Archive

  • Town undergo self-observation

    MARK Cooper said Swindon Town will be focussing on themselves as they prepare to take on Gillingham at The Priestfield tomorrow night. The squad have been in for training on Sunday and yesterday as they look to correct the blank goals column that

  • Return of the Jack could be off

    JACK Stephens appearance on the bench for Southampton appears to have signalled to Swindon Town they should move on to other targets. Stephens’ impressive loan spell and the arrival of teammate Jordan Turnbull had made it seem a formality that

  • Parish matters

    COVINGHAM: The parish council’s next meeting is taking place at Covingham Park Primary School at 7.30pm on September 8. The public are welcome to attend the meeting and will have an opportunity to raise any concerns to the council.

  • Sprint with Splints

    COATE: Swindon Shin Splints running club will be meeting at Coate Water Country Park at 6.15pm on Wednesday. New members are welcome to attend and take on the course. Anyone interested in attending can call 01793 490150.

  • Spread the jam

    GREATFIELD: Musicians of all abilities are welcome to take part in the Bluegrass Jam being held at Riffs Bar from 7pm on Wednesday. For more details call 01793 778304 or email info@riffsbar.com.

  • Butterfly bonanza

    SEVENHAMPTON: Children can learn about the lifecycle of butterflies during a workshop running at Roves Farm between 10am and 5pm today. During the event there will be a reading of The Very Hungry Caterpillar. For more information about the event

  • All eyes on park's birds

    COATE: A junior birdwatch session is running at Coate Water Country Park from 10am until noon on Wednesday. The event is suitable for those aged between six and 12. Those interested in taking part are asked to wear sensible clothing and bring binoculars

  • Council meeting

    CASTLE EATON: The parish council is meeting at the village hall at 7.30pm on Thursday, September 4. Residents are welcome to attend and raise any issues to the council.

  • ON THIS DAY: August 18

    SWINDON... 1947: Through faults in the electrical systems two Swindon Corporation buses caught fire on Saturday within 15 minutes of each other. Damage was slight in both cases and no one was hurt. Swindon National Fire Service extinguished the

  • Volunteer at shop

    TOWN CENTRE: Volunteers are being sought to help run the Swindon and District Samaritans shop, in Curtis Street. Anyone interested in helping is asked to call 01793 537373.

  • Bands on the run

    OLD TOWN: Bands Dirty 6, Flashfires and Sahara Heights are performing at The Vic from 8pm on Thursday. For ticket information call 01793 535713 or email thevicswindon@gmail.com.

  • Poppy popping in

    TOWN CENTRE: Children’s character Poppy Cat will be making an apperance at The Brunel Shopping Centre between 11am and 3pm on Thursday. Poppy will be posing for photograpghs with visitors to the centre.

  • Fun day a bright idea

    OLD TOWN: A family fun day in aid of the Brighter Futures charity is being held at Christ Church Community Centre between 11am and 3pm on Wednesday. Attractions include crafts workshops, a treasure hunt and face painting. For more information call

  • Rewind...August 11-16 1977: The day the music died

    THE weekend marked the 37th anniversary of the death of Elvis Presley. The King of Rock and Roll was 42 when he died in the bathroom of his Memphis home, Graceland, probably of heart failure caused by years of over-eating and prescription drug

  • REMEMBER WHEN: Love him tender

    ELVIS Presley fans all over the world marked the 37th anniversary of his death over the weekend. As this week’s centre pages of Rewind show, our original story back in 1977 focused on the star’s drug issues rather than his musical legacy, which

  • Village feedback

    SOUTH MARSTON: The next full parish council meeting will be held tomorrow at 7.30pm at South Marston Village Hall. Included for discussion will be an update on the 20mph zone in the village and feedback about the village expansion.

