

18/4/08 11:04:09

swindonlink.com • May 2008

43

Zeppelins and doodlebugs. Toothill senior shares remarkable memories of two world wars After Gladys Forsythe read in the January Link about Sheila Jarvis who goes into schools to give a first hand account of her wartime childhood, she called to tell her story.

Gladys, who lives in the Guiness Trust Housing scheme in Westminster Road, celebrated her ninetysecond birthday in April, but in 1916 she was born in Kent.

As a two year old, one of her first memories is being woken by the terrifying sound and sight of a huge Zeppelin airship flying overhead in the last months of World War I. “My cousin and I slept in the same bed and heard an awful noise at night; it was huge as it went on to drop bombs on London.”

On leaving school, Gladys was apprenticed as a dressmaker, earning six shillings a week (30p).

Unfortunately, she found herself out of work when the shop owner lost everything through gambling.

She became a nanny’s helper and went on to train as a nurse in East London. When she married, she had to leave nursing and took work in a factory but found it very dull.

When the ban on married nurses was lifted during World War II she went to work in a geriatric hospital.

Her husband David was a policeman based at Bow Street until he was called up to the Navy. Gladys had a son, also David, and lived through the Blitz at their home in Clapham Common.

“When he was a toddler he used to sit on the steps of our maisonette.

When the warning sirens went off he would call me to run down to the shelter. Later on in the war I remember the first flying bomb, doodlebugs as we knew them. It made this groaning noise and it flew over the common and crashed a mile away. It was a complete surprise; it was a new weapon and for a time there were so many of them coming over London. The sound was very distinct, but when the engine cut out you worried about who would be under it.”

Inspector. Their family was completed with a daughter and Gladys worked as a nurse for a few more years before running a nursery.

Her husband retrained as a social worker and his work took them to Fort William where the couple lived for 11 years.

Later, Gladys moved to the Guinness Trust home with her husband to join her brother and has happily lived there for 24 years.

Gladys Forsythe

A scene etched in her memory from the early days of the war was a trip to Wandsworth market, when Gladys came upon children who were about to be evacuated. “There were all these trains lined up and I saw the children and their mothers.

I remember vividly how frightened they were. It was the saddest thing I’d ever seen. I wondered how a woman could send a child away; some were less than 4 years old. I still can’t describe the scene without being close to tears.”

Near the end of the war, on a visit to see her husband in Portsmouth, Gladys saw hundreds of ships in the harbour. She wondered what was going on and later learned that they were preparing for the D Day landings.

After the invasion she also saw a train full of wounded men coming back from the South Coast. “The men were ever so thin and pale but at least they were home; so many were lost,” she said.

When the war ended, her husband returned to the police force until retiring as a Detective Chief

PS PAINTING & DECORATING

PRIMARY COLOURS Painting & Decorating Services

Call Phil on 724541 Mobile: 07790 102280

Tel: 01793 828547 Mobile: 07736 847597

ANYTHING TRANSFERRED ONTO DVD DISC Specialist in Cine Film Transfer, Camcorder Tapes, VHS Tapes, Camcorder Discs We collect and deliver over a wide area

T: 01793 705333 / M: 07831 575758 PO Box 2079, Manvers St, Bath BA1 3TJ

21-52 May Extreme.indd 43

TILING

Also general maintenance

• Internal & external work • Competitive rates • Professional and reliable

No job too small • Free estimates

L. J. TILING

Professional, experienced tiler.

Specialist in all aspects of the trade.

• walls and floors • kitchens • bathrooms • conservatories Call Leon for a free, no obligation quote on:

01793 524147 or 07919 255673

MOBILE CAR SERVICING & REPAIRS ★ Electronic tuning ★ Welding ★ Electrical work ★ MoTs arranged (no re-test fee)

For a reliable local service with over 25 years experience (No VAT to pay)

CALL GRAHAM ON (01793) 873045 or 07867 556350

SWINDON CYCLES

Superstore

With 250 bikes on show THE price is right THE parking is free

The choice rs is you Parts, repairs, accessories, back up stock Open: Mon to Sat 9am to 5.30pm Closed Sundays

Tel: (01793) 700105

60a Beechcroft Road Between Stratton Crossroads & Kingsdown

18/4/08 11:04:46

44

Doctor Glass

repairs & replaces cracked, broken or misted double glazed windows Also hinges and locks

