Archive
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Store manager set for grand opening
CHRIS Hughes is the manager of Swindon’s new Marks & Spencer Simply Food store. The shop, which is due to open on January 15 at Mannington Retail Park, will bring 70 new jobs to the area. Chris said: “I’m excited to be taking on the role
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Financial leader receives praise for his experience
A FINANCIAL director is celebrating success after being described as one of the most experienced FDs in Britain in the BDO Hot 20 FDs in TMT report. Fraser Park, former chief financial officer at Swindon-based Ubiquisys, was honoured at a London
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Chairman selected for group leading regeneration
FORWARD Swindon and Swindon Borough Council have appointed Alan Shepherd as the new chairman of the company’s board. Alan lives north of Swindon and has previously worked for companies such as Kraft Foods, Sainsbury’s and LloydsTSB, and currently
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Gas group cuts prices
BRITISH Gas has become the first big six energy supplier to partly reverse its winter price hike. After increasing prices by an average 9.2 per cent on November 23, it has shaved 3.2 per cent on average back off again from January 1. The move
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Breakfast event held
MONAHANS is holding its second quarterly manufacturing breakfast at the Steam Museum, Swindon, on Thursday, February 6 at 7.30am. This event will offer attendees an opportunity to hear from leading figures in engineering and network with others
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Network is widening
TALK Tuesday is a free business networking group in Marlborough that was started in May 2013. Maggie Robinson from Smart Thinking Consultancy took over the group two months ago and things are going from strength to strength. The group meets every
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SOUTHFIELD JUNIOR SCHOOL: Striving for the best in every part of life
SOUTHFIELD Junior School prides itself on being a caring and friendly school where work is varied and challenging and every child is valued. Staff at the school, which converted to an academy in September 2011, believe a child’s education should
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Returning duo can't be rushed, says Cooper
TROY Archibald-Henville and Tijane Reis could be involved in a Swindon Town development XI fixture against Birmingham City tomorrow, but they remain some way off a return to first-team action. The pair have resumed full training with the Robins
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THE BIG INTERVIEW: Showbiz tradition kept in the family
POLLYANN Tanner, 51, is principal of Tanwood School for Performing Arts, which recently celebrated its 70th anniversary. She lives in Swindon and has three daughters aged from 15 to 25, each of whom learned to dance at the school, and a baby granddaughter
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THE GRAHAM CARTER COLUMN: We have let our young people down
Here we are, less than a week after it started, and already I’ve found what will probably be the most shocking story of the year. Last week the Prince’s Trust published a report that suggested one in 11 young people feel they have “nothing to live
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Letters to the editor: 06/01/14
Clean up our society It is often said that appearance is everything. Anyone visiting a town or city anywhere in the world cannot fail to have their opinions formed by the amount of graffiti that seems to spring up overnight, therefore influencing
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Chance to join four on fund-raising adventure
PEOPLE with a taste for adventure are being asked to get in touch with Prospect Hospice to learn about the charity’s overseas challenge this October, for a trek across the Sahara desert. The challenge, which promises an unforgettable week crossing
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Petition to nationalise railways
CAMPAIGNERS set up shop outside Swindon train station last week to protest against the hike in rail fare charges. Members of the Swindon Green Party were leafleting commuters on Thursday to make them aware of their campaign to bring the Great Western
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Anglers can reel in fresh catches
MEMBERS of a local angling club will no longer have to tell tales of the one that got away. This is because 400lbs of fish were introduced into Wroughton Reservoir last month, which are now ready for catching by members of Wroughton Angling Club
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Open mic night
SWINDON: An open mic night is looking for new blood to join its weekly sessions from 7pm, at Byrons, Byron Street. The free gig is open to all musicians and singers every Thursday. For more details, call 01793 533717.
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Jamming at pub
CHISELDON: A pub jam night takes place from 7pm, in The Patriot Arms. All musicians and singers are invited to the free gig, which takes place every Thursday in the bar. For more details, call 01793 740331.
