Page 47 - link magazine

swindonlink.com • February 2009 47
Marching musicians needed Voluntary organisation
As Bluebelles Majorettes prepare for their ninth season, there are for older people to disappear
vacancies for musicians to join the band.
Full training is given on snare 2000. Christine said that being a The trustees of Age Concern Swindon are reluctantly taking steps to
and bass drum, cymbals and bell member of the troupe prepares girls close down the organisation on 1 April, following nine months trying
lyres which will be supplied by for adult life by teaching them to to secure the future of the charity which has been providing services
Bluebelles to children over 11 years be responsible and work as a team in Swindon for 57 years.
For several years Age Concern towards the pension scheme deficit
old. They would also like to hear as well as being good for all round
from any brass players with their fitness. "Their respect and discipline Swindon hasbeen using reserves to would immediately wipe out all
own instrument. They would need is fantastic; they are supporting each maintain services where they have available funds.
to have lessons elsewhere. other. It builds confidence and they not been fully funded by Swindon It had been proposed that Age
The band accompanies the full get so much out of it and learn many Borough Council or other funders. Concern Wiltshire might maintain
marching troupe, which has its own different skills." The charity has also been raising services to older people in and
pompom division, macebearers and Training takes place on Fridays funds through donations, events around the borough but this will
flag twirlers. The troupe performs at 7pm to 9pm at Greendown School and trading to try to meet the gap not now happen because of the
shows such as the Royal Bath & West with band practice on Saturday between income and expenditure. uncertainty of future funding for
and competes at a high level, morning. Age Concern Swindon director, services in Swindon.
Age Concern Swindon chairman,
Founder Christine Doyle has seen Call Christine 852979 about Jo Osorio, said that the action to
a generation of girls pass through joining. close results mainly from the conse- Derek Benfield said, "our trustees
Bluebelles since it was formed in www.bluebellesmajorettes.co.uk quences of the organisation's share have reluctantly reached this con-
of the deficit on the final salary sec- clusion after nearly 60 years of 'old
Founder member drum major Lisa Dent, 17, far right, with majorettes
and a Christmas raffle prize donated by Tony's Bikes of Rodbourne tion of the Age Concern Retirement people's welfare' and 40 years as an
Benefits' Scheme, managed nation- independent organisation provid-
ally by Age Concern England. ing vital services to older people
Age Concern Swindon and locally. We had hoped a transfer
some of its employees have been to other providers would be pos-
contributing to the scheme, at the sible. Some of our services might be
required rates, for over thirty years. safeguarded but not through Age
Like many final salary schemes, Concern Swindon or Age Concern
however, recent actuarial valua- Wiltshire."
tions show a substantial deficit with He added that discussions with
which the pension fund trustees staff, volunteers, Swindon Council
have to deal. and theprimary caretrust, continue
Age Concern Swindon's share with regard to closing or transfer-
of the deficit is greater than the ring services by the end of the
organisation has the capacity to financial year.
meet - even over a period of ten or • Age Concern fundraising to con-
twenty years and the full payments tinue. See pages 26 & 27.

ADA

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DUNCAN LL Y

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SELF DRIVE SwrnDon Yhe Private S
BOROUGH COUflCTL
Scheme Is your kcIir
4 VW 46e4ciee4
Swindon Borough Council needs a range
e4t4&ë4áed 25
of properties to house people who are
Vehicles for Hire waiting for a permanent home
at Competitive Rates Under the Private Sector Leasing Scheme,
Swindon Borough Council can offer you:
Cars • Vans • Luton Tail-Lifts
• Guaranteed rental income for a period
Open: Mon - Sat: 8.30am - 5.30pm of 3 years with reviews in the second
and third years
FREE parking with CCTV cover
• 1 month's rent guaranteed as deposit
Tel: 820000 10% • Free six weekly check of the property
discount on Full details of the scheme are available at:
272 Ermin Street, production
of this ad www.swindon.gov.uk/housing/housing-private_sector_leasing
Stratton St. Margaret
(Feb only)
SN3 4LW Alternatively you can contact the Accommodation
Team for further information on: 01793 464468
www.duncanselfdrive.com or email: [email protected]