A FAMILY doctor who filmed himself sexually abusing female patients with his James Bond-style wristwatch has had his sentence cut from 12 to 10 years on appeal. Dr Davinder Jeet Bains's original sentence was quashed by Lord Thomas, Lord Chief Justice
NODDY, Bananas in Pyjamas and Fifi and Bumble are just some of the television favourites who will be at the Wyvern Theatre on Sunday. The characters will be starring in Milkshake! at 1pm and 3.30pm alongside two presenters of the Channel 5 show
Tractor Ted has guided many preschool children through a wonderful world down on the farm, and Bowood House in Calne is hosting a big weekend just for the little green tractor. The star of books and DVDs will be welcoming families on Saturday August
On the Road to Edinburgh - Packed up and ready to go! It was about this time last year that Wrong Shoes Theatre Company decided to bring a group of performers together to create a new piece of theatre. The project had no name, no planned performance
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
REDHOUSE: There was a small rubbish fire on land close to Isambard School at 8.40pm on Sunday. A crew from Drove Road Fire Station was called and although the fire was out on arrival, they used a hose to make sure the site was safe.
BRIDGEMEAD: A fire crew was called to a flat in Padstow Road shortly before 10am on Saturday after a small fire broke out in the kitchen. Firefighters from Drove Road and Stratton were forced to break their way in as the occupier, who had left
MOREDON: Two people had to be freed from a lift at a property on The Street at 3.10pm on Saturday. They got stuck after the lift broke, so firefighters had to get them out, which took around 20 minutes.
STRATTON: 4 Front Wrestling returns to Stratton Leisure in Swindon featuring TV Superstar from TNA Impact Wrestling, Mr Anderson, as he takes on Swindon Local ‘The Saviour’ JD Knight in the main event. Mr Anderson, formerly Mr Kennedy in the World
TOWN CENTRE: Peppa Pig and George will be leading story time in The Brunel Centre on Thursday between 11am and 3pm, near to Cargo. Free of charge. Characters will appear at intervals.
STANTON FITZWARREN: The next parish council meeting is being held at the Village Hall at 7.30pm on Wednesday, August 6. Villagers are welcome to attend and raise any issues to the parish council.
TOWN CENTRE: Volunteers are being sought to help run the Helen and Douglas House charity shop in Regent Street. Anyone interested can visit the store or call 01793 435165.
TOWN CENTRE: A roller disco with a 1980s theme is taking place at Meca from 6pm on Friday. A family disco will run from 6pm until 9pm with the event being for over 18s only from 9.30pm. For more information call 01793 251111.
COATE: Volunteers are being sought to help tend to the grounds of Coate Water Country Park between 10am and 2pm today. Anyone wanting to help can call 01793 490150 or email swindonrangers@swindon.gov.uk.
TOWN CENTRE: Stars from children’s TV show Milkshake! will be performing at the Wyvern Theatre at 1pm and 3.30pm on Sunday. For ticket information 01793 524481 or visit www.swindontheatres.co.uk.
THE family of Mariola Martin has released a statement following her death in a road traffic collision. The 53-year-old, from Swindon, died after a crash on the A303 involving a broken down Mazda MX5 which was stationary in the inside lane and a
OLD TOWN: Bands The Brompton Mix and Burnthru will be performing at The Vic at 8pm tomorrow. For more information about the event call 01793 535713 or email thevicswindon@gmail.com.
SWINDON 105.5 has an opportunity for a third member to join their Breakfast programme. The town’s community radio station is an accessible service based at the Bentley Centre in Stratton Road, which continually offers opportunities for people to
A CHARITY car wash is being held at Swindon Fire Station this Saturday to raise funds for a little boy with cancer. Five-year-old Charlie Allen was recently diagnosed with leukaemia. He has already undergone investigative surgery and a number of
SHAW RIDGE: Young movie fans can win film-related prizes and tickets in a special competition organised by Cineworld. On August 9 the cinema is holding a colouring competition to mark the release of the Disney animated film Planes: Fire And Rescue
SWINDON Town will host an Aston Villa XI at the County Ground on Saturday in a pre-season friendly. Entry for the game is priced at £5 per adult and £1 for children, with only the Arkell's Stand open to fans. Tickets will be available to purchase
WROUGHTON: Firefighters were called to a car fire on Perry’s Lane shortly after 11am on Sunday. A crew from Drove Road Fire Station attended and put out the fire.
