Page 4 - link magazine

4 swindonlink.com • March 2011
Roof refurb for Link Centre West Swindon Forum

Swindon Borough Council's cabinet has agreed a major investment to Monday 14 March. Library, Link Centre
replace the Link Centre’s roof at a cost of £1.1 million. An opportunity to discuss community matters with the eight Swindon
The building, which marked its councillors representing the area. Agenda items to include a report of
twenty-fifth anniversary in 2010, police activity in the area, tree felling work, progress on Phase 3 of Shaw
has leaked to some degree from the Forest, an update on the Toothill Big Lottery project.
day it opened in 1985, but over the The meeting starts at 7pm with tea and coffee and open questions
last five years many more buckets to the councillors.
to catch rain water have been in
evidence during heavy rain as the Police sorting out Peatmoor problems
roof has aged.
Coun Nick Martin, who lobbied Link Centre manager Carole and issue call for vehicle vigilance
the cabinet for the money said the Jamieson welcomed the decision.
funds would be underwritten from "We've only had to cancel the oc- In December Peatmoor was the safest part of Swindon according to
future earnings. "Link Centre is a casional activity like a badminton the Government’s new crime overview website www.police.uk. Febru-
much enjoyed capital asset which session or a tea dance in the com- ary’s statistics will show the area as one of the most troubled after nine
obviously cannot be allowed to de- munity hall because of the leaks, people were arrested following a street altercation in Letteridge Road.
teriorate for want of maintenance. but buckets collecting water drips Neighbourhood munity, staff at Link
After 25 years any maintenance or certainly gave a poor impression. beat manager Tom Centre and the West
patch up work was almost doing "The whole ambience of Link Turner, right, said Swindon Centre,
more damage than it was repairing. Centre will change and West Swin- the 16 to 18 year olds and local schools.”
“Visitors expect to be able to use don residents and the people of lived in other parts He appealed for
the facility in the dry and we need the town can now be confident in of West Swindon but vehicle owners
to continue to attract them in large the knowledge that the centre will gathered in Peatmoor to lock them up.
numbers. Even in difficult economic continue to be a major sports and before the police in- “We’ve seen a surge
times, the council has a strong com- leisure attraction." tervened. Investiga- in thefts from cars in
mitment to providing a good quality Former Thamesdown Council tions continue and the West, but over 60
leisure experience." architect Nigel Honor, who de- further arrests are possible. per cent are not locked,” he said. “I
Fellow West Swindon councillor signed the building, said, “the He is pleased to report that seven urge people not to leave valuables
Steve Wakefield congratulated coun superstructure can last for 150 years people arrested at last September’s in the open and to lock up their
Martin for securing the council's but everything else can be repaired fair outside Link Centre had ap- vehicles.”
agreement. "Nick's done a really and renewed. It’s good to know the peared in court on charges varying To contact the two Neighbour-
good job and deserves a pat on the council continues to believe in Link from robbery, common assault and hood Police Teams in West Swin-
back for ensuring Link Centre has Centre.” actual bodily harm. “We could not don, mail: westswindonnorthnpt@
a long future catering for leisure It is expected that the repair will have secured this result without the wiltshire.pnn.police.uk or call 0845
users and sports people.” take place during the summer. help of information from the com- 408 7000.
Attack dog owner arrested
The January Link reported a horrific incident at Shaw Centre when a
vicious cross breed dog attacked a thirteen year old Staffordshire bull
terrier bitch when its owner removed its muzzle just a few yards away.
The dogs were separated by two brave staff from Shaw Vet, the Staffie
suffered a broken tail requiring about £5,000 worth of surgery. The story
generated considerable comment and concern around Shaw.
After The Link had gone to press the police identified the owner of
the attack dog from CCTV. PC Tom Turner said, “the owner is known to
the police and his animal was an American Pit Bull licensed under the
Dangerous Dog Act. However, because of the incident, he was arrested
and appeared in court at the end of January and the dog removed to
police kennels. The owner was found guilty but has appealed.”

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“The Link was first published for the West Swindon community in December 1978.
It is completely independent of Link Centre and, in fact, won a competition to name the
leisure centre in 1984. Distribution in North Swindon commenced in January 1994.”
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