No 470 August 2021 GPS-tracked, door to door delivery to over 40,000 homes across Swindon with Est. overall readership of 100,000
Swindon
LINK Your Community Magazine
North & West Edition
It's time to Be The Change for future generations p4
swindonlink.com
Full steam ahead for Swindon & Cricklade Railway p23
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Twigs community garden charity delighted at new five-year deal By Barrie Hudson barrie@positive-media.co.uk The parent charity of Swindon's TWIGS community garden has spoken of its happiness at securing a new five-year contract. TWIGS, based in Cheney Manor, has been running therapeutic gardening sessions since 1999, giving people the chance to regain confidence, self-esteem and to learn new skills through gardening. There was a period of uncertainty during the contract renewal process, with the TWIGS team fearing another organisation would be brought in. Some time before the new deal was hammered out, TWIGS manager Alan Holland condemned what he termed a fiasco in which, he said, a contract was awarded to another organisation which
The community garden helps people improve their confidence and mental wellbeing
subsequently pulled out. The council said standard procedures had been followed. Dick Millard, chair of trustees at The Recovery Tree Charity, said: “We are very pleased to be continuing our longstanding partnership with Swindon Borough Council. Their contract is a reliable source of long term funding which then helps us raise extra funds from a wide variety of community and
charitable sources. "This means we can then provide an expanded service to local people whose mental and physical health can benefit from being or working in a garden. “Following the contract award, we are now able to plan confidently for the future.” The gardens have 70 people aged 18 and over working through the course of the week,
assisted and supported by 50 volunteers, many of whom were also once referred to TWIGS with their own mental health issues. The gardens are also highly valued as a community resource and contain a great variety of plants, trees, shrubs and bulbs. TWIGS client Barry said: “TWIGS helps decrease my levels of anxiety and stress. It helps me to be mindful and not reflect on things that are disturbing me. "The staff are patient and understanding. People are friendly and supportive. I feel safe at TWIGS – I can trust people. I think TWIGS does a fantastic job for people with wellbeing issues.” The charity also runs the Olive Tree Cafe, which provides volunteering opportunities and work experience for people who want to build their self-esteem and confidence.
It's up to all of us to stand up for the planet I'm currently writing this in sweltering heat as we're experiencing a mid-July heatwave. It's lovely. People are smiling and it feels like the entire country has slowed down to enjoy it. We definitely need something to smile about after having one of the wettest Mays in decades this year. The weather has been a funny ol' beast these past few years though. Every time you turn on the television there seems to be climate disasters from flooding
Group Editor and Owner: Jamie Hill Deputy Editor: Barrie Hudson Reporter: Jessica Durston
Sales: Dave Stewart and Rosy Presley Office Manager: Karen Randall Photography:
Calyx
in Germany to landslides in Bolivia, to intense heatwaves across the US, fires in Australia and droughts in North Africa. It's with all this in mind that we launch our new monthly Eco Briefing page as climate change and global warming are going to be, literally, hot topics over the next few years. As serendipity would have it, Swindon Borough Council has also launched a new 'Be The Change' campaign which calls on all of us to do our bit for the
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environment. Read all about it in our first ever Eco Briefing on page four. One other thing I would like to add this month is that I'm involved in a memorial concert for my very good friend Dave Young in aid of Prospect Hospice. It's a huge event being held with the great and the good of Swindon's music scene at Old Town Bowl on 28 August. See the details on page 22. Jamie Hill Group Editor
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The Eco Briefing
Be the Change: protect what you love before it’s too late People in Swindon are being encouraged to get behind a boroughwide campaign to put climate change at the heart of their everyday lives. The ‘Be the Change’ campaign aims to raise the profile of climate change in Swindon and highlight the many positive contributions people and organisations are already making to reduce their emissions. Two people who are making
changes in their personal lives to minimise their environmental impact are Kody and Janine Bowler from Old Town. They said: “There’s often a misconception that greener living is more expensive, timeconsuming, and even difficult but that’s so not true. “Sustainability and greener living begins with simple changes in the home to reduce energy and water consumption and reduce waste. And then, in your local community, by shopping local and supporting new eco-initiatives. We can all start somewhere.” To find out more about the Be the Change campaign and to play a part in the fight against climate change, visit:
swindon.gov.uk/bethechange To stay up to date with what local organisations and members of the community are
doing to tackle climate change, follow the Be the Change Instagram page @bethechangeswindon
Five easy ways to help tackle climate change Even the smallest lifestyle change or shift in behaviour can have a positive impact on climate change.
