west Swindon's
Magazine
EXPRESS CYCLE SPECIALIST
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INK No. 114 September 1991 . Circulation 10,500
96 - 99 Manchester Road, Swindon
(0793) 534907 & 513705
Cutting edge fire crew celebrates first year A year after moving into their new home a team from Westlea fire station have acheived second place in a national competition to test how well fire crews remove casualties from road accidents. Competing in the National Extrication Championships over the Bank Holiday weekend, Westlea competed against brigade finalists fromall over the country and were pipped for first position by colleagues from Trowbridge station. Each team had 20 minutes to show their skills in extricating a live casualty from simulated road accident. Team leader Sub-Officer Pete Townsend said the station was delighted by their performance. "We're very pleased to have taken such a good placing at our first attemptagainst experienced crews. We're really fired up to come out on top next year. And for Wiltshire to sweep the board is amazing. The winners get the chance to go to North America to compete in the world championships.
Have a FREE glass of wine! Link Magazine readers are offered a FREE glass of wine by West Swindon's Hotel Ibis Turn to page 18 for details
Green map soon Cup winners, from left, Fireman Steve Hartree, Leading Fireman Clive Hawes, Sub-Officer Pete Townsend, Firemen Jefferies and Baldwin
Pete put the result down to the nications, Bridgewater Windintroduction of new extrication sLIns, Turner Metal Fabricators techniques, forward thinking corn- and Hammal Joinery. mand and control, and good aware- • On page 7, meet a young man ness of casualty condition, who helped the Westlea fire He said that the team trained by crews during their training. • The Link magazine celebrates cutting up 50 cars, compliments of Cooper Metals. Help had also been Westlea fire station's first birthreceived from Motorola Commuday on page 24.
Our request for help with the publication of a 'green map' showing the open spaces, footways and cycle routes around the area brought forward some helpful suggestions from readers. The map will be published next month and will include information on recycling points in Swindon. Any further ideas should be sent to Bob Pixton on 695317
More vandalism warning if graffiti wall is not rebuilt Graffiti is starting to spread around WestSwindon because graffiti artists are fast losing an official site for theirwork, according toMikeSmith from Shaw. Two large walls were built at either end of the Link Centre coach park six years ago and have doubled up as goals for football and rollerhockey, and as outdoor show cases for colourful works by local youngsters interested in developing their street art skills. One of the walls was rebuilt two years ago but vandals have continued to damage them and both are now in a poor condition. This means that there is less space for graffiti artists to show off their work, and some are starting to spray paint in other places because they will last longer. "People were sticking to the walls at the coach park, but now that one has been broken down you can see
Nowhere offical to spray for Mike Smith
graffiti spreading out," said Mike, a flfthyearstudentatCommonweal School. "Before the walls were damaged you had the chance of seeing your work for a month. Now, its only a few days before it's
painted over by somebody else." Mike started graffiti art three years ago, inspired by the fashion and the publicity it received at the time. He plans out his work on paper and takes between twenty to
sixty minutes to spray his design. He always records his work with a photograph. For some, graffiti painting is art, for others it's vandalism. Mike said that serious graffiti painters want to see their work appreciated and don't go around spraying bus shelters. However they are becoming frustrated by the lack of official surfaces on which they can paint. "1 can't understand why the council doesn't repair the walls. You can see more graffiti in the wrong places and it'll get worse." A spokeswoman for Thamesdown Council said the problem would be investigated. • Mike is keen to take oncommissions and would like to hear from any companies with a blank wall or temporary surface which they might like brightening up with a jazzy design. He can be contacted via The Link.
Palace visit for Taylor family "Just to let you know about the diet. I've lost pounds!" '7said you could do it with the help of a Cambridge Counsellor."
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A local sports shop owner presented himself to the Queen at the end of July to receive a personal honour. Tom Taylor, fromSelby Crescent, Freshbrook, a partner in Westside Sports at Shaw Village Centre, served with the Queen's Flight for seven and half years. He retired from the Royal Air Force on 17June, the same day as he was named in the Queen's Birthday Honours List to receive the Royal Victorian Medal. The medal is a personal gift from the monarch to those who have served in the Royal household. He was responsible for organising the servicing and maintenance for the three aircraft and two helicopters in the flight.
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Health rules The arrival of a large drinks machine at WestSwindon's new health centre on22 August caused consternation and protest amongst the staff. None of the workers could believe that their dedication to encouraging people to follow a healthy life style through good eating and exercise was going to be undermined by the attractions of sweet, fizzy drinks advertised in huge letters on the side of the bright red box in the hallway. Health visitor manager Jenny Jardine said the arrival of the drinks dispenser was a complete surprise. "We just couldn't believe that it had been ordered and covered it up with blankets. We're a health centre advocating a healthy diet. The sugar content in fizzy drinks make them probably the worst cause of dental caries." She added that the staff objected to free advertising for a huge commercial organisation in a National Health Services facility.
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The investiture at Buckingham Palace on 30 July was a wonderful occasion said Tom. "Her Majesty thanked me for my service and expressed pleasure in presenting the medal." Tom also has a video and photographs taken at the presentation to remind him of the day the Queen honoured him.
Copy date for the October edition: 15th of September
The Link was first published in December 1978 exclusively for the West Swindon community. It is completely independent of Link Centre and, in fact, won the competition to name the leisure centre in 1984. The magazine is entirely self-supporting from advertising."
Contents 4 Toothill 6 Freshbrook & Grange Park 7 Westlea 8 Shaw 10 Local Lives 12- 13 Recreation 14 Arts Scene 15 At Your Library 16 - 22 News and Views 23 Green Tendencies 24 - 25 News and Views 26 Letters & Small Ads.
The October edition will be published on 3 October The contents of The Link are protected by copywright. Copying of advertisements for business use, including publication is forbidden unless advertisers or publishers have sought permission. Articles and photographs require similar authority.
3
Another useful publication Later inSeptember The Link launches Swindon Wide, a sister publication aimed at helpingpeopleacross Swindon find out what is going on in the town and further afield. At present there is nothing available which brings together information on theatre, entertainment, music and sport and events - in one place and in advance Published monthly, Swindon Wide will be essential reading for residents and the increasing number of people visiting the area who need an easy to read and comprehensive listing of events and activities.
The guide will be available at libraries, theatres, sports centres, hotels and restaurants, and by post through subscription. We're confident that Swindon Wide will satisfy a demand in the town for comprehensive and well presented information. After all, there's nothing like it. For details on how to receive your personal copy of SwindonWide every month, call 872282. AdvertisinginSwindon Wide will be very effective. The cost is modest and to find out more, telephone 871793.
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Jazzin' Around Lydiard Bound in aid of Barnados Next month on Friday 18 October at 8.30pm, local celebrity Pete Allen from Shaw swings into action at the Lydiard Millicent Parish Hall with his band of professional talented and respected traditional jazz musicians. The date is part of a nationwide theatre tour, but slots in nicely en mutebetweenYorkshireand Devon. Pete's guest on the evening will be the 'charm and star quality' of Clinton Ford who will be singing many of his chart successes, such as 'Fanlight Fanny'. ThePeteAllenJazz Band is one of the busiest bands performing in the U.K. today and probably the most played jazz band on radio. Last month the Band was also featured in its own series for HTV called 'Jazzin' Around' filmed at Swindon's Wyvern Theatre. Pete has also been described as 'Great Britain's most exciting clarinet player'. Tickets for the evening are obviously limited and cost £7.50 which
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Link Centre Charity Market Saturday 21 September
Bargains galore at the stalls arranged by a variety of community groups atthe monthly charity market. To book a stall, telephone the Link Centre on 871212 ext 234. The next dates are 19 October and 16 November.
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includes a Fish & Chip Supper. There will be a licensed bar and all profits are in aid of Dr Barnardos Charity, sobookyourselves a seat fora swingingtreatby telephoning Lisa Thorne on Swindon 876740. Now! • £150 was raised for Barnados on 28 August when a group of party plan organisers attended a sale at Freshbrook School organised by Deborah Jennings of Grange Park.
Open Meeting on Sickle Cell at Link Centre The Toothill Multi Cultural Womens group invite you to an open meeting, on the subject of sickle cell and Thalasseamia. Sickle cell is a blood disorder which mainly affects people from Afro-Caribbean origin, Thalasseamia is a similar disorder affecting those from the Asian sub-continent. Little is known about either, so on Tuesday 10 September at 7.30pm there will be an open meeting at the Link Centre, where two speakers will make a presentation and lead a discussion on sickle cell, what it is, how it affects your day to day life, how it affects your children etc. The speakers are consultant paediatrician Dr. Alan Emond MA MD MRCP and Jean Smith the Development worker from Bristol Sickle Cell and Thalasseamia Centre who are coming over from Bristol and will be happy to answer any questions that people may have. Anyone who is interested in this subject and would like to hear more is welcome to come along. There will be free childcare available but please let us know numbers in advance. For further information, please contact Miriam Minty on 526161 ext. 4831 or on 421821.
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Green, but keen at Community Centre Toothill's Community Centre has elected a new management committee and it wants the whole neighbourhood to know. Most members of the new committee have not been involved on the management side before. According to new chairperson Bill HillardReid, there's a lot of enthusiasm to get the centre serving the community. "We're all very green and are finding our feet. But we're keen to see more activities taking place and want the centre to be used by more people." New committee member Nick Dean acknowledged that the centre had a very low profile in the community. "We want to change this situation because it's a great resource available to local people." The centre has a large hail seating 250 people available for hire to local groups and for private functions like weddings and birthday parties. It also has two large meeting rooms, a
well equipped kitchen anda licensed table top sales and would welcome members bar. help from local volunteers. To find out more about what is Apart from more use by local groups, the committee is hoping to available at Toothill Community organise activities like bingo and Centre, call in or telephone 614492.
Mini Market at Toothill Church
Gold Card Day in Toothill
Saturday 14 September lOam - 12.30pm Jumble, Crafts and cake stalls Entrance 1 O All proceeds to Church Hall Fund
RALPH PALMER PHARMACY 3 Deerhui-st Way Toothill Hours of Opening: Mon - Fri 9a.m. - 1p.m. 230p.m. - 6p.m. Sat. 9a.m. -12noon Telephone: 512063
"Come, Ye Thankful People, Come" Raise the song of harvest home!"
Ann Hall extends an invitation
Turning over a new turf, Bill Hillard-Reid starts to tidy up the shrubs bed in front of the community centre with help from centre administrator Mave Whitehight (right), his wife Joan on the left, Graham Finnigen and Nick Dean at the rear.
