Archive
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Doctor among the honours
Recently there have been too many stories about doctors who've behaved unethically or fallen down on the job. So it is a pleasure to know that a prestige award has gone to Dr John Henson, who heads Princess Margaret Hospital's department of diagnostic
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Survival was the key to the debate
This is a quote from Conservative leader Mike Bawden before the May local elections. He said: "We are opposed to the development of the Front Garden. Labour has made a complete U-turn concerning this issue since we were controlled by the county council
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All change
Aussie striker Clayton Zane has been given the chance to earn a deal at Swindon Town as manager Andy King continues to shuffle his squad. The giant 23-year-old is training with the club this week and has already impressed at the County Ground boss. Currently
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Robbie is still worth his place
WITH Dawlish calling our game off on Thursday night, I decided to travel to the Conigre to watch Melksham Town in their FA Carlsberg Vase clash against Porthleven. It was a good game and Porthleven probably deserved to win, although a draw may have been
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Headteacher's joy as school makes grade
By Craig Evry TEACHERS and pupils at Sambourne Primary School in Warminster have been celebrating this week after learning the school has emerged from one of the most difficult periods in its history. Headteacher Angela Rees learnt last week that the
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Villagers call for scrapping of vote
By Craig Evry TWO resignations, spoiled ballot papers and a heated debate have set the future of Codford Village Hall on a crash course with chaos. In a situation threatening to mimic the presidential farce in America, hundreds of ballot papers look set
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Danger of cruise control revealed
By Craig Evry THE dangerous faults of a Ford Explorer were highlighted on a Channel 4 programme last week, with a Warminster couple recounting the story of their close escape. The Explorer's cruise control system came under fire on the Dispatches programme
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Cherish Gap
I DOUBT if Mr Denman (Letters, November 10) has ever walked the Hilperton Gap, admired the lovely view, felt the wind and watched the gorgeous sunsets. This place is far more than just a few fields, it's a beauty spot something special, crisscrossed by
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Leaders beaten in derby upset
SKURRAY'S WILTSHIRE LEAGUE ONLY three matches were scheduled in the Premier Division, leaders Devizes Town Reserves surprisingly being beaten 3-2 on their own ground by Warminster Town Reserves. Devizes took an early lead through Lee Davis, Warminster
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Woman refusedlife-saving drugs
THE family of Lindsay Heffer heard how she failed to take drugs for a thyroid problem despite knowing the condition could kill her. The inquest held in Trowbridge on Tuesday heard how 31-year-old Miss Heffer of Kensington Fields, Trowbridge was found
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Lee must wait for drug case
SNOOKER ace Stephen Lee will have to wait until January to contest allegations that he tested positive for marijuana after a tournament in September. Lee, ranked fifth in the world, was due to face a disciplinary committee at the headquarters of the World
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Man failed to complete breath test
A MELKSHAM man who crashed his car outside a bank in Trowbridge admitted failing to provide police with a breath specimen when he appeared at court last Thursday. Andrew McLeish, 24, of The Friars, pleaded guilty to driving while disqualified, driving
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Land deal heralds bypass plan
A PARCEL of land between Semington and Bowerhill is to be sold by West Wiltshire District Council to Wiltshire County Council to make way for a section of the Semington-Melksham diversion. The land forms part of Shails Lane, which runs between Semington
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In praise of refuse staff
MAY I, through the columns of your newspaper, congratulate our Direct Works Services staff on the hard work they do every week, but especially over the recent very bad weather. It is true that recently we have suffered exceptionally high levels of vehicle
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Council spends cash on lights
MELKSHAM Town Council has given away over £2,000 in grants. The council is giving £300 to Wiltshire Bobby Van scheme, £600 to the St John Ambulance, £500 to Melksham's Riverside project and £1,200 to this year's Christmas lights. Cllr Angie Barker said
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Rotherham no pushovers
If the Zurich premiership were an episode of 'The Weakest Link', Anne Robinson would have ejected Rotherham back in August. The Yorkshire minnows have won just one of their nine matches in the league and lie eight points adrift at the foot of the table
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Just for effect?
