South Swindon Link April 2018

LINK No 20 April 2018

Delivered door to door to 50,000 households across Swindon with Est. overall readership of 125,000

Swindon Your Community Magazine

The Service Sector p27

South Edition

Swindon Life p19

www.swindonlink.com

Swindon Lives: Author Rob Brown on his latest book p25

The Puzzle Page p31

Bollywood flash mob hits town centre Community: P2-20

Swindon Wide: P21 - 29

Leisure: P30-39

p4

Pupils forever impress

South Swindon Parish Council to sponsor the Old Town Festival

By Claire Dukes claire@swindonlink.com

By Group Editor Jamie Hill jamie@swindonlink.com

We're already a quarter of the way through the year and it feels like we've only just blinked from 2017.

One of the things that has impressed us at The Link this month has been the enthusiasm and insight shown by the town's school children.

This month we were lucky enough to cover two extraordinary events - The Swindon Science Festival and the White Horse Federation Debating Cup. Both events which we cover in detail in these pages showcased the mental agility of our kids and how our futures are all in safe hands if the talents on display were anything to go by.

Talking about our futures, one event coming up in May looks set to be a close-call that could affect each and every one of us in Swindon as to what direction the town goes in over the next few years.

I am, of course, talking about the upcoming local council elections which take place on Thursday 3 May. It's anyone's guess as to what will happen but we should all make sure we get out there and carry out our democratic duty.

Director: James Phipps Group Editor: Jamie Hill Deputy Editor: Ben Fitzgerald Associate: Roger Ogle Reporter: Claire Dukes Sales Admin Manager: Sue Roberts Sales: Dave Stewart, Rosy Presley Digital Sales: Nataley Fryer Office Manager: Karen Randall Photography: Richard Wintle & Rachel Davis - www.calyxpix.com

The Old Town Festival Committee received good news from South Swindon Parish Council that the Parish will sponsor some of the large infrastructure items for this year’s Old Town Festival.

The financial sustainability of this not-forprofit annual community event is dependent on grants and sponsorship, as much as from stall pitches, parade entries and bar sales, and without the generosity and investment of local businesses, community organisations, and the Parish Council, the Festival could not go ahead.

The grant sponsorship covers the cost of hiring portaloos, sound and audio equipment, as well as the hire of a climbing wall for the Scouts to run at the Lawn Family Fun Day 10 June.

Vice-Chair of the Old Town Festival Committee, Councillor Nadine Watts, said, “It was great to present the grant application for the Old Town Festival at the South Swindon Parish meeting on Tuesday.

I know how much this event is enjoyed by residents from across Swindon.

“It is an honour to be vice chair of the Festival again. It is a pleasure to be involved with a group so passionate about the local community and providing such a well-loved, successful and inclusive week of events.”

This year the festival will be sponsored by many of Old Town’s businesses who are looking to celebrate local sponsors on publicity material. Local businesses and groups are invited to take part in the The Old Town Festival’s 26th year celebrations with stalls, and join in the parade 10 June.

For further information visit www.theoldtownfestival.co.uk ADVERTISING Call 01793 781502 or email: advertising@swindonlink.com Closing date for May adverts and editorial: 11 April May edition published: 27 April Our Statistics Est. Readership of 125,000 in print & c.25,000 monthly online visitors.

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Got a community story or feature? Contact newsdesk at publisher@swindonlink.com or 01793 744677 swindonlink.com n April 2018

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Bollywood flash mob transforms Swindon town centre

Shoppers in Swindon Town Centre were treated to a surprise performance by youngsters from the DanzXpres dance school.

The performers, ranging in age from young children to adults, transformed the Brunel Centre into a spectacular

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performance space when they launched into their Bollywood flashmob event on Sunday.

One of the organisers, dance instructor, Priya Singhal explained that DanzXpres have recently celebrated a year of teaching a range of Indian dance forms.

She said: “We have performed in places like the Swindon Dance Academy, cultural centres and events.

“Additionally, in the past we have engaged with festive occasions celebrating different cultures in local schools.

"We do after school clubs,

school workshops for multicultural days, Zumba fitness for ladies and now we are Celebrating our 1st year anniversary.”

She added that the event was a chance for the members of the dance school to showcase their talents.

Swindon welcomes new café for care workers

By Claire Dukes claire@swindonlink.com

A new café has opened its doors to Swindon’s care workers for weekly sessions, offering carers and service users a homely environment to socialise and network.

As part of a new collaborative scheme between Swindon Borough Council and Avon and Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership (AWP), a new service has opened at Whitbourne House, a residential care home in Park South.

The Carer’s Café, run by Mental Health Care Coordinator Jan Knight, offers weekly sessions every Tuesday. Care workers can use the space for respite, socialising, and counselling which is also privately available.

Jan Knight said: “It’s a difficult role and some people just need to relax and sound off in a calm environment. Carers can come in and have a cup of tea and talk to other carers, sharing ideas to help those in care.”

