Former headteacher Keith Smith thinks his house is haunted - but he doesn't know whether it's by a monk or a plumber. FLICKY HARRISON went to find out more. There's something strange in the neighbourhood of Keith Smith's house in Highworth a ghostly monk
CHRISTIAN Roberts should officially become a Swindon Town player by close of play today providing the club's board meet his demands. Roberts' agent has informed Andy King the terms required by the Bristol City striker and the Town boss will seek the all
THE MESSIAH is coming to Highworth. The town's choral society is laying on a production of Handel's 18th century masterpiece. And more singers are needed to add to the chorus. Anyone interested can go along to the next rehearsal, which starts at 7.30pm
SWINDON'S James Arkell says a report saying wine sales will grow at the expense of the traditional British pint of beer, will not mean the demise of the local pub. A report by Data Monitor, says Brits will be more likely to drink at home in the future
CAT lovers in East Harnham fear a cat hater may be in their midst after three family pets were found dying from anti-freeze poisoning. Within the space of a few days three cats have died in St Clair Road and in each case tests by veterinary surgeons have
THE outlook for homeowners at risk of flooding problems is getting worse. The Environment Agency's latest map of areas prone to flooding shows 2.2 million properties nationwide are at risk. In Swindon, scores of homes were affected when flash floods hit
AN angling club facing a losing battle against vandals who keep wrecking its lake could close. The Moulden Hill Country Park lake is supposed to be closed to the public. But that hasn't stopped yobs from breaking in and destroying everything they can
SWINDON'S James Arkell says a report saying wine sales will grow at the expense of the traditional British pint of beer, will not mean the demise of the local pub. A report by Data Monitor, says Brits will be more likely to drink at home in the future
FORMER Saatchi and Saatchi advertising agency worker William Wynne probably slipped and fell and then lay dead at his home at The Mews, Down Ampney, near Cricklade, for up to two weeks until his body was found, an inquest heard. Worried neighbours reported
A MOTHER who crashed her car while more than five-and-a-half times the drink drive limit has walked free from court. Glenna Noble had to be carried from her car after careering into a hedge in the early hours of a Sunday morning. And when she got to the
MALMESBURY rattled up a hard-earned 57-0 victory at Swindon Supermarine 2nd to stay top of Dorset & Wilts Division 2 North. The visitors led 22-0 at half-time with tries from Jones (2), Worker and Aled James. Wright, Jones, King, Hutton and James
CORSHAM continued their 100 per cent start to the season with a 35-5 victory over Pewsey Vale. In a game officiated by Texan exchange referee Randy Campbell, the home side met a different Pewsey side from the one thumped by Westbury last week. In came
David Nash is the first to be evicted from Swindon's 'I'm a Councillor, Get Me Out Of Here' event. Coun Nash (Lab, Central) was voted out by Swindon school pupils, who have been quizzing councillors on the Big Vote website. Questions asked ranged from
Mick LoveA MAN has been charged with the murder of father-of-two Mick Love. Colin Lewin, of Broad Street, is due to appear at Swindon Magistrates Court this morning, two weeks after Mr Love, pictured above, was found dead in Cannon Street. The 34-year-old's
SWINDON College Old Boys' Berks, Bucks & Oxon Division 2 South match was called off on the Friday night, when Wheatley were unable to raise a team.
