Page 39 - link magazine

swindonlink.com • June 2010 39
Charity to light more lives Abbey Meads toddler group in danger of closing
Scallywags, which meets on Friday mornings at Abbey Meads Primary
When Roger and Jean Mugridge from Cricklade decided they could School, is looking for volunteers to take over the running of the group.
change the lives of children in Africa, they never imagined their efforts The popular group, which is over two of the mothers. However none
would make a difference to thousands of youngsters across the world 10 years old, is usually run by one or of the current mums are able to take
through their solar power charity Lights for Learning. over from September so present
Recently they made a pre- As a one-time former Formula coordinator Martine Rowlands is
sentation in London about their 1 racing engineer, Roger came up Pub to take appealing for mums with toddlers,
simple lighting system to all the with a solution using a small solar on Italian fl avour or perhaps a woman with older
ambassadors of countries in the panel, a rechargeable car battery children, to get involved and help
African Union. They’re currently and two LED lights. On a subse- The Foresters pub at Common keep it going.
in discussion with the government quent visit to Kenya, the design Platt, north of Peatmoor, will be Martine said, “Scallywags is a
of Uganda and, in a signifi cant proved to be effective in the home reopening in mid to late June as well-loved group providing craft
breakthrough, they were visited by and he realised the potential for an Italian themed eatery. activity, singing, free play and a
the ambassador of Zimbabwe and larger installations. The pub closed down in January snack for under 3s, not to mention a
have agreed to equip four schools He explained, “schools in Kenya, and was bought by Paolo Frattini chance for mums to meet and chat.
in his country. and many African countries, run on and his wife Monica. Paolo’s par- “It would be very sad to see it go.”
Roger and Jean and a team of a shift pattern from 5am to 10pm ents ran the oldest Italian restaurant For details or to offer organising
volunteers who have joined them and during the hours of darkness, in London’s Soho from 1960 where skills, call Martine on 07930 897818.
since 2004 have installed lighting lighting is poor and dangerous. he received his training in northern
units for schools in Kenya, Zambia, “Our lights extend the day for Italian country cooking.
the Phillipines and the Dominican young people to study. The reports “It was all getting too much to ABBEY MOVE
Republic, and hope to go to Nepal of how they have helped are very keep a city restaurant going and FIRST CLASS
later in the year. gratifying and education ministers we decided to sell up and look for
something quieter in the country,” REMOVAL
said Paolo. “It took us about 18 & STORAGE
months to fi nd The Foresters, in the SOLUTIONS
country but on the edge of town. Quality removals & storage
“It was quite neglected, so we’re Single items to full house moves
remodelling it to provide the pub Complete packing service offered
ambience but with emphasis on Sales & supplies of packaging
excellent home made Italian and materials
mediterranean food. And when Piano removal specialists
A free quotation
I say home made, it will be me A fully insured service
making the pasta on the premises.
“We’re looking forward to mak- 0800 019 5037
ing lots of new friends in the area
once we reopen.” www.abbeymove.co.uk

SWINDON &

GLOUCESTER
David Wren on his last day as Mayor meets offenders with Roger Mugridge
holding a demo solar lighting kit and workshop supervisor Catherine Simon
WINDOW GROUP
Demand for the lighting system are very enthusiastic.”
is now so great that the charity has The Link was the fi rst media to
teamed up with Swindon Probation cover Lights for Learning in 2004 Bifold Doors
Service to set up an offenders com- and at a public presentation we
munity payback production facility. organised, Roger and Jean met supplied & tted
Roger said, “people on probation Catherine Mulenga from Zambia. In (limited size)
will be vetted as suitable and they 2007 Lights for Learning volunteers
will make the units and test them. installed lighting in thirty rooms at £1,800
They will make the components, cut Twingi school in a remote part of
the wires, solder them and assemble Zambia. Now the charity is the only
the kits before they can be shipped one given a government budget to
out to where they will be used. I’m install the system to parts of the
currently training an instructor: we country where electricity supply
are excited about this new project.” is uncertain or reliant on expensive Conservatory
Lights for Learning was created diesel fuelled generators.
eight years ago after Roger and The partnership with Swindon 3m x 3.3m
Jean visited the home of a Kenyan Probation Service was formally supplied & tted
hotel worker. The couple had had launched on 20 May; the extra help
several holidays there but had not cannot come too soon according to lighting & heating
truly appreciated the conditions in Roger. “The word is spreading and 3 types of design to
which many families live. we’re getting new enquiries all the
“We visited the home of one of time. We do a lot of fundraising but choose from
the lads that we had come to know we need a great deal more money
and saw that one of the babies had to respond to demand.” £6,500
been scalded,” he said. “During It costs £1,000 to provide units for
the hours of darkness, light is often three classrooms and an offi ce. For
provided by dangerous, home- details or to make a donation, call
made kerosene lamps. We learned 750844 or mail: roger.mugridge@ Tel/Fax: 01793 331551
to our horror that burns are very lightsforlearning.org Mobile: 07775 621764
common.” www.lightsforlearning.org

21-52 June 10.indd 39 21/05/2010 10:44