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EXPRESS CYCLES SELL MORE BIKES

MagazineJ~

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Take a look for

yourself today No. 123 June 1992

•

96-99 Manchester Road, Swindon

Circulation 10,500

•zi- (0793) 534907 & 513705

West takes on blue hue

Freshbrook School first to consider opt-out status Link to disappear

next month

No, The Link magazine isn't going out of business! Things have never been healthier. However were publishing our guide to West Swindon, WEST next month (deferred from June). Instead of being found inside The Link as last year, WEST will be published on the outer pages and the July Link news will occupy the centre pages. By doing this we hope to encourage readers to keep WEST handy as an invaluable ,• guide to facilities in the area and as a quick reference to the businesses providing a service to the people who live here. There's still time to advertise in WEST. Telephone 871793.

The governors at Freshbrook School are the first local school to

declare that they will investigate whether to break away from Wiltshire County Council control. Across the country abouta dozen primary schools now have Grant Maintained Status which means funding comes direct from the DepartmentofEducation andScience. However there is said to have been a flood of enquiries about GMS since the general election in April. Freshbrook headteacher Phillip Gurney said the governors had started to discuss opting-out six months ago but the idea had been frozen pending the outcome of the election. 'The governors are at the stage of investigating the pros and cons of Grant Maintained Status as faras this school is concerned. They will review whether it meets our needs in June and then decide whether to put the issue to a ballot of parents."

June Festival of Fun

f.,

There's going to be loads of fun for pre-school children and their parents during West Swindon's fourth Under 5s Festival in June. / The events include a day out amongst the animals at Lower Shaw Farm, a teddy bears picnic at Lydiard Park and an activity day at the Link Centre. New this year is a nature day atRoughmoor Social Hall with visits the ancient woodland at Peatmoor Copse to collect materials for artwork A full programme is printed on page 14 of this edition of the Link magazine. Cut it out and get involved. -

óOs concert tickets selling well Tickets are still available for the Link Centre's first big pop concert on Sunday 14 June. Stars of the 19 60s The Tremeloes, Mike Pender's Searchers and The Merseybeatswill beperforming their many hits in aid of the new Ricky MidwinterTrustwhich is being set up to help the young people of West

Swindon in memory of the late councillor. Tickets for the four hour show cost £10 and details of how to book can be found on page 15. Promoter Andy Cotton said the bends offer great value for money and the cash raised will be going to a good cause.

If parents are to be asked to decideon the school's future, the earliesta ballot could take place would be September. A 'yes' vote would then be sent for agreement by the Secretary of State for Education. and new funding arrangements would come into effect next year. "The key thing is to provide parents with good, clear, balanced information about the issue and we would aim to make this available," said Mr Gurney

Aid to Albania

The local election for seats on Thamesdown Council on 7 May saw West Swindon swing behind the Conservative Party candidates in all three seats in contention. In the Toothill Ward, which includes Westlea, Skew and Sparcells, two seats were up for election. Linda Green and Michael Rutland received enough votes to retain one Conservative seat and win the place held by the late Labour councillor Ricky Midwinter. In Freshbrook and Grange Park the Conservative's Neil Bristow deposed Labour's Bob Pixton, the area's councillor for six years. In a shock move just before the elections, theToothill Ward Labour County Councillor Alan Winn-ill announced he was defecting to the Conservative Party. He said he would continue to represent local people irrespective of their politics but declined to declare whether he would be putting himself forward in nextyear's County Council elections.

On page 13 photographer Neil Atkinson from Grange Park describes the trip organised by the Wootton Bassett Appeal for Albania in early May.

• Alan Winmill explains his reasons for changing sides on page 4. • Bob Pixton reflects on six years as a councillor for Freshbrook and Grange Park on page 77.

Rising to the challenge

ALLIED DUNBAR

All the staff of Allied Dunbar are taking part in Challenge '92 during early July. Community groups are being invited to challenge them to carry out tasks which can be completed over a weekend. If you've got ajob and you need people power to get it done, telephone Jenny Shearer on 514514.

Link a tune with the band and win a pair of tickets to the big charity concert in June 44f9. Silence is golden Sorrow Needles & Pins Wishin' an Hopin' Twist & Shout Sugar and Spice

te4e ie4?

Know the answers? It was either The Merseybects, The Tremeloes or The Searchers Send your answers to: The Link magazine, 13 Castle Dore, Freshbrook. The first three correct answers drawn on 6 June win 2 tickets each.

School of fun for summer "Just to let you know about the diet. I've lost pounds!"

HAIR REMOVAL BY THE ZAHRA METHOD SUGARING Banish all unwanted hair

'said you could do it with the help of a Cambridge Counsellor." DEVELOPED BY DOCTORS OVER 20 YEARS

Book an appointment with DOREEN your full-time local QUALIFIED ZAHRA PRACTITIONER In the PRIVACY of her spacious house and her well-fitted treatment room you can relax and enjoy Doreen treating you in comfort.

For details of your local Counsellor, call Rebecca Qifforde (Westlea) on 873201

RING DOREEN NOW! SWINDON 876590

the C'?iibr1de Diet

Have a Great Party! Hire one of our Mini-Clown Bouncers. 10'x10' or 12'x12' inflatables with rain covers. Ideal for children's parties, pre-school groups, fetes, etc. Indoors or Outdoors. SPECIAL MID-WEEK RATES

There are still places available on the Greendown School summer camp which takes place at theend of July which is open to all 8 to 14 year olds in West Swindon. There will be coaching in trampoline, basketball, tennis, gym/dance and soccer. Children aged 3 to9 willalso have a seperate summer school in gymnastics, dance, art and craft. All the staff on the camp will be

fully qualified and children will be supervised at all times. Players from Swindon Town will be involved in the soccer training sessions. The camp takes place between lOamand 3pmdailyovertwo weeks starting Monday 20 July. The cost is ÂŁ30 per week and bookings can be made for one or both weeks. To make a booking for the remaining places, telephone Greendown School on 874224 for a form.

Youngsters to get chance to learn French in summer hols. A summer school for youngsters in Run over four sessions, French West Swindon aims to give them a for Fun will teach children aged 9 to taste of French and get them ready 11 years simple conversational French through a variety of fun acfor secondary school. tivities including language games, puzzles, songs, role play and cooking. The sessions take place at Sparcells Community Hall between 9.30am and 12 noon from 27 to 30 July, or 3 to 6 August. The summer school is being run by qualified and expererienced teacher Heather Bargains galore Sharpe and will be sure to give youngsters a boost in confidence from community before they commence national curgroup stalls. riculum French studies at secondary school. To book a stall, Spaces are limited so early booktelephone 871212 ing is recommended. For further ext 234 details, telephone 870714.

Link Centre Charity Market Sat. 13 June, lOam

To book, ring ACE FUN CASTLES on 827043

IMPORTANT NOTICE To all clients of K&K Insurance Services and people in West Swindon who need general insurance facilities, the office at West Swindon Centre has had to close due to the recession and high overheads. However, all the business from the office has been transferred to the offices of:

ALLIED WESSEX Insurance Consultants

109 High Street Wootton Bassett Tel: (0793) 850441 Fax: (0793) 848919

Allied Wessex, which has been established since 1972, is conveniently located close to West Swindon, with easy access by bus or car and there is free parking. Mrs Evelyn James, general insurance director at K&K, has joined Allied Wessex and will continue to provide the excellent support to customers for which she is well known.

Allied Wessex will be pleased to assist any West Swindon residents in need of general insurance of any kind in the future.

