April 2017 South East Swindon Link

No 8 April 2017

Est. overall readership across Swindon: 100,000

South and East Swindon Edition

Our guide to family days out p18

Billie Piper pops in to help launch Shoebox Theatre page 24

Community: P3-16

Swindon Wide: P17-23

Sport & Leisure: P25

Services: P28-29

Puzzle: P30

Community: P2-20

Swindon Wide: P21 - 29

Leisure: P30-39

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Charity nights going strong at Swindon restaurants

Started in 2008, popular Indian restaurant Bengal Square in Peatmoor has consistently run charitable fundraising nights donating all profits to worthy causes across the Swindon area. Now, the restaurant is expanding this charitable evening to their newly reopened sister site Mantra in Old Town.

Held every Monday and Tuesday at Bengal Square, and every Tuesday at Mantra, the charity nights have raised over £100,000 to date which has been shared amongst local causes from youth football teams to Macmillan cancer research. Owner Hanif Robbani said: “We donate all profits raised on the evening to the cause of choice, and this can be further added to if the organisers hold a raffle, quiz or auction. “Donations from ourselves of £350+ are not uncommon and the best night we’ve ever had raised a grand total of over £3,000. “We are happy to host events for any worthwhile cause and it doesn’t necessarily have to be a charity.” To host a fundraising event at Mantra, email your event details to: info@mantraswindon.co.uk Or to host your event at Bengal Square email: info@bengalsquare.co.uk

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52 Devizes Road, Swindon SN1 4BG

01793 323954

info@mantraswindon.co.uk www.mantraswindon.co.uk

16/03/2017 11:30

Community News Director: James Phipps

We’ve got to clean up our act By Group Editor Jamie Hill We had a message in this month in reaction to our Positive Swindon feature in our March edition. The email from Glenda Prothero reads: “Reading the editor’s header in the Link he talks of what makes Swindon great. How can we spread this idea when it is becoming a dump? There is litter everywhere with areas looking like dumps. The public are to blame of course but it us being left to clean up. Visitors must be appalled and won’t want to come again. Pride - not at present. Sad.” I’ve got to say that I completely agree with Glenda. There’s nothing that annoys me more than seeing people chuck stuff away willy nilly and although there is a lot to be proud of in the town if people continue to treat it with such contempt it’s hard for us to have real pride. It only takes a few seconds to put your litter in a bin and we’re all responsible for this. Another worrying aspect of this is that one of the responsibilities that

ADVERTISING Call 01793 781502 or email: advertising@swindonlink.com

will be taken over by the new and existing parish councils is street cleaning as the borough tries to offset yet more costs to afford the increasing social care burden. Let us all hope that the parish councils are up to this difficult challenge. We know that some like Haydon Wick have the experience already to take on these responsibilities and hopefully the newly formed parishes will follow suit and make this a priority. We are all responsible people though and it is us that need to ensure we keep our town tidy. There are already lots of community groups who go out of their way to clean up neighbourhoods and they should be praised but let’s have some pride and tidy up after ourselves. editor@swindonlink.com

Closing date for May adverts and editorial: 12 April May edition published: 28 April

Group Editor: Jamie Hill Chief Reporter: Ben Fitzgerald Associate: Roger Ogle Reporter: Mike Barham Sales Admin: Sue Roberts Sales: Dave Stewart & Rosy Presley Photography: Richard Wintle & Rachel Davis - www.calyxpix.com

Positive Media Group Limited, Unit 3, Arclite House, Century Road, Swindon SN5 5YN T: 01793 744677 E: publisher@swindonlink.com Our Statistics Est. Readership of 100,000 in print & c.20,000 monthly online visitors. Swindon’s largest free publication. Advertising starts from just £57. The contents of The Link are protected by copyright. Use of advertisements in printed or electronic form is forbidden unless an advertiser or publisher has sought permission. Articles and photographs require similar authority. Positive Media Group Limited cannot be held responsible for goods or services or the copyright of content supplied by our advertisers. Reg. in England & Wales. No: 4513027, at Arclite House, Hillmead, Swindon SN5 5YN. Printed by pcp Telford

The Spirit of Swindon: Levelling the playing field By Sue Pycroft on behalf of Spirit of Swindon One of the key factors in reducing inequality in a society is access to education. The Equality Trust, a charity that works to improve the quality of life by reducing economic inequality, states: “Everybody agrees that education is important and that education benefits societies as well as individuals. People with more education earn more, pay more taxes, are more productive, and happier. Well educated people contribute more to society; they’re also more likely to volunteer and to vote.” So how is Swindon doing in terms of educating its young people, to help them achieve their goals and enable them to give back to the community they live in? In many ways, Swindon is doing well, despite the recent public criticism. Overall, the numbers of young people participating in education, employment and training is high, with the number of 18 to 24 year olds seeking work lower than the national average. The town’s strong, diverse economy offers young people employment opportunities in a range of industries including advanced engineering, financial services, science and technology, and digital. Overall, we have 78 per cent of

residents in employment, against 74 per cent nationally. But we haven’t got it right yet. In 2015/16, 54 per cent of our 16 year olds who attended Swindon schools gained five A*-C GCSEs with English and Maths, compared to a national average of 57 per cent. Clearly, that needs to improve. This difference persists in our adult residents. Nationally, 74 per cent of 16-64 year olds have GCSE level qualifications, but in Swindon we lag behind at 69 per cent. And while 37 per cent of UK residents have university level qualifications, only 29 per cent of Swindon residents have achieved that level. We can, and must, do better. The good news is that practical steps are being taken to raise the bar, and we can all play a part in that. It is recognised that one of the significant issues relating to education is lack of aspiration – among some students, parents, and employers. A new initiative, called Swindon Challenge, is being applied to every child in every school. Swindon Challenge is a partnership with schools, local businesses, further education colleges and Oxford Brookes University. It will build on the town’s existing strengths to improve education and employment outcomes for everyone. This collaborative

approach is supporting all young people and their families to explore the lifelong benefits that higher qualifications can bring. Routes to higher level skills and degrees have never been easier whether young people choose go to University or achieve a degree apprenticeship whilst in work. Swindon Challenge is enabling a national education expert, Marc Rowland, to work in partnership with Swindon secondary schools. The schools will collaborate to identify and implement what works well to raise aspirations including support for vulnerable pupils. Swindon Challenge is aspirational for all young people no matter what their starting point. So what can we all do to support this? Employers and parents can get in touch with Swindon Challenge to find out more about how you

can sponsor this important work; work with schools to bring to life the ‘world of work’; build young people’s employability skills by offering experience of work; or benefit from young people’s skills by training them as an apprentice. For information email: swindonchallenge@swindon.gov.uk We all want our children to have full, rewarding and happy lives. We need to help our young people to aim higher, for themselves and ultimately for what they will put back into society. We should never think that a good education is “for someone else”. It should be “for me and mine, too”. Spirit of Swindon has emerged from a gathering of people who want to raise consciousness of the impact of economic inequality and help Swindon offer a lead to other towns and cities in the UK. swindonlink.com n April 2017

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Community News Potential bid by Swindon Town Football Club Supporters’ Trust to buy County Ground Swindon Town Football Club Supporters’ Trust are considering making a £1.1 million bid for the County Ground. Supporters discussed the move at the trust’s annual general meeting in March and the plan is to buy the town’s stadium from owners Swindon Borough Council. The £1.1 million price has been part of discussions for the past two years between the Trust and the council with a formal offer put forward last June – with a view to complete the transaction before March 2018. The relatively low price for the stadium takes into consideration the Trust’s community status, the need for extensive work to get the stadium up to scratch and the covenant put in place by the Goddard family that stipulates that the land be used for recreation purposes. As part of this the council would put in place a buyback clause to prevent the County Ground being sold on to a third party by the Trust in the future. It is understood that the current Swindon Town Football Club chairman Lee Power and the club itself is not part of this proposal at the moment although it has been

put to them. The Trust, led by chairman Steve Mytton, wants to bridge the divide between the club and its supporters. In recent years a bid to put a roof on the Stratton Bank failed after the Trust were unable to raise the £500,000 needed for the job – as investors were reluctant to invest money into an asset not owned by the club. The plan is not without risk for The Trust as the proposal would need to be approved by full council and the team could relocate to another venue at any time leaving the County Ground altogether. Plans are also being discussed to develop the surrounding area to include ideas for a club museum, sport-themed hotel and gym, and a ‘Legends Way’ among other community and fan friendly facilities. Discussions are now taking place on how to fund the project, taking into account urgent repairs and maintenance, further contingencies, and investment in further developments. This could include crowdfunding, external funding bodies and community shares in the County Ground. The document released for the AGM said: “There is much more at

The Swindon Town Football Club Supporters’ Trust

stake than simply what happens on the pitch this season, or next. There is a unique and exciting possibility for fans to own their own stadium, and from there we can set ourselves up for real progress. “It would be a huge step forward and a great selling point to outsiders. But we can do more. We need to work on the relationship with Lee Power and try to improve it, as much as some may not like it, he is in the driving seat when it comes to ownership of the Club. “At some point, we’re sure he

will be interested in selling up and we want to be first in the queue, with the ultimate dream – a 51% fan owned Football Club. Okay, we know that’s some way off. It would be a chance for Mr Power to leave a great legacy though, passing the club over to the fans. “Our dream is based on the German model, where there is the “50 + 1” rule. It means that clubs must be majority-owned by their members (thus a minimum of 51%), thereby preventing a single owner taking control of the whole club.”

