Page 39 - link magazine

The virtual Link Magazine now online @ www.swindonlink.com 39

Award for battling youth worker Gig gives something back to SOL
A voluntary youth worker who has fought to keep Toothill Junior After spending two weeks in Nicaragua, on a cultural exchange organ-
Youth Club alive received the High Sheriff for Wiltshire’s award for ised by Swindon Youth Service in November, musician Kit Hawes
commitment to the community in early March. decided to play a gig to raise funds for Swindon Ocotal Link (SOL).
Making the presen- A group of under football with street
tation to Mavis Read, 25s from Swindon kids. “The best
Sheriff Geraldine Wim- and its German twin thing was meeting
ble said the work of vol- town Salzgitter people from differ-
unteers is greatly un- joined forces with ent cultures. It was
derrated by govern- young people from uplifting to see
ment at national and lo- Nicaragua and Gua- SOL’s work; the
cal level and congratu- tamala to work on people we met re-
lated her for the time ecological and com- ally appreciate the
and effort she gives to munity projects, and support from peo-
keep an essential facil- take part in a confer- ple in Swindon. It
ity going. ence on racism. was an excellent
The club has been run- There was little time for site see- experience for broadening your ho-
ning for 15 years, but ing as much of the fortnight was rizons; I wish everyone could go
eighteen month ago Mavis Read, right, and the High Sheriff spent on working with local peo- on a similar trip.”
nearly lost its Toothill ple on projects arranged by SOL. On his return Kit organised a
Farm meeting place when Mavis Foundation for Wiltshire and Kit said that highlights were gig at Riff’s bar, playing solo and
suspected Swindon Council wanted Swindon for helping to develop painting a mural, spending a morn- with his band the Minnesota
to redevelop it for housing. the club with grants.” ing in a typical home and playing Twins, which raised £400 for SOL.
Typically modest Mavis said she
felt a bit of a fraud. “There is a team
of adults and young people who
take responsibilities to keep the
club interesting for children. I wish
society would stop criticising
youth and more people would put
themselves out to create opportu-
nities with them”
She thanked the Community

Marching band
recruiting
Swindon’s Bluebelle Drum
Majorettes have again been se-
lected to compete in the European
Open Band Championships in July.
After their bronze medal last year,
they’re aiming higher and need brass
players to boost the band.
Experienced players are being
sought for this season but there are
instruments available for begin-
ners to prepare for next year. As
well as brass, the band includes
snare and base drums, cymbals
and bell lyres and there are vacan-
cies. Girls and boys aged between
8 and 15 are welcome to join the
band or the troupe.
Training takes place on Fridays
7pm to 9pm in West Swindon and
band practice is every other Satur-
day morning.
Senior Trainer, Christine Doyle,
was a founder member of the
troupe which has 44 members. She
enjoyed being a majorette as a girl
and wanted youngsters to have
the same opportunities.
“It’s a fantastic chance to learn
new skills, meet lots of people,
travel around and keep fit while
having fun as part of a team,” she
said. “It really develops their con-
fidence, gives them lots of socialis-
ing skills and it keeps them out of
trouble. They become so close and
support each other.”
Call Christine on 852979 or see:
www.bluebellesmajorettes.co.uk
[email protected]

21 April 07 39 15/3/07, 12:15 pm