South East Swindon Link February 2020

No 42 February 2020

GPS delivered door to door to 50,000 homes across Swindon with Est. overall readership of 125,000

Swindon

LINK Your Community Magazine

South & East Edition

Focus on fostering and adoption page 16

Swindon's first ever CBD health cafe opens in Old Town Page 4 Review: A fab meal at Page 23 Science Swindon fab Fabio's in Old Town A festival at Steam that will be literally out of this world

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Page 20 125 years of Beard celebrated in new book

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Let's be constructive

Alternative health cafe offers legal cannabis products

By Ben Fitzgerald ben@swindonlink.com

Visitors to Mams Gallery can now kick back and relax in the recently opened Total Health I was at a meeting the other day of Swindon's great and the Cafe on Eastcott Hill.

Declared a ‘dairy free zone’, good. It was essentially a room the vegetarian cafe serves up full of people who were trying a cracking almond flat white, their best to keep the town as a latte and cappuccino - all lovely place to live. made using almond milk.

And The amount of talent on display there are a range of plant was fantastic. There were based cakes and snacks. people from every walk of life But what really sets the - representatives from business, Total Health Cafe apart is the the arts, heritage, charities and range of CBD products. poltiics.

Co-owner Chris Dale, 47, And the one thing all of these explained: “Emma started this people had in common was that Mams Gallery a year ago as they had a deep love for the a way of promoting art for town that they called home. therapy.

It’s all about people None of them were ignorant of the challenges that face our town coming together and having fun. I’ve got a background in and with each problem they all sought a constructive and positive sports nutrition which led me to find out about CBD products.” way of dealing with them.

CBD oil, which is thought to This is the oppositie of what help people with anxiety and we've been seeing on social depression, is derived from the media with any news of plans cannabis plant. for the town for the most part The legal substance is free being greeted with a torrent of of the illegal psychoactive negativity with no constructive cannabis ingredient that feedback offered at all. produces a high.

Joining the moaning masses “There seems to be an myself I would just like to say it's epidemic of three key fine to moan and say something problems in western society is nonsense or not a good idea stress, anxiety and depression. but if you're going to do that There are many studies that please elaborate as to why the plan is nonsense and not a good suggest that CBD can help to reduce these problems. idea. Constructive feedback is "We’ve had a great first always listened to. couple of weeks at the cafe If you did that we might and we are really pleased by actually get somewhere.

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

Group Editor and Owner: Jamie Hill Deputy Editor: Ben Fitzgerald

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

Calyx

ADVERTISING Call 01793 320043 or email: advertising@swindonlink.com Closing date for March adverts and editorial: 10 February March edition published: 21 February Our Statistics Est. Readership of 125,000 in print & c.50,000 monthly online visitors.

Swindon’s largest free publication.

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Positive Media Group Limited, Old Bank House, 5 Devizes Road, Old Town, Swindon SN1 4BJ

T: 01793 320043 Email: publisher@swindonlink.com

the reaction that we have had from visitors.”

Chris was keen to stress that the chemicals are derived from ethical and reputable sources.

The Total Health Cafe also stocks a range of adaptogen products - a group of plants thought to help control stress and help stabilise the body.

For more information about the Total Health Cafe and Mams Gallery see https:// mamsgallery.co.uk The contents of The Link are protected by copyright. Use of advertisements in printed or electronic form is forbidden unless an advertiser or publisher has sought permission. Articles and photographs require similar authority.

Positive Media Group Limited cannot be held responsible for goods or services or the copyright of content supplied by our advertisers.

Reg. in England & Wales. No: 4513027, at Old Bank House, 5 Devizes Road, Swindon SN1 4BJ Printed by pcp Telford

Look out next month for a special insert in association with inSwindon town centre BID - bringing you everything you need to know about what's happening in the town centre.

Got a community story or feature? Contact newsdesk at publisher@swindonlink.com or 01793 320043 swindonlink.com n February 2020

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'Tomorrow' - Swindon

Friday 21 and Saturday 22 February, 10 AM - 5 PM

Tickets are now selling fast for “Tomorrow”, Swindon’s brand new festival of science and engineering, taking place at STEAM Museum on 21and 22 February, with some events starting to get booked up.

Along with tickets for free entry to the main festival, tickets for shows, panels and talks are on sale, exploring

the technology of the future, from transport to Virtual Reality. Libby Jackson, Human Exploration Programme Manager at UK Space Agency will reveal the latest plans for the UK in missions to the Moon, and popular author Brian Clegg will explain the secrets of how to build a time machine!

A range of free workshops have also been confirmed, where families can explore the stars, learn to code, build a hydrogen car, or develop their engineering skills with the James Dyson Foundation!

The Discovery Zone Discovery Zone partners and exhibitors will include:

Altro Orbis - Badminton School - University of Bath, Centre for Sustainable and Circular Technologies - University of Bristol, Quantum Engineering University of Bristol, Centre for Functional Nanomaterials - Carto Group - Intel James Dyson Foundation - University of Oxford, Nuffield Department of Orthopaedics, Rheumatology and Musculoskeletal Sciences 4

- University of Oxford, Nuffield Department of Surgical Sciences - University of Oxford, MRC Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine University of Reading Render Media - Richard Jefferies Museum - Science Museum Group - Swindon Hydrogen Hub - Swindon Makerspace - Swindon Museum of Computing Toyota - UK Atomic Energy Authority - UK Research & Innovation - UK Space Agency

“We’re looking forward to an incredibly exciting couple of days of fun, and fascinating science and engineering,” said Rod Hebden, Director of New Elements, who are delivering the festival in partnership with STEAM Museum of the Great Western Railway. “I’m lucky enough to have seen what some of our partners are planning to bring to the festival, and I am so excited for people to enjoy it in Swindon. You’ll be able to be able to have a go at surgery or work with Artificial Intelligence, see demonstrations

with liquid nitrogen and find out the latest in sustainable technology!”

Tickets to the festival, itself will get you access to the main Discovery Zone featuring a wide range of hands-on activities and exhibits from across science and engineering.

Ticketing information is available on the Science Swindon website, and tickets can be booked directly from STEAM Museum.

For more information, contact info@scienceswindon.com, or visit www.scienceswindon.com

A virtual demonstration with Intel

Swindon-based Intel (UK) will be very active at the Science at Swindon Festival giving visitors a taste of the future using AI and virtual reality.

If festival-goers fancy a hands-on experience of the ‘Good’, ‘Better’ and the ‘Best’ of Virtual Reality systems they should definitely head to their zone where they will have the opportunity to explore the world, nano biology, the solar system and create art in vivid three dimensions.

Visitors will also have the opportunity to train an AI using pictures of cats and dogs to recognize one from the other.

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on's Science Festival Talks and Shows

Out of This World

Join London's Science Museum Outreach team for a journey into space in this action-packed show.

Together we will discover what it takes to become an astronaut, launch a rocket, explore the Solar System and look for alien life. This show contains explosions, super-cool liquid nitrogen, eyepopping vacuums and wee drinking. You have been warned!

Dude, where's my hovercar?

What is the Future of Travel?

Swindon was built on the railways, and the car makers soon followed. But what's next for Swindon and the world. Join BBC Science in Action presenter, Roland Pease and a panel of invited guests from Innovate UK and industry to explore the future of travel.

Fireworks - Real Science or Just Bangs?

Explore the colourful and explosive world of pyrotechnics as Matthew deconstructs the science and engineering behind firework displays. Matthew Tosh has taken the live science show world by storm with his shows and performances about fireworks and stage effects. He’ll reveal how to create colours, different sound effects, shock waves and perfectly timed bursts in time to music. Featuring shock waves, forces, energy pathways, electricity, flames, sparks, smoke effects and real indoor fireworks, this is an exciting and dramatic show that will guarantee to have you on the edge of their seats.

