North West Swindon Link March 2025 by swindonlink6

Editor's Note

By Jamie Hill

Brrrh. It's been a tiny bit miserable and cold these past few weeks.

But, hopefully, as we enter March that little known and quite rare thing that we call the sun might finally poke his or her head out from between the clouds.

It'll probably be a blink and you miss it type of thing but that first sighting of the sun will be the first sign that spring is here.

In America they have Groundhog Day to mark the end of Winter but in England we have the entire country playing a 'spot the glowing ball' competition to mark Spring's advent.

Talking about blue skies (something that is rarer even than the sun), you can join us on our new Bluesky account at @ swindonlink.bsky.social

As always, though, we implore you also to try out our sister publication The Ink, our subscription-based news service, where analytical and longform news gets sent directly to your inbox and costs £5.99 a month.

Swindonians have really taken to The Ink as it gets under the skin of the town's issues.

If you haven't already, sign up below.

North Swindon MP bids to change law in wake of death of Swindon teenager Harry Parker

By Barrie Hudson barrie@swindonlink.com

North Swindon MP Will Stone has presented the First Reading of the Harry Parker Bill.

Its official title is the Road Traffic (Unlicensed Drivers) Bill, but Mr Stone says he and Harry’s family will always know it as the Harry Parker Bill.

Harry Parker was 14 when he died after being struck by a car on Akers Way, outside Nova Hreod Academy, in November of 2022.

Widespread outrage greeted the subsequent announcement by the Crown Prosecution Service that it would not pursue a case for causing death by dangerous driving against the driver of the car, Ivy Mwangi, because of what it described as a lack of evidence.

In addition, charges of causing death by driving without a licence and causing death by driving uninsured were dropped.

Mr Stone said of the tragedy:

"This event truly rocked the Swindon community, a young boy of 14 with his whole life ahead of him, taken far too soon.

"What makes the situation worse is that not only did the driver not possess a valid driver’s licence or insurance, she failed to stop at the scene. It is my firm belief that no one

should get behind the wheel of a car and drive if they are unlicenced to do so.

"After speaking with Harry’s parents Adam and Kelly in November 2024, we agreed that if the law let them down, it would be up to us to change it and ensure no other family would have to go through what they had been through.

"I consulted with the fantastic team of clerks in Parliament alongside my Parliamentary Assistant, who I’ll pay a special thanks to for her support in this process.

"The clerks agreed with me that bringing a Ten-Minute Rule Bill to Parliament would be the best way to bring

about the change that the family deserve.

"The Ten-Minute Rule Road Traffic (Unlicensed Drivers) Bill seeks to ensure that any unlicensed driver who has never held a valid driving license and causes a fatality is automatically deemed to have been driving carelessly under Section 3 of the Road Traffic Act 1988.

"I was pleased that on the 4th of February 2025, the first vote of the Harry Parker Bill or Road Traffic (Unlicensed Drivers) Bill passed by a unanimous vote in the Commons."

The Second Reading of the Bill will be on 13 June.

North Swindon MP Will Stone, right, with Adam and Kelly Parker, parents of Harry

News from SBC

Fleming Way starts to look blooming lovely

Swindon Link readers who have walked from the bus or railway station into the town centre recently may have seen contractors busily planting thousands of shrubs in what will become a new green corridor, replacing the former metal fence that used to be in the central reservation of Fleming Way. In total, 175 semi-mature trees and 23,000 shrubs will be planted along Fleming Way to

transform the road and replace the unwelcoming underpass, creating a brand-new gateway into the area.

Council Leader, Councillor Jim Robbins, recently picked up his spade to support the ongoing planting. Cllr Robbins planted a cherry blossom tree called ‘Sunset Boulevard’ at the eastern end of the revamped road, which will reopen later this year.

New funding for additional SEND places

New school places for children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) are set to be created in a range of educational settings in Swindon.

Swindon Borough Council has been granted more than £3.4m in funding by the Department of Education to increase capacity in new places. The funding is designed to improve existing education facilities for children and young people with SEND.

In February, Cabinet members signed off plans to use the funding to expand existing specialist provision and create new Complex Needs Units for both primary and secondary schools.

The plans will create up to 158 more new places for children and young people with SEND needs in the borough. To achieve this, accommodation at a number of school sites will be expanded and repurposed.

The funding is in addition to the £22.4m the council is already spending on extra SEND provision in Swindon. As part of the funding, £100,000 will be spent supporting schools to provide accessible changing spaces to support the increase in the number of young people with a physical impairment attending mainstream settings.

Cllr Adorabelle Amaral-Shaikh, Swindon Borough Council’s Cabinet Member for Education, said: “This additional Government funding will make a positive difference to children and young people in Swindon.

campus for teenagers with SEND needs this academic year.

“Topping up the £22m that the council is already investing into SEND education, this funding will help us create new places and improve local facilities. This will support our work which has already seen us open more than 60 new places including a

“We know how important it is that we have specialist provision across our local schools, and this funding will help the council’s existing work to build a fairer Swindon by improving access to education for children and young people with SEND needs.”

Swindon is working to become a more welcoming place for people seeking refuge

Refugees, asylum seekers, businesses and the council are working together to agree how to make Swindon a more welcoming place for people seeking refuge.

Swindon Borough Council is working with representatives from the local community to develop improvements in the way the town welcomes people seeking sanctuary. As part of its mission to build a fairer Swindon, the council has committed to becoming a more open and inclusive town, where people can learn from, and share the voices and needs of those looking for refuge. Recently, local businesses

such as, Swindon Community Computing, Create Studios, The Harbour Project, Swindon 105.5 and local refugees met to discuss how Swindon can become an officiallyaccredited Borough of Sanctuary.

The Borough of Sanctuary is made up of councils and community groups offering support to those who have moved to the UK seeking sanctuary from their unsafe homes.

At the recent event, the council’s Warm Welcome team shared the experiences of refugees. When coming to Swindon, many experienced

issues with language barriers, leaving their loved ones behind, finding a new job, a

place to live and their place in the community.

(l to r) Fleming Way project leader Liam Hill-Davis helps Council Leader Jim Robbins with some planting

Orik opens the Links Campus, run by Churchward School, a new setting created for the current academic year through additional investment into places for children and young people with SEND in Swindon.

Swindon budget plans include 4.99 percent Council Tax rise and pledge on services

By Barrie Hudson barrie@swindonlink.com

The councillor responsible for Swindon Borough Council’s finances has set out his thoughts about the 2025-6 council budget.

Cllr Kevin Small, Cabinet Member for Finance, says he is confident the organisation can help drive local economic growth and deliver essential services to residents, while taking the action necessary to weather the current financial storm facing many local authorities.

He told senior councillors at a Cabinet meeting on 12 February that the council will spend more than £188m on services for residents during the next financial year, as well as continuing to progress the Swindon Plan’s missions to build a fairer, better and greener Swindon.

The budget proposals include a 4.99 per cent rise in Council Tax (2.99 per cent in core council tax with an additional two per cent increase ringfenced for adult social care).

This would see the average council tax bill increase by £1.63 per week, excluding precepts from other bodies

(Police, Fire & Parish Councils).

Councillors will also be told that the latest forecast shows a £5.8m overspend for this year’s budget, largely caused by the cost of meeting high demand for social care. Recruitment and other spending controls remain in place to minimise the use of reserves to cover the shortfall.

