Latest news with #Swindon
BBC News
2 hours ago
- Sport
- BBC News
Swindon seal signing of prolific non-league striker
Swindon have confirmed the signing of prolific non-league striker Jake Tabor, handing him his first professional 22, brought himself to the attention of clubs higher up the pyramid by scoring 127 goals in 91 appearances over the past two seasons for Combined Counties League Premier Division North side Amersham has also played for part-time teams Rayners Lane, Northwood, and Harpenden and his record in non-league has seen him compared to the likes of outgoing Leicester City striker Jamie Vardy and Charlie said: "It's absolutely amazing to sign my first deal, something I never thought would happen, especially at 22 years old. It's a dream come true." He added: "To have Ian Holloway as the manager, an ex-Premier League manager, it's special."I've worked hard at Amersham, and now it's time to prove myself in League Two. I'm ready for the challenge. Amersham was a really great opportunity to play men's football week in, week out."It's now time to prove myself at this next level."Tabor is Swindon's sixth signing of the summer, joining striker Tom Nichols, midfielders Darren Oldaker, James Ball and Joe Snowdon, and defender Filozofe Mabete.
BBC News
21 hours ago
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Swindon Balloon Festival: What to expect from Lydiard Park event
Swindon's first hot air balloon festival will be taking place at Lydiard Park on 4 and 5 30 balloons are expected, including some in unusual shapes like aliens and snakes, and the event will also have after dark night glows and say there will also be an arena where visitors can see stunt teams, historical re-enactments, along with a funfair and craft balloon launches will be dependent on the weather, but are planned for between 18:00 and 19:30 BST. What will be on? Organiser David Bailey said that the night glow will see the balloons firing their burners while tethered to the ground."They inflate them to music, and because it's dark you see all the colours like a light bulb," he night glows are scheduled for 21:45 BST both evenings, with firework displays after."We've got a motorbike stunt team and the viking skirmishes," Mr Bailey added."The viking village is really good, it's like going back in time."There will also be an American Civil War re-enactment, a circus workshop and food Saturday programme has extras, including a parachute team dropping into the main arena and a dog agility show. How do I get there? The festival site at Lydiard Park, to the west of Swindon, will open at 16:00 BST on Friday 4 July, and 12:00 BST on the 5 July, and will close at 23:00 BST each is parking onsite. Dogs are allowed, as long as they are kept on leads, and so are picnics, but no glass or alcohol is allowed in. No gazebos, big umbrellas or BBQs are permitted. What about tickets? Early bird tickets are available online up until midday on 4 July, costing £4.25 each with booking fee for the Friday, and £7.25 for the bought on the day will cost £7 for the Friday, and £9 for adults and £7 for children on the Saturday.
BBC News
a day ago
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Scenes of Swindon are recreated in miniature exhibition
An exhibition of tiny local-themed scenes is being displayed in a town's bookshop windows – including a crocheted depiction of suffragettes and a mini art Books in Swindon's Old Town is hosting the display, which also features a mini Isambard Kingdom Brunel and locally born actress Diana "Miniature Swindon" display is being put on for Swindon Arts Fringe, which runs until 29 June and involves 14 exhibitions at nine Bevan Haines, who curated the bookshop's showcase, said: "You can't really appreciate it unless you come and see it." "I've grouped them into people, places, objects and a mini art gallery," she added. A "Swindog", referencing the statues created for an art trail in the town in 2023, is also Lowe, also part of the festival and a curator for the first time last year, said the exhibitions were all free and this year there were more than 200 artists featured."It's just trying to celebrate art and make it bigger and bigger every year," she said.
