Tuesday, September 19

INTREPID Sandra McGlone from Taw Hill made a 12,000ft tandem parachute jump less than a month after turning 50.

She raised £900 for Brighter Futures, the appeal to give Swindon its own radio therapy unit.

Sandra, a cancer survivor, said: “It was amazing - I wasn’t nervous at all.”

Monday, September 11

THE terrible state of the Mechanics’ Institute building was revealed for the world in a video put online by urban explorers.

The trespassers did no damage to the neglected historic building, but reactions to the video were mixed.

Some readers praised them for highlighting a scandal, while others criticised them for putting themselves in danger

Thursday, September 14

A YOUNG Roald Dahl fan called Abbie was among the Even Swindon Primary School pupils who were delighted when the school held a special day in honour of the author.

They dressed up as characters from their favourite stories by the man who gave the world Charlie And The Chocolate Factory, The Witches, Fantastic Mr Fox and countless others.

Monday, September 18

LIFE can be tough when you’re a seabird no heavier than a tin of beans and there are gales.

Maxi the Manx Shearwater was en route to South America but ended up in Gloucester.

Fortunately a local vet knew exactly what to do and Maxi was given safe haven - and lashings of mackerel soup - at the Oak And Furrows animal hospital, in Cricklade.

Wednesday, September 27

PHOTOGRAPHER Terry Winter, inset, won a Swindon Camera Club Picture Of The Month accolade with a character study of one of Swindon’s most familiar yet enigmatic people.

Thanks to his unique style, Ringo Johns has often been approached by photographers, although many of them are tourists.

Ringo, originally from Cornwall and himself a former wedding photographer, said: “Once I was asked 14 times in one day.

“I didn’t mind, though - I enjoy it.”

Monday, October 23

FOR want of a chocolate pizza...

Swindon gained a new business.

Paul Dunn, 53, from Haydon Wick, was joined by Swindon Mayor Coun Maureen Penny for the opening of The Choc Shop, in Theatre Square.

Inspiration truck for the computer programmer when a friend bought him a chocolate pizza - and Paul realised there was nowhere local to go for another.

The Choc Shop was the first unit opened in the Flashshop scheme, backed by the council, Forward Swindon and inSwindon, which aims to encourage new businesses.

Thursday, October 12

SWINDON councillors approved a bold plan for a 15-storey apartment block on the site of the tented market.

Although the dynamism of the concept was generally praised, some people raised concerns about the lack of car parking.

Thursday, October 26

RIGHT Said Fred singer Richard Fairbrass, left, came to Swindon to support the Hep C Positive Project, which supports people whose lives have been touched by hepatitis C.

The project, which was celebrating its sixth anniversary, was set up by former Right Said Fred session bassist Phil Spalding.

Richard, whose band is best known for I’m Too Sexy, recalled a time when few if anybody knew of the illness and its transference.

Tuesday, October 31

NORTH Swindon MP Justin Tomlinson and Thamesdown Transport’s managing director Andrew Wickham share a joke at the launch of the company’s new social seating.

Instead of being arranged in rows, the back seats of the latest 13 vehicles in the Thamesdown Fleet are arranged in a horseshoe shape.

The innovation aims to allow friends and families to sit together and anti-social behaviour to be reduced.

Proving there’s nothing new under the sun, older passengers recalled similar arrangements many years ago