west Swindon's
Magazine
Viewrite
THE
LINK No. 103 October 1990 Circulation 10,500
How did Matthew do? Find out how much was raised for Special Baby Care by Matthew Fiddes at his fete advertised on our front page last month. Turn to page 16 Pictured be/ow: Matthew and his mum Majella at the fete.
for TV & Video Rentals Short or Long Term I-u 848497
West Swindon As Our Community November conference to involve residents and agencies A conference which aims to give residents a chance to say what they think of West Swindon takes place on 6 and 7 November. People living in the area, local community, health and social workers, teachers and churchmen/women are being invited to take part in a big get together to 'take the pulse' of the community and see if local services could be improved. Joint organiser Rev. John Flory says the conference is a chance to take stock. "With new building slowingand people settlingdown, it's a good time to take a look at what kind of community we have by bringing together people who live in the area and those who work in West Swindon. It's an opportunity to be clearer about the problems and to share ideas on how to improve things."
Community Development Officer Laurence Yeoman, also organising the two days, doesn't want the word 'conference' to put people off attending. "It sounds too grand, but it's not. Living in West Swindon affects people in different ways. It's important that residents are able to express their views on what it's like to live here. It's a chance to share and exchange ideas, and look to the future." Lunch will be provided on both days and there will be free childcare available. There is no cost to people living in the area who attend. The conference takes place in the Community Suite at the Link Centre from 9.30a.m. to 2.30p.m. on both days. Readers who would like to attend can use the booking form on page 30 to register their interest.
ON MONDAY 15 OCTOBER, 7.30pm - 9pm COMMUNITY SUITE, LINK CENTRE This is an opportunity to meet Superintendant Bill Pryke, Commander of Swindon North Police Sub-Division, who will • Give a General Overview of Police Work in the Division (including West Swindon) • Outline the challenges presented by the opening of Shaw Ridge Leisure Park • Speak on the importance of working with the community through Neighbourhood Watch Schemes and other measures
And will answers questions from the public.
ALL WELCOME
486872 Health report confirms W. Swindon survey results A recent report produced by Swindon's director of public health, Dr John Parsons, has pinpointed lonliness and isolation in new housing areas as a major problem in Swindon. He indicates that some illnesses might be caused by social isolation and displacement resulting from themovementofpeopleaway from family and other traditional support systems. This creates greater demands on statutory services, voluntary support bodies like Relate (marriage guidance) and local G.P services. A large survey published in the April 1989 edition of The Link included a question "Do you ever feel lonely?" The survey results were presented to Thamesdown Council's Community Development Committee on 28 September. Not published in the survey report is the fact thatoutof 568 replies returned, 275 said they never felt lonely. However218 said they felt lonely sometimes, 43 said often and 11 said they felt lonely most of the time. (21 did not answer). Added together272 respondents living in West Swindon, 50%, indicated some feelings of loneliness. Turn to page 15
for information on the survey results.
We go to school again Parents and their 10 year olds will be asked to choose a secondary
school soon. Every autumnThe Linkvisitsthe schools designated to receive children from West Swindon. This year we've asked the studentstowritetheirirrpressions of the school. We start with Greendown on page 13.