The budget proposes increasing capacity in council departments, including the planning function, to help facilitate economic growth and attract new investment into Swindon.

As part of the Build A Better Swindon mission, the council is inviting investors to an event at the House of Lords in March, to hear how they can be part of efforts to reinvent the town centre, including plans to build up to 5,000 new homes.

New plans were also outlined through the capital programme to use £3.4m of Government funding to help create 158 more new places for children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) in Swindon. This would add to the £22.4m already being spent on extra SEND provision.

Also through the capital programme, at no cost to council taxpayers or the

services provided by their money, the council is looking to invest £250m over the next five years to raise the standard of council housing for families across Swindon.

With the budget for social care services for children and adults forecast to be at an alltime high next year, the council is proposing to make £14.4m in savings across the authority to help balance the books.

This figure does not include the additional savings expected in 2025-26 from delivering the first year of a major four-year transformation programme.

To be able to close a forecast £14.7m budget gap for next year (2025-26), the council has applied to the Government for permission to use its money more flexibly. This would allow the council to use funds typically reserved for long-term investments to meet the costs of day-to-day operational spending for 12 months.

Cllr Small said: “The headlines around this budget will inevitably focus on how we intend to close our budget gap for next year but, despite our serious financial position, it’s important to keep some perspective.

“We will have a £188m revenue budget next year to fund services and take forward the Swindon Plan, including progressing plans to reinvent the town centre and drive economic growth. This is important as the future prosperity of Swindon will also have a positive knock-on impact on the council’s finances.

“We also plan to invest millions of pounds through our capital programme to further expand SEND provision and improve social housing across Swindon, which will include our historic Railway Village.

“Meanwhile, we have a clear plan for how the council can transition to a more financially sustainable position over the next four years. In the short term, having greater flexibility in how we use our funding would mean we avoid having to cut services any further and prevent larger increases in council tax bills.

“It gives us the time to fundamentally change how the council operates going forward. This will see us focus on early intervention and prevention, so that we can work alongside residents to help them live safe, healthy and independent lives for as long as possible.”

Plans to invest £250m in council housing stock

Councillors have approved plans to invest more than £250m to raise the standard of council housing for families.

A new housing asset management strategy was presented to Swindon Borough Council’s Cabinet which sets out how the council plans to invest between £38m and £66m in each of the next five financial years to carry out maintenance and major refurbishment work in its properties.

The council is the largest social housing provider in the Borough, owning and managing 10,383 homes, including 31

sheltered housing schemes and four supported housing schemes.

The strategy says: “Due to a combination of an ageing portfolio and a lack of proactive investment in core areas such as roofs, windows and kitchens, the Council has experienced a continual rise in the level of reactive maintenance over the last five years, where core components have now reached (and exceeded) the end of their lifespan and are at risk of failing to comply with the Decent Homes Standard.”

As part of this work the council says a prioritised list of council homes most in need of investment will benefit from an annual programme of improvement work, including refreshing bathrooms, central heating systems, kitchens, roofs, windows, doors and other important maintenance work.

Cllr Janine Howarth, Swindon Borough Council’s Cabinet Member for Housing, said: “Every tenant has a right to a decent and safe home, but as this first ever council asset management strategy calls out, for too long there has been a

lack of proactive investment in the maintenance and improvement of council-owned homes.

“Our tenants deserve better and we are determined to begin to put that right.

"It commits the council to investing £250m in our social housing over the next five years, supporting the delivery of our housing improvement plan.

"This is a 78 per cent increase in planned investment compared to the previous five years.”

Death of Swindon Humanitarian Aid Partnership Chair prompts heartfelt tributes

Tributes have been paid to Ukraine aid charity stalwart Mike Bowden, whose death has been announced on his social media.

Mr Bowden chaired the Swindon Humanitarian Aid Partnership charity, which has provided a huge quantity of aid to Ukraine since the country was invaded by Russia in 2022.

The charity also helps many Ukrainian people living in the Swindon area after being forced to leave their homeland, and organises cultural events promoting welcome, support and togetherness.

The revelation of his passing prompted an outpouring of grief on social media from many of the people whose lives he and his work had touched.

One wrote: "Your dedication to improving the lives of those suffering in Ukraine was truly extraordinary, and you approached every effort with passion, determination, and

boundless positive energy. Your impact will never be forgotten.

"Thank you for the kindness and generosity you showed me—I will always be grateful."

Another said: "Such people leave a huge imprint in the hearts of those they helped, and their contribution to the good deeds is invaluable."

Mr Bowden was originally

from Epping in Essex. His father and grandfather - a trade unionist with strong principleswere carpenters and his mother a wages clerk.

He credited his parents' work ethic and determination with helping him to become a successful lawyer and take a place on the board of an FTSE 100 company.

Effectively retiring from that realm in his late forties, he began a long career in the charity sector which included work for Swindon Mediation and Phoenix Enterprises, which supports people with learning difficulties and disabilities.

Some years ago Mr Bowden successfully spearheaded the campaign to prevent Lydiard House and its park from being transferred by the then council into private hands.

Interviewed by Swindon Link in late 2023, he said: "I believe in delivery. I hope that for most of my career I've been the right side of the acceptable line. I have a social conscience; I think a lot about my grandfather, and I haven't done anything in my life that I wouldn't defend.

"I can look at myself in the mirror and say, 'Okay, you're not too bad!'"

Holocaust Memorial Day marked in Swindon

By Barrie Hudson barrie@swindonlink.com

People from all walks of life gathered at the Friends Meeting House on Eastcott Hill to mark Holocaust Memorial Day.

Mayor of Swindon Cllr Imtiyaz Shaikh was among those present.

It was an occasion for remembrance, reflection, readings and hope.

This year marks the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau, the largest Nazi concentration camp, and also the 30th anniversary of the genocide in Bosnia.

The theme of Holocaust Memorial Day this year was For a Better Future.

Holocaust Memorial Day was first marked nationally in the UK in 2001, and is now established as an annual day of remembrance. Local authorities, faith and community groups, and individuals were asked to take a lead in

developing local memorial events and appropriate activities.

In Swindon, it was decided to mark the day, and members of the community have done so every year of this century.

This day is also an opportunity to remember and reflect on numerous other human rights tragedies around the world, including persecution and wars, past and present, and aims to help raise awareness among people of all ages and backgrounds.

In another tribute to those who died, North Swindon MP Will Stone signed the Holocaust Educational Trust’s Book of Commitment.

In doing so he pledged his commitment to marking Holocaust Memorial Day, honouring those who were murdered as well as paying tribute to the extraordinary survivors who work tirelessly to educate young people today.

Mr Stone said: "Holocaust Memorial Day this year marks 80 years since the liberation

of the Nazi concentration and extermination camp, AuschwitzBirkenau, in 1945.

"Today presents an important opportunity for people from Swindon North to reflect on the darkest times of European history and remember the six million Jewish men, women and children who were murdered in the Holocaust and speak out against all forms of antisemitism.

"We must also remember the language and dehumanisation that made the Holocaust possible.

"We must never assume that because such a horrible crime happened so long ago, it won’t be repeated and especially in this political climate must do all we can to encourage an open and tolerant society rather than one of hate and division.”

