Page 21 - link magazine

21

Tailor-made

by SueLynn

Curtains
Pelmets
Roman blinds
Swags & tails
Cushion covers
THE LINK MAGAZINES GUIDE TO WHAT'S ON IN AND AROUND SWINDON
No job too small
For further information call
Swindon 105.5 and SwindonLink launch Sue: 01793 870451 or
story writing competition Lynn: on 01793 330595

The town's community radio service Swindon 105.5 is launching its first short story writing competition in
conjunction with The Link.
BLAYLOCKS
The station which currently The competition has three cat- ceive a book token.
broadcasts weekday poems, short egories: 12-16, 17-21 and over 22 Stories of up to 1,500 words SWINDON'S FAMILY
stories and author interviews years of age. The subject is any- should be submitted by 31 March. SHOE SHOP
wants to develop its support for lo- thing you fancy - but should be Application forms can be down- Est. 1920
cal writers. Station manager, Shir- based in Swindon past, present or loaded from www.swindonl055.
ley Ludford, said, "we are keen to future. com STOCKISTS OF ALL

support and promote the arts and The winning three entrants in • Swindon 105.5 is all about provid- LEADING BRANDS
literature in the town and are de- each category will each receive ing opportunitiesto engage in radio.
lighted to work with The Link on a certificate, have their stories Current volunteers range from 10 NEW SPRING RANGES
this initiative.
recorded for broadcast and the to 75 years. Support and training is
"This is a great opportunity for over-all winners will also be in- provided. For details call the station NOW ARRIVING
writers of all ages to have their terviewed, have their stories pub- on 611555. BLAYLOCKS

work read and broadcast" lished at swindonlink.com and re- • Radio archive builds up - see
page 22. Bath Road Corner
Trust takes over old New Swindon • National treasure to speak at Old Town
Swindon Festival of Literature - see
Improvement Company building page 23. Tel: 534271
Many people thought the New Mechanics' Trust had disappeared, but
not so.
Tb, S,, Cpny
It had to va-
cate the former
Railway Mu-
seum on Fleet HoRRIBT.,E HISToRIES,
Street so that
Swindon Coun- TWO SHOWS
cil could spend LIVE ON STAGE'
£1 million on
refurbishing it to RIGHTFUL WOEFUL
become a town FIRST WORLD SEUWULD
centre youth 'MR -
facility but the
trust has moved Mechanics' Trust supporters at the new offices, from left,
into a privately Paul Lindgren, Gemma Perry, Lisa Hawkes, Roy Cozens,
owned building Linda Ford, Martha Parry, Donald Brun win
in the Railway Village, within sight the Institution, which helped se-
of their ultimate target.
cure two star listed building status
The trust's aim is undimmed: to in 1999, shortly before he died.
"It was a real surprise recently to
have the derelict Mechanics' Insti-
tution building saved for the peo- find an 1875 Post Office Directory
pie of the town. The January Link on the web, which showed that
reported how a planning inspector the 'New Swindon Improvement
has told Swindon Council to look Company' was once based here.
again at whether community, cul- It was set up in 1854 to raise the
tural and social activities could be funding for the construction of the
developed before commercial de- Mechanics' Institution so it really is
velopments are considered.
wonderful to look at the Mechan-
The new office at 9 East Street ics' from East Street, and realise
has a history which provides inspi- what this view meant to some very

*VATUNINQ
ration to trust members, said trust forward thinking men over 150
chairman Daniel Rose. "It was built years ago.
"The trust is more embedded in
as one of the town's first Co-ops,
serving railway people who used Swindon's history than ever and Tuesday 24 - Friday 27 February
the Mechanics' Institution. More our battle to save the Mechan- Tickets: 01793 524481
recently, it was the premises of ics' is very much alive. So find out www.wyverntheatre.org.uk
STADS printshop owned by Trevor more by calling us on 520592."
Cockbill who wrote the history of
www.new-mechanics.com