THE police and Ministry of Defence have stepped in to help the teenage organiser of a mass motorbike ride through Wootton Bassett in aid of servicemen and women. Elizabeth Stevens, 18, of Luton, planned the ride on March 14 with a few friends
A SCHOOL believes it has succeeded against the odds, thanks to the support of the local community. Goddard Park Primary School, in Welcombe Avenue, Park North, received an outstanding rating from Ofsted following a visit by the inspector in February.
LUCKY cleaner Denise Kelso has been handed a £400,000 home after her employers scooped £56m on the EuroMillions and wanted to thank her for her sweeping skills. Mrs Kelso, who had been cleaning for Britain’s biggest-ever lottery winners Nigel Page and
A man caught with the proceeds of a string of burglaries around town has been jailed for 21 months. Lukwan Spencer was found with the Aladdin’s cave of stolen goods when police raided his home following an anonymous tip off. And they charged the 31-
UKIP Swindon is pleased to announce four new policies to add to the impressive list the party has developed already. These are: Criminal Justice, Constitution, Defence and Food Farming and the Countryside. As with all UKIP’s policies they have been developed
MR Reynolds (SA, February 23) seemed to say that three murders was a reasonable price to pay, in order to get the benefits from releasing prisoners early from prison. I doubt that members of three bereaved families would agree with him. The government
IN June 2009 I had a hip operation and was so well treated in the Aldbourne ward, nothing was too much trouble and all the staff were wonderful. It would not have been fair to nominate any nurse or member of staff for an award, they were all so kind and
I MUST be getting bored, but I felt the need to voice my comments. I saw Wayne Rooney playing football for Manchester United the other week and he had gloves on while playing football although his lower attire was shorts. The other day I saw a local
HAVING been present throughout the so-called budget debate at Swindon Borough Council on February 22, I feel I cannot let the recent letter from Coun Edwards (SA, February 24) pass without comment. The arrogant and congratulatory manner with which the
THE spin that Mark Edwards has put on the budget that was unanimously opposed by all non Tory councillors on Monday night cannot pass unchallenged. There is no consensus on his flawed budget. The hidden increases in taxation represented by increases
I NOTED with interest the article by the Rev David Gray (SA, February 22), on the ‘true meaning of Lent’. But what exactly is ‘true’ in this context? Lent is yet another example of ancient pagan rituals grafted on to the early evolving Christian Church
SWINDON’S Citizens Advice Bureau is launching a campaign to help people manage their debts and stay in their homes in 2010. Swindon is one of 56 ‘repossession hotspots’ recently identified by the Government as being at greater risk due to having higher
ANOTHER team performance helped Town’s unbeaten run continue last Saturday, and Billy Paynter and Charlie Austin continue to turn heads all over the country with their consistently good displays in front of goal. It’s great to see Charlie
A SWINDON-born singer/songwriter is hoping to get public support to vote for him so that he can play at the Glastonbury Rock Festival later this summer. Matthew Kilford is hoping to play at the famous festival in June, rubbing shoulders with some of
GO Outdoors is looking for Swindon’s most adventurous outdoor enthusiast so that they can open their new store this weekend. They reckon they know who that person is but are keeping the name secret until the final moment. That sporty person will join
HE has just finished playing one of a group of con artists on our screens and now Robert Glenister is tackling a different challenge. The Hustle star is performing in Ibsen’s Hedda Gabler at the Theatre Royal Bath until March 6 alongside Bond villian
THERE’LL be plenty of saucy innuendo at the Wyvern Theatre from tonight as Stop Messing About takes to the stage. The show, which is based on a recording of the radio series of the same name, features Robin Sebastian as Kenneth Williams and India Fisher
I AM writing to ask your running readers who have already booked a place on the Bristol Half Marathon to run for Diabetes UK on Sunday, September 5. If left untreated or not managed properly diabetes can lead to devastating complications such
ON WEDNESDAY, I received a call from a Swindon resident who was mistakenly concerned that the Labour Group had wanted to further increase Swindon’s Council Tax rate in order to pay for services designed to support the vulnerable and maintain Swindon
THE administrators of Swindon-based Reader’s Digest UK have revealed that there has been “significant interest” from potential buyers of the business, and confirmed the magazine would continue to be published until at least April. The 72-year-old British
DAVID Hooper (letter February 24) should not feel guilty that he didn’t make the effort to look at the plans for the Aspect Park development. In April 2008, prompted by the early removal of trees, I look through the planning file and raised my concerns
AFTER reading John Andrews’ letter (TV Troubles, February 15), we have made contact with him directly to apologize for giving incorrect advice when he called the Switchover Help Scheme, and to put things right. Unfortunately TV signals are not confined
