Archive
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There must be no more secrecy
We accept that the risk from a test involving boxes of micro-organisms which were driven around Swindon's streets was probably small. But we believe it's unacceptable that even one person might have been exposed to danger by the 1960s experiment which
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Off shopping
Terry Brady has asked new boss Andy King to write him two shopping lists of players he would like to buy. The names will be split into the Harrods list, for the more expensive players and the Tesco list for those at the cheaper end of the scale. Either
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Call for fair trading
North East Somerset Citizens Advice Bureau have joined a national campaign demanding a consumer bill to outlaw dubious trading. The Midsomer Norton based CAB are inviting the public to pick up a pre-written "stop shark practices" postcard to petition
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Plea to store petrol safely
Avon Fire Brigade has issued a timely warning about fuel storage in the lead up to further fuel protests. Chief firefighter David Hutchings has issued safety instructions describing how a Lincolnshire man died when his lantern ignited petrol vapours in
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Schools to do better
Inspectors have praised the standard of education being given to pupils in the Bath and North East Somerset area but said there is still room for improvement. A report from the Government's Ofsted inspectors said B&NES education authority was performing
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Free TV for the over-75s
Bath and North East Somerset pensioners aged 75 and over will benefit from Government-funded free television licences this month. People who applied before October will receive their licence this month, but later applications will be processed before
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City still on flood alert
A project to refurbish the sluice gate at Pulteney Weir would not guarantee Bath protection against floods, the Environment Agency has said. The agency intends to spend £2.5m refurbishing the gate, which forms part of the Bath flood defence scheme built
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Angling diary
Diary dates: Fridays: Ivy House Lakes Veterans Open, £7 all in. To register ring Barrie on Swindon 850048 or Jo on (01666) 510368. Sunday, November 12: Peatmoor Junior Winter League Round Two, draw 9am. Angling Times Winter League (Upper Thames Division
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Andes trekker raisesmoney out of thin air
Fitness instructor braves ice and altitude for cancer research KAREN Holness joined a tough two-week trek across the icy mountains of Peru to raise vital funds for cancer research. The 28-year-old fitness instructor of Haydock Close, Chippenham, returned
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County planning for the worst
Emergency planners at Wiltshire County Council are drawing up plans to evacuate people following predictions of more storms to come. About two inches of rain, the average monthly total, fell on Wiltshire in 48 hours on Sunday. Wednesday a severe flood
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Council surgeries
THE Mayor and chair of the Highworth Town Council, Coun Lynn Vardy, will be holding a surgery in the council offices on Saturday from 9.30am to 11.30am. Councillors Carolyn Arkell, Melanie Duff and Lisa Hawkes, who represent Highworth on Swindon Borough
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Brown boost for pensioners and 'clean' fuel
Chancellor Gordon Brown today announced a freeze in fuel duty and increases of £5-a-week for a single pensioner and £8-a-week for a married couple. He also unveiled a drive to make ultra low sulphur petrol the new "green" fuel, cutting its duty by 3p
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Unemployment at its lowest
Mr Brown said unemployment was at its lowest level since 1979, long term unemployment at its lowest level since 1978. The Government was close to achieving its target of moving 250,000 young people from welfare into work. Mr Brown told MPs that since
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Brown pledges 3p cut in 'clean fuel' duty
Chancellor Gordon Brown today announced a freeze in fuel duty and a cut of 3p per litre in "green" ultra low sulphur petrol (ULSP) and diesel which he said would be available in every garage next year. Mr Brown told MPs in his pre-Budget statement today
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Another night of drama
ANDY KING'S comeback kids are fast earning a reputation for their rollercoaster performances. Fans could be forgiven for feeling sea-sick the number of ups and downs they experience during 90 minutes at the County Ground. Exciting stuff it certainly is
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Hallowe'en yobs cause chaos
POLICE were flooded with calls on Tuesday evening as trick or treaters caused havoc in Trowbridge and Bradford on Avon. Fireworks were thrown around by youths in Asda car park, with police reporting that a car had been set on fire by a stray firework.
