Archive
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Every vote will count in town
THE fight to win political control of Swindon is still wide open, according to a new report. The Electoral Reform Society claims battles in 424 UK constituencies two thirds of the total number of seats in the UK are foregone conclusions. But neither of
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Try whipping
REGARDING the drug problem, the government of Singapore doesn't actually pussyfoot around. It's a whipping and 13 years for possession and the penalty for dealing is the death sentence. This tends to keep the junkies off the streets and steadily reduces
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Use other's
I AGREE totally with Mrs JP Oliver with regard to the council not providing extra boxes for recycling free of charge. However, if her neighbours in Peatmoor are like most of my Peatmoor neighbours they won't be using their recycling boxes anyway so she
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Health fear can change mast plans
COUNCILLORS in Moredon who are discussing mast problems are not correct in saying that "health and perceptions of health" cannot be a planning consideration. Sir William Stewart, a member of the Independent Expert Group On Mobile Phones has said fears
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Come clean call to councillors
I WONDER why Swindon Council has moved from granting planning permission for a "a hospital only" a few years ago, to the present proposal. This includes a university campus, 1,800 houses, a school and a business park in effect the equivalent of a new
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It's a start!
SAM PARKIN was today anxiously awaiting the damage report on the hip injury he sustained in Mattersburg last night after a painful introduction to international football. The Town striker's Scotland debut lasted just 23 minutes before he was forced out
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Pastor guilty over 'insulting' sign
OUTSPOKEN preacher John Holme left court unrepentant last week after being convicted by magistrates for parading a controversial sign. Holme (46), of Ayrshire Close, Fugglestone Red, said he would lodge an appeal after he received a six-month conditional
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Man tries to grab child
A SUSPECTED child abductor was being hunted by police this week, after a frightening incident in which a five-year-old girl was grabbed while shopping with her mother in a Salisbury supermarket. The attempted snatch occurred in Tesco's Castle Street store
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Events lined up for food festival
A CIVIC ceremony to mark the 200th anniversary of the Battle of Trafalgar will be part of the second annual Salisbury food and drink festival this summer. The commemorative event will include a re-enactment of the journey made to the city in October 1805
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False-accusation doctor gets ruling
were quashed in 2003. As a result of Professor Southall's intervention in 2000, the couple's surviving child was put at risk of being removed from Mr Clark and placed into care. After considering Professor Southall's response to the television interview
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Work begins on pub/restaurant
WORK has started at Amesbury on the building of a £1.8m pub-restaurant - a venture that will create between 35 and 40 full- and part-time jobs when the establishment opens in October. The new Brewers Fayre site will be a mile east of the town centre,
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Police net crack haul
POLICE seized crack cocaine worth £6,000 during a raid in Upper Stratton. They also discovered £10,000 in cash during the bust, planned with intelligence from the Swindon Drugs Hotline. Three suspected dealers two men aged 27 and 37 and a 24-year-old
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Volunteers celebrate springtime
VOLUNTEERS with the Salisbury fundraising group for Marie Curie Cancer Care held their annual spring fair in the Guildhall last Saturday. The group was founded 11 years ago by local Marie Curie nurse Marjorie Pye and is now chaired by John and Jane Musselwhite
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Man tries to grab child
A SUSPECTED child abductor was being hunted by police this week, after a frightening incident in which a five-year-old girl was grabbed while shopping with her mother in a Salisbury supermarket. The attempted snatch occurred in Tesco's Castle Street store
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'Marvellous' villagers rally round to find stolen ponies
TWO ponies stolen from a field at Semley were reunited with their owner on Friday night, after thieves got cold feet and decided to abandon them. Silas, a seven-year-old bay trotting pony, and Alice, a five-year-old chocolate-brown mare, were taken from
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Service awards for station staff
THREE Swindon station staff have been nominated for First Great Western's inhouse award for customer service. Rail customers using the station nominated the First Great Western employees for the First For Service award in recognition of their outstanding
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Bra firm gets decades of support from staff
