A LAW service helping hundreds of residents could be thrown a lifeline, even as it stares into a funding abyss. Advice provider the Wiltshire Law Centre stands to become a victim of legal aid cuts which the government wants to make later this year.
A MAN who armed himself with two knives before going to the home of an acquaintance he thought had been spreading rumours about him is behind bars. Two members of the public were so concerned at seeing Kevin Roberts getting into a car outside
ONE in 10 criminals went on to reoffend across Swindon, according to government figures. Statistics from the Ministry of Justice show 1,710 offenders were monitored over 12 months and 10.58 per cent went on to commit a further crime. The snapshot of
THE COUNCIL is to be given a hole lot of cash to bung the potholes that have been driving motorists in the town to despair. It was announced yesterday that Swindon will be getting a slice of an additional £100m given by the Government on top of the £831m
FAMILIES took a break from shopping to find out more about Stonehenge at a BBC history roadshow at the Swindon Designer Outlet yesterday, Wednesday. The BBC Hands on History Roadshow allowed children to touch artefacts found at the world heritage site
A MOTHER worried for the welfare of her son who has not been seen in five days has issued a desperate plea for information about his whereabouts. Alan Barry, 22, pictured, was last seen after being dropped off at the Sir Daniel Arms pub, in
DRIVERS taking shortcuts through a bus lane in town are infuriating residents who say it is an accident waiting to happen. People in Upham Road have complained about motorists ignoring signs and going through a section of the road which is only supposed
A MARATHON effort in curry eating has served up hundreds of pounds for charity. Nick Millard, of Stratton St Margaret, who is a member of Swindon Striders, organised a curry night at the Mela in Old Town this weekend to help raise funds before he takes
The first Chair of the recently formed Swindon Public Sector Forum has been announced. Nicola Houwayek who is Head of Human Resources, Business Transformation at Swindon Borough Council will help develop the fledgling organisation over the coming months
A COUPLE joined hundreds of others who were celebrating special anniversaries at the weekend. Jackie and Liam O’Shaughnessy celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary at a special Mass in Bristol’s Clifton Cathedral on Saturday, February 19. They
I WOULD like to add my grievance with the comments made by Colin Cook regarding Royal Mail (SA, Feb 15). I had a package sent to me on Jan 11 from Llandudno which I received on February 15. If the cost of postage is reduced will it improve efficiency
A DESTITUTE woman who has been sleeping rough in a tent in Old Town says she has nowhere else to go because she has no ‘official’ identity. The 46-year-old, who wishes to remain anonymous, said she was originally from the Lorraine region of France.
ROVES Farm is hosting a themed activity week ‘The Three Little Pigs’ this half term. Craft sessions will be on offer for children to decorate their very own pig masks and pictures to take home. The Free Tractor Rides are based on the classic children
MASONS have donated their time to honour the heroes of the bomb disposal unit by engraving the plaques for a new war memorial wall. Midcounties Co-operative memorial masonry staff from Highworth Memorials have prepared plaques and badges for
THE director of public health has thanked health colleagues as flu numbers drop. This year’s seasonal influenza virus appears to be on the wane this month after a difficult winter, according to Wiltshire’s health professionals. Maggie Rae, director
SMART cards became compulsory in order to get a weekly bus pass on Thamesdown Transport on February 14, 2011. A short application form is required to get the Smart card and this must be taken to the bus station information office. A card is issued with
AN EXHIBITION of photographs depicting Swindon volunteers in action will go on show to the public at the central library on Friday, March 11 at 1pm. Picture Perfect, organised by Volunteer Centre Swindon as part of its project VInvolved Swindon, consists
SWINDON-born explorer David Hempleman-Adams will be helping the Mayor of Swindon raise money for his three chosen charities next month. Mr Hempleman-Adams, who is preparing for a trek to the foothills of Everest in April, will be the guest speaker at
A LITTLE fighter is celebrating a birthday her parents never thought they would see today. Ten years ago Lauren Skull was fighting for her life after being born three months premature. Her mum, Louise Weston, 30, of Freshbrook was rushed into hospital
A GROUP of ex-pats have given the Wootton Bassett poppy appeal fund a boost. Local businessman Jeremy Taylor presented a cheque for £340 to Second World War veterain Ken Stott on behalf of ex-pats in Dubai. Representatives of the Royal British Legion
BUS operator Thamesdown Transport says it is changing some of its timetables this week to respond better to customer demand. From now onwards, most journeys on the service 21, from Fleming Way to Penhill, will operate 10 minutes later. The company claims
