November 1990 Swindon Link

west Swindon's

Viewrite

Magazine

for TV & Video Rentals Short or Long Term

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LINK

u-u 848497 486872

No. 104 • November 1990 • Circulation 10,500

BIG EVENTS IN NOVEMBER The Annual Community Bonfire Toothill Farm, Bodiam Drive

Friday 2 November. FREE Starts 6p.m. with a parade of lanterns and guys followed by Aerial Firework Display and Bon Fire. See page4 for details of other events

Saturday 3 November

,

Fireworks Display Lydard Millicent Village Hall Admission on gate at 6p.m.

Organised by 1st Purton & Lydiard Scouts

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Tuesday 6 November Bonfire & Fireworks Westlea School. 6.30p.m.

Adults: £1.20. Children: 60p

ASDA 'RNIB 00111",

31

Seethe centre pages for details

11 RNIB GLASS APPEAL

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BBC CH I L R E N I Nj NE ED

This year BBC Wiltshire Sound is taking over the Link Centre onFriday 23rd November Broadcasts and exciting events will take place from 6am - 10pm Bring down your donations in the morning and watch Graham Seaman broadcasting live from 9am to 12noon.

(He may even put you on air!)

WEST 8W1N1)0N CENTRE Meet Super Ted & Santa on 28 November and bring your teddies too!!

Details on page 5

Watch local M.P's and councillors walking the plank for the cause into the Link pool. Why not challenge your boss?

There will be stars and personalities calling in and lots of whacky events taking place all day, including a march for charity (if permission is forthcoming).

Listen to Wiltshire Sound for details.

LOSE YOUR EXCESS POUNDS WITH CAMBRIDGE DIET EXTRA Contact Your Counsellor THE Rebecca Clifforde (Westlea) on Swindon 873201

CãTiibr!dOe DIET

GET YOUR CHRISTMAS BARGAINS AT WEST SWINDON'S GREAT MARKET LINK CENTRE COACH PARK EVERY TUESDAY • 9am 3.30pm Free Parking, Exciting Stalls Good Selection of Fresh Food -

Town & Country Markets Tel: 0633 216065 A member of APMO

THE NEW SWINDON CABLE TELEVISION SERVICE HAS NOW ARRIVED IN YOUR AREA Bringing You Satellite Television including 'Sky' & 'BSB' 6 Broadcast Channels in good picture quality 10 FM Radio Stations One Simple Connection

NO DISH REQUIRED For more information on this TV Revolution Tel: Swindon 615601

Poor turnout for Police meeting Despite an invitation on the front page of last months Link magazine, a very small number of people took up the opportunity to meet the policeman in charge of police work in West Swindon on 15 October.

Superintendant Bill Pryke attended the meeting to explain how policeman are deployed in the area and to talk about the challenges to come in the future.

From a general point of view, he said that the sub-division for which he is responsiblealso covers Wootton Bassett, Highworth and Stratton all points north of the railway line. It also includes the 'northern sector development of Swindon and his staff were looking closely at the experience in the west as an indicator of trends in community development for that area.

At present there are five beat officers covering West Swindon who are backed up by two response cars, each of which are staffed by five policeman on a rota basis. He said that there are sometimes over 200 calls in a 24 hour period within the sub-division which need some kind of response.

Supt. Pryke said that the days when the police gave the service they thought society wanted were gone. A stronger partnership with the community was an important element in the future development

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fill/ilk MattilM Published by West Swindon Publications 13 Castle Dore Freshbrook, Swindon

Editorial: Roger Ogle, Publisher/Editor Tel: (0793) 872282 Advertising Sales: Elizabeth Wood Tel: 871793

SWINDON

CABLE

"The Unk was first published in December 1978 exclusively for the West Swindon community.

It is completely independent of Unk Centre and, in fact, won the competition to name the leisure centre In 1984. The magazine is entirely self-supporting from advertising."

Contents * Apple Macintosh design, layout 4 Toothill and laserselting by Keystrokes 8 Freshbrook & Grange Park Electronic Design

9

Westlea

Printed by Western Webb, Bristol 10 Shaw Published monthly.

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of police work. Working with residents to set up Neighbourhood Watch Schemes was proving effective in fighting crime by encouraging people to be vigilant. The schemes were also helping neighbours meet each other and developing stronger community spirit.

He said that the date for starting the police station in the west, next to the new fire station, was the summerof 1991. It would take two years to build and would become the base for the whole sub-divison and the motorway traffic patrols.

Supt. Pryke said concern was being expressed about the large daily influx of people that will be created

by Shaw Ridge Leisure Park, and the police were monitoring the scheme closely. It will have an initial novelty attraction for many.

He had met the developers to discuss public order issues and measures which will help the public feel safe and unthreatened by poor behaviour of a minority using the facilities. The developers had agreed to improve lighting on the site and to install a closed-circuit TV system.

This would only be for the areas near the buildings, but if the need arose he would press for coverage of the car parks as well.

Supt. Pryke spent an hour answering questions from the few people in attendance.

Copy date for the December edition: 20th of November.

12

Recreation

13 14 15 18

Arts Scene At Your Library Education Matters Day In The Life

19-28 News & Views 29 Home & Garden The November edition will be 30 Letters & Small Ads.

published on 29th November 31

End Pieces

The contents of The Link are protected by copywright. Copying of advertisements for business use, including publication is forbidden unless advertisers or publishers have sought permission. Articles and photographs require similar authority.

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Interesting conference comments expected

W. Swindon survey gets big brush off

A conference which will focus on the development of West Swindon as a community takes place on 6 and 7 November.

Between 50 and 60 people have reserved spaces to talk about the problems and the opportunities created by living in the area.

Many residents will listen to speakers who work in the area and take part in discussions with local community, health and social workers, teachers and churchmen! women. joint organiserLaurenceYeoman said the interest in the conference was very encouraging and he was hoping that useful ideas will emerge as a result of bringing together people with different interests.

There are still a few places available for residents who want to participate. There is no charge.

Lunch and child care is provided.

Telephone Laurence on 526161 to book a place.

A surveyof WestSwindon residents has been virtually ignored by Thamesdown Councils Community Development Committee when a report of the results was presented to the committee on 28 September.

A long questionnaire was published in the April 1989 of The Link magazine in conjunction with the Council's Community Development Department.

9,500 households received the magazine and there was a 6% response to questions about what they thought of local services and facilities. It is the first time such a broad ranging survey has been tried on such a large number of people.

Lydiard Park and the Link Centre received a high satisfaction rating, whilst respondents expressed high dis-satisfaction with Gateway for food, the bus service to Swindon and village centre food shopping.

76% of those who returned the survey form rated West Swindon highly for themselves and young couples but thought it is not such a good place for retired people, teenagers or families on low income.

Dog mess, litter, road crossing points were thought to be the big problems whilst amount of leisure facilities, community information and health care were not regarded as problems.

Apart from local councillorliicky Midwinter, the committee showed little interest in discussing the survey findings and what practical action might be taken to improve inadequate services and facilities.

Coun. Midwinter said there is a need to focus on questions on school provision, housing, transport and quality of life in WestSwindon. He called for specific issues to be investigated and wanted local people involved in the process.

However the Committee did not see any merit in carrying out similar exercises in other parts of the town, nor following up the results of the West Swindon survey.

Meeting the people A new policewoman has just spent her first months on the beat in Westlea.

Sally Pullen, pictured above, passed out of training last Christmas, but is no newcomer to West Swindon. During her training she spent ten weeks working with a policeman in the response car covering the area and earlier this year, she was on foot patrol in Shaw and Nine Elms before transferirtg to the Gorse Hill area of the town.

Sally is presently getting to know people in Westlea and will also be covering the Shaw Ridge Leisure Park when it opens. "1 like it here," she said. 'People are friendly and have time fora chat as I walk round the area. One of my priorities is to get myself recognised and to visit local schools."

She says that being a woman on the beat can often a diffuse awkward situations. If that doesn't work, it's worth knowing that she has an orange belt in Aikedo and can disarm difficult people with a bit of pressure in the right place.

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4 FREE Events during Half Term Bonfire Week: WASPS Playscheme for 5 - 149 Wed 31 to Fri 2 November, 10a.m. to 3p.m. Toothill Farm.

Special Bonfire Night Craft Workshop for 5 - 14$ Wed 31 to Fri 2 November, 1 Oa. m. to 3p. m. Toothill Farm.

Make things for the big night.

RALPH PALMER PHARMACY 3 Deerhurst Way, Toothill Hours of Opening: Mon - FĂą 9a.m. - 1p.m.

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TOOTHILL Steady as she goes Heartfelt thanks from newcomers Toothill School will be developing in capable hands following the recent appointment of deputy head teacher Richard Jackson to the post of headteacher.

Mr Jackson has been at Toothill for six years and has been acting head since mid-April.

He says that the work to introduce to the national curriculum at the school is of prime importance whilst in the long running battle to get a second school built on the site has to continue.

Toothill School has 440 children housed in a permanent building designed for 280 and ? mobile classrooms

MORTGAGE OR LOAN REFUSED Because of Mortgage Arrears, County Court Judgement, Income Too Low, No Accounts. We may be able to help you with our confidential and friendly debt counselling service.

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A family from Toothifi would like to thank local people for the friendly welcome and kind support they have been given since they moved into Toothill from Salisbury.

The Sherwoods arrived in Kirkstall Close in July but have spent much of their time travelling from one hospital to another to make sure their seven year old daughter Linda is kept healthy.

NeighbourJanet Bentley met the family on the day they moved in and was immediately involved in a desperate hunt for an oxygen cylinder in case Linda required it in an emergency. Using her local knowledge, they were able to arrange a supply through Ashington Way pharmacy who delivered the cylinder as the children arrived from their grandparents.

Mum Judy Sherwood explained that Linda was born with an enlarged heart with two holes in it, and several other complications.

"She's had four operations already.

The last was an eight hour marathon at Southampton Cardio-Thoracic

Hospital in early September. It was a bit of a shock as we didn't expect her to have an operation this year.

"Linda's condition has now improved a lot and we would like to thank everybody for their support.

We can't get over how friendly people are around here. It was a good move to come to Toothill."

Linda recently received a special visit from the crew at West Swindon's fire station when they delivered a warning sticker announcing that oxygen was kept in the house.

This meant that the children in the neighbourhood were able to climb into the fire engine and have a demonstration of equipment.

After so much time in hospital since moving into anew area, Linda has started to make friends at Westlea School, where she started on 15 October.

Pictured below: Linda in the centre clutches her friend from hospital Priscilla, with, clockwise brother Paul, mum and dadJudyand Will Sherwood, Janet Bentley with daughter Diane.

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Toothill Lunch Club

Toothill Farm Playgroup

Bazaar

Christmas Bazaar

Toothill Community Centre Saturday 3 November 2p. m. - 4p. m. Adm. lop

Toothill Farm, Bodiam Drive Saturday 24 November 2p.m. - 4p.m. Adm. lop

Lots of stalls

Father Christmas & many stalls

Council play office brightened up Play workers at Thamesdown Council were presented with a large handmade tree with bright yellow flowers for their newly decorated offices at Milton Road Health Hydro by members of the Toothill After-School Club.

In return the children were given a tea party and shown around the facilities at the Hydro.

Pictured with their flowering free, from left, Nicholas Dodd, Julie Simpkins, Sarah Hibberd, play officers Geraldine Orford, Eddie East and Paul Ryan, Richard Dodd, Mal Moore, Tony Belton, Ian Stewart

WEST S-W-1- N-D - 0- N C-E-N-T-R- E and meet

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SUPER TED &SANTA, On Wednesday 28th November from 5 pm See them switch on our Christmas Lights and Displays!

PRIZES! Bring along your favourite TEDDY and you could Win a Prize for the oldest, largest, thinnest, fattest or best dressed bears!