Further information, and a more national perspective about Holocaust Memorial Day, can be found at www.hmd.org. uk

Mike Bowden with one of the many truckloads of vital provisions sent to Ukraine by Swindon Humanitarian Aid Partnership

Barber's fundraiser for children's autism and ADHD charity

Just Gents in Highworth held a charity event in February and raised £327 for The Roxi Foundation.

Owner Richard Wilson generously donated every penny from haircuts and tips to the local charity that helps fund private ADHD and autism assessments. Richard was motivated by his own journey as a dad to two boys, aged seven and nine, both diagnosed with autism.

After facing long NHS waiting times for assessments, Richard and his wife, Laura, saw firsthand how the right support changed their sons' lives. Now they want to help other families access the same opportunities.

A spokesperson for The Roxi Foundation said: "What makes Just Gents extra special is how welcoming Richard is –especially for neurodivergent families.

"With his own lived experience, he understands how stressful haircuts can be for some people and always makes sure his clients feel comfortable and at ease."

For more information about The Roxi Foundation and to support their cause, people can visit @TheRoxiFoundation School welcomed

award-winning author Stewart Foster

Noremarsh Junior School in Royal Wootton Bassett was excited to welcome acclaimed author Stewart Foster.

He began his visit with a hilarious assembly in which he re-enacted scenes from his book with children.

Later, he led workshops in Year 5 and 6 classrooms, with children creating their own mini rafts from the ‘All the Things That Could Go Wrong’ book. Stewart joined in on the experiments to see whose raft could hold the most weight. Stewart went on to talk about his books and answer some of the children’s questions.

Dragons and Pokémon inspire pupil's library win

By Barrie Hudson barrie@swindonlink.com

Year 7 Lawn Manor Academy pupil Katy has her eyes set on a career as a writer and illustrator after winning the Swindon Libraries’ illustration competition for Beechcroft Library for two years running.

The competition, which ran across all of Swindon’s libraries, challenged youngsters to ‘Make a Marvellous Monster.’ Katy used her combined love of dragons and Pokémon to inspire her monster and joined 13 other youngsters from across Swindon to win the prize for their local library.

She said: “We were given a circle as a starting point for our monsters and I decided to use that as my dragon’s belly.

"I was inspired by the Pokémon character Charizard as I really like drawing dragons.”

Katy was presented with her prize, along with the other winners, by local children’s author and illustrator Steve Antony who also held a fun quiz for everyone.

The competition gained over 500 entries from throughout the town.

Katy said: “I won the competition last year as well

when I was at primary school, I really like entering it and the quiz was lots of fun.

"One day I would like to be an author and illustrator and so it was interesting to meet Steve Antony again. I write a lot of stories at home – I have lots of ideas but not enough time!”

Library of Things open at Enterprise Works headquarters

By Barrie Hudson barrie@swindonlink.com

Swindon Borough Council's Library of Things is open for business.

Based at the Gipsy Lane headquarters of the council's Enterprise Works timber, fencing and garden goods social enterprise, the Library of Things is an initiative designed to help people borrow useful items for their homes, projects, and adventures, making it easier and more affordable to access things they may only need occasionally.

Enterprise Works Operations

Manager Auriel Chandarana (pictured) said: "We went out to local residents to find out the sorts of things they wanted us to have.

"We're starting very small with the idea of growing bigger. As we get more use, the more we can have."

Items available at the Library of Things include everything from a lawnmower, pressure

cooker and garden tools to cake tins and disco lights suitable for children's parties.

The council says borrowing is better than buying for a number of reasons, including enabling people to save money by paying a small rental cost rather than buying expensive items they will use only occasionally.

Using the Library of Things

reduces clutter, frees up space in the home, enables people to live in a more sustainable and environmentally-friendly way and gives them the opportunity to meet their neighbours and even learn new skills.

Further information can be found at sbclibraryofthings. myturn.com/library, via libraryofthings@swindon.gov. uk and on 07392 109856.

GWH Outpatient Pharmacy team win top awards

The GWH on-site Boots store has won the Boots UK ‘Best of the Best’ Healthcare Team of the Year Award, and Kantha Moodley, Store Manager, has won the ‘Best of the Best’ Inspiring Leadership Award.

In addition to winning these awards, the store’s performance is benchmarked against other Boots outpatient pharmacies.

For December, GWH Boots was the number one performing pharmacy out of all the hospital stores nationally. This isn’t a one-off, as they rank consistently as a high performing store, and have had the number one spot five times since April last year.

A spokesperson said: “We are so proud of the Boots Outpatient Pharmacy team, based in the Boots store on the

Great Western Hospital site, who have been recognised nationally by Boots UK for their great work.

“Well done to Kantha and all of the Boots team, who work so hard to provide a safe and efficient pharmacy service for our outpatients.

"This success is a reflection of the hard work and partnership between the store and the Trust, to drive forward real improvements to meet the everchanging needs of the service and our local community."

Westlea firefighters to benefit from novel training resource

Firefighters at Westlea Fire Station in Swindon are benefitting from an unusual training resource, thanks to a special donation from Swindon’s Bus Company.

The operator has donated one of its older buses which will be used in a new training programme, and has been developed by the Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue team in Swindon.

Team members from Westlea Fire Station visited the bus operator’s depot in Barnfield Road to collect the vehiclewhich is now in situ and ready for training.

Swindon’s Bus Company Chief Engineer, Steve Prewett, said: “We have invested in a new fleet of buses over recent years, and this older vehicle was no longer fit for purpose in its original role - transporting our customers across the town.

“Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue approached one of our engineers about the possibility of obtaining a redundant bus from us, as they have some new heavy equipment, and they want to use the bus as a base for training firefighters. We were only too happy to oblige, and hope it proves useful over the coming months.”

Westlea Fire Station Commander, Martin Lay, said: “The bus, set to arrive at Swindon Fire Station, will provide firefighters with the opportunity to practice techniques, including casualty extraction, stabilisation, and dealing with large vehicle incidents. These are essential for maintaining high levels of operational readiness ensuring the safety of the community.

"We extend our deepest gratitude to Swindon’s Bus Company for their support. Their contribution will not only enhance firefighter training but also make a meaningful impact through their donation to The Firefighters Charity.”

£3.8m youth centre takes shape thanks to young vision

The Base, a new youth centre due to open in Park North this year, is set to become a dynamic and inclusive hub for young people in Swindon, designed by those who will benefit from it the most.

With input from young leaders like Link, Xavdryn, and Naomi (pictured), the centre reflects their vision for a space where they can connect, learn, and feel supported.

Funded by a £3.8m grant from the Government’s Youth Investment Fund, The Base will provide open-access youth services for 11 to 16-yearolds (and up to 25 for those with disabilities) alongside spaces for counselling, study, and social activities.

Every element, from the layout to the facilities, has been shaped by young voices, ensuring it meets their needs and aspirations. 17-yearold Xavdryn said: “I’ve been giving input on creating a space where you can hang out with friends, but also focus on

schoolwork if home isn’t the right place for it.”

Once open later this year, The Base will welcome more than 400 young people each week, becoming a vital part of Swindon Borough Council’s mission to Build a Fairer Swindon. The redevelopment of the former Lyndhurst Centre has already seen major improvements, including a new roof, upgraded electrics, and modernised spaces designed

for creativity and support.

Operating daily from 8am to 10pm, the centre will provide a safe, engaging environment where young people can explore new opportunities, build friendships and develop their potential.

