OUTGOING council leader Kevin Small is not the only one who is sick and tired of people knocking Swindon. Most people who live here are sick of it. This town has a lot to be proud of a place in history, and a promising looking economic future. And if
COUNCILLOR Nick Martin is probably right when he says the Steam Museum will never be profitable, but it is good to see there at least seems to be some kind of commitment to securing its future by cutting down on losses. The real challenge, however, lies
SAM PARKIN knows he will be a 'wanted man' this summer. But the striker is more than happy that it will take a king's ransom for anyone to prise him away from the County Ground. The good news for the Town faithful is that after a sunshine break to recharge
WROUGHTON Bowls Club have arranged an open day on Sunday, from 2pm onwards, at which they invite members of the public to try out the game of bowls. No knowledge or previous experience of the game is necessary as the object is purely to have a fun afternoon
SWINDON & District Bowling Association made a successful start to their 2003 campaign of representative matches. President Mike Large led his side to a 16-shot victory in their traditional first match against the Wiltshire Bowls Association. Despite
SMALL and medium sized businesses in Wiltshire are wasting millions of pounds every year on mobile phone charges because they are on the wrong tariff, according to new research. Based on analysis of 120,000 small and medium sized enterprises (SME's) across
PARTYGOERS have finally left Savernake Forest following a three-day illegal rave. More than 800 people gathered for the party, which was organised on the internet and featured five sound stages with DJs playing dance music. Police have admitted to the
A former Swindon schoolgirl is celebrating the release of her latest blues album. Rachael Pennell, 29, says her new CD, Bare 'n' Blue, is perfect for a romantic night in or to chill out on a Sunday. It comes hot on the heels of her appearance at the Swindon
Professor Kayoss, alias Des Kay, was just one of the colourful characters who ensured children at Keynes Country Park had a fun and action-packed Bank Holiday weekend. THERE was plenty to do in Swindon over the May Bank Holiday - and people came out in
SWINDON under 14s won the plate final at the Newbury 10's Festival. The first game was against Welsh side Nelson. Swindon got off to a poor start and spent the first half defending and conceded an unconverted try. The second half sawx a much better performance
Wootton Bassett under 11s were beaten in the last seconds of the Dorset & Wilts final at Supermarine yesterday. Bassett, the Wiltshire champions, were up against the Dorset champions, Sherborne, who proved to be a well-drilled side. Bassett struggled
Premier champions Percy's FC completed the Vanitec-sponsored Chippenham & District Sunday League campaign in style against a Box Rovers side that started the game with only nine players. Keith Dawdrey's side, who became the first team from Corsham
DOUBLE winners Mitel finished the Cirencester & District Youth League season with a sound 2-0 midweek victory over fallen champions Highworth. Stevens netted Mitel's first following an incisive Hobbs pass. Robertson added a second with a tremendous
MALMESBURY have won the Mid-Wilts Youth League's Under 16 Red title after a dramatic final-day win over Melksham. The sides were deadlocked until an inspired second-half substitution. James Hutton was introduced and the striker soon struck twice before
FAIRFORD Town can finish the season with some silverware when they take on Hellenic League rivals Yate Town in the Gloucestershire Senior Trophy final tonight, writes CRAIG LYUS. Mark Webb takes his well-rested troops to Almondsbury for the county showpiece
SWINDON Supermarine were unable to cap a remarkable season with some silverware yesterday. Ray Baverstock's side fresh from cementing their place in the Dr Martens League at the weekend were beaten 3-1 in the Wiltshire Premier Shield final by hosts Salisbury
CHANNEL 4 has been criticised for painting a gigantic eye next to the site of the pre-historic Uffington White Horse. The logo, created to promote the forthcoming Big Brother game show, was drawn with chalk paint so TV crews could film the title sequence
A HOUSE burglar has been given one last chance to mend his ways. Heroin user Thomas Fox was allowed on to a drug treatment and testing order to try to tackle his addiction and hopefully stop his offending. The 34-year-old was appearing at Swindon Crown
