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THE TOOTHILL COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT OFFICER

The Community Development Officer appointed by Thamesdown Borough Council, responsible for Toothill, Freshbrook and
Whitehill is Roger Ogle. He started the job on January 8th and has been finding out what it actually involves
since then.
Roger is 28 years old and comes to Toothill from an extended period of unemployment. His last job was with a
London based charity called Task Force, in their Camden office for three years where he was mainly concerned with
the needs of the elderly people. Most of his time was spent visiting them and working with volunteers willing to
visit those who were lonely or socially isolated. Roger also worked with a pensioners Trade Union which saw as
its job the need to pressurize the Government for a higher pension and the local council for better services to the
elderly.
The Community Development job in Thamesdown's Western expansion area is an enormous one, according to Roger,
"I didn't realize the huge area which Toothill, Freshbrook and Whitehill covers 'on the ground'. Also it is
very difficult to imagine what the 25,000 people who will live here looks like ; especially when nobody was here
three and a half years ago."
"What attracts me to this job is the fact that there is an open book as far as a community here is concerned.
Whatever happens whether it be social, cultural or political has to emerge from the efforts of the people who have
come to live here."
Roger is very positive about the possibilities for building community life in Toothill. "It has started,
people are organising groups around different needs or issues such as the needs of young people or under 5's; or
the need to communicate views with the council. My job is to encourage and support any people with ideas who want
to find others and want to make them work. I am also here if groups get a bit disorganised and want some help".
Roger is also aware of his limitations. "I think everybody should be clear that I am no superman, (neither do
I have a magic wand.) To make ideas happen the people interested in them are going to have to work at making them
come about — whether it be raising money for a community centre, creating an effective village council to communicate
with the Borough, or organising this years Fun Day/Fete". Roger also lives in Toothill so he's doubly committed to
making community life interesting. If anybody wants to know more about what Roger does or needs some help in getting
a community group together you can contact him at Toothill Farmhouse, Bodiam Drive (drop in a note if he's not there)
or phone him on Swindon 26161 Ext. 454.

TOOTHILL YOUTH CLUB
We're not the biggest, but we aim to be the best!
STOP PRESS
Where is it ?
The Youth Club is situated in an outbuilding at
T*O*O*T*H*I*L*L* F*E*T*E *
the Farm in Bodiam Drive.
When is it open ?
F*U*N* D*A*Y* '79 *
It is open every evening except for Mondays,
from 7.30 pm except Sundays when it opens from 6.30 pm.

Who can go ? So many people have asked for another
The Youth Club is for 13-18 year olds, although we FETE that there will be
do allow younger youths in at the moment.
a MEETING
What do we do at the Youth Club ?
Activities include, darts, pool, table tennis,
on : MONDAY 26th FEBRUARY
T.V., football, and rounders. We have also been on a
number of trips in the last year such as Ice—skating at
at 7.30 p.m.
Bristol, Bar—B—Q at Savernake forest, day trips to
Weymouth, Porthcawl and Southsea. We now have our own
in : THE COMMUNITY ROOM OF THE SCHOOL
41 seater bus. We've had a pool competition, been on
a hike, had a mystery trip and we've held four Disco's.
to : START ORGANISING THIS YEAR'S
The Youth Club runs a football team and any person FETE / FUN DAY '79
under 17 can join in. The team is in need of adults
interested in helping run it and who could provide
transport to games. All kinds of people needed for all kinds
We are very short of funds and if anyone can help
of jobs, ideas, activities, etc., etc.
by sending along any unwanted games, records, or any-
thing else you think might be useful, it would be very DO COME
much appreciated.
Geoff & Kris Webb Jim & Marg Blackwell
33 Graham St., 49 Markenfield.
Telephone 30366