Archive

  • Wiltshire cooked by late flurry from John

    WILTSHIRE Over 50s were squeezed out in a nail-biting finish to their match against Somerset at Warminster. Somerset hit the winning run off the last ball of the game to win by three wickets. Wiltshire batted first, with most of the early batsmen contributing

  • Rourke the derby hero

    Swindon continued their fine start to Glos/Wilts Division Two season with a comfortable victory over rivals Wootton Bassett. Having lost the toss Swindon were asked to bat in conditions offering assistance to Bassett's bowlers. But the opening pair of

  • Cole wickets seal victory

    Malmesbury, with a game in hand on the leaders, continued their challenge for the North Wilts Junior League Under 11 section with a comprehensive 45-run victory at Cannings. Opener Matthew Beck (58 not out) batted throughout the Malmesbury innings as

  • Lewis: Jack was simply the best

    SWINDON'S Jon Lewis has led the glowing tributes following Jack Russell's decision to call time on his cricketing career. Former England wicket keeper Russell has quit the game after failing to overcome a back injury. The 40-year-old Gloucestershire gloveman

  • Acting and eggs: Marguerite whisks up some memories

    Marguerite Patten, cookery book author, at Waitrose. DA5747I DOUBT very much if Marguerite Patten has ever used eye of newt or toe of frog in a recipe, but I'm sure if she did the result would be nutritious and delicious. The doyenne of cookery writers

  • Wedding planner's bespoke service

    Alison Gale, of Purple Tiger Weddings. DA5691A WOMAN who was born and brought up in south Wiltshire has returned to the area to set up her own business. Alison Gale read business at Cardiff University and has spent the last 11 years in marketing roles

  • Union rally warns of end to south-west manufacturing

    THE Transport and General Workers' Union says figures show that manufacturing in the south-west will end by 2043, unless the government and employers work with trade unions to secure a stable future for industry. Unions gathered in Birmingham at the end

  • Top awards for holiday centre

    SANDY Balls Holiday Centre near Fordingbridge is celebrating after sweeping the board at the Hampshire & Isle of Wight Sustainable Business Awards. The 120-acre holiday centre at Godshill, which welcomes 50,000 guests each year and is renowned for

  • Skew Bridge delays spark traders' fury

    FURIOUS traders are demanding answers as improvements to Skew Bridge continue to leave dozens out of pocket. Members of the Skew Bridge Action Group gathered at the Rangers Peugeot dealership in Wilton Road this week, to share their concerns and thrash

  • Car fever grips Wilton Park

    AN impressive line-up of the latest cars on the market attracted scores of visitors to this year's Salisbury Motor Show at the weekend. Staged by Salisbury Newspapers, publishers of the Salisbury, Amesbury and Forest Journal and the Avon Advertiser series

  • Centre needs more funds

    THE refurbishment of Salisbury Arts Centre is well under way - but staff still need to raise £80,000 to release lottery funding worth nearly half-a-million pounds. So far, the Arts Centre and its supporters have raised just under £4m towards the £4.7m

  • Crowd greets solstice dawn

    The centre of the circle is packed with revellers.AS the sun finally made its appearance at 5.15 on Monday morning, at the beginning of the longest day of the year, cheers broke out among the assorted crowd of about 21,000 people gathered at Stonehenge

  • Details of 550-home estate are unveiled

    DETAILED plans for the new 550-home estate at Boscombe Down have been unveiled at a meeting of Amesbury town council. These include plans for the community centre, playing fields and changing rooms, children's play areas, retail centre and affordable

  • Dozen staff redundant

    WOOLWORTHS has announced it has made a dozen people redundant in Swindon. The 12 are junior managers based at the Wincanton Logistics depot in Faraday Road in Dorcan. Wincanton is a Woolworth's contractor, although the sacked people are Woolworth's employees

  • Wedding planner's bespoke service

    Alison Gale, of Purple Tiger Weddings. DA5691A WOMAN who was born and brought up in south Wiltshire has returned to the area to set up her own business. Alison Gale read business at Cardiff University and has spent the last 11 years in marketing roles

