The Ink, an innovative and ambitious journalism project, was launched at the start of July and since then has been growing extraordinarily fast with new subscribers joining every day. Below is a taste of one of the many articles going out in The Ink every week. Please note this has been heavily edited as The Ink favours long form journalism.
Peatmoor Lagoon fish deaths add to the grim toll of our collective environmental folly
who has neglected to prevent global environmental calamity.
The good news is that it is not too late to reverse that calamity. However, this will be of little comfort to the angling club, which has launched a fundraising bid to begin replacing lost stock.
consistently-occurring causes of catastrophic plunges of oxygen levels in bodies of water.
As a general rule, fish need roughly eight parts per million (PPM) of oxygen in order to thrive. There are a number of reasons why the oxygen level in a body of water might fall.
fish death teach us anything, it is that the actions we take - or fail to take - as a species can have dire consequences.
Heartbroken Peatmoor Angling Club members are currently dealing as best they can with the aftermath of a mysterious incident which resulted in the deaths of thousands of fish.
"Rivers and the inhabitants of the watery element were made for wise men to contemplate, and fools to pass by without consideration." So wrote Izaak Walton, author of classic treatise The Compleat Angler, some 420 years ago.
In the context of Peatmoor Lagoon, the wise men - and women - are clearly Peatmoor Angling Club who have spent years introducing and nurturing thousands of fish, and doing all they could to ensure the water was the best it could possibly be.
And the fools who pass by without consideration? If recent evidence is anything to go by, that includes everybody
The horror which unfolded in August saw the devastation of stocks which have taken four decades to consolidate, and the dead fish include pike, bream and tench.
The Environment Agency has taken water samples for testing, but the immediate cause has already been determined as a disastrous fall in the lagoon's oxygen level. Indeed, the agency has already installed aerators in a bid to restore the level.
One species which has come through unscathed are carp, whose tolerance to lower oxygen levels is greater than that of many other species.
What happened at Peatmoor is only the latest in a catalogue of oxygen-related mass fish deaths throughout the world.
It would be inappropriate and also pointless to speculate regarding the cause of what happened at Peatmoor, but analysis of countless previous incidents highlights certain
An increase in water temperature is a major one, and with global temperatures climbing the potential implications affect not just angling lakes but every one of us. Some three years ago, a study appeared in prestigious journal Science, whose editors noted: "Increasingly, research is revealing how organisms may, or may not, adapt to a changing climate."
According to the study, species such as cod and salmon faced being unable to survive.
Another major significant factor in reduced oxygen levels, of course, is pollution. There is currently no evidence that this is what caused the Swindon incident, but it has definitely been a factor in other incidents.
It is hoped that the angling club, thanks to the donations of wellwishers, is able to restock its lake - which is also, of course, an exquisite beauty spot. It is also to be hoped that if incidents such as the mass
The news subscription service, in association with Swindon Link, which is emailed straight to your inbox using a system called Substack, consists of quality, curated news sent out in four briefings a week at 3pm.
The briefings are sent out on Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays to paid subscribers with all subscribers including people who have signed up for the 'free' service receiving one on Fridays.
The Ink is a news subscription service bringing high quality news to the heart of Swindon.
The service involves highly experienced journalists writing analytical news pieces as well as columnists from every walk of life getting under the skin of the town. The service costs £5.99 per month or £59 for the year and you also get your first month free.
Group Editor and Owner: Jamie Hill
Deputy Editor: Barrie Hudson
Sales: Dave Stewart and Rosy Presley
Accounts Manager: Karen Randall
Contributors: Tyler Ody, Becky Cox, Maurice Spillane and Alfie Howlett
From this autumn, Swindon Borough Council will be collecting food waste from the majority of households across the borough to increase recycling and improve Swindon’s environmental impact.
This comes after a detailed analysis of Swindon’s waste last October which found that food waste made up the majority of residual waste, forming 38.9 percent of the total.
To roll out food waste collections, changes need to be made to the council’s other recycling collections. When the changes are implemented, households will need to put their waste and recycling out as follows:
- Plastic and metal recycling in new weighted bag
- Food waste in large outdoor food waste bin
- Paper and card in one of your existing black/orange recycling boxes
- Glass recycling in one of your existing black/orange recycling boxes
- General waste in your wheelie bin or blue bags
The council’s garden waste
service will continue in the same way.
The additional food waste bins and recycling bags which households will need are being delivered over the next few months, but these shouldn’t be used just yet. Affected households will receive a letter
with more information before the changes are implemented. Further information, including a set of FAQs, can be found at: swindon.gov.uk/recyclefaqs
For tools and advice on how to play your part to address the climate crisis visit: www. swindon.gov.uk/BetheChange
Some local residents are struggling to afford food, but there are ways that you can support them.
Swindon’s food bank, the Swindon Food Collective, is an independent food charity that helps residents in the borough and the surrounding area.
But their stocks are running low and they’re urgently in need of some basic food items and other supplies.
They need tins of meat, fruit, vegetables and soup, packets of sugar, toiletries like 2-in-1 shampoo and sanitary products, and washing up liquid and laundry detergent.
If you can donate, then simply drop these items off at one of the food donations points around Swindon, which are usually found after your shop in your local supermarket.
When food has been donated, the collective picks it up, sorts it at their main warehouse in Westlea
and sends it off to their 11 distribution points across the borough.
When someone is referred to the food bank through an organisation like Citizens Advice Swindon, the person can collect the food from the
If there’s one issue that unites the public it’s potholes and the condition of the country’s roads. A lack of consistent national
From this month Swindon Borough Council is looking to help residents understand more about how it manages
distribution point.
