Page 7 - link magazine

swindonlink.com • January 2008 7
Delicate discussions over farm's future
It's simple!
In November 2006 a campaign to save Lower Shaw Farm from closure
was successful in getting Swindon Council to reconsider its proposal You drop it off
y
to evict the tenants of 30 ears in order to build executive housing. 2 We sell it on eBay for you
Negotiations be- Farm said the trust- 3 We send you a cheque
tween the council ees oppose house LUI Turn your treasures into cash
and its tenants, the building on top of and let us sell your unwanted
trustees of Lower what is now a thriv-
Shaw Farm, have ing educational and Let Us Auction It items on eBay for you.
been taking place recreational envi-
yet progress i ronment-friendly Call us now 0845 22 694 22
slow. centre in a natu- Let Us Auction It Ltd, BSS House, Unit 36
Council leader ti ral farm setting.
Rod Bluh visited "It would not only Cheney Manor Industrial Estate, Swindon SN2 2PJ
the farm in Novem- mean the end of www.letusauctionit.co.uk
ber 2007 to review Lower Shaw Farm
a planning brief We're watching you Swindon as we know it but [Only items valued at £35 or more can be ac cepted]
drawn up by con- would also contra-
Council, says Becky Doyley, from
sultants. It says that the January 07 front page vene both the words
English Heritage and spirit of the mo-
objects to any development to the tion unanimously approved by full
front and side of the listed farm- Council in late 2006: 'to retain the
house because of the visual amenity farm's activities.'
to Old Shaw Lane. This means any "We understand the council's
building would take place at the wish to be seen to get what is being
heart of the farm, where nearly all called 'a greater return from the
the activities take place. value of the site,' but we urge the
Rod Bluh indicated that he is Council Cabinet to discover and
under pressure to find ways that understand the true value of this
the council can realise value from facility, not simply in monetary
its assets. "The English Heritage terms.
stipulation does pose a problem. "There is a real opportunity here
We're keen to see some form of for the council to work with the
eco-housing on the site within the trustees to make Lower Shaw Farm
council's sustainable development an even more popular, sustainable,
agenda, as well as the spirit of the eco-friendly, flagship project for
agreement made with the Lower Swindon than it already is."
Shaw Farm Association last year." • See www.swindonlink.com for the
Matt Holland of Lower Shaw full article with pictures.

Toothill bar may have to call time
Falling numbers of users of the licensed bar in Toothill Community
Centre could force closure and the loss of income could threaten the
centre's future.
Centre administrator Annette the centre opened we were all
Kennedy said she is worried about younger and this bar was rocking.
the impact of falling revenue. "If Now it's a bit quieter and most
the bar is not being used, the com- people come in for a drink where
munity centre starts struggling there are no children running
for money. We really want people around."
to rediscover it and help support The bar is open every weekday
the centre which is a facility for all from 4.30pm to 10.30pm, Saturday
Toothill residents." noon to 11pm and Sunday noon to
Licensee Lawrence Score has 10.30pm. There is a nominal annual
lived in Toothill for20 years. "When membership fee of £3.