AT just 19-years-old, Swindon woman Claire Carter has seen more horror and strife than most people who have lived three or even four times that long. Jailed for life for setting fire to her flat while in a suicidal depression, she has had that term converted
IT'S the end of the school year this week when teachers and pupils recharge their batteries during the holidays. But for some teachers it is time to say goodbye to their pupils for one last time as they head off into retirement. Many have devoted their
SAM PARKIN has dropped a heavy hint that he is ready to sign another 12-month deal at the County Ground with his manager insistent - 'He's no one-season wonder'. The 22-year-old struck four goals in 35 minutes as Town buried Bideford 6-1 in Devon last
Ref. 25800-24YOUNGSTERS at Highworth Warneford school might be breathing a sigh of relief at Sam Foxton's departure. The deputy headteacher who retires this week was responsible for discipline at the secondary school. Mr Foxton, 60, went to Highworth
Founder Enzo Ferrari was born near Modena, Italy in 1898. He became fascinated with cars after seeing his first race at the age of 10. The factory where the first Ferrari rolled out was used to make ball bearings for the war effort. A little later the
THE small band of pioneers who started up Wootton Bassett Bowls Club in 1928 could only have dreamed about the success currently being enjoyed by its members today. From such humble beginnings the club is now regarded as one of the best in Wiltshire and
PURTON staged their annual Men's Top Score Triples gala last Sunday. The scoring system in this competition differs from the norm with only the first four bowls counting on each end thus giving a total of 10 points to be won per end. In the gala each
Ref. 25803-27IF a town's wealth was measured in terms of the type of cars its citizens drive, Swindon would justify its affluent status. Especially now a Ferrari dealership is about to open in the town. The Italian giant has announced plans to quit its
ORGANISERS of the Royal International Air Tattoo at RAF Fairford are delighted with this year's event. Attendance figures, totalling about 200,000 people on both days, were slightly down on 2002, but there was no repeat of the traffic that affected last
Founder Enzo Ferrari was born near Modena, Italy in 1898. He became fascinated with cars after seeing his first race at the age of 10. The factory where the first Ferrari rolled out was used to make ball bearings for the war effort. A little later the
SWINDON Spitfires capped a memorable season with a soccer bonanza at the weekend. The successful ladies club held their annual tournament and fun day at South Marston Rec and the impressive turnout backed statistics which suggest football is now the most
A GROUP of residents have been left angry after a mystery builder appears to have disappeared. A firm called Stanley Surfacing, which gave an address in Wroughton, tarmacked a number of drives in the Cheltenham area. Now residents are complaining about
AFTER 16 years serving the congregation of St Law-rence's Church in Lechlade, the Rev Stephen Parsons is leaving the parish to head north. Mr Parsons, 57, will give his final sermon on August 10. He will then be off to Edin-burgh to become rector of an
PROBLEMS of anti-social behaviour in the town were aired at a meeting between residents, who says they are sick of being victims, and North Swindon MP Michael Wills. Householders from across North Swindon say they have to put up with verbal abuse and
ARCHIVISTS have acquired a rare memoir, giving a fascinating glance at 19th century working-class life in Wiltshire. The Wiltshire and Swindon Record Office found the 736-page manuscript written in 1881 through an antique bookseller in Hampshire, thanks
ARTISTS are being invited to enter a competition to create a postcard scene based on Lydiard House. The winner will have their design commercially printed. The scene can be a painting, drawing or photograph of any aspect of the house or park. There are
Ref. 25796-21ELWYN Jones is up with the lark every day to keep the streets of Shrivenham clean and tidy. And his efforts have gone a long way to winning the village an important award. Shrivenham has won the large village category in the annual Oxfordshire
I AM writing in response to your article printed about the Wyvern Theatre on July 12. The article compared the Swindon venue to the nearby Bristol Hippodrome and Oxford Apollo and said that these larger theatres boast better shows such as Spirit of the
BIG victories dominated the latest round of matches in the Wiltshire Cricket League. Leading the way were Heytesbury in Division Three, who trounced struggling Moredon Royal Oak by 258 runs. A fine 156 not out from Will Dineen, including 100 of the first
THE INAUGURAL meeting of the Wootton Bassett Bowls Club took place at the Memorial Insitute on July 12, 1927, when eight people were present. They were mostly local businessmen, including shopkeeper Henry Maslin, and in due course the club was formed
WILTSHIRE Ladies' hopes of reaching Leamington again and regaining the Johns Trophy are over for another year. They won the inter-county championship title in 1995 but tumbled out this year at the quarter-final stage. In the previous round they had thrashed
ONLY eight miles separate the two clubs but Westlecot and Shrivenham women are celebrating county championship victories in the same competition. Both triumphed last week in the Wiltshire and Berkshire finals respectively and march on in the English Women's
SWINDON's Third Age Challenge, based in Rodbourne, celebrated its 10th birthday yesterday. Through the past decade, the Challenge has provided a free service to more than 800 older adults by offering them help with job searches and career changes. Said
Ref. 15277-48NEARLY three quarters of farmers in Wiltshire and the South West are planning to diversify to broaden their income streams, according to the latest farming survey by Lloyds TSB. The bank's research, which shows that the region's farming industry
