South East Swindon Link April 2021 edition

No 54 April 2021 GPS-tracked, door to door delivery to over 50,000 homes across Swindon with Est. overall readership of 125,000

Swindon

LINK Your Community Magazine

South & East Edition

LINK

FEATURES Check out our new features section page 23

swindonlink.com

Making Eastcott a window wanderland p20

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Putting SBC to the question

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

I had the pleasure of hosting a live online Q&A with Swindon Council's deputy leader Russell Holland recently.

Using questions from readers we managed to really dig down into why SBC are raising council tax by a whopping 4.99% this year.

The interview is available on Youtube and if you can get past the fact that my head kept disappearing because of the background we were using, it's actually a really informative chat. Technology eh?

It essentially comes down to the fact that the council is having to spend increasing amounts on looking after our most vulnerable, taking up 80% of their budget.

The wide-ranging interview covered everything from the pandemic and the town centre to potholes and the council pay structure.

We have a full report on the Q&A on page 8 and you can view the interview in full at www.youtube.com/ watch?v=ziaoj5fwz50

Group Editor and Owner: Jamie Hill Deputy Editor: Barrie Hudson

Parish council launches East Wichel's future forest

East Wichel Park in Swindon has a new miniature forest.

MINI UK has partnered with Earthwatch Europe to support the Tiny Forest programme, boosting biodiversity in urban areas and creating accessible green space for communities to reconnect with nature.

A Tiny Forest is made up of 600 densely-packed native trees in a space the size of a tennis court, and each is capable of attracting over 500 animal and plant species within the first three years.

The East Wichel Park Tiny Forest, planted in partnership with South Swindon Parish Council, is the first funded by MINI. South Swindon Parish Council chair Chris Watts said: “We are really pleased to be working with Earthwatch Europe and MINI UK to bring the first Tiny Forest to Swindon.

"As a parish council we wanted to join the Tiny Forest programme as its focus is to work with the local community in developing and monitoring the trees.

"The Tiny Forest is being planted in the relatively new community of East Wichel. We hope it will become a unique feature for the community that people from across Swindon will visit.”

MINI UK and Ireland director David George said: “MINI are really excited to partner with Earthwatch Europe to plant Tiny Forests in our local communities of Swindon and Oxford.

"For over 61 years we have

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Parish councillors Jane Milner-Barry, left and Linda Kasmaty at the launch of the forest

made cars using resources responsibly and to maximum effect.

"Our shared values of sustainability and bringing people together is what makes this such a great partnership.”

With the help of young people from local schools and the wider community, over the next two years, Earthwatch will collect data from the MINI Tiny Forest on carbon absorption, flood mitigation, thermal comfort and biodiversity, as well as assess the social and wellbeing benefits of having this new green space in an urban area.

Louise Hartley, Tiny Forest Programme Manager at Earthwatch Europe, said: “Tiny Forests provide rich opportunities for connecting young and old alike with the environment and sustainability.

"It’s vital that we give people the knowledge and skills to

protect our natural world and inspire them to take positive action.

"We are delighted to be working with MINI UK to bring these inspiring spaces to Swindon and Oxford.”

The forest isn't the only new feature at the park.

Shortly before it was planted, the council created a stone circle partly using material left over from its Cavendish Green refurbishment.

Early visitors included Billie McVeigh and Yasmin Taylor from Old Town, who brought along cavachon dog Bob to explore - and were impressed by what they found.

Ms McVeigh said: "I only discovered this place existed last weekend and thought it was lovely.

"We thought that when we next came out to walk the dog we'd have a look around."

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Got a community story or feature? Contact newsdesk at publisher@swindonlink.com or 01793 644540 swindonlink.com n April 2021

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Coronavirus news

Symptom-Free Testing for any who need it Swindon Borough Council is expanding its symptom-free testing programme to any Swindon resident who is unable to work from home, to help drive down transmission rates of covid-19 in the community.

One in three people who have covid-19 do not display any symptoms, which means residents could be passing on the virus inside and outside their workplace without knowing.

The symptom-free tests are able to generate rapid results on site without laboratory equipment.

Those who get tested can expect to receive their results back within two hours of completing their test.

Testing sites are open for pre-booked visits only and are at a number of locations across the borough. Weekend and evening appointments are also available at some testing sites.

Those who cannot work from home can find their nearest testing site and book their symptom-free test online at www.swindon.gov.uk/ symptomfreetest

Steve Maddern, Swindon Borough Council’s Director of Public Health, said: “I am very pleased that we have reached sufficient testing capacity to allow us to expand our symptom-free testing programme to any resident who is unable to work from home.

“Symptom-free testing

is another tool at our disposal alongside the ongoing symptomatic testing programme and the continued vaccine rollout across Swindon.

“Symptom-free tests are able to provide rapid results and will be invaluable as more businesses reopen in line with the Government’s roadmap.

"Testing people without

symptoms will help us to identify positive cases of covid-19 quicker and protect others in the community from becoming infected.

“I’d strongly encourage anybody whose job requires them to leave home, to get booked in and get tested regularly.”

Link's Barrie Hudson vaccinated and awaiting secret reprogramming Well, that's me vaccinated against covid-19.

Or, depending on which conspiracy theory you favour, that's me playing host to sinister microchips which will allow my every move to be tracked by Bill Gates, the Illuminati, assorted sinister foreign powers or, for all I know, the Teletubbies.

Conspiracy theories are interesting but I can't believe them because pesky logic keeps getting in the way.

After all, if a sinister organisation wanted to implant invisible microchips - assuming such devices existed in the first place - it could put them in our food, our drinks or the air itself without having to go to the trouble and expense of engineering a global pandemic.

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I received my AstraZeneca vaccine at Great Western Hospital.

As was the case when my partner received her vaccine at Steam, the whole appointment went flawlessly from the moment I was directed to the reserved car park to the moment when I left.

Told beforehand to ensure I wore a mask, I was ushered into an uncrowded waiting room to fill in a simple consent form before being directed to the person administering the vaccination.

The jab itself was so very nearly painless that it was over almost before I knew it was happening, and there was very little discomfort afterwards.

The nurse gave clear but reassuring advice about the vaccine and the period

over which it would become effective. She also warned of possible side effects including fever and generally feeling poorly.

I did indeed experience side effects, but they were nowhere near severe enough for me to consider taking time off work, let alone question my own choice to accept the jab.

By that afternoon I was feeling what I can only describe as out of sorts a little disconnected and experiencing difficulty in concentrating.

By the time I went to bed that evening, I felt cold and feverish, and slept restlessly.

The following morning I felt a lot better but still a little disconnected and sorry for myself.

To put these symptoms into

Side effects are temporary - this is how he usually looks

perspective, anybody who has overdone the refreshment on a school night and struggled into work the following morning has experienced far worse.

My follow-up jab is in May, and I'm looking forward to it.

The shortlived after-effects of my first were far from enjoyable, but at least I now know that I am on the way to presenting less of a danger to my fellow human beings.

And of course, the more who are vaccinated, the closer we all are to ending the pandemic.

10/10 Highly recommended.

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Is this the future of Swindon's Oasis Leisure Centre?

Swindon Borough Council has released an architectural drawing of the new multimillion pound SevenCapital plan to transform The Oasis into a regional waterpark.

But they have warned that the plans could be scuppered if an application to Historic England to give the site listed status is approved, a claim that is disputed by the Save Oasis Swindon campaign.

