Page 34 - link magazine

25 years of friendship between Nicaragua and Swindon

Twenty five years ago Swindon invited the Mayor of the Nicaraguan town of Ocotal, Felipe Bareda, to inaugurate an official twinning
with Swindon, writes Bruce Clarke of Swindon Ocotal Link (SOL) which sustains the contact.
Nicaragua is a long way away running of Comedor Princess Diana,
and many thought it was either a a nursery where 150 children are
gesture or a waste of time. washed, fed and taught some basics.
However, the achievements over We recently directed funds for a
a quarter of a century speak for women’s project where they can
themselves. look after their children in safety.
The generosity of Swindon people But when I say WE, it should be
in1998 after the devastation of YOU. SOL is not large, there are
Hurricane Mitch on Central America about a dozen people at the heart
was amazing. Seven tons of aid was of the group, but we do our best
transported direct to Nicaragua to sustain the civic link and show
via RAF Hercules, over £30,000 how Swindon people can have
of funding was raised and two international impact.
engineers were sent out to draft a SOL is also backed up by regular
feasibility study on flood prevention support from local organisations
which led to a big European like Immanuel Church, Swindon
funding programme for the region. Town FC, local schools, Rotary Clubs,
Our link was started by several Ocotal dancers Edenia Rivera and Marcos Pineda in front of the Lions Club, Penhill Lunch Club and
volunteer nurses. Over the years we Link Centre mural in 2007 Swindon Council.
have organised work camps and led In our 25th year of solidarity, we
over 10 self-funded group visits, exhibition and our visiting artist people’s home and there have been intend to party. Please join us by
as well as three youth visits, one produced a brilliant wall mural at countless grants for small medical contacting Steve Rhodes: steve.
including young people from our Lydiard Park Academy. And do you and health emergencies. [email protected]
German twin town Salzgitter. remember the very large piece of High on our list of support is Look out for forthcoming events
There have also been visits by art work celebrating the link that the building, maintenance and at: www.solswindon.co.uk
people from Ocotal who have dominated the library entrance at
danced, sang and performed at Link Centre? Reserve the Mad March Hare in your resolutions list
the Swindon Festival of Literature, In Ocotal we can point to a health
Swindon Mela, Swindon Arts centre, a school, local housing and Here’s your first challenge of 2016 route of West Swindon and Lydiard
festival and at football matches. a nursery, all built with our aid. - entry is open for this year’s Mad Park.
They’ve even featured on national Over a decade we have supported March Hare in aid of Breast Cancer The 9th Mad March Hare takes
BBC News about Swindon’s attempt 30 of the poorest families to send Now, Swindon and North Wiltshire place on Sunday 20 March, starting
to win city recognition in 2000. their children to school. SOL is also Group. and finishing at Lydiard Park
Recently, we put on an art a joint funder of an amazing old It’s a fun event which welcomes Academy.
people of all ages and abilities to To take part or to volunteer as
Air cadets recruiting in January get out and enjoy taking exercise. an event organiser, contact info@
madmarchhare.org.uk or call 0845
Come on your own or bring your
Time is a rare commodity in our certainly look impressive on a CV as family, friends or your dog, to walk, 6808064 or via
busy lifestyles, but how about the youngsters make their way into jog or run the 5km or 10km circular www.madmarchhare.org.uk
investing just a few hours a month their preferred career.
in 633 West Swindon Squadron 633 Squadron is holding a cadet Champion freedivers to talk about and
Air Training Corps which has had a recruitment event at Lydiard Park
presence in West Swindon for well Academy on Saturday 16 January illustrate sub-aqua photography

over 20 years? from 10.30am to 3pm to extend
It’s a charitable organisation these life chances to the next
supported by the Royal Air Force, generation of young people.
but more importantly units are run The squadron is also looking for
by volunteer staff backed-up by a adults to join the team to provide
civilian committee. young people with skills for the
The aim is to offer young people future. People with instructor
between the ages of 12 and 20 capabilities as well as staff to
the chance of great learning oversee cadet welfare, fundraising,
experiences like principles of squadron finances and other
flight, flying and gliding, team support roles are needed.
development and leadership, life If you are interested in becoming
skills, camps in the UK, international a cadet, instructor or committee
expeditions and exchanges. member, email Sqn Commander
All cadets have the chance to Flt Lt Helene Woodham RAFVR(T): Husband and wife team Mark Harris Laura, who grew up in Kenya and
take part in the Duke Of Edinburgh [email protected] and Laura Storm who are highly started diving at the age of 12, is
Award scheme. All of this can Find more at: www.633atc.co.uk regarded divers will be holding a passionate wildlife photographer,
a talk on free diving and their both above and below water.
Distribution vacancies experiences at Swindon Sub-Aqua Admission to this fascinating
Link magazine needs a paid distributor in Club on Tuesday 2 February, 8pm. evening costs £6 on the door.
Mark is a former UK champion
St Andrews Ridge and another for parts of freediver, record-holder and Tickets include light refreshment
and there is a pay as you go
Haydon Wick. For details please mail Brian instructor who has also coached bar at Swindon Sub-Aqua Club,
Holden: [email protected] and judged at freediving Supermarine Road, SN3 4BZ.
competitions. www.swindive.co.uk
34 swindonlink.com n January 2016