North West Swindon Link November 2021

No 473 November 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

Swindon gears up for Christmas

swindonlink.com Liverpool and Welsh International footballer Swindonian Georgia Walters

Swindon's very own footballing superstar p4

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Invitation for everybody to walk in a Westlea Window Wanderland sing carols in the car park of Westlea school.

Mr Howard said: "It would be nice to get people out and to see other parts of the community, and maybe meet up and sing some carols.

"Also, in the last 18 months we have been encouraged to be insular and be inside, and it just seems a good way to get people out a bit."

Further information can be obtained from Mr Howard on 07960 898501.

By Barrie Hudson barrie@positive-media.co.uk A Westlea resident is inviting local people to bring extra festive cheer to the neighbourhood.

Last year Ian Howard led a Christmas Window Wanderland celebration, with residents invited to decorate their windows, and it was so successful that he decided to bring it back for 2021.

Mr Howard, who has lived in Westlea for 30 years, said: "Last year I organised a trail around Westlea for residents to view a range of decorated windows on the theme of Christmas.

"The aim was to get people out of their houses, visiting the roads around them and enjoying the creativity of their neighbours."

About 20 households took part, and there was a strong

One of last year's designs

wish among participants to repeat the celebration this year.

Mr Howard recently had a Zoom meeting with the parish councillors of Westlea and surrounding wards and local church representatives, and was met with support and encouragement.

The event will be advertised with a leaflet drop during the week beginning 8 November,

followed by assemblies at Westlea School during the following week.

The week beginning 29 November will see a map published, showing the homes planning displays, and the Westlea Christmas Window Wanderland will take place during the weekend of 11 and 12 December.

On 12 December all will be welcome to come and

All are welcome to take part

Looking out for each other as the nights turn colder November is one of my favourite months of the year.

You've got that tinge of excitement in your belly as the festive season fast approaches whilst you're able to enjoy the Autumn colours that flood our beautiful parks.

But as it turns colder and the nights get longer we shouldn't forget to keep looking out for one another.

Group Editor and Owner: Jamie Hill Deputy Editor: Barrie Hudson Reporter: Jessica Durston Sales: Dave Stewart and Rosy Presley Office Manager: Karen Randall Contributors: Tyler Ody, Leigh Robinson, Becky Cox, Maurice Spillane and Alfie Howlett

It's quite tempting to hunker down with your loved ones in the peace of your home until we see brighter and sunnier climes once again.

But not everyone is as fortunate and this year, especially, with all of the trauma our town has been through, it's especially important that we think of others.

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Fortunately in Swindon we have a strong community who do all they can for others and there are so many ways to help, from helping the town's various homeless charities or simply keeping in touch with each other, especially those who might be alone or have been suffering this year.

Jamie Hill, Group Editor jamie@positive-media.co.uk

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Positive Media Group Limited cannot be held responsible for goods or services or the copyright of content supplied by our advertisers.

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Heroic Swindon PCSO launches new book about his extraordinary life

By Barrie Hudson barrie@positive-media.co.uk Corie Mapp has launched a new book, Black Ice. It is the latest achievement of many in a remarkable life which changed forever on 31 January, 2010.

It was on that day, while serving with The Life Guards in Afghanistan, that the armoured vehicle he was driving under Taliban fire during an operation to protect an injured sergeant ran over a concealed Improvised Explosive Device.

Two weeks later, Corie recovered consciousness in Selly Oak Hospital, Birmingham, only to find that he had lost both his legs below the knee and suffered other serious injuries.

Now a Police Community Support Officer with Wiltshire Police, Corie used his free time during lockdown to write about how his experiences on that traumatic day provided

Bobsleigh champion, veteran, author and Swindon PCSO Corie Mapp

the catalyst for him to go on to be a European and World Cup champion in para bobsleigh - as well as serving his community in Swindon with ambitions to become a full time Police Constable.

Corie said of the book, which is available via Amazon: “I want people to be inspired by it. It's a story about triumph overcoming adversity.

“It's a story about a person who has had a hand dealt that was a pretty rough one, but

that hasn't defined the person that I became.

“I spent the entire lockdown recording the story over the telephone with my co-author, Christopher Joll. We didn’t meet until after the book was finished, but it doesn’t show.

Having gone through all I've gone through, it was a really cathartic experience because I had lost a lot of memories from the explosion.

“I got to talk to my mum about some of the things that I

would have done as a kid and my sisters reminded me about things.

“I want people who are going through difficult circumstances to read it. I want it to reach them.

“It's important that people who read my book try and understand it through my eyes.

I'm not sure that's possible, but that is what I would like.

“We all go through things and it depends on how you take those things. You can take a negative and turn it into a positive and that's what I want people to do.”

The book is affectionately named Black Ice, a nod to the nickname Corie has been given on the bobsleigh circuit, a sport he picked up to give him a ‘will to live’ after leaving the army.

To his surprise, he has excelled at it, winning a prestigious contest before becoming World Cup champion in 2018 and European Champion in 2020.

Swindonian is Liverpool FC Women player and Welsh international

By Barrie Hudson barrie@positive-media.co.uk A Swindonian who has played football since infancy has added a Liverpool FC Women place to a list of honours including being a Welsh international.

Forward Georgia Walters has also played at clubs including Swindon, Reading and Tranmere Rovers, and attributes much of her success to having to train with boys' squads when younger.

