South East Swindon Link February 2025

No 100 February 2025

GPS-tracked, door to door delivery to homes across Swindon with Est. overall print & online readership of 105,000

Swindon

LINK Your Community Magazine

South & East Edition

The amazing work of the Wiltshire Air Ambulance p18

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Exploring our future with this month's Festival of Tomorrow pgs 22-23

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Editor's Note

By Jamie Hill Social media can be a force for good or a force for bad.

For Swindon Link as a news organisation it has become the main way that we can keep people informed and lead them to our popular and busy website at swindonlink.com 70% of our website traffic now comes from social media, with 95% of that from Facebook.

Last month, though, we had to make the difficult decision to leave X as it had become a platform solely interested in wallowing in misinformation and racism.

People are free to express their opinions but as an organisation we are free to choose whether we want to use such a platform.

With that in mind we have launched a new Bluesky account at @swindonlink.bsky.social For our sister publication The Ink, our subscription-based news service, by its very nature it is able to avoid social media altogether and go directly to the reader. It favours analytical and longform news sent directly to your inbox and costs £5.99 a month.

Swindonians have really taken to The Ink as it gets under the skin of the town's issues. If you haven't already, sign up below.

Group Editor and Owner: Jamie Hill Deputy Editor: Barrie Hudson Reporter: Amanda Wilkins Sales Manager: Rosy Presley Accounts Manager: Karen Hewitt-Dean Contributors: Tyler Ody, Becky Cox, Maurice Spillane and Alfie Howlett

Jiu-Jitsu championship place for Lawn Manor Academy pupil Victoria

By Amanda Wilkins amanda@swindonlink.com A 14 year old Jiu-Jitsu athlete from Swindon won the chance to represent the country at her first international competition.

Victoria, who is in Year 10 at Lawn Manor Academy, achieved her place on the GB Youth Team last year and was due to travel to Belgium in late January to compete at The Flanders Open 2025 against competitors from across Europe.

She said: “I’ve been training since 2018 and competing for a few years now and have quite a few medals at home already, including the silver I won at last year’s Championship of Wales which got me into the GB team.

“Jiu Jitsu is really fun, there’s lots to it and it’s really exhilarating.

"When I’m competing in Belgium I’ll be fighting against girls in the same weight category as me, but I’ve been training with girls and guys who are heavier than me, which is an advantage.

"You have to be strong but there are throwing techniques that mean you don’t feel the weight if they’re bigger than you.

“I’m hoping to bring home as many gold medals as possible.

"Competing at an international level is a bit stressful but it’s fun - the adrenaline rush you get is such a good feeling.”

ADVERTISING Call 01793 644540 or email: advertising@swindonlink.com Closing date for March adverts and editorial: 7 February, March edition published: 24 February Our Statistics Est. Readership of 105,000 in print & online visitors.

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Victoria during training

A win in Belgium potentially means a shot at a future Olympics, should it become a recognised Olympic sport.

“It would be incredible to one day be in the Olympics,” said Victoria.

“Winning in Belgium would mean I could win the points needed to get into the GB Olympics team, if it one day gets accepted as an Olympic sport.”

Marek Koza, Assistant

Headteacher at Lawn Manor Academy, said: “Victoria has a natural affinity for Jiu Jitsu and we’ve followed her success closely.

"We wish her the best of luck at The Flanders Open and look forward to seeing her bring back a raft of medals.”

Lawn Manor Academy is part of the Ascend Learning Trust.

For more information about the school, people can visit www.lawnmanor.org.

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.

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Hear Link Magazine highlights on air, the last Wednesday of each month and as a podcast on www.swindon1055.com

Got a community story or feature? Contact newsdesk at publisher@swindonlink.com or 01793 644540 swindonlink.com n February 2025

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News from SBC Busy year ahead as council progresses Swindon Plan Swindon Borough Council leaders are looking ahead to a busy 2025 with progress on a number of high-profile projects.

Throughout the year, the council will be focusing on delivering the Swindon Plan and its three long-term missions to build a fairer, better and greener Swindon.

Linked to the ‘build a fairer’ mission, a £3.6m project to create a youth centre at the site of the Lyndhurst Centre in Park North is due to be completed this Spring.

Once the centre is open for use, it will support more than 400 children and young people a week.

Swindon Link readers who have visited the town centre recently will have seen significant progress on the work to improve Fleming Way. Part of the ‘build a better’ mission, the brand-new bus interchange, improved cycle routes and public open space are due to be finished this summer.

Staying in the town centre, the council’s Cabinet is also due to review a business case later this year to develop a new town centre entertainment venue and it is anticipated that the proposal to refurbish and reopen the Oasis leisure centre will be reviewed by the council’s planning

committee in just a few months.

The council is also working with partners behind the scenes on a number of new projects in the town centre that could result in positive announcements in 2025.

In March, the council is hosting a reception at the House of Lords to showcase Swindon’s investment potential as part of the ‘Heart of Swindon’ ambitions to reinvent the town centre.

The council will continue its work to plant tens of thousands of trees across the Borough as part of its mission to build a greener Swindon. By the end of the 2024/25 planting season, more than 10,000 trees will have been planted in Stanton Park, Mouldon Hill, Coate Water, and other areas across Swindon.

The local authority is also progressing the Swindon 2028 programme to transform how it delivers services, better resident outcomes and value for money between now and 2028.

Leader of the council, Cllr Jim Robbins, said: “As we kick-off 2025, we are looking forward to completing and progressing a number of projects that will deliver real benefits to Swindon residents.

“That includes opening a new youth

Recycling worth £2m being thrown away each year Residents are being asked to help improve the borough’s recycling rate.

An analysis of bin collections across Swindon showed that several thousand tonnes of recycling material and food waste is being disposed of in black wheelie bins, costing residents £2m a year.

As part of its mission to build a greener Swindon, the council has set the aim of improving recycling rates across the Borough. Local people are already helping the council achieve this.

A recent snapshot analysis of waste placed in Swindon’s bins revealed that while food waste made up 38 per cent of the contents of Swindon’s black bins in 2023. This had fallen to 28 per cent in 2024. This was in part thanks to the council’s new food waste collection service launched in November 2023, which saw 5,280 tonnes of food waste recycled in the first year.

Despite this significant improvement, the analysis showed that more than two thirds of the food waste produced across Swindon still went into general refuse bins.

By not recycling food waste correctly, it ends up in the residual waste stream, costing residents £150 per tonne to

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incinerate.

Alongside the high percentage of food waste which is not being recycled, the waste analysis showed that residents are recycling 45 per cent of their plastics, 55 per cent of their cans and 40 per cent of paper incorrectly.

Based on expected prices for the next financial year, £2m worth of recycling is being incinerated with the remainder of residents’ general waste.

In an effort to bring residents’ money back into the service, people are being urged to carefully consider what they are disposing of and what could be recycled instead of being placed in their black wheelie bin or blue general waste bags.

This includes: - Putting all food waste in the caddy - Placing all paper and card products into a black/orange box.

- In another box all glass products, including glass bottles and jars - Plastics and metal recycling (such as tins) into the reusable blue bag - Plastic films, plastic bags and wrappings can be taken to a local supermarket for specialist recycling, or alternatively, these should be placed in

centre in Park North, finishing the major Fleming Way improvements and making our council homes more energy efficient.

“SevenCapital’s plans to refurbish and reopen the Oasis leisure centre will be considered by the Planning Committee in the Spring and residents will see proposals for a new town centre entertainment venue come forward.

“We also hope to be able to announce some new initiatives in 2025, that support the Swindon Plan missions to build a fairer, better and greener Swindon.

“Clearly, we are working in a challenging financial context, but we are determined not to let this derail our efforts to deliver the Swindon Plan and make a positive difference to the borough.”

the black bin as they cannot currently be recycled at the kerbside Cllr Chris Watts, Cabinet Member for the Environment and Transport, said: “I’d like to say a big thanks to all residents who make a big effort to recycle their waste. In the first year of our food waste collection service, Swindon recycled 5,280 tonnes of food waste that otherwise would have cost residents £150 per tonne to incinerate.

