Page 43 - link magazine

The Link Magazine • June 2002 43
Accessible railway history
Two 45 minute audio walking tours of the former GWR works and Railway Village to help people with disabilities appreciate Swindon's
railway history were launched in May.
A basic language tape is aimed McArthur Glen Designer Outlet
at people with learning disabili- Centre, the tapes were produced
ties, the other, which includes di- by the Libertas charities' group and
rectional aids, is for the visually disabled access staff in the coun-
impaired. cil's environmental services.
The Health Hydro and railway The tapes can be borrowed free
village, the GWR works tunnel, from the information desk in the
National Monuments Record Cen- South Mall of the Great Western
tre, the STEAM Museum and the Designer Outlet.
GWR works, now the Great West- • STEAM - the Museum of the
ern Designer Outlet, are among Great Western Railway was the
the buildings covered in the tour. only British museum to receive a
In the basic language version, a special commendation in the 2002
train whistle tells listeners when European Museum of the Year
to stop the tape. Award in May.
Registered blind woman Jane
Lovett from Pinehurst, walked the
course voluntarily with her hus- Outside two of the buildings featured in the railway history tour, from left, J&R Carrpi'itry
Assistant Access Officer Denise Haylor, council leader Mike Bowden, Jane Lovett
band Mark and guide dog Prue to with Prue, Jonathan Rix and Janet Patch from Libertas 4Qrvnees
check its accuracy. "You need
masses of clear detail for people not a circular walk, you need to be on their own. "There's a lot of in- O Fitted bedrooms
who can't see," said Jane. told how to retrace your steps." teresting information on Brunel and kitchens
"You need to know when there's As the tour covers a fairly wide and Gooch and the Mechanics' and
going to be a very steep kerb or a area and involves crossing some it's good educational value." O Replacement
fire escape on an outside wall you open spaces, she advises blind peo- Funded by the Swindon Coun- doors & windows
could bang into. And, when it's ple to do it with friends rather than cil, English Heritage and the O Laminate floors
O Doors and
Letters to The Link staircases
O Household repairs and
Letters should be sent to the address on page 4 by the 10th of the month
general maintenance
North Swindon drive-thru' restaurants Litter Free no obligation quotes
From Derek Richards, Wheatlands, Haydon Wick From Miss Hopwood, Nine Elms Tel. 814833 or 07776 142981
The plans for this commercial site I am fed up with the moans from With all the litter strewn around,
at junction 5 at Ash Brake have Abbey Meads about the dualling West Swindon is becoming a real
been public for nearly 10 years and of Thameswood Drive which also mess and it's getting worse. Don't
therefore the 250 residents object- has had planning permission from just blame the children, they fol- D&LBlinds
ing to the land use, as reported in the outset of the development. It is low the examples set by their par-
the May Link, should have made a disgrace that it wasn't con- ents. I do a lot of walking and Rollers • Verticals • Venetians
themselves familiar with them be- structed initially to save months of wherever I go, there is litter every- Pleated Blinds • VELUX®
fore they purchased their homes. grief and delay to motorists nego- where, including used nappies. Conservatory Blinds
They should have considered tiating the current road works. Disposable does not mean throw it QUALITY BLINDS AT
that the price they were paying for What's happened to the envi- under a hedge.
their properties reflected this pend- ronmentally friendly roundabouts As a child I was taught that any AFFORDABLE PRICES
ing development. They should being replaced by unfriendly traf- litter, such as sweet wrappers, crisp Fast and reliable service
have chosen a different location if fic lights? These cause more ex- packets, drink cans, either went Evenings & weekends no problem
they didn't want to be near this haust fumes and accidents as they into a nearby litter bin or I took it All blinds fitted free
enhancement to the local facilities are based on the cross over in front home. It's a pity a lot of other peo- Choose from a wide range
which other residents and their of oncoming traffic, copying the ple didn't have the same sort of of fabrics from the comfort
children are eagerly looking for- much maligned Groundwell ex- upbringing. of our own home
y
ward to. periment. Will people ever stop to think of
the environment, or is that too Contact Paul on 01793 619428
Post Office at Safeway, Haydon Wick much to hope for? FREE QUOTES NO OBLIGATION
From Ray Billings, Lime Way, Abbey Meads
I attended the Hayden Wick selling point of Safeway.
Safeway and Post Office custom- My household, along with many
ers meeting on 23 April to ques- others will continue to use the Post
tion the implications of Safeway's Office at Haydon Wick Safeway, GASTEC14
intention to close the post office but our usual expenditure of £90 -
located on their premises. It be- £100 per month on Safeway food
came clear that Safeway have no products, newspapers and maga- RegNo142573 tIII [Ed 11 [!L
I
community spirit and fail to real- zines will cease and be spent else-
ise that the essential Hayden Wick where. • Central heating installation
Post Office attracts customers to Safeway have shot themselves and efficiency upgrades
their store and in doing so ignore in the foot over this issue and until • Repairs to all appliances
competition from other stores. the busy Post Office is retained in and central heating systems Full preventative
Closing the Post Office and cre- the Hayden Wick store, customer • Servicing to central heating boilers maintenance, annual service,
ating more space for carpets, do- losses will inevitably mount to the • Gas appliance fitting parts and labour cover
mestic appliances and garden detriment of that store's financial • Warm air heating to entire system
items is not what shoppers want. viability. The lesson for Safeway is • Gas appliance sales
Customer interest isprimarilycen- to refrain from telling customers • Combination boilers www.gastechwilts.co.uk
tred on using the Post Office and what the store thinks is right, and
buying food - the premier profit listen to what the customer wants.