Wiltshire news, sports, classifieds & more ! Definitive guide to the Wiltshire area - updated

Wiltshire | Archive | 2006 | March

Stories for 16 March 2006

Amesbury News

Angry cab drivers bring town to standstill

CABBIES who have been driven round the bend by a lack of taxi-rank spaces in Amesbury brought the town centre to a standstill last Wednesday. more...

Calne News

Pet lover appeals for return of baby rabbits

Pet lover Christine Bowe has made a heartfelt appeal to the thieves who stole seven bunnies from her garden to return them before they die. more...

Student follows in footsteps of great actors

ST Mary's School student Kate Elliott has her sights set on the silver screen after winning a place at one of the world's most famous acting schools. more...

Villagers thanked for fundraising to save hall

VILLAGERS in Yatesbury have been thanked for pulling together to save their hall from dying. more...

Lion roars with a new strength

Calne Lions have welcomed three members new to their thriving club. more...

Ex-pupil returns to raise cash for Kenya

FORMER St Mary's School student Isabel Barter has returned to Calne to raise money for a charity that provides education to youngsters in Kenya. more...

Musician rises from poverty

A cellist who rose from the poverty of Calcutta to playing in some of the leading concert halls in the western world appears in Calne on Sunday. more...

Boss swaps top stores for helping the elderly

THE new director of the Bobby Van Trust, which aids elderly victims of crime, is a former boss of Knightsbridge top shop Harvey Nichols. more...

Best foot forward for cardiac fund

FAMILIES gathered at Bowood on Sunday but many of them didn't have time to appreciate the magnificent scenery, they were taking part in the 18th Rotary Club of Calne Fun Run. more...

Chippenham News

Dressing up to celebrate world

COLOURFUL costumes from all over the world were on display at Charter Primary School, Chippenham, on Friday as part of a project to teach pupils about their links with a school in rural Ghana. more...

Prison for man who attacked with mallet

CHIPPENHAM man Paul King has been jailed for 18 months after he attacked a man with a mallet while on early release from prison. more...

Choppers bring ray of new hope for Lyneham

THE FUTURE of RAF Lyneham has been given a glimmer of hope after it was revealed the base is being considered as a helicopter superbase. more...

Traders fear chaos

Retailers in the Causeway face weeks of disruption as road works get underway and some fear the resulting traffic chaos could drive them out of business. more...

Mini-moto menace halted

FOUR teenagers were left red-faced on Tuesday evening when police seized their prized mini-motos. more...

Sixth form centre in vision for Abbeyfield

EXCITING proposals for a sixth form centre at Abbeyfield School have been mooted. more...

Sixth form centre in vision for Abbeyfield

EXCITING proposals for a sixth form centre at Abbeyfield School have been mooted. more...

Princess plans tribute to Dan

PRINCESS Anne is planning to install a permanent memorial to much-loved teenager Dan Brookman on her Gatcombe estate, after he died following a quad bike accident there seven months ago. more...

School break-in leaves chaos just before exam

HEADTEACHER Colin Smith has praised his staff after they worked through the night to clear away damage left by raiders to enable an exam to go ahead the next morning. more...

Making a drama out of domestic violence

A THEATRE group is to help youngsters whose parents or carers are splitting up. more...

Cash awards support youth

The Chippenham Borough Lands Charity gave around £7,000 to local schools and educational providers this month to help them carry out exciting activities and projects. more...

Benefit mix up leaves gay couple in the dark

GAY couple Brian Strange and Chris Davis were left without hot water and electricity for two days after a change in rules meant they lost a big chunk of their benefits. more...

New supplier for uniforms

Family firm Stronghold is ready to step into the breach with supplies of school uniform following the sudden demise of Smart Alec in Chippenham. more...

Festival is set to rock once again

NORTH Wiltshire Festival 2006 was officially launched this week, with its organisers promising a bigger and better event than ever before. more...

Watercolour artist in show

CHIPPENHAM artist Bob Rudd will be showing six of his paintings at the prestigious Royal Institute of Painters in Water Colours exhibition in London this year. more...

Workers’ anger on proposed rail change

COMMUTERS from Chippenham to Oxford are protesting that sweeping changes proposed for the First Great Western timetable could drive them off the trains and back into their cars. more...