  • Union rally warns of end to south-west manufacturing

    THE Transport and General Workers' Union says figures show that manufacturing in the south-west will end by 2043, unless the government and employers work with trade unions to secure a stable future for industry. Unions gathered in Birmingham at the end

  • City law firm says farewell to two long-standing staff members

    SALISBURY law firm Trethowans has said farewell to two long-standing members of staff. Michael Adams and Derek Sharp have between them clocked up more than 50 years in the profession. Mr Adams (second from right) practised law for 38 years and joined

  • Sun shines on carnival

    Bourne Valley Nursery School, winners of the best large float prize.DOZENS of tots in colourful costumes joined in the fun during this weekend's Winterbourne church fete and carnival. The procession, which set off in brilliant sunshine from the Defence

  • Middle school governor furious at support letter

    A LETTER has been sent to a governor of Duchy Manor Middle School, Mere, asking him if he will be continuing in his role - when in fact the school is closing down. To make matters worse, the letter has come from education authority Wiltshire county council

  • Highway chiefs close A303

    SOUTH Wiltshire is bracing itself for long traffic tailbacks, following an announcement by highway chiefs that they are to close the A303 near Amesbury this weekend. The closure on the hectic holiday route has been ordered to enable the safe removal of

  • Centre needs more funds

    THE refurbishment of Salisbury Arts Centre is well under way - but staff still need to raise £80,000 to release lottery funding worth nearly half-a-million pounds. So far, the Arts Centre and its supporters have raised just under £4m towards the £4.7m

  • Stagg sets up win

    ANDY Stagg continued his run-filled season with a superb century for South Wilts' fourths. He shared a first wicket stand of 137 with young Tom Pearce, 53, and then took the score to 218 in partnership with Sam Parker, 32. He departed shortly after completing

  • Crowd greets solstice dawn

    The centre of the circle is packed with revellers.AS the sun finally made its appearance at 5.15 on Monday morning, at the beginning of the longest day of the year, cheers broke out among the assorted crowd of about 21,000 people gathered at Stonehenge

  • Rain puts an end to seconds' hopes

    SOUTH Wilts II's bowlers had to contend with an in-form overseas player as South African Will Proz-esky hit 79, but it was an altogether better performance that last week's. Shaun Little, playing his first game of the season, picked up a couple of wickets

  • Skew Bridge delays spark traders' fury

    FURIOUS traders are demanding answers as improvements to Skew Bridge continue to leave dozens out of pocket. Members of the Skew Bridge Action Group gathered at the Rangers Peugeot dealership in Wilton Road this week, to share their concerns and thrash

  • Farrow claims six to spoil Dinton's day

    Dinton 143-8 lost to Compton & Chandlers Ford II 144-1 ON an overcast day, Compton entertained Dinton and on winning the toss, invited the visitors to bat. Dinton made steady progress through the opening overs, bringing up the 50 in the 16th over.

  • Ace of Hearts appeal tops £1m

    The Ace of Hearts appeal tops the £1,000,000 mark as Charlene Wright (left) presents a cheque for £380, in memory of her grandfather Michael Coughlan, to Share fundraising director Carol Taylor and powerlifting champion Bill West receives a cheque for

  • Blake swoops to sign five for Robins

    New kids on the block. Downton's summer signings Dan Smith, Darrell Ford, Ben Cross, Danny Aplin and Dan Newman line up with first team boss Mitch Blake (centre) and club chairman Jim Blake (far right). DA5806P1.DOWNTON FC boss Mitch Blake has swooped

  • Teeing off for charity

    One of the event's organisers Roger Brocksom with the Ladies of Hamptworth team of Kate Dawkins, Pat Lawrence and Stephanie Fry. DA5814P7.THE sun shone on AEP's annual golf day on Friday, tempting a strong entry of 30 teams on to Hamptworth Golf Course

