Archive
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D-Day approaches for Rosco over GB job
ALUN Rossiter could find out as early as tomorrow if he has been handed the Great Britain team manager’s job. The Swindon Robins boss appears to be in a straight fight for the role with former Birmingham team manager Phil Morris, who is already
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Swindon Town ban Adver from reporting at the County Ground
SWINDON Town chairman Lee Power has banned the Adver from attending press conferences and reporting on matches at the County Ground after objecting to a Tweet by reporter Sam Morshead. The Adver’s chief sports writer Tweeted the news that striker
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THE BIG INTERVIEW: No spotlight for theatre stalwart
Alan Wrixon, 67, chaired the Arts Centre for the Community Group, which recently failed to take over the Swindon Arts Centre. He lives in Wroughton and is married with two grown-up children. ALAN Wrixon has been involved with countless stage productions
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Witness appeal after two-year-old is struck in face with a potato
WILTSHIRE Police is appealing for witnesses following an assault on a two-year-old boy in Swindon town centre. The incident took place in the underpass that runs from Fleming Way to the town centre at approximately 4.40pm yesterday. A man and
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ON THIS DAY: January 13
AROUND SWINDON 1947: For many workers in the Swindon area a free Saturday morning heralded the introduction of the five-day week. The adjustment which had been under discussion for many months did not necessarily mean more than a few hours chopped
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Cyclist thanks well-wishers after town centre collision with lorry
CYCLIST Joseph Wheeler has thanked the emergency services and the prayers of Adver readers for saving his life after suffering major injuries in a collision with a lorry on Friday. The 19-year-old lay unconscious in the middle of Faringdon Road
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Rewind...January 12-18 1970: The times were a-changing
THIS week in 1970 the Adver ran a cartoon showing an identically-dressed long-haired young couple standing before a church altar. A perplexed vicar says: “But surely one of you must be the bride!” If the era had a theme it seemed to be old
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REMEMBER WHEN: Friendly enemies reunited
WAR and peace, a U-boat commander, Germany’s last Fuhrer, a son’s final promise to his father... and a game of chess. A little over half a century ago we told a story drawing together all of these elements, and at their heart was a Swindon engineer
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Inquest hears of former police inspector's downward spiral prior to double shooting
FAMILY members have spoken of a downward trend in the behaviour of retired police inspector Bill Dowling leading up to the day police found his body in the porch of his home on the Moonrakers estate, Devizes. Members of Mr Dowling’s family and
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DROVE PRIMARY SCHOOL: Finding the wings to fly
DESPITE being one of the largest schools in Swindon, Drove Primary makes sure that every child is made to feel part of the family. The school has more than 650 pupils but every one of them is valued and made to feel important. “It does not
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THE GRAHAM CARTER COLUMN: Be a sweetie and stop trying to scare us all to death
COME the revolution, the people who have sugar in their tea will be the first ones up against the wall, so I’m keeping my head down. The food police have been out in force again, with the amount of sugar we have in our dinners being their latest
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Letters to the editor: 13/1/14
Waste bill’s a bargain I have read with great interest all the comments regarding the forthcoming introduction of an additional charge for green waste collection. Referring to Des Morgan’s letter of January 8, there are lots of figures quoted
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Rocker with a heart up for award
ROCKER Daniel Struve is one of the first volunteers around the town to have been nominated for this year’s Pride of Swindon Awards. The 84-year-old from Park South – also known as the Oldest Rocker In Town as a result of his regular attendance
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Let's get ready to Zumba...for a good cause
A ROTARIAN never backs down from a charity challenge no matter how embarrassing, zany or physical. In this spirit, three members of the Rotary Club of Swindon North Mike Helyer, Andrew Metcalfe and Phil Matthews, donned their best sports gear and
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Work set to begin on £2.6m college upgrade
WORK is due to start later this month on a multi-million pound expansion at Swindon College. Contracts are due to be signed in the coming days meaning building can begin on a brand new Construction Centre on the campus, opening up new opportunities
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Car collides with Old Town house
AN ELDERLY man has crashed his car into a house in King William Street this morning. Police, fire and ambulance crews were called to the scene in Old Town shortly after 11am after the car hit the house and caused severe damage to the brickwork
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New sports shop
FERNDALE: A sports nutrition and supplement shop, Monster Nutrition, opens in Ferndale Road on January 18. Two professional bodybuilders will be there from 1pm to 4pm. Call 01793 619759.
