A GLITTERING curtain emblazoned with the name of Peter Pan hangs before the stage as the lights go down, children wave illuminated wands, a hush spreads through the excited audience and anticipation reaches fever pitch: the pantomime is about to begin
SWINDON Supermarine's two-month wait for a Southern League West away win continued tonight as they slipped to a 3-1 defeat at Shortwood United. The visitors suffered an early blow when they lost Ryan Morgan, who was replaced by Kieran Diaz-Benitez
SWINDON Town’s Checkatrade Trophy ambitions came to an end in the second round this evening as Christian Doidge’s late winner for Forest Green Rovers saw them suffer a fourth defeat on the bounce. David Flitcroft’s side were knocked out of the
LAWRENCE VIGOUROUX – 6.5 Not a particularly busy evening but kept his concentration well to make a first save after an hour and did get out well to block Doidge’s effort that led to the goal. OLLY LANCASHIRE – 7.5 Took a whack to the head
PARENTS should talk to their children about online safety in a bid to beat web paedophiles, police say. In a single week, specialists from the National Crime Agency (NCA) cuffed 192 adults on suspicion of child sex abuse offences – including blackmail
An extremely prolific shoplifter with 98 previous convictions for theft has been jailed for nine months.Christopher Simpkins, 38, of no fixed abode, appeared at Swindon Magistrates Court on Tuesday and pleaded guilty to five counts of theft from a shop.On
Purton Road is closed in both directions, following a crash. An Akcess minibus, which carries disabled passengers, collided with another car between Thamesdown Drive and Purton Road earlier this afternoon. Traffic is very slow.
LONG queues of traffic have built up in Great Western Way between Mannington roundabout and junction 16 of the M4 as the rush hour gets into full swing. Swindon South Police have warned: “We have received reports of drivers using the central reservation
A WOMAN was left lying on the ground waiting for an ambulance for more than an hour, a horrified shopper has said.Faringdon resident James Donaldson was shopping in town when he saw an elderly woman lying on the ground being looked after by passers-by.He
THE winner of a special Parliamentary Christmas card competition is a Holy Family Catholic Primary School pupil. Tyra Galang was awarded first prize for a design that captured the full spirit of Christmas and included Father Christmas, a Christmas
DRIVING test candidates in Swindon avoided chaos yesterday as examiners in England, Wales and Scotland began a 48-hour strike.The Public and Commercial Services Union (PCS) had warned that thousands of tests could be cancelled amid their opposition to
A FAN-tash-tic time was had by all at Lawn Manor Academy and Royal Wootton Bassett Academy last month as both students and staff helped raise money for Movember. Both schools, which are part of the Royal Wootton Bassett Academy Trust, decided to
A 44-year-old woman is wanted by police after allegedly stealing a lot of alcohol from Morrisons in Swindon and pulling out a weapon which she threatened to use on a member of staff. Melanie Mullen from Swindon is of medium build, 5ft 6 inches
For anyone who has not been into town for a while, a welcome and tasty surprise awaits. The Brunel Shopping Centre has been undergoing a transformation this year and many of the centre’s new eateries are now open. The Crossing, as the new food
ALMOST all motorways and major A routes will be clear of roadworks in time for Christmas, says Highways England.The agency is getting ready to lift and finish almost 400 miles of works around the country so people can get to their families and festive
Tis the season to sparkle! Champagne may be the finest fizz, but if you're catering to a thirsty crowd or want something less mainstream, wise men know there are plenty of other options to help you sparkle through the festive season. For some top
OBJECT: CRICKLADE POTTERY THIS week’s object is a fine example of an incredibly productive studio whose innovative work brought artistic acclaim to Cricklade. Potter Ivan Martin and his wife Kay founded the Cricklade Pottery in 1951 and for
MY name is Stephen Davy-Osborne and I am a cheese-oholic. Phew, it does feel good to get that off my chest after all these years. But my obsession with the dairy gold hasn’t been with me since birth – despite growing up in rural Devon (yes,
Many office workers and business executives will barely take a break this Christmas, with new research revealing that one-third expect to log on to work and check email on Christmas Day.Almost half (47%) of those surveyed expect to work and check email
SARAH SINGLETON finds gravy is very much a family affair for the Potts clan Tucked away at behind Elcot Park, with views over wintery green fields on the edge of Marlborough, a family of foodies are busy concocting tasty sauces, roasting kits and
Swindon was certainly hitting the headlines last week, locally, nationally and internationally! I’ve talked before about how we need to back up the positive nature of the Switch on to Swindon (SOTS) campaign with tangible projects that build confidence
On Saturday piano teacher Julie Johnson-Little hosts a special evening at Redhouse Community Centre, in which pupils past and present will showcase their achievements for loved ones. A staunch believer in the power of music to improve the lives of
SWINDON 1951: Mr AJE Beck was presented with an inscribed watch by colleagues in recognition of his 20 years as secretary of the Swindon No1 branch of the National Union of Railwaymen. The presentation was to have been made by the union’s national
PLEASE keep your letters to 250 words maximum giving your name, address and daytime telephone number - even on emails. Email: letters@swindonadvertiser.co.uk. Write: Swindon Advertiser, 100 Victoria Road, Swindon, SN1 3BE. Phone: 01793 501806.