UK goes to the moon!

The UK is heading back to the Moon! We are living in an exciting, once in a generation time when the direction of space exploration is shifting gears. The world space agencies are building spacecraft that will send humans out beyond the confines of Low Earth Orbit for the first time since the end of the Apollo lunar missions in 1972 and have plans for much more. The UK, through our membership of the European Space Agency, will be a part of these exciting missions, but it is not the first time that we have sent missions to the Moon.

Libby Jackson, the UK Space Agency’s Human Exploration Programme Manager, shares the amazing details of our lunar story - past achievements, current activities and the plans for the next decades.

How to build a time machine

Time travel makes for wonderful science fiction, but in this talk, we take a trip with popular science writer Brian Clegg into the real world of time machines. Surprisingly, there is nothing in the laws of physics that prevents us from travelling through time. In fact, time travel is a natural consequence of relativity - though the reality is very different from the time machines of fiction. There is no other topic that captures the imagination so dramatically. From an exploration of the nature of time and why time travellers’ conventions don’t get many attendees to the revelation of our best time machine that has already been built, this talk shatters our illusions on the reality of time travel.

Re-imagining the World! Creating the future with VR and immersive technology Blurring the lines between physical and digital worlds, immersive technology offers the ultimate engagement platform for the experience age and can solve real challenges facing business and society, along with transforming gaming and entertainment. Immersive innovation is increasingly recognised as a powerful solution to a range of 21st century challenges. Mark Miles, CEO of Render, brings his real-world expertise and experience to showcase the very latest applications of Virtual Reality and Augmented Reality, and will challenge the audience to imagine what immersive technologies might mean for how we will create our future.

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Swindon parents undertake ten challenges in memory of their son in honour of his tenth birthday

By Jamie Hill jamie@swindonlink.com

Karl Paul and his wife Charlotte who lost their son Oscar in 2010, when he was born prematurely, are marking his tenth birthday by taking on ten challenges.

The Swindon couple, who live in Rodbourne Cheney, plan to raise £10,000 to donate to the Ronald McDonald House in Bristol which gave them support at the worst time in their lives.

They’ve called their fundraising effort ‘Oscar’s 10 for 10’.

They plan to take part throughout the year and their tenth will be to organise a gala in Oscar’s memory in the autumn. Karl is well known in Swindon’s business community as the founder of digital marketing and SEO agency Smarter Media and Charlotte also works in the business.

Karl said: “Charlotte and I are blessed to now have three

beautiful daughters however for us, we have four children and we have always made sure Oscar is part of our lives.

This year we will honour him in this way and perhaps help parents who are also going through a very difficult time.”

“Losing our son was terrible,” Charlotte said. “He was such a fighter, he had an operation on his bowel at six days old, suffered from a blood infection and he still showed such strength. At 28 days he slipped away and we will never forget him.”

Oscar was born at the Great Western Hospital in Swindon on June 7 2010 at just 25 weeks and two days’ gestation. At the time Karl and Charlotte were in their early 20s. Oscar was so small he was transferred to St Michael’s Hospital in Bristol to be cared for in their specialist neo natal unit. During his life, Karl and Charlotte stayed at the Ronald McDonald House in

Bristol. This charity relies on donations to help families of critically ill children stay nearby free of charge.

Since that time, the couple have already raised more than £30,000 in Oscar’s memory both for the House and also to buy an incubator for the special care baby unit where Oscar spent his short life. In 2020, they have set themselves a special challenge to mark the year when Oscar would have been ten years old.

During 2020, the couple plan to undertake several feats including: *Run a half marathon

for Marlborough Park, Marlborough Road, Broome Manor Lane, The Gates and Marlborough Lane, due to ongoing issues with parking.

Comments and objections were required by 10 January for Marlborough Road and Broome Manor Lane (+ The Gates), and these are currently being reviewed by Swindon Borough Council. TRO updates for all the areas mentioned are expected shortly. Discussions are still underway with residents in the wider area about how to help alleviate parking problems, which we know exist throughout Old Town.

Consultation on the new Local Plan ended on 31st of January, concerns were expressed about the amount of housing to be built in Wroughton, which is likely to lead to a lowering of air quality and more congestion in Old Town. There is a proposal to build 400 new homes on land between Dean Street and the railway line,

known as Newburn Sidings, with access from Wootton Bassett Road opposite Red Post Drive, making the junction a crossroads which has concerned residents because of increased traffic, potential flooding and loss of wildlife habitat and amenity.

There is no further news to report on the Corn Exchange at present, but Sally Hawson of Save Swindon’ Heritage group is convening a meeting to which everyone is invited on Friday 7 February at 7pm in the Moose Hall to find out more about the future of this iconic Old Town landmark.

The Old Town Festival committee are making an urgent plea for more people to help organise this year’s event which takes place from 6 – 13 June. If you can help, please email swindonoldtownfestival@ gmail.com to offer your

*Take part in a half Iron Man event *Walk for more than 40 miles on the Cotswolds Plod Their challenges will end with a gala ball to be held in Swindon in the autumn. Their efforts have already got off to a flying start with a £1,500 donation from the team at I AM Promotions). Anyone who wants to support the Paul family can do so by donating here www. justgiving.com/fundraising/ oscars10for10

Old Town: Can you help your local community?

By Claire Bouverie-Brine of Old Town Residents Association

Our gardeners know community gardening really benefits physical and mental health, and love the difference the gardens have made to the area.

We meet on a regular basis to maintain and improve six flower beds recognisable by their signage, and kicked off the New Year by assessing all the beds in January, working out how to improve the beds and the areas in general. If you would like to join in our working parties, meeting dates will be available to see on a poster in the window of Earle's Newsagents in Newport Street. Everyone is welcome to come along, no experience necessary. The photo shows us at the Mr Cod bed on Victoria Road after our first gardening session of 2020.

New or experimental Traffic Regulation Orders (TROs) are being proposed

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services.

Other events taking place this year include Swindon Jazz and Soul Festival on 4 April, from 12 noon until 11pm at Christ Church. Contact Chris Smith (chris.smith@cccc.co.uk) for more details of how to get tickets. The date for Old Town Open Gardens has been set for Sunday 29 June, tickets available nearer the time.

If you would like to come to our meetings, they are held on the third Monday of the month at 7.30pm in the back bar of The Wheatsheaf in Newport Street, the next one is 17 February. Everyone is welcome! www.facebook.com/groups/ oldtownresidents swindonlink.com n February 2020 7 29/01/2020 13:40

Casualty star does the descent thing

Jason Durr, best known for playing David Hide in the BBC drama Casualty, abseiled 90ft down the Great Western Hospital for charity.

The actor, who lives in Wiltshire, was raising funds for Brighter Futures, Great Western Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust’s charity.

Jason was joined by 50 other fundraisers.

All money raised will go towards improving services on the Children’s Ward, including the continued funding of a music therapist provided by charity CALM. Jason said: “The Great Western Hospital is my local hospital and has cared for many of my family members over the years.

“We have always received such good care and I just wanted to give something back and raise some money. If we can make the children’s experiences in hospital that little bit better, then I want to do my bit – even if that means dangling off the side of the hospital."

Thinking space Youngsters are being challenged to come up with ways to use satellites to improve life on earth.

The SatelLife competition, run by the Swindon based UK Space Agency, is seeking imaginative ways that can make use of data collected from space to improve quality of life such as supporting health services, tackling climate change, and supporting economic growth.

