May 1989 Swindon Link by swindonlink6

west Swindon's

Magazine THE

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LINK: No. 86. May 1989 . Circulation 10,000

Safes with combinations only £99 17-20 HIGH STREET WOOTTON BASSETT

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Beauty in the eye of the beholder Like it or hate it, what goes on inside the Link Centre is more important than its appearance according to centre co-ordinator John Fisher. The four year old £11 million multi-purpose recreation and community centre was nominated as one of Britain's ugliest buildings by viewers of the BBC's Daytime Live magazine programme in April. "Whether you like it or not, the Link Centre is impressive and unusual," said John. "A 'traditional' brick structure would not have allowed the enormous internal spaces which can be used so flexibly. It would have been far more expensive; all the money would have gone into the walls and roof and there would have been nothing for equipment. "What should a building with a library, arts studio, community rooms, ice-rink, sports hail

Looking 100 years into the future Link Mag. to go underground for 21st Century readers

and swimming pool look like? "We think the quality of service and the range of opportunities people have to participate in different activities are the most important aspects of the Link Centre."

£800 cash to local groups Fifteen West Swindon community organisations benefitted from money raised from a birthday celebration in February. One group received £100 and the rest had £50 each donated to their activities. The Trawlerman Takeaway at the West Swindon Centre celebrated its fifth year of trading in February by donating 10% of a weeks's sales to local organisations. This was matched by its parent company Coach Caterers (Southern) Ltd. making a total of £800. Groups were invited to apply for the cash through The Link. At a cheque giving ceremony on 15 April attended by representatives of local groups, Mr. Ian West, Coach Caterers Operations Manager said that The Trawlerman had done very well since it opened. "We feel it is important to put something back into the area. West Swindon is a large, thriving community with lots of people doing good works. There's a terrific feel about it and we're pleased to help local people make it even more successful." Mr. West also congratulated The Link for keeping people in touch with each other and promoting community spirit. Story continues with photograph on page 19

Hillsborough Help Cut 'n Dry Unisex Salon at Shaw Village Centre is holding a marathon hair cutting session in aid of the Hillsborough Disaster Appeal. From 2p.m. on Saturday 29 April for 24 hours. Come and have your hair cut for the cause. Donations taken in lieu of hair do's.

• Book now for the courses in the new Link Centre programme -details at the centre. • How did the Link Centre get Its name? The answer is on page 3 of every edition of The Link Magazine.

Many thanks for your help Nearly 500 people have sent in the questionnaire published in last month's Link. Are there anymore to come back? We're extending the closing date until 8 May especially for latecomers. Please return them soon. You could win

Z50

in the grand prize draw.

Who are you going to vote for in the County Council Elections on May 4? Read what the candidates say about themselves on page 4 & 5.

The Mayor of Thamesdown Coun Jim Cordon will conduct a ceremony on 1 May that will be repeated in reverse in 2089. He will place items suggested by local children in a time capsule to be buried by the lakes at the West Swindon Centre. Also included will be microfilmed copies of West Swindon's magazine The Link and the Swindon Evening Advertiser. Christine Duddy of the Property 3 Managing Agency, who are organising the event, gave an assurance that the capsule will be well secured. "We have a specially designed, air and moisture proof container ready. It will be placed in a lined casing and embedded in concrete three feet underground. "The idea emerged after we were asked to resite and look afterJon Buck's sculptures called Looking to the future.' The theme represents a positive attitude towards the continued successful growth of West Swindon as a place where future generations of people will live." The sculptures have been moved from Westlea Park where they were the target of vandalism. Jon Buck has been repairing the three figures known locally as 'The Bathers.' The Mayor will unveil the sculptures and bury the time capsule at 12.30p.m. on May Day. The ceremony will be followed by Maypole Dancing, free funfair rides and the chance to go up in a tethered Royal Mail hot air balloon. The proceeds of donations in return for the rides will go to the West Swindon Family Project. • Microfilm help - page3 • Jon Buck photo - page 23.

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FRONT PIECE Variety Evening for CALM

Lic Company company

The Swindon Branch of CALM the Cancer & Leukemia in Children Movement - will benefit from an evening of entertainment on Saturday 6 May to be held at Toothill Community Centre.

The evening is the brainchild of Win Kennedy, pictured right, who is organising the event more or less on her own. Win, asingerfromToothill, decided to put on 'agood nightout' by bringing together a variety of acts. These include the five piece band 'Nightshift,' a magician called 'Spellbound,' a comedian 'Farmer Hayseed,' the Maureen Cochran dancers, an Al Jolson style singer and Win herself. Tickets cost only £1. 50p to concessions, and are available from Toothill Community Centre and Win Kennedy on 617966. There will also be light refreshments and a raffle.

The Link Published by West Swindon Publications 13 Castle Dore Freshbrook, Swindon Tel: (0793) 872282 Publisher/Editor: Roger Ogle Advertising Sales: 872282

Contents 3 Front Piece 4/5 Election Line-Up 6 Toothill 8 Freshbrook & Grange Park 10 Westlea 12 Shaw 13 Recreation 14 For Women 15 Day In the Life 16 At Your Library 17 Arts Scene

18 19/20 21 22 23

Education Matters News & Views Home & Garden New & Views Round Up

32 Victoria Road Swindon

Wiltshire's brightest Introduction Agency and Social Register Telephone Rosemarie or Elizabeth on 487761 or 790927

Local company makes Link mag. micro

Following the appeal in last month's Link Magazine for help with microfilming the The Link's which have been published over the last ten years, a new company to Swindon made an offer we could not refuse. Sixteen/35 Microfilm Services, based in the Cheney Manor Apple Macintosh design, Industrial Estate, has agreed to layout and lasersetting by copy all The Link's going back to MacOgle. Printed by Western Webb, Bristol December 1979 without any charge. They have been very Published on the Wednesday generous and helpful, and we thank them for helping us to take closest to the first of the part in an unusual and exciting month. Copy date: 12th of project. Their assistance has the preceding month. ensured that some of West Swindon's early history can be "The Link was first published in read by our great, great December 1978 exclusively for the West Swindon community. It grandchildren. is completely independent of What will they make of us? Link Centre and, In fact, won the competition to name the leisure centre In 1984. The magazine Is entirely self-supporting from advertising."

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The winners of the guess the photograph competition in the March edition were Ruth Ashton of Edgehill and Damian James of Langstone Way. They thought the strange construction in Kiln Park must be a UFO landing site.

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Royal Tournament - Earls Court 29 July

£14 £12.50 (Inc. adm) 'Simple Minds' in concert at Cardiff Arms Park £25 (Inc. Adm)

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Toothill Ward including Toothill, Westlea, Shaw & Sparcells

Anne-Marie Mortel

Alan Winmill

Conservative Party

Labour Party

I moved to Swindon in 1985 and live locally in Westlea so I'm aware of many of the problems we face here. I work as an Office Manager with a small Construction Company, and as my family are grown up I feel I have the ability and time to represent you. I support the Conservative excellent Government's leadership and record in protecting the environment and law and order, (particularly Neighbourhood Watch schemes). I for one, am pleased that at long last, the old, unfair and extremely complex domestic rating system is being abolished. The Community Charge will be much fairer than rates because nearly everyone who benefits from local services will pay something for them - not just the long suffering ratepayer. The 'Unholy Alliance' of SLD/ SDP, with the SUPPORT of the Socialists led to the rate rise of 11%. The election in Toothill Ward is a simple choice between the Conservatives and the Socialists. Please give me your support on May 4th and help return a Conservative Wiltshire County Council, with constructive policies, to lead Wiltshire into the

In four years as your County Councillor, I have learnt that you have to fight every inch of the way to get even minimum improvement in services for West Swindon. The Tory record has been to vote against a new Secondary School and to bus over 2500 pupils a day out of the area. They voted against providing a new Infants School in Toothill, but agreed to build one at Brookfield where it was not needed or wanted. They voted against a School Crossing Patrol at Westlea and to cancel one at Toothill only three months after I had battled to get approval. A proportion of our population are disabled, elderly or disadvantaged. Yet we have no Social Service office, let alone day care facilities or permanent clubs. The Tories at County Hall have made no secret that they will cut 55 employees. I promise to fight on for adequate schools, for buildings and provision of nursery classes, day centres for the disabled and elderly, full public transport and the many things you tell me we lack. The things where the Tories say No!

