A LORRY driver will be making a long distance trip of a different kind next month when he cycles around Iceland for charity. Kim Beresford is cycling 830 miles around the Scandanavian country to raise money for Prostate Cancer UK and CALM, the
A TEENAGER whose life has been transformed after receiving help from the town’s youth mentoring project is encouraging more people to become mentors. Swindon Mentoring and Self Help – SMASH – is recruiting adult volunteers to spend a couple of
A MAN who got himself embroiled in the trade in hard drugs has been spared jail for a second time after failing to do his unpaid work. Jani Hassan was put on a ‘merciful sentence’ when he was told to do 240 hours of unpaid work after admitting
MUSIC lovers are set to descend on The Sun Inn at Coate next weekend when the SunBeat Festival takes place. Signed artists Louise Latham and Faye Rogers, as well as Glastonbury 2013 artists the Bateleurs and Jim Blair, of Hip Route, will be taking
SCHOOLCHILDREN in Swindon have raised more than £550 for charity by taking part in a world record breaking attempt for the most people signing and singing simultaneously. Pupils at three schools in the town raised £598.76 for SignHealth, the national
A SERVICE which provides education for pupils who are unable to attend mainstream school has been given a good grade by Ofsted inspectors. Education Other Than At School operates The Stratton Education Centre, The Riverside School, The Adolescent
A DRUMMER who has been helped by the Macmillan Cancer Support nurses has raised hundreds of pounds to say thank you. Gerry Hunt, of Wroughton, who was diagnosed with lymphoma in 2011, took to the stage with his band, Shred, on May 11 to raise funds
GUEST editor of the Adver for the day, Ross Noble, has been out and about tracking down news stories. Here are some pictures of his trip to the town centre, the full story will be in tomorrow's paper.
THE 12-year-old girl hit by a car while walking her dog in Westfield Way remains in a stable condition in hospital. The youngster, who was also out with her nine-year-old brother, was believed to be crossing the road, in Haydon Wick, shortly before
FORGET Wigan Athletic, it was the Greyhound pub who were the real FA Cup winners this week. Hundreds of people turned out to see the genuine FA Cup at the Faringdon Road pub last night after winning a raffle and beating 627 other pubs nationwide
MARTIN Sell has carded an opening round of one-over-par at the Madeira Islands Open. The Swindonian slumped to three-over after seven holes but rallied with back-to-back birdies on 12 and 13. Sell is tied 58th at the time of writing at the
A NURSE at the Great Western Hospital has received two national awards for improving patient care while cutting time and money. Radiology sister, Alice Bevan was awarded Student Nurse of the Year: Post-registration by the Student Nursing Times
An EVENT is to raise money for Wiltshire Air Ambulance as a thank you for helping a toddler savagely mauled by a dog. The fun day will raise cash for the charity as well as for Prospect Hospice almost a year after Keiron Guess, then aged just two
A TEENAGER who is charged with raping a 14-year-old girl and abusing a 13-year-old girl is to face trial. Ian Sidney, 19, of Galloway Close, Eastleaze, appeared at Swindon Crown Court accused of carrying out the series of sex attacks on the children
NEIGHBOURHOOD police will be holding a drop-in centre for residents to raise issues this weekend. Officers will be at Lawn Community Centre Cafe on Saturday, May 18 from 10.30am 11.30am to answer any questions.
THE family of a little boy who dreams of walking unaided will find out if he can have a life-changing operation next month. Four-year-old Jack Pike, of Penhill, suffers from spastic diplegia cerebral palsy, which means the muscles in his legs do
Well, after a couple of weeks of gig listings that were quite literally an embarrassment of riches, things have calmed down a bit. But there is still a decent selection to be found on the musical menu this week. Starting in our usual kick-off point
POLICEwere called to a crash involving three vehicles outside the Sally Pussey Inn on Monday morning at 7.45am. The crash involved a Honda Accord, a Volvo V50 and a Chevrolet Spear and the road was closed to traffic until 9am.
