Archive
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You just cannot beat a good growing bag
Yet another letter this week from a gardener who has stopped buying peat. But this one was different. He says that he buys growing bags instead and boasts that they're full of wonderful peat, plus an enriching mixture of nutrients, and they're cheaper
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Cash shows care
Ref. 29585-36THE Evening Advertiser's parent company, Newsquest, has given more than £1,000 to Swindon Business Cares For Children. A cheque for £1,045 was presented to the organisation outside the Evening Advertiser offices in Old Town. The money came
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Change to real nappies
NEXT week is Real Nappy Week and, according to one Fordingbridge mum, not enough people are taking it as seriously as they should. Stephanie Smith points out that research shows that the average baby gets through approximately 5,480 disposable nappies
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Setback for couple's dream of bird centre
TEN years ago, Keith Davies was able to turn his lifelong passion for birds of prey into his job, but his business aspirations have now suffered a setback, after Salisbury planners refused him permission to open a falconry breeding and hospital centre
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Avebury group ears 'knock-on'
DECISIONS taken about the Stonehenge tunnel could have a knock-on effect at Avebury, the inquiry heard last week. Following on from archaeologists' concerns, expressed to the inquiry last week, that the proposed 2.1km tunnel, costing £200m, would be inadequate
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Pupils create song and dance with Annie
THE all-singing, all-dancing students of Stonehenge School have dazzled audiences with their latest production, Annie. Year 7 pupil Gemma Woods played the loveable redhead, with Alison Halliday taking the role of the terrifying Miss Hannigan and Liam
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Three teenagers injured in car crash
A TEENAGER was in the neurological unit at Southampton General Hospital this week, following a road accident at Ludgershall on Monday afternoon. The accident happened about 3.30pm, when a white Volvo 440 was travelling along the unclassified road leading
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Fundraisers take to the sky
DAREDEVILS braved the dizzy heights of Salisbury College on Saturday, to try their hand at the hair-raising zip slide. Wannabe stunt artists were helping to raise money for NCH, the children's charity, by getting sponsored to whizz down a 140m-long cable
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School faces up to Ofsted criticisms
STAFF and governors at a south Wiltshire school are working towards becoming a centre of excellence, despite being put into special measures. Farley All Saints Primary School has received a highly critical report from Ofsted inspectors following a two-day
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Retuned bells come home to city church
RINGERS at St Thomas's Church, in Salisbury, have their bells back, following a restoration and retuning project that has lasted nearly six months. The eight bronze bells were taken down last October and transported to Whitechapel, in London, where they
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Setback for couple's dream of bird centre
TEN years ago, Keith Davies was able to turn his lifelong passion for birds of prey into his job, but his business aspirations have now suffered a setback, after Salisbury planners refused him permission to open a falconry breeding and hospital centre
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Businesses unite to tackle estate crime
A NEW Business Watch scheme for Churchfields industrial estate is being launched this week, to combat the threat of criminal activity in the area. The scheme, similar to Neighbourhood Watch, uses a network of volunteers from businesses on the estate to
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Hospital stay eads to love for golden couple
WHEN hospital patient Bert Vincent caught sight of a pretty young orderly called Elfrida in the next ward, he knew she was the girl for him - even though part of her face was hidden by a mask. "I used to work in the slaughterhouse at Stratford-sub-Castle
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Parent calls for pool safety modifications
A FATHER is calling for safety improvements to be made to Salisbury's swimming pool, after his young daughter was injured. Six-year-old Leah Emerick slipped in the children's spa and caught her head on a tiled corner, cutting the top of her ear and requiring
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Cyclist makes plea to road users
A CYCLIST who has battled back from breast cancer to train for a charity bike ride is urging all road users to take more care, after she had several near-misses on Salisbury's dangerous roads. Chrissie Morgan regularly cycles through the city centre as
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Police face investigation