“But clearly the waste composition analysis shows that we can all do more and based on this year’s prices, we’re essentially burning £2m worth of income that could be going back into the service.

“We want to increase our recycling rates even further and are asking residents to make sure they’re checking what they’re putting in their wheelie bin.

"By recycling properly, together we’re able to both generate income during financially challenging times and produce a significant benefit for the environment, helping us to build both a better and greener Swindon.”

Residents who are unsure if something can be recycled, can search items on the council website, using the Waste Wizard.

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Swindon schools hit key milestone in promoting healthy relationships

By Barrie Hudson barrie@swindonlink.com

Over 500 teachers and school staff across Swindon have been empowered to spot the signs of domestic abuse.

They have also been given help to understand how to offer support to child and adult victims of domestic abuse in a sensitive and supportive way.

Swindon Domestic Abuse Support Service (SWA/SDASS) runs a specialist programme working with schools across Swindon to equip teachers and school staff with the knowledge they need to identify and support children in their school who may be at risk of domestic abuse.

The HOPE Programme has been designed by experts in supporting children and young people who have experienced domestic abuse.

It is accessible by people of all ages - from primary schools

to college students - and has now been delivered to 513 school staff in Swindon, with a resulting impact on thousands of school pupils in the town.

Emma Maclennan, CYP Manager for SDASS, said: “Alarming statistics show that young people aged between 16 and 19 are the most likely to experience domestic abuse, but we know that it can actually begin before that.

“We know that one in seven children have lived with domestic abuse and that it can have major long-lasting impact on children’s development and outcomes.

"Young people who have experienced domestic abuse can show challenging behaviours, sometimes physical.

They can become withdrawn or anxious, or develop addictions to drugs, alcohol or start selfharming.

"That’s why if we are going to stop this cycle and work

Oaktree Nursery and Primary School was the first in Swindon to receive the award, presented by Lord Lieutenant of Wiltshire Sarah Troughton

towards a society without abuse, we need to do so through education and early intervention.”

SDASS’ HOPE Programme engages with schools to ensure their workforce is educated, making schools on the programme a safe place for victims, and preventing future domestic abuse through education on healthy

relationships.

“Over the last year, the HOPE programme has really accelerated and been wholeheartedly welcomed by the schools involved,” Emma said.

For more information on the programme and support available, people can visit www.swadomesticabuse.org

Residents helping to keep Swindon roads safe

By Barrie Hudson barrie@swindonlink.com

Swindon people have been praised for doing their bit to keep Swindon’s roads in a safe condition.

It comes as Swindon Borough Council announced it had carried out a total of 10,230 pothole repairs last year.

In order to keep on top of defects in the borough’s roads, the council relies on local residents to report potholes via its website.

The council will receive an additional £1.5m from the Government to repair potholes for the next financial year and, last year, budgeted £2m for day-to-day highways maintenance, including reactive pothole repairs (£170,000) and all other maintenance work related to roads, pavements and cycle paths.

A further £2m was also set aside for proactive road resurfacing work.

Continuing to work with

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limited resources, it is estimated that it would cost the council more than £140m to get all of the roads across Swindon to a ‘like new’ condition.

The council therefore has to prioritise the money it does have on those roads that are in urgent need of repair.

Potholes and other defects are also identified by the council’s team of five highway inspectors who regularly check the borough’s entire highway network, which includes 522 miles of roads and all 646

miles of paths and pavements and 76 miles of cycle paths at least once a year.

These potholes are risk assessed and those that pose a very high level of safety risk are completed within one working day.

All other pothole repairs are completed within 30 working days, with the majority completed within 10 working days.

Other defects may be programmed for a longer period of repair of up to six

weeks.

To help improve roads across the borough, the council’s housing team will be working at nine locations over the coming weeks. These include: • Grove Hill, Highworth – 5 and 6 February • Durnham Street (between Victoria Road and Queens Park) – 7 February • Cricklade Road (between Kembrey Street and Menham Close) – 10 February • St Philips Road (between Beechcroft Road and Farrfield) – 11 February • The Street, Castle Eaton Bridge – 13 February • A420 at Acorn Bridge – overnight closure 13 February • Blagrove Roundabout – overnight closures from 14 to 18 February • Great Western Way (between Meads and Mannington roundabout) – overnight closure from 19 to 21 February

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Proposed removal of school transport funding for Swindon SEND students aged 16-18

By Barrie Hudson barrie@swindonlink.com

Swindon Borough Council is seeking views on proposals including removing school transport funding for people aged 16-18 with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).

The cash-strapped council says it currently spends around £3.4m a year on the transport costs of around 900 young people with SEND. The council is not legally required to provide transport for young people aged 16 to 18, and receives no funding from the Government to do so.

Currently, 161 students over the age of 16 receive the free service, at a cost to the council of £726,000 - or a little over £4,500 per pupil.

With the council currently forecasting an £18.9m gap in its budget for the next financial year, all non-statutory services provided by the local authority are being reviewed in order to identify potential savings.

As part of the consultation,

Cllr Adorabelle Amaral-Shaikh, Swindon Borough Council’s Cabinet Member for Education, urges everybody affected by the proposals to make their views known

which runs until 30 March, children, young people and families, professionals and members of the wider community are being asked to share their views on the council moving to a model where those aged 16 to 18 who wish to use the transport will have to pay for it, rather than receiving it for free as they currently do.

This includes providing minibuses, paying for taxis or supporting a Personal Travel Budget, where funding is provided to allow service users and their families to make alternative travel

arrangements.

Views are also being sought on whether the council should deduct costs from Personal Travel Budgets for missed school days where the children could have attended school but did not. This charge would not apply if the child was sick and unable to attend school or college.

The council says a variety of funding methods were discussed before the options were put forward, which are designed to make the overall service more sustainable.

Cllr Adorabelle Amaral-

Shaikh, Swindon Borough Council’s Cabinet Member for Education, said: “It is incredibly important that everyone who is affected by these proposals has the opportunity to share their views.

“Parents and carers will receive a letter asking them to take part in the consultation and we have also been engaging with interested groups such as Swindon SEND Families Voice.

“I would encourage everyone who is likely to be affected by these proposals to provide their feedback so they can be taken on board before any final decisions are taken.”

The council has contacted the parents, carers and guardians of those who have applied for home to school travel support directly for feedback on the consultation.

However, everyone is welcome to respond to the consultation, which can be found at www. swindon.gov.uk/info/20203/ travel_assistance/1440/send_ transport_policy.

More foster carers needed in Swindon With 40 per cent of local children in care placed outside the borough or in residential care, Swindon Borough Council is urging more local people to register as foster carers.

More than 300 babies, children and teenagers are currently looked after by the council.

However, around 100 of these children have to live away from Swindon and their friends and family as there are only 66 locally registered foster carers, which is not enough to meet demand.

Zoe is a 14-year-old who is in the council’s care but has been placed in a residential setting.

She said: “I can’t lie, I really struggled when I had to come into care because some really bad stuff had happened to me 6

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and it wasn’t ok for me to stay with my family. I really missed them and would run away from my foster carers so I could go home.

“I’ve been at the residential for just over a year and I’ve been working really hard on managing my emotions and understanding why I can’t go home. I do still sometimes get upset about it but if I’m allowed to go to my bedroom and calm down, I relax and figure out that I have normally overreacted.

“For me, I feel I’m ready to live with a foster family, as I miss being in a family. I miss doing stuff together and being able to curl up in my own bed with a good book or just listening to some music.”

Foster carers must be 21

14-year-old Zoe

or over and have a spare bedroom for any child aged three and upwards.

The council has asked that anyone who feels they have the qualities to provide a loving home for children or teenagers like Zoe to contact

the fostering team by emailing: fosteringrecruitment@swindon. gov.uk or calling 07917 503447.

More information can be found by heading to the council website and searching ‘fostering’.

February 2025

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South Swindon Parish Council February 2025 New Youth Club at Eastcott Community Centre At the time of writing the Parish Youth Worker is busy making the final preparations to open a new youth club at Eastcott Community Centre.

The club will run every Thursday during term time, offering a safe place for young people between the ages of 11-16 to learn new skills and make new friends. This youth club follows the success of the Parks and Walcot Youth Club, which has been running for nearly 2 years.

