Archive
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Quick work by council earns reward
NORTH Wiltshire District Council's planning department has been awarded a £185,712 grant from central Government. The money is a reward for its speed in decision making when dealing with planning applications. Since 2003 the district council has consistently
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Idea for new bird hide takes flight
FEATHERED friends will have a new place to socialise thanks to an artist-inspired bird hide. The new meeting place at Cleveland Lakes, near Ashton Keynes, has been created as part of the Aggregates Levy Sustainability Fund project and will sit among
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Safety tips for lovers
FIREFIGHTERS are warning lovers in Swindon to beware of candlelit dinners tomorrow night. Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service says couples planning a cosy night in should follow a series of safety tips such as making sure tealights are in proper candle
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MP experiences the appliance of science
SCIENTISTS and MPs are teaming up to discover the truth about each other's professions. South Swindon MP Anne Snelgrove visited Dr Kate Lancaster at the Science and Technology Facilities Council Rutherford Appleton Laboratory as part of a unique pairing
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Fete hangs in the balance
AN ANNUAL children's fete hangs in the balance after event organisers were unable to raise vital funds. The New Mechanics' Trust says if it can't get its hands on £2,000 in the next two weeks the Children's Fete in Faringdon Park will have to be cancelled
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Pals save the last dance for her
FRIENDS of Stratton teenager Chelsea Smith who tragically took her own life will dance at her funeral in her memory. Chelsea - a dedicated member of the Mcinernay School of Irish Dance - dreamed of one day making a living from her talent. Her fellow
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Tool up for charity
A GARDEN centre is inviting Swindon's green-fingered folk to trade in their old gardening tools for new ones this month to help people farm the land and grow food in Africa. Blooms Garden Centre in Hay Lane, Wroughton, is asking gardeners to assist with
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How Long Ago..?
IT’S now getting on for a month and a half since my last cigarette. In fact, it’s probably longer than that. To tell you the truth, I was never one to count the days, which only brings home to me how fortunate I’ve been in comparison to other giver-uppers
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Wilts lose unbeaten record
Badminton WILTSHIRE lost their unbeaten record in Division 1D of the Inter County Championship after a disappointing 12-3 reverse at Gloucestershire on Sunday. Gloucestershire boasted a much stronger team than the one that lost to Wiltshire in November
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Violet enjoys a special birthday celebration
VIOLET Shrive celebrated her 100th birthday surrounded by friends and serenaded by a singer belting out classic hits. The centenarian has been a resident at Four Seasons Care Home, in Rodbourne since 2005, after moving there from Wootton Bassett. Deirdre
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School may close if teachers strike
KINGSDOWN School headteacher Wendy Taylor says her school may be forced to shut if teachers choose to strike over pay. The National Union Of Teachers is to ballot members on a strike against the continued cutting of teachers' living standards. It comes
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Taylor Gill
Taylor Gill is in the sixth form at St. Joseph's Catholic College was nominated by his friend Emma.
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Lee Smith
Lee Smith, a corporal in the Army, was nominated by his wife lisa.
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Hammer attack jury retire to consider verdict
THE jury in the case of Henry Webster, who was attacked with a hammer on the tennis courts of Ridgeway School, have retired to consider their verdict. Wasif Khan, 18, of Caversham Close; Amjad Qazi, 19, of Broad Street; a 15-year-old boy and a 16 year-old
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WOMEN'S FOOTBALL: Gr-eight result for Spitfires Under 16s
Swindon Spitfires under 16s crushed Oxford City 8-2 in the Oxford Girls League. City, who went into the game with only 10 players, got off the mark in the first minute. Spits pulled level in the 13th minute. Georgia Walters' run and cross from the right
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How do you feel about your songs in adverts?
Q. I could ask you questions all the time, if allowed. Here's one: Here in 'President Kill'-country (US), I've noticed a lot more 'obscure' songs being used in TV commercials (Joe Jackson's "One More Time" in Taco Bell, The The's "This Is The Day" for
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Ever feel nostalgic?
