South East Swindon Link May 2023 Edition

Editor’s Note

By Jamie Hill

Jamie@positive-media.co.uk

New nature-inspired ‘Tree of life’ art piece unveiled in Wichelstowe

By Jessica Durston jessica@positive-media.co.uk

A new nature-themed art installation designed to celebrate all forms of life has been unveiled in Wichelstowe.

Funded by Wichelstowe LLP, the Tree of Life sculpture is 5.6m tall and 4.4m wide and sits at the centre of the new roundabout on Mill Lane.

favourite wildlife - takes pride of place.

The artwork is also an eye-catching feature at night, with its internal lighting that creates a glow within the globe once the sun goes down.

delivered, having previously been tasked to design the footbridge over the Wilts and Berks Canal in the Wichelstowe District Centre.

As you can probably see from this month’s cover I successfully managed to cross the Sahara Desert in aid of Prospect Hospice. You can read all about the team’s trials and tribulations, and even about the dreaded toilet tent, on page 14.

But for me returning to Swindon having spent time surrounded by camels was a bit of a culture shock, especially when I returned to find the town had been gripped by election fever. The local elections, which take place on Thursday 4 May, are pretty important this year with every seat but one up for contention. This time you need to ensure you bring your ID with you to vote. With so much at stake it’s essential we all get out and vote.

The work by artist, sculptor and designer Sebastien Boyesen is formed out of two different types of metal with stainless steel flora and fauna designs on top of a steel base.

The designed panels for the globe shape have been lasercut and connected with rods of various lengths attached to the surface of the structure to create a three-dimensional effect.

The flora and fauna are intended to represent plants and animals that are indigenous to Wiltshire, especially the ones commonly seen throughout the Wichelstowe development, such as water voles, bees, dragonflies, forget-me-nots, hawthorn and dog roses.

The heron - voted on social media as Wichelstowe’s

Whilst the individual components have been produced in the workshop, Sebastien and his team worked on-site at Wichelstowe over the course of several days to attach the individual pieces and form the tree’s branches.

This is not the first local art installation Sebastien has

He said: “After numerous hard yet enjoyable hours in the workshop, it’s such a thrill to finally see this stunning sculpture take pride of place at Wichelstowe.

“I feel honoured to have been tasked and trusted with yet another piece of milestone artwork in the region.

“I hope the local community take it to their hearts, as I have.”

Group Editor and Owner: Jamie Hill

Deputy Editor: Barrie Hudson

Reporter: Jessica Durston

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The Eco Briefing

Is your home eligible for FREE loft and cavity wall insulation?

If you own or privately rent a property in Council Tax bands A-D then you could be eligible for free cavity wall insulation and loft insulation.

It’s available through an award-winning scheme called Connected for Warmth that’s offering free energy-saving measures to help Swindon households reduce their energy use and stay warm and well.

Participating households can receive one or both of these measures, installed by experienced Trustmarkregistered professionals.

The scheme, fully funded by National Grid, is run by AgilityEco in partnership with Affordable Warmth Solutions – two of the country’s leading experts in

domestic energy efficiency and affordable warmth. They work with local authorities, companies and charities to identify and support homes that can benefit from the grant funding that they have available.

A quarter of heat is lost through the roof in an uninsulated home. Insulating your loft is an effective way to reduce heat loss and reduce your heating bills. Many older homes have a small amount of insulation, but today’s building regulations require it to be around 11 inches (270mm) thick, so a loft insulation top-up can be beneficial. If you currently have less than 7.5 inches (200mm) of loft insulation, then you may be

able to get this topped up.

If you don’t have any loft insulation, adding 270mm thickness could save you £355 a year. If you already have 120mm, increasing this to 270mm could save you £35 a year.

Meanwhile, about a third of all the heat lost in an uninsulated home escapes through the walls. By properly insulating cavity walls, you will save energy and cut costs off your heating bill. Cavity wall insulation is installed in the space or ‘cavity’ between the inner and outer walls of a property and can typically be fitted in homes built after the 1920s. It helps to keep heat inside your home, making it more comfortable and saving on

average £395 a year in heating costs.

If you have a central heating system with old analogue controls you may be able to get a new smart thermostat if you are having loft and/or cavity wall insulation installed. This will help you heat your home more efficiently, saving you money while retaining comfort. It will automatically turn off the heating if you are away, and using a smartphone you can control it from wherever you are. And it will still allow you to change the temperature. For more information and to apply visit www. connectedforwarmth.org. uk or email insulation@ connectedforwarmth.org.uk or call 0800 107 8576.

Swindon to celebrate the King’s Coronation with a host of events

across the town

By Jessica Durston jessica@positive-media.co.uk

King Charles III’s Coronation is set to take place on Saturday 6 May, and Swindon will see a host of celebratory events taking place over the course of the weekend.

Old Town’s Wood Street will be a hub of royal celebrations with a street party that will be held on Sunday 7 May, from noon to 5pm.

Hosted by the Friends of Old Town, the party will have stalls from local businesses, food and drink, live music, and funfair activities for attendees to enjoy. Other events taking place in and around Swindon include:

• A Coronation Party event held at the Chiseldon Recreation Ground on Saturday

29 April, from noon to 4pm.

• A Bank Holiday Coronation Party at The Ridge in Swindon, on Sunday 7 May from noon. There will be music, food and cocktails.

• Highworth Town Council will be holding a day of familyfriendly celebrations on Saturday 6 May at the Highworth Rec from 10am - 4pm.

• Ogbourne St George Primary will host a Coronation family fun day on Sunday 7 May from noon - 4pm.

• Swindon’s Fiesta De Cuba will be holding their King’s Coronation family-friendly event on Sunday 7 May from

2pm - 8pm.

• Faringdon Town Council will be hosting musical celebrations on Saturday 6 May from 2.30pm - 9pm.

As well as attending local events, Swindon residents will also be taking part in the Coronation Big Lunch on Sunday 7 May, and hosting street parties for their friends, families and neighbours.

