Page 44 - link magazine

44 swindonlink.com • September 2012
Dover to Calais swim
achieved at last

After being disappointed not to
complete their cross Channel swim
for charity last year, Swindon
swimmers Bethan Sowden from
Freshbrook and Sarah Baker from
Oakhurst, are delighted to have
finally made the crossing to raise
money for spinal cord injury char-
ity Aspire during the fine weather
Half price at the end of July. Bethan, resting between her three swims
when booked Explaining the delay Bethan said: in the Channel. Below, training with
Sarah in Link Centre pool last year
with a pedicure “We were due to swim in early team mates each did two one hour
September, but it had to be aban-
in September doned due to poor weather condi- swims.
tions. Then this year our crossing “Conditions were perfect all day
scheduled between 10 and 18 July without a cloud in the sky,” said
was threatened once again because Beth. “Lots of cargo ships, ferries,
of the weather, but we eventually sailing and pleasure craft went past,
got the call to get down to Dover.” but we overtook three other channel
Reiki & Counselling, Swindon
Beth and Sarah formed part of a swimming boats which we were
six-strong relay team, departing at pleased about.”
2.43am on Tuesday 24 July. Bethan The relay team reached land just
was the first to swim and completed south of Cap Griz Nez in just 13
three one hour sessions, while her hours and 5 minutes, at 3.58pm.
Beth is now considering a solo
crossing. “The boat leader and pilots
told me I had the potential; it’s just
a question of training and deciding
if it’s what I want to do.”
Between them the team raised
over £10,000 for Aspire and dona-
tions can still be made at: www.
justgiving.com/Bethan-Sowden
Improving Link Centre for post-Olympic legacy

Link Centre is receiving a major make-over to ensure it will continue
to provide the best fitness facilities in the town.

Open the door to a new you
and enjoy our fantastic new
member offer during August
& September 2012

The pool has been closed and still awaiting news on whether our
Join today & receive an exclusive gift pack worth over £150! retiled during August and will bid for one of the temporary 50
• A complimentary massage reopen on 9 September. Last year metre Olympic training pools will be
• A personal training session £90,000 was spent on refurbishing successful. If we are, it will go next
changing rooms and repairing the to the ice rink - subject to planning
• A chiropractic consultation glass and steel external walls. permission and raising around £2
• 2 x Friendship Passes Over the summer the building’s million. We will take the opportunity
• FREE entry to win a ‘ALL YOUR LIFE’ Photo shoot worth £199! steel framework has been cleaned to renew the plant to cool the ice and
and painted, and work has started heat the water in the pool.
Gym facilities include the latest functional training equipment and on a £1 million project to replace the “With the Oasis now being re-
a range of group exercise classes including Yoga, Pilates and Tai Chi roof and skylights for the first time developed by a private company,
Our Motivational Member Programming will ensure your fitness since it was built in 1985. Swindon will be even more of a
improvements for all abilities. Cllr Keith Williams, Swindon regional attraction.”
Council’s cabinet member for Lei-
Open: Monday to Friday 6am - 8pm; Saturday & Sunday 8am - 12pm sure and Strategic Transport, above, Early bird fitness extended
said: “The work demonstrates the From 3 September the gym at Link
Fairwater Stables, 1 High Street, Wroughton Swindon SN4 9JX council’s commitment to enhancing Centre will open from 6.30am from
[email protected] one of the best sports and leisure Monday to Thursday and close at
facilities in the South West. 10pm.
www.ridgewaymedispa.com T: 01793 814567 “With Bristol ice rink closing Link On Fridays it will continue to open
Centre is a major attraction. We’re 9am to 8pm.

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