Many people who are entitled to become Gold Card Users don't ever go and pick one up. Using a Gold Card can save you money on swimming, ice skating, using a gym and even going for a round of golf. You can use it for dance classes, visiting the museum, the theatre etc, and there's also a few takeaways that give reductions for Gold Card holders. Anyone who lives in Thamesdown and receives unemployment benefit, supplementary benefit, income support, family income supplement, family credit, invalidity/ severe disablement benefit, housing benefit, rate rebate or state pension, is entitled to use a Gold Card, PLUS theirnon earning dependents. The Gold Card is absolutely free and can be picked up from all leisure centres and recreation offices. On Tuesday 10th September, Toothill Community Centre is hold-
Toothill Chinese Kitchen English Food and Fish & Chips Special Chinese Food TakeAway Menu
Tel: 487055 Hours of Business Sunday 6 -1130am Monday Closed all day Tuesday 5 -ll.3Opm Wednesday 12 - 145pm 5- 1130pm Thursday 12 - 1.45pm 5- 1130pm Friday 12 - 145pm 5 - 12.00am Saturday 12 - 200pm 5 - 1200am
OPEN ALL BANK HOLIDAYS (MONDAY)
irtg a Gold Card Day, where anyone who hasn't picked up a card or anyone who wishes to renew their existing card may come and do so. You don't need to bring a photograph with you as it will be done on the spot entirely freeof charge, all you need-to bring is some proof that you are claiming benefit, e.g. UB40, income support book, family credit book, green card, etc, the whole process will only take you two minutes. The Gold Card Day begins ati lam and finishes at 1pm. For further information contact Miriam Minty on 526161 ext. 4831.
Centre to open doors again to young people Meeting to talk over details Tooth ill Community Centre is planning to open its doors to young people in the very near future. Before they do this they would like to know what young people think about the idea, and what young people in the area would want out of a drop in at the Community Centre. There will be an open meeting at the Centre on Dunwich Drive, Toothill on Thursday 5 September, where young people can express their views to the Toothill Community Centre Management Committee. Anyone who is interested is invited to attend the meeting which starts at 730pm. For more information contact MiriamMinty on 526161 ext. 4831 or on 421821.
Toothill Church Harvest Festival takes place on Sunday September 15 at 1045am. Most people enjoy a Harvest Festival service. Last year over 200 people came, even more than at Christmas or Easter. And it is right that many people should come to church at harvest time to give thanks to God for all His goodness. An attitude of thankfulness helps to keep us happy and contented and helps us to cope with difficult times when they come along, as they do for all of us. The service will be led by the Revd. Ian Handscomb and Miss Cynthia Dowdeswell. The church will be beautifully decorated with flowers and fruit and vegetables and in the service there will be an opportunity to present gifts suitable for distribution to those in need. We shall sing hymns, there will be readings from the Bible, a talk for the children, a sermon for the adults and prayers. After the service the harvest gifts will be divided up into parcels and delivered to sick and elderly people known to the church. After the service we shall have a Third World Lunch. These are held at different churches in West Swindon every two months. We have soup, bread, cheese and sometimes fruit. The money we would have spent on a full Sunday lunch is sent to Christian Aid or CAFOD (The Catholic Fund for Overseas Development). The soup is usually homemade and very good. It is appropriate that we should have such a lunch following our Harvest Festival service, as it is surely God's will that the produce of the earth should be distributed more fairly than it is now. Do join us at Toothill Church for our Harvest Festival. You will be very welcome.
Credit Union Annual Meeting Toothill Credit Union holds its Annual General Meeting on Monday 9 September, at 7pm. A Credit Union is a group of people who agree to save together and lend each other money at reasonable rates. All information is kept confidential so you don't know each other's business. Anyone who is already a saver, or anyone interested in joining or finding out a bit more about the Credit Union is welcome to ccme along to the meeting, which is being held at Toothill Community Centre. Refreshments will be served free at the meeting which promises to be interesting.
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6
FRESHBROOK & GRANGE PARK
Freshbrook Village Group Residents' Organisation
Exchange teachers return
A year in the lives of four teachers comes to an end when they return to their own schools after exchanging Wednesday jobs. Alice Warne and Ann Fisher 11 September, 8pm return this month to their jobs at Freshbrook Community Freshbrook School occupied by Centre Peggy Doeksen and Murial Hackney from Stillwater, Minnesota who Residents from Freshbrook and left in July. Before they left, we Grange Park are invited to attend, talked to them about their impresfind out about the work of the sions. group which includes the For Peggy, coming to Britain has management of the community left her with more questions than centre and elect a new committee answers. "It's been a wonderful for the next year year, but for me, the more you know the less you know. I feel very positive about my contribution in school but I had a panic attack towards the end, thinking I hadn't done enough Worried about who will or seen enough. There is just so look after your pets whilst much more to see and to find out. you're on holiday? "It's been a year of chaos in your education system, a very stressful Pets At Home could be time for teachers. They are so hard your answer. working and most surprising, they're so dramatic. The British, far Pets At Home cares for from the stereotype of being cold pets in their own homes and unfriendly, have a senseoftheatre which permeates the culture. (sorry, no dogs). School assemblies and classroom Telephone Swindon work are all an exercise in use of 873062 voice, creative expression and generating excitement. It's been a revfor furt her details elation to be part of it." Murial reflected more on the educational aspects of their year. "The focus of education is so different here and it took some getting used to. Here, all subjects are integrated in project work throughout the day. We're used to separate subjects in Freshbrook their own time slots. Village Centre "We'vebeen amazed by the workTel: 870226 load of British teachers. They have so many responsibilities and preOpening Times: pare so much of their teaching materials. They do a great job with such Monday - Friday limited resources." 9am - 1pm Towards the end of the year 215pm - 630pm Muria I's class performed a short play Tuesday about two English children return9am- 1pm; 2.15pm-5pm ing from the U.S.A. and explaining Saturday 9am - 12noon what they saw there and the differences in the language.
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Freshbrook headteacher Phillip Gurney bids bairwell to U.S. teachers Murial Hackney, left, and Peggy Doeksen Peggy and Murial took every op- their colleagues, and the children portunity to visit the theatre and to and parents they met in Freshbrook. tour the U.K., clocking up 20,000 Next month, we talk to Alice and miles on their travels. Ann about their experiences in MinBoth would like to bid farewell to nesota.
Reception problems forces up TV costs for GP residents Residents in Grange Park are pinning their hopes on a BBC television programme to improve TV reception in their area, whilst a hotel chain is also getting the BBC involved in the problem. TV pictures have completely disappeared in some households over the last nine months and residents Since our short item in the are blaming the construction of the August Link, we've had several four star DeVere Hotel on the Shaw calls and letters regarding poor Ridge Leisure Park, within a few TV reception from all parts of yards of their homes. They say that West Swindon. The letters are the building which towers over their published on page 26, butdoes houses is blocking out the signal, anybody have solutions? but have received a guarded rePlease let us know. sponse from hotel bosses. Now the BBC consumer pro- be installed on the hotel roof to imgramme Them & Us is looking into prove reception. the matter says Marney Road resi"DeVere just will not accept that dent Brian EveralL He's hoping they the hotel has ruined reception," said will take the project further and ex- Brian. "I've got nothing against the pose the problem on air. 'We've building, but the company should seen our TV pictures deteriorate take into account how the hotel is since last Christmas when the struc- affecting people's lives." ture of the hotel started going up DeVere Hotels Project Manager and by April there was virtually no Ian Groves denied that the compicture. At times reception im- pany was being insensitive to the proved depending on where the views of residents. "Being new to crane driver parked his crane. the area we certainly do not want to "We boughtabooster which made be seen as negative or unhelpful in no difference. I've spent hours re- this matter. Whether the construcpositioning and redirecting the tion of the hotel is affecting the telaerial, rewiring and generally tink- evision signal has yet to be proven. ering. All channels are affected and "However we have asked the Ennow we've had cable installed out of gineering Department at the BBC to necessity, not choice. It means we investigate the impact of the hotel pay about ÂŁ260 a year in licence fees and to make recommendations to and cable charges and not just for us. We will decide what the best the licence that everybody else pays. course of action is once we have "Some residents in the road can't received their report." even get cable and they'vebeen told He pointed out that his company they'll have to pay for it to be laid." would not be under any legal obliThe residents have been in touch gation toensure that a signal is availwith DeVere managementand have able even if it were shown that the suggested that a signal transposer building was affecting the signal.
Poor all over
WESTLEA
Darren helps fire crews to good result Darren Midwinter from Anglesey Close had an excitingeleventh birthday on 6 August when he spent the day at Westlea Fire Station. Darren's present was bought for him by his parents at the Westlea School fete auction at the end of June where the outing was on offer. He spent the day inspecting the station attending lectures and taking part in training exercises. Darren is pictured right strapped into a wrecked caras firemen practice their techniques for extrica tingcasualties. He obviously helped them get their great result in the national competition featured on page 1. Darren's verdict, "It was great."
7
Westlea Social Hall Langstone Way (school site) Open meeting for user groups and interested residents Thursday 5 September, 7.3Opm All Invited
The Church in Westlea
meets in
U-
Westlea
School _(Langstone Way)
Car Boot Sale Saturday 21 September 10am Westlea School Langstone Way
at 1O.45am every Sunday
Everyone is very welcome
Pitches: ÂŁ4/5. Tel: 870469 In aid of Westlea School
Sheila tries to unravel one of history's mysteries Sheila Mitchel from Westlea, who is perhaps better known for running Pets-at-Home has spent the last six months writing a book about Hannah Lightfoot, the 18th century Quakeress who is believed,by some, to have married king George Ill whilst he was Prince of Wales. Hannah Lightfoot was born and brought up in London. In December, 1753 she married Issac Axfonl, a man from Wiltshire and Axford family tradition tells us that at the church door Hannah was abducted fromherbridegroom and was taken away in a closed carriage. The poor distraught bridegroom followed in hot pursuit. Hannah was never seen by her husband or her family again. Suspicion immediately fell upon the young Prince of Wales and during the reign of George Ill and particularly after his death the reports of a relationship and possibly a marriage between the Prince and Hannah appeared inthePress. It is not known what happened to Hannah after her disappearance but approximately three years after she disappeared her portrait was painted by Joshua Reynolds. The pa inting is owned by the Sackville family and hangs in the Reynold's Gallery at Knole House, Kent. Sheila first became fascinated by Hannah sixteen years ago when she read 'The Princess and the Quakeress' by Jean Plaidy. Ever since she has been trying to discover whathappened toHannah after her disappearance. Shehas spent a great deal of time investigating the various stories connected with Hannah and her research has taken her all over the country. During the course of her investigations she has met and received information from several families who genuinely believe themselves to be the descendants of Hannah and George Ill.