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Time for dancing
OLD TOWN: Cassette Player starts at 11pm every Thursday at Suju in the High Street. Clubbers in the main room can enjoy indie music, hip-hop, soul, dub, pop and dubstep, while in the lounge the music style is house, R’n’B and chart toppers with The
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Learn swing jive at class
HOOK: People can learn to swing jive with Just Jive Lindy Hop at 7pm, in Hook Village Hall, near Royal Wootton Bassett. The lessons are fun and exercise. The classes focus on social dancing and take place every Thursday. The tutors at Lindy Hop
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Walk for health
HAYDON WICK: Short health walks of up to three miles, led by trained volunteers, take place from 9.45am outside the Haydon Centre, Thames Avenue. The overall pace is brisk and steady so they are beneficial for health but not so fast that the group
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Fun time in hall
ROYAL WOOTTON BASSETT: A tea dance takes place from 2pm at the Memorial Hall in the town on Thursday, January 9.
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Band is fired up
OLD TOWN: Rocket Box plays a free gig from 8pm, at The Victoria, Victoria Road, on Thursday, January 9, with support from The Damned and The Dirty. Call 01793 535713.
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Join free jam session
COATE: The Chiseldon Jammers are inviting all musicians and singers to their jam night. The free session takes place every Thursday at 7.30pm in The Sun Inn. For more details, call 01793 740 350.
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Al-Anon advice for families
PARK SOUTH: Al-Anon Family Group provides support for anyone whose life is, or has been, affected by someone else’s drinking. Members meet every Thursday to share their experiences. Al-Anon is at 7.30pm, Park South Community Centre, in Cranmore
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Hundreds to save on bills
MORE than 4,500 people have registered interest in a collective switching scheme, which Swindon Council hopes will save residents money on energy bills. The big six gas and electricity providers have all announced price increases but the initiative
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Sporting results
SWINDON: A consultation on the new Swindon Sports Strategy ended yesterday and is closed for comment. After cabinet approval on September 11, the consultation began on November 11 and ran for almost two months, while sports groups were asked to comment
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Adult pantomime
SWINDON: The curtain rises on the Adults Panto: Screwge from 7.30pm, on Friday, January 10, in the Wyvern Theatre, Theatre Square. The Market Theatre Company will take a traditional story and distort it almost beyond recognition. Tickets are £15.50
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Street game is in session
SWINDON: All Street Games Swindon sessions will return today after a break during the festive holidays. Events are put on for young people who want to play more sport and give something back to their communities through volunteering. Organisers
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Centre management sought
PINEHURST: Swindon Council is seeking expressions of interest from the community and voluntary sector interested in taking over the management of the Pinetrees Community Centre in Pinehurst. The closing date for applications is 12pm on February 24.
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Volunteer to give advice
SWINDON: Swindon Citizen’s Advice Bureau is appealing for more volunteers after experiencing a surge in demand over recent months. After a record number of enquiries, the team needs extra volunteers to deal with the workload. Candidates should
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Values for all antiques
PEOPLE are invited to bring their antiques along to a free valuation this week in aid of Prospect Hospice when Thomas Plant, antiques expert from Bargain Hunt, begins a series of events in the town. During 2014 Thomas and his team will be at Jury
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Allegation of robbery
A PAIR of teenagers accused of taking part in a street robbery have been released on bail by a judge. Luke Cooper, 18, and a 17-year-old who cannot be named for legal reasons, are said to have taken part in a mugging with another man on Tuesday
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Help over weight loss
HEALTHY Weight Awareness Week will begin as Swindon Council’s health improvement team take to the streets to help people find out the best way to manage their weight. Running from January 13-18, a number of events will be held around the town to
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Rail obstruction
SWINDON: An obstruction on the rail line between Swindon and Didcot Parkway caused all Swindon bound services between the two stations to be cancelled yesterday afternoon. The 4pm service heading to Plymouth between the two stations struck a metal
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Remanded in custody
SWINDON: A man who is accused of assaulting and threatening to kill his partner has been remanded in custody by a judge. Benjamin Gough is said to have issued the threat to Amanda Tappin on Wednesday, December 4 last year. And the 31-year-old
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Fit for new year
SWINDON: Members of the Ramblers Northeast Wilts group will be keeping up the New Year fitness regime when they meet from 9.30am in Euclid Street for a walk to Brimscombe on Sunday, January 12. For more details, call 01793 616346.
