Page 40 - link magazine

Meet the man who came up with the name
Just over twenty years ago, Malcolm Patrick was a twelve year living in Luddesdown Road, Toothill, taking
a bus daily with other local children to Richard Jefferies School on the other side of town.
Now married to Lucy and dad to three year old Adele, the family live in Rodbourne. His parents still live in
West Swindon and Lucy's father lives in Abbey Meads.
In December 1978, Patrick received an extra Christmas present of a book token. The first newsletter had arrived
through doors in Toothill without a masthead. The front page story offered a prize for suggesting an appropriate
name. He actually called it Toothill Link, but this was soon changed to The Link as people moved into Freshbrook.
"It really is great that The Link has been going for twenty years and is still free. It is very helpful and I hope it
continues for many years to come," said Malcolm.
Lucy holds up the first unnamed edition and Malcolm has the titled second edition, whilst Adele witnesses a historical scene

The Link: a kind of `ownership' by the community
Twelve years ago Moira Webster moved from Bedford, not altogether willingly to West Swindon, following husband Alan's job, writes Gina
Dennis.
Delays on their house completion saw the School Learning Alliance, Shaw Residents As-
family living at the Kings Head Hotel in Old sociation, Holy Trinity Church, Shaw and as
Town for several weeks. Without a car, Moira parent governor at Shaw Ridge and Green-
had to bus 5 year old daughter Louise to Shaw down Schools.
Ridge for her initial half days at school and Moira still reads The Link 'from cover to
then find some way of occupying two and a cover'. She says, "a lot of people look forward
half year old Robert. to it coming. There is a sense of ownership of
This forced Moira to become involved in the the magazine in the community."
community and get to know people. She went She was uncertain when distribution started
to toddler groups and coffee mornings at the in Haydon Wick and Abbey Meads three years
Link Centre and Upper Shaw Farm. "People ago. But her initial reservations about the
were very willing to be friendly because it was increased coverage gave way to a recognition
a new community," she says. of the similarities between that development
Eventually the family was able to move into and the experiences people in West Swindon
their new home in Ramleaze. Moira remem- have gone through.
bers receiving her first copy of The Link and She says now, "I don't think I'd want to live
finding it full of useful information - though it anywhere else. West Swindon is an excellent
was then only a six sided newsletter. place to bring up a family, with lots going on.
With Sheila Cracknell, Moira started the Good schools and leisure facilities combine
Newcomers toddler group. Next up was'Tod- with a quiet, friendly environment. "I've en-
dler Out West', a booklet listing facilities for Robert, Moira and Louise hold up the tenth joyed where I live and I've enjoyed what I've
under fives. She has since been involved in a anniversary edition from 1988 where they were been doing in the community. And The Link
Shaw Newcomers Coffee Morning, the Pre- pictured with other residents on the front page has enhanced that sense of belonging."

WILTSHIRE

NEWSPAPER AND MAGAZINE PRINTERS

Congratulations

to The Link

on its twentieth anniversary

Wiltshire is pleased

to have printed

the magazine since 1989

WILTSHIRE (BRISTOL) LIMITED
FIRST AVENUE • PORTBURY WEST
BRISTOL BS20 9WP
TELEPHONE: 0 1 275 375555
FAX: 01 275 375590
www.wiltshire-print. co.uk