Archive
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Faringdon gain the Upper hand
REIGNING champions Faringdon Baptist Church retained their trophy in the ninth annual United Churches Six-a-Side Cricket Cup. The event, involving nine teams from the Swindon area, was contested at the United Churches Cricket Club ground at Sevenhampton
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Andy's false start
ANDY Caton's name has been scrubbed off the team sheet to face Chesterfield on Saturday after the youngster's dream of a first League One start was dashed by injury. Manager Andy King revealed today that the teenager would have been unleashed against
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A signal for celebrations to begin ...
On May 8, 1945, Prime Minister Winston Churchill and His Majesty King George VI broadcast to the nation the joyful news that victory in Europe had been secured and that Germany had offered its unconditional surrender to the Allied Forces. In the first
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Girls fill top positions in quest for entrepreneurs
GIRL-POWER triumphed at the area final of Young Enterprise, held in Salisbury last week. The two teams from South Wilts Grammar School for Girls - Ice Lightning and Papillon - took the winner and runner-up shields respectively at the ceremony in the Guildhall
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Call for ME to be given high profile
AN ME sufferer is urging people to get behind a national campaign that aims to increase awareness of the debilitating disease. Sheila Mitchell (54) is one of an estimated 50,000 people in Britain struggling to live with the condition myalgic encephalomyelitis
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Crackdown on callous con men
DISTRACTION burglars have been feeling the heat recently, as Wiltshire Police staged a clamp-down on the callous criminals. The crime increasingly is being treated as a serious offence because of the devastating effect it can have on victims' lives. The
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Weekend of cuckoo frolics
UNPROMISING grey cloud gave way to bursts of blue sky as record numbers flocked to Downton for the 26th annual Cuckoo Fair. Cuckoo Fair chairman Tony Pike estimated that around 20,000 people had passed up and down The Borough by the end of the day and
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Man wins reprieve from deportation
A SALISBURY man has won a reprieve from a judge's deportation recommendation - which meant he faced being sent to Iran, where he feared being stoned to death. Ali Maftonian (27) was in danger of being deported back to his homeland - which he fled under
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Latest roads plan causes outrage
ENVIRONMENTAL groups have reacted angrily to Wiltshire county council's announcement it is pressing ahead with plans for the controversial Brunel Link and Harnham Relief roads. Organisations including Transport 2000, Friends of the Earth, and the Campaign
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Boozy offenders get counselling
ALCOHOL counselling is to become a bail condition, in a ground-breaking project aimed at curbing the drinking habits of boozy Salisbury and district law-breakers. Under the scheme, launched this month, anyone arrested in south Wiltshire for an offence
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DON'T MISS...
...THE ADVERTISER special breakfast edition out this Friday. We'll be up at the crack of dawn to bring you the best local and national election coverage. Check out results for Swindon North, Swindon South and the rest of Wiltshire, plus all the news from
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Wilts oh so close to causing cup shock
PLUCKY Wiltshire came within a whisker of causing one of the shocks of the opening round of the Cheltenham & Gloucester Trophy when they pushed a star-studded Kent to the limit at Salisbury on Tuesday, writes Mike Turner. The host county won the toss
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City finish with a flourish
Ryman League Premier Division Salisbury City 3 Wealdstone 1 City team: Sawyer, Jones, Andy Cook (Howes), Aaron Cook, Bond (Bartlett), Widdrington, Turk, Davis, Phillips, Tubbs (Gillespie), Lisk. Subs (not used): Matthews, Arthur. Scorers: Phillips, Tubbs
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Girls fill top positions in quest for entrepreneurs
GIRL-POWER triumphed at the area final of Young Enterprise, held in Salisbury last week. The two teams from South Wilts Grammar School for Girls - Ice Lightning and Papillon - took the winner and runner-up shields respectively at the ceremony in the Guildhall
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Call for ME to be given high profile
AN ME sufferer is urging people to get behind a national campaign that aims to increase awareness of the debilitating disease. Sheila Mitchell (54) is one of an estimated 50,000 people in Britain struggling to live with the condition myalgic encephalomyelitis
