Page 25 - link magazine

Swindon Wide

The last Link, back in the day

Thirty years ago in January 1987 what was going on and were kept crucial; apart from
the Link in a newsletter format was informed about how to get involved. financial support
published for the last time, writes The Link quickly became a point of from Thamesdown
former publisher Roger Ogle. reference for West Swindon which Council and
The very first, un-named, we promoted to create a distinct Hambro Life
newsletter had appeared in identity and to get away from the Charitable Life, who
December 1978 when Toothill idea of the ‘western expansion.’ funded the first
resident Geoff Richmond put And we never miss the opportunity two editions, every
together an 18 page edition which to remind readers that in 1984 publication since
was distributed to the first 600 Link Centre was named after the March 1979 has
homes in Toothill and Freshbrook. newsletter. paid for itself.
The second edition in early 1979 By late 1986 it was clear that Despite developing
carried the title Toothill Link, thanks a newsletter appearing eight into two related
to 12 year old Malcolm Patrick, times a year was inadequate and publications
though the place name was soon volunteer distribution to more than distributed free
dropped as the western expansion 8,000 homes, was not sustainable. to 40,000 homes,
grew to include other areas. Another 3,000 homes were to be in West & North
For the following eight years The built to the west of the town and Swindon and since
Link appeared every 6 to 8 weeks, plans for town expansion to the September to Old the business and long enduring of
produced by a small group of north were taking shape. Town, south and east Swindon, as the commitment required to deliver
volunteers coordinated by myself. Without any serious journalism well as a very busy presence online a quality publication.
This was the pre-computer era experience and even less business including Facebook and Twitter, the The hard work needed to produce
when electronic communication sense I took the fateful decision to basic elements of the early days of The Link has been more than
was still science fiction. It was all leave a secure job at Thamesdown The Link remain at the core of what offset by meeting the people who
very physical, with stories typed on Borough Council (now Swindon) to it is today. have worked so hard to create the
paper, cut and pasted onto layout publish Link as a monthly from April I believe The Link has always communities they live in. After 38
boards before printing. 1987 with the same objectives: punched above its weight, its years involvement, The Link is in
For the first few editions the pages • available free of charge to every success built on a high level good hands since being bought
were hand stapled together before home in the target area; of relevant editorial and visual by James Phipps in 2014 and now
distribution by more volunteers. • providing very local news and content, a passion for the target edited by Jamie Hill.
Looking back at those very early information about opportunities to community, accuracy, absence Although no longer in the front-
editions, the appearance was very be part of their locality; of sensationalism and bit of wit line I’ll be contributing an archive
primitive. But in a rapidly expanding • celebrating the efforts of people included for good measure. column, revisiting past stories with
area community communication to build their communities. In the shadows has been my wife photographs reminding readers
was essential so that people knew Advertising has always been Ruth, very much the backbone of what they used to look like.

Lottery supports application to look after church’s unique features

St. Mary’s Church in Lydiard Park, enthusiastically supported the
on the third attempt, has received project and pledged their support
initial support from the Heritage and involvement.”
Lottery Fund (HLF) to conserve its Paul Gardner, chair of the fund
historic interiors. raising campaign, added: “We
The project will save the building’s have successfully raised the
medieval wall paintings and star match funding of £55,000 needed
spangled ceiling, repair the 17th for this stage of the project and
Century monuments including thank the Heritage Lottery Fund
ancient carved woodwork and the wholeheartedly for making this
famous Golden Cavalier. crucial award.
The grant of £131,700 towards “HLF backing means our project is
the £186,700 phase will enable the regarded as credible and will draw
church to complete its development in grants from other sources.”
plans and progress to applying for a Nerys Watts, head of HLF
full grant of £746,700 in 2017/18. Paul Gardner and heritage advisor and Friend of Lydiard Park South West said: “St Mary’s is
Public access will be improved Sarah Finch-Crisp inside St Mary’s an important part of Swindon’s
and the hidden south porch will history and home to a unique and
be reopened with a welcoming John family who lived at Lydiard for and the nation’s heritage.” nationally significant collection of
interpretation and activity area. over 500 years. It currently attracts Project manager Hilary Gardner medieval wall paintings.
The church plans a wide range of over 8,000 visitors a year from both commented: “It is wonderful news “Thanks to National Lottery
educational activities and events this country and abroad, and is well and we are immensely grateful to players we’re delighted to support
as well as offering training and used by local schools researching the Heritage Lottery Fund. We’re this vital first step towards securing
volunteer opportunities for local heritage on their doorstep. very excited about taking our the future of the collection and its
people, families, school children and Project champion, Rt. Reverend plans forward, especially working historic Grade I Listed home and
higher education students. These Dr Lee Rayfield, Bishop of Swindon with the many organisations from enabling even more people to enjoy
will include hands on conservation said: “We are delighted that the across the town – The Friends of the stories they hold.”
workshops and skills training. Heritage Lottery Fund has given us Lydiard Park, schools, colleges, local For further information, contact
St. Mary’s stands behind Lydiard this support. St. Mary’s is a national craft organisations, the Swindon Paul Gardner at gp.gardner@
House and is famous for the treasure and preserving its unique Festival of Literature, Prime Theatre btinternet.com or call 07831
richness of its monuments to the St. features will benefit local people and many more – that have 868429.
swindonlink.com n January 2017 25

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