Archive
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Orchestral Duels on the streets
The way things are going, it may not be long before music colleges start offering courses in advanced busking. It was singing to bystanders in Covent Garden that launched the careers of the Opera Babes. Now, the violin-playing twosome of Craig Owen and
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Two up and coming bands excite the show
The 411 have recently enjoyed a huge hit with their debut single "On My Knees." which reached No 4 in the UK charts. Their new single "Dumb" released August 23rd has been chosen as the backing track for the new Lux TV commercial starring Sarah Jessica
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Committed to entertaining the fans
Irish soul band The Commitments, dubbed the Saviours of Soul, will be flying in to Swindon from Dublin to perform songs from the famous 1991 film The Commitments, including Mustang Sally, Try A Little Tenderness, Take Me to the River and In the Midnight
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Darius, another hit one more time
POP Idol finalist turned heart-throb Darius Danesh is set to wow the crowds at the Party in the Park. Darius is best-known as the star who came third behind Will Young and Gareth Gates in the ITV series Pop Idol, before going on to become a music star
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Blue moments
Blue burst onto the pop scene in May 2001 with their hugely popular debut single All Rise. Two No 1 albums, three No 1 singles, two BRIT Awards, five million albums and 2.9 million singles later, Blue are now officially one of the biggest pop acts not
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CENTURIES FOR TWO AS BOWLERS WIN DAY
BOWLERS held the upper hand as the Wiltshire Cricket League season heads for an exciting climax. In the latest round of matches only two batsmen scored centuries and both were in Division Eight. Phil Ashman scored 102 not out and teammate Graham Pearce
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County four-rink league down to last eight
THE four geographical sections of the Wiltshire four-rink league have been completed, with the top two from each section qualifying for the quarter-finals, which will be played on Sunday. Qualifiers Area A: Winners West End; Runners Up Swindon. Area B
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PURTON EDGE TOSUCCESS IN GALA
THE annual mixed galas organised by the Wiltshire Bowlers Joint Council produced contrasting finishes in the two galas staged locally. Purton edged out Box at Supermarine on disciplines in the final after the two sides were tied on aggregate shots. But
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Opening ceremony scheduled for Skew Bridge
THE official opening of the improved Skew Bridge has been planned for September 30, as engineers work round the clock to complete the troubled project. After months of delays, traffic chaos and frustration for motorists, residents and businesses, the
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Students warned to take a look at tax rates
STUDENTS in Swindon working during the holidays should be aware of what degree of pay and tax rate they are liable for. The Association of Chartered Certified Accountants has told students to get clued up to their entitlements. The minimum wage is £3.80
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Financial cost of boozing too high
HANGOVERS could start having a devastating effect on the UK economy next year. The warning comes from the Reed employment agency, which has offices in Regent Street, Swindon. With the introduction of the new Licensing Act next year, pubs will be able
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Drivers warned about temporary speed limit on M4
Swindon commuters heading for London are being warned about temporary speed limits on the M4. A 50mph speed limit is being introduced during roadworks on the M4 in Berkshire between junctions 7 at Cippenham and junctions 8 and 9 at Maidenhead. The limit
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Airman was exposed to 'uncontrollable danger'
An RAF man who died in secret nerve gas tests more that 50 years ago had been exposed to "uncontrollable danger", according to an unpublished report. An inquest into the death of airman Ronald Maddison in 1950s sarin experiments at Porton Down, near Salisbury
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Attractions of village show lure in the crowds
Ref. 1942Families flocked to enjoy attractions at Broad Town Village Show at the Manor Farm show ground on Sunday. A falconry display, dog agility show and a cavalcade of military vehicles, chiefly from the Second World War era, drew crowds of spectators
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Wedding guest hit out at others
An wedding degenerated into a street brawl which resulted in both the bride and bridegroom being arrested, Swindon magistrates heard. The incident on August 5 happened when a disagreement spilled out of the Moonrakers pub in Cricklade Road during the
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Young smokers warned of heart attacks
Ref. 71888-4SMOKERS under 40 are five times more likely to have a heart attack than those who don't light up, warns a report out today. Authors of the study say the findings based on figures compiled on behalf of the World Health Organisation dash the
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Police plea for information after sex assaults
A MAN indecently assaulted a young girl and made lewd comments to two other victims in the Park North area. In all three incidents, the offender followed the victims and on one occasion physically assaulted a girl. In the two other incidents he made suggestive
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You'll have no place to hide
Ref. 71883-30A CCTV revolution could be about to hit Swindon. Blueprints are being drawn up which would usher in a new era of futuristic surveillance. Swindon Council is preparing plans for a state-of-the-art CCTV control centre fed by more than 500 cameras
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Spitfires backin training
The Swindon Spitfires Women's and Girls Football Club are now back in pre- season training. Training for the senior ladies takes place on Tuesday evenings from 6.30pm to 9pm, and junior training on Wednesdays 5pm to 7pm and Thursdays 5pm to 6pm. The Spitfires