  • Farm on agenda

    WROUGHTON: The next meeting of the full parish council will take place tonight at 7.30pm at the Ellendune Community Centre. During the meeting a new parish councillor will be co-opted following interviews for the post over recent weeks, and the

  • Farm on agenda

    WROUGHTON: The next meeting of the full parish council will take place tonight at 7.30pm at the Ellendune Community Centre. During the meeting a new parish councillor will be co-opted following interviews for the post over recent weeks, and the

  • Drop-in joins crime fight

    HIGHWORTH: The neighbourhood policing team will be holding crime prevention drop-in sessions in Castle Eaton and Highworth this week following a series of dwelling buglaries in the area. Four burglaries were reported between August 7 and 10, and

  • Heroic gathering

    SCHOOLS, workplaces and community groups are being asked to dress up as superheroes to mark national Air Ambulance Week. The charity, Wiltshire Air Ambulance, is aiming to raise around £48,000 between September 22 and 28. Every group which supports

  • A star is Shaun

    SINGER Shaun Barry is performing a concert at the Town Gardens Bandstand on Bank Holiday Monday. The performer will be taking to the stage at 2.30pm. Shaun, a popular member of Swindon’s music scene, will be playing a number of his own songs

  • Pick up snacks

    The NSPCC is calling on people in Swindon to host a creative or unusual lunch as part of its UK-wide Big Packed Lunch campaign. On September 17, participants can donate the money they would otherwise have spent on a “same old, same old” lunch to

  • THE LIST: 8 Swindon roundabouts that drive us round the bend

    SWINDON is well-known for its roundabouts. The most famous of them all, the Magic Roundabout, is often discussed in hushed tones by road enthusiasts on the other side of the pond. It has received global recognition after being featured in the top 12

  • Rail’s links to the war

    AN EXHIBITION commemorating the importance of Swindon’s rail links during the First World War is launching at the Steam Museum on Friday. The display, marking the centenary of the conflict, will feature photographs and memorabilia from the period

  • Waste bid a debacle

    I AM writing to vent my annoyance over the recent debacle that Swindon Borough Council were involved with concerning the movement of the waste to the Park and ride in Cricklade Road. They had no right to hold secret meetings and make the decision

  • Put a stop to bigots

    WHEN I asked if Gay Pride was still necessary, I wasn’t disapproving of it, merely asking if we had indeed reached equality. I see from Steve Nibbs’ letter (August 16) that the answer is no we haven’t. Hear hear to Rosemary Duff (August 13)

  • No to plain packets

    I WRITE in response to your article ‘Plain cigarette packs will bring in £2m’, published August 14. Public Health England’s (PHE) assertion that plain packaging has reduced smoking rates in Australia and could boost the economy in the UK are both

  • We pick and choose

    THIS response is from my MP, Mr Robert Buckland, which I don’t agree with, but it is our government’s view, and I quote: “The Government’s position is that the settlement building is illegal under international law, but that sanctions would not be

  • Why is there a delay?

    IT would appear to be really strange that the official findings of the results concerning the two black box flight recorders salvaged from the stricken Malaysian airliner MH17 and taken to Farnborough, Hampshire to be analysed, do not yet appear to

  • ADVER COMMENT: Crack down on abusers of hospital staff

    THE Respect Us initiative at the Great Western Hospital is entirely justified, although decent people will be disgusted by the fact that such an initiative is necessary. That almost 240 doctors and nurses were assaulted by patients in the last

  • What the Hector is going on?

    HECTOR AND THE SEARCH FOR HAPPINESS (15)  Starring: Simon Pegg, Toni Collette, Rosamund Pike, Stellan Skarsgard, Christopher Plummer. Director: Peter Chelsom. BASED on the book of the same name by Francois Lelord, Hector And The Search For Happiness

  • Mid-table finish

    THE UNBEATABLES (U) Starring the voices of: Rupert Grint, Eve Ponsonby, Anthony Head, Stanley Townsend, Ralf Little, Rob Brydon, Peter Serafinowicz, Darren Boyd, Alistair McGowan. Director: Juan Jose Campanella. THE beautiful game turns ugly

  • Old Action Pensioners

    THE EXPENDABLES 3 (12A) Starring: Sylvester Stallone, Jason Statham, Antonio Banderas, Wesley Snipes, Dolph Lundgren, Kellan Lutz, Ronda Rousey, Glen Powell, Victor Ortiz, Robert Davi, Kelsey Grammer, Jet Li, Mel Gibson, Harrison Ford, Arnold Schwarzenegger

  • Zephyr detectives arrest courier fraudsters

    DETECTIVES swooped to make dawn arrests in London today as part of an investigation into a £1m courier fraud investigation. The operation was mounted by Zephyr, the south west regional organised crime unit, following a three month investigation

  • It’s against the Bible

    RE ‘Be loud and proud’, August 13 from Rosemary Duff, she writes: “events such as (Gay) Pride are needed so people can shout out that it is fine and normal to be gay until those who think it’s not get the message”. So, Rosemary Duff, the Christian

  • Is it understaffing?

