North West Swindon Link June 2024

Editor's Note

By Jamie Hill

The histories of some of Swindon's most important buildings are definitely a bit chequered.

None more so than The Locarno in Old Town, which is up there with The Mechanics Institute in the hearts and minds of us Swindonians.

That is why for the next Ink Community Talk we have local writer, historian and campaigner John Stooke doing a talk on the very, very interesting history of the Old Town Hall and The Locarno.

That talk, which takes place at 8pm on Thursday 6 June at St Mary's Church on The Mall, is entitled 'Market Masons and Music' and is in aid of Prospect Hospice.

The talk will take listeners on a journey from the 13th Century right up to now and is part of the Old Town Festival.

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Lydiard Race for Life raises huge sum for Cancer Research UK

Participants in the Race for Life in early May at Lydiard Park were set to raise £245,000 and remember loved ones along the way.

At least 2,466 people walked, jogged or ran the 3k, 5k,10k and Pretty Muddy Race for Life events to raise funds for the charity. Money raised at Race for Life, whose headline sponsor is Standard Life, enables scientists to find new ways to prevent, diagnose and treat cancer, helping to save more lives.

News from SBC

Fleming Way starts to take shape

The first glimpse of what will be the main pedestrian route from Swindon town centre to the railway station was revealed earlier this month when the remaining section of the Fleming Way underpass was removed.

Enhancing the public open space around Fleming Way is a major part of the ongoing improvements that will create a new public transport hub and improved cycling facilities, while also acting as a catalyst for further investment in the wider town centre.

Those visiting The Parade outside H&M will notice that work has begun to install new paving, irrigated planters (with trees) and new seating. When complete, there will be over 170 trees planted as part of the wider Fleming Way public realm scheme and Swindon Borough Council is working with award-winning Green Blue

Urban who have designed tree crates to enable mature trees to be planted.

The scheme is expected to be completed towards the end of next year following extensive work to move a complex network of pipes and cables underneath the old road. Work to move the final major utility hurdle began a few weeks ago when Thames Water arrived on site to divert and replace a large trunk water main that will support further growth and redevelopment of the town centre.

junction, new kerbs are being installed and the finished scheme will introduce dedicated and kerbed cycle lanes in both directions.

At the eastern end of Fleming Way, near the Leonardo Hotel at the Whalebridge

New round of solar panel group-buying scheme

Swindon residents will get another chance later this month to access high-quality solar panel installations at a competitive price, when a new round of Solar Together Wiltshire opens.

This will be the third round run by Swindon Borough Council and Wiltshire Council working with independent group-buying specialist iChoosr. To date, more than 430 Swindon households have purchased solar panel systems through the scheme, with the majority also opting to install a storage battery to save surplus solar energy for when it is needed.

From 17 June, you can register your interest for free on the

Solar Together website, with no obligation to continue further.

To help you make an informed choice, detailed information on every aspect of the scheme is available from the Solar Together website. Martin Lewis' Money Saving Expert website also includes a regularly updated article called 'Solar panels: Are they worth it?’ and the independent Energy Saving Trust has a comprehensive online guide to solar panels.

Meanwhile an ambition to ‘Build a greener Swindon’ is one of three priority missions in a new corporate plan due to be considered by the borough council’s cabinet on Wednesday 12 June.

For more information, and to stay up to date with the project, Swindon Link readers can sign up to the Fleming Way Newsletter at www.swindon.gov.uk/ newsletter or follow SBC’s Facebook page.

Household Support Fund extended for another six months

People in Swindon who are most in need will be able to access up to £1.5m in funding after the Government’s Household Support Fund (HSF) was extended for a further six months.

The funding can help households with the cost of food, energy and wider essentials and will now run up to 30 September 2024.

Some of the funding is allocated directly to eligible households, while some will be distributed to local partners to help people using their services.

The Department for Work and Pensions has indicated that much of the funding must be used to help with food and essentials. This includes food vouchers for eligible families during school holidays and funding for local organisations to help residents with food costs.

Those who have not received support direct from the Government or via local partners can access further information on the fund on the council’s website by searching ‘Household Support Fund’.

Residents encouraged to get children vaccinated against whooping cough

Whooping cough (Pertussis) cases have been rising across England over the last few months.

A bacterial infection of the lungs and breathing tubes, it spreads very easily and can sometimes cause serious problems, including pneumonia, permanent brain damage and sometimes death. Vaccination remains the best defence against whooping cough and it is vital that pregnant women and young infants receive their vaccines at the right time. Pregnant women are offered a whooping cough vaccine in every pregnancy, ideally between 20 and 32 weeks. This passes protection to their baby in the womb so

that they are protected from birth in the first months of their life when they are most vulnerable and before they can receive their own vaccines.

Swindon Borough Council’s public health team are urging pregnant women who have not been vaccinated yet, as well as parents of children who are not up to date with whooping cough or other routine vaccinations, to contact their GP as soon as possible.

If parents notice their child is displaying any symptoms of whooping cough they should ask for an urgent GP appointment or get help from NHS 111. Further information is available on the NHS

website: www.nhs.uk/conditions/whoopingcough/

Hundreds of free courses available for eligible adults

By Amanda Wilkins amanda@swindonlink.com

Swindon Borough Council are offering more than 100 free courses for eligible adults including maths, english and IT.

The adult community learning service used by the council provides more than 100 free courses and enrolls over 750 eligible learners in 40 locations a year.

The service offers opportunities for residents to gain new skills in subjects such as health and wellbeing, maths, english and IT, or to help prepare for a return to work.

Although the majority of the courses are now back in the classroom some are avaliable online. Course descriptions indicate if course delivery is to be online or face-to-face. Face-to-face courses will operate in line with current Covid-19 guidance.

To access courses online at home, people should own a device on which they can access an internet connection.

Graeme, a Swindon resident who initially had low confidence in the kitchen, had been seeking a cookery course where he hoped to improve his culinary skills to increase meal choices. Enrolling in the council's slow cooking course proved to be a turning point and equipped him with the knowledge and confidence to explore batch cooking, a technique he had been interested in for a while.