If you are interested in signing your young person up to the Eastcott Youth Club or the Parks and Walcot Youth Club, please email Loreli, the Parish Youth Worker, on youthwork2@southswindon-pc.gov.uk.

GWR Park - Sir Daniel Gooch Wood Carving

In February, work will commence on a new tree sculpture at GWR Park, with Great Western Railway pioneer Sir Daniel Gooch being carved from the stump of a Common Ash tree.

This project will tie in with the Heritage Action Zone and the ongoing improvements in the Railway Village area.

The Richard Jefferies sculpture at Town Gardens was incredibly well received and we hope that the new sculpture receives the same love.

Buckhurst Field Improvement Programme

In the early months of the year, the Buckhurst Field Improvement Programme will progress massively, with work on the skate park and the pavilion due to start.

At the time of writing, the planning application to redevelop the Multi-Use-Games-Area into a modern ‘PlayZone’ has also been submitted and the council is waiting for a response.

Tree Planting 2025

Using Trees for Climate funding, South Swindon Parish Council are planning to plant trees at various sites across the parish.

Surveys were carried out throughout January to gather residents views about the potential planting sites, which include the Polo Ground, Cranmore Avenue and Shaftesbury Avenue, amongst others.

We will inform residents about the results of the surveys and final plans soon South Swindon Parish Council Office, Gladstone Street, Swindon, SN1 2AU Website: www.southswindon-pc.gov.uk

Telephone: 01793 317410 Email: admin@southswindon-pc.gov.uk

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The South Swindon Parish Council Column

By Neil Hopkins Chair of South Swindon Parish Council

Parish Council Projects 2025 After a busy 2024, we’re looking forward to another big year for South Swindon Parish Council in 2025.

The early months of the year will see the Buckhurst Improvement Programme kick into gear with the redevelopment of the skate park and the pavilion due to start soon. Robins FC have been playing their

home games on the field since September and we’re very much looking forward to seeing the pavilion completed so the Robins can move in. Work on the skate park should have started by the time this magazine hits your doorstep.

In GWR Park, a sculpture of Sir Daniel Gooch will be created out of the stump of a Common Ash Tree. One of the pioneers of the Great Western Railway, the wood carving will serve as a fitting tribute to his legacy, transforming the stump into a memorial in the park that bears the railway's name.

Carver Graham Derham will start work in February.

Eastcott Youth Club In late January, a new youth club will have opened in Eastcott Community Centre, managed by our youth worker and their team of dedicated

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volunteers.

The club will run every Thursday during term time, offering a safe place for young people between the ages of 11 and 16 to learn new skills and make new friends.

This youth club follows the success of the Parks and Walcot Youth Club, which has been running for nearly two years.

I’d like to thank the parish’s youth worker, Loreli, for their hard work in setting up this new youth club, demonstrating the council's commitment to improving opportunities for young people in our community.

If you are interested in hiring one of our community facilities, get in contact with the council’s Community Facilities Officer: community@southswindon-pc.gov.uk

February 2025

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Firefighters urge people to fit lifesaving smoke alarms As part of the Fire Kills campaign, Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue is asking people to make sure they fit smoke alarms on every level of their home and to test them regularly.

The latest fire statistics reveal that one smoke alarm may not be enough to provide the best chance of escaping a fire in the home.

Despite the majority of homes (93%) having at least one working smoke alarm, smoke alarms alerted householders to a fire in England in only 47% of cases The most common reason a smoke alarm failed to activate was because the fire was outside its range.

Safe & Well Manager Sarah Moore said: “Regularly testing and making sure there are enough smoke alarms is extremely important. If you don’t have enough, or they’re not in the right place, you might not be alerted in time.

“Not just this, but smoke alarms don’t last forever and regularly need to be checked to ensure they are working as they should. They provide vital warnings to help reduce the devastation a fire in the home can cause.”

Smoke alarm advice includes: - Install at least one on every level of your home.

- Fit them in the right place, ideally on the ceiling, in the middle of a room or on a hallway or landing.

- Consider fitting additional alarms in other rooms where there are electrical appliances and near sleeping areas.

- Don’t put alarms in or near kitchens and bathrooms.

- Replace them every 10 years.

- If you are a carer or have vulnerable relatives, check their alarms too.

Further advice can be obtained by visiting www.ohfsc. co.uk and completing a home fire safety check.

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Swindon MP's animal welfare promise for 2025

By Barrie Hudson barrie@swindonlink.com

North Swindon MP Will Stone has pledged his backing for a raft of Government measures to tackle cruelty to animals.

Mr Stone said that although he has been contacted about a wide variety of issues since being elected last July, one that keeps cropping up is the question of animal welfare.

He added: "I had the same questions when campaigning against my predecessor, frustrated that there were still so many loopholes that allowed animals and our pets to still be harmed.

"I decided if I were to be elected, I would make it my mission to advance the rights of animals both here in Swindon and nationally."

The MP said he was proud that in the first few months the Labour Government were taking the rights of animals seriously and re-

North Swindon MP Will Stone and his dog

affirmed commitments to end trail hunting and introduce comprehensive animal welfare reforms including but not limited to ending the illegal smuggling of animals including dogs, puppies and kittens, banning the sale of animals with cropped ears, banning the use of snare traps and bringing back the Hunting Trophies Bill in full, banning the

import of ‘trophies’ taken from the body parts of slaughtered endangered animals such as lions and elephants.

Mr Stone also backs causes such as banning greyhound racing and introducing legislation for quiet fireworks.

The MP and his team can be contacted at Will.Stone.MP@ Parliament.uk

Volunteers needed to help give young Swindon people a voice

By Barrie Hudson barrie@swindonlink.com A call has gone out for people to help with the work of a vital Swindon organisation.

SMASH Youth Project are a team of professional mentors who provide safe spaces and practical support for young people across the town.

The project is currently looking for volunteers to serve as Trustees and to work in other roles, including street collections, supporting the team in the office and picking up donations from community groups.

SMASH Youth Project says the qualities sought in volunteer trustees are: - be empathetic to the needs of young people experiencing homelessness - have effective communication and interpersonal skills - maintain safe personal boundaries and confidentiality

Members of the SMASH youth project team

- work as a team and support colleagues - commit to one session a week, ideally for a minimum of six months

A spokesperson said: "The young people we work with need stability and consistency, so we look for volunteers who can make a regular commitment. You don’t need to have experience working with young people."

Swindon Borough Council Chief Executive Samantha Mowbray

recently met the SMASH team to hear about their work and the difference it makes to young people.

Alongside their daily work, the team are currently supporting young people to be involved in the design of the new youth centre which is opening in Park North later this year.

People can find out more about the organisation, its work and its volunteering opportunities at smashyouthproject.co.uk

February 2025

17/01/2025 12:00

Cirencester College

REGISTER ONLINE

For more information visit: www.cirencester.ac.uk

Saturday 15th March 2025

9:30am - 3:30pm

Specialist teaching for 16-19 year olds Tailored Support Excellent Results Huge Enrichment Programme Subsidised Transport

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17/01/2025 12:00

Winter appeal for disability awareness

As part of their Winter Appeal, Jessie May, the South West's children's hospice at home is urging the public to acknowledge the battles families face when a child has a hidden disability.

Hidden disabilities, like those faced by some children with life-limiting conditions, can be the root of misunderstandings by members of the public, even though their impact on daily life can be profound.

As highlighted by Hidden Disabilities UK, conditions like chronic pain, neurological disorders and autoimmune diseases significantly affect people's lives even if they aren't visible to others.

This is the case for Emma and her daughter Izzy, a bright and curious child living with a lifethreatening condition. Although Izzy looks like any other child to strangers, the challenges of her condition are anything but ordinary. However, because she doesn't outwardly show signs of her condition, Emma and her husband Neil often face scepticism when they park in disabled spaces.

Emma said: “People assume everything is fine because Izzy doesn’t ‘look sick,’ but they don’t see the sleepless nights, medical equipment, or constant worry.

