SWINDON

1952: Colin Bailey, an 18-year-old drummer whose father had a butcher's shop in Oxford Road, was given his most prestigious band spot yet. He was to go on tour with Winifred Atwell, the Trinidadian pianist who was one of the most famous musicians of the era. Colin was currently playing in Johnny Morgan's Orchestra, a local band with a regular Saturday night spot at the Town Hall.

1962: Jamaican Independence Day celebrations in Swindon were interrupted by rain, which disappointed the town's 600-strong Jamaican community. A torrential downpour forced an early finish to a celebratory cricket match between the Caribbean Club and Central Hall Methodist Church. Later, with the rain showing no sign of abating, Caribbean Club chairman Mr Caleb Cooper told an Adver reporter: At this moment most of our hearts are in Jamaica. We are disappointed that we are not alone but here we have family ties."

1972: Bright sunshine drew several thousand people to the annual Wootton Bassett show, which was held in two large fields. The event, organised by and in aid of Wootton Bassett Young Farmers' Club, cost £800 to stage and featured a range of competitions, exhibitions, traditional games and sales stalls. At the end of the evening there was a fireworks display.

THE WORLD

1711: Ascot became "Royal" with the attendance of Queen Anne at the horse

races.

1840: Parliament passed an Act prohibiting the employment of climbing boys as chimney sweeps.

1858: Ottawa was chosen by Queen Victoria to be the capital of Canada.

1876: Mata Hari (Margaretha Zelle), exotic spy who passed secrets to Germany during the First World War, was born. The French arrested her in 1917 and she was killed by firing squad.

1925: British Summer Time became permanent with the passing of the Daylight Saving Act.

1926: The first British Motor Racing Grand Prix was held at the Brooklands

track, over a distance of 110 laps and 287 miles.

1957: Oliver Hardy, the comedian who, with his partner Stan Laurel, formed one of the most successful double acts of all time, died.

1958: The Litter Act came into force in Britain.

1981: The Washington Star published it's final edition after 128 years of

publication.

2012: Sir Chris Hoy made Olympic history when he won his sixth gold medal in

the frenzied atmosphere of the velodrome.

2017: Scientists announced that England is home to four kinds of wild snake, not three as was previously believed.

BIRTHDAYS

Nick Ross, broadcaster, 71; Greg Chappell, former cricketer, 70;

Alexei Sayle, comedian, 66; Bruce Dickinson, heavy metal musician, 60; David

Duchovny, actor, 58; Brian Conley, comedian/actor, 57; Dominic Cork, former

cricketer, 47.