The fully-funded slow cooker courses, provided by Adult Community Learning, are available for people looking to improve their culinary skills or just work on the basics of food preparation.

For further details visit www. swindon.gov.uk/adultlearning

Work has begun on the new splash park at Coate Water

Work to build a brand-new accessible splash park at Coate Water began at the start of May.

The new £475,000 facility, built by The Splash, will include a paddling pool, water features and games. The funding itself came from a mix of local developer contributions and from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.

The design takes on board community feedback following a survey and focus group held last year.

The new facility is designed to be fully accessible with the use of flat surfaces and a slope to get into the paddling pool (to allow wheelchair access), rumble strips, handrails, and interactive elements located outside of the wet zones.

If residents are visiting the park over the coming weeks, they may see work taking place to install the new

equipment. The Council expects the splash park to be opened in time for the summer.

Cllr Chris Watts, Swindon Borough council’s Cabinet Member for the Environment and Transport, said: “I’m very happy to see work on the new splash park get underway. We knew the old offering was outdated and in need of significant repair so the best option was to demolish it and build a brand-new facility for the people of Swindon.

“This new area will be fully accessible and we want to get it open in time for the summer holidays so families can take full advantage of the, hopefully, nice weather.”

Follow in the footsteps of Athelstan - the first king of England

By Jamie Hill jamie@swindonlink.com

It's strange to think that 1,100 years ago Malmesbury, only 16 miles away from Swindon, was the centre of the English world.

It was around that time that Athelstan, popularly seen as the very first king of England, chose Malmesbury as his capital and was eventually buried in Malmesbury Abbey after he died in 939AD.

And now, a new North Wiltshire pilgrimage route has been created in his honour and will launch on Sunday 30 June. The new family-friendly pilgrimage route will provide free opportunities to enjoy the beauty of North Wiltshire and its historic churches in an environmentally friendly way.

The Athelstan Pilgrim Way is a 100-mile walking and cycling route, linking all 36 historic churches in North Wiltshire. The route skirts Swindon taking in Cricklade, Ashton Keynes, Minety and Brinkworth. It has been developed by the North Wiltshire Mission Area, which is part of the Diocese of Bristol, and is situated within and adjacent to the Cotswolds Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

The historic churches range from Bremilham, the smallest church in England, to

Malmesbury Abbey, a popular visitor attraction.

It has countryside and wooded areas, and allows visitors to combine the enjoyment of a wonderful natural environment with the opportunity to discover the rich heritage of the North Wiltshire churches, which continue to serve as places of faith and worship today.

The emphasis on walking and cycling, together with encouragement to use public transport, will promote sustainable tourism in North Wiltshire, and will also provide a boost to local businesses.

Æthelstan or Athelstan was King of the Anglo-Saxons from 924 to 927 and King of the English from 927 to his death in 939. He was the son of King Edward the Elder and his first wife, Ecgwynn. Modern historians regard him as the first King of England and one of the "greatest Anglo-Saxon kings".

Tom Holland, the television presenter and historian, has agreed to act as Patron for the Athelstan Pilgrimage Way, and will be speaking at the launch event at Malmesbury Abbey on 30 June.

As Revd Oliver Ross, the lead incumbent at Malmesbury

Abbey, observed: "For some people, our buildings are the Good News.

"Pilgrimages – both religious and secular – are gaining in popularity. Organisations like The British Pilgrimage Trust are now seeking to ‘advance British pilgrimage as a form of cultural heritage that promotes holistic wellbeing, for the public benefit."

A series of walking and cycling booklets, detailing the route, will be available from the book shop at Malmesbury Abbey, churches and from tourist outlets from this summer. These will include a 'Pilgrim Passport', which can be stamped at each church visited along the route, with each stamp having its own unique design.

The route will be made up of six sections (each corresponding to a church grouping or benefice): Gauzebrook, Malmesbury and Upper Avon, Woodbridge, Draycot, Braydon Brook, and Upper Thames. This should enable a keen walker to cover the entire route in a week to 10 days.

Each section will itself be made up of shorter walks between two churches, which will be particularly suitable

where time is limited and for younger walkers.

A children's pilgrimage 'dog hunt' will also be available, with a free booklet following Stan (short for Athelstan) the dog who travels in search of the toy dogs hidden in each of the churches.

The logo for the Athelstan Pilgrim Way has been designed by artist Sheona Beaumont, and appears on the way marker signs that are being installed along the route.

The churches will be open to all, and pop-up information banners and posters will be installed in the churches to enable a richer visitor experience.

The Athelstan Pilgrim Way walking route will be developed in phases, with the Malmesbury and Gauzebrook routes officially opening in June 2024 to coincide with the celebration to mark the 1100th year of King Athelstan’s reign, which will take place from June to October 2024, with guided walks, pilgrimage-themed services and other events for adults and children. The other four walking routes will be opened at a later stage through to 2025.

www.athelstanpilgrimway.org

Highworth Warneford has new principal

Sophie Hesten has been appointed to be the new principal at Highworth Warneford school from this September.

Miss Hesten is currently vice principal at Lydiard Park School in Swindon and so will be staying within The Park Academies Trust (TPAT) family of schools.

Current Headteacher Andy Steele is leaving Highworth Warneford to enjoy his retirement, having overseen an ambitious programme aimed at raising standards and attainment resulting in a strong set of GCSE results last year.

GWH introduces flexible visiting Great Western Hospitals Trust says it has updated its visting guidance to acknowledge the invaluable role family, friends and carers play in patients' care.

The updated guidance sees visiting hours on most wards expanded to 8am to 8pm with visiting outside these hours possible in some cases upon discussion with the wards.

This is in addition to patients being able to be accompanied to most appointments now.

Wiltshire Police recruiting Special Constables

Wiltshire Police has opened applications for people to join the Force as a Special Constable.

It aims to recruit almost 40 volunteer officers across the force area in the next year.

Special Constables, or Specials as they are sometimes known, are volunteer officers who have the same powers and responsibilities as regular fulltime officers and carry out the same roles.