More than just a youth centre, The Base will be a place where young people are heard, valued, and empowered to shape their future.

Swindon music scene pays tribute to legend taken far too young

By Jamie Hill jamie@swindonlink.com

The Swindon music scene came together to pay tribute to 35-year-old musician Martin Lane, who died of a heart condition.

The funeral of Martin Christopher Lane, whose condition was caused by Marfans Syndrome, was held at Kingsdown Crematorium on Monday 10 February, followed by a gathering at The Rolleston from 3.30pm. And on Friday 14 February musicians from across the town played a tribute concert to him at The Vic on Victoria Road. The event raised money for the British Heart Foundation. Funeral donations were made through Hillier's Funeral Service towards either the Marfan Trust or St Bart's Hospital in honour of his memory and in hopes of helping others affected by

the health conditions that took Martin far too soon.

A family spokesperson said: "Martin was a major presence both physically and emotionally in the Swindon music scene, joyfully spending the majority of his time devoted to singing and playing with as many other musicians as possible with any instrument he cared to lend his considerable talents to.

"His passing is already deeply felt by the many that he touched during his short life, so much so that his fellow musicians, friends and family quickly put together a musical evening in his honour to commemorate his passing.

"The performance was held by some of his most active musical projects at The Victoria on the 14 February, and we invited everyone who wished to join in celebrating Martin's life and musical legacy to attend if they wished to do so."

Martin, who fronted his own musical project The Lanes, was a musician of many talents who was a bassist, a guitarist, a singer, a pianist and keyboard player.

He played in lots of different bands including Joli and The Souls, Men in Vests, Here Come The Crows, Daddy Long Legs, Swipe Right, Early Daze and Hair Supply, who all played at The Vic benefit gig.

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Interview: Martha Parry is acting chair of Swindon Civic Voice and a leading figure in local heritage awareness and preservation

By Barrie Hudson barrie@swindonlink.com

What is Civic Voice?

Martha Parry is happy to explain.

"It is about engaging local people and engaging and enhancing the places where they live. Protecting what they like and making it betterbeing constructive and involving as many people as possible in that.

"Learning is key with us. We try to do a lot around information. We try to show a lot of the history.

"The key words for Civic Voice are 'People' and 'Place' - all the people who live in a particular place - trying to have an influence and a say in how things go. The idea is to have information, and to inform people."

She has held to this philosophy on both sides of the Atlantic over the course of decades.

Martha came to Swindon in 1979.

"I was born and educated in a loving family in Cleveland, Ohio, long ago and far away! "I left when I was 26. I've been back but never moved back. I thought I might, but I didn't. I got lost in Canada and then England!"

Martha's father had a security role in the steel industry and her mother traced her ancestry to England via a line which included the Mayflower, the ship which brought Pilgrims to the New World in 1620. He father was interested in public affairs and helped many charities. A printing press in the basement of the family home was used to produce various publications including parish bulletins.

Martha graduated from Case Western Reserve in Cleveland and left the city at 26 following an offer to be a

research associate at Dalhousie University in Halifax, Nova Scotia.

"The work became boring to me because it was about numbers, and I'm much more interested in the people behind the numbers."

Martha took another degree, in Environmental Planning.

"That got me involved in the regeneration of the Halifax Waterfront. Halifax and Dartmouth are two sides of the best harbour in North America, with a long history in the wars, ships from England going back and forth. It was a Loyalist stronghold in the American Revolution.

"A government development corporation had lots of money to fix it up but the way they were going at it was very slow and people were getting fed up with it. I was hired because I had a background in public relations in Cleveland. They

voluntary work as soon as she was well enough.

Long interested in local people and local history, she vividly remembers photographing what was then the new tented market one day in the mid-1990s and being approached by a woman.

"I can hear her now: 'Oh my dear, you don't know what we've lost in this town. Look at that fine old Mechanics' down there and look at this toilet block here!'"

Martha went on to become a leading figure in the New Mechanics' Institution Preservation Trust, working for years in a bid to restore rhe historic Railway Village structure amid wrangles over planning applications, ownership and other complications, and giving the issue more prominence in the public consciousness.

What is now Swindon Civic Voice, which promotes wider heritage awareness, was established as a civic trust between 2000 and 2002.

hired me as a communications officer - a community communications officer.

"I managed to find out how they felt about the place. They loved the Waterfront but they hadn't noticed that they couldn't go there. It was derelict and there was no information coming out of the development corporation.

"I turned that around."

Martha came to Swindon with the British husband she had met in Canada, respected photographer and filmmaker Martin Parry.

She worked as a warden of two sheltered housing schemes, Salzgitter Court in Toothill and Elsie Hazell Courtin Freshbrook.

She has fond memories of residents who were from the generation which fought in World War Two and welcomed her as an American.

Martha retired early due to a health issue, and began

Its current aims include putting together an exhibition exploring the evolution of the town centre, which has seen countless changes over the passing decades.

Martha remains as passionate as ever about Swindon and its history, but especially the heritage of the New Town which grew up after Brunel brought the Great Western Railway shortly after the start of the Victorian era, and whose people made the town internationally important.

"Swindon is not a town that expanded from a little market town; it's a town that expended from its Railway Works and went up the hill and took over the old market town!"

The organisation welcomes input from all who have a constructive interest in working with others across a wide spectrum, and can be contacted at info@swindoncivicvoice.org. uk and via www.facebook.com/ swindoncivicvoice/

Rotary spreads good deeds throughout the town

By Jamie Hill jamie@swindonlink.com

What is Rotary?

Rotary is one of the largest and most successful global membership and humanitarian service organisations in the world.

It has 1.2 million members in over 200 countries. It began in 1905 when a Chicago lawyer by the name of Paul Harris started Rotary. It quickly spread across the USA and Europe. The first Rotary Club in Swindon was chartered in 1926 - the Rotary Club of Swindon - so its 100th anniversary will be celebrated next year.

Today there are four Rotary Clubs with “Swindon” in their name. The second to start up was the Rotary Club of Swindon North and Thamesdown in 1966. Its original name was the Rotary Club of North Wiltshire and its first meeting was at the Blunsdon House Hotel. Today,

59 years later, it still holds its meetings there.

The other Clubs are the Rotary Club of Swindon Old Town and the Swindon Phoenix Rotary Club.

What has Rotary done for the people of Swindon?

It has supported Prospect Hospice ever since its formation in 1980 and it kicked off the £3m appeal for Prospect’s new building in Wroughton in 1994. It contributed £1m towards the £3m Brighter Futures Appeal for the Radiotherapy Centre at the Great Western Hospital.

It has organised seven Poppy Balls at STEAM raising tens of thousands of Pounds for the Royal British Legion and other charities.

And for 99 years it has supported hundreds of local charities and will continue to do so.

Worldwide, Rotary promotes goodwill, understanding and fellowship. It bridges cultures and connects continents. No challenge is too big for Rotary. In the last 100 years the Rotary Foundation (Rotary International’s own charity) has

Upcoming Rotary events

Saturday 22 March at 1pm

The Rotary Club of Swindon North and Thamesdown’s Young Musician of the Year 2025 Competition is taking place in Highworth.

The competition is in two parts - a Junior Section for entrants aged up to 14 years and a Senior Section for those over 14. The young musicians have all been put forward by their school’s music teachers.

