Archive
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Top marks for sporty school
GAZETTE & HERALD: Sheldon School has two reasons to celebrate, with the arrival of two special awards. Sporting excellence has been recognised with the renewal of the school's prestigious Sportsmark Gold award. And Sheldon has been awarded its first
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Gran taken ill at the wheel
GAZETTE & HERALD: THE family and workmates of Linda Havill have told of their shock and sadness after the 60-year-old grandmother died of a brain haemorrhage while driving home from visiting her sick sister. Mrs Havill, of Loyalty Street, Chippenham
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Much-loved Eileen, 72, wins carer award
Eileen Thompson helping pupils Louisa Gougien, Jack Chui, Alex Young and Joshua HenwoodGAZETTE & HERALD: A WOMAN aged 72 who teaches pupils at her old primary school how to garden has been given an award. Eileen Thompson, of Greenway Gardens, Chippenham
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Toddle is a giggle
MORE than 50 excited children, parents and staff went on a toddle for charity last week and raised about £500 for Barnardo's in the process. The 'toddlers', big and small, were all from Key Day Nursery in London Road, Chippenham, and were participating
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Composer's dream of music academy gets star backing
SOME of the biggest names in music have backed plans for a new music industry academy which were conceived in a Box pub. The Real Academy is the brainchild of composer Roger Bolton, 40, from Box, who wrote the musical score for hit television series 999
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Band find guitarist dead in their studio
A coroner has recorded an open verdict on the death of Hope Of The States guitarist James 'Jimmi' Lawrence who was found hanging in Peter Gabriel's studio in Box. Despite being found with a scarf wrapped round his neck and possessing a notebook full of
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Band find guitarist dead in their studio
A coroner has recorded an open verdict on the death of Hope Of The States guitarist James 'Jimmi' Lawrence who was found hanging in Peter Gabriel's studio in Box. Despite being found with a scarf wrapped round his neck and possessing a notebook full of
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Biker in crash is in critical condition
MOTORCYCLIST Robert Gray is fighting for his life after he lost control of his powerful new sports bike while taking his 14-year-old son for a ride at 10.30am on Saturday. Police say Mr Gray, 41, was between Hilmarton and Calne on the A3102, when his
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Cash crisis puts hospital under threat
Margaret Taylor fears the new hospital may be shelved.THE planned new Devizes Hospital is under threat as the Kennet and North Wiltshire Primary Care Trust has revealed it is facing an overspend this year of £6million. The project to build a new hospital
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Businesses are blooming
TOWN centre manager Janet Duffield will be judging the newest category in the Devizes in Bloom competition, for small business communities. Mrs Duffield will be visiting precincts like The Ginnel, Old Swan Yard and Albion Place to see floral displays
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Mum wins cricket day for school
Pupils at Grange Junior School in Swindon enjoyed an all-new educational experience this week when the npower Power Day team visited the school on Tuesday, thanks to Sharon Savage, who works at npower's Mistral House, also in Swindon. Sharon won a Cricket
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Staff book in for challenge
Staff at a Sherston publishing firm are preparing to take on a gruelling series of physical challenges for charity. Eighteen Sherston Publishing Group employees will be tackling the Three Peaks Challenge later this month, then go on to run the Bristol
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Gearing up for new law
The Forum of Private Business (FPB) is concerned that many businesses are still in the dark concerning their obligations under the new Disability Discrimination Act amendments which are due to come into force on October 1, 2004. This week alone FPB's
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New partner has his roots in the City
Alistair Henry, formerly a partner at City firm Speechly Bircham and niche property firm Maxwell Batley, has recently joined Withy King Commercial's property department as a partner. Alistair spent seven years as a solicitor with Herbert Smith and subsequently
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Builders put up £50,000
DEVELOPERS have agreed to pay £50,000 to Luckington Primary School if planning permission for ten homes is granted for the Bell Field. Two weeks ago Cirencester-based Colborn Homes refused a request by North Wiltshire district councillors to pay the contribution
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Japanese appeal delayed yet again
Malmesbury man Nick Baker suffered yet another blow this week when his appeal against his Japanese jail sentence was delayed for the third time. Mr Baker is two years in to a 14-year jail sentence for drug smuggling, a charge which he vehemently denies
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Thieves scale wall for flag
Malmesbury businessman Mark Foster was horrified when his special Euro 2004 flag was stolen from outside his shop. Mr Foster was flying the flag outside his business, Amanda's Kitchen, to celebrate the England team's performance. He locked up on Friday
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Committee backs the maternity units fight
COUNCILLORS on a powerful committee are recommending that Devizes and Malmesbury maternity units be saved from closure. Wiltshire's county health overview and scrutiny committee considered a report by health expert Dr Suzanne Tyler and out of the three
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Housing costs force graduate to camp out
Malmesbury archaeology graduate Vieve Forward is reduced to living in a tent because she can't afford a home in the town she was born in. The 51-year-old has been on the housing list ever since she returned to Malmesbury after finishing a three-year course
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Decision on future of consultant clinics delayed
HEALTH chiefs deferred making a decision on the future of consultant outpatient clinics held at Malmesbury Hospital because they were unhappy with the lack of detail in the information presented to them. At a meeting on Tuesday the board of Kennet and
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Driver killed in death spot crash
A DRIVER was killed yesterday on the same stretch of road that claimed another motorist less than a year ago. The accident happened at 8.47am when a Volkswagen Golf was in collision with a Nissan Primera just after the Ballard's Ash crossroads and the
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Children are given the best possible start
LOOKING into the city and out to the country is the motto of Chafyn Grove School in Salisbury. On the edge of the city, the school is perfectly placed to introduce its children to the pleasures, experiences and interests of both the urban and the rural
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Favourable Ofsted report
LITTLE Fishes Day Nursery in Dews Road, Salisbury is an established, Ofsted registered nursery for children from six weeks old to school entrance age. The nursery received a favourable report at its last Ofsted inspection. Staff are dedicated to stimulating
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Church schools celebrate
MORE than 500 Year 6 children attended the first-ever diocesan school leavers' service at Salisbury Cathedral on Wednesday last week. Students from 26 church schools in Wiltshire and Dorset came together to celebrate their time at primary school and look