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6 Gear Box Thrift Shop Freshbrook School Starts Monday 5 November Monday and Friday 3p.m. to 4p.m.

Gear Box will sell items on behalf of owners for 75% of the price, with the other 25% going to school funds.

Only clean saleable clothes in good condition will be accepted for sale, so will toys and household items (but no electrical goods).

FRESHBROOK & GRANGE PARK Together in comfort Family support groups Freshbmok's two primary schools take off at school held their separate Harvest Festival ceremonies in Freshbrook Church.

The children from Windmill Hill School contrasted their quality of life with the difficulties many African children face in getting clean water and enough to eat.

For the first time in years, all the 650 children and staff at Freshbrook School were able to get together for an assembly.

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Harvest auction for childrens ward Freshbrook Playgroup decided to help sick children for its Harvest Festival celebration.

They held an auction of items donated by parents and raised ÂŁ250 to buy a colour television for Cherhiffi Ward at PMH. Children

Facechoice Pharmacy Freshbrook Village Centre Tel: 870226 Opening Times: Monday - Friday 9am - 1pm 215pm - 630pm Tuesday 9am - 1pm; 215pm - 5pm Saturday 9am - 12noon

with gastro-enteritus, infectious diseases, such as measles, and chicken pox, and in winter, children with chest complaints are cared for.

Pictured below, the playgroup children display some of the produce just before the auction.

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Freshbrook School has moved its family room for parents and their pre-school children to a larger double mobile unitand three.newgroups have been started.

To get things more cosy, the Workbox will be meeting every Monday morning to paint the room, make curtains and create interesting decoration for the walls.

Also on a Monday, the existing play packs library will be open at 330p.m. for parents to choose a bag of play ideas which they can use with their children at home.

OnWednesday,Chatterboxrneets for coffee, chat and company betwen 9a.m. and 12noon. Any parents with pre-school children, who would like to meet others, will be made very welcome.

And on Mondays, a brand new group called Gear Box is starting a Thrift Shop to give parents a chance to buy good quality, secondhand clothing at reasonable prices.

TheFamilyRoomunitisbeingcoordinated by Sheila Cracknell, a teacher attached to the Early Years Education Project which has been

running in the area for three years.

The family room is also used by risingfives from local playgroups to give them an idea of school atmosphere, and Sheila meets parents and children as part of the induction programme to make the process of entering school as easy as possible.

Sheila is holding a talk with a video about the Parent-Link organisation which helps parents discuss the problems of caring for children as they grow up. This takes place on 21 November at 10a.m.

She would be pleased to meet any parents who would like to join in with any of the groups and can usually be found in the family mom on Monday,Tuesday orWednesday mornings. Otherwise leave a message for her at the school office.

Sheila stresses that parents do not have to have a child at Freshbrook School to join in with activities at the family room. • The Freshbrook Family Room does not have an overall name yet.

Any ideas for a theme or name to Sheila Cracknell.

Pupils go out 'n about ______I

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Sheila Cracknell behind some Family Room visitors, from left to right, Tricia Webb, Debbie Griffin, Sandra Barton, Lynn Butler, Richard Webb

First and second year pupils from Freshbrook School were roaming the streets of the area during October looking at the buildings, the footpath routes, and landscape as part of a project entitled Freshbrook Out and About.

Lydiard Park was included in their area of interest and each class spent a day in the park learning about the wildlife and identifying trees. They also had the chance to stay overnight in the youth hostel which included a night walk around the park.

Sketching gargoyles at St. Mary's, Lydiard,from left, Candy Jarvis,Phillip Lambert, Jodie Leftwich and rear, Richard Wojciak

WESTLEA

7

Call to clean up play parkBon Fire

& Fireworks Westlea School Tuesday 6 November 6.30p.m.

Adults: £1.20 Children: 60p

Wanting improvements to The Meads play area. Left: Sue Russell and Sandra Small, Heather Scott, right, and Hilary Clifford at the rear

A group of mums in Westlea are calling for improvements to one of the local play parks because they fear for the safety of children and it is impossible to keep them clean when they visit.

The Withy Meads park was built on the edge of Westlea eight years ago by now defunct house builders Bradleys. It was later adopted by Thamesdown Council for upkeep.

However the location next to Mead Way is unsatisfactory says Sandra Small of Whitington Road, "Many parents won't send their children here by themselves because it's too secluded from the nearest houses by trees and hedges.

"It's also very messy here sometimes. The stench of urine on the play equipment is sometimes overpowering, whilst the grassed areas are often covered in dog muck" Rosemary Clifford of Whittington Road said that children get messy for a different reason when they play at Withy Meads. "The gravel surface is either like mud when its wet or dust bowl when dry. Either way children return home covered

in dust from climbing and sliding.

In the hot weather the railway sleepers surrounding the equipment ooze tar which is difficult to get off clothes and skin."

Sue Russell said she had felt uneasy during daytime visits with her children. Heather Scott agreed that drivers can easily stop on the road and come down into the play area.

The group of women want the Council to lay a clean safety surface, cut back the hedges which hide the play area from houses, and erect a fence to keep dogs outof areas where children play.

A spokesman for Thamesdown Parks Department said the council had not been responsible for siting orbuild ing Withy Meads originally.

He agreed that the trees and bushes cut the area off from housing. The hedge would be laid in a few years time but he would see if they could be trimmed back soon.

He said that pea gravel was an recognised safety surface. Whilst there are still areas in Swindon with a concrete base Withy Meads was a low priority for resufacing.

Playgroup bounces with pleasure Children at Westlea's playgroup are jumpingaround withabitmore spring, thanks to a new surface on their outdoor play area.

They had been promised by Thamesdown Council that the play area outside the Community Room at Westlea School would have a rubber safety surface sometime earlier this year. They were surprised, however, when contractors appeared and put down a tar surface and of course they protested.

Their complaints were justified during the summer when the tar melted and covered the children.

Also play equipment sank into the surface. The playgroup staff, committee and parents were not happy and increased their efforts to have the promises fulfilled.

Now a rubberised surface has

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been put down and the group is well pleased with it.

Playgroup supervisor Barbara Frost said that ex-commi ttee chairwoman Doreen Corner should get much of the praise for making dozens of phone calls to Thamesdown to get the job done properly.

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tions and uses base and wall Local couple, David and Wendy units that can be adjusted for Dukes, are celebration the height, and easy to use handles opening of their new showand appliance controls. room in Cricklade Road, incorAlso on display is a selection porating Kitchens Unlimited of doors in solid timbers and and Studio Bedrooms. laminates which can be tailorDavid and Wendy, from made for customers who want Shaw, have awealth of experito change the look of their ence in the manufacture and kitchen without changing the retail of kitchens. They started layout.

New doors and Kitchens Unlimited three years worktops can transform a ago when they saw a place in kitchen at a fraction of the cost the market for a business and upheaval of a complete rebased on personal service and fit. value for money. They have With the opening of the new always aimed to offer a wide showroom David and Wendy range of kitchens and applihave also moved into the fitted ances, combining the service bedroom market, under the of an upmarket studio with a name Studio Bedrooms. They price structure to suit all have chosen a range from the budgets.

Misty Premier collection by Although a local company, A toast to future success, Wendy and David Dukes Bernstein's with three bedpersonal recommendations rooms displayed in attractive settings. showrooms and now to the brand new have brought in customers from as far From practicality to sheer luxury the showroom in Gorse Hill. David and afield as Newcastle, London and range has something for everyone, and Wendy offer a range of kitchens bySymBournemouth. Kitchens Unlimited looks many of David and Wendy's existing phony - the first manufacturer to be after the customer from design to instalkitchen clients have already expressed awarded the coveted BS5750 Quality lation, including tiling, flooring and an interest in a new bedroom.

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David and Wendy cordially invite you tracted out, the company employs its to visit their new showroom at 85 The new showroom has seven kitchens own fitting teams and all work is Cricklade Road, Gorse Hill, to look at on display including a kitchen designed overseen by David who is a member of exclusivelyfor the elderlyand disabled. their attractive displays, and to take the Guild of Master Craftsmen.

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Town helps out at Brookfield The football players at Brookfield I knew we were getting a complete School will be the envy of every strip, sponsor logos and all. We're other school team in Swindon, fol- absolutely delighted that the club lowing the decision by Swindon is helping the school and the boys Town P.C. to sponsor a complete are very proud.'

Ross said the club had been more kit.

Headteacher Roger Nicholas ex- than pleased to sponsor the kit plained that he was talking to Town when he suggested the idea. He player Ross MacLaren whose son said he was starting to get involved attends the school. "I mentioned with the school and hoped to arthat we were looking for someone range a trip around the County to support the team. The next thing Ground for pupils in the future.

The Brookfiefd team with headt eacher Roger Nicholas and assistant coach Lesley Shaw, pictured with Town players Ross MacLaren, left, David Kerslake and mascot Ian MacLaren, centre

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Playgroup places The Holy Trinity Playgroup holds its first session on 6 November in Holy Trinity Church, Shaw. There are still a few vacancies and some for January. For further information, contact Marilyn Klepacz on 874546.

Choose Us First For the Best Quality Take Home Food Available Fried Freshly For You Cod, Plaice, Haddock, Skate, Huss, Scampi, Chips, Various Pies, Sausages and Chicken.

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Open Monday - Saturday 11.30am - 2pm; 430pm - 11pm Car Park 'A' West Swindon Centre TELEPHONE ORDERS WELCOME - 870455

Friends of Shaw Ridge Primary School FREE Christmas Bazaar & Car Boot Sale

Sunday 25 November, 1.30p.m.3.30p.m. Shaw Ridge School To book a pitch for Car Boot Sale (5) phone 874272

Shaw W.I.

Big money raising

Debbie Griffiths writes: Christmas is coming, some of you may have purchased Christmas presents from our Barrow at ASDA, last month. Our combined and varied talents produced an interestingdisplayof goods and craft items, (all profits donated to charity).

Some members slaved away recently sewing tiny hexagonal patches together to produce a beautiful quilt cover. I admire their patience for such a labour intensive task. The finished article will hopefully give much pleasure to the Swindon hospice.

Don't be dismayed after reading this if, like me you can't sew. You can still join the W.I. Come along and just listen to our guest speakers and meet new friends. You may visit us up to 3 times (cost SOp) before you need to decide to join W.I. Our next monthly meeting is Monday 19 November, 730p.m. at Shaw Community Centre. The speaker will be talking about 'Cards and their Stories'. If poetry is your forte then enter ourcompetition and reword a carol. For more information please ring me, Debbie 875725.

New computers and a new photocopier are the target items totalling £1,000 in a current fundraising campaign at Shaw Ridge School.

Two hundred people took part in the fifth Shaw Ridge School 10 kilometre run and a fun run on 7 October. £640 was raised for school funds.

Recently pupils took part in a sponsored swim in the Link Centre pool. And not to be outdone, headteacher Keith Burke, pictured below, accepted the challenge and completed 80 lengths.

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RECREATION Local women win through to With Lee Hogan M.P.E.A, R.S.A. British lift championships Sundays 6pm-7.15pm

12

Fitness Training with Lee

BY DESIGN LTD

No dancing, No music, Circuit Training, Stamina Building, Team Games - For Men Spoils Hall, Greendown School

Tuesdays 7.30pm-8.30pm Exercise to Music with Lee

Total Body Conditioning Drama Studio, Greendown School

Sundays 7.30pm-8.30pm Exercise to Music with Lee

Total Body Conditioning The Gym, Greendown School

Saturdays 5pm-6pm Cardio-Funk with Tracy

A Great New Exercise Class using the best & latest music.

Willows Hall, Freshbrook School

For the Fit, the Young, the Young at Heart, Men & Women Alike

Everyone Welcome NO MEMBERSHIP or REGISTRATION JUST PAY ON THE DAY

£2.50 all sessions.

