RESIDENTS in Abbey Meads are mopping up after a huge flood. A Thames Water pipe burst in March Close last night and water ripped through the street, spilling into Gaynor Close. Many homes have been flooded and gardens wrecked. And angry residents say
RUDI'S, with its slogan "Where it's at is where it's always been" claims to be Swindon's original wine bar, as it opened in 1987. And while I would argue the toss on that one I'm sure there was one in Wood Street when Rudi's was still Notton's caff
RESIDENTS had to be evacuated from their homes this morning after what was thought to be an unexploded Second World War grenade was found in a garden. Police closed off Hawkins Street near the junction of Rodbourne Road in Swindon at about 11.30am.
THE last time I went to the Sun Inn at Coate about eight months ago I wasn't impressed. In fact, so poor was the beef chilli served up to me then that I ventured I could have done better myself - quite a boast for someone more used to grilling fish
THREE teenagers are being sought by police after a motorbike was stolen from a garage in Penhill. The theft occurred on Tuesday at around 11.30pm from a garage in Milston Way. The bike was pushed to Penhill Library where it was abandoned. Police
PURTON Carnival organisers have called on football fans to support them as well as the England team. The organisers said Saturday's start to the festival, that raises money to help local people in need, had been hit by low attendance as potential visitors
SUNGLASSES were a must at this year's Castles Bike Ride for Macmillan. But they weren't just necessary to protect eyes from the sunny rays but also from the bright cycling shorts, helmets and even Hawaiian shirts being worn by the participants.
With one victory under England's belt, fans in Swindon are already looking forward to our next game. Reporter Daniel Knowles joined fans of the beautiful game in the town's pubs to soak up the atmosphere. AS the time drew closer to 2pm the streets
A THUG who left a man with a broken ankle following a drunken attack at Christmas time has been jailed. Jason Robinson chased and beat his victim to the ground and as he lay with the fracture to his lower leg he continued to punch and kick him.
MUSIC lovers packed into a community hall to back a new charity in memory of a five-year-old girl. Around 150 people attended Shrivenham Memorial Hall on Saturday evening for the lively launch of FreyaBeya a charity, which aims to raise money to enable
SERVING up traditional fish and chips is a family affair for the new owners of the Portway Fish Bar, in Westbury. Victor Ryan, 40, of Leigh Road, his partner Sarah, 39, and their five-year-old son Luke, took over the High Street shop nearly three weeks
FORMER Reading midfielder Michael Meaker is asking Dennis Wise to give him a last chance' as he looks to resurrect his football league career after a five-year absence. Meaker, 34, scored 44 goals for Hellenic League Division One East side Hounslow
WAS ex-councillor, Derek Benfield's letter (Banana Republic SA June 5) heavily edited? It didn't appear to have a purpose beyond seeking attention. NIMBYs certainly do still exist or Mr Benfield would have to cross a dual carriageway in Covingham
IN response to Derek Benfield's Banana Republic' (SA June 6) I would question whether Derek would prefer to see the present planning and appeals process superseded by a streamlined service designed to cut through red tape? If so, Derek will be delighted
I FIND it rather ironic that my fears are now being trumpeted from all facets of the media. At last there seems to be some effort made to look at the situation. The facts are plain to see we do not have enough local water to see to our needs in
CONSIDERATION is being given to a mandatory prison sentence for anyone carrying a knife. No mention has been made of where these hundreds of extra prison spaces will be found most of our prisons are at breaking point already. Maybe it is intended
I don't think Bryan Adams or Beverley Knight fans could have asked for anything more. The concert was so impressive and the 20,000 people who were there showed that they knew how to have fun. The warm-up band were pretty cool too and the stage set
SEVEN weeks ago I suffered a nasty occupational injury to my right hand, which included fractured bones. On admission to A&E Swindon the response to my injury was good, though it was a shock to be told I would have to stay in overnight. The staff
REGARDING Amy Smith's letter (Friday June 2). May I, as an ex-serviceman of some experience, put another point of view based on my years of life in the Army? During this time I served with the Wilts and Gloster's RASC in London Division, did motor
TWO men have pleaded guilty to supplying heroin in Swindon town centre. Marcus Balsom and Vincent Selby admitted being involved in dealing the drug when they appeared before a judge at Swindon Crown Court. They were arrested as part of a police
A FORMER soldier has been jailed for three and a half years for dealing ecstasy in a town centre nightclub. Peter Fitchett was spotted by management as he sold the tablets to friends in the toilets of the Brunel Rooms on a night out in February.
A GROUP of bikers have celebrated after raising £3,000 for the Prospect Hospice. They enjoyed a cool pint after handing over the money to the Wroughton-based organisation at their local, the Carters Rest in Wroughton High Street. The bikers raised
A SUPPORT act who have just finished touring with Girls Aloud will be performing their new single in Swindon today. Clea, a three-girl pop band, will be at Asda Wal-Mart on the Orbital shopping park from 11am signing copies of Lucky Like That, which
EIGHTY guests from across Wiltshire, including Devizes MP Michael Ancram, pictured, have been helping to raise money for the Wiltshire Blind Association. A dinner was held yesterday by the new High Sheriff of Wiltshire, Geraldine Wimble, and the President
SCHOOLS and hypnotists can object to betting shops and casinos but the opposition of churches and mosques will go unheeded under a proposed change to gambling regulations. Under the draft gambling guidelines being considered by Swindon Council, a school
A 29-YEAR-OLD man accused of committing a serious assault has had the charges against him dropped after the prosecution lost touch with a witness. Mohamed Mohamud was accused of causing actual bodily harm to another man in September last year. But
AFTER more than four months living in hospital awaiting a home, amputee Tony Collins has finally been given a council bungalow. Mr Collins was given the all-clear to leave the Great Western Hospital in the first week of January but could not move back
A REFUGE for abused women is braced for football-related domestic violence over the World Cup weeks to come. Staff at Swindon's Women's Refuge have been preparing for extra cases of domestic violence, fuelled by high emotions and excessive drinking
THERE were growls and howls rather than the normal cheering and clapping at Swindon's Wyvern Theatre at the weekend. Four-legged friends were getting more attention than the actors as directors auditioned dogs for the part of Sandy the dog for a production
FOOTBALL fan Mike Benson has more reason to remember England's win on Saturday than most. He was rubbing shoulders with Prince William in Frankfurt during his tour of the stadium, where Sven's team secured a victory against Paraguay. Mr Benson,
Swindon Council has applied for £7m in Government money it hopes will put the town at the front of a computer revolution. Daniel Knowles reports on the project to turn the whole town wireless'. LAPTOP computers would work like mobile phones and the