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£1,500 awards on offer
COUNTY: Wessex Chambers Of Commerce is hosting the Enterprising Wiltshire Awards which will see a winner from each of the seven categories receiving £1,500 from Wiltshire Council. One will also be named Enterprising Wiltshire Awards Business of
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Sign up and save
COUNTY: Householders have until February 17 to sign up to the next round of the Ready To Switch scheme to save money on their energy bills. This is the seventh round of the collective auction and many Wiltshire residents are making savings of £100
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Man, 87, faces jail for sex attacks
A JUDGE has warned an 87-year-old he could be facing a jail term after admitting a series of sex attacks 30 years ago. Richard Gilmore repeatedly molested a young girl from the late 1970s through to the 1990s, starting when she was aged about seven
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Letters to the editor: 11/1/14
Shame on you To the driver who damaged my father’s blue Renault Twingo in the Asda car park, Orbital Shopping Centre, Swindon, earlier this week: My father is 86 years old and deeply upset; not so much that his car is damaged – annoying as that
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New website promotes transport across Swindon
A NEW website featuring a wealth of information about Community Transport services across Wiltshire and Swindon has recently been launched by local community development charity, Community First. The website helps peolple find out more about the
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Election visits
COUNTY: Election canvassers will be visiting households across the county from this weekend until February 2, 2014 making sure people who haven’t yet signed up to have their say in the next elections don’t lose their chance to vote.
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Dear blocks road
CHENEY MANOR: Police were called out to Galton Way at 2.30am on Tuesday morning following reports of an injured deer in the middle of the road. The animal, which had a broken leg after being hit by a car, escaped before officers arrived.
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Lydiard wedding fair
LYDIARD: Lydiard House Conference Centre will host a wedding fair tomorrow between 11am and 3pm.
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Lowdown on the economy
EAST SWINDON: Nationwide’s chief economist Robert Gardner will be giving an insight into the Wiltshire and UK economy at the January meeting of the town’s Chamber of Commerce at the Marriott Hotel on Friday, January 17 at 7.30pm. Attendance costs
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School to get a revamp
WANTAGE-based construction company Stepnell is to undertake a £500,000 programme to extend and refurbish a specialist unit for students with physical disabilities at The Commonweal School. Swindon Council has appointed Stepnell for the scheme to
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Mile of money in Wroughton
WROUGHTON: A Mile of Money event will be held on January 25, between 11am and 1pm in aid of the Kings Farm Wood appeal, where villagers will be invited to donate enough to create a mile-long line of coins from Ellendune to the Willow Brook Gardens.
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Nurse's pride at award for her caring approach
URGENT care nurse Jemma Black has received a top accolade from a national health magazine. The SEQOL employee, who lives in Swindon, was chosen as Nursing in Practice’s nurse of the month for her work caring for patients in their own homes using
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Dial a ceremony
PURTON: The parish council will unveil the refurbished phonebox outside Purton Institute Building on Friday, January 17 at 1.15pm.
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Mobility help in Swindon
SWINDON: People with disabilities in Swindon can now buy equipment such as mobility scooters and wheelchairs from the comfort of their own home on SEQOL’s website. To find out more about ordering equipment online or the social enterprise go on
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Students invited to open evening
SWINDON: Swindon College will hold an open evening for prospective students on Wednesday, January 22 between 5pm and 7pm. To find out more visit www.swindon-college.ac.uk.
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Meeting date
WROUGHTON: The next meeting of the parish council will be held on Monday, January 20 at 7.30pm at Ellendune Community Centre.