Gorse Hill Baptist Church also offers support to residents in crisis through their Boxes of Hope and Community Fridge schemes.
Boxes of Hope is a referredto service which delivers food
to people in need, and the Community Fridge is open for all to go down to the church - SN2 1AA - to collect food on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays from 11am to 2pm.
While the church is also looking for food donations, which can be dropped off during opening hours, they’re also looking for volunteer drivers who have a van to pick up food from across the borough.
If you’d be interested in supporting them, email Heather at Heather.prictor@ghbc.co.uk
If you’re struggling with food for you and your family, get in touch with Citizens Advice Swindon, who may refer you to the food bank.
You can also check Swindon Borough Council’s cost of living help webpage to see what other support is available across the borough.
It can be found at www. swindon.gov.uk/costofliving
Swindon Borough Council is currently inviting views on how often it holds elections.
It wants to hear what the electorate has to say about changes to the schedule by which elections are held.
The council, which has been in existence since taking over from the old Thamesdown Borough Council in 1997, currently elects a third of its councillors in three out of every four years, with no elections taking place on the fourth year.
Paper copies of the survey are also available at Central, Highworth, North Swindon, Park and West Swindon libraries.
Matt Box, Swindon Borough Council’s Head of Elections and Democracy, said: “This consultation is an opportunity for the people of the borough to have their say on how they vote for their local councillors in the future.
investment over several decades in repair and maintenance of our road network is an issue that is plaguing most local highway authorities, including Swindon Borough Council.
The Local Government Association estimates it would take councils in England £12 billion, and more than a decade, to clear the current local roads repair backlog.
pothole repairs, tackling head-on some of the common questions and criticisms.
For instance: why can't more money be reprioritised for pothole repairs? Why are some repairs temporary ‘quick fixes’ rather than permanent? Why do repairs have to be re-done?
Search ‘pothole repairs’ on the council’s website for more information.
Views from residents are being sought on whether it should retain this election cycle, or move to electing all councillors once every four years (with the exception of by-elections).
Further background information and an online survey, which is open until Monday 25 September, are available at www.swindon.gov. uk/electioncycle
“I would encourage everyone to take part in the consultation using the online feedback form and paper copies in libraries so that councillors can understand the views of residents before making their decision."
Councillors will consider the feedback received at an Extraordinary Council Meeting later this year.
Two thirds of the councillors present at that meeting would have to vote in favour of a change to make it happen.
In July, we had the pleasure of welcoming the South West In Bloom judges to witness the incredible projects flourishing within our parish. I want to extend my thanks to the judges, Sean and Nick, for their valuable time and feedback. Your feedback and insights are a great help in our continuous journey for excellence in our management of green spaces.
I must also extend my thanks to our exceptional team of gardeners, dedicated volunteers, and the hardworking grounds maintenance and street cleaning teams. Their efforts have transformed South Swindon.
As we eagerly anticipate the Awards Presentation on 3 October, I am confident that our In Bloom entry will impress the judges. Let us keep our fingers crossed for the recognition our community deserves.
I hope everyone who has attended the range of events in our parks this summer enjoyed themselves. It’s been a pleasure to
see residents come along and engage with their local amenities.
I would like to thank Nationwide and their Oakfield team for sponsoring the free events in Queen’s Park, Farmyard Circus and the theatre performance of the Jabberwocky & Other Nonsense.
Other activities over the summer holidays have included the free Prime Theatre workshops in the Town Gardens Bowl, where young people were invited to showcase and develop their creative skills.
The Old Town and new Badbury Park Library has been hosting lots of free events throughout the summer holidays as part of the Summer Reading Challenge, encouraging young people to take up reading and learn new skills in their engaging workshops. The StoryTime sessions for the new school term are available for booking on our website so make sure you secure your place now! It’s been a delight to see the reception and feedback for the new library in Badbury Park and I can’t wait to see it continue to grow.
For those looking to support a great cause while exploring the rich history and
nature of South Swindon, we have teamed up with Brighter Futures for the GR8 Walk on Sunday 24 September. This walk around the South Swindon Green Trail is a fantastic opportunity to make a difference in our community.
There are two Summer events left in September, Old Time Sailors on Sunday 17 September and an outdoor-cinema showing of The Greatest Showman on Friday 22 September. Book your tickets now on the Town Gardens website: www. towngardens-swindon.co.uk/events
I am delighted to say that at the time of writing the Town Gardens Aviary refurbishment is very near completion and should be open to the public by the time this edition of the Swindon Link hits your doorstep.
The Parish Maintenance and Gardening team have worked tirelessly on this project and I can’t wait to see it completed and for the birds to move back in. www.southswindon-pc.gov.uk
Prospect Hospice will host a stunning remembrance display featuring 1000 handmade roses in September.
Each flower will represent the memory of someone special who has died.
The poignant installation will be unveiled in the hospice's garden during its annual fete on Saturday 9 September.
To dedicate a rose, people can visit www.prospecthospice.net/roses or call the fundraising team on 01793 816161.
Wilko workers in Swindon are among more than 100 in Wiltshire plunged into uncertainty by the firm's collapse.
Bosses announced that the company had called in administrators after bids to secure a rescue deal failed.
The store chain has some 400 branches employing about 12,000 people.
In Swindon, there are branches in the town centre and at Greenbridge Retail Park. At the time of going to press, no rescue deal had been announced
The organisers of Swindie Makers Market have announced that the next one will be held on 18 November at Steam.