In April 2024 alone Special Constables contributed 2269 volunteering hours.

Further information about the role can be found by searching 'Special Constables' at www. wiltshire.police.uk

Labour increases borough council dominance

By Barrie Hudson barrie@swindonlink.com

The local elections in early May saw Labour enhance its majority on Swindon Borough Council.

By the time the count at Steam was complete, Labour had 41 of the borough council's 57 seats, with the Conservatives on 15 and the Liberal Democrats with one.

The overall result consolidated Labour's dominance of the council, which it took from the Conservatives at last year's local elections, from which it emerged with 32 seats to the Conservatives' 23, the Liberal Democrats' one and a single seat held by an independent.

Labour group and council leader Cllr Jim Robbins said: "We are delighted to have had such a great result today at the council.

"To be able to hold all our seats and make 9 gains is an unbelievable achievement. We were hoping to be able to hold

the seats and maybe make a few gains as the incumbents, but we didn’t expect to almost match the excellent result of last year.

"We are delighted that the results show both Swindon seats will be in play at a general election."

Conservative Group leader Cllr Gary Sumner said: "I am very proud of our result in light of the national picture.

"We anticipated losses, but

have certainly turned the tide in terms of Labour’s march and this reflects well on hard fought local campaigns.

"We will work collaboratively with the Labour administration, but challenge and hold them to account for their promises to residents.

"There are many reasons for optimism for 2026.

"I am very proud of my teams across Swindon."

Highworth-based Wiltshire Windows opens new showroom

By Barrie Hudson barrie@swindonlink.com

Customers of Wiltshire Windows are able to inspect its wares at a new showroom.

The showroom is at Unit 26 of Highworth's Blackworth Industrial Estate, near the existing head office.

Wiltshire Windows prides itself on supplying high-quality double and triple-glazed products throughout Swindon, Wiltshire and the surrounding areas.

Customers, whether they are looking for windows, doors, conservatories, porches, secondary glazing or a combination of these, are guaranteed excellent service.

Maggie Tatum, who cofounded the business with husband Jason in 2018, said: "We're big enough to do a fantastic job but small enough to care and know our customers."

The ethos of the company, Maggie explained, is not

complicated: it is to always deliver on promises and always do a good job.

Wiltshire Windows also believes in innovation, combining a commitment to quality with a willingness to give customers the latest in what the industry has to offer, should they wish for it.

Examples include 'hup' which is a new way of building or

replacing conservatories and extensions, and has been used successfully by many new build developers.

Much of Wiltshire Windows' business comes via personal recommendations from existing clients, and Maggie said: "One good job leads to another good job."

The company's website is www.wiltshirewindows.co.uk/

A ballot box being rushed into Steam for the count

Could you become a school governor?

St Joseph’s Catholic College is looking for passionate people to join its school governing board.

As one of the largest secondary schools in Swindon, St Joseph’s recently retained its ‘Good’ Ofsted rating and is looking for governors to support and challenge the school’s leadership team to make improvements and ensure it is operating in the best way possible.

If you would like to find out more about the role please email Jessica Higgins, Chair of Governors, at: jhiggins@ stjosephscollege.net

Town fans demand STFC Chairman makes major improvements or sells club

TrustSTFC has sent an open letter to Swindon Town chairman Clem Morfuni to call for major changes at the club. The move comes after the club suffered one of its worst ever seasons.

The supporters' organisation calls for either an immediate and significant investment or for the club to be sold to new owners.

The open letter came in the wake of a major supporters' survey of the club which came out wholly negative.

Small business confidence surges

Small business confidence in the South West has bounced back in dramatic fashion.

This is the conclusion of the latest report by The Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) from their first regional quarterly confidence report for 2024, which has seen confidence levels among local members increase by over 40 percent to their highest level since October 2021.

Confidence levels have surged so much that the South West - which has been the least positive area in the UK in many recent FSB reports – is now above the UK average.

New play café is a hub for happiness in Rodbourne

By Amanda Wilkins amanda@swindonlink.com

A brand-new stay and play café, the Happy Hub, has opened on Rodbourne Road and is already proving popular within the community.

Business owner and childminder, Amy Kohn, opened the play café at the end of March. Her husband, Joe Kohn, runs the business alongside assistant Zoe.

The café was initially set up for Amy’s childminding business as an extra space for the children to play, filled with toys and resources. The original concept changed due to feedback from the local community.

Amy said: “As we started creating it, we were getting members of the public asking ‘when do you open, and can

we come in?'

“Friends were saying they’d love to come and play. The more these comments happened the more I thought, why can’t we do it as something for the public as well. That’s how it became the Play Cafe.”

The Café is open Monday and Wednesday, 9am to noon, Friday, 9am to 5pm and on Saturdays 9.30am to 12.30pm during term time. The hours are extended during the school holidays. The cafe includes tea, coffee, croissants, cup cakes, biscuits and fruit bags and costs £2 per child.

The grand opening took place on 25 March. Amy said:

“Eight families came for our first opening morning which we were really pleased with.

“We had a really good morning, it was really busy, the feedback was really lovely, the children all played beautifully.”

“We’ve got a fancy coffee machine that does the lattes. I’m so glad we’ve opened to the public because the reaction from everyone has been so positive."

£100,000 boost for Swindon Dance in latest round of Arts Council funding

There is good news for Swindon Dance in the latest round of Arts Council England's Capital Investment Programme.

The Regent Circus based organisation, whose classes and events have nurtured many dance careers, will receive £100,000 to improve the on-site experience for all users.

Projects will include new changing rooms, accessible facilities and refurbished stairways and studios, providing a more comfortable and environmentally sustainable space for staff and students alike.

Arts Council England says that by investing in the building's future, people of all ages, backgrounds, and abilities can access highquality dance provision in their area.

The first round of funding included a grant for Swindon's Create Studios, helping to equip the organisation with state-of-the-art technologies and expand its reach in the community.

Darren Henley, Chief Executive at Arts Council England said: “This infrastructure investment will help a whole range of different cultural organisations across England to flourish, increasing opportunities for people to enjoy creatively excellent cultural events close to where they live.