OLD TOWN: There was a small rubbish fire on open ground near Quarry Road at 8.30pm on Saturday. A crew from Westlea attended the incident and used buckets of water to put out the flames.
NORTH SWINDON: The locality meeting for North Swindon will be held tonight at 7.30pm at the North Swindon Library. The meeting will give residents the opportunity to meet their councillors and neighbourhood policing team and discuss issues relevant
SWINDON Town's Milk Cup side were beaten 3-2 by County Antrim at the Milk Cup this afternoon. Following a 4-0 victory on Tuesday, the Robins made the perfect start when a Callum Gunner corner was met by Jordan Young to put Swindon in front after
BLUNSDON: Blunsdon Parish Council is appealing for new members of their community speedwatch team to operate in keeping traffic speeds in the area to the restrictions. A meeting will be held this afternoon at 1.30pm in the village hall and new
POPULAR stories will be brought to life over the summer holidays thanks to a series of special walks at Lydiard Park. The park will be holding story walks every Wednesday featuring a range of stories, excerpts and rhymes which will explore the
SOUTH Cerney Angling Club is holding free angling taster days for people who would like to have a go at fishing, on Saturday, August 2, and Saturday, August 16. Hosted in partnership with the Cotswold Waterpark Trust, the events are held as part
TO mark the 100th anniversary since the start of the First World War, Greene King is inviting service men, women and veterans to enjoy a meal, absolutely free. From August 3 to 9, serving and retired armed forces personnel will be eligible for
THE school summer holidays are now underway, but just before the end of term Swindon received some excellent news about an increase in spending on our children’s education. The Government announced that schools in some of the least fairly funded
RESPONDING to your report and pictures ‘Protectors in call for peace in Gaza’, it was nice to read that so many people of different ages and faith groups gathered as one on the streets of Gorse Hill and Broadgreen in a silent protest at the continuing
I WOULD advise all sci fi enthusiasts to have a look on the leading internet home shopping service and show their support for local Swindon prolific author Barry E Woodham. He has, I understand, self published eight books in the last fifteen years
IT seems that Cameron’s coalition place so much responsibility for the current trouble in Ukraine, and the tragedy which occurred in Ukraine’s eastern region, upon the Putin government in Russia. He and other blame merchants should remember that
THE government this week announced it is to end local politicians’ vetoes to be able to block ‘nuclear waste repositories’ after Cumberland council overwhelmingly rejected their plans in 2013 to bury enough nuclear waste to fill six Albert Halls, with
JULY 18 marked Nelson Mandela Day, and on behalf of The British Polio Fellowship, I would like to express my thanks to Mr Mandela for the work that he did to help Kick Polio Out of Africa. In 1996 Polio was rife in Africa. Political tensions, warfare
BRITAIN'S trade deficit has doubled in two years. My area of interest is economics. I regularly monitor the trade defict. Two years ago Britains trade deficit was 46 billion dollars a year. Britain trade defict is now 117 billion dollars a year
I WATCHED the opening of the Commonwealth Games on Wednesday. I was brought up a ten minute walk from the venue in the heart of the East End of Glasgow. No Country For Old Men, as the film title states, in my youth anyway . When the Queen and Prince
FOLLOWING entering and winning your Prom King Competition, I would like to say a huge thank you to the Swindon Advertiser for making my school leavers prom a lasting memory that will stay with me for a lifetime. In addition I would like to thank
THE Crown Inn at Stratton has organised a Great British Classics Charity Night in aid of Swindon Guide Dogs for the Blind 4Joy Appeal. It is on Wednesday August 20 and starts at 7pm with last orders at 9.30pm. On the menu are fish n’ chips, liver
TOWN CENTRE: Bon Marche has been granted planning permission for two new illuminated signs at its Regent Street branch. The retailer will be redressed with a white background and black letters, which will be illuminated around the edges. A decision
RODBOURNE CHENEY: The fortnightly bargain bazaars return to St Andrew’s Church, Moredon Road, in September. They are held between 2pm and 3.30pm and sell bric-a-brac, books, toys, second hand curtains and new wool. Refreshments are available.
