November 2001 Swindon Link

No. 234 • November 2001 • Circulation 22,000

T

the positive news force in Swindon and the swindon wide what's on guide

Thank you Swindon

Swindon film maker returns to the Big Apple Afilm byGuljit Rana from Peatmoor has been selected for screening at the prestigious New York short comedy film festival in November.

Full story on page 2.

There's a warm ^lcome from Mr Ali and his staff at "Purton 's hidden Indian treasure"

Swindon runs out of roundabouts Fire crews from three Swindon stations, plus Caine, Devizes, Ramsden

and the Defence Fire Services unit atthe Royal Military College paraded on 13 October to present cheques totalling nearly £88,000 donated by the people of the county to a fund set up by Wiltshire firefighters in aid of the families of colleagues who perished in the New York terrorist attacks on 11 September.

Assistant Divisional Officer John Popowicz said the events in New

York had deeply saddened firefighters everywhere and had moved the people of Wiltshire to magnificent generosity. Collections in Swindon

as new north road opens for Walmart launch and next 5,300 home expansion North Swindon beat officer PC Dennis Taylor is extending his beat to the new housing development at Priory Vale, and his job will be made easier after taking delivery of a brand new vehicle - story on page 9.

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On the high seas Norman Butler from Westlea is somewhere out in the mdidle of the Atlantic, but is in touch with his wife Linda by satellite phone.

We have a report on page 31.

Left: Norman prepares for his adventure with daughter Melissa

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2 The Link Magazine • November 2001

lun shopping ^esfivifies in the Swindon Town Centre CHRISTMAS CARNIVAL Sunday 25th November

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Parade starts 10.30am from Regent Circus Street entertainment until 3pm Sponsored by the Brunel Centre

THE BIG SWITCH ON Thursday 22nd November, 6pm ' Turning on Swindon's Christmas decorations by Wyve rn panto stars, outside Debenhams, sponsored by B ritish Gas Brought to you by Swindon Town Centre Management, tel: 434053

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Comedy surprise for Swindon film student A young film maker from Swindon who witnessed the terrorist atrocity in New York on 11 September returns to the city in midNovember to present a film at a prestigious festival.

Guljit Rana, from Peatmoor, wrote a graphic eyewitness account of the attack on the World Trade Centre in the October Link, just a few days after he completed a gruelling ten week course at the acclaimed New York Film Academy.

Working with fifteen other students from all over the world, exGreendown School student Guljit developed his skills in all aspects of script writing and film making.

"It was an extremely tough course which helped improve our understanding of how to convey a story through film," said Guljit. "The students worked together in small teams to make a whole series of short works which culminated in writing and filming a ten minute piece."

His story of a man's search for love after he loses a white pair of shoes was rapturously applauded at the end of course screening. Apparently the projectionist had to come out of his box to check if the audience was laughing as much as he was.

Afterwards Guljit was approached by the organiser of the comedy film festival to present his

at the event that takes place between 6 and 11 November.

"It was wonderful to have my film so well received by tutors and other students, but to be asked to show my work at a major film festival is an incredible accolade," said Guljit.

The Link is arranging a screening in Swindon in December.

• Guljit is featured in the Greendown Community Newsletter in the centre pages of this edition.

Get into film Swindon's own media arts centre Cre8 Studios offers a wide range of courses in screenwriting, video and film making.

Two courses coming up are: Introduction to Screenwriting with award winner David Collier.

Every Tuesday from 23 October to 27 November, 6.30pm - 9pm.

Book on 463678.

Media Circus. Just turn up for two and a half hours of action packed fun making film, animation, radio, desktop publishing and designing web pages for 8 to 16 year olds.

Saturdays, 20 October to 24 November. Cost £2.50 (£1.75 conc.)

The Link Magazine • November 2001

Walmart effect about to be unleashed The November 2000 Link front page asked the question: Is Swindon about to be Walmartised? We will soon find out.

This time last year, , Swindon Swindon, generating new jobs, and number of car journeys to Walmart.

However, for those who don't Council's planning committee con- delivering the low prices that Asda sidered the plans for the 37 acre has become famous for. like the crush of the Christmas North Swindon district centre site Businesses across Swindon crowds in Swindon, it might be after a public exhibition. Thirteen await the arrival of Walmart with easier to go shopping this year. months after permission to pro ceed, the first phase of the huge Wick ^" development built at incredible speed opens on 26 November.

The Asda Walmart Superstore P . roc ri r rr i r selling food, household and electrical goods, covers 150,000 square feet, almost twice as big as Tesco on Ocotal Way (82,000 sq.ft.), and provides jobs for some 800 people.

A second phase, to open next some trepidation. One of Swinsummer, will provide space for don's biggest retailers, which has other major high street retail invested in major expansion, estiJan Marini advanced skin care, names, a 20,000 square feet garden mates that it will lose at least eight firming, anti-ageing, scar centre, smaller shop units, banks, per cent of its turnover to the new reduction & resurfacing building societies, cafes and res- store. And The Link has been told it Collagen instant repair therapy, taurants When finished the North could take up to five years for shops say goodbye to lines &wrinkles Swindon Centre will cover 360,000 in the town centre to regain sales 4 Scleropathy spider vein therapy square feet of retail space, equal to lost to Walmart. the size of Greenbridge Park.

Jean Saunders of Swindon ° Radient Health stockist. Is this A library, a health centre and a Friends of the Earth also wrote in the most amazing diet ever? private fitness club are also being last November's Link that busi" Nail extensions & nail art. built at the centre which will be nesses in small towns like Beautiful airbrushing on own reached by bus routes from the Faringdon, Lechlade, Cirencester nails or Kizmet nail tips towncentre,andviathenewNorth- and Wootton Bassett are going to Creche, ample free parking, be seriously affected by the loss of ern Orbital Road - story page 9. open late evenings In November last year Asda Sen- trade for Development Surveyor, Mark She also pointed out theenviron01793 825525 Turner, wrote that the company mental harm from the increased Stratton Leisure Centre, Grange Drive was delighted to be coming to In December 2000 The Link exclusively revealed that by today's

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In 1989 Swindon Council (then Thamesdown) objected to town expansion in the north. However, after a planning enquiry, the Government permitted the growth of the town by another 10,000 homes, including the North Swindon DistrictCentre,withoutanysurveyof the environmental impact.

Present planning standards would restrict the district centre to a large supermarket, not something the size of Greenbridge. But reversing a past planning decision would have been very expensive.

Interestingly, new car parking planning guidelines have beenimposed and the Asda Walmart will have 1,900 car parking spaces twenty per cent fewer than when the centre was originally planned.

Last December we predicted that

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4 The Link Magazine • November 2001

COOPERS

Conservatives try to make sense of council chaos

CHEMIST

Labour finally gave up its hold on power at an extraordinary council meeting on 11 October, after 23 years in control of Swindon, following a vote of no-confidence put forward by the Conservatives after a devastating Ofsted report on the management of education by the Borough Council.

Despite being the largest group under Labour to a bamany things with too litLabour refused to nominate a new nana republic in seeking tle cash to achieve them cabinet or enter a coalition with city status, said, "in the all. We have to start lisother parties. The Liberal Demo- absence of support from tening to the people of crats, having sided with the Con- the other parties, somethe town." servative motion of no confidence body had to take up the Having made a virtue on 27 September, voted against the challenge. I predicted a of low council taxes unConservatives taking over the ad- year ago that education der Labour, the Conministration. was in trouble, and we servatives look as if they Old Town councillor Mike understand aspects of will have to propose big Bawden is now the leader of the social services will be rises to deliver the recouncil with 22 Conservative coun- criticised in a forthcomquired services. cillors, against 29 Labour council- ing report. We recently heard that But, on a hiding to nothing, any lors and 8 Liberal Democrats. the youth services are in a mess radical proposals for change by West Swindon councillor Nick and that the Steam museum is cost- the Conservatives will be blocked Martin, right, is now the 'chancel- ing even more money to run. I by the other two parties. Political lor' of Swindon, with cabinet re- expect a forthcoming report from infighting could well continue sponsibility for finance and best external auditors will be critical of until the elections next May, or value. Coun Martin, who in the the way the council has been run. there could be an outbreak of comSeptember Link likened Swindon "The council is involved in two mon sense on the way forward.

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MP reports back

Shiftworker Ray Collins from Castlefield Close, Eastleaze reckons his house could be damaged by heavy lorries on Whitehill Way, two hundred yards away.

Explaining the problem to councillors on the West area panel in September, he said that his house shakes whenever HGV trucks hit a particular spot. "There must be

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some kind of fault line because the vibrations through the house are incredible. My bed shakes when I' m sleeping during the day."

Ray says Whitehill Way is used as a rat run from Mead Way to the M4 and wants HGVs banned from the road and forced to use Great Western Way. "The road is breaking up under the weight. It's not right that these huge vehicles should be travelling through a residential area."

Let The Link know if you feel a weight restriction should be imposed on Whitehill Way. Councillors hope to have an officer's report on Ray's complaint at the next West area panel meeting on Thursday 1 November, 7pm, at Link Centre. All are welcome to attend.

the Link Published by West Swindon Publications

Papermakers House, Westlea Swindon SN5 7BD Tel: (01793) 872282 Fax: (01793) 878189

Swindon South MP Julia Drown is holding one of her regular report back meetings on Friday 30 No_' vember, 7pm, " Toothill Community Centre.

She will speak about activities in Parliament and in south Swindon, and take questions. Everybody living in the South Swindon constituency is welcome to attend.

Planning early for The Link November and December are al-

ways busy for The Link as we have six weeks to produce two editions.

If you are organising an event or

want to advertise a service, please let us have material by the dates li sted below, or before if possible.

magazine Editorial copy date for December: 5 November Published: 24 November Copy for January: 3 December

`The Link was first published for the West li nkmagazine@compuserve.com Swindon community in December 1978.

It is completely independent of Link Centre www.swindonlink.com and, in fact, won a competition to name the Publisher/Editor: Roger Ogle leisure centre in 1984. Distribution in North Editorial: Tel: (01793) 872282 Swindon commenced in January 1994."

The contents of The Link are protected TO BOOK ADVERTISING: by copyright. Use of advertisements in Call Jenni Fowler on printed or electronic form is forbidden (01793) 872531 unless an advertiser or publisher has Booking deadline: 5 November sought permission. Articles and photoPrinted by Goodhead Print graphs require similar authority

The Link Magazine • November 2001

Swindon to continue shambolic cabinet system, after 56% of citizens panel support directly elected mayor Petition launched demanding referendum

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. EASON

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As the business of the Swindon Borough Council degenerated into chaos on 27 September after the controlling Labour group resigned following a vote of no confidence, the irony of a decision taken at the very same meeting escaped notice when councillors voted to continue with the leader and cabinet system of local government.

Now a petition is being opened calling for a referendum on whether the town should have a directly elected mayor.

Most people won't have noticed a consultation exercise by Swindon Council asking for views on three options put forward by central government on how the council should be run: 1. the present leader / cabinet arrangement; 2. an elected mayor with a cabinet; 3. a mayor plus council manager.

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is planning to challenge the proposal by the council to the government to continue with the leader cabinet system, if she can attract 6,000 signatures on a petition.

"At present the leader of the council is the choice of a party political group. The benefit of directly electing a mayor is that all voters across the town choose the person who will have responsibility for leading the decision making. It would connect voters with how the town is run and could lead to less partisan behaviour by councillors."

Martha will be collecting signatures for the referendum in Swindon town centre on Saturday 3 November. To help, call 528095.

Swindon Council did more than many other authorities by circulating every household with a leaflet asking for comment, but without a public awareness campaign for an arcane subject like local government adminstration, response was always likely to be low.

The report presented to councillors on the outcome of the consultation positively asserts that there Although North Swindon MP is clear support for retention of the Michael Wills is a government existing system. But how clear is minister with responsibility for this? The details in the report the Channel Islands, he was defimuddies the water. nitely backing the Swindon First, response was perhaps too Tigersharks swimming club low to justify such a positive con- when they travelled to Jersey for clusion. Only 9% responded to the an open meeting against other household survey and a conferteams from all over the south at ence of interested 'stakeholders,' a the end of October. main indicator of support, was attended by under 40 people.

Secondly, a common theme in different consultation forums was a lack of knowledge about the existing system and uncertainty about the options.

Thirdly, the rules were skewed, not by the council, but unintentionally or otherwise by the government, as the vote by those wanting a directly elected mayor was split between two options. Thus, the Swindon People's Voice 'citizens panel', heavily relied upon in the report's conclusions, sought the views of 2,640 local residents. Just over 50% replied, the best response of any of the processes used. The leader/cabinet system won most support at 44%.

But if the votes in favour of both systems involving a directly elected mayor are combined, the picture is different, with 56% want- Diving in for the Tigersharks, Michael ing a change from the cabinet sys- Wills with club coach Phil Millard, tem.

Grant Thornton from Shaw and Swindon resident Martha Parry Hayley Wood from Haydon Wick

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The Link Magazine • November 2001

Anybody else for a cuppa?

The organiser of a street coffee morning is offering to work with volunteers in other roads to start one up to build community spirit.

Carolyn Soulsby first invited neighbours into her home in Moresby Close, Westlea in 1991 and apart from a break at the end of the 90s, people have been getting together fortnightly in different homes ever since.

"Everybody is so busy nowadays that its good to slow down, chat to each other, share daily griefs and joys," said Carolyn. "We talk about common concerns, safety for children playing the street, rubbish collections, household security, and help out in a crisis,

Graham McCallion

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whether it is an emergency plumber, or dropping round a card to say we care.

"You often know your i mmediate neighbours, but this is a way of meeting those who live at the end Some of the Moresby Close cuppa consumers, sitting from left, Barbara Tiley, Mandy Knight, Marion Cahill, Margaret of the road." MacFadyen (Marion's mum visiting). Standing, Bryan Carolyn to- Tiley, Carolyn Soulsby, Jan Baker gether with West Swindon community devel- coffee mornings in their street. For opment worker Pam Pixton are an initial chat about how to go willing to help residents start new about it, give Pam a ring on465462.

• Two women who attend the Tuesday coffee morning in Toothill community centre would like to set up a new group for people aged 25 to 60 years with a bit of spare time on their hands. If you would like to make new friends and boost your social circle in the Toothill area, call Pam Pixton on 465462 for further information.

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Community Dividend Scheme A minimum of 1% of the Society's profits are returned to projects to benefit the local community through the Community Dividend Scheme.

Do you run a community organisation? Would it help if information about it could be provided to potential new members?

Swindon Council community worker Pam Pixton, with help from The Link, is collecting details of groups in West Swindon so that she can put people in touch with each other.

People who moved into the area in the 1 980s will remember Pam or one of her predecessors tramping through the mud to their front door with a booklet of useful information on where essential services could be found, and lists of local organisations.

Although the 'welcome service' ceased, The Link has carried on the tradition of publishing contact names, addresses and telephone numbers for medical services, schools, councillors and churches in our September edition in the West & North section.

