South Swindon Link

No 37 September 2019

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Swindon

LINK Your Community Magazine

Life's a beach in Swindon town centre p4

South Edition

Swindon and Proud: The town turns out for Pride 2019 Page 6 Funding bid to improve Old Town

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Page 3 Your guide to school open days

Page 14

Page 21 Bangers and beer: Swindon celebrates the perfect combo at the Sausage and Ale Trail

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Bid made for Old Town for £2m Action Zone grant Old Town could be the latest area of Swindon to benefit from significant government funding after Swindon Borough Council submitted a bid to The High Streets Heritage Action

By Group Editor Jamie Hill Zones programme. jamie@positive-media.co.uk The £40m funding Modern life is a fast-changing programme forms part of hectic place nowadays. the Government’s Future High Society is an unrecognisable Street Fund and has been place from a couple of decades allocated to Historic England ago. for work to support historic Tastes, fashions, music, culture, high streets. technology and even the way The council is bidding for we speak seems to change on a £2m to invest in public space day to day basis. along High Street and into It's easy, more so as you get Wood Street to complement older, to feel like the world the redevelopment of the has left you behind. My dad nearby Old Town Hall and for instance never sent a single Corn Exchange. email in his entire life (although If successful, the funding he did embrace texting in his would also be used to identify later years). and address a current The pace of these changes shortage of parking in Old seems to be accelerating too.

Town, improve the directional Things that were the norm are signage in the Old Town no longer the norm. area and use signage to For me a lot of this 'progress' highlight buildings of historical has been for the good significance. especially when it comes to A project officer to cobigotry and prejudice as ordinate projects and liaise there is a movement towards with local groups would be the fact that we're all humans appointed to oversee the and we're all in this together investment within the Old Town no matter what religion, race, Conservation Area. class, orientation or disability The bid has been supported we are. by groups such as the Old But one of the things that Town Business Association, hasn't changed in Swindon is its Friends of Swindon and sense of community no matter Museum and Art Gallery and what background we come Prospect Place Conservation from.

Trust.

And that is what we thrive It is hoped a successful on here at Swindon Link Historic High Street bid will - celebrating our diverse replicate the work taking place community.

Group Editor and Owner: Jamie Hill Deputy Editor: Ben Fitzgerald Reporter: Claire Dukes

Sales Admin Manager: Sue Roberts Sales: Dave Stewart and Rosy Presley Office Manager: Karen Randall Photography:

Elizabeth Reaney

Chairman of Old Town Business Association Richard Deacon and Coun Dale Heeenan

in the Heritage Action Zone in the town’s Railway Village where funding from Historic England is being used to bring community groups together to improve heritage buildings and the local environment.

One of the aims of the HAZ is also to secure a funding for the Mechanics’ Institute.

Councillor Dale Heenan, Swindon Borough Council’s Cabinet Member for the Town Centre, said: “Old Town was Swindon's original town centre in the 1850s and is a feather in Swindon’s cap. It is where you find our independent shops, restaurants and nightlife.

“The charm of Wood

Street and its successful local businesses continue to draw people in, and it is important we do everything we can to bring Cricklade Street, the High Street and the Corn Exchange back to their former glory.

“I believe Old Town should be recognised as an Historic High Street, and this is why we have applied for £2 million in funding. It is a long shot, but we must be more positive about our town, try to find ways to make visible improvements to the area outside of the Corn Exchange, and promote an area of Swindon which played such a key role in our town's history.”

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Got a community story or feature? Contact newsdesk at publisher@swindonlink.com or 01793 320043 swindonlink.com n September 2019

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Seaside fun in the sun, in the town centre!

Visitors to Swindon Town centre were treated to a virtual day out at the seaside - thanks to the urban beach initiative.

Back for its second year, the Urban Beach at Wharf Green proved popular amongst residents, with families lounging on deck chairs and children making sand castles. inSwindon BID CEO, Di Powell, said: “We are overwhelmed

with the positive feedback and support for this year’s Urban Beach Experience, not only from our visitors but from local businesses and strategic partners. Hundreds of children and visitors joined us daily to take part in a range of free activities.

"The events we produce are so important in bringing the community together, increasing

footfall and spend for our businesses and encouraging local people to love the town they live in. Our next event is the annual Student Lockdown, taking place on Monday 30 September."

Swindon Mayor Kevin Parry, Chief Constable Kier Pritchard and Inspector Dave Hobman also headed to Swindon's beach this summer.

Alison Onslow visited the beach with her granddaughter.

She said: “This has been such a great holiday attraction and so good that it was free.

We also spent time shopping and having lunch in town which we might not have done otherwise.”

For more information about all town centre events visit www.swindontowncentre.co.uk

Baby shark pays a visit Welcome to the new curiosity shop

Visitors to Swindon town centre were treated to a visit by Baby Shark, and his friend Pinkfong.

The YouTube stars, made famous by their memorable song, which went viral last year, met their fans at The Entertainer, the children’s toy shop in The Brunel Centre, near to Havelock Square.

Craig Lowe from The Entertainer said: “We were really pleased that we were able to bring Baby Shark and Pinkfong to Swindon.

They are really popular and we had a lot of people come and meet these two jolly and colourful characters.”

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A pre-loved clothes and curiosities shop has just re-launched in Swindon Town Centre.

Curio in the Brunel Shopping Arcade, is run by mother and daughter Dawn and Ember Welson.

The shop sells second-hand clothes and bags plus an array of interesting and individual items, such as pre-loved and vintage jewellery, trinkets, glassware and collectables.

Dawn and Ember used to run a charity shop together but decided that they wanted to have a go at running their own business. Dawn said: “Shoppers may remember us as Urban Thrift because that’s how we started out. The clothes and handbags have been really popular so we decided that we wanted to create more than just a second-hand shop.

"Ember has a real eye for finding really interesting vintage curiosities so we’ve decided to launch Curio and now stock

even more really interesting bits and pieces. It’s quite an eclectic mix!”

Ember, who designed the shop's Art Deco look, said: “I’m really pleased how the décor has turned out; customers have been very encouraging and saying how nice the store is. I’m now planning to absolutely fill it with treasure – I want to create a shop that people keep coming back to, to see what interesting item they can find.

"It’s nice seeing customers spot things that they remember from the past. I love older and pre-owned items; they can have so much character and are often well-made and tell a story from the past.

You can also find Curio on the internet see www.facebook.com/CurioSwindon or Instagram: curio_online.

Curio is located opposite Jewellers F.Hinds on the ground floor of the Brunel Shopping Arcade in Swindon Town Centre.

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OPEN EVENTS 2019

OPEN EVENING

Thursday 3rd October 2019 6pm-8pm

OPEN DAY TOURS

Available on: 9th, 11th, 16th & 18th October 2019 at 9am, 10am or 11.15am

01793 525231 enquiries@dorcan.co.uk www.dorcan.co.uk

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Thousands turn out for Swindon & Wiltshire Pride 2019 After a year hiatus, Swindon & Wiltshire Pride came back with a bang for 2019.

Last month thousands lined the streets of Old Town in support of Swindon's LGBTQ+ community for Swindon & Wiltshire Pride.

Speaking of the event Phoenix Stewart, Pride's parade manager, said: "We are so ecstatic with how the event went. We are still so excited and really pleased at how successful it was.

"10,000 people attended the event throughout the day, 700 people took part in the Parade - a new record - and over 300 people attended our After Party event at Level 3.

"We've had many comments online, in person and emails, congratulating us on a well run, free and amazing pride event!

"A big thank you to Nationwide as our Main Sponsor, and all our other sponsors who helped make pride happen.

"A huge thank you to our Army of volunteers who helped make the day run smoothly and to the community who support Swindon & Wiltshire Pride, all year round.

"We will have a couple of weeks off, before planning starts again for Swindon & Wiltshire Pride 2020."

To get involved with Swindon & Wiltshire Pride 2020 email swinwiltspride@live.co.uk.

For further information visit www. swindonwiltshirepride.co.uk

Photographs by Elizabeth Reaney

Old Town residents take action on parking problems and highlight need to go green

By Linda Kasmaty Old Town Residents Association

We invited Councillor Gary Sumner, Cabinet Member for Strategic Planning, to our last committee meeting to discuss the Council’s proposals to rezone the St Margaret’s Road area with respect to parking.

The new draft parking standards put the area in the town centre, where new developments do not need to provide any parking spaces. The consultation on “draft parking standards for new development” continues until 20 September and the documents and an online questionnaire can be found on the SBC website. Committee members will give feedback about changes to boundaries or parking restrictions in the area. We would encourage local residents to have their say about the proposals.

