Page 3 - link magazine

The Link Magazine • September 2003 3
Local family business crushed by Swindon's expansion
As development in North Swindon continues inexorably, residents have now lost from their midst a valuable local service and an oasis of
calm: Alan and Valerie Trotman have decided to succumb to the inevitable and close down Grange Farm Garden Centre and Nursery.
With competition from coming to an end," said customers. "It has made it all
the adjacent North Swin- Valerie. "We have put in worthwhile," Valerie said. "We
don District Centre and so much effort over the regard many customers as friends
the road layout designed past 30 years building up and this makes our decision to close
to lead shoppers there, the the business and now we so much more disappointing."
garden centre in Haydon are going to lose it all. We
End Lane has found itself have simply been swal- Closing down sale
by-passed and the volume lowed up by urban de-
of its business has dimin- velopment." Grange Farm Nursery
ished considerably in re- What is more, as they will open for a
cent years. Perhaps the fi- move away from Swin- final weekend on
nal straw has been the clo- don, an even longer asso- Friday 26 September to
sure of Lady Lane. ciation with the area
The Trotmans pride comes to an end. Alan's Sunday 28 September
themselves on the service family has farmed at
and wealth of local know- Haydon End Lane since
ledge they have been able to offer very upset by the decision they 1916. He was born in the house he
gardeners from Haydon Wick and have had to take. has had to sell and his mother came I over 10 scar
the surrounding area. They are "We feel that a lifetime's work is
from Greenmeadow Farm, the
farmhouse which was demolished 'WE COME TO YOU
to make way for Thames Avenue. AT HOME OR WORK'
Cross cultural party in the sun As to the future, Alan said, "af-
Swindon's first ever ter spending our working lives ad- * FREE
Asian Mela on 2 Au- vising and helping customers to —_^ collection & delivery
gust was a huge suc- create their ideal gardens, we now Servicing & repairs
cess with 5,000 peo- hope to use that knowledge to de-
sign and develop our new plot into BIKE WE ALSO SELL
ple enjoying dance, DOCTOR
music, good food and a unique garden which maybe, in * New cycles
good company in Old the future, we will open up so that * Parts & accessories
Town Gardens. the public can share it with us."
The Mayor Derek Alan and Valerie are grateful for
Benfieldlaunches the the support they have received
event by cutting a giant over the years from their regular
cake made by Melba
Sheffield from West/ca

Meet the leader: talk about recreation and culture
If you have views on how Swindon stacks up on cultural and recrea-
tion issues, make them known to Swindon council leader Mike
Bawden at a public meeting in the council offices at Euclid Street on
Wednesday 10 September, 5.30pm to 6.30pm.
Recreation includes leisure cen-
tres like the Oasis, Link Centre and
FOR SPECIALIST Haydon Centre, Delta Tennis Cen-
LEGAL ADVICE tre, Broome Manor Golf Complex,
as well as the SwindonCard and
* Conveyancing provision for skateboarding.
(On-Line Estimate Service) Cultural Services covers librar-
* Employment ies and community heritage, Swin-
y
* Famil Law don Dance, the Arts Centre, public
Art including festivals, Cre8 stu-
* Wills & Probate dios and STEAM.
For more information or • Lydiard Park heritage regenera-
detailed conveyancing costs visit: tion project under threat. Stor on
y
www.crd.org.uk page 27.
C Do you know a carer
SOLICITORS due for recognition?
The Mayor of Swindon is look-
D ing for nominations for Swin-
don's carer in the community,
Carter Read & Dove
by 11 September.
Commerce House People who were born, live or
34/35 Commercial Road, Swindon work in, orwho have strong links
E-mail: [email protected] with the Borough of Swindon
Tel: (01793) 617617 and have made a contribution to
their community can be nomi-
Fax: (01793) 51 1249
nated for a Citizen's Award.
Fa m, !Y For details contact Carole
a !
a
L WYEs Deamer on 463599.