Making links with the young people of the world By Roger Ogle, Publisher of The Link Magazine OnThursday 25 June I am organisinga meetingwith the aimof launching the world's largest youth education organisation in the Swindon area. AFS Intercultural Education Programmes annually gives over 8,000 16 to 18 year olds around the world the opportunity to live in one of 55 countries for a school year. They live with a family, learn another language and experience another culture. (I spent a year in the USA when I was 17, many years ago). AFS is the only organisation of it s kind to receive a United Nations citation for Service to the Youth of the World. Those who take part - the students, the families and people from the host communities - are enriched by the experienceof exhanging ideas and knowledge, and acquiring new skills which are so important in developing understanding in our increasingly interdependent world. AFS in the UK is a charity with a fairly low profile. But its trying to change this by spreading information about the opportunities on offer to teenagers and families. After all, the aims of AFS can only be achieved if close links are created at a community level. Burmah Castrol plc have kindly agreed to host the public meeting at their international headquarters Burmah House, Pipers Way, Swindon on 25 June. There will be refreshments from 7pm and the meeting will start at 7.30pm until 9pm. There will be short talks by an AFS national committee member, a student from another country currently living with a British family and a Swindon family who have

hosted students in the past. The meeting is open to: • 14and l5yearolds who see themselves taking off on an adventure of a lifetime for a year after their exams, and of course their families; • families who might be interested in providing a home for a teenager from another country • members of organisations like Rotary, Lions or Amnesty which have an international outlook and could help in finding host families. You're all invited and I hope to see you there. If you want detailed information, call me on 872282.

Advertising Sales: Elizabeth Wood Tel: 871793 d Apple Macintosh design, layout and lasersetting Printed by Wiltshire, Bristol Published monthly.

Copy date for July edition: 16 June The July edition will be published on 26 June

EXCLUSIVE DESIGNER

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Hannah Youngman from Winchcombe Road is pictured with the Mayor of Thamesdown Councillor Eric Smith after he unveiled West Swindon's newest sculpture on 20 May. The work by Vega Bernejo, also pictured, depicting the nursery-rhyme is located outside the Clarke Homes showhouse at The Prinnels, Shaw.

#1ik 510\0

Editorial: Roger Ogle, Publisher/Editor Tel: (0793) 872282

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Telephone Marketing • Gain Appointments • Generate Membership! Consumer Interest • Product Research • Conference Organisation Various Telephone Marketing undertaken. No job too small Competitive prices.

Hey diddle diddle unveiled

Published by West Swindon Publications, 13 Castle Dore Freshbrook, Swindon

C.A. ?Vtarketc j

"The Link was first published in December 1978 exclusively for the West Swindon community. It is completely independent of Link Centre and, in fact, won the competition to name the leisure centre in 1984. "The magazine is entirely self-supporting from advertising."

Contents 4 Toothill 6 Freshbrook & Grange Park 7 Westlea 8 Shaw 10 At Your Library 11 Arts & Entertainments 12 Recreation 13 Local Lives 14-23 News& Views 22 Letters to the Link

The contehts of The Link are protected by copywright. Copying of advertisements for business use, including publication is forbidden unless advertisers or publishers have sought permission. Articles and photographs require similar authority.

r27

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Time for Change Alan Winmill, County Councillor for Toothill, Westlea, Shaw and Sparcells explains why he has switched his political allegiance Most of you will by now be aware that I have left the Labour Party and joined the Conservatives. The dozens of letters and phone calls I have received applauding my decision and complementing me on a degree of courage have to be set against one call and one letter of abuse. Most politicians spend a great deal of time trying to persuade others to change their voting pattern. It would be a very boring and un-progressing world if there was never a change. Having lived most of my life asan uncompromising 'left' Socialist, I started to question the value of such a society after my visit to the Soviet Union some five years ago. The 'blinkers' started to come off! More recently, I have tried to apply good commonsense business practice to the affairs of local government, but frustration with the dogmatic and doctrinaire slogans that are the stock in trade of many former colleagues, finally determined me to leave the Labour Party.

Perhaps for the last twelve months, I toyed with the idea of declaring myself an 'Independent'. But sitting on the fence with no possibility of influencing an administrative group, or an opposition one, did not appeal. Then Irealised, that likegivingup smoking, it is easy to 'to put it off' to next week, but a decision has to be made sometime. I have made it. A Councillor, likean MP,is elected to represent the whole of the electorate, not just those who vote for him! her. Councillors are not mandated, but tasked to use their best judgement for the benefit of all the electors. Ibeievelhavedone this forthe last seven years and can say with conviction, that within the Ward, my work has been without any political bias and will continue to be so whatever the situation or political persuasion of the person(s) concerned. Judging by the recent local election results, it would seem that I still currently represent the majority of the Toothill and Shaw electorate!

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There was excitement in a reception class atToothill School in May when an egg hatched in their incubator to reveal lively chicken. Aprojecton dragons had led the class to take a look at eggs and see how young creatures emerge from them.

Toothill Community Centre Annual General Meeting

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Teacher Tanya Weatheraliwith Rebecca Lampard and Miles Gardiner and a newly hatched chicken

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Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs opened the Windmill Hill School summer fete, which raised £800, on a gloriously sunny 16 May. Pictured from left are Jane Norman, Stewart Gatheram, Neil Gatheram, Lucy Wilson, Sarah Browne, Donna Cox, Ben Holingshed, Matthew Fiddler

In tune for Swindon Forty six children from Freshbrook School entered two competitions at the Wiltshire Schools Music Festival in Devizes on 8 May. The choir took fifth place and the recorder group came second. Freshbrook was the only Swindon school to enter against 22 others from across Wiltshire. Right: Young recorder players coached by Mrs Charlotte Cowell, from back to front, left to right, Helen Markham, Katie Morris, Michelle Clark, Laura O'Conner, Sarah Harding, Kate Rudkins, Jennifer Munday, Richard Wojiak, Louise Cronkite, Paul Wylie, Gavin Pickett, Melanie Blake, Emma Pickett, Carla Laney

Freshbrook School Summer Fete Saturday 27 June, 12 noon 4pm -

PRICE GUARANTEE If you can beat our flight costs for the same flight, on the same day, at the same time, then we will give you a FREE £10 voucher to spend on your next flight, accommodation, car hire.

FREE ACCOMMODATION IN THE CANARIES FOR 93 WHEN YOU BOOK ACCOMMODATION IN 92 For the complete service that's tailor made to suit your needs at the right price, there's only one stop to make. Call early to avoid disappointment.

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week by telephone or come and see us In the Lower Brunel Arcade, Swindon Prices correct at time of going to press

Admission 20p Barbecue food and refreshments on sale Bouncy castle, rides, displays by GWR Majorettes, lots of stalls, tombolas and raffles Fun for all the family Organised by the Friends of Freshbrook School Jumble Sale Saturday 6 June, 2pm Freshbrook Community Centre 20p admission Donations welcome phone 871017 or 872450 Organised by the Freshbrook Village Group -

If you've got a West Swindon story, give The Link magazine a call on 872282

Facechoice Pharmacy Freshbrook Village Centre Tel: 870226 Opening limes: Monday Friday 9am- 1pm 215pm ópm -

Saturday 9am- 12noon

WESTLEA It's the Olympics at the Westlea School Summer Fete Saturday 27 June, 2pm - 4pm Adults arid children's races. Camel and poy.rides. Stalls, refreshment, raffle etc.

Cash for After School club expansion

DONfTMISS OUT! The housing market is starting to improve. If you have been thinking about moving house, remember the substantial savings from the removal of stamp duty is only available until this August. Whether you are moving house or thinking of re-mortgaging your present property, we may be able to help you.

Westlea After School club treasurer Julie Bailey, left, receivesa cheque from Gillian Barber of the Wiltshire Community Foundation, with chair Sue Ahmed and play worker Terry Carter Working parents living in Westlea care on five afternoons a week and will soon have the chance to have the wonderful grants by the Wilttheir school aged children cared for shire Community Foundation and Allied Dunbar now allows us to ofafter school on five days a week. Successful grant applications by fer a more attractive package to the Westlea After School Club to the working parents." The after school club meets beWiltshire Community Foundation and the Allied Dunbar Charitable tween 3.20pm and 5.30pm. ChilTrust have boosted funds by £5,000 dren at primary school are cared for to allow the club to open another by trained play leaders who supervise a range of craft, sporting and two afternoons. The club opened on three after- indoor activities. Parents who want to know more noons a week during term time last September with major financial about after school care at the Westlea backing from National Power and After School club should drop into the Sunshine Room Social Hall at Thamesdown Borough Council. Club chairwoman Sue Sheikh Westlea School and chat to the sensaid, "We always aimed to provide ior play worker Terry Carter.

