A PLAN to build more than 600 homes on the former Burmah Castrol site in Pipers Way is another reason to keep Guildford Avenue post office open. This is the view of former council leader Mike Bawden, who has lent his support to campaigners fighting to
By Frances Bevan In the 19th and early 20th Centuries an estimated 10 million people emigrated from Britain, the majority for destinations in Australia and North America. For many it was an escape from grinding poverty but for others it is less obvious
FREE chess sets are being offered to Swindon's schools. Michael Wills, MP for North Swindon, has urged local schools to take advantage of the 250,000 sets being offered by Holloid Plastics ltd. Mr Wills said: "Chess is a wonderful and engaging game
SWINDON Council has hit back against criticisms of its development plans at Coate. As reported in yesterday's Adver, the council has set out plans to build 750 houses at Commonhead, near Coate Water Country Park. Campaigner Jean Saunders said the proposals
SPORT and politics have proved a winning combination for a runner aiming to raise money for local causes. Mark Johnson, political assistant to the Labour group, is taking part in The Grizzly Run in aid of Swindon Mayor Michael Barnes' charities. The
A BUSINESSman looking for a challenge has decided to cycle nearly 300 kilometres across icy mountains and live volcanoes. David Morgan, 51, of Marlborough Road, has decided to ride across Iceland to raise money for children's charities. "I think it
Many people claim to have eclectic taste when it comes to music. This album meanders cheerfully through all the genres, cultures and wide open spaces that go by the name of music. Peter is a local businessman who has turned his hand to music, but he
AS LOVE birds across Swindon celebrate blossoming romance on Valentine's Day one couple will be marking 60 years of happy marriage. And romance isn't dead for Joy and Cyril May from Walcot. The couple, who are both 79, say they never miss the chance
AN angry pensioner says police are failing to stop youths who are terrorising elderly residents in his sheltered housing complex. Leonard Hawkins, 85, has been living in Snowdon Place, in Stratton, for nearly a year and says he has had constant problems
A GANG of "immature" vandals have been damaging cars and garages in Gorse Hill. Over three nights, graffiti and pictures have been spray-painted across garage doors and cars in the neighbourhood. Gorse Hill community beat manager PC Stephen Yeates said
In a country that is renowned for its affection and devotion to the saints, there is one who seems to have lost out on that loving feeling. Prayers may frequently be cast heavenward to the Saint of Sore Throats (San Blas), Saint of Storms (Santa Barbara
SPEEDWAY boss Alun Rossiter is on the hunt for thieves who stole the Robins' Swindon Advertiser Team of the Year trophy. The Robins picked up the trophy at the end of last year after celebrating their most successful season of speedway at Blunsdon for
PETER Dibben produced a storming ride for the Swindon-based GWR Team in the first major road race of the year. Competing against the country's top Elite riders in the Perfs Pedal, Dibben, 16, placed an excellent seventh at the end of the 43-mile race
WESTLECOT women have missed out on reaching another English Women's Indoor Bowling Association national final. The trio of Maureen Rogers, Josie Lloyd and Doris Woodley were beaten in the Zone nine final (last 32) of the Margaret Ashford Two-Wood Triples
PROPOSALS to increase pupil numbers at Haydonleigh Primary School have met with opposition from its governing body. Swindon Council are proposing to permanently expand Haydonleigh, as well as Abbey Meads and Catherine Wayte primary schools. From September
A RECOMMENDED council tax rise of 3.5 per cent was agreed by councillors at a cabinet meeting last night. The rise will mean an extra £33.25 for Band D householders, who can now expect to pay £1170 per year. Councillors claimed that the budget continues
Anna Church sent in this picture of her daughter Tiffany and said this was the picture which won her a modelling contract
Anna Church sent in this picture and said: "This is Courtney who is eleven. Her mother passed away with cancer last year and I know that if her mum could see her now from up above she would be smiling to see how lovely her daughter has turned out."
Marilyn Dawson-Hamilton sent in this picture, saying "he looks like my old cousin Dicky! Oh dear!"