A FOOTBALL fan is pressing for a full investigation into an incident at Salisbury railway station during which he alleges he and his parents were subjected to excessive and aggressive treatment by police. Gavin Burden (30), who suffers from a brain tumour
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Fast growing agency opens in Swindon
CBI Entrepreneur of the Year Penny Streeter's company Ambition24hours has opened a Swindon branch at Alexander House, Fleming Way. The company provides private nursing care and according to Fast Track 2003, is considered one of the top 10 fastest growing
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Search is launched for best new businesses
A search for the best business start-ups in the south west has been launched by the HSBC bank. The HSBC Start-Up Stars Awards are open to all businesses less than two years old. Ten finalists will get to share prizes worth £65,000, including £20,000 for
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Solicitors to help with town's regeneration
THE New Swindon Company, the urban regeneration company that has been tasked with the regeneration of Swindon town centre, has appointed Withy King Commercial as its local legal adviser. Withy King Commercial, based in Newport Street, Old Town, will provide
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Firms warned not to be virus victims
Viruses once knocked out whole workforces for a week or two, but 21st century viruses delivered via the internet are rather more serious than snuffles and sneezes and can wipe out whole companies in just a few seconds. Such is the warning from Business
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Wiltshire daredevil smashes balloon record
SWINDON-born adventurer David Hempleman-Adams shortly before his successful attempt on a new world altitude record for a hot air balloon. The 47-year-old balloonist, mountaineer and polar explorer landed safely after reaching 37,000ft in his open wicker
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University needed here
UNIVERSITY CAMPUS FEATURE: All parties are urged to work together to make the dream of building a university campus in Swindon come true. GILES SHELDRICK reports THE man charged with promoting the econ-omic prosperity of Swindon and Wiltshire has rubbished
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Girl agreed to sex, says rape accused
A MAN accused of rape has told a court the alleged victim agreed to have sex with both he and his friend after meeting them at a club. Michael Gibbs said the 21-year-old girl happily went along with an obscenely-phrased suggestion from Daniel Ward. Gibbs
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Thousands of emergency patients forced to wait
THOUSANDS of patients in Swindon are being forced to wait more than four hours in Accident and Emergency, official figures have revealed. A new Department of Health report shows one in five people needing urgent medical attention in town had to wait longer
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Dogs rescued after fleeing from dognappers
Ref. 29661-35JOHN Cleaves was all packed up and ready to move to Spain when his beloved Staffordshire bull terriers ran off, after an attempted dognap. He thought he'd have to stay in drizzly England and hunt for his dogs but he is delighted now they
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Storms fail to halt hardy anglers at trout fishery
THIS weekend was the opening day of the Lower Moor Trout Fishery. It could not have been a worse weekend to start their season, with atrocious stormy weather conditions. Despite this anglers turned out in their wet weather gear to get a piece of the opening
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Disturbed nurse set herself alight
A TROUBLED nurse who was upset about being demoted poured petrol over her body and set herself alight. Rachel Allport, who had a history of self-harm and had talked about committing suicide, was found dead in her Swindon flat on May 30 last year. Yesterday
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Child porn shame of ex-cop
Ref. 29654-03 Kelvin Scott, pictured on the day he received the Chief Constables commendation at Wiltshire police headquarters in 1985A FORMER policeman will avoid prison after he admitted downloading internet child porn. Kelvin Scott, 52, of Dryden Place
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Bands pull out all the stops in bid to aid hospice
BANDS are playing at a special dance to help the Prospect Hospice. Dave Kingsbury, 57, of Birch Street, has organised the Dance For Prospect on Wednesday March 31 and hopes it will raise more than £2,000. He said: "The stage is set for a fantastic night
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Charity cash to save lives
THIS year's Marriott Charity Ball is only six weeks away and the nine charities set to benefit from the event eagerly await the cash it will raise. In the run-up to the prestigious black-tie dance to be held at the Swindon Marriott Hotel, the Evening
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Lottery boost will allow club to play croquet all year
SWINDON Croquet Club will now be able to turn winter into summer thanks to a grant from the National Lottery. They recently discovered they are to receive more than £3,500 and will use the money to purchase an indoor croquet carpet so they can play all
