Archive
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Castle Inn, Castle Combe
WE arrived at the Castle Inn in Castle Combe by bicycle a glorious run down the wooded combe with wonderful sights of spring flowers including bluebells and anenomes. It had taken three children and me about two hours to bike from near Bradford on
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Sarah’s big idea proves a winner
PEOPLE won't have to worry about where they left their car keys in the future if six-year-old Sarah Harris has anything to do with it. The Pinehurst Infant School pupil has designed a magic car that opens and starts by recognising the driver's handprint
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Computer company is in pole position
A Wiltshire company has signed on with Honda Racing to help them with data storage. NCE Computer Group & Associates, based on the Porte Marsh Industrial Estate in Calne, has become an official team supplier for the 2006 season. NCE, along with its associates
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An enterprising idea for women
More women in Swindon are starting up in business thanks to Women into Enterprise, run from the Small Business Hub at the Oakfield Campus of the University of Bath in Swindon, Walcot. It finished its second year of business training for women at the
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Key question
HAVING "lost" a largish group of people that were under lock and key, can we trust Charles Clarke to keep our identity safe on his National Identity Register? I would say, no. L WARREN Broad Town Swindon
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Poor health
IT has been announced that 200 jobs are to go at the Great Western Hospital in Swindon. New Labour has reformed financial controls so that hospitals now have to balance their books. This has resulted in half of the hospitals in the country having to
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Was my vote just a waste?
WE are constantly told that not voting is a waste. After finding the time to analyse the campaigns of each party I soon found none of their ideas really appealed to me and the party I would really like to have given my vote to had nobody representing
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Argument all smoke and mirrors
I agree with every word R Feal-Martinez has written in his excellent letter (SA, May 8). There is not an ounce of truth in the fallacy that passive smoking is harmful. Perhaps a member of ASH could tell us how many death certificates have been issued
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It’s a game of monopoly
CALLS for compulsory voting by the Institute for Public Policy Research have missed the main reason why so many now fail to vote. The main reason, in my view, is due to the three big parties no longer commanding respect and being unworthy of our trust
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A case of want to work, but can’t work
I RECENTLY heard on the radio about teenagers and their so-say bad attitude towards work and getting a job. I'm not saying that this isn't true but I have a 141/2-year-old daughter who is desperate for a little weekend job and cannot get one anywhere
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Offensive for non-smokers
MR R Feal-Martinez, in answer to your letter we non-smokers are not complaining just on the issue of proving passive smoking is harmful. Have you lost the plot? We non-smokers don't have to prove anything, we choose to be non-smokers for lots of reasons
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School workshop gives young dancers a chance to shine
GIFTED dancers can hone their talent thanks to a dance partnership. Swindon Dance has been working with the Department for Education and Skills (DfES) to develop workshops for young people who have a flair for fancy footwork, The Dance Academy, for
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Assisted death bill floundering
A SWINDON peer is today battling to save his controversial bid to change the law to allow doctors to help terminally ill people die. But Lord Joffe's Assisted Dying for the Terminally Ill Bill has become the focus of a co-ordinated attack from medical
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Authors talk of love and paranoia
AUTHORS Mark Lawson and Julie Myerson entertained an audience of more than 50 book lovers at the Arts Centre. The duo interviewed each other on their latest literary offerings as part of the Swindon Festival of Literature yesterday. Mr Lawson, an award-winning
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The secrets are revealed
NED Sherrin, king of the quotation and the absolute authority on the anecdote, has revealed the secret of getting on television. But it wasn't quite what everyone was expecting to hear. Rather than years of work experience or perhaps, dare one say
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Reform key to dealers’ terms
A MASSIVE majority of Advertiser readers think four drug dealers who were busted by undercover police should have got longer sentences, according to a poll. But police say it is about rehabilitating the men as well as punishing them. As reported in
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Still time to join charity bike ride
PEOPLE in Swindon are being encouraged to take part in the Cancer Research UK's bike ride challenge, which will be held on Sunday. The circular route covers 16 miles, beginning and ending at Lydiard House, travelling through Purton, Flaxlands and Hook
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One way as burst main investigated
THAMES Water's investigations are continuing into the burst water main. The Old Town end of Mill Lane is now partially open after water beneath the road burst buckling the surface. The road is open to one-way traffic only as engineers from Thames Water
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Follow your interests at day school
SWINDON residents have the opportunity to join fellow enthusiasts attending a summer day school at the University of Bath in Swindon. Whether you want to explore your local area or the thinking behind philosophical beliefs, write your own music or design
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Tune up for the big time
THE town's top bands have a stab at stardom with the help of some digital wizardry and the Swindon Advertiser. Swindon is a town loaded with musical talent. So much so that we are offering bands the chance to prove themselves with a nationwide internet
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Riding spurs Wilf on
AFTER a hard day's work, a night in front of the soaps was not enough to keep Wilf Voss entertained. Instead, as darkness drew in, he would go to his office where his inspiration would flow. And as the 34-year-old bashed away on his keyboard, rattling
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Pensioners will need help after accounts axed
A REPLACEMENT must be found fast for 5,500 Swindon pensioners who will lose their post office card accounts, MPs have been warned. Many elderly people will be unable to receive their state pension at a bank when the accounts are controversially axed,
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"We will miss your smile...."
