Archive

  • Adams third as Pedersen wins

    LEIGH Adams admitted he was disappointed to finish third in the Elite League Riders' Championship at King's Lynn last night. But the Swindon ace stressed that Nicki Pedersen, who triumphed with a convincing tapes-to-flag triumph in the final, was the

  • Weekend's football fixtures

    FA CUP Preliminary Round (ko3pm): Abingdton Tn v AFC Totton, Barnstaple Tn v Truro City, Bodmin Tn v Ilfracombe Tn, Bridgwater Tn v Minehead, Brislington v Wimborne Tn, Cinderford Tn v Elmore, Dawlish Tn v Bishops Cleeve, Henley Tn v Bemerton Heath H

  • New homes to be built on pub site

    ONE of Wootton Bassett's best-known landmarks will be torn down to make way for 30 new houses. Developer Bach Homes has won its application to demolish The Beaufort Arms pub in Station Road and replace it with two, three and four-bedroom properties.

  • Travellers hinder firefighters in their work

    FIREFIGHTERS at Westlea fire station say they cannot do their jobs properly as long as travellers remain on land next door. Firefighter Mark Truckle says that the travellers' presence means crew members cannot leave appliances on the station forecourt

  • Jackie retires after 39 years’ dedication

    A WOMAN who has devoted 39 years to caring for mental health patients has decided to have a well-earned rest. Jackie Skinner retired yesterday from Sandalwood Court, in Stratton. Friends, who say they will miss her dedication, came along to a reception

  • Cafe owner to quit Cavendish Square

    CAVENDISH Square will be losing its café in October. The Ring Coffee Bar's owner, Gerry Williams, has been given two months' notice by Swindon Council to move out in preparation for the area's regeneration. Businesses that are taking on shops in the

  • Pinehurst mini-moto menace banned from road

    A TEENAGER who was given an Asbo for repeatedly driving mini-motos up and down his street has now been given a driving ban. Shane Maslen, 19, was caught riding a motorbike without a licence or insurance. Maslen, of Willows Avenue, Pinehurst, admitted

  • Two marathons in two days? - just shoot me!

    IT never ceases to amaze me those who can run mile after mile. I met Dr Mike Stroud last year, the man who ran seven marathons on seven continents in seven days with Sir Ranulph Fiennes - and did it. I asked him how can you possibly bring yourself to

  • Two marathons in two days? - just shoot me!

    IT never ceases to amaze me those who can run mile after mile. I met Dr Mike Stroud last year, the man who ran seven marathons on seven continents in seven days with Sir Ranulph Fiennes - and did it. I asked him how can you possibly bring yourself to

  • Two marathons in two days? - just shoot me!

    IT never ceases to amaze me those who can run mile after mile. I met Dr Mike Stroud last year, the man who ran seven marathons on seven continents in seven days with Sir Ranulph Fiennes - and did it. I asked him how can you possibly bring yourself to

  • Owl's about that then?

    A GIANT owl and its chicks have made their nest at the Blunsdon House Hotel. The figure of the bird has been carved on top of the giant redwood tree, which was hit by lightning on July 3. The bolt of lightning sheared the tree in half, and fire officers

  • Healing grief at death of mum

    CHERYL Shepherd still smiles when she remembers the happy times she enjoyed with her friend Zoe Stocker. But just a few days after the friends enjoyed a carefree day together at a corporate event, Zoe tragically died shortly after giving birth to her

  • Making your community spick and span

    MORE than 250 graffiti tags have been blitzed from the streets of Toothill in the latest clean up by the council's Safe and Clean project. An army of volunteers were out in force on Thursday scrubbing walls, picking up litter and sprucing up bus shelters

  • A Poor Example

    School Governor Convicted Of Drink Driving Should fellow governors have accepted this man's resignation, when it was offered? What do you think? Now this is splashed all over the papers, it is inevitable that most students at the school will find out

  • When Diana was a swingin' singer

    A STRING of cabaret hits from Swindon's original blonde bombshell will be released next month. As well as appearing in dozens of films from the 1950s, Diana Dors had a strong singing voice and a collection of her work will be released on September 24