People aged 11 to 22 and are split into three age groups. The closing date for entries is 3rd March 2020.

For details and to enter the competition, log in to www.gov.uk/government/ publications/satellifecompetition-2020 8

Beat those winter blues by joining a walking group

The festive season is over!

Are you feeling sluggish, overweight, unfit, lonely, depressed, isolated? Why not join a walking group.

Swindon and North East Wiltshire ramblers have regular walks in interesting places with trained leaders who promise they can take you from sofa to summit.

To join is free and it is a chance for people to meet new

friends and socialise whilst at the same time shedding those extra festive pounds.

You can make new friends and you can try the walks for free.

A spokesman said: "We can cater for all abilities and we have walks with different lengths and terrains. You can try our 1 hour urban health walks or our short countryside rambles of 4-5 miles. Check

out what we can offer on our websites."

Step Out Swindon www. walkingforhealth.org.uk/ walkfinder/step-out-swindon Swindon and NE Wilts Ramblers www. wiltsswindonramblers.org.uk/ index.php/ne-wiltshire If you’re not online then simply phone Grahame Lee on 07932 109209 for further information.

Councils promoting their ‘Right to Build’ Registers, popular TV series on self building and a growing desire for better built, more efficient homes, there is a real buzz around ‘Self Build’ at the moment. We are seeing more people than ever who are realising there is an alternative option when it comes to the quality of the homes we live in."

The show features several case studies by people who have completed their own self builds along with over 250 exhibitors showcasing the building products and technologies.

Experienced experts will be on hand to demonstrate, answer questions and offer their professional advice. A highlight of all NSBRC Shows are the

guided tours of the centre’s fantastic educational zones, featuring a life size 'Renovation House' and a 'New Build Journey'. It’s the perfect way to help get your own project started.

The National Self Build & Renovation Show - Friday 31 January to 2 February The National Self Build & Renovation Show returns for a packed three days of seminars, live demonstrations and an unrivalled line up of experts on hand to share their homebuilding advice.

It’s the perfect event if you are thinking about extending your home, renovating a tired property or finding a plot and building a brand new home.

Produced by the National Self Build & Renovation Centre (NSBRC), Swindon’s award winning Self Build Visitor Centre, their Winter Show is one of the largest home building events of the year.

Over 3,000 people will be exploring topics from planning and plot finding, to smart homes and solar panels.

Harvey Fremlin, NSBRC Managing Director, said: “We are really excited about our Winter Show. From Local

Show highlights a More than 20 seminars, live demonstrations, case studies and panel debates each day a Guided tours of the NSBRC’s life-size exhibits a Free Self Build course taster sessions a One to one expert advice

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NHS service cuts wait for treatment A new NHS healthcare service has been set up to cut down orthopaedic waiting times and support patients to stay in Swindon for appointments ahead of surgery, saving them the time, expense and pain of unnecessary travel.

The Swindon Outpatient Clinic, which will be held at the Swindon Health Centre, Islington Street, offers pre and post-operative appointments to patients who may require orthopaedic surgery at Emersons Green NHS Treatment Centre, Bristol and Devizes NHS Treatment Centre. Outpatient lead nurse Julia Ashworth explained: “Anyone undergoing treatment may find travelling difficult because of pain or lack of mobility. The new Swindon clinic will make the treatment pathway significantly easier and will minimise the risk of discomfort or distress from unnecessary travelling.”

If patients have been referred by their GP, or if they have been referred by the Musculoskeletal Assessment Treatment Service (MATS) for orthopaedic surgery, they just need to select Care UK Swindon Outpatient Clinic on NHS e-Referral. Call 0333 999 7641.

Jabs uptake concerns

A Swindon doctor has raised concerns over immunisation jabs - after uptake rates were found to be below target levels.

Dr Peter Swinyard said that more than 100 babies in Swindon had not received their six in one jab which protects against polio, whooping cough, tetanus, flu, hepatitis B and diphtheria.

Recent data shows that 92.2 per cent of young children in Swindon were vaccinated - short of the World Health Organisation 95% target.

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Swindon's NHS walk-in centre set to close Healthcare in Swindon is set to change from next year when the town’s Walk-in Centre is taken out of service.

Based within the larger Swindon NHS Health Centre in Islington Street, the Walkin Centre will begin scaling back its services over the coming months, before being withdrawn on Wednesday 1 April.

Patients attending before the end of March will still be seen, however people will be encouraged to seek alternative services, such as their GP practice, local pharmacist or calling NHS 111, in the future.

The move, which mirrors what is happening in other towns and cities, comes after NHS England and NHS Improvement directed CCGs to consolidate on-the-day healthcare services ahead of a nationwide rollout of Urgent Treatment Centres.

In addition, a recent audit of the Walk-in Centre showed the

majority of people attending were doing so for services that are available, as well as more effective when provided, at GP practices.

Data also revealed a large proportion of attendances came from people registered with the two GP practices based within the Swindon NHS Health Centre, as well as people wanting blood tests, wound care and other services available from GP practices.

The CCG has commissioned a number of interim services to support the transition process.

A dedicated phlebotomy clinic has been set up within the Swindon NHS Health Centre, and is currently seeing people needing urgent blood tests on a drop-in basis every weekday between 8am and 12.30pm.

Plans are also under way for a dedicated wound care clinic, providing services such as redressing and packing open

wounds, as well as removing stitches, to be established.

Gill May said: “Swindon is rich with places to go for quick healthcare, with the most effective option often being the local pharmacy, which can provide help for minor health conditions and even write repeat prescriptions.

“There are more than 40 pharmacies in Swindon, which means a person is never far from their nearest point of instant care and treatment.

“For more pressing health concerns, phone NHS 111.

"The trained call handlers can signpost patients to the most appropriate service and even book out-of-hours GP appointments.”

The withdrawal of the Walkin Centre will not affect any of the other services located in the Swindon NHS Health Centre, such as the pharmacy, GP practices and sexual health clinic.

Don't get caught out! Sign up for newsletter This winter Swindon Borough Council will be keeping residents up to date with any interruption to its services caused by snow or prolonged freezing weather through a dedicated webpage, in its newsletters and across its social media channels.

The dedicated webpage will give residents the latest information on all council-run services. Each council service will either have a red, amber or green icon next to it. A red icon indicates the service has been temporarily suspended, amber means the service is disrupted and green shows the service is running as normal.

The council does not manage or publish information about school closures.

The same information will also be emailed at regular intervals to residents who are signed up to receive the Your Swindon Newsletter.

Followers of the council’s social media channels will also

see regular service updates and important information relating to any service changes.

Councillor Maureen Penny, Swindon Borough Council’s Cabinet Member for Transport and the Environment said: “When it snows, residents look to the council for the latest advice and information, especially when it comes to services like waste and recycling collections, school transport and libraries. Last year, tens of thousands of local people saw our continuous flow of communications and found it to be very useful indeed.

“I would encourage all

residents to sign up to the Your Swindon newsletter now, if like me, you would like to receive these updates directly to your computer or smartphone should the weather take a turn for the worse.”

Residents can sign up to the Your Swindon newsletter by visiting: www.swindon.gov.uk/ newsletter Facebook: https:// www.facebook.com/ SwindonBoroughCouncil/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/ SwindonCouncil Instagram: https:// www.instagram.com/ swindonboroughcouncil/

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Stratton St Margaret Parish Council freezes its Precept for the 2020-2021 financial year For the 2020/21 financial year, we are pleased to report that Stratton St Margaret Parish Council is not increasing its Precept.

The Precept is set at £1,369,964 on the tax base of 7,287.90 Band D households. The charge of £187.98 per annum represents a decrease of £5.05 per annum.

