Page 38 - link magazine

38 swindonlink.com • December 2012
Youth Matters in North Swindon Minister impressed by Lights for Learning
Wednesday 28 November, 6.30pm to 8.30pm The invention that is helping children and adults in communities where
North Swindon Library, Orbital Shopping Centre electricity is not always available has been given endorsement by the
The evening aims to: • Raise awareness of existing youth UK’s International Development Minister Alan Duncan.
• Give young people a voice and an activities in North Swindon; The minister visited Nova Hreod through The Link on two previous
opportunity to interact with residents, • Discuss what other opportunities on 19 October to hear from students occasions; you could say it was
councillors and council officers; young people would like to see in about their work to build closer third time lucky. It was great he
their area; links with Harold Cressy School in was able to arrange for us to meet
• Identify projects and actions to Cape Town, South Africa. the minister.
involve everyone in North Swindon. After a suggestion from Swindon “In the 20 minutes he gave us Mr
The evening has been planned Link, North Swindon MP Justin Duncan put really searching ques-
with a lot of input from young people Tomlinson, with assistance from tions. He seemed to like the idea
who will help present the issues the school, was able to arrange a that I’ve never been interested in
Body Repairs about being young and living in presentation by Swindon based making money from the lights. I’m
Car painting the area. charity Lights for Learning. really glad he was able to see how
All residents are invited to take
Mechanics part in the discussion on how to
engage the growing number of
Unit 20, Axis Business Centre young people in North Swindon.
Westmead Industrial Estate Organisers are asking you to let
West Swindon SN5 7YS them know attendance so that they
can ensure they provide enough
Tel/fax : 08458340923 refreshments.
M: 07803 322392 Mail: Helena Robinson: herobin-
f: wbsauto [email protected] or call 07919
www.wbsauto.co.uk 111511.

MOBILE CAR SERVICING & REPAIRS

★ Engine diagnostics ★ Electrical work Roger Mugridge showing Alan Duncan his demonstration solar powered lights,
★ MoTs arranged (no re-test fee) with Justin Tomlinson MP and Lights for Learning volunteer Peter Genet
For a reliable local service with over 30 years experience Inventor Roger Mugridge uncomplicated yet safe the system
(No VAT to pay) showed an increasingly fascinated is. As he left he told us the simple
CALL GRAHAM ON (01793) 873045 or 07867 556350 Mr Duncan the simplicity of his things always work best.”
solar lights that have been installed Justin Tomlinson said Alan Dun-
by volunteers in The Gambia, Zim- can was still talking about Lights
babwe, Zambia, Kenya, Lesotho for Learning several days after his
and The Philippines. visit to Swindon. “I met him in
Roger also demonstrated his new Parliament and Lights for Learn-
invention which allows computers ing had made an impact on him.
to be run using a battery charged by He’s obviously fascinated by the
solar panels, without the need for technology and he could see how
a stable, mains electricity supply. a modest investment could give so
The minister told Roger that he much to people in parts of the world
was going to have an official in his without services like electricity that
ministry guide the charity in how we all take for granted.
to apply for funding so that Lights “Roger and his team of volunteers
for Learning can be extended to at Lights for Learning represent the
more communities in remote areas. very best that the voluntary sector
Afterwards Roger was delighted can offer.”
by the response. “We’ve been trying During November Roger Mu-
to reach people in government to tell gridge has had enquiries about
them about Lights for Learning for installing solar lights in Vietnam,
a long time. Thailand and Ethiopia.
“We’ve met Justin Tomlinson www.lightsforlearning.org

Link with Salzgitter in Germany gives Swindon
people chance to share with European partner
Swindon Salzgitter Twinning Association has had an eventful year with
the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee year being celebrated in both towns.
Association chairman Roger Gower said the royal river pageant in
the pouring rain was a talking point on a visit to Salzgitter in June by
association members. “Our German hosts had watched it on TV and
were planning to watch all the other events. We were pleased to present
Gunther Heinisch, head of twinning activities for Salzgitter,with a com-
memorative book about the Queen’s reign.
“We continued the royal theme when we toured the ancestral home of
the Welf family. The museum there emphasises the six British Hanovarian
monarchs who had strong family ties with the Welf family.”
The group also toured the railway museum in Salzgitter.
To find out more about the twinning link call Roger on 01793 737129
or mail: [email protected]

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