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17/03/2017 07:24

Community News

Pride of Swindon 2017 winners announced

News in brief Community boost

Winners at the ninth Pride of Swindon award ceremony

The winners of the ninth annual Pride of Swindon award were celebrated at an award ceremony at the Swindon Steam museum on March 16. The 10 winning individuals and six teams were decided upon by a team of invited judges drawn from various sectors of the Swindon community. The individual winners were: Alan Butler: RunVember charity running group organiser. Clare Stow: For her work with numerous local charities including the Swindon Down’s Syndrome Group.

Noreen Vitale: Catering manager for the Christmas Care shelter. Caroline Watson: for supporting elderly people. Kathleen Wyatt: for her work with Wiltshire Wildlife Trust. Joan White: For her work supporting Pinehurst Netball Club Roy Dowling: For his work as a volunteer benefits advisor for Swindon Carers Centre Oscar Moulding: Nine year old Oscar raised money for a friend to pay for a new wheelchair in Bosnia John Popowicz: For his service with Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service.

Pat Bennett: For her work to support Immanuel Reform Church. Team award winners were: Colin Crook and Jacqui Collins for their conservation work. Lorraine Parker and Pippa Watts for their work with the social team at Clarence House. The Swindon Lagoons Volunteer Group for their conservation work. The Harbour Project: for their work with refugees. Prime Theatre for supporting young people. The Witness Service for providing support to people attending court.

Trust announces alternative Railway Village vision The Mechanics’ Institution Trust has announced what it sees as the most logical course of action for the historic Railway Village area at a meeting during March. With a packed crowd gathered at the Central Community Centre, Chairman Daniel Rose explained the Trust’s ideas for the public assets in the area, and shared some details from a major viability study on the Mechanics’ Institute itself. The vision laid out during the meeting involve the Mechanics Institute, Central Community Centre, Health Hydro, Carriage Works, The Platform and the disused Cricketers pub coming under the management of the Trust, and utilised so that they mutually benefit one another in a revitalised cultural quarter. The Mechanics’ Institute itself would become a central hub with a new restaurant, revamped 200 seater auditorium in the Reading Room, a 350-400 capacity venue space on the first floor, as well as several spaces for community groups, office and conference space and a ‘hot-desking’ area for small start up companies to utilise. To achieve this, almost £12m will be sought from the Heritage Lottery

positive. I only knew about 20% of people in the room. “It is clear that we need to stop the back room deals and shady business that is keeping these buildings from being properly utilised. There are too many personal and private interests and not enough concern for the public assets in play here. Mechanics Institute Trust Chair “We have a chance to show Daniel Rose what community-led regeneration can really do. Our discussions with Fund, with the remainder of the the HLF have been really positive estimated £20m cost of restoring and from the council’s point of coming from a trust and public view, with their finances stretched, fund raising. why would they not take us up on The Trust is now seeking a letter our offer of managing these sites of support from Swindon Borough and turning them into sustainable, Council, which up until recently successful community businesses?” seemed likely. The Mechanics’ Institution Daniel Rose explained: “We felt Trust has called for the transfer that with the current attitudes of control of The Platform and in the town towards our heritage Cricketers Pub over to them in a bid assets and the future of some of our most important public buildings to put into action their vision, and such as Lydiard Park, as well as the is also calling on leisure operator explosion of community projects in GLL to clarify their plans for the Health Hydro as part of their the arts and culture sector like the agreement with Swindon Borough Bohemian Balcony and Shoebox Council. If these plans aren’t made Theatre, meant that now would clear, the Trust has stated they have be an ideal time to showcase our proposals to make the Victorian ideas for the Railway Village area baths viable again as part of their and specifically the Mechanics’. combined scheme. The response has been extremely

Robert Buckland MP is supporting the creation of the Swindon Supermarine Sports and Education Trust, a charitable trust based at the Webbswood Stadium in South Marston. The Trust’s first action will be to open a new, purpose-built £85,000 community facility at the Stadium. Swindon Supermarine Sports and Education Trust has already received the backing of the local business community with an essential £50,000 funding boost from The Hills Group Limited, which enabled the Trust to begin building work at the beginning of November 2016. The Community building is expected to be completed in May. To find out more details about Swindon Supermarine Sports and Education Trust and how you can become involved, please contact Hayley Tarrant at hayley. tarrant@bevirs.co.uk

St Andrew’s services St Andrew’s Church in north Swindon is set to mark the Easter period with Palm Sunday celebration on April 9 at 10am led by the Archdeacon of Malmesbury Christine Froude. On Maundy Thursday, April 13, the church will host a fellowship supper at 6.30pm and communion at 7.30pm. At 10am on Good Friday, the church will hold a children’s service and at 9pm there will be a reflective service at the foot of the cross. Easter Sunday (April 16) Holy Communion will be held at 10am.

Charity golf event Calm, the cancer and leukaemia movement, is holding a charity golf day on Thursday June 22 to boost funds. The event costs £240 for a team of four. For further information contact Helen Steward on 07787 534551 or email info@calmcharity.org

Apprentices offer Developer Crest Nicholson, which is building Swindon’s Tadpole Garden Village, has announced 35 new apprenticeship vacancies. In September it will introduce a degree apprenticeship in quantity surveying in addition to numerous other subjects. Applicants should email their CV to apprentice@ crestnicholson.com swindonlink.com n April 2017

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17/03/2017 12:00

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Community News

Community library bids go under the spotlight News in brief Bids by community groups to take on the running of local libraries in Swindon are being considered ahead of a cabinet meeting at the end of the month. A total of 12 expressions have been received by Swindon Borough Council to support local libraries, after the local authority decided to cut funding to all but five core libraries in the borough - Central, North Swindon, West Swindon, Highworth and Park. The department for culture, media and sport will be consulted ahead of the cabinet meeting on April 26 and it will meet key stakeholders including local councillors, library users and staff to map out recommendations for the way ahead. Local groups or individuals had until 31 January to submit expressions of interest in the non-core libraries and the council’s officers are now supporting 12 groups to develop their plans and business cases. The council has been working with Mutual Ventures, an independent organisation which specialises in developing charitable and public

Coun Mary Martin

service mutual enterprises, to look at various delivery models for the town’s library service. Suggested approaches include non-staffed libraries - where users are responsible for checking out and returning books and making use of volunteers from local schools to support local library provision. Other delivery models include keeping the library service in-house so it continues to be run by the council, setting up a Local Authority Trading Company owned by the council with services delivered via a contract, or creating a Public

Service Mutual. A PSM would be a new organisation that shares ownership of the service between the council, communities and staff. The final model which will be assessed includes establishing a joint venture with an existing library service provider. The options appraisal would also look at whether the delivery model would take the form of a Limited Company, Community Interest Company, Co-operative or Community Benefit Society and whether it should be a social enterprise or charity. Cllr Mary Martin, Swindon Borough Council’s Cabinet Member for Communities, said: “I am delighted there is such strong interest from a number of groups. We will be working with the groups who have come forward to talk through their plans and ensure their proposals are robust enough to provide a sustainable service. At the same time, we will be working hard to find the best model for delivering our core service through the options appraisal so those five libraries have an equally sustainable future.”