Chippenham ground out a 10-0 home victory over Wiltshire rivals Salisbury in South West Division 2 East. Head coach Rob Alford, though, was satisfied with their hard-fought win, and said: "Given the windy conditions, this was a good win for us. "Our defence
Swindon went down to their first defeat of the season, 19-15 at Chipping Norton, in Saturday's Berks, Bucks & Oxon Premier Division game. They did, though, have the consolation of outscoring their hosts three tries to one. In blustery conditions the
INEPT burglar Abdi Isman was caught by police who watched him as he went down a Swindon street rattling doorknobs, a court was told. A householder was woken during the early hours by the sound of his front door being tried and looked out of the window
Although a war is being waged on binge drinking in Swindon, alcohol is still flowing cheaply in pubs in the town centre as Emma-Kate Lidbury discovered AFTER years spent as a skint student with only a few pounds to my name, I learnt to sniff out the best
A MAN stopped by police for a motoring offence let his unsuspecting brother take the rap, a court was told. Kevin Dacey knew nothing about being fined £510 until his brother Sean finally confessed what he had done, prosecutor Sam Butterfield told Swindon
MOST couples get early nights on their honeymoon but Andy Rhodes and Caroline Painter will probably be too tired for anything but sleep. The couple, of Stratton Village, will go the extra mile to ensure their married life is a success by running the Swindon
SWINDON DRUGS HOTLINE: CABBIES are being urged to join the fight against drugs by grassing up dealers who use their taxis. Dealers frequently take cabs when picking up drugs and making deliveries. But drivers often turn a blind eye, because they are scared
CAPTAIN Hook crossed swords with King Arthur at St Andrew's School when pupils attended lessons dressed as characters from their favourite books. Almost all 210 pupils at the primary school, in Blunsdon, brought books to life yesterday by taking part
SHRIVENHAM finally began to fulfil their obvious potential and sneak right into title contention on Saturday. Alan Dyton's men secured a vital 2-0 win at Tytherington Rocks to move level on points with the previously unbeaten leaders of Division One West
An estimated 42 million Britons will bank online by 2020 when the internet will be as common in homes as television. Virtually all customers 95 per cent will use the telephone or internet to contact their banks, the report into future banking methods
POSTAL worker Martin Greenwood was given a community punishment order for 50 hours after he admitted intentionally delaying a package. Greenwood, 32, of Glevum Road, Swindon, had originally denied the charge. Magistrates ordered him to pay £35 prosecution
A landlady and a team of her regulars are repainting their pub today. Ellen Lee, landlady of the Fox and Hounds pub in High Street, Haydon Wick, couldn't afford to hire a painter and decorator. So she has enlisted the help of her customers to get the
TICKETS are in demand for poet Benjamin Zephaniah's show in Swindon. He is due to perform at the Arts Centre in Devizes Road on October 26 at 8pm. He told the Advertiser last month that his dream job would be to become mayor of Swindon.
CHILDREN from Even Swindon Junior School will be winding their way through the town centre tomorrow as the first to explore the New Town trail. The New Town trail starts at Regent Circus and the Town Hall and takes in the main shopping centre via Regent
Trading Standards officers are warning Swindon residents to be on their guard for over persistent door to door sales people. They say they have received a number of complaints about about pushy sales people from companies and suppliers knocking on doors
Ref. 72671-193AN artist who brings the past to life was among the 130 students who celebrated their graduation from Swindon College. Drew Smith, 47, graduated with a BA Hons in archaeological illustration after giving up his career in commercial graphics
Ref. 72626-29A WROUGHTON family are swapping their cagoules for koalas and kangaroos by moving to Australia next year. Sasha Osmond, 34, her husband Mike and two daughters, Tiffany, 15, and nine-year-old Brianna are emigrating to the sunnier climes of
A festival for beer lovers is being held at the Old Railway Museum in Faringdon Road. The Campaign for Real Ale event will offer hundreds of beers on tap. It will run from Thursday to Saturday: 7pm to 11pm on Thursday; noon to 3pm and 7pm to 11pm on Friday
Ref. 72659-42A Swindon singer went back to the Stone Age on Saturday to protest against the fur trade. Anish Harrison, a student and soul singer, 24, dressed as a cavewoman and stood outside BHS in the town centre persuading shoppers to sign a petition
Mr Howard wants these Conservative voters, who left to join the UKIP, back. Funny that. I thought we were all cranks and gadflies. Why would he want us? G Scott Okus Road
A big thank you to all the customers of the West Swindon Centre who gave so generously to Home-Start a week last Saturday. All the money stays in Swindon supporting local families. The families have at least one child less than five years of age and are
COUN Stan Pajak (letters Oct 6) tells us that the Liberal Democrats have done very well in the last four Parliamentary by-elections. What he says is very true but will the Lib Dems do so well at the next general election with the party's federalist views
THE Evening Advertiser we buy you each and every day. Read all about it, shouts the man from his stall. 32p that's not a bad price at all. Turning the pages we read all the news. It's all very interesting, knowing what's going on. Letters page people
I feel that I must have a right to reply to the personal attack by Coun Lister. Yes, I was a Conservative for a while but soon realised the error of my ways. As a pensioner, a taxpayer and a local resident I did not like what they stood for. I make no
CONTROVERSIAL plans to build 14 homes on the site of a former Co-op in Highworth will be discussed tomorrow (Tuesday). Concerned residents are expected to attend the meeting of the town council's planning committee to protest at the plans by Linder Homes
WILTON councillors have called on the district council to help them save shops in the town, saying the number of retail outlets closing has become 'critical'. The Todays shop in Waterditchampton is the latest in a long line of stores to seek permission
October 9 2004: MOST couples get early nights on their honeymoon but Andy Rhodes and Caroline Painter will probably be too tired for anything but sleep. The couple, of Stratton Village, will go the extra mile to ensure their married life is a success
