Archive

  • VIDEO: We try new brew bursting into Swindon

    A NEW drink all the way from Taiwan is bubbling beneath the service in Old Town. Bubble tea went on sale at Rays Ice Cream, in Devizes Road, this week, bringing with it a unique mix of fruit tea with flavoured bubbles, which are called pobbles.

  • SUPERFOODS UNPEELED

    The 'superfood' status may send sales soaring, but you don't have to splash out on the trendiest seeds and berries to be healthy. Those boring, old-fashioned fruit and veg are often just as good, says Lisa SalmonSuperfoods are as well known now as Superman

  • FAMILY: Get in Pole-R position

    Get in pole position with your fitness regime. Abi Jackson spins into action (a little bit...) Pole dancing as exercise - pole fitness - has been growing in popularity for a good few years now. If you haven't checked it out, you probably think

  • Walkers step out in onesies for cash

    A GROUP of parents donned onesies to raise money and support National Autism Awareness Week. Members of the Swindon Autism/ADHD Facebook group went collecting at the Orbital Shopping Park yesterday, joining forces with the National Autistic Society

  • FAMILY: How to stay friends for life

    The author of a new report on 'mum friends' tells Lisa Salmon there's nothing that can make or break friendships more than motherhood From playgroup parents to school-gate mums, most women have found themselves part of new friendship groups after

  • Lifestyle advice at surgery's open evening

    HEALTH experts will be holding a healthy lifestyles information evening at Old Town Surgery this month.The session, at the centre in Curie Avenue, is being organised by the surgery and their patient participation group and will take place on on Wednesday

  • Bishop to pull on Marigolds in support of Swindon Night Shelter

    THE Bishop of Swindon will be rolling up his sleeves and donning Marigolds in support of Swindon Night Shelter tomorrow, Good Friday.The Rt Rev Lee Rayfield is taking part in the Church of England’s Washday initiative, which will see him helping homeless

  • A round-up of fun activities for the Easter Bank Holiday

    EASTER is a chocolate-coated fun-packed holiday – and this requires a heavy dose of resourcefulness from parents to keep their brood suitably entertained.But never fear, our round-up of egg hunts and activities will give you a much-welcome head start

  • FAMILY FASHION: Enjoy your clothes without guilt

    Shan Williams, award-winning personal stylist, trained with Colour Me Beautiful and now works out of her own studio at Abbey Brewery, Markiet Cross, Malmesbury. www.charismaeffect.co.uk Things about clothes that boys just don’t get "When men

  • Benedict Cumberbatch made out of chocolate? Yes please...

    A life-size model of Hollywood hearthrob Benedict Cumberbatch has been made out of chocolate to celebrate the launch of UKTV Drama on UKTVplay.co.uk. The chocolate recreation of the Sherlock star can be sampled or simply stared at in wonder at the

  • Can I date my ex's brother?

    Fiona Caine answers your problemsMy ex-husband was very violent towards me and I've been divorced for three years.I have, perhaps surprisingly, remained close to my in-laws who treat me like one of the family.My ex-husband's brother recently separated

  • Album of the week: Courtney Barnett

    COURTNEY BARNETT Sometimes I Sit And Think, And Sometimes I Just SitSometimes Courtney Barnett riffs like Kim Deal from the Breeders, and sometimes she just riffs. Words and guitar, she's got it all. Melbourne-based Barnett has been likened to totems

  • Curtain up on Swindon's answer to the Olivier awards

    The curtain rises on the Harold Jolliffe One Act Play Festival in Swindon this month with a mix of classical theatre, comedy, farce, thrillers and new plays.The festival, which is hosted by the |Swindon and District Theatre Guild, takes place in the Art

  • FAMILY PROBLEMS: Am I too old to be happy?

    Counsellor Fiona Caine answers your problems... AM I TOO OLD TO BE HAPPY? I'm in my late sixties and so is my wife. For some years now, the physical side of our relationship has ceased to exist - at her request. She has never been a

  • Matt moves from chorus line to leading role in Mikado

    THE Mikado was the first opera tackled by the newly formed Swindon Gilbert and Sullivan Society back in 1969 and this year the singers are again bringing the popular show to life. This will be the seventh time the Swindon society has tackled Mikado

  • FAMILY SHAPING UP: Food allergies and intolerances

    Ronny Terry is a Swindon-based personal trainer. He has previously worked as Performance Analyst with Swindon Town FC and on obesity initiatives with the NHS. Tweet your questions to @SWITCHFITUK or visit www.switchfituk.co.uk FOOD allergies are

  • FAMILY PETS: Fun for all to enjoy

    Small and furry Easter fun for kids, by David Jones, store manager at Pets at Home Swindon BridgemeadTo celebrate super furry small animals, once again our Swindon stores will be providing Easter holiday fun for children with a series of free pet workshops.Our

  • Brit star James Bay added to Festival No.6 bill

    BRIT Award winner James Bay has been added to the bill for this year’s Festival No.6 along with Catfish and the Bottlemen and Everything Everything. The festival will take place in the picturesque grounds of Portmeirion, where the iconic TV series

