Latest news with #SwindonAdvertiser
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Hundreds queue for bus in extremely long lines for first day of RIAT
Travellers from Swindon are queuing in large numbers to get to the Royal International Air Tattoo 2025 (RIAT). Swindon Bus Station is operating a shuttle that comes every five minutes to pick up event goers and take them to RAF Fairford for the UK's biggest flight fest. Attendees are forced to queue from beyond the bus station as they await a chance to start their RIAT adventure. Be the first to know with the Swindon Advertiser! 📱 💡 Our flash sale brings the latest local happenings directly to you. Save over 50% on an annual subscription now. 🔗 #SpecialOffer — Swindon Advertiser (@swindonadver) July 4, 2025 One couple who are in the line said that they are "so excited" to get to RIAT as they have never gone together before. They said: "I am not too fussed about waiting to get there as it is all part of the experience and it will still be a great day." RIAT 2025 is on from today, Friday, July 18, until Sunday, July 20. Recommended reading LIVE: Traffic on major routes in Swindon as people descend on RIAT Behind the scenes at RIAT: Here's everything you can expect Red Arrows pilots 'exhilarated' ahead of world-first feat at RIAT 2025 With day one kicking off with the sun in the sky, locals and those who have travelled far will be eager to get to the site. The first flight display at RIAT takes place today, from 11am until 3pm, and for weekend goers, the display lasts from 10:30am until 5pm. Viewers can see all kinds of aircraft this weekend, including the world-famous Red Arrows display squad, which will be performing on all days.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Swindon park to host teddy bears' picnic
A park will host a teddy bear picnic. The event will take place at Broadgreen Park on Friday, August 1, from 11.30am onwards. The picnic is being organised by Swindon Borough Council in collaboration with the Brighter Broadgreen project. Be the first to know with the Swindon Advertiser! 📱 💡 Our flash sale brings the latest local happenings directly to you. Save over 50% on an annual subscription now. 🔗 #SpecialOffer — Swindon Advertiser (@swindonadver) July 4, 2025 Children, parents, and teddy bears are all invited to enjoy a community picnic and storytelling activities. Attendees are encouraged to bring their own teddy, picnic, refreshments, and blankets or chairs for an afternoon of fun. A spokesman for the council said: "If you go down to the Broadgreen Park, you're sure to get a big surprise! "On Friday, August 1, Broadgreen Park will host a teddy bear picnic from 11.30am onwards. "In collaboration with the council and the Brighter Broadgreen project, teddy bears, children, and parents can enjoy a community picnic and participate in storytelling activities. Read more: 100 jobs to be created as drone company Stark plans new factory "Bring along your teddy, picnic, refreshments, and blanket/chairs for an afternoon of fun." People who would like to provide any activities for the day are asked to get in touch before Friday, July 18, by emailing DGreenough@ so space can be allocated. The event promises an afternoon of community fun and interaction, bringing people together in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
100 jobs to be created as drone company Stark plans new factory
Swindon will soon be at the forefront of the high-tech defence industry when German company Stark starts manufacturing its cutting-edge military drones here. The move will create around 100 jobs for the town. The Swindon factory will be the first facility Stark has outside of Germany and will build the company's AI-assisted unmanned drones. Mike Armstrong, managing director of Stark UK, said: 'The UK and Germany are world leaders in new technology that will define the battlefields of the future. We need rapid and scalable production to protect our people, defend our sovereignty and deter aggression. That means resilient supply chains which stretch across Europe.' Be the first to know with the Swindon Advertiser! 📱 💡 Our flash sale brings the latest local happenings directly to you. Save over 50% on an annual subscription now. 🔗 #SpecialOffer — Swindon Advertiser (@swindonadver) July 4, 2025 'That is why Stark has chosen the UK as our first production location outside of Germany – taking advantage of the vast technological, industrial and defence expertise that exists here to create AI-powered, unmanned systems to defend Europe and NATO.' Will Stone, MP for Swindon North, himself a former soldier and at one time a defence sector 'business champion' for the government, said: "I'm proud to be working alongside STARK to bring defence manufacturing back to Swindon, a town with a proud military legacy and key producer of the iconic Supermarine Spitfire. It's fitting that the defence is returning to our town. This is the direction of travel: creating high-skilled, well-paid jobs and putting Swindon back at the heart of Britain's industrial future. This is just the start, with more businesses to follow." The 40,000 square foot factory will be in north central Swindon. Stark was set up only last year, partly as a response to Russia's 2023 invasion of Ukraine. Its 'Virtus' drone has a strike range of up to 100 km, and it carries a five-kilogram payload. Mr Stone said the move was aligned with the government's increased spending on defence and its ambition to make the UK a leader of innovation in NATO, expressed in the Strategic Defence Review. Swindon Borough Council leader Councillor Jim Robbins was also very pleased at the announcement. He said: 'This is fantastic news for Swindon and a strong endorsement of our town's growing reputation in advanced manufacturing and innovation. Stark's investment is a major step forward in our ambition to position Swindon as a national leader in advanced defence manufacturing. 'I'd like to personally thank Swindon North MP, Will Stone, who has played a pivotal role in bringing this investment to our town. I'm excited to see this cutting-edge UAV technology take shape right here in Swindon.'
