Page 5 - link magazine

The Link Magazine • September 2002
Is Swindon the Titanic?
In last September's Link West Swindon councillor Nick Martin, commenting on Swindon's second bid
'eletmatinq I0 Years 1992 - 2002
to become a city, likened the management of Swindon Borough Council to a banana republic, question-
ing its claim to be a city and predicting major problems in the delivery of services.
'WE COME TO YOU -
Since then the town's manage- if the situation can get any worse. ough and its schools. AT HOME OR Will
ment of education has been Nonetheless there are a few good Never have the Labour party's
damned by inspectors, as was the things happening. The protests buzz phrases 'things can only get * FREE
social services department, and over the winter months about cuts better' and 'there is still a lot more collection & delivery
performance to do' been more Servicing & repairs
in other areas applicable to Swin-
have been re- don. Its people will BIKE WE ALSO SELL
BROADGREEN CENTRE DOCTOR
ported as poor. hope that under * New cycles
Meanwhile it Borough of Thamesdown Community Development ^ new leadership the
* Parts & accessories
appears the management of the
ramshackle tt t council will be
central library more than a rear-
Sign from the past: a notice board still standing in the town centre. Does the
is to remain for community or working with people count for anything to council leaders? rangement of the
the time being deck chairs.
and the rotting hulk of the Me- in arts and cultural activities dem-
chanics Institute in the town cen- onstrated that there is positive ac-
tre will now go through another tivity and the plan to regenerate
winter unprotected. Lydiard Park featured on our cen- Ample free parking odybliss
In late July it was leaked that the tre pages is an exciting develop- Open late evenings • Creche
Chief Executive Paul Doherty is to ment. Under private education Private and friendly salon B Health & Beauty
leave. In early August Sue Bates, company Tribal, the education de- Gift vouchers Swindon's
leader of the council and the La- partment seems to be removing Laser hair removal clinic
bour group resigned. the barriers of suspicion high- 01793 821355 for men and women
Most people will be wondering lighted by Ofsted between the bor- Stratton Leisure Centre Probably best rates available
Grange Drive, Swindon
L2ser
Most major credit cards accepted Hzd t3emc,,a,
The Spirit of Swindon up for sale
Collagen therapy
The Link in- t.ye
vited readers Thread vein removal
to meet Swin- Semi permanent make-up
don's intrepid
rower Norman Facials 3Z' Nail extension w St Tropez tanning fia Electrolysis
Butler from
A Waxing tt Massage % Nailtiques manicures — Lash perming
Westlea on last
September's
front page be-
Stretch your child's imagination
fore he set off
to cross the At-
lantic in his in three directions at once
self-built boat
christened The
Spirit of Swin- Here's a way to spend weekends that
don.
We followed his eventful adven- will have 4 to 16 year olds buzzing.
THE Need ture throughout the Autumn until
COMPLETE Curtains he arrived in the Caribbean in Janu- Enrol them in your local
ary for a joyful reunion with his
CURTAIN orblinds wife Linda and baby daughter Stagecoach theatre arts G
SERVICE made? Melissa. school where they can NEW TERM'
Design, making and complete Norman is now setting himself learn to act, sing and dance. STARTS
fitting service available new physical challenges and is sell-
Large range of material samples ing The Spirit of Swindon with most The skills they learn aren't SATURDAY 21st
Free estimating and advice of its equipment. just for the stage. They 1SEPTEMBER
Call Tracey or Amanda on
The details: Ocean rowing boat. one careful grow in confidence
01793 611051 owner, proven performance in arduous con- and self-esteem.
ditions. Constructed and fitted out to a high
r standard, including trailer, 2 sets of oars,
Home Sew Curtain '1- 1_ Stagecoach training is a training for life.
Supplies very efficient and reliable electrical system
100's of fabrics in stock (incorporating solar panels with regulator, 2 There's no audition. Enthusiasm is all they need.
from £2.50/metre batteries and battery monitor). watermaker,
Heading from 25p/metre satellite phone, EPIRB, sea anchor, drogue, Call Principal Sheryll for a prospectus on
Lining from £1.50/metre VHF radio, tool kit, two GPSs (one with 0800 389 7686
Cushion pads from £2 each external antenna), charts, two cookers, re-
f ^ _ All types of rails _rl verse compass, comprehensive list of spares
III ^ 1
and all other equipment (excluding liferaft)
needed to row across an ocean. All equip- STAGECOACH
Home visits arranged or
ment is of a high quality and in excellent
working order.
Price: £15,000. Full specifications, and de-
tails from Norman Butler on 01793 882198
http://www.stagecoach.co.uk
norman @benwellclose.freeserve.co.uk