A PUSH to take Swindon Cares over the £30,000 mark has been launched. This year's fundraising campaign saw speed dating, quizzes, a football tournament and concerts in aid of the charity, which donates money to local good causes. It raised more than £20,000
Ref. 30088-9DAREDEVIL volunteers from businesses around Swindon are wanted to walk on burning coals. Kicking off the 22nd annual GWR Community Trust's Christ-mas Appeal which in total to date has raised more than £2.2 million will be a firewalk in front
A MOTHER who crashed her car while more than five-and-a-half times the drink drive limit has walked free from court. Glenna Noble had to be carried from her car after careering into a hedge in the early hours of a Sunday morning. And when she got to the
A CHARITY which helps more than 100 families a year needs volunteers. Home-Start Swindon gives practical help to families in difficulties. Home-Start's organiser Jan Aylward, pictured, said: "All our families have different needs, just as our volunteers
A CHARITY which helps more than 100 families a year needs volunteers. Home-Start Swindon gives practical help to families in difficulties. Home-Start's organiser Jan Aylward, pictured, said: "All our families have different needs, just as our volunteers
A MOTHER who crashed her car while more than five-and-a-half times the drink drive limit has walked free from court. Glenna Noble had to be carried from her car after careering into a hedge in the early hours of a Sunday morning. And when she got to the
CRICKLADE produced an improved performance to defeat Marlborough 33-7 in their Dorset & Wilts Division 1 North encounter. Straight from the kick-off Cricklade moved into their opponents' half but an early penalty attempt was blown wide. Marlborough
Wootton Bassett went down to their second defeat in Southern Counties South, losing out 25-13 at fellow Wiltshire side Trowbridge. Bassett's pack secured plenty of set piece possession in the early exchanges, but they were never really allowed to convert
RESIDENTS in one of Swindon's newest communities are already at loggerheads over key issues which will affect the area. Speed humps and the bus service in Taw Hill are causing concerns for many homeowners. While some would like to see the speed humps
EVERY day we take it for granted. Whether on the phone, crossing the road, listening to your favourite music or talking to friends, most of us would struggle without our hearing. Take it away and even the most menial tasks such as shopping or booking
Swindon super mum Melinda Messenger was at West Swindon Library yesterday to lend her support to a national books-for-babies programme. The Mum of the Year 2005 popped in to the library, in the West Swindon Centre, on National Bookstart Day to tell more
CELEBRITY antiques dealer David Rolfe will be hosting a charity auction in Swindon next weekend. Rolfey, as he is better known, has agreed to be the auctioneer at a fund-raising event for Westlea Pre School, in Langstone Way next Sunday. He presents two
POLICE forensic teams have searched several addresses in Swindon as part of an investigation into the murder of Mick Love. Officers targeted a number of areas including Emlyn Square, New Town, and North Street in Old Town. Police spokesman Alvina Kumar
THE news of Ken Bigley's execution shocked and saddened people across Swindon. Peace campaigners, politicians and shoppers in the street were all equally as stunned to learn of the 62-year-old's death yesterday. Julia Drown, the MP for South Swindon,
A WEBSITE salesman pleaded guilty at Swindon Magistrates Court to offences relating to the sale of designer handbags over the internet. But his scam was uncovered by a Swindon trading standards officer. Jason Herbert, 34, of Larkfield, in Kent, set up
RELIEVED relatives of a teenager who survived a 30ft horror fall from a hotel balcony welcomed her back home in Swindon on Friday night. Sarah Webster, who broke both her legs, both wrists, fractured her skull and broke her left cheekbone while in the
Cricklade Town became the first Wilts Senior Cup giant killers of the season when the defeated their Hellenic visitors Purton 3-2. The Wilts league side dominated the first 45 minutes of the game and goals from Ben Carter, Ian Ross and Adam Smith sent
Purton Reserves chalked up their first league victory of the season when they beat visitors Shrewton United 4-1 at the Red House. Pete Temple gave the home side the lead on 15 minutes and then paved the way for Adam Woolford to add a second before the
CHIPPENHAM Town stemmed their mini crisis with a sturdy 2-0 win at Solihull Borough. After two league defeats and a woeful loss to Lymington in the FA Cup, the pressure was on the Bluebirds to deliver and they did so to move level on points with leaders
HIGHWORTH'S war of attrition with Carterton was settled by a first-half own goal at the Elms. Always a difficult side to break down, the visitors frustrated Highworth for long spells. Sean Terry, for one, let his frustrations get the better of him and
Swindon firefighters are warning residents to be careful that their nightclothes don't catch fire. They were responding to new figures revealing that on average 80 deaths a year are caused by nightclothes catching fire from candles and heaters. And 75
MORE bones from a woolly rhinoceros dating from 50,000 years ago have been found in a gravel pit near Swindon. The partial remains of the animal's leg and toe bones were discovered in the Cotswold Water Park near Ashton Keynes. Geologist Neville Hollingworth
MAGISTRATES imposed a six-month drug treatment and testing order on Christopher Hollands after hearing that he had failed a previous order because he kept testing positive. Hollands, 23, of Frobisher Drive, Walcot, was also re-sentenced for offences of
A man who pleaded guilty to assaulting a woman was given a rehabilitation order for 18 months. Graham Arnett, 28, of Davis House, Turl Street, was convicted by Swindon magistrates of assaulting Sarah Thomas by beating her. He was ordered to pay £34 costs
POLICE are advising householders to treat doorstep salespeople with caution following a spate of complaints about people offering security equipment. The warning has gone out around the county after it emerged that some doorstep sellers have been claiming
HOUSEHOLDERS in Swindon are being urged to treat callers with caution after Wiltshire Police have received complaints about salesmen knocking on doors selling so- called security equipment. People are advised to ask for identification.