White Knuckle Bride are ready to rock with true British grit at Riffs Bar, Greatfield, Hook, Swindon from 7pm. Also entertaining on the night are Lord Bishop Rocks, who are mixing their brand of 70s influenced Hardrock, Funk, Blues, Jazz, Reggae
To celebrate the queen's coronation jubilee and the legacy from the London Games Swindon Walcot and Parks Community Group are inviting Parks and Walcot residents to enter a competion to bake and decorate a coronation cake and make a posy fit for the queen
The Tin Spirits, led by former XTC guitarist Dave Gregory, play progressive rock from 7pm, at Riffs Bar, Greatfield, Hook, Swindon tomorrow. Tickets are £5 in advance, £6 on the door.
Digital artists Tim Cumming and Nigel Hudson have created a showcase of workers in action, taken from a cross section of 100 Swindon firms. Working Beautifully features more than 700 original digital paintings and photographic composites created
THAMES Water has launched a campaign to warn people about the problems caused by washing grease and wet wipes down drains. The company has highlighted the damage that can be caused to homes and businesses from blocked drains. Each month the
A FUNERAL celebrant and burial ground founder has joined forces with the Swindon Festival of Literature to mark National Dying Matters Week. Westmill Woodland Burial Ground is backing Home Death, a play and reading by author Nell Dunn at the Arts
The Sunny Boys began their Surfin’ Safari as a Beach Boys tribute band in their home country of Italy in 2003. Brothers Giuka and Fabio began the band through a passion for Brian Wilson’s music. The surfer sound won them a huge following and tours
Stephen Webb faces a long wait for his food at a pub in Highworth EAT AT: The Saracen’s Head, Market Place, Highworth SN6 7AG Tel: 01793 762284 www.saracenshead.co.uk “Eight o’clock?” I suggested, before I booked the table for an evening
This week it’s the turn of Matt Williams, 28, chef at the Abbey Meads pub, Swindon. Call 01793 726208 When did you first take an interest in cooking, and when did you decide you wanted to become a chef? I've always had an interest in food
Stage Struck drama group notch up their pearl anniversary this year and to celebrate 30 years of treading the boards present the musical show, When I Grow Up. Comedy and music in true Stage Struck style will be on the bill from Tuesday, May 21
SCHOOL leavers are being given the opportunity to design the railway tracks of the future. In a new scheme, called Star Track, being launched by Network Rail, 20 students will be given the opportunity to join a trainee engineering programme, with
Dennis Locorriere, former lead singer with Dr Hook, has one of the most instantly recognisable voices in the world but he often wishes that his face was as well known. He said: “I am forever having to explain to people that I was not the one with
THIS year's Mela will go ahead at the Town Gardens, following positive meetings with the organisers Swindon Council. Council leader David Renard has offered a special dispensation to enable to event to go ahead at the venue, wuth a limit of 10,000
RICHARD Herring, Lee Nelson and Chris Cox will see to it that Swindon comedy fans are well catered for over the next few days. Richard comes to the Wyvern Theatre on Sunday at 8pm with an updated version of an acclaimed show whose title can’t be
TICKETS are still available to see Jools Holland and his Rhythm & Blues Orchestra when they make a welcome return to Westonbirt Arboretum this summer. The 20-piece orchestra consists of pianist, organist, drummer, three female vocals, guitar
“EVERYONE has a Tommy Cooper impression, and as soon as you say you are in a production about him they have to show it to you.” It is clear that Damian Williams, who plays the legendary comedian in Being Tommy Cooper, has had “just like that”’
A MAN who was due to face trial accused of assaulting a former girlfriend has had the charges against him dropped. But Lee Fitchett did not walk free from the dock because he has been returned to prison as he was on early release licence for other
THERE’S a special Big Farm Machinery weekend at Bowood this Saturday and Sunday, featuring a display of new farm tractors and machinery alongside their smaller vintage counterparts. The event is bound to to be a hugely popular event for Tractor
How do you take you tea/coffee? Tea, white and no sugar. Coffee, flat white, two sugars. Which fictional character do you wish was real? Jesus What’s the worst decision you've ever made? Not going to drama school. What do you
Michelle Tompkins revisits the Olympic park for some sport of a very different kind CAN it really be nine months since the nation waved their Union Jacks and basked in the glow of not only hosting a glorious Olympic Games but also seeing our sportsmen