TEN staff from Triumph International have celebrated 10, 20 and 30 years with the company. They were presented with gifts of engraved goblets, rosebowls and a decanter by Mark Lloyd, the finance and administration managing director. The occasion, at Triumph's
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Woman is found dead in her bed
POLICE were called to a house in Wootton Bassett after a woman was found dead in bed. Police arrived at the house in Coleridge Close shortly after 7.30am on Friday. A police spokesman said: "There were no suspicious circumstances. The body was taken to
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'Fleming medals must be saved'
A GROUP of Swindon Town fans are hoping to save the medals belonging to one of the club's greatest ever footballers. The Advertiser revealed the Harold Fleming memorabilia is due to go under the hammer later this month. Fleming, who played for the club
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Etheridge stars in double act
THERE were two wins in a row for local match star Gary Etheridge last week at Ivy House Lakes, Wootton Bassett. He topped the Wednesday Open with a cracking 61lb from unlucky peg 13. Second was local hotelier Simon Collins, who took time off from his
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He has ruined our lives
The father with his son Picture Ref: 77064-91PAEDOPHILE CASE: THE father of a disabled boy who was sexually attacked by Craig Taylor said families should be told the names of paedophiles who move in to their communities so families can be protected. "
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Every vote will count in town
THE fight to win political control of Swindon is still wide open, according to a new report. The Electoral Reform Society claims battles in 424 UK constituencies two thirds of the total number of seats in the UK are foregone conclusions. But neither of
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Churches hit the airwaves
A NEW radio station is set to take to Swindon's airwaves at the end of April, on a temporary basis. Flame FM is a local community radio station from the Swindon Churches Together organisation. The new initiative aims to provide a wide range of programmes
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Mystery hits the shelves
SWINDONIAN Sarah Harcourt has to face mystery, malicious phone calls and even solve a murder. Fortunately, Sarah, a college principal, is just the figment of the imagination of author Judith Cranswick, from Liden, who has just had her first book published
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Drug help cut threat
MASSIVE cuts to Drug-link in Swindon could lead to an increase in crime on our streets, according to its manager. Druglink has revealed that it will get £70,000 less in its 2005/2006 budget as a result of a reduction in drug services across the town by
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Mechanics trust faces crossroads
THE future of Swindon's former Railway Museum could be secured tonight. Community Crossroads in Faringdon Road has had many different functions during its 150 years. For the last two and a half years it has been home to the New Mechanics' Institution
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Work begins on repairing church spire
A VAST metal frame is beginning to envelope one of Swindon's familiar landmarks. Over the next few weeks the spire of Christ Church on Cricklade Street in Old Town will become shrouded in a complex scaffolding frame so that vital repair work on the 150
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On the trail of the Incas
77042-22WHEN Lisa Cox was attacked by a teenage burglar in her own home she quickly found herself filled with anger for a generation which seemingly had no respect for others. But a year on, anger has been replaced with pity. Now, the mother-of-one plans
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Golding makes county start
Wiltshire's new signing, James Golding, was quickly into the wickets in Sunday's warm-up match against Corsham. The Minor Counties Western Division side have signed the former Kent opening bowler strengthen their attack for the 2005 season. Golding will
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North Wilts turns Wilts
The former North Wilts Youth Cricket League has expanded to become the Wiltshire Youth Cricket League following the inclusion of Devizes and South Wilts for the 2005 season. The under 11 and under 13 leagues have been split into Red and Blue Divisions
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Body brought home for burial
A TEACHER who was killed in a suicide bombing in the United Arab Emirates has been brought back to Sixpenny Handley for burial. Jonathan Adams died in Qatar on March 19, when a car bomb was detonated near the British school where he taught. Mr Adams,
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Family centre moves into city
A POPULAR family centre has moved to a new home in the centre of Salisbury, after serving the community from a portable cabin for 15 years. The Children's Charity NCH moved the Bemerton Heath family centre to St Martin's School on April 1, allowing it
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Hospital unit is to close
CONTROVERSIAL proposals to close the £2m Grovely rehabilitation unit at Fountain Way hospital in Salisbury, and to reduce the numbers of intensive care beds and acute inpatient beds, are to go ahead. But the south Wiltshire primary care trust has been