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Kwik cricket bowls over county schools
THE future of cricket looks bright if the performances of many local youngsters in the BBC Sport Kwik Cricket tournament is anything to go by. That is the opinion of Wiltshire cricket development officer Alan Crouch who helped co-ordinate the county stage
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Wilts and Glos Division Two
Hinton Charterhouse v Malmesbury: A FOUR-wicket haul from skipper Richard Mosdell helped propel Malmesbury to a 55-run victory. Malmesbury won the toss and batted first. Richard Gaunt and BK Majumder got off the mark but Majumder fell for 14 when he was
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Wilts and Glos Division Two
Wootton Bassett v Swindon: SWINDON continued their fine start to their season with a comfortable victory over rivals Wootton Bassett. Having lost the toss Swindon were asked to bat in conditions offering assistance to Bassett's bowlers. But the opening
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Wilts and Glos Division One
Goatacre v Colwall: GOATACRE managed to dodge most of the showers on Saturday and jump four places in the league table with a very convincing 115 run win over Colwall. Despite the chance of showers forecast, Goatacre captain Peter Turner elected to bat
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Where the wild things are
Entomologist Sue Southwell gives Fordingbridge Junior School pupils an insight into the world of insects at Burgate Manor on Friday. DA5816P3SIXTY schoolchildren descended on the Game Conservancy Trust at Burgate Manor in Fordingbridge on Friday for a
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Wilts and Glos Division Two
Marlborough v Woodmancote: A WELCOME first league victory on home soil for Marlborough moved the home side up to seventh . Woodmancote were looking dangerously poised at 74-1 after 15 overs in their pursuit of Marlborough's 220-9. But the dual bowling
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West of England Premier Two
Chippenham v Lansdown: A HUGELY disappointing batting display from Chippenham saw Lansdown wrap up a 106-run victory with 15 overs to spare. Lansdown won the toss and elected to bat first at Chippenham's Hardenhuish Park ground. Chippenham did strike
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Bath and District League
CHIPPENHAM U15 reached the final of the county stage of the Portman National Club Championship with a nine wicket victory at Corsham. Sam Collier (47 off 60 balls) and Jamie Wales (33 off 44 balls) gave Corsham a fine start with an opening partnership
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North Wilts Junior Cricket
CORSHAM U11 retained top position with an eight run victory at Biddestone. Edward Wilson (15) was the leading Corsham batsman as the visitors made 74-5 in 20 overs, Liam Boulton bowled very accurately for Biddestone taking 3-4 in 4 overs. Biddestone made
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West of England Premier One
Corsham v Thornbury CORSHAM battled out a well-earned draw in another close match against Thornbury. It was the Gloucestershire side who won the toss and elected to bat first at Corsham's Station Road ground. They started extremely well with Neil Stovold
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Leaders open up a gap at top of table
Division One WITH Great Bedwyn and Marshfield both winning, the gap between them and the chasing sides has grown to 40 points. Bedwyn gained a further four bonus points on Marshfield. Thanks to Neil Maycock (107 not out) and Rob Palmer (52), Great Bedwyn
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Police: Motorists must kill speed, not people
Forest Journal reporter Karen Bate interviews H&IoWSCP spokesman Julian Hewitt, (centre) and PC Martin Lockyer, family liaison officer. DA5834P1MOTORISTS must kill their speed before they kill a pedestrian or cause a serious accident - that is the
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Lucky escape as car hits bungalow
AN elderly couple and five teenagers are lucky to be alive, after a car smashed into the pensioners' home in Verwood on Sunday night. The five teenaged men were travelling along Ringwood Road shortly after 10.30pm, when their Ford Escort left the road
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Look out for the signs of stress
Workers should pay more attention to the mental health of their colleagues, according to an expert in the field. Kathleen Aitken, manager of Swin-don MIND, believes a lot of problems go undetected amid the mounting pressures of everyday life. She said
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Fred is busy shouting about Swindon
Ref. 31037-58OYEZ! Three of Swindon's biggest firms will have something to shout about next month. Town crier Fred Ferris is travelling to Durham on July 3 to take part in the British Championships of the Loyal Company of Town Criers, and this year, for
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WH Smith shares at two-year low
WH Smith shares were at a two-year low yesterday after takeover talks hit the rocks. The troubled high street retailer, which employs about 1,300 people at its Greenbridge headquarters, has already announced plans to make 300 staff redundant this year
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Cash crisis puts hospital under threat
Margaret Taylor fears the new hospital may be shelved.THE planned new Devizes Hospital is under threat as the Kennet and North Wiltshire Primary Care Trust has revealed it is facing an overspend this year of £6million. The project to build a new hospital
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Music for a summer night
Wootton Bassett Orchestra, which made its mark on Marlborough in a Christmas variety show, is making a return visit on Saturday. It will be presenting a concert of Music for a Summer Evening in St Mary's Church at 7.30pm. The orchestra first came to Marlborough
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Twenty-first celebrations
THE Wiltshire Cycleway celebrated its 21st birthday at the weekend with the help of 21 other 21-year-olds. The intrepid 21-year-olds took part in a relay race around the 168-mile county route, with each participant cycling eight miles before handing over
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Questions on the big Smoke
MORE than 10,000 people across the South West have taken part in a survey on smoking in public places. Health chiefs said the initial results showed that a majority of people support smoke-free enclosed public places. The initial results coincide with
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Campaign for village shops steps up
THERE are just 180 village shops left in Wiltshire and they are closing at the rate of one a month, a meeting concerned with setting up community shops heard last week. Co-operative Futures, the organisation that gives help with starting and running community-owned
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Debate starts on structure plan changes
Environmental groups, house builders and local authorities will get together to discuss the future of housing provision in Wiltshire during a two-week public forum. The consideration of proposed changes to the Wiltshire and Swindon Structure Plan started
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School meals under review
WILTSHIRE County Council is to undertake a review of the school meals service provided by French-based contractor Sodexho after complaints about value for money. The council's overview and scrutiny management committee has agreed to set up a task group
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Cash crisis puts hospital under threat
Margaret Taylor fears the new hospital may be shelved.THE planned new Devizes Hospital is under threat as the Kennet and North Wiltshire Primary Care Trust has revealed it is facing an overspend this year of £6million. The project to build a new hospital
