Archive
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Purple Haze of rock explodes as Hendrix tribute rolls into town
Jimi Hendrix look-a-like and sound a-like, John Campbell, is bringing his band Are You Experienced? to Swindon. Keep one hand on the fire extinguishers as the finale of their explosion of Hendrix bombast is the glorious act of guitar-burning.
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Get your entries in for this year's Harold Jolliffe One Act Play Festival
Curtain call for local theatre companies to brush up their skills in both acting and directing to enter this year’s one act play festival in Swindon. This will be the 67th annual Harold Jolliffe One Act Play Festival running from Thursday, April
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Amenities agenda
ROYAL WOOTTON BASSETT: An amenities meeting is taking place at the town council’s Civic Centre, in Station Road, on January 9 from 7.30pm. For more information visit www.woottonbassett.gov.uk.
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Planning it out
ROYAL WOOTTON BASSETT: The town council is having a planning meeting in the council chambers from 7pm at the Civic Centre, in Station Road, on January 9 from 7pm.
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Baker Street jazz
OLD TOWN: Live Jazz is being played at Baker Street from 8pm every Tuesday. The venue also hosts 241 Cocktails until 10pm on the same evening. For more information call 01793 978011.
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Acoustic double
GREATFIELD: Two acoustic acts, Darren James Hodge and Adam Sweet, are set to dazzle party-goers at Riffs Bar on Friday. Musicians will also be able to get up on stage as the venue also hosts an open mic night from 7pm. For more information call
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Nursery has open house
DORCAN: Kidsunlimited nursery on Greenbridge Road is holding a company wide open day on Friday, January 24. The event, which is running between 9am and 5pm, is a good opportunity for parents to have a look around the centre and find out what takes
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A fairytale fun
OLD TOWN: A fairytale called Dotty the Dragon presented by Blunderbus Theatre Company is being told at the Arts Centre on February 1. Phone 01793 614837 for information.
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Standards meeting
SWINDON: A standards committee is at the council’s Civic Offices on January 27 at 5pm in committee room one. See: www.swindon.gov.uk.
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On Beatles' legacy
OLD TOWN: A leading musical satirist will be exploring the Beatles’ enduring legacy and his own incredibly tenuous connection to the famous four during a performance at the Arts Centre. Mitch Benn is bringing his The 37th Beatle to the venue on
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Strong ties meet
SWINDON: A safer and stronger communities overview and scrutiny committee is taking place on January 27 at the council’s Civic Offices. The meeting will begin at 6pm and will be hosted in committee room six. For more information visit www.swindon.gov.uk
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Map out village
WROUGHTON: Wroughton Parish Council is keen to hear from residents about how they think the village should look in the future, including what facilities should be available. Visit www.wroughton.gov.uk
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High time in bleak Downs
WEST SWINDON: A four-mile guided walk exploring the majesty of the high Downs at their bleakest is taking place at Barbury Castle on February 2. To attend meet at the castle’s car park at 1pm. For more information call 01793 490150 or email parksandwaste
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Crafty morning
CHISELDON: The Chiseldon Craft Club meets every Monday morning from 10am to 12am in Chiseldon House Hotel. There is no charge for the club and even if you just want to chat, you are welcome. For information call Elaine on 01793 740784 or Doreen
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Lively at library
WROUGHTON: Friends of Wroughton Library are inviting you to join them for a children’s activity morning on January 18, with refreshments and a raffle. And on January 27 at 7pm, John Farrow will be at the library to talk about the Wilts and Berks
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VIDEO: Cooper's midweek press call
SWINDON Town manager Mark Cooper caught up with the local media on Thursday to talk about a week without a game, potential new signings and the illness and injury situation at the club.
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Put cards to good use
CHISELDON: If you have any old Christmas or birthday cards, members of Holy Cross Church would like to recycle them to make new cards to sell. Proceeds will be used to help finance the ongoing projects needed to help keep the church and church
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CD Review: Live At The Cellar Door by Neil Young
Live At The Cellar Door by Neil Young. Out now on Reprise Records As the cellar door opens the sound of tangy, zesty guitar and that unmistakable, haunting folk voice reaches out across the decades. Tell Me Why is the opener of a must have
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Two arrested at airport following New Year's Day nightclub theft
TWO people have been arrested as they attempted to board a flight following the alleged theft of a five-figure sum of money from the Brunel Rooms nightclub on New Year’s Day. A 30-year-old man, believed to be Nathan Hatter, the club’s general manager
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Need donations
WROUGHTON: Give blood at the Ellendune Community Centre on January 9 from 1.30pm to 4pm or 4.45pm to 7.30pm. To make an appointment for one of these sessions, call the National Blood Service on 0300 12323 23 or visit its website.
