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The Blackthorn School
of Photography
Digital image-making
and black and white printing
based at our specialist
teaching centre near Cricklade
Evening, day and weekend
courses for beginners and
advanced photographers
www.photography-courses.com
Council agrees long term lease for Swindon’s cultural gem Tel: 01454 416937
Lower Shaw Farm can develop community, education or 07920 116492
and cultural activities for the next quarter of a century
After fi ve years of detailed negotia- FOR ALL YOUR PRINT &
tions, Swindon Council has agreed DIGITAL REQUIREMENTS
a 25 year lease with the trustees of
Lower Shaw Farm in West Swindon, IN WEST SWINDON
ensuring continued development of ARTWORK & DESIGN • WEBSITES
the educational, environmental, cul- LITHO / DIGITAL PRINTING
tural and community activities that LARGE FORMAT • CANVAS PRINTS
were fi rst endorsed by the council STATIONERY • NCR PADS, AND MORE
more than thirty years ago.
The former dairy farm was leased
to an educational charity in the late
1970s and over the years - as the
three acre site in Shaw became a
green oasis in West Swindon surbur-
Unit 101 Basepoint Centre
bia - it has become a heavily used Rivermead Swindon Wilts SN5 7EX
and much loved centre for family re- Telephone: 01793 490490
lated, community and environmental Good news before Christmas for farm trustees Matt Holland and www.mllprint.co.uk
activities, from creative arts and craft Andrea Hirsch from Swindon Council deputy leader Gary Perkins
courses to juggling and circus skills, we recognise how important it is to
gardening and cookery workshops, a Swindon’s community and culture.
popular weekly community cafe, and “Whenever I visit I’m always struck
numerous Children’s Project events. by the range of activities and how
The farm is also a venue for sev- the farm attracts people from both
eral writing and poetry groups and West Swindon and all over the town.
is the base for the Swindon Festival “Most importantly there is a
of Literature. very strong sense of community
In September 2006, Swindon ownership.
Council considered the proposal “Over many years Swindon has
that the farm site be redeveloped for taken Lower Shaw Farm to its heart
housing, but a short sharp campaign and this agreement gives the trust-
by thousands of farm supporters ees the opportunity to invest in and
in Swindon and from across the develop the property for the long
country convinced councillors of the term good of the town.”
huge opposition to the idea. Farm trustee Matt Holland said:
The new agreement is a big plus “Good work takes time, and these
for Swindon according to Council negotiations certainly have. But
deputy leader councillor Gary the outcome is testimony to vision,
Perkins, who represents Shaw & good sense, local politics, and the
Nine Elms, the ward where the people’s will.
farm is located. “This is a positive “This is good news not only for
for the town. Lower Shaw Farm is people of all ages and backgrounds
something different and unique and who use the farm but also for
Swindon. Many is the
Safe for future generations to enjoy,
Sally Tang with Eilidh from Taw Hill time over the years that
visitors have said to me:
‘I wish we had a Lower
Shaw Farm in our town.’
Well, Swindon has, and
will continue to have for
many years to come.
Terrifi c.”
• Read about the battle
to save the farm since
2006. See www.swin-
donlink.com Search:
Lower Shaw Farm

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