"It’s particularly important that we’re making this happen in communities where cultural investment has historically been low."

Lord Parkinson of Whitley Bay, Minister for Arts, Heritage and Libraries said: “Cultural venues enrich our lives, and it’s vital that their

infrastructure matches the excellence of the creative work that goes on inside them.

"Our funding is helping both to create new venues and to adapt existing ones to make them more accessible, helping to deliver the Government’s plan to make sure that everyone, no matter where they live or what their background, has access to excellent, lifechanging cultural opportunities.”

Phil Gibby, South West Area Director, Arts Council England, said: “We are thrilled to be investing over £2.7 million in ten organisations, unlocking creative potential throughout the South West.

"It's not just bricks and mortar - with better buildings comes improved accessibility, new technology and a reduced environmental footprint. This public funding comes at a crucial time and matters more than ever to staff, volunteers and visitors. We can't wait to see plans take shape.”

A bright future at Swindon Academy

Karen Wright is the Principal at Swindon Academy, an Ofsted rated Good school based between Pinehurst and Penhill. Its an All Through Academy, which means children can join at Primary and continue into Sixth Form. Many go on to study at universities all over the Country. Swindon Academy also runs the only Grammar Stream in Swindon.

Tell us about Swindon Academy Secondary?

Our values of hard work, kindness, and responsibility have been key to our success, and we’re building on our reputation as the top performing school for progress in the Borough.

We encourage a strong school “family”, with older students taking responsibility to help younger peers within their College (“house”).

Our Grammar Stream is extremely popular, attracting a top tier of students who like a challenge. We have developed their curriculum with support from the prestigious Marlborough College.

How can parents secure a place for their child at Year 7?

We’re increasing the number of student places we can offer, and we’ve started to reach out to more primary schools in the local area, making sure their pupils know about us.

We held a “Day in the Life” at Swindon Academy for Year 5 children recently which was great fun.

But in recent years we have been over-subscribed at Year 7, making it more difficult for children without siblings here to get in, and particularly frustrating for clever students wanting a place within our

Grammar Stream. (They need a place at Swindon Academy to be in Grammar Stream).

Can the “All Through” structure of Swindon Academy help with admissions?

Every Swindon Academy Primary pupil has a place waiting for them at Secondary, guaranteed. This stands whether they are based at Alton Close or Beech Avenue, and we’ve usually got a few spaces in Years 3,4 and 5 on a rolling basis.

So, if parents apply via the Council’s In-Year Admissions, they may be offered a place for their child at one of our Primary sites, or they can join a waiting list. Once they’re in Primary, they can enter Secondary in Year 7, and have the opportunity of trying for a place at Grammar Stream if they wish.

How can parents get more information?

There's nothing like visiting a school to check out the atmosphere and see the way our culture works.

Keep an eye on our website for open evenings in the Autumn, or book a tour with our Admissions Officer, trish. grimes@swindon-academy.org.

Start by looking at our website, and if Grammar Stream is of interest, enter your details on the Grammar Stream page, and you'll receive invitations to events.

To get the ball rolling we'd encourage parents to apply for a Primary place through Swindon Borough Council's InYear Admissions through their website below.

Swindon Academy Principal, Karen Wright talks about admissions to the school

Community hall charity celebrates 10th birthday and more than 15,000 hours of activities

By Barrie Hudson barrie@swindonlink.com

The charity which runs Eastcott Community Centre in Savernake Street marked its 10th anniversary with a celebration for community members and volunteers old and new.

Eastcott Community Centre, which offers two halls for users, is run and managed by volunteers of Eastcott Community Organisation, a registered charity whose objective is to increase opportunities for people living in and around Eastcott.

During the charity's 10 years in existence the centre has hosted more than 15,000 hours of community activities, ranging from dance sessions to the regular Repair Cafes in which people bring items to be repaired by volunteers.

Current chair Stephanie Newton and former chair

Caroline Davies-Khan unveiled a large commemorative pennant created by Stitch Social, a community stitching group promoting sustainability, creativity and fun in an inclusive environment.

The centre is a Swindon Borough Council building whose history can be traced

back to James ‘Raggy’ Powell, a rag and bone man and philanthropist.

In 1918 he donated the land on which the community centre is built for community use.

Eastcott Community Organisation was initially formed when the borough council sought a group to run

the centre.

Stephanie Newton said: "The first and most important thanks from the committee and myself go to all the staff and volunteers from the past 10 years.

"Thank you for your dedication to the organisation, keeping this building at the heart of the community and showing us that you're with us all the way."

Caroline Davies-Khan said: "I just have so much love for this community centre and our community, and everyone who has been involved."

Caroline recalled the origins of the organisation as a group of residents, hall hirers and representatives of the nextdoor pre-school, which became a committee and later a charity.

Further information about the community centre and the charity can be found at eastcottcommunity.org

Swindon Writing - so good they made it thrice

By Barrie Hudson barrie@swindonlink.com

So many people came to the launch of Swindon Writing III at the Central Library that the venue nearly ran out of chairs. It was proof positive - as if any were needed - that when it comes to just about any branch of the arts, the town has always punched far above its weight.

Swindon Writing III is released under the banner of Artswords, the programme of literature development activities run in partnership with Arts Council England and Lower Shaw Farm.

Editors Elliott Guest, Zoe Thomas and Katie Guest outline the history of the Swindon Writing books in their introduction:

“The year was 2019. The writers of Swindon could not have known the tradition they had begun, when it was suggested at a meeting of the Artswords Writers’ Cafe,

to celebrate and immortalise our work in Swindon Writing, published in December 2020.

“And as Swindon Writing was a great success, so too was its follow-up, Swindon Writing II.”

A major driving force in the project was Matt Holland, who is Artswords’ Literature Development Worker but better known as the veteran

organiser of Swindon Festival of Literature, and who also heads arts and education venue Lower Shaw Farm.

Speaking at the launch of Swindon Writing III, he held a copy and said: “The spoken word disappears like smoke in the wind, but the words in here will live on. There is something

lovely about that.”

