South East Swindon Link May 2021 edition

No 55 May 2021 GPS-tracked, door to door delivery to over 50,000 homes across Swindon with Est. overall readership of 125,000

Swindon

LINK Your Community Magazine

South & East Edition

Swindon remembers Prince Philip page 16

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Pic by Terry Donnelly

Our heroes in the sky p19

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Radio presenter and business partner take over historic park cafe The new operators of Swindon's Town Gardens Cafe have been named as BBC Radio Wiltshire presenter Marie Kilford and hospitality specialist Frances Tucker.

The friends said they hoped to have the keys by Monday, 19 April and begin trading as soon as the following weekend.

Marie said: "We're both PMH-born! Fran's Commonweal, I was Kingsdown.

"We've both dreamt of running the cafe for a really long time, since we were growing up, and I spent a lot of time growing up working in cafes all over Swindon and a bit further afield.

"Frances runs a hospitality company and works with some of the biggest restaurant chains all over the country, so we're used to being around food and just care about really good food, really good coffee."

In addition to working in

From left: Cllr Neil Hopkins, Marie Kilford, Frances Tucker, Cllr Nadine Watts

radio as a presenter and producer, Marie managed cafes in the local area over a 10 year period, including Bex Coffee in Havelock St, Cycle Club in Dixon Street and Azuza in Hungerford.

Frances said: "I've lived here all my life - went to Lethbridge, commuted through the park.

"We've used the park all our lives, really, since we were toddlers.

"We want a celebration

of what Wiltshire can offer because we're amazing in this county for producing stuff and we really want to be champions of that."

"We really see ourselves as park ambassadors - that's the whole point of us - and we want it to be accessible for all. We've spent a lot of time looking at who uses the park.

"For us it's very important that we offer something for everybody who uses this park on a daily basis."

Parish councillor Neil Hopkins wished them luck and paid tribute to predecessor Carol Watts. He said: "We've gone through a very robust process in terms of the selection of new cafe operators, and I think we've got some operators who will hopefully take over where Carol left off and hopefully take things forward like she did when she started, into a new period."

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Coronavirus news

Community foundation sounds covid impact warning for voluntary sector Wiltshire Community Foundation’s report into its response to the pandemic has praised the work of charities who helped keep the county safe.

However, it also sounds a word of warning about the financial future of the voluntary sector.

The report, published in April, charts how the foundation distributed more than £1.1m from its Wiltshire and Swindon Coronavirus Response and Recovery Fund launched last March, days before the country went into the first lockdown.

The community foundation made 265 grants to 199 different groups over 12 months, with more than 154,000 people benefitting.

But joint chief executives Vicky Hickey and Fiona Oliver warn that a year of lost fundraising and revenue as well as extra expense has taken its toll on many groups.

“Wiltshire Community Foundation, along with many of our colleagues in the sector, has sent a public message to the Government highlighting that charities urgently need an Emergency Support Fund so they can provide the vital services that are desperately needed at community level,” they write in the report.

“The sector as a whole faces a £10 billion gap between the amount of income it expects to have and the demand on services.”

The report says Wiltshire Citizens Advice has seen an 84 per cent rise in people claiming Universal Credit and a 600 per cent rise in workers asking for redundancy advice.

It says counselling charity Ipsum has seen a 50 per cent rise in clients.

The foundation says the economic effects on people who have spent months on furlough or who have lost their 4

Gorse Hill Baptist Church in Swindon was one of the hundreds of groups helped to cope with the fallout from the pandemic by the £1.1m Wiltshire and Swindon Coronavirus Response and Recovery Fund

jobs will mean voluntary groups are needed more than ever - but a study into the county’s voluntary sector, in partnership with Wessex Community Action and Community First, found 62 per cent of charities in the county have seen their income fall.

The covid impact report charts the community foundation’s response since it worked with the National Emergencies Trust to launch the fund.

Fiona Oliver said the foundation had three objectives - to help groups respond to the immediate crisis, assist them in adapting to social isolation rules and to ensure they were around for the long term in the face of plummeting incomes.

She said staff streamlined its grants application and assessment process so that the money pouring in from individual donors, trusts and businesses could be turned around quickly.

The first grants to covid response groups emerging in communities went out within

days of the launch.

“We acknowledged that the speed of distributing that money to the charities and groups delivering emergency services for vulnerable people was crucial,” she said.

“Grant decisions were made overnight by a group of trustees and we introduced daily payment runs to ensure grants got to where they were needed as soon as possible.”

The report also tells the stories of some of the groups who received funds.

Louise Balaam of the Youth Adventure Trust, which supported young people on the margins of education, wrote: “The grant has helped us because we were really aware that, for our young people, their safety nets have just completely gone.

"There is nobody in school keeping an eye on them, mental health services have a huge waiting list and social services aren’t able to go into the homes in the same way that they were.”

Ruth Knagg, fundraising

manager of counselling service We Hear You, said: “The grant from Wiltshire Community Foundation has been amazing because it has meant we can continue our service and in fact we have been able to add crisis telephone support for the people we feel are really at risk because of the impact of covid.”

Mrs Oliver said: “We hope the report will give people a sense of the enormity of the effort made by thousands of volunteers in Wiltshire to protect the county, particularly those who were already in poverty or disadvantaged and were the hardest hit.

“We also hope it will be a timely reminder that our Wiltshire and Swindon Coronavirus Response and Recovery Fund will continue throughout 2021 and as a foundation we have committed to investing £10 million in our local communities by 2025.”

To read the report and to donate to the fund or find out how to apply for a grant, go to wiltshirecf.org.uk

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Wyvern Theatre replacement on Swindon Cultural Quarter agenda A vision to deliver a Cultural Quarter in Swindon will be shared with major investors and funding bodies by the borough council.

The authority has produced a new prospectus which sets out a clear roadmap for the project, which includes replacing the Wyvern Theatre and creating a new art gallery.

Contributing to the recovery of Swindon’s town centre postcovid, the Cultural Quarter would be delivered over the next 10 years and located between the railway station and the new Zurich offices, which are being built next to Fleming Way. The Cultural Quarter vision has been developed by Swindon Borough Council in partnership with key Swindon cultural organisations and their users and participants, including Swindon Dance, Create Studios, HQ Theatres and Prime Theatre.

Sustainability will play a crucial role, and there are plans to make it the UK’s first net zero carbon development of its type, and an example of the positive contribution culture can make to the environment and to a town centre.

Cllr Dale Heenan, Swindon Borough Council’s Cabinet Member for the Town Centre, Culture and Heritage, said: “Delivering a 1,200-capacity theatre to replace the Wyvern, a new media and arts production centre, new dance studio and art gallery will provide a huge economic boost, and reinforce our longterm plan to improve our town centre.

“Six months ago, the idea of a Cultural Quarter with construction finishing within 10 years was praised by many residents, businesses and arts groups who read the business case. We approved the plans, and decided that it was an

important step to write an investment prospectus by March to showcase what we aim to achieve in Swindon.

“Today we have that investment prospectus and it will help to attract the money we need to pay for everything.

We will be putting in a bid to the Government’s Levelling Up Fund which gives us the chance to receive up to £20m and, if successful, that would go a long

way to helping us achieve our funding target.

“I am optimistic because my new approach to the town centre has seen more than £100m secured over the last two years, and the first crane is already here.

It's taken time but people will soon start to see real visible changes happening so we can be positive about Swindon's future.”

Covid funding boost for Swindon arts organisations tops £460,000 One of the South West’s leading performing arts companies for children and young people has received a £25,000 Government grant.

Revolution Performing Arts, based in Swindon but operating in North Wiltshire, Oxfordshire and Gloucestershire, is one of more than 2,700 recipients to benefit from the latest round of awards from the £1.57bn Culture Recovery Fund.

Founder Fi Da Silva Adams said: “We thrilled to get this support and humbled too.

