Page 23 - link magazine

Letters to The Link 23
Letters should be sent by 16th of the month to the address on page 2. Freshbrook Ecumenical Parish of
West Swindon
Save Wick Farm! about proposed community use by Evangelical Church
From Rev John Flory the voluntary sector. Worsley Road & The Lydiards
Way back in August 1987 The Link A local registered charity whose Anglican, Methodist,
magazine ran an articleon the future sole purpose is 'to promoted the Will give YOU U.R.C., Baptist.
of this property on the behalf of the moral and spiritual welfare and the a warm Toothill
Borough's now defunct Arts and preservation of health of (residents) welcome Rev. Ian Handscomb 693384
Recreation Department, asking the Sunday lOam Rev. Anne Thomas 496421
and to establish, maintain and
local community for ideas as to its develop a service of individual Family Praise with children's St. Mary's L.Tregoze for
future use. At that time several counsellingand practical advice' has Covenanter Movement & creche Freshbrook & Grange Park
ideas were put forward, all of which some support now, being the only 630pm Evening Worship and Rev. Rob Buries 870244
would have been of benefit to the group that has shown a sustained Communion Westlea
West Swindon community - but and serious interest in restoring and Rev. John Flory 770217 t
none were taken up. developing the property. For details of mid-week meetings, Shaw and Sparcells
Instead the Swindon Archaeo- The Borough Estates Department house groups and other Rev. Keith Boxall 770568
logical Project was favoured, and said they would put it on the market activities, telephone the Rev. Helen Drummond 874372
the main building has been in by Easter this year - but nothing has Church Office, Tel: 873050 t also All Saints, L. Millicent
continuous occupation by a cash- happened. And what is the Borough
strapped and dwindling band of selling? A leading Councillor has
archaeologists during the last five said that no one has made them an MOBILE
years. At first we were told that offer -but you cannot make a serious MICROWAVE
there was no where else suitable in bid when you do not know what is MECHANIC
the Borough for them to go, but it lobe sold, what restrictive covenants REPAIRS
has recently been established that may be placed on the purchaser,
they can be moved at only one and where access will be from. No call out charge WE COME TO YOU
month's notice if necessary. Several possible uses have been 'Non-Starts 'Servicing 'Tuning
In November 1988 another article ruled out by the decision to almost Free home •M.O.T. Work 'Breakdowns
appeared in The Link which completely surround it by new 'Electrical Faults
highlights the importance of housing and to route a public estimates on most 'Clutches fitted
preserving this property. There is footpath/cycleway right past the makes
evidence that the site has apparently front of the building - but it still has
been in continuous occupation since a potential for community use for Contact
pre-Roman times, and the present just those reasons - its accessibility.
early eighteenth century farmhouse But who is going to be willing to Microwave Service No Garage Prices or Waiting
has been listed Grade II by the buya listed property in an advanced Please Telephone
Borough's Planning Department. state of decay? No one surely, if the (0793) 813485
This may have proved something Borough wants to hold out for an 876211 ANYTIME
of an embarrassment to Arts and unrealistic price. Now that all the
Recreation because they then had to experts are predicting that the
spend a large sum on a new roof, property slump is likely to go on - SATISFACTION
after winter gales nearly demolished and even to get worse, why doesn't
the property. Apart from that, it is the Borough stop ditheringand take GUARANTEED
clear to the casual observer that very what it can get for Wick Farm? After
little has been done to care for or all, if they sell to the Charity, they
conserve the b uild ing a nd'grounds' will make possible a much needed
which have a depressing air of service to the community at no cost
dereliction. Does anyone believe to themselves.
that the Listed Buildings people For goodness sake, let's save this
would have been as lenient had the little bit of our local history and put
&'S
farmhouse been in private hands? it to good use for this and future e, t
Now, because of the dithering of generations.
the Borough Council, the only future NEW KITCHENS,
for Wick Farm may well be • A response from Councillor Tony
demolition. Councillors have come Mayer Leader of Thamesdown NEW WARDROBES
and gone and waxed hot and cold Council will appear next month.
CARPENTRY & ALL
The Link TYPES OF JOINERY RENOVATIONS
Lineage costs 20p per word inc. VAT. Cash with advert
Classifieds to The Link, 13 Castle Dore, Freshbrook, Swindon •. All units supplied rigid ALTERATIONS
Wanted: Good condition fishing tackle. Rods, reels, nets, boxes, etc. + Solid wood doors REPAIRS
Also wanted by collector, any very old tackle. Tel: 875757 EXTENSIONS
+ Replacement doors fitted
Mother's Help Offered
Clothing Alterations & Repairs Available now for part time work in + Windows, doors and PLANNING SERVICE AVAILABLE
Tel: 872096 FREE QUOTATIONS
Mrs White, Freshbrook West Swindon. Hours to be nego- furniture made to your
tiated. Mrs J Woolley, tel: 872547 ALL GENERAL BUILDING WORK
specifications
UNDERTAKEN
Washing Machine Repairs S.C'S •' Over 15 years experience QUALITY CRAFTSMANSHIP
• Same Day Service •. Free consultation without
• Guaranteed Repairs BOOK-KEEPING SERVICE
For a friendly, any obligation P&L Browne
helpful Small Business Book-keeping,
service, call Wages, VAT. & Final Accounts Telephone Phil Barrett on BUILDERS
J. Martin (0793) 873003
Tel: 694930 Tel: (0793) 873483
3
1 Alnwick, Toothill (Westlea) 979 496483