Page 46 - link magazine

Letters

The Business Exchange: National Apprenticeship Week Write to Swindon Link at [email protected] with Letters in the
This month TBE editor Anita Jaynes discusses National Apprenticeship Week subject or to Swindon Link, Positive Media Group, Unit 3, Arclite House,
Century Road, Swindon, SN5 5YN
National Apprenticeship Week will
take place from 14 to 18 March.
It’s an initiative co-ordinated by The greatest loco of them all?
the Skills Funding Agency and will
include hundreds of events across
England to showcase apprentices
and apprentice employers. involved and promote the range of
Apprenticeships are thriving in apprenticeships on offer, including
England at present and the week those at higher level and within
will celebrate the positive impact blue chip companies. Successes
that they have on individuals, included another 200 businesses
businesses and the wider economy. joining the Trailblazer programme to King George V arriving at Steam museum in November last year where it
Employers, apprentices, business design high quality apprenticeships is currently on display
support organisations, colleges, and also the launch of degree While visiting my son recently, I looked through a copy of Swindon Link,
training organisations and schools apprenticeships. Number 403, I enjoyed the articles and links to Steam and the two great
will be hosting activities to One of the many work-based locomotives. I have visited Steam several times and consider it a wonderful
showcase the achievements and training and development place. It is not as big as the National Railway Museum at York, but I find
benefits of apprenticeships. If you’re companies for apprenticeships Steam is more atmospheric. I particularly like the carriage construction
having a Swindon event why not get locally is Acorn Training exhibit and could spend hours around, and under Caerphilly Castle. I will be
in touch and tell us what you have Consultants. To find out more call visiting again soon.
planned? 01793 683333 or email: helen. The statement on the front of that issue of SwindonLink read, “Made in
The Government has committed [email protected] Swindon – King George V, the greatest locomotive built in the town, now
3 million apprenticeship starts over If you’re a Swindon company back at Steam”. It was my intention to push the case for 92220 Evening
the next five years and this will be a with an apprentice success Star. I have several photographs of that locomotive, mostly taken at York. A
key driver for this year’s event. story drop me a line at anita@ particular favourite is a close up of the plate that carries the legend, ‘Built
Employers take on apprentices tbeswindonandwilts.co.uk or call 1960 Swindon.’ I accept that King George V was designed in Swindon and
throughout the year, but the week 01793 847966 and throughout Evening Star in Brighton, but they were both built in Swindon.
is about celebrating the crucial National Apprenticeship Week we Having consulted my trusty tome on BR steam locomotives, I find that
role that they play in upskilling the will share your story online. Keep your statement was justified. King George V had a locomotive weight
nation and increasing productivity. up to date with what’s happening of 89t 0cwt, driving wheel diameter of 6’6”, boiler pressure of 250psi
Last year’s week aimed to in business in Wiltshire by following superheated and a tractive effort of 40,285lbf whereas Evening Star had
encourage more small and us on Twitter @tbesw a locomotive weight of 86t 14cwt, driving wheel diameter of 5’0”, boiler
medium sized businesses to be www.tbeswindonandwilts.co.uk pressure of 250psi superheated and a tractive effort of 39,670lbf. I could
push my argument for Evening Star, but with the greater tractive effort,
King George V wins.
Details, details. Steam locomotives are magnificent beasts and a joy to
see. I look forward to my next visit.
Dave Foddy
Northwich, Cheshire
Lions have a Golden Year for 2015

Swindon Lions Club, who in 2015 Refuge, together with people
celebrated 50 years, had a very through the Welfare system.
successful year. We would like to We have served the community
say thank you to all the people of since 1965 and now have 23
Swindon who donated money at members male and female, aged
the various events. between 30 and 80. The Club is
These included the fireworks always looking for new members,
display at the Polo Ground in we meet every 1st and 3rd Monday
November where £15,000 was of each month at the Village Urban
raised. The club raised almost Resort (De Vere) at the Shaw Ridge
£20,000 in the year. Complex.
With this money, we helped local Visit our web site at www.
charities, such as Downs Syndrome swindonlions.org or mail:
Blinds to compliment your home Group, Twigs, SMASH, Swindon [email protected]
Talking Newspapers, SCWD, Maurice Watson
Excellent quality, great customer service and Teenage Cancer Trust, Women’s Chair of Swindon Lions
amaZiNG value for moNey International Women’s Day Swindon 2016 • Saturday 5
March, 10am to 3.30pm
We offer a huge range of products and colours A one-day festival at Central Library with poetry, music, song and dance,
family activities and stalls, networking opportunities for community
and we can supply and install beautiful groups and women’s business clubs, keynote talks and panel discussion
blinds from as little as £37.00 save on the issues confronting women in technology.
Followed by a month-long arts and cultural programme focussed on
10% off Equality for Women in the Age of Technology through an exhibition
Call now on: 01793 338056 your first order ‘Dress:CODE’ held in three sites in central Swindon which presents

www.nothingbutblinds.co.uk with this advert questions around the gender gap of women and girls entering industry.
See www.iwdswindon.org for the programme.
46 swindonlink.com n March 2016