Many of the writers represented in the book were present for the launch, and some read from their work.

They included Sam Ross, creator of Glamour Show, a tale with a twist involvingwithout giving anything away - the eating of food from an unusual perspective.

Poet CL Messen read These Four Walls, a meditation on ‘otherness’ while Harriet Phoenix read Fast Times at the Hook a Duck, a fine and bizarre short story with a compelling twist.

Yashar Toghay, joined by editor Zoe Thomas, read an excerpt from an epic poem about experiences in Azerbaijan and Swindon, The Tale of My Two Cities.Further information about the book (ISBN 978-1-838 13007-7) and other Artswords projects can be found at artswordsswindon.blogspot.com

Chair Stephanie Newton and former chair Caroline Davies-Khan with the commemorative pennant created by Stirch Social

From left: Artswords Literature Development Worker Matt Holland and Swindon Writing III editors Zoe Thomas, Katie Guest and Elliot Guest

Business Profile - Churchill Retirement Living

Business Type - Retirement home providerare home provider

Established - 1994

Address (South West Office) 17–18 Berkeley Square, Bristol

BS8 1HB

Telephone number - 0800 077 4594

Website - www.churchillretirement.co.uk

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

There is a promise of freedom, independence and peace of mind with a move to a new Churchill Retirement Living apartment near Swindon.

A spokesperson the the organisation said: "Downsizing to a new apartment at one of Churchill’s beautiful developments in the local area means you can have a comfortable, secure place to live independently, with the option to socialise with others as much or as little as you like.

"Fewer worries about maintenance means you’ll have more time on your hands for the people and things you love, so you can enjoy freedom to live the life you deserve.

"Churchill’s apartments are specially designed to give over-60s the freedom to enjoy an active and independent lifestyle.

"You’ll have your own apartment for privacy when you want it, but regular opportunities to socialise with others in the comfortable surroundings of the Owners’ Lounge and communal gardens, which somebody else will look after for you.

"At Albert Lodge in Abingdonon-Thames, just 26 miles northeast of Swindon, you can enjoy a new lifestyle in the heart of a historic market town on the banks of the river Thames, and only six miles from Oxford.

"Orchard Lodge in Calne is just 16 miles south-west of Swindon, a friendly market town located on the edge of the North Wessex Downs, and St Andrews Lodge in Chippenham is another bustling and attractive market town just 20 miles south-west of Swindon.

"At all three of these Churchill developments, those who move in will have the benefits of a communal Owners’ Lounge, a Guest Suite, a Lodge Manager, and a 24 hour emergency call alarm service for complete peace of mind.

"All three are also in easily accessible locations close to town centre shops and amenities, with everything you need close at hand."

The company has decades of experience in the field, during which it has built an enviable reputation

"Churchill was established 30 years ago in the South of England, and has built nearly 200 retirement developments across the UK,"

the spokesperson added.

"It remains a family-owned, award-winning, British company built on integrity and trust, and maintains a strong relationship

with its customers supported by its many years of specialist experience and knowledge.

"Churchill is also offering some great offers* for a limited time only for those purchasing a new apartment, such as moving packages which see Churchill contribute to estate agents’ fees, Stamp Duty, legal fees, removals costs and tailored downsizing advice, giving buyers a helping hand every step of the way."

To find out more, call 0800 077 4594 or visit churchillretirement.co.uk

*On transactions completing before 21st June 2024, see website for full T&Cs.

A commitment to care and kindness

Churchill Retirement Living has developed a Customer Charter for all those seeking to buy a retirement apartment in the UK.

As one of the UK's leading property developers, it is committed to a number of key pledges, including:

- Treating Customers fairly as set out in the Consumer Code for Homebuilders

- Providing Customers with comprehensive information on their purchase in an easy to understand format

- Ensuring information is accurate, up-to-date and reliable for Customers to make sound buying decisions

- Providing excellent levels of service, both during the buying process and after move in day

- Ensuring Churchill Estates Management oversees the smooth and efficient running of developments to meet the company's high expectations

- Ensuring Customers are guided throughout the entire process of securing their retirement home

A continuing mission to improve Swindon and Swindon lives

A column by Swindon Borough Council Leader Cllr Jim Robbins

I want to start with a huge thank you to the voters of Swindon, it is just as humbling to see the level of support that we got from residents in this year’s local elections as it was last year when we took control of the council after 20 years.

I also need to thank the Labour Group councillors for re-electing me and my deputy, Cllr Emma Bushell, to be the Leader and Deputy Leader of the council again.

Whilst we were hoping for a decent showing at the elections, the idea that we could gain nine seats far exceeded our expectations after a year running the council and taking over in such tricky circumstances. With challenges such as having to take £24m out of the budget due to Government cuts and dealing

with the implementation of the new bins and recycling service which we all know didn’t go smoothly, we would have been happy to hold onto the seats that we held going into the election.

To win those nine seats and take us to over 40 councillors on the council is unbelievable, and we will do all we can to repay the amazing trust shown in us by residents by relentlessly focusing on delivering on the promises that we made.

The five pledges that we made were to:

- Make real progress on the Town Centre – devise a bold regeneration plan. Push

property owners to introduce temporary uses to tackle empty shops in advance of redevelopment.

- Support Young peopleopen new youth facilities and set up a council-run community engagement group to reduce knife crime and youth violence.

- Improve our Roads - lobby the Government for additional funds for pothole repair and additional powers to manage roadworks better.

- Get the Oasis re-opened. Finalise the deal with the developer and explore options for a new performance venue.

- Tackle the housing crisisincrease the number of council houses and support everyone to have a safe, secure home. We’ll report back to people over the next two years on how we get on with these promises. We will also be bringing the new Swindon Plan to the people over the next month. We will launch the plan at

the first Cabinet meeting of the municipal year and make it very clear what the deliverables that people can expect to see are and our progress on getting the plan implemented.

The Swindon Plan really gets to grips with the missions that we set ourselves last year to build a better Swindon, build a greener Swindon and build a fairer Swindon. I’m really looking forward to showing the updated Plan to residents, and especially demonstrating how we have listened to the feedback that we have got from residents over the year.

