April 2002 Swindon Link by swindonlink6

No. 239 • April 2002 • Circulation 22,000

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2 The Link Magazine • April 2002

April 1987 - Royal opening launched new look magazine Link celebrates fifteen years as professional publication Although The Link was first delivered to 600 houses in December 1978, this month we celebrate becoming a fully fledged monthly title 15 years ago. The official open W` S in g of Greendown School in Grange °D' °• t ton ndds Park by Princess in ToOthI 1, Anne gave us the F,eshbrOOk . perfectopportunity weniaaS t o make an impact, Apr 1981 Nosf „oo00 _._ c, c __ and we think we've Esct978 been doing that ever R OYAL OPENING AT GREENDOWN since. SW,fldOfl

THE

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The aim of The Link

has alwa s been to provide useful news, p views and information to our target communities of West Swindon and from January 1994 North Swindon. As a sixteen page newsletter pre-1987, published every six weeks, The Link had become irrelevant by the time 8,000 homes had been built. It eih the had to with e r away or appear regu larly and be profession y

'°”` "` """^ Flashback to 23 March 1987

_`^"emu Greendown PE teacher Steve O'Sullivan makes a point to Princess Anne ;^ when she officially opened the school which accepteditsfirststudentsthe ", a . ^ previous September. Little did he know that 15 years later he would start n " „ the school year as headteacher. "° " d "Also pictured, gymnasts Jenny Sandford and Clancy McMullan and " .` Link publisher Roger Ogle, who was chair of governors at the time. "^ m^ ^ " • Princess Anne in Greendown Playgroup - see page 16 k

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, ally produced. The technological advent of desktop publishing made that possible and we're the first to admit surprise at how The Link has survived and carved out such solid support amongst M^" advertisers. 1 1 3 Three features of The Link have remained constant. It has always been free, dependent on advertising, but with a lot of j editorial, typically 55% advertising and 45% editorial. We have =° `" ".^ . • • ^ '. " °' "°° `" °" yet to come across a similar publication in the UK which blends .0 -• " .:; the high level of community focused editorial whilst still being given away. The number of people who say the magazine goes from strength to strength and how they read it from cover to cover is very encouraging The Mayor of Swindon's Charity Ball and we're always impressed by the number of men who say it's the only Saturday 20 April, 7pm to lam local publication they will read all the way through. Enhancing and developing the sense of trust between The Link, the Blunsdon House Hotel advertisers and readers is very important for the future and we'd like to thank businesses for recognising The Link as an excellent medium for Black tie • Four course banquet • Tickets £35 getting their message across and to readers for responding to them. Proceeds to the Mayor's charities: We currently print 22,000 and Breakthrough Breast Cancer Swindon brand this number will rise as more Royal SWIr1uOrl t he Rowdy Bunch disabled youth club, houses are built in North Swindon [ Los Hogos De Los Ancianos elderly so that The Link continues to be the ibition opens at the persons home in Ocotol publication that people look to for ndon Museum & A rt Councillor David Cox: "This is going to be a the information they need in their Gallery, Old Town: 20 April sparkling occasion with live local entertainment community. Look out for the Royal quiz to suit a variety of tastes. Pd like many people And of course we're on the web. during Local History Week in to join me at this great fund raising event." Have you seen us there yet? May at Swindon libraries Details from the Mayor's office, tel: 463002 www.svvindjnI1nk.com ^

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The Link Magazine • April 2002

The numbers stack up as council tax rises by 15.5% After months of discussion, wringing of hands, fretting and general panic in arts and voluntary organisations, the threat of severe cutbacks in funding was lifted at the council's budget setting meeting on 21 February when a 15.5% council tax rise was agreed (after the March Link went to press). The minority Conservative group, in charge of the council since last October, had proposed a 9.5% tax rise, which would have still left the council £800,000 short. Major reductions in arts and cultural spending were proposed, as well as cuts in grants to voluntary organisations and the closure of several libaries. Although not a statutary provision, arts and cultural activities are important in defining the identity of a town. Having listened to the widespread protest, the Conservatives amended their budget to a 12.57, tax hike and fewer reductions in community services. However Labour bit the bullet and proposed a council tax rise of 15.5% with no reductions in services. If all councillors had been present, the 29 Labour members could have been outvoted by the 22 Conservatives and 8 Liberal Democrats. At a packed meeting, with a few councillors missing because of illness, holidays or work commitments, Labour easily won the vote with 27 in favour of the 15.5% rise, 21 against and three abstentions. The increase brings Swindon closer to the average for Wiltshire, but only marginally as the neighbouring councils have also upped their taxes. We still pay the lowest council tax in the region. Labour group leader Sue Bates said, "we proposed a robust and fair budget that has meant an increase of 15.5%. It was not a decision that was taken lightly; we are very aware of the impact that it may have on those with low or fixed incomes. However, we felt that this increase was necessary to protect the delivery of services in the community. The Conservative proposal would have meant cuts in crucial voluntary services including Age

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Concern and the Women's Refuge. cial management and effective Design, making and complete This budget also provides £2 mil- service delivery. Our budget profitting service available lion extra for schools, additional posals committed the council to a Large range of material samples funding that is desperately needed root-and-branch review of all its Free estimating and advice activities to ensure they are effecfor children in Swindon. Call Trace y or Amanda on "The difference between us was tive and efficient. The other politi01793 611051 3%, equal to six pence a day. It cal parties also accepted this. means an extra £1.3 million for "This review will result in the ^" Home Sew Curtain '1L statutory services; we have council planning the funding and Supplies avoided cuts to grants, residential delivery of services over the me1 00's of fabrics in stock homes for the disabled and trans- dium term. The strategy will form from £2.50/metre port for children with special edu- a stable foundation on which servHeading from 25p/metre cational needs. This budget is about ices can build and prosper. This is Lining from £1.50/metre the social inclusion of everyone in in contrast to the hand-to-mouth Cushion pads from £2 each our community." existence and annual round of -_ All types of rails _ r3 Conservative leader of the coun- budgetary brinkmanship that servcil Mike Bawden, said, "the 15.5% ices endured under the Labour adincrease in council tax will gener- ministration." Home visits arranged or ate significant additional money The scene is set for the local elecfor schools and other essential serv- tions on 2 May. Will voters give a ices. I welcome this, but the com- clear mandate to one of the parties, munity should realise that simply or will they prefer to keep a finely hiking up tax each year does not balanced situation with no party solve two fundamental problems in control? this council must address. "Firstly, since 1997 Swindon Borough Council has received inadequate funding from the Labour government. The Conservative Free step by step guide to buying or budget resolution committed the remortgaging your home. Tel: 0800 5960159 council to pressurise the government for more funds. The other political groups accepted this proposal. "Secondly, under many years of Labour control the council made ineffective and inefficient use of the money it did receive and allowed the council's range of service provision to expand far beyond the resources available. The dreadful Ofsted inspection of our educaHere's a way to spend weekends that tion service illustrates the results will have 4 to 16 year olds buzzing. of a council living beyond its means. Estelle Morris, Secretary of Enrol them in your local SUMMER HOLIDAY State for Education, said that unWORKSHOP der Labour the council was 'seriStagecoach theatre arts 6 action packed days ously failing in its duty to provide school where they can cul minating in an support to its schools and their learn to act, sing and dance evening performance pupils' (Evening Advertiser 15/9/01). Monday 12th August to "The Conservatives have The skills they learn aren't Saturday 17th August brought a culture of sound finan-

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4 The Link Magazine • April 2002

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The Mayor of Swindon invites the public to a meeting in the council chamber at the Civic Offices, Euclid Street on Tuesday 9 April, 7pm to discuss adding inscriptions to the Borough Cenotaph and creating a wall memorial to honour citizens killed in active service from the Great War to the present time.

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Swindon's aspirations to become There's a whole new approach being taken to persuade voters to a city have been dashed. choose representatives for Swindon Council. The Lord Chancellor's departTurnouts in local elections have number (PIN) number. ment announced on 14 March that been dropping nationally, so in- • Applications for postal votes Preston would be the English town stead of offering one day to cast have to be received by 5pm on 24 to be elevated in the Queen's jubivotes, the Government is trying April and voting by the other lee year. means will be barred. out a variety of methods. The Link has expressed sceptiAt the end of April, voters will • Voting via the telephone or cism over the last three years that be able to use the post, telephone online, using the PIN security the town is ready to be a city. or internet to vote, or they can still number, will take place between Perhaps Swindon Council will visit a polling station in person on 25 and 30 April. now start to look at what is really • Voting in the traditional way by needed to become one. the day. It will be a logistical nightmare putting a cross in a box takes place for the electoral registration de- on Thursday 2 May. The voting options will be exWhere is the partment at Swindon Council. By 24 April each of the 127,000 voters plained by council officers at an world going? in Swindon will receive a voters' electoralroadshowbetweenl5and pack, which will include the names 19 April. Venues will be announced Local MPs Julia Drown and of the candidates standing in their on BBC Wiltshire Sound and in the Michael Wills are holding a meeting on Saturday 13 April, 12.30pm, ward as well as a personal identity daily press. to give Swindon people the chance to comment on the local What life for the Mechanics? and planetary environment. The meeting at Lawn CommuThe future of the derelict Grade The contents will be made public II I Mechanics Institute is at last in due course, but the New Me- nity Centre, Guildford Avenue, is being seriously discussed after chanics Institute Preservation one of many being held around Swindon Council members re- Trust, which has been campaign- the country in preparation for the ceived a consultants report on 14 ing for seven years to get the build- World Summit on Sustainable Deing back into community use, is velopmentinJohannesburg,South March. hoping the study will make it clear Africa later in the year. Julia Drown MP said, "a lot of that there is no viable commercial use. This will open the way for people in the town are concerned about environmental and devellottery funding. opment issues. The meeting is an excellent opportunity for us to disON . cuss the progress this government has made, for example increasing its overseas aid budget by forty per cent, and to discuss the steps we need to take to make our planet a safer and better place for future generations." • Giving the producers a better deal. Fair Trade in Shaw on page 46.

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"The Link was first published for the West Swindon community in December 1978. It i s completely independentof LinkCentre and, in fact, won a competition to name the leisure centre in 1984. Distribution in North Swindon commenced in Janua ry 1994." The contents of The Link are protected by copyright. Use of advertisements in printed or electronic form is forbidden unless an advertiser or publisher has sought permission. Articles and photog ra p hs require similar authority

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The Link Magazine â€˘ April 2002

North library Autumn opening? Now that Swindon Council's budget has been set, the library service hopes to be able to open the library at the North Swindon District Centre. At a meeting for volunteers involved in the Books on Wheels service on 4 March, senior officers from Swindon cultural services department outlined ideas for a new central library which is being planned within a much larger town centre regeneration scheme for arts and cultural facilities in the Regent Circus/Theatre Square area. This is dependent on a successful Private Finance Initative bid to the Government and will take at least tour years to be agreed, designed and built. Library services manager David Allen acknowledged a consultants report last year which described the central library as the worst of any town in the country, but given the difficulties the council has in raising capie tal, there is y now hope that funding could be found. He added that a review of library services is continuing. He said the North Swindon District Centre library will be handed over by Asda Walmart when legal details have been agreed. "It is a very exciting project which gives us the chance to create a model for the library service of the future. There will be a big collection of fiction and non fiction, a children's library, and an information technology area linked with an IT training facility. As the health authority will occupy part of the building, we are looking at a healthy living area and later on an archaeology interpretation area related to the Roman villa site at Ash Brake. "The library will take six months to fit out; hopefully we will be able to open in the Autumn."

Roman site survey for July presentation A team commissioned by Swindon Council and English Heritage officers has started to carry out a detailed geophysical survey of the Roman site at Ash Brake in North Swindon. Using equipment to measure magnetic responses from underground structures, the team will gather information for computer analysis. The site has been chosen by English Heritage as a flagship project to demonstrate best practice in archaeology, particularly in non-destructive methods of evaluation. Senior archaeologist Dr Pete Wilson said the staff are working to a tight schedule and do not have time to discuss their investigation. However the results are to be presented at a talk in North Swindon on National Archaelogy Day which takes place on 20 and 21 July.

Books on wheels are a literary lifeline Volunteers are always wanted to join Swindon Books on Wheels to take books and tapes into the homes of people who cannot get to a library. Run jointly with the WRVS, volunteers are not just a deliver y service. They befriend people who find it difficult to getout, discover their interests and select books they will enjoy.

For details about using the Books on Wheels service or to volunteer your time, call coordinator Debs Osorio on 463505 who is pictured front left, with Jayne Sergeant of the WRVS, front right, and some of the Books on Wheels volunteers

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Safe sanctuary for victims of sex abuse A North Swindon doctor's surgery has also become the base fora new out of hours project to help people through trauma following a sexual assault. The Swindon Sanctuary, distressing procedure following an launched in early March at the Taw assault." Hill medical practice, is one of the The centre is equipped with two first of its kind in the country and ultra clean,hospitaloperatingtheais a partnership between health tre quality examination suites, services and the Wiltshire Con- complemented by a shower room stabulary to provide a place of complete with fluffy towels and safety following assault, where luxury toiletries to help the victim victims can be examined by a po- prepare to face the world again. lice surgeon within a medical enForensic medical examiner Dr vironmentandreceivesupportand Debbi Rogers said equipment at advice to help them through the the Sanctuary would allow injuprocess of recovery. ies to be examined and ev

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Dr Crouch, centre, and Dr Rogers show off the colposcope used for close examination and recording of injuries, to Assistant Chief Constable for Wiltshire, Stephen Long, right and Acting Detective Inspector Mark Garrett, who oversees the Swindon Police child protection unit

Practice partner Dr Peter Crouch, who is also a police surgeon, said there has long been a need to provide facilities away from the intimidating environment of a police station. "The increasingly high levels of cleanliness to enable collection of DNA evidence without risk of contamination requires particular conditions. " We followed best practice when designing the new Taw Hill medical centre. We were very conscious of creating a secure, safe and comfortable place where a victim could undergo the often

collected with the permission of the victim Assistant Chief Constable for Wiltshire Stephen Long said the Sanctuary was a ground breaking initiative. "As far as we know this is the only sexual assault referral centre within a GP practice. The victim will be put at ease after a distressing experience, family members can be reassured and evidence collected if appropriate." Taw Hill surgery staff have volunteered to open the Sanctuary at any hour, and to provide support to families and offer guidance with emergency contraception.