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Plan the big day
LYDIARD TREGOZE: Lydiard House Conference Centre is hosting a Wedding Fayre, from 11am, at Lydiard Park, on Sunday, January 12. There are a variety of reputable wedding suppliers and a chance to take advantage of the venue tours. It is free entry.
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Pirate folk band
HOOK: Missin’ Rosie, a Pirate folk band with support from Fist Full of Foozy, plays from 7pm at Riffs Bar, Greatfield, in a free gig on Saturday, January 11. For more details, call 01793 778304.
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Plenty on sale at free shop
OLD TOWN: Anyone on the look out for something new can go to the Free Shop, which is open from noon to 2pm, in the Savernake Street Social Hall off Eastcott Hill on Saturday, January 11. This month, no donations are required as the organisers have
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Weekly questions
FRESHBROOK: A weekly quiz takes place every Sunday from 8.30pm, in The Windmill, Village Centre, West Swindon. For more details, call 01793 873227.
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Classics covered
SWINDON: Shepherd’s Pie plays classic rock covers from 9pm at The Rolleston, Commercial Road, in a free gig on Saturday, January 11. For more details, call 01793 534238.
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Modern rockers
OLD TOWN: All Ears Avow, a modern rock band, plays from 8pm at The Victoria, Victoria Road, on Saturday, January 11. They are supported by Burnthru, who specialise in Byzantine riffs. Tickets are £4 in advance, £5 on the door, from 01793 535713
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Fairytale for panto season
SWINDON: The popular fairytale of Sleeping Beauty rounds off the panto 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 and
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Letters to the editor: 02/01/14
Protect children Your article ‘Sexting threat to young teenagers’ (December 30) highlights just one of the dangers of the Technological Age. It is likely that freely available Internet pornography has played a major role in the increasingly
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Torrential rain posing big problems across the town
PERSISTENT rain and strong winds throughout the weekend have been causing sporadic flooding as Swindon missed the brunt of the storms battering the south west coast. Heading into the weekend a flood warning remained in place from the Environment
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Protection guide
SWINDON: The Local Safeguarding Children Board has produced a Child Protection Pocket Guide for workers, volunteers and members of the community, giving basic safeguarding advice and contact numbers. For more information visit the website www.safenetwork
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Pay as you play
WROUGHTON: The Busy Bees Parent and Toddler Group is now operating a ‘pay as you go’ basis on Fridays. The group meets every Friday during term in Wroughton’s Methodist Church on Church Hill from 9.30am until 11.15am, and sessions are run throughout
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Boyzone confirm Westonbirt concert
BOYZONE will perform at Westonbirt in July after announcing their Forest Live debut this summer. In a continuation of the celebration of their ‘BZ20’ anniversary, Ronan, Keith, Shane and Mikey will be performing in four spectacular woodland locations
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Free wedding fair
TOWN CENTRE: The Brunel Wedding Fair will be held in the Brunel Shopping Centre on January 19 from 10.30am to 4.30pm. There will be exhibitors, fashion shows, makeovers, a pamper lounge and more. Entry is free.
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Future of sports
BROOME MANOR: A financial policies and procedures meeting is taking place at the golf club on January 14. The event, hosted by Swindon Sports Forum, is designed to support the future development of local sports clubs. For more information,
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Help out at youth club
WALCOT: Local volunteers are wanted to assist with a new youth club in the Walcot area on Wednesdays and Fridays from 6pm to 8pm. Full training, and support will be provided. Criminal record check will be required at no cost. For further information
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Leisure meeting
CRICKLADE: A community and leisure town council meeting is being hosted at Ockwells, in High Street, on February 4. The event will begin at 7pm. For more information, call 01793 751394.