I notice that Blue Circle has applied for planning permission for a new tyre storage and handling facility. Am I being cynical in thinking that the application for tyre burning is a foregone conclusion and that the meetings held by the Environment Agency
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Forget the weather consider the planning
WITH reference to the article about renewed fears over the tannery site at Westbury Leigh (Wiltshire Times, November 17). The change in weather patterns is worrying and has caused anthrax outbreaks in other parts of the world. There were incidents on
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Can we solve our childcare crisis?
I WOULd like to draw attention to the shortage of childcare facilities in Bradford on Avon. The government has a National Childcare Strategy to help parents return to work, and has made available, via the Lottery, £200m to provide childcare places for
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Cautious delight at phone mast on hold
CAMPAIGNERS in Westwood are celebrating the news that plans to site a mobile phone mast in their village have been put on hold. Parents from Westwood Nursery School and residents in Upper Westwood have been fighting plans by Vodafone to put a 12-metre
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Porn site shockfor boats boss
By Sara Oliver OWNERS of a west Wiltshire boat firm are furious that their company name is being used on a gay pornography website. Staff at Bradford on Avon Marina-based Sally Boats only discovered its name was being used for the porn site when they
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Dog-owner is fined for pet's foul habit
A woman has been fined £200 for not clearing up after her dog when it fouled on grass near her home. Wendy Adams, of Whitebeam Court, Pinehurst, was found guilty in her absence at Swindon Magistrates Court, of failing to clean up after her collie cross
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All aboard for a happy marriage
They met on a Swindon bus more than 53 years ago and the wheels of love have been turning ever since. Dennis Alsworth, now 75, was the conductor on the No 183 from the Town Hall to Stratton and Rita, 69, was his favourite passenger. Tomorrow the Alsworths
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Police guard beer after bridge crash
Police spent nearly five hours guarding gallons of beer which fell off the back of a lorry as congestion mounted on a busy Swindon road. But the mountain of cans of lager stacked on the pavement in Wootton Bassett Road were not contraband it was the result
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Let there be light
Swindon'sChristmas countdown has officially started. Last night hundreds of people gathered in the town centre to watch Swindon's glittering Christmas lights flick on. Even a shower of rain couldn't dampen the festive spirit of on-lookers who let out
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Going, going, gone
The fight for the Front Garden came to an end last night when Swindon's civic leaders gave the go ahead for building on the open fields south of the town. Campaigners who had packed Swindon's council chamber were left disappointed when councillors voted
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Tenants get one-stoptroubleshooting shop
TENANTS in west Wiltshire now have a one-stop shop where they can get help on everything from rent problems to repairs. West Wiltshire Housing Society is one of the first in the country to open a dedicated resource centre run by tenants, for tenants.