Lyenham hits a charity note

RAF Lyneham was alive with the sound of music as wing personnel competed against each other to win the Stars in Their Eyes Karaoke competition last week. more...

Global chance for head boy

ABBEYFIELD School head boy Dan Wilkins has won the chance of a lifetime a place at the Global Youth Leaders Conference in the USA. more...

Council staff to have jobs and pay review

EMPLOYEES at North Wiltshire District Council face uncertain times as a new job evaluation and pay scheme comes into force. more...

Accident victim relives horror of brain damage

SIX weeks after television cameraman Sandy York was swapping insurance details with the driver of a milk float after an accident in Castle Combe, he woke up in hospital. more...

Help to recycle green waste

GARDENERS across north Wiltshire will soon be able to recycle their green waste with the help of a new bin. more...

Biker’s challenge across India

MOTORBIKE enthusiast Jack Konynenburg rode 2,000 miles on a Royal Enfield bike to raise money for charity in the Enduro India Motorcycle Challenge. more...

Winners take a well deserved bow wow

KARL and Nikki Payne were hoping to walk away from Crufts with a certificate or two but they didn't dare imagine their treasured Spaniel Summer would be named best bitch. more...

New chapter opens

FORMER Army major Charles Ingram looks set to be the new Jeffrey Archer after he picked up copies of his first novel from printers in Chippenham last week. more...

Competitions

Win Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire on DVD

The Gazette has five copies of Mike Newell's brilliant fourth film, out on DVD on Monday, in the series to give away. more...

Corsham News

Calm in the nursery as tots learn art of yoga

BABIES at Snapdragons nursery in Corsham are getting to grips with new yoga classes. more...

Calm in the nursery as tots learn art of yoga

BABIES at Snapdragons nursery in Corsham are getting to grips with new yoga classes. more...

Heritage centre and tourist office threat

CORSHAM Tourist Information and Heritage Centre in the High Street is under threat and could face closure. more...

Need for extra crisis helpers

BOX parish council's new message to locals is "We want you!" after a recent emergency planning exercise highlighted the need for volunteers. more...

Bid to win cheaper parking for low paid

LOW paid workers in Corsham may be entitled to subsidised car parking in the town after councillors meet on March 23 to consider the scheme. more...

Go-ahead for new takeaway

Planning committee members gathered at North Wiltshire District Council last night to discuss the conversion of a Corsham betting shop to a takeaway. more...

Devizes News

Brandreth boost

TV personality and former MP Gyles Brandreth is supporting a bid by pupils at Dauntsey's School in West Lavington to take one of their spectacular musical productions to the Edinburgh Festival. more...

Rival petitions on sex shop’s videos

TWO rival petitions have been sent to Kennet District Council concerning the sex shop in Sidmouth Street applying for a licence to sell sexually explicit videos. more...

Calls to curb speed after woman, 84, hurt in crash

THE landlady of the popular Lamb on the Strand pub, near Seend, has called for traffic calming measures after yet another crash on the stretch of the A361 past her door. more...

Swimmers’ lightning bolt out of the blue

SWIMMERS at Devizes Leisure Centre are 11 times more likely to be struck by lightning than someone sitting in their own home or walking down the street. more...

Arson attempt at a local store

THE manager of the One Stop shop in Eastleigh Road, Devizes, has condemned an arson attempt on the store on Sunday as stupidity. more...

Pupils send call for a better world to Blair

PUPILS at Chirton Primary School, near Devizes, have urged the Prime Minister to do all he can to stop suffering in the world. more...

Club quits pool over cold water complaints

A group for disabled people says it has had to abandon Devizes Leisure Centre because the water is too cold. more...

Recycle centre hours longer

HILLS Minerals and Waste has applied for planning permission to extend the opening hours of the Devizes Household Recycling Centre. more...

Gulf veteran helps appeal with talks on the conflict

TWO meetings organised by Gulf War Illness sufferer Carl Musgrove have raised more than £100 for a children's charity. more...

Charity clothes are on the move

THE Oxfam charity shop in Devizes will be taking some of its goods out into the community. more...

Nursery is praised for quality of teaching

NOAH'S Ark Nursery School in Devizes has received a good report from Ofsted. The inspection took place on January 24 and inspector Nikki Whinton praised the staff and pupils. more...

Shop owner wins right to park his vehicles

SHOP owner Brian West is claiming victory this week after Kennet District Council climbed down over his right to park delivery vehicles behind his shop in Northgate Street. more...