The everyday choices we make in how we travel, use energy in the home, source and consume food and the products we buy, can add up to a big impact on the environment. Carbon footprint calculators are a great place to start. Find out your current environmental impact and what actions you can take to reduce this. Need help to get started? The Be the Change website has lots of free tools, tips and resources. Join people across Swindon already taking these actions: 1. Switch to walking or cycling over short distances 2. Reduce, reuse, recycle 3. Switch to a green energy tariff 4. Replace light bulbs with LEDs or other 4
low-energy lights 5. Change how you use hot water: take showers instead of baths and buy a water-efficient shower head Whatever your situation and lifestyle, there are doable changes we can each make. Around 220,000 people live in
Swindon. If we all continue as we are, climate change will get worse. But if we each reduce our own environmental footprint, even just a little, that would add up to a huge reduction in greenhouse gas emissions across Swindon. Are you ready to Be the Change? swindon.gov.uk/bethechange
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Save Oasis Swindon and SevenCapital agree to work together over leisure centre's future By Jamie Hill jamie@positive-media.co.uk SevenCapital and the Save Oasis Swindon (SOS) campaign group have held positive discussions over the future of the Oasis leisure centre. Founder member of SOS Neil Robinson and campaigner Tony Hillier met with SevenCapital Group Managing Director Damien Siviter in late June at the developer’s London office. The meeting was used to discuss the position and priorities of both parties with regards to the Oasis, clarify the current situation with the existing building and reinforce the mutual determination to agree a solution that will see the Oasis reinvigorated and reopened for the community to enjoy for years to come. Neil Robinson commented following the meeting: “It
was a fruitful and friendly meeting. The SOS Campaign is encouraged by the obvious commitment of SevenCapital to a refurbished and renewed accessible Oasis reopening as soon as is feasible. “We are pleased communication channels have now been opened up amongst stakeholders." Damien Siviter added: “Only by everyone working together can we ensure that the Oasis is brought back to life for the community. Our plans for the centre have always been to find the best route to reinvigorating it so that it provides a first-class facility for the community and future generations. In order for that to be achieved we must also ensure we reach a long term viable solution for any new operator. “I’m very pleased we took this opportunity to discuss this with
SOS and confirm that we are both committed to the same cause.” SevenCapital is currently awaiting news from Historic England confirming whether the Oasis will be listed or not, following which the developer will be able to agree and confirm plans for the centre. Cllr David Renard, Leader of Swindon Borough Council, said: “I am really pleased the Save Oasis Swindon campaign group now supports
SevenCapital's aspiration for a refurbished and renewed accessible Oasis. We have consistently said that SevenCapital’s plans are the best way forward for the Oasis, and securing its future has always been my top priority. “The council will continue to work closely with SevenCapital to ensure the Oasis has a longterm, sustainable future.” For more information visit www.sevencapital.com
Outrage at decision not to reopen Museum and Art Gallery
By Barrie Hudson barrie@positive-media.co.uk
"Free our croc!" was the rallying cry at a protest outside Swindon Museum and Art Gallery in Bath Road. About 100 people attended the demonstration against the continued closure of the Museum and Art Gallery. Swindon Borough Council insisted that the current building was unfit for purpose but pledged that a fixed location for the collection would be found as soon as possible. "Free our croc" is a reference to the much-loved preserved gharial - a large fish-eating reptile - which is perhaps the museum's best-known exhibit. Among those present at the gathering were South Swindon Parish Council chair Chris Watts, parish councillor and former Mayor of Swindon Stan Pajak, borough council Labour Group leader Jim Grant, 6
About 100 people took part in the demonstration outside the building. (Picture: Stuart Harrison)
poet Tony Hillier and Swindon artist Ken White, whose work is displayed throughout the world. One of the organisers, parish councillor and Friends of Swindon Museum and Art Gallery chair Linda Kasmaty, told the crowd: "This is beyond our expectations - the support for Swindon Museum and Art Gallery. "What we can do about this
is write to some of the people who are responsible for not reopening this door again." The revelation that there was no Swindon Borough Council plan to reopen the museum and art gallery prompted a furious row. The then council cabinet member in charge of regeneration, culture and heritage, Cllr Dale Heenan, made an accusation in a council
press release that information had been leaked, prompting a rebuke from former deputy leader Cllr Russell Holland, and resigned his cabinet role. Cllr Robert Jandy, the borough council's new Cabinet Member for Culture, Heritage, Leisure and Town Centre Experience, said of the demonstration: "Today’s gathering shows just how much people care about Swindon Museum and Art Gallery and I’d like to assure local residents that I share their passion when it comes to the Borough’s art and heritage collections." The councillor added that there were big plans to build a new Art Pavilion in the Cultural Quarter in the town centre, but that this would take some time. Cllr Jandy reiterated the council's position that the current Swindon Museum and Art Gallery building was in need of renovation and no longer fit for purpose.
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Daughters' support for hospice summer raffle Children of a man cared for at Prospect Hospice are supporting its summer raffle. Chris Marlow, 63, received care at the Wroughton hospice as well as by specialist Prospect nurses at his West Swindon home, where he died on March 13 surrounded by family. Chris supported Prospect Hospice’s raffle last year with a letter to its supporters, and his daughters, Sam and Zoe, are carrying on his legacy by endorsing this year’s raffle. In their letter, they said: “The hospice adapted to our needs, rather than offering a ‘one size fits all’ approach. We knew this was how they were working with dad, making sure his care was personalised, but we were surprised and reassured when they did the same for us. “We were nervous when dad said he was going to the hospice. Before then, we’d always been uncertain. To us, it was a place of sadness. How wrong could we have been? “Dad loved it there. He was very open with us about the
care he was receiving and spoke so highly of everyone. “The hospice was with dad to the very end and we can’t thank them enough for the support they gave to him, and us, throughout that time. We’ve pledged to make dad’s final wish to raise more money a priority for us and we so hope that you can too.” The raffle continues the hospice’s Thanks a Million campaign which aims to raise £1million to cover the funding gap left by the pandemic. Tickets cost £1 each. First prize is £2,000, with £500 for second place, £250 for third, plus five prizes of £50 provided by Imagine Cruising. Tickets can be bought by 23 September at the charity shops or at www.prospect-hospice. net/raffle
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Lower Shaw Farm reopening By Barrie Hudson barrie@positive-media.co.uk Swindon arts and education venue Lower Shaw Farm has announced its new programme of events. The first is a special one to celebrate the full reopening of the farm, called Reconnect Weekend. It will be held from Friday to Sunday, 30 July to 1 August, and a spokesperson said: "What have you missed? Where have you been? Who have you seen? What have you been up to? What would you like to do now? "Celebrate? Make things? Walk? Talk? Play games? Have a sauna or a swing? Tell stories and sing songs round a yard fire? Meet old friends and make new ones? "This is a chance to chill out at LSF, reconnect with people you have missed, meet others you really should know, and, quite simply, have a nice time." A Circus Fun Weekend will be held from Friday, 6 August
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to Monday, 9 August, and the Lower Shaw Farm Family Activity Week will run from Sunday to Sunday, 15 to 22 August. The spokesperson said of the activity week: "This is a week for people of all ages. We will do things, make things, and have a lot of fun." Lower Shaw Farm will host a Yoga and Massage Bank Holiday Weekend from 27 to 30 August. The weekend of 24 to 26 September will be a special working weekend. Full details of these and other forthcoming events at Lower Shaw Farm can be found at www.lowershawfarm.co.uk
Doctors' surgeries are merged
Two GP practices in Swindon have officially merged. Great Western Surgery in Farriers Close merged with Sparcells Surgery in Midwinter Close as part of a move NHS bosses say will bring clinical teams closer together and provide patients with additional services. Great Western Surgery became a branch site of Sparcells Surgery in a move which NHS bosses insist will not change how patients interact with their respective surgery. There is no need for patients to re-register or any change to how appointments are booked. Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon and Wiltshire Clinical Commissioning Group, which oversees the provision of GP services in the local area, approved the merger at a public meeting on Thursday, 10 June. Sarah Smith, Director of Operations at Carfax Health Enterprise, which manages both practices, said: “This merging
of GP practices is a very positive move, and ensures that the thousands of patients registered with both practices will continue to receive an equally high standard of care. “Patients will not notice a difference in how their healthcare is provided, and we will not be expecting patients of one surgery to travel to a new site for their appointments. “The impact of the merger will be mostly visible behind the scenes, where our teams will begin to work in a more joinedup way and share resources, expertise and ongoing learning across geographical boundaries.” Staff at Carfax Health Enterprise have reassured patients that the merger will not have a detrimental impact on the way advice, care and treatment are accessed. Carfax Health Enterprise, which also provides GP services at the Swindon NHS Health Centre, formed as a not-forprofit organisation in 2009.
