Page 20 - link magazine

20 The Link Magazine • June 1998

Farmer brings his campaign for fairness into town
To the dismay of thousands across Swindon, the much loved Roves Farm visitor centre closed at the end
of April because of restrictions imposed by Swindon Council planners. However, you can show your
support for farmer Rupert Burr, below with Buffy the Bantam, when he visits the West Swindon Centre
BELVOIR on Saturday 27 June with some animals and a petition.
The planning committee has Rupert wants voters to ask their
judged that a farm is not suitable local councillors to have the deci-
Belvoir provides a most for barn dances, wedding recep- sion reconsidered, but suspects
complete and professional tions and other group gatherings that the council is applying double
Property Management and have blocked use of the farm standards.
after 4.30pm following objections At the same planning meeting,
Service. by 12 residents in nearby outline permission was given to
Sevenhampton. As a result, two r) Li5E create the new Stanton Country
Our reputation, competi- full time staff have been laid off W/NDOP') raNE Park, just two miles away. It will
tive rates and personal and there is no work for several r have a school's residential centre,
service are acknowledged part-timers. a visitor centre and craft work-
throughout the UK. shops - just like Roves Farm.
Although Stanton will probably
Landlords & Tenants, for Born and bred in Seven- cost well over £2 million to buy
information, listings, in- pJ)OWPARk hampton, Rupert cannot under- and develop, Rupert has been told
stand why the council should back it will be marketed as a low key
surance, Buy to Let Nursery & Pre-Prep 12 objections, when at the same facility, with fewer visitors than
schemes and impartial Individual Care meeting earlier this year a garage Roves Farm. He commented, "we
expansion in Wroughton was ap- only had 20,000 visitors last year,
advice: Individual learnin proved in the face of 400 objec- so I question whether public
at Prior Park tions. money is to be spent wisely, whilst
Call Belvoir Now Preparatory School "The objectors to Roves Farm a local business is being restricted.
Cricklade, Wiltshire have all moved into the village "There is no adequate explana-
FREEPhone and want to restrict the access of tion from councillors, it's a very
0800 7316069 For children aged 6 months to Swindon people. We opened the frustrating situation."
7 years (out of school and holiday visitor centre seven years ago with Rupert has a standard letter of
Fax 01249 760670 provision 7.45am - 6.30pm) encouragement from the council support for people to send to the
E-mail Please call Shelagh Hanbury BEd (Hons) and received a diversification grant council. Nearly 4,000 have been
[email protected] Rajvindar Kular B.A (I-Ions) from the Government. Public submitted so far and you have the
http://www.belvoirgroup.com Tel: (01793) 752600 money has been invested which chance to sign one at the end of
cannot be utilised." June.

Poor relations of Heritage
Centre appeal for cash

Fire & Steel, a 40 minute video showing life as it used to be lived by
Swindon's railway workers, has been re-issued in an effort to raise
funds for the group trying to save the town's Mechanics' Institution.
The film made the efforts of the
by Martin Parry Mechanics' Pres-
features retired ervation Trust
railworkers, who which aims to re-
Buy direct from your local tell stories of life store the building,
'inside,' with ad- which was the so-
manufacturer and save money ditional commen- cial heart of the
tary read from the railway town, for
At Faringdon Upholstery we manufacture top quality upholstery
1911 text Life in a use by all future
supplied direct to the public. We make your furniture the way
Railway Factory by Swindonians.
you want it, with thousands of fabrics to choose from.
local poet and Copies of the
* Craftsman built forge hammerman video can be pur-
Don't settle for Alfred Williams. chased at the
* All suites fully guaranteed mass produced With striking Swindon Railway
Museum and
when you can images of the
* All suites covered in have made-to- town and the Building Locomotives Swindon Town
At Swindon Works
works interior
football club.
your own choice of fabric measure for the while it was still To order by
same price! in operation, as well as music also post, send cheques for £11 (inclu.
* Solid wood frames composed locally, the video is an p&p) payable to 'The New Me-
Come and eye-opener for anyone who did chanics Institution Preservation
* Made to measure see our not know Swindon in its railway Trust Ltd to: Suite 17, Newburn
© wide heyday. It is more than a bit of a Centre, Newburn Crescent, Swin-
* Re-upholstery selection tug at the heartstrings for those don SN1 5ES.
service 01367 of suites who did. Donations of any amount to the
241855 The inclusion of 1983 footage of Mechanics fighting fund to help
* Curtains today 'King George V' steaming through the Trust preserve the building for
the Wiltshire countryside high- community use are also invited.
Open 7 days. week. Mon to Sat lOam - 5pm. Sunday 1pm - 5pm lights what it was all about. For further information about
Sale proceeds will go to support the Mechanics, call 520592.