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WICK FARM - WHAT FUTURE? 15

THE LAST FARM 3haw
Records tell us that farming has been carried out in Wick since the 13th
Century. The farmhouse is over200 years old and listed building. Soon
to be engulfed by new housing, what is to become of it? Below, M iddleteuze
Landscape Architect Ed Stamford puts down some ideas.
Wick Farm is situated at the intensify usage and also provide
western end of one of West a quality surface it would perhaps
Swindon's major open spaces, be advantageous to have an arti-
Shaw Ridge. The ridge already ficial surface - these are now
offers pleasant open grass areas, becoming increasingly popular Wick
newly planted woodlands and and provide a low maintenance, x
play areas. Further play and high quality surface. Such a facil- Farm
picnic areas are planned along ity might not only appeal to the
with a sports trail and bridleway. traditional bowling fraternity but
The area around Wick Farm it- also to the increasing numbers of
self is one of the few areas of the young people starting to play.
ridge, however, which is level
enough to provide a location for
more active sports requiring a 2. Multi-Purpose Artificial Pitch
court or pitch. We are thinking of a half-sized
pitch for activities such as 5-a-side
The Farmhouse football, hockey, netball, or any
Having such a building adjoining other ideas you might come up
an area of open space affords us a with. Having an aritificial surface
real opportunity in that we can would allow a wide range of uses A SANCTUARY
have facilities which will require throughout the year without being
controlling/supervising. Staff a slave to weather and ground FOR WEST
could be based in the building for conditions. Tennis was planned SWINDON
such duties as allocating tickets although the plans for the new
etc. and generally controlling tennis centre might mean that the PEOPLE
use. local need should be reconsidered. Wick Farm
The layout of adjoining housing ffim
areas surrounding the farm has It would be tempting to add to
still to be decided but there will 3. Croquet A personal view by John Flory the immensely varied selection
be a road from the farm, through We have already received re- I used to visit the farmhouse when of leisure facilities already exist-
the development to the major quests from the Croquet club to Peter Cove and his wife still ing or planned for West Swindon,
grid road, as well as carparking expand the facility already avail- farmed there as tenants of the but this would not necessarily be
for the facihites. able at Lydiard and provide extra Borough, and, when Wimpey to the advantage of the local com-
What the exact future use of green around Wick farm. prepared to build at Ramleaze, I munity. Increasingly these will
the buildings is to be is still un- took them to see Peter in the be drawing in folk from a much
certain although many of the 4. Play Areas hope that some of the old field wider area - deservedly so, but
delapidated outhouses will have names he gave us would be re- putting pressure on the use of
to come down. A report has been Again the availability of a build- tained in the new development. land for car parking, and swamp-
to the Arts & Recreation Com- ing and the possibilities for super- It's a lovely old building and ing local users.
mittee seeking members views vision provide us with real needs to be thoroughly renovated West Swindon has other needs
on the possibility of making the opportunities for childrens play. and put to community use - but which are not yet being ad-
farm house a community build- A toddlers area similar to that at basic repairs to the house alone equately met. For all its exciting
ing, with certain written safe- Upper Shaw Farm Community will cost a bomb. Presumably a 'get-up-and-go' feel, it is never-
guards, making the local com- Centre - with all the advantages listed building has to be main- the-less a 'hurting' comunity.
munity 'responsible' for the of controlled access - could be tained by its owner, but no doubt There is loneliness, marital stress,
facilities. We envisage a 'club- provided. the Borough would be grateful and financial worries affecting
house', perhaps with bar and Another exciting idea would for a financial contribution from the lives of our young families.
resident 'steward' where local be to build a 'water theme' play the eventual user, and this will be I would like to see serious con-
people would come, use and look park for a wider age range. Again a factor in deciding on a long- sideration given to the use of
after the various facialities. The this would require supervision term use for the property. Wick Farm as a centre for pastoral
Committee was enthusiastic. but would be a real attraction for As it is on high ground next care and counselling. Its location
Within the limits of the avail- children and a convenient place to the Shaw Ridge and Lydiard will continue to be a pastoral one
able buildings and land we would to leave children whilst parents Parks, I would hope that enough which is itself healing to urban
hope to spread the range of made use of the proposed sports land could be retained around dwellers, and a small resident
sports/play facilities to as large a facilities. the house to preserve its rural community could, with outside
cross section of the community The continued use of some of 'farmyard' character, and that support, provide a place to which
as possible. To that end we are the old outhouses might be use- the user would be required to people could come for help on a
considering some of the following ful in some kind of 'low key' play retain the out-buildings whilst daily basis.
options and would be interested farm for children if interest was being free to adapt them to new Such centres are working suc-
in comments, particularly from strong. uses. This would be in line with cessfully in other parts of the
interested user groups. These are just some of the the North-East Wilts. structure country. My wife and I have just
ideas being considered at the plan which states: returned from one in Dorset
present but any further ideas you 'A key element of the strategy based on a farm with a few
1. Bowling
might have or comments upon for Swindon is the protection and animals - and about 6,000 visi-
There seems to be an increasing these ideas would be appre- enhancement of its environment. tors pass through their doors
demand for bowling throughout ciated. Please write to Mr. This should not be sacrificed in each year. It is too early in our
Swindon. The old garden site Denys Hodson, Director, Arts exploiting its growth potential. It own thinking to give more detail,
adjacent to the farm would ac- and Recreation, Thamesdown is important to the local quality but perhaps at Wick Farm a use
commodate a green and give Borough Council, Civic Offices, of life and is an attraction to in- such as this would do much to
handy access to the building. To Euclid Street, Swindon. coming firms and people.' enhance 'the local quality of life'.