Archive

10:26pm Time to go home, but I'll leave you with the usual poll. DON'T FORGET TO SEE TOMORROW'S ADVERTISER FOR A REPORT, PICTURES AND REACTION FROM TONIGHT'S MATCH 10:25pm

IN Southampton, fans of Swindon Town should find solace that age really might not be everything. Regardless of the result of tonight’s friendly clash at the County Ground, which the Premier League visitors won 1-0 thanks to Jos Hooiveld’s goal,

FIREFIGHTERS are battling a large fire at a recycling plant in Swindon. The fire has broken out at Averies Recycling at Marshgate. A large plume of black smoke can currently be seen over Swindon and reportedly as far afield as Devizes.

TO celebrate the Adver’s 160th anniversary this year we present a Swindon Roll of Honour comprising 160 headline makers from the history of our town. Here you will find those whose work and achievements have helped raise the standing and profile

THE funeral of murdered Tom Rogers took place today. Tom, 60, was murdered in the underpass near the Oasis on June 26.  His funeral was held in Swindon and following the service, his family released the following tribute: "Today we have

A KEEN gardener from Wroughton has claimed that a pack of wild flower seeds he won through BBC’s Countryfile and proceeded to cultivate in his garden contained a deadly plant until now believed to be extinct. When the nature programme offered members

WILTSHIRE Police are still appealing for witnesses following a fatal road traffic collision on Saturday. The single vehicle collision occurred westbound on the C124 west of Kempsford - approximately 400m west of The Street, Marston Meysey, shortly

“WE’VE got a mosh pit going on down here,” shouted Deacon Blue frontman Ricky Ross to the picnickers still sat in their deckchairs. “It’s a middle class mosh pit though... they’ve all been to Waitrose before they arrived.” With that one quip, the

AFTER 20 years in the business many boybands would be struggling, but Boyzone proved their fans still love them for a reason when they took to the stage on Friday. The Irish singers, famous for hits including Picture of You, Words and Love Me For

AT CO-OPERATIVE Childcare, in Walcot, staff understand it is a tough decision for parents to leave their child in someone else’s care so they seek to make it as easy as possible. There is a friendly approach and parents have access to all the information

A PIZZA delivery driver raped a 15-year-old girl after agreeing to give her a lift home when she was stranded alone on a night out, a jury has been told. Tahir Mehmood is said to have forced himself on the 'naive' teenager after taking her to a

FOLLOWING Friday night's lightning, the skies of Swindon turned a dark shade of apocalyptic again ahead of Saturday's huge downpour. Our readers captured some intense-looking cloud formations as the deluge approached, and have shared them with

SWINDON... 1947: Sixteen members of the Stratton St Margaret Nursing Division have just returned from a week in camp at Porthcawl, South Wales. The events included a church parade, a joint social with Porthcawl Division, singing evening in both

A MEMBER of a dedicated yet unsuccessful aviation dynasty was front page news in the Adver 40 years ago today. Michael Dolling has already featured in Rewind, having spent much of the 1960s and 1970s developing imaginative human-powered flying

DANNY La Rue will be honoured at the Wyvern Theatre later this week to mark what would have been his 87th birthday. For decades the star, who died of cancer at 81 in 2009, was the country’s best known female impersonator and one of our highest

THIS week’s column has been made possible by a twist of fate that happened in 1882. It’s all to do with my great great grandfather, who was born in 1831, lived in Upper Stratton and went by the impressive name of Adolphus Adams (not many people can

IT was an example of the great British spirit... hundreds of people turning out for the Children’s Fete at Faringdon Park on Saturday... despite the rain, the thunder and the mud. The fete, first started in 1886 and reinvented in 2003, attracted

I WAS so concerned to hear of the proposed 40 per cent cut to Swindon Children’s Centres (£770,000) with the result that more than half of them are to close. Anyone who has been associated with Children’s Centres knows what a valuable resource

THANK you for reporting on the dangerous situation facing pedestrians attempting to cross the road at the Regent Circus development. I was almost run over this week! Some additional form of traffic calming needs to be put in place, and fast. I

IMMIGRATION is good for Britain and all immigrants contribute to the economy of this country, but it still needs to be controlled. Most things in moderation are good, but anything done to excess is always bad for us. The only way to bring immigration