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1990's

Community Business Plans for West A group has recently been formed with the aim of Initiating and supporting community businesses In West Swindon. A community business operates in the same way as any other business, except that surplus profits (i.e. over and above what Is required to be put back Into the company) are used to support other non-profit community initiatives. Are you committed to this Idea? Have you a business Idea? Have you a business experience to offer? Give Lucie Hartley or Laurence Yeoman a ring on 26161 ext. 3092 or Kingsley Matthews on 511802.

representatives on Wiltshire County Council Freshbrook Ward - including Freshbrook & Grange Park Simon Cordon SDP

David Oakensen Labour Party

Freda Troughton Conservative Party

R.T. Fancy Simon Cordon has been Freshbrook and Grange Park's County Councillor since 1985, and Borough Councillor since 1986. Simon is respected as an independent-minded local councillor, with a proven record of commitment to our area. At County Hall Simon is a member of the SDP and Democrat administration that has run Wiltshire for the past four years. Simon Cordon says: "Education, Law and Order and Care for the Elderly have been our top priorities. Locally, 'rising five' year olds are now guaranteed classroom places, Windmill Hill School has been opened, Greendown is being extended, there are now crossing patrols at Oliver Tomkins and Freshbrook, West Swindon has all-night street lighting, our fire station is to open within a year and our elderly are receiving more care in the community. Countywide, the cutting out of council waste and bureaucracy has led to savings of over ÂŁ9 million per year."

Fete

David is a 35 year old chartered accountant who first worked in Swindon eighteen years ago. Returning to live here, he shares the concerns of older and nw residents alike. We have a past to preserve and a future to build. In these tasks County services like schools, roads and police are essential and need to be maintained at high standards. Schools in the area have never matched the numbers of children. Bussing and those dangerous walks without crossing patrols will end when we have a Labour county council. Many services are supplied to the elderly. These must not be run down or sold off. Traffic jams into Swindon centre could be eased if development plans were subject to road requirements. And why shouldn't the developers pay for them? As the Labour candidate David Oakensen wants the services that local people want. Efficient management of the costs should be taken for granted. Local government is neither a business nor a charity. It is a level of service and cost chosen by the voters.

loon Race

I hope those of you who were living in Freshbrook at the time of the Local Election last May will remember my name and how narrowly I lost in spite of predictions by other Political Parties; to those who have recently moved into the Ward, I am the Conservative candidate for Freshbrook in the forthcoming County Council elections on May 4th. I believe in Law and Order and for supporting those who enforce it. I am also interested in getting good value for money as far as rates are concerned, I like to know where my money is going! The SDP are 'History'. They have no coherent policy, and have managed to 'MISMANAGE' Wiltshire County Council with the SUPPORT of the Socialists, resulting in the massive 11% rate rise. An ineffective (Quote - SDP Election Special No.38) 'Independent minded local Councillor' is not what Freshbrook needs or deserves. Conservative County Councils work better with Conservative Governments. I most sincerely trust that you will help me on May 4th to put Wiltshire County Council in better hands.

Windmill Hill School, Freshb Saturday 13 May, 2pm GWR Majorettes, Pony Rides, Inflatable, Fire Engine, Police Car S Ils, Inter-School 5 a-side, Locobus, Stalls Galore, Refreshments, t o raffles including one for a ball signed by Swindon Town players. Scone Making Competition - Pick up a recipe from the School

Balloon Race sponsored by British Gas (South Western) Helicopter ride for the balloon which travels furthest

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TOOTHILL CHARITY VARIETY SHOW IN AID OF C.A.L.M. After-School money presented Saturday 6 May, 7.30pm - 10.30pm at Toothill Community Centre Music, Comedy, Magic, Dance & Entertainment

Tickets S1, 50p concs. from Toothill Community Centre or 617966

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Burgers: Beef; Pork and apple; NEW - Bacon

A year's campaigning and fundraising ended at the end of April when the Toothill's After-School Club re-opened its doors to 21 children. An open evening for parents was held on 12 April so that children could be enrolled in to the club. The funding organisations were also represented to hand over cheques to the club chairperson Diane Stuckey. Pictured below, presenting cheques, left to right, are John Ducker from the West Swindon Youth Resource Committee who donated £2,000, Ellen Hitchcock from the

Allied Dunbar Staff Charity which put in £3,000, Coun. Pete Brown from Thamesdown Council's Arts & Recreation Committee (€1,800) and Anne Poole from the Thamesdown Community Trust (0,500). The Allied Dunbar Charitable Trust is also granting £4,200. The club will meet between 315p.m. and 615p.m. on Monday, Wednesday and Thursday at Toothill Farm, Bodiam Drive. There are still places for children at primary school who can be collected if necessary. Telephone Diane Stuckey on 29463.

Finest selection of fruit and veg. daily; Potatoes -y the sack, New Potatoes In stock; Large selection of bedding plants now available. Let us quote you for your freezers.

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Toothill Chinese Kitchen English Food & Fish and Chips Special Chinese Food Take-Away Menu TEL: 487055 Hours of Business 6.00-11.30pm Sunday Monday Closed all day Tuesday 5.00-11.30pm Wednesday 12.00- 145pm 5.00-11.30pm Thursday 12.00- 145pm 5.00- 1130pm Friday 12.00- 145pm 5.00-12.00 Saturday 12.00-2.00pm 5.00-12.00 OPEN ALL BANK HOLIDAYS (MONDAY) FROM 5 00 p.m. -1100p.m.

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Youngsters achieve awards Cross-country running is an out of 111 pupils at Toothill Primary School recently received awards for their school activity organised by teacher achievements in swimming and cross Brian Gardner. Fifteen children took up the opportunity to run during one country running. Swimming is part of the curri- lunchtime and one after-school culum and the youngsters attend the session per week throughout the Link Centre under the supervision of Spring term. By keeping a record of the County Swimming teacher and their running, they gained points which were addedjo when they took well qualified Toothill staff, Children in the 2nd, 3rd and 4th part in a race and a time trial. Twelve children took part in a year Juniors received awardsfor their achievements. Some experienced the regional Inter-Primary Schools race thrill of learning to swim for the first in Newbury where Kirsten Arthur time Others gained awards for speed was placed 8th out of 67 finishers and swimming, improvement and in another age group, Richard Norris personal survival skills, was 25th out of 107. Pictured here with their awards Rear left to right, Angela Warren, Paul Warren, Damien Durand, Liam Clocking, Alan Staines, Matthew Blick. Front left to right, Kirsten Arthur, David Philli' , Danielle Bathe, Kell S 'nicer

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Let Bob Mason, your local Reprerentative give you a friendly, no obligation quotation and say goodbye to those wasted hours. Telephone: Swindon 770717 (evenings), Swindon 618138 (daytime) and ask for BOB MASON

RALPH PALMER PHARMACY Ralph Palmer, M.P.S., Dispensing Chemist 3, Deerhurst Way, Toothill Hours of Opening.' Mon-Fri. 9a.m. - 1p.m.; 2p.m. -6p.m. Sat. 9a.m. - 12 noon Telephone: 512063

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People living in Grange Park are hoping that a multi-national company will agree to try and hide its huge building which has

been built within a few yards of their homes. The residents of Volpe and with the residents, commented Lineacre Close off Hook Street that the solution is simple. "What have been plagued by the is needed is higher banking all building of the massive they way up Hook Street and the computer centre and power planting of mature trees. It will generation plant for Galileo at go a long way to hiding the Windmill Hill Business Park. building." Construction work has been going on for twelve hours a day, every day of the week for over a year. The residents anger was even greater when theybegan to realise the size of the building growing outside their bedroom windows.

