Page 12 - link magazine

12 swindonlink.com • January 2008
Taps could be turned off
X
793 74 54 Asda Walmart has proposed to Swindon Council that the much enjoyed
dancing fountains at North Swindon District Centre could be removed
because of the high cost of maintenance and repair.
Loads of fun at North
Swindon. From the April
2 2. ink front page, the
first ti fountai =
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publication

The Works Redhouse Village Centre Priory Vale SN25 2FW A
info®theworks-swindon.co.uk www.theworks-swindo ri .co.uk
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The water feature, installed in early 2002 cost around £500,000, but
The Link has been told that the design and equipment was never up to
the job and it was out of action for several months last year. Swindon
Council planners have told Asda that the council strongly objects to its
removal.
• Marks & Spencer is proposing to open a branch at North Swindon
District Centre in half of the huge unit occupied by Homebase to sell
furniture and clothing, and possibly open a food court.
Asda Walmart is likely to object to food sales but ward councillor Justin
Tomlinson is enthusiastic about the proposal. "This is fantastic news.
Marks & Spencer will bring a tremendous choice to residents and I've
received many positive comments as the rumours have circulated."

Is there such a thing as community
in Abbey Meads and Priory Vale?

Twelve years after the first homes were occupied in Swindon's 'northern
expansion' at Abbey Meads, and six years after the first people arrived
in Priory Vale, The Link wants to hear readers' views on whether there
is such a thing as a community in the area, or is it just a soulless dormi-
tory with a large shopping centre in its midst?
Over thirty years ago, as the first tual meeting place at Redhouse Vii-
families settled in West Swindon, lageCentrehavestalledbecausethe
the population was more vocal developers are demanding a com-
in their demands for facilities. A mercial rate for the land set aside.
number of community meeting SwindonBaptistChurchwouldlike
halls within walking distance of to move into Redhouse but cannot
homes were built, and the Link afford the asking price.
Centre provided a centrally located Flux, the three-year arts pro-
recreation and leisure site. gramme based at Isambard could
North Swindon isalmostentirely play an important role in bringing
aspeculativehousingdevelopment people together. "We're starting to
with a limited number of social and do more community work and the
community facilities. Until the Pri- people we're reaching are getting
vateFinanceInitiativeschoolswere a lot out of it," said programme
completed in Priory Vale in the last co-ordinator Jo Beale. "We've made
year, the only meeting points were good connections with the library;
the church at Abbey Meads centre, they see their facility as a commu-
Abbey Meads, Bridlewood and St nity space."
Francis Primary Schools, as well as In December Flux organised a
a couple of pubs. family puppet workshop at North
However residents with the Swindon Library which followed
means have been able to join ex- the successful Big Draw event in
pensive private sports clubs. November.
At Priory Vale, with limited op- The Link has reported events in the
portunity for community meetings area since its beginnings. But we'd
or parent and toddler groups, no like to get an up to date perspective
pub or church and only a recently on what it's like living in North
opened Tesco convenience store, is Swindon. We want tohearfromyou.
itpossible for people to get to know Are you proud of your community
their neighbours and feel a sense of or have you yet to meet your next
Visit OH s#_ :aP: _ - - belonging? door neighbours? Mail: publisherkf
Unit 52/53 Ba.-, 4 louse, Chen,,. i ^.,o,, awindon •
T 01793 531151 E- mail: . lesCeurocarpet.co.uk There are complaints that the cost swindonlink.com
el:
renting facilities at the PFI funded • Taw Hill photographer puts North
schoolsistoohigh.Plansforaspiri- housing in focus. See page 22