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Sam puts her skis on for charity trek
Ref. 29649-23OFFICE worker Samantha Farmer left her computer screen to hit the slopes and raised £2,000 for charity. Samantha, 33, who works for Zurich Financial Services as a software coach, completed the Engadin ski marathon in Switzerland earlier this
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Brush up your schooldays' skills and join string band
ADULTS who perhaps played in school string bands but didn't keep up their practice into adulthood are being given a second chance. The Second Hand String Band is aimed at people in the Swindon and Cirencester areas. It meets on Wednesdays at North Cerney
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Green residents help save money
Ref. 29660-25THE residents of Liden and Eldene are proving to be lean, green recycling machines. In just over six months the people in the two areas have saved more than £1,000 in landfill tax through the kerbside recycling scheme. For every ton of material
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Get on board Coate dragon boat races
THERE is still time for crews to enter the annual charity dragon boat race day at Coate Water. A maximum of 21 teams of 11 will be allowed to take part in the race on Saturday, June 12, in aid of the work of the British Heart Foundation. Teams can be
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Report gives Little Stars a gold star
Ref. 29652-18A NURSERY that cares for children of students and staff at Swindon College has been praised for its high standard of care. Little Star Nursery, at the North Star campus, won top marks during a Government inspection in February. Ofsted inspectors
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Collection should be on display
Ref. 29386-100ART expert Richard Morphet has played a key role in developing Swindon's internationally renowned modern art collection and is now calling for it to be displayed in a grander space. The former Tate Gallery curator has been advising Swindon
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'Contact me,' says teacher
A DANCE teacher is appealing for anyone who has registered with her new dance classes to get back in touch. Valerie Aris runs Wroughton and Chiseldon Dance. She is starting a class for three-and-a-half to five-year-olds after Easter and would like to
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Cash nest egg gives cancer girl chance to be a mum
Ref. 29631-55A TEENAGE leukaemia sufferer made infertile by chemotherapy may achieve her dream of having children, thanks to her friends. Two years of chemotherapy treatment have left Gemma Lambert, of Tattershall Close, Toothill, unable to produce eggs
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Strike set to cause post chaos
Post in Swindon could be thrown into chaos next month as 500 managers in Wiltshire are set to strike. Union bosses claim Royal Mail is bullying managers into working longer hours while axing 3,000 jobs nationally. A ballot about industrial action will
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It is the most important development since Brunel
UNIVERSITY CAMPUS FEATURE: COUNCIL leader Mike Bawden (Con, Old Town and Lawn) said: "I am delighted Mr Watkins has cleared up the position of the RDA and has pledged the organisation's full support for the University of Bath's major campus project in
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Providing an engine for growth
Ref. 13651-13UNIVERSITY CAMPUS FEATURE: THE South West Regional Development Agency was set up in 1999 to act as a catalyst for the long-term economic prosperity of the region. Its primary function is to promote and foster conditions that encourage businesses
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Cruelty-free hunt
I READ Heather Cochrane's letter in the Evening Advertiser regarding drag hunting (Wed, March 17) with interest. As an equestrian and cruelty free sport, drag hunting is first class and can provide up to 40/90 jumps, suitable for riders of varying abilities
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We should be allowed to use car parks at night
FURTHER to your article on the use of car parks at night for Residents' Parking (RP), March 16, 2004, I made this obvious suggestion to the then Lib Dem councillor Anne Baxter on June 15, 1999 who informed me that a similar suggestion made on March 17
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No decision made on future of care homes
Re: Your article 'It's Time To Come Clean': As Lead Member for Social Services, I sincerely regret the unnecessary distress being caused by ill-informed speculation about which of the six residential care homes may close. Our overall goal is to improve
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Big heart of swindon
Ref. 25675-29MARCH 5: Getting naked, bathing in custard or having a leg wax ... these are just some of the ways Swindonians have shown they care. BHAVANI VADDE reports. SPEED dating and a 25-mile bike ride are just some of the events planned for this
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Market Value!
