Late Summer Escapes with Allan Trinidad
Dave Franklin talks to Rob Richings
Contents
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So the sun has finally given up and gone back behind the clouds leaving us all in a bit of weather limbo. Is it going to rain or stay dry? - who knows? Is it going to be one of them warm Septembers... you know the ones where you can get away with short sleeves or are you going to have to wrap up like its mid-winter? - your guess is as good as mine.
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One thing that is certain is the holidays are over, the kids are back off to school and in the next few weeks the Outlet Village will have the Christmas decorations up!!
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But First, Tea.
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Community News from
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COVER PICTURE Interview with Rob Richings Dave Franklin catches up with Rob about his new album and promotional tour.
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Late Summer Escapes with Allan Trinidad From Greece to Thailand to Mexico, Allan covers some of the best holiday destinations.
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Musical Musings with Dave Franklin Plan your month around the musical goings on.
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Stage Coach with Ben Thomas If you are looking for something to do this month let Ben help you out.
If you are looking for something to keep you occupied this month check out Tom’s suggestions over on page 9 for something a little green fingered or if theatre is your thing Ben can point you in the right direction over at page 34. Dave Franklin has filled this edition full of musical suggestions with a full listing of original music on page 13 and a few more of his favourites over on page 32. Should you be in the lucky position not to have school-aged children and are looking for a last minute break why not head over to page 24 and see where our new Holiday guru Allan Trinidad suggests for a bargain. Whatever you decide to do this month remember to set the alarm on Sunday 9th, wrap up warm and get out on the streets to support the runners in the Swindon Half Marathon. (Good Luck to all from The Swindonian)
Until next month….
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Neo Nature
Tom Grasslands Haynes talks about some of the interesting wildlife events going on this September.
Swindon Half Marathon 2018 could be the last
This month’s run is in danger of being the last one for the town.
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Our Swindon Mum talks about the holiday blues Sas children start going back to school.
around your area from the local councillors.
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THESWINDONIAN.CO.UK // SEPTEMBER 2018
AUGUST S H O R T S Fire Service promotes importance of sprinklers
Both Swindon Homebase stores earmarked for closure Homebase have announced that both Swindon branches are going to close as part of the Company Voluntary Arrangement (CVA). The branches at Swindon Orbital and Drakes Way are among 42 stores announced as set to close. It is not yet known how the closures announced will affect the distribution centre.
Local minister becomes Chaplain to Wiltshire Air Ambulance
Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service is again promoting the installation of automatic fire sprinklers in residential properties. A fire that broke out in a flat at Avon Reach in Middleton Road, Salisbury in August was extinguished when the sprinkler system activated – as a result, the fire damage was contained and there was minimal water damage. Group Manager Tim Gray, Head of Fire Safety, said: “Because of the quick activation of sprinklers, not only did the occupier escape unharmed, the damage to the flat was minimal. Automatic sprinkler systems are one of the best ways to suppress a fire at the earliest opportunity. On this occasion, only one fire crew from Salisbury was required to attend, and no further fire fighting was needed as the single sprinkler head had extinguished the fire, which was caused by lit tea lights being left on a windowsill before igniting the curtains.”
For more information, please visit www.dwfire.org.uk/sprinklers 4
Wiltshire Air Ambulance has welcomed Reverend John Rees as its first Chaplain. John will provide support to staff and aircrew at the charity, which recently moved into its new airbase at Semington, near Melksham, as well as offering pastoral support to patients and bereaved families, should they request it. He will undertake the role alongside his work as Rector of the Canalside Benefice, which covers Hilperton, Staverton, Semington and Whaddon. As a keen walker, John is planning to raise funds for Wiltshire Air Ambulance and improvements to St George’s Church, Semington, and St Michael’s Church, Hilperton, by undertaking a two-day sponsored walk along part of the Kennet and Avon Canal towpath in October.
THESWINDONIAN.CO.UK // SEPTEMBER 2018
New litter bins for town centre New litter bins have been installed and damaged bins replaced in Swindon town centre thanks to inSwindon Business Improvement District (BID). The BID has funded 68 new bins across the town centre as part of its commitment to creating a clean and tidy environment for visitors and businesses. Known as Glasdon Jubilees, they have increased capacity at 110L from 90L and are a new design in keeping with other town centre street furniture. The BID’s team, who patrol the streets of the centre, identified litter hot spots for new and damaged bins and as a result new bins have been replaced in the following areas:
INNOVATIVE NEW FITNESS PROJECT
TO LAUNCH IN SWINDON
Running community GoodGym, who combine getting fit with supporting older people and community projects, launched in Swindon this August. GoodGym Swindon is being launched in partnership with Swindon Borough Council and Nationwide and will combine weekly group runs that are free and open to all abilities, with a physical task to help local community organisations.
GoodGym Swindon will be the 46th GoodGym area to launch in the UK.