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Football sessions for young people Children and young people are being encouraged to join in with football fun this summer. They are invited to sign up to Premier League (PL) Kicks sessions run by Swindon Town FC Community Foundation. Jointly funded by the Premier League and the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner (OPCC), the programme works with people aged 8-18. Details can be found at booking.STFCFoundation. com/newkicks
School road safety scheme thrives
A Swindon Borough Council scheme promoting road safety near schools has entered its second year. The council says 15 new schools will benefit from its School Safe Environment Zones Scheme (SSEZ) over the next year. A package of measures designed to encourage behavioural change in parents and pupils at these schools, as well as staff, local residents and other drivers, could include five-minute walk zones, Park ‘n’ Stride, anti-idling and air quality toolkits and pupil sign design competitions.
Zurich pledges £100K for Dementia UK Swindon-based insurance company Zurich's charitable arm has announced a further £100k in support for Dementia UK. Zurich Community Trust's most recent pledge is part of a three-year partnership, with grants now totalling £425k. The funding aims to help pay for the charity’s Admiral Nurse Dementia Helpline – a support service for those living with dementia and their families. The charity says demand for the helpline has soared. 10
Mayor's praise for charity which restores dignity By Barrie Hudson barrie@positive-media.co.uk Mayor of Swindon Cllr Garry Perkins visited the Dressability charity and hailed its vital work. Clients range from stroke patients to children with disabilities, and Dressability's work includes, for example, substituting Velcro or magnets for conventional buttons and fasteners while maintaining the original appearance of the clothing. The alterations allow clients to retain as much of their dignity and independence as possible. Cllr Perkins was shown around the charity's headquarters and introduced to the team by manager Sharon Tombs. She said: "The aim of Dressability is really to ensure that people remain independent and retain their dignity for the longest period possible."
Mayor of Swindon Cllr Garry Perkins with some of the Dressability team including manager Sharon Tombs, centre
Dressability can be contacted via www.dressability.org.uk/ and on 01793 512878. Cllr Perkins said of Dressability: "It's like many of these small charities which meet a requirement that has always been there and always will be there." The mayor spoke to many members of the team, which has grown from five people when Sharon Tombs took on her
role in 2013 to more than 30 today. He praised the charity for addressing needs few people realise exist - and for the ingenuity it brought to its alterations. Based in Westmead and established 23 years ago, Dressability alters clothing for people whose mobility and dexterity are hampered by illness, injury and disability.
Singalong charity unbeaten by lockdown A charity bringing singalong fun to isolated older people refused to let lockdown stand in its way. The Golden Oldies charity, affectionately known as Goldies, was founded by Swindon man Grenville Jones 13 years ago. The charity's patron is Sir Cliff Richard. Before lockdown began last March, it had grown to host more than 200 daytime sessions in community rooms and church halls throughout England and Wales. Covid restrictions put a stop to that, but the charity has been running sessions online via goldieslive.com Grenville Jones said: "GoldiesLive.com initially started with one session each week, but over the months we have grown to the point where there are now regular sessions broadcast on YouTube and Facebook each Tuesday and Thursday at 11am, with an
Charity founder Grenville Jones
additional monthly session in the Welsh language from Sian Francis on the first Monday of each month.” An academic study in February 2020 reported: “The evaluation clearly shows that Goldies is making a significant contribution to reducing isolation and loneliness amongst the older population.” The sessions also feature Steph Bosanko, who leads gentle chair exercises, and
many of the Goldies session leaders from England and Wales also contribute with inserted videos. Sarita Sood’s Bollywood sessions have become a favourite with participants. The sessions are supported by the People’s Postcode Lottery Community Fund and the Wales-based Moondance Foundation. The charity works closely with Public Health Wales, the Stroke Association, dementia support groups and many Age UK groups who actively promote the sessions to their older clients. The sessions are easy to access through YouTube and Facebook and the charity is now looking ahead in the hope that one day soon it will be able to recommence its daytime live sessions. However, the goldieslive.com sessions remain popular and are set to continue through to spring of next year.
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New app to change Swindon bus passenger travel
Swindon's Bus Company uses cutting-edge technology for a new bus ticketing app. The firm says it has revolutionised travel by allowing bus passengers to plan journeys and buy tickets for its services in and around the town. Passengers will be able to track their intended bus, and buy tickets instantly. The new app is available to download on iOS or Android devices.