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The Link Magazine • April 2002

I See it here first

A twin for Haydon Wick? Haydon Wick Parish Council wants to find out if there is any local desire for twinning links with an overseas partner at a meeting to be held at the Parish Council offices in Thames Avenue on 23 April, 7pm. Daryl Jones from Swindon Council will attend to outline what is involved in such arrangements and all are invited to attend. Residents with a general interJunior views for jubilee commemoration est in parish affairs are invited to The new junior Haydon Wick Parish Council got off to a lively start the council's annual mee ting which with ideas for jubilee celebrations and play parks in the area. takes place at8pm on that evening. At a first meeting on 7 March, youngsters from the four primary The council has requested from schools in the area heard a short description about the work of the Swindon Borough Council a coun- parish council from councillor Phil Eagle and were asked to comment cil tax precept of £112,130, which on how the Queen's Golden Jubilee should be commemorated. After means a payment of £24.31 per initial shyness, ideas were put forward with confidence for items such annum for a band D householder, as pens, key rings and mugs that would serve as lasting momentos. an increase of £4.27 on the current The children also commented on a proposal to create a public play year. This figure is significantly area on land close to Haydonleigh School on Westfield Way which lower than the previous year and a might include a small skateboard park. band D payer will be contributing The next meeting is on 25 April at the parish offices in Thames Avenue. about 80p more than two years ago. t In addition to covering year on year increases in costs, the money will help provide dog waste bins and cover the cost of having them • emptied, and new improved noticeboards. Contributions will also be made towards the provision of a hard core footpath from Severn " Avenue to the kissing gate entrance to Seven Fields and the footpath network to Abbey Meads. ' Details of both meetings on 23 April can be obtained from council

clerk, SueMartinon 722746 ormail

clerk@haydonwiek.gov.uk . For general information go to www.haydonwick.gov.uk

WithHaydonWickchairmanRichardHailstone,right,councillorPhilEagle and clerk Sue Martin, from left, Shaun Barnett, Tyrone Day, Ricky Allen, Victoria Barker, Victoria Reynolds, Bradley Farrell, Marcus Lewis, Sarah Coates, Stacey Wood, Mark Gallagher, Vicky Simpson, David Springer. Not present: Amish Ladhu, Christian Bowsher, Rachel Fraser

A recent independent survey of 150 Haydon Centre users found that over half learnt about recreation provision in Swindon borough from The Link. 28% saw details in the Evening Advertiser, a figure exceeded by another local publication, Haydon Wick Community News.

Local involvement is key to the success of the centre in Thames Avenue, with nearly half of those surveyed living within one mile. 23% arrived on foot and well over a third turn up as a family group. Once there participants were generally well satisfied with the service, 35% rate it as excellent; 21% very good; 41 % good. ThecentreisrunbySwindonServicesonbehalfofHaydonWickCommuni ty Association. Brian Holden, chairman, said, "wearever}'pleased with the high satisfaction ra ti ng. We are working on the ideas for improvements, but unfortunately we are not able to provide a swimming pool which headed the wish list for a third of users." The centre has launched a new Sunday morning aerobics class and a new Friday morning fitness sessionfortheover50s.Neti w participants are welcome. For event details and centre management information, drop in or call 706666.

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The Link Magazine • April 200 2

Area panel calls on cabinet to prioritise Corton Crescent Council to ask Asda to help out Swindon Council is unlikely to build a safe pedestrian crossing between Westlea and the West Swindon Centre at Corton Crescent unless road safety priorities are switched around or more money is allocated to road safety schemes. The 2,878 name petition col- killed on Corton Crescent in Janu- Tewkesbury Cross roundabout The panel also agreed that the lected by Westlea School parents ary 2001, according to a council (next to Pizza Hut), with 3 KSI and council should approach Asda to in February calling for a controlled officers report the road only ranks 18 SI, or Freshbrook Way with 4 make a financial contribution to crossing was discussed at the West eleventh in casualty statistics. It is and 9. Top of the list is the A4361 the provision of a controlled crossSwindon Area Panel on 7 March. a major pedestrian route to the with 10 KSI and 21 SI. ing. Councillors and parents were told West Swindon Centre and the Link Only the top seven danger spots After he was pictured at Corton that the government determined Centre, and hundreds of children are likely to have money spent on Crescent on the February Link front method of collecting statistics in- from Westlea School walk across them in the next financial year. page with Sandra and Ray Shirley, cludes casualties involving vehi- the road to and from swimming cles and pedestrians, without con- lessons each week. L, •s sideration of risk at a particular Corton Crescent has had one site or potential for future acci- killed or seriously injured (KSI) dents. and 7 slightly injured (SI) in the Even though Shaun Shirley was last three years compared with

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The campaign to slow cars on Langstone Wart outside Westlea School is reaching success. Road narrowing and pedestrian safety measures should be installed in time for Walk to School Week at the end of May. However, an y i upsurge of traffic using Langstone Way in earl / March, possibly because of road works elsewhere, forced parents to bring out home-made speed signs sponsored by Taylors Estate Agents to reinind drivers to slow dozen.

Some twenty parents from Westlea attended the panel to press the case for a crossing and councillors expressed support for the project. Coun Nick Martin said the council's finances made it difficult to fund all projects, but as a member of Swindon's cabinet he would be arguing for priorities to be changed so that the Corton Crescent scheme is substituted with the Tewkesbury Cross (rated fifth priority) project. Coun Mary Martin said, "we must consider risk to children when we discuss road safety and look at the greatest value to the communitv."

the Mayor and local councillor David Cox wrote to Asda asking for clearer signage to indicate the crossing point, the nearby delivery yard and fuel station. Jan Kilby at Asda West Swindon said head office had asked local managers to investigate the costs involved. Westlea parent governor Dawn Dolphin, pictured rear left above, said the road traffic accident league tables are totally inadquate. "The way statistics are collected do not assess risk. There should be much greater emphasis on pedestrian safety and I will be asking Julia Drown MP to take the issue up in Government."

No cash for Westlea play area rebuild At the West Area Panel David Banham, 14, from Westlea presented a petition of 78 signatures from children who want Swindon Council to replace the play park at Fiveways open space on Corton Crescent. Play equipment in poor condi')avid Ban}urrn asks, w tion was removed in 1998 and the our pitiu area gun panel was told that the council does not have any money for immediate replacement. In the next financial year, large play areas at Folly Park on Flint Hill, Toothill and Mead Park in Freshbrook will be refurbished. After the meeting David said, "although the council cannot do a` x_ anything right now, the y have heard my request and I hope they can rebuild the park in the future. • The under used all weather pitch • New equipmentat Whitehill Park at Peatmoor Community School is in Toothil l which should have been to be upgraded after the West Area installed at the end of January Panel agreed to make £1,500 availshould be ready for use by the end able for a new artificial surface, i mproved fencing and floodlights. of March.

The Link Magazine • April 2002

Abbey Meads taken over by book characters

Black Jat

The 280 children and all the staff at Abbey Meads primary school took on a different role on 14 March to celebrate National Book Day. Throughout the week they took part in a sponsored readathon in aid of the Roal Dahl Foundation. Some of the many who dressed up, front, Hiawatha: Yukako Suzuki, from left, Cruella de Ville: Caroline Loveland; Tigger: Summer Rowland; Harry Potter: . Nicholas Gibson; Denis the Menace: Adam Spencer; Old Mother Hubbard: Janet Archer. Back, Hermione: Tanith Grant

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Youngsters at Brook Field School in Shaw produced some excellent art work using the style and techniques of a variety of artists during an artweek at the end of March. The children made models for a large sculpture to be created by Gordon Dickinson of No Added Sugar which now stands at the school front door.

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Gordon, centre, with art coordinator Clare Hughes, and from left, Freya Skerten, Paul Thomas, Aimee Brown, Sean Ahn, Jessica Davey, Chris Kingsbury

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10 The Link Magazine • April 2002

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Praise for Grange Park postie A highly regarded postman hung up his mail sack at the end of February after 11 years with Royal Mail, much to the dismay of people in the Mulcaster Avenue area of Grange Park. Nigel Margetts from Lydiard knew the names of the pets in the cording to catch the atmosphere in Millicent is described by resident area and always stopped to make a the office if I need to be reminded." As if he had not done enough Jill Kelly as a treasure. "People are fuss of them. My neighbour's cat always moaning that there is no took to joining him on part of his walking, Nigel will be trekking the Great Wall of China for five days sense of community these days but round. Nigel is the sort of bloke who makes "He once made a special early with his wife Jean as part of a holipeople feel that they are part of morning delivery to a neighbour's day in the Far East. He is also very involved with one. He was always cheerful, with house so that her son would have a smile and a wave every morning his birthday presents before he All Saint's Church in Lydiard Millicent, a member of the Phoewhen I passed him on my way to went to school. "We wish him a long and happy nix Players in Old Town for the work. last forty years, and he plans to "I've no idea how many house- retirement." holds are on his round but he knew my children by name and even

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Nigel's last day at the West Swindon sorting office was busier than normal, with an unexpected arrival of a large number of catalogues to be delivered, as well as a presentation and a breakfast buffet to fit in. "I'll miss the noise and activity as the mail is sorted at 5am, but I won't miss getting up so early," said Nigel. "I've made a tape re-

rediscover his talents for lathe woodturning, as well as putting more time into his garden. "I covered 275 houses for seven years," he said. "You become friends with residents, see their children grow up and get to know their cats and dogs. I'll miss the contact with so many people; every day was different and most of them were good."

Youngsters take to democracy All eleven classes at Freshbrook School took part in elections for a school council on 14 March, complete with a proper ballot box and election manifestos. The day was p r eceded by each class choosing six candidates who designed posters about themselves. Deputy headteacher Jane Parsons said, "the children have really taken the idea on board; there has been great excitement around the school." She added that members of the school council at Shaw Ridge School had provided useful advice in helping Freshbrook organise its elections. Reception children Arline Messaoui and Kiran Bharj cast their votes

Youth drop in restarts The Freshbrook Community Centre cafe reopened on Tuesday 19 March, 7pm to 9.30pm. Young people aged 13 to 19 can drop in to play pool, hang out and talk to local youth workers.

POSTCODE PROTECTION SESSION Freshbrook Community Centre Saturday 6 and Sunday 7 April, 10am to 4pm All are invited to have bikes, skateboards, scooters and other valuable items postcode marked by Freshbrook and Grange Park beat officer PC Rob Mortimer and Neighbourhood Watch officer Patty Holt

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12 The Link Magazine • April 2002

Christmas cheer for charities helped by Round Table Three Swindon charities have benefited from an annual event that has taken place for the last 40 years. Members of the Swindon Round Table have become a very familiar sight clustered around Santa Claus and his sleigh in the town centre during the weeks leading up to Christmas. And Santa's sleigh visits on chilly December evenings bring joy in several neighbourhoods, not only to children, but also to their parents who remember donating their pocket money when they were much younger. Last year three local charities were nominated to benefit from the Christmas collection and were invited to help out with the fundraising. At a ceremony on 1 March, the Mayor of Swindon David Cox was asked to present cheques for £1,100 to each. The Swindon Down's Syndrome Association secretary Julie Thomas said the much needed funds will go towards supporting a speech therapy group which costs over £10,000 a year to keep going. Don Macarthur, chairman of Swindon's Cancer and Leukemia Movement (CALM), said the donation would complete the fundraising for a new seaside caravan so that families with children receiving cancer treatment can take a holiday at short notice around visits to hospital. Phil Voller of the Swindon and

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The Mayor and Mayoress with the groups supported by Round Table, from left, Phil and Jayne Voller, North Wilts Deaf Children's Society, James Harvey-Samuel, chair of Swindon Round Table, Clare Stow, Swindon Downs Association, Don Mcarthur, Martin Snell, Swindon CALM

North Wilts Deaf Children's Society said the contribution would buy radio aids and other equipment for children with hearing impairment. The Mayor said he was delighted to make the presentations. "The Round Table sleigh collection has become a traditional feature of Christmas in Swindon and I congratulate them for being so committed to helping such worthy local causes." Looking for members The Round Table as a national organisation celebrates its 75th anniversary this year and now has 1,000

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clubs and 13,000 members nation- speakers on a variety of subjects. wide. Aimed at men aged 18 to 45 Visitors and potential members years, Round Table is comple- will always be made particularly mented by the Ladies Circle for welcome. A wide range of social events the same age group. Chairman of the Swindon and outings are organised as a way branch James Harvey-Samuel de- of bringing members and their scribes the main aims of Round families together and can include Table / Ladies Circle as having fun, anything from go-karting to 10 pin meeting other people from all bowling, paint ball, sailing and walks of life, and contributing to camping trips. Competitive sports community life through fund-rais- activities like 5 and 11 a side footing events and providing practical ball, squash and tennis, snooker help to other organisations and and darts are also organised. To find out more about joining individuals. Members meet twice a month, the Round Table, call James sometimes over a meal, to listen to Harvey-Samuel on 636711.

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The Link Magazine â€˘ April 2002

Catherine Wayte kids turn Victorian for a day Fear and fascination marked a memorable visit to Sevington Victorian school by year 6 children at Catherine Wayte School on 27 February. Travelling back in time, from the moment the 25 children from Abbey Meads stepped off the coach near Chippenham, they were expected to take on the role of a child attending school in 1898. And woe betide any who did not instantly become a Victorian child for fierce class teacher Mistress Lee had a range of punishments on hand to teach anyone how to behave, including a cane that swished menacingly. "We were really, really scared at first," said Elise Pearce who had to become Bessie Thompson. "We had to sit up straight and call Mistress Lee'mam' and make sure we stood when we answered a question. Her cane looked really frightening." The children had been instructed to wear Victorian costumes of jackets and trousers for boys, and smocks and a scarf for girls, who had to prepare for the visit by

making their own caps. Once at to light oil lamps, whilst the girls school they had to line up in sepa- made observational drawings and rate entrances and sit on different were shown the household duties sides of the classroom. The four expected of them. Gemma Houlsby who was rehour visit concentrated on the three Rs: reading, wRiting and aRith- named Faith Cole was shocked by matic, and the children were given the different education she would different tasks appropriate to their have had as a Victorian child. sex and station in life. The boys "Mistriss Lee told the girls that we had to polish boots and learn how were learning to become servants

in a big house and that boys needed to know more arithmatic because they would have proper jobs." She added that the children were amazed by the classroom. "We had to write on slates, and the day before we were being taught on a computer whiteboard. There were old bits all round the room and there were Victorian spider webs up in the roof. "It really brought home what a good school we attend." Class teacher Celia Messenger or Miss Smith said the visit had been a tremendous experience. "The children were very scared in the first twenty minutes in the Victorian classroom; it was a total shock to be in that environment and to behave in a completely different way. You could hear the clock ticking over the sound of quills scratching on paper. "They have been talking about the day ever since."

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14 The Link Magazine • April 2002

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Bid to delay third new primary school in North Swindon The fast-track project to open another primary school in North Swindon by September 2003 is being opposed by Blunsdon and Haydon Wick Parish Councils which cover most of the development area. Now called Bridlewood Primary have made decisions based on out(known as PS5 on the framework dated information. plans), the seven classroom £2.7 Blunsdon parish councillor million school is to be built to the Brian Watts, a member of the new west of Lady Lane, close to hous- Bridlewood governing body said, ing at Ash Brake. Swindon Coun- "as a council tax-payer I object to cil held a poorly promoted consul- paying out for a building which in tation exhibition in mid-January five years time will be redundant." and the planning committee apRichard Hailstone, chairman of proved the scheme on 11 March so Haydon Wick Parish Council, sugthat building works can start this gested that Swindon Council summer. should be giving priority to a priHowever the school will actu- mary school (PS6) on the educaally start in temporary buildings tion campus at the centre of the on the Catherine Wayte School site Priory Vale development where this September and interviews for eight house builders are now on a headteacher are taking place. site. The first residents will arrive Although Abbey Meads Pri- later in the year. mary, Catherine Wayte and Swindon has made a second apHaydonleigh are all over-sub- plication to the government for a scribed and have mobiles on site, private funding partnership to or planned, the two parish coun- build primary, secondary and specils believe Swindon LEA has not cial schools throughout the area. produced the evidence to justify An announcement on this is due the project at this time. Moreover, in April. If it is turned down again, they believe that the requirement coun Hailstone is worried that for primary provision in North Swindon Council will not have the Swindon has been over-estimated cash to build PS6 once it is commitand that Swindon councillors may ted to Bridlewood primary.