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"These people are all ordinary, genuine people who each have a fascinating story to tell which has been passed down to them through the various generations in their family," said Sheila. She knows that her book entitled 'Hannah Lightfoot - The Mystery Continues' may cause some controversy but she has tried to be unbiased and has included material from various sources including new information which she hopes will clarify certain points raised by previous authors. Sadly, Hannah's story is still incomplete because the information relating to Hannah's death and final resting place are still unknown. Sheila hopes that her book will make people aware of Hannah Lightfoot, which might result in information being discovered to complete Hannah's story. "The story of Hannah Lightfoot ranks alongside that of the murder of the princes in the Tower as one of the unsolved mysteries of English history," said Sheila, who is currently seeking a publisher to publish her manuscript.
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Hi-tech horizons for housebound A young man from Shaw is one of four West Swindon residents improving theircomputer skills, thanks to a project dedicated to assisting people whoare housebound become confident in using new technology. The course run by PTI Training in Swindon,and advertised in the June edition of The Link, provides the chance to learn about computers and covers word processing, databases, spreadsheets, poster making and programming. The course is funded by Thamesdown Council and is entirely fxee. Equipment is loaned to course members who receive weekly visits from a trainer and a volunteer over a three month period. Roger Wells from Oasthouse Close, Shaw is improving skills in word processing previously picked up at college and is working on for an information technology certificate. "1 enjoy the coursea great deal. The tuition is very good and apart from the certificate work, I've been typing letters for my dad and cataloguing my stamp collection. "I'll be looking for a computer
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related job when the economy get better." P11 Training home tutor Rachel Brocide said the course aims to give participants a broad understanding of computing and they are not expected to apply for jobs afterwards. No previous experience of computers is needed to start the course and the trainers keep jargon to a minimum. To find out more, contact Bridget Ross at PTI on 512446.
Right, Roger Wells at one of his weekly tutor sessions with Rachel Brockie
Cartwright Drive - A big problem Below, letters on the articles from the last two Link magazines. What's the next step? Who can take action? From Bob Linnegar, Edgeworth Close, From S Hills, Ransome Close, Show As a resident of Shaw, I find it quite Show It has amazed me that there has not been a serious accident of some description. I use the road everyday and 2 out of 3 times I have had to brake sharply because of fast on coming traffic in the middle of the road, or cars overtaking parked vehicles. Asa teacher it concerns me greatly that there is no safe area to cross for children, particularly those of primary school age going to Brook Field. If a Pelican Crossing was introduced near the BrookField entrance, I fear drivers coming down Cartwright Drive would not be able to see the lights in time because of the bends. Ido notfeel thatsigns would slow the traffic sufficiently. The only viable answer would be a number of sleeping policemen down the length of the Drive. This would slow traffic right down allowing more time to react to the hazards that seem to appear around every bend.
From Mr D Grier, Clarke Drive, Show It must be perfectly obvious by now that a serious design fault has made the whole of Cartwright Drive an extremely dangerous road. Thamesdown Environmental Services Director, Mr Westgate thinks otherwise, relying presumably on an impersonalised piece of wire laying across the road recording speeds he considers safe. Parents find it very difficult trying to cross Cartwright Drive, children hardly have a chance of using the Green Cross Code because of so many 'blind' spots. The decision to improve safety should notbea political one, but just simply commonsense.
difficult to criticise the developers and planners of this lovely area. Generally, I have found, during the five years of living here, that our needs have been catered for extremely well. But, I would like to agree wholeheartedly with the suggestion made by Anthony Lewis for speed humps. I am both a driver and pedestrian and I believe Cartwright Drive to be one of the most dangerous roads in Swindon. When I read your article in The Link magazine of August 1991 I was infuriated by the comments of the DirectorofThamesdown's Environmental Services. May I point out to him that by simply doing 40 m.p.h. a driver is going far too fast. Each bend in the road is a blind corner and a car may appear from each of the side roads at any moment. Also, you may come upon a parked car very quickly. I believe one of the worst places on the ro,d is the bend that contains Brook Field Primary School. Any pedestrian is taking their life in their hands and children are very vulnerable, particularlyas there is noteven a pedestrian crossing or Lollypop person. You cannot see any traffic coming, all you can do is listen. The Director of the Environmental Services says that no accidents have been reported to the police. I wonder if he is waiting for an accident, even tragedy, for Cartwright Drive to be 'allocated' a 'high priority' site. I also wonder how he would feel if his son/daughter had to cross this dangerous road several times a day to get to school.
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10
LOCAL LIVES
Taking 1992 personally - part two Ruth Ogle launched the new Local Lives page last January by describing how her family was building European friendships. In this second contribution, she provides an update on what has happened over the last six months In February we prepared ourselves to give young children the opportu- though she never had any doubt ing in French. Amazing! It really for another major turn in our lives. nity to learn another language by about taking part in the exchange was quite odd to hear herchattering Having been host for six months to immersing them totally in another since the idea was first mentioned to away with the three children in the family, sounding as if she was a a French nine year old, we were culture. It had certainly worked for her when she was seven. However, taking the girls to French child. She was rolling her about to despatch her and our Katiana. After a month with us she daughter Rosemary to live with was speaking in sentences and al- France and leaving them was hard. R's in a way which doesn't exist in Katiana's family in the Ardeche, though shenever lost heraccent, she Katiana had become a close part of English and Martine told us her acsouth-east France. developed a huge English vocabu- our family and how do you cope cent had become very good. Expanding the family to three lary. Katiana proved it was possible with giving up your daughter to She hadn't actually forgotten Engchildren took some getting used to, to pick up a foreign tongue quickly, someone else, even though you're lish, but it took a few days for her to use it spontaneously. However her reducing it to one was going to be but we couldn't quite believe we confident she'll be in good hands. even more difficult. would soon be hearing Rosemary The exchange was arranged by talk French. En Famille, an organisation started Rosemary wasn't too sure either
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Katiana and Rosemary in front of the Town Hall at Aubenas in the Ardeche She lived in a tiny village in the south of France and attended a school with only thirteen children. At first, things were difficult for her. Coping with a new language, a different approach in school, eating meals much later than she was used to and generally living a different way of life were all a strain and initially our weekly telephone conversations were tearful. We gave her lots of encouragement and wrote positive letters without referring much to life at home and as the weeks past, she got used to the lifestyle. We were thrilled when Martine, Katiana's mother, wrote to say that Rosemary had started to talk French. In fact phone conversations became quite fragrnented as we started to increase the time between calls and Rosemary began to forget her English. After five months it was sometimes difficult to understand what she was saying as her English was quite stilted. The Gohiers, the French family, were very kind and took Rosemary skiing, rock climbing, on a long camping trip and swimming in the local rivers as the weather warmed up. Containing our excitement was difficult as August approached and we were due to visit the Gohiers. When we arrived, Rosemary had grown a couple of inches but seemed little different, except she was talk-
vowel inflections had become totally French and these are still to be heard two weeks aftercominghome, along with the occasional word. Katiana hadn't forgotten her English eitherand in the week we stayed with the Gohiers, both were switching to and fro and providing a translation service for our son Alexander and ourselves. Taking part in an exchange is something we would recommend, if the child concerned wants to try it. Rosemary is very pleased she went to France because she learnt French and did lots of exciting things. Both children now have another family. Katiana is likely to visit us in February and Rosemary will probably go to France some time next year. Obviously learning another language and gaining cultural awareness cannot be underestimated. But as important is the relationship we now have with a French family and the stronger relationships within our own. The difficulties shouldn't be ignored, but these can be overcome if one can be tolerant, open minded and you can plan the exchange into your lives. Many French families want to engage in exchanges, but not enough British families come forward. Should you want to know more about 'En Famille,' drop a line to Maria Hearl, Farthing,' Twyford Place, Tiverton EX16 6AP or give us a call on 872282.
APPLICATIONS ARE INVITED FOR MEMBERSHIP
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AND CUVE CLARK to international championship standards,./ the superb 18 hole course at the new Wootton Bassett Golf Club ill offer Wiltshire golfers in the Swindon a areas the most outsta g facilities. Construction of the beautiful Par 73 parkland course is now well underway and it will be ready for play next summer. Two 9 hole loops, both starting and finishing at the Clubhouse curve through the gentle Wiltshire countryside. The imaginatively designed course with its picturesque lakes and water hazards was specially created by Peter Alliss and Clive Clark to provide the challenge and variety the club golfer looks for in a first class course. All the club facilities are of the highest
standard and include a full irrigation system for fairways, greens and tees. Naturally, Club Membership is strictly limited to avoid overcrowding and will be at the Secretary's discretion. Demand for membership will, however, be considerable, as it is realistically priced, with prices increasing in phases as the course opening approaches. In order to take advantage of the exceptional value offered by early membership and to secure your place in the Club, we strongly recommend you to apply now for a Founder Membership information pack or to arrange an appointment to view the course.
Please phone 0793 849999 or write to The Membership Secretary.
THE WOOTTON BASSETI GOLF CLUB, WOOTTON BASSETI, SWINDON, WILTSHIRE, SN4 7PB. TEL: 0793 849999
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12
ICE HOCKEY
Good prospects for Swindon Ice Hockey in 91 - 92 The Link magazine's ice hockey reporter Michael Harrow assesses the Wildcat's chances for the coming season
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Swindon Wildcats enter a new era as they prepare for their sixth ice hockey season at Link Centre. Government legislation now prevents Thamesdown Council from running the team and a new company - Swindon Wildcats Limited has been formed to ensure the continuation of ice hockey in Swindon. However, Link Centre will actively support the side and coordinator John Fisher will be a consultant to the new company which is headed by Bill Roche, a successful businessman in the town. The company took over the entire team but several changes have occurred. Steve Nell and Brian Wilkie decided to move on to neighbours Basingstoke and on the import front, Scott Koberinski returns for his third season at Swindon, but French Canadians Louis Haman and Luc Beausoleil have been replaced by BiyanLarkin and Ryan Stewart, both Canadians. Larkin is a big defenceman from McGill University, while Stewart is a tough free scoring forward from British Columbia. Abigbonus is that DarylLipsey is able to play for the side again as he is now reclassified as British player. Wildcats have played fourfriendlies - thrashing Premier League side Solihull twice in late August with
Old and the new. Long serving Wildcat and new Brit Daryl Lipsey, second right, with returning import Scott Koberinski, flanked by new signings Bryan Larkin, left and Ryan Stewart on the right
Stewart in outstanding form. Wildcats are really an unknown Unfortunately, owing to a techni- quantity this season with the local cality he was unable to play in either players being given plenty of ice game against Medway, and with a time by new coach Richie Howe. mystery virus sweeping through the But they appear to have improved teamWildcats lostboth these games. considerably having trained hard In their next games on 7 & 8Sep- during the summer and in the friendtember, hopefully with all players lies the import trio blended in well fit again and Stewart's eligibility with them. problem resolved, Wildcats should I therefore expect a highly satisget off to a winning start in the Au- factory season with a possible top tumn Trophy at home against three placing in Heineken League Streatham on Saturday and away in Division One, with either Fife or Sunday's match at Oxford. Basingstoke as my tip for the top.
