Ridgeway Bell Articles – June 2019

Points of interest from the meetings held in June 2019 Memory Café The next memory café is Friday 28th June at the Church Hall from 10.30am. Everyone who has Dementia, and those caring for someone with Dementia is welcome to attend. There is a relaxed atmosphere with singing, and music from local musicians. There is… read more

Parents asked for feedback on childcare needs across the town

Families in Swindon are being asked to complete a survey to help the Council understand their childcare needs. Swindon Borough Council is working with national early year and childcare consultancy Hempsall’s to find out about parents and carers’ childcare needs across the borough. The work is being carried out to make sure that the future… read more

Scam awareness week launch warns of the heartless scammer

The harrowing tale of a woman, Iris, who sold all her belongings and sent £4,000 to her internet love interest, is being used to warn others of the dangers of scams. Scams Awareness Week, which is being launched on Monday (24 June) by Trading Standards South West’s (TSSW) newly-relaunched ScamWise service, aims to provide everyone… read more

Vacancy for Councillors

Notice is hereby given that by reason of an uncontested election on 2nd May 2019, a number of vacancies has occurred among the members of the Parish Council. Any person willing to fill this vacancy should apply to the Clerk in writing (email is acceptable) on or before Friday 9th August 2019. Applicants should be… read more

Swindon Pride Event 2019

Swindon Pride will be taking place on 10th August this year- any support or attendance from Councillors at the event would be welcomed. SBC will have some stalls and be taking part in the parade. More information can be found at the following website: https://www.swindonwiltshirepride.co.uk/

Open-air theatre makes its return to Lydiard Park

Lydiard Park will kick-start a national tour of Shakespeare’s most magical and romantic comedy of them all, A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Immersion Theatre, who have been described as one of London’s most exciting and innovative theatre companies, will perform A Midsummer Night’s Dream in the historic setting of the Swindon Borough Council-owned park on Friday,… read more

Good Outcome From Inspection

Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service (DWFRS) is serving its communities well, it has been confirmed in its first inspection from Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary & Fire and Rescue Services (HMICFRS), released today (20 June). HMICFRS has spent the last year analysing data and documents and visiting the Service to assess it against… read more

Important changes to your waste and recycling services are coming

Swindon will take a significant step towards expanding its recycling services by introducing a trial collection of separate food waste recycling. The trial is being introduced as part of the Council’s 10-year waste strategy, which outlines its commitment to protecting the environment and managing the borough’s waste and recycling responsibly, and is one of a… read more

New look for Ridgeway newsletter! Summer 2019

Famous artists, writers and photographers have found inspiration along The Ridgeway, including Paul Nash, Robert Macfarlane, Fay Godwin, Thomas Hardy, Kenneth Grahame, Eric Ravilious, Clare Leighton, Richard Jefferies… Join us for a day of talks, outdoor workshops and an art exhibition in the inspiring setting of St Dunstan’s historic church in Monks Risborough and Whiteleaf… read more

Celebrate Swindon – Football Festival

Wiltshire County Football Association in partnership with The FA, Crimestoppers Wiltshire, Swindon Town F.C and Swindon Town Foundation are working together to deliver a FREE community football festival at the County Ground Swindon on Saturday 27th July 2019.

County Lines Gang Jailed

Members of a County Lines gang which supplied drugs to dealers and users in Wiltshire have been jailed for a total of almost 57 years. The gang shipped crack cocaine and heroin to dealers in Swindon and Marlborough for supply to local addicts. Over the course of the conspiracy, the drugs line was contacted by… read more

Box sorting campaign comes to a close

Swindon Borough Council’s month-long recycling box sorting push has concluded, but residents are being encouraged to keep up the good work long after the campaign has finished. The campaign was launched in order to increase the number of residents who sort their waste into two or more boxes. The more waste that is sorted in… read more

Washpool Restoration

The Washpool restoration started in 2007. The stream was very much at the centre of village life over the centuries, with several cottages and a mill located along its length.

Transport Report July 2019

Bus Services 80/81 to change again Owing to the withdrawal of funding by Wiltshire Council the bus services through Chiseldon, the 80 between Swindon, Chiseldon, Marlborough, Tidworth and Ludgershall and the 81, Swindon, Chiseldon and Thorney Park are to change again. The changes take effect on Monday 5th August. The first two buses in the… read more

Swindon’s Heritage Action Zone is officially launched

Swindon Borough Council and Historic England have formally launched the town’s Heritage Action Zone (HAZ). The five-year scheme will bring heritage expertise and £1.6 million of funding from Historic England, who will work with the Council and other partners to revitalise this under-appreciated area of Swindon. The scheme, led by Swindon Borough Council, will see… read more

Swindon is charging ahead with plans for an electric vehicle future

Swindon is planning for an electric future thanks to a new policy for new-build homes that will go out for consultation in July and August. Swindon Borough Council’s Planning Committee approved the borough’s draft Parking Standards 2019 document on Tuesday (11 June) which sets out how new developments should make appropriate provision for the parking… read more