We discussed how to encourage people to lead 6

car-free lives, and how park and rides in other towns have been used to ease town centre congestion. Cllr Sumner informed us that each new dwelling has to have an electric car charging point, and there will be charging points in car parks in anticipation of an increase in the number of electric cars. We were pleased to hear that the Junction 16 tunnel will be completed before 2021. The route will bypass Kingshill, which is good news if it reduces traffic on that road. Apparently 1090 houses must be built in Swindon each year, identified in the Local Plan. If developers can’t make 20% profit, they deem the project unviable, hence the

time taken to build on various pieces of land. Also on the “Consultation, Engagements and Surveys” page on the SBC website is a link to the consultation on the draft Local Plan, which ends on 23 September. The Local Plan documents are available for comment on that site and at some libraries.

The Hesketh Play Area refurbishment has been completed, and has general approval from children and adults. Litter bins will be added soon.

A 65-bed retirement home is being built on Pipers Way. Marlborough Park residents are to be consulted on the introduction of parking

restrictions from 10am to noon to deter non-residents from parking there. The Town Gardens gates will soon be removed for refurbishment, and will hopefully be returned

by October for the 125year grand reopening. The developer who owns the Clifton St School is appealing against the Council’s demand that he make good the damage he has done to the structure. South Swindon Parish has objected to an application for a House of Multiple Occupation on Bath Road because of serious problems with the plans.

Join: www.facebook.com/ groups/924173247703387 Gardening dates: aWed 11 Sept, 10am at Mr Cod aSat 14 Sept, 10am at Marriott roundabout on Marlborough Road Next meeting: a16 Sept, 7.30pm in the Wheatsheaf

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Youth definitely matters at Swindon 105.5 More live and local music will be heard on your local radio station, as Swindon 105.5’s Youth Matters team moves to a new time slot.

Maxine, Luke and Joe have moved to a new Tuesday 7-9pm slot and gain an hour, to include live and local music in the second hour of their programme.

Youth Matters presenter Luke Jones said: "This is a brilliant opportunity and having the additional hour allows us to have more of a balance between our two favourite subjects - youth issues and music."

The Station has proactively promoted local music, singers and songwriters since launching in 2008, co-ran Swindon Talent with the Swindon Advertiser for three years, providing a platform for a wide range of local talent which saw some artists changing their lives, including Jahmene Douglas who went on to take second place in ITV's X-Factor and recently

came back to Swindon to perform in the MFor Festival.

He said: “Swindon 105.5 is the place to get your music heard and the Station does an excellent job in providing opportunities. Shirley and the team have always been there for me.”

It’s all change, as Keith Vowles hung up his headphones and left the Tuesday evening programme he presented since the Radio Station launched.

“Music Box” played a mix of music from listener requests every week. But he will still open the studios and greet visitors on Tuesday mornings.

To get your music on air, events promoted, requests played or appear as a guest on the show call 611555 or email info@swindon1055.com.

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Marathon shelved Organisers of the Swindon Half Marathon have announced that this September's event will be the last due to financial pressures.

Race directors Graeme Hardie and Leigh Bint explained: "Unfortunately, despite our best efforts, we’ve not been able to make it work financially.

"The break even point for the event is around 3,500, which is a number we’ve yet to achieve, and is looking very unlikely to be achieved in 2019.

"The 2019 Race, to be held in a little over 2 months on September 22, is still open for entries on our website, and we would love to be able to send it off with our biggest runner numbers and atmosphere yet "Thanks for being part of this amazing journey."

Shape the future

Members of the public are being invited to share their views to help Swindon Borough Council choose where best to site homes and businesses in years to come. The consultation, which runs until September 23, will help the council refresh its Local Plan, which sets out how much housing Swindon needs over 20-years.

The current Local Plan runs to 2026 but needs to be updated to plan ahead to 2036. Take part by logging on to www.swindon. gov.uk and clicking on ‘Consultations, Engagement and Surveys’.

Joined up care

First City Nursing & Care have teamed up with Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue to help people live independently.

First City will refer people who might benefit from a visit from the Fire and Rescue Service under their Safe and Well Service.

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Annual conference tackling PTSD

By Jamie Hill jamie@positive-media.co.uk

How can a human not be affected psychologically after suffering terrible injuries or witnessing horror piled upon horror?

Swindon Trauma Group will be tackling these issues and others at its 10th annual conference to be held on 18 October from 9am to 5.30pm at The Marriot Hotel. There will also be a meal in the evening as part of the event.

Apart from war though what about the national disasters from Aberfan to across the world, such as The Granville Train Disaster in NSW Australia, not forgetting the wars and conflicts from 1901 onwards including the Korean War and Northern Ireland? Did people get the psychological support they would have needed? Probably not! The Conference in October will address these issues.

The Nursing Times, as far back as March 1994, did three excellent articles with the emphasis on support for nursing staff after trauma and allowing people permission to mourn and not be under pressure to “get over it”.

Swindon Trauma Group has been going a number of years with a lot of support locally and nationally.

Symptoms of Post-Traumatic Stress can develop when a person is subjected to an event considered outside the realms of usual human experience which can include, for example, multiple physical childhood trauma, where the child can experience the pain returning time and time again. If the symptoms persist for more than four weeks, or the psychological symptoms return months or years later, the person may well have

developed Post-TraumaticStress Disorder which can devastate not only individuals but also families and groups.

Subjects covered at this year's conference will include the tenacity of how two mums fought the war on drugs, raising the awareness of mental health and PTSD, therapy through animals, coping mechanisms and music therapy. There will also be a presentation on the Grenfell Tower Disaster, entitled ‘Lessons Learnt’.

For further information please ring 07505 476139 or view at www.

SwindonTraumaGroup.org.uk

Expect the Unexpected with Swindon's new tourism website New tourism website Visit Swindon has been launched aimed at attracting people looking to explore the town's cultural offering and is also a useful resource for local people planning a weekend or school holiday itinerary.

Already famous for its railway heritage, visitors to the site are being told to Expect the Unexpected as the spotlight is shone on some of the town's hidden gems.

Developed by Swindon-based design and branding agency Jazzbones Creative, and supported by Reuben Digital, in conjunction with Switch On To Swindon, the site offers visitors to the site up-to-date information about events and places to shop, eat, and sleep.

The site targets different audiences with sections based on family days out, green days out, heritage, shopping, arts, culture, and the nighttime economy, and gives a comprehensive list of venues.

Exhibitions, festivals, theatre

shows, comedy, concerts and more can be found in the What's On section.

Meanwhile, local businesses and organisations – especially those working in and around the tourism and leisure sectors – are urged to submit their own relevant content for inclusion.

The Jazzbones team hope to encourage contributors to add news, events, and blogs articles to the site.

The site is already attracting healthy traffic with savvy SEO achieving great results on Google and other search engines.

“Over the last few years we have worked on a number of exciting projects with Swindon Borough Council and Switch on to Swindon, and in many ways the Visit Swindon website is

the culmination of that fulfilling journey,” said Jazzbones founder and creative director Nathan Sandhu.

“Jazzbones work with highprofile clients throughout the UK, but nothing gives us more pleasure than projects that raise Swindon’s profile.

"Every one of our design team was born, bred and lives in Swindon, so the Visit Swindon project is a real labour of love.”

The Visit Swindon website can be found at www.visitswindon. org.uk, on Facebook at Visit Swindon, on Twitter at @visit_ swindon, and on Instagram at Visit_Swindon

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Swindon’s Children’s Services rated as ‘Good’ by Ofsted

By Jamie Hill jamie@positive-media.co.uk

Ofsted has praised “the swift and decisive action to improve services for children and young people in Swindon” after a recent inspection.

Ofsted was so impressed by the rapid rate of improvement within Swindon Borough Council’s Children’s Services department, it judged Children’s Services to be providing the children and families of Swindon with a ‘good’ service.

The two-week inspection of the services that help and protect children took place at the beginning of July.

Inspectors carried out an indepth look at everything the Council does to protect children in the Borough and judged the impact of leaders on social work practice with children and families to be ‘good’.

Ofsted wrote: “Services to respond to children in need of help and protection are

now good. Arrangements to facilitate the delivery of consistently good services for children in care are firmly in place.”

The report added: “Governance arrangements have been strengthened, and a new chief executive and lead member have been appointed. Political leaders have ensured that there is corporate commitment across all Directorates to the wider children’s safeguarding agenda in Swindon.

“The quality of leadership and management at all levels in Swindon is a key strength and the senior leadership team is ambitious, energetic and assured in the oversight and delivery of services to children and their families. Senior leaders have demonstrated a good awareness of weaknesses, as well as strengths in the performance and quality of practice.

Improvements have now been

sustained in most areas of practice.

“There has been a significant increase in the financial investment in children’s services.”

Inspectors also noted how more children and families are receiving support through the newly-created Early Help Hub and how an increase in preventative services has reduced the number of children and families needing statutory support.

