TOWN loanee Paul Mitchell has agreed to stay at the County Ground for another month and is seriously entertaining the idea of a permanent switch to Wiltshire. The 23-year-old has been a mainstay at right-back during his initial month on loan from Wigan
THE fate of the two-day meeting that was to be the crowning glory of Salis-bury Racecourse's season is hanging in the balance. Torrential rain left the Netherhampton track completely waterlogged ahead of its prestigious 'Ascot' fixture - the richest and
PUPILS at Pitton Primary School were cock-a-hoop this week, after learning they are to receive a special award for recycling enough paper to save a staggering 850 trees. The school, which has just 90 pupils, has collected an amazing 50 tonnes of scrap
Shelley and Adrian Smith with their twins, Katie and Willow, at the neonatal unit.TINY twins Willow and Katie Smith gave their parents a double surprise when they were born ten weeks early. Weighing slightly more than three pounds each and small enough
International 400 metres star Jamie Baulch meets pupils at Stonehenge School.BUDDING athletes at Amesbury's Stonehenge School got several tips from an expert on Tuesday, when 400m star Jamie Baulch visited the school as part of the Super Schools sporting
TRIBUTES have been paid to the two Tidworth-based soldiers killed in an ambush near Basra, in southern Iraq, last week. Corporal Marc Taylor (27) and Gunner David Lawrence (25) died when dissidents fired a rocket-propelled grenade at their armoured Land
TRIBUTES have been paid to the two Tidworth-based soldiers killed in an ambush near Basra, in southern Iraq, last week. Corporal Marc Taylor (27) and Gunner David Lawrence (25) died when dissidents fired a rocket-propelled grenade at their armoured Land
AN angry commuter is demanding to know why Salisbury's £2m real-time bus information system is still not up and running. Lynne Keates (50) told the Journal she could not understand why a system that had been in place for months now was still only displaying
A SALISBURY taxi driver feared for his safety when a drunken woman and two men in his cab shouted racial abuse at him and grabbed at him and the steering wheel as he drove. "This really shook me up and I was really scared that something would happen to
A RINGWOOD man with a history of paranoid psychosis threw himself under a train two days after being sectioned under the Mental Health Act, an inquest heard. Nicholas Roach (20), of Grange Road, St Leonards, had moved to Hampshire in January 2003 to live
Jonathan the Jester meets business studies students from Godolphin School at South Wilts Expo 2004.AN event that began in Salisbury only last year has proved so popular that it is in danger of outgrowing its venue. South Wilts Expo 2004 took place last
Shelley and Adrian Smith with their twins, Katie and Willow, at the neonatal unit.TINY twins Willow and Katie Smith gave their parents a double surprise when they were born ten weeks early. Weighing slightly more than three pounds each and small enough
PEOPLE with brittle bones could soon benefit from a new once a month pill. It's thought the slow-release drug Bonviva could help osteoporosis sufferers by making them less likely to forget to take their medication. Similar drugs are taken daily or once
Small businesses from in and around Swindon will be shown how to do business with the public sector at an event organised by the South West RDA's Supply Solutions and Force 4 at the Marsh Farm Hotel in Wootton Bassett next Tuesday. In the south west public
HEALTH & BEAUTY FEATURE: These days we are often too busy juggling work, social lives and families to take time out to pamper ourselves and recharge our batteries, writes Lisa Flynn. I'm definitely guilty of this, rushing here there and everywhere
Julia Drown, the South Swindon MP, has welcomed a new law which came into force this month which aims to create a fairer workplace. She said: "The new law says that a three-step process has to be followed in the event of a dismissal, disciplinary action
THE Swindon Male Voice Choir is starting to raise funds for its visit to New England next year. The choir is off to America in May for a 12-day non profit-making tour, including at least five concerts. In order to reduce the costs choir members are organising
Ref. 72425-03HIGHWORTH Manor is for sale in the form of five newly-created homes. And there is even a chance to buy the title of Lord of the Manor of Highworth. The complex of buildings, one of which is 700 years old, is in the heart of the market town
A MAN who pleaded guilty to conning a care home with a false CV has had his case adjourned again. David Watton, 41, of Ashfield, Ashton Keynes, has pleaded guilty to one charge of obtaining pecuniary advantage by deception by supplying a CV which contained
