Page 9 - link magazine

NORTH SWINDON (including Abbey Meads, St Andrew's Ridge, Ash Brake, Taw Hill)
Race to get school built PAUL NEW

In less than a year, the first children will start at the new Abbey Meads Community Primary School.
Swindon Council has guaranteed that the £2.3 million contract will be completed by early August 1999
ready for staff to prepare the school for its first intake which will cover the whole primary age range
At a turf cutting ceremony on 14 A shadow governing body is of the school and influenced its
August, Phil Cooke, -Swindon's being formed so that a headteacher position on the site to allow for
head of pupil and student serv- can be appointed in early 1999. future expansion. We welcome
ices, said the 240 place school Abbey Meads Community As- the start of the new school; it will
would provide for the 21st Cen- sociation chairman Ian Dobie said relieve the pressures at Haydon
tury. "Abbey Meads and Peat- he was looking forward to the first Leigh."
moor primary schools are the first children arriving in less than • Abbey Meads is the first of eight
to be built by Swindon education twelve months time. "The com- primary schools to be built across Leaded Light Design Specialist
authority. They are also the first to munity was able to make an im- North Swindon as the area grows Custom made designs for
be designed to include major fa- portant contribution to the design over the next ten years. interior and exterior glazing.
cilities which will be shared by the Decorative glass cut.
school and the community." Making a start on the new school, close to the village centre: Haydon Wick Tel: Swindon 822688
The catchment area takes in part councillor Kelvin King, who is vice-chair of the Swindon education committee
of Abbey Meads and St Andrews with his daughter Rebecca and Abbey Meads community assocation chairman
Ridge. He said parents with chil- Ian Dobie, left, and Haydon Wick parish council chairman Richard Hailstone
dren at Haydon Leigh or Moredon
Schools can keep them there or PREMIER
transfer to the new school.
PROPERTY SERVICES
Restricted access Whatever you need,
Some children living in Abbey Meads we will be able to help
will not be able to attend the new
school. Until a second school is built • Decorating • Plumbing
on Elstree Way by September 2000, • Gardens
• Partitions
the following roads will fall within • Electrical
• Heating
the Haydon Leigh School catchment
area: Akenfield, Arley, Auden, Brain- • Cleaning • Carpentry
dean, Greenwich, Hardwick, Holiday, For a professional service with
Oakie, Pope, Rydal, Snowshill, Tracy high standards guaranteed,
Closes; Coleridge and Chatsworth
Roads; Elsham,ElstreeandLymeWay; Call 525671 or
Coleman Park, Cagney Drive and Mobile 0973 760167
Cooper Fields.

Association to draw boundaries Sambourne House Antiques
Set up a year ago, the Abbey Meads Community Association is now
debating how big it can become without losing touch with residents Est. 1986
and coping with its responsibilities.
Hibberd's Yard, Rushey Platt, Swindon
The issue was down for discus- "For example, St Andrew's
sion at the association's first an- Ridge has become a physically dis- (Off Wootton Bassett Road, behind the DFS showroom)
nual general meeting on 23 Sep- tinct part of the expansion area
tember. Chairman Ian Dobie said over the last year. At the same Swindon's only Original Antique Pine Warehouse
that the association needed to draw time I am conscious that several
its boundaries at some point in the people living there were instru- Over 4000 sq ft of Original Antique Pine & Reclaimed Pine furniture
future. "As the committee is made mental in setting up the Abbey
up of volunteers, there is a limit to Meads association. It's an issue Settles £260
how large our area should be so we need to discuss at the annual from £200
that we can realistically take up meeting and in future meetings of Sleigh Beds
the problems raised by residents. the management committee. 1 Door Wardrobe £375
2 Dr (take apart) W/d from £395
GP on target for Spring opening 3 Dr (take apart) W/d from £650
Dressers from £495
Construction work is progressing rapidly on the Abbey Meads health
from £195
centre and 1 March next year has been set as the opening date. Flat Top Boxes
On that day, the practice will withdraw from Carfax Street in the Domed Top Boxes from £120
town centre and close its temporary surgery on Elstree Way. The Chest of Drawers from £225
branch surgery at Penhill will continue offering most of its present Bookcases from £250
services.
The new building will have seven consulting rooms, examination Farmhouse Tables
and treatment rooms, and health education facilities, served by a made to order e.g. 4'x 3' £240
spacious and comfortable waiting area. Newly acquired equipment Tx 3' £275
will permit an extended minor operations service, and there will be Open Tuesday to Saturday
access to locally-based services including dietetics and physiotherapy. lOam - 5pm; Sunday lOam - 4pm All credit cards accepted
The practice intends to draw assistance from other agencies includ-
ing the Citizens Advice Bureau and Relate. An on-site commercial
pharmacy will provide a dispensary and home delivery. Tel/Fax: (01793) 887373
Partner Dr Josephine Owen-Jones is currently taking a Masters Workshops and Warehouse at Sambourne House, Minety, Malmesbury, Wilts.
Degree in clinical effectiveness and selected patients will be invited to
Tel: 01666 860288
assist with her clinical research.