Page 139 - link magazine

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^L I N KFebruary 1983

t sit
name is Christine Wood. I'm the new Neighbourhood Worker for
othill. I'm 37 years old and have two sons, Lee 14 and Mathew 10 years.
have lived and worked in Reading for most of my life and only recently moved here.
work experience has been with people of all ages and cultural backgrounds in groups, clubs or
individuals, by giving support and encouragement to setup neighbourhood projects and groups,
g. parent & toddlers, playgroups, womens support groups, art clubs, family groups, youth clubs,
nior citizens groups, residents associations, where ever there is a need.

first impression of Toothill is the newness of it all after living in a older area, and how
iendly everyone is, the people in community groups, people in the street, staff at the shops.
is atmosphere is very comforting when you don't know anyone and feeling isolated
ere are many groups in Toothill run by residents-volunteers who are doing a good job. I have
ways believed that the best people to decide what is needed in their community are those who
ve there and they should be given the resources to provide amenities for those needs. Toothill
11 be getting a new Community Centre built for April 1984. Some groups have expressed their
eds, but I would also like to hear from other groups and individuals about their ideas of it,
if you would like to be involvedin the management of the centre. You can reach me on 613183
at the Community Development Office, Civic Offices. I'll be pleased to hear from you.
BAD NEWS! GOOD? NEWS

Why has Wiltshire County Council postponed OUR
NO SCHOOL FOR 5 YEAR OLDS
e Wiltshire County\ Council Education Depart- SECONDARY SCHOOL? When is it to be built? What
nt has anounced that it will not be possible do we know? Why don't they tell us something?
accept children who reach the age of five At last we have some answers. Mrs Main,Chair-
tween April and the end of August, known as person of the Education Committee, has confirmed
ie 'Easter Intake'. There are no places for that the postponement came about owing to the
Lem in any of the three West Swindon primary lack of money. Nearly £2% million was cut from
:hools. The County Council hopes that school- the Capital programme for education, over three
ig will be available in September for these years, and our school and a project in Salisbury
iildren, and those turning five in the autumn,
were victims.
ken the second Oliver Tomkins and Westlea
:hools should be complete and more mobile If building work start in 1985, there is a chance
.assrooms at Toothill and Freshbrook schools that it may open in September 1986. However I
• wouldn't want to try building a school of this
e provided.
size in less than 18 months, so 1986 seems optim-
^gally the local Education Authority is requir
istic anyway. Provided there is no hold-up again
t to provide schooling for children from the
it should start in 1985. This is what we must
arm after their fifth birthday. L.E.A.s in
campaign for. Your voice now could make all the
Est parts of the country allow children to
difference in three years time. On this Mrs Main
;art at the beginnin of the year in which they
says " The 1985-1986 programme is still inevit-
'e 5,not just the term ike Wiltshire. This
ably provisional but I shall be very disappointed
^w situation means that some children will have
if anything happens to defer it again."
ily two years of infant school, whilst many of
lose who started last September will be a year On the positive side, the school definitely will
lead. The delay affects not only the parents be built. What do you want to see in it? Any
id children concerned, it also affects play- special features? And finally - any good ideas
oups which now cannot take in 3 year olds and for a name? (You can bet they won't give away
so Parent & Toddler Groups where more,older free beer in a competition for a name for this
.ds will need attention. building!) David Attwood, 63 Oakham Close
UNEMPLOYED AND B 0 R E D?

ah, we're both these things and there are many others in this area who are the same. A few of us
a being bored together on Wednesdays from 2 -4 at Toothill Farmhouse. We talk about being
bless and what a mess our society is to ignore our talents and abilities. Some of us are trying
put a play together which expresses our feelings and frustrations, others play games, we all
ink a lot of coffee. Getting together is quite helpful. Boredom c an be different in a group.
you're in the same position, join us at Toothi-,l Farm.