A schoolfriend will be at the front of Andy King’s mind when he takes to the saddle to raise money for charity later this year. The 34-year-old, from Stratton, will be cycling from London to Paris in May to raise money for the Cystic Fibrosis Trust,
THE council’s decision to dump their Home Care workers and call in private companies is being done in the name of “value for money”. In reality it is simply a means of providing a service on the cheap. The workers who are facing the sack are dedicated
THIS emaciated dog was found close to death in Abbey Meads in what has been labelled the ‘worst case of animal neglect in Swindon.’ The three-year-old whippet was taken into the council’s animal welfare centre late on Monday night after she was
POLICE are appealing for witnesses after a teenager was dragged out of a car, robbed and beaten. At around 4am on Sunday, an 18-year-old man was in Cricklade Road when a vehicle, believed to be silver or grey, stopped nearby. The occupants of the vehicle
RESIDENTS of Walcot and Park North are being asked to attend a meeting to discuss the future of The Dome. People are invited to The Dome community centre in Burghley Close on Tuesday, March 8, at 7pm to elect a committee. The meeting has been called
A LYNEHAM Greyhound charity is appealing for dog lovers to take in abandoned greyhounds in desperate need of a home. The Greyhound and Lurcher Welfare Rescue currently has four greyhounds and one lurcher to re-home and is appealing to members of
Anne Robinson invites her guests on My Life In Books to introduce viewers to their five favourite books, a selection spanning the years from their first reading experience to the present day. So what is your favourite book, she then asks.
TODAY is the last day for nominating your unsung heroes for the Pride of Swindon Awards. Philippa Kennard, one of those that works tirelessly behind the scenes for the young people of Swindon, is one of the nominees this year for her services
A NORTH Wilts Youth League player faces a long road to recovery after sustaining horrific injuries in a League Cup quarter-final game recently. Substitute Joe Halliday was playing for GESS Under 14s against Chiseldon when he suffered a broken
A GANG of teenage thieves have raided around 40 unlocked garages and cars in just one week. Police have issued a stark warning to home and vehicle owners to put their valuables under lock and key, after officers in West Swindon were inundated with reports
SWINDON Local Involvement Network (LINk) were concerned to read the article regarding homecare services (SA, Feb 16) though we noted the contingency plan was successful in this case. However, in the wake of the council cuts to its own home care
THE CLiP Committee and I would like to publicly thank Councillor Andy Harrison, one of our Penhill ward councillors for his most generous donation of £1,000 towards youth activities at the John Moulton Hall. Despite other councillors opposing
IT is a very long walk or a ride by bus so why are they closing Gorse Hill branch of Nationwide? Will the 10 people who will be redeployed from that and Old Town be available to cope with the already horrendous queues at the two branches that are
GET together for Guide Dogs, is a social events fundraising initiative. I hope you will agree that Get together is a really fun way to raise money and can be as big or as small as you like. From a coffee morning with your nearest and dearest, a
IN response to the Nationwide Savings Branches closure appeal, we totally agree with the remarks made by Josie Lewis (SA, February 19). We are extremely disappointed that Nationwide headquarters insists on the closure of the Gorse Hill and
I FELT a need to write on behalf of myself and my husband. All too often the NHS receives bad press but this communication brings only thanks and praise. My 55 year old husband Harry, has recently been diagnosed with early onset Frontal Lobe
THE race for promotion out of Southern Counties North appears to be fast becoming a two-horse race between a pair of local sides. After the most recent set of results saw wins for both Swindon and Wootton Bassett, the two Wiltshire teams have
THE pursuit of second spot in Dorset & Wilts 1 North was tightened even further on Saturday after Supermarine fell to a 26-15 defeat at Pewsey Vale. Pewsey, who have made an astonishing rise up the league table in recent weeks, came back from
IT was the most vengeful of revenge missions. Swindon made up for their narrow defeat to visiting Torbay earlier in the campaign by slaughtering their opponents 11-0 in the Davis Wood Hockey League Premier Division 2. Jake Biddell opened
THE council is aiming to save millions – by giving elderly residents a pot of cash each. The strange-sounding plan will see frail and vulnerable adults given free reign to spend council money on themselves, instead of automatically having care
SWINDON player-coach Ryan Aldridge fears youngster Sam Bullas will play no further part in the 2010/11 season after an X-ray confirmed the Brit had broken his ankle. Forward Bullas sustained the injury in the 7-0 English Premier League defeat
SUPERMARINE made it two wins out of two since boss Mark Collier quit as they triumphed 1-0 at Tiverton following another turbulent day for the South Marston side. Fresh from the departure of Collier and assistant Tom Jones, star defender Leigh Henry