"It's height is abnormal, whilst the blue glass and white brick finish is atrocious," said Julie Thompson-NobleofVolpeClose.

"How it ever received planning permission is a scandal, and the inconvenience of continuous building work should not be permitted on sites close to residential areas. Ihopethiswon't be allowed to happen when the Shaw Ridge Leisure Park is built." Complaints to the builders and Thamesdown Council's Planning Department got no where at first according to Paul Morgan. "We complained, but nobody wanted to listen. Nobody really assessed the effect on us. Very few people were consulted before the plans were passed in late 1987; we have been ignored and disregarded. "We have recently had a meeting with Galileo, the chairman of the Planning Committee, Derek Bye, and Tarmac, the builders. The discussion was positive and we're grateful; they could easily be uncooperative. "The Galileo representative and the Councillor Bye immediately saw that we had a strong case and are considering what should be done to diminish the intrusive effect that the computer centre has on our lives." Freshbrook's councillor Simon Cordon, who has been working

100th lamp reported Freshbrook Councillor Bob Pixton recently reported his onehundredth street lamptothe SEB. It was a tie between one in Grange Park which had been wasting money by being on all day, and the another in King Charles Road, which was always off. The oddest one he has come acrose is the leaning lamp of Newbury Drive. Dave Powell, pictured below with Bob, lives next to it and says it has been out of true since it was put in. "Perhaps the slope of the hill closeby confused the people who put it in.' Bob Pixton is interested in hearing about other lamp posts which need his attentions. He can be contacted on 695317.

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WESTLEA

10 Self Defence for Women A Self Defence Course will start on 8 May at Toothill Church, for six weeks. The sessions will run between 10a.m. and 11a.m. and will be followed by refreshments. All women are welcomed and there is free child care.

Help wanted

"It's too late after a child is killed"

Footpath at last

Mr. Griffith, Head of Westlea School, is proposing to start a coffee morning for parents to take place every day. He needs some basic equipment and materials to get it going. These include a kettle, some toys, a cupboard to keep them in and and a donation of coffee.

A meeting held at the Link Centre on 20 April called for positive action to prevent death's outside local schools. The meeting of parents, headteachers, school governors and councillors was called after a serious accident outside Freshbrook School in March. The main aim was to discuss the problems faced by all the primary schools and to look at what schools had achieved so far. Poor siting and the lack of traffic management measures were identified as the biggest problems affecting all the local schools. Complacency by Wiltshire County Council and lack of interest in road safety by a few parents who drive their children to school were raised as major factorswhich endanger pedestrians. People from the oldest to the most recently built schools reported their long running battles to get the County to improve pedestrian access, and to persuade car drivers to be more considerate to people on foot. The meeting agreed that the County Council should provide yellow lines, school signs, 'sleeping policemen' and flashing lights on roads outside schools. Greater police prescence was called for. Afurther meeting isplannedfor early July.

FOR A SLIMMER FIGURE EVERYONE WILL NOTICE Call your Counsellor ROY & JAN Tel: 872693

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It's going to be a little safer for children to get to Westlea School in future. Work is nearly finished on footpaths on either side of the roundabout on Whitehill Way at the north end of Langstone Way. Ever since Westlea School opened pedestrians from Eastleaze have had to walk in the road and negotiate a very dangerous crossing. The improvement works have been fought for by local Councillor Ricky Midwinter who said it had taken a long time to get the work agreed. "Wiltshire County Council refused to make the crossing safer, but whenThamesdown Council took over highway improvements through an agency agreement, we were able to get them to see the danger to local children.

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Methane gas - possible threat to Shaw Although Sparcells has received the publicity concerning concentrations of methane gas found in the ShawTip, houses in parts of Shaw are closer to the tipped land and could possibly be in greater danger from a geological point of view, according to the local county councillor. Alan Winmill who represents Shaw, Westlea and Toothill has posed a long list of questions to the County Council about the high le zels of the explosive gas that have been discovered on the site. "This is a matter of great concern," said Coun Windmill. Methane is a natural by-product of waste disposal but there are many questions people must have answers to. What is the real problem? How far can methane gas travel underground? Can it move from unstable tipped land to stable ground where houses have been built? Above ground does it disperse or can it move as an unseen cloud, for example into homes? "There is a deep valley and stream separating the houses at Sparcells from the tip. Off Cartwright Drive, Shaw, the land rises continuously from the tip. I want to be assured that the people who live there are safe." Coun. Winmill has called for a full environment report on the state of the Shaw tip. On public safety grounds, he is also wants the reversal of the 25 year lease and planning permission given by the local councils to a company which is going to build a driver education track on the tip. "I am in touch with the Environmental Health Department and the Health and Safety Executive," said Coun. Winmill.

Association elects new committee Mary Case, new chairperson of the Shaw Residents' Association writes: The annual general meeting of Shaw Residents Association was held on Tuesday 4 April. The meeting, though sparsely attended, elected a new committee and executive officers. who are listed below. The committee membership covers most of the areas within the Shaw, but we would appreciate representation from Ramleaze, The Plantations and Sparcells. The committee members are there to help you with worries or queries about the Shaw area. SHAW is YOUR AREA, many facilities came only as a result of residents pressure. Have you given any thought to what is going to happen to the old farm house adjacent to the Wimpey development 'The Manor': What is going to be built on the 19 acre site The Prinnells at the end of Roughmoor Way: Would you like a community centre in Shaw Village centre or an extension to the pub: Who is going to live in the 3 bungalows at the end of Angus Close near the doctor's surgery in Ramleaze Drive. We intend to air air these and other matters in future public meetings of the association, which will be held in the new Shaw Church. The first will be in early June at which Mike Baskett, Community Development

Manager for Burderop Hospital will talk about the 3 bungalows which will become home, in June for approximately 18 mentally handicapped adults. The next committee meeting is at 7.45p.m.on Wednesday loMay in the Old Shaw Chapel. If any resident has an item for the agenda please contact a committee member. I note with interest the formation of a new residents association in Sparcells. I, on behalf of Shaw Residents Association, wish them well. However we have in the past included Sparcells within our area and would still welcome their presence at our meetings. We would be happy to liaise with them over matters of concern such as the methane gas situation. THE COMMITTEE Chair Mary Case 876133 Vice Chair Steve Brown Secretary Chris Sheperd 881146 Treasurer Trevor Bailey 881146 Members Eleanor Snowdon Rev Keith Boxall 770568 Ron Russell 771116 Jenny Machin 771739 Pete Wilson 875505 Rev Helen Drummond 874372 Lil Bint 770527

RECREATION but you can please most of the people most of the time (only 10 unhappy customers out of 800) In last month's edition we published interview with Link Centre coordinator John Fisher on the criticisms levelled at the new system for booking courses, under the title 'You can't please all of the people.' He explained that the centre was trying to respond to loud complaints about the queuing system used previously. He had received several letters shortly after the course programme - Update 89 - had been distributed to every house in West Swindon with a course application form, in the centre pages of the February Link Magazine.