Group celebrates 10th birthday Children and staff at Westlea Playgroup spent a week in May in a continuous party to celebrate ten years of providing pre-school stimulation to hundreds children who live in Westlea. The group started life in a temporary porta-cabin, the original Sunshine Room, off Langstone Way, then moved to the Community Room on the school site. Pictured below are the playgroup staff, Eileen Jones, Jorunn Hiscock and Caroline Belsen surrounded by some of the children who attend

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Brook Field School Summer Fete Saturday 13 June 2pm

Modelling Victorian times

Children at Brook Field School took an unusual approach to studying Crafts. Stalls of all description, Victorian times during the last week Fair Ground Rides, Netball & of term in May. With the help of public artist Lou Football shoot-outs. Bar-B-Q, Hamilton, five groups of nine year Jumble, Majorettes, Pony olds each built life-sized people out and Trap Rides. of wire mesh, cardboard, yards of Admission 20p parcel tape, covered with coloured tissue. The figures represented four Shaw Ridge School Victorian children at play and a stern

'"a','

Summer Fete Saturday 20 June 2-6pm

looking school ma'am with bun and bustle. Before making the models, the children had to research what their Victorian ancestors were in the playground and the games that were played many years ago like marbles and hoop and stick. When completed the characters will be displayed in front of a mural of a school.

Young artists, Helen Willmott and Lee Rivers in the front and from left, Victoria Grey, Christopher Mills, Michelle Cole, Louise Crowhurst ,Lind say Palfreeman and Matthew Friend

Sideshows, stalls, loads of events and lots of fun

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We had an excellent evening visit to The Body Shop on 27 April. We had a short, informal talk on how Anita Roddick had first started the business, and the problems she'd overcome, then we were given make-up demonstrations. It was another evening when we were pampered, and were able to try out any of the products before purchasing. Shaw WI was the only branch in Swindon which entered the annual competition hosted by the Young Farmers Association. It's an Interoganisation competition held between the WI,Townswomen's Guild and the Young Farmers Association. The theme this year was 'From A Child's Bookshelf and we chose 'The Owl and The Pussycat'. Pat Williams, Alison Kerr,CheiylMoore and I put a lot of work into our exhibit, which was on display at Rowdefield Farm, Rowde on Sunday 3 May. There were about fifty entries and whilst we didn't win, our marks were very respectable, putting us well inside the top ten. On 15June we shall be listening to Sarah Finch Crisp talking about Lydiard House and its family, which should be very interesting. Why not join us? We meet at Shaw Community Centre at 730pm. For further details please ring Kay Twyman on 871614.

News from Shaw Ridge School Four educationalists from Indonesia paid a visit to the school at the beginning of term. They were in the country to look at the best in British primary education and spent a whole day with the staff and children at the school. Two other notable events this year have been the boys completing their league football programme without being beaten and only d ropping one point and over 140 swimming awards being presented. At present there are only 2 or 3 children in the whole of the juniors who do not swim

Calling ladies The West Swindon Townswomen Guild meets every 2nd Thursday of the month between 2pm-4pm at the Community Room, Link Centre. The Guild has ladies of all ages who enjoy a wide variety of talks with time to discuss the subject with the speaker. There is a Play Reading Group, Skittles Team and a Craft Meeting. There are also outings,the last being Warwick Castle, with many other events throughout the year. New members are always welcomed. If you would like to know more about the group please ring Stevie 873567.

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Phil Edwards describes the growing collection of Japanese literature In recent years Japanese companies have made an impact on the industrial scene in Swindon. At WestSwindon Library we hold a collection of books , available for general loan, donated by members oftheJapanesecommunity who now live in the town. The collection includes novels, some non-fiction and books for children. In addition to providing welcome reading material for Japanese workers and their families,italso supplements the readingof those studying Ja pa nese, whether for work purposes or holidays injapan. To assist the latter, or if you'd like to try your hand at it, we also have Japanese language cassettes, including a 'Travel Pack' for those intending to visit Japan. Members of the Japanese community, as well as using the stock we already have, would be very welcome to donate further books so that we can continually refresh the collection. Later in the year we will hold a display illustratingJapanese life and culture. Music Scores and Cassettes There must be lots of budding and accomplished musicians in a lively community like West Swindon and we may have just the thing to test their skills. We hold a selection of music scores, including shows such as 'Godspell' and 'A Little Night Music', pop and country music, and music from the classical repertory. These are all available for loan and the collection is changed every six months to provide fresh challenge. The scores are located with the general books on music. For the normal reservation fee (50p) we can request other scores from within the County's stock. Whilst on the sub ject of music, we do hold music cassettes, again representing a wide range from pop to classical. These can be borrowed for the charge of 50p per cassette. New Books The subject of Jonathan Margolis's new book was born in WestonSuper-Mare, was 6 foot 4 inches at age thirteen and almost became a solicitor before going on to Cambridge and discovering the footlights. Who is he? Well, the title gives it away: 'Cleese Encounters'. John Cleese, former Python, star of Pawlty Towers' and 'A Fish Called Wanda', whose other interests have taken him into the worlds of management training videos, psychotherapy and psychoanalysis, and politics. A complex character indeed. Amongst the most popular of children's authors is Roald Dahl, who died at the end of 1990. His two-volume memoirs of childhood, adolescence and early twenties,

Mrs Chzuko Yoshimura and Mrs Tomo Kitajima who look after the Japanese books at the library entitled 'Boy' and 'Going Solo' have been re-issued in a single volume. The New YorkTimes declared 'Boy' 'as frightening and funny as his fiction' and gives an insight into the man and his work. 'Going Solo' includes his experiences as a fighter pilot in World War H. 'Bryan Adams: The Inside Story' by Hugh Gregory, reveals the background to the world-wide success of the Canadian rock star, from his birth in Ontario to the 'massive' hit single '(Everything I Do) IDolt For You'. Of local interest, 'Our Swindon, When Summer Suns Were Glowing, 1939-1941' by Trevor Cockhill . I quote from the cover of the book, which describes it as an 'irreverent but evocative and perceptive view of the town as seen by one of its younger residents during the early years of World War II (where) there is talk of shoes, the toe-caps ruined by kicking tins along Cow Lane; of sealing wax; of cabbages grown in thegreat 'Dig for Victory'campaign; and of courseof Kings-those mighty Leviathans of the GWR!' A nostalgic read to put you in the right frame of mind for our exhibition perhaps Exhibitions June sees the return to West Swindon Library of paintings by Phil King, featuring re-constructed scenes of old Swindon. This proved very popular last year and Mr King hopes to repeat his success. The exhibition runs for just two weeks, from 30 May to 13 June. Phil King also provides the exhibition for the second half of the month,and again he takes us back in time with a display of old typewriters, dating back to the early years of the century. It will be fascinating to see how technology has changed this familiar item of office equipment. The exhibition runs from 13 June until 27 June.

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

Will Wayne's World Travel?

MRT SECRETARIAL

Lisa Clarke looks at the new cult movie from Stateside now showing at the MGM

Welcome to 'Wayne's World', a teenage fantasy film, and every parent's nightmare. If this flick takes off like it did in America, phrases like 'I think I'm going to hurl' (vomit), 'take a pill' (relax), and 'you're pail, you're bucket' (awful), will invade Britain's vocabulary. The film is based on the "Wayne's World" sketch on the television programme, Saturday Night Live. It features Wayne Campbell (Mike Meyers) and his sidekick Garth Algar (Dana Carvey), two head-

bangers whose sole purpose in life is to hang out with friends and party. Together they host a late-night cable access television programme broadcast from Wayne's cellar in Aurora, Illinois (a suburb 38 miles west of Chicago). They're the ultimate heavy metal fans who discuss anything that comes tomind, usually heavy metal, rock 'n' roll, beautiful women and technological wonders. Meyers actually created the character of Wayne to poke fun at his high school friends.

