Archive
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Teen forced man to open up club so he could steal
A TEENAGER launched a violent robbery on a social club volunteer, targeting the key holder as he locked up the premises for the night. Dean McHugh was with an unknown accomplice when they threatened to stab the 47-year-old as he made his way home after
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We don’t want mobile mast near our school
PARENTS have raised fears over a plan by mobile phone giants to install a 15 metre high mast next to a school playing field. A planning application for antennae and equipment cabinets in Beechcroft Road has been submitted to Swindon Council on behalf
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A fond farewell to loved headteacher
OUTGOING headteacher Ray Norman is proud to be leaving a school that he feels has become an integral part of the community. Mr Norman, 60, is retiring Lethbridge Primary school after quite literally building it up to be part of the community. Mr Norman
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Stations close as petrol supplies in Swindon dry up
A NUMBER of petrol stations across the town have been forced to close and many will remain closed until Monday. The following petrol stations are currently closed: Total garage, High Street, Royal Wootton Bassett Esso, Kingshill
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Guide dog may not work after attack
A GUIDE dog who was just weeks from finishing her training might never get to work for the blind after an attack in the town centre. Grace was guiding her trainer, Philippa Davidson, through The Parade at 3.30pm on Tuesday when a Staffordshire Bull Terrier
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Youngster heartbroken as his pet lizard goes missing
THE search is on to find a lost lizard in time to celebrate a little boy’s seventh birthday. Cody Kerr, who is a pupil at Moredon Primary School, was getting a new tank installed in the wall of his mum’s living room in Moredon especially for
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Officer taken to hospital after car smash
A POLICE officer has been taken to hospital with a head injury after his car collided with another on a country road. The male officer was travelling along the A4361 near Broad Hinton at the time of the three-vehicle crash at around 1.15pm
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Pumped up melody from a free spirit
The Who were one of the first band’s I ever saw live. It was 1975 in Duisberg, Germany and the concert and light show were out of this world. So when I saw Pete Townshend’s brother, Simon, was in town, it was a no brainer I had to check it out. Simon
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Charity fundraising walk
Dear Editor, Myself and ex army colleague John Tarry will be doing a fund raising walk from Royal Wootton Bassett to the Royal Marines depot at Lympstone , Devon. We will be raising much needed funds for the Combat Stress charity. This
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Thespians are set to impress
Actors from a Swindon theatre company are treading the boards in two festivals with two very different plays next month. Whole Hog Productions have been rehearsing Jane Ayre based on Charlotte Bronte’s famous love story, to perform at the Manx
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Council in legal bid to stop Facebook images
SWINDON Council has been forced to seek legal advice over Facebook images. A number of archive copyrighted images have been uploaded to the Facebook page Swindon Images without permission, according to the council. The pictures of the town have come
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House prices drop by one per cent
HOUSE prices in the UK fell by one per cent this month and are almost one per cent lower than a year ago says Swindon-based Nationwide Building Society. The price of a typical home is now £163,327. Robert Gardner, Nationwide’s chief economist, said
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Special spring celebration for children
CHILDREN are being invited to pick up free cress seeds from a garden centre next month as part of its Spring Gardening Celebration. Youngsters who complete an activity sheet can collect free packets of seeds, while stocks last, at Blooms Swindon Garden
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Website launched to assist carers
A WEBSITE which will transform the way patients, carers and professionals access information was launched in Swindon this week. The website, which has received support from Prime Minister David Cameron, focuses initially on dementia and stroke services
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Hospital is set to become trauma unit
Great Western Hospital is to be a designated Trauma Unit in two regional Trauma Networks from next month. Due to its geographical location, GWH will be part of both the Severn Network to the west and the Thames Valley Network to the north-east. Trauma
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Woodards wary of Robins
DANNY Woodards knows Bristol Rovers face a stern test of their improving credentials when they take on League Two leaders Swindon Town tomorrow. Paolo Di Canio’s side are four points clear at the top of the table and will be looking to quickly
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Musical way to raise funds
A FUNDRAISER is hoping to create a big noise in Old Town to raise money for the Prospect Hospice. Kevin Price, of Old Town, is aiming to set up a regular charity night at the Kings Hotel to raise funds. He said that he is not fit enough to run marathons
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Kebab shop praised for its high-quality hygiene
SWINDON’S oldest kebab shop has proof it is not just any late-night food stop after scoring four points under the new ratings. Ibrahim Sanci, the manager of King’s Best BBQ, and his staff say they are so proud of their high standards they will let customers
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NHS launch a new telephone number
A NEW NHS 24-hour 365-day-a-year telephone number is being introduced but is set to cost approximately £610,000 in just one year. The NHS 111 number will act in a similar way to the police 101 number and will make it easier for patients to
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Swindon soldier helps woman at 30,000ft
AN EXPEDITION to conquer Everest has got off to an exciting start for Swindon soldier Captain Francis Atkinson. The 31-year-old army doctor, who is taking part in the Walking With The Wounded Team, was on the Qatar airlines flight to Kathmandu when an
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Help and advice on building issues
Swindon Council is offering two free workshops for residents to offer advice and help building a house. The Getting the Builders In workshops aim to steer people around the pitfalls of extending a house. They will be held between midday and 2pm at the
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Move us out or our sick baby could die
A COUPLE with a baby who suffers from a heart condition claim her life will be at risk if they are not moved out of their council house. Simon and Kelly Michie say damp and mould in their home could lead to a fatal condition for two-month-old Louise,
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Children find it’s like riding a bike thanks to Cycling Now
CHILDREN at Southfield School in Highworth have been getting on their bikes to learn road safety. Cycling Now, led by Neil Daycock, has trained more than 4,000 children and a good many adults since becoming Swindon’s first Bikeability provider in 2008
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Working together in fight against crime
THE new heads of response policing and the town centre have vowed to work together in the fight to keep crime down. Chief Inspector Keith Ewart, now responsible for co-ordinating police response to emergencies in the town, and Inspector Adrian Burt,
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Great gran loses pension to thieves
A GREAT-grandmother who had just drawn her weekly pension had it stolen moments later by a pair of thieves Mary Parsons was shopping at Sainsbury's, in Royal Wootton Bassett, at noon on Monday when two women approached her in the aisle. As one distracted
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Petrol pump panic goes on
PANIC buying continued in Swindon yesterday, with roads jammed outside petrol station forecourts. Long queues formed as motorists rushed to stock up ahead of threatened strike action by fuel delivery drivers. Cabinet Office minister Francis Maude was
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Panic buying fuels flames as prices rise
MOTORISTS were left fuming yesterday after prices rocketed to exorbitant levels at the last petrol stations with fuel. Unleaded hit 147.9 a litre at the Esso-Spar forecourt in Royal Wootton Bassett, the last garage left open in the town last night.
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Rooney: Competition good for the team
LUKE Rooney is chomping at the bit to start against Bristol Rovers tomorrow after missing out on playing at Wembley, but accepts he must be patient for his chance to come again. The winger looked certain to make the left-wing spot his own after joining
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Ritchings set for U21 semi
SWINDON asset Darryl Ritchings will contest the British Under-21 semi-final with 15 other riders at Stoke on April 7. In the semis, Purton’s Ritchings is up against Jake Knight, James Sarjeant, Shane Hazelden, Joe Jacobs, Ben Hopwood, Tom Perry
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Wildcats told to block out the play-offs
FORWARD Aaron Nell has insisted Swindon Wildcats still have their minds on the regular season despite having all-but booking their date with Manchester Phoenix in the English Premier League play-offs. Wildcats host Telford Tigers at the
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SOUTHERN LEAGUE Grant is the Port of call for Marine
SUPERMARINE’S seventh goalkeeper of the season is expected to make his debut in the Southern Premier relegation six-pointer against Hemel Hempstead tomorrow. Totton’s Grant Porter, who featured in the Stags’ FA Cup second-round meeting with
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Howell opens up with level par in Sicily
DAVID Howell recorded an opening round level par at the Sicilian Open in Verdura yesterday. The Broome Manor professional holed the opening 13 in regulation at the Verdura Golf Resort & Spa, before making his first and only birdie at the par-five
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Di Canio determined to plunder Pirates for three points
NOTHING less than three points against local rivals Bristol Rovers will do tomorrow after Paolo Di Canio set his Swindon side a target of achieving promotion by Easter Monday. Town return to League Two action following their Johnstone’s Paint Trophy
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HELLENIC LEAGUE: Webb sets sights on semi-finals
HIGHWORTH will aim to avoid cup agony for the second time in a fortnight tomorrow when they travel to Wokingham & Emmbrook. The Elms side were dumped out of the Wilts Senior Cup semi by Calne 10 days ago but are one match away from a last-four spot in
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Old Boys depleted for visit to Bicester
A PATCHED-UP Swindon College Old Boys side will take to the field for tomorrow’s visit to Bicester. Last Saturday’s stunning victory over champions elect Drifters came at a price, with news of three serious injuries leaving the Old Boys coaching team
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SOUTHERN LEAGUE: Chippenham axe Lamb after too many red cards
SHAUN Lamb has been axed by Chippenham after he was sent off for the second time in four games. The full-back was dismissed for a headbutt against Barwell on February 18 and then saw red again during Saturday’s 5-1 defeat at Brackley for foul and abusive
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Loader wants one more push
SWINDON coach Neil Loader has called for a big finish from his players to ensure they get what they deserve from an impressive season. With three games to go in South West 1 East, there are six teams who could finish as high as third or as
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Ritchie here for the long run
WINGER Matt Ritchie has put to bed speculation over his long-term future by insisting he intends to be at Swindon next season. The npower League Two Player of the Year has played a key role in helping the Robins to the top of the division,