In Purton on the Bank

Holiday Monday (8 May), a group of around 50 volunteers will be conducting a litter pick in the village. They will meet at the Purton Village Hall at 10.15am, and will be provided with appropriate equipment. This clean-up event is part of the national scheme ‘The Big Help Out’ in honour of the King’s Coronation. Those wanting to take part can email purtonlitterpick@ gmail.com

Help with cost of living Voters reminded to bring ID to local election polling stations

Cost of living payments of £301 are being issued by the Government to people who receive means-tested benefits such as Universal Credit, Child Tax Credit or Pension Credit.

Everyone who is eligible should receive their payment by 17 May.

the same way that payments were made in 2022/23. This is in addition to the meanstested benefit and disability payments, if eligible.

The payment reference for bank accounts will be DWP COLP, along with the claimant’s National Insurance number.

With local elections taking place in Swindon on Thursday, 4 May, all voters heading to cast their ballot at a polling station will need to remember to take an accepted form of photo ID with them.

Postal voters are not affected by the changes.

Accepted forms of ID include a UK passport, a full or provisional driving licence, some concessionary travel passes and a PASS

card. Poll card letters, which were delivered to all registered voters in Swindon at the end of March, cannot be used as ID.

More information on the voter ID requirement, including a full list of the accepted forms of ID, can be found at www.swindon. gov.uk/voterID

Election results will be released on the council’s website and social media on Friday, 5 May.

A second cost of living payment of £300 will be made in the autumn, and a third of £299 will be paid next Spring.

There is also a separate £150 disability cost of living payment for people who receive certain benefits. Around 6m people will get this payment this summer.

People who receive winter fuel payments will also get an additional £300 cost of living payment during winter 2023/24 to help with bills, in

Tips on how to reduce energy consumption while staying warm are available from Warm and Safe Wiltshire on 0800 038 5722.

Benefit and grant advice is offered by Citizens Advice Swindon on 0808 278 7813 between 10am and 4pm on weekdays, and people can visit www.swindon.gov. uk/costofliving for further information and advice about the services available to help.

The South Swindon Parish Council column

By Cllr Chris Watts - Outgoing Chair of South Swindon Parish Council

Summer Events in the Parish

I’m delighted to announce the return of the Parish Council’s open air events season. This year we have a wide range of events from open air cinema to theatre, music and even comedy.

Summer in the Bowl kicks off on Friday 19th May with Top Gun: Maverick. Tickets are available now on our brand new events website: www.towngardens-swindon. co.uk

Free music in the Town Gardens Bandstand and Queen’s Park is starting again on Sunday 14th May with Saxophonics. There

will be free music concerts every Sunday from 14th May all the way through to September, including events in the new Blossom Circle at GWR Park.

We also have free Park Yoga in Queen’s Park every Sunday 9:30am-10:30am, running from the 7th May to the 17th September.

Quarry Road Tennis Courts

The Quarry Road Tennis Courts redevelopment is on schedule and will be completed at the end of May. The courts are set to receive a full resurface and other new amenities, which will see the courts become a vibrant hub for tennis and sport in the local community once again.

Once the courts are open,

bookings will be available. The Parish Council will be working with the LTA to deliver a range of activities on the site. This will include weekly organised free park tennis sessions for all ages, playing levels and experience where equipment is provided, meaning that people will not need someone to play with or their own racket.

I’d like to thank the Lawn Tennis Association for their funding towards the redevelopment of the courts.

Swindon Blossom Festival

I hope everyone enjoyed all the events as part of the Swindon Blossom Festival.

I’m really pleased that the new Blossom Circle at GWR Park has been well received

by residents and the local community. It’s been great hearing all the positive comments and feedback. This is just a piece of the jigsaw with what the parish has planned at GWR Park and we can’t wait to share our future plans with you.

Planners give green light to £700m redevelopment of Honda site

By Barrie Hudson barrie@positive-media.co.uk

Swindon Borough Council says planning approval for changes at the former Honda base could spell a new future for the South Marston site.

Members of the council’s planning committee have approved Panattoni’s proposals to invest £700m into the location.

According to the firm, this will create thousands of new jobs.

The commercial planning application was the largest ever submitted to the council.

A council spokesperson said: “Now planning permission has been granted, subject to the completion of a Section 106 Legal Agreement, Panattoni will be able to

demolish Honda’s former factory to make way for 670,000 square metres of employment space, which will be created over the next few years.”

The plan involves erecting 10 buildings which might be used for purposes ranging from storage to industry.

Prior to the planning meeting council leader David Renard came out firmly in favour of the

bid, saying: “This is the culmination of many hours of meetings between Panattoni, our planners and ourselves and thank all those involved for their determination and perseverance.”

Cllr Gary Sumner, Cabinet Member for Strategic Planning said: “This is a huge, complex and significant application which has taken time to bring forward with 105

conditions attached to the recommendation for approval.

“As part of the development, we are determined to ensure that climate change and quality of life issues such as flood risk, protecting and enhancing the natural environment and noise mitigation are integral to it.”

The Honda plant closed in July of 2021, having been a major part of Swindon’s industrial landscape for 36 years.

The closure saw 3,000 people lose their jobs, with a small number being kept on temporarily to handle the decommissioning of the site. Thought to be the result of a decision by Honda to consolidate production in Japan, the closure drew protests across Swindon.

Teddy Bear’s Picnic to be held at the Town Gardens Bowl this summer

Families are invited to grab their teddies and come along to the Town Gardens Bowl for a special musical picnic event this June.

The Teddy Bear’s Picnic will be held on Sunday 11 June. Parents can buy tickets for either the 10am or 2pm slots.

There will be four

performances of live classical music held across the day, and each performance will last 45minutes.

Music for Miniatures, who specialise in concerts for babies and little ones, will be hosting this event for local families.

A spokesperson for the

event said: “For just £9 for an adult and child pair, experience a live classical concert designed specially for your little ones in some truly magical gardens.”

Organisers say there is no need for attendees to be sat still, as long as ‘their listening ears are turned on.’ Little ones can bring their

teddies and take a scarf or egg shaker to join in the fun.

The concerts are designed for children aged up to four years old, but older siblings are also welcome.

Tickets can be purchased online at towngardens-swindon. co.uk/event/music-forminiatures/

New breakfast club in Stratton

Stratton St Margaret Parish Council is running a free weekly community breakfast club for parents and children.