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Market opens
WROUGHTON: The Wroughton Country Market reopens for business on Friday, February 7 from 9am until 11am.
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Give blood time
ROYAL WOOTTON BASSETT: Give blood at the Memorial Hall on January 8 from 10am to 12.30pm and 1.45pm to 4.30pm. To make an appointment for one of these sessions, call the National Blood Service on 0300 1232323 or visit its website.
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Choral group need singers
SWINDON: Swindon Choral Society starts rehearsals on January 9 for a performance of Elgar’s Dream Of Gerontius, which takes place on Saturday, March 29 in Marlborough College Chapel. The society invites anyone who enjoys singing to come and join
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Swindon bands urged to enter videos for chance to play Lakefest
Lakefest has launched an exciting competition for unsigned or upcoming bands to take part in an “Online Battle of the Bands”, a competition where artists are invited to forward a video of them performing, which the organisers upload to a dedicated
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VIDEO: Gladwin talks about life as a pro
SWINDON Town midfielder Ben Gladwin speaks to the local media about his first few weeks as a professional footballer.
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Ambulance service issues storm warning
WITH the current weather warnings in place, South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust (SWASFT) is urging the public to stay safe and keep informed. The weather problems are at their peak during the high-tide periods so those in coastal
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New bid to inspire unfit youngsters
SPORTIVATE, a £56 million lottery funded London Olympics 2012 legacy project, is looking for applicants for sports training taking place between April and March next year. The programme gives 11 to 25 year olds who are not particularly sporty access
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Free bike marking for new owners
SWINDON Community Safety Partnership will be at Wharf Green in the town centre on Saturday from 11am to 1pm, offering free bike marking and registration. It is being held in response to an increase in bike thefts in the town during the past year
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GWH meeting
SWINDON: The next meeting of the Great Western Hospital NHS Trust Board takes place on January 9 from 2pm to 5pm in Lecture Hall 1, The Academy, GWH. The meeting is held in public.
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Going Victorian
OLD TOWN: An impressive list of local acts are set to entertain revellers at the Victoria tonight. Pirate Joe, Jimmy Moore, Zackie Chan, Hip Route will also be making an appearance on the night. Doors open at 8pm.
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Seasonal music
TOWN CENTRE: Let’s Hang On will be unleashing their hits on crowds at the Wyvern Theatre on January 23. The band capture the original magic of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons. For more information call 01793 524 481.
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Hall future discussed
EASTCOTT: Residents and interested parties are invited to attend Eastcott Community Organisation’s AGM at Savernake Street Social Hall at 2pm on February 1. The meeting will commence after Freeshop and is likely to centre on the group’s future
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Howe suggests Thomas move is down to player
BOURNEMOUTH manager Eddie Howe has suggested that Wes Thomas will have the final say on whether or not he makes the move to Swindon Town. Town submitted a bid for the striker, believed to be in the region of £100,000, a week ago but both chairman
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Green light for council's £40 waste charge
A SPECIAL meeting for council bosses to reconsider changes to the borough’s green waste concluded with the same resolutions as before with a new £40 charge being brought in for the service. On December 11 Swindon Council’s cabinet voted to pass
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Join hospice run
SWINDON: The Prospect Hospice 10k Run takes place on February 16. The event is supported by Nationwide Building Society. In order to take part in the event you will need to read and accept the declaration at www.prospect-hospice.net. Registration
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Signs for zone
HAYDON WICK: Haydon Wick ward councillors have announced that revised plans for the School Safety Zone around Haydon Wick School are within the current budget provisions and an order has been placed for works to install new warning signs in the area
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Parking rules now in force
MOREDON: Civil Enforcement Officers have been deployed at various times of day over the last two weeks in the Purton Road shops area following the implementation of the new parking scheme. Only two vehicles were found to be contravening the Double
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Comedy event
TOWN CENTRE: A Christmas Chuckles Comedy Club Special is on at the Meca, in Regent Circus at 8.30pm on January 30.
