Page 8 - link magazine

8 The Link Magazine • March 2005
Could St Andrew's people run their own shop?
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Easte' l,^t €' PQ k The announcement in January by Tesco that it was shutting up its local shop at St Andrew's Ridge
neighbourhood centre, with five days notice, surprised and shocked residents of the area.
Friends of Peatmoor Lagoon
hold their annual Spring clean Tesco argued that more people and theyhad tosafeguard the com- area. Last but by no means least, it
around the lake on Easter Monday, were using its Express store at mercial viability of their other sites, would need Tesco to agree to as-
28 March, 10am to 12noon. Abbey Meads, and even though rather than take on another outlet sign the lease at nil/low cost or
they had invested in a re-vamp with questionable returns, allow it to operate rent free.'
Help make this beautiful area only a year ago, in reality competi- But it was suggested that they Abbey Meads ward councillor
litter free and exchange a full bag tion from Asda Wal-Mart, would be willing to discuss sup- Justin Tomlinson expressed inter-
of rubbish for an Easter Egg.
Morrisons and their other branch porting a community shop initia- est. "I would support the idea of a
Meet at the Fisherman's car park closeby was damaging their bot- tive, providing access to stock at locally run shop if a retailer can't
on Peatmoor Way. tom line, discount prices and retail guid- be found. I believe St. Andrews
Bags and litter pickers provided. The Link asked another major ance. Ridge should be a large enough
Bring your own gloves. I retailer whether it might consider We were told, 'it would take a community to make a retail outlet
the St Andrew's Ridge store and major effort by community lead- sustainable."
Children must be accompanied
by an adult, were told - despite local needs - ers and interested parties and a The villagers at Blunsdon
that market pressures were huge shop would need the very active opened a community run shop two
support of all those who live in the years ago.

All go for Blunsdon by-pass
C9LQOLI E COLLIS The Government has approved the cost of diverting the A419 from
Turnpike roundabout to the bottom of Blunsdon Hill to the north,
next to Motorola.
Hairdressing, Beauty /oliistic Therapies
Blunsdon villagers have campaigned for the by-pass over the last 20
years, and all users of the road can see the plans at a public exhibition
Mother's Day organised by the Highways Agency at Blunsdon Village Hall on Friday
11 March, 2pm to 7pm, and Saturday 12 March, 11am to 4pm.
Show how much you care

GIFTS & VOUCHERS AVAILABLE Get down and dirty in Abbey Meads
Too few volunteers came forward for the Abbey Meads School pond
Peatmoor Village Centre making day on 12 February, so the event was postponed.
FF.I.I.OH SHIP Two more dates have been arranged: Saturday 16 and Sunday 17
Swindon
April, 10am to 2pm.
Tel: 01793 887800 Volunteers are needed to continue the effort started at a work day in
November.
The project will include building a pond dipping platform, planting
shrubs and tidying up the fenced area next to the school.
For details and to offer help, call Roxanna Cox on 0796 6023636.

Haydon Wick grants boost groups
The activities of four North Swindon groups have been helped with
financial assistance from the Haydon Wick Fund of the Community
Foundation for Wiltshire and Swindon.
This is the second round of The Community Foundation
awards from the newly established considers applications for support
charitable fund, bringing total twice a year. The next round of
grants made in the last year to decisions will be made in July and
around £5,400. The fund was es- detailed applications need to be
tablished when the Hayden Wick received by early June.
Community Association was dis- Any group from the North Swin-
solved. don area keen to apply can get
The 1st Swindon Sea Scouts details from Jen Wildblood or Jill
based at The Brow in Haydon Wick Dyke at the Foundation, tel: 01380
village has received £1,000 to im- 729284 or mail: jill.dyke@
prove the safety equipment used wscf.org.uk
during their boating sessions at
Bowmoor Lake near Lechlade. Cook needed urgently
Haydon Wick Bowls Club has been
given £830 for small size bowls for Freshbrook Food and Friends Lunch
the youngsters who are coached at Club at Freshbrook Community Cen-
the club's Monday night open ses- tre could close down in early March,
sions. three years after it started, unless a
Pinehurst Junior Netball Club, volunteer cook comes forward to help
with substantial membership from organise the catering for the 45 peo-
North Swindon schoolchildren, ple who meet to eat on Mondays.
will receive £560 to assist with the The cook is needed to oversee kitchen
costs of travelling to matches, operations between 9am and 1.30pm.
whilst the Swindon Volunteer Cen- A team of volunteers help with meal
tre has been granted £432 to con-
preparation, serving and clearing up.
tinue outreach visits in the Haydon For details call Pam Pixton on
area to recruit volunteers who will
465462.
assist various voluntary bodies.