Archive
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Business of dowsing
THE south Cotswolds branch of the Federation of Small Businesses is holding a networking lunch bunch at The Bull Fairford, on Thursday from 12.30pm to 3pm. As well as meeting new clients, there will also be a demo of the ancient art of energy dowsing.
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Two new faces join property consultants
PROPERTY consultants Alder King have announced a promotion and a new appointment in Swindon Alan Morrish, pictured, has been promoted to partner in the professional services department. He is a chartered surveyor and a member of the Institute of Revenues
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Climate changes for green firms
A GROUND-BREAKING Swin-don project designed to increase energy efficiency has been boosted with funding from the Energy Saving Trust. The Climate Club for Business, Wiltshire, is one of three initiatives in the south west, which are benefiting from a
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Staff's charity fruit day has plenty of ap-peel
77415-9WORKERS in South Marston felt decidedly fruity considering it was quite early in the morning. That's because the staff at OTM were holding a Fruity Friday event to raise money for the World Cancer Research Fund. OTM deals with print management,
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Call for pics
I AM writing a book with a former Swindon railwayman, Gordon Shurmer, who spent nearly half a century on the railway based at Swindon locomotive shed. He was born in North Street and grew up in Havelock Street. I am trying to trace some pre-1960 photographs
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Film review - Friday Night Lights (12A)
Everybody loves a winner. In the close-knit Texan town of Odessa, a community for which sport is a religion, winning is all they love. Every week, the locals abandon their homes and businesses to live vicariously through the on-field exploits of the Permian
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Physics gets pat on back
77401-66A PHYSICS teacher at New College in Swindon is celebrating after his course was given top marks in the latest Good Schools Guide. The guide cited the college's AS level physics course as best in the country for boys in a non-selective state school
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Concerns raised over new estate
RESIDENTS in Nythe have raised concerns about a new housing estate. A public meeting allowed residents near the planned Oakley Park development on the St Joseph's School site, in Coleview, to discuss their concerns with builder George Wimpey. Residents
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Path to enjoying their woodland sanctuary
77446-32RESIDENTS in Rodbourne Green now have a woodland path. The Rodbourne Green Residents' Association has made a route through the wood from Rodbourne Green to the field at Akers Way. The work was carried out by volunteers and was supported by the
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Drivers top up tan in traffic
POLICE have expressed alarm that motorists caught up in tailbacks on the M4 near Swindon decided to park up on the hard shoulder and do a spot of sunbathing on their car bonnets. People who were stuck on the motorway following an accident thought a good
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Piglets are the stars of the farm open day
77443-54PIGLETS, calves and birds of prey were the stars of the show at Eastbrook farm open day. Hundreds of people turned out for the event on Saturday for the chance to meet some of the animals at the Bishopstone farm. "It was a fantastic day," said
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Heart of the community
One of our big campaigns has been the Swindon Cancer Appeal, and pictured here last month were children from Goddard Park School preparing for a sponsored silenceToday is the start of Local Newspaper Week and the Adver wants you to help us celebrate.
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Historian back by popular demand
MILITARY historian Bill King is returning to Swindon Museum & Art Gallery in Old Town on Friday to repeat his talk about Britain's secret resistance organisation during the Second World War. People will be able to learn more about the civilians who
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Would you ride around the world for charity?
