NOBODY could have left the County Ground at 4.50 on Saturday afternoon unaware of the enormous task which faces Andy King and his players this season. Another poor display provoked the almost customary boos as thoughts of filling 32,000-capacity stadiums
North Wiltshire District Council will have to cut spending or hike up council tax next year to tackle its dwindling reserves, warns an auditors' report. It reveals the council's reserves halved, from £4m to £2m between March 1999 and March 2000. And the
The weather has played its usual destructive role this week, with all but two of the local Screwfix teams having their fixtures called off. Those that did manage to play probably wish they hadn't. Pewsey Vale, Division 1's bottom team, lost 3-0 at Ilfracombe
THERE was another washout for local Hellenic clubs at the weekend. Swindon Supermarine's third attempt to play RS Basingstoke in the first round of the Complete Music Challenge Cup was postponed and Highworth's second round tie North Leigh also fell victim
NOBODY could have left the County Ground at 4.50 on Saturday afternoon unaware of the enormous task which faces Andy King and his players this season. Another poor display provoked the almost customary boos as thoughts of filling 32,000-capacity stadiums
MAN of the match Shaun Berne notched 17 points as Bath overcame plucky Rotherham 42-19, scoring six tries and reigniting their flagging title aspirations. Bath gave a league debut to young fullback Stuart Bellinger, although not in his preferred position
Head coach Jon Callard was understandably happy with the 42-19 win over Rotherham which racked up a maximum five points for Bath. "I am definitely pleased with the five points,"he said. "We analysed a video and watched their pack and were able to stem
Leigh Childs is a not a man to take a hint easily. The Old Town-based martial arts expert found out the hard way last year that mistiming a kick at a 36ft long sword can be a rather painful experience. The Tae Kwon Do expert severed four tendons in his
Moving in perfect unison with her instructor, Abbie MacKenzie punches the air and grunts with satisfaction. She has just received her first Tae Kwon Do belt and she is only three-years-old. This makes her Swindon's youngest martial artist. The toddler
South Swindon MP Julia Drown has written to Stagecoach to complain about the quality of bus services. Ms Drown has called on the regional managing director of Stagecoach, Malcolm Howitt, to rectify the situation urgently. She said: "My constituents are
The festive feel-good factor is clearly alive and well in Swindon. Around 8,000 people lined the streets on Sunday to celebrate the Christmas Carnival. Organisers hailed it a terrific success and and hope this year's spectators will become next year's
The Prime Minister has given North Swindon MP Michael Wills the job of putting the pride back into Great Britain. Tony Blair has appointed Mr Wills as the Govern-ment's patriotism envoy. It will be the Labour junior minister's job to draw up a strategy
It was a clear case of singing in the rain at Swindon's Designer Outlet Village this weekend. As the skies opened and unleashed a torrent of water, shoppers were greeted with music ranging from ukeleles to organists at the Stroke Association Musicathon
Former Town striker Peter Thorne was delighted to put one over his old club, but saddened to see them in their current predicament. The Stoke forward was relieved to get back to winning ways after his side's FA Cup exit at Nuneaton in midweek. "It was
Old Town has received a vocal reminder not to forget a sparkling festive tradition. The official switch-on of Old Town's Christmas lights takes place on Thursday in Wood Street at 7pm. The mayor of Swindon, Arthur Archer, will perform the honours. As
A new half-a-million-pound extension for the Gorse Hill Baptist Church was officially opened by Mayor Arthur Archer and council leader Sue Bates. The extension was praised by all the worshippers who turned up to see the dedication and those involved said
A Swindon student who wants to be Prime Minister has made his first visit to the House of Commons. But unfortunately Luke Graham, a committed Liberal Democrat Youth member, missed a chance to see Tony Blair put under fire from Tory leader William Hague
Millwall went to the top of the Division Two table with a 1-0 win at Oldham where Aussie midfielder Tim Cahill was the hero with the 79th minute decider. Wigan and Bristol City maintained their unbeaten records in a 1-1 draw at Ashton Gate, Louis Carey's
A homeless man who brandished a toy gun at drivers in a busy Swindon street was making a cry for help, a court heard. Armed officers and the Wiltshire Police helicopter were called out to arrest Matthew Trotman who was pointing the pistol at passing motorists
The annual battle against festive drink driving was being launched in Swindon today. More than 1,000 Wiltshire drivers tested positive last year. Representatives from Swindon Road Safety, Wiltshire Police and a former drink driver who has completed a
The Prime Minister has given North Swindon MP Michael Wills the job of putting the pride back into Great Britain. Tony Blair has appointed Mr Wills as the Government's patriotism envoy. It will be the Labour junior minister's job to draw up a strategy
Bart Griemink was in downcast mood after his goalkeeping blunder sealed Town's defeat on Saturday. The Dutchman's shanked clearance ballooned vertically into the air and presented visiting striker Kyle Lightbourne with an unmissable opportunity to score
TOWN boss Andy King said that he will be bringing in a new face for next week's trip to North-ampton after his side's dismal defeat against Stoke. He said: " It's my job as a manager that if I don't think it is good enough then I'll make changes. "There
Children from Penhill Primary Sch-ool dressed up as their favourite characters from books and fairy tales for the culmination of the school's book week. Teachers and support assistants joined in the fun, with headteacher Linda Rankin dressing as the Wicked
Southern Electricity Board bosses did not advise electrician Michael Mc-Donald to wear a protective mask or clothing during his many years of working with asbestos in the 1960s and 70s, an inquest heard. His regular exposure to the material during his
Volunteers tried their hand at painting and decorating at the weekend for charity About 20 people showed up for a community painting party in Sussex Square on Saturday. The aim of the day was to refurbish the showroom of Topdrawer Furniture Recycling
The remarks in the letter Welcome to Sodom and Gomorrah, Evening Advertiser, 22 November, bears no resemblance to the meeting which it refers to, at the Elim Pentecostal Church. I feel A J Davies failed to grasp the level of debate on the night, and is
Can I suggest that by making prostitution legal this would do away with all the abuse those who trade their bodies receive from the pimps. Also the prostitutes could be medically checked regularly. Why is it living in the 21st century this island has
Once again the newspapers gave moving tributes to the remembrance of our dead. The rightful tribute was given to the men and women that took part in those dreadful wars. For the first time ever, the Korean Veterans were given the recognition for The Forgotten
Once again our popular village store (Pavenhill News, in Purton) was subjected to an overnight raid. This is the second time in a few weeks that this store has been subjected to this kind of misdemeanour and, once again, the police have not been close
WOOTTON Bassett came out 6-5 winners in a tense derby game against Swindon College Old Boys. The game was in doubt until right until kick-off due to torrential rain and an extremely soggy Nationwide pitch. College started the brighter of the two sides