  • Take a free seat on the heritage trail

    THREE Swindon attractions will open their doors for free next month, offering visitors an exciting slice of culture as part of the nationwide Heritage Open Days event. Swindon Science Museum, Steam and Lydiard Park House and walled gardens are all taking

  • The George Inn, Sandy Lane

    We frequently drive through Sandy Lane and always say we should go for a meal at The George Inn sometime, so that's where we headed. Considering the restaurant was full by 9pm I could see the need for the newly-extended restaurant at the back of the

  • Musicians shuffle off to fun festival

    THERE will be sweet music from Swindon next month, when bands line up to play at the Sugarhill Festival. And Prospect Hospice will benefit from the fundraising efforts of local bands when they play the festival at Warren Farm, in Liddington. It comes

  • Musicians shuffle off to fun festival

    THERE will be sweet music from Swindon next month, when bands line up to play at the Sugarhill Festival. And Prospect Hospice will benefit from the fundraising efforts of local bands when they play the festival at Warren Farm, in Liddington. It comes

  • Author embarks on his next sci-fi novel

    WOULD it be possible to travel through time to save the human race if the sun threatened to swallow the Earth? That is the type of question novelist Barry Woodham plays with as he creates science fiction works in his Old Town study. Among the sharks

  • Shake-up for dog walkers

    CHRISTINE EMERSON of Drove Veterinary Hospital on new byelaws. THE consultation period is now over for the proposed changes to the freedom allowed to dogs in public places. Everyone's opinions have been collated and I do believe the council will

  • Old friends - and how to carry on caring for them

    JO MITCHELL, head nurse at Drove Veterinary Hospital, on caring for ageing pets. Sadly, we cannot stop our pets from getting older, but pet owners can help delay the signs of ageing by good management and regular health checks. Advances in medicines

  • Everything you need to know about worms...

    Some advice for pet owners from DROVE VETERINARY HOSPITAL. What are Worms? There are a many species of parasitic worm in the UK that commonly infest our pets, including various species of roundworm, hookworm, lungworm and tapeworm. Toxocara

  • Get to know your dog a little better

    CHRISTINE EMERSON continues her series of features about dog behaviour by looking at some surprisingly common problems. When my dog is off the lead, he very rarely comes back when he's called. Any advice? I love teaching a good recall as it's great

  • Youngsters benefit from simple touch

    TIM PIPER of Professional Horsemanship continues his series of monthly features with a look at the development of young horses after backing. In the first few days of riding a youngster after initial backing, I am looking to keep it simple but positive

  • Greatwood invitation

    HORSE lovers can enjoy a parade of stunning, famous racehorses and at the same time help to raise funds for a charity that rescues, rehabilitates and re-homes ex-racehorses. Greatwood is opening its doors to the public on Sunday (September 2), and

  • Tackling the winter forage dilemma

    Local independent nutritionist Clare MacLeod MSc RNutr offers some professional advice on this year's crops. Our interesting summer weather has prompted many to ask What will we do about winter forage shortages?' The price of preserved forage will

  • Skin diseases in horses and how to beat them

    There are a variety of different problems that affect horses' skin. They often appear very suddenly, but can take a long time to resolve. This summer's unusual weather pattern has affected the type and incidence of skin diseases in our horses. It

  • Your equine questions answered

    TIM WESTON from Drove Veterinary Hospital with more advice for horse and pony owners My horse, a former jumper, has been diagnosed with stringhalt. Now, at the age of 20, is there any medication I can feed him to help relieve the pain? Stringhalt

  • The Dutch Cottage Tea Rooms, Chippenham

    THE Dutch Cottage Tea Rooms is Chippenham's best-kept secret, nestled away in a pretty town centre street backing on to the river. A traditional and refined teashop in St Mary Street, the Dutch Cottage is celebrating its first anniversary in September

  • Livery's new lease of life

    VIV KLINDT explains about the transformation of a farm at Hannington. Bydemill Farm has a core holding of 400 acres, and in addition to this we have 200 acres of rental land, which is a mixture of grassland and arable. The farm has been in the Hussey-Freke

