Archive
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IT student wins award for great achievement
FORMER Chippenham College student Brett Rogers has been awarded The Borough Lands 1554 Trophy to celebrate his great personal progress. Mr Rogers, 18, who suffers from a rare condition causing a severe loss of vision, collected the trophy at a prizegiving
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FA orders girl out of boys' football team
TEN-year-old Emily King is battling with the Football Association for the right to continue playing alongside her male team mates. Her parents have always told her she can do whatever she wants to provided she puts in enough hard work and effort, but
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Funding snub is a bitter blow
SO the Government has acted true to form and once again delivered a funding snub to people Wiltshire. Despite weeks of lobbying ministers, protests from Gazette readers and letters from school pupils, Tony Blair and his ministers told the county this
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Help at hand for disabled as new taxi service ready to go
WHEELCHAIR users and disabled people around Marlborough, who are often confined to their own homes because of a lack of suitable transport, could soon be out and about or doing a spot of Christmas shopping whenever they feel like it. A local day care
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Village is in mourning for faithful stalwart
TRIBUTES have been paid to veteran church organist and former parish council chairman Lester Eves who has died after a long illness. Mr Eves, who received his MBE from the Queen earlier this year, died at the Royal United Hospital, Bath, on Tuesday November
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Gardener weeds out tangled land issues
WHEN gardener Christine Digman decided to brighten up a small plot on the pavement outside her Devizes' home, her green fingers opened up a can of worms. "The ground was constantly full of litter which attracts more, so I tidied it up and planted it at
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County trails behind in funding
WILTSHIRE continues to trail behind other local authorities following Monday's announcement by the Government on local government spending. In the 2000/01 financial year the average funding per head of population in Wiltshire is £432. This is £47 less
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We'll catch you, police warn the drink drivers
MANY drivers will start the New Year by checking bus timetables and phoning around for lifts, say Wiltshire police, who promise to come down hard on those who risk lives by drinking and driving. The force is participating in the Government's annual drink-drive
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Apology from farmer
COUNTY councillors agreed to change authority rules after Calne farmer Nancy Bryant, a senior member of the Conservative ruling group, was admonished. Coun Bryant, former NFU Wiltshire chairman, apologised to the council for bringing it into disrepute
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Pensioners kept in dark
THE whereabouts of 30 Calne pensioners is a mystery. The senior citizens were joining a mystery coach tour organised by the Rotary Club of Calne. The trip set off from Calne Town Hall at 10.30am, but the group have no idea about where they will be whisked
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Parents' fury at £100 bus passes
CHILDREN in Derry Hill and surrounding villages may be left without transport to school if they do not buy a £100 bus pass to guarantee them a seat. Parents are furious about the situation, which is affecting pupils who go to Sheldon and Hardenhuish Schools
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Thief phones victim after stealing purse
A thief pretended to be a policeman after stealing a purse from Malmesbury shopkeeper Shirley Wall. Mrs Wall, 56, had not realised her purse had been stolen when she was called by someone purporting to be from Malmesbury police saying it had been handed
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Arresting sight for pubgoers at police artist's exhibition
A FREELANCE artist, who draws portraits for the police to identify criminals, is joining five other painters for a special exhibition. Hazel Talbot is a member of Clyffe Hangers, which has an exhibition in the Goddard Arms, Clyffe Pypard, until January
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Councils square up for inquiry
TWO councils are set for a showdown next week when the planning inquiry into a controversial park and ride scheme goes ahead. Swindon Borough Council is at loggerheads with North Wiltshire District Council after it refused permission for the park and
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Couple's bid to aid orphans
A CORSTON couple left behind their home comforts to work for eight days in a Kenyan orphanage for children with HIV. Parish councillor Tim Inwards, of Sunny Banks, worked as an engineer maintaining the orphanage's five vehicles and the generator. His
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Villagers celebrate as last orders cancelled
NEIGHBOURING communities in Minety were celebrating after planning officers threw out plans to convert two village pubs into houses. Nearly 100 people from Minety, which has lost its post office and shop in recent years, wrote to North Wiltshire District
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Row resolved
A POLITICAL row over appointments to a working party has been settled. Liberal Democrats were furious when their member, Malmesbury councillor Lesley Bennett, was removed from a group dealing with the county council's IT requirements last month. They