The market has never been held at Swindon's Museum of the Great Western Railway before, but is expanding.
A spokesperson said: "This allows for even more makers, more food vendors along with live music throughout the event."
There will be up to 100 independent makers, and further information can be found at www. swindiemakersmarket.co.uk/
Street artists and muralists set to paint the town red - and every other colour - for the second annual Swindon Paint Fest.
It is coming back in September, and organisers say the public can expect to see an even greater calibre of artists and artworks.
With artists and locations being confirmed in the coming weeks and collaborations with important organisations around the town, it is set to be even bigger than the first festival, held last year.
A spokesperson said: "Paint festivals are a great opportunity for local and national artists to showcase their talent in new locations, reaching a wider audience.
"This also creates a buzz around the town, bringing new people wanting to broaden their horizons and get to paint
in a not-explored-before location.
"The creation of numerous artworks around the town increases foot traffic into areas which are not usually visited by out-of-town individuals.
"This is a great benefit for local businesses and adds value to buildings, creating more appeal than before, and making Swindon a must-visit art destination.
"The Swindon community can also gain from the beautiful artworks. The painted murals enhance the town’s look,
improving living conditions for its residents.
"Local businesses that donated wall space for the Paint Fest have seen significant positive impacts on their trading and the appeal of their buildings during Swindon Paint Fest 2022."
More information can be found at bit.ly/ swindonpaintfest
In addition, people and organisations can make donations to the event by visiting www.gofundme.com/f/ swindon-paint-fest-2023
The team behind all-day music extravaganza the My Dad’s Bigger Than Your Dad Festival have delivered their event round-up.
They have revealed that nearly £9,000 has been raised for Prospect Hospice following this year’s event.
MDBTYD 2023, organised in association with South Swindon Parish Council, was held at The Old Town Bowl on Saturday 22 July, with around 800 people braving the rain throughout the day.
This was the third year of the festival, which was organised to raise much-needed funds for Prospect Hospice in tribute to Dave Young, the former landlord of The Victoria and 12 Bar, who died in early June 2021 at the hospice after a hard-fought battle against cancer.
Prospect Hospice, based in Wroughton, provides palliative and end of life care for people across the region and has to raise the majority of its
costs through fundraising. Sheryl Crouch, Head of Income at the hospice, said: “My Dad’s Bigger Than Your Dad is a real celebration of our community and an event that Prospect Hospice is proud to be a part of.
“The story of local music promoter Dave Young and the support he and his family received from the hospice is reflected in this event through its energy, varied line up of bands and array of entertainment throughout the day, all supported by many local sponsors and volunteers.
The event is a true community collaboration, much like the hospice.
“The event has raised an amazing £30,000 so far and this will be used by the hospice to ensure other local people like Dave can benefit from outstanding care at the end of their lives."
Festival co-organiser Ed Dyer said the team couldn't be happier at being able once again to help Prospect Hospice.
Tickets for next year’s event are on sale via mydadsbiggerthanyourdad. co.uk
Wine Escape, the UK’s first immersive escape room event, is coming to Swindon's Village Hotel on September 23 as part of a brand-new tour. Guests will enjoy a night of glamour and a two-course meal following fun problemsolving games to beat the ticking clock.
Step back into the roaring 1920s and enjoy the glamour and extravagance of Hawker Wine Estate.
Tickets include a twocourse meal, live show and entertainment, thrilling and exciting games and an immersive, interactive experience. Tickets start from £60 per person from www. wineescape.co.uk
Swindon's Louise Hunt Skelley PLY commentated on the wheelchair tennis event at the first European Para Championships in Rotterdam from August 8 to 13.
The former wheelchair tennis star's husband, Chris Hunt Skelley MBE, was competing in judo.
The inaugural European Para Championships is a multisport event which includes both judo and tennis, will be staged every four years and will be hosted by a major European city in the year preceding the Paralympic Games.
Coate Water Splash Park to stay closed until next year
Plans for a new splash park at Coate Water will be brought forward following the latest equipment failure.
The splash park was closed earlier this month after it developed another fault following routine maintenance.
Specialist contractors say the latest repairs would cost more than £10,000 and could not be carried out until the middle of August, leaving little time for children to enjoy the park before it is closed again for the autumn and winter period.
Swindon Heritage Open Days
This year’s Swindon Heritage Open Days Festival is bigger and better than ever.
The festival provides an opportunity to immerse yourself in Swindon’s rich and varied heritage free of charge. Many of the town's historic buildings will be open to the public but visitors can also take a guided tour (of Rodbourne, Prospect Place, the Railway Village or the Designer Outlet) or hear a talk by one of our local historians.
This year there will be a unique opportunity to take part in an archaeological dig in GWR Park. Or you can pore over the millions of archives in the Local Studies Collection in the Central Library or the National Archive in the Engine House.
On Saturday 9 September Swindon’s much loved Railway
Village will be hosting a festival in Emlyn Square where the Railway Village Museum, Bakers, the Gluepot and the Cricketers and Central Community Centre will be open. St Mark’s Church and GWR Park are only two minutes' walk away. Then see inside some of the newly refurbished units of the Carriage Works before traveling through the tunnel (a heritage asset in its own right!) to visit the Engine House. Elsewhere across the borough some wonderful churches are opening their doors (St Saviour’s Church, St Mark’s
Church, St Andrew’s Church in Blunsdon, the Friends Meeting House in Eastcott, St Mary’s Church in Lydiard Tregoze).