Savings made from the partnership working at Grange Leisure will go towards projects such as the employment of a youth worker to help combat anti-social behaviour, improvements to Beechcroft Library and Community hub, feasibility study for a Skatepark, Open Space improvements and working towards climate change by introduction of

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electric vehicles and more efficient ways of working.

The Chairman of the Council, Cllr Robert Jandy says: "Considering we were still transitioning the partnership with Parkwood and there was a reduction in staff, I am proud that a decrease was achievable.

"I would like to thank the officers and fellow parish councillors in making this possible.

"There is always more work that can be done but we are on the start of that journey and we have the people to achieve it."

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The school profile: Dorcan Academy Welcome to Dorcan Academy

At The Dorcan Academy our vision is to be an outstanding school of first choice at the heart of the local community.

We aim to provide exciting learning opportunities within a vibrant, creative and inclusive environment, whereby students can discover their strengths, talents and interests and then pursue them to the highest standards in order to become the best they can be. We have high expectations of all our students and challenge them on a daily basis to ‘Aspire to Greatness’.

As well as attaining the highest academic standards possible, we also understand the importance of developing creatively, socially, emotionally and spiritually.

Ultimately, we want our students to stand out as model citizens of whom society can be proud, valuing justice, honesty and integrity and with a strong sense of responsibility, independence and respect for all people.

We know that in order to achieve our vision a strong partnership between home and school is vital. As parents you have a key role in our young people’s progress and we rely on and value your support and active involvement as we work together to give them the best opportunities possible. Choosing the right school for your child is one of the most important decisions you will ever make.

We hope that this prospectus will give you an insight into the many aspects of life at The Dorcan Academy and we warmly invite you to visit our school to see us in action.

Mrs Sherryl Bareham 12

Exceptional achievement for all!

At The Dorcan Academy we believe that every results. Our extra-curricular provision is a young person, whatever their background strength and is extensive, ranging from ‘inhas the potential to succeed and achieve house’ clubs and activities to residential trips ‘greatness’. To ensure that each student abroad and the opportunity to take part in discovers their unique strengths and talents we the highly acclaimed Duke of Edinburgh Award offer a rich, diverse Scheme.

“The range of subjects Dorcan offers and challenging We place a strong meets the needs of its learners and offers curriculum which emphasis on providing a great flexibility of choice to students.” includes academic, additional literacy and Ofsted creative, technological numeracy support for students and sporting provision and gives students of who need it. By thinking carefully about all abilities significant choice to meet their the needs of each student we create the varied needs. maximum opportunity for the success of all.

We understand that achievement comes in At The Dorcan Academy students with special many forms and want our students to achieve educational needs make better progress than more than a set of excellent examination other similar schools nationally.

Get to know the schools in your area.

This issue: Dorcan Academy Address: St Paul's Dr, Swindon SN3 5DA Contact: 01793 525231 Website: www.dorcan.co.uk Part of the community

The Dorcan Academy is committed to serving its local community and places great importance on partnerships with parents, our local primary schools and local businesses.

Working closely with our partner primary schools is a long tradition at Dorcan Quality teaching to inspire & engage minds and ensures a smooth We are committed to their lessons but also enjoy transition to secondary recruiting and retaining their learning. Teachers are school and develops even the very best teachers creative and innovative in better continuity of teaching and involve students in the their planning and use a and learning between the selection process for all new range of techniques and primary and secondary staff. The high quality of resources to challenge all phases, ensuring all our teaching at the academy students to ‘take risks’ in their children make the progress means that students not learning and help them to they should. only make good progress in improve.

Good communication Inclusivity is at the heart of school's ethos with parents is essential for the ongoing support of At the Dorcan Academy we by a Head of House who individual students. Tutors place great emphasis on our has overall responsibility provide the main point of pastoral care and foster a for the progress, personal strong sense of belonging, development and welfare for contact through the Link Books and via e-mail. We just as in a family. the students in their House. know that the home-school The role of the form tutor is The pastoral system ensures vital; to know all the students that each child is known and link is vital if students are to make the most of the in their care personally, track cared for on a daily basis. opportunities offered, their progress and ensure We believe that emotional that they are fully supported aspects of learning are vital enabling them to grow into and happy in school so to each student’s success, and successful young people ready to become confident that they can flourish. Each the academy leads work citizens and contribute to student and tutor group within the area on positive society in the future. belongs to a House, led behaviour management.

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Future of Swindon Library coffee shop in the balance

By Ben Fitzgerald ben@swindonlink.com

The future of the coffee shop space inside Central Library is the subject of a consultation.

The former coffee shop in the Regent Circus library closed just before Christmas following a reorganisation of the Council’s in-house catering arrangements.

But now library users and the wider public are being asked

by Swindon Libraries and Information Service what they would like to see replace it.

The consultation opened on Friday, 31 January.

After the feedback from users has been collated, the library service will invite expressions of interest from the market to run the coffee shop facility.

It is hoped a new coffee shop provision could open in the spring.

Councillor Keith Williams, Swindon Borough Council’s

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Cabinet Member responsible for libraries, said: “Although the former library coffee shop was much loved by some of our library users, it wasn’t used by enough people to make it costeffective.

"We therefore need to make sure we have the right provision in place that will appeal to more people so it remains financially sustainable.

“This is why we are really keen to find out what local people want as we can ensure that any new services meet people’s needs.

"We want to hear from as many people as possible so we have a wide cross section of views, so if you can spare a few minutes please fill in the survey and tell us what you think.” The consultation is available online at:www. smartsurvey.co.uk and copies are available inside the Central Library.

swindonlink.com n February 2020

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F Becoming a foster carer with Swindon Borough Council

By Ben Fitzgerald ben@swindonlink.com

Swindon Borough Council has a wide range of placements from babies through to teenagers who need local carers to look after them and keep them close to their friends, family and school.

Foster carers also have access to a paediatric nurse as well as specialist support from the children’s mental health team and a dedicated supervising social worker.

Those becoming foster parents will also get free membership of the Fostering Network - a specialist support organisation and the Swindon Foster Carers Association.

Swindon Borough Council offers payments and allowances to foster carers to recognise the time and commitment they give to fostering. In addition, foster carers will receive opportunities to develop their skills and knowledge through a range of training opportunities.

Types of fostering: The most frequent type of care needed is short and long term care - providing care for a wide range of children. This involves accommodating a whole range of needs, including siblings, parent and child placements and asylum seekers.

Placements can vary from a few weeks to several years while plans are made for children to either return to their family or move to a more permanent care setting such as adoption.

Approved foster carers can also be placed on the emergency care rota.

Another option for foster carers is to offer respite care - planned short breaks for children who may be living at home or with other foster carers. And there is a specialist scheme for children with disabilities called the Home and 16

Away Scheme.

Supported Lodgings - provides for young people aged 16 to 21 with a form of independent living within a secure family environment as a stepping stone as they prepare for living on the own.

Private fostering - is an arrangement made by parents for their child to be cared for away from home by another adult for more than 28 days.

Fostering to adopt - this form of care is for babies and toddlers who are likely to be adopted but might still be reunited with their birth family.

This provides stability and security for young children at a critical stage of development, with the possibility that the child may become their legally adopted child.

Children's services account for a large proportion of the council's annual budget.

This financial year, the council will spend £39m on Children, families and community health services out of a budget of £142.5m, roughly 27 percent. of the total budget.

Cllr Mary Martin, Swindon Borough Council’s Cabinet Member for Children’s Services, said: “We will always strive to support the most vulnerable people in our community.

"One of the many ways we do this is through providing foster families for children who, for one reason or another, can no longer live with their families.