Stratton Breakfast Club runs at Stratton Community Centre, Addison Crescent, SN2 7JX every Monday from 7am to 8.30am.

It is hosted by the parish council and Stratton Youth Club, offering cereals, toast, sweet treats, fruit and drinks. Details are available on the council’s Facebook page.

Invitation to share Lydiard memories

The Friends of Lydiard Park are calling for the people of Swindon to contribute their images and stories to a project called Swindon’s 80 years at Lydiard Park. People are invited to send in their stories and photographs to info@ friendsoflydiardpark. org.uk, and the Lydiard Archives can be browsed at www.thelydiardarchives. org.uk

Hydrotherapy pool helped by Amazon

The team from Amazon’s fulfilment centre in Swindon have made a £4,000 donation to Thamesdown Hydrotherapy Pool.

The pool provides hydrotherapy to relieve pain and help with rehabilitation from many conditions.

The donation from Amazon in Swindon will go towards purchasing a new pool cleaner and repairing the chair hoist system which is vital in ensuring the comfort of clients.

Quacking good time as beloved duck race returns

By Barrie Hudson barrie@positive-media.co.uk

May will see the Rotary Club of Swindon Old Town put on a day of duck racing and family fun - including a dog show.

The day of activities will be held on Sunday 29 May at Westcott Recreation Park, running from 11am to 4pm and with proceeds going to local charities.

Two key local charities selected this year are Threshold Housing Link -which does important work supporting homeless people and helping them to get their lives back on track - and the Jessie May Childrens’ Charity, which supports children with lifelimiting medical conditions in their home environments.

Several other important local charities will also be supported.

Duck race tickets are priced at £1 and there will be seven prizes for the first seven placing winners. The first prize is £1000 and there will also be six £100 prizes up for grabs.

There will be various stalls providing everything from refreshments to a charity

tombola.

The dog show will be run by Miles and Jayne from The Runner pub, with classes ranging from Best Junior Handler to Dog with the Waggiest Tail.

Entry is priced at £2, with money raised going to SNDogs.

Further information can be found at rotaryoldtownswindon.uk

National Self-Build and Renovation Show is coming in May

The Swindon-based National Self-Build & Renovation Centre will host its May Show on Friday and Saturday, May 12 and 13.

The show offers two full days of master classes, case studies, seminars and an unrivalled line up of experts on hand to share their advice.

It is billed as a brilliant event for people seeking a plot to build a new house, renovate a tired property or extend their existing home.

Back by popular demand, the Sustainability Theatre is sure to be a highlight of the show.

Talks in this space will cover how we can mitigate against rising energy costs, and other increasing costs, in our homes.

Experts will explore the technologies available to

us, including insulation, air source heat pumps, solar panels and electric vehicles.

Alongside 200-plus exhibitors within the NSBRC’s unique ‘Trade Village’, the ‘Professional Services Hub’ will be the place to go for independent expert advice from a range of specialists.

Visitors will find a number of architects and designers as well as experts on planning, project management, site safety, landscaping and more.

The ‘Build It Theatre’ is the place to go to hear about the key self-build topics including finding land, budgeting, planning, VAT reclaim and the latest on building regulations.

The centre is at Junction 16 of the M4, and parking is free and plentiful.

Further information and free advance tickets can be obtained by visiting www. nsbrc.co.uk/whats-on/ourevents/the-national-selfbuild-and-renovation-show

Local artists invited to sign up for Swindon Open Studios 2023

Swindon artists can apply to take part in this year’s Swindon Open Studios which takes place in September..

The event allows members of the public to get up close and personal with local artists through exhibitions, and visit their creative workspaces.

The Open Studios team say all artists are welcome to join in whether they consider themselves professional or amateur.

Those interested can visit www.swindonopenstudios. org.

Additionally, an informal information meeting will take place on 11 May from 7 - 9pm at the Sun Inn.

Swindon and Wiltshire credit unions merge to form community bank

Wiltshire and Swindon Credit Union (WASCU) says a merger with two other credit unions and a rebrand as Acorn Community Bank will allow it to offer an even better service for members.

WASCU, which has around 4,000 members has joined forces with Clivey Credit Union in Swindon (which has 600 members) and Swan Community Bank (Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire) to relaunch as Acorn Community Bank.

Members can open savings accounts and, provided they meet loan criteria, can take out loans which are repaid monthly.

More information about Acorn Community Banks’ services can be found at acorncommunitybank.co.uk.

Swindon community figure sworn in as new High Sheriff

By Jessica Durston jessica@positive-media.co.uk

Pradeep Bhardwaj has been officially sworn in as the new High Sheriff of Wiltshire at a ceremony at St Mark’s Church. He will hold this position until 2024.

Over 200 guests were in attendance, including civic leaders, members of the police and armed forces, faith leaders, NGOs, judiciary representatives, international High Commisions, clergymen, and members of the community.

Pradeep said: “I will do my utmost to fulfil the role with the greatest dignity, to uphold and enhance the ancient Office of High Sheriff and to make a meaningful contribution to our beautiful county.

“The theme for my Shrieval year is inclusion whereby I would be promoting and

celebrating equality, diversity and inclusion to bring a positive change, connecting individuals and communities to increase societal inclusion and create opportunity for all.

“If there are any particular causes that you would like me to take up or any community organisations or charities that you think could benefit with greater visibility and support from the High Sheriff, I would like to hear from you.”

Pradeep’s professional background is in the mobile phone industry.

He is a Senior Strategy Director and Head of Industry Standards, working for Syniverse - a portfolio company of The Carlyle Group.

Mr Bhardwaj is also a Trustee of three local charities and the Governor

of New College.

Over the years, Pradeep has received a host of different awards but says he takes pride in being a social worker, and community champion for the cause of Equality and Diversity. He added that he had ‘a passion for bringing people together in Swindon.’

He also established the first Hindu Temple in Swindon and Wiltshire.

People can get in contact with Pradeep by emailing wiltshire@highsheriffs.com

Local organisation supports young people and teaches them critical life skills

Swindon-based Headstart

Skillz works with young people to teach them critical practical life skills such as first aid, self-defence, online safety and money lessons.

Headstart Skillz has partnered with local and national subject matter experts to ensure an outstanding learning experience for children.