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Fun at theatre
TOWN CENTRE: There will be fun for all the family at a charity show that is being hosted at the Wyvern Theatre on Friday, January 31. The Princess and the Frog will be presented by the Thames Water Amateur Theatrical Society. For more information
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Budget advice
BROOME MANOR: A free training course in cash flow and budgeting is being offered to sports clubs across the borough at the golf complex on January 21. The event is being hosted by Swindon Sports Forum, in partnership with Sport England’s Club Leaders
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Gothic tale of Dracula
OLD TOWN: Bram Stoker’s timeless gothic thriller, Dracula, is set to take over the Arts Centre on February 4. Blackeyed Theatre Company is the brains behind the show, which will feature specially commissioned live music, ensemble performances and
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Time running out to sign up for music festival
TIME is running out for singers and musicians to enter this year’s Swindon Music Festival. All entries need to be received by Friday, January 17. The syllabus and entry form is available at www.swindonmusicfestival.co.uk. Many former competitors
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Toilets wanted
STRATTON ST MARGARET: An application to demolition an existing bungalow for the construction of a new toilet block in Duncans, Powdrills Yard, West End Road, has been lodged with Swindon Council. For more information visit www.swindon.gov.uk/ep
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Change of use in Stratton
STRATTON ST MARGARET: A planning application for the change of use from retail to restaurants and cafes and installation of a flue at Unit 3 at Stellite Works, in Hobley Drive has been submitted to Swindon Council. For more information visit www.swindon.gov.uk
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Planning matters
STRATTON ST MARGARET: A planning and highways committee is set to take place on January 8 at the council offices, in Addison Crescent. For more information visit www.strattonstmargaret.gov.uk/Calendar-of-Meetings.aspx.
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Grown up fun
SWINDON: The curtain rises on the Adults Panto: Screwge, from 7.30pm, on Friday, January 10, in the Wyvern Theatre, Theatre Square, when The Market Theatre Company take a traditional story and distort it almost beyond recognition, packing it with corny
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Bands will unite
TOWN CENTRE: Two bands, The (Electric) Strawbs and Martin Turner’s Wishbone Ash, are set to unite on the Wyvern Theatre’s stage for one night. The performers will be at the venue on Sunday, February 2. For more information, call 01793 524 481
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Locality meeting
SWINDON: The locality west meeting is set to take place at The Link Centre, in Whitehall Way on Monday, January 13, at 7pm. For more information, visit http://tinyurl.com/p6ry5e6
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Watkins Corner work postponed
PURTON: Due to the heavy rainfall recently and with more to come, Wiltshire Council has postponed the roadworks due to start on Monday at Watkins Corner Road on the B4553 until the flood water has subsided. Temporary traffic lights will be installed
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A walk to remember
SWINDON: Prospect Hospice’s Walk of Memories takes place on March 9 this year at Buscot Park. It is approximately 5km on varied terrain and is not suitable for pushchairs or wheelchairs. Dogs are not permitted. Registration costs £8 per person
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Housing prices grow
ALL UK regions saw annual price rises for homes in 2013, according to the Nationwide Building Society, with the average price of a UK home now at £174,444. The annual percentage price went up just over seven per cent, which included a 2.7 per cent
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Search for dog
BLUNSDON: A reward is being offered for the safe return of a brown Jack Russell that went missing from Oxleaze Farm on Thursday morning. The dog, named Pebbles, is microchipped but does not have a collar on. She is a small gingery brown cross.
