CHRISTIAN Roberts was due at the County Ground this morning to finalise his move from Bristol City to Town. The Ashton Gate striker, 24, was expected to complete the formalities on his switch, which is worth a total of £50,000. If, as expected, Welshman
SHOP staff are being warned about a cash scam. Perpetrators ask to change notes into various denominations. The aim is to distract staff while an accomplice steals goods or cash. Two incidents happened in Highworth on Friday. In one, the criminals stole
WH SMITH'S chief executive Kate Swann will unveil the company's half-year results this week. The stationer, which has its head office in Greenbridge, is expected to post a fall in pre-tax profits to £67 million from £102 million last time. Ms Swann is
WESTLECOT men opened their new indoor season in style with a crushing victory in the Denny Cup. They cruised to a 54-shot success as they hammered Whitchurch 116-62 in their first round match in the national inter-club championship. Westlecot took the
GARDEN centre chain Blooms, which has an outlet in sites in Wroughton, has said the terrible August weather gave it dampened first half sales. It said the average amount spent by customers was down, although pre-tax profits rose from £206,000 to £1.2
LOCAL heroes from around the country have been recognised by Nationwide. The Swindon-based building society runs the Nationwide Awards for Voluntary Endeavour, which were presented by double Olympic gold medal winning yachtswoman Shirley Robertson at
Ref. 72514-26SOUTH Africans in Swindon looking for a few home comforts need look no further, thanks to a new store that has opened in the town centre. South African Tales in the Market Hall in Market Street, stocks a wide range of South African foods,
THE chief executive of Swindon's chamber has backed a call to overhaul the pensions system. The British Chambers of Commerce has called for an overhaul to pensions before the situation hits meltdown, with fewer people saving, more people living longer
A RESPECTED music teacher is behind bars after admitting seven sex offences against a young girl. Philip Welton, who taught pupils in Highworth and around Swindon for many years, was jailed for four years at Swindon Crown Court. Judge Thomas Longbotham
HALF-TERM soccer fun days will be held at Rylands Way, Wootton Bassett from Monday, October 25. They will run until the Thursday, when a tournament will take place and are open to boys and girls aged between 5-13 years. Participants must bring boots,
Stratton Juniors went clear at the top of the table after a 4-0 win at Purton A. Hot on their heels are Wootton Bassett Town, 3-0 winners at Westlea Wanderers. Lydiard Youth slipped to third place after a 4-2 home defeat against Shaw for whom Chris Siddle
THE top Under 14 game of the day saw Brunel Boys and Westlea Wanderers, the two teams behind leaders Eastville Boys, meet up. Westlea led 2-0 at one point but Brunel Boys came storming back to score three without reply and take all the points. Meanwhile
Once again it was cup day at Ferndale School, with the North Wilts & District Youth & Minors League's under 10s taking centre stage last weekend. In a round of incredibly close matches with just one game seeing a winning margin of more than two
A NEW drama group in Swindon is looking for an elderly woman to be murdered with a bust of Beethoven. The King's Men is looking for actors and actresses to perform in their production of the cult Stanley Kubrick film A Clockwork Orange. Lee Andrews, producer
A RESPECTED music teacher is behind bars after admitting seven sex offences against a young girl. Philip Welton, who taught pupils in Highworth and around Swindon for many years, was jailed for four years at Swindon Crown Court. Judge Thomas Longbotham
FORMER Dorcan schoolgirl Hannah Linnett, 18, has just passed out from the second phase of her naval training. Hannah did her training with the warfare group of the Maritime Warfare School, HMS Collingwood, Hampshire. Now on aircraft carrier HMS Illustrious
A HOMELESS man who has been living in his car was charged with burglary after his DNA was found at the scene of a break-in, a court heard. Bruce Hudson, 43, stole a chequebook from Swindon Roofing centre and then used it to try and get hundreds of pounds
SWINDON met Devizes in four age groups at the weekend, the under nines sharing the spoils with their rivals. Charlotte Farnsworth crossed the line four times and Matt McCluskie once giving Swindon a well deserved 5-4 victory over their opponents' B team
FIVE men are accused of committing robbery at the Abbey Stadium in Blundson and making off with Saturday night's takings. It is alleged that nearly £18,000 was taken in the raid when two members of staff were injured. The robbery happened as two employees
Wootton Bassett Under 16s struggled to chalk up their third win of the season despite scoring five tries at home to Witney. The home side won 27-14 and started well, winger Chris Munton scoring an excellent try, Utility forward Ben Stew added another
John LyonA FAMILY is mourning the loss of a husband and father after he fell to his death from a hotel balcony. John Lyon, 46, a builder from Maunsell Way in Wroughton died on Friday evening after plunging nearly 30 feet from a second floor balcony at
DEVIZES defeated Corsham 12-10 in the Wiltshire Under 15 Cup. Illness and injury deprived the visitors of five first-choice players, forcing scrums to be uncontested. Centre Tim Brain and full-back James Dazeley scored tries, Harry Williams converting
