Archive

  • Trial date set over dangerous driving charge

    PIOTR Janowski, who is accused of killing Windrush's Simon Shore in a Hampshire road traffic collision on January 24, will face trial on July 13. Janowski, 48, pleaded not guilty to causing death by dangerous driving and three other counts at Winchester

  • LIVE BLOG: North Swindon hustings from Wyvern Theatre

    10:39pm Sorry, a few connection issues at the end. The question time is now over and while it got a bit lively at times, a wide range of issues was discussed. Thank you to those who attended and sent in questions. Tomorrow

  • Council's plan to tackle alcohol problems agreed

    A STRATEGY to raise awareness of health and wellbeing issues associated with alcohol consumption and ensuring support is available to those who need it, has been finalised. Wiltshire Council’s Alcohol Strategy 2014/18 sets out how the council and

  • Village’s cake makers serve up success on a plate

    A WROUGHTON bake-off was a sweet success raising £200 which will split between the Guides and the Scouts. The event took place at the Ellendune Community Centre with cakes of all shapes and sizes being entered in the various categories. There

  • Pair ready to skydive in aid of MS sufferers

    TWO Swindon fundraisers have been backed by their employer in raising money ahead of a skydive for MS Trust in June. On June 27, Jason Mullaney and Bethany Lewis are planning to jump out of a plane which takes off from Honiton, at 10,000ft.

  • We put candidates for North Swindon on the spot: EDUCATION

    We are putting the candidates on the spot on issues affecting the people of Swindon. Our questions on EDUCATION are: Headteachers have written to us to warn of rising staff costs, including pensions, but no increase in government funding. They

  • We put candidates for South Swindon on the spot: EDUCATION

    We are putting the candidates on the spot on issues affecting the people of Swindon. Our questions on EDUCATION are: Headteachers have written to us to warn of rising staff costs, including pensions, but no increase in government funding. They

  • Cooper is looking out for number one

    MARK Cooper is looking out for number one when it comes to the play-offs.MK Dons boss Karl Robinson questioned the weakened Town team that lined up against Preston on Saturday and said if the same starting XI was fielded for a cup game, questions would

  • Pre-school improves rating in latest Ofsted inspection

    TOTS at Eldene Pre-School are well behaved and motivated, according to Ofsted inspectors who visited last month. The education watchdog's report praises the work staff have done to attain a 'good' standard since they were graded as satisfactory

  • Number 20 bus

    IT would be wrong to condemn Thamesdown Transport outright over the ending of Service 20. Unlike certain other public transport providers, it does not take such decisions lightly or to line the pockets of people who already have more money than

  • It was our war too

    WWI British, and Australian officers did make awful mistakes! However, for ‘Sheik of Hate’ supporter, former Australian PM Paul Keating and ‘Gallipoli’ author Peter Fitzsimons to say WWI was not Australia’s war is sleight of hand anti-British sophistry

  • Think of sufferers

    MY brother-in-law was diagnosed with Parkinson’s about 15 years ago, and was my original inspiration for joining Parkinson’s UK. I have supported and worked with them ever since, and over the years have seen at first hand the pain and struggles

  • Spare a few hours

    THE British Heart Foundation (BHF) is calling for Wiltshire residents to become Heart Heroes and use some of their spare time to volunteer for the nation’s heart charity. We are always on the lookout for more volunteers to join the fight against

  • No more NHS games

    MORE than a third (34 per cent) of GPs in the south are considering retiring from general practice within the next five years. The results of our recent survey of more than 15,000 GPs across the UK calls into question the viability of election

  • Remembering Korea

    FOLLOWING closure of the National BKVA in January this year, a new organisation has been formed for Veterans of the Korean War; The British Korean War Veterans Association. The war started in June 1950 with Communist North Korea invading the democratic

  • Perspective needed

    JEFF Adams ludicrously wrote to argue that Muslims are putting together a series of sinister parallel institutions in the UK with the intention of replacing the legal and social system here. I pointed out that his list of institutions were not

  • Why isn't she behind bars?