This comes after GLL announced in the Autumn that the current facility would not be reopening after lockdown and it is now in the control of developers SevenCapital.

A campaign has since launched called Save Oasis Swindon to ensure the facility reopens.

Detailed proposals are currently being drawn up, which would see a masterplan created for the surrounding site with a significantly improved Oasis forming the centrepiece of the development.

Despite this, an application

to Historic England to grant the leisure centre listed status could scupper any hope of giving the Oasis a sustainable future.

Councillor David Renard, Leader of Swindon Borough Council, said: “I would like to assure residents we are doing all we can to give the Oasis a sustainable future because it is an iconic leisure venue and has brought so much joy to local residents and visitors alike over the past four decades."

SevenCapital said: “We have made good progress and we believe with considerable investment and continued support from Swindon Borough Council we can turn the Oasis into a major leisure attraction once again.

“The biggest threat at present

to this is the potential for its listing following an application to Historic England. The reason for this is that the centre needs considerable work and investment.

“Should it become listed then, unfortunately, the very thing that intends to save the Oasis will actually become the reason for its permanent demise as it would prevent the necessary works being carried out.”

A spokesman for Save Oasis Swindon said: “The people of Swindon are not daft and will take the council’s latest Oasis statement with a pinch of salt. You only have to look at the failed ‘Snowasis’ project which was spoken about for years, but not one brick was laid. Swindon is sadly now

accustomed to promises and seeing grand computergenerated plans which never materialise across this town.

“The new image of the ‘refurbishment’ is actually a destruction of the history of the Oasis. Where is the iconic dome? How is this a refurbishment?

“Historic England reassured MP Robert Buckland very recently in discussions, that if the Oasis becomes a listed building, then they will work with any developer to ensure that a renovation can happen.

“So why are the council continuing to suggest that approval of the listing application will scupper refurbishment, resulting in the permanent demise of the Oasis? Why don’t they reach out to Historic England and work with them in a constructive way? We fear that the listing could be used as a get out card for both SevenCapital and Swindon Borough Council.

That is unacceptable."

Allotments fence keeps deer from tucking into gardeners' crops South Swindon Parish Council has installed a new perimeter fence at a popular allotment site.

Central Ward parish councillors have welcomed the new perimeter fence for Westcott Allotments, and visited the site to inspect the work done by the council’s specialist contractors.

The fence was agreed by the parish council to prevent deer access, with allotment holders complaining that deer had been eating their plants and vegetables.

A resident of Newburn Crescent owns the land beyond the hedgerow as far back as the railway embankment to the north, and maintains the area as a wildlife sanctuary. There are gaps in the hedgerow through which wildlife, especially deer, access the allotment site.

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significantly improved these allotments over the last year.

Late last year, for example, the parish council improved an access track.

Central Ward Parish Councillor Junab Ali said: “Parish councillors have received numerous complaints from allotment holders about the deer eating their vegetables and we can appreciate it must be very demoralising for them to work hard to grow their own vegetables and not eat it themselves. I am really pleased the parish council have been able to secure this fence."

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Borough deputy leader says council tax increases boil down to the sort of society we want to live in The deputy leader of Swindon Borough Council has called for a national debate over the kind of country people wish to live in.

Cllr Russell Holland made the statement as part of a live online Q&A with Swindon Link editor Jamie Hill.

Cllr Holland, who is also the authority's cabinet member for Commercialisation, Education and Skills, made the call during a wide-ranging online interview.

Cllr Holland fielded questions sent by Swindon Link readers and defended the decision to raise council tax by 4.99 percent, the maximum possible without a public vote.

He said: "We need to have, I think, as a society, a more evidence-based wider conversation about what type of a society we want to live in and how much we are prepared to pay for that.

"The increase in council tax is symptomatic of that wider issue."

The increase amounts to an average of £5.92 per week for the average household.

Cllr Holland said: "The basic issue with council tax is that most people don't see where most of their money is spent.

For most people, the main service you will see is having your bins collected.

"It's hard to give an exact figure because the number of people receiving services will change, but about 80 percent of our budget is spent on people with social care needs and vulnerable children.

"This means 80 percent of our budget in reality is probably spent on less than ten percent of the population.

"I think it's really important to be clear because sometimes when people hear the expression 'vulnerable people' they may have some of these TV documentaries they may have seen in mind, about people on benefits, and some of those negative stereotypes.

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"I think these are unhelpful generally but it's really important to emphasise that what we're talking about is people with serious needs - people who cannot toilet themselves, people who could not live independently, children who will not be in clean clothes or, worse yet, will have been victims of or witnessed serious domestic violence where drug and alcohol use is a problem.

"The reason for the increase is that we have more people living for longer with more complex health conditions."

The deputy leader was asked why, if such services were needed, the council did not press ahead with an increase of more than 4.99 percent and put the matter to a public vote.

He said: "It is a judgement call as to whether we would want to go to the people and say, 'Look, we'd like to have a vote whereby you would pay more than 4.99 percent.'

"It's not something that's ever been proposed by any council of any political party. I think there may have been one referendum in all this time. I don't think it's something people want to vote for, and given that the Government allowed us to have extra income from the Adult Social Care Precept, a referendum isn't something I'd recommend."

The deputy leader admitted that there was a point earlier in the pandemic when he wondered whether the council would survive financially, but

that extra Government funding had helped.

The council tax increase was criticised by both Labour and the LibDems.

Cllr Jim Grant, leader of the Labour group on Swindon Borough Council, said: “We’re experiencing the worst recession of any major economy, thousands of people have lost their jobs and many families across Swindon will be wondering how they can pay the bills – and yet they’ve been slapped with a 5% rise in council tax.

“Local councils have been on the front line in this pandemic.

But it’s also laid bare the fact that since 2010 the Conservatives have cut funding to councils by 60%. Council tax continues to go up and yet local services for people in Swindon haven’t got any better.

“Nationally, Labour has been calling on the Prime Minister to honour his commitment to do whatever is necessary to help local councils. Sadly, it appears he is breaking his promise and families across Swindon are footing the bill.

“In Swindon, people are paying more and getting less under the Conservatives.

They’ve spent millions of pounds on a car park [Whalebridge] that’s falling apart, millions on a bus boulevard that nobody asked for and millions to help Zurich – a multinational corporation.

And all the while council debt

has rocketed to over £400m, and 99% of potholes are left unrepaired.

“It’s clear that Swindon deserves better than this out of touch Conservative administration. A Labour council won’t waste millions on vanity projects, we’ll listen to residents and get the basics right.”

The LibDems said in a statement: "Councillor Holland hit the nail on the head when he said, 'We have ever-decreasing grants from central government and everincreasing demands on the council.'

"What he neglected to mention was that the central government have been able to make funds available to grant contracts to their confidants, pay £400,000 for a PR firm to gauge the public response to covid restrictions and even splash £37 billion on a broken Test and Trace system that had nothing to do with the NHS. Increases to council tax are a direct result of central government leaving local authorities behind in this pandemic.

"This last minute hike of 1% above the originally proposed 3.99% will raise £1.1 million to cover the costs of adult social care. Of course we support protecting and supporting our most vulnerable residents, but should this fund be paid for by the council? Or rather shouldn’t the central government make true on its promise to tackle the social care crisis?"

The party added that a Liberal Democrat council would see greater investment in Swindon’s business and academic sectors so that some of these costs could be offset against the town's potential prosperity, and seek to develop a comprehensive Social Care plan.