PINEHURST: A motorbike was destroyed after being deliberately set on fire along Pinehurst Road on Saturday. Firefighters from Stratton were called at 8.30pm but the vehicle could not be saved.
PINEHURST: There was a single vehicle crash on the Moonraker’s Roundabout at 7.30pm on Sunday. Although fire crews were not called, a passing appliance stopped to help clear up coolants which had spilled onto the road.
BRITISH Transport Police (BTP) are warning people in Swindon to stay safe near the tracks. The summer nights usually show an increase in trespass cases, some of which include vandalism. Between April and June this year BTP recorded almost 2,400
STAFF at Swinton Insurance in Swindon have announced a charity partnership with Cancer Research UK. The charity will be the recipient of the company’s fundraising activities for 2014/15 starting this month. Employees will be encouraged to join
SOUTH MARSTON: Swindon Council will put two-way traffic signals in place in Old Vicarage Lane near the railway bridge tomorrow. Signs are being erected on the bridge and vehicles passing through must be controlled until next Wednesday.
HIGHWORTH: The disruption for motorists in Cricklade Road is expected to end tomorrow. Swindon Council has been patching up the road between The Elms and Oak Drive since yesterday between 9.30am and 3pm. There has been some carriageway incursion
OLD TOWN: Delays are likely for motorists in Newport Street from today. BT is carrying out roadworks and must install give-and-take traffic controls as a result. The procedure is scheduled to end on Friday.
TOWN CENTRE: Thames Water’s collapsed sewer repairs in Wells Street are scheduled to end today. The utilities firm has had the road closed since Thursday, July 17 with disruption for motorists.
M4: The hard shoulder and one lane will be closed between Junctions 16 and 17 on the eastbound carriageway from 8pm tomorrow until 5.30am on Friday. The Highways Agency is carrying out the work. Motorists should expect delays.
THIS week, some handy hints on securing a public inquiry into a cause dear to your heart. As many of you know, Swindon and the communities surrounding it are currently facing all sorts of downsizing and other upsetting changes, and thousands of
BISHOPSTOW village, on the eastern edge of Warminster, has been chosen by Wiltshire Council for housing development, including affordable housing, in spite of the protests of large numbers of local people. Not only is this greenfield site adjacent
IN reply to MJ Warner (SA 26 July) there was a very steep decline in manufacturing output under New Labour. Manufacturing was 18 per cent of GDP in 1997 when New Labour came to power. Thirteen years later it had dropped to 10 per cent of GDP by
IF I had £7m I’d open up University of Swindon! Wouldn’t that be beautiful? How many young and elderly people of this town would go to higher education if we had Swindon University? How many single parents would be attracted by the closer university
I AM writing to you concerning Stratton Festival held on Saturday July 19, a very enjoyable and well run occasion covering a wide spectrum of interest. While I realise reporters and photographers have many commitments on one day I was disappointed
I HAVE read with a deep concern some of the letters concerning the present situation in Gaza which present an unbalanced and wholly wrong view of Israel. That suffering happening in Gaza at the moment is beyond dispute but the reasons for the suffering
THE controversy over the now aborted plans to turn an Oakbourne Park property into a residential care home is sad for all concerned. It is sad for Autism Care Wiltshire Ltd because it must now seek an alternative location, and it is sad for local
PARENTS battling to save Swindon’s children’s centres are frustrated that an online consultation about their future isn’t working. Swindon Council is reviewing the services with the aim of saving £770,000 as it tries to make £48m in budget cuts
SWINDON... 1947: Air Commodore Ronald L Phillips, only son of Mr P Phillips of Drove Road, General Secretary and Librarian of the GWR Mechanics Institute, had received the CBE from the King. He went to Buckingham Palace with his wife and son, Michael
SWINDON: A crash involving three vehicles caused delays into Swindon at J15 of the M4 yesterday when the cars crashed at the Commonhead flyover. Both lanes of the A419 northbound were blocked for several hours. Drivers faced long delays in the
ROYAL WOOTTON BASSETT: Police officers from Royal Wootton Bassett and Cricklade arrested two people for drink driving over the weekend – one following a crash in Cricklade and the other following information received in Bassett. If you know of
A Swindon pub is transforming into a tropical island in the Caribbean for a family day of fun. The New Inn at Stratton St Margaret is serving up Caribbean specialties on Saturday, August 2, with dishes from Jamaica, Africa, Bahamas and all varieties