"Most of the letters were received before the dosing date and written expressing worries that they might notget on the course of their choice," said John. "We did not have the precise numbers last month, but after all the applications had been

processed, only 30 people were not placed on the course of their first choice. We were able to offer an acceptable alternative to 20 of those people, either a different time or a different course. "Using the 'postal' method well in advance has meant we could place nearly everybody. On the other hand, we had to give money back to 30 people because some courses were undersubcribed." Compared with the majority of leisure centres in Britain, the Link Centre runs far more courses and provides more opportunities for people to participate in sports and recreation activities. John recognises things are not perfect yet. "There have been a few problems with the new course booking system and we have tried to put these right in the new early summer programme which isnowbooking."

A new Music and Movement group, pictured below, and publicised in February's edition of The Linkhas taken off so well that the group has moved into a much larger hall. Now there is room for more people to join in. The sessions are aimed at the over forty-fives and are a good way to keep muscles stretched and the body supple and strong. The group meets on Mondays at 12 noon in the Community Suite at the Link Centre. For more information, contact Martha Parry on 871212.

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Link Centre Course Bookings Application Forms may be submitted during the period 8th tol5th May. ate Red Noses The pre-school children who attend the Link Centre's Mini-Gym sessions raised over ÂŁ250 for Comic Relief in the week leading up to 10 March. With money resting on their efforts, they used the toddler gym equipment with even greater energy than usual. Pictured below, a tired group of under 5s.

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Food, Glorious Food Elizabeth Wood takes a look at what we should keep a look out for

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I think I've got a serious illness. The main symptom occurs every time I go shopping for food. No sooner have I wheeled my trolley into the supermarket than I am overcome with a feeling of weakness in the brain. My hand • I am looking for part-time/full-lime ladies. shakes as I reach for the first item *Excellent earnings .No cash outlay. on my list and my memory goes .Company car available 'Hours to fit around family life into overdrive. Now what was it 'Minimum 3 hours per week 'Full time earnings for part-time that latest report said about the hours' Hostesses receive £7.75 gift for booking a effects of eating too much rice pudding? Cancer of the liver was demonstration • Telephone Denise on 0272 - 324258 it? Increased risk of dementia? Stunted growth in the underfives? It's no good I can't remember. I can remember that I must cut down out intake of salt and sugar and stick to buying polyunsaturated fats. I must avoid raw eggs, THE Party Plan with cooked chicken, soft unpasteurChainstore ised cheese, and what else was FIZ 81 WIZ there? Oh, yes apples - in case Bargains. CHILDREN'S they have been sprayed with Have a party in your something I can't wash off! But DISCO own home and receive rice pudding? It's no good, I just 100/c commission. can't remember why I wasn't SWINDON going to buy any more of that. So 872926 Tel: 514055 I put a couple of cans in anyway. I can't cope with catering anyor 848214 more. Doing the weekly shop

has turned into a minefield. I've started reading the lists of ingredients on things - what a mistake! Even taking a dictionary with me doesn't help - I've got things in my larder a Nobel chemist would be proud of. I've discovered the cause of my illness, and it wasn't anything I ate. I've just been listening to too many experts. But I'm trying hard to break the habit. The other day an expert told me (over the radio you understand, he wasn't actually in my kitchen at the time) that although it has been longaccepted that too much cholesterol is bad for your heart it now seems that too little cholesterol can cause cancer! That was the last straw. I am taking a leaf out of my mother-inlaw's book. She doesn't take any notice of experts. If it's tasty and nourishing she eats it, and that is what she has been doing for the last eighty-three years so who am I to argue? As I get to the check-out I suddenly remember why I wasn't going to buy any more rice pudding. I don't like it.

Have A Great Party! IKIDSClinic won't eat

of parents, usually somebody has had to cope with a similar problem that an individual is having. "Children can be trying, demanding, frustrating and are great in the art of manipulation. It's part of their mental and physical development, but that doesn't make it any easier for the parent under pressure. "The 'clinic' is very informal and we're trying to get away from the health clinic situation by meeting in a community building." The Swindon Health Authority have funded Kids Clinic on a trial basis until 3 July. If it is successful in West Swindon, others may be launched in other areas. Kids Clinic meets on the first and third Monday of the month in the Community Suite at the Link Centre. Childcare is free, tea & coffee is an optional 20p, parents are asked tobring a drink and a toy for their child.

Call your Counsellor today: Rebecca Clifforde (Westlea) on Swindon 873201

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D evelopment S leeping/Screaming A new kind of child health clinic was launched in April to give parents much needed information and advice about the problems they might be having with their children. Kids Clinic is the brainchild of health Visitors Jane Lee and Sue York who believe they can give better advice to parents in a group, and see parents providing support for each other. "We have so many parents in West Swindon wanting to talk to us about behaviour problems," says Jane. "Its takes up a great deal of time to do this on an individual basis and parents are often left just as isolated. Kids Clinic is different because it is aimed at preventing parental stress and will develop as parents require. "At Kids Clinic, the children are cared for whilst we and the parents can get together in another room. We do talk to them individually as well as encouraging them to talk to each other. So often a problem shared is a problem halved and in a group

0you want to use a lay Nursery to care to r. your children? Hold on a moment! Its not set up yet, but Karen Stevenson Is nvestlgating the need Turn to page 19.

Once again Friday has arrived. Its going to be one of the busiest days of the week I'm up at 7.15am and start the day with a quick cup of coffee, then its off to the office to count the previous night's takings. This takes about 30 minutes, by which time the door bell rings and I know its the meat delivery, followed swiftly by the delivery of veg, I check to see that the deliveries are correct before paying the bills. With the arrival of the mail comes the staff wages for the 26 full and part time staff I employ. At nine the cleaners arrive to prepare the pub for opening time. I tell them the areas needing particular attention and they set about their work. At about 9.15 my cook, Jan arrives. We have a quick chat about the days menu and what staff will be working with her to do the 'prep'. At 9.30pm three of my full-time staff arrive and start the day by stocking all the bottle shelves in both the bars, emptying the bottle skips and removing all the empty barrels from the cellar. I help in the kitchen with the preparation of the days food. At 10.45pm I check if we're ready for opening. The machines are turned and the fire is lit. The doors are opened at eleven. The 'phone rings and its the Bass depot for my beer delivery figures, I relay these and then attend to the K.P. crisps man who has arrived. As noon approaches, we look forward to the onslaught of customers. The rest of my staff arrive and I check to MORE

DAY IN THE LIFE A Licensee's Life

Brian Lines, publican of The Village Inn at Shaw Village Centre, gives a brief run down of a busy day

Behind the bar: Brian Lines of The Village Inn, Shaw Village Centre

see that they all know which jobs they have to do and its all hands to the pumps. The morning is very busy with some 500 people coming through the doors, of whom about 200 will purchase food. I return to the kitchen to see that everything is running smoothly. The morning goes well and hopefully all the customers are satisfied. At two I prepare the food orders for the next day. Over the next half hour all the companies ring for the orders and I relay them. The frozen

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food delivery arrives and I check this before calling time at 2.30pm The customers all leave nice and quietly as usual and my staff and I clean the bar area, hoover, polish and get everything clean for the next session. I go back to the kitchen to check that everything is prepared for the evening session, everything O.K. I see that everything is cleaned up properly and then lock up. No, I can't sit down. I pay my staff their wages and when the last one goesit's3.15pm; timeforlunch. Then I try to spend an hour with my fam-

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AT YOUR LIBRARY Exhibitions & A Slide Show

16 Librarian Linda Black writes

Into the summer months with two excellent exhibitions in May. From 26 April until 17 May we welcome local artist Dave Morse to our exhibition programme. Entitled 'Sunsets and Trees' this exhibition offers an extremely colourful and imaginative tableaux of Swindon - a highly individual interpretation which is certainly worth a visit! Mr Morse will be taking instrumental work-

Car Boot Sale Sat 6 May lOam - 2pm Link Centre Coach Park ÂŁ3/4 on the day. To book a pitch ring 873131 or 694514 Run by Thamesdown North Scout Council In aid of PROJECT PO1TERNE

Sues's Bouquets

shops in the library on Saturdays during the period of the exhibition. From 17 May until 4 June historians amongst you will be pleased to hear that the Swindon Society will be organizing a major photographic exhibition based on historical Swindon. The small displays in the past have prompted many of you to ask whether the Society would be willing to offer something on a larger scale, and we are delighted to be able to accommodate what is sure to be an extremely interesting display of photographs. The Society will be organizing a slide show in the library on Tuesday 23 May at 7.00p.m. - look out for further details of this event in the library nearer the time.