"For many children and young people, our classes in singing, dancing and acting have had a positive impact on mental health, as well as confidence and sheer joy during these difficult few months.

"We know we’ve helped hundreds of children and families."

Revolution Performing Arts is among numerous arts and cultural organisations in the 6

Revolution Performing Arts founder Fi Da Silva Adams

Swindon area to receive a share of Cultural Recovery Fund Money.

Recent announcements included that of a £14,800 boost for The New Mechanics Institution Preservation Trust and £93,888 for Old Town Sounds Ltd. Last year's first round of grants included help for music venues The Vic, The Rolleston Arms and Level 3.

Swindon Dance was awarded £105,325.

South Swindon MP Robert Buckland said he would work to ensure that Swindon received its fair share of funding, and added: "I am delighted to announce that here in South Swindon, we have been awarded an additional £133,688 in total as part of the second round of the Culture Recovery Fund.

"This brings the total amount of funding received so far in Swindon to £460,688.

"Our cultural, creative and

heritage sectors have been some of the hardest hit by covid-19, and I was pleased in July last year, when the Government announced an unprecedented £1.57bn support package to see them through the crisis."

Revolution Performing Arts founder Fi Da Silva Adams added: "At a time when we are unable to generate income in the ‘usual’ way, this is a lifeline for our organisation.

"This allows us to reopen our face-to-face group classes in a safe and secure manner.”

Revolution Performing Arts was founded in Swindon in 2007 and the team have been running online sessions throughout all lockdowns.

All of the teachers are DBS checked, trained in first aid and receive training in safeguarding protocols. RPA specialises in empowering young people to celebrate their individuality through the power of performing arts.

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Fence to keep fly tippers from targeting allotment car park

Swindon care home team celebrate positive CQC rating

A protective metal palisade fence is to be built around the car park of Swindon's Shrivenham Road Allotments.

The move is part of South Swindon Parish Council's investment program for the 14 allotment sites under its control.

The council says that in 2017, when it took on the management of Shrivenham Road allotments from Swindon Borough Council, it inherited an unsecured car park which is a base for anti-social behaviour and is a hot spot for flytipping.

Enclosing the car park with a secure fence around the area, with allotment holders able to access the car park with a key, is intended to stop this from happening in the future.

The cost of the project is £9,850.

The car park is currently surrounded by an unsecured post and rail fence and a

Edgehill Care Home in Swindon has been rated as ‘Good’ by regulator the Care Quality Commission (CQC) following a recent inspection.

The home in Liden, run by independent care provider Agincare, provides affordable residential, respite and palliative care for people aged 65 and over with dementia or serious mental health care needs.

In the inspection report Edgehill Care Home received a ‘Good’ rating overall, a stepup from the home’s previous overall ‘Requires Improvement’ rating last year. The CQC inspection was carried out by three inspectors and an ‘expert by experience’ on 3 March this year, with particular focus on ‘well-led’ and ‘safe’ categories.

Before their visit inspectors gathered feedback from the local authority and professionals who work with the

hedgerow, with an unlocked field gate at the entrance to this area.

Parish councillors John Firmin, left and Abdul Hamid at the entrance to the site

Central Ward parish councillor John Firmin said: “We are really pleased parish councillors have agreed to secure the area from antisocial behaviour and flytipping.

"We have received numerous complaints since taking over the management of the site, about the area being used as the base for anti-social behaviour, especially at night, and that it is a hot spot for fly tipping."

Care home manager Lisa Edwards

home, reviewed care records and also spoke with a number of residents’ relatives.

Registered Manager Lisa Edwards said: “We’re delighted that the Care Quality Commission has rated Edgehill Care Home as good.

“I’m very proud of the team, we have all worked hard together to make improvements to achieve a good overall rating."

The report can be read at www.cqc.org.uk/ location/1-304662740

Park and playpark refurbishment high on parish council agenda South Swindon Parish Council is in the midst of an extensive refurbishment programme in the parks and play parks it inherited from the borough council.

The work includes the recent planting of 420 new trees in the north and west sections of East Wichel Park.

The operation was part of the council's ongoing improvement of the park, and the saplings placed by the grounds team include wild cherry, English oak, silver birch and hazel.

The saplings were provided by the Woodland Trust charity, which offers free community tree packs to schools and local authorities.

East Wichel parish councillor Linda Kasmaty said: “It is great to see more trees added to the park."

The parish council has also announced large-scale refurbishmnt for Queen's Park in the coming months, including: - Restoration of the main 8

Parish councillors Dave Griffiths, left, and Patrick Herring at the Savernake Street play park

entrance gates, which date back to the 1950s, to their former glory.

- Rebuilding of the wall at the Durham Street entrance, which is cracked and likely to deteriorate further.

- Creating a new disability access ramp at the Queen's Park Memorial Garden entrance.

- Creating new path surfaces and and a disability ramp in the Secret Garden. The current

ramp is not easily navigated in a wheelchair, and according to the council has become ugly, with decaying timber sides. These will be rebuilt with concrete.

The parish council has removed duckweed from the pond at the park, and refurbished benches an the World War Two memorial.

Recent work at playparks has included the replacement of the wooden rope slide at

Westcott Rec with an all-new steel version.

Cllr John Firmin, vice-chair of the leisure and amenities committee, said: "The previous one was made of wood and was rotting because it hadn't been looked after properly over the years.

"I guess the expectation was that there would be regular inspection and updates of them, but that just didn't happen. It's a catch up. I suspect they weren't planned to last as long as they ended up having to.

"The new one is now well on the way."

Another steel-framed rope slide has been added to Savernake Play Park in Savernake Street, along with a new basket swing.

The work marked the completion of a project which began in 2019 with the refurbishment of play equipment for younger children at the park.

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Croquet Club reopens for limited play

Swindon Croquet Club has begun welcoming players back in accordance with covid restrictions, which were recently eased in line with the 'roadmap' devised by the Government.

Important covid restrictions remain in place, and full details can be found along with booking information at swindoncroquetclub.org.uk or by calling John Airey on 01793 873026.

Land purchase paves way for GWH growth

Great Western Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust has completed the purchase of 5.5 hectares of land.

The acquisition will allow it to take the next steps in its strategic development plans.

The trust has signed a deal to buy the parcel of land next to the Great Western Hospital site from housing developers Persimmon Homes and Redrow Thames Valley, and has been able to purchase this expansion land following a successful bid for £30m of government funding in 2018.

The purchase of this land, the trust says, creates a strategic opportunity for future development to improve services and meet community needs.

Hospice Starlight Walk is postponed Prospect Hospice has decided to postpone the Starlight Walk event which was set for June, amid uncertainty over the covid crisis.

Amy Francombe, events and community manager at Prospect Hospice, said: “The good news is we already have a date in the diary for next year’s Starlight Walk, Saturday 25 June 2022. You can register your interest for this event on our website www.prospect-hospice.net/ starlight and we’ll let you know when the event is live.”

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Renovations completed at historic Lydiard House A treasured Swindon landmark has a new lease on life following extensive renovation.

Lydiard House, which stands in the grounds of Lydiard Park, has had significant exterior improvements.

The Grade 1 Listed Palladian house was given the £330,000 facelift by Swindon Borough Council, with work starting in July of last year.

Local firm and historic building specialist Beard Construction carried out the improvements, which include repairs to the stonework, rendering and windows.

The 19th Century service wing and the much older rear elevation of the house were redecorated, providing protection for at least another decade.

Cllr Dale Heenan, Swindon Borough Council’s Cabinet Member responsible for Lydiard Park and House, said: “Lydiard House is an important part of Swindon’s heritage, it

The work was carried out by local firm Beard

belongs to local people and we must treasure it.

“I am really pleased the team was able to complete the work during the pandemic and I am sure all visitors to Lydiard will be impressed with the results.

"The house is one of the things that makes Lydiard so special and the renovations are a great example of our commitment to preserving our historical buildings for future generations to enjoy.

“But this is just the start.