Canal Walk, Bridge Street, Wharf Green, Fleet Street, The Parade, New Bridge Square, Bus Station, Regent Street, Havelock Square, Havelock Street, Temple Street, Regent Circus and Theatre Square. Swindon Borough Council, who will be maintaining the new bins have committed to a comprehensive maintenance and cleaning schedule for the town centre litter bins. It will be led by the Council Active Lives Officer Emma. Each week Emma and a team of qualified volunteers will be leading a group of runners on a short run before stopping off to support a community organisation with a physical task like planting trees, shifting earth, or clearing derelict land. In addition to the weekly group run, GoodGym runners can also choose to be paired with an isolated older person and commit to a weekly social visit and/ or help with one-off household tasks. The GoodGym befriending scheme has been proven to reduce loneliness and improve wellbeing. Swindon Borough Council has committed public health funding and officer support to the project for two years, while Nationwide Building Society awarded GoodGym a grant through its Social Investment Programme to help the project get started in Swindon, further to an application submitted by a Nationwide employee. Swindon residents can sign up to run with GoodGym at: www.goodgym.org/swindon 5
THESWINDONIAN.CO.UK // SEPTEMBER 2018
Children’s hospice charity launches Handbag Amnesty fundraiser Fig Offices generously donated office space to Jessie May in Swindon last year, giving the charity’s specialist nurses, who provide hospice at home care, a base in the town. Gemma George, Centre Manager at Fig Offices, said: “It’s important for Fig Offices to give back to the local charities in the area. Swindon based children’s hospice at home charity Jessie May is inviting individuals and businesses to donate their pre-loved handbags and bag a bargain accessory of their own during their fundraiser next month. The charity is looking for handbag donations for the Handbag Amnesty event, which takes place on Thursday 13th September at Fig Offices, Swindon. Entry to the event is £5, with all proceeds going towards supporting local terminally ill children and their families. Visitors can rehome multiple handbags on the day, and also take part in a raffle in support of Jessie May on the ground floor of the building. Jessie May’s Swindon and Wiltshire Fundraising Officer Debbie Clark said: “This is our first Handbag Amnesty and we’re really looking forward to it! It’s the perfect excuse for everyone 6
to clear out their wardrobes and drawers, and donate their pre-loved bags to a local charity. “We’re looking for people to donate their unwanted handbags to help us raise as much money as possible. Alternatively, come along to the event and bag yourself some new handbags for the summer! The money raised will help fund the Jessie May nurses who are currently providing vital respite care to families with life limited children, as well as emotional support, end of life care and bereavement support. “We’re inviting everyone to drop in before the event with their handbags and share the event with their friends, families and colleagues to make our first handbag amnesty a very special, and successful day. “Many thanks to Fig Offices for helping us host the event and for their continued support of Jessie May.”
Being in a central location has given Jessie May some identity and somewhere they have been able to concentrate on the important jobs they’re doing. “To see the progression this year for the Swindon team and somehow be a part of it has been a wonderful opportunity for us to share what we can. We are very much looking forward to hosting this event during which Jessie May can hopefully gain some much needed and valued resource.” Jessie May provides hospice at home care for terminally ill children within their own homes throughout Bristol, South Gloucestershire, North Somerset, Swindon, Wiltshire, Bath and North East Somerset. The Jessie May Handbag Amnesty takes place on the Ground Floor of Fig Offices, 3 Newbridge Square, Swindon, on Thursday 13thSeptember, from 10am to 4pm. To donate your handbags before the event, please drop in to Jessie May.
THESWINDONIAN.CO.UK // SEPTEMBER 2018
Fear free clinics “Taking the pet out of petrified” Fear free clinics aim to prevent and alleviate fear, anxiety and stress in our pets through positive reinforcement. At Thameswood we want dogs to come bounding through the door and our Youth club service has been key to this successfully happening in younger dogs. Through monthly socialisation visits they learn to enjoy being weighed, health checked and examined by our nurses reinforced by lots of attention and of course treats! Extending this to older or new dogs not only means less stress for your pet but also a less stressful visit for you as an owner and a more thorough and relaxed examination by the vet. Socialisation visits are always recommended for nervous dogs and these simply involve popping in at quieter times of the day to sit in reception or consult rooms and have lots of positive reinforcement (treats, toys, cuddles) and leave again. This can be built up to include weighing, walking
in and out of the kennel and gentle handling to mimic a health check without any injections or medication being provided. We encourage owners to work with us if they have truly nervous dogs by allowing themselves plenty of time to take visits slowly perhaps stopping if we decide your pet has had enough and continuing another time [at no extra charge]. We can make a plan with you to perhaps use medication that doesn’t sedate but lowers anxiety and can be rubbed on your dogs gums shortly before you leave your house. We can decide whether it might be good to use appeasing pheromones in the car on you or in a collar to make your dog feel safe and less worried. Once at the clinic we minimise waiting times, we can reduce surrounding noise and we always use appeasing pheromones in
all the rooms and on our clothing. Fear free isn’t just for dogs; Cats become quickly stressed when taken out of their normal environment. Fear free for cats at Thameswood means calming pheromone infused blankets to place over carriers on arrival, the use of these pheromones throughout the clinic including on the vets prior to handling, treats and of course the most important minimal restraint. We have a variety of techniques and anti anxiety drugs [powder] that can be given prior to visits and we also administer these as a routine as well as local anaesthetic gels when taking bloods. Want to know more then please contact your nearest clinic to speak to a member of staff.