"Our foster carers make a real difference to children and young people in Swindon and I am proud to have such a wonderful group of carers as part of our team. If you are considering fostering, please do get in touch with the team who will be happy to talk you through everything you need to know about fostering with the council.”

Adoption Since 2017, adoption services in Swindon have been provided by the Adopt Thames Valley (ATV) Regional Adoption Agency, a shared service across seven local authorities.

Caroline, an assistant team manager with ATV, is keen to make it clear that adoption is a viable option for a wide variety of people and urged potential adoptive parents not to rule themselves out: “Children come in all sorts of shapes and sizes and we are keen to reach out to prospective adopters who are able to provide a safe, stable and loving environment for a child.

“We invite people from all walks of life to adopt including single adopters, members of the LGBTQ+ community and people from all cultures and backgrounds.”

Caroline is keen to address some of those misconceptions that some people might have about adopting a child: For example, if you are in a couple, you don’t have to be married, as long as you have been living together

for more than two years.

As part of the sixmonth assessment process prospective adopters attend a three-day adoption preparation course and work closely with an experienced social worker who will help them to agree the type of child who would suit them and identify a potential match.

Once matched with a child, the support doesn’t end there. ATV has a dedicated Permanence Support team who are there to provide advice should it be needed. The service includes a helpline, access to therapeutic support, training and social events.

Caroline said: "During the assessment process you will be working with a passionate, professional team who are able to carefully match you with an appropriate child. Do get in touch – we would love to hear from you!”

To find out more, call 0800 731 0171 or go to the Adopt Thames Valley website. www.adoptthamesvalley. co.uk

swindonlink.com n February 2020

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Focus: Fostering and Adoption "It's hugely rewarding, knowing you make a difference" Mandy Whittaker and her husband Jon are among the more experienced foster carers working with Swindon Borough Council.

The couple, from Highworth, have provided a warm and stable home setting for four children in full time foster care and two under a respite care arrangement.

Mandy, 50, was previously employed as a centre manager for two children’s centres in Didcot before being made redundant when these closed.

“Fostering has always been something at the back of our minds to do, but Foster carers up until this point we didn’t have the Mandy and Jon opportunity. My two boys have grown Whittaker up and left home now and we are now in a stable relationship and were suited in a position where we didn’t need to to the role. They need to be sure that work full time so it became something they are bringing children into a stable that we were able to look at more environment. We are approved to look seriously.” after children up to 18 years old, but you At the start of the fostering process, Mandy and Jon were given training which can express a preference and we prefer to look after under 5s. helped prepare them for the important “It’s hugely rewarding, knowing you are role over the course of several months. making a difference to the lives of these During this time, they were assessed to young people. It makes you appreciate ensure that they were financially secure,

what you have. You do form an emotional attachment, and I suppose if you didn’t then you wouldn’t be doing the job right. Attachment is a big part of it. You are allowing these youngsters to develop the ability to form those lasting attachments which is important for their future development.

“It can be very emotional when it is time for these children to move on to their forever home or back to their families. We are lucky enough to be able to remain in touch with those we have cared for - it’s something that’s encouraged these days.

Mandy has the following advice for those considering becoming a foster carer: “It’s something that’s worthwhile doing, but I would say that it can be a bit of an eye opener and you have to be careful not to be judgemental.

Also you should know that it’s a 24-7 responsibility. We don’t class it as a job anymore, it’s more accurate to call it a way of life. The little ones very much become a part of the family which is the wonderful thing about it!”

Considering fostering as a lifestyle change - we can help!

Are you fed up with your current 9-5 job... why not consider a career change and become a foster carer?

Preferably with experience of working with children or young people but not essential, this year why not make the move and make a difference!

Currently within Swindon and surrounding areas are individual children and increased number of sibling groups that are looking for safe, nurturing, secure and welcoming families to call their home; sometimes for a short period of time (which can be up to two years) but also long term care until they reach independence and beyond.

If you have a spare room, time, patience, kindness and

a genuine love for children then get in touch with Simply Fostering who will be able to assist you in finding the best fostering agency for you.

Simply Fostering would urge people from all walks of life to pick up the phone

and make that call, often people believe they would be excluded from becoming a foster carer for different reasons, but this is not the case. The formal assessment process usually takes between 3–4 months, where

a qualified social worker will come to assess your families suitability to become a foster carer along with having the opportunity to discuss fostering in more detail with an experienced foster carer who can share their experiences.

As a foster carer you should never feel alone, you will work with a ‘team’ around the child. You will have a named Supervising Social Worker, 24 hours support 7 days a week, ongoing training, time with other carers at support groups, regular outings arranged to meet up and most importantly have a real sense of achievement every day.

Call Ian on 07538952006 to discuss or contact by email on Info@simplyfostering.co.uk swindonlink.com n February 2020

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Volunteer Co-ordinator

Closing date for completed applications: Friday 21st February

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John Pearce (left), Belinda, Tracy and David.

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01793 832072

www.pearcefuneralservices.co.uk info@pearcefuneralservices.co.uk * for the option of burial the guarantee excludes purchase of plots. Valid until 31st March 2020

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The Business Brief New book marks 125 years of the family-run firm Written by Deputy Chairman Alan Beard, the book – ‘125 Years of Construction 1892– 2017: A Family Story’ – traces the history of the firm through five generations of the Beard family, beginning with the somewhat wayward George Henry Beard.

Alan Beard said: “This has been a real labour of love for me. We have always been a proudly family-run firm; tracing its history has also enabled me to learn much more about my own family’s past.

“I have been thrilled to discover there are still so many photographs and other material still available, and also to discover the real affection the firm is held in by its staff, past and present.”

Current executive chairman Mark Beard said: “This book is a wonderful way to mark the first 125 years of Beard, and to pay tribute to the many people who have worked so hard over the years to make it

the success it is today.

“To be able to trace the firm back to its origins and beyond is a powerful reminder that although the construction industry has changed a great deal over the years, the fundamentals – doing the best job and treating people well – are the same now as they were

in Queen Victoria’s time.”

Alan’s grandfather, Edward William Beard, formally established Beard in 1892, at the age of 14. He went on to live to 104 and featured in the Guinness Book of World Records for the longest working career. Alan himself is now 87 years old and continues to play

an active role in the business.

His son, Mark Beard, is the fourth generation of the family to run the firm.

Initially centred around the Swindon office, the firm has now expanded to branch offices in Oxford, Guildford and Bristol and carries out projects across southern England. The book also features a large selection of photographs of the Beard family and of the construction projects the company has been involved in over the years, including many fine examples of the firm’s work on scholastic and ecclesiastical buildings.

Copies can be obtained from Beard’s Swindon office and the firm would invite contributions to the Beard Charitable Foundation, which makes grants to a range of local good causes determined by the firm’s staff. Interested parties should visit www.beardconstruction. co.uk, or call 01793 868 000 for further information.

Opportunity knocks! Annual JobFest returns to Steam Swindon’s Steam Museum will be packed out when one of Wiltshire’s biggest career events returns for its sixth year.

Young jobseekers will be greeted by a host of local businesses at JobFest from a range of different industries including Catalent, Capita, Barclays and National Trust among many others.

The event, which is expected to attract around a thousand young people, will take place at the railway museum on Tuesday, 4 February from 2.30pm until 6pm.

Organised by Swindon Borough Council, it will bring together employers from across Swindon who are offering apprenticeships and employment opportunities in the local area.

JobFest has fast become an important platform for Swindon employers to reach out to local young people and meet their future workforce.

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The event, which is sponsored

by Catalent and Capita, will inform and engage young people about the apprenticeships and career options available to them in the Swindon area.