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£80,000 school building opens
FIGHELDEAN school celebrated the opening of its new administrative building by taking the chance to embrace the village roots vital to the school's success. Conservative parliamentary candidate for Salisbury Robert Key, who opened the £80,000 building
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Builder helped to pull body from ditch
A BUILDER told last week how he helped drag the body of Asian businessman Anil Chohan from a trench on farmland belonging to Belinda Brewin, best friend of the late Paula Yates. William Horncy (52) said he thought he was only doing a favour for society
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Pastor guilty over 'insulting' sign
OUTSPOKEN preacher John Holme left court unrepentant last week after being convicted by magistrates for parading a controversial sign. Holme (46), of Ayrshire Close, Fugglestone Red, said he would lodge an appeal after he received a six-month conditional
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Body brought home for burial
A TEACHER who was killed in a suicide bombing in the United Arab Emirates has been brought back to Sixpenny Handley for burial. Jonathan Adams died in Qatar on March 19, when a car bomb was detonated near the British school where he taught. Mr Adams,
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Family centre moves into city
A POPULAR family centre has moved to a new home in the centre of Salisbury, after serving the community from a portable cabin for 15 years. The Children's Charity NCH moved the Bemerton Heath family centre to St Martin's School on April 1, allowing it
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Events lined up for food festival
A CIVIC ceremony to mark the 200th anniversary of the Battle of Trafalgar will be part of the second annual Salisbury food and drink festival this summer. The commemorative event will include a re-enactment of the journey made to the city in October 1805
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Seminar success
MORE than 80 people turned up for a free seminar on buy to let schemes for commercial and residential property and how to make the most of investments. It was a joint venture by chartered accountants Monahans, solicitors Charles Lucas Marshall and property
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Medals to be sold
GOLD medals won by a trail-blazing footballer from Downton, who won 11 England caps while starring for Swindon Town in the early 1900s, are expected to fetch £5,000 when they come up for auction next week. The medals - due to go under the hammer at Bonhams
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Game is playing
COMPUTER software retailer Game has eased disappointment at the collapse of takeover talks by announcing a strong recent recovery. Game, with 400 UK stores including one in Regent Street, Swindon, credited the launch of the handheld Nintendo DS console
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False-accusation doctor gets ruling
were quashed in 2003. As a result of Professor Southall's intervention in 2000, the couple's surviving child was put at risk of being removed from Mr Clark and placed into care. After considering Professor Southall's response to the television interview
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Hospital unit is to close
CONTROVERSIAL proposals to close the £2m Grovely rehabilitation unit at Fountain Way hospital in Salisbury, and to reduce the numbers of intensive care beds and acute inpatient beds, are to go ahead. But the south Wiltshire primary care trust has been
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Escape rut of daily routines
A ROADSHOW that aims to help tip the work-life balance in your favour is coming to Swindon. Working to Live is run by David Oliver, a work-life balance expert who is taking charge at the event, which is run by the charity Care for the Family. Among the
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On the trail of the Incas
77042-22WHEN Lisa Cox was attacked by a teenage burglar in her own home she quickly found herself filled with anger for a generation which seemingly had no respect for others. But a year on, anger has been replaced with pity. Now, the mother-of-one plans
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Dutch delight for Bassett footballers
Wootton Bassett Town's young players have returned from another highly successful tour of Holland, led by Chris Kirkland. The under 12, 13 and 14-year age groups travelled to hosts FC Dordrecht and SV Loosduinen. Kirkland said: "It has been a pleasure
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Police net crack haul
POLICE seized crack cocaine worth £6,000 during a raid in Upper Stratton. They also discovered £10,000 in cash during the bust, planned with intelligence from the Swindon Drugs Hotline. Three suspected dealers two men aged 27 and 37 and a 24-year-old
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Sport wall will help build footy skills
Swindon Towns Iffy Onuora with Oowen Matthews (left) and Joseph King Picture Ref: 77054-23YOUNGSTERS got to meet a former Swindon Town favourite as their school unveiled a new football wall. Children at Salt Way Primary School, in Middleaze, which faces
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Olympics could be winner for Swindon
