DECEMBER 2003
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Swindon obstetrician and gynaecological surgeon John Sullimore is also a
song writer and musician. His desire to hear his music recorded, mixed with
a keenness to support the town's new hospital has led to him and his band
called The Smooth Operators to produce a four track CD entitled 'Under The
Knife.' Click here to read more | |
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Illustrators from around the world have contributed to a charming calendar
for a well-known British baby charity. Baby Firsts depicts the milestones in
a baby's first year: the first step, the first toy, the first day out, the
first word and so on. Poignantly, the proceeds go to the Foundation for the
Study of Infant Deaths (FSID) that works to prevent infant deaths and to
promote baby health. Click here to read more |
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Peatmoor Community School's links with South Africa are being strengthened
and widened by the delivery in December of a huge collection of educational
materials and donated goods to Dihlabeng School in the mountainous region of
Clarens, three hours from Johannesburg. Click here to read more |
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The Christmas No 1. is what all the big stars aim for - whether it's the
usual Pop Idol suspects, Mr Blobby or Cliff - and we, the gullible public,
get taken in by the hype pumped out by the record promoters. Click here to read more |
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Swindon's Arkell's Brewery welcomed in the Christmas season on 1 December by
launching its annual Christmas brew, Noel Ale, at The Kingsdown pub in
Swindon - with the help of its new mascot, Pete the Pint. Click here to read more |
NOVEMBER 2003
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Swindon's man with the mouth, sprightly 72 year old Fred Ferris, has been
presented with a new uniform thanks to sponsorship by Swindon Town Centre
Management. Click here to read more |
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Skaters will be getting together just before Christmas to show how much
Swindon needs a permanent indoor skate and bike park. Click here to read more |
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Police support officer Stuart Thomas is now available every Tuesday 9am to
11am at the North Swindon police point at the district centre to talk to
callers and help with any queries. Click here to read more |
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Despite all his hard work Councillor Stan Pajak has narrowly missed out on
the national title of Mayor of the Year Award 2003, run by the Co-operative
Bank. Click here to read more |
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Here's a great chance to raise money for a good cause and get fit at the
same time. Click here to read more |
OCTOBER 2003
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At the same time in September that Swindon Council's
cabinet decided to back the multi-million pound bid to the Heritage Lottery
fund for the restoration of Lydiard Park, the council's planning committee
added millions of pounds in value to the rotting Mechanics' Institution by
agreeing outline planning permission on the thinnest of pretexts. Central
Area councillor David Nash asks the difficult questions that the councillors
on the committee shied away from. Click here to read more |
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Comments made by the public on the plans to develop 4,500 houses in
Swindon's 'front garden', between Old Town, West Swindon and the M4 have
resulted in amended outline proposals to Swindon Council's planning
committee by developers Bryant Homes. Click here to read more |
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Visiting Swindon's latest tourist attraction, the Studley Grange butterfly
centre, near M4 junction 16 became a highlight of the summer holidays for
Charlie Jarvis from Haydon Wick. Now she and her family can go there as
often as they like after they were presented with a pass for the whole year. Click here to read more |
SEPTEMBER 2003
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West Swindon showman Phil Walker is planning a stunt spectacular that Harry
Houdini would have been up for. Click here to read more |
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Lack of children moving into North Swindon and fewer than expected babies
being born in the area were two of the reasons given by Swindon's director
of education, Hilary Pitts, for yet another delay in the start on a
secondary school in the area, at a meeting arranged by Blunsdon and Haydon
Wick Parish Councils on 19 September. Click here to read more |
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The Mayor of Swindon coun Derek Benfield waved the green flag which sent a
steam engine on tracks laid across a newly restored bridge as the Swindon
and Cricklade Railway Society staged a weekend of events to celebrate its
25th anniversary on 20 and 21 September. The society is planning more
significant developments over the next few years as it lays track towards
Moulden Hill country park, at the southern end of Thamesdown Drive, where a
station is proposed, opposite Taw Hill. Click here to read more |
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After appealing for financial support in the July edition of Swindon Link
magazine the Priory Vale consortium of builders have generously agreed to be
the main sponsor for the newly formed Under 10's team. Click here to read more |
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Ten red Morgan sports cars, or MOGS as they are fondly known by enthusiasts,
will roar in to Arkell's Beer Festival on Saturday 13th September, to help
with the 160th anniversary celebrations being held at Kingsdown Brewery in
Stratton, Swindon. Click here to read more |