JOYCE Pilot made every day of her 100-year life special. But two weeks before celebrating her 101st birthday she died at home in Goddard Avenue, Swindon with her daughter Sylvia by her side. And the 68-year-old says she will miss her mum's smile and
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‘It was a big cry for help’
A SWINDON dad accused of trying to kill his children has told a court he was acting out a fantasy game. The 36-year-old said it was a cry for help after his eight-year relationship with their mum came to an end. The case at Bristol Crown Court was held
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Youngsters get fun place to play
HOURS of hard work in the wet have paid off for Toothill Youth Group and executives from BP. The group has transformed Toothill Farm, in Bodiam Drive and it has just been officially opened by Swindon Mayor Ray Fisher. The site, which is undergoing a
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Games add a sponsor
RESULTS sheets and athletes' numbers will be in plentiful supply after the UK Corporate Games secured another high-profile sponsor. Stationery firm Staples UK will be giving its backing to the games, which come to Swindon on the weekend of June 2 to
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Inn with plans for the future
OLD Town could soon lose part of one of its most historic landmarks. Unable to battle against fierce competition from big hotel chains, the Goddard Arms Hotel has applied for permission to reduce in size and give part of the site over to houses. Plans
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Couple accused of killing daughter
A HUSBAND and wife from Swindon who are accused of killing their daughter will enter a plea in June. Neil Baker, 28, and his wife, Alison, 24, both of Brunsdon Close, Swindon, are accused of the manslaughter of Kimberly Baker, who died on April 26 last
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Sean's Bean here
WHEN one of the country's hottest directors asked if he could shoot part of his new movie on one of their planes, RAF Lyneham was only too happy to help. And actor Sean Bean was at the airbase to film scenes for the new Nick Love film Outlaw. Film company
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Stonehenge recreated
PLANS are afoot to re-create Stonehenge how it would have looked 4,000 years ago. Fragments of only three stone circles remain, but quarry firm Preseli Bluestone wants to build all seven from scratch. It hopes to compete the circles by 2009 and the
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North Wilts sit down
HOCKEY: North Wilts Hockey Club held their annual dinner and dance at the Thistle Hotel. The event was organised by the new vice chairman of the club, Camilla Yerbury, and Darren Cragg, and hosted by the president, Dave Bell, and the chairman, Neil
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More are stubbing out the cigarettes
NEW figures show that the number of people giving up smoking in Avon, Gloucestershire and Wiltshire rose by 10 per cent last year. The number of people who have kicked the habit rose from 7,967 for the period of April 2003 to December 2004 and increased
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Cameron bowls over Bassett
CAMERON Baden took 3-11 as Swindon defeated Wootton Bassett by 10 runs in the Under 11 Blue Division of the Wiltshire Youth Cricket League. Baden also weighed in with the bat, contributing 10 as Swindon reached 91-6 in their innings. Bassett, who
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Keep fit with six-a-side
LEISURE Leagues six-a-side football is running over the summer with more than 40 teams playing on a weekly basis. However, they are looking for new teams to join the league that runs on a Sunday between 3.30pm and 9.30pm. Teams can be made up from
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Sanctuary’s new centre is unveiled
"WE'VE got the service, and we don't want people to be scared of using it." This is the message from the manager of Swindon's new sexual assault referral centre, which was officially unveiled yesterday. The New Swindon Sanctuary has been open since
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Departing Adam tips the Wildcats
ADAM Walker is tipping Swindon Wildcats for play-off glory next season after departing for Manchester in what he describes as the hardest decision of his life'. The 19-year-old Great Britain junior was voted Britain's best for Swindon last season with
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Shelley settling for the quiet life
SHELLEY Rudman is looking forward to dropping her new celebrity status in return for re-focusing on her dream of gold in Vancouver 2010. The Swindon-born slider stole the hearts of a nation in February when she won skeleton bobsleigh Olympic silver
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Why doc made a 200-mile trip
A DOCTOR from Leeds was called to examine sex assault victims in Swindon because the town's specialist centre had closed, it has been revealed. An orthopaedic locum registrar from Yorkshire was paid to carry out crucial evidence-gathering work last month
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Top-10 finish for Leppan
COVINGHAM'S Peter Leppan earned a 10th place finish in the second outing at the Little Rissington kart track in the Junior Rotax competition. His lap times from the first heat in the morning compared to his times in the final and he was now racing