To watch the Q&A visit www.youtube.com/ watch?v=ziaoj5fwz50

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New fire and rescue recruitment campaign Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service (DWFRS) is encouraging all sections of the community to consider becoming an on-call firefighter during a recent recruitment campaign.

Station Manager Wayne Jones, the DWFRS On-Call Development Manager, said: “The stereotype of a firefighter is usually of a white man with superhero fitness and strength, but the reality is that our firefighters come from all walks of life and all parts of the community."

Thousands of sewer blockages reported using new online tool

Almost 7,000 blocked sewers have been reported

by Thames Water customers in the four months since the company launched a new online tool.

Report a Blockage Online (RABO) allows residents to inform the water company of suspected blockages using a simple online form. Engineers are dispatched to investigate and, when needed, clear any obstructions like fatbergs to help prevent pollution.

It was devised by Thames Water’s operational service centre and digital and website teams.

Council's mammoth festive recycing effort Swindon Borough Council waste crews collected 2,358 tonnes of festive season mixed recycling.

That is equivalent to around 181 double decker buses, and a huge amount of plastic recycling was also collected, totalling around 416 tonnes.

To support residents to recycle more, the council committed to collecting additional recycling over the festive period.

This additional service, the council says, was well received by residents.

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Children's Laureate in special virtual visit to Swindon Award-winning author Cressida Cowell virtually visited children in Swindon to celebrate World Book Day. The Waterstones Children's Laureate visited as part of Connecting Stories, a new initiative delivered by the National Literacy Trust, for which she is an ambassador.

Led by Swindon Stories from the National Literacy Trust, the Arts Council England-funded project aims to increase children's and young people’s access to literary experiences and books.

A total of 18 publishers and over 30 children’s authors are supporting the campaign through book donations and virtual visits.

Cressida is the author and illustrator of the best-selling How to Train Your Dragon books series, which has sold over 11 million books in 38 languages, is a major DreamWorks Animation film franchise, and is being made

into a TV series on Netflix and CBBC. The Wizards of Once series, also created by Cressida, has been translated into 37 languages and has been signed by DreamWorks Animation.

In the live-streamed event, Cressida delighted children with information about her writing process and gave tips on becoming an author and illustrator.

The author said: “I am delighted to be supporting the Connecting Stories initiative.

“As an ambassador for the National Literacy Trust, I know the importance of their work and the positive effect it has on the children most in need of support with literacy skills.

"It's really exciting to be able to connect with children from many different communities all at once, and to inspire them to be creative and share their stories.”

More information about Connecting Stories and its projects can be found at literacytrust.org.uk

Accolade for dedicated town centre caretaker

inSwindon BID Caretaker Freddy Frankland has been recognised by town centre businesses for his dedication and hard work.

Vince Ayris, an independent business owner on Havelock Street for more than 35 years, contacted inSwindon BID - the organisation in charge of promoting the town centre to share his fellow business owners’ admiration for Freddy's work and to present him with an award.

Vince believes the broader community should be made aware of Freddy's dedication and commitment to keeping the town centre clean and tidy.

He said: "This has been a difficult time for town centre businesses, and despite it being significantly quieter, Freddy has diligently kept up with the maintenance. It is something we have certainly very much appreciated in Havelock Street."

The Town Centre Caretaker

Freddy Frankland, left, with Vince Ayris

role plays an integral part of inSwindon BIDs five-year business plan, for a clean and well-maintained town centre. inSwindon BID Manager Anita Bellinger said: “I am really proud of Freddy, the award is very well deserved, and it is absolutely wonderful that his work has been thoughtfully recognised by our BID businesses.

"It is a tough and relentless

job, but Freddy undertakes the task industriously and with real tenacity.

"I have been so grateful to the entire BID team over the last year, they have worked incredibly hard throughout these challenging times to support our town centre and visitors.”

For information from inSwindon BID Company, visit www.swindontowncentre.co.uk

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Wiltshire’s Best Kept Village Competition CPRE Wiltshire and The Hills Group have just opened the 2021 Best Kept Village Competition to parish councils.

Anyone in a village can put the entry together and coordinate preparations for judging – it doesn’t have to be handled only by the parish council. All entrants need to submit is one form, a map and a short village report, which need not take long, and let the parish council know.

Entries need to be with CPRE Wiltshire no later than Monday, 26 April at www. cprewiltshire.org.uk The main competition is again being sponsored by The Hills Group and prizes of up to £200 are awarded.

Mike Hill, Chief Executive of The Hills Group, said: “We encourage all villages to enter, irrespective of their size. The winners receive great recognition and publicity for their efforts.”

Swindon care firm's recruitment drive Home Instead Swindon has 40 jobs available for people with or without sector experience.

The company, which provides at-home care, is looking for new caregivers to meet an increase in demand due to the pandemic.

Home Instead employs caregivers who come from a range of sectors, and says a warm heart and desire to make a difference are prized over previous experience.

The company provides services from companionship through to personal care and specialised dementia care.

Of the 40 caregivers sought, 10 of them will be live-in caregivers who move into a client’s home and provide care.

Further information is available on 01477 418038 and via www.homeinstead. co.uk/swindon 12

Swindon secures £19.5m for town centre regeneration Swindon has been successful in its bid for a share of the Government’s Towns Fund.

It has been allocated £19.5m of funding for town centre regeneration projects.

Swindon Borough Council leader David Renard said: “I am absolutely thrilled that the Government has seen the potential of these projects and this funding will be instrumental in helping Swindon to bounce back from the challenges thrown at us all by the pandemic.”

The town was selected as one of 101 places to put forward submissions as part of the first cohort of bids.

The independent Swindon Town Deal Board, made up of experts from the public, private and voluntary sectors, created a Town Investment Plan (TIP) last year.

It has now been announced that funding has been secured for six projects, which are:

- Health Hydro refurbishments: embedding community and leisure uses in the heart of the Railway Village - Redevelopment of units of the Carriage Works: completing Phase 3 of our rejuvenation of Brunel’s former Carriage Works, redeveloping three units as well as part of the building fronting onto London Street - Create Studios at the Carriage Works: fitting out the new space to support Swindon’s digital economy and upskilling residents - Brunel Centre Market: introducing new town centre uses, complementing the High Street and bringing a new experience - Heritage Action Zone Streets and Spaces: public realm and improvements to walking and cycling routes to tie together Swindon’s heritageled regeneration projects and

connect the Designer Outlet and North Star to the town centre - Kimmerfields Enabling Infrastructure: delivering enabling infrastructure to make land ready for new homes and offices on the next phase of Kimmerfields, adjacent to Zurich’s new flagship building Outline business cases for the funded projects will now be pulled together by the independent Swindon Town Deal Board as part of the process to deliver each project.

Richard Newland, Chair of the Swindon Town Deal and Director of Branch and Workplace Development at Nationwide Building Society, said: “I am delighted that Swindon has been successful in its application for a Town Deal.

"The projects that are in development will be a real boost for the town centre and a positive step forward for the wider area."

Conserving our railway past at GWR Park A Conservation Management Plan (CMP) has been put in place to help return GWR Park to its former glory as part The Heritage Action Zone looking at regenerating the Railway Village for future generations.

GWR Park has been an important part of Swindon’s Railway Village life since the 1840s when it became a cricket field for its residents.

The park became a beautiful open space that once contained a great range of facilities including a drinking fountain, a cricket pavilion, glasshouses and a bandstand.