THE Meningitis Trust is appealing for Swindonians to get on their bikes for charity. It wants people to help cycle the equivalent of the earth's circumference more than 24,900 miles. The Wheelie Round the World event takes place from June 20 to July 3
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Council officers to learn from others
SWINDON Council will play host to an event for council officers from across the south west today. The networking event aims to help local councils in the region to develop working relationships that will enable them to share best practice and develop
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Everyone wants a Dalmatian pup
PEOPLE in Swindon have been coming forward in their droves to buy a Dalmatian puppy. Daisy the Dalmatian gave birth to a huge litter of 14 puppies and her owner, Megan Twisk, is unable to keep them all. She has been flooded with calls from people wanting
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Steve proves he has the X Factor
TV talent show winner Steve Brookstein proved his X Factor credentials when his debut album stormed in at the top of the charts. Heart & Soul, a collection of soul classics performed by the London-born star, went straight to number one in the album
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Former Town star in court
FORMER Swindon Town star George Ndah, 30, is due to appear in court in Chippenham today charged with speeding on the M4. Ndah who is worth more than £1.5m is alleged to have been zapped travelling at more than 70mph between junctions 16, Swindon West
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Plan to put more taxis on streets
THERE could be twice as many taxis on the streets of Swindon if councillors go ahead with plans. A Swindon Council committee meeting tonight will decide whether to stop limiting the numbers of black cabs in the town. And with 139 people on the waiting
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Searching for the authentic amongst this world's fakes
SWINDON FESTIVAL OF LITERATURE: AUTHOR David Boyle said he had read reviews of his talk in which writers didn't seem to understand the meaning of authentic. So, even though I thought I knew what it meant, I had a quick look in the dictionary just in case
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'I am not a dealer' says stab victim
THE victim in an attempted murder case stormed out of court after being branded a drug dealer. Swindon man Vincent MacNamee was in Bristol Crown Court to give evidence for the second day of the trial against the four men accused of trying to kill him.
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War veteran is honoured
WAR veteran Allan Thipthorpe, 79,has been invited to Buckingham Palace on Sunday, July 10 for the VE and VJ celebrations. But he is more pleased for his wheelchair-bound wife Stevie, 72, than for himself . The war veteran said: "I feel honoured because
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Soccer souvenir leaves Fraser over the moon
THE victim of a mugging has been given a boost thanks to good sports at Swindon Town Football Club. Fourteen-year-old Robins' fan Fraser Joyce was thrilled when he caught one of Brian Howard's boots after last Saturday's match at the County Ground. But
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Go that extra charity mile
76325-14THERE are plenty of people in the town who have already proved they are willing to go the extra mile for the Swindon Cancer Appeal. And at the end of May fundraisers are being encouraged to tackle just that a mile to raise money for Macmillan.
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Reporting as history is made
Jon SnowSWINDON FESTIVAL OF LITERATURE: JOURNALISTS have come in for something of a ribbing at this year's festival even from within our own ranks. Michael Buerk described journalism as a 'useless occupation' not requiring any talent, while MP John 'the
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The laughter was real
SWINDON FESTIVAL OF LITERATURE: WHEN Guy Browning was invited to the Swindon Festival of Literature he was worried he wasn't 'literature'. And his appearance at the old Railway Museum was often more like a comedy act than a literary discussion. The Guardian
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Knife man gets jailed
PAEDOPHILE Rodney Barlow has been jailed for three-and-a-half years after he stabbed a teenager shortly after being released from prison. The 32-year-old former Honda worker used a small pocketknife to inflict three wounds on his teenage victim after
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Talking sport. . . not leisure
I THINK that Mr Short (Don't ignore rising stars EA, May 4 ), may be getting a little confused as to the difference between leisure and sports development. I questioned his sports development team's support for private clubs, not the provision of leisure
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Pull the plug
IT is good to see the letters re: Save Coate. Unfortunately the institutionalised planning process we have in place makes it highly likely that the university campus will be built around coate Water in spite of the objections of a sizeable number of the
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Stop stunts
I READ that Mr Hempleman-Adams is yet again setting up a new stunt, this time for an advertisement for a wine company. I hope that you charged him for the appropriate advertising space and quoted for the future coverage. Shirley Mathias some months ago
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Cycle path should not be blocked
TODAY, as I was approaching the junction of Nythe Road with Oxford Road at 2.25pm, I noted two cyclists heading east using the north side pavement. As I motored down the Oxford Road towards the Greenbridge roundabout I noted two more cyclists, again heading
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High parking costs will put off visitors
Re: Rot sets in at Town Centre, Letters Page May 10. JOHN Phillips refers to my comments apparently made during an impromptu conversation we had in November 2003. I do not recall the conversation but I am sure John's memory is more reliable than mine.
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I am proud of university plan
I WOULD like to reply to the letter sent by Ms Saunders on April 26 where she suggests that I, along with others, should hang our heads in shame for daring to support the provision of a university on land adjacent to the Coate Water Park. No, Ms Saunders
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Rough luck!