The former Ridgeway School pupil said: "I always remember being a young kid and watching dad play on Saturday afternoons, so I got into football at a relatively young age. I was playing by the time I was about four and I've loved it ever since.

"At the time I played for my local boys' team, which dad used to run, alongside playing for the girls' team as well, and I got to a certain age where 4

you can't play mixed football anymore.

"I think I was 13. I used to train at school with the lads up until 18 and I think that's what's given me the competitive edge over the years, training with the boys.

"There's nothing like it. You don't have time to be slow, or to have bad reactions or a bad touch."

In those early days, Georgia

often heard opposition players pointing out that their adversaries had a girl on the team - but when she walked from the field at the end of the match having scored more goals than anybody else they tended to think of her simply as a player from that point onwards.

When Georgia's family moved north four years ago, she got in touch with local team

Tranmere Rovers and secured a place.

A stint with Blackburn followed, and Georgia secured her place with Liverpool earlier this year.

Her personal career highlights so far are her first matches after her international call-up during the pandemic, when Wales - she plays because of her ancestry on her father's side - faced the Faroe Islands and Norway.

The sheer joy of playing has never left her.

"It's exciting. As a forward player you always want to put the ball in the back of the net. You try not to think of the pressure, the moment, as much.

It's just doing what you know best, playing to your strengths.

For me it's finding the back of the net or getting into those positions.

"I would think if you overcomplicate it and try and think further down the line, you'll mess up."

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The Eco Briefing

Driving Swindon towards a greener future We’ll all have seen lots in the news recently about climate change, as the UK hosts the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP26) in Glasgow from 31 October to 12 November.

COP26 will see leaders from across the world get together to discuss the urgent global climate change crisis and determine what action needs to be taken. But it doesn’t just fall to world leaders and politicians to make a difference – all of us, through the daily actions we take, have an impact on climate change, which means we all also have the power to make a difference.

However small our individual target to reach net zero actions may feel, together we emissions by 2050. Swindon can all do something to help Borough Council has made the country on its mission to a commitment to support become ‘net zero’. residents and organisations But what does net zero across the borough to reach actually mean? this target, as well as achieve A country, organisation or net zero emissions as an household achieves net zero organisation by 2030. when it is no longer adding to Good progress has already the total amount of greenhouse been made by the council gases in the atmosphere. towards reaching its target, In other words, the amount of through various initiatives, greenhouse gases added to the atmosphere is no more than including the ongoing LED replacement programme the amount removed. which, upon completion, Not all emissions can be will see approximately reduced to zero, so those 26,000 streetlights replaced that remain will have to be compensated for, or offset - for with energy efficient LED alternatives. example, by planting more This will significantly reduce trees. the council’s electricity use and The scientific evidence shows emissions. emphatically that achieving The Government has also net zero is crucial if we are committed to phasing out the to tackle climate change and sale of new petrol and diesel protect people, the planet and cars and vans by 2030 – with our natural world. all new cars and vans expected The UK has a legally binding swindonlink.com n November 2021 6 NW November Master pages.indd 6

to be free from emissions at the tailpipe from 2035.

In response, the council is switching some of its own fleet over to fully electric vehicles (EV).

Over the next few months, 17 new electric vehicles are set to arrive, ready for teams at the Council to use in place of older vans.

While electric vehicles may not be a suitable or viable option for all motorists right now, lots of drivers are already making the switch, with September seeing a record number of new EVs registered across the UK. Lots of helpful advice and support is available for those wanting to find out more. Here in Swindon, the council ran two EV Discovery Days at Lydiard Park and the Orbital Shopping Park last month, providing an opportunity for the public to test drive electric vehicles and

speak to retailers and experts about switching to an EV. By using a free app, called ‘EV8’, motorists can calculate how much money they could save by switching to an electric vehicle compared with their current petrol or diesel motor.

Find out more about this at www.ev8-tech.com.

In addition, the Government offers a special plug-in electric car grant to help buyers offset some of the cost of a new electric car.

We can all be the change – residents, businesses and community groups in Swindon all have a responsibility to do their bit to help tackle climate change. Join those already making no and low cost changes to reduce their emissions from energy use to travel.

Find more resources to help you along the way at www. swindon.gov.uk/bethechange

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Resurrecting the memory of a forgotten Swindon literary giant

By Barrie Hudson barrie@positive-media.co.uk Two local historians have released a new compilation showcasing the work of a Swindon literary figure who fell into obscurity.

George Ewart Hobbs was born in 1883 and died in 1946.

In spite of being a Methodist preacher, a family man and a senior Great Western Railway foreman who rose from the ranks after leaving school at 12, he produced hundreds of poems, articles and stories on a wealth of subjects, which appeared mainly in what was then the Evening Advertiser.

In 2019 local historians Noel Ponting and Graham Carter released their first compilation of his work, A Swindon Wordsmith.

They have now released two follow-up volumes, A Swindon Radical and a standalone

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book called A Visit to Venus, which gathers a science fiction tale originally published in weekly instalments in the 1920s.

The story of the three books in the series began some years ago when Noel Ponting found a letter from Mr Hobbs and some cuttings among the effects of Mr Ponting's greatgrandfather, Henry Day, who

was the first headmaster of Even Swindon School.

Mr Ponting and Mr Carter then began a painstaking process of combing through archives - including a newspaper archive stored in Oxford - and gathering every scrap of work and information they could find.