TORIES are very good at reaching “difficult decisions” – especially if it doesn’t affect them! Take Swindon Tory acolyte Councillor Foley. She too, would you believe it, has just had to make a “difficult decision”. She has axed nearly three

LAST year, during a two month period of unusually warm weather, six people drowned in former quarry lakes across the UK. Quarry operators know that the warmer weather heralds an increase in young people and adults entering quarries uninvited with

TODAY was waste collection day in my area. As I had received a great deal of strong cardboard packaging lately I asked my son to break it up and fold it so I could put it out for collection. This was done, but ALL of it was left at my front gate.

THE decision to hand over the town’s leisure facilities – including the poorly thought out decision to allow an unproven operator take over the ‘jewel in the crown’, Broome Manor Golf complex – was made many weeks ago and no amount of lobbying was

MAY I congratulate the Swindon MP Robert Buckland on his promotion from the back benches into the ranks of the Government? The South Swindon MP was given the job of Solicitor General in David Cameron’s latest ministerial reshuffle, but if Robert

I’M writing to invite all readers, old and young, to sign the Love the Bus Pass petition, and help the campaign reach 100,000 signatures by the end of August (currently we’re on 44,950). They’ll be delivered to Downing Street on September 10, when

“THE lamps are going out all over Europe, and we shall not see them lit again in our lifetime.” This famous statement is attributed to Sir Edward Grey, who was Foreign Secretary on the eve of the first World War and has inspired a remarkable opportunity

THE Beeb has launched the BBC Music Awards. A request has been made to include special posthumous awards to pop stars killed in car crashes while on tour of the UK. The following names have been put forward to the BBC for their TV show in December

LAST Friday, I once again had the opportunity of attending the final day of the Junior Good Citizen project, which is held in Potterne every year for two weeks. Once again it has proved very popular and successful with more than 50 primary schools

THE issue of whether or not Wiltshire and Dorset fire services should merge seems to be getting ever more politicised. As the Independent member of the Wiltshire authority I have two observations to make. Firstly, much of the information provided

SWINDON: Swindon Live at Home Scheme is looking for volunteers to join its weekly telephone service to check on isolated elderly people. The calls are made from Epworth Court. Volunteers will be supervised by a manager. To find out more or sign

ROYAL WOOTTON BASSETT: Pervert GP Davinderjit Bains, who was sentenced to 12 years in prison and struck off the medical register for life after sexually assaulting female patients, will appeal his sentence on July 30 at Canterbury Court.

WROUGHTON: The funeral of popular drummer Gerry Hunt will take place at Kingsdown Crematorium on Wednesday at 1.30pm. Family flowers only are requested but donations can be made to Cancer Research UK. The 62-year-old from Wroughton died on

LYDIARD MILLICENT: The Green in Lydiard Millicent will be closed for two weeks from next Monday while roadworks are carried out. The road is the main road through Lydiard Millicent from West Swindon to the Greatfield crossroads.

SHAW: On July 10, at 4.20pm, a Ghost mountain bike in grey was stolen outside Tesco Shaw village centre. If anyone has any information call police on 101.

ROYAL WOOTTON BASSETT: Neighbourhood Watch volunteers are needed for Royal Wootton Bassett – in particular, in the St Ives development area, Jubilee Park area by Otters Way, Brynards Park by Woodshaw and Sprats Barn area. If you like the idea,

NORTH SWINDON: An 18-year-old man was arrested by police on Friday night having failed the roadside breath test following a minor road traffic accident on Eastbury Way. He has been since been charged and will appear at Swindon Magistrates Court

ABOUT Face, the latest exhibition at the Swindon Museum and Art Gallery, runs until September 27 and has a fresh perspective on portraits by bringing together traditional and modern portraits, self portraits, studies and sketches. The exhibition

A POEM about Swindon could win £1,000 in a free competition. Anyone, young or old, can have a go. All you have to do is send a poem about Swindon to “Local Poem” by email info@unitedpress.co.uk or post to United Press Ltd, Admail 3735, London,

SMOKEFREE South West have welcomed the announcement that a consultation on draft regulations to ban smoking in cars with child passengers is under way. According to a YouGov poll conducted in March for the charity ASH and Smokefree South West,

HIGHWORTH: A flat had to be broken into in Westrop when residents reported smelling gas. Firefighters from Stratton had to enter via a first floor window and turned the gas supply off.

