THERE are worthy musicals; grand stories of the American dream. Then there are wordy musicals; Sondheim classics that spit lyrics so quick it turns your stomach.But every so often there are musicals that are simple, unadulterated joy. Start-to-finish,
ROYAL Wootton Bassett Town have booked their place in the second round of the Wiltshire Senior Cup following a comprehensive 4-1 win over Cricklade Town at the Gerard Buxton Sports Ground. Player-coach Sam Collier gave the Hellenic League Premier
A HIGHWORTH butcher ran three marathons in as many days to fund a life-saving cancer unit.Andy Sears, owner of Andrew’s Quality Meats, jogged a gruelling 79 miles over Cornwall’s unforgiving coastline. The 52-year-old butcher, who completed the London
A PROPOSED law could see attacks on emergency workers punished with a year behind bars. The bill, proposed by Labour MP Chris Bryant in July, will be debated in Westminster on Friday. If passed, the law would extend the definition of emergency workers
The Anti Nowhere League The Victoria, Swindon THE Anti Nowhere League - those punk rock stalwarts from the late 80s to the present day – showed off their sure-fire rock and punk credentials in magnificent fashion at Swindon’s Victoria in a set
SWINDON’S Hindu community gathers today to celebrate the second biggest festival in their religious calendar. Kali Puja, is when Bengalis along with Odia, Assamese and Maithul people across India and the world honour the goddess Kali. Sujan
SEPTEMBER is the busiest time of year for emergency doctors treating youngsters for burns.As children return to school, doctors see a spike in the number of children admitted to Great Western Hospital’s emergency department with burns injuries.Last September
A WOMAN who illegally imported sick border collie puppies from a puppy farm in Southern Ireland and passed them off as home bred has been jailed. An investigation by Thames Valley Police and the RSPCA lasting 14 months, found Helen Kay Moorey
CONTROL of Cricklade Leisure Centre is set to return to the town 10 years after it came perilously close to being shut down.After a packed public meeting and on Tuesday town councillors agreed unanimously to accept in principle Wiltshire Council’s offer
CRIMEWATCH helped shed new light on Swindon crimes. The much-loved BBC show, which it was announced this week will be axed after 33 years, reconstructed unsolved crimes and hosted high-profile police appeals. We look back on major crimes that
CALLS to pause the rollout of Universal Credit have been rejected by the MP for North Swindon during an impassioned speech in the House of Commons. Labour are using one of their opposition day debates to discuss how the new system is being introduced
SWINDON’S very own endurance superhero Graham Smedley has taken his love of competitive sporting events to a new level after completing 10 triathlons in 10 days.The 54-year-old, who lives in East Wichel, has so far managed to raise over £1,700 for Prospect
THE much-loved Wroughton Silver Band have been hitting the right notes with McCarthy and Stone after the housebuilding company donated £500 towards the group. McCarthy and Stone, who are currently building a new retirement living development on the site
CHURCH fundraisers are hoping to make the Christmas wishes of Europe’s poorest children come true.Generous worshippers at All Saints church on Southbrook Street have been collecting household goods and Christmas treats to send to poor communities in eastern
As reports suggest the Duchess of Cambridge wants a home birth for her next baby, a midwife outlines the pros and cons of home deliveries.If you're pregnant and want to follow in the footsteps of the Duchess of Cambridge, you may be considering a
GWH bosses have warned of growing pressures, as new figures put it in the bottom half of hospital trusts for waiting times. Official statistics show that 87.3 per cent of patients were treated or admitted to hospital within four hours of arriving
SOUTH Swindon MP Robert Buckland has helped see a child killer get a longer life sentence after appealing to the Court of Appeal. Marvyn Iheanacho, 39, was convicted on July 21 this year at Woolwich Crown Court of the murder of his five-year-old
Swindon1951: Members of Highworth Rural Council said goodbye to Dr DM Martyn Jones, who had been the District Medical Officer for two years. He was leaving to become Medical Officer of Health on the Isle of Man. The doctor thanked members of the council
Swindon law firm Royds Withy King is holding a seminar to help UK employers stay abreast of new immigration laws, particularly when they employ or want to recruit EU nationals and international talent. Aimed at HR practitioners, business owners
For one night only, the writers and stars of the BBC’s offbeat mockumentary about rural living which aired on the BBC earlier this year, were live on stage on Saturday in a special This Country Rocks the Cotswolds event. Organised by Rock the Cotswolds
THE Swindon Mindful Employer Network is celebrating another successful conference which took place at the Swindon Marriott.Delegates from local businesses filled the conference room and heard speakers such as organisational psychologist Professor Sir
Mindfulness expert Riga Forbes explains how the relaxation technique can reduce childbirth pain and enhance mother-baby bonding after birth.Can mindfulness help when giving birth?Riga Forbes author of Mindful Pregnancy & Birth (Leaping Hare Press, £8.99
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PEACE, love and rock ‘n’ roll define the 1960s and pupils at Covingham Park Primary got into the full swing of things when they celebrated the school’s 50th birthday this week.Both old and new faces returned to the school on Tuesday for a fun-filled day