Isobel Vaughan, who attended the opening, cares for her husband. She said: “It’s a good place to bounce ideas between care workers – to see what works for others. It also allows my husband to meet people in the same situation as him. It does feel like a café lounge.”

Swindon Borough Council, who own Whitboune House, have allowed AWP to utilise the former spare room which they hope care workers will benefit from. NHS Therapist, Barbrara Sainsbury said: “Our carers can often feel quite isolated, and we’re hoping we’ll get to know some faces and they’ll get to know us.

“They’re welcome to come in once, or weekly, and spend 10 minutes or the whole session in front of the fire place – it’s calming. With the space we’re taking the clinical aspects from the hospital and GP surgeries away."

The Care’s Café runs every Tuesday from 1.30pm to 3.30pm at Whitbourne Ave.

Mental Health Care Coordinator Jan Knight, and carer Isobel Vaughan

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Travelodge plans second hotel

Swindon school debate teams wage a war of words More than 60 pupils from nine White Horse Federation primary schools engaged in a war of words for the honour of raising the White Horse Federation Debating Cup. The White Horse Federation (WHF) Debating Cup brought together primary schools from across Swindon going head to head in the White Horse Federation Debating Cup. After a closely fought competition, Haydon Wick Primary School were judged to be the winner.

The WHF encourages all of their schools to come together collaboratively through a number of events through the

Travelodge has announced the expansion of their budget hotel chain by opening Swindon’s second site on Barnfield Close.

Travelodge is embarking on an expansion scheme across the UK which will create 550 new jobs with the opening of 20 new hotels.

Swindon is set to benefit from 25 new jobs with the opening of a 70-room Travelodge near the town centre, which will also include a bar café.

For further information about Travelodge visit www. travelodge.co.uk

School places

A large proportion of pupils in Swindon are continuing to be matched with their number one choice of secondary school by Swindon Borough Council.

The council’s school admissions team received a record number of 2,655 on-time applications for secondary school places, with 91 per cent matched with their first preference.

Parents could request a place in up to three schools and 98 per cent were offered one of their three preferences.

The school admissions team will also be offering primary and infant to junior school places for September 2018 on 16 April 2018.

Garden waste service

Swindon residents are being encouraged to sign up to the council's garden waste service.

For an annual cost of £50, or £2 per collection, residents can have a fortnightly collection via a green wheelie bin. Subscribers will receive a personalised tamper-proof sticker to put on their bin.

Residents can sign up or renew their subscription online at www.swindon.gov.uk/ gardenwaste.

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M.J.Sly Monumentals opens new showroom

Last month stonemasons M.J.Sly Monumental Sculptor opened a new Swindon showroom in Morley Street.

The opening of the Swindon showroom will be M.J.Sly's third branch with the other showrooms located in Andover and Marlborough.

The firm, which was established in 1992, specialises in the design, production and maintenance of all types of memorials for churchyards and cemeteries.

The showroom includes a range of products including memorial plaques, vases, and pet memorials. The founder Martin Sly has over 25 years of experience in memorial masonry.

For more information contact M.J Sly on: 01672 516797 or mail: martin@mjsly.co.uk

academic year.

The event took place in collaboration with award winning charity ‘Debate Mate’ an international educational charity dedicated to improving social mobility by mentoring in debating techniques.

Schools involved were Drove Primary School, The Croft Primary School, Haydon Wick Primary School, Moredon Primary, Tregoze Primary School, Rodbourne Cheney Primary School and, Gorse Hill Primary School, as well as, a bit further afield, Zouch Academy in Tidworth and Southwold Primary School in North Oxfordshire.

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Plans for all-weather pitch get the green light Planners have given a green light for a two storey pavillion and a floodlit all-weather sports pitch next to the County Ground.

The scheme which was approved by Swindon Borough Council's planning committee at their planning meeting on Tuesday 13 March.

The proposal by Swindon Town Football Club Football in the Community Trust includes details of a pavillion, a 3G artificial pitch and eight 15m high floodlights. In addition, the plans include a 4.5 metre fence to contain footballs, the erection of a replacement storage container as well as new carparking and landscaping works.

A total of 10 letters of objection were received from nearby residents concerned about possible noise disturbance, light pollution, the loss of open space and intrusive floodlighting. A

petition containing 183 names was also received.

Support for the scheme, came in the form of 97 letters of support, including one from South Swindon MP Robert Buckland.

In their application, Swindon

Town Football Club Football in the Community Trust say the facility would also benefit the partner organisations and the local community, with the pitch being made available to the public throughout the year when not in use by the trust.

Best foot forward for charity runner Chris

Former Swindon Supermarine captain Chris Taylor is putting his best foot forward to raise money for charity.

The personal trainer aims to raise at least £2,000 for the Children with Cancer charity by running the 2018 London Marathon.