Children's comic book initiative launched to aid literacy skills
Swindon Stories have started a summertime writing initiative to deliver activity resource packs to children aged 10-12. Swindon Stories is an initiative from the National Literacy Trust, Swindon Borough Council and WHSmith, and supports students as they transition to secondary school. REY paper is contributing 150,000 sheets of paper. The packs have REY paper, colouring pencils and a free Beano comic. The National Literacy Trust’s summer writing challenge, 'Comics Rule!' will ask children to design their own comic. The activity aims to improve writing attitudes and boost literacy skills. Swindon schools can share students’ comic books on Twitter, tagging @Literacy_Trust as well as @SwindonStories and #summerwritingchallenge. Teaching materials and activity packs will be available for free on the National Literacy Trust’s Words for Life website and signposted on the Oak National Academy website. Mike Stirling, Editorial Director at Beano Studios said: "Access to comics encourages children to enjoy reading for fun." 12
Wyvern Theatre to finally open its doors again In line with the ending of Government restrictions, the Wyvern Theatre is fully prepared for shows to reopen at full capacity from Thursday 26 August, beginning with a sold-out Russell Brand gig. Following 18 months of uncertainty and change for theatres and hospitality, the Wyvern theatre has remained committed to audiences returning as soon as they were able, to experience live theatre and performances. The theatre is renewed and improved, with customer safety as their number one priority. The theatre's team will continue to follow the latest Government and industry guidance to ensure that the return of the general public is as covid-secure as it can be. Some changes have been made, to ensure that the return is as easy and seamless as it can be. Now is the time to book tickets
for events in the autumn and beyond. People can do so safe in the knowledge that the Wyvern will be following all guidelines and that visits will be safe, secure and fun. The theatre is still operating
with limited staff, so tickets are available to book exclusively online. To contact the Wyvern, you can do so via their online enquiry form. swindontheatres.co.uk
Poppy hopes her doggie paddle will make a splash for charity Poppy the dog, owned by SwimTayka charity founder Bryan Avery, has taken part in the Henley Mile swim event on July – lining up alongside the other (100% human) participants. When swimmers lined up to take part in one of the swim calendar’s most popular events, one participant in particular was hoping for a new personal best. Alongside the many twolegged entrants in the Henley Swim Festival, was four-legged, black Labrador Retriever and swimming enthusiast Poppy. Poppy is the beloved pet of swimming charity SwimTayka founder, Bryan Avery. SwimTayka runs programmes around the world, teaching children to swim, to help combat the alarming annual statistic of 360,000 global deaths from drowning. Poppy joined Bryan for the mile-long swim, hoping to beat her time of last year, of just
over 30 minutes. To egg her on, this time she’s was sponsored in aid of SwimTayka, so her doggie paddle could take on a faster pace. “This is the second time Poppy has taken part and we’re grateful to the organisers of Henley Swim Festival for allowing her to do so,” said Bryan, from Swindon. “We joined the last wave of the event. I just hope she concentrates! Last year, so many people were cheering ‘Poppy, Poppy’ she sometimes got distracted and swam towards the bank to bathe in her applause! I think she ended up swimming further than a mile as a result.” Poppy, who was four in July, swam behind Bryan, wearing her special dog float coat. Bryan is a keen open water swimmer, swimming twice a week at Lake 32 on Cotswold Water Park. Poppy usually accompanies him into the water
for one or two kilometres. Bryan said: “I was very proud of her last year, and she thoroughly deserved to get her medal for participating. This year, we’ve both been training hard and being sponsored to raise funds for SwimTayka gave us both even more incentive to do well.” To sponsor Poppy, visit www. justgiving.com/campaign/ PoppySwimsaMile?invite=true For more about SwimTayka, visit swimtayka.org
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Brighter Futures launches GWH covid memorial garden appeal By Barrie Hudson barrie@positive-media.co.uk Work has started on a wellbeing garden at Great Western Hospital to commemorate lives lost to covid. Hospital charity Brighter Futures is asking for local people to support the project, which it describes as a place where families and colleagues will be able to remember their loved ones for years to come. The pandemic has claimed tens of thousands of lives across England, including more than 300 at GWH. Brighter Futures' Wellbeing Garden Appeal asks the people of Swindon and Wiltshire to support the garden through a variety of fundraising activities. Cat Weaver, Associate Director of Fundraising at the trust, said: “The memorial garden will be a really special place for staff, patients and
visitors to come to reflect, remember and celebrate the lives of their loved ones. “This space is for local people to use, so we want to involve them in helping us to create it through this appeal. “People who want to raise money through covid-safe fundraising activities can sponsor plants, trees and features in the garden and have messages and memorial text included on plaques.
“Just over £55,000 has been raised to date and we’ve received an incredible donation of £25,000 from The Hospital Company (Swindon and Marlborough) Limited, who are supporting us with building the garden. "A huge thank you to them for kick-starting our appeal.” Kevin McNamara, Chief Executive of the trust, said: “The garden will be located around the pond on the
hospital site, and will be landscaped with modern perennial planting, colourful borders and new trees. “The existing walkway will be widened for greater accessibility for wheelchair users and will become a tranquil space to reflect, remember and celebrate life. “I’m really looking forward to it coming into shape and know that this will be a really important space for so many people. "My thanks go to everyone who supports the appeal.” The garden will be made up of eight zones combining modern perennial planting schemes with raised seating areas, and will offer visitors a place for quiet contemplation. Information about the appeal can be found at www.brighterfuturesgwh.nhs. uk/fundraising/well-beingprojects/wellbeing-gardenappeal
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Five Principles Everything the school does is based on five clear and powerful principles:
Welcome to Warneford! Highworth Warneford School is a friendly and successful 11-16 school serving the market town of Highworth and the surrounding area. We have a proud tradition of academic excellence and the school is a busy and vibrant learning environment. Just as importantly, this is a place where the students are all ‘known’ and the quality of pastoral care is outstanding. You are always welcome to come and visit us to see the school in action.