Pam's aim is to add to this information with lists of community groups covering all ages and interests. However it will not be published widely unless the group contact agrees. The existence of group contacts will be publicised through The Link and those who want to join will be asked to contact Pam for the details.

If you want your group included in the West Swindon community group database, please fill in the information below and send it to Pam Pixton, Education & Community West Team, Link Centre, Whitehill Way, Swindon.

r------------------I West Swindon community group database I

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The Link Magazine • November 2001

Newspaper planned by North children Youngsters at Abbey Meads Community Primary School are getting into communications with a bit of help from The Link.

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their own magazine, with interviews, feature items, games and ideas. They hope to have it ready

for publication in December and we'll be reviewing how they got on.

New north schools in the balance Swindon Council is putting the finishing touches to a submission to central government to secure a multi-million pound Private Public Partnership to rebuild Hreod Parkway School, build a new secondary school in the Haydon III development, five primary schools and special schools.

Its last bid was rejected by the However, the recent highly critigovernment in December 2000 and cal Ofsted report of Swindon Counif it does not secure funding this cil's management of education, seetime around, the council's plans to ing the possibility of major probhave the first new primary school lems, recommended that a continopen for September 2003 and the gency plan should be drawn up new North Swindon secondary just in case the government does school by 2004 will be severely not support or delays the PPP compromised. scheme.

Swindon schools organisation Mr Porter said, "the council is manager Norrie Porter said feed- still very much committed to seekback on the PPP is expected early ing the Public Private Partnership next year. "In the meantime, the and remains confident that its subcouncil is continuing to take every mission will be heard sympathetiopportunity to improve its bid, in cally." discussion with the Department What the council's contingency for Education and Skills." plan will be is not available yet.

Young bowlers given their chance The 2001 season was the most successful in Haydon Wick Bowls Club's short history with all teams doing well and money being raised for the Prospect Hospice 21st anniversary appeal.

The ladies' triples team, in their The club youth team lost its one first season in the Swindon and competitive game against an older District league, finished third out Wootton Bassett team, but Nigel of 20, and the men took a mid-table hopes to arrange more matches position in the rinks league. next season.

And local young people are Any boy or girl from the local breaking the age barrier and are area interested in taking up the showing a talent for the game. sport should contact him on Nigel Morgan, one of the three 336839. Woods are provided so that qualified instructors at the Thames initial costs are minimal.

Avenue based club, thinks that The season was rounded off with there is a misconception that bowls a tournament which raised over is a game for older people, point- £650 for the Prospect Hospice as ing out that all world champions part of the Prospect Sporting Apsince the 1980s have been under 40 peal. and more recently under 30.

A cheque will be presented at "All bowls clubs need young the club's AGM on 6 November. people to join the sport and at Anyone from Haydon Wick interHayden Wick we ensure young- ested in joining the club, whether sters are well supported and given as a playing or social member, is a good foundation in the skills, welcome at the meeting. rules and etiquette of the game," Call Barrie Smith on 722972 for he said. membership details.

The Link Magazine • November 2001

Swindon runs out of roundabouts as new road opens Akers Way and Westfield Way in Haydon Wick will soon become quiet backwaters when the new Northern Orbital Road (NOR) officially opens on 22 November, providing the first stage of an important by-pass to the north of Swindon between Moredon Road and Lady Lane.

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for Independent Financial Advice North Swindon Development Company presented Swindon police with a Honda HRV on 18 October for use by Abbey Meads beat officer PC Dennis Taylor who is extending his area to take in the new Priory Vale development.

Pictured with Dennis in the vehicle, from left, Paul Springgay, Trench Farrow consulting engineers, Angie Clark, Westbury Homes, David Thompson, director, North Swindon Development Comapny, Wiltshire Police divisional commander Ian Maidment, Inspector Bob Markham, community safety

Started in October last year, the four-kilometre stretch of dual carriageway built by Edmund Nuttalls for the North Swindon Development Company boasts twelve signal-controlled junctions, with not one roundabout in sight.

At some point in the future, the NOR will stretch from the Great Western Way to Cricklade Road, linking the M4 and the A419.

Immediately the NOR will provide access for the huge number of shoppers expected to drive to the Walmart store which opens on 26 November. It will also open up the land for the next stage of Swindon's northern development, the 5,500 home Priory Vale, which will also be officially launched in November. The first new houses are expected to be occupied in early Spring.

The access roads into Priory Vale have been constructed as part of the NOR contract so that the consortium of builders can start on show houses. A requirement of Swindon planners has been to minimise environmental impact by protecting mature trees, retaining hedgerows wherever possible, and creating more landscaped areas.

Noise is also an environmental issue and the road surface of the NOR will be finished in stone mastic asphalt. Although more expensive than traditional surfacing, this material has been proven to significantly decrease the sound of traffic. Experts indicate a reduction of as much as three to four

decibels is a current norm. Acoustic barriers, priority cycle paths and public transport lanes are also featured.

Wildlife needs have been addressed with the erection of badger fencing and newt barriers at strategic points, and a special route for mammals and newts under Haydon End Farm stream.

The North Swindon Development Company is also making substantial financial contributions to Swindon Council to improve other roads in the area, including the construction of a route for the North Wilts section of the Wilts and Berks canal under the Moredon Road end of the NOR. The canal route to the north of the road has already been dug out by volunteers.

"The Northern Orbital Road is a major new capital asset for Swindon," said Priory Vale project manager Paul Springgay. "It will not only provide the infrastructure for further development in the northern expansion area, but also significantly relieve the congestion both in northern Swindon, and the currently creaking road system into and around Swindon centre."

The next phase of the NOR development will be turning the existing Thamesdown Drive from Lady Lane to the Turnpike roundabout on the A419 into a dual carriageway.

In a roundabout way, congestion in northern Swindon could soon become a thing of the past.

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10 The Link Magazine • November 2001

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Library offers literary aerobics for babies It was all action at the West Swindon library on 12 October with babes being bounced on mums laps to the rhythms of nursery rhymes sung by children's librarian Robert Cotterill.

He explained that babies acquire information and knowledge from their earliest moments and nursery rhymes provide an excellent early years stimulation which will lead to a love of reading. "Babies are picking things up all the time and we ran this trial session to see how they and their parents would react."

One of the lap bouncing mums Penny Thomas said her nine month old daughter Ellie had enjoyed the half hour. "It was a lot of fun, a bit like keep fit with books."

The library hopes to run regular baby bouncing sessions in the future, which will compliment the work done by health visitors who give out early years Book Start packs when a child is born. As a reward for taking part in the bounce, each mum received a free board book to share with their baby.

Right, Robert Cotterill's pet Ted attracts the attention of Ellie and Penny Thomas, with Helen Smith and Jessica Williams, 17 weeks

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A team of staff and volunteer mums from Greendown playgroup must be some of the fittest ladies around after winning this year's Badminton Horseless Trials.

This year, unable to run the Badminton Horse Trials course because of foot and mouth restrictions, the five playgroup mums and staff called Greendown Gallopers beat ten other ladies' teams on 23 September over a five mile cross country course in Tetbury, complete with hurdles, and muddy water jumps.

Organised by the Rotary Club of the South Cotswolds, the ladies raised £230, to be split between playgroup funds and Breakthrough Breast Cancer.

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The Link Magazine • November 2001 11

Holiday club gains quality award It's official. High standards of care area hallmark of Trio Holiday Club at Tregoze School in Grange Park.

The Kids Club Network, a national organisation for childcare information and advice, gave its highest level of Quality Assurance Award to Trio, the first holiday club in Swindon to achieve this.

The club provides holiday care for up to thirty five children daily during school holidays.

Achieving the award required over a hundred hours of preparation before going through two stages of evaluation that looked at policies, procedures and the children's activities. A visit by an assessor who interviewed children, staff and parents was followed by Well cared for youngsters at Tregoze, a second assessment by a panel of with Elaine Johnson, centre rear, and Trio director Gerry Gardner, left judges.

Delighted playscheme manager were good, now we know we are."

For details of holiday child care Elaine Johnson said, "Trio is all about teamwork. We thought we at Tregoze School call 514422.

Charlotte is a top drawer Six year old Charlotte Cheesley won herself £25 at the end of September, and also £50 for her school, Shaw Ridge prima ry .

Her talents were chosen from hun- l jj^ dreds of entries into a colourin ... run by Taylors Estate Agents at a property roadshow in West Swindon Centre.

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for every proper ty completion by a Shaw Ridge School Taylors' manager Ian Street hands over the cheque family during the as Charlotte shows off her entry year.

Shaw Ridge headteacher Sally Pleased as Punch Charlotte said she was going to add to her Barbie Cowell was delighted with the surprise of an extra £50 for her school. collection with her winnings.

Litter lads are good citizens Three youngsters from Bradon Forest School spent three hours on Saturday 13 October collecting litter in large quantities around Peatmoor Lagoon as part of a year 8 citizenship project.

In total they removed four black bags full of rubbish to the Barnfield civic dump, and took a bag full of cans,

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"We were surprised by how much stuff we had to remove," said organiser Ben Cornell. "There are no litter bins round the lake, and it's dangerous for children and dogs when glass gets broken.

"Some people thanked us for doing the job, but we think the council should provide bins."

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12 The Link Magazine • November 2001

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Swindon's special teacher looks forward to London trip A teacher nominated by a Westlea family travels to London for the finals of the National Teaching Lifetime Achievement Award from 26 to 29 October.

Fay and Ian Howard and their valued. Mrs Wang believes the get to school you think it will be a daughters Jessie and Ellen nomi- wider education the children re- normal day; Mrs Wang then denated Anne Wang from Westlea ceive is just as valuable as doing cides to go on a litter pick up. She School for the award earlier in the well academically. They learn cares about nature and teaches you year and she won the regional fi- about the world, artists, music, to care about nature too." nals in September. nature, and grow in confidence.

Commenting on the prospect of They believe that Mrs Wang They like having sparklers on their attending the national ceremony, deserves the recognition for the birthday; anything they can share Anne said, "it's going to be a lovely enthusiasm she has put into edu- is important and they are valued weekend. I'm looking forward to cation over 36 years, the last four- as individuals." meeting the Secretary of State for teen at Westlea. She has drive and According to Jessie 9, and Ellen, Education Estelle Morris and peoenthusiasm and these shine out to 7, "Mrs Wang is always excited ple like David Putnam and Ted the children," say the Howards. about everything. She always lis- Wragg."

"She is patient and fair, every child tens to you and is interested in The event will be shown on TV is accepted and each achievement what you say. Each day when you in early November.

Musical moments, Anne Wang joining in with a music workshop run by Stewart Death of Travelling by Tuba, with children from her class, from left, Matilde Cozzi, Nathaniel Poon, Robert Eyre, Kirsty Soo, Laura Morrison, Stephanie Rhodes, Ben Fox

School acts against vandals A West Swindon prima ry school is taking drastic action to counter a growing problem of vandalism.

Brook Field school in Shaw has installed a ÂŁ6,000 CCTV system and has closed its grounds to the public outside school hours due to concern for the safety of children and staff.

"The school has had an open

policy for the last twelve years with practically no vandalism," said headteacher Roger Nicholas. "Any damage tended to be due to over exuberance."

But there have recently been a growing number of cases of malicious damage including wooden decking by the school pond being set on fire, and a storage shed used

by Jellytots Playgroup being completely destroyed.

Additionally staff working late have been intimidated by youths, Roger Nicholas showing off where some of whom are known to drive vandals tried to set fire to the pond to the school from outside West decking Swindon. ship with many past and present Signs are to be put up informing pupils who have been able to use people that anyone entering the the grounds but they are now beschool grounds out of hours will ing refused entry due to youths be reported to the police and may who have never been pupils at the school," said Roger. "It is sad to be prosecuted.

"We have had a good relation- have to make a decision like this.'

The Link Magazine • November 2001 13

West secondary schools bid for more classrooms Pressure on secondary school spaces available to children from West Swindon could lead to acrimony between schools and arguments between parents in the area when Swindon Education Department conduct a consultation exercise in November or December.

Because of increased numbers of children in rural areas traditionally served by Bradon Forest at Purton, in the future there will be fewer secondary school places available for children transferring from West Swindon primary schools.

Education planners at Swindon Council and Wiltshire County Council have identified the need to provide space for an extra class of thirty children for up to five years, some 150 places in total.

These could be at Greendown in Grange Park, or Bradon Forest. The chosen school would have to reorganise its teaching spaces and the Department for Education and Skills would have to agree funding for more permanent classrooms, specialist teachers, sports and social areas. Initially children would probably have to be taught in mobile classrooms.

Swindon Council school organisation manager Norrie Porter said, "Swindon Borough Council has been in discussion with Wiltshire

County Council and Greendown and Bradon Forest Schools about project numbers of secondary school pupils in West Swindon and the surrounding areas.

"The council will shortly begin a public consultation exercise with the community, and a decision on where the additional places will be available is expected early next year. In the meantime, parents should apply to secondary school in the normal way."

A report to councillors on the outcome of the consultation is likely to consider four main fac-

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14 The Link Magazine • November 2001

Swindon Celebrates

Twelve ways to help the Prospect Hospice in its 21st year

International Day of Disabled People Saturday 24 November,

Christmas comes but once a year and its only a few weeks away. Before you rush out to do the shopping, take a moment to think how you could help Swindon's Prospect Hospice, writes fundraiser Gillian Richardson. Here are twelve ideas to make a pledge for Prospect.

1 Oam - 4pm Haydon Centre, Swindon Information, displays, workshops Transport, creche facilities and enablers available To take part, call Steve or Eddie on 430045 or Type Talk 0800 515 152 e: swindoncelebrates@hotmail.com Organised by Wiltshire Law Centre, Wiltshire & Swindon Users' Network, Working for Oppo rtunities and Swindon Coalition of Disabled People

1 Pledge to make a single or regular donation (if you pay tax and complete a Gift Aid form we can claim back the tax, increasing your donation by an extra 30%!)

2 Pledge to join our Prospect Hospice Lottery (and have the chance of winning £1,000) 3 Pledge to Give As You Earn 4 Pledge to join our Friends of Prospect Scheme at £10 a year

PHOENIX SURGERY Incorporating The Link Surgery Dunwich Drive,Toothill Village Centre

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5 Pledge to leave a legacy to Prospect 6 Pledge to take a Prospect collecting box 7 Pledge to become a boxes collector for your street!

8 Pledge to give your time and talents as a volunteer at the Hospice

12 Pledge to help make each day ;. count Over£1.7million has to be raised' fromvoluntaryand ' corporate donations every year Gillian (seventy per cent of Richardson ar running costs).

So help us make each day count

9 Pledge to donate your unwanted clothing, brie a brae and make it a Twelve Days of Christmas with a difference. and books to our Prospect To make a pledge or for details Hospice charity shops on how you can help support your 10 Pledge to become a shop local hospice, contact the volunteer fundraising department on 815142 or e mail: fundraising@prospect11 Pledge to take part in (or hospice.org.uk volunteer at) a Prospect www.prospect-hospice.org.uk Hospice event

Link surgery patients to rise at the Phoenix Following the tragic and sudden death of Dr Rod Houseman, 57, in late March, the Wiltshire Health Authority has concluded that his surgery cannot continue as a single handed practice and has appointed the Phoenix Surge ry at Toothill village centre to take over his list of 2,300 patients.