Call: 01793 633336 or 01793 854448 Emergency call outs: 07976 219671

Local, reliable & competitive prices

HOME: 01793 615321 MOBILE: 07775 842241

Building Services

Plastering

General property maintenance

Fully qualified with over 25 years experience

Outside Ground works, patios, paving, brickwork, fencing, decking, landscape gardening

Two coat plaster/re-skimming Dry lining/coving Timber/metal stud partitioning External finishes Floor screeding Small building works No job too small

Inside Carpentry, plumbing, kitchens & bathrooms, tiling & flooring No job too small • Free estimates

Home: 01793 709811 Mobile: 07778 665115

PHONE 4 PHIL Quality Bathroom Installations Showers & General Plumbing Leaking Radiators & Burst Pipes, Etc.

Milestone

KTL

Dean Scanlon 01793 422032 • 07789 681536

GB

• • • • • • • •

Also tiling, coving, dado rails.

All work approved & guaranteed

Tel: 01793 524 200 gbplumbing@hotmail.co.uk

D & M Enterprises For all your property & garden maintenance

01793 700 820 www.assured-plumbing.co.uk

21-52 May Extreme.indd 44

we are ... ‘the men to do it ..’

■ All types of fencing, decking, pagodas ■ Painting & decorating ■ Laminate flooring ■ Ceramic & floor tiles ■ Kitchen fitting ■ Secondary fit carpentry ■ Plaster boarding, plastering & rendering ■ Plumbing, bathroom suites

Give us a try. For a free no obligation quote, call Jeff on 07747 606344 or Vito on 07812 180535

24 hour ansaphone 01793 700796

Wallpaper specialist For free quotation call Trevor on 07976 885203 or 01793 723023 ‘my experience your pleasure’

Mobile: 07810 823 966

Also general plumbing, tiling & plastering

For all your plumbing, heating & gas requirements call Assured on

Call Pete

Tel: 01793 542654 Mob: 07790 283186

Painter & Decorator

Domestic Plumbing Leaks & Burst Pipes Tap Washers & Ball Valves Immersions & Hot Water Cylinders Radiators Replaced Taps, Sinks & Toilets Full Bathroom Installations Wall & Floor Tiling

No job too small Mobile: 07985 195893 Tel: 01793 320447

24 years experience

Including Patios & Fencing Skirting & Coving Wall & Floor Tiling Painting & Decorating

Plumbing Services

COUNTYWIDE HEATING & PLUMBING SERVICES

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

Installation & Servicing NG & LPG ✓ Boiler & System Upgrades ✓ Breakdown & Maintenance ✓ Bathrooms, Showers & Wet Rooms ✓ Power Flushing / Descaling ✓ DIY Assisted Projects ✓

General Building Services

Trevor Wyse

J’s Electrical

A local reliable & friendly service

PB Plastering & Bricklaying

❖ Gas and LPG ❖ Boiler servicing & breakdowns ❖ Boiler exchange ❖ Full system installation ❖ Landlord safety checks ❖ Power flush ❖ Plumbing ❖ Emergency call outs

Reliable friendly service

Bathrooms

& Kitchens

Complete installations to dripping taps

Ideas to reality

♦ Plumbing inc. pumped showers, towel warmers ♦ Electrics ♦ Wall & floor tiling ♦ Carpentry ♦ Laminate & wood flooring ♦ Appliance installation ♦ Also other home improvements No job too small

Competitive rates Tel. 01793 887419 Mob. 07912 882090 countywideheating@yahoo.co.uk

Call Mark Ashdown for a free quote Tel: 01793 887766 Mobile: 07979 267757

G.P. Building Specialist Ltd Established for 22 years Specialist in loft and garage conversions & building extensions All types of maintenance and general building work Telephone: 01793 435876 Mobile: 0782 444 2143

0777 574 8682

17/4/08 17:44:22

45

HOME HANDYMAN

PREMIER BUILDERS (SWINDON LTD) est. 1989

for all those little jobs around the home

Brickwork & Roofing Specialists

Leaking taps • Washing machine/ dishwasher waste pipes • Tiling Laminate floors • Electrical fittings Locks • Door hanging • Skirtings Architraves • Shelving • Curtain rails Flat pack furniture assembly & repair Wired and wireless network installation Computer repair, set up and installation And much much more All work guaranteed and insured Free, no obligation quotes & estimates

Walling • Extensions • Alterations Houses • Replacement Windows Plans drawn • Full design & build service • Insurance & Grant work Professional workmanship at competitive rates Please call us for a prompt free quotation. ‘No job too small’

