Page 23 - link magazine

Who are 23
Ecumenical Parish of
Swindon Lions? West Swindon Freshbrook
Church
How do they serve & The Lydiards Worsley Road
the community? Anglican, Methodist, Will give YOU
U.R.C., Baptist.
How do they raise funds? Toothill a warm welcome
Rev. Ian Handscomb 693384
How do they enjoy themselves? Rev. Anne Thomas 496421 Sunthy lOam
Family Praise with children's
St. Mary's L.Tregoze for
Want to know the answers? Freshbrook & Grange Park Covenanter Movement & creche
630pm Evening Worship and
Come and meet us at the Link Centre Rev. Rob Buries 870244 Communion
Westlea
West Swindon, 8.00pm, 6th February Rev. John Flory 770217 t For details of mid-week meetings,
You will be very welcome Shaw and Sparcells house groups and other
activities, telephone
Rev. Keith Boxall 770568
Organised by Swindon Lions Club Rev. Helen Drummond 874372 Rev. Peter Grainger on 490498.
t also All Saints, L. Millicent Church Office, Tel: 873050
Operation Dedicated

Chief Inspector Martin Meeks, second in charge of Swindon North RON AHRENS MOBILE
police sub-division, describes the success of an operation
to sort out yob behaviour in West Swindon BUILDER MECHANIC
DECORATOR
For some time, during 1991 resi- action plan. Acting Section Officer
dents in the vicinity of the Shaw Scratchley and the team of Specials Specialising in all aspects WE COME TO YOU
Ridge Leisure Complex had voiced then patrolled the footpath complex of high quality *Non-Starts *Servicing .Tuning
disquiet about the behaviour of peo- at optimum times for a month over building work •M.O.T. Work .Breakdowns
ple using the footpaths which link the Christmas period - a task man- especially decorating. •Electrical Faults
or pass nearprivate housingestates. powershortages precluded Regular carpentry & plastering. c-
•Clutches fitted
The main problems centred Officers from performing.
around the late evening and early Specials arrested three persons for All work guaranteed.
hours of the morning as revellers criminal damage, drunk in charge No job too small.
made their way home from drink- of a motor vehicle and wanted on Free estimates
ing at various locations around warrant for theft. In addition, they Telephone: 692134 No Garage Prices or Waiting
Swindon. advised and dispersed numerous (West Swindon) Please Telephone
The bulk of complaints concerned groups of rowdy youths and by the
rowdyism, criminal damage to prop- end of the month the problem had 876211 ANYTIME
erty, urinating in a public place and all but disappeared.
drunkenness. A successful operation which,
Local councillors Jo Stevens and hopefully, can be repeated to tackle
Rosemary Saunders contacted me like problems which effect the qual- HIV/AIDS HELPLINE
to see what could be done to im- ity of life of the residents of West Are you concerned?
prove matters. Swindon.
'Operation Dedicated' was then This project proved that working
SWINDON PROJECT FOR AIDS COUNSELLING AND EDUCATION
devised whereby a group of Special together as a 'team' the community
Constables met the residents/me- can achieve almost anything - but Visit your local, friendly, Drop-In Centre
dia at a meeting and formulated an miracles take a little longer!!!
which offers:
Call for special s ummer operation confidential support, information and advice.
Life is quieter now for Paul Stevens that he could leap up as soon there
and his family from Wenslydale was noise and trouble outside. Or call us on Swindon (0793) 420620
Close,Ramleaze and his neighbours. "It was a bit frightening at times,"
His house is located close to a said Paul who has put up 3,000 watts Helpline: Tuesday/Thursday 7pm - 9pm, 24 Hr Answering Service
main footpath leading from Shaw of security lighting around his house Drop-In: Monday/Tuesday/Thursday 12.00pm - 6.00pm
Ridge Leisure Park and the West to deter intruders. "The police said 172 Victoria Road, Swindon
Swindon Centre and for months they didn't have the resources to
people using the footpath have patrol Shaw Ridge intensively, so DESPERATE? LONELY? SUICIDAL?
caused damage and a great deal of we're all glad that the Specials were
anxiety. given the chance to take on the )IIIIII,
Aggravation caused by passing project. It put the yobs off over the
yobs included Christmas period and so far things The
• a six foot tree stake through front have been quiet."
window whilst Mrs Stevens Residents in the area are now Samaritans
was alone in the house with the waiting for the warmer weather to
children see if the trouble starts up again. The
• people inthebackgardendrum- 'tube park' play area at the top of You don't have to be suicidal to share -
ming on the patio doors and Shaw Ridge has been a favourite your problems with us. Phone anytime
screaming abuse haunt for teenagers for the last two day or night, or call into
• damagetocarsand gardens near summers. They congregate and cre- 6 Curtis Street, Swindon
the footpath route ate a great deal of noise which is betweeen 8am & 10pm. '
• shouting and swearing from easily heard in houses two hundred
people with no thought to the yards down the hill. the Samaritans
households they were passing. "1 hope the Specials will be able to Swindon 537373
At one time before Christmas he return if the noise and disruption
was going to bed fully clothed so starts up again," said Paul