    QUITE why Victoria Grieve isn’t behind bars is beyond us. This relentlessly dishonest criminal has yet again been let loose on the community to which she has brought mayhem and misery. Last October she got away with a suspended sentence after

  • Unite rather than hate

    SO many letters published in these pages focus on the things that set us apart. What about all the things that we have in common, regardless of religious persuasion or cultural background? Let’s unite and help each other, rather than find reasons to

  • Electoral roll a farce

    AROUND £30 million of cuts need to be carried out, or so endless hand-wringing statements from Wiltshire Council would have us believe. How about getting rid of those in charge of the woefully inadequate electoral roll register? My mother-in-law

  • Big fan of Eurovision

    QUIBBLING about the cost of the United Kingdom entering the Eurovision Song Contest will come to naught. Darn the expense, because Eurovision is a celebration of all things human – from music through madness to mayhem. We all have these in common

  • Put Janner in the dock

    REGARDING Lord Janner and his evil perverted past. Once again the judicial system (via the Director of Public Prosecutions) has decided not to put him in court because he is 86 years old and not in control of his faculties. I’m sorry, but he should

  • Our culture's neglected

    THIS country is incredible. St Patrick’s day? Ramadan? Chinese New Year? Diwali? Our kids have done everything at their school to celebrate these events, making posters, flags, banners, clay pots and models. Yet when it comes to St George’s day there

  • No safe place for cash

    RE POLICE negligence (Adver, April 20). Frank Avenell asks why the head of the Metropolitan Police has not been fired. Millions of pounds worth of valuables were stolen from the super-rich’s strong boxes. The police didn’t respond quickly enough

  • Why charge for Wi-fi?

    I WONDERED if you would be interested in asking the Great Western Hospital why they are charging for their Wi-fi service, when there is no charge to the hospital for it? Apparently both staff and patients are being asked to pay for internet beyond

  • We put candidates for South Swindon on the spot: EUROPE

    We are putting the candidates on the spot on issues affecting the people of Swindon. Our questions on EUROPE are: Do you think the UK should stay in the European Union? What, if any, controls would you like to see put on the number of immigrants

  • We put candidates for North Swindon on the spot: EUROPE

    We are putting the candidates on the spot on issues affecting the people of Swindon. Our questions on EUROPE are: Do you think the UK should stay in the European Union? What, if any, controls would you like to see put on the number of immigrants

  • Held: Teenager who admits burglary charges

    A TEENAGER who burgled a house on a neighbouring street has been remanded in custody by a judge. Jesse Cookson, 19, had been due to stand trial after pleading not guilty to carrying out the raid on the house in Norris Close, Chiseldon, on Tuesday

  • A welly great day out

    ROVES Farm at Sevenhampton are holding a “Welly Wanging Competition” on Saturday, May 2 in aid of Swindon Guide Dogs. The fun family event starts starts at 11am. There is a prize for the lady and gentleman that throw the welly the furthest.

  • The danger of Owen Crowther

    WARREN Parker, who tracked down paedophile and burglar Owen Crowther, is a true hero. Thanks to Mr Parker, the exceptionally dangerous Crowther has been locked up. The creature was on a life licence for attempted murder when he broke into the

  • Question of superiority

    RE: ‘Ignorant about Islam’ from Axmed Bahjad of 16 April. He states: ‘I must say I was disappointed by his replies. I was expecting him to address these two points – namely Sharia law and superiority, and prove me wrong.’ This is a bit rich coming

  • Spy cameras and gates

    I READ in the SA of 21 April that the police were going to install spy cameras around the area known as the Venny and in the nearby woods. The Hreod Burna Urban Forest charity is in negotiation with the council to lease these woods but but have

  • Special favour for few

    HAVE all vehicles parked in Commercial Road got immunity from being booked? Making my way back to my legally parked car, I followed a man with a full bag of shopping from Canal Walk to Commercial Road. He then got into his car which was parked

  • Places still free for race

    I WOULD like to make an urgent appeal to running enthusiasts, who would like to take part in the Great North Run on September 13. The Children’s Trust has a few guaranteed places left to fill but the deadline for registration is July 6, so please

  • Improper pruning time

    I WAS interested in two letters from Steve Thompson and Steve Deeley regarding the removal of ivy from trees by Ron Chadwick, rightly stating that ivy is essential to wildlife of all forms, particularly at this time of year when wildlife is breeding

  • Let the hooter sound

    I AGREE with the letter from Luke Horwat of 20 April about the sounding of the railway works hooter. As far as I remember it was blown on the opening of the Outlet Centre in the old railway works, then again in 2011 when BBC Wiltshire breakfast

