Swindon Area Green Party - Queen's Park Ward

31/10/2026

A big thank you to for the invitation to the Swindon Day of Action on Climate and Nature at Christ Church.

I was invited to speak about food insecurity and how it relates to the Bangladeshi community. I also wanted to explore this through the lens of my Muslim heritage, reflecting on how Islam speaks about our responsibility as stewards of the Earth, our relationship with nature, the importance of moderation and our attitudes towards food and consumption.

I’m certainly no food or environmental expert, but I’m incredibly grateful for the opportunities this role is giving me to learn, listen, share experiences and explore issues from different perspectives.

It was also lovely to see so many Green faces! As Green Party members, the environment is central to our policies and values. Today was a great reminder that the environment is about so much more than green spaces and trees. It is about the interconnectedness of everything: our food systems, industries, communities, livelihoods and the choices we make every day.

Food insecurity, climate change, nature and social justice are all connected. We cannot look at one in isolation from the others. And importantly, the communities most affected by these challenges need to be part of the conversations and solutions.

A really valuable day of learning, sharing and connecting. Repi Begum

26/10/2026

Today I had the opportunity to volunteer at the Swindon Imaginarium. If you're looking for FREE arts and science activities to keep curious kids busy over half term, bring them down to play, make, explore and discover together at Unit 13 Plaza, the Brunel Swindon.

There are different themes on different days and I was lucky to be a part of the fire theme.

Monday: Fire
Tuesday: Earth
Wednesday: Water
Thursday: Neuroscience
Friday: Wind
Saturday: Haloween

You'll leave with new ideas, big smiles and maybe even a few surprises!

29/09/2026

SWINDON: Could we get an outdoor gym at Spring Gardens?

I’ve been thinking about how we could make better use of the green space at Spring Gardens.

With two local primary schools nearby, lots of flats and many families and residents living in the surrounding area, I think this could be an ideal location for an outdoor gym.

A free outdoor fitness area could provide something positive for the whole community, with equipment suitable for different ages and abilities — from simple strength and fitness equipment to stretching, mobility and low-impact exercise.

-Free exercise for local residents
-Encourages people to be more active
-Something for families and different age groups
-Potential for accessible equipment
-Makes positive use of an existing green space
-Encourages healthier, more active communities

I’d really like to find out whether this is something local residents in Swindon would support.

If there is enough interest, perhaps we could approach Swindon Borough Council, our local councillors and community organisations to see whether the idea is feasible and, importantly, whether there are grants or local funding pots that could help pay for it.

Would you support an outdoor gym at Spring Gardens?

If you think it’s a good idea, please comment below or share the post. It would be great to get an idea of how many local people would actually use it.

Maybe, with enough community support, we can turn the idea into something that benefits Spring Gardens and the wider Swindon community. 💚Repi Begum

09/09/2026

I have reported the missing drain cover on Belle Vue Road to the council now:

04/09/2026

Today, in our neighbouring ward of Broadgreen, I’ve seen yet another case of fly-tipping on Bathurst Road.

This particular location has become a real hotspot. The Council clears it when it is reported — and credit where it’s due, the waste does get removed — but then, all too often, it comes back.

And that is the problem.

We cannot keep clearing the same locations again and again and expect a different outcome.

Fly-tipping is ultimately caused by people choosing to dump waste illegally. That could be people coming into the area because they see an existing pile and think it is a convenient dumping ground, or local residents looking for a free or easy way to get rid of unwanted items.

But if we know where the hotspots are, surely we should be asking what more can be done to prevent the dumping in the first place?

I have raised this issue before and asked what longer-term solutions could be considered.

There are initiatives being used in other parts of the country, including approaches around reuse, community waste collection points and more targeted services in known hotspots. We have previously proposed looking at similar ideas in Swindon — including weekly or fortnightly council-run skip services in persistent hotspots and waste-pooling schemes — but these proposals were rejected.

I think we need to revisit this.

What could we actually do?

Targeted skip services – trial weekly or fortnightly skips in the worst-affected areas, with proper monitoring and time-limited availability.

Waste-pooling schemes – residents in a street or neighbourhood could collectively arrange disposal of larger items rather than individual households facing the cost of bulky-waste removal.

More reuse before disposal – work with charities, community organisations and reuse groups so furniture, appliances and other usable items are diverted from waste in the first place.

Hotspot monitoring – identify repeat locations and put preventative measures in place rather than simply responding after every incident.

Better access to affordable disposal – if the cost or inconvenience of legitimate disposal is encouraging some people to take the illegal option, we need to look seriously at whether the current system is working.

Community involvement – residents know which locations are repeatedly targeted. Their local knowledge should form part of the solution.

And open the tip with more slots!

Swindon already spends more than £200,000 each year dealing with fly-tipping and enforcement. That is money that could otherwise be spent improving our communities.

And there is an important point here: a Big Clean Up is only effective if the area stays clean afterwards.

