THE wife of a soldier who lost his leg fighting in Iraq is demanding an investigation into claims the limb could have been saved if medics had been carrying the right equipment. Colour Sergeant Albert Thomson, 35, of Warminster, was shot four times in
AN 1820s Dutch equivalent of today's collectible partworks magazines is expected to fetch up to £8,000 when it is auctioned in Swindon next week. These days people can buy week-by-week libraries covering topics ranging from serial killers to how to build
PROUD pupils at Rodbourne Cheney Primary School have been dragging their parents into the hall all week to see a huge mural taking shape. The 222 youngsters at the school in Broadway, each designed a figure for the six by three metre picture which depicts
Ref. 28667-03MOTHERS FEATURE: Billie Farr is a registered nurse and NVQ care co-ordinator at Swindon's Great Western Hospital. The 42-year-old, who has three children Donna, 22, Michael, 17, and Hannah, 11 said that she has always worked since starting
SINGER Robbie Williams was best man when his best friend Jonathan Wilkes married Swindon dancer Nikki Wheeler in a top secret ceremony in his sumptuous LA mansion. The couple, who have been dating for five years, tied the knot on Thursday afternoon at
ENGLISH Heritage still has "grave concerns" about Mathew Singh's plans to overhaul the Mechanics' Institute which could mean the latest plan cannot go ahead. The organisation, custodians of England's historic environment, is not convinced plans to build
FOLLOWERS of the cult sci-fi TV series Stargate are expected to converge on the Brunel Centre on Thursday. Two of the most popular stars of the series, Michael Shanks (Daniel Jackson) and Christopher Judge (Teal'c), will be at Infinitely Better, the memorabilia
A day of health and pampering is planned for people who want to look after themselves. Soroptimist International Swindon and District has organised the Health and Well Being Day on Sunday February 8, at the Stratton Community Centre, Grange Drive. Exhibits
MORE than 200 people visited St Mary's Church in less than two hours to see a cross sent on a world tour by the Pope. Father Kevin Hennessey, assistant priest at the church in Tovey Road, was astonished to see 25 people in the building within minutes
THE Swindon branch of the Diabetes UK charity will hold its annual meeting on Tuesday, February 3. This will be followed by a presentation on diabetes care in the town, given by specialist Dr Paul Price of the Great Western Hospital. The branch has raised
AN APPEAL for three volunteer drivers has been launched by Thamesdown Dial a Ride and Community Transport. The group helps people unable to use conventional public transport due to disability or other mobility problems. Current vacancies include one for
Ref. 28733-62A TASTE of the Far East came to Swindon when people toasted the Chinese New Year. Around 150 diners gathered at the Parasol restaurant in Commercial Road on Wednesday night to celebrate this major event in the Chinese calendar. And they enjoyed
Ref. 28756-42IRISH dance pupils who have been thrown out of their hall after the council deemed it unsafe, are struggling to find a permanent home for their classes. The 60 dancers attending Ian Boyd's school used to be able to rehearse five nights a
Ref. 28737-56A CRACKDOWN on loutish behaviour in Highworth is having results, say police. Patrols were stepped up over the New Year following an increase in anti-social behaviour. In one incident, a 16-year-old boy was left with a damaged eye socket and
THE search is on to fill teaching vacancies at a new Swindon primary school. St Francis School in Taw Hill will open its doors in September. With building work set to begin early next month, newly-appointed headteacher Clive Westall, who took up his post
EVERTON'S Sean O'Hanlon has happily swapped his blue shirt for a red one after jumping at the chance to aid Town's play-off push. The 21-year-old is included in the squad to face Notts County today and manager Andy King is hoping the youngster lives up
Ref. 28737-56A CRACKDOWN on loutish behaviour in Highworth is having results, say police. Patrols were stepped up over the New Year following an increase in anti-social behaviour. In one incident, a 16-year-old boy was left with a damaged eye socket and
WESTLECOT continue their bid for glory this season in two national indoor team competitions in successive days. The combined indoor side play tomorrow in the zone final of the Egham Trophy, the national mixed inter-club championship. Then on Monday the
MOTHERS FEATURE: For the first time statistics show that more mothers are working in Britain than those who stay at home and look after the children. Alex Emery investigates three mums with different views on the subject. To work or not to work? That
Ref. 26562-21CANCER sufferer the Rev Simon Stevenette has revealed his wife Nicola is expecting their fifth child at Easter. The couple already have four young sons, but the news is an enormous boost to the 41-year-old vicar of Christ Church in Old Town
STEAM manager Tim Bryan has resigned after serving Swindon's railway heritage for 21 years to work with cars. The move comes just days after John Short, head of Swindon Services, pledged his determination to tackle the museum's massive losses. Mr Bryan
PEOPLE with disabilities and their families are invited to an open day on Friday, February 27, which has been organised by Swindon Living Options. The group, based in Percy Street, Rodbourne, runs a wide range of services, including training advice. Organiser
THREE courses aimed at promoting personal welfare and wellbeing have been announced by the Swindon women's branch of the Workers' Educational Association. On Thursday from 10am until noon, the Broadgreen Community Centre in Gladstone Street will host
IN days gone by, every Swindon neighbourhood could boast its own Co-op shop. And now a former Co-op employee has set up a group to celebrate the organisation's history in the area. David Macey who worked for the Co-op for 30 years, has set up the Co-op
The Litten Tree wants to join other pubs in Swindon town centre that carry on serving until 2am. Danny Capitanchik, manager of the Litten Tree, in Fleet Street, has applied to Swindon Council for permission to stay open until 2am on Thursdays, Fridays
Ref. 28689-04SWINDON'S business community clubbed together to help put smiles on the faces of scores of needy children during a charity Golf Day. Almost £3,500 was raised for the NSPCC by clients of C and D Recruitment. Karen Davison, who runs the Regent
A SWIMMING coach has been jailed for three-and-a-half-years after striking up a sexual relationship with a teenage girl. Swindon Crown Court heard yesterday that married father-of-three Stephen Hartley, 48, claimed that he knew it was wrong but he fell
DIG out your woolly hats and scarves Swindon is odds on to be thrown into a deep freeze next week. Forecasters at The Met Office expect temperatures to dip as low as -8C in some exposed areas and there is even a 50-60 per cent chance of heavy snowfalls
Ref. 28724A SUMMER fair traditionally held at Lydiard Park may be cancelled if the Wootton Bassett Lions Club does not recruit new members. The 30-year-old club has organised the May fair for a quarter of a century. But many members have retired or moved
Olly Barkley is refusing to contemplate an England call-up as he plots Beziers' downfall in the quarter-final of the Parker Pen Challenge Cup tonight (7.30pm). Barkley has been tipped as a possible contender for Six Nations consideration by Sir Clive