THE Swindon Festival of Literature temporarily became the Reformed Criminals Society yesterday lunchtime, as almost the whole audience admitted to committing a crime at some time in their lives. That included broadcaster, and who the crowd were
A YOUNG girl suffered serious head injuries yesterday after being struck by a car while walking her dog in Haydon Wick. The girl, thought to be about 12 years old, is believed to have suffered head and leg injuries as a result of the accident in
NEIGHBOURHOOD officers were out and about in the town centre with drugs dog Patch during a regular enforcement patrol earlier this week. In total, 18 people were stopped and searched following positive indications from Patch, and five were found
AWARD-winning folk/country artist Charlie Landsborough is coming to Swindon as part of his autumn tour – but there’s a twist. Local choirs are invited to take part in the tour and raise money for Children In Need 2013 by entering the Charlie Landsborough
HUNDREDS of people across the town are set to get into sport, thanks to funding for two projects. A new project from Swindon Council, aimed at encouraging sport participation amongst the most inactive residents, has been boosted thanks to £240,000
WITNESSES said victims of a head-on car crash in the town centre yesterday were fortunate to walk away unharmed. The incident took place at 12.50pm in Drove Road when a green Rover 400 collided with a blue Citroen C4 as the vehicle was turning
THE first meeting of the Royal Wootton Bassett and Cricklade Area Board will take place on May 22 from 6.30pm at Cricklade Town Hall. There will be a chance to network, ask questions and raise issues. You can also hear about the area board’s new
YOUNGSTERS and their parents were immersed in Japanese culture at an activities day at their school last week. Pupils at Goddard Park Community Primary School enjoyed learning the arts of Origami – paper folding – and calligraphy, as well as sampling
A WEAKENED Wootton Bassett Under 18s side were overwhelmed 57-13 by hosts Trowbridge in the final of the Dorset & Wilts Plate on Sunday. Injuries and withdrawals left Bassett with just two backs as replacements and Trowbridge’s forwards used
SWINDON’S Jazz Carlin says her fastest 400m freestyle in two years is yet another building block towards the World Championships in Barcelona this summer. The former Wootton Bassett School pupil scooped four gold medals for Wales at the Celtic
SWINDON Robins legend Mike Broadbank and Paralympian Louise Hunt handed out prizes at the British Under 13 Championships which were held recently at the Oasis. In total 24 boys and nine girls were given medals at the event, including local riders
CIRENCESTER seniors suffered a narrow 4-3 defeat at Naunton Downs as they failed to end their recent disappointing run. Although seniors captain David Findlay and Gerry Bruton got Cirencester off to a winning start by triumphing two and one, the
BROOME Manor pro David Howell helped launch the BMW PGA Championship’s Performance Putting Challenge in central London recently. The challenge was a three-hole mini golf course that incorporated BMW car parts as obstacles and was located in Duke
TILLY Gray was more than pleased to find form at the Celtic Tri-Nations Championship in spite of an ‘awful pool’ in East Kilbride. The Swindon flyer, competing for Wales, picked up second places in the 100m and 200m butterfly as well as fourth
D-MAN Stevie Whitfield believes Swindon is the best place for him to develop after signing a deal to stay at Wildcats for the 2013/14 season. The 22-year-old has been a loyal club man since joining Swindon’s junior ranks well over a decade ago,
MARLBOROUGH brothers Jamie and Ben Amor followed in their father Simon’s footsteps to clinch the Wiltshire Foursomes title at Cumberwell Park on Sunday, despite believing they had blown their chance. The duo were four shots better than anyone else
MARTIN Sell says he is unfazed by blustery conditions and will be quite happy to battle through the wind if required at the Madeira Islands Open in Portugal. The Wrag Barn pro, returning to the Challenge Tour following a three-week break, tees
THE dust has settled after Badminton, and it’s back to business as usual for the local eventers, writes NICKI STRONG. For the likes of world number one Andrew Nicholson, that means getting back to winning ways. He had a spectacular weekend
EDWARD Kennett believes he did enough in Monday’s British Final at Wolverhampton to put himself firmly in contention for a place in Great Britain’s World Cup squad this summer. The Robins rider won his opening three rides at Monmore Green, before