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Check out college
SWINDON: Prospective A-level students are invited to an open evening at New College on Wednesday, January 29 between 5pm and 9pm. For more details call 01793 611470 or email info@newcollege.ac.uk.
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Lucky Adver winners
SWINDON: The Adver recently ran a competition to win two meals for four people at Spice restaurant and another to win six £50 M&S Food Vouchers. The Spice competition winners were: Mrs Wright from Highworth and Miss Isted from Upper Stratton
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Mental health and Mindful Employer headlines at Swindon CIPD gathering
The Swindon branch of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development will host an awareness session at New College in March for its local membership on the issues of mental health in the workplace. Organised in association with the Swindon
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Families are offered help
SWINDON: A Parent Carer Support Worker team is available to people responsible for caring for a disabled child. The group provides emotional support and information and flags up other services and agencies carers may need to use. For more information
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Support group for war vets
A SUPPORT group aimed at the relatives of war veterans has been launched in Swindon. Avon and Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership’s South West Veterans' Service will offer emotional help to the families and partners of former soldiers at an initial
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Please join CAB
THE Citizens Advice Bureau in Swindon urgently needs more volunteers to help meet the increasing demand on the service. The charity is looking to recruit receptionists to welcome clients and assist with the running of the bureau as well as information
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Beware the Haydon Wick fraudster
ELDERLY residents in the Haydon Wick area continue to be targeted by rogue traders according to the North Swindon Neighbourhood Policing Team. The traders are attempting to con residents out of large amounts of money for unwanted services.
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Can you help association?
VOLUNTEERS are being recruited to serve their community at Lawn Community Centre. The association, run entirely by volunteers, provides social, educational and welfare opportunities for users and the wider community. An LCA spokesman said: “We
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Schools application deadline
WILTSHIRE: The deadline for primary school applications for children born between September 1, 2009 and August 31, 2010 is January 15 at 12pm. Any forms received after this date will be considered as late applications. For more details visit the admissions
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Advice on hand for alcohol affected
SWINDON: People caring for someone with a drug or alcohol problem can now receive advice, support and counselling from TIME4US at Swindon and Wiltshire Alcohol and Drug Service. The support group meets every Monday evening between 6.30pm and 8.30pm
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Free health checks
SWINDON: Free NHS health checks for people aged 40 to 74 are being offered through Healthwatch Swindon by community health provider SEQOL at 23 Brunel Plaza between 10am and 1pm on Thursday mornings. Booking is essential and appointments can now be
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Get involved
ROYAL WOOTTON BASSETT: A group set up to help shape the future campus for the town is recruiting for three more members from the area. Those interested in taking part need to complete an expression of interest form, which can be found at www.wiltshire.gov.uk
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Run at the park
LYDIARD: The Rotary Club will hold a charity fun run on February 23 and are currenty accepting entries. Runners can jog, walk, or run the 5km route around Lydiard County Park to raise money for the Rotary’s local and international charities. For more
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Quiz for a cause
ROYAL WOOTTON BASSETT: Four dads from the Rugby Club are set to trek across the Sahara to raise money for Prospect Hospice. On February 7 they will hold a chilli and rice quiz evening at the club in Ballards Ash to fundraise. Entry costs £5 per
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Need funding?
ROYAL WOOTTON BASSETT: The Royal Wootton Bassett and Cricklade Area Board has a pot of money to invest in local community or voluntary projects. They are looking to invest in projects which can make a difference to the local area. For more information
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A night for romantics
SWINDON: A Valentine’s Ball with a Bee Gees tribute act will take place on February 14 from 7pm to 1am at Swindon Town FC’s Legend’s Lounge. The UK’s number one Bee Gees tribute band, Stayin’ Alive, will perform on the night. The ball will be have
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Flood warning
COLLINGBOURNE DUCIS: Wiltshire Police warned drivers to take extra care on the roads yesterday due to flooding, with the Collingbourne Ducis and Everleigh Road deemed unpassable due to surface water around 3pm.
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A night of music
OLD TOWN: The Shudders, an indie country rock band, will be supported by Elborn on Friday, from 8pm, at The Victoria. Tickets are available by calling 01793 535713.
