Page 27 - link magazine
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NEWS & VIEWS
MULTICULTURAL
IS IT FUN CELEBRATIONS
TO BE A MUM? The Link 3-5 Playgroup cele-
(OR A DAD?) brated festivals from two differ-
ent cultures during the autumn
Debs Osorio would like to find months.
people who can give her a few A few weeks ago the children
answers. No doubt any parents and staff celebrated the Christmas
who ask themselves the question message with parties and displays.
will have their own, as a result of But at the end of October, they
their particular experiences. also learnt a little about the
The whole business of being a biggest festival in the Hindu year,
parent is greatly unrecognised Diwali.
according to Debs. "There's no With the help of assistant
training or preparation for the playgroup leader Kuki Patel, the
sheer hard work of being a parent. Children from Link 3-5 Playgroup in front of their Dicali and children were able to experience
Some find it straightforward, but Christmas displays with Kuki Patel, right, college student Soma some of the excitement of Diwali,
others find it very demanding; Gray, right, and committee member Rachel Leighfield at the rear. which is also known as 'The
and it's usually the mums who Festival of Lights'. During the
carry most of the load. Being a LETTERS fourteen days of celebrations oil
parent is a 24 hour a day job and DOGGIE-DO 'S RUBBISH! lamps are displayed inside and
lasts for up to 20 years. I don't by Debbie Griffiths outside houses, gifts are ex-
think mums are appreciated AGAIN We were at the West Swindon changed and fireworks are let
enough for the effort they put in. Joyce Romans of Oakwood Road, Centre no. 5 bus stop recently. off.
"There are lots of us going Eastleaze writes to correct a false The lady in front of us casually Diwali is the most significant
around with a lot to say about impression given in her letter in dropped her used sticking plaster and popular festival in India and
our situation, but many just December's Link. plus the packet onto the ground. symbolises the return of the God
don't have an outlet to express "I should like to state that Knowing full well that it was Rama after fourteen years in the
worries, anxieties, frustrations, being a true dog lover, I take my rubbish I politely said, "I think wilderness. This was a triumph
anger or the joy when things are dog out twice a day on a lead. you've dropped something." for good over evil and the lights
going well." When getting to the fields, I let Not perturbed or embarrassed, represent a symbol of knowledge,
Debs is running a course as part my dog off the leash to run freely she cooly replied, "It's rubbish." wisdom and realisation.
of the spring Adult Education over the grass. Me and my big mouths thinks Mrs. Patel, of Westlea,, des-
programme. "It's an experiment "There must be people letting I. So I picked it up and said I'd cribed Diwali as the passing of
and I do not know if anybody will their dogs roam which is to be take it home and put it in the bin. the old year and the beginning of
be interested. It is strange to be condemned. I agree that the My 2 year old son had other a new. "It is a happy time for
asked to pay a course fee to take resulting mess is repugnant and ideas. As if I hadn't made the everybody from all religions. In
part in discussions about being a we, the said dog lovers, dislike it point strongly enough, he insisted playgroup we made a collage
on putting it on the lamp post bin
parents, but I hope we will be as much as others, if not more so. about ten yards away in the which shows the lights, fireworks
able to share ideas, support each We too have to sidestep it." Carrefour (whoops, sorry - and people having a good time.
other and generally help those in Gateway) car park. We tried traditional Indian sweets
the group to feel that parents From Mr and Mrs Povey, Off we trekked, to return all and some of the mothers brought
often go through the same prob- Poynings Way, Grange Park muddy from sliding down the in food that is cooked at Diwali
lems in bringing up children. The "We thought the poem in the slippery slope between the to try. At the top of the collage,
course is going to be fun and is October Link about dogs fouling bushes (sorry conservationists). the words in Gujarati say 'Happy
also open to fathers. was excellent. But the reply in but we have made our point and New Year',"
'Is it Fun to be a Mum?' will the December Link by Joyce entertained the people at the bus
take place on Wednesdays, 9.30 Romans has made us FURIOUS! stop. If everyone who stood at Clothing Alterations
a.m. to 11.30 a.m. from January "A we live opposite a CHILD- that, or any, bus stop dropped a & Repairs Tel: 872096
20th and will last for 5 weeks at RENS play area and regularly piece of litter, we would be knee Mrs. White, Freshbrook
Greendown. A creche will be see dog owners ALLOW their deep in rubbish by the end of a
available. To sign on, pick up a dogs to foul, it is obvious to us week. Please Thamesdown, put
leaflet from the library or tele- that all dog owners are not as a bin nearer the bus stop. And TO ADVERTISE IN
phone Rod Kensett on 871413 responsible at Joyce Romans please, 'lady with the sore heels THE LINK
(don't be put off the the ansa- would like us to believe. from her new shoes', put your RING 771534/872282
phone!) "There is a place for your dogs litter in the bin.
Debs Osorio, (left) to go where other children won't
play - YOUR BACK GARDEN. Are you taking out
"If it is acceptable for dogs to
foul in public places, then we a new mortgage in 1988?
cannot see any objection for
them to go in their own back If so, consider the following:
gardens. And if they do go when
out for exercise, then we suggest Up to 4 x salary available.
the owners should clear up after Maximum rate 10.5%.
their dogs, like we parents clear
up after our own children. Decision within 48 hours.
A letter was received from a £100 worth of travel cheque vouchers
'Freshbrook Resident' on this
subject. However there was no with each completed endowment.
name and address given which
does not permit its publication. Telephone: Cohn Wood
Letters are welcomed but name on Swindon 870603
and address must be produced.