Archive
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No end in sight to flooding problem
WROUGHTON residents are bunkering down with sandbags as they are left to face floodwaters on their own. Baker’s Road has been hit with some of the worst of the recent floods, as its defences have been unable to contain the surge of water threatening
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Our thanks are due to all the town’s stalwart charity workers
SO 2014 is already a week old, but this is my first opportunity to wish you a happy new year. As we pack away the last of the Christmas decorations, I want to say thank you to the many charities, community groups and volunteers who do such vital work
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Letters to the editor 8/01/2014
First floods then drought I read with interest the article on flood water in the Swindon area. I am not surprised to see the photos at all. Think about where Swindon is and how water has to flow away from it, basically ditches, streams and of course
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How much should councillors be paid? You decide!
THE search is on for someone who can help decide how much Swindon’s councillors should be paid. Swindon Borough Council is looking for a new person to serve on an independent five-strong panel which recommends the allowances and amounts of money
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Weather halts production at Honda
PRODUCTION at the Honda Manufacturing Factory near South Marston has been halted for two days as bad weather has meant parts cannot be delivered to the UK. The factory lines have all been shut down as the company waits for the components to arrive
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FAMILY: Walkies will work wonders
Matt Whittaker, manager of Pets At Home Swindon, writes about keeping fit With 2014 now upon us, many people will be keen to get fitter and burn off all those extra Christmas calories. And if you have a dog, then it’s the perfect excuse to
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FAMILY: Why not make a day of it
AVEBURY AND THE RIDGEWAY It is best to regard this walk as an all-day expedition as there is so much to see and speculate upon. Starting point Sanctuary and Ridgeway car park on the A4. Park on the north side of the A4 (GR 118681) Return
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Remember when: Birthday Surprises
TWO of the 1967 Christmas mums we mentioned in Rewind a fortnight ago have come forward to share their memories. The children of Celeste Marcarella and Gillian Binsted were among eight born at the Swindon Maternity and Victoria hospitals that day
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Residents win 40-year battle over GWH path
A FORTY-year battle by residents to have a path which can help them reach the Great Western Hospital has finally been won. The surfacing of the path, which stretches from Okebourne Park up to the Sedgebrook roundabout on Liden Drive, was completed
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Council's £18m section 106 money yet to be used
IT HAS been revealed that Swindon Council has £18m of unallocated funds from building developers, the largest of any local authority. The BBC sent Freedom Of Information Requests to all local authorities to find out how much section 106 money has
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Sorry tale of the strolling stones...after Mr Frost was frozen out
STANLEY Frost – ex-prisoner of war, artist, electricity board employee and, as it transpires, a true romantic - is walking through Swindon shopping centre when he is stopped dead in his tracks. He cannot believe his eyes. He is aghast. Bulldozers
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Prime Minister backs calls to ban killer legal high AMT
PRIME Minister David Cameron has supported calls for killer legal high, AMT, to be banned during Prime Minister’s Questions this afternoon. South Swindon MP, Robert Buckland, asked Cameron about whether anything would be done to ban the synthetic
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Dutch firm invests in South Marston solar farm plan
ENECO, the new investor in the solar farm near South Marston, has never before worked on solar energy projects in the UK. The Dutch sustainable energy company has been operating in the UK renewable market since 2008, but has yet to dip its toe
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Swindon link as police release images of men wanted in rape investigation
AVON and Somerset Police have released CCTV images of two men, possibly from Swindon, who they would like to speak to in connection with a rape investigation in Bristol. A 24-year-old woman contacted police on Friday to report that she had been
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Meeting date
ROYAL WOOTTON BASSETT: The next Amenities and Planning meeting will take place tomorrow at 7.30pm in the Council Chamber at the Civic Centre in Station Road. Visit www.royalwoottonbassett.gov.uk.
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Burst pipe flood
MOREDON: Wiltshire Fire and Rescue were called out to a care home in Maple Court after a burst water pipe flooded the building. An appliance from Westlea attended the scene to help divert the water and soak up the flooding.
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Caravan on fire
WROUGHTON: Firefighters were called out to Hay Lane on Saturday after a caravan full of rubbish was found alight. An appliance from Westlea attended the scene at about 12.55am and the fire was extinguished. There was an amount of low-lying smoke which
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Witness plea as yobs strike
ROYAL WOOTTON BASSETT: Police are still appealing for witnesses after several cars were damaged in Brynards Park on Christmas Eve. About 10 cars had their windscreen wipers and blades snapped and broken late on December 24 and into the early hours
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Delays for drivers
STRATTON: Two-way signals are in place from today in Highworth Road until Friday, while Thames Water relay a service pipe in the road. Delays are expected for motorists.
