1952: Mr and Mrs DA Constable, who lived in Swindon's Roseberry Street, were puzzled by the rapid growth of an unidentified plant in their garden. It was three feet tall by five across. The couple had no idea how it got there but suspected a seed might have been mixed in with some chicken food thrown on the garden a few months earlier. A friend suggested the plant was an African prickly pear.

Judges at the Swindon Police flower and vegetable show in Gorse Hill praised the winning entry in the handicrafts section as extraordinary. It was a home made radio constructed by Detective Constable Wilkins, which was capable not only of receiving programmes but also of recording them. The device took about 18 months to make.

1962: Customers and staff at the Ely Inn, a pub in Wroughton, used beer to stock coins to a mirror above the fireplace. The money was to be donated to the Swindon branch of what was then known as The Spastics Society but would become Scope in the 1990s. The coin-sticking trend had begun the previous Christmas when a regular, Bob Duncan, attached a penny.

Men and teenaged boys, working on a rota system, were voluntarily redecorating the Christ Church Hall in Old Town, which had stood since 913. The volunteers were washing down, stripping and repainting the walls and woodwork of the main hall, rear halls and side rooms, and hoped to complete the project within three weeks.The workers were members of Christ Church Church of England Men's Society and the Youth Fellowship.

1972: A special farewell presentation was held at the Upper Square Methodist Church in Purton. The Rev David Leighton was given a cheque for £63 to mark the end of a four-year stay on the Brinkworth Circuit. Mr William Rogers, the Circuit steward, made the presentation. Many tributes were paid to Mr Leighton, especially for his work with children and young people.

The Plessey Company Flower and Vegetable Show was held in the works canteen at the Cheney Manor factory. Winner of the National Dahlia Society Silver Medal for the best exhibit of the blooms, was Mr A Durbridge, while Mr A Luker was runner-up. Other accolades competed for included the Sports and Social Club Perpetual Cup.