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Shopping is free
SWINDON: A free shop is being held tomorrow at Savernake Street Social Hall,off Eastcott Hill at the slighter later then usual time of noon. Having an excess of clothes, books and toys to rehome, the social hall are refusing any donations this
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Movie in Moscow
OLD TOWN: Swindon Film Society will be showing a film depicting a sixty-something Moscow housewife who hatches a desperate plan when a sudden illness threatens her children’s inheritance. It will be showing at the Arts Centre on January 29 at 7.45pm
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Bike repair class offered
SWINDON: A free bike maintenance course is being held on Saturday, January 11. It will run will run from 9am to 4pm and people can learn cleaning, lubricating, repairing punctures, adjusting brakes and gears, changing brake pads and cables and checking
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Crawley clash rescheduled
SWINDON Town's clash with Crawley Town at the County Ground, which was postponed on New Year's Day, has been rearranged. The two sides will now meet on Tuesday, February 25 with kick-off at 7.45pm. Any tickets purchased for the original game
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Green scheme
TOWN CENTRE: Green enthusiasts can now take their milk and juice bottle tops to Lush at the Brunel Shopping Centre to be recycled.
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Drivers delayed
SWINDON: Police were called to an accident on the M4 westbound between Membury Services and Junction 15 yesterday afternoon at approximately 4.30pm, which caused delays for commuters. Two lanes were closed while the scene was dealt with by emergency
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Assault case man bailed
SWINDON: A man who is said to have assaulted a woman twice in a month has been released on bail by a judge. Gareth Sidlow is accused of actual bodily harm on Friday November 1 and then common assault on the same woman on Thursday, November 28.
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Hospice lodges ahead of schedule
CONSTRUCTION of the two family accommodation lodges at Prospect Hospice is ahead of schedule. The lodges will enable families to stay close to their loved ones when they are patients at the hospice when they open in spring 2014. They are being
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Maggie talks on Tuesday
TALK Tuesday is a free business networking group in Marlborough that was started last May. Maggie Robinson from Smart Thinking Consultancy took over the group two months ago and things have gone from strength to strength. The group meets every
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Three car crash
BOURTON: A three car crash occurred on the A420 just before Bourton at 8.30am yesterday morning. A BMW 320D, a Toyota Rav 4 and a Ford Transit van were involved in the accident and the male driver of the BMW was trapped in his car before being
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Driver hit post
BRIDGEMEAD: Police were called to the Sainsbury’s car park at 1.15am yesterday after a car crashed into a post. The driver had no licence but was being given a lesson by someone who did not have the correct insurance. The driver was reported for
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Open Door discussion
SWINDON: An extraordinary general meeting will be held on January 6 to decide on the future service provided by the Open Door Centre. The meeting will be held from 12.30pm to 2pm at the centre in St Barnabus Church Hall in Ferndale Road. Confirm
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Thamesdown make changes to bus services
FROM this Sunday, passengers will see some Thamesdown Transport services amended. Funding from Swindon Council will benefit Services 19 and 22 with new late evening journeys from Mondays to Saturdays. Service 19, from Fleming Way to Sparcells
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MENU: It’s a family affair
EMMA DUNN meets a young brewer continuing a long tradition CREATING the perfect pint is a family tradition for the Arkells. The brewery uses the same buildings in Stratton that barley farmer, John Arkell, built shortly after he started brewing
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MENU: Food for thought
Do you cook a lot yourself? What is your failsafe dish? I cook most weekends and my failsafe dish is either Mexican burritos or a chicken curry. Where do you like to eat out? How often? I like a nice Italian restaurant but don’t get out
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MENU: The wonder of tea
From work breaks to times of tears and strife, popping the kettle on is always a welcome remedy, and the humble cuppa is bursting with health-boosting benefits. Abi Jackson brews up the basics We don’t need scientific studies to confirm we're a
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Trek across Sahara to show support for hospice
PEOPLE with a taste for adventure are being asked to get in touch with Prospect Hospice to learn about the charity’s overseas challenge next October, for a trek across the Sahara desert. The challenge, which promises an unforgettable week crossing
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Blaze on roof
TOWN CENTRE: Fire services and police were called to a roof fire at a property in Market Place at 1pm on Wednesday. Four fire pumping appliances attended the blaze, which is not believed to have been started suspiciously.
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Guitar is found
GORSE HILL: Police are appealing for the owner of an electric guitar that was found in Chapel Street on New Year’s Day at midday to contact them. The guitar is black and white and is made by the firm Encore. Call 101 for details.