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Messy church fun
FERNDALE: Messy Church, a free family event for children with accompanying adults, will be held at St Barnabas’ Church from 11am to 1pm on January 18, with crafts, refreshments, games and food. For more information call Brenda on 01793 339742.
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Delays expected
STRATTON: Traffic controls are set to create long delays in Bridge End Road and Gipsy Lane while Wales and West Utilities carry out work at the petrol station in the road. Work starts today and should end on January 13.
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Brides' invitation
LYDIARD: Lydiard House Wedding Fair takes place on January 12 from 11am to 3pm. There will be a variety of suppliers. For more information email info@lovetoplan.co.uk or call 01793 874007.
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Street pastors call for recruits
SWINDON: Swindon Street Pastors are looking for new recruits. Pastors help by calling for taxis, staying with vulnerable people, providing tissues, flipflops and a listening ear. For further information contact Anne Gray on swindon@streetpastors.org.uk
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Rocking good fun
SWINDON: Shepherd’s Pie play classic rock covers from 9pm, at The Rolleston, Commercial Road, for a free gig on Saturday. For more details call 01793 534238.
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Pirate folk music
HOOK: Missin’ Rosie, a pirate folk band with support from Fist Full Of Foozy, play a free gig from 7pm at Riffs Bar, Greatfield, on Saturday. Call 01793 778304.
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Woman taken to hospital after crashing into stationary milk float
A MILK float has been smashed up in a road traffic collision at Marston Farm in Broad Town, early this morning. A black Renault Clio was being driven by a woman down Broadtown Road when she collided with the stationary milk float. The float
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Drivers warned
SWINDON: Possible disruption will continue in Queen’s Drive today, while Thames Water continues installation of a water meter in the footway.
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Delays possible
WROUGHTON: BT begins roadworks in Wharf Road today. Two-way signals will be in operation near to the Maunsell Way junction, and are likely to cause significant disruption for motorists. The work is scheduled for completion on Friday.
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Secrets from war revealed
CHISELDON: The first meeting of the year for the Chiseldon Local History Group will be on Wednesday, January 15 when John Winterburn will be talking about The Shetland Bus SOE Operations in Norway in the Second World War. John is a member of CLHG and
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Market date set
WROUGHTON: Wroughton Country Market will re-open for business on Friday, February 7, from 9am until 11am.
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Traffic held up
STRATTON: Stop and go boards are being used by Southern Electric to regulate traffic in Azelin Court until tomorrow. The company is rectifying customer complaints in the street but may cause disruption to vehicles during the work.
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Take partners
WROUGHTON: The Wroughton Support Group, which raises money for Prospect Hospice, will host a barn dance at the Ellendune Community Centre on March 22, from 7.30pm to 11pm. A band is yet to be confirmed. There will be a bar, snacks and a raffle.
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Help out in the home library
SWINDON: The Swindon Home Library Service, run by the Royal Voluntary Service in partnership with Swindon Council, is looking to expand and significantly increase the number of customers they can deliver books. If you have three hours spare once
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A Rosie night
HOOK: Missin’ Rosie, a folk band with support from Fist Full of Foozy play from 7pm, at Riffs Bar, Greatfield on saturday, January 11. Admission free. For more details call 01793 778304.
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Let's get reading
WROUGHTON: Bookworms are invited to join Wroughton Library Readers’ Group. The club meets on the last Friday of every month between 11am and 12pm. For more details call 01793 798112.
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Join us for a walk
OLD TOWN: Shake off the Christmas bulge with a walk to Hens’ Wood with the Ramblers Northeast Wilts group who meet at 10am, in Marlborough Road, on Saturday. For more details call 01793 616346.
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Help for disabled
SWINDON: People with disabilities in Swindon can now buy equipment such as mobility scooters and wheelchairs from the comfort of their own home on SEQOL’s website. To find out more about ordering equipment online or the social enterprise go on www.seqolathome.co.uk
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A panto finale
SWINDON: The popular fairytale of Sleeping Beauty rounds off the pantomime season from the Immanuel Dramatic Society on Saturday, January 11 running until Saturday, January 18, from 7.30pm, in the Immanuel Church Hall, Upham Road. Tickets are £6
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Toilet humour
LYDIARD: Parishioners at All Saints in Lydiard Millicent have created a calendar of photographs illustrating toilet euphemisms in a bid to raise £50,000 to build loos at the church. All Saints’ goal is to be able to build the new toilet by August 2014
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Cinematic treats for Cricklade
CRICKLADE: Cinephiles will have plenty to enjoy at Cricklade filmhouse over the next few months. On January 28 the cinema will show The Impossible starring Ewan McGregor and Naomi Watts. February’s film is Some Like It Hot while Sunshine on Leith will
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Could you be a foster parent?
