Archive

  • No fun in sun after barbecue is stolen

    USERS of an adult social care service were left fuming after thieves made off with their beloved barbecue. Workers at One Step Ahead, a day centre for adults with learning difficulties in South Marston, had last week set about cleaning the

  • Town is home to new care hub

    SWINDON will be home to one of only three NSPCC service centres delivering innovative frontline services for children and families in the South West. The charity says it will shut other services in the region and create pioneering hubs as part of a strategy

  • Right Royal celebration

    A MARKET town known for repatriations is gearing up for an altogether different procession. The newly-crowned Royal town of Wootton Bassett, all too used to the dignified silence of repatriation ceremonies of UK soldiers killed in Afghanistan

  • School staff pension fury

    HEADTEACHERS in Swindon feel ‘immense opposition’ to planned government changes to teachers’ pensions, according to a local union leader. Mike Welsh, immediate past president of the National Association of Head Teachers (NAHT), said the plans are ‘unacceptable

  • They climbed the wrong mountain and two got lost!

    A CRUCIAL wrong turning, a mountain rescue emergency call and three injuries were just some of the disasters which struck Team Wayne as they attempted the Three Peaks Challenge. But despite their errors, the group of friends – who were attempting to

  • Roundabout work is well under way

    PREPARATION work is well under way for a project to demolish one of the town’s main traffic hubs as part of the Union Square regeneration. And although the current work may not be obvious to passersby, those behind it say everything is running to plan

  • Memorial game for cops and town staff

    DEDICATED cops donned an entirely different uniform to take on Swindon Town backroom staff in memory of a fellow officer. The boys in blue stepped onto the hallowed County Ground turf to take on the Robins’ staff yesterday afternoon in a fundraising

  • Inept mountineers still raise £10,000 in memory of Wayne

    A CRUCIAL wrong turning, a mountain rescue emergency call and three injuries were just some of the disasters which struck Team Wayne as they attempted the Three Peaks Challenge. But despite their errors, the group of friends – who were attempting to

  • Be careful with your barbecue as weather hots up

    AS the weather heats up, revellers are being urged to be careful with their barbecues. The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) is reminding people of simple safety tips for a fun and accident-free barbecue. RoSPA is advising barbecue

  • Duo return to Palace

    SWINDON'S loan duo of Calvin Andrew and Alassane N'Diaye have returned to parent club Crystal Palace. The pair were signed by former boss Paul Hart in March and Andrew went on to make nine starts for the Robins, scoring once in the 1-0 win at Brentford

  • One cat on a hot (Old) town roof...

    A PESKY puss had to be rescued by firefighters after getting stuck on a rooftop for five days. Black-and-white Hendrix went missing from his home near Victoria Road on Wednesday night. But when workers at Austin Electrical spotted the

  • Highworth Road Closure

    Highworth Road, Northwest of South Marston will be closed from 9th May 2011 for 4 weeks, due to essential culvert upgrade works. For additional information please telephone 01793 466652

  • Injured driver dies in hospital

    A MAN who was critically injured in a crash in Wiltshire last week has died in hospital. Adrian Ludlow, 64, suffered multiple injures in a collision with another car on Biddesden Lane, Ludgershall, on Wednesday afternoon. The road was closed for five

  • Swindon Asthma Relief charity boosted by Camelot production

    Astma Relief charity will get its funds boosted from the production of the enchanting tale of King Arthur and his kingdom of Camelot. R and J Musicals led by Ray Dance and Judith Sharp will be performing the musical, featuring such songs as If Ever

  • Newshounds' deadline is approaching

    BUDDING young newshounds are reminded that the clock is ticking for entries to a journalism competition. The National Council for the Training of Journalists is offering 16 to 18-year-olds the opportunity to be a published reporter, as part of its Stars

  • Swindon graffiti artists add flower power to old banger

    GRAFFITI artists came together at the weekend to create an impressive work of art out of an old rusty banger. Rosanna Wareham, 24, and her friends will be taking part in the Barcelona Bangers competition later this month in which they will

  • How will you vote in Swindon?