TURNERS Tackle and Bait kept up their wonderful run on the River Thames when they won the first round of the Angling Times League (Upper Thames Division) with a runaway 104 points and included three anglers out of the top five. No stranger to the Thames
VIGILANT Moormead Nursing Home manager Steve Sharpe with staff Vandar Merryweather, Ellaine Harmon and Susan GriffinA MAN who preyed on the elderly by burgling residential care homes in his own village faces a jail term. Darren Stacey targeted care homes
Ref. 72573-20A SWINDON store has been rapped for selling hideous Halloween masks which ooze fake blood. Pensioners and those with aged relatives fear trick-or- treaters wearing the chilling disguises will petrify the elderly. Besides selling the macabre
Devastation The scene of the crash in Salisbury Road, Totton, HampshireA WROUGHTON teenager has been charged after his friend died following a high speed police chase with police ended in a crash. Jamie Smith, 18, was accused of failing to stop a Rover
Swindon College Old Boys trounced bottom club Phoenix 2nd 46-12 but stayed in third place in Berks Bucks & Oxon 1 South as the top two also won. Scrum-half Mark Lea broke the deadlock after 15 minutes when the Phoenix forwards gave away a penalty
A Romanian village was left deserted after its inhabitants fled in panic after mistaking disco lights in a nearby town for an alien invasion. Villagers in Cristinest thought they were under attack by aliens when they saw bright, multicoloured lights in
A crime busting group in Gorse Hill has drawn up a list of problems plaguing the area. The Council's crime and disorder team has kick-started its 10th Neighbourhood Safety Team. Community groups attended the first meeting and discussed hot topics such
CANDIDATES for a by-election in the Ogbourne ward of Kennet District Council have been announced. They are Debra Davis (Lib Dem) of The Green, Marlborough, David Hunter (Con) of West Trees, Mildenhall and Frank Jeffrey (Lab) of East Sands, Burbage. The
THE Bridge Project, which meets in Marlborough's Jubilee Centre, is aimed at adults with mental health needs and their carers. Meetings generally run from 10am until 1pm. It can be contacted on 01225 358564. Its motto is: "Bring a friend, build confidence
SEVENTEEN people who thought they were about to participate in a Channel Five television gameshow were promptly arrested by police officers. Hampshire Police wrote to scores of men and women wanted for failing to pay fines or who had not answered court
SWINDON Scrap-store is collecting mobile phones to be reconditioned and sent to developing countries. Phones can be taken to the Scrapstore, Pinehurst People's Centre. The store is open on Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 10am-4pm and on Thursdays from 11am
A SWINDON plumbing engineer has won £1,000 from a DIY store. Ian Herring, of Sandown Avenue in Lawn, won the prize as part of a recent evening for trade customers at the Swindon branch of plumbing and heating supplier Plumbase in the Headlands Trading
A DECISION to move historic London archives to Swindon has sparked outrage among history buffs. Prospect, the union for heritage specialists, is calling for English Heritage chiefs to review their decision to close the London search room of the National
Pinehurst residents are being asked for their views on traffic-calming measures in a drive to cut accidents. Each year 14 people are injured on the estate and many are children. Between September 1999 and August 2002 20 youngsters were involved in road
A CAR once derided by Jeremy Clarkson has had the last laugh after being proclaimed Used Car of the Year. The presenter of the BBC Top Gear programme said of the Vauxhall Vectra: "I have to fill seven minutes with a car that doesn't merit seven seconds
Principal photography has begun on the dramatic adventure King Kong, with Academy Award winner Peter Jackson (Lord of the Rings) directing and producing. The story was originally filmed in 1933.
ALL this month, cat owners on benefit can have their felines neutered for free. The Swindon branch of Cats Protection is offering the service. Any cat over the age of six months can be neutered.To find out more, call the Swindon Cats Protection helpline
ELECTRICITY engineers had to be called out to an accident on the A419 last night after a lorry jack-knifed into a lamppost. The accident happened shortly before 5pm on the northbound carriageway of the A419 near the Hyde Road slip road next to the Wyvale
GARDENERS champion Alan Titchmarsh is re-dedicating a Swindon-built steam locomotive. Alan will be at the Gloucestershire and Warwickshire Railway on 18 to re-dedicate Black Prince one of the last steam locomotives to be built in Swindon in 1959. The
A BOOK of stories by Aesop, printed in December 1497, is to be auctioned in Swindon tomorrow. The Vita et Fabulae is one of only three copies known to exist in the world. It will go under the hammer at Dominic Winter Book Auctions. Call 01793 611340.