Link Arts Studio in June Film

Thursday 4th - Flirting (12). Set in 1965, this tale of fumbling first love is an absolute gem of a movie, perfectly capturing those teenageyears. Thursday 18th - Shattered (15). Tom Berenger plays an architect who, suffering from chronic amnesia after a car crash, tries to reassemWayne and Garth ble his life - despite a series of disWayne is what every kid wants to turbing revelations. be- he questions authority across Films start at 7.45pm. £2.30, £1.80 the board and always knows what conc. plus £1 membership. to do or say. He's the type of guy Dance & Music who, on a background information Friday 5th-Reminiscing in Tempo sheet, would write 'YES' next to sex. A celebration of music and dance by Garth on the other hand, is what third age Afro-Caribbean musicians, every kid fears he is. He's afraid of who have lived in Britain, plus the saying the wrong thing, which he winners of the 1991 Jazz Dance Awards, The Floor Technicians and almost always does. He lives on Jolt featuring Gary Cosby and Trevor cola, red rope licorice, technical magazines and Nintendo, and gets Watkis. 8pm. £5, £4 conc. pumped up when he co-hosts the "Wayne's World" programme. Wayne and Garth's friendship is in jeopardy when television magnate (sheeeah rriigghhht!) Benjamin Oliver (Rob Lowe) wants to produce the programme for national television. Oliver also tries to move in on Wayne's girlfriend, an oriental rock singer by the name of Cassandra (Tia Carrere). Wayne's persistent and possibly psychotic, former girlfriend Stacy is played by Twin Peaks star, Lam Flynn Boyle. She spends much of the movie trying to convince Wayne that they were desSaturday 20th - Bob Brozman tined to be together. (pictured above). King of the National Expect deliberately bad camera Steel guitar, Californian Brozman angles, shameless production promises anunsurpassed display of placements, cameo appearances showmanship ranging from blues from past MTV stars like Meat Loaf to ragtime to jazz. and a 70's soundtrack that includes Doors open 8pm. £5, £4 conc. songs from Queen, Alice Cooper Comedy and Gary Wright. Saturday 13th - Steve Coogan "In Characters". Sharp, perceptive and • The children's Saturday morning extremely funny comic and impres- matinee s at the MGM are taking a sionist, Steve Coogan is the voice break until September, but look out behind TV's Spitting Image. next month for the kids shows Doors open 8pm. £5, £4 conc. during the summer holidays

WORD PROCESSING Letters, CV's, Mailshots, Manuscripts and Reports All work produced on a Hewlett Packard Laser Printer

For a fast professional secretarial service, phone Maureen on 881733 (West Swindon).

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Lesson Prices as from 18 May 1992 1st Lesson for a Novice (No Experience) FREE 1st Lesson for a pupil SCHOOL OF MOTORING of limited experience £10 A Better Learning Experience 1st DOUBLE lesson for a Novice £12 Single lesson (At anytime) £12 Course of 10 lessons prepaid 115 per lesson £11.50 Course of 20 lessons prepaid £220 per lesson £11 * DUAL CONTROLLED RENAULT CLIO Motorway Double lesson £25 * DAYTIME, EVENING & WEEKENDS * DOOR TO DOOR & ONE TO ONE TUITION ANY ENQUIRIES WELCOME * FULL HOURS TUITION AT COMPETITIVE PRICES Proprietor. Derek Moore * BLOCK DISCOUNTS * FREE 1st LESSON FOR A NOVICE (NO EXPERIENCE) MBE, MDIA * FRIENDLY & EXPERT TUITION

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feels as healthy as a deep Mediterranean tan. So take advantage of the Link Centre's special summertime promotion - book and pay for five sunbeds during the month of June and get a sixth one FREE. Six sunbeds for just C18.75. Ask at main reception for details.

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Tuesdays 7.30pm - 8.30prn . Exercise to Music with Lee. Total Body Conditioning. Lisa will get you toned up Warm Up Aerobics, Stretch, Last year Link Centre Activity Assistant Lisa Pearce completed the Floorwork, Cool Down. Suitable International Sports Therapy Difor Intermediates. £2.50 ploma which covered massage, fitThe Gym, Greendown School

Wednesdays 7.30pm-8.30pm Absolute Beginners LU with Lee Designed for those people who rn have not exercised for some time and need a gentle re-introduction. Suitable for men and wornenof all ages and abilities. £2.50 - The Gym, Greendown School nn

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Flexiteens offers young workout A new Aerobics Class just foryoung people has been launched by Bodies By Design at Greendown Community School. The Saturday morning workout at 11.30am is aimed at 11 to 16 year olds and lasts for 45 minutes during both term time and holidays. Class organiser Marie Hogan, a partner in Bodies By Design who run several exercise classes foradults at Greendown during the week, said many parents had asked about sessions for teenagers. 'There's obviously an interest and the exercises we'll be using are specially devised for the younger person. Exercise is a great way of keeping fit and looking good. We're going to have lots of fun with all the best music." Marie said she wanted boys to attend the class as well as girls. "At first sight aerobics will appeal to girls, but it's important for everybody to exercise; the earlier you get

Cut out the voucher on page 4 of this month's Link magazine and stay cool at the Link Centre seven days a week as the temperatures soar.

Circuit Training starts Wednesday 3rd June Ideal for both beginners and those who require a more advance programme Greendown Gym Wednesday 6.30pm to 7.30pm with Steve O'Sullivan

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ness testing, instruction, anatomy and physiology, sports injury. On I May took up her new job as Health Suite Assistant. Prior to joining the Link, Lisa worked on Camp America in Albany, New York State, USA, and also taught windsurfing at South Cerney. Lisa plans to make futurechanges to the Health Suite along with her colleagues, these will hopefully include the introduction of therapeutic massage sessions. She enjoys her new role and is very enthusiastic about the Health Suite. 'The Suite isn't aimed at body builders' and there's always a member of staff to give help and advice," said Lisa. Sounds like valuable information for the majority of us. The Link Centre are happy for visitors to look around the Health Suite to see what's on offer; it won't cost you a thing. Lisa and colleagues will be on hand to create your all special workout routine should you wish to book and use the facilities.

Whether you are a Beginner or an ice professional. Advanced skater the Link Centre 2. 1% hours to practise new skills skate school offers 5 days of expert PLUS tuition in a friendly environment 1. FREE entry to our 2-4pm Disco fromMondayl7to Friday 2l August. session 2. All skate hire uiee Time: lOam - 12 noon 3. A skating certificate to take home Cost: 5 Contact Alan Seabrook, Ska ting DeEach day you will have: 1. hour lesson ma group with an velopment Officer for details.

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LOCAL LIVES

Taking aid to Albania Nell Atkinson from Grange Park is a photographer with Swindon's Calyx news agency. In May he was part of the mercy mission organised by people in Wootton Bassett with support from the Feed the Children charity. Albania is a land of contrasts. A beautiful landscape of mountains and valleys, with the warm Adriatic sea lapping miles of unspoilt beaches. A country with no contact with the rest of Europe for 45 years, where the Communist Party dictated the pattern of life; a centralised economy in ruins, following the death of dictator Emmva Hoxha.

old daughter for us to look after as the family had run out of food and money some time ago. This was real life in Albania in May 1992 Our convoy was escorted by aid workers from Feed The Children to a rundown Government warehouse on the outskirts of Durres. It would not be safe for the articulated lorries

My lasting impression of Albania was the finaldelivemyof aid we made to a school. The children crowded around, tryingto get the first glimpse of whatever we were going to deliver. Their joy at the discovery that it was books, paper, pens. Things that they had not seen for so long. A 13 year old girl tugged at my arm, curtseyed and in halting English said "thank you for everything you are doing for ourcountry, please do n,ot go, you must stay and help us". We couldn't stay, our time had run out.