“It’s wonderful in many ways that no one knows Izzy was so sick and they have no idea about the extra care. But that also makes it exhausting as people wonder why you feel so anxious much of the time!

“Jessie May has made such a difference for us. Their support allows us to feel more like a family and less like we’re just managing a condition.”

To support families like Emma and Izzy’s, please visit jessiemay.org.uk/winterappeal 12

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New theatre project for people living with dementia A new community initiative has been announced by Swindon Theatres - the collective name for the Wyvern Theatre and Swindon Arts Centre.

Called the Memory Project and sponsored by Arts Council England, The Memory Project will run alongside the popular Memory Cafe, Memory Cinema and Memory Sing sessions held every month at both venues.

The Memory Project will consist of a year of free weekly drama workshops for people living with dementia, their core carer and local young artists, using live music and storytelling.

Oli Webb, Creative Learning Manager and Chair of the Swindon Dementia Action Alliance, said: "After consultation with 30 families

with lived experience, the Swindon Dementia Action Alliance, and other additional needs groups in Swindon, we discussed the idea of a creation of a piece of theatre to use the real experiences of people in Swindon living with dementia.

"There is lots of research around the use of Art, Music, and Dance being beneficial to those living with dementia, but significantly less around drama and theatre.

"We hope this year of workshops will add to the evidence pool and help other groups create something new."

The free sessions will use drama, clowning, storytelling, and verbatim exercises to explore the relationships between three key communities

– people living with dementia, carers, and young artists.

The young artists will be working with people potentially significantly older than them, creating intergenerational connections and helping the project have relevance to all ages.

For more information or to get involved, people are welcome to contact Oli Webb at owebb@wyverntheatre.org.uk

Wiltshire Police launch Support Dog Network

By Amanda Wilkins amanda@swindonlink.com Wiltshire Police has launched an OK9 Wellbeing and Trauma Support Dog Network to help support the mental health of officers and staff.

Many roles within the force are demanding and sometimes dangerous, with many officers frequently exposed to trauma.

The OK9 initiative aims to provide some light relief from those roles.

OK9 was started by Oscar Kilo, the National Police Wellbeing Service, to help to provide light relief from the

stress of police work.

There are currently over 150 OK9 Wellbeing dogs across the country, with Wiltshire Police’s Wellbeing dogs adding to that already impressive number.

Wellbeing Manager for Wiltshire Police Iain Pettitt said: “Wiltshire Police are committed to supporting the mental health of their officers and staff, and the OK9 Wellbeing & Trauma Support Dog Network is a great way to do this.

"Spending time with a dog is proven to lower stress and anxiety and can provide some

light relief from the stresses of the daily role. The fact that the network is run by volunteers within the force, offering their own time and dogs, also highlights the commitment our staff have to supporting each other.”

To mark this launch, handlers and their dogs visited police stations around the county with an OK9 dog van. All OK9 dogs have been fully tested for suitability and handlers have gone through Peer Support training so are able to provide support for any individuals or teams who book visits with the Wellbeing Dogs.

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Advertorial

A focus on care and health

With a rapidly increasing elderly population in Swindon it is vital that we are aware of the genuinely good care facilities in the town and its surrounding area. As you get older it becomes all about the quality of life and ensuring that you are in the right hands for your needs.

Offering the very best in person-centred care Ridgeway Rise Care Home is an established independent care home in Blunsdon St Andrew that prides itself in providing the highest levels of care for its residents.

Whether you’re looking for some support and companionship, are living with dementia, have more advanced medical needs, or are looking for a short break, you can be assured of a warm and inviting homely environment where residents receive the very best in person-centred care and support by the kind and dedicated team.

The care needs of their residents are of paramount importance as well, meeting the total wellbeing of its residents. Through thoughtful design of the purpose-built home coupled with luxury, all the facilities you could ever need to live a fulfilled lifestyle are on hand.

Residents’ choice is viewed as a vital part of maintaining independence and the diverse and stimulating activities programme on offer enables residents to keep on doing what they enjoy or to even try their hand at a new hobby.

Maintaining integration with the local community is encouraged and residents are often seen out and about enjoying everyday living.

When considering care for yourself or a loved one we all want the very best and the well-established and national award-winning team at Ridgeway Rise take great pride in supporting and caring for their lovely residents and their families. Their kindness, dedication and experience provide a safe environment and reassurance for loved ones.

Recognised as a national award care home, in recent months members of the team have been awarded with Dementia Care Specialist of the Year at the Star of Social Care Awards and Worker of the Year in Palliative Care at the Palliative and End of Life Care Awards, and more recently they have just been awarded the Gold Standards Framework in End of Life Care, the only care home in Swindon to have done so. This recognition and awards highlight the outstanding team who make Ridgeway Rise a beacon of excellence in care.

An eye test in the comfort of home As a local family run mobile optician, Vision Visit can come to you for your eye test.

Our fully qualified optometrist uses the latest eye test equipment to give you a precise prescription and thorough health assessment.

Not only that, but the test is free with no call out, if you are covered by the NHS. We have a wide range of glasses, from budget to designer, delivered and fitted in your own home.

So if you struggle to get to

Swindon Borough Council is looking for care workers to help out across the town. A council spokesperson tells us all about it below.

your local optician or would just prefer a test within the comfort of your own home, call us now on 01793 232588 or visit our website at www.visionvisit.co.uk for more details.

- Home eye test service for those who struggle to get to the optician - NHS funded service for those who are eligible - All tests carried out by Mitch Patel, an Optometrist who has over 20 years experience in optics and had conducted several thousands of home visits. He is DBS registered for added peace of mind.

- Vision aids available for those who struggle to read - Supplier of unique lenses that can help those who suffer from macular degeneration.

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Embrace a new career in care at Swindon Borough Council

At Swindon Borough Council, we want our town to be the best it can be.

Our ambitious vision is supported by realistic transformation programmes, with the people of Swindon at their heart.

Because that’s who we’re doing it for – the communities and businesses that make our town great.

As part of the council, you’ll support a friendly local authority making decisions with real impact.

It’s all for better public services, better processes and a better quality of life for everyone.

We now have the following

exciting opportunities in our care services. · Support worker (days and nights available) · Care Assistant (days and nights available) Our employees are passionate about providing the best service they can to our service users, going above and beyond to ensure they feel connected to the family ethos that runs through the home.

Join us, and Swindon will be better with you.

To find out more and apply visit www.jobs.swindon. gov.uk

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Advertorial

A focus on care and health

Love2Care are fast becoming a 'go to' care company within the stay at home sector. It was founded in 2017 by husband and wife Steve Webb and Scarlett Webb, both from Swindon. These two work as a great and very experienced team.

What distinguishes Love 2 Care from other companies?

"Our number one priority, above all else, is the respect and dignity shown to our clients. Scarlett will always ensure that the care and wellbeing offered to each individual is person-centred.

It is something that we will always strive to achieve."

Why should I choose a Homecare company as opposed to going into a Care Home?

"With the average age of living on the rise and the cost of living being a hot topic, remaining in your own home is becoming more and more popular across the UK. "By receiving support at home by a reputable care provider you will be able to maintain routines, independence and wellbeing.

"Our main focus is being able to offer consistency, reliability and above all else a tailor-made care package that will keep clients and their families extremely happy in all that we offer.

"We are looking to expand organically and at a steady pace to ensure we do not lose our vision of upholding an outstanding service of care."

Introducing Devizes’ Healthcare Gem! In Devizes we are extremely lucky to have such excellent healthcare facilities locally.

Raising the bar in the area, Practice Plus Group Surgical Centre, Devizes, believes everybody should have access to healthcare as quickly as possible and can currently see NHS private patients in as little as five weeks!

Did you know you have a legal right to choose where you have your NHS treatment?

In England, patients can choose which hospital or treatment centre is best for their needs – and you can even choose a private setting like Practice Plus Group Surgical Centre, Devizes and still be seen free on the NHS. Practice Plus Group Surgical Centre, Devizes, provides day surgery for a wide variety of procedures including hernia, cataracts, urology and dental.

