No 450 November 2019
GPS delivered door to door to 55,000 homes across Swindon with Est. overall readership of 137,500
Swindon
LINK Your Community Magazine
North & West Edition
The town centre's festive extravaganza in association with InSwindon BID pages 5 - 8
Swindonians from across the town get on their feet to beat the street Page 4 An out of this world visitor comes to Great Western Academy
Page 23 Page 4 A round-up of fireworks events across the town
Swindon and Cricklade Page 31 Railway on track for fundraising
Community: P2-20
Swindon Wide: P21 - 29
Leisure: P30-39
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A town centre for all
Delayed stadium plans still in the pipeline
By Group Editor Jamie Hill jamie@positive-media.co.uk
The Link's Heart of Swindon campaign has been a great success. The campaign to highlight the town centre and look at what needs doing has managed to get people talking across the town. This month The Heart of Swindon is brought to you in association with InSwindon Bid, the organisation that runs the town centre as we highlight all the good works that they are doing to bring the area to life and the myriad of events planned over the festive period. But it's not an easy job as any promotion of the town centre is all to the backdrop of a national crisis in the retail market with different chains seemingly disappearing on a monthly basis. This is one of the reasons that we launched the campaign in the first place and the area will still need to go through quite a few more drastic changes if it is to flourish. And this can only come through us Swindonians as consumers to make sure we use the town centre and champion it. At the same time we also need the political will for change too, not just in regneration but also in making it more accessible through public transport and by reducing car parking charges.
Plans to revamp Swindon’s Abbey Stadium should still go ahead - claim owners Gaming International - despite delays to approval. Details of the scheme were due to go before Swindon Borough Council's planning committee in October, but the authority's public health officer wanted more detail on how potential noise pollution could be allievated by the design. Gaming International chief executive Clarke Osbourne said he was disappointed by the decision but added that he was confident that a proposed acoustic wall would be approved by planners. Following outline planning approval for demolition and replacement of the existing stadium building,
Group Editor and Owner: Jamie Hill Deputy Editor: Ben Fitzgerald Reporter: Claire Dukes
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Closing date for December adverts and editorial: 8 November December edition published: 23 November Our Statistics Est. Readership of 137,500 in print & c.50,000 monthly online visitors. Swindon’s largest free publication. Advertising starts from just £53.
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between Abbey Meads and St Andrews Ridge, the applicants submitted detailed plans for modifications to the existing track for greyhound and speedway racing, the construction of a new stadium building and customer facilities. The application also details the creation of a new acoustic barrier, car parking
and a multi-use games area. A market hall building, part of the original outline permission, is no longer included in the plans and a proposed new fire station on the site is also no longer part of the application. A date has yet to be set for the application to be reviewed. 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 Old Bank House, 5 Devizes Road, Swindon SN1 4BJ Printed by pcp Telford
Hear Link Magazine highlights on air, the last Wednesday of each month and as a podcast on www.swindon1055.com
Got a community story or feature? Contact newsdesk at publisher@swindonlink.com or 01793 320043 swindonlink.com n November 2019
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School funding boost The government has confirmed schools in Swindon will receive 5.08% more funding per pupil next year as part of the recent multibillion investment in primary and secondary education. Both Swindon MPs have welcomed this new funding, saying the commitment that every secondary school pupil will receive a minimum of £5,000 next year and every primary school pupil will receive a minimum of £4,000 by 2021-22 would reassure parents. Robert Buckland MP said: "Every child in Swindon deserves the best possible start in life. "The funding boost next year will mean that every school in Swindon will receive a budget increase, giving teachers, parents and pupils the certainty to plan, and boost standards in our schools.”
You have spoken! Almost 17,000 households have had their say on how often they would like local elections in Swindon. Residents of the borough are being asked if they would like to maintain the current ‘by thirds’ election model or move to a ‘whole council’ model instead. After the consultation has finished, councillors will consider all the feedback received and make a decision at the Extraordinary Council Meeting on 21 November.
Bargains on the way The former Toys R Us store in Stratton could soon become a Home Bargains store. The site, near the White Hart Roundabout, has been empty since April 2018. A planning application has been submitted by TJ Morris Ltd, the parent company of Home Bargains, to take over the site.
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Britain's first astronaut opens school 6th form By Ben Fitzgerald ben@swindonlink.com
Britain’s first astronaut, Dr Helen Sharman, visited Swindon’s Great Western Academy to officially open the school’s 6th Form. Dr Sharman, who has one of the school’s houses named after her, gave an insight into her unorthodox journey that led her to travel aboard the Soyuz TM-12 spacecraft and live aboard the Russian Mir space station in May 1991. She explained: “When I was at school, I didn’t really know what I wanted to do. I certainly never thought that I could become an astronaut, that was something that other people did. Because I was undecided, I decided to focus on the sciences as I thought that it would give me a wide range of opportunities in the future. And then I decided to study chemistry at university, but it could have been any of the
sciences.” Her first jobs, with an electronics firm and subsequently with Mars confectionery were hardly the normal career trajectory for an astronaut. But her journey into space began when she heard an advert on the radio in 1989, asking for applicants to put themselves forward to be part of a new space mission. “I knew that I had all the skills that they were looking for but I did doubt that I would be in with a chance. Astronauts are all big strong military types,
test pilots and such like. But then I thought that no-one else is going to put me forward so I just went ahead with the application. And I was amazed to have been chosen.” Dr Sharman was selected from a field of 13,000 to take part in Project Juno, a collaboration between the Soviet Union and private British companies. After spending 18-months training at Russia’s Star City, Dr Sharman, then aged 27, headed for space in May 1991 - becoming Britain’s first astronaut.
Haydonleigh Primary School is sitting on top of the total points leaderboard while WHSmith is on top of the highest average points leaderboard. However, with more than four weeks left, it is still all to play for! Beat the Street is delivered by Intelligent Health and funded by the National Lottery through Sport England and Swindon Borough Council. Last year’s winners Ferndale Primary School, who topped the total points leaderboard in 2018, were keen to get going with this year’s challenge and received a visit from Mayor Kevin Parry on launch day. Eleven-year-old pupil Florence said: “It was a fun
way of getting fitter and meant we walked to school every day instead of using the car.” Councillor Brian Ford, Swindon Borough Council’s Cabinet Member for Adults and Health, said: “Swindon currently holds the record for the most miles travelled during a Beat the Street game and we’re determined to beat that record again this year. “The game is off to a running start in Swindon and we are delighted to see so many people walking, running and cycling for the competition. Swindonians are made of sterner stuff as we are on track to beat last year’s record despite the weather."
Swindon on track to hold record for Beat the Street Beat the Street, Swindon’s giant walking and cycling initiative, is off to a running start with residents travelling more than 93,000 miles within the first few weeks of the game. Determined to beat last year’s record total of 313,000 miles travelled in the six-week challenge, more than 10,000 people have signed up for this year’s game. Taking place until Wednesday 6 November, Beat the Street is transforming Swindon into a giant game with players tapping special sensors called Beat Boxes dotted across the town. This year, the game is bigger than ever, with more Beat Boxes, new locations and a total of 16 leaderboards, meaning there are more opportunities to win prizes. Schools, workplaces and teams in Swindon are competing against each other to see who can journey the furthest and win hundreds of pounds worth of prizes.
swindonlink.com n November 2019
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in association with Keeping you up-to-date with all the latest town centre news and events www.swindontowncentre.co.uk
Welcome... Firstly, I’d like to introduce myself and welcome you to our new publication. I’m Di Powell, the Chief Executive Officer of inSwindon BID Company Ltd, the company that works on behalf of town centre businesses to promote Swindon as a destination for shopping, business and leisure. InSwindon BID Company Ltd is a private, not-for-profit Ltd company funded by the businesses in Swindon town centre, who pay a small levy from their business towards the company. You can find out more about the BID at www. swindontowncentre.co.uk Using the NEW inSwindon Link we want to ensure you have everything you need to know about what’s happening in Swindon town centre. We’ll be keeping you informed of exciting events coming up and fantastic shopping deals to help you grab a bargain and ensure, as a community, we continue to #ShopLocalSwindon. It's certainly been a busy couple of months and we're excited to welcome new businesses into the town. The Works and Polish Deli Shop have opened up in The Brunel. Snappy Snaps has opened in Havelock Square and
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swaSURVIVOR in The Parade. And coming this month we have the Ibis Budget Swindon opening - plenty going on. We recognise that we have also seen store closures, however this is only what other towns and cities are facing as high street retailers continue to adapt to the changing retail landscape. Despite the closure of these national chains, Swindon as a town is still performing well when compared against other towns in the UK. In the latest UK Vacancy report, Swindon once again came below national average for vacant units. We may be losing chains that other towns are losing, but what we thrive on is our 80+ independent retailers, a fantastic selection of business services and our culture, music
and entertainment hub. Swindon is also one of the 100 towns across the UK that is set to receive £25 million of Government funding to be invested in the town. This demonstrates that Swindon is considered a town worth investing in. For the town centre itself, we can’t believe the summer we had and I personally want to say a huge thank you to those who joined us for our summer festival - especially our Urban Beach, where thankfully the weather was on our side! Thousands of you enjoyed many of the summer activities that took place across the town. You showed us how much you enjoyed it as we had more than 1 million Facebook impressions over August, and we absolutely loved seeing your own pictures
Di Powell CEO InSwindon BID
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Town Centre Competition
WIN a family pantomime trip! The Wyvern Theatre is offering a fantastic opportunity for a family of four to see Sleeping Beauty this December. To win, simply answer the following question and send your answer to info@ inswindon.com by Friday 22nd November and the winner will be notified by email or telephone.
from the beach! In September we held our third annual Student Down Find Lock our more: event – an exclusive shopping www.thl.org.uk event for students with plenty of offers and entertainment. We’re delighted by the success of this event as we’re able to offer something exclusively for students. By welcoming them into our town centre they can see some of the amazing stores we have and to demonstrate that not everything has to be purchased online – it’s all about the experience! This event was its biggest yet with more than 330 students joining us. But with the summer now firmly behind us, we’re looking ahead to Christmas which will be here before you know it. You’ll find out everything you need to know about Christmas on the next page, where I hope you’ll be as excited as we are about our line-up of events. On that note, I’ll leave you to continue reading about our exciting plans for the next few months, including Christmas, the fantastic offers available in our Loyalty Club and what our partners at The Brunel, The Parade and Regent Circus are up to. Enjoy and look out for our next edition in March!