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Oil leaks into river after pipe is slashed
THOUSANDS of litres of oil leaked into the River Avon at Little Somerford after a vandal cut the pipe from a storage tank. The 2,000 litres of heating oil spilled from the tank at the Simply Oz pub at The Hill over the weekend. Landlady Sue Robson, who
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Emergency HQ merger scheme
THE county's emergency services could be sharing a new super HQ complex at Police Headquarters in Devizes within three years. The three emergency services have also made a radical pledge to merge as many of the police, fire and ambulance stations in towns
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Anger as abuser is given 12 years
THE father of a girl sexually abused by children's magician David Payne has slammed the rapist's 12 year jail sentence, saying it is not enough. Choking back tears, the dad said Payne could be free after just six years if he behaves well in prison. "It
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Boys' grief as puppy is snatched
TWO young brothers are distraught after their spaniel puppy Buster, was snatched from outside the village shop when they went in to buy sweets. Gareth Lake, five and brother Ian, 15, of Penny Hill, Collingbourne Ducis, left the four- and-a-half-month
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Emergency HQ merger
THE county's emergency services could be sharing a new super HQ complex at Police Headquarters in Devizes within three years. The three emergency services have also made a radical pledge to merge as many of the police, fire and ambulance stations in towns
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Escape artist's challenge
ESCAPOLOGIST Kenny Dean is offering £1,000 to anyone who can come up with a device that can hold him for longer than three minutes. Mr Dean, below, of Great Bedwyn, performs under the name the Great Kondini, will be entertaining the crowds at the Victorian
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Bowls club digs in over VAT bill
BATTLE has broken out on Chippenham's bowling greens as pensioners refuse to pay a season ticket VAT bill for £412.77. Members of Chippenham Park Bowling Club, mostly pensioners, are determined not to yield ground in a rebellion over new VAT rules. The
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Points shared in goal thrillerYouth football
WHITE Horse Juniors and Robins shared the spoils in a six-goal thriller at Calne in the under 10s division of the Wiltshire Times and News Mid-Wilts Youth and Minor League. Home goals came from Craig Berry (2) and Craig Ewles. Bradford on Avon returned
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Aldbourne hit back for away winSkurray's Wiltshire League
YET another Skurray's Wiltshire League programme was ruined by waterlogged grounds, with just eight games surviving the soggy conditions. Wiltshire League fixture secretary Philip Cook said: "Despite all the recent postponed games, with the usual help
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Wayne's goal
THE man who shot to fame when his spectacular own goal was shown on Match of the Day, has his heart set on joining Swindon Town. Wayne Hatswell, a defender from Moredon, has been in excellent form for Conference side Forest Green Rovers and has already
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Disabled man's anger at row over parking
DISABLED pensioner John Hazel is furious at Kennet District Council's treatment of disabled drivers. Mr Hazel, a 65-year-old former prison officer, is still fuming at his treatment at the hands of a traffic warden when he parked his camper van, displaying
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Student's ban
AN eighteen-year-old student has lost his licence for a year after pleading guilty to driving while over the breath-alcohol limit. Christopher Hussey, of High Street, Easterton, was banned for a year and fined £80 when he appeared before Kennet magistrates
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New super HQ for 999 services
THE county's emergency services could be sharing a new super HQ complex at Police Headquarters in Devizes within three years. The three emergency services have also made a radical pledge to merge as many of the police, fire and ambulance stations in towns
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Conservatory appeal
A planning appeal has been lodged against the decision of North Wiltshire District Council to refuse permission for a conservatory and glazed link to a stable building, to be converted into a guest suite, at 7 Monks Lane in Corsham. Any comments can be
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Many hands lighten work
THE lights went up all over Corsham as volunteers helped to line the High Street with festive illuminations. Volunteers from the Defence Communication Services Agency, which has its headquarters at Basil Hill Barracks on the outskirts of the town, turned
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Warning given over backlog of benefits
A severe warning has been given to the company in charge of processing Swindon's benefit claims by the council. More than 5,000 people are facing delays in housing benefit payments after an out-of-date computer system needed to be replaced in September
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'I went from the depths to new heights'
So starts the first few chapters of Michael Scott's autobiography Rehab to Rio, which so far makes depressing reading. A talented writer, he paints an all too graphic picture of the abusive drinking cycle he remained locked in from the age of 26 to 36
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Pantomime banner has been stolen