One month to go until new parish elections Swindon heads to the polls on 4 May as the first of the new parish council elections take place. Information about what is required to become a parish councillor is available on the ‘How to become a councillor’ webpage. All nominations must be received by 4pm on Tuesday 4 April. In each of the new parishes, a shadow parish council has been formed to decide on services that will be transferred from the council. This is made up largely of Swindon Borough Council ward councillors from each area. The decision to parish previously unparished areas of the Borough followed a year-long Community Governance Review process which involved extensive engagement and formal consultation with residents and parish councils. However, the new parish system has not been introduced without objection. A very vocal element in the public gallery during the council meeting that saw the plans voted through to set up the new parishes, as well as calls from the Labour group calling the whole process a “debacle” have been key flash points in the implementation

of this new layer of governance. The Blunsdon St Andrew Parish is to be split under the new system, and parish chairman Ian Jankinson has told Swindon Link of his dismay over the changes. Ian said: “This month Blunsdon St Andrew Parish Council will be forced to give up its role of supporting the community of St Andrew. After an 18 month struggle against an unnecessary Governance Review, St Andrew will split from Blunsdon after 125 years of cohesive community development. Despite our resistance to some personal acrimony and misinformation we have worked closely with the recently appointed shadow Parish to help enable a smooth transition for the community. “Our residents will by now be aware of the parish precepts for both new parishes of £55 for St Andrew and £89 for Blunsdon (for equivalent Band D properties). “The irony is that had we remained as one parish our precept would have been less than either of these. The Parish of Blunsdon St Andrew had budgeted for a precept of £47 for both areas and the extra

costs associated with the split and the new parish have driven up the precept beyond this. “In the ensuing parish council elections in May, those 7 or 8 parish councillors who live in Redhouse and St Andrew’s Ridge and have worked hard to support both Blunsdon and St Andrew over the years, will now stand for election in the new Parish of St Andrew. They feel that they still have work to do in supporting the community in which they live and have had years experience of working with residents to resolve local issues.” The statutory minimum number of parish councillors for each area is five - there is no maximum number. The number of parish councillors in existing parishes in Swindon range from 5 to 23. Anyone wishing to vote but unable to get to a polling station on 4 May can request a postal vote. To apply, call 01793 464601 or email: elecreg@swindon.gov.uk Residents who still remain unsure which parished area they live in can use an online postcode checker by heading to: www.swindon.gov.uk/parishes

New home for band The Cricklade Band is celebrating after moving into new premises, with a ‘house warming’ concert on Sunday April 2 at the Town Hall. Since the start of the year, the band, formerly based at the Cricklade United Church Hall, have been looking for new premises. And thanks to the support of the Town Hall Committee, the 130 year old band have now secured a place at the Town Hall. The Band Academy rehearsal base will continue to be at Cricklade United Church Hall. Tickets for the event, which is taking place at 7.30pm, are available from the Cricklade Council Office in the High Street.

Festival date set Preparations are being made for a community festival to be held at Emmanuel United Reformed Church in Haydon Wick. The event, on July 8, will feature a procession led by Wroughton Silver Band, drum majorettes, police cadets, and a children’s fancy dress competition. There will also be Morris dancers and a variety of stalls on the day. For further details contact the Rev Gerald England at minister@ emmanuelhaydonwick.org.uk

Cats in the spotlight Cats of all shapes and sizes will be in the spotlight at a show at Cricklade Town Hall on 13 May. Doors open from 12.30 to 4pm. The event is open to pedigree and non-pedigree cats and will also feature an auction, stalls and food. Entry: adults £2, concessions £1. Enquiries to (01666) 860646 / 07801 802832.

Highworth art show A free exhibition featuring work by artists Ann March and Richard Harpin will be held at The Community Room, Council Offices, 3 Gilbert’s Lane, Highworth on May 26 to 29. Opening times are from 10am to 4.30 pm.

Canal AGM date The Wilts and Berks Canal Trust is holding its AGM at the StoweAway, Wichelstowe on 6 June. All are welcome. Contact chrisbarry1945@gmail. com swindonlink.com n April 2017

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16/03/2017 11:33

Community News

Bluebird Care Swindon serves up grant for older people’s afternoon teas A Swindon community organisation is celebrating over a cup of tea after successfully applying for a new grant. The £250 grant has been awarded to Eastcott Community Organisation by care at home provider Bluebird Care Swindon, and will be used to continue with the successful fortnightly afternoon teas it puts on for older people living in the Eastcott area. “We had a number of applicants, all of which are doing great things to help older people in the Swindon area,” said Ben Curtis, Bluebird Swindon’s managing director. “I asked our staff to choose, and they selected Eastcott Community Organisation because the teas are such a great way of bringing people together, and they need funding to

help continue the good work they already do in the community.” Eastcott Community Organisation is a registered charity which manages Savernake Street Social Hall, where the teas are held. The hall is managed by a board of trustees and volunteers. Caroline Davies-Khan, Chair of Eastcott Community Organisation, said that over the years, funds had been provided by Swindon Borough Council and other sources, but these were now depleted and the £250 would allow the teas to continue. For more information about the afternoon teas, please contact eastcottcommunity@yahoo.co.uk or call 07599 256969. For more details about Bluebird Care Swindon: bluebirdcare.co.uk/ swindon or call 01793 698033.

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Ridgeway Estate Agents acquires leading Michael Tucks Lettings business

Ridgeway Estate Agents have acquired the Swindon lettings business of Michael Tuck which was based in St Andrews Ridge, Swindon. Ridgeway and Michael Tuck have been established in Swindon for over fifteen years and both businesses have built a reputation for providing landlords and tenants with an exceptional standard of customer service. In order to ensure a seamless transfer of Michael Tuck’s clients both Vicky Batchelor and Daisy Ball who managed the property portfolio have joined Ridgeway and together with the Ridgeway

team they will continue to provide clients with outstanding levels of personal service. Ridgeway is now one of the most recognised brands operating in the property management business in the Swindon area. They have an intimate knowledge of the housing market and their approach continues to focus on providing landlords with an attractive return on their investment and vendors with the highest possible price when selling their homes. Ridgeway operates from offices in Swindon, Fairford and Lechlade. For more information, visit: ridgewayestateagents.co.uk swindonlink.com n April 2017

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Community News

Place your trust in us: heritage group takes on Lydiard House A new chapter has begun in the history of the Lydiard Park estate - following Swindon Borough Council’s decision to hand over its running to the Lydiard Park Heritage Trust. The decision, which was officially confirmed at the council’s cabinet meeting on March 15, sets in motion a handover timetable which will see the trust ratify employment arrangements with staff working in the park and house and conduct a comprehensive property survey by the start of April. Chairman of the trust, Mike Bowden said: “We are delighted to have been chosen as the council’s preferred bidder. There was a tidal wave of people who did not want it to fall into private hands and become a commercial project. And the heritage component of our bid reflected local people’s desire to see this asset preserved. He added: “I can assure both the council and the local people that the hard work of all our trustees will continue, complacency will not be an issue. We have never seen the process in party political terms and we have to thank members of all parties for their support and contributions. The preservation of Swindon’s rich heritage is so important and I hope we have persuaded many that a well organised charitable trust may be a useful template for other heritage challenges in the town.”

Future vision: Kevin Fisher, Sarah Finch-Crisp and Mike Bowden

Fellow trust member Sarah FinchCrisp explained that a great benefit of the trust model is that it will allow a total focus on Lydiard Park and Gardens whereas at present it is forced to compete with other council priorities. “It means that we will now be allowed to ring fence the money that we generate from parking for the use of the estate.” She added: “We are aware that the vast majority would like to see Lydard retain the qualities that

make it such a fantastic asset. We plan to sensitively build on and enhance those qualities rather than making any great changes. We’re taking a steady as she goes approach.” She explained that the trust will be working to build on commercial opportunities at the park and house, including conference facilities and hosting wedding celebrations, Trustee Kevin Fisher added that the trust will continue to guard against planning applications that

threaten to undermine the beauty of the estate: “Lydiard continues to face external threats and we anticipate further applications for planning consent that would have a detrimental impact on the house, park and St Mary’s Church. We will continue to offer leadership and coordinate well informed objections to any such proposed development.” For further information about the work of the Lydiard Park Heritage Trust log on to www.lydiardtrust.org.uk

Tree cheers for ancient park An ancient and historically important walnut tree at Lydiard Park, destroyed by high winds three years ago, will live on thanks to the efforts of keen gardener Mike Critchley. The former Ray Chem plant engineer explained that he had collected a walnut from the 300-year-old tree when he was walking through the park with his young son a number of years ago. He planted the walnut seeds in pots and they grew so vigorously that he was then able to transfer them to his back garden where they developed into saplings. Estate and properties manager Stuart Webb explained: “The original walnut tree was thought to have been the fifth largest in the country. It was also important because it would have been planted as part of the overall scheme for the garden when it was created.”