It is great that residents' engagement has really shaped the plan and improved it, and we are determined to keep that strong engagement with residents going!

The first big opportunity will be with our plan for the town centre once we bring it forward.

Taking a constructive approach to opposition role

A column by borough council Conservative Group Leader

Cllr Gary Sumner

A new council year is under way following the recent elections, and it means many new, and familiar, faces returned by the public to represent them.

Swindon Conservatives fought hard and honest election campaigns on local issues, and we secured six councillors out of 20 areas.

We all know the challenges of the national political scene for the Conservatives, and it was a bad result for every part of the country, including in Swindon.

We feared a repeat of 2023 but we had a much better result, which is remarkable. The scale of the challenge is that we now have 15 councillors out of 57. Thank you to everyone who voted for their local

Conservative candidate!

During this election campaign, Labour stated they would ‘Cut Energy Bills for Good’ if you voted for them on 2 May. A local council cannot deliver this. Labour said vote for change, well that happened last year and the public have seen things go backwards across the town, like 1.3 million missed waste and recycling collections.

In addition, last year we saw Labour promise to freeze your Council Tax, but in February, they hiked it by the legal maximum possible.

Most people won’t be

interested in council committees, but they are an important way for local issues to be discussed, Cabinet decisions reviewed and council performance monitored. Labour’s very first decision on taking control of the council was scrap the system.

That system is now being re-introduced with some differences in names.

Overview is a word for how policy development happens. Swindon went from five Overview & Scrutiny Committees so Policy & Scrutiny Committees, to three Policyonly Committees.

All Scrutiny work went to one committee that became overloaded. Now the three Policy Committees are returning to be Policy & Scrutiny.

I am pleased that our suggestion of a new Children’s & Adults’ Overview & Scrutiny Committee which oversees over

80% of council spend has been accepted as the correct way forward.

We have tried to assist constructively to point out the errors in approach. There are problems happening every month with Labour and this latest hiccup on council committees underlines their naivety. 12 months wasted.

We are very pleased to see the Coate Water Splash Park happened.

Conservative councillors secured the funding from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund and it has taken 18 months to happen. I only hope it opens in time for the summer holidays so that residents can enjoy the experience.

You should see other improvements soon because we also secured funding for a new café, and for various footpaths and trails around Coate Water significantly improved.

Swindon Cheese & Chilli Festival

Saturday 6 and Sunday 7 July

Lydiard Park, Lydiard Tregoze, Swindon, SN5 3PA

By Jamie Hill jamie@swindonlink.com

Get ready for a sizzling celebration of flavour and fun at the Swindon Cheese & Chilli Festival, the ultimate family-friendly extravaganza!

Join the team for a weekend packed with mouthwatering treats, exciting entertainment, and unforgettable experiences that will delight taste buds of all ages.

Indulge in a delectable journey through an array of cheese and chilli delights, from creamy cheeses to fiery sauces, showcasing the best of local and regional produce.

Test your spice tolerance in the thrilling Chilli Eating Competition or explore the Cheese Festival's diverse range of artisanal offerings.

But it's not just about the food!

Dive into a world of entertainment with wrestling madness, children's activities including Punch & Judy and Crazy Golf, and live music performances to keep the energy high.

Plus, don't miss out on the chance to meet Kerry The Koala, the festival mascot, and join in the Bubble Party fun!

With opportunities for both relaxation and excitement, the Cheese & Chilli Festival promises a weekend of laughter, indulgence, and family bonding.

A spokesman said: "Join us as we spice up your summer with a festival experience like no other.

"Gather your loved ones and create lasting memories at the Cheese & Chilli Festival – where every bite is a taste of happiness!"

Opening Times: Saturday - 10am to 6pm Sunday - 10am to 5pm

Entry Fees: Kids - Free

Concessions - From £6

Adults - From £8

cheeseandchillifestival.com

Facebook - www.facebook.com/cheeseandchillifestival Instagram - www.instagram.com/cheeseandchillifest

Events to look out for this summer

Old Town Festival returns after four year break

The Old Town Festival is set to make a big return this year from 1-9 June.

The festival, which had previously run for over 25 years, was a highlight of the annual calendar until it stopped due to pandemic restrictions four years ago.

Now, thanks to the Old Town Business Association, the festival is back with a new format and fresh look.

Originally devised as a Victorian Festival and created by the Old Town Business Association in 1999, in later years it was taken on by the Commonweal PTA as it quickly grew.

However, Covid and a dwindling committee meant it needed new energy to bring it back. Following a successful series of street events, and building a strong business community, the team at the Old Town Business Association, who are also behind the Friends of Old Town card scheme, decided to resurrect the festival for 2024.

Kris Talikowski, Vice-Chair of the Old Town Business

Association, said: "Its history is rooted with us originally, so it feels right to bring it back.

"All of the team have loved the previous events, so we hope the local community support us bringing it back. The revived Old Town Festival will retain the spirit of the event but with a new format, new locations, and an array of engaging activities designed to bring the community together."

The festivities will kick off with a 'Big Weekend’ of two events on 1 and 2 June.

On 1 June there will be a Family Fun Day at new venue the Town Gardens - a change from the festival's previous venue at The Lawns. The day will feature two stages showcasing local musicians, performers, and dance groups, along with an assortment of local food and drink vendors, community stalls and fun family activities such as circus workshops.

On 2 June, Wood Street will be transformed into a Victorian wonderland for an Old Town Street Party. The party will be similar to the Friends of Old

A music and food extravaganza in South Cerney

Nestled in the heart of the picturesque Cotswolds, Cotswold Fest is taking place at South Cerney Airfiled from Friday 26 to Sunday 28 July.

Camp under the stars, groove to local bands, and dive into family fun and tasty local eats.

The line-up so far includes tribute band The Faux Fighters headlining on the Friday evening with the rest of that night's line-up including Jimmy Moore, Mirrored Faces, Joli & The Souls, and Stephens.