Patients requiring in-patient surgical procedures can be treated at Practice Plus Group Hospital, Emersons Green, near Bristol. If you are scheduled for in-patient surgical treatment in Bristol, you can attend

all your pre-operative and post-operative appointments at either facility. Diagnostics services, using ultrasound and plain-film X-rays, are also available on site in Devizes.

If you have any health concerns, or are struggling to be seen as quick as you’d like elsewhere, contact your GP as soon as possible and ask for a referral to Practice Plus Group Surgical Centre, Devizes.

Private patients who choose to self-pay or use private medical insurance for Practice Plus Group’s Wellsoon service can contact 0330 162 1504 to make an initial consultation appointment.

Wellsoon is a new kind of private healthcare, one that understands what really matters, adds a more human touch and takes the pain out of the traditionally complicated and costly world of private hospitals.

Introducing our Meals on Wheels Service

"We had identified that not only is a hot meal extremely important for one's wellbeing but also to have someone sit and talk with you during meal time adds to the social interaction but also gives reassurance that any personal care needed can be done during the visit.

"This is in direct comparison to other meals on wheels services where they, unfortunately, drop in a hot meal and leave. Meaning individuals, in some respect, receive a lack of social interaction, and can, potentially, be left in a vulnerable position.

"Love 2 Care have addressed this and have the ability to offer a highly nutritious meal at a very reasonable cost."

To contact Love2Care call 01793 619152 or email info@ welove2care.co.uk

Healthcare on your doorstep Welcome to the Ridgeway Hospital in Wroughton near Swindon. We’re an independent hospital that operate 24-hours, 365 days a year, and we’re proud of our reputation for providing rapid access to diagnosis, treatment, and first-class healthcare. We’ve been serving the local Wiltshire community for over 40 years.

Our imaging suite offers a full and extensive range of services, including MRI and CT scanner alongside X-ray and ultrasound, with appointments usually available on the same day. We also have a fully equipped Endoscopy Suite to offer our patients in a dedicated, calm and welcoming environment.

Our physiotherapy department has a well-equipped gymnasium and several treatment rooms, and our team of specialist physios are available to see anyone, even if you don’t have a GP referral.

We have three operating theatres, one of which is home to specialist spinal navigation systems, giving our surgeons the ability to perform procedures with 21st century precision, and our ambulatory day care suite means we can get you back on your feet on the day of your surgery.

Needing healthcare can be daunting, but with us, you’re in safe hands.

Contact The Ridgeway hospital today and get access to the compassionate care you deserve. Telephone 01793 814848 and see how we can help you get the appointment you need. swindonlink.com n February 2025

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Eastcott Window Wanderland returns to bring joy

By Barrie Hudson barrie@swindonlink.com

Eastcott residents are being urged to sign up to create a magical walking trail to light up the streets.

For the seventh year running, people who live in the ward will be creating displays for Eastcott Window Wanderland.

Window decorations, ranging from something as simple as a candle or some lights to intricate designs in tissue paper, will be on show between 6pm and 9pm from Friday 28 February to Monday 3 March.

This year's theme is Reach For The Stars - whether it’s celebrities, celestial bodies or memorable achievements - but as always those taking part don’t have to stick with it and can create anything they fancy.

Some of the displays in previous years, including those pictured, have been serious works of art, but the organisers stress that all skill levels add

which runs Eastcott Community Centre and aims to improve life for all those living in the area of Swindon.

The event is sponsored by the National Lottery Community Fund and Wiltshire Community

to the enjoyment of seeing the streets lit up and are much appreciated.

"It's a great free event to bring the community together and everybody in Eastcott is welcome to take part,” said Steph Newton, chair of Eastcott Community Organisation (ECO), a volunteer-led charity

Foundation. Thanks to that sponsorship, people will be able to pick up materials free of charge, get inspiration and help with their designs on Sundays February 2, 9, 16 and 23 at Eastcott Community Centre in Savernake Street from 2pm to 4pm.

The centre will also be open on the Saturday evening of the trail for residents to meet up and enjoy a hot drink.

The organisers are urging window-makers to sign up online at eastcottcommunity. org/page/windowwanderland "Window Wanderland

brings a lot of pleasure; it’s lovely to view the windows and to see so many people out and about on the walking trail,” said Steph. “Please sign up and help make this the best year yet.”

Follow @ eastcottcommunitycentre on Facebook for updates

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CHARITY PROFILE

Profile - Wiltshire and Bath Air Ambulance Charity Charity Type - Provider of lifesaving emergency medical care Address - Outmarsh, Semington, Wiltshire, BA14 6JX Telephone - 01225 300536 Website - www.wiltshirebathairambulance.org.uk

By Barrie Hudson barrie@positive-media.co.uk Wiltshire and Bath Air Ambulance Charity carried out its lifesaving work in the Swindon area 261 times last year.

Overall missions hit an all-time high of 1,343, representing a 15% increase on the previous year and surpassing the previous high of 1,238 incidents attended in 2020.

Swindon was the most visited location, with 243 incidents recorded in the town, plus 11 in Royal Wootton Bassett, four in Cricklade and three in Highworth. It represents a 29.2% increase on last year’s missions in the Swindon area of 202.

Bath was the second-most visited area, with 117 missions, followed by Chippenham (109) and Trowbridge (90).

A total of 341 patients were transferred to local hospitals (up from 292 in 2023), with 72 conveyed to the Great Western Hospital in Swindon.

Wiltshire and Bath Air Ambulance Charity’s dedicated aircrew, consisting of pilots, critical care paramedics and doctors, are operational up to 19 hours a day all year round.

During 2024 they attended, on average, four daily missions.

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The charity’s helicopter was deployed for 619 (46%) of the missions, with the remaining 724 incidents attended by critical care cars.

Cardiac emergencies accounted for the highest number of call outs (326), representing around a quarter of all missions. Other incidents included 287 medical emergencies, 190 road traffic collisions, 72 sporting incidents, and 58 assaults.

A total of 182 incidents

demand for our medical expertise rose significantly across Wiltshire and Bath during the past year.

“None of this vital work would be possible without the incredible generosity of the public and local businesses, and we are extremely grateful for their ongoing commitment and support.”

The aircrew were also tasked to incidents outside their primary operational area, including in counties such as the City of Bristol, Berkshire,

Critical Care Paramedic Ben Abbott

involved children, while 32% of all missions (438) took place at night.

Doctors were on board for more than half (51%) of all missions attended, an increase from 33% in the previous 12 months.

Chief executive David Philpott said: “It’s sad to report that

Devon, Dorset, Gloucestershire, Hampshire, Oxfordshire, Somerset and Wales. In total, 23% of the incidents were outside of Wiltshire and Bath.

To find out more about Wiltshire and Bath Air Ambulance Charity, visit wiltshirebathairambulance.org. uk.

A crucial and much-loved charity available to everybody who needs it

Wiltshire and Bath Air Ambulance Charity provides vital critical medical care by land and air, across Wiltshire and Bath. In effect, it offers the same level of critical care as a hospital but brings the expert team and specialist equipment to people in need.

The skills of the charity’s critical care paramedics and doctors, supported by specialist medical equipment, enables them to provide leading edge care in extreme, often lifethreatening situations.

On call every day for up to 19 hours, the team responds to an average of four incidents daily, attending by helicopter or critical care cars. Speed is their superpower. The helicopter can reach anywhere in Wiltshire within 11 minutes and be in the centre of Bath in just four minutes.

The charity relies entirely on the support of businesses and the public to operate.

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Seeking Swindon people's thoughts about devolution A column by Swindon Borough Council Leader Cllr Jim Robbins We are off to a busy and exciting start to 2025 in Swindon, with a renewed focus on delivery this year.

As a Labour administration, we feel that we have made progress in changing the culture at the council and are looking to really demonstrate that new approach to residents as the year progresses.

Hopefully, you’ll see this through the delivery of big projects such as the Heart of Swindon plan for the town centre and the completion of a new youth centre for the town in Walcot due at Easter, but also the council completing smaller, everyday tasks more effectively and efficiently.

This was illustrated by the introduction of the new waste and recycling system where we haven’t seen the same

challenges that we did last year. The hard work of Cllr Chris Watts and the Waste and Recycling team deserves praise, as they devised a new plan and, so far, have executed it really well.