Mr Ponting said: "He was as Swindon born and bred as you

can get. He was born in and spent all of his life in Even Swindon and Rodbourne.

"Like many Swindonians of the time, coming from a background of relative poverty, he didn't see that as a barrier to moving up through the Great Western Railway.

"Apart from his preaching and his long hours as foreman of X-Shop, he had an absolute passion for writing.

"By the time we had finished the first book, we had been able to identify 45 poems, two prayers, 10 items of correspondence and over 175 articles."

A Swindon Radical, priced at £14.95, and A Visit to Venus, priced at £9.95, are available via The Hobnob Press - www. hobnobpress.co.uk/ - and at Swindon's Central Library.

Mr Ponting and Mr Carter can be contacted via shresearch2@gmail.com

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Return of Local Offer Big Fortnight Swindon Borough Council will host its annual Local Offer event from 15-26 November.

The Local Offer website https://localoffer.swindon. gov.uk/home - provides information and support for children, adults and their families living in Swindon with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).

The Local Offer Big Fortnight is a virtual event which will include a range of presentations and focus groups providing information on services.

Outstanding rating for Prospect Hospice Wroughton-based Prospect Hospice was rated 'outstanding' overall in a recent inspection by the Care Quality Commission (CQC).

The inspectors found that staff provided outstanding care to patients, ensuring they were active partners in their care, and patients felt that they were truly cared for and supported by staff.

The hospice was described as well led, and staff were proud to be a part of the Prospect team. Prospect chief executive Irene Watkins paid tribute to staff, volunteers and supporters.

Swindon Rotary Club game show evening Swindon North and Thamesdown Rotary Club will host a Game Show Experience event in aid of the Olive Tree Cafe at Swindon Rugby Club, Greenbridge on Saturday, 13 November The cafe helps people with mental health issues by offering supportive employment.

Doors to the Rugby Club will open at 6.15pm, and the games, including versions of classics such as Name That Tune and A Question of Sport, will begin at 7.15pm and end at 10.15pm.

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Music festival raised more than £12,000 for Prospect

By Barrie Hudson barrie@positive-media.co.uk A festival honouring the life of a key figure in the Swindon music scene raised £12,633 for Prospect Hospice.

The My Dad's Bigger Than Your Dad Festival in late August was held in tribute to David Young, the former landlord of The Victoria and 12 Bar, who died in early June at Prospect Hospice after a hard-fought battle against cancer.

The 10-hour festival was sponsored, supported and coorganised by Swindon Link.

The money raised was handed over in a ceremony at the Wroughton hospice attended by David's widow, Anna Sprawson, festival coorganiser Ed Dyer and hospice personnel.

Anna Sprawson said: "My Dad's Bigger Than Your Dad Festival was beyond all of my expectations, and the fact that

From left: Anna Sprawson, widow of Dave Young, nurse Maria Harris, festival co-organiser Ed Dyer, nurse Ella Hutchinson

so much needed money was raised for Prospect really was the cherry on the cake.

"It was quite overwhelming that so many people gave up their time and volunteered to make this event the huge success it was.

"The whole day was just perfect. There was a fantastic family feel to it.

"I will always be indebted to Prospect and especially our CNS nurse Tina for the support given to David, myself and the

family. We really can’t thank her and them enough."

Prospect head of Income Sheryl Crouch said that after a difficult year for income generation, the donation meant even more than it usually would have done - and the fact that the money was raised in honour of David Young made the achievement all the more wonderful.

She said Prospect had been honoured to look after David, Anna and their loved ones.

Swindon teenager bids for musical stardom Lawn Manor Academy student Indiana Parsons is to take part in the Voice in a Million concert next year.

The concert will be held in March at the SSE Arena, Wembley.

Alongside Indiana, who has already performed in London, the show will feature around 5,000 children from school choirs singing together to raise awareness of the plight of children in care and the importance of adoption and fostering.

Despite covid-19 restrictions and lockdowns, Indiana has appeared on stage twice this year, having recently performed at the Shaftesbury Theatre in the West End with the Swindon Pauline Quirke Academy, and at the Hackney Empire with the Jodie Steele Associates Elite Musical Theatre Squad.

Indiana takes singing lessons with Janice Thompson of the JTP Trust and credits Janice

Indiana Parsons, left, with West End performer Jodie Steele

with helping her to prepare for her performances and singing exams over the years.

Indiana said: “I was thrilled to be able to take part in two performances in the West End recently, as this is my goal to perform in musicals on stage for the rest of my life.

"The chance to perform in front of so many people and make them smile is what I love.

I can’t wait to perform in the choir at Wembley Arena in

front of all those people.”

Indiana’s father, Paul Parsons, said: “Even from a young age Indiana has wanted to perform and she’s at a point now where she’s preparing for her career.

“There’s no stopping Indiana at the moment.

"She’s a natural on stage and she is determined to pursue a career in musical theatre.

"She’s incredibly committed to it and seeks out any chance she can."

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Lydiard Park Fireworks Spectacular cancelled this year

Threshold open a new supported accommodation project to address the complex needs of vulnerable women in Swindon

Swindon and North Wiltshire Scouts' annual Firework and Bonfire Spectacular at Lydiard Park will not be running this year but is planned to return in 2022.

One of the event's organisers said: "It is with the greatest sadness that we have to announce that this years' spectacular has been cancelled due to multiple factors. We would like to thank our many supporters and volunteers."