Classes and times to suit everyone we hopel Telephone: 870691 for details

The Women's South-West Powerlifting Championships advertised in last month's Link magazine brought success for two local lifters.

Anne Brown from Shaw and Jackie Cross from Eastleaze won their weight categories at the event held at Greendown School on 14 October. Anne also won the overall competition trophy, whilst Jackie took third place. Both women have qualified for the national championships next March, from which the British powerlifting squad is selected.

Anne win was particularly im-

pressive after spending the preceding weeks organising the event,and the preceding day lifting weights and otherequipment to get the venue ready.

Deputy Mayor of Thamesdown John Stevens called in briefly and came away impressed by the women's workout. The Mayor's Helping Hand Fund will benefit from a special sponsored lift by two men who together twice raised a bar weighingl,0001bs.

Thechampionship was sponsored byNationalPowerand Pebley Beach Garage.

Jackie Cross from Eastleaze powers her way to squat lifting 18 stone

Terry Sutcliffe D.O. STRUCTURAL HEALTH CONSULTANT • Osteopathy • Soft Tissue Manipulation • Sports Injuries To book an appointment, ring 722913 8a.m. - 9a.m. Monday to Saturday 530 Cricklade Road, Swindon SN2 5A0 THE WYVERN ARTS TRUST PROUDLY PRESENTS The Tdnwood School of DdncInq (PrincIpdl: Mollie

TdnnFr)

What's on at Link Centre New Cardio-Funk Class

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electrifying show for all the family, lull of vibrant energy!!

Wednesday 7th - Saturday 10th November 7.30 p.m.

Saturday Matinee 2.30 p.m.

Wednesday Evening £4.00 Saturday Matinee £450

Thursday/Friday Evening £5.00, £4.00 Saturday Evening £5.50, £450

(oncesstons SOp off except Wednesdey Evening

WYVERN THEATRE IF

THEATRE SQUARE SVVINDON SN1 1QJ BOX OFFICE. (0793) 524481 CREDIT CARD LINE (0793) 594055

Join in on Sunday mornings for a 'funky' new exercise class. Cardiofunk is a low impact class suitable for all ages and abilities.

Great music and easy to follow routines guarantees a unique and enjoyable experience. If you are just starting on a keep-fit regime come along - the exercises are safe and you can work at your own pace. The class takes place every Sunday morning 10.30a.m.1130a.m. and costs just £1.30, this includes a free swim!

What a great way to start the day Further details from Link Reception. Tel: 871212

vouritesas 'The Ugly Duckling' and 'The Emperor's New Clothes'.

Why not treat the whole family?

Tickets available from Link main reception. Buy now to avoid disappointment. Performance dates, time and ticket prices are as follows: Evening Performances: 7.30p.m.

(Doors open at 7.00p.m.)

Sunday 16 & Monday 17 December Balcony & Rinkside

Adults

£4.75! Conc. £3.75

Show Level

Adults £8.00! Conc. £4.00 Matinee Performance: 2.00p.m.

(Doors open at 1.30p.m.)

Monday 27 December Balcony & Rinkside

Ice Show Tickets On Sale

Adults

Tickets are now on sale for Link Centre's Christmas Ice Show, 'Hans Christian Anderson - His life and Stories'. Music, scenery, costumes, special effects and over 200 skaters combine to bring a magical show for all, including such family fa-

Show Level

Adults

£4.25! Conc.f3.25 £4.75! Conc. £3.75

Group discounts available.

Further details from Alan Seabrook, Skating Development Officer on 871212

Texaco Star Ladies Challenger Tennis Tournament World Ranked Players at Delta Tennis Centre Qualifying Matches: 10 & 11 November Tournament: 12 to 16 November FREE Viewing. Seating for semi-finals & finals on 15/16 Nov.

ARTS SCENE Link Arts in November

Recreation Trainee Aaron Dungey reviews the wide range of attractions for the next few weeks

Looking East

there is a Celebration with song and This month we are looking east! dance with accordionist Julian An exhibition of East and Central Dziubinski and his dance band with Europe Looking East will be traditional dances, food and drink. running until 24 November. There Cost: £4.00, £3.00 concessions. will be a display throughout the Link Centre of everyday images, Films artefacts, information, flags and On 22 November at 7.45p.m. the Film Society presents Kenneth objects from several countries.

On 8 November there will be a Branagh in Henry V. A dramatic screening of Ashes and Diamonds reinterpretation of Shakespeare's (18) which is a black and white film classic. Compelling entertainment. set in Post-World War 11 Poland. It £2.00, £1.50 concessions, plus £1.00 tells of a young resistance fighter set membership. on assassination. It was the winner of the 1959 Venice Film Festival and Music the 1960 Vancouver Festival. The Swindon Jazz Front presents Hufilm will start at 7.45p.m. and costs man Chain on 2 November at £2.00, £1.50 concessions, plus £1.00 8.00p.m. The winners of the best membership. band in the Wire/Carlsberg British On 9 November at 800p.m. there Jazz awards. Tickets are MOO, £3.00 is An Evening of Eastern European members, £2.00 concessions.

Wonder Tales. Ben Haggerty reOn 15 November at 800p.m. the lates traditional tales with force and Albion Band returns led by Ashley fire. An evening of true entertain- Hutchings, this is an ever popular ment for adults at a cost of £4.00, Folk-Rock band. Tickets are £5.00, £4.00 concessions. £3.00 concessions.

On 17 November at 8.00p.m., On 10 Novemberat2.30p.m. Brog Puppets present Kurochka and the Swindon Rock Front present the Giant. For 4-8 year olds, this show latest sounds from the local live band tells how Kurochka the hen tries to scene. outwit an egg-stealing giant!

The Steve Ashley Band, which is Cost:' £2.25. rapidly becoming a powerful force Also on 10 Novemberat8.00p.m., in Folk-Rock will be appearing on -

-

topped bus. Aboard are representatives of many of the user groups including the Busy Bees and Wigwams parent and toddler groups, the clown mascot of the West Swindon Focus on Under S's group, the japanesemaths class and an Asian lady in the driving seat.

Apart from some paintings by Karen in her children's bedrooms, thebus mural is the first big painting the two women have been involved with. It joins a seaside mural in the Community Suite painted by Greendown students which was unveiled in July.

PROFESSIONAL GUITAR TUTOR

23Novemberat8.00p.im £4.00,0.00 concessions.

has vacancies for both young and mature people interested in learning the Classical Guitar.

Drama On 16 November at 7.30p.m., Barebones Theatre present a simple but powerful production of Shakespeare's, The Tempest. Tickets: £4.00, £3.00 concessions.

Children On24November,WhisperandShort present Holiday Bears, a puppet showfortheunder7's. TheRainbow Teddy Bears are off to the seaside.

Don't forget tobringyour own teddy bear. Also, Hocus Pocus, a puppet show for the 5 11 year olds with bungled spells and spooky goingson in the den of the silly sorcerer, Wizard Omega.

Holiday Bears will be at 1 1.00a.m. and Hocus Pocus at 2.30p.m. Tickets are £2.25 or see both shows for only £3.50! Teddy bears will be admitted free.

-

Comedy Another nightof New Comedywith Paul Ramone, Pat Condell, Ian McPherson and Steve Murray, the man who tortures defenceless teddy bears, on 20 November at 8.30p.m. at a cost of £4.00, £3.00 concessions.

Individual half hour lessons on a weekly basis. Music examinations from beginners to diploma level coached and encouraged Contact BERNARD TANNER on Swindon 521743 or 514055 (24 hrs)

Stage Corner & Fancy Dress Corner Quality dance & fitness wear make lovely Christmas presents.

We have all you need.

Plan now for your Fancy Dress Party.

Jokes, hats, masks and make-up. Costume hire for young and old.

103 Faringdon Road Swindon. Tel: 522729

Dccii

All aboard the group bus One of the rooms in the Community Suite at the Link Centre has been given that special personal touch by a couple of users.

Two members of the Asian Women's Group that meets in the large meeting room in the Suite decided they would paint a mural on a new cupboard built last year for the different groups who use in the room during the week.

Karen Sca rgill and Sigi Bannister, both from Grange Park, spent their evenings and weekends over a two week period in July, to paint the Thamesdown Transport open

13

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WYVERN THEATRE c Theatre Square, Swindon, Wilts. Box Office (0793)524481 Fri 14Dec90: Sat 19Jan91

Credit Card Line (0793) 694055

Wyvorn Arts Trust in association with KEVIN WO)

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Don't forget to visit Aladdin's Cave of Gifts at McILROYS the department store from Saturday 3 November to Monday 24 December -

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AT YOUR LIBRARY

14

COOKS T.V& VIDEO REPAIR SERVICE

Oliver Tomkins Under 5's

Comments please

Playgroup Party Plan Evening

Jacquelyn Else, Assistant Librarian, is looking for feedback unusual and will appeal to your What do you think of the library?

6 November, 7.30pm- 10pm In the Playgroup building Kiln Park, Toothill Stalls will include tupperware, books, cakes and much more.

Refreshments

A comments book in the library now gives you the opportunity to put in writing your views, opinions and any questions you my have.

EitherCarolynormyself will write a reply to your query or comment which you can read on your next visit to the library. We would espeRainbow Playgroup cially welcome fresh suggestions Christmas Bazaar and new ideas for the library.

FREE Saturday 17 November Librarians usually have a good Home Estimates 11am - 1.30pm idea of what 'their' readers want but Repairs by Freshbrook Community Centre sometimes we do need a little help Qualified Admission 20p, children with and who best to help but those who parents admitted free! use the service.

Engineers.

Gifts, Soft Toy Tombola, Cakes, You may for instance, wonder Sales & Rentals Refreshments, Good Toys and why we don't stock books on your All Work Books, Tombola, Various games favourite hobby; wish to comment and competitions, Raffle, Brie a on the exhibition programrr, the Guaranteed Brac. Visit Santa in his grotto list could be endless. We may not and buy a Lucky Dip gift.

Tel: Swindon always be able to give a favourable reply but hopefully we will be able to give explanations of why things Greendown Playgroup are done in a certain way.

Christmas Bazaar The comments book is located in Monday 19 November the reference area of the library on 7pm - 9pm one of the study tables. Please use it.

Freshbrook Community Centre As the days are getting darker Toys, Books, Fancy Goods, and colder both children and parRaffle. Lots of Christmas ents will welcome the chance to presents snuggleup with a good bookortwo.

Entrance ÂŁ1 INCLUDES We now have even more picture Refreshments and Lucky Ticket books to choose fromin ourextended Draw Entry picture book area. The collection now extends into browser boxes at the side of the den. Consequently the older children wilfind that their books have been moved too -not too far though and all shelves will be clearly labelled.

New for November The following are just a taste for you from the many new books INTERIORS available.

Early Days by Penelope Rippon A delightful book with beautiful Free measuring service and sample loans. pastel pictures and simple text outSuperior Fitting Service. liningdaily events common to every Please call in to browse. small child.

Counting by Roger McGough 38 Havelock Street, Swindon Help your child to learn to count Telephone: (0793) 513701 and develop broader concepts us(Formerly Curtain Dream) ing this book. The illustrations are

825795 NO CALL OUT CHARGE

Curtains, Bed Fashions, Sofas, Blinds, Cushions, Lighting and Carpets, All Beautifully Co-ordinated

something

different

Old Style Telephones, Beatrix Potter Pictures Dolls Houses & Furniture, Vitreous Enamel Signs, Birdtables, Dovecotes, Garden Statuary, Planters, Birdbaths& Ornaments Pottery including Leedsware, Moorcroft, Wade Brass & Copper Miniatures & Collectors Cabinets

97 Ermin Street, Stratton St Margaret Telephone: 826821

child's imagination.

Jo's Garage by Caroline Cary A first book about machines and tools to be enjoyed by many children. The text is simple but informative and is accompanied by bright colourful illustration.