BeautlBouquets, Posies, Top Ten Titles for May Steel, Danielle: Star Tithte arrangements, etc. for 1. (Michael Joseph) - the twenty fourth blockbuster that Special Vay. from one of our most popular Let Sue create a unique silk writers. The story of a heroine flower arrange ment just for destined for stardom in Hollywood at the time of you on that Special Day. Kennedy's circle - glossyromantic 9-lire Service Avadable. escapism! Telephone:

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-following the fame and acclaim

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of 'Saturday Night and Sunday Morning', this new novel is the final volume in the Seaton series. Set in the Nottingham of the 50's, Brian Seaton is full of life and raring to get on, but the shadow of tuberculosis hangs over him. His battle against it in a military hospital forms the core of this witty 'tour de force'. 3.

7. Courtney, Bryce: The Power of One (Heineman)

-a magnificent moving novel of a small boy's triumph over cruelty and loneliness. Set in the turbulent 1940's in Southern Africa, it is an epic novel of survival in the best dramatic tradition. 8. Scortia, Thomas and Robinson, Frank: Blow Out

(Severn House)

Andrew, Virginia: Fallen - exciting plot involving the

Hearts (Collins) -continues the story of the Casteel family begun in 'Heaven' and Dark Angel'. 4. Burgess, Anthony: Any Old Iron (Hutchinson) - an outstanding comic novel based on the hypothesis of the recovery of King Arthur's sword Excalibur, and what would happen if it were to be used in the name of modern causes. 5. Cookson, Catherine: The Harrogate Secret (Bantham) - everyday life on Tyneside' 6. Hanlon, Emily: Petersburg (W. H. Allen) - set against a tapestry woven from some of the most fascinating events and figures of the turn of the century Russia -the crumbling court of Czar Nicholas II, the music ofStravinsky,the romantic writings of Gorky, the politics of Trotsky - all this coupled with a moving love story.

construction of a high-speed train tunnel under the waters of Lake Michigan. After a massive explosion, the survivors have to edge their way out to safety everything from treachery to poisonous gas! 9. Gregory, Philippa: The Favoured Child (Viking)

- Revolutionary England of the 1790's is the background against which the saga of the Lacey family started in 'Wideacre' is continued - family secrets from the past impacting on the characters in the present! 10. Hyde, Christopher. Crestwood Heights (Simon &

Schuster) - by the author of 'The Wave', Christopher Hyde has produced yet another startling tale of terror - secret research centres, human experiment - action, evil and greed - all the best ingredients to give you a tingling thrill!

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Housing Services BOROUGH OF THAMESDOWN

ARTS SCENE The Mind - An Exhibition of Photographs Link Centre Arts Studic & Mall (until 20 May) To approach the subject of mental handicap in the late 1980's is to become aware of the major changes taking place in care of the mentally handicapped, with the closure of large asylum-like hospitals, and their replacement with what is called community care' in small residential homes. You also become aware of the changing use of language to describe people who were once labelled fools or idiots. They are now referred to as mentally handicapped and in the future could be described as people with learning difficulties. The skills taught today which O.K. Ron - Down to help release people from being in asylums and hospitals can the Wyvern NOW! kept also include the skills of Hale & Pace In town 18 photography. In this exhibition, instead of being the object of the May. Don't miss 'em camera, the lens is turned around The summer season at the so our normal' society can be Wyvern Theatre is full of fresh studied. The exhibition asks why and varied talent starting with does our society need to form the musical Gypsy by Swindon's different categories to place highly successful Stage Struck people in? Company 0 -7 May). Music features heavily in the Arts Scene - May programme with John Hanson What's on at Link on 9 May, a great night of country music on 10 May, Orchestra U.K. Arts Studios on 11 May and Sir Yehudi Thursday 4 May Menuhin conducting the English 'IRONWEED' (15) a Link Arts Film String Orchestra on 12 May. Society presentation at 730p.m. Fifties favourite Guy Mitchell Membership £1.00/admission £1.75 and The Strings Peals Orchestra or £1.25 (conc) perform on 19 May and in June, Friday 5 May there are the contrasting 'TEDDY WHITE' - rock concert at attractions of Steve Harley and 800p.m. Cockney Rebel (15th) and The Saturday 6 May 'MONKEY BUSINESS' and 'MAGIC Glenn Millar Orchestra (30th). TOUCH' a Swindon Rock Front The Northern Ballet Theatre concert at 800p.m. Tickets £2.50/ Company brings the well loved £2.00 classic Coppelia from 30 May to 3 Saturday 13 May June, the story of an eccentric 'PAGAN FRINGE' and 'PRESS puppet maker who tries to bring GANG' a Swindon Rock Front concert at 800p.m. Tickets £2.50/ his mechanical doll to life. The summer drama £2.00 presentations are all about Saturday 20 May murder. Alibi for Murder (22-27 'THE PRINCESS BRIDE' (PG) a Children's film Club presentation at May) stars Paul Darrow and on 230p.m. Membership 25p/ 19 June The Business of Murder has admission £1.00 Richard Todd playing the lead. Thursday 25 May On 24 July Michael Cashman 'STORMY MONDAY' (15) a Link makes a change from being Cohn Arts Film Society presentation at in Eastenders to play in Towards 730p.m. Zero, alongside Marius Goring and Glyn Edwards (Dave in THEATRE WITH NO NAME (?) Friday 19 May Minder). Link Arts Studios are proud to The Secret Diary of Adrian present a date on the U.K. premier Mole Aged (nearly 14), is staged tour of this sparkling comedy by the Wyvern Theatre Comm- 'VANITIES'. unity Drama Company in July Voted Best Play of the Year by and Dual Control will present the New York Drama Critics it tells Black Nightingale (7 - 10 June), the story of three women living the amazing story of a Jamaican through the sixties and early woman who went to the Crimean seventies. Don't miss your chance war to help the sick and wounded. to see this show before it reaches London. There's something for The performance starts at everyone at the Wyvern this e.Oop.m. Tickets £3.50/E2.50 summer. concessions.

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EDUCATION MATTERS

18 The 1988 Education Act has given parents and teachers in state schools a lot to think about. Those sections on religious education and assemblies are among the most controversial and confusing. There are all kinds of reports floating about that from September 1989 schools can only teach Christianity and that there hasto be Christian worship every day. The Act doesn't actually state that but we need to be clear what the law says.

Car Boot Sale at Upper Shaw Farm Centre, Ridge Green Sunday 14 May, lOam - 2pm Boots £4 & £5 Tel: 873168 or 871743 Refreshments. In aid of Shaw Ridge Toddler Group

RACE NIGHT at Freshbrook Community Centre on Saturday 13 May 7pm. All profits to West Swindon Community Enterprise Tickets £1 on the door

God on the timetable Erica Holley, Co-Ordinator of Humanities at Greendown Community School considers the Implications of the 1988 Education Act and Religious Education In Schools What are schools required to What's RE about? It isn't about converting pupils to do?

