South East Swindon Link March 2020 Edition

No 43 March 2020

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

Swindon

LINK Your Community Magazine

Four page feature in association with InSwindon Town Centre BID. All you need to know about our town centre. page 15

South & East Edition

Explorer Ranulph Fiennes discovers Swindon

Check out our new magazine within a magazine Page 21

Page 23

including Sport, Culture, Food and Drink, Home, Pets and The Trade Pages

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MAGAZINE

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Changing times

Wroughton's Thomas Stamp announced as Cerebral Palsy Sport Young Sporting Ambassador

By Jamie Hill jamie@swindonlink.com

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

If you venture past the centrespread in this month's edition you might notice a few changes as we introduce our new lifestyle and culture magazine section.

This change to the 'back of the book' as it is called hopes to bring you readers more insightful articles that would be of interest to any of you living in Swindon.

The Link Magazine is made up of Link Culture, which this month features a chat with comedian Andrew Maxwell and explorer Ranulph Fiennes as well our poetry corner and a preview of metal band Anvil playing at Level III. Other sections inlcude Link Pets and Nature, Link Home, Link Food and Drink, Link Motoring, and Link Sport.

It's essentially an overhaul of the sections that we do and we're actually very proud of how it looks.

Another section that has had an overhaul is the 'Service Sector' which is now called Link Trade Pages. This is the perfect section to find everything you need whether it is a gardener, a builder or a cleaner.

But at its essence Swindon Link is doing what it always has done being a useful community resource giving you all the information you might need.

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

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

Calyx

Cerebral Palsy Sport has announced Thomas Stamp as a Young Sporting Ambassador.

Thomas is a T35 sprinter running 100m, 200m and 400m distances and is a member of South Gloucestershire A.C and on the parallel success pathway.

He is a regular participant and medallist at Cerebral Palsy Sport Athletics events and was selected to take part in the BBC Children in Need Rickshaw Challenge in 2019.

Thomas has cerebral palsy, autism and ADHD. Throughout his life, bullying has been a persistent issue. Thomas was slow to develop as a toddler and over the years has needed operations and regular physio. He has always been a keen sportsman and playing sport has provided him with an escape from the difficulties in his life.

Thomas has been supported by Cerebral Palsy Sport which receives funding from BBC Children in Need to give young people with cerebral palsy the chance to access training and regular sporting events. Through his involvement with the charity he has competed in the CISPRA Games and won silver medals in 100m and 200m running. Thomas says being involved with the organisation has been life changing. Tom has overcome many hurdles, including bullying.

During the Rickshaw Challenge, Thomas, along with five others travelled from Holyhead to London in a week, finishing at the BBC Elstree Studios during the BBC Children in Need Appeal Show. He was nicknamed ‘Night Rider’ for enjoying taking on the late shift, and also rode up the steepest street in the world, in Harlech, a seaside resort within the Snowdonia National Park. The Rickshaw Challenge alone raised £8.5 million for the Children in Need Appeal.

Cerebral Palsy Sport are very much looking forward to working with Thomas in his new Ambassadorial role. Thomas said: “I accepted ADVERTISING Call 01793 320043 or email: advertising@swindonlink.com Closing date for April adverts and editorial: 13 March April edition published: 27 March Our Statistics Est. Readership of 125,000 in print & c.50,000 monthly online visitors.

Swindon’s largest free publication.

Advertising starts from just £53.

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

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with great honour the invitation to become a Young Sporting Ambassador for Cerebral Palsy Sport and am looking forward to inspiring generations of children and adults of now and generations to come.

"I also humbly thank everyone for their support and CP Sport for nominating me for the Rickshaw challenge."

Young Sporting Ambassadors are young people between the ages of 16 – 25 who have developed themselves as athletes through Cerebral Palsy Sport programmes and as a result have made huge changes to their lives.

Young ambassadors have been chosen to use their sporting journey to positively encourage others, sharing their ups and downs along the way.

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

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 320043 swindonlink.com n March 2020

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Judges draw up list of Pride of Swindon winners Pride of Swindon judges met at the start of the month faced with the daunting task of discussing nominations for the prestigious award.

Representatives drawn from Swindon businesses, community groups and charities gathered at the Civic Offices to discuss a host of potential winners.

The 2020 awards, now in their 13th year, aim to celebrate individuals and teams who go the extra mile to support the Swindon community.

The award recipients could be someone who has given up their time to help others, a role model, someone who has helped reduce crime in their area or an employee who has gone over and above to give something back to their community.

The winners in both the individual and team categories will be honoured at a ceremony at the Steam Museum in March.

Swindon 105.5 Station Manager Shirley Ludford with Swindon Mayor Kevin Parry at the launch of the 2020 Pride of Swindon awards

A new dawn for The Ashford Club with revamped look and a whole new committee

By Jamie Hill jamie@swindonlink.com

The Ashford Club was established in 1896 as a Working Men's Club and now it is looking for new members as it celebrates a whole new committee and a revamped look.

The club will also be seeing its 125 year birthday of being at the heart of Old Town next year.

The Club has lived through some amazing history and a lot has changed in that time.

Where the Skittle Alley is now used to be stables for the Dray Horses and at one stage the club even had its own Ashford Road Coin minted.

Club Secretary Jenny Brownley said: "As the new Secretary for the Club, I have been going through old paperwork, and have found documents dating back to 1904, and also hand written 4

minutes from meetings dating back to 1912, the year the Titanic sunk. We hope to be able to display some of this in the Club."

The Ashford Club offers something for everyone with typical activities such as Darts, Crib, Skittles, Pool, Poker, Bingo and Quiz nights etc. They even have Kevin Ashman from Eggheads who comes to join them periodically for the Quiz evenings.

The club also has entertainment nights that are open to everybody. Here's a taster of what's coming up: 14 March - The Skandals SKA cover band 10 April - Rock & Roll Bingo open from 2pm 11 April - Darts Competition with £100 first prize hosted by Simon Harrison 12 April - Ian Kenna will be entertaining us with his amazing singing from 3pm through to 8pm

19 April - Quiz evening hosted by George Loughlin 8 May - VE Day Celebrations Party (this will tie in with closing of Kent Road for a Street Party) To become a member, it costs £10 for your first year and £7.50 a year after that.

Members get access to all the events, get the use of the Function room upstairs which holds about 100 people, 5% off Club price drinks, free entry to the members draw, Jokers Jackpot which in February reached a massive £2,700, Bingo, Americano, and Tote etc.

The club is open seven evenings a week with earlier openings from Friday to Sunday.

For companies interested in organising a night out, team building, or just getting friends together, the club offers a Skittle Alley along with 2 glasses of wine and Cheeseboard to cater for the numbers, for just £5 a head.

Email ashfordroadclub@ btconnect.com to book.

swindonlink.com n March 2020

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Budget special: Finance boss Russell Holland in the spotlight With Swindon Borough Council's budget 2020/2021 having been agreed, we invited deputy council leader and cabinet member for finance Russell Holland to answer Q - What is the proposed budget for the year 2020-2021 and how is that decided?

The proposed budget for 2020/21 is £142m. Cabinet approved the proposals at its meeting on 5 February, and a final decision was made at the Full Council meeting on 20 February.

Q - Where does the council get its money from? What are the sources of funding and how much does the council receive?