The other big topic in the agenda at the moment is devolution.

I was really pleased to see the Government’s Devolution White Paper, and the Labour party has a great track record in this area. Much of the country now has devolved powers – in essence more money and the decision-making ability that can deliver better outcomes for local residents,

businesses and communities These places have significant powers and funding which residents in Swindon just don’t currently have access to.

The Government’s new devolution framework will see even further powers given to new ‘Strategic Authorities’ including: a statutory responsibility for the rail network; the ability to charge developers a Mayoral Levy to ensure that new developments come with the necessary associated infrastructure; the necessary funding to deliver on housing ambitions and a strategic role in the delivery of the Great British Energy Local Power Plans, delivering local sustainable energy generation.

I want to be clear that this is about a new directlyelected Mayor sitting above the councils who have chosen to work together, not about us merging or joining other councils. Swindon will remain a

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unitary authority, with the vast majority of our responsibilities unchanged and most decisions being made by your councillors in the Council Chamber.

The big decision that we need to make in Swindon is where do we see our future lying?

We have to work with areas that we are geographically linked with, so we have a choice of looking in two different directions as we determine where our future is.

I’m keen to hear from residents about where they see the best opportunities for the town. Personally, I think that the growth agenda and the opportunity for us to build our economy and attract the best jobs to Swindon means that looking East is the best option.

I’m yet to be convinced that the large rural counties of Dorset, Somerset and Wiltshire have much in common with the much more productive and dynamic Swindon economy.

Building a skilled workforce and offering to help balance budget A column by borough council Conservative Group Leader Cllr Gary Sumner National Apprenticeship Week - February 1 to 8 Many students, parents and teachers will tell you that apprenticeships are a brilliant way to gain real-world experience within a chosen career and are a perfect option for young people who feel like they are ready to enter the workforce.

Earning a real wage while you learn and gain valuable qualifications is a great way of ensuring that the apprentice is ahead of the game when applying for more permanent positions within the workplace.

I was amazed to learn that apprenticeships cover more than 170 different industries and over 1,500 job roles.

Under the previous administration, the council

committed to increasing the number of apprenticeships through its Priorities and Pledges. Pledge 18 stated: “... the Council’s aim of increasing the number of businesses employing young people as an apprentice from 15% to 20% (an additional 280).”

We also encouraged the recruitment of social housing tenants and care leavers into apprenticeships within the council itself.

Businesses themselves say that hiring apprentices helps

them to develop a motivated, skilled and qualified workforce.

The National Apprenticeship Service offers advice to employers looking to recruit apprentices or expand their apprenticeship programmes.

In previous years, The Swindon Apprenticeship Awards, held in the Legends Lounge at the County Ground, were organised by the council to celebrate the positive impact that apprenticeships and traineeships have on individuals, businesses and the wider economy.

Budget Labour end their second calendar year running Swindon Borough Council with a £7.6m overspend. Their third year is “starting” with a £10m gap.

How, you ask? In July, Labour voted themselves a 5.77% pay rise. In November, adverts for 15 new senior managers at £1.1m were spotted.

In December, plans were unveiled for vegetable oil to be used as fuel in council vehicles at a cost of £150,000.

By the end of this month, the council will probably ask Government for "Exceptional Financial Support" because it cannot balance its budget...

We offered to help find solutions and proposed practical action on how to make a start. For example, setting up a new cross party task force to review council spend over £50,000 before Cabinet approves it. It might be difficult, there may be entrenched positions, but we have to try. Labour refused, saying they alone know best, and it is what the public voted for in their large majority.

Their idea of collaboration on a £200m budget is a single meeting with a PowerPoint slide deck. Welcome to a better, fairer, greener Swindon.

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Interview: Tim Howe is the founder of The Longevity Games, a Swindon fitness initiative for people of all ages and abilities

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By Barrie Hudson barrie@swindonlink.com "We were the template for the NHS, going back to 1945 and 1946 and the Health Hydro," said Tim Howe.

"Wouldn't it be nice to be the template of longevity and better health? To put Swindon on the map for the right reasons rather than the wrong reasons?"

The Longevity Games takes place at various locations across Swindon, and five are so far scheduled for 2025.

The aim is simple - to benefit the longevity and long-term health of all who take part.

Sessions include running - or walking, depending on ability - and exercises including lunge walks, Burpee jumps and squats, with distance and repetitions varying according to three categories of participant, Novice, Intermediate and Proficient.

Aside from his involvement in the games, Tim is a driving force of the Training in Swindon fitness group, which in five years has grown to have a large Facebook presence, and also runs 6am 'fitness bootcamps' on Tuesday and Thursday mornings in Tadpole Garden Village. The group has raised some £15,000 for local charities.

Tim founded The Longevity Games last January and, backed by wife Lee, their children and a team of volunteers which has grown to be about 40 strong, has seen his brainchild attract the positive attention of councillors, both Swindon MPs, educators, health professionals and the business community.

The initial inspiration for the games came when Tim and some friends trained for a fitness event, only to find that entry was forbidden to those who were not members of an 20

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affiliated gym.

Tim resolved at that moment to stage his own fitness event instead.

The games are sponsored

by Linde, Librium Games Ltd, Richard James, Cantillon Group and South West Mortgages.

Tim welcomes all sponsorship inquiries but no company connected with unhealthy food need apply.

Participation is open to everybody aged 16 and above, irrespective of their level of fitness.

Tim, who credits his background in sales with giving him the patience and determination to get things done, said: "If you're on a journey, starting out and have never done any fitness before, or if you're coming back to fitness, that's initially what this

and your own long-term health.

The other thing we do is take a lot of the pressure away with regards to the repetitions of the technique and the exercises.

"For example, each of the levels incorporates some sort of running or walking. At novice level, if you can't run, then you walk. It doesn't matter if you can't run. The fact of your being there, the fact that you have turned up on the actual day, is half the battle.

"Then, when you come to do your squats, if you can't get 90-degree squats, it doesn't matter. There's nobody there counting your reps. They're there to support you, but there's nobody counting your reps and there's nobody looking at the depth you're going to. It's about you doing it for yourself.

"That goes for all the exercises.

It's exactly the same for lunges, it's exactly the same for Burpees.

You adapt them to suit yourself.

That's the unique part of this event. It's about doing it for your own level.

"It's your pace, not a race. A lot of other fitness events are is about. very strict and there's nothing "It's about encouraging there to account for people that people in a safe and caring are coming through that journey environment where you do the themselves - and that's what exercise to your level and your we're trying to do." ability. Hence why, when we Participation in each Longevity created the event, we created Games session is priced at it at three different levels £35, which includes a finisher's to encompass people who teeshirt, a branded water bottle are starting on their journey, and all copies of high-resolution people who are already doing photographs. something and people who Sessions planned for this year really want a big challenge. are: "One of the things we did 9 February - Delta Tennis - and I say 'we' because this 18 May - Swindon Harriers has developed over time with Athletic Track. friends, with experts - was 20 July - Moredon Sports Hub. to take a lot of the pressure 14 September - Swindon away. For example, there are Harriers Athletic Track no timing chips. It takes you November - details to be as long as it takes you; it's confirmed. irrelevant how long it takes you Further information about The to actually do it.

Longevity Games can be found "You are doing it for your own at thelongevitygames.co.uk benefit, your own enjoyment

February 2025

17/01/2025 12:01

Swindon stegosaurus a monster hit at Natural History Museum

By Barrie Hudson barrie@swindonlink.com

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FEATURES

The Swindon Local Studies team have discovered a Victorian scientific paper about a stegosaurus which once roamed the site of the town.

The fossilised creature is currently on display at the Natural History Museum in London.

It was unearthed in 1874 by staff quarrying a brick pit for the Swindon Brick & Tile Company.

The Swindon Local Studies team, part of Swindon Libraries, did some of their own digging and found a paper published in 1876 in the Geological Magazine, which detailed the discovery.

The animal is thought to be the largest of its kind ever discovered at eight metres (a little over 26 feet) long and weighing three tonnes.

A local studies team spokesperson said it became the ‘holotype’, meaning it was the fossil used to identify and define the species when other discoveries were made.