A banner promoting Swindon's pantomime has disappeared. The five metre long banner, worth £200 and advertising the Wyvern Theatre show Aladdin, was attached by plastic cable ties to railings near Theatre Square. "We would like it back,'' said theatre
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Cyclist in hospital with head injuries after road accident
A cyclist was taken to hospital with head injuries this morning after he was in collision with a car at the Victoria Road/Bath Road junction in Old Town. Traffic from both Bath Road and Victoria Road was jammed as police and paramedics attended the scene
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Cash to boost those in need
Nineteen projects to support the most vulnerable and excluded people in Swindon's community have found out they are to get a slice of £1.2 million of European cash. The money has been unlocked thanks to a successful bid by Swindon Borough Council on behalf
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We'll trap this gang
Police are hunting a gang of burglars who are targeting elderly people in Swindon. A special unit has been set up dedicated to tracking down the thieves. Officers say the gang has already carried out four distraction burglaries in the past week and a
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Rain halts recovery
Further heavy rain has brought to a sudden halt the slow improvement of river and lake levels and the amount of water on the banksides, writes Roland Batten. The Avon and Nadder are both topping their banks and in many places have crept back over on to
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Rail upgrade plan leaves town out in cold
RAILTRACK'S ambitious plan to upgrade the rail network through Wiltshire will not result in a station being opened near Devizes. Railtrack wants to expand the capacity of traffic on the Great Western mainline from London Paddington to Wales. Swindon Railway
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Head praises science and art achievement
FORMER Pewsey Vale School pupil Kim Flippance, a church minister in the Salisbury Diocese, returned to spend a day at her old school and present the prizes at the annual speech day on Tuesday November 28. The Rev Miss Flippance was in her final year at
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Tributes made to a friendly clergyman
The former Bishop of Malmesbury, the Rt Rev Freddy Temple has died at the age of 84. Bishop Temple passed away at Swindon's Princess Margaret Hospital on Sunday after collapsing at his Wootton Bassett home. A former Archdeacon of Swindon for three years
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They're in the squad
Two teenage footballers training with Swindon Town have been getting some intensive instruction from the Army. The pair Chris Collins and Luke Kitchen are both members of the Welsh under 17 football squad. And recently that squad joined forces with the
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Chess success for young players
Wiltshire's under 14 girls chess team suffered the cruellest of defeats when they tied 12 all with the favourites Oxford, but missed out on a place in the English Counties Girls Team finals on a tie break. It was the third year running that the Wiltshire
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Kim gets a taste of pop stardom
Student Kim Brewser can't wait for pop group Texas to release their new single because she's in it. The track Hidden Smile is taken from the group's forthcoming album and is due for release in December. In the video, singer Sharleen Spiteri plays Elvis
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Seasonal cheer on the back of a motorbike
A bikers group has again organised a toy run to deliver Christmas cheer to children at Swindon's Princess Margaret hospital. It will be the eighth year members of Pinkertons Motorcycle Club have delivered the treats and this time it will take place on
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Cars clamped during match
A restaurant has started wheel clamping cars left in its car park by Swindon Town football fans while they watch home games. And some of the fans who have been caught are hopping mad about it and vowing never to use the restaurant again. The row broke
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£13m hospital 'gift'
A MULTI-MILLION pound improvement scheme for Salisbury District Hospital was this week identified as the top priority in Wiltshire Health Authority's spending plans. Costing an estimated £13m, the focus of the scheme is a four-storey block, with each
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Golden locks
Steven Goldsworthy's silky scissor skills have earned him a place in the hairdressing hall of fame. Steven has been voted the Wales and South West hairdresser of the year for the third time in five years. The British Hairdressing Awards are recognised
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Power cuts put shops to test
SHOPKEEPERS in Salisbury's Cross Keys Chequer are counting the cost of power failures which left them in the dark on two consecutive days at the start of the Christmas rush. They were first hit at lunchtime on Thursday, November 23, along with nearly
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School unveils Golding memorial
BISHOP Wordsworth's School commemorated its most famous former master when a cabinet to house books by William Golding and items of Golding memorabilia was unveiled at the school. The Nobel Prize-winning author's daughter, Judy Carver, removed a blue
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Police probe baby's death