Our budget comes from three different sources: council taxpayers, a share of the business rates collected locally and a grant from the Government. Last year (2019/20), we received £103.2m from council tax, £35m from business rates and £4.3m from the Government.

Q - Will council tax need to increase? What will the average band D council tax home now pay (compared with 2019/ 2020) I realise that people are not going to be happy about paying more Council Tax, I can only assure them that the vast majority of our budget is spent on helping those most in need. In particular, adults with serious social care needs and vulnerable children who very much need and deserve our help. What this means is that most people do not see directly where most of their Council Tax goes, but I believe everyone would support helping those who need it most.

As such, as part of the budget, Full Council will be asked to approve an overall council tax increase of 3.99 per cent. Two per cent of the increase can only be spent on adult social care, with the remainder set aside for important Council services. A 3.99 per cent increase would increase the average council tax bill by £4.54 per month, excluding precepts from other bodies. The Council continues to have a fair and affordable Council Tax compared with other authorities.

Q - What are the statutory services that the council has a legal duty to provide?

We are required to provide vital safeguarding services to protect

some pressing questions about how your money is allocated, how it will directly affect you - the council tax payer, and whether they feel they have struck the right balance vulnerable adults and children, such as the elderly, people with disabilities and children without families. Without these services, many adults and children would not be able to live their lives independently in a supportive environment.

Some examples of these statutory services include providing foster families for children who can no longer stay with their own families, residential or nursing care placements for adults too vulnerable to live by themselves, and school transport for children with additional needs.

Q - After funding has been allocated to these statutory services, the council is left with the difficult decision about how to prioritise the remaining non-statutory services. How is this done? Is there a way that the public can have a say in this process?

We use our budget to provide hundreds of services to the residents of the borough, these include everything from waste collection to organising school admissions.

Our priority is always to make sure that services are provided. For example with our leisure services, we no longer provide these directly but they are still there for residents to use. We have also safeguarded our much valued libraries and we pleased that not a single library has been closed and we have been able to introduce a new library point. We routinely get feedback from residents both directly and through their Councillors.

Our consultations are advertised through our popular social media pages both on Facebook and twitter.

between setting a fair council tax level and meeting their funding requirements. A Council Tax information leaflet is available at www.swindon.gov.uk/info/20020 this. I can only assure residents that we are very conscious that we are funded by taxpayers and do everything we can to ensure that we get the best possible value for money.

Q – How can you afford to spend millions on some projects but then reduce other services?

Many of our big projects receive external funding through grants, which we work hard to obtain from government.

This money is often paid as a one-off sum and can only be used on specific schemes, meaning it cannot be used for other services. If we did not bid for this type of funding, we would be unable to make these big improvements to Swindon. Our day-to-day spending on other services comes from a separate pot of money which is made up of council tax, charges and government grants. These two pots of money have very different rules on how they can be used, which is why we can sometimes afford big projects while having to make savings elsewhere. While we recognise that we have a lot of financial challenges, we do need to continue to invest in the big projects for the future of the town.

Q – Why aren’t you investing more in the town centre?

We are conscious of the ongoing need to improve the town centre, and in February, my colleagues and I supported the biggest financial investment in our town centre for a generation. The Conservatives agreed to spend £14m in order to Q - Funding public services seems secure more than £30m worth to be a balancing act between of grants from Government. generating enough money for Ground-breaking for the first services and setting council tax new office development in at a level that homeowners feel 20 years is scheduled for the is fair - do you feel the council end of March so residents, and has got this right? business, will shortly see visible progress. There are We do our best also support for the to try to get the Cultural Heritage right balance Institute, investing in and I am sure the Carriageworks there will where a dozen be a range businesses are Deputy council leader and cabinet member for finance of views on now based.

Russell Holland

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The Old Town Residents Association Column

By Claire Bouverie-Brine of Old Town Residents Association

We are pleased to report that following an appeal via social media, SBC have repaired the benches and made safe the wooden railings within Croft Woods (The Great Copse).

However, requests to address the muddy paths & routes and tree/plant debris will not be followed up as the area is classed as ancient woodland, and as such, should be left for nature to take its course.

Any dangerous trees can be reported to SBC, and a reminder to everyone to take their litter home with them so that everyone can enjoy this beautiful green space.

Upkeep and improvements continue for the OTRA flower beds, by our dedicated gardening team, and the beds are already showing signs that Spring is on its way!

Please see the poster in Earle’s Newsagents for gardening dates and locations – everyone is welcome to come along! This devoted group also spent a Sunday morning in January, spreading bark chippings along the treeline, which runs from the top of Evelyn Street bridge to the Marriott roundabout, improving the route for both walkers and cyclists.

The Parish are now looking after the flower beds in Swindon Road (off North Street) – if you would like to help with this project, please

contact Linda Kasmaty on 07765 050470.

Comments were submitted to SBC on behalf of OTRA for the Local Plan. In particular, concerns were raised about the 600 new homes planned for Wroughton, which will lead to an increase in traffic for Old Town, as well as a decline in air quality. This is already an issue around Kingshill which has recently been classed as an Air Quality Management Area (AQMA), where one of the suggestions being considered is the introduction of a ‘growing wall’ to help absorb some of the emmissions.

Concerns were also raised about the increase in HMOs (Houses of Mutiple Occupancy) within the Old Town area, which can lead to issues with parking, noise and anti social behaviour. Questions were also raised about the apparent discouragement of approval for new applications for Old Town’s night time economy, in order to encourage businesses to the Regent Circus development.

Plans have recently been submitted for housing on the corner of Kingshill Road and Clifton Street (where the advertising hoardings were).

They can be viewed under planning application S/20/0063/TB on SBCs website where comments can also be submitted. Concerns about access and parking have already been shared on social media.

The public consultation about potential TROs (Traffic Regulation Orders) for Marlborough Road, Marlborough Park, Broome Manor Lane, the Gates and Lakeside closed for comments in mid January. An update is expected from SBC shortly.

An experimental TRO along Marlborough Lane has been drawn up and local stakeholders are being consulted about the introduction of the Parking Restrictions, which are likely to be introduced during early March.

The experimental TRO will be in place for 18 months and will be monitored during that time. During the first 6 months interested parties will be able to submit comments to SBC, based upon their experience of how the restrictions are working.

We were delighted to receive confirmation that the Old Town Festival will be going ahead in June, after the plea for extra volunteers. It will run from 6 to 13 June. For information swindonoldtownfestival@gmail. com.

Swindon’s Jazz and Soul Festival takes place at Christ Church on Saturday 4 April from 12 noon until 11pm.

Contact Chris Smith for more information on chris.smith@ccc. co.uk.

The Old Town Open Gardens date has been set for Sunday 28 June – more details to follow soon.

The future of the Corn

Exchange/Locarno hangs in the balance once again, following the statement issued by SBC on 21 January saying it was revoking its agreement with the developer and the building’s owner, Gael Mackenzie.

Although in private hands, the council owns land around the building needed for any conversion to succeed.

A council spokesman said: “A lack of progress on plans to rejuvenate Old Town’s Corn Exchange has forced Swindon Borough Council to initiate its internal authorisation process to seek to terminate a development agreement for the scheme." As a result, the public meeting planned for 7 February to discuss the buildings future was cancelled.

