Page 20 - link magazine

20
Swirdo) Wide

Do you need a hat but Swindon & Festival on water planned for June
don't want to BUY one? Cricklade Railway Twenty five years ago a group of canal enthusiasts met at Wootton
Basset Town Hall to discuss the restoration of the Wilts and Berks
Then call Canal, the same venue where in 1793 plans were first formulated to
Diesel Day and Treasure Hunt build a link between the Kennet & Avon Canal and the River Thames.
Sunday 5th May Over two hundred years later,
tiat r aii
e Hatter the canal restorers are planning a
Th Mad Steam Day and Treasure Hunt big event to celebrate the progress
Monday 6th Mai• made in the last quarter of a cen-
Now located in Haydon Wick tury to bring canals back into the
Days Out with Thomas
(01793) 704005 or public consciousness, and to raise
Saturday 18th May & To
07710 298790 awareness of the major develop-
Sunday 19th May 2 ments to take place over the next
to see the large selection of
twenty years.
Hats to HIRE! Blunsdon Station The Mayor of Swindon will unveil
The Wiltshire Waterways Festi-
Make a personal appointment Tadpole Lane, Swindon val from 14 to 16 June, on the one the new Purton Road canal
to find just the right hat for you Tel: (01793) 771615 mile stretch of restored canal at bridge on 10 May
Templar's Firs, Wootton Bassett, Pa rticipants in several activities
will have everything for a great are needed: craft peoples and trad-
WOOTTON BASSETT LIONS CLUB familyweekend:boatsofallshapes ers to take up marquee space;
and sizes, music, wandering thea- entrants for waterbike and bathtub
May Fayre 2002 tre groups, children's entertain- races. For details call Jan Flanagan
ment, Punch and Judy, crafts and on 523048.
Lydiard Park, Swindon competitions on water and on land. www.wilts-berks-canal.org.uk
Vehicle entrance off Hook Street
Monday 6th May, 10.30a - 4.45pm Discover the past at AGM
The Swindon Society holds its annual meeting on 8 May, 7.30pm at the
Entry fee: adult £4, children and pensioners, £1 Broad Street community centre, off Salisbury Street, in the town centre
To be opened by Darth Vader followed by a slide show by David Bedford.
Newcomers are welcome to attend and find out more about the efforts
Displays: Tricky Dog display team, motorbike & car stunts, birds of prey
to preserve and research the town's history. For details, call Brian
Also: dog show, vintage cars and motorbikes, Bridgeman on 521408.
helicopter rides, craft tent, car boot sales, trade &
charity stalls, fun fair, Punch & Judy and many Rare local history book available
more attractions to make this a fun day, The Victoria Bookshop in Wood Street, Old Town, has arranged a
please come and support us limited re-print of the Swindon Society publication Swindon in 010
Photos Vol. 4 which has long been out of print.
Full steam ahead for railway society
THE COMPLETE HOUSE FURNISHERS IN ONE SHOP
Trains will soon be pulling up close to Taw Hill after the Swindon and
SPILLERS Cricklade Railway Society obtained planning permission to extend its
operational track from its base at Tadpole Lane, Blunsdon to Mouldon
Hill in North Swindon, a distance of about a mile.
^rr^e^^a►md whilst proposals to protect the
The project was delayed
environment and wildlife were
Established since 1843 drawn up including the con- -;;
struction of a badger sett. The ! }
,er Knoll planners also insist that only v
high quality coal is used for
tntoplllo steaming to avoid pollution, but
society chairman and chief
engineer Jeff Austin points out
that such coal, brought from
Scotland, is already used on
the railway.
3herbomc A necessary track and over
2,000 sleepers have already A
been acquired and volunteers will tended to Mouldon Hill and also
start serious track laying early next Sparcells with stations in both lo-
1^ I
year - the twenty-fifth anniversary cations. These are subject to fur-
• Dining Room Furniture • Suites & Sofas C of the society. ther planning applications and a
• Chairs & Recliners • Specialist Recliners M DONAGH Jeff has no illusions about the great deal of fundraising.
• Beds & Bedroom Furniture immensity of the task ahead and Anyone interested in assisting
• Occasional Furniture • Carpets & Flooring thinks it will be about three years the society by making donations,
before the new stretch is in opera- or becoming a volunteer, should
Open 6 days a week - Free delivery tion. "It really is an exciting project telephone Jeff Austin on 726807
AiStons
The family business that really cares which will really put the Swindon or Russell Wear on 692588.
and Cricklade Railway Society on • www.swindon-cricklade-
1 the map. Imagine a steam train railway.org
132 VICTORIA ROAD, OLD TOWN, SWINDON
running adjacent to Thamesdown • The S&CR used to be part of the
TEL: (01793) 522329/541146 Drive opposite the houses at Taw Midland and South West Junction
www.spillersfurnishing.co.uk Hill" Railway which can be seen at
The line will eventually be ex- www.swindonsotherrailway.co.uk