The Council’s ‘Good’ judgement replaces the previous ‘Requires

Improvement’ rating, which was awarded following an inspection in 2014.

David Haley, Swindon Borough Council’s Corporate Director of Children’s Services, said: “I am delighted that Ofsted has recognised the significant improvements that have taken place across Children’s Services that ensures children and families get a good service when needed.

“It is heartening that Ofsted recognise that we know ourselves well and have addressed all of the priorities from previous inspections."

Wichelstowe and will feature a mix of apartments and houses.

The first residents will be able to move in next year.

Dan Pavely, Project Director for Wichelstowe, said: “Awarding the groundworks contract to Conlon is a significant appointment for

the development and signals that work is about to start in earnest. Conlon is a wellrespected local company and part of our remit is to support local jobs."

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Wichelstowe awards groundworks contract to local company The joint venture company building homes in Wichelstowe has appointed its first significant contractor of the new phase.

Cricklade based civil engineering company Conlon Ltd has been awarded the contract for the groundworks to support the first 208 homes and will begin work this month.

Conlon is an experienced family business which employs more than 280 people in north east Wiltshire and delivers important contracts across the south west. At Wichelstowe it will be responsible for delivering the earthworks, substructure and drainage prior to the construction of the properties.

Wichelstowe is being built by a joint venture company between Swindon Borough Council and Barratt Developments plc. Over the next 20 years, it will build around 3,000 new homes on a 250-hectare area of land.

Wichelstowe, which will be

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built on what is currently a large area of green land, will include three primary schools and a secondary school.

The first phase of the development, from housebuilders Barratt Homes and David Wilson Homes, is named Canalside @

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New care pathway GWH has introduced a more specialist approach to caring for older patients whose visit is unplanned.

The new pathway has been designed to focus on the complex needs of older patients.

Results from a successful pilot last year, has prompted Swindon Clinical Commissioning Group to fund the innovative way of working.

Patients are now assessed by a multidisciplinary team of nursing, therapy and social care staff and seen by a geriatrician much earlier.

Treatment is now likely to begin sooner and more patients are able to leave hospital the same day, with those who need to stay, receiving care on a specialist older person’s ward where possible.

The new way of working has led to 80 per cent of older patients being seen by a geriatrician within 24 hours, with some patients previously waiting up to three days.

Name change ignites progressive move forward for ladies football club Wiltshire’s highest-ranked football club, - Swindon Town Ladies - which has operated under that name since its founding in 1993, is proud to announce that it will move forward as Swindon Town Women.

They make the step following another strong showing from the England Women’s side in this year’s World Cup, with the Lionesses performances inspiring a generation of girls to take up the game, and encouraging new fans to the women’s game.

Swindon Town Women’s first team manager, Dan Jones, said: “This name change represents a huge step for the club as we look to move towards the modern terminology around women’s football. I’m proud to be part of this new chapter in the club’s history.”

Club captain Polly New added: “Changing the club’s name from Swindon Town Ladies to Women is a massive

step forward for us. As the top division clubs and leagues are all branded as ‘Women’s’, it puts us on the same page.

Highlighting the example of the recent FIFA Women’s World Cup, in which support and viewership of the England national team reached unprecedented levels, New said the environment was ripe for new engagement with the sport.

She said: "Women’s football has definitely witnessed a

turning point in these last few months, with everyone, young to old, getting behind the sport.

“For me the new ‘W’ in our name doesn’t only stand for ‘Women’ – it stands for working together, within a team, winning together, but most of all standing together as a whole squad, to bring everyone in as one.”

Hardworking GWH staff treated to wellbeing day

Avoid dementia risk A recent study has suggested that healthy lifestyle choices can lower your risk of dementia, even if it runs in the family.

The study, carried out by the University of Exeter, followed nearly 200,000 people and showed the risk fell by up to a third if participants gave up smoking, limited alcohol intake, changed their diet and increased exercise.

The study showed there were 18 cases of dementia per 1,000 people if they were born with high risk genes and then led an unhealthy lifestyle.

That went down to 11 per 1,000 people during the study, if those highrisk people had a healthy lifestyle.

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NHS staff at Great Western Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust were treated to a free all-day health and wellbeing event at the hospital - reflecting the trust's pride in its staff and volunteers.

Massage therapists, skin and makeup experts and health and wellbeing advisors

came together to offer staff treatments designed to relax, comfort and de-stress.

Sam Walklett, Health and Wellbeing Advisor, said: “We are committed to investing resources in our staff to keep them mentally and physically fit and well.

“This ensures that they

are coming to work in the best frame of mind and will provide the best quality care to patients without any other stresses or distractions.

“Of course, our patients are our priority, but we cannot provide the appropriate care if our staff are not being properly looked after too.”

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South Swindon Parish Council Autumn 2019 newsletter

Dear Parishioners The last quarter since the allout election in May has been extremely busy.

Once again, we are very pleased with the StreetSmart team who have kept on top of the grass cutting. Our StreetSmart litter picking and litter bin emptying schedule through the summer has also been a success and we thank the team for their flexibility. Routes are being monitored to address a small number of littering black spots.

Unfortunately, there has been a marked increase in fly-tipping.

Although fly-tipping is not a

responsibility of the Parish, it does have an impact on our duties. We are in discussion with the Borough Council to see how best we can address this.

The Parish Council commissioned No Added Sugar, a participatory arts organisation, to paint a mural in the underpass from Coate Water under Queens Drive. This was done with the help of 420 children and staff from Lawns Primary school using paint donated by Brewers Decorator Centre. Many thanks to all that took part. The result is stunning and we hope to commission similar projects in the future.

Old Town Library

Mural

The Summer has been good at Old Town Library, which is now open on Mondays taking our opening to six days a week.

The drop-in quiz for seniors on the 4th Wednesday of the month from 2pm - 3pm is very popular with a hot drink, a chat with friends and a chance to remember a bit of general knowledge - all for fun!

Our primary aged users have been busy reading over the holiday as they take part in The Summer Reading Challenge. They have also been taking part in our holiday activity The Rubber Ducky Club, an early literacy programme to encourage the skills of reading, talking, writing, playing and singing together.

As always, we have new books in every week so do pop in and browse. For the latest news and events please follow the Old Town Library Swindon Facebook page.

Youth Work

The Parish Council is in the process of creating a youth work programme. Projects are currently being identified and will likely commence after the school holidays and include breakfast clubs, football in the community and outreach work.

We are pleased to announce that we have secured the lease for GWR Park on Faringdon Road. The Parish Gardens Working Party will put a plan in place to return the formal flower beds to the Church Place in conjunction with an apprentice gardener scheme.

Due to the greatly increased footfall for Old Town Library, the Parish has agreed to additional opening hours on Monday. The success of the Library for all generations has more than justified the decision to save the library from closure and invest in the refurbishment program.

Chris Watts, Parish Chair

A mural commissioned by the Parish Council has brightened up a subway beneath Queens Drive. The mural depicting wildflowers is positioned along a proposed green corridor that runs for five miles through the Parish connecting important wildlife habitat.

Lawn Primary School took part in the project which was painted by children from year five through to year six pupils. The children took part in their classes and really enjoyed the experience.

Play Areas refurbishments Refurbishment works have now been completed in the play areas at Savernake Street, Hesketh Crescent, Lordsmith Green, Rushey Platt and Munro Close.

Further refurbishment projects are currently being identified across the remaining play areas and Councillors will be consulting with local groups and residents.

Broadgreen Street Food Festival

South Swindon Parish Council held the second Broadgreen Community Centre Street Food Festival on Sunday 16th June. The festival was moved to the Sunday for its second year and it proved popular with eventgoers.

Food stalls included Swindon’s own Kutting Chai, Rays Ice Cream, Hjalpande Hande and Samosas 2 Go and Food by Sophie brought their Caribbean flavours from nearby Bristol.

Broadgreen Community Centre volunteers staffed a stall of freshly picked strawberries from Lotmead Farm in Wanborough served with organic cream from Berkeley Farm in In Bloom Wroughton.

In July the Parish Council The stage was brilliantly managed by joined judges from Britain comperes Graham Seaman from BBC In Bloom on a tour of the Wiltshire and Shirley Ludford from Swindon wonderful open spaces 105.5. Cllr Junab Ali shared his experiences and parks across the Parish. of his mayoral year and stage acts and The tour included Shaftesbury Lakes, the event organisers were interviewed for the Community Tree Avenue at Evelyn Street and urban crowds. gardens maintained by the Old Town Residents Entertainment came from Mr Love and Association, Town Gardens and Queens Park were Justice, The Goddard Ensemble, Ministry of also on the route. Judges were impressed by the Samba as well as dancing from the children variety of both community projects, public green of Holy Cross Catholic Primary School. spaces and formal gardens.