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Castle causes protest storm
AN Englishman's home may be his castle but entrepreneur Tom Rothschild's plan to build a modern-day fortress in Heywood have sparked uproar. The Trowbridge businessman wants to build a four-storey castle with 12 bedrooms and 14 bathrooms, on land off
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Former Town man Thorne in the side
Peter Thorne is expected to be in the Stoke City team when they visit the County Ground tomorrow. The 27-year-old needs no introduction to Swindon Town fans as he was a firm favourite with the County Ground faithful and formed a brief but lethal striking
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Headaches for King
Andy King has landed himself with some severe selection headaches ahead of tomorrow's home game against Stoke. The addition of Richard Dryden to the squad means that manager King will have to leave out one of his regular back three, or ignore the Southampton
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All change
AUSSIE striker Clayton Zane has been given the chance to earn a deal at Swindon Town as manager Andy King continues to shuffle his squad. The giant 23-year-old is training with the club this week and has already impressed at the County Ground boss. Currently
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Long-serving Stanley loses his NEC place
ANGLING By Colin Scull I AM saddened this week by the news that the long established Wessex Federation of Anglers has disbanded and resigned from the NFA. Once again the question of finance has raised its ugly head and, although the smaller clubs wanted
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Tyre-burning setback
By Morwenna Blake BLUE Circle Cement in Westbury has received a further setback in plans to burn tyres to provide an alternative source of energy at their Westbury plant. Wiltshire Health Authority has produced a report on the possible health effects
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Ballot is labelled a fix
JOHN Syme has sensationally quit the Warminster branch of the Liberal Democrats amid allegations that a vote in which he was deselected as a candidate for Wiltshire County Council elections was fixed. Cllr Syme attended Monday night's Warminster Town
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School celebrates a very significant year
PUPILS' achievements were honoured at a presentation evening held by Matravers School, Westbury, on Wednesday. The evening began with an introduction by John Clegg, chairman of governors at the school. Headteacher Nigel Gilhespy delivered a review of
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Charity looks for vice chairperson
Age Concern Swindon is in need of a vice chairperson to join its Board of Trustees. The charity has been searching for someone to fill the role since its annual meeting in July, but nobody suitable has come forward. The volunteer would need to give at
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We miss shirley's BBC show
My husband and I feel we should say that we wholly endorse the letter referring to the waste of Shirley Ludford's talents. For such a great presenter as her and one much-loved by everyone to be relegated to the 'office on research', as I believe it's
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Give us a town to be proud of
Solicitor MAREK SARNOWSKI, 47, loves Swindon, but his home town is in danger of losing its soul. Last month, the borough council revealed its 30-Year Vision, including the introduction of trams, improved shopping facilities and a new science, education
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New owners say holiday resortjobs will be safe
A £670m deal was completed on Monday as Center Parcs was finally jointly sold to two major European companies. All 13 of the holiday villages, including Warminster's Longleat Forest resort, have gone in the sale which sees the end of Scottish and Newcastle's
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Safari park shuts gates for winter
AFTER SCOOPING two top tourism awards and breaking the 400,000 visitor barrier, Longleat Safari Park near Warminster has closed its gates for the winter break. Celebrating a successful, although wet, season, the safari park has hosted several top events
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Snack vans face lay-by ban on A36
SMALL traders could be banned from lay-bys near Warminster in a clearing order proposed by the Highways Agency. Popular snack vans and traders could soon be cleared out from lay-bys on the A36 after they were deemed to be dangerously close to the Warminster
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Group calls for more protection for open spaces
A GREEN group in Warminster has congratulated West Wiltshire District Council for following its advice. The Warminster Open Space Protection Society carried out its own study of population and housing needs to ensure recreational land was protected. Operations
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Ballot is labelled a fix
JOHN Syme has sensationally quit the Warminster branch of the Liberal Democrats amid allegations that a vote in which he was deselected as a candidate for Wiltshire County Council elections was fixed. Cllr Syme attended Monday night's Warminster Town
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If you have got legs, why not use them?
