Page 22 - link magazine

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WOMEN WOMEN'S HEALTH - UNDER 5's ALONE
LET YOUR VOICE DISCUSSION GROUP IN THE &
BE HEARD COMMUNITY
A number of women in Toothill A recent conference in Swindon NEW
Have you heard of the Women's are-setting up a group to discuss looked at the problems faced by
Issues Working Party? It has women's health issues. Meetings families with pre-school children TO
recently been set up by Thames- will be held every Monday from across the Borough.
down Borough Council to look 1.15 to 2.45pm at Toothill Church Organised by the Thamesdown W. SWINDON
at the needs of women in (village centre). The first meet- Committee for the Under S's and If you are, then you may be con-
Swindon. Over the next few ing took place on 1st June when a their Families the conference fronting a problem that is not
months the Working Party will talk was given about pre- brought parents and people who well understood by other people.
be taking a photographic exhibi- menstrual tension and the meno- work with under fives together to As Lyn found to her dismay
tion around the town. They hope pause, followed by an open discuss needs and examine how when she moved to Toothill from
it will give people some idea of discussion. they could be met. Middlesbrough last October, it
the work they are presently doing. The next two meetings will Three parents from West can be a very lonely life indeed if
The Working Party will be keen look at breast cancer and cervical Swindon attended the meeting you're young, single and have left
to hear comments, not only about cancer. All women are welcome along with fifty others from your family and life-long friends
the exhibition, but also about and childcare will be provided. A across the town. The major behind to work in Swindon. A
other issues which you feel are nominal fee of 20p will be charged points raised included the lack job may be something to be grate-
important to women. Exhibition to cover the cost of hiring the of corner shops, the lack of play- ful for - and Lyn was - but if
dates for Toothill are: hall. group places and the needs for you go home to a small flat in a
Tues 9th June 11.30am-3.00pm a range of provisions including strange place, with no car to ex-
Wed 10th June 9.30am-11.30am The Link would like to hear from a nurseries. Crowded primary plore a confusing landscape or
both in the Octobus, which will woman who could write a column on schools was also a major issue. visit friends further afield, you
be parked in Toothill village car womens issues. Ring 872282. Isolation and the ways to break it can feel.very alone indeed.
park. down was discussed along with "I was surprised how long it
Fri 12th June 10.30am-2.45pm GROWING the need to improve opportuni- took to meet people" she said.
in Toothill Community Centre. ties for women to participate in "When you're on your own, no
At all these times tea and coffee WELL community life. More groups and matter how confident you feel at
will be available and there will be The West Swindon Gardening courses were suggested with work, you can still feel shy about
an opportunity to discuss the ex- Club is really responding to the crèches provided on all occa- going out in the evening. And
hibition and other issues. There warm weather of early summer. sions. Sundays are the worst; there's
will also be a meeting in the com- After months of fairly small Linda Miller, a member of the only an hourly bus and the day
munity centre on Friday 12th June numbers at meetings the May Oliver Tomkins Playgroup Com- seems endless.
from 1.15 to 2.15pm to provide get-together was attended by mittee attended the meeting. Lyn feels she's over the worst
further opportunity for discus- twenty-six people who listened "We often think our problems now, but she is not one to forget
sion. to a very good talk by an expert are unique to West Swindon," that others are still in her situa-
landscape gardener. she commented, "but parents in tion. "There seems to be a need
The club meets on the first other parts of the town are ex- for an activities group for people
POLAR Monday of each month in the periencing similar difficulties. who work. And I don't mean a
Refrigeration Services Community Suite at the Link Local Meeting - Lonely Hearts group either", Lyn
Centre, at 8 p.m. A programme said. "Even couples sometimes
of Swindon Your Chance To Speak Out
of speakers have been arranged fing they have too much of each
SALES -SERVICE
REPAIRS COP.*IERCIAL for the coming months and sev- An objective of the under-fives others company and would like
eral members of the club are conference was to create support to widen their network."
II So, together with Martha Parry
II & DOMESTIC
24 HOUR
experts in their own fields of for discussions at a local level.
BREAKDOWN
COVERAGE horticulture. The meetings are a Very few people knew about the from the Community Suite at
good place to pick up handy hints conference as space was limited. Link Centre, Lyn has come up
and useful tips on how to make There is a chance for anybody with the idea for an "Introduction
and manage a garden in West concerned with under-fives - to Swindon" outing for new-
24 hs Mobile no. 0860 522522 Swindon. parents, workers and others with comers.
Office Hours (0793) 850665 Further information can be an interest to put their point of They are planning a Sunday
gained from the secretary, Dennis view and gain information. afternoon (June 28th) tour of
frmnkworth (066641) 430 (anytime
Grantham, 57 Rowton Heath A West Swindon Under Fives West Swindon and the town,
Way, Freshbrook. meeting will take anybody on followed by a look at the nearby
Tuesday 9th June, 8 p.m. in the Wiltshire countryside, with a call
Community Suite, Link Centre. at a country pub along the way.
Anybody with an interest is in- Every effort will be made to help
SAME DAY LOCAL
vited to attend. each person feel welcome and
CALL OUT INC EVENINGS hopefully further activities will
follow. One idea being con-
PLAYGROUP sidered is a weekly T.G.I.F.
('Thank God It's Friday) after
PLACES work get-together at Link Centre
to relax and look at what is on in
Swindon each week-end.
ALL WORK 0001' I Toothill Farm Playgroup, Bodiam Anyone interested in the outing
'AUTOMATIC SPECIALISTS
Drive, has a limited number of or just wanting to discuss these
GUARANTEED
ALL WASHING MACHINES
vacancies for 3-5 year olds to ideas should ring Martha at the
* TUMBLE & SPIN DRYERS ETC.
LARGE start immediately, and anyone Link Centre on 871212 ext. 234,
MOBILE STOCK * COWPWWE P1TS interested should contact the or stop in for a chat on Monday.
SWINDON 643785 supervisor on 32941 or call in at or Tuesday evening 15th, 16th
the Farm House, during Play- June when Lyn and Martha will
PROP: MR HUNT group hours. be glad to meet you.