Tel: 01793 704653 Mobile: 078899 21570

01793 876798

Lydiard Home Services www.lydiard.biz

Unit 14a, Turnpike, Blunsdon

HOUSEHOLD MAINTENANCE • Kitchen/bathroom upgrades • Painting and decorating • Electrical fittings replaced • Laminate flooring • Door hanging • Locks • Tiling • Leaking taps • Flat pack furniture • Fencing • Garden maintenance • No job too small & much more John Woodham

Phone: 01793 870040 Mob: 07765 002949

Extensions Garage & loft conversions Alterations / renovations Kitchens/bathrooms Conservatories Garden walls/porches Block paving/patios No job too big or small!

Over 15 years experience.

Call Neil Tanner for a free & fair no-obligation quote on 07967 155502 mail: info@benchmark-construction.co.uk

www.benchmark-construction.co.uk

Want your wall or floor tiles fitted?

Then call

TILEfix for a free quotation to get them fixed and grouted with the minimum of fuss Tel: 01793 495364 Mob: 07767 242124 Email: tilefix4u@aol.com

Building/Groundworks & Hard Lanscaping Extensions, Garage & Loft Conversions Driveways & Patios All building work undertaken All work guaranteed, FREE quote and advice

Mob: 07956 301957 Tel: 01793 348597

MJAC SERVICES HEATING & PLUMBING

REPLACEMENT uPVC • Fascia Soffits Guttering Cladding • All work carried out on tower scaffolding • Bargeboards • All sizes of properties

All heating and plumbing jobs and emergency breakdown cover

01793 422973

Email: mark.cryer@ntlworld.com

21-52 May Extreme.indd 45

From dripping taps to complete bathroom installations 24/365 emergency service

No call out charge No job too small • Fully insured Call Chris Bray on 01793 702171 Mob: 07951 219908 e: aps-enquiries@hotmail.co.uk

TILEmart

EXTENDING YOUR PROPERTY?

s

• PROFESSIONAL AUTOCAD PLANS & ELEVATIONS OF PROPOSED EXTENSION

Tiling and Wood Flooring Specialists

• SUBMISSION OF PLANNING PERMISSION APPLICATIONS

Ceramic Porcelain Marble Terracotta Underfloor Heating

• PLANS AND SPECIFICATIONS FOR EXTENSIONS UNDERTAKEN • 10 YEARS EXPERIENCE, COMPETITIVE RATES GURANTEED.

PHONE 07812 126489

Bathrooms Kitchens Conservatories

FOR YOUR FREE ESTIMATE NOW

For quality and experience that really counts call Martin or Paul on

Telephone 01793 432130 Mobile: 07594 284516

ELECTRICAL

Professional electrical services for domestic and small business. From a single socket to a complete rewire.

AIR CONDITIONING

Supply and install systems to suit your specific needs, we use top quality products for efficiency and first class reliability.

HEATING

Kalirel central heating system without pipes ... a stylish, cost-effective centrally controlled electric radiator in every room.

ROOFING

Mark Cryer Gas & Heating Engineer

Tel: 01793 701814 Mob: 07788 514607

PLUMBING & HEATING SERVICES

07834 708627

• 10 year warranty • Over 10 years experience www. detailfascias.co.uk

All aspects of roofing undertaken by quality craftsmen - tiling and slating - fascias and guttering - chimney repairs - lead work new builds - extensions and repairs

SECURITY AND NETWORKING

Home and small business security, CCTV, video door entry, automatic gate opening.

Structured cabling design and installation, voice and data convergence systems, network maintenance and support

Tel: 01793 554935 sales@brunelservices.co.uk

www.brunelservices.co.uk

17/4/08 17:44:39

46

BATHROOMS

RS

BATHROOMS

BATHROOMS

MERLIN

Paul Rhind

Complete bathroom installations

UPVC windows & doors

BATHROOMS & KITCHENS

FROM DESIGN TO INSTALLATION

Wall & Floor Tiling For a free estimate Call Sean on 703550 Mobile: 07749 862361 www.rsbathrooms.com

❉ Quality bathroom suites fitted - tiling, electrics, flooring all taken care of ❉ All types of plumbing undertaken - leaking taps, pumps, tanks, burst pipes, machines installed

BATHROOMS

Supply & fit or fit only Established 21 years Fully insured

Free estimates

01793 876600 07748 964433

Call Peter on 878732 or 07774 432346

Approved Plumber

DECORATOR

DECORATOR

A CHANGE OF COLOUR

FREE ESTIMATES

Interior & Exterior Painting & Decorating

Telephone: (01793) 497461 Mobile: 07919 671307

HANDYMAN JOBS NEED DOING AROUND THE HOUSE?