  • A day in the life of a (pregnant) farm vet

    Kate Brodie of Drove Veterinary Hospital is more used to helping cows give birth - but now she's looking forward to her own special delivery. Here she explains why there's no such thing as a typical day. A typical day in the life of a large animal

  • Full throttle for Adams

    LEIGH Adams insists he will be going full throttle tonight in the Elite League Riders' Championship meeting at King's Lynn, despite feeling the strain of his gruelling summer schedule. The Swindon skipper will line up alongside teammate Lee Richardson

  • Dogged effort set to pay off

    A couple who met while they were out with their dogs have taken over the Swindon business Paw Pals. John and Shelley Clarke, from St Andrews Ridge, took over the Swindon branch last week after being one of 20 couples who wanted the business. "We

  • Call centres should be in uk, says survey

    NATIONWIDE is bucking the trend of organisations sending their call centres overseas by opening three new UK call centres, and refurbishing two more over the last five years. As the Swindon-based building society reaffirms its commitment to UK call

  • Golf day swaps flat screens for fairways

    A businessman has helped raise more than £18,000 for children's medical research charity SPARKS when he teed up alongside football legend Sir Trevor Brooking at a fundraising golf tournament. Gordon Harker, manager of audiovisual specialist Bang &

  • Service offers to give your PC a spring clean

    A NEW company is promising to be able to give your computer a thorough clean - inside and out. IT's Gleaming, based in Corsham, offers a service that can give PCs a clean bill of health with its range of IT cleaning services. Adam Coope, IT's Gleaming

  • James to share a vision for success

    The Wiltshire entrepreneur who founded Glasses Direct James Murray Wells will be passing on some tips of how to make it in business at the Ideal Business Show Thames Valley 2007. The show, which is in partnership with the Thames Valley Chamber of Commerce

  • Two-way radios give boost to Samaritans

    New volunteers at the Samaritans' Swindon & District branch will soon benefit from additional training equipment thanks to Motorola. Motorola, based at Groundwell, donated five sets of Talkabout T5532 two-way radios to the Samaritans enabling volunteers

  • Signs from the past

    A COLLECTION of 12 Cirencester street signs that were saved from the rubbish tip fetched £620 at auction - well above their estimate of £100 to £150. There was fierce bidding in the salerooms at Moore Allen & Innocent in Cirencester, with a number

  • Go shopping for career in retail

    A CAREERS event is being held for anyone who fancies a career in retailing. The two-day event is hosted by the University of Bath in Swindon and South West Retail Centre of Vocational Excellence. Return to Retail will run on Tuesday September 18 at

  • Accountants welcome new recruits

    ACCOUNTANTS Monahans has welcomed three new recruits. Clare Way joins marketing and James Whitaker and Linda Scovell the tax department. Clare will be responsible for organising seminars and workshops as well as direct mail activities and general marketing

  • More staying in local hotels

    Occupancy levels across Swindon hotels recovered in June following a slowdown in activity in May. According to the latest information from PKF hotel consultancy services the latest figures show that occupancy levels, rooms yield and average room rates

  • Growing threat for oilseed rape

    Scientific research supported by funding from the Swindon-based Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council predicts that the range and severity of the plant disease phoma stem canker is increased by global warming and will cause problems to

  • Flying visits from air chauffeur ED

    CHAUFFEUR in the sky Ed Hewertson gives a whole new meaning to the idea of flying visits. Quick, convenient and stress-free are the watchwords for the 37-year-old pilot who has just launched a travel service with a difference. PropStar Aviation

  • House prices edge ahead in August

    HOUSE prices continued to grow this month, according to figures released today by Swindon-based building society Nationwide. The rate of house price growth was up by 0.6 per cent during August, but the annual rate continues to moderate. While prices

  • I’m such an old fashioned mum

    WITH two children under my belt, and a gaggle of assorted nieces, nephews and godchildren, I thought I was a dab hand at dealing with babies. They eat, they pee, they poo - they even sleep sometimes - but they don't do an awful lot else. I always reckoned