My £2 million Country Parks Improvement Plan will enhance Lydiard House and Park, Coate Water, Stanton and Mouldon Hill over the next four years.”

The rear of Lydiard House has been given a makeover with the roughcast render, which covers the ancient part of the building, receiving several coats of traditional limewash, which is expeected to last up to 15 years.

is a great sign of progress.

Hopefully we can attract a buyer for the site and start to give it the much-needed regeneration it deserves.

“Given the site’s location between residential and industrial areas, it has been assessed as having the potential to be redeveloped for either residential or commercial uses or even staying as a park and ride.”

The adopted planning development brief for the site lists potential alternative new uses:

- A residential space consisting of around 85 to 90 Parish council leader Chris Watts and Cllr houses Linda Kasmaty at a section of the trail - Residential development and a care home - Commercial development, encompassing a proposed food store, self-storage, gym, trade counter, coffee drive thru and day nursery - An extension to the Groundwell Industrial Estate to the north Potential buyers are being asked to submit bids to the marketing agents before the closing date of 19 May.

Closed Groundwell Park and Ride for sale The four-acre Groundwell Park and Ride site on Swindon's Cricklade Road is being offered for sale.

Last used in 2009 and closed because of low levels of use, the site is on the market with hopes of a developer or owner-occupier bringing a new lease of life to the area.

Along with its counterpart at Wroughton, the Groundwell Park and Ride was originally intended to reduce the volume of private car traffic entering the town.

However, the Groundwell site was mothballed after useage levels were deemed to make it unviable.

Swindon Borough Council announced that signage would appear at the entrance to the site to advertise the property to potential buyers.

Cllr Russell Holland, Swindon Borough Council’s Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Commercialisation, Education and Skills, said: “This

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Story trail told tale of a badger who learned environmental lesson The latest Town Gardens story trail was as popular with visitors as the previous two.

As with the earlier story trails laid on by Old Town Library and South Swindon Parish Council, the latest one was a series of laminated pages for visitors to follow in order as they made their way around the park.

The aim of the story walks is two fold - to introduce chidren to the excitement of books and help to promote the parks and exercise.

The first was timed for October half term last year and the next marked Christmas.

With more people using the parks thanks to lockdown and furloughing, the story trails have drawn positive responses from local families - and plenty of grown-ups who follow the stories during walks and runs.

Old Town Librarian Deborah Lamb said: "This story is called Tidy and it's by Lily Gravett.

"It's a story about a badger

From left: Cllr Neil Hopkins, Od Town Librarian Deborah Lamb, Cllr Nadine Watts

who likes to keep everything neat and tidy.

"He starts by snipping off flowers that don't match, then he goes on to hoovering up the odd stray leaf and then, when autumn arrives, he doesn't stop.

"His actions just become more and more extreme in tidying up the forest until he realises he's made a mistake, but as with all good children's books there's a positive ending because he is able to put his mistake right.

"This our third story trail. The first one was in October half term last year.

"They've just proved so popular, and not just with young children.

"I've often seen grown-ups dog-walking and reading the stories as they go along - and why not?

"I don't think anybody ever grows out of enjoying a good picture book."

The latest story trail was at

the Town Gardens for a week before being transferred to Queen's Park.

Parish councillor Nadine Watts said: "It's just lovely. The Town Gardens has got such a nice feel to it anyway, and this is another family activity here.

"It's lovely to see that enjoyment created."

Fellow councillor Neil Hopkins praised the message of the story.

He said: "With us having taken responsibility for street cleaning in our parish and having the staff working directly for us, we're working very hard to improve the standards we received from Swindon Borough Council.

"So this as a message is a really good message, a message for everyone - that we've got one environment and we've got to look after it.

"We have to make sure we take away our rubbish and clean and tidy up after ourselves."

Covid-safe Canal Trust Easter Egg hunt a big hit with families amazing with my two-and-ahalf-year-old who was excited and terrified in equal measure!

"Bentley was so patient and kind with him and made him feel happy and relaxed. Both my boys loved the Easter trail and their goodies at the end.

"We so missed not being able to do the Santa cruise last year, the Wilts and Berks Canal people put on the best events and we’re really hoping we can find Santa on the

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to raise much-needed funds towards canal restoration.

"Bentley proved a star attraction – our thanks to Mascot Ambassadors; he even tried to drive our trip boat Dragonfly!

"We would also like to extend our thanks to Waitrose for donating chocolate eggs, and David Wilson Homes’ site office for printing the sheets for the activity packs."

About 300 children took part, and one mother wrote on social media: “Bentley was so

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The Wilts & Berks Canal Trust’s Dragonfly boat team didn't let lockdown prevent them from bringing some Easter cheer.

Instead of its usual boat trips aboard trust vessel Dragonfly, the organisation ran a covidsafe Easter egg hunt.

A spokesperson said: "The event was a huge success, no doubt helped by the presence of Bentley the bear, who entertained children of all ages and even steered the boat!

"Total takings, including many donations, were over £900,

Dragonfly this year."

The trust aims to restore all 72 miles of the Wilts and Berks Canal as a major visitor attraction in the form of a waterside park for boating, fishing, cycling and walking.

The canal was opened in 1810, but its commercial viability was hit by the emergence of Swindon as a railway town and it closed in 1914. www.wbct.org.uk

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Charity founder Fiona Simpson joins Platform Project Fiona Simpson has joined The Platform Project as a youth development manager on a part-time basis, thanks to a number of new funding grants.

She has worked with young people in various roles, including co-founding a charitable foundation called Younite in 2016.

Fiona said: “I feel hugely fortunate to have been offered a role working with Sadie at The Platform Project, as it allows me the opportunity to share my passion for making a difference to the lives of young people and I am inspired by what The Platform Project has achieved so far.”

Care Forum will continue to be Swindon patients' voice The Care Forum is celebrating being awarded the Healthwatch Swindon contract for a further two years by Swindon Borough Council.

The move will allow The Care Forum and its team to continue their work within the community as an independent champion for people who use health and social care services.

Its contract comes after the independent voluntary and community sector organisation’s success in helping residents navigate health and social care during the pandemic.

New dedicated mental health services for new, expectant and bereaved mums Thousands of new, expectant and bereaved mothers have been promised specialised NHS help and support.

The 26 new dedicated hubs, across the UK, will bring together maternity services, reproductive health and psychological therapy under one roof.

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Celebrating those who went above and beyond The Rotary Club of Swindon Phoenix has given out several community awards to those in Swindon who selflessly went out of their way to help others during the pandemic.

Amongst the recipients of the Vocational Service Certificates are Pradeep Bhardwaj and Sunny Patel who organised scores of volunteers to go all out making sure that frontline workers and the town's most vulnerable were fed hot meals during the most difficult months.

With the help of volunteers and friendly businesses they made it their mission to make sure they could aid everybody that needed help.

Pradeep, of Swindon Hindu Temple, along with Sunny, helped organise the teams of volunteers and businesses who helped with the huge operation of getting hot meals to people.

Sunny even made it so The Patriots Arms in Chiseldon became a hub of community

activity during the lockdowns with help from his co-owner Sanjay Dogra cooking thousands of meals delivered out by volunteers for free to people across the area.

Sunny, who also runs QMS Convenience Store in Ferndale Road where he has also been helping the vulnerable in his community with food parcels and supplies, said: "I feel blessed to receive this award.

I believe during the pandemic that I had to do all that I could for the community.

"It wasn't just me though and I would like to thank all of those many people and businesses from the bottom of my heart who came out in their droves to help as well. Like me, they helped just to help, selflessly putting themselves before others. This award is for every single one of them."

The Rotary Club of Swindon Phoenix have also given out an award to borough councillor

Tim Swinyard who worked tirelessly to help others during the pandemic creating a social media group called Swindon Support, which became a huge focus on how people can help others during this most difficult year.

