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Community News

Carers Week events Impressive drone photography of Mechanics’ Institute by
in Swindon local film-maker Martin Parry
Carers Week from 6 to 12 June is an
annual campaign to raise awareness
of caring, highlight the challenges
that carers face and recognise the
contribution they make to families
and communities.
Swindon Carers Centre are
calling on people to help them by
taking part in their Walk A Mile in
Swindon town centre on Saturday
11 June. It starts at 10.30am for
11am from the Artsite Gallery in
Theatre Square.
Fiona Prinzi of Swindon Carers
said: ”Being an unpaid carer is not
a choice. One in eight of us is an
unpaid carer and collectively save
the UK economy £132 billion per Drone images of the Mechanics’ Institute from the new feature length film ‘Railway Town’
year - almost the same as the cost
of setting up a second NHS. In The ever-impressive Mechanics’ and then conveys the mood when “Quadcopters, or drones as they
Swindon alone unpaid carers save Institute has been spectacularly the great GWR factory (by then are popularly known, open up new
the local economy £395 million per filmed by drone cameras for local British Rail) closed in March 1986. horizons for photographers and
year.” feature presentation ‘Railway Town’ Martin, who came to the town in filmmakers, but there are strict
To register for the event, call by Martin Parry. early 1980, said he conceived the requirements and regulations
Heather Goldsmith on 01793 The feature length film, which idea of Railway Town soon after he concerning their use close to
531133. was screened at the Wyvern arrived. “I started to document the crowded areas and buildings.”
Call her if you would like to Theatre in April, has been in railway heritage by interviewing Railway Town will be available
organise a school, group or business Martin’s mind for around 35 years. scores of factory workers, filming on DVD via the Swindon Viewpoint
Walk a Mile event. It charts the story of Swindon inside the works and collecting Community Media website, with all
For more details visit the website from its ‘wild west’ beginnings, archive material, which is proceeds going to the project:
at www.swindoncarers.org.uk through problems and triumphs, incorporated in the film.” viewpointcommunitymedia.org.uk

Ashgrove House awarded Wiltshire’s Jumbo drive for Swindon elephant
first Outstanding rating by CQC conservationists

Residents and staff at Ashgrove House celebrate Outstanding CQC rating
Purton nursing home Ashgrove Ashgrove House supports people
House has received an Outstanding to achieve their aspirations, such
rating in their latest report from as increased independence, using
the Care Quality Commission (CQC), an example of how staff helped a Amanda Butler with her one metre high, papier mâché elephant, Jambo
making it the only nursing home in previously bed-bound resident get
Wiltshire to score so highly. up and become more mobile. Following a very successful drive at Colchester Zoo, who support
It is estimated that of the The inspector received a in 2014 covering 30 counties in the Elephant Orphanage Project in
approximately 70,000 care homes resounding response from staff, 30 hours and raising over £1,500 Zambia that DSWF set up in 2007.
in the UK, only 0.5% currently have residents and family members that in 2015, Amanda Butler, regional The couple are charting their
the top rating of Outstanding. people felt safe, staff were well- volunteer fundraising ambassador progress on an ‘Ele-meter’ with £20
An inspector from the CQC, trained and well-supported and for the David Shepherd Wildlife donations to feed a baby elephant
the independent regulator of family members knew their loved Foundation (DSWF), has set herself for a week to £2000 to provide a
health and adult social care in ones were looked after excellently. the challenge of highlighting the GPS tracking collar and monitoring
England, visited Ashgrove House Food was also praised, with meals plight of elephants. for two years.
unannounced in January and found described as ‘appetising and well 35,000 elephants are being killed Locations include London, Oxford,
the service provided by the home presented’. every year – one elephant every 15 Newbury and will finish at the
to be outstanding in terms of being Ashgrove House specialises in minutes. headquarters of DSWF in Shalford,
caring, responsive and well-led. care for the elderly and people with Amanda and her husband Guildford on Monday 4 July.
The report highlighted the dementia, as well as those with Barry, from Peatmoor, will do this If you wish to find out more
positive effect the home’s ethos physical disabilities and terminal by visiting 35 elephant named about this challenge, the charity
of ‘treat people how you would illnesses aged 30 and above. For ‘watering holes’ across England, and the elephant orphanage, visit:
like to be treated’, combined more information visit www. one pub or restaurant for every www.davidshepherd.org
with excellent, caring staff, has ashgrovehouse.net or call 01793 1,000 elephants killed. www,virginmoneygiving.com/
on residents. It recognised that 771449. On Saturday 2 July they will start Jumbodrive2016
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