No 422 July 2017
Est. overall readership across Swindon: 100,000
North and West Swindon Edition
We're backing the bid for the new Museum and Art Gallery p10
Sky-high art
Inside the studio of Swindon artist David Bent page 33
Community: P3-26
Swindon Wide: P27-38
Services: P39-45
Community: P2-20
Swindon Wide: P21 - 29
Leisure: P30-39
Puzzle: P46
Community News Director: James Phipps
Get behind the new theatre and art gallery By Group Editor Jamie Hill Swindon Link is 'backing the bid' for the town's new theatre and art gallery. The new iconic building earmarked for the former Wyvern Theatre car park is an opportunity for this town. It is an opportunity to change people's perceptions of the town. We want them to look at Swindon and see a place that is different and stands out from the crowd. A forward thinking town that contains iconic buildings and has a rich cultural life - something that as inhabitants we all know about but is rarely something we shout about. Personally, I love the new building's design and believe it is a piece of architecture that will put Swindon on the world map. If any of you have visited the current museum and art gallery in Old Town you will have seen some of the amazing artwork that we have on display but that is only
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the tip of the iceberg with so much more in storage. The new museum and art gallery will be something that will attract people to the town regenerating our centre and it will be the building that will feature on any future postcards of the town. When people think of Swindon they will think of this building and not just the grey industrial estates that they currently, quite wrongly, have in their heads. We have a detailed story about the project on page 10 as it gears up for its Heritage Lottery Bid in November. Back the bid! jamie@swindonlink.com
Closing date for August adverts and editorial: 12 July August edition published: 28 July
Group Editor: Jamie Hill Deputy Editor: Ben Fitzgerald Associate: Roger Ogle Reporter: Mike Barham Sales Admin Manager: Sue Roberts Sales: Dave Stewart & Rosy Presley Office Manager: Karen Randall Photography: Richard Wintle & Rachel Davis - www.calyxpix.com
Positive Media Group Limited, Unit 3, Arclite House, Century Road, Swindon SN5 5YN T: 01793 744677 E: publisher@swindonlink.com Our Statistics Est. Readership of 100,000 in print & c.20,000 monthly online visitors. Swindon’s largest free publication. Advertising starts from just £57. The contents of The Link are protected by copyright. Use of advertisements in printed or electronic form is forbidden unless an advertiser or publisher has sought permission. Articles and photographs require similar authority. Positive Media Group Limited cannot be held responsible for goods or services or the copyright of content supplied by our advertisers. Reg. in England & Wales. No: 4513027, at Arclite House, Hillmead, Swindon SN5 5YN. Printed by pcp Telford
Aiming higher: Good for people, good for business, good for Swindon By Tom Wilkes of Spirit of Swindon Having focussed on inequality issues and Executive Pay, this month we want to highlight those who are paid at the other end of the scale. With employment numbers rising and the jobless total falling to numbers not seen since the 1970’s, why is this a concern? While remuneration at the very top has been increasing, in some cases to excessive levels, in the middle and particularly at the lower ends it has been declining for years. The purchasing power of many professional workers has been falling and the percentage of those in employment who are using Food Banks has been rising. Levels of debt have been increasing for the past ten years; figures show households in the UK owe an average of £13,000, which does not include mortgages. This helps explain why poverty in Swindon remains high. The need to raise minimum pay levels has been a concern for the UK. A statutory Minimum Wage was introduced in 1998, while The Living Wage Foundation (LWF) established a target and benchmark wage between 2005 and 2011. In 2015, the Government introduced a National Living Wage which conflated these approaches.
The LWF pay rate is now calculated annually against a basket of food to provide a decent standard of living for those in work. Currently the LWF wage (the Real Living Wage) is £8.45/hr (£9.75 in London). The statutory National Living Wage is lower at £7.50/hr and only for those over 25. The introduction of the National Living Wage has been a challenge for some businesses to meet, especially during a difficult economic period; the higher, and voluntary, target of the LWF wage is one which some businesses believe may be too high to reach. In the UK over 3,000 accredited employers are paying the LWF wage to over 100,000 workers. Several of these are based in Swindon, including the telecommunications business Excalibur, and the Nationwide Building Society. These businesses – one a major national company, the other much smaller - argue that paying the LWF wage makes good business sense. The key to any business, according to Excalibur, is its people. Showing commitment to looking after your team provided the lead for their staff to do their best for Excalibur’s customers. The company’s current leader argues that ethical trading has been at the heart of their growth.
Nationwide Building Society made the decision to become a Living Wage Foundation employer to ensure that everyone working on their sites has a decent standard of living. A key driver was wanting all employees to have the time, energy and motivation to serve customers and one outcome of this is higher ratings for service than High Street competitors. Nationally almost 6 million workers are paid less than £8.45/ hr which equates to around 21,000 people in Swindon, with more women than men figuring in both of those statistics. Those on zero hours contracts, in casual work or labelled as ‘self-employed’ further increase those numbers. In terms of the impact on families and society it is not hard to make an ethical case for paying £8.45/ hr as a minimum; small, medium and larger enterprises have been discovering it is good for business
and for the economy as a whole. Figures show that unemployed people in Swindon want to work (33% against a national average of 24%). When they find work, paying them a minimum of £8.45/ hr sounds like it makes good sense for everyone, and could show Swindon leading not lagging. If you are an employer already paying £8.45/hr as a minimum – or have decided to aim for this - we would love to hear from you. This month’s one thing to do is look at the LWF website and encourage your employer to consider becoming accredited www. livingwagemovement.org Spirit of Swindon has emerged from a gathering of people who want to raise consciousness of the impact of economic inequality and help Swindon offer a lead to other areas in the UK. We are grateful to James Phipps and Stephen Uden in preparing this article. swindonlink.com n July 2017
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Community News
Orbital dishes up glorious food festival
Street food flavours from across the globe came to Swindon on 10 and 11 June with the Eats from the Streets pop-up foodie festival at the Orbital Shopping Park, returning to the retail centre following a successful debut last year. The festival saw artisan vendors serve up a whole host of cuisines from around the world, including
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Russian dumplings and kebabs from Soviet Kitchen, and loaded American hot dogs and burgers. The Rovin’ Bar also mixed up some of its signature jam jar drinks. Jamie Turner, centre manager, said: “The Eats from the Streets concept was born out of the popup festival and street food trends. As the popularity of both show no sign of slowing, it’s no surprise
that we’re hosting the event again this year. We’ve really enjoyed bringing new and exciting foods from across the globe to shoppers’ doorsteps, and this year’s event has been even bigger and better – with more stalls and more flavours on offer! It’s great to be able to support local traders alongside our national retailers.” www.orbitalshopping.co.uk
Community News
Debbie Clark from the Jessie May charity is presented with £4000 by CALM
Children's hospice given £4k boost Representatives of the CALM charity have handed over a cheque for £4,000 to the Jessie May Children’s Hospice to help support the expansion of its service into Swindon and Wiltshire. CALM (Children's Cancer and Leukaemia Movement) is a parent support group that was set up in 1984 and is run on a voluntary basis to support families that have a child receiving treatment at Swindon's Great Western Hospital. Charity chairman, Richard Crowley, said: “While CALM is able to offer lots of support, like grants to families, social events, day trips, convalescent holidays and peer support, we're not able to provide hospice care. The committee were aware that some of the families
we support may also benefit from the Hospice at Home service, particularly children with some of the most aggressive forms of cancer. “The committee agreed that we would support Jessie May, to help the charity establish its services in Swindon and Wiltshire. In October I was invited to a launch event to mark the expansion of Jessie May Children's Hospice at Home into Swindon and Wiltshire. As a parent whose son has survived leukaemia I was emotionally moved by what I saw and heard on that evening.” The cheque was presented by a group of families associated with CALM to Debbie Clark from Jessie May during one of the group’s regular coffee mornings at Lower Shaw Farm.
swindonlink.com n July 2017
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Community News
Balloon launched from Great Western Hospital carries message of mental health awareness overseas
Didier Bert in Barreme with the GWH balloon note
A balloon that was released into the skies above the Great Western Hospital in Swindon last year to mark World Mental Health Day has been found nearly 1,000 miles away in the south of France. The purple balloon, which was one of dozens that soared into the atmosphere after being let go by hospital staff in October 2016, was found last week in a picturesque
village in southern France by a hiker who almost mistook it for litter on the ground. Didier Bert was out walking in the hills of Barreme, a small province around 60 miles north of Nice, when he came across the now-deflated balloon and the attached message encouraging whoever found it to go online to learn more about the importance of mental health.
He said: “Well, at first, I simply thought it was a piece of waste on the ground, which disappointed me as the hills of Barreme are a protected nature area. “But when I looked closer, I realised the balloon had come all the way from England, so I felt it was only right that I got in touch with the hospital to let them know that it had been found on French soil.” Although a number of other purple balloons were found in and around Swindon in the weeks after the balloon launch, Didier’s balloon appears to have travelled the furthest with its international flight clocking up more than 750 miles. Last October’s balloon launch kicked off the World Mental Health Day celebrations at the Swindon hospital, with staff coming together to learn more about spotting the often-hidden signs of conditions that do not always have visible symptoms. It was also a chance for people to put the topic of mental health up for discussion, as many sufferers often shy away from talking about their problems with others.
Veteran nurse Toni is recognised for her 53 years unbroken service to NHS in Swindon Nursing has changed a lot over the last 50 years, but one thing that has remained constant has been Toni Starr’s dedication to a career that she loves more than anything else. The 71-year-old sister from the Special Care Baby Unit at the Great Western Hospital joined the NHS in 1964 and, more than half a century on, is still as active on the wards as ever. Toni’s commitment to providing patients with 53 years of unbroken service was formally recognised last week when she was revealed as the latest recipient of Great Western Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust’s Star of the Month Award. Her career began in 1964 at Poole General Hospital as a student nurse, before later joining Swindon’s Princess Margaret Hospital in 1970. Since then, Toni has built an impressive career and is instrumental in delivering the absolute best care to babies and their families in Swindon. In between her night shifts, she also found time to achieve a diploma in midwifery and a masters in theology. Speaking about what drivers her
Toni Starr
to continue, Toni said: “Things are always developing and we know so much more now than we did when I started. Babies of even 24 weeks can survive in 2017, which was unheard of years ago. “I’ve always been fascinated by medicine. I love to research and find out why things work in the way they do. As nurses, it’s something we’re encouraged to do nowadays. I want to go on forever.” Former colleague Hazel Keen has never forgotten the lengths Toni went for patients and work friends alike. She said: “She’s everything I thought the NHS would be before I
came to work here. Toni looks after her team and never asks of you any more than she would herself. “One night, a nurse was needed to take a baby to Bristol and nobody was able to go so Toni went by herself, knowing she would be late back from her shift. “I believe the NHS would be a greater place to work if there were more Toni Starrs in it.” Toni’s shift on 26 May was interrupted by friends and former colleagues who had travelled in secret to the hospital to see her receive the award from Oonagh Fitzgerald, Director of Human Resources.