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Letters to the editor 3/01/2014
Education worth it Bob Pixton’s letter (SA 31/12) on the development of new sixth forms in Swindon schools contains a number of statements. Firstly, the 1983 reorganisation, which led to the careers of many teachers coming to a premature end
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Landslide blocks line
SWINDON: Rail passengers faced delays yesterday due to a landslip on the line between Gloucester and Swindon. Network Rail was told about the rubble on the line at Standish Junction near Stonehouse at about 5.30am on Thursday morning. Engineers
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Contingency plan covers Bassett incident during latest fire brigade strike
DURING the industrial action by members of the Fire Brigades’ Union between 6.30am and 8.30am this morning, Wiltshire Fire & Rescue Service attended one minor incident. A crew from Royal Wootton Bassett was called to the Miranda House Care
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DAN THE FAN: It was all aboard the County Ground rollercoaster
THREE managers, three different owners, selling players for pittance and a midnight raid from a former manager, just another year at Swindon Town. Since the club’s creation 134 years ago, fans have experienced massive highs and extreme lows, but
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Marine coach demands fast start to 2014
SEAN Millwaters has called on his Supermarine side to make a fast start to 2014 as they enter what the head coach is calling a “potentially massive” second half of the season. Marine face Devizes 2nds in Dorset & Wilts 1 North knowing they
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McEveley may face month out
JAY McEveley could be out for as long as a month with a knee injury sustained at Bradford. The Swindon Town full-back was substituted just before half-time at Valley Parade after twisting his knee and in the process aggravating a previous problem
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Richardson happy to be Mr Versatile
SWINDON Wildcats star Lee Richardson says he is happy to ‘do what he’s told’ even if it means occupying an unfamiliar position for the good of the team. A forward by trade, Richardson has been used as a makeshift defenceman since returning to the
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Aldridge targets powerplay improvement
RYAN Aldridge has promised to go to work on the Swindon powerplay as he looks to sharpen up Wildcats’ offensive prowess. Following the recent signing of Aaron Nell to supplement the significant talent of Jonas Hoog and Jan Kostal, Swindon have
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Storms set to cause more chaos in town
FURTHER stormy weather is due to hit town over the weekend after flood warnings and high winds disrupted services over the past month. Today is expected to be extremely windy, with gale force south westerly winds. Wind speeds will reach up to 43
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Power to discuss Ranger contract termination
SWINDON Town chairman Lee Power has confirmed that he will soon sit down with representatives of Nile Ranger to discuss the termination of the striker’s contract at the County Ground. As revealed by the Advertiser on Tuesday, Town’s patience with
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Gifts stolen in burglaries
THIEVES have been targeting a number of properties in Highworth over Christmas and people have returned home to find their presents stolen. A spate of burglaries was reported in the area between December 16 and 31, in homes at The Willows, Grove
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Alice is having a ball with Bonnie
THE slipper has proved quite the fit for Alice Baker in her first professional lead role on the stage, where she has performed in front of sell-out crowds as Cinderella for the past four weeks. Alice, from Swindon, still has nine days to run at
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HELLENIC LEAGUE: Roberts keen on further contract players after Stanners commits
WOOTTON Bassett have put Ryan Stanners on a contract in an attempt to ward off interest from suitors and boss Jeff Roberts is hoping to do the same with other players. The striker was subject to a seven-day approach from fellow Hellenic League
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SOUTHERN LEAGUE: Collier wants Hardenhuish to be home, sweet home
MARK Collier is hoping for some home comfort in the new year as Chippenham kick off a run of four successive games at Hardenhuish Park tomorrow. Seven of the Bluebirds’ last ten matches have taken place away from home but boss Collier has called
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SOUTHERN LEAGUE: Webb expects close race for play-offs
MANAGER Dave Webb knows it will be ‘a tough ask’ to surpass the 81 points Swindon Supermarine amassed last season, but believes the required total to make the play-offs will be lower this time round. Marine finished fourth in Southern League Division
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HELLENIC LEAGUE: Malmesbury to consider moving
MALMESBURY will consider looking for a new home after their ground was devastated by floods for the second time in just over a year, writes DAN BARNES. The Flying Monk Ground is a regular victim of flooding caused by the nearby River Avon and was
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HELLENIC LEAGUE: Fisher and Turner in finance row
BOSS John Fisher feels Highworth have earned every penny they have spent this season and says he is fed up of figures at other clubs ‘bleating’ about a lack of finance. At Hellenic League level, the Worthians have the healthiest budget of any local
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Swindon commuters hit by rail fare hike
COMMUTERS have been hit with a New Year rail fare hike as the price of journeys around the country has risen by an average of 2.8 per cent. In some areas the rise has been slightly higher, and the average increase on First Great Western lines which