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He explained that the Lydiard team wanted to replace the tree but had to carefully consider the context of how it would be placed in the landscape. The team looked at ways to continue the Walnut line through propagation but sadly, although there had been some regrowth, the long term prospects for its survival were not looking good. However Mike Critchley got in touch, having heard about the dilemma and offered a replacement tree. Stuart Webb, Estate and Parkland manager said “We are indebted to Mike, and his son of course, for their generosity and horticultural prowess. We hope that in the year 2217, we will be interviewing their descendants to reflect on this amazing story and on the family’s lasting connection with Lydiard Park.”

From left, Mike Critchlery, Mark Eborn, Andy Dyer and Ellie Kerrigan

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when you purchase a Funeral Plan with Hillier Funeral Service. Valid until 30-4-17. Please quote LINK2 to clain your discount.

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Community News

Fundraisers take the lead

Kody Bowler, 11, with friends Amber Cummings, 11, and Molly-May Alexander, 12 who sold cakes to help raise funds for the Old Town Festival’s dog show

Commonweal School student Kody Bowler has come to the rescue of the Old Town Festival dog show after the original sponsors pulled out – and now he will be one of the judges at the event. Kody, 11, helped raise £475 , after Drove vets could no longer sponsor the event. The youngster said: “I wanted to sponsor the dog show as I heard Drove vets had to pull out and that SNDogs needed money to pay towards running the festival.” Following a Facebook post Kody

received £50 donations from local businesses Run Swindon, Paw-Fit Pet Services and a £20 donation from semi-professional golfer Ian Murray. And he held a number of cake sales at the school with the help of two friends Amber Cummings, 11, and Molly-May Alexander, 12. In total Kody raised £421.71 which is enough to also pay for the dog show rosettes. The Old Town Festival runs from Saturday 8 July through to Sunday 16 July www.oldtownfestival.org

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local schools. The competition, run by the UK Mathematics Trust, involves teams of four pupils from years 8 and 9 competing in mathematical challenges. The students will take part in the final in London in June.

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Community News Positive Swindonpupils get a bird’s eye view of hatching chicks Primary Children at Liden Primary School have welcomed a clutch of new chicks into their classrooms as part of an annual project to broaden their education. The scheme enables Foundation stages 1 and 2 to become actively involved in caring for the chicks – and children can keep a constant check on the progress of the hatching via a webcam. Acting assistant head teacher Emma Chapman said: “It gives the

pupils a first hand understanding of the beauty of nature and helps them learn about handling animals responsibly.” When the chicks are stronger, the pupils are able to handle them, as well as have the opportunity to take them home for the weekend. The scheme, in association with specialist company Living Eggs, also provides engaging learning activities for the pupils by helping them practice their counting,

learning about life cycles and developing nurturing skills by taking on the chicks as their own responsibility. Once ready to leave, the chicks are offered to the staff and students for adoption or returned to the farm where they came from. Liden School has developed an ongoing programme to take the project further, so the pupils’ experiences continue to feed into their daily classes.

Liden School pupil Jodi Mercado, 8, surveys the new hatchlings ©Calyx

Schools around Swindon celebrate World Book Day in style Youngsters from Liden Primary School take part in the fun and far left, Commonweal School celebrate the day with guess who’s hiding in the library competition.

Characters sprang from the pages of well-known books at schools around Swindon to mark the 20th World Book Day. Youngsters at Liden Primary School were encouraged to dress as their favourite book characters

and dozens of Harry Potters and Hermione Grangers were joined by a glitter of fairy tale princesses, a snarl of pirates and an exaggeration of Roald Dahl characters. Secondary school children at Commonweal School also threw

themselves into the fun by taking part in a ‘Guess Who’s Hiding in the Library’ Competition. Members of staff had their photos taken hiding behind their library books and the pupils had to guess who they were using clues in the

titles of the book. To support the event, the National Book Tokens organisation will be handing out more than £15 million £1 book tokens to inspire school age youngsters to put down their iPads and curl up with a good read.

‘A Love of Learning for a Lifetime of Opportunities’ We are a village school situated in a favourable rural area a few miles south-west of Swindon. We were founded in 1743 by Thomas Bennet and taken over by the LEA about 100 years later. Over recent years we have extended our facilities to accommodate four mixed-age classes, a large hall where hot meals are served, a multi-purpose unit housing a pre-school facility and a conservatory area for individual or small group teaching, including a multi-sensory learning library for parents and carers to access resources for learning at home.

OFSTED February 2012: “A good school where pupils achieve well” ... “promotes pupils’ spiritual, moral, social and cultural development outstandingly well” ... “pupils’ behaviour is exemplary” ... “excellent, well-planned support for disabled pupils and those who have special educational needs” ... “examples of outstanding teaching in all classes” ... “outstanding cross curricular provision” Parents say: “amazing grounding, both educationally and emotionally” Everyone knows each other throughout the school, from the oldest to the very youngest, staff, parents and children alike, giving us a warm family atmosphere. Our professional and enthusiastic staff provide a safe and secure environment and a creative and stimulating curriculum. You are warmly invited to make an appointment to visit our school and we look forward to welcoming you. Applications from outside our designated catchment area are welcome. Please find out more about us from our website. Mrs E Floyd, Headteacher 01793 731262 admin@broadhinton.wilts.sch.uk www.broadhintonschool.org

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Community News

Churchfields joins RWBA Trust and will be renamed Lawn Manor Academy

Churchfields , soon to be Lawn Manor Academy, Headteacher Sandra Muir with Royal Wootton Bassett Academy Head George Croxford

Churchfields has been working with Royal Wootton Bassett Academy for over a year and the DFE have now given permission for it to become part of the Royal Wootton Bassett Academy Trust (RWBAT). Parents were informed on Friday 24 February that the school had started the formal stage and consultations have begun with staff to join RWBAT. The school plans to open as Lawn Manor Academy as soon as legalities can be set up. Sandra Muir, Headteacher said “We have already experienced benefits from the North Wiltshire Teaching School and sharing good practice between faculties to improve teaching and learning at our school. “Our Year 11 pupils have also

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benefitted from attending a Sixth Form taster day in November and this has prompted some of our pupils to make applications to continue their Sixth Form studies at RWBA”. Sandra added: “We will be working with Swindon Heritage and Swindon Museum to maximise the opportunities to grow awareness of our new name and the area. These are exciting times but I want to assure parents that although we have plans to change our branding for our new school, the uniform will remain the same, just with a new logo. Parents will not have to purchase new uniform. We have invested a lot of time forming a new vision of ‘Creating and Inspiring Futures for All’.”