A relaxation room at a day care centre is to be given a makeover, thanks to a donation. The Snoezelen Room at the Upham Road Day Centre, used by adults with learning difficulties, opened 14 years ago but the equipment has worn out . A £1,000 Community
A HIT and run driver left a cyclist unconscious after knocking him down in Kingsdown Road. Another cyclist discovered the 42-year-old Penhill man lying on the grass verge between Kingsdown crematorium and the Honda roundabout. He was taken to the Great
WILTSHIRE and Swindon's Fire Authority have appointed a new assistant chief fire officer. ACFO Peter Baxter has served in Buckinghamshire, joining as a retained firefighter in 1978. He later joined full-time and has risen through the ranks and became
72549-20SWINDON'S homeless and needy are to benefit from a donation of blankets from a town centre hotel. The Thistle Hotel has donated 50 blankets to the Salvation Army hostel at Davis House on Turl Street. The hotel, on the corner of Princes Street
A TRUSTED financial adviser swindled Welsh miners out of almost £1 million pounds from their pension fund, a jury has been told. Colin Stanton, 58, who operated from the Swindon-based Grosvenor Employee Benefits in Marlborough Road, promised the colliery
A MAN who was so drunk he fell into a busy road and had to be rescued by two motorists, was given a six month-conditional discharge by magistrates. Police officers called out to Queens Drive in Swindon just before 7pm on Sunday evening, found Paul Renger
72558-64HISTORIC lakes at Lawn Park are being dredged to attract more wildlife. But first 1,200lbs of fish had to be netted and removed to safety. In recent years the lakes have become increasingly silted up, spoiling the habitat for wildlife and fish
At home Suresh PanvalkarA MAN of 70 has climbed Africa's tallest peak. Suresh Panvalkar from Swindon was the oldest of a party of 23 who set out to climb Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania, country of his birth, for charity. And five days later, he was the
DID you serve in the Forces in Palestine 1940 to 1948? The next reunion and remembrance parade to honour them (including the Palestine police) takes place at Eden Camp, Malton, North Yorkshire on Saturday October 16. A THIPTHORPE Swindon
THE recent by-election in Hartlepool where Labour came close to losing one of its safest seats to the Liberal Democrats marks the continuing trend in British politics. The Liberal Democrats have established themselves as the challengers to the Labour
With many others I attended the recent unveiling and dedication of the High Street War Memorial in Wootton Bassett and want to pay tribute to the dedication and perseverance of Jay Cunningham, who first mooted the idea six years ago and gave the best
Ms Saunders' email address and website contain the implicit statement that Coate Water is at risk. This is misleading. When it is coupled with the notion that much building is conjectured nearby, people naturally believe Coate Water itself is threatened
Ref. 72425-03HIGHWORTH Manor is for sale in the form of five newly-created homes. And there is even a chance to buy the title of Lord of the Manor of Highworth. The complex of buildings, one of which is 700 years old, is in the heart of the market town
HIGHWORTH'S town councillors have visited a CCTV centre to find out if a system would cut disorder in the town. Civic leaders were told how 13 cameras in Wootton Bassett helped slash loutish behaviour since being installed in 1999. Police called for CCTV
AN OPTICAL assistant at a Highworth opticians' has celebrated 20 years' service. Jo Bright joined Haine and Smith as a receptionist in the autumn of 1984. She was subsequently voted the firm's top receptionist of all its branches throughout the South
Ivy Naysmith (centre) with her Silver Leaf award for services to Guiding, with members of the 1st Landford and 1st Nomansland Brownies.A LIFETIME commitment to the Girl Guide movement stretching back about 70 years has earned Ivy Naysmith a top award.
