Page 19 - link magazine

Swindon Wide 19

Zimbabwe arts contact

from Link web site
An e-mail from Chris and Vivienne Hamblin, who run Twin Arts
Educational Trust, in Zimbabwe in June to The Link magazine's web
site www.swindonlink.com , l ed to a meeting with the Mayor of Swindon
in early September. Closer cultural contacts between the town and the
capital Harare could develop as a result.

The Mayor coun Cox in the parlour with, from left Rosa Matheson,
director, Swindon Community Arts Fund, Chris Hamblin, Viv Hamblin,
Matt Holland, Daphne Knock, Swindon Council multi-cultural education
department, Celia Yeoman of Swindon Artscape
Chris contacted us for informa- don for links which cross national
tion about Thamesdown Commu- and cultural boundaries."
nity Dance Studio where Vivienne Marie McClusky, director of
Hamblin tutored in 1983. When we Swindon Dance, said she was keen
discovered that Chris and Viv were to see how youth dance exchanges
visiting family in Britain, we asked could take place and Rosa
the Mayor coun David Cox if he Matheson, director of Swindon
would be willing to meet them and Community Arts Fund thought
chat about cultural issues. Even there could be international dimen-
though the political situation is sions to Swindon's first folk festival
tense there, he was keen to dis- planned for next year.
cuss the possibility of building re- Coun Cox said he was very en-
lationships with Zimbabwe. couraged to hear of what's going the Chinese CExperience
Chris is involved in teaching on in Swindon and Zimbabwe. "It's
music in Harare schools and coor- brilliant that people will be able to
MEAD WAY, PEATMOOR, WEST SWINDON
dinates multi-cultural string orches- make links and develop associa-
tras, whilst Viv is very involved in tions at lots of different levels." SPECIAL VALUE
teaching dance. Both organise Chris was very pleased that he
summer schools and performances and Viv had been able to make SET MEAL
and contribute to arts festivals. contact with Swindon. "There is a (available before 7.30pm)
Only £13.50 per person
We also invited a number of other sense of isolation in the arts com-
people from Swindon to learn about munity in Zimbabwe, so we were Crispy spring rolls
arts activity in Harare and discuss very pleased to meet people. It Capital spare ribs
how interchange can be fostered. was a positive meeting and we Crispy seaweed
All were enthusiastic about the return encouraged by the enthusi- Sweet & sour chicken HK style
possibilities. astic reception we had in Swindon. Beef with green peppers in -EAWAY
Matt Holland, director of the Who knows what could develop?" black bean sauce
Swindon Festival of Literature, Visit Twin Arts via a link at i-: C, OFFEr
said, "there is an appetite in Swin- www.swindonlink.com Stir fried noodles Aromatic crispy duck (quarter)
Egg fried rice Vegetarian spring rolls
New look for public arts Desert: pineapple fritters Sweet & sour chicken HK style
`10% service charge Shredded chilli beef
Swindon Borough Coun- Stir fired mixed vegetables
cil's Public Arts Unit took DISCO KARAOKE Egg fried rice
on a new appearance with NIGHTS Prawn crackers
Was £24 now set price for all
the launch of Swindon with evening meal & disco
Artscape on 3 September. on 29th September, seven items £16.50
The unit commissions 12th & 27th October, Delivery service available
and organises professional 10th & 30th November
arts throughout the bor- Members £13.
ough - exhibitions, work- Non-members £17
shops, the city festival and `10% service char
world musicconcerts atthe
Old Town Bowl. Tel: 01793 877888 Fax: 01793 873883
For details on Swindon www.chinese-exerience.co . uk
Artscape, call Celia Yeo-
Imbongi from Zimbabwe help launch Artscape man on 466517 or go to:
at the Great Western Designer Village www.swindonartscape.co.uk