Page 39 - link magazine

The Link Magazine • January 2003 39
Councillors wanted From southern oceans to Swindon
to deal with There has been recent talk in Haydon Wick of twinning with a French counterpart. In the meantime the
local matters parish council has had a more exotic connection. Stephanie Aucus, from the island of Reunion in the
Indian Ocean, has spent the last six months at the council's offices and returns home in early January.
Fourteen parish councillors cur-
rently serve Haydon Wick, spend- Twenty year old Stephanie's Christmas this
Stephanie was found the year was distinctly chilly. "I
ing about £112,000 of precepted
council tax each year on services placement by the Euro- missed my parents and two
for local residents. pean Training Service rii brothers and also the sum-
After a review started in 1998, which helps youngsters to mer sunshine."
the Local Government Commis- develop their skills and Before Christmas she
sion has determined that the par- knowledge on a world- helped distribute the annual
ish, with its ever expanding popu- wide basis. parish council Christmas
lation, should be divided into three Although her English parcels within Haydon Wick
was already good, and spent Christmas Day in
wards and have a further four
councillors. Stephanie welcomed the a Devon cottage with her
Haydon Wick ward covers the chance to develop her host family.
established part of the parish and skills and gain experience When Stephanie returns to
will return 13 councillors, Haydon of the English-speaking Reunion she hopes she will
End ward to the north-chiefly world. Although she not have to go back to her
Priory Vale and Taw Hill-will re- found us British rather re- less than exotic previous job
turn four, and Ray ward to the served on first contact, she -serving in MacDonald's - in
west (the Clary Road area) will had no regrets over her her home town of St. Denis.
have a single councillor. choice of venue, and enjoyed her rishioners' views about the qual- Parish clerk Sue Martin said that
Richard Hailstone, chairman of time in Swindon. ity of council services. ithasbeen a pleasure working with
the parish council, says council- Reunion, located within the trop- In Haydon Wick, she updated Stephanie and very interesting.
lors play an important role in local ics in the southern Indian Ocean, is the council's website, internet surf- "She did some invaluable work
matters, influencing the develop- a French overseas departement and ing being one of her hobbies along setting up databases for us and
ment of the local environment and so French is her first language. She with gospel and popular music. , these will continue to be used long
the community provision that goes also speaks the local Creole. The Coming from tropical climes, after she has left."
with it. "We are involved with the island is about two thirds the size
provision and maintenance of open of Wiltshire, but with a larger
spaces, play areas and allotments, population. The economy used to
running the community bus, mak- be based on sugar cultivation, but
ing grants to voluntary organisa- tourism is now of more impor-
tions and scrutinising planning tance and it is Stephanie's ambi-
applications. We also get involved tion to find a long-term career in
with youth provision, litter clear- this industry, perhaps as an inter-
ance and prevention of vandalism." preter or guide.
Nominations for election will During her stay in the town, she
open in the Spring. To discuss divided her time between Haydon
qualification requirements, contact Wick and Stratton St Margaret par-
Sue Martin on 722446. ish councils. At Stratton, she was
involved with a survey finding pa- Sale
25% oft
New parish bus keeps Haydon Wick on the move everything
Disabled and elderly residents of Haydon Wick will be pleased that
the parish council has taken delivery of a new Renault Mast 12 seater
community bus to replace its unreliable predecessor. h : ^.;r .l{d V la
With a tail lift which allows two wheelchairs to be easily accommo-
dated, or more if seats are removed, the bus has a five day a week
programme of taking people to hospital, doctors surgeries and the -I;
shops.
A team of four volunteers operate the bus and new helpers are always
welcome. Anyone interested in driving, or if you require details about
the service, contact Sue Martin on 722446. i t
Residents of James Wilks House on their way to lunch in the new bus, from left,
Win Wilshaw, Ruth Humphrey and Esther Pennell, Edie Lolley and driver
Avril Morgan

Bring in your measurements for an instant quotatio

n I

DRAKF%%A
WH SMITH -
^^^
HEENBRIOG( ROM) •
W ,WIN
>
Winner of the THE SUNDAYTIMFS vrgrnotiot,,, 7 Fast Track 100*
Twelfth fastest growing company in the UK