Friday 7 March at 6:30 pm

Charity Quiz with a Ploughman's Supper and scrumptious homemade desserts - This popular fund-raising event is organised by the ladies of the Inner Wheel Club of North Wiltshire. This year it’s raising funds for the North Wiltshire branch of the Motor Neurone Disease Association.

Friday 4 April at 10am

Student Chef Competition 2025

Student chefs at Swindon College in North Star will be competing in teams of two for prizes.

spent $5 bn on life-changing, sustainable projects all over the world.

Rotary's global community mobilises rapidly in the wake of human and natural disasters in collaboration with its project partners. Rotary is fighting disease to build healthier and happier communities in developing countries.

Rotary’s key humanitarian priority since 1985 has been to rid the world of polio. At that time there were over 1,000 cases a day paralysing and killing children in 125 countries.

Thanks to Rotary’s End Polio Now Campaign the number of cases today is down by 99.9%.

There is no entry fee, the Rotary Club covers all the overheads.

The young performers will be judged by an accomplished adjudicator and every one of them will receive a certificate of achievement in recognition of reaching the level of accomplishment needed to enter the Rotary competition.

Rotary is providing clean water in Africa.

When communities have access to clean water and hygiene facilities, people live healthier lives.

Rotary is saving mothers and children by expanding access to quality healthcare, protecting children from disease and building sustainable health solutions. Rotary is committed to offering young people opportunities to unlock their potential, develop their skills and broaden their horizons.

Rotary fulfils its purpose and achieves its goals thanks to the dedication of its members.

Members of the public are more than welcome to come and watch the free entry event.

Sunday 11 May at 10am

The Rotary Charity Swimathon 2025 At Highworth Recreation Centre

Entrants are invited to swim in teams and to collect sponsorship from their friends and families for a charity of the team’s choice. No charge to enter and will give Amazon vouchers to the three swimmers who collect the most sponsorship. 50% of the sponsorship raised will be presented to the Thamesdown Hydrotherapy Pool. The other 50% goes to the charities nominated by the entrants.

The competition is in St Michael’s Church, Highworth, starting at 1pm. Refreshments will be available during an interval.

For further information contact Rotarian Terry Williams on 01793 762669.

Become a member

If you would like to become a member, please get in touch.

Email: rotaryswindonnorth@gmail.com

Phone: 07710 228697

(Ken) or 07712 078942 (Chris)

Website: rotaryswindonnorth.org.uk

Club of Swindon North & Thamesdown

Swindon Young Musician of the Year 2025 in Highworth

Kingfisher CE Academy is a two-form entry primary school which opened to Nursery and Reception pupils in September 2021. It will grow incrementally year by year, and once full the school will serve 420 pupils aged 4 to 11 as well as offering 76 nursery places.

Now taking Reception September 2025 intake. We also have spaces in Reception to Year 3. We welcome visits to our wonderful school.

Kingfisher is at the heart of the local community, situated on a shared Campus. We believe in strong partnerships with parents, families and the community, working towards high expectations for all.

The Park Academies Trust

The Trust has invested heavily in our school environment and resources, enhancing IT provision, our two libraries and our teaching spaces. We benefit from a wide range of expertise and school networks.

School Profile: Kingfisher CE Academy

Get to know the schools in your area

This issue: Kingfisher CE Academy

Address: The Deanery Academy, Peglars Way,

Swindon SN1 7DA

Contact: 01793 379521

Website: www.kcea.org.uk

Email: Admin@kingfishercofe.org.uk

• Offer our families a welcoming and inclusive environment where our children grow a life long love of learning, curiosity and creativity.

• Establish the roots in learning so they are well prepared for the next steps and can flourish.

• Offer a wide range of aspirational opportunities for our children to discover and learn together.

Our School Values

We aspire to be a school which enables every person to flourish in the widest sense.

Hope

We embrace hope to see the light in every season.

Wisdom

We develop wisdom to guide our choices.

Resilience

We build resilience to face challenges with courage. Service

We choose service to care for others selflessly.

Welcome from the Headteacher Sharon Bishop

“I am delighted to welcome you to the Kingfisher CE Academy in Wichelstowe.

"I am excited to be leading this brand new primary school and to offer an exceptional learning environment where children can receive a broad range of learning opportunities with a rich curriculum that is designed to inspire our children and develop curiosity in our lifelong learners.

“We believe that through our shared ethos and values, we create an environment where children are excited and curious to learn.

"We have a state-of-the-art, new build school that offers exciting opportunities for all learners, a community hub for our families and a place of connection in our developing community.

"I am privileged to be part of the journey, sharing this experience with our learners as we discover and learn together, so all can flourish."

Kingfisher headteacher Sharon Bishop

CHARITY PROFILE

Profile - Home-Start North Wiltshire

Charity Type - Family. Assisting parents who have at least one child aged under five.

Founded - 1987

Address - Unit 1, Fordbrook Business Centre, Pewsey SN9 5NU

Telephone - 01672 569457

Website - homestartnorthwiltshire.org.uk

By Barrie Hudson barrie@positive-media.co.uk

Home-Start North Wiltshire is part of a long-established national organisation, HomeStart UK, but is independent of it and does its own fundraising.

A spokesperson said: "The purpose of the charity is to support parents facing challenging times and to improve their confidence, resilience, and ability to cope. By supporting families, we help them emerge stronger and happier and, in doing that, we help parents give their children the best start in life.

"It's a whole range of challenges. It could be isolation; somebody has moved to the area and they don't have any friends or family nearby or any support network locally.

"There are parents with mental health issues - anxiety, low mood, post natal depression.

"We're finding that financial struggles are affecting more and more families with the ongoing high cost of living

"It could be that a family are struggling to cope with a child who has got additional needs, or twins have just arrived on top of having a three-yearold, so all of a sudden they're grappling with multiple births

and all that entails.

"Somebody could have been diagnosed with a lifethreatening illness and that throws everything up in the air.

"Or bereavement - all sorts of things, really.

"There's a number of families that struggle with low selfesteem; they've got no belief in themselves or in their parenting skills and they lack confidence."

There are as many roles for volunteers as there are people in need of help.

The spokesperson said: "Our

ranging and tailored to the family's need.

"There are services and help out there but for some families, it’s quite overwhelming to know where to start, who to ring, how to navigate information online. For families where English is their second language it can be particularly challenging because they may be dealing with quite formal English online and forms can be quite difficult to complete. We can help with that."

Some people in need of

volunteers might accompany them out of the house to a toddler group. They might go with them to a GP appointment or the opticians', just to give a little moral support but also to help look after the child while the parent's trying to talk to the doctor or the optician.

"What we do is really far-

help self-refer using a simple process outlined on the charity's website, while others are referred by professionals such as GPs, health visitors and educators.

The charity’s volunteers visit families in their own homes once a week for around six months. Support is free.

Volunteers promised a warm welcome and full training

Home-Start North Wiltshire welcomes enquiries from potential volunteers.

The charity promises tthem full training – the next course begins in April in Swindon –along with ongoing support and a sense of fulfilment at having helped families in need.

Volunteers are carefully paired with families according to their particular skills and the needs of those they help.

Often, a volunteer is chosen who has relevant experience or knowledge of similar situations.