Most jobs undertaken No job too small Friendly, reliable and honest service provided Insured and guaranteed work Free estimates Please call Paul to arrange an estimate or 01793 335269 for any 07917 824187 enquiries

PLASTERING

CHRIS ANGELL PLASTERING PLASTERING All aspects of plastering, rendering and dry lining undertaken Clean, tidy & reliable

Tel: 01793 528243 07709 815316

May 08 Repair & Improv.indd 46

ain te

REDUCTIONS FOR OAPs

• High quality experinced workmanship • All work undertaken • A friendly reliable service with references available • Full Public Liability Insurance cover

r&

INTERIOR & EXTERIOR

Call 01793 334823 or 07788 572043

EP

ID PR

PAINTING AND DECORATING

De cor ato r

DECORATOR Independent decorator specialising in all aspects of interior and exterior decorating ✓ Domestic and small commercial ✓ Insurance work undertaken ✓ Full Public Liability insurance ✓ Free no obligation quotation ✓ References available Age Concern registered decorator

HEATING & PLUMBING

For free estimate call Paul Comer on 01793 321981 or 07775 840236

HEATING & PLUMBING Quality Plumbing & Heating

RJ PEARCE PLUMBING & HEATING LTD 20 years experience in plumbing work

For further details call Richard on 01793 879156 or 07747 723606

• Central heating installation • • • • •

• Central heating • Bathrooms & showers • Competitive rates • All work guaranteed • No job too small

Boiler servicing & repairs Replacement boilers Outside taps Power showers Bathrooms & tiling Reg: 128966

All plumbing work undertaken Reliable service, realistic prices

Reg: 203455

PLASTERING

Kevin Rolfe Tel: 01793 881905 Mobile: 07973 663367

PLUMBING

Tel: 01793 849010 Mobile: 07976 572905

Bathroom suites and kitchens fitted

Conservatories, fascias and guttering Roofing & building maintenance Painting, decorating, ceramic tiling Telephone/fax: 01793 874807

DECORATOR & CARPENTRY • Interior/exterior painting and decorating • Wallpaper • Tiling • Coving • Laminate flooring • Doors & skirting replacement • Kitchen • Bathroom internal alterations No job too small • Rooms left tidy daily Free no obligation 24 hour quotations

Call Andy: 01793 729354

or 07900 835116

HEATING & PLUMBING Plumbing & Heating Services 30 years plumbing & heating experience British Gas trained

Central heating installations All Plumbing work undertaken Servicing & repairs Bathroom Installations All at competitive rates

Alec McKay Tel: 01793 878353 Mobile: 07963 953439

E-mail: alecmckay@aol.com

PLUMBING Select Plumbing Services

Brian Jones Plastering Services ✭ External rendering ✭ Plastering two coat ✭ Re-skimming ✭ Dry lining ✭ Coving ✭ New or repairs

BUILDING SERVICES

Repairs, maintenance or new installation at a competitive price

From an annoying drip to a full bathroom re-fit No call out charge Free quotations Professional & friendly service

07747 752190 01793 529192

• Everything from a new tap washer, to a complete bathroom suite.

• No job is too small.

• No callout charge.

• Free estimates.

For a professional, reliable service, contact us now Tel: 01793 875888 Mobile: 07951761764 www.selectplumbingservices.co.uk

18/4/08 11:10:00

47

BUILDING SERVICES

CARPENTRY

Galaxy Construction Ltd     

Extensions Garden walls & patios Block paved driveways Plastering & coving

For a free quote call Leighton on 01793 813438 or 07917 208094

Free no obligation quotes

Kevin Cook Tel: 814833 or 07776 142981

ELECTRICIAN Arc Electrical Services Ltd

Windows, Doors, Conservatories

Supplied. Installed. Repaired Free estimates, free advice No Salesmen Your local choice

01793 611398 07968 757860

HOME MAINTENANCE

01793 872054 0770 480 1959

arcelectrics@aol.com • Installations and modifications, interior or exterior • Full compliance to all regulations • P.A.T. undertaken • All work fully guaranteed • Free quotations • 24hr call out • Fast, top quality service