The Independent
2 days ago
- The Independent
Man jailed for killing brother with single punch in drunken fight at motocross
A man has been jailed for two years for killing his brother during a drunken fight. Ben Starr, 35, inflicted a single fatal blow to his brother Lee at a motocross event in Swindon in August last year. Lee Starr, 38, suffered a fatal head injury at the Foxhill motocross event in Upper Wanborough and died later in hospital. At a previous hearing Ben Starr, of Woodside Avenue, Ripley, Derbyshire, pleaded guilty to manslaughter after asking for a 'Goodyear Indication' from a judge – the maximum sentence he could receive. At a sentencing hearing on Thursday Judge Peter Blair KC, The Recorder of Bristol, jailed him for two years. Sam Jones, defending, said at a previous hearing: 'This case on the facts is, in any view, a tragic case. 'Both the defendant and his brother were intoxicated at the relevant time. ' One of the eyewitnesses to the incident, the defendant's father, refers to in his witness statement of Lee after having punched his brother on two occasions and after the two of them end up on the ground, with the defendant restraining his brother, after which they are separated, he sees Lee direct a kick and a punch towards the defendant. 'The defendant in his own interview with the police describes that kick and punch connecting with him. 'But it is accepted on his behalf that the only evidence of those blows connecting come from him. 'The witnesses at the scene see a kick and a punch directed towards him but not connect with him. 'The basis of plea put forward on the defendant's behalf is that after the two are separated and after the attempted kick and punch are thrown, the defendant then accepts in that context throwing the single punch which he did, which caused the injury.' At that hearing Robin Shellard, prosecuting, said the guilty plea to manslaughter was acceptable. In a statement read to the court, Lee Starr's wife Jaye said: '(Lee) was cruelly and senselessly taken from me and our children. 'I never imagined I would be forced to put into words the unbearable grief that now defines our lives. 'We had a future full of hope, love and dreams together. But that future was stolen from us in a horrific moment, and now every single day is a fight just to keep going without him.' Detective Chief Inspector Phil Walker, who led the investigation, said: 'Our thoughts remain with the family and loved ones of Lee, who has lost his life in such tragic circumstances. 'A life has been cut short following what should have been an enjoyable weekend at a family event. A single punch has ruined the lives of a family.'
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Yahoo
Man sentenced for killing brother in drunken fight
A man has been jailed after killing his brother with a single punch in a drunken fight at a motocross event last year. Ben Starr, 34, of Woodside Avenue in Derbyshire, previously admitted to the manslaughter of Lee Starr in a fight at Foxhill motocross track, in Swindon, in August last year. Lee, who was 38 years old, suffered a fatal head injury and later died in hospital. Starr was sentenced to two years in prison at Bristol Crown Court on Thursday. More news stories for Wiltshire Listen to the latest news for Wiltshire In a victim impact statement read to the court, Lee's wife Jaye Starr said: "Lee was cruelly and senselessly taken from me and our children." On 22 August 2024, their father and their own children witnessed Lee punch Starr twice before both men ended up on the ground, with Starr restraining his brother. They were forced apart by onlookers and a further punch from Starr to Lee proved fatal, as he collapsed on the floor while walking away from his serious injuries. Lee died days later in Southmead Hospital. The court heard both argued with each other in the past, but Starr said he loved Lee and would often go to him for advice. The fight was witnessed by Lee's 13-year-old son, the court was told. Ms Starr said: "I never imagined I would be forced to put into words the unbearable grief that now defines our lives. "We had a future full of hope, love and dreams together. "But that future was stolen from us in horrific moment, and now every single day is a fight just to keep going without him." Sam Jones, defence, said: "This case was a tragedy on both sides. "Ben will have to live with the consequences of his actions for the rest of his life." Mr Jones called for a suspended sentence as Starr has no previous convictions, and he showed "remorse". However His Honour Judge Blair KC chose to sentence Starr to two years in prison. "Nothing about this case can be described as anything but tragic," he said. Follow BBC Wiltshire on Facebook, X and Instagram. Send your story ideas to us on email or via WhatsApp on 0800 313 4630. Man dies after assault at Foxhill motocross event Arrest after life-threatening assault at motocross event HM Courts & Tribunals Service