WILTSHIRE: Foster parents are needed to offer a safe and loving home to children in Wiltshire. The county has 434 children in its care; 77 per cent of them are currently being looked after in foster care. Although 225 foster families care for 226 of
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Question time on University Technical College
SWINDON: An event entitled What Will The New University Technical College Offer Swindon? Will be held at Intel in Pipers Way on January 14 from 6.40pm. It will be based on the format of BBC’s Question Time and is your oppportunity to raise the questions
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Admissions date
COUNTY: The closing date for primary school applications for September 2014 admissions is 12pm on January 15. For more information and to apply online visit www.wiltshire.gov.uk/ schoolseducationandlearning/ schoolsandcolleges/school admissions.htm
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Pool players aid hospital
SWINDON: The Great Western Hospital will receive £150 after locals at a Marlborough pub held a pool tournament. Trevor Stannard, the landlord of the Bear, led about 20 people in the competition, which was won by Andy Hughes. Andy even donated his
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TV underwater cameraman tells tales of his work
SWINDON Sub-Aqua Club is inviting people to attend a talk by BBC under water cameraman Doug Allan, who has worked on natural life programmes with David Attenborough and spent more than 8,000 hours under water. Doug is responsible for much of the
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Track flooding causes huge disruptions for train passengers
FLOODING on the railway line between Swindon and Bristol Parkway is causing massive disruption to the trains running through the area. The line between Swindon and Bristol has opened within the last 90 minutes, with all services currently running
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Go dry to aid cancer fund
TIME is running out for men and women in the South West to sign up to Dryathlon. Registrations for Cancer Research UK’s New Year fundraising challenge close on January 12. A recent Dryathlon survey found that almost two out of three people in the
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Bertie's missing
A MALE cat called Bertie went missing from Elcombe, near Wroughton on January 1. He is grey with a white triangle on his face and a pink nose. He also has a white 'apron' and tummy, white toes and is microchipped. His owners recently moved from Nine
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Library party time
RODBOURNE CHENEY: Moredon and Rodbourne Cheney Library is celebrating its 40th year being in its current building and its 60th year of serving the local community. A birthday tea party will be held tomorrow at 2pm with a tombola, quiz, music and more
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Centre calls for helpers
VOLUNTEERS are needed to serve at Lawn Community Centre. The association, run entirely by volunteers, provides social, educational and welfare opportunities for users and the wider community. An LCA spokesman said: “We are always anxious to
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Fostering advice
SWINDON: Community Foster Care will be at the Outlet Village on January 14 from 10am to 6pm to urge shoppers to find out about fostering. Foster carers come from all walks of life and can be single, married or divorced, male or female. They must be
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Witnesses sought
GORSE HILL: Police are appealing for witnesses after a man was assaulted by another man as he walked along Whitehouse Road, by St Marks Park, between 1am and 1.10am on New Years Day. The suspect was in his mid 20s, 5ft 6ins to 5ft 7ins and of stocky
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Expect delays
TOWN CENTRE: Thames Water may cause disruption and delays for motorists in Commercial Road for the rest of this week. From today, it will carry out a reinstatement of the carriageway in the road. There will only be signing in place to make drivers
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Bulb overheated
RODBOURNE CHENEY: Firefighters were called out to Cheney Manor Road on Friday after a resident reported a smell of burning. Firefighters attended the property and discovered an overheated lightbulb.
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Floods held back
WROUGHTON: Wiltshire Fire and Rescue were called out to East Baker’s Road at around 10.30am on Saturday after rising waters began to threaten people’s homes. Appliances from Swindon, Westlea, and Stratton attended to help ease the flood waters and
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Van flipped over on motorway
M4: Wiltshire Fire and Rescue were called to an accident at around 4.35am yesterday morning after a van had turned on its side. Firefighters were called out to the eastbound carriageway between junction 15 and Membury services when a male driver
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Witnesses sought over vehicle break-in and assault
WILTSHIRE Police are appealing for witnesses following an alleged vehicle break in and assault. The incident took place in Gooch Street, at approximately 8.30pm on December 27. A man was seen breaking into a Lexus vehicle parked on the street.