On Sunday 10 September Lydiard Walled Garden is hosting an Apple Day and there will be demonstrations of heritage crafts and family activities in the Heritage & Rural Skills Centre located in the Victorian Model farm at Coleshill.
The opening dates and times for each venue can be found on the Heritage Open Days website at: www. heritageopendays.org.uk
Work on making the Civic Offices suitable for the new Swindon Museum and Art Gallery is well under way.
Preparatory works for a new lift, which will make the building more accessible to those with mobility issues, are expected to be finished soon.
This is the first step before more extensive works start to turn the top floor of the building into a space suitable for Swindon’s history collections and its nationally significant collection of modern British art.
When complete, the Civic Offices will provide around 40 per cent more display space compared to its previous home at Apsley House in Old Town. The new venue will also provide improved working conditions and additional areas for staff, volunteers and researchers, presenting an opportunity to restart the museum and art gallery’s volunteer programme.
A space will be developed as
a schools learning and lunchroom, which will also be used to host museum events, especially those aimed at families and focusing on the museum and art gallery’s extensive collections.
Cllr Marina Strinkovsky, Swindon Borough Council’s Cabinet Member for Heritage, Art and Culture, said: “It’s great to finally see work begin on this new museum and art gallery.
“I know a lot of people have been waiting a long time for this new space and I can’t wait to see it finished.
“There is still a lot of work to be done, so make sure you’re following the council’s social media pages to get the latest on the project when the main construction work begins.”
Linda Kasmaty, Chair of the Friends of the Swindon Museum and Art Gallery, said: “The Friends are delighted that work
is about to start on making the Civic Offices suitable to become Swindon’s Museum and Art Gallery.
“We are also very encouraged that the new administration is committing to transparency and communication, and we look forward to working closely with them and their officers to support them in their drive to create the best and most professional museum possible.”
At the moment, the ground floor of the Civic Offices is being used to host temporary displays from the museum’s collections and is currently home to the Landscape and Longing exhibition.
By Barrie Hudson barrie@positive-media.co.uk
This year's Swindon & Wiltshire Pride drew thousands of people to Queen's Park.
Visitors enjoyed music, food, family circus events, live music and a variety of sales stalls and information stands sent by organisations as diverse as Wiltshire Police, South Swindon Parish Council and charities including Wiltshire Wildlife Trust.
Before the event, hundreds of people took part in or cheered on a colourful march through the town.
Bridlewood Primary School
School tours with Headteacher:
Friday 29 September 9:30am
Wednesday 18 October 1:30pm
Tuesday 14 November 9:30am
Monday 27 November 1:30pm
Wednesday 6 December 1:15pm
Open Days: We accept tours of the school at any time.
Please call to book.
Open Mornings:
Saturday 30 September 9:30am10:30am or 11am-12pm
Wednesday 11 October 9:15am10:15am
Wednesday 8 November 9:15am10:15am
01793 706830
admin@bridlewood.org.uk
Friday 5 January 9:30am www.bridlewoodprimaryschool.org.uk
Haydonleigh Primary School
Open Afternoons:
Tuesday 17 October 4pm-5pm
01793 731262
admin@broadhinton.wilts.sch.uk
www.broadhintonschool.org
We are always delighted to show prospective pupils and their parents around Holy Rood Catholic Primary School.
01793 874582
office@brookfield.swindon.sch.uk
www.brookfieldprimary.org
Noremarsh Junior School
Open Morning:
Wednesday 27 September
Open Evening:
Thursday 28 September
01793 700443 office@haydonleighschool.co.uk
Wednesday 22 November 4pm5pm Friday 5 January 2pm-3pm www.haydonleighschool.co.uk
Orchid Vale Primary School
Open Evening:
Wednesday 4 October 4:30pm-5:30pm
Open Morning:
Thursday 19 October 9:30-11am
Headteacher Tour:
Tuesday 12 September 11am
Call to book
01793 745006
enquiries@orchidvale.org.uk
www.orchidvaleprimaryschoolswindon. co.uk
To arrange a visit please email or call.
01793 523802
admin@holyroodprimary.co.uk
www.holyroodcatholicprimary.co.uk
Red Oaks Primary School
Open Evening:
Monday 25 September 4.30pm-6pm
Tuesday 21 November 3.30pm to 4.30pm
Tour every Thursday 11.15amOctober onwards - Call to book
Headteacher Tour:
Thursday 9 November 11am-12pm
01793 493920
admin@redoaks.org.uk
www.redoaks.org
Wiltshire Police and Crime Commissioner
Philip Wilkinson visited Haydonleigh Primary School for a special assembly honouring a group of pupils.
The Year Six group came first in the county in the annual Junior Good Citizen scheme, and were rewarded with a trophy and certificate.
Junior Good Citizen is described by organisers as a multi-agency event aimed at
Call or email to book
01793 852250
head@njs.ascendlearningtrust.org.uk
www.noremarshjuniorschool.org.uk
Swindon Academy
Open Mornings – Talk & Tour
Alton Close Primary:
Thursday 12 October 9:30-10:30am
Thursday 16 November 9:30-10:30am
Beech Avenue Primary:
Wednesday 11 October 9:30-10:30am
Wednesday 15 November 9:30-10:30am
01793 426900
admin@swindon-academy.org
www.swindon-academy.org
equipping young people with the life skills and knowledge to cope in an emergency or a potentially dangerous situation, which could result in them becoming victims of crime and/ or sustaining personal injuries.
