‘Time’ was last called at the Bakers’ just over a year ago now. Since then, whilst it seems that little has happened from the outside, much has really been going on behind the scenes.

The brewers Arkells, decided not to re-open it and returned their lease to Swindon Borough Council. The council in turn, and in line with their “localism” agenda, have passed management on to The Mechanic’s Trust, who have

Baker’s Arms on the riseUnder new management - and under development as a new community cafe

set about transforming the inside.

Upon receiving the keys the enormity of the task be-came apparent, with the building suffering from years of neglect and one or two nasty surprises. The rat was easily dispatched, but the leaking roof needed a little more attention.

However, that was then, this is now. And work is well under way to transform the once pub into a commu-nity hub. Tracy Cox, who’s working on the project said: “With two excellent pubs already a stones’ throw away, it makes sense to change the Bakers’ back to its original use. The plan is to have a relaxed atmosphere for the

main room, a place for catching up, with teas, coffees, pastries and good, home-cooked food. Then out back, we hope that the snug little function room will offer classes, crafts, local music, films and a chance to try something new.”

For those not able to make it to the Bakers’ cushioned pews, there are even suggestions for an outreach program to offer its good home-cooked food, direct to people’s doors. So stay tuned. And keep your eyes peeled for an imminent change of colour.

Has knitting really got under your skein? Can you spin a good yarn? Impervious to knitting based puns? Then you would love Knit and Knatter.

We’re looking for a couple of perls, to join a new social group for those looking to drop gossip, whilst also dropping stitches.

Swap patterns. Enjoy some good company. Work on collaborative projects. And look to raise funds for some good local causes.

Completely free, open to all ages, served with tea and some excellent homemade biscuits. Central Community Centre, Wednesday 9th April, 11am-noon.

Knit and Knatter launched

The New Mechanics’ Institution Preservation Trust 1 Milton Road, Swindon, SN1 5JE Tel: 01793 520592 Email: mail@mechanics-trust.org.ukRegistered Charity Number : 1048961

March 2014 Published by The Mechanics’ Trust - 1 Milton Road

Some funds have been set aside for redevelopment, including updating the kitchen, making more rooms available for use, and refreshing the toilets. Perhaps most noticeably, the community centre now also has a member of staff based onsite to take bookings, and to quickly address any problems that might pop up.

Also, since switching to Trust management, a planned increase in charges—which would have seen the cost of hiring the hall nearly double—has been suspended. As such, prices remain competitively low from just £10 per hour for the main hall (suitable for up to 90 people), or from just £8 an hour for the meeting room (suitable for 15 people). Daniel Rose, chair of the Mechanic’s Trust said: “Already we’ve had a couple of users mention the differences they’ve seen and how nice it is to have somebody onsite to instantly sort out any niggles that crop up. This is just the start though; we have big plans for the building, and we hope to get up to full capacity as quickly as possible.”

There is a fully equipped kitchen, PA system and refreshments can be provided in the form of anything from unlimited tea and coffee for a £1 a head, up to a fully cooked buffet for £5 a head.

If you’ve been eagle-eyed of late, you may have noticed a change of signs adorning the Central Community Centre - from orange to purple! On February 5th, after more than eight years in the council’s hands, Swindon Borough Council handed the keys to the centre over to the Mechanics’ Trust. The move forms part of the Council’s long-term plan to put more community services into the hands of residents. Already the centre has been a hive of activity, being fixed-up, spring-cleaned, and reorganised to better fit its users.

Centre Comes Back into Community Hands

Core Office Hours Mon: 4pm-7pm Tues: 9am-2pm Weds: 2pm-6pm Thurs: 8am-4pm Fri: 10am-12pm

The centre currently has space for bookings, so if you are part of a group or organisa-tion looking for a regular home—or indeed, if you’re planning a one-off event, then please get in touch. Further information and full prices can be found online at www.mechanics-trust.org.uk/centralcommunitycentre

Whilst bookings can be made, or questions answered by calling (01793) 420649 or by emailing centralcommunitycentre@mechanics-trust.org.uk

The Village Voice

With the community centre in new hands, and a new officer assigned to the area, it makes sense to make sure that the building is as useful to as many people in the area as possible. As such, we would be entirely grateful if you could answer these short questions...

My favourite thing about the area is:

If I had £1000 to improve the area, I would spend it on:

This is a great area. I’ve never felt threatened.

My biggest concern with the area is:

I feel generally quite safe. I have only a few minor quibbles.

A little unsafe. I’m careful about where I walk and at what times.

Unsafe. I don’t like to go out unless I have to.

I’m interested by what you’re doing or think that I could maybe help with something. Please keep me up to date with what’s happening... Name: Address:

Telephone: Email:

I have skills in... I enjoy... I would go to an event based around...

GardeningSportsCraftsDanceBingoSocialisingKnittingSkittlesFilmSingingCookeryReadingTicking boxes

Age is just a number.

Under 25 25-39 40-55 55-70 Over 70

How well I know my neighbours:Extremely wellNever seen them

Age:

- Please return to the Central Community Centre -

How I feel: The landscaped gardens of the Medical Fund Hospital once provided an area of retreat for the patients. Fruit trees gave shade, blooming flow-ers the smells, and those visiting their relatives, would do so next to the gentle patter of a water fountain. Today, it’s a different story, with the majority of the garden dug up and given over to the widen-ing of Faringdon Road.

Wanted: Greenfingers to Transform Brown Earth

What’s left are a couple of beds filled with dead brown brush, and not much else. It’s mainly now used as a handy place to throw a half eaten kebab.

It is quite possibly one of the saddest sights in Swindon. Yet with it situated on one of the town’s busiest junctions, and the entry point to the town’s shopping, it offers the potential to be seen every day by thousands.

So if you’re a budding Titchmarsh, or just handy with a hoe, we need you! Use your imagination. All thoughts welcome. We hope this will be a starting point for the area, with the GWR Park also desperately in need of some attention.

To register your interest, or pass on your ideas, please email sean@mechanics-trust.org.uk or call in at the Central Community Centre.

Spot the difference: answers on numerous postcards

The Railway Village and its nearby streets, has been boosted by a £30,000 grant from the Health Lottery to develop its community activities. The windfall will see a community worker dedicated to the area, instigating a raft of new projects to help bring together residents, from an office base in the Central Community Centre. The grant came from The People’s Health Trust, an independent charity addressing health inequalities across Great Britain. It works closely with each of the 51 society lotteries and makes grants using money raised by the society lotteries through The Health Lottery. Daniel Rose, Chair of the Mechanic’s Trust said:

£30k Grant for the Railway Village

was delighted on being offered the position and very keen to get going. He said: “I’m from Swin-don, and I used to cover this patch when I worked for the Council - so it’s an area I know well. Swindon’s community started here, and it’s really about time it had some attention.”

“Despite its importance to Swindon, the Railway Village is often an area that is overlooked when it comes to funding. There’s some very acute, specific problems in the neighbour-hood and this grant will go a long way to rectifying some of that, and delivering some real long-lasting positive activites.”

New Community Development Co-ordinator Sean Haines