A spokesperson said: "The volunteers are really friendly and put people at ease, and the main thing we say to people is that the values of our charity are that we're non-judgemental and we give compassionate support

"We say to families, 'Please don't worry about tidying the house before we come. You don't need to plump up the cushions or put on a show for us!

"'We're not going to judge you; we just want to meet you and listen to you and see how we can help you."

Business Profile - Haine & Smith Opticians

Business Type - Opticians

Founded - 1975

Address - 45c Regent Street SN1 1JS (01793 487888) and 105

Cricklade Road SN2 1AB (01793 522572)

Website - www.haineandsmith.co.uk

By Barrie Hudson barrie@positive-media.co.uk

2025 is a landmark year for Haine & Smith Opticians as the partnership celebrates 50 years of delivering exceptional eyecare to the communities it serves.

Since opening its first practices in Marlborough and Westbury in 1975, under

some of our longest-serving team members surpassing 40 years of service.

"It’s this unwavering commitment that ensures every patient receives the personal care they deserve.

"We are especially grateful to our patients, whose loyalty over the past five decades has allowed us to grow and thrive.

supported over 600 local organisations, including schools, charities, and sports clubs— demonstrating our deep-rooted commitment to supporting the communities we serve.

"As we celebrate this milestone, we’ll be marking the occasion with events and activities at our practices throughout the year.

the leadership of Sue Haine and Barry Smith, pictured, the business has grown to operate 20 practices across Wiltshire, Gloucestershire, and Oxfordshire.

The partnership said in a message to the public: "Our success is built on the dedication of our incredible team, whose average length of service exceeds 10 years, with

"Testing the eyes of multiple generations of families is a privilege we are immensely proud of.

"With a 90 percent customer score for eye test satisfaction in the October 2024 issue of Which? magazine, we ranked among the highest-rated opticians in the country.

"Since 1995, the Haine & Smith Charitable Trust has

"Join us in celebrating this milestone! Follow us on social media for updates on events, activities, and how you can be part of the festivities.

"Thank you for being part of our journey. Together, we will continue to bring trusted eyecare and eyewear to our communities for many more years to come."

Guided by a commitment to trust, quality, and personalised care, Haine & Smith Opticians practices offer services for NHS and private patients, eye exams, a wide selection of frames for various budgets, and contact lenses tailored to individual lifestyles.

Angela Davey, of Haine & Smith, said: "Our professional team includes staff with decades of experience, all dedicated to upholding the high standards of care that define Haine & Smith."

Haine & Smith’s commitment to excellence has been recognised with multiple awards, including the “Staff and Customer Care Award - 2010,” “Software Practice of the Year - 2014,” and the Sunday Times' “Money’s Gold Medalist Award - 2016” for Excellent Customer Service

The spokesperson added: "As we continue to serve our communities, our focus remains on delivering the best quality eyecare with a patient-first approach."

Haine & Smith Opticians welcomes all inquiries from customers old and new about its services, which are detailed on its websitewww.haineandsmith.co.uk.

A budget to make ambitious Swindon Plan missions reality

A column by Swindon Borough Council Leader Cllr Jim Robbins

At the time of writing this column, the council Cabinet have agreed the proposal that we will make to the council for the budget for the next financial year, due to be agreed around the same time as the magazine went to print, at the Annual Council Budget Meeting.

We have set out how we intend to spend the £188m budget to support residents over the next financial year, and to achieve the ambitious Swindon Plan missions to build a Fairer, Greener and Better Swindon.

We are really pleased to have received more money from the new Labour Government, as they look to stop the wasted years of austerity and start to invest in public services instead of

delivering more cuts.

The key investments we will be making will be in the three key areas for the council where we are determined to improve services. These are Children’s Services, Housing and Special Needs Education.

Our Children’s Services team has seen lots of investment as we try to improve the ‘Inadeqate’ rating we got as Ofsted judged us on the performance of the previous administration. We know that years of under-investment has left too many of our council houses below the Decent Homes standard. The amount of children with special education

needs is massively increasing, and we are determined to ensure that they have the best possible support.

We are seeing more demand for the key services we have to provide, for both children and adults, and we have a legal duty to provide help. Despite that increasing demand and the much-needed investment, we have been able to identify a set of savings for the council of around £14m as we seek to make the council as effective and efficient as we can. Even with these savings, we are facing a budget gap, and we have applied to the Government to be able to use some capital asset receipts flexibly to allow us to manage the tricky financial situation we face.

This flexibility, where we can sell those assets that we have determined do not contribute to improving the lives of residents or helping us to

deliver the Swindon Plan, mean that we can ensure we protect those vital front-line services needed by residents and not have to raise Council Tax by eye-watering levels.

We have promised to run a council who will be open and transparent, and I’ll be honest with you, we still need to raise Council Tax by 4.99 percent, as most councils will be doing this year.

We couldn’t make the sums add up without doing so and we would have to cut services to those children who need our support, or our elderly residents who need more help as they age.

I know that the cost-of-living crisis is still going on and many residents are struggling to make ends meet, but the council is still struggling after years of failed austerity, and our poorest residents really need the council to be able to help them.

Asking questions about the budget and the overspend

A column by borough council Conservative Group Leader

Cllr Gary Sumner

The law requires councils to deliver a balanced budget –something the Conservatives did in Swindon every year for 20 years.

If it doesn’t look like a balanced budget is within reach, councils can ask the Government for exceptional financial support.

The Labour Administration have had to do this as they can’t fill the near-£15m budget gap, and we await Government-appointed inspectors who will start arriving in April to scrutinise the council’s finances.

The Labour Administration has overspent by £7.6m, with next year’s budget showing an estimated £18.9m budget gap. Last year they borrowed £102 million and now the

council’s debt is about to be increased to the tune of £152 million (albeit paid for by income from tenants, it is still a huge liability) to carry out maintenance and improvements on the borough’s council homes. In 2012, the Conservative Government’s HRA selffinancing settlement allowed local housing authorities like us to keep all our rental income to provide services to tenants.

It goes without saying that people deserve decent homes,

but they also deserve efficient, resilient and reliable services from their councils that meet their needs.

The Conservative Administration accrued debts of just under £400 million in 20 years, a quarter of that through the council’s housing estates, but we also purchased income-producing assets in Swindon such as industrial estates, we built schools and invested in growth. For example, the council purchased the new Zurich headquarters for £38 million and leased it back to the company.

This deal meant the council owns the highest-quality office building in the town, which generates £300,000 in annual rent that can be spent on vital front line services.

Local government finances are stretched but the budget gap in 2026 is frightening and I can understand why the ‘Peer

Review’ of Swindon said that the budget threat could be existential. After two years of Labour running Swindon, will the council still be able to exist independently in 2026?

I await the ‘Devolution’ revolution and sincerely hope it delivers on the Government’s promise of ‘putting power closer to the people’ and is not just a huge distraction and cost to us – I have a suspicion that it will be another layer of Government – and that comes at a cost!

On a final note, did you know Council Tax payers can opt to pay by 12 monthly instalments instead of 10? Applications to pay by 12 instalments for the year ahead need to be made by 15 April.

For more information please complete the form at www. swindon.gov.uk/revsbenscontact or telephone the council tax office on 0345 302 2316.

Queen visited Prospect Hospice and GWH

By Barrie Hudson barrie@swindonlink.com

Her Majesty the Queen performed duties at Prospect Hospice and Great Western Hospital during her second visit to Swindon in almost exactly a year.

