Cows were making the news in Swindon this week. On Wednesday one parted company with its drover to do a bit of window shopping in Wood Street. The animal entered Shawyer and Blake’s chemist before barging head first through the shop front, smashing two large panes of plate glass.

Meanwhile, at Malmesbury Police Court cowman Frederick White, of Barnes Green was fined 5s for driving 25 cows on the highway without having a dimmed light at the back and front. His employer, John Hathway, of Church Farm, Brinkworth, was also fined £1 for permitting the offence.

The incident occurred on October 19 when the herd was being driven during the blackout, 200 yards along a stretch of road from a field to the farm in Brinkworth.

Harold Henry Mills of Churchdown was travelling through Brinkworth on his way to Swindon when he collided with one of the cows.

Chairman Hugh Baker emphasised that farmers who find it necessary to drive cows on the road during the black-out must see that a light is carried at both ends of the herd. Not to do so was in breach of the Defence of the Realm Act.