THE decision to drop plans for another bus gate in Wichelstowe has been welcomed by councillors. A report on the development will go before a meeting of the cabinet to be held at the Civic Offices this evening. It includes a statement that
SICKLY snakes are becoming a more regular sight at the surgery, a Swindon vet has said. Vets Now, based off Shrivenham Road, say they are seeing more reptiles coming into their care. The comments come as the Greenbridge-based veterinary hospital
Life is going nowhere MY husband is a loveless man who, after 11 years of marriage, shows me little or no consideration and no affection. If I could, I would leave him, but I have no means of supporting myself. I am miserable and depressed
STRIKER Harry Smith could come back into the reckoning for Swindon Town boss David Flitcroft as another of his frontmen continues to push himself to the limit for the cause. Smith returned to parent club Millwall last week to deal with "personal
CHOCOLATE pizzas will be hitting the streets of Swindon, as a new chocolate shop opens in the town centre. The Choc Shop is the brain child of Haydon Wick computer programmer and videographer Paul Dunn. A lifelong chocolate fan, he’ll bring the quirky
VANDALS stole fencing material worth £400 from a business in Kingsdown Road overnight on Tuesday. It was overnight into Wednesday that the offenders scaled a fence and forced their way into a business unit in Tate Estate before taking wooden fencing material
People, Places & Things, Theatre Roal Bath until Saturday Addiction is a personal thing, it takes everyone differently – some self medicate, lonely with red wine, others take it a step further. They’re all trying to do one thing, fill a big
Addiction is a personal thing, it takes everyone differently – some self medicate lonely with red wine, others take it a step further. They’re all trying to do one thing, fill a big hole inside. Of course, this topic has fascinated artists and
A MOREDON mum hopes a debate in the House of Commons about a controversial epilepsy drug given to women while they were pregnant will lead to action on why they were not warned about the dangers. Natasha Mason, who has taken sodium valproate –
ARMY artillery and tank exercises are believed to have been behind the loud 'banging' noises heard last night. On Tuesday evening, residents from West Swindon to Old Town complained of loud explosion-like noises that continued until around 9.30pm
PAUL Heaton and Jacqui Abbott have announced they will be appearing on stage as part of Forest Live at Westonbirt Arboretum next summer. With special guest Billy Bragg they will be at the arboretum concert organised by the Forestry Commission on
SEEING the progress of the Wiltshire Air Ambulance’s new airbase brought a tear to the eye of the charity’s chief executive David Philpott. For well over a year now, funds towards completing the airbase, in Outmarsh Farm, Semington, have flooded
UNCERTAINTY surrounding the future of St Luke’s School must be clarified as soon as possible to avoid pupils missing out on more of their education, according to a trade union. The GMB has thrown its weight behind concerns raised over the number
Think you can throw an incredible dinner party? 'Come Dine With Me' is looking for Swindonians to apply for the new series. The popular reality show sees five foodies compete to impress each other with their top-notch homemade cuisine and unforgettable
Swindon Town 0-1 Lincoln City Goals: Sean Raggett (Lincoln City) 83 Venue: The County Ground Attendance: 5,864 Reports 11-year-old Brandon Guy LINCOLN started the first 10 minutes with majority of the possession, during this period
Are you looking for things to do this half term? Perhaps consider some spooktacular fun for all the family, fancy fireworks, festivals and exhibitions or autumnal events and experiences. Whatever you choose, be sure to check out VisitWiltshire’s suggestions
RAINBOWS fill the home of film-maker Simon Sly – pictures, models and ornaments that pop with vibrant colour and give the living and working space of this Swindon creative an energetic atmosphere. On the walls, he has portraits of inspirational
QUIRKY dolls, unsettling collages and glorious journals literally bursting with colour – stepping across the threshold into the world of artist Jill Carter is taking a trip into a delightful if slightly unsettling fairyland. Jill, a multi-media
A SWINDON artist rubbed shoulders with Hollywood royalty over the weekend after being commissioned to paint a portrait for actress Jane Fonda.Anna Mazzotta, who grew up in the town, presented her creative masterpiece to the 79-year-old when she took to
ALMOST 90 Syrian refugees have started new lives in Wiltshire in the past two years, but more accommodation is needed if the county is to help others in the future, Wiltshire Council leader Jane Scott has said.She paid tribute to the people that had welcomed
A SELECTION of photographer Dave Evans' images as Swindon Town lost at home to Lincoln City last night.
JAMIE Cox has been told to expect more occasions to rival Saturday night’s unsuccessful bid for world glory after proving himself as worthy to go toe-to-toe with the best 12 stone boxers. Cox gave WBA Super super-middleweight champion George Groves
SWINDON College Old Boys director of rugby Martin Lloyd says that it was a hard decision to pull the plug on their Dorset and Wilts Intermediate Cup quarter-final clash at North Dorset. The Pipers Way outfit, who won the D&W Senior Vase last
Swindon Spitfires’ good form continued this weekend with an impressive 4-1 win away at St Nicholas Reserves in the South West Women’s Regional League Eastern Division. Spitfires were ahead inside three minutes when Charley Reynolds’ through ball
THESE are the striking new images that campaigners hope will help them secure a multi-million-pound Heritage Lottery Fund grant to build a new landmark museum and art gallery in the town. Today, trustees of the Swindon Museum and Art Gallery have