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Soft play to give different dimension to education

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Children with special needs at Freshbrook School are being given a new educational experience, thanks to classroom assistants and their partners.

Reception to Y6 Breakfast & After School Club for working parents

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Staff rest and recreation: Freshbrook School teachers with soft room creators in the ball pond, Michelle Larkin and Ruth Taylor and husbands John Taylor and Jamie Larkin

Feeder school for Ridgeway Warm family atmosphere

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Ofsted 2001: "Pupils make good progress in English, Maths d Science and achieve standards above the national average..." "Pupils have very good attitudes towarg> work, are keen to learn and behave well." " Teaching is good throughout the school." The school has strong links with the Church and maintains a Christian ethos whilst being open to students from all faiths For more information or to arrange a visit please call Marjorie Sykes on 01793 731262

Visit our website: www.broadhintonschool.org.uk

To compliment a new unit for children with special needs - the Complex Centre - which opened last September, ESAs Ruth Taylor and Michelle Larkin decided to refurbish an underused mobile building to create a different kind of learning environment. "There were a few bits of soft play equipment, but not enough to be of any use," said Ruth. "We persuaded the headteacher to

come up with the cash for more soft items and we roped in other ESAs and partners to paint the walls and make curtains." Michelle explained that the room would be used to develop

social skills and for physiotherapy. "It will be a place to invite a friend from main stream school and also where children can play and wind down from the pressures of school. " Other children who are finding the classroom too much for them could benefit from sessions in the soft play room." Headteacher Bob Pattendon congratulated the ESAs for creating a valuable resource for the school. "There's a lot to touch and try out. Children who have difficulties with listening, concentrating and communicating with others will be helped by the experiences they will have in the soft play room."

The Link Magazine • April 2002

West Swindon secondary entry still uncertain Nearly 50 primary school children are still not clear which secondary school they will attend from September because of a lack of planning by Swindon Borough Council. Cabinet lead member for education coun Gary Last month's Link reported that the council announced it would spend £3 million on new buildings Perkins gave a public assurance that the council will to accommodate another 150 children over the next spend up to £3 million for new classrooms and essential facilities such as a hall and toilets, and he would five years at Greendown School in Grange Park. However the governors have not been given clear work with governors until the issues are resolved for assurances of the council's intentions and the chair- the benefit of children in West Swindon. Headteacher Steve O'Sullivan said, "unless we have man Andrew Basson had to ask the council cabinet on 6 March why Swindon had waited five years to new permanent premises and funding for the extra come up with an action plan, and stated that the teachers, the safety of children will be compromised school would not agree to expansion until the council and staff morale will suffer. Nothing must damage has given unequivocal assurances about the quality the quality of education we offer." As The Link went to press, council officers were locked of buildings to be constructed, the involvement of governors and a commitment to fund the cost of extra in discussion with the school to resolve the problem so that parents can be assured of a school place. teachers from September.

Different idea of older people Well known children's author Adrian Townsend dropped into Shaw Ridge School in early March to talk about the process of writing books. He read a chapter from his new book Gran's Gang and signed copies for young readers. Jacob Bennett said he really liked the story. "It's about grannies who play basketball, go to clubs and drive stock cars. The way he read it was really funny." Sam Mazzotta agreed. "It's a brilliant book; my granny is a bit like that. He was very interesting." Adrian Townsend signs Gran's Gang for enthusiastic buyers

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16 The Link Magazine • April 2002

When the Princess popped into the playgroup

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Fifteen years ago on 23 March 1987 Princess Anne met staff a n. at Greendown Playgroup when she officially opened Greendown Community School.

Steps to Lydiard Stepping Stones for parents and toddlers meets at All Saints Church, Lydiard Millicent on Wednesday, 1.30pm to 2.45pm. Mums, dads, and pre-school children are always welcome. For details, call Rev Peter Knight on 772417. Donations needed for Downs show The Swindon branch of the Down's Syndrome Association holds a fashion show on 11 May at Cellular Operations at Peatmoor Lagoon, (,.30pm for 7.30pm. Tickets £5 adults, £3 children five and over, includes a buffet. A creche is available for under 5's if required. Donations of clothes to model and raffle items are needed. For tickets, creche, or to make donations, call Jenny Brett on 344615 or mail: jenny@rockuk.net

The Link Maaazine • Aril 2002

The Kentwood Choir

National Childbirth Trust Nearly New Sale

in concert in aid of Home-Start Swindon 1 May, 7.30pm to 9pm, Holy Rood Church. Tickets: £4 from Home-Start, 7 Milton Road. Swindon, Tel: 613886. Home-Start has been in Swindon for 20 years. supporting families with preschool children who are experiencing difficulty. The concert is one of several events to raise £7,000 to maintain the current level of service.

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A few years ago, cloth nappies meant terry squares, pins and plastic books will be available. pants with all the horrors of smelly buckets and boil washes. Thank- To sell items, with a 30% commisfully, things have changed and many parents are returning to cloth in sion to the NCT, send large SAE. preference to disposables which are harmful to the environment to: NCT Seller's Packs. 5 The because they do not break down when buried. Mountings. Wroughton SN4 980 Cloth nappies not cloth nappies now Volunteers are needed for the sale. only save money and available without the Call the helpers' co-ordinator on reduce waste, but paraggravations of the 340691. ents prefer the look past. They come in all and feel of soft cotton shapes and sizes with for their babies says popper or Velcro Barbara Prothero. fastenings, made from After an embarrassterry or flannel, The Hilton, Swindon ing experience of a bleached or unv Nail extensions leaking nappy on a bleached, with fleece friend's cream carpet or paper liners - it can StTropez tanning be difficult to know with her third child v Body wraps Barbara and Isobel Isobel, Barbara from where to start." last year Peatmoor decided to Based on a quesv Massage represent the Nappy Lady and pro- tionnaire completed by parents •'• Virgin Vie consultant vide parents with independent The Nappy Lady sends a free peradvice on cloth nappies. sonally tailored advice letter with Evening & weekend appointments With Real Nappy Week coming recommendations for types of Mobile service available up between 22 and 28 April, it's nappy to use. For a friendly and time to dump the disposables and To make contact, mail Barbara professional service call or discover a more comfortable ap- at nappyladyswindon@aol.com 01793 886863 or proach to baby care she says. call 874885. 07720 051013 "There is a vast range of modern www.thenappylady.co.uk

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18 The Link Magazine • April 200 2

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Identity is war nowadays Brand identity affects attitudes which affects action and a Swindon based designer is at the forefront of the battle for our minds. and protect their cor>j l i 7 According to a reporate image. 6 t. port last year, we are " What I do is quite ° assaulted daily by imple: create a clear 1,500 brand names in ` mage. The hard part r the form of logos, ad istheresearchtodisvertisements and til the essence of an other forms of inforWinton organisation so that mation delivery. its logo is true to its Given that the averactivity. The logo is age person can only ^'zz f QiS1' I Yc7 not just a graphic retain 1,000 names at shape; it sums up the any one time, success- L effectiveness and ful organisations Szoindon Arts board quality of a product, need to constantly ineinber MartinWarnes and what it does for monitor and project mitli a recent creation your self-image in their brand image. After nearly 30 years in graphic using it. It's the value you associdesign Martin Warnes has been ate with a particular brand." Martin's logos are widespread: appointed a Fellow of the Chartered Society of Designers, a pres- Avis car hire, ITT computers, Gulf tigious position awarded by his Air, and locally the controversial peers in recognition of his work in Swindon Borough Council logo, creating corporate identities for below, and for the STEAM Museum. Martin not only designs logos, many companies. "When I started, brand identity he also sets the rules for their use was often seen as a fad or an ex- in different settings, such as bropression of corporate vanity, even chures, signage and headed pathough some well known names per, so that their appearance is consistent and easily undermade their mark throughstood by the consumer. out the 20th Century," said "It's fascinating work Martin. "But society has be`J^ much more visual; which takes me into so 'rople many industries allover the mes ^-^^ world," added Martin. ^ ige in a logo and compaSwinDon martin@warnesdesign.co.uk nies work hard to promote aonoucH councn E

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MASAZINE'S GUIDE TO QT'S ON IN

Join the Mayor for a last month of fundraising Swindon's go-getting. up for anything Mayor David Cox is ending his year in office with a blitz of activity in aid of his three charities: Breakthrough Breast CancerSwindon branch. The Rowdy Bunch disabled youth club. Los Hogos De Los Ancianos elderly persons home in Ocotal, Nicaragua.

AND

AROUND SWINDON

Tuesday 2 April, 7.30pm SOL (Swindon Ocotal Link) meeting - video on history of Guatamala

phy at the Oasis. Teams of 5 or 6 at £10 per head includes scampi & chips supper. Bar, raffle, special awards for the top three teams. Details from Eric Walker. tel: 692903 Saturday 20 April, 7pm for 8pm, carriages at lam Mayor's Charity Ball at Blunsdon House Hotel. Tickets £35. Details from Erz Turner, Mayor's assistant secretary. tel: 463002. Tuesday 14 May, 8pm to 9.15pm Sheila Harrod presents 'An evening with the Kentwood Choir' in the Council Chamber, followed by refreshments. Ticket details from Carol Deemer on 463599.

or email: nquiries@friends-and-pa rtners.co.uk

Catering for all occasions

help others in Swindon and in our twin town Ocotal," said David. "Please come along and join in."

The Mayor and Mayoress hold up a mini-water filter, a souvenir from their trip to Nicaragua Thursday 18 April, 7pm to 11 pm Thirty teams needed to compete for the mayor's charities quiz tro-

Call (01793) 871342 for a free brochure

Lydiard Park chosen for national regeneration project

"Everybody can have fun and

Tuesday 7 May, 7.30pm SOL meeting with guest of honour Dr Jorge Calderon from Ocotal. Both meetings take place in the Mayor's parlour at the Civic Offices. All are welcome. Details from Bruce Clarke, tel: 533338.

A range of services at sensible prices

Your

taste:

occasions:

• Afro-Caribbean • English • Mediterranean • Chinese

• Weddings • Business lunches • Celebrations

• Thai

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Tel: (01793) 345395 Mail: bola@bolaskitchen.co.uk Overleaf, Sarah Finch-Crisp describes how life is going to be brought back to Lydiard over the next few years

A rare star in town One of America's rock and roll troubadors who has never had his due acclaim plays Swindon Arts Centre on Friday 5 April. Tim Rose is perhaps not a widely known name. but he can be said to be one of the semi" n al influIr Y ences in rock and folkmusic. I n the

'`t y

late he sang

with Cass Elliot who later went on to form

the Mamas and the Papas. Then Jimi Hendrix had his first UK hit with Tim's version of Hey Joe. Before opting out of the music scene he appeared with Stevie Wonder. Simon and Garfunkel. The Doors.

Rod Stewart and Traffic. Robert Plant and Nick Cave revere Tim and he's only played selectvenues like the Albert Hall over

Dust o ff the lurex and get down to the show everybody's been waiting for. Live with sub-titles.

Friday 5th April, 7.30pm Tickets £14.00 Board a Time Machine for an irreverent musical romp through the swinging 60s. The fabulous Imposters showcase the great stars of this memorable era when it all began - The Stones, The Beatles, The Who, plus The Shadows, Simon & Garfunkel, Roy Orbison, The Monkees, and many others. Sunday 21st April, 7.30pm Tickets: £12 & £10

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the last few years. Now he's back on the road and this is a special chance to see an

WYVERN If THEATRE

unsung hero of rock music. Tickets £8 from the Arts Centre box office on 614837.

BOX OFFICE: (01793) 524481

THEATRE SQUARE, SWINDON

Swmoon CLERCHNNi.

20 The Link Magazine • April 2002

National spotlight falls on Lydiard Park

Grahame McCallion

Sarah Finch-Crisp, keeper of Lydiard House, describes the beginnings of a new project which will involve the whole community

PHOTOGRAPHIC STUDIO

The measure of any great civilisation is its cities and the measure of a city's greatness is to he found in the quality of its public spaces, its parks and squares. John Ruskin - Victorian moralist

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People love parks. They visit them for all sorts of reasons and judging by the 250,000 or so local residents who visit Lydiard each year they love this park. Some come to picnic and play. some to sunbathe or meet up with friends, others to exercise and many to relax. Life is increasingly pressured and parks offer a unique place to unwind. Though everyone agrees Lydiard is a beautiful place, few realise just how lovely it could be. Half hidden but not yet forgotten, an enchanted landscape of lakes, vistas, terraced walks and gardens remains tantalisingly within reach. The gradual decline of Lydiard's pleasure grounds is by no means irreversible and the exceptional quality of the historic landscape has long been recognised by Swindon Borough Council. Now the national spotlight has been turned on the park by The Countryside Agency's decision to

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The 1808 rural landscape at Lydiard through the eyes of John Nash fund a restoration and development plan for Lydiard which will become a blue print for the renaissance of country parks across Britain - many of which are seen to be falling on hard times. The huge social benefits which good parks provide is receiving unprecedented national attention and it is afeather in Swindon's cap to be championed by The Countryside Agency. Leading land management consultants Nicholas Pearson Associates have been appointed to work with the council to produce a plan which will em-

Making brides beautiful When Jihane Ghandour from Peatmoorwas featured in The Link in 1999. her Copperbox jewellery and tiara design service was in its infancy. Now business booms, but in an unexpected way. Working quietly from a workshop in her home, Jihane is now internationally recognised for her tiaras which are available in standard designs or can be created for the individual. The success has come from her web site; sixty per cent of her creations are sold through the internet with orders coming in from the USA, Australia and New Zealand. She also advertises in national wedding magazines and attends the occasional wedding fair. Many Swindon brides to be are surprised to find that she is based in the town. Building on her reputation. Jihane is branching out into wedding accessories of all kinds and has converted her garage into a show room where she provides personal consultations. " My aim is to give a bride the most beautiful accessories she can imagine, to make her day very special." says Jihane.

brace the opportunities Lydiard presents for recreation, community involvement, improved access and amenities, whilst preserving the beauty and historic integrity of the site and re-establishing some of its disappearing garden features li ke the spectacular lost lake. Public involvement will be a key aspect of this project and consultation is expected to commence in May. Progress will be widely reported and regular updates provided in The Link. This is the beginning of something very special for the people of Swindon. • St Mary's Church, Lydiard Park, with its impressive monuments dedicated to the St John family, is to be featured in a Channel 4 documentaryon English churches, chosen by Simons Jenkins who wrote the acclaimed work England's 1000 best churches.