    THE benefits sanctions system is said to be in chaos with appeals taking weeks or months, leaving people without money and extremely distressed. Is the problem understaffing? If so, Iain Duncan Smith should own up. Failing that, new minister

  • Compensate for stink

    I DRIVE up and down Drakes Way several times a day and am appalled at the choking, foul-smelling smoke coming from the Averies fire. Are they going to compensate the people living nearby? I feel sorry for them having to put up with it.

  • Stop being a nimby

    THE ‘Not in my back Yard’ brigade or nimby has become a real phenomenon of late. There are stories from across the country of local people rejecting plans that may affect their local community. Of course, local activism has already been present

  • My home is haven

    I HAVE read letters in the Swindon Advertiser regarding the current situation vis a vis Israel and Hamas. Most contributions come down heavily against Israel, many complaining the state of Israel was brought about by sleight of hand, in other words

  • War dead betrayed

    HOW pathetic and gutless are our so-called leaders. I see the Mayor of Calais has promised to give free ferry passes to the human mess in his own backyard so they can come to the UK. How much more can this tiny island take? Let our so-called

  • Give us a display

    I HAVE lived in Tydeman Street, in Gorse Hill, for 58 years and have run the Sunflower Cafe for nearly 13 years so I feel qualified to comment about the following. Going along Cricklade Road, I could not help but notice all the hours the workman

  • A use for prisoners

    I ALWAYS enjoy the Barrie Hudson column in the SA. Last Tuesday 5 August, I found the “It’s just another slap on the wrist” item of interest where Barrie made comment about the lenient sentences passed down to criminals by the local judiciary.

  • Tattoo was great

    THANK you so much for my tickets for the Royal International Air Tattoo. I was over the moon, flabbergasted and so chuffed! I went to the Tattoo many years ago and always wanted to return but it did not happen. I am a pensioner living alone

  • Rules of the road

    IF the policy of “shared streets” (in operation at the Regent Circus development) is to be pursued, surely the corollary must be the following? 1. Pedestrians will need to have a Road Fund licence – as motorists do – in order to “use” the “shared

  • Inquiry won’t help

    WITH regard to Andrew Parkin and his Epetition calling for an inquiry, how on earth is that going to be any benefit to putting this fire out? An inquiry will also cost more money and who will be footing the bill? It is a very difficult situation

  • Support our pool

    SWINDON: Thamesdown Hydrotherapy Pool will be hosting a charity curry evening tonight to raise money for the ongoing work of the charity. A four-course meal at £16 a head is on offer at The Curry Place on Rodbourne Road, and all are welcome. For

  • Link up for fun

    WEST SWINDON: The Link Centre will be welcoming one and all for a day of free activites when it hosts its second annual open day on August 30. From 10am to 5pm activities including ice skating, swimming and fitness will be free along with training

  • Children help town’s carers

    SWINDON: Children at Shaw Ridge Primary School have raised more than £1,500 in support of the Swindon Carers Centre during National Carers Week. Classmates banded together to walk at least a mile around the school fields, raising an impresive £1,679.50

  • Have a say on council tenants team

    VOLUNTEERS are being sought for a Swindon Council group which reviews its housing service. The tenant scrutiny panel provides an independent view of the council’s housing department’s performance, and wants to welcome more tenants to its numbers

  • On sunny side

    HIGHWORTH: Swindon Film Society has announced that it will be screening Sunshine on Leith at St Michael’s Hall at 7.45pm on Friday, September 26. For more information call 01793 330639 or visit www.swindonfilm.org.uk.

  • Help out festival

    OLD TOWN: Volunteers are being sought to join the Old Town Festival’s organising committee and help arrange next year’s event. Anyone interested can call www.oldtownfestival.co.uk.