  • Town takes bashing in gales - and more may come

    SWINDON was battered and bruised overnight on Monday as winds of 45mph hit the region. By 8.30am yesterday, Wiltshire Police received calls from the public informing them that across the region, the wind had knocked over 36 trees, with the Met

  • GET THE COUNTY GROUND ROCKING: Talk of the Town

    AS PART of our 'Get the County Ground Rocking' campaign we are inviting you, the readers, to ask us anything to do with the campaign or our coverage, as well as views and opinions on the goings on at Swindon Town. We would like your feedback and

  • Litter sweep costs taxpayers extra £120k

    RESIDENTS are being urged to think before they drop litter as Wiltshire Council workers head out on a new litter-picking initiative, costing taxpayers around £120,000. The council has just started an additional litter pick from the verges of all

  • People feeling happier about finances, figures show

    The financial well-being of UK households improved last year - but overall it is not much better than it was five years ago - according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS)In a series of new measures, the ONS is seeking to quantify economic well-being

  • War medals go under the hammer

    THERE’S a distinctly militaristic theme to the next auction of antiques at Moore Allen & Innocent in Cirencester. From flags and gas masks to buttons and medals, collectors of militaria will be answering the reveille to attend the sale, which

  • Police issue efit after three 11-year-old girls followed

    Wiltshire Police are renewing their appeal for information after a report that three girls were followed by a man between Shaftesbury Avenue and Eldene Drive. The girls were apparently followed on Tuesday, March 17, at about 6.30pm between Shaftesbury

  • From London to Wiltshire and everywhere Inbetweener

    THE Inbetweeners’ Lizzie Stables is poised to return to her native Wiltshire with her new play, Unearthed.Best known as the young woman who stamped on Jay’s heart in the award-winning channel 4 series, the 28-year-old actress will soon go on tour with

  • Travel and weather round-up: Wednesday, April 1

    HEAVY traffic is reported on the A3102 Great Western Way, Swindon, into town at Blagrove Roundabout. Traffic is also busy but moving on the A4 High Street in Marlborough. The A4 London Road in Box is partially blocked with slow traffic at the

  • REVIEW:Tom Conti courts favour on stage

     Twelve Angry Men Theatre Royal, Bath On until Saturday 01225 448844 THE 1957 film, Twelve Angry Men, directed by Sidney Lumet and showcasing a stunning performance by Henry Fonda, set the bar high when it comes to courtroom drama

  • Sarah's fighting spirit over 34 years is an inspiration

    OVER the last 34 years, Sarah Stringer-Browne has repeatedly defied doctors’ sombre prognoses, surviving life-threatening open heart surgery on three occasions. Today, her parents celebrate their courageous little ‘phoenix’. MARION SAUVEBOIS reports

  • Ed Balls makes major policy announcement in Swindon

    THE Shadow Chancellor issued an open challenge to the Conservatives yesterday over the economy, telling them to “bring it on.” Ed Balls was in Swindon to announce a policy he says will help small businesses and said the current government’s record

  • Callum has got the Bug for Swindon

    SWINDON Wildcats D-man Callum Buglass is hoping to be back at the Link Centre next season after enjoying his first taste of English Premier League hockey. The 18-year-old proved to be a pivotal member of the Swindon squad after signing on a dual

  • Morris aiming to show his Robins’ worth

    NICK Morris says he is more than comfortable with the pressure of being a heat leader after being handed that responsibility for the Swindon Robins this season. Morris had a stint as the Robins’ number three last season before relinquishing the

  • Murray on the mark as College sink Abingdon

    SWINDON College Old Boys left it late as they look to end the season on a high, despite having little left to play for. With Reading Abbey having clinched the league title the previous weekend and College sitting comfortably in second spot, it

  • Boss keen to avoid ending season on a Low

    ROYAL Wootton Bassett head coach Alan Low has called on his players not to end the season on a damp squib after their ‘worst performance’ in a 29-8 defeat at home to Beaconsfield. Having gone on a run of 12 games unbeaten, which started way back

  • GET THE COUNTY GROUND ROCKING: Swift eyes boost

    JOHN Swift believes a win over MK Dons this weekend could give the team the confidence they need to get over the promotion finish line. Despite impressing on international duty with the England Under 20s, where he netted a penalty in the shoot-out

  • Swindon taught a lesson by champions-elect

    SWINDON were shown the level of rugby they want to emulate next season as they were put to the sword by local rivals Chippenham. The runaway league leaders, who have only lost twice all campaign, battled the elements well to complete a 40-8 victory

  • UPDATE: Let’s roll with it as Oasis come ‘home’

    BRITPOP legends Oasis look like they could definitely maybe be about to make a Wonderwall return to the stage – in Swindon. Urban legend has it that the band was named after the town’s Oasis Leisure Centre when Noel Gallagher was a roadie for the