Third time lucky hope for Lions at Lydiard Two years ago the weatherwashed out the Wootton Bassett Lions May Fayre and last year foot and mouth restrictions put paid to their fundraising plans. The event is the major fundraising activity in the Lions' calendar. Hopefully no disasters will befall the volunteers who organise this year's event on Monday 6 May, except the opening celebrity Darth Vadar could turn nasty. Other attractions include a dog display team, motorbike and car stunts, birds of prey, craft tent, car boot sale, fun fair, Punch and Judy and helicopter rides. Call the following to book a space: Car boots - Peter Brittain: 812710 Trade/charity stalls - David Poulton: 771143 Craft tent - Sylvia Clark: 854078

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THURSDAY 25th APRIL - SUNDAY 28th APRIL AT THE JAll CAFE* MARQUEE, McARTHUR GLEN DESIGNER OUTLET CENTRE (ticket price includes free parking at Outlet Centre) THURSDAY 25th APRIL 7.30pm Swindon Big Band - great big band sounds from popular local band Concert ticket £5 (f4 in advance) FRIDAY 26th APRIL Johnny Cole's Southern Syncopators 4.30pm - 6.30pm 8pm Mr. Acker Bilk MBE and his Paramount Jazz Men - Jazz Legend and ever-popular performer of No.1 'Stranger on the Shore' Both concerts: f11 (£10 in advance) SATURDAY 27th APRIL 12noon - 1 pm Two 4 Sax The Maggie Reeday Trio 1.30pm - 3pm Otis B Driftwood - 7 distinguished Jazz eccentrics delivering a 4pm - 5.30pm 'fun time' experience - Great jazz and a great time All three concerts: £8 (£7 in advance) 8pm - Midnight

FESTIVAL PARTY NIGHT The Brasshoppers, Dancers and Bob Kerr's Whoopee Band New Orleans meets Carnival — not to be missed! £10 (f9 in advance)

SUNDAY 28th APRIL 11.30am -12.15pm Senior Schools' Jazz Ensembles Competition Winners 1 pm - 3.15pm The Ray Gelato Giants - Hot band chosen by Robbie Williams to open his show at the Albert Hall 4.15pm - 6.30pm Swindon's Big Six: Ritchie Bryant, the Bateman Bros., Frank Abrams, Clive Morton & Jamie Cullum — Swindon's own Harry Connick All three concerts: £9 (f8 in advance)

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SUNDAY 28th APRIL 8pm —10.15pm Terry Lightfoot and his JazzMen A tribute to Louis Armstrong — numbers you just love to hear. f9 (f8 in advance)

Senior Schools Jazz Ensembles Inaugural Competition To be held over 25th & 26th April

Jolly Brolly Parade New Orleans comes to Sw Jon

All competing schools will receive financial assistance towards transport costs. Prizes & trophies. Winners to play in festival.

Jazz bands, clowns, stilt walkers, dancers Whatever the weather man says, bring out your decorated brollies and join in the fun. Prizes galore for young and older courtesy of Westfield Shoppingtowns. Charities welcome to join in and shake their own buckets. Call 463197 for details. It's gonna be great — be there!!

Sponsored and supported by: McArthurGlen Designer Outlet Centre University of Bath in Swindon & BBC Wiltshire Sound Entry closing date: 12th April Call 463197 for details.

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Free Jazz Trail Old Town Saturday 27th April only Kings Arms, Longs Bar and Fusion Town Centre Saturday 27th April & Sunday 28th April The Brunel Arcade and Plaza Pick up a programme for further details

Saturday 27th April, 11am — 12noon

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Swindon Wide Harrowing story of medical negligence exposed in book dedicated to a woman's will to live

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A work of tribute and of warning to all medical patients has been published by a former resident of Grange Park.

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The Woman Who Wouldn't Die tells the story of Christine Lucey's six year struggle against cer-

Summing up the case at the High Court in March 1998, MrJustice Alliott said, "I have read the papers in this

vical cancer and her

case and as a hard

bitten judge of many years experience could not fail to be Don an d Rebecca moved by the sufferHer husband Don ing of Mrs Lucey." tells the harrowing Don re-lives the horror of those saga of intense suffering involving y ears, piecing toten major operations that gether the tragic dramatically diminished the sequence of quality of Christine's life, events, grappling ended her promising nurswith incompreing career, left her marhensible medical riage in all but ruins and jargon, to underfinally, deprived her seven untimely death at 40, the result of medical negligence.

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Free parking Please phone for directions

year

old

stand the tragedy that had befallen his family and to issue a warning, to

daughter

Rebecca of her mother. She did not have to die li ke that. Following a tip off from one of Christine's nursing colleagues that one of her filed smear test results seemed abnormal, Chris and Don

began to investigate and to build a negligence case. Christine did not li ve to see the outcome, but she died aware of misreported tests, of misdiagnosis, of medical procrastination and surgical bungling.

protect

other

women from hay-

ing to face what

went Christine through. The Woman Who Wouldn't Die is available in good bookshops or from UCT publications, tel. 01793 855575. Don Lucey can be contacted on 851407, mail: donlucey1180@aol.com

Roves Farm - better than ever Just over a year ago Rupert and Joanna Burr were preparing for a big comeback at Roves Farm visitor centre, near Highworth. and start to After a couple suckle a lamb of years fighting and overturning

unreasonable

Sevenhampton, Nr Highworth, Swindon Tel: 01793 763939 www.rovesfarm.co.uk

Open Wednesday to Sunday and daily during school holidays 10.30am - 5.00pm • The world's largest living willow maze • Meet and feed the animals • Tractor and trailer rides all season • Huge big bale straw stack & bouncy castle • Adventure play area and giant sandpit • Indoor heated toddlers soft play area • Animal racing • Crafty half hour • Toddler story time during term time • Granary tea rooms Barn dances & wedding receptions Children's birthday parties

planning rules imposed by Swindon Council on projects designed to boost numbers and income, they were then hit by foot and mouth restrictions which meant they could not open until

August last year.

and to let the children burn off energy in the

huge straw bale stack, or the bouncy castle. There are in-

door craft activiti es to take part in, help Joanna card and spin wool, or take a tractor ride and get closer to the

land.

By then they Rupert is alwere £30,000 in ways very keen debt and the Rupe rt with visitor Camille Prestwhich to talk about the Burrs were thinksorry state of ing of pulling out of farming alto- British agriculture, or the time it gether. But they've battled through takes for a pig to grow to its full size and Roves Farm has reopened before it should go to market, the with lots of attractions, including gestation period of a pregnant hundreds of lambs to be born over sheep. or the benefits of sustainthe next few weeks. able and locally grown energy The great thing about visiting sources. There's one thing for sure at Roves Farm is that it's not a theme park. Expect to get your boots Roves Farm, there's something for muddy, to watch a ewe give birth everybody.

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Swindon

Welcome to the ninth Swindon Festival of Literature!

v R

1-13 May2002

` Coming to town this year is a terrific line up of authors: prize-winning novelists, poets, politicians, storytellers, scientists, comics, columnists, entertainers, performers, and mischief-makers too. We even have the story of chimney sweeps. Between the 1st and 13th May, the Festival is so full that we have put a number of key events, specifically for schools, for children and teachers, into a series of pre and post-Festival projects. For example, on Wednesday 17th April, veteran children's author Allan Ahlberg will come to town to give a talk on good reading and writing. Also in April, there will be two workshops for teachers, at Lower Shaw Farm, on the use of storytelling in the classroom and language development through writing skills. And throughout March, April, May, and June, authors will be visiting schools and children will be going on storywalks.

But on the I st May the action kicks off only one way: literary frolics and fun, with the rising sun, at dawn on that high ridge overlooking the town in Lawn Woods on May Day morning. Followed by twelve days of literary treats for every age and taste, in one long celebration of things well written and things well said. Each day there will be three or more events, at midday, teatime, and in the evening, carefully spaced and placed, to enable you to attend almost every event, should you have the stamina! For the full at-a-glance Festival diary, turn the page. And then mark your own diary, so that during the first thirteen days of May you join us, for heaps of happy exploration, cartloads of cool communication, dollops of dangerous discussion, loads of laudable lectures, teasing talks and storywalks, comic guff and serious stuff, all of which will help us celebrate life and love literature, together! Read on, come along, and surprise yourself, in Swindon!

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Wednesday Dawn Chorus - morning minstrels, sunrise surprises, and you! Lawn Woods, High Street, Old Town, Swindon 5.30am! Tel:01793 771080 Poems That Could Save Your Life - useful verse! Swindon Museum & Art Gallery, Bath Road 1 pm £3 (£2) Tel: 01793 466556 6pm £5 (£4) Terry Pratchett - in conversation! Main Hall, University Campus, Marlowe Ave Tel: 01793 614837 Thursday Sunbathing In The Rain - cheerful about depression! Swindon Museum & Art Gallery, Bath Road 1 pm £3 (£2) Tel: 01793 466556 Clive Brain Memorial Lecture given by Professor Steve Jones Main Hall, Swindon College 6pm No charge Tel: 01793 498300 ^_^— ----- —_ ------— -------7.30pm £5 Branching Out - nature-inspired writing! Town Council Chambers, Highworth Tel: 01793 762377 Matthew Collings - on art, then and now! Swindon Museum and Art Gallery, Bath Road 8pm £5 (£4) Tel 01793 466556 Friday ---Howard Jacobson - in conversation! Swindon Museum & Art Gallery, Bath Road 1 pm £4 (£3) Tel: 01 793 466556 International Evening - with Will Hutton, Jessica D'Este, Inez Aponte... Town Hall, Regent Circus 7.30p m £5 (£4) Tel: 01793 463210 Thomas Hardy: Village Atheist or Distracted Preacher? Swindon Museum & Art Gallery, Bath Roa d 7.30pm £3 (£2) Tel: 01793 466556 Saturday Children's Day - rve authors, lively workshops, bear necessities! STEAM Museum, Kemble Drive 10am 5pm Tel: 01793 466625/6 Chimney Sweeping - through the centuries! STEAM Museum, Kemble Drive Tel: 01793 466625/6 4pm £4 (£3) Poems and Pints - rhyme, rhythm, and refreshment! Town Hall, Regent Circus Tel: 01793 463210 8pm £5 (£ 4) Sunday , ----— — --Literary Lunch - with Chris Woodhead: Class Wars! De Vere Hotel, Shaw Ridge 12.30pm £25 Tel: 01 793 6 14837 Campfire Storytelling - stories, round the fire, under the stars! Lower Shaw Farm, Swindon 7pm £3 (£2) Tel: 01793 771080 Bank Holiday Mond Storywalk in Ravensroost W^^ds - in glades, among bluebells! Ravensroost Woods, Minety 2pm - 4pm £3 (£2) Tel: 01793 771080 Pulsar Live Mic Poetry - read your own, friendly and together! Riffs Bar, Greatfield, Near Purton 8pm Free! Tel: 01793 875941 or 778304

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Margaret Thor

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Tuesday 1 pm £4 (£3) Primo Levi - a life. Swindon Museum & Art Gallery, Bath Ro ad Tel: 01793 466556 7,30pm £ 10 (£9) 01793 524481 Theatre,Theatre Tel: Square Mo Mowlam - with Momentum! Wyvern Wednesday 1 pm £4 (£3) Magnus Mills - working writer! Swindon Museum & Art Gallery, Bath Road Tel: 01 793 466556 7pm £7 (96) john Humphrys - interviewed! Arts Centre, Devizes Road Tel: 01793 614837 Thurs Linda Grant- and the Orange Prize! Swindon Museum & Art Gallery, Bath Road Tel: 01793 466556 1 pm £4 (£3) 7pm £4 (L3) Steam Locomot ves - an illustrated talk! STEAM Museum, Kemble Drive Tel: 01793 466655 Tel: 01793 466520 6pm F re e! wood engravings. Arts Centre, Devizes Road Aesop's Fables - a talk about 8pm £7 (E6) Will Self - in conversation! Arts Centre, Devizes Road Tel: 01793 614837 Friday David Lodge - on good reading and writing. Swindon Museum & Art Gallery, Bath Road 1 pm £4 (£3) Tel: 0179 3 466556 Postcolonialism - cultural identity. Swindo n Museum & Art Gall ery, Bath Road Tel: 01793 466556. 7.30pm £3 (£2) Japanese Film - and a lecture, by Keiichi Ogata. cre8 Studios,Town Hall Tel: 01 793 463210 66.30pm £4.50 (£3) 8pm £8.50 (£7.50) jenny Eclair & Arthur S mith - for a laugh! Arts Centre, Devizes Road Tel: 01793 614837 Saturday Writing Workshop - two days, doing it, together! Lower Shaw Farm,West Swindon 1 1 - 12 May £45 Tel: 01793 771080 Steam Lines - a trip down the sidings of railway verse. STEAM Museum, Kemble Drive All day! Tel: 01793 466625/6 Local Authors and Local History Day! STEAM Museum and NMRC, Kemble Drive All day. Free! Tel: 01793_414797 Sarah Miles - actor and writer, in conversation. Swindon Museum & Art Gallery, Bath Road 1 pm 1:4 (£3) Tel: 01793 46655 6 Swindon Poetry Slam! - performances, points, pints, prizes! Town Hall, Regent Circus 8pm 1:5 (£4) Tel: 01 793 463210

Sunder Getting Into

Pt - journalism: tips and information! Lower Shaw Farm,West Swindon

8pm £5 (£4)

Tel: 01793 771080

Mond

Lauren Roc h- an extraordinary life. Swindon Museum & Art Gallery, Bath Road Tel: 01793 466556 1 pm £4 (£3) - - ---- ---- -- _ wets questions. --Mar g aret Thatcher - speaks, and answers 7.30pm £ 12.50 (L 1 1.50) Wyvern Theatre,Theatre Square Tel .: 01793 52448 1

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MARGARET THATCHER — on the present, the future, and the new millennium. Wyvern Theatre,Theatre Square • Tel: 01793 524481 • 7.3Opm • £ 12.50 (l 1.50) Unique figure in world politics, respected former Prime Minister and popular people's champion, Margaret Thatcher is famously clear about what she thinks.This year. the twentieth anniversary of the Falklands War, sees the publication of her latest book, Statecraft. In its pages, she brings her unrivalled political

experience to bear on the challenges of the new millennium.

Tuesday '7 May MO MOWLAM — in conversation, with James Harrison, and with you! Wyvern Theatre,Theatre Square • Tel: 01793 524481 • 7.30pm • £10 (£9) I.'

People's favourite, former MR, university lecturer, member of the Shadow Cabinet, and Northern Ireland Secretary. Mo Mowlam has a story to tell. One of the most respected and best-loved figures in British politics, she resigned as Cabinet Office Minister before the government's second landslide victory in 2001. In her new book, Momentum, she tells the story, in her own words, of her time in government, and what went on as she underwent treatment for a brain tumour. She tells the inside story of her times in Ireland and, with the candour, warmth, and humour that are her trademarks, why she decided to leave Westminster politics.

Saturday I I May SARAH MILES — in conversation, with Ma tt Holland, and with you! Swindon Museum and Art Gallery, Bath Road • Tel: 01793 466556 • 1 pm • £4 (£3) Sarah Miles, twice married to the writer Robert Bolt, is a stage-trained actor who, during the past thirty years, has featured in a succession of memorable films, including Blow Up (1966), Ryan's Daughter (1970) for which she was nominated for an Oscar, and Hope and Glory (1987). She has also performed a successful onewoman show, due to tour again later this year. Since 1990, she has concentrated more on her writing career, and has produced three volumes of her memoirs and a novel, Beautiful Mourning, which she has also adapted into a screenplay.

C.^nday S May CHRIS WOODHEAD and a LITERARY LUNCH — good food, good company, and good talk! Wilton Three, DeVere Hotel, Shaw Ridge • Includes full 3 course sit down lunch!