IRAQ veteran Shaun Pratt is a good man to have with you in action but he has a problem with drink and violence, a court martial heard. Those failings cost him his rank, £500 and a spell in an army jail when he appeared before an army court on Salisbury
Jonathan the Jester meets business studies students from Godolphin School at South Wilts Expo 2004.AN event that began in Salisbury only last year has proved so popular that it is in danger of outgrowing its venue. South Wilts Expo 2004 took place last
A MEETING is being held in Amesbury later this month, giving residents the chance to hear what is being done to prevent flooding in the area. The meeting is one of a series being organised by the Environment Agency, which is rallying parish and town councillors
AS work forges ahead at Solstice Park, the Amesbury Property Company has secured the 160-acre business park's first three occupiers. Life Property has exchanged contracts to purchase a 0.78-acre site, which is to be developed for a 126-cover Pizza Hut
Baghdad bound: Rory Mcluckie prepares for a new role in Iraq.A SALISBURY man is preparing to take a step into the unknown by swapping a secure computing job for the war zone of Baghdad. Rory McLuckie is leaving the IT department at Salisbury District
THE fate of the two-day meeting that was to be the crowning glory of Salis-bury Racecourse's season is hanging in the balance. Torrential rain left the Netherhampton track completely waterlogged ahead of its prestigious 'Ascot' fixture - the richest and
Ivy Naysmith (centre) with her Silver Leaf award for services to Guiding, with members of the 1st Landford and 1st Nomansland Brownies.A LIFETIME commitment to the Girl Guide movement stretching back about 70 years has earned Ivy Naysmith a top award.
PUPILS at Pitton Primary School were cock-a-hoop this week, after learning they are to receive a special award for recycling enough paper to save a staggering 850 trees. The school, which has just 90 pupils, has collected an amazing 50 tonnes of scrap
Highway Agency regional project officer Andrew Hewitt cuts the ribbon to formally open the new-look Skew Bridge.TRAFFIC is flowing freely over Salisbury's Skew Bridge again this week, after 16 months of queues, road closures and diversions. The project
Baghdad bound: Rory Mcluckie prepares for a new role in Iraq.A SALISBURY man is preparing to take a step into the unknown by swapping a secure computing job for the war zone of Baghdad. Rory McLuckie is leaving the IT department at Salisbury District
VIBRATING trousers could bring hope to scores of patients with a severe heart condition. Cardiologists at the Cromwell Hospital in West London are now offering the 'trousers' to patients with reflexive angina. The inflatable cuffs from China are placed
PEOPLE wanting to quit their coffee-addiction should boost their calcium intake. Caffeine is addictive and if you're hooked you'll become ratty, tired and irritable without it. High levels of calcium helps the body flush the substance out.
MOTHERS have long been warned that an excess of thyroid hormones during pregnancy can harm an unborn baby. But researchers say women should not worry unduly. They say replacements are necessary for pregnant women lacking sufficient levels.
SWINDON GP Peter Crouch of Taw Hill Surgery is calling for all contraceptives to be free. Yesterday Government advisors said that tax should be scrapped to help prevent unwanted pregnancies and infections. But Dr Crouch said: "Why not go the full way?
Faithful and Gould, the project and cost management consultancy, which has an office in Swindon, has been named Quantity Surveying Practice Of The Year in the prestigious Builder & Engineer Magazine Awards. The award is judged on cost, service delivery
72505-07ANGIE and George Taylor's world fell apart when their teenage daughter died from a rare brain disease. Hours after complaining of a headache, 17-year-old Natalie, was fighting for her life at the former Princess Margaret Hospital. Around 32 hours
A LACK of new games and consoles has hit computer retailer Game hard. The chain, which has a store in Swindon, said that pre-tax losses have snowballed to £5.9 million in the six months to July 31, up from £800,000 beforehand. The group is now pinning
STRUGGLING retailer Marks and Spencer, which has a store in Regent Street, Swindon has bought out the per una clothing brand for £125 million. M&S has been selling per una underwear through its stores for a year.