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Inner country aid
THE Community Foundation for Wiltshire and Swindon has announced its new chairman Richard Handover. Mr Handover lives with his family in rural Wiltshire, and is a non-executive director of Swindon's Nationwide Building Society. He recently retired as
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Companies set to tee off for charity
GOLFERS will be teeing off to boost the Swindon Cares charity this summer. The fundraising initiative will host a corporate golf day at Ogbourne Downs on Tuesday, July 12. Business teams from Swindon and Marlborough are invited, at £150 per team of four
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Man wins reprieve from deportation
A SALISBURY man has won a reprieve from a judge's deportation recommendation - which meant he faced being sent to Iran, where he feared being stoned to death. Ali Maftonian (27) was in danger of being deported back to his homeland - which he fled under
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Postal votes hit by error
MORE than 130 postal ballot papers were reissued to voters in Landford after a clerical error. Salisbury district council, which is responsible for organising the election in the constituency, sent out 132 replacement postal votes, after they spotted
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1,500 join walk along ancient Sarsen trail
AveburyMORE than 1,500 people took part in the Wiltshire Wildlife Trust's 2005 Sarsen Trail. The gruelling 26-mile sponsored walk goes through Avebury and Stonehenge to raise money for wildlife of Wiltshire. The first lot of walkers left at 7am on Sunday
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Ex-wife suspect in murder case
THE estranged wife of a Wiltshire man who disappeared at a Thai beach resort two months ago has been arrested on suspicion of murder. Two of her relatives have also been arrested. The British Embassy had urged police to search for Toby Charnaud, 41, of
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Volunteers wanted to work with youths
VOLUNTEER youth workers will begin their training later this month. Smash is a local charity which provides mentors for troubled teenagers, aged 13 to 18. Volunteers help youngsters see the error of their ways so they can turn their lives around. The
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Attempted murder trial date postponed
FOUR people accused of attempted murder have been remanded in custody for an extra eight days as the courts are not yet ready to set a date for their trial. The men, who are all from Swindon, are to stand trial after a man was found bleeding from stab
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Dawn of ladies' day for Labour
THERE was barely a man in sight as the Labour Party brought a different style of campaigning to Swindon. The party's women's bus visited the town with Paymaster General Dawn Primarolo and Leader of the House of Lords Baroness Amos both on board. The pair
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In the market for votes
Michael Wills Picture Ref: 77223-14IN the last of a series of features political reporter Isabel Field joins Michael Wills campaigning for votes in Highworth IN the middle of Highworth market there is an unusual product on offer. Among the flowers, fruit
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Check out the Co-op nursery
CHILDREN will flock to Walcot nursery next weekend for an open day. Parents, carers and children will have the opportunity to see the facilities and talk to staff at the centre in Buckhurst Fields. Nursery manager Kay Kane said: "If you are a parent in
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Inquests sitting
TWO inquests are being held in Swindon this week. The first concerns Thomas Wrightson, 72, of Saffron Close, Wootton Bassett. He died on March 31, 2004, in hospital. Proceedings start at 10am on Thursday. The second inquest is into the death of Martin
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Urgent need for donations
PEOPLE in Swindon are urged to help save lives and give blood. The National Blood Service has arranged sessions on May 16 and 17 at Swindon Town FC's County Ground stadium. People are asked to visit between 1.15pm and 4pm or between 5pm and 7.45pm. Swindon
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1,500 join walk along ancient Sarsen trail
MORE than 1,500 people took part in the Wiltshire Wildlife Trust's 2005 Sarsen Trail. The gruelling 26-mile sponsored walk goes through Avebury and Stonehenge to raise money for wildlife of Wiltshire. The first lot of walkers left at 7am on Sunday. Lorna
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Theft of covers floods alleyway
Picture Ref: 77262-10AN ANGRY resident says blocked drains have turned a busy alleyway into a no-go area. Kevin Tuplin has bombarded Swindon Council with calls about the alleyway between Rosebery Street and Graham Street in the town centre. He said rain
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Did you see it?