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At the crossroads
As the Royal British Legion makes its final preparations for Remembrance Sunday the Swindon branch has reached an important crossroads in its history. Today the membership of the branch has dropped to 150 compared with nearly 3,000 about six years ago
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11 men found hiding in lorry
Eleven suspected illegal immigrants were discovered hiding in the back of a German lorry just outside Swindon. The 11 men were discovered by police in the back of the lorry while it was parked in a layby on the A419 near Dorcan. The police swooped on
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'Bullies made my life a nightmare'
Bully victim Ian Finnie has been systematically tortured and let down by the system, according to his guardian Graham Kidd. Ian, 14, is now being taught at home by Mr Kidd and his mother Fiona Finnie, after he was unable to return to school for fear that
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Shoppers evacuated as chemical leaks at Sainsbury's
More than 200 shoppers and 50 staff were evacuated from a Sainsbury's store after a chemical leak. Two people were taken to hospital after the spillage at the supermarket in Gablecross, Swindon. The spill happened when around 250 litres of Perkolone cleaning
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Revealed
Secret germ warfare tests took place in Swindon 40 years ago. They were carried out by scientists from Wiltshire's Porton Down chemical and biological warfare centre. The revelations, which will be released in a new book tomorrow (Thurs 9th Nov), give
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Lyneham plane stars in Lord Mayor's show
A hercules aircraft from RAF Lyneham will play a starring role in the Lord Mayor's Show in London this Saturday, November 11. The plane from No 47 Squad-ron will be representing the Royal Air Force when it makes a flypast over the parade outside Mansion
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Few attend fireworks
Wootton Bassett put on a spectacular firework event, but the weekend's takings disappointed Woodshaw Entertainers, whose likely losses on the display and their Sunday concert could total £600. Despite the cancellation of many other displays, including
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Team is touched by story
Swiindon Town's chief executive Peter Rowe was so touched when Scott Higg's friends raised money to buy him a new bike after his old one was stolen that he invited them to see the team play. Scott was presented with a Swindon Town bicycle helmet at last
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Hospital thanked in show
The organiser of a long established Swindon Christ-mas charity show is aiming to raise cash for the hospital which saved his granddaughter's life. Music shop owner John Holmes wants to donate proceeds of the event, now in its 19th year, to the Bristol
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Trip will put you on top of the world
Cycling through 200km of South American countryside and scaling a volcano are the latest ways in which Swindon people can help twin town Oco-tal. The One World Action charity, which is organising the trip, hopes for a good response from the economic capital
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Hospice celebrates its birthday in style
Leading racehorse trainer Jenny Pitman visited the Prospect Hospice in Wroughton yesterday to celebrate the first birthday of the Hospice Lottery. Mrs Pitman, who lives in Lambourn, is the patron of the organisation and has also beaten her own battle
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King-size stress for new Town manager
To say Andy King gets involved on the bench is an understatement. The newly-crowned Swindon boss lives every minute of the action and comes off at the end of 90 minutes an emotional wreck. Such is the life of a Town boss. "It is a nightmare on that bench
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Need to report crime
It was nice to read that the Neighbourhood Watch bulletin (Saturday, November 4, Neighbourhood News) has statistics for the western area that indicate a drop in crime, though unrealistic due to the unreported crimes. For instance there has been two attempted
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Breast cancer month huge success
I am writing on behalf of The Cancer Research Campaign as the charity's patron for Breast Cancer Awareness Month to thank everyone in the area for their superb support throughout October. They were among the thousands of people nationwide who took part
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Fairs are wanted
YES, we do want two Mop Fairs a year. This has been a tradition in Marlborough for many, many years. Having been a resident in Marlborough for 59 years, I know the excitement they bring to children, I speak from my own children, I speak from my own childhood
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Which way to visit steam?
Regarding the financial shortfall of income at STEAM, I believe it is not the fault of the exhibition which is excellent and must be visited to be appreciated. The main problems that need investigation are that it is poorly sign-posted, and it is the
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Crossing crossness
THE Pewsham estate in Chippenham is like a small town. It has a community centre, doctors' surgery, chemist, chinese takeaway, video rental shop, small supermarket, post office and school. But there is not one zebra crossing. There are implied crossing
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A backward step
I READ with disbelief the new proposals by Kennet District Council for its skip service to be available for one hour only each week during the mid-afternoon rather than from late afternoon onwards. This will mean that anyone who works will be denied the
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Hockey expertise
A talented young sportswoman from Bath has made her mark in semi-professional hockey, scoring a place in the Under- 16 West of England squad. Fourteen-year-old Harriet Moore recently represented the team in a national tournament held at Milton Keynes
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Bullying issue must be tackled
Hardly any school is without its share of bullies and victims, but the story of 14-year-old Ian Finnie gives special cause for concern. It is not reasonable that this lad now has to be taught at home by his mother Fiona and his guardian Graham Kidd because
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Training award
A Bath University post-graduate student with a history in anti-pollution work has won a £7000 bursary to gain specialist environmental engineering skills. Andrew Crosby's career in environmental engineering and innovative plans for a recycling website
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Carers offered respite
Experienced foster carer Caroline Holton became the first Bath and North East Somerset resident to pass her NVQ first unit in fostering. Ms Holten attended the information evening held by B&NES council for those interested in fostering. She said:
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Crowds gather for fun display
Spectators flocked to the biggest public firework display to take place in Bath on Saturday. The display at Bath University raised £5,000 from public donations for the university's general charity fund. A fair was available as part of the fun before and
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New Local Plan raiseschorus of disapproval
MORE than 1,000 objections have been sent in by residents unhappy about proposals in the replacement Kennet District Local Plan. The Local Plan covers the period up to 2011. It sets out where housing should be built and also allocates sites for employment
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New hall product offive years' hard work
VILLAGERS in Derry Hill are preparing to celebrate the opening of their new community hall after raising £300,000 over the past five years. Chris McCormack, 42, of the village hall committee, hopes the new, purpose-built hall will encourage residents
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Nightmare on Hallowe'en
EGGS, fireworks and paintballs were thrown when up to 70 youths gathered in the Pewsham area on Tuesday October 31 to take part in Hallowe'en stunts. Police sent two patrol cars to the scene at around 6.30pm and officers continued to monitor the situation
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Women's Institute
The Highworth Morning WI is organising a tabletop sale to be held in the council community room on Saturday from 9.30am to 11.30am. To book a table at £5, ring (01793) 861774 or call at Just the Job in Sheep Street for the necessary forms.