Call Glen on: 01793 487450 07774 841879

PLUMBING

SAFE & SHAW

ELECTRICAL SERVICES ✓ EXTRA SOCKETS / LIGHTS ✓ SECURITY LIGHTING/FIRE ALARMS ✓ GARDEN LIGHTING & OUTDOOR SOCKETS ✓ SHOWERS/COOKERS INSTALLED ✓ FUSE BOARD REPLACEMENT ✓ COMPLETE RE-WIRING FREE QUOTATIONS, NO OBLIGATION

Please call 07769 883717

Steve George

for Kitchens & Bathrooms Tel: 874480 Mobile: 07860 760364

ALL KITCHENS FITTED

(Howdens, Jewsons etc.)

• Free survey • Building work • Plastering • Tiling & worktops • Electrics & plumbing • Wooden flooring • All types of worktops fitted incl granite

COMPLETE BATHROOMS FITTED Building work, plastering, tiling, electrics, plumbing, furniture APPROVED

30 years experienced tradesman

ROOFING ● Felt roofing ● Asphalt roofing ● Sheet roofing ● Tiling ● Slating ● Single Ply ● Fascia ● Guttering ❇❇❇

Call Neil on 01793 700436 07725 028776

May 08 Repair & Improv.indd 47

ELECTRICIAN

KITCHEN & BATHROOM SERVICES

G R SERVICES Painting and decorating Carpentry services Private garden & commercial grounds maintenance Turfing, fencing, patios Wall tiling Fascias & guttering Roof repairs Friendly, reliable & competitive

J&R Carpentry Services

❍ Fitted bedrooms and kitchens ❍ Replacement doors & staircases ❍ Laminate floors ❍ Household repairs and general maintenance ❍ Decking - supplied and fitted

Garage conversions

DOUBLE GLAZING

CARPENTRY

TILING

TileSure CERAMIC TILING

Walls & floors Bathrooms, kitchens & conservatories Under floor heating fitted Complete bathroom fitting Fitted by tradesman QUALITY FINISH Call Maurice on 01793 349704 or 07904 142692

CARPENTRY

J S Property Services Home & Garden Improvements General carpentry Fitted kitchens / bedrooms Laminate and solid flooring Replacement doors Skirtings / architraves Decking and patios General building maintenance

Free estimates Jamie Scanlon 704309 or 0777 594 8833 www.jspropertyservices.co.uk

FLOORING

P.J.J. FLOORING SERVICES All aspects of flooring: wood to carpet MASTERFITTER

N I CF National Institute of Carpet & Floorlayers

Wood & ceramics • Supply or fit only Commercial/domestic • Safety flooring All work guaranteed 17 years experience Call now for a free, at home consultation

01793 493119 07970 865883

MAINTENANCE

RETIRED TRADES ASSOCIATES Retired and semi-retired tradesmen available for all household tasks Electrical • Plumbing Carpentry • Decorating Plastering • Patios • Extensions

Call Andrew on 07718 022201

• Reliable • Trustworthy • • Affordable •

TILING

GILES BROS CERAMIC TILING FLOOR & WALL SPECIALISTS Free Quotes Call Lee on 0771 8102 921 Call Mike on 0778 8444 084 or 01793 520526

17/4/08 18:33:25

48

Accountancy

Chartered Certified Accountants

Small Business Specialists Tel: 01793 610008 email: enquiries@dykebrading.co.uk

www.dykebrading.co.uk

CARPET Cleaning The Carpet & Upholstery Cleaning Specialist

• Carpets, rugs, curtains, suites etc • Emergency call out available • Hard floors cleaned and sealed • Stain removal • Protection treatment • Fully insured • Quickly usable

You’ll be amazed how affordable it is ....call for your free estimate from your local independent on 01793 731418 or mobile: 07808 355487 Email: cliff.whiteway@btinternet.com

Computer support Com Master’s PC Repairs

AERIAL SERVICES

AErial services MagicSat Ltd

Chris Payne

Aerials & Satellite Systems ✭ ✭ ✭ ✭

European Satellite Specialists

From fixed dish to fully motorised systems • Plasma TVs, European satellite cards, accessories • Wide range of digital aerials • Audio installs

Freeview & Sky installations TV & radio aerials Home cinema Extra TV & telephone points

Tel: 01793 706921 Mob: 07765 224637

No call out charge

Friendly & reliable local service On call until 8pm 7 days Get set for digital

Tel: 01793 700078 Mobile: 07904 330724

ESTA FREEVIEW SKY DIGITAL

chiropractor

• • • • •

NECK PAIN BACK PAIN HEADACHES SPORTS INJURY CAR ACCIDENT

Free 20 minute consultation to assess if Chiropractic will benefit you.