SINCE submitting my article for the Wiltshire Times Travelwise competition last Friday, I have been given a couple more examples of differing attitudes. An acquaintance mentioned in passing that her daughter, who is younger than 30, had gone out to fill
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Wanderers take points in thriller
DEVIZES SUNDAY LEAGUE TROWBRIDGE Wanderers gained their fifth consecutive league win by beating The Bell 4-3. Paul Clarke opened the scoring for Wanderers, picking up a through ball from Iain Saunderson and firing into the bottom right corner. Two minutes
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Ten-man Trowbridge no match for Corsham
Trowbridge Town 1, Corsham Town 5 TROWBRIDGE, playing their first match since October 21, found their Screwfix Direct League First Division opponents too strong in this Wiltshire Senior Cup tie. The home side found it very difficult to find their rhythm
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Wanderers win tense shoot-out
PERFORMANCE OF THE WEEK THE boys from Trowbridge Wanderers under 12s upset the form book to beat Westbury Youth in the under 12s cup in the Wiltshire Times and News Mid-Wilts Youth and Minor League. They clinched their place by winning a tense penalty
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Fire services are not keeping up with equal opportunities
Fire service officers in Wiltshire have admitted that they cannot keep to Government timetables on producing an equal opportunities plan. Former chairman of the Wiltshire and Swindon Fire Authority Coun Nick Westbrook (Lib Dem Trowbridge West) warned
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Football fixtures
SKURRAYS WILTSHIRE LEAGUE Premier Division: Bradford Tn v Aldbourne; Chiseldon Southbrook v Cricklade Tn; Corsham Tn Res v Wroughton; Marlborough Tn v Devizes Tn Res; Pewsey Vale Res v Biddestone; Shrewton Utd v Malmesbury Vics Res; Stratton Crosslink
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Third try for Marine in Cup
The Hellenic Premier Division takes a back seat this weekend with the majority of the league sides taking part in the Complete Music Challenge Cup. Holders Swindon Supermarine will be trying for the third time to get their first round tie against R S
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Rejected man hit out at woman
A LATE-NIGHT fight in Trowbridge landed a man in court when he punched a woman in the face after she spurned his advances. Nigel Hibbert, 36, of Bramley Lane, Trowbridge, pleaded guilty to the assault outside Juice nightclub when he appeared at North
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Pupils create a woodland area
Pupils at the John of Gaunt School in Trowbridge are celebrating the new millennium by planting trees. Every student in Year 7 has planted a tree or a shrub at the far end of their playing field, creating a small area of woodland. The children have been
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Council to draw the line on car parking
RESIDENTS with no off-street parking in Trowbridge are campaigning against plans to stop them parking outside their own homes. People living in Union Street, St Thomas Road and Timbrell Street were furious when they discovered Wiltshire County Council's
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Children deliver petition to No 10
School children will be taking a petition to Downing Street on Monday as part of a county council campaign to get fair funding. The petition has been signed by primary and secondary school headteachers from across Wiltshire and asks for increased funding
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Landlady is forgiven for stabbing
By Craig Evry A LANDLADY who stabbed her partner in the stomach with a knife after a drunken argument admitted to breaching the peace. Donna Ryder, 29, who runs the Lion and Fiddle pub in Hilperton, admitted the attack when she appeared at North West
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Landladystabbedpartner
PUB landlady Donna Ryder appeared in court in connection with an incident in which she stabbed her partner with a knife. Police were called to the Lion and Fiddle in Devizes Road, Hilperton, on September 27 after a 999 call alerted them that someone had
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Porn site shock for boats boss
By Sara Oliver OWNERS of a west Wiltshire boat firm are furious that their company name is being used on a gay pornography website. Staff at Bradford on Avon Marina-based Sally Boats only discovered its name was being used for the porn site when they
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Youth club gets grant for toilets
THE enthusiastic members of Atworth Youth Club are celebrating a cash boost which will go towards new toilets. The village youth club has been awarded a grant of £200 by West Wiltshire District Council's northern area committee. Youth club leader Mavis
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CCTV to target town crime
A NEW CCTV system is operating in a street in Melksham, following worries about trouble caused by young people. The new system is operating in the Canon Square area of Melksham and has been set up as a direct response to fears from residents about anti-social
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Pub will replace old off-licence
FAMILY brewers Wadworths has been given the go-ahead for a new pub in Melksham by council officers. The company, which is based in Devizes, has been given permission to convert its off-licence on the corner of Granville Road and Beanacre Road into a community
