SWINDON...

1947: Rain reduced attendance at Highworth’s British Legion’s Horticultural Show at the recreation ground. Exhibitors, said judge Mr E Stevens, were of excellent quality though the number of entries was disappointing.

1957: Swindon pulled back to draw their National Speedway League match 48-all at Leicester after one of the most remarkable races seen this season. With one heat to go Leicester were two points ahead. Ken McKinlay opened up a big lead so interest fell on second place where guest rider, Jack Biggs from Oxford, was staving off a dual challenge from Bob Roger and Neil Street. Roger than raced through at the same time as McKinlay broke down only yards from home.

1977: The bid by the controversial Moon Sect set to go into the eating-out business in Stanton FItzwarren is likely to fall flat. Thamesdown Councillors were being asked to approve outline planning for a commercial venture with part of Beech Farm in Highworth Street, Stanton Fittzwarren, involving a farm shop, restaurant and car park.

2013: A mental health charity was due to open a new respite house in Old Town to provide a place for people suffering from stress or depression to take a break. Swindon Mind will be closing the doors of its old site at Oak Lodge at the end of the month, and is shutting down for three weeks while its new accommodation is organised.

THE WORLD...

1327: First War of Scottish Independence. James Douglas led a raid into Weardale and almost killed Edward III of England.

1914: The start of the First World War. Germany invaded Belgium. In response, Belgium and the United Kingdom declared war on Germany.

1944: Jewish diarist Anne Frank, her family, and four others were arrested by the Gestapo in Amsterdam.

BORN...

1901: Louis Armstrong, American trumpeter and singer
1955: Billy Bob Thornton, US actor, singer
1961: Barack Obama,  44th President of the United States
1968: Lee Mack, English comedian and actor

DIED...

1875: Hans Christian Andersen, Danish author
1996: Geoff Hamilton, gardener and broadcaster