The team say it is vitally important to draw upon the life experiences of the experts who live and breathe these topics on a daily basis.

Headstart Skillz founder

Nick Taylor explained: “I wondered, why aren’t we teaching kids things like understanding how money works and money safety, or things that can have a

material impact in your life such as gaining first aid and self-defence skills?

“In 2022 I had a few months free to focus my time and energy into turning this idea into a reality, so we set up Headstart Skillz and the feedback has been phenomenal!”

Headstart Skillz say they are pleased to be working with the likes of Nationwide Building Society, who deliver money lessons sessions, and also the British Red Cross who help to deliver first aid sessions.

The organisation also works with schools as part of their PSHE lesson plans,

and sports clubs, after school clubs and holiday camps.

Nick Taylor added: “Our full list of topics includes Self-Defence, First Aid, Online Safety, Managing Money, Wellbeing, Nutrition, Emotional Intelligence and Mental Health.”

Teachers, sports coaches or youth group leaders can learn more about how Headstart Skillz can support their school and sports club via info@headstartskillz. com.

Take a step back in time to the world-beating glory days of the GWR

By Barrie Hudson barrie@positive-media.co.uk

Rodbourne Community History Group has announced free guided tours charting the history of Swindon’s Great Western Railway buildings.

The tours will take in former GWR Works structures such as the Designer Outlet, led by a history group member with personal memories of life at the Works.

Dates announced are 20 May, 17 June, 15 July, 19 August, 9 and 10 September, 18 November and 9 December.

A group spokesperson said: “The Rodbourne Community History Group was formed from an English Heritage Outreach department project called

The Living Story in 2001.

“It was initially established to create a digital archive as an ongoing record of the social and cultural heritage of Rodbourne, Swindon.

“The group has developed and now plays a key role for local and community history in Swindon, with monthly meetings, regular exhibitions and tours at the Designer Outlet village and contributions to other initiatives across the town.”

Scheduled monthly meetings include:

- 26 April: Women of World War Two. Bill King will present a description of how the talents of women were integrated into the British war effort on the Home Front, in industry and in the Armed Services at every level during World War Two.

- 31 May: The Quiet Engineer - A History of Thomas Richard Guppy. Group Secretary Gordon Shaw takes you on a journey through the life of this remarkably little-known engineer and great friend of I.K.Brunel. The journey starts from an investigation into the names of streets in Rodbourne, then travels via the Great Western Railway

to a villa in Naples. Places on the factory tours are limited, and people are invited to register an interest by contacting the group secretary on 01793 616558 or emailing secretary@ rodbournehistory.org

Further information about the community history group can be found at www. rodbournehistory.org

Official opening of new Zurich building in Swindon a piece of cake

By Barrie Hudson barrie@positive-media.co.uk

Swindon’s newest architectural landmark has marked its official opening - complete with a miniature version in cake.

The sweet treat was on prominent display as the opening of new Zurich building Unity Place was celebrated by guests including Swindon MPs Sir Robert Buckland and Justin Tomlinson, Zurich UK CEO Tim Bailey and Swindon Borough Council leader Cllr David Renard.

Also present were representatives of Zurich Community Trust, the company’s charity arm.

The building features green elements including electric car charging points and LED lighting.

South Swindon MP Sir Robert performed the official opening, pressing a large blue button to trigger the opening of virtual curtains on a screen.

He hailed the building as a symbol of the town’s regeneration, alongside other town centre projects such as the remodelling of Fleming Way.

Sir Robert said: “This is a building that’s designed

with sustainability in mind, but also people, and the workforce who will enjoy the use of this space, based here locally in Swindon, will also be joined by community groups, because there is space here in this building for community organisations, voluntary groups and charities to meet and work together.

“It’s sustainable in terms of material, but also in terms

of people, and it’s that resource, that huge treasure we have locally that has meant that Zurich and its predecessors in title have been with us as part of our economy for generations.”

Zurich UK CEO Tim Bailey, who began his career with the organisation in Swindon, said: “It’s the first building that Zurich in the UK have developed ourselves for 30 years, which I think is a demonstration of just how important this location is to us and how important this building is to us.

“This really underlines our commitment to Swindon as a location. We employ over a thousand people in the local area, and I think this building provides a real hub for us to cement that commitment, and a fantastic area to collaborate in.”

An epic trip to the Sahara Desert

In late March a group of 14 intrepid fundraisers headed out to trek across the Sahara Desert in aid of Prospect Hospice. The fundraisers included four members of Team Link led by editor Jamie Hill. The team had held fundraising events, including a meal, quizzes and a gig night at supporting venues such as The Pick Up Point, The Tuppenny, and Level III. In his own words Jamie Hill describes the adventure.

So I’m back.

Cat on my lap.

But I miss the camels.

Although a camel curled up on my lap might not work.

Back in the cold light of the UK, it’s definitely a lot to process.

There were 14 of us who went out to The Sahara to raise money for Prospect Hospice.

Each of us raised thousands for the cause. I personally raised £3,334. Team Link, the team I had assembled, which was made up of four of us also included Kieran McCarthy, Laura Johnson and Amy O’Reilly, and raised £11,910 in total.

Overall, according to Prospect, the trek actually put £29,000 into the charity’s coffers after costs, which is a massive achievement.

Prospect is a fantastic organisation. They are there providing palliative care for our family members and our friends. Giving people the dignity and respect they need in their last days as well as providing support and care for family members during very difficult times.

We still can’t thank everyone enough who helped us raise such a huge amount of money for such a worthy cause.

The trek had taken us out to Morocco, via Marrakesh, basically dumping us by way of minibus in the middle of the Sahara Desert with some camels accompanied by a group of Berber tribesmen.

Our days in the desert were definitely hard going. And the biggest nemesis for the 14 of us was the heat. That sun is a bastard at times. There were at least two times where it became too much for me and I was forced to sit in

the shade drinking gallons of water until I cooled down again.

It actually did become too much at one point for two of our group during the trek and the camels had to be called in like some kind of Saharan Uber to our next meeting point. But after a good break and through sheer willpower they managed to carry on.

One of my biggest enemies was my flexibility. At the age of 48, and 6ft 2ins, I won’t be winning any gymnastics competitions soon. Getting my legs comfortable was a losing battle and one that was brought sharply into focus.