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IN ASSOCIATION WITH with in association

in Literature association with in association with Festival of launched Swindon’s 24th Festival of Literature will see a host of literary luminaries head for the town. Among the authors who will be appearing at the event in May are author and politician David Owen; prize-winning novelists Lionel Shriver, Mark Lawson and Xiaolu Guo; columnist Polly Toynbee; psychiatrist-author Oliver James; philosophers Roman Krznaric and Stephen Law; courageous funny woman Francesca Martinez; science guru Marcus du Sautoy; kidnap-survivor Terry Waite; Archers’ linchpin Graham Harvey; royal writer Ingrid Seward; solo explorer Benedict Allen, and radio’s Charlotte ‘the voice’ Green. The festival, which is

funded by the Arts Council, also includes the early-morning dawn chorus; the eighth Swindon Think Slam; a children and families day; the twenty-first Swindon Poetry Slam; and the Poems, Pints, and Music Finale. The free event is now firmly established on Wiltshire’s cultural calendar. It is loved locally and held in high regard nationally. Running from 1 - 13 May, the two-week event will feature numerous other talks, discussions, readings, and storytelling at main theatres, arts venues, libraries, parks, museums and galleries. The 40-page colour programme for the event will be launched at Swindon’s Central Library at noon on March 16.

in association with

Polly Toynbee (above) Mark Lawson and David Owen (below left to right) and (bottom row) Terry Waite and Charlotte Green are among the guests who will appear at Swindon’s 24th Literature Festival

Organiser Matt Holland

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Swindon Wide

St George celebrations plan Easter attractions: there’s so mu

On Sunday 23 April, the town centre will host the annual St George’s Day Festival. . The event, being organised by inSwindon BID Company, will be launched at Wharf Green from 11am. Visitors will be welcomed by the festival host, the ‘Mischievous Court Jester’ who will entertain the crowds with his traditional children’s games and balloon modelling. Local musicians and singers will perform on the main stage throughout the day. Visitors will also get to meet St. George and his famous dragon, help rescue a damsel in distress and be greeted with amazing juggling medieval knights on stilts. A free arts and crafts event will be held at Central Library from 11am – 12:15pm, where children can make their own knight shields for the Parade. St. George will also lead a Parade through the town centre from 12:30pm, meeting outside at the Cenotaph.

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The procession will continue down to Regent Street, Canal Walk and finish at Wharf Green. inSwindon BID are inviting schools, community groups, families and those who simply love to have some fun! A talent contest will also be held. The winner will be given the chance to perform at this year’s Swindon Town Centre Christmas Lights Switch On – attended by more than 10,000 people. Plus, you could win £250 worth of shopping vouchers. Di Powell, inSwindon BID Manager, said: “The town centre retailers will have a number of ‘Best of British’ promotions on offer. Plus, find the ‘Knights Shield Competition’ is sure to be a hit with families. This year’s event is sponsored by the Swindon Wyvern Theatre. To enter the talent competition and for more information visit www. swindontowncentre.co.uk telephone 01793 485523 or e-mail marketing@inswindon.com

Lambing time at Roves Farm Spring is a wonderful time of year to get out into the countryside and visit a working farm. Lambing time will be in full swing by the end of March and into April at Roves Farm. The farm is expecting more than 400 lambs to be born in the barn, and with a special viewing platform looking down across the lambing shed there will be plenty of opportunities for visitors to see all the new born lambs. The ewes were tupped by the rams last Autumn, whilst grazing on a neighbouring farm near Highworth. The gestation period for sheep is 147 days. The ewes were scanned in January to establish the number of lambs each ewe was carrying and were marked accordingly with a spray – red dot for a single lamb, blue dot for triplets and no dot for twins. This information is important to the farmer to know how much food each ewe should be receiving in the lead up to lambing time. A triplet will obviously need much more nutrition than a ewe carrying just a single. The ewes will continue to graze in the fields until a few days before lambing starts on 22 March. Twins and triplets may be supplemented with extra food during February and March. The

lambing shed will be split into three areas; the main lambing area, a number of individual small pens for new born lambs and their mother, and a family pen (where all the lambs and ewes are moved to when they are a day or two old). Each ewe is given a number, sprayed onto her wool after lambing, and each of her lambs are given the same corresponding number. This enables the farmer to identify which lambs belong to which ewe in case one gets lost There’s plenty more going on at the farm this month. ‘Nature Detective’ tractor rides explore the farm during term time in March and April, and the ever popular Easter Bunny is back to his old tricks again during the Easter holidays (8th – 23rd April). Regular daily activities include meet and feed the animals in Pets Corner, meet piglets of all shapes and sizes in the Animal Barn and visit the heated play barn. Special toddler activity sessions run every weekday during term time in the heated activity barn at 10.30am & 1pm, including bubbles, stories and games, followed by all other daily activities. www.rovesfarm.co.uk E: info@rovesfarm.co.uk T: 01793 763939

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Swindon Wide

so much to see and do!

Oink Gallery brings regular fix of art to Old Town

Have a close encounter at Cotswold Wildlife park Cotswold Wildlife Park offers a fantastic day out for all the family. Stroll around the park and enjoy uninterrupted views of the animals, - it feels as though you are in a wild setting. Watch Rhinos graze on the lawns in front of the Gothic Manor House. Walk up the Giraffe walkway and get eye-to-eye with these amazing creatures or explore the Old Walled Garden’s Tropical House with free roaming sloths, birds and bats. Visitors also have the chance to watch the penguins being fed (daily at 11am and 3pm) and then

get up close with the Lemurs in their free-roaming Madagascar Exhibit. * Over 260 Animal Species * Penguin talk and feed at 11am and 3pm daily * Lemur Talk and feed daily at 12 noon * Children’s Farmyard * Large Adventure Playground * Reptile House, Insect House, Bat House. * Cafe and picnic areas. * Gift Shop & Kiosks * Train (April - Oct) * Brass Rubbings (School Holidays)

For those of you who need a regular fix of art, Oink Gallery aims to inject all the necessary ingredients to bring you an array of work from all over the country, both from local artists and further afield. Oink Gallery, which has a collection of art from over 25 artists, has dedicated one of its largest walls to monthly solo exhibitions, alongside the array of designer artefacts also for sale in the shop. March saw the first of these solo exhibitions showcasing London Artist Dan Hillier’s latest collection of work, some of which can still be viewed (and bought) in the gallery. The preview night of the exhibition featured a live Facebook feed from the artist in the Gallery’s

Diary Room, allowing guests in the gallery (as well as wider online audience) to chat to the artist. Oink’s next instalment comes from Brick Lane’s very own artist Adrian Boswell, a well known collage artist who mixes the surrealism of Salvador Dali with the humour of Monty Python, something that really needs to be seen to be believed. The exhibition will be supported by the artist himself, working in the gallery’s basement space, to create new pieces, which will then be exhibited alongside his existing collection of work in the gallery. Adrian Boswell’s exhibition runs throughout April with the opening night on Friday 7 April 6.30pm. Check out Oink Gallery’s Facebook page for more information.

Ten of the best days out 1) Catch the official start to the performance car season at Castle Combe Circuit - With non-stop track action, drifting demos and passenger rides, petrol-heads will love the Spring Action Day at Castle Combe Circuit on 8 April. 2) Sample some treats at an Easter chocolate tasting workshop - Children both big and small will enjoy the chance to taste chocolate from around the world at Goodfayre, in Cross Keys Arcade, Salisbury. 3) Join in with an Easter Egg Hunt: Try the National Trust properties of Stourhead and Mompesson House as well as Bowood House & Gardens and Salisbury Escape Rooms. 5) Cheer on the Devizes to Westminster Canoe Race: This annual canoe race takes place over Easter weekend.

6) Find clues hidden around Lydiard Park: head to Lydiard Park on Easter Sunday and find clues in the parkland. 7) Hop aboard the Easter Eggspress: Meet the Easter Bunny as he travels aboard the Swindon & Cricklade Railway. 8) Join the White Rabbit on the Larmer Tree Easter Trail: On Easter Monday, visit the Larmer Tree and take part in the picturesque Easter trail 9) Spot the Marvellous Monsters at Longleat: Look out for the swarm of colossal bugs that will be on display around Longleat’s grounds! Great for anyone who’s into creepy crawlies. 10) Dare to meet some dinosaurs: Experience the delights of Dinosaur World at Swindon’s Wyvern Theatre on 19-20 April.