SUMMER is the season of wedding bells and relationship charity Relate Gloucestershire and Swindon has offered advice for couples before they get hitched. Their top 10 tips include creating an ‘ideal’ future timeline, booking a one off couple counselling
A SWINDON pub is transforming into a tropical island in the Caribbean for a family day of fun. The New Inn at Stratton St Margaret is serving up Caribbean specialities on Saturday, with dishes from Jamaica, the Bahamas and Africa. People on
SWINDON Foodbank is the proud owner of a new delivery van after receiving a grant from an accountancy firm and a local Peugeot dealership which helped make it a reality. The Peugeot team from Fish Bros, on Great Western Way, supplied the foodbank
TAKE part in the Wiltshire 100 and Big Wheel bike rides and you could help support disabled and terminally ill children in the county. The cycling events on Sunday, September 8 offer the choice of three routes – over 100, 50 and 12 miles – all
WEST Country coach holiday specialist Bakers Dolphin has thrown a lifeline to holidaymakers affected by the collapse of Wiltshire-based Hatts Coaches, which has gone into administration. Around 1,000 people are believed to have made bookings with
WHEN fitness expert Ronny Terry suggested I give rock climbing a go, I thought it would be a good way to avoid a strenuous workout. But 12 hours later, muscles in my arms that I never knew existed refused to pick up a pen, sinews in my legs and
THE last three weeks of Tour de Swindon fun came to a close last Sunday at our Grand Finale event. Tour de Swindon, in case you missed it, brought three weeks of fun family cycling events to the good people of Swindon in celebration of the world
David Jones, manager of Pets At Home Swindon, Bridgemead writes about not leaving your dog in a hot car... As the weather heats up this summer, I’d like to stress to pet owners that they should never leave their dogs in a car on a warm day, even
FAMILIES can get lost in not just one but three maize mazes at Millets Farm Centre this summer. This year’s maize mazes, at the farm near Abingdon, have a food and farming theme and lots of games to play. Take on the challenge of the mega maize
STYLIST Shan Williams offers her tips on picking hats to give you a head start Shan is an award winning personal stylist who trained with Colour Me Beautiful and works from her studio at the Abbey Brewery, Market Cross, Malmesbury SN16 9AS. Tel: 07976
On average, children get their first mobile phone at 10. Lisa Salmon asks the experts how parents can safeguard against big bills It’s a modern parenting dilemma – when do you give your child their first mobile phone? Sooner rather than later,
INSWINDON alongside Swindon in the Great War and the Big Screen in the town centre will play host to a free outdoor showing of War Horse next month. As part of inSwindon’s celebration and commemoration of the Great War, they have teamed up with
A FAMILY doctor who filmed himself sexually abusing female patients with his James Bond-style wristwatch will appeal against his 12-year jail sentence today. Dr Davinder Jeet Bains, 47, used a secret camera hidden inside his watch to assault more
THE victim of the fatal crash on the A303 on Sunday has now been formally identified as Mariola Martin, 53, from Swindon. The collision involved a broken down Mazda MX5 which was stationary in the inside lane and a lorry. The Mazda was struck
Warren Shute is a chartered financial planner with Lexington Wealth Management. Contact him on 01793 771093 or warren@lexingtonwealth.co.uk Q. I am one of three directors in a business which we established six years ago. The business has grown
EMMA DUNN meets the family who have pulled together to deal with a life-changing diagnosis for them all SMILING, laughing and full of life, Bryn Hitchcock was like any other toddler. He had started crawling at nine months, walking at 13 months
6:06pm That's it from LIVE NEWS today. We'll be back tomorrow morning. The website will be updated throughout the evening with any breaking news stories. 5:24pm Dr Davinder
SWINDON Town are looking to complete a season-long loan deal for Jordan Turnbull. The 19-year-old defender was given permission by Southampton to play in last night’s friendly against Leeds United. And Town boss Mark Cooper said after the 2
A MAN who repeatedly threatened people with dirty needles while ‘obliterated’ on legal highs has been jailed for 20 months. A police officer needed a number of medical tests after he was stabbed by one of the hypodermic needles as he searched John
A POPULAR scheme which is both educational and fun will be running once again over the summer holidays. The Young Wardens scheme, which is free of charge for council tenants’ children aged between seven and 11, focuses on providing education, awareness