While not officially confirmed, research by the team, the description in the paper and other sources point to the old quarry being "...at the foot of Old Swindon Hill near the Wilts & Berks Canal.”

Local Studies has amazing information and images from the history of the town, and people can find out more by visiting www.swindon.gov.uk/ localstudies or emailing the team at localstudies@swindon. gov.uk to organise a visit to the archives.

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FESTIVAL

Explore our future earth at

Get ready to experience our home planet from a different perspective, as the Festival of Tomorrow returns from 12-23 February. Organisers have brought together artists, performers, researchers, universities and organisations from across the UK for the Festival’s biggest ever programme of spectacular shows, immersive art, hands-on workshops and FREE drop-in activities for all ages. With over 150 events and drop-in activities around Swindon, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.

By Jamie Hill jamie@swindonlink.com GAIA AT STEAM OVER HALFTERM – 15-22 FEBRUARY Don’t miss the chance to see Bristol-based artist Luke Jerram’s giant touring Earth artwork, Gaia, at Steam Museum from 15 to 22 February.

Measuring six metres in diameter, Gaia features 120dpi detailed NASA imagery of the Earth’s surface.

The artwork provides a unique opportunity to see our planet on this scale, floating in three dimensions.

Each day, GAIA will be accompanied by a specially curated programme of events, FREE family activities, workshops, performances and exhibits. Join the fun with a celebration under Gaia on Saturday 15 February, with live performances.

On Sunday 16 February, everyone can touch, see, smell and taste clouds as Dr Sarah Bearchell returns with her wonderful Cloud Factory family show, repeated hourly throughout the day. And on Monday 17, Dr Sarah is also bringing her bubble kit to Steam.

Listen to the world’s first eight-legged musical instrument – the Sonic Spider - on Tuesday 18 February, played by a team of improvisors, and enter a spider’s world.

Each 15-minute Sonic Spider performance takes inspiration from the life of a spider. Plus meet collage artist Marian Hill, discover how awesome UK insects are and then collage your own insect illustration.

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Wednesday 19 February for A Letter to Gaia, a fun and interactive writing experience.

Look out for Noisy Toys with roaming Noise Technicians between Wednesday 19 to Friday 21 February. Follow the Boom to find their Audio Assault Buggy: get your nose tested, electrocute your family and try out their strange and noisy instruments.

On Saturday 22 February, discover how sea creatures move, eat and protect themselves and then draw your very own in a workshop from Marine Mumbles.

Plus Talented local artists Sheryll K Fox, Carol Burns and Andi Theokle will be exhibiting an eclectic mix of abstract, figurative and landscape paintings.

SEACREATURE SUPERPOWERS AT THE DESIGNER OUTLET 15-22 FEBRUARY Journey to the depths of the ocean with a fin-tastic family trail this half-term. Collect a FREE trail sheet from Guest Services (located opposite at the North entrance) and see how many sea creatures you can spot. PLUS - Get up close and personal with the giants of the Ocean! Between 15-20 February, explore the Ocean Artefacts Museum, where you can interact with fascinating items like an orca skull, shark jaws, and dolphin leg bones.

Or experience a fascinating collision of music, dance, art and technology at The Sonic Body Lab with Neon Dance’s wearable sound sculptures!

THE HOTHOUSE AT THE CARRIAGE WORKS – 15-22 FEBRUARY Explore an interactive

garden of 2.5-metre-tall plant sculptures, brought to life with movement, light and air as festival favourites Air Giants return with HotHouse, their new work powered by their pioneering robotic technology.

Find out how each one moves and immerse yourself in a robotic environment of colour and movement.

Don't miss the vibrant and eclectic Our Future Earth Open Art Exhibition, showcasing the creativity of local artists of all ages and abilities.

Plus make your own artworks and try out new techniques at an exciting range of FREE nature-inspired creative workshops and drop-in activities throughout the half-term week. Try your hand at making bio-plastics from simple natural materials or have a go at making a beautiful cyanotype – ‘nature's blueprints’, with artist Steph Tudor. Meet Festival Artist in Residence, Jo Beal, make some paper bunting to help decorate the space, or try out a host of drawing techniques and materials, including natural inks and mark-making tools, to explore and capture winter’s botanical wonders on paper.

ABOUT TOWN ENTERTAINMENT FOR ADULTS AND TEENS Bingo meets Tech meets Comedy in Foxdog Studio’s

RoboBingo at Meca Swindon on Friday 14 February.

An interactive, smartphone powered comedy act like no other. Expect chaos, games and laughs.

Award-winning composerpianist Charlie HooperWilliams merges live music with reactive visuals in What if you could see music? to create a stunning, deeply human performance beneath Luke Jerram’s Gaia at Steam Museum on Sunday 16 February.

Old Town Comedy Club will be staging a special comedy night with a scientific twist on Wednesday 19 February, MC’d by our legendary local comedy king, Sam Michael with three amazing comedians, headlined by Leicester Mercury Finalist, Freya McGhee, who fuses science, comedy and dating.

On Wednesday 12 February, Create Studios will be hosting the Swindon leg of the Best of Wildscreen Tour, screening the Young Programmers Short Film Package, a collection of short environmental films centred around the theme of Hope.

There will also be a special Sofa Screening of the compelling documentary, Cyborg, which explores self-design and humanity’s technological future - to be followed by Q&A and discussion with director Carey

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th at the Festival of Tomorrow

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FESTIVAL

THE FESTIVAL FINALE - THE DEANERY CE ACADEMY, PEGLARS WAY, WICHELSTOWE - FRIDAY 21 & SATURDAY 22 FEBRUARY Born on Thursday 20 February.

Explore four FREE interactive Discovery Zones packed with amazing demos, intriguing exhibits, hands-on activities, challenges and free workshops from organisations including the James Dyson Foundation, Catalent, the University of Bath, Swindon Paint Festival, the European Space Agency, Kings College London, the Woodland Trust and United Kingdom Research and Innovation (UKRI).

Future You Zone – supported

by Catalent Delve into how your body really works and discover the innovations that are unlocking the secrets of human health, with exciting hands-on activities and demos.

Space For the Future Zone - supported by the European Space Agency Explore the universe with a planetarium show, imagine the technologies of the future through a space-inspired art workshop, or get hands-on with some intriguing objects.

Our World Zone Meet the organisations who are helping to care for our environment and meeting the challenges of climate change.

Future Realities Zone Get up close and personal with the tech that is shaping our future. AI and machine

learning are changing the world. Robots can now ‘boldly go where no robots have gone before.’ But can they do the ironing? Meet T-1-FNY the only domesticated battlefield robot with Podpadstudios.

Tickets for under 18s are free for all talks and shows (under 16s must be accompanied by an adult ticketholder).

Top shows for families: Marine Monsters An exciting show from marine biologist and presenter, Dr Elizabeth Mills. learn how your favourite UK sea creatures move, feed and protect themselves, then decide as an audience which of those are your favourite ways to create a Marine Monster at the end of the show.

Fuel the Future Discover the science behind generating, transferring, and storing electricity, and the technology used to make society more sustainable through a medley of mindblowing demonstrations from the Royal Institution.

Bass in Your Face Noisy Toys promise to fill the theatre with with booming bass vibrations, send lentils flying, make crazy sounds from some unexpected objects, expose some fake magic and wake up some dancing Oobleck monsters with their interactive show.

Bakineering – The Voyage Join aerospace engineer, creator and judge of Netflix's Baking Impossible, Andrew Smyth, on an edible exploration of the engineering that helps us safely travel around the planet.

The Science of Jurassic World Join author and science presenter, Jon Chase, for an entertaining exploration of the science behind the much-loved movie franchise that helped to change the way we see dinosaurs.

I’m a Scientist – Get Me Out of Here Time for the audience to take charge. Five working scientists subject themselves to interrogation by the audience, with trials of Science Fact vs Fiction. Hosted by literal and professional nanochemist, Dr Suze Kundu, in this show the scientists will compete to get your votes by answering your questions truthfully and trashtalking the others.

