Page 46 - link magazine

46 swindonlink.com • December 2012

SEW ELEGANT Talking about the big challenges for Swindon
Clothing Alterations Councils across the country are facing huge pressures, and Swindon is certainly one of them. With more
Wedding dresses children being taken into care and the number of people living in residential care homes set to rise dra-
Leather garments matically, set against a large reduction in funding, something has to give.
Swindon Council is inviting ev-
board and less taxpayers
Trousers/jeans shortened from £5.50 eryone to find out more about these means things will have
32 The Arcade, The Brunel Centre and many other requirements so to be done differently.
Tel: 01793 495753 residents can have a better under- Cllr Rod Bluh, Swin-
standing of the soaring demands on don Borough Council
services and the reduced resources leader, said: “Some of
Space
Space available to deliver them. the facts about the town
Master
Master Called the Big Conversation, now and in the future
The wardrobe people the council has produced an ‘info- are quite startling, but it
LUXURY FITTED WARDROBES graphic’ explaining the issues in a is right to get them out
Made to measure • Floor to ceiling visual way to raise awareness and there and start talking.
Free brochures • No obligation quote stimulate debate. There are no easy an-
01793 827188 The impact of an ageing popula- swers and lots of tough
tion, increasing demand across the choices lie ahead.
“All local councils
Mobile Hairdresser are facing unprece-
Fully Qualified and State Registered dented challenges and Swindon,
unfortunately, is no exception. us to develop stronger relation-
Over 20 years experience YOUR VHS VIDEO OR CAMCORDER “We know people do not feel ships with people, so we can work
Book now to have TAPE TRANSFERRED TO DVD DISC informed about where money is together and support each other
your hair done in the £15 spent, the issues concerned and how more effectively now and in future.
comfort of your own home to influence decisions. The Big Con- Ultimately the ambition is for con-
Call Andrea on 07885 909272 Tel: 01793 705333 versation is part of our commitment versations to lead to positive choices
to try and change this by presenting and action in our communities.”
information in more engaging ways See the full story and the info-
TERRY WINTER and encouraging as many people as graphics at www.bit.ly/BCswin-
MONUMENTAL STONEMASON we can to join the discussion. don or search Facebook for Swindon
New memorials - Additional inscriptions “Better communication will help Big Conversation
Old memorials cleaned and renovated
Free estimates • BRAMM accredited Swindon Town Centre - just my view!
Over 25 years’ experience Eddie Bedwell from Haydon writes:
Tel: 01793 861035 or 07935 309644
email: [email protected] Swindon has been struggling for features have enough going for
many years to improve the town them to better compete for shoppers
centre. I think progress has been and tourists, and are very different.
made under difficult economic These are classed by town business
conditions. gurus, who study this subject, as
More progress is underway I first tier towns. I do not think Swin-
understand and that’s good. don is in this group - but it still has
Join us in worship on Sunday mornings As with many towns, what slows a lot going for it.
Westlea Church, Westlea School: 10am this progress and people’s percep- Swindon has to realise where
St Mary’s, Lydiard Tregoze - the church in the park: 10am tion of the town, is the feeling that it sits in this scheme of things. It
All Saints’, Lydiard Millicent - the church in the village: 10.30am you can largely satisfy all your should plan to be a place where
Holy Trinity, Shaw: 10.30am shopping needs by going to out of people live and play. Big out of
town centres and not into Swindon town shopping centres will con-
Toothill Church: 10.30am centre at all - and that’s bad. tinue to be built, so it makes sense
For details of these and our other services Traffic congestion, parking costs here for more housing and cultural
call the Partnership Office on 874221 and empty or old shop sites greatly features to be built in the central
Email: [email protected] add to this view. The out of town area as vacant and development
www.wswinlyd.org.uk centres do not have these problems. sites become available. There is no
Towns and cities with strong cul- point in swimming against the tide
Anglican • Baptist • Methodist • United Reformed Church tural, historical and environmental of what some may call progress.

St. John’s Haydon Wick
On Thames Avenue
Sunday Worship 10.30am next door to
Sunday School and Creche
Meeting at Abbey Meads Morrisons
Community School Contact:
Revd Raymond Adams
Tel: 634258
Sunday 9am Traditional communion service
Services 11am Eventful, contemporary worship
with children’s groups meeting
www.stjohnshaydonwick.org.uk

Open to all, serving tea, coffee, cakes & light lunches
Fridays and Saturdays: 10am - 2pm

19 - 48 December 12.indd 46 15/11/2012 16:24