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Pre-budget round up
The key measures unveiled by Chancellor Gordon Brown in his pre-Budget statement to the House of Commons today (Wed 8th Nov) FUEL AND MOTORING All fuel duties to be frozen in cash terms until April 2002, with the Treasury forgoing £560 million of revenue
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Lorry convoy still on say protesters
The organisers of a fuel tax protest due to set off from the North East on Friday said tonight that their action was still "definitely on"despite Gordon Brown's measures to reduce fuel prices. Farmer Andrew Spence, a People's Fuel Lobby committee member
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Budget Education
Mr Brown told MPs that the extra cash was available because the Government had not spent all the money it raised from the windfall tax. "This lower unemployment means we can allocate new money to every school of every constituency in the country," he
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Blair urges international action on cafe
The Prime Minister warned today that Britain faced more severe weather in the coming years and called for international action to tackle "freak climate changes". Mr Blair said it would be necessary not only to take short term measures such as improving
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Judgement day for football bad boys
TwO players have been given 112-day bans in the latest round of punishments meted out by the Wilts County FA Discipli-nary Committee. Hellenic League side Wootton Bassett and Sunday team New Century will have to do without the services of Andy Brien,
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St Margaret's Hall to be kept for Bradford
By Holly Robinson and Morwenna Blake MONTHS of talks about the future of St Margaret's Hall in Bradford on Avon have ended with a decision to keep it for the town. Bradford Town Council agreed on Tuesday to accept a transfer deal offered by West Wiltshire
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Waste review makes Swindon number one
Swindon has come top in a review of 18 similar councils for its recycling, waste collection and disposal. It has now been visited by officers from Medway Council in Kent, one of the authorities its performance in 1998/1999 was compared with. They talked
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Bidding farewell to a dear old friend
An historic landmark which has stood tall in Old Town for 160 years will disappear this weekend. One of the two giant copper beech trees outside the Museum is due to be felled on Sunday. To allow the work to take place the road will be closed and diversions
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Czar to battle against drugs
Swindon's first drug czar to steer young people away from illegal substances has been named. Jennie Harmston will take up the post in the New Year, and will be responsible for strategies aimed at treating addicts and deterring others from getting hooked
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Husband's delay that swung it for Janet
JANET Ockwell won the Raychem match held at Liden Lagoon with a little help from husband Dennis. After four hours without a bite, Janet was ready to go home and walked along to Dennis's peg, asking him if he was ready to go. However, at that moment his
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One girl's war over dog dirt
Ten-year-old Beverley Harris has raised more than £200 to help get rid of dog mess outside of her school. The community-spirited girl was so fed up with having to dodge dog muck outside Westlea School, she thought she would get something done about it
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New Honda goes on show to World
The world's motoring press is descending on Wiltshire for the next three weeks to test Honda's new Swindon-made Civic. Arguably the most important car Honda has made to date, the New Civic represents a massive investment in terms of cash in its new factory
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Battle goes on for Japanese apology
A former prisoner of war captured by the Japanese as a little girl has welcomed moves to give survivors extra compensation. But Barbara Sowerby, who was just five when her family was sent to a camp, is calling for the £10,000 compensation to be accompanied
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It's only rock and roll but they like it yes they do
Being and rollers got into the groove at a Swindon pub for charity. A rock and roll re-union night was held at the Moonrakers pub in Stratton, raising £1,000 for Princess Margaret Hospital. The event, which was held on Sunday, October 29, was organised
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Your old toner cartridge can save wildlife
Wiltshire Wildlife Trust is appealing to people to donate their old toner cartridges to raise funds to help protect wildlife. Printer cast-offs can raise up to £8 for the Trust which manages 2,000 acres of nature reserves across the country depending
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Ding dong merrily...