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Mother's pride
Ref. 71869-27THE grandmother of a Swindon toddler who lost her fight against cancer has heaped praise on her daughter. Earlier this month, we told how thieves targeted a fundraising account set up in memory of Abby Smith. The three-year-old died two years
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Runner ready to race to help kids
Ref. 71850-39BRIAN Hall says he can't wait to pull on his trainers and attempt a gruelling 50-mile run for charity. The kind-hearted 22-year-old, from Dean Street, Rodbourne, hopes to raise enough cash to buy equipment for Great Western Hospital's children's
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A sign of the time
Ref. 71876-4Artist Ron Harper is painting himself a new career restoring pub signs after computers ended his traditional work COMPUTERS seemed to have put an end to the career of a Swindon signwriter but he found a future in the past. Ron Harper, 59,
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Learning directory launched
A CHARITY which promotes learning across the voluntary sector has launched a definitive new guide which details community learning across Wiltshire and Swindon. The Learning Curve, a charity based in Chippenham, has compiled the Directory of Community
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Saying it with flowers
BLOOMS of all varieties filled a Purton hall in a horticultural show in aid of the Royal British Legion. Maureen, 64, and Arthur Griffin, 69, were delighted with their winnings. The couple, of High Ridge, Purton, were awarded two cups one for achieving
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Mystery of figure's identity is revealed
A PALM-sized lead bust of a Roman goddess found in Swindon is that of the Egyptian goddess Isis. The bust was found in July, at the Groundwell Ridge Roman site in North Swindon, during the final days of an extensive archaeological dig, carried out by
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Lorraine's 99p motor
Ref. 71870-54THE summer sales may be drawing to a close but Lorraine Gunther reckons she has an amazing bargain. While 99p might stretch to an ice-cream, a sausage roll or even toiletries in a pound shop, Lorraine is offering to sell her beloved Ford
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Terrific entertainment brings in cancer cash
THE Swindon Macmillan Cancer Relief Committee would like to express their thanks to Sheila Harrod and Kentwood Choir for the concert they gave at The Hilton Hotel. A total of £2,449.07 was raised for the Nurses Appeal. Over the past ten years this concert
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Town does cater well for the disabled
I READ that Swindon was the least disabled friendly place in England with disbelief. As a disabled person myself, very often wheelchair-bound, I have been in or worked in every one of Swindon's main offices for many years. When the Steam Museum was being
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Ted's top tenor
Ted Jackson is a tenor of all trades. He has been a broker, an English teacher and still works as a builder. But Ted also sings for a living after he found fame on the Channel 4 TV talent show Operatunity last year. The 32-year-old from West Sussex now
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Sarah sings solo
Sarah Ryan was born in Lichfield and educated at Wrekin College, Shropshire. In 1988 she won the BBC Choirgirl Of The Year competition and the following year, recorded a one-hour radio special - 'Sarah Ryan Sings'. She has since made numerous broadcasts
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Up front and conducting
Jae Alexander has an unusual claim to fame - he nearly killed Catherine Zeta Jones in his car. But in classical music circles Jae is better known as the conductor of the English National Orchestra. And he will be waving his trusty baton for the Classical
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Top 10 pure Pop
Stand by for the arrival of Pop!, a brand new pure pop band have exploded into the UK charts this summer with their infectious debut single "Heaven and Earth", released in May through Jive Records. Pop! are the brainchild of legendary pop supremo Pete
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Thank you Jamelia
Life is sweet for Jamelia Davis. She is hot property on the summer festival circuit and all set to take Swindon by storm this weekend. Her single See it in a Boy's Eyes, released last month, has been a huge success, so she's rushed off her feet with celebrity
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Rain halts Devon's bid for the title
DEVON'S pursuit of the Minor Counties Western Division title was halted by the weather rather than Wiltshire yesterday. Resuming on 190-2 after some heavy rain, Devon eventually declared n 330-7 with Wiltshire's Kevin Nash taking three wickets for 102
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Town close in
ANDY KING was praying for good news from White Hart Lane today as he seeks to tie up a loan deal for 'as talented a player as there is at Tottenham Hotspur'. As he prepared for tonight's Carling Cup first round clash at Rushden & Diamonds, the Town
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Food festival prepares for main course
A RECORD-BREAKING sausage-eating contest, a farmers' market and a beer festival will be top of the menu at this year's Salisbury food and drink festival. The activities are all part of the 'main course' event, which happens on September 19 in the Market
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Breakfast club makes awards
THIS year's Make It Happen awards are being presented on Thursday morning. The awards are given out each year by the Swindon Businesswomen's Breakfast Club. This year Julie Card, a member of Swindon's branch of the National Childbirth Trust, will receive
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Networking lunch takes your pulse
THE fourth NRG networking lunch is to be held on Tuesday, September 7. Held at the Swallow Hotel in South Marston from noon, the lunches started in June, and currently more than 200 companies and organisations have taken part. It costs £20, and non members
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Motorola courts pin-up Wimbledon champion
MOTOROLA has signed a deal with Wimbledon women's champion Maria Sharapova. The 17-year-old Russian, who has taken over compatriot Anna Kournikova's role as tennis's pin-up, also has the skills on the court as shown so convincingly by her performance