Dr Houseman's widow, Pam said, "it is sad that Rod's memory cannot continue in the surgery that he built up in West Swindon from 1991. But the testament to his work is in the care provided to his patients, not bricks and mortar."

Dr Forrester Dr Swinyard of the Phoenix surgery said he & Dr Swinyard and colleague Dr Forrester were looking forward to continuing the excellent care provided by Rod Houseman.

He added that the practice would be appointing another doctor when the right person could be found.

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Trees galore to plant at Shaw Forest Park

Organised by the 1st Purton & Lydiard Scout Group

Plant a tree, make a bird box, have your face painted and sing some Christmas carols. It's all going to happen at another huge, free community tree plant being organised by the Great Western Community Forest at Shaw Forest Park on Sunday 2 December, 10am to 3pm.

Father Christmas will be taking a break from wrapping presents to help create the new woodland in West Swindon. With funding from Swindon Borough Council, a lot of people are needed to plant the three thousand native trees such as ash, lime and hemlock available on the day.

Wrap up warm, don the wellies and bring a spade, the day will be a feast of fun for all the family and friends. There will be a festive feel with school children being invited to sing Christmas carols and street pe rf ormers keeping visitors ente rt ained.

"We are excited at being able to organise another tree plant in

Shaw Forest

Park" said

A

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Heather Lilley,

forest community education officer.

Haydon Wick Parish Office Thames Avenue Speaker: John Ball on turning Swindon into the city of flowers & butterflies All invited

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Park in 1999, the Wilkinson family from Sparcells Fordetails, call Andrea Riding on 466315 www.forestweb.org.uk

Seven Fields Conservation Group Annual General Meeting Tuesday 13 November, 7.30pm

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Lydiard Country Park Saturday 3 November Firework & Bonfire Spectacular Bonfire lit at 6pm Admission: Adult £4; child £2 Vehicle entry via Hook Street entrance (free car parking) Organised by 1st Purton & Lydiard Scouts

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Turner, the butler, in his immaculate tail coat can be found in the dining room, wielding a pair of silver spoons with which he is about to carve an ice cream bombe.

Displays of jellies, fruits and sweets cover the table.

There once was a real butler called Mr Turner at Lydiard House though we do not know what he looked like. Sadly no photographs of

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Janet Porter takes a serving from Turner in Lydiard's dining room

him survive - quite possible none were ever taken.

However Lydiard's new character is alarmingly realistic.

In its heyday there would have been plenty of formal dinners and parties at Lydiard. Lady Diana Spencer. whose home it was in the 1 8th Century would have dined and danced in the grand state rooms.

Her fascinating ' and troubled life has recently been revealed by Cambridge academic Dr Carola Hicks, right, in her new book Improper Pursuits the scandalous life of Lady Diana Beauclerk.

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major papers will be giving a slide lecture on the life of Lydiard's

Lady Diana in the state rooms at Lydiard House on Friday 23 November, 7pm.

Tickets, which include refreshments, are £3.50 and must be purchased in advance from Lydiard House. Telephone 770401 for de-

tails.

Ridgeway play for the refuge Holy Cross Church, Chiseldon becomes a theatre in the round for the Ridgeway Theatre Company's production of Thornton Wilder's Our Town from Wednesday 14 November to Saturday 17 November, 7.30pm.

Our Town is a funny and moving play set between 1901 and 1913 in

Am dram in the West

a smal l New Hampshire town about

Junction 16 theatre group has now been going for 9 years and is currently planning the programme for the new season, writes Ken Kimber.

The group has established a repertoire of both classic and contemporary drama, ranging from Ibsen and Chekhov to Mike Leigh and Alan Bennett.

The group is seeking new members, either to act or help backstage. Meetings are held on Friday evenings. For details. call 349346.

the same size as Chiseldon, with a similar mix of inhabitants.

Proceeds from the production will be donated to the Swindon Women's Refuge which provides support to women and children.

• High security

Lady Diana Lecture Dr Hicks, whose book has received excellent reviews in all the

Tickets at £5 and £6 are available from Sue or Peter Hardwick on 741434. or email Peter at fpeter@hotmail.com For details of the theatre group, go to www.ridgewaytc.org.uk

Brassed up in Swindon Swindon Brass are starting a training band for beginners and intermediate players and are keen to meet experienced players, former players and complete beginners of all ages.

The band, with musical director Francis Cowley, practises on

Mondays and Thursdays, 8pm to 9.30pm, at Purton Working Men's Club. For details, call Janet Kelly on 534113.

Swirdo Wide What 's Venues

Dance

The Arts Centre Devizes Road. Tel: 614837 The National Monuments Record Centre, Kemble Drivt Tel: 414600

Friday 2nd, 7pm Random Dance Company. An enchanting performance for 8 year olds and above. £5/£3. Town Hall Studios Wednesday 7th to Saturday 10th, 7.30pm & 2.30pm on Saturday Seasonal Spectacular presented by Tanwood Theatre School. £8.50.

Wyvern

STEAM - Museum of the Grey Western Railway, Kemble Dri\ Tel: 466655 Swindon Museum & Art Gall Bath Road. Tel: 466556 Town Hall Studios Regent Circus. Tel: 463210 The Wyvern Theatre

Theatre Square. Tel: 524481 Contact venues to confirm date, time and price

Family activities Saturday 3rd & Sunday 4th Day out with Thomas along with Sir Topham Hatt, the Fat Controller. Also face painting and competition trail.

Adults £6.60, children £4.20. STEAM Saturdays 3rd &17th Meet the Railworkers. Join former engine drivers, firemen and railway workers to find out about life 'inside' the Swindon Works. Normal admission charges. STEAM Thursday 22nd, 11am & 1.30pm Playdays Christmas Singalong Concert. Audience participation. games and festive songs. £7. Wyvern

Fist of the Dragon. Martial arts spectacular with Chinese Percussion at the Wyvern on 19 November. See advert on page 15

Comedy Saturday 3rd, 8pm Marcus Brigstocke. The star of BBC1's The Savages, showcases his superb character comedy. £8.50.

Arts Centre Sunday 18th, 8pm Ennio Marchetto with a brand new li ne up of characters in his wickedly funny world of parody and paper. £12. Wyvern Thursday 29th, 7.30pm The Barron Knights, still fresh and up to date. and guaranteed to lift your spirits. £12.50. Arts Centre

I

Or it November

Friday 9th, 8pm Snag Project. Women's voices, manic lives. £8/£5. Town Hall Studios Friday 16th, 7.30pm The Mission. Fresh and daring works in an inspiring evening of black dance from reggae to street, jazz to contemporary, £8/£5. Town Hall Studios Friday 30th, 7.30pm The Cholmondeleys & The Featherstonehaughs 3'.An evening in three parts that pieces together fragments of blues, drumming, string duets and other sparkling manifestati ons of showtime. £11/E9. Wyvern

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Factory Showroom open at BSS House, Cheney Manor Ind. Estate, Swinc Open: Monday - Friday, 9.30am - 5.30pm • Saturday 10.00am - 4.00K

Music Thursday 1st, 7.30pm Step To It. Award winners of the best Steps tribute band in Britain make their debut appearance. £7. Wyvern Friday 2nd, 8pm The Albion Band. A showcase for many fine folk musicians for more than 20 years. £10. Arts Centre Friday 2nd, 7.30pm The Best of Broadway. Leading singers from London productions in a magical evening celebrating Broadway's greatest musicals. £13.50.

Wyvern Saturday 3rd, 7.30pm Hawkwind. The underground rock show-band merges electronic sounds with amazing light shows, dancers, fire eaters and brilliant musicianship. £15. Wyvern Sunday 4th, 6.30pm Festival of Remembrance. £7.

Wyvern Tuesday 6th, 7.30pm Swindon Jazz Society. Jazz on Video presented by Ray Hague. The Kings Arms Hotel, Wood Street.

Membership details from 693093 Tuesday 6th, 8pm Nick Harper. former Squeeze member plays a varied style which crosses between rock and folk. £7.50. Arts Centre

Tuesday 20th, 8pm Sean Wilson and Susan McCann.

Sean's warm sing-a-long style accordion playing has made him the people's choice across the country. £11.50. Wyvern Thursday 22nd, 8pm John Etheridge's Sweet Chorus.

Acclaimed guitarist, Etheridge plays with Christian Garrick on violin and Dave Kelbie, rhythm guitar. £12. Arts Centre Saturday 24th, 7.30pm Trinity College of Music Chamber Choir. Programme to include Brahms' Liebeslieder Waltzer and Richard Rodney Bennet's Nonsense. £8. Westonbirt School. Tel: 01666 880333 Saturday 24th, 8pm Bill Bruford's Earthworks. Acoustic jazz with complex rhythms and spontaneity. £12. Arts Centre Saturday 24th, 7.30pm That'll Be The Day. The nation's favourite rock'n roll musical, with music and laughs from the 50s. 60s & 70s. £14. Wyvern Sunday 25th, 3pm Swindon Recital Series with Alexandra Bass, flute, and Paul Turner, piano. Programme includes works by Bach, Copland and Martinu. £8. Arts Centre Sunday 25th, 7.30pm The Hooked on the 70s Show featuring Abba and Bee Gees. The ultimate tribute show. £15.50. Wyvern Friday 30th, 8pm Jacqui McShee's Pentangle (left).A top quality performance of original, traditional and contemporary folk and jazz. £9.50. Arts Centre

Lectures Thursday 8th, 7.30pm Dead Men Walking. Mike Peters, Pete Wylie. Kirk Brandon and Glen Matlock come together to play their individual hits as well as all-time favourites. £15. Arts Centre Friday 9th, 8pm Kiki Dee sings with acoustic guitarist, Carmelo Luggeri. £9.50. Arts Centre Saturday 10th, 8pm The Daniel Smith Blues Band.

Rocking piano. blues and stompin' boogie woogie' - Time Out. £7. Arts Centre. Preceded by boogie woogie and jazz piano workshops.

Tuesday 13th to Saturday 17th, 7.30pm Hey, Mr Producer presented by Kentwood Choir. £8.50. Wyvern Friday 16th, 7.30pm Tosca presented by Swindon Opera. In aid of Prospect Hospice. £6 £15. Christ Church, Old Town. Tickets from Howell's Reproductions, 52 Devizes Road

The lectures are free and are held at the University of Bath in Swindon, Main Hall, Oakfield Campus Wednesday 7th, 5.30pm - 6.30pm Big Bang Matters by research physicist, Dr Glenn Patrick. Designed for those with a non-scientific background, the lecture focuses on the latest developments at the sharp end of particle physics and the study of matter and anti-matter at present and next generation particle accelerators.

Wednesday 14th, 5.30pm - 6.30pm Swindon's Lost Canal. Ray Denyer has a lifetime's knowledge of waterway restoration and is the Liaison Leader for the Wilts and Berks Canal Amenity Group. A courageous and visionary scheme is taking place to restore this lost waterway link to the Thames.

American Wrestling Thursday 22nd, 7.30pm Big Time American Wrestling. A barrier of steel encloses the ring during this presentation. £10. Wyvern

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19

Theatre

Film

Open day

Wednesday 14th to Saturday 17th, 7.30pm Secondary Cause of Death presented by the Western Players. A hilarious sequel to Murdered to Death. £4. Arts Centre Monday 26th to Wednesday 28th, Mon 1.30pm & 7.30pm; Tues & Wed 10am & 1.30pm Twelfth Night presented by Shakespeare 4 Kidz. £6. Wyvern

All showing at the Arts Centre Thursday 1st, 7.45pm The Claim (15) When a young surveyor, who may bring the railway, arrives in the 1 9thC gold rush town, it brings problems for the leading prospector. £3.50.

Wednesday 7th, 7.45pm State and Main (15) A Hollywood film crew invades small town Vermont in director David Mamet's satirical madcap comedy.

Presented by Swindon Film Society.

Tuesday 20th, 7.45pm The Broken Hearts Club (15) For a young photographer in Hollywood, his friends, however exasperating, make gay life bearable. A romantic comedy with convincing performances. £3.50.

Wednesday 21st, 7.45pm Ugetsu Monogatari (PG), b & w Special screening of Mizoguchi's classic in conjunction with New College, a landmark of Japanese art cinema. Presented by SFS. Wednesday 28th, 7.45pm Croupier (18) Moody drama starring Clive Owen, as a writer who takes on a casino job to gain inspiration. PresentedbySFS Swindon Film Society: Tickets are not sold in advance: Society leaflets are available at the Art Centre; join when purchasing tickets.

Sunday 11th, 10.30am to 3.30pm TWIGS, Therapeutic Work in Gardening in Swindon, teams up with the Great Western Community Forest roadshow for a celebration of trees.

Demonstration of wood crafts and tree seed planting, also polytunnels, demonstration gardens, an allotment site and an area dedicated to wildflowers, butterflies and other wild creatures. Manor Garden Centre, Cheney Manor.

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Fundraising Saturday 17th, 2pm Autumn Fayre in aid of St Augustine's Church, Rodbourne Many stalls and refreshments Admission 20p. Even Swindon Community Centre, Jennings Street, Rodbourne

Sunday 25th Boot Sale. Cars £5, vans £7, no need to book. Prospect Hospice, Wroughton

The Dance House High energy ceilidh Juice with Dave Parsons Saturday 17 November, 8pm - 11.30pm Ellendune Centre, Wroughton £6, £4 concs, £16 family, under 11 s £1 Call 641107 for ticket reservations booth-howe@ netmatters.co.uk

Workshops Saturday 10th, 10.30am - 5.10pm Boogie woogie and jazz piano with Daniel Smith. Open to all ages and abilities, 35 minutes one-to-one sessions. £16, Arts Centre. For details and to book call 0208 997 8485 Saturday 10th, 10am - 4pm Creative Collage for Grownups.

Experiment with many forms of collage using textured and handmade papers and various materials. Suit beginners or improvers. All materials provided. £12. Arts Centre

Tour Saturday 17th, 2.15pm Tour of the National Monument Record Centre. An introduction to the work of the NMRC. Free

Lower Shaw Farm Shaw, Swindon

Children's Morning Wednesday 7th, 10am - 12.30pm Activities on the farm for young children and their parents and carers.

Mid-morning snack provided, bring a picnic lunch. Book on 771080. £5/ family.

Hedges and Ponds Friday 16- Sunday 18 November Working weekend in conjunction with the British Trust for Conservation Volunteers. Call 771080 for details.

e Chinese Experience MEAD WAY, PEATMOOR, WEST SWINDON

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5windor Wide What's Cr in November

Exhibitions

The Gallery, National Monuments Record Centre to 13 January The Arts And Crafts Movement Examples of craftmanship and design from the workshops of William Morris & Co. and others. illustrated by photographs from the NMR. Swindon Museum & Art Gallery from 7th Egyptian Experience This new permanent exhibition includes a new larger display case for Hatemui, the mummified body of an Egyptian boy which has been in the museum since 1922, painted walls depicting ancient Egyptian life and a small display of artefacts.