Threshold, Swindon’s homeless charity, acquired an additional property this year in order to accommodate and support women who, for one reason or another, became homeless, sleeping rough and engaged in sex working within Swindon’s Broadgreen area.

Threshold’s latest project house will focus on supporting women, through specialist interventions, whose complex health conditions, substance dependence, mental health support needs and other vulnerabilities had, until now, seen such individuals face enormous obstacles in finding and sustaining accommodation.

Threshold’s chief executive, Michael Keenan, said “This project house is unique in that it is the first of its kind in Swindon, established to address the needs of homeless women, with multiple identified vulnerabilities, who desperately seek to exit rough sleeping and engage with

Wiltshire Air Ambulance unveil 2021 Xmas cards Scenes on this year's Wiltshire Air Ambulance Christmas cards include the air ambulance landing outside a snowy Salisbury Cathedral and Bath’s Royal Crescent in wintry conditions.

Cards cost £4 for a pack of ten and can be purchased from the Air Ambulance shop at 2 Maryport Street, Devizes.

The Wiltshire Air Ambulance 2022 Calendar will feature images captured by Sony award-winning photographer Terry Donnelly and pictures from the charity’s own pilots and paramedics. The calendar is priced at £8.

Cards and calendars can be purchased at www. wiltshireairambulance.co.uk/ shop

Christ Church Christmas Market to go ahead

Saturday 20 November will see the Mayor open the Christ Church Christmas Market at 11am and the Church choir will sing carols to close at 2.30pm.

Admission is free and Father Christmas will pay a visit.

Over 24 local charities and organisations will be attending and will retain all the proceeds from the event.

More information about the Christ Church at www. christchurchswindon.co.uk/ blog/ 12

Team Threshold

is absolutely essential to try and prevent further deaths and further misery on so many levels."

Updates on the project and its development will soon be included on Threshold’s website: www.thl.org.uk To follow the work Threshold undertake, visit their Facebook page @THLSwindon.

You can support the project by making a donation via bank transfer to ‘Threshold’s A Chance To Change Fund’: Sort Code 230580 Acc.No. 42468142

The Recovery Tree Charity celebrates the progress and future of its Swindon projects

By Jessica Durston jessica@positive-media.co.uk An event was held at the Olive Tree Cafe to reflect and discuss the Recovery Tree's past achievements and plans for the future.

The Recovery Tree Charity covers Twigs Community Gardens, The Olive Tree Cafe, and Pinecones at Pinehurst Community centre.

Several main funders of the charity were in attendance.

Manager of the Olive Tree Cafe Phyllida Richards, and her team supplied cakes and treats.

North Swindon MP Justin Tomlinson, Mayor of Swindon Garry Perkins and Wiltshire’s High Sheriff, Sir Charles Hobhouse, were also in attendance.

Trustee of the Recovery Tree Charity Dick Millard

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medical and psychological treatments that address the physical and emotional trauma they have been subjected to and experienced in profoundly impactful ways. If left untreated, ill health and trauma will typically entrench these individuals in a downward cycle of misery and suffering.

We are further developing move-on and retreat facilities with partners, that will be available to all Threshold service users, that will support recovery from addiction and emotional trauma."

Michael added: “Threshold will actively address, through this and associated projects we are developing, the enormous rise over the past two years in the numbers of homeless women entering or remaining in sex work and significantly reduce the duration of time that these women spend sleeping rough. For Threshold, it was imperative to launch this initiative as the project

and Jol Rose from Voluntary Action Swindon started the proceedings with speeches on the importance of mental health and how The Recovery Tree projects help people in Swindon’s community.

Dick said: “At The Recovery Tree Charity, we are getting back into our stride as covid – hopefully – starts to recede. As we tried to continue supporting vulnerable people in and around Swindon, we in turn were supported by a wide variety of generous funders.

Some are represented here today, and I would like to say thank you to you all for that lifeline which has not only allowed us to merely keep going but also provided a very helpful window of financial stability.”

Dick also detailed The Recovery Tree Charity's future

plans.

117 people received support for their mental health and wellbeing through The Recovery Tree Charity projects between 2020-2021. After the speeches, attendees were invited to tour the TWIGS community gardens.

A cheque for £750 was awarded to The Recovery Tree Charity by Kathy Hobson, President of the Rotary Club of Swindon North & Thamesdown.

More information on The Recovery Tree Charity can be found at www. therecoverytreecharity.org.uk

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Christmas at Steam returns this December

By Jessica Durston jessica@positive-media.co.uk Steam has announced that tickets are now on sale for its Christmas extravaganza, taking place on 4 and 5 December.

Visitors will have the chance to purchase festive treats and discover unique gift ideas as they browse 50 artisan market stalls displayed amongst Steam’s award-winning displays and iconic locomotives.

The weekend is aimed to be a joyful celebration of the sights, sounds and smells of a traditional Christmas.

This year, Steam welcomes many new traders, as well as those who are firm favourites with visitors. Hand-crafted items on offer range from textile gifts, greetings cards, jewellery and cosmetics, to home furnishings, artworks, Christmas confectionery and decorations.

Admission prices for Christmas

at Steam are £3.50 for adults, £2.25 for seniors (65+ years) and students, and £1 for children (3-15 years). Under threes go free.