Chris explained that he was motivated by the experience of a friend, Steve Murtough, who lost his young son Sebby to cancer three years ago.

Chris said: "It's unimaginable to think how anyone can cope with a loss like that. I just felt it was important to give something back."

Chris who has never run a marathon explained: "It’s always been a dream of mine to run the London Marathon.

Watching the heartbreak and battle Sebby, Steve and family went through has made me so determined to smash this personal challenge, raise awareness and hit my very tough target I’ve set of raising

Picture here

Swindon seniors

Swindon Seniors Forum will be hosting a meeting at the Lawn Community Centre in Guildford Avenue.

The event, open to anyone over 55 years old, will take place at 2pm, with registration at 1.30pm.

Speaking at the event will be Swindon Borough councillor Brian Ford, who will be outlining how council services will be 'going digital' and the best ways to continue to access their services. In addition, retired Ghurka JB Gurung will be talking about his time serving with the legendary British Army regiment.

For more information about Swindon Seniors Forum, contact M. Evans on 01793 766338.

New WI for West

A new Womens' Institute has just started in West Swindon on the third Tuesday of each month). It is called Swindon West WI and the group is currently trying to let people know and would like to recruit new members.

The group is also keen to hear from people and organisations who would like to hold a talk for the group.

The group meet in Shaw Church Hall at 7.30pm. To get in contact with president Mandy Youngman email: mashoyoungman@hotmail. com

Exploring the past

Marathon runner Chris, right, with Jez Webb of sponsorsWebb's Wood, left.

£2,000.

"Almost 4,000 children and young people are diagnosed with cancer every year in the UK. That’s ten every day. Children with Cancer UK is the leading national children’s charity

dedicated to the fight against childhood cancer.

Chris has been supported in his efforts by Webb's Wood builders merchants.

To support Chris go to www.justgiving.com/ fundraising/chris-taylor109

Swindon in the past will be the subject of a talk by Andy Binks of the Swindon Society at the next meeting of the Swindon Osteoporosis Support Group on Friday, 13 April at 1.30pm. The Central Community Centre, Emlyn Square, Swindon, SN1 5BP will be the venue.

The entrance charge of £2.50 includes refreshments.

All are welcome. Further information from Ali, telephone 01793 634424 or email swindonosteoporosis@ googlemail.com. swindonlink.com n April 2018

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Chief Executive of Swindon Borough Council to retire

Swindon Borough Council’s Chief Executive, John Gilbert, has announced he will be retiring from the Council following almost 40 years working in Local Government.

John joined Swindon in 2008 as Director of Children’s Services having previously worked for local authorities in Kent, Suffolk, Staffordshire and Shropshire. He then became the Director of Children’s and Adult Services in 2010, responsible for approximately 70 per cent of the Council’s budgetary spend and was appointed Chief Executive towards the end of 2015, delivering the last three budgets for the Council.

John led the New Ways of Working transformation work across the Council, which has developed into the Swindon Programme, helping to facilitate savings in excess of £120m over an eight-year period, with a further £30m over the next two years well on track.

Having played a key role in steering the Council to become an active player in both the Centre for Cities network and the National Infrastructure Commission, Swindon is now poised to forge even stronger links with Oxfordshire and England’s Economic Heartland transport corridor.

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led a number of partnershipbased initiatives over the years, the latest one being the recently formed Joint Venture with Barratt Developments to deliver around 2,750 houses in Wichelstowe.

John said: “After nearly 40 years in Local Government, with the last 10 of those here in Swindon, I feel the time is right to retire from public service. I have announced my intentions now, having just gained approval for the 2018/19 budget, with my departure enabling councillors to decide upon the appointment of a new Chief Executive before the summer recess.

“It also gives any incumbent a good opportunity to continue the very important work of the Swindon Programme. We now have in place a very strong corporate management team who are now well placed for the challenges ahead.

“Swindon Borough Council is a great authority and I am proud of all that’s been achieved working with officers and councillors. I have had a fantastic time here working with some great people over the years.

“Finally, I would like to personally thank everybody for their support during my time here in Swindon, working with each and every one of them has been an absolute privilege.”

Lydiard on firmer footing as council agrees to work with trust

By Ben Fitzgerald ben@swindonlink.com

Hopes have been raised that the transfer of responsibility for Lydiard Park to councillor Keith Williams could heal the divisions between Swindon Borough Council and Lydiard Park Heritage Trust.

As it stands, the park and house remain under council ownership and management following the council’s decision, based on legal advice, to abandon the Lydiard Park outsourcing process Talks between the council and the trust floundered after they failed to agree on the cost of repairs to the listed building, with the council’s £850,000 projected cost at odds with the Trust surveyor’s estimated £5m.

Coun Williams, the new cabinet member for the house and park explained: “But for the legal advice, the council had intended to complete an arrangement with the Lydiard Park Heritage Trust as the preferred bidder.

