Page 31 - link magazine

The Link Magazine • May 2003 31
Controversy over SwindonCard Simply Elegant
The new SwindonCard, introduced by Swindon Council in Febru- r f ssloncl
ary, has been greeted by a flood of complaints, directly to the council Salon
and in the local press. Older people begrudge the demise of the Gold Peatmoor, Swindon
Card, parents complain of high prices for children without a card, and by Chris
now some parents are aggrieved that prices for children exceed some Facials
other groups like the young unemployed. J J Nail extensions O Full set of
The card was brought in so that is no demarcation against the dis- Body contouring
Swindon Council tax payers and advantaged by having to produce Manicures & pedicures nail extensions
the less well off could benefit from a Gold Card. 0 Manicure
Massage
concessionary charges for recrea- Carol said the introduction of
tion and other services, the new scheme is seen as a suc- Waxing O Pedicure
y
With any change in an estab- cessinthatnearly20,000cardshave Open Monda to Saturday To book an appointment
lished system the council had an- been issued and usage of facilities For friendly, professional please call 07747 136286
ticipated that it would take some remains buoyant. The card system
time for the new arrangements to is not unique to Swindon and advice call 01793 871634 or 01793 636915
be fully understood, explained rec- charges and other provisions com- or 07721 759055 exibte hours ft home visits available
reation manager Carole Jamieson. pare favourably with neighbour-
"Much of this arose from pressure ing authorities and with other uni-
caused by so many cards having to tary authorities.
be issued in a short space of time. The SwidonCard is used mostly
The council is constantly review- forrecreationalactivitiesbutother Health & Beauty
r
ing the way the system operates services like leisure gardens and
and has already made some ad- environmental health come within at the De Vere Swindon...
justments. There will be a full re- its scope. The benefits of having a
view by councillors soon." SwindonCard is to be extended to Open to both members and non-members alike, the
y
Regarding the replacement of a wider range of services in due exclusive Health & Beaut Suite at the De Vere Swindon
the Gold Card she pointed out that course. offers treatments and products by E'spa, Jessica and
its application had not St Tropez. Being open 7 days a week means you have ample
been reappraised since it s ^a0"card•
. i ^ i^ WdYS IO'1^' time to pamper yourself.
was introduced well over
ten years ago and its ben- Health & Beauty Gift Vouchers are the perfect answer if
efits needed updating. y ou are looking for a gift for someone special
One feature of the new For more information or to book treatments call the DE
card is that concessions y '° Health & Beauty Suite direct on 0 17 9 3 889362 VERE
now apply throughout SWINDON
De Vere Hotel, Shaw Ridge L'.,isure Park, \X hitehil \Y'ay, Swindon, SN5 7 W
the day, not just at off- i ^* ' Tel: 01793 878785 Fax: 01793 877822 ,vwsv.deverewvindon.co.uk ^41^
peak times. l i ,Y
A change made to the ~_,
new card since its intro-
duction has been to make
it free to over 75s. This,
like many of the card's
other provisions, is con-
sistent with national prac-
tice.
The council acknowl-
edges that there may be
problems for children Free cards for over 75s. Leader of the council
who turn up at a venue Kevin Small presents Link Centre user John
without a card and this is Garnhani with his free SwindonCard on 10 April
one issue that will be
looked at in the review. In the
meantime, Carole urged parents Croquet open day
and guardians to get a card for Swindon Croquet Club starts the
their children. "The most it will new season with a free open day
cost is £2," she said. "This will on Sunday 11 Mayon the lawns at
soon be recovered from the lower Moredon Community Sports
charges for using various facili- Centre, opposite Manor Garden
ties. For some activities, the charge Centre.
for children is lower than before The whole day is devoted to pro-
the card came into use." viding taster sessions for anyone
Some people have complained interested in playing the game.
that unemployed people and their Croquet can be played at differ-
dependents get a better deal, for ent levels of skill, from beginners
example, the cost of a two hour to players only interested in the
skating session at Link Centre for a social side of the game. For those
child is £3.90. For an unemployed with a competitive instinct Asso-
person or anyone else entitled to ciation Croquet is played, where
full concessions, the price is 50p. skill and tactics, once mastered,
Carole explained that the coun- provide immense satisfaction.
cil has a social inclusion policy All equipment will be provided.
which aims to encourage all pen- Beginners and more experienced
pie whatever their means to par- players should call John Airey on
ticipate. She added that everybody 873026 or swindon@swfcroquet
now has a SwindonCard and there .org.uk