If you have a child with a learning disability, planning for their future is essential. Mencap has organised a free seminar on May 14 to give parents advice on how to set up a will or special trust. The talk, which starts at 6.30pm, takes place at the
Stamp and postcard enthusiasts gathered at the Western Community Centre in Rodbourne Cheney over the bank holiday weekend. The monthly stamp and postcard fair attracted some 18 dealers from across the country and scores of keen buyers. Event organiser
THE winners of the Poems from the Bus Shelter competition have been announced. In all 10 local poets were presented with a framed copy of their prize-winning poems at the Swindon Festival of Literature's Clive Brain Memorial Lecture last Friday. Anne-Marie
SWINDON CANCER APPEAL: Patriotic locals at the Moonrakers pub turned St George's Day into a money-spinner for charity. Some 70 regulars at the pub in Cricklade Road raised £209 for the Swindon Cancer Appeal. That has taken the total raised so far to almost
A MOBILE phone recycling scheme is being launched by Swindon Council. People are being asked dig out their old mobile phones and take them to the recycling centre in Barnfield Road. Alternatively, the Swindon Services department is giving away special
COMEDIAN Les Dennis performed in front of a packed Wyvern Theatre despite fears that his appearance in Swindon would be a flop. Last week, the Evening Advertiser revealed that the TV host and comedian had only sold 37 tickets for his show at the theatre
A SWINDON supermarket has been accused of not doing enough to clear up abandoned shopping trolleys. According to councillor Ian Dobie (Con, Haydon Wick) the problem of trolleys being dumped in the area has become horrendous since Asda Wal-Mart opened
AGE Concern Swindon is inviting applications from people interested in becoming one of its charity trustees. We will have a couple of vacancies from July and we are looking for people who can help us do our job well. Being a charity trustee means giving
RE: 'Vandals damage allotment sheds' Thursday, April 24 In response to the article published in the Evening Advertiser on the above date, I have investigated the history behind the comments and would like to update you of the progress made from this report
Gloucestershire's batsmen made hay in the Bristol sunshine to inflict Leicestershire's third defeat in as many National League Division One games this season. Philip Weston (92), Craig Spearman (89) and Tim Hancock (82) were the main contributors to a
WILTSHIRE will hold two trial matches this weekend for prospective candidates for their Middleton Cup inter-county side. They will face Somerset at Bath in the first trial on Saturday, and the following day play Oxfordshire at Banbury Central. The third
The Swindon industrial market has hit an all-time low and is heading towards recession, specialist industrial surveyor, Lipfriend Dawson, has warned. The firm says the Swindon market has been hit by the slowdown in UK manufacturing and is now facing the
CHANNEL 4 has been criticised for painting a gigantic eye next to the site of the pre-historic Uffington White Horse. The logo, created to promote the forthcoming Big Brother game show, was drawn with chalk paint so TV crews could film the title sequence
THE Kings Arms played twice midweek and again on Sunday but failed to pick up any points. The New Inn beat them 3-0 on Wednesday and a brace from Simon Gaines and a single from Rob Evans saw J.B's Lions hold out for a 3-2 victory on Thursday. Bar OC went
Sylvia Stiles, right, and her daughter Beverly Willis. A GREAT-grandmother from Swindon has been reunited with her long-lost sister in Australia - after surfing the Evening Advertiser website. After no contact for 13 years, Sylvia Stiles, 68, came across
LABOUR group leader Kevin Small has decided to relinquish control of Swindon Council after the Conservatives became the majority party in the local elections. The Tory group was one seat and 29 votes away from winning overall control after gaining six
SWINDON has been nominated as one of the worst places in the country to live by readers of a London-based magazine and website. The Idler magazine, which has a readership of about 30,000 comes out twice a year. Its editor is undertaking an internet survey
