THE Swindon area has always punched well above its weight when it comes to producing pioneers.

This week 40 years ago a pub landlady and tireless charity fundraiser called Ann Evans joined the ranks of those people when she became the town’s first official crier.

As the role was even more male-dominated 40 years ago than it is today, Ann was a pioneer twice over.

Other stories in the second full week of September, 1979 included a feature about the growing popularity of parrots, the celebration of 75 years of public transport in Swindon and a fire at Dorcan School.