THREE-QUARTERS of small businesses in the south west think their firm is good at managing its cashflow. But only a third have a business savings account, according to Standard Life Bank. However, more than one in four have more than £10,000 in a current
REMPLOY, the provider of career opportunities for disabled people, is linking up with Swindon's Zurich Financial Services. Remploy Interwork, which aims to support and develop jobs for disabled people, has been working with Zurich's training academy to
THE Government needs to act to restore confidence in pensions, Nationwide has warned. The building society, which is based in Pipers Way, has today released its October study into consumer confidence. It highlighted people's concerns about pensions, and
DISASTER recovery experts Shaun Horwood and Emma Langley have won a trip to Las Vegas after being voted franchisees of the Year by Rainbow International. The couple beat competition from more than 120 franchisees. Shaun and Emma, who operate the Swindon
A retired Wootton Bassett woman has realised her dreams of becoming an author. Vera Elderkin, 63, has found a publisher for her first novel, about her home country Zimbabwe. Mrs Elderkin left Zimbabwe in 1984 and moved to Wootton Bassett, where her husband's
Ref. 72581-114DETECTIVES investigating the murder of punk rock fan Mick Love are targeting non-English speaking residents in their latest appeal for information. A letter, which has been translated into Arabic, Kurdish, Turkish and Somali, will land on
Ref. 72581-114DETECTIVES investigating the murder of punk rock fan Mick Love are targeting non-English speaking residents in their latest appeal for information. A letter, which has been translated into Arabic, Kurdish, Turkish and Somali, will land on
A SWINDON coach company will step up security to prevent a repeat of an attack which caused £15,000 of damage. Bosses at Phoenix Coaches are planning to install CCTV cameras at their Marshgate Trading depot to help keep vandals away. During an early morning
SWINDON sides competed in the Wootton Bassett junior tournament. Results were: Under-eights: Players Ieuan Whelan, Joshua Lee, Tom Bain, Connor Burt, Kyle Perkins, Kathleen Cox, Jack Hubble. Results: lost 5-2 to Cooper-Avon Tyres (Melksham), lost 3-2
Patients are claiming up to £40,000 compensation from dentists who extract the wrong tooth. Over the past ten years there have been 143 incidents of dentists treating the wrong tooth. The research comes from the Medical Defence Union who say that this
WILTSHIRE Crimestoppers will operate around the clock in a bid to catch even more criminals. The 0800 555111 line gives the public the chance to call police with information anonymously. From Sunday you can dial the freephone number 24-hours-a-day, seven
A police force has come under fire after a training manual containing details of real-life sex attacks was found at a car boot sale. The manual is published by Greater Manchester Police and is used to train detectives in how to investigate sex attacks
BOOST your basic skills at Penhill Learning Centre. The centre at the John Moulton Hall, in Penhill Drive, is throwing opens its doors to let the community see what courses are available there. Residents can improve their literary, numeracy and IT skills
Bridget Jones star Renee Zellweger, right, says that being around British people made her feel curt and clumsy. The Hollywood star lived in London while filming the hit comedy Bridget Jones's Diary and the sequel, The Edge of Reason. "I felt loud and
FOR the first time since its launch in 1997, the EROTICA Exhibition at Olympia, has been granted a licence to show full nudity. But naturists are warned not to turn up baring all, the nudity will be restricted to the stage show only.
Wiltshire League Junior Division Two leaders Stratton St Margaret were dumped out of the Wiltshire Junior Cup, beaten 4-1 by Salisbury outfit Greyfisher FC. The first-round tie took place at South Wilts' sports ground but the Swindon side found themselves
A NEW survey has been published which reveals that most people in the UK are unhappy with their lot. The research carried out by the Voluntary Service Overseas organisation shows that in fact people living in the developing world are happier with their
RAP star Ms Dynamite has been arrested over allegations of assault in a restaurant. The incident happened at a restaurant in central London. Ms Dynamite, 23, whose real name is Niomi McLean-Daley, was arrested after voluntarily attending a police station
COTSWOLD District Council is going green by giving its residents 30,000 energy-saving light bulbs. The council is organising the giveaway believed to be the biggest of its kind in the country in partnership with British Gas, who have donated the bulbs
Penhill residents have tasted the fruits of their labours. After months of toil, apple trees planted in a community orchard have produced their first crop. The batch may have been small, but Marilyn Beale, pictured, who helps run the garden off Leigh
An exhibition of drawings by local artist Stephen Cockerton have gone on display at the Arts Centre. Horse will be on display at the Arts Centre, in Devizes Road, until October 20. Admission is free.