By law religious education must be taught to all pupils in state schools and every pupil, every day should take part in a collective act of worship that should be of a 'broadly Christian character'. Parents still have the right to withdraw their children from the religious aspects of the curriculum. Who decides what's taught In RE?

Every local education authority must have an agreed syllabus and this is drawn up by a local Standing Advisory Council for Religious Education (SACRE). The councils have to reflect the principal religious traditions in the area and so in Wiltshire we have one Muslim, one Sikh and one Hindu member as well as representatives from the Roman Catholic, Anglican and Free Churches. There are other members on the SACRE to represent teachers and the local education authority. The agreed syllabus must include the teaching of all the principal religions in Britain.

Christianity. It's finding out about religious traditions and commitments; helping pupils to explore spiritual values and helping them to find meaning, purpose and value in life. All this is in the Wiltshire syllabus. Every school interprets the syllabus in its own way. At Greendown students study RE throughout their five years at the school as part of their humanities course. RE at Greendown plays a vital role in our multi-cultural initiatives; it is not denominational but attempts to encourage all students to find value and worth in each other and in each others faiths. What about worship In schools?

This is the most controversial part of the Act. Less than one tenth of the adult population takes part in formal worship even once a week. The government wants all pupils of state schools to do so every day. Pupils in private education or at the new CTCs are exempt. Perhaps Mr Baker thinks that those pupils would benefit more

from teaching than praying. These acts of worship don't require the whole school to get together for a morning assembly. They can take place in small groups at any time of day. At Greendown it will be organised around tutor groups. Philosophers, lawyers, the clergy and teachers are left to work out what the Act means when it states that worship must be 'of a broadly Christian character'. What does 'worship' Involve anyway?

A quick hymn and a prayer is insulting to believers. An assembly about the work of Greenpeace could be said to be 'broadly Christian' because it's about preserving the environment - couldn't it? Schools will have to bring educational good sense to its acts of worship. Teachers are not priests and know that parents are the most important influence on the their children. What happens in the home, neighbourhood, church, gudwara, mosque, synagogue or temple are the most important aspects of a child's religious education. As for the law, parents and teachers will yet again have to sort out the confusions left by ministers whose own children will remain untouched in private schools.

Bass & Welsh Brewers Taverns are pleased to announce that Brian & Jenny Lines of

The Village Inn Shaw Village Centre were awarded the Bass Caterers of the Year 1988 Food is available 12noon - 2pm Monday to Sunday 6pm - 9pm Monday to Saturday Family Room Children and Parents welcomed all licensing hours Bookings Taken • Company Accounting Facilities Li Tel: 8746041 VISA 1

Calling All Cyclists in West Swindon Age Concern Thamesdown Director and West Swindon resident J0 Osorio says 'Join the Great Thamesdown Bike Rides!' He writes:

This year there are two chances to get on your bike in support of two local charities. The first ride starts and finishes right onyour doorstep at Lydiard Park on Sunday4June. Now is the time to register. The second ride on Sunday 10 September starts and finishes in Wroughton. Both rides have either long or shorter routes. The shortest on 4 June

NEWS & VIEWS 19 is only 3 miles long! But if you like a gentle ride in the countryside you G. Stevens (Electrical) can spend as long as you like completing the longer routes as they meander through some of the prettiest villages around. Age Concern Thamesdown and ICAN (Invalid Children's Aid Nationwide) will receive the proceeds of The Great Thamesdown Bike Rides, so register now and start persuading sponsors. Registration costs £3 or £5 if entering both rides. Its £1.50/2 for under 14s and over 60s. Registration and sponsor forms can be obtained from P0 B0X203, Swindon SNI 2HS or the Link Centre.

Trawlerman cash to groups

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Above: A line of representatives from the groups who received donations from The Trawlerman Continued from the front page The group members who received cheques were very pleased by the donation to their organisation. Elizabeth Mann, chair of the Oliver Tomkins Playgroup said they had asked for money to pay for a child whose parents just could not afford to send to playgroup. "The £100 will pay for one year's attendance; the child and the family will Could You Use a benefit greatly benefit from this Day-Nursery? kind gift.". June Roberts of the West Swin- It is painfully obvious, that at the don Under 5s Festival said the moment, there is an acute lack of Trawlerman donation will help child care available in the area. keep costs down for the families But, there are some hopeful signs who take part in next month's for the future, one of which is a festival events, project that I am involved in, i.e. The Greendown Air Training looking at the feasibility of a full Corps, the Woodcraft Folk, and time day nursery in West The Girl's Brigade are all using Swindon, for the 0-5 age group. the cash to buy equipment or take Is this something you would youngsters camping. use? If it is, it would be very Carla Duffield said the local St. helpful if you could write to the John Ambulance were going to address below, and say how buy a maniken to practice mouth- many children you may need to-mouth resuscitation. caring for and how many hours The groups which received dona- per week, plus their ages. tions are: Oliver Tomkins Playgroup, Please note that no promises Creepy Cra wiles Toddler Group, can be made at this stage, on West Swindon Childminders Asso- placing children; but if there are ciation, Rainbow Playgroup, West enough potential 'customers' out Swindon Under 5s Festival, Spar- there, the chances of being able to cells Playgroup, Lollipops Toddler provide a high quality facility, Group, Greendown Air Training are better. Your help is Corps, Greendown Woodcraft Folk, 1st Toothill Scouts, St. John Ambulance, Toothill After School Club, The Girls Brigade, Freshbrook Church Youth Group.

Pizzarama

Now open at Shaw Village Centre offering take-away and home-delivery service

WE DELIVER FREE ON ALL ORDERS 1:7.50 OR OVER. £1.00 charge for orders delivered under 1:7.50 - please allow up to 30 minutes delivery time.

Yes! We do Garlic Bread - You'll love it! Every pizza is freshly made for you, to order. No need to queue - phone your order in then collect. Even better, we'll deliver! Salads and cold soft drinks available, vegetarian dishes too! Our pizzas come in two sizes - Regular (1 person), Super (2-3 people)

We look forward to serving you.

FOR HOME DELIVERY R PICK-UP TEL:

874844 Ms K. Stevenson (Nursery) 27 Coldsborough Close Eastleaze, Swindon SN5 7EP

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SERVICE!

Take Away - Pick-up Monday to Friday 12 noon -2.30 p.m. 5.00 p.m. - 1130p.m. Saturday, Sunday 12 noon -11.30 p.m. HOME DELIVERIES 7Days -from 5p.m toll.30p.m.

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NEWS & VIEWS Peatmoor D Angling Club TWO NEW CARAVANS FOR HIRE -6 Berth & 8 Berth

Free gas & electricity. Entrance to swimming pool, clubs and cabaret all included. Shops, takeaway, laundrette, children's play area, kids club, fun fair, snooker, table tennis all on site. For more information and to book, telephone Mr. F. G. Cuss on 750925

Wright Planning Services Building Plans prepared, Planning & Building Regulation Approval obtained "All the headaches taken out of your hands."

All work undertaken by fully qualified engineer. Telephone Steve Wright on

Swindon 871553

R&J Construction General building work, Patios, Fencing, etc. Competitive rates, reliable service.