One of Neil's photographs of aid being distributed In late December last year, the to proceed any further due to the BBC managed to bring back the first danger of ambushes in the north of pictures of the disaster that had be- the country. fallen the people of Albania. HospiAs darkness fell on that first night tals with no medical equipment or the sound of machine gun fire could beds, children in tattered rags and be heard a few miles away. The no winter crops had been planted guards took up positions as we predue to the complete failure of the pared for sleep. At 3am the comagricultural system. The situation pound was rocked by a massive was desperate. explosion somewhere near the coast. On a cold and wet night, with The next four days were spent Christmas a few days away, a group delivering the aid in small Feed The of people met and decided that there Children trucks. The weather was was something that could be done hot, and despite the discomfort of to help. The appeal had been born. working in the lOOT midday temFundraising and aid collection perature the aid was despatched. started immediately. By the end of In each village that we stopped at Marchtheappeal had raised £15,000 the headman had arranged for the and collected over65 tonnes of medi- most deserving cases to be brought cal aid, clothing and food. forward. No one in the group will With 24 hours to go Feed The be able to forget the sight of a Children informed us that the situa- beaming mother showing her tion in Albania had deteriorated to children their new clothes; the rags such an extent that the safety of the that had got the family through the group was in grave doubt. Looting wintercould be finally thrown away. of Government warehouses had A hot meal would be on the table taken place, with many people killed that night. The deliveries to the hospitals and in exchanges of gunfire. We had no option but to postpone departure. schools was like taking a trip back in By the end of March the problems time. There was not even basic began to ease and a new departure medical equipment available to the medical staff; sanitation conditions date was agreed. The convoy of 4 articulated lorries were appalling; the conditions of and 16 people set off for the 1600 the buildings were beyond mile trip to Bari in southern Italy. description. The sight of an empty The journey was long and hard, but wardbeingfilled withbedsand clean by 2 May the boat from Bari finally blankets, a medicine cabinet filled docked at the Albanian port of Durres with drugs, a maternity hospital Within minutes of our arrival on store room now complete with 6 the dock the convoy was besieged months supply of baby milk and by groups of starving children beg- food - and the grateful thanks of the ging for food and clothes. A father medical staff - was the reward for approached me offering his 9 month the 12 weeks of aid collection.

HAVE YOU TRIED SUGARING YET the ancient art of hair removal. The simple way to smooth hairless skin, face, legs, underarms, bikini line, etc. Why not try sugaring for this summer ladies? To find out more about this unique beauty treatment, call Joanne on Swindon 613484. I am also a qualified 255r beauty therapist.

Accountancy & Financial Services

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Included in price on all buildings - fitted electrics, insulated floor, blinds, overhead fan and security light Competitive Prices inclusive of base & erection Hardwood UPVC 8x11 £5450 8x11 £5720 Lean To 13x11 £6475 Victoriana 13x11 £6225 Lean To 8x13 £6120 8x13 £6310 13x14 £7470 Victoriana 13x14 £7270 Prices sub act to VAT

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Pets at Home MOVES Worried about who will look after your pets whilst you're on holiday? Pets At Home could be your answer. Pets At Home cares for pets in their own homes (sorry, no dogs). Telephone Swindon 873062 for furt her details

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WEST S WIND ON UNDER 5's FESTIVAL 5th - 24th June Your cut out and use guide to events organised by West Swindon Focus on Under 5s, a group of parents committed to organising fun events for pre-school children

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Friday 5 June • Lower Shaw Farm Open Day 1.30pm - 4.30pm. Free Come along and see the animals, feed the chickens, have a ride in the pony cart. Painting, inflatable and refreshments available. Lower Shaw Farm is located down Old Shaw Lane, between the Lane and Cartwright Drive. By Bus, take a no.5 opposite Ashington House, and alight at Cartwright Drive next to Brookfield School. No entry charge. Thursday 11 June • Upper Shaw Farm Fun Day 11am - 3pm. SOp per family Shaw Ridge Parent and Toddler Group are hosting a day offun for children and their parents, at the stimulating play area at Upper Shaw Farm Community Centre, opposite Shaw Ridge School. (Turn off Shaw Road into Ridge Green by car). Bring a picnic lunch. Sponge throwing, childrens races, raffle, lucky dip, tombola. In case of bad weather, activities will be organised in the community centre. Drinks and sandwiches available. Tuesday 16 June • Have-A-Go Day at Link Centre lOam - 12 noon & 12.30pm - 3pm. Registration from 9.30am. All day for £1 per child An exciting day of physical and sporting activities for Under 5's and their parents. There will be a creche for Under 2's, subject to availability. The morning activities include: trampolining, ice skating, baby massage, bouncy castle, music/movement, keepflt and story time and swimming from 11am. The afternoon activities include: swimming, skating, minigym, bouncy castle and story time. Registration is required. Refreshments available. Friday 19 June • Teddy Bears Picnic at Lydiard Park 11am to 3pm. Free ("If you go down to the park today, you'll be sure of a big surprise") Gather again all Teddybears for another Grand Picnic! A day of relaxed fun is planned at the Park. Bring your lunch and Teddies - there will be prizes for the best dressed. Surprise visitors may drop in! An activity area is being provided by the Early Learning Centre, and there will be TWO bouncing castles. Come and join in the fun and games, including a parachute. Also rides on Pony and Trap. Orange drinks courtesy of McDonalds. In event of rain, ring the Link Centre for up-date. Wednesday 24 June • Nature Workshop at Roughmoor Social Hall and Peatmoor Copse A new venue for this year - Roughmoor Social Hall - using Peatmoor Copse to collect material and returning to make collages, leaf prints, kites and a friendship tree. Usual workshop facilities available: painting, crayoning plus refreshments and toilets. Peatmoor Lagoon is nearby and is perfect for a picnic lunch. Roughmoor Social Hall is to be found on Swinley Drive, off Peatmoor Way, north of Nine Elms. The No. 5 bus from Asda stops on Sandacre Road. Please Note: Parents are responsible for their children at all events unless they are being cared for in a designated creche. All events are subject to change. Ring 871212 ext 234 if in doubt.

NEWS & VIEWS

Review for pre-school people People involved with pre-school children in West Swindon have the chance next month to talk about the provision for under 5s in the area. A meeting to take place on Tuesday 9 June aims to get parents and group organisers together to discuss whether needs are being met and what more can be done to improve facilities. The meeting coincides with the fun of June's West Swindon's Under 5s Festival. Community Development worker Pam Pixton said the meeting was being organised because of the increased demand on the Community Suite at the Link Centre. "We've had lots of people approaching the Sulteto startup toddler groups, more than we can cope with. It seems that some groups are doing well, but others in different parts of the com-

Moonraker Group Womens Institute Mini Market Tuesday 30 June 7pm - 9pm Wootton Bassett Memorial Hall Children's Books & Toys; Cakes; Plants; Tombola; White Elephant Stall; Tea & Biscuits available; Raffle Entrance

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munity are on the verge of folding. There might be groups trying to start up at the Link Centre, but we need to find out what's happening in the neighbourhoods." Also present at the meeting will be Linda Wright from the ThamesdownJoint Action Committee forUnderFives who willbe looking for somebody from West Swindon to represent local pre-school interests in Borough and County wide discussions. "This meeting will be a good chance for people to get to know each otherbetter. Anybodyinvolved with under 5s is welcome to attend," said Pam. It takes place on 9 June in the Community Suite at the Link Centre, from lOam to 11.30am. Free childcare will be available but has to be booked by calling 871212 ext 234.

Car Boot Sale Sunday 28 June Bradon Forest School, Purton Boots: £5 or £6 Tel: 875396 or 751704 Organised by the Bradon Forest School PTA

VISITING CHIROPODIST Dianne C. Howard M.SSCH. M.B.CH.A Tel: 0793 850089 66

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Lose weight, feel fit, look great. For full details of Cambridge Health Plan, call Ann on 825808 or Peggy on 790573. Class meets on Monday 7pm - 9pm Freshbrook Community Centre £2 OFF FIRST WEEKS SUPPLY

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NEWS & VIEWS

Philip Stone Painter & Decorator For a high standcad of work with references available

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Life saving team needs help A local group of life savers are desperate for help to keep their operation on the water. The Cotswold Rescue Team which is coordinated by Dave Savin from Crawford Close, Freshbrook was formed in 1988aspart ofStJohn Ambulance but detached itself last September so that it could provide wider and varied cover wherever water borne safety and rescue services are needed. The team are all volunteers with experience in First Aid, Lifesaving, climbing, canoeing and boat handling. In the last four years the team has been in attendance at many public events like sailing regattas, the Ironman Triathalon and the British Rafting Championships. On 30 April this yearteammembers saved a six year old who had fallen into the Kennet and Avon Canal during the Pewsey to Devizes raft race. The Rescue Team is replacing the equipment it had to return toStJohn when it went independent. A Landrover is being purchased, but the group is in desperate need of a trailer to tow its Inflatable Rescue

Dave Savin in rescue boat boat. A donation from anybody who might have an old trailer available would be very welcome says Dave Savin. His telephone number is 874830. New volunteers and helpers are also wanted to join the rescue team. If you have lifesaving skills to offer and would like to find out more, give Dave a call.

