SWINDON...

1947: The Public Health Committee for Wiltshire County Council has noted with regret a letter from the Swindon Town Council in which reference is made to a suggestion by the doctors in Swindon that they will cease the practice of midwifery at the Swindon Maternity home following the appointment of a consultant and obstetrical officer.

1977: Swindon wants its own BBC local radio station, so justifiably it should be among the first of a batch of new ones to go on air. This is the view of Thamesdown Borough Council Chief Executive, David Kent, who is urging councillors to make it clear to the Home Office. The outcome depends on the Parliament’s view of the Autumn report.

2013: Queen’s Park was bathed in sunshine as people gathered to mark its 60th anniversary. The event was organised by Coun Stan Pajak (Lib, Eastcott) and the Queen’s Park Community Group. The late Sir Noel Arkell, who was a director of the family business, opened the beauty spot in 1953 during his time as the High Sheriff of Wiltshire.

THE WORLD...

1896: Nicholas II became Tsar of Russia.

1897: Dracula, a novel by the Irish author Bram Stoker, was published.

1906: Vauxhall Bridge was opened in London.

1940: Battle of Dunkirk – in France, Allied forces begin a massive evacuation from Dunkirk, France.

BORN...

1886: Al Jolson, singer and actor
1904: George Formby, singer and actor
1907: John Wayne, American actor
1909: Matt Busby, former Manchester United football manager
1913: Peter Cushing, English actor
1920: Peggy Lee, American singer
1926: Miles Davis, American trumpet player
1948: Stevie Nicks, singer-songwriter with Fleetwood Mac
1965: Hazel Irvine, television presenter
1966: Helena Bonham Carter, English actress
1981: Jason Manford, comedian

DIED...

1703: Samuel Pepys, politician and diarist
1989: Don Revie, former Leeds and England football manager