PENHILL: Firefighters were called to Rushall Close at 12.30pm on Thursday after the occupant reported smelling gas. The crew did not have to do anything but were on standby in case of an incident until the gas firm arrived.

BLUNSDON: A crew from Cricklade was called to deal with a small grass fire near Widhil Lane on Wednesday at 6pm. The fire was only about 20 by 30 metres in size and beaters were used to put it out. The crew then received a call from the Highways

SWINDON: Firefighters were called to a field just off the M4 on Wednesday shortly after midday when a large fire broke out in a field. Smoke from the fire drifted across the motorway causing visibility issues. The cause of the fire is not yet known

TOWN CENTRE: A free exhibition of cast-iron sculptures has been unveiled at STEAM this month and the Industry to Art Exhibition is free to view until August 10.

SWINDON: A fire crew from Stratton was called to a van which was on fire along the M4 between junction 15 and Membury Services on Thursday at 8.45am. The vehicle was well alight when they arrived so a hose reel jet and two breathing apparatus wearers

STRATTON: A cat became stuck up a 15ft tree on Highworth Road on Wednesday afternoon. At 8.45pm the owner called the fire brigade, who sent a rural officer. Using a ladder, the officer was able to safely bring the cat down unhurt.

A TEENAGER who is accused of sexually assaulting a woman has been released on bail by a judge. Jeremy Van Der Sanden is said to have committed the alleged offence on Thursday, December 5 last year. No charge was formally put to the 19-year-old,

A BURGLAR who stole an engagement ring when he raided three hotel rooms has been remanded in custody. Jamie Anstey also stole two handbags and their contents, bank cards, an iPhone and a camera from two of the rooms. And the 35-year-old took

SMASH, the Swindon youth mentoring charity, will hold the very first SMASH DASH in September. SMASH gives young people the chance to become everything they can be, sometimes when no one else believes they can. The DASH will take place around

WILTSHIRE Fire & Rescue Service attended over 30 incidents related to the weather during the day on Saturday. Control received in excess of 100 calls as a severe storm swept over the county, with West Wiltshire particularly affected. Seven

5:07pm That's it from LIVE NEWS today, we'll be back tomorrow. The website will be updated throughout the evening with any breaking stories so don't forget to check back. 4:51pm

SWINDON: Trains won’t run between Swindon and Didcot Parkway on August 2 and 3 because of planned engineering works. From 2am on Saturday, August 2 to 2am Monday, August 4 bus services will run between the stations. Trains between London Paddington

SWINDON: You can talk to one of the elected public governors of Great Western Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust each Wednesday at the Central Library between 4.15pm and 6.15pm. Governors are elected as representatives of the trust and the wider public

SWINDON: The JTP Trust has a few September vacancies in its youngest classes for gifted singers aged five and upwards. The teenage Girls Concert Choir, which has twice reached the national finals of Music for Youth, also has spaces for new singers

BLUNSDON: A fire crew from Royal Wootton Bassetted attended a small grass fire on land close to the A419 shortly after 5pm on Tuesday. Beaters were used to put out the flames.

HEADLANDS: A rural fire officer was called to a property in Headlands Grove on Tuesday morning after a pigeon became trapped in a chimney. The bird first flew in over the weekend, but could not escape. The officer used specialist equipment to free

TOWN CENTRE: Fire crews attended a small fire at Queens Park at 6.20pm on Thursday. The cause of the fire is not known but the crew, which came from Royal Wootton Bassett because of the fire strike, only had to make the area safe when they arrived

SWINDON Supermarine boss Dave Webb said Saturday’s friendly with local rivals Chippenham was a better challenge for his side than the defeat to Swindon Town. Marine beat Mark Collier’s Bluebirds 2-0 at the Webb’s Wood in Saturday’s Rob Dean Testimonial

TARIQ Quaddus will face his toughest test yet when he returns to the ring at the end of next month. The Swindon-based super-middleweight will aim to continue his rise up the ranks on August 30 in Southampton with unbeaten light-heavyweight Chris