•

Tel:01793 614837 • 12.3Opm • £25

Chris Woodhead attended a state primary school, grammar schools, and the University of Bristol, before working as an idealistic and progressive teacher in the early 'seventies. After eight years as an LEA officer, he became Chief Inspector of Schools under both John Major and Tony Blair's administrations. In this unenviable role, he was both loved and not loved. Now, free to speak his mind, he has written a book on the state of -itish education. In Class Wars he challenges bureaucratic waste, political correctness, ideological nonsense, low ^ctations, progressive methods, and incompetence. He stands up for parents, calls for choice, and o ffers a radical assessment of what can be done to put things right. Hear him, question him, buy his book!

Wednesday 8 May J OHN HUMPHRYS — interviewed, by Sue Pycroft, and you! Arts Centre, Devizes Road • Tel: 01793 614837 • 7pm • £7 (£6) Voice of Radio 4's Today programme and one of Britain's most respected broadcasters on radio and television, John Humphrys is also an author of note. His two books are Devil's Advocate and The Great Food Gamble. He is able to talk knowledgeably about many things but is particularly passionate about the state of food we eat and how it is grown. Here is a chance to hear his views, to get answers from someone

who is more accustomed to putting the questions, and to meet the man who has been described as a national treasure.

Swindon Wide What's On it April Venues The Arts Centre Devizes Road. Tel: 614837 The National Monuments Record Centre Kemble Drive. Tel: 414600 STEAM - Museum of the Great Western Railway

Kemble Drive. Tel: 466655 Swindon Museum & Art Gallery, Bath Road. Tel: 466556 Town Hall Studios Regent Circus. Tel: 463210 The Wyvern Theatre Theatre Square. Tel: 524481 Confirm date, time and price with the venue

Music Tuesday 2nd, 7.30pm Mary Duff. Few artists in popular music possess the vocal capabilities which enable them to select repertoire as richly diverse as Mary Duff, the star from County Meath in Ireland. £14.50. Wyvern Thursday 4th, 7.30pm Chas n Dave `2 For The Road'. The first half of the show is Chas `n' Dave unplugged, playing guitars and banjos, while in the second half they perform all the hits their audiences have come to expect. £11. Wyvern

Friday 12th & Saturday 13th, 7.30pm Variety Night presented by Micro Musicals. Includes songs from the shows and sketches, from a variety of local performers. All profits to the Arts Centre. £6. Arts Centre Monday 15th, 7.30pm An Evening with Foster & Allen. Cabaret act with a touch of blarney from the Emerald Isle. £15. Wyvern Wednesday 17th, 8pm Fairport Supporters Tour. Three of Fairport Convention's winter tour support artists combine to take a short tour themselves. Bob Fox, Anna Ryder and Steve Tilston each perform before coming together for a set of unrecorded music. £8. Arts Centre Thursday 18th, 8pm The Bushburys. From Cajun to country, from Celtic to English folk the Bushburys are welcomed back to the Arts Centre. £8. Arts Centre Friday 19th, 8pm Kathryn Tickell Band. Lively fiddle music and haunting pipe tunes strongly influenced by the traditions of Kathryn Tickell's native Northumberland. £13.50. Arts Centre

Saturday 6th, 8pm The Great Rock 'n' Roll Brit Pack Show. Red Alert play a tribute to some of Great Britain's most successful rock 'n' rollers - Shakin' Stevens, Cliff Richard. Billy Fury, Alvin Stardust. £10. Wyvern Sunday 7th, 8pm Adam Watkiss in Concert. Winner of the Granada TV show' This is My Moment. £14.50 Wyvern Wednesday 10th, 7.30pm Fascinating Rhythms. A celebration of classic jazz and Broadway standards. starring West End and BBC Radio 2 singers, Jacqueline Barron & Michael Dore with the world renowned Geoff Eales Trio. £11.50. Wyvern Thursday 11th, 7.30pm Lindisfarne. The lads are back with their unique sound and hits like Lady Eleanor and Fog on the Tyne. £14. Wyvern Friday 12th, 7.30pm Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra featuring works by Brahms, Beethoven, Weber and Mozart. £ 13.50 -E18.50. Wyvern

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For a card application form please call 01793 878785 ., De Vere Swindon Show Ridge Leisure Park Whitehill Way, Swindon SN5 7DW Tel: 01793 878785 Fax: 01793 877822 www.deveres,windori.co.uk

Friday 5th, 8pm Tim Rose, composer of the Hendrix classic Hey Joe. One of the behind the scenes musicians that made rock great. £8 Arts Centre Friday 5th, 7.30pm Sing-a-long-a Abba. The event Abba fans have been waiting for ... live with subtitles so everyone can join in. £14. Wyvern

/'C, Friday 19th & Saturday 20th, 7.30pm Kentwood in Concert, presented by Kentwood Choir. £8. Wyvern Saturday 20th, 7.30pm Swindon Recital Series. Caroline Dale, cello and Paul Turner, piano perform a programme which includes pieces by Bach, Chopin and Shostakovich. £8. Arts Centre Sunday 21st, 7.30pm The Ultimate Sixties Show. The fabulous Imposters interpret the great stars of the sixties. £12. Wyvern Wednesday 24th, 8pm Dominic Kirwan in Concert. An evening with romantic ballads, country songs, rock 'n' roll, Irish and Scottish songs to please an audience of all ages and most musical tastes. £14. Wyvern Saturday 28th, 8pm Swindon Jazz Festival event Terry Lightfoot and his Jazzmen with their tribute to 'The Special Magic of Louis Armstrong. °. £10. Arts Centre

G^DlSS2S (N kt&

CjawkLe 6AVU These classes are aimed at the complete beginner who has always wanted to draw or paint but has never had the time to get started. They are also suitable for anyone who enjoys drawing and painting and wants to improve their technique. With positive encouragement and experimenting with different techniques you can achieve your own unique style at your own pace. No experience is necessary as support is given to unlock your artistic talent in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere. Learn how to paint portraits or improve your own style of art such as horses, wildlife, land/seascape or nudes, in the medium of your choice: pastels, pencil or paint. Classes start after Easter at Peatmoor Community Primary School, opposite The Chinese Experience, on Mondays 10am to 12noon & Tuesdays 12noon to 2pm £5 per lesson, paid in advance for ten weeks. Places are restricted so call Jackie to reserve a place on 01793 876380.

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Monday 23rd March to Sunday 7th April Easter Egg Cup Hunt. Win an Easter Egg by finding all the different egg cups hidden around Lydiard House. £1.25 includes admission Monday 25th March to Sunday 7th April STEAM Easter egg hunt. Search out the eggs hidden around the displays and win a prize. £1/child, plus normal admission charge. STEAM Sunday 31st March & Monday 1st April, 11am - 4pm Easter Bunny Specials. Steam hauled trains run every 20 to 30 minutes. Swindon & Cricklade Railway. For details call 771615 Wednesday 3rd, 2pm - 4pm Big Box Dinosaurs. Model your own monster dinosaurs out of junk and boxes. Suit 5-11 year olds £2. Swindon Museum & Art Gallery Wednesday 3rd, 9.30am - 1 pm Junior Pond Dip. A splashing time in pursuit of underwater monsters living in the Lydiard Brook. Meet at Lydiard Visitor Centre. Book in

Tuesday 16th, 8pm Susannah York (above) in The Loves of Shakespeare's Women. An entertaining, touching and personal journey that strings together speeches and sonnets from some of Shakespeare's most famous and infamous women. £10. Arts Centre Wednesday 24th to Saturday 27th, advance on 771419 7.30pm Saturdays 6th & 20th Meet the Railway Workers. Join The Rivals presented by the Phoenix former engine drivers, firemen and Players. A classic comedy full of wit railway workers to find out about life and humour. £4.50. Arts Centre. For 'i nside' the Swindon Works. Normal tickets call 525616. 3pm - 8pm admission charges. STEAM

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Sheridan Morely in A Talent to Amuse, with Michael Law at the piano. Revel in an evening of nostalgia and sophistication. £12. Arts Centre

Saturday 6th, 11am Bill's New Frock. A hilarious retelling of the Smarties Award winning book by Anne Fine, particularly suitable for 5 to 11 year olds. £5. Arts Centre Saturday 6th, 3.30pm The Butterfly Lion. Both African and European theatre traditions combine to bring Michael Morpungo's book bursting into life. Particularly suitable for 8 to 14 year olds. £5. Arts Centre Continuous Hands on Hats Pose in front of the mirror in a choice of beautifully made period hats for children. Formal, grand, floppy or prim, see which hat you fit in! Normal admission charges. Lydiard House

Y Wednesday 17th, 8pm Spirit of the Dance. Powerful, show stopping Irish dance combines with the passionate Latino rhythms of tango, flamenco and red-hot salsa to produce a heart pounding entertainment spectacular. £17. Wyvern Friday 26th, 7.30pm & Saturday 27th, 2.30pm & 7.30pm English National Ballet accompanied by a 23 piece chamber orchestra with a thrilling programme of short ballets and excerpts from full length works. £18 - £1 1. Wyvern Celtic Academy of Irish Dancing

Dance at the Thistle Hotel, Fleming Way Saturday 20 April Music by Irish recording star, Sean Wilson plus support, Riky

Denham. Display of Irish dancing and a late bar to lam. Tickets E8 from 642368. Proceeds to a two day Irish dancing competition in Swindon in February 2003.

On in April

Exhibitions

W L LS

The American Museum, Claverton Manor, Bath The North American Indian - as varied as the land The differing landscapes and climates of the North American continent greatly influence the native peoples' cultural traditions and beliefs, often determining the work they produce. For opening times and admission price call 01225460503 Orangery, Bowood House The Life of the 5th Marquess of Lansdowne (1845 - 1927) A wonderful collection of photographs. letters scrapbooks and other memorabilia. For opening times and admission price call 01249 812102 STEAM to Sunday 14th Swindon Works: past and present Historic photographs from the museum collection, comparing them with views taken in more recent years. Free admission to exhibition The Gallery, NMRC to 7 April Henry Woodyer: Gentleman Architect Photographs to illustrate the work of the little known architect, Henry Woodyer (1816 - 1896) The Gallery, NMRC from 13 April Portrait Images of people from the work of English Heritage photographers. Swindon Museum & Art Gallery Tales from the Gallery This exhibition explores the possible stories, myths and legends which are hidden behind the paintings in the Swindon Collection. Free admission. Swindon Museum & Art Gallery from 20 April Royal Swindon An exhibition to tell the story of Royal visits to Swindon over the years to celebrate the Golden Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II. Free admission. Wyvern, Lower Foyer to 13 April Recent Paintings, Drawings & Etchings: Thomas Michael Harrison Still life, portraits and figures in a stunning collection of subtle images using a limited palette to capture light and form in an abstract way. Arts Centre to 25 April Mysterious & Surreal: Brian Exton Using his computer as his pallet Brian Exton creates bold, colourful digitally manipulated images where imaginary worlds come alive. Wyvern, Harlequin Bar 3 to 28 April Prints Pastels and Paper Beryl Marks and Anna Kelly Print maker Anna Kelly depicts garden flowers while Beryl Marks creates collages and pastel drawings of abstracted natural subjects, including land and seascapes

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www.theandrewspartnership.co.uk The North American Indian exhibition at the American Museum focuses on the cultural diversity and varied lands of Native Americans

Tours & talks Saturday 20th, 2.15pm Tour of the National Monument Record Centre. An introduction to the work of the NMRC. Free

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Wednesday 3rd to Friday 5th, 10am - 4pm Watercolour on the Loose. Three days of lively water-colour painting. Suit beginners and experienced painters. £35. Arts Centre Saturday 13th, 10am - 4pm Drawing from the Model. Practice life drawing skills in a small supportive group, without a tutor. Bring materials and drawing board. £10. Arts Centre Saturday 27th, 10am - 4pm Papermaking. Learn the skills of making textured paper, add grasses or petals to paper pulp for beautiful results. Suit adults of all abilities, materials provided. £12. Arts Centre

Swindon Scratch Choir Like singing? Come and join us on a Monday night, once a fortnight during term time at Lower Shaw Farm, West Swindon. No auditions or choir experience necessary. Just be willing to sing anything from pop to African chants. It's friendly, its uplifting and it's fun. For information call Linda Lee on 875184 (eves)

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Friday 26th, 7.30pm Mummies and Mummification by Dr John Taylor. Organised by the Friends of Swindon Museum & Art Gallery. £4 (£3 members). Swindon Museum & Art Gallery Saturday 27th, 2pm Queens Park - a guided walk. A tour of Swindon's recently Grade II li sted parkwhich was opened in 1950 by the then Princess Elizabeth as a garden of remembrance. Free, but book a place on 466556

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Wednesday 3rd, 7.45pm Nurse Betty (18) A widowed Kansas waitress dreams of becoming a nurse in this superbly acted comedy starring Renee Zellweger. Contains violence and harsh language. Arts Centre. Presented by Swindon Film Society Saturday 6th, 7.45pm Gabriel and Me (15) lain Glen and Billy Connolly star in writer, Lee Hall's follow up to Billy Elliot. Eleven year old Jimmy Spud decides to apply for ajob as an angel, despite opposition from his unemployed, ex-shipwelderfather.... £3.50.Arts Centre Tuesday 30th, 7.45pm Mulholland Drive (15) A beautiful woman suffers amnesia survivng acarcrash in David Lynch's erotic unsettling journey through the subconscious. Intense and haunting, with all the seductive power of a dream. £3.50. Arts Centre Swindon Film Society (SFS) All films are shown at the Arts Centre; tickets are not sold in advance; Film Society leaflets are available at the Arts Centre: you can join the society when purchasing tickets

Auditions for the Wyvern Theatre Summer Youth

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Embroiderers' Guild Embroiderers' Guild, Swindon & North Wilts branch, holds monthly meetings at Churchfields School, Salcombe Grove. On Monday 8 April, 7.30pm, Dot Rea will talk about her trip to India. Non members are welcome, admission £3. An exhibition 'The Unmasked Stitch' will be held at Wroughton Library from 2 to 26 April. For more details call Lynette Hemming on 537481.

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Comedy Thursday 4th, 8pm Brian Appleton in Lets Look at Sound. Dumped upon by the music business and about to be dumped on by his girlfriend, Brian, performed by Graham Fellows, seeks revenge by harnessing the might of digital audio technology and delivers a unique lecture in the process. £10. Arts Centre

WI meeting This year's project will run from 25 July to 10 August with an admin day on Saturday 20 July. Prospective members must be available for all these dates. Auditions for this full scale musical under expert professional supervision will be held at the Wyvern on Monday 6 May. A fee of £70 (235 for Gold Card) will be charged and in li ne with the extensive costume requirements participants may be required to supply certain items. There also will be a limited number of positions covering all aspects of backstage work including sound, li ghting and stage. Technical auditions will take place separately Application forms, which must be returned no later than Friday 26 April, are available from the Wyvern. For further information call 535534.

Tootleabrook WI meet monthly at Toothill Community Centre. On Wednesday 17 April, 7.30pm Gina Dennis will ask 'Should I be worried about my memory?'. All welcome, for details call Jean Brock on 539456.

Tea Dances Wootton Bassett Memorial Hall Alternate Thursdays (11 & 25 April) 2pm -4pm £2. includes refreshments

Wroughton Folk Dance Club meets on Wednesdays in Wroughton Infants School, 7.45pm to 10pm. Dancing is a good way of keeping fit and enjoying yourself at the same ti me. So if you are bored with the telly and fancy something different come along and join our happy band. Newcomers are always welcome. For details, call Julia on 812282.