JobFest 2020 will also bring together many businesses from a wide range of industries including engineering, social care, hospitality and finance as well as national and local apprenticeship training providers.

Students from secondary schools have been invited earlier in the afternoon while members of the public are welcome to go along from 2.30pm.

Throughout the school session there will be motivational talks from employers and young apprentices.

Later on in the day, during the general public session, attendees will have the opportunity to attend drop-

in sessions to improve their CV and speak to young apprentices.

Councillor Russell Holland, Swindon Borough Council’s Deputy Leader and the Cabinet Member responsible for education, said: “JobFest is a great way to bring local employers and young people together into one space to have meaningful conversations that could pave the way for future job opportunities.

“This year we want to highlight all the options available to young people, including less traditional, but still highly desirable career pathways, like apprenticeships.

“We would encourage all young people and jobseekers in Swindon and its surrounding areas to come along to JobFest and find their dream career.”

Daniel Busson, Operations Director at Capita Workforce Management, said: “Capita has been lucky enough to have

been involved from the start of JobFest and we've seen how big the event has grown over the years.

“We use the opportunity to both speak to young people about careers in technology while advertising any apprenticeships we have open at the time.

“Three of our last five apprenticeships have been filled from candidates we met at JobFest!”

This year JobFest coincides with National Apprenticeship Week and local employers will be encouraging attendees to explore all their options, including apprenticeships and training opportunities.

To find out more about JobFest 2020 visit www. swindon.gov.uk/jobfest.

For information on current apprenticeship vacancies in Swindon visit www. findapprenticeship.service.gov. uk/apprenticeshipsearch

swindonlink.com n February 2020

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Swindon Life

Celebrating town living

A close encounter with crocodiles for children from Meadowpark

In January, children from Year One at Meadowpark School visited ‘Crocodiles of the World’ in Brize Norton. This was to support and enhance the children's Science learning about reptiles and to also link to the story - ‘The Enormous Crocodile’ by Roald Dahl.

Teacher, Debbie Brown stated, “The children all enjoyed this fabulous zoo and all that they experienced during their visit”.

Apart from hearing some pretty interesting talks from the keepers, Meadowpark’s pupils also watched the Nile crocodiles being fed. Some children were even brave enough to stroke a baby crocodile and a snake.

During the visit, the children also saw meerkats and otters being fed and had a rare glimpse at the wild fishing cat, who is often hiding during visiting hours. The children also spent time looking at all of the other reptiles, such as alligators and caimans, the komodo dragon and the giant tortoise.

Throughout the day the children were engaged and asked some very inquisitive questions, such as "Do saltwater crocodiles live in the sea?" and "Why do the crocodiles stay so still?”. During the educational session by Colin Stevenson, Head of Education for Crocodiles of the World, the children also demonstrated their knowledge when answering questions about reptiles, one child stating that "They are cold blooded" and another saying that "They have scales”.

"The Meadowpark children were extremely well-behaved, and a real credit to the school." commented Colin. The class had a wonderful day, one child saying "I wish I could stay for seven more hours!" and another said "I didn't just have a lovely day, I had the best day”.

Meadowpark School and Nursery is an Independent Private School in Cricklade, Wiltshire for children 3 months to 11 years. swindonlink.com n February 2020

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MONDAYS 5.15pm Liden Community Centre, Barrington Close SN3 6HF - Lisa C 07840 105363 TUESDAYS 5.30 & 7.30pm Gorse Hill Baptist Church, Cricklade Road, SN2 1AA - Kaz 07728 711164 TUESDAYS 5.30pm & 7.30pm Meadowcroft Community Centre, Addison Crescent SN2 7JX - Rebecca 07816 281940 TUESDAYS 7.30pm Swindon Rugby Club, Greenbridge Road, SN3 3LA - Lisa W 07897 340665 WEDNESDAYS 9.30am, 11.30am, 5.30pm & 7.30pm Moose Hall, Eastcott Hill SN1 3LS - Vicky 07917 653700 WEDNESDAYS 7.30pm Coleview Community Centre, Towcester Road SN3 4AS - Lisa C 07840 105363 THURSDAYS 3.30pm, 5.30pm & 7.30pm St Paul’s Church Centre, St Paul’s Drive SN3 5BY - Dawn 07795 621 274 THURSDAYS 5.30pm & 7.30pm Polish Community Centre, Walton Close SN3 2JU - Gill 07707 031305 FRIDAYS 9.30am Moose Hall, Eastcott Hill SN1 3LS - Rebecca 07816 281940 FRIDAYS 9.30am & 11.30am Swindon Rugby Club, Greenbridge Road SN3 3LA - Lisa W 07897 340665 SATURDAYS 8.00am & 10.00am Moose Hall, Eastcott Hill, SN1 3LS - Rebecca 07816 281940

Grab your friends and family - 5 join together for £5

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Fabio: long-established Italian gem of a restaurant

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

Fabio is one of those amazing places that keeps drawing you back.

Perhaps it’s because the staff at the long-established Old Town restaurant understand that people don’t go to a restaurant just to fill up…

Ultimately what keeps bringing people back is the memory of how they felt when they left the restaurant last time. It’s all about atmosphere.

Mario Freti, his family and staff have been delighting customers for more than 20 years - going all out to generate an atmosphere of relaxed conviviality. And they have certainly succeeded, judging by the hundreds of wine corks, left by countless happy customers, which have been stuck to the ceiling. The corks, not the customers, you understand.

But let’s not forget the food, which is hearty rustic Italian cooking at its best.

I chose the delightful Capesante - ‘scallops individually wrapped with Italian pancetta, served on a bed of rocket salad, olive oil and a reduction of balsamic vinegar’ simple ingredients

which were left to speak for themselves. Totally great.

Jamie tried the Linguine allo Scoglio - ‘linguine pasta cooked with fresh chopped tomato, garlic, basil, scallops, prawns, clams and mussels

splashed white wine served with garlic bread or salad’ - and received the nod of approval from the waiter.

He declared it to be: “a cornucopia of fishy delight.”

And Karen went for the classic feelgood Lasagne al Forno - layers of lasagne pasta cooked with tomato sauce, bolognese sauce and bechamel with mozzarella and parmesan cheese melted on top. She said: “you can’t really go wrong with a lasagne and this didn’t let me down. I left happy and full.”

Sue opted for the carbonara - ‘spaghetti cooked with bacon, parmesan cheese and a touch of cream and egg yolk’ which she said was “one of the best carbonaras I’ve had. I’m being serious!” And she knows what she’s talking about when it comes to carbonara - and most other things for that matter.

For more information, log on to www.fabioswindon.co.uk.

To make a booking call 01793 615306 or call into the restaurant at 15 Bath Road, Old Town SN1 4AS

Five Guys restaurant now open at the Designer Outlet American burger brand Five Guys has launched a new restaurant at Swindon's Designer Outlet.

Founded in Virginia in 1986 and launched into the UK in 2013 in London’s Covent Garden, the restaurant brand has amassed a loyal fanbase with superstar fans including Ed Sheeran, Adele and former US President Barack Obama.

The new restaurant will be the 101st for the brand in the UK. Situated close to the North Entrance, near the steam train, guests can enjoy freshly made and customisable burgers, with the option to choose from as many of the 15 fresh toppings, as well as fries, milkshakes and soft drinks.

Five Guys prides itself on using high quality, fresh produce all prepared and cooked to order. There are no freezers or microwaves in any Five Guys restaurants. Guests

will be able to enjoy a mind boggling 250,000 possible burger order combinations as well as more than 1,000 possible ways to customise a milkshake at the new site.