There were also photo opportunities with our The Parish submission is in the Pennant/Urban fabulous stilt walker and children could have category with the results being published in their faces painted.

October.

The weather was kind and it was really fantastic to see people enjoying the food on GWR Park offer and the entertainment on the stage.

The Parish Council has now obtained a ninety Next year’s event is already in the planning nine year lease for this much loved and well used stages with a proposed date of Sunday 14th recreation ground.

June 2020 and double the amount of food We will be looking to improve the park including stalls.

Hope to see you then. the possibility of replacing the play area.

Central Swindon South Parish Council

Broadgreen Community Centre, Salisbury Street, Swindon. SN1 2AN Clerk: Rob Core Telephone: 01793 312006 Earthworm Recording Studio's Jon Buckett - photograph by Jennifer Berry

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Website: www.southswindon-pc.gov.uk

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Amazon delivers a £2k boost Volunteers at a local charity received a special delivery this week when the team from Amazon’s Delivery Station in Swindon stopped by with a £2,000 donation.

Swindon Carers Centre received the donation as part of the ‘Amazon In The Community’ programme, whereby the company supports the communities around its operating locations across the UK. Swindon Carers Centre was established to provide help and support to the 21,000 carers in Swindon.

The organisation provides practical and emotional support to individuals carrying out a caring role for people with a physical or mental health condition, a learning disability or a drug or alcohol dependency.

The donation will go towards trips to Cineworld for the young carers aged 5 – 17, where they will enjoy a private cinema experience and a group meal afterwards.

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To mark the donation, members of Amazon’s Swindon Delivery Station team visited Swindon Carers Centre to meet some of the staff and volunteers.

Amazon’s Swindon Delivery Station Manager, Kyle Spiller, said: “On behalf of the Amazon team in Swindon I would like to say a big thank you to Swindon Carers Centre for inviting our team to meet some of the staff and volunteers. We’re pleased to provide this donation to such a worthy cause and hope it goes towards helping more carers within our community.”

Debbie Murphy-Myers, Service Delivery Manager, from Swindon Carers Centre added: “We’re really thankful to receive this support from Amazon in Swindon and it was great to meet the team. To have a business like Amazon behind us is really encouraging.

This donation will help many more young carers in Swindon to have a break from their caring role.”

swindonlink.com n September 2019

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NSBRC build ties with Swindon Town Footbal Club

The National Self Build & Renovation Centre has teamed up to support Swindon Town Football Club for the 2019/20 season.

The NSBRC will have two large display boards within the ground, as well as an advert in every match day programme, and on TVs within the stands, attracting fans who are interested in home improvement.

Harvey Fremlin, managing director at the NSBRC, said: “We are thrilled to support our home team for a second season.

We enjoyed working with Adam Wainwright and the commercial team last season and enjoyed taking our staff and clients to matches and meeting the team and backroom staff.

“We help people who are building new homes but also many who are improving their own houses, perhaps by building an extension, converting a loft or fitting a new kitchen or bathroom.

“I have been watching Swindon for over thirty years and my young son is a big fan too, so it is fantastic to be involved with the club. We wish Richie Wellens and his new-look team every success this season!”

For further information visit www.nsbrc.co.uk

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Lydiard Park Academy

Abbey Park School

New College

The essential guide to School Open Days in Swindon Haydonleigh Primary School

Badbury Park Primary School

Cricklade Manor Prep and Nursery

Open Day: Saturday 28 September, 10am - 1pm Presentation: 10:30 & 11:30am

Open Days: 8 Oct, 9.15am 17 Oct, 1.15pm 5 Nov, 9.15am

Open Day: Saturday 19 October, 10am - noon

01793 700443 admin@haydonleighschool.co.uk www.haydonleighschool.co.uk

01793 299101 admin@badburyparkprimary.co.uk www.badburyparkprimary.co.uk

01793 750275 Office@cricklademanor.com www.cricklademanor.com

St Leonard's CE Primary Academy

William Morris Primary School

Abbey Park School

Open Mornings: Wednesday 2 and Thursday 3 October, 9am - 11.30am Place available in some classes.

01793 721423 admin@stleonards.swindon.sch.uk www.stleonardsblunsdon.org.uk

Bradon Forest School Open Mornings: 30 Sept - 4 Oct, 9.15-10.30am 5 Oct, 9.30-11am. Book via website Open Evening: Thursday 26 Sept, 6-8pm.

7.30pm: Headteacher presentation 01793 770570 enquiry@bradonforest.wilts.sch.uk www.bradonforest.org.uk 14

7 Nov, 1.15pm 3 Dec, 9.15am 9 Jan, 9.15am

Nursery and Reception places available for 2019/20 Open Days: 15 Oct, 9.15am 12 Nov, 9.15am

15 Nov, 9.15am 29 Nov, 1.15pm 10 Jan, 9.15am

'Discover a lively and engaging school'

Open Mornings: 2 & 3 October, 9.15am Tour and Q&A. Book: 01793 705400 Sixth Form: Thursday 14 November Open Evenings: 17 & 18 September, 5-8pm

01793 299022 admin@williammorrisprimary.co.uk www.williammorrisprimary.co.uk

01793 705400 admin@abbeyparkschool.org.uk www.abbeyparkschool.org.uk

The Dorcan Academy

Farmor's School

Open Evening: 3 October, 6pm - 8pm

Open Mornings: Tues 1 & Wed 2 October Book Tour: 01285 712302 Open Evening: 26 September, 5-8pm.

Presentations: 5.15pm and 6.30pm.

01793 525231 enquiries@dorcan.co.uk www.dorcan.co.uk

01285 712302 admin@farmors.gloucs.sch.uk www.farmors.gloucs.sch.uk

Open Day tours: 9, 11, 16 & 18 October - 9am, 10am or 11.15am.

swindonlink.com n September 2019

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More events in the area The Deanery CE Academy Year 5 and 6 Open Evening: 26 September, 5pm - 8pm www.dcea.org.uk Swindon Academy Year 5 and 6 Open Evening: 25 September www.swindon-academy.org Kingsdown School Open Mornings: Every Thursday in September 2019 Open Evening: 26 September www.kingsdownschool.co.uk The Ridgeway School and Sixth Form College Open Evening: 12 Sept, 6-8pm Open Morning: 18 & 25 Sept, 9-10.30am www.ridgewayschool.com Swindon College Thursday 10 October, 5-7pm www.swindon.ac.uk UTC Swindon Saturday 5 October www.utcswindon.co.uk Oxford Brookes University 12 October, 23 November www.brookes.ac.uk Wiltshire College & University Centre Chippenham: 2 October Salisbury: 3 October Trowbridge: 10 October Lackham: 12 October www.wiltshire.ac.uk

St Joseph’s Catholic College Year 6 Open Evening: Wednesday 2 October, 5.30pm Find out more information about the curriculum, facilities and culture of the College.

01793 714200 info@stjosephscollege.net www.stjosephscollege.net

Great Western Academy Open Evenings: Year 6: 19 & 25 September, 5.307.30pm

Highworth Warneford School

Open Mornings: 7 Oct & 9 Oct. Tours: 9.10am & 10.10am. Book: 01793 767083

Sixth Form: 16 October, 5.30-7.30pm

Open Evening: 3 Oct, 5.30pm. Presentation: 7pm

01793 209700 Office@gwacademy.co.uk www.gwacademy.co.uk

01793 762426 llewis@warnefordschool.org www.warnefordschool.org

Lawn Manor Academy

Lydiard Park Academy

Open Evening: 26 September

Open Mornings: 3 & 4 October, 9am Book online

Kingsbury Green Academy Open Evening: 12 September 01249 818100 www.kingsburygreenacademy.com

Open Evenings: 10 & 11 September, 5.30-8pm

01793 487286 admin@lawnmanor.org www.lawnmanor.org

01793 874224 ask@lydiardparkacademy.org.uk www.lydiardparkacademy.org.uk

Nova Hreod Academy

Royal Wootton Bassett Academy

Open Evening: 19 September, 6-8pm

Pupil Experience Evening: 26 September, 6-8pm Open Mornings: 2 & 15 Oct, 17 March, 9-11am

Open Evenings: Whole School: Wednesday 11 September Sixth Form: Monday 16 October

01793 528800 admin@novahreodacademy.org.uk www.novahreodacademy.org.uk

01793 841900 admin@rwba.org.uk www.rwba.org.uk

Cirencester College

New College

Open Day: Saturday 12 October, 10am - 3pm

Open Day: Saturday 5 October, 10am - 2pm

Meet the teachers and students, find out about subjects and enrichment and take a tour of the facilities. Register online.