Glittering range on offer Janet Garrett, pictured right, from Whittington Road Westlea is helping many ladies (and men) look a million dollars, without having to spend it. As a distributor of Cabouchon designer fashion jewellery, she sells from a catalogue orby parties. The pieces in the range are hand finished in 18 carat gold or rhodium, with semi-precious stones, and all are nickel free. Selling direct means that prices are very reasonable because the high street retailers' huge markup is avoided. "It's a lot of fun to be involved in such a glamourous business," said Janet. "Once people have seen the catalogue they are usually smitten and can't wait to see the jewellery. The Cabouchon range is such good quality, that women and men can't resist treating themselves ora friend because they know the recipient will be thrilled." If anyone would like to see a cata-

logue or have a party in their own, contact Janet on 870108. Party givers of course will receive a delightful present of free jewellery. Janet is also interested in hearing from anyone who would like to become a Cabouchon distributor.

OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK 5.3OPM - 10PM ADVANCE ORDERS ADVISED,

Wiltshire Family History Society

ESPECIALLY AT WEEKENDS

meets at Gorsehill Community Centre Chapel Street, Gorsehill, Swindon on Thursdays at 7.1 5pm 4 June Moving House by Jenni Dickenson 18 June Using library resources by Roger Trayhurn 2 July Highworth in history by Jack Archer 16 July Checking resources by Richard Moore There will be a short break during the summer and meetings will recommence in September For further details contact Branch Secretary, Sylvia Chandler on 790551

MEAD WAY, SPARCELLS, WEST SWINDON TELEPHONE ORDERS WELCOME

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NEWS & VIEWS

Reflections

FRENCH FOR FUN • CHILDREN AGED 9-11

Although nothing special happened for almost two thirds of residents in Freshbrook and Grange Park on 7 May - election day for representatives to Thamesdown Council - Bob Pixton entered the day as a council/or and ended it as plain 'Mr'. Here he shares some thoughts. While six years ago I greeted the election result with feelings of great joy, this time around ended with sadness. During this time, I did not regard myself as a party politician but as an active 'hands on' local councillor, getting involved with the many, many issues residents brought to my attention. Whether it was for safer roads, better schools or environmental issues, I always felt that I gave it my best shot. Of course much of my time was spent in trying togetminorimprovements for local people - a piece of pavement here, white lines there, and trees almost everywhere. These are the little things I shall see as I go about my daily life to remind me of my time on the Council. I thought that hard work, dedication and community involvement would have been sufficient to encourage people to ask me to continue with my councillor role. However, it appears regrettably that party labels are much more important. May I thank all those people who have stopped me in the street, 'phoned me or written to me. I too share your feelings of loss, hopelessness, rage and upset about my

• July27- 30 or Aug 3-6 • 930am - 12noon • Qualified & • £28. Mon-Thurs • Sparcells Community Hall Experienced Teacher Games, Songs, Role Play, Badges & Certificates, National Curriculum headstart creative work • Tel: 870714 to book a space

RESIDENTIAL LETTING AGENTS West Swindon properties now required

Bishop Edgington PROPERTY MANAGERS EST. 1882, (opposite Swindon Town Hall). Tel: 536552

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J. PHILLIPS SERVICING Bob Pixton with the result of one of his campaigns. New entrance and traffic lights at Windmill Hill Business Park removal from the Council. I still have concerns for an improved and fairer society. For the time being, I look forward to a different role in our community and I'll still work with local people whenever they feel that I can be of service. My enforced removal from the Council is the end of a chapter, not the end of the book.

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NEWS & VIEWS

R.T. Farley

Landscape Gardener in West Swindon 20 years experience. Turfing, Paving, Fencing, Pergolas, Planting New Gardens, Rockery Construction, Crazy Paving etc.

KAN FIT KITCHENS Quality Drawer & Door Replacement Service Free No Obligation Survey Quality British Kitchens Free Estimates See us at West Swindon Centre, every Saturday

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HANDMADE FIREPLACES IN BRICK OR STONE Profesionally built to your exact requirements. Free design service. Tel: Swindon 535291

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Clare wins dance trophy Nine year old Clare Amor from Benwell Close, Westlea has shown great promise by winning first prize in her category at the Cheltenham Festival of Dance, Music and Literacy. Performinga Romanian dance she also scored the highest marks of any of the under 12s in the competition and won the Evelyn Hosking National Trophy. Clare is a pupil at the Tanwood School of Dancing in Old Town where she takes six dance classes a week. She's also rehearsing with Swindon's Opera Spectra for a performance of The Mikardo in June and fits in pianoand clarinet lessons along with attending Westlea primary school.

Clare in her Romanian costume

Money raising and awareness for rare muscular disease A week to raise awareness about a rare muscular disease takes place in July, but in June the parents of the only child in Swindon suffering from the condition are holding a fund raising stall. Liz Elliott from Crawford Close, Freshbrook will be selling knitted toys and cakes at the Link Centre Charity Market on Saturday 20 June for the Jennifer Trust for Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA). Her daughterF1eur2 suffers from Intermediate Spinal Muscular Atrophy, which is a wasting of the muscles due to degeneration of nerve cells in the spinal cord. Fleur gets around a little with the aid of a special walking frame and movement in her arms is reduced. ChildrenwithSMAarebrightand happy and capable of normalactivities, despite their problems with mobility and independence. Because the condition is rare, many medical practitioners have not come across it. In Fleur's case, Liz noticed that she wasn't developing at ten months but she grudgingly accepted medical advice that noth-

Liz Elliott and Fleur

ing was wrong. Eventually at 21 months Fleur was referred to a specialist at Great Ormond Street Hospital where she was diagnosed as suffering from SMA. The Jennifer Trust is also collecting stamps to raise money for its work. Liz Elliott will be happy to receive donations for her stall on 20 June and to talk to anybody interested in finding out more about SMA.

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Care by qualified and experienced staff in a safe, spacious environment. Pre-school sessions available 9.30am 12noon; 1pm 330pm -

For further information or visits, contact Mrs J. Layer. Tel: 772099

NEWS & VIEWS

Looking for more space? Extending your home is often better than moving house. After all if you're happy where you are, and you can't get the price you want, customising your present property is a good alternative. The whole process of gettingplans drawn up and passed by the local council can be a long process, but architectural designer Carolyn Phillippo fromFreshbrook will look after everything from initial feasibility of a project to dealing with the local authority bureaucracy. She has been in private architectural practice for ten years and her recent projects have included the conversion of a listed building, designing extensions and producing drawings for housing developments. Carolyn moved to West Swindon in January and says people are startlug to think much more positively about property extension and improvements. As well as her architectural services, she and her husband George have taken on the local agency for

Kerrie Stone of Pause writes

The

CLEANING ENTERPRISES (WROUGHTON) For professional on-site cleaning of Carpets, Curtains, Upholstery and Vertical Blinds. Specialist, Oriental Rug Cleaning service. Licensed 'Scotchcare' services company. For enquiries and estimates ring 812575 or

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Phone-A-Blind. They have a large selection of samples available which they will bring to your home. Visits and quotes are on a no-obligation to buy basis. Their prices are very competitive with many special offers available. To contact Carolyn Phillippo about preparing plans or seeing samples of blinds, ring 616605.

Ladies - take a break on Friday mornings Our meetings are held weekly in term time on Friday mornings from 10 until 12 in the Community Suite in the Link Centre. There is a free creche for under fives and a small charge is made which includes refreshments. The programme for June is: 5 June - We have Mike Crowley taking a light hearted look at tourism.

12 June - Anouting to the health suite or ice skating perhaps,or somewhere mysterious 19 June - We have a coffee morning, time to enjoy a relaxing informal chat. We have no creche arranged for coffee mornings. 26 June - Lynne Lockett will be giving us a demonstration on paper flower making. For further information on Pause phone Kerrie on 875820

to advertise

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John Wilding at Wroughton and Peter Winton or Helen Raynes at Commercial Road will be pleased to attend to all your Legal needs.