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Red Arrows arrive at RIAT 2025
The most popular flight display squadron in the UK has landed at the Royal International Air Tattoo 2025 (RIAT). The Red Arrows have officially made their presence known as they landed yesterday (Wednesday, July 16) on the first day of the event for those with certain tickets. Be the first to know with the Swindon Advertiser! 📱 💡 Our flash sale brings the latest local happenings directly to you. Save over 50% on an annual subscription now. 🔗 #SpecialOffer — Swindon Advertiser (@swindonadver) July 4, 2025 Although the flight fest does not begin officially until Friday, July 18, early goers could see the Red Arrows on the ground at RAF Fairford. They also treated people there on Thursday to a brief flypast, as well as areas in Shrivenham and Lambourn. The world-class aerial display team are a regular and incredibly popular showcase at air shows around the globe. Recommended reading All the celebrities you might see at 'star-studded' RIAT 2025 Hour by hour forecast as first day of RIAT 2025 is hotting up Here's where to spot the Red Arrows in RIAT 2025 arrival They will be putting on a show on Friday, Saturday and Sunday during the event's flight display schedule, as confirmed on their website. On Friday, the display lasts from 11am until 3pm, and then Saturday and Sunday, the show commences at 10:30am and goes on until 5:30pm. Although the Red Arrows will be a priority for many, there will be a huge variety of aircraft on display throughout each day.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Climate
- Yahoo
Rain overnight forces school to cancel sports day because of dangerous conditions
A school in Swindon has had to cancel their sports day due to heavy overnight rain. Ridgeway School and Sixth Form, located in Wroughton, has been forced to call off their sports day as the conditions are too dangerous. Principal Adrian Cush has explained the reasoning behind the cancellation, but confirms that there is a contingency. Be the first to know with the Swindon Advertiser! 📱 💡 Our flash sale brings the latest local happenings directly to you. Save over 50% on an annual subscription now. 🔗 #SpecialOffer — Swindon Advertiser (@swindonadver) July 4, 2025 He said: 'When planning a sports day, schools always have a risk assessment and contingency plan. "With the long spells of dry weather and the overnight rain the field is too slippery to conduct running events safely; therefore, we have moved the event to our alternative day, Friday, July 18.' A message was sent out to attendees of the school this morning (July 17) from the staff announcing the change. Recommended reading Schoolchildren urged to become 'superheroes' to improve safety and reduce congestion School unveils brand-new kitchen after support from housebuilder New hypnotherapy training centre to open in Swindon It said: "Good morning, unfortunately, we are suspending Sports Day due to the conditions on the ground following the morning rain. "Students should attend as usual, in usual school uniform." According to the Met Office, the weather is meant to stay dry for the rest of the day and through the night, giving the outdoor area enough time to dry for the backup sports day. Tomorrow's forecast is expected to be cloudy with sun and will stay dry with the temperature hitting 27 degrees Celsius.