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Q: Which British soap did Panto Star Michelle Collins first appear in? Emmerdale Hollyoaks Eastenders Coronation Street Terms and conditions apply - please visit www. swindontowncentre.co.uk
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For the latest town centre news, offers and events, visit www.swindontowncentre.co.uk or call 01793 485523 swindonlink.com n November 2019 5 NW November artwork.indd 5
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ADVERTISING FEATURE
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For the latest town centre news, offers and events, visit www.swindontowncentre.co.uk or call 01793 485523 6 swindonlink.com n November 2019 NW November artwork.indd 6
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ADVERTISING FEATURE
in association with
Enjoy fantastic festivities at The Brunel
W
hen you are planning your Christmas shopping don’t forget to #shoplocalSwindon. The Brunel has a fantastic range of high street brands and independent stores with prices to match any budget. Christmas is a magical time of year, especially for the little ones. Bring them along to The Brunel to see Santa and his Elves? Santa will be in his grotto from 9th November until Christmas Eve. You can visit him for free! Find him and his helful Elves on the upper level of The Plaza between Boots and M&S. Each meet and greet with Santa
includes a present and an opportunity for your little one to have their photograph taken with the star of Christmas, Santa himself. Check out the opening
times of the Grotto at www. thebrunel.co.uk where you can also book your visit during busy times. The Brunel and its retailers are also offering the
opportunity for your little ones to have breakfast with Santa. Visit www.thebrunel.co.uk to find out who is participating this year. Tickets £4 per child at participating stores. Every Saturday at 9am starting 30th November. The Brunel will once again be hosting the Prospect Hospice Gift Wrap. Commencing Saturday 30th November, gift wrap helpers can be found on the lower level of The Plaza, near Sainsbury’s. Each gift will be beautifully and expertly wrapped for a donation to an amazing cause. The Brunel, the heart of shopping in Swindon this Christmas. #shoplocalSwindon
Celebrate Christmas at Regent Circus Whether you’re thinking Christmas parties with colleagues or a family night out with dinner and a film, Regent Circus has something for everyone to help you celebrate the festive season in style. With the holidays just weeks away, why not book a table now? It’s never been easier - just visit regentcircus. com to book today. Plus, keep an eye on our website for all things “festive”. This year we will be hosting a 12 day Digital
Advent Calendar with daily prizes! We’re looking forward to celebrating the festive season with you! Our website is regularly updated with the latest news and offers so that we can keep you informed. Why not sign-up for our newsletter, via the website, to be the first to hear about everything we have going on! You can also like us on Facebook @ RegentCircusSwindon and follow us on Twitter @ Regent_Circus
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Feeling festive with The Parade! The time for Christmas parties is fast approaching! Do you have your festive outfit ready? From dresses & handbags, to tuxes & shoes, The Parade has something for everyone. Find everything you need for the party season in one place! The Parade is also
great for picking up those all-important gifts for family and friends. From Debenhams and Superdrug to Schuh and River Island, there are plenty of options! If you’re feeling lucky, you’ll want to keep an eye on our our Digital Advent Calendar; offering daily
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prizes from 1st to 12th December! Visit www. theparadeswindon.co.uk, sign up to our newsletter or check out Facebook @ ParadeSwindon and Twitter @The_Parade to keep up to date with news, events and those all-important offers.
For the latest town centre news, offers and events, visit www.swindontowncentre.co.uk or call 01793 485523 swindonlink.com n November 2019 7 NW November artwork.indd 7
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ADVERTISING FEATURE
in association with
www.swindontowncentre.co.uk
Pamper yourself – perfect if you need to get yourself set for your Christmas party Acucare – 10% off treatments. Bon Marche – 10% off all full priced items when you spend £20.
Swindon is home to a fantastic selection of national high street stores and independent retailers. Christmas will soon be upon us so now is the time to make sure you’re signed up to the FREE Swindon Town Centre Loyalty Club. With more than 80 offers available, it’s the perfect opportunity to save some pennies as your carry out your Christmas shopping. Here are just some of the offers currently available that will help you plan your visit to the town centre: Gift ideas – plenty of options for all your friends and family
Eskape Hair Salon – 20% off all services (new visitors) 10% off all services thereafter.
AM Gifts and Collectables – 5% discount
Knock em dead – 50% off colouring services.
Audio T – 10% off Hi-Fi & home cinema products. 5% off Sonos, Micro systems, iPod docks, TV’s/Plasma and clearance products.
House of Fraser – Skopes Suit Shirt and Tie only £99 OMG Hair and Beauty – facials £38. Supercuts – 10% discount
Don Rogers Sports – 10% discount on gifts and collectables. Illes Jewellery – 10% off all jewellery (full price). Shaw Trust – Buy 1 get 1 free on books. T4 Cameras – 10% accessories. The Entertainer – Funko POP! From £5.
Leisure – make a night of it and enjoy Swindon after dark Abys Indian Experience – 2 for 1 on main meals. City Mazes – 50% discount EDGE Bar and Club Room Swindon – Buy 1 get 1 free cocktail before 11pm. MECA – 50% off all hire fees. BOGOF over 18’s Roller Disco admission. BOGOF Chuckles Comedy Club Show Tickets. Rudi’s – Save £4 on bottles of wine. Thistle Express – Mates rates 10% off your booking and free breakfast. Wyvern Theatre – The Kitchen, 10% off food.
The Fragrance Shop – 10% discount. Please note, this is just a selection of offers currently available and that these offers were available at time of print. Please check the Swindon town centre website for all the latest offers - www.swindontowncentre. co.uk/loyaltyclub. Sign-up today, redeem those offers and hit the town. It’s free and only takes a minute to join.
For the latest town centre news, offers and events, visit www.swindontowncentre.co.uk or call 01793 485523 8
swindonlink.com n November 2019
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West Swindon Parish Council update Flytipping Madness
The Parish Council deals with flytipping incidents every day across West Swindon. Cllr Nigel Gibbons, Chair of the Parish Council, said: "The amount of flytipping is unbelievable. Wouldn’t it be better to spend money on community projects that make a positive difference rather than spending thousands of pounds cleaning up waste that should have been disposed of properly. "If people use their fortnightly collection service, 97% of that waste gets recycled’. Essentially, if you leave waste on land that is not your own, it is flytipping. It includes all types of garden waste, fencing and wood. Councils have new powers to tackle the crime by issuing penalty notices between £150 to £400 to those caught in the act. We want you to help us stop flytipping whether it is furniture, garden waste, rubble or black sacks." Please report any incidents to either the Parish or Swindon Borough Council.
Get bulky items collected directly from your doorstep
Recent Community Clean Ups have filled up whole skips with dumped rubbish.
Cllrs Simon Firth and Tim Makofu at a recent clean up on Shaw Ridge Linear Park
West Swindon Parish Council
Swindon Borough Council Offer Low Cost Bulky Collection from your doorstep Swindon Borough Council collect many large household items including fridges and furniture. It costs £30.10 or less for up to three items and you can book the collection online. www.swindon.gov.uk
Mattresses belong on beds not fields Flytipping is ugly and anti social. West Swindon Parish Council has collected numerous household
items including sofas and mattresses dumped in your fields and woods. Dumped waste spoils the landscape and endangers wildlife.
If you’ve household waste to get rid of, here’s a tip... If someone is taking it away for you for a fee, ask them to show you their SEPA licence. Ask where your stuff is going and ask
why it’s a cheap price. If your waste gets dumped illegally by someone else, you could both get prosecuted.
Leaving your unwanted stuff by bins is still flytipping even if you do it neatly. It is a criminal offence – you could face a fine.