We can organise clean-ups, remove rubbish and make our streets look better — but if the same spot is covered in waste again the following day, we haven’t solved the problem.

We need to move from simply clearing fly-tipping to preventing it.

So my question remains:

What long-term measures can Swindon introduce at known fly-tipping hotspots like Bathurst Road to stop this cycle?

I’d also be interested to hear from residents: what solutions do you think would actually work in your area?

29/08/2026

I’m sharing this update from our neighbouring Kingshill Ward because Queen’s Park Ward shares a boundary with Kingshill, and that makes this development relevant to many of us.

Planning approval has been granted for Newburn Sidings, but the process isn’t over. Important details still have to be agreed through the Reserved Matters process — including issues around infrastructure, ecology, housing quality and the environment.

These things don’t stop at a ward boundary. Changes in Kingshill will have a direct impact on our roads, services, green spaces and the wider community in Queen’s Park.

That’s why I believe we should all stay informed and make sure local residents have a voice throughout the process — not just when the initial planning application is decided.

Please take a moment to read the update below and share it with your neighbours.

Our communities are connected, and our voices are stronger when we stand together.

NEWBURN SIDINGS: PLANNING APPROVAL IS NOT THE END OF THE PROCESS

Planning consent has now been granted (last week) for the Newburn Sidings housing development (SBC planning portal ref : S/OUT/21/0181), which is within the Kingshill ward and very close to many local residents.

While we are disappointed that the application has been approved, there is still an important process to follow before the development can commence.

We have contacted the Chair of Swindon Council’s Planning Committee to seek clarification on three key questions:

Reserved Matters :

The consent includes a number of Reserved Matters (details and conditions that still need to be agreed or addressed before development activity can begin). We have asked the Council to confirm exactly what these are and what needs to be resolved.

Public scrutiny and consultation :

Will local residents have the opportunity to see and comment on the Reserved Matters when they are submitted by the developer?

How do residents keep track?

Will these submissions appear under the existing planning application reference S/OUT/21/0181, or will new application reference numbers be created?

If new references are generated, we will make sure residents know what to look out for.

Approval does not mean we should stop paying attention.

Our priority now is to ensure that the development is the best version it can possibly be with proper consideration given to housing quality, ecology, nature, community, infrastructure and the environment.

We will keep local residents updated as we receive further information.

Local residents deserve to have a voice throughout the process and not just when the initial planning application is decided. You can view the details on the SBC planning portal.

08/07/2026

We cannot bury our heads in the sand and ignore climate change. This is not the time to scale back our efforts—we need to act faster, stronger, and with far greater urgency.

For too long, many believed that climate change was something that only affected poorer nations or places far from home. But that is no longer true. The recent heatwave is yet another reminder that the impacts are here, affecting our communities and our lives.

The solutions are within our reach. We need to plant more trees, reduce our reliance on fossil fuels, protect our rivers and seas, and invest in better walking and cycling infrastructure. Every action matters, but we need governments, businesses, and individuals all pulling in the same direction.

This isn’t about politics. It’s about protecting our health, our environment, our future, and the basic right of everyone to live in a safe and sustainable world. The time to act is now.

Swindon Area Green Party has written to Councillor Jake Chandler on the future of the 'Build a Greener Swindon' committee.

26/06/2026

Don’t forget the Swindon Mela this Sunday from 12 @ GWR Park, Faringdon Road.

Weather looks cooler and dry and food is always great there. Looking forward to some mocktails and lassi in this heat!

And entertainment tends to always get you tapping your feet and relaxing with the beats!

See you there..

24/06/2026

Stay Safe in the Extreme Heat

With temperatures soaring, please take care of yourselves and each other.

💧 Drink plenty of water, even if you don’t feel thirsty. Electrolytes are also recommended.

🧢 Stay in the shade or indoors during the hottest part of the day (11am–3pm if possible).

❤️ Please also check in on elderly neighbours, people living alone, and anyone with health conditions. A quick phone call or visit could make all the difference.

Certain medication may also need to kept in the fridge- please check your medication.

For those sleeping rough/ if you can please do reach out to them and let them know of the Haven Day Centre on Queen’s Drive and The Big Breakfast in Town/ Pilgrim centre.

🐶 Walk dogs early in the morning or later in the evening.
🐾 Test the pavement with the back of your hand – if it’s too hot for you, it’s too hot for their paws.
💦 Make sure pets always have access to fresh water and shade.
🐦 Leave a shallow dish of water outside for birds and wildlife if you can.

A little kindness and common sense can help keep everyone safe during this hot weather. Stay cool, stay hydrated, and look out for one another. ❤️🌞

22/06/2026

Another day another report. I have reported this Flytipping this morning. On my school drop this morning I saw this and a neighbour informed me this section is always dumped on and more needs to be done to help clean up the area.

Some of the responsibility has to be with residents themselves- but what about when others from elsewhere dump rubbish?

What’s the solution? Can we introduce pooled waste collection via a neighbourhood agreement?