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musical guide for Swindon during April Back to normality this month with a roundup of the month’s most delectable musical offerings in the Swindon area! We can’t party hard every month you know. A quick mention for something non-musical first though, as the Swindon Fringe festival takes place at the start of April. We will be curating a comedy stage at The Victoria on Thursday 4 April with two of the country’s finest circuit performers Tony Cowards and Matt Hoss. A sought-after comic worldwide, Tony Cowards’ gags turn up in all sorts of places from greetings cards, to TV shows. So, even if you’ve never heard of him, there’s a very good chance you’ve laughed at one of his jokes! Meanwhile, Matt Hoss tries to make the world a better place, through 100 comical acts.We thoroughly encourage you to come on down

and laugh yourself sideways. Back to the music, The Victoria has also got your Bank Holiday weekend covered with VicFest starting on Thursday 13 April. A now annual showcase of the best local musical talent, prepare yourself for four nights of brilliant tunes from acts such as All Ears

Avow, A Way With Words, Post12, Raze*Rebuild, Crazy Town and many more. It’s going to get loud, proud and little bit crazy in Old Town! On the other side of town, they have a more indie rock vibe going down, with visitors from The Netherlands Pip Blom taking to the

Level III stage on Friday 14 April. With support coming from two local powerhouses in The Harlers and Misfires, this is setting itself up to be one of the best indie shows Swindon has seen of late. Not to be outdone, the Wyvern Theatre are putting on a double dose of tributes on Friday 21 and Saturday 22 April. First up is The Upbeat Beatles, who since 1997 have been the best in the business at recreating the excitement, authentic sound and downright raw energy of the original Fab Four. That’s followed by the Bon Jovi Experience, who have even had the privilege of playing on stage with Jon Bon Jovi himself. Both groups promise an authentic experience that you don’t want to miss. Pick up your copy of The Ocelot in venues at the end of the month, or head to: www.theocelot.co.uk

Chicken Tikka Masala This month’s recipe is claimed to have originated in a Glasgow curry house, after a mix-up with Tomato Soup, but these days Chicken Tikka Masala is widely accepted as one of Britain’s iconic curry dishes. The team at Bengal Square in Peatmoor have shared with us their secrets to creating this classic meal.

Ingredients 6 garlic cloves, finely grated 4 teaspoons finely grated peeled ginger 4 teaspoons ground turmeric 2 teaspoons garam masala 2 teaspoons ground coriander 2 teaspoons ground cumin 1 1/2 cups whole-milk yogurt (Not Greek) 1 tablespoon Kosher salt 2lb skinless, boneless chicken breasts, halved lengthwise

3 tablespoons ghee or veg oil 1 small onion, thinly sliced 1/4 cup tomato paste 6 cardamom pods, crushed 2 dried chiles de årbol or 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes 1 28oz can whole peeled tomatoes 2 cups heavy cream 3/4 cup chipped fresh cilantro plus sprigs for garnish Steamed basmati rice

Method l Combine garlic, ginger, turmeric, garam masala, coriander and cumin in small bowl. l Whisk yogurt, salt and half of spice mixture into medium bowl; add chicken and coat. Cover and chill 4-6 hours, chill remaining spice mixture. l Heat ghee in large pot over medium heat. Add onion, tomato paste, cardamom and chiles and cook, stirring often for five minutes, or until paste has darkened and onion is softened.

Supporting The Eve Appeal through poetry Poetry column by Poetry Swindon’s Maurice Spillane

I was in the House of Commons recently for the launch of the Ovarian Cancer Awareness programme. So how does a male poet get involved with that, you might ask? Well, I have five sisters, four daughters, one wife and many female friends who are precious to me. Ovarian cancer is a silent killer,

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mostly because it is misdiagnosed. Since 1970 the death rate has gone down by 2% while most other cancers have decreased by at least 40%. In fact today, this day, 58 women will be diagnosed with one of the five gynaecological cancers and 21 will die from it. This is unacceptable. One charity is at the forefront of research and awareness www.eveappeal.org.uk. You should read their leaflets. The Eve Appeal asked me to compose a poem for them last year. I have read it at many events.

l Add remaining spice mix and cook for 4 minutes. Add tomatoes with juices, stirring often. Add cream and cilantro, stir and simmer until thickens. l Preheat broiler, line rimmed baking sheet with foil. Arrange chicken on rack in single layer, broil until blackened in spots (chicken will not be cooked through). l Cut chicken into bite-size pieces, add to sauce and simmer, stirring occasionally. Serve with rice and cilantro sprigs.

Poetry really works where there is context and an audience that is aware. Here are the last few lines from the poem “The Second Bite” which looks positively at scientists in white coats who are trying to confront Eve’s first bite of the apple: . . . and I came to understand that water can be commanded as Moses did with the Red Sea, able to order a path of escape to the promised land, as I came to believe that incurable is only a small word,

that needles which hide in haystacks can be found by seekers in coats of white or, as Eve found bitter in that fallen apple, maybe we will taste sweetness in the second bite. You can read the complete poem on my blog: mauricespillane.com/ the-eve-appeal/ • Open Mic is on Monday 10 April, 6pm at Richard Jefferies Museum • Open Mic is at the Beehive Pub on Tuesday 11 April, 7:30pm Book at www.poetryswindon.org

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Breast cancer walkers celebrate Moonwalk anniversary From The Archives with Link founding publisher Roger Ogle London’s Moonwalk marathon on Saturday 13 May will be the twentieth year of the world famous event, and former West Swindon resident Eunice Salmon has taken part in every one of them. From the start Link magazine was a spur for Eunice, who now lives in Purton, to bring together a team of volunteers to organise women and a sprinkling of blokes to take part in the marathon through the streets of the capital. The idea for an overnight walk came to Moonwalk founder Nina Barough who had a dream to walk the 1996 New York marathon with a group of women in their bras in aid of breast cancer. The £25,000 raised inspired Nina to organise a similar outing on the night before the 1997 London marathon. “I was 37 and had been thinking of doing a marathon and saw an article about a walking marathon supporting breast cancer,” said Eunice. “I had benign lumps when I was eighteen but had recently been to a school reunion and was told a classmate had died from breast cancer, it was a jolt and gave me a

sight on the Moonwalk as Swindon was the largest town represented for several years. The Swindon Twin Peaks group continues to organise training walks for fitness, but participants now organise their own transport if they enter the Moonwalk which still attracts up to 17,000 people annually. Eunice said former Breakthrough Breast Cancer Prince Charles meets Moonwalkers at Highgrove House, with Eunice branch chair Shirley Garman was Salmon, left, and Nina Barough, right in September 2001 the inspiration for so much of the activity to raise money for breast reason to take part. “The Link carried a story about cancer research in the late 1990s. “At first I wasn’t sure about the first Moonwalk and asked if I “When I got involved in the walking in a bra and contacted was going to do another, and what Moonwalk, she told me ‘it doesn’t Nina; she said think of the bra about advertising for other women matter if you don’t raise any money, as a decorated garment and to join me?,” said Eunice. “I thought you’ll be raising awareness.’ make a statement for the cause. about five would step forward; a “When she started the branch she It’s amazing how women have few weeks later 35 came to my set a target for Swindon women to embraced the idea and taken to the house to find out more. It was a raise £1 million for Breakthrough Moonwalk movement and raised shock to realise that something big (rebranded Breast Cancer Now). about £113 million for women’s was about to happen.” The network she created is still very cancer related charities in the last The group decided to call active and I hope the last £76,550 19 years.” themselves Swindon Twin Peaks and After walking on her own, Eunice started to organise transport as the can be achieved by 2019 which is the tenth anniversary of her death joined the Swindon branch of numbers who wanted to take part Breakthrough Breast Cancer run kept growing. One hundred travelled from breast cancer.” “For me and so many other by the late Shirley Garman and to London in 1998 rising to 200 women who participate, it is a blames Link magazine for helping walkers in 2001. positive way of fighting back.” to turn Swindon into a walking The Magic Roundabout Dougal Find out about The Moonwalk at powerhouse. decorated bra became a well known www.walkthewalk.org they had priceless interest for Swindon historians and, indeed, anybody interested in the town’s Dixon and Attwell families, and in past, so it was important to find particular Mike’s grandfather, Jack them a good home.” Dixon (1899-1984), who lived in A few of the items have been George Street, near the GWR Park deposited at the Wiltshire and in Faringdon Road. Swindon History Centre in What members of the family all Chippenham, but the majority had in common was: they never will be added to the Local Studies seemed to throw anything away. So archive at the Central Library. the collection paints a picture of The grant will pay for the everyday life in Swindon for most publication of a book about the of the 20th century. collection, plus an exhibition, talks “When my parents died, I was and packs for schools, all planned left with a house full of papers and for the autumn. The collection will others items,” said Mike Attwell. be feature in future editions of “Few items were of any real Swindon Heritage. monetary value, but I recognised www.swindonheritage.com

A treasure trove of heritage for Swindon By Graham Carter of Swindon Heritage magazine Swindon Heritage has been awarded a £9,700 grant by the Heritage Lottery Fund to throw the spotlight on a newly discovered local treasure. Known as The Dixon-Attwell Collection, it was donated to the Local Studies department of Swindon Central Library last year, and is made up of around 7,000 documents, photos and ephemera. The collection was donated by Mike Attwell and relates to three generations of the Swindon-based

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Swindon Wide MUSIC

Saturday 1st, 10.30pm SWINDON FRINGE: Alf The Highwayman. A show for all the family with plenty of chances to join in and no frights! £5.50. Shoebox Theatre.

