Page 6 - link magazine

6 The Link Magazine • September 2000
Getting democratic Decision day for Mechanics in sight
Events during The future direction of one of Swindon's most historic buildings, the utterly neglected Mechanics
Local Democracy Week Institute, should be settled by January, after the council's cabinet agreed on 16 August to commission an
11 -15 September independent feasibility study costing £25,000 jointly with English Heritage.
Designing and Democracy A'pub- A campaign by the New Me- that our ideas do not fit into their appear in a council £200 million
lic lecture' in the traditions of the chanics Institution Preservation agenda. Now we look forward to 'wish list' of major capital projects
Mechanics Institute which com- Trust has been successful in forc- working with the consultants to that could be undertaken if the
bines themes from Local Democ- ing the building onto the public show that our proposals are the Front Garden land is sold.
racy Week and Urban Design agenda, after it lobbied the Gov- only sustainable solution which The New Mechanic's Institution
Week. Monday 11 September, ernment to upgrade the listed preserves the building's heritage Preservation Trust holds its AGM
7pm. Venue to be confirmed. Call building status because of its im- integrity and provides a benefit to at Swindon College on Thursday
520592 for details. portance to the social and cultural the community." 28 September, 7pm. For details,
history of the town. The Mechanic's Institute did not call 520592.
Haydon Wick Parish Council will Started in 1854 and funded by
be open for a 'Drop-In & Question railway workers as their commu- Young people who took part in The Hooter Project in the summer holiday to
come up with designs for the youth space in the proposed new Mechanics
Time' with parish councillors on nity and cultural centre, the Me-
Tuesday 12 September, 7pm, at the chanics closed in 1986, and was Institute made visits to community buildings around the town in August.
Pictured outside Link Centre, front from left, Victoria Ing, Naomi Dhillon,
council officers on Thames Av- once offered to the council for £1. Emily Muldowny, Niki Goodwin, Nicole Cotrell, Stevie Marshall, Kim Magill,
enue, next to the Haydon Centre. Now in the hands of a private Donald Brunwin, architect, Tim Hanks, project coordinator, Trustee Martha
All residents of the parish are in- owner who wants to re-develop it
vited to stop by. as a hotel, the building has been Parry, Fran Sampson, youth worker, Ruth Barrett, youth worker
empty for 14 years. It appears high
Stakeholders Conference organ-
ised by Swindon Borough Council on the English Heritage Register
on the theme of 'Local Leadership, of Buildings At Risk because of the
Local Choice - Your Say.' Wednes- urgent need for repair.
day 13 September. By invitation. The trust have put forward plans
Details from 463601. to turn the building into a 21st
Century centre for the Swindon
Swindon Youth Council is organ- community, with a restored thea-
ising a youth forum at Swindon tre, internet cafe and offices for
Town FC on Thursday 14 Septem- voluntary organisations.
ber on the theme: "Young People Trustee Martha Parry said,
and Democracy. Speakers will in- "we're disappointed that Swindon
clude Swindon borough council- Council has tried to sideline the
lors, the police and the members of trust and undervalued the quality
the Swindon 30 Year Vision team. of the work we have already un-
All youth are invited. For de- dertaken with qualified architects,
tails call Daniel Rose on 763361. surveyors and planners. It seems