  • Dream debut for Williams

    Winning start. Snooker player Nathan Williams. Staff picture by HERBIE FATHERLY. DA5694.SALISBURY'S rising snooker star Nathan Williams enjoyed a dream start to his international career helping England under 19s to a comfortable 58-50 frame victory in

  • Finding cash for research

    Business Link Berkshire and Wiltshire has reminded companies to ask for help when trying to find fundingfor research and development. Studies have shown that companies that spend on research are more likely to succeed in the long term. BLBW has a team

  • Quiz night is a winner for local charities

    BENTLEY Jennison accountants have handed over £1,300 to charity after their annual quiz night. More than 200 people making up 40 teams packed the Winners Lounge at Swindon Town Football Club to test their general knowledge earlier this year, with Magnum

  • Business warned over tax changes

    SWINDON firms have been warned to start thinking now about filing their tax returns over the internet. In the next six years before 2009/10 all employers will have to file the end-of-year PAYE forms through the internet. From this year businesses with

  • How strike will bite...

    FIRST Great Western is hoping to run a skeleton timetable through next week's rail strike. The Rail Maritime and Transport union has announced that Network Rail's maintenance and signalling workers will walk out at 6.30pm on Tuesday for 24 hours. The

  • Laugh 'til it hurts

    UNTIL JUNE 27 2004, BATH: Neil Simon uses wit as a defence against pain. So, while his characters and plots are invariably entertaining and have you laughing out loud, there is always an awareness of the underlying pain. Sometimes you are laughing and

  • Sam wins battle of the baby blues

    Ref. 31012-43A LOT of women would dread entering their fourth decade but super slimmer Sam Watkins can't wait to turn 30 on Sunday. The mother-of-one, from Lower Stratton, is one of thousands of women across Swindon who has experienced postnatal depression

  • Drink driver is banned from road for three years

    MOTOR mechanic Keith Mayo was banned from driving for three years after he was caught drink driving for the second time in five years. Mayo, 54, of Greenbridge Road, was seen by police driving a Mercedes saloon fast along Marlowe Avenue during the early

  • Camera phones concern at Bowl

    Ref. 31024The arrest of a 14-year-old boy on suspicion of taking indecent photos of children at Swindon Megabowl has led to a nationwide review of security rules. The youth was arrested on Sunday at the Shaw Ridge bowling complex after a group of seven-year-olds

  • Dozen staff redundant

    WOOLWORTHS has announced it has made a dozen people redundant in Swindon. The 12 are junior managers based at the Wincanton Logistics depot in Faraday Road in Dorcan. Wincanton is a Woolworth's contractor, although the sacked people are Woolworth's employees

  • Crooked builder faces jail

    Ref. 9687-2A FORMER Salvation Army volunteer who preached Christian values has been exposed as a cheating cowboy builder. And a judge yesterday warned 64-year-old Brian Timbrell, of Oakford Walk, to expect jail after he admitted two counts of obtaining

  • Runners-up Liden meet with Fitzroy

    LIDEN Community were denied the top prize at the recent Stratton Juniors FC six-a-side tournament. The under 11 team were beaten 2-0 by their Ferndale Rodbourne rivals in the final but their disappointment at missing out on the trophy was tempered by

  • Sick child abuse posters are false

    POSTERS falsely accusing a man of child sex abuse have appeared near schools in the Lechlade area. More than 20 posters, which feature a photograph and the words 'Watch Out. He is into sex with little girls under 12' are being investigated by the police

  • Gardens blooming

    Highworth residents are gearing up to show off their blooms. Householders will be opening their gardens as part of the Highworth Festival. David Roblin, who is helping to organise the festival, said: "We have 26 gardens which will be open, and visitors

  • Playing the straight bat at Grange Drive

    CARRIE-ANN Savage and classmates at Grange Junior School were bowled over yesterday when lessons were suspended for a spot of cricket. Energy provider, npower, visited the school in Grange Drive, Swindon to deliver a lesson in teamwork. As part of its