News in brief Fitness pilot project Fitness sessions for older people are being launched at the Haydon Centre. Costing £2.50, the ‘Generation Gains’ sessions are designed to engage older members of the community. Starting on July 14, from 11.30am - 1.30pm, activities include badminton, short tennis, table tennis and gym. Funded by the Zurich Community Trust, the project is being evaluated by Bath University. Contact: GenerationGains@GLL.ORG
Beating the criminals Figures released by independent charity Crimestoppers have revealed that the number of pieces of information passed to police in Wiltshire increased on the previous year by 40 per cent. This increase highlights a growing awareness of Crimestoppers and its work in local communities, while also highlighting the significant role the public plays in the fight against crime. Contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or via www. crimestoppers-uk.org.
Perfect your poetry Budding poets can hone their art with a series of guided sessions by local poet Tony Hillier. Open to both experienced writers and first timers this is an opportunity to have fun with words and share stories with others in a relaxed and nonjudgemental space. The five weekly sessions, at Park Library in Cavendish Square, run from June 28 - 26 July from 1-3pm. Book or turn up on the day. To sign up contact Tony on 07404526340 or drop in/phone Park Library—01793463501.
Back to the classroom Former Ridgeway School students have gone back to the classroom to inspire the next generation. Working with education charity Future First the project is part of a national scheme to harness the experience of school alumni. Ashleigh James, studying chemistry at Nottingham University, Mary Madigan who works in recruitment and Deborah Kerr, a senior executive talked to year 12 students. swindonlink.com n July 2017
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Community News
Election night: high drama as town MPs retain seats
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It's a huge honour and I am determined to get back to work Robert Buckland MP
South Swindon results:
Emotional result: North Swindon MP Justin Tomlinson (above) and South Swindon MP Robert Buckland (left) celebrate retaining their seats. Labour candidates Sarah Church and Mark Dempsey (below) fought a spirited campaign and secured a sizeable share of the vote.
North Swindon results:
Robert Buckland (Con): 24,809 Andy Bentley (Green): 858 Sarah Church (Lab): 22,345 Mark Dempsey (Labour): 21,096 Martin Costello (UKIP): 1,291 Steve Halden (UKIP): 1,564 Talis Kimberley-Fairbourn Justin Tomlinson (Con): 29,431 (Green): 747 Liz Webster (Lib Dem): 1,962 Stan Pajak (Lib Dem): 2,079 Justin Tomlinson retains his Robert Buckland retains his seat seat.
MPs pledge to serve town Swindon’s Tory MPs have pledged to continue working hard for the people of Swindon in the wake of the General Election. Voters gave their support to both Robert Buckland MP (Swindon South) and Justin Tomlinson MP (Swindon North) as they went to the polls. However, the South Swindon seat was heavily contested, with Labour candidate Sarah Church securing 22,345 votes, just 2,464 fewer than Mr Buckland. Mr Buckland’s majority was cut from 5,785 in 2015. Reflecting on the result, Mr Buckland said: “I am absolutely delighted to have been re-elected by my fellow local residents, achieving the highest number of votes and the largest share of the vote for any candidate in the history of the constituency. I was also happy to see that every single part of North Swindon put
me ahead of the other candidates. It is a huge honour and I am determined to get back work to as a visible, approachable and effective MP.” He added that the non Conservative vote had coalesced around the Labour party. The North Swindon result, announced at 12.36pm, was more clear cut, where Justin Tomlinson MP achieved an 8,335 majority against Labour candidate Mark Dempsey, polling 29,431 against 21,096. Justin Tomlinson MP for North Swindon: “I’m delighted to have been given an opportunity to continue representing my fellow local residents. I’m thrilled to have secured a record result of over 29,000 votes. “We were cautiously optimistic in that campaign and I’m delighted that for the second election in a row. I was the first Conservative
MP elected on the night.” The hard fought campaign was acknowledged to have been centered largely on the leadership qualities of the Conservative and Labour parties as opposed to the strengths of local candidates. South Swindon Labour Candidate Sarah Church said: “It was very close. To be honest, the result was not a surprise because Swindon is a bit of a microcosm of the national picture and the result really reflected that. I was happy that Jeremy Corbyn defied expectations. “The turnout was great. I got about the same number of votes that Robert Buckland did when he was elected. I think we saw the UKIP vote being split roughly equally between Labour and the Conservatives. “I'm going to continue to keep campaigning for the proper running of public services, especially school funding and the NHS.” swindonlink.com n July 2017
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Community News
Swindon urged to 'back the bid' at launch event The Swindon Museum and Art Gallery Trust has launched its ‘Back the Bid’ campaign to create an iconic new building next to the Wyvern Theatre. Before an invited audience at the current Bath Road museum and art gallery, director Dr Rod Hebden said that the time had come for Swindon to step into the spotlight. “Swindon really is a very cool place for many reasons, but hasn’t had the recognition it deserves. “As the town gets behind the bid to win heritage lottery funding for a brand new museum and art gallery, that’s all about to change. “This new museum and art gallery will allow us to shout about how fantastic Swindon is from the rooftops. This building will be absolutely iconic, and people near and far will come to recognise it as an important Swindon landmark.” He explained that the proposed £22 million building was: “a stunning piece of architecture” that would express the importance of the many treasures showcased within, from fossils and Roman remains to examples of Swindon’s industry and innovation. “Its leading edge design will incorporate many intelligent and sustainable features. It will collect rainwater for use inside, use solar panels to generate electricity, provide shade from the sun and be
l Like the bid's facebook page – www.facebook.com/ backthebidswindon l Follow the bid on twitter – www.twitter.com/ backthebidswin l See plans and updates at swindonmuseum.org.uk and let them know what you think l Sign up for an e-bulletin at swindonmuseum.org.uk l Look out for roadshows in and around Swindon Dr Rod Hebden at the launch of the Back the Bid event
cheap and efficient to run. It will also be fully accessible to everyone. “The new purpose-built museum and art gallery will extend the possibilities for Swindon and its people. It will be a memorable place to meet up, have fun and learn about all sorts of things – science, technology, history, art and a lot more. It will allow us to borrow art and artefacts from others, and to lend some of our collections out. It won’t be a stuffy set of rooms, but an interactive space where people can enjoy themselves and will want to return to.” Dr Hebden said that Swindon’s vibrant culture and heritage has
never been properly showcased and that many people in the town and further afield are unaware of the quality of artefacts and works art in its collections. Supporters include Swindon residents, education professionals, artists, employers and heritage specialists. The Back the Bid campaign marks the start of a series of events and opportunities for the people of Swindon to show their support. l The scheme has been previously criticised by campaigners who would rather the Museum and Art Gallery is situated in the GWR Carriage Works. Read about film maker Martin Parry's alternative vision at www.Swindonlink.com
Questions and answers l Why do we want to build a new museum and art gallery? Our town has been building one of the most exceptional collections of contemporary art and ceramics in the country, ever since 1943, when local businessman “Jimmy” Bomford loaned – and later gifted – 21 works of contemporary British Art to the people of Swindon, Our museum is also home to an excellent archaeological collection that reflects its rich history from prehistory to the modern day, including many modern finds. The current museum and art gallery in Old Town is no longer fit for purpose. It only has enough space to show a small proportion of the fantastic artefacts and works of art, and is inaccessible to most people who have difficulty walking or use wheelchairs. This just isn’t acceptable. l Where is the new museum and
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How to get involved
art gallery going to be built? It will be built on the site of the car park that used to stand next to the Wyvern Theatre. It will be an iconic new building that provides a link between Old Town and the centre of town, which is currently undergoing regeneration. We know from the experiences of towns and cities elsewhere that when a visitor centre is built in the centre of a town, the surrounding area gets a significant economic boost. The museum and art gallery will attract more footfall, which will make the area attractive for high-quality independent shops, restaurants and cafes, as well as creative industries and cultural entrepreneurs. It will create a dynamic heart that can be enjoyed by local people and by visitors alike. This revival of the town will also encourage future investment
in other heritage assets and re-position Swindon as a thriving cultural concern – a place where people will love to live, work and visit. l How will it be financed? The capital project of £22.5 million will be financed through a number of sources: Swindon Borough Council has committed £5 million, as well as the land that the new building will occupy. Swindon and Wiltshire Local Enterprise Partnership (SWLEP) has committed £1.35 million. The Swindon Museum and Art Gallery Trust will be making an application to the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) in November 2017. That application is currently being prepared. The trustees have donated more than £250,000 and further funding will be made by private donors and local fundraising and sponsorship.
l Email – info@ swindonmuseum.org.uk l Visit the museum and art gallery to see some of the works in Swindon's wonderful collections. l Call in to the museum and art gallery on Bath Road, Old Town, to see the model of the iconic building. l Sign and return a supporter’s postcard l Become a Friend of Swindon Museum and Art Gallery – email friendsofsmag@gmail.com l Ask SMAG to visit your organisation or club or place of work to tell you more – email info@swindonmuseum.org.uk l Contact the trust to find out more about sponsorship and giving: info@swindonmuseum. org.uk
Community News
Pirate Festival hooks them in Swindon Town Centre came alive for the first weekend of June – with the launch of a three-day Pirate Festival. The town centre’s retail partners – The Brunel, inSwindon BID Company, Regent Circus and The Parade - came together to celebrate the launch of the next instalment of the Pirates of the Caribbean film, Dead Men Tell No Tales, with a themed series of events. Among the events taking place over the weekend were craft sessions, live music, face painting, balloon modelling, treasure hunts, competitions and actors dressed as pirate characters to entertain the crowds.
