Page 9 - link magazine

FRESHBROOK & GRANGE PARK 9
School change times - paints unconvinced Windmill Hill C P School
Freshbrook Facechoice
Parents objecting to an earlier school put points to the meeting. It was a
start/finish time at Freshbrook divide and rule exercise in my Pharmacy
School presented a petition repre- opinion."
senting 259 families of about 400 of Governor's chairman, Joe Wylie Sat. 11 May, 2.00pm Freshbrook
the 600 children to the governors at said the governors had identified a Meet Daryl Lipsey
a consultation meeting on 16 April. major problem in managing the (manager of Swindon Wildcats) Village Centre
Governors want to reduce the school and had the responsibility Children's Fancy Dress Tel: 870226
lunchbreak from 75 minutes to 45 forfindinga solution. "Ouraimwas Competition
minutes. To avoid traffic conjestion to gather views from as many peo- Bouncy Castle Side Stalls Opening Times:
with Windmill Hill School across ple as possible. Some people were Pony Rides Competitions Monday - Friday
the road, they propose school starts intent on a slanging match; so often Majorettes Face Painting 9am-lpm
at 8.30am and finishes at 2.30pm. public meetings are dominated by a Guess the weight of the Cake
But objecting parents say the few whilst the others attending don't Raffles Fire Engine Tombola 2.1 5pm - 630pm
changes will be very disruptive to get a chance to have their say. Police Car Games Displays Tuesday
their lives, particularly those who "We had positive feedback about Win a signed S.T.F.C. Football 9am- 1pm; 215pm-5pm
work and would be faced with find- the conduct of the meeting." Admission 1 O with programme Saturday 9am - 12noon

ing after school care. The governors meet on 14 May to I
Parents who attended the meet- discuss the school time change.
ing discussed the proposals in small
groups, with a governor or senior • Governors at Greendown School
teacher listening to comments. have reconsidered a proposal to start
Although the meeting organisers the school day 10 minutes later fol- HELP KEEP THE UNWANTED ELEMENTS OUT!
were persuaded to display the com- lowing parental objections. Disrup-
ments made, parents were not per- tion to transport arrangements and
mitted to express their views to the the proposed early lunch break for
whole meeting said Tony Fitzgerald senior students were cited as the UPVC/ALUMINIUM & HARDWOOD
WINDOW & DOOR REPLACEMENT
of GrangePark. "The case for change main problems. There will be no
was not well made and objectors change to start/ finish times, though HOME EXTENDERS & TRADITIONAL STYLE CONSERVATORIES
were not allowed to ask questions or the lunch breaks are to be altered.
UPVC MAINTENANCE FREE CLADDING,
FASCIA, SOFFIT AND GUTTERING
Group formed to get youth action FOR GUARANTEED QUALITY AND VALUE
CALL SECURIGLAZE
A public meeting on 8 April to workers are needed in the area
confront the problems faced by • a youth building is needed (Wilt- - S(0793)771288
young people in Freshbrook, other shire County Council agreed to the
users and the managers of Fresh- siting of a hut on Freshbrook School
brook's Community Centre agreed grounds about five years ago)
to set up an Action Group to look at • getting the Toothill Farm youth TM
how more youth facilities can be building open again
developed in the area. • young people trying out the op- (MESSCRiTf
Over 40 people attended, half of portunities offered by the Duke of
whom were teenagers. Edinburgh award scheme at Green-
The meeting called by the centre down. DRIVEWAYS
management committee aimed to Afterwards, community centre
give all sides the chance to say what chairman Terry Ties said, "It was a
they thought of each other. At very constructive meeting. I was Pattern stamped
present young people use the centre pleased that young people and
cafe area on two evenings in the adults were able to talk to each other concrete in natural
week and on a Sunday afternoon and the setting up of the Action
with supervision by youth workers. Committee was a positive move for- stone colours for
They are not permitted to enter ward". paths, patios
on other evenings because of dis- Sharon Thomas, 17, said that
ruption to other user groups, and young people in groups were too & driveways
general abusive and obscene behav- easily branded as troublemakers by
jour in the past. adults who call in the police. "We're
As so often is the case, the minor- too young for pubs, we don't want
ity spoil things for the majority, but to stay at home with our parents all Wide range of
at the same time it's very difficultfor the time, and we want to meet your patterns and
young people to keep others in or- friends. There should be more to
der, or complain to adults. The keep us off the streets." colours available
youngsters present said they had Keith Lloyd, 19, said that the London cobble pattern being
tried to open the cafe last year, but meeting had brought out a lot of the imprinted into fresh concrete
had to give up because they could problems faced by all sides.
not supervise a few of the teenagers Volunteer youth worker Marie We lay it, you'll love it
who were set on causing trouble. Crane, 81, said she doesn't have any
In the short term, the meeting problems with teenagers. "1 respect
identified that many of the prob- them and they respect me. If I cando 'Phone for FREE colour brochure NOW
lems could be sorted out if there it, Idon't see why otheradults should
were adults willing to assist in not come and help out."
opening the cafe area to give young The Freshbrook Youth Action 0793-851250 days
people somewhere to go. Committee has its first meeting on I
Other pointers towards solutions May in the community centre. It is 0793 - 855303 eves
were: open to anybody who can offer ideas
• more paid or voluntary youth and interest. concrete with a difference! -