Page 24 - link magazine

S w i e),
24 -

Link Centre's first member of staff and s

Link Centre marks its twentieth year at the end of April. We met the building's architect in the February edition. Here we intervi
When she was taken on as a re- view well. "We had to report to the few years to get
ceptionist in 1985, Shirley was builders' site huts which were on used to the unfin-
younger than the managers and the health centre car park. We were ished look about
most of her colleagues. As the only all dressed to impress, in our suits Link Centre with all
original team member, she's now and smart shoes. but were taken the exposed steel
somewhat older than most of the on a route march to the far side of and brick work."
people who work in the building. the Link to the original peak time Shirley was
Having moved to Westlea in July ice rink entrance. slightly surprised ..
1 980 with her husband Paul, "Externally the building was com- that the second in-
Shirley thought her career as an plete but the roads and landscap- terview included a
RAF physical training instructor ing had not been finished so we Maths and English
would continue for a long time. But had to pick our way along a muddy test, but she was
when he left the air force, she was footpath. Inside the administration successful and
faced with the choice of being offices were ready and the carpet started at the be-
posted wherever the RAF sent her in the mall was down, but a lot of ginning of April, tak-
or submit her notice. rooms were being fitted out and ing part in three
In March 1985 Shirley was see- equipment was being unwrapped. weeks of intensive work with all the that everybody knew what to d
ing out her last few weeks at RAF "I was just amazed by how big other new staff who were prepar- once the doors were open to th
Lyneham knowing she had secured the place was: the sports hall was ing for the opening of the ice rink at public. Opening the ice rink firs
a job at Link Centre, though she just huge and looking at the ice rink the end of April. The doors to the followed by the other facilities, a
had little idea of what it would in- from the top of the spectator seat- first paying public took place on 26 lowed the staff to build up to fu
volve. She remembers the inter- ing was incredible. But it took me a April, but this was preceded by strength and also develop how th
four trial evenings for Thames- building would be managed."
down Council staff, schools and Computers did not arrive at Lin
representatives of community or- Centre until three years after
ganisations. opened and Shirley remembers th
"There was tremendous enthu- early days as being chaotic
siasm amongst the staff to get eve- ti mes. "All the bookings were don
rything right,"said Shirley. "We had manually so we would have pe
practice procedures on what to do pie phoning in to make a resery
with lost children, accidents and in ti on, others queuing up to pay, an
the event of fire, which were con- the receptionists climbing ov
stantly reviewed and refined so each othertoenterinformation int

Old Bell Pottery Studley Grange
garden & iei ure park
& Crafts KjJ

High Street, Lechlade • Tel: 01367 252608

E-mail: [email protected]
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For great gift ideas

Knitting & Haberdashery Open daily ; :!4r r.e:^::.
Summer: 10am - 6pm ` k
Sewing needs: X-stitch — Tapestry — Rowan Winter : 9am - dusk
Season tickets available - Full disabled access - ^+
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Large gift shop - Free parking for cars and coaches
We'll also gladly order an thing else you need.
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Te1:01793 852400 info:studleygrange.co.uk
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Tel 0 1 793 849372 ^^ Y
A great selection of
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In the Garden 16 t
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ornaments from autterfl World PlasSer casting kits k^
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W—ghlon
Mon to Sat 10 to 5 • Sun 11 to 5 Garden Centre