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Solstice of fire
THE summer solstice celebrations at Avebury at dawn on Monday were muted compared with recent years. Only a fraction of the number which packed in during the last few years were present to see the day break on Monday. Disappointingly for the few hundred
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Weed busting team move in
PEOPLE who see unsightly weeds growing at the roadside can call a special team of weed busters at Kennet District Council. Wiltshire County Council has provided funding to Kennet to set up a dedicated team of staff to react to calls to remove weeds from
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Tour guide is benefit cheat
KENNET District Council has warned it will prosecute anyone it finds claiming housing benefit and council tax benefit they are not entitled to. The council's benefit fraud team was delighted when a Ludgershall woman was convicted of benefit fraud and
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War hero's son fails in fight for apology
A MAN who successfully battled on his father's behalf to win compensation for a war injury has failed to get bureaucrats to apologise for their treatment of war veterans. David Butterfield and his sister Mary Creasy won a landmark victory for their late
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Probe on death of solstice reveller
POLICE say a 40-year-old solstice reveller found dead in a camper van at Silbury Hill on Monday, could have died from the effects of drugs or alcohol. Tests are still taking place to ascertain how the man, believed to be from the London area, died. The
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Strutting the catwalk
INDIAN, African and Thai cultures will feature in the New College art department's first ever fashion show tonight. A team of 30 models, all students, will be strutting the catwalk in costumes which many of them have made themselves. Clothes for clubbing
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MP urges Blair to increase aid to poor countries
SOUTH Swindon MP Julia Drown yesterday spent 30 minutes with Prime Minister Tony Blair urging him to further increase the Government's spending on international aid. It follows the emergency meeting she chaired in the House of Commons when she joined
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Finance firm is the fastest-growing company in the West
A SWINDON firm is the fastest growing in the region. MAN Financial Services has seen its turnover increase by 724 per cent in the past three years. MAN provides finance to customers who buy MAN ERF lorries and trucks in the UK. Its turnover rose from
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Driver arrested after fatal crash
Ref. 31034-6A MAN has been arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving following a fatal road smash. The man was arrested yesterday after being treated at Great Western Hospital in Swindon for arm and leg injuries after the accident near
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'HONDA ruined my life'
A FORMER high-flying Honda executive has launched a six-figure compensation claim against the car giant. She claims she was chronically stressed and depressed while she worked there. Four years ago Liz Hopkins was the top UK employee at Honda Trading
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Committee backs the maternity units fight
COUNCILLORS on a powerful committee are recommending that Devizes and Malmesbury maternity units be saved from closure. Wiltshire's county health overview and scrutiny committee considered a report by health expert Dr Suzanne Tyler and out of the three
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Expansion plan for overcrowded leisure centre
KENNET councillors are to be asked next Tuesday to approve expenditure of £1.8 million to expand Devizes Leisure Centre because of the growing population and the rising demand for fitness facilities. However, the refurbishment, which has been on the cards
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It's midsummer and it's time for the panto
IT may seem strange to be putting on a pantomime in June, but the musical production of Cinders provided pupils at Potterne Primary School, near Devizes, with a happy end to what has been a tragic school year. Cinders, a musical version of the Cinderella
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Recycling plan given a cautious welcome
A NEW plan for a household recycling centre on the edge of Marlborough is getting a cautious welcome in the town. At present Marlborough residents face long journeys to either Everleigh, Compton Bassett or Swindon to their nearest recycling centre. An
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Warning on traffic chaos
Wessex Water has advised drivers to avoid London Road, Devizes, as they begin the second phase of works to lay a new main along the A361. Yesterday, queues of traffic built up on the approaches to the town, stretching down Caen Hill on the west side.
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Barn setting for art show
FARMER'S daughter Hannah Gauntlett will be putting her work on show in a barn for the Marlborough Open Studios event next month. Aged 24, she will be the youngest of the 44 artists taking part in the 10th anniversary of the Open Studios scheme on three
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Camilla gets a warm welcome from crowds
THE people of Marlborough gave a warm welcome to Prince Charles' partner Camilla Parker-Bowles when she joined Friday's royal visit. But, although townsfolk were pleased to see Mrs Parker-Bowles, infamously described by Princess Diana before her death
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Proud day for town
AFTER almost four years of planning, the celebrations for Marlborough's 800th anniversary are over. Members of the 2004 committee headed by Coun Graham Francis, who became mayor in May, know that they have left the people of Marlborough, and the scores
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Prince of chat
PRINCE Charles was a true Prince Charming when he arrived in Marlborough on Friday to mark the town's 800th anniversary of its royal charter. There was a time in the 17th century when royalty was not welcome in Marlborough and his namesake King Charles
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Everything's coming up roses for bride
Ref. 30825-80Bride Of The Year Louisa Curtis has been getting advice from the sponsors of the Evening Advertiser competition to ensure her big day is perfect. She will be marrying fianc Michael Nestor, 36, at St Mark's Church, in Rodbourne, on August
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Sport gets a boost
NETBALL players in Highworth have received a £350 cash boost. Highworth Netball Club received the money from the John Trollope Sports Aid Fund. Club representatives received the funding at this week's town council meeting. The cash will help five teams
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Party time for charity
STRAWBERRIES are on the menu at a garden party in aid of the Swindon Cancer Appeal. Members of Macmillan Cancer Relief's Marlborough committee are planning the party on Saturday at 2.30pm, in Paddy and John Marsh's home, Og-Vue, in Poulton Hill, Marlborough
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The old crew
CELEBRATING 50 YEARS OF THE HERCULES: Squadron Leader Harry Burgoyne, 53, from Liden is one of the most experienced Hercules pilots in the RAF. Currently senior captain with 70 Squadron at Lyneham flying the older K version of the plane, he has flown
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50 years fly by
Ref. 18950-77SINCE 1967 the Hercules has been a familiar sight in the skies over Swindon. Nicknamed Fat Albert by its crews, the aircraft can be seen and heard droning its way over the town on their way to land. But this year the aircraft is celebrating
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It's the Great Western no-Way!