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Young smokers warned of heart attacks
Ref. 71888-4SMOKERS under 40 are five times more likely to have a heart attack than those who don't light up, warns a report out today. Authors of the study say the findings based on figures compiled on behalf of the World Health Organisation dash the
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Marathon of a challenge
Ref. 71854-03AS Swindon's Olympic hopeful Matt O'Dowd makes the finishing touches to his marathon preparation, his family are packing their suitcases for Athens. But they say they are increasingly nervous after Matt's teammate Paula Radcliffe, who was
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A listening ear for new mums
Ref. 71877-157COPING with a newborn baby can be a difficult time whether you are an experienced parent or a first-time mother. That's why the National Childbirth Trust (NCT) has launched a scheme to help Swindon parents face the challenges of pregnancy
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FUN TIMEAT BASSETT
The third and final Wootton Bassett Town FC soccer fun week saw the club pass the 200-mark for youngsters coached during the summer holidays. Throughout the week at Rylands Way, the children take part in the Soccer Star Challenge an FA development programme
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Highworth's early test
Highworth's 9-0 mauling of Pegasus on the opening day of the Hellenic League season raised a few eyebrows, but manager John Fisher knows the real test for his freescoring troops comes tonight. Abingdon visit the Elms tonight fresh from their 1-0 win over
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Cirencester braced for FA Trophy men
CIRENCESTER entertain the FA Trophy holders tonight, but manager Brian Hughes has little time for big reputations. Hednesford arrive at the Corinium Stadium as pre-season favourites for the Southern Premier Division, yet three games in and Ciren are sitting
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Asda finally beats M&S in fashion war
Ref. 71886-38SUPERMARKET giant Asda has overtaken Marks and Spencer as Britain's biggest clothing retailer. According to figures from research firm TNS, Asda now has 9.4 per cent of the clothing market, compared to 9.1 per cent share by Marks and Spencer
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Fines rise as cameras catch speeding drivers
Swindon drivers ignoring the town's speed limits are paying the price in fines. William Watson, 38, of Carstairs Avenue, was caught by safety cameras doing 69mph in a Toyota Celica GT on Kingsdown Road more than twice the 30mph limit. Magistrates in Devizes
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Mystery of giant fungus is revealed
Ref. 71867-12THERE wasn't much room for anything else in the field in Hodson where Anne Eddy found these giant puffballs. The 67-year-old was amazed to find them as she took her dog for an early morning stroll in Hodson on Saturday. Anne, who has lived
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Village all set to welcome visitors
THE village of Coleshill, near Highworth, is throwing open its doors to visitors. Live music, guided walks, arts and craft stalls and animal displays are just a few attractions at the open day on September 5. The National Trust estate at Coleshill, and
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Ex-soldier leads the fight
Ref. 71887-54A FORMER regimental sergeant major has issued a war cry to pensioners to back our campaign to save three under-fire post offices. Mal Toms, 67, insists the branches in Oxford Road, Clifton Street and Ferndale Road, are lifelines and should
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Fine for sex offender who broke order
A SEX offender who failed to tell authorities where he was living did less than a quarter of the community service he was sentenced to. Mark Bates of Hornbeam Court, Pinehurst, was told to do 120 hours of unpaid work for the community in January last
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Tracing our history through pub names
Britain's pub sign heritage is unique. Signs record the nation's history and the people who made it, depicting everything from battles to inventions, from sporting heroes to royalty. Pub signs go back to Roman times. By the 12th century naming of pubs
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Keep on running!
Ref. 71874-13A FITNESS enthusiast has run a mammoth marathon in memory of a boy killed in a car accident. Garry Drewitt, 42, has been using up some Olympic spirit in a marathon run to raise cash as a tribute to Mitchell McCarthy. Garry, of Welcombe Avenue
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Cracking down on illegal trading of fake goods
A NEW team of professionals will be brought together to help tackle the multi-billion pound trade in counterfeit goods in the UK. Experts will work in various groups in a fresh attempt to crack the illegal sale of products ranging from fake CDs to designer
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Fate of Beagle 2 is still unknown
THE exact fate of space probe Beagle 2 will probably never be known, a report released today has concluded. The spacecraft, which was partly funded by the Particle Physics and Astronomy Research Council in North Star, Swindon, was meant to send back images
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Step back into our history
AN archaeological site will be opened to the public who can visit it for free during a special heritage weekend. People will have another opportunity to explore the Groundwell Ridge site and find out what was discovered during the 2004 excavations through
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Threats to sack workers won't boost our council
WHAT a good way to get our council workers to become more efficient and save money, threaten them with the sack. Mike Bawden and his cohorts on the council need to start looking at themselves. For many years the residents of Swindon have had appalling
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Public figures must expect this criticism
I WAS disappointed to read Michael Wills' letter in the Advertiser on August 18 in which he accuses me of engaging in personal abuse against him. I did not I made a reasonable (if somewhat scathing) criticism of his public pronouncement that the people