The children interact with a number of simulated life-like scenarios, raising their awareness of the contribution they can make in preventing crime and increasing their own safety.
Abbey Park School
Open Days: Tuesday 12 September 5pm-7:30pm Wednesday 13 September 5pm–7:30pm Wednesday 27 September 9:15-11am Thursday 28 September 9:15-11am
01793 705400
admin@abbeyparkschool.org.uk
www.abbeyparkschool.org.uk
Commonweal School
Year 5 & 6 Open Evening: Wednesday 20 September, 6-8pm
Sixth Form Open Evening: Tuesday 3 October, 6.30pm-8.30pm
Bradon Forest School
Open Evening: Thursday 28 September 5:45pm–8pm
Open Mornings: Monday 2 - 9 October 9.15am–10.30am
Booking essential for all events: www.tinyurl.com/BradonForestEvents
01793 770570
enquiry@bradonforest.wilts.sch.uk
www.bradonforest.org.uk
The Dorcan Academy
Open Evening: Thursday 5 October 6pm-8pm
Tours: Tours available through September/ October
Cirencester College
Open Day: Saturday 14 October 10am - 4pm at Main College Campus
Bookings open from 4 September
01285 640994
admissions@cirencester.ac.uk
www.cirencester.ac.uk
Great Western Academy
Open Evenings: Year 7
Thursday 14 September 5.30pm - 7.30pm
01793 612727
admin@commonweal.co.uk
www.commonweal.co.uk
Highworth Warneford School
Open Evenings: Thursday 5th October 5pm7:30pm
01793 525231
enquiries@dorcan.co.uk
Call to arrange a viewing www.dorcan.co.uk
Lawn Manor Academy
Open Evening: Thursday 21 September 6pm-8pm
Sixth Form Thursday 12 October 5.30pm-7.30pm
01793 209700
office@gwacademy.co.uk
www.gwacademy.co.uk
Lydiard Park Academy
Open Evenings: 12 & 13 September, 5pm-8pm
School Tours: Tours during the school day - Please call or email to book
Open Mornings: 4 & 5 October, 9am-11am
01793 767083
llewis@warnefordschool.org
Open Mornings: Monday 9 October & Wednesday 11 October – Call or email to Book www.warnefordschool.org
01793 487286
admin@lawnmanor.org
www.lawnmanor.org
01793 874224
ask@lydiardparkacademy.org.uk
www.lydiardparkacademy.org.uk
Staff and students from The Park Academies Trust Sixth Form are celebrating A Level, Applied General, and T Level results as exams return to pre-pandemic conditions.
This summer’s exams were completed in close to pre-pandemic conditions with only minimal extra support in place, mostly around national grading boundaries.
A Level and Applied General results had been decided by teacher assessment in 2020 and 2021 and last year’s exams saw a larger package of Ofqual (the exam regulator) support in place.
Recognising that this year’s students would still need extra reassurance due to the disruption caused by the pandemic, the school provided students with a high level of support and guidance to ensure outcomes at The Park Academies Trust Sixth Form exceeded pre-pandemic results and remain above the 2019 national average.
Owen Russell, Assistant Principal and Head of Sixth Form, said: “I am so proud of the effort and commitment our students have put into this year’s exams."
Open Evening: Wednesday 27 September 6pm - 8pm
01793 714200
info@stjosephscollege.net
www.stjosephscollege.net
Parks Academy Trust Sixth Form
Open Evening:
Thursday 2 November 5.30pm - 7pm
Open Mornings (no booking required):
Wednesday 13 & Thursday 14
September 9:30am-10:30am
Wednesday 27 & Thursday 28
September 9:30am-10:30am
Open Evening (booking required)
Thursday 21 September - 5pm-8pm
Booking via website - For info contact Transition Coordinator, Hannah Ornov
01793 874224
ask@theparkacademiestrust.com
www.tpatsixthform.org.uk
Nova Hreod Academy
Open Mornings:
Tuesday 3 October & Thursday 12 October - 9am-11am
Catalyst STEM Stream Open Morning
Thursday 12 October 11am-12pm
Open Evening: Thursday 21 September -6pm - 8pm
01793 528800
admin@novahreodacademy.org.uk
www.novahreodacademy.org.uk
Swindon Academy
Swindon Academy "Have a Go" Open Evening
Wednesday 20 September, 6pm
Grammar Stream in Action
Thursday 28 September: Short talk & tour for parents of Yr 5 & 6 parents interested in our Grammar Stream at Year 7. Register online
United College Sixth Form Open Eve
01793 846100
Ornovh@ridgeway.com
www.ridgewayschool.com
Royal Wootton Bassett Academy
Year 6 Open Evening: Wednesday 13 September 6pm-8pm
Sixth form Open Evening:
Wednesday 11 October 6pm-8pm We are accepting applications for Sixth Form 2023
01793 841900
admin@rwba.org.uk
www.rwba.org.uk/sixthform
Years 5 & 6 Open Evening: Wednesday 27 September 5pm - 8pm
01793 426900
admin@swindon-academy.org
Wednesday 1 November 6pm www.swindon-academy.org
01793 236611
admin@dcea.org.uk
www.dcea.org.uk
Students and staff at United College Sixth Form (UCSF) – which is based at Swindon Academy – are celebrating another year of A Level success.
In recognition of their hard work over the past two years, over one-third (35%) of A Level entries achieved grades A*-B and almost three-quarters (74%) of entries achieved grades A*-C. The vast majority of students were offered their first choice of higher education.