Ref. 31034-01A BURST water main and a torrential downpour flooded a major Swindon road causing major disruption to rush-hour commuters. Great Western Way was closed in both directions between the Mannington and Meads roundabouts for more than three hours
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New school gets set to open doors
Ref. 31047-1SWINDON'S newest school is fast taking shape. And delighted Clive Westall, the headteacher of St Francis School, in Taw Hill, says it will soon be at the forefront of a thriving new community. The 119-strong Church of England school is due
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Trapped in 'the cycle'
Ref. 26772-50Mother-of-three, Tara Jones, 25, of Penhill, said living in Swindon was expensive. Tara, whose children are Kyle, six, Keir, three and Leah, 17 months, (pictured) said: "It's hard to get out of the cycle of not having a lot of money. "I am
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17% of children 'living in poverty'
Almost one in six children in Swindon live in poverty, a new report claims. According to the research, 17 per cent of youngsters in south Swindon are from poor homes. In neighbouring north Swindon 16 per cent of children are considered poverty stricken
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Adventurer aims to net another record
SWINDON-BORN explorer David Hempleman-Adams hopes to fly into the record books next month . . . but only if he can get the engine going. The 47-year-old plans to pilot a single-engined plane from the most northern point of the American continents to the
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Adventurer aims to net another record
SWINDON-BORN explorer David Hempleman-Adams hopes to fly into the record books next month . . . but only if he can get the engine going. The 47-year-old plans to pilot a single-engined plane from the most northern point of the American continents to the
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Freezing cold... wet... blowing a gale...It must be summer!
Ref. 31048-28JUST days after soaring temperatures, Swindon has been plunged into the depths of wet gloomy weather. The sunglasses have been put away and the umbrellas have popped up as the clear blue skies have turned a dull grey. The area has fallen
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Name game
WITH reference to the letter about how Toothill got its name, it was schoolchildren who named it. As the previous correspondent said, all railway engines who go through toot as they go past. I think I remember that the Evening Advertiser ran a competition
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People chose
BY retaining the Tory councillors in West Swindon on June 10, the residents of Shaw have voted overwhelmingly for Swindon Football Club to be re-located to Shaw Tip. They had the choice of keeping Shaw Forest, which was a Labour initiative, or the football
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Flood horror
I HAVE lived halfway up Matford Hill, Monkton Park for more than 30 years. During this time I have never seen the river flood onto Riverside Drive (which runs along the bottom of the hill) although many years ago Jubilee Acres, the grass area beside the
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Road is great
WE object to the recent adverse publicity inferring that Avebury Road, Penhill, is not a desirable road to live in. We have been very happy here for nearly 30 years and think it is the best road to live in out of all Penhill. Why certain people have had
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Are these servants of value?
CEDRIC Norton, chairman of the Friends of Marshfield Road Surgery, Chippenham has received a communication from Stephen Golledge, Acting chief executive of Kennet and North Wiltshire Primary Care Trust, declining an invitation to attend a patients' meeting
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Drinkers' happy hour is really a cultural disaster
BBC'S Panorama on binge drinking proved the drinks industry is turning us into a nation of boozers. (June 6) The programme didn't sit on the fence, nor should it with our town and city centres being turned into no-go areas for anyone sober and over 35
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Association cannot wave a magic wand
AS a tenant of Westlea Housing Association I am of the opinion that some recent letters printed on your letters page give an entirely false picture of the association. Having been a board member in the past, and very cynical and critical with it, I can
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Time has come to listen to residents
I take issue with Peter Heaton-Jones about his view in Tuesday's Advertiser that the Front Garden is the best place for new houses. The Northern Development Area Priory Vale has been allocated 10,000 new homes. Only a fraction have been built so far.
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Closures left all confused
WHILST it is accepted over the years that Marlborough High Street is closed for various public events, little seems to have been learnt about traffic management or road safety. The latest attempts for charter week were nothing more than a farce. The '
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Cannot allow specials club costs to increase
I am writing as a parent of a child who attends Saturday Specials in Marlborough. I would like to congratulate Kennet District Council for running such a group successfully at the leisure centre, giving children and young adults with disabilities and
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Have we learned nothing?