Tel: 876055

* Swindon Autoshine * The complete, professional, mobile car valeting service. Available 7 days a week,at home or at work. From £17. Book now, Don't be disappointed. Tel: 876536

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Indoor Exhibition Centre Open 7 Days A Week C & C Windows Ltd Unit 15, Axis Westmead Trading Estate West Swindon. Tel: 643866

Registration Afternoon Sunday 21 May 2pm-5pm Greendown School Please bring identification confirming date of birth, a stamped addressed envelope and a passport photograph. -Annual membership fees: £2.50 Juniors (10 - 16 years old on 16 June) OAP/Reg. Disabled £3.50 For more information 'phone David Stiles on 872151

7 Years Old

Newspaper & Magazine Collection Shaw Ridge Primary School Is holding a collection on Tuesday 23 May, 8a.m. and 3p.m. Proceeds to the Friends of Shaw Ridge School Fund

A valet at your service Does your car need a spruce up? Do you want to get it to show room condition at reasonable cost right outside your front door? West Swindon based Swindon Autoshine can make it happen. Swindon Autoshine is a new business set up by Gordon Harrow of Middleleaze. After seeing a friend in a similar operation, he decided to set up a service which he thinks is needed, convenient to the customer and aims to provide a quality finish at a reasonable price. Gordon has designed and kitted out his own mobile valeting vehicle with everything he needs - water, power and materials - to do the job wherever the car is. "Car valeting used to be costly and inconvenient as the vehicle had to go into a garage," says Gordon. "Car owners want them be in the best condition especially if they're selling, and this can be achieved where the car is parked. "My aim is to get the car I work on into showroom condition, both inside and out. There are various tricks of the trade and different chemicals and dressings that can be used which makes a valet job different from the Sunday morning wash down. The service also includes pressure cleaning wheel arches and the engine which is then lacquered. Washing and waxing is all done by hand to get the best finish on the paint, and not all over the windows like a car wash." There are obvious limitations to Gordon Harrow's service. Paint chips, dents, rust and fabric tears cannot be covered up, but as he says, car owners often forget what colour the carpet used to be and are surprised how brightly the paintwork can sparkle. Swindon Autoshine can be contacted on 876563.

The West Swindon Advice Point celebrated its 7th birthday in March. The volunteer workers are recruited and supported by the West Swindon Family Project and trained by Thainesdown Law Centre. When they first 'set up shop' in Toothill and Freshbrook, they worked in the evenings with no 'phone and no proper interview facilities. Sustained by dedication and the support of the Project worker Audrey Johnson, they soldiered on until March 1985 when they moved with the Project into new premises and for the first time had their own office with a 'phone line. At first, the volunteers dealt only with welfare benefits issues but as their knowledge and experience grew they went on to represent people at tribunal hearings. Today they offer advice on all DHSS matters, fuel debts, housing and debt in general. With back up from the Project and the Welfare Rights Forum added to their own extensive experience they are able to help people with a variety of difficulties and to point them in the right direction. Two of the current workers, Ros Deakin and Roy Williams were volunteers with the project in the early days. Roy is perhaps the longest serving volunteer in any advice point in Thamesdown! At present there are seven volunteers running three sessions each week, on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays; 10a.m. -12 noon at 15 Gainsborough Way, Freshbrook. If you want to know more please contact the Project at the above Below: Gordon Harrow equipment at address, or 'phone 871303. the ready

HOME & GARDEN Calling all you Gardeners! DUNCAN Its time to enter the West Swindon Gardening Club's Gardening Competition. At the bottom of this page, you will find an entry form SELF DRIVE to register your garden for judging. The competition is open to anyone living in West Swindon and there's no entry fee. All that is needed is HIRE your time to get your garden in shape. • Send your entry to The Link Magazine', 13 Castle Dore, Freshbrook, Swindon, by 15 June 1989. • Judging will be carried out during the first two weeks in July. A short list of six entries will go forward to the final judging at the end of July. • All entries will be judged as a whole irrespective of size or contents. • The Judges will be looking for: - Layout to give a pleasing effect. - Quantity, quality and variety of plants - Tidiness - paths swept, flowers deadheaded, weeds removed, plants staked if required, lawns mowed and edged, etc. - Any special features - greenhouse, rockery, tubs and hanging baskets - to be judged same way. • Prizes: The Gardening Club is finalising the prize list and the rewards for your hard work will be published in the June Link. There will be prizes for people who have lived in their house for over 3 years and others for those who have occupied their houses for less than three years. The Link Magazine will be offering a special prize forthe most attractive garden under one year old from 1 June.

In Grand Style by Claire Beaton suggests a visit to give you competitive inspiration Misarden Park is a garden in the grand tradition with separate areas each planted to a different purpose. The scale seems too large to offer any ideas useful to the 'Urban Village' gardener, but, there are ideas that could be put to use in any garden. At the back of the wide herbaceous borders that stretch towards the House are a series of vertical rustic poles with climbing roses, clematis or vines scrambling up them. One problem with our small gardens is that any tree we might plant takes too long to grow to an effective size, or grows with dangerous vigour and smothers the garden with cool shadow. Training climbing plants up a fence post planted securely in a metal socket and wrapped with plastic mesh provides an almost instant solution. In another area, a small passage bounded by a wall on the right and by hedge on the left, a simple rolled gravel surface has been laid and a row of evergreen Mexican Orange (Choisya ternato) has been planted against the wall. The restricted space

means their sweet scent is held ready for the passer-by to enjoy. Other elements of the garden to enjoy are an arboretum, a vegetable garden with old trained fruit trees, wisteria, a squash court masquerading as a small chapel and a wonderful pair of yew hedges with their tops clipped into curves and boxes. Almost they resemble a railway train steaming uphill. Misarden Park is at Miserden, 7 miles NE of Stroud. Admission £1, Children free. Open Sunday 14 May (2pm - 6pm)

Vehicles for Hire at Competitive Rates Vans - Lutons -Estates Cars & Mini Bus 272 Ermin Street Stratton St. Margaret Swindon

Tel: 822193 Open Daily 9am - 6pm Sundays 9am - 1 p

HUNISMHEIS

21 CAR BOOT SALE

Behind Queensway/Sandfords Great Western Way EVERY 2 WEEKS Sunday 7 May & 21 May Toilets & Refreshments Pitch £6. Admission 20p Supporting the West Swindon Family Project Trade from 8am Public 9.30am - 1 p Tel: Swindon 764911 Entrance at the junction of Lady Lane and Westfield Way, Haydon Wick. Tel: Swindon 721221

VISIT YOUR LOCAL GARDEN CENTRE Large selection of

• Trees. Shrubs • Alpines. Heathers • Conifers • Herbaceous Perennials • Discounts on all composts • Visit us for all your garden requirements

Where to get your plants Its the busiest month of the year at local garden centres and North Swindon's Grange Farm nurseries is no exception. They have good stocks of bedding plants, the lastest Busy Lizzies shown at last year's Chelsea Flower Show and everything you require to make bright and colourful hanging basas kets. Proprietors Mr. and Mrs. Trotman have tremendous knowledge of Plants and gardening so Grange Farm Nurseries must be the perfect place to go to get your garden in shape.

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WEST SWINDON GARDENING CLUB invites householders in West Swindon to enter the area's first ever Gardening Competition in June by returning this Entry Form to The Link Magazine, (Garden Competition), 13 Castle Dore, Freshbrook, Swindon SN5 8PQ Name: Address: Telephone: The date you moved into your house

-I

NEWS & VIEWS

SOFT WATER CENTRE Come and see our full range of Water Softeners including the NEW 19"HIGH PERMUTIT 2000E. DOMEXTRA, BRUNER, PERMO, SEREIN AND EURO RANGE IN STOCK All at Unit 4, Oaklands Enterprise Estate, Braydon, Nr. Wootton Bassett. Open Saturdays ONLY 9.30am - 4pm. Ring Swindon 853156 for further information or appointment.