"I’m pleased to say that, after a difficult few days, the Trust and I are working together on a professional and constructive basis to address both the short and long-term issues at Lydiard".

Mike Bowden, Chairman of the Trust, said: “The Trust’s primary focus has been and remains the safeguarding of Lydiard for the people of Swindon and future

generations. Despite recent events we remain keen to work with SBC and we welcome Cllr Williams’ appointment.

We are optimistic that working sensibly together we can find an appropriate structure or arrangement which will provide a longterm sustainable future for the house and park.”

He added: "There is no doubt that there has been a seismic change in the council's approach which we are delighted to recognise."

Cllr Williams and Mr Bowden have agreed to stick to four main principles to meet concerns over the future of the heritage asset.

These are: l Swindon Borough Council will ensure the Lydiard Conference Centre remains fully operational under the management of Swindon Borough Council from the day the current tenants Chartridge leave. l The maintenance and repair works agreed by

surveyors will be undertaken by the Ccouncil within two years, with the first phase of works being completed this year. l All revenue generated within the Lydiard Park estate (which includes the House, museum, Conference Centre, park, retail outlets etc.) will be ring-fenced and any surplus re-invested back into the estate. l The council will work within the 'red lines' jointly drawn up between the two parties.

Swindon Borough Council and Lydiard Park Heritage Trust's agreed 'red lines'

1. Any arrangement that would cause harm or loss to the significance and historical importance of Lydiard House and Park.

2. Any situation that involves the closure or a reduction in free access to the Park and grounds by the general public.

3. Any situation that involves the closure or a reduction in access to the Lydiard House Museum and walled garden by

the general public 4. Any destruction of the historic landscape and structures within the park which were restored as part of the £5.1m Heritage Lottery Fund Project 5. Any arrangement which would harm, disperse, or sell any part of the historic Lydiard House Museum collections, including such items as paintings, artefacts, archives,

and furnishings.

6. Any arrangement that does not address the on-going maintenance and repair of the House and Park.

7. Any arrangement that would involve the sale or any additional sub-letting of Lydiard House, Park and Museum.

8. Any arrangement that significantly contradicts the long term plans for Lydiard

Park submitted to the Heritage Lottery Fund in 2005.

9. Any arrangement or outcome that results in the construction of, or planning application for, an hotel or any other substantial building, multi-story or otherwise, on land within the Grade II Listed Lydiard Park or its essential setting, as defined in the Heritage Lottery Fund documentation. swindonlink.com n April 2018

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New College students take over Holiday Inn for a week Hospitality students at New College put their skills into practice, when they took over the Swindon branch of Holiday Inn. The students spent the week running the hotel independently as part of InterContinental Hotel Group’s (IHG’s) National Hotel Takeover in partnership with People 1st.

The programme is designed to encourage more young people to pursue careers within the hospitality industry.

The opportunity allows students to demonstrate key decision making skills throughout the week. Under guidance of the hotel management team, students manage a variety of areas across the hotel – from checking in guests at reception, to housekeeping and room service.

Alan Mulrooney, Travel and Tourism Programme Leader

and Lecturer at New College said: “This provides a valuable and unique opportunity to gain experience within the hospitality sector, developing leadership and management skills.”

During the week, the students looked after up to 100 breakfast covers and 60 restaurant covers in

the evening, as well as the conference delegates. Hotel team members were on hand to shadow students and offer advice and guidance.

Samir Sharma, General Manager of Holiday Inn Swindon said: “We’re really delighted to be participating in the hotel takeover. This is the 18th year this initiative has

been running and it’s proven to be a hugely successful recruitment tool.

Some of our best team members, even a former General Manager, participated in the takeover as students and we look forward to giving the class of 2018 valuable on the job training and experience.”

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Young scientists put their knowledge to the test

Swindon-based Multi Academy Trust, The White Horse Federation, explored the topic of forces at their annual Science Festival. A total of 14 schools, which are all part of WHF, took part in workshops which put their knowledge of forces to the test, culminating in a inter-school competition to build an all-terrain vehicle and complete challenges.

Southwold Primary School in Bicester came first in the primary schools challenge, with Swindon’s Croft Primary coming in second.

Devizes School won the secondary school category.

Children from primary schools across Swindon, 14

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Wiltshire and North Oxfordshire took part.

Schools taking part were Mountford Manor Primary School, Drove Primary School, The Croft Primary School, Haydon Wick Primary School, Moredon Primary, Tregoze Primary School, Rodbourne Cheney Primary School, Gorse Hill Primary School, Zouch Academy in Tidworth, and West Kidlington Primary School and Southwold Primary School in North Oxfordshire.