Darren Crannis, The President of the Rotary Club of Swindon Phoenix, said: "Over the past year our fundraising activities have been seriously curtailed because of the restrictions so we thought we would look at recognising those who have selflessly gone out to help others and to give them the recognition that is due.

"When we spoke to our members these names kept coming back to us as the people who had especially gone all out this year to help others and we are honoured to be able to give them these awards to recognise what a huge impact they have had on the community."

Honda confirms new owner for Swindon site Honda of the UK Manufacturing has announced a contract for the sale of its Swindon site.

Originally purchased by the Japanese car manufacturer in 1985, the site will be sold to Panattoni, Europe’s largest developer of new build industrial and logistics facilities.

In 2019, Honda announced a restructuring of its global automobile manufacturing operations, which included the cessation of production at the UK plant in July of this year, at the end of the current model cycle of the Civic Hatchback.

Following the closure announcement, Honda committed to leaving the site in a responsible way, with a sustainable legacy for Swindon.

Jason Smith, Director at Honda of the UK Manufacturing, said: “We are pleased to have identified a capable new owner of the site.

"From our engagement with Panattoni and initial discussions with Swindon Borough Council, we are confident that the new owner can bring the

development forward in a commercially timely fashion and generate exciting prospects for Swindon and the wider community.”

The news was welcomed by South Swindon MP Robert Buckland, who said: "The news

by Honda that they are selling the site to one of Europe's biggest industrial developers is great news for our town.

"Over £700m worth of investment will now be released in terms of new jobs and growth and development that will take the town on to the next generation of its growth.

"I'll be working closely with Honda and indeed with the new developers alongside fellow MP Justin Tomlinson and the council to make sure that this plan will become a firm reality."

Business West managing director Phil Smith also greeted the news with enthusiasm.

He said: “This brings us to the next stage in the formal end of an era for Honda’s involvement in Swindon but

opens up a new chapter for the town. The past two years since the first announcement of closure in February 2019 have been a period of considerable uncertainty for both workers and Swindon itself, so this is good news and puts an end to much speculation and concern.

“We are very glad the site will be retained for employment use and it appears that the number of jobs created will be equal or greater than currently employed by Honda. There will be some disappointment that an advanced manufacturer was not secured to take over the site, but the market for logistics is extremely buoyant and wider uncertainty in many global manufacturing sectors may have tempered wider interest."

Following the end of production on 30 July, Honda will commence the decommissioning of the site.

The site should be legally handed over in Spring 2022, and Panattoni will start redevelopment shortly after.

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Care home residents and relatives able to meet with limited visiting

For residents at White Lodge care home in Braydon, the long awaited reunion with one family member has become a reality, as one single named visitor is now allowed to visit each resident in their bedroom.

There has been much anticipation of this moment by families and residents alike.

Guidance was issued by the Government on 4 March and Barchester Healthcare, who run White Lodge care home, is proceeding with a safe and cautious approach to visiting.

Strict protocols are in place with all visitors required to have a negative Lateral Flow Device test result before being allowed into the home, and infection control measures and social distancing in place for every visit, with only hand holding allowed.

Despite the need for testing and social distancing, it was still welcome news for many residents and their family members to be able to meet in

the comfort of their bedroom.

Residents and their families have enjoyed getting together and catching up face to face.

Ramona Gherendi, General Manager at the home, said: “This is the first cautious step towards having a buzz of visitors in the home again.

"It was wonderful to see how happy it made the residents and their relatives.

"We have a great booking system in place to ensure the visits are well organised, and visitors are doing a great job of following the safety measures to keep everyone as safe as possible."

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The Old Town Residents Association Column

A revised constitution for OTRA

By Judith Randell-Sly of Old Town Residents Association

On 15 May Old Town Residents’ Association held its first virtual AGM. Whilst the social element of being able to meet people and chat over a glass of wine was missing, the business aspect was well served.

A revised constitution was approved and a new committee voted in. We are delighted to welcome four new members to the committee, who bring a younger viewpoint to our committee and make it more representative of Old Town’s population. Three councillors, representing the three main parties, each spoke briefly about their vision for the coming year and Chris Watts, Chair of Old Town Parish, spoke about the work undertaken by the parish. A major theme for all the speakers was improving our local environment as we come out of lockdown.

Improvements are to continue at the Town Gardens, with the refurbishment of the café and the Bowl and the rebuilding of the hothouse in Queen’s Park, as well as the development

of the ‘Green Corridor’. Colin Doubleday, OTRA co-chair, thanked all the councillors for working closely with the group.

Unfortunately, Robert Buckland, who was due to speak at the meeting, was called to Downing Street at the last moment, but sent his apologies.

A recurring theme, also mentioned by the councillors, is that of the litter and graffiti that is blighting our environment. Whilst the parish providers street sweeping and litter picking services to Old Town, it does not have the capacity to sweep every area every day. We know that there is an increasing number of people who regularly pick up litter when they are out walking and we should all be very grateful to them for this.

We all have an individual responsibility to dispose of our litter responsibly and often this means taking it home with us, or putting it in a bin in the locality. At our last meeting it was proposed that we could develop positive ‘markers,’ which create a visual impact in our area and promote pride in where we live. An example of this might be boards detailing some of the rich history of Old

Town. This is just an idea for discussion at the moment, but your views on the subject and ideas to promote it are very welcome, on our Facebook page.

The committee are now beginning to think about the prospect of meeting in person again, which we have not done for over a year! Hopefully, by late summer/early autumn this might be possible.

Work on the gardens, which we are entering for the community section of Britain in Bloom, is well under way

and we can now have up to six people at a time working on a Wednesday morning. If you would like to help details can be found on the OTRA Facebook page or email Linda Kasmaty, lindakasmaty@ hotmail.com. There is a lot of work to be done before we are ready for judging in June!

In the meantime we have some lovely spring colour in the ‘MR Cod’ bed, on the corner of Prospect Place and Victoria Road (see picture) www.facebook.com/ oldtownresidents

Online survey about GWR Park, Faringdon Road - 10 to 28 May Do you enjoy visiting GWR Park on Faringdon Road?

The recent pandemic has highlighted that green spaces are valued by people who live in town centres. And this particular green space has played a significant role in the sporting and social life of Swindon’s Railway Village for over 170 years.

The Heritage Action Zone would like to hear why GWR Park is important and how it should be developed in the future.

Your comments will inform the Conservation Management 14

Plan (CMP) being prepared by Landscape Architects Cookson and Tickner who have been carrying out research and surveys of the site in order to understand its history and its importance today.

The Plan will suggest ways to highlight heritage features and inform visitors of the park’s long and interesting history and will support the daily management of the park by South Swindon Parish Council.

So please get involved from Monday 10 May by completing a short survey at www.swindon. gov.uk/gwrparksurvey

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Man dons bus driver uniform as part of key worker photo mission

Man-on-a-mission Sam Pierce got the chance to take the driving seat recently - thanks to Swindon’s Bus Company.

The operator welcomed Sam, who has Down’s Syndrome, as a member of its team complete with driver’s uniform at a bus stop in Fleming Way. “Sam is a fan of Swindon’s Bus Company - but he’s been visiting other key workers too,” said the Swindon Bus Company's Lucy Humphrey.

“Just recently, he’s been on a mission to dress in the uniform of lots of different types of essential workers, from police officers to supermarket workers, and we were only too pleased to oblige when he asked to meet us.

“Of course, we are in the middle of the covid-19 pandemic, so we had to be careful about social distancing and I had to wear a face covering. But I hope Sam enjoyed having his photo taken with one of our buses, and I wish him luck with the rest of his

Lucy Humphrey and Sam Pierce

mission.”

Sam, 29, was accompanied by mum Leslye Russell Pierce, who said: “Sam’s started dressing up as a key workers to thank all those helping us through lockdown.

"Sam has always loved transport vehicles and has really missed his bus journeys since the pandemic so this was an amazing afternoon for

him. Sam was thrilled to wear the Swindon’s Bus Company uniform and loved the drivers giving him a beep and wave at Fleming Way.” Swindon’s Bus Company has been transporting key workers across the region since the beginning of the pandemic.

