Page 1 - link magazine

west Swindon's Viewrite

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THE TV & Video
Rentals
Short
LINK or Long Term

I-u 848497
No. 103 October 1990 Circulation 10,500
486872

How did West Swindon As Health report
Matthew do? confirms
Our Community
Find out how much was raised W. Swindon
for Special Baby Care by November conference to involve residents and agencies survey results
Matthew Fiddes at his fete A conference which aims to give Community Development Of-
advertised on our front page last residents a chance to say what ficer Laurence Yeoman, also or- A recent report produced by Swin-
month. Turn to page 16 they think of West Swindon takes ganising the two days, doesn't don's director of public health, Dr
Pictured be/ow: Matthew and place on 6 and 7 November. want the word 'conference' to put John Parsons, has pinpointed
his mum Majella at the fete. People living in the area, local people off attending. "It sounds lonliness and isolation in new
community, health and social too grand, but it's not. Living in housing areas as a major problem
workers, teachers and church- West Swindon affects people in in Swindon.
men/women are being invited to different ways. It's important that He indicates that some illnesses
take part in a big get together to residents are able to express their might be caused by social isolation
'take the pulse' of the community views on what it's like to live here. and displacement resulting from
and see if local services could be It's a chance to share and exchange themovementofpeopleaway from
improved. ideas, and look to the future." family and other traditional sup-
Joint organiser Rev. John Flory Lunch will be provided on both port systems. This creates greater
says the conference is a chance to days and there will be free child- demands on statutory services,
take stock. "With new building care available. voluntary support bodies like Re-
slowingand people settlingdown, There is no cost to people living late (marriage guidance) and local
it's a good time to take a look at in the area who attend. G.P services.
what kind of community we have The conference takes place in A large survey published in the
by bringing together people who the Community Suite at the Link April 1989 edition of The Link in-
live in the area and those who Centre from 9.30a.m. to 2.30p.m. cluded a question "Do you ever feel
work in West Swindon. It's an on both days. lonely?" The survey results were
opportunity to be clearer about Readers who would like to att- presented to Thamesdown Coun-
the problems and to share ideas end can use the booking form on cil's Community Development
on how to improve things." page 30 to register their interest. Committee on 28 September.
Not published in the survey re-
port is the fact thatoutof 568 replies
returned, 275 said they never felt
lonely.
However218 said they felt lonely
sometimes, 43 said often and 11
said they felt lonely most of the
time. (21 did not answer).
ON MONDAY 15 OCTOBER, 7.30pm - 9pm Added together272 respondents
living in West Swindon, 50%, indi-
COMMUNITY SUITE, LINK CENTRE cated some feelings of loneliness.
Turn to page 15
This is an opportunity to meet Superintendant Bill Pryke, for information on the
survey results.
Commander of Swindon North Police Sub-Division, who will
• Give a General Overview of Police Work We go to
in the Division (including West Swindon) school again
• Outline the challenges presented by the opening
of Shaw Ridge Leisure Park Parents and their 10 year olds will
be asked to choose a secondary
• Speak on the importance of working with the community school soon.
through Neighbourhood Watch Schemes and other measures Every autumnThe Linkvisitsthe
schools designated to receive
children from West Swindon.
And will answers questions from the public. This year we've asked the
studentstowritetheirirrpressions
ALL WELCOME of the school. We start with
Greendown on page 13.