Friday 21st, 7.30pm The Upbeat Beatles. With the songs that changed a generation, this show will have you tapping your feet from the opening bars. £21.50. Friends £2.50 off. Wyvern.

Tuesday 11th, 1pm & 3.30pm

COMEDY

Celebrate Easter with us from 12.30-4.00pm with a delicious 3 course carvery, served in our Brasserie Adults £15.95 per person, Children aged 4-12 £10 per child, Children under 4 free. Book now T +44(0) 1285 864333 E waterparkconference@devere.com

To guarantee your reservation we ask for full prepayment at the time of booking, this also includes all parties larger than 25 guests. Your payment is non-refundable and non-transferable. Please make us aware of any dietary requirements at the time of booking.

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Tuesday 4th, 8pm SWINDON FRINGE: The Ocelot Stage - Tony Cowards & Matt Hoss. Two of the best comics currently on the UK circuit come to Swindon for a special Fringe performance. The Ocelot Stage at The Victoria. Saturday 15th, 8pm Justin Moorhouse returns to Swindon doing what he does best - no-frills, big-hearted, stand up comedy. £17.50. Arts Centre. Saturday 22nd, 7.30pm Scottish Falsetto Sock Puppets Do Shakespeare. The Socks have risen to the challenge of Shakespeare, to rave reviews. £14.50. £1 conc. Arts Centre. Sunday 23rd, 2pm Tweedy The Clown (Relaxed Performance). Not knowing who he is anymore, Tweedy gets a job in a Lost Property Office to try and find himself. £15. Children £4 off. Wyvern.

Prospect Hospice

3

Lottery A chance to win, a way to care

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22

Three Little Pigs. From the awardwinning writers of Mary Poppins and Honk!, Stiles and Drewe, comes a new adaptation of this classic tale. £13. Children £2 off. Arts Centre. Tuesday 21st, 7.30pm SWINDON FRINGE: Clown Workshop for Children. Activities for children to learn and create through clown techniques and plays. £5.50. Shoebox Theatre. Tuesday 18th, 2pm & 6pm

Dick and Dom Live! The legends of Children’s TV unleashed on Swindon. £15. Children £2 off. Wyvern. Tuesday 18th to Thursday 20th, 11am & 2pm Hansel and Gretel. Two children go on a journey of bravery and discovery to an enchanted forest. £13. Children £2 off. Arts Centre. Friday 21st, 1pm & 4.30pm Alice in Wonderland. Immersion Theatre proudly bring their trademark energy to their most spectacularly bonkers show to date £13. Children £2 off. Arts Centre.

www.prospect-hospice.net/lottery or call 01793 816190 to join

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FAMILY

Sunday 2nd, 7.30pm SWINDON FRINGE: The Ocelot Stage - The Groovy Pig Music Festival. Broad selection of musical talent. Pay what you will. The Ocelot Stage at The Victoria.

Saturday 22nd, 7.30pm The Bon Jovi Experience have performed with Jon Bon Jovi and come with all the hits. £21.50. Friends £2.50 off. Wyvern.

Easter Sunday Lunch on 16th April

WHAT’S ON SWIN

Wednesday 26th, 8pm Andy Parsons. Mock The Week star returns to Swindon with new show. £18.50. Wyvern. Sunday 30th, 8pm Richard Herring. King of the Edinburgh Fringe, Metro columnist and the UK’s Podfather picks his favourite routines from his 12 oneman shows and crams them into 90 minutes for your delectation. £18.50. Wyvern.

Saturday 29th 3pm & 7.30pm, Sunday 30th 11am, 3pm & 6pm.

Babe: The Sheep Pig. From the award-winning writers of Mary Poppins and Honk!, Stiles and Drewe, comes a new adaptation of this classic tale. £13. Children £2 off. Arts Centre.

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Swindon Wide

ON SWINDON DRAMA & MUSICALS Friday 31st March to Saturday 1st Harold Jolliffe One - Act Play Festival celebrates its 70th year with performances from local groups, acting as a preliminary round for the All England Theatre Festival. Free. Royal Wootton Bassett Memorial Hall. Thursday 6th, 7.30pm SWINDON FRINGE: All American Scream & Pugilist Specialist. A double dose of dark, genre-bending humour pieces of theatre. £10.50. Shoebox. Friday 7th, 7.30pm SWINDON FRINGE: Antigone & Blooming Out. Two contrasting works of theatre dealing with the struggle between the Law of Men and the Law of Nature and the most intriguing moments of the feminine universe. £10.50. Shoebox. Tuesday 4th to Saturday 8th, 7.30pm The Yeomen of the Guard presented by Swindon Gilbert and Sullivan Society. £15. Students £11. Arts Centre. Thursday 6th to Saturday 8th, 7.30pm (Sat 2.30pm) Swindon Gang Show. Swindon Scouts and Guides proudly return to the Wyvern for the 35th year. £13. £2 conc. Wyvern. Thursday 13th to Saturday 15th, 7.30pm (Sat 2.30pm) Tanwood Youth Theatre presents Footloose. With full professional set and live orchestra,. £22. £2 conc.. Wyvern. Wednesday 26th to Saturday 29th, 7.30pm Phoenix Players: Ladies of Spirit. Local theatre group portray story of long suffering private school students finding help from an unexpected quarter. £11. £1 conc. Arts Centre.

DANCE Thursday 27th to Friday 28th, 7.30pm An Audience with Ian Waite & Natalie Lowe. Strictly stars return with a bang after their first, hugely successful UK Tour and sell-out Swindon date £28. £1.50 conc. Wyvern.

ART & EXHIBITIONS Thursday 6th, 7.30pm Distinction Through The Looking Glass. New College students of Distinction Hair & Beauty Salon will be showcasing their skills learned throughout the year. £3.50. Phoenix Theatre.

TALKS & POETRY Monday 10th, 7.30pm John Cooper Clarke’s latest show is a mix of classic verse, extraordinary new material, hilarious ponderings on modern life, good honest gags, riffs and chat. £26. Students £16. Arts Centre.

FILM Wednesday 12th, 7.45pm

Marguerite (15) Swindon Film Society. Arts Centre. Swindon Film Society (SFS) films are for members only. It is possible to join at any film screening. Friday 28th, 7.15pm

A Walk in the Woods (15) In this new comedy adventure, celebrated travel writer, Bill Bryson, instead of retiring, challenges himself to hike the Appalachian Trail. £5. Highworth Community Cinema. St Michael’s Hall. VENUES Arts Centre, Devizes Road SN1 4BJ. Tel: 01793 524481 The Bohemian Balcony, Jennings Street, Swindon SN2 2BD. Tel: 07874 366256

Valuation Day opportunity with

Thomas Plant TV expert on Flog It! The Antiques Road Trip & Bargain Hunt

The Platform, Faringdon Road, Swindon SN1 5BJ Phoenix Theatre, New College Drive, Swindon, SN3 1AH. Tel: 01793 732889 The Rolleston, 73 Commercial Road, Swindon SN1 5NX. Tel: 01793 534238 Shoebox Theatre, Theatre Square, Swindon SN1 1QN. Tel: 07340 758497 St Michael’s Hall Lechlade Road, Highworth, SN6 7HQ. Tel: 01793 763907 Roves Farm, Sevenhampton, Nr Highworth SN6 7QG. Tel: 01793 763939 Shoebox Theatre, Theatre Square, Swindon SN1 1QN. Email: shoebox@wrongshoes.co.uk Swindon Information Centre, Central Library SN1 1QG. Tel: 01793 530328 Swindon Museum and Art Gallery, Bath Road SN1 4BA. Tel: 01793 466556 The Victoria, 88 Victoria Road, SN1 3BD. Tel: 01793 535713 Wyvern Theatre, Theatre Square SN1 1QN. Tel: 01793 524481 Confirm date, time & price with venue

Bring along your portable items for a FREE valuation with Thomas, OR members of his team from Special Auction Services