SWINDON Town Ladies lost their second game of the season when they were beaten 5-3 by Keynsham Town in a thrilling South West Combination League game. The home side kicked off but Town had the better of the early play and took a deserved lead in the 11th
Leaders Brunel Boys visited Cricklade and ran out comfortable 7-0 winners in the under 14 division to move six points clear at the top. On target were Lee Dart (2), Karl Ecceston, Mike Cox, captain Louie Dee, Gavin Lloyd and Scott Barnes. Ashton Keynes
Swindon Primary Schools retained the BP Cup in impressive style with an 8-2 victory over Southampton, ending their five-year winless run at Clayfields. The visitors began brightly with three good opportunities in the opening minutes, but could have gone
Sir Audley's Arms remain in second spot behind Division Three 100 per centers Virgin Mobile despite losing 6-2 at home to FC Bradford in the Auto Business Solutions Ltd, Chippenham & District Sunday League. Last season's Division Four champions Bradford
GARY Stovall scored twice as Liden FC moved to the top of the Swindon & District League with a 4-0 win over Lower Stratton. Kevin Priest and Danny Wiseman bagged the others as Liden reached the summit. South Marston seized victory in a goals-packed
MINNOWS Queenstown sent last season's Knockout Cup beaten finalists Moonrakers crashing out of this season's tournament with a stunning 3-2 comeback victory. Two early Paul Parsons goals had given Division One leaders Moon-rakers the half-time advantage
THE history of paper, wood and packaging will be on display at a Woodcycle Activity Weekend at the Science Museum in Wroughton at 10am. The event, which takes place on Saturday and Sunday, explores wood, paper and packaging, recycling and newspapers and
A British woman has won the world conker champion-ship with her handbag slung over her shoulder. Alison Everett, 27, a building society worker from Northampton beat off a French challenge to take the 40th annual title, holding on to her handbag throughout
THOMAS the Tank Engine the steam engine adored by youngsters worldwide is visiting Swindon next week. The big blue steam engine is visiting the Steam museum on Saturday 23 and Sunday, October 24. This year, he will be bringing along his friend Toad the
A project that collects furniture for the needy wants fridges and cookers. The Top Drawer Project collects disused furniture and home appliances from 2,500 homes in Swindon and delivers them to 1,500 homes in the area.
RESIDENTS in north Swindon are winning the war against trolley dumpers. Asda Walmart has fitted trolleys with an electronic braking system and Morrisons in Thames Avenue is asking for a £1 deposit to help stop them from being snatched. The reported success
TICKETS have gone on sale for Highworth's community fireworks night. The event, organised by the town council, is on Guy Fawkes' night at the Elms recreation ground. T here will also be a barbecue from 7.30pm. Mayor Gordon Jefferies, pictured, said: "
THAMES Water is trialling a new fat-buster chemical in Shrivenham in a bid to reduce problems caused by the build-up of fat and grease in sewers. The company has started to add small quantities of the chemical to sewage in pumping station in the village
PLANS to transform the historic Mechanics' Institute will be put under the microscope after the Government announced there would be a public inquiry into proposals. Developer Mathew Singh wants to convert part of the 150-year-old building into a 118-room
A MAN who went on holiday to Turkey rather than turn up to be sentenced at Swindon Crown Court has been jailed for six months. Kevin Crowther received the prison term on his return from the Mediterranean because he had failed to do community service imposed
BRITONS are more scared of spiders than terrorist attacks or even death, a new survey reveals. Creepy crawlies such as spiders, cockroaches and other bugs were voted the nation's number one fear. Terrorist attacks came second in the poll of 1,000 British
A SHOPLIFTER who breached a conditional discharge has been given a second one. Michael Bertram, 23, of Ainsworth Road, Park South, stole seven Kicker jumpers worth £315, seven days after being sentenced for stealing a gear knob and a cycle computer. Swindon
MENCAP, the UK's leading charity for children and adults with a learning disability is looking to participants for a 12-day trip to Nepal, seven days of which will be spent trekking the Pike Summit in the famous Khumbu region. Please call 0845 9777 779
SOME of your correspondents are confusing large scale development with the need for a new university. There need not be factories, warehouses and thousands of houses next to Coate Water just to allow the landowners to give a small area to Bath University
Mr Carter (letters, October 6) criticises the Save Coate! campaign and Jean Saunders' website. I should point out that I created and maintain www.savecoate.org.uk on behalf of the campaign. I have published some of Jean's comments and her contact details
I would like to respond to the letters from Brian and Caroline Hammond, Noah's Ark Nursery (EA, Oct 8 and 9) and state that children are welcome in Old Town Contrary to the headline there is no need to "beware of them." The sarcasm and arrogance towards
The letter from the Hammonds only illustrates everything that has concerned all the residents who will be affected by this change of use from a residence to a nursery. They cynically suggest M Johnston will have to close windows, draw the curtains etc