School Profile: Highworth Warneford Get to know the schools in your area This issue: Highworth Warneford School Address: Shrivenham Road, Highworth, SN6 7BZ Contact: 01793 762426 Website: www.warnefordschool.org
Our School The school has excellent, specialist facilities that enable our students to access a wide range of subjects at a high level. This includes a large, modern Sports Hall, a full range of DT and IT rooms and well-provisioned Science labs. Sited on the edge of Highworth, we have plenty of outdoor space and this definitely gives the school a lovely, rural feel as well as giving us excellent sporting provision.
Our Ethos We are an inclusive school catering for the needs of all of our young people, no matter what their ability or background. We provide a well-rounded education that enables our students to acquire and develop the skills, knowledge and personal attributes they will need in their adult lives. This is complemented by an absolute focus on academic achievement, with our students aiming for the best possible exam grades that will ensure future success. Our extensive enrichment programme supports this goal and allows students to push themselves even further.
Excellence: every student must aim for excellence in everything that they do Aspiration: students should aspire to do amazing things and not settle for just enough Challenge: we will improve students’ resilience and help them to adapt to face life’s challenges Values: our students will develop independence and confidence and become moral, curious and enterprising learners, leaders and adults Community: the school is part of local, national and international community
The Warneford Way We are very proud of our school and our amazing students. When youngsters join us, they become part of our family and we do everything we can to nurture them and enable them to reach their potential. Our House system forms the backbone of the school and underpins so much of what we do – from pastoral care to competition to student leadership and beyond. We are modern in outlook but also cherish our traditions. We celebrate our students’ achievements at every opportunity and hard work is always rewarded. We are particularly proud of the many opportunities available outside of the classroom – with lots of clubs, activities, sports, music, events, trips and residentials. There is something for everyone! swindonlink.com n
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The Business Brief Blaylocks helps the vulnerable during the pandemic by carrying out home visit fittings
Established in 1920 and trading through four generations, Blaylocks is Swindon’s only family-run shoe shop and one of the leading independent shoe businesses in the south of England. During the pandemic Blaylocks, on Bath Road, Old Town, offered a home visit service so customers could still browse and purchase different shoe designs safely. This enabled the shoe shop to assist
their clientele, while offering a more personal touch to their sales. David Blaylock said: “Our success has been in offering personal service coupled with a stock selection which cannot be matched by the average high street store. We carry a core stock to which seasonal additions are added and currently we have a range of back-to-school shoes in.” Originally established as a
Increased client demand enables Awdry Bailey & Douglas to lease the entire ground floor of their new Swindon offices Awdry Bailey and Douglas are pleased to announce that they have recently signed up to lease the additional 2,000+ square foot space on the ground floor of 2 Gateway North, Swindon. The law firm opened its Swindon office on 1 March, but due to increased demand for its legal services it acquired the lease for the whole of the ground floor from 18 September. 2 Gateway North is located on Latham Road adjoining the B4534 Lady Lane and the A419 dual carriageway to the North of Swindon. There are car parking spaces available on site that are easily accessible from all parts of Swindon - via Junction 15 of the M4, the A419 in
both directions and directly opposite the David Lloyd Health Club. The firm provides advice and guidance on practice areas including Agricultural Property, Conveyancing, Commercial, Employment, Family Law, Land and Development, Litigation and Private Client services. Resident Partner of the Swindon office and member of ABD’s management board, Tim Hotchkiss, said: “As demand for our services in Swindon have increased we are delighted to be able to take full advantage of the extra space available to us at 2 Gateway North." ABD are currently recruiting and information about applications can be found at awdrys.co.uk
shoe repair business in Gorse Hill, Blaylocks relocated to Old Town in 1928, where the business has developed to its present-day success, built upon a foundation of personal service with long established staff, where the aim is - 'To sell shoes that don’t come back to customers who do.' The shoe company prides itself on carrying a wide range of brands not found in usual high street multiples, which
helps them to cater for all the family and for every occasion. The shop carries everything from men’s and women’s footwear to children’s school shoes, accessories and slippers. For more information or to browse the brands on offer, visit www.blaylocks-shoes. co.uk/home Call on 01793 534271 or Email admin@blaylocks-shoes. co.uk
Swindon motorbike company ready for summer biking season after showroom move Biking season is underway, and Bike Treads is now ready for the summer sales boom. The firm is operating within a showroom and workshop facility on Kennedy Drive, Eldene. It moved across to Eldene in October 2020. For 34 years the business has been Swindon’s longest established motorcycle service centre. Its workshop team have a combined length of service in the industry of over 120 years. Staff have experience working on all makes and models of bike and scooter, ranging from 50cc up to BSB superbikes in the paddocks. A spokesperson for Bike Treads said: “Our much appreciated customer base has been fantastic and fully supportive with our move, and we hope to have an open day
when the new rules permit it!” The motorbike company is directing its efforts to the better times ahead as it emerges from the pandemic having had to adapt the business to new and changing times. Bike Treads’ fully stocked showroom full includes vehicles from brands such as Royal Enfield, Benelli, Lambretta, Royal Alloy, Sym, Keeway, FB Mondial and Hanway. Bike Treads announced that it has been appointed Swindon’s new Suzuki franchise, with a range of bikes arriving throughout August. The firm said: “Our staff will undergo training so we may fully support the Suzuki UK goal of offering our very best service to Suzuki customers, both new and existing.” swindonlink.com n
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The Politics Page 'Be the Change' and make the world a better place Swindon Council Leader David Renard's monthly column
and businesses are already undertaking to make a difference and an example of this can be found in this month’s magazine. The great thing is that you don’t have to buy an expensive electric car or install solar panels on your roof to contribute. You may reduce your energy usage by having the heating on for half an hour less each day, invest in ethical banks, or try cycling to work instead of taking the car. Businesses too can play their part by minimising the amount of waste they produce, electrifying their vehicle fleet, or switching to LED lights. I’ve taken small steps myself by ensuring my home is well insulated, keeping the heating as low as possible, keeping my lights off when I don’t need them and using low energy bulbs. We also recycle as much as we can.