Lucy Humphrey said: “These are challenging times and, on behalf of us all, I would like

to thank my colleagues - who themselves are keyworkers for their incredible resilience and dedication.

"Without their efforts, many of those who carry out vital roles within our local community would be unable to travel.”

More information about Swindon’s Bus Company and everything it does can be found at swindonbus.co.uk

TWIGS Community Garden plans charity open day for late May

Prestigious award for a selfless Royal Wootton Bassett Rotarian

Swindon's TWIGS Community Garden will open to the public to raise money for good causes on Sunday, 23 May. The community garden is part of the National Garden Scheme, which gives visitors unique access to over 3,500 exceptional private gardens in England and Wales, and raises money for nursing and health charities.

Thanks to the generosity of garden owners, volunteers and visitors, NGS has donated more than £60m over the years, and core beneficiaries include Macmillan Cancer Support, Marie Curie, Hospice UK and The Queen’s Nursing Institute.

TWIGS, based at Manor Garden Centre in Cheney Manor Road, aims to give people who experience mental health problems the chance to regain confidence and self esteem and to learn new skills.

On 23 May, admission will

Royal Wootton Bassett Rotarian Ray Sanderson has been awarded the prestigious Rotary International Service Above Self accolade.

Mr Sanderson, a member of Royal Wootton Bassett and District Rotary Club, received the award in recognition of his commitment to helping others, notably in volunteering his time and talents for humanitarian service and professional achievements.

This is the highest honour given to Rotarians, with only 150 awarded each year.

Ray has been a Rotarian for 32 years, initially with South Cotswolds Rotary Club and more recently with Royal Wootton Bassett and District.

He has served as Club President, Assistant Governor and member of District 1100 Executive, and chaired District committees on Kid's Out, Community Service and

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cost £3.50 with no charge for children, and there will be teas and lunches available at the garden centre's Olive Tree

café - although they must be booked on 01793 533152.

The TWIGS team can be contacted on 01793 523294, at twigs.reception@ gmail.com and via www. twigscommunitygardens.org.uk for the latest information and updates.

International Service.

Chris Firth, Governor of District 1100 2020-21, said: "Ray has worked tirelessly on community issues for many years, whether in

Malmesbury, Wiltshire, Rotary in Wiltshire, Rotary nationally and internationally. He fully deserves this prestigious award from Rotary International for all the work he has done over many years, improving people’s lives and wellbeing."

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Tributes throughout Swindon and Wiltshire to the Duke of Edinburgh Tributes were paid across Swindon and Wiltshire to the Duke of Edinburgh, whose death at 99 was announced on 9 April.

Swindon Borough Council has opened an online book of condolence at www.swindon. gov.uk/xfp/form/854 A council spokesperson said: "We are saddened to hear of the death of HRH Prince Philip The Duke of Edinburgh and our thoughts are with Her Majesty The Queen and the Royal Family at this sad time."

North Swindon MP Justin Tomlinson said in a statement on social media: "Prince Philip fought fascism, championed liberty, served countless charities, cared deeply about the environment and inspired young people through the Duke of Edinburgh scheme.

"He was a remarkable man who will be remembered as a dedicated public servant. My thoughts are with the Queen, who has lost her companion in life. RIP Prince Philip."

Wiltshire Council also voiced sadness and condolences to the Queen, and its own online book of condolence can be found at http://orlo.uk/Qj0QN Wiltshire Chief Constable Kier Pritchard wrote: "I was deeply saddened to hear of the passing of HRH Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh.

"HRH was a global ambassador and tireless servant to this country for over 60 years. Our condolences go out to HM The Queen and the Royal Family at this tragic time."

Wiltshire Lord-Lieutenant Sarah Rose Troughton said: "It is with great sadness that we have learnt of the death of HRH Prince Philip, The Duke of Edinburgh.

"As HM Lord-Lieutenant and on behalf of the people of Wiltshire and Swindon, I would like to send heartfelt 16

condolences and prayers to Her Majesty The Queen and His Royal Highness's immediate family.

"His Royal Highness devoted a major part of his long life to serving Her Majesty The Queen but also had his own full and varied programme of commitments and interests, all carried out with great aplomb and of course a sense of humour.

"He was a questioning and engaging guest as those who met him on his visits to the county and to his regiments will testify.

"We last had the pleasure of HRH's company at The Orders of St John Care Trust's Haywood Care Centre in Devizes and the opening of the Prince Philip Barracks at REME Lyneham Garrison.

"His Royal Highness will be much missed and will be remembered with the greatest affection and respect."

The Duke made several official visits to Swindon during

his long life, both with the Queen and in his own right.

The first was on February 12, 1960, when he came to perform two duties and crowds of cheering spectators lined the streets along his route through the town.

The first of those duties was at the Drill Hall in Church Street, where he presented an accolade called the Trophy Challenge Shield to 4th Battalion The Wiltshire Regiment (TA).

Later that day, he visited what was then Pressed Steel but is now BMW’s plant in Stratton St Margaret, where he was given a guided tour by managers and frequently paused to speak with production line workers. During this period, the Duke was very active in promoting British Industry and encouraging bosses to make their businesses as competitive as possible.

He returned to Swindon only a little over a year later, on Friday, April 14, 1961. The

Duke began a busy day in Swindon when he arrived by helicopter on new playing fields at Drakes Way in Walcot.

His first duties were to officially open the fields, unveil a plaque on the sports pavilion and start three crosscountry races.

His car was then driven along a route lined with cheering residents to the town centre, where he unveiled a plaque commemorating the start of work on what would eventually become the shopping area which remains there to this day.

After that, he headed for Regent Circus and what was then the new extension to Swindon College. The building was to remain until 2012, when it was demolished to make way for the Regent Circus Development.

The next time the Duke had business in Swindon was in June of 1971 when he accompanied the Queen to the opening of the Wyvern Theatre and the new civic centre of which it was a part.

It wasn’t until February of 2003 that he returned to the town, where he faced a day every bit as busy as the one he had spent here 42 years earlier.

As had happened in 1961, he visited a college, but this time it was New College, where he talked to students about their courses.

His other duties were the official opening of the Great Western Hospital and the switching on of the Jubilee Clock.

The clock, created in honour of the Queen’s Golden Jubilee the year before, stood for several years in the town centre before being removed, repaired and re-sited at the station.

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Life on the front line with Wiltshire Air Ambulance during a pandemic The gruelling challenges faced by air ambulance pilots and paramedics during the Coronavirus pandemic has been laid bare for all to see. Jamie Hill reports (pictures by Terry Donnelly) A series of images have been released by Sony’s awardwinning photographer Terry Donnelly, who was granted behind the scenes access at Wiltshire Air Ambulance.

The pictures show marks adorning the face of critical care paramedic Joanne Gilbert, caused by the personal protective equipment (PPE) the aircrew have been required to wear during their day-to-day operations.

You would be forgiven for thinking these images come straight from a film set, but they show the real-life trials and tribulations of air ambulance critical care medics working on the front line through a pandemic.

During 2020 Wiltshire Air Ambulance was called to a record number of incidents, 1,238 in total, as pilots and paramedics responded up to 19 hours a day to life threatening emergencies across Wiltshire, Bath and surrounding areas.

At the same time, the charity’s income saw a loss of £500,000 due to cancelled celebrations and community fundraising events in their 30th birthday year.

Critical care paramedic Paul Rock – pictured in a full hazmat suit to attend an incident – said: “We’ve had to alter our operations significantly in the past year and it hasn’t been easy, but I’m extremely proud of how we’ve all pulled together as a team to ensure our service hasn’t been affected.”

Mr Donnelly said: “I worked with Wiltshire Air Ambulance on a photography project in 2019 and it was really interesting to see first-hand how much life has changed for the aircrew since Covid-19 hit.