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Artist who designed Swindon's hospital stained glass shortlisted for
prestigious national arts award
Amber Hiscott, whose large architectural glass panel illuminates the atrium
of the Great Western Hospital, reached the shortlist for the prestigious
Jerwood Applied Arts Prize 2003. Click here to read more |
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Intrepid fundraiser Jane Tomlinson and former boxer Michael Watson received
special awards from Nationwide Building Society at a ceremony on 3 September
which recognises local heroes from around the UK. Click here to read more |
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Three hundred and fifty years after Lord St John's son Edward returned to
the ancestral home from the second battle of Newbury in 1645, mortally
wounded fighting for the King, Cavaliers and Roundheads will again be in
evidence on Heritage Open Days, Saturday 13 and Sunday 14 September for a
Cavalier Cavalcade, funded by Arts in Business. Click here to read more |
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As development in North Swindon continues inexorably, residents have now
lost from their midst a valuable local service and an oasis of calm: Alan
and Valerie Trotman have decided to succumb to the inevitable and close down
Grange Farm Garden Centre and Nursery. Click here to read more |
AUGUST 2003
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Exhibition to show designs of new public art work combines with
aerial photos taken by Link magazine Click here to read more |
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Swindon's fifth Forest Festival is taking shape and getting ready to offer a
great day of family fun and entertainment. The event will take place on
Saturday 30th August at the Lawn, Old Town, Swindon from 10am-5pm. Click here to read more |
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Plans to build a new National Trust headquarters on a brownfield site within
the Great Western Railway area have been given approval by Swindon Borough
Council's planning committee. Click here to read more |
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"Hang on, we're driving, I'll pull over......What? They're going to make it
for real and I get the helicopter flight? Fantastic!!" It is not the kind
of call you expect while out shopping! Click here to read more |
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The proof of age card used by thousands of young people in Swindon is now
more secure than ever. Click here to read more |
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Prospects for the first Mechanics' Institution Children's Fete since
1939 are looking bright. Click here to read more |
JULY 2003
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Swindon Police would like to speak to the male captured on CCTV in
connection with an allegation of indecent assault. Click here to read more |
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South Swindon MP Julia Drown and husband Bill Child have named their new
baby Ottilie Ellen who was born on Monday 14 July Click here to read more |
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Following it's positive review by the Commission for Health Improvement
which placed it in the top 10% of Trusts in the country, Swindon and
Marlborough NHS Trust has been awarded two stars in the national performance
ratings. Click here to read more |
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The De Vere Hotel at the Shaw Ridge Leisure Park on Whitehill Way in West
Swindon has been transformed into a high security area ready for VIP's
attending the Royal International Air Tattoo (RIAT) at Fairford over the
weekend of 19 and 20 July. Click here to read more |
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The Wiltshire Festival which usually takes place on the August Bank Holiday
weekend at Lydiard Country Park, Swindon is being postponed until August
2004. Click here to read more | |
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A West Swindon mum at the end of her tether at the beginning of the year had
a lovely surprise on 11 July when Swindon celebrity Melinda Messenger
dropped by with a bouquet of flowers to welcome as the 1000th carer to
register with the Princess Royal Trust Carers Centre, known in Swindon as
Focus on Carers and Self Help. Click here to read more |
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Tens of thousands of trade justice campaigners have told over 500 British
MPs how poor countries need trade rules weighted in their favour, during the
UK's biggest marathon political lobby from 27th-28th June. Click here to read more | |
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It's the last chance for the residents of Swindon to come forward with their
nominations for the first of this year's Swindon Borough Council Citizen
Awards. Click here to read more |
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Martha Parry of Swindon's New Mechanics' Trust reviews plans put forward by
the New Swindon Company Click here to read more |
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Two teams of archaeologists are trying to throw light on what the Groundwell
Ridge Roman site between Ash Brake and St Andrew's Ridge actually contains. Click here to read more |
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A perspective from Peter Andrews, Chief Executive of The New Swindon
Company, (Swindon's urban regeneration company) Click here to read more |
JUNE 2003
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The Safer Swindon Shop and Consumer Advice Service will receive £137,615 of
funding over the next three years from the Legal Services Commission
'Partnership Initiative Budget' (PIB). This follows a successful joint bid
from the Public Protection Group and Crime and Disorder Team. Click here to read more |