Find the Duck by Stephen Cartwright A small board book for the very young child bya popular illustrator.

The duck can be found on every page and your child will have fun trying to spot him.

Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs A popular fairytale retold in a series entitled 'Now you can read' forthe3 to7yearage group. We also have copies of Cinderella and Jackand the Beanstalk from this series.

Doodle Days by Frank Rodgers A heart warming story about a boy whose drawing of a pet dog comes alive. The illustration is delightful and tells the story in itself.

Don't forget to bring your children along to our storytime sessions on Wednesdays from 10.30a.m. to 1100a.m. The children have been listening to the stories, joining in with making noises, drawing pictures and generally having good fun.

Our exhibitions for this month.

Until 16 November 'The Great Sea Dragons' -wonderful fossilevidence of the creatures that lived long ago.

From 17 November to 1 December 'The Swindon Artists' - always a popular and well attended display.

From the Editor: One of the first

comments in the new book is that there should be more Link magazines available. We'll try to ensure more are supplied. But if you don't live in the area, you can guarantee a copy by taking out an annual subscription. Send ÂŁ7 to cover postage and packing to: The Link 13 Castle Dora, Freshbrook Swindon SN5 8PQ. To Cirenceste

A361 to Burford

something different

Swindon

A420 to Oxford

Opening Times Sat. lOam - 5pm; Sun. 2pm . 5pm Mon, Tue, Thu, Fri. 9am - 5pm Wed. 9am - 1pm

XQV Sch"l In the second of our visits to the four secondary schools serving West Swindon, we give over a page to students at Bradon Forest School, Purton.

First impressions of Bradon Forest Mark Benson from Freshbrook has just arrived

Becoming a First Year seems funny especially having just been a Fourth Year at primary school. Everything and everybody seems bigger than me. I spent the last year being at the top of the school but now I'm at the bottom again.

At first it seems funny walking from class to class. I have been used to spending all my time in one class. It is strange leaving my house one hour earlier to catch the bus instead of walking to school.

Leaving primary school was sad for me and my teacher. Mrs Evans and Mrs Holman were the best teachers lever had. I did not want to leave my primary school but when I got into Bradon Forest I was made to feel very welcome. All of the subjects are all right to me, especially PE done by Mr Wells and Mr Taylor, English done by Mr Churchill and Humanities taught by Mrs James.

It is great fun having a tuck shop at break times. This is something completely new to me.

There are many different things at Bradon Forest that I did not expect. For example a music room, kitchens, science laboratories, a gymnasium. As a First Year all these things are exciting to me. I am looking forward to making trips abroad. It is great being able to play rugby as this is one of my hobbies.

There are a lot of things you can do in your spare time at Bradon Forest, like using the Library and the Careers Room and going to sports practices. I am enjoying learning two new languages, French and German, but my most favourite subjects are Humanities and English.

I am really pleased that I chose Bradon fur my school because there is so much to do there.

A Busy Life in Y9 Stevie Coram says she's getting a lot of encouragement to pursue her sporting interests.

Hi! I'm in the third year (Y9) at Bradon Forest School. I'm very keen on sport. We have PE twice a week. There are two main sports I enjoy - they are Netball and Hockey.

At the moment I'm very into Hockey. The PE staff give us really professional coaching and they try to get you involved with out-ofschool clubs. For example, they have arranged for me to go to Dorcan where the Wootton Bassett Under 18s Hockey Club trains.

Our PE teachers give up a lot of their spare time to help us and recently we have been winning a lot of our matches. Two of the girls are having Netball trials for England. We are made to work hard in the lessons, but in the long

run we benefit by getting to a really high standard.

There are quite a few other things that I enj oy in school, besides sport.

Metal work, in C.D.T., is good.

I'm making a door knocker, based on a horseshoe, for our front door at home. English is enjoyable, too, and is getting really interesting, and I like being able to use the Library whenever I want to.

I do a lot of things these days, with all the sport and the clubs, and I play in Cricklade Town Band as well (E flat Bass Tuba), so getting my homework done on time takes a special effort sometimes.

Still, I seem to be coping so far, and I'm getting a lot out of it.

Right: Hockey isjust one interestfor busy student, Stevie Coram

Only two terms left Samantha Fryer looks back

I have juststarted myFifthYear (or Yl 1 as they call it now) at Bradon Forest School, which means that I have only two terms left before I leave the school for ever. I can still remember my first day at Bradon Forest, four years ago. In these four years I must have changed considerably but I have enjoyed my time at Bradon Forest and this has helped me a lot during the quite difficult years. I think that the school has given me a lot of opportunity to prepare for life, academically and socially.

While my younger sister has been deeply involved in caring for the chickens in the Rural Science area, I have been finding Drama to be of special importance to me. It has given me self confidence and introduced me to useful skills for the future, such as interview techniques, giving talks, communicating generally, and some management skills.

Public productions have been a large part ofthe work in the Drama department, both in school, touring other schools, and at the Link Centre. I was in Shakespeare's 'Midsummer Night's Dream', playing the part of Hernia, and I enjoyed it immensely. The English department helped a lot with the character interpretation, and exploring some of the text. I found that the more I put into it, the more I was benefitting.

Being in the Drama department has meant that I have met people with my own interests, and I can spend time with them in a relaxed atmosphere. Nobody criticises you, or makes fun of you there, because to be able to participate fully you need to open up so that the atmosphere relaxes and you learn to trust each other.

Youngest and oldest, Mark Benson and Samantha Fryer One thing that I really appreciate about being in this school is that I don't have to be false or pretend to be something I'm not.

Most people in the school accept you for what you are; those few who don't are not worth bothering about. I like the school because you can walk along a corridor and people - both pupils and teachers - will say hello to you, and smile, I feel part of the school, not just a pupil but a member.

One of the reasons for this is the way that pupils get a say in the affairs of the school. Each tutor group has elected representatives on the school's Council, who put forward their groups' views on good and bad things about the school, and make suggestions on what the school might do for the pupils. The chairperson of the Council then puts these forward to the teachers so that they can discuss possible changes. This makes all the pupils feel that they have a say in the running of the school to which they belong.

Another thing that I like is the way that individual pupils are catered for. I have an interest in Ancient History and six of us have been able to take an extra G.C.S.E in Classical Studies, in our own time, with two teachers giving up their own time to teach us. I have also been able to take my Maths a year early, so the class can go on to do Further Maths. The teachers at Bradon Forest show a real interest in helping you. If you want extra information they will give you books or talk to you about it. In general they don't talk down to you, but with you. If you take the time to go and see them about something, they help and encourageyou. I am enjoying my last year at Bradon Forest. I like the people and the atmosphere.

Next month, we visit The Ridgeway School, Wroughton

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DAY INTHE LIFE Thinking three months ahead of everybody else

18

Lois Sillence, who lives in Toothill, spends her days promoting Swindon's Wyvern Theatre There is no such thing as a 'typical day' in the theatre! Working as an Assistant in the Marketing & Promotions department of Swindon's Wyvern Theatre means that I am promoting a whole range of performances as well as the theatre's facilities. One day I might be working on 'The Mr Men Show' and the next on a classic drama. Because the theatre offers such a wide range of shows there is always plenty of variety in my job -but as with every job there are those mundane things that have to be done every day!

I don't start work until 9.30a.m. which means I miss all the traffic from West Swindon. My first job is to make sure that all the leaflets and poster on display in the foyer are up to date and tidy. I then go upstairs to my office, collecting the post on the way up. Today the bulk of my post is requests to join our free mailing list, which I put onto the computer and send a copy of our current brochure to each new member.

AsChristmasis onlya fewmonths away, I am busy promoting our family pantomime. This year we

are presenting 'Aladdin' starring Floella Benjamin and Bobby Gee (remember Bucks Fizz?). I started working on the pantomime in June as there is a lot to be done such as writing and designing brochures, setting up the official launch (this year's was held at the 'Chinese Experience'), and making sure that all the posters and leaflets are sent out.

easy to read and is also informative.

Once this has been printed I will then send it out to people who we feel will be interested in dining before a show.

For the remainder of the afternoon I work on some audience research. A computer printout from the Box Office supplies me with the addresses of all the people who came

THAMESWOOD VETERINARY CLINIC Nicholas Hartley M.A., Vet. M.B. M.R.C.V.S. West Swindon - Tel: 526780 62 - 64 Purton Road.

Mon. - Fri. 9am-6.30pm Saturday 9am- 1 lam

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Old Town. Tel: 542300 1 Ashford Road (see map)

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Lois in the newest restaurant in town Today I am busy writing a letter to see Agatha Christie's 'Spider's which has details of our party book- Web' last month. By collating this ing discounts, I will then send this information and then analysing it I out to local business' in a bid to can determine which areas of Swinattract group bookings. Unfortu- don the audience came from. This nately I also have to 'stick and stuff' information can then be used when the 800 envelopes for this mailshot! marketing other shows of a similar Once this is out of the way, I pre- nature. When I have the results of pare to show a party of school chil- this survey I am interested to see dren around the theatre. Taking a that we are now attracting a growgroup of 30 seven year olds on a tour ing number of people from West of the backstage area is no mean Swindon. feat, but an hour later they leave the I leave work at 600p.m. and stop theatre full of new ideas for their off at the West Swindon Library to school play. deliver some brochures, then it's Atll.30a.m. I have a meeting with straight home to a well earned cup the General Manager and the Pub- of tea! licity Manager to discuss the forthcoming season. We generally work three months in advance and at the moment are putting together bro- The West Swindon based Vivienne chures for the Spring Season.

Taylor School of Performing Arts Today I have lunch in 'The Harle- starts on 7 and 8 November. quin', the theatre's new bar and resThe school aims to introduce taurant which is well worth a visit if young people to a wide range of you are in town at lunch time. different skills. Acting, Mime, Voice After lunch I continue working Improvisation and Dance are on the on a brochure for the new 'theatre theatre based curriculum. dinner' package we are promoting Clowning and juggling will also next season which offers patrons be taught by tutor Howard Taylor, the chance to enjoy a meal in 'The who has considerable experience Harlequin' before or after the show. in childrens circus and theatre proAs this is the first time we have done duction. theatre dinners with The Harlequin' There are still afew places leftfor it is important to produce a bro- youngsters aged between 5 and chure that contains all the informa- sixteen years who want to have ago tion required but one that is still at learning different skills. attractive and interesting. Using the Classes will take place on desk top publishing system in the Wednesdays at Lydiard Millicent office I set about designing the front Village Hall and Greendown School cover of the brochure and trying to on Thursday afternoons.

Call Howard Taylor on 772136 fit all the details in. The finished result has a 1920's feel about it, is for more information.

Still places left

Evening Performances:

Matinee Performance: 2p.m. - Doors open 1 .3Opm Sunday 16&Monday 17 December Monday 27 December Balcony & Fnkside Balcony & Rinkside Adults £4.75! Conc. £3.75 Adults £4.75/ Conc. £3.25 Show Level Show Level Adults £8.00! Conc. £4.00 Adults £4.75/ Conc. £3.75

7.30pm - Doors open 7pm

Recrealion Services SOROUGII OF ThAMESOOWN AF

BOOK NOW

A

NEWS &VIEWS

19 IN

The way to get into voluntary work Maria Grime is looking for volunteers

The Volunteer Bureau is part of Thamesdown's Voluntary Service Centre. (Have you seen the exhibition in various locations around West Swindon?)

Our building has been through major reconstruction to make it more accessible to people with mobility difficulties, eg. toilets on the ground floor, wider doors and corridor spaces, a lift shaft minus lift (the Co-ordinator is hoping to receive money for this very soon).

If you have discovered some spare time or wish to learn new skills, and have fun whilst helping others, then please make an appointment for an informal chat where you can share your time, commitment, skills and/or interests. Suggestions from the hundred or so organisations which recruit volunteers, can be made. An initial visit to an organisation will help you reach a decision.