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Homes are egged
NORTH SWINDON: Several homes in the Haydon End and Redhouse areas have had eggs thrown at them since New Years Eve, say police. Windows have been hit along Mazurek Way, Torun Way, and Thursday Street, then offenders went over the bridge to Redhouse
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Youths on roof
FERNDALE: Police were called to St Barnabus Church on Thursday at 2pm following reports that youths were on the roof of the church. Officers spoke to the youths at the scene and patrols have been increased in the area. Anyone with information should
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Lottery winners
SWINDON: Here is the list of winners for the Prospect Hospice Lottery Draw that was held on January 3. The winner of the £1,000 prize is number 70870. Number 27650 wins £100, while numbers 32162 and 68508 win £50 each. The following numbers win
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Pond works underway
WROUGHTON: Work that had been scheduled to begin on Moat Pond was recently delayed due to the adverse weather conditions. But a new sculpture, fencing and seating area are now in place, along with mosaics created by pupils at the three schools
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Houses at risk as water rises
HOMES in Wroughton were submerged on Saturday as water from a nearby reservoir threatened to engulf the area. Residents off Baker’s Road awoke to find their neighbourhood had become a lake, as a failure in the drainage system left a stream dumping
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Aldridge admits to 'massive concern' as Swindon Wildcats slip out of play-off places
RYAN Aldridge admits Swindon Wildcats’ season cannot continue on its current path. Wildcats dropped out of the EPL play-off spots last night following a 6-3 loss in Manchester and while there is plenty of time to put the predicament right, the
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Steady start for Swindon's Batchelor in Australia
TROY Batchelor made a solid start as he began his defence of the Australian Senior Solo Speedway Championship. The Swindon rider, who beat Dakota North and Cameron Woodward into second and third respectively last year, was fourth in the first round
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It's a game of two halves
THE non-league football season has reached its halfway point and our 10 local sides in the Southern League and Hellenic League are continuing to scrap away. Whether it’s about winning titles, reaching the play-offs, avoiding relegation or simply
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Police officers hurt in motorway crash
A POLICE officer had to be cut free from his patrol car after another driver ploughed into the back of it on the M4 during a routine speed stop yesterday. Shortly before 10.45am, the roads policing vehicle, manned by two officers, pulled a car
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New trix on track
MODEL enthusiasts crammed into the Oasis Leisure Centre yesterday for the 10th Scalextric Swap Meet, featuring hundreds of cars and tracks to buy and sell. The event has been growing year on year, and has doubled in size since the first meet. Enthusiasts
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Register office is judged as excellent
A GOVERNMENT award for service excellence has been awarded for the fourth time to Swindon’s Register Office, with this year’s score the highest yet achieved. The office in Euclid Street, which conducts marriages and civil partnerships, and registers
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Leader speaks out at bin baron claim
THE leader of Swindon Council has defended the upcoming changes to waste collections after a stinging attack on the policy of fortnightly pick-ups by a Tory Government minister. Local Government Secretary Eric Pickles MP issued his ‘bin bible’
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Drama group fears it will be priced out
THE management company of the Wyvern Theatre is set to sign on the dotted line to take over the reins of the Arts Centre within weeks, which one drama group said could mark the end to its performances at the venue. HQ Theatres is expected to take
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Ill father will be able to attend daughter's dream wedding
THE butterflies have begun fluttering for Hayley Savory ahead of her wedding today after it was rushed forward to allow her terminally-ill father to walk her down the aisle. Gary Savory, 53, was diagnosed with stomach cancer in September, and is
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Long Run set for February run
Owner Robert Waley-Cohen is keen for Long Run to have his next race in the Kempton Park Chase on February 22. A tilt at the Grand National for the 2011 Gold Cup winner has long been on the cards but Waley-Cohen is keen to take in another valuable
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Foderingham set to stay at Swindon
WES Foderingham looks set to remain a Swindon Town player through the January transfer window after Bournemouth ended their interest in the goalkeeper. The Cherries have been looking for a new full-time stopper for several months but completed
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Lift-off for puppet master's last work
IT may have been losing money in the final week of its push for funding, but Gerry Anderson’s final project is finally on the verge of a big money publishing deal under the stewardship of an award-winning agent. Gerry’s Gemini Force One is a series
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'I'm not angry' says fire-hit club's owner
THE owner of the Dream Lounge, which was consumed in a blaze after Faisal Qaddus drove a car into the building in July last year, has said he is not angry at the man who destroyed his business. Peter Rogers saw his club on Victoria Road go up in
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Showbiz tradition kept in the family
POLLYANN Tanner, 51, is principal of Tanwood School for Performing Arts, which recently celebrated its 70th anniversary. She lives in Swindon and has three daughters aged from 15 to 25, each of whom learned to dance at the school, and a baby granddaughter
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MP: "This is the best job in the world"
“I have the best job in the world but I don’t take anything for granted. I know I could be voted out in the next election and I would have to roll with it.” These were the words of North Swindon MP Justin Tomlinson during a day showing the Adver
