Page 6 - link magazine

The Link Magazine • November 2005
Just moved in? What has the town centre got
HANDYMAN at Home'"'
for all your DIY jobs to do with people on the edge?
• Assemble flat-packs Those who attend the West Area Forum on Monday 14 November,
• Put up shelves, blinds, curtains 7.30pm, in the Link Centre will find out.
• Install appliances
. 1 • Small decorating, tiling jobs
• Small plumbing jobs
k • Replace electrical fittings
• Install and set up your tv. hi-fi,
ti
home cinema, new phone ext.
^ J • In fact any normal Dl job
s y
All types of job in one visit
Call (local rate)
0845 200 7821
or see our website for details
www.handymanathome.co.uk
We are based in Swindon Peter Jones, newly appointed developer investment inter i hv
Chief Executive of the New Swin- committing itself to replace the
don Company will be talking about central library, located in huts for
the plans to regenerate the town the last 50 years, on the same site.
over the next few years. Some people living in newer
The company is sponsored by parts of the town will ask them-
KA Swindon Council and the Govern- selves, so what? Many avoid go-
:' I ment to assemble packages of land ing into the centre if they can help
IN Z'±A

M for redevelopment and work with it because of road congestion and
nowazs &i ^7C 1 property developers to realise the cost of parking.
Now available, a very large selection of bonne jointly agreed plans for change. This meeting is an opportunity to
Last year the company presented discover if the town centre is going
made Indian products and grocery lines:
proposals for developing differ- to get better. The forum provides a
Savories • Samosas • Spring Rolls
ent zones in the town centre and meeting point for the 8 councillors
Indian Ice Cream • Pickles • Chutneys has identified land for re-use, such representing the area and the public
Sauces • Branded Fruit Drinks as the old post office/magistrates to discuss issues of interest.
court site off Fleming Way, and Also on the agenda will be a
Visit us for a mouth watering experience
the central police station. report on the introduction of street
66 Cricklade Road, Gorse Hill, The council is trying to kick start wardens in council house areas.
Swindon. Tel: 01793 434888
Community and cultural space to be lost
There is a lot missing in the town centre, particularly large spaces for
events, exhibitions and performances. Now one of the few available
- the former railway museum in Faringdon Road, below - is about to
be turned into yet more offices by Swindon Council.
Since the rail -
way exhibits
went to Steam,
the building has
been used for a
skateboard com-
petition, arts ex-
hibitions, music `
performances, a
weekly juggling
club and three
real ale festivals
The February
2002 Link stated ,I(j"
our belief that
every town needs a place where don Shop in one venue could be a
people can do things together to good idea. But with the council
extend and broaden its cultural planning a one stop information
and community outlook, where centre for its own services in the
unusual and interesting things can new library at the top of Regent
happen - activities out of the main- Street, why do they want another
stream which are perhaps surpris- information centre a mile away at
ing and dynamic. the other end of the town centre on
But, as if there are not enough Faringdon Road?
offices in the town, earlier this year This is a case of fitting the build-
Swindon Council's cabinetdecided ing to the use, rather than offering
to pursue a £1 million plan to put services in the appropriate place.
in another floor, subdivide the The council should reconsider.
large hall and bring five advice Closing the former railway mu-
giving organisations together tg- seum will be a lost opportunity to
der one roof. What a waste. broaden Swindon's cultural scope,
Puttingorganisationssuchasthe shutting off an intangible which
Citizens Advice Bureau, Race Re- could give the town a dynamism
lationsCouncil and theSaferSwin- and interest which it sadly lacks.