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Work shuts road
RODBOURNE: Southern Electric has started work in Iffley Road which will close the road for the entire month. Until January 31, the energy firm will be working between the footpath at the east end of the road, the Hawksworth underpass and the Rodbourne
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Man granted bail
SWINDON: Farid Ali, 37, of Manchester Road, who is accused of dealing in hard drugs has been released on bail by a judge. He is said to have had heroin, cocaine and heroin substitute, buprenorphine, with intent to supply on July 12. He did not
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OAP on child sex charges
SWINDON: Pensioner William Chamberlain, who is accused of sexually abusing a young girl in the 1970s has been released on bail by a judge. He faces a number of allegations of indecent assault and gross indecency with a child, starting in 1971.
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Appeal for witnesses after Bridge Street theft
WILTSHIRE Police are appealing for witnesses following a theft which took place in Swindon town centre. At approximately 12.50pm on Friday, December 20, 2013 a black laptop style bag was stolen from outside the Liquor Lounge nightclub on Bridge
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Betteridge and Okanagan trio in GB Under-20s squad for World Championships
SWINDON Wildcats forward Ollie Betteridge and three members of the Link Centre-based Okanagan Academy UK have been selected for Great Britain Under-18s ahead of their forthcoming World Under-18 Championship campaign (Division 2A) in Scotland. Betteridge's
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Family: Fitness with Amy Martin of Sustrans
The New Year is a prime time for making bold resolutions to improve your life. Likely promises include eating and drinking less, keeping healthy and spending less money. But did you know that last year more than 40% of people gave up their
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FAMILY: It’s okay to be knocked down ...as long as you never quit
Life has dealt single mum Rebecca Connolly a few blows, but she has fought back with the help of white collar boxing. EMMA DUNN reports WHEN Rebecca Connolly’s marriage ended, she used it as an opportunity to take on a new challenge. The mother-of-four
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Woman cut free from crash on M4 junction 15
EMERGENCY services have swarmed to M4 junction 15 after a two-car collision left a woman needing to be cut free from her car. The woman was reportedly unconscious in her silver Vauxhall Astra following the incident at 8.10am this morning on the
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Swindon Robins thank their sponsors for helping hand
SWINDON Robins have said thank you to Excalibur and Pebley Beach for their temporary custodianship that ensured the club could make it through until the end of the season. The move by the Robins’ two local sponsors ensured the survival of the club
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Swindon Robins release statement after Morris asks to for a transfer
SWINDON Robins yesterday released a statement in the wake of Nick Morris’s transfer request to the BSPA. The statement, which was issued at 3pm on Tuesday, addresses an alleged move for the Australian youngster by Premier League outfit Sheffield
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HELLENIC LEAGUE: Wootton Bassett clash is rearranged
Wootton Bassett Town’s Hellenic Division One West clash with Wantage Town has been rescheduled for Tuesday, March 18 with kick-off at 7.45pm. The game, originally scheulded for January 4, was called off due to a waterlogged pitch at Alfredian Park
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Lechlade ready to get back in training
Lechlade begin their senior winter training schedule on Sunday, February 2 at Farmors School in Fairford. The session will take place between noon and 1.30pm every Sunday in the build-up to the new campaign, as the Gloucestershire County Champions
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EQUESTRIAN: Spence after a new groom
Local eventer Georgie Spence is on the lookout for a new groom for her Lock Farm stable in Foxham. The position being advertised by Spence is a full-time member of staff, working five and a half days a week, from 8am to 5.30pm. The role involves
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Rain is not a pain for Supermarine
WITH THE luxury of a floodlit pitch at their disposal, Supermarine aren’t letting the recent wet weather rain on their parade as they target promotion from Dorset & Wilts 1 North. Marine’s weekend clash with Devizes 2nds, like most of the local
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NON-LEAGUE: Games wiped out by the weather again
THE local non-league fixture list was once again wiped out by the elements yesterday. Chippenham Town’s Southern Premier League clash with Arlesey was first to go before Highworth Town announced that their Floodlit Cup tie at Wantage Town had also
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Swindon Town set to step up their search to replace Ranger
SWINDON Town will now target a new number nine to replace Nile Ranger after making their first signing of the January transfer window. The Robins yesterday completed the capture of former Brighton & Hove Albion striker George Barker on an 18
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After 44 years, I need a drink but only one
THE brewing days are over for drayman Trevor Blackford who delivered more than 250,000 of Arkell’s barrels over the last 44 years. The 65-year-old, from Overbrook, is enjoying a welcome rest after an eventful career, spent travelling the country