A POLICE investigation has begun into the death of a three-month-old baby whose mother discovered her lifeless in her cot at her home in Southbrook, Mere. Caroline Tait, 20, called an ambulance and paramedics tried to resuscitate baby Laura, but the little
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Away kit discount for Centre youngsters
YOUNGSTERS who take part in Swindon Town Soccer centres are being offered a 15-per-cent discount on the new Town away kit. Boys and girls who attend the after-school sessions have until Christmas Eve to take advantage of the offer. The centres are run
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Reserves hit four to beat Luton
TWO goals from Steve Cowe helped Town Reserves to a comfortable 4-2 win over Luton at the County Ground yesterday (Wednesday, November 29). A strong Swindon side, which included four of Colin Todd's summer signings, took the lead in the 13th minute. David
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Thamesdown, tokens, Tories
I have been following with interest the Letters page with reference to the Thamesdown bus tokens, and the views so forcefully expressed by Mr Avenell. As the finance to supply these tokens comes from the council tax, to which we all contribute, and the
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Praise where...
I READ with interest the letter from RC Williams (Debaters are distant November 23) about district councillors taking coffee and biscuits during the Area Meeting on November 13. Many councillors work long hours during the day, and then give their time
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Relatives sought
I HOPE that you may be able to help me. My name is Patricia Black and I am trying to trace relatives of mine who moved to Devizes in 1955 or thereabouts. The family moved from Limerick City 29 Mallow Street and their names are Winifred, her daughters
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Dazzling success
I WOULD like to take this opportunity on behalf of the Chippenham Town Centre Management Partnership to thank everyone involved with the Chippenham Christmas lights switch-on. Many thanks to the endless list of people who contributed towards this event
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Answers please
I READ with considerable interest the articles on the formation of the Marlborough Development Trust. Could someone shed a little more light on this organisation. Who decided such a body was necessary? What are its terms of reference? Who selected the
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GM fight goes on
THE public hearings against the proposal to add the first GM seed to the National Seed List, thereby removing the last legal barrier to grow the CM crop commercially have been postponed indefinitely. The Government discovered tests on the seed prior to
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Boost for market towns
WHAT marvellous news announced recently that the Government has seen the light and is to give £100m to market towns around the countryside that will include Devizes. For too long we have seen larger towns and cities attracting shoppers to their out-of
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How to serve up the birds with tasty meals
WHILE I'm in agreement with the Wiltshire Wildlife Trust's concern over the potential hazard in cheap peanuts for birds, I would like to say that there are many reputable sources of such food. In Devizes I buy from Catleys, Rangebourne and the pet food
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Ineffectual council fails to use the power it has
I AM am not sure why Harry Lewis saw my earlier letter as patronising or why he appears to take it as a character assassination of Coun Quinn when I was simply attempting to draw attention to the ineffectual approach of Calne Town Council compared with
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We must act over climate changes
I'M sure I was not the only reader greatly disappointed to read the negative letter from K R Manns in the Gazette on November 23, in which the writer rubbishes the genuine debate on climate change. Manns asks for evidence that global warming is a product
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Burglar found with large stone in pocket
POLICE were not impressed by 21-year-old Damien Richens' excuse for having a large stone in his pocket when he was stopped near the scene of a break-in. Magistrates at Salisbury were told on Friday November 24, officers did not believe he was planning
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OAPs' homes to be replaced
CRAMMER Court sheltered housing in Devizes could be demolished by Sarsen Housing Association and replaced with more modern accommodation. Sarsen has been in consultation with elderly residents of Crammer Court, in Church Walk, for months and is expected
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Cycling police officers help out youth groups
A GROUP of teenagers at Everleigh, near Pewsey, who have long been complaining of being isolated without any youth facilities, have been given a boost for a project to build a youth shelter by a team of cycling policemen. The officers, Chris Speckman,
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Firm builds on award success
A FAMILY building firm, W Liddiard (Aldbourne) Ltd, of Fortune Field, Baydon, has won through to the Master Builder of the Year national finals in London on December 5. But the company is no stranger to the competition. In 1995 it won the national award
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Band sails the crest of wave
MEMBERS of the Phoenix Brass Band put their musical intruments to one side when they joined the crew of HMS Marlborough. Bass player John Miles, chairman of Phoenix Brass, and his son, Gareth, 28, were invited to spend five days aboard the frigate during