Lydiard House The Grandison Book, below A rare beautifully bound 17th Century manuscript with genealogical tables based on those displayed on the triptych in St Mary's Church together with vivid illustrations. Normal admission charge to House.

an hai N h RESTAU RANT (Chinese and Thai)

Eat as much as you like for only £13.95

Wyvern Theatre, Harlequin Bar to 5 November As You See It by Russell Groves A collection of bold colourful paintings from this Swindon-based artist Wyvern Theatre, Harlequin Bar 7 November to 16 December Artworks by David and Joan Miller New works in diverse media by this local couple.

Wyvern Theatre, Lower Foyer 30 October to 26th November A Vision of Beauty Katy Kianush-Wallace Two series of paintings exploring the worlds of ballet and symbolism.

Arts Centre 30 October to 24 November Coloured Counties by Diana Crafer New works in pastel from this popular local artist, including many for sale.

Lydiard Park Visitor Centre The Lost Estate Display of photographs capturing the joys and trials of life on the Lydiard Park Estate in the 1950s.

Swindon Model Railway Exhibition Modrail 2001

(children under 12 half price)

Applies: Lunchtime a Evening, Mon - Thurs only

171-173 Faringdon Road Swindon. Tel: 01793 616880 Open Mon to Sat. Party bookings for up to 120. Private parking at rear

Greendown School, Grange Park Saturday 24th and Sunday 25th November 1 Oam - 5pm Adults £3.50, children £1.50, senior citizens £2.50

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How many Mums consider how much of their valuable `shopping time' in the town centre is actually spent shopping?

Just think of the time spent finding somewhere to park, as near to the shops as possible of course, and then returning laden with shopping to find you have a parking ticket.

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Why do it?

At the West Swindon Shopping Centre shopping can be fun for all the family because you can visit all your favourite shops in an all-weather, relaxing atmosphere. Take advantage of our children's creche, places to eat, low priced petrol and free and secure parking - all on one level.

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REEND WN

New Head to make Greendown a Centre of Excellence In May, Greendown School Governors appointed Mr S.D.O'Sullivan to ` be the school's new Headteacher. Mr O' as he has been known to thousands of Greendown students since the school opened in 1986, was first appointed as head of PE and had responsibility for the development of the community programme. Over the following fifteen years he became Director of Personal Development, Deputy Head in charge of Students and now Headteacher.

Starting working life training to be a surveyor, and with prospects of a career as a first class rugby player, Mr O'Sullivan's life was changed utterly by the experience of teaching PE in a small Brighton secondary school. "I got a huge buzz from teaching," he remembers, "realising that I could help shape the direction of future generations. From that moment on, I knew there was never anything else I wanted to do more."

It is this drive to help students achieve their best in all aspects of their

Celebrating 15 years

school life â&#x20AC;&#x201D; academic, personal and social â&#x20AC;&#x201D; which is clearly central to Mr O'Sullivan's vision for Greendown at the start of the new millennium.

"Having seen other schools in Cornwall, the Midlands, and East Yorkshire, I know how good a school Greendown already is; but I want to make it a centre of excellence, at the heart of, and serving the wider community," he says.

Developing the teaching and learning in the school to very high standards and enhancing the school ethos are Mr O'Sullivan's immediate aims. "I want students to treat themselves and each other with respect, to be excited by their learning and to push out the boundaries of their knowledge. I'm looking forward to the challenges ahead."

Greendown, already West Swindon's most popular secondary school, looks set for even bigger achievements in the future.

Mr O'Sullivan in a meeting with the Greendown School Council, standing from left, Matt Holloway, Esme Bennett, Cane -Ann Sopp, Danielle Spall, Gemma Bastin, Tom Towers, Sam Johns. Sitting, Elizabeth Cosgrove, Nadia Jones, Jade Gordon, Jenny Hutchinson, Daniel Pratt

Greendown was planned and set up as a communiy school, years before the idea became fashionable. This year we celebrate our fifteenth year, both as West Swindon's seconda ry school and a centre for a wide range of community activities offered to all ages and all interests. See page 8 of this newsletter for a listing of current users.

Shaun Shirley - a sad loss Greendown is a ve ry caring communi ty and the whole school was deeply saddened by the tragic death of year 8 student Shaun Shirley a ft er a road accident in West Swindon on 17th Janua ry .

Fellow students decided immediately to raise funds for a permanent memorial to Shaun and nine months to the day after we lost Shaun, a cheny tree surrounded by seating was unveiled by his parents in a tearful ceremony on 17th October as a quiet place for students to meet and think of others.

Mrs Sandra Shirley said she had found great suppo rt in the messages of condolence from Shaun's school friends. "It's a comfo rt to know that Shaun made such

an impact in the sho rt time he was at Greendown."

-T The memo ri al was built by school technician Mike Lay with help from students Peter Lus ty , Colin and Steven Lambeth. We thankful to M&W Woodworking for Dlying the materials. r and Mrs Shirley were presented i a book of memories about Shaun. and Mrs Shirley with their children than, Siobh an and Rachael an d Shaun's .ds on 17th October. dedication to Shaun on the brass plaque s: 'He always made us

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This is Greendown • 2

GCSE results again above national average with a feast of A grades Over the last six years Although the 5 A-C grades has consistently are generally considered the raised and consolidated stuunofficial benchmark of a dent performance at GCSE. school's success, results can This summer, with fifty per go up or down depending cent of our year 11 students on the basic abilities of the achieving five or more A-C year group when they enter grades, we have once again the school. surpassed the national averMr O'Sullivan adds that it is age performance. important to recognise that a This year saw a feast of A measure of a good school is y ` . ^ ^IIIIII grades with eleven girls and how it caters for all abilities. nine boys delivering an in"We are particularly proud to credible 103 A* and A grades be recognised as Swindon's between them, in addition to Kelly George, f ourth highest best school for 'adding value' Social Science ex am mark in the to our students' achievements their other passes. iP Particular mention must go country as they progress through the Danny Roberts, being presented with the Greento Kelly George who passed eight of her nine school. These results set our students on down Victor Ludorum award at the end of ye ar exams at A* or A grade. She also achieved an course for good future careers and qualifica- assemblyin July, byschool governor Laura Campbell unexpected accolade in a letter from the t ions. examination board congratulating her on the fourth highest exam mark in Social Science across the whole country.

Headteacher Mr O'Sullivan is delighted with the outstanding results. "They reflect very hard work by the students. Teachers spend a lot of time on our principal objective - to `maximise individual potential' — and clearly this pays off. With careful target setting, regular testing and encouragement in our Personal Development Programmes, many students have significantly increased results from predicted grades. Our after school revision classes and homestudy club have also Holding their certificates for one hundred per cent attendance during the last school year at the played an important part in raising the standend of year as sembly, from left, Zoe Rouse, Leanne Mead, Colin Green-Thompson, Katie ard of our results."

Thornett, Freya Keene, Katie Ryman, Sarah Gill, Chris Hughes, Kelly Haydon, Richard Eagle

Technology in the service of educational standards For three years now, no teacher at Greendown has marked a register — at least not with a pen. A compact computer, the `Bromcom' has taken its place. Simply pressing a key calls up each class register from a central computer, students are marked in and the data transmitted back, cutting out all the manual labour needed to check 60 individual register books. Bromcom enables us to rapidly collate information about homestudy, attendance and achievement for an individual and communicate it to parents at consultation meetings.

Bromcom has now been complimented by the 'Leeds Database', a centralised computer record of every student's conduct — both positive and negative. The combined information from these two systems give a highly accurate picture of each student's daily life.

Future School, our computerised Maths teaching programme, which was originally developed for long distance learning in Aus-

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tralia, was officially opened by North Swindon MP, Michael Wills in May 2001 when he was Minister for Technology in the Department for Education and Skills.

We are also pleased to be able to offer our partner primary schools the opportunity to use Future School, as it contains modules suited to all levels.

The computer programme marks work, diagnoses strengths and weaknesses, alerts the student to errors and indicates work to aid progression. Since its introduction in September 2000, Future School has proved a powerful tool to aid individual students.

As a real teacher is always present in the classroom to assist with individual problems, we are finding students of all abilities make significant and rapid progress in Maths.

Michael Wills receiving instruction in Future School from Charley Barleycorn, Laurie Watts, Kevin Kolaris, Matt Holloway, as Mr O'Sullivan looks on

This is Greendown â&#x20AC;˘ 3

What's new at Greendown?

As we welcome another full year group of 11 year olds, we continue to improve the facilities available for our students.

In addition to a thorough and extensive redecoration of much of the school, we have completely redesigned the entrance foyer. Now complete with open reception desk, quiet seating and a meeting room, the area provides visitors and parents seeking information, with a warm welcome to the school.

The days of carrying heavy bags between lessons are a thing of the past at Greendown. In response to student and parent requests over many years, over 800 lockers have been provided. Painted in the school maroon, they line the atria and provide safe and secure storage for all school books and equipment.

New furnishings in the dining areas and a change in timetabling mean breaks and lunchtimes are now less congested and students can enjoy the range of excellent meals and snacks in comfort.

Year 11 students have also been provided with their own common room in the Len Hobbs Community Suite where they can go for lunch.

Our independent catering contractors regularly meet with student committees to ensure the service they provide is to everybody's liking. Year 10 student Jade Gordon said, "there's now a great variety of interesting meals and snack foods.

The caterers are keen to provide what we want."

Building the Greendown Gallery Greendown is 15 years old and 10 years have passed since the first students left the school. We're always keen to know how our graduates have fared in the wide world.

We're collecting photos and biographies of former students for display in our newly refurbished foyer so that present and future generations of students can be inspired by the acheivements of their forebears.

Let us know whatyou're doing now by calling Assistant Headteacher Mr Noble on 874224; tnoble@greendown.swindon.sch.uk

No more backpacking around Greendown, Luke Robinson, Beckah Snook and Scarlett Patteson find the new lockers are a useful addition to Greendown

New York film accolade forGulit Guljit Rana from Peatmoor attended Greendown between 1988 and 1993, before attending Swindon College and then taking an HND in Film and Television Studies at Stokeon-Trent College. He went on to take a degree in Administrative Management at Hull University.

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Some of the back room staff at the front line in the new foyer, from left, Mandy Youngman, Norlene Eagle, Linda Richards, Carol Nethercott, Avis Veal

Chamber Choir in Demand Greendown's Chamber Choir â&#x20AC;&#x201D; formed in the Spring term by music teacher Ms Louise Willmott is already finding itself in demand.

They have taken part in a record-breaking attempt with S Club 7 to record a single in aid of the BBC `Children in Need' appeal and will, alongside many other schools in the country, be featured on the new S Club 7 single to be released on 17th November.

In October the choir takes part in the second of Swindon's Senior Music Festivals. They will be preparing with a workshop run by renowned choral conductor Mike Brewer, before taking part in a concert at the Oasis Leisure Centre on 24th October.

"They are a talented group of students," said a proud Ms Willmott. "We hope for many more opportunities to widen their musical experience."

Mrs Willmott with her songsters, from left, Jade Balmer, Zoe Hughes, Zoe Mead (front), Elleisha Gilliver, Natalie Hughes, Laura Garrett, Catherine Fidler, Kinisha Shand, Kirsty Taylor, Amber Graham

Guljit spent three months in the USA this summer attending a ten week course at the acclaimed New York Film Academy, working instensively with sixteen other students from all over the world on all aspects of film making.

His talent was recognised at the showing of student's final work when the organiser of the New York short comedy film festival invited him to present his work in November, one of only two student works to be shown.

Guljit acknowledges that his time at the school has had a formative effect on his career. "My days at Greendown were interesting, lively and memorable. Without doubt the ethos of the school and the rapport with the teachers gave me a solid foundation for coping with the real world. I owe Greendown a lot."

Guljit is now taking a Masters degree in Sociology at Bristol University to broaden his perspectives on human life for future film projects.

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This is Greendown â&#x20AC;˘ 4

Greendown Gallery

Drama commemorates Holocaust Day

Two university graduates who passed through Greendown have returned to Swindon and are now making progress with the Nationwide Building Society.

A group of Year 9 students brought one of the new century's major themes alive in December 2000 when a play they wrote for their GCSE Expressive Arts examination, about the plight of Kosovan refugees, here in Swindon, was runner up in the regional final of a National Drama competition.

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Louise Godwin (nee Wilkes), 26, left, was one of our first students when the school opened in 1 985 and was in the firstgroup to take public exams in 1992. After A levels at New College, Louise went on to take a degree in Media and Public Relations at Plymouth University, before

being employed by Nationwide in 1998.

She is currently a manager in the customer se rv ices team with responsibility for improving contacts between the Society and its members.

"I really loved being at Greendown. It gave me a ve ry good feel for what the real world would be like; I was treated as a 'grown up' from the earliest days at the school. It was a difference I noticed when I went to college."

Louise married last year and now lives close to the school in Grange Park. In her spare time she is to be found at public events as a volunteer with the St John Ambulance.

Eve Osorio, 22, left Greendown in 1995 to study A levels at New College, before taking a degree in Psychology at Exeter University. She returned to Swindon and joined Nationwide last year where she works as a marketing assistant in the Marketing and Communicati ons Department.

Eve says the Greendown ethos is similar to what she has found at Nationwide. "We were made to feel responsible about our futures; it was a good basis for what I do now. I've also found that the school's motto 'to think of the other person' is also very much part of the approach at Nationwide."

Eve is being sponsored by the company to study for entry into the Chartered Institute of Marketing.

Last seen heading west across the USA on the way to Hawaii and Australia is Alex Ogle who attended Greendown between 1994 and 1 999. After his gap year he will be attending Sussex University for a degree in American Studies.

The play `The Greetings of Strangers' won the school ÂŁ350 and the students were invited to perform at Swindon's Pilgrim Centre as of the first national Holocaust Day Remembrance service.

In June, the play was performed for the last time to over forty members of the University of the Third Age. It was a profoundly moving experience for both audience and performers. Several of the cast, inspired with confidence

Karl Breakspear playing a Serbian in The as a result of their public appear- Greetings c ances, subsequently spent two trangers' clays teaching 6 year olds during Oliver Tomkins Infants School' summer term creative arts week.

Working after school hours. nine of the students in the cast of `Strangers' also completed their GCSE in Expressive Arts in two terms, and two years early. All gained grades from A* to C. It was an intense but highly successful venture.

A le tt er from Anne Lubin, who witnessed `The Greetings of Strangers' and requested a performance for the Swindon University of the Third Age (U3A): 'Both my parents were immigrants. from Tsarist Russia after the communist takeover and from Poland at the time of the Nazi invasion, so I have no difficulty identifying with today's asylum seekers - whether they are fleeing for their lives or economic refugees. I was moved to tears seeing your students performing 'The Greetings of Strangers', remembering and comparing my parents' experiences and some of my own. Thank you for your efforts."