Community events became an important part of the park’s calendar and from 1866 it hosted the annual Children’s Fete at which every one of the 30,000 children attending received a slice of cake. This was such an undertaking that a special cake slicing machine had to be invented.

Today the park is managed

by Central Swindon South Parish Council. The park lies within the Swindon Railway

A view of the ornamental bedding scheme with the park keeper’s lodge and glass houses in the background © Swindonstory.uk

Village Conservation Area, which has been designated by Historic England as a Heritage Action Zone. Over a period of five years Historic England will bring funding and expertise to support Swindon Borough Council in delivering the regeneration of the area.

One of the projects that the Heritage Action Zone will deliver is the preparation of a Conservation Management Plan (CMP) to help explain what matters and why, and how to best conserve and manage the park. Over the coming months a team led by landscape

architects Cookson & Tickner will be carrying out research and a series of surveys to better understand the history of the park and its importance.

They will also be seeking people's views in May to ask why GWR Park is important and ask if there are any improvements people would like to see. They would also like to hear people's comments on a draft CMP in July that will set out a vision for the future.

Please look out for further announcements via social media, an online survey and displays at the park.

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Prestigious hotel Stanton House has new owner Meridian Hotels has purchased Stanton House Hotel in Stanton Fitzwarren.

Global property advisers Knight Frank and Colliers have completed the sale of the stone manor house on behalf of Honda, selling off a guide price of £4.95m.

The 78-bedroom country hotel, reconstructed in the 1930s, is set amongst 11 acres of landscaped gardens which include a lake, orchard and rose garden.

Having been in the same ownership for over 30 years, the hotel has proved popular with leisure trade as well as business travellers visiting the region.

Paul Evans, Operations Director at Meridian Hotels, said: “Stanton House Hotel is a charming property with its unique character, beauty and elegance.

"We are very pleased with this acquisition and will continue with the ‘Stanton House Hotel’ name and its current use as a hotel. SHH offers both connectivity with all things modern, whilst providing guests with everything one expects from beautiful English countryside.

"The views are absolutely breath-taking, the atmosphere serene, and service offered by an English countryside hotel at its best.

"The property needs substantial investment and an estimated £2 million has been set aside to bring the business and property back to its former glory, with a complete makeover carried out with sensitivity and care.

"We look forward to working with the current team at the hotel and welcoming our future guests.”

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The Old Town Residents Association Column

Preparing to flourish once the lockdown restrictions are lifted

By Judith Randell-Sly of Old Town Residents Association

By the time you read this our first ever virtual AGM will have taken place on Zoom, a word which had a different meaning for most of us a year ago.

At our February meeting we were delighted to welcome several new people, interested in joining our committee.

We are very keen that our committee reflects the population of Old Town and includes younger, as well as older people.

Unfortunately it is often only older people who can afford the time to belong to

such organisations and yet we need to reflect the interests and lifestyles of all of our community, so watch this space!

Councillors reported that vaccinations were going well in the area and hopefully this will continue to bring the virus infection rate down and enable us all to get on with our lives again, with the welcome re-opening of local businesses.

It will be good to be able to meet up with friends and family again.

We were disappointed to hear that the canal boat Dragonfly will not be able to resume trips on the canal at the moment, as part of the

canal between Kingshill and Waitrose is blocked.

However, the Wilts and Berks Canal Trust are planning to run their other, smaller boat, the Mary Archard, when permitted, at Royal Wootton Basset, Pewsham and hopefully Swindon. Details can be found on their website www.wbct. org.uk.

South Swindon Parish Council have now finished the planting on the Swindon Road pocket garden, creating a small oasis of calm and beauty in the community.

Seats have been provided to enable people to sit and enjoy the surroundings. Meanwhile,

Linda Kasmaty has started tidying up the six gardens looked after by the OTRA group.

Unfortunately, only one other person can work with her at the moment, but hopefully by the end of April the regular working parties will resume and we can prepare the beds for the RHS judging in June.

This focusses not just on the planting, but on community involvement and the care of the surrounding environment.

When groups are allowed to meet again outside details of gardening sessions can be found at www.facebook.com/ oldtownresidents

Council Cabinet discuss bringing Corn Exchange back to life The future of one of Swindon's most historic buildings was discussed by the borough council's Cabinet.

A lack of progress on plans to rejuvenate Swindon’s Corn Exchange and Old Town Hall buildings, better known locally as the Locarno, forced the council to terminate a development agreement for the scheme last year.

Now councillors, who met on Wednesday, 3 March, are looking at what action could be taken if the owner of the building, local businessman Gael Mackenzie, does not bring forward a planning application for a revised scheme by June.

The Cabinet discussed the regeneration of the important heritage site after Old Town and East Wichel ward councillor Nick BurnsHowell submitted a motion to February’s full council meeting.

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a completed regeneration scheme by 2025.

Cllr Burns-Howell also asked council officers to consider what options are open to the council if a scheme cannot be delivered and a planning application is not submitted by June.

Cllr Dale Heenan, Cabinet Member for the Town Centre, Culture and Heritage, said: “The Corn Exchange, which is not owned by the Council, has been standing as an empty shell for far too long and, after giving the previous developer every chance to bring this important building back to life, now it is time for positive action.

“The building is owned by Gael Mackenzie and his architect is currently working with the Council’s planning team on a viable scheme.

“If plans are not submitted soon then this report discussed by cabinet lays out the steps the Council can take, starting with enforcement action, and ultimately a compulsory purchase.

“We are prepared to help, we will do what we can to support restoration and new uses, but it is important we finally see some positive movement with this important heritage asset.”

The Corn Exchange was for many years a concert and dance venue, and was also used as a skating rink and bingo hall.

After standing empty for a long period, it was all but destroyed by two fires more than 15 years ago.

Cllr Burns-Howell, representing Old Town and East Wichel Ward, said: “It was fantastic to get support for my recent Motion to Council, which now mandates a clear deadline for action to protect this important part of our heritage.

"Enough is enough. We need action not words and I look forward to working with the private owner if he is willing or able to submit a full planning application - reassured in the knowledge that if he fails the Council is preparing to take

action.”

Among the options presented to the Cabinet include using compulsory purchase powers, statutory powers or a range of enforcement notices, designed to preserve the building.

The council has been actively trying to give the Corn Exchange a new lease of life for several years.

In November 2016, the Council entered into a development agreement with Mr Mackenzie and Swindon Corn Exchange Limited, led by Steve Rosier, to turn the Corn Exchange and surrounding council-owned land into apartments, restaurants and mixed commercial uses.

After Swindon Corn Exchange Ltd missed a number of deadlines to bring forward the scheme, including according to the council - a final opportunity to submit a planning application by September 2019, the council took the decision to terminate the development agreement to prevent any further delay.

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Charity profile

Wiltshire Air Ambulance Wiltshire Air Ambulance has been saving lives for over 30 years – and continues to be needed now more than ever before. The charity started out in 1990 and for 24 years shared a helicopter with Wiltshire Police before becoming a stand-alone air ambulance in January 2015. After having bases in Devizes (for the aircrew) and Calne (for the charity team), the charity moved into its own purpose-built airbase in May 2018, for the first time bringing everyone together under one roof.

Wiltshire Air Ambulance’s paramedics are trained in critical care skills and, together with the specialist medical equipment they use, bring gold standard medical care to the most seriously injured and ill patients. The service is operational for up to 19 hours a day, 365 days a year.

Each year Wiltshire Air Ambulance needs to raise £3.75 million to continue flying and saving lives – that’s just over £10,000 a day.