  • Event falls foul of big game

    A SPEEDWAY fixture has fallen casualty to tomorrow's crunch match between England and Portugal. Swindon Robins, now in the 56th of an unbroken run of seasons, were due to face Manchester team Belle Vue at Abbey Stadium in Blunsdon. But the fixture has

  • Warning over scam letters

    A WARNING to Swindon businesses about scam letters demanding money for health and safety registration has been renewed. Trading standards officers say the letters are from organisations with names such as the Health and Safety Enforcement Agency. They

  • Hacker lucky to escape jail

    A FORMER RAF man escaped a jail sentence after he admitted hacking into a rival website for reuniting members of the armed forces. Swindon-based website Forces Reunited was sabotaged by the jealous owner of a rival website, destroying data from thousands

  • How strike will bite...

    FIRST Great Western is hoping to run a skeleton timetable through next week's rail strike. The Rail Maritime and Transport union has announced that Network Rail's maintenance and signalling workers will walk out at 6.30pm on Tuesday for 24 hours. The

  • MP backs new call for a ban on hunting

    HUNTING with hounds must be outlawed as soon as possible, according to fresh demands by South Swindon MP Julia Drown. In an effort to increase pressure on the Government over the stalled plan, she has backed a new Parliamentary motion urging an end to

  • Overseas entertainers on their way to town

    Swindon's shoppers will experience a variety of colourful entertainment when the Swindon Summer Festival launches next month. This year's event promises to be even more spectacular than ever before, with more than 70 performances spread over five days

  • Staff climb every mountain to complete challenge

    Ref. 30988-43A HARDY team from Uniq, in Wootton Bassett, managed to conquer the Three Peaks challenge over the weekend. Six walkers and two drivers from the financial services company braved the elements and made it to the top of Snowdon in Wales, Scafell

  • Pick up your guide to festival fun

    Visitors to the Old Town Festival are being urged to purchase the glossy festival souvenir guidebook. Costing just £1 it features a full timetable of events and full details on where tickets can be brought as well as maps where all the events are due

  • Debt collector in pen attack

    Ref. 31026-5 Alison ConnollyA MOTHER of eight who blamed a loan company for ruining her family Christmas launched an attack on a collector with a pen as she stood at another customer's doorstep, a court heard. Alison Connolly assaulted Pauline Dwyer with

  • Police issue warning after doorstep conmen strike

    DOORSTEP conmen are targeting houses around Swindon. Police are urging residents to remain vigilant after four distraction burglaries were reported last week. The bogus callers targeted a house in Swindon town centre, another in Covingham and two more

  • Fans shaken by stabbing tragedy

    The atmosphere here in Portugal is not too bad, considering what has happened, writes the Advertiser's man in Portugal Andy Heron. People are talking about the stabbing, but nobody really seems to know quite what has gone on, because we are quite far

  • Anti-war parties failed

    Pundits have many and varied conclusions for what voters were thinking when we made our choices. Their views must be as inaccurate as their predictions because every voter is an individual. One opinion was that the war in Iraq lost voters for the Government

  • Skipper's runs win it

    FAIRFORD eased to another impressive Gloucestershire County League Division One win, this time by seven wickets over mid-table Newent. They successfully chased a score of 173, which was never enough on a good batting wicket and fast outfield. Electing

  • Sharma and Kumar give timely lift to Marlborough

    MARLBOROUGH managed a welcome Glos/Wilts Division Two victory on home soil a 25-run success over Woodmancote to move seventh. Woodmancote were dangerously poised at 74-1 after just 15 overs in their pursuit of Marlborough's 220-9 off their allotted 45

  • Metcalfe and Khan steer Nalgo home

    Swindon Nalgo recorded their second win in the Premier Division of the Berkshire League with a six-wicket triumph over Sandhurst. Nalgo won the toss, elected to field and did well to restrict Sandhurst to 202-8 off 45 overs. Amritendu Das took 3-26 and

  • league lift-off for goatacre

    Goatacre dodged most of the showers to jump four places in Stroud & Swindon Glos/Wilts One with a convincing 115-run win over Colwall. Captain Peter Turner won the toss and elected to bat and opening batsmen Rob Turner and Steve Gee raced along at