RECENT research shows that we may have been vastly underestimating the extent of private fostering in England and Wales. There could be hundreds of the so-called ‘invisible children’ in your local community. Private fostering describes an arrangement
I AM writing on behalf of the Rotary Club of Swindon North to thank everyone who donated monies at our collection at Sainsbury’s, Bridgemead, over the weekend of February 20/21, and at Swindon Town Football Club before the game on February 23. The amount
A FAMILY-run hotel has received top national honours for its high-level of customer care. The Blunsdon House Hotel, located in The Ridge, Blunsdon, received the best venue award at the Best Western National Conference at the Celtic Manor resort near
As we are into a new decade, every month I will be looking back at a season from the 00's, also I will be looking at two of the best players from a particular season and how they helped the club. Also I will be looking at a player from the same
IT says more about the character of a person who admits they are wrong, than any other characteristic or trait and for that Mr Selway has my unreserved respect. We in UKIP do not expect ‘humble pie’. I thank Mr Selway for bringing his views
I MUST disagree with Derique Montaut. There are many residents who would not be at all happy to pay extra council tax. During a recent cold spell I heard advice from Age Concern, heat one room, (and I presume live in it) and wrap yourself in
I AGREE with Chris Sheppard’s letter (SA, Feb 20, 2010) and with his thinking on the subject of climate change especially when he tells Des Morgan that he might be willing to bet the lives of future generations on his belief that climate change scientists
IN Holland, sound protection on major roads is a substantial metal structure that curves outwards at the top reflecting sound back to its source. Although not finished yet, the sound barrier protecting Covingham is a not very high wooden fence on
FROM April 12, 2010 Carer’s Allowance, the only state benefit specifically aimed at carers, will be made available to a greater number of those who are working. Carer’s Allowance cannot be paid to a carer if they work and earn more than a set amount.
A TAXI passenger was killed after frantically trying to wake the driver, who had fallen asleep, moments before a fatal crash in Swindon. Kenneth Riddett, 44, leaned forward to try and rouse driver Shehzad Akbar, so when the car smashed into a tree
A CHARITY that gives hope to troubled teenagers has just one month to find the money needed to prevent its closure. Smash – the Swindon Mentoring And Self Help project – faces closure at the end of March if it fails to find a financial backer. Workers
SOME of Britain’s biggest brands have come out in support of Swindon town centre’s street traders. Last night Nationwide, Tesco, Superdrug and Debenhams, who all have branches in The Parade which are nearest to to the stalls, either denied they have
THE National Carlsberg Roadshow arrives in Swindon tomorrow offering England fans the chance to deliver a team talk to their heroes. The tour stops at Sainsbury’s in Stratton between 5-8pm tomorrow and supporter s will be able to record their own Team
SWINDON ENL Wildcats conceded twice late on as they were defeated 4-3 by Invicta Mustangs. Wildcats started well and created a chance in the opening minute, as Daniel Smith’s shot was saved by Steven Grout. But Invicta rallied and put intense pressure
ELDERLY Asian people have voiced their anger over the possibility that Swindon Council might stop funding their 20-year-old meeting place. The Sangam Day Centre has been running at Broadgreen Community Centre in Salisbury Street for more than 20 years
Following warnings of potential high winds and heavy rain, residents were preparing for the worst at the weekend. However thankfully the predicted winds did not occur and the drainage ditches in the main appeared to cope quite well, although
SHRIVENHAM made it three games unbeaten as they won 3-0 at struggling Hook Norton in the Hellenic League Premier Division. Mark Love and Alan Dyton’s side have recently made a welcome return to form and a Richie Saunders first-half double, sandwiching
FORMER Swindon Town striker Ashan Holgate has signed for Swindon Supermarine as boss Mark Collier continues his recent busy activities in the transfer market. Holgate becomes the third ex-Town player in under a fortnight to sign at Hunts Copse
SWINDON Town boss Danny Wilson was left fuming after watching referee Craig Pawson deny his side what he deemed a “stonewall” penalty in Saturday’s League One stalemate at Leyton Orient. The match had entered second half injury time when
“WHICHEVER individual brought that in should be locked up.” That was Robins boss Danny Wilson's frank assessment of the incident at the Matchroom Stadium on Saturday which saw a flare thrown by a Swindon Town fan set a segregation net alight.
CABINET members last night faced another fiery round of questions over the wi-fi project but the agreed loan to internet company Digital City was finally signed off. Members of the public and opposition councillors fired dozens of questions at members
SIMON Ferry doesn't expect Celtic's managerial situation to affect his future, with the midfielder reiterating his desire to turn his County Ground loan spell into a permanent stay. Tony Mowbray was sacked from the SPL giants last week after a poor spell
ONE of Swindon Borough Council’s chief business advisors was last night forced to publicly apologise for his role in the latest wi-fi scandal. It has emerged that Hitesh Patel, the council’s director of Business Transformation, and one of three people