  • Window smashed

    ASHTON KEYNES: A window of a house in the village was smashed overnight between August 9 and 10. When the householders woke they discovered the smashed ground floor window, but no attempt to enter the property had been made.

  • Lane closed for repairs

    CRICKLADE: Stones Lane in Cricklade will be closed to traffic between today and Wednesday for essential maintenance. The closure will be clearly indicated by traffic signs throughout the works period. It is anticipated the work will take three

  • Signs for store

    TOWN CENTRE: Tesco in Ocotal Way is putting new outdoor signs in place after receiving permission from Swindon Council.

  • Bid to keep art

    TOWN CENTRE: Bosses at Alexander House have applied to Swindon Council for permission to continue displaying artwork at the office building. Its previous permission is due to expire.

  • Cows stop cars

    SOUTH MARSTON: Motorists experienced minor traffic delays after 15 cows got on to the A361, Highworth Road last week. They escaped through a broken fence at a nearby field. Police attended and guided them back to the field. The fence has been repaired

  • Motorists fined

    HAYDON WICK: Wiltshire Police carried out speed checks, in Thamesdown Drive last Wednesday and handed out fines to 12 motorists who exceeded the speed limit.

  • Police act on burglaries

    STRATTON ST MARGARET: Following an increase in burglaries in the area Wiltshire Police is increasing patrols in Stratton St Margaret and Upper Stratton. They also held public consultations last week with concerned residents. Anyone looking for

  • Star's death highlights suicide misconceptions

    NEWS reports of and social media comments following the death of Robin Williams have highlighted a lack of understanding of depression and suicide, according to Swindon’s mental health services. Comments such as the Academy of Motion Picture Arts

  • LIVE NEWS: 18/08/14

    5:21pm That's it from LIVE NEWS today. We'll be back in the morning. The website will be updated with any breaking news stories throughout the evening. Goodnight. 5:12pm

  • Marine are the comeback kings

    MIDFIELDER Chris Taylor insisted Swindon Supermarine’s season ‘starts now’ after their stunning comeback to beat Shortwood 4-3 on Saturday. After going in at the break 3-0 down, Dave Webb’s side produced a scintillating second-half display as Luke

  • Groves hails hosts’ Devil-ish defence

    CRAWLEY Town assistant Paul Groves said his side had to show high levels of fitness and resilience to keep Town at bay in Crawley’s 1-0 win. Swindon out shot Crawley 26 to eight and had 62 per cent of possession at The Broadfield but could not

  • It's in our Hans

    HANS Andersen doesn’t see Coventry Bees and Swindon Robins scrapping for a play-off place during the final weeks of the season, with the two teams meeting at Brandon tonight. The Dane guested for his former club as they beat Eastbourne by 20 points

  • It’s an uphill battle as Kildemand misses out

    SWINDON Robins will face yet another uphill battle at Brandon this evening as they take on Coventry Bees without number one Peter Kildemand. Alun Rossiter has been forced to use rider replacement at the top of his side for tonight’s televised meeting

  • Coming good at the right time

    SKIPPER Troy Batchelor believes the Robins are coming good at the right time as they prepare to take on play-off rivals Coventry this evening. The Robins’ win over Eastbourne on Thursday put Alun Rossiter’s side back into fourth place, although

  • Open air screen has something for everyone

    CULT Screens is showing three films at the Old Town Bowl this week as part of their summer programme. On Thursday, the David Bowie film Labyrinth will be playing, followed by Wes Anderson’s The Grand Budapest Hotel on the Friday, with the weekend

  • Still great after 83 years

    THOUSANDS of people enjoyed fun in the sun at the annual Wanborough Show. The event, now in its 83th year, took place in the middle of the village and attracted people from across the area. The show kicked off with a carnival procession through

  • It's jolly good fun

    CHILDREN from all over Swindon came together for a special summer party at Jolly Roger, courtesy of the Walcot Charity Shop and Library. Debbie Estarbrook, manager at the Walcot Charity Shop and Library in Sussex Square, said: “We’re run entirely

  • FA CUP: Fairford's Cup dream dies

    GARETH Davies admitted slack defending was his Fairford side’s undoing as they crashed out of the FA Cup following a 3-1 home defeat to Knaphill. On a day where the FA Cup trophy was the star attraction at Cinder Lane, three first-half goals from