Your Parish Council
For reports or enquiries, please contact the parish office, email: westswindonpc@outlook. com, Tel: 01793 466418. The parish office is based at the West Swindon library, Link Centre. Updates on events, meetings and information can be found on the Parish Council’s website www.westswindon-pc.gov.uk. Contact details are available on the website and noticeboards: Email Contacts: EASTLEAZE & SHAW Nigel Gibbons - negibbons@hotmail.co.uk FRESHBROOK Geoff Gould - gffrygld@ntlworld.com Trish Philpot - triciaphilpot@hotmail.co.uk GRANGE PARK Umar Ali - umar.ali98@outlook.com Tim Swinyard - timswin@hotmail.com Caryl Sydney Smith - carylss@hotmail.com
PEATMOOR & SPARCELLS: Prakash Khaitan - prakash.khaitan@gmail.com Keith Williams - krwilliams@swindon.gov.uk TOOTHILL: Mike Burtenshaw - mpbholly@yahoo.com Steph Exell - steph.exell@sky.com Tim Makofu - tmakofu@gmail.com WESTLEA: Suresh Gattapur - cllrSuresh.westSwindon@gmail.com Mary Martin - mmartin@swindon.gov.uk
MIDDLELEAZE & RAMLEAZE Simon Firth - simon@simonfirth.org Nick Martin - martin.family12@outlook.com
For more information check www.westswindon-pc.gov.uk swindonlink.com n November 2019
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Inner flame survey Swindon-based charity Inner Flame would like 16 to 25 year olds who have suffered from anxiety to fill in a new survey. The survey will help tailor the charity's new programme. The survey can be completed by heading to www.intouchcrm.co.uk Inner Flame is a Wiltshire-based charity that offers free courses to develop confidence, self-worth, life-skills, and employability in 16-25s who are at a disadvantage. Founded in 2008, they are perhaps known for their delivery of the 12-week Prince’s Trust Team Programme which gains participants a nationally recognised qualification, as well as providing opportunities for personal growth, such as the residential week away and the two-week supported work placement. Their work is designed to support 16-25s not currently in education, employment or training who are experiencing barriers to independence or contributing to their community.
£40k sports funding Swindon Sports Forum wants members of the public to help them decide how to allocate £40,000 in 2020. The funding is available for sports and activity organisations across the borough to help increase membership, improve the quality of coaching staff and widen inclusivity. Call or email Chris Baker – SSF Coordinator – 07934 297795 chris@wiltssport.org SwindonSportsForum or www.swindonsportsforum. co.uk
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Slimming World celebrates golden birthday in style Excited residents turned out in force in September when Slimming World’s golden 50th birthday bus paid a visit to Swindon. The golden double decker, which has been touring the UK and Ireland to celebrate and share Slimming World’s 50th anniversary year, has just completed its tour – and Swindon stepped aboard most recently to enjoy everything it had to offer. As part of the events, guests were invited to watch live cookery demonstrations and sample some of Slimming World’s famous recipes. Onboard chefs served healthy dishes cooked from scratch including Vegetable Paella and Spaghetti Bolognaise in their specially-created kitchen. Also on board the bus were some of the inspirational local slimmers whose lives have changed thanks to losing weight. Slimming World Consultant, Rebecca Martin supports
www.slimmingworld.co.uk people in Swindon to lose weight each week and was part of the special team meeting members of the public. She says: “It was great to get out into the community and show the people of Swindon what Slimming World is all about. I absolutely love what I do and it’s amazing to welcome people into my group and see them transform their whole lives before my very eyes. “I am excited to be relaunching the Old Town Friday and Saturday morning groups in November – and I can’t wait to help even more people achieve their dreams!
Having been a Consultant for over 2 years in Upper Stratton I love watching people walk through the doors and as the weeks go by their confidence blooms. Many go from nervous and shy new members who are very uncomfortable with the way they look, to confident, healthy and happy individuals with a new lease of life and a twinkle in their eye. They learn to remove feelings of guilt around food, and instead feel empowered by all the Free Food they can enjoy on Slimming World’s healthy eating plan called Food Optimising."
The story of the disappeared pubs of Swindon After four years of detailed research, local author John Stooke has completed his mammoth anthology called Last Orders of more than 120 pubs that have disappeared from urban Swindon since 1700 and also the disappeared breweries that served them. Additionally it includes an exhaustive investigation into the legend of Old Town’s underground tunnel network. The book is being sold for £10 with £3 of every sale going to Swindon Women’s Refuge. Natasha Moyles of Swindon Women’s Aid said “We are delighted to have been chosen as the beneficiary in this case. Initiatives such as John’s, enable us to continue to help even more victims of domestic abuse within Swindon”. As well as a charity vehicle, the 400 page analysis will become an important contribution to local researched heritage records.
This looks to be a great Christmas present for ‘him’ and can be purchased (and dedicated by the author if required) at these venues: - 16 to 17 November at the Designer Outlet Village. - November 23 at West Swindon Centre; - December 2 at Brunel Centre Craft Fayre; or alternatively on any day at the Central Library main desk or the STEAM Museum shop.
swindonlink.com n November 2019
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A knock-out win for Swindon group in housebuilder's £1M giveaway
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By Jamie Hill jamie@positive-media.co.uk
A Swindon group has scooped a £100,000 cash award as part of a leading housebuilder’s hugely successful charity campaign supporting under-18s. Persimmon Homes has handed out more than £1,000,000 in cash prizes to organisations across the UK as a part of its Building Futures campaign. Scrappers Boxing Gym, managed by Swindon
Children’s Scrapstore plans to use the money to improve its facilities and provide free sessions for disadvantaged people and groups. Swindon Down’s Syndrome Group and Prime Theatre also received £5,000 from Persimmon Homes. Olivia McCann, spokeswoman for Scrappers Boxing Gym said: “Thank you for this amazing amount of money – it will make a difference to so many children’s lives. “We currently offer free sessions for young people with disabilities and mental health issues. We’d like to introduce sessions for people who are partially sighted and many more. “We’d also like to invest in a minibus so we can travel to areas where a lot of children aren’t able to get to our gym – we can pick them up and bring them to the gym to use our services."
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swindonlink.com n November 2019
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About:
School profile: The Deanery CE Academy Welcome to The Deanery "This is the most amazing venture and one that I believe is going to be truly transformational for Swindon. We have been blessed with the most incredible support already from Swindon Borough Council, Bristol Diocese, our local MPs, our local Bishops, local churches, local schools, the national Church of England Education Office and St Mary Redcliffe and Temple school in Bristol to name but a few. We have built an exceptional school, with the most amazing facilities, inspirational staff and incredible students. I believe that we have a duty to enable all our students to flourish when they are at school, to enable them to live life in all its fullness - this is the foundation of our ethos and will form a significant part of our dialogue in all aspects of school life." Principal Linda Culling NW November artwork.indd 16
Get to know the schools in your area.
This issue: The Deanery CE Academy Address: Peglars Way, Swindon SN1 7DA Contact: 01793 236611 Website: www.dcea.org.uk
Latest news Last month we hosted our first Harvest Service in our amazing theatre with some specially invited guests from Uganda. The service had a real family feel to it with lots of our parents and carers joining us for the event. We contributed to the Swindon Food Collective as part of our commitment to the community and we were overwhelmed with gifts of food for those less fortunate than us.
This was followed on the same day by the Diana Anti-Bullying charity leading training for some of our students and students from other secondary schools in Swindon. We are committed to working in partnership with organizations such as this and other schools to help change the culture of schools, and helping young people build the resilience and confidence to address bullying when and if it happens to them or their friends.
This brand new secondary school was built to deliver something distinctive in education in Swindon. We are a school run by Christians to help to raise standards at Secondary level across the town. We will eventually be a school of 1470 students but we have started with a pioneering group of just 122 students. The Principal, Linda Culling has been at the forefront of designing both the physical building and also the culture that will sit behind it. We run our school based on our ‘Alive’ model which is centred on the theme of ‘Hope’. We want to ensure that our students leave The Deanery as adults feeling that they can persevere, listen and explore, but also that they value justice, honesty and achievement and will all contribute something positive to the world. The school has amazing facilities in sport, including a wonderful Sport England standard All Weather Pitch and Sport England standard sports hall complete with viewing gallery. We have a professional standard theatre which seats 440 people and a lecture theatre that seats 105. In addition we have really high class science facilities and art and technical suites. Beyond this though we have a really dedicated group of teachers and support staff guiding our students on this incredible journey.
Plans for 2020/2021
We are looking forward to welcoming our next cohort of students in September 2020 and as the deadline of the end of October 2019 loomed, the excitement built. We have been incredibly lucky to have welcomed over 1500 people through our doors in our Open Evenings and a further 300 through our doors in our recent Open Mornings, which have run every Friday throughout late September and October. We are expecting a high level of applications for the school and are planning the recruitment of new teachers for the new academic year with anticipation. We are really excited to develop our links within the Community in increasing the use of our lettings spaces, the wonderful Cornerstone Café and our truly amazing theatre. These will completely set the school apart from others in Swindon and create a vibrant and exciting hub for Wichelstowe and the wider parts of Swindon. There are not many schools where you can come and participate in a Pilate’s class, followed by a barista coffee, whilst the young people are hard at work the other side of the safeguarding line! We would also like to create some really strong partnerships with significant employers in Swindon, both to help us grow our lovely young people to adulthood, and support their own goals in terms of Corporate Social Responsibility. Keep an eye on our website for more information on the amazing events which we are hosting and be sure to follow us on Twitter: @deaneryacademy and @eduprincipal. 18/10/2019 13:21
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MJA Roofing Ltd is a fast, friendly and reliable roofing company based in Purton, Swindon, Wiltshire. We have over 30 years of experience, with all aspects of roof tiling, slating and lead work undertaken. We provide a pragmatic, reliable & high quality service and would welcome the opportunity to quote for your requirements.