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 16th March – everyone is welcome! You can also keep up to date with our news by following us on Facebook www.facebook.com/groups/ oldtownresidents/

Support in place for Honda staff and supply chain workers A package of measures has been put in place to support workers affected by the closure of Swindon’s Honda factory in July next year.

Almost a year after the Japanese carmaker announced it would be closing its South Marston base, a co-ordinated programme of welfare support is established with Honda itself leading the way to support its employees.

The Honda and Supply Chain 6

Coordinating Steering Group, led by Swindon Borough Council, met recently to identify additional support for Honda workers and those in the supply chain when production stops in 18 months’ time.

Business teams at Swindon Borough Council and Wiltshire Council are making links between potential employers and the Honda of the UK Manufacturing and supply chain HR teams, in order to

focus training on actual job opportunities.

Through the Community and Well-being Task Group, organisations including MIND and Citizens Advice Bureau as well as other health, business and political organisations have all volunteered their time to work together to support anyone directly affected by the closure.

Swindon Borough Council has also set aside £200,000

to help Honda workers and companies within the supply chain. Half of the money has been used to unlock further funding from the European Structural and Investment Funds (ESIF) SME Competitiveness Programme, which will provide start-up support as well as support to companies in the Honda supply chain. The remaining funding will support Honda workers as and when required.

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South Swindon Parish Council Spring 2020 newsletter

Dear Parishioners In February the Parish Council voted to approve the 2020/21 budget. This will see a £10.99 increase per year on a band D equivalent (or 3p per day per household). This is the first increase in 4 years and represents a watershed for the Parish, marking the final stage of devolving from the Borough Council.

The budget reaffirms our commitment to investing in our formal gardens of Queens Park and Town Gardens, improving and protecting open green space, additional resources for street cleaning, continued allotment improvements, support for community centres, community groups and

Old Town Library

The 1,000 books challenge launched last January has just been completed for the first time! If you would like to take on the challenge with your child just contact Old Town Library for all the details. For primary school children the challenge is to read 1,000 books before secondary school.

Do you have a story to tell, had an unusual career, experienced the Blitz? We are looking for people who would be happy to chat to primary aged children about their lives growing up or their working life and would be happy to be one of our 'living books'. Please contact the Library if you can help.

We have had a selection of adult jigsaw puzzles donated, all either 500 or 1,000 pieces.

Please pop into the library if you would like to borrow one!

We are looking forward to celebrating World Book Day with a visit from a local playgroup, we will be sharing lots of books and taking part in the national 'Share a Million Stories' campaign to encourage reading for pleasure.

protecting our libraries.

The next municipal year will see the transfer of street cleaning and ground maintenance staff to the Parish and the development of a Parish depot to house our service provision.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank the Borough for supplying contracted services to the Parish over the last three years, allowing the Parish to build appropriate structures and organisations in readiness to ensure a controlled and managed transition.

The transition will also include scope to increase the street cleaning provision back to pre-austerity levels with four additional staff on the ground.

Grounds maintenance was previously enhanced in 2017 with the Parish reinstating the 3 week grass cutting rota.

It is the belief of the Parish Council, that our primary duty is to improve and enhance the services provided by the Borough.

The Borough Council sought to divest other services to Parishes such as tree maintenance, winter gritting and gully clearing. We understand that we must not be drawn into accepting additional front line services at a direct cost to Parishioners due to continued austerity.

Therefore, it is now the policy of the Parish to only consider additional services where the sum total of Parish funds

are used for improvement / enhancement and not to mitigate or support cuts to services made by the Local Authority. We have informed the Borough of this policy and advised either petitioning funding from Central Government or seeking approval from residents via Council Tax Referendum.

2020 will see the Parish, once again, entering Britain in Bloom and launching “South Swindon Blooming”. We hope that our commitment to restoring the formal gardens and determination to create a 5 mile wildlife corridor will help us on our way to a gold pennant.

Best Regards Chris Watts, Parish Chair

Town Historic Gates

Dog Fouling

The project to restore these wonderful gates is progressing well. At the time of writing, two gates are near completion and will shortly be returned to their original position at the entrances to this much loved park. The programme is to refurbish all four Victorian gates to their original glory. Paint analysis has shown that the original colour for the gates dating back to 1905 was a dark red/brown.

This was very popular at the time and is in keeping with the history of the site, so once more they will stand as they first did one hundred and fifteen years ago!

The Parish Council has received increasing numbers of complaints regarding nonclearance of dog fouling.

Dog fouling can cause serious illness as well as being unpleasant. Not picking up after your dog is an offence under the Dog Fouling Act 2016 and can carry a large fine.

If you wish to report issues with dog fouling please do so at www.swindon.gov. uk/info/20091/animal_ welfare/849/report_a_dog_ fouling_problem

Services Update

The street cleaning teams have been working to clear the paths of leaves and litter over the winter period while continuing to combat fly-tipping across the pariish.

The ground conditions have been challenging this winter with very wet conditions across all areas. Despite this, the grounds teams have been working hard to complete the winter pruning of hedges and shrubs in preparation for the spring growing period.

Grass cutting should start in April subject to drier conditions.

GWR Play Area

Cambria Bridge Play Area

Refurbishment work has started on the play area in GWR Park. The old equipment offered little play value and was in need of a complete refresh.

The new area will keep its steam heritage links with a train themed central play structure, this will also incorporate a new safety surface and other interactive equipment. This much used play area should be completed in time for the summer season.

The play area at Cambria Bridge was installed around 25 years ago. Both wood and metal have rotted with equipment gradually being decommissioned over a number of years.

The great news is that the area will undergo major refurbishment in the coming months with new equipment and safety surfaces providing safe play for children for many years to come.

Central Swindon South Parish Council

Broadgreen Community Centre, Salisbury Street, Swindon. SN1 2AN Clerk: Rob Core Telephone: 01793 312006

Website: www.southswindon-pc.gov.uk

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Dr Swinyard retires Dr Peter Swinyard, of Phoenix Surgery, Toothill, Swindon, is retiring at the end of May 2020 after 40 years as a doctor, 35 years as a GP in West Swindon and 25 years at the Phoenix Surgery in Toothill, which he founded.

During his career, he has been a leader of the profession in his role as National Chairman of the Family Doctor Association, working to improve health by the education of doctors and their teams, influencing the direction of Health Policy.

For 29 years, he has been a representative of Swindon GPs on the Wiltshire Local Medical Committee, sometime chairman of the LMC.

Alcohol admissions Almost 125,000 people were admitted to hospitals across the South West because of alcohol last year.

And over the last six years admissions in Swindon have shown a 40 % rise.

Analysis of the statistics by alcohol addiction treatment experts UKAT reveals that the number of people admitted into hospital because of alcohol has risen across the South West by 22% since 2012/13, and is a figure that has continued to rise for the last six years.

Staying safe online Wiltshire Police Digital Investigations & Intelligence Unit are running a competition to design a social media campaign to promote staying safe online.

Entrants need to record a two minute video explaining what they have planned for their social media campaign and submit it to the judges. For more details including how to enter the competition visit www.wiltshire.police. uk/socialmediacompetition 8

Roll up for the Urban Rider Games 2020

Extreme sports event – The Urban Rider Games 2020 is about to hit Swindon again for the 6th year running - on April 10.

The not for profit event will be taking place on the 10th of April, in Swindon’s only indoor skate park – ATBShop Skate

Warehouse.