Santa will be making an appearance over the weekend with the return of his popular storytime sessions. Children will have the opportunity to enjoy a Christmas story and wrapped gift in a fireplace setting.

Sessions cost £8 per child in addition to event admission.

Steam says the safety of its visitors, staff and volunteers remains a number one priority.

Capacities will be limited, so tickets must be booked in advance via their website at www.steam-museum.org.uk

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Swindon bellringing branch is welcoming new members

By Jessica Durston jessica@positive-media.co.uk Swindon Link visited the bellringing band based at St Mary's in Lydiard Tregoze to find out about its work.

Tower captain and Ringing Master Jason Carter led a training practice for new members who had recently joined the band of ringers.

He said: "It takes about four to six weeks to handle the bell and learn the basics. I get the feeling that members of the public think that bellringing groups are a bit of a closed shop, and that you need to regularly attend church to come along. This is not the case. Some of the bellringers here at St Mary’s don’t go to church and some do."

Members of the public can find their nearest church at swindonringers.org.uk/index. php/branch-towers. The

Swindon branch has 21 towers in total.

Bellringing bands can be made up of people of all ages, but it is recommended that children start around the age of 10. This is due to bellringing requiring a degree of strength to pull and hold the bells.

Roy Sewell is a relatively new member of the St Mary's band and joined them two months ago. He said: "It was a chance meeting with Jenny Moore - the bellringing correspondent at St Mary's - that brought me to the club. Bellringing is something different, and something I’ve always thought about. She said they were looking for people and I turned up and the rest was history.

"I like the history behind the hobby too. The earliest bell is 1635 here at St Mary's.

There’s a lot of history involved if you want to look that deeply

Roy Sewell, far left, Jason Carter, second from left, and Jenny Moore, far right, with the St Mary's Bellringing branch

into it."

The inclusivity of bellringing is something that Jason says he admires. He added: “One of the things I love about this hobby is that it is for people of all walks of life and all ages.

One of the beautiful things is that a 12-year-old could be ringing next to someone my age – 45 – next to someone who is in their 80s. There are not a lot of hobbies or pastimes that you can do where this happens.”

St Mary's band member and correspondent, Jenny Moore, has been ringing with the

group since 2009.

When she was asked what the biggest draw for joining a bellringing group like St Mary's was, she said: “What, apart from the fact we go to the pub afterwards? We’re a sociable group and we don’t take ourselves too seriously.

We make people welcome and I’m sure this would be the same for any other bellringing group in Swindon."

More information about Swindon's bellringing branch can be found at swindonringers.org.uk/index. php

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Our Vision Ruth Robinson, Executive Principal says: “I am proud that United College Sixth Form offers our students the environment, ethos and opportunities to develop the skills and qualities to achieve personal success.

This issue: United College Sixth Form Address: Swindon Academy, Beech Avenue, SN2 1JR Website: www.swindon-academy.org/unitedcollege6f/

Welcome to United College Sixth Form United College Sixth Form offers A Levels and vocational courses for post16 students looking to progress to university or directly into their chosen career from school. They benefit from individual academic support from specialist staff who help them to achieve their aspirations and look after their wellbeing.

STEM Grammar Stream In partnership with Marlborough College, we have developed a bespoke programme to enable high achieving students who are passionate about STEM subjects (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths), to meet their potential and progress to elite universities.

They will develop the skills to become the next generation of leaders within science, technology, engineering and mathematics.

"We guide them into the next stage of their lives as knowledgeable, confident and ambitious individuals.

Our Career Pathways, supracurriculum and partnership with Marlborough College are unrivalled in the Town and support every student to achieve their potential.”

“I want to go on to become an aeronautical engineer and work on planes” - Mickaelan "At college I was overwhelmed with work, but when I came here everything is set out clearly and all the teachers give you support." - Abby

Career Pathways United College Sixth Form has taken the guesswork out of selecting the right courses with our innovative Career Pathways system.

Core subjects, complimentary courses and supra-curricular activities will lead students towards their preferred career.

There are two broad routes, STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) Pathways, and managerial/ professional Pathways:

STEM Pathways: • • • • •

Contact Us: For any questions about our courses, entry requirements or Career Pathways, contact our Directors: - Mr Lewis (01793 426930) Joe.Lewis@swindon-academy.org - Mrs Dodsworth (01793 426906) Laura.Dodsworth@swindon-academy.org

Medicine Engineering & Architecture Science Cyber-technologies Allied Healthcare

Professional/Managerial Pathways: • • • • • •

Communications Creative Industries Criminal Justice & Psychology Sports & Leisure Business & Finance Education & Teaching

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New Royal Wootton Bassett Academy building unveiled

By Barrie Hudson barrie@positive-media.co.uk Royal Wootton Bassett Academy has celebrated the opening of a much-needed new sixth form building.

Staff, students and governors gathered for a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the new building, which supplements the existing provision for sixth formers with more classrooms and study space.

In addition to large new classrooms, the building has a dedicated study space for sixth form students.

There are currently about 380 sixth formers, but the number is growing.

Money provided, thanks to legislation, by developers

Parent governor Rupal Patel prepares to cut the ceremonial ribbon, watched by headteacher Anita Ellis, right, and assistant head Katherine Salmon

Bassett area, we have been the beneficiary of a significant

and very popular sixth form.

"We offer over 40 different

amount of money, which has allowed us to build."