“I have witnessed the sheer determination and devotion the crew at Wiltshire Air Ambulance have to give critical care to their patients and to help save lives.

“They had to make changes to their helicopter and wear hot and uncomfortable PPE just to carry out their work. Their job role is multi-skilled and extremely demanding, and the way they have adapted and coped with the additional pressures whilst working on the front line during a pandemic has been nothing short of valiant over the last 12 months.”

It costs £3.75 million each year to keep Wiltshire Air Ambulance flying. Across the United Kingdom they are one of 21 air ambulance charities who rely on public donations to continue saving lives. They receive no regular direct funding from the Government or National Lottery grants.

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The Business Brief

Later life planning Royal Wootton Bassett solar energy firm with Lionheart on business life after the pandemic "We're not struggling for business - we're in that fortunate position," said Tile Energy Managing Director Leke Alabi.

"So we're not going to give people a service for the sake of giving them a service. We are providing a solution."

That solution, for customers of the Royal Wootton Bassett-based firm ranging from householders to large corporations, is solar energy.

"The company has been operating since 2013," Mr Alabi said, "but we started our operation here at the beginning of 2016.

"We are a renewable energy specialist. We are a down-to-earth company and we provide bespoke advice and design, supply and install renewable energy technology in residential properties, commercial properties and development projects.

"The main product we focus on is solar photovoltaic, which provides electricity to these properties which we install the systems for.

"A lot of people have different concepts or ideas of what this - i.e. solar - is all about, but we don't provide the same product for everybody.

We actually understand why you need it and what you're trying to gain from it. That ranges from normal residential properties all the way to large organisations."

Prices of systems very much depend on the needs of individual customers.

A couple living in a modest house, for example, might expect to pay as little as £4,000 or £5,000, while the price for a larger property with heavier energy use mght extend to five figures.

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powered.

The Royal Wootton Bassett firm has been chosen by Tesla above other solar energy companies in the region to supply its highly specialised batteries, which not only store energy but allow customers to sell the excess.

A residential Tile Energy customer might expect to recoup their investment in the form of reduced energy bills after eight to 10 years. For commercial buildings, which tend to operate mainly during daylight hours, this period is usually shorter.

Tile Energy provides warranties of at least 10 years on the items it supplies, with panels having an expected lifespan of 40 years and batteries about 18.

Mr Alabi is anxious to dispel misconceptions about the use of solar panels, such as their representing a switch away from the grid.

"It's not a switch. You're still part of the grid - but it's an addition or alternative to your standard way of having energy.

"Different clients will have different reasons for this alternative energy. Residential properties will consider something like this mainly because they want to put in their own contribution in terms of the climate. That's quite common - people doing it for environmental reasons.

"The main reason why the Government is encouraging it is not just the environmental factors but also for reducing our reliance on fossil fuel, on power plants.

"It's a simple form of energy to produce and as a result you're saving money.

"You could be producing your own power rather than importing it from an energy supplier.

"We're seeing energy prices

Managing Director Leke Alabi, left, pictured with architect and television presenter George Clarke

going up. They will continue to go up, and one of the reasons is that we need to switch all our fossil fuel plants off - oil plants, gas plants.

"The alternative energy that will need to be produced will cost money, which invariably mean that individual home owners will need to pay more for their energy, but they could produce their own power with solar panels, which will mean they are paying less or even nothing.

"On a commercial level large commercial buildings, medical centres, schools, hospitals - these buildings are run predominantly during the daytime. They're consuming a huge amount of electricity.

They could be producing their own power."

Mr Alabi is also anxious to dispel the image problem the industry was left with during the earlier days of its history, largely due to a policy of Government incentives encouraging people to move to solar.

That policy came to an end in 2019 and Mr Alabi was glad.

He explained: "Unfortunately, although the Government had good reason for encouraging people with these Government tariffs, this was abused.

"You had a lot of investment bankers, hedge fund companies and pension fund companies involved, and that's why you have a lot of solar farms around the country.

"You also had a lot of big businesses flooding the market with what they called Free Solar.

"There was nothing the Government launched called Free Solar, but a lot of people out there made it look like it was free.

"What they did was mislead a lot of people, and unfortunately this created a very bad press for the industry." www.tileenergy.uk Are you a business owner with a story to tell, contact us publisher@swindonlink.com

16/04/2021 10:21

The Business Brief

Two wheels are more fun

Grace Electrical moves premises

Motorbikes are making a comeback as people look to stay mobile and maintain social distancing – shunning cars and public transport The Bike Treads journey is an exciting one. It started as a family business in 1987 fitting tyres for the many motorcycle couriers and riders who were buzzing around on the roads of that era.

Many years later, the business grew in both size and technical ability, becoming a full motorcycle service centre and being recognised as a specialist motorcycle tyre fitting agent, with MOTs, service and repair work also offered.

New owner Martin Tarrant bought the business in 2018, keeping on its team of dedicated and expert staff.

Martin brings with him knowledge of the motorcycle industry, having started off as an apprentice many years ago at a well-known Suzuki and Triumph main dealer and then moving into the sales world, where his passion for all things motorcycle has driven him to keep Bike Treads on the map as one of Wiltshire's leading independent motorcycle centres.

It now operates as a large dedicated motorcycle service

centre with four trained mechanics offering the same workshop facilities as before but now offering brands such as Royal Enfield, Benelli, Lambretta, Royal Alloy, Sym and Keeway from its new dedicated showroom and workshop premises on Kennedy Drive, Eldene.

As with all businesses, Bike Treads has had to adapt to multiple changes with the arrival of the covid-19, changing environmental laws and a gradual decline in the motorcycling community, with it becoming a form of transport seemingly reserved for only casual leisure usage.

Or so they thought!

More recently, with the need for social distancing and a noted decline in the desire

to use public transport, the business has benefited from an increase in sales from their learner ranges up to their top sellers in the Royal Enfield range.

Website sales are booming with a fully integrated virtual showroom and online, self-serve finance tools meaning they can offer motorcycle and scooter sales in a covid-safe manner by click & collect or home delivery.

Call 01793 615995 or visit www.biketreads.co.uk

Pearce Funeral Services sign up to Fair Funeral Pledge Swindon's Pearce Funeral Services have signed up to the Fair Funeral Pledge.

The purpose of the pledge is to encourage funeral directors across the UK to address the national funeral poverty crisis from within the funeral industry.

Around 35% of funeral directors across the UK have now signed up the pledge.

A spokesperson for the funeral directors said: "By signing the pledge, we are recognising that funerals can be expensive and that many people struggle with the cost.

"We have made a commitment to be open with our families about the costs involved in funerals and to

ensure that we always offer the most affordable options to help them to plan a funeral that is within their means.

"We will always do this with courtesy and respect, for both your loved one and yourself, listening to your wishes and guiding you with all options available to ensure you can say goodbye in the most fitting way."

The Funerals Pledge 2021, makes the following voluntary commitment: - To help people to find funerals that are within their means.

- To be open about the price of services and when the final balance is due, including

third party costs, in initial conversations, within their price lists, and on their website.

The pledge also asks funeral directors to be open about the amount of any deposit required, although Pearce Funeral Services do not require any type of deposit.

If you have any questions regarding the pledge, please feel free to speak to a member of the team at Pearce.

Phone 01793 832072 www.pearcefuneralservices. co.uk

Long-running Swindon company Grace Electrical which has been a mainstay in Swindon since 1973 has moved its premises.

The company, which was established in Manchester Road since it opened, has now moved to Rivermead.

A company spokesperson said: "We decided to move due to car parking issues as there were none available.

Customers were always getting parking tickets.

"The new establishment has proper car parking, with customers able to park cars right outside the unit so it's easy to drop appliances off."

Grace Electrical specialises in all manner of white goods repairs including integrated appliances, as well as gas and electric range cookers.

They also do Dyson repairs as well as stock spares.