The event is designed to showcase the raw talent for BMX, Skate and Scooter disciplines.

Last year's extreme sports event saw around 500 spectators and riders descend on the skate park across

the entire day, for an action packed day of competitions.

More than 130 competitors register from all over the country - all of whom receive an official Urban Rider Games T-Shirt on the day.

For more information see www.atbshop.co.uk

Reach for the sky and raise charity funds!

Wiltshire Air Ambulance is celebrating its 30th year of operation in 2020 and the charity is looking for 30 people to take part in a wing walk to raise funds for its lifesaving service.

Taking place on Wednesday 8 July with AeroSuperBatics at RFC Rendcomb Airfield, near Cirencester, participants will be strapped to a Boeing Stearman biplane and experience a series of flypasts, zoom climbs, steep dives and banks.

A wing walk held last year at the same venue raised more than £8,000 for Wiltshire Air Ambulance.

One of those who took part was Meg Steinschauer, an executive assistant at V12 Footwear based in Chippenham.

She said: “It was an incredibly exhilarating experience and seeing my closest friends and family supporting and urging

me on was a real boost. I think everyone should give it a go at least once in their life!

“I felt proud to have helped Wiltshire Air Ambulance save more lives.”

Kenresa Stratford, events co-ordinator at Wiltshire Air Ambulance, said: “We’re excited to take to the skies with our wing walk this year and would love to see our supporters take on this thrilling challenge!

“We’ve been flying and

saving lives for 30 years and we thought we’d celebrate this great landmark in our history by doing something a little different.

“So if you’re willing to challenge yourself by taking to the skies in our wing walk, please contact us.”

Entry costs £150 and participants are asked to raise a minimum of £500.

For more information go to the charity’s website - www. wiltshireairambulance.co.uk

swindonlink.com n March 2020

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14/02/2020 13:46

Mad March Hare is almost here!

The Mad March Hare team are busy organising the 13th Mad March Hare which takes place on Sunday 22nd March.

The event in aid of Breast Cancer NOW takes place this year on Mothers Day and organisers are calling participants to sign up as a family to celebrate the special day!

The fun event sees around 500 entrants each year, starting and finishing at Lydiard Park School, it welcomes people of all ages and abilities to get out and enjoy taking exercise.

To take part or volunteer at the event log on to www. madmarchhare.org.uk, email at info@madmarchhare.org. uk or call 0845 6808064.

Window Wonderland Eastcott Window Wonderland returns for its second year between 28 February– 2 March, 6-9pm.

This is an initiative to inspire communities to set up window-display-based walking trails then share them with the world.

This year, more than 180 windows in homes, businesses, schools and community buildings throughout Eastcott will take part.

The event is funded by the National Lottery Community Fund and South Swindon Parish Council.

Visit: www. windowwanderland.com

Craig David confirms

Chart topping Craig David is the latest act to confirm for Mfor 2020.

Craig, known for hits including ‘7 Days’, ‘Fill Me In’ and ‘Re-Rewind’.

Craig David will join Rudimental DJ and Ella Henderson at Mfor 2020 on 25 July 2020 in Swindon’s Lydiard Park.

Tickets are available at www.mforfestival.co.uk

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Satellite service supports Swindon for patients 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 who may need orthopaedic surgery, such as a hip and knee replacement, shoulder surgery or minor orthopaedic procedures at either of the centres, would only have to travel to the centre for their surgery.

The initial outpatient appointment with the consultant, pre-operative nursing assessment, necessary blood tests and any followup with a consultant will all be done at the Swindon Outpatient Clinic.

“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.

It may also offer shorter waiting time for treatment. ”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 in order to access the service.

To find out more about the service call 0333 999 7641.

Dawn sets out to share her slimming secrets A slimmer who transformed her life is now using her success to shape a new career, helping other people change their lives and achieve their health and weight loss goals.

Dawn Warren joined her local Slimming World group in Swindon last summer as she struggled to be the hands on nanny she wanted to be to her 6 year old grandson.

Dawn has now trained as a consultant for Slimming World, the UK’s largest group-based weight loss organisation, at their national training academy in Derbyshire. Over 90 members of the group in Upper Stratton welcomed Dawn on Tuesday evening as she officially relaunched the group.

Dawn said: “These amazing members have already lost over 22 stone so far this January and I am so excited to see what we can achieve together moving forward.

“Support is really the most important thing. It all starts with feeling that you’re not

alone. As someone who has lost weight myself I know the challenges people can face, which is why, along with the group, I will be there to support every one of my members all the way to their chosen target weight. Setting targets, sharing recipes and other ideas, and working together as a group to overcome challenges and celebrate success is so important to a successful journey. That’s why, at my Slimming World group, there’ll be tons of support, encouragement and fun.

“Like a lot of slimmers, I had tried to lose weight so many times before by following numerous diets and being gluten-intolerant it was important to be healthy, but they were never sustainable because I’d always get tired of restricting what I ate. I thought I was destined to struggle with my weight for the rest of my life, but when I came to Slimming World it was different. I never felt like I was on a diet. The eating plan encourages you to eat lots of tasty, filling foods like potatoes and lean meat and fish, you are never hungry and no foods are banned so there’s no deprivation. I couldn’t believe I’d found a way to lose weight without ever feeling hungry!"

Dawn’s Slimming World group will be held at Meadowcroft Community Centre, Upper Stratton every Tuesday at 5.30 and 7.30pm. For more information or to join Dawn’s group either pop along or call her on 07795 621274.

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Drumming up business for new workshop A new African drumming workshop has come to Old Town and will be taking place weekly on Fridays from 7.30pm to 9.30pm at Eastcott Community Centre.

Graeme Goodwin has been teaching the Djembe system of percussion for 20 years with weekly evening workshops in Berkshire.

He said: "I put participants in touch with The Roots of

modern music with an energetic combination of Roots rhythm along with my narrative and educational workshop guidance.

"If you attend a workshop with me - you will learn the importance and will practice correct body posture and Drum Meditation Technique and Practicing the 3 Primary Tones and The ABC to Make the Drum Speak." For more details visit www.rhythmworks.co.uk

Celebrating 100 Years

Start working on your summer body.

Be the best shape that you can be.

Non-surgical aesthetics offered at Shape U Clinic Book a FREE consultation.

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Club and fans join forces to buy County Ground The sale of the County Ground to Swindon Town Football Club and Swindon Town Supporters has reached a major milestone.

Both the football club and the supporters’ group have united to form the joint venture company which will own the freehold of the stadium when contracts are formally exchanged with Swindon Borough Council, the current owner of the ground, in the next few weeks.

The deal to buy the stadium from the Council was

announced in March last year and terms have now been agreed by all three parties.

As part of the sale agreement to the joint venture company, which is a 50-50 partnership between Swindon Town Football Club and Swindon Town Supporters, the stadium will be leased back to the football club by way of a 250-year lease.

This will allow the football club to redevelop the stadium to maximise revenue and to improve the facilities for all the

community.

The Council’s Cabinet agreed last March to sell the stadium after the football

club and fans’ group agreed to meet the Council’s £2.2m independent valuation of the ground.

"There's a real buzz about the town at the moment"

There is a real buzz about the town at the moment and a big part of that is down to the fantastic season Swindon Town are currently enjoying.