As part of their STEM afterschool clubs, Year 9 and 10 children from Gloucester Academy, The Ridgeway Secondary School and Devizes Secondary took on a variety of challenges including

building marble runs, canoes, building balloon racers, before taking part in their own ATV Challenge. Workshops were also held by interns from Intel using computer technology to repair spaceships to explore extra-terrestrial activity in outer space.

Ioana Scanlon, teacher and Key Stage 2 lead at The Croft Primary School in Swindon who has organised the festival, said: “The WHF is proud of the fact that our schools work in partnership, both with each other as well as with their local communities and local businesses. We firmly believe that we’re stronger together and that when we come together we can offer

opportunities for our children which enhance classroom learning."

The ‘Build It Move It’ Science Festival was held at The National Self Build & Renovation Centre. NSBRC Managing Director, Harvey Fremlin, says: “We are delighted to welcome staff and pupils from our local schools to the NSBRC and are really excited about seeing some of their interesting science projects on display in our unique setting.The collaboration fits really well with our aims of inspiring and educating people."

For information visit www. thewhitehorsefederation.org. uk.

Voters reminded to bring ID as Swindon rolls out pilot scheme Swindon will take part in a national Voter ID pilot at this May’s local elections.

The pilot will require residents to bring their poll cards with them to enable them to place their vote in the local elections on 3 May 2018.

The purpose of the pilots, which are being run by the Government’s Cabinet Office and the Electoral Commission, is to reduce electoral fraud and they are being run in four other local authorities (Watford, Bromley, Gosport and Woking).

National figures from the Electoral Commission indicate alleged electoral fraud through voter impersonation more than doubled between 2014 and 2016. Councillors agreed to take part in the pilot, following the council meeting in November last year.

A number of countries around the world have already made it a requirement for people to prove their identity at a polling station. It is already

a requirement in Northern Ireland, where ID has been requested since 1985. There have been no reports of voter impersonation there since 2003.

The pilots are being overseen and funded by the Government and are the first in a series to allow the Electoral Commission and Cabinet Office to evaluate the impact of asking for ID before a decision is taken on whether or not to roll it out nationally.

Voters who wish to vote at a polling station will receive a poll card by the end of April.

The poll card is the quickest

and most convenient way to vote because each poll card will be unique to each registered voter and contain a barcode which will be scanned at the poll station to make the experience faster and more efficient for voters.

If on the day, voters lose or forget their poll card they can still vote if they bring any one of the other forms of ID listed below: • Passport (UK, EU, Commonwealth) • Photocard driving licence including a provisional licence • Northern Ireland

Electoral Identity Card • Biometric Immigration Document • EEA Identity Card To maximise the number of residents bringing their poll card or another form of ID and successfully placing a vote, the message will be heavily publicised across Swindon over the coming months.

Cllr David Renard, Leader of Swindon Borough Council, said: “Our voting system has not been changed in over 100 years so I think it is only right the Government looks to update the way we vote.

“We regularly have to show ID to prove our identity for many things in life such as boarding a plane or receiving a parcel so I think it is entirely appropriate we ask voters to do the same to make sure our democracy is protected.”

Further information on the Voter ID trial can be found on the Council’s website: www. swindon.gov.uk/VoterID

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Exhibition: Legacy of a Rag and Bone Man : A Century of Community Life in Eastcott at Swindon Museum and Art Gallery

By Claire Dukes claire@swindonlink.com

Eastcott Community Centre is making an artistic collaboration with Swindon Museum and Art Gallery.

Starting last month until Saturday 5 May the gallery will be displaying Eastcott Community's heritage, with a free exhibition entitled Legacy of a Rag and Bone Man: A Century of Community Life in Eastcott.

As part of the Eastcott Community Organisation's latest project exploring and celebrating the area's history, the exhibition will include photographs, memorabilia in the form of possessions and artefacts, as well as art work created by local primary schools.

The exhibition shines

particular light on James 'Raggy' Powell, known in Swindon as 'Rag and Bone Man' after he moved into town in the 1890s.

Sophie Cummings, Curator at Swindon Museum and Art Gallery, said ’’There are some really interesting connections between James Powell, who donated the land on which the community centre sits, and the Museum – Mr Powell donated several paintings to the Museum which contributed to its earliest collection of works."

Members of Eastcott Community Organisation setting up at Swindon Museum and Art Gallery

Sign up for the Stroke Association Resolution Run It's time to strap on those trainers and get in training for the annual Resolution Run Swindon 2018 - organised by the Stroke Association.

The event, taking place at 11am on April 15 at Lydiard Park will see participants taking part in either a 5k, 10k, 15k run around the beautiful grounds of Lydiard Park.

Entry includes a Resolution Run fundraising pack, a technical running t-shirt, regular training emails, a bottle of water and a medal to celebrate your participation.

The £16 entry fee only covers the cost of entering the event and those taking part are encouraged to raise as much money as they can through 16 swindonlink.com n April 2018

sponsorship.

