Page 43 - link magazine

swindonlink.com • June 2008 43

Getting ready to run flag up the mast
The Mayor of Swindon Steve Wakefield will visit Peatmoor Primary in June to help pull their eco-flag up the newly installed flag pole.
Peatmoor was the second in Swindon to win coverted eco-school status
in 2007 and has continued its commitment to environmental education
and positive practical activity.
This year children have developed a vegetable garden and are bus-
ily growing potatoes in recycled tyres. Their best crop will be entered
into an International Year of the Potato schools competition. On World
Environment Day on 5 June children will be helping to redevelop the
school pond.
Get ready for future floods

It’s nearly a year after the huge floods that affected so much of Swindon
and Swindon Council, the Environment Agency and the National Flood
Forum are organising a Flood Fair on Wednesday 18 June, 2pm to 7pm,
at the STEAM museum to prepare for similar extreme events.
Visitors will be able to: • pick up a range of information
• check if their home or business and check out useful websites ;
is in a flood risk area • examine the range of domestic
• develop a flood plan for their own flood defence devices on the mar-
Ready to run up their flag Anahita Falaki, home or business; ket.
Be aware of where Joe Dobson, TA Elaine Jackson, Hannah • find out about flood warning Entry is free and anyone attend-
to report pollution Curtis, Lauren Hoard, Sam Orchard, services and how to sign up; ing can also claim free parking and
Jackson Price, Poppy Gibson, Abigail
In April a minor environmental Rule, Ella Greenwood, Nathan Collins, • get advice on practical steps to have a look round STEAM.
www.floodforum.org.uk
disaster was averted by Environ- Kate Rayment protect homes from flooding;
mental Agency Vale Team based
in Wallingford when two oil
spills into Whitehill stream were
reported by an alert member of
the public. 10% off
Officers swung into action with On Production of
booms and oil absorbent pads to
prevent pollution spreading to This Advertisment
the newly established River Ray Not to be used in conjunction
wetland habitat. with any other offer
The agency is the leading public
body for protecting and improving Why not visit our comprehensive display area offering you inspiration?
the environment in England and
Wales by regulating waste busi-
nesses, promoting good environ-
mental practice and by responding
to incidents which could harm the
environment or wildlife.
Time is of the essence when a
spillage takes place and the EA is
appealing for readers to be aware of
its pollution hotline number.
Most incidents are the result
of a pollutant entering a surface
water drain, anything from paint
to cooking oil. Once in the drains,
it will always find its way to a
watercourse.
Environment officer Emma Bate-
man said, “due to the complicated
nature of some of the drains in AWBS. For all your
Swindon, water pollution can be
very difficult to trace. Building & Landscaping
“We are still investigating the
possible causes of the Whitehill Material Requirements
stream incident, but it is vital that
if the public see pollution they l GATES l WALLING
call us immediately to give us the l DECKING l RAILINGS
best possible chance of tracing the
source, prevent it spreading where l FENCING l PATIOS & PAVING
we can and take action against l TURFING l WATER FEATURES
those responsible for polluting the P WE ARE l GRAVELS l BRICKS & BLOCKS
watercourse. HERE
“It’s also very important for our Q FREE LOCAL DELIVERY Q OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK
environment that the only liquid
that goes down a surface water AWBS at the Manor Garden Centre,
drain is water.” Cheney Manor Ind. Est., Swindon SN2 2QJ
The Environment Agency’s free Telephone: 01793 484455 Fax: 01793 484499
24 hour Pollution Hotline is 0800 www.awbsltd.com
80 70 60.