Whether it was getting in and out of a tent (I had to do it very inelegantly - kind of like a drunken crab) to just sitting cross-legged in a tent, I just couldn’t do it.

I won’t mention the squatting. There

was a toilet tent which was essentially a hole in the ground and something that I found impossible to use without bringing the whole thing down on top of me.

But apart from that my legs were pretty damn good especially when it came to the walking.

And the walking was hard. Mile after mile of blistering hot desert. But my legs surpisingly held up.

For the final couple of days our trek took us to The Atlas Mountains, swapping the dunes for snow-capped peaks. Although this meant some very steep inclines, it was decidedly cooler with some of the best views you are ever likely to see.

Each of us is trying to get our heads around the trek - it definitely was an achievement, full of beautiful and

Team Prospect - Back Row (l to r) - Jamie Hill, Kieran McCarthy, Amy O’Reilly, Lisa Dennis, Dean Bassett, Gina Stratford, Sharon O’Neill, Tina Outlaw, and Paul Bassett; Front Row (l to r) - Laura Johnson, Sinead Nolan-Martin, Siobhan Smith, Celia Waterfield, and Debbie Robson

in aid of Prospect Hospice

inspirational moments.

During our time there we forged bonds not only with our fellow trekkers but also with the Berbers and Moroccan guides, Abdullah and Mustafa, who led us and kept us safe.

Morocco is a poor but welcoming country with a way of life quite alien to us Brits. Each of us will take a piece of Morocco back with us in our hearts.

And now we’re back in cold, cold England. Grey skies compared to Saharan sunsets. All back to normal then but yet not quite…

To finish this off I’ll put one final call out for sponsorship. We did it. We bloody did it!

And I definitely will miss my new camel friends. www.justgiving.com/team/ linksahara

Focus on Pet Care in Swindon

People love their pets in Swindon and because of this dedication to our two or four-legged friends, there are lots of different local services and pet retail businesses that can help us take care of them.

A word from a local veterinary practice:

Thameswood Veterinary Clinics

Thameswood Vets are a family-run veterinary business which offers a wide range of procedures and services for pets. As well as animal check-ups and surgical procedures, Thameswood offer youth club services, dentistry, VIP pet health plans, a 7+ drop in centre for older pets, and K-laser therapy for pets with conditions such as arthritis. The local veterinary practice are keen this month to highlight the importance and value of the Laparoscopic Spay procedure. A spokesperson from Thameswood said: “This type of keyhole surgery only involves a small incision, meaning less discomfort and scarring.

“Tissue is removed without tearing or traction, meaning less pain or trauma for your pet. Additionally, the good visualisation of this surgical procedure helps to minimize complications. Pets will usually not need stitches - as special skin adhesive is used.

“After undergoing a Laparoscopic Spay, your pet will be back to normal much more quickly too, due to shorter recovery time.”

More information on Thameswood Vets can be found online at thameswoodvets.co.uk or by phone at the Purton Road Practice on 01793 526780 or the Greenbridge Road Practice on 01793 511627.

Spotlighted organisations in Swindon:

Lucy Pet Carer Ltd

Lucy Pet Carer Ltd is a Doggy Day-Care and Boarding facility based in Royal Wootton Bassett.

The business is fully licenced, insured, and all its handlers are DBS checked.

Its site now has 15 tiled and heated kennels, two large and secured grass paddocks, an Astro-area, an indoor playroom and a covered play area. More information can be found at www.lucypetcarerltd.co.uk, by emailing info@lucypetcarer.co.uk or calling 07977 099 058.

Woozelbears Hydrotherapy and Grooming

Established in 2010, Woozelbears is a business providing canine hydrotherapy and grooming.

Woozelbears’ facilities include underwater treadmills, large bespoke pools, hydrotherapy spa, K-laser treatment, and the second gait analysis treadmill in the UK. Its Swindon location can be found at Unit 11 of the River Ray Industrial Estate on Barnfield Road (SN2 2DT).

More information about Woozelbears can be found at woozelbears.com, emailing the Swindon branch via swindon@woozelbears.com or calling 01793 953 222.

Local Pet Food Suppliers:

Wiltshire Raw Pet Foods

Unit 8A, Butts Business Park, Chiseldon. www.wiltshirerawpetfoods.co.uk | 01793 630613 | info@wiltshirerawpetfoods.co.uk

Murphy’s Doggy Deli

Unit N, The Old Brick Yard, Ashton Keynes SN6 6QR | murphysdoggydeli.uk | 07792 771 348 | vicki@murphysdoggydeli.uk

Trophy Pet Foods

Free Home Delivery |www.trophypetfoods. co.uk | dianeh@mytrophy.dog

Words by Jessica Durston

All welcome to splash for cash in Rotary Swimathon this June

The Rotary Club of Swindon North & Thamesdown is promoting a Charity Swimathon.

Set for Sunday, 18 June from 10am to 2pm at Highworth Recreation Centre, it is intended for people wanting to raise money for favourite causes, although the club will also be making a donation to Pinehurst-based young people’s mentoring charity SMASH.

A club spokesperson said: “It’s a ready made event for swimmers of all ages and all abilities to use as a fundraiser for a charity or organisation they select.

“Now is the time for them to start organising a team and getting each team member to

ask their family and friends to sponsor them.”

Full details can be found online at www. rotaryswindonnorth.org. uk, including entry forms, sponsorship forms and tips on maximising sponsorship. Entries can be submitted by post or online and there is no entry fee.

Sponsorship can be organised online, also.

Last year’s Swimathon raised £6,680 for local charities, and the club aims to beat that total in 2023.

Interview: Law centre Solicitor Richard Hazell recently retired after half a century of championing the vulnerable

By Barrie Hudson barrie@positive-media.co.uk

For Richard Hazell, standing up for those who have difficulty standing up for themselves is in the blood. He grew up between Windsor and Slough. His Quaker father was a teacher who tried to start a Middle Thames branch of the Howard League for Penal Reform. His mother was a voluntary probation officer in Slough who helped to start a group for prisoners’ wives, and his barrister brother wrote a respected critique of the Bar called The Bar on Trial.