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New mums at Swindon's can now email pictures of their newborn babies to
friends and family and sick children can access the internet from their beds
thanks to internet connection terminals located in key areas throughout the
hospital for the benefit of patients, visitors and staff alike. Click here to read more |
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The English Heritage Survey team based at the National Monuments Record Centre
began an archaeological survey of Lydiard Park, writes Sarah Finch-Crisp,
Keeper of Lydiard House. Click here to read more |
MAY 2003
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Time is running out to respond to the Wiltshire and Swindon Structure Plan
2016 pre-deposit draft. The deadline for receiving comments on the
proposals in the document, available at libraries and the council offices at
Premier House, Station Road, is 9 June. Click here to read more |
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Up and coming ice hockey star Shane Moore from Middleleaze is a member of so
many teams that sometimes he must be confused about which squad he's playing
for. Click here to read more |
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Help swell the fund by bidding for items. Click here to read more | |
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Julia Drown, MP for South Swindon, joined six time gold medallist, Steve
Cram and debt campaigners on 13 May in organising a 'race against third
world debt' outside the Houses of Parliament. Click here to read more | |
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Swindon has a brand new library, the first in nearly 20 years. Located at
the North Swindon District Centre, the 3,500 square metre facility was
officially opened by the Deputy Mayor and Mayor designate Councillor Derek
Benfield. Click here to read more |
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Child Suicide is a supportive resource for parents, grandparents and siblings who have lost a child, grandchild, brother or sister to the tragedy of suicide
www.childsuicide.homestead.com Click here to read more | |
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Work by over 500 West Swindon primary school children was displayed in an
art exhibition at Greendown School in Grange Park on 30 April and 1 May as
part of an innovative project to smooth the transition between primary and
secondary school. Click here to read more | |
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Swindon now has a brand new library, the first in nearly 20 years. Click here to read more |
APRIL 2003
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Work by over 500 West Swindon primary school children will be displayed in
an art exhibition at Greendown School in Grange Park on 30 April and 1 May
from 5pm to 7pm. Click here to read more |
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When popular Westlea School teacher Clive Hellawell jokingly pinched a
chocolate cup cake from the lunch box of one of his pupils over a year ago,
little did the 37 year old bachelor know of the train of events that would
lead to him marrying the cook. Click here to read more |
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The town's noisiest promoter is planning to spread the good name of Swindon
around the planet when he competes in the Town Crier World Championships in
May. Click here to read more |
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Footballers at Catherine Wayte Primary School in Abbey Meads can now play in
style thanks to the generosity of their new local sponsor arranged by
Swindon's Link magazine. Click here to read more |
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Organisations and businesses involved in environmental projects in the town
were recognised on 4 April when the first ever Swindon Quality of Life
Awards, sponsored by local companies Cellular Operations and Blick Systems,
were presented by South Swindon MP Julia Drown. Click here to read more |
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In this European Year of the Disabled, the author behind Swindon's world
class literacy project has written a book which helps young children learn
that everyone can play a useful role in life, no matter what their
limitations might be. Click here to read more |
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A ground-breaking housing scheme for keyworkers in Swindon has been a
runaway success and there is now a waiting list for the town-centre
apartments. Click here to read more |
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Landlord Oliver Cleary of the Jovial Monk pub at St Andrew's Ridge is
expecting a severe dip in takings during April as ten of his regulars have
jetted off for their annual golf tour to Portugal, taking a crate of
Arkell's 'Moonlight' Beer to help them with their swing. Click here to read more |
MARCH 2003
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Swindon Borough Council's website has been rated by an independent assessor as being in the top 15 most improved in this year's review of all UK local authority sites. Click here to read more |
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The Mayor of Swindon, Stan Pajak was on hand to present three cheques for
£1000 each to three Swindon Charities in early March at a reception
organised for charity representatives and members of Round Table. Click here to read more | |
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History lessons at Swindon's Greendown School in Grange Park are going to
have a link with Lydiard Park after computer firm Europhile Technology
Consultants Ltd. donated £5,000 worth of software and expertise to help
students explore the life and times of the St John family. Click here to read more |
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Celebration and diversity are at least two of the themes for the tenth