The spokesperson added: "With a range of large and small appliances to repair, no job is too big or too small.

We provide the finest quality materials at the highest service available, to make your kitchen items work again to the best of their ability.

"Whether you are looking to repair your microwaves, cookers or vacuums we are always happy to help you out."

The new premises are easy to find as they are opposite Basepoint and the unit has good signage.

The address is Grace Electrical 114 Rivermead Business Park Rivermead Drive (Opposite Basepoint) SN5 7EX 01793693858 For more info visit www. grace-electrical.co.uk swindonlink.com n May 2021

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The Politics Page

Are you ready to vote on 6 May?

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Words by Barrie Hudson

Local elections are taking place on Thursday, 6 May, for the Police and Crime Commissioner for Wiltshire, elections in all 20 Swindon Borough Council wards, and elections in 11 parish council areas.

This year, polling stations will be made covid-secure, through measures such as: · hand sanitiser stations · social distancing in place · screens and distance markers Residents are also being reminded to bring their own pen/pencil, wear a mask at the polling station (unless exempt), and check the information on their poll cards for their polling station location and opening times.

If you need to self-isolate due to coronavirus, you’ll still be able to vote in the election.

Any person who is self-isolating

due to coronavirus can access an emergency proxy vote up to 5pm on the day of the election (6 May).

More information about the safety precautions in place and emergency proxy votes can be found on the council

website at: www.swindon.gov. uk/info/20073/elections_ and_voting/937/forthcoming_ elections/2

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Words by Barrie Hudson

The programme for the 2021 Swindon Festival of Literature has had its official launch.

Those set to take part include poet Blake Morrison, journalist and broadcaster Miranda Sawyer and author Jasper Fforde, whose novels set in an alternate Swindon are bestsellers.

The festival will run from May 3 to 9 and more than 40 events are scheduled.

Festival director Matt Holland said: "Here we are again, one year on from our last enforced online lockdown launch. . . but also one year more grateful for human ingenuity, cutting edge science, and digital technology that made it possible not only to find ways of keeping a virus at bay but also, to make it possible for this show to go on, or at least, to go on online.

"And the adverse effects of the virus and the challenge of having to present authors and performers online have been a kind of strange ill wind that has blown the festival some good.

"Once upon a time, we were no more than a longrunning well-supported town festival with a reputation for not having spelling mistakes, keeping to time, being serious without being solemn, knowing how to laugh, and providing something of interest for everyone.

"Since covid-19 forced us to become an online festival, we have spread our wings, worldwide. Last year we had new festival followers emerging from the USA, Australia, Spain, Botswana, Paraguay, and many other far flung places. Overnight, we’d become an international festival!

"The dream of ‘putting Swindon on the map’ was becoming a reality, on the world map!

"And this year, we hope and expect to maintain that global momentum, which, let’s hope, is good for literature, good for humankind, and best of all, good for Swindon!"

Mr Holland, who has guided the festival throughout its history, added: "We certainly have a festival line-up that should have town-wide, all-age, and universal appeal. It includes authors, speakers, performers, and workshop leaders who celebrate spring, nightingales, running, publishing, life, nature, stories, hugging, health, remarkable women, missing men, life, poems, writing, boxing, tribes, sympathy groups, music, games, acrobatics, life, mortality, radio, lifestyles, circus, science, life, rest, and the art of succeeding without trying too hard.

"Authors include Richard Thompson, Rowan Williams, Miranda Sawyer, Blake Morrison, Jasper Fforde, Ella Al-Shamahi, Natalie Haynes, Ollivier Pourriol, Sally Bayley, Richard Durrant, and Claudia Hammond. We hope that everyone will find plenty to enjoy in this year’s programme."

The festival is supported by Arts Council England, Swindon Borough Council and Lower Shaw Farm. Details can be found at www.swindonfestivalofliterature.co.uk and hard copies can be obtained from 01793 771080 or swindonlitfest@lowershawfarm.co.uk

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Launch of literature festival

Veteran festival director Matt Holland, above, presided over the launch of the 2021 Swindon Festival of Literature, which featured entertainment including socially-distanced jugglers

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Having skipped a year in 2020 because of that pesky pandemic, Swindon Shuffle, the town's original music festival, is back with a bang this year.

This year's festival will be taking place slightly later than in previous years just to ensure that covid has properly been shown the door and it takes place from 9 September to 12 September at venues across Old Town including

Swindon will be shufflin' again this September

The Beehive, The Victoria, The Tuppenny, The Hop and The Castle.

And this year they're going all out to make sure that it's the biggest Shuffle that we've ever seen with more acts than you can shake a very large stick at.

The great and the good of Swindon's music scene will be showing up as well as some guests from near and far.

Ones to look out for include the ever brilliant and Swindon's very own indie pop outfit Flour Babies, the town's ever soulful reggae outfit Erin Bardwell Trio, and Salisbury's always fantastic Middlenamekill.

Talk in Code, who have been going from strength to strength over the last few years with their anthemic indie will also be giving their all and if you like things a tiny bit more

compositional you could pop in and see BuswellJade, & Nyberg. left, and Jessi If all that wasn't enough Swindon's favourite trouser wearer Jim Blair will also be giving you some very special bluegrass and Black Sheep Apprentice will be on hand to give you the full Skiddy experience.

To get the full details visit www.swindonshuffle.org.uk

Poetry: Remembering the disappeared village of Snap Poetry column with Maurice Spillane properties. We located the well which is on the right at the turn of Poetry Swindon

on the main path.

I wish I’d met Rachel Fisher.

She was the last resident of the medieval village of Snap, just off the Ridgeway.

She left Snap around 1905 after her husband died. I bet she could tell a story or two. I did a lot of research on Snap before hiking up there with two friends recently, Alison and David.

We found the wood, which has overgrown the outline of the village houses, but they are easy to discern, as are box hedges on the boundary of 24 swindonlink.com n May 2021 SE May Master pages.indd 24

It did feel strange as if we were there without permission, the breeze objecting and our boots crackling wood like broken bones to annoy the ghosts.

The quietness was special, special like entering a city cathedral away from the city sounds.

I’ve encountered this before in villages in Ireland deserted during the Famine. The link from that to the impact of the Corn Laws on farm labour in Snap was not lost on me.

We raised a glass of whiskey to Alison’s mother whose first anniversary it was. That felt really appropriate.

She’d been a schoolteacher and the lines of the poem “The Deserted Village” by Oliver Goldsmith, which I’d learned by heart in school, resonated in my head.

Real people like Rachel Fisher lived here as children, lovers, parents. These few lines capture the positives.

busy mill, The decent church that topped the neighbouring hill, The hawthorn bush, with seats beneath the shade, For talking age and whispering lovers made!

How often have I paused on every charm, The sheltered cot, the cultivated farm, The never-failing brook, the

Look up Kenneth Watts on YouTube if you’d like to know more about Snap. It’s well worth a visit. www.mauricespillane.com

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MOTORING If there was ever a car which deserved the title ‘pocket rocket’ then that should go to the Toyota GR Yaris.

At first you might easily mistake the GR for a regular Yaris with chunky sports seats and some funky dials and while it looks fairly subdued it is certainly no normal hatch.

And as Toyota like to point out they didn’t want a car to turn heads, but one to lift trophies.

The GR Yaris combines a thrilling 1.6 litre, three cylinder turbo engine with a four wheel drive system which develops 257bhp and 360Nm between 3,000-4,600rpm.

This will give you 0-62mph time in just 5.5sec and a top speed, which has been electronically limited to 143mph even though the speedometer

LINK

PROPERTY Ask an Expert Open Day Saturday 1st May For one day only, you can pop to NSBRC to celebrate the reopening of the National Self Build & Renovation Centre’s doors, by bringing your plans, ideas and questions for a selection of their exhibiting partners to discuss with you.

Visit the website to get the full list of exhibitors, who will be in attendance for the open day.