Richard himself studied Law at Kent University from 1971 to 1974, and it was during those studies that he became aware of law centresorganisations providing legal help to people who might otherwise have been denied it because of prohibitive costs.

Richard said: “I approached North Kensington Law Centre to go and work there as a student placement in 1973, and they said yes.

“It was an amazing experience - here were these young lawyers doing radical law in a former butcher’s shop on Golborne Road, and next door was a music shop with a speaker outside on the street, blasting out reggae all day long, and there was me aged 20, writing letters to the DHSS or horrible landlords or something.

“I thought this was just fantastic. I’d found a career I really enjoyed; it was radical and it was fun. Compared to private practice, which I

did two years of from ‘75 to ‘77, it was absolutely wonderful, and the rest is history.”

Of Richard’s 50 years working at law centres, 41 were spent at Wiltshire Law Centre in Swindon.

In half a century of helping people negotiate officialdom in the form of everything from Government agencies to unfair landlords, he has seen things changeand stay the same.

“The technology that clients have to deal with is much more difficult than it used to be,” he said, “and no longer can people go to an office and talk to someone face to face about a problem.

“The DWP will deny this and say, ‘We have offices you can go to,’ and the council might say the same, but the truth is you don’t get to talk to a decision-maker.

They act as conduits to the decision-makers elsewhere. For example, in Swindon the decision-makers about Universal Credit are in Ballymena in Northern Ireland.

“I think this has been aggravated a lot by covid, which closed down the offices of both the support and the statutory agencies who my clients were dealing with.

“Before the pandemic I worked at home for four months continuously, hardly going into the office or seeing anyone, and that method of working has now become standard.”

He added: “It hasn’t really changed much at all, except that the benefit issues are far harder to resolve because it’s now down to Universal Credit rather than the old Housing Benefit.

“In the Housing Benefit system you could talk with local people, you could negotiate with them.

“It’s extremely difficult to deal with or even get a reply from someone in the Ballymena service centre.

“You have to take things to tribunal more and it takes longer, whereas in the old days it was much easier to resolve local issues.

“The other change is the rise of the private rented sector, and the no-fault evictions of Section 21 have made for a much crueller housing system.

“And also housing associations are now much more keen to try to obtain outright possession orders.

“I sometimes think that they really don’t care whether they house people or not; they are businesses, there to make money.”

Richard’s achievements range from countless thousands of people brought comfort and relief to a filing cabinet bulging with voluntary sector organisations he has helped on their own journeys to bring comfort and relief.

He readily admits that he will miss his work at Wiltshire Law Centre, which he joined in 1981, immensely, but he is far from done with helping people. In Newbury, near where Richard lives, is a breakfast and lunch club, which Richard attends and helps people who share their troubles with him.

“I ask the questions and they open the floodgates, basically!”

BUSINESS PROFILE

Business Profile - Wiltshire Windows

Business Type - Windows, doors and related services

Established - 2018

Address - Unit 15, Blackworth Ind Estate, SN6 7NA

Telephone number - 01793 727668

Website - wiltshirewindows.co.uk

By Barrie Hudson barrie@positive-media.co.uk

There is a simple reason for the success of Wiltshire Windows as far as codirectors Maggie and Jason Tatum are concerned.

“Customer service,” said Maggie.

“What I used to hear from Jason, from the companies he worked for before, was that it didn’t really exist in the double glazing industry.

“Sales were important but not the customer service.”

When the couple founded Wiltshire Windows, they decided on a radically different approach, one which has won them thousands of happy customers over the years since.

“We pride ourselves on our customer service,” said Maggie.

“We could tell you every customer’s name because we’re involved in every part of it from start to finish.

“That’s not just when you’re buying the windows but

afterwards.

“All of our customers know that if something was to go awry they could contact us.”

Something else Wiltshire Windows prides itself on is being candid about whether something needs or does not need to be done.

Wiltshire Windows will never, for example, say a potential customer needs something new when a mere repair will suffice.

In addition, the company is happy to tailor its services to each customer’s

preferred schedule.

Some customers, for example, will ask for every window and door to be replaced in a single operation, while others prefer to have the work done in stages, paying for each door and window as the jobs are completed.

Wiltshire Windows offers a 10-year insurancebacked guarantee, and has been closely vetted and certified not just by the insurer but by respected certifying organisations TrustATrader and Certass.

The Wiltshire Windows story

Wiltshire Windows was founded in 2018 by husband and wife directors Jason and Maggie Tatum.

Jason brought with him the knowledge gleaned during many years in the industry and Maggie the skills she honed working in finance.

Maggie said: “My husband has worked with windows and doors all his working life.

“He has had a variety of roles from installation to sales to various senior positions.

“We eventually decided that with his skills and my knowledge, we should go ahead and start our own company.”

In the years since, Wiltshire Windows has gone from strength to strength and seen a variety of aesthetic trends, but has remained true to its ethos of putting customer service ahead of all else.

Lechlade Festival to offer public three days of music, comedy, cabaret, and food

By Jessica Durston | jessica@positive-media.co.uk

Lechlade Festival will return this year from 26 - 28 May.

The popular family-friendly festival will be held this May in the Cotswolds market town of Lechlade, alongside the River Thames.

There will be headline performances from Spandau Ballet star Tony Hadley, and Northern Irish/English pop and dance group D:Ream.

Tony Hadley will perform the headline slot on the Sunday night, and D:Ream will take to the stage on the Saturday evening.

The multi-award winning festival’s Cabaret & Comedy Stage will also be stocked with a host of different acts.

As well as enjoying the live music, comedy and cabaret performances, attendees will also be able to browse a variety of different festival and craft stalls, and purchase food and drink from various vendors. There will also be free workshops on offer.

Camping areas are available for those wishing to stay within the festival site, opening at 11am on the Friday, and closing at 10am on the following Monday.

The festival team are also welcoming volunteers to get in touch to staff the weekend-long event, who will receive a free ticket to the festival as an incentive. Those interested in volunteering can email info@lechladefestival.co.uk.

More information about the festival, and tickets, are available at lechladefestival.co.uk/tickets/buy-tickets.html

Members of the public can also follow Lechlade Festival’s Facebook page for updates at www.facebook.com/lechladefestival

D:REAM

Tony Hadley

CULTURE

Swindon Shuffle is set to get the town a’rockin’ this September

The Swindon Shuffle has been a fixture in the diaries of local music lovers since 2007, celebrating all that is good about the Swindon original music scene.

