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No. 118 January 1992 • Circulation 10,500
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West's longest serving councillor to step down

West Swindon's longest serving fromNorth Wilts DeputyLeaderof meeting spaces, the Link Centre
councillorRicky Midwinter has an- District and has the Council. and schools?
nounced exclusively through The been reelected "It'sbeenadif- "It's been a privilege to repre-
Link that he is not to run for re- three times since ficult decision to sent this area because of the chal-
election in May. then. make, but really lenges for all of us living here. The
The popular and at times out- During the the only one I support for my actions from local
spoken councillor said his health, 1980's he fought could make, con- people and at times their willing-
work and family considerations hard for social sidering the cir- ness to lobby the council to get
were the reasons for not seeking to and community cumstances," things done is a tribute to commu-
keep his place on Thamesdown facilities to be said Ricky. nity spirit.
Council. built whilst the "Council work "On the down side, the frustra-
Ricky successfully fought off houses were be- has been central tion and the lack of power to help
cancer two years ago after long ing constructed. to my life over the the increasing number of homeless
and physically demanding treat- Healsoprovided last ten years and and housebound people has at
ment. He said he wanted to repay advice and advo- I've enjoyed times left me in despair."
the support his family had given cacy on behalf of working with Ricky added that strong voices
him by spending more time with thousands of people. were still required onThamesdown
them. He was promoted recently people living in "Some say that Council to keep the needs of the
at his company Emerson Electric, Toothffl,Westlea the West has re-e West at the forefront. He com-
ceived an unfair
and decided that he could not con- and Shaw/Spar- ceived mented that he may start a cam-
tinue his council work. cells as they were built. share of resources. I say that it paign to support the idea of Parish
Ricky was first elected in March At different times he was chair- needed them, given that there was Council's which could generate
1981 shortly before West Swindon man of Thamesdown's Commu- nothing here except houses. What income to support community ac-
was transferred to Thamesdown nity Development Committee and kind of place would it be without tivity in the future.

Good neighbours fight to keep Bert on site Motor Show on
Residents in Grange Parkare cam- Local people bring him meals, the road for July
paigningto keep a pensioner in his water, firewood, do his washing A date has been set for the Motor
caravan sited close to their homes. and allow him use of their baths. Show featured on the front page of
Bert Cheeseman, 65, has lived in Janet Saunders from Chandos last month's Link magazine and
a caravan off Hay Lane since 1978, Close said people wanted Bert to some of Swindon's leading motor-
on land owned by Bradley Homes, stay where he was. "He's a lovely ing names have indicated they will
whoheworkedforasasecuntyguaxtl. man, everybody knows him, he's take part.
Bradley closed down on 1 Janu- like a night watchman. He was The show, organised by Green-
ary 1992. In an attempt to clear up here long before we arrived; it's down School parents, is set to take
their affairs they tried to evict Bert inhuman to uproot him." place on 11 and 12 July.
during the week of heavy frosts Jim Strutton from Rochford So far Honda, Walker Jackson
before Christmas. The site heoccu- Close said Thamesdown Council Ford, Dick Lovett Mercedes,
pies under licence is designated as were prepared to accept the land Mazda, BMW, Great Western Ga-
public open space and the com- with Bert on it, providing Bradley rages Peugeot and VW Audi have
pany wanted to hand it over to applies for planning permission. said they will be putting on dis-
Thamesdown Council. He said, "Bradley allowed Bert plays of their vehicles. The fire and
However when Bradley gave to live here for 14 years, but now police services will be represented
Bert three days notice that they he's an inconvenience they want to and the GWR MegaRig will also be
would be towing him away, his tow him to common land. on hand.
friends living in houses built in Bert Oieeseman, supported by neighbours "The Council will allow Bert to Motorbikes and custom cars will
Grange Park over the last 10 years his caravan with a wood burning stay where he is and are offering be on show, as well as stalls, activi-
rallied around to support him. stove. He suffered a stroke in 1987, Bradley a legal way out of their ties for children and refreshments.
They disabled the caravan, but his disability hasn't dented his problem. But they seem to want to The organisers are still interested
mounted a guard and rang the resolve to live an independent life. get rid of him and refuse to negoti- in recruiting help from parents and
newspapers to get publicity and "I've lots of friends around here ate." other people living in the area. If
local councillors to get action. and they've been very kind to help The residents have vowed to you have ideas or can offer practi-
Bert lives without running wa- me out," said Bert. "I've never had continue their backing for Bert in cal assistance, telephone Veronica
ter, drainage orelectricity and heats so many Christmas cards." his battle to keep his home. Hammond on 0666 825800