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Pets and Nature See the exotic new arrivals at Studley Grange!
A taste of Australia has arrived at the zoo at Studley Grange Butterfly World & Farm Park, in the form of 3 young Emu. The zoo keepers travelled to south Devon to collect the latest additions to the zoo, and they certainly created some inquisitive looks, smiles and even laughter from fellow drivers as they drove up the M5 with 3 very nosey Emu staring out the back of the Land Rover. The Emus, named Sydney, Emily and Emma, who are 4 months old are settling in well, and exploring their new surroundings. Emus are the second largest bird (by height), reaching 6ft tall when fully grown. They are unable to fly but can run up to speeds just over 30mph, and are able to run long distances too, using their wings to steer when running at top speed. Emus will eat grass and leaves as well as
insects, but are also attracted to anything shiny and are very capable of pecking ear-rings out of people’s ears if they stand too close to them. As well as the excitement of the Emus arrival, staff at
Studley Grange have been busy organising the handover of the onsite Wyevale Garden Centre back to Studley Grange Limited. Studley Grange Garden Centre, as it will now be
called, will be an independent, family run garden centre offering a large variety of plants, from UK growers, as well as plants grown on site by the horticultural team. This will reduce plant air miles, (benefiting the environment) support the south west economy, and provide customers will healthy plants that will thrive in local gardens/soil conditions. Studley Grange Limited incorporating Studley Grange Garden Centre, Butterfly World & Farm Park, the Soft Play area and Craft Village is the perfect place to visit for a great day out for all the family. Just off J16 of M4, open 7 days a week, free parking for customers, with both a Garden Restaurant and Butterfly Café where you can enjoy freshly prepared dishes, snacks and cakes. www.studleygrange.co.uk Tel; 01793 852 400
Ease the pressure on pets during the firework season Firework season now stretches months rather than days and can be a scary time for pets. Unfortunately, there is no quick fix for noise phobia instead creating a desensitisation plan which is carried out over a longer period is the best way to help them combat their fear. But for those pets who become anxious and worried when hearing fireworks here are a few things that may help in the meantime; Planning ahead is key (we know it’s not always possible with fireworks on general sale!) but it's important to keep calm and where possible maintain a routine. One of the most important things is to ensure your pet's microchip details are up to date. Keep pets indoors - Try to walk dogs before it gets dark or ensure they are
kept on a lead in case they are spooked - Try to allow cats out during the day and keep them in at night, providing extra litter trays where possible Provide a safe place ‘den’ - Create a safe place for your pet, this could be a crate with their bed in and a blanket covering the top, under a table with the sides covered or somewhere they have previously hidden (behind a sofa).
Allow them to come and go as they please. - For small furries, provide extra bedding for them to burrow or hide in Mask the sound - Keep the radio or TV on especially if pets are at home alone to try and muffle the sound of fireworks Stay calm and ignore the fireworks - One of the best things for you to do is ignore the fireworks and stay calm. Try
not to reassure your pet by cuddling or holding them as this can reinforce the fear. Where possible try to continue your routine as normal. Anti-anxiety products - The best option is to contact your vet. They will be able to recommend specially formulated natural products available to help reduce anxiety. Most of these can be purchased without the need for a vet examination. - Where required stronger medication can be prescribed by your vet after an examination. During October and November our nursing team are on hand offering free firework advice clinics and discounts on all calming products. Simply contact your nearest clinics or click online www.thameswoodvets.co.uk
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The Business Brief 'There’s been huge support' - vintage clothing store opens in Old Town By Claire Dukes claire@positive-media.co.uk
"There isn’t anything else like it" says the thrifty owner of a new vintage store which is open for business in Old Town. Ellen Wray, 27, has started a new business venture with the opening of Kapada Vintage in Old Town, Devizes Road. The shop, which opened last month, has moved into a unit formerly occupied by Blaylocks. Miss Wray says the vintage clothing store, which was originally set up as an online boutique in 2016, will offer shoppers in Swindon something very unique. "I’ve always wanted to open a shop," she said. "I feel like that’s always been at the back of my mind – and it was just finding the right unit and when this came up I thought, ‘This would be perfect’. It’s in an old building, so it’s got lots of character and I think that’s
what drew me to it. "There isn’t anything else like it [in Old Town] and I think it’s the same for Swindon. You go to other cities and there’s lots of cool independent shops but there isn’t any really here – or as many – for clothing." The Fashion (Design Technology) graduate says that since she announced she would be opening the store local businesses have been very supportive. She said: "There are so many other independent businesses here and just when I announced the opening loads messaged saying, ‘Good luck’ and ‘Let me know if you need anything’ – there’s been huge support which is really nice. I think it’s great that they’re all independent and not chains – it makes them a bit more special." Miss Wray says she has always been a lover of vintage fashion and believes in the
modern market there has been growing demand for second-hand clothing as an eco-friendly alternative which is more unique in style. "I think that’s always been my thing with wanting to sell vintage," she explained. "You get something that’s a lot better quality I think than on the high street, and probably cheaper than a lot of the high street shops. And I think it’s nice because it has a story and no one else is going to be wearing it. With vintage stuff that I’ve
worn people have always asked, ‘Where did you get that from?’ and it’s that typical response that, ‘It’s vintage’. “Hopefully it will entice more people to buy vintage and hopefully it will bring more people to Old Town and then they’ll explore all the other bars and restaurants. At the moment people will come here to drink but not necessarily think to go to Old Town to shop – hopefully now they will.” www.kapadavintage.co.uk 66 Devizes Road, Swindon
Business West Chambers of Commerce and the wider British Chambers Network have launched a new campaign to celebrate, support and develop the most important part of any business – its people. Business West and Chambers across the UK will be working with government, academics, business communities and employees, to make the UK a more productive, attractive and modern place to work – at a time of critical levels of skills shortages and weak productivity. Business West research shows that 40 percent of firms in the West of England have experienced difficulties finding the right person for the role. The skills shortages identified by Business West in the West of England risks putting a brake on business competitiveness, growth opportunities and productivity, so addressing the
issue is crucial. Spokesperson Phil Smith, Managing Director of Business West, said: “At the heart of every great business is great people. Finding, retaining and training talent is a core issue for firms of all sizes and sectors. Chambers understand how important it is for businesses to have access to a flexible and skilled talent pool, so getting the training and development system right in this country is absolutely crucial. “The Chamber Network is made up of a diverse and innovative collection of local businesses, and there are so many great career opportunities in the West of England. This campaign is all about bringing together business, government and employees to ensure local and national economies are attractive and productive places to work.”
Campaign launches to support U.S burger chain Five Guys to open in Swindon local business community By Claire Dukes claire@positive-media.co.uk
Swindon will soon be welcoming its first Five Guys to the Swindon Designer Outlet. The American burger chain has submitted an application to Swindon Borough Council’s planning department for permission to carry out necessary works to the restaurant - formerly occupied by Ed's Easy Diner. The application states: "Five Guys is the ingoing new tenant, and the submitted application proposals form the relevant works necessary to the restaurant unit and seating area to facilitate their occupation." Following the closure of Ed's Easy Diner earlier this month, it was broadly speculated that Five Guys would be moving in. Swindon Link was directed to the Swindon Designer Outlet's 20 swindonlink.com n November 2019 NW November artwork.indd 20
PR agency who said: "We can confirm that Ed’s Diner has permanently closed at McArthurGlen Designer Outlet Swindon, with immediate effect." No comment was offered to confirm whether or not Five Guys would be opening in the Outlet. www.mcarthurglen.com
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The Politics Page Support vulnerable families is a key focus of the council Protecting vulnerable children is one of the key focuses of the council and is an area that is close to the hearts of all councillors in our role as corporate parents. So I was delighted to find out recently that the council has been chosen as one of 15 areas across the country to take part in a government early intervention initiative, which aims to help vulnerable children and their parents to stay together at home and prevent children from being taken away from their birth families. It means we will receive a share of £84m in funding from the Government as we adopt
a ‘Family Safeguarding’ model that has successfully been introduced by Hertfordshire County Council. Hertfordshire’s model created teams of mental health practitioners, domestic abuse and substance abuse workers and adult and children’s social workers to work with families so that all of their needs are met. This also allows social workers to confidently identify where families can stay together in the home safely, without putting children or partners at risk. Hertfordshire significantly reduced the time children spent in care, saw a drop in hospital admissions for adults in the
family, as well as a fall in the number of cases allocated to the council’s safeguarding team. Our Children’s Services team will now work closely with Hertfordshire to improve outcomes for families and
children in Swindon. News of the successful bid came just two months after our Children’s Services department received an overall rating of ‘Good’ from Ofsted. This was a fantastic outcome as it was an improvement on our previous rating and a wonderful endorsement of the incredible amount of hard work that has taken place across the team, overseen by my cabinet colleague, Cllr Mary Martin. But we will not stop there as we are committed to improving our services even further for the vulnerable children in our care. Swindon Borough Council Leader David Renard
£60m council 'gamble' on Eastern Villages Infrastructure
At a time when Council services are declining and Council Tax is rising, Swindon’s Conservative administration have agreed to borrow £60m of Council-Taxpayers money to pay for new infrastructure as part of the Eastern Villages Development. The £60m borrowing is meant to enable road schemes like the new road connecting the Commonhead Roundabout with the Eastern Villages, as well as improved junctions at the White Hart Junction and the Covingham Drive-Dorcan Way Roundabout. In all previous housing
developments in Swindon, housebuilders who stand to gain profit from housing sales pay for the necessary infrastructure for their developments. However the Conservative administration have decided that Swindon
taxpayers pay for the infrastructure and hope the housebuilders pay the money back later. This decision will have massive implications on the Council’s budget with annual debt charges expected to increase by £12m by 2028/29. This is the equivalent of more than a 10% increase on residents’ Council Taxes. Given local services are being cut back and CouncilTaxes are increasing, Labour believe now is not the time for taxpayers to pay for things private housebuilders
usually pay for. The Conservatives are forcing Council-Taxpayers to take all of the risk of the Eastern Villages development, with housebuilders taking all the profit. We support building infrastructure early for the Eastern Villages. But the answer isn’t to saddle Swindon residents with £60m worth of debt, but to work with the housebuilders to get them to deliver the infrastructure early so that they are building desirable communities. Labour group leader Jim Grant
True grit! Council prepares to keep roads rolling this winter A team of eight drivers and gritting lorries are on standby should Swindon be hit by freezing temperatures over the coming months. More than 500 tonnes of salt has been delivered to the council’s Waterside depot in Cheney Manor Industrial Estate, taking the road salt stockpile to over 1,300 tonnes. The salt, which has been put aside by the council is enough to treat the town’s priority routes more than 50 times.