Q. Hi Andy: Before anything, sorry about my English and now (from coast to coast) the question: Despite the fact that you can record music more easily nowadays, and spread across the world (i.e.WWW or FFF or whatever) do you feel nostalgic about the
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WOMEN'S FOOTBALL: Spitfires see off Chippenham
Swindon Spitfires beat Chippenham Town 2-0. Spitfires started well and in the eighth minute a cross from Jody Nicholls found Mel Bristow to head on for Claire White to finish. Spitfires continued to push forward and created many more chances. Their
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How's that finger of yours?
Q. Hello Andy, I'm waiting impatiently for some new fuzzy tunes but how is your left ring finger doing? I felt sad when you informed your loyal audience on FW#8 that you were afraid to be close to the kazoos S Warm regards, Thomas (age 51), Copenhagen
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What would you like us to take away from your music?
Q. Dear Andy, It's been 30 years since 'White Music' hit the streets, and now it seems to be the general consensus that XTC were one of the most important and influential bands to emerge since. Looking back -- through the personnel changes, punk snarls
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A fundamental question
Q. Why are women so different from guys? From...Your biggest fan stateside, saw you at Painter's Mill Music Fair (Baltimore, Maryland) with my ex-wife in 1982, unfortunately can't remember anything about the show (except Joan Jett spitting at us)...Jackson
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Sounds like early XTC...
Q. I'm sorry, but I assumed that he had asked you if he could make a 'SUPER-MASH' based on the music of XTC. I wrote him and he said he had to put the idea on the back-burner. Now, since I've got your attention, I'd like to ask you about one band who
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A game for your amusement
Q. Hello me 'aul chipped china, it's Thomas your shiny silverback friend and co-writer from dreary old Dublin town!! I invented this game a while back whilst driving to crappy gigs in a crappy van and thought you'd be the pefect man to play it. Pick
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Imagine the decadence...
Q. Dear Sir Partridge, As a long-time admirer of your supreme songwriting prowess, I have a somewhat esoteric question. Imagine for a moment that back in the early 80's, you had a string of platinum singles to your credit, became every bit as much a
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WOMEN'S FOOTBALL: Ladies beat Luton
SWINDON Town Ladies beat Luton Town 3-2 in a thrilling South West Combination League fixture at Aldbourne. The Town got off to a dream start and went ahead in the second minute. They won a corner on the left and Catherine Reid's kick was cleared, but
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NORTH BERKS LEAGUE: Last-gasp Faringdon stun Stanford
THERE was a dramatic finish to the local derby between Stanford-in-the-Vale and Faringdon Town Reserves in Division Three. Stanford, the home team, led 2-1 as the game went into time added on. They were stunned as Faringdon scored twice in 40 seconds
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Would you listen to amateurs like us?
Q. Hello Andy, I've been an XTC fan since 3D-EP, and actually got to hang out with you guys after a gig at Georgetown University in Washington, DC during your "Drums and Wires" tour. You told me then that you were friends with Bill Nelson (since John
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Remembering the old days
Q. Hi Rocky, how's it going?? I now live out in Mallorca been here since 81(have found a nice 4 piece band) cross between the Who/Yardbirds have produce few demo's (own materiel) but been out of the business for over 30 years now where do i begin??
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Advice on tinnitus
Q. Dear Andy, Very sorry to hear of your tinnitus, as I lost the hearing in my left ear after an assault in 2002 which put paid to my musical career, such as it was. I'm left but naught but a ringing ('that no one will pick up) where once existed the
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A musical shopping list
Q. Hello Andy, I've been into your music since about 2001 (I was born after 'Black Sea' came out, it's taken a while for me to catch up to your stuff) and now it's 2008 and I've gotten most of the XTC/Andy Partridge there is to get (within reason/availability
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How would you do things differently?