Swindon Wide Lower Shaw Farm, Old Shaw Lane, West Swindon Children's Morning, Wednesday 10 April, 10am -12.30pm Activities on the farm for young children and their parents and carers. Follow the nature trail, feed the hens and collect the eggs, seasonal arts & crafts. A mid-morning snack is provided, you are welcome to bring a picnic lunch. Call 771080 to book. £5/family

Compost Awareness Day Sunday 28 April, 11am - 3pm Come and see compost making in progress and discover how you can improve your garden by recycling organic waste which would otherwise go into landfill. Find out how to build your own compost bin, compare commercial models and ask experts how to get

started, or how to solve your com- ^e ;~ i } ` posting problems. Tours of the farm and organic lunches and snacks available. Admission for the day, organised by Swindon Borough Council, the Wiltshire Wildlife Trust and Lower Shaw Farm, is free. Left. improve yourplants with kitchen and garden waste. From left. Maggie McDonald. Green Gardening Officer from the Wiltshire Wildlife Trust, Andrea Hirsch, Lower Shaw Farm, Amelia Craighill. Swindon Council Recycling Officer

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32 The Link Magazine • April 2002

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Skiiers set their sights on Olympic medals Hot in the tracks of Britain's Olympic bronze medallist Alain Baxter are two young skiiers based in West Swindon. Michelle, 16, and Daniel, 14, coping with school and college A keen athlete himself, the Palmer have been whizzing down work, training, competing on dry Mayor said he was pleased that hillsides since they were three. For and indoor snow slopes in this Michelle and Daniel were taking Swindon's name into new sportthe last few years they have been country and on snow in Europe. Both Michelle and Daniel said ing arenas. "Many people now becompeting for Britain at childrens and junior level and are ranked at they had set their eyes on repre- lieve Britain can do well in the the top of their respective age senting Britain at a future Olym- Olympics. I would encourage pics. With their mother Sandra, Michelle and Daniel to keep workgroups. At a first meeting in the Mayor's they spoke of the rising costs of ing hard. They have determinaParlour arranged by The Link, the competing at the highest level and tion to do well and I wish them youngsters told Mayor David Cox the difficulties of attracting spon- good luck in their future competiand Mayoress Jenni Dean of their sorship or support in kind. tions." He added that he would be makefforts to achieve top status whilst Michelle appealed for support from Swindon Council. "There is a ing enquiries in the council about student concession price at the Link providing support to athletes strivgym but I don't get back from col- ing for national representation. Parents Geoff and Sandra lege until 5pm when it runs out. Most of the other skiiers we meet Palmer would like to hear from on the competition circuit get some anybody who could provide backFor elegant, natural looking nail kind of help from their local coun- ing for their children. Call them on extensions using UVgel overlay cil." 874095.

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Judo star drops into Salt Way On the day that a report was published about declining levels of physical activity and the worrying level of obesity amongst the nation's young, at the end of February, Olympic silver medallist judo player Kate Howey was encouraging youngsters at Salt Way School who took part in a SuperSchools morning. Every child took part in 15 minutes of sponsored vigorous physical exercise to raise money for sports equipment at their school and also to support the super stars of the future. An added bonus was the chance to ask Kate questions in an assembly. She described how she was beaten in the Olympic final by a Cuban judo player with the build of Frank Bruno and how she had to train against men because other women are not strong enough to test her. She told the youngsters that with bronze and silver Olympic medals in her collection, her sights are set on gold for 2004. Children who attend local judo clubs were invited tobring their kit and Kate gave them a quick run through her favourite moves. Haidee Clarke gets the lift of her life from Kate, with other Salt Way judo kids, from left, Emma r! and Rebecca Costello, An Bathwick, Chris Hill, Nick Martin, Hannah Webb

The Link Magazine • April 2002

Netballers storm to the national finals A netball team from Greendown School represented Swindon, Wiltshire and the South West at the Daily Telegraph national finals on 16 March. The year9underl4snetballteam modation through its parent cornThe team had good support in were one of two teams from the pany, Global Self Drive from the crowd with many families South West who travelled to the Cheney Manor offered cut rate cheering them on. Most of the team Manchester Velodrome for the transport and Swindon employ- have played together since year 7 competition. ment agency Storm Recruitment and several were in Mrs Nayar's In the weeks before, the team helped pay for the hotel and spon- squad at Windmill Hill primary organised raffles, shook collection sored new kit for the big occasion. which regularly won the West tins and dipped into their piggy "There'sbeenagreatatmosphere Swindon schools' league and anbanks to help cover the costs. Lo- around the school," said PE teacher nual tournament. cal business helped out as well. Gail Ti pper. "The girls trained hard • Ex-Greendown student Kelly The school's catering company or- and everybody is really behind Hillier-Bowden has been selected ganised discounted hotel accom- them." for the Great Britain Colleges Gail Tipper with her year 9 team, from left, Laura Spink, Kaylie Hill, Charlotte hockey team to play a tournament Wheatley, Laura Worley, Sam Dell, Chrissy Munro, Emily Dickens, Emma in Holland between 5 and 8 April.

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Getting fit in Taw Hill A brand new funky fitness class for absolute beginners starts at the Taw Hill Worship Centre off Queen Elizabeth Drive on Tuesday 9 April, 6.30pm. Launched in association with the Taw Hill medical practice, the sessions will blend dance and fitness to music and are aimed at women and men over sixteen years and costs £4.

Link advertiser backs promising ice hockey player Prime Bodies Fitness Centre at Hillmead is providing free membership to Shane Moore from Middleleaze, who, in the March Link, described a trip to Canada with the England under 16 team at the end of last year. "It's fantastic to get help from Prime Bodies," said Bradon Forest student Shane. "I've been coming once a week, but this sponsorship will allow me to work out at least two or three times." Prime Bodies manager Crispin Whopple said the fitness centre liked to help people who are heading for the top of their sport. "Shane plays in defence and we've prepared a fitness programme so that he can build up his strength and develop his speed." Prime Bodies becomes the first and only 24 hour fitness centre in Swindon, '` j ` offering an excellent venue for shift staff to /. V 1. wind down on their way home and work out at times convenient to them. For details, call 881800. Getting down to fitness, Shane Moore and Crispin Whopple

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34 The Link Magazine â€˘ April 200 2

Moonwalkers mourn death of a good friend Well over 200 women and a few men have applied to do the London Moonwalk in aid of Breakthrough Breast Cancer and the Bristol Cancer Help Centre in May under the banner of Swindon Twin Peaks, but they will be doing the overnight marathon in memory of one of their stalwart supporters Dinos Papadakis, who was killed in an accident at junction 15 on the M4 on 6 March. Ironically Dinos and his girl- don so that he would not have to his wacky antics, he was thought- chairwoman Shirley Garman said friend Nikki, who got together af- commute. ful and very good at resolving disa- Dinos had become involved after a ter last year's Moonwalk, had only Twin Peaks coordinator Eunice greements in meetings. His posi- work colleague had suffered from just decided to move closer to Lon- Salmon said that team members tive outlook will be greatly missed; breast cancer. "Dinos became anwere devastated to hear of the trag- well be walking for him in May as other son to me in the three years edy. "Dinos was such a nice guy; well as the victims of breast can- we knew each other. There was nothing we could not ask him to he always had a smile on his face cer." Swindon Breakthrough branch do. Apart from walking through and bags of enthusiasm. But for all Dinos with Twin Peak members getting ready for the Moonwalk 2000, fiâ€˘oni London wearing a bra, he would left, Tracey Watt, Eunice Salmon, Traces/ Lcwc^is, Alison Pewsey, Sarah Bailey shake a tin for us wearing a superman outfit. It's so awful that he has been taken from us; we're very sad for Nikki." Entries for the Moonwalk are now closed and the Twin Peaks walkers are training and raising mLasyea theyraised50000and are keen to top the figure for the th ir d e a donaton i to a walker, including the Mayor of Swindon, call Eunice Salmon on 871606.

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The Link Magazine • April 2002

3,000 women wanted for Race for Life at Lydiard

PLUMB IT WATER SERVICES

A year after being diagnosed with breast cancer, Deirdre O'Connell from Toothill is looking forward to taking part in the 5 kilometre Race for Life at Lydiard Park on 9 June and wants to encourage 3,000 other women and girls to join her there. In the December Link Deirdre and giving hope to sufferers and To sign up for the Cancer Rewrote of her feelings when she first those who will be diagnosed in the search UK Race for Life on Sunday found a lump in her breast, the future. 9 June at Lydiard Park, call the Shaun Wiltshire wait for a specialist appointment "It would be great to see many registration hotline on 08705 134 City & Guilds Qualified Plumber and how her world collapsed when more women taking part at 314 or go to www.raceforlife.co.uk. Emergency repairs, installation she was finally diagnosed with Lydiard Park in June and a much The entry fee to cover organisa& connection of appliances. cancer on 20 March 2001. Months higher amount raised." tional costs is £7.50; girls under 18 bathrooms fitted, blocked toilets. of chemotherapy in Swindon and Deirdre will also be carrying the £4.50. Participants are asked to dripping over fl ows, etc. radiotherapy in Oxford followed, baton in the Queen's Jubilee Com- promise to raise £50. during which Deirdre took part in monwealth Games relay in early Left: Deidre, loo'<ing fit and well, preFully insured last year's Race for Life when she June after her Asda colleagues paring for the Race for Life and the For a free, no obligation quote. and her sister raised over £1,000. nominated her. Jubilee jog at the Link Centre Active telephone 01793 771070 Twelve months on, Deirdre Lifestyle Centre says the support of her partner Keith, children Gemma and Tony, other family mema }Ll bers and colleagues at Asda West Swindon were important in her battle to be positive and get healthy again. "You have to believe you can beat the disease and the enYour local Architectural Design and Planning Services couragement I got from peoCall: CITIES PROJECTS Swindon 877886 ple around me helped immensely. "Being amongst the 2,300 women who took part last year was also a very positive experience. Running or walking to raise money for research into women's cancers isa way of Hel ping each other More commuters are

buying scooters as an alternative means of transport

No retirement planned for black belt A martial arts player from West Swindon says age should be no barrier to staying fit, even in more demanding sports. David Gadd from Old Shaw "Martial arts has kept me fit and Lane celebrated his sixtieth birth- has given me respect for others: I day on 10 March and does not see would recommend it to anybody," himself giving up martial arts for said David.. "As you get older it's many years to come. important to do regular exercise of He started out with judo where some kind." he achieved 2nd Dan Black Belt West Swindon Ju-Jitsu Club cabefore switching fighting forms in ters for all from age 6. For more 1991 with the West Swindon Ju- information, call Sensei Steve Cole Jitsu Club which meets at Oliver on 872445 or Sensei Baj Bharj on Tomkins School. 320320.

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36 The Link Magazine • April 2002

Reiki Reflexology

Aromatherapy

Indian Head Massage

Health and Happiness Matters `Making Each Day Count' at Link Centre: 27 April The Prospect Hospice has a new venue for its Spring 2002 healthy living event which brings together conventional medicine and complimentary therapies, and now has a new name to match.

Emotional Freedom Technique(EFT) with Lorraine Mills and Ina D'Costa at HEALTH AND HAPPINESS MATTERS

Saturday 27th April, Link Centre Taster sessions • Information and Advice For more information: Tel: 07899 675318 Lorraine Mills MICHT IIHHT, Reiki Master Ina D'Costa Dip A MISPA IIHHT, Reiki Master Tel: 01793 721370

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The Link is the place to be on 27 April. From right, Maria Cullen from Intel who came up with the new name, Helen Hughes from Intel Prospect corporate support group, Michelle Leighton from sponsors Nationwide, Gillian Richardson Health and Happiness Matters, Happiness raffle has been donated sponsored by Nationwide Build- by The Bellhouse DeVere Hotel. ing Society, will be open from 10am "We want to give people a taste to 4pm on Saturday 27 April, and of our philosophy," said Gillian will include information and taster Richardson, Prospect Hospice sessions on many different thera- community fundraiser. "It pies including reflexology, shiatsu, shouldn't just be people with a life li miting illness who 'Make Each massage and acupuncture. As well as complementary thera- Day Count' – we all should. "Come along and support the pies there will be information and advice on conventional medicine event, buy a raffle ticket and perhaps break the mould by trying from health care specialists. Happiness also includes ways something different" of pampering and looking after Entry costs £2.50 (conc £1.50). yourself. In addition to the thera- Proceeds from the event will go pies, there will be stalls with aloe directly to the £1.5 million Prosvera and aromatherapy products, pect needs to raise this year to Swindon's Mad Hatter, Slimming provide care and support to those World representatives, as well as with cancer, motor neurone discrafts, gifts and home made sweets ease and AIDS. For details, call 815142. for sale. www.prospect-hospice.org.uk The first prize in the Health and

Win with Prospect lottery

Superglide. For Kitchens — Bedrooms — Sliding door wardrobes Top quality at affordable prices. For fr ee survey/estimate call 01793 861584 =ole shdl Nr High^^orth Wilts

Another 13 Link readers returned applications to join the lottery run by the Prospect Hospice, making 34 in six weeks, the best ever response from any publication in Swindon. "Link reader support has been fantastic; we're absolutely thrilled and three newcomers have won already," said lottery coordinator Jenny Evans. "Wouldn't it be fantastic if we could achieve 50 new members?"

r------------------

^To the Prospect Lottery. I'm a Link magazine reader and ^ ^ 1 would like to join the lottery. Please sign me up today MriMrs/Miss/Ms....... ......0 t:> 1 , a .................................................. to

Address........................................^, I

...................................................... ...... Post Code ......................................

ITel

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.............. I enclose a cheque for my entry (£10 suggested for 10 weeks) .......... I would prefer to pay -'bystanding order. Please send me details. For details on the Prospect Hospice Lottery call Jenny or Joan on 615870 Return to: Prospect Hospice Lottery Office, 12 Havelock Square, Swindon SN1 1LE

L— — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — J

The Link Maqazine â€˘ April 2002

Young singers become more professional Another excellent CD has been cut by a group of Swindon youngsters working with composer and arranger Margaret Carpenter from Shaw. In late February Margaret's en- The eight hour recording went pline and patience in the studio to semble recorded It Must be Spring, extremely well said Mark Johnson see the project completed. Were ten catchy numbers composed by of publishers Out of the Ark Mu- all thrilled with the result. Nicki Davis, suitable for nursery sic. "The children impressed us The same choir has started to and Key Stage 1 children. with their professionalism, disci- rehearse Margaret's sixth musical which will be released in July. Out of the Ark Music can be

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Blue Peter in Swindon The Blue Peter 2002 Bikeathon has now been launched. The Swindon event, one of seventy across the country, takes place on Sunday 5 May, 11am, at Coate Water country park. To register, send a stamped addressed envelope with your name, age, address and the bikeathon you would like to take part in, to: Blue Peter Bikeathon, PO Box 1234, London WC1R 4XA or go online to www.bbc.co.uk/ cbbc

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Competitive rates of pay + benefits + flexible hours â€˘ Abbey Meads There's a new Pizza Hut opening in Abbey Meads. To make the launch a success we need fresh talent to join us in all areas of the restaurant. G^?