Additional salt is on provisional order should Swindon experience snow or prolonged cold spells with further stocks available should they be needed. Last year, the council treated the priority routes 28 times using approximately 950 tonnes of salt. The council’s gritting team will be on alert 24 hours a day to grit the priority routes, which cover 208 miles of the borough’s 520-mile road
network. They will also be on hand to plough the routes in the event of heavy snowfall. The council’s drivers have been out training over the past few weeks going over their routes and making sure they are as prepared as possible in the event of severe weather. The council has emergency planning procedures in place and staff in many service areas will also be placed on standby in the event of severe weather. Councillor Maureen Penny,
Swindon Borough Council’s Cabinet Member for Highways and the Environment, said: “Our gritting team have only just finished their winter training so are as prepared as they can be for any cold weather that might come our way in the months ahead. “Last year, they did a tremendous job keeping our priority routes clear and we will need them again this winter should the weather take a turn for the worse." swindonlink.com n November 2019
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Your essential guide to Bonfire Night Send us your amazing firework pictures! Email us via publisher@swindonlink.com
Fantastic Fireworks at Longleat
Light Up Lansdown
Calne Bonfire & Fireworks
When: Friday 1 November and Saturday 2 November, at 6.30pm
When: Friday 1 November from 5pm to 9pm
When: Friday 1 November from 6pm to 9pm
Address: Longleat, Warminster, Wiltshire, BA12 7NW
Address: Bath Racecourse, Lansdown, BA1 9BU
Address: Beversbrook Sports Facility, SN11 9FL
Tickets: Included with a Day Ticket
Tickets: £4 - £15
Tickets: £5 - £21
www.longleat.co.uk
www.bath-racecourse.co.uk
www.calne.gov.uk
Swindon Lions Club
Swindon Cricket Club
Lydiard Park
When: Saturday 2 November from 5pm to 7.30pm
When: Saturday 2 November from 5pm to 10pm
When: Saturday 2 November from 5pm
Address: Swindon Polo Grounds, Marlborough Rd, SN3 1NR
Address: Swindon Cricket Club, County Ground SN1 2EE
Address: Lydiard Tregoze, Swindon SN5 3PA
Tickets: £5.10 – £34.07
Tickets: £5
Tickets: £4 - £8
www.swindonlions.org
www.swindoncricketclub.co.uk
www.swindoncricketclub.co.uk
The Fox & Hounds
Red Oaks Primary School
Westlea Primary School
When: Sunday 3 November from 4pm to 9pm
When: Tuesday 5 November, from 5.30pm
When: Tuesday 5 November, from 5.30pm
Address: Markham Road, Wroughton, SN4 9JT
Address: Redhouse Way, Blunsdon St Andrew, SN25 2AN
Address: Langstone Way, SN5 7BT
Tickets: £5.98 – £24.30
Tickets: £3 - £5
Tickets: £4 - £18. All net proceeds go to Friends of Westlea Charity
www.foxandhoundswroughton.co.uk
www.redoaks.org
www.westleaprimary.co.uk
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Swindon Spotlight
YOUR GUIDE TO THE MONTHS AHEAD In the community
Book now... AWARD-WINNING COMEDIAN BRINGS NEW SHOW TO SWINDON
Nominated for Best Show at the Edinburgh Comedy Awards in 2017 and 2018, Ahir Shah is on tour again with his new stand-up show Dots. He'll be bringing his tour to Swindon Arts Centre Saturday 2 November. Featuring Shah’s signature blend of philosophical inquiry, personal examination, and sweet gags, Dots is a stand-up show about the necessity, utility, and absence of certainty. Topics include Mexico, culture, politics, cigarettes, depression, adulthood, funerals, religion, children, love, and dead German sociologists. It is considerably funnier than it sounds. As seen on Have I Got News For You, Live At The Apollo, and The Mash Report. For further information visit www.swindontheatres.com
THE MAGIC OF MOTOWN
Music fans are invited to the biggest party of the year. Prepare yourself for 40 backto-back classic Motown hits, glittering costume changes, dazzling dance moves and outstanding musicianship in this explosive concert at the Wyvern Theatre 15 Nov. Tickets £32.00 www.swindontheatres.com
PIZZA SHOP HEROES
The "deeply moving" Pizza Shop Heroes comes to Swindon Arts Centre 23 Nov. Newly awarded Theatre of Sanctuary status, this dynamic, emerging company stars four former child refugees from Afghanistan, Eritrea and Albania. Tickets from £5 - £11.50 www.swindontheatres.com
GETTING HARDCORE AT THE VICTORIA Palm Reader - one of the hottest bands on the UK's hardcore circuit today and fresh from 2000 Trees 2019 will be headlining The Victoria 29 November. Support comes from We Never Learned to Live and Homeland. Doors open at 8.30pm. Tickets from £7.50 www.thevicswindon.com
Venues
Arts Centre, Devizes Road SN1 4BJ. Tel: 01793 524481 www.swindontheatres.co.uk 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
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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 - www.swindontheatres.co.uk
l Competition: Win free tickets to Bowood House's Classic Ibiza in July 2020! To win two tickets to Classic Ibiza answer a question online and email your response to competitions@positive-media. co.uk. The competition runs from 22 November to 29 November. Keep your eyes peeled: to enter visit www.facebook.com/ SwindonLink l Arkell’s Outdoor Christmas Food & Craft Market will be returning for its fifth year Saturday 7 December from 10am to 3pm. The day will include Father Christmas and his Grotto, reindeer, mulled wines and Arkell’s own specially brewed seasonal Sir Noel Ale, Bratwurst, crepes, pizzas, hot chocolates and Bavarian band Oompah The Songbirds. Tickets £5. l Frames of Mind is a monthly exhibition hosted by Baristocats, offering a gridshaped display for each artist to submit a series of works. From 4 November to 30 November the cafe will be holding its third exhibition with local conceptual painter Beatrice Mar presenting her exhibit 'When sharks feed on sandcastles' and it will be all new works. l After securing airplay on BBC Wiltshire, Swindon fourpiece Daydream Runaways shine a spotlight on the closure of Swindon’s Honda factory and the shockwaves felt by their community with their latest single 'Closing the Line' released last month.
Confirm date, time & price with venue
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Swindon Town: 'Hopefully this is just a small blip for town' By Alfie Howlett publisher@swindonlink.com
Injuries and squad depth have cost Swindon in recent weeks and as a result their promoting push has slightly stalled. While there have been positives in recent weeks at SN1, there have also been some negatives involved in the equation. Swindon had a brilliant start to the season, however injuries have hindered Richie Wellens and his team's progress in the autumn period. The lowest point came on 28 September when Swindon took on Newport at the County Ground. Firstly Town captain Dion Conroy was badly injured early on in a 50\50 challenge. This left a massive hole in Town's defence and to make it worse Conroy is unexpected to be able to feature for the rest of the season. This is a massive blow for Town as Conroy was our best
ball playing centre back and was key to our system. Also during that game Swindon's cracks began to appear. Most notably the lack of physicality from some of the players. As a result Town fell tamely to a 2-0 defeat. This should be a concern for manager Richie Wellens as his team will require a physical edge to their play if they're to succeed in League Two. If teams ruffle Swindon's feathers by being physical (the majority do) Swindon struggle to play with their usual free attacking play. Therefore they shall have to think of a plan b for when these scenarios occur to make sure they can maybe nick a draw when they are having an off day. Injuries have mainly hit our defence with full back Rob Hunt being the only regular feature in the Town back line. However free agent Gabriel Zakuani has slotted into the
Swindon defence with ease. Zakuani was released from Gillingham last season and the 33 year old veteran has given Swindon a different edge when it comes to their defending. Zakuani is a typical no nonsense old school defender. He wins aerial duels and if the ball requires being booted into row z he shall do it. This has come as a boost for Town as they have lacked a defender with the qualities of Zakuani in recent seasons. Zakuani could be key this season with his know how and depth of experience. In my opinion holding midfielder Anthony Grant has been Swindon's best player in recent weeks. Grant, who's on loan from Shrewsbury, has become a fans' favourite with his tough tackling and his simplicity in possession. Grant has given Swindon an extra dimension in midfield and definitely made
Swindon better defensively. However the main talking point in recent weeks has been Swindon's bench. Swindon have had to look for cover in the free agent market as their bench is not strong enough. For example, centre back Tom Broadbent should be playing for Swindon however he is always warming the bench. Richie Wellens has put this down to a lack of confidence however Broadbent will never gain confidence if he doesn't play. The difference between the bench and the first team is too big to be honest and having a good bench is key for a good season. Due to the lack of firepower on the bench Swindon's first eleven never get a rest so hence the amount of injuries. Hopefully this is just a small blip for Swindon. They say the test of true champions is how they respond.
