Page 18 - link magazine

18 The Link Magazine • September 2003
Is your PC Hope for skateboarders
The temporary skate park at the Link Centre opened during August, but the equipment has been put
bugging you? away until Swindon councillors consider, again, how they should respond to the long standing demands
Call Practical from young people across the town for a permanent facility.
Applications Ltd. ® q Cabinet member for education, councillor Gary Perkins
for a friendly service said, "there are many hundreds of skaters in Swindon and
• Upgrades • Repairs we are trying hard to find a permanent solution for them. It's
• Networking & the internet a credit to young people and parents who keep up the
• Web hosting and design pressure."
• Home visits, collection Lead member for culture and recreation coun Justin
& delivery Tomlinson added that he was awaiting a report on the usage
Or for help getting started, call of this year's temporary facility. "If we can find the money
us days, evenings or weekends on we are proposing to provide permanent equipment in the
01793 321361 Link Centre coach park because it is away from housing. But
Mobile 07919 263072 there are no guarantees; we still have to convince many
other councillors."
E-mail: [email protected]
www.practicalapplications.co.uk The message from skater Michael Merrick is blunt. "Young
people have been waiting years for Swindon Council to do
something positive; get your act together and make provi-
sion for youth."
uklinks4 skate park at www.swindonspo.tripod.com
Michael has set up an online petition calling for an indoor
Michael Merrick in mid-air with Justin Tomlinson, left, and Gary Perkins
There are some

great resources West Swindon Air Cadets hold open evening
A real aircraft cockpit and a one-third size Harrier jet are two of the attractions on Friday 5 September,
on the Internet. 7.30pm, when the Air Cadets unit which meets in the Sparcells social hall on Sparcells Drive holds an
open evening for new cadets and families.
But do you know The detached flight of the main ing at a local firing range and some and uniform badges and promo-
where they are? ATC Squadron in Swindon we]- cadets have attended public pa- tion to higher cadet rank.
comes new recruits at any time. rades at Lyneham and Devizes. The open evening is an ideal
During the past year, cadets have During the summer holidays opportunity to meet other cadets
We do! flown in the RAF's new tutor some cadets attended a summer and staff. A section of the squad-
trainer at RAF Boscombe Down camp at RAF Northolt, where the ron band will be playing and re-
www.uklinks4.com and been gliding at Hullavington. Royal Flight aircraft are based. freshments will be provided.
They have received rifle train- Classroom work includes theory For details about the ATC, con-
of flight and navigation and suc- tact Flying Officer Mike Hall on
cess in tests leads to certificates 848075 (evenings).

Scouts offer activities for North children
A visit by a TV personality is a rare occurrence, but the Cub Scouts
from 7th Swindon (Abbey Meads) Scout Group offer equally exciting
activities throughout the year.
The Scouts took part in Channel 4s Big Dig on 29 June to investigate
North Swindon's Roman history. Presenter Tony Robinson spent half
an hour with the youngsters to see how they were working for their
local knowledge badge which requires the youngsters to 'visit and find
out about a famous old building, monument, earthworks or other place
of historical interest' and presented each of them with their award.
As part of the televised closing ceremony for the weekend's dig, the
Cub Scouts took part in a Roman procession, where offerings of bread,
wine, messages and incense were brought to the high priest.
The scout group meets on Mondays at Abbey Meads Community
Primary School:
Beaver Scouts (6 to 8 years) 6.05pm - 7.10pm
Cub Scouts (8 to 10.5 years) 7.15pm - 8.30pm
Scouts (10.5 to 14 years) 7.30pm to 9pm
Boys and girls interested in joining in the above age groups should
contact Ian Dallow on 343025. Adults interested in becoming leaders or
helpers are always needed, contact Rob Smith on 725508

With Tony Robinson and Big Diggers, Daniel Also p. Adam Frampton,
Bradley Garner, Martin Dallow