Tina Cumpstey, Centre Manager at McArthurGlen Designer Outlet Swindon said: ‘We are delighted to welcome renowned restaurant Five Guys to the centre and our local area.

We pride ourselves on giving our guests a well-rounded experience in the centre and we are thrilled to be able to further broaden our food and beverage offering."

Paul Hamilton, Head of Brand at Five Guys commented: “We’re thrilled to be opening the 101st Five Guys store at McArthurGlen Designer Outlet Swindon. We’re sure that after a long day of shopping in the

centre, hungry guests will enjoy a delicious burger, fries and milkshake in our store.”

Five Guys will be the latest addition to McArthurGlen Designer Outlet Swindon’s established range of premium fashion brands and restaurants, including Carluccio’s, Giraffe, Pizza Express and Wagamama.

Five quick facts: 1) Five Guys was established in Virginia in 1986 by the Murrell family.

2) The first UK restaurant opened in Covent Garden on 4th July 2013.

3) Five Guys is the fastest growing restaurant in the UK. 4) In March 2016 Five Guys knocked Nando’s off the top spot as becoming the UK’s favourite fast food chain and won the same award in 2017!

5) Five Guys does not have freezers or microwaves in any of its restaurants. swindonlink.com n February 2020

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Swindon Spotlight

YOUR GUIDE TO THE MONTHS AHEAD In the community

Book now...

THE MOUSETRAP: TIMELESS THRILLER RETURNS TO SWINDON

Following the success of The Mousetrap at the Wyvern Theatre in 2014 and 2016, the worldrenowned murder mystery, now in its record-breaking 68th year in London’s West End, is back by popular demand on the Swindon stage. Starring the phenomenal Susan Penhaligon (Bouquet of Barbed Wire, A Fine Romance, Emmerdale) as Mrs Boyle, alongside a spectacular new cast directed by the critically-acclaimed Gareth Armstrong (Shylock).

First seen in Nottingham in 1952, The Mousetrap fast became a standout favourite with the press and the public alike and, now, it’s Swindon audiences’ chance to discover why Agatha Christie’s masterpiece has kept people guessing for so long. Catch this classic from Monday 10 until Saturday 15 February. Book tickets online at swindontheatres.co.uk

KINDA LIKE A VIRGIN THE MADONNA WAY

A Madonna impersonator will be performing on Friday 28 February at Wrag barn golf club, Swindon from 8pm. The evening will include all the hits from Papa Don't Preach to Material Girl.

Tickets cost £16 and are available from www. wragbarn.com or by calling 01793 861327.

AN EVENING WITH ALAN TITCHMARSH

To describe Alan as a National Treasure would not do his talents justice.

A gardener, a poet, an excellent and innovative TV presenter, a writer of nonfiction and a novelist, he is an immensely creative and empathetic man. Wyvern Theatre 18 February. www.swindontheatres.com

JIMMY CARR HEADS TO THE OASIS

Jimmy’s brand new show on 20 February contains jokes about all kinds of terrible things.

Terrible things that might have affected you or people you know. But they’re just jokes they are not the terrible things.

Having political correctness at a comedy show is like having health and safety at a rodeo. 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 Shoebox Theatre is to offer free drama workshops to budding young actors. The Shoebox's weekly offering on a Saturday for young people has grown over the last year and now includes fun and confidence-building drama workshops for ages 4-10 and more advanced classes for ages 11-14. www.shoeboxtheatre.org.uk/ train l The SMASH quiz night with a fish and chip supper takes place at Peatmoor Community Primary School from 6.30pm to 9.30pm on Saturday 22 February. Teams of up to six people can take part. You need not come as a team teams will also be made up on the night. Prize for the winning team £60 Licenced Cash Bar and Raffle All Tickets £12.50 per person which includes a Fish and Chip Supper which will be served at 7:45pm. Tickets from www.eventbrite.co.uk l The Battle of Champions darts show takes place on Saturday 29 February at Meca Swindon from 6pm. The line-up includes Mc – Sean Casey-Poole, Raymond Van Barneveld, Ted Hanky, Martin Adams, Keith Deller, John Lowe MBE, Dennis Priestly, Andy Fordham and Anastasia Dobromyslova. With a combined total of 20 world titles, 8 champions compete on stage at meca in the ultimate battle of the champions. There will be photo opportunities, silent auction, memorabilia auction & auction leg – your chance to compete against a world champion. www.mecaswindon.co.uk

swindonlink.com n February 2020

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St Mary's Lydiard Tregoze Conservation Project

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

St Mary’s Church Lydiard Tregoze is one of Swindon’s finest historic buildings and an active church in the community.

Standing just behind the mansion in Lydiard Park, it is a treasure trove of art and ornament which has attracted the admiration of antiquarians, poets, historians and artists over many centuries.

In 2018 the Grade 1 church embarked on a £1million project to conserve its most fragile medieval wallpaintings, decorative architectural features and 17th century family monuments.

During 2019 much of the interior has been beautifully conserved with some exciting discoveries of hidden paintings and sculpture made along the way. stmaryslydiardtregoze.org.uk

A conservation student working in the church

Volunteer Co-ordinator Recruitment The project has involved local schools, youth theatre and family activities, introducing many new visitors to the building.

To ensure that schools and colleges, local people and tourists from across the world continue to benefit from all the

church has to offer, St Mary’s is creating a new Volunteer Co-ordinator role. This is an exciting opportunity for someone who would enjoy contributing to their local community and developing established plans for a lively and friendly volunteer service.

West Swindon school children visiting the project

Angels, Buckets and Bells - a creative exhibition celebrating St Mary's Lydiard Tregoze Swindon Museum and Art Gallery, Bath Road, Old Town, Swindon 14 January 14th – 24 March (Tues – Sat 11am-4.30pm) ‘Angels, Buckets and Bells’ is an exhibition based around the work of two Artists in Residence, Felicity Cormack and Judy Thomson who have been drawing and painting the St Mary’s Conservation Project and life of the church during the course of 2019.

From scaffold to bell ringers, buckets to christenings, a wonderful range of their drawings and striking artwork will be on display alongside treasures from the church.

Felicity Cormack completed a B.A in Fine Art (painting) at Cheltenham College of Art in 1995. After several years focusing on drawings and woodcuts she returned to study at Oxford Brookes in Swindon, to complete an MA in Drawing for Fine Art Practice in 2015.

Felicity says: “I was very pleased to be invited to work at Lydiard Tregoze church and I focused on recording the figures working and worshipping there over the summer of 2019. I started

Art work by Judy Thomson

off with the conservation volunteers in action as they emerged from their conservation work in the church with bucket after bucket of water. Inside the church I was moved by the loving atmosphere of the services and particularly the baptisms and fantastically skilled bell -ringers. The intimate spaces inside the church created by the scaffolding lent themselves to some dark charcoal scenes.”

Felicity devoted her early ears to the violin and was not allowed to take both music and art at school. It was not until she had earned her living as a musician for many years, teaching and playing the violin, that she was able to take a year off to pursue her

Art work by Felicity Cormack

interest in art. She continues to make both music and art.

Judy Thomson completed the BA (Hons) Drawing for Fine Art Practice degree at Swindon College in 2005, and returned to complete an MA Drawing for Fine Art Practice in 2014.

Judy says: “I returned to the college to develop and expand my practice so that it would incorporate an interest in the past that I have nurtured for many years whilst an Assistant Leader of the local branch of the Young Archaeologists Club.

I have seen this residency as an opportunity to combine my drawing practice with my interest and love for old buildings. I’ve been very

interested in the uneven headstones and tombs; the windows, looking in and out and the evidence of incremental change over time as the building has aged.