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It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas Christmas a less than a month away, and we're at the tail end of 2019. This festive season we've already got some family-friendly events on the horizon to get you into the Christmas spirit.
Santa's Grotto
Festival of Christmas Eating, drinking and panto stars
Meet Santa and his elves!
With JLS's Aston Merrygold
When: 9 November - 24 December
When: 16 November from 5pm - 6pm
Where: Upper level of The Plaza, The Brunel
Where: Wharf Green with special guests
Where: Swindon town centre
www.thebrunel.co.uk
www.swindontowncentre.co.uk
www.swindontowncentre.co.uk
Prospect Hospice Gift Wrap
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Big-Light Switch On
Threshold's Big SleepOut
When: 16 November - 31 December
Christmas Pantomime
Expert wrapping for a donation to a good cause
Threshold Housing Link's annual charity sleep out
Sleeping Beauty at the Wyvern Theatre with Michelle Collins and Christ Jarvis
When: From 30 November
When: 6 - 7 December from 8pm - 7.30am
When: 7 December - 5 January
Where: Lower level of The Plaza, The Brunel
Where: Supermarine Sports Club
Where: Wyvern Theatre
www.thebrunel.co.uk
www.thl.org.uk
www.swindontheatres.co.uk
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A poetry column by Maurice Spillane I wrote in a recent article that my friend, Paul Waites, composed a poem for my birthday. I said it was so good I entered it into a competition. He didn’t win but poetry judging is obtuse – and I’m a bad loser! I asked him how long it took to write. “Not long,” he replied, “but months to compose in my head.” Poets shouldn’t be allowed to drive cars or operate machinery. Their heads get scrambled when they’re composing. What I love about Paul’s poem is that it races, an outpouring while running around a supermarket, observing, judgemental. The full poem is on my web page. Here are a few disjointed lines from “Y’re Mans for Tea”: So, we’ll start at the beginning, the starter. Scallops or Asparagus, Asparagus or Scallops? Push the boat out? Nautical it is.
‘Excuse me, scallops? Aisle 29? No, that’s fine – I’ll find it’ ‘Cracked, black peppered, Bulgarian crab claws? Certainly madam, Aisle 23’ Right. On. On. Scallops. Scallops. Scallops. Remember our fate. Two old men, lemon sherbet smiles, observing the world as it passes by ‘Jesus, will you look at the size of the arse on that!’ ‘Look at it? I’m feckin’ orbiting around it’ Right. On. On. Scallops. Scallops. Scallops. If Paul could knock out a poem for my next few birthdays he’d have a cracking book before we pop our clogs. This month in Swindon: • Reading Group – Monday 4 November, 7-9pm Richard Jefferies Museum • Beehive Pub – Tuesday 12 November, 7.30pm • Open Mic – Monday 18 November, 7.30pm Regent Hotel, Victoria Road www.mauricespillane.com
MONDAYS 5.30pm & 7.30pm Tadpole Farm School, Greene Street, Tadpole Garden Village, Swindon SN25 2QS - Lisa L 07414 540866 TUESDAYS 6.30pm Abbey Meads Community School, Hugo Drive, Abbey Meads SN25 4G - Carrieanne 07864 839820 TUESDAYS 7.30pm Westlea Primary School, Langstone Way, Westlea SN5 7BT - Gill 07707 031305 WEDNESDAYS 5.30pm & 7.30pm St Francis School, Aiken Way, Taw Hill SN25 1UH - Heather Z 07816 860840 WEDNESDAYS 7.30pm Freshbrook Community Centre, Worsley Road, Freshbrook SN5 8LY - Louise 07784 098022 THURSDAYS 9.30am, 11.30am, 5.30pm & 7.30pm St Johns Church, Thames Avenue, Haydon Wick SN25 1QQ - Sharon 07841 119082 FRIDAYS 9.30am & 11.30am Redhouse Community Centre, Frankel Avenue SN25 2NJ - Heather Z 07816 860840 SATURDAYS 8am, 10am & 12 noon Freshbrook Community Centre, Worsley Road, Freshbrook SN5 8LY - Louise 07784 098022
Terms and conditions apply: visit better.org.uk/terms for details. Better is a registered trademark and trading name of GLL (Greenwich Leisure Limited), a charitable social enterprise and registered society under the Co-operative & Community Benefit & Societies Act 2014 registration no. 27793R. Registered office: Middlegate House, The Royal Arsenal, London SE18 6SX Inland Revenue Charity no. XR43398
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Swindon Lives WITH: Maria Hopkins
In her own words, domestic abuse survivor Maria Hopkins shares her harrowing experience of domestic violence to raise awareness and encourage victims to seek help.
My name's Maria, I’m 23 and I live in Swindon with my two young children. When I was 15 and in year 10 at school, I met a boy called Ricky. We were good friends at first and a few months later it became more of a relationship. We got on well and it was fine, he was just how you would expect a boyfriend to be, considerate and thoughtful. I had no concerns. In 2014, I gave birth to our daughter. About a year later, I noticed his behaviour started to slip. He wasn’t violent and he didn’t smoke, drink or take drugs, and we didn’t argue, but his tone towards me in everyday conversations started to change. He almost had to have a say on everything and became really jealous. In 2016, we had our son, but Ricky’s behaviour went rapidly downhill the following year. When our daughter was born he was really excited, like a typical doting dad. But he was different this time. The only way I can describe it is like a switch had been flicked. The first time he hit me I was really shocked, I never expected that from him. Over time, I became accustomed to it, it almost became normal life to me. On July 15 this year, long after we had split up, Ricky turned up unannounced at my house. He thought I had a new boyfriend and asked to see my phone, but I refused. He became aggressive so I locked him out the house. But he kicked the door in and attacked me, smashing my head against the TV unit so hard it left a dent in the wood. 28
He then stamped on my head several times before taking my sister’s phone from her so she couldn’t call the police. I was unconscious so I can’t remember exactly what happened but my sister managed to get outside and call for help. I ended up in John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford with a broken jaw and a fractured spine. I had to have multiple operations following the attack which included having a permanent metal plate fitted to my jaw. I could only eat with a syringe for weeks after and my jaw will never be straight again. I never really felt
done. When the Judge was reading out details of the surgery I had required, Ricky looked proud that someone had needed surgery as a result of his actions, and proud of the damage he had caused. That was when the anger set in and the realisation that he, of all people, had done that to me. I wanted to go to court because I wanted closure. When he was given his prison sentence, and he walked out of the court, that was it. It was all over and I
angry towards Ricky about what happened because I was just so focused on recovering from the surgery that I hadn’t given him a second thought. The next time I saw him was when I went to court to see him sentenced. That is the first time I felt angry towards him because he was smirking and he almost looked proud of what he had
could focus on moving on. I’m now in a new relationship which I never thought would happen. If you told me I would meet someone while I was in my hospital bed I would have laughed. What I have been through has definitely affected me, it’s made me more wary, and I worry a lot about how things I say and do are
perceived. I’ve spoken to my daughter about what has happened. She is young but she understands. I was advised to talk to her, because the last thing I would want is for her to find out about her daddy from someone at school. My son is too young but I will speak to him when he gets a bit older. I don’t want them to grow up with the burden on their shoulders of who their dad is and what he has done to their mum. If they can be told at a young age, they can start to process it and understand that it’s not who they are and his actions do not define them. I know that so many people think it is impossible to escape an abusive relationship, especially those who have children, but it is so important to prioritise their wellbeing as well as your own. The police have been so helpful to me, the Detective Constable assigned to my case has kept me well informed throughout the whole court process, which has been really helpful. I’d urge anyone to report information to the police if they are in an abusive relationship. I also want to point out that anyone could find themselves in an abusive relationship. Domestic abuse does not have a particular ‘look’. It can happen to any relationship behind closed doors, so it’s especially important for everyone to be vigilant and look out for friends and family. It is a huge thing for me to tell my story – if I can help one other person in a similar position to me then it will be worth it.