Monday 10th April 10am to 3.30pm

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

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Swindon Wide

Dramatic developments in the arts Swindon’s theatre scene has received a much needed shot in the arm with the launch of two new venues in the town, dedicated to promoting and supporting the arts at a grass roots level. Swindon’s Shoebox Theatre celebrated its official launch with a visit by newly appointed patron Billie Piper and a live theatrical performance. Invited guests included prominent members of Swindon’s artistic community, including Museum and Art Gallery Director Hadrian Ellory Van Dekker as well as other invitees from the wider town community including Swindon Borough Council leader David Renard. The Shoebox Theatre, based in a 6m x 12m multi-performance space next to the Wyvern Theatre, was set up last August with the aim of providing a platform for Swindon’s non professional actors to tackle new works and contemporary scripts. Speaking at the opening, Swindon-born actress Billie Piper praised the work of performers

who staged excerpts of The Magnificent Doctor Faustus and underlined the importance of grassroots theatre opportunities. “The Shoebox is small, humble and wonderful. I’m a huge fan and I’m honoured to have been asked to be a patron of the Shoebox Theatre and I’m looking forward to being a regular fixture here.” Also in March, the Bohemian Balcony has blossomed into being. The project which is based in the former Palladium Cinema on Jennings Street in Rodbourne has been launched by former teacher Dan Rivers as a multi-faceted creative hub for writers, poets, performers and theatre groups to develop their skills in a supportive environment. The Bohemian Balcony will act as one of four venues for Swindon’s Fringe Festival (April 1-9) and will host the launch night on March 31. l More information about the venues mentioned can be found at: www.shoeboxtheatre.org.uk www.bohemianbalcony.com www.swindonfringefestival.com www.swindontheatres.co.uk

Billie Piper at the opening of the Shoebox Theatre

Olivia’s dancing for joy after gaining ballet school place

Ballet star: Olivia Bayram who has won a place at the Royal Ballet School

A budding ballet star has secured a place at the world famous Royal Ballet School - one of just 12 chosen from thousands of other hopefuls. Even Swindon Primary School pupil, Olivia Bayram, 11, heard the amazing news from her mum Caroline, who couldn’t wait until the end of the school day to tell her. She said: “I was so excited that I went to her school to give her the good news. She was in the middle of playing for the school football team at the time but the school kindly let me tell her.” Olivia said: “I couldn’t believe it, I was so excited. It’s like a dream come true. I like all kinds of dance but ballet is what I’m really focussed on.” The talented dancer has been

24

studying ballet with the Tanwood School for Performing Arts since the age of three. She will now stay at the ballet school’s White Lodge in Richmond Park, where she will hone her ballet skills alongside her academic studies, returning to see her parents Caroline and James every three weeks. “It’s going to be strange but I know what a big opportunity this is for me so I’m really happy. I think I’m the only person from Swindon to be chosen to go this year so I feel really proud.” As part of the audition process, Olivia competed against thousands of other hopefuls in a series of three auditions before being chosen as one of 12 from a pool of 64 in the final round in Birmingham.

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Sport and Leisure

Hargroves Cycles to host sixth annual Mountain Bike Demo Day

Hargroves Cycles will be hosting their sixth annual mountain bike demo day at the Croft Trail on Sunday 30 April. Matt Treviss, Head of Marketing, said: “This event is a special one for us. We’re really focussed on our local market, and our Swindon store is just up the road. Plus it’s great to catch up with local riders and also play an active role in the mountain bike community”. This year, Hargroves are providing a huge fleet of bikes for attendees to put through their paces. Mountain bikes from top brands will all be available including the latest 650b, 29er and full suspension models. “Local riders love the Croft Trail and it’s a great opportunity for us to get real feedback on the latest models. Also, It’s not often a rider gets the chance to properly

‘try before they buy” and we love making that possible.” said Mark Sealey, Manager at Hargroves. The event is open from 10am - 4pm. To register online or for more info: hargrovescycles.co.uk/ swindon-demo-day

Refresh your Kitchen this Spring

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David Hawkins

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SERVICE SECTOR

Service Sector - Your guide to local services YOUR GUIDE TO LOCAL SERVICES

DECORATOR

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Tel: 01793 700637 or 07963 637748 www.bookkeepingswindon.co.uk

J’s Electrical ✭ Extra sockets and lights ✭ Shower and cooker installation ✭ Fuse board replacement ✭ Complete re-wiring ✭ Security lighting ✭ P.A.T. testing ✭ 24 hours

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SERVICE SECTOR

Service Sector - Your guide to local services 27

YOUR GUIDE TO LOCAL SERVICES

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17/03/2017 10:28

Puzzle

14

16

15

17 22

18

21

19

20

21

26

25

22

23

24

26

25

28 30

31

32

N C

I

C A R

There is just one simple rule in Sudoku. Each row and each column must contain the numbers 1 to 9, and so must each 3 x 3 box. This is a logic puzzle, you should not have to guess.

9 8

ACROSS

DOWN

1. 4. 8. 10. 11. 12. 14. 16. 17. 19. 22. 26. 27. 28. 29. 30. 31. 32.

1. 2. 3. 5. 6. 7. 9. 10. 13. 15. 18. 19. 20. 21. 22. 23. 24. 25.

Front (6) Upward slope (6) Invertebrate (6) Sell door to door (6) Large stream (5) Paddled (6) Clandestine (6) Follow orders (4) Ripped (4) Catch sight of (4) Pace (4) Very strict (6) Boredom (6) Later (anag.) (5) Stimulus, boost (6) Threefold (6) German songs (6) Pal (6)

H A S

SUDOKU

27

29

Any word found in the Concise Oxford Dictionary is eligible with the following exceptions: proper nouns; plural nouns, pronouns and possessives; third person singular verbs; hyphenated words; contractions and abbreviations; vulgar slang words; variant spellings of the same word (where another variant is also eligible).

Wince (6) Gambling room (6) Edict (6) Three-dimensional (6) Tolerate (6) Score (6) Neat (4) Nuisance (4) Abnormally fat (5) Wept (5) Helpful (6) Develop, disclose (6) Commend (6) Sharp cry (4) Let it stand (4) Great fear (6) Inflamed spot (6) Threaten (6)

1

6 8 5 1 7 2

2 2 6 1

SOLUTIONS

7 8 6

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

Evolve; 20 Praise; 21 Yelp; 22 Stet; 23 Terror; 24 Pimple; 25 Impend.

13

QUICK CROSSWORD Across – 1 Façade; 4 Ascent; 8 Insect; 10 Peddle; 11 River; 12 Canoed; 14 Secret; 16 Obey; 17 Tore; 19 Espy; 22 Step; 26 Severe; 27 Tedium; 28 Alter; 29 Fillip; 30 Triple; 31 Lieder; 32 Friend.

12

Using all 16 letters of the phrase above, form four words each of four letters which, when placed correctly in the grid, will form a magic square in which the words can be read both horizontally and vertically.

NONAGRAM anarch; anarchic; arch; archaic; arnica; cairn; carina; cash; chai; chain; chair; chana; char; characin; charas; chic; chin; china; cinch; circa; craic; cran; crash; inarch; inch; rachis; ranch; rich; SACCHARIN; scan; scar; scran.

16 Good; 19 Very Good; 22 Excellent.

MAGIC SQUARE emit; more; iris; test.

10

Down – 1 Flinch; 2 Casino; 3 Decree; 5 Stereo; 6 Endure; 7 Twenty; 9 Tidy; 10 Pest; 13 Obese; 15 Cried; 18 Useful; 19

9 11

MISTER, IT IS REMOTE

7 9 3 4 6 5 1 2 8

8

How many words of four letters or more can you make from this Nonagram? Each word must use the central letter, and each letter may be used only once. At least one word using all nine letters can be found. Target scores:

4 1 6 8 2 9 5 7 3

7

5 2 8 3 7 1 6 4 9

6

3 4 9 2 1 6 7 8 5

5

8

1 5 2 7 8 4 3 9 6

4

6 8 7 9 5 3 4 1 2

3

2 6 4 1 3 8 9 5 7

2

MAGIC SQUARE

8 3 1 5 9 7 2 6 4

1

NONAGRAM

9 7 5 6 4 2 8 3 1

QUICK CROSSWORD

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