Page 13 - link magazine

UPPER SHAW 13

PLAYGROUP TO GET ITS OWN PLAY AREA

One of West Swindon's child development, "It's going to like working with them." Playgroup - Five mornings a
Community Centres will soon be marvellous; there will be so Parents interested in joining week
have a unique facility literally on many opportunities for play and a group that meets at the Upper Toddler Group - Thursday
its doorstep. Children and staff physical exercise which cannot Shaw Farm Centre should visit 2pm-3.3Opm
at Westlea's Upper Shaw Farm take place indoors." the centre next to Shaw Ridge Coffee Morning - Thursday
playgroup are looking forward to Lynne has arrived at Upper School to meet the group 10am-12noon
the summer day when a purpose Shaw Farm playgroup just in organisers.
built play area will be ready for time to plan for the new play
use by stepping out of the front area. She was born and brought
door. up in Swindon but has only r
Designed and built by recently returned after fourteen
Thamesdown Council's Arts & years away in London and
Recreation Department, the Hampshire. She has been a
pre-school play equipment will residential social worker with
only be available to the groups of children in care and then gave up
under-fives who use the Upper work to be a mother to an
Shaw Farm Centre which is run adopted son. When he went to
by the Council's Community school, Lynne became a
Development . Division. playgroup supervisor and then
Landscape Architect Jim Chairwoman of the Romsey
Meadowcroft, who designed the branch of the Pre-School
play area, commented "Because Playgroups Association as well.
access will be through the She also ran summer play for
farmhouse, we've been able to schemes for older children.
put in the more unusual "I suppose I do have quite a uboddIms y*
equipment which normally bit of experience with children,"
requires adult supervision. admitted Lynne, "The pre- at Upper Shaw Farm.
There will be a 18 foot wide sand school years are such a vital
pit, a play house, outdoor stage; their imagination and
toddler furniture and musical creativity is so rich. I enjoy
chimes post and the whole space providing the stimulus for them
will be covered with studded and seeing them change from
rubber matting for safety. Its shy, clingy three year olds to
fives.
rising
very exciting." confident
New playgroup supervisor Playgroups are such a resource
Lynne Scragg thinks the play to the whole family; it benefits
facility will be a great asset to parents as well as their children. I
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WHY NOT TRY ONE OF OUR DELICIOUS
CURRIES FOR A CHANGE?
HAVE YOU HAD ONE OF OUR BIG
BEEFBURGERS? THEY'RE GREAT.
The Upper Shaw Farm' with plenty of car parking the
Centre opened to its first centre space is used by
community group in 1985. The community groups and for OPEN MONDAY - SATURDAY
old farmhouse is thought to be private functions such as 11 .3Oam - 2.30pm; 430pm - 11 pm
around 300 years old, but added wedding receptions. •To book
to it has been a modern hall Upper Shaw Farm, call 26161 CAR PARK 'A' WEST SWINDON CENTRE
providing a very useful activity ext. 3176. 'PHONE ORDERS WELCOME - 870455
space. Set in an area of open