Maria Hopkins. *Ricky Wilding was sentenced on September 12 to six years and eight months imprisonment after pleading guilty to GBH
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There's no reason to ditch the bike, just because it's raining!
By Becky Cox: Swindon Cycle Campaign “There’s no such thing as bad weather, only unsuitable clothing.”
So, the colder and darker months are settling in now, but that’s no reason to put your bike away. Here’s why I enjoy cycling in the winter: It’s a great chance to warm up on cold mornings without
getting sweaty (unlike in the warmer months) Getting to work feeling invigorated and ready for the day (Mondays excluded - I don’t think it’s possible to feel like this on a Monday) I don’t need to get up early to de-ice the car When it’s raining it feels particularly satisfying cycling past queues of static traffic I like wrapping up all snug and warm in big jackets, scarfs
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and gloves I enjoy eating chocolate and cycling makes me feel less guilty about eating excess amounts Yes, you might need a few extra items but the nights drawing in shouldn’t be a reason to stop cycling. To get set for winter, the key items you’ll need for your bike are a good set of mudguards (unless you particularly enjoy getting skid marks up your bum and grit in your eyes) and a good set of front and rear lights. Having some wide-ish tyres with a good amount of grip and puncture resistance is always useful too; be extra careful at this time of year on drain covers, tactile paving and leafy surfaces, as my husband discovered recently in a rather painful way. I tend to cycle year-round in my work clothes and it’s rare that I need to bring a change with me, other than in the occasional monsoon-like
downpour (which is surprisingly rare). Basically, you need a decent waterproof jacket and some waterproof trousers. I just use my normal walking jacket and £10 waterproof trousers I picked up a few years ago. It’s good if the jacket is a bright colour but it’s up to you whether you want to join the ‘hi-viz’ brigade… I tend to find it’s more about cycling in a prominent position and ensuring your bike is lit well; a careless driver will claim they didn’t see you even if you are wearing hiviz from head to toe and lit up like a Christmas tree. A pair of gloves will also help keep the wind chill off. I’ll leave tips for riding on frostier days for a later column, as mostly it’s just the darkness and occasional shower to tackle for now. So why not give it a go this winter? Ward off those extra winter pounds, and remember, you don’t need to commit to cycling every day, unless you really want to of course! Happy winter cycling!
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Swindon and Cricklade Railway to raise £100,000 for renovations on new phase of their train line
By Tyler Ody reporter@positive-media.co.uk
Swindon and Cricklade are proud to announce their 'Return to Cricklade' appeal. Currently the Swindon and Cricklade Railway terminates just over one mile from the outskirts of Cricklade and the plan is to join the railway to the town. There will be 4 phases in total including new bridges, culverts, crossings and repairs.
In phase One they aim to lay 600 yards of track up to Farfield Lane cutting. The renovations are to lay a new track at North Meadow Crossing. The restorations for phase one will cost £100.000 to be used for the following: - Base Ballast - £70,000 - Boundary Fencing £10,000 - Lineside Clearance and Drainage - £15,000 - Trackbed preparation and
grading - £5,000 A tonne of ballast will cost them £25, so every donation large or small will help them lay another yard of track. The Swindon & Cricklade Railway currently offers a round-trip passenger journey of approximately four and a half miles. Trains run between Hayes Knoll and Taw Valley Halt, accessible from Mouldon Hill Country Park. The Swindon and Cricklade Railway are looking for
donations and there are 4 ways to donate. 1) Via the "BigGive" www. thebiggive.org.uk/s/campaign 2) Use an appeal envelope found on site at the Railway. 3) Make a one off donation to our bank account. 4) Become a regular supporter of the campaign and have your name immortalised on a plaque to be installed at Cricklade Station. For more information visit swindon-cricklade-railway.org
About the Swindon and Cricklade Railway The Swindon & Cricklade Railway is a heritage railway, that operates on a short section of the old Midland and South Western Junction Railway line between Swindon and Cricklade. The Swindon & Cricklade Railway Preservation Society was formed by a group of enthusiasts in November 1978 to reconstruct and preserve a section of the Midland & South Western Junction Railway that ran from Andover, Hampshire, to Cheltenham, Gloucestershire.
The volunteer-operated railway has reopened three stations: Hayes Knoll, Taw Valley Halt and Blunsdon, the headquarters of the line. Hayes Knoll features a restored signalbox that is operational during special events and a running/ restoration shed. The length of the restored line is a little under 2.5 miles (4.0 km). The line extends north to South Meadow Lane (a few hundred yards from the site of a proposed Farfield Lane halt) near Cricklade, and
south to Taw Valley Halt on the outskirts of Swindon, near Mouldon Hill Country Park. A
southern terminus, Mouldon Hill, is proposed within the park. swindonlink.com n November 2019
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INTERVIEW: In conversation with comedian Ed Byrnes ahead of his Swindon show By Jason Barlow publisher@swindonlink.com
A household name teetering on the brink of national treasure status, award-winning comedian Ed Byrne enjoys worldwide acclaim for his stand-up. With 25 years under his belt, Ed has parlayed his on-stage success into a variety of notable television appearances. A regular on Mock The Week and The Graham Norton Show, Ed has recently co-presented Dara & Ed’s Big Adventure and its follow-up Dara & Ed’s Road To Mandalay, and managed not to disgrace himself on Top Gear or whilst tackling one of The World’s Most Dangerous Roads. As a semi-professional hill-walker himself and fully paid-up humanist, he also brought a refreshing warmth and honesty to BBC2’s recent hit The Pilgrimage. But the Irishman is still bestknown and best appreciated for his stand-up performances. A quarter of a century at the comedic coal-face has equipped Ed with a highly evolved story-telling ability and a silky mastery of his craft. Yet his wit, charm and self-deprecatory observational humour is often underpinned by a consistently hilarious vitriol and sense of injustice at a world that seems to be spinning ever more rapidly out of control. Having recently hit a new peak with shows such as the sublime Spoiler Alert and reflective Outside, Looking In, which explored the minefield that is modern parenting and a generational sense of entitlement, Ed’s new show If I’m Honest digs ever deeper into a father’s sense of responsibility, what it means to be a man in 2019, and whether he possesses any qualities whatsoever worth passing on to his two sons. 32
Occasionally accused of whimsy, If I’m Honest is a show with a seriously steely core. Gender politics, for example, is something Ed readily engages with – deploying his customary comedic zeal. ‘I’ll admit that there are things where men get a raw deal,’ he says. ‘We have higher suicide rates, and we tend not to do well in divorces, but representation in action movies is not something we have an issue with. It was Mad Max: Fury Road that kicked it all off, even though nobody complained about Ripley in Alien or Sarah Connor in Terminator 2. Of course, social media means this stuff gets broadcast far and wide in an instant, which emboldens people. ‘The problem with men’s rights activists is that it’s not about speaking up for men’s rights, it’s about hating women. If you’re a men’s rights activist, you’re not going to care about the fact that there’s an all-female Ghostbusters remake. That’s nothing to do with men’s rights or female entitlement. That’s everything to do with being, well, a whiny baby.’ As ever, Ed manages to provoke without being overly polemical, a balancing act that only someone of his huge experience can really pull off. ‘I did stuff about Trump and the Pizzagate right wing conspiracy,’ he says, ‘and a couple of the reviewers said, “Oh, I would have liked to have watched a whole show of this”. And I think, ‘well you might have, but the average person who comes to see me would not like to see that’. I like to make a point or get something off my chest, or perhaps I’m talking about something that’s been on my mind, but the majority of stuff is just to get laughs. ‘People who come to see me are not political activists necessarily, they’re regular folk. If you can make a point