I WOULD like to hear from any of the readers who witnessed the crash of a bomber at Castle Eaton at around 1.20pm on May 13, 1943. My grandfather was a Sergeant in the RAF and was killed in that crash. F LOZANO 356 Heaton Road Bradford West Yorkshire,
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Free of smoke
I LIVE at George Selman Gardens and it is nice to walk through the lounge and not smell any smoke now. I went to the Christmas party the first year I was here but I had to suffer with my chest for two days after. I have missed out on a lot of entertainment
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Stay in lane
SEEING the headline "Cyclists please get on the track" prompts me to write: Motorists please get off the track. There seems to be a current trend for motorists to use cycle tracks as free parking. Pointing out the error of this to car drivers draws foul
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People are not being listened to
WHO is listening to the people of Swindon and its neighbours and why is democracy being denied? As a member of the public who attended the Local Plan Inquiry for Swindon where the controversial Croft Road/Hay Lane link was discussed, I am shocked by Swindon
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Patients need rooms with a country view
Building around Coate Water will damage our health. Hospital spokesman Chris Birdsall said that the hospital was designed to take full advantage of the stunning Wiltshire countryside. NHS Estates Improving The Patient Experience said: "Prolonged exposure
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Development is depressing
I have lived in the Swindon area all my life and seeing what is proposed at Coate must rate as one of the most depressing moments of my life here. It beggars belief how this proposal can be supported by Swindon councillors, it is tantamount to treachery
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Ex-wife suspect in murder case
THE estranged wife of a Wiltshire man who disappeared at a Thai beach resort two months ago has been arrested on suspicion of murder. Two of her relatives have also been arrested. The British Embassy had urged police to search for Toby Charnaud, 41, of
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Rutter stars with record
NICK Rutter set what appears to be a new league record in Cotswold District League Division 2 when he rattled up an unbeaten 203 in Ampney Crucis's 94-run win over Minety. Rutter flayed Minety to all corners, with Donkin providing the support with 43
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Five-star Ravi has Devizes in a spin
WOOTTON Bassett scored an impressive 215-4 at home to Devizes in the Under 13 Red Division of the Wiltshire Youth League. After losing two early wickets, Taylor Aitken (25) and Lewis Tyrie (52) steadied the Basset innings before Dean Williamson dominated
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Wiltshire so close to famous victory
Kent were given a real scare by lowly Wiltshire at Salisbury where the minor county came within 10 runs of knocking their more illustrious opponents out of the C&G Trophy in the first round. Having dismissed the visitors for 160 inside 47 overs, Wiltshire
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Families say don't move the benches
THE family of a teenager killed in a road accident say the removal of benches placed in his memory would not stop problems with unruly youths. The memorial benches in Newburgh Place, Highworth, are a lasting tribute to three friends killed in a car crash
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Wilts oh so close to causing cup shock
PLUCKY Wiltshire came within a whisker of causing one of the shocks of the opening round of the Cheltenham & Gloucester Trophy when they pushed a star-studded Kent to the limit at Salisbury on Tuesday, writes Mike Turner. The host county won the toss
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Postal votes hit by error
MORE than 130 postal ballot papers were reissued to voters in Landford after a clerical error. Salisbury district council, which is responsible for organising the election in the constituency, sent out 132 replacement postal votes, after they spotted
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Call to celebrate VE Day
AS the 60th anniversary of the end of the Second World War nears, the Royal British Legion is urging people to give thanks to those who fought for their country. This is expected to be the last major anniversary to be commemorated by veterans of the war
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Crackdown on callous con men
DISTRACTION burglars have been feeling the heat recently, as Wiltshire Police staged a clamp-down on the callous criminals. The crime increasingly is being treated as a serious offence because of the devastating effect it can have on victims' lives. The
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Weekend of cuckoo frolics
UNPROMISING grey cloud gave way to bursts of blue sky as record numbers flocked to Downton for the 26th annual Cuckoo Fair. Cuckoo Fair chairman Tony Pike estimated that around 20,000 people had passed up and down The Borough by the end of the day and