Arrrr you ready for this? Pirates invaded the Brunel Centre
Council consulting on plans to attract £2billion to economy Ambitious plans to attract almost £2 billion to the value of Swindon’s economy have been shared with people in the town. Swindon is already one of the UK’s fastest growing towns and the refreshed Swindon Economic Strategy sets out a vision to build on this over the next 10 years. Swindon Borough Council is asking members of the public to give their feedback on the strategy during a four-week consultation with business owners and residents to influence the future of Swindon’s economy. The new draft Economic Strategy for Swindon sets out the ambition to grow Swindon’s economy, create
jobs, attract investment and create a prosperous town for local people and communities. Swindon will also be promoted as a key location for people to work and live. The strategy has been refreshed from the original document agreed in 2013 in response to the changing national economic landscape. Swindon is ranked as the UK’s seventh most investable town or city, and the Economic Strategy aims to grow the town’s economy from its current value of £6.6 billion to £8.4 billion by 2026 – an increase of 27 per cent. The strategy also sets out to build on Swindon’s strong growth in population, with the borough’s
population set to grow by 25 per cent to 250,000 in the next decade. Key points in the Economic Strategy include creating opportunities for young people and developing employer engagement with a focus on schools and colleges. Further to this, the strategy also sets out plans for Swindon to build upon its national reputation as a centre for advanced engineering and technology by engaging in inward investment and promotional activity. The plans include an assessment of potential locations for the automotive supply chain and delivering an advanced technology park. It is anticipated the town centre
Characters come to life for Comic-Con! Visitors to Swindon’s Comic-Con event entered a parallel universe of sci-fi and fantasy fun. The event featured special appearances from TV show and film celebrities. And many of them threw themselves into the spirit of the
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day by dressing as comic characters and fantasy film stars. Manga inspired characters rubbed shoulders with wookies from Star Wars, members of the Ghostbusters team and superheroes. Among the stars appearing at the event were Harry Potter actor Chris
Rankin as well as Hannah Spearritt and Andrew Lee Potts from Primal. Also present were Oliver actor Mark Lester and Allo Allo actor Kim Hartman who played Private Helga Geerhart and Richard Gibson otherwise known as officer Herr Otto Flick.
will attract investment of £0.5 billion over the next 10 years. The strategy also sets out an ambition to create 20,000 new jobs and the building of an extra 22,000 homes to support the forecast growth. The Economic Strategy links to the Council priorities: to improve infrastructure and housing to support a growing, low carbon economy; to offer education opportunities which lead to the right skills and the right jobs in the right places; and to ensure clean and safe streets and improve our public spaces and local culture. The draft Economic Strategy and an online survey are available at www. swindon.gov.uk/economicstrategy
Community News
New health centre for Swindon greets first patients News in brief Buckland stays as government lawyer
The new Swindon NHS Health Centre has welcomed its first patients after opening on 12 June
Local people have started to benefit from a state-of-art Health Centre which opened on Monday 12 June on the corner of Fleming Way and Islington Street in the town centre. The conveniently located Swindon NHS Health Centre has replaced the former Swindon Health Centre at Carfax Street and includes a pharmacy, two GP practices (the Whalebridge Practice and Carfax NHS Medical Centre), the walk-in centre, dental and podiatry, among
other NHS services. The new health centre forms part of the Kimmerfields development and sits alongside the already constructed 850-space multi-storey car park and the assisted living residential building, delivered as part of the first phase of wider regeneration in Swindon. The Health Centre has been developed by NHS Property Services, supported by NHS England, NHS Swindon CCG and Public Health
Swindon and Swindon Borough Council. Replacing the current Health Centre with a new and improved facility is one of the Council’s thirty pledges. NHS Property Services has stated that measures have been taken to minimise any disruption or confusion for patients during the transition of the move. Further details of the move can be found at www.swindonccg.nhs.uk.
First anniversary for Swindon’s Hindu Temple and Cultural Centre
Robert Buckland MP has been asked to carry on in the role of Solicitor General by Theresa May PM. The Attorney General and Solicitor General are the Government’s Law Officers. As chief legal advisers to the Government, it is their job to provide independent legal advice. Robert was first appointed to the role in 2014. He is the deputy to the Attorney General and acts as an advisor to the Crown departments and the Cabinet on issues of law. He brought with him many years of experience from his career as a barrister working mainly in criminal law and his work as a part-time Crown Court Judge prior to his election as south Swindon MP.
Freshers fair for U3A The University of the 3rd Age will be holding a freshers fair to encourage new members to join the organisation. The event will be held at St Joseph's College, Ocotal Way, Swindon on Saturday 2 September from 10am - 12.30pm. The U3A organisation has more than 2,000 members in Swindon. It offers a range of at least 150 engaging courses for people who are no longer in full-time employment ranging from sports, artistic pursuits, courses to stretch the mind or other simply fun activities.
Music and poetry
South Swindon MP Robert Buckland (left) and Wiltshire Police and Crime Commissioner Angus Macpherson (far right) join the anniversary celebrations
Swindon’s Hindu Temple and Cultural Centre celebrated its first anniversary on Sunday 21 May. This is a big landmark for not just the Temple, on the Cheney Manor Industrial Estate, and the Hindu community in this region but also for the entire town. The event was attended by Wiltshire Police and Crime Commissioner Angus Macpherson, Robert Buckland MP for South
Swindon and Haydon Wick councillor Garry Perkins, also cabinet member for regeneration, who threw themselves into the fun. The centre has been actively involved in many charitable, cultural, community and social events throughout the year and has established itself as one of the biggest charities and community organisations in South West England in such a short time.
'All Things Bright and Beautiful' - enjoy a summer's evening of music and poetry presented by local groups, Wentworth Voices and Strictly Recorders, in the beautiful and historic setting of St Mary’s Church, Lydiard Park. The event takes place at 7.30pm, Saturday 15 July 2017. Tickets £5 available on the door. Refreshments will be served. All proceeds for St Mary’s Church.
Open gardens event Purton Open Gardens event will be held on 8/9 July. Proceeds to Brighter Futures appeal and Jubilee Gardens. The £5 programme covers the weekend of events, accompanied under 16s free. swindonlink.com n July 2017
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Community News
Highworth Warneford welcomes Prior Park Prep fencers win in fun loving primary pupils Wales
Tutor Ellen Lovatt (left) with the Pop-Up card makers at Highworth Warneford School
More than 100 year 6 students from twenty-two primary schools descended on Highworth Warneford School to experience a taste of secondary school life on 30 and 31 May. As part of Highworth Warneford's EXTEND transition project, the pupils participated in four of the six available fun sessions, and also had the opportunity to make friends ahead of the new school year in September as eight current year 10 students were involved in leading
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morning ice-breaker sessions and assisting the tutors. Activities offered: attending a Café Francais, participating in the musical mayhem, creating pop-up cards or felt puppets, joining in their own version of MasterChef (making biscuits) or playing a variety of ball games in the Sports Hall. Judging from the smiles and laughter, a fun time was had by all, and moving up to secondary school is not quite as daunting as it may have seemed the week before.
Prior Park Prep Fencers Ed and Charlie have won the Leon Paul Junior Series in Wales last weekend, following their win at the Independent Association of Prep Schools National Fencing Championships earlier this month. The Leon Paul Junior Series (LPJS) offers a mainstream introduction to competitive fencing for UK youngsters and provided the opportunity for 16 U17 boys and girls to compete in the disciplines of foil, sabre and epée, at the Welsh Institute for Sport in Cardiff; a national series of competitors that Ed and Charlie regularly attend. Competing in the U13 boys foil and epee, Charlie and Ed entered the LPJS competition seeded first and second respectively after the poule rounds. The pair then fought their way through their rounds, only to meet each other again in the final. Evenly matched, Ed and Charlie were neck and neck after two periods in the final, but in the third period Ed finally clinched it,. Delighted, the pair received their gold and silver medals at a presentation in the arena on the day. Ed and Charlie are now first
L-R: Ed and Charlie with their Gold and Silver Fencing medals
and second respectively in both LPJS epee and foil series for U13. Fencing team captain Ed, a Year 8 pupil said: "It was brilliant to win, especially given all the work we put in. I’m sorry I had to knock Charlie out, but he didn't make it easy for me." Charlie, who is in Year 7 said: "I really enjoyed the competition and came so close. I’m sad Ed knocked me out but I'm pleased he won. I'm happy to have won silver and can't wait for next year." Prior Park Prep Fencing Coach, Neil Bromley said: "I'm incredibly proud of Ed and Charlie achieving these medals, they should be very proud of themselves for not only the win, but the work that they have put in and how they have conducted themselves as true sportsmen, supporting each other at the same time as competing."
Community News
New Swindon Fire Cadets scheme to launch
HIGHWORTH WARNEFORD SCHOOL Shrivenham Road, Highworth SN6 7BZ
An Academy Putting Excellence First Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service is looking for young people from the Swindon area to join their new Fire Cadets programme. The aim of Fire Cadets is to support the development of young people by providing a positive role model and giving them opportunities to participate in a wide range of activities. The service is keen to recruit young people between the ages of 12 and 18 to take part in this rewarding training scheme, which will not only be fun and enjoyable but will also give the cadets the chance to learn new personal and social skills, and also obtain a BTEC qualification. Watch Manager Mark Evans, who will oversee the scheme, said:
“The programme, which is linked to the National Fire Cadet model, will be delivered by firefighters and volunteers and will last for 38 weeks within the academic year of 2017/18. Drills will take place one evening a week at a local fire station and will involve practical and theory elements along with community based social action projects.” The course is designed to be fun, but it also challenges and develops the participants. It is expected that the programme will gain a lot on interest and therefore there will be an application and interview process. For more information, please register an expression of interest by email to Watch Manager Mark Evans via: mark.evans@dwfire.org.uk
OPEN MORNINGS/AFTERNOONS Monday 25 September to Friday 13 October Highworth Warneford is an excellent secondary school providing an outstanding learning environment which allows pupils to thrive and develop their academic, personal and social skills. In our most recent Ofsted report pupils’ behaviour was described as ‘outstanding both in lessons and around the school’ and such behaviour makes a ‘strong contribution to their learning’. So that you can see for yourself the quality of our provision, we would like to invite you to visit the school on a normal working day. Each visit lasts for up to 1½ hours and will give you the opportunity to see lessons and meet pupils and staff. To book your visit please contact Mrs Lewis, Admissions Officer, on (01793) 767083 or email: llewis@warneford.swindon.sch.uk
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Community News
Steam photoshoot proves a rail attraction for snappers Photographers from across the country flocked to Swindon’s Steam museum to take part in an atmospheric night-time shoot which transported them back in time to a by-gone era. Run in conjunction with Timeline Events, a cast of re-enactors in period dress and specialist lighting and smoke effects helped add to the atmosphere alongside famous locomotives King George V, Caerphilly Castle and the City of Truro. Owner of Timeline Events, Neil Cave said: “Steam is the perfect venue for us - the collection of Great Western locomotives you have in Swindon is world class.“ Organisers have scheduled another session on 30 November and are urging anyone interested to book early to avoid disappointment. Tickets are £45 per person and available through the www. timelineevents.org website. The evening sessions start at 6pm and finishes at 11pm. To find out more about STEAM please see the STEAM website at: www.steam-museum.org.uk
What an atmosphere photographers flocked to the Steam museum to take part in a retro shoot
Royal approval for new train The Queen has marked the 175th anniversary of the first Royal rail journey by recreating the original 1942 trip from Slough to Paddington by Queen Victoria. And she also named a new Intercity Express Train “Queen Elizabeth II” at Paddington Station - decorated with livery painted by Swindon artist Paul Gentleman. The train that day was driven by 'father of Swindon' Daniel Gooch and assisted by Isambard Kingdom Brunel. The Royal party were joined on the train by Isambard Thomas and Gillian White, direct descendants of Isambard Kingdom Brunel and Sir Daniel Gooch. Following the naming ceremony, Tim O’Toole, Chief Executive of GWR’s owner’s FirstGroup presented the monarch with a pair of specially designed coins which will become a feature of GWR’s new Intercity Express trains. Great Western Railway’s Intercity Express Train marks the start of the biggest fleet upgrade in a generation on GWR’s network and is the first major intercity fleet to be introduced on the UK rail network
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for some 20 years. It is due to enter passenger service first on the Great Western Railway in the autumn this year, and will enable longer trains with more seats; faster and more frequent journeys. The trains are being built by the 900-strong workforce at Hitachi’s North East factory in Newton Aycliffe, as part of the Government’s £5.7bn Intercity Express Programme. Her Majesty was greeted at Slough Station by school children from four local schools who had produced their own drawings to mark the occasion. There were more than 100 children, aged between five and 11, from Slough’s St Mary’s Primary. IRQA Slough Islamic School, James Elliman Academy, and Marish Primary School.