News of the Christmas Carnival gave shoppers an early dose of festive cheer when Town Crier Fred Ferris took to the streets to spread the word. Fred launched the countdown to programme of events when he handed out information leaflets and timetables to
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Busby is told his job is safe as he recovers from Leukaemia
TOWN'S youth team coach Viv Busby is battling against a rare form of leukaemia. The 51-year-old is very much in the thoughts of new boss Andy King who has pledged there is still an important part for his friend to play in the future of the club. King
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Front Garden is not the only floodplain
In regard to all the hyperbole, sensationalism and and kneejerk reaction to the folly of building on the now buzzword 'floodplain', you could say nearly all Norfolk, Suffolk and the Netherlands come under that category! My dog and I have just been for
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Williams keen to make his mark
MARTIN Williams is not concerned which part of his anatomy is finally responsible for ending his goalscoring drought. The Town striker earned praise from new boss Andy King for his performance against Wrexham and the former Reading man is hopeful his
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Off shopping
Terry Brady has asked new boss Andy King to write him two shopping lists of players he would like to buy. The names will be split into the Harrods list, for the more expensive players and the Tesco list for those at the cheaper end of the scale. Either
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Police stymied
I attended the police consultative meeting in Malmesbury and endured a most depressing afternoon. After one resident complained of the noise, under-age drinking and vandalism, a senior officer said police action was only a "sticking plaster" and tackling
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Time to take responsibility for 'acts of God'
I have a poser of a question for all the poor souls who have been flooded. Is it an 'act of God' or man's doing? What with global warming, melting polar caps, extreme weather which has been predicted every three years in a national tabloid this week,
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Orwell awaits us?
FOLLOWING the report on the Lawrence murder and the admitted racism of the Metropolitan Police it seems to have been assumed without proof that almost the whole of the indigenous population is guilty of racism, either personally or institutionally. This
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Perhaps a little more promotion
The reported financial troubles that have already beset our Steam Museum persuaded me to make my first visit last weekend. As an ex-railwayman I found it to be engaging, interesting, nostalgic and at times awe-inspiring which reflects all that other local
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School in picture
I WAS very pleased that Potterne School's win of £100 of computer vouchers was reported in the Gazette. The winning photograph was taken by Richard Pearce, a member of the village Millennium Committee at the Millennium Midsummer Celebration, where the
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Pooling the noise
WITH reference to your story in last week's Gazette a new indoor swimming pool for Malmesbury is great news. But for Mr Slade to suggest that the old site to be used for a skate park is out of the question. I live opposite the swimming pool and most nights
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Re-think needed
CAN anybody who has witnessed the recent weather doubt it is a result of accelerated climate change? Yet despite the role vehicle emissions play in this, people complain about taxes designed to reduce them. Someone has to lead the way and it makes a change
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Lucky for some
PENSIONERS in North Wiltshire using the Lifeline Alarm Service are lucky to have to pay only £8.74 to £8.82 a quarter. In Devizes I have to pay more than £48 a quarter for the Lifeline Alarm Service, which used to be run by Kennet District Council. The
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Culprits must pay
THE BSE disaster has cost every man, woman and child in the UK £177 each in compensation to farmers alone. This would have been very much more if we hadn't obtained funding from our European partners. When another disaster, Thalidomide, happened the cost
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Tories' legacy
THE Gazette says in your editorial on October 26 that the gravest injustice of the BSE scandal was the failure of ministers under the last Government to order a public inquiry. For years the plight of the victims of variant CJD and their families was
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Lifeline costs rise
IN the Gazette of October 26 you report the increase of charges to be imposed from April 2001 by North Wiltshire District Council for the Lifeline Alarm Service, a true life saver for 1,200 vulnerable and elderly persons . Your account states the cost
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Simple solution
I HAVE been following with interest the debate in West Wiltshire over council employees being abused while standing guard over skips. I see we are heading toward the same silly situation in Kennet with skips, when provided, only available an hour a day
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Bassett on a try spree
BASSETT'S in-form second string were far too good for a poor Colerne outfit who were thrashed in a nine try scoring romp. Bassett's skipper Dave Floyd and winger Craig Smith both claimed a brace of tries with the other scores coming from centres Darren
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Brave battle
SWINDON went out of the Intermediate Cup after a four-try burst in a 15-minute spell in the second half by their higher league opponents. But for long periods of the game the Greenbridge Road side had acquitted themselves well in this third round tie