They receive no regular direct funding from the Government or National Lottery grants.

Instead, they rely on the generosity of the people and businesses across Wiltshire and surrounding areas, including Bath, to help generate the necessary funds.

Last year the Coronavirus pandemic had a major impact on the charity’s ability to fundraise, with a host of 30th birthday celebration events postponed or cancelled altogether.

Despite all that, as reported in the February edition of Swindon Link magazine, the need for Wiltshire Air Ambulance’s lifesaving service reached an all-time peak last year, with the charity called to record 1,238 incidents.

Across Swindon, Royal Wootton Bassett and Highworth, Wiltshire Air Ambulance attended 226 incidents (more than once every two days), as well as conveying 65 patients to the Great Western Hospital in the town.

Wiltshire Air Ambulance chief executive David Philpott says: “We continued to provide our lifesaving work throughout the pandemic, as well as supporting our colleagues in the NHS more widely.

“We had to make adaptations to our helicopter and the way we operate to ensure the safety of our crew and patients. The pilots and paramedics have been carrying out their important work in uncomfortable PPE for over a year now.

“However, at a time when we have been needed more than ever, we’ve seen our traditional fundraising hit by around £500,000 due to the Coronavirus-enforced lockdowns and the ban on mass participation events due to social distancing.

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straits right now.

“The year 2021 remains a challenge for us as no more grants will be forthcoming, so we are hoping that our incredible supporters across Wiltshire and beyond will be able to rally behind us so our service doesn’t have to suffer.”

You can support Wiltshire Air Ambulance by joining their Lottery or by committing to a regular donation. Alternatively, text to WAA 70480 to donate £10 today (texts cost £10 plus your standard network charge).

To find out more, visit the charity’s website: www. wiltshireairambulance.co.uk

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Thanks a million from Prospect Hospice Hi. I’m Jonathan Wilkes and, as proud patron of Prospect Hospice, I’d like to say thanks a million!

Thanks a million for your support over the last 40 years.

Thanks to generous donations from local people, this fantastic charity has been able to be there for those at the end of their lives, supporting them and their families. Families just like mine.

Prospect Hospice patron I’ve seen first-hand the Jonathan Wilkes incredible work this highly skilled charity offers after a member of my own family was cared for by them in their last days. The support they gave to us all was second to none and we’ll always be grateful to them for that.

As a local charity, they rely on donations from the public to offer all of their services free to anyone that needs them. Yes, that’s right. It’s incredible to think that no one ever has to pay a penny for any of the care or support they receive from Prospect Hospice.

The Covid-19 pandemic has hit them hard. With their shops closed and fundraising events cancelled, their income dried up almost overnight last March.

Amazingly though, they have still managed to provide the specialist end of life care that so many people need. Often,

they’ve done this by keeping the patient at home, safely away from areas where they might be at risk and, at a time when so many patients in hospitals haven’t been able to have visitors, the hospice has enabled them to stay where they’re surrounded by their loved ones.

So I want to say thanks a million to everyone at the hospice for being there for those families over the last year and I’m asking you, if you can, to now be there for the hospice.

This wonderful charity, which supports those with a terminal illness and makes those last days and weeks of life just that little bit better, urgently needs your support to help them through this pandemic until they can begin their traditional fundraising activities again.

That’s why I’m asking you to support their 36-hour digital fundraiser ‘thanks a million’ on 25 and 26 April to raise as much money as possible for the hospice to see them.

To find out more and sign up to hear about the event when it’s live, visit www.prospect-hospice.net/thanksamillion

Join in with our exciting 36-hour fundraiser, says chief executive Irene Watkins Prospect Hospice wants to raise £1 Prospect chief executive million by the end of this summer. That’s Irene Watkins the amount of profit we make from our Prospect Hospice shops each year – when they are open normally.

We’re kicking fundraising off with a really exciting challenge at the end of this, our 40th year. This is a challenge for the community to raise as much cash for Prospect Hospice over 36 hours as possible.

There are several ways you can take part.

You could simply make a donation online. Or, you can create a buzz among your friends and family by setting up your own personalised page to donate. You set a target for your page and then ask, say, ten of your friends to donate too, and ask those friends to ask ten more people – so that the number donating increases rapidly – and the funds come in via your page.

Individuals, companies, clubs and other organisations can also take their own page, so that everyone they ask to donate too

How do supporters’ donations help?

Healthcare assistants for Prospect@home Kerri Parkes and Kerrie Westmacott

sees their contribution pushing up the total – it’s a great way of encouraging a bit of friendly competition!

As donations rise over the 36 hours, the Swindon community will be able to track the amount raised online, and get their friends, family and colleagues to rise to the challenge and push the total up yet further, too. So put 25 and 26 April in your diary – and thanks a million!

To find out more, go to www.prospect-hospice.net/ thanksamillion

Every penny you give to Prospect Hospice adds up. For example: n £650 can provide round-the-clock nursing for one patient, and for support for their family, for a day n £1,000 can pay for five nights of overnight nursing care in a

patient’s own home – giving much needed respite and comfort to them and their family n £2,500 can pay for more than a month’s worth of care and support by one of our dedicated health care assistants n £5,000 can provide round-the-clock nursing for one patient – and support for their family – for a week

Prospect Hospice belongs to the whole community. Around 70 per cent of its income comes from the generous donations and fund-raising efforts of people who live or work in Swindon and its surrounding

area. It’s that generosity that enables Prospect Hospice to provide all the expert clinical, emotional and practical support that patients and their families so appreciate. swindonlink.com n April 2021

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The Business Brief

Swindon firm at heart of international deal

A company which helped to save a town from flooding has been sold in a deal arranged by a specialist Swindon firm.

Pump Supplies Limited helped to save Toddbrook Reservoir Dam from collapsing and flooding the Derbyshire town of Whaley Bridge in 2019.

It has been bought by the pump aftermarket specialist Lakers Group, which has a large part of its business in the water and wastewater segment.

The deal was completed by Swindon-based corporate finance specialists Watersheds, and Pump Supplies founder Andrew John praised the firm and Watersheds partner Jessica Painter.

Mr John said: "I can’t thank Watersheds and Jessica enough for their help and guidance, particularly at a time when many deals are collapsing because of the uncertainty around the pandemic.

“They made the entire process so easy for me. It has been a great journey for the

Jessica Painter of Watersheds

past 39 years, one that I have thoroughly enjoyed with the support of some great people and customers over the years, and I’m very much looking forward to the next stage.”

Pump Supplies, which has an annual turnover of £20m, now boasts the largest fleet of electric submersible pumps in the UK, and benefits from a highly skilled workforce.

Lakers, headquartered in Oslo, Norway, has over 350 employees across Northern Europe, and by adding Pump Supplies to the group will reach an annual turnover of close to £100m.

Jessica Painter said Watersheds was delighted

to help Mr John achieve his ambition, particularly during the third lockdown in the covid-19 pandemic.

She added: “Having confidentially marketed the business last year we helped Andrew find the right buyer for his business of nearly 40 years.

"There had to be an alignment of culture ensuring staff would be looked after as he had done, and customers continuing to receive the high service levels that the company prided itself on.

“Andrew accepted Lakers’ offer at the turn of the New Year and the deal completed within 10 weeks of the first discussion.”

Company raises more than £40,000 for Prospect Hospice Long-standing Prospect Hospice supporter Wilson Tool has raised £40,867 from ongoing fundraising activities during the charity's 40th anniversary year.