Ms Ellis paid tribute to people who were major driving forces behind the success of the project, especially former head teacher George Croxford, who is now CEO of Royal Wootton Bassett Academy Trust, Jon Stewart, former Chief Financial officer with the trust, and school admin manager Shelly Davies.

The headteacher added: "We had to think of the best way to get value for money and to get as many classrooms as we possible could because we have an ever-increasing

curriculum courses and a wide variety of opportunities for our young people, and so we

One of the new classrooms

currently expanding Royal Wootton Bassett helped to make the project a reality, and work started last November.

The ribbon-cutting ceremony was performed by parent governor Rupal Patel.

Headteacher Anita Ellis said: "This is the culmination of approximately eight years of planning, in that we have invested a significant amount of time and effort to extend our sixth form at a time when funds are not plentiful.

"Due to the additional funds that have come our way as a result of the various building projects in the Royal Wootton 18

needed more teaching space."

Witnesses to the ceremony included head students Michael Redmond and Lee Hillier.

Ms Hillier said: "It's really good just having the extra space, especially with covid and having to separate Year 12 and Year 13.

"I think we have all picked up on the fact that there isn't really as much room as we'd like there to be, so having a new building and especially the new study space that we have now really helps to give us that extra space where we can get stuff done."

Mr Redmond said: "Last year Year 13 were up on the top floor in a computer room which wasn't so practical, so it's nice now having a dedicated space that we can go and study in if we need it."

Sixth formers including Head students Michael Redmond and Lee Hillier attended the ceremony

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The Politics Page Tackling climate change is something we can all work towards Swindon Council Leader David Renard's monthly column Tackling climate change will be headline news for the next few weeks and rightly so because it is an issue which affects all of us.

At the time of writing, almost 200 countries from around the world are due to attend the COP26 global climate conference in Glasgow, which runs for two weeks from 31 October.

I will be one of those in attendance in my role as both Environment spokesman for the Local Government Association and also as Leader of a council which has responding to climate change at the heart of its agenda.

My colleague, Cllr Keith Williams, our Cabinet Member for Climate Change, and Labour councillor Jane MilnerBarry will also be representing the council and the town at this

20

very important summit and will be travelling up to Scotland in an electric car. Unfortunately, I am travelling to the conference at a different time so was not able to join them, but I will take the long journey by train to minimise my own carbon footprint as much as I can.

The climate talks will bring environmental experts, campaigners and heads of state together to agree coordinated action to tackle climate change. We all hope it will be a landmark moment for the world, with countries pledging to cut their emissions and to present their plans for doing so.

Let us hope in years to come we look back on COP26 as a pivotal time in the world’s response to our warming planet. Government policy worldwide will go a long way to shaping how we significantly cut our emissions over the coming years, but we still all

have a part to play in our everyday lives, no matter how small, when it comes to making the right choices to help the environment.

Last month, the council’s Swindon Travel Choices team organised two Electric Vehicle roadshows at the Orbital Shopping Park and Lydiard Park to give local people the chance to find out more about owning an electric vehicle.

Cllr Williams joined a team of experts from local retailers Cleevely EV and Just EVs, Southwest EV Owners Group, and the Energy Saving Trust, to answer any questions people had about grants, finance, charging points and anything else they were not quite sure of. There were also electric motorbikes and push bikes on show.

Electric vehicles now have a 9.5 per cent share of the UK new car market, up from 5.4 per cent last year. If this

growth continues we could see a million electric vehicles on our roads by 2025 and projections estimate this could rise to anything between 2.7m and 10.6m by 2030.

So we need to be prepared, especially when the Government has committed to phasing out the sale of new petrol and diesel cars and vans by 2030. Our Be the Change website (www.swindon. gov.uk/bethechange) has lots of handy tips and advice on how we can all make our own small changes to tackle climate change.

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LINK

The Magic of Christmas to visit Wharf Green

FEATURES

A weekend of Christmas activities at Wharf Green will take place across Saturday 20 November and Sunday 21 November.

Saturday's events will run from noon - 6pm and Sunday's from 11am - 4pm.

Some of the festive delights on offer include: • Meeting Santa • A Snow Machine • A Giant Snow Globe (with room for the whole family) • A Nutcracker Trail (runs 20 November - 2 January) • A Wheelchair Accessible Sleigh • A Creation Station for art activities • Christmas Lights • Festive Stalls Anita Bellinger, Executive Director, InSwindon BID said: "After the last 18 months, we can't wait to bring people together for a whole weekend of activities, with something for everyone.

"It's going to be a really fun and exciting celebration of the start of the Christmas season.

We've got loads of activities to make magical memories with friends and family.

"We want to bring people together in a way that feels safe and accessible for all. Even Santa's sleigh will be wheelchair accessible, one of only a handful in the UK, so that everyone is included.

"Some details are being finalised, so please check the inSwindon website and Facebook page for updates."

InSwindon BID will also be running other Christmas activities over the festive period, including: • Theatre Square Makers Market (Friday 3 December) • Salvation Army Carol Singers (Saturday 4 December) • Festive Funfair (Thursday 16 December Sunday 2 January, excluding Christmas Day & New Year's Day) • Festive Stalls (Sunday 14 November - 31 December, excluding Christmas Day)

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SEAT Ibiza: Fifth generation of a hardy MOTORING perennial small car The SEAT Ibiza is one of the best small cars on the road, with great handling, bags of room and low running costs.