Make no mistake. plenty of career opportunities will open up for those who

want them. We can also offer flexible shifts for people looking for work that will fit in with their lifestyle. Either way, with training that's proved it can harness potential and develop talent, and an atmosphere that's fun friendly, fast-moving and sometimes frenetic, you can be sure of rewards and good times aplenty. To join us as a MANAGER or TEAM MEMBER. call Pete Wainwright on 07789 888 938. Experience and qualifications aren't as important as having the kind of attitude and personality that will make customers feel at home.

c^ l

38 The Link Magazine • April 2002

Local nursery celebrates three decades amidst landscape changes Last month Alan Bushell met Doug and Caryl Clifford at Haydon End Farm, who continue to farm in the middle of Swindon's northern development. Here he talks to Alan and Valerie Trotman from Grange Farm Garden Centre who are celebrating 30 years in the business. In those days, all the local farms They have conEaster is going to be busy at gardening accessotinued to evolve, concentrated on producing milk; Grange Farm Garden Centre and ries makes a visit Nursery and with many years ex- well rewarded. selling an ever there were nine dairy herds in the perience in horticulture, Alan and Although the wider range of area. Unlike Haydon Farm and items to comple- several others which sent milk to Valerie Trotman, right, are Trotmans estabment the plants. London by train, the Trotmans sold pleased to share their wealth of lished one of the knowledge with their customers. first garden centres Valerie recog- most of theirs to a dairy in Edinnises that over burgh Street, Gorse Hill. They Unlike most garden centres, in Swindon, their more recent years switched to beef in 1955 and the Grange Farm grows many of the experience goes people have more family continued to farm until plants on site, which means that back much further. the stock is fresh and particularly Prior to opening to leisure time to re- 1972. Alan, meanwhile had set up lax and enjoy their his commercial nursery. suited to the local environment. the public they had His mother came from Greengardens and As Valerie says, "we grow it, so we operated as a comGrange Farm has meadow Farm which was sold for mercial nursery know it." kept abreast of development in 1955. The farmThere are extensive changes go- supplying plants ing on around them, with the North to local shops. these develop- house was situated where Deben Swindon District Centre develop- "A new concept was born in the ments. "Pots and containers of all Crescent joins Thames Avenue, ing rapidly on one side and hous- early 1970s," Valerie explained. shapes and colours, ornamental which Alan reckons runs through ing emerging on others. Grange "Garden centres opened to supply chippings and decking are an al- where the kitchen used to be. The family's association with Farm however, remains an oasis of plants in pots, so customers could ternative to traditional flowerbeds. calm, tucked away down Haydon appreciate the different textures, These and hanging baskets give Haydon Wick will remain for a End Lane leading off Westfield shapes and colours of foliage and the garden instant colour and in- good many years to come: the Red House which was located on Way, opposite the Manor Farm flowers and create instant gar- terest all year round." Alan has always been involved Grange Farm until it was demolPub. The huge array of plants and dens." with the land: his family has ished early last century, has given farmed off Haydon End Lane since its name to one of the new villages 1916. Like Doug Clifford of within the Priory Vale develop1 Haydon Farm, he has seen many ment. Like the Cliffords, Alan and changes in the local landscape. He Garden Design, Creation and Maintenance remembers the 1930s when Valerie have deep roots in the local Arbour Seats and Obelisks Made to Order Haydon Wick comprised of High area and have no immediate intenStreet and The Brow - with only tion to be uprooted despite the A good garden grows out of a design two cars using them, and there urban development all around Tel: 01793 640620 them. was just one telephone.

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40 The Link Magazine • April 2002

Pets Kitchen . Victoria Hill, Old Town, Swindon

Tel: (01793) 527057 Open Monday to Saturday, 9am - 5.30pm • Full range of diets (Eukanuba, Hills, Beta, Repnor, etc) • All medical, baskets, beds, leads, collars & grooming • Vast selection of cages and homes for all • 20 years experience Local free delivery

tte bare birds. rabhits. guinea pigs, hamsters, chinchillas. Also cold & tropical &fish and aquaria supplies

Let Age Concern Swindon help you put £s back in your pocket Many older people in Swindon are struggling to make ends meet without realising they could receive help and on 5 April Age Concern Swindon launches its annual Your Rights Week aimed to encourage older people to claim the benefits they are entitled to. The week coincides with the Government's an- Post Offices in Fleming Way and Theatre Square. Jo Osorio, Age Concern Swindon Director, said, nouncement on 8 April of new social security levels, which will bring more older people into benefits "many older people are struggling to make ends meet when they may be entitled to benefits. It is entitlement. Up to 770,00 older people across the UK already essential that as the benefits available for older peofail to claim up to £940 million in minimum income ple increase, up-to-date information is readily availguarantee alone. Many older people may also be able. That is where Age Concern Swindon can help; missing out on housing benefit, council tax benefits we can give relevant information along with practiand non means-tested benefits such as Attendance cal assistance." Age Concern Swindon also provides a benefits Allowance. In some cases, a benefit check could information all year round at their offices at 14 Milton double the income for an older person. Between 8 and 11 April, Age Concern Swindon Road, Swindon, with advice sessions on Mondays, will have displays in the Central Library, The Safer Wednesdays and Fridays, 10am to 12.30pm. Home Swindon Shop, Havelock Street, and in the two main visits can also be arranged. For details, call 692166.

: HYDROTHERAPY CENTRE

'°

Small Animal Hospital Helping you care more for your pet

Swimming is suitable for all types of dogs and

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Swindon's most modern small animal hospital, situated in North West Swindon, offering high quality surgical and medical care cu competiti v e prices within a caring.friendl y and professional environment.

Arthritis Spinal Injuries Hip/Elbow Dysplasia and Recovery from Surgery,

Pets At Home is a service which cares for all your pets (except dogs) in their own home anywhere in the West Swindon area only.

CONS ULT.ITIONS BY APPOINTMENT Monday to Friday San: - 10am, 2pm - 3pm, Spin - 6.30pm Saturda y 9am - 1/ant

Maintaining Fitness

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Telephone Sheila Mitchell for further details

Telephone Gill on 01793 706224 for details

on 873062

THE DROVE

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Shaw Village Centre, Ramleaze Drive West Swindon SN5 5PY

A friendly, caring service for you and your pet David Warnes BVSc MRCVS • Stefania Glowka DVM MRCVS Michelle Lindsay BVM&S MRCVS

9.00am - 4.00pm

24 HOUR EMERGENCY SERVICE

Tel: (01793) 881919 (24 hours)

sw',1 MOBILE DOG WASH &

VETERINARY HOSPITAL

Abbeymeads Veterinary Surgery For all your pets needs when healthy or ill Opening hours:

Unit 5

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Saturday

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Tel: (01793) 728728

Mon - Fri 9am - 6.30pm 12noon - 3pm Saturday Consulting hours: By appointment Mon - Fri: 9am - 10.30am; 3.30pm - 5pm: 5.30pm - 6.30pm 12noon - 3pm Saturday

24 IIR EMERGENCY SERVICE - All Sunday and Emergency consult~ be appointment at The Drove Veterinar y Hospita l -'Telephone (01793) 5 _72483

^ 1I: IILPHY® III1 ATTENTION ALL PET OWNERS TRPHY are now in your area We offer FREE DELIVERY of pet foods to your door every week/month

The fully equipped mobile Salon that comes to you. Stress free grooming for your dog. Qualified, kind & friendly staff. Most breeds catered for. Reasonable prices.

Why struggle home from the shop with heavy cans & bags?

To make an appointment call 01793 731829 Mobile 0798 464.7744

FOR A FREE PRICE LIST CONTACT PAUL OR PAM ON 01793 728510

Let 1L PHY do it for you - we will save you money!

The Link Magazine • April 2002

900 editions and still recording

Kingsdown School

Members of Swindon's Talking Newspaper Association (STAN) celebrate the twentieth anniversary of the free service with the production of its 900th edition on 13 April.

reunions soon

J.F.I( BUILDING

Pupils who left in July 1978 Saturday 13 April. 7.30pm, Coleview Community Centre Tickets £3. from Mandy Lister 875100. Deborah Miles 771438 or Lee Drinkwater 436096

SERVICES Extensions, A lterations, Renovations

Pupils who attended between 1976 and 1981 (1982)

All aspects of garden construction including fencing

Saturday 4 May. 7.30pm

All general building work

Grange Drive Community Centre Tickets: £5 inc. buffet & disco. Proceeds to Prospect Hospice. Call Caroline 'Shirley on 828813 or 0790 5834097

:i Packed into the studios on Victoria Road, STAN helpers: standing, Min Rodgers, Edna Black, Eve Lee, Chris Scott, Sara Heward, Pete Laws, Frances Beale, John Vickery, Chris James. Front, Barbara Naylor, Mike Beale

Listeners and volunteers will be getting together for a tour of the Steam museum, followed by tea and chat about memorable moments. Some forty volunteers help produce a weekly 90 minute audiocassette of local news and features which is sent out to anyone in the area who is unable to read newsprint, including disability other than visual impairment. "It is an excellent service which we could not do without," said Chris James, who is partially blind. "I've been kept up to date by STAN for 14 years; there's something of interest on every tape." One side of the tape provides a roundup of local news and the

other features items on a range of topics including sport and music. Volunteers also produce tapes for a variety of organisations who need to provide spoken word information, such as store catalogues, social security benefits and crime

•

Extensions

Summer sports weeks in Grange Park Greendown School is planning two weeks of summer holiday activities where youngsters can try out new sports, develop their skills and have fun in a safe, low cost environment. Called The Great Escape and aimed at 9 to 13 year olds from any part of the town, the scheme takes place 29 July to 2 August and 5 to 9 August, 9.30am and 3pm daily. Qualified PE teachers assisted by responsible leaders will coach football, netball, hockey, tennis, badminton, volleyball, "i rounders, cricket, athletics, orienteering, gymnastics and dance. There will also be a separate football coaching course run by English FA qualified coaches. "Give boredom the thumbs down this year and join in with a range of activities," says organiser Chris Dobbs, above. "This is a great chance to try out new sports in depth, improve your talents and have fun in a friendly situation." Each week costs £50. To make a booking, drop into Greendown School for a booking form, or call 874224 for one to be sent. To discuss payment by instalments, call Chris Dobbs on the above number.

Tel: Mr J.F. Keenan (01793) 727824

I[ '

iii

Loft Conversions

Garage Conversions

• • •

Free quotations Best possible prices

)

Many local references Phone

- -^-

now for helpful friendly advice

Tel: 01793 635000 -

prevention.

STAN is always keen to hear of anybody who would like to receive their free tape service; they can even supply a machine to play it on. Volunteers are always needed to read onto tapes, or produce programmes, and also to help pack and send tapes out to listeners. To find out more, call Chris Scott on 523375 or visit STAN @ www.swindontalkingnews.org.uk

KINGFISHER WINDOWS ' DOORS' CONSERVATORIES

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rrs • r

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If ^ Western Wa G`

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L• r

UNIT 7,

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WE ARE HERE

42 The Link Magazine • April 2002 Kumon Educational Swindon Centre Saltway School, Middleleaze Reliable administration assistants required to work with children aged 6 to 16. Mondays and Thursdays, 4pm to 6pm

PC SERVICES

CREATIVE PASTIME? Teacher of piano & theory in West Swindon All ages, beginners & elementary players welcome

For business and home Repairs, spares & upgrades Set-up & training Contact Phil on t: 01793 531162 m: 07747 747000

Contact Mrs G Bush CT ABRSM

Swindon 873012

CLASSICAL/SUZUKI ae VIOLIN LESSONS Ring Rhonda on 01793 700099 , 2 www.mab.tgis.co.uk

Full training given. From £5 per hour. Call Richard Bell on 01285 711170

Play the

Nappy Lady Swindon

Piano

FREE personalised advice

Learn to Sin

Phone Swindon 340437 for further information

rIIIIII

!!III

3 For Sale

For Sale Ladies bicycle, almost new. Peugeot. 26" wheels, with accessories, £65 ono. Tel: 876583 Girls 12" first bike, pink, lilac, excellent condition, stabilisers, £25 ono. Tel: 728693 Gents mountain bike, brand new - in box, 21 gears, black, unwanted gift, £100. Tel: 726975 2 childrens mountain bikes. purple, 16" wheels, suit 5-7 year old, good condition. £15 each or £25 for both. Tel: 873021 Boys Raleigh Max bike, red, vgc. suit age 10, £40. Tel: 870747 Two pregnancy books: 'Conception And Birth'. 'What to Expect When You're Expecting', £5. Tel: 704169 Mothercare Super Olympus 3 in 1 pushchair'carrycot, tartan material, excellent condition. £175 ono. Tel: 01285 862513 Klippan baby seat, 0-9 months, polka dot material, excellent condition, £10. Tel: 01285 862513 Graco tandem pushchair, navy blue, good condition, £30. Baby Graco bed, £20. Tel: 705966 Bebe Contort carrycot and pushchair. navy, excellent condition, chrome chassis, £100 ono. Tel: 341473 Pine cot, good condition, with mattress and waterproof zip on cover, one year old, retailed at £75+. with Winnie the Pooh cot bumper £35 for the lot. Tel: 480664 ELC buggy activity centre for pram or buggy, excellent condition, still boxed, £5. Tel: 881353 Swing, new, unwanted, £35. Childrens videos, 2 - 5 years, £1.50. Toys, 0 - 4 years. various prices. Tel: 881551

Mothercare Mirage Plus pram, includes cosytoes and raincover, less than 6 months old. £60 ono. Tel: 616721 Winnie the Pooh tandem dolls pushchair, good condition, £10. Mamas & Papas3 in 1 dolls pram, good condition, £15. Tel: 873021 Dresses and tops, sizes 20/22, individual designs and colours, £1 to £5. Tel: 771640 Boys ice skates, Koho 2220, size 6 good condition, £30 ono. Tel: 887394 Wedding dress, pale pink, off shoulder, puff/short sleeves, lace bottom, veil, size 12. £60. Tel: 881353 Large farmhouse style pine table and six pine chairs, good condition, £100. Tel: 887907 Pine frame, three seat settee, modern covers, £50. Two black ash bedside cabinets plus sideboard used as dressing table, £30. Tel: 871563 3 piece suite, lovely condition, neutral colours. wood framed, £100. Tel: 343020 3 piece suite: 3 seater sofa bed plus 2 armchairs, excellent condition, £90 ono. Tel: 882429 Mahogany Stag table, chairs, £30. Unit with glass front drawers, £25. Singer sewing machine, £20. Spin dryer, £5. New steel toe capped shoes, £5. All good condition. Tel: 875869 Corner TV unit, teak, glass doors, storage drawer, £15. Tel: 878507 3 ft fold-up bed, new, £40. Tumble dryer, £50. Car battery charger, £5. Tel: 621500 7 Sapale interior doors with handles and hinges. £3 each. Tel: 874738 Slimline oil filled radiator (Glen), £15. Tel: 874738 r------------------- 7

Free private for Sale & Wanted ads Send to: The Link, Papermakers House, Rivenhall Road, Westlea,

Tel: Name & Address (not for publication)

L---------------------I

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L•

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Magda House Counselling Confidential Adult Counselling including relationships, depression, stress and anxiety. Adv. Dip. Psychodynamic Counselling FPC Registered