Future college students in Yr10 & 11 can explore their study options after GCSEs.

01285 640994 student.journey@cirencester.ac.uk www.cirencester.ac.uk

01793 611470 info@newcollege.ac.uk www.newcollege.ac.uk

NEWS: The Blue Kite Academy Trust are opening two brandnew schools in Swindon

New College students celebrate high grades

Badbury Park Primary School

William Morris Primary School

Where: Badbury Park Headteacher: Mrs Louise Dance gTemporary building open September 2019, two-storey school opens 2020 gA 'Forest School' with dynamic approach to teaching and learning gWill become a two-form entry school with a nursery

Where: Tadpole Garden Village Headteacher: Mrs J Fraser gOpens Nursery & Reception September 2019 gGrow to two-form primary school gCreative curriculum, using exciting stimulus and hand-on experiences. gTeaches National curriculum and Life Skills curriculum

g98% overall A Level pass rate for 16-18 students g27 subjects had a 100% pass rate gLily Starling achieved A*A*A*A - she is off to University of Exeter to study Medicine gMichael Chiu achieved A*A*AA - he is off to University College London to study Medicine

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Pets and Nature

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The Business Brief

Digital marketing company celebrates landmark anniversary

By Claire Dukes claire@positive-media.co.uk

Five years ago, Tom Davenport wanted to utilise his skills and knowledge from within the world of journalism and music to become an independent businessman. Today, he is the director of Digital Marketing Specialist Ltd (DMS) which is taking the marketing world by storm.

Since the company's inception and moving into the Workshed, Swindon, last year Mr Davenport has accumulated a small team and some big clients. He attributes reaching Digital Marketing Specialist Ltd’s fifth year to the company's imbedded values, identifying a missed market in the creative sectors and changing the way businesses communicate with consumers.

He said: "The first year was all normal stuff, and it was very organic. I was working with quite normal businesses. The

L to R: Tom Davenport (Director), Claire Espley (Digital Marketing Assistant) and Alex Booth (Digital Marketing Executive)

shift came from old connections in the music world who I met when they were in the early stages of their career.

"The creative sectors wanted advertising, so we started talking to them with this experience we gained from the outside – and they wanted that. They didn’t want people who were using the same old methods, they wanted someone to come in from the outside and really innovate."

One of the big guns which keep returning to use DMS's services is film distributor

Trafalgar Releasing and has seen the team create ad campaigns for Nick Cave’s live concert show ‘Distant Sky’, Muse’s ‘The Drones World Tour’ and Coldplay’s documentary 'Head Full of Dreams.'

Despite the company's quick growth Mr Davenport's ultimate aim is to support businesses who have a good and meaningful product to sell which roots back to assisting Flash Pack becoming - according to Forbes - one of the fastest growing start-ups in the UK in 2012. Assisted

by DMS's ad campaigns, within a year the start-up travel company - which offers adventurous trips for singletons - was valued at £13 million. It's these types of companies that DMS say they want to continue to support and learn from.

On working with Flash Pack Mr Davenport said: "I learnt a lot about marketing with integrity, aspiring to positively affect people’s experience at scale and lots of other technical stuff. So, Flash Pack has been a really big highlight for me.

"I’d love to be hearing from people like that. It suits us from a business perspective and a societal perspective. If I wasn’t satisfied that we’re doing good, positive work at scale then we don’t do it – which is why we turn away certain things. Anyone who has a genuinely good, positive and innovative product or service I would love to help them take that to people." www. digitalmarketingspecialist.co.uk

MJA Roofing Ltd is a fast, friendly and reliable roofing company based in Purton, Swindon, Wiltshire.

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Email: enquiry@mja-roofing.co.uk Website: www.mja-roofing.co.uk swindonlink.com n September 2019

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Pets and Nature

by Drove Vets

How can you avoid accidentally poisoning your pets?

Pet owners know that it can be quite the uphill battle to stop our pets from ingesting, touching, sniffing or rolling around in all of the many substances that could be harmful to them.

While dogs are known for being prone to eating stuff that they shouldn’t, cats are certainly not innocent parties when it comes to putting things in their mouths. If your cat is not feeling well, don’t forget to look for a toxic source that they might have come in contact with.

Medication It’s tempting to give human medicine to our pets when they are feeling ill, but doing so might put them at severe risk.

• Paracetamol – Commonly taken for fever, this compound is highly toxic for cats as they lack the metabolism to process it, and even minimal doses might be fatal.

• Ibuprofen – it’s one of the

first things we take when we feel under the weather but our pets, especially cats, are very sensitive to it.

The most important rule is to never give your pets any medication that wasn’t prescribed or indicated for them, and this includes leftover meds from your other pets.

Toxic food There are too many examples to name of food that are poisonous to our pets.

But common risks include: • Chocolate and caffeine – highly toxic to both cats and dogs, especially darker chocolate; • Grapes and raisins – are toxic to dogs and they can cause kidney failure; • Xylitol – found in sweets, some brands of low sugar peanut butter and in sugar-free chewing gum. Causes important liver damage in dogs; • Onion and garlic – contain compounds that destroy red

blood cells; • Alcohol – highly toxic to both cats and dogs; Mouldy food can also be hazardous as the moulds that colonise our food waste can produce potent toxins. This is particularly important with dogs as they just love to steal food from the garbage!

Household chemicals As a general rule, all cleaning products should be kept out of reach. If your pets have access to the garage, make sure they can’t knock down or get into any containers.

• Ethylene glycol – This is a component of many types of antifreeze and it tastes sweet to our pets. Because of this, they may be tempted to lick it when it spills or even actively seek it out inside of containers. Even small quantities can cause irreversible kidney damage, and it requires rapid intervention to avoid a fatal outcome.

• Anticoagulant rat poison and metaldehyde for slug and snail control – Both of these can cause severe intoxication that requires immediate medical attention. It can happen by direct ingestion or by eating an animal that ingested poison.

Plants When bringing in plants to your home, make sure to research them thoroughly as to avoid putting your pets in danger as many might be toxic for them.

Lilies – These are very common plants, but species of the Lilium and Hemerocallis genus can cause kidney failure in cats. All parts of the plant are toxic if ingested, including pollens that are frequently groomed off the fur. If you suspect your pet has ingested something it shouldn’t have, take them to the vet as soon as possible and if you can, take any packaging with you. Time is of the essence to avoid a serious or even fatal outcome.

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swindonlink.com n September 2019

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Electric charging points installed at civic offices

Special bays for charging electric vehicles have been installed on the council’s civic campus.

Four new charging points are now available for members of the public and borough council staff to charge their electric vehicles.

The initiative is part of the council’s drive to meet its target of net zero carbon emissions by 2050, and are in keeping with the council’s priority of improving the town’s infrastructure to support a growing, low carbon economy.

The four charging points are situated at two different locations – by the steps to the Civic Offices and at the side of Wat Tyler House.

The Mayor of Swindon uses an electric Hyundai to get around will use one of the bays to charge his car.

Mayor of Swindon Cllr Kevin Parry said: “I am thrilled to be able to say that, by installing

these charging bays at the Civic and by pursuing policies that require developers to install charging points in new builds, we are making excellent progress in pushing electric cars as an alternative to petrol and diesel.

“We know that switching to electric vehicles is a massive change for people and we want to make it easy for them to own and run these sorts of cars, and these new charging points are a brilliant way of achieving that.”

Both of the charging points at the Civic Offices are dual 22kW, which means that four vehicles can be charged simultaneously.

If one car alone is charging, it can charge at 22kW and if two are charging at one location, this halves to 11kW. The cost per kWh is 30p, which is common for electric vehicles.

The length of time it takes to charge a car depends on the capacity and charge rate of the vehicle that’s plugged in.

The charging stations were

procured through PPS (Public Power Solutions), the council’s wholly-owned renewable development company.

The operating system, known as Tonik, allows drivers to plug the charging cable into the car’s charging socket before swiping their special fob or using the Tonik app to pay.

The charging points will be available for members of the public to use from Thursday, 15 August as further road lining and signage work needs to be carried out first.

A survey undertaken earlier this year showed that there are more than 4,500 ultra lowemissions vehicles registered in Swindon, the highest figure in the South West. The council is currently in the process of reviewing its development parking standards, which are due to be formally adopted later this year and will require charging points to be installed in new developments.

Police cycle in memory of fallen comrades Swindon paramedics are first in the country to qualify to independently prescribe drugs

Last month a group of officers and staff from Wiltshire Police set off on a 180-mile cycle ride - the UK Police Unity Tour - in memory of police officers who have died in the line of duty.

Deputy Chief Constable Paul Mills led the group of 15 cyclists and six support staff on the three-day journey from Police Headquarters in Devizes to the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire.

