THE Job Centre in Swindon has had to hire 90 new staff to cope with the steep rise in the town’s unemployment. The number of job seekers registered at the centre has jumped from 2,713 in the year July 2007 to July 2008 to 6,403 today, according to Freedom
AT just nine years old, Jade Hartshorne is urging children and their parents to check for diabetes after being diagnosed with the disease when she was four. Speaking on World Diabetes Day, Jade, from Swindon, said people needed to be more aware
FIVE games involving local teams have been postponed today due to the weather. The Wiltshire Senior Cup ties between Purton and Laverstock and Ford, and Malmesbury Vics and Devizes Town as well as the Hellenic Premier games between Shrivenham
TOWN defender Sean Morrison has signed a one-month loan deal with Southend United. The youngster has joined the Shrimpers with a view to getting first-team action under his belt, having been kept out of the Swindon side by Gordon Greer and
AFTER the saga of the widely ridiculed Magic Roundabout Christmas tree last year, a town centre tree has been put up much to the delight of local people. Last year’s tree was subject to a wave of criticism from people in the town after the first attempt
AN OUTRAGED vicar has branded the theft of a Poppy Appeal collection tin as “disrespectful” to the armed forces. Canon Michael Johnson, of St John the Baptist and St Helen Church, in Wroughton, was shocked to discover the collection pot had gone missing
WHEN retired Chippenham GP Ian Grandison wants to play golf he never has to worry about finding someone to play with – he can make up his own foursome by calling on wife Audrey, son Quentin and daughter-in-law Alison to join him on the fairways
MUCH-LOVED golf commentator Peter Alliss and his wife Jackie generously gave their time to attend Wrag Barn Golf Club’s presentation evening on November 7. An entertaining evening was had by all, with Aliss presenting trophies and recounting
PAUL Rogers believes the Boxing Academy is a learning experience – for boxers and coaches alike. The nine-time Western Area champion is a full-time coach at the Maxwell Street gym, and Paddy Fitzpatrick’s right hand man. And Rogers insists teaching
PROFESSIONAL star Jamie Cox admits he has become a better fighter under the tutelage of Paddy Fitzpatrick & Co at the Boxing Academy. The Swindon southpaw is undefeated from 13 bouts as a pro, and is on the verge of a British title shot – expected to
BACK in October 2007, Paddy Fitzpatrick was warned off his dream of opening a boxing gym in the centre of Swindon. But the Irishman ignored the doubters and, as the Boxing Academy celebrated its second anniversary last month, the Maxwell Street venue
THE ladies flew the flag for Wiltshire in the inter-county championships with an excellent 21-shot away win in Aylesbury against Buckinghamshire. Apart from trailing 26-30 at five ends across the board they were always in control. They led
HONDA is heading for its first ever showdown with unions should it fail to repeal a three per cent pay cut by Monday, warn shop stewards. Unionised workers said Unite was re-considering its options in light of a recent announcement to shed more jobs
WILTSHIRE senior men and ladies endured mixed fortunes last weekend as they kicked off their bid for glory in the inter-county indoor championships. The ladies made a winning start with a 131-110 victory against Buckinghamshire at Foxhill Indoor Bowls
IT will be a weekend to remember at Cheltenham Racecourse for Marlborough-based Flintstone Stud owner El Tanner, writes RAY BURROUGHS. She will be riding her charge, Hiyah, in a charity race over one mile five furlongs tomorrow in aid of the Greatwood
LAST Saturday against Woking was harder work than it should have been. Danny Wilson said it was always going to be tough because they were a good side for that level of football, and that’s true. But the quality of our squad compared to theirs
LAST Saturday against Woking was harder work than it should have been. Danny Wilson said it was always going to be tough because they were a good side for that level of football, and that’s true. But the quality of our squad compared to theirs should
DANNY Wilson has admitted that his Town side is “a little thin on the ground” and the Swindon manager is hoping to seal the signings of two new faces to bolster the County Ground squad before the November 27 deadline. With Tope Obadeyi back
TOWN chief executive Nick Watkins is already writing his Christmas list - and has asked Santa for at least 500 fans to sign up to the club’s new half-season ticket promotion. Launching today, the County Ground club is offering supporters the chance
SWINDON’S flood-prone residents spent the night with crossed fingers after 20 to 40mm of rain was predicted in the lead up to today. The Met Office yesterday suggested that the largest amount of November rainfall since 2000 was set to drench