Youth Action Wiltshire

YOUTH Action Wiltshire is organising a youth festival in Devizes to counter the lack of information about activities in the town. more...

My prison is improving says under fire jail boss

DESPITE a year of incidents, mistakes and unforeseen expense, Erlestoke Prison is improving, the governor Doug Moon has said. more...

It’s grime wash UK

POLICE and paramedics found themselves engaged in a money laundering operation last week after three buckets full of coins arrived at the Air Support Unit in Devizes. more...

All talk, no results

There have been many reports but very little action when it comes to bringing new shops and tourist attractions to Devizes. more...

Couple’s golden day

A ROMANCE that began in Devizes Co-op store is still going strong 50 years later. more...

Museum website needs photo finish

VOLUNTEERS are needed to finish putting records and photographs on to the website of Wiltshire Heritage Museum in Devizes. more...

Entertainments

Ex-choristers return to sing with city choir

TWO former Salisbury Cathedral choristers, Alison Hill (soprano) and William Unwin (tenor), return to the cathedral later this month as guest soloists with Salisbury-based choir the Farrant Singers. more...

Life-size Blue Christ in cathedral

VISITORS to the north transept in Salisbury Cathedral will not fail to see a new, stunning life-size contemporary sculpture of Christ in blue bronze by the artist Jill Sim. more...

Gazette Agony Column

Don’t wait for the perfect moment to say you are gay

I've known for probably about five years that I'm gay but I haven't come out or told anyone. more...

Don’t wait for the perfect moment to say you are gay

I've known for probably about five years that I'm gay but I haven't come out or told anyone. more...

Gazette Chippenham Town Fc

Perrin misses out on Conference duo

CHIPPENHAM Town boss Darren Perrin has narrowly missed out on two big signings this week, as he bids to strengthen his squad for the final promotion push. more...

Chippenham Town 4, Team Bath 2

WINGER Darren Wheeler said he could tell from the moment he walked into Hardenhuish Park on Tuesday that something had changed for the better. more...

Chippenham Town 2, Hitchin Town 2

SAM Allison believes Chippenham must become more ruthless after they let two valuable points slip against Hitchin. more...

Webb praises her stewards

CHIPPENHAM Town's home game with Hitchin on Saturday was marred by moderate crowd trouble. more...

Family helped Wayne’s world

RECALLED defender Wayne Thorne has thanked his family for keeping him going during his time away from Chippenham. more...

Striker crisis at Cheshunt

SATURDAY'S trip to Cheshunt could not come at a better time for Chippenham. The relegation battlers are currently suffering with a massive striker crisis. more...

Gazette Film Reviews

Film review - V For Vendetta (15)

GRAPHIC novels are considered a rich resource for cinema after the success of Sin City, Batman Begins and Hellboy, to name but a few. more...

Film review - The Pink Panther (PG)

WHY would you do this? Why? If you were a film producer and someone asked you to remake Citizen Kane with Keifer Sutherland, Casablanca with Matt Damon or Gone With The Wind with Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman you'd throw them out of your office. more...

Gazette Food And Drink

Recipe - Peach cobbler

One of the many pleasures of married life is preparing a meal together, says Sharon Cochrane, editor of The Newlyweds' Cookbook (Peters & Small). Here's one of the recipes to share with your partner. more...

Gazette Football

Bayes storms out after heated row

DEVIZES Town defender Jamie Bayes has stormed out of the club after a bust-up with manager Nathan Sheridan. more...

Calne Town 1, Bideford 1

CALNE boss Robbie Lardner was brimming with pride after seeing his side more than match title favourites Bideford. more...

Gazette Nostalgia

Nostalgia - 15 March 1906

15 March 1906: Chippenham: The Council is unable to view the financial success of the proposed swimming baths with the sanguine prospects held out by the Swimming Club. more...

Gazette Obituaries

OBITUARY: Henry Stonor

SECOND World War veteran Henry Stonor, who has died suddenly, was able to make the unusual and possibly unique claim that he served in all four Welsh regiments. more...

OBITUARY: Geoff Reynolds

FORMER milkman Geoff Reynolds has died after a courageous 18-year struggle following an accident while on an early morning round. more...

OBITUARY: Irene Foreman

IRENE Foreman, a night sister at Devizes Hospital during the 1970s, has died peacefully at the age of 86. more...