Why not make contact today?

CURTAIN CALL TRAVEL

Savvas Cabaret Club Excursions Price includes return coach, 3 course dinner, full supporting show and disco dancing

Volunteer Co-ordinator Maria Grime

Write to or telephone Maria Grime at the Volunteer Bureau, 1 John Street, Swindon, SNI 1RT. Telephone 420714.

Make it an entertaining Christmas With winter approaching now is the time to book reservations for your Christmas excursions.

This year Curtain Call Travel have two dates to see Michael Barrymore in Cinderella at the Bristol Hippodrome, departing on Sunday 23 December, matinee and Saturday 19 January, evening.

Bookings are now beingaccepted for Andrew Lloyd Webber's popular Starlight Express on 8 December, Saturday matinee - £28, and the huge hit musical, Miss Saigon, 12 January - £39.50.

Our very popular excursions to Savvas Cabaret Club continue with

dates including Cannon & Ball in November, Joe Longthorne in December and Jim Davidson next January/Febniary.TheHollies take the stage in March and there is a one night visit from American star Jack Jones in March.

Our own Freddie Starr makes a welcome return next May. The very funny comedy Bread will be having a limited 'run' at the Dominion Theatre, London and there are only a few seats still available. Book early.

For reservations and more information call Curtain Call on Swindon 740817.

Deutsche sprechende Gruppe Eine neue Grippe, Spielgruppe genannt, hat sich in West-Swindon gebildet. Ihr Ziel ist es die deutsche Sprachebeizubehaltenoderzulernen.

DieSpiuppetrifftsichamDienstag zwischen 15.30 Uhrund 17.30 Uhr in der Community Suite im Link Centre. Die Spielgruppe ist in zwei Akitivitaetsgruppenuntereilt,dieeine fuerunterfuenfjaehrigeunddiezweite ftr schulpflichtige Kinder.

Fuer zwei Stunden wird wenig englisch gesprochen. Die Kinder

zusammen mit den freiwilligen Erwachsenen, die die Stunden leiten, singen Lieder und spielen verschiedeneSpiele. Geschichtenwerden ebenfalls erzaehlt. Zur Zeit sind we neunKinder,diemitmachenundmehr sind herzlich eingeladen. Falls sich genuegend Erwachsene nlden,istes geplant eine deutsche Gespraechsgruppe in das Pmjekt zu intregrieren.

Wenn Sie mehr Informationen brauchen, rufen Sie bitte Sieglinde Bannister. Tel 881554

17 November 16, 21, 22 Dec. 11/12 January 9 February 16 February 9 March 23 March (1 night only) 11 May

Cannon & Ball Joe Longthorne Jim Davidson Showaddywaddy Three Degrees The Hollies

£26 £30 £27 £26 £27 £28

Jack Jones Freddie Starr

£28 £33

West End Theatre Excursions 8 December Starlight Express Saturday Matinee

£28.00

12 January Miss Saigon Saturday Matinee

£39.50

19 January Bread (TV Comedy Series) £26.00 26 January

Cats (Sat. Matininee) £29.50

5 February

Les Miserables (Eve.) £32.70; £35.70; £40.50

At the Bristol Hippodrome 1 December Showboat

£24.50

Cinderella starring Michael Barrymore £17.75 Sunday 23 December (Mat.) £17.75 Saturday 19 January (eve.)

For Reservations and Further Details, please ring Curtain Call Travel on 740817

NEWS & VIEWS New health services for the community

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West Swindon's Health Centre will open at the beginning of April, and although it will be three months later than originally predicted, it is a short time to wait for a facility that has suffered set backs in the planning stage for about eight years.

The newcentre will bring together a whole range of health services presently scattered around Swindon,andwillmakevisits muchmore convenient for many people.

Altogether the building will become the base for around 50 health service staff. These include • Health Visitors who will move from the converted houses in

• • • • • • • • •

Toothifi they have occupied since 1977 District Nurses also based in Toothifi School Nurses Speech Therapist Psychiatric Nurses Mental Handicap Nurses An Audiology team Physiotherapists Midwives Community Dentist

and fitness sessions and a place for health related support groups to meet.

The Swindon Health Authority is interested in talking to any group who would like to use the room, and would like to hear what further services and groups residents would like to see taking place at the Health Centre.

Telephone Marlene Elliott on 486991 for more information.

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Health Centre's administrator Marlene Elliott said the facility would break new ground in health service provision by placing clinics in the community setting. "The centre will be a venue for the usual child health clinics, parentcraft and family planning sessions, but we're introducing several services which up to now have required clients to travel some distance.

"For example, by having a physiotherapist in the community, a G.P. can refer a patient directly for quick attention or advice so that an injury is prevented from getting worse by having to wait for an appointment. We have a pilot project running at Carfax Street where often a person does not need physi otherapy. They just require advice and be to shown some exercises to prevent a repeat of a strain which in turn means fewer days off work.

"The audiology room will be equipped with measuring devices so thata patient can be assessed and fitted where necessary with a hearing aid and shown how to use it with a TV, video, phone, all on site and quite quickly.

"Another innovation is having the Community Psychiatric Nurses based in the area running clinics.

Patients with a mental illness can visit a facility which provides many other services and maintains some anonymity for them."

Apart from the offices and specialised treatment rooms, theHealth Centre contains a large multi-purpose room for meetings, parent and toddler groups, health education

A

Ready for their new centre, from left, Health Visitor Mary Matthews, District Nurse, Mandy Bishop, Administrator Marlene Elliott, Nurse Manager Guy Montezuma

Doctor opens this month West Swindon's newest doctor will start his practice in mid-November.

Dr. Houseman who is moving from Wootton Bassett is opening a surgery next to the Link Centre, opposite the new Health Centre. He will initially be operating out of a temporary building with the prospect of building a permanent surgery over the next few years.

Need for G. Park G.P. The liklihood of getting a doctor based in Grange Park seems quite slim, according to Freshbrook councillor Bob Pixton.

Using the results of the 1989 West Swindon survey when 37% of respondents living in Grange Park identified the lack of a doctor as a major problem, Court. Pixton has written to the Wiltshire Family Practioner Committee about the need for a G.P. in the area.

He has suggested that the land off Hay Lane would be ideal for a surgery. He has tried to make telephone contact on several occasions but says he has the feeling his question is being avoided. A reply to his letter is awaited.

Dental problems - see page 31

21

New bank offers complete local service On 22 October the most up-to-date branch of the Midland Bank opened its doors in West Swindon.

Situated next to the Delta Tennis Centre in Westlea, the Midland has brought to West Swindon the kind of high-tech lobby banking normally seen in city centres. The fully enclosed lobby, which is open 24 hours a day, features machines for cash withdrawal, deposits and obtaining balances and statements.

The branch itself is open from 9.30a.m. to 5p.m. Monday to Friday, with a counter cashier service available from 9.30a.m. to 330p.m.

There is a receptionist on duty during opening hours to answer queries and help if you have a problem with the machines.

Champagne for the first customer.

Mary Ditchfield of Kirktonhill Road, Westlea wassurprised torecievea bottle of bubbly for being the first customer through the door from Elaine Wright, Jackie Corbin and Tim Underwood

Branch Manager, Elaine Wright, comes to West Swindon from a branch in London. "I had no idea how big and varied West Swindon is," she said. 'There is a lot of nice housing here and some very imAn Efficient Service pressive buildings. The leisure facilities are marvellous, it all seems to is offered for those have been so well thought out. There of you with that is a tremendous feeling of commuimportant letter or CV, nity for such a new town; I've been report or thesis. made to feel very welcome."

The branch includes an Enterprise Full secretarial Centre which can give advice to support for the small small businesses. Enterprise Manbusiness. ager Ian Larrard has spent the last year with Great Western Enterprises in Swindon gaining an in-depth Elaine Wright, taking up the challenge knowledge of the services and facilities available to new and established businesses in the Thamesdown area. The Midland offers specialised assistance for the purchase of vehicles and machinary for business purposes.

Elaine Wright said the branch will offer wide range of services. "Most customers realise they can get far •:• DO YOU OWN YOUR more from their bank than just a current account. We can offer a OWN BUSINESS? range of products - pensions, insur•. BOOKS A PROBLEM? ance, investment plans. We also aim to help small investors with •:• V.A.T. A HEADACHE? share dealings, and of course, with Thomas Cook in the Midland group, IF SO CONTACT US we can offer a range of travel and foreign currency facilities as well.

Opening this branch is very exciting SWINDON 877599 (24 hrs) and a big challenge for all of us."

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Since man first got up off all fours and stood on his own two feet the human body has been in trouble.

Problems with back, muscles, ligaments and joints fill G.P.s' waiting rooms and cause more days to be lost at work than any other complaint. Terry Sutcliffe is a local Osteopath who aims to help.

Terry worked for several years teaching relaxation techniques to people suffering from anxiety and depression and became interested in the many benefits of massage.

After training to become a Remedial Masseur, Terry was invited to join the Natural Health Centre at Milton Road. While workingthere he began to study Osteopathy and spent five years training to become a fully qualified Osteopath. Terry now has an expanding practice at 530, Cricklade Road.

Many people associate Osteopathy with the treatment of back pain, and this indeed accounts for about 50% of the people who consuitTerry.

The other 50% of his work involves a wide variety of muscle and joint conditions covering literally head to toe. A growing part of Terry's

practice involves the treatment of sport's injuries covering everybody from international standard athletes to joggers like himself!

The initial session enables Terry to build up a complete picture of what the likely problem is and the cause. "Sometimes the cause is obvious, but often all sorts of things influence our posture which we are not always aware of. For example many of us develop habits of standing and sitting that constantly throw the body out of balance." Terry explains that pain in one area of the body may point to a problem somewhere else, "A pain in the neck may be part of a complex postural pattern initiated bya fallen arch in one foot!"

Once a diagnosis has been formed a range of treatments is available including massage, joint articulation and manipulation. Terry will also give advice on self-help techniques.

The number of treatments required varies, but most people need between two and six sessions.

To make an appointment with Terry Sutcliffe call 722913 between 800a.m. and 9.00a.m., Monday to Saturday.

ISM131

31

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22

NEWS & VIEWS The Bumps and Babes Group that More 'bum's' wanted meets in the CommunitySuite at the Link Centre wants more pregnant women to join them.

The group is composed entirely of first time mothers with babies and mothers-to-be and aims to off support, advice, practical help and friendship.

A group rule requires mothers to move onto a sister group Nutkins when the child reach one year old, and there are quite a few due to move soon. The group would like more women expecting their first child to join in, so that they know Lots of babes to move on with their mums when they are too old

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Under 5's Disco Tickets for a pre-school disco on Friday7December, 2pm -430pm will be on sale from 1 November at Link Centre reception.

The disco is being organised byWestSwindonFocuson Under 5's. Adults are free.

Tickets cost 20p per child.

Experience wanted

Knowing how to keep energetic children occupied at a party can be a problem, especially in wintertime.

Now West Swindon bouncy The experience of involving older castle owner Larry Jones has come people at the Oliver Tomkins Playup with the answer. He has been group has been so successful over hiring out an outdoor inflatable for the last two years that they are two years and now he's offering an pleading for more to join in.

Judy Sturgess from Grange Park indoor bouncer, measuring just ten foot square. It will fit easily into and Gwen Evans from Shaw have any local community hall and will been helping out at the playgroup offer hours of fun to youngsters up as volunteers but recently Judy was employed as a member of staff. to the age of twelve.

Local toddler groups and play- Judy Sturgess - always surrounded by groups will be interested in hiring children wanting attention out the ACE 'mini-bouncer' to use as part of their day to day sessions.

He's has special rates for mid-week daytime hire. There's is no question, children will sleep well aftera good bounce. To contact Larry Jones, telephone on 873552.

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other mothers before and after they have their babies.