At Prospect Hospice the Queen, who is President of the charity, unveiled a commemorative plaque, marking the renaming of The Evans Education Centre (named after hospice founder Derryck Evans), cut a cake to celebrate the hospice's 45th anniversary and signed the visitors’ book.

I am very lucky to have been offered a bed at the Prospect Hospice due to the hospice funding crisis.”

Chairman Liam Coleman said: “We are thrilled that Her Majesty The Queen visited us here in Swindon today, to mark

She also listened to concerns about the funding crisis currently afflicting the hospice movement.

Her Majesty was gifted a beautiful bouquet from two local children.

Prospect Hospice CEO Jeremy Lune said: "If we were to sum yesterday’s Royal visit up in one word, it would be wow!

“We are incredibly grateful to Her Majesty, our President, for such a wonderful and memorable day.

"The hospice funding model isn’t fit for purpose, it’s got to change and for Queen Camilla to acknowledge that, is incredibly motivational for us.”

A patient, Christopher, said after meeting Her Majesty: "It was an honour to meet her, and

At Great Western Hospital, Her Majesty was given a tour of the Emergency Department, Medical Assessment Unit and Children’s Emergency Unit. She then met groups of staff from across the organisation, along with some of the hospital's charitable donors and partners.

The £33.5m urgent and emergency care expansion opened to the public in the autumn of 2024.

As part of her duties, Her Majesty commemorated the occasion by unveiling a plaque alongside a pupil, Latoyah Vashi, from the neighbouring Badbury Park Primary School.

such a significant moment in our Trust history.

“It took over five years of

hard work to bring our new urgent and emergency care development to life, and I want to thank everyone who has helped us get to today, creating a new department that will benefit the people of Swindon and Wiltshire for years to come.

“Thank you to Her Majesty The Queen for taking the time to unveil a plaque and meet with so many of our fantastic staff and patients, to the children of Badbury Park Primary School and to other local dignitaries who have also given their time to join us today.”

Her Majesty's connections with the Swindon area include having given birth to daughter Laura Lopes at the old Princess Margaret Hospital, which Great Western Hospital replaced, on New Year's Day, 1978.

Residents encouraged to seek support with energy bills before deadline

Residents who need support with paying their winter fuel bills are being urged to contact Swindon Borough Council for help before the end of the month.

The council has already given out energy vouchers to 1,923 residents to help reduce the cost of their bills this winter.

Vouchers worth a total of £385,000 have been issued by the council through the Household Support Fund, with each eligible resident being sent a voucher of £200.

The energy vouchers have been used to support pensioners and some younger residents with the cost of energy during the winter after Ofgem announced a rise in the energy price cap from 1 January 2025.

The support has been made available to both low-income pensioners just above the Pension Credit threshold who require additional support and other vulnerable residents who may suffer from fuel poverty. The council has been directly contacting eligible residents with more information about how they can access this payment.

Anyone who thinks they may be eligible are able to apply for the support before Monday, 31 March through the council’s

website.

Cllr Jim Grant, Swindon Borough Council’s Cabinet Member for Communities and Partnerships, said: “As energy prices continue to rise and, with some residents struggling to repay their energy bills they may have accumulated over winter, it’s important to know that support is available.

“I’d encourage anyone who is finding it hard to keep on top of their energy bills to contact their supplier as soon as possible. Your supplier must work with you to agree on a payment plan you can afford.

“The council will continue to support local residents through the Household Support Fund. While nearly 2,000 eligible residents have already been directly issued vouchers, if you are struggling, it is still possible to apply to seek extra support to pay essential costs, such as energy or food.”

In November, the Household Support Fund provided £81,000 to help residents with food, heating and housing costs.

The scheme has also funded £585,000

in food vouchers for families during school holiday periods and seen some local partners directly awarded grants.

This included the volunteer-led Big Breakfast Club Plus receiving an extra £3,000 to continue its hard work to improve the health and well-being of local residents. The funding was used to launch a new trial scheme offering fruit bags alongside their hot breakfasts.

The Household Support Fund can be accessed on the council website by searching ‘Household Support Fund’.

Swindon RAF veteran's memoirs detail fascinating international career

By Barrie Hudson barrie@swindonlink.com

An RAF veteran's book shares memories of everything from looking after Royalty to a close encounter with Air Force One.

Robert D Whittingham, who lives in Swindon, was stationed at RAF Lyneham, RAF Brize Norton, and lived in married quarters at RAF Fairford.

Both of his children were born at RAF Wroughton, and he also worked at the Defence Academy of the United Kingdom at Shrivenham.

He said: "After I retired I decided to write my memoirs. It was a difficult but most enjoyable task. I was told that I would be lucky to sell 50 copies of my book, as that is the normal amount for a non famous person.

"To the contrary my book did exceptionally well worldwide and reached number four in

Amazon's top 100 titles on aviation history."

His book, Ascot Airways: The Life and Times of a Royal Air Force Steward, puts a fresh spin on the life of a steward, from working in a grand house to flying around the World, and looking after Royalty, Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, Government officials and Service personnel.

It details events and adventures including:

- Robert raced to Ethiopia to rescue survivors of a terrible plane crash

- Approaching Air Force One, the aircraft of the US President, only to hear the words: "Stop, or I will shoot!”

- A Concorde test flight

- When a passenger complained about his Duty Free as he was rescued from the invasion of Cyprus

- An encounter with an angry octopus in the Maldives

- The revelation that elephants in Sri Lanka have tail-lights

Following the success of the first book, the author decided to write a children's book, The Story of Vicky Ten. The Queen of the Skies. He said: "Aimed at young children, this book is written to keep the memory alive of the Vickers VC10, an iconic British Airliner, sadly no longer flying."

Author Robert D Whittingham

Discover life in the Works at new STEAM exhibition

By Barrie Hudson barrie@swindonlink.com

A new exhibition at Swindon’s STEAM Museum shows what life was like as a railway apprentice at the historic Railway Works.

The exhibition, Doing Time –The Railway Apprentice, from Thursday 6 February, tells the fascinating story of the young men and women who entered the world of the railways as trainee apprentices.

Doing Time has been produced as part of STEAM Museum’s celebration of Railway 200, a year-long nationwide campaign that marks the 200th anniversary of the birth of the modern railway on September 27 1825 when the Stockton and Darlington Railway opened.

Railway 200 celebrates the past, present and future of rail and recognises Swindon’s pivotal role in the growth of the nation’s railway that helped change the world forever.

For the past 200 years, the railway apprentice has played a vital role in ensuring that the knowledge and trade of experienced staff is passed on to the next generation. Doing Time begins by looking at the experiences of the first railway apprentices, and follows the story through to the final apprenticeships offered at Swindon’s Pre-Apprentice Training School, up until the closure of Swindon Works in 1986.

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Felicity Jones, Collections and Exhibitions Officer at STEAM, said: “Doing Time features a range of fascinating images and objects from the Swindon Museums collections.

“My particular highlights include some exquisite brass and metalwork objects

made by the highly skilful apprentices, with many items going on display at STEAM for the very first time.

“The exhibition highlights the huge contribution Swindon Works apprentices played in the development of the nation’s railway network and the pride they took in their work.”