‘Be the Change’ will continue to run over the next few months so that by the time of the UN Climate Change Conference (COP26) in Glasgow between 31 October and 12 November later this year, the climate change agenda will be something many more people in Swindon will act on. To find out how to get started, visit the ‘Be the Change’ webpages on the council’s website and follow the new @bethechangeswindon Instagram page.
Local people will be asked to have their say on Swindon’s draft Local Plan People living in Swindon will be asked for their views on proposed changes to the Borough’s Local Plan. The Swindon Borough Local Plan 2026 was adopted in 2015 and sets out how much development is needed in Swindon, as well as where and how it should take place for the period up to 2036. In order to keep the Local Plan up to date, Swindon Borough Council is required to undertake regular reviews to take into account government changes to the planning system, comments from previous consultations and new sites which have come forward for development, such as the Honda site to the east of Swindon. The revised Local Plan, which will be subject to a seven-week consultation from 29 July, will help to build local communities and ensure housing and associated infrastructure that 20
Swindon needs in the future is delivered in a sustainable way, guarding against speculative development. This will be the last opportunity for local residents to influence the content of the Plan before it is submitted for independent examination. The Local Plan sets out the requirement for housing and employment land in the Borough and where they should be delivered. To meet the assessed housing need and ensure a five-year housing land supply, an additional 21,600 homes are required between 2018 and 2036. Many of these homes are already committed though having planning permission or on already allocated strategic sites including Wichelstowe, the New Eastern Villages and Kingsdown. The draft Plan identifies 2,200 homes on smaller allocations in addition to these commitments.
Cllr Gary Sumner, Swindon Borough Council’s Cabinet Member for Strategic Infrastructure, Transport and Planning, said: “Swindon’s Local Plan is one of the most important documents produced by the council and it is crucial local residents have the chance to feed in their views on where development should take place. “We know people are really passionate about their local communities and the representations we received from the last review of the Local Plan is one of the reasons why we are going back out to consultation. “We now have a slightly higher housing target due to Swindon’s forecast growth and the fact the town is bouncing back strongly from the pandemic, and new housing and employment sites have come forward since the last review, such as Honda’s
South Marston site, which has recently been bought by major developer Panattoni. “We need to make sure our Local Plan is robust so it has a five-year housing supply, which will help prevent speculative applications on land where residents do not want to see development. “I would strongly encourage local residents to read the draft Local Plan and give us their comments so we can take all their feedback on board.” The consultation will be open from Thursday, 29 July until 5pm on Thursday, 16 September 2021. Swindon Link readers can access further information and details of how to respond on the council’s website from 29 July: www. swindon.gov.uk/localplan The consultation documents will also available for inspection at the council’s Civic Office and main libraries from 29 July.
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Words by Jessica Durston
You may have seen over the last few weeks that we have launched a big campaign encouraging local people to make small changes to their everyday lives to help the wider efforts to tackle climate change. The council has already set its stall out to achieve net zero by 2030 and at our Cabinet meeting in July we approved Swindon’s first Net Zero Emissions Action Plan. The plan clearly sets out how we intend to achieve net zero when it comes to the council’s greenhouse gas emissions by 2030. This includes, among other things, completing our LED streetlight replacement programme, using a solar farm at a disused landfill site to power our operations depot at Cheney Manor, purchasing low emission vehicles and
downsizing our corporate estate. My Cabinet colleague, Cllr Keith Williams, has climate change as part of his portfolio and is hugely passionate about the environment and ensuring that we as a town do our bit to combat climate change. However, even after the council achieves its net zero objective, it is still a fraction of what we need to do as a borough and this is why our ‘Be the Change’ campaign is so important. We need local people and organisations to join together to make small adjustments to their lives and operations, because if you add all of these up it will make a positive impact on the environment. The ‘Be the Change’ campaign is about all of us and aims to raise the profile of climate change in Swindon. There are so many positive actions that local people
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FEATURES Pride celebrations to hit Swindon this August
East 17
Words by Jessica Durston
Swindon & Wiltshire Pride will take place on August 7 and headline acts have been announced. The event will be held at the Town Gardens, Quarry Road and will run from noon until 10pm. An after party will be held at Level III nightclub after the Town Gardens event finishes, with tickets available from the Pride website. This year will see a headline performance from the mid-1990s boy band East 17. Most will remember the band from their UK Christmas number one, 'Stay Another Day.' In addition to the pop boy band, Veronica Green from RuPaul's Drag Race UK has been confirmed to be attending. As well as appearing on Drag Race UK, Veronica has starred in many productions, such as 'Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dream Coat.' Jo Sharpe, chairperson of Swindon & Pride said: "Swindon and Wiltshire Pride continues to be a free event celebrating the LGBTQ+ community and is sure to be a fun-filled day of pride, rainbows and entertainment. The day will be one to remember with a family circus zone, shopping stalls and craft zone and so much more. "None of this would be possible without our main sponsor, Nationwide Building Society, along with our other sponsors, our amazing volunteers, local artists and the hard work of the Pride committee." Swindon & Wiltshire Pride said they had worked hard to make the event even more accessible this year. The park is promised to be fully accessible with ramping to all areas. Swindon & Wiltshire Pride warn that some areas can be uneven and due caution should be used. Parking zones along Quarry Road will be coned off for disabled parking. There will also be sign language interpreters for the main stage. Swindon & Wiltshire Pride will not be having its traditional parade this year. Contactless payments are encouraged and the organisation says that people with covid symptoms should stay at home. swindonwiltshirepride.co.uk