THERE was a ghoulish shock in store for Gazette cameraman John Myers when he downloaded photographs taken during a ghost hunt at the famously haunted Red Lion pub in Avebury. One of his photographs taken of a mirror in the pub restaurant shows a gruesome
STEPHEN McGruddy was put under a seven day-a-week curfew and told to pay £300 compensation for burglary and theft. McGruddy, 35, of Belmount Crescent, Old Town, pleaded guilty to stealing equipment valued at £395 from Stanwell Tools in Eastcott Road.
Ref. 72658-64 Stephanie Wilson and Jenni Young who have graduated as ambulance technicians THERE aren't many parents who would feel able to take on a demanding career dealing with life or death situations and working unsociable shifts. But then, not everyone
REF: 72650-10Swindon may be one of the most prosperous towns in the country, but its teenage pregnancy rate is more in line with that of a deprived area. Michael Wills, MP for north Swindon, says although the most recent figures show a sharp drop in the
The Greenbridge Public house in Stratton has been sold to the JD Wetherspoon chain. Once the Pressed Steel Social Club, It will become part of JD Wetherspoon's Lloyds No 1 brand. The plan is for the Greenbridge to close on October 18 and reopen on November
David Nash is the first to be evicted from Swindon's 'I'm a Councillor, Get Me Out Of Here' event. Coun Nash (Lab, Central) was voted out by Swindon school pupils, who have been quizzing councillors on the Big Vote website. Questions asked ranged from
Ref. 72659-42BILLIE Piper has turned to an old flames to console her over her marriage troubles with hubby Chris Evans, a friend claims. The 22-year-old Swindon-born singer and actress is said to be confiding Brit actor Danny Dyer, who she dated four
CCTV cameras could soon be installed in Eldene shopping centre in a bid to crack down on anti-social behaviour. Plans have been submitted to Swindon Council and ward councillors are hopeful the technology will soon be in place. The shopping centre has
YOU may not have a Ming vase lurking in your attic but if you want to make sure you can find out soon. You can take along items you think may be antique treasures to a fund-raiser for Westlea Pre-school. Celebrity antiques dealer David Rolfe, from ITV
Residents in Stratton had to wait three weeks for their garden refuse to be taken away. They complained to Swindon Council after the green refuse sacks were left on the kerbside. Householders from Greenlands Road and side streets off Wheeler Avenue had
AN ATOMIC expert indecently assaulted a 12-year-old girl when she was on a sleepover at his home, Swindon Crown Court heard. Martin Schwarz was jailed for a year after admitting the incident that his lawyer described as an "isolated and ugly episode"
A catastrophe has unfolded in Darfur in Western Sudan. Thousands of people have been killed and more than a million people have been driven from their homes. The international community needs to do more. To find out more, to donate, and to take action
I JUST wanted to write in to compliment The Liddington Inn Restaurant. I have eaten there on three occasions and every visit I have had a fantastic meal. The prices are reasonable and the service is excellent. It makes a change to go to a restaurant/pub
The piece 'Drink up and pay up' made me react with anger. I regularly go out into town for a weekend drink. However I would not class myself as a 'binge drinker.' I like to think of myself as a respectable young chap who goes out with the one and only