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Demolition ‘will rip heart’ from village
MANY people would say the heart of a community is its shops, and that is why one councillor has condemned a decison to pull down a retail centre in Eldene. A planning application to demolish the 1970s Eldene Shopping Centre has been submitted to
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Hectic New Year for emergency services in Swindon
NEW Year’s Eve was a hectic time for emergency services in Swindon who sought to make the celebrations as safe as possible for revellers. As bars and clubs around the town were packed to ring in the arrival of 2014, police and ambulance services
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Mental health fear for young jobless
ALMOST one in five young people from the south west have experienced mental health issues as a direct result of unemployment, according to a new report. Swindon has seen a 186 per cent increase in the number of young people claiming benefits for
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PCC reflects on first year
IT HAS been just over a year since Angus Macpherson sat down behind a desk which had never been used before, in the office of Police and Crime Commissioner for Wiltshire and Swindon. He talks to me across another kind of table, which he’s probably
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Scalextric lovers on track for success
SCALEXTRIC lovers are in for a treat this weekend when the town’s 10th swapmeet day, featuring hundreds of cars and tracks, takes over the Oasis Leisure Centre. The annual event offers fans of the electric car racing game a chance to browse a wide
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Gallimore thinks break will have done Bassett good
WOOTTON Bassett’s players might not have thrown a rugby ball around for a fortnight but captain Tim Gallimore expects them to be in fine fettle when they entertain Reading Abbey this weekend. Due to Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve falling on Bassett
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Horse health concerns for King
Kumbeshwar was Barbury Castle trainer Alan King’s last runner “for a week or so” with the trainer still unhappy with the health of his string. Although Tickity Bleue dead-heated on New Year’s Eve and Kumbeshwar was a respectable third in the Fairlawne
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Children’s centre fails to impress inspectors
SALT Way Children’s Centre, one of those to survive closure following Swindon Council’s budget cuts, has been judged inadequate in its first inspection – Ofsted’s lowest rating. The Pearl Road centre, in Middleleaze, was inspected on November 27
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Gambian trek – from a gym
THE great cycle to The Gambia has started for fundraisers in the town, who are aiming to pedal more than 4,000 miles in four days. Those squeezing into their lycra are not technically crossing Europe and jumping over to Africa, however. Static
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Crawley postponement has had 'positive effect'
MARK Cooper thinks Swindon Town’s players will benefit from not having a fixture on New Year’s Day as they prepare for a crucial second half to the 2013/14 campaign. A waterlogged pitch at the County Ground forced Wednesday’s clash with Crawley
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Slimmer is racing king
THREE stones lighter, two half marathons completed and a full marathon dream in the pipeline. Chris Bunce, 26, from West Swindon used to believe that running a half marathon would be an impossible task, but thanks to Slimming World and a lot of
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Swindon Foodbank sees need still rising for this year
DEMAND for the help on offer at Swindon Foodbank in the New Year will be 25 per cent up on previous years, according to the charity’s project manager. The bank is quiet over the Christmas and New Year period because agencies providing vouchers
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Swindon sales branded a success
SHOPPERS have been cashing in on the January sales, which have been in full force since Boxing Day, with many traders hailing the event as a huge success. Big red posters showcasing slashed prices in some stores by up to 80 per cent have been appearing
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Swindon family reveal fraudster Nigel Lelliott's final lie
THE family of a convicted fraudster have vigorously denied his claims he had been sole carer for his mother and grandchildren after the death of his daughter. Nigel Lelliott, 48, was sentenced to four years in prison on five counts of fraud, including
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Shops flattened in £1.2m rejuvenation
BUILDINGS on The Circle in Pinehurst have now been completely flattened and the land is ready for the second stage of the £1.2 million redevelopment. Bulldozers have been working since autumn to pull down the outdated shopping parade which also
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Birnie adds to Old Boys' injury woes
THE Christmas break hasn’t helped Swindon College Old Boys’ casualty list clear up at all. In fact, the injury count has got worse. Old Boys, who go into tomorrow’s Southern Counties North clash with Stow-on-the-Wold still searching for their first
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‘We had to dig dog out of the rubbish’
SELF-confessed dog lover Stuart Harper has been banned from keeping any animals for three years after a dead terrier was found in his bin. Harper, 30, of Ramsbury Avenue, admitted two counts of causing unnecessary suffering to Stafford-shire Bull
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Oscar Whisky set for Sandown prep
LAMBOURN trainer Nicky Henderson is likely to point Oscar Whisky towards a prep at Sandown after he strengthened his Festival claims with a clear-cut defeat of Taquin Du Seuil in the Cheltenham Pony Club Raceday Novices’ Chase. His three-quarters