Top of the league and seemingly on course for promotion there is some real momentum on the field and supporters’ hopes are high that they will be watching League One football next season.

But things are going well off the pitch too and I was delighted we were recently able to announce that a deal to sell the County Ground to the football club and supporters is all but done. A lot of work has gone on behind the scenes by council officers, those at the club and, of course, the

14

representatives of the fans’ groups, but we are almost there.

The Council has owned the ground for many years, but this sale is less about the £2.2m the local authority will receive and more about the future success of the club and the benefit to the wider Swindon community.

By owning the stadium, the club and supporters will find it much easier to raise the investment required to invest in the football ground. Better facilities will attract more supporters and increase revenue to make the club more sustainable in the long run.

This is the start of a new era and we hope to exchange contracts on the deal very soon. What is particularly

exciting is that fans will also have the chance to own their own little piece of the place they call home when the supporters trust launch a share issue in the next few weeks.

The share price of £19.69 is a nice nod to the greatest day in the club’s history and their famous 3-1 win over Arsenal in the League Cup final. More information on the share issue Community Shares campaign will be available t the TrustSTFC AGM on the 20 March.

These are exciting times for Town fans and as they say on social media COYR!

Swindon Borough Council leader Cllr David Renard

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

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

Monday 9th March 10am to 3.30pm

Jury’s Inn, Fleming Way, Swindon SN1 2NG Valuations are by appointment only To arrange a time, please call 01635 580595 or contact us via the website

www.specialauctionservices.com

Special Auction Services

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Fully Guaranteed Prepaid Plans from £3,495 (monthly instalments available) To receive a £75 discount on these fees, please contact us quoting reference ‘Link1’

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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 Two decades of Smiles Swindon in 2020

By Tyler Ody publisher@swindonlink.com

Smiles Centre was founded on the 1st January 2000 meaning that this year they are celebrating their 20th brithday.

When the company was set up by Simon and Stuart Miles it was originally named S.S.Miles Dental laboratory, and it started in a garage with very little money, no heating and no work.

Stuart said: "Simon was a great technician so it didn't take us long to build a reputation with local dentists as the go-to laboratory in Swindon.

"After 10 years of hard

work, Simon qualified as a clinical dental technician and we moved the company, now called Smiles denture Care to Beechcroft Road.

"In 2013, we re-branded as Smiles Centre and our first associate dentist joined the team, we have continued to build and develop the company ever since.

"Our team now includes four dentists, a hygienist, therapist and an oral surgeon but Simon is still providing treatment for patients who need dentures and we still make them in our own laboratory on-site at the rear of the practice." www.smilescentre.co.uk

Workshop turns spotlight on impact of poor employee engagement With statistics showing critically low levels of employee engagement in the UK, Wiltshire business owners and HR managers will be given the chance to discover how engaged their teams are thanks to a free workshop being staged at two different venues in March.

Andrea Riding, Managing Director of AARC Opportunity, is a licensed Engage & Grow coach specialising in helping businesses enthuse their workforce so they love their jobs.

She is delivering the workshop in Chippenham on 3 March and Swindon on 5 March, where attendees will go through an exercise to find out exactly how engaged their own employees are and the impact it is having on their organisations.

A Gallup survey showed just 11 per cent of UK employees are fully engaged in their roles, with serious consequences for businesses including lower productivity, falling sales, poor customer ratings and increased absenteeism. While a majority of employees – 66 per cent – are not engaged, a further 20

20 per cent are actively disengaged, and can represent a disruptive influence in the workplace.

The award-winning Engage & Grow Group Activation System aims to help companies turn this around by reengaging their employees through tailored programmes. Results show an average increase in employee engagement of 257 per cent for SME businesses which have taken part.

“The low levels of engagement have a serious impact on the performance of a business. It is costing businesses around 34 per cent of their wages bill, and results in low productivity, increased absenteeism and higher staff turnover,” said Andrea. “This workshop will enable them to calculate how engaged their own workforce are using a tried and tested Engage & Grow formula benchmarked against the worldwide Gallup research, to determine a value on what this is costing them.

“We will be giving them some advice on how to reengage their workforce and, armed with this information, they may

then consider commissioning an Engage & Grow bespoke programme to find a solution.

Engage & Grow uses neuroscience as the basis of its coaching programme to help employers and employees think differently.”

Andrea added that employers and HR managers could take some simple first steps to help their employees feel more engaged. For example, building trust and cohesion, and setting shared goals, will help bring teams and management together.

“Employees want to feel appreciated, they need variety and an opportunity for growth.

They need certainty, they need to have significance within the organisation – particularly important for Millennials and they want to make a contribution,” said Andrea.

“Importantly, employees really need to have fun at work. It is so important for learning.

“Businesses with highly engaged employees are 17% more productive and 21% more profitable than those with the least engagement. The figures speak for themselves

and the impact of being able to double or even triple employee engagement would be incredibly rewarding to any type of organisation.”

Both workshops run from 8.30-10.30am. The Chippenham workshop is being held on Tuesday March 3 at The Meeting Place (access from the Borough Parade Car Park, SN15 3ER). To book, visit bit. ly/2NSe7aq.

The Swindon workshop is being held on Thursday March 5 at The VAS (Voluntary Action Swindon) Centre, John Street, SN1 1RT. To book, visit bit. ly/38zt35k.

There is no cost to attend but reservations must be made in advance. For more information aarcopportunity.com or email Andrea on andrea@ aarcopportunity.com.

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MAGAZINE Swindon film producers get nationwide Cineworld release for horror 'Sacrilege' Swindon film producers and UK horror outfit, Bad Blood Films have secured a nationwide Cineworld release throughout the UK, set for 6 March at selected sites.

Latest release 'Sacrilege' follows the British production company's script-toscreen business model, which provides a profitable, all-encompassing end-to-end approach to production. Spearheaded by co-founders Mark Kenna and David Creed, it places a focus on sustainability while keeping to a realistic budget.

Co-founder and producer, Mark, explains, “We’re delighted that this film has already secured UK distribution with Cineworld. It comes at just the right time for UK film. We know the industry is going through massive changes. You need to think big. It’s not just about getting your film made. That’s only the beginning."

With their latest release, 'Sacrilege' being crewed, directed, filmed and produced in the South West, Bad Blood Films is already proving that concept.

David Creed describes the new film as 'The Ritual (2017)’ meets 'Eden Lake (2009)’, tapping into the popular folklore horror sub-genre reignited by Ari Aster’s Misommar (2019) for the younger audiences, they’re looking to be scared just as much as adults are.

The film involves four friends staying in a remote lodge at Solstice.

Four more scripts are in final development and Bad Blood Films is seeking investment to produce two films in 2020 and three films in 2021.

Investors can find out more about the finance packages by emailing the company at investor@badbloodfilms. com. For more information visit www. badbloodfilms.com

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CULTURE

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Interview Andrew Maxwell

n a career that has achieved high praise from audiences and critics alike, Andrew Maxwell has never been short of subjects to regale us all with. As he gears up for his next tour, he’s set to give us a dose of Reality.

Or reality TV, to be more precise, given that his experience of being in the back and beyond in Australia for I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here will form a significant part of his new show.

“It’s such a massive programme and it has a very special place in people’s hearts.