Bumps and Babes meets on Monday between 2p.m. and 4p.m. For more information, contact Teresa Woolf on 881208 or Ellen Mundy on 874358.

Pause...makes a move Alyson Cardis writes:

Over the past few months there have been rumblings from several Pause members (no, they haven't been eating too much curry).

They've been on the move to the westerly end of West Swindon.

As a result of this tide of migration we decided to find a more central location for our meetings and reluctantly say good bye to Toothill (good bye Toothill!)

So with the kind assistance of the Community Suite staff we found a corner of the Link Centre that we could call home, and in mid October took possession of the StonehengeRoom every Friday morning between 10a.m. and 12 noon.

Profuse apologies go to those Pause members that we weren't able to contact in advance regarding this momentous decision, but we still have an open door (metaphorically, that is), and welcome any women with or without children, to drop in and find out what's happening.

Their experience brings something special to the group says supervisor Jenny Woodman. 'Judy and Gwen are a wonderful influence in the group. They have that special 'grandparent quality which younger people don't have. They are always surrounded by children and ready with a cuddle and acornforting lap to sit on.

"We would love to have more older people helping in the group during the afternoon, and would especially welcome a grandad."

Older people who would like to find out more can drop into the playgroup building which is to be found past the telephone exchange on Beaurmaris Road, Toothill, or telephone Jenny Woodman on 870256.

NEWS & VIEWS Making it easier to find friends 'Don't leave makingone of the most important decisions in your life to chance'. The Company Company Introduction Agency's Principal, Diane Willows, herself a former high powered Company Director, claims that most people are either too busy due to work pressures, don't have enough time to look for or simply don't meet enough quality people.

The Company Company specialises in finding partners for Professional and Business people, but also works with people from other trades and occupations as well.

Introductions are made only after the clients have each been interviewed and screened with a lot of attention paid to individual requirements. The carefully designed feed-back form keeps the Agency abreast of the success of the meetings.

Patricia Jordan, also a former Company Director who has recently joined The Company Com-

pany from the United States, has helped the research and development of the business from another perspective.

The Company Company gives on-goingsupport to its members as some people join an Introduction Agency damaged by past relationships and need help with rebuilding their lives - both emotionally and physically.

Social Events such as Dinner Dances, Discos, Quizzes, Clay Pigeon Shooting ad various other activities are tailored to the needs of the clients.

Diane and Patricia are intuitive, professional and caring. The Company Company's primary concern is to alleviate the uncertainty involved with meeting new people, shortening the time to build a new relationship and present meaningful opportunities so that quality people can meet together.

To contact The Company Company telephone 487761.

23 Stuart Craft Photography The perfect Christmas present for family and friends.

Capture that precious moment in six beautifully presented 6x4' individual or family portraits, each mounted in a special Christmas Card, at the special offer price of £10.95.

Other sizes and packages available.

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Big income for N.C.T. The annual toy and baby equipment sale held by the West Swindon branch of the National Childbirth Trust was another crowded success.

Held in the Community Suite at the Link Centre on 6 October items were sold on behalf of owners who received three quarters of the sale price. The rest went to the branch which raised over £400.

Right: Roll up to the big sale, organisers&verley Cejer,LyndyGriffin,Janet Theobold, Suzie Plocka Jane Halstead and Helen Snook

Real life history reported A book recalling lives and times of fifty years ago will be launched on 10 November.

'Fifty Years On' is a collection of 45 short contributions from people living inThamesdown, recalling the war years.

The book is the product of an approach to Link Arts co-ordinator Mel Jones by two West Swindon pensioners who wanted to start a writers group in the area.

KathleanSealeyfromFreshbrook experienced the blitz in the east end of London, whilst Tom Wilson was evacuated at Dunkirk and later fought in North Africa.

Kathleen Sealey, Mel Jones A third of the pieces in the book and Tom Wilson were written by West Swindon residents, one of whom was a German lived by people living around us, child retreating with her family from history made by ordinary people.

The book will be available from the Russian advance on the eastern Link Centre reception and the Town front.

Fifty Years On' presents a fasci- Hail Studios. Only 500 have been nating range of real experiences printed, so be quick if you want one.

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NEWS & VIEWS

24

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Arch map ready in park A new sculpture has been unveiled in Lydiard Park ready for examination by visitors.

Sculptor Antony Holloway has been living and working in the park for over a month as part of the local mapping project, alongside an exhibition of maps in the park visitor centre.

During the last few weeks walkers will have come across him hard at work on three felled tree trunks, chopping, chisselling and shaping features of the park into the wood to create a large three dimensional map. Lydiard Mansion, machines, animaland plant lifeare all depicted in an archway standing nine feet high and sixteen feet wide.

Antony has used coloured stains to pick out the features of his 'map,' using green for foliage, blue for the stream and black for the cows.

The local maps project which aims to encourage local people to create maps of their own locality is continuing to run. Neil Hillier,

Nearing completion, Neil Holloway fashions the last part of his map

Thamesdown's Interpretive Ranger based at Lydiard Park, is keen to meet anybody or group of people who would like to make a map of their area. He can be contacted on 771419.

Free bus for market There's a free bus service available to pensioners, people with disabilities and others who cannot easily get to the West Swindon market on a Tuesday.

To arrange a doorstep pick up, telephone 616050 between 1p.m. and 3p.m. on a Friday or Monday.

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Christmas Cracker project needs help fast

25

Anne Dawson (S.R.H.)

A different kind of giving is being "The money raised will be dispromised for December. It will be tributed through the Tear Fund to tasty and good foryou-but it needs self-help projects overseas and there help. will be a display of information on A group of committed Christians the kind of work that takes place." in Swindon will be taking over an With just a few weeks to go the empty shop in the project needs lots town centre to set of donations and up an 'East Less, offers of help, Pay More' restauquickly. They CHRISTMAS rant to raise money need to borrow a for Third World cooker, a microrelief and develwave, freezer opment. It will be space. They are open from I to 22 also looking for December. volunteers to help with food Audrey Hutchinson from preparation and cooking, and doTurnham Green, Freshbrook was nations of baked goods that can be involved with a similar restaurant sold in the restaurant. in Harrogate last year, the first time Any help will be gratefully resuch a project was tried. Through- ceived. Telephone Audrey out the country over 100 restau- Hutchinson on 527105 or Christine rants were organised which to- Dams on 642322. gether with a further 200 one day Christine Dams, left, of Toothill and events raised £400,000. This year Audrey Hutchinson demonstrate how the total they hope to raise £2 mil- lucky we are to have clean water when lion nationally. millions in the Third World don't Bringing her experience down south, Audrey is catering manager for the Swindon restaurant. "We will be serving food all day throughout the three weeks the Christmas Cracker restaurant is open," said Audrey. "Coffee in the morning, a simple lunch of baked potatoes, quiche, salad or sand1 wiches and tea and cakes in the afternoons. We hope to have a daily speciality dish donated by a local Indian or Chinese restaurant also.

"We will also be selling baked cakes and mince pies to take away and there will also be a Traidcraft stall selling goods from the Third World.

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Pedal power not quite enough A valient effort in early October by seven Swindon Women to get into the Guiness Book of records using two Sinclair CS was foiled by mechanical failure, barely 20 miles from their goal.

The seven members of the Swindon Business Women's Breakfast Club, were attempting to break the London to Paris time of 27 hours in two electric CS's.

But the hills of Northern France were too much for the machines and also for the women according to Electric powered Sushma Patel Freshbrook Chemist Sushma Patel.

"We didn't quite make it, but we After the second C5 conked out had a greattrip. It was raining all the the teamof drivers and helpers drove time, butourspirits were really high. into Paris in a support vehicle to be The French radio stations reported greeted by crowds awaiting their our progress and people came out arrival. on the road to cheer the crazy EngThe group has raised over £5,000 for Cancer Research and Sushma lish women on.

"TheC5's were so underpowered raised £750, £150 coming from West that we had to pedal like mad to Swindon residents. She would like keep them going. We had to change to express her thanks to all those drivers every half a hour to give who helped her with cash and usethem a rest and keep up to time." hal items for the expedition.

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NEWS & VIEWS Brownies raise cash by loosing a sense

26

1st Shaw Brownies recently spent an interesting evening performing various everyday tasks, such as eating and signing their names blindfolded.

Apart from being a lot of fun, the event also helped the Brownies ap-

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The Brownies were also sponsored for completing the tasks at their meeting and the 18 girls who took part raised a over £100. Half of the money raised has been donated to the Royal National Institute for the Blind. The remaining half will enable the pack, which opened earlier this year, to buy a Brownie Flag. 1st

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Children at Shaw Ridge Primary School were able to find out a little about the Caribbean, from group of Swindon adults who used to live in Jamaica in their younger days.

Nine members of the Age Concern Lunch Club which serves CarBelow: Finding out how to live without ibbean food recently visited the sight third and fourth years who are carrying out a project about image.

Caribbean cakes and fruit were brought into class for the children to try before adults and youngsters tookpart in a discussion about what it is like to live in Jamaica.

The lunch club members are also taking part in a Swindon College Return to Learn Project and hope to publish a book next year about going to school in Jamaica and living adult lives in Britain.

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A taste of the Caribbean

Spleigruppe

Below: Chris Blything and Anne Zych find out about Caribbean fruit from club members, from left, Myrtle Williams, Rebecca Macintosh and Gloria Morgan

A group has been formed for children who speak German, eitheras a mother tongue or as a second language.

The Spielgruppe meets on Tuesday, 3.30p.m. to 5.30p.m. in the Community Suite at the Link Centre. It caters for under fives and school age children. For two hours English is not understood whilst the children and the volunteer adults who run the sessions sing songs, play games and tell stories.

At present there are nine children involved and more are invited to take part. If enough adults come forward, there are plans to start a German conversation group for them as well.

Help wanted for somebody in a For more information, contact wheelchair living in Toothill. Contact Sieglinde Bannister on 881554 The Link magazine, address page 2.

Centre of the Universe Kathy Sterry invites SciFi fans to join

Starbase Swindon is a local club whose members share their enjoyment of the well-known science programme 'Star Trek. We meet to watch old episodes, discuss the programme and the cast, and take part in quizzes. Star Trek -The Next Generation, shortly to appear on TV is not ignored, we watch that too!

The members are drawn from a wide range of ages and occupations, and we also enjoy ma nyother science fiction programmes, past, present and future. Conventions all over the country are attended by our members with a variety of television programmes as the theme. As a result of this we would be happy to have new members who enjoy watching science fiction on television and in films. Come and talk to us about whichever is your favour-

ite or the one you love to hate!

Those with literary, artistic or poetic leanings are most welcome to contribute toourquarterly newsletter. We like to have a lively mixture of puzzles, quizzes, comments, pictures, portraits and letters as well as adverts for conventions, other clubs and various merchandise in the newsletter.

Meetings are held in the StonehengeRoomoftheCommunitySuite at the Link Centre. The next few meetings will be on Mondays 26 November, 7Januaiy, and 4 February from 8p.m. until 10pm.

The cost of the room hire is covered by everyone who attends paying 50p apiece and to receive the newsletter costs £3 for four editions.

If you'd like to know more give me a ring on 870429 or just come along to the next meeting.