FUMING David Howell was livid with himself last night after letting the Daily Telegraph Dunlop Masters title slip through his fingers. Swindon's Ryder Cup star, pictured, blew a one-shot lead on the final hole of the £1.7million event at the Forest of
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Tasteless
Emergency care administration manager Sue Scott disposes of the leaflets 77422-57No win no fee firms have been accused of preying on the walking wounded at Swindon's A&E unit by bombarding patients with calling cards. Their tactics have been described
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Light up the world with your smile
IT doesn't cost a penny and can make someone's day. Today is the start of National Smile Week and dentists across the country are urging people to take better care of their pearly whites. The week has been organised in a bid to increase awareness of the
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Free training for small businesses
SMALL businesses only have until November to apply for free training from the Royal National Institute for the Deaf to help them meet obligations under the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA). The RNID is offering free awareness training to smaller organisations
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Under starter's orders for racecourse's new stand
A SWINDON construction company gave clients and partners an exclusive preview of the new hospitality stand it has built at Salisbury racecourse. The £1 million pound project by Swindon and Oxford based company E W Beard has a cruiseliner style design,
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Welcome return
WOOTTON Bassett's new Mayor says he is a servant of the people. Coun Chris Wannell, of Noremarsh Road, was crowned Mayor at a ceremony held at the Memorial Hall, Station Road. And he is looking forward to maintaining Wootton Bassett's friendly and individual
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Thieves kick in door of a shop
THIEVES smashed their way into a Wootton Bassett shop then stole cigarettes and cans of lager. The thieves were caught on CCTV kicking in the door of Balfour News, in Longleaze, and then grabbing packets of cigarettes and cans from the shelves. They ripped
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Dangerous path
JOHN Utting is right. We tread a very dangerous path when people begin voting along religious lines. Just look at the USA where Bush makes a great deal of praying on his knees with his advisers. I would never ever vote for anyone or party on race or religion
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Listen to us
Councillors who support development at Coate say they will protect and enhance the wildlife interest of Coate Water Site of Special Scientific Interest. However, in Swindon Gateway Consortium's planning application, the University of Bath proposes to
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Unfair system
It is enlightening to look at the election result to see how the first past the post system distorts the make-up of Parliament. Labour gained 37 per cent of the popular vote but have 55 per cent of the seats (355), the Conservatives gained 33 per cent
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Drivers top up tan in traffic
POLICE have expressed alarm that motorists caught up in tailbacks on the M4 in Wiltshire decided to park up on the hard shoulder and do a spot of sunbathing on their car bonnets. People who were stuck on the motorway following an accident thought a good
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Film review - The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy (PG)
SOME people no doubt think that the science fiction event of the year takes place on May 19 when the new Star Wars film is released. Others may believe it to be later in the summer when Steven Spielberg gives us his version of War Of The Worlds. But when
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Our bride of the year chooses a scrumptious wedding cake
77399-8WEDDING cakes are still very much in demand according to Sugar Celebrations. The cake-making company, of Faringdon Road, is providing a three-tier wedding cake for our Bride of the Year competition. And, cake maker Carole Stafford, 58, is delighted
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Headteacher to take sick leave
Headteacher Elizabeth CooperONE of Swindon's top schools is without its two main players. Ridgeway School in Wroughton has confirmed headteacher Elizabeth Cooper is today starting weeks of certified sick leave. It comes as business manager Astrid Morris
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Tasteless
Emergency care administration manager Sue Scott disposes of the leaflets 77422-57No win no fee firms have been accused of preying on the walking wounded at Swindon's A&E unit by bombarding patients with calling cards. Their tactics have been described
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Lifestyle day for disabled people
A LIFESTYLES day for disabled people will be held on May 25. The day, which will run from 10.30am to 3pm at the Fitness First Health Club in Eldene Drive, Eldene, is being hosted by Swindon Living Options. The message of the day is 'Don't see disability
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Wanted for giving police false details