Notably, Sixth Form student Pratiksha, who achieved two A*s in Biology and Extended Project and two As in Psychology and Chemistry, has become UCSF’s first student to secure a place studying Medicine at the University of Exeter.
Commenting on her success, Pratiksha said: “I focused really hard on my aim to become a medic and I always looked to improve after each exam I took. I am really pleased to get my
place at Exeter.”
Karen Wright, Principal at United College Sixth Form, said: “Congratulations to our Year 13s on what is another set of excellent A Level results at UCSF.
"All our students have shown a real commitment to their studies over the past two years and an enduring determination to reach their goals.
"It is fantastic to see so many of them securing their first-choice university places and going on to take up a range of highquality courses, from Medicine to Civil Engineering.
"Many thanks in particular to our excellent Sixth Form team who continue to go above and beyond to provide our students with the help and guidance they need to take their next steps into further education or the world of work.”
www.swindon-academy.org
Business Profile - Studley Grange
Business Type - Multi-faceted garden and leisure park
Established - 1986
Location - Off the B4005 near Junction 16 of the M4
Telephone number - 01793 852736
Website - www.studleygrange.co.uk
By Barrie Hudson barrie@positive-media.co.ukThere are exciting new arrivals at Studley Grange's acclaimed zoo and farm park.
Patagonian Mara are often described as among the strangest-looking animals in the world. They are rodents which somehow resemble a cross between a large rabbit and a small deer.
The latest residents of the zoo also include Prevost's Squirrels - a beautiful three-coloured species unique to South East Asia.
The Mara and squirrels join an array of exotic creatures including Golden Pheasants, emus, wallabies, a giant tortoise, a raccoon, iguanas and a spacious aviary which comfortably houses birds originating from throughout the world.
Visitors, should they choose, can explore a range of special zookeeping experiences involving feeding and basic care tasks.
Aside from the zoo there is a farm area whose residents include rare breeds, rescue animals, donkeys, alpaca and pygmy goats.
Although this alone would be impressive for a visitor venue, Studley Grange has rather
more to offer.
Butterfly World, for example, is widely recognised as one of the country's finest attractions of its kind. Amid the expertly climate-controlled environment of plants, trees and pools, countless butterflies from throughout the planet dance in the air like flying jewels or else bask on leaves.
Yet these attractions form only a fraction of what the visitors to Studley Grange can expect. There is a huge garden centre, for example, whose stock includes not just every piece of equipment, every seed, seedling and plant needed to stock and tend anything from an allotment to a window box or windowsill but also a range of fashion, homewares, books
and barbecue equipment.
Depending on the season, the visitor to the houseplant department might find something truly exotic such as a peckish Venus Flytrap.
There is a well-stocked farm shop, a restaurant and the Butterfly Cafe, where visitors can watch the butterflies of Butterfly World through large windows.
Concessions and outlets include respected aquarist store World of Water, Edinburgh Woollen Mill, a quilting shop, a model railway shop and a range of other businesses offering customers the chance to do anything from paint their own ceramics to create precious casts of their babies' hands and feet.
Studley Grange director
Tony Miller started off in the gardening business when he was 14.
His father had a general store in Chiseldon, and the young Mr Miller took over a disused greenhouse in the back garden to grow plants for his father to sell.
When he was 15, Mr Miller went to work for the old Swindon Corporation in the Town Gardens, and was mentored by a great head gardener who taught the young and enthusiastic new arrival everything he knew.
Mr Miller later went to the Parks Department, eventually going part time and starting his own business selling plants around Swindon.
He opened a garden centre in Chiseldon and then, in 1986, came the site which is now Studley Grange.
Co-director Paula Timms also boasts a long tack record in the sector, having been involved in garden centres for some two decades, and came to Studley Grange two and a half years ago.
It has been a busy summer at the council, with the new Chief Executive, Sam Mowbray, taking over and a plan agreed to refresh the senior leadership team.
These appointments are really important for us, a new administration, to be able to get the senior council officers in the right roles to be able to deliver on what we want to achieve as a council.
It was great to see the new Policy Development Groups have their first meetings ahead of the summer break, and hopefully they will be able to hit the ground running in September and really support work to deliver on the new council missions – to reduce inequality, build a better Swindon and achieve our netzero targets.
The administration are using the summer to review our plans and pledges in light of what we have learned since taking over. The financial situation that we have inherited at the council from the Conservatives is worse than we expected. We knew that there was the eye-watering debt of £460m but we have also found significant in-year over-spending, well over £10m. This means that we are having to come up with a plan to reduce expenditure to balance the books, at the same time as trying to deliver on the promises we made to residents.
HeenanAugust is typically a quiet time because the summer holidays have started, so we use this time to focus on our ward casework for residents.
The number one issue has been a surprising one. For thousands of families in North and West Swindon, missed waste and recycling collections have seen bags of plastic recycling blowing around our streets.
The Conservatives promised a constructive approach to being in opposition, and it is our responsibility to highlight poor performance.
Firstly, the issue was denied, and then the excuses started. Covid, Brexit and even the Tories' fault!
An emergency meeting of the council's Scrutiny Committee has been held to establish the
cause and we did.
Towards the end of June, the waste service experienced a shortage of drivers because of sickness and annual leave.
By the end of July, waste collections for 10,500 properties were being missed. Its summer, of course more of our staff want to take holiday but it must be balanced with operational needs.
Not a great start for the new council.
Lessons need to be learnt quickly because the new weekly collection of food waste is imminent.
Brickingit!