Ref. 29653-72SAMMY IGOE is uncertain whether he will ever grace Town's new home but he is hell bent on giving the club every chance of filling it to capacity. First Division football in state of the art surroundings is a powerful attraction for both supporters
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Friends get together and chat
THERE'S nothing like a chat with girlfriends to catch up on all the news, exchange gossip and ideas, and talk about life, death and the universe, if that's the way the conversation takes you. There are no hard and fast rules when the women of CHAT get
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Wiltshire daredevil smashes balloon record
SWINDON-born adventurer David Hempleman-Adams shortly before his successful attempt on a new world altitude record for a hot air balloon. The 47-year-old balloonist, mountaineer and polar explorer landed safely after reaching 37,000ft in his open wicker
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Blues back on home form
AMESBURY Town got the dismal 6-0 defeat to Fawley out of their system on Saturday with a 2-1 home win over Petersfield Town on Saturday. They almost took the lead when Sanders, the visiting goalkeeper, sliced a clearance and Cunningham brought the ball
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Businesses unite to tackle estate crime
A NEW Business Watch scheme for Churchfields industrial estate is being launched this week, to combat the threat of criminal activity in the area. The scheme, similar to Neighbourhood Watch, uses a network of volunteers from businesses on the estate to
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Busy Jean flies flag for active elderly
SEVERAL mountain-bike rides, brass band rehearsals and responsibilities as verger of the parish church are all in a day's work for award-winning pensioner Jean Jackson. The busy 75-year-old, who lives at The Drove, in Amesbury, has been named an ambassador
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Marathon run to help save plants
A RUNNER who is prepared to go the extra mile to save the planet is taking part in the London marathon to help Salisbury conservation charity Plantlife. The big race, on April 18, will be David Walker's 10th marathon in the capital - and the father-of-four
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Bank users sign petition
CUSTOMERS visiting Lloyds TSB in Salisbury on Monday were being invited to sign a petition calling on the bank to keep all its jobs in the UK. John Smith and Peter Ozanne, both retired bank employees, said that they were in Salisbury as part of a national
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Busy Jean flies flag for active elderly
SEVERAL mountain-bike rides, brass band rehearsals and responsibilities as verger of the parish church are all in a day's work for award-winning pensioner Jean Jackson. The busy 75-year-old, who lives at The Drove, in Amesbury, has been named an ambassador
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Avebury group ears 'knock-on'
DECISIONS taken about the Stonehenge tunnel could have a knock-on effect at Avebury, the inquiry heard last week. Following on from archaeologists' concerns, expressed to the inquiry last week, that the proposed 2.1km tunnel, costing £200m, would be inadequate
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Dolly celebrates with city mayor
SALISBURY Mayor Bobbie Chettleburgh joined in the celebrations, as a Stapleford woman celebrated her 100th birthday on Tuesday. Before leaving the village at the beginning of the year to live at Bemerton Lodge nursing home, Dorothy West had been Stapleford's
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An Olympic offer from recruitment company
With this summer's Olympic Games in Greece fast approaching, recruitment specialist Blue Arrow is asking local companies to join a new initiative that provides flexible employment opportunities for elite athletes in training. The company with a branch
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Caution the dogs
Re: We deserve a dog warden for our estate (C Bell, EA March 15). In our increasingly politically correct society shouldn't the dog warden who patrolled Abbey Meads have cautioned the five dogs as well as their owners? Have not their "human rights" been
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Early-morning Elvis leaves commuters all shook up
THE King is alive and well and living in Swindon or at least that's what it has looked like to rush-hour commuters over the past few days. The early-morning drivers were left rubbing their eyes when an Elvis impersonator appeared singing and dancing at
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Groups wanted to join a neighbourhood open day
GROUPS and societies are desperately needed for a neighbourhood open day in Penhill. No local organisations have yet come forward to take part in the event on April 1. The Penhill Forum is holding the day to let residents know more about services available
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Police charge man with murder
A man has been charged in connection with a fatal stabbing in Swindon at the weekend. Thirty-two-year-old Daryl Robert Kluk, of Bath Road, Swindon, was due to appear before town magistrates this morning charged with murder. Earlier, police identified
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Ciren suffer second loss on the trot
A SECOND defeat in four days leaves Cirencester playing catch up in the race for the Dr Martens Western Division title. The Centurions were beaten 2-0 at Sutton Coldfield last night. It leaves Brian Hughes' men 13 points behind leaders Redditch with two