  • Jamal's superb knock a shaker for Tree

    Division Three of the Swindon EVening Cricket League is fast becoming a two-horse race after Swindon Litten Tree suffered their second loss of the season to fellow leaders Motorola. Kevin Crook made a fine 72 as the Tree posted 172-1. However, it was

  • Destiny's Child

    TOWN defender Sean O'Hanlon is delighted that 'big ears' is enjoying the starring role that he predicted long ago for his former Everton teammate. The 21-year-old is not surprised that 'Rooneymania' is currently sweeping the nation thanks to the Goodison

  • Appeal for kids' strips

    KIDS in this country are not the only ones keen on a game of football whether it's watching their favourites battle it out in Portugal for Euro 2004 or kicking a ball about themselves. The Yorkshire Building Society is asking mums to help children in

  • Advice for pensioners on benefit at surgery

    HIGHWORTH pensioners will be able to find out whether they are entitled to more benefits at a special drop-in surgery. The Pensions Service in Swindon is holding a drop-in surgery next month. Advisors will be on hand to answer questions on pension credit

  • Gardens blooming

    Highworth residents are gearing up to show off their blooms. Householders will be opening their gardens as part of the Highworth Festival. David Roblin, who is helping to organise the festival, said: "We have 26 gardens which will be open, and visitors

  • Speed reading the key to information overload

    Charles Jack (standing) teaches Clare Moody, George Trytsman and Olwen Fyfe-Williams the secrets of speed reading. DA5693A GROUP of busy people who often find themselves bogged down with paperwork learned how to quicken their pace with a speed reading

  • Free disaster plan seminar

    THE latest free seminar to be hosted by Swallowcliffe company Cravenplan Computers takes place on July 1. The one-hour seminar, which starts at 1pm, will look at how to protect your company from disaster. The topics to be covered will include what to

  • Top award for area director

    CHRIS Lamb, Barclays area corporate director for Wiltshire, has won a top award for outstanding contribution to the community and diversity. Mr Lamb was presented with the regional winner's award by MEP Graham Watson at the Barclays Regional Chairman's

  • Reminder that deadline nears for filing form 42s

    ACCOUNTANTS Baker Tilly are again warning companies to ensure they comply with new tax disclosure requirements for share benefits provided to employees - or face hefty fines. The new tax rules require employers to file form 42 with the Inland Revenue

  • City law firm says farewell to two long-standing staff members

    SALISBURY law firm Trethowans has said farewell to two long-standing members of staff. Michael Adams and Derek Sharp have between them clocked up more than 50 years in the profession. Mr Adams (second from right) practised law for 38 years and joined

  • Sun shines on carnival

    Bourne Valley Nursery School, winners of the best large float prize.DOZENS of tots in colourful costumes joined in the fun during this weekend's Winterbourne church fete and carnival. The procession, which set off in brilliant sunshine from the Defence

  • Work starts on parking site

    Digger sets to work on the parkand-ride site.WORK is now under way on the Wilton park-and-ride site. Contractor Ashridge Construction Ltd, from Newbury in Berkshire, moved on to the site in the Avenue last month and has been undertaking the earthworks

  • Thousands speed through roadworks

    MORE than 5,600 motorists have been caught speeding through roadworks on the A303 at Solstice Park. Of these, 293 have gone through the 40mph limit at 66mph or faster - many at speeds of more than 70 and 80mph. These were the startling figures released

  • Highway chiefs close A303

    SOUTH Wiltshire is bracing itself for long traffic tailbacks, following an announcement by highway chiefs that they are to close the A303 near Amesbury this weekend. The closure on the hectic holiday route has been ordered to enable the safe removal of

  • Ace of Hearts appeal tops £1m

    The Ace of Hearts appeal tops the £1,000,000 mark as Charlene Wright (left) presents a cheque for £380, in memory of her grandfather Michael Coughlan, to Share fundraising director Carol Taylor and powerlifting champion Bill West receives a cheque for