    NEVER has such a boring issue created as much division. Recent weeks have seen mudslinging matches, bitter recriminations, and the stability of the coalition called into question - all over one subject, the Alternative Vote (AV). But

  • Toploader to headline Swindon's Summer Breeze festival

    Toploader, who had a world wide hit with Dancing In The Moonlight, will be down on the farm in Swindon this summer after getting back together after an eight-year split. The pop band who have played with such icons as Coldplay and Muse, and

  • Youngsters enjoy May Day fair

    THERE was plenty of fun in the sun when crowds flocked to Wanborough’s May Day Fayre. Dozens of craft stalls and games were located in and around the village hall, and this year, organisers hope to raise enough money to purchase a replacement

  • Brightly coloured kites take to the sky

    THE White Horse Kite Flyers hold the 21st annual Swindon Kite Festival at Lydiard Park on Saturday and Sunday from 10am to 5pm. Entry will be free, and the organisers say visitors can expect a colourful and spectacular event with kites of all

  • Invest a bit for charity

    ENTREPRENEURS are needed to sign up to a unique challenge to raise hundreds of pounds for the charity Sue Ryder. The Big Wigs challenge gives £50 to participating businesses or individuals and asks them to invest it and return it with as much

  • Waiting is over for allotment places

    GARDENERS in Highworth have got a spring in their step as the opening of new allotments has cleared the waiting list in the town. Some residents had been on the waiting list for almost seven years but thanks to a lot of hard work from town councillors

  • Letter from Sir Peter Spencer

    MOST readers know someone who is affected by Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (M.E.), the chronic, fluctuating illness also known as Post Viral or Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. As May is M.E. Awareness Month, we hope as many people as possible will display

  • Letter from J Adams

    Re. your front page exclusive: They're going to bulldoze the Bulldog pub (SA, April 20). I wonder which supermarket giant will win the contract to build there? I have (hopefully with the Adver's kind permission) compiled a quiz for readers

  • Letter from F E Sharpe

    READERS more support is still required to keep the Harrier jump jets flying, please do not sit back. Just think if every Advertiser reader with access to a computer were to view a petition to the Prime Minister by going to website ipetitions.com then

  • Letter from A Morgan

    I HAVE just read the story concerning Alan Battman's sensitive reaction about the term ‘crazy golf’. Words fail me, get a life. A MORGAN Stubsmead Swindon

  • Letter from Marion Bowen

    MAY I through your paper say a big thank you to the elderly couple who found my daughters driving licence and delivered it to her in person. Also to the young men who came to my rescue when my car broke down in Nythe? They even went to the

  • Letter from Mr G A Woodward

    THE news coverage of the tsunami stricken, ‘Fukushima Daiichi nuclear reactors’ on TV news programmes seems to have diminished and tailed off of late, but as far as I am aware the crisis is far from being resolved, with indeed the potential remaining

  • Letter from Melanie C

    I WOULD like to encourage readers to have a tea party on Wednesday, May 4 for Care For A Cuppa Day to help raise vital funds for Diabetes UK. The charity is urging people to organise tea parties throughout the year to help support research and

  • Letter from Gareth Owen

    As we all enjoy the run of extended weekends drenched in sunshine, I ask you to spare a moment’s thought for the thousands of children and families living in displacement camps in Ivory Coast. Violence in the West African country has driven

  • Letter from Robert Feal-Martinez

    THE author of the letter about St George's day asks why? Why do other countries have National Days. In the US Independence Day is a huge event. I always find it amusing that celebrating our patron saint makes us little Englanders but it's alright

  • Letter from Ashley Owen

    WITH the release of the animated film 'Hop' about the son of the Easter bunny, parents may find themselves inundated with requests for a pet rabbit. However, many people don't realise that rabbits are one of the most difficult pets to care for

  • Letter from Allan Thipthorpe

    I WOULD like to add my views to Mr John Sefton’s of Wednesday, April 20 in the Adver. I think I am qualified as I served in the Middle East from 1945 to 1948, six months in Bengazi with the Royal Engineers, Christmas 1945. Really John you don’t expect