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Promoting fur play at gallery
A NEW gallery is taking a walk on the wild side. Natural Images is owned by Bill and Jean Dupr and has just opened in Godwin Court, Old Town, Swindon. The couple, who live between Calne and Chippenham and have been trading from Wroughton for a couple
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Alienation hits smaller outfits
SMALL businesses in the Swindon area feel less part of the local community than before. In these days of internet working, long commutes and global distribution deals, more than a fifth of businesses admit to losing touch with their surroundings. Those
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Snack van owner back in business
A POPULAR snack van is back up and running, less than a week after thieves stole the entire business. The story of how Robert Padwick's Snack Attack! catering trailer was taken from Downton Business Centre was featured in last week's Journal. But the
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Latest roads plan causes outrage
ENVIRONMENTAL groups have reacted angrily to Wiltshire county council's announcement it is pressing ahead with plans for the controversial Brunel Link and Harnham Relief roads. Organisations including Transport 2000, Friends of the Earth, and the Campaign
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Boozy offenders get counselling
ALCOHOL counselling is to become a bail condition, in a ground-breaking project aimed at curbing the drinking habits of boozy Salisbury and district law-breakers. Under the scheme, launched this month, anyone arrested in south Wiltshire for an offence
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Adapting to life in the countryside
SWINDON FESTIVAL OF LITERATURE: Roger Scruton, Old Railway Museum PICTURE the scene. A new resident is moving into a small farm in an isolated rural community. But he is obviously not a farmer. Huge boxes of books arrive and a piano, and eventually the
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Outpouring from cream of Ireland
Fergal Keane Picture Ref: 77272-49IF anyone didn't leave the last night's talk with Fergal Keane deep in thought from what he said, then their minds were probably elsewhere. 240 people packed into the Oakfield Campus of the University of Bath in Swindon
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Girl left shaken after incident
A 12-YEAR-OLD girl was left severely shaken after a man acted indecently in an alleyway. The girl was walking along a passageway which leads from Queen's Drive Petrol Station into Walcot. She was alone when the incident happened at 3.20pm on Wednesday
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Clothes expert is making his mark
Mark Collins Picture Ref: 77267-15FASHION stylist Mark Collins has been signed up for an ITV series. Millions tune in to the Saturday night show called Hit Me Baby One More Time which helps relaunch the careers of past music maestros. Each week, stars
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Relief aid goods may be dumped
TONS of aid donated for the tsunami appeal may be dumped in the bin, relief bosses have warned. More than 120 palettes of aid destined for Sri Lanka have been sitting in a Wroughton aircraft hangar for four months. The Wiltshire Mercy Appeal warns hundreds
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Sights set on the undecided
ADVER, MAY 3: With only 48 hours to go to polling day, political reporter Isabel Field goes out on the campaign trail with North Swindon Liberal Democrat candidate Mike Evemy MIKE Evemy is keen to stress that he has never been canvassing on Chatsworth
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In the market for votes
ADVER, MAY 4: IN the last of a series of features political reporter Isabel Field joins Michael Wills campaigning for votes in Highworth IN the middle of Highworth market there is an unusual product on offer. Among the flowers, fruit and vegetables, birthday
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Dawn of ladies' day for Labour
ADVER, MAY 4: THERE was barely a man in sight as the Labour Party brought a different style of campaigning to Swindon. The party's women's bus visited the town with Paymaster General Dawn Primarolo and Leader of the House of Lords Baroness Amos both on
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See what occurs at the vets
THE Eastcott Veterinary Clinic and Hospital in Bath Road is holding an open day in aid of Hearing Dogs for the Deaf. The doors will be open for anyone who is interested in going behind the scenes at a vets from 11am-3pm on Sunday May 8. Visitors will
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Two hurt in accident
FIREFIGHTERS attended two road accidents yesterday. The first happened on the westbound carriageway of the M4 between junctions 15 and 17 shortly before 2pm. Two people were released from a car before the firefighters arrived. The two were treated by
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DON'T MISS...