THE Children's Information Service held an Open Day to officially open their new shop at Theatre Square and to celebrate their fifth birthday. The shop provides a one-stop free information service to parents and carers, children and young people in Swindon
On Sunday town crier Fred Ferris, pictured will be leading a procession of students to receive their certificates. Students from Swindon College will parade to the Wyvern Theatre to receive awards.
CORNISH comedian, Jethro is appearing at the Oasis Leisure Centre on December 4. Jethro is possibly one of the biggest selling character comics in Britain. Early booking is advised. Tickets are priced £15 and £16 are available from the Oasis Box Office
SWINDON Mayor Peter Stoddart has been invited to enjoy a breakfast served by women in bras. It's in aid of Breakthrough Breast Cancer. You can book an organic breakfast at the event at 5, Pilton Close, Nine Elms for either 7am, 7.30am, 9.15am or 10.45am
Families are invited to the Corinium Museum at a special rate next week as part of Family Learning Week. On Saturday and from Monday to Friday admission is only £2 for families of a maximum of two adults and four children, between 3pm and 5pm. Exhibitions
FOREIGN Secretary Jack Straw could be about to step into the arena to help bring Sarah Webster home. The 18-year-old old from Cricklade is lucky to be alive after falling 30ft from a hotel balcony in Turkey. Doctors are refusing to allow her to leave
CHARITIES across the town have only days left to send in their claims for a Christmas cash boost, courtesy of the Evening Advertiser's parent company. The Gannett Foundation Fund, the charitable arm of the Gannett Company, is on the hunt for charities
TRAIN companies are taking safety less seriously, the leader of the Paddington Survivors Group has claimed. The group was determined that safety recommendations made after the October 5, 1999, Paddington crash were fully implemented, added PSG chairman
72560-21CHILDREN formed a walking bus for their journey to school as part of a campaign to get parents to leave their cars at home. The youngsters from Even Swindon Infants and Junior School were taking part in Walk To School Week. They got into pairs
Joshua Pedder-JonesBRAVE Joshua Pedder-Jones, who was last year diagnosed with a potentially fatal brain tumour, is continuing to make a good recovery. The ten-year-old from Eldene travelled recently to the John Radcliffe Hospital, in Oxford, for a brain
72576-24SWINDON'S buses have moved into the 21st Century with the launch of a new text message service. The £10,000 scheme the largest of its kind in the country allows bus users to find out the times of the next three scheduled buses from any stop in
A WOMAN who stabbed her husband in a drunken row could now go to jail. Kim Thompson knifed her husband at their Park South home when they argued after a drinking session. But her victim said that the incident had given the pair "the kick up the backside
72554-54A TYPE of moth featured in the film The Silence Of The Lambs has been bred in a butterfly centre near Swindon. The Death's Head Hawk Moth is so called because its back or thorax has markings similar to a skull and crossbones. It features in the
PARISHIONERS have reacted with horror after an elderly woman visiting the grave of a relative had her handbag snatched on church grounds. Police are appealing for witnesses to the incident, which happened in the car park of Christ Church in Cricklade
Andrew WhiteTHE MAN accused of sending death threats to a six-year-old-boy has appeared before Swindon magistrates. Andrew White, of Applewood Court, Westlea, is charged with one count of harassment following complaints made to police by Leon Cobb's family
CAN nothing be done about litter louts and the rubbish thrown into our gardens? There are cigarette ends, sweet and crisp packets and, when used condoms and sanitary articles appear, we have even more reason to complain. When neighbours are away it advertises
Perhaps Derek Austin (letters, September 30) should start a petition in support of turning Coate Water Country Park into a town park if he is so convinced about the virtues of the proposal. I know a handful of landowners at Coate who would rush to sign
FURTHER to the story about the pensioner offered sex by a prostitute. All I can say is he was not sharp enough. Some of these girls offer discounts to OAPs. I'd rather have these girls on the streets than the morons attacking and accosting people. If
Having just returned from honeymoon I was surprised to read Roy North's letter headlined "Don't blame staff" (Evening Advertiser September 18). Far from a campaign to discredit Swindon Council workers the findings of the staff sickness management committee