The 2023 festival (the 16th edition technically as 2020’s festival was online) runs from Wednesday 13 September with an opening music quiz 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 and The Eternal Optimist and more. The event will be raising funds for Prospect Hospice.

The cream of the local crop will be on display with every musical genre imaginable.

This year’s line up will once again include the Friday evening specially curated by The Swindon Folk Club, which takes place at The Hop.

Headliners already announced include the reggae goodness of Subject A at The Hop on the Thursday evening with Canute’s Plastic Army topping the bill just down the road at The Tuppenny.

On the Friday evening, the headliners include All Ears Avow at The Vic and Splat The Rat at The Castle.

Saturday will see headline sets from Richard Wileman and Amy Fry (The Tuppenny), Modern Evils (The Vic), Concrete Prairie (The Beehive), and Stay Lunar (The Castle).

The final day on the Sunday will see headliners Fly Yeti Fly (Tuppenny) and Matt Owens and The Delusional Vanity Project (The Beehive).

All sessions are free of charge with full details available at www.swindonshuffle.org.uk

Organisers of the popular Swindon Shuffle have announced that the annual original music festival will return this September.

Words by Jessica Durston

What's On: Must-see May! Events not to be missed this month

Swindon Boishaki Mela at GWR Park

The Boishaki Mela will be held on Sunday 14 May at GWR Park on Faringdon Road.

Running from midday (noon) until 7pm, the Mela will again be bringing all of Swindon’s communities together and raising funds for the Mayor’s charities - STEP Swindon and the Zam Zam Trust.

There will be live music performances, cultural programmes held in association with Bangalina Swindon, dance performances, a fashion show, henna and face painting, clothing stalls, food and drink stalls, and funfair rides.

Entry for the event is free, but those who can give something are encouraged to donate £2.

The 2023 Mela Facebook event page can be found at www.facebook.com/events/1277710506174670/

TinkCo, formally known as Theatre Ink and Cirencester Operatic Society, will return to the Arts Centre with Calendar Girls: The Musical which they performed in Cirencester back in November.

Performances will run from Wednesday 17 MaySaturday 20 May, starting at 7.30pm (and an extra 2.30pm show on Saturday).

A spokesperson for the show said: “With music by Gary Barlow, Calendar Girls is the story of a group of WI ladies who did the unthinkable to raise money for charity when one of their husbands died from cancer. Previously a play and a film, this story is heart warming and funny, now set to great music.”

Tickets can be found at swindontheatres.co.uk/Online/ tickets-tinkco-theatre-group-calendar-girls-swindon-2023

Midge Ure: The Voice & Visions tour at

Midge Ure - formerly of Ultravox - will be bringing his Voice and Visions Tour to Meca on Wednesday 31 May.

Doors will open at 7pm and the show is expected to finish at 10.30pm.

This tour celebrates 40 years since the release of Ultravox’s Rage in Eden and Quartet albums.

A spokesperson for the artist said: “Transporting fans back to the decade of electronics, experimentation, synthesizers and great songwriting, the album’s highlights will be showcased alongside landmark hits from Ure’s incredible back catalogue.”

There are balcony standing tickets and tiered seating tickets available for this performance.

Tickets can be purchased online at www.mecaswindon. co.uk/events-tickets/midge-ure-the-voice-visions-tour-2023

Swindon Meca

TinkCo Theatre Group: Calendar Girls at Swindon Arts Centre

City & Country’s Burderop Park ready this Spring LINK PROPERTY

By Barrie Hudson barrie@positive-media.co.uk

Situated on an historic Wiltshire estate within 31 acres of parkland, phase two at Burderop Park, from multi award-winning heritage developer City & Country, is ready to move into from this Spring.

The final phase of exclusive two, three and four-bedroom new build homes, nestled within the grounds of a Grade II* listed country manor, offers modern contemporary living with a premium specification in a unique countryside environment.

Residents have access to a plethora of outdoor space,

including a large private residents’ green for this new community to enjoy. Just a short drive away is the North Wessex Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, providing even more opportunities to explore.

Jennifer Rhodes-Finch, Head of Marketing at City & Country, said: “Burderop Park offers a warm and welcoming community in glorious natural settings, proving popular with local first-time buyers and

downsizers.”

Individually designed by in-house specialists, homes at Burderop Park boast a superior specification with a variety of luxury finishes throughout, including integrated appliances, Silestone worktops and polished chrome brassware. Prices at Burderop Park start from £325,000 for a two-bedroom mid-terraced home.

Buyers who reserve selected homes before 30 April can benefit from a mortgage contribution of up to £10,000. To find out more call 01793 351 917 or visitwww.cityandcountry.co.uk

LINK POETRY

A poem is always something straight from the heart

Maurice Spillane: Of Poetry Swindon

When novels are written in the first person, readers do not assume the author is the narrator. It’s not like that with poetry. The default is the poet writing about the self, which requires honesty and bravery. The love poem is wonderful, the break-up poem can be cruel, ragged relationships are sensitive territory. There is danger in the highs and the lows.

It might be safer writing about trees and flowers as they don’t bite back. I don’t, because people fascinate me. It’s the same with Hannah Linden, my friend, who has just published a wonderful pamphlet, “The Beautiful Open Sky” (V Press). Hannah helped with the Poetry Swindon Festival for many years. We shared privacies as you do. Hannah’s privacies

have now morphed into poems - a tough childhood when parents split, father died, mother remarried to a man who disliked Hannah. Several poems stayed with me. This one about her mother’s solution to an argument:

I felt Mum’s silence in the car, the negative pull until I was a black hole sucking everything into my void, except her. She sat on the edge of Nan’s spare bed. You will never come home again. I am a half-circle. I am an apple falling from the tree.

And the positivity of these lines in another:

You have to keep faith in the kindness of other people who are still strangers but who might become makers of a draught of air that is the difference between success and a crash.

Don’t think of the mangled bones at the bottom of the mountain. Think of the beautiful open sky.

