On 26 April 1985 the Mayor of Thamesdown Harry Garrett unveiled a plaque at Link Centre with the legend: ‘Opened for the happiness of the people of Thamesdown through head, hand, heart and eye.’
It can be seen by the library entrance and for the last 30 years people hundreds of thousands of people of all ages from Swindon and the region have, annually met, read, chatted, learnt, improved, skated, swum, climbed, kicked, run, cheered, as well as played for and against others.
The vision by officers and councillors of Thamesdown Borough Council in the early 1970s to create a major recreational and sporting attraction in West Swindon has certainly been realised. Now under the management of GLL, Link Centre should continue for another thirty years.
Richard Wintle of Calyxpix has dug into his archives for images of the opening day which saw hundreds taking to the ice rink. Can you spot somebody you know in his pictures?
Bottom, remember Lincoln the bear, pictured with the Mayor and Mayoress of Swindon Councillor and Mrs Harry Garrett? Richard went to Link Centre at the thirtieth anniversary open day on Sunday 26 April 2015 to picture the current mascot Percy the Penguin
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