Page 2 - link magazine

2 The Link Magazine • April 2000
Swindon City Status. Did we stand a chance?
OND
The Link asked the right questions
LE VISION
A blow to Swindon's self-esteem, embarrassingly in its centenary year as a borough, was dealt in
For friendly and early March when a leaked Home Office document revealed that an application for city status will
professional service not be considered in the final short-list.
to TVs, Videos, Audio and The assessment of the 39 towns LastJune The people who live in the town. At a
which had bid for city status was Link posed the time of supposed social inclusion,
Hi-Fi, Satellite systems
critical of Swindon's application question, 'Are it has to be asked, have the people
& Computer monitors, because it was 'poorly constructed we ready to be- of Swindon been excluded from
call 01793 497591 and gives the impression of a par- ,p come a city?' the exercise?
ticularly materialistic town, rather A series of As a result of reading The Link,
Workshop at than a rounded community.' articles raised Jean Saunders of Friends of the
15/15a Rodbourne Road The report recognises Swindon's doubt as to Earth called for a referendum on
Swindon thriving business sector, extensive What wouldhehave whether the city status. A mini-survey of 20
arts, entertainment and sports fa- thought? Former town has what readers by the Evening Advertiser
cilities, but notes the town had lit- town clerk David it takes to be a resulted in 17 people agreeing that
tle history until the coming of the Murray John, father city yet. the people should be asked.
say
the
railways in the 19th century. modern Swindon t sy th Some of the elements of being a
The media hyped argument with leastt the whole city are in place, but the town's
JVatural 3eauty Reading, as to which is best suited process of seeking city status has rapid expansion has created a sense
for city status, was also criticised. been shambolic and secretive. of discontinuity which is com-
Non-Surgical Facelift
Smoothes away facial lines and Their bid was also thrown out. There were no criteria laid down pounded by more recent cutbacks
The reaction of Swindon's by the Home Office, the city status in essential services and grants to
wrinkles, rejuvenates skin tone
Mayor, council leaders and offi- working group headed by the voluntary organisations. There is
and texture.
cials, local MPs, business people Bishop of Swindon met but five unease about what further growth
Slim-Gel Body-Wrap
and the Evening Advertiser was out- times and the bid document has entails, particularly if already over-
Lose inches as this treatment rage at the insult and gross mis- never been made public. stretched facilities cannot cope.
detoxifies the system and help
representation of the town. The argument in favour seemed If Swindon'sbid has beenbeaten
to drain off cellulite, leaving The town's public image has to be based on acquiring prestige back, it is time to take stock about
you firm and toned.
been damaged. Often the butt of and kudos, and enhancing the what it means to be a successful,
Also available: lash & brow tinting, snide remarks from those who standing of business in the town. big town, rather than have the
manicures, pedicures, ear piercing, know little of it, Swindon was lam- Several of The Link contributors uncertainty about being a small
waxing, gift vouchers...
pooned in the national press: 'A were worried about what becom- city. And now is a good time to
Call Wendy (01793) 852829 town with ideas above its station' ing a city might mean and ques- look at how to engage people in
Daily Mail. 'Swindon dismissed as tioned whether it would be a good what it is to be a Swindonian in the
materialistic' The Times. thing from the point of view of the 21st Century.
5 he Chinese (Experience
-
1 Westcott Place,
Swindon, Wiltshire, Visit this highly recommended restaurant besides Peatmoor
Tel: 01 793 644499 Lagoon. The authentic Chinese pagoda housese the largest
Chinese restaurant in Britain with an extensive a la carte menu
specialising in Cantonese, Peking and Szechuan cuisine
discovered

DISCO/KARAOKE NIGHTS
with evening meal and disco on 8, 15, 21,28 April
Members £13. Non-Members £17

GENTLEMEN'S EVENING: 11 April, 7.30pm
Roulette, Exotic Dancers, Auctions, Raffles and Chinese buffet
in aid of Koalas special needs pre-school children
Tickets £20 from Chinese Experience or 01793 389457
CASINO NIGHT: 5th MAY
£25 per person, inc. 3 course evening meal and a chance to win a mystery prize
FREE PARKING
CHINESE EXPERIENCE
OPEN 7 DAYS
AWEEK Pepperbox Hill, Peatmoor, West Swindon
All major credit cards Telephone 01793 877888 Fax 01793 873883
& cheques accepted p