Swindon Festival of Literature, which runs 1 - 17 May this year, writes
festival director Matt Holland. Click here to read more | |
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There is a further chance for the public to air their views on Bryant
Homes's proposals for building on Swindon's Front Garden on Friday 7 March
from 2.30pm until 7.30pm in Christchurch church hall in Devizes Road, Old
Town. Click here to read more |
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With 130 houses now occupied the appearance of Priory Vale is an area unlike
anything seen in Swindon so far. Now a planning application for a village
centre recently submitted to Swindon Council continues the trend. Click here to read more |
FEBRUARY 2003
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Between 9.30am and 9.45am on Saturday 15th February, a 12 year old
schoolboy, was walking home alone from the the shops at Peatmoor Village
Centre and as he neared the Peatmoor Primary School in Pepperbox Hill, he
was approached by two youths, one on a mountain bike, which was ridden
straight at him, knocking him to the ground. Click here to read more | |
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Swindon Pharmacist Chris McKendrick appeals for help from readers Click here to read more | |
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In his recent Channel 4 series on the The English Church, Simon Jenkins drew
the nation's attention to the Golden Cavalier at St Mary's Church, Lydiard
Tregoze. Now a painting of the monument by one of Britain's best loved 20th
Century painters, John Piper (1903 - 1992) has been acquired by Lydiard
House, writes Sarah Finch-Crisp, keeper of the house. Click here to read more |
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A West Swindon woman who switched from being a keep fit instructor to become
a firefighter has not looked back on her decision to hang up her leotard in
favour of a helmet, heavy jacket and protective boots. Click here to read more |
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Jo Sayers had an amazing stroke of luck on her first day at work in December
as Swindon's Water for Wildlife Project Officer when she had an extremely
rare sighting of an otter in the River Ray. Click here to read more |
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A West Swindon man beat off tough competition in late January to be
recognised as the country's top event organiser for 2002. Click here to read more |
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Internet book to be published on paper in February Click here to read more |
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Lyn Hill-Tout has been appointed Chief Executive of the Swindon and
Marlborough NHS Trust, one of the most senior jobs in the local NHS. Click here to read more |
JANUARY 2003
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Fascinating artifact from the Cold War in the possession of Swindon
Reference Library reveals for the first time plans for Russian occupation Click here to read more |
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Two years after the earthquake in Gujarat in India, the victims move into
new homes with Wiltshire's help Click here to read more |
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A woman who was conceived and born in Holocaust concentration camps will
visit Swindon for the third international Holocaust Memorial Day on Monday
27 January to tell her remarkable story and reflect on man's capacity for
inhumanity. Click here to read more |
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Following last May's splendid and successful ninth festival, plans are now
well underway for the tenth Swindon Festival of Literature, 1 -17 May. This
will be the longest Festival of Literature yet, and to quote the star of
last year Mo Mowlem, it's the UK's best-organised. Click here to read more |
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People living in Swindon are going to benefit when Swindon Council
introduces the new SwindonCard to replace the existing booking card, leisure
passport and Gold Card. Click here to read more | |
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Seven environmentally friendly houses to be completed during the Spring in
Abbey Meads will mark the end of the first phase of Swindon's expansion to
the north, eight years after the first homes were occupied. Click here to read more | |
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Kenny Gilbertson, 17, who recently moved to Priory Vale with his family from
Westlea, only sat on a full sized racing motorcycle last January, having
shown promise in mini-motos and coming third in the 2001 British
Championships. Click here to read more |
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Where has it all gone wrong? The high hopes for an effective borough council in 1997 when Swindon took back local government responsibilities, in particular Education and Social Services, have turned into a disaster. Click here to read more |
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Swindon's celebration of the Queen's Golden Jubilee comes to a climax at the
end of February when a futuristic clock is unveiled in the town centre by a
senior Royal, understood to be the Duke of Edinburgh. Click here to read more |
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Healthcare services in West Swindon, as part of an overall plan for Swindon
residents, are coming under the spotlight and everyone is invited to have
their say at a special meeting at Toothill Community Centre on 14 January,
7pm. Click here to read more | |
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Youngsters at Westlea School have been enjoying the company of a Japanese
classroom assistant who will be helping out there until the end of January. Click here to read more |