HOOK FOOD CENTRE OPENING FRIDAY 9 NOVEMBER Unbeatable Prices * * Outstanding Quality * c

Sample From Our Deep Freeze Price Us Peas Carrots Sliced Green Beans Sprouts Cauliflower Florets Mixed Veg

per lb £0.25 £0.20 £0.38 £0.34 £0.42 £0.36

Oven Chips Steak Chips Pizzas -5" Quarter Pounders Pork/Beef Sausages Jumbo Sausages Chicken/Mushroom Pies - 5" 4oz M. Beef/Onion Pies - 5" 4oz

£0.74 for 21b E1.20 for 51b £0.99 for 4 £0.99 for 4 £0.67 per lb £0.55 per lb £0.16 each £0.16 each

Cod Fillets Smoked Haddock Fillets Kippers Fish Fingers

£1.75 for 700g £2.40 for 700g £0.30 for 6oz £0.50 for 10

Vanilla Ice Cream (soft serve) Mousses Gateaux - 18 ptn Coffee/Walnut Gateaux - 18 ptn Black Forest Gateaux - 18 ptn Choc/mint Choc Ices - Gold Choc Ices - Mint Sesame Buns Hot Dog Rolls

F-1.65 for Itr £0.99 for 10 £3.45 each £3.00 each £3.00 each £0.84 for 10 £0.99 for 10 £0.75 for 12 £0.59 for 12

STOCK UP YOUR FREEZERS FOR CHRISTMAS Opening Hours Monday - Friday 9.00a.m.- 5.00p.m.

9.00a.m. - 1.00p.m.

Saturday

Telephone: 848100

per lb £0.80 £1.30 £1.50 £1.89 £2.40 £3.60 £1.10

English Minced Beef English Stewing Steak English Braising Steak English Topside Beef English Rump Steak English Sirloin Steak English Steak & Kidney English Pork Chops English Shoulder of Pork English Belly Pork English Legs of Porkwhole or half

£1.20 £0.59 £0.98

English Whole Gammons English Gammon Joints

£0.96 £1.66

NZ Lamb Chops NZ Legs of Lamb NZ Shoulder of Lamb NZ Lamb - whole or half

£1.35 £1.26 £0.69 £0.72

Lamb Liver Pig Liver

£0.46 £0.34

English Grade A Chickens English Grade A Turkeys Chicken Drumsticks

£0.52 £0.66 £0.80

£1.08

How to find us Hook Village Hall

Grange Pa1AA 10"I

4k

Food Centre

Windmill Hill

Freshbrook

Tooth ill

NEWS &VIEWS

28

Y.D. 'Upuio(stenj Recovering, Re-upholstery & Repairs Modern & Traditional Furniture Large range of fabrics For estimates, Telephone 539913 or 871808 (eves.)

SOFT WAT WOOTON BASSETT Come and see our full range of Water Softeners including the AQUADIAL, DOMEXTRA, EURO, OAKLANDS, PERMUTIT Also Available: Granular, Tablet, P.V.D. Salt All at Unit 4, Oaklands Enterprise Estate, Braydon, Nr. Wootton Bassett. Open Saturdays ONLY 930am - 4pm. OR Ring Swindon 853156 for further information or appointment.

Emporium of Ideas Finding unusual and interesting Christmas presents can present one with a problem, but there's one place in Swindon where satisfaction can almost be guaranteed.

Something Different in Stratton quirement. For self builders they St. Margaret must have one of the have doors, windows, hinges, mostvaried range of gifts available brackets and wiring kits - a buildand a visit is a must. However it's ers merchants for the DIY person.

Almost to numerous to mention not a shop into which you can breeze in and out of. Every nook is the brass and copper items, ceand cranny contains a captivating ramic jeweliry and pots by 'Good item, whether it bean antique piece Intentions,' Beatrix Potter pictures, of furniture or a new pottery collectors items like thimbles, thimble. shaving mugs and the cabinets to

_IIIwJ_.

RON AHRENS BUILDER DECORATOR Specialising in all aspects of high quality building work especially decorating, carpentry & plastering.

Al work guaranteed.

No job too small.

Free estimates Telephone: 692134 (West Swindon)

TSP

TEL KARHIPE 610188 VAN HIRE 7cwt. TO LUTONS MINI-BUSES (12) DRIVERS AVAILABLE CAR HIRE MICRA - ROVERS 3 MONTH HERE FROM ÂŁ62 PER WEEK Cheney Manor Trading Estate

Whether its for a boat, caravan, or trailer.

BRITANNIA TOWING CENTRE Unit 16, Station Industrial Estate, Swindon Can Help!

III

* Towbars for Cars, Vans & Light Vehicles * Seat Belts (Kangol & Britax Approved) * Child Safety Seats

Tel: 0793 613147, 0793 488622

A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A

ri.

A

A A

rk

Raymond Stansfield DECORATOR with over 30 years experience.

Craftsman in Paint and Decor SPECIALIST in Paperhanging, Graining, Marble, and Decorative Effects & Finishes.

Telephone: (0793) 874299 i SI SI LI Lrw?x, SI 11 SI LI LI LI SI VI LI SI SI Si LI Si SFLI 51'.? '.1 LI LI LI AA A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A

Sue Cox holds up a police car tea pot and an enamel sign - two of the unusual items on sale at Something Different

A large amount of pottery is to be put them in, old fashioned telfound at Something Different, ephones and 'Books of Love' conmuch of it unavailable in the town. taining a poem suitable for most Moorcroft and Leedsware, two special occasions. names respected in the antiques The shop also keeps many new world, are well represented on the vitreous enamel signs recalling the shelves as are items from Wade famous names of yesteryear like whose 'Fine Ladies' are reasonably MG, Norton and Nectar Tea. For priced and make a graceful gift. the gardener, the outside display There are also interesting pieces behind Something Different confrom Sri Lanka, Portugal and the tains many interesting ornaments Far East whilst tea pots will never like classical figures and wildlife, be the same once you've seen the as well as pots, planters and bird cars, aeroplanes and policemen. tables which any creature on the Something Different have just wing won't resist.

After just a year in business, increased their stock of furniture for the range of dolls houses which Something Different has become a come complete or in kit form. The veritable Aladdin's Cave with items range of accessories is astonishing. to suit most tastes and all pockets.

From a bucket and mop to a Something Different can be found strawberry tart, these 1/12 mini- at 97 Ermin Street, Stratton St. atures cover every domestic re- Margaret. Telephone 826821.

Local scout organises London banquet AToothill scouter has comeup with an innovative idea to earn them points in the 'Go for a million' campaign, involving scouts allover the country. lanto Kinsey from Alnwick, patrol leader with the 1st Toothill Scout Troop, has organised a Banquet at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane for 29 October which local scout leaders and other dignatories will attend.

lanto, a fourth year student at Bradon Forest School, said invitations had been sent out to many famous people, including Prince Edward. "We thought he might be working around the corner and could drop by for lunch. Unfortunately he can't come but wrote a letter encouraging us."

The scout patrol with the most points will represent Britain at the World Jamboree in Korea next year.

HOME & GARDEN Fancy something new under Washing Machine Repairs I the Christmas tree Same Day Service November is one of the peak times in the carpet trade says Lee Champion, proprietor of S&C Carpets in Milton Road, Swindon.

Because of this, it's important to plan ahead to get what you want.

"Everybody wants to get their house looking good for the holiday season when family and visitors will be around and a new carpet will certainly improve appearances. However orders need to placed early for two reasons. Manufacturers don't hold large stocks and if you want something special, it might take a few weeks to deliver. The other

factor is fitting. As we get close to Christmas,the fitters are very busy."

S&C offer a home selection service where they will visit your home to offer advice and ideas, and will leave a range of samples to allow choices to be made in your own time.

S&C also have an interest fiet credit scheme to spread the cost of purchase, and of course they fit estimate and fit without charge.

For expert advice and one of the best ranges of quality carpets in Swindon, telephone S&C Carpets on 528903.

1,000 blooms at Freshbrook Centre to brighten up winter Grey weather won't intrude at Freshbrook Community Centre on Saturday 1 December.

The Swindon Orchid Society is holdingits annual competition with displays from other societies from nearby counties.

Unlike flower shows, orchid growers compete as an area society to put on the most interesting displays. Over 1,000 orchids will be in bloom on the different displays, many of them rare and unusual.

There will also be trade stands, nurseries selling orchids and an exhibition of orchid paintings.

The Mayor of Thamesdown Eager orchid growers Fred Fowler of opens the exhibition at 11.30a.m.

Crawford Close, Freshbrook and Doris which will stay open until 5p.m.

Glenn of White Castle, Toot hill Refreshments will be served all day.

Mail Order Magic

Claire Beaton opens her box of plants

After the bright bonfires of 5 November, the garden is a grey place to visit this month.

There are a few shrubs that will flower now: the evergreen Mahonia with whorls of spiny green leaves and Viburnum fragrans, which carries bunches of small pink flowers at the end of its rosy brown twigs. But it s all very different from the warmth and colours of the summer.

Planning next summer is the happiest activity for this month.

All the new seed catalogues are arriving through the letterbox and lam searching each for fresh ideas.

I like to grow a few annuals from seed each year, usually some of the more dramatic varieties. Most of the varieties offered in the garden centres are low growing and, although Salvias, Ageratum and French Marigolds might have bright flowers, they are such compact plants, they do not make much impact in the garden. Think in-

stead about hollyhocks, castor oil plants and rudbeckias, sunflowers, snapdragons and love-lies-bleeding!

The other service offered by the seed companies is the opportunity to buy small seedlings and plants through the post. I am not very successful with the fine seeds of petunias and Impatiens, so the chance to buy 100 petunia seedlings for £8 is given serious consideration.

100 plants would be too many for me, but I can share the pack with my mother! Another pack contains 10 small plants fora patio tub or hanging basket for £9. This is a better bargain than it may sound, since there is a mix of unusual varieties, plus a geranium and fuschia.

Orders for most of these items have to be received in January or February, so now is a good time to be planning next year's seasonal colour.

29 :i,

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REG. BUILDER

Extensions, Alterations and Repairs Artexing and Coving Specialists Glaze Tiling - No jobs too small For A Professional Finish Tel: 771288 (Old Shaw) Free Estimates and Advice

Clear out all your old junk. Get rid of those unwanted items now with

R.T. Farley Landscape Gardener in West Swindon 20 years of experience.

Turfing, Paving, Fencing, Pergolas, Planting New Gardens Rockery Gonstuction Crazy Paving etc.

Tel: 875174

MINX MINI-SKIPS Why not share with your neighbours.

For fast, efficient service ring 0831 - 170536

Manufacturer & Retailer of top quality fencing panels, gates and sheds. Erection service available.

Trellis top panels made to order Compare our prices: Overlap Wainey Panels 6' 0" x6 0" -£11.50 60" x5' 0' -£11.04 Prices include 6 0" x 4'0" - £10.52 V.A.T. 60"x30'-C10.00 Other prices on request

tII \

Tel: Swindon 848260 Days or 692658 Evenings

Al HANDIHIRE ,

TOOL & PLANT HIRE

ASERVICE. Al RATES Al EQUIP

Unit 9, Marlborough Road Industrial Estate Wootton Bassett. Tel: 85482 1. Now also at Caine.

EASY PARKING• COLLECTION/DELIVERY SERVICE Mon - Fri 730am - 5.30pm Sat. 730am - 1 230pm It

The Link Classifieds Lineage ads cost £3.50 per single column centimetre inclusive of VAT. Lost and found are free.

Cash with advert to The Link, 13 Castle Dore, Freshbrook, Swindon -Childcare Registered Child rider (Shaw area) has vacancy 111V ; raby. Full or part-time betweer ')Oa.m. and 500p.m. (negotiable). Tel: 881355.

-Wanted Access to FAX facilities.

Contact The Link on 872282.

SLIMMING Thursday 7.45pm Freshbrook Community Centre Tel: Sure Slym 617123 Clothing Alterations & Repairs Tel: 872096 Mrs White, Freshbrook

Westlea Playgroup Santa Suit for hire Telephone 870136 or call in to the Playgroup

rama Evening, part-time, moped riders required for Pizza delivery within West Swindon.

Moped provided.

Hours:7.00p.m. 10.30p.m.

Pay £2.85 per hour.

Ring Chris on 874844

Council soon.

I've been advised that the County Council are now seeking tender for the route and will let you know more when something concrete happens. Keep the pressure up write to the County Council (Transport Section) demanding our bus!

who contacted me after reading my letter inlast month's Link regarding the axing of our Outer Circle bus route (20/21).