Please call

01793 602454

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

54 Basepoint Centre, Westlea, Swindon

Clare Duncan-Hawes BSc (Hons) MSc DC

Member of the British Chiropractic Association & College of Chiropractors. Registered with GCC

www.cjduncan-hawes.co.uk

just Pull up, press a button and drive in

The Automatic Choice

A wide range of garage doors to suit your requirements

email: swindondoorservice@btinternet.co.uk

See our displays at

Maxwell House, Maxwell Street, Swindon or for information on installation and repairs

01793 513796

www.garagedoorsupplies.co.uk

10% discount with this advert

removals

White Van Man

Service Sector May 08indd.indd 48

Competitive prices

Tel: 431111

email: travel@airportsconnect.com www.airportsconnect.com

Single items moved anywhere in Swindon for £20

Great prices on house removals

Disposal of unwanted items Garden rubbish removed Fully insured Call for a free quote

Tel: 01793 706821 Mobile: 07796 236436

Regular cleans, Spring cleans, Moving in or out cleans Trained and insured staff Equipment and supplies provided Quality Service Guarantee

Call us now for free, no obligation quotation Tel: 01793 511885

Ironing

GARAGE doorS

Tel: 01793 422534 or Mobile: 0792 005 6077

We use caustic free cleaning products with a fresh solution each time.

Hobs, extractors, microwaves and barbecue grills also undertaken

Reliable travel for business people and holiday makers

Affordable & reliable cleaning programmes, tailored to meet your needs and budget

FREE SPINAL HEALTH CHECK

The Garage Door Centre

To book your Oven Clean call 01793 520362

Specialist airport transfer services by car, MPV or 8 seater minibus

Homes That Sparkle From People Who Shine

✻ Free home & business visits ✻ Jargon free advice & support ✻ Upgrades/repairs ✻ All parts & labour guaranteed ✻ Flexible hours, inc. eve/weekends

The Domestic Oven Cleaning Service

airports Connect Ltd

CLEANING

Why go anywhere else?

When we’ll come to you.....

Oven cleaning

AIRPORT TRAVEL

tv & video repairs Gogglebox TV & Video repair service ✭ ✭ ✭ ✭

Free home estimates No call out charge TV & video tuning All repairs guaranteed

Tel: 01793 - 812738

Trudy’s Ironing Service Fed up with ironing??

Let me do it for you Dry cleaning service Same day ‘Express’ service available Can collect & return within 24 hours from home or work Smoke and pet free environment On a regular basis or a one-off job Established 2002 - now in your area

Contact Trudy on

07875 011 775

VHS to DVD Transfer VHS to DVD plus all Tapes & Slides • 8mm & 16mm Cinefilm • Frame-by-Frame, Broadcast standard • All Camcorder formats DV, Hi8 etc.

• Transfer your family’s heritage onto DVD • Photos & Slides onto CD or DVD • Obsolete formats, i.e. Betamax, Video2000, Laserdisc etc.

• Discounts for large collections

SAVE THOSE MEMORIES Call 01793 495733 or 07940 810733 www.savethosememories.co .uk DON’T DELAY SAVE THOSE MEMORIES TODAY

17/4/08 18:12:10

49

APPLIANCE REPAIRS

APPLIANCE REPAIRS

GUARANTEED REPAIRS...

Guaranteed repairs to all makes of domestic appliances Same day/next day service

Tel: 01793 469300

CLEANING

Same day, local service wherever possible Washing Machines Twin Tubs, etc.

Tumble Driers I.S.E. Food Waste Disposal Units Service Spares Repairs

WASHCAR E

01793 - 643785

CLEARANCE

A CLEAN START

• Regular weekly cleans • Fortnightly cleans • One-off Spring cleans Call Christine on (01793) 701413 Mob: 07951 184424

OVEN CLEANING

AIRPORT SERVICE From Swindon to...

Gatwick - Heathrow Bristol - Birmingham Stansted

A keen pool player at Toothill Junior Youth Club scored a notable victory in the Youth Action Wiltshire County Pool final which took him through to the regional final at the end of April.

