Page 9 - link magazine

The virtual Link Magazine now online @ www.swindonlink.com 9

Sign the petition to give Mechanics’
back to the people
Although there is much talk of regeneration of the town centre, the
Mechanics’ Institution still stands disgracefully derelict and The
Link agrees with the New Mechanics’ Institution Trust that it’s time
to stop the rot.
Utilising the oppor- people to take a
tunity the Prime Min- fresh look at the
ister has provided citi- building. There is a
zens to express their danger that the de-
demands through caying structure is
online petitions, The forgotten and so
Link is calling on him they gave it a tem-
to work with the Trust porary facelift with
to restore the building daffodils tied to the
to the people of Swin- railings. “The Me-
don. chanics’ represents
Present owner Mat- all that has been lost
thew Singh has been in Swindon, and is
unsuccessful in his attempts to what is needed for a true regenera-
obtain planning permission to pull tion,” said Trust co-ordinator
down part of the Grade II* build- Martha Parry. “What other town
ing and erect a brick and glass would turn its back on a building
tower block to house a hotel. It of national, even global signifi-
seems progress - slothful at the cance?”
best of times - has reached an im- The online petition calls on Tony
passe. Blair to work with the Trust to
The Trust has been campaign- restore the building to the people
ing for 11 years for the return of by issuing Repair Notices with a
the building to the community as view to a Compulsory Purchase
an inspirational cultural space at Order if necessary.
the heart of the town. They have Do you want to see the
secured Listed Building Consent Mechanics’ Institute returned
for their proposals but can pro- to the people of Swindon?
ceed no further while the building Sign the petition at: http://
is privately owned. petitions.pm.gov.uk
In March, the Trust called for SwindonMechanics

1 April 07 9 16/3/07, 11:52 am