To celebrate the launch of their latest cookbook, Ella Walker spends a day in the kitchen with married chefs Katie and Giancarlo Caldesi. When I arrive for my Tuscan masterclass, Giancarlo Caldesi is whisking custard in a stainless-steel pan.
I SEE the train company formerly known as First Great Western has had its franchise renewed until 2020 while electrification continues. Apparently there’s now going to be a detailed Department of Transportation consultation, with the public asked
STEPHEN WEBB saddles up and rights out to the Cotswolds, where he finds a great spot to fill his boots THE Hare in Cirencester is one of those nice, relaxed dining experiences, where clearly diners and parties of all ages and sizes are made to
PARENTS have been urged to get their children protected against the flu.Children aged two and three are eligible for the free vaccination, which is given by GPs in the form of a nasal spray.Health chiefs say there is still time to book an appointment
A FLEEING shoplifter who smashed his elbow hard into the chest of a security guard, who had a heart attack minutes later, has been jailed for 18 months. Connor Kirkley was high on crack cocaine and on early release from prison for a knife offence
A FAITH in the possibility of change, and a commitment to never giving up, are the keystones of the Nelson Trust’s Women’s Centre, in Swindon, which works with many of the most traumatised and vulnerable women in our community.The centre, in Victoria
MORE volunteers are needed to save children from a life of illiteracy. Charity Beanstalk urged people to come forward to help struggling youngsters learn to read. Their volunteers are placed in primary schools around the town, spending up to 30 minutes
AFTER more than two decades at the helm of New College, principal Graham Taylor will bid a fond farewell to staff and students next July when he retires from the role.The 68-year-old first joined the college back in September 1996 from an assistant principal
REFUGEES will face winter a little warmer thanks to a curry fundraiser. More than a hundred Harbour Project supporters met at Victoria Road curry house The Jewel in the Crown – with diners enjoying a banquet and raffle. In previous years the
SWINDON Town have confirmed that kick-off in tonight's Checkatrade Trophy second round tie against Forest Green Rovers at the Energy Check County Ground will be at 7.45pm - not 7.30pm as previously stated. Town, Rovers and the EFL had previously
PARACETAMOL prescriptions for mild migraines could be cut under new NHS plans. NHS England want to stop GPs from prescribing over-the-counter medicines for “self-limiting” conditions like coughs and colds that will heal of their own accord or can be treated
LONDON rail commuters face a £300 rail pass jump next month. The cost of a 12 month season ticket from Swindon to London Paddington will rise by 3.6 per cent from January next year – above the national average. The increase - of £304 - takes
A CABBIE who admitted holding two passengers against their will in an argument over £1.40 says the police don’t do enough to protect taxi drivers. Moskiqur Rahman was given a conditional discharge for driving a couple back to where he picked them
A THIEF who stole a pair of shoes and then failed to appear in court has been fined £100.James Draper, 36, of Overton Gardens, Swindon, pleaded guilty to taking the £24 pair from TK Maxx on November 2.James Burnham, prosecuting, explained what happened
MANAGER: Mark Cooper TOP SCORER: Christian Doidge - 14 FORM GUIDE: DWDWLD LAST MATCH: 3-3 win v Exeter - Dec 2 (FA Cup) LAST TOWN MATCH: 2-0 Town win- Sept 2017 MATCH ODDS: Town win 17/20; Rovers win 6/5; Draw: 5/2. LIKELY LINEUP
COMMONWEALTH cruiserweight champion Luke Watkins has his eyes on taking the British belt in 2018 but is happy to focus on staying in shape while the necessary match-ups are made. ‘The Duke’ successfully defended his Commonwealth belt at Leicester
GREYHOUND and Penhill United will fly the flag for the Swindon Sunday League in the last eight of the Wiltshire Sunday Cup after both sides eased through their last 16 ties. Greyhound prevailed against their league stablemates Highworth Town Sunday
MATT Bennett notched a second successive treble as leaders Cricklade Town hit Purton for six on Saturday. The table-toppers retained their position with some comfort, Reece Gilliver, Devan Bryan and Oliver Sly also on target as Purton were whipped
SWINDON Town manager David Flitcroft says getting his players’ heads right will be the most important step as they look to get back to winning ways this evening. Town welcome near-neighbours and League Two rivals Forest Green Rovers – managed by
DAVID Flitcroft says he is learning more about the characteristics of his Swindon Town squad as he looks to end their toughest run of the campaign with victory in tonight’s Checkatrade Trophy second round clash at home to Forest Green Rovers. Town
SWINDON Centurians Spectrum’s wait for a first Premier Division victory of the season ended on Saturday as they upset mid-table Lower Stratton 3-1. Centurians seized a first-half lead when Nick Camden’s superb run and shot found the target.
SWINDON Supermarine boss Dave Webb has called on his team to maintain their steely side as they face a tough 11 days in which to cement their promotion credentials. Marine make the short trip to Gloucestershire to face Shortwood United in Southern