There will be plenty to see and do, making it a brilliant day out for all the family:
n Incredible models and inventions built by LEGO® fans such as railway layouts, buildings, space craft, cars, trucks, aircraft and much more
n Interactive Building – help create an all-new giant LEGO® mosaic from over 100,000 bricks!
n Official LEGO® Shop and marketplace offering the latest sets as well as some rare and collectible gems
n LEGO® and Duplo® brick pits tables for children
n Robot Battles
n Plus, discover the attraction's award-winning museum displays and exhibits telling the remarkable story of the men and women who built, operated and travelled on the Great Western Railway.
Tickets are priced at £13.40 for children (aged between 3-15 yrs); £13.40 for seniors and students, and £15.95 for adults.
Children aged under three years will go free, and family tickets are also available.
Those wishing to attend must book their tickets in advance. This can be done online at www.steam-museum. org.uk
More information about Brickish can be found online at brickish.org
27 LINK FOOTBALL
In spite of the remains of the old newspaper office looming like something from a vintage episode of Scooby Doo, the top of Victoria Road has plenty of places to make a visit well worthwhile.
One of those places is Jack's, a restaurant which never seems short of customers, no matter when you happen to glance in through a window.
By some strange quirk of fate, I have only ever visited Jack's for lunch. There have been lunches with friends, with colleagues, with family, with interview subjects and for a variety of other reasons, but always lunch.
So it was for my last visit, although the meal - yet again - was so good that I'm tempted to go back and sample the breakfast menu, the Sunday menu, the afternoon tea menu
and so on.
My fellow diner and I arrived to find, as is often the case at lunchtime, a space busy enough to be lively but not so busy as to be distracting.
The decor is uncomplicated but welcoming, and the service we received was attentive and friendly, which is just what a person needs following a morning of work.
Feeling like eating something
relatively light, I opted for an omelette (£8.50) and chose cheese and tomato for my two fillings. The selection also features ham and mushroom.
It arrived with a seasonal salad in good time and piping hot, and with the satisfying flavours which indicate a kitchen that doesn't skimp on high-quality ingedients.
My fellow diner chose to bring in the somewhat bigger
guns, selecting beer-battered fish and chips (£13.75), which came with mushy peas and a generous serving of tartare sauce, just as nature intended.
The fish, also as nature intended, was suitably flaky and tender, the batter crispy and the chips soft on the inside and with a satisfying crunch on the outside.
Other lunch options include Thai fish cakes (£10.75), ham, egg and chips (£12.75) and Jack's Burger (£12.75).
We left Jack's feeling ready and willing to face whatever the afternoon held, and would both heartily recommend a visit.
I know He said, wherever two or more are gathered in my name… but I’ll bet some days He regrets it.
Now and again I come across a cleric who has all the answers but doesn’t allow interaction.
I want to put my hand up, say politely: “May I disagree?” But it’s not allowed.
These people, usually men, seem to have a WhatsApp link to God because they always know what He thinks: “Jesus said X, and what he
really means is this . . . " Really?
When I fidget, my wife restrains me. “It’s alright,” she whispers, patting my hand. “It’ll be over soon.”
But it isn’t. I fume. I rant. I get home and take out this poem, “I Feel Sorry for Jesus” by Naomi Shihab Nye which hits the spot:
People won’t leave Him alone.
Cozily they tell you what He wants and doesn’t want as if they just got an e-mail.
Literary critics are sometime like clerics, appraising a poem, certain they know what the poet was thinking.
How can they possibly know?
When a poet introduces a poem at a live event with some context, as I did recently in the Swindon Town Gardens, it helps.
Beyond that the critic should
stick to the poem, suggest links to biography, mythology, history, their own feelings. I want my readers to own my poem, unwrap it and read it again and again, find depth resonating beneath - as Naomi’s poem does:
I stood in the spot where He was born.
I closed my eyes where He died and didn’t die. Every twist of the Via Dolorosa was written on my skin.
And that makes me feel like being silent for Him, you know? A secret pouch of listening. You won’t hear me mention this again.
The Swindon Shuffle has been a fixture in the diaries of local music lovers for the last 16 years, celebrating all that is good about the Swindon music scene.
The 2023 event (the 16th edition technically as 2020’s festival was online) runs from Wednesday 13 September with an opening music quiz event at The Beehive. Festivities continue until Sunday 17 September, with over 60 acts featured across five main venues in Old Town (The Beehive, The Castle, The Hop, The Tuppenny and The Victoria) alongside fringe events at venues like Baristocats, The Eternal Optimist, the Eastcott Community Centre and more. The event will be raising funds for Prospect Hospice, who will be holding special DJ events at their Commercial Road store during Saturday afternoon.
The cream of the local musical crop are taking part from across the musical spectrum, with the focus firmly on artists who write and perform their own material.
Acts as diverse as ex Noah & The Whale member Matt Owens with his Americana band The Delusional Vanity
Project and Alt Rock bands Modern Evils and All Ears Avow headline along with the enigmatic Subject A, synth-pop outfit Stay Lunar, the musical melange of Splat The Rat and the Americana folk of Concrete Prairie.
The Shuffle was conceived by a group of independent music promoters in 2007, inspired by established city centre festivals like The Camden Crawl, The Great Escape and the Oxford Punt.
Organiser Ed Dyer said: “We're really excited to be able to put on the 16th running of the Swindon Shuffle and to continue to raise money for Prospect Hospice.
