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Community News
Highworth couple’s earthquake relief work in

Nepal continues

Highworth residents Ian and Rosa arriving in the country and two
Matheson are continuing their other passengers on our flight
charitable work in Nepal during had £4,000 of donated survival
2016, after three visits last year materials impounded due to not
to aid with earthquake relief and being able to pay this levy. As we
manage a children’s home in the passed through the airport we saw
region. the vast amounts of impounded
The couple have raised funds for supplies piled everywhere.”
the past five years for the Angel Ian and Rosa’s visit in November/
Orphanage, and since last April December found the country slowly
have also been raising funds for recovering from the effects of the
earthquake relief. earthquake but now being brought
As the world’s media moved on, to its knees by an embargo on
whole communities only miles from fuel, medicines and other essential
Kathmandu with no buildings left medical supplies such as oxygen, Ian and Rosa Matheson at the Angel Orphanage in Nepal
standing have still not received imposed by the Indian government
crucial aid. who are displeased by elements cooking and at the children’s home aid agencies usually with just one
Ian, who recently returned from of the new Nepali constitution they are cooking over wood fires occupant and the driver.”
a trip to Nepal in December, said: (arrived at after 8 years of political but even this fuel is hard to come Ian and Rosa are planning to
“Five days after we left from dispute and debate) which they by in the city and has quadrupled return to Nepal in March and hope
our Spring 2015 visit, a major saw as secular and disadvantaging in price. there will be some improvement
earthquake struck the country certain tribes in the lowland areas “Winter has now hit Nepal in the situation by then. If anyone
necessitating our return in May to of Nepal bordering India. with no sign of political would like more information or
bring tents for our children, who Ian said: “What is becoming moves to negotiate an end to to make a donation they will be
were sleeping under tarpaulins obvious is that the impact of this the stranglehold. The Nepali more than happy to make sure it
in the garden, with the monsoon embargo on the economy of Nepal government cannot agree who gets to the people in need with no
season fast approaching. and the everyday lives of Nepalis, should lead such a delegation. It deductions or any other costs.
“We were fortunate in getting particularly in the cities, is possibly also becomes difficult to witness Contact Ian and Rosa on 01793
the tents through the Nepali even greater than that of the the juxtaposition of grossly 764979
authorities, as they were levying earthquake. overcrowded local buses with the Alternatively, you can donate via:
a 40% import duty on all aid “There is now no gas available for huge white 4x4s of many of the www.angelsorphanage.com
Plans in for new Swindon Speedway
stadium

Swindon Council have confirmed Abbey while work goes on.
that they have received a planning Councillor Toby Elliott (Con, Priory
application to build a new stadium Vale) said: “We’ve only just received
for The Robins to replace the the application by disc. We were
current Abbey Stadium. beginning to worry that it was not
Back in December, George coming at all. We’ve not had a
Edwards, property director at Stadia chance to look at the detail yet but
UK, said that they were hoping to if it is not appropriate we will be
have fans in the new stadium by looking at further legal means to
this summer and will look to reduce ensure that the original planning
the disruption to fans using the agreement is adhered to.”

New home for Swimathon for
Swindon 105.5 hydrotherapy pool

Swindon 105.5 has moved into its Thamesdown Hydrotherapy Pool in
new home at Liden Library. Jefferies Avenue, Stratton is holding
The community radio station has a swimathon on Saturday 12 March
taken over part of the building in to raise funds.
Barrington Close after spending Each swim in the Swimathon will
several months looking for new last 20 minutes.
premises. The warm temperature of the pool
The community radio station, water has many benefits, including
which was awarded the Queen’s relieving painful conditions such
Award for Voluntary Service by the as arthritis and back pain and
Duke of Kent last year, broadcasts can help rehabilitation after joint
24 hours a day, seven days a replacement surgery.
week, and has helped hundreds Call 01793 496002 or
of volunteers develop skills and visit the website at www.
confidence. thamesdownhydrotherapypool.com
swindonlink.com n February 2016 9