To take part, log on to www. stroke.org.uk The Stroke Association is the UK’s leading charity dedicated to conquering

stroke. The organisation delivers stroke services across the UK, campaigns for better stroke care and fundraises for research to expand our reach to as many stroke survivors as

possible.

For more information about strokes call the charities' helpline on 0303 3033100 or to make donations call 0300 3300740

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Nimble Thimbles open brand new store

Robert Buckland MP cut the ribbon unveiling Nimble Thimbles’ new sewing shop, on Westmead Industrial Estate.

Local sewing shop and school Nimble Thimbles was first opened in 2013, BSS House, Cheney Manor, by owner and proprietor Vikki LoeberHughes.

She said: “The need to expand the shop and sewing school necessitated a move which has resulted in a light and spacious new shop and sewing school now located at 21, Bridgemead, Westmead Ind. Est. SN5 7YT. “Robert Buckland has helped

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with some aspects of the move and kindly came along to officially open Nimble Thimbles.

“The shop stocks beautiful fabrics from names such as Liberty and King Cole yarns.

Now I have the space to expand into stocking a range of curtain fabrics too.

“The new fully equipped sewing school can hold up to ten students and a range of classes are available to attend from bag making, crochet, quilting to knicker making classes.”

For further information visit: www.nimblethimbles.co.uk

Swindon Life Celebrating town living

Riders set to rock up for 4th annual Urban Rider Games Talented skaters, BMX and scooter riders are set to descend on Swindon to take part in the 4th annual Urban Rider Games.

The not-for-profit event will be taking place on 30 March, in the ATBShop Skate Warehouse in Hawksworth Industrial Estate.

Last year's event attracted about 500 spectators and riders. More than 120 competitors took part.

The aim of the event is to raise awareness for better free facilities for young riders. The Oasis Skatepark is now in a dilapidated state and it’s the same story with many across the UK.

Organisers want councils to take the riders seriously and provide them with new parks or renovate the old ones.

The Urban Rider Games started four years ago, as a way to showcase the street sports talent in Swindon and prove the need for better free facilities in Swindon.

To find out more contact Diana Kirk on 01793 523244 Email: diana@atbshop.co.uk www.atbshop.co.uk/ urbanridergames

Advertising Feature

New Retirement Village moves into Wroughton Banks Place, the new McCarthy and Stone Retirement Living development in Wroughton is attracting significant levels of interest from local retirees.

The new Retirement Living development will provide an ideal downsizing option for retirees seeking the privacy that comes with owning your own home; but with the added benefit that all the external maintenance is taken care of, and there is the opportunity to be part of a welcoming and

inclusive community.

Aimed at those aged 60 and over, the new development will comprise 38 one and two bedroom apartments, and will feature a homeowner’s lounge and a fantastic guest suite for when friends or family come and stay.

Kim Caldwell, Regional Sales and Marketing Director for McCarthy and Stone Southern, said: “Our Wroughton development has already attracted significant levels of interest from

older homeowners who are interested in downsizing to a lower maintenance property in the area. It’s important that people are able to stay close to friends or family in later life, and this development will help us make a really positive impact upon the local area”.

Wroughton will feature a 24 hour state of the art security system and on-site parking.

A dedicated House Manager will oversee the running of the development with all external maintenance, gardening and

landscaping taken care of.

Wroughton offers the perfect combination of rural living, while being just a short walk away from the village centre where supermarkets, cafes and shops can be found. The village is also conveniently located within reach of Swindon city centre, which is easily accessible via a regular bus service.

For further information about Banks Place call 0800 153 3716, or visit www.mccarthyandstone.co.uk

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“Making Life Better”

Neutering Clinics are back!

Great discounts on neutering during April.

Contact your closest clinic to book.

Laparoscopic spay also available but hurry as appointments are limited.

62-64 Purton Road, Swindon SN2 2LZ. Tel: 01793 526780 1A Oppenheimer, Greenbridge Road SN3 3LH. Tel: 01793 511267 39B Station Road, Royal Wootton Bassett SN4 7ED. Tel: 01793 230266

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Excitement builds for Swindon Festival of Literature Planning is now almost complete for this year’s Swindon Festival of Literature.

The event will run from 7-19th May. The full 40-page programme, hot off the press, will be unveiled at midday on Thursday 22 March at a launch party in the Courtyard at Swindon Central Library.