OBITUARY: Colin Holland

Christ Church, Broad Town, was filled for a service of thanksgiving for the life of Colin Charles Holland, 71, who wrote a final appreciative message to his family and friends, in the final stages of an illness which he bore with courage, dignity and humour. more...

OBITUARY: William Reynolds

Kingsdown Crematorium Chapel was filled for the funeral of William James Reynolds, 87, a former Stratton St Margaret butcher who was always known as John. more...

Gazette Sport Darren Perrin Column

The smiles are back on everyone’s faces

I AM not one to tempt fate, but the smiles are back on everyone's faces and I think we may just have turned a corner. more...

Gazette Sue Pycroft Column

‘I’m never going to worry about lack of pension. I will simply retire to Norfolk’

DESPITE the bitter weather and the extortionate rent for an out-of-season cottage, not to mention bathroom doors that you can only open with the aid of a Swiss army knife, our holiday in the Norfolk countryside is proving a lucrative one. more...

Gazette Swindon Town Fc

Relegation battle will make us stronger

SWINDON Town boss Iffy Onuora has described this season's relegation battle as like nothing he has ever seen before. more...

Yeovil Town 0, Swindon Town 0

TOWN boss Iffy Onuora said only time will tell whether the goalless draw with Yeovil proves to be a point gained or two lost. more...

Colchester slipping after defeat to Chelsea

THE run of home games that Town had in February had to be balanced out, and Saturday sees the second successive match day on the road. more...

Nico praises Town attitude

ANDY Nicholas says Town's refusal to press the panic button after three straight defeats served them well as they stopped the rot at Yeovil. more...

Gazette Theatre & Arts

The Malford Players, Key For Two - Neeld Hall

MARCH 24 & 25 2006, CHIPPENHAM: The Malford Players are hoping to bridge a gap in Chippenham's provision of amateur theatre when they being their comedy Key For Two to the Neeld Hall on March 24 and 25. more...

Iolanthe - Theatre Royal

MARCH 28 - APRIL 1 2006, BATH: FORMER Sheldon School pupil Oli Hounsell will be making his Bath Theatre Royal debut later this month, playing the lead role in Gilbert and Sullivan's Iolanthe. more...

Letters

An extraordinary privilege

I WOULD like to thank the 800 people who came to hear the deputy secretary general of the United Nations, Mark Malloch Brown, last Thursday speaking on the subject Big Issues in a Small World. more...

WCC sees sense on traffic and Brittox updating

THERE seems to have been an outbreak of helpfulness in Trowbridge. more...

Support on parking

I HAVE been surprised at the amount of verbal support received over parking problems. more...

Childcare on council

ON 13 August, 2005 The Daily Telegraph reported that a millionaire female MP was criticised for suggesting that more women should become councillors and use their generous allowances to pay for cleaners or childcare. more...

School did paddle

LAST week's Gazette and Herald carried an item about this year's Devizes to Westminster Canoe Race. more...

Take practical view

I ENTIRELY agree with the comments written in the column by our MP for Devizes and Marlborough concerning the water shortage in south and south-eastern England, which could be overcome by using the grid system from our national canal system. more...

Rejection is sweet

I AM writing to thank you for the Gazette's interest in our campaign to stop the Honyestreet development. more...

Lettings for ghetto

I WOULD like to refer to your article on page one of the Gazette and Herald, March 9 issue, entitled Watchdogs seize noisy neighbour's stereo and TV. more...

Workers not served

AS an ex-employee of Hygrade Foods, I am upset about the letter from Shane McCarthy in your edition of March 2. more...

Wrongful blame

IT is appalling that a district councillor, who should know better, has blamed the residents at Showell for the closure of Hygrade. more...

Take Dyson lesson

IT was obvious that Hygrade in Chippenham had to relocate. The company required a larger area to build the largest meat processing factory in Europe, with access to the motorway system. more...

Dance still in town

COUN Peter Roberts' comments that Wootton Bassett has lost community groups to other towns because of lack of accommodation. more...

Surprise on repairs

I WAS surprised to read in the Gazette that Chippenham war memorial is in need of repair. more...

Better local services

OPPOSITION Conservative councillors' complaints against Lib Dem efficiency and genuine efforts to make life better for local people smacks of sour grapes. more...