THERE were no surprises on a decision made by the Environment Agency, when they gave permission for a trial of hazardous wastes (RLF) in the kilns of Lafarge (Blue Circle), Westbury. Have they ever denied a trial to the cement industry anywhere in the
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Last resort
YOU printed my letter ten years ago and another a few years back regarding the consistent speeding of vehicles along Pewsey Road and through Upavon village itself. Sadly, even though the council has painted a huge 30mph sign circled in white on the road
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New coach is boosting club
CALNE Rugby Club will be hoping for a little luck of the Irish next season following their new coaching appointment. The club have looked to take their development another major step forward with the recruitment of a second coach, John Crozier, to compliment
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No to plans
Last week the owner of the Manor Farm site in Urchfont, Mr Snook, put forward an application to develop the land. A general consensus in the village is that the site as it is, is an eyesore. But, we are not prepared to exchange an eyesore for a monstrosity
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Lovely town
I WAS recently involved in helping the Devizes supporters' group of the Wiltshire Wildlife Trust with their very successful plant sale in the market. My reason for writing to you is to say what a wonderful and happy place Devizes is! I was with a friend
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Future plans
I was wondering if anyone can explain why the High Street has been closed for two full days for a fun fair. I do think the local council has gone mad. It's an absolute disgrace that the main artery of the town is closed. This affects many locals who live
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Worth a fight
Through the wonders of the Internet I read a story in your publication about a respite care centre at Marlborough Leisure Centre. It seems that Kennet District Council will double fees while cutting the hours. Is it any wonder that parents are distressed
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Development plan will ruin our village
RECENTLY a proposal to build 22 houses on the Manor Farm site in Urchfont was supported by the planning staff at Kennet District Council then turned down unanimously by the complete council on the grounds that: "The proposed development of 22 dwellings
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House with a long history
GAZETTE & HERALD: Residents of Derriads House are celebrating the building's 100th birthday this year and have been researching the colourful history of the property. The grade two listed building on Derriads Lane, Chippenham, is occupied by five
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Business forum looks to future
Business leaders and entrepreneurs in Chippenham will gather together to discuss the future of industrial heartland Langley Park and the regeneration of Chippenham railway station. The Town Centre Forum Luncheon is an annual gathering organised by Chippenham
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Finder helps to make dad's day
DELIGHTED three-year-old Bethanie Williams wants to thank the stranger who found her lost Father's Day card and posted it for her. Bethanie, of Chelwood Close, Chippenham, accidentally dropped her card on Friday between the One Stop in Sheldon Road and
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Student chefs wow judges
GAZETTE & HERALD: Talented young chefs whipped up tantalising meals in the new Young Chef Contest organised by Chippenham Rotary Club. Abbeyfield School pupil Michael Whytock won top prize for his tagliatelle main course and chocolate and orange mousse
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Mum dyes hair purple
Hullavington mum Kate Ayliffe hasn't joined a punk band, her cropped purple hair is just a fund-raising stunt. Mrs Ayliffe was sponsored to transform her long brown locks into a spiky purple crop, and all the money is going towards Happy Caterpillars
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New steps to clean up Redlands problems
GAZETTE & HERALD: THE POLICE will meet councillors, environmental health officers and members of Westlea Housing tomorrow (Friday) to discuss ways of stemming the tide of disorder sweeping Redlands. The meeting, at the council offices in Monkton Park
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Virus outbreak closes two wards at hospital
GAZETTE & HERALD: Two wards at Chippenham Community hospital were closed last week after six patients and five members of staff were struck down with a diarrhoea and vomiting bug. Rowan East and West wards, which cater for elderly patients, were closed
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Rejection of market plans sparks outcry
Angry farmers are up in arms after plans to build a new livestock market were thrown out. Developers Frogmore have applied for planning permission to build a livestock market and associated vet's surgery on land near junction 17 of the M4 but planning
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Gay undertaker bullied to death
GAZETTE & HERALD: Funeral director John French committed suicide after being bullied at work because he was gay, an inquest heard. He took a lethal cocktail of drugs on February 6 this year after an internal investigation at work failed to fall in
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Five-star Jon
SWINDON paceman Jon Lewis put the skids under Sussex with his third five-wicket haul of the season. The home side endured a wretched first day in their Frizzell County Championship Division One clash at gale-lashed Arundel, where Gloucestershire hustled
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Welsh Starter
TOWN will begin their Coca-Cola League One promotion push with an opening day clash at Wrexham on Saturday, August 7. It is the first time Andy King's men have kicked off a season away from home since they travelled to Walsall at the start of the disastrous
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Driver killed in death spot crash
A DRIVER was killed yesterday on the same stretch of road that claimed another motorist less than a year ago. The accident happened at 8.47am when a Volkswagen Golf was in collision with a Nissan Primera just after the Ballard's Ash crossroads and the
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Traffic chaos warning during rail disruption
WATCHDOG groups have predicted a transport meltdown in north Wiltshire when railway workers go on strike next week. Passengers who use First Great Western Trains to commute from Chippenham and Swindon stations will face severe disruptions when the 24-
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Turn dreams into reality
The UK is a nation of aspiring entrepreneurs, but nearly half of all employees haven't a clue how to make their dream a reality, according to new research. Yet, help is only a click away. The interactive Personal Business Profile, offered by Business
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Business forum looks to future
Business leaders and entrepreneurs in Chippenham will gather together to discuss the future of industrial heartland Langley Park and the regeneration of Chippenham railway station. The Town Centre Forum Luncheon is an annual gathering organised by Chippenham
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Chippies in battle to hook prestige award
Dennis and Dorothy Chiu at Langley's in Phelps Parade, CalneIf the saying is true, this Gazette could turn out to be tomorrow's chip paper but the question is will it be chip paper at the fish and chip shop of the year? The chippy owner's answer to the
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Princely chukkers win day
PRINCE Charles continued his winning streak at the Beaufort Polo Club at the weekend when he and Prince William won the exhibition Calcot Manor Hotel Cup for the second year running. The three-day polo tournament and country fair, at Westonbirt, raised
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Insight into world of art