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The Bowl rocks out for charity this August
An all-day festival in Town Gardens will be getting Swindon rockin’ in August and it’s all in aid of The Prospect Hospice. The 'My Dad’s Bigger Than Your Dad Festival’ will be held at Town Gardens Bowl on Saturday 28 August, from midday until 10pm. The charity festival, being run by the people behind The Swindon Shuffle in partnership with South Swindon Parish Council, is being held in tribute to Dave Young, the former landlord of The Victoria and 12 Bar, who sadly died in early June at the Prospect Hospice after a hard-fought battle against cancer. The festival is now calling on local businesses to come forward to help fund the event so that as much money as possible can be raised for the charity. They are also looking for volunteers who want to show their support. Organiser Ed Dyer, of The Swindon Shuffle, said: “During their tenure at The Victoria and the 12 Bar, Dave, along with his wife Anna, revitalised the Swindon music scene, offering opportunities to hundreds of local musicians to show off and develop their talents. “The pair created friendships and a lasting music family that still endures, leaving an indelible stamp on this town. “It’s only fitting that this legacy is recognised by throwing a great big musical party and raising as much money as possible for Prospect, who helped keep David comfortable in his last months.” For Prospect Hospice, who provides end of life care for Swindon and North East Wiltshire, this event could not come at a better time, having not been able to organise any big fundraising events for almost two years because of the pandemic. Sheryl Crouch, head of
income at Prospect Hospice, said: “We’ve been so pleased to have been chosen as the local charity to benefit from this fantastic bank holiday music event in memory of the group's wonderful friend, I really can’t thank them enough. I can see the passion in the team to raise vital funds for the hospice after we cared for Anna’s husband Dave at the end of his life.” The organisers are made up of several key members of the Swindon music scene including Andy Loddington, the man behind Summer Breeze and Jamie Hill, the editor of The Ocelot and Swindon Link. They are also working very closely with Anna Sprawson, the widow of Dave Young, who said: “Dave’s death has been a tragic loss to all who knew him. He was so full of life and gave so much to others whether it was his family and friends or to the music community. “I couldn’t think of a better way to celebrate his life and all he meant to others by holding this one-day festival in aid of the Prospect Hospice who helped us all during such difficult times." The event will take the shape of an all-day community music
Main picture: Gaz Brookfield & The Company of Thieves (pic by Jennifer Berry) Inset - Dave Young (pic by Graham Bradfield
festival held in the wonderful surroundings of the Town Gardens Bowl in Old Town, with all profits being donated to the charity. The stellar musical line up is headed by David’s former band The Boys From County Hell, an Irish Folk-Punk band who toured the UK and internationally to huge acclaim and who are reuniting for the occasion to perform for the first time in more than a decade. Joining them will be Dave’s last band, the legendary punk covers outfit The Chaos Brothers along with Gaz Brookfield & The Company of Thieves, with whom he toured the UK as sound engineer. Also featuring are a host of acts who were all championed by David in one way or another during his time as a cornerstone of the local music scene and includes parody party covers act Kova Me
Badd, ska-punk band Slagerij, blues-funk three-piece Hip Route and reggae act The Erin Bardwell Trio, plus many more. As well as the music there will be plenty of activities for all the family and food and drink from a variety of locally based vendors, including a licenced bar. The festival is now calling on local businesses to come forward to help fund the event so that as much money as possible can be raised for the charity as well as volunteers to help on the day. Businesses and volunteers can get in touch with the team via email – mdbtydfestival@gmail.com Tickets are available online via seetickets.com or in person at Holmes Music and The Tuppenny in Swindon and Sound Knowledge in Marlborough. For info www.mydadsbiggerthanyourdad. co.uk
Swindon to get its shufflin' shoes on this September
The Swindon Shuffle returns from 9 to 12 September for its 15th year, live in venues again following on from last year’s virtual event. It promises the very best of original local music talent performing across five venues 22
in Old Town, and a supporting line up of DJ’s, poets and other artists as part of the Shuffle Fringe. Hosting the main musical programme will be The Victoria, The Beehive, The Castle, The Hop and
The Tuppenny, with fringe events at Baristocats and Baila Coffee & Vinyl. This year features the first ever electronica stage (Saturday 11th September at The Hop) hosted by Sonic Kitchen. Over 60 acts performing
across the four days ensuring there is something for everyone. Headliners include indie-pop band Stay Lunar, Richard Davies & The Dissidents, The Lost Trades and SexJazz. www.swindonshuffle.org.uk
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Swindon & Cricklade Railway to open its doors again this summer The Swindon & Cricklade Railway (S&CR) is Wiltshire’s only standard gauge heritage railway, and following a tough lockdown period and several vandal attacks, it's prepared to welcome everyone back. The S&CR offers a roundtrip passenger journey of approximately four-and-ahalf miles. Trains run between Hayes Knoll and Taw Valley Halt, accessible from Mouldon Hill Country Park. September 10, marks 60 years since the last train ran on the old Midland and South Western Junction Railway (M&SWJR), in which the Swindon and Cricklade Railway now where the heritage railway operates. S&CR will be celebrating this anniversary with a celebration gala on 10, 11 and 12 September, featuring Steam and Diesel Locomotives – and a guest appearance from a Swindon Built locomotive. A S&CR spokesperson said: “It has been a lot of hard work to get where we are today as the site was empty and everything you see on site was painstaking built from scratch!” Alongside this event S&CR also have three other big events taking place over the summer months! 7 and 8 August sees the return of the family friendly “Vintage Weekend” – featuring classic cars, motorcycles, busses, lorries, traction engines, trade stands, food stalls, beer tents and more. August’s bank holiday weekend (29th) is the “Real Ale and Cider weekend” featuring 15 beers and 10 ciders on tap accompanied by live music. 25 and 26 September will host the “Military Weekend” – a weekend that celebrates the area’s military roots and all the men and women who currently serve in the UK