FEAR FREE PETS MEANS `MAKING LIFE BETTER FOR EVERYONE` 7
NEEDS YOU! THINK YOU CAN HELP? U7’s Manager/Coach Contact Matt or Emma Mobile: 07720 716 106 Email: meaderharris@hotmail.co.uk
THESWINDONIAN.CO.UK // SEPTEMBER 2018
Neo Nature with Thomas ‘Grasslands’ Haynes The last few weeks were really inspiring for me as I was invited to attend the ‘Festival of Urban Landscapes for Nature and People’, which is a small nature conference in Essex and it was all about allowing space for people and wildlife to coexist (something I have been passionate about for most of my life).
to gain from leaving a little space for nature and allowing wildflowers and other meadow species to thrive. We can reap the benefits too, including reduced risk of flooding, lower temperatures, and wild food too, not to mention the mental health benefits of getting out and about in nature.
The setting for the festival was a small holding with a timber clad cabin at its centre with a green roof, and when I say a ‘green roof’ I mean an actual meadow on the top of the cabin with various grass species and flowers all over the top of the house and it was an amazing site. In fact, the whole small holding is a wildflower paradise, based on years of experimenting with wild seed and different types of substrate. Bees and butterflies were everywhere.
Speaking of getting out and about in nature, this month’s wild events around Swindon include a ‘walking artist’ workshop on the 11th September, where illustrator and artist Jane Launchbury will lead a walk around Lower Moor Farm, Cricklade and introduce you to sketching out the essence, movement and energy of the natural world. Tickets are limited and can be booked online here: www.wiltshirewildlife. org/Event/walking-artistworkshop
On my return to Swindon I was kindly invited onto Swindon 105.5’s ‘Birds and the Bees radio show’, Swindon’s fortnightly local environmental programme, where I talked about how important it is that we allow meadows, trees and all sorts of wildlife into our urban lives. We should also try not to get too upset at the sight of flowers on our roadside verges instead of super short lawns. We have much
On the 15th September, Lower Farm is also hosting a wildlife watch event for their local watch group, which will include explorations around the nature reserve. The walk starts at 10am and you can contact Gwen (lmfwatchgroup@gmail.com) for further details. There is something special going on at Blakehill Farm Nature Reserve on the 16th September where you get to
find out about the nature reserves wartime history with the opportunity to explore the former airfield with Volunteer Reserve Warden and RAF Blakehill Farm Historian, Vince Povey. You will hear more about the airfield’s lost infrastructure, discover the secrets of the now sealed ROC Nuclear Bunker and learn about the sites cold war role. Tickets are £20 and can be booked online here: www.wiltshirewildlife.org/ Event/war-to-wildlife-sept18 Finally, on the 25th September at the hall behind the Woodshaw Inn, Royal Wootton Bassett, you can spend an evening with expert photographer Philip Mugridge who will give a talk and presentation about the wildlife of Hawaii and the Midway Pacific Islands. The talk starts at 7.30pm and tickets cost £4. Contact Barry Bissett on 01793 848217 (barry.bissett@ btinternet.com) to book a place.
Grasslands Out! 9
THESWINDONIAN.CO.UK // SEPTEMBER 2018
Swindon Half Marathon 2018 could be the last
The Nationwide Swindon Half Marathon team have announced that the 2018 Half Marathon, to be run on 9th September, may well be the last.
with the Council’s insistence on an earlier start time of 8.00am which has deterred out-of-town runners, mean that the sums just aren’t adding up.
The organisers say they are hugely grateful for the generous sponsorship they have received from local firms but rising costs, along
Councillor Jane Milner-Barry, Labour spokesperson for sports development, says, “I was shocked to hear that the New Swindon Half is at risk.
End Bridge
“Last year 2,700 runners took part and the event raised £70,000 for local charities – probably even more.
“Events like this are really good for the town. Councillor Milner-Barry continued, “If Bath, Reading and Oxford can run half marathons, why can’t Swindon?”
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But First, Tea.
THESWINDONIAN.CO.UK // SEPTEMBER 2018
Just a Swindon Mum winging my way through life with my boy.
Holiday Blues
So that’s it, the Summer Holidays are over. The kids are back at school with fresh new uniforms (that will stay clean and hole-free for approximately 11.4 minutes), the leaves are turning brown, BBQs and electric fans have been cleared from the shelves to be replaced with Halloween costumes and selection boxes and it’s basically 2019 already. Happy New Year! Seriously though, where the fudge does time go?!