Community News
Putting on a display: children from Oaktree Primary School have created their own artistic display
Oaktree youngsters put their creative talents on show Youngsters from Oaktree Nursery and Primary School threw themselves into a three-day art project to brighten up the outside of their school. The youngsters, drawn from different years, took turns to help out community artists Gordon and Toni Dickinson of ‘No Added Sugar’ create an original display on a wall near the school entrance. Toni explained: “We have been involved in a number of projects at
this school over the years and it’s wonderful to be invited back.” Among the pieces that the couple have created at the school are a series of decorated discs which help to brighten up the school fence, a large mural stretching the length of the school hall with painted shapes echoing changing seasons and an iron sculpture reflecting the average child - based on measurements of a number of children in the school.
“We normally decide what we should create after a discussion with school leaders. This time, we are asking children to individually paint a series of butterflies, choosing the colours themselves.” She explained that they were to be placed on a background scene of tall grasses and wild flowers created by the children. Head teacher Sue Rees said: “We have been working with Gordon and Toni at this school for 16 years.
The children really enjoy working with them to create inspiring works of art. It adds another dimension to the children’s learning and gives them a chance to work collaboratively on something and achieve together.” Year 4 pupil Lillie, 8, said: “I really enjoyed taking part, it was really relaxing. And Oliver, 9, agreed, adding: ”It was nice because there was no right or wrong way to do it.“
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Community News UTC student joins firm’s new apprenticeship scheme Volunteers provide vital support to organisations in Swindon and the people they are working to support. Want to make a difference to local charities and groups? Many local charities, including Volunteer Centre Swindon are looking for people with skills and experience to act as trustees or treasurers, who are responsible for the management of charities. Do you want a flexible role to volunteer in? Threshold offer support, advice, advocacy and accommodation to homeless people in Swindon. They’re looking for an Online Fundraiser Volunteer. This role can be done at their head office or mostly at home with occasional meetings. Flexible hours. All you need is access to a computer or phone with internet connection. Do you have a couple of hours spare on Thursday 6.30 to 8.30pm? Swindon City of Sanctuary is a movement to support asylum seekers, migrants and refugees. They’re looking for hosts to make people feel
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welcome and encourage them to connect with each other at their We're Open evening at Darkroom Espresso, Swindon Town Centre. Are you interested in theatre and drama? Or are you interested in visual arts? REACH Inclusive Arts help people with disabilities through creative and performing arts projects. They’re looking for someone interested in theatre to support their Arts Worker and make tea at their weekly Theatre Company sessions on Mondays 10am-1pm. They’re also looking for someone interested in visual arts to support their Art Sessions on Tuesday mornings 10am - 1pm. Both groups take place at Wyvern Theatre. To find out how you can get involved in these or any other volunteering opportunities please contact Volunteer Centre Swindon on 01793 420557 or email info@ swindonvolunteers.org.uk. The centre is located at 1 John Street, Swindon and is open between 11am -3pm Monday to Friday. You can also find more roles on the Doit website at https://do-it.org
A global pharma contract development and manufacturing organisation is developing a pipeline of new talent with the support of UTC Swindon. Patheon provides an endto-end supply chain solution for pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical companies. With a UK base in Swindon, the company serves more than 400 clients worldwide. The company first made contact with UTC Swindon as it prepared to re-launch its apprenticeship programme, after a gap of around 15 years. Samantha Romanek, Senior HR Business Partner at Patheon, explained: “Like many companies, we have an ageing workforce and we were keen to use apprenticeships to recruit and grow new talent within the organisation. “Having decided to recommence the apprenticeship programme, we made contact with local schools and colleges to promote the opportunities available. We were aware of UTC Swindon and its specialism in engineering and this seemed the ideal place to start." Patheon offered Gareth Wilson, a UTC Swindon student, a place
UTC Swindon student Gareth Wilson
on this year’s apprenticeship programme, which will begin the four-year apprenticeship programme in summer 2017. He said: “I was attracted to studying at UTC Swindon because of the engineering specialism. I was thinking about moving onto university after completing my course, but discovered the apprenticeship programme at Patheon when they came to deliver a presentation. This offered the opportunity to continue studying, while working and developing skills in the workplace. It means I can achieve a further qualification while earning money and I will have much more practical experience than I would if I came out of university after three years.”
Community News
Have your say over plans for Broome Manor squash courts
An architectural drawing of the proposed new courts
Plans for a proposed new squash club in Swindon will go under the spotlight at a public consultation at the end of the month. The new health and fitness club, to be built on the Broome Manor Estate, will be showcased over the weekend of 24/25 June. Members of the public will have the chance to view the designs and building layout for the facility which will be a national centre of excellence for squash. They will also have the chance to study the overall site plan for the wider area which includes the
expansion of Marlborough Park Residential Development and the relocation of the Nationwide Car Park from the existing Park and Ride site situated at the bottom of Croft Road. Plans, drawn up by Gloucesterbased architects Roberts Limbrick, show a building with eight glass back courts which include two Championships show courts with seating for more than 200 spectators. The new facility would allow Swindon to host large scale national and international competitions.
Visitors welcome to annual west Swindon open garden day Gardens throughout Shaw and Nine Elms will be opening their gates to visitors as part of the annual West Swindon Open Gardens event at the end of the month. On June 24 and 25, for a contribution of £4 per adult, visitors will be able to take a turn around more than a dozen participating gardens. There will also be plant and book sales, crafts, a tombola, raffles and refreshments. Tickets
are available from any participating garden on the day. Proceeds from the event will be used to support the CALM (Children’s Cancer and Leukaemia Movement) and SMASH (Swindon Youth Mentoring) charities. The annual event has been running since 2002 and has raised nearly £30,000 for local charities. For a full list of gardens and more information see www. westswindonopengardens.com
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Community News
Thousands go quackers over annual charity duck race
Thousands of people braved the rain to take part in Swindon Old Town Rotary Club’s fundraising duck race on the bank holiday Monday at the end of May. The 15th annual event, which took place at the Westcott Recreation Ground, saw thousands of rubber ducks released to float down the stream – with the owner of the fastest duck winning £1,000 and the six runners up scooping £100 each.
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Before the race, which was launched by newly appointed mayor Maureen Penny, the field was buzzing with family fun and games, stalls, cakes, a dog show and crafts. Proceeds from the event will be donated to the Brighter Futures radiotherapy appeal and Wiltshire Treehouse – supporting bereaved children. The event was sponsored by Nationwide and McArthur Glen Outlet Village.
Community News
Double dose of chilli on the way as two festivals head to town Lydiard Park will play host to the The Cheese and Chilli Festival as it returns to Swindon in 2017. The event on 5 and 6 August will see a bewildering array of cheese and chillies from around the world brought to one place. The festival promises something for everyone (even if you’re not keen on cheese or chilli!) with free activities for children and adults to take part in as well as fun rides and games. The festival features live music, motorbike displays, quad and mountain bike stunt shows from
Visitors to Swindon Town Centre will be feeling the heat, when the Swindon Chilli Fiesta returns for the 4th year in a row. The free event is being organised by Chilli Fest UK and inSwindon’s BID, and will take place at Wharf Green, from 10.30am - 5.30pm on Saturday, July 29. Some of the best chilli producers from across the UK will be there to offer the best of British chilli and will be exhibiting chilli jams, chilli dips, chilli chutney, chilli chocolate and chilli beverages. For the less adventurous amongst
Jez Avery, a falconry display, magic shows, Punch and Judy, a chilli eating competition, real ale and real cider bars, a craft tent, sand art, balloon modelling, wine tastings, cookery demonstrations, not to mention all the amazing produce and crafts for sale at the show. Dogs are very welcome at the shows, as long as they are kept on leads. Adults from £5 in advance, £7 on the door. Seniors from £3 in advance, £4 on the door www.cheeseandchillifestival.com
us, there are some flavoursome but mild cooking sauces available, but if you’re feeling brave, there will be extreme sauces and dips to try and take home. There’s even a range of chilli cocktails, beers and cider, which are not for the fainthearted! Visitors can expect a day of chilli madness with lots of goodies to eat, drink, taste and buy! For more asbestos mouthed visitors, the event will also be holding a Clash of the Titans Chilli Eating Contest – where contestants will take on some of the hottest chillies in the world.
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Community News
Museum opens doors to welcome running group Help at hand for Members of Swindon Shin Splints running group have a new home at the Richard Jefferies Museum. From now on, the group’s Saturday morning and Wednesday afternoon runs will start and end at the museum. Shin Splints organiser, Stephen Goulding, said: “We have been running from the Sun next door for six years, and they have done us proud, but we always felt we were imposing on the customers, leaving our stuff there. “The museum gives us a place we can think of as our home. When we tried it out, the runners were unanimous, with all of them saying how much they loved the place.” As a community-run organisation, Shin Splints is not an official club, just a group of local people who welcome anyone who wants to run, from absolute beginners to Swindon Half-marathon winners, and there are no fees to pay. Mike Pringle, Manager of the Richard Jefferies Museum said: “ The ‘Splinters’ are all voluntary, just like us, so to have them at the museum at times when the place would otherwise be closed is a fantastic win-win situation. And it’s another group of people who
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drink problems
will start finding out more about Richard Jefferies and Swindon’s amazing history.” Shin Splints runs from the museum, at Coate Water, on Saturdays at 9am and Wednesday evenings at 6.30pm. To join in, simply turn up half an hour earlier than those times. For more information contact Shin Splints Organiser Stephen Goulding on 07534997795 or Richard Jefferies Museum Manager Mike Pringle on 07768 917466. The Richard Jefferies Museum is situated on the edge of Coate Water
Country Park. It was originally a farm house where Victorian author and naturalist Richard Jefferies was born and raised. The Museum is now a centre for local community engagement and the arts, and has three floors containing memorabilia, displays, archive material and the works of Richard Jefferies. The Museum is set in beautiful gardens and old farm-buildings that are in the process of being restored. The Museum is owned by Swindon Borough Council and run by volunteers.