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Road closed as school is built
FROM today one of the major routes in North Swindon will be closed as it is upgraded in preparation for the building of a new primary school. Tadpole Lane is expected to be closed for several months. The school will be built as the first phase
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New dawn for staff and pupils at latest academy
NOVA Hreod Academy yesterday welcomed back its students and staff for the new year for its first day as an academy and its first day with its new name. The school has joined United Learning, a group of academies and independent schools. As part
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Damning report on standards at home
ONE of the three residential homes operated by Community Access Network has failed four of the five standards the public has a right to expect of it, according to the health watchdog. The community living project, based out of the Pembroke Centre
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GWH loses £20,000 worth of equipment
NEARLY £20,000 worth of equipment has gone missing from the wards of the Great Western Hospital and community health services over the past three years. A total of 206 items including thermometers and wheelchairs were reported lost by staff between
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Rail works left OAP with hearing loss
PENSIONER Aubrey Akers has slammed the working conditions he dealt with on a daily basis for 17 years at British Rail’s Swindon works which left him virtually deaf. The 72-year-old, of Rosemary Close, Haydon Wick, reached an out of court settlement
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Henderson's Sire De Grugy backed
Sire De Grugy is the star name with Sprinter Sacre understandably absent from the 19 entries in the Sodexho Clarence House Chase at Ascot on January 18. Gary Moore's chestnut capitalised when Sprinter Sacre swerved the Tingle Creek at Sandown,
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Swindon Town boss hails Lydiard Park Academy for training help
MARK Cooper has offered his thanks to Lydiard Park Academy for allowing his Swindon Town squad to train on their 3G facility during the poor recent weather. With Town’s Liddington training base flooded and the pitches there unplayable, Cooper turned
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Air ambulance rings in a new helicopter
A LEADING Wiltshire charity will be ringing in the changes as it prepares for a new start. Wiltshire Air Ambulance Charitable Trust has chosen a Bell 429 helicopter for when the contract for the existing shared helicopter with Wiltshire Police
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Morris hands in a transfer request at Swindon Robins
NICK Morris has handed in a transfer request as he bids to force a move away from Swindon Robins in order to further his career. The Australian has now submitted the request to both the club and the BSPA as he looks to leave Blunsdon after two
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Restaurant to raise Chinese New Year hospice cash
THE owner of the Oriental Aroma restaurant in Royal Wootton Bassett is asking schools to get in touch for the opportunity for youngsters to learn about Chinese New Year, discover the delights of Chinese food, and to help raise much-needed funds for
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1,000 children cope with domestic abuse
THE shocking number of children affected by domestic abuse in Swindon is revealed in a report put to the council’s Health And Wellbeing Board today. It shows that approximately 1,000 children each year are exposed to abuse within the home, usually
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Ready to turn the tide
THE DAILY deluge of rain is finally falling back after two weeks of disruptive weather. Yesterday morning many commuters were hit with severe delays as rain pummelled down on Swindon. Flooding between Swindon and Bristol Parkway caused delays
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Morrisons store work is delayed as wind rips off Three Tuns roof
STORMY winds took the roof clean off the former Three Tuns pub in Wroughton yesterday, setting construction work back three weeks. High gusts of wind and freezing rain swept around the town yesterday morning causing havoc for commuters and pedestrians
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Shedding the pounds raises cash
WHILE some are only just beginning to consider shedding those lingering Christmas pounds, health manager Corrina Sheridan is celebrating a weight loss of 28lbs in the name of charity. The 51-year-old, who has fluctuated in weight and attempted
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Residents can claim rebate on water bill
RESIDENTS in North Swindon are scooping up a post-Christmas treat after homeowner Duncan Evans explained how they could claim a rebate from Thames Water. Duncan, a resident in north Swindon and a member of the Priory Vale, Swindon group on Facebook
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Car dealer Kerry in triathlon challenge
CAR dealer Kerry Pearson is set to star in a new Channel 5 TV show, Wonga Challenge presents: Go Hard Or Go Home, after taking on the challenge of a lifetime. In January, viewers will follow the journey of 34-year-old Kerry as she takes on the
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Town hold Ngoo transfer talks
SWINDON Town could turn to Michael Ngoo to fill the void left by the imminent departure of Nile Ranger from the County Ground. The Advertiser understands Town have held preliminary discussions with Liverpool regarding the potential loan transfer
