Page 8 - link magazine

8 The Link Magazine • March 2003
Be paid for helping Haydon Wick considers link with Paris suburb
Abbey Meads For several months, residents of Haydon Wick, under the aegis of the parish council, have been trying to
The governors of Abbey Meads find a French town keen to join with them in twinning links. The search may be coming to a fruitful
Primary School are to employ an conclusion when on 13 February, an advance party of residents from La Garenne-Colombes were
officer whose role will be to pro- welcomed to a reception at the council offices.
mote activities associated with The town of 24,000 people is situ-
community facilities provided at ated four miles from the French = ^i
the school, identify gaps in the capital. It is composed mainly of _
current provision by community detached and semi-detached
groups and help to foster new houses with four primary schools
groups to form to fill those gaps. and one senior school surrounded ' _.
The community education de- by green areas, giving the feel of a
velopment officer will liaise with quiet country town. There is, how-
community groups using the ever, significant business activity.
school, and develop a programme The people of La Garenne-
of activities that builds on the ex- Colombes have been searching for i
isting usage. a British partner for 18 months and t
The person will receive support were very pleased to receive the Making French connections, Haydon Wick councillors with visitors from La
from Swindon Council's commu- invitation from Haydon Wick. Garenne-Colombes, front from left, Sue Martin, clerk to the parish council,
nity education team and compre- During the two days they were Kathleen Smith, Phil Eagle, Richard Hailstone, chair, Marie Letang, Noel
hensive in-service training will be here, the possibilities of establish- Poucelot. Back, Vincent Garcia, Martin Randle, Kevin Ball, Janet Garrett and
provided. ing links between the two commu- John Stanley from the Swindon Twinning Association, John Keeping, Tel
The school is particularly inter- nities were fully explored. Parish Hudson, John Fowler
ested to hear from people with councillor Phil Eagle, who has led
experience in youth or community the search for a twin, said there Could you serve as a parish councillor?
work. A flexible approach is nec- could be exchanges associated with All seats on Haydon Wick Parish Council will be contested in the
essary together with the ability to culture, education, sport, enter- local elections on 1 May and the size of the council will increase from
take initiatives. tainment, social issues and, in fact, 14 to 18 councillors.
A salary of over £9,000 will be anything that interests people. The population of the parish now exceeds 12,000 and the council will
paid for an 18 hour week. The post "We are very hopeful that some be divided into three wards, so that councillors will be able to pay
is funded by a Swindon Council form of partnership will emerge particular attention to the needs of their immediate neighbourhood as
grant, topped up by local effort. from this," he said, "but the pre- well as dealing with parish-wide issues.
For details, call Colin Shiner, cise nature of the relationship, if it The council works through two committees, Recreation and Policy
chairman of the management does materialise, has yet to be de- and Planning, both of which, like the full council, meet monthly at the
group, on 721545. Application cided." council offices in Thames Avenue. Councillors serve for four years and
forms can be obtained from Rachel Perhaps it augurs well that the receive no remuneration.
Smith, clerk to Blunsdon Parish farewell dinner took place on St To find out more about what is involved, call parish council clerk Sue
Council on 705617. Valentines Day. Martin on 722446.