Page 6 - link magazine

6 WESTLEA
Play bags finished in quick time
COOKS A group of Westlea mums have
completed a project which will help
T.V& preparechild ren in the area for school
The Link reported in June that the
VIDEO group had completed 50 play packs
and were opening a library in the
REPAIR PATCH mom at Westlea School so
that they could be lent out. Barely
three months later, and a C250 dona-
SERVICE tion from ASDA, a further fifty packs
have been completed to increase the
FREE range of stimulating idea s available to
Home Estimates children and parents in the area.
Each play pack is based on a theme
Repairs by to stimulate a child's imagination and
Qualified encouragediscussion between parent
and child. Subjects like colours,
Engineers.
numbers, words, animals, objects of
Sales & Rentals interest are all included. Each pack
All Work contains a variety of items such as a ASDA Manager Les Lloyd was almost overwhelmed by the thanks he received
book, toys, crayons, paper, things to from the Westlea Play Packs mums when he attended a celebration marking the
Guaranteed
countandalsoa suggestion card which completion of their project
Tel: Swindon gives parents ideas on how to use the "The packs offer many rich experi- didn't know we had," said one group
825795 contents. ences which parents can build upon member. "There are some brilliantly
with their children to stimulate lan- clever ideas which will help children
The PATCH room was set up to
create better links between parents, guage, manipulative, creative, math- learn. We're thankful to ASDA for
their donation. We've been able to
NO teachers and children. Headteacher ematical and social skills."
Fifteen parents have worked to- buy good quality books and the ma-
NeilGriffiths said the play packs were
invaluable in helping parents prepare gether for nearly eighteen months on terials to finish the packs."
CALL their children for school 'The mums making the packs. "Many of us have
The Play Pack Library is open on
have put so much time and care into re-discovered or developed skills we Friday from 2.15p.m. to 3.30p.m.
OUT making the play packs. They've done
a magnificent job and so have the
mums who looked after the children Safe crossing called for
CHARGE whilst the others could work on the
pack A group of Westlea parents are going Large numbers of Westlea School
to take their campaign fora safer road children alreadyuse the mute to walk
crossing by presenting a petition to to swimming lessons at the Link Cen-
ThamesdownCouncil'sPublicWorks tre every Thursday.
Committee. Alison BarrattfromEastleaze said it
Following an accident reported in was very hazardous to get across
the August L.ink magazine, a public Corton Crescent with young children
meeting at Westlea School on 19 Sep- or a pram. "You can't see the traffic
tember was called to discuss the well- coming down the hill and round the
known dangers to pedestrians on corner fromFive-Ways roundabout."
I
CortonCrescent,betweenWestlea and Ruth Girling of Benwell Close re-
the West Swindon Centre. counted several incidents when driv-
Mike Rowlands, an engineer from ers had to make emergency stops to
Choose Us First Thamesdown's Environmental Serv- prevent them running into a column
ices Department, attended the meet- of children crossing the roads.
ing and explained that Wiltshire The meeting was reminded that
For the Best Quality Take Home County Council sets the budget and Gateway had made a public offer to
Thamesdowndecides where it should provide a pelican crossing in 1987, but
Food Available bespent. He said Corton Crescent had the offer was ignored by the County
been considered in 1989 by the Com- Council. It was generally felt that
Fried Freshly For You - mittee, but was not considered a pri- ASDA had to make a contribution to
ority. The recent accident was the first improving the situation in order to
Cod, Plaice, Haddock, Skate, Huss, Scampi, in six years and traffic and pedestrian keep customers visiting their store.
usage did not meet the criteria for a Those attending agreed to lobby
Chips, Various Pies, Sausages and Chicken.
pelican crossing. the Public Works Committee on 22
Mr Rowlands indicated that 'traffic October by calling for
Why not try one of our delicious calming' measures might work, such • speed humps, a chicane or mad
Curries for a change? as speed humps or narrowing the narrowing on Corton Crescent;
road. • new road markings and warning
The meeting heard that in three signs;
Have you had one of our big beefburgers? years Gateway and ASDA had be- • new landscaping to the West Swin
They're Great. twcen them spent over 15 million on don Centre car park to improve
internal rebuilding, but very little on sight lines;
external works. • financial contributions from ASDA
Open Monday - Saturday There werepredictions thattheextra and the Shaw Ridge Leisure Park to
11.30am - 2pm; 4.30pm - 11pm ffic generated by Shaw Ridge Lei- pay for the work,
sure Park will endanger pedestrians • speed humps in Langstone Way,
Car Park 'A' West Swindon Centre
even more. The open air market and outside Westlea School, to prevent
TELEPHONE ORDERS WELCOME - 870455 the new doctor's and new health cen- drivers finding a quick way round
tre next will also attract peopleon foot. the measures in Corton Crescent.