west Swindon's Magazine
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EXCLUSIVE G.P & Pharmarcist told to quit Toothill's G.P Dr Kandy Kandiah and pharmacist Ralph Palmer have been told to get out of their premises by Thamesdown Council. The Council's housing committee wants to reclaim the houses in Deerhurst Way. They have been occupied as health facilities for the last fifteen years. However local councillor Ricky Midwinter has branded the decision taken without consultation as an 'absolute disgrace,' and is calling for support in a campaign to reverse the decision. "I'm shocked by the insensistive and autocratic attitude taken by the council. We've always strived to ensure there are facilities to go with houses. There are many elderly people and parents with young children who find it difficult, if not impossible, to go further afield. The social consequences of losing important medical provision in Toothill will be enormous. "The decision was taken in secret without consultation with local members. Now I'm calling on local people to support campaign to make the council back down." He pointed out that the Spa rcells surgery also run by Dr Kandiah will be threatened as well, because he is developing lists in both areas and one depends upon the other. The housing committee's decision goes before Thamesdown's ruling Labour group on Wednesday 9 October. Court Midwinter can be contacted on 873537.
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1 Turn to the centre pages where you'll find Swindon's first ever green' community map. Pull it out, leave the car behind and get out and discover the walk ways around West Swindon. 49 Also included is a guide on where to recycle waste. And there's also news on page 21 about two recycling experiments for local people to take part in
Choosing a school - A decision not to be taken lightly At this time of year parents all over West Swindon are preparing to visit secondary schools before making a choice for their children's future education. For the last three years The Link magazine has visited the three education authority secondary schools designated to take children from West Swindon, and St Joseph's Roman Catholic school. Each year we have taken a different approach in order to assist parents in their difficult decision. This year is the first time when exam results have been available from all three LEA schools. The headteachers from Braden Forest, Purton, Greendown at Grange Park and The Ridgeway at Wroughton have responded to our request to publish a summary of their results, which is
Fears for future of firework night party West Swindon's annual community bonfire night extravaganza at Toothill Farm in November could turn out to be a damp squib, unless people living in the area help organise it. The bonfire and fireworks display has been held for the last twelve years. The event has been growing over the last few years, with more fireworks, children's guy making workshops and entertainment being added to the evening. In the past only a handful of people organised the evening, with most of the burden falling on community workers from Thamesdown Council's Community Development Division. Now, greater ef forts are being made to spread the load and get more people involved. Neighbourhood worker Miriam Minty said that the bonfire event had become very popular, but at the same time more complex to organise. "Over 2,000 people enjoyed the event last year and
there's always a small band of volunteers availabletobuild thebonfire. But there are many jobs to be done in the two months leading up to it. "I'm sure there are lots of people in the area with the skills to keep the event going and develop it for the future." She said that there would still be a bonfire on 1 November but at a reduced level, unless volunteers come forward to help out. A meeting is being held on Wednesday 9 October, 7.30pm atToothill Farmhouse, Bodiam Drive, for anybody who wants to get involved. Miriam Minty can provide more information on 871212 ext. 234 or 421821. 'The bright lights will really be put out in the West if the Toothill community bonfire night does not take place. ASDA stopped the West Swindon Centre aerial fireworks display after some minor injuries took place at the 1989 event.
accompanied by a short commentary. However statistics are at best a crude indicators of performance and at worst are open to all manner of interpretation and misreprèsentation, which then develops into myth about a particular school. We all know the famed adage about 'lies, damned lies and statistics'! What is certain is that all three schools are different in their character and history. Each is also different in terms of the resources allocated to it, experience of staff, range of subjects on offer, nature of the catchment area and so on. Our comment to this year's parents,and those following them is: use the information printed on pages 22 and 23 as a guide, visit the schools, look for what's behind the statistics and choose what is best for your child. Good luck.
Also this month Swindon Town F.C. captain Cohn Calderwood will be presenting the trophies at the Greendown School/Link Magazine community soccer tournament organised by parents. Details on page 13. *There are three pizza meals worth £45 to be won in our great Pizza Hut first birthday competition on page 28. It's easy. Have ago! .1