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Bittersweet memories of canteen work
THE Down Memory Lane picture (Wiltshire Times, November 17) brought a lot of memories, some happy and some not so happy. I worked in the canteen at the Spitfire works in Bradley Road, Trowbridge, and at the time of Queen Mary's visit we had a very kind
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Charity thanks
ON behalf of Trowbridge Fire Station Social Club we would like to thank everyone who supported our ladder climb event in The Shires Shopping Centre on Saturday. We would especially like to thank Iceland, Asda, Tesco, Taylor Made, Mountstevens, The Shires
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Winger Iain set for his big chance
Bath winger Iain Balshaw will make his first international start against Argentina at Twickenham tomorrow. The 21-year-old transformed the game against Australia last week when he came on as a second half substitute, setting up the winning try for Dan
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Crook back in council chambers
LOCAL government officer John Crook is back in Melksham this time as the town council's new clerk. Mr Crook, born and bred in Melksham, first started in local government in 1965 when he was 21 years old. He was based in Melksham Town Hall and worked as
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Do not disturb
TO whom it may concern. People who knock on doors with religious matters have no thought or concern to the elderly or disabled, especially when there are notices asking them not to disturb. Perhaps they could find better things to do for charitable organisations
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Plan to move weekly market has go ahead
A FLAGGING weekly market will be relocated in a bid to boost trade. Melksham's Tuesday general market has been failing to attract both shoppers and stall holders. Melksham Town Council has now agreed to allow the market stalls to be moved from the Market
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Schools are bottom of the league
MAY I thank you for your coverage in last week's Wiltshire Times of the underfunding in our county's primary and secondary schools. Unfortunately I was quoted as saying that Grove would be £6,000 better off if we were situated in another county. The figure
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Give us signs for safety
WE HAVE lived for about six years along The Down in Trowbridge, at the Hilperton end, which joins Wyke Road. The traffic has always been a nightmare, the road is used like a racetrack. Since the Paxcroft Mead development it is used more than ever as a
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School's Roman villa must be kept safe
By Holly Robinson EXPERTS who have uncovered a major archaeological site at a west Wiltshire school have urged the community to help protect the find from treasure hunters. Investigations at St Laurence School in Bradford on Avon have revealed what are
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Another snag stops planned wall mural
Parents trying to revamp a wall at a Swindon playground by painting a huge mural on its face have hit another snag. The wall at Cambria Bridge playground was due for a facelift by volunteers, but contractors for Swindon Council did not prepare it properly
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'My husband killed my baby'
It is eight days since Paul Oldacre, 27, was jailed for life at Bristol Crown Court for the murder of seven-month-old Jamie. The baby died of internal bleeding from a ruptured liver, following a hail of punches to the chest and abdomen. Oldacre told the
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Pupils button up pantomime
Pupils have been busy practising a musical pantomime which begins next week. Around 30 students at St Joseph's School, aged between 14 and 16, are staging Cinderella in the Upper School. As well as pupils, the show will also feature some of the teachers
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'I am thoroughly ashamed...'
Magician David Payne told a jury he hoped he had not ruined the rest of the life of a girl he is accused of raping. The 56-year-old admits he indecently assaulted the youngster, now aged ten, on four occasions when she was aged seven and eight. And the
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What a week
What a week in the life of a professional rugby player! A fantastic win against the world champions on Saturday; supporting your club on Sunday and witnessing a heart stopping display; back to your international team on Monday; walk out on strike on Tuesday
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Lights go on to start festive season of fun in Trowbridge
By Heather Skull THOUSANDS turned out to watch brother and sister Thomas and Rachel Carpenter switch on the Christmas lights in Trowbridge. The youngsters from Chepston Place took the place of honour for the Trowbridge event on Friday night, to flick
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Canal projects under the axe
TWO projects along the west Wiltshire stretch of the Kennet and Avon Canal will be axed. Five projects were originally under threat, including the proposed new £41,875 car park at Semington. The projects were due to be cut because of an overspend by the
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American cafe company will invest £1.25m
A BID to open a £1.25m American-style Chicago Rock cafe in Trowbridge looked likely to clear its first hurdle last night. Luminar Leisure's application for the public entertainment licence it needs to operate the 550-place venue, was due to be approved
