Monday, February 8

1949: Midshipman Peter Robson from Moredon Road, Rodbourne Cheney, is a local representative on the Royal Navy's Arctic Expedition, serving on HMS Vengeance. The former Commonweal School pupil will be posted to Keyham in Plymouth, after his trip to the Arctic.

1959: A certificate of branch efficiency was awarded to Swindon British Legion, at the annual conference of Southern area British Legion at Weston Supermare. 23 branches from Wiltshire attended the conference.

1979: Swindon is now on the NUPE list and the town's 54 schools will be shut by selective, lightning strikes. Up to 10 schools a day will be hit by sudden walkouts of caretakers, cleaning and school meals staff. This will bring chaos to the town's schools as the battle against low pay hots up.

Tuesday, February 9

1949: After the war John Stone, eldest son of Mr and Mrs A R Stone of Kings Hill, Swindon, emigrated to Australia, and now he has won the Australian state lottery. He will use some of his thousands of pounds worth of winnings to visit England for a holiday. He lived in Swindon when he first joined the Navy.

1959: People living near the Silbury Hill were agog this morning about the cockrell which appeared on the brow of the hill over night. It was not an escapee from a poultry farm, but a large model, painted to look extremely life-like when viewed from foot of the 125ft mound. It is thought to be a rag week yoke!

1979: Refugees from Vietnam have arrived in Swindon after their terrifying dash for freedom. Three of the 20 families who will live in the town are settling down in their new homes after their daring escape from war-ravaged Vietnam. A party of 17 refugees, ranging in age from a three-year-old to a 83-year-old great grandmother, were shown to their homes in Park South. They left everything behind, tramped for miles to get to the coast, before being crammed into a fishing boat. Days at sea followed, enduring storms, before they were picked up by a British ship.

Wednesday, February 10

1949: Pilot Edwyn John Huband, 24, from The Leaze, Cricklade, has recently returned to Germany to continue his duties in the Berlin airlift. He has already completed 30 trips and this is his second spell of duty.

1959: Swindon housewives gathered at the Gas Board Showrooms in Swindon's Regent Street to watch a demonstration of the art of tossing a pancake, during a cookery workshop, held by home service advisor, Miss J S Nock.

1979: Linda Heath, a 17-year-old former Headlands School pupil, has won the Silver Shield in a new art and craft competition, presented by the School of Art and Design at The College, Swindon. She beat off 350 entries to win. Linda, from Cloche Way, Upper Stratton, entered a still life painting of artist's materials.

Thursday, February 11

1949: The Evening Advertiser was officially informed today that Swindon's proposed civic restaurant has received the approval from the Ministry of Health following a public inquiry. It will be built in Regent Circus at the rear of the Town Hall. The estimated cost is £5,000.

1959: Sir Noel Arkell invited guests to a Shrove Tuesday luncheon at the Kings Arms Hotel, in Swindon where they were served pancakes with a pint of bitter. Also celebrating Pancake Day this week were the 6th Scout Group committee, who held a Pancake Scramble at their social in St Saviour's Hall, Swindon.

1979: Doreen Howe heard an ominous noise coming from under her car as she drove along Cricklade Road, in Swindon. She stopped the car and lifted the driving seat and found three cold and hungry kittens. Doreen, a social worker, had parked her car in the social service department car park, in Cricklade Road, for four hours. This was when the kittens must have been left in her car. They are now looking for new loving homes.

Friday, February 12

1949: Colonel Mary Booth, daughter of General Bramwell Booth and granddaughter of the Salvation Army founder General William Booth, will visit the Gorse Hill Corps in Swindon, accompanied by Major Dora Booth. She will give a talk on her welfare work among British troops in France during 1914-1918 war. She received the CBE for her services.

1959: The men of the 1st Battalion, The Wiltshire Regiment, (The Duke of Edinburgh's)return home after three years on the 'terror island' of Cyprus. After a well deserved leave they will go to the Isle of Wight where, in the summer, they will be amalgamated with 1st Battalion the Royal Berkshire Regiment. Combined, the new regiment will be called The Duke of Edinburgh's Royal Regiment.

1979: Swindon Concert Brass are looking forward to a trip to France, at the invitation of the Mayor of Orleans. They have been asked to join the celebrations to mark the anniversary of Joan of Arc's victory in Orleans. French councillors visited Swindon, and invited the band as part of the entente cordiale.

Saturday, February 13

1949: People in Princes Street, Swindon, watched "something'' descend from the sky on a parachute, and land on a house roof, not knowing whether their fate was to be sudden death or something equally terrible. The house was owned by Mr A W T Ashman. No one was at home. It bounced into the back garden and could be heard ticking. It turned out to be a harmless meteorological balloon and parachute, blown by the wind, from a local RAF station.

1959: The British Post Office has created its 9th St Valentine's greetings telegram form, designed by Robert Broomfield, with roses around a little weather house, and a couple in the doorway, all in the shape of a heart. It will cost 5 shillings for 12 words. But young Sandra Hunt, of Raleigh Avenue, Walcot, Swindon, has decided to post her card instead, popping her card in the letter box in Sussex Square, in plenty of time for a Valentine's Day delivery.

1979: Little Lola, show name Weslan Miss Star Trek, has won first prize in the special junior class at the world's top dog show, Crufts. She is owned by Rene and Jim Yates of Deburgh Street, Swindon. After the show Rene and Jim turned down an offer of £500 for their pet Chihuahua.