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Glamour return for Howell
GOLF: DAVID Howell was ending his month-long injury exile from competitive golf in one of the glamour groups at the Quinn Direct British Masters this morning. Howell, who hasn't played since his top-20 finish at the Masters last month, was joined by
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Gafurov misses the champions
RENAT GAFUROV is out of the Swindon Robins side to face 2005 Elite League champions Coventry Bees tonight and will be replaced by Ritchie Hawkins. He missed last week's big win over Oxford and is unavailable for a second successive Thursday owing to
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Miller vows to silence the critics
JUSTIN Miller has vowed to help Highworth silence the mockers after returning to the Elms for his fourth spell at the club, writes ANDY CRYER. The mercurial striker started at Highworth when he was just a starry-eyed youngster and now 10 years and
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Holgate gets ready to ‘kick on’
KICK on again and quick' is Ashan Holgate's philosophy as he comes to terms with the prospect of life in the professional ranks. The 19-year-old should pen a one-year deal very shortly and report for senior duty when pre-season training gets underway
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There’s no rush for Sean
SEAN O'Hanlon says he would be a fool' to pen a deal without weighing up all his options but remains committed to a speedy career decision. The Town skipper is mulling over a two-year County Ground contract and has yet to open negotiations with any
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Lewis ready to take his chance
JON Lewis is determined to make the most' of his latest England chance, writes ANDY CRYER. Speaking ahead of this morning's squad announcement for today's First Test against Sri Lanka at Lord's, Lewis refused to get his England hopes up but claims
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Drivers are facing four months of road misery
DRIVERS are facing more delays in Wootton Bassett. Roadworks on the High Street have been extended and there is now a three-way temporary traffic light system at the mini-roundabout, which is causing delays. The roadworks began in March and are expected
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Sarah’s big idea proves a winner
PEOPLE won't have to worry about where they left their car keys in the future if six-year-old Sarah Harris has anything to do with it. The Pinehurst Infant School pupil has designed a magic car that opens and starts by recognising the driver's handprint
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£13,000 of PCs taken in burglary
THIEVES have stolen £13,000 worth of computer equipment from a Swindon door manufacturer. The burglars broke into the premises of Premdor, on the Groundwell Industrial Estate, twice over two nights, on Monday and Tuesday, between 11pm and midnight.
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MPs vow to look at state of car plants
A COMMITTEE of MPs is to mount an inquiry into the car industry to investigate why some firms have a thriving base in the UK while others close plants, it has been announced. The Trade And Industry Select Committee said it will consider how firms made
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Council in U-turn over car parking
PEOPLE power has forced Swindon Council to back-flip on its new one-house, one-parking permit rules in the town centre. A special meeting of the council decided yesterday to allow all homes in Old Town and the town centre two parking passes per household
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How would you like Sir Mike’s Job?
If you get it, your rewards will be: £195,000 salary. A car loan scheme and...a FREE Swindon Card! SWINDON'S new council boss can expect a pay packet of at least £195,000 and a free Swindon Card. The council yesterday launched its hunt for a replacement
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Lodges may get go-ahead
FORMER newspaper tycoon Eddy Shah's plans for holiday lodges near Wootton Bassett look likely to get the go-ahead. Officers from North Wiltshire District Council are set to urge councillors to give the green light to the multi-million pound plans when
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Pervert took pictures of youngsters
A MAN has admitted taking illicit pictures of children at the Oasis and the Milton Road swimming baths. William Pollard, 52, pleaded guilty to making seven indecent images of children between September 2003 and September last year. At Swindon Crown
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Raiders filmed as they struck
THIS is the dramatic moment that thieves smashed their way into a Swindon supermarket in a cement mixer lorry. Police have released CCTV pictures of the incident at the Somerfield store in Hyde Road, Upper Stratton last month. The hoodie-wearing gang
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What another waste of money
PATIENTS who fail to turn up for appointments at the Great Western Hospital are costing the National Health Service nearly £2.6m a year, new figures show. A survey of NHS trusts revealed that 22,563 patients failed to show up for appointments at Swindon's
