Page 26 - link magazine

Wes Swindon's fourth

Roughmoor Village Centre, the fourth local village centre to be new one should be built is part of the process of bringing the
built in the area, is in the early stage of planning. Although the plans into reality.
centre is unlikely to be built for some time yet, consulting We asked Martin Trewhella, a Principal Planner with
people who live close-by and other residents who use the Thamesdown Borough Council's Town Planning Department
existing village centres and may have an opinion on how a to describe the different aspects of the proposed centre.
The Borough Council wishes to provide local a Building Society/Estate Agency and Veterinary life for everybody who will live in Roughmoor.
shopping and community facilities within each Surgery have been welcomed at Shaw Village
of West Swindon's Urban Villages. Centre. It is hoped to attract similar uses here. When Will the Centre be Built?
Roughmoor Village Centre will serve the Doctor's Surgery The Borough Council has A definite date for commencing work on the
Peatmoor and Sparcells areas of West Swindon been asked to provide a site fora Surgery by the Village Centre cannot be given at the moment
and will follow on from existing centres at Family Practioners Committee. because the Borough Council has limited finan
Toothill, Freshbrook and Shaw. Public House/Restaurant It is proposed to cial resources with which to fund a wide range
A 5.5 acre site has already been reserved for complementthenew'Chinese Experience' with of important projects it wishes to see imple-mple
the Village Centre. The site is conveniently and a traditional English Inn/Restaurant. mented across the Borough. However, subject
mented
attractively located on the north side of Peat- Community Centre A site is reserved for a to considering the views expressed at the Exhi-
moor Lake, immediately to the west of the permanent Community Centre which the Bor- bition and the availability of financial resources,
'Chinese Experience restauraunt. On comple- ough Council currently proposes to build when the Borough Council intends to proceed as
tion of housing development at Roughmoor. financial resources permit. quickly as possible.
the Village Centrewill serve approximately 4,000 Reserve Site This site could be developed fora
local residents. number of uses. To date, no decisions have YOUR VIEWS ARE INVITED
The Borough Council's aim is to provide facili- been taken. As already mentioned, the Borough Council
ties that are needed at a local level in a built form wishes to receive any comments you may care
that is convenient to visitors who come by car or In total, about 200 car parking spaces will be to make beforeany financial decisions are taken.
on foot. provided to serve the Village Centre and the Please come along to the Exhibition of the
It is proposed to provide sites for the following emerging network of footpath/cycleways in Council's proposals for Roughmoor Village
uses; Peatmoor and Sparcells will be completed to Centre which is to be held at the Sparcells
Shops A 'one-stop' convenience store which provide safe access for pedestrians and cyclists. Community Centre on 15, 16, 17 and 18 May.
will provide a wide range of goods including The Borough Council wishes to follow up the Details are given opposite.
newspapers, confectionery, food and general success of Shaw Village Centre with a centre at A comments sheet will be available at the
household products. It is hoped to persuade the Roughmoor that achieves a pleasing environ- Exhibition or alternatively you may write direct
Post Office to locate a sub-post office within the ment and a coherent overall design. It is thus to the Borough Planning Officer before 6 June.
store. A number of smaller shops units to intended to require individual developers to use Martin Trewhella will be pleased to discuss the
provide for uses such as a chemist, hairdresser, high quality traditional materials and to build to draft proposals and, hopefully, be able to an- n
swer any questions you may want to ask. He
hot food 'takeaway and cafe. a common theme. Above all, the aim is to swer
'Commercial' The introduction of such uses as provide an attractive focal point for community can be contacted on Swindon 493280.
Join in the Telethon at the sheep farm National Pet Week 5 -13 May

Plans are well ahead foran exciting Veterinary surgeon Nicholas Hartley of the Thames wood Vet Clinic
Telethon Day at Southleaze Sheep draws attention to the positive aspects of pet keeping.
Farm at the end of May. Weare knownas a nation of animal range from the pet shop, the trainer,
Farmer Stuart Bell has just added lovers, but do we take our respon- the groomer and kennels, the
a herd of 40 goats his three flocks of sibility as pet owners seriously? RSPCA, to vet and animal psychia-
sheep. This means he's working Properly cared for, animals make trist. To see these and a variety of
non-stop every afternoon to milk happy contented pets which are a other local services come to an
them all and visitors are welcome pleasure to own and can even exhibition in the Link during Na-
to watch him. He's also acquired benefit our health. tional Pet Week.
three donkeys for the pets corner. National Pet Week was launched It is always distressing for both
Altogether Southleaze Farm in the spring of 1989 to promote owner and veterinary surgeon alike
received 3,000 visitors during responsible pet ownership; to make to be limited in what they can do
March when itre-opened compared people aware of the benefits of pets for a pet. Hence another service
to a total of 7,500 for the whole of to people; and to increase aware- which more responsible pet own-
last season. ness of professional services and ers are taking out is pet insurance,
Sheep shearing will be taking organisations involved with pet this provides you with the security
place every weekend during May animals. that in cases of illness or accident
and June and Stuart will arrange a One in two homes have a pet, you will not need to ask yourself,
shearing demonstration for any providing varying degrees of com- .can I afford treatment?"
group that would like to visit dur- Stuart with some of the new attrac- panionship and protection. They Veterinary treatment can be
ing the week. tions at Southleaze Farm are also used in prisons, hospitals preventative with dietary and be-
Southleaze Farm has become a Any playgroup or school want- and homes for the old and handi- haviour advice plus routine worm-
popular venue for birthday parties ing to hold a FREE stall or enter a capped to help in personal interac- ing and vaccination.
this year. Children can seethe sheep car boot should call Stuart on tion, to raise morale and increase Medical care can range from
being milked, feed the lambs and 523134. feelings of cheerfulness. Working treating a mild cough or upset
then have a birthday tea at picnic All proceeds of the event at dogs can be used to help the blind, tummy to managing a patient with
tables set out in a field, or in a barn Southleaze Farm go to Telethon 90 the deaf, to rescue and to protect. heart failure or hormone problem.
if it's raining. with all monies raised going to good Organisations such as the U.K. Surgery extends from routine neu-
Sunday 27 May is the day the causes in the I-ITV region. It takes Society for Companion Animal tering to complicated spinal sur-
Telethon comes to Southleaze. place between lOa.mand 4p.m. and Studies are continually research- gery.
Topping the attractions is lamb admission is FREE. ing the nature and implications of Veterinary clinics are staffed by
racing. Sheep shearing, milking The sheep farm is open from the human-pet bond. qualified veterinary nurses and
and feeding will take place, and 2.30p.m. to 5.30p.m. every day The caring pet owner will come managers in addition to the sur-
there's going to be a sponsored wool except Tuesday and Wednesday. into contact with many different geons. These professionals pro-
spin. There will be stalls,a giant car Southleaze is located under the individuals and organisations in vide a valuable help, directly car-
boot sale, a bouncy castle and re- railway bridge next to Texas DIY at order to maintain the health and ing for patients, liaising with clients
freshments. the Mannington roundabout. well being of their pet. These can and giving advice.