To buy Hannah’s pamphlet (£7.99 including UK P&P) message her at twitter.com/ hannahl1n

Alfie Howlett: Swindon Town FC writer

May, so much to play forleague titles on the line, the promise of promotion, the pressure of the play-offs, and the scrap for survival... unless you support Swindon Town.

There’ll be no title parade, trip to Wembley, and no plans for Non-League football. Just mid-table mediocrity. In fact, the only interesting aspect to the conclusion of Swindon’s season is the fact that it’ll finish on a Monday. The game itself will see Town welcome former gaffer Scott Lindsey to SN1.

It’s safe to say that the appointment of Jody Morris has been underwhelming, but how much is down to the man himself? Since arriving at SN1, Morris has been at the wheel for a spectacular

An early post mortem for STFC LINK FOOTBALL

downturn in Town’s fortunes. The former Chelsea man inherited a side who sat sixth in the standings with a minimum expectation of play-off football and a hope of achieving automatic promotion. It’s shocking that at times towards the end of the campaign I’ve found myself checking the table to make sure that Town are ‘mathematically safe’. With no win since February, at the time of writing, and limited signs of improving performances, Morris’ position should be in serious jeopardy.

The most concerning aspect is the severe lack of structure Town play with. The defence doesn’t appear coached, with the back line at sixes and sevens. Concerningly, Swindon’s number seven, Joe Tomlinson, who is a left footed wing back, has found himself deployed as a right

Learning to Ride a Bike, as an Adult

Swindon Cycle Campaign delivered two days of free ‘Family Learn to Ride’ and ‘Cycle Confidence’ events in early April giving people of all ages a chance to get active on two (and even three) wheels.

Over 50 children and adults developed the confidence to cycle independently at the County Ground athletics track, with valuable support from qualified cycle trainers. Our volunteers were delighted to receive fantastic feedback and to see so many people develop cycle skills for life.

Pat Choi, one of the many adults to attend, learned to cycle for the first time. Pat had tried to learn in the past but, despite many attempts, she just couldn’t grasp the

centre back. The manager picks the team so therefore Morris can’t escape the blame on that front.

Under Scott Lindsey, STFC were unremarkable but solid defensively and took pride in a clean sheet. But here’s the difference, Scott Lindsey benefitted from experienced players and a transfer window, Morris has had neither.

Arguably, Morris took over an already sinking ship with the January departures of the experienced Ben Gladwin, Louis Reed and Angus MacDonald. Swindon’s policy of ‘moneyball’ is a widely successful recruitment model in football. However, it can only be successful when younger players are integrated amongst experienced professionals. Unfortunately for Swindon, technical director Sandro

Di Michele decided that the services of his longest serving players were no longer required. This left Morris with an unbalanced youthful squad which would never have the knowledge to secure promotion. It’s laughable that someone at Swindon believed that a bunch of kids, no matter their talent, could get out of League 2. It’s no coincidence that Town have lost so many points when leading, and seen an array of red cards, when there is little guidance from seasoned professionals. But it’s hard to place the blame on just one person. The results under Morris have been awful, but it’s hard to blame him when experienced players had been shipped out in January. Whatever the answer it’s a shame that the excellent progress off the pitch has not been met on the pitch.

balance.

The athletics track is the perfect environment to learn to cycle. It’s traffic-free, flat and open. Having borrowed a bike at the event, it wasn’t too long until we were overjoyed to see that Pat was cycling by herself along the track.

“The one to one session was amazing!” said Pat. “My coach, Ben, guided me step by step. He was so encouraging and so clear in explaining to me what to do. I was able to build up my confidence, and within an hour I was a ‘cyclist’ and could enjoy cycling like everyone else, without the fear of falling. It’s incredible! I am now planning to buy my own bike and develop my skills to cycle for leisure

and eventually cycle to work. Thanks so much to Ben, Becky and the other volunteers at the event for helping me learn this amazing new skill!”

If you’re an adult, teenager or child who’d like to learn to cycle or develop your confidence in the saddle, then do join us at one of the next free events on Sunday 28 May or Monday 14 August. There are helmets and bikes of all shapes and sizes to borrow if you haven’t got your own. Our friendly and experienced trainers and volunteers will support you all the way.

If you can’t make the upcoming sessions, we also have funding for some free one-to-one or private group

cycle training at a time and place that suits you.

Whether you’d like to learn to ride a bike or develop confidence making a journey on the road, we can help.

For more information about the events and cycle training please get in touch at:

SwindonCycleCampaign@ outlook.com

Monthly column from Becky Cox of Swindon Cycle Campaign

Pat Choi out cycling

AGONY GIRL

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 get lonely in my house and I’m thinking of getting a pet. What animals make good pets?

Celia, West Swindon

Cats. Because they’re amazing, cute and easy look after but don’t get a cat like my cat Ginny as she runs away. Get one like Steve as she’s very friendly.

Dear Agony Girl,

I have recently become a grandad. I have heard that grandad jokes are supposed to be even worse than dad jokes but I am unsure of where to find any.

Are there special books at the library or would it be better to look on the internet? And as I’m a grandad now, do I have to refer to the internet as something like ‘that internet thingie’?

Yours confusedly, A new grandad, Liden

Don’t do anything like you just asked. Listen to me because I’m smart and I know good grandad jokes. Like the time I fell asleep on some old magazines. I guess I had back issues. That’s a joke.

Dear Agony Girl, I am a bit of a daydreamer and sometimes I lose focus. Do you have any advice and do you even daydream yourself?

Tyler, Swindon

Yes. Whenever I get bored in class. Earlier in class when we were learning about space I ended up daydreaming about, like, being at a friend’s house having a really good play.

Dear Agony Girl

I’m the subject of a massive witch hunt and I’m not even a witch! They keep trying to arrest me for dodgy things but shouldn’t I be above the

law even if I did some of the dodgy things? It’s so unfair. How do I stay out of prison? Should I become President so that they can’t touch me?

Don, Florida

Only do dodgy things secretly from now on and they won’t be able to hunt you. Maybe stop dressing up like a witch and then that would also stop the hunt.

Dear Agony Girl, Who would win in a fight - a shark or a bear?

Kim, Gorse Hill I think a bear as it could rip the shark into pieces and have it for dinner.