The Swindon-based metal tooling specialist's HR Manager Amber Neal and marketing coordinator Faith Werritt said in a joint statement: “Wilson Tool has been raising funds for Prospect Hospice since 1999. Every year we would ask employees to nominate a charity and Prospect Hospice always came first.

"We then decided to make the hospice our chosen charity to support. It is a charity close to our hearts as over the years the hospice has touched all of us here at Wilson Tool.”

During the 22 years that Wilson Tool has been fundraising for the charity, staff have enjoyed taking part in various activities to raise

money, including bike rides, holding games nights, quizzes, football leagues, cake sales, and fun days.

They also hold a yearly Christmas raffle, where items gifted to the company by suppliers are used as raffle prizes.

Last Christmas, due to the pandemic, they were unable to hold the raffle as normal and instead asked suppliers if they would give a donation to their Just Giving fundraising page, raising another £560.

In addition to holding fundraising activities, Wilson Tool also raises funds from its vending machines and Prospect Hospice collection boxes placed around the building for staff.

Prospect Hospice offers free end-of-life care to those living in Swindon and north east Wiltshire and relies on support

from the local community to raise the £8million a year it takes to offer all of its services at no charge to its patients and supporters.

Lisa Curtis, major gifts and corporate fundraiser for Prospect Hospice, said: “We are incredibly grateful to Wilson Tool for their ongoing support.

"The money they have raised has meant one of our community nurses has provided specialist care and support out in the community for 253 days, caring for people at a time when they need us most in the comfort of their own homes.

"Our community care is a huge part of the work that we do, and this valued support of Wilson Tool means we can continue providing a vital service for our patients and I’d like to thank them for everything they do.”

Swindon firm Corporate Events marks 25 years

This year sees a milestone for award-winning agency Corporate Events.

The Swindon-based firm is marking 25 years of delivering face-to-face, virtual and hybrid events for clients all over the world.

Formed in 1996 by Managing Director Andy Ashley, the business has evolved into a leading provider of event production with a strong focus on audience engagement and immersive experiences.

Mr Ashley said: “Over the past 25 years we have continued to adapt to the changes in event technology, from the old ‘overhead projectors’ (OHPs), 35mm slides and the early projectors, to the LED walls and digital technology of today and the more recent surge in virtual and hybrid events, as well as the engagement tools that go hand in hand with those.

"Looking back across the past 25 years I am most proud of our team and the culture we have created together. We are an amazing bunch of honest, hardworking, fun, creative people - ‘going that extra mile’ for our clients is embedded within our DNA. "The events industry is largely driven by confidence and it has definitely experienced highs and lows. I remember the weeks following 9/11 when business stopped in its tracks, similarly in the financial crisis of 2008 and of course, most recently during the pandemic.”

In response to the pandemic, which continues to impact the event industry, Corporate Events launched their Virtual Event Studios which provide a range of fully customisable studios complete with tech production, project managers and production teams alongside the in-house design team. swindonlink.com n April 2021

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Window Wanderand brought plenty of much needed - and covid-safe - creative cheer to Eastcott

Eastcott Community Organisation's Window Wanderland was once again a success.

The charity, which is responsible for Eastcott Community Centre in 20

Savernake Street, invited local households to create imaginative window art on just about any theme which took their fancy.

The dozens of participants didn't disappoint, and windows

covered themes ranging from the beauties of nature to local history.

The community centre itself was also decorated.

As with last year's event, the community organisation

offered craft materials and advice, but because of the pandemic it also made sure to put a raft of safety measures in place, including quarantining craft materials before use.

(Pictures by Elmar Rubio)

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The Politics Page

Council urges people to get ready for elections - Clean their hands when entering and leaving the polling station Voters should not attend the polling station if they have symptoms of covid-19, or if they have been asked to self-isolate. There will be provisions in place to apply for an emergency proxy vote if required due to health circumstances.

Other voting options are available for residents who don’t wish to visit a polling station.

Postal or proxy votes are an easy and convenient way to cast your vote for those who may not want to or may not be able to visit the polling station in person.

Any registered voter can apply for a postal vote before 5pm on 20 April and anyone who wants to register for a

proxy vote - when someone votes on your behalf - should do so before 5pm on 27 April.

Matt Box, Electoral Services Manager for Swindon Borough Council, said: “It’s really important that you make your voice heard at the local elections on 6 May, and we are putting measures in place to help you cast your vote safely, whichever way you decide to do so. You can vote in person at a polling station or by proxy or postal vote.

“You can find more information about how to apply by proxy or postal vote on our website at www.swindon.gov. uk/postalvoting “However you choose to vote, you must make sure you are registered in order to have your say at the elections – the easiest and quickest way to do this is online at www.gov.uk/

register-to-vote."

The deadline to register to vote for the May 2021 elections is midnight on Monday, 19 April.

Further information about voting options and how to register can be found on the council website at: www. swindon.gov.uk/info/20073/ elections_and_voting/937/ forthcoming_elections/2

Swindon’s First Tiny Forest South Swindon Parish Council Chair Chris Watt's monthly column In March Swindon had its first Tiny Forest!

South Swindon Parish Council partnered with environmental charity, Earthwatch, and MINI Electric to plant a new Tiny Forest at East Wichel Parkone of the first of these types of forest in the UK. The Tiny Forest is based on a style of forest management that seeks to plant trees in a denser way- fitting 600 trees in an area the size of a tennis court. These miniature forests grow rapidly and generate biodiversity benefits quicker than the usual style of planting.

This project was a great example of the private sector and public sector working together for an environmental 22

good. We look forward to the community enjoying the Tiny Forest grow over the coming years.

While the Tiny Forest is a new way of allowing residents to enjoy nature, the provision of allotments has been a more common way of achieving this. In 2017 the Parish Council took on 14 allotment sites from Swindon Borough Council. When we took over the allotments many plot holders were dissatisfied with the service, with allotments suffering from a lack of management, many allotment plots being left abandoned; and a lack of investment with allotment holders having to drive over potholes to access their allotment.

Since taking on these allotments we have been keen to deliver value for money for our plot holders. We have:

- Reduced the allotment charge to one of the cheapest in Swindon.

- Invested to both secure and improve access to our allotment sites.

- Employed a dedicated allotment officer who ensures plots are kept to a high standard.

As a consequence of these

actions we are proud to have the highest occupancy rate ever recorded with plot holders expressing their delight in the service we are providing. Our next steps are to secure more allotment sites so more of our parishioners can benefit from the service we are providing.

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Words by Barrie Hudson

Swindon Borough Council is working to make the 6 May local elections as safe as possible for voters.

This year, Swindon will see elections for the Police and Crime Commissioner for Wiltshire, elections in 19 of the 20 Swindon Borough Council Wards and elections in 18 parish council areas.

The deadline to register to vote is 19 April and poll cards will be sent out to residents towards the end of March.

For those who choose to vote in person, there will be measures in place to make sure polling stations are covid-safe, including socially-distanced queues, hand sanitiser stations and floor markers. Voters are also encouraged to: - Wear a face covering unless exempt - Bring their own pen or pencil

Words by Barrie Hudson

Did enigmatic guerrilla artist Banksy make a nocturnal visit to Swindon?

That was the question being asked by excited social media users after the overnight appearance of a striking artwork on the wall of a former Swindon bus station.