I read in horror the reply to Mrs Johnston's letter from Mr and Mrs Hammond of Noah's Ark Nursery. To be able to get so personal over a subject which is so controversial shows a complete lack of understanding of the situation from our point of view. I
A RESPECTED music teacher is behind bars after admitting seven sex offences against a young girl. Philip Welton, who taught pupils in Highworth and around Swindon for many years, was jailed for four years at Swindon Crown Court. Judge Thomas Longbotham
DIXONS, which has a store in Regent Street, Swindon, has announced it will be taking on 4,200 staff for the Christmas rush. The majority will start in November and run until early January. Applicants have been asked to visit the JobCentre Plus office
A MORTGAGE complaints company is warning endowment policyholders that the outlook is getting worse. Andy Humphries, managing director of Renaissance Endowment Review Services in Marlborough, says the fact that Standard Life has suspended a promise to
It's as you were at the top of the under 17 table with Stratton Juniors B, Shaw and Liden Community all winning to maintain their 100 per cent records. Four goals from the prolific Rory Sproule, plus strikes from Craig Whitbread (2) and Scott Rivers,
It was also cup day in the under 15 age group with four first-round ties. Eldene Colts earned themselves a home tie with Fairford in the next round after a narrow 4-3 win over Blunsdon Colts. The two sides were previously unbeaten, but, after Ben Baker
Ref. 72622-31A MAN using a public toilet in Old Town was confronted by the sight of junkies' syringes and rubbish. The gents' toilet near the Evening Advertiser offices in Victoria Road has recently been refurbished twice, only to be damaged and turned
Ref. 72682-30A SHOW jumping enthusiast who plunged 30ft off a balcony is expected to take months to fully recover but is already looking forward to riding again. Sarah Webster, 19, who broke both her legs, both wrists, fractured her skull and broke her
CHILDREN'S charity the NSPCC has launched a new campaign today. The Someone To Turn To campaign is the latest phase of the NSPCC's Full Stop campaign. It aims to encourage every child and young person to speak to someone they trust if they are worried
Supermarine continued their winning South West One form with a 15-7 success over Taunton Ladies at South Marston. The first half saw Supermaine unable to produce their normal strong running rugby, enabling Taunton to look the better side. And the first
CHIPPENHAM'S junior section proved an irresistable force at the weekend, the four age groups conceding no points at all. They did however, score 268 as the under 14s led the way with an 84-0 mauling of Gloucester side Longlevens. Using the match as a
Wootton Bassett's third string notched up their first victory of the season with a fine 19-9 Dorset & Wilts Two North success over Sutton Benger's Wellesley Arms. The Arms opened the scoring with a penalty, but Bassett responded when scrum-half Dave
A four-week referees' training course starts at the Pinehurst Peoples Centre on Wednesday, November 3. It will be held on Wednesday and Thursday nights from 7-9pm, with tests being held on December 1 and 2. The cost is £30. For more information contact
Coleshill United, top of Division Two, came within a whisker of putting out Lambourn Sports in the North Berks Cup first round. With the scoreline at 1-1, after extra-time, hosts Lambourn won 5-4 on penalty kicks. Division One leaders Faringdon Town had
THE strength of the Swindon Sunday League was emphatically underlined at the weekend. Representatives Green Baize and Greyhound sauntered into the second round of the FA Sunday Cup. Baize beat Nottinghamshire outfit Standens Barn 4-0, despite playing
PEDESTRIANS are taking a big risk when crossing the road near a speed camera. That is the warning from Safe Speed, an organisation which campaigns against speed cameras. A spokesman for the group said that drivers are distracted by the roadside devices
Magistrates dished out a £300 fine and a 21 month ban on a man who admitted being over the alcohol limit in Pinehurst Road. Karl Kavanagh, 33, of Hathaway Road, Stratton, admitted the charge and had to pay costs of £34.
SHOP staff are being warned about a cash scam. Perpetrators ask to change notes into various denominations. The aim is to distract staff while an accomplice steals goods or cash. Two incidents happened in Highworth on Friday. In one, the criminals stole
WH SMITH'S chief executive Kate Swann will unveil the company's half-year results this week. The stationer, which has its head office in Greenbridge, is expected to post a fall in pre-tax profits to £67 million from £102 million last time. Ms Swann is
SALES of a CD for pets who are scared of loud noise are soaring in the run up to Bonfire Night. Crash Bang Wallop, a CD designed to desensitise pets to loud noises is on sale at the Drove Veterinary Hospital, in Bath Road, Wootton Bassett. Vet Andrew
STAFF at a Swindon restaurant are keeping a look out for light fingered diners following a surge in thefts of its salt shakers. The Tabasco Seasoned Salt Shakers have proved so popular at The Grove Beefeater in Drove Road, that customers keep taking them
Former heavyweight boxer Sir Henry Cooper will be the after dinner speaker at the Premier Club in Ermin Street, Swindon, on November 23 from 7.30pm. Tickets are £45, including a three-course meal on 07050 078655. It is hoped Frank Bruno will be the speaker