to them, in between talking about your struggles with aging, or discussing your hernia operation or whatever it is, you can toss in something that does give people pause as regards to how men should share the household chores.’ He continues, ‘It’s not that I feel a responsibility, I think it just feels more satisfying when you’re doing it, and it feels more satisfying when people hear it. When a joke makes a good point, I think people enjoy it. It’s the difference between having a steak and eating a chocolate bar.’ Ed, who broke through in the mid-1990s when the New Lad became a genuine cultural phenomenon, doesn’t want to submit to any unnecessary revisionism, but admits that if the times have changed, he has changed with them. He reflects a little ruefully on one of his most famous jokes. ‘There’s an attitude towards Alanis Morrisette in the opening of that routine that I’m no longer comfortable with, where I call her a moaning cow and a whiny bint… slagging off the lyrics of the song is fine, but there’s a tone in the preamble that I wouldn’t write today.’ The new show also takes his natural tendency towards self-deprecation to unexpected extremes. ‘I do genuinely annoy myself,’ Ed concedes. ‘But the thing of your children being a reflection of you, gives you an opportunity to build something out of the best of yourself only for you to then see flashes of the worst of yourself in them. It’s a wake-up call about your own behaviour.’ When I challenge him over the degree of self-loathing he displays, he disagrees. ‘Self-aggrandising humour is a lot harder to pull off than self-deprecating humour,’ he insists. ‘A lot of people get really annoyed when Ricky Gervais is self-congratulatory. I always find it very funny when
he accepts awards and does so in the most big-headed way possible. I think it’s a trickier type of humour to pull off, talking yourself up in that way. ‘So no, I don’t think I’m being massively hard on myself. The fact is when you’re the bloke who is standing on the stage with the microphone, commanding an audience’s attention, you’re in a very elevated position anyway.’ That said, If I’m Honest brilliantly elucidates the frustration that arrives in middle age – and lives up to its title. ‘I’m bored looking for things, I’m bored of trying to find stuff, because I can never find it, and it is entirely my fault,’ Ed says. ‘Nobody’s hiding my stuff from me. Although my wife did actually move my passport on one occasion’. He insists that, while the show might have mordant and occasionally morbid aspects, it’s also not without its quietly triumphant moments. ‘I thought I was being quite upbeat talking about the small victories,’ he says. ‘You know, finding positivity in being able to spot when a cramp was about to happen in your leg and dealing with it before it does. I was very happy with myself about that.’ Ed Byrne brings his latest show If I'm Honest to the Wyvern Theatre 13 March. www.swindontheatres.co.uk
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SERVICE SECTOR
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SERVICE SECTOR
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www.grangekitchens.co.uk
rat
Tel: 01793 848405 or 07793 932481
For professional, reliable and friendly service call
eco
• Complimentary full CAD design service
&D
• Competitive prices
ter
• All makes of appliances
40 years experience No VAT Free estimates
ain
• High class painting and decorating •30 years experience •Competitive rates •Interior & exterior •References available •Reliable friendly service, all work undertaken
Quality painting and decorating at an affordable price
EP
• Complete installation or supply only
DECORATOR
ID
• Extensive range of styles
DECORATOR INSIDE AND OUT
PR
Grange Kitchens
Call 01793 334823 or 07788 572043
PLANS DRAWN Loft conversion & extension specialist. Complete house design and commercial work undertaken. From initial concept to full working drawings my service includes: • written specifications; • contractor tender documents; • all forms and paperwork carried out; • liaison with relevant authorities; • Party Wall Act paperwork and advice given. 7 DAY DESIGN SERVICE for most domestic work Established 1980. All areas covered
Call Bob on 07778 324228
RJ PeaRce Plumbing & Heating ltd Over 20 years experience in plumbing & heating work
• Central heating 188262
• Bathrooms & showers • Competitive rates
10 YEAR GUARANTEE (subject to survey)
on Worcester Bosch Ri Si and Cdi boilers
• All work guaranteed • No job too small
Accredited Installer
For further details call Richard on 01793 870472 or 07747 723606 36
203455
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SERVICE SECTOR
PLUMBING AND GAS SERVICES, REMOVALS, ROOFING SERVICES, TILING, WASTE REMOVAL, WINDOWS
Haydon Wick Heating Services
All heating and plumbing works undertaken • Full central heating systems • Boiler changes / services and repairs • Power flushing • Full bathroom / ensuite installations • General plumbing works • Free quotes and realistic prices
Tel: 01793 748333 Mob: 07733897039
hwheating@googlemail.com
Semi-retired Plumber
Plumbing & Heating
❉ Quality bathroom suites fitted - tiling, electrics, flooring, all taken care of ❉ All types of plumbing undertaken - leaking taps, pumps, tanks, burst pipes, machines installed 302877 Free estimates
01793 288772 07748 964433
SURESTOP SWITCH installed for hard to get at or seized stop cock
• Disabled extra high toilets fitted • Leaks & burst pipes • Blocked drains, sinks & toilets • Immersions & hot water cylinders • Tap washers & ball valves • Dishwashers & washing machines plumbed in
Approved Plumber
Tel: 01793 324116 Mob: 07788 621772
mjplumbing64@gmail.com
J&R Plumbing 217129
24 YEARS EXPERIENCE Installation & Servicing NG & LPG ✓ Boiler & System Upgrades ✓ Breakdown & Maintenance ✓ Bathrooms, Showers & Wet Rooms ✓ Power Flushing / Descaling ✓ For ALL your plumbing, heating & gas requirements call Assured on
07845 90 80 60 or 01793 700 820
www.assured-plumbing.co.uk
Providing plumbing services to clients throughout Swindon 35 years experience Friendly, reliable service 24/7 call out service Tel: 01793 938362 Mobile: 07813 950899
WHITE VAN MAN SINGLE ITEMS MOVED ANYWHERE IN SWINDON FOR ONLY £35 • • • • •
Full house removal House clearance Disposal of unwanted items Any distance long/short Fully insured
NEW: Licensed to remove fridges
Call for a FREE quote Mobile: 07796 236436
• Felt Roofing • Liquid Plastics • Single-Ply • Slate and Tiling • Fascias and Guttering • General Repairs • Free Estimates Over 40 years experience in the industry
Call Nick on 07973 872266
GILES BROS FLOOR & WALL TILING SPECIALISTS Free Quotes Call Lee on 0771 8102 921 Call Mike on 0778 8444 084 or 01793 520526 Find us on Facebook swindonlink.com n November 2019
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14
13
10
20 Good; 24 Very Good; 28 Excellent.
13
Any word found in the Concise Oxford Dictionary is eligible with the following exceptions: proper nouns; plural nouns, pronouns and possessives; third person singular verbs; hyphenated words; contractions and abbreviations; vulgar slang words; variant spellings of the same word (where another variant is also eligible).
15
17
18 19
21
19 23
20 22
23
25
27
26
24
28
30
25
DOWN 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 10. 11. 12. 14. 15. 17. 20. 24. 25. 26. 29.
Tardy person (9) Hit high (3) Easy pace (7) Wind instrumentalist (5) Deep cut (4) Swampy ground (3) Spouse (4) Give fresh life to (5) Oriental vessel (6) Annoyed constantly (6) Scrub (5) Fairground attraction (4) Belonging to a man (3) Maple tree (4) Hickory nut (5) Irreverent (7) Barrier (3) Carriage (9)
E
I
N
There is just one simple rule in Sudoku. Each row and each column must contain the numbers 1 to 9, and so must each 3 x 3 box. This is a logic puzzle, you should not have to guess.
5 9
31
1. 6. 8. 9. 10. 11. 13. 14. 16. 18. 19. 21. 22. 23. 27. 28. 30. 31.
A G O
SUDOKU
24
29
ACROSS
C A M
Boy (3) Iberian river (5) Restraint (4) Movement (6) Oil-yielding plant (4) Peewit (7) Drinks server (9) Mollusc (9) Long seat (5) Biological group (5) Abyssinian prince (3) Conflict (3) Small quantity (7) Lubricating (6) Scottish farm (5) Understood (4) Rotate (4) Prosecute (3)
1 9 6 4
7 6 3
6 2 7 2 1 5 4 6 8 1 7 2 9 2 7 8 3 6 9 4 8 8 5 1 9 6 2 5
SOLUTIONS
Bench; 12 Genus; QUICK 14 Ras; 15 War; 17 CROSSWORD Across – 1 Latecomer; Modicum; 20 Oiling; 24 Croft; 25 Knew; 26 6 Lob; 8 Dogtrot; 9 Spin; 29 Sue. Piper; 10 Gash; 11 Bog; 13 Wife; 14 NONAGRAM Renew; 16 Sampan; again; agamic; agin; 18 Nagged; 19 Scour; agio; agma; amigo; 21 Ride; 22 His; 23 among; angioma; Acer; 27 Pecan; 28 cage; coaming; coign; Impious; 30 Dam; 31 coinage; coming; Wagonette. conga; egomania; EGOMANIAC; Down – 1 Lad; 2 enigma; gain; game; Tagus; 3 Curb; 4 gamin; gamine; Motion; 5 Rape; 6 Lapwing; 7 Bartender; gean; genic; genoa; genomic; gnome; 10 Gastropod; 11 gnomic; gone; image; imago; mage; magic; manage; manga; mange; mango; mega; naga; ngaio; omega.
12
MAGIC SQUARE clap; lice; acer; pert.
11
Using all 16 letters of the phrase above, form four words each of four letters which, when placed correctly in the grid, will form a magic square in which the words can be read both horizontally and vertically.
9 2 7 3 4 1 8 6 5
11
A CLERICAL PRECEPT
1 6 4 8 9 5 7 3 2
10
MAGIC SQUARE
How many words of four letters or more can you make from this Nonagram? Each word must use the central letter, and each letter may be used only once. At least one word using all nine letters can be found. Target scores:
8 5 3 7 2 6 4 9 1
7
9
9
16
6
3 8 5 6 7 2 9 1 4
8
NONAGRAM 5
6 1 9 4 8 3 2 5 7
5
7 4 2 5 1 9 6 8 3
4
4 7 6 1 5 8 3 2 9
3
5 9 8 2 3 7 1 4 6
2
2 3 1 9 6 4 5 7 8
QUICK CROSSWORD 1
Valuation Day opportunity with Thomas Forrester TV expert on Flog It! The Antiques Road Trip & Bargain Hunt
Bring along your Antiques & Jewellery for a FREE valuation with Thomas, OR members of his team from Special Auction Services
Monday 11th November 10am to 3.30pm
Jury’s Inn, Fleming Way, Swindon SN1 2NG Valuations are by appointment only To arrange a time, please call 01635 580595 or contact us via the website
www.specialauctionservices.com
Special Auction Services 38
swindonlink.com n November 2019
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Earthworm Recording Studio's Jon Buckett - photograph by Jennifer Berry
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