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Taking a dive
In April the Ridgeway Diving Club invited readers to 'have a go' at scuba diving in the Link Centre pool. They asked us if we would like to try it out as well.
all was well, we started a second swim down the pool, this time trying out the inflatable jacket which is fed with air from the tank. It's quite difficult to control your buoyancy with the jacket slightly inflated. Breathe in and you start rising, breathe out and you sink to the bottom. At the end of the pool, two experienced divers were puttingon quite a performance - quite literally an underwaterballet. Splits,plies,mirning different characters, rolling around, accompanied by slow hand claps from others watching and
Exercise and Pregnancy Confirmation of your pregnancy, especially if it is the first, can often leave a women with mixed emotions once the initial joy and excitement have worn off, and little wonder, as you contemplate the dramatic changes your body will have togo through in the corning months. You will find yourself becoming more tired and obviously require more rest, but the basic rhythm of your life should not be severely disrupted and that includes exercise. If you took regularexercise beforeyou became pregnant, there is no reason why you shouldn't continue to do so, in fact all the more reason to continue. A number of recent studies have come out quite clearly in favour of women who exercise during pregnancy, as long as they don't over do it. It was found that women who exercised regularly (3-4 times per week), experienced shorter labour, an average of 4 hours as opposed to 61/2 hours for women who were inactive throughout their pregnancies. Exercising women were found to have a lowernumberof miscarriages and ceasarian sections, their babies were heavier too, between 65 and
('
like. Wearing the equipment out of the water feels completely unnatural. In the water, there's no problem and we started a slow swim up the pool, Lesley watching me intently for signs of panic. The physics of light refraction in water causes everything to be magnified and the clarity in the pool made everything pin sharp. There's an amazing amount of sand on the floor; it flows in from the filters used to clean and recycle the water and club members are sometimes asked to vaccuum it up. After a brief surface chat to see if
Local fitness expert Lee Hogan says its good to stay fit whilst expecting a baby
Lee Hogan
150 grams, because these women's heart and lungs were in good shape to start with, they tended to tolerate labour better and recovered quicker than women who did not exercise. Exercising to exhaustion is not advisable at anytime, let alone when pregnant, sensible moderate activity is the key and as a guide your heart rate should not exceed 150 beats per minute, this way will help both mother and baby remain fit and healthy.
blowing bubbles in appreciation. On our third trip, it was horse racing. Keeping their air hoses connected in their mouths, they had taken off their jackets and were riding their air tanks through the water. All too soon the half hour was up and it was time to extract oneself from the kit. The Ridgeway Divers can't promise an underwater theatrical performance when you visit, but you'll get an idea what scuba diving is all about. Give Lesley Rutherford a call on 876164 to arrange a dive.
Wests ide < Sports
Not quite the Link Centre pool!
SRAW ENAGE
Show Village Centre,Shaw (between JCR & Show Church) GRANGE PAW
Tel: 875712
Opening Times: FWVRROCK Mon, Tues, Fri 10am - 6pm Wed 1 Oam - 2pm • Sat 9.30am - 5.30pm
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Club member Lesley Rutherford, who lives in Grange Park, was assigned to look after me and without too much waiting around we got down to the business of finding out what the equipment does and what I should expect underwater. Theclub has spare equipment and borrows gear from other members when newcomers are being shown the ropes. Six others were having a go that evening. The first thing Lesley talked about was safety, the signals to use underwaterand the various safetydevices on the air tank. Then it was into the water. First it was a wrestling match with a couple of enormous plastic flippers. You need to wear a tee shirt to protect your skin from the rubbing of the the inflatable jacket to which the air tank and web of hoses is attached. Standing by the side of the pool, Lesley helped me on with the jacket and once strapped in, she helped me take a few steps. My whole centre of gravity had moved backwards by two feet and I was in danger of toppling over. Then she got me to try the mouth piece to experience how air flows into your lungs as you breath in, then did me the honour of washing out the face mask by spitting into it. After pulling the mask on and breathing ma few times,I sat down in the shallow end to feel whatitwas
13
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ARTS SCENE
14 An office-building isn't the first place anyone would think of going to for music tuition, but for nearly three years now Bernard Tanner has been busy teaching his pupils the classicalguitarat his studio in the Shaftesbury Centre, a large office-building off Rodbourne Road.
PROFESSIONAL GUITAR TUTOR has vacancies for both young and mature people interested in learning the Classical Guitar. Individual half hour lessons on a weekly basis. Music examinations from beginners to diploma level coached and encouraged Contact BERNARD TANNER on Swindon 430105 or 514055 (24 hrs)
Music for pleasure "I could have taught at home, but I liked the idea of having a place set aside just for teaching", says Bernard. "The manager here was very helpful, and it's worked out very well." As well as teaching children,
76 Sullivan 'fSchool oJJJance New term commences September. A few spaces are available in the pre-school class at Freshbrook Community Centre. For further information, please telephone 535690
Have a Great Party! Hire our Mini-Clown Bouncer. 10'x10' inflatable with rain cover. Ideal for children's parties, pre-school groups, fetes etc. Indoors & Outdoors.
To book, ring West Swindon's ACE FUN CASTLES on 873552
Bernard sees a surprisingly large number of mature students, who he is keen to encourage. "1 appreciate the effort an adult makes when coming for their first lesson. They aren't used to being taught, and although having music tuition isn't the same as going back to school, I can see how it might be a little daunting, so I try to put them at ease as much as possible. Nearly all of them soon get used to their lessons, and on the whole I think they enjoy them more than the children, because the lesson can be a social occasion." Bernard Tanner had this to say Bernard Tanner when asked what he enjoyed most dren, and to see their happy, smilabout being a guitar tutor. "1 teach some very sweet chil- ing faces is the highlight of my day."
Decade of dance A dance teacher who lives inWestlea is celebrating the tenth year of her dance school. JennySullivanfromBenwellClose went independent in 1981 with one class attheToothill Farmhouse Centre. Now she's booked six days a week and teaches 14 classes for toddlers to teenagers in different venues across Swindon. Locally she teaches on Wednesday and Fridays at Freshbrook Community Centre. Jenny has 300 pupils in her school, many of whomwillbe takingpart in a show at the Wyvern Theatre entitled "lOyearson-Adecadeofdance" in November. There are a few places available in September for toddlers at the Sullivan School of Dance. To book, Tip toes for Claire Reiph who has been telephone 535690. taught by jenny for over 10 years
September at Link Arts Things are starting to pick up again at the Link Centre Arts Studio after the summer lull. Take in a show at your local arts centre Film
Come and try the different classes! Jazz . Tap. Ballet . Contemporary. Mid Eastern Dance. Reggae • Alexander Technique. rji Classes start 16th September. Ii
Sk
TOWN HALL STUDIOS Regent Circus, Swindon Tel: (0793) 610378
Comedy
27 Jeremy Hardy. One of the sharpest, yet most amiable entertainers on the comedy cabaret circuit. 8pm. £5, £4
E1till e
Family Entertainment DANCE STUDIO
-The south's only National Dance Agency.
(Start at 7.45pm. .30, £1.80 con. Membership £1) 12 TheField (12) starring Richard Harris as an Irish fanner. Directed by Jim "My Left Foot" Sheridan. 26 The Crlf ters (18). A tale of a petty con artist, his sexy girlfriend and ruthless mother. Music 13 Billy Jenkins 'Voice of the people.' Swindon Jazz Front presents this unique guitar stylist. 8pm. £5,4. 21 Huellas. Four young musicians from Ecuador playing traditional music on their own handcrafted instruments. 8pm. £5, £4
Arts & Recreation BOROUGH OF THAMESDOWN AW
28 Out to Lunch by Paradox & Co. Two chances to enjoy a fun family show for anyone over 4 with Professor Paradox. 1130am & 230pm. Adults E2.55. Children F105
AT YOUR LIBRARY
Getting ready for winter by Phil Edwards
News of staff changes and arrivals first. Linda West has worked at West Swindon Library since 1986 but as a part-timer. She has now taken over our full-time assistant's post. Once she gets used to the two extra-long days every week (9.00 a.m. to 8.00p.m.)herexperienceand enjoyment of the job will serve us well. Taking over Linda's old job, and a new arrival to the team, is Helen Eatwell. Helen successfully completed her 'A' levels this year (congratulations!) and we hope she will have a long and happy association with library work. Our exhibition forSeptemberfeatures the work of wildlife photographer Peter Riggs. Peter is a gravediggerfromMalmesbury who for twenty-five years has pursued his hobby of photographing wildlife in its natural habitat. Like all good nature photographers he spends hours in the field, building up a relationship of trust with his subject, so that the results are as natural as possible. I'mlooking forward to seeing the results of these patient labours. I know it's painful to think of the Festive Season at this time of year but one outcome of this summer's children's activities at the library is
that we now have a splendid sleigh and carriages to decorate the library at Christmas. At our first event, and using little more than old cardboard boxes, tissue paper, glue and an awful lot of energy and enthusiasm, the children produced a colourful creation of which even Santa would be proud. The smaller children cut out and decorated puppet snowmen which they were able to take home. For the second event great fun was had making model snow scenes. The highlight of each of these was a working ski-liftchair, complete with skier (the whole being made from an egg box, a length of fishing wire and a couple of white pipe cleaners!). Again, the smaller children decorated card Christmas trees. The third event consisted of making penguin masks and feet, and creating reindeer "faces" with facepaints and antlers. Congratulations are due to Jacquelyne Else for the success of these events (which I think Mums as well as children enjoyed). Jacquelyne was responsible for many of the ideas and a lot of the materials were ones she'd "prepared earlier". Blue Peter's loss is our gain. Thanks also to the rest of the library team for help and ideas.