  • Police plea after runner hurt in Purton hit-run incident

    Police are appealing for information after a 26-year-old man from Swindon was hit by a car which failed to stop in Purton. The incident happened at about 6.15pm on Wedenesday, April 15, on the B4553. The victim was out running when he was hit

  • Swindon cyclist in lorry collision dies

    THE 54-year-old Swindon cyclist who collided with a lorry near Cricklade has died. Police said the man died on Saturday as a result of the injuries he suffered when he collided with the rear of a parked lorry on Cirencester Road, Latton, just before

  • PREDICTIONS LEAGUE: Colchester United v Swindon Town

    Colchester United v Swindon Town Colchester must be hoping Swindon will be in a benevolent mood again and field what some may consider a weakened team again that will help their cause for League One survival. Yet, we are told that football

  • Union J announced as support for The Vamps' Westonbirt date

    Union J have been announced as support for The  Vamps on their Forest Live 2015 date at Westonbirt Arboretum on Sunday, June 21. The Vamps formed when the band members found one another via their respective YouTube channels and their punkish, acoustic-driven

  • Key duo to return for Robins on Thursday

    SWINDON Robins are set to be boosted by the returns of Troy Batchelor and Peter Kildemand for Thursday's Elite League clash with Wolverhampton Wolves at the Abbey Stadium. Both riders came through their weekend riding commitments with no ill effects

  • Concern among Nepalese community after earthquake horror

    SWINDON’s Nepalese community has come together to set up its own relief fund to tackle the devastating effect of Saturday’s earthquake in their homeland. At least 3,200 have died in the earthquake, medics and experts from the UK flying out last

  • LIVE NEWS: Monday, April 27

    5:28pm RT @FGW: Lines between Bristol Temple Meads & Bath Spa have now reopened. Services through these stations may be altered or delayed by up t… — @networkrailBRI 27 April 2015

  • Travel and weather round-up: Monday, April 27

    ONCE you have scraped the ice from your windscreen this morning, you will be pleased to know there are no traffic major delays. There is the usual congestion for commuters, predominantly through Mannington roundabout and on southbound stretches

  • Cooper full of praise for his fledgling stars

    MARK Cooper took great pride the performances of the youngsters he entrusted to uphold Swindon Town’s standards in the 3-0 defeat at Preston North End. Will Randall and Lee Marshall both got their first starts for the club at Deepdale and by the

  • Belford savours his chance

    TYRELL Belford was glad to get some game-time at Preston even if he and his young teammates were beaten 3-0. Belford has been kept out of the last month or so with a medial ligament injury, with the club signing his brother Cameron to provide cover

  • THE FULL REPORT: Lost in translation

    SWINDON Town have a public relations problem. Despite a season of tremendous over-achievement, the club have contrived to poke their fans in the eye at a time when they need them most. Losing 3-0 away to Preston North End is nothing to be ashamed

  • Artificial wickets badly damaged by barbecues

    RECKLESS revellers are being urged to be responsible after significant damage was caused to a £15,000 Moredon cricket facility. It appears thoughtless foodies have burnt the two artificial wicket surfaces at Moredon Playing Fields after cooking

  • College is the tops for adult education

    IF you are over 19 and looking to continue or return to education, you will struggle to find anywhere better than Swindon College for its type. The North Star Avenue institution has done a little digging through the performance figures made available

  • Family home wiped out by Nepal earthquake

    A FAMILY home, which housed three decades’ of memories for a Swindon man, was wiped out in minutes during Saturday’s devastating earthquake in Nepal, leaving him determined to rebuild it. Housing and infrastructure across the capital and Kathmandu

  • Don’t destroy my dog, pleads owner

    A MOTHER who owns a dangerous dog, which attacked her neighbour’s pet, has pleaded with Swindon Council not to destroy him. At Swindon Magistrates’ Court, on Friday, Natalie Guyatt, 35, of Oakham Close, pleaded guilty to owning an animal which

  • Colourful celebration as Bengali community comes together

    GLAMOROUS costumes and traditional food were among the highlights at Swindon’s Bengali new year celebration. The event, at the Broadgreen Community Centre on Sunday, welcomed hundreds of people who enjoyed the opportunity to celebrate Bangladesh