Page 33 - link magazine

Sport and Leisure

Fans look for brighter club future BUG gets a new name and logo
after relegation On Two Wheels by Rob Derry of
Swindon Cyle Campaign
Trust STFC chairman
Steve Mytton's monthly Swindon BUG is changing its name.
column We’re now known as the Swindon
Cycle Campaign. We’ve also got a
So, we're down into new Facebook page if you search
League Two and at for Swindon Cycle Campaign. We’re
the time of writing, the our work to protect the long-term really excited about this change
of name as it signals a slight
search for a new manager future of the club. change of direction for the group
is on. Our fundraising has improved but we maintain our friendly and the benefits of cycling and most of
We’re hoping the club advertise significantly since our public approachable nature. them say that the biggest barrier to
the post and get someone in who AGM in March, with almost 300 We’ve made the name change them is a lack of safe infrastructure.
has total control in the running of people now signed up to monthly because a lot of people weren’t sure We don’t want to lecture
the football side of things, someone contributions into the Red Army what BUG stood for and there are to people that they should
who is allowed to recruit who they Fund (www.redarmyfund.co.uk) – many similar organisations around cycle, rather we know from the
need, and someone that gives the this is dramatic growth, more than the country that have successfully experiences of other towns and
fans a style of football who shows doubling the size of the previous adopted the “Campaign” moniker. cities like London, Bristol and
passion and commitment to the fund in just two months. But we’re not campaigning for Leicester, that if the local authority
cause. At the AGM we talked about “Let's more people to cycle and to tell provides good facilities for people
On the Trust front we are Work Together!” – a campaign for people that they should cycle and to cycle, then they will choose to do
continuing in our pursuit to buy the club, council, media and fans to to leave their nasty motor cars. so where it is practical.
County Ground, and work to bring help each other in these troubled What me mean by campaigning is Of course, there are benefits to
about positive change. times, and we believe it’s in the to increase the awareness among cycling that we want to highlight as
We’ve had two meetings with interest of both Swindon Town FC the population of Swindon and well such as general fitness, cleaner
Swindon Borough Council off the and all Swindon Town fans to make surrounding areas about cycling for air and less congestion. But we’re
back of our £1.1m stadium bid, and the effort to find a positive way all purposes: commuting, shopping, not lecturing – we’re campaigning
discussions continue. forwards. leisure, visiting friends and sport. to make people aware of cycling
We have also been working closely Hopefully you are behind our We’re also campaigning to the and to ensure that the facilities are
with ‘Supporters Direct’ and, at stadium bid, and will support the borough council to ensure that there to allow more people to cycle
the time of writing, we are about Trust as we look towards a brighter there is sufficient infrastructure to more often in more safety.
to hold a public fans meeting to future. allow people to cycle. Over the last For more information visit
update supporters and continue Your Club, Your Trust. 10 years, many people have seen fb/swindoncyclecampaign
Volunteer group from Swindon returns from Younique to Kenya for the past 6 years and
alongside their partner charity
Travel Adventure in India and Kenya Younite Foundation have been
making a huge difference.
Alex Diplock a Nursery Teacher
was one of the group members
who visited India: “My Indian
experience was one I will never
forget. The culture, the adventure
and the people made this a
memorable trip. We did so much in
two weeks and I feel so lucky that I
could experience it. The trip was so
well organised and we were looked
after every step of the way.”
Fiona Simpson Director of
YTA said: “The combination of
travel, adventure and community
40 likeminded people from working hard the group also played this time I brought along 10 of my engagement is what makes what
Swindon travelled far and wide hard and enjoyed a weekend visit friends and family! The partnership we do unique. We are proud of
this April for a Younique Travel to the famous Masai Mara Game YTA have with the school in Kenya what we have achieved so far
Experience. Reserve. is incredible, you really feel that in both offering life changing
Covering two continents, two Whilst on the other side of the you are making a difference to the experiences to people who travel
separate groups travelled to Kenya world another group spent their lives of the children and making a with us but also how our groups
and India for an adventure of time in India. They also helped a positive impact to their community. give back to the communities we
a life time with a very specific community project based in the “They welcome you in as family visit and how we can really see the
community focus. One group slums of Delhi and whilst on their and are so grateful for those who positive impact we are making.
worked with two of YTA’s partner trip they also enjoyed activities visit and spend time with them. “Enabling people to visit new
projects Silver Bells and Melon such as trekking, white water It’s also great that we can explore places that are so far removed
Mission based in the slums of rafting, and a visit to another and learn more about their culture. from where we live is so rewarding
Nakuru, Kenya. famous site the Taj Mahal. Taking part in a safari was a once as we can see how it helps so
They helped with painting, Jamie Reeves a service engineer in a life time opportunity for most many people in so many ways. We
renovating, teaching, learning, for BT Open reach went out to of this group and one they will absolutely love what we do and
sharing, feeding, sponsoring and Kenya for the second time this never forget. I would recommend think that is reflected in all the
laughing just some of the ‘ings’ April. He said: “After my first visit this trip to everyone.” trips we organise!”
this group got up to!! As well as in 2016 I knew I had to return and YTA have been running trips out www.ytauk.com
swindonlink.com n June 2017 33

SE June 2017 Master Pages.indd 33 19/05/2017 07:03