I have loved our long (and actual) summer and will miss the hot and sweaty nights and near-pass-out levels of heat in my non air conditioned office. I’ll miss slathering factor 50+ onto every crevice of my 4 year old daily, saying the word ‘hat’ 6 squillion times and worrying about how much water he hasn’t had to drink, and I’ll miss proudly filling up the paddling every weekend only to be told it’s ‘too cold’. But with the little man starting school (gulp) and 12
a whole 12 years (at least) ahead of us of full-time education, I’ve realised just how precious the summer has been and will now always be. Back in July we booked a last-minute week away abroad. I wanted some fun in the sun (with a pool that I didn’t have to fill and meals that I didn’t have to cook) and also wanted to take advantage of non-school holiday prices for the last time. It’s always a little daunting travelling and adventuring in another country with young children, and I am definitely guilty of anticipating stress in such situations. However, I am also trying to train myself to relax, have more fun, and just generally worry less (ha, easy right?). The key to holidaying with little ones is to (try to) leave the stresses of life at home and to relax the rules where you can (not abandon them of course, which could have quite catastrophic repercussions and possibly result in vows to never leave home again, let alone the country). I wanted to create some lasting memories on our holiday, and by staying calm and (within reason) letting my boy take the lead for the week, we made some cracking ones and had a lot of fun in the process. When booking our trip, I had worried about finding the perfect place, with
guaranteed sunshine, the best pools and slides and of course the all-important positive reviews. By the end of the week I realised how little all those things mattered. Yes it’s nice to go to nice places, but kids? They don’t care one bit. Highlights of the holiday for my companion? The plane (but a train, or hell even a bus) would have had the same reaction. Sleeping in the same room as me, helping himself to orange juice at breakfast, high-fiving literally every waiter he saw, ice cream after dinner, going to bed late and a flashing bouncy ball that cost me £2 are the other things he talks about now. Sure, he loved the pool and the fact that it didn’t rain, but he could have gone anywhere and been just as happy. And after a rules-relaxed week of seeing everything though his eyes and relishing how much he enjoyed himself, so could. Time is so precious with our kids and the simple joys they find will very quickly fade as school (and life) whisks them away. Cliché (apologies), but true. Worry less, smile and laugh with them more and let them show you what life is really all about. That’s my New (school) Year resolution anyway.
Email me:
butfirstteamum@outlook.com
BFT x
My Swindon And Yours
grown into a small town with a weekly market of about 600 inhabitants and the oldest street in Swindon is we believe Newport Street in Old Town, in a document dated 2nd July 1346 Nyweport Street is mentioned, we think the port part of its name means market thus new street to the market which was in the High Street.
By Roy Cartwright
SWINDON STREET NAMES Ever wondered how your street got its name, well if you have there are some great books about that can help you to find out but first you need to know a little of the history of Swindon streets. Swindon began as an Saxon village and was mentioned in the Domesday Book ( 1086 ). By the 13th century it had
Like many other streets in old town it had other names at different times it was also called Bull Street after the Bull Public house that stood roughly where the garage is today. Wood Street dates from Elizabethian times and was probably called that because there may have been a wood yard there, but again it had other names, Blacksmith Street because there were two blacksmiths working in the street at one time, also the
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poet Richard Jefferies refered to it as Windmill Street as there was one standing where the Kings Arms public house now stands ( newly called 20 at the kings ). Devizes Road is much the same sort of thing, at one time called Short Hedge after the hawthorn hedges that were on both sides of the road, also known as Horse Fair road because of the horse sales that went on in what was
later called Hoopers Place. Dammas Lane off the square in Old Town can be dated back to at least 1684 and is thought to have been a reference to the Damson Orchard at the end of the road. High Street also dates back to 1581 at least, probably taking its name from the fact that at that time the village was
known as High Swindon, Low Swindon was going down Malborough road towards Broom Manor which dates can be found from 1242. Eastcott hill spelt Estcote in 1276 will have got its name from the cote part which was the name of a sheep pen thus we get the Cotswolds sheep enclosure in rolling hills ( wolds ) Now we need to jump forward a few Hundred years to the coming of the Railways and this is when Swindon street names really got interesting. Brunel started it off like most things to do with New Swindon by building the housing estate for his work force and in typical Brunel style he named the streets after stations on his railway, those to the north eastern side London, Oxford, Reading etc, those to the South West,
Exeter, Bristol, Taunton, etc. This started a trend for street names that still goes on today in Swindon, each new estate has a theme, Penhill is Wiltshire villages, Corsham, Ramsbury, Odstock, etc, the Lawns, after Royal Palaces, Windsor, Sandringham, Buckingham, etc. Covingham and you get birds names, Kingfisher, Heronscroft, Dove Trees, etc, and bang up to date the new housing estate at Headlands School has the names of first world war battles at the suggestion of Mak Sutton, the man that wrote the book on solders from Swindon in the first world war. The Council also contacted me some time ago to ask me to put together a list of canal related names that they may wish to use at Wichelstowe, but this is only half the story to our street names so look out for next months edition.