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Educational fall
SWINDON: Government figures have shown that 34 per cent of youngsters who completed a post 16 qualification went on to higher education, down two per cent on the previous year. This is significantly lower than the national figure of 48 per cent, with
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Car accident shuts road
WESTLEA: A section of Whitehill Way was closed for several hours yesterday afternoon following a minor car crash. The emergency services were called to the incident, which occurred between the Asda roundabout and the Tewkesbury Way roundabout,
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Sex case jail warning
A MAN who had more than 1,000 indecent images of children stored on his computer has been warned he could face jail. Lee Groves was also found to be in possession of hundreds of pictures of extreme pornography when he was arrested two years ago
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Look for speeders
LAWN: The recently set-up Community Speed Watch is looking for new volunteers to join its ranks. To find out more contact John Roe on 01793 485082 or at john.roe1@tiscali.co.uk. Alternatively get in touch with Tracy Scott, Swindon Council locality
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Centre unveiled
OLD TOWN: Christ Church Community Centre has its official opening on Saturday at 11.15am. Nick Hewer, from BBC’s The Apprentice, will cut the ribbon at 11.15am, and a specially commissioned painting will be unveiled by artist Laurie Plant. For more
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Sewer works close street
CHENEY MANOR: Ongoing work to improve the sewer system in the Cheney Manor area will see the closure of Iris Redman Gardens from today until February 7. The latest phase of the Thames Water project will involve two new sewers being laid under the
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Share views
A group set up to help shape the future campus for Royal Wootton Bassett is recruting for three more members from the area. Those interested in taking part need to complete an expression of interest form, which can be found at www.wiltshire.gov.uk.
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Workshop date is set
VOLUNTARY Action Swindon, in partnership with Swindon Clinical Commissioning Group, will be holding a Commissioning Intentions Workshop on January 24 at Jury’s Inn from 2pm to 4pm. Tony Ranzetta, the chief accountable officer at the Swindon Clinical
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Pupils show their talent
TALENTED Key Stage 3 students involved in Commonweal Drama Clubs will put on a performance of In The Deep Midwinter on February 5 and 7. The play extracts range from a movement piece inspired by the Snow Child and Our Day Out, performed by Year
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How to aid mentally ill
A FREE Mental Health First Aid course will be held in Swindon on February 5 and 6. MHFA does not teach people to be therapists but it does teach people how to recognise the symptoms of mental health problems, how to provide initial help and how
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Play area plans
OLD TOWN: Residents are invited to view proposals for improvements to the Hesketh Crescent existing play and community area. It is suggested that the area be open to the whole community rather than being designated a play area. In the next 12 days
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Crash tailback
STRATTON: Drivers faced delays on the A419 and the A420 on Saturday lunchtime following a crash on the White Hart roundabout, towards the Gablecross/Stratton junction. Tailbacks lasted about an hour while the scene was made safe.
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Man bailed in burglary case
SWINDON: Scott Cadder, 27, of Albany Close, Park South, has been released on bail by a judge accused of burgling five flats, stealing Christmas trees from two of them. Cadder is also said to have made off with medals, rings and jewellery, during the
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Time to get a flu jab
PEOPLE most at risk of flu are being urged to get vaccinated this winter. The virus can be more severe in people such as over-65s, pregnant women, children and adults with an underlying health condition, particularly long-term heart or respiratory
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Marie Curie help needed
ROYAL WOOTTON BASSETT: Marie Curie Cancer Care is looking for volunteers to help collect money during the Great Daffodil Appeal, which goes towards supporting people with terminal illnesses. For more information or to help contact Natalie Taylor
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Get help to quit
SWINDON: Help is available for smokers hoping to quit the habit this year. For free support and advice call SEQOL Swindon NHS Stop Smoking Service on 01793 465513 or freephone 0800 389 2229. Alternatively text 07881 281797, email besmokefree@seqol
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Four months of delays on M4
M4: Delays are possible for the next four months between Junctions 16 and 17 on the eastbound carriageway. The Highways Agency is closing the hard shoulder all-day, every day, from Monday until April 12. Safeguarding works are being carried out.