When I started talking to my nearest and dearest about doing it, I didn’t realise how many people are so crazy about it. You get whole families wanting photos. People’s kids want a photo of me! I was living on 600 calories a day, literally sleeping with snakes, and spiders are falling onto your head as you try to wee into a bucket at night: everything else in life is then much easier.”

Making stand-up look easy has been Andrew Maxwell’s forte during a career spanning more than 25 years. A favourite at the Edinburgh Fringe with shows such as Grand Royale, Waxin’ (which earned him an Edinburgh Comedy Award nomination in

appearing in. “The pros of touring are the whole days set aside to just learn something new. There was a day on the tour last spring when I looked at the maps and it struck me that I had never realised that the Peak District is just above Sheffield. So suddenly I’m just pottering around the countryside like I’m in a Sunday evening murder-mystery.”

2007), Supernatural, and his most recent tour, All Talk, he has also appeared on TV shows such as Live At The Apollo, Mock The Week and Drunk History, and narrated MTV’s Ex On The Beach. In 2004 he was crowned King Of Comedy in a Channel 4 reality show, while he also claimed victory in a 2018 episode of Celebrity Mastermind with his specialist subject of Lebanon.

For a man who is constantly inquisitive about the world around him, there’s always something to learn about the places he’s

One of the mysteries of the entertainment industry is that people as talented in their field as Andrew Maxwell aren’t better known to a wider populace. His newfound fame from I’m A Celebrity might attract a different kind of audience to his shows, but whoever is in the crowd, his goal will always remain the same. “You want people to laugh their bollocks off and leave the tent or the room with their chin up. It’s important to send them off armed and ready for life. I want them to feel a million dollars.” The Reality is you can pretty much put your house on that happening.

Andrew Maxwell’s Reality tour runs from 29th April to 8th June. He will take to the stage at Swindon Arts Centre on 26 May. Details at andrewmaxwellontour.com

Poetry with Maurice Spillane The landlady of our local pub introduced me to two mediums recently.

They said they were devout Christians as if that explained some oddity. They were on a mission. A spirit woman had lost her son and wouldn’t be happy until she held his hand again. “When did she lose him?” I asked. “1750,” was the reply, “and she’s been searching for him since.”

The spirit woman said the pub was an ale house in the old days, and insisted her son might be at “The Farm” nearby. I pointed out the farm, and where the farm house was back then. I offered to take them but they’d another appointment and said they’d come back.

To be honest, I had difficulty dropping the exchange from my head. I’ve heard enough ghost stories in my time, and had several experiences that couldn’t be explained so I’m cautious.

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The Stolen Child by Yeats: Come away, O human child To the waters and the wild

With a faery, hand in hand, For the world’s more full of weeping There’s no end of poems on this subject but the great poet, W. B. Yeats, was a medium and he put it well. He was standing by a bridge In Sligo one time. An old man hobbled along.

They’d a conversation and Yeats asked him if he believed in leprechauns.

“Leprechauns, is it? Damn you, sir.

What do you take me for, a fool!”

Yeats apologised profusely and they both watched the stream in silence.

Then the old man said: “But you never know now, do ye?”

Than you can understand.

In Swindon this month: • Reading Group – Monday 2 March, 7-9pm Richard Jefferies Museum • Beehive Pub – Tuesday 10 March, 7:30pm • Open Mic – Monday 23 March, 7:30pm Regent Hotel, Victoria Road http://mauricespillane.com

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Pam Ayres

Big tuneless birthday bash Joined by the Mayor of Royal Wootton Bassett, Councillor Steve Watts, members of a choir exclusively for the self-confessed vocally challenged have marked their first year together with a special birthday celebration. The Royal Wootton Bassett Tuneless Choir launched on 29th January 2019 and welcomes anyone who simply loves to sing, even if they may lack the confidence or ability to do so in tune. The Royal Wootton Bassett Tuneless Choir meets every Tuesday from 7.30pm to 8.45pm in the ballroom at The Angel Hotel. Book a taster session by e-mailing royalwb@tunelesschoir. com. Taster sessions cost £8 and more details can be found at www. tunelesschoir.com/royalwb.

Cricklade band Cricklade band will be playing a concert in St Sampson's Church on Saturday 25th April. And on Saturday 21 March the Spring Table-Top Sale, at the Town Hall, Cricklade, 11am to 1pm. If you're a Table-Top seller, get in quick and call 01793 750516 to book your table, at just £6.

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ou’re heading out on tour, what will you be talking about?

I’ll be talking about my life: my childhood and schooling, and training with the SAS (and being chucked out of the SAS!) I’ll be talking about my very first posting with the British Army, and being the youngest captain in the British Army – even though I didn’t deserve it! – and how that inspired my love of exploring.

I’ll also touch upon some of my favourite expeditions, one of which was finding an Arab city with my first wife Ginny that we spent 26 years looking for, and how, in the first year after we got married, we did our first journey together: a 2,000 mile long boat trip down one of the toughest rivers in the world. There’s so much to talk about that I can only briefly touch on being the oldest Brit up Everest and the oldest pensioner in Great Britain to go up the north face of the Eiger! I’ve tried to get a good mix of polar exploring, and my other adventures.

You have achieved a great deal, are there any expeditions/challenges that you are most pround of?

At the moment, I still hold the World Record of being the only person to have crossed the whole of that Antarctica ice cap, the whole of the northern ice cap and to climb the highest mountain. It's called the Global Reach Challenge and I'm the only person to ever have done it. There are two other people who have nearly done it, a Norwegian and a Belgian, both of whom I am friends with now.

Which person do you most admire, living or dead and why?

One of the people I admire the most is the

polar explorer Captain Robert Falcon Scott.

I’ve just written a book on him that tries to get to the truth of his wonderful career, as there are a lot of lies and rumours about him. He first discovered that Antarctica was a continent! But he had bad luck with the weather on his expeditions, and died in his tent. I also really admire the explorer Wilfred Thesiger, who carried out lots of expeditions in intense heat.

If you could go back in time, what time period would you travel to?

I would travel back to 1415. I would have preferred to live in the pre-digital age.

With the threat of climate change more apparent than ever, what would you urge the younger generation to change?

Sorting out the plastic in the ocean is a good start, rather than trying to tackle things you can't even see.

Everyone can do something about that, whereas something complicated like tackling carbon monoxide is more difficult to get the public interested in. If the whole of the motor industry had to switch to electric vehicles that would be good.

Sir Ranulph Fiennes: Living Dangerously

English poet, comedian and presenter, Pam Ayres MBE, is hosting an evening performance to raise money for Great Western Hospital’s NHS Foundation Trust’s charity, Brighter Futures. On National Poetry Day, October 1 2020, Pam will take to the stage at Swindon’s Wyvern Theatre for a one-off concert.Pam is known across the nation for her witty poetry that details everyday life, and has been in the industry for over 40 years. Visit https:// swindontheatres.co.uk/

Sir Ranulph Fiennes is due to appear at Swindon's Wyvern Theatre on Tuesday 3 March 2020.

Tickets £30-35 https://swindontheatres.co.uk

Anvil set to smash it!

Canadian metal legends including Megadeth, Slayer, Anvil are coming to Swindon’s Level 3 on 17 March as part of their UK tour.

