Here is our thought-provoking round-up of the year... starting with January and February

Thursday, January 7

SWINDON student Bianca Polizzi earned a trip to Las Vegas by inventing a device to warm the hearts and snacks of Pot Noodle lover everywhere.

Bianca, 21, a Bath University languages student, came up with the idea of the Kettle Kup for an inventors’ competition run by the makers of Pot Noodle.

Her prize included a chance to meet other innovators at the Consumer Electronics Show.

We said: “The Kettle Kup has been in development with product designers who have been drawing up computer diagrams and working with Bianca to enhance the design, including the addition of a compartment to hold tea, coffee or sugar and a slot for a stirrer.”

Wednesday, Janary 13

JUNIOR doctors were on the warpath over proposed new NHS contracts they said meant more work for less money.

At 8am on Tuesday, January 12, junior medics at Great Western Hospital downed stethoscopes and other instruments before walking out. The strike was the first of its kind in 35 years.

Many of the strikers said they were disappointed to be on strike, but insisted there was no alternative. Public response was overwhelmingly supportive.

Comments from our readers included: “If the politicians can give themselves pay rises they can cut some slack for the doctors and the nurses.”

Thursday, January 14

PRESSURE group Friends of Lydiard organised a public meeting to protest against Swindon Borough Council’s plans to have Lydiard Park run by the private sector.

Group chairman Mike Bowden had been hoping for a good turnout but was stunned when well over 600 people arrived at Lydiard Park Academy.

The overwhelming majority were vehemently opposed to the plan, which had already attracted protest petitions with more than 10,000 signatures.

The council which aimed to save £450,000 a year with the move, agreed a stay of execution while alternative strategies were explored.

Saturday, January 16

FORMER Swindon student Jordan Taylor began at least 23 years in jail for the murder of his ex-girlfriend.

Chelmsford Crown Court heard that the 22-year-old martial arts enthusiast and former New College student stabbed 21-year-old Laura Davies at least 81 times after she ended their relationship the previous summer. The attack happened at the flat they shared in Basildon.

Swindon Advertiser: Former New College student Jordan Taylor and Laura Davies, who Taylor denies murdering

Taylor had denied murder but was found guilty by a jury. Laura’s family, had described Taylor as having begun telling her what to wear and taken control of her bank account.

Thusday, January 28

IN a world of constant, bewildering change, it’s nice to know that some stories are as timeless and reassuringly predictable as the seasons.

So it is with articulated lorries getting stuck under this bridge over the Royal Wootton Bassett Road.

The Mercedes became at least the 10th lorry in six years to fall foul of the bridge, in spite of an array of warning signs including flashing ones operated by sensors.

The A3102 was closed for more than eight hours. The driver was given medical treatment at the scene but was not seriously harmed.

Monday, February 1

FRIENDS and loved ones were seeing a lot less of Swindon brothers Ian and Mark Kenna by February of 2016, and everybody involved was very happy about it.

The two lost a combined 20 stone in two years then decided to raise money for charity in memory of their aunt, Mary Parsons, who died of breast cancer.

When we caught up with them – no mean feat – they were planning to run two-and-a-half marathons and host a black tie dinner, with the proceeds going to Cancer Research.

Ian said: “The support from people has been brilliant – we’ve had lots of Facebook posts and people coming forward with donations.”

Tuesday, February 2

GEORGE Scarrott of Scarrott’s Fun Fairs reunited an American World War Two veteran’s family with a dog tag he left in a Wootton Bassett Cinema 70 years earlier.

Jack O’Leary, who died in 1981 and is buried in California, left his tag in the Mascot Cinema in High Street while stationed nearby during the war. The cinema was leased by George’s great grandfather, also called George, and was evidently carefully kept as lost property.

The younger George discovered it at the firm’s depot in Royal Wootton Bassett in a bag of buttons and badges. He launched an online appeal and was eventually able to track down Jack’s daughters.

Friday, February 5

CAMERAS were installed at a bus lane in Swindon’s Penzance Drive, supposedly to deter car drivers from misusing it.

A member of the public, Diane Cross, was caught out but insisted the signage was inadequate and misleading. Her Freedom of Information request revealed that Swindon Borough Council had raked in more than £300,000 in fines from about 10,000 drivers in six months.

The council insisted the signage was adequate, even though Diane calculated that about 55 cars a day were being caught out.

“They can’t all be bad drivers,” she said.

Thursday, February 11

A MYSTERY donor dropped off £400 in cash at the Adver’s offices in Victoria Road after we told the story of five-year-old Kyle Truman from Walcot.

Kyle was diagnosed in 2015 with a cruel medical condition, Duchenne muscular dystrophy, and his mother, Natasha, vowed to take him on a dream holiday to Disneyworld Florida before he lost his mobility.

The mystery donation at our office took the total raised to more than £4,000.

Wednesday, February 17

TEARFUL tributes were paid to a much-loved woman who died suddenly and completely unexpectedly. Sabrina Moccia, 33, died from cardiac arrest after collapsing at a house in Jennings Street, Rodbourne.

Sabrina had worked as an employment coach for Shaw Trust.

Earlier in her career she had been a very popular member of the Swindon Advertiser’s advertising and marketing team. More than 400 people attended her funeral at Holy Rood Church. In tribute to her Italian background, a number of verses were read in both English and Italian.