Archive

  • Swindon Museum pick of the week: The Victoria Hotel

    The Victoria Hotel, Victoria Road To anyone who knows Swindon’s Old Town, this pub is instantly recognisable. The Vic, as it’s known to many, is now locally renowned as a music venue, but when this photograph was taken, it was one of the many hotels

  • A sonnet to mark the end of Swindon after 74 years

    “MAYBE the rail slowly rusts, and hammer Stops tapping iron laid by this railway town. But now there’s Thamesdown to link to Swindon’s crown. So pass honourably glories that clamour For more time, more space and more everything; Instead

  • Barrie Hudson: It's the right slot for a bit of fun

    THE Oasis hosted a great gathering the other day - one of the biggest Scalextric shows of its kind in the country. Enthusiasts of all ages, from veteran collectors with thousands of cars to parents passing on their enthusiasm to eager children,

  • Have a good wine for year ahead

    With some help from the experts, Sam Wylie-Harris reveals the wines and spirits set to tickle our taste buds in the coming year. We may all have some trusty favourites when it comes to our tipples of choice, but there's no denying that trends play

  • Social housing in short supply across county

    There is a distinct shortage of social housing in Wiltshire. Just six such houses came to completion, built by Wiltshire council, in 2018. That chimes with research by housing charity Shelter, which says fewer than 1,000 were built last year

  • Tom Kerridge on the joys of cooking from scratch

    Inspired by his own family, Michelin-starred chef Tom Kerridge tells Jenny Stallard why he's on a mission to get us all cooking from scratch again. Cooking can often take a backseat at home. With busy schedules, the different likes and dislikes

  • South Swindon MP hopes 'sense will prevail' over Brexit vote

    SOUTH Swindon MP Robert Buckland said he hoped “sense would prevail” after the latest blow to the government’s Brexit deal. On Tuesday night, 20 Conservative MPs broke ranks and voted against their government to pass an amendment to the Finance

  • Town confirm departures of loan pair Adebayo and Alzate

    SWINDON Town have today confirmed the departure of loaness Steven Alzate and Elijah Adebayo as they return to their respective parent clubs in the Premier League. Striker Adebayo was recalled by Fulham and returns to west London having scored five

  • Swindon Philosophical Society hosting first talk of 2019

    THE Swindon Philosophical Society will host its first talk of 2019 on Friday. David Archer will speak at the Friends Meeting House in Eastcott Hill at 7.40pm about 'Global Tax Justice'. Mr Archer is the head of civic participation, tax justice

  • New retirement living complex opens in Wroughton

    A NEW retirement show complex has opened in Wroughton. Banks Place is a development of 38 apartments which have been designed for people aged 60 and over, with landscaped and maintained gardens surrounding the flats, a suite for residents’ friends

  • Book birdwatching events by RSPB for Wiltshire schools

    Schoolchildren across Wiltshire will be filling up bird feeders, turning classrooms into bird hides and creating wildlife friendly bakes in preparation for watching and counting birds in their school grounds for the 2019 RSPB Big Schools’ Birdwatch

  • Eagle eyes show power of pictures

    These pages showcase some of the amazing images being sent in by the members of our new Swindon Camera Club. If you’d like to join the club – and be in with a chance of winning a £50 Love to Shop voucher for the Picture of the Month – you first need

  • Burst water pipe causes flooding on Frankland Road

    COMMUTERS were faced with a burst water main on Frankland Road. Thames Water said they were aware of the leak, which left water streaming across the road on the Blagrove industrial estate. A Thames Water spokesman said: “We’re sorry for any

  • 'Women are stronger together'

    SWINDON’S female entrepreneurs showcased their skills at the first ever event celebrating successful women. More than 45 savvy businesswomen from all backgrounds and professions shared their stories, tips and advice. The six entrepreneurs behind

  • Leisure centre company to spend thousands to save on energy

    Nearly £1million will be spent by GLL, the company which runs leisure and sports centres in Swindon, on measures to save energy. The social enterprise which manages seven locations in the town on behalf of the borough council under its trading name

  • Bridal beauty artist from Bassett wins top award

    A MAKEUP artist from Royal Wootton Bassett who has worked on films with Julia Roberts and Stanley Kubrick has won an international beauty award. Tracey Curnock has spent the last 26 years in the hair and makeup industry for film, TV and theatre,

  • Tips from Swindon Council on recycling more

    Householders have been given tips by Swindon Borough Council in an attempt to increase the town's recycling rate. Avoid plastic. Plastic is one of the hardest materials to recycle - avoid buying single use or unnecessary packaging there is less

  • Driver could be jailed after smashing into mopeds

    A BANNED driver who smashed into two mopeds, leaving one of the riders seriously injured, has been warned he could be jailed. Liam Phillips was behind the wheel of a Citroen van when he drove at the bikes on Dorcan Way last spring. In the aftermath

  • Customer services council chief in hotseat next week

    The councillor with responsibility for how Swindon Borough Council runs itself, and handles requests and contacts from the town's residents, will be in the hot-seat next week. Coun Keith Williams, the authority's cabinet member for corporate and

  • Local enterprise partnership commits to zero carbon future

    THE Swindon and Wiltshire Local Enterprise Partnership has renewed its commitment to building a zero-carbon future and green economy. In November SWLEP released its local energy strategy to look at the opportunities in switching to a low-carbon

  • Drink drivers and racists before Swindon Magistrates' Court

    Here are some of the cases to have appeared before Swindon Magistrates' Court. Damaged police car Samuel Bowles, 37, of Cambria Bridge Road, was fined £120 for beating another and damaging a police car. He pleaded guilty and must pay £100 compensation

  • Huge solar farm could go up next to village

    Green fields at a village between Swindon and Highworth could be covered by thousands, possibly hundreds of thousands of solar panels. Developer JBM Solar projects is proposing a scheme which would see fields to the east of Stanton Fitzwarren -

  • Opponents of 'science park' meet again tomorrow

    Worried villagers concerned major industrial development could be built near them are swinging into action. The South Swindon Protection Group had its first meeting before Christmas in anticipation of plans being published by Swindon company Wasdell

  • Town U18s set for crucial Exeter test

    SWINDON Town Under 18s will face their biggest challenge this afternoon when hosting Exeter City in their final Youth Alliance South West Division fixture before the league breaks in half. Eight wins, three draws and eight losses mean Town sit fifth

  • Power says Town have funds to spend in January

    FUNDS remain available for Swindon Town director of football Paul Jewell and manager Richie Wellens to use in the January transfer window, despite both failing to tie down their initial senior targets due to a lack of money. Wellens has made no

  • TENNIS: Bennett siblings are smash hits

    SWINDON tennis-playing siblings Josh and Ella Bennett enjoyed a successful Christmas period with a series of strong results at regional tournaments. Seven-year-old Josh triumphed at two LTA Regional Under-8 events, the highest standard of event

  • BOXING: Duke 'demanded' spot on hometown show

    SWINDON boxer Luke ‘The Duke’ Watkins will fight in his home town for the first time in two years when headlining the Fight Town One show at the MECA on March 23. Watkins, who will fight on Matchroom Boxing’s card at the O2 in London on February

  • RUGBY: Bassett find form in new year

    PERFORMANCES will take priority over results for Royal Wootton Bassett coach Alan Low throughout the second part of the season, following the club’s 27-10 win over Salisbury on Saturday. Bassett’s slim title hopes were dashed in December when defeats