Creating the right image

SWINDON has what it takes to be great but there needs to be more self-belief, says the man hoping to give the town a much-needed facelift.

According to our Your Swindon Your Verdict survey more than three-quarters of people (77 per cent) think Swindon has an image problem.

Barry Lingard, chief executive of Swindon Initiative, which is drawing up plans to change the face of Swindon forever, agrees.

But he warns outsiders not to underestimate the humble Swindonian.

"People in this town have the strength of character to adapt," he said.

"The closure of the railway in the 1980s would have been the death knell for many towns.

"But what happened? We set our minds on attracting other industry, particularly the motor industry in the form of Honda.

"The people of Swindon took their existing skills and adapted them to meet new requirements."

Mr Lingard said he was concerned but not surprised about the survey results.

"Our town centre needs to reflect the prosperity of Swindon," he said. "It simply is not good enough for a town with as much economic strength as us.

"We need a more extensive range of shops to freshen the place up. We have too much 60s and 70s architecture, which are not the most flattering of buildings."

Mr Lingard believes the negative side of Swindon takes a shine off the "golden nuggets."

He said: "We are typically British. There is this tradition of constantly doing ourselves down.

"If I could have one wish for Swindon it would be to turn that tradition on its head and instead celebrate our positive points.

"We have big players in the world of business like Zurich, Intel, WH Smith and Nationwide, all of which bring money to the town.

"Then we have historic buildings such as Lydiard House where some fantastic restoration work is going on.

"More centrally, there is the Great Western Designer Outlet Village, which I think is a great-looking development, and the old Railway Village."

Community spirit is alive and well here

IT seems community spirit is alive and kicking in Swindon.

Our survey also found that 75 per cent of those quizzed knew three or more of their neighbours.

Marilyn Beale, 60, of Avebury Road, Penhill, has been referred to as "Mrs Penhill".

"Things have changed a lot in the past five years in Penhill but I still know a lot of people in my street," said the grandmother-of-two.

"I'm proud to live here. People look out for each other."

Carole O'Sullivan, 37, who helped set up the Avebury Road Residents' Association, agreed.

"We're all very community minded here," she said.

"I go to bingo with my neighbours every week and even go on holiday with them.

"It's true that we look out for one another here. I think Penhill has been given a bad name because we have always stood up for things we have felt strongly about.

"Other areas in Swindon will not do that."

Mrs O'Sullivan loves the area so much that she claims she would not move if she hit the big-time.

"If I won £1 million I would not leave my house," she said.

"I love it here and I'm proud to say I live in Penhill. I have some of the best neighbours you could wish for."

TOWN crier Fred Ferris, who tours the country promoting Swindon, urges folk to unite for the good of the town.

Our survey showed nearly half of Swindonians were not proud of the town. "A lot of Swindonians shoot themselves in the foot by running it down," said Mr Ferris, who was once crowned the country's Best Dressed town crier.

"I go all over the country trying to promote Swindon and I am proud to say I am from this town.

"Most people are proud to say where they are from but I don't think that's the case here.

"A lot of people move here and try to compare Swindon to the place that they've just left."