Revised mobile times by Jacquelyne Else
The Swindon area has its own mobile library which supplies a service to outlying areas of Swindon and visits elderly people in homes and residences. Some of you may know that the service was to be axed because of county council budget cuts. As we announced earlier the mobile library has been retained and will operate with a revised timetable from 30th September. This will give greater provision for elderly people. Details of the new timetable are available at West Swindon Library, or phone us on Swindon 871444.
Car Boot Sale Saturday 28th September 10 am - 12 noon Link Coach Park Pitches: £4/5 To book phone 872450 In aid of GWR Majorettes
15
MINI-SKIPS IN WEST SWINDON Tel: 480527 or 0860 871250 Sj. St. George MA (Oxon), FCA
Chartered Accountant Specialist in financial services for small business 11 1A High Street Wootton Bassett, Swindon, Wilts
Telephone (0793) 848030
Car Boot Sale Saturday 14 September, 10am Link Centre coach park Pitches: £5/6. Tel: 485597 In aid of 1St ToothiD Scouts
Lost Hanging Baskets
RON AHRENS BUILDER DECORATOR Specialising in all aspects of high quality building work especially decorating, carpentry & plastering.
Continuing our saga of stolen hanging baskets, started in the letters All work guaranteed. column of the June Link, Adam No job too small. Grover reports the loss of a green Free estimates The new vicar for Freshbrook and Grange Park is finding his way basket from his home at Winwick Telephone: 692134 around his new parish following two special services. Road, Freshbrook in early August. (West Swindon) Please let us know if you've found it. Rob Burle, who will be based atSt Mary's in Lydiard Park, was inducted into the parish by the Bishop of Bristol at a special service on 25 August at St Mary's, Lydiani Park. Then on 1 September people from 4w WM01W all the churches in the West Swin— MO B ILE VEHICIE SERVICING don Ecumenical Project came together to celebrate his arrival. REPAIRS & TUNING By qualified engineers from fully equipped Rob, his wife Tina and two chil'11.000 Mobile Workshops at your home or place of work O dren, Lydia, 9, and Nathan, 5, have Phone Dave Powell MOBILE 0860 453329 • Swindon 612930 moved down from a town centre SET PRICE INCLUDES PARTS, LABOUR & VAT parish in Mansfield, Nottinghamshire. The opportunity to join a team of I -s church workers in a ecumenical setting was the big attraction said Rob. "I've always believed in working Nicholas Hartley M.A., Vet. M.B. M.R.C.V.S. with other people. West Swindon Tina and Rob Burle and their children West Swindon - Tel: 526780 also appealed to me because the Lydia and Nathan PMH 62 - 64 Purton Road. different churches are also working Bath Mon. - Fri. 9am-6.30pm C Big money raised oa together here." Saturday 9am- 11am 0 0 He added that the eight month The house to house collection for 0e1j2r61i/ C gap between his arrival and the de- Christian Aid in May across Swin- Old Town. Tel: 542300 Wootton "We are parture of his predecessorTonyPrice don rose from £13,908.09 in 1990 to 1 Ashford Road (see map) assett Ci) here" o Road Mon. - Fri. 9am-6.30pm 2,281.83 in 1991. meant that members of St. Mary's 0 Fri. 2pm-3pm Totals raised locally were had taken on many responsibilities shIordf I Saturday 5.30pm-6.30pm Road iF and he hoped to build on the Toothill: £631.35, Westlea: £570.58, Shaw: £455.01, Oliver Tomkins Instrengths of their involvement. East Swindon. Tel: 511267 Tina said the family had been fants School: £67.57 29 Cavendish Square. made very welcome in the area and Organiser Phyllis Peet would like 24 Hour Emergency & Advice Service were very pleased to have arrived. to thank everybody who helped.
New Freshbrook vicar set on joint works
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Teddies picnic The West Swindon Under 5s Festival Teddy Bears Picnic takes place on Friday 6 September at Lydiard Park, from 11am to 2pm. Take your teddies into the woods today and there could be a few surprises.
Successful under 5s projects under threat Parents support needed at Annual Meeting on 16 September
West Swindon's annual festival for wellattended discos and play workunder 5s could become a pleasant shops through the year and also memory of the past if parents in the publish the Toddler Out West guide area don't show interest in keeping to local services and facilities which could be lost if more people don't it going. The fourth festival took place in come forward. Down on the farm "In the past, we organised meetThe Lower Shaw Farm Centre June and as usual was attended by are holding an afternoon on the hundreds of parents and their pre- ings to discuss problems affecting school children enjoyed the fun or- families like vandalism of play arfarm for parents and under fives on Monday 16 September. ganised by a group of volunteers eas, health matters and working who come together under the title parents. I'd like to see these reTake your youngsters down to West Swindon Focus on Under 5s. started to compliment the festival see the ducks, chickens and The children of several commit- which is all about bringing people peacock, feed the goats and play tee members have now started together and having fun. in the barn. There will also be school and their parents are moving "It will be sad if we can't keep painting, play dough, refreshments and pony trap rides. on to other commitments, which these activities going I'm sure many, means more parents with young many people will miss them. The The farm is to be found on Old children are needed to replace them. basis for these different projects are Shaw Lane and will be open The Focus committee holds its already in place. What we need from 1 p to 4pm. Annual Meeting on Monday 16Sep- now is more mums and dads intertember and are hoping to meet lots ested in joining with others to denew people who might be inter- velop them for present and future Mini Autumn Bazaar of ested in becoming involved in fu- generations in the community." Sunday 29 September ture activities. The West Swindon Focus on Un2.00 to 4.00pm at Present Focus on Under 5s chair- der 5s Committee annual meeting Upper Shaw Farm person Deborah Cosgrove said the takes place on Monday 16 SeptemCommunity Centre organisation was also involved in ber, 7.3Opm in the Community Books, Toys, Cakes etc. projects apart fmmthe festival which Suite at the Link Centre. All are All welcome - 20p per family are also under threat. "We organise welcomed to attend. Under 5's Fancy Hat Some of the 1991 Focus on Under 5s Committee with their children, from left to Competition right, Glenice Guntripp, Sheila Boswell, Brenda Moody, Deborah Cosgrove,Jane In aid of Upper Shaw Farm Hillier, Jacquelyne Kirwan
Playgroup
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New pre-school groups at Peatmoor New groups for under fives are being planned for Peatmoor, now that the Roughmoor Social Hall on Swinley Drive is available for hire. A playgroup and a parent and toddler group are being planned, but they need parents to show an interest to get them off the ground. Parents from Peatmoor and Nine Elms, or further afield, are asked to ringJackieon 873284 to express their interest in the new groups.
Bargains in children's clothes Spinning Top, the well known shop trading in nearly new children's clothes has moved tolargerpremises. From 2 September, it will be situated at 143 Cricklade Road in the Gorse Hill area of Swindon. Spinning Top keeps a large range of nearly new childrens toys and clothes, maternity and baby wear, and nursery equipment. They will also sell items on a commission basis on behalf of parents. Spinning Top's number 619562.
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NEWS & VIEWS
17
Holiday club at school
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Three Greendown students organised a two week holiday club for children from Grange Park during August. School leaver fifth years Emma Kilby and Clancy McMullen and fourth year Dulcie McMullen, assisted by school teacher Steve O'Sullivan, organised craft work, face painting, gymnastics, clowning around and trampolining in the school gym for twenty 3 to 9 year olds.
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Need a baby sitter A baby sitting service based in West Swindon needs customers - now. Sit-Ups has been set up by Brian the week and some daytime care is Stuckey from Stansfield Close, available by negotiation. The cost of the service is £3 an Toothill. Since our article about his scheme in the June edition of The hour and for sitter sa fety, customers Link, he has recruited and inter- are required to register with Sit-Ups viewed a team of responsible baby by filling in a form. To find out how you can find a sitters aged over eighteen who carry identity cards. The sitters are avail- good baby sitter quickly and easily, able for evening sitting throughout give Brian Stuckey a call on 529463.
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Assertiveness training for men and women We all struggle sometimes to communicate effectively with otherpeopie. We find it difficult to say what we really think, feel or need. We say 'yes' when we would like to say 'no' and we often feel unheard ormisunderstood. It isn't very often that men and women get the chance to talk openly about these things. This could be the first step on a course which aims to change how people relate to one another. Thecoursewffl run foreightweeks on Thursday evenings, 7pm - 9pm at Greendown School, starting 3 October. The cost is £34.60 (with concessions for people on benefits). For more information or to book, please telephone 871413 (24 hours). This course is for men and women, and will not run unless there is a minimum number of each.
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Newcomers to WI welcome Tootlea Brook Women's Institute meets on the third Wednesday in the month, in the Community Room, at Toothill School, 7.30pm. Future meetings include: Swan Rescue talk on 18 September Craft & Produce Show on 16 October Christmas Beads & Decorations on 20 November Visitors are always welcome. For furtherdetails contact Karen Ryman on 695499.
New women's courses brochure The Swindon Women's Branch of the W.E.A. runs courses locally for women. Fees are low and free childcare is usually provided. Courses coming up are Assertiveness Training - to help you be more confident in your communication with other people, Stress Management, Massage, Writing and New Opportunities for Women- for those interested in doing something outside the home (like going back to work). A free course programme is available from the Women's Branch, 36a Regent Street, Swindon, tel. 618233.
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NEWS & VIEWS
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Club visits TV Studios Norman Bowles reports:
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The Link 45 + club visited the H.T.V. studios in Bristol to watch and participate in the musical quiz "Keynotes". A very enjoyable time was had by all. In between recording we were entertained by the warm up man, a very funny man and a first class entertainer. The programme goes
out on January 6. With this and several other outings behind us, we now look forward to an evening mystery trip, and a visit to the B.B.C. in London. The club draws members from all over Swindon and has taken over 100 members on our outings. If you are interested in joining, phone Norman on 694425 or Les on 537672.
Link 45+ Club members line up outside the H.T.V. studios
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Grub Club Due to Open At long last the West Swindon Grub Club is ready to open its doors!! On Thursday 19 September the first lunches will be served at The House, 15 Gainsborough Way, Freshbrook at 1pm. The Grub Club, is a lunch club for younger people. Anyone under 25, who is not doing anything in the day is welcome to come along and have a tasty lunch with free childcare provided for just a pound. The Club is run by young people, for young people, providing good food, good childcare and best of all, good company fora couple of hours every Thursday. Anyone is welcome to come along but we'd appreciate a bit of notice the first week (so we know how many tasty dishes to prepare!). For more information please contact Pam Pixton or Miriam Minty at the Community Suite at the Link Centre. Either pop in or ring on 871212 and ask for extension 234.