Dealing with someone else’s drink problem can be frightening and confusing. Challenging their unacceptable behaviour can be exhausting and stressful, and may make the situation worse. For the families and friends this can be a lonely and isolating experience, compounded by shame and secrecy. Al-Anon Family Groups provide support to anyone whose life is affected by someone else’s drinking. Al-Anon hold regular meetings at Park South Community Centre in Swindon, on Wednesday mornings from 10.15am to noon and Thursday evenings from 7.30pm to 9.30pm. Anyone is very welcome to attend if they are - or have been - affected by someone else’s drinking. Al-Anon meetings offer a place of safety, where anonymity is protected and everything said remains confidential. No membership fees are required, Al-Anon is self-supporting through its members own voluntary contributions. Contact the confidential National Helpline 020 7403 0888 or www.al-anon.org.uk
Community News
Waterpark splashes out on aquapark
Cotswold Country Park and Beach have launched a new inflatable aquapark. As part of a major new revamp of the attraction, management company Planning Solutions Ltd will be opening the new AquaVenture Park. The park will be open seven days a week during the summer season from 10am. There will also be a
revamped pizza restaurant. The Country Park and Beach, owned by Cotswold Water Park Trust, is set in the Cotswold Water Park which covers over 40 square miles and offers a huge range of leisure activities for the family. The Wibit AquaVenture Park will cost £15 per person, per hour – including car parking and access to the Family Beach.
Ocotal charity partnership to close Charitable links between Swindon and its twin town of Ocotal in Nicaragua are to come to an end after a 25 year history of support. Bruce Clarke, chairman of the Swindon Ocotal Link, explained in a letter to members of the organisation: “Swindon Ocotal Link has had remarkable success and is highly regarded nationally as a leading example of twinning. This has only been possible with your support. “However, we are at a point where we need to make changes and I am writing to inform you that I am putting forward a
resolution to close the charitable activities of SOL.There is general approval to reduce the admin of the organisation and begin to move towards a more informal structure. “It is proposed that Swindon Ocotal Link terminates its charitable status. The process to close down its charitable status to start immediately and donors to be asked to cease all charitable donations at the latest by August 2017.” He added: “Ocotal will never cease to be in our hearts and good wishes and the informal group will continue keep alive its link with the people of Ocotal.” swindonlink.com n July 2017
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Community News STFC reveal David Flitcroft as new manager aiming for "first time" promotion
You can help shape the future of Swindon Town Football Club Trust STFC chairman Steve Mytton's monthly column
Ex-Bury manager David Flitcroft has been chosen to lead the fight for promotion back to League One for Swindon Town Football Club, and was presented to the media at the County Ground alongside club owner Lee Power in June. Having secured promotion for Bury in the 2013/14 season amidst "incredible pressure" according to Flitcroft himself, his appointment as Swindon's latest manager is a sign of intent to win promotion at the first attempt. Chairman Lee Power said: "We believe David is the best person for the job and show the quality of personnel we can attract to Swindon. David's teams are always dogged, determined and work hard, and we need that approach right now. There is a lot of optimism
around the club, a lot of looking forward. And David will have complete control of his role. I will be dropping back into a more traditional Chairman role." Flitcroft added: "Working for Leicester in recruitment for the past year or so, I'd missed that thrill of leading a team into a ground and scrapping. My priority is building a squad that wants to play and represent Swindon and are proud to do so. I want supporters to be proud." The appointment, as well as assurances that Flitcroft will be given more control over the direction of the club with Tim Sherwood no longer Director of Football, has been welcomed as a "big step in the right direction" by supporters group Trust STFC.
Swindon gymnasts sweep into the medals at Wiltshire Team Championship
The TrustSTFC Fans Meeting on Wednesday 24 May brought Town supporters together at the MECA in Regent Circus, to discuss our bid to buy the County Ground. The day had started with news that we had reached out to former Swindon Town Chief Executive Nick Watkins for his help with our work, and in the evening, we had 100 plus people in attendance for the second meeting running. The meeting was focused on the County Ground, which remains our sole immediate aim, but also talked about the wider trend in football of supporters getting involved and running their own clubs. Thank you to everyone who came along, and also the local companies that supported us on the evening: MECA Swindon, Swindon PA Hire and Copy Color. The media were
also out in force and we had coverage on BBC TV in the West and South regions (including Oxford) So what happens next? The message taken away was – please back us – we need your support. Between now and September we will be urging people to sign up to the Red Army Fund www. redarmyfund.co.uk, as we need funding to help us complete our due diligence, and also to set up a Community Share scheme. Community Shares are commonly used to buy public assets and are the vehicle for us as we move forward with our ambitious plans. You can read more about them by downloading our Fans Meeting pack at www.TrustSTFC.tv Please get in touch if you have any questions or ideas, we would love to hear from you.
Tell us how we can improve cycling On Two Wheels by Rob Derry of Swindon Cycle Campaign
Pictured back row left to right - Amelia King, Jessica Reynolds, Isla McCalla, Hetty Truman and Annabelle Wallace. (Front row) - Milie Swift, Shannon White, Jessica Lomas, Lauren Evans and Sam Young from Swindon School of Gymnastics
20 “artistic” gymnasts have received medals after they represented The Swindon School of Gymnastics in Melksham during the Wiltshire Teams Championships in June. Five other clubs from around the county competed and the three highest scores on each of the four pieces of apparatus from each team counted. All 20 SSG gymnasts performed superbly and coincidently each came home with a medal to the delight of their coaches. Lauren Cordingley said: “I am so proud of them all and the Club is really going places with these talented young ladies." In the morning the Under 9’s Level 6 category consisted of Hettie
Truman, Annabelle Wallace, Isla McCalla, Amelia King and Jessica Reynolds who made their debut in the competition, and were announced as the champions at their first attempt. Isla McCalla had a special mention as she won the category overall with a very impressive 44.150 marks, which included the highest score on both the balance beam and bars. The Over 13’s Level 4 category consisted of Lauren Evans, Jessica Lomas, Shannon White, Millie Swift and Samantha Young, who also came top and were presented with their gold medals. Shannon White was the top gymnast with 44.550 marks. www.ssggymnastics.co.uk
Swindon Cycle Campaign is the new, public-facing name for Swindon BUG. The refresh is all about better representing the work we do and engaging more people in our vision. We've also set up a short questionnaire and we'd like to hear from you about your experiences of cycling in Swindon and what needs to happen to make it better. Please share this questionnaire far and wide, we are keen to hear from anyone interested in cycling, particularly those who don't currently cycle but would like to. www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/ YQDKZB5 Swindon Cycle Campaign are hosting the Family Cycling Zone at the Old Town Festival on Sunday 19 July. • FREE Cycle Orienteering Challenge- Explore Swindon’s hidden network of traffic-free cycle paths. • FREE bike safety checks – thanks to Mitchell Cycles, Swindon’s oldest family run bike
shop. • FREE bike security marking – Pop over to the Swindon Cycle Campaign tent for security marking and lots of free information and advice about getting cycling. There will also be a chance for kids to have a go at an off road cyclo-cross course with Cotswold Veldrijden. The club does a lot of work with youngsters from beginners to racing. They also provide the bikes. Please come along to our Facebook page where you can be kept up to date with all sorts of cycle related events and topics. With our name change, we’re really stepping up the activity as we work to make cycling easier, safer and more accessible to more and more people across Swindon and the surrounding areas. If you’ve got a cycle event planned, please do contact us on our facebook page and we’ll be more than happy to publicise it for you. For more information visit fb/swindoncyclecampaign swindonlink.com n July 2017
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Community News
Roger Ogle's archive column Images from The Link in 1987 - how many people do you know? May 1987: The Good Companions Club was set up by a handful of retired people meeting in each others houses in 1979. Led by Ann and George Tweed the group then started to meet in the community room at the first Toothill Primary School which they quickly outgrew. In the early 1990s there were nearly 200 members meeting in Toothill Community Centre which opened in 1985. The club continued there until 2015 when it closed and was later relaunched as the 50 Shades Club. April 1987: Prospect Foundation community liaison officer Mary Morgan is pictured receiving a donation from members of the West Swindon Townswomen’s Guild. The Foundation was the charitable body established to develop care and support to people nearing the end of their lives. Initially operating a two-nurse, home-based service, demand grew to the extent that a purpose built hospice was required. The appeal to raise the £3 million needed was achieved in 1995 and, later that year, Princess Anne opened Prospect Hospice in Wroughton. Today the charity requires more than £7million annually, much of it raised by fundraising by volunteers, to sustain its services. In retirement Mary, who was previously the Wyvern Theatre’s first publicity officer, has travelled to many different countries as a volunteer on children’s projects and somebody with a close likeness has been seen as one of Santa’s elves in Lapland. She lives in Grange Park.
May 1987: Youngsters from Westlea Primary School visiting the pond at Westlea Park which they helped to design. It was created by Thamesdown Council’s parks department who delivered lessons on the importance of the environment. Michael Sinclair, Gareth Adams and Oliver Thompson said they liked seeing the frogs.
June 1987: A fun day was held to launch The Blagrove Linear Park Sports and Nature trail running from Freshbrook to Mannington, between Great Western Way and the railway line. The open space was dotted with a range of outdoor exercise equipment which no longer exists. But the footpath continues to be an important walking and cycling route.
June 1987: Oliver Tomkins Playgroup, located in an old builders’ hut on the edge of Kiln Park, Toothill, was opened by West Swindon councillor Ricky Midwinter, left, and Canon John Rogan of the Bristol Diocese Board of Social Responsibility. Although the group closed in the late 1990s and the building removed, evidence of the fence around the garden can still be found.
June 1987: Children and staff dressed up for a carnival at Greendown Playgroup in the Youth Centre at Greendown School. The group which started the previous October was visited by Princess Anne when she officially opened the school in April 1987. It later moved to its own building in Grange Park when numbers increased and new facilities were required.
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IN ASSOCIATION WITH with in association
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Host of acts lined up to take part in association with Old inTown Festival This year’s Old Town Festival, running from July 8 - 15, will play host to an impressive line-up of acts. The week-long event kicks off on the Saturday at 1pm at the Town Gardens Bowl with a free choir festival and an evening of fun at the Commonweal Performing Arts Marquee on the Lawns where a 60s night and hog roast will be held. There will also be a prize for the best 60s outfit. Tickets for the event cost £10. On Sunday, a festival parade - showcasing a wide range of different groups - will wind its way from the Lawns through Wood Street on to Devizes Road and back along Newport Street. The parade will set off at 10.30am. Taking part will be fairy tale princesses, street theatre by Commonweal School pupils and a demonstration of Ceroc jive dancing. This will be followed by a host of different activities taking place on the Lawn including community acts, a dog show, re-enactments by the Colleage of Chivalry and the Wessex School of Arms as well as a wealth of stalls and food outlets. The day’s activities will draw to a close with a choral evensong at Christ Church.
