Page 3 - link magazine

The virtual Link Magazine now online @ www.swindonlink.com 3
Much loved community farm could be sold
Lower Shaw Farm could be closed down if Swindon Council's Property Department plan to sell the
tEsta61is1ied over 12 Tears
land for housing goes ahead.
The idea will be greeted with ut- In 2001 it was the winner of the resource - once lost, it's gone. It's a 'WE COME TO YOU
ter dismay by thousands of people first Swindon Council Agenda 21 one off which has taken years to
from Swindon and across Britain Quality of Life award forits contr • i- establish. Itis sad to think of all the AT HOME OR WORK'
who have been to Lower Shaw Farm bution to Swindon as a sustainable children who might not have the ♦^ * FREE
since it was first set up with the community, chance to visit the farm." 0 collection & delivery
. I
council's blessing 30 years ago as an One of its tenants, Matt Hol- Andrea, Matt, and their team of
alternative conference centre and land, who has lived and worked at supporters and helpers are corn- * Servicing & repairs
community resource. the farm with his wife Andrea since mitted to their role as guardians j?A WE ALSO SELL
Councillor Nick Martin, Swin- 1980, is founder and organiser of and custodians of a place that f
DOCTOR * New cycles
don cabinet lead member for fi- the Swindon Festival of Literature, started as an experiment and be- * Parts & accessories
nance, confirmed the farm is being which has been run from the farm came a success, a feather in Swin-
considered for sale. "The cost of for the last 14 years. It was started don's cap.
providing new schools has been there and is a project of the Lower The Link's view and public
mounting up; about a year ago we Shaw Farm Association. meeting date - see page 4
decided to look at disposing other Many festival events are held at
assets to meet our commitments. the farm and many eminent au-
"We can generate about £2 mil- thors have been there. The festival
lion from redevelopment of the is now considered one of the lead- ©D IW lj 1 LStI^I ° DIlV ^II a
farmhouse and the land. We could ing events in the town's cultural
also sort out traffic congestion on calendar and derives much of its otl J\&f-ffPC0M
Cartwright Drive next to Brook spirit, energy and ideas from the
Ms - J.S°G54 n LI lYl lSoll
.
Field school. farm's unique atmosphere.
Let me teach you in
Solicitors your own home
(I call on you)
Serving Swindon Using jargon free,
for 90 years down to earth language
HOW TO DO MOST
Legal problems?
ANYTHING ON YOUR
We have the answers COMPUTER!
01793 323465
Telephone 526601
www.1-2-1 pctutor.co.uk

Shaw Chiropractic

Clinic
Loner Sliarn Farm, a haven for Szuindoii faiiiilic^
"The activities at the farm were Matt expressed great disap-
appropriate whilst West Swindon pointment that the council's Prop- IF YOU ARE SUFFERING FROM:
was growing but we don't really erty Department has taken such a
need it any longer; it's time for a seemingly short-sighted, unimagi- 0 Backache, Leg Pain
change. native, and solely money-orien- O Neck, Shoulder, Arm Pain
"The cabinet has responsibility tated view of the farm's value. He
for seeing the best return from as- said, "it looks to me as though this Headache & Migraine
sets and we have to make difficult has been treated simply as a finan-
decisions." cial and rental matter by the Prop- Sciatica
The farm is leased to a trust and erty Department. Their valuers
has become a thriving education appear to have ignored both the 0 Sports Injury
centre and meeting place for peo- council's original visionary reso-
ple of all ages and backgrounds. lution, made in the early 1980s, to O Arthritis
This includes structured residen- retain the farm in perpetuity, and
tial courses and recreational ac- its present popularity. 0 Whiplash
tivities in arts and crafts, garden- "It strikes me that this matter
ing and the environment, writing requires further consultation and YOU SHOULD CONSIDER
and reading, music and juggling, a closer look by professionals who
cooking and animal care. have ideals, imagination, and the CONSULTING A CHIROPRACTOR
Lots of schools and pre-schools town's broader interests at heart.
visit and the farm is used for cor- Also, the people of Swindon might SANDRA E. DAVIES D.C.
porate team building sessions, like to have their say."
teacher training and meetings by a Parent Wendy Wyatt, from CLARE DUNCAN-HAWES MSc. D.C. •l*
wide variety of groups from across Shaw, was horrified to hear the Members of BCA • Registered with GCC
the town and further afield. news. "Where else in a large town Members of the College of Chiropractors
The farm is home to a Children's could you bring your children to
Project where children play safely feed chickens, collect eggs and see Tel: (01793) 887801
but in an adventurous setting, and things growing? Both my children
take part in environmental games, have a clearer understanding of
rural and seasonal crafts and story the environment. www.shawchiropracticclinic.co.uk ^k 4
walks to see the animals. "Lower Shaw Farm is a precious