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Check your lottery ticket
WROUGHTON: The winning lottery numbers for the Prospect Hospice weekly lottery draw yesterday (Fri) have been announced. The ticketholder scooping £1,000 top prize is number 65251, with ticket 22619 winning £100, number 11031 taking home £50 and
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Lyneham Banks closed
LYNEHAM: Lyneham Banks will be closed on Monday between 6pm and 6am on Tuesday morning for works to take place. Traffic will be diverted through Calne.
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Exclusions down
SWINDON: The number of permanent exclusions in Swindon schools has dropped to 13, the lowest since 2008/9. There was only one exclusion at primary school level in last 12 months bringing the total to 11 in the past four years.
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Fire at Next
TOWN CENTRE: Staff at Next in Regent Street reported a fire in a light fitting at around 12.55pm on Wednesday and firefighters were called to extinguish it and checked for heat spread with thermal imaging cameras before leaving the scene at 2pm.
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Slade Drive delays warnings
STRATTON: Delays will remain a possibility for motorists in Slade Drive until Tuesday when Thames Water will end the work it is carrying out in the road’s footpath.
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Blaze alert at hospital
GWH: Fire crews responded to a false alarm at Great Western Hospital after reception staff reported a car fire oustide the front entrance at 2.25pm on Tuesday. When firefighters arrived they found a car was smoking and disconnected the battery
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PREDICTIONS LEAGUE: Peterborough results update
PREDICTIONS LEAGUE: Peterborough United results and updates What a well fought win against the Posh. A lot of players stepped up to the plate for this one and gave a good account of themselves. There is a great team spirit and solidarity within
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PREDICTIONS LEAGUE: Stevenage v Swindon Town
PREDICTIONS LEAGUE: Stevenage v Swindon Town The New Year has got off to a flying start with a cracking win over our JPT Area Final opponents. Before then we have five more league matches and frankly, in my opinion, four of them should be winnable
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Aldridge happy with his players' response
RYAN Aldridge hailed the response of his players after they beat Sheffield home and away at the weekend. The head coach issued his team with a 'do or die' challenge last week and 8-1 and 5-4 EPL triumphs - the latter after a penalty shootout -
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Wildcats pick up maximum points from dramatic weekend
SWINDON Wildcats secured a four-point weekend and jumped back into the EPL play-off places after Ryan Watt struck in a penalty shootout to give them a 5-4 victory in Sheffield last night. Following a dramatic encounter that saw two punch-ups in
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Buddying scheme could make composting easy
RESIDENTS in Wroughton are fighting back against a council decision to charge for the collection of green waste. At a special Cabinet meeting last week, Swindon Council bosses decided to charge residents a £40 annual fee for collecting their grass
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Bid to build on eco area
AN APPEAL by developer Wainhomes to build 50 homes on ecologically sensitive land could set a precedent for all future decisions, it is claimed. The land around Bradley’s Meadow, in Purton, is one of only two outcrops of calcareous grass in the
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Finding a healthier way of life
A WEEK of action aimed at changing Swindonians’ diet habits and tackling the surge in obesity has been launched today. Swindon’s Healthy Weight Awareness Week kicked off at Penhill Library this morning and will run until Saturday. To promote
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Bid to stave off schooling crisis
PARENTS in North Swindon are being urged to face up to the reality of a lack of secondary school places in the coming years. It is expected that by 2016 more than 200 families will have to send their children to a school outside of the area due
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Appeal to raise £35,000 for boy’s life-changing op
THREE-year-old cerebral palsy sufferer Jayden-Vito Mazzotta-Drapper could take his very first steps unaided by the time he reaches primary school with the support of the people of Swindon. Jayden, of Walcot, was diagnosed with spastic diplegia
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HELLENIC LEAGUE: Bassett grab last minute winner to sink Shrivvy