  • Staff climb every mountain to complete challenge

    Ref. 30988-43A HARDY team from Uniq, in Wootton Bassett, managed to conquer the Three Peaks challenge over the weekend. Six walkers and two drivers from the financial services company braved the elements and made it to the top of Snowdon in Wales, Scafell

  • Speed reading the key to information overload

    Charles Jack (standing) teaches Clare Moody, George Trytsman and Olwen Fyfe-Williams the secrets of speed reading. DA5693A GROUP of busy people who often find themselves bogged down with paperwork learned how to quicken their pace with a speed reading

  • Free disaster plan seminar

    THE latest free seminar to be hosted by Swallowcliffe company Cravenplan Computers takes place on July 1. The one-hour seminar, which starts at 1pm, will look at how to protect your company from disaster. The topics to be covered will include what to

  • Top award for area director

    CHRIS Lamb, Barclays area corporate director for Wiltshire, has won a top award for outstanding contribution to the community and diversity. Mr Lamb was presented with the regional winner's award by MEP Graham Watson at the Barclays Regional Chairman's

  • Reminder that deadline nears for filing form 42s

    ACCOUNTANTS Baker Tilly are again warning companies to ensure they comply with new tax disclosure requirements for share benefits provided to employees - or face hefty fines. The new tax rules require employers to file form 42 with the Inland Revenue

  • Top awards for holiday centre

    SANDY Balls Holiday Centre near Fordingbridge is celebrating after sweeping the board at the Hampshire & Isle of Wight Sustainable Business Awards. The 120-acre holiday centre at Godshill, which welcomes 50,000 guests each year and is renowned for

  • Car fever grips Wilton Park

    AN impressive line-up of the latest cars on the market attracted scores of visitors to this year's Salisbury Motor Show at the weekend. Staged by Salisbury Newspapers, publishers of the Salisbury, Amesbury and Forest Journal and the Avon Advertiser series

  • Details of 550-home estate are unveiled

    DETAILED plans for the new 550-home estate at Boscombe Down have been unveiled at a meeting of Amesbury town council. These include plans for the community centre, playing fields and changing rooms, children's play areas, retail centre and affordable

  • Work starts on parking site

    Digger sets to work on the parkand-ride site.WORK is now under way on the Wilton park-and-ride site. Contractor Ashridge Construction Ltd, from Newbury in Berkshire, moved on to the site in the Avenue last month and has been undertaking the earthworks

  • Primate preaches for rector

    The Archbishop of Canterbury with the Rev Keith Robinson, rector of St Martin's, Salisbury.SALISBURY hosted a visit last week by the Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams. The archbishop was in the city on Tuesday to preach at a special service

  • Thousands speed through roadworks

    MORE than 5,600 motorists have been caught speeding through roadworks on the A303 at Solstice Park. Of these, 293 have gone through the 40mph limit at 66mph or faster - many at speeds of more than 70 and 80mph. These were the startling figures released

  • Fovant cruise to victory

    Cattistock 152-7 lost to Fovant 153-2 by eight wickets PUT into bat, Cattistock's batsmen were contained by accurate bowling and enthusiastic fielding. Martin Langford made 25 and shared a partnership of 60 with his father Edward, who batted intelligently

  • Pompey out-punched by seven-wicket Senneck

    COMBINED Services all-rounder Alex Senneck produced a scintillating spell of pace bowling to send South Wilts to the summit of the Southern Electric Premier League table. After losing their first two games of the season, South Wilts have now won five

  • They're off again

    SALISBURY Racecourse's two-day historic Bibury meeting continues today with a lively seven race card. Two-year-olds get their chance to shine in the £20,000-added Piper Heidsieck Champagne Auction Stakes at 3.10pm, with the six-furlong race being for

  • Kiwis inflict double blow on rugby stars

    Emily Cooke in action for England. THERE was no payback for Salisbury winger Emily Cooke, when England's rugby women failed to avenge their 2002 World Cup defeat at the hands of New Zealand. Instead, there was yet more heartache when England suffered