On the Saturday Westrop School Choir will be joined by DJ Mike Case will be rocking the 90s. Also adding to the fun will be Shades of Silver, Busy Fools and Chasing Kites and

Town's September Street Foods Festival but will feature on street entertainment, food and drinks stalls and live music.

Following the 'Big Weekend', the festival will continue with a week-long line-up of Fringe events from June 3 to 9, offering something for everyone in the community to enjoy.

Richard Deacon, Chair of the Old Town Business Association, said: "We're thrilled to announce the return of the Old Town Festival.

"This event has long been a cherished tradition in our community, and we're committed to making this revival a memorable one."

The festival’s charity partner has been announced as the Prospect Hospice. CEO Jeremy

Lune said: “We are incredibly grateful to the people behind the popular Old Town Festival to be chosen as this year’s charity partner.

"It’s a real privilege for us to be caring for local people and we’re delighted that we’ll have a presence there to talk to people about the care we’re able to provide and help support them in their fundraising activity for us.

"All the funds we raise through the event will stay in the local area and be used by us to care for and support our patients and their families.”

For further information for both the Family Fun Day and the Old Town Street Party visit www.thisisoldtown.com/events/ old-town-festival-2024

on the Sunday tribute band Noasis are joined by Carey Andrews and Pinkmac.

Keep an eye on the website as more acts and family activities are due to be added.

Food and drink is also a massive draw for the festival with drink aficionados being able to enjoy brews from Kaleb's Cider, Arkells Brewery and Cotswold Lakes Brewing Company. There will also be artisan pizza from Rosi Pizza, authentic Greek food from The Greek Graze Company, a BBQ from Gilo's, and fish and chips from The Cotswold Chippy.

For more details visit cotswoldfest.co.uk

Classic Ibiza heads to Bowood

Classic Ibiza will be taking over Bowood on Friday 19 and Saturday 20 July.

An open-air celebration of White Isle-inspired house music, reinvented by a 32-piece orchestra, headline DJs and live vocalists. Expect a feel-good atmosphere, with iconic music in a stunning location.

Everyone is a VIP at Classic Ibiza. You don’t need to pay extra for access to premium flushing toilets, delicious food options, or space to spread out – that comes as standard. The site is designed to offer a premium experience for all to enjoy every moment of orchestrated euphoria. classicibiza.co.uk/bowood

Walking football helps Swindon Parkinson's community LINK SPORT

By Barrie Hudson barrie@swindonlink.com

A walking football pilot programme is helping more people living with Parkinson’s in Swindon to enjoy the sport.

The programme is a joint effort between Parkinson’s UK and the Walking Football Association (WFA).

Walking football clubs in the Swindon area listed by the WFA include Swindon Town Walking Football, Croft Walking Football Club, Swindon Parkinsons Football Club, Royal Wootton Bassett Sports Association, Shrivenham Wanderers WFC and Highworth Town WFC.

The WFA website is https:// thewfa.co.uk/

As Europe prepares for the start of Euro 2024 in the summer, people living with Parkinson’s in England and Scotland have already been sampling the benefits of

playing walking football and helping each other to live well with the condition.

Since its launch in February 2023, 15 football clubs and grassroots football teams across England have benefitted from grant funding to help more walking football projects to get off the ground and help more people with Parkinson’s to get active in a fun and social way.

More than 100 new Parkinson’s walking footballers have taken up the sport since the investment from Parkinson’s UK and the WFA started.

Tim Morton, Physical Activity Programme Lead for Parkinson’s UK, said: “Walking football is not just about being physically active, it can also have many social benefits for participants. Being active is so important for people with Parkinson’s as it can help manage symptoms, maintain health and lift your mood.

“It can make you feel good inside and out. The more physically active you are, the easier it is to live well with Parkinson’s.”

Stuart Langworthy, England Team Manager for Over 60s Walking Football at the Walking Football Association, said: “Since our Parkinson’s

walking football project started in February 2023, we have seen a marked increase in the participation and engagement from the Parkinson’s community in England.

More information can be found at thewfa.co.uk/ directory/swindon-parkinsonsfootball-club/

Haunting echoes of a long deserted village

I had the pleasure of reading a long poem in Town Gardens in May.

Some poems just keep on giving. This is such a poem, urging me to revisit Snap, the Deserted Village behind Liddington Hill on the path to Aldbourne. Now’s a good time before the couch grass and nettles get out of control. Beyond the village you’ll come to a deserted barn. There’s a long history in the beams, in the initials of craft

Maurice Spillane: Of Poetry

workers, FS and BT. The extensions over the ages are like fingerprints, the marks of chisel and adze:

the cocktail of staggered tenoned purlins, the oak trusses calibrated on gunstock head posts, the straight and curved raking struts and arched braces.

Imagine that timeline, travelling craftsmen carrying

news from beyond: the whirlwind of talk, messengers with news and opinions whispered over an evening’s fire, between Glorious Revolution and the Seven Years’ War, the period of the building and rebuilding, the coming and going in this quiet valley.

The villagers were hounded out by a Ramsbury farmer who forsook sheep for cattle and crops.

The last to leave was Rachel Fischer in 1909 who died in Aldbourne, lamenting the fox’s bark, the singing birds. Where hovers her spirit? Is the curdle of decay at night, the tap-tap-tap, her walking stick? If not she, then who?

Nothing has been done about it, a deserted barn lost between parishes.

could the water drips be the laughter of children, the warm sun on walnuts be the smell of pipe tobacco, the thrush’s three bursts be the giggle of lovers, the tap of a falling nail on cobble be the horses’ unrest, night noises be the ploughman’s cluck to the harrow

You can read the full poem at www.mauricespillane. co.uk/the-village-of-snap

5 June: Poetry Swindon at Lower Shaw Farm 7pm. www. poetryswindon.com

www.mauricespillane.co.uk

Swindon

Free family fun at sports hub opening

On Sunday 9 June (10am3pm) you are invited along to the new Moredon Sporting Hub for a free day of activities.

Come and see the new regional standard cycle track, learn-to-ride facility, BMX pump track and cyclocross course. You’ll also find 3G football pitches, cricket, softball, and croquet facilities and a café with community spaces.