SWINDON’S David Howell hailed his display at Hoylake this week as the best he has ever played at The Open. The Broome Manor man got better with every round, finishing with a 68 over his final 18 holes which left him tied for 15th on eight-under

SWINDON South MP Robert Buckland is facing calls to stand down from his new role as Solicitor General after it emerged he was found guilty of professional misconduct but failed to disclose it to the Prime Minister. It relates to a race hate crime

CHILLI-lovers chowed down on some of the hottest peppers known to man in a chilli-eating competition at Wharf Green. Some brave, others just bullish, experience eventually prevailed above youth as 57-year-old Allan Catlin triumphed over 17-year-old

WORKERS at the town’s Mini plant are celebrating after their hard work helped win a national award. The new Mini, which has parts made at the Stratton-based factory, was named the Auto-express car of the year at a lavish ceremony in London last

DOZENS of children visited libraries around the town on Saturday in an effort to keep their minds engaged during the long summer holidays. The Summer Reading Challenge was launched officially at the weekend, in which children of all ages from around

HUNDREDS of custom-made cars descended on Wroughton Airfield yesterday as a charity day was held to raise money for the Wiltshire Air Ambulance. More than 20 car clubs from across the South West took part in the event which saw people of all ages

SWINDON Town manager Mark Cooper isn’t anticipating his side having too much of the ball tonight, as Premier League side Southampton arrive at the County Ground for a pre-season friendly. Having been beaten by Eastleigh on Thursday night, Town

SWINDON Town fans have been urged not to jump on the backs of the club’s scholars as and when they get their first-team breaks in 2014/15, with manager Mark Cooper insisting that with the support they need this crop of players could go on to be future

CAPTAIN Troy Batchelor is hopeful his side will be able to convert his side’s recent run of home wins into success on the road this evening when the Robins travel to Belle Vue. Thursday’s victory over Leicester saw the Robins win three home meetings

ALUN Rossiter has insisted a positive frame of mind is vital as his side bid to continue their play-off push at Belle Vue this evening. The Aces sit second bottom in the Elite League table, following Birmingham’s resignation from the league, but

NICK Morris has achieved more by the tender age of 20 than most speedway riders do in their entire careers, but the youngster is fully aware of how many steps he still needs to take to reach the top. In addition to a host of junior titles back

PETER Kildemand knows he needs to put in a big performance in the opening round of the World Cup next week if he’s to earn a spot in the Danish side for the later stages of the competition. National team boss Anders Secher has called the Robins

ALTHOUGH the crowds were not as big as in previous years, the rain could not dampen the spirits of those who did attend the Mechanics’ Trust Children’s Fete on Saturday. The threat of heavy storms meant only a few hundred attended the event in

SWINDON schools received a boost this week when it was announced the amount of funding they are set to receive next year will be higher than expected. For many years, the town has been among the lowest funded local authorities for schools in the

Jack Westlake was employed in the railway works all his working life and stayed sprightly until a ripe age before passing away at the age of 102 last week. A teetotaller, Jack also never smoked and kept himself in prime fitness, keeping his passions

FREAK showers sent people racing for shelter on an otherwise warm and enjoyable day at the Stratton festival on Saturday. The skies opened for a matter of minutes on more than one occasion, leaving the many stalls crammed with people sheltering

STREET-dance duo Twist and Pulse brought their own brand of comedy to Miss Kel’s Dance Academy on Saturday as they continue to tour at home and abroad. The budding academy pupils were treated to a unique insight into the off-beat brand of street

THE biggest change in the electoral registration system in nearly 100 years is being introduced in Wiltshire over the summer. Everyone living in the county will receive a letter explaining the new secure Individual Electoral Registration system

WROUGHTON: Wroughton Country Market every Friday at the Ellendune Community Centre from 9am to 11am features home-grown plants and cut flowers, cakes and food. See wroughtoncountrymarket.co.uk.

SWINDON: The Prospect Hospice Lottery draw was held yesterday and the winner of the £1,000 top prize is number 01012. Number 29686 wins £100 while numbers 05572 and 49233 win £50 each.The following numbers win £25 each – 08037, 16787, 66202 and