Page 7 - link magazine

www.swindonlink.com - 10 years 7
Hit: discover the grand designs on Swindon

Hab Housing, the development company set up by Channel 4’s Grand Designs guru Kevin McCloud,
is offering two opprtunities to talk about his ideas for 150 to 200 high quality eco-homes to be built at
Pickard’s Small Field between Pinehurst and Gorse Hill.
Kevin McCloud, who ment whilst encouraging sentatives and the architects will be Your local
established Hab in re- strong communities.” present at Gorse Hill Junior School, florists at
sponse to the poor qual- The Pickard’s Small Avening Street on Friday 7 Decem-
ity of much new house Field project will be fol- ber, 6pm to 8pm, and Saturday 8 Abbey Meads
building in the UK, said, lowed by a development December, 2pm to 4pm. Village
“we are going to show of a similar size at Wichel- .. and Lower Shaw Farm?
that homes can be built stowe. Both schemes are What has Swindon Council got in Centre
to the highest quality to be built in partnership mind for its existing eco-treasure? Now stocking a range of gifts
at similar costs to other with Swindon Council. The Link has asked council leader Open until 7pm on Friday
housing, doing little Kevin and Hab col- Rod Bluh to comment on his meeting
harm to the environ- leagues, council repre- at the farm in November about its FlOwers FOr All reAsONs
future, but to no avail as we went
Miss: two lottery disappointments to press. We hope to have a report
in the January edition.
As news broke that both the Science Museum Inspired and Cricklade
Country Way projects had failed to make the final cut in their bids for lot-
tery millions, questions have been raised about the judging process. It’s simple!
South Swindon MP Anne Snel- Inspired wanted to put on display
grove said she was astounded at the the thousands of items kept in store 1 You drop it off
decision to drop Inspired from the at its huge Wroughton site and to 2 We sell it on eBay for you
shortlist. “I have questions about the stimulate wonder and excitement 3 We send you a cheque
appraisal process and am taking this about science through public events Turn your treasures into cash
up at a meeting with the Big Lottery. and education programmes. and let us sell your unwanted
I have also raised the issue with The forum for the ITV pro-
ministers so that they are aware of gramme The People’s Millions rap- items on eBay for you.
my concerns and continued support idly filled with messages lamenting
for this excellent initiative.” the decision and calling for Inspired Call us now 0845 22 694 22
There was shock when the final to be reinstated. Many of the com-
Let Us Auction It Ltd, BSS House, Unit 36
line up for a television vote for ments reflect on the four finalists Cheney Manor Industrial Estate, Swindon SN2 2PJ
£50 million in December was an- having obvious ‘green’ credentials
nounced. compared with a plan to inspire www.letusauctionit.co.uk
The four finalists are Black interest in science.
Country Urban Park, Sherwood: “We are devastated,” said Gra- (Only items valued at £35 or more can be accepted)
the Living Legend, an extension ham Nicholls, Marketing and Com-
to the Eden Project and Sustrans’ munications Officer for Inspired.
Connect 2 (national cycle route “We will be exploring ways with our
network). The last two have already partners to make these world class
received £83 million lottery funding collections available to the public in
between them. spite of this setback.”
Change in timetable for country way plan
The partners involved in developing plans for a wildlife and leisure cor-
ridor from Swindon to Cricklade are still optimistic that the project will
be completed, despite failing to secure £20m from the Big Lottery.
In August last year, the project Funds and offers of services to
was awarded a development grant a value of £5m had already been
of £250,000 to prepare a bid for funds secured as part of the Lottery bid.
under the Lottery Living Land- Alternative ways to raise the rest
marks scheme. Project Manager Ken of the £27m needed are now being
Oliver said the grant had helped explored by the partnership, includ-
move the project ing the possibil-
forward and they ity of applying
were grateful to for European
the Big Lottery funding.
for that. Canal trust
Although dis- and railway so-
appointed at the decision, all the ciety volunteers had a vision of
partners involved are determined restoring the area’s heritage over
to see the plans through. These twenty years ago and have been
include North Wilts and Swindon working on it ever since.
Councils, several environmental Work at Mouldon Hill Country
agencies, the Swindon & Cricklade Park in North Swindon continues
Canal Trust and the Swindon & and it is anticipated the canal
Cricklade Railway Society. running around the park will be
“It’s such a cracking scheme, it re-watered before Christmas, with
would be a waste not to go ahead,” an official opening early next year.
said Ken. “We’re unlikely to find Work is also underway to upgrade
another single funding solution but the cycle tracks in the area.
I have no doubt that the Cricklade Read about the project and watch
Country Way will be built, just not in a video at:
the five years we had planned.” www.crickladecountryway.org.uk

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