D a v i d Wo o d , 11, is a regular on the tables at Link and Oasis Leisure Centre and hopes to be able to show off his talents at the England Clubs for Young People national final which takes place on 8 June.

Coun Nick Martin with David and five boys from the club who entered the pool competition, and Tiffany Gibbons who won a medal for her footballing skills

Discovering different cultures

Peatmoor Guides had an evening learning about Japanese culture in late March when a group of ladies from the Honda Japanese Ladies’ Circle showed them origami skills, served traditional sweets and demonstrated the tea ceremony.

The evening was organised by Bradon Forest pupil Rachel Greenhill, 14, as one of the requirements for her Badon Powell Challenge award.

For family holidays, business trips and all occasions, we cater for 1 to 8 passengers Call for a competitive quote now!

Tel: 01793 703899

WINDOW CLEANING

Cinders will be belle of the ball

Carol Anne Rapson writes: Thanks for the great article you wrote in the April Link for the Cinderella panto being organised by Kim and Emma. It was just perfect and as a result, with additional promotion in Nova Hreod, the girls had an overwhelming response. Over 50 people auditioned for parts and two volunteers came forward to offer help in putting on the production in the summer.

• New College students Kim Curtis and Emma Burkitt, have rewritten the traditional panto with a modern twist. Rehearsals will get underway in May with performances planned for late June. To offer backstage help call Carol Anne on the number above.

Pool shark progresses to regional final

Domestic Cleaning Services

MINI BUS HIRE

Guidance and gigs for young musicans

Upcoming bands can take their first steps to stardom by heading for the Underground youth centre in North Swindon.

The centre hosts regular band nights, open to any group that would like to play a gig. No auditions are necessary, just enthusiasm to perform.

But in a separate initiative, Swindon Youth Service is finalising plans for tuition nights led by experienced musicians. In the long term, it is hoped that regulars at the Underground will form their own band.

To book a gig or to find out more about band tuition call Carole Anne Rapson on 07766 368388.

WINDOW CLEANING FED UP WITH DIRTY WINDOWS?

FOR A REGULAR & RELIABLE WINDOW CLEANING SERVICE CALL ALAN ON

0800 0304595

www.aandlcleaningservices.co.uk

Service Sector May 08indd.indd 49

17/4/08 18:26:00

50

swindonlink.com • May 2008

We believe that Jesus Christ is able to forgive our past, give meaning to the present and hope for the future

Sunday services are at 10am & 6.30pm

For further information you can either ring (01793) 873050; e-mail: office@freshbrook.org or visit: www.freshbook.org

“the gift of God is Eternal Life” (Romans 6 v23)

Return to Belarus The Link has covered the work of Chenobyl Children’s Lifeline, which is dedicated to bringing children out of the high radiation zones for respite care in England, since Easter 2006. Here Swindon CCLL branch chairwoman Gin McGiffin from Oakhurst outlines her third visit in February, taking her daughter Kaysha, 14, to meet many of the children that Swindon families have hosted over the last two years.

The first time I went to Belarus in 2006, seemingly at every turn, the contrast to our way of life was quite overwhelming. This time visiting Ozarichi, the village which we are linked to, knowing what to expect and with a lot more understanding, it was possible to absorb more detail and the people we met were more relaxed and open with us.

There is always plenty to do: getting updates on sponsored

Join us in worship on Sunday mornings

Westlea Church, Westlea School: 10am St Mary’s, Lydiard Tregoze - the church in the park: 10am All Saints’, Lydiard Millicent - the church in the village: 10.30am Holy Trinity, Shaw: 10.30am Toothill Church: 10.45am For details of these and our other services call the Partnership Office on 874221 Email: partnershipoffice@btopenworld.com www.wswinlyd.org.uk Anglican • Baptist • Methodist • United Reformed Church

On Thames Avenue next door to Morrisons Contact: Revd Raymond Adams Tel: 634258

St. John’s Haydon Wick Sunday Services 9am 11am

Traditional communion service Eventful, contemporary worship with children’s groups meeting

www.stjohnshaydonwick.org.uk

children, meeting new children proposed for sponsorship, family visits, distribution of aid, time spent with social workers and teachers in the village school.

Words cannot describe how it feels to meet a mother who cries with gratitude to us for the sponsorship which means everything to her family.

Kristina and Sasha and their grandmother Some of the photographs Kristina returned to the cancer we bring back graphically illustrate the conditions some families are hospital in Minsk for further tests in April, and sadly we have heard enduring.