The band, from Toronto, were formed in 1978 and still features Steve ‘Lips’ Kudlow (vocals, guitar), Robb Reiner (drums), and Chris Robertson (bass). As of early 2019, the band has released seventeen studio albums, and has been cited as having influenced many notable heavy metal groups,

Anthrax and Metallica.

In 2008 they were the subject of award-winning rockumentary Anvil! The Story of Anvil.

Tickets on sale via seetickets and available at The Rolleston Arms, Swindon, The Vic, Holmes Music and Swindon library. Tickets cost £18 in advance and £25 on the door. www.level3swindon.com 14/02/2020 13:46

LINK FOOD & DRINK Five Guys named With the recent opening of Five Guys in The Outlet Village, Swindon's media seemed to go into a tailspin of fauning adulation of the burger brand so we thought we should take a look to see if it's all it's cracked up to be.

Review by Jamie Hill

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irst of all I've got to say the burgers at Five Guys were delicious and the milkshakes were genuinely out of this world.

It's a simple set up not unlike we've seen before at countless other fast food restaurants. You queue to order and pay and then you go to a collection point for your food to be handed over.

One problem that became immediately apparent was that this newly opened restaurant was suffering from a few teething problems as we had to wait ten minutes longer for our milkshakes than our food. But this is understandable in a new setting whilst staff and managers find their feet.

Like the set up the menu was simple too consisting of burgers, dogs and shakes. Over the last few years the Five Guys brand has built a name for itself in the zeitgeist as a chain that offers premium quality food in a fast food environment. And this is something that I do agree with. They are not the best burgers you've ever tasted (that award would go to Old Town's Pick Up Point at The Hop) but they are definitely up there.

So all in all I shouldn't have any complaints but it is when it comes to its pricing that my hackles are raised.

MOTORING

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f the Chinese can build a 1,000 bed hospital in 10 days to accommodate their coronavirus victims, it’s pretty easy to understand how they have managed to turn round the Volvo car company and made it into one of the world’s top luxury brands.

Their top of the range XC90 T8 has a new Twin Engine petrol-electric plug-in hybrid powertrain with an upgraded high-voltage battery’s which has increased the capacity from 10.4 to 11.8 kilowatt hours.

This has increased the car’s electric-only driving range from up to 22 miles to a maximum of almost 30 miles which is more than enough for an urban commuting journey.

The XC90 is now fitted with two USB ports in the cabin as standard.

Momentum-grade models add power adjustment for the front passenger seat and the T8 Twin Engine versions are now supplied with a purpose-designed bag to store the recharging cable.

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'Meh'

My cheeseburger, Five Guys fries and strawberry milkshake came to an eye-watering £18.50. To put that into perspective that's three times the price of McDonalds and two times the price of Burger King. But was it worth it? In a word I would say 'no'.

The burger was gorgeous with quality beef but its squashed presentation didn't make it the most appetising thing to look at. The fries were 'okay' but they didn't set the world on fire. The only thing that really set my tastebuds racing was the milkshake but on its own that wasn't enough to offset the exorbitant price.

I know Five Guys will do well despite the pricing as it has such strong branding and it's good to have such a popular name in Swindon but if you're shopping with the family and want a quick fast food fix the price you would have to pay would end up being a small fortune. Your wallet would thank you more if you went to any one of the other food outlets that the shopping mall offers.

Twin Engine petrol-electric awesomeness Volvo XC90 The T8XC90 has Leigh Robinson: Motoring writer

an impressive standard specification that perfectly expresses the model’s status as a luxury vehicle. Key features include the Sensus nine-inch multimedia touchscreen with voice-activated control, navigation system and access to the Volvo On Call connected services platform.

Other equipment fitted as standard includes a power-operated tailgate, LED headlights, a rear parking camera and keyless entry and start. Like every other new Volvo, the XC90 also benefits from a data SIM card, which provides access to up to 100GB of data for 12 months.

And the car handles well.

The new XC90 range is available in

Momentum, R-Design and Inscription versions. There are four powertrains: the new 235hp B5 mild-hybrid diesel; 250hp T5 and 310hp T6 petrols; and the 390hp T8 Twin Engine petrol-electric plug-in hybrid. Every XC90 comes with an eight-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive.

On-the-road prices are from £52,000 for the T5 Momentum, while PCP and PCH agreements are both available from £499 per month.

And on top of all that the Volvo XC90 is regarded as the best used SUV there is in their grade, as reckoned by the experts.

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Cotswold Wildlife Park

LINK PETS & NATURE

he Cotswold Wildlife Park and Gardens, near Burford in Oxfordshire is celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2020. The Park opened on Good Friday 27th March 1970.

It cost 5 shillings (25p) for adults and 2 shillings (10p) for children and they welcomed 17,000 visitors in their first weekend. The Park was the brainchild of one man, John Heyworth, who wanted to rescue the decaying Manor House he grew up in. With the help of gardeners and keepers he turned a bramble-strewn wilderness into a beautiful zoological collection. Over the past five decades millions of visitors have enjoyed the beauty of nature at the Park. John’s son Reggie now runs the Park and continues his father’s work with over 260 different animal species situated in 120 acres of picturesque parkland.

Awards • Voted 4th best Zoo in the UK

by TripAdvisor in their Traveller’s Choice Awards in 2015.

• Awarded ‘The Heart Best Visitor Experience’ in the Oxfordshire Business

Awards in 2019.

• Voted ‘Best Day Out with dogs’, two years running in the Be Dog Friendly Awards by the Kennel Club.

• Awarded a ‘Hall of Fame’ award

by TripAdvisor in 2018 and 2019 for 5 consecutive years of winning a Certificate of Excellence.

Cotswold Wildlife Park and Gardens, Burford, Oxfordshire, OX18 4JP

A fairytale HOME...

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simply magical three-bedroom cottage in the village of Shrivenham – with approved planning permission - has gone on the market with new estate agents Chancellors.

It's currently on the market at £575,000.

Set in c.0.33 acres, this Grade II listed thatched cottage aptly named Swiss Cottage bursts with whimsical fairy tale charm and brings to mind the setting of classic tales including Hansel and Gretel and Little Red Riding Hood. Built in 1850 as a summer house by Lord Barrington of Beckett Park, Swiss Cottage was designed in the same style as his honeymoon accommodation in Switzerland.

As a result, Swiss Cottage offers an abundance of original features including authentic cut timber and brick walls, diamond glazing, galleried landing and thatched roofing in a gable design providing plenty of scope for your imagination to run wild.

Situated within the Vale of White Horse, the quaint cottage is so special it even features in the 1982 English Cottages publication

by Candida Lycett Green.

Perhaps the most exciting element of this magical property, is the fact that it offers amazing potential. Planning Permission P19/ V2091/HH has already been granted for a new linked extension and building to the rear of the existing structure.

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Representing the sale of Swiss Cottage, Ben Lewington, Sales Manager at Chancellors Carterton, said: “This is quite simply one of the most unique properties I have ever come across. It represents an unmissable opportunity to not only own a piece of history, but to create a truly stunning residence."

The current property includes a private driveway, a wellmanicured front garden, an out-building and several sheds. Of the three bedrooms, two are doubles, and there is a family bathroom, reception room, lounge and kitchen/dining room. It's essentially your happily ever after home. www.chancellors.co.uk 14/02/2020 13:46

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SPORT

Alfie Howlett: Swindon Town FC writer

Rockin' Robin swoops back

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TFC has presented a refreshed-looking Rockin’ Robin. To make the new suit a reality, both the Swindon Town Supporters’ Trust (TrustSTFC) and The STFC Official Supporters Club (OSC) teamed up to co-fund the creation of a new suit for the football club.