Children at Luckington Primary School have been trying their hands at everything from sculpture to mosaic making and drama this week. The school's art week has seen professional artists go in to school to share their expertise with the children. Artist
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Kerbside recycling rolls into town
North Wiltshire's hugely successful kerbside recycling scheme comes to Malmesbury this weekend. Almost 7,300 homes in Malmesbury, Lyneham, Cricklade and Purton will have the black recycling boxes issued to them this week, together with instructions for
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Abuse calls led to court
Malmesbury man James Watts bombarded his estranged wife Marion with abusive phone calls and text messages, screamed abuse at her in public, threw stones at her and tried to kick down the door of the hostel where she was staying, a court heard. Watts,
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Students inspect building
STUDENTS at Downton School were some of the first to inspect their new building. Work on the new classrooms and hall to replace existing temporary accommodation has been going on for several months. The scheme is funded by the government's New Deal for
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Garden setting for new pre-prep school
THE Walled Garden pre-prep school will welcome its first pupils this September. Set in idyllic surroundings in the heart of Cranborne Chase, The Walled Garden will provide young children with the perfect start to their education. The school is housed
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Open tournament for chess club
SALISBURY Chess Club, thriving in its new premises at the Village Free House, in Wilton Road, has staged its first-ever open tournament. Players from as far afield as Northern Ireland fought out the six-round rapid-play event, organised by Salisbury player
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Middle school governor furious at support letter
A LETTER has been sent to a governor of Duchy Manor Middle School, Mere, asking him if he will be continuing in his role - when in fact the school is closing down. To make matters worse, the letter has come from education authority Wiltshire county council
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Wilts and Glos Division Two
Hatherley and Reddings v Biddestone: BIDDESTONE held on for a narrow eight-run victory over their fellow title chasers. Biddestone were indebteded to overseas star Michael Lodder who scored 71 as they were held by the hosts to a modest total of 179 for
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School gets Quality Mark
IT'S official - Stratford-sub-Castle Primary is a quality school. The school has been awarded the Basic Skills Quality Mark for reading, writing, spelling and number work. The awards applaud the school's strategy to improve pupils' performances by reviewing
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Student in finals
A MATURE student from Mere has reached the finals of the South West Tourism photography competition. Rosemary Cox, a student on the photography course of the Open College of the Arts, which is associated with the Open University, won through to the last
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MCCA Trophy
Herefordshire v Wiltshire: WILTSHIRE benefited from a rain-interrupted day on Sunday and booked their place in the quarter-finals. Brian White's side took full advantage of the regulations for matches interrupted by rain to record a four-wicket victory
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West of England Premier Two
Weston-super-Mare v Devizes: DEVIZES' journey to Weston-super-Mare ended in disappointment when they went down by seven wickets. Devizes opening pair Paul Stobbart and Will Muse started cautiously, picking off the occasional boundary. Having cracked a
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Colour code on the pitch
DAUNSTSEY'S School cricketers created a colourful scene on Friday when they played the latest of the National 20s Cup matches. The limited-overs competition for independent schools features coloured kits, a white ball and black sightscreens. In the first
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Village cricketers pin hopes on Lords
GOATACRE Cricket Club's bid to win their third Npower Village Cup goes national on Sunday. After winning the Wiltshire/Dorset section they will be entertaining Oxfordshire champions Shipton-under-Wychwood in the first national round of the competition
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Alpacas will feature in rural show for first time
ALPACAS will be taking their place in the livestock competitions for the first time at this year's Fordingbridge Show. The alpaca event will give visitors the chance to get up close to these unusual animals, bred for their luxurious wool, which is harvested
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Car fever grips Wilton Park
Visitors to Salisbury Motor Show at the weekend.AN impressive line-up of the latest cars on the market attracted scores of visitors to this year's Salisbury Motor Show at the weekend. Staged by Salisbury Newspapers, publishers of the Salisbury, Amesbury
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'Don't let this unit be lost'
Expectant mothers in Swindon claim plans to close a Wiltshire maternity unit will seriously limit women's choice. Alex Martin, of Gorse Hill, and Sarah Newman, of Old Town, say they are appalled that Malmesbury's small midwife-led maternity unit faces
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Paul Archer of Lemon and Co Solicitors takes a look at the minefield of employment law
The range of potential discrimination claims against businesses is on the increase. It is now possible to bring discrimination claims based on race, sex, disability, sexuality and religion/belief. Over the past years, one of the distinguishing features
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Driver killed in death spot crash
A DRIVER was killed yesterday on the same stretch of road that claimed another motorist less than a year ago. The accident happened at 8.47am when a Volkswagen Golf was in collision with a Nissan Primera just after the Ballard's Ash crossroads and the
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County's win is not enough to progress
WILTSHIRE bounced back in the Middleton Cup with a comprehensive 59-shot victory at Ross-on-Wye but progress to the quarter-finals is still a tall order. They easily overcame the challenge of Herefordshire 162-103 in their latest inter-county championship
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Walking Iron Age hill fort
JULY 17, WARMINSTER: AN expert tour of one of Wiltshire's most important archaeological sites has been organised to celebrate National Archaeology Day. Wiltshire County Council's county archaeologist Roy Canham will be leading a walk around Battlesbury
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Twenty-first celebrations
THE Wiltshire Cycleway celebrated its 21st birthday at the weekend with the help of 21 other 21-year-olds. The intrepid 21-year-olds took part in a relay race around the 168-mile county route, with each participant cycling eight miles before handing over
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Police are first to try digital pen technology
WILTSHIRE Police is the first force in the world to try out a state-of-the-art digital pen. Wiltshire agreed to be the guinea pig for Hewlett Packard which has developed the pen. Eight traffic officers used the digital pen in a six-week trial period and
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Deadline looms for chance to win computer
YOUNG people have just six days left to enter a competition designed to underline the importance of staying safe while in Internet chat rooms. The two winners of the quiz, organised by Wiltshire Police for 11-18-year-olds, will be given a personal computer
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Warning on publications
WILTSHIRE Fire Brigade is warning people of bogus publications which claim to have the brigade's support. Assistant divisional officer Andrew Hargreaves said salesman were offering advertising space in publications fraudulently claiming to be endorsed