One of my most profound memo- that Sasha has contracted TB. Everything we do in CCLL is ries from this trip is of a woman who had returned from Ukraine focussed on benefiting the chilwhere she was unable to find work. dren, directly or indirectly. I was Prematurely aged, thin and with particularly pleased to visit the desperation etched in her features, kindergarten and special needs she stood trembling with her little school and hospital again. Apart girl waiting to meet us. When I from discussions about the projpromised to find sponsorship for ects the heads of these institutions her child, the tears of relief and the invariably have a ‘list’ of essentials glimmer of hope that sprang into they are desperately in need of. It her eyes were unbearably heart was immensely sad and humbling that these dedicated professional rending to witness.

I want to remind everyone who people are reduced to the embarsponsors a child just how much rassment of having to ask for help their generosity is appreciated, in this way.

All too soon we said goodbye to and needed - it is quite literally Ozarichi. It’s impossible to pick any life-saving.

Many people will remem- moment from such a trip, they just ber Kristina Yezhenkova who came stack up. It’s wonderful when the to Swindon in 2006 and received a end of lesson bell sounds in school lot of publicity when we sought to be mobbed by ‘our children;’ treatment for cancer detected on or just being on hand to help out her visit. She lives in very poor individuals where possible.

If you would like to sponsor a conditions and we delivered a large food parcel funded by her sponsor child for just £10 a month or feel family Toby and Amanda Richards you may be able to provide a loving from Abbey Meads. I knew this home environment for two children would see them through the rest for one month please call me on of the harsh winter. Her mother is 07753 662891 or mail: ginmcgiffin@ still drink dependent and Kristina aol.com http://swindon.ccll.org.uk is cared for by her grandmother and her 14 year old sister Sasha, who •See more of Gin’s pictures at: www. swindonlink.com has also been to Swindon.

Sunday Worship 10.30am Sunday School and Creche Meeting at Abbey Meads Community School

21-52 May Extreme.indd 50

18/4/08 11:05:51

Oakley Park

Off Dorcan way, Swindon SN3 5BL georgewimpey.co.uk/easystart

It’s simple.

You can own 100% of your home for 75% of the price now!*

100% YOURS

FOR 75% OF THE PRICE NOW!

• You pay no interest or rent on the other 25% • You have up to 10 years to repay the outstanding 25% at market value • Your home is 100% yours from day one

georgewimpey.co.uk/easystart 0845 026 4157 Sales information centre open seven days a week 10am – 5pm

Don’t miss your opportunity to own one of only 5 new homes available to move into with our superb easystart scheme.

Prices correct at time of going to press. *Taylor Wimpey will provide a loan for the remaining 25% of the purchase price for up to 10 years, secured by a second charge over the property. The repayment sum will reflect 25% of the market value of the property at the time the property is sold or re-mortgaged. No interest is payable unless there is a default. Terms and conditions apply and full details will be provided on request. This offer is subject to status and only available on selected developments and properties. It is not offered with any other promotion. Applicants will need to use a mortgage Broker and Solicitor from Taylor Wimpey’s panel, who will act solely for the applicant.

Photography is indicative of typical homes by George Wimpey. YOUR HOME MAY BE REPOSSESSED IF YOU DO NOT KEEP UP REPAYMENTS ON A MORTGAGE OR ANY OTHER DEBT SECURED ON IT.

Link Mag May 08

14/4/08

11:58

Page 1

Fresh Air, Fun and Fitness

ATHLETICS Outdoor track at: County Ground Lifestyle Centre

GOLF

BASKETBALL Outdoor court at: Dorcan Recreation Complex

FOOTBALL Grass pitches at: County Ground Lifestyle Centre Croft Sports Centre Synthetic pitches at: Dorcan Recreation Complex Oasis Leisure Centre Link Centre

Broome Manor Golf & Gym Complex 9/18 hole courses Driving range and putting greens Coate Water 18 hole pitch and putt Highworth Golf Course 9 hole course Moredon Par 3 9 hole course

NETBALL Outdoor courts at: Croft Sports Centre Dorcan Recreation Complex

TENNIS Outdoor courts at: Delta Tennis Centre Dorcan Recreation Complex St Marks Recreation Ground Town Gardens

All of these facilities are brought to you by Swindon Borough Council Indoor facilities also available - go to www.swindon.gov.uk/leisuresport

01793 495761

01793 511033

01793 526622

01793 445555

01793 706666

01793 445566

01793 445401

01793 762602

01793 533763