  • Warning over scam letters

    A WARNING to Wiltshire businesses about scam letters demanding money for health and safety registration has been renewed. Trading standards officers say the letters are from organisations with names such as the Health and Safety Enforcement Agency. They

  • Staff get their hands dirty for a good cause

    Ref. 31029-35TOP brass at Nationwide got their hands dirty in aid of a good cause yesterday. A party of 20 went to Abbeyfields sheltered housing in Bath Road, Old Town, to decorate a bedroom, a bathroom, and give the garden the once-over. It was part

  • Cut the line on those sales calls

    SWINDON businesses will be able to block out nuisance marketing calls from this week. From Friday, UK businesses will have the same right as individuals to block out cold calling marketing firms. Individuals have been able to use the block since 1999.

  • New Arkell's pub rubs shoulders with posh neighbour

    ARKELL'S has moved into its 103rd pub, just a stone's throw from Blenheim Palace. The Swindon brewery has paid £700,000 for the Grade II listed Punch Bowl in Wood-stock, Oxfordshire, which dates from the 16th century and before the palace was built. Managing

  • Staff climb every mountain to complete challenge

    Ref. 30988-43A HARDY team from Uniq, in Wootton Bassett, managed to conquer the Three Peaks challenge over the weekend. Six walkers and two drivers from the financial services company braved the elements and made it to the top of Snowdon in Wales, Scafell

  • DJs learn how to spin decks and turn tables

    BUDDING Fat Boy Slims and Tim Westwoods are being offered the chance to show what they can do on the decks. A new free course aiming to help youngsters move from their bedroom mixing decks to becoming real DJs has been launched in Swindon. The training

  • Sam is so sad after gift is stolen

    Ref. 31021-72A BOY who saved up his pocket money to buy his dad a present for Father's Day had it cruelly snatched from under his nose. Sam Poynter, eight, of Baytree Court, Pinehurst, was thrilled when he bought a Pierre Cardin cigarette lighter with

  • Driver banned for 28 months

    WHISKY dished out by generous friends put carpenter Michael Connolly nearly three times over the drink drive limit, magistrates heard yesterday. Connolly, 57, had a level of 104 micrograms of alcohol in his breath when he gave a test at Westlea Police

  • Monster from the deep

    KEITH PASSANT landed a monster on his latest sea fishing trip. On his fortnightly exursion to Watchet with a friend, who has a boat moored there, he caught a massive 52lb conger eel. The beast was landed using just 18lb braid line with a 25lb leader and

  • Tax cheats cost you £4 million

    Tax dodgers in Swindon owe the council almost £4 million in unpaid rates from last year, new figures have revealed. According to the latest financial accounts, council taxes unpaid by town residents amounted to nearly £3 million in 2003/2004. And town

  • North Wilts and District League Constitution 2004-5

    Under 7 North: Blunsdon Colts, Cricklade Yth, Ferndale Rodbourne B, Highworth Jnrs, Highworth Tn, Ramsbury, Shrivenham & Watchfield, Stratton Yth. Under 7 West: Lydiard Yth, Malmesbury, Shaw, Wanborough JFC, Wootton Bassett Tn, Wroughton Rvrs, Westbrook

  • ROOM FOR GROWTH

    After a successful inaugural year, next season sees the North Wilts & District Youth & Minors Football League grow even larger. Due to popular demand the league will be running an extra division at both the under nine and under 10 age groups.

  • Attempt to keep air force base open fails to take off

    A LAST gasp effort aimed at getting defence chiefs to reconsider the shut-down of RAF Lyneham has failed. Wiltshire MP James Gray called for the MoD to look again at the base closure plan, after problems emerged over housing for forces personnel. According

  • Cheryl's leap of faith for her D-Day father-in-law

    Ref. 30883-74CHERYL Smith overcame her fears and leapt out of an aeroplane in memory of her father-in-law Arthur, a paratrooper during the D-Day landings. The 45-year-old had planned to do the parachute jump alongside him but Arthur, known to friends