Top panels and discussions for inquiring minds Inside the Hawking Building: Behind-the-scenes with the Science Museum Group Television presenter Dallas Campbell joins the Festival via live link from behind the scenes in the brand-new Hawking Building at the Science Museum Group’s Science and Innovation

Park in Swindon. Dallas will be joined by Jessica Bradford, the Science Museum’s Head of Collections and Principal Curator, on a tour through some of the most remarkable stories under this one gigantic roof.

The Science Museum’s Science Director and author, Roger Highfield, will be live in the room to introduce the session and answer questions.

Satellites and Climate Action: Monitoring Greenhouse Gases from Space Join us for a panel discussion with leading climate scientists and satellite engineers from the European Space Agency, to explore how state-of-the art sensors and space-based information is reshaping and accelerating the fight against climate change and the urgent shift towards a sustainable, lowcarbon future.

Building a green future Festival Director, Dr Roderick Hebden, quizzes Prof Dame Ottoline Leyser, CEO of UK Research and Innovation on the UK's plans to Build a Green Future, one of the key themes of UKRI Strategy 2022-2027.

Book now to secure spots in ticketed events and workshops, as many sessions are quickly filling up.

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Safe options for Valentine's Day

LINK

POETRY

Maurice Spillane: Of Poetry Swindon

Valentine’s Day – you’d think it’s the thought that counts.

Not in our house. My wife said several years ago: “Not another bloody poem. Any chance of a useful present?”

I never got over that. So now for Valentine’s Day, Christmas and birthday, I buy a gift that’s worthy of her and keep the receipt so she can change it next day.

And change it she does –

size too small, colour doesn’t match anything she wears, mutterings about why I’d think she’d enjoy a trip to London for a poetry evening, or an opera, or a musical.

I’ve a friend who suffers from the same malady. His wife is an accomplished guitarist.

One year she dropped hints that she’d love a banjo for Valentine’s Day if her

husband happened to pass a musical shop and happened to see a Barnes and Mullins BJ300 banjo.

poems. The catalyst for this year’s poem is the mother of a friend, a widow who met a widower:

A week before Valentine’s Day she discovered a box in the spare room, beautifully wrapped, the correct shape for a banjo.

She met a man in her later years Fell in love, made love, Wondered no more.

On Valentine’s Day she opened it slowly, a little silly with excitement, giggling like a child. It was a surprise alright – a very modern and expensive ironing board.

I’m not the best to advise on poems for Valentine’s Day, but a nice card with a little ditty and a book voucher is a safe bet.

Then gently suggested He overdid the beer, And his friends Were a bit of a bore, So he sweetly excused And was seen no more.

You should think of that When you criticise my art. www.mauricespillane.co.uk What’s on: www. poetryswindon.com

But back to my wife and my

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LINK

It’s just like riding a bike!

CYCLING

Monthly column with Becky Cox of Swindon Cycle Campaign.

How old were you when you learnt to ride a bike? Perhaps, like many of the adults we support at Moredon Sporting Hub, you never got the opportunity to learn to ride as a child.

Well, it’s never too late to learn! And for any 'rusty riders', as the saying goes: “It’s just like riding a bike.”

Once you have learnt, you may be a little wobbly to start with, but you don’t forget this life skill.

Thanks to funding from the National Lottery we are able to run sessions for adults at Moredon Sporting Hub to help them learn to ride a bike.

This dedicated facility has a wide, traffic-free, tarmacked track, with bikes and helmets available to borrow. On Tuesdays between 11am and noon, we run a session focused

Alfie Howlett: Swindon Town FC writer

The final transfer window of the 2024/25 season has emphatically slammed shut For Swindon it means that they have no further opportunities to stick or twist with their squad. The second half of the season truly gets underway here.

It’s a period which I feel Swindon should be going into with heads held high. A positive festive period brought eight valuable points from a possible 12. But once more, the performances were there. Since a four-goal shelling at the hands of Colchester in early December, Town on the whole have matched or even bettered the majority of their recent opponents. In fact, their 3-2 home triumph over Colchester on New Year’s Day perfectly illustrated Town’s recent upturn in performance.

In my opinion it’s the first

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on teaching women to ride a bike and develop confidence on two wheels. Sessions are led by female instructors and volunteers in a friendly and supportive environment.

We also run a session for older children and adults (of all genders) on Saturday afternoons between 3pm and 4pm. This is focused on helping people to learn to ride.

Since July 2024 we’ve taught over 25 adults to ride a bike as part of these sessions, and helped a further 20 develop their confidence again after a long break from cycling. This is what Bianca, aged 55, had to say about learning to ride: "Cycling has become my new hobby. I couldn't ride before but now I can. Soon I will be riding to work and college which will save me walking time and bus money!"

During the February school holidays we’ll be running more sessions to help children between 4 and 12 years old learn to ride and develop the skills to cycle confidently. These are planned for Tuesday 18 and Wednesday 19 February, and will be bookable via the Moredon Sporting Hub website. Bikes and helmets are available to borrow if required. We’ll be running an SEN-specific learn to ride session to help children with additional needs learn to ride

The second push for STFC early signs of the Ian Holloway effect. I’m calling it the new manager spring. Usually in football a new manager will bring what is known as the bounce, an instant improvement in results and performances.

But, unusually for Swindon, no such thing transpired, with Holloway forced to wait five games for his first league win.

Following that 4-0 Colchester drubbing, I was sceptical towards Holloway’s capabilities. It appeared that Swindon were regressing, and most concerningly, the players looked lost. But looking back on this period, it strikes me as the stage where Holloway’s ideas were transferring across to the players.

This is because I’m now seeing a team with a sense of identity. The tweaks have been small but effective. For example, there’s a greater

emphasis on winning the ball back immediately when dispossessed. Previously, Swindon preferred to hold their shape when they lost the ball, making them passive and negative. Now, they look to hunt in pairs to win the ball back and progress up the pitch. Pleasingly, this has already been rewarded with an array of goals in previous weeks.

Under this new emphasis Town’s energy levels, particularly in midfield, have heightened. The key, in recent weeks, has been the fact that the midfield are winning their battles to the second ball and seizing the momentum.

In addition, they’re now much more drilled into playing the most effective forward pass as quickly as possible. Again, previously it seemed as if the midfield was easy to bypass

a two-wheeled bike, and we can also help with inclusive learn to ride at our Limitless Kid’s and family sessions every Saturday between 2pm and 3pm.

To find out more about these cycling sessions and other cycling sessions at Moredon Sporting Hub see: centralswindonnorth-pc.gov. uk/moredon-sporting-hub/ cycling/ or for any enquiries, please get in touch with me at rebeccacox@britishcycling. org.uk

LINK FOOTBALL and, on the ball, lacked conviction.

There’s no better embodiment of this change than skipper Ollie Clarke. Town’s best performances have come with Clarke in the team, and it’s no coincidence. Clarke adds so much dynamism and quality to Swindon’s spine, he brings those around him up a level. Equally valuable, in my opinion, is his experience. With Clarke in the team Swindon appear more steely and less rash. They’re playing considerably better as a unit, with individual errors now the main explanation for goals conceded. Clarke is very much the key.

To conclude, Ian Holloway has installed a set of tweaks at SN1 which appear to have found a formula. And thanks to that the players and fans have inherited a fresh sense of optimism. swindonlink.com n February 2025 27 17/01/2025 12:01

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Why should I register for VAT? There are generally two reasons to register for VAT: Compulsory: When your sales exceed £90,000 in a 12 month period.

Voluntary: If registering your business for VAT will be a benefit to you (the benefit is that you can reclaim VAT paid on supplies and expenses).

If you are VAT registered, you must also charge VAT to your customers. This is not a problem when your customers are VAT registered – but causes problems if they aren’t.

Example: A builder replaces a roof on a privately owned house.

If he’s VAT registered, he can reclaim the VAT he’s paid on supplies for the job. When billing customers, he will have to charge them VAT which they cannot claim back because they are not registered.

If he’s not VAT registered, he cannot reclaim the VAT on his supplies. However, happily, his customers will also not be charged VAT – so less money to HMRC and more to the builder!

01793 818400 www.ams-accountancy.co.uk

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