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John had a zest for the game
A former Wiltshire tennis champion has died in Swindon at the age of 69. John Barnett, who played for the Wiltshire tennis team during the 1960s and 1970s, died at the Prospect Hospice. He also played badminton for the Pinehurst club in the Swindon and
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Railtrack hit back over depot
RAILTRACK have attempted to allay residents' fears over plans to store chemicals in the middle of Salisbury. After a widespread outcry, Railtrack said their plans for the east goods yard involve a small area of the derelict sidings to be used as a railhead
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Planting a forest in three easy days
Environment minded volunteers are creating a woodland haven in South Marston. Families gathered at Nightingale Wood to plant 2,000 trees provided by Great Western Community Forest. As part of national tree week the Tree Council aimed to plant around 100,000
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City toasts its 'best-ever' lights show
THE thousands who packed the Market Square for the illumination of the Christmas lights had been promised an event to take the breath away - and they were not disappointed. The spectacular display, on Thursday, November 23, had been preceded by a carol
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Rare great crested newt needs your protection
Wiltshire Wildlife Trust is appealing to people to help save the increasingly rare great crested newt. The country's largest and most endangered newt is strictly protected under UK law it's illegal to even touch them without a licence. But the habitats
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Air base tanker plan 'is not cost effective'
BOSCOMBE Down's bid to house the RAF's new tanker fleet looked close to foundering this week after it emerged that the base used by the current fleet is considered to be more cost-effective. This is according to the Defence Procurement Agency's preliminary
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Costs force nursing home closure
A nursing home which looks after more than 30 vulnerable residents is set to close. Management of the Conifers Nursing Home in Minety point to low levels of funding and increased staffing costs which have forced the move. It is the latest in a string
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Pizza company offers reward after robbery
Police are renewing an appeal for witnesses to come forward after an armed robbery in Old Town. Two Domino's Pizza workers were threatened by a man with a meat cleaver when they tried to deposit a cash bag at a bank. Now the pizza company is offering
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Upper Avon placed in special measures
UPPER Avon School, Durrington, has become the first secondary school in Wiltshire to be placed in special measures. A damning report following an Ofsted inspection earlier this term reveals low standards of teaching and learning in many subjects and poor
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Father's anguish at tragic bomb death
A GRIEVING Wilton man has spoken of his anguish at the death of his son in a car bomb attack in Saudi Arabia. Christopher Rodway (47), a former Salisbury District Hospital engineer who had lived in Netherhampton, was killed instantly when his car exploded
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Wayne's goal
THE man who shot to fame when his spectacular own goal was shown on Match of the Day, has his heart set on joining Swindon Town. Wayne Hatswell, a defender from Moredon, has been in excellent form for Conference side Forest Green Rovers and has already
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Action was logical
NORMALLY I read Mr Allnatt's missives to the Gazette and Herald with a mixture of amusement and incredulity, before dismissing them as the rantings of poor, misguided soul. However his letter last week demands a response, since it names me three times
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Pension pain
On reaching the age of 80 at the beginning of the month, I got an extra 25p. Being on the ordinary pension I qualify for housing benefit and Council Tax benefit. Imaging my surprise today to receive a letter from the Revenue people telling me they had
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Knitting lessons could benefit all councillors
APPEARANCES are important, but Mr Fothergill (letters November 23) should not be too quick to pass judgement. Coun Ruth Coleman says the habit of sometimes knitting during long council sittings helps her concentration. Taking the penetration and value
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No support for vicar
I am amazed you think people should continue to offer support to a vicar who prayed one day he would wake up a woman. Well, I certainly do not support Rev Stone in any way but feel sadness for his family. Either I have got life wrong or do I live in the
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Pleas for hospital
NOW that the new hospital for Swindon and Marlborough is rising rapidly may I make two pleas. First, I very much hope that the car-park will be designed to suit the patients first. At the present hospital most of the parking spaces near to the hospital
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Time for fair share
IT is less than two years ago that the present Tory administration at County Hall, tried, yet again, to spend less than the Standard Spending Assessment per pupil. Parents, teachers, governors and Mr Blunkett protested in order to get pupils a fair share
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Shirley some mistake here?
