Page 20 - link magazine

Mela saved for another year Wildlife holding up the trains
After much confusion in early May, Swindon Mela is set to take place Swindon and Cricklade Railway Society celebrates its 35th anniversary
again - subject to a number of event management issues being resolved, later this year, but plans to mark it with the opening of Taw Valley Halt in
Swindon Council cabinet approval, and possibly a new date. September depend on the welfare of local wildlife.
The Mela organis-
ing committee had
announced they were
cancelling the day cel-
ebrating South Asian
culture in Town Gar-
dens, Old Town - after
10 successful years -
because of new lower
limits on attendance Photo: Richard Wintle www.calyxpix.com
numbers imposed by Swindon for such a large event but the Mela
Council. They felt they were at risk of project team has given me enough
making a loss and were unwilling to assurances to feel able to offer a special
consider another site at short notice. dispensation for this year.
But following negotiations be- Mela chairperson Jaspal Bhui said:
tween the Mela project team and the “I am delighted that the leader of the Ready to roll, Taw Valley Halt between Oakhurst and Mouldon Hill park
leader of the council David Renard on council has enabled it to go ahead this The society’s buildings and works The next stage in the project of
15 May, the show is back on. year and welcome their willingness spokesman Dave Peacey said: “We bringing the line south into Mouldon
Cllr Renard has offered a special to work with us to explore options have to wait for the Environment Hill will be a planning application
dispensation to enable the Mela to go to ensure the Mela is a permanent Agency to complete their wildlife to build a permanent station in the
ahead with a limit of 10,000 people. annual fixture.” survey on the site before we can go country park, to open hopefully in
He said: “This is a great outcome for Sonny Hamid added Cllr Renard ahead and commission the line and time for the fortieth birthday.
everyone. The council has actively had led the meeting with clarity. “We the platform. It’s all built, but we are Dave is optimistic and said a lot of
supported the Mela over the last ten came to a very positive understanding. not able to carry any passengers along effort had gone into getting the track
years and I do not want to lose it from There has also been fabulous support the stretch until all the official checks extended to the temporary platform
the Swindon calendar. for the Mela from Swindon people. have been made.” at Taw Valley Halt. “Members have
"It contributes so much to the local They are really behind us.” The extension to Taw Valley Halt will worked really hard to get to this point;
community, economy and Swindon as The date, originally set for 24 Au- mean trains will be able to complete a there are a lot of people with their
a whole. There are legitimate concerns gust, will be finally confirmed on www. six-mile round trip, as opposed to the chest puffed out at the moment and
about the suitability of Town Gardens swindonmela.com current four miles. they should be congratulated.”

STUDLEY GRANGE BUTTERFLY WORLD
AND CRAFT VILLAGE

Visit Butterfly World and experience the Admission Charges:
tropics in Wiltshire, rain or shine, summer A £4.95 C £4.45
or winter. Enjoy a truly magical experience S £4.45 F £16.50 (2+2)
as you walk amongst hundreds of the
world’s most beautiful butterflies flying Opening Times:
around a tropical paradise of plants and Summer 2012:
fish filled pools. Then visit our otters, daily 10am-6pm
goats, meerkats, guinea pigs and loads Winter 2012:
more farmyard favourites in our outdoor daily 10am-4pm
Animal Paddock. Craft Village offers a huge
range of beautiful and interesting gifts, Hay Lane, Wroughton
many of which are skilfully handcrafted on Swindon SN4 9QT
site. Follow brown tourist signs from J16 of Tel: 01793 852400
M4 motorway towards Wroughton. www.studleygrange.co.uk

20 swindonlink.com • June 2013

19 - 48 June 13.indd 20 17/05/2013 11:50