  • Long wait for a gong

    Ref. 25865-8MORE than 50 years after the first Suez Canal emergency a Swindon man has at last received a medal to mark the part he played in the campaign. But while army veteran Brian Brown now has his gong, thousands of other ex-servicemen are still

  • Witty footie fans rename a street

    Ref. 31027-23RESIDENTS of a quiet Swindon street had a roon awakening yesterday. Overnight witty pranksters had changed the 'M' in Romney Street, Shaw, into an 'O' in honour of teenage footballing sensation Wayne Rooney. The 18-year-old England striker

  • Children help raise money for charity

    CHILDREN in Swindon have been having fun while helping those less fortunate than themselves. The local branch of the NSPCC has been presented with a cheque for £2,000 by Franco Muccini, centre manager at the McArthurGlen Designer Outlet Village. The money

  • Staff get their hands dirty for a good cause

    Ref. 31029-35TOP brass at Nationwide got their hands dirty in aid of a good cause yesterday. A party of 20 went to Abbeyfields sheltered housing in Bath Road, Old Town, to decorate a bedroom, a bathroom, and give the garden the once-over. It was part

  • Taking the tube!

    WATERSPORT enthusiasts swapped canoes for giant inflated 'doughnuts'. Canoeists jumped into lorry tyre inner tubes and paddled furiously down the River Thames for charity. They might not have been as speedy as canoes, but the 27 rowers still managed to

  • Folk band to star at village fete

    A GROUP called Pandemonium will be raising the roof at a village fete near Faringdon this weekend. The little village of Shellingford is holding its fete on Saturday. It will be held on the extensive school grounds and community hall and will be opened

  • Report attacks Transport Police

    BRITISH Transport Police has a groaning infrastructure which is impoverished and inadequate, claims a report by Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary. The report says solutions to key questions have been delayed, with the handling of calls in acute

  • Video bid to stop idiots doing this

    SCHOOLS in Swindon are being sent a hard-hitting video about a 15-year-old boy who was killed playing on railway tracks in a bid to crack down on trespassing and vandalism. Swindon is a hotspot for rail crime, with 22 reported incidents of vandalism and

  • £1,000 gift helps vandalised pool

    A LOCAL charity has splashed out £1,000 to help a special pool which was attacked by vandals. As reported in Monday's Advertiser, the hydrotherapy pool, in Jefferies Avenue, was targeted for the third time in just three weeks on Friday, taking the total

  • Advice for pensioners on benefit at surgery

    HIGHWORTH pensioners will be able to find out whether they are entitled to more benefits at a special drop-in surgery. The Pensions Service in Swindon is holding a drop-in surgery next month. Advisors will be on hand to answer questions on pension credit

  • Mothers agree that breast is best for babies

    SWINDON mothers have graduated from a course in breastfeeding. Certificates were awarded to 10 mums after successfully completing the Breast Mate Support Worker training. The six-week course, which included learning facts, figures and practical skills

  • Pop star calls for rise in African aid

    ROCK star and poverty campaigner Sir Bob Geldof met MP for South Swindon Julia Drown yesterday to talk about debt in the third world. He was meeting with more than 30 MPs and the Bishop of Portsmouth, representing faith leaders, at Westminster to call

  • Pickpocket is arrested

    THE England fan stabbed to death during celebrations after the Euro 2004 victory over Croatia has been named. Stephen Smith, 28, from Wolverhampton, was stabbed in the heart in Lisbon during an attempted robbery. Ukrainian pickpocket Vadym Abramov, 31

  • Pool attack 'an outrage'

    I READ with horror of the vandalism at the hydrotherapy pool. My grandson is physically handicapped and he gets great pleasure from his weekly swim and fortnightly evening with the Otters group. When you are confined to a wheelchair opportunities for

  • Global warming: don't jump to conclusions

    IF I could be allowed to reply to Nan Pratt's letter of Wednesday, June 9, 2004. There is of course no dispute over the signs of global warming which are everywhere. Arctic ice feedback, ocean heat storage, planetary energy imbalance and various data