Flush out dividends

WHEN we get our annual bill from Wessex Water, it is accompanied by a useful information booklet. Wessex Water is deservedly well regarded. more...

Malmesbury News

Top cat and tails as moggy returns

AN extraordinary tale of loss, heartbreak and adventure culminated this week with the tearful reunion of missing cat Ben and his Garsdon owner Nikki White, who now wants him to take pride of place at her forthcoming wedding. more...

Malmesbury born and bred

Councillor John Poole has been named as successor to Jacky Martin as Malmesbury Town Mayor. more...

Hiccup on hall handover

PREPARATIONS are under way for a day of celebration to mark the takeover of the town hall by Malmesbury Town Council. more...

Plans run into trouble

PLANS to extend a two-bedroom bungalow, which has already been considerably enlarged, were likely to be turned down last night. more...

Fairtrade breakfast

Malmesbury Scouts and Cubs put their field crafts to the test last week as they rustled up a hearty breakfast promoting the use of some Fairtrade products such as coffee, tea, sugar and fruit. more...

Call for help on transport

TRANSPORT group chairman Coun Ray Sanderson is calling for help in identifying the needs of people in the Malmesbury area in a bid to help them get around. more...

Naturists open their garden to the public

NAKED gardeners Ian and Barbara Pollard this Sunday will open their gardens at Abbey House in Malmesbury to the public. more...

Mystery play raises £1,300

Malmesbury Primary School was the setting for murder when staff and governors stepped back in time in the mystery play The Tangled Web. more...

Friends’ epic adventure to remember their pal

CLOSE friends of quad crash victim Dan Brookman are sure he'll be smiling down on them as they prepare for a mammoth fundraising car push next week. more...

Dyson wins court fight over copied designs

Vacuum cleaner manufacturer Dyson is to receive damages after the Court of Appeal ruled last week that another company had infringed its design rights. more...

Marlborough News

We must learn to live together says UN chief

ONE of the most powerful men in world politics, the United Nations' new deputy secretary-general Mark Malloch-Brown, gave the Lent Lecture in Marlborough on Thursday. more...

We must learn to live together says UN chief

ONE of the most powerful men in world politics, the United Nations' new deputy secretary-general Mark Malloch-Brown, gave the Lent Lecture in Marlborough on Thursday. more...

College under fire for land clearance

NEIGHBOURS are divided over the way Marlborough College has cleared an area of scrub and trees behind their homes on the Barton Park estate. more...

Pedigree mum’s top dog

JUST four years after falling in love with a breed of dog she had never heard of before, Sarajane Rutherford has scooped a top Crufts award. more...

Buck passing claim on cuts to off-peak trains

ABOUT 100 people attended a meeting in Great Bedwyn on Sunday to continue the protest at proposed timetable cuts at the village's popular rail station. more...

Foxes and badgers blamed for sheep death

FARMER John Burrows says that, for the first time in 25 years farming, he has had a number of lambs taken by foxes or badgers. more...

Police gadget helps pubs flush out drug users

DRUG users only have to touch a flush handle in a pub lavatory or put their hands on the bar for minute traces to be picked up by a piece of gadgetry Wiltshire police took to Marlborough on Monday. more...

Couple lose the battle to have court case dropped

KENNET has been given the go-ahead by magistrates to prosecute Axford couple Hamish and Susan Watson for alleged unauthorised alterations to their 16th century listed home. more...

Business off to an early start

DESPITE an early morning start, a business networking breakfast held by the Marlborough Area Development Trust was a great success. more...

Cat owner seeks news of missing Moushka

GRANDMOTHER Kate Leighfield is desperate for news of her Persian cat Moushka which ran off from her home in Marlborough on March 1. more...

Memorial seat for pub garden

FRIENDS of the late Denis Twine of Lockeridge who died in January are to put on a show to raise money to buy a seat in his memory. more...

Villagers fight off plans to ‘swamp’ their hamlet

COUNCILLORS have unanimously turned down plans for a housing development which would have doubled the size of a tiny canalside village. more...

Sculpture show returns to farm

SCHOOLS and community groups are to be given the chance of trying sculpture for themselves under the tutelage of some of the West's top artists. more...

Tycoon killed after his helicopter buzzed bay

AN inquest heard how dating agency tycoon Christopher Matthews died when his helicopter plunged into a lake in America after appearing to hit power lines. more...