"We have a really exciting programme of live music in store, and this year we are doing as much as we can to highlight the wonderful original musical talent on our doorstep, and help nurture the local scene and support local venues. As always we are indebted to our amazing acts, venues and sponsors for enabling this all to happen.”
All sessions are free of charge with full details available at www. swindonshuffle.org.uk.
Alfie Howlett: Swindon Town FC writer
After weeks of waiting the football season is back.
And for an array of reasons, it feels as if it has never left us. Particularly because after Swindon’s first game, I left feeling unsure at the fact that some bad habits from last season still lingered.
That’s right - Swindon still can’t protect a lead. But let’s try and start on a more positive note, shall we?
At the time of writing, Town have only played two matches, with their opening day fixture breaking a record for the first time an opening fixture has been postponed due to a waterlogged pitch! As a result, we shall study the Robins' first two games.
The first saw them fall on penalties after a 1-1 draw at Peterborough in the League Cup. However, despite failing to progress, Swindon should
take a great deal of pride and confidence from the result, having held their own against higher level opposition.
Their second game, the first of the league season, displayed Swindon at both their best and worst. For the large proportion of the game Town looked organised, spirited, and energetic.
However, after sailing into a comfortable lead they collapsed. After failing to hold on to a lead on several occasions in the previous season, Town had started their new campaign back to square one. Although in this contest Swindon offered more than enough encouragement this was overruled by the worrying failure to address last season’s main issue.
Now, on to the players who have already shown glimpses of potential. The first player
Swindon Croquet Club’s Handicap team ended the season with an impressive 12.5-7.5 home victory over Worcester Norton Croquet Club.
The first round of games was shared then Swindon played solidly, including crucially winning all 4 doubles games, to pull ahead over the second and third rounds to lead 8-6 at the lunch break.
With the sun shining brightly and a pleasant breeze, the lawns became lightning fast during the afternoon session. Many games were fiercely contested but Swindon held firm and gradually increased their advantage, preventing the Worcester team from staging a comeback. The close scores in many of the games evidenced the accuracy of the players’ handicaps.
Swindon’s Clive Smith and Martin Briggs were players of
the match, both winning all 4 of their games.
They were strongly supported by the rest of the team with every player contributing well to the overall 12.5-7.5 victory scoreline.
Team Captain Clive Smith said: “It’s great to finish the season with a deserved victory. The team, throughout 2023, has competed well against some very strong sides and, along with some new players, the prospects for next year look very exciting."
who has impressed me is Udoka Godwin-Malife.
The centre back was poached from league rivals Forest Green with Marcel Lavinier involved as currency between the two clubs. Town’s new acquisition has shone through his commanding strength and power. As well as this he has demonstrated strong capabilities to overlap into the attacking third.
In fact, Godwin-Malife has already shown his goal-scoring prowess after opening his Town account on his home debut. Along the way 23-year-old has also gone viral for his changing room rendition of John Legend’s All of me. Secondly, new signing Dan Kemp has shown flashes of brilliance.
Town’s new number 10 was brought in on a seasonlong loan from MK Dons in
the summer. Since then, he spectacularly announced himself with an exquisite volley on his debut against Plymouth. To date, I’ve been impressed with the midfielder’s willingness to take on the difficult passes. Although they don’t always come off, Swindon will benefit from a player of Kemp’s quality when it comes to unlocking backlines. Moreover, Kemp possesses skilful flare which as a fan is exciting to watch.
So, to conclude, Swindon have shown a handful of reasons to feel positive for the months ahead. However, Town have also demonstrated a few red flags which should be a cause for concern.
Nonetheless, nobody ever wins the league in August so there is plenty of time for Michael Flynn’s men to iron out some early faults.
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From the pages of Swindon Link's sister publication The Ocelot comes Agony Girl in the form of ten year old Amy. We read her the questions and she tells us the answers. To ask Agony Girl a question yourself email us at publisher@swindonlink.com with 'Agony Girl' in the subject line.
Dear Agony Girl, I have lived in West Swindon and Old Town for over 30 years and in that time I have read the link magazine and also advertised in it. It has to be said that I am totally amazed that you would “waste” half a page of the magazine on agony girl?! Who in their right mind would seek help with their financial problems from a 10 year old who actually may now be 15 or 16?! I would understand this a little more if it were aimed at youngsters under the age of 16 who are looking for advice but this is totally unbelievable! I already felt that the world is going mad around me I guess you have just confirmed this!
A concerned lady, Redhouse Farts
Dear Agony Girl, I am a massive pop music fan, and I sometimes find myself singing along but then it gets stuck in my head. Do you have a favorite song to sing along to?
Cheers
Tyler, Swindon
Yes. American Boy by Estelle. I love it because it's nice.
Dear Agony Girl,
The other day I was in a department store and noticed that the Halloween and Christmas supplies are on sale already. Although I love Halloween and Christmas, seeing all the stuff on the shelves when we’re still in the middle of summer put me in a bad mood. I don’t like being in a bad mood as I prefer to be a cheerful person, so how
can I avoid being a miseryguts when things like this happen?
Yours sincerely,
A grumpy person from Swindon who doesn’t want to be grumpy.
Do things like watch your favourite show like I love Modern Family. That always helps me calm down. Another thing that always gets me in a good mood are monkey bars. I'm really good at them. I like all gymnastics especially the twirly thing. Try that. It really works.
Dear Agony Girl
Every time I have a few drinks I end up texting one of my exes. How do I stop doing this?
Kevin, Freshbrook
Before you get drunk delete your exe's number and then you won't be able to text him even if you wanted to.