Cllr Marina Strinkovsky, Swindon Borough Council’s Cabinet Member for Placemaking and Planning, said: “For well over a hundred years, thousands of apprentices passed through the doors of the Swindon Works to learn the trades of the railways.

"Some of them still live in Swindon and I was privileged to meet and speak with them. Their stories are fascinating and this exhibition is a rare chance to enter into the world of the Works and learn about the lives of people who are not all that far in the past.

“This new exhibition will be a trip down memory lane for many former Swindon railway workers and their families, but I would urge everyone to visit the fabulous STEAM Museum

to learn more about our town’s rich railway heritage and its world-beating apprenticeship and training programme.”

The exhibition features a wealth of objects from the Swindon Museums collections including a rare apprentice register dating from 1908 which documents the names of the Great Western Railway’s newest recruits.

A charcoal drawing by local artist Hubert Cook, loaned from the Museum & Art Swindon collection, depicts an apprentice within the Swindon Works.

There is also an array of archives and apprentice-made objects from Swindon’s PreApprentice Training School that depicts an era in the history of apprenticeships which those who worked in the Railway Works may recognise.

Apprentice piece – British Railways logo in brass and copper work

Students being tutored at the Apprentice Training School, Swindon, circa 1962

I regularly enjoy a few pints with elders, such great stories.

John Dale and Ian Handy have no end of stories about national service in the 1950s. Every re-telling has a freshness and is a catalyst for more.

Another friend, Tim, who was born in Zambia, played Irish rugby under 18s until injured by Bill Beaumont.

Capped for hurling by the President of Zambia

Maurice Spillane: Of Poetry Swindon

Tim was capped for Ireland many times. We’d friends in company and Tim, tongue in cheek, said: “Tell them about your international cap, Maurice."

I lived in Zambia in the 1970s. We played hurling to a high standard, emigrants like me, and many from mixed marriages who couldn’t live in Northern Ireland during the troubles.

In 1973, we put a hurling team together to travel to Ireland. A reporter from the Zambia Times interviewed me. I got carried away with the history and the reporter got confused about the hurley being made from the ash tree. His article was all over the place, including saying that the Irish burn timber and make hurleys from the ash.

The President of Zambia, Kenneth Kaunda, who knew the game, read the article. His secretary rang me and said the President cried laughing. He wanted to know about the tour, and I said our jerseys and hurleys had the flag of Zambia printed on them. A few days later the President capped us as Zambian internationals. To this

day we’re the only players capped internationally for hurling.

My lovely friend, Kathryn Maris, captured hurling and me in this short extract from H Man:

His superpower was being the subject of ever-taller tales about his prowess at hurling, a sport with prehistoric Gaelic origins . . . He did not

“go professional” because there is no professional hurling,

but he did become a poet because that position does exist.

www.mauricespillane.co.uk

Inclusive cycling for SEND families in Swindon

Monthly column with Becky Cox of Swindon Cycle Campaign.

There are relatively few opportunities for families who have children with additional needs to find activities they can do together.

Working as a Community Developer for British Cycling at Moredon Sporting Hub, I am aiming to tackle this problem and provide more inclusive spaces for families to enjoy cycling together, no matter their ability.

Every Saturday between 2pm and 3pm we run a Limitless Kids & Family session for SEND children and their families. It’s an opportunity for anyone who identifies as having a disability to enjoy cycling alongside friends and family on the traffic-free track at Moredon.

We have a range of adapted cycles (such as tricycles, handcycles,

Alfie Howlett: Swindon Town FC writer

Ian Holloway take a bow. January’s League 2 Manager of the Month has completely transformed Swindon. He has somehow turned what was once a wrecked burning building and made it into a mansion. You get the idea. Swindon are believing once again. It looked for the entirety of the season that the January transfer window would be the last roll of the dice. Swindon’s last bid to rectify their recruiting mistakes.

If somebody had suggested, in November, that Town would make just three January acquisitions I’d have thought Swindon were doomed.

You’d question, why on earth have they only made three signings? Considering it was once a squad which wasn’t up to scratch and lacked the stomach.

But today, it’s a perfect

recumbents, tandem trikes etc) or standard bicycles to borrow.

Limitless sessions are funded by British Cycling’s Limitless programme and are currently £3 per participant. One adult goes free with every child space, and it is advisable to book in advance via the Moredon Sporting Hub website, but you can also pay at reception on the day.

During school holidays we also run Limitless Kids & Family sessions between noon and 1pm on Mondays and Thursdays, following the Limitless Adults' session.

Here’s what Emma has to say about our Limitless Kids and Family sessions:

“This is my son’s new happy place. He says that riding the bikes here makes him happy. The helpers are lovely. It’s something the whole family

can do safely, and with a child with additional needs, this isn’t always do-able”

We run dedicated learn to cycle sessions during the school holidays for SEN children too, these are funded by Sport England’s Movement Fund.

We also run ‘Wingz’ BMX sessions for SEN kids on the BMX pump track. These are currently held monthly, the

next one being on Saturday 15 March between 10am and 11am. Weekly sessions will be re-starting again on Monday evenings once the clocks change. BMX bikes and helmets are available to borrow.

In 2025 we are also hoping to support more local SEND schools in using the adapted bikes and facilities during the school day.

We are always looking for more volunteers to support our cycling programmes, without whom these sessions would not be possible. We can also provide opportunities for work experience and CSR volunteer days.

For any queries please get in touch with me at rebeccacox@ britishcycling.org.uk or call: 07515 606704.

Holloway awakens sleepwalking STFC LINK FOOTBALL

example of the genius of Ian Holloway.

Swindon haven’t tried, unlike Carlisle, to spend their way out of trouble. They simply haven’t had to. Because they now have what money can’t really buy. An experienced motivator and a shrewd tactician in the dugout.

The difference on the pitch is there for us all to see. It feels as if I’m watching a completely different team, but with virtually the same players

The difference is Ian Holloway has made those players feel a foot taller, a yard quicker, and that bit stronger. Most notably, the energy levels have gone through the roof, every player in red will run their tank dry as a minimum.

In addition, there’s a swagger and confidence to Town. They go into each match with genuine belief that they will

give anybody a game. It has been a welcome return to the mindset which Swindon should have in this league. Every game is there to be won. At times it has even been a case of winning in style. It’s a far cry from Mark Kennedy’s lacklustre drivel; I’m proud to say that lately I have been thoroughly entertained.

Not since Richie Wellens have I seen a Swindon team play for their manager as much as the current crop for Holloway. But he goes one step beyond Wellens in terms of his in-game tactics.

The confidence which he has installed in his troops has taken Town to a level which I didn’t feel was possible at points this season. However, it’s fair to say that Holloway’s substitutes have certainly cemented the recent success.

Arguably, the best example

would be the introduction of Kabongo Tshimanga in the win against Tranmere. The Peterborough loanee divides opinion amongst Town fans. And yet Holloway saw something in him and the game which led to a Town win, where previously they perhaps would’ve been frustrated.

That right there is why Holloway has seen over 1000 games in management.

So, credit where it’s due, Ian Holloway has breathed a new sense of life into Swindon and stopped them sleepwalking into oblivion. The mood around the team is unrecognisable from the dull despair which lingered around SN1 in Autumn.

Suddenly, we’re believing once again.

And that is the special thing about football, once you have belief, you never know how far you’ll go.