THESWINDONIAN.CO.UK // SEPTEMBER 2018
Charities benefit from Old Town Festival
The Old Town Festival Committee want to thank everyone who came to the Festival this year and donated so generously to their two charities: Brighter Futures and Parkinsons UK Swindon Branch.
Both cheques have been presented to these fantastic local charities with the total amount raised being £582.42. The organisers at Brighter Futures met with Festival Patron, Sheila Harrod, and Chair, Sarah Church, to receive the cheque at the Great Western Hospital. Members of the Old Town Festival Committee were also invited along to Grange Leisure Centre to meet with the Swindon branch of Parkinson’s UK where Dave Logan, the Branch Chair, gave a very informative talk through the support the local branch can give to anyone in the Swindon area affected by Parkinson’s, whether suffering from the disease themselves, as carers, friends or family. The Swindon Branch celebrated its 40th birthday in March this year and continues to 16
provide essential support to people across Swindon. 1 in 350 people will get Parkinson’s, the latest research shows. The branch activities which focus on physical, mental and social activity cost £39,000 per year to run, and include exercise classes, social outings, and carer respite. Anyone affected by Parkinson’s in the Swindon area is encouraged to get in touch with the branch via the website www.swindonparkinsons.ork.uk. The Annual General Meeting of the Old Town Festival Committee will take place at 7.30pm on Wednesday 5th September 2018 at the Community Centre @ Christ Church, Cricklade Street, Swindon. All members of the public and supporters of the Festival are encouraged to attend. The Committee will be seeking to attract new volunteers.
The dates for next year’s Old Town Festival are 9th-15th June 2019.
THESWINDONIAN.CO.UK // SEPTEMBER 2018
Tickets for this year’s Emergency Services Show are on sale This year’s Emergency Services Show takes place on Sunday 16th September, from 10am- 4pm, at Cotswold Airport, Kemble, GL7 6BQ, just 10 mins from Hullavington. The Emergency Services Show (ESS) is the biggest outdoor show of its kind in the South West, showcasing emergency services and partner agencies. The Show provides a safe environment to learn about your local emergency services, view displays and demonstrations, take part in activities, listen to safety talks and meet your local emergency service teams. The ESS provides a brilliant opportunity to take part and learn about the vital services that our emergency services provide for your and your family across the South West.
Tickets are available to buy online at: www.emergencyservicesshow.com Prices are £6.50 for adults, £3.50 for under 16s, and FREE for under 3s.
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THESWINDONIAN.CO.UK // SEPTEMBER 2018
The Swindonia
Town vs Mk Dons
Wurzels @ Level 3 Robins v Belle Vue @ Abbey Stadium
Town vs Newport
Run The Ra Lydiard Rai
Festival @ Steam George Michael @ Wyvern
Town vs Bury 3pm
Robbie Fowler Hilton Ross Noble @ Wyvern
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SMAG Walk & Talk with Kate Ackrill
www.theswindonian.co.uk
Gin Festiva The Platfor Town vs Oldham
an
s
Sausage & Ale Festival
ainbow ilway
Swindon Half Marathon
@
12pm
Run The Rainbow Lydiard Railway Festival @ Steam
Emergency Services Show @
Kemble Airfield
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al @ rm
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THESWINDONIAN.CO.UK // SEPTEMBER 2018
Community News
King William Street School Crossing Patrol Officer Call for Parish Funding A combined motion at Swindon Council by Labour and Lib Dem Eastcott councillors for funding for a new lollipop crossing patrol person for Eastcott Road to get children safely across to King William Street school failed. The Conservative administration stance on this is unbelievable in that any retiring lollipop person in Swindon whether through sickness, retirement or a new job will not be replaced no matter how dangerous the road - although they may fund a school warning sign! Stan Pajak is therefore calling on the Parish Council to fund the King William Street crossing person. This would be a radical change for what originally parish councils were created to for, but with the annual sum of only around £3290 for a lollipop person it is well worth it and what parish councils who support our communities should all be about. 20
Parking Enforcement Shock Parish councillor Toby Robson a fierce campaigner for better parking enforcement was shocked in his conversation with parking enforcement officers to hear that the new recording system was suffering terrible teething problems forcing officers to use their own mobile phones to seek information or report problems. If this was not bad enough at times due to sickness or long term absences there has been only two officers patrolling the whole of Swindon! Toby says “The Eastcott ward and the town centre is beset with parking problems ranging from dangerous parking to people without permits parking in resident parking zones forcing residents to park illegally or walk long distances to their homes. We deserve better and the talk of improving traffic flow is a nonsense if it is not backed up by better enforcement.”