New Forest News

Police in hunt for video shop robber

POLICE are hunting an armed assailant after a video shop attendant was robbed at knifepoint in Ringwood last Saturday night. more...

Town celebrates victory at Crufts

HOURS of grooming and hard work paid off at Crufts last week for a Fordingbridge dog breeder who is now the proud owner of the best bearded collie in the country. more...

Other Sport

Olympic stars help Somerley celebrate tenth birthday

SOMERLEY Park's horse trials will celebrate its tenth birthday later this month with a star-studded line-up British Olympic team members Pippa Funnell, Burghley winner Mary King, Kristina Cook, William Fox-Pitt and European champion Zara Phillips who won at Somerley last year have all entered the first International One Day event of the season. more...

Pewsey News

Reel chance beckons

THE closure of Pewsey's only video rental shop is blamed by owner Gary Britten on pirated films and unfair competition from supermarkets. more...

Banners in line to be banned on railings

BANNERS have been banned in the centre of Pewsey where for generations they have advertised local events. more...

Shelley to be first freeman

SHELLEY Rudman is to be given the highest honour Pewsey can award, by being made its first Freeman. more...

Salisbury Business News

Success for e-auction drop-in centre

AN ONLINE auction venture started only a couple of months ago by two eBay users one from Durrington and the other from Shipton Bellinger is proving so successful, it is planning a major expansion. more...

Golden woody the pig for winners

NATWEST is bringing its popular pigs out of retirement, after more than ten years, as part of its savings and investments free prize draw. more...

Salisbury Children'S Page

500 have joined the Journal Gang

Hi, everyone, and welcome to the Journal Gang. I'm very pleased to announce that the new Journal Gang club has almost 500 members already that means hundreds of you have been joining each week. more...

500 have joined the Journal Gang

Salisbury City Fc News

City jitters as title race hots up

NICK Holmes' City slickers are currently suffering from a serious case of the jitters as the pressure mounts on their bid to secure automatic promotion to the Conference South. more...

Salisbury News

Disabled lose jobs as factory closes

VISUALLY impaired and disabled workers are to lose their jobs after Salisbury manufacturing company Shelwork Indus-tries was dealt its final blow. more...

No sightings of taped-up duck

WILDLIFE Rescue teams have continued the battle to save the Salisbury duck that had its bill cruelly taped together. more...

Stfc Headlines

Time to deal

THERE are deals there to be done' is Mark Devlin's analysis of current contract negotiations with the club's deputy chairman yet to receive any outrageous, unreasonable or irreconcilable demands. more...

Town boss Iffy takes a look back!

IFFY Onuora wants his players to take heart from a woodwork lesson ahead of their trip to Colchester United and it has nothing to do with Jamie Cureton! more...

Community office calls for coaches

TOWN'S community courses continue to prove a massive hit and new coaches are being sought to meet the rapid growth in demand. more...

Swindon Business Headlines

Event is full of eastern promise

CHINESE-owned or managed businesses are invited to enjoy a taste of international trade at an event at the Pagoda Palace restaurant, Swindon, on April 27. more...

Shops are open for business

WOOTTON Bassett High Street business community has received a welcome boost with Ellie and David Bland opening their new shops Sophisticatz and Alleycatz, at Apsley House Arcade. more...

A chance to hear the bosses’ expert advice

TEC International, the world's largest chief executive membership organisation, is giving business leaders in Swindon a powerful insight into how to reap the benefits of working "On as opposed to in their businesses"at a master class on March 28. more...

Honda celebrates good sales month

HONDA cars had an excellent month with the Jazz, Civic, Accord and CR-V topping their sector and the marque outselling both BMW and Toyota. more...

Raising cash for a good cause

HALCROW'S coffee morning raised £180 in aid of Fairtrade Fortnight with the money going to ActionAid. more...

Getting ready for a merry Christmas

Swindon-BASED event company Planet Pursuits exhibited its first-ever event showcase at the Steam museum. more...

Getting ready for a merry Christmas

SWINDON-BASED event company Planet Pursuits exhibited its first-ever event showcase at the Steam museum. more...

Swindon Cares New

Swindon Cares pub quiz

Photos of the winning teams at Monday night's Swindon Cares pub quiz at the Moonrakers pub in Cricklade Road, Swindon more...