They were later joined by more than 300 cyclists from police forces across the UK for a memorial service.

DCC Mills, who was joined by Chief Constable Kier Pritchard on the second day of the ride, said: "Every year we are reminded of the tremendous sacrifice given by so many of

Five paramedics from Great Western Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust are the first in the country to now have the ability to independently prescribe drugs, after they all passed the national nonour colleagues from across the medical prescribing course. country, and here in Wiltshire it The experienced paramedics is an opportunity to reflect on are employed solely by the the life of one of our own - PC Trust, and work in different Dan Cooper, who sadly died areas across the hospital while on duty on 1 February including acute wards, Urgent 2010.

Care, and at the Trust’s partner "Now, more than ever, it service, the Walk-in centre in is important that all police Islington Street. officers and staff, as well as the By being able to prescribe wider public, acknowledge the medicines independently, these ever-present dangers and risks advanced paramedics will of modern-day policing, and be better able to utilise their pay tribute to those who have skills and provide more timely lost their lives while protecting access to assessment and care, the public." without the need for other The purpose of the UK Police appointments or visits from Unity Tour is to raise funds for other health professionals.

Care of Police Survivors, a UK Ben Jones, advanced charity dedicated to helping paramedic, is one of the the families of police officers talented five who can now who have lost their lives on add independent prescribing duty.

to an already extensive list of autonomous practices he can provide.

“The prescribing role was only opened up to paramedics last year,” he said. “We are all very happy to have passed this course and will now be able to treat patients quickly and efficiently, without the need of extra resources or other clinical staff.

“I am thrilled that we are among the first paramedics in the country to have completed this course."

Annette Baskerville, Matron for Urgent Care, added: “These five amazing paramedics have managed to achieve this skill whilst still continuing to work in these busy, and sometimes stressful, environments.

“I am extremely proud of them all, as the course has only just been opened up to paramedics. It is so impressive to see our staff leading the way in innovative patient care.” swindonlink.com n September 2019

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The Politics Page

Swindon leads the way with new food waste recycling trial

Swindon has become the first town in Wiltshire to collect food waste for recycling, with a 26-week trial for 11,000 households starting in September.

Over the trial period we have the potential to divert up to 200 tonnes of food waste to be recycled, which will help us in our goal to drive up recycling rates and so we meet the Government target of 60 per cent recycling by 2029.

Food waste can produce large quantities of methane which is released into the environment as a harmful greenhouse gas, but when food waste is recycled the methane is converted into biogas to generate electricity. The solid product is then used as a fertiliser for agriculture and in land regeneration.

The trial follows bin collection routes not geographical areas, which means that not all

Council is looking into potholes Swindon Borough Council has now made it even easier for people to report potholes through its new communication system.

But it’s not just potholes in the road which can be reported to the council. Potholes on Swindon’s footpaths and cycle routes can also be highlighted.

All residents need to do is visit the council’s website, drop a pin on an interactive map and leave a few details.

After that, the council’s highways team will aim to inspect the report within four working days. If the pothole is 40mm or deeper, staff will aim to fix it within 24 hours.

National guidelines recommend that for a defect in the road to be technically

classed as a pothole, it must be 40mm or deeper.

A pothole in the pavement must be 30mm or deeper.

Anything not meeting these standards will continue to be monitored.

Once the pothole has been identified, the council will use one of three methods to fix it.

The aim is always to make sure that the roads are safe using a temporary repair before a more permanent repair is carried out.

Last year the council repaired over 7,500 potholes with just over 900 of those reported by the public.

Readers can report any potholes to the council via the website: www.swindon.gov.uk/ potholes

households within a selected area are part of the trial.

The trial areas include parts of Middleleaze, Nine Elms, Wroughton, Broome Manor, Marlborough Road, Park South, Broad Street, Coleview, Highworth, Cheney Manor, Gorse Hill, Abbey Meads and Taw Hill. Residents who are on the trial but are unsure of their collection day can visit www. swindon.gov.uk/foodwaste for further guidance.

Swindon Borough Council Leader David Renard

Find out more about fostering Swindon Borough Council is encouraging anyone who has been thinking about fostering, or would like to know more information, to get in touch with its fostering team.

There are several different types of fostering, including long-term placements, emergency placements or regular respite breaks. The council is looking for foster families for a range of children, from babies to teenagers, who need support and guidance to help them to develop.

The council currently has around 70 mainstream foster carers but is looking for more.

Councillor Mary Martin, Swindon Borough Council’s Cabinet Member for Children’s Services, said: “We’re

extremely grateful to all our foster carers for the positive difference they make to the lives of children and young people in Swindon, by giving them a loving home and the right support.

“Whether you’ve only just started considering fostering, or have been thinking about it for a long time, please get in touch with our fostering team who can provide lots of information about what to expect, what we’ll give you in return, and the steps involved.”

Further information about becoming a foster carer and how to get in touch with the team can also be found at www.swindon.gov.uk/fostering or by calling the team on 07917 503447.

Volunteering changes lives: how can you help?

The Live Well Hub at Swindon Borough Council is striving to improve the physical and mental wellbeing of local people and needs volunteers with empathy and patience to help.

Can you help with any of the following projects?

Swindon Circles: A befriending scheme for people who are unable to leave their home and experience the anguish of isolation. A cuppa, a chat and a growing friendship brings so much pleasure to someone who is desperately lonely. Volunteer Sandra visits 20

98-year-old Mary and said: “When I visit Mary, her eyes light up, it makes me feel needed and I know I’m an important part of her life.”

Local Heroes: This is about volunteering when you can, from a couple of hours a month to a couple of days every six months. Volunteers may be packing boxes for someone with arthritis in their hands one week and accompanying an elderly person to town on the bus the next.

Volunteers can turn challenges into possibilities for local people.

Active and Inclusive Ability Sports: This is an inclusive scheme running activity sessions for those with disabilities and learning difficulties.

Volunteers help with sessions including ice skating, cycling, trampolining, and wheelchair basketball. You don’t have to be sporty; all you need is the ability to help others enjoy a physical activity. Check out the Disability Sport website to see how you could help: www. disabilitysportswindon.co.uk

Forget Me Not Cakes: is aimed at all of Swindon’s fabulous cake bakers.

Volunteers bake birthday cakes for isolated local people and homeless, young people living in Swindon hostels, some of whom have never received a birthday cake before.

The Swindon Big Knit: is a volunteer project for knitters and those who want to learn to knit. Squares are knitted then sewn into blankets and clothing for homeless people, rough sleepers and the women’s refuge.

If you would like to find out more please contact the Livewell Hub on 01793 465513

swindonlink.com n September 2019

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Swindon Life

Celebrating town living

Old Town's Sausage & Ale Festival Old Town Business Association’s annual Sausage & Ale Festival is back again for a sixth year.

Taking place on Sunday 1st September, numerous food and drink businesses showcase craft beers and ales, sizzling bangers and other foods from around the world. At this year’s festival, stall holders are being encouraged to be as eco-

friendly as possible. Instead of the usual plastic cups, The Tuppenny craft beers will be served in plant starch cups, which are compostable. The Royal Oak will be using cans and compostable straws, and all the food vendors are being encouraged to use highly recyclable cardboard rather than polystyrene or plastic containers. People can even bring their own

reusable plates and make their experience 'zero waste'.

Live music will be provided by seasoned festival favourites such as Drew Bryant and Ministry of Samba, as well as other young rising talents from the local area. The Sausage & Ale Trail is organised by volunteers from the Old Town Business Association, which is headed by Chairman

Richard Deacon of Deacon’s Jewellery.

He said: “We absolutely love running this event for Old Town, and are so grateful for all the support shown by everyone who comes and visits us! It is lovely to see Old Town buzzing with life.”

The festivities start at noon and will run until around 5pm. swindonlink.com n September 2019

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A Little Hop for Old Town but a great leap for Swindon's legion of beer lovers

By Jamie Hill jamie@positive-media.co.uk

The revolution of Old Town into a paradise for drink and food connoisseurs continues unabated with the opening of The Little Hop. Earlier this year the original Hop on Devizes Road closed its door whilst its owners Jason, his wife Karen and his son Ben Putt took over the neighbouring Pig on the Hill which had been closed for about a year opening it once again as The Hop in May. The larger venue proved very popular for the Old Town scene and joined establishments like The Tuppenny and The Eternal Optimist on Devizes Road making the street a haven for those who appreciated finer drinking.

Now the team behind The Hop have proved that lightning can indeed strike twice by

reopening the original Hop (are you getting confused yet?) as The Little Hop on the site of the old venue.

The new venture is in association with Arbor Ales, an award-winning Bristol-based brewery and offers something a little different in a lovely, cosy intimate setting.

