It was great to be at the launch of the new Wharf Green Market here in Swindon Town Centre last Thursday. The new market has been supported by £100,000 from the Government’s Towns Fund and organised by InSwindon. It is one of the first projects in the country to be up and running.
With an excellent range of stores from butchers, fruit and veg, to delicatessen and vintage vinyl records, the market has something for everyone.
The new Wharf Green Weekly Retail Market will take place every Thursday and Saturday between 9am and 3pm and is well worth a visit.
Whilst in Swindon Town Centre, I was delighted to visit my old friend Vince Ayris in Havelock Street once again, as part of my Local Business Support Campaign.
Vince is a local independent retailer, with over 40 years of experience. His shop offers an impressive selection of the more popular pewter, glass, trophies and awards, as well as corporate gifts and a first-class engraving service.
Havelock Street is very vibrant and boasts a selection of independent traders here in Swindon. The local traders are always on the lookout for new businesses who are keen to join their supportive local business community. It is well worth popping to Havelock Street to see what’s on offer.
With a new market in Wharf Green, Swindon is once again attracting independents and it is vital that we all support them.
Further details about my Local Business Support Campaign can be found on my website here https://www.robertbuckland.co.uk/campaigns/local-business-support-campaign
If you run a small local business and would like to be added to my Local Business Support Campaign. Please get in touch by emailing [email protected]
Tackling loneliness here in Swindon is very important to me, and over the past four years, I have been working together with Swindon Seniors Forum on a local campaign, to bring together key local organisations in and around Swindon to discuss and share the excellent work that is already taking place, as well as discussing what further can be done to tackle loneliness in the town.
I am pleased that following the end of Covid restrictions, Swindon Borough Council has been able to resume Forget Me Not Cakes. Giving a birthday cake to someone who is lonely, or in need of extra support may seem inconsequential, but in reality, it is a magnificent gift that touches the heart of the recipient.
Forget Me Not Cakes is just one of many excellent local projects that the Livewell Team at Swindon Borough Council runs to tackle loneliness. The team is always on the lookout for volunteers, so if you’d like to bake for Forget Me Not Cakes, or volunteer for another local initiative to tackle loneliness and support some of our most vulnerable residents, please get in touch with the team by emailing [email protected] or ring 01793 465513.
Loneliness is an issue that can affect us all, young, or old, at any point in our lives, so I am glad that the Government is committed to investing in projects to tackle this issue.
The Government announced last week that young people with disabilities and those experiencing loneliness with be given the support that they need to volunteer and help others thanks to £4.6 million in Government investment.
The fund, which was launched last year, and will be distributed by Arts Council England (ACE) will help to break down barriers to volunteering across the arts, culture, sport, civil society, youth, and heritage sectors.
Volunteering offers a wealth of benefits to those involved and is an effective way of tackling loneliness, as well supporting the many organisations which rely on help.
Finally, I would like to pay tribute to Swindon bus driver and local resident, Kyle Caswell who has been awarded “Best in Town” after he ensured the safety of a woman and her children fleeing domestic abuse. It is people like Kyle who make our community here in Swindon a better and safer place and I am proud to be your MP.