ORGANISERS of the Royal International Air Tattoo at RAF Fairford are delighted with this year's event. Attendance figures, totalling about 200,000 people on both days, were slightly down on 2002, but there was no repeat of the traffic that affected last
Ref. 25740-11RETIRING TEACHERS: STUART Arnold is probably the only teacher this summer who is retiring from teaching to go back to school. After discovering a long hidden talent for art when he took a GCSE in the subject, Mr Arnold will start a Fine Arts
Ref. 25800-24RETIRING TEACHERS: YOUNGSTERS at Highworth Warneford school might be breathing a sigh of relief at Sam Foxton's departure. The deputy headteacher who retires this week was responsible for discipline at the secondary school. Mr Foxton, 60,
Ref. 25754-4RETIRING TEACHERS: KEITH Smith will have to get used to life without his alpacas. The unusual South American breed similar to llamas are a part of the animal husbandry unit which has grown in his 13 and a half years as head of Crowdys Hill
Ref. 25723-5RETIRING TEACHERS: GLOBETROTTING teacher Paul Winfield is retiring as head of St Mary's Primary School after a 39 year career. In 27 years spent teaching in British Forces schools, he lived and taught in Singapore, Malta, Germany and other
Ref. 25722-06RETIRING TEACHERS: The school bell will toll for the final time for some this summer as heads and teachers will be looking forward to a well-earned retirement. JAMES WATSON spoke to five teachers who are saying goodbye to the classroom. WHEN
Ref. 25808-2WHILE most 16-year-olds earn extra money by working in shops, Anna and Jake Holland are more enterprising. Together they teach circus skills at their home in Lower Shaw Farm in Shaw. Anna, 16, said: "It definitely beats working in a supermarket
Ref. 25803-27IF a town's wealth was measured in terms of the type of cars its citizens drive, Swindon would justify its affluent status. Especially now a Ferrari dealership is about to open in the town. The Italian giant has announced plans to quit its
Ref. 25799-27That's what Tracey Hurley told a jury about her ex-boyfriend Paul Bowell who faces GBH and false imprisonment charges. She says she was so scared that she jumped out of a moving car to get away from him. Now she is paralysed A WOMAN begged
FAIRFORD Under 8s clinched victory in Highworth's six-a-side competition, winning the Play Fair to Win Tournament prize. The team was Luke Hedges, Joss Barton, Jack Walden, Jacob Griffiths, Thomas Denmead, Dominic Phipps, Taylor Chambers and Robbie Brown
WOOTTON Bassett's Soccer Fun Week runs next week at Ballards Ash. Taking place from Monday-Friday (9.30am-2.30pm), costs £45 for a first child and £35 for a second child. Contact Chris Kirkland on 01793 771426 for more details.
WILTSHIRE League Junior Division 2 side West Swindon warmed up for their new campaign against Aldbourne. Aldbourne gave them a tough run-out, beating them 4-1, despite taking an early lead. Defensive mistakes cost West Swindon dear as Aldbourne ran out
AFC Corsham are looking for under 12 players for the new season. The team play in the Mid Wilts Youth League. Contact Carla Smith on 01249 657711 for further details.
PARENTS using the Oasis Leisure Centre can relax knowing that their children in the crche are in good hands. The crche and playscheme, run by Swindon Council, has received a top score in its inspection by Government education watchdog Ofsted. Inspectors
A WEEK dedicated to the county's ancient treasures is due to start on Sunday. Wiltshire Archaeology Festival 2003 is designed to provide a free, informal and interesting introduction to our history and culture. Leading archaeologists will lecture and
Ref. 25780-100KATY Dean's dream of swimming with dolphins has come a step closer thanks to a fundraising day at the Liden Arms. Regulars at the pub in Barrington Close, Liden aim to raise £7,000 to send Katy, 10, who is waiting for a life-saving liver
ORGANISERS of the Royal International Air Tattoo at RAF Fairford are delighted with this year's event. Attendance figures, totalling about 200,000 people on both days, were slightly down on 2002, but there was no repeat of the traffic that affected last
FIREFIGHTERS were called to tackle this blaze at a barn in Ogbourne St George. The barn, containing about 400 tonnes of hay, straw and animal feed, was well alight by the time the fire brigade arrived at Lower Herdswick Farm. Appliances from Swindon,
SWINDON CANCER APPEAL: Motorists on the M4 will have a chance to help the Swindon Cancer Appeal. Members of Marlborough and District Rotary Club are preparing to descend on the motorway's Membury Services complete with charity collection boxes. Gordon
Ref. 25777-21School Proms probably conjure thoughts of American high schools and dozens of US teen movies. Now the leavers' prom has become an annual date in the English school calendar with most secondary schools holding a ball and primary schools starting
Ref. 25750-3A TEENAGER who was sentenced to life after setting fire to her flat only to be freed again months later, has criticised the justice system. Claire Carter, 19, walked free from prison after the Criminal Appeal Court placed her on a three year
IN view of the school holidays and past memories of vandalism, graffiti and fires at various schools across the town, I would implore the council and school authorities to make sure all alarm systems, CCTV cameras, etc, are up and running, making sure
I SEE that Swindon council is facing up to its traffic congestion problems and has publicly recognised (EA July 14) that the basis of their troubles is quite simple: too many cars. The council is quite right to suggest that before buying a car, prospective
IT has been with great interest I have read several articles on the damage to the Ridgeway in the Advertiser. I am a motorcyclist who has been riding and racing in organised meetings for a number of years, also with a group of friends we trail ride the