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Best villages named
The best kept villages in the Wiltshire round of the Calor Village of the Year contest have been announced this week. In the Kennet district the top villages (large, medium and small) are Ramsbury, Milton Lilbourne and Stert. In North Wiltshire the three
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Much-loved Eileen, 72, wins carer award
Eileen Thompson helping pupils Louisa Gougien, Jack Chui, Alex Young and Joshua HenwoodA WOMAN aged 72 who teaches pupils at her old primary school how to garden has been given an award. Eileen Thompson, of Greenway Gardens, Chippenham, won the carer
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One horse race
HEALTH bosses have one candidate to interview for the post of joint chief executive for Kennet and North Wiltshire Primary Care Trust and West Wiltshire Primary Care Trust. Tim Boucher, the chairman of Kennet and North Wiltshire PCT, said on Tuesday that
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Rejection of market plans sparks outcry
Angry farmers are up in arms after plans to build a new livestock market were thrown out. Developers Frogmore have applied for planning permission to build a livestock market and associated vet's surgery on land near junction 17 of the M4 but planning
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Ambulance response times worst in country
WILTSHIRE Ambulance Trust has the worst record in England for reaching emergencies and it will only get worse if its resources continue to be drained, one front line worker has warned. The service, which had its two-star rating slashed to zero last year
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Cynics seduced by Samba
CALNE was blessed with a little bit of the Samba spirit on Sunday when youngsters took part in a Brazilian soccer skills open day. Budding footballers got a chance to sample the unique coaching methods that helped develop such players as Pele, Ronaldo
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Dad's panto aids air ambulance
THE father of a 13-year-old boy who died suddenly as a result of a congenital heart defect last week presented Wiltshire Air Ambulance with a cheque for £400 in his son's memory. Matthew Pidduck, from Erlestoke, collapsed at the end of a basketball session
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Carnival capers
BROMHAM was awash with colourful floats and costumes as residents celebrated in the carnival procession on Saturday. Many hundreds of people lined the streets to watch the procession as it set off from The Pound Field to the Jubilee Field by the Social
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Expenses on the up
Ref. 24413-73 Mike Bawden, stands to receive £11,400 on top of his basic allowanceCouncillors have voted themselves a 15 per cent rise in their allowances and expenses. ANDY TATE takes a look at how much they claimed last year Swindon councillors' allowances
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A dirty job for volunteers
THAMES Water volunteers will be mucking in at the Glastonbury Festival this weekend to raise money and support for charity WaterAid. Steve Pagett and Julie Moffat, who work at the company's customer service centre in Kembrey Park, Swindon, will be joining
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Caught on camera, but who are they?
Who are they? . . . police want to trace these two people in connection with a stolen computer from Currys at GreenbridgePOLICE are still searching for thieves who made off with £2,000 worth of cigarettes and a £1,300 laptop computer in two separate incidents
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Oooh matron... frontline nurses return to Swindon
MATRONS are set to make a come-back to the NHS in Swindon, the Government revealed today. Under a health service shake-up, 10 community matrons will be drafted into the town's clinics. They will be charged with getting fast help to the vulnerable and
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Biker in crash is in critical condition
MOTORCYCLIST Robert Gray is fighting for his life after he lost control of his powerful new sports bike while taking his 14-year-old son for a ride at 10.30am on Saturday. Police say Mr Gray, 41, was between Hilmarton and Calne on the A3102, when his
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Old entrance to former hospital to be closed
Access to the housing estates at the former Roundway Hospital site in Devizes will be closed from July 1, it has been announced. Residents at Drews Park Village and the new Heritage Park at the northern end of the site will only be able to access the
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African choir needs singers
SINGERS are needed for an African- style township choir that will be part of the Marlborough Jazz Festival on the weekend of July 9 to 11. This is the fourth year that town councillor Caroline Jackson has organised the choir. It's based on a Zulu township
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A 99-year lease for tennis club is agreed
TOWN councillors have overturned a decision that could have scotched plans for a £250,000 tennis centre in Marlborough. Marlborough Tennis Club has been homeless since selling its grass courts in Kingsbury Street some years ago. The club has been looking
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Wartime grenade dug up by barracks
WESSEX Water workers laying a new main close to Hopton Industrial Estate in London Road, Devizes, at 8am on Monday got a shock when a digger bucket unearthed what looked like a live grenade. All work stopped on the site, between Cannings Hill roundabout
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New fears for maternity unit as clinics stop
CONCERN is mounting at the withdrawal of two consultant outpatient clinics for women at Devizes Hospital. At a meeting of Kennet and North Wiltshire Primary Care Trust on Tuesday the board was told by residents in the public gallery that an obstetric
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Harking back to Victorians
PUPILS at Chilton Foliat Church of England Primary School have been learning the hard way that in Victorian days teachers were not quite as nice as they are today. As part of their curriculum studies, the 107 children in the village school have been studying
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Cash crisis puts hospital under threat
Margaret Taylor fears the new hospital may be shelved.THE planned new Devizes Hospital is under threat as the Kennet and North Wiltshire Primary Care Trust has revealed it is facing an overspend this year of £6million. The project to build a new hospital
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Building site access triggers safety fears
FAMILIES are up in arms over proposals to allow construction traffic to use a Marlborough estate for access while a new care home is built. The residents of St Margarets Mead plan to turn out in force at a special parish meeting on July 1 at 7pm in the
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Young mum is left in cold on water repair
FRUSTRATED young mother Emma Webb has been without hot water in her Devizes flat for more than two weeks. Despite frequent calls to her housing association and visits by engineers the problem has not been fixed. Miss Webb, 26, and her two-year-old son
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School scoops prestige award for work in arts
STAFF at Upavon Primary School and their pupils are celebrating the receipt of an Artsmark gold award. The award from the Arts Council of England was in recognition of the excellence in art, music, drama and dance. Headteacher Beverly Martin is delighted
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Musket fire rings out as battle is joined again
HUGE crowds gathered in the town centre in Marlborough to see history turned back more than 360 years at the weekend. The English Civil War Society spent the weekend in the town with a period camp in the Priory Gardens. On Saturday and again on Sunday
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Nominate a nurse for award