Swindon City Festival, as seen from stilts

The Mayor of Swindon coun David Cox and his partner Jenni Dean, with our high stepping stilt walkers ready for the Swindon Ci ty Festival parade on 21st July Year 9 and 10 students finished the summer term with an elevating experience when they took a prominent part in the annual Swindon Town Festival in July. Trained in three long workshops by mime and street theatre artists, Cirque Bijou, fifteen students donned stilts and dressed up as birds of paradise, to parade in the middle of the procession down Swindon's Regent Street.

Friends and family were out in force to admire and cheer them on. This is the second year Greendown students have taken a leading part in the procession; we are already looking forward to next y ear's festival.

Summer school lets artists explore their talents Dani Gray from Shasv and Cara Butler from Freshbrook were two of several students attending Greendown who spent two weeks at the Gifted and Talented Summer School for young artists in years 6 to 9 held at Peaunoor primary school during August. " Holidays can be a bit boring, so the summer school was great fun," said Dani.

Dani and Cara at the end of project exhibition

This is Greendown â&#x20AC;˘ 5

Greendown Gallery

Who's new at Greendown?

Victoria Hill and Kerrie Keene are already budding journalists. L as t year they were members of the 'Typeface Gang, a group of hard working pupils at Peatmoor School who produced a two page newsletter in The Link magazine last year. Now they've brought their talents to Greendown and here they describe their first few weeks at 'big' school.'

We both wanted to come to Greendown because we'd heard that it's good for art and sport, things we both enjoy. We looked forward to coming even tnougn it was nerve-racking at first.

Things we really like include PE, where we do crosscountry (which Kerrie adores), netball and hockey.

The boys play football and rugby. We both like Spanish and although it's very different to English, the teachers make the lessons fun.

We also do exciting stuff

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Settling in, Kerrie Keene, left, and Victoria Hill

in Design and Technology, like making plastic ice scrapers with saws and special files.

We're pleased that the toilets are being renovated and are pleasant, but not so happy that even with all the bins around, sometimes people just drop litter in the atrium at break time. The cooks and cleaners have to clear it all up which isn't really very fair.

Altogether, Greendown is a pretty cool school and we wouldn't want to go anywhere else.

Kelly Hillier-Bowden, 17, now attends Cirencester College where she is taking a BTEC in Sports Studies.

Kelly was introduced to hockey when she joined Greendown and became an accomplished goalie, playing for Wiltshire school's teams and also being selected for the South West England.

Currently goalie for Swindon Ladies' Hockey Club, which plays on the Greendown all weather surface, Kelly is again a representative for the South West, at under 18 level, and and has been selected for the British colleges' squad.

Fleur finds her way around Fleur Perry from Freshbrook joined Greendown in September from Westlea School where she was a well known character.

Fleur, who suffers from spinal muscular atrophy and is supported by a welfare assistant in class, has immediately made friends amongst the youngsters who have arrived from all over Swindon.

Fleur said she had enjoyed her transfer to Greendown. "The lessons are really interesting and I've made loads of friends. The library is also terrific with lots and lots of good books."

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Pot Luck - Greendown's student business is taking commissions for its range of '^^~^ unusual ceramic c We can make you functional & decorative ceramic ware - castles, cottages, figurines, pots, plant holders, or individualised pieces.

To discuss your requirements, call David Kearns or Mr Eric Bullion at Greendown on 874224.

Fleur, with Cathleen Edwards and Greg Satchell, who were in her class at Westlea

The Big Adventure Club

After School Child Care & School Holiday Care at Greendown for children attending Tregoze, Windmill, Freshbrook and Shaw Ridge schools

After School and Holiday Care Centres also at Oliver Tomkins, Salt Way, Brook Field, Stratton and Robert Le Kyng

For details of times and places, telephone: 875992

This is Greendown â&#x20AC;˘ 6

Languages boosted by European contacts and visits Trips abroad and contact with people from other countries and cultures has always been an important part of Greendown's curriculum. Students learn so much and quickly when they are in actual contact with speakers of a foreign language â&#x20AC;&#x201D; especially if they have to do something like order food. For instance, a year 7 day trip to France, involved young students visiting a boulangerie to order bread

High flying DT students Under the guidance of Mr Stephen O'Connell some year 10 students had the flight of their lives when they were invited to the Popular Flying Association's annual open day at Kemble Aerodrome. The purpose of this was to generate enthusiasm for flight in the next generation and motivate young people to find out more about the business and design of small aircraft production and flight. With hands on the controls, all the students who participated came hack to school full of the excitement of flight.

Ready for take off, from left, Craig Kelly, Michael Wotten, Joshua Hillier

A day with REME Year 10 student Adam Drake describes a visit by the Army.

On 11th September a group of soldiers from the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers brought challenges designed to develop leadership and engineering skills.

The first competitive task between two teams involved building a go-cart and racing it down the field then dismantling it.

Then we had to construct channels out of pipes to simulate the transfer of fuel between two vehicles. Finally there was a challenge to pour 25 litres of water down a vertical pipe in order to raise a key attached to a float, above.

The key opened a box containing lost maps.

At the end of the sessions, the soldiers gave a talk about the many different trades and careers offered by the Army.

products; and on the Spanish ski trip, students enjoyed the sunny slopes by day, but studied Spanish every evening.

In July, thirty five students went to the French alpine resort of La Clusaz, with excursions to Annecy, Chamonix and the Mer de Glace to see the ice-caves. This visit was topped (literally!) by a trip up the cog railway on Mont Blanc. Other enjoyable highlights included mountain biking, white water rafting and guided mountain walks.

GCSE Spanish students were also pleased to entertain and practise their langu: twenty students from Galicia who were visiting Swindon Col] was a good preparation for dancers and singers from Swinc town Ocotal in Nicaragua, right. choreographer and singer got 12 bers of students performing Spat and dances in a packed drama We lighted come teachers of modlanguages to Greendown this year. Mrs Nati Gray, left, a native of Holland who lived in Spain for many years, L came to the UK with her English husband.

Having taken A II levels in England and

a degree in French and German at Oxford Brookes University, she now speaks five languages fluently. Mrs Gray joins us after teaching Spanish and Dutch to adults at Swindon College.

Ms Natalie Lacombe, who has the French equivalent of a Masters Degree in Marketing, and did a further degree and teaching qualification at Loughborough and Leicester Universities joins us after two years at Hreod Parkway School.

The work-related curriculum This innovative course, now in its second year, provides students with a double opportunity to gain accreditation in public exams. In Year 11, seventeen students are busy designing and making ceramic artefacts which will gain them GCSEs in 3D Studies and also a certificate from the Young Enterprise `Pot Luck' business scheme.

With a full order book, featuring a wide range of commissions from functional wall pots to individual sculpted items and decorative wear, there's no time to take a breather. And if they're not making and selling, they're out there promoting and marketing their wares!

To commission a piece, contact Mr Bullion at the school.

The Pot Luck Company, standing from left, Cheryl Wedge, Darren Ewen, James Rogers, William Bradfield, Dan Akers, Chris Fry. Front, Todd Makes, Louise Meyer, Bein Palfrey, Charlie Mason

This is Greendown • 7

Working together with

Sports stars Some of the Greendown students who have produced excellent individual and team results for the school in the last year.

Right is year 11 stu

^ 1

Above,

governor Laura Campbell presents year 8 sportsmen of the year awards to Daniel Morris and Tom Ryan Below, the Year 7, Swindon Schools' Netball champions, holding trophy, Zoe Mead, Sam Dell. Back, 7rom le ft, Sarah Ne wcombe, Emma Roberts, Emily Dickens, Charlotte W heatley, Laura Worley, Kaylie -Jill and coach Ms Hesten

dent James Ham bidge, a member of the Swindon Town FC centre of excellence. He also played for the Swindon under 15s side, coached

by Greendown head of PE, Clive Harding, who were joint winners of the English Schools cup

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our primary partners Top Sport is an initiative by central government to improve sport and sports teaching within primary schools. Last year, to improve our links with our partner primary schools, twenty Greendown students and staff received training in sports skills from the Swindon Council sports development team.

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Over the top at Westlea Primary School Working with primary school class teachers, our students were able to work with groups of children at six West Swindon primary schools during the summer term on hockey, cricket and football skills.

The next stage of the project is to provide training in Top Dance which will lead to a dance festival at Greendown in April 2002.

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Right, Keran Kol an is , winner of the annual Rob Andrew award made for the most improved rugby player, being presented with a signed shirt by Laura Campbell

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This is Greendown â&#x20AC;˘ 8

Red Nose Day - most successful yet With a wide range of events and virtually all the staff involved in some way or . another, from getting pelted with sponges in the stocks to singing karaoke and dancing, this wasour most successful charity day 1,J ever, raising almost ÂŁ2,400 for .

Comic Relief last March.

Grange Park playgroup to move to their own building in school grounds e

Above, Ready Steady Cook: right, teachers Mr Gary Pearson and Mr Emlynjones, are helped out by Helen Carson, Nicky Smart, Anne-Marie Fitz-gerald and Mark Wylie, winner of the Swindon Young Cooks Award

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Above, Mar Wylie again, 1 Adie Weston,Y Matthewsecond A left, R Daniel lcroft & hum oberts to give former head of anties Mr Peter Gould a soaking

Community Contact

2000.

Below, singing for chari ty cash, from left, Elizabeth Tilley, Dayna Stewart, Jeanine Williams, Kayleigh Huett

The volunteer mums on the Greendown playgroup committee were extremely busy over the summer holidays, organising and managing the move and setting up of a playgroup building in the school

C

grounds.

Whilst refurbishment takes place during the first half term, the playgroup has had to move on a tempora ry basis to Toothill Farm. They aim to return to their ve ry own, larger facility in early November, after the half term break.

Witnessing the arrival of their building in For details of places at August, Greendown Playgroup mums, dads the playgroup se rv ing and kids, from left, supervisor Nick! Gibson, Grange Park, call LindaSewell, Dave Pierce, Ellen Howard, Jenny Jackie Morgan on Gibson, Jo Pierce & Georgina, secretary, Bev 878278.

Lewis, Jackie Morgan, chairwoman

How to contact a communit y group at Greendown Sports and Keep Fit: Contact: Bodies by Design Aerobics & Power Yoga Burmah Castrol Netball Anne Hickey

Hobbies & Pastimes: Phone:

MrSarahs

01672 541144 452028

Chiseldon Girls FC Ian Povey

334791

Ferndale Netball Club Mrs Blake 872237 Greendown Veterans FC Pete Cejer 876696 Leigh Childs Martial Arts Academy John Danby

Peatmoor Angling Club

0790 9917454

Nationwide Netball Club Michelle Leighton 455143 Nationwide Hockey Club Steve Smith 656532 Shaw FC Margaret Rivers 346568 Swindon Hockey Club Bev Cejer 876696 Swindon School of Gymnastics John Roberts 870354 Swindon Town FC School of Excellence Phil Canon 333700 The Best of Health Weight Loss Programme Matt Pritchard 751927 Westside United FC Graham Price 871561 Wootton Bassett Hockey Club Lara Brown 606814

612357

Swindon Model Railway Club Mr M Lewis 771145 Theatre Express Childrens Drama Club David Kerwick 01698 676024 Junction 16 Theatre Group Ken Kimber 394346

Education, clubs & religious

ON OFFER AT GREENDOWN COMMUNITY SCHOOL 3 Sports hall 3 Gym 3 Multi-use hall /All Weather multi-sport surface 3 Multi-sport grass pitches

3 Drama studio

groups:

3 Classrooms

Brownies Debbie George 874480 Greendown Playgroup Jackie Morgan 878278 Basic English Workshop Mr R Looney 498901 Jamia Mohammadia spiritual group Mr Khan (via the school) 874224 The Big A (after school and holiday care) Pete Bailey 875992 Dyslexia Support Group Steven Williams 611288 Pilates Class Dawn Cole 430400 Swindon College (adult education classes) Razia Sacranie 871413

Free car parking Open 50 weeks of the year,

seven days a week For details of availability and hire charges, call Mandy Youngman on 891922

Greendown Community School Grange Park Way, Grange Park West Swindon Tel: 01793 874224 We always make visitors very welcome and are pleased to give parents tours of the school.

For details, please contact: Mr Tim Noble

'This is Greendown' is published by Greendown Community School under contract with The Link Magazine

The Link Magazine • November 2001 21

The west has computers covered There's no excuse for not getting to grips with new technologies in Swindon.

At Peatmoor Community School Circus skills for 8 to 14 year olds Monday 29 & Tuesday 30 October, I Oam to 12.30pm. £10

Adult badminton Call 881613 to express interest in joining a club.

Badminton for 7 to II year olds Afternoon coaching 5 November to 17 Decembe r . £6

Dance Club for 6 to II year olds 8 November to 13 December, 6pm - 7pm. £6

Call in to Peatmoor School to book a space

GARY WILKINSON Car Body Repairs and Paint Spraying M.o.T. Repairs and Welding Free Estimates Unit 12 Brindley Close Cheney Manor Industrial Estate Swindon Tr

New College principal Graham Taylor, second from left, toasts the opening of Fast Forward, with Emma Cross, left, Graham Whiter, management programmes coordinator, Ali Maggs, work based training assistant, Sally Tait, work based training manager, Sandra Williams, professional development coordinator. Sitting, Sue Lye, course administrator

Trainingcentreshavesprungup has established itself in a suite of all over the place. With the Swin- rooms on the upper floor of Lucena don College IT suite at the Link House. Manager Emma Cross said Library celebrating its first birth- Shaw centre is ideally placed for day, see page 30, and New College business and residential users. "Inopening its new professional de- dividuals and companies undervelopment unit at Shaw Village taking training of any nature reCentre, people living in or close to quire a dynamic and professional, West Swindon, can receive train- but comfortable environment, and we aim to provide just that." ing at every level, Fast Forward offers a wide range Launched on 1 October, the New College business service unit has of business orientated courses. For been renamed Fast Forward and details, call 755520.

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22

The Link Magazine • November 2001

Gym users burn calories in the Spirit of Swindon

Introducing Simon Bodley to the

Keen members of the Link Active Lifestyle Centre gym celebrated its second anniversary on 13 and 14 October by taking on a challenge set by Swindon's Atlantic rower Norman Butler (now well into his ocean adventure - see page 31).

Before leaving Norman esti- were invited to try out the gym mated that he could cover 128,000 equipment, get advice from ALC metres in 15 hours. In fact, the 49 staff and talk to Reiki practitioner people who contributed to the Lorraine Mills, sports therapist static row covered 263,731 metres, Kate Cady and beauty therapist with Shaun Reed putting in 45,000 Jenna Arrowsmith who work metres and David Richards who there. covered 62,196 in two sessions. Top The Link ALC has been maslady Jo Holland covered 15,000 and sively successful since opening in sixty five year old Alec Hill rowed October 1999 with over 125,000 10,600. training visits and over 1,250 joinOver the weekend newcomers ing the annual fitness passport scheme which provides a low cost way of paying for training and fitness sessions at Swindon Council sports centres across the bor- Link ALC instructor Yas Hopkinson and Link health and fitness coordinaough.

