THE Samaritans will be on hand throughout the festive period to help those struggling with the extra emotional pressures. Despite the perceived all-round joy of the festive fortnight, the branch is expecting an increase in calls from those for
CHRISTMAS is a magical time for any child, but for youngsters who have spent the year in and out of the Great Western Hospital, the festive season was made extra special thanks to those who have cared for them. A party was held for approximately
TONIGHT is the busiest night of the year for me - as I'm sure you all know - but I wanted to leave a message for all the boys and girls in Swindon. My reindeers and I will be flying around the world and, thanks to a little Santa magic, will be
A housing scheme supporting adults with mental health problems is celebrating 25 years of working in the community. Hazelmead House, which is managed by Jephson Homes Housing Association, celebrated the milestone with a party like no other. The
THEY are they ultimate love 'em or hate 'em vegetable - and there will be more than a few tables without a heaped bowl of Brussel sprouts on it tomorrow. Hailing from Belgium and closely related to the cabbage, there’s plenty to dislike about this
WHILE people across the town will be looking forward to a well-earned rest over Christmas, dozens of volunteers are set to leap into action to help people less fortunate than them. The Christmas Care shelter will open in Queens Drive Methodist
IT SEEMS to get earlier every year, doesn't it? That moment when you're in a shop, normally a department store or supermarket, happily going about your business, and suddenly you hear Noddy Holder's voice for the first time since last year.
A MAN is at risk of losing his sight unless he goes abroad for treatment. Lester Pratt, 54, of Stratton was diagnosed with Stargardt’s dystrophy back in 2008, which is an inherited condition similar to age-related macular degeneration that affects
A SWINDON resident has been left baffled after a letter addressed to a house in Swinton, Manchester, was delivered to his home twice in two days. Derek Wiggins, 54, of Bowood Road, was puzzled to see the letter drop through his letter box on Wednesday
CHRISTMAS is a time for family for singer Jahmene Douglas – and he will be taking a well-earned rest to enjoy the occasion. The X-Factor star has been working non-stop since he joined the competition back in September but will be spending time
THE police are out in force this Christmas to ensure that the festive season passes peacefully. Last weekend, as part of Operation Dasher, the police were out in the town centre and were joined by two of Wiltshire Police’s passive drugs dogs on
MISERABLE weather was casting gloom over Swindon today with the wind blowing this tree over a garden fence. Rain and clouds got Christmas Eve off to a damp start with fears of repeated flooding across the South West. A reader sent in these
A CUDDLE from Santa was a Christmas Wish come true for Morgan and Megan Brooks after losing their mother earlier this year. The five-year-old and one-year-old lit up when they saw they had been treated to a visit from Father Christmas and his sleigh
Rail passengers faced a miserable start to Christmas Eve with trains being cancelled between Swindon and Bristol Parkway. Services between the two stations have been cancelled due to flooding and trains running between London Paddington and Swansea
WILTSHIRE Police have warned criminals they will not escape paying fines inposed by the courts. It comes after officers collected more than £28,000 in unpaid fines during a day of action this week. Officers joined forces with warrant officers
PUPILS spread Christmas cheer to their elders when they delivered hundreds of chickens in Royal Wootton Bassett. About 60 Year 11 pupils from Royal Wootton Bassett academy delivered 223 chickens on Wednesday as part of an annual event organised
THE decision to hold a new inquest for the 96 people who died in the Hillsborough disaster has made Christmas for a couple who lost their son. Stan and Margaret Godwin, from Lechlade, have spoken of their relief after it was decided last week that
SWINDON School of Gymnastics continued its recent run of competitive success at the Fromeside Floor and Vault Championships in Bristol recently. Five clubs attended from across the south west of England and SSG sent a squad of 11 gymnasts who competed
SWINDON greyhounds finished at the rear of the field in the BAGS Track Championship final at Perry Barr yesterday afternoon. Clive Oseman’s team had qualified for the showpiece event of the £160,000 Champions League-style competition in fine style
NATHAN Thompson isn’t about to complain about working over Christmas, after recognising he has one of the “best jobs in the world”. The Swindon Town full-back, who has had a prominent role to play in the Robins’ League One campaign, has had little
JOHN Fisher has stoked the fires ahead of the Highworth-Shrivenham Boxing Day derby by claiming he expects to win. The Elms boss won the December 26 clash last year when on the other side of the fence, and this time round is anticipating another
PAOLO Di Canio sees football as the blessing he needs to get through his first Christmas since the passing of both his parents. Di Canio lost his father, Ignacio, in October last year while his mother, Pierina, died in April - placing huge emotional
RIVERSIDE Theatre can spring a minor surprise in the William Hill King George VI Chase at Kempton on Boxing Day. Although technically a second-string in Lambourn handler Nicky Henderson’s assault behind stablemate Long Run, there is a quiet confidence
ANDY Williams has backed strike partner Chris Martin to find his goalscoring touch over the festive period. While the former Yeovil man scored twice during Town’s 5-0 victory over Tranmere on Friday night, Martin once again failed to register his
MIDFIELDER Danny Hollands believes Swindon Town are entering the most important phase of the season as they prepare for their Boxing Day clash at Leyton Orient. Town face three games in six days against Orient, Colchester and Portsmouth, and go
SWINDON have the opportunity to turn the screw on EPL play-off rivals Peterborough when the teams clash at the Link Centre on Boxing Day (4pm). Wildcats currently occupy seventh place in the standings and can open up a six-point gap on Jon Kynaston
HANS Andersen would love nothing more than to have his future sorted by the time he flies to California on Thursday. The Dane is riding in the Monster Energy World Speedway Invitational in City of Industry on Saturday night, but his British home
PAOLO Di Canio has already started writing his shopping list for the January sales, but he won’t have the flexibility in the transfer market that he would have preferred. The Swindon Town manager’s budget for new players will be limited next month
Dorcan Pharmacy, Colingsmead, Eldene. 01793 692073. Christmas Eve - open 9am - 12.30pm and 1.30pm - 6pm Christmas Day - CLOSED Boxing Day - CLOSED December 27 - open 9am - 12.30pm and 1.30pm - 6pm December 28 - open 9am - 12.30pm