James Spencer, a board member of TrustSTFC, said: “We all wanted to ensure our mascot was looking sharp, and we’re delighted with the outcome. It’s a significant investment from both sides, but all parties were in agreement and really felt passionate about the cause.”

The OSC were also delighted with the project, with Hannah Clinch adding: “We all agreed that Rockin’ Robin had been looking a little worse for wear recently, so we’re pleased to have been able to join forces with to fund a new suit to get him back out on the pitch, where he belongs!”

Both groups also paid tribute to Danny Lee and all the team behind the scenes at The County Ground for their support and help in bringing the new Rockin’ Robin to life.

Since I last wrote Swindon have not only had one of the best January transfer windows in years, they've also recorded massive wins against promotion rivals Northampton and Exeter.

These last few weeks have been amazing. This brilliant buzz around the County Ground all got started when on the 30th of January it was announced that the returning Jerry Yates was to be reunited with the ginger Pele. That's right on the 30th of January it was announced that the league's top goal scorer Eoin Doyle had returned to SN1 on an undisclosed deal from Bradford City. So after months of speculation and weeks of pain when they left it was finally confirmed that the key trio of Anthony Grant, Jerry Yates and Eoin Doyle would belong to Swindon for the second half of the 2019/20 League Two season.

The buzz didn't stop there. If anything it increased. A day after the January transfer window slammed shut Swindon took on second placed Exeter City at the County Ground.

Swindon edged a 2-1 victory

in front of a sell out home attendance at the County Ground. Once again Town were victorious by a one goal margin and once again Town were brilliantly supported. 1300 Swindon fans made the hour and a half journey to Sixfields to roar Swindon to victory. I'd nominate the two new players acquired in the January transfer window as my players of the month. Hallam Hope has settled in very well in the Swindon side after signing from Carlisle.

The 25 year old left winger has an eye for goal, a good work ethic and a good turn of pace. Rarmani Edmonds Green would get my second vote. The young loanee centre back from Huddersfield has settled into the Town back line superbly and undoubtedly he has improved it. Despite being young EdmonsGreen has almost pocketed some experienced rival centre forwards. He also posses some brilliant physical abilities.

So yet again I conclude my report with Swindon sitting pretty at the top of the table.

So surely now it's a matter of when not if.

Cycle training is more than just learning to ride on the road...

Until we get a cycle network resembling some of northern European friends our children need to learn how to keep safe riding on our current roads and cycle paths. Cycling charity, Life Cycle UK works in partnership with Swindon Borough Council to deliver Bikeability (cycling proficiency) in Swindon’s schools. They now also offer fun and educational cycling holiday courses for children and young people.

Bikeability cycle training is split into levels 1, 3 and 3; with levels 1 and 2 typically being taught in Year 6. Level 1 Bikeability training is based in the playground, helping children develop the skills needed to safely control and maneuver their bike. Once they feel 26

Becky Cox: Swindon Cycle Campaign

confident in the playground training then takes place on quiet roads in the local area in Level 2 of Bikeability.

Local Cycle Instructor, Fi said: “Cycle training is more than just learning to ride on the road.

The kids learn decision making skills, self-awareness and how to communicate

effectively.

They are able to practice looking after themselves and being responsible. It’s life skills and well as cycle skills!”

For anyone who has missed out on training Life Cycle run all levels of Bikeability, including learn to ride and Bikeability levels 1-3 every school holiday except Christmas.

Keep an eye on their website for the booking links at the start of each term leading up to the holiday period ahead.

Life Cycle UK is now hiring freelance Instructors and offers full training.

To find out more and apply, visit Life Cycle’s website: www.lifecycleuk.org.uk/ work-cycle-instructor or contact frances@ lifecycleuk.org.uk / 0117 353 4580.

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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 711 164 TUESDAYS 5.30pm & 7.30pm Meadowcroft Community Centre, Addison Crescent SN2 7JX - Dawn 07795 621 274 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 6.30pm 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 - Kate 07795 024 352 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

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6 swindonlink.com n March 2020

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11

11 13

12

15

16

17

13

14

15

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).

18 22

19

20

25

21

24

29

25

28

26

29

30 31

ACROSS 2.

7.

8.

9.

10.

12.

15.

17.

18.

19.

21.

22.

23.

26.

28.

29.

30.

31.

30

27

28

31

Sailor (7) Early Peruvian (4) Capable of (2,2) Goddess of retribution (7) Wheedle (4) Retained (4) Book of maps (5) Obtain (6) Set down (6) Hidden (6) Pollute (6) English royal house (5) Lie about lazily (4) One who stains cloth (4) Difficult to find (7) Sort (4) Jason’s ship (4) Cooking area (7)

C A B

A P E

N

I

L

SUDOKU

22 23

26 Good; 31 Very Good; 36 Excellent.

DOWN 1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

10.

11.

13.

14.

15.

16.

20.

21.

24.

25.

26.

27.

Revert to original (4) Tailless cat (4) Far away (6) Capital of the Bahamas (6) Baby’s biscuit (4) Stride (4) Supplement to a will (7) Coming (7) Thrift (7) Young child (7) Ward off (5) Deride (5) Uproar (6) Like a male child (6) Agate (4) Vegetable (4) Cathedral dignitary (4) Therefore (4)

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.

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

SOLUTIONS

14 Toddler; 15 Avert; 16 Sneer; 20 Tumult; 21 Boyish; 24 Onyx; 25 Leek; 26 Dean; 27 Ergo.

10

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.

QUICK CROSSWORD Across – 2 Mariner; 7 Inca; 8 Up to; 9 Nemesis; 10 Coax; 12 Kept; 15 Atlas; 17 Derive; 18 Unload; 19 Covert; 21 Befoul; 22 Tudor; 23 Loll; 26 Dyer; 28 Elusive; 29 Type; 30 Argo; 31 Kitchen.

9

Down – 1 Undo; 2 Manx; 3 Remote; 4 Nassau; 5 Rusk; 6 Step; 10 Codicil; 11 Arrival; 13 Economy;

8

IN PROPER EARRINGS

NONAGRAM alap; alpine; apace; apian; apical; biplane; blip; canapé; capable; cape; capelin; clap; clip; epic; epical; INCAPABLE; leap; lipa; napa; nape; neap; nipa; paan; paca; pace; paean; pail; pain; palace; pale; palea; pane; panel; panic; panicle; peal; pean; pecan; pelican; penal; pencil; pica; pile; pine; pineal; place; plaice; plain; plan; plane; plea; plica.

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:

MAGIC SQUARE grip; rare; iron; pens.

7

2 7 5 3 4 8 9 6 1

6

9 8 4 6 1 5 2 7 3

7

6

1 3 6 9 7 2 4 8 5

NONAGRAM 5

7 5 9 2 6 4 1 3 8

4

8 6 2 1 3 9 5 4 7

3

3 4 1 8 5 7 6 9 2

2

6 2 3 7 9 1 8 5 4

2

4 1 7 5 8 6 3 2 9

1

5 9 8 4 2 3 7 1 6

QUICK CROSSWORD 1

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