The life-size piece, showing a young man in an early 20th century-style flat cap carrying a sandwich board, was discovered among years' worth of graffiti on the wall of the empty depot toward the top of Eastcott Hll. The message on the sandwich board was: "Wild£ man on the run Heading for BRISTOL." Below this were the words: "Dodge NEWS." As soon as word of the piece began circulating on social media, the first of a steady stream of people began arriving to take photographs.

Aside from his striking art, Banksy is perhaps best known for shunning publicity and keeping his identity a secret, which merely added to the excitement, speculation and debate.

Nobody disputed the fact that the stencilled work, with its mysterious message, resembled other Banksy pieces, but some of those who saw it said certain details meant it could not be the real thing.

Others pointed out that the message on the sandwich board about a 'Wild£ Man' tied in with an earlier confirmed Banksy work on a wall of the former Reading Gaol.

It was at Reading Gaol that Victorian author and wit Oscar Wilde was held after he was convicted of gross indecency under the homophobic laws of the time.

During his time imprisoned there, Wilde produced one of his greatest works, De Profundis, and was inspired to write another famous piece, The Ballad of Reading Gaol.

Whatever the truth, Swindon people had only about 36 hours to inspect the work on the former bus depot wall before it was covered with more graffiti.

This was in spite of the site being guarded by at least three parked vans in succession, one of them apparently that of a police dog unit.

One of the other vans was driven by man who identified himself as a security guard working for the site's owners.

Banksy works command high prices, and it is not unknown for people and organisations who discover one of his works on their property to carefully preserve and remove it.

At the time of going to print, the artist had yet to send any message claiming or disclaiming the Swindon piece.

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Did Banksy visit former bus depot?

The appearance of the piece sparked fierce social media speculation and debate

Detail of the work

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Create Studios to benefit from Swindon's £19m Budget bonanza

Swindon's Create Studios plans to use its share of £19m in Government funding to enhance its new home.

In the Budget announcement last week, Create Studios was one of seven projects to be supported from regeneration funding as part of the town’s funding award.

The £19.5m allocation will help to boost the local economy in Swindon and regenerate parts of the town centre.

The fund will go toward a range of projects including a new landmark media production facility at the Carriage Works for Create Studios, refurbishing the Health Hydro in Milton Road and the Kimmerfields development.

Create Studios’ CEO Shahina Johnson MBE said: “The team at Create Studios are delighted about the funding to regenerate the town centre, and know that cultural and creative industries have been at the heart of successful regeneration around the country.

"We are looking forward to working with the team at Swindon Borough Council to deliver excellent facilities to grow skills and employment for our young people in the digital creative industries, mentored as always by our dedicated team.”

Create Studios will be moving into their new home at the Carriage Works once conversions on one of the units are completed in three years’ time.

Features of the facility will include a dedicated studio, workshop spaces for young people, and a cafe. In the new location at the historical

Carriage Works, Create Studios will be continuing to build upon their nationallyrecognised track record of creating high-end film productions for national and international companies as well as running their talent development programmes for young people.

Cllr David Renard, Leader of Swindon Borough Council, said:

“The Towns Fund announcement Jade, left, and Jessi is fantastic news for Swindon and the projects that have been selected will give our town centre a huge boost.

“I am really pleased we are able to use some of the funding to support Create Studios in a new purpose-built home at the Carriage Works, which is steeped in Swindon’s railway heritage.”

Poetry: An age-old gift of story-telling through poems Poetry column with Maurice Spillane several decades. Men don’t augur well. I wonder if I’m on of Poetry Swindon

I have two local friends who were 90 recently, Joy Vincent and Barbara Carey.

Unfortunately, there was no celebration because of Covid.

We’ll have a knees-up yet.

Elderly people with time on their hands need an audience.

They tell a story and, like links on a necklace, one thing leads to another and then you get a gem. Joy and Barbara are conversationalists, strong women, independent, fit and busy.

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that slippery slope: forgetting things, names especially, going upstairs to get something and not remembering what it was.

It’s worse with words – and I’m a poet.

I was on the phone to a gynaecological friend recently who’d been a Covid volunteer for the Oxford vaccine. I asked her if she’d had the real vaccine or the placenta. She laughed to tears, thought I was hilarious. I laughed too but I didn’t know what was so funny.

When I got off the phone, I realised I’d said placenta instead of placebo. See what I mean?

Back to my friends. This poem, “The Water Carrier,” juxtaposes the olden days with today, new names but the same stories.

In the olden days they’d gather at the forge or the bakery, smells of fire and grain, anthems for an orchestra settling in, bell clang and clapper, the bellow of flame, and in the heat stories would be sharpened, the immediate embossed like links on a chain.

In our modern world you still attend our needs though the medium of stories

Joy Vincent

has moved on.

You’re still the dependable who’d take in a parcel, the comforter listening through eyes, a paragon with an anecdote, a cure perhaps, a word.

You are Hebe, the water-carrier, carrying on. www.mauricespillane.com

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Live at Lydiard announces first headline act Anne-Marie

Live at Lydiard, which takes place on Saturday 21 August at Lydiard Park, has announced its first headline act for its debut festival: Anne-Marie. She will be appearing alongside the already announced Sean Kingston and a DJ set from Roman Kemp. Tickets for Live at Lydiard are on sale now from their website from just £8 with their Payment Plan scheme.

Anne-Marie’s rise to stardom has been nothing short of meteoric and the announcement of her as Live at Lydiard’s first headliner will definitely prove very popular as the sun sets across Lydiard Park this summer.

A former three times world karate champion and Westend child star, the 29-year-old has gone on to become one of the world’s most-loved, and successful, pop artists of recent years, with four UK Top 10 singles and 4.5 billion global streams to her name.

Following a string of global hit singles and huge media support, Anne-Marie’s UK Top three debut album, ‘Speak Your Mind’, was released in 2018.

A home to her playfully infectious pop and idiosyncratic storytelling, the album housed a swarm of relatable chart gems including her breakthrough break-up hit ‘Alarm’, the Clean Bandit

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and Sean Paul collaboration ‘Rockabye’ [the track secured the coveted 2016 Christmas No.1 spot in the UK], ‘Ciao Adios’, friendzone anthem and Marshmello collaboration ‘FRIENDS’, as well as her Ed Sheeran co-write and nostalgia track, “2002”.

It’s no wonder, then, that AnneMarie was crowned that year’s biggest-selling debut artist in the UK. Now Platinum certified in the UK, the LP has sold in excess of two million copies globally.

Following the release of her debut album, Anne-Marie landed further high-profile collaborations with James Arthur for their rendition of “Rewrite the Stars”, taken from ‘The Greatest Showman: Reimagined’ soundtrack, as well as her Lauv collaboration on ‘f*ck, I’m lonely’.

Not to mention a global support tour with Ed Sheeran across the UK, Europe and North America for his Divide run and countless sold-out headline shows worldwide, including a sold-out show at Swindon’s Oasis back in 2019.

Last year, Anne-Marie released her empowering comeback single, ‘Birthday’. Landing front covers and huge playlist support from launch, the single has now been streamed over

20 million times.

Additionally, she currently features on the Rudimental smash single ‘Come Over’ alongside Tion Wayne as well as featuring as a judge in ITV’s ‘The Voice’. Also, her latest single ‘Don’t Play’ with ‘KSI’ and ‘Digital Farm Animals’ has been at a strong number 6 position in the Official UK Singles Chart Top 100 for the last two weeks.

As well as Anne-Marie, Live

at Lydiard still have 2 more headliners and 30+ other acts to announce across their four stages.