Our Wroughton Office is 10 minutes from West Swindon and offers private carparklng for clients

P izzarama SEE THE ENCLOSED MENU FOR 'MONEY OFF' COUPONS OR FREE GARLIC BREAD/COLESL4W

Look out for WEST next month - the comprehensive directory of community services and facilities in West Swindon. WEST is high impact and has long shell life. It's THE reference guide for local people ALSO INCLUDED IS AN INDEX OF ADVERTISERS

under the appropriate headings, i.e. hairdressers, decorators, places to eat, etc. WEST is not only a community guide, its also the best way of finding out which businesses are providing a service to the people of West Swindon. If you don't advertise with The Link already, a space in WEST is essential to ensure that your business has a high profile in West Swindon.

To book your space in WEST, call Elizabeth Wood on (0793) 871793.

P1 ZZARAMA FREE TO YOUR DOOR - WHY PAY MORE?

Tel: 4S 7'99 IS 95 99

NEWS & VIEWS

LYDIARD LANDSCAPING Patios • Fencing • Turf Laying Walling & General Gardening Block Paving • Small tree felling For Free Estimates Tel: (0793) 874274

it be your favourite pooch or pussy family goat, hamster or parrot. "It's a convenient, friendly, personal service I'm offering to all those who care fortheirpets,"says Michael. He's able to take orders 7 days a week and provides free delivery of all items ma widearea around Swindon. Call him on 873381.

Wobbly Bikes • Egg Catching • Tug of War • Majorettes • Bouncy Castle • Car Boot Sale • Face Painting • Classic Cars • Vintage Vehicles • Country Crafts • Side Stalls and much more

30 year

Traw

family fish • j restaurants & take-aways

Open Monday - Saturday 11.30am - 2pm 430pm - 11 pm NOW OPEN SUNDAYS 12noon - 6pm Car Park A West Swindon Centre

SPECIAL FOR JUNE 6 CHICKEN NUGGETS & CHIPS £1.50 (A saving of 48p) Telephone Orders Welcome - 870455

'A Room with a View' From only £2300 Inc VAT For the best deal in Swindon today see our example prices below, inc. of VAT Hardwood

UPVc Sun Lounge Sun Lounge Victorian Victorian

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MichaelJones from Grange Park has set up a mobile pet supplies service. Animal owners will know all about lugging cans of pet food or large sacks of foodstuffs into the back of the car from the supermarket. That's not necessary any more. Michael stocks most popular brands of food for all pets - whether

The Woodcraft Folk present their Summer Spectacular on Saturday 27 June, 11am - 4pm, Faringdon Road Park, Swindon

Kitchen Repa

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FIXED ANNUAL FEE FULL RANGE OF ACCOUNTANCY SERVICES ALSO AVAILABLE RING US NOW FOR - DON'T WAIT UNTIL YOUR YEAR END

CLIVE MILLER FCA. NEWBURY (0635) 862813 TONY HILLIER ACMA, MBIM. SWINDON (0793) 874260

Most improved mini-player A youngster from Grange Park ended his first season of mini-rugby on a high note.

Michael Brown, pictured right, from Brandon Close was voted the most improved player of the year in the under 7 age group by his club, Supermarine, and was presented with an engraved shield at an end season awards ceremony. At six years old Michael, who attends OliverTomkins Infants School, is the youngest player in the minisection. "Rugby's really great," he said. "I like the matches more than training. I don't mind playing in the cold and wet." His dad Mick said that the family had watched the World Cup games lastyearand Michael said hewanted to have a go. After two weeks watching the Sunday morning practices, he was roped in to help coach.

Mum Noelle Brown said she was not surprised how Michael had taken to the game. "He's so energetic that it's perfect for him. More children should have a go."

Junior soccer player trials West Side United football club are holding trials for under 1 2s and under 13s who want to join teams playing league football. The trials take place at Greendown School on Thursday 18 June from 7pm to 9pm. All players are invited along. For information contact Jane Dart on 875400.

Family Project moves

towards local control Gina Dennis reports

At an open meeting on Thursday 14 May, the West Swindon Family & Community Project voted to adopt a new constitution - the Project's first step towards self-management. The same meeting voted to approve an initial membership list and elected the Management Committee who will take up the challenge of moving the Project forward to full local control. Itwas encouraging that, as well as many longstanding participants and supporters, the meeting attracted some new face and that two newly elected local councillors, Linda Green and Neil Bristow, chose to register their support for the Project by becoming members.

Following the meeting, we still have one place on the Management Committee available- this is open to anyone living or working in West Swindon who would like to become involved and to have a real impact in shaping the future of the Project in response to local needs. Although the run-up to the InauguralMeeting has generated a genuine sense of positivity and excitement, the challenge has only just begun. If you would like to know more about us, please contact Gina Dennis orJohnJenkins on 871303 or drop in on the project - newcomers are always welcome. We are at: 15 Gainsborough Way, Freshbrook.

NEWS & VIEWS

Bouncy way to raise cash The Thamesdown Branch of the Pre-School Playgroups Association launched their new inflatable at Westlea playgroup in May. The bouncer has been donated by Burmah Fuels Ltd. so that pre-school groups have a good way of fund raising. The inflatable is available to playgroups and toddler groups who are members of the branch. To book, telephone the PPA on 611145. Thamesdown's Mayor Councillor Eric Smith inaugurates the new inflatable with the help of Burmah Community Relations Executive Liz Rouse and children from Westlea playgroup

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Don't miss out on stamp duty savings The housing market is showing signs of life and with the recent interest rate drop, moving house is becoming more attractive. However the substantial savings to be had from the suspension of stamp duty will run out in August. Now's the time to act says local Mortgage advisor Mike Rees of Mansfield Begbie Associates

Following the general election result and the optimistic economic forecasts, interest rates have again been reduced with many lenders offering discounts, particularly for first time buyers, which reduce the interest rates down to below 9%. For example, £50,000 at 8.95%, interest only, would cost £316.97 per month for the first 12 months, and then £377.19 per month from then on, subject to further rate changes. There are also fixed rate loans available from 9.25% for up to 5 years. Whetheryou area firsttimebuyer looking for 100% loans or seeking to raise capital by remortgaging, it is clearly a good idea to seek advice from a broker who is not linked to just one lending institution. It's best to consider the wide range of schemes available from number of high street lenders, because you then have a choice of schemes that may only be available to valued introducers, such as Mansfield Begbie Associates, to one of the leading high street building societies. There is also the choice of mortgage that you decide to takeout, e.g. repayment, endowment or pension linked which is very important and can vary depending upon the ages of the borrowers, the size of the loan and the type of employment a borrower finds himself in, i.e. a selfemployed builder aged 40 years old looking to borrow £60,000 would generally be far better suited to a pension linked mortgage than a 25

year old employed first time buyer, although each case is assessed individually. Another question we are asked constantly is 'What do we do with our existing endowment policies?' I would state categorically that existing policies should be kept going as the only person likely to benefit from the sale of a completely new contract would be the sales representative advising you. A small top-up contract should be put in place where necessary, ideally to run with the term remaining under the existing endowment(s). Another aspect of financial services advice is the subject of fee-charging by the broker for advice given up to and including thedateofmortgage completion. This can be as high as 1% of the loan arranged! Mansfield Begbie Associates area Company that DO NOT charge arrangement fees. If you or your friends have any queries on mortgages, pensions or insurance in generally, please contact Mike Rees on 873369 for advice and a free no obligation quotation. Mansfield Begbie Associates are Appointed Representatives of Corlihifi Insurance Marketing Group (members of Lautro and IMRO) in relation to life assurance, pensions and unit trust business only. All mortgages are subject to status. Remember, your home is at risk if you do not keep up repayments or other loan secured on it.

Carolyn Phil I i pp o

BA(Arch)

Architectural Designer

Personal Service for all your Building Plans Local Authority Approvals Domestic Extensions & Alterations a Speciality Period & Modern Independent Kitchen Design Swindon 616605 (Freshbrook) Enquiries welcome anytime

ERMIN WINDOWS St

For conservatories and windows in uPVC or aluminium with hardwood surround

Call Brian Smith

SWINDON 824419 87a Ermin Street, Stratton St. Margaret Swindon.

