DOORS of a multi-million pound new sixth form building will be thrown open at Wootton Bassett School. The school is hosting an open evening on Monday to show off the state-of-the-art building and to reveal its plans for the introduction of the International
AN avid Swindon Town supporter has been found guilty of hurling racist abuse at a coach and players at the County Ground. Simon Sheppard, 38, from Littlefield Cottage, Ham Road, Shelbourne, Marlborough, was given a two-year conditional discharge by Swindon
SHOPPERS have been reminiscing about the Aladdin’s cave that was Woolworths as administrators fight to keep the ailing retailer afloat. The store has been a permanent fixture in Swindon town centre for decades and was seen by many as a place
SOCIAL care inspectors have backed improvements in services provided by Wiltshire County Council. The Commission for Social Care Inspection published its annual reports for adult social care services across the country and gave Wiltshire services for
By Lewis S In Year 6 we linked up with a school in France (the school is in Poiters). We had to write a letter to the person that we linked up with and tell them all about us; it was quite fun but hard work at the same time. We
SWINDON’S front-line cops could soon all be carrying Tasers, under new Government plans. Home Secretary Jacqui Smith has announced plans to extend powers to carry the electric shock guns to all response officers. At the moment only Wiltshire Police’s
REGARDING your articles and notices ref public open spaces (Pickards Field) which is to be disposed of for residential development. As you may or may not know there has been meetings regarding this open space land, both with the HAB Housing and concerned
PETER Firth’s progression (Barrie on the Box Nov 24) from Scooper, leader in Here Come the Double Deckers (1971) to Harry Pearce, the superior of M15 in Spooks (2002 to present) must be the greatest ever televisual transmogrification! Can anybody beat
WE are fortunate to have Gordon Brown as our Prime Minister in these difficult financial times because he expertly understands that the way out of a depression is to borrow and to spend. This may sound daft, but is not. When in a hole stop digging.
I WAS delighted to read Tony McLellan’s letter “Unborn babies deserve protection too”, I agree with all he wrote. I am a Christian and a supporter of the Society for the Protection of Unborn Children and lastly a retired midwife. I firmly believe in
AN ANNOYED Thamesdown Transport passenger has called for change machines to be installed at bus stations after being caught out by the company’s ‘no change’ policy. Mark Titcombe, 24, from South Marston, says during the current recession people
BRUNEL Shopping Centre’s Christmas Gift Appeal has now been officially launched at the Swindon Advertiser. Shoppers can now donate presents by putting them in large appeal boxes provided in the centre and in most of the shops and other town
Did you see me in the newspaper on Tuesday? A lot of people did, and I want to start today’s entry by thanking everyone who has taken time to talk with me about my illness, my blog and life in general since the Adver printed the article on me
ADULT care services run by Swindon Council have once again claimed two stars from inspectors – and the word is that improvements are continuing. Last year the council celebrated after its adult social care services earned a two star rating
TWO good Samaritans have been praised for helping a pensioner who was knocked down on Drove Road. Maureen Massam, of Whitbourne Avenue, Park South, suffered a badly broken arm after her mobility scooter was involved in a collision with a car
CAN the people,and there’s lots of them, tell me how they can talk on their hand held mobile phone and change gear, drive, Indicate and concentrate on the what’s happening on the road? To stop people doing this I would like to see more police on the
IN reply to M Rowland “Men have no right to push views on abortion” (SA, November 26) can I ask why not? Unless I totally misunderstood my biology teacher, or things have changed dramatically since I left school in 1970, a man is required in the making
INTERNATIONAL Volunteering Day (December, 5 2008) gives us the opportunity to celebrate the contribution that is made around the world by people who selflessly give their time in support of a cause they believe in. I personally would like to celebrate
WITH the cold winter weather, many of your readers might feel in need of some warming comfort foods. But many traditional comfort foods can be high in fat, which is bad news for the waistline. If we are putting on weight, this can also have an impact
REFERENCE the letter from Tony Mclellen(SA, November 20) “Unborn deserve protection too”. After reading this letter I was left a little irritated by Mr McLellen using the horrific baby P case to publicly vent his own opinion regarding the very emotive
On Saturday next, 29th November, 3.00pm kick off, Swindon Supermarine Football Club have a home league game against Bedford Town FC. On Wednesday evening, December 3rd, kick off 7.45pm, the club entertain Rugby Town FC. Both matches are in the British
IN reply to the latest tirade from Mr Day, perhaps he will answer the following; when was the last time a Labour run government left office, leaving the country debt free? Not in our lifetime is the answer. Is this the same party that has broken promises
I WOULD like to tell you a story - I was at my local chip shop (the new one at the Magic roundabout - Flying Fish) on Wednesday, November 26, when guess who I saw in there? Sean Williamson (Barry from EastEnders, I could not believe it. I saw him the
I HOPE I am not alone in finding the case of the man who fathered his own grandchildren by raping his daughters for 25 years utterly unbelievable, not so much in the deed, foul and despicable as it was, but in the punishment. He is to serve 25 life terms
IS it not now perfectly clear to all sane people that the economic strategy pursued by the present UK government and for that matter all nations around the world over the past 11 years has failed the people with unprecedented consequences that will reverberate
