Page 16 - link magazine

16 swindonlink.com • January 2013
Butterflies staff line up with X Factor finalist Jahmene

The ladies who run North Swindon children’s centre Butterflies at Abbey Meads School took their chance
to meet a star on 5 December and were rewarded when Jahmene Douglas and his X Factor mentor Nicole
Scherzinger took a moment to pose with them.
How can Musical Minis help your child be ... Jahmene was in town to whip up asked if Jahmene would have his "Jahmene didn't say anything;
.. a skillful communicator - by developing support for the final on 8 December, picture taken with her colleagues. he was enigmatic and relaxed, he
language and co-ordination. meeting former colleagues at Asda She said: "The producer said he seemed to have taken fame in his
.. emotionally developed - through sharing stories Walmart, friends at his church, and would see what could be done and stride. Nicole thanked us for our
and songs whilst meeting new friends. to sing in front of 28,000 at the town told us to be ready. comments about what she was
.. a confident child - by joining in the activities centre Christmas lights switch on. “It was a long shot but true to wearing. We're all grateful that they
in a relaxed group atmosphere. Jahmene and Nicole arrived by their word Jahmene and Nicole took a minute out of their busy day
.. a creative child - by exploring instruments, helicopter landing at Abbey Meads were asked to stand behind the to be with us."
sounds, rhythm and movement. School field in front of the children Butterflies banner and they were • See X Factor Xmas lights picture
Phone Chrissie on 01793 725259 who had been told of a surprise happy to pose with us. at ow.ly/fS8jj and ow.ly/fQIWn
www.musicalminis.co.uk visitor a few minutes beforehand. Jahmene and Nicole with Butterflies team members from left to right: Maureen
Musical Minis is a pre-school fun time music group for babies and toddlers. As the cars to take the stars away Purcell, Catherine Talmage, Jayne Holloway, Cath Ferguson and centre manager
Each structured session encourages cognitive, physical and emotional were parked right outside Butter-
development through the use of music, instruments and stories. Tanya Parkinson
flies, administrator Amanda Wray

Salt Way Children’s Centre
Pearl Road, Middleleaze
Swindon SN5 5TD
Tel: 01793 465364

GERMAN GROUP - Run/organised by parents
This is a friendly German speaking toddler group
which runs on Friday mornings 10am to 11.30am
at Salt Way Children’s Centre.
We chat, play and sing in German, so if you or your child Children’s centre services threatened
would like to learn more about the German language Swindon Council’s cabinet agreed in December to group 14 children’s
or culture, please come and join us. centres across the borough into four clusters and thereby save £190,000
annually by cutting the jobs of up to ten managers.
See our activities timetable at www.childrenssociety.org.uk/saltwaycc
Cllr David Renard, cabinet member for children services, said the
aim is to support the most disadvantaged families regardless of which
area they live in.

Foodbank prepares for even greater
demand for emergency help in 2013

Greendown Playgroup in Grange Park collected tinned and dried food
for Swindon Foodbank in early December which will add to stocks
being built up ready for major changes in the welfare benefits system.

Lee Thompson with Greendown Playgroup children’s collection for Foodbank
Project manager Lee Thompson sis, we’re there in an emergency,”
Close to M4 junction 16, just a short drive from West Swindon said calls on Foodbank in 2012 said Lee. “A little bit of help to pro-
were 35 per cent higher than 2011 vide food for a few days can make all
For children 3 months to five years and he is planning for the impact the difference and prevent people
of the Welfare Reform Act in April turning to high interest lenders and
Open all year from 8am to 6pm
and the introduction of Universal getting into a spiral of debt.”
Extensive outdoor play & gardens Credit later in the year. Playgroup manager Julie Seward
But he wanted to stress Swin- said: “We explained to the children
Easy access and safe parking
don Foodbank is not only about that there were some like them who
For information call: 01793 851495 supporting people on benefits. “If would not have enough food at
sickness prevents you from work- Christmas time. There was a super
www.thedaynursery.com ing, or you lose your job suddenly, response from parents who filled
Brinkworth Road, Wootton Bassett, Swindon SN4 8DS or if you’re hit by a sudden expense two large boxes with donations.”
which throws your family into cri- www.swindonfoodbank.co.uk

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