Q. I dabble in recording, but I promise not to say anything more about that. What I'm wondering is, knowing now what you didn't know when you began in the music 'industry', was it worth it? How would you do things differently? Having skimmed through Without
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Hello from Holland
Q. Hello Andy, I'm a Dutchman (& in my forties) and you guess: in possession of a lot XTC - and Fuzzy Warbles records. Unfortunately I was planning to see XTC in 1982 (PinkPop) but it never happened, alas. At the time there were a few live shows on
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How did you get to do that?
Q. Question one: As a fan of The Residents, I'd like to know how you got to sing on their wonderful "Commercial Album", and do you still enjoy what they do? Question two: Will the project proposed by Mark "Go Home Productions" Vidler ever happen? I hope
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Will Swindon ever produce another XTC?
Q. I'm in an unsigned Indie rock/pop band from Swindon. We're making melodic music centered around acoustic guitar and piano, kind of in a similar vein to Keane and Coldplay. The genre "indie" stretches far and wide, but we believe the kind of music we're
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Do you know John?
Q. This is a bit of an off topic question but I wondered if you have ever had any music dealings or connections with John McManus? John, who I've never personally, met is married to my cousin and has in the past played for a rock band called Mama's Boys
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Would you like this tape?
Q. I have in my possession a tape labelled 'XTC in concert' which I recorded from the BBC many years ago. Would you like a copy on CD? I could drop it into Colin (I live just around the corner from him) if so. Best, Martin (Failed and frustrated musician
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How can I sell my songs
Q. I saw the piece in today's Advertiser about your Q&A on the music industry and would like to ask you for advice on some songs that I have written. Originally, they were written for my own pleasure in the hope that one day I might put them to use in
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Looking for work experience
Q. My name is Chloe Crabtree. I have recently graduated from Southampton Solent University. Whilst at university I studyed graphic image making, my course was quite diverse covering 2d illustration video production and moving image animation. Basically
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Where should I send demos?
Q. I'm a 23 year old keyboardist/producer of electronic music with around 20 years of keyboard experience (started aged three). I'm a complete 80's freak - I love anything 80's and early sounding. As well as doing original 80's sounding synth tracks,
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We talk your language
A NEW social networking site speaks your language - whatever that language happens to be. VoxSwap, the work of an Uffington couple, brings language learners together with each other and native speakers. Online for barely a month so far, it has already
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Council tax set to rise by 3.5 per cent
COUNCIL tax is set to rise again. Swindon councillors are to discuss proposals for a 3.5 per cent rise at tomorrow's cabinet meeting. That equates to £33.25 extra a year for the average household. Under the proposals, D householders would pay approximately
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Fit Fior Love
You're planning the candlelit meal, have thought about a present, and are convinced that the most romantic day of the year - Valentine's Day - will go to plan. But those gestures will come to nothing unless you're fit for love, and that means taking
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We've joined in...why don't you?
HYPOCRITES, us? Never. Adver journalists Anna Mansell, Stephanie Tye and Hayley Court are ready to announce to the world that they're on a diet mission. The three twenty-somethings have signed up with the best known slimming clubs and are taking part
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Try something new...Go Climbing
THE advantage of clambering up Lake District mountains in January is peace and quiet - escaping the hectic run of summer ramblers. But the big disadvantage of heading upwards in winter is, of course, you may not make it. Low cloud can suddenly make those
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Time To Say Goodbye by Lin Harding
Do you remember those early days - when I arrived a naughty pup? Chewing books and slippers and slurping from your cup, How you laughed and how you giggled - you loved me like a babe.And all my misdemeanours - you dutifully forgave,You told me off for
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Fit for anything?
