Railway Village is good advert (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

Railway Village is good advert

Tony Nutley of the Outside Clinic and right, the clinic's advert which shows a picture of the town's Railway Village Ref: 77893-59SWINDON...AND PROUD OF IT: JUST because you've seen a picturesque side of Swindon doesn't mean you need your eyes tested.

Visually challenged designer Wayne Hemingway recently criticised Swindon housing in a building magazine.

But now views of Swindon have been used in a national advertising campaign by a firm of opticians.

The Outside Clinic used views of West Swindon houses and of the Railway Village.

The village was built by the Great Western Railway to house workers at the nearby factory.

The company is an Old Town-based firm of opticians offering eye tests in customers' homes.

Tony Nutley, the head of recruitment and training, said: "The picture of the Railway Village is a feel-good picture.

"We wanted to give people a flavour of something they would feel confident about and would like the look of.

"Together with our pictures of the newer housing in West Swindon we thought they were just a representation of a feeling of community.

"We are a community optician, so it seemed appropriate.

"I hope it makes all these people who want to knock Swindon sit up and think."

Tony has worked for Outside Clinic for eight years, but has lived in the town since 1984.

He said: "Swindon has always been good to me.

"I've never been out of work and it's really given me the chance to develop myself.

"Because of the motorways anywhere in the country is accessible within one day.

"I guess it's also a good place to raise a family. I don't have one but my brothers and sisters came to Swindon at the same time as me and they all have children.

"The facilities for them here seem very good."

Tony is intrigued by Swindon Council's recently announced plans for the town.

He said: "The council's 50 promises which they say will make Swindon one of the most desirable place to live in the country is an interesting development.

"I would say that the older buildings in the town need to be used more appropriately, but I like the idea of creating more of a caf culture in the town centre.

"I'm a part-time lecturer at Swindon College, and their move to North Star is an exciting development, as is the University of Bath's expansion.

"Lots of people criticise Swin-don but they're not really connected to the exciting things going on here."

Perhaps Outside Clinic would be able sort out a new prescription for Wayne Hemingway's designer glasses.

Show your pride on trips away

THE Advertiser is asking you to spread the word that we are proud of our town.

We have launched a brand new T-shirt competition and we are asking you to show the world how much you love Swindon.

All you need to do is take one of our Swindon And Proud Of It T-shirts on holiday with you this summer and take a picture of you wearing it.

So wherever your travels take you this summer grab your T-shirt and get snapping.

Whoever takes the most exciting photo will win £100 in cash.

Orders are being taken, but please allow 48 hours for delivery. You can phone Helen Marks on 01793 501930 to order your T-shirt, which is available in small, medium, large and extra large, priced £2.

Send your holiday snaps to: Helen Marks, Marketing Department, Evening Advertiser, 100 Victoria Road, Swindon, SN1 3BE. The closing date is August 31.

David Andrew