On Tuesday, the Baker Street Pub will host an evening of music by the Jazz Defenders starting at 8pm and on Wednesday at 8pm the Castle Pub will host a light-hearted Conspiracy Theory Question Time debate. Visitors will also have the chance to visit Christ Church to take a tour of the bell tower and have a go at playing the organ. On Thursday, pianist Paul Turner
will hold a recital (tickets £5) from 1pm - 2pm and on Friday three highlights from this year’s fringe festival will be performing in the Commonweal C6 auditorium tickets cost £15 for all three of the shows. The Old Town Bowl will host a range of bands performing from midday on Saturday and there will also be a number of singers
showcasing their talents at the bandstand in the town gardens. The Plough Ale and Cider House in Devizes Road will also be hosting a free jazz performance by the Chris Jones Guitar Trio. Tickets for the event, sponsored in part by Positive Media Group, can be purchased from Ray’s Ice Cream in Devizes Road or from Heather on 07799 068898.
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Swindon Wide MUSIC
WHAT’S ON S DRAMA & MUSICALS
Tuesday 11th to Wednesday 12th, Saturday 1st, 7pm Julie Scott's Academy - Let Us 4.45pm & 7.30pm Entertain You. A variety show full Make Music Swindon - From Small Screen to Silver Screen. This of song and dance from musical theatre to street, jazz to lyrical, year Swindon schools and Make there’s something for everyone. £13, Music Swindon will deliver songs £2 off conc. Wyvern from the movies and TV. £7. £2 off conc. Wyvern Friday 30th June to Saturday 1st, 7.30pm Thursday 13th, 7.30pm Gatecrash Youth Theatre The Elvis Years. Spring Awakening. Delve into the An outstanding angst, oppression and sexuality of musical production teenagers in early 1900’s Germany which brings to through Frank Wedekind’s tale. the stage the £5. New College incredible and compelling story Wednesday 28th June to Saturday 1st, of the ‘king of rock 7.30pm and roll’ - Elvis Priscilla Queen of the Desert. Presley. Based on the Oscar-winning movie, £24.50. £1.50 off Chocolate Theatre are bringing to conc. Friends £3 off. Wyvern town, the hit musical. £17. Arts Centre Friday 14th, 7.30pm
Stand By Me - A Celebration of Ben E King & The Drifters. The phenomenal musical history of one of the biggest selling bands of all time. £28.50. Wyvern Tuesday 18th, 7pm Swindon Young Musicians Gala Concert. Classes from local primary schools will play a range of instruments from Recorders to African Drums and Violins to Ukuleles in the first concert of its kind in the area. Free Entry. Wyvern Friday 21st, 7.30pm Viva Neil Diamond. To celebrate the icon’s 50 year recording career, the UK’s very own ‘voice of Neil’ Bob Drury (The Neil Diamond Story) takes to the road. £16. Arts Centre Friday 21st, 7.30pm
The ELO Experience. Celebrating the 40th anniversary of the Out Of The Blue album release in 1977. £25.50. Friends £3 off. Wyvern Saturday 29th, 8pm The Overtones. A consistently popular attraction at major events including the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Concert, the Festival of Remembrance and British Summer Time. £24.50. Wyvern
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Tuesday 4th to Thursday 6th, 7pm (2pm on 6th) Wilkes Academy welcome you to an exciting evening of musical theatre, commercial dance and variety. £15.50, £5 off conc. Wyvern Friday 7th to Saturday 8th, 7.30pm That Face. Quirky Bird Theatre presents Polly Stenham’s searing debut. £13, £2 off conc. Arts Centre Wednesday 12th to Sunday 16th, 7.30pm (2.30pm on 15th & 16th)
Fiddler on the Roof will transport you back to 1905 and the village of Anatevka in Imperial Russia. £16. £2 off conc. U16s £8. Arts Centre Sunday 16th, 6pm Tanwood Performing Arts establishment present a variety of performances set to submerge you in a world of pure imagination. £16. £5 off conc. Wyvern Tuesday 25th to Wednesday 26th, 7pm Stage Starz - A Night at the Circus. Over 100 students will be showcasing their talents in Dance and Musical Theatre. £13.50. £2 off conc. Wyvern Thursday 27th to Sunday 30th, 7.30pm A Midsummer Nights Dream. Directed by Anna Friend, this well-loved tale of magic and mischief will be transformed into a Gatecrash Theatre classic. £14. £2 off conc. Wyvern
Swindon Wide
SWINDON FAMILY Saturday 8th (1pm & 4pm) to Sunday 9th (10am & 1pm) Ben and Holly's Little Kingdom. From the makers of Peppa Pig comes this BAFTA award-winning television animation live on stage. £17-£19. Friends & Children £2 off. Wyvern Friday 14th, 6.30pm
Wind in the Willows - Lydiard Park Open Air Theatre. Pack your picnics and join the boat-loving Ratty, the sensible yet curious Mole, wise old Badger and the fantastically irrepressible Toad as they embark on the adventure of a lifetime. £14.50. Children £10.50. Lydiard Park
DANCE Monday 10th, 7pm Lydiard Park Academy - Tributes. After months of rehearsals, they look forward to entertaining you all with tribute dances to many respected artists and groups. £9. U16s £3 off. Wyvern Monday 17th, 7pm
Rivermead Nature Reserve Family Fun Day Saturday 1st, 10am to 4pm A fun event for families and lovers of the environment in West Swindon. Activities at the site off the River Ray Parkway, close to Shaw Forest Park, include guided walks, minibeast trail and reptiles display. Refreshments available. Booking is required for admittance. Please email Gordon Shaw: gordy.grs65@hotmail.com
St Mary's Conservation Project Concert Saturday 15th, 7.30pm Tickets £5 available on the door, all proceeds to St Mary's Church Conservation Project. An evening of music and poetry presented by Strictly Recorders and Wentworth Voices.
Wanborough Farmers' Market
Saturday 15th, 9am On sale will be vegetables, meat, cold pressed rapeseed oil, honey and preserves, cakes and pies, milk from JoJo's dairy at Lotmead Farm, herbs and other plants, and fairly traded goods. For more information call Sue or David Birley on 01793 790438 or email: sbirley@gn.apc.org VENUES
Rhythm of the Dance. This incredible live show creates a new era in Irish entertainment, featuring world champion dancers, a traditional Irish band, the handsome Young Irish Tenors and an array of the most talented, gifted cast who keep audiences wowed all over the world. £27.50. £2 off conc. Friends £3 off. Wyvern Friday 21st to Saturday 22nd, 7pm (1pm on 22nd) Kirsty Farrow Dance Academy - Decades. A celebration of 10 successful years of Dance, Drama and Musical Theatre classes at the academy. £15.50. £2 off conc. Wyvern Sunday 23rd, 7.30pm Swindon Dance Summer Gala Performance. Performances by children, young people and adults who participate in weekly classes at Swindon Dance. £15. U16s £9. Wyvern
Arts Centre, Devizes Road SN1 4BJ. Tel: 01793 524481 The Bohemian Balcony, Jennings Street, Swindon SN2 2BD. Tel: 07874 366256 Central Community Centre, Emlyn Square SN1 5BP. Tel: 01793 420649 The Platform, Faringdon Road, Swindon SN1 5BJ Phoenix Theatre, New College Drive, Swindon, SN3 1AH. Tel: 01793 732889 The Rolleston, 73 Commercial Road, Swindon SN1 5NX. Tel: 01793 534238 Shoebox Theatre, Theatre Square, Swindon SN1 1QN. Tel: 07340 758497 St Michael’s Hall Lechlade Road, Highworth, SN6 7HQ. Tel: 01793 763907 Roves Farm, Sevenhampton, Nr Highworth SN6 7QG. Tel: 01793 763939 Shoebox Theatre, Theatre Square, Swindon SN1 1QN. Email: shoebox@wrongshoes.co.uk Swindon Information Centre, Central Library SN1 1QG. Tel: 01793 530328 Swindon Museum and Art Gallery, Bath Road SN1 4BA. Tel: 01793 466556 The Victoria, 88 Victoria Road, SN1 3BD. Tel: 01793 535713 Wyvern Theatre, Theatre Square SN1 1QN. Tel: 01793 524481 Confirm date, time & price with venue
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Summer at The Tawny Owl!
Swindon Wide
guide to live music in Swindon through July There is so much happening across Swindon during July, but one of the most exciting events for us is the Swindon Shuffle, the multivenue, multi-genre, multi-beverage four day festival that has literally everything, from 12 to 16 July. The Swindon Shuffle was conceived and founded in 2007 by Richard Craven, Phil Dyson and Paul Jellings from Songs of Praise Promotions, plus Neil Gammon from Black Lava Promotions and Tim McDonald from Yankeeboy Promotions. Using the basis of already established city centre music festivals like the Camden Crawl, The Great Escape and the Oxford Punt, the aim was and still is to bring together the community to showcase a thriving local music scene. The idea for the music festival, and inspiration for the festival name, started as a “shuffle” by the crowd between several music venues on one particular night to watch the performing acts, but this had expanded before even the start of the first festival to be a four day event held across many venues. The 2017 Shuffle, taking place
at The Victoria, The Beehive, The Tuppenny and The Castle, covers all bases from local up and coming talent like Bradley Cowtan, Misfires and Diagonal People, but also drafts in astonishing talent from neighbouring Wiltshire and Oxfordshire including Tamsin Quin, Catgod and even dragging Swindonian Dreuw back from London. Headliners for the Saturday night at The Victoria are a particularly special prospect - hip-hop ska collective The Tribe, who have recently announced nine performances at Glastonbury amongst a host of other festival appearances, are hot property right now and will definitely provide a special night of entertainment at the flagship event of this year's Shuffle. Also, don't miss the Swindon Shuffle Music Quiz at The Beehive on the opening Wednesday 12 July, kicking off the four day run in confusing style. To keep your finger on the musical pulse in Swindon and further afield, pick up your copy of The Ocelot in venues at the end of each month, or head to: www.theocelot.co.uk
Chargrilled radicchio with squash and goat's cheese A balance of griddled radicchio, roasted squash and salty cheese. 2 heads of radicchio 2 tbsp balsamic vinegar about 5 tbsp olive oil 1 large butternut or crown prince squash, peeled & cut into wedges no more than 2cm wide leaves from a small bunch of flatleaf parsley, chopped 100g hazelnuts, toasted & roughly chopped 150g hard goat’s cheese
salt & black pepper Heat a griddle pan and heat the oven to 190°C/Gas 5. Cut each radicchio head into eight wedges, keeping the root end intact. Put into a bowl and season with a few pinches of salt, the balsamic vinegar and olive oil. Rub the wedges so they are lightly oiled. In batches, lay the squash on the griddle and cook for a minute on each side until lines appear. Transfer the squash to a
Putting your foot in it for poetry Poetry column by Poetry Swindon’s Maurice Spillane
An old school friend, Noel Boyce, posted on Facebook yesterday that 50 years ago in Dublin we started our final exams, the Irish equivalent of A Levels. Within weeks we were working full-time and have been for 50 years. The Facebook exchange had a question from a younger person asking if we had
computers in those days. Noel said we did but they were powered by steam. Memories! My first job was in the Auditor General’s Office ticking transactions in manual ledgers using green ink. Only auditors were allowed to use green ink. A year later I went on a one-day “computer appreciation” course which I paid for. Some months later the first computer application went live in the Irish Milk Board and they wanted an auditor who knew about computers. Because
roasting tin and gently toss with salt, pepper and oil. Roast for 20 minutes. Meanwhile, griddle the radicchio for a minute. Then lay it in the oil and vinegar in the bowl. Add the radicchio to the pan along with the squash for the final 10 minutes of cooking. Put even amounts of squash and radicchio on to plates, sprinkle over the parsley and hazelnuts, then use a peeler to shave strips of goats’ cheese over the top. www.riverford.co.uk/recipes of that one-day course I became the Government’s computer auditor. In reality, it meant I ticked transactions on a computer printout in green ink. Even so, I felt so sophisticated, so far ahead. I got involved in computers as a result, an accidental career, built my working life around systems, travelled the world, developed several “firsts” in designs, created and grew computer businesses, and now mentor Internet entrepreneurs. I love what I do but I never thought in 1967 that would be my career. It puts me in mind of the last lines of the poem “Hay for the
Horses” by Gary Snyder: “I’m sixty-eight,” he said, “I first bucked hay when I was seventeen. I thought, that day I started, I sure would hate to do this all my life And dammit, that’s just what I’ve gone and done.” • Open Mic - Monday 10 July, 6pm at Richard Jefferies Museum • Performance Poetry - Tuesday 11 July, 7:30pm at Beehive pub Book at www.poetryswindon.org swindonlink.com n July 2017
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Stratton Festival returns for 2017
Stratton St Margaret Parish Council is holding their popular Stratton Festival on Saturday 22 July, taking place on the back field behind Grange Leisure. The festival, now in its fifth year, will be free for all to attend, kicking off at midday. Throughout the day there will be various attractions including a dog show by Drove Vets, live music, dance performances, craft stalls, beer and cider tent, Zumba sessions, circus performers, balloon modelling, face painting, football tournaments and much more. Stratton Festival’s main objective is to bring the community together and to celebrate all that’s great about living in the area. This popular event brings over 5,000 people together every year, helping to raise money and awareness for local community groups and charities. The children activities
this year include Twistina and Twistopher, a couple who specialise in balloon modelling, circus acts and face painter. Also, George Scarott’s Fun Fair will be making a special appearance with a bungee run. As in previous years, food is a huge part of the Stratton Festival and the events team have worked their magic with local suppliers to provide an array of foods from burgers, noodles, curries, fudge stand, ice creams and a waffle company. The main stage is full from 12pm with Swindon Majorettes opening the show and ending with live music from Kova Me Badd. If any charities, musicians, community groups, volunteers or local businesses would like to get involved with the event, email Jo or Emily via: events@strattonstmargaret.gov.uk.
