Page 7 - link magazine

WESTLEA 7
Group donation to baby unit

A West Swindon parent and look at some of the very expensive
toddler group presented hand equipment on hand to help the
knitted clothing and blankets to babies grow.
the Special Care baby unit at "We get lots of donations from
Princess Margaret Hospital on 18 individuals, but not often from
December. community groups," said Sister
Parents in the Nutkins group Chambers. "It's lovely to receive
which meets at the Upper Shaw hand knitted garments which are
Farm started to knit items for the the right size for these tiny babies.
unit after one of their number The tour impressed Nutkins
gave birth to the tiniest baby of member Alison Kerr. "Our group
the year at the end of September. wanted to do something for the
In last month's Link magazine, unit in return helping Carla, Colin
we told the story of Carla and Vanessa, and Ryan their little
Spackman who was born 15 boy. It's wonderful the work they
weeks early, weighing just llb 7 do here. The care and love is
1/2 ozs and with only a 15% tremendous."
chance of survival. Now her Pictured right: Angela Burgoyne of
parents Vanessa and Cohn from Shaw with her six week old Oliver, Name check
Westlea can't wait for her to come born six weeks premature, Alison
home in January, when she would Kerr of Nutkins, Sister Phil Whilst writing the story about Carla Spackman, the tiniest baby of the
have been expected. Chambers holding Beverley, June year, in last month's Link, we started off by calling her dad Cohn (his
Three members of Nutkins Roberts and Rhonda Telford real name) and ended up by naming him Nigeli How and why is a
were given a tour of the special 'Are you collecting Aluminium mystery, but shows up poor proof reading on our part.
care unit by Sister Phil Chambers Cans for the Blue Peter Save a At least Cohn's friends won't think he's a footballer with Queens
to see the tiny babies being cared Life Appeal. Turn to Green Park Rangers any more.
for, meet some of the staff and Tendencies on page 18. Our apologies to Cohn for the mistake.

More for children needed in Westlea

Shila Mitchell reports on discussion by parents about the needs of families and youngsters In the area

During the autumn some mothers from Whilst many play parks have been After School activities wanted
Westlea met at Westlea School to discuss carefully landscaped there is little space for Mr Griffiths was particularly concerned
Play Activities and Needs in the area with children to play ball games, ride bicycles about the number of 'latch key' children in
Thamesdown Council's Play Officer Paul and use skateboards and rollerskates the area and it was felt that some safe
Ryan and Community Development Officer resulting in many children pursuing these provision should be made forthesechildren,
Laurence Yeoman, and Mr Neil Griffiths, activities in the street. Apart from being some of whom are very young and should
Headmaster of Westlea School. unsafe children playing ball games in the not be left to wander the streets
A vast range of subjects were discussed. street can cause damage to other people's unsupervised. Whilst there was unanimous
Safety of children of all age groups was our property. Balls land in gardens, break agreement that this was a real problem
main concern followed by provision of windows and the noise generated by such which needed to be tackled it was felt that it
facilities and activities to occupy the young games can be a nuisance to other residents. would be unfair to ask non-working mums
to keep them away from potentially The use of school playing fields and to volunteer to supervise these children
dangerous situations. tarmaced car parks in schools for such even if suitable facilities could be found to
Many of the suggestions put forward activities would be ideal providing the accommodate them. Properly trained paid
could, with some thought and possibly problems concerning insurance could be staff would need to be recruited to oversee
redirected resources, be easily implemented. overcome. their care.
The mothers expressed a tremendous Differences in seasonal requirements were There was also concern about the older
willingness to become involved in projects also highlighted. On winter evenings there children and teenagers who are considered
which got things going for children. But it are few inexpensive places for youngsters to be old enough to be left for long periods
was considered essential that some sort of to meet. Many cannot take friends home for of time by their parents but who are at risk
paid official should oversee many of the a variety of reasons so older children meet from becoming involved in drugs,
proposed activities with a back up of in the parks or in the grounds of the Link shoplifting and other illegal practices. These
voluntary helpers, i.e. parents and maybe Centre or simply hang around on street youngsters do not necessarily want any
grandparents. corners. This is totally unacceptable and organised activities, simply somewhere safe
Play parks criticized potentially very dangerous. to meet their friends, to talk, enjoy a coffee
West Swindon has a number of play parks Need for a community centre and perhaps play records. It was felt that
with good facilities but the location of some The provision of a proper community future activities would then be initiated
were criticized. Some, particularly Withy centre was considered essential and the from within the group once established.
Mead were considered to be too isolated official representatives were urged to The group will be meeting again at 1 .30p.m.
and secluded and whilst ecologically the discoverthecompletion dateof the proposed on Thursday 18 January at Westlea
trees and bushes may be ideal, they were new building so that a promotional event School. We hope that a representative
not considered safe for children to play in could be organised to coincide with the from the Arts and Recreation Department
unless they were strictly supervised. opening with the emphasis on play and will be present to discuss the Play Parks
Many teenagers use the parks as meeting leisure activities for the young. It was In the area. Coffee and a creche will be
places. Some smoke and use bad language suggested that this building could be used 'available.
and therefore many parents of younger to hold a Saturday Club for youngsters with If you have views on facilities and
children are reluctant to let their children a view to holding after school clubs at a later activities for children in the area, come
play in such an environment. date once the necessary help and funding along and express them.
There is also the problem of dogs and the could be organised. Once again voluntary
resultant mess which owners still refuse to help to make this work would be essential. For further information please contact
clear up making play areas quite insanitary. Sheila Mitchell on 873062