PEOPLE in Swindon are being urged to nominate an unsung hero. The Dettol Community Nurse Of The Year Award was set up last year to reward the dedication, commitment and excellence of the thousands of community nurses n the UK. The nurses are often seen
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Festival gets in the jazz swing
VISITORS to the Old Town Festival had a fascinating insight into the history of the area with a special walk. Blue Badge guide Cilla Slipper took an entourage on a guided tour of some of Old Town's most historically interesting sites including the Lawn
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Come along to make music
New players from Swindon are being sought by the Westinghouse Concert Orchestra (WCO). The WCO was formed in 1940 and it is being re-launched in September. It is looking to increase its membership and vacancies exist in all sections for players of a reasonable
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Commuters clog streets
ROAD safety issues dominated the latest meeting of Walcot's Neighbourhood Safety Team. Householders complained that the area's streets were clogged with cars left by town centre commuters. Jim Wiltshire, of Swindon Council's crime and disorder unit, was
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Council bid to fill empty properties
Tenants looking to move house may have a wider choice thanks to a Swindon Council drive to bring empty properties back into use. More than 40 private landlords from around Swindon attended a council-run exhibition and forum on Tuesday for advice on how
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Looking back to the war
A MUSEUM in Swindon wants to collect memories and stories about Swindon during the war to coincide with an exhibition about that period. The Swindon Museum and Art Gallery in Bath Road has an exhibition about the Second World War until the end of August
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Enjoy al fresco comedy
One of Shakespeare's best loved works, The Comedy of Errors, will be performed in the open air at Lydiard Park next month. The shows on Friday, July 16 and Saturday, July 17 will be set in the beautiful and historic setting of Lydiard Park, West Swindon
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Battle lines are drawn over NHS
Swindon doctors fear plans to improve the NHS could backfire, as the service looks set to become a political football. Dr Peter Swinyard thinks the NHS should be allowed to breathe and believes too much patient choice will end in chaos. Fellow GP Howard
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The new crew
Ref. 29457-15 Flt Lt Martin Baber, left, and Flt Lt Duncan SwainstonCELEBRATING 50 YEARS OF THE HERCULES: There are currently four squadrons at RAF Lyneham who operated the Hercules two equipped with the J Hercules and the other two equipped with the
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Will it be ola or hooray?
Looking forward to tonight . . . from left: Mauricio Cdarvalho, Ze Carvalho, Helder Felix, Daniel Corticeiro and Manwel RodriguesTHE winners of tonight's Euro 2004 quarter final between hosts Portugal and England will go ono to win the tournament. That's
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Show makes sweet music for a charity
Ref. 31031-53 Tweet smile . . . Olivia Precious who plays a robin in The Slipper And The RoseA SHOW opening tonight at Swindon's Wyvern Theatre will be raising money for the Children's Cancer and Leukaemia Movement. The Estelle School Of Dance puts on
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Tee-time for schoolkids
MORE than 1,000 pupils in Swindon are to be given the chance to try their hand at golf. And, to make things easier, they will be tee-ing off with giant balls and plastic clubs. The schoolchildren aged between five and 12 will be taking part in a new sports
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Tots toddle to the aid of little George and charity
TOTS at a Wroughton nursery are putting their best feet forward this afternoon to raise cash for Barnardo's and Lyneham toddler George Mitchell, whose parents are struggling to raise £70,000 for pioneering brain tumour surgery. The youngsters from Asquith
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Youngsters invited to use their art for good cause
CHILDREN are invited to use their creative skills to help people battle dementia. Kingshill Research Centre has teamed up with Shire Pharmaceu-ticals to produce a competition to mark Alzheimer's Awareness Week, which runs from July 4 to 10. Children aged
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Home in on real reasons
SENIOR Labour politicians are trying to blame the Iraq factor for their recent poor showing in both local and European elections. While the war and its aftermath may have influenced some of the voters I think that the real reasons for the decline in the
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Bright ideas
I read with interest that Wiltshire County Council and North Wiltshire District Council are going ahead with the changes to New Road and the subway in conjunction with Network Rail works on the viaduct. This work will only create more congestion in Chippenham
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Ballot box tells Blair truth about Iraq war
PERHAPS after losing out to the ballot box even Mr Blair must realise the revulsion the electorate feel towards him, mainly I believe, due to the Iraq war. His lies and hypocrisy have at last caught him out. He blames Iraq for the poor results. Iraq has
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Aims of developers should be questioned
I see that the charity CARP (Castlefields Canal and River Park) have stated their aims (Gazette, June 10) and, given their recent actions, these really need questioning. Their first aim is to preserve so please can they explain why they are digging up
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Hunts' hypocrisy must be brought to end
FOLLOWING Mrs M Goddard's letter dated June 17 in the Advertiser regarding artificial earths, I would like readers to see a photo of such an earth, especially constructed to encourage the fox population to provide enough foxes to hunt later in the season
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Thank you to all who supported town play
MAY I, through your columns, thank all those who so strongly supported Marlborough's recent production of the town play, Wheels of Time. Our sponsors gave their financial support early on, so that the production was able to proceed. Ainstie Farms kindly
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Fun is spoilt
I WAS incensed to read an article in the Gazette & Herald on June 17 about special needs kids facing increased fees and shorter hours at Marlborough Leisure Centre. Why is it that special needs people, who really enjoy these sessions the most, are
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Many thanks
AVONMEAD would like to say a big thank you to the Deputy Mayor Mr Evans for opening our garden party on June 12. Thanks to the Old Boys Brigade Band for entertaining us and also the residents and family and all the staff for running stalls and doing the
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Time for people to speak
Regarding your article last week 'UKIP and BNP votes rise in Euro election', my comments refer to the former. Have the British voters realised what our Parliamentary members have voted us into, over the past 30 years, by way of approval, by signature
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Picture much rosier than you might think
John Stevens, writing in last week's Gazette, signs himself as chairman of the Devizes Conservatives, yet he appears to be reporting from a parallel universe. The picture he paints of underfunded schools, community policemen weighed down with body armour
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Traders losing out when roads closed
EIGHT hundred years ago King John granted to Marlborough a charter to hold a street market on Saturdays and Wednesdays. The town and market have survived over the centuries trading with visitors and the surrounding communities. To celebrate the anniversary