This covid-secure event will allow socially distanced conversations with the exhibiting partners about a range of products and services.

NSBRC will also have their own impartial Technical Experts on hand to answer any questions 26

Toyota GR Yaris : An awful lot of car Leigh Robinson: Motoring writer

goes to 180mph and a rev counter which red lines at 7,000rpm! Miles per gallon is just over 34mpg and CO2 is 186g/km.

A World Rally Car for the road - is how Toyota described their latest baby but it is not cheap and costs between £30,000 to £33,500 depending on your model.

The GR Yaris is the first Toyota four-wheel-drive road car that isn’t an SUV for more than 20 years, the previous one being the Celica GT4 which was also adapted for rallying.

The GR weighs in at just short of 1300kg but it feels just great when you climb in and settle down into the bucket seat for the

first time.

But when you get going it's like a whole different driving experience. The straight line performance cannot be beaten by any other car in its class.

Among the many toys is the IMT which is the small button down in the centre console. It stands for Intelligent Manual Transmission which shows you to rev the threecylinder engine right out to its red line before changing gear.

Next to the IMT button is the rotational dial which switches the differentials between Normal, Sport and Track modes.

Experts agree the GR drives even better than it looks and while £30,000 plus might sound like a lot of money you are paying for an awful lot of car, and then some.

Ask the expert with NSBRC

you may have.

The day lasts from 10am to 5.30pm but because of coronavirus guidelines booking in advance is essential.

An NSBRC spokesman said: "Whatever stage of your self build or renovation project you're at, we're here to help you on your journey.

"Special measures have been put in place to ensure the centre and show safeguard our visitors, exhibitors and staff. We are working hard to ensure we comply with current

guidelines and as such this show will be a little different from previous events.

"In order to maintain social distancing, we are having to reduce the capacity of the event and require all attendees to book in advance on this occasion. We are also limiting parties to a maximum of 2 adult

members per household. If you are bringing children please ensure they remain with you at all times."

For details or to book visit www.nsbrc.co.uk/askan-expert-open-day/

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r

Wiltshire habitat secured for rare and endangered butterfly

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PETS & NATURE

A new project has been launched to support the recovery of the rare marsh fritillary butterfly in its North Wiltshire stronghold.

The project is the work of Wiltshire Wildlife Trust, which late last year issued an urgent appeal to raise £49,200 by the end of February.

This was the final amount needed to match a grant from Biffa Award, to purchase 44 acres of land at Upper Minety. The land will quadruple the size of the trust’s existing nature reserve at Emmett Hill and provide vital habitat for the rare but once flourishing marsh fritillary butterfly.

Donations from many quarters helped the trust reach the fundraising target ahead of schedule in February, unlocking £442,941 of funding from Biffa Award, a multi-million-pound fund that helps to build communities and transform lives by awarding grants to environmental projects across the UK. Today, the trust is celebrating the purchase of the site.

Trust spokesperson Debbie Bentley said: “We are absolutely thrilled at the level of public support for this campaign. When we launched the appeal just before Christmas, we weren’t sure if we’d reach our target in these difficult times.

"We’re so grateful for the concern shown for this butterfly and the generous personal donations that we have received. Our thanks

Picture: Stephen Davis

go out to everyone involved, particularly to Biffa Award for recognising the importance of this project”.

Work will begin immediately to make changes to support the butterfly’s long-term recovery. A key part of the trust’s plan is the introduction of devil’s-bit scabious, a beautiful blue flowering plant that is the preferred food of marsh fritillary caterpillars.

Rachel Maidment, Biffa Award Grants Manager added: “Biffa Award is extremely privileged to be able to support Wiltshire Wildlife Trust’s project to purchase 44.6 acres of land to support the long-term recovery of the rare Marsh fritillary butterfly."

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CYCLING Cycling column with Becky Cox of Swindon Cycle Campaign

Something exciting is happening at the end of this year - Swindon will have a new cycling, football and wellbeing hub!

Yet to be given its official name, the multisport and recreation hub has been years in the making, and work on its construction is now underway at the site in Moredon. Swindon Borough Council are the Project Managers and Central Swindon Parish Council the preferred operator when the build is completed.

The Moredon hub will be the location for a closed-circuit, floodlit cycling track providing 1.2km of safe, traffic-free ‘road-style’ cycling, along with a new BMX pump track and a cyclo-cross course. It is intended that this will be the new base

LINK

SPORT At the time of writing Swindon sit second from bottom and have just half a dozen games to save their league 1 status.

Do I think they'll pull off the unlikely miracle? No. However football is renowned for its unpredictability so until it's mathematically impossible survival is still possible.

One glimmer of hope for Swindon comes in the form of Jack Payne.

Over the last few weeks it finally feels as if we're beginning to see the best of the 26 year old midfielder in a Swindon shirt. Payne is a very technical footballer with fine strikes recently against Bristol Rovers and Burton proving his capabilities. A couple more goals and assists from the ex Lincoln man could go a long way to resurrecting Town's season. In my opinion Payne 28 swindonlink.com n May 2021 SE May Master pages.indd 28

The new sporting hub for Swindon for Swindon’s ‘learn to ride’ and ‘cycle confidence’ sessions, along with disability and school groups.

There will be plenty of space for community and sports groups, too, with the construction of a new pavilion containing a café, club room, changing facilities and gym.

In addition to cycling, the Moredon hub will provide a home for the local football and cricket clubs, and the existing croquet club.

It is anticipated that the site will be used for a range of activities to encourage those less active or able to participate in fun activities.

The hub, currently being constructed on the former Moredon golf course, will focus on grassroots participation and wellbeing, with lots of chances for people to let off

some steam outdoors. A key focus is on making this facility accessible for everyone, from young children on balance bikes to exercise rehabilitation for people with chronic health conditions.

Plans are in place to ensure the site is well connected to the nearby National Cycle Network, along with good bus links. Already a popular dog-walking location, the development will also see the improvement of local walking,

Hope is fading for Swindon Town is one of the few players who could be poached from a club at the top end of league one.

Another player who has been impressive of late is Akin Odimayo.

The 21-year-old defender has recently been deployed as part of a back three. However the versatile defender can also play right back. Previously of Reading, Akin was snapped up on a free deal at the start of the season and has proved to be one of our few astute summer signings. It's also believed that the defender is on the radar of many Championship clubs with teams such as Stoke City and Derby County keeping a close eye on Odimayo.

It now seems likely that John Sheridan will see out his contract until the end of the season. The Irishman came

close to leaving Town after the Gillingham game due to poor results and heavy criticism.

However after deciding to stay, Sheridan picked up consecutive victories.

Despite what looked like a turn in form, Town have failed to build on those wins and find themsleves restrained to the drop zone yet again. With Sheridan's contract running out and his objective being securing league one status, time is precious for the ex-Republic of Ireland International.

In my opinion regardless of whatever level Town find themselves in come the end of the season Sheridan has to go. His style of play is an eyesore, he has failed to fix the most leaky defence in the league and he seems destined to take us down to league 2. Unlike former manager

jogging and leisure routes, promoting year-round public use.

Swindon Cycle Campaign is extremely excited that this project is happening, after many years of planning, and are proud to have been involved in supporting the project from its inception.

If you’d like to hear more or be involved in its development please contact Gladys from Swindon Cycle Campaign: glad011262@gmail.com

Alfie Howlett: Swindon Town FC writer Richie Wellens, Sheridan has also struggled to unite the fan base which will be massively important when fans return to grounds. However he could yet stay beyond this season. Should Swindon survive chairman Lee Power might reward his friend with a new contract, seeing as Power himself is looking to leave the club in the future. If Swindon are to get relegated Power might still offer Sheridan a new contract due to a lack of funds at the club. Which will also make it hard to attract managers of any pedigree to the County Ground next season.

The Coronavirus Pandemic will put this 2020/21 season in the history books. And hopefully for Town they can avoid a tenth relegation in the club's history.

Time will tell.

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