...THE ADVERTISER special breakfast edition out this Friday. We'll be up at the crack of dawn to bring you the best local and national election coverage. Check out results for Swindon North, Swindon South and the rest of Wiltshire, plus all the news from
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Fundraiser will support Chernobyl victims
NEEDY children from Belarus will benefit from a fundraising sale this weekend. Twice a year, the Zaslowya Project brings children from the former Soviet country to Swindon for a holiday. Zaslowya is still suffering from the fallout of the Chernobyl disaster
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Samantha will arrive in style
Bride of the Year Samantha Moaby and fiance Paul Webb Picture Ref: 77115-2ALL brides have to make a grand entrance at their own wedding. For our Bride of the Year, Samantha Moaby and her fiance Paul Webb that has all been taken care of. Dangerfields will
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House for the young homeless given facelift
A HOUSE offering accommodation for homeless young people has been given a facelift thanks to young volunteers. Hope House in Calne run by the Alabare Christian Centre charity provides supported accommodation for homeless people aged 16 to 25 and was in
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Storm over bill for drain pipes
A PENSIONER from Wanborough believes many people in rural areas are being overcharged on their water bills. Dennis Seal, 77, has been given a £17 reduction in his annual charge after challenging Thames Water's original account. He was told he was being
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Lisa plans fundraising China trek
Lisa Bissett Picture Ref: 77264-38A MUM is planning to trek along the Great Wall of China to raise awareness of a disease that nearly killed her baby boy. Lisa Bisset, 34, will be setting out on her trip in September but first she must raise the cash
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Shackleton expedition account goes to auction
A CHILLING reminder of an Antarctic expedition that went wrong and hundreds of items of film memorabilia go under the hammer next week. The account of the Imperial Trans-Antarctic Expedition written by Ernest Shackleton will be among the hundreds of items
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Oyez! Make a noise at criers' competition
Swindon town crier Fred FerrisTOWN criers from across the country will be in full voice this summer as they descend on Swindon. The British Town Criers Championship is being held at the Town Hall on Saturday, June 25. The event is being organised by Swindon
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Club night out is a capital idea
TWO Swindon women who started a group taking local people on outings have organised a trip clubbing in the capital. And Swindon singer Pav Sandhu will be performing live at the event. Mates and Dates was set up in January last year and it soon proved
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Radio station has Christian values
Flame FM DJ LIndsay Shaw Picture Ref: 77271-14A NEW community radio station has burst onto the airwaves. Flame FM is a Christian station run by Swindon Churches Together. Volunteers will be broadcasting for 24 hours a day for a month. A temporary studio
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Search for free car park deeds
TRADERS in Gorse Hill believe an historic agreement will scupper plans to introduce car parking charges. They claim the Chapel Street car park was left to local residents on the condition that no fees would be introduced. Swindon Council is looking at
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Sample unusual ales at festival
THOSE who are partial to the odd pint will be able to try a few different brews when two pubs stage their own beer festival. Wetherspoon pubs The Savoy, in Regent Street, and The Groves Company Inn, in Fleet Street, are promising 50 different beers from
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Wheels set in motion to get mill working again
The mill at Coleshill with estates manager Juliet PhippsIT was a source of flour for hundreds of years. Now, Coleshill Mill is set to creak into life once again thanks to a Heritage Lottery grant. And this weekend, visitors are invited to see how restoration
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Don't ignore rising stars
Eva Maddison, Molly McQuade, Ellie McQuade, Matilda Meers and Mark Hows Picture Ref: 77270-6THE chairman of a gymnastics club says a successful Olympic bid would not benefit Swindon unless more effort was made to nurture young sports stars. Mark Hows,
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Fringe does its bit for good causes
Picture Ref: 77258-15SWINDON FESTIVAL OF LITERATURE: THE Eastcott and Swindon Beagles were out on the hunt as part of Swindon's Fringe Festival. But it wasn't foxes they were after it was money for charity. The group, led by master of the hunt Richard
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Can you help?
ON Sunday, April 24, I went to collect some visitors from Swindon Bus Station and on my return home I realised that the diamond ring I was wearing when I left the house was no longer on my hand. I had also called into Sainsbury's Bridgemead Store on my