Intructors are always happy to tor Darren Gunter give encourageshow visitors round the Link ALC. ment to new ALC users, Jo Sharpe, Call in during opening hours. rowing, and Sandrine Hervy

Shaw Chiropractic Clinic Shaw Village Centre IF YOU ARE SUFFERING FROM: 0 Backache, Leg pain 0 Neck, Shoulder, Arm Pain 0 Headache & Migraine 0 Sciatica 0 Sports Injury 0 Arthritis O Whiplash YOU SHOULD CONSIDER CONSULTING A CHIROPRACTOR Free new patient consultation

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Trampette ladies get bouncing in Freshbrook Liz Szymczak, from Freshbrook, famous for her Thursday evening skipping class, is launching a Trampette Workout on Wednesday 7 November, 7.30pm to 8.30pm at Freshbrook School.

"It's a great way to improve fitness, arm and leg co-ordination, muscle tone, all to the rhythm of some bouncy music," says Liz. "The group will be aimed at all levels of fitness from beginners to the more experienced. Most of all we intend to have fun."

If you own a Trampette, and would like to join in, call Liz on 486112 for more details.

It's all a bit of a blur at the Freshbrook Trampette Workout for a cool looking Liz Szymczak

Getting fit for the Moonwalk 2002 A group of women who entered the London Moonwalk marathon last May for Breakthrough Breast Cancer have just kept on walking.

Twenty members of Swindon Twin Peaks team meet every Tuesday at 7pm at the Link Centre and follow a marked route for an hour.

Twin Peaks coordinator Eunice Salmon from Shaw said great friendships have been formed b y some of the 200 moonwalkers who have Tuesday night walkers, from left, Wendy Joltnson, Julie raised£80,000over Andrews, Clare Stump, Dawn Preston the last two years.

Women who plan to enter the coordinated by Jo Clarke from walk next year are welcome to join Grange Park. Just turn up, or call in the training walks which are Jo on 831831 (gam to 5pm).

The Link Magazine • November 2001 23

Backing needed for Swindon's England skiiers Two youngsters from Shaw are looking forward to skiing on snow after a successful summer on dry slopes.

Daniel Palmer, 14, who attends the summer holidays race training trains at the Snow Zone and spent a week in the Alps in October.

Bradon Forest School is both Eng- in Switzerland.

The talent of both youngsters Michelle is a member of the English and European champion for his age group, whilst sister lish Alpine A team which also has improved immensely since they started skiing four years ago.

Michelle, 16, who ha ..

And so has the cost of training, moved from Bradon to racing and equipment as they have Cirencester College in Sepbeen drawn into international corntember is ranked third best mitments.

English woman. The perMichelle and Daniel need sponformances on dry slopes sorship to meet their full potential. were a good confidence .r :.

For details of how to help, call booster for both as they go '; Geoff Palmer on 02476 207075 into winter training in email: gpalmelO@jaguar.com , preparation for competitive skiing in the Spring.

Daniel trains with the / British children's team at the Milton Keynes Snow Dan on the way to winning his age group at Zone, and spent some of the English championships in July

d

Swindon Dolphins in Smart move Swindon Dolphins swimming club have teamed up with Trowbridge based Smart Software to launch a unique internet-based service for Wiltshire swimming.

Swimmers can view the schedule of galas and open meets from an events calendar and read the weekly club bulletin, Splash, to keep abreast of individual and team performances from across the county. A full results service is planned so that all Wiltshire swimmers can stay in touch with performances in the Moonraker Winter and Summer Leagues.

The site is also available to all swimmers who can read online tips from two respected coaches Terry Davies and Tessa Farr.

Stroke your way into www.swindon-dolphin.co.uk next time you're near a computer.

November Dance with the KEN JAY SOUND Saturday 1 7th November 2001 Christmas Dance with the

Smileymac Showband Saturday 1 5th December 2001 7.30pm until midnight Food available. Discounted bar Members f5; Non-members £5.40

HAIR

Friday 2nd November 2001 7pm - 11.30pm Members £2.50, non-members f2.90, child/concession £2.00

Advanced Reflexologist & Kinesiologist CLINIC AT 113 HIGH STREET WOOTTON BASSETT

For an appointment with Mrs Lesley Taylor iMBChA, MSSCh, MUR, ASR

Call Freephone 0808 108 8545 (01793) 849914 anytime

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Also new are the IBA gel nails. nail art and tooth fairy gems.

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Bookings now being taken for our party nights - a traditional 3 course menu availabl (choice of turkey, lamb or vegetarian) Friday 14th, Thursday 20th Saturday 22nd December.

(Wednesday 19th & Friday 21st sold out)

Wfl' HALLOWEEN DISCO PARTY with Manhattan Nights disco

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Saturday 24th November, 7pm until midnight Members f3.50, non-members £3.90 An evening not to be misse

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24

The Link Magazine • November 200 1

Reiki could he the healing answer for you.

LEARN TO DANCE

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Call Danny Small Tel: 07092 207103 Eve. (01793) 878052

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He doesn't have a scale problem .. .

Exploding the myth about being over 50 50 Plus is now recognised by many to be the greatest potential developmental stage in our lives. We may approach this with a sense of curiosity or excitement, apprehension or fear. Either way can leave us confused, bewitched, bothered or bewildered, writes Marie Duke, coordinator of the Nova Project in Swindon.

Third Age Challenge Ltd. which ing in small groups, including inhas championed age diversity in formation technology, volunteer employment for the past eight work opportunities to boost confiyears, has supported many indi- dence, self esteem and to learn new viduals aged over fifty in retaining skills, and an exit interview to draw or gaining meaningful and fulfill- up an individual action plan for continued lifelong learning. ing employment.

We as human beings have an innate desire to quite simply be happy and fulfilled. Join us in this 50-plus revolution by calling 533370.

Dave Rogers Promoting a revolution: Marie Duke

The Nova (new opportunities valuing age) project works with individuals to recognise their abilities and further continue developing a sense of curiosity for on-going personal development and lifelong learning.

Recent grants and backing from the European Social Fund means that we now have the resources to offer a free, unbiased and confidential service to both unemployed and employed people aged 50-plus who live in the Swindon travel-towork area, to help them realise career and life dreams.

We offer an initial one to one interview, ongoing guidance agreed with the individual, train-

DO YOU? Culligan are now introducing their Household Division to the Swindon operation which specialises in supplying water softeners for homes including a full maintenance facility for any make of water softener. They also provide free home delivery service for salt and the filters required in drinking water systems.

With the installation of a water softener, the difference soft water makes is evident immediately, soap lathers more easily and leaves skin smoother and supple. Hair becomes healthier and shinier. Dry skin and complaints such as eczema can be improved with softened water thanks to reduction of mild irritants, using less soap and detergents.

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For more information on the fill range of water treatment products and services please contact Culligan on (Freefone) 0800 316 7500

Sprechen Sie Deutsch?

Bobbie French from Shaw, a member of the Swindon Salzgitter Twinning Association, is keen to meet a German speaker over a cup of coffee to help her improve her conversation.

If you are available during the day and can meet Bobbie informally, call her on 079 906 30672.

Did you serve in the Fast East?

All ex-military and civilian per -sonelwhrvduigWol War II and up to 1970 are invited to join the National Malaya and Borneo Veterans Association, NMBVA. The Swindon and District branch meets every third Wednesday of the month at the RAFA Club, Belle View Road, Swindon.

For more details contact the secretary Bill Ashby on 703040 or nmbbal tswnldonbranch.finesetve.m.uk www.communigate.co.uk/ wilts.nmbba

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26 The Link Magazine • November 2001

Police meet at shopping centre

We now have a showroom in West Swindon Our displays feature impressive water,

paving and decorative garden arrangements.

Our knowledgeable and friendly staff will be happy to answer questions, offer free quotes and inform you of our installation service.

WPC Pat Jones who patrols Shaw and Peatmoor/Sparcells and Toothill beat officer PC Phil Connor hold a monthly surgery at the West Swindon Centre where they will talk to shoppers about any issue of police interest.

Times can vary with du ty commitments, but the next two surgeries are planned for Fridays 2 November and 30 November, 4pm to 6pm.

No appointment is necessary. Phil Connor and Pat Jones with Sue Hall and Katrina on their way home from the weekly shop

Skateboading youth workers needed Whenever a new service is requested from Swindon Council, a lack of money is cited as why it cannot happen.

But not this time. The West Swindon education and community team are desperate to find youth workers to supervise a new skateboard project being planned for the Link Centre coach park.

"Finding adults to work with young people is a major problem, but we're very keen to organise skateboard sessions in a supervised environment," said team leader Martin Hawes. "All the youngsters want a place to skateboard, with ramps, pipes and jumps, but we need responsible people with qualifications to make sure eve ry thing is run safely."

Before the sessions can start, the equipment will have to be built by young people to RoSPA specifications. So some woodwork skills are desirable. To find out more, call Martin on 465466.

• A group of West Swindon youth will visit a skate park in Oxford on 31 October to get ideas for equipment needed for the project, and how to build it. This will be followed by a discussion at Freshbrook community centre at 6pm. All young people are invited to take part.

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The Link Magazine • November 2001 27

Invite the world into your home this Christmas With international tensions running high, now more than ever is a time to understand people from other cultures.

And with Christmas coming up, discover points of contact and practhere are thousands of foreign stu- tise English with the locals. dents who face the prospect of livCould you offer a weekend or ing in deserted university and col- Christmas invitation to your home, leges halls of residence because to one or two students, once or they cannot return home for the twice a year? Local HOST coordiholiday. nator Isobel Manook says you Host UK, a well-established na- would be giving the students an tional charity founded by the Brit- experience which would stand out ish Council and the Foreign Of- in their memories of Britain, and fice, is looking for people who can which might change their percepprovide accommodation for a stu- tions of this country for ever. Your dent and give them a chance to join own life would be enriched by in with the celebrations, or just friendship with adults from all over share their culture and lifestyles, the world.

For details about volunteering with the HOST scheme, call Isobel on 872373. On the web: www.host.org

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1st Swindon Boy's Brigade The brigade which meets at St Mary's Church Hall, Rodbourne Cheney, is looking for new members for its different sections aimed at 5 to 11 year olds. For details, call Mr Humphries on 724693.

Campaigners There are places at St Mary's Girl Campaigners who also meet in the church hall.

The juniors cater for 6 to 10 years and Inters, 11 to 13 years. For details call Mrs Humphries on 724693.

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for a free quote John & Ann Wadsworth

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Swindon Volunteers to reach out into the community With funding from the Community Fund (previously the National Lotteries Charities Board) Swindon Volunteers have taken on Information and Outreach Development Worker Chris Manning, to raise the profile of volunteering with communities across the town.

Up to now potential volunteers of activities: from administrative have often had to rely on finding work to advice work and counselinformation for themselves. Chris ling, from working with animals has the task of taking information to working as a chef. and guidance out to different parts "The outreach project is a great of Swindon, particularly where way of getting more people involuntary activity is not strong, volved in their community and identifying opportunities and in- making it the sort of place that they want to live in." volving people in projects.

He will also be involved in pubCall 420557 to contact Swindon licising the benefits of volunteer- Volunteers. ing in local companies.

"Voluntary workers come from all age groups and from all secATTWOOD'IJ tions of society," said Chris. "Volunteer work covers a wide range for Landscaping • Patios

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28

The Link Magazine • November 2001

House builder pays up to sort out unfinished road - at last Brilliant white fascias 6

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Following months of pressure by Shaw and Nine Elms councillor Doug Stewart, developers Bryant Homes have handed over a £68,000 cheque to pay for outstanding work on the junction of Tower Road and Pepperbox Hill, next to the Chinese Experience restaurant.

Completion of pavements, a roundabout and road surfacing have been awaited for over three years, whilst 'specifications were discussed and costs considered.'

Councillors, residents and council officers have been frustrated by a string of excuses by Bryants, but

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Left, Doug Stewart holds the cheque to get the work done

Youth work recognised Whilst Swindon Council's youth work service strives to get its house in order prior to an inspection by Ofsted early next year, voluntary workers are preparing for an event to mark the efforts of those people who have made significant contribution to youth provision and the community.

The council faced with 25 staff project or to their local commuvacancies, a recruitment problem, nity, and adult leaders who have low morale amongst officers in- provided exceptional service to volved and a lack of strategic man- young people.

Nigel Sharp, coordinator of agement, direction and planning is to draw up an emergency action Swindon Youth Partnership, said plan in advance of the arrival of that ninety per cent of youth work carried out in Swindon is done by the inspectors.

Meanwhile, the Swindon Youth voluntary organisations dependPartnership has arranged its first ing on people who are prepared to ever Swindon Youth Awards, to give up much of their spare time. take place at the Civic Offices on 9 "The aim is to recognise and reNovember. Some thirty presenta- ward youth leaders who have tions will be made to young per- given sterling work over the years, sons aged 13 to 25, and to youth and to the contribution young peoleaders, selected by a panel made ple are making to their communiup by Sir Maurice Johnston, Lord ties."

For 18 to 35s Lieutenant of Wiltshire, the Mayor of Swindon, coun David Cox and A social group for young adults the Right Reverend Michael Doe, has been restarted. Swindon 18 Plus is part of a nationwide netBishop of Swindon.

Nominations were sought from work aimed at 18 to 35 year olds.

Social activities are planned and youth groups in the town for persons deserving recognition in two regular weekly meetings are held categories - youngsters who have on Mondays, 8.30pm at The Vaults, made a valuable contribution to a Goddard Hotel, Old Town.

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The Link Magazine • November 2001 29 Support for patients with pituitary problems A new support group for people with disorders of the pituitary gland was launched on 22 October, thanks to the efforts of Pat Head, 57, of Wootton Bassett.

Having had a pituitary tumour removed in 1987 and living with the consequences of her treatment since, she is trying to help others with disorders of this very important hormone gland which controls some aspects of growth and reproductive function.

"Many people are affected by pituitary disorders," said Pat. "The symptoms vary widely and all ages are affected. It can be very distressing not knowing what is happening to your body. The group aims to help people relieve some of the anxieties."

Pat can be contacted on 853641 or go to www.pituitary.org.uk

Community champions cash available Lottery funds are still available to individuals and small groups of up to five persons who want to carry out a project that will benefit both the community and the individuals participating in a project.

The Millennium Innovators Scheme and the Community Champions Fund can make awards of up to £10,000 for group applications, less for individuals.

For more details of how you can fund an idea for community action, contact Phil Baker at Voluntary Action Swindon on 538398.

Golden Blue to perform at Earls Court

In April The Link reported on the agility and obedience skills of Blue, an eight stone dog of the rare Bouvier de Flandres breed who lives with his owner, Janet Garrett in Haydon Wick.