Swindon Cares pub quiz

Photos of the winning teams at Monday night's Swindon Cares pub quiz at the Moonrakers pub in Cricklade Road, Swindon. more...

Swindon Cares pub quiz

Monday 11th July: Photos of the winning teams at Monday night's Swindon Cares pub quiz at the Moonrakers pub in Cricklade Road, Swindon. more...

Swindon Eating Out

The White Horse, Biddestone

Biddestone, to me, represents the quintessential English village. The approaching narrow lanes open out into a green with a duck pond, surrounded by mellow stone houses. more...

Swindon General Sport

Howell gets favourite’s tag in China

GOLF: SWINDON'S David Howell teed off as the favourite to win the $1million TCL Classic in China this morning. more...

Patient Cox waiting for his chance

BOXING: JAMIE Cox is still unsure as to who he will start his Commonwealth Games campaign against, but whoever it is the Swindon southpaw insists he will be up for the challenge. more...

And we’re off!

FLYING fish, fireworks galore, a sickening sense of partisanship and, of course, the Queen yes it had to be, the Melbourne Commonwealth Games 2006 is now officially open. more...

Band aid double for Neal

MOTORCYCLE RACING: ANDY CRYER meets Darren Neal, motor cycle racer and lead singer in his band. more...

Swindon Ice Hockey

Waller leads Jaguars to a superb fightback

JAGUARS stormed back from 3-0 and 4-1 down at Haringey Bulldogs to move to within one win of the Southern A Under 12 League title. more...

Swindon Letters

Our MP flosses over the facts

IT is one of life's misconceptions that the NHS is free. Nothing is free. more...

Residents’ CCTV complaints are unjustified

IT is comforting to know that the shopkeepers of Eldene have acknowledged my work towards the £26,000 funding for installation of CCTV at Eldene Centre. more...

Redlands’ critics must lighten up

WITH the subject of Redlands' airstrip coming to the fore again regarding permanent planning application for its activities, I'm sure there will be a few more moaning letters appearing on the letters page of the Advertiser. more...

Animal tests are so wrong

IN answer to Cathy Gibbs' letter (SA, March 8), how on earth can any human being in their right mind allow or sanction any form of research carried out on animals? more...

Wrong message

THANKS to Nicholas Gough's letter regarding Melinda Messenger I now realise the extent to which the poor woman has suffered. more...

Mystery solved

I THINK Swindon's celebrity tree (SA,Elvis? No, it's George Michael,' March 10) bears more than a passing resemblance to Norville Rogers, better known as Shaggy from Scooby-Doo. more...

Mystery solved

I THINK Swindon's celebrity tree (SA, Elvis? No, it's George Michael,' March 10) bears more than a passing resemblance to Norville Rogers, better known as Shaggy from Scooby-Doo. more...

Plant an idea

I SEE that Thames Water is introducing a hosepipe ban. more...

Swindon Music

Anton Barbeau - Beehive

MARCH 16, 2006 SWINDON: CREEPING from the underworld of the cult artist with stealth and psychedelic power pop is the man they call Anton Barbeau. more...

Swindon News

Toy gift brings joy to families

THREE hundred pounds worth of toys have brought joy to young families in Pinehurst. more...

Tributes paid to car crash victims

THE devastated families of car crash victims Toby Baldwin and Ian Burt have this week paid tribute to their beloved, smiling sons who will be missed by many. more...

Tributes paid to car crash victims

THE devastated families of car crash victims Toby Baldwin and Ian Burt have this week paid tribute to their beloved, smiling sons who will be missed by many. more...

Colleagues recall men of great character

SWINDON College's construction department at Kembrey Park, where crash victim Ian Burt worked as a technician, was closed on Monday as a mark of respect. more...

Girls at computer club aren’t afraid of mice

GIRLS at Churchfields School in Swindon are having their eyes opened to the world of computers. more...

Firms give van to food bank

THE Swindon Food Bank is celebrating after being given a new van. Causeway SAAB, JB Signs and Pastiche Art Studio have clubbed together to help launch the Swindon Food Bank van. more...

Festival to go ahead despite loss of sponsor

ORGANISERS still struggling to find a sponsor for the Swindon Mela say the festival will still go ahead on a smaller scale if one doesn't come forward. more...

Windfall for health trust is short lived

HEALTH chiefs in Swindon have been given an extra £765,000 because the Government is changing a controversial grant scheme. more...