Stagecoach Bus Depot Development Agreed by Planning Committee The controversial planning application for 45 dwellings on the former Stagecoach Bus Depot on Eastcott road was passed at the August planning committee. Local residents believed the scheme was simply not good enough with inherent problems in terms of proximity of buildings to their homes in South Street, not enough affordable housing, overdevelopment, an inappropriate development for a conservation area, ugly and making no funding contribution to public space which by its size it should have done. Stan Pajak who sits on the planning committee moved a refusal on the grounds championed by local residents at the meeting. In a knife edge decision Stan’s proposal to refuse permission was defeated by six votes to five.
THESWINDONIAN.CO.UK // SEPTEMBER 2018
Dial A Ride AGM One of Swindon’s greatest organisations namely Dial A Ride which provides transport for people with mobility problems had its AGM in August. The organisation has had a difficult year adapting to a dramatic cut of over 50% in funding by Swindon Council forcing the loss of staff, a reduced service and an increase in fares. Yet despite these hardships public satisfaction with the service has raised to 89% and to a staggering 94% satisfaction level for the drivers and the other volunteers.
2017 Brighton Marathon for DAR raising over £1000. Stan said it was a great honour to appear on the front of the annual report and paid tribute to everyone involved in DAR from the dedicated staff, the volunteers, the generous supporters and not forgetting the passengers.
A fitting World War One Centenary Memorial at the GWR Park South Swindon Parish Council has agreed to install an amazing memorial to commemorate the centenary of the ending of WWI at the GWR Park in Farringdon road. Designed by Dr. Mike Pringle the
“rusted steel” structure of five upright panels reflect different aspects of Swindon’s involvement in the war. The panels themselves represent the rooftops of the GWR works and simultaneously the barbed defences commonly found in front of trenches on the Western Front. The panels and benches that will surround it together with an information panel are planned to be completed in time for November. Stan Pajak who sits on the planning committee moved a refusal on the grounds championed by local residents at the meeting. In a knife edge decision Stan’s proposal to refuse permission was defeated by six votes to five.
A familiar face on the front of the Annual Report was Stan Pajak who ran the
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ROB RI With a new album and a promotional tour imminent, things are about to get busy for Rob Richings so we thought we’d catch up him for a quiet chat and a coffee in this lull before the storm, as it were. Starting with a bit of history, I ask about what how things have been going for him since 2016’s Parkas and Boots album. “It’s been brilliant, 2017 was amazing, I started off the year on a theatre tour supporting Ramin Karimloo and I wasn’t really sure how my music was going to go down because his background is in West End musical theatre, he sings songs from Les Miserables and the like, but he tours with a bluegrass band too so it all fitted together quite nicely.”
“In the summer I toured with Darrel Higham, a shorter tour this time but he’s a rockabilly guy so the shows were a bit more gritty, and the venues were regular music venues like Rock City in Nottingham.”
CHINGS I suggest that there may have been a bit of distance between their musical styles but he assures me that the rock and roll crowd got behind him and it was all great fun. A tour with Hazel O’Connor followed and then it was time to think about a new release.But thoughts of getting straight on with a full album quickly changed. Although writing all the time, any album released is going to be something you then have to promote and play for the next few years and so a more logical approach, especially in light of modern music consumer habits, was discussed. “We were talking about the next release sat in the pub one day and I thought, maybe we need to be a bit cleverer and perhaps put out a series of EP’s, which means that each time we release something if we wanted to change the sound or style we could and not have to wait years until the next album.” So talking of the new release, Lately I’ve Been Wondering, the track I picked up on first was Paperback Books, because it reminds me of the same spacious vibe I get from one of my favourite songwriters, Damien Rice. “ I do love a bit of Damien Rice, I’m glad you picked up on that.
Interview with Dave Franklin
Two of the songs on the EP are a bit more layered musically speaking but for Paperback Books and Lately I’ve Been Wondering, it is just me on my own recording live. I love the space and I love the simplicity of recording like that.” I take it you don’t write songs with a full band sound in mind then? “No, I normally play gigs on my own, its just me and an acoustic guitar. I have done a few local shows with a bit more of a band around me and the next tour by brother is coming along to play keys, but the logistics, and of course finances, mean that it is usually just me playing.” And before we finish, what are the plans for the future? “ Lately I’ve Been Wondering is out on 28th September, I’m off touring it in Ireland first and then come back to England ending with a Swindon show at The Arts Centre on 24th November. Beyond that, now we have our own studio, so there is time to explore different ideas and sounds, hopefully I’ll put out two or three EP’s a year and then, who knows?
And who knows is where we wrap things up.
Late Summer Escapes with Allan Trinidad Hello! I’m Allan, your personal Travel Counsellor and I am delighted to be sharing my travel passion and 20+ years of experience in the industry with you through The Swindonian. In each issue, I will be featuring spotlights on various destinations, offer holiday ideas and inspiration and update you with the latest travel industry news and features.