AN ARMY of professional cleaners descended on Savernake Street Social Hall in Old Town yesterday on a mission to restore the community centre to its former glory in time for a busy summer of activities. Leaving no corner or surface unscoured –
THE number of evictions from council properties rose last year to its highest level for almost a decade. In the last financial year there were 39, the largest number since 2004/05 when there were 68. None of the evictions were as a result of
SWINDON’S Simon Belcher is relishing his return to competitive action when the British Touring Car Championship resumes for the second half of the season at Snetterton 300 Circuit this weekend. Having been out of the car since the previous three
MANAGER Paul Braithwaite has had to completely rebuild his Wootton Bassett Town squad after all but one player left the club. After Jeff Roberts resigned at the end of last season and Braithwaite made the switch from Fairford Town, the new boss
SWINDON St George vice-captain Gwyn Jenkins believes his team’s first win of the season creates a platform for a title-push next season. St George travelled down to Bridgwater winless but looking to end their season on a high. The Greenbridge Road
KEITH Mayo says that Danny Bharj is a changed man after signing on him on a professional contract again. The former Walcot amateur was due to join the paid ranks in 2011 with Mayo’s KM Promotions, but never made his debut. However, the 25-year-old
THE Commonwealth Games may not be the most prestigious of international multi-sport competitions. A table-tennis tournament with no Chinese and a track meet without the Americans is not going to swivel many heads. However, what it does do is test
VIRAL hepatitis is the world’s eight biggest killer. And so, in 2010, the World Health Organisation made World Hepatitis Day one of just four official disease-specific world health days to be celebrated each year on July 28. On Monday, to mark
THE blaze at Averies Recycling could burn for weeks to come as firefighters continue battling to put it out. The Adver understands that the emergency services are concerned that the waste fire, at the Marshgate site, might take longer than first
SMOKING among secondary school pupils in Swindon has more than halved over the past ten years, hitting a record low in 2013. The number of smokers aged between 11 and 15 years old in the town, as in England, dropped to three per cent last year,
HOSTILITY to plans for an autistic people’s care home in Liden has led to the owners of the property searching for a better location. Plans for a residential care home for six adults with autism in Okebourne Park were submitted last week, and residents
Around 7,300 people in the UK currently need a transplant. Of these, 1,000 – three a day – will die waiting as there are not enough organs available. The Organ Donation Service at the Great Western Hospital offers support to bereaved families to help
England wheelchair rugby league team captain Martin Lane took to the streets of Swindon last weekend in a marathon push to cover 31 miles to raise money for a new wheelchair. Martin, 42, of Eldene, fell from a roof nine years ago and suffered spinal
THE final player in the Locks Network drugs conspiracy has been jailed for almost three years after missing his sentencing date while in police custody. Shane Harper, 23, of no fixed abode, was due to be sentenced with co-conspirators Ares Agnelli
WROUGHTON is commemorating the centenary of the First World War with an exhibition dedicated to 66 villagers who served during the conflict. The display, based at Wroughton Library, features details of the people named on the village’s war memorial
PLANS are under way to launch a town-wide consultation into the future of the library services in Swindon. The aim of the survey will be to find out what people think the shape of any changes to the service should take, in the face of budget pressures
WE were plastered in make-up to look pasty, pale and sickly… those haircuts were so severe it was like being sheep sheared… we were told to scream ‘die, I hate you, death’… sitting in the front we could feel the sheer force of the hatred… my hair was
YOUNGSTERS will be given the chance to kick-start a healthier lifestyle as part of a new initiative to prevent obesity. Called Alive and Kicking, the programme is open to five to 16 year olds and sets out to advise and give youngsters practical
Andrew Lee Potts embraces 19th-century style in The Mill
MOTHERS were lining up to have their babies’ pictures taken at West Swindon Shopping Centre yesterday as the Adver launched its annual Baby of the Year competition. For more than 40 years, proud parents have been dressing their youngsters in their