A JUDGE has issued a warrant for the arrest of a motorist who twice lied about his identity when he was stopped by police after he failed to turn up at court. Kenneth Brown was due at the crown court to face sentence for the offences but did not turn
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Last week as Mayor
COUNCILLOR Peter Stoddart is today starting his last week as Mayor of Swindon. On Friday Coun Ray Fisher (Con, St Margaret) will take over as mayor at Swindon Council's annual meeting. Coun Fisher is currently deputy mayor and is finance director at Arkell's
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Kenny's appeal
AN appeal to pay for a Swindon musician's headstone is gathering pace. Since we featured the story of Kenny Brimson in the Advertiser last month his sister has been receiving calls from people eager to help raise money. So far the appeal has raised £330
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Road is blocked
THE A419 was blocked for more than an hour after a crash. The accident happened between the Commonhead roundabout and junction 15 of the M4. A Skoda car and a HGV lorry were involved in the collision at 9.45am on Saturday. An ambulance attended the scene
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Witnesses wanted
POLICE officers are appealing for witnesses following an attempted deception crime at a supermarket in West Swindon. On Thursday, April 28 a man was seen running from the Co-op store in Roughmoor Village Centre. The man later got into a car outside the
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Elderly woman escapes fire in her bedroom
AN elderly woman escaped unhurt after a cigarette butt caused a fire in her bedroom. The fire brigade were called to a bungalow in Frobisher Drive, Walcot, just before 2.40pm on Saturday when the smoke alarm, which is directly linked to the fire station
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Death and destruction on a mind-blowing scale
SWINDON FESTIVAL OF LITERATURE: WE'RE all totally doomed that's the message I got from Bill McGuire's talk at the Swindon Lit Fest. And if you can't trust a world-renowned geo-physicist who can you trust? According to Bill, author of Surviving Armageddon
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Alistair makes a good impression
SWINDON FESTIVAL OF LITERATURE: I NOW know a side to Alistair McGowan I never knew existed. He's not just about impressions you know. There's also a vulnerable poet lurking beneath the surface. It was revealed that back stage he had admitted he hadn't
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Joy as brave Jakemakes it to prom
A TEENAGER who nearly died after collapsing with a blood clot on the brain, joined friends at his school's end of year prom last night. Brave Jake Sheppard, 16, showed just how well he has recovered from his ordeal when he donned a dinner suit and travelled
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Village set for carnival
Claire Andrews at last year's carnival battling a dinosaurORGANISERS are hoping the sun will shine on Purton Carnival this year. Rain fell for much of the two-week event last year. A packed programme of activities has been organised and carnival committee
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Use your free 'hippo' to save water this summer
THAMES Water has been giving away water saving devices to reduce the amount of water used when toilets are flushed. The company has donated 'hippos' and save-a-flush devices, which can be fitted to toilets in homes. Thames Water has been calling for people
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A night that wasn't too Joly
77453-26SWINDON FESTIVAL OF LITERATURE: IT seems strange that a man best known for shouting 'Hello, I'm on the train' into a huge mobile phone finds himself at a literature festival. But Trigger Happy TV comic Dom Joly has written a book so technically
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Festival is hailed as a triumph
Matt HollandSWINDON FESTIVAL OF LITERATURE: SWINDON'S Festival of Literature ended on a high with the Swindon Slam and Quick Quip Quiz. A candlelit Town Hall in Regent Circus was the setting for the competition, which saw 12 poets competing for the prestigious
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Light up the world with your smile
IT doesn't cost a penny and can make someone's day. Today is the start of National Smile Week and dentists across the country are urging people to take better care of their pearly whites. The week has been organised in a bid to increase awareness of the
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Adding up the school numbers
FOLLOWING Friday's story in the Evening Advertiser I'd like to applaud the trade unionists for supporting Salt Way School. The LEA, Shaw and Nine Elms ward councillors and the Education Partnership Board turned the school consultation process into a farce
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No parades
FIRST I would like to congratulate the people of Cricklade on the way they kept up VE Day. But what of Wootton Bassett not a flag to be seen let alone a parade. I suppose they will tell us it is being kept up in July along with VJ Day. How can they celebrate
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Arrogance
TO disbelieve that the illness ME exists, or that it must be all in the mind because there is, so far, no definitive diagnostic test for it, is not only illogical and unjust but the height of the scientific arrogance. The notion that, if all current medical