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D For Sale

Glen convector heater, wall mounting or Exercise machine with 5 computerised free standing, thermostat and timer programs and 7 manual settings, control, £20. Tel: 721578 exercises major muscle groups, £795 2 bar coal effect fire, dark wood surround, new, barely used, £395 ono Tel: 722455 5 ft wide, 33 inches high, £35. Tel: Baby rabbits, 7 weeks, free to loving 874738 homes, 3 males left, ready now, very 1 litre stainless steel thermos pot, keeps tame. Tel: 320849 drinks hot/cold, push button, new, boxed, Aquaria & stands; hand-made vivaria; chipmunk cage/aviary; triple rabbit hutch. £10. Tel: 881353 Wood turning lathe, Record RPML300, For details & prices Tel: 845448. also Peter Child Master chuck, £200 Mobility scooter, 4wheel, vgc, powerful ono. Tel: 695078 and quiet, £850 ono. Tel: 726250 Hedge cutter, top of the range, never Mobility scooter, good working order, used, £45. Tel: 612500 heavy duty frame, extra wide comfortable Alko 180OR garden shredder, as new, rotating seat, £300. Tel: 530538 less than half price, £95. Tel: 703596 Peugeot Vivacity scooter, 50cc, X reg, Akai Pro-Logic 3 disc changer, 5 dark red, 2080 km, vgc, forced sale, speakers, Dolby surround sound, remote £725 ono. Tel: 887133 control, 2 stands & cabinet, £100. Tel: Mondeo 1.8LX, si lver, 4 door, 876398 hatchback, L reg, good condition, £1,000 Computer monitor 14" HP Pavilion, ono. Tel: 07879 633 3331 excellent condition, hardly used, £50 Ford Escort 1.4CL h/back, 17K, taxed, ono. Tel: 726906 MOT, excellent condition, R reg, £3,700. Brother Desktop Publisher, word Tel: 728694 processing, spreadsheets, drawing, graphics, clip art, printer, in one machine, Wanted takes modem, with carrying case, Asda Harry Potter coins to buy or to software discs, spare ink cartridges, swap. Tel: 611818 £100. Tel: 871961 Wooden playhouse or large shed for Pentium 11400 MHZ desktop PC, 256mb conversion, will collect. Tel: 07903 RAM, external modem, monitor, 3gb 948472 (after 6pm) disk, CD-Rom, network card, £260 ono. Phillips CDI joypad, and CDI 450 remote Tel: 07967 195585 control, will pay £15 each. Tel: 615918 Sanyo 23" colour TV, text, remote Light pelmet for Henley fitted kitchen control, £50 ono. Tel: 878507 MFI ref: HKE 1121 60cm approx. Tel: TV 14", colour portable, Fidelity, good 871668 condition, £15. Compressor, hardly Mobility scooter, 3 or 4 wheels in good used, £15. Tel: 722158 working order, reasonable price. Tel: 1 M LH dish and LNB. £39. Tel: 876823 530538 Overhead projector, Imageplan A & K To let lux 400, vgc, £40 ono. Tel: 877139 Forest of Dean, large self catering Ladies watch, Citizen Quartz with tan holiday home for reasonably priced leather strap, £15. Tel: 881739 breaks. Tel: 531162 Olympus Compact cameras: UI £30, Luxury 2 bedroom holiday home near XA2 & All flash £40; At 1 flash £20. All seafront, in Seaton, Devon, sleeps 4/5, excellent condition. Tel: 877440 short break possible. Tel: 875647 Violin, three quarter size inc. 2 bows, ideal first instrument. £30. Tel: 873585 Butlins Minehead, 3 bed caravan, all mod cons, entertainment and passes Kastle skis, 185cm, red, only 2 weeks included. Tel: 619013 use, suit intermediate skier, plus poles Weymouth, 3 bed caravan, all mod cons, and bag, £95. Tel: 495623 clubs and pool on site. Tel: 639774 Body sculpture rowing machine, good condition, £40. Cannon Keswick gas Room to rent oven, good condition, £70. Tel: 725350 Double furnished room, own toilet & Abdominal exerciser, (similartoArgos), shower, Haydon Wick area, £85 incl. new condition, £10. Tel: 770929 Tel: 721581

The Link Magazine â€˘ April 2002

Letters to The Link Letters should be sent to the address on page 4 by the 10th of the month Councillors. What have they ever done for us? From Terry Iles, Turnham Green, Freshbrook

As many people know I have been active in the local community and Freshbrook Community Association for some years. I have always voted yet I am finding it a problem as we get nearer to the local elections in May in deciding whether to vote at all, let alone who to vote for. I admire the time and commitment of all the councillors I have had contact with over the years, irrespective of political persuasion. However I find that the broken promises, lack of commitment and interest in the wishes of local residents leaves me disillusioned. The most obvious example of this is something that has yet to be resolved after 17 years, despite the community association bringing it to the attention of numerous councillors time and again. When the temporary Freshbrook community centre was removed and the village centre car park was built with raised planters, the community association was consulted over what should be put in. Our view was that only low shrubs should be planted so that the view of the new community centre was not obstructed. What we now have is a small forest, which for much of the year totally hides the building. To make matters worse no regu-

Panel on 7 March I was informed by one of our local representatives that, 'he liked it how it was and did not intend to do anything.' My view is that whether he likes it or not he should remember that it is not his views that count, but those of the people he represents. If he cannot represent his electorate's wishes then he should reconsider whether Fe should continue as a councillor in Freshbrook, or indeed in any other ward. I have decided therefore to ask our existing councillors and potential councillors through The The 'forest' in front of Freshbrook Link, if they intend to carry out the Community Centre, as well as anwishes of local people in the forthother blight on the landscape coming municipal year. Do they lar maintenance, such as pruning, intend to ensure what was promis ever done. In 1993 a meeting was ised is carried out? Do they intend attended by local councillors, coun- to represent and promote the aspicil officers and the police. It was rations of local people, or go their agreed that the trees and shrubs own way as all others before them must be cut back substantially. have done? The community association Perhaps if they don't want to AGM in 2001 discussed the state of listen to their voters we should not the planter yet again and members vote at all. Perhaps we should also unanimously agreed that some- decline to pay our council tax until thing must be done in 2002. our councillors start carrying out Despite this resolution by the what they promise to do. Perhaps local community, and the prom- if they cannot do what local people ises and commitments made over want the y should not stand. the years by councillors and officers nothing has ever been done. When I attended the Local Area

DECOTEX Painter & Decorator Specialist Artexing Tel: (01793) '791388

Ironing a chore? Not any more! Ironing done in a smoke free environment at sensible rates Call Jackie on 721878 or Donna on 721719

A 2 Z Home Improvements All your needs in one number

Graffiti in Grange Park From AClaydon- Smith, address supplied

JUST THE JOB Domestic Services Agency requires Domestic Cleaners & Ironers Flexible hours, good rates of pay Phone Jill or Sue on 861112

From S. Mitchell, Moresby Close, Westlea

Come on Grange Park - am I the One recent Sunday evening I drove only person with vision. Can any- along Sudeley Way and saw a man one else see the increased graffiti? putting the finishing touches to a Dare I say, probably not, as some wall he had just painted. It was a residents seem happy to leave it long wall and it must have taken on their walls. Is this apathy or him most of the day to do it. despair? The next morning as I passed it If you contact Swindon Borough noticed that some mindless soul Council they will remove it free of had sprayed graffiti on the wall. charge though you do have to sign Such a shame. It is a pity that the a disclaimer in case the mortar gets offender could not have offered damaged. Perhaps if more people more practical help when the poor phoned the council they would chap was painting the wall rather have to do something more long than spoil it. term to help residents. We all need to do our bit, small Competition winners or great. If an area looks bad, then Tickets to Circus Hilarious (February Link): it will just get worse, more damage Mrs T O'Connor, Thurney Dr., Grange Park Tutankhamun exhibition (March) and less care taken. Ms Jo A. Perrys Lane, Wroughton: Georgia Grange Park and West Swindon Page, Plattes Cl., Shaw; P Bingham, has so much going for it - trees and Lanhydrock Cl., Freshbrook; NatashaGazzard, green areas for one thing and lovely Fenland Cl., Middleleaze; Mrs Trudy Talbot, cycle paths - excluding the waste Birdcombe Rd., Westlea; Miss LCandlin, Greenthat is thrown in them. wich Cl. Abbey Meads: Kevin Russell, DartIt makes me almost want to weep moor Cl.; CV Freel, Stanbridge Pk., Shaw; Mrs when I see these things. I know it M Weeks. Beverly, Toothill; Mrs S Gentleman. has all been said before and maybe Bancroft Cl, Grange Park I am living in a dream world, but Pilates video (March) we cannot give up. We must try to Helen Ramchurn, Applewood Court, Westlea: make all aspects of our environ- MrsTorchia, Calder CL, Greenmeadow; Mrs B ment better. Longden, Thames Ave., Swindon

Kitchen/Bathroom fitting, Tiling, Plumbing, Electrics. Painting, Decorating, Carpentry and much more 111 Pinehurst Road

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CARPENTRY/JOINERY

COMPUTER SUPPORT

Sigma Computer Solutions :• Manufacture & fitting, or v Supply & fitting of standard joinery items to suit your individual requirements

:• Fitted wardrobes & kitchens 3 Doors, architectural mouldings, skirtings, dodo, panelling Please feel free to ask fire items not listed. Free no obligation quotations •

Sales / Service / Support Spares / Repairs / Upgrades Networking / Training Web Design For expert advice and prompt on site service call Neil on 01793 633924 sales@sigmacomputersolutions.co.uk

DRAINS MG Sao cm cam°

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West W i(tshire

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Windows - Doors Conservatories Quality double glazed windows, doors and conservatories For a free. no obligation quote at your convenience. call 01793 873424 or 07968 355557

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Dave Od y

SHAW Electrical

& Plumbing Ltd -

For all your domestic & commercial requirements New installations • Showers Extensions • Extra sockets Re-wires • Security lighting New fuse boards Free quotes 24hr call out facility

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*: lighting rewiring fuse boxes upgraded installations tested

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Repairs to most makes ot: 3 Washing Machines 3 Dryers 3 Dishwashers 3 Microwaves 3 Vacuum Cleaners

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For free estimates call Paul on ,.

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I 11

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•

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YOUR FIRST STOP FOR ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT From a 13 amp fuse or cleaner bag to fridges or vacuum cleaners we offer an efficient & personal service. DOMESTIC APPLIANCE SERVICE CENTRE 11 The Arcade, High Street Wootton Bassett Tel: 01793 854378

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46 The Link Magazine • April 2002 Christ Church Skyline Appeal Shop Open 19 - 27 April, 10am - 4pm In the old FADS DIY shop Devizes Road, Old Town Books, GWR items, household goods, bric-a-brac, plants, clothing. Sold in aid of Christ Church restoration

Lower Shaw Farm, Old Shaw Lane Housekeeper & Cleaner needed for a few flexible hours a week of regular duties. Friendly working environment. The farm is also looking for Handyperson for occasional jobs. For details, tel: 771080 Toothill Afterschool Club Playworker - 13 hours per week (3 x 4 hour sessions, plus a 1 hour staff meeting). £5.75 per hour (reviewed after 3 month probationary period). NVQ2 qualification preferred. but not essential Sessional workers (part-time) Minimum 4 hours per week £4.30 per hour NVQ2 qualification preferred, but not essential Club Treasurer (part-time) Voluntary position for just a few hours per month. Previous experience preferred, but not essential. For details, mail: toothillafter schoolclub@btinternet.com

0 i

Evangel . Worsley Road $f

m m ^, n building with people

Come and join us

Sunday at I Oam & 6.30pm For further information of other meetings ring: 873050, call into the Church office or visit`www.freshbrook.org Jesus said: '7 hare come that YOU might have LIFE and hare it in its fatness"

N$BC

Bad hair for Barnardos Children at Oliver Tomkins Church of England Junior School in Toothill supported their Lent charity Barnardos by raising cash in a variety of ways in March. Miss Brown's year 3 class went in for a bad hair day and there were some wacky designs on show.

Winning pictures wanted

To tie in with the Swindon Festival of Literature in early May, the Swindon Children's Information Centre wants youngsters to draw a picture of their favourite book or nursery rhyme character and write a short piece on why they Four bad ones, from left, Jaime Taylor, like that character. Bradley Gingell, Jordan MarriottEntries will be on display at The Wayte, Natash Welsh CIS shop and four age group winners will be chosen and their designs printed on bookmarks to be distributed all over Swindon. Winners will also receive a £10 book token and a book, to be presented by local children's author Nicola Moon (author of Aligator Tails and Crocodile Cakes and Happy Birthday Amelia) during the Festival of Literature. Application forms are available from The CIS Shop, 13 Market Street, Swindon SN1 1RZ or call Carrie-Marie Tilling on 541794 to have one sent to you.

Giving farmers a better deal: it's a growing idea The campaign to give food producers in poor countries a better deal is gathering pace all the time and Fair Trade Fortnight during March focused attention on how consumers are becoming more aware that farmers should not be exploited and trampled upon by big multinational corporations. Last year goods

sold with the Fairtrade mark increasedbyanimpressive forty per cent, reaching £45 million in the nation's tills. Members of the West Swindon partnership churches did their bit by holding a coffee morning to sell Fairtrade items.

School ^I

•

DreamLab is part of the Library Association's Frontiers: Science in Libraries campaign which is a result of a national £31,500 award from the government's Science Year to promote science through the different librar y sectors. Life changing course Parivar Asian Women's Group is starting a WEA 'Make Your Experience Count' course on 8 April, 12.30pm to 2.30pm, at the West Swindon Family Project. The course, which takes place in an informal, supportive setting is aimed at women thinking of making changes in their lives. All women are invited to join. Call Mina Bhogal on 871303.

SWINDON FAMILY CHURCH SUNDAYS 10.30AM THE WINNERS LOUNGE

,. -.- ._

SWINDON TOWN F.C. :. PINEHURST PEOPLE S CENTRE NOW... WE ARE BACK ON THE FIRST SUNDAY OF THE MONTH AT LINK CENTRE For more information, inclu. midweek activities, call B ri an on 849731 in association with NEW FRONTIERS INTERNATIONAL

www.fairtrade.or.uk

Green meadow

on 465554.

Fairtrade banana producers get twice as much as those selling into non fairtrademarkets say Clare Comm. Jean Hill, Sue Green, Rebecca Kershaw and front Sandra Herbert

Primar

What do you dream? Swindon residents have the chance to take part in a nationwide scientific experiment called DreamLab to discover whether what we read affects what we dream. Until mid-May library users are being asked to record their recent dreams and the types of books they are reading in a'dream diary' questionnaire available at every Swindon library. The questionnaires will be analysed at the Swansea University and the results announced at a major conference in Boston, USA, in June. For details, call Tracey Dowling

We are r here!

11'

The Partnership of e'st Swindon & the Lydiards

All Saints' Lydiard Millicent

For our details of our services and Easter Services,

Holy Trinity, Shaw

North Swindon Baptist Church

St Mary's

. -"

Lydiard Tregoze Toothill Church

Sunday Worship 10.30am - Sunday School & Creche -

Web: http://nsbc.org.uk

Pastor Dennis Weaver

TFLAO12913_34Ojt

Westlea Church

please contact the Partnership Office: 874221

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