  • Devastated Tasha wants her little daughter home

    DEVASTATED mum Tasha Cope has told of her battle to bring her daughter home after her ex-partner took her to Spain and never returned. The 23-year-old, of Old Town, now faces the ordeal of taking her case to the High Court in a bid to bring three-year-old

  • Letter from M J Warner

    IN your Swindon at War series in the Advertiser (April 14 and 21) were reports from the war in Greece in April 1941 involving British, Commonwealth and colonial forces. Italy, who entered the war in 1940, attacked Greece from Albania in October

  • NORTH BERKS LEAGUE: Shield joy for Lambourn

    LAMBOURN Sports lifted the North Berks Charity Shield after comfortably defeating fellow Division One title-chasers Didcot Casuals 3-0 in the final at Abingdon United. Ben Matthews, Tommy Langfrey and Dave Livings scored their goals. In Division One

  • Country music dreams come true

    COUNTRY music fan Christine Kelly has secured a dream internship at a division of MTV in America. The 20-year-old, of Toothill, has beaten dozens of other applicants to work in the post-production department of Country Music Television (CMT), in Nashville

  • NORTH WILTS YOUTH LEAGUE: Super sixes for Rangers

    SWINDON Rangers made sure of their final six points of the season, with two 6-0 wins to ensure a play-off match against Robins to decide the Under Nine Division One title. Away at Wootton Basset, Rangers' goals came from Charlie Begley (3), Jack Lewis

  • WILTSHIRE LEAGUE: Cup heartbreak for College

    FC CHIPPENHAM Youth lifted the Corsham Print Senior Cup with victory in a penalty shootout over New College in an exciting final at Corsham Town’s Southbank ground. With the sides level at a goal apiece after 90 minutes, the tie went into extra time

  • SWINDON SUNDAY LEAGUE: Just champion!

    NEW Century lifted the Swindon Sunday League Division Two trophy after their 5-2 win over Inter Sandgate. Michael Solan fired a hat-trick for Century, while Lee Stoddart and Gareth Davies also registered. Jake Page and David Rendle replied in vain for

  • Ferry lifts lid on Town frustrations

    SIMON Ferry reflected on the ‘most frustrating’ season of his career before declaring his intent to stick with Swindon and help in their bid for an immediate promotion back to League One. The Scot formed a formidable partnership with Jonathan

  • New survey puts Swindon as among most expensive in League Two

    SWINDON Town offer the second most expensive day out for fans in League Two, a new survey has revealed. BBC Sport’s Price of Football survey claims that for a fan to purchase the cheapest adult ticket at the County Ground as well as a programme

  • It's Bodin well for Billy

    RELEGATION to League Two has led Billy Bodin to reassess his ambitions for next season and he now believes he can challenge for a regular place in the Swindon Town attack. The Wales Under 21 international explained to the Advertiser a few weeks ago that

  • Driver unhurt after lorry overturns

    MOTORISTS faced confusion when part of a roundabout was closed off due to a lorry overturning and blocking the exits. Police were called to the roundabout on County Road in Swindon at 7.40am yesterday. They cut off the route and redirected traffic

  • Belgian airforce return for Tattoo

    AN AEROBATIC display team that last performed at the Royal International Air Tattoo in 1972 are returning to Fairford this summer for the 40th anniversary of the world’s biggest military airshow. Les Diables Rouges (The Red Devils) aerobatic display

  • Maximum satisfaction for the Robins

    SWINDON gave their most complete performance of the season last night as they took three precious points against Elite League pace-setters Eastbourne. As good as the previous week’s home triumph against Poole had been, it was tinged with disappointment

  • £20million stadium plan ground to a halt

    SWINDON’s plans to redevelop the County Ground are unlikely to be affected by the club’s relegation to League Two but the project is on hold for the time being, the Advertiser can exclusively reveal. The club announced ambitious plans for a £20million