Already in the programme for May are novelist and

Matt Holland,director of the Swindon Festival of Literature

broadcaster Will Self, with his challenging book Phone; the longest-serving female MP Harriet Harman with her book A Woman’s Work; author of best-selling Why Mummy Drinks, Gill Sims; philosopher A C Grayling, who will talk about the nature of democracy today; amazing oldest gold medal-winning runner Jo Pavey with her book This Mum Runs; popular poet Pam Ayres; great granddaughter of Emily, Dr Helen Pankhurst; tennis coach and mother of champions Judy Murray, with her book

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Knowing the Score; queen of folksingers Peggy Seeger, with her book First Time Ever; children’s author and broadcaster Michael Rosen; artificial intelligence expert Professor Alan Winfield; outspoken broadcaster and writer Afua Hirsch with her book on what it means to be British; international authority on urban change Charles Landry; the chief Executive of Arts Council England Darren Heaney with his book on why it makes sense to invest in the Arts and Culture;

controversial carer Camila Batmanghelidjh, with her book Kids: Child Protection in Britain; former Punk musician and now brilliant writer Viv Albertine; Booker Prize winner Ben Okri; renegade economist Kate Raworth on Doughnut Economics; and family and relationships researcher Dr Anna Machin with her book on the role of dads today!

Among more than fifty events spread over two weeks, there will also be a number of Festival standing dishes, which include the first-day early-morning Dawn Chorus in Lawn Woods; a health and story-walk, a freedom run and circus fun in Lydiard Park; the unique Swindon Think Slam; a Children & Families Weekend; the twenty-second Swindon Poetry Slam; and the fabulous Poems, Pints, and Music Finale!

For further information, telephone 01793 771080 or e-mail swindonlitfest@ lowershawfarm.co.uk

Swindon Spotlight

YOUR GUIDE TO THE MONTH AHEAD In the community

Book now...

FREE MONTHLY ART EXHIBITIONS AT DARKROOM ESPRESSO

On The Wall is a collaboration between Rich Franklin (pictured above/co-founder of Most Hiii) and Stefan Pysanczyn (co-founder of Anarchy Soirée), whose aim is to promote and and showcase art work in a range of mediums for free.

Talking with Rich his motives are very simple, it’s executing the projects that has been most challenging. With that in mind he explained that the response from artists towards these exhibitions has been incredibly positive, it’s been finding venue owners who share the same ideals which seems to be a recurring problem. That’s where Darkroom comes in.

Rich said: “On The Wall wants to give people a platform, so every month we’re looking to exhibit an artist’s work in Darkroom and hopefully bring some like-minded people together."

Visit Darkoom Espresso at 11 Faringdon Road, SN1 5AR

JOE LYCETT

8 Out Of 10 Cats favourite Birmingham-born comedian, Joe Lycett, is embarking on his huge 2018 tour I'm About To Lose Control and I Think Joe Lycett, heading to the Wyvern Theatre 6 April . Here he'll be telling tales of internet trolling and other mischievous and millennial mishaps.

Tickets SOLD OUT www.swindontheatres.co.uk

42ND STREET

42nd Street, ‘The mother of all showbiz musicals’ is the song and dance, American dream fable of Broadway, featuring the iconic songs: We’re In The Money, Lullaby of Broadway, Shuffle Off To Buffalo, Dames and 42nd Street - 13 to 14 April at the Wyvern Theatre.

Tickets from £17 to £22 www.swindontheatres.co.uk

PENGUINS

Birmingham Repertory Theatre, Prime Theatre and Cahoots NI present Penguins at Swindon's Wyvern Theatre from 23 to 24 April.

Penguins is a unique and engaging show for children about friendship, fun, identity and the ever-changing meaning of family.

Tickets from £3 to £9 www.swindontheatres.co.uk

Venues Arts Centre, Devizes Road SN1 4BJ. Tel: 01793 524481 www.swindontheatres.co.uk Central Community Centre, Emlyn Square SN1 5BP. Tel: 01793 420649 The Platform, Faringdon Road, Swindon SN1 5BJ Phoenix Theatre, New College Drive, Swindon, SN3 1AH. Tel: 01793 732889 The Rolleston, 73 Commercial Road, Swindon SN1 5NX. Tel: 01793 534238 Shoebox Theatre, Theatre Square, Swindon SN1 1QN. Tel: 07340 758497 St Michael’s Hall Lechlade Road, Highworth, SN6 7HQ. Tel: 01793 763907

Roves Farm, Sevenhampton, Nr Highworth SN6 7QG. Tel: 01793 763939 Shoebox Theatre, Theatre Square, Swindon SN1 1QN. Email: shoebox@wrongshoes.co.uk Swindon Information Centre, Central Library SN1 1QG. Tel: 01793 530328 Swindon Museum and Art Gallery, Bath Road SN1 4BA. Tel: 01793 466556 The Victoria, 88 Victoria Road, SN1 3BD. Tel: 01793 535713 Wyvern Theatre, Theatre Square SN1 1QN. Tel: 01793 524481 - www.swindontheatres.co.uk Confirm date, time & price with venue

l James, 10, and Daniel, 9, from Stratton are running to raise money in aid of British Heart Foundation and Prostate Cancer. The brothers are inviting the community to their upcoming event: Saturday 21 April – five aside football tournament at Play Football from 12pm to 3pm.