Steve Connelly with the bannerSWINDON residents are being asked to put their weight behind the Olympic bid. Banners are being put up across the town to support London's bid to host the 2012 Olympics. None of the competitions will take place in Swindon
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On the trail of the attackers
LAST Tuesday night was not a good one for Swindon. Two vicious crimes a serious sexual assault and a brutal attack happened at almost the same time in different parts of town. While a young woman was sexually assaulted in a town centre alleyway, a father
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Grieving mother fights for the introduction of 'Sarah's law'
SINCE the murder of eight-year-old Sarah Payne in West Sussex a campaign has been launched to introduce a new law to give the public details of sex offenders living in the community. The mother of Sarah, is at the forefront of the campaign and she has
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Families say they must be warned
Picture Ref: 77057-12PAEDOPHILE CASE: WELCOMBE Avenue, Park North, and Stubsmead, Eldene, are both residential areas where children happily play in the street. But people living in both were unaware that twice-previously convicted paedophile Craig Taylor
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Pervert could be jailed for life
PAEDOPHILE CASE: PREDATORY paedophile Craig Taylor could be jailed for life after a jury convicted him of sex attacks on two teenage boys. The 44-year-old groomed the children before carrying out depraved acts on them at his home in Eldene. But after
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Eyes on the law
ELECTION 2005: In the third of a series of features on key issues in the general election, the focus turns to policing. Sgt Richard Moorhouse, of Swindon police, set today's questions for the seven South Swindon candidates. Sgt Moorhouse is the Swindon
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Safety first for young designers
CHILDREN from Swindon are invited to take part in a competition designed to increase safety in the home. They are to design safety mascots for the British Gas safety website www.britishgassafety.co.uk A panel of judges will pick seven regional finalists
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Tale of cancer battle has a message for all men
RETIRED surgeon Malcolm Morrison won't forget hearing the telephone at his house in Swindon ringing at 5am. It was his 31-year-old son Ashley calling from Perth, in Australia, to break the news that he had testicular cancer. "It was shattering," said
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Forgotten no longer
A GROUP of Swindon veterans has gained national recognition for their fallen comrades from an overlooked conflict. Members of the Swindon branch of National Malaya and Borneo Veterans' Association will be travelling to London tomorrow to see the unveiling
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Men stopped in stolen car and caravan
TWO Swindon men have been charged after stealing a car and caravan from a home in Cricklade. One of the men, aged 21, has been charged with two counts of handling stolen goods, the other, aged 32, has been charged with one count of handling stolen goods
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Quality of life event needs you
RESIDENTS are invited to join schoolchildren, volunteers, and business people for Swindon's free annual Quality of Life Awards ceremony and 'Eco-bash' on Friday. Mayor Peter Stoddart will open the event, which will feature displays from schools and dozens
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Lourdes trip filling up fast
A PENSIONER who is organising a trip to Lourdes in the memory of the Pope says the trip is almost fully booked. As previously reported in the Adver, Laura Gibson, 86, was blessed by the Pope in 1983 and has been to Lourdes on nearly 40 occasions. Mrs
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Youngsters on the run in their mini marathon
YOUNGSTERS at a Swindon nursery marked the London Marathon in their own way. Children at Jigsaw Day Nursery, off Pipers Way, were sponsored to run round the nursery garden as many times as they could. The day's exertions raised funds for the children's
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Man back in jail after stabbing
A MAN is back behind bars after stabbing a teenager less than three and a half months after being released from prison. Rodney Barlow, 32, former Honda worker used a small pocket knife to inflict three wounds on his teenage victim after his brother got
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Good smoker
CAN I assure the Advertiser's columnist Michelle Tompkins, that although I smoked during both of my pregnancies, my ability to love and nurture my daughters was not clouded by the cigarette smoke. Mrs Tompkins is blatantly saying that parents who smoke
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Money talks
FURTHER to your recent two articles on possible allotment holder evictions. I would like to refer readers to the statement in your January 14, 2004 edition. Councillor Foley "gave a categorical assurance that the council had no intention of closing any
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Inquiry needed into waste shambles
THE numerous complaints about the new refuse and recycling service introduced by Swindon Council demonstrate yet again the incompetence of council managers and administrators. There are few areas where this new service has gone smoothly. The council gave