Anna Church sent us this picture of her nephew Joshua on his first day of school - with an attitude!
IS IT a bird, is it a plane, no it's Swindon Town's very own Superman. Robins captain Hasney Aljofree showed off his Superman pants during Tuesday's 3-0 win over Cheltenham at the County Ground on the orders of goal hero Billy Paynter. It came after
NEIL SMITH missed out on his bid to reach three of the top four national indoor championship area finals but only after a dramatic finish to his area singles semi-final. The 41-year-old Westlecot bowler, pictured above, who recently made his debut in
Mathew Stokes, 24, a fitness instructor at the Oasis leisure centre, was nominated by pal Dave Webb
Robins have announced their two Associate Partners for the 2008 speedway season. Buoyed by the news of a potential stadium redevelopment at Blunsdon, Robins have confirmed George White Superbikes and M&S Van and Truck Rentals as Associate Partners for
Jamie Elliott, a 21-year-old bricklayer from Oakhurst, was nominated by June Cafel, his mum's friend
The GWR Cycling Team officially began their 2008 campaign with a launch and presentation at the Steam Museum this week. The eight-man squad showed off their new team bikes, supplied by Giant, at the ceremony hosted by Eurosport commentator David Harmon
You are my Valentine,You fill me with delight,How's about we meet up,At the pictures tomorrow night.Bring along some mince pies,They say the film is good,Oh, yeah, honey,And bring some Christmas pud.
I only have one Valentine and loveher through and through,Like the sunlight on a summer dayand early morning dew,Like the moon on a summer nightshining from a velvet sky,Embracing us with the warmest cloak,My Valentine and I.With her I am safe and warm
A MOTORCROSS racer is devastated after two of his competition bikes were stolen. The bikes are worth more than £15,000 and now owner Wayne Holder says he cannot race at the British Masters Championships in a fortnight. The 34-year-old from Wootton Bassett
Not a box of chocolates or a fancy card. I give you bindweed. It is a killer encased in green innocent fronds. It promises a careful, close watch. Like a new mother's love here. It will suffocate you with adoration. Like a hangman's noose. It will make
WITH Valentine's Day marked firmly in the diary, romance has been in the air at the Adver offices in Old Town. Sadly, many of the newsroom girls are happily settled or not interested in finding love, so the only chance I had to play Cupid was to find
A RECORD number of entrants served up an enthralling spectacle of sporting action at the Yehlex Swindon & District Junior Badminton Championships, played at New College, writes GARETH MOORHOUSE. The first event on was the under 12 boys singles, an all
A SINGLE mum and her toddler daughter have thanked a have-a-go hero for saving their lives. Laura Venn and three-year-old Ellie-May were trapped as fire ripped through their first-floor flat in Corporation Street. But by the time Wiltshire Fire and
WESTLECOT men have qualified for the end of season Wessex League play-offs. They clinched their place in the last 16 and first round of the showdown for the overall title with a comfortable 92-72 victory over Oxford City and County in their final East
EXCITED Alun Rossiter has invited all speedway fans to flock to the new Robins nest after plans for a multi-million pound stadium redevelopment at Blunsdon were given the green light. The Swindon boss is thrilled at the prospect of moving into a new
SWINDON Robins co-owner Terry Russell has breathed a huge sigh of relief after plans for a new speedway stadium at Blunsdon were finally approved, admitting "we could have been left homeless". Councillors voted in favour of the scheme at a planning meeting
TRUMPET player Matt Harris has fought off fierce competition to become Swindon's Young Musician of the Year. The 16-year-old from Commonweal School won the title last month after performing a challenging jazz solo in front of competition judges. He
A CONSERVATION trust is determined to fight council plans to build on an area they say should be protected for its outstanding beauty. And the Jefferies Land Conservation Trust has vowed to buy up any available land to stop developers from moving in.
A TERMINALLY-ILL man, who has made his life's mission to inspire people, has written a Valentine's Day poem for the people of Swindon. Paul Wilkinson, who has motor neurone disease, a degenerative illness, says he tries to keep fit and healthy through