... and Stratton will once again Stroll in the summer sun this July The infamous ‘Stratton Stroll’ is back for 2017 on 29 July, and it's all for the Stratton Parish Council chairman's charity. Attendees will be treated to six stages of live music throughout the Stratton area, as the Wheatsheaf, New Inn, Grange Bar, Kingsdown, Crown and Rat Trap pubs all play host to some of the best musical talent in the local area. Starting at the Kingsdown from midday, the Stroll will feature
live music from the likes of Ian O'Regan, Blind Lemon Blues, Casual Ties, The Laylow Band, Drew Bryant, Get Carter, Darren Hunt, Mike Barham, Josie and The Outlaw and many more. Now in it's fifth year, the Stroll is always a chance for the local area to enjoy the sunshine, music and great beer. For more information and updates on this year's music, visit: strattonstmargeret.gov.uk
Fieldview Festival to return to Wiltshire in August Fieldview Festival, the popular live music and arts event, will return to Little Somerford near Chippenham from 3 – 6 August, offering the best in up-and-coming music, workshops and local produce. Self-styled as ‘Wiltshire’s biggest little festival’, the former garden party turned 3000 capacity event has built a reputation for its strong charitable ethos and support of UK’s best independent and grassroots artists. Now in its 11th year, Fieldview has a history of booking acts that are destined for larger stages. This year is no different, with the likes of Clean Cut Kid, Palace, Cousin Kula and
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many more. Dan Cameron, Fieldview Festival Director, explains; “We just try and programme the best quality music we can. We want to surprise people. We don`t want to select just one genre or style; we want people to discover their new favourite band or try a workshop they would never normally come into contact with. We’re run by volunteers and we pride ourselves on helping the environment and supporting the local economy. Over the last 11 years we have raised over £30,000 for various local and international charities.” For more information visit: fieldviewfestival.co.uk
Swindon Wide The Misfits
The Final Touchdown
Reaching for the skies Swindon artist David Bent has just finished his latest work 'The Circus' as part of his Red Arrow series. Jamie Hill went to his studio to have a chat about his work. David Bent has always been interested in aeroplanes. As a child growing up in Dover he remembers his dad pointing out every type of aircraft flying overhead and by the age of five he could name every plane that flew overhead. He is now one of the foremost aviation artists in the world and creates his work from his custombuilt studio next to his home in Old Town. He's even been awarded Honorary Companionship of the Royal Aeronautical Society, the society's highest distinction for those whose professional achievements are not exclusively in aerospace but who have made a substantial contribution to the aerospace profession. It was awarded "in recognition of his exceptional contribution in transforming aviation art with iconic paintings, bringing aviation, technology and art together to a completely new audience while, at the same time, promoting aerospace far and wide." Since 2006 he has been the artist in residence for the Red Arrows and has just completed the sixth and final painting in his 'Arrows' cycle. It is called 'The Circus' and is a celebration of all the backroom staff who make the Arrows happen. David, 67, said: "Everybody loves the Red Arrows but they're probably not aware of the backroom team or 'The Circus' as it's called. There's the 'Smoke Team' or 'Dye Team' as well
as everybody else who is involved. This latest painting is a celebration of them. "I started this painting back at the beginning of February. Obviously I haven't been doing it full time but I'm now finishing it at the start of June." David has had an interesting life from being at the forefront of computer graphics in the early 80s to chucking it all in to go and live in Peru. It was in the early nineties that he started to follow his artistic career full-time, even meeting his wife Carole during an art class in a small village in rural Essex. The couple moved to Swindon in 1995 but it wasn't until 2002 that David's love of aeroplanes would be piqued again. He said: "I went to RIAT (The Royal International Air Tattoo) in 2002 and kind of fell in love. I took a load of pictures whilst I was there but at quite an unusual angle taking each shot front-on to the plane. "When I returned home, I was looking through the images and started to put them together in a collage and this is where I formed my 'Aerobots'. "So the next year I decided I would try to sell some of my work and I hired a pitch and bought a small B&Q tent and the rest, as they say, is history. "We've been displaying there every year ever since." David's work which takes in genres from expressionism to
Timeless
abstract art always involves more than you can see at first glance. His wife Carole said: "What I love about David's work is that there's always something new to see every time you look at it. There's always new bits to discover. His paintings say so much and are so detailed. They are also very accessible and a joy to look at." In the last few years David has been embraced in the aviation industry as its foremost artist. He has designed several of the covers for the RIAT programmes. His work has taken him out to different air shows around the world. "I've really got RIAT to thank for a lot of this. If they hadn't appreciated what I was doing I would never have got the art in
front of the right people." But it's not just his aviation art that he is known for. His 'Movement' shows aspects of refugee surges around the country including the Balkans. The eight powerful paintings were created as a Millennium project back in 2000 and were met with universal praise. He is still looking for a home for them to be more permanently displayed. He has also been a leading figure in the annual Swindon Open Studios. For more information about his work visit davidbentstudio.com This year's RIAT takes place from 14 to 17 July at RAF Fairford. For more information visit www. airtattoo.com swindonlink.com n July 2017
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Festival of Literature to become a showcase of the arts Swindon Festival of Literature is set to expand into a month long festival of the arts. While keeping literature as its heart, the new Swindon Spring Festival would also showcase a range of cultural activities from Swindon and further afield. The Spring Festival would offer Swindon’s many creative and arts organisations the chance to showcase their work at a variety of venues in town and bring established and inspiring names to Swindon. Festival organiser Matt Holland explained: “The Swindon Spring Festival would be a month-long opportunity to see, celebrate and enjoy both home grown talent and known and established names from the world of combined and creative arts.. “It would help to establish a greater cross-over audience in town, a wider ownership of the combined arts and festival scene, and would further enhance Swindon’s reputation as a place where you can really enjoy good cultural and arts experiences. “The Swindon Spring Festival would also aim to include activities
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Festival organiser Matt Holland who plans to broaden the festival's scope
that go beyond the arts but are linked to them and are definitely part of the town’s culture and its diverse communities. These might include celebrations of walking, running, circus, sport, and international cuisine.” The festival already has a number
of partners, venues, and locations that it uses, including the Wyvern Theatre, the Arts Centre, the Central Library, STEAM Museum, Swindon Dance, Lower Shaw Farm, Richard Jefferies Museum, Lawn Woods, and Lydiard Park, all of which would welcome a Swindon Spring
Festival – of the Arts. A date will soon be set for an open meeting for any organisations and individuals interested. Anyone who would like to know more, attend, or make any helpful suggestions, should write to swindonspringfest@lowershawfarm. co.uk or ring 01793 771080.
Swindon Wide
'Gripping mystery' to be performed at Shoebox Theatre After months of rehearsal, the Shoebox Theatre’s community theatre company will be performing their next show, ‘When the Rain Stops Falling’ from 5 to 8 July. The Swindon-based company was launched in August last year, with the intention of giving nonprofessional actors the opportunity to perform contemporary scripts and since then, has gone from strength to strength. This will be their second production after performing ‘The Wonderful World of Dissocia’ last year. ‘When the Rain Stops Falling’, which has been described as a work of gripping mystery and emotional depth, is an award-winning play written by Andrew Bovell in 2008. It moves from the claustrophobia of a London flat in 1959 to the windswept coast of southern Australia, and into the heart of the Australian desert in 2039. It interweaves a series of connected stories as seven people confront the
mysteries of their past in order to understand their future, revealing how patterns of betrayal, love and abandonment are passed on. Luke Marquez, Artistic Director at the Shoebox Theatre said: "'When the Rain Stops Falling' was exactly what we were looking for in a show and we cannot wait to bring this beautiful, yet challenging story to audiences of Swindon”. 'When the Rain Stops Falling' is suitable for ages 14 or over and will be at the Shoebox Theatre from 5 to 8 July at 7.30pm. Tickets are £10 available via: shoeboxtheatre.org.uk/whatson
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Dizzy DJ from Cricklade reaches semi-final of Britain's Got Talent
DJ Dizzy Twilight aka Christine Tew from Cricklade
For many people, retirement is a chance to relax and slow their lives down a notch. It appears Cricklade pensioner Christine Tew doesn't agree with that notion, as she reached the semi-finals of Britain's Got Talent this year with her incredible DJ'ing skills. Christine, also known as DJ DIzzy Twilight, had the crowds inside the London Palladium dancing like an early 90s rave scene when she appeared before the judges during
her semi-final, unfortunately missing out on progressing through due to not quite winning over Amanda Holden and Alesha Dixon. However, that hasn't dampened the experience for Dizzy, who has been inundated with requests for interviews and performances since her appearance on BGT. Christine said: "I loved the whole experience, the BGT team behind the scenes treated all the performers so well, and I can't
believe I got to do what I love in front of so many people. The best part has been my grandson's reaction to seeing me in a spaceship! He's only eight, so he was amazed." Asked if this was her idea of retiring quietly, Dizzy laughed and said: "I've always had a passion for music and this was just my natural
outlet to pursue full time once I retired. I am part of the Cricklade Choir alongside my DJ'ing, and that's been a very different experience. Maybe one day we can team the two together and put on something like the electric proms!"