THE Leader of Swindon Council displays a quite amazing lack of knowledge when he states that he is not sure whether you can get a Christmas tree over 40ft high. Is he really unaware that in 1947 and every year since the people of Norway have given a Christmas
SWINDON Council’s transport supremo has hit back at a Government minister for wading into the speed camera debate. The Under-secretary Of State, Jim Fitzpatrick, called Swindon Council’s decision to pull out of the Wiltshire and Swindon Safety
I TOTALLY agree with Phil Booth and Guy Herbert of the No2ID campaign (SA, November 26). What few seem to understand is that ID cards are required by EU rules as part of a fully-integrated EU-wide database. It will result in your movements, behaviour
ONCE again it seems that Britain has been conned by the EU and most especially France. Readers will recall that Tony Blair, three years ago, gave up£7 billion of our EU rebate, in return for an agreement to have the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP)
HERE at Prospect Hospice we have been awarded six private charity places in the 2009 Bath Half Marathon on Sunday, March 15. The six, much sought-after places are available to runners who pledge to raise the highest sums in support of the hospice’s care
When coming home in the evenings From the winter’s chills and bitter freeze, A flickering warm fire, will touch your heart Putting your mind and soul at ease. When you hear the sound of laughter When your children smile And have
SENIOR Westlecot men and women’s teams both recorded victories this week in the national inter-club Over 60s Double Rinks competitions. The men grabbed a last gasp 31-30 win over locals rivals North Wilts in an enthralling local derby and fourth round
KEVIN Amankwaah staked his claim for a starting berth against Walsall on Saturday with an all-action display for Town’s reserves against Salisbury City Youth last night. Ady Williams’ men were held 2-2 at the Ray McEnhill Stadium, but the manager was
JAMIE Cox is still awaiting his opponent for next Saturday’s light-welterweight clash, his ninth professional fight. The Swindon boxer will contest six three-minute rounds with his light-welterweight opponent due to be announced in the next few days.
BLOOD-red creatures with horrific things bursting out of the top of their heads came to life as author Ali Sparkes made a whistlestop tour around some of Swindon’s schools. Thankfully it wasn’t dangerous – it was just a teletubby. But Ali made
SUPERMARINE under nines enjoyed two close fought matches with Marlborough, resulting in a win and a loss. Marlborough took the spoils 5-1 in the opener, but Marine turned the tables on their rivals in game two, using the set piece well to emerge 5-2
HOLDERS Westlecot had to battle hard to secure a narrow victory in their latest men’s Wessex League East Region group match, writes DAVE EATON. Fielding a side that showed several late changes they just edged home against Oxford and District by three
Walcot ABC’s Danny Bharj is hoping this season will be his best ever, starting with victory at his home show on Friday, writes DAVE VEYSEY. The 20-year-old has been at the Walcot gym for over 10 years, and during that time he has experienced
Now and again you get one of those nights which is simply perfect, when everything in your world feels right. Standing watching blues band Hip Route was one of those golden moments. Lead singer Jim has one of those luscious voices that is so intune
MAJOR projects in Swindon will not be derailed by the gloomy economic climate of the next 12 months, says the council leader. Councillor Rod Bluh gave an optimistic presentation on Swindon Council’s plans for 2009 to a council committee.
The credit crunch is set to cause a £3billion reduction in spending over the festive season, prompting fears that it won’t be a very merry Christmas for many. Certainly, a survey has revealed that 49 per cent of adults are dreading the festive
TOWN caretaker manager Dave Byrne has slammed his side for being a “cheap team”, after watching them continue to pay the price for their failure to keep possession. Three 2-2 draws on the spin have seen Byrne remain unbeaten so far during his temporary
SWINDON Under 16s were beaten 22-12 by visiting Glamorgan Wanderers. Swindon mounted some sustained early pressure and were able to score in the corner for their first try which was not converted. Following a good move across the width of the pitch
WOOTTON Bassett won the fair play award at the London Irish under 10 Festival of Rugby, and later formed the guard of honour for the Guiness Premiership side’s match with Saracens at the Madejski Stadium. The festival was played in appalling conditions
He was sacked as the Swindon Wildcats’ coach this week. Now, in his own words, Peter Russell reveals to the Adver the full story of his turmoil at the Link Centre. There is never a great time to get laid off in any job, but in the current economic
DEJECTED Pete Russell admits he was “shocked” to be given the boot by Swindon Wildcats, but insists he bears no grudges. The Scot, who had guided his team to third place in the EPL this season, learned his fate in a meeting with general manager Steve
SWINDON Council has been left with a growing paper mountain after the collapse in the price of recycled paper. But despite this people are being urged to keep putting out their paper for recycling. Until recently the council sold all
THE administrators of ailing retailer Woolworths today said they would be looking for a "suitable buyer for all parts of the business". Deloitte, whose appointment was confirmed today, said it had received interest from "a number of parties
ASBESTOS has been discovered at one of Swindon’s leisure clubs after work began to refurbish parts of the premises. The substance was found in the Swindon Council run Turkish bath at the Health Hydro on Milton Road. It was discovered
A DEAL to build the next phase of Swindon’s town centre regeneration has been announced to the London Stock Exchange. Morgan Sindall Plc revealed that Muse Developments has been selected to deliver the £350m Union Square development on land
KNIVES, including one designed for throwing, were sold to a 15-year-old girl in an council run test. Laws on knife sales were recently changed meaning no-one under the age of 18 could buy blades. But Swindon Council trading standards