Autumn plans at women's guild The West Swindon Townswomen's Guild are very pleased to report they have acquired eight new members recently. Summer activitiess have included
a garden party, a luncheon, both in aid of the Prospect Foundation and a canal barge trip. The guild is hoping to start a playreading group, skittles and craft af-
ternoons. The next meeting is September 12 in the Community Suite Link Centre at 2pm. Our speaker will tell us about local villages and mysteries to go with them.
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You're hungry and you're thirsty, but you don't want to spend a fortune on a meal. So where do you go? Why not try the bar at the Hotel Ibis - one of West Swindon's best kept secrets? The bar now offers a range of good food - everything from a light bite to a real meal. Look at the menu in the Hotel Ibis advertisement on the left for some tasty dishes and very reasonable prices. And as a special offer just to readers of The Link, if you cut out and take the advertisement with you, you'll be offered a free glass of wine with your meal. And now another secret. Where is the Hotel Ibis? It's tucked away in the Delta Business Park. From the Mannington roundabout, turn left into the Delta Business Park and then left again - you'll see the hotel with flags flying. Or from Westlea, turn right a the topof Westlea Drive, go past the Delta Tennis Centre, right at Shaw the I junction and then right again. Couldn't be simpler, could it? Cheers. Grange Park
NEWS & VIEWS
Making sense of moving pictures Now the summer's over, video camera owners maybe wondering what to do with the mass of tape they've recorded. Swindon's Media Arts Studio could have the answer. Based in the Town Hall, Regent Circus, relatively few people know that the town boasts one of the country's leading public access media arts centres. Its well equipped television and sound recording studios will satisfy most users - from the amateur who has just bought a video recorder for home use, right up to professionals making broadcast quality programmes.
well as video. "People approach us with brilliant ideas and the completion rate of finished work is very high." Projects in progress at present include a campaign video about preserving the Upper Thames, with a guest appearance by David Bellamy, and video shot inlndiaaboutmedical issues and water needs. All completed works receive well publicised premiers attheTownHall Studios. Education features stronglyin the work of Media Arts with good contacts with schools and youth groups.
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For the home user, the studios run regular courses on how to get the best out of a camera - after all it's a big investment. But what is to be done when one's enthusiasm for recording everything that moves results in a mass of unrelated moving images. Media Arts have the solution. Using their three machine editing suite, after a short course of instruction, the amateur can edit tapes into some sort of order, adding music and special effects like fades, vision mixes and dissolves. Those with an interest in television, or who want to express ideas through the media, have access to the studio's equipment through the Media Art's User Panel. Anybody in Thamesdown is able to approach the panel with an idea and for help with the loan of equipment, training and sometimes a small grant to get you going. Media Education Officer Andy Freedman said the aim is to encourage people to express themselves through the media, which includes film, photography and sound, as
Recently Media Arts ran a MiniVideo project which featured thirty innovative videos lasting 60 seconds made by young peoplearound Wiltshire. Media Arts has a comprehensive library on all things relevant to the subject and orga nises visiting speakers. During the last few months the intricacies of making Oscar winning films have been explained by Ardman Animations and the producers of series like Casualty, Dr Who and The Manageress have all talked about their work. A range of courses in video, film, animation, editing, sound and photography are organised at Media Arts and over the next few months, Britain's first screen writer in residence will be running workshops on the craft of turning words and ideas into visual images. For a complete list of events and courses organised at the studios, telephone 526161 ext. 3140. Media Arts is a Borough of Thamesdown facility supported by Southern Arts.
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Homeopathy - The Natural Way to Cure Manjit Virik ,pictured below, from Westlea qualified at the British School of Homeopathy two years ago and practices from her home and from the Milton Road Health Hydro where she can be contacted on 511060. Here she describes the principles of homeopathy.
Developed in the late 18th Century, mental, emotional, genetic, spiritual, quences or side effects of any treat- tional factors. When only the sympby Dr Samuel Hahneman, a physi- environmental, social and other fac- ment, and the more gentle and non- toms are treated (eg application of cian, scholar and chemist, home- tors. The harmonious functioning invasive the therapy, the less dis- steroid creams for rash, or calpol to opathy today is practised through- of all aspects of an individual is ruptive it will be to the patient's suppress fever), the underlying essential to health. Withinthebody, integral whole. Homeopathy pro- causes remain and the patient may out the world. In the UK it is a legally recognised the different systems are intimately vides this, by being gentle, safe, non- develop a more serious condition. invasive, free of With homeopathy, such suppressystemofmedicineand has theRoyal connected, dyside effects and ef- sion of symptoms is avoided as this sealofapproval. The remedies used namically balfective for not only interferes with the healing process. in homeopathy are safe, non-toxic anced. 'Dis-ease' 4. Prevention is the best 'Cure'. the very young, and employ the smallest dose nec- or imbalance in Health is often a reflection of how week old babies essaty to effect a cure. Its practice by one part directly and the elderly, we choose to live. Helping patients properly qualified hon-ieopaths is affects and may but also pregnant recognise their choices, and how based on the following principles, cause disease in '"t and those choices affect their health is women all other parts of 1. 'Vis Medicatrix Naturae', qw women at the also an essential and important aswhole. i.e. the Healing Power of Nature. that pect of homeopathic practice. This change of life. The healing process is ordered There is never a also includes assessing risk factors, 3. 'tolle and intelligent. The body has not single cause for hereditary susceptibility to disease causam' only the inherent ability tohealitself disease. All of and making appropriate interveni.e. Identify the and restore health, but also to ward the pieces must .t tion to prevent disease. Cause be integrated in off disease. One cannot be healthy in an UnIllness does not . , Illness is not simply caused by order to create a occur without healthy environment, and it is the V invasionof external agents orgerms, whole 'picture' cause, and symp- responsibilityof both physicianand .' '.. but is a manifestation of the body's of an individual toms (nausea, patient to create a world in which attempt to defend and heal itself. and his/her illrash, fever, head- humanity may thrive. Homeopa.' The homeopath's role is to identify ness. ache) are not the thy recognises each patient as an V and remove agents blockingthehealA homeopath ing process, boost the patients heal- looks for and treats not only the causes of illness. Symptoms are a individual, responding to and shaping capacity, and support the crea- underlying, but also immediate signal that the body is out of bal- ing her or his own environment. As tion of a healthy internal and exter- causative factors, thus treating the ance, and are an expression of the a facilitator for the patient's own healing process the homeopath's whole person. Respecting the in- body's attempt to heal itself, nal environment, Causes originate on many levels, principal responsibility is to eduherent ability of the organism to 2. Treat the Whole Person Health and disease result from heal itself, the homeopathic physi- but are often found in aspects of a cate the patient and encourage selfcomplex interaction of physical, cian is ever mindful of the conse- patient's lifestyle, diet habits oremo- responsibility for health. A A . A ,. . A A A A A A A A A A A A A .. A A A A A A A A A A A A A ? ) J %? ',/ .? ./ .? J .? 'J ', W ', ,.' W %? S .l W .} '..' A
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NEWS &VIEWS
Developing youth activities A new youth worker is just finding his way around the area. Richard Williams, pictured below, started work at the end of July and is based at the youth centre at Greendown School. Originally from Bristol, he has just completed a three year degree course in Lancaster and was attracted by the chance to return to the south-west. Before attending college, he worked in a variety of community based jobs with some interesting sidelines. Whilst working as a volunteer fundraiser with the Bristol charity Accommodation for Recovery from Addiction, he and two others bicycled across the U.S.A. He then went on to organise a sponsored John O'Groats to Lands End ride. Richard has also had a lot of experience in outdoor pursuits from involvement with the Drake Fellowship which gives unemployed youth the opportunity to try outbound activities. The Greendown post is his first with a local authority and he is looking forward to working alongside the school's teachers. "1 was also attracted by the fact that I would be
available to meet young people during the breaks and also see them in the evenings in their own time," said Richard. "My brief is to develop centre based youth work and, apart from youth club nights, I hope tobe able to make the school's sports, drama and art facilities more accessible to young people for projects they would like lobe involved with." "Everybody has made me most welcome in the short time I've been here," he added.
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Counselling with Relate Could you? Marriage and other close personal relationships can, when they are working well, bring us great happiness and security but they can equally well bring us great personal distress, suffering and anxiety when they go wrong. Relationship problems affect all manner of people; there are no typical Relate clients. They come from all sections of society and all racial groups; hey may or may not be married to their partners. What many of them have in common is a wish to try to understand and resolve the problems in their partnerships with the help of a skilled counsellor. Relate counsellors are men and women of all ages who have been carefully selected and trained as specialists in marital/couple counselling. Basic training takes 2 years, the course is in Module form and all modules, of 3 days each, are undertaken, at agreed intervals, at our Rugby residential College. The counsellor's personality will be as important as their professional skills because this is the person with whom clients are going to share the most intimate facts and feelings about themselves and their relationships. It is essential that clients should feel able to trust and work well with their counsellor and that they should feel confident in the counsellor's discretion and sincerity.
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Relate is looking for potential trainee counsellors. If you have previous experience of and a genuine interest in people and would like to know more about becoming a Relate counsellor, please telephone Swindon 527664 between 9.00 a.m. 5.00 p.m. weekdays and ask forJane Lewis. Alternatively, you are welcome to join us atRelate's Annual General Meetingon26September,7.30pmat the Post Graduate Centre, Princess MargaretHospital, Swindon, where further information will be available.