Canary Islands Only four hours from the UK, the Canary Islands are a popular destination throughout the summer and beyond due to their balmy climate and gorgeous beaches.
The end of high summer may be on the horizon and parents starting to engage into ‘backto-school’ mode, but for those able to travel in September or October (including families with pre-school-age children) there are plenty of options to tempt you not to put away your swimming gear and flip flops just yet. The following are some favourite places for a late-summer getaway.
open-air lava caves with a natural lake and lush gardens, or Fuerteventura has shape-shifting beaches with sand blown in from the Sahara Desert, perfect for relaxing or surfing.
Tenerife also offers attractions ranging from awardwinning waterpark Siam Park to the UNESCO-listed Teide National Park with its hiking trails. Alternatively, Gran Canaria is a growing foodie destination; don’t miss local dishes such as papas arrugadas potatoes and Flor de Guìa cheese plus wonderful food markets including Mercado del Puerto and Mercado de Vegueta. In Lanzarote, head for Jameos del Agua 24
Greece The blend of history, great food, pristine beaches and
excellent weather make Greece a classic choice into September and October. Among the favourites is Rhodes with its Blue Flag beaches in locations such as Lindos, Pefkos and Faliraki and its enchanting Palace of the Grand Masters and Knights’ Quarter. Alternatively, Greece’s largest island Crete has treasures such as the pinksand Elafonisi beach and charming tavernas, while Corfu has all bases covered, with everything from waterparks and scuba-diving to sleepy villages and museums. On the Greek mainland, Halkidiki blends fabulous beaches with the prehistoric Petralona Cave and Mount Cholomon, a perfect spot for hiking.
The Caribbean With North Americans also back at school by this time of year, mid-October onwards can be a good time to head for the Caribbean, with great deals to be had. Saint Lucia is a brilliant choice for a family getaway, with hiking in the majestic Piton Mountains, the Rainforest Adventures Aerial Tram and Zipline and bathing in natural hot-water pools at Sulphur Springs Park. In Antigua, the Antigua and Barbuda Museum catalogues the islands’ colourful history while the UNESCO-listed Nelson’s Dockyard is a popular spot for yacht -spotting.
Mexico In eastern Mexico, the Riviera Maya is a great place to swim in crystal-clear Caribbean Sea off sundrenched white-sand beaches but also to visit a wealth of Mayan monuments and temples, including one of the new Seven
Wonders of the World, Chichen Itza. It’s a great destination to take the kids, too, with nearby Xcaret eco-archaeological park combining fun attractions including snorkelling and cave exploration with the history and fauna of the Mayan jungle.
Thailand From stunning sandy beaches ringing remote and tranquil islands to exhilarating city life, Thailand is popular for a reason. For a relaxing stay, head to the island of Koh Samui, known for its palm-fringed beaches, dense mountain rainforest and luxury resorts and spas. The resort of Hua Hin on the mainland is great for families with its host of child-friendly hotels and attractions including Black Mountain Water Park. Meanwhile, Koh Phangan is home to 20 dive sites with colourful marine life as well as Thong Sala Night Market, where you can sample some of the island’s best food.
Mauritius Golden sands and crystal waters come to mind when you think of this Indian Ocean hotspot. Enjoy fresh pineapple from one of the local vendors at Flic-en-Flac beach and take a speedboat to the paradisiacal Île aux Cerfs with its waterfalls and beaches that look even better in person than in the brochures. Don’t miss the Seven Coloured Earths at Chamarel, with vibrantly coloured sand dunes, or Grand Bassin, a secluded mountainous area with a lovely lake, overlooked by a large statue of Shiva. Looking for a Late Summer Escape or have any other travel aspirations? Make your next travel arrangements with a knowledgeable, trustworthy and friendly travel expert. I deliver a personal, professional and bespoke travel service. Contact me:
allan.trinidad@travelcounsellors.com 25
THESWINDONIAN.CO.UK // SEPTEMBER 2018
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THESWINDONIAN.CO.UK // SEPTEMBER 2018
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THESWINDONIAN.CO.UK // SEPTEMBER 2018
What are your rights if you come face to face with an intruder in your home?
Almost all Swindonians would confront a burglar if they were faced with an intruder in their home, a recent Facebook poll found. If this nightmare became a reality and you were faced
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with an intruder, what are your rights? Are you able to defend yourself and your property? What about if you were to injure the burglar whilst protecting your property? The Crown
Prosecution Service (CPS) has answered key questions about where you stand under the law: Where possible, call the police. If you are unable to, here is some guidance on what you can or cannot do.
Does the law protect you?
Anyone can use reasonable force to protect themselves or others, or carry out and arrest or prevent a crime.
What is ‘reasonable force’?
As a general rule the more extreme the circumstances the more force you can lawfully use in self defence.
Do you have to wait to be attacked?
No. If you are in your home and fear for yourself or others, the law doesn’t require you to wait to be attacked before using defensive, ‘reasonable’ force.
