Page 10 - link magazine

10 TOOTH ILL
Surprise for late council tax payers
Ron and Millie Portsmith from Toothill have made history by being the 37,472nd Swindon household
to pay their council tax by direct debit - and were rewarded with a bouquet and a bottle of bubbly.
Sunwisp £35 The figure is significant because When Derek Carter, Chief Of- he was from the council as I thought
Black, tan, navy, taupe it represents half the homes in the ficer for Customer Services, he had come to tell me off because
borough that have to pay council knocked on their door, the we had paid late. I never thought
or white leather
tax. The presentation, made by the Portsmiths were worried that they we might be getting an award; it
Removable Mayor of Swindon, councillor might be in trouble. Millie said, "I was a lovely surprise."
T-bar ° o Brian Ford, draws attention to the was a bit shocked when he told me Mr Carter said there are benefits
benefits of payment by direct debit. all round. "Paying by direct debit
feature
Ron and Millie moved to Queen- is not something people should be
borough over 20 years ago and afraid of. It's convenient, saves
BLAYLOCKS paid their council tax by taking time and reduces the amount of
Bath Road Corner cash to the Post Office. But a re- public money spent on adminis-
cent holiday caused them to miss a tration."
Old Town payment, upsetting their domes- For details about paying council
Tel: 534271 tic budget. So they decided to tax by direct debit, call the cus-
make the move to direct debit, sav- tomer services section at Swindon
ing themselves time, effort and Council on 463000.
FOR QUALITY trips to the Post Office. Left: Ron and Millie Portsmith re-
ceive their surprise from Mayor Brian
PAINTING Ford with Derek Carter, right, and
Annual meeting Chris Flatt and Andy Day from the
DECORAFIN(
Toothill Community Centre holds council tax collection department
its annual general meeting on Surgery underway
Thursday 17 June, 7.30pm. Construction at Toothill Village
Contact All residents of Toothill are in- Centre on the long awaited build- Children take
Andrew Goddard vited to attend, hear reports of last ing for the Phoenix practice started the walking bus
year's activities including the an- on 25 May. We will carry a photo-
A member of the nual accounts, and to elect next graph and interview with Dr Children make their way daily to
Dulux Decorators Network year's management committee. Swinyard next month. Toothill After School Club by
Those who have paid £1 mem- means of an innovative walking
bership of the centre are eligible to Chair pusher needed 'bus'.
Tel: 01793 702764 vote. For details about joining, call Adult volunteers have been is-
into the centre on weekday morn- A Toothill woman in her early 40s sued with reflective jackets by the
Mobile: 0467 421798 who has to use a wheelchair as a Swindon Council's Road Safety
ings, or telephone 614492.
result of arthritis needs someone Officer, Margaret Tester. Theypick
up children from Oliver Tomkins
to take her out and about. and Toothill primary schools and
HK 97 4 Asda and perhaps out for a 'walk'. ensure their safe route to the club.
She would like to be able to go to
She would welcome enquiries
Expenses will be covered.
If you can spare an hour or two
from parents and carers interested
in adopting the idea and can be
to assist, contact Pam Pixton on
contacted on 466399.
465462 who will put you in touch.
CHINESE TAKE-AWAY Cut the confusion
The chairman of a residents association in Toothill is furious about
WEST SWINDON CENTRE incorrect claims made by candidates in the recent elections.
Norman Wood, chairman of the
Victoria Court residents' associa-
tion, right, which takes up issues
TE1L: OU6871 for elderly people living in West-
ern Challenge housing association
flats on Luddesdown Road, says
the parties were guilty of confus-
ing the people he represents.
Residents have been demand-
ing barriers on a steep footpath
Guarantee next to their homes as speeding
cyclists create dangers for elderly
y pedestrians. They also want the
i0% off our hill tarmac repaired and a grit bin. The
Conservatives put out a leaflet
Collect one stamp for every £10 spent on items
claiming that the barriers were put
from our menu on our special voucher card up as a result of their efforts. A barriers. In the end the Western
available from HK97. Once you have 10 stamps, letter to residents from a Labour Challenge housing association
your next purchase will be half price. councillor refuted this, claiming paid for the barriers and improved
(See card for conditions of use). that his persistent efforts resulted lighting over the footpath because
in the barriers being installed. they were afraid for their tenants.
However Norman wants it to be The cost will ultimately come out
Opening Hours: (Open Bank Holidays) Monday - Saturday 12noon - 2pm known that the whole issue has of our rents.
(Sunday lunch closed) Monday - Sunday 5pm - 11pm been marked by council inaction. "We're still waiting for repairs
Unit B3, West Swindon District Centre "Little was done despite our re- to the tarmac and a grit bin as
peated meetings and calls for the promised."