Cups will be awarded to the winners, with a surprise and signed football to be auctioned off, and a signed t-shirt to be won in the raffle. l Life Drawing Workshop at Theatre Square's Artsite and The Post Modern, 21 April at 10am.

For further information contact workshop@artsite.ltd.uk l This month's Memory Café, at the Wyvern Theatre, for people living with Dementia and their carers will be taking place Thursday 19 April at 10.30am to 12pm. This particular session will see a visit and talk from Helen Browning Organics. The session is free and open for anybody to attend. l Friday 6 April marks the official opening night of Swindon's 2018 Fringe Festival.

Kicking of the night at The Crossing will be live music from Gilmore n' Jazz, followed

by Swindon comedian Tony Cowards. Guests will recieve a complimentary glass of champagne. For tickets visit www.swindonfringefestival. com l Coinciding with Earth Day, this year's Eco Fest takes place in Savernake Street Hall 22 April from 11am to 5pm. swindonlink.com n April 2018

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Go wild over the Easter Holidays LONGLEAT SAFARI PARK Predators: The Killer Animatronic Exhibition - 24 March to 3 September Longleat's latest exhibition promises to make the Easter holidays 'extra wild' by letting loose some of the deadliest and fastest animals from across the globe around the park.

14 animatronic animals will be dotted across Longleat for children to spot and explore, from the African Lion and spitting cobra, to the anglerfish.

The exhibition is included in the price of a Day Ticket or Annual Pass and available throughout the day in Longleat's Main Square.

ROVES FARM Easter Bunny - 30 March to 15 April This Easter Roves Farm is bringing back the Easter Bunny equppied with a basket full of chocolate Daily activities include meeting and feeding Roves' animals in the Pets Corner, egg collecting, tractor rides, arts and crafts, and brush the donkey.

This is a wonderful opportunity for families to be on a working farm.

STUDLEY GRANGE Craft Village and Butterfly World Throughout the year Studley Grange offers a whole array of activities for families to enjoy, with Easter being no exception, with a Farm Park, Zoo Area, Butterfly World, and Crafts Centre. The park has recently welcomed 10 piglets and a baby Kangaroo for guests to visit.

BRISTOL ZOO Easter at Bristol Zoo - 24 March to 8 April Bristol Zoo have an array of Easter activties to celebrate Spring. Seasonal festivities include Egg Discovery Trail, Easter Craft, I Spy, and Guess Who? During the zoo's Easter period an adult ticket includes free entry for a child.

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COTSWOLD WILDLIFE PARK Situated in the rural scenes of Oxfordshire, Cotswold Wildlife Park is a fabulous family day out - even for dogs.

Exhibits include Birds, Mammals, Primates, and Reptiles and Amphibians, with the opportunity to see a wide range of animals from giraffes and lions, to crocodiles and monkeys. The Park also offers a tour on their Narrow-Gauge Railway which takes guests around all the exhibits.

Daily activities include Children's Farmyard, an adventure playground, Lemur Feeding Talk, and Penguin Feeding.

Swindon Lives IN CONVERSATION WITH: Rob Brown

By Ben Fitzgerald ben@swindonlink.com When accountant Rob Brown found himself between contracts, he seized on the enforced break as an ideal opportunity to unleash his creative side - by finally getting down to writing the humorous novel that he had been mulling over for years.

Pub Rules of the Eighties tells the story of Chris Venkman as he navigates his way through those all important rites of passage familiar to anyone of a certain age - peppered with topical song references.

The father of two, from West Swindon, explained: "Much of the story is inevitably based on my own personal experiences and people I remember. It was great fun to write.

"I like to think that I have always had this creative side to me. But also, because I'm an accountant, I made sure that I planned out the writing of this novel in quite some detail. By the end of the planning stage there were post-it notes on every available surface."

Once the idea

had been committed to note form, Rob managed to hammer out a first draft in six months, from August 2016 to February 2017. He explained that he then spent a further six months editing and reducing his 100,000 words to a tightly written 80,000.

"I didn't really have a set writing routine, I just turned to it as and when I could, fitting it around the rest of our family life. But I always tried to make sure that I wrote something every day. Sometimes I would sit down to write and I would be there for six hours at a stretch, but on other days it could just be 20 minutes."

Rob is no stranger to writing and, a keen pub quizzer, he has previously compiled a large collection of pub quiz questions - only to be told by publishers that his collection could not be published because of copyright headaches

involving publication of song lyrics.

Fans of Rob's character Chris Venkman will be pleased to learn that there are two further installments of his adventures in the pipeline with the working titles The Awfulness of Work and All Advice is Rubbish.

But Rob says that we will have to wait for a while to find out what happens to Chris as both are works in progress.

Pub Rules of the Eighties is available in hardback from Lulu publishing www.lulu. com for ÂŁ19.95.

Accountant turned author Rob Brown in one of his favourite haunts The Tawny Owl pub.

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SERVICE SECTOR

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