On the day, we’ll be offering a programme of free learn-toride and cycle skills sessions for children.

For the pre-schoolers, there will be free balance-bike sessions with Whizzy Wheelers on the Learn to Ride track.

The new multisport facility has been funded by Sport England, British Cycling, The Football Foundation, Swindon Borough Council, and Central Swindon North Parish Council. Monthly column with Becky Cox of Swindon Cycle Campaign.

Whether you’re a big or little kid you can try out cyclocross skills with Cotswold Veldrijden or bring your bike along to have a ride around the new

Alfie Howlett: Swindon Town FC writer

The clear-out has already begun at SN1 with 11 players released. However, at the moment, there are no signs of new tenants. The County Ground feels unoccupied.

There were very few surprises that Swindon decided to part ways with the bulk of the squad that took them to their lowest finish in history. A clean slate was required for all parties. Although, at the time of writing, there has been a concerningly slow speed to grab this fresh start.

I’ve mentioned it in a previous column, but Swindon have known from at least March that they had a big rebuild on their hands. Therefore, it would’ve made sense to start or plan towards that rebuild before the end of the season.

Realistically, at a club with wired up thinking, you’d only

traffic-free cycle track! There will also be a chance for people with disabilities to try out a range of adapted cycles. A bike mechanic will be on hand offering free basic bike repairs and Swindon Travel Choices will be security marking bikes.

Meanwhile, do come and see the British Cycling stand to find out about the Let’s Ride programme of free guided rides. You’ll also be able to meet some of Swindon’s local cycling clubs.

Please note that due to the popularity of the children’s cycling sessions, booking will be required. The sessions will be added to the Swindon Cycle Campaign Eventbrite page in the coming weeks. Bikes and helmets will be available for the sessions, or you are welcome to bring your

If cycling isn’t your thing, you can join a tour of the other fantastic new sports facilities and try your hand at one of the many other free activities on offer.

There will be football skills sessions taking place on the new 3G full-size artificial surface and grass pitches. You could also join Swindon Croquet Club for a free taster session, or develop your cricket

League, and you can even try your hand at softball with local group, Swindon Softball.

We look forward to seeing you on Sunday 9th June, 10am to 3pm.

STFC's Summer clearout LINK FOOTBALL

sign players once the manager is in place. This might well be behind the lack of activity at Swindon right now. However, again, if a manager had been in place to take over at the end of the previous season, it’s likely that the transfers would also have been lined up.

This would’ve allowed Town to get the ball rolling sooner and make serious strides towards rectifying their mess. But it’s through simple shortcomings like this that owner Clem Morfuni has and will continue to lose the faith of supporters.

So, what do Swindon need following their retained list? 'Quite a lot' is the answer. They can begin as always in defence. Swindon had the third leakiest defence in the division last season. And at the moment they have just three centre backs on the books. It’s stating the obvious but they

should really sign a centre half with a wealth of experience to organise the back line. I would also like to see a combative defensive midfielder. For me, Swindon failed to ever replace Anthony Grant. They need a player in that sort of mould who can consistently each week protest their defence.

Potentially, free agent Nnamdi Ofoborh could fill this void should he choose to put pen to paper with Town, following an encouraging end to the 23/24 season.

Going forward, Swindon need a winger. Not since Harry McKirdy in his first spell have Town had a wide man who can excite and get fans off their seat. An entertainer would be great but also someone who can contribute statistically. Perhaps The Robins might even look at bringing McKirdy back

for a second loan spell from Hibernian as he continues to rebuild his fitness. This would no doubt be a popular move amongst the Swindon faithful.

Lastly, with Charlie Austin’s departure, an experienced number nine would work a treat.

This would help share the load and assist Aaron Drinan, whom I think deserves a shot at leading the line next season. After joining from Leyton Orient in January, the 26-year-old demonstrated in an underperforming team that when chances are created, he can take them. In my opinion his most impressive attribute was his hold up play.

So that’s my wish list. But when it comes to Swindon you can often be left like a kid on Christmas morning staring at an empty tree.

Disappointed.

skills with Wiltshire Cricket

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From the pages of Swindon Link's sister publication The Ocelot comes Agony Girl in the form of 11-year-old Amy. We read her the questions and she tells us the answers. To ask Agony Girl a question yourself email us at publisher@swindonlink.com with 'Agony Girl' in the subject line.

Dear Agony Girl,

I hear you like to do cartwheels. Sometimes I feel like doing them but I feel scared I might hurt myself. Do you have any advice and would you show me how to do them properly?

Tyler, Redhouse

When you're doing a cartwheel start off with slightly trying to go over and keep increasing your legs up and make sure you land on your feet so you don't hurt yourself. I also like doing a flippy thing which is a cartwheel with a flip at the end. It might be scary but it's worth it when you do it in the end.

Dear Agony Girl,

My partner keeps accusing me of eating all the biscuits in the biscuit barrel. While I readily admit to being as fond as the next person – and possibly

fonder – of a nice custard cream, bourbon or chocolate digestive, not to mention ginger nuts, shortbread, Penguins, wafers and so on, there is more than one person in this house and I am not the only offender. What is your suggestion as to how I might prove my innocence, or at least my lack of total guilt, the next time I am slandered?

Yours sincerely,

The Accused.

When you're feeling peckish for a biscuit create your own biscuit barrel so you've got your own supply and then refill it when it empties so you never have to take anyone else's biscuit.

Dear Agony Girl,

Help! I've just tried all of last year's summer clothes on and none of them

fit me! Do you have any tips on losing weight and keeping fit for the summer?

Louise, Rodbourne

All my summer clothes are like 8-9 years old so I have the same problem. You just need to go shopping. To keep fit you should go on a run every day and learn to do a triple flip back hand-spring.

Dear Agony Girl,

How do I get my teenager off of his computer and outside now the weather is better? I can't turn off the wifi or change the password as he knows more about IT than me!

yours faithfully,

A mum at the end of her tether Put the computer outside.

Write in to Amy at publisher@ swindonlink.com