  • Recycling has hidden costs

    I agree with John Forster-Heatlie about the new recycling scheme not being cost effective, (Monday's Letters). I would also add that it is poorly thought out. The refuse collectors used to pile all the bin bags up, the truck would drive by, hardly

  • Rossiter upbeat despite defeat

    ROBINS boss Alun Rossiter remained upbeat despite his side's reverse at Poole. He admitted the absence of Danish star Charlie Gjedde ultimately cost Swindon dear against league title rivals Poole Pirates. But despite rueing the loss of Gjedde, who instead

  • Two points dropped at Cheltenham

    SATURDAY was definitely two points dropped for us. I thought we were in complete control of the game and once we scored I didn't see any way back for Cheltenham. The gaffer was disappointed afterwards but we've gone three games unbeaten now and there

  • Help bring back playtime for children

    HOW many of us feel like life is all work and no play? Sadly for so many children like 16-year-old Goodson who I met in Malawi, one of the poorest countries in Africa, they have very little chance to play and are often forced into back-breaking work to

  • Police ‘copter not best used

    I read with a degree of amazement the news story in which a police officer was punched by a man detained under a routine stop and search. This incident occurred at 11.15am and as a result the police helicopter was launched and searched for the man

  • Our independence will be lost in a month

    OCTOBER is just over a month away. It is then that the new EU President, Portugal's First Minister, intends to agree the EU Treaty. This is the document rejected by both France and Holland, a move which by the EU's own rules, killed it outright.

  • Thanks Adver, my friend has found me

    I FELT I had to write and thank the Swindon Advertiser for the article asking to find an old friend published in the issue of Tuesday, August 21. My friend Adelle Chapman in Australia was looking for me (Elizabeth Elkins nee Foster). I worked with

  • DARTS: Daglish scoops Green Baize title

    CHRIS DAGLISH scooped the top prize in the Green Baize Summer Open, writes DAVE EATON. In the final the former Wiltshire county player, who is now trying his luck on the PDC circuit, beat Devizes' Lee Horsfall 5-4 to take the £500 winner's cheque. Daglish

  • TALKING SPORT: If you can't box...teach

    "If you can, box, if you can't, teach." Paddy Fitzpatrick admits he was no great shakes as a boxer but with 10 World Champions to his name, the above philosophy has obviously done his coaching career no harm. The Irish trainer is due to open Swindon's

  • Adver comment...It has to be done

    IT'S a hard job, but somebody's got to do it. The DVLA clampers whose stories we tell today are not cowboys bent on bringing misery - quite the opposite. They almost certainly save lives every day, because untaxed cars are often death traps that should

  • Adver comment...police will need to stop this activity

    IT is disturbing indeed that kerb crawlers have taken to abandoning their cars in order to avoid police attention during their squalid activities in Broadgreen. It is even more disturbing for the residents of the area, who have battled for years to rid

  • Kerb crawlers abandon their cars

    RESIDENTS in Broadgreen say kerb crawlers are abandoning their cars in an effort to avoid capture by the police. They say a police clampdown on kerb crawling has dissuaded them from driving into the Broadgreen area, but now they are coming on foot to

  • Drink-drive ban on school's chairman of governors

    A SCHOOL governor who drove his car while over the drink drive limit has been given a 16-month ban. Property developer Peter Lay, who is chairman of the governors at Ridgeway School, was disqualified after admitting driving his Land Rover on Brimble

  • Top Tip

    Bloggers: why not create your own personalised pattern on the Adver “blog calendar” by carefully timing the dates on which you post your blogs? This month featuring the Chequerboard effect: http://i180.photobucket.com/albums/x96/rtomkins/calendar.jpg

  • Korneliussen still confident despite defeat

    SWINDON ace Mads Korneliussen is confident they can still finish in the Elite League top two despite their nail-biting seven-point loss at Poole last night. The 24-year-old Dane impressed with eight paid 12 from six rides as the Robins recovered from

  • Rossiter rues Gjedde absence

    ALUN Rossiter admitted that Charlie Gjedde's absence ultimately cost his side victory last night at Poole. The Robins went down 50-43 against the Poole Pirates and lost the aggregate bonus point in the process. Team boss Rossiter said he can take heart