Letters to The Link

Letters should be sent by 16th of the month to The Link 13 Castle Dore, Freshbrook, Swindon SN5 8PQ

Sponsorship needs

Different viewpoint From Khurram Begg, General Manager,Cairo's Nightclub, Shaw Ridge

Regarding the letter Poor service at nightclub, Link 122 Like everyone, I get no pleasure in receivingcomplaints, having said that, when you deal with the public there is bound to be the occasional, and I repeat occasional complaint. Without going into any details and escalating the matter further, I must add, the nature of the com-

••

Diamond Televison Sales & Service We have the cutting edge on reconditioned TVs and Videos

Link Centre dirty entrance From Mrs JP Oliver, Springhill Close, Westlea

Using the Link Centre each week I droppings, litter, broken glass. The have come to notice the disgusting entrance looks drab and dirty. Unstate the entrance has become. Bird inviting to any visitor. A clean-up is urgently required. How about a bright coat of paint or a mural on that vast area of steel that RON AHRENS greets you as you enter and perhaps some feature put amongst all those BUILDER dull grey blocks that pave the enDECORATOR trance. Let's face it, the Link Centre is one Specialising in all aspects of the main attractions of the area, of high quality building let's make it more attractive, let's work especially decorating, brighten it up!!

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plaint on the night, the letter I received in connection with it and the letter I read in the Link Magazine give three different versions. I was surprised to see Miss J Aldred and Mr J Woolnough write to you as they have not managed to reply to any of my letters. I thus assumed, they were happy with the explanation they were given.

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From B Clark, Grange Park

I would like to sympathise very much with Mr and Mrs Jones who are trying to get sponsorship for their daughter Zoe to help her with her skating. You may remember reading the articles about my son Nick Clark and his kart racing in The Link. He also came up with negative answers from would-be sponsors and often, after sending outas many as sixty letters he would probably only receive two or three replies. I feel Swindon businesses have a very negative attitude towards motorsport and so do local councils. Up in the North lots of drivers are able to obtain sponsorship and some of the circuits are even run by the local councils. In fact in one area a particular circuit runs a class, where the teenagers are encouraged to build their own karts and race. Nick has had to give up his racing for the present and probably the future too. It makes me very annoyed when we have watched him race against lads with £40,000 budgets and beat them in his own equipment. The only help he had was a mention on Wiltshire Sound by Chris James and we thank him very much for that. Nickcould have run a season with the help of a couple of thousand pounds, or even half that would have been a help, but I am afraid there was absolutely no encouragement from anyone. This negative attitude may be because people associate karting with seaside go-karts. I can assure you this couldn't be further from the truth. I read this week of a possibility of an indoor kart circuit opening at the old British Rail works, I bet that will raise somebusiness interest, though indoor karting bears absolutely no resemblance to the outdoor sport. So I wish to say to Mr and Mrs Jones, keep trying. I wish you luck.

Selling your house? The Link magazine new property spot gives you the chance to advertise your property to the 10,500 other householders in West Swindon. The Link is by far the best read publication in the area, so it's a good way of bringing your house to their attention. Telephone 872282 for details.

The Link Classifieds • Selection of modern and traditional styles. • Built by expert craftsmen. • Solid aluminium/timber frames. • Specially toughened safety glass.

DON'T MISS THIS MONTH'S SPECIAL OFFER

The World of Wessex Hawksworth, Swindon Telephone: 0793 541611 FOR DETAILS OF SPECIAL WESSEX OFFER

WESSEX CONSERVATORIES No Better Quality, No Better Workmanship

Lineage ads cost £3.50 per single column centimetre Inc. VAT. Cash with advert to The Link, 13 Castle Dore, Freshbrook, Swindon

Washing Machine Repairs • Same Day Service • Guaranteed Repairs For a friendly, helpful service, call

J. Martin • Tel: 694930 1 Ainwlck, Toothiii

Vacancy in Westlea School office for Clerical Assistant to work 10 hours a week. 1.15pm - 3.15pm. Applicants should possess RSA Stage II typing. Application forms from Westlea School. Tel: 870469. Clothing Alterations & Repairs Tel: 872096 Mrs White, Freshbrook

Ecumenical Parish of West Swindon & The Lydiards

Uth@

@L27LIiJ

5JiJ@L3 @(7LllJff t3

LIb@ G@@ 2® Lb@ (and you don't have to attend the school) Week 1 Mon 20th July - Fri 24th July Week 2 Mon 27th July - Fri 31st July The following activities are on offer 1. TR.AMPOLINING [20 places available] Come and develop your skills within this popular sport.The course will cater for both the complete beginner and the more advanced trampolinist. B.T.F. Awards could be taken at the end of the week. 2. SOCCER [50 places] A chance to have a week's extensive coaching, including coaching from Swindon Town's community soccer staff. Each person will take part in an ongoing tournament. 3. BASKETBALL [30 places] Individual and team skills for the beginner and experienced player. Dribbling, passing, shooting, offensive and defensive techniques will be taught 4. TENNIS [20 places] Expert coaching, all equipment provided, develop your skills with the aid of the tennis ball machine hence we can cater for all ability and age ranges. 5. GYM I DANCE [20 places] All aspects of gymnastics and dance will be explored. 6. MULTI-SPORTS [15 places] A combination of all activities listed above for those who like variety. 7. TINY TOTS [30 places] A mixed programme covering Art, Drama, Fun games, Tram-polining, Gym, etc, ideal for the active youngster aged 3 - 9. Cost per week £30. Payment by instalments can be arranged. Don't let your child miss out on a week (or two) of great summer holiday activity. For a booking form, telephone Greendown on Swindon 874224. If you require any further information on any of the activities please contact Steve O'Sullivan on the above number.

Anglican, Methodist, U.R.C., Baptist. Toothill Rev. Ian l-landscomb 693384 Rev. Anne Thomas 496421 St. Mary's L.Tregoze for Freshbrook & Grange Park Rev. Rob Buries 870244 Westlea Rev. John Flory 770217 t Shaw and Sparcells Rev. Keith Boxall 770568 Rev. Helen Drummond 874372 t also All Saints, L. Millicent

Freshbrook Evangelical Church Worsley Road Will give YOU a warm welcome Sunday loam Family Praise with children's Covenanter Movement & creche 630pm Evening Worship and Communion For details of mid-week meetings, house groups and other activities, telephone Rev. Peter Grainger on 490498. Church Office, Tel: 873060

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- 2

HIV/AIDS HELPLINE Are you concerned? SWINDON PROJECT FOR AIDS COUNSELLING AND EDUCATION

Visit your local, friendly, Drop-In Centre which offers: confidential support, information and advice.

Or call us on Swindon (0793) 420620 Helpline: Tuesday/Thursday 7pm - 9pm, 24 Hr Answering Service Drop-In: Monday/Tuesday/Thursday 1 200pm - 6.00pm 172 Victoria Road, Swindon

HILLIER FUNERAL SERVICE LTD. 55 Victoria Road Swindon Tel: 522797

252 Whitworth Road Swindon Tel: 522145

PRIVATE CHAPELS OF REST 24 hour personal service throughout the year A FAMILY BUSINESS OFFERING HELP AND ADVICE WHEN MOST NEEDED

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TITCOMBE GARAGE LTD Westmead Drive, Westlea, West Swindon Telephone: (0793) 641643 • Fax: (0793) 491020 I-—

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FREE BRAKE CHECK on receipt of this voucher APPOINTED BRAKE SERVICE CENTRE

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24 HOUR BREAKDOWN & RECOVERY CAR AND COMMERCIAL -

SPARCELLS

SERVICING & REPAIRS 'r MOT's WHILE YOU WAIT BOSCH PARTS STOCKISTS DIAGNOSTIC & PETROL INJECTION SPECIALISTS PARTS & ACCESSORIES SHOP

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CAR BODY SPRAYING (COURTESY CAR WHEN AVAILABLE)

AUTOMOTIVE DISTRIBUTOR

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INSURANCE CRASH REPAIRS AUTHORISED REPAIRERS FOR LEADING INSURANCE COMPANIES

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ACCIDENT REPAIRS

ALL ESTIMATES GIVEN FREE

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