WHEN the Adver’s editions for this week in 1971 appeared, the shiny new Wyvern Theatre was less than a month from opening.

Its owners, the old Swindon Borough Council, issued colour publicity photos, but we ran them in black and white because reproducing colour in those days was an expensive and very exacting proposition.

The paper was full of stories about every aspect of the theatre, from its decor to its upcoming attractions.

One began: “Glynis Johns and Sir Michael Redgrave - two of the biggest names in British theatre - are to appear at the Wyvern, Swindon, over the next few weeks.

“The stars have been booked after yet another programme reshuffle, but the theatre has at last sorted out its autumn season.”

Both had appeared in countless films as well as stage productions and were major box office draws.

Another piece was about a press conference held at the theatre by VIPs including architect Neville Conder and local politician Alf Bown, a major figure in the project.

After the press toured the new building, Coun Bown told them: “Swindon is a queer sort of place. We have a knack of succeeding and I’m sure we will succeed here.”

Another new space ready and waiting for custom was in a building which had been familiar to countless people for many years.

The County Ground Hotel had been a given a thorough refurbishment.

A large advertising feature promised: “Yes, Arkell’s have again applied their magic touch.

“This time one of Swindon’s most elegant landmarks, The County Ground, emerged with two magnificent new-look bars.

“The sumptuous lounge bar is a study in comfort and traditional decor. Thick apple-green studded leather covers the seating units and the front of the bar. And there’s enough room for large groups of people to avoid tripping over each other.

“The Public Bar has also been brought vividly to life. It’s big and friendly with excellent darts facilities.

“Your hosts, Frank and Lilian French, will be very pleased to see you. Look in soon.”

In contrast to these optimistic stories of new things, we reported on what we described as a crisis in Rodbourne.

Beneath a picture of a row of boarded one-up-one-down homes in Thomas Street, now long since demolished, we wrote: “Take a slow stroll up and down the rows of terraced houses off Rodbourne Road and you’ll find more than a few examples of houses nobody wants to sell, let or pull down.”

According to some of the local people we spoke to, the problem was caused by speculators buying empty homes and keeping them empty as they waited to make a killing when the market fluctuated.

Our reporter said the situation seemed especially unfair to the many local people who did their best to maintain their homes.

Theatre wasn’t the only branch of show business represented in the Adver that week 47 years ago.

When the top brass at the RAF Hospital in Wroughton - the site is now part of a housing estate - wanted a celebrity to open the newly-refurbished Barbury Club there, they chose a DJ whose voice had been the second ever heard on Radio 1 a few years earlier.

Keith Skues, who is still broadcasting on BBC local radio, also appeared in the now-iconic photograph of the station’s founding DJs outside Broadcasting House alongside personnel including Terry Wogan, John Peel, Ed Stewart and Pete Murray.

The Adver photographer who recorded his Wroughton date for posterity pictured him between Senior Aircraftwomen Rita McCurdy and Cathy O’Kelly.

As far as we can tell, the newly-refurbished space was a social club for RAF personnel who worked at the hospital.

Back in Swindon, two brothers provided strong evidence for veteran local politician Alf Bown’s claim that locals could turn their hand to just about anything and make a success of it.

We said: “Today in Drakes Way, Swindon, two schoolboys are relaxing after a fortnight in Blackpool, during which they became British Junior Chess Champions.

“And both Christopher and Peter Cooley admitted that while they had expected to win their contests, it had been harder than they expected.

“‘I am just very happy about it,’ Christopher, 16, said about his victory in the British Under-16 Championship section of the British Chess Federation Congress.

“And with a calmness that is characteristic of the game they play, both he and Peter, 14, said they would certainly be going to Brighton, where the contest is being held next year, to compete in the next age group.

“Peter, winner of the Under-14 title, will be 15 then, and so will be competing for the same title that his brother has just won.”

The last mentions of the talented and evidently very likeable siblings in our archive date from the following year. We hope they went on to further success in whichever directions they chose.