The original was launched in the UK back in 1985, and after a slow start it was soon selling around 10,000 a year.

It was, of course, named after the Spanish island.

In 1986, German giant Volkswagen became the major shareholder and since then the SEAT products have just got better and better.

Now in its fifth generation, there are six versions costing between £16,500 and £22,000, and you also get a long list of trim levels to choose from, including sporty FR trim and the lavishly equipped Xcellence.

There are six one-litre petrol engines which will

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POETRY

Leigh Robinson: Motoring writer

give you around 50 miles to the gallon. The Ibiza rides the bumps with no problem and generally it’s a good ride.

Try and avoid the entry level model - the 1.0 MPI - because it has no turbo charger.

Go for one of the next levels which makes the driving easier and better to get away at the traffic lights.

It’s difficult to fault the Ibiza at any level.

The steering is perfect, driving in the town is a doddle and even when you speed up on the faster

roads you feel safe and confident.

There’s enough space through the car with sufficient enough door pockets, and the rear seats have the 60/40 split which is standard on these superminis. This is available on all the Ibiza trims.

Getting a couple of suitcases into the car is easy peasy and SEAT give you plenty of kit.

Even at the entry level, as well as the 6.5 infotainment there are electric door mirrors, automatic headlights and

Honouring a truly great human being Maurice Spillane: Of Poetry Swindon

Vanetta, wife of the great Swindonian Joel Joffe, unveiled a memorial to him in the Liddington village hall recently.

Joel lived for several decades in the village.

Vanetta gave a moving speech that broke most of us and we’ve spoken about little else since. A walking path by the River Lidd, near where he lived, was named “Joel Joffe Way.” It was also lovely to see his daughter, Deborah, 22

a refreshing palette of metallic paint.

On the safety front all versions of the Ibiza have six airbags, tyre pressure monitoring and an auto emergency breaking system, and the car secured five stars in the Euro NCAP crash test.

The standard warranty period is three years or 60,000 miles.

However, this can be extended for a price, and the terms available are another year or 75,000 miles, and five years and 90,000 miles.

among us again.

Joel was the solicitor behind Nelson Mandela’s legal team during the Rivonia Trial in 1963/4 when the defendants were expected to be hanged.

Mandela’s three-hour speech turned the trial by putting apartheid in the dock.

He ended with these words: “I have cherished the ideal of a democratic and free society in which all persons will live together. It is an ideal for which I hope to live and to see realized. But, My Lord, if

Vanetta, left, and Deborah at the unveiling of the memorial

it needs to be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die.”

The judge was moved to deliver life sentences.

Joel founded Allied Dunbar in Swindon, chaired Oxfam, and Vanetta and he set up a charity that continues to provide. In the House of Lords, he moved an act several times on assisted dying. Such a full and amazing life.

Joel and I had poetry and Africa in common so as a tribute, here’s a poem from those days by South African, Keorapetse Kgositsile. Poetry doesn’t have a date stamp -

this poem is just as relevant today: If destroying all the maps known would erase all the boundaries from the face of this earth I would say let us make a bonfire to reclaim and sing the human person Refugee is an ominous load even for a child to carry Hear Joel on Desert Island Discs: https://www.bbc.co.uk/ programmes/b0084b4l www.mauricespillane.com

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Diners clamouring to eat at Swindon's Pick Up Point

By Barrie Hudson Pick Up Point in Devizes Road opened at the beginning of October, and since then owner Josh West and his team have barely known a moment's rest.

"There's been loads of drama, fun and excitement - all the drama a restaurant opening brings and you can't anticipate," he said.

As of the time of writing the menu features an array of four styles of burger with intriguing names such as Orange Sunshine and Seoul Survivor, together with a variety of other dishes. A weekly special steak dish is proving very popular and there are plans to add more.

Josh is also thinking about expanding the dining area possibly in time for Christmas and enabling the restaurant to cater for larger parties.

LINK LINK FOOD & DRINK FOOD & DRINK

FOOD & DRINK

Josh West has seen his new business boom since opening day

Josh was born in Swindon, grew up in a Marlborough catering business and trained as a chef at a prestigious school in Paris.

How would he describe what Pick Up Point has to offer?

"It's hard to categorise but I suppose brasserie food accessible, bustling, noisy, with a whisky bar kind of feel to it.

"The main thing is that we

are cooking accessible food, things that people like. My background is French cooking, French technique, but the food we're serving is American, really - burgers and steaks.

"We'd love to flex some culinary muscle. Steaks are going down a storm at the moment.

"It's been mental since the opening - just non-stop.

"The only thing I was nervous about before we opened was, 'What's it actually going to be like when people come in?'

Because you can't plan for that. The vibe is great - we turn the music up a couple of notches to make it more intimate.

"What I would like to see is a bustling and slightly noisy neighbourhood restaurant.

I would also love to see families come out and children here for Saturday and Sunday lunch, especially. I think that makes for a warm and welcoming atmosphere when you see people sitting around a table with their children.

"It shows that they also have faith in us."

The restaurant's website is thepickuppoint.com

Keeping pets happy and LINK LINK safe during firework season PETS & NATURE FOOD & DRINK A column by Thameswood Vets

Firework season now stretches months rather than days and can be a scary time for pets Although there is no quick fix, anti-anxiety medicine has come a long way, meaning that together with a desensitisation plan which is carried out over a longer period, managing the phobia can be successful.