Legendary Welsh comedy rappers coming to Level III in Swindon
Goldie Lookin' Chain
Newport's very own Goldie Lookin' Chain will be bringing their chaotic and comedic brand of rap music to Level III in Swindon on 5 August, adding to the impressive list of acts currently dropping into the 350 capacity venue on Commercial Road. With heavy street accents and loads of slang-slinging, comedy rappers Goldie Lookin Chain are proud to be "lazy sods from Newport, Wales". Main man P. Xain had been working on tracks in his bedroom on cheap samplers when he met likeminded louts Eggsy and Adam Hussein. Soon, new members were being added every week or so and self-made CD-Rs were being
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released. 'Don't Blame the Chain' was the first of these releases, and Newport's youth fell in love with it. Internet trading of the band's music became common in the U.K. and more CD-Rs appeared. Follow up releases such as 'Addiction', 'Return of the Red Eye', and 'The Party Album' all became slacker favourites, but it was a publicity prank involving classical singer Charlotte Church that put the Chain in front of the mainstream. A strictly 18+ event, Level III will be dancing and laughing in equal measure as the notorious Welsh slackers come to town. For more information on this show, and the other exciting gigs at Level III, head to: leveliii.co.uk
Swindon Wide
FIAT 124 Spider – The Italian cutie is back Italian cars of the past had all the attributes of a practiced vamp: hugely desirable and ruinously expensive. Invariably, the design was gorgeous but the construction and electrics were often suspect and rust was an ever present spectre. Fortunately, all that is past is now gone. Waking as if from a deep sleep brought on by a whole series of dull, dispiriting cars designed to suck the vitality out of petrol-heads the world over, the latest Italian cars are now desirable and reliable again.
with a car like this. Once settled into the low slung and just about perfect laid back driving position, my buttocks only inches from the road, it just felt quick. If you want to go really fast get a Bugatti Veyron; if you want to have a smile every quarter mile get a 124 Spider. The cabin for two is snug but the seats are great; very comfortable and supportive. Despite its small size the Spider makes for a very good distance cruiser. The small boot is deep and will easily take a weekend bag plus your bits and pieces. The fabric hood fits snugly Geoff Maxted of Drivewrite.co.uk takes a look at the Fiat 124 Spider when in position and, although smoothly once the turbo is spinning. manual, raise and lowers in seconds, About The Spider Certainly the classy £23,000 Lusso Thus it isn’t necessary to work so which is probably just as well in hard to make brisk progress. version as tested here is very well the UK. The 124 feels a little more softly assembled. The bodywork is pure Italian Desire, Japanese Efficiency Italian design with no panels carried set-up than the Japanese car but More Fun For Your Bucks That said, the diminutive FIAT 124 over from the Mazda. Under the the steering still responds instantly On balance, I prefer the Spider may have Italian ancestry and sharply to driver input. Out bonnet, there’s a FIAT 1.4L engine Spider over the Mazda based but is in fact only part Italian. on the road this diminutive motor which, unlike the Mazda motors, is predominantly on the looks but Essentially, it is a Mazda MX-5 in handles country roads like a dream, also with a nod to the feisty little turbo-charged. a designer Italian frock but with remaining flat and stable through Driving the MX-5 it is necessary engine. Prices start at under £20k a different engine and revised to keep the revs right up to get the corners. and the value thing is important suspension. The FIAT 124 Spider is not best from the engines. Let it fall because folk who love driving Instead of being built by particularly quick as it takes below 3,000rpm and everything will also love that these cars are Mediterranean types, the 124 Spider goes a bit flat. The FIAT engine over seven seconds to reach the very affordable, economical and is built by the Japanese on the same is altogether quicker to respond benchmark 62mph (100kph) but reasonably cheap to maintain. As production line as the MX-5. straight line speed isn’t the point I found, and power comes in the Italians say, favoloso!
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Popular park parades porcupine pair Cotswold Wildlife Park is celebrating the birth of the first Porcupine twins in the Park’s fortyseven-year history. The as-yet-unnamed and unsexed twins were born recently to firsttime mother Stempu and father Prickle. The newborns are on show in the enclosure they share with a trio of inquisitive Dwarf Mongooses. The twins are perfect miniature versions of the adults, even born with a full set of quills, which begs the question visitors have been keen to ask keepers – how does the female give birth without injury? After a gestation period of approximately one hundred and twelve days (the longest gestation period of any rodent), the female gives birth to offspring covered in soft, moist and flexible quills, enclosed in a thin placental sac. Immediately after birth, the quills quickly harden in the air and become prickly. The babies, also known as Porcupettes, are born relatively well developed with eyes open and teeth present. African Crested Porcupines (Hystrix cristata) are the largest of the twenty-five Porcupine species. They are also the third largest rodent in the world,
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Studley Grange welcomes furry friends
While most people try hard not let any vermin into their houses, at Studley Grange Butterfly World and Farm Park, they have positively welcomed rats into their kitchen in the Butterfly House. Although this may sound alarming behind the Beaver and Capybara. it’s nothing to worry about, the Porcupines possess a spiny defence new kitchen has in fact has been that is unique among rodents – especially made for the rats. approximately thirty thousand sharp Like all rodents rats are busy little quills adorn their back. creatures and are happiest with an Contrary to popular belief, they enclosure that offers them lots of cannot fire their quills at enemies, enrichment, where they can scurry but the slightest touch can lodge through the kitchen cupboards, race dozens of barbed quills into a across the table, and wash in the predator’s body. sink. They are even enjoying using Quills are modified hairs made the inside of the washing machine of keratin (the same material as as an exercise wheel. human hair, fingernails and the As well as building a new rat horn of a Rhino). kitchen, the staff has also been busy Each quill can boast up to eight developing a new brooder area, hundred barbs. If threatened, this area provides visitors with a Porcupines reverse charge into a great opportunity to see the whole predator, stabbing the enemy with lifecycle of the farm park’s poultry, its sharp quills. from the eggs in the Section Head of Primates, Chris incubator, chicks in Kibbey, said: “Dad Prickle and mum the brooders, Stempu were introduced in October through to 2016 and it wasn’t long until growers in love blossomed and keepers were the specially delighted to recently discover little designed pens. Porcupettes running around the Not only will visitors enclosure.
be able to learn about the poultry, they will also be able to handle the young chicks/poults, including, golden pheasants, bantams, ducks, geese, including some rare breeds. Once visitors have seen the chicks in the brooder area, they will then be able to get close up to a variety of birds in the new walk through aviary. Giving visitors a real chance to observe the birds, watch their natural behaviour and see their many beautiful colours. Natural colours that can also be seen in the many butterflies in both the butterfly houses. It is not just the poultry that have been producing young, the farm animals have been busy too, with young lambs, kids and baby guinea pigs all enjoying the summer weather. www.studleygrange.co.uk
Puzzle and Letters
Viewpoint Your opportunity to have your say about the issues. Send in your letter to publisher@swindonlink.com with 'Letter' in the subject. Dear Sir/Madam, I refer to the article on page 31 of the June LINK Magazine entitled "Art meets history in latest heritage magazine." The article is in error in that the cover picture of the Heritage magazine for June does not depict a Great Western locomotive at all. Mr Tiley, in the article, states that he prefers LMS locomotive designs to Great Western ones; that is exactly what is on the cover. The article also refers to Sir William Stanier. The locomotive (great painting) is one of Sir William Stanier's LMS designs. It was neither designed, nor built at Swindon. It is one of the Stanier 'Black Fives', a 4-6-0 mixed traffic design, and one of the most numerous and successful locomotives ever to run in Britain. It does have a Swindon connection in that it was designed by Mr Stanier, a former Swindon man, as is correctly pointed out. These locomotives were designed by Mr Stanier and his team when he was Chief Mechanical Engineer of the London Midland and
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Scottish Railway and introduced in the 1930's. They were an immediate success and were built not just by the LMS itself but also by outside locomotive builders, such as Armstrong Whitworth, for the LMS. None were built at Swindon, unlike Mr Stanier's contemporary 8F 2-8-0 freight locomotive which was built in large numbers, to Government order, for the war effort during World War II, and which were built at the workshops of all the Big Four railway companies at works such as Brighton, Crewe, Darlington, Doncaster and of course Swindon, being used both in Britain and overseas, most notably in North Africa, operated by the Royal Engineers. Towards the end of steam some Stanier locomotives were overhauled at Swindon, I saw them there myself, most notably the 2-6-0 Mogul type, such as 42975, which I distinctly remember seeing in 1964. The 'Black Fives', so called because they were only ever painted black and were power class 5MT (mixed traffic), eventually ran to a total of 842 locomotives,
the largest single class to ever run as a class on British Railways. (There were more Great Western 0-6-0T Pannier tanks in number, but they were of several different types.) Although mainly keeping to LMS territory and later the corresponding British Railways London Midland Region, they could nonetheless be seen all over the country, from Wick and Kyle of Lochalsh (where they held a virual monopoly on the 'Skye Line') in the far north of Scotland, to the south coast of England. They were well-liked and good performers, and lasted to the very end of steam on the main lines of this country in 1968, taking part in the very last steam run, the 'Fifteen Guinea Special'. In some ways the Stanier LMS designs, particularly his Black Five, 8F Freight 2-8-0, 2-6-4 tank locomotives and Princess Coronation Pacifics, were a development of and carried on from Swindon practice, moving design forward when the Great Western was to some extent stagnating, albeit with a wonderful range of locomotives
that lasted until the end of steam. GJ Churchward was the great designer of the GWR, and one of the greatest of all, and he set the standard for others to follow. He gave the GWR such a good range of standard locomotives that the two subsequent Chief Mechanical Enginees at Swindon, Collett and Hawkesworth, really only perpetuated the same designs or improved upon them a little. Not everyone, particularly Swindon devotees, would agree with that I know. Sir William was also a gentleman. he would talk to and listen to ordinary workers, and would accept that he might not always be right. I hope the foregoing is of interest and is accepted in the spirit in which it is intended. I have not set out to be critical, but it is one of those things that when we railway enthusiasts see something so glaringly wrong (to a railway enthusiast, most people would be none the wiser) we have to point it out. Yours faithfully Richard Hodder, Larchmore Close Swindon