Jason said: "When we moved the Hop to just down the road we decided to keep

the original premises but we wanted to offer something slightly different so that is why we've gone for a brewery tap colloboration with Arbor Ales, who have been one of our best suppliers since 2012.

"We wanted it to have a different feel to The Hop and we've gone for brighter colours like lilac and have got some of the friendliest staff around in the form of Mel Hughes and

Josh Lea." Recently The Hop started its own successful food offering with professional chef Josh West taking over the kitchen with his insanely popular burgers and wings.

Eventually The Little Hop will also be offering food but for the moment they are going to concentrate on offering Swindon the best real ales and craft beers around.

Swindon slimmers step out for Cancer Research UK In celebration of Slimming World’s 50th golden anniversary year, members from all across Swindon are taking part in a new fundraising campaign for 2019 – the Golden Body Magic Challenge.

The event invites members to complete 50 miles over the month - either walking, running, swimming or cycling to reach the total.

The group aims to raise awareness of how activity can be beneficial for health and mental wellbeing.

As part of the Golden Body Magic Challenge, the members from all across Swindon, who meet weekly, will cover 1.8 miles a day, each day for 28 days. These members will be taking part while raising vital funds for Cancer Research UK – and the Swindon slimmers can’t wait to lace up their trainers.

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The team of local Slimming World Consultants are organising the fundraising challenge.

Rebecca Martin, who runs the Upper Stratton Tuesday group, said: “We are all so proud of our members who have set themselves the challenge of covering 50 miles during August. It’s such a special time in the Slimming World calendar with it being our 50th golden birthday year and to be sharing the celebrations by taking part in this huge new campaign feels so exciting.

“With our Body Magic activity programme, members learn that getting active doesn’t have to be joining the gym or running marathons.

It’s walking the kids to school, doing the gardening, hitting the dancefloor - anything that raises the heart rate a little all counts.

"And any activity which boosts

distance covered will help our members reach their 50 miles goal. It’s all about starting off gently and then building up.

“We are sure our members will inspire more people in Swindon to get active and improve their health, while also helping to raise awareness of the link between obesity and cancer. The money raised will go towards an amazing cause and one that all of our members feel very passionate about. We’d love to support Cancer Research UK’s life-saving research into the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of all types of cancer. Anyone who would like to take part just needs to come along to their local Slimming World group to find out more.”

Lisa Watson, who runs the Greenbridge groups on Tuesday and Friday, adds, “As a team we will be holding a School Sports Day event

on Saturday 7 September at Greenbridge Rugby Club from 2-4pm. This will include everyone completing their final mile together alongside an ‘old school’ sports day complete with sack races and egg and spoon races. There will be something for everyone to take part in, no matter their fitness or mobility levels and we promise it will be loads of fun while supporting this amazing cause.”

For more information about the Slimming World group or their Golden Body Magic Challenge event contact Rebecca Martin on 07816 281940 or pop along to your local group. Or find out more at www.facebook.com/ swindonslimming To find out more about more about Slimming World’s Golden Summer of Celebration visit: www.slimmingworld.co.uk/ golden

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Swindon Spotlight

YOUR GUIDE TO THE MONTHS AHEAD In the community

Book now...

ROYAL WOOTON BASSETT ORCHESTRA CELEBRATES LOCAL TALENT

Following their sell-out concert in Malmesbury Abbey in June, Royal Wootton Bassett Orchestra are holding their Autumn Concert on Saturday September 28.

Starting at 7.30 pm in Royal Wootton Bassett Memorial Hall, the concert is an evening of concertos showcasing talented members of the orchestra with scores including Mozart Horn Concerto No 3, K.447, Krommer’s Concerto for 2 Clarinets, Op 35 and Concerto for Oboe in C Minor by Cimarosa.

Next month, October 12, the orchestra will also be holding its yearly Open Rehearsal.

Tickets to the Autumn Concert are £8 but entrance is free to students and under 16’s. For further information visit www.rwborchestra.wordpress.com

MENTAL HEALTH FILM SCREENING

Suicide is the biggest killer of men under 45 in the UK. 12 men a day. 1 every 2 hours. One of those men was Steve Yates. The screening at Swindon Arts Centre, 12 Sept, focuses on men's mental health and includes Q&A with the film's makers.

Tickets £5.00 www.swindontheatres.com

'RAZOR-SHARP COMEDY'

Head back to school as Guildford Fringe Theatre Company present a raucous, robust production of John Godber’s razor-sharp comedy Teechers at Swindon Arts Centre, 10 Sept. This comedy hilariously scrutinises the education system.

Tickets £10 to £15 www.swindontheatres.com

FAULTY TOWERS DINNER SHOW

Experience the Fawlty Towers Live Themed Dinner Show in the Wyvern's Spotlight Room, 13-14 Sept. Basil and his team open the notorious dining room at the Fawlty Towers Hotel to the public for a night of food and theatrical mayhem like no other.

Tickets £40 w/ 3-course meal www.swindontheatres.com

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

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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 Swindon Open Studios returns the last two weekends of September - Saturday 21, Sunday 22, Saturday 28 and Sunday 29 - where 70 studios and pop-up galleries open to the public. Venues include Swindon Museum and Art Gallery, The Brunel Centre, Young’s, Deacon’s Jewellers, Willoby’s Furniture Company and Beechcroft Library. www.swindonopenstudios.org l Across the globe on Friday 20 September, “Earth Strike” events will be held in a bid to highlight the need for action by national and local governments to tackle climate change.

In Swindon, concerned residents will be assembling at Regent Circus at 12.30 pm. l The Big Poetry Weekend returns to the Richard Jefferies Museum from 3 to 7 October. Poets include: Fiona Benson, Roy McFarlane, Jennifer Militello, Julia Copus, Richard Scott, Julia Webb and Elisabeth Bletsoe. www. bigpoetryweekend.com l Swindon Recital Series’ 2019-20 season welcome Bute Bones - four young trombonists from varied musical backgrounds - to the Wyvern Theatre 18 September. Tickets £6. l Free weekly chess clubs will be taking place at West Swindon Library in the Link Centre. The club is for all ages and abilities. Past Wiltshire champions will help, train and guide children and adults who wish to improve their chess. For more information email ramnik. mehta@btinternet.com

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Swindon Hindu Temple honours army and emergency personnel as part of Rakshabandhan Festival

By Jamie Hill jamie@positive-media.co.uk

Swindon Hindu Temple & Cultural Centre in Cheney Manor celebrated Rakshabandhan (Bond of Protection) festival on Friday 9 August with the British Armed Forces and Emergency Services.

Organised by the Defence Hindu Network, many Hindu and non-Hindu officers from the Armed Forces travelled across the UK this week to celebrate Rakshabandhan with local communities starting their tour from Glasgow, Manchester, Bradford, Leicester, Milton Keynes and Swindon.

Rakshabandhan is one of the major Hindu festivals, that celebrates the duty of care, the obligation to serve those in need, and the relationships we hold dear to one another irrespective of the differences.

The festival is celebrated

amongst sisters and their brothers by the tying of a sacred thread (Rakhi) to their wrists, as a symbol of the vow of protection.

"In broadening the concept, Swindon Hindu Temple & Cultural centre organised this as a celebration of these values we know to be exemplified by our Armed Forces and Emergency Services personnel, who step out every day, to serve and protect the lives of citizens.

"The work of these people stands out as beacons of hope for us all, for the good in our societies, and as role models for generations to follow.” said Pradeep Bhardwaj, Chairman of Swindon Hindu Temple & Cultural Centre."

Rakhi (the bond of protection) tied around the wrists of serving personnel represents not just the promise to protect and serve the community but

also the gratitude from the community to appreciate the exemplary selfless work done by the Armed Forces and Emergency Services.

Many uniformed officers from the British Army, Navy, and RAF, Police, Fire & Safety, Ambulance services, Wiltshire Air Ambulance were in attendence, along with local dignitaries – Mrs Nicky Albery

DL representing Lord Lieutenant of Wiltshire, Deputy Mayor of Swindon Cllr Garry Perkins, Police & Crime Commissioner Angus Macpherson, Chief Constable Kier Pritchard, CEO of Prospect Hospice Mrs Irene Watkins, Area Manager of Dorset & Wiltshire Fire & Rescue Glyn Mody and the Operations Manager of Ambulance Services.

A poetry column by Maurice Spillane: An ode to my friend Milton Campbell I’m sure some of you know Milton Campbell from Stratton St. Margaret. You’ll understand the link here with his first name, Milton.

When his parents named him after the great poet, John Milton, it could’ve been a millstone around his considerable neck, or a lifetime with a great conversation opener. He opted for the latter.

Milton had a busy life in Swindon – turner on the railways, technical writer, maintenance engineer, and had a shop before retirement. He’s also an active poetry reader. His favourite poet is Rudyard Kipling who wrote The Jungle Book. When Milton comes along to Open Mikes I always read one of Kipling’s poems for both our pleasures.