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R.K. Garden Services Special Offer to Link Readers Turfing from £1.85 (price includes turf per sq. yard) 'Rotivating 'Patios 'Fencing 'Shrubs 'Trees 'Plants FREE ESTIMATES Have your grass cut and garden maintained at a set price for a year. Phone Ray on 512287 or Brian on 486526 West Swindon's friendly and prompt gardening service

New homes to allow a normal life West Swindon people are being invited to visit three new bungalows in Shaw which have been built to provide an alternative to hospital care. The six bedroomed bungalows will provide a home for eighteen mentally handicapped people who presently live in Burderop Hospital. The residents will mostly be people who have lived in West Swindon or whose parents have moved to the area. The bungalows will be managed by Locality Manager Graham Walker and a team of skilled and trained staff. Each bungalow will have a home leader and a member of staff will be on hand at all times. Swindon Health Authority Community Development Manager Mike Baskett has guided the Shaw homes project through the various planning stages and is looking forward to the first people moving out of hospital care into the community. "The development of the homes has been a slow process, but we've been able to communicate

with the people who live dose-by throughout and answer questions as they have arisen. "The bungalows will become home for people who may have spent quite a lot of time in hospital. This will be a chance for them to use local shops, pubs and community facilities just like anybody else." Mr. Baskett would welcome any local people who might like to befriend the new residents of Shaw. Volunteers will be able to usefully help the handicapped people use local facilities and widen their circle of friends. There are also a number of paid positions still to be filled. To find out more, telephone Graham Walker of Mike Baskett at Burderop Hospital on 812826. The open days at the Shaw Bungalows are and 11 May, between 9a.m. and 5p.m. and 10 May between 7p.m. and 10.30p.m. All interested readers will be welcomed. They can be found at the top of Angus Close, off Ramleaze Drive, dose to Shaw Village Centre.

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Baby equipment and toy sale

I live locally in Freshbrook and have recently become physically disabled with Motor Neurone Disease. I have two young sons, aged 5 and 3, and a husband with ademanding job which frequently takes him away from home. I am looking for a mature, active person, to help me with occupying the children, preparing meals and some tidying up from 300p.m. 600p.m., Monday to Friday (and occasionally until7.30p.m.). A salary is available. If you feel you can assist me and my family, please telephone me, Jan Devine, on Swindon 39210

Swindon Branch of the National Childbirth Trust (NCT) is holding a Baby Equipment & Toy Sale on Saturday 13 May in the Main Hall, Community Suite, Link Centre between 1100a.m. and noon. Check-in of items for sale will be between 915a.m. and 1045a.m. and collection of money and/or unsold articles between 100p.m. and 2.00p.m. The equipment will be sold on a commission basis, the seller keeping 75% with 25% to the NCT. Further details and registration forms available from Jane Halstead (771892) and Gail Grant (853411).

That's the slogan for this year's Christian Aid Week, 15-20 May, and it emphasises the need not just for emergency disaster relief, but for a real transfer of resources to help the poorest people. That is what Christian Aid is all about. Education, health and community projects, land reform and small-scale agriculture - all these things strengthen the poor but cost money. In 1987/88 Christian Aid spent £17.7 million, of which almost £10 million went to such development projects overseas and nearly £5 million on emergencies and refugees (only 3% of its money goes on administration). Last year people knocking on doors in West Swindon raised over £1,000 from ordinary people who wanted to show that they cared. We should like to do much better this year, so please be generous. Even if we call at an awkward time, we're not really doing it on purpose. If you would like to find out more about Christian Aid, or to help to collect from a few houses in your neighbourhood, contact Ian Schagen on 871093.

Clothing Alterations & Repairs. Tel: 872096 Mrs. White, Freshbrook.

Am I going mad? What's happened to my little boy/girl? Are they going mad? Whyarethey so rude? They treat me like a door mat. Are they ashamed of me? They only come to me for money. They don't appreciate anything I've done for them. Do anyof these questions strike a chord with you? To the majority of us living with our children through their teenage years can seem like walking through a minefield with no hope of reaching the other side. As a Youth Counsellor I am in daily contact with young people who are going through this period in their lives. In reality the going can be just as tough for them but this is hard to appreciate when we, as parents are in the thick of it. It seems to be generally accepted, and rightly so, that parents of young children need support, however no one seems to consider the needs of parents of teenagers. There will be a meeting on Tuesday 9 May at 7.30pm in the Community Suite at the Link Centre to discuss this subject. Martha Parry of Community Development, Cath Ryder of W.E.A. and myself, Marian Northam from 'Off the Record' will be there. We hope that anyone going through the mill at the moment will come along.

Going on Hoilday? Pensioner will look after your home and/or pets and garden. Excellent references. Tel: 614879 for quotation.

ROUND UP German Visitors West Swindon Litter From Tom Wilson, Lombard Court, Toothill Having recently returned from a holiday in Australia, most noticeable was not in the weather but in the amount of litter, of plastic wrappers, papers, tins and other items along the footpaths in West Swindon, especially around the schools and playground areas. This cannot be the fault of the children as there are not litter bins anywhere for them to use. One would expect to see litter abroad as people there lead a more outdoor life, but no! They use the litter bins provided. Why can't the council provide litter bins in these areas of West Swindon, in the meantime make use of offenders doing Community Service to clear up this eyesore. Perhaps the local Councillors will reply.

The Mayor of Thamesdown's twin town in Germany paid a visit to Toothill's Salzgitter Court Elderly Person's Group Dwelling on 18 April. Pictured above, receiving a gift Peatmoor Angling Club of an illustration of Salzgitter, is From Wendy Greaves, WorsleyRoad, warden Ann Tomnay with Ober Freshbrook burgermeister Hermann Struck Reply to Mr Cox, re letter in April (right) and the Mayor of ThamesLink down Coun. Jim Cordon. lam replying in my capacity as wife of a member of Peatmoor Angling Committee. The Committee met Repairs completed again last week (only their 2nd official meeting!) and their decision on the age range remain, although these guidelines were laid down by Thamesdown Council, who set up the Committee. Unfortunately there will always be 'winners' and 'losers'. If the age range had been lowered to 9 years, then I am sure we would have had the same correspondence from a parent of an 8 year old! In reply to your comments regarding the ages of Committee Member's children - my own son is 9 years old and 3 other Committee Member's children are also below the age of 10, one is only 3 years old! My husband's involvement with the Club is to contribute to the Jon Buck looking to a brighter community as a whole - not just to future for his sculptures benefit his own and my son's The three sculptured figures to involvement with fishing. Everyone had the opportunity to put be resited and unveiled for a themselves forward to become a second time in a May Day cereCommittee Member - I wonder why mony by the lakes at the West you did not! I'm sure the basic Swindon Centre have been rerequirement was not merely to be a paired and given a complete overhaul by sculptor Jon Buck, fisherman! who created them in 1984. From Stephen Blick, Toothil Although 'The Bathers' are After reading enthusiastically in the made of glass reinforced plastic January Linkabout Peatmoor Lagoon and concrete, they have suffered opening I too 'phoned Mr. Stiles of casual and intentional damage the Committee. lam nearly 21 years which, it is hoped, will be more of age, only to be told you can in fact difficult to inflict in future. only be a member if you are 10 to Jon has reformed ears and teenage years, disabled or a pensioner. I think it is disgusting, noses and has sanded the figures down completly to get rid of any not even my father could join. We moved to Toothifi in May1976 imperfections. They will be when we had very little out here. unveiled wearing a completely Now it seems we have everything new coat of paint. Details on except a fishing lake that we can use. page 1 and 11. So perhaps somebody could please The Reference Page will return next month change the situation.

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