Steel Hodges Ockwell, Accountants & Tax Advisors, can help with all your financial and business planning and tax problems. Our FIMBRA registered company, Financial Advisory Centre, can also provide professional, friendly and impartial advice on raising money - either for business or buying your own home, investments and pensions. Contact Caroline Ockwell çt 63 V1ctörk• Roaø $wndon Teepqn
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Advice Services from the West Swindon Family Project John Jenkins describes the work of the project whcih can provide advice, information and support The West Swindon Family Project staff can provide advice and inforprovides services aimed at empow- mation on a variety of matters from ering people. We do this by running dealing with neighbours to getting groups where people can meet and divorced. We provide written pamphlets from a number of different talk. Wedon'tdo "Therapy" or "Social organisations, local and national, Work" type groups, just people and can help people to gain access to meeting others and often finding more specialist services. Much of the work is informal and their own solutions. We have two full time workers who help run the aimed at helping people feel welgroups and provide individual sup- come and relaxed. When requested port, where requested. This indi- we run groups that have a more vidual work can take the form of "organised" feel. These are often visiting, counselling, or advising. about issues that people feel strongly Because we are an "Open Door" about. In the past these have inresource to the area many people cluded child safety, play areas, come in purely for advice. To cater health matters, opportunities for for this we run three advice sessions women and less seriously, craft sessions. each week; Mondays lOam - 12am All these services can be "got at" by either phoning or calling at the Wednesdays lOam -12noon Project. All advice is given in strict Fridays lOam - 12noon These are "staffed" by volunteers confidentiality to people regardless recruited by the Project and trained of race or creed. The Project is comby the Thamesdown Advice Net- mitted to combating all forms of work. In conjunction with the Ad- discrimination and oppression vice Network the Project staff pro- wherever it meets it. vide regular support sessions for If you want to find out more or to the volunteers. visit us just come along to The West All our volunteers have been do- Swindon Family Project, 15 ing the "job" for several years now Gainsborough Way, Freshbrook, and are very experienced. They deal Swindon. Or phone 871303; there's an answer machine out of hours. with: The Project is open 9am- 5pm MonDSS Benefits Housing Problems day to Friday. Arrears (of almost any sort!) Debts (including advice on court action) Road racing on 22 Charity Applications September Employment Disputes Shaw Ridge School's annual ten Tribunals Where the "problem" includes a kilometre (6 mile) road race around high degree of social or emotional West Swindon takes place on Sundifficulty the Project Workers are day 22 September. There's a fun run for those wantavailable to provide more in depth "counselling", if that is requested. ing a shorter route starting at Outside these times volunteers are 10.20am with the Shaw Ridge 'Six' available by arrangement and the starting at 10.45am. The entry fees are ÂŁ2 for the fun Project staff are open to callers every day. If you are disabled then visits run and ÂŁ3.50 for the Six. Entry can be arranged. forms are available from the Shaw Apart from the Advice Point the Ridge School, Ridge Green, Shaw.
Women's Interests Pause is a group for women of all ages, with or without children, who are at home during the day. We meet in the Community Suite at the Link Centre on Fridays at 10a.m. A free creche is provided. We operatean open door policy, everyone is made welcome and there are no waiting lists. We are meeting again in September after the summer break and events organised are as follows: 6 September. Ruth Sharp from Civic Offices to talk about Urban Conservation in Thamesd own. 13 September Visit to West Swindon Health Centre. 20 September Mrs Joan Jefferies to talk about local hauntings and folklore. 27 September Coffee morning. 4 October. Demonstration of Indian Cookery. Allyson CanJis on 538819 can supply more information about PAUSE.
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GREEN TENDENCIES Family Fun Day in Sparcells Sue Talbot writes:
Contrary to reports in another local paper, there is life at Sparcells, and the newly formed Sparcells Conservation Group invites everyone to come along to a family fun day. Due toourfickle summerweather, it has been rearranged and will be held on Sunday 8 September from 230pm by the new concrete bridge, over the stream at Sparcells. Activities include guided walks of the conservation area, which will be known as 'Herons Haven', and children's environment games. There will be a bar-b-que so bring your own sausages etc. The GWR Walkathon on that day will pass Herons Haven, so if you need a rest, stop and have a chat with us. We hope this fun day will encour-
age new members to join our group. Our first work day to start on creating abetter environment in Spa rcells is on Sunday 29 September from lOam to 4pm - bring your wellies and a packed lunch! Details of all these events will be posted on the newly erected noticeboanl at the concrete bridge. Further information from Ruth Shame on 3787, extn. 159.
Greener tendencies Swindon Friends of the Earth are organising an evening on how to adopt a greener lifestyle on 11 September. 101 ways of going greener are promised at the Friends Meeting House on Eastcott Hill, starting at 8pm.
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SPECIAL FAMILY OFFER TAKE A REAL BREAK! ONLY £50 PER NIGHT! A ROOM FREE FOR YOUR CHILDREN AND NO CHARGE FOR THE FAMILY BREAKFAST! Hotel Ibis Swindon For further information, or to make a reservation, please send the coupon below or telephone 0793 514777, remembering to ask for The Special Family Offer.
ote 1 i bi s
Please post the coupon to: Erica Dryden, Hotel Ibis UK, 112/114 Bath Road, Hayes, Middlesex UB3 5AL. Name Address Postcode
CATCH A DAY RETURN FOR JUST £1.40 (55p children) at
7h great \Ves tern ..Rciilviay lLlluseum
Mike Brewser and his olive green jeep
Anew World War II Jeep has taken to the road, forty five years after its parts were first built. The Jeep started out as a chassis in 1983 and has gradually been restored by Mike Brewser who used to live in Toothill. Working slowly when he located parts, Mike has rebuilt the genuine article. Apart from the electrical system, every major part comes from Jeeps built during the war. The front body section is a Ford built Jeep welded to a Wileys Jeep rear end, the crankshaft is a brand new 1945 model imported from the U.S.A., the air filter was sent over from the Falkland Islands and other parts were dug up from a farmers field in Devon. The speedometer is an exception and not genuine Jeep. Although wartime vintage, it comes from a
Stuart tank with 60 miles on the clock Mike had hardly changed a wheel before starting the restoration, but over the last seven years, he has stripped down and rebuilt every component. "I had always wanted a jeep. They have fascinated me," said Mike. "Maybe its the idea of driving in the open air, but its definitely not a touring vehicle. The suspension is very hard and the idea of a 15 gallon fuel tank under the drivers seat is slightly unnerving." Mike's handiwork had its first outing at the Southsea D-Day Show in May, though he shuns the military dress that many enthusiasts go in for. "Rebuilding the Jeep has been a passionate hobby, that's all." His next project is to restore a trailer to accompany it.
Help with cats The Wootton Bassett and District branch of the Cats Protection League is available to help with having cats spayed and neutered. Call them also if you find a stray or have unwanted kittens. Contact tephanie Giles on 611170.
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Link Magazine readers can enjoy a trip around the Great Western Railway Museum for 25p less than the normal admission p rice* + Climb on board the 'Dean Goods' locomotive + Step back in time in the Railwayman's Cottage and marvel at the original fittings and period furniture + Visit 'Return to Swindon,' a major exhibition highlighting Swindon's role in 'God's Wonderful Railway' Jusi CUT OUT TS COUPON AND TAKE IT TO THE MUSEUM
Open Mon - Sat 10.00- 17.00 (last admission 16.30) • Sun 14.00 - 17.00 Telephone: (0793) 493189 This offer is open to individuals in groups up to a maximum of 5 people. Offer doses 30th September 1991
Arts & Recreation BOROUGH OF ThAMESDOWN
24
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West Swindon's firemen have just celebrated their first birthday at their permanent home in Westlea. We visited them to talk about the firecover they are giving the area. Until 28 August 1990 when Westlea fire station went operational, the fire crews had been workingoutof Swindon fire station and parking their engine overnight and at weekends in the Link Centre library garage for the previous 9 months. After a year, the firemen are pleased with their performance, partly because the station has only just reached full strength of eighteen firemen, another reason for a celebration. Sub-officer Andy Hai gleaves said the crews had willingly gone beyond the call of duty. "Illness, annual leave and waiting for new recruits to arrive from training has Team work needed to put out a wall of flame meant that time-off has been at a Below:The emergency tender (ET) premiuni The men have responded from home at night and at weekbased at Westlea carries all the with 110% effort to maintain the ends. All the firemen living within necessary gear for different tasks service as well as volunteering at one mile of the station and the duty weekends to take the appliances to crew is required to have thefireapplifetes and special safety awareness ance out of the station within four events." minutes of a home call. They have He stressed that being under never failed to achieve this target. strength did not mean there had During the last twelve months, been inadequate fire cover. All shifts the crews have been called to about had the required number of firemen 900 incidents, ranging from fighting two large factory fires, chemical inon duty. Westlea is a day-manned facility cidents and mad traffic accidents, to with crews on hand at the station pulling a deer out of a swimming during the day and ready forcall out pool. Removing the roof before extricating the casualty
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Because it is new and incorporates new design features, the Westlea station has had visitors from farand wide including fire officers fromJapan, Romania and Sweden. Hoisting the right flag, particularly when the Romanians were due, proved a problem at first until they turned to the flag library at Burmah Oil. Leadingfireman Clive Hawes said the station had a young, keen staff. "We're always looking for new ways to hone our skills and havedesigned and developed several pieces of equipment to improve techniques." The Westlea firemen have shown how good they have become in a short time when they took a high
placing in the national extrication competition, as we feature on the front page. But Andy Hargreaves said the community should notbecome complacent knowing there is good fire cover in the area. "Thankfully the number of domestic fires in west and north Swindon has been low. But people have to maintain their vigilance, be safety conscious and take precautions. I would appeal to all readers to fit smoke detectors. They're life savers." The ET also allows firemen to work in contaminated environments
NEWS & VIEWS
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Meals service needs help Many people in Thamesdown could be left hungry unless more helpers come forward say Meals on Wheels organisers. The lack of volunteers has become so serious that deliveries are takingtwice as longand some people could be going without a meal altogether. The Women's Royal Voluntary Service working in conjunction with Wiltshire County SocialServices are appealing for men and women of any age to come to their rescue. Drivers and non-drivers who can spare as little as two hours a week or more if possible are needed. Meal deliverers go out in pairs and receive initial training and plenty of
support. All expenses are paid. Meals on Wheels deliverbetween 400 and 500 meals a day to a wide variety of people, including the elderly and the disabled. Apart from themealdeliveivd, which isofcourse very important, for many people receiving them it is the only opportunity they have to talk to someone all day. It is also an opportunity to check on the general welfare of the client and report any problems back to Social Services. Anyone who feels they could spare a little time to help should contact Pat Purser at the WRVS on 525987 between lOam and 3pm as soon as possible.
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Club members and their trusty transport
The members of the North Wilts Morris Minor Club are interested in meeting other owners and people interested in the car. The club meets on the third Friday of each month at Chris and Lorraine Howard's house, 24 Bodiam Drive, Toothill to organise events and plan trips to rallies around the country. The attractions of the Morris Minor are clear for Chris, who is chair-
man of the group. "It's one of the last cars with real character. Most people will admit to having one in the family in their past." In early summer the Howard's attended an International rally in the south of France and July saw club members touring the White Horses of Wiltshire. Readers who would like to join them can ring the club secretary Brian Tinson on 539029.