Health/fitness AIMS for 2008 To keep fighting and training hard. I'm already healthy and fit and pretty happy with it. What do you do to keep fit? Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays I wake up at 9.30am and go for a seven mile run. Tuesdays, Thursdays
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A knockout way to keep on top form
SWINDON'S champion boxer Jamie Cox doesn't hold back when asked about the difference the sport has made to his life. And with a Commonwealth gold medal and four professional victories under his belt, he's now got one of the country's best known fighters
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Half-term happiness
THE mid-term break signals around-the-clock playtime for many children. And there is a full-time schedule of fun on offer to keep youngsters occupied during the holidays in Swindon. Bouncing, wrestling and climbing are just some of the healthy sports
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Marine ring the changes
MARK Collier will tinker with his Supermarine side as they look to progress to the semi-finals of the Errea Cup tonight. Marine host Clevedon at Hunts Copse and, despite successive league wins, Collier will give fringe players a chance to impress. Nathan
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Dyton returns to the Rec
ALAN Dyton has made a sensational return to Shrivenham just seven months after stepping down as co-manager. Dyton quit the Hellenic Premier club at the end of last season, but has been persuaded to return by former colleague Pete Horwat, who is now in
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Chelsea will be here forever
THE last time Trudy Young saw her 16-year-old daughter Chelsea she thought she didn't have a care in the world. But just hours later Trudy's world was torn apart when she returned home to find her daughter had ended her young life. It has been a week
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Rugby league returns to Swindon
RUGBY league is set to return to the town with the formation of the new Swindon St George Amateur club. The new outfit is set to make their first competitive appearance in May and will be based at Supermarine RFC. Swindon had a rugby league team, the
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Swindon & District League: Bakers rise to the occasion
THE Premier League title chase took a dramatic twist at the weekend when second-placed Fratellos were held 4-4 away to Bakers Arms. Fratellos, without a number of regular players, battled hard to contain a solid challenge from Bakers, who, thanks to
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Medal escapes valiant Yasmin
YASMIN Smith's valiant attempt to win a medal ended in disappointment - but the 17-year-old Swindon New College student can take great encouragement from her performance in the South West Schools' Cross Country Championships, writes KEVIN FAHEY. In her
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Celebration as swimming club turns 21
TIGERSHARKS held a special presentation night earlier this month to celebrate their Swim 21 accreditation. The Link Centre club were accredited to Teaching and Skill Development at the Swim 21 national panel meeting in November. And they formally received
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Drama at 10,000ft
WHEN Rachael Bamber and boyfriend Shane Hanlon boarded the Continental Airlines Boeing 757 from New York to Gatwick they couldn't have been happier. The couple had just spent a two-week break together visiting Rachael's family and were looking forward
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Robins face Eagles first
ROBINS face a tough test of their early form with a trip to Eastbourne in the Craven Shield for their opening match of 2008 on March 20. SWINDON ROBINS 2008 FIXTURES (Also including other major dates; Home fixtures in caps) March 15: Eastbourne
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Cunningham try sparks easy win for Marine
SUPERMARINE Ladies travelled to Devon for their first away game of 2008 - and emerged 34-0 winners over Cullompton. The visitors got off to a difficult start, being under constant pressure from the opposing pack. But after several attempts to break
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NORTH WILTS & DISTRICT YOUTH LEAGUE: Steed gallops to a quick treble
LAST year's top striker Jack Steed is well on his way to repeating the feat this time around. He took this season's tally to 31 with a hat-trick inside the opening seven minutes of Swindon Rangers A's under 10 North match at Shaw B. Shaw pulled one
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Pure gold - Walcot youngsters triumph in Gloves finals
WALCOT'S trio of title-chasing boxers all won their Western Counties Golden Gloves finals at Donniford Bay, Watchet, against the cream of the south west's young talent, writes DAVE VEYSEY. Thirteen-year-old Connor Wells, competing against his third opponent
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Say it with jeans, not flowers!
A REPORT has been released indicating that women in Swindon would like one piece of clothing more than anything else for Valentine's Day. The survey has revealed that the way to a woman's heart in the town is not with flowers, chocolates or sexy lingerie
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Quotes Of The Week
My mind must be playing tricks on me but I could have sworn that when I looked at the Adver news page on the website earlier today there was one of those mini front pages at the top right hand corner of my screen and on it there was a banner which read
