TWO major sporting successes were among our top local news stories this week in 1968.

One saw Swindon Town continuing to pave the way for what is still its greatest and most fondly-remembered achievement.

The first round of the season’s League Cup had seen Swindon beat Torquay United. Then came Bradford City, Blackburn Rovers, Coventry City and Derby County.

Town was now about to take on Burnley in the semi-final.

Supporters heading for Turf Moor were in buoyant mood and so was our coverage in the run-up to the clash. That was in spite of the northern side having a nine-game unbeaten run.

When Swindon delivered the goods with a 2-1 victory, we wrote: “Swindon Town took a determined step nearer to a League Cup Final appearance at Wembley on March 15 with a superb performance in the first leg of the semi-final at Turf Moor last night.”

We were more than a little biased, of course, but praise also came from plenty of independent pundits, including Manchester United manager Sir Matt Busby.

Sir Matt said: “Swindon’s display was one of the finest I have seen from any team this season.”

Better was to come, of course. Another leg and a replay later, Town was preparing for Wembley and its date with Arsenal and destiny.

Motorsport has never been as popular as football but Swindon has contributed more than its fair share of notables down the years.

One of the most is John Davenport, whose greatest rallying triumph was reported in the Adver that week 48 years ago.

We said: “Simo Lampinen, the Finnish rally ace, won the RAC Rally last night in a works Saab and gave his Swindon co-driver John Davenport – 29 today – his finest victory.

“Davenport has taken part in 44 rallies. His previous best was second in the Monte Carlo of 1967 with another Scandinavian driver Ove Andersson.

“Asked after the finish why Scandinavian drivers were so successful in rallies, Davenport, whose family lives in Roman Crescent, commented: ‘They are not scared to pit their foot down when they can’t see ahead.’”

John Davenport, who had attended Commonweal County Grammar School and Merton College Oxford, went on to become British Leyland Motorsport Director and a respected motoring journalist.

Another story based around driving was rather different.

Retired police officer Alfred Bayliss, who lived in Yardley Close, told us about driving one of Wiltshire’s first police cars while stationed in Chippenham.

We ran a photo of him standing proudly next to the Model T Ford in 1920.

The World War One veteran had joined the force after leaving the Army. The Model T was used to transport senior officers.

Mr Bayliss, 73, said: “I was given the job because I was one of the few men at Chippenham when our car arrived who had a driving licence.”

In those days obtaining a licence was as easy as filling in a form a sending it to the local council. Tests weren’t introduced until 1934.

The week ended with some news of a Swindon’s most famous daughter.

We said: “Swindon-born Diana Dors (36), the film actress often described as Britain’s number one sex bombshell, was married in London today to 27-year-old actor Alan Lake.

“Arriving at Caxton Hall Register Office, Westminster, Diana was greeted by a battery of Press photographers and a small crowd.

“Miss Dors, married twice before, wore a white lace mini-dress with a matching white lace cape and carried a bouquet of white orchids.

“Mr Lake wore a black velvet suit and white shirt with lace frills at the collar and cuffs.”

The two would be together until Diana’s death in 1984. Alan Lake, swamped by grief, killed himself a few months later.

The resignation of Swindon MP Francis Noel-Baker meant a by-election was scheduled for 1969. The major parties’ prospective candidates – Labour’s David Stoddart, the Liberals’ Christopher Layton and the Tories Christopher Ward – were committed rivals but found common ground over one national issue.

Conservative MP Enoch Powell, who had already attracted widespread loathing and accusations of racism over his anti-immigration stance, generated even more ire when he called during a speech in Eastbourne for immigrants to be repatriated.

Mr Ward, Mr Stoddart and Mr Layton lined up to condemn Mr Powell. Mr Ward, who would win the by-election and serve for only a few months before being beaten at the next General Election, said: “I do not think that any Conservatives will agree with Mr Powell’s latest outburst.

“It is a great pity that such an obviously intelligent and sincere man should have committed himself to such a clearly unreasonable and inhuman policy.”

Mr Stoddart pointed out that Mr Powell hadn’t been so quick to condemn immigration during his time as Health Minister when immigrants were needed to fill NHS vacancies. He added: “It is a disastrous creed he is pursuing.”