  • CRAWLEY TOWN 1 SWINDON TOWN 0: The one that got away

    SWINDON Town were made to pay for a lapse in concentration and wasteful finishing as Izale McLeod gave Crawley a win from the spot at the Broadfield Stadium on Saturday. The game’s crux came in the 51st minute. Louis Thompson was shown a straight

  • Shrivvy given cash boost in cup

    MATTY Bown’s goal was enough for Shrivenham to secure an important FA Cup victory away at Reading Town on Saturday, with manager Sam Collier insisting the £1,500 in prize money will prove vital for the club. Shrivvy dominated the game in Berkshire

  • Lindsey’s polished gems are beginning to sparkle

    THE future of Swindon Town is looking bright according to new under 18s coach Scott Lindsey. Lindsey arrived at the club in July to replace Jamie Pitman, who has reverted back to his role of working with the under 13s through to under 16s.

  • Nathan knows he has plenty to prove

    NATHAN Greaves knows better than anyone he still has plenty of work to do despite impressive showings in the Robins’ last two home meetings. The teenager scored 6+2 against both Lakeside and Eastbourne, with two victories over Timo Lahti the highlight

  • Scheme gets across the crime message

    INSTANT alerts are now available for West Swindon residents to engage with their local police force, as the pilot Wiltshire and Swindon Community Messaging Scheme launches today. West Swindon, along with Malmesbury, Pewsey and Warminster, are the

  • Women pass on rugby skills at open day

    WOMEN inspired by the England team’s World Cup displays learnt some new skills at an open day held by Supermarine Rugby Club. Dozens of women of all ages attended the event at the South Marston base yesterday. The event included a full day of activities

  • Moves to put crack den out of business

    A SUSPECTED crack den could be closed down for good after police raided two addresses in Toothill last week and uncovered Class A drugs, cash and a number of sim cards. On Sunday, August 10, two teams of officers conducted warrants in Edington

  • THE BIG INTERVIEW: Library enemies brought to book

    Shirley Burnham, 66, campaigns to save Swindon’s libraries from cutbacks, and is best known for her work with the Save Old Town Library group. She lives in Lawn with husband Tony, a retired civil engineer. The couple have a daughter and a grandson.

  • Doors open on artists

    ARTISTS around Swindon will put down their brushes and throw open their doors to the public as Swindon Open Studios returns to the town. Featuring more than 50 local artists, including aviation specialist David Bent, the personality of each artist

  • A golden boot for pub team

    ONE of the most successful teams in the history of Swindon pub football is about to celebrate its golden jubilee. Past and current players, fans, friends and rival players are invited to The Greyhound in Faringdon Road on Saturday for the 50th

  • Youngsters have fantastic week at fire station

    TEENAGERS with Down’s Syndrome spent a week pushing through their comfort zones as part of Wiltshire Fire and Rescue’s Salamander course. Sixteen youngsters aged 12 to 24 from the Swindon Down’s Syndrome Group spent last week learning about fire

  • Wasted chance to get fire clear-up moving

    AVERIES Recycling missed a weekend deadline to start removing waste which is hampering the clean up of the fire at their Marshgate site. The Environment Agency gave the company until noon on Saturday for begin action but nothing happened. The

  • Hospital clamps down on violence against staff

    WITH nearly 240 doctors and nurses assaulted by patients in the last year alone, the Great Western Hospital is clamping down on violence against staff with a new campaign reminding people that any form of verbal or physical abuse will not be tolerated

  • Prospect Hospice appeal has hit magic £100,000

    FUNDRAISERS across Swindon have been unstoppable, smashing the £100,000 mark for the Adver’s 160 Appeal way ahead of schedule. Less than three weeks ago the grand total stood at just £86,000 but throughout July a wave of donations has poured in

  • Bugsy crew launch splurge attack in town centre

    THE gangs of Wharf Green waged war with custard and foam on Saturday as the cast of Bugsy Malone clashed with splurge guns and cream pies. The Summer Youth Project will be perfoming the musical gangster production when it opens at the Wyvern Theatre