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Scheme to pack more power into the flowers
A GROUP spearheading Cricklade's entry into the Britain In Bloom contest has organised a spring clean week. Cricklade Bloomers want to get as many people as possible involved in improving the town's environment in a clean-up week, starting on April 26
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Stoddart attacks 'too easy abortion'
SWINDON peer Lord Stoddart has launched a blistering attack on abortion law, saying it is now far too easy for women to have the procedure. In a scathing assessment, he said thousands of lives were being lost without good reason. He said: "We have now
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Council fails benefits test
SWINDON Council has failed to hit Government targets for paying housing benefit to the poor, new figures have revealed. The Department for Work and Pensions which describes the benefit as a vital weapon in the war against poverty has called for claims
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Don't let our horses be turned into sausages, says MP
THE Government is being urged by North Wiltshire MP James Gray to stand up to the EU in a row over the export of live horses for slaughter. Animal lovers fear new draft EU regulations could allow the resumption of live exports for the first time since
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Clampdown on wardens
THE man in charge of Swindon's parking attendants has welcomed plans to rein in zealous council wardens who have been infuriating motorists with their devotion to ticketing. The Government has agreed to introduce strict national guidelines to prevent
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History comes alive for pupils
Ref. 29636-10PUPILS at Wanborough Primary School had a blast from the past as the school took part in a World War Two theme day. As part of a joint geography and history project, staff and pupils substituted modern teaching practices for slightly more
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All buyers to be asked for information
Trading standards officers are urging anyone who attended a recent one-day sale to contact them. Swindon Council staff issued leaflets and advice to hundreds of people queuing for the chance to buy top brand goods at knockdown prices outside the De Vere
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Appeal for robbers to give back jewellery
A woman mugged on her way home from work has appealed to the thieves to return items of sentimental value. The 60-year-old woman had just turned into Burford Avenue from Cumberland Road, in Old Walcot, at about 7.30pm on Friday when two youths grabbed
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Injured artist's plea for studio
Ref. 29644-09A TALENTED Swindon artist left brain damaged after a crash on his honeymoon is looking for a studio to create colourful masterpieces. Handrew Morgan, 42, who lives in Bowleymead, Eldene, with wife Liz, 31, cheated death in 2000 when he was
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Tudor times provide theme for children's concert
MORE than 650 children from across the borough will take part in Swindon's Junior Music Festival today at the Oasis Leisure Centre. The event is an annual celebration of music and youth organised by the council's music centre. The theme for the festival
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She's an angel of the silver screen
Picture courtesy of 2004 Universal StudiosSWINDON pop princess Billie Piper is set to make her first appearance on the silver screen next month alongside heart-throb Orlando Bloom. Billie, 21, makes a cameo appearance in the film The Calcium Kid, directed
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A better taste
RE the letter from Linda Maslen (EA Mar 16). Before bothering to provide fresh, clean water to Tanzania, do you think it possible they could provide some in Swindon? I have just had my water independently analysed. Result? spending £2,500 for a water
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Thank you all
COULD I say a big thank you to all the customers of Asda Wal-Mart on March 12 who gave so generously to Home-Start? We collected £165.77. All the money stays in Swindon. We support local families with children under five years of age. These are families
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Pavement buses
I READ in the EA (April 17) that trials for longer Thamesdown buses will continue. I have found that most drivers cannot negotiate a corner without going on the pavement. If you are standing by a bus stop it is best to stand a few feet back or you will
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Changes have to be made
I must comment on K Jones' letter regarding the proposed resident parking review. I note he/she lives in the Lawns. Here, his house would probably have a driveway as well as a garage so he has no problem parking at night time. As a former resident of
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Let residents' parking run for 24 hours a day
With reference to your recent articles relating to residents parking, a number of years ago I complained to both the local council and the police about cars being parked in the back roads preventing residents from reaching their garages or hard standing
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Hospital should not have to turn to fundraising
I READ with interest your article 'Turn over a new leaf' in today's Evening Advertiser, and was frankly appalled by what I read. It beggars belief that a brand new hospital has to look to the voluntary sector to provide equipment. Whilst I do not know