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Awards for effort
By Sara Oliver TOP students at Trowbridge College were honoured for their efforts at the last ever annual prizegiving on Friday. Awards were given to students performing particularly well in their studies, with a host of special honours. It was the last
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FA Cup tie tickets on the cheap
Swindon Town are offering cut-price tickets for their FA Cup second round tie with Gateshead at the County Ground on Saturday, December 9. As in the first round, when Town beat Ilkeston Town 4-1, prices will be: adults £10; OAPs/students and 16 years
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Dryden waiting in the wings
loan signing Richard Dryden could start for Town against Stoke tomorrow. Manager Andy King would not reveal his team for the County Ground clash but said that the Southampton defender could be in the starting line-up. "Richard Dryden is in contention
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Chalk and clay extraction upheld
WILTSHIRE County Council has received the inspector's report into objections to the Wiltshire and Swindon Minerals Local Plan. The plan, which was published in January 1999, provides a framework for planning decisions to be made on mineral extraction
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Shock as power cable crashes down again
By Morwenna Blake MOLLY and Frank Kenny feel they are lucky to be alive after an 11,000 volt electricity cable came down on their drive minutes before they arrived home. It is the second time in months that the Kennys, who live in Heywood, near Westbury
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Genie helps store fill a pot of gold
FANCY dress was a favourite theme for the day as fundraisers entertained crowds for Children in Need. Staff at Tesco supermarket dressed up and raised £1,138, while in The Shires Shopping Centre, Trowbridge, firefighters climbed a total distance higher
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Bin men's hopes raised after meeting
HOPES are rising that plans to sell off west Wiltshire's refuse collection service will be dropped. The district's bin men have been fighting West Wiltshire District Council's plan to put the in-house Direct Works Service out to a private firm. Talks
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Perhaps a card would be better
I have been following this campaign on the issue of bus tokens for OAPs. Tokens cost money, money we pay into the council tax. Why not use the Gold Card or a similar system? A one-off payment to include a photo of the holder should do the trick, and save
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Time called over late festive drinks
By Sara Oliver REVELLERS face a bleak Christmas and New Year in west Wiltshire after pub landlords warned they could have to close following a late hours licence row. The furious publicans say they have been waiting months to find out what extra hours
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Hang your heads
Citzens entitled to concessionary travel facilities in Swindon are indebted to councillors Mike Bawden, Nick Martin and Mike Evemy. They appreciated that freedom of choice in respect of concessionary travel whether by bus, train or taxi, should be retained
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Magiciandenieschild rape
Magician denies child rape Children's magician David Payne told police that a seven-year-old girl he is accused of raping was "an attractive young lady", a court heard. Swindon Crown Court also heard that the 56-year-old father-of-two, of The Street,
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Support for new programme
I FIND the cri de coeur from R Recardo on behalf of BBC Wiltshire Sound's former programme presenter Shirley Ludford, to be nothing more than sour grapes fiddle-faddle. As a fanatical fan and equally ferocious critic of the radio station on occasions,
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Repairs to bridges may total £15m
MAJOR works need to be carried out to bridges which were built for horses and carts. Wiltshire County Council has estimated it needs to spend £15m countywide in the next five years on repairs, weight restrictions and strengthening works. A report was
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Give her slot back
I would like all of the people of Wiltshire to help Shirley Ludford get a fair deal as a presenter on BBC Wiltshire Sound. It was Shirley who gave me a fair chance to become a poet through her limericks on a Saturday. I have thanked her by letter. Also
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Front Garden is not a flood plain
I am increasingly amazed at the use of the term 'flood plain', especially in relation to the recent floods or proposed development on Swindon's Front Garden. As a geography teacher, I have been teaching my pupils about what a flood plain is. Suddenly
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Swindon break from league action
Swindon take a rest from league action this weekend but plan to play a friendly against opposition who are still to be confirmed. Swindon seconds face a tough game against Old Patesians' third XV, and the thirds meet Old Pats fourths. Old Patesians are
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Bassett and College gear up for derby
WOOTTON Bassett face Swindon College Old Boys tomorrow in the eagerly-awaited Swindon area derby in the Southern Counties South Division (Nationwide Sports Pavilion, kick-off 2.30pm). Bassett will be keen to get back into action with a fourth successive