And then the other day another old friend, Bill, said: “You’re a poet, Maurice, so maybe you can help me locate a poem.”

Bill told a story about an English teacher who regularly read poems out loud and one line from those days was rattling his brain: “And the dawn comes up like thunder.” I knew it immediately because Milton and I had recently read it. Here’s a taster from “Mandalay” by Kipling: Come you back to Mandalay, Where the old Flotilla lay: Can't you 'ear their paddles chunkin' from Rangoon to Mandalay?

On the road to Mandalay, Where the flyin'-fishes play, An' the dawn comes up like

thunder outer China 'crost the Bay! I love the serendipity of those links. Next time you meet Milton at the pub, the bookies or on his daily walk ask him about Kipling and prepare to be well entertained.

This month in Swindon: • Reading Group – Monday 3 September, 7-9pm Richard Jefferies Museum • Beehive Pub – Tuesday 10 September, 7.30pm • Open Mic – Monday 23 September, 7.30pm Regent Hotel, Victoria Road Keep an eye out for Swindon’s “The Big Poetry Weekend” www. bigpoetryweekend.com in October. www.mauricespillane.com swindonlink.com n September 2019

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Swindon Lives WITH: Chef Josh West

By Ben Fitzgerald ben@positive-media.co.uk

There are burgers... and there are burgers that have been assembled by a classically trained chef with a passion for perfection.

It's the difference between chalk and cheeseburger.

Swindon’s newly opened Pick Up Point at the Hop Inn in Old Town takes the concept of pub grub, grabs it by the scruff of the neck and dropkicks it into the middle of next week.

“I wouldn’t call The Pick Up Point gourmet food," admits chef Josh West.

"It’s just that most other burger places are a bit s***.

"I don’t care if that ruffles a few feathers, I set my standards high. Come and give The Pick Up Point a try and you will find out how it should be done.”

Chef Josh West, is firing on all cylinders as he works the kitchen, whipping up a Honey Buffalo Ranch burger in a blizzard of flying flour and sizzling fat.

As we both stand back to admire the finished product, a fried chicken thigh, dripping with glossy smoked honey buffalo sauce, crunchy slaw, herb ranch and house dill pickles, it’s clear that we are looking at something far removed from many other ‘fast food’ standards.

And the taste is like a big savoury slap around the chops - crunchy fried chicken packed with intense flavour - stretching the definition of burger to the limit.

Josh concedes: “There is something about McDonald’s - not so much Burger King (he pulls a face) - that they do right, and that’s the sauce. If you can recreate that then it’s 26

going to taste OK. "But I believe that if you can create something that has been obsessed about, that uses the best ingredients from trusted suppliers, and put it together with skill, you are going to end up with something pretty special.”

Josh cut his teeth in the classical French tradition spending a year in France to hone his art, before spending many years working in the kitchens of hotels and restaurants in London and the Cotswolds.

“It’s a pretty good training ground - having to cut herbs to the millimetre and do everything to perfection - with the threat of something being chucked at you if you get it wrong! It’s a great discipline.

But my real passion is Asian cuisine which has developed over the years. I've always thought it would work brilliantly in a pub and now I've got the chance to make that happen.

"You have that wonderful apothecary of ingredients that

have such big flavours - there’s not a great deal of subtlety but it works really well with a pint of beer.

"It’s been an amazing start and Josh and Ben, who run The Hop, have been brilliant.

They’ve given me complete freedom to create The Pick Up Point and that has made all the difference.”

The menu, as it stands,

comprises a tight and carefully considered menu of four burgers, two wings and cauliflower bites.

And there are plans in place to expand the menu as the business develops.

To try Pick Up Point food, visit The Hop at 8 Devizes Road, Old Town.

Follow on Instagram @ Thepickuppoint

The Pick Up Poin

Burgers: Seoul Survivor (K orean sauce, soy sauce ki mchi, sesame mayo and pickles) Pecker (Fried chick en, American cheese, herb mayonnaise, red on ion pickles and shredd ed lettuce and a vegg ie Mean Bean (spicy

t

bean burger, shre dded cheddar, roast ga rlic aioli, red onion pi ckles and sweet chilli yo gurt.)

Wings: Korean wings (hot sauce, chillies, sesa me, coriander) Vietna mese Wings (soy and gi nger glaze, chillies, sesa me and spring onion.

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Sainsbury's hosts art exhibition in aid of mental health charity

By Claire Dukes claire@positive-media.co.uk

In celebration of Sainsbury's 150th anniversary, a store in Swindon, Paddington Drive, reached out to a mental health charity - which offers creative therapies for people with mental ill health - to mark the occasion with an art exhibition.

The art exhibition, which was officially unveiled last month in the customer's cafe, is displaying an array of artwork created by IPSUM service users. Hosting an evening of art, music and poetry, volunteers and staff from IPSUM said they are delighted by the support from the supermarket.

Sue Bardwell, IPSUM's art room co-ordinator, said: "They’ve been so supportive and keen to offer things that would be relevant to us. It all helps to boost people’s morale and people’s self-confidence, and to have the affirmation

that, ‘I’m worthy – something that I’ve created is worthy of being on a wall in a public’, and that’s huge for people with mental ill health."

IPSUM service user, Daniel Preston, 42, unveiled some of his artwork for the first time last month. He said: “This is the first time I’ve had anything publicly displayed. Literally yesterday Sue asked if I had any artwork that they could use, and I didn’t expect it to be up on the wall in a public forum. I hadn’t told the family, so I brought them down here as a total surprise.”

Speaking of how IPSUM has benefitted him, Mr Preston added: “Especially with the kids it’s calmed me down and it has brought out a creative side that I didn’t know was there before.”

Sainsbury's, which looks to support charities as part of its community engagement programme, selected IPSUM after a service user

Art exhibition by IPSUM service users at Sainsbury's, Paddington Dr photography ©Elizabeth Reaney

and Sainsbury's employee wanted to help highlight the work that the charity does.

Speaking at the event Scott Dykes, Sainsbury’s Operations Manager, said: "Since May we’ve worked with Sue and the team to see what we can do to help them, and this evening launching the art exhibition is a part of that and we’re very happy to help."

IPSUM offers a range of creative therapies which include music, art and poetry, as well as counselling.

Psychotherapist and IPSUM director Julie Mattinson says that IPSUM’s recent referral statistics have shown that only 10% of referrals do not come

back to use the services. She believes that art as a form of therapy is one of the main reasons why.

Julie said: "We’ve got counselling but engaging with the arts is another way of therapeutically helping yourself to make sense of what’s going on in your mind. Until you try it, you don’t really appreciate the power it’s got. For a small standing charity like ours, when you get a big company like Sainsbury’s recognise you it’s so fantastic – it’s really rewarding for our clients. I’m really proud of this evening, and I’m really proud of everyone here – especially my team, because they are amazing."

It's just like riding a bike...

By Becky Cox: Swindon Cycle Campaign Can you remember when you along the way (and definitely first learnt to ride a bike? complaints of a sore bottom!), Like many people I learnt as but once that magical moment a child. I must have been about has been achieved there is no three or four and I had a little going back. red Raleigh with a doll seat I’ve worked with people of on the back. I loved riding all ages and walks of life. I my bike and spent most of my remember teaching a female summer holidays as a child refugee in her 30s who was riding up and down the lane desperate to learn to ride so outside my house with the other she could get to her classes at kids on our street. a local college and explore I was lucky though. Not her new town. Learning to cycle everyone gets the chance to offered her the chance for learn to ride as a child, and freedom, to travel where she it’s not until later in life that wanted when she wanted. they get to experience the joys So, if you haven’t cycled for of the wind in your hair and a while or are looking to learn, power under your pedals. then why not pop along to the There tends to be a sense of County Ground Athletics track embarrassment from adults on a Friday morning between when they disclose that they 10 and 12 for free drop in can’t ride a bike. However, learn to cycle sessions. Bikes there is still a chance for adults and helmets are avaliable to learn to ride. and the friendly instructors will I used to work as a cycle make sure you’re looked after. instructor. It was the most Contact Ben Humphrey on rewarding job I’ve ever had. bhumphrey@swindon.gov.uk.

It might take 20 minutes or a Or log in to www. few weeks of practice, maybe swindontravelchoices.co.uk/ even some scrapes and bruises cycle/cycle-training-in-swindon

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Valuation Day opportunity with Thomas Forrester TV expert on Flog It! The Antiques Road Trip & Bargain Hunt

Bring along your Antiques & Jewellery for a FREE valuation with Thomas, OR members of his team from Special Auction Services

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www.specialauctionservices.com

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