LEVI Cox scored with the last kick of the game to give Wootton Bassett Town a 2-1 win over Shrivenham in their Hellenic Premier Division derby at Barrington Park on Saturday, writes CHRISTOPHER PANKS. Dan Drewett handed the hosts an early lead
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HELLENIC LEAGUE: Bassett boss Roberts predicts big things
Wootton Bassett Town boss Jeff Roberts believes recent additions have strengthened his squad to such an extent that next season they can compete for Hellenic Premier Division honours. Speaking after watching his side beat Shrivenham 2-1 in the
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Cooper wants players to have belief
MARK Cooper is hopeful his Swindon Town players will believe they can make a serious impression on the top end of League One after beating one of the pre-season promotion favourites on Saturday. Although Peterborough United came to the County Ground
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Posh win should breed confidence, says N'Guessan
DANY N’Guessan thinks Swindon Town can back themselves to take points off the rest of the promotion-chasing sides who are yet to visit the County Ground after beating Peterborough United 2-1 on Saturday. N’Guessan made his first Town appearance
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Town boss confirms Ranger's apology
MARK Cooper has confirmed that the Swindon Town players were consulted by the club’s management as they weighed up whether or not to keep Nile Ranger at the County Ground. As revealed on www.swindonadvertiser.co.uk on Saturday, Ranger apologised
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Cooper took advice from Premier League bosses over Ranger saga
MARK Cooper sought expert advice from a handful of seasoned managers before taking the decision to keep Nile Ranger at Swindon Town. The Advertiser revealed on Saturday that Town had changed their minds about sacking the enigmatic striker after
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Pupils face alien invasion
AN ALIEN invasion puzzled pupils at Liden Primary School, who spent an entire week uncovering the truth behind UFO sightings and unsettling evidence of extraterrestrial goings-on in Swindon. Children came into school last Monday morning to find
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Firefighters suspended over professional conflict
A PAIR of firefighters have been suspended after animosity between them allegedly impacted on their work and ability to lead their team at Drove Road station. Retained watch manager Chris Studley and retained crew manager John Bolton were relieved
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MP called in to help with flooding issue
CONCERNED flood victims met their MP on Saturday morning to discuss how to develop a long-term solution to the recurring problem. Residents living in Baker’s Road, in Wroughton, have been hit with some of the worst flooding in Swindon over recent
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Village machines set to save a life
WANBOROUGH is one of the first villages in the Swindon area to install three defibrillators which members of the public can use in emergencies. The defibrillators deliver an electric shock to the heart when someone is having a heart attack. Wanborough
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SOUTHERN LEAGUE: Milestone for Bevan as Ciren draw with struggler Fleet
VETERAN striker Jody Bevan scored his 250th Southern League goal as Cirencester drew 2-2 against lowly Fleet in Southern League Division One South & West. It could have been even better for the Centurions as in-form striker Lee Smith skied
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SOUTHERN LEAGUE: Webb's delight as Marine earn fourth win
MANAGER Dave Webb lavished praise on his Swindon Supermarine troops after they romped to a 4-1 victory over Mangotsfield in Southern League Division One South & West. Goals from Ash Edenborough, Kyle Lapham, Josh Parsons and substitute Joey
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Ferguson slams Tomlin after red card
PETERBOROUGH United manager Darren Ferguson laid into Lee Tomlin after his midfielder was dismissed during Posh’s 2-1 defeat to Swindon Town on Saturday. Tomlin was given his marching orders by referee Mark Haywood with five minutes remaining of
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Kasim praises Branco after stand-out debut
YASER Kasim spoke of his pride for housemate and close friend Raphael Rossi Branco after Swindon Town’s Brazilian defender produced a superb performance on his full league debut against Peterborough United. Branco pulled off three excellent late
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SWINDON TOWN 2 PETERBOROUGH UTD 1: Swindon's Balotelli does it again
IN NILE Ranger, Swindon Town have found their own Mario Balotelli. An archetypal anti-hero whose every absurd move is scrutinised, criticised, abhorred and adored. On Wednesday it seemed as though the striker’s eventful stay at the County Ground
