Page 10 - link magazine

10 swindonlink.com • February 2012
Delighted reaction to long term future for Swindon’s cultural gem

The exclusive news in the January Link that Lower Shaw Farm has been granted a 25 year lease by Swindon Council has been met with an
overwhelmingly positive reaction.
Five years of detailed negotia- ther afield encouraged the council ing and poetry groups and
tions means that the community, to consider the value of having a is the base for the Swindon
educational and cultural activities unique community facility in the Festival of Literature.
that have developed since the farm town. Now run by a cooperative In the January Link Swin-
was leased to a charity in the late the farm is a heavily used and much don Council deputy leader
1970s can continue. Then the farm loved centre for family related, councillor Gary Perkins said
and the lane was set in green fields community and environmental ac- that offering the farm trust-
but as the growth of West Swindon tivities, from creative arts and craft ees a long term lease was a
surrounded it, Lower Shaw Farm courses to juggling, circus skills, positive for the town. “Low-
became a green oasis in suburbia. gardening and cookery workshops. er Shaw Farm is something
In 2006 a proposal to redevelop A popular weekly community different and unique and we
the site for more houses was sug- cafe, and numerous events run by a recognise how important it
gested but a short sharp campaign children’s project take place and the is to Swindon’s community
from people in Swindon and fur- farm is also a venue for several writ- and culture.
“Over many years Swin-
don has taken Lower Shaw
Farm to its heart and this Farm trustees Matt Holland and Andrea Hirsch
agreement gives the trustees with Diana Eddy and her grandchildren with the
the opportunity to invest in Observer ethical award
and develop the property for and he would be able to bring his
the long term good of the town.” own children. It’s beautiful to know
Diana Eddy from Old Town suc- that my grandchildren will be able
cessfully nominated the farm to the to enjoy the activities at the farm.”
Brighten up your home for 2012 Observer ethical awards in 2010. Andie Bright from Stratton, who
She said: “Knowing the farm has discovered the farm after her first
with a rainbow of colours! now received a long lease from the child was born said: “For many
council is such a relief. It is the real parents the farm is a life-saver
Charisma Blinds - the place for quality and value heart of Swindon. because it gives you
Anyone who has the chance to get
Suppliers of all types of blinds, awnings and shutters visited Lower Shaw out of the house and
Full fitting service or cash and carry Farm knows exactly meet others. There’s
Factory showroom open Monday to Thursday 9.30am - 5.30pm how warm their wel- nowhere else like it;
Friday 9.30am - 5pm, Saturday 10am - 4pm come is, and how the Wednesday cafe
BSS House, Cheney Manor Ind. Est., Swindon. Tel: 01793 434584 values that have seen has a lovely atmo-
us through centuries sphere. There are
are still alive there. lovely people and the
“Swindon would children adore it.”
TARGET the poorer culturally from Old Town
SWINDON 2012
Melissa McBride
be so very much
and educationally if
said the people of
Swindon will ben-
this wonderful warm
PROBLEM away from us. drea have created a
farm had been taken
efit. “Matt and An-
“The future lies in the hands of neighbourhood treasure. Swindon
such establishments because their Council have understood that the
AREAS and humanity is the only way we and community places; we’re all
awareness and care for our planet town needs a variety of cultural
will survive.”
winners from their decision.”
Rosa Hirsch-Holland was born
Mothers attending the Wednes-
day morning community cafe in at Princess Margaret Hospital in
mid-December were delighted to 1985 and grew up on the farm. “It’s
find out that the farm has a long unbelievable that the long lease has
term future. Cafe volunteer Sarah been agreed. I don’t want to tempt
Willmott from Shaw, above, who fate, but I’m delighted because it
was involved in the campaign to means my own children will be able
save the farm from redevelopment, to enjoy Lower Shaw as I have.”
said: “It’s absolutely
fantastic news, but a
shame that the un-
certainty has been
going on for so long.
Lower Shaw Farm is
WITH OUR RANGE OF now protected for
PROBLEM SOLVING PAINTS & PRIMERS
the next generation.
I recently told my
seven year old son
that he can continue
to come to the farm
4 Wyndham Road Hawksworth Trading Nathalie Marshall with
Estate Swindon Tel 01793 643200 Alasdair and Andie
[email protected]
Bright with Brianna
and Tessa

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