Blue continues to go of his breed to have from strength to earned the gold award. strength and recently Their reward has received the Kennel been Blue's selection Club's Good Citizen by the Kennel Club to Scheme Gold Award. perform at the DiscovThe test he faced comery Dogs Show at prised eight parts, all Earls Court on 3 and 4 of which he passed. "It November. Janet, obcertainly wasn't easy," viously excited by the said Janet. "On the day prospect, explained, Free protection for cats he was tested, the in"This is the next two In November the Swindon branch structor's dog was one of those day event after Crufts. Blue will be of the Cats Protection League will who failed." performing three times on each pay the cost of spaying female cats Blue doesn't deserve all the day." for owners on benefit. credit. With no classes available in The Bouvier de Flandres breed Book an appointment with your the Swindon area, Janet had to in- is noted for strength, intelligence vet who will have forms for com- struct Blue at home, before travel- and courage. First used to drive pletion so that he / she can reclaim ling to Oxford for the test. Not cattle in the Low Countries, these the charges. Proof of benefit must only that, she herself had to pass a dogs later played a significant role be shown. £15 will also be paid demanding written test. Janet won- in the First World War, carrying towards neutering tom cats. ders if Blue might be the only one messages and pulling supply carts.

HOSPITAL

Abbeymeads Veterinary Surgery Opening hours:

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Arthritis Spinal Injuries Hip/Elbow Dysplasia and Recovery from Surgery, Maintaining Fitness & Weight Loss Telephone Gill on 01 793 706224 for details

Worried who will look after your pet whilst you're on holiday?

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

Telephone Sheila Mitchell for further details on 873062

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Swindon's most modern small animal hospital, situated in North West Swindon, offering high quality surgical and medical care at competitive prices within a caring, friendly and professional environment.

30 The Link Magazine • November 2001

^J

Celebrating achievements at Link Learning Centre A thousand people have signed up for computer courses at the Link Learning Centre since it opened in September last year and to celebrate the event Certificates of Achievement were awarded to students completing their courses.

The centre run by Swindon College in a computer suite next rcto the Link Centre library offers a wide range of free and low cost courses, including City & Guilds, OCR Internet and the European Computer Driving Licence.

At a cheese and wine party for former and present students, Certificates of Course Completion were presented by the college curriculum manager Phil Neave. Special awards were made to Joan Mace, for using her newly acquired skills to help with charitable groups, and a father and daughter award to Vince ' Freel and Bernie Dudman for being the first father and daughter to complete the City & Guilds Certificate in Computer Applications. Both have progressed on to the internet course.

See the advertisement opposite about courses on offer or call into the Link Centre to find out more.

J.F.K BUILDING SERVICES

Extensions, Alterations,' Renovations All aspects of garden construction including fencing All general building work

Tel: Mr J.F. Keenan (01793) 727824

Success stories: Julia Hoskins, __ Link Learning manager, presents certificates to Wendy Ramsey, left, former student who has just been appointed as a part-time tutor at the Link Learning Centre, having successfully completed City & Guilds Certificate and Diploma in Computer Applications; Marie Dyer, centre, who completed City & Guilds Certificate and Diploma in Computer Applications and is now studying on an OCR Internet course, receiving her certificate

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Stock market fluctuations .. What does the future hold?

Mike Rees of West Swindon mortgage brokers Mansfield Begbie Associates tries to make sense of the future.

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Family project annual meeting The West Swindon Family and Community Project holds it's annual general meeting on Monday 5 November, 12.30pm when the project house at 15 Gainsbrough Way, Freshbrook is officially reopened by South Swindon MP Julia Drown after extensive building work.

Anybody interested in the work of the project is invited to attend. For details and to arrange child care, call 871303.

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Quite simply, anybody who has the answer would be worth a fortune. Although nobody knows for sure, economics experts who study the market can make educated guesses, which are not usually too wide of the mark. We all know one thing, that the markets do not like uncertainty and following 11 September there is an air of uncertainty throughout the world at present.

However, economists were cautious much earlier in the year and had forecast prior to 11 September, a rise of between 20 - 25% in the Footsie 100 index between April 2001 and December 2002, which, whilst sounding good, would only take the index back to where it was in late 2000. The recent global events have seen the Footsie 100 hit a four year low, and whilst it has partly recovered in the last few weeks, it is obvious that the resurgence in the market will now take a lot longer.

The Bank of England has tried to kickstart the economy to prevent it falling into recession by reducing interest rates, with the result that we now have the lowest bank base rate since 1959. This is obviously great news for mortgage borrowers, with many discounted deals available.

However, lowerborrowing rates

have an effect on savings and investment rates, which affects investment growth and whilst people can lookback to the early 1990's and say that at that time investment growth was good, this should be balanced by the fact that mortgage rates were above 12%.

The ideal scenario would be low mortgage rates and high investment rates. Unfortunately this is unlikely to happen. Therefore, people with investments should sit tight and wait for the markets to recover, as they always do, bearing in mind that this time it could take longer than usual. However, if they are mortgage borrowers they can take heart that at least their outgoings are lower than they have been since the late 1950's.

It would make sense to consider reducing your mortgage payments by switching to a better deal and at the same time discuss the options available to you if you have received, or are about to receive, a letter from your endowment provider giving a forecast of maturity values. Don't forget that the basic principle of investment is that you buy when the market is low, you don't sell. Whatever your situation it is prudent to talk to an independent mortgage broker.

Mike Rees can be contacted on 772779.

The Link Magazine • November 2001 31

Spirit of Swindon makes progress Nearly a month into his Atlantic adventure Norman Butler from Westlea has settled into the rhythm of the row and is keeping his spirits up by talking to his wife Linda on a satellite 'phone.

Norman had decided to go solo in his self-built boat The Spirit of

The Learning

Centres

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Swindon after his partner had to

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drop out which meant he could

not take part in

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But on arriving at the starting point in the Canary Isles he found that Phil Scantlebury, 40, from Poole was available to go with him. They have trained together and Phil has some experience of open sea rowing.

Linda, who travelled to the Canaries with their newborn daughter Melissa to wave Norman off on 8 October, was relieved Phil went with him. "They had a fantastic send off from La Gomera with a flotilla accompanying them out of the harbour. The first few days were much harder than they expected; Norman was very seasick and they were making slow progress because of the wind. Then

the chaffing of the salt water caused a rash which turned to pressure

sores.

d

OPEN>

The winds are in their favour now and they are covering over sixty miles a day. They could arrive in Barbados by Christmas."

Linda expressed concern about an Evening Advertiser story on 11 October that Norman was missing. She said, "I was disappointed that they printed such a misleading article. It caused confusion for people who have been following Norm an, and wish the Spi ri t of Swindon well. It is equipped with the full safety kit specified by the race organisers and has a rescue beacon to alert Falmouth coastguard in case of extreme emergency."

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aI

34

The Link Magazine • November 2001

Play the Piano Learn to Sing Phone Swindon 340437 for further information

Sainsbury's takes LETTERS TO THE LINK smoking seriously Should be sent to the address on page 4 by 12th of the month Unauthorised use of parking spaces for people with - at last After a long running debate in The Link with articles and letters since last February about smoking in the restaurant at

f.. i'

Auto Cli mate Control

MOBILE AUTO Au B CONDITIONING Service and repair at home or work on cars, coaches, trucks & tractors Call 01793 486694 or 0794 603 6307

Sainsbury's Bridgemead - and complaints from customers at stores thoughout Britain - the company has undertaken a full scale review of its policy towards smoking.

for free advice and estimates CITB Reeistered • INSTVAC Member

BUSINESS CARDS 200 - £24 LETTERHEADS 200 - £28 i

DECOTEX Painter & Decorator Specialist Artexing Tel: (01793) 791388

Grass cutting Hedge trimming Gardens tidied Odd jobs, fence repairs, etc Sensible prices

Chris Reed: 538839 or mobile: 07702 285865 ouse Cleaners Wanted £5 per hour cash Cleaning and ironing in local private houses in Swindon Daytime hours to suit For further details contact HomeMaids on Swindon 469552

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"During the summer voting cards were given to customers," said Bridgemead store manager Robin Ireland. "The returned cards were sent to head office where the decision is being handled at board level.

"Sainsbury's wants to see if there is a clear consensus across the country or if it still has to be handled on a store by store basis. The decision will be based on customer feedback rather than personal views."

Link reader Steven Walker from Grange Park, who has led the campaign against Sainsbury's resistance to changing its policy at Bridgemead said he awaited the decision with interest.

JUST THE JOB Domestic Services Agency requires Domestic Cle an ers & Ironers Flexible hours, good rates of pay

disabilities at the West Swindon Centre From James Trew, Ravenglass Road, Westlea I can sympathise with Fleur Perry who in the October Link cornplained at healthy people using parking spaces reserved for those with disabilities, On the morning of Wednesday 26 September it was cold with a light spattering of rain and all the disabled parking spaces were occupied in Car Park B at the West Swindon Centre, close to Coopers' Chemist. Three vehicles were displaying valid badges, two were displaying clocks which mean nothing without a valid badge and all the rest were unauthorised. This is not unusual.

Parents with toddlers often look upon the disabled parking spaces as an over-flow car park but they should appreciate that disabled parking spaces are legally enforceable whereas parent and toddler spaces are only concessionary.

Incidentally, some parents have an odd idea of a 'toddler.' We often see eight or nine year olds leap out of cars in the parent and toddler area and run into the centre.

The flimsy 'warning of clamping' notices stuck on the windows of the centre entrance have long All one faith From P Strange, Church Walk, Rodbourne Cheney, an Anglican, but still a member of the Christian faith In the feature on Deaconess Maureen Spinks in the October Link she is

referred to as a member of the Methodist faith and her successor as a member of the Baptist faith.

They are in fact both members of the Christian faith, but belong to different denominations of that faith.

Story results From Phil Millard, club coach for Tigersharks A.S.C.

We received some excellent feedback from the article on Grant Turner's success in the October Link.

A number of people have commented on it and we have received numerous enquiries about joining the club.

Phone Jill or Sue on 861112

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Stress & anxiety • Insomnia Muscular tension • Concentration PMS • Headaches/migraine

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Home cooked roast dinners, lasagne, chicken pies, variety of curries etc. frozen or hot delivered to your door Prices from £3 to £5 Contact Marion on 01793 877872

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£10,000,000 GIVE-AWAY!

Counselling can help you to explore these issues and find your own answers.

I Anti-ageing/skincare I Weight management I Patented joint suppo rt FREE MONTHS SUPPLY Don't miss out. Normal price £25 - £55 Call 01793 320304 or 07050 658774

Ironing done in a smoke free environment at sensible rates

or other bakes from Fair Cape Confectioner r• s Home baked and deliciously moist.

Prices £5 - £20 Contact Marion on 01793 877872

since disappeared. Before the present parking arrangements were laid out there used to be permanent wooden notice boards warning of clamping for unauthorised use of places reserved for disabled persons and these boards were situated in the actual parking area.

Why cannot these boards be replaced and the present security people be given a franchise to clamp and charge a release fee, which used to be £30?

The row of spaces reserved for disabled persons extending from The Trawlerman to the Link Centre are often occupied by unauthorised users. At lunchtime I have seen cars and vans parked in these spaces with the drivers still sitting in them eating their fish and chips.

Other unauthorised drivers are in the betting shop, video shop and hairdressers. I, too, have seen energetic females running into the Link Centre from cars parked in spaces reserved for the disabled.

Warning notices must be restored to the actual sites and clamping enforced. After a few cars have been clamped, the rest will soon get the message.

To book an appointment call: Trudy Nicholls, (01793) 341704 or Maria Konarzewska, (01793) 870878

Ladies, gents and wriggling children!

20 years experience Competitive Rates • Excellent Service

Julie Satchell IIHHT ITECDip

Call Jan on Swindon 706786 Mobile : 07931 271681

01793 886291 Mobile: 07714 916 Home visits available

Introducing three new, exclusive & unique products

Massage \ /I •

^" Aromathererapy ^^lP

I NNER SMILE

Reflexology

HOLISTIC THERAPIES Therapist: Gayle I.C.H.T. Tel: 01793 724521 or 0771 448 6905 8am-9pnr

The Link Magazine • November 2001 35

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For Sale

For Sale

Raleigh girls bike, suit 7-10 yrs, excellent condition, £45 ono. Tel: 871172 Ladies mountain bike, reasonable conditi on, £20. Tel: 638882 Raleigh Nitro mountain bike, 15 speed, suit 8-12 yrs. good condition, £45 ono.

Tel: 750840 Bike. red. Roller with stabilisers, suit 5-6 yrs. £25. Tel: 875811 Raleigh Jungle bike with stabilisers, suit 3-4 yrs, £25. Tel: 875811 Large Little Tikes dolls house, all accessories and dolls, £65 ono. ELC blackboard & easel, £10. Play kitchen food & accessories, prices vary. Tel: 876324

2 door 3 drawer combi robe with mirror shelf, champagne maple, 171 (h), 91 (w), 53 (d), excel cond, £45. Tel: 881353 Coal effect fire: Dimplex, excel condition, free standing convection & bar heating, fully controllable. £70. Tel: 331070 Microwave oven 1 Cu ft, used daily, vgc, Tricity, £10. Tel: 724628

Chicco 3 wheeler puchschair, hood, apron, basket. raincover, vgc, £75. Tel: 641100

Pushchair, modern, blue teddy print, excellent condition, £10. Childs bike, Raleigh, 5-8 yrs, £500. Tel: 423276 Wooden rocking horse, £35 ono & various toys to suit 2-4 year old. Tel: 700456 Pushchair/pram/carrycot Britax with cosytoes. raincover, sunshade, good condition, £25. Tel: 876333 Silver Cross pram/pushchair with waterproofs, sun canopy, hood, cosytoes, vgc, £35 ono. Tel: 635336 Swing, TP activity combination, swing. twin glider seat, swing boat, hammock, trapeze bar, swing seat, very solid tubular steel frame, £135. Tel: 340371 Scalextric special edition Toyota Corolla car, as new, boxed, £10. Tel: 344122 Snooker table, 6ft x 3ft, 2 cues. snooker balls, scoreboard, superior model, vgc, £95 ono. Tel: 750840 5 board games, ages 10 - adult, 2 unopened, £10 for the lot. Tel: 704169 Boys clothes, suit age 11-13 excellent condition, mostly brand names. £40, will split up. Tel: 349068 Ladies leather jacket, size 14, matching leather waistcoat, nearly new, cost £160 sell for £50 ono. Tel: 870964 Wedding dress, long sleeves, ivory with shell pink floral embroidery detail on front & train of dress, size 12 - 14, £150. Tel: 872577

Corndell pine chest of drawers and two bedside cabinets, excellent condition cond. £100, will split. Tel: 877462 Sharp 21" TV with stand and remote, 2 years old, excel cond, £60. Tel: 877462 Ex showhouse circular cane dining table with tinted glass top & four matching cane chairs. Tel: 532658 Front door, part glazed, mahogany. good condition, plus fittings, 78" x 33", £10. Tel: 722600

Pine dining table. 6ft x 4ft, good condition, £40 ono. Tel: 334933 Palma cane furniture as in Argos catalogue, sofa & two chairs, £150 ono. Tel: 870034

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private

Washing machine, Hotpoint Aquarius 1000 DeLuxe, £75. Tel: 631363.