As firework season is now upon us there are some things you can still do at home in preparation: - Keep pets indoors - Try to walk dogs before it gets dark or ensure they are kept on a lead in case they are spooked - Try to allow cats out during the day and keep 24 swindonlink.com n November 2021 NW November Master pages.indd 24

them in at night, providing extra litter trays where possible - Provide a safe place ‘den’ - Create a safe place for your pet. This could be a crate with their bed and a blanket covering the top, under a table with the sides covered or somewhere they have previously hidden, such as behind a sofa. Allow them to come and go as they please - For small pets, provide lots of extra bedding for them to burrow or hide in - Provide calming pheromone diffusers such as Adaptil or Feliway - Keep curtains closed and the radio or TV on, especially if pets are at home alone, to try

natural products available to help reduce anxiety which can be brought over the counter - Where required, stronger medication can be prescribed by your vet - Your vet can discuss a long-term programme to help your pet in the future and muffle the sound of fireworks - Use chew toys, puzzle feeders or games to try and keep your dog distracted - Stay calm and ignore the firework. Try not to reassure your pet by cuddling or holding them as this can reinforce the fear - Speak to your vet. There are specially formulated

Fireworks can be difficult for many pets to cope with but there is a lot that can be done to support them through this troubling period. If you're concerned about fireworks please contact your nearest clinic, where our team will be on hand to offer further advice and support.

Further information is available at www. thameswoodvets.co.uk

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Could you help Swindon's

CYCLING

Christmas Children's Bike Appeal? chance to let off steam and get some exercise with friends to helping them develop their independence and making journeys without relying on parents or public transport. The importance of getting cycling early in life is recognised by the Scottish government which is aiming to ensure that every Scottish child has access to a bicycle. It’s an ambitious plan, but what an amazing idea!

Matt’s Christmas Bike appeal is aimed at struggling families.

He wants to help those who are perhaps unable to afford something for their children this Christmas. No proof of hardship is required, he’s just happy knowing that a child will have the joy of receiving

Cycling column with Becky Cox of Swindon Cycle Campaign

Have you got any children’s bikes sat in the garage or not being used? Children grow out of bikes so quickly and a once dearly loved bike can easily be forgotten about. That preloved bike could make a local child’s Christmas this year.

Matt Jones, who runs local bike repair business ‘Run & Repair’, is once again asking for donations of children’s bikes for his Christmas bike appeal, which last year saw 127 local children receive a refurbished bicycle for Christmas.

The gift of a bike can open up so many opportunities for children, from giving them

Alfie Howlett: Swindon Town FC writer

a bicycle this festive season.

If you have a bike (or two!) that you’d like to give to a new home, then please get in touch with Matt via the contact details at the bottom of the page. Bikes can be from toddlersized all the way up to those for adults. All he asks is that the bikes are in a reasonable condition to be repaired (i.e. not rusty bikes that have been sat in the garden all year).

Bikes can be dropped off at Run and Repair’s new base at Cheney Manor Industrial Estate, or a pick up may also be possible. Alternatively, if

you know a family in need this festive season, please get in touch with Matt on Facebook at www.facebook. com/runandrepair or email: run_repair@hotmail.com.

Matt also offers good value bike services, repairs and cleans. Follow Run & Repair on Facebook or get in touch via Matt’s contact details above if you’d like to book your bike in.

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A change in narrative this season for STFC

It feels as if something special is begining to brew at the County Ground. With every victory the team is issuing a statement of intent to the division. A Swindon side which many expected to struggle in its aim of staying in the league is now flourishing.

All they need to do is take their form on the road into home games and who knows how far they can go.

After back to back derby wins in October the narrative around Swindon's season changed. As football fans we can all be greedy and hungry for success.

After turning over early pace setters Forest Green at their own patch with several key players missing I thought perhaps just surviving in this league would be an underachievement. The big question going into this season was just how long it would take Ben Garner to gel this new look squad into a team. We all

knew looking at some of the calibre of players we signed that they were too good for fighting relegation. But we also knew that with virtually no preseason and very little time on the training ground things would take time to click. But in recent weeks some of the football in spells has been sensational and as the season goes on I can only see it getting better, which will translate to consistent performances and results.

Another reason why I expect Swindon to be right up there this season is down to the quality in this league. This season I can't see one team who will particularly run away with the title. I feel as if compared to previous seasons the quality of opponent is weak. So far there hasn't been a single team visiting SN1 that has wowed me. In this league all you have to do in order to win games of

SPORT

football is do the basics right and be organised.

That's why I'd like to nominate Port Vale as one of four teams I believe will secure promotion. However, everything can change in league 2 if you put together a run of results.

As Bolton showed last season where they went from 20th in February to third at the end of the season.

One reason behind the Robins' recent joy is the reintroduction of Harry McKirdy following his injury. In my opinion Mckirdy could be the perfect foil for Tyreece Simpson.

Although naturally a winger the deployment of McKirdy as part of a front two alongside Simpson has already reaped rewards. The 24-year-old is always busy in front of goal

and is more than willing to have a shot and take on opponents with his dribbling. After already scoring more goals this season than last, the former Aston Villa academy man is feeling right at home in this side. Off the pitch McKirdy has developed into a fan favourite with his unique personality. Hopefully for both parties this will be the season where he really lays down some roots and stakes a claim to play week in week out.

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