Old Town Residents Association host spring clean

By Claire Dukes - 8 May 2018

Community

Spring is hopefully upon us all and it seems natural that thoughts turn to our local environment. For OTRA spring means the first of our twice a year Clean Up and Plant Events which we are holding on Sunday 13 May from 10.30am to 2pm At these events, we collect litter and tidy up and refresh the plants in some of the local public gardens. We have been doing these events for five years with support from SBC (Swindon Borough Council) and other local organisations and we are always happy to include new volunteers. Recently we have focused on six key sites where there are garden areas: corner of Newport St with Devizes Rd, station approach hoarding, Coop Bus Stop, Marlborough Lane entrance off Pipers roundabout, Victoria Road Garden by Mr Cod, amd Swindon Museum and Art Gallery gardens. This year we have taken the bold step of entering the Community Garden section of the RHS Britain in Bloom. The sites will be inspected in June or July and allow us to showcase our area. We are looking for more sites and more volunteers since we have widened to include the whole of Old Town. Is there a garden or verge near you that you and your neighbours would like to improve? We can provide some expertise, support from SBC or perhaps just some volunteers. Or perhaps you would like to help on our current sites? Please come along on Sunday 13 May. For further information please call Linda on 07765 050470 before the day. After positive news about improvements to our environment, there is bad news about traffic and pollution. Old Town is served by six roads up the hill that filter into our historical road plan. Unfortunately Kingshill has hit a critical point where pollution levels are beyond trigger levels where they are measured at the brow of the hill, c75m before the junction with Bath Road. Over the next few months SBC are obliged to work with the community to find ways to reduce pollution at this spot. As ever we are always pleased to hear from residents - please go to our Facebook page www.facebook.com/groups/oldtownresidents/      We would also welcome you to our AGM which will be at Croft Leisure Centre on Saturday 19 May from 10am to 12pm.

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