Beko electric cooker, 3 months old, 5 yrs insurance, £240 ono. Tel: 537398 Small wallfixing greenhouse, still boxed, £70. Table top freezer, £25. Two 16ft aluminium ladders, nearly new, £120 for both. Tel: 612500 Patio doors, double glazed, double sliding door unit 1740mm opening, 2 yrs old.

Tel: 340371 Electric razor. Slide projector with screen.

Electric calculator. All fully working, £5 ono each. Tel: 349814 Mini jogger, fold away odometer for distance/speed, as new. £35. Tel: 876631 Bowls bag as new, unwanted gift, £15.

Solid pine cheval mirror, oval, £25. Tel:

Holistic therapist required as partner for established co-operative therapy centre in Wootton Bassett.

All enquiries to Best of Health Tel: 01793 855266

Drainex Ltd Small Swindon company requires a conscientious cleaner to work for three hours on a Saturday morning on Kendrick Industrial Estate (by the Bruce Street B ri dges) For further information please call Tom McKee Tel: 01793 640480

872577

Direct Drive record decks, two still in boxes, excel cond, £175 ono. Tel: 432664 Toshiba 28" widescreen Dolby Prologic TV, stand, surround speakers, excellent cond, £375 ovno. Tel: 330423 Computer table, £15. Technic Mash CD player, £30. Sanyo dual tine projector, £30. Tel: 872926 Dreamcast 3 games, keyboard, internet disk, controller, memory card, £70. Tel: 638882

Box of 50F/scap suspension files with tabs. £7. (Argos price 20 for £6.99). vgc.

Tel: 876583 Black & Decker grass trimmer, £7.

Roof rack with locks, fits most cars, £15.

Tel: 637126

ciean

Flymo Compact 330 lawnmower,large rear grass collection box, £50 ovno.

Tel: 330423 Mobility scooter, four wheel, approx 2 years old, vgc, quiet, sturdy, powerful, £875 ono, Stratton. Tel: 337752 Honda CR-V spare wheel cover metallic grey, vgc, no motif, £20. Tel: 726906

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Honda Accord 1985, good cond, no tax or mot, needs new brake pads £50. Tel:

Superb Specialist Cleaning of Carpets, Curtains, Upholstery & Leather

07788 657000

Wanted Relaxer chair for disabled lady pensioner.

Tel. 875096

House exchange 2 bed ground floor flat in The Prinnels for 2 bed house or maisonette. Tel: 879709 3 bed house in Freshbrook for 3 bed in Stratton area. Tel: 331642

for Sale & Wanted ads

Send to: The Link, Papermakers House, Rivenhall Road, Westlea, Swindon SN5 7BD by 12th of the month

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Name & Address (not for publication)

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Recommended by most leading furnishing retailers including Gilberts, Spillers, Normans

Call us now: 0808

Tel:

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144

5425

For your free evaluation

36

SERVICE

ACCOUNTANCY

ACCOUNTANCY

`G RA'

AERIA L S ERVICES_ Aerial & Television

ACCOUNTANCY • Business Start Up • Book-Keeping • Annual Accounts • Self Assessment Tax Short & long term assistance and projects

Se rv ices Tax A s s. s r

DIRECT

The tax and accountancy service for small businesses and taxpayers Self assessment • Tax returns Annual accounts • Book-keeping PAYE • VAT etc • Employed Self employed • In business

Free initial meeting Tel/fax: 01793 871790 Free phone: 0800 5422 778 www.graaccountancy.co.uk

For a free initial discussion call Lyndon Day Tel/Fax: 01793 766000

BUILDING SERVICES

BUILDING SERVICES

Hillside OO Building Se rv ices

• TV & FM aerials • Extra satellite points • Video & TV repairs • Signal amplifiers No call out charge

All work

John Phillips Servicing

guaranteed

25 years experience. All work guaranteed

Tel: 01793 702601 1 Mobile: 07774 943 783

CARPE NT RY/JOINERY

Quality carpentry & joinery for the home ALL BUILDING WORK UNDERTAKEN Extensions, garages, patios, fencing 20 years experience Free estimates Tel: 01793 330679 Mob: 0797 945 0326

* Doors, internal & external * Ski rt ings & mouldings * Fitted wardrobes & kitchens * Supply & fit/fit only Free no obligation quotation and survey

Tel/fax: 01793 721401

CLEANING

Whiteway

DECORATOR

DECORATOR

PAUL EXTON

Highly experienced painter and

GK DECORATORS

decorator

Tel: 01793 701394 Mobile: 0790 0216618

• Professional painting & decorating services • Interior and exterior • Domestic & commercial • Specialist finishes • Free estimates A quality finish at reasonable rates Tel: 01793-874139 Mobile: 07780 793253

All interior and exterior work undertaken

For free estimates call Paul on

e-mail: paulexton@lineone.net

Mobile: 07712 749315

HEATING & PLUMBING

REPAIRS

ROB HALL HEATING, GAS & PLUMBING SERVICES Central heating installations, boiler servicing and repairs, bathroom and power showers All areas of plumbing Tel: 07989 950070 ;

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Reg: 187606

Paurt`iq, 'e

• Quickly usable

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

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Interior & exterior

painting and decorating Coving • Dado rails

Interior & Exterior FOR FREE QUOTATIONS

No job too big or too small. Free estimates and friendly service

CALL 01793

725699

OR 07833 147327

PLUMBING & HEA' Quality Plumbing & Heating • Central heating installation • Boiler servicing & repairs • Replacement boilers • Outside taps U= eg

S

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

High Quality Painting & Decorating

• Power showers L

The Carpet & Upholstery Cleaning Specialist

DECORATOR

DECORATOR

or

Repairs to most makes of: 3 Washing Machines 3 Dryers 3 Dishwashers r= 3 Microwaves 3 Vacuum Cleaners

Palm Joinery

Extensions, loft conversions Specialists in all types of building & plastering All work fully insured Contact Dave on 01793 488470

01793 339546

APPLIANCE REPAIRS'

• Bathroom installations R a128

C i e-rpi oiler y Irepau^s

All plumbing work undertaken Reliable service, realistic prices

Tel: 01793 886947 Mob: 0780 3432312

Tel: 01793 881905 Mobile: 07973 663367

REMOVALS/STORAGE pBDEY MOVE

REMOVALS & STORAGE * Single items * Full house Ar Storage specialists Packing service Ar Late bookings

Tel: (01793) 727307 Mob: 0781 1 188564 24 hours • 7 days

37

SECTOR APPLIANCE REPAIRS

NCE REPAIRS

BUILDING SERVICES

GRAFT

Washing Machines Twin Tubs, etc.

Member of Tumble Driers I. S.E. Food Waste Disposal Units Servi ce Spa r es Repai rs

extensions, paving, porches, garages, conversions

Any alterations Garden construction & design Fencing - new and repairs to wind damage

We offer a complete building service for your home & garden For good quality with efficient service & competitive prices

Call 01793 485539/07811 698457

CLEANING

O DIRTY OVEN?

CONSERVATORIES

DEBT COLLECTOR

West `Wiltshire

MERLIN DEBT C OLLECTION SERVICE

Windows - Doors Conservatories

Don ' t worry ... Help is at hand Our fully trained team will restore your oven, hobs, microwaves and extractor hoods to a nearly new standard

Quality double glazed windows,

conservatories For a free, no obligation

quote at your convenience,

N on-toxic • Non- caustic • Bio-degradab le Call OVENU today for free quote (01793) 831 944 www.ovenu.co.uk

DRAINS G EMBo PGOU DG

BLOCKED DRAINS CLEARED FAST • CCTV surveys • High pressure jetting • Pipe relining • Locally based - competitive rates • 24 hour call out • No call out charge

Tel: 01793 828882 SUNBED HIRE

Deb's Sunbeds

Home Rental Fast tanning canopies and doubles also available Free installation & local delivery

Tel: Swindon 726906 anytime (Mobile 07778 - 641052)

doors and

call 01793 873424 or 07968 355557

ELECTRICIAN

Ody Fa y e ody For all your domestic & commercial requirements New installations • Showers Extensions • Extra sockets Re-wires • Security lighting New fuse boards Free quotes

24hr call out facility

Tel: 01793 878609 Mobile: 07885 543294 Ramleaze, Swindon

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ileSure :

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Ceramic tiling Walls and floors

`Your answer to those customers who just don't like paying !'

Overdue accounts & debt recovery • Low cost litigation • 'No recovery — Minimal charge' service available Licensed by the Office of Fair Trading

- Tel:

Tel: 01793 349704 Mobile 07904 142692

on quality

Traditional carpentry & building services Kitchens, loft conversions, stairs, doors, building work, bedroom fitments, domestic & commercial works undertaken Free, no obligation quotations Call 01793 644313

or 07768 271994

DECORATOR Cete& I4 tia0 15 yea#s

paiatiky u4tc oecot4tiss kotsses ik blest Swikook

Offering a high standard of work with references available.

for Debt Collection

Telephone for a fr ee estimate: 07774 - 208527 days

01793 887366

or 870515 eves.

ELECTRICA L SE RVICES

ELEC TRICA LIP LUM BIN G

5Ge^^^ sezrde4a

Shaw Electrical & Plumbing Ltd

SPARES • REPAIRS • SERVICE YOUR FIRST STOP FOR ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT From a 13 amp fuse or cleaner bag to fridges or vacuum cleaners we offer an efficient & personal se rv ice.

DOMESTIC APPLIANCE SERVICE CENTRE 11 The Arcade, High Street Wootton Bassett Tel: 01793 854378

UPVC CLADDING PAUL DRAPER

uPVC Fascia, Guttering & Cladding CLADDING

FASCIAS

Kitchens - Bathrooms Conservatories

Q2ualitp frnrsh .A 11 workguaranteed cfree estimates

Hall & Son Ltd A reputation built

Building

Same day, local service wherever possible

BUILDING SERVICES

Domestic, commercial & industrial installations Maintenance & repairs * lighting * rewiring * security lighting *garden electrics * heating * bathroom installation

Tel: (01793) 874480 Mob: 07860 760364 ^;^E^^

National inspection Council for Electrical Installation Contracting

WILL WRITING

Savernake Will Writing Service 'Give your family the security of knowing you have written a legally valid will.'

• Convenient

UTTERING

* FREE ESTIMATES *

Tel: (01793) 825965 3 Ove rt on Gardens, Stratton St Margaret, Swindon

• Value for money • Home visit se rv ice Single Will : £45.00 Mirror Wills: £65.00

Tel: 01793 887366

38

The Link Magazine • November 2001

BC The person who changed AD History is changing peoples lives Today o y vangellc p Worsley Road af^^G yS

SWINDON FAMILY CHURCH SUNDAYS 10.30AM THE WINNERS LOUNGE SWINDON TOWN F.C.

m m ° fz, m building with people Come and join us Sunday at IOam & 6.30pm For fu rt her information of other meetings ring: 873050, call into the Church office or visit www.freshbrook.org Jesus said: "/ have come that YOU might have LIFE and have it in its fidness"

N$BC

PINEHURST PEOPLE'S NOW... WE ARE BACK ON THE FIRST SUNDAY OF THE MONTH AT LINK CENTRE

For more information, inclu. midweek activities, call B ri an on 849731 in association with NEW FRONTIERS INTERNATIONAL

We are Greenmeadow Prima ry School]I r h ere!

North Swindon Baptist Church

Sunday Worship 10.30am - Sunday School & Creche Pastor Dennis Weaver

eb: http://nsbc.org.uk EL: (01793) 345051

Nursery bakes cakes for Red Cross appeal in aid for the bereaved families of New York and the displaced and hungry of Afganistan Bright Horizons, Peatmoor Village Centre Tuesday 30 October, 10am to 11.30am Call in to buy a cake or make a donation For details of nursery places, telephone 887602

Traidcraft Christmas Bazaar Saturday 3 November, 10am - 12 noon Toothill Church. Free entry A fine selection of decorations, cards, wrapping paper, and unusual hand-made gift items from around the world - all fairly traded.

Christmas hampers & stocking gifts, cake stall, crafts, refreshments

The nights are drawing in..

As the length of the day shortens and the house lights come on earlier in the evening we begin to think of cosy times in front of the fire with the cold of the autumn and winter shut firmly outside, writes Ian Howard, of The Filling Station. for them as individuHowever, for those in : als. In a world judged Swindon without a ' by physical features warm house and may-be and material success we even without any form believe thatpeople have of shelter at all, the prosself worth and dignity. pect of winter is less ata We need donations of tractive. tins of food, warm Swindon may be a clothing, blankets, prosperous town but it sleeping bags as well as also has a sizable homemoney. less community who We are always lookneed support from those ,t,,..

F„ .,,.1,,, ..,-, +., Ian Howard worT kwtt hus on a hurstunate.

It would be easy to dismiss this day evening, no matter how little community as a bunch of no hopers time you can offer.

The Filling Station can be conwho have brought their lifestyle onto themselves. With the in fl u- tacted on 881757. Rather than just ence of drugs and drink you could put this article down or skip onto the next one why not consider how say that it is all their own fault.

However, the bottom line is that you can support the homeless comif it were your son or daughter, munity of Swindon. After all they brother or sister, wouldn't you are all someone's son or daughter, want someone to care, no matter brother or sister. what the reason for their situation?

The Filling Station is a soup kitchen that operates on Monday and Thursday evenings in central Swindon. We provide soup, tea Jane Catchpole will be talking to and coffee as well as sandwiches, the Tootleabrook WI about homecakes and hot dogs. We give away opathy at its next meeting on toiletries and bags containing cans Wednesday 21 November, 7.30pm and packets of food. But most of at Toothill Community Centre.

All ladies welcome. For details, all we meet with people in a non judgemental way and actively care call Jean Brock on 539456.

Understanding alternatives

We have a number of properties throughout the Swindon area, providing accommodation

for a comfortable yet independent retirement.

Please call us for further details on 01672 515622

James Butcher Housing Association

NlOW40CAL

CHURCHES

All Saints' Lydiard Millicent - 10:30am Revd Peter Knight: 772417 (for the Village & Roughmoor) Holy Trinity Shaw -10:30am: (the Church is at Shaw Village Centre): 874221 St Mary's Lydiard Tregoze — 10:00am Revd Ann Mackenzie: 870244 Toothill Church - 10:45am Revd Mark Roper: 692620 (also Free Church minister for the parish) Westlea Church - 10:00am Revd Peter Knight: 772417 (this Church meets in Westlea School Hall, Langstone Way)

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Providing accommodation throughout the central and south of England.

A chan ty, incorporated as an Industrial and Provident Socie ty No. 16602 R.

The Parish of West Swindon and the Lydiards Bapti st • Church of England • Methodist • Un ited Reformed Church

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Friday 14 to Monday 17 December Matinee and Evening Performances

Box Office: 01793 465435 Whitehill Way, Westlea, Swindon SN5 7DL

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