as well as celebrating the military from across the globe. Displays of military vehicles and paraphernalia from yesteryear will feature. Aside from the events, there is a lot of work going into the extension of the line towards Cricklade. At present the current rail head terminates just before South Meadow Lane. A boost to the extension’s progress was helped along by the Hills Group Ltd, who sponsored a culvert repair that was holding up the project. This was facilitated by Community First, Wiltshire. The original brick culvert had survived for over 130 years, but with the ravages of time and the ingress of tree roots, the supporting wall was severely cracked and leaning. The brick arch itself was also failing underneath. It has been replaced with a suitable alternative and now the push to Cricklade can recommence. S&CR are hoping to be able to show this progress during the anniversary event, with trains running up to the length of the current line. All this work comes at a cost of several thousands
of pounds and S&CR would welcome any donations towards the cost of the extension work and any further sponsorship from local companies across Swindon and Wiltshire. It would also
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welcome additional help from volunteers to run its trains and to help build the extension. For more information visit swindon-cricklade-railway.org or find S&CR on Facebook or Instagram. swindonlink.com n
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Vauxhall Mokka : A nippy machine for MOTORING the road Vauxhall’s vehicles are manufactured in Britain plus its sister Opel factories in Germany, Spain and Poland. And among the half dozen models which are included is the Mokka, which is the second version of their compact SUV. Ironically that is assembled in France. The experts didn’t reckon much to the first version but the second generation they thought was a better all rounder with its four engine type of diesel, petrol or electric. Irrespective of model you can easily get 50 miles to the gallon and prices vary from £21,000 to £35,000 with the three year warranty or 60,000 miles. And the Mokka is a pretty nippy machine chasing the highway and byways. The new model integrates
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Leigh Robinson: Motoring writer
the grille, headlights and badge into one dramatic sweeping module. Vauxhall boast that it is clean, precise and technical plus decidedly different. It’s hard to disagree. The Mokka has a softly sprung suspension making it extremely comfortable. The seats are nicely high up giving you a good view of the road and the seat and steering wheel can be easily altered for you to get a comfortable driving position. The dashboard is well laid out and quite easy to sort out with buttons
for climate control and media volume. A 7in digital instrument display comes as standard in the Vauxhall Mokka, with a larger 12in display provided from SRi Nav Premium trim and up. It is both clear and easy to read. Every Vauxhall Mokka comes with bright LED headlights and daytime running lights to aid night-time visibility, and the SRi trim adds LED front foglights. Matrix adaptive LED headlights come as standard on range-topping Ultimate
Nav models. They shape their light output to avoid dazzling other road users while full beam is selected. The basic model is the SE and there is bags of kit for starters. You get a 7-inch colour touchscreen with Apple CarPlay/Android Auto; 16-inch silver alloy wheels; climate control; 7-inch digital instrument panel; cruise control with speed limiter; LED headlights & tail lights; lane departure warning with lane assist and speed sign recognition.
Rambling words for 600 meetings Maurice Spillane: Of Poetry Swindon
Our Running and Walking group celebrated our 600th meeting recently. It was a great day but can you believe the souvenir black shirts? We look like a bunch of right-wingers planning the overthrow of society. In reality, some of the walkers use sticks to get around and England’s elite have nothing to fear from our ageing runners. I love running, starting with an adrenalin rush when I close the front door. I tend to run off road, across fields 24
and through woods, seeking out hills. My head goes to another place, exploring issues that might’ve been bothering me, opportunities to be explored perhaps, playing with words for a poem. Whatever, by the time I get back the jigsaw is complete, solutions engineered, and I’m a happy punter. I’m content to run on my own in my own space but I also enjoy running occasionally with friends. With the Hash (www.kvh3.co.uk) we run five miles every second Sunday
from a pub. Walkers cover three miles. The trails are set early in the morning using flour. I’m sure you’ve seen markings over the years – circles, arrows, dots. There’s no organisation other than the GOM (Grand Old Master) appointed every few years. The recent GOM is Kevin Walsh, a walker no less, so you can see we’ve tolerance and diversity in hashing! I was “commissioned” to write a poem for the big day, which means GOM bought me a pint of Guinness. Here are two stanzas:
Over dale we push along, move along, trudge heavy hills to evoke the ire of an engine blowing steam. A runner fast downhill hums “Chariots of Fire” and we all join in. Problems wither as we go, we have no time to sup their shadows, so they linger a step behind and never catch us up www.mauricespillane.com
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Mixed publican reaction over July's 'Freedom Day' announcement By Jessica Durston Swindon Link has been in touch with Old Town pub owners to gather their thoughts on lockdown restrictions lifting. 19 July saw the lifting of rules around facial coverings, social distancing and group gathering sizes. Swindon Link spoke to the owners of several pubs within Old Town. Violet McLaren, owner of The Vic, said: "I'm so totally hacked off with our Government. Lifting restrictions while cases are on the rise means that more and more people will test positive and therefore all their contacts will need to isolate for 10 days. This will effectively keep closing hospitality venues within 10 days due to no staff being available to work. "I don’t believe that this government are stupid, so why have they come up with this unworkable ‘plan’?" Jamie Stapleton, co-owner of The Tuppenny, said: "What
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Jamie Stapleton of The Tuppenny
I don't want to see are people not respecting each other. As a rule, our customers are outstanding and sensible people, and I would personally like to see them policing themselves rather than that job being left down to me. I hope that people are sensible with how they congregate in public spaces. I want everyone to be really diligent because I'm keen to stay open and not have
another lockdown. "I am very proud of my work and my team. We are an extremely covid aware business and our customers appreciate the levels we have gone to, in order to make our establishment safe." Two publicans with a different mindset are The Hop's father and son ownership team, Jason and Ben Putt. Ben Putt said: "It's a relief.
We needed to go back to being any form of a profitable business. The sense of community is really important in our establishment as probably 75% of our customers are regulars." Jason Putt added:" There might be problems with restrictions being lifted but it's got to be done sooner or later the vaccines takes some of that worry away."
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