I know that from your phone calls and letters that you feel very strongly that this route must be reinstated.

The petition is going well and

Mobile Library to be cut

9 Elms Playgroup at Shaw have a vacancy for an assistant, 5 mornings, gam - 12noon. PPA qualification preferred. Apply in writing to Mrs C Peachey, 1 Kingscote Close, Shaw. For further details phone 876943.

Vacancies at

Letters with full name and address should be sent to The Link, 13 Castle Dore, Freshbrook, Swindon by the 20th of the month

-Found 8"fawn teddy bear, at the bottom of Shaw Ridge on the footpath going Fighting on for the Outer Circle Bus Route up the ridge, near Ramleaze, on 29 from Councillor Sue Bates, Selby Crescent, Freshbrook Many thanks to all the residents will be presented to the County September. Telephone 870508.

Vacancies

Link 3-5 Playgroup in the Link Centre, has vacancies for afull time supervisor and an afternoon assistant, Tuesday to Friday. Both posts are available immediately.

Please apply in writing to Mrs B Ford, 5 Buie Close, Sparcells, Swindon SN5 9SX

Letters to the Link

Oliver Tomkins Playgroup Vacancy for Playgroup Assistant Thursday and Friday afternoons, 12.30p.m.-3.00p.m. Ring Liz Mann on 872081 Freshbrook School Crossing Patrol Persons 2 Vacancies: 1 hr. 5 mins per day. £2.94 per hour plus retainer during holidays.

From the residents of the Guiness Trust Sheltered Housing Scheme, Toothill

affect those who will find visiting the nearest library beyond their physical ability.

Please allow our life line to continue so that we can enjoy the intrigues, mysteries and romance supplied by the library service.

We will also miss, very much, the helpful friendly staff.

The proposal to stop the Mobile Library Service has created consternation and dismay amongst Senior Citizens. If ever there was a much needed and appreciated service, it is the Mobile Library.

Councillors, most of whom are able bodied should stop and considerthis issue which will adversely

Thanks for the contributions From Arthur Riley, Chair of Greendown PTA

The Parent Teacher Association at Greendown School would like to express their thanks to the following for contributing prizes to its M.D.S.A.'s (Dinner Ladies) 2 Vacancies - 12.10p.m.-1.30p.m. prize draw which took place in July.

PHH Europe, The Trawlerman, £2.94 per hour plus retainer during

National Power, Freshbrook Takeaway, the Water Research Council, RP Scherer Ltd, Asda Stores, National Westminster Bank, JCRFreshbrookCentre,Pizzarama, Dominos Pizza.

holidays. Lunch included.

We also require Supply MDSA's Building disturbance to cover staff absences due to illness From Mr Ian Gelder of Peatmoor us up at 7.30a.m. on the Sunday. etc.

I was amazed to read the first few Aftera few hours we went outagain

words of your report (last month) and stayed out for the rest of the Please contact Freshbrook School on the building of the Jehovah's day. It was quieter on return but either in person or by telephone, on Witnesses' Kingdom Hall in4days. there was some external drilling at 872800, for further details.

It says that residents in Peatmoor 8.15p.m. as yet again I tried to get

Toothill After School Club Half-time Playworker - Scale 3 - £4,471 pa 22.5 hrs per week, 40 weeks per year, term time only 2.45p.m. - 6.45p.m. plus, 2.5hrs flexible time.

We are looking for someone who has some experience of working with children in an informal setting, to be able to work as part of ateam, providing well structured play activities for children aged 5-11

Half-time Development Worker- Scale 5 - £5,620 pa 22.5 hrs per week, 40 weeks per year, term time only Toothill After School Club is a play/care project for children aged 5-11 years, which runs 5 evenings a week.

We are looking for someone who has some experience of working with children, supervising staff orvolunteers and working with voluntary management committees, to be a Development Worker for the Club.

This is a new post which involves working with the children, parents, staff and local management committee to take the club forward to its next stage of development.

This post is initially funded for 6 months. We are confident that we will achieve a grant to make this a permanent position.

For further information and an application form on both posts, please write or phone Diane Stuckey, 12 Stansfield Close, Toothill, Swindon. Telephone 529463.

Closing date for applications - 10 November 1990

watched in amazement. I watched with anger and disbelief tha an organisation that some people think is a church could be so inconsiderate to its neighbours.

The 4 days started when I was awoken at6.45a.m. on theThursday by hammering at the bottom of my garden. That was the day the main wooden structure was erected. One or two people with hammers might not have been too much of a problem but there were so many parallel activities. The noise was intolerable and it did not stop until after 8.00p.ni.

Friday was almost as bad with the banging going on past 8.15p.m.

On the Saturday the hammering up on the roof started at 715a.m.

By this point we had had enough!

We got dressed and left the house.

We returned at 7.15p.m. to put our youngster to bed. There was still lots of banging going on! It faded about 8,00p.m. but there was some hammering just after 8.30p.m.

The hammering on the roof woke

my youngster to sleep.

You stress the rapid building as if nothing was done prior to those four days; but we have had an activebuilding site next toourgarden on both Saturdays and Sundays for the last several weeks.

In late July and early August we were awoken at 7.15a.m.-7.30a.m. on Saturday mornings when the concrete lorries arrived to lay the foundations and then the concrete vibrator was started up!

At the end of May on a Bank Holiday Saturday we had a tracked earthmover working at 7.00a.m. at the bottom of our garden!

I read elsewhere in The Link that there are restriction on the Shaw Ridge Leisure Park site. It is a shame that the planners don't consider a building project like the Kingdom Hall warrants similar restrictions.

I picked what I thought was a quiet corner of Swindon and I hope that from now on that state will resume.

31

Dangerous litter The never ending work of the street cleansing teams continues to produce vast amounts of litter from roads and shrub beds around West Swindon.

Recently a box of rubbish was picked up on Whitehill Way containing papers from a travel agency in Hungerford.

More serious was a handful of syringes found in the bushes in front of the shops at one of village centres

by Gordon Ponting, who leads one of the teams. "I was a bit dubious aboutpickingthemupat first. When I looked at them closely they turned out to be insulin injectors, but it's so dangerous for them to be thrown

Ecumenical Parish of West Swindon & The Lydiards

Gordon Ponting with potentially lethal litter

away like that. It would only take children playing there to pick one up and prick themselves; who knows what the consequences would be."

Coping with a kick in the teeth With so many, often controversial, changes takingplaceinthe National Health Service, the new arrangements for dentists are but one area ofdisputebetweenGovernmentand the profession.

From theconsumers pointof view, the changes sound good. Patients can join a dentist's list, as they might register with their GP, and will be entitled to receive continuing care from the same practice fortwo years.

Dentists are also required to give more information to patients in the form of a 'treatment plan' outlining how a problem can be dealt with under the NHS or under private treatment. The majority of dentists already carry out these measures so many patients would not notice much change.

However the new contract is viewed as unfair to both patients and dentists who are taking their practices wholly or completely out of the NHS in large numbers.

One localdentist who has become independent, as opposed to private, is Brendan Ball, the longest established practitioner in West Swindon. He lists a whole range of problems with the new NHS contract todo with treatment, payment, patient care and freedom of choice.

"There have been great changes in dental practice over the last ten years, in the techniques used and materials available," said Mr Ball.

"If somebody visits me with a problem the NT-IS now determines that I deal with it in a certain way. However thereare alternative treatments which are quicker, less stressful and often cheaper. But I'm not allowed to deal with the problem the easy way.

"Patients who don't receive state benefits are required to pay 75% of the treatment cost, whilst the NHS pay the other 25%. What this means is that in return for paying a quarter of the treatment cost, the NHS takes 100% control of how treatment is provided."

Another area of dispute is that dentists may be required to accept

sub-standard work against their better judgement. For example, a dentist receives £70 from the NHS to fit a crown. A good-quality crown can cost £60 to £70 in laboratory fees alone. Cheaper crowns can be supplied, but the dentist may find himself delivering a poorer service to the patient.

Where children are concerned, Mr Ball believes that dentists may have to subsidise the NHS. "The NHS lays down fixed fees for the annual dental care of children. For 3 to 5 year olds, the dentist receives 10.08.

The current check-up fee is £4.60; if a child has two in the year, this leaves 88p to cover treatment. The current cost of one filling is £10.

"There are all manner of difficult areas such as if a child has an accident and the parent brings him to us. The dentist cannot charge for the check-up unless there is severe damage. Whatdoldoif this isn't the case? For the parents peace of mind and the child's distress, I cannot ignore the need but I won't get paid for the professional service."

And underlying all the changes is a five fold increase in the amount of form filling says Mr Ball which cuts into the timeavailable to see patients.

To get out of the restrictions and bureaucracy being imposed on dentists, Brendan Ball has made his practice independent of the NHS by offering private budget treatment, using the NHS fees as a basis for charges,and also offering fullblown private care using more expensive materials.

Howeverhe will continue to treat children under the NHS scheme and also patients who qualify for state benefits.

Many dentists whoa reconverting to independent practice around the country have been reassured that most patients have decided to stay with them, and MrBall reports much the same reaction from his patient list. It seems that feeling comfortable and happy with yourdentist matters more than whether he practices within the NT-IS or not.

Anglican, Methodist, U.R.C., Baptist.

Toothill Rev. Ian Handscomb 693384 Rev. Anne Thomas 496421 St. Mary's LTregoze for Freshbrook & Grange Park Rev. Tony Price 870244 Westlea Rev. John Flory 770217 t Shaw and Sparcells Rev. Keith Boxall 770568 Rev. Helen Drummond 874372 t also All Saints, L Millicent

GOOD NEWS WORKSHOP • Carpentry & Joinery • Home Improvement Work • Windows & Doors Fitted • Bricklaying • Plumbing • Painting & Decorating • Plastering All Work Completed With Care and A Smile Swindon 487643 (24 hrs)

Freshbrook evangelical Church Worsley Road gives YOU a warin welcome Sunday lOam

Family Praise with Children's Covenanter Movement & creche 6.30pm Evening Worship and Communion For details of mid-week meetings, house groups and other activities, telephone Rev. Peter Grainger on 490498.

Church Office, Tel: 873050

MOBILE MECHANIC WE COME TO YOU *Non-Starts 'Servicing .Tuning •M.O.T. Work .Breakdowns -Electrical Faults *Clutches fitted

No Garage Prices or Waiting

Please Telephone 876211 ANYTIME

DESPERATE? LONELY? SUICIDAL?

You don't have to be suicidal to share your problems with us. Phone anytime day or night, or call into 6 Curtis Street, Swindon between 8am and 10pm

Morrison & Masters TOWN SQUARE, WEST SWINDON CENTRE. TELEPHONE 870055 for House Sales and Purchases & all Property Work (written estimates given) Divorce, Criminal and all Court work Wills and Probates WEST SWINDON'S ONLY SOLICITORS! Also at 20 Commercial Road, Swindon. Telephone: 526601 and 69a Cricklade Road, Gorse Hill. Telephone: 481602

TITCOMBE GARAGE LIMITED

WESTMEAD DRIVE, --WESTLEA, SWINDON TEL (0793)641643

WEST SWINDON'S LOCAL GARAGE

.. 24 BREAKDOWN & RECOVERY (ANY DISTANCE) 3 SERVICING & REPAIRS 3 MOT's WHILE YOU WAIT 3 PARTS & ACCESSORIES SHOP Q..: ACCIDENT REPAIRS 3 CAR BODY SPRAYING C... ALL ESTIMATES SPARCELLS GIVEN FREE 3 COLLECTION & DELIVERY SERVICE EASTLEAZE 3 INSURANCE CRASH GRANGE REPAIRS PARK 3 AUTHORISED REPAIRERS TOOTHILL FOR LEADING FRESHBROOK INSURANCE COMPANIES

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