Siblings’ win puts the wind into their sails

Colebrook Junior School pupils Jamie and Emma Matthews have won £500 worth of shares in the forthcoming wind farm at Watchfield for their school. more...

Landscape gardener is jailed for 14 months

LANDSCAPE gardener and former drug addict Neil Baker-Smith has been sentenced to 14 months in prison for a string of motoring and other offences. more...

Mother tells about her drug addict son’s shame

HEROIN addict Mark Stuart killed himself because he was ashamed of his life, an inquest has heard. more...

Speedway staff race to rescue stolen leathers

SWINDON Robins speedway staff set off in hot pursuit of a thief making off with gear owned by one of their riders on Sunday. more...

Microchip reunites cat and his owner

WHEN Rex the cat went missing last May, his owner Michelle McHugh thought he would come back when he was hungry. more...

Who are the best social care staff?

A CAMPAIGN to find the social care stars of 2006 has been launched. more...

Sufferers get forum to talk to each other

A SUPPORT group for cancer sufferers in Swindon has officially opened its doors. more...

Loophole lets off anti-social yobs

YOBS convicted of breaking dispersal orders face being let off because of a legal loophole. more...

Loophole lets off anti-social yobs

YOBS convicted of breaking dispersal orders face being let off because of a legal loophole. more...

Loophole lets off ani-social yobs

YOBS convicted of breaking dispersal orders face being let off because of a legal loophole. more...

Loophole lets off anti-social yobs

YOBS convicted of breaking dispersal orders face being let off because of a legal loophole. more...

Beekeeper died days after sting

A BEEKEEPER died after being stung by one of his own insects, an inquest heard. more...

Youth was attacked at bus stop

POLICE are hunting a group of youths after a teenage boy was attacked at a bus stop. more...

Three guilty of drug offences

THREE of the men arrested in a series of drugs raids across the town have pleaded guilty to offences of dealing. more...

These sums don't add up

AT a time when the Government has won its controversial vote on education reforms, Lyndsay Scanlan reports on the school funding dilemma facing Swindon more...

These sums don't add up

AT a time when the Government has won its controversial vote on education reforms, Lyndsay Scanlan reports on the school funding dilemma facing Swindon. more...

These sums don't add up

AT a time when the Government has won its controversial vote on education reforms, Lyndsay Scanlan reports on the school funding dilemma facing Swindon. more...

As hosepipe ban is introduced, burst main floods field

AS THOUSANDS of households across Swindon prepare for a hosepipe ban, one Swindon playing field was getting a good soaking because of a burst water main. more...

‘Our Toby was in the prime of his life’

THE FAMILY of Toby Baldwin, who was killed in a car crash on Friday, have paid tribute to a wonderful son and brother'. more...

Crackdown on vandals

A CRACKDOWN on the scourge of vandalism is to be launched in Swindon. more...

Air tattoo show for jazz singer Clare

JAZZ star Clare Teal will be dazzling the crowds at this year's Royal International Air Tattoo. more...

Well read adventure

TIME is running out for readers who want to take part in the Great Reading Adventure. more...

Computer to call up the police

A £20-MILLION computer system to make courts work more efficiently has been introduced. more...

Computer to call up the police

A £20-MILLION computer system to make courts work more efficiently has been introduced. more...

Second victory at Crufts for teenager

A TEENAGE dog owner has won a prestigious award at Crufts for the second time. more...

They look neat upon the seat of a bicycle made for two...

THE Mayor of Swindon, Ray Fisher, and Swindon Council chief executive, Sir Mike Pitt, showed off their pedal power to get this year's Spring Into Action Festival up and running. more...

They look neat upon the seat of a bicycle made for two...

THE Mayor of Swindon, Ray Fisher, and Swindon Council chief executive, Sir Mike Pitt, showed off their pedal power to get this year's Spring Into Action Festival up and running. more...

Food, glorious food

THE days of eating sandwiches in the classroom are over at Lawn Primary School. more...

Writing on the wall’s a winner

A BIG graffiti board has helped get troubled youngsters back on track. more...

Students study Fairtrade idea

PUPILS from Wootton Bassett School joined staff at North Wiltshire District Council to find out more about Fairtrade Fortnight. more...

Donor John gets award

FOR anyone worried about giving blood John Clark has some friendly advice it's better than a trip to the dentist. more...