The notion of the palimpsest and its overlaid stories is very interesting to me both physically and conceptually and I’ve also found the changing qualities of light in the place inspirational.”

Church Treasures Historic objects removed from the building for safekeeping during the conservation project and displayed in Swindon Museum include three 17th Century knight’s helmets which belonged to members of the St. John family of Lydiard Park. This is also a very rare chance to see the church’s 17th Century communion plate, including two great inscribed silver flagons donated to St. Mary’s Lydiard Tregoze by the daughters of Sir Charles Pleydell of Midgehall in the 1670’s. swindonlink.com n February 2020

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Motoring: The Cupra Ateca, a car with 'a certain menace'

By Motoring Writer Leigh Robinson publisher@swindonlink.com

The Cupra Ateca is the performance version of the SEAT Ateca SUV. But for a reason which I don’t quite understand the SEAT name has gone out of the window and Cupra is now a brand in its own right.

So basically if it's called a Cupra that means it’s a fast SEAT. Wonderful thing marketing.

The new name been around for a while on the various SEAT hot hatchbacks but now with a sexy new Cupra logo on the front of the Ateca. More are to follow in the future.

The Cupra Ateca is certainly not cheap with prices varying from £36,000 to £42,000 and if you want to lease one at that price it is going to cost you around £500 a month.

But it is certainly a car which can shift. It has a 2.0-litre TSI turbocharged engine producing 300hp which pushes the power

through a seven-speed DSG automatic gearbox to all four wheels. The acceleration is 0-62mph acceleration in 5.4 seconds and a top speed of 152mph.

And surprisingly even if you push it about you will still get more than 30 miles to the gallon, although the insurance group will be 33.

SEAT models continue to get

better and better.

They are certainly the pride of Spain and even though the bosses are from Volkswagen you would be more than happy to have one.

They are great to handle and the Cupra Ateca is a delight whipping through the lanes with precious little to catch you.

I like the new branding with its cleverly designed badge

and a good use of copper and carbon throughout. The car has a certain menace about it and is appreciated by those people who like their motors.

There are sports seats with extra side bolstering and a virtual cockpit digital dial setup. The dashboard design, switchgear and door panels are shared between the Cupra and SEAT Atecas. The touchscreen infotainment system is like other models making it easy to use with connectivity options like Bluetooth, DAB, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and sat-nav.

Wiltshire Air Ambulance - saving lives for 30 years

By Jamie Hill jamie@swindonlink.com

This year is a particularly special one for Wiltshire Air Ambulance as the charity celebrates 30 years of operation.

Countless lives have been saved since the service began operating in 1990.

As a result, a generation of people have been able to resume their lives and celebrate special milestones such as birthdays, wedding anniversaries or the birth of children and grandchildren.

Last year the air ambulance undertook 1,233 missions, an increase of 12% on the previous year, and the largest number were in the Swindon area – 224.

For their anniversary year there are a number of fundraising events taking place and they are also raising awareness about our vital 26

service and the fact that the charity relies on donations to continue saving lives for the next generation of people.

Each month throughout 2020 videos of patients whose lives were saved by Wiltshire Air Ambulance will feature on the charity’s social media channels and website, along with an opportunity to make a donation.

David Philpott, chief executive of Wiltshire Air Ambulance, said: “Wiltshire Air Ambulance is part of the fabric of

the county and the public understand the importance of our service. In our rural communities the speed of our helicopter and the expertise of our pilots, specialist paramedics and doctors have made the difference between life and death.

“Throughout our existence we have been funded by donations and we are truly thankful to everyone who has supported our charity.

Every donation enables us to keep our lifesaving service

operational.

“We’ve saved lives for 30 years and with the help of our supporters we want to be here to save the next generation.”

To support the campaign to save the next generation visit the website at www. wiltshireairambulance.co.uk/ generation.

It costs £3.75 million a year to operate Wiltshire Air Ambulance. The service is not funded directly by the Government and receives no National Lottery grants.

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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

Special Auction Services

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SERVICE SECTOR

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Call Nick on 07973 872266 swindonlink.com n February 2020

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17 Good; 20 Very Good; 24 Excellent.

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ACROSS 1.

4.

8.

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11.

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16.

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26.

27.

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29.

30.

31.

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Assimilate food (6) Text for broadcasting (6) Young hog (6) Very busy (6) Prestige (5) Endangered (6) Uncivilised (6) Retain (4) Card with three spots (4) Wing part (4) Child of four (4) Wear down (6) Dissimilar (6) Biblical psalmist (5) Learned expert (6) Soup dish (6) Lithe (6) Shellfish (6)

DOWN 1.

2.

3.

5.

6.

7.

9.

10.

13.

15.

18.

19.

20.

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22.

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Expel from a country (6) Gaudy (6) Israeli currency (6) Roman emperor (6) Container for incoming post (2-4) Heart (inf.) (6) Redeye fish (4) Person who entertains (4) Marsupial (5) Able to be bribed (5) South American plain (6) European country (6) Slave to a habit (6) Dried bog fuel (4) Discontinue (4) Excessively (6) Remove clothes (6) More miserly (6)

Any word found in the Concise Oxford Dictionary is eligible with the following exceptions: proper nouns; plural nouns, pronouns and possessives; third person singular verbs; hyphenated words; contractions and abbreviations; vulgar slang words; variant spellings of the same word (where another variant is also eligible).

S S

A W

A D

N T H

SUDOKU There is just one simple rule in Sudoku. Each row and each column must contain the numbers 1 to 9, and so must each 3 x 3 box. This is a logic puzzle, you should not have to guess.

6 3 7 9 1 2 7 6

2 8 5 4 5 7 1 8 2 3 4 9 5 7 4 9 6 3 2 5 7 5 9 6

9

Using all 16 letters of the phrase above, form four words each of four letters which, when placed correctly in the grid, will form a magic square in which the words can be read both horizontally and vertically.

SOLUTIONS

Host; 13 Koala; 15 QUICK Venal; 18 Pampas; CROSSWORD 19 France; 20 Addict; Across – 1 Digest; 4 21 Peat; 22 Quit; 23 Script; 8 Porker; 10 Hectic; 11 Kudos; 12 Unduly; 24 Divest; 25 Risked; 14 Savage; 16 Meaner.

Hold; 17 Trey; 19 Flap; NONAGRAM 22 Quad; 26 Abrade; awash; dash; data; 27 Unlike; 28 David; dawn; hadst; hand; 29 Pundit; 30 Tureen; handsaw; hast; sand; 31 Svelte; 32 Oyster. sans; sash; sawn; shad; shaw; snash; Down – 1 Deport; 2 stand; stash; swan; Garish; 3 Shekel; 5 swash; swat; swath; Caesar; 6 In-tray; 7 tash; tass; tawa; taws; Ticker; 9 Rudd; 10 than; thana; thaw; wand; want; wash; WASHSTAND; wast; what.

10

MAGIC SQUARE unit; nose; isle; teed.

9

6 7 2 4 5 8 9 1 3

8

OUTLINE SITE NEEDS

5 4 1 9 3 2 6 7 8

8

MAGIC SQUARE

How many words of four letters or more can you make from this Nonagram? Each word must use the central letter, and each letter may be used only once. At least one word using all nine letters can be found.

Target scores:

8 3 9 7 6 1 4 5 2

7

2 9 8 3 1 7 5 4 6

6

3 1 6 8 4 5 7 2 9

NONAGRAM

5

4 5 7 6 2 9 8 3 1

4

9 8 3 1 7 4 2 6 5

3

7 6 5 2 8 3 1 9 4

2

1 2 4 5 9 6 3 8 7

QUICK CROSSWORD 1

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