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7 Day Service Tel: Swindon 870802 anytime
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Step out for wildlife The World Wide Fund for Nature is holding a sponsored walk for wildlife around Lydiard Park on Sunday 6 October and walkers are wanted. Entitled 'Walk for Species in Danger,' the walk is being organised to raise money to try and protect many of the earth's species who are endangered because of destructive human activity. Deforestation, agricultural land clearance, pollution, overhunting and fishing, rapidly expanding human populations, industry, transport and housing, and illegal trade in animals, are wiping out the world's wildlife. The WWF is Involved In many projects to preserve natural habitats for species under threat. The Swindon walk on 6 October Is one of 400 around the country. It starts at 10.30am at the Lydiard Park visitor centre. To obtain a sponsor form, telephone the WWF walk hotline on 0483 427269.
TERRACOTTA PLANT POTS HAND MADE, FROST PROOF MOST POTS REDUCED SOME HALF PRICE COURTYARD POTTERY GROUNDWELL FARM CRICKLADE ROAD, SWINDON TEL: 727466/727884
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Letters to The Link
Letters should be sent by 16th of the month to The Link 13 Castle Dore, Freshbrook, Swindon SN5 8PQ
Dogs and Toxocariases Thanks for helping hand Guides thanks From Doris Ross, George Tweed Gar- From Chris Lockett, Guider in Charge, From Mrs M Roberts, 'Stoneyrer', Wootton Bassett Whilst I support the view ofJ. Sutton deposited by dog or any other anidens, Shaw 1st West lea Guides I should like to thank all the Good On behalf of the lstWestlea and 23rd (July issue of The Link) that the reg- mal (including humans). Samaritans who came to my aid when I fell down at the open air market on August 13th (yes 13th). The person who lifted me up (I was too dazed and shaken to get up), the gentleman from the market who produced a chair for me, the people who mopped blood off my legs, the lady from the medical centre who was about to help when my husband was found and ran me round to Ashington House where the nurse was very kind. Thank you all so much.
Good photo From M. Evans, Middle! eaze Drive I thought the photograph of the Victorian wedding on the front page of the August edition of The Link was great. The serious expressions on the faces of the children, their dress and way the picture was printed captured the atmosphere brilliantly. At first glance you might have thought the photo had been taken at the turn of the century rather than a few weeks ago. Keep up the good work. Brilliant photo, brilliant magazine.
MINI SKIPS IN WEST SWINDON Tel: 480527 or 0860 871250
istration of dogs would not prevent the passing on of the disease Toxocariasis I do feel that more knowledge on the subject might make them take a different view. Do they realise that: Children do not have to come into direct contact with dog faeces to pick up the worm's eggs. The egg can live up to 18 months Pub Meals for O.A.Ps after the faeces have naturally disFrom Tom Wilson, Toothill As a Pensioner who likes a pint of appeared. It can live on in grass, sand, soil, ale, and enjoys having a meal out occasionally, I find the meal por- indeed anywhere it may have been tions very generous, too generous in fact for my appetite. Other elderly persons I've spoken to feel the same. TV reception in the west It would be appreciated, if the From Mrs M Bastin, Lineacre Close, Pubs had a menu for Senior Citizens Grange Park with smaller portions at a reduced I have just been reading the Link rate, as they do for children. I am Magazine No. 113, Aug91 and lam sure the elderly community would writing to tell you of our very poor welcome this by allowing them to T.V. reception that we have. It is so bad that we have had to have Swindine out on occasions. don Cable T. V. installed just to have Reading difficulties help a good picture. From Charlotte Edwards We have gota very up to dateT.V. Jam a teacher of children with Spe- that cost a small fortune so naturally cial Needs. I trained in the Mid- we thought the reception would be lands where I taught for many years perfect but not so. In fact over the until I moved to the Swindon area. last couple of months the picture My greatest interest has always has got a great deal worse. been the teaching of reading and I just thought that I would let you more especially the teaching of chil- know this in reply to your article in dren who have reading difficulties. the magazine. In view of this, I am available to give tuition to a number of children From Mrs M Caple, Ascham Road, who need assistance. Grange Park I look forward to hearing from After reading in this month's Link anyone who has children with read- about the number of people coming difficulties. If I can be of help, plaining about poor T.V. reception, please contact me on 814164. wealso sufferthis and have forsome time. Surely something should be done if enough people are being affected. Swindon Girl Guide Companies, I would like to express thanks to the Manageress and staff of ASDA for the donation of groceries for our recent camp. Mrs Worrad was both helpful and generous and the camp was a great success.
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In theory therefore, the egg can enter our own homes via the soles of our shoes, clothing or beach towels which have come into contact with grass, soil or sand etc, or balls and other play things which have been used in areas frequented by dogs (or foxes). During 15 years of working in a playgroup and a junior school in the Swindon area I have knowof4 cases, and I also have knowledge of 2 more (friend's children). This may not seem ma ny to your readers but when you realise the full effect and witness the pain and misery, then even one case is one too many. (In each case, the child in question lost the sight of an eye - permanently.) A quote from a national newspaper only this week has stated that "one child a week goes blind in one eye through toxocariasis". We must, of course, educate everyone in the problems that pets can bring so that no-one is in any doubt as to where it might lead. Hand washing is obviously important but we cannot be behind children every minute of the day. Adults too are not immune. The first thing we all do when we sit down in the park or on the beach for a picnic is put our hands onto the ground. We then proceed to tuckin. More sandwiches anybody?! Once ingested, the eggs are passed into the intestine where they will hatch. The larvae then travels via the bloodstream to the eyes, lungs, liver or brain and the irreversible damage is done. Allanimalowners should begiven the full details of these diseases and should be made to feel more responsibility towards those which it could affect. Toxocariasis is, afterall, only one of 30 diseases which can be spread by dogs. Cat owners (I am one) should also be made aware of similar parasites and the consequences. After all, one minute a cat will be digging in the flower bed and the next minute jumping in through the kitchen window and walking the work surfaces. Need I say more?
We have experienced poorer television reception gradually over the past twelve years. After the Link Centre was constructed our picture deteriorated. However, we managed to rectify this by fitting a booster socket. It has been quite noticeable over the last 18 months that the screen The Link Classifieds often has shadowy effect and prone Lineage ads cost £3.50 per single to a lot on interference and poor column centimetre inc. VAT. quality pictures. Even with us acCash with advert to The Link, 13 quiring a new set the problem of Castle Dore, Freshbrook, Swindon poor quality rema ins, and if the video is put on to record late night pro- For Sale - Two bicycles grammes, these recordings are al- BMX - suit 6/7 year old. most unwatchable. Good condition £20 We are able to tune into both HTV Girls . suit 8/9. Needs attention £5 and Central, having two aerials- the Ring 872282 picture is only good on one station at a time - never both! Clothing Alterations & Repairs We look forward to reading of Tel: 872096 other peoples' difficulties in future Mrs White, Freshbrook issues.
NEWS & VIEWS ff@T nww d5T@@U@n@ Do you need help on a career path or advice on what training courses are available? A guidance worker from the Adult Guidance Unit is available every Tuesday morning between 10a.m. and 12noon in the Mall at the Link Centre to chat to people who need information and advice on what their next steps could be.
The West Swindon Job Centre Louise Wilkes visited the centre to find out about the important local service it provides
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Ecumenical Parish of West Swindon & The Lydiards U.R.C., Baptist. Toothill
Rev. Ian Handscomb 693384 Rev. Anne Thomas 496421 St. Mary's LTregoze for Freshbrook & Grange Park
Rev. Rob Burle 870244 Westlea
Rev. John Flory 770217 t Shaw and Sparcells
DUNCAN SELF DRIVE HIRE Vehicles for Hire at Competitive Rates Vans • Lutons. Estates Cars• Mini Bus 272 Ermin Street Stratton St. Margaret Swindon
Anyone visiting the Job Centre in the past month in the number of jobs West Swindon lately will have no- available. The most encouraging ticed the changes it has undergone thing is that it is not just in one area; in both appearance and the service it hotel work, catering, sales, shops as well as warehouse distribution jobs provides. "The most visible difference is that are all on the up." West Swindon Job Centre has 6 we have become completely computerised, which means we are now part time and full time staff, who linked by computer to all the South also offer training advice. 'Wedon't West offices," said joint officer in give specific advice on any given charge Brenda Lyle. "This allows us subject. We point people in the right access to all the job vacancies in the direction to get the advice they want. region and are able to show these to We have dealings with a number of our clients on the computer screen. training providers, including'Astm This system is much quicker and Training' in Dorcan, and 'MDS' in more reliable, and it also allows us Old Town. We are also in the procto give our clients the most up to ess of making other companies date information." aware of what we are doing.' The new machines went 'live' on Another new scheme underway 3 June and the response the staff had is a government sponsored adult from clients has been very positive. guidance unit to give advice to peo"Being linked up to the other of- ple who are trying to set up their lices in Swindon means we can dis- own business. play all the job vacancies available Jane is confident that despite all Ln the area. This is a definite advan- the changes they still offer a more :age for our clients as they no longer personal service than largerJob Cenave to go to the Job Centre in town. tres, simply because they have less J1 the information they need is here." clients. "We are developing in such Another advantage of the into-- a way that we can adjust our servtion is that they now offer a ben- ices to deal with present job situaservice as well. Although peo- tion. At the moment our priorities le cannot sign on at the centre, they lie in offering a service to the long o take fresh claims. term unemployed, to hopefully get Despite the fact that the unem- them back to work" loyment level has been steadily If you would like some help in the • sing,Jane Barclay, the other officer search for a job a free booklet enticharge believes that things are tled 'Just the Job' is now available ginning to get better. 'There has from the Job Centre at West Swineen a definite upward trend over don Centre.
Worsley Road
Anglican, Methodist,
Rev. Keith Boxall 770568 Rev. Helen Drummond 874372 f also All Saints, L. Millicent
Nearly all the staff in the centre at the same time, Jayne Shaw, Gill Lothian, Brenda Lyle, Chis Cronkrite, Julie Douch, Joan Orton
Freshbrook '41 Church Will give YOU a warm welcome Sunday lOam
Family Praise with children's Covenanter Movement & creche 6.30pm Evening Worship and Communion For details of mid-week meetings, house groups and other activities, telephone Rev. Peter Grainger on 490498. Church Office, Tel: 873050
MOBILE MECHANIC WE COME TO YOU *Non-Starts .Servicing 'Tuning • M.O.T. Work 'Breakdowns 'Electrical Faults *Clutches fitted
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Can Help! * Towbars for Cars, Vans & Light Vehicles * Seat Belts (Kangol & Britax Approved) * Child Safety Seats Tel: 0793 613147, 0793488622
DESPERATE? LONELY? SUICIDAL?
The Samaritans You don't have to be suicidal to share your problems with us. Phone anytime day or night, or call into 6 Curtis Street, Swindon betweeen 8am & 10pm.
the Samaritans Swindon 537373
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