Page 4 - link magazine

4 The Link Magazine • April 2000
Mechanics hope
PHILIP STONE
A meeting on 17 March between high powered organisations and
PAINTER & local interests concerned with Swindon's derelict Mechanics Insti-
BUILDING tute has given a focus for its future.
DECORATOR Swindon South MP Julia Drown
SERVICES and representatives from English
For a high standard Heritage, the Architectural Herit-
of work Extensions, Alterations, age Fund, the Industrial Buildings
Preservation Trust, Swindon Bor-
References available Renovations ough Council, plus the New Me-
Telephone now for a All aspects of garden chanics Institute Preservation
construction including fencing Trust, all agreed that, after 14 years
FREE ESTIMATE empty, there is a shared concern in
All general building work
the future of the building.
Tel: 870515 or Tel: Mr J.F. Keenan Swindon Council will now set
Mobile 0374 - 208527 up a meeting with the present
(01793) 727824
owners who have proposed a ho- more difficult to achieve commer-
tel for the site. However last year cial viability.
English Heritage upgraded the Martha Parry for the the New
building's preservation status to Mechanics Institute said the trust
II* in recognition of its social and was encouraged that a positive
cultural heritage which makes it view is being taken.

All up for votes
For a new style or colour, s"^^'^a9e It's that time of the year when leaflets of all persuasion appear
through the letterbox telling you that one party is better than another;
call in today for a 'it's us against them, the others don't stand a chance; 'vote for me to
free consultation 4Pa make Swindon a better place; etc., etc.
with our friendly staff id `P" I But this year the local elections Swindon Council electoral regis-
on Thursday 4 May could have tration officer Alan Winchcombe
we 5wi^do^ more impact. Boundaries have described this year's elections as
Du^ea^ . .^ iia
changed, (only Highworth and "quite an interesting challenge."
Shaw Salon, Shaw Village Centre, Parks stay exactly the same out of He said that Abbey Meads vot-
Swindon • Tel: 874825 22 in Swindon), new wards have ers will have received a letter ex-
been created and all 59 seats on plaining the procedures for the
Swindon Borough Council are up postal voting system by the end of
for grabs. March before ballot papers are sent
Most interesting is that people out in late April.
Although Mr Winchcombe and
w&Used in four wards, including the new two others run the electoral regis-
Abbey Meads ward, may not have
to leave the house to vote. The tration office, a small army of peo-
,e Furniture Home Secretary has proposed a ple will be involved in delivering
polling cards, setting up and run-
postal vote experiment in 44 wards
across England and Wales. ning polling stations and counting
Most of the ward changes take the votes.
The chair place in The Link distribution ar- But before that another army of
eas of West and North Swindon workers from the different politi-
that supports where there has been greatest cal parties will be out, keen to con-
population growth since the last vince you that their man or woman
the parts that big change, when Toothill ward is best for the job in your area.
was created in 1985.
others don't In West Swindon Toothill ward is
being split into two. Rubbish system
Sole stockist in Swindon Toothill to change
&Westlea 5 892 voters 2 members Thirty thousand more homes
1herapod® Shaw across the town are to receive
&NineElms6,806voters3members black plastic bags as Swindon
Freshbrook & Grange Park, which Council refuse removal service
now incorporates The Prinnells from dumps its bin emptying system.
the old Toothill ward The plastic sack system has been
In house CAD
7,573 voters 3 members in successful operation in some
design service available for In North Swindon, a new ward called area of the Borough for several
all new furniture installations Abbey Meads has beencreatedfrom years. Now West Swindon and
Haydon Wick and Blunsdon ward, Moredon, plus Rodbourne, Pine-
andincludesStAndrewsRidge,Ash hurst, Penhill, the Parks, Walcot
For all your office requirements: Brake and all of the yet to be built and Lawn are being changed over.
Choice OFFICE FURNITURE Hayden III Packets of sacks will be deliv-
presently 2,649 voters 3 members ered every three months, initially
,499 voters 3 members with a good practice guide explain-
BSS House, Unit 22, Cheney Manor, Swindon Haydon Wick ing the council's refuse removal
Open: Monday to Friday 8.30am to 5.30pm. Saturday gam to 1 pm 7 p
procedure.
(up from two) ^ The new system will be fully in
Tel: 01793 521212 • Fax: 01793 534410
Moredon 7,397 voters 3 members ' use by the end of April.