With thousands of tickets already sold, their debut year is going to be something truly special.

Tickets for Live at Lydiard are on sale now from their website from £8 deposit. www.liveatlydiard.co.uk swindonlink.com n April 2021

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MOTORING I never thought I would be driving a Suzuki which costs more than £45,000.

Most of their models are under £20,00 but now we have the Suzuki Across, pronounced A-Cross, which comes in at £45,500 at the head of their fleet.

If you think it’s a tad familiar you would be right. It’s practically the same as the Toyota RAV4.

The two Japanese manufacturers have got together and the Across is the first example of their collaboration on the British roads. While they are not identical - they have different styled front ends, different wheels and the steering wheels are separately badged, and that’s about it.

Both the Across and the RAV4 have just one engine and one trim. That means you will be buying a plug-in hybrid (PHEV)

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Suzuki Across : A quality plug-in Leigh Robinson: Motoring writer

with an 18.1kWh battery, 2.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine, which gives you an impressive electric range, extremely low CO2 emissions and a great hybrid performance and that can give you almost 300 miles to the gallon if you really drive it properly!

This 2.5 litre engine with a 180bhp four-cylinder

unit without a turbo means this 300bhp powertrain will give you 0-60mph in six seconds and emits just 22g/km of CO2. Not bad for a five seat family sized SUV which weighs in at almost a couple of tonnes!

There is also 46 miles of range on the battery pack alone and the BIK tax banding is just six per cent.

The Across can run on its

electric motors alone at up to 84mph and there are e-motors at each axle, offering a combined 234bhp.

The 490 litre boot is well-equipped with hooks and under-floor stowage and with the seats folded near-flat, space goes up to 1,100 litres.

There’s more than enough space for adults and easy to get three in the back as well with plenty of charging ports and storage cupboards.

When you toddle off to town your economy will be between 60 and 70mpg and that is certainly brilliant.

On the question of tax the Across is on the six per cent band which means that the company car driver will save thousands of pounds a year on a non plug-in competitor.

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Are you welcoming a new puppy to the family?

By Thameswood Veterinary Clinics

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PETS & NATURE

You’ve researched the breed, been to the breeder a few times, sized up your house, had plenty of conversations, done the budget and – you’re ready for your new pup to join the family. It’s a great feeling isn’t it?

But welcoming your dog to the family can involve a list so long, some of it gets lost in the excitement of it all. Here are a few important things to remember…

Early Socialisation The first 12 months of your puppy’s life count towards a happy and healthy adulthood, so take the time to look for local activities in your community and professional advice from your vets such as our Youth Club.

Pet Insurance Choosing a lifetime pet insurance policy will give you peace of mind that you won’t need to worry too much about the financial aspect of caring for your pet, and instead can focus solely on what’s best for them, whatever treatment they should need throughout their lifetime.

Vets Try to have an initial consultation before you welcome your puppy home, it’s something we encourage at our clinics. That way you can talk through vaccinations, worming, microchips and any other areas of early care before you become a client. We also offer a pet health plan which means you can spread the cost of that all-important preventative care and routine treatment to keep you puppy healthy and happy at a discount!

Visit thameswoodvets.co.uk/puppy-information for more about caring for your puppy, and here’s to many happy years ahead with your new four-legged member of the family!

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CYCLING Cycling column with Becky Cox of Swindon Cycle Campaign

With lockdown restrictions beginning to ease, British Cycling volunteers like me are preparing to restart a programme of free, guided bike rides across Swindon.

From the spring, our local team of fully qualified ride leaders will be putting on rides especially aimed at those who bought a bike, or returned to cycling, over the past 12 months.

Many of the routes will be traffic-free, exploring the evergrowing network of cycle paths in Swindon. You really don’t need to travel far to see some beautiful local countryside by bike, and there will be plenty of confidence-boosting rides on quiet roads to enjoy.

We’re expecting to be able to lead rides from 29 March

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SPORT In recent weeks both on and off the pitch Swindon have entered turmoil.

Discontent among town fans has reached a boiling point. And the club is rotting.

Despite showing small signs of improvement following fortunate victories against Crewe and Northampton as well as recording a good point away to high flying Lincoln, Swindon have taken one step forward and about 10 steps backwards.

With the defeat against local rivals Oxford in the Derby reflecting the severity of the disarray at the County Ground, from top to bottom the club has dropped its standards.

A prime example of this being the hallowed turf of the County Ground. Swindon have a reputation for often producing pristine pitches to 28 swindonlink.com n April 2021 SE April Master pages.indd 28

FREE, fun, led rides starting up again soon! and, in eager anticipation, some rides are already available to book via www. letsride.co.uk. Initially participant numbers will be limited, but as we progress into summer it is hoped that capacity will increase.

Once again I’ll be leading some of the short social rides on local cycle paths, the first of which will be a ride around the Old Town area on Thursday 1 April at 10am. As always, this will be a family friendly ride, and therefore I’ll be joined by my very own ‘assistant ride leader’ (in his child seat).

The ride will start at the Croft Mountain Bike Trail, opposite the entrance to Nationwide - a fantastic local facility, built and maintained by local volunteers.

The ride itself will be a 6-mile loop via Wichelstowe and the Old Town Railway path, and it

is almost 100% traffic-free.

This route, along with a catalogue of risk-assessed local rides, is avaliable to check out yourself on the ‘Let’s Ride’ website.

It’s a great place to find rides to do with the family or if you’re just looking for a nice local loop to complete on your own.

Slipping standards leading to relegation play football on. However this season the pitch is resembling a field rather than a playing surface. Now admittedly there has been a shorter turn around this season which wouldn't benefit the pitch, but it still shouldn't be in the current state regardless of the situation.

On another note, the methods deployed by John Sheridan this season clearly aren't working.

His ideas on the game are a far cry from former gaffer Richie Wellens' fresh exciting views. Some of the substitutions made this season have been baffling including replacing both of your centre halves with 10 minutes to go in the derby against Oxford when you're looking for a way back.

With all that's happening off the pitch it's hard to remember as well as believe that Swindon still have the faintest survival

hopes. At the time of writing Swindon sit joint bottom of league 1 alongside AFC Wimbledon. I believe that for survival this season it will need 48 points. Burton were bringing up the rear of league 1 for the majority of this season, until the appointment of former boss Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink as manager.

It just goes to show how if you put together a run of results then a lot can change very quickly. In my opinion Burton are out of danger now which leaves six teams fighting for survival. Those teams being Swindon, Rochdale, Wigan, Bristol Rovers, AFC Wimbledon and Northampton.

It must be said that whatever league Swindon find themselves in next season I'm worried about the future for the club.

With chairman Lee Power

Let’s Ride is supported by Swindon Borough Council and British Cycling as an initiative to help encourage more people to get out cycling.

If you fancy joining in on one of the rides, do keep an eye out on the Let’s Ride website, as more rides will be popping up near you soon: www. letsride.co.uk Alfie Howlett: Swindon Town FC writer looking to sell the club, I'd suspect funding for next season will be minimal. Not just down to him looking to leave but Swindon haven't had matchday revenue for over a year and Swindon won't be able to base their budget on off season ticket sales. Meaning that regardless of the level of football or whoever is in charge of the team, there will be very little money to spend on what is currently a poor squad.

With the season coming to its final hurdle it's now more imperitive than ever to clear that hurdle. The teams that do will be playing league 1 football next season and the teams that don't will be staring down the barrel of league 2. Surely and hopefully things can only improve for Swindon.

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