How far does protection under law go? If you do something that you believe necessary, that is the best evidence of you acting lawfully and in self defence – even if you use something to hand as a weapon.
What if you chase them as they run off? You are not acting in self-defence now so the same force may not be reasonable but you can still use reasonable force to recover property and make a citizen’s arrest.
What is reasonable force if you are chasing them? The guidance says to consider your own safety and whether police have been called but a rugby tackle or a single blow would probably be reasonable. Anything more could lead you into trouble.
What if the intruder dies?
If you have acted in reasonable self defence, as described above, and the intruder dies, you will still have acted lawfully. However, if, for example: having knocked someone unconscious, you then decided to further hurt or kill them to punish them; or you knew of an intended intruder and set a trap to hurt or to kill them rather than involve the police, you would be acting with very excessive and gratuitous force and could be prosecuted. Will police and CPS believe the intruder rather than you? Police weigh all facts when investigating, including the fact the intruder caused the situation to arise.
THESWINDONIAN.CO.UK // SEPTEMBER 2018
To win family tickets to a movie of your choice, please email us the words “WIN TICKETS” to the email address below? 30
Please send your email to us at getintouch@theswindonian.co.uk Closing date for the competition is the 25th September 2018
Congratulations to Hazel-Marie Bullock for winning the August Competition. Good luck for September! Remember closing date for the competition is the 25th September 2018
THESWINDONIAN.CO.UK // SEPTEMBER 2018
Musical Musings with Dave Franklin The festival season may be coming to an end but there are still plenty of impressive musical shenanigans happening back in the regular haunts.
Those awfully nice people at Sheer Music continue a brilliant run of bookings that has this year alone seen Frank Turner, Ginger Wildheart and Justin Sullivan play Swindon, with the brilliant Crazy Arm. This spirited mess of punk, folk-roots, ‘60s protest and classic rock can be found at The Victoria on 13th September. The very next day sees Big Country roll into the MECA.
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With original members Bruce Watson and Mark Brzezicki steering the band, their trademark windswept and cinematic, Celtic rock anthems remaining as fresh, dynamic and soaring as ever and a still loyal army of fans, I would suggest that you get your tickets in advance of the actual gig.
This year’s Mick Love Memorial sees The Members headline the show at The Victoria on 22nd September. The band straddled punk and new wave, mixing ska, reggae, punk and power-pop sounds into infectious and accessible music. They are joined by Ambition Demolition and your hosts for the night Charred Hearts.
On the local release front, a couple of interesting records (yes, I still call them records, get over it) have passed my way of late. Firstly Siblings of Us are taking pre-orders of Gargantua, an e.p that sees them take their warped disco vibe into more rock driven territory. Imagine The Bee Gees writing electropunk anthems and post-hardcore synth sing-alongs! I know, right? Also driven by 80’s electronic sounds, digital melancholia and alt-dance grooves, No Side Effects first full album, Reinventing Failure, is also soon to be unleashed on the unsuspecting public. Part rose tinted nostalgia, part perfectly positioned just ahead of the fashion cycle, this is futuristic musical noir writ large.
Stage Coach
THESWINDONIAN.CO.UK // SEPTEMBER 2018
Your theatre correspondent has just returned from an enjoyable few days up at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival.
Great fun, but everything’s uphill and the bars don’t shut until 5am. My knees are like jelly and my liver like putty. Or vice versa. But would you, dear reader, like to ignite your inner performer? If so there’s an opportunity to try a little board-treading as the Shoebox Theatre begin their autumn season of acting classes this month. 10 week courses for ages 13-15, 16-18 and 18+ begin from the end of September (see www.shoeboxtheatre.org.uk for details). Open auditions for the Shoebox’s next Community Theatre Production, Human Animals by Stef Smith, are also on the horizon. They are to be held on Wednesday 12th September so email: shoebox@wrongshoes.co.uk before Friday 7th September if you fancy a punt. See the Shoebox website for more details. But if you’re happier as a voyeur, no matter; there’s plenty to see as well as do: Quirky Bird Theatre take over the Art Centre for one night only (6th September) showing a smorgasbord of dramatic delights. Also at 34
the Art Centre the Phoenix Players present ‘Dead Man’s Hand’ (26th to 29th September), a twisty-turny Agatha Christie-esque thriller. Meanwhile comedy peppers the Wyvern Theatre’s schedule: the “Irish master of grumpiness” Dylan Moran visits (9th September), Joe Pasquale brings his 30th anniversary tour (15th September) and the delightfully absurd Ross Noble explores the legend of El Hablador (25th & 26th September).
Finally, fresh from a critically-applauded run at the Edinburgh Festival: “After Today – A Bill Grundy Story”. The pitch black comedy, based on true events, returns to Swindon for a post-Fringe performance at the MECA, Swindon (5th September). I’m feeling a bit post-Fringe myself. I need a dark room and a hundredweight of Berocca. Wake me up in October.
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