I'm writing about the changes at BBC Wiltshire Sound. Spending most of my time at home, I have always enjoyed listening to the radio; in fact I hardly watch television, but I must say that for the first time in many years I have now turned my two radios
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Thanks for money
THE North Wilts Group of Amnesty International wishes to thank two local donors for their substantial donations towards the work of Amnesty International. It has received £400 from St Andrew's Church and £364 from a local resident. This money will be
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...praise is due
IT would be very inappropriate to allow three recent instances of optimum efficiency, on the parts of local emergency services to pass unrecorded. My home, adjacent to the River Avon, near Chippenham, was flooded and within eight hours the water from
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Help appreciated
MAY I thank the Marlborough Carnival Committee and all those who helped them for their donation of £835 to the funds of East Wilts Mencap. We draw our money from Marlborough and the surrounding area. The money will be used most carefully to help all our
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Chippenham well prepared for cup testRugby
Chippenham 25, Marlow 3 CHIPPENHAM followed up last weekend's revitalising away win at league leaders Slough with another comfortable home win against mid-table Marlow. In an entertaining game played in difficult conditions Chippenham, fielding the same
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Appeal blooms
THE Poppy Appeal in Chippenham this year has raised more than £18,000. Credit for this must go to those who gave their time for the collection, to shops and businesses for their support and to the people for their generosity. To all of them a big thank
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Hunt on for hosts
I AM hoping to find more friendly, hospitable people to join a local network of volunteer hosts offering invitations to international students. At present there are 37 of us in the Swindon area, each offering one or two invitations a year, to a variety
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Hospital views
I AM writing to thank all those who have sent in comments on our consultation document "Proposals for future services at the new Savernake Hospital." I would like to give some feedback on the comments. The written comments were, with one exception, positive
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An example of courage
The opening chapters of Michael Scott's autobiography are a shocking, but sadly typical, description of an alcoholic's downward slide. But Michael's story is one of hope, and an example to anyone struggling to come to terms with the same problem that
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The elderly must be on their guard
There can be few crimes as depressing and despicable as those which target the vulnerable. Included in that category are crimes against the elderly. They are often targeted by burglars who prey on their victims by pretending to be officials calling at
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Wayne's goal
THE man who shot to fame when his spectacular own goal was shown on Match of the Day, has his heart set on joining Swindon Town. Wayne Hatswell, a defender from Moredon, has been in excellent form for Conference side Forest Green Rovers and has already
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Policy is short of alternatives
WHILE the Government is looking at boosting the economy of market towns in its Rural White Paper, Kennet District Council seems intent on shooting itself in the foot. Its proposals to put up parking charges at the Station Road car park in Devizes is exactly
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Tree group digging in as axe is sharpened
RESIDENTS and business people have reacted with fury to the recent felling of a plane tree in Devizes Market Place and have sworn to defend the remaining four. Kennet District Council says the trees are in poor condition and will have to be replaced sooner
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Tattoo is the proof of Becks' stupidity
Clown of the week David Beckham may be a great footballer, but what a wally. It appears his latest tattoo, an entirely unpretentious Hindi effort, is spelt wrong. There is an extra 'H' in Victoria. Doh! Everything he does off the field adds to the abuse
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A Brit of a shambles if you ask me
HOME Secretary Jack Straw is keen on the idea of a Great Britain football team. No