Page 18 - link magazine

18 The Link Magazine • July 1998
North Swindon to get pre-school Summer Play Days
A new pre-school in Abbey Swindon Borough Council's Play Service will be running playschemes
Meads, opening in September, is in the school summer holidays for 5- 14 year olds in July to August.
set to ease pressure on waiting Playschemes offer children fun-filled days. They can take part in
lists elsewhere. organised games, arts and crafts and mix with their peers. The schemes,
Abbey Meads parents will wel- staffed by experienced playworkers, are free.
come the news that Blunsdon Parents should note that children need to be registered when they
Nursery School Abbey Meads will first attend. Places are available on a first come, first served basis. They
open its doors on 14 September. cannot be booked in advance. Children are free to come and go, though
Pauline Webster, who runs a careful eye is kept particularly on younger ones. They should wear
Blunsdon Nursery School believes suitable clothes and bring a packed lunch and plenty to drink.
there is a definite need for a pre- For more information, contact Jean Goncalves or Paul Ryan at the
school in the area. "We had a very Play Service on 466549.
good Ofsted report in April 1997, Playschemes in West Swindon, open 11am to 3pm:
so we will bring with us excellent • Freshbrook School
Monday 27 to Thursday 30 July
grounding and knowledge." 'Lower Shaw Farm
Monday 3 to Thursday 6 August
There will be four morning ses- Monday 10 to Thursday 13 August
sions per week based at the Com- • Saltway School
Monday 17 to Thursday 20 August
munity Centre, Elstree Way. Chil- • Shaw Ridge School
Monday 24 to Thursday 27 August
dren from three years of age will 'Toothill Farm Centre
learn from structured activities Pauline Webster with Abbey Meads Playschemes in North Swindon, open 11am to 3pm
around set themes leading to de- children attending the nursery in • Moredon Youth Centre Monday 10 to Friday 14 August
sirable learning outcomes. Blunsdon village,from left, Fay Batch, Look out also for the Play Van and Octobus which may arrive in your area at
Sessions will be priced at under
£4.50 each. Spaces will be limited. Rebecca Henley, Adam Spencer any time.
For more information and to regis- Summer holiday care
ter children, telephone Pauline for 5 to 12 year olds Vols. needed for a special playscheme
Webster on 762016.
Westlea After School Club The Thumbs Up Playscheme, which meets during the summer holi-
Summer Garden Fete summer holiday playscheme: days at Greendown School, needs volunteer helpers to support their
Woodlands Kindergarten 23 July to 5 September holiday activity programme for children with physical and learning
Swinley Drive Peatmoor 8am to 5.30pm. disabilities.
Places can be booked for any "Don't be bored this holiday; Training is provided for volun-
1
Saturday 1,8 July, come and meet lots of new friends, teers, who are supported by pro-
day(s). Cost: £10 per day.
1pm - 3pm Snacks included. have fun - and do something really fessional playleaders. Age and
Stalls, games, refreshments Call Cherry Hobbs 872380. worthwhile," challenges Thumbs experience are less important than
Up committee member Carolyn interest and enthusiasm. Any com-
Tovey. mitment from a couple of days to
Activities include swimming, longer periods is welcome.
10% off block bookings riding, arts and crafts, music, a To find out more, contact
bouncy castle and outings. Thumbs Up on 618557 or 764981.
on lessons taken between
' Lincoln's camp closure
Monday & Thursday at
P puts job on the line
Westleaze Riding Centre,
Mill Lane, Swindon Single mother, Margaret Denby, from Toothill, fears she may have to
give up work because she can no longer send her children to the Link
Centre's Holiday Camp.
BHS qualified tuition for beginners to
experienced riders Margaret's two children,
Jennifer, 9, and Nathan, 11, right,
Group or private lessons ' Hacking
have attended the camp for the
Own a pony week courses in school holidays
last 5 years, enabling her to con-
Call (01793) 617761 tinue working through the holi-
Horses taken for breaking/schooling days.
Now that the scheme has closed,
other childcare options are prov-
ing too expensive or too far away.
BLINDS SALE At half term Margaret found a
friend to look after her children,
Summer Savings of up to 50%* though even this involved a £7 taxi
fare each evening.
Link Centre Manager Alan
Blind for blind no-one beats our prices Richards, although sympathetic to
PHONE NOW 9a.n-9pm 7 DAY'S the problems, said, "as part of the
FREE FITTING council's savings, it was identified
Swindon
that it would be difficult to pro-
FAST LOCAL SERVICE 874655 vide adequate staffing to run the will be negotiating with the Edu-
= camps." He hopes that the restric- cation Department and other in-
tions will be temporary.
terested parties to re-open the
IFNOREPLYO800161OSB [1
00 curr.nt price. on selected ranges The Borough's Direct Services camps as soon as possible.
VERTICALS ROLLERS VENETIANS ROMANS PLEATEDS Organisation is currently bidding Although they recognise the
against other providers for all importance of subsidising the serv-
H I L L A R Y S sports and leisure services in Swin- ice, they can only do this if the
don. If they win the contract, they council can fund it.