The Steam Task Group was formed in December 2002 in response to growing concern about Steam's finances. It is comprised of seven councillors and is backed by all three political parties. It has met four times and heard evidence from 14 expert witnesses
Summary of the report's recommendations: Change the name - people find it confusing because it could apparently refer to a Turkish bath. Should include reference to the Great Western Railway. Parking - the high cost of parking at £12 a day is putting
A MUSEUM which is costing Swindon Council £12,000 a week to run could have its name changed to reduce losses, the Advertiser can reveal. This is one of a series of suggestions put forward by a cross-party council inquiry into the huge financial losses
PURTON clinched the Swindon & District Minors League under 16 title with victory over AFC Mannington. Tony Brown's side won 1-0 at a packed Red House to claim the title ahead of rivals Eastville Boys. Purton needed just a point to take the crown,
New Century WMC won the Sunday Knock Out Cup for the third time when they defeated AFC Gas 2-1 at Hunts Copse. Ryan Lovgrove put them ahead in the 29th minute after a disputed free-kick and Matt Saye increased their lead after 50 minutes. Mark Bennett
Kintbury Rangers completed the first part of a second successive treble on Saturday, when they crushed Division Two Steventon 8-0 in the Charity Shield Final at Abingdon. Steventon had done well to get to the final but their worst fears were realised
SWINDON Town Ladies Under 14s put up a brave fight before succumbing to Surrey Primary League double winners Portsmouth. Swindon dominated the league play-off for long spells at Woking's Kingfield Stadium before losing 3-1. Cheered on by Town mascot Rockin
OXFORD Brookes University has announced it has purchased Swindon College's Ferndale Road site. Last year the college announced plans to sell its campuses in Euclid Street and Regent Circus as well as Ferndale Road as it prepares for a £15 million move
AROUND 300 children cycled around Coate Water Country Park in glorious sunshine for the Blue Peter Bikeathon. The Swindon event was one of 80 that took place around the country in aid of the Leukaemia Research Fund. Blue Peter presenter Liz Barker started
SWINDON CANCER APPEAL: Carole Bennett has one thing on her mind - pounds, and lots of them. Not only is the 61-year-old hoping to lose them as she starts her diet, she is also aiming to raise some for the Swindon Cancer Appeal. Carole weighed 17.4 stone
HUNDREDS of young hopefuls queued outside the Wyvern Theatre with the aim of securing a place in the 10th annual Summer Youth Project. More than 350 youngsters converged on the theatre to audition for the musical Fame. Among those taking part were 14-
A ROW over a council parking space has led to allegations of abuse of privilege. It concerns the use of a car park set aside for councillors at the Civic Offices on Euclid Street. Councillor Jemima Milton (Con, Chiseldon) has accused Geraldine Robertson
HUNDREDS of older people are being offered the chance to get to grips with the internet, as part of Age Concern's silver surfer festival. The month-long national campaign aims to promote the relevance and benefits of the internet to older people and provide
JAMAICAN Dwight Johnson has been remanded in custody after admitting a string of drugs offences. The 23-year-old and Emma Toddington, 22, were both charged with possessing heroin and crack cocaine with intent to supply. But Toddington, of The Heights,
SWINDON FESTIVAL OF LITERATURE REVIEW: Considering the subject matter, the Merry Swives of Rochester, performed last night at Lydiard House, was a distinctly sober affair. A play based around Lord Rochester (1647-1680), it chronicled not only the life
SWINDON FESTIVAL OF LITERATURE: FAR away from the traditional setting of the Arts Centre or Wyvern Theatre, the Swindon Festival of Literature headed outdoors over the Bank Holiday weekend. Storyteller, author and fungus expert, Patrick Harding, took
I am trying to trace my Swindon relations. My late father Henry James Whale (Jim) moved to the Westbury area with his father Henry George (Harry), his mother Adelaide (formerly Godwin) and sister Rita Adelaide. A son Thomas (Tom) was born in Westbury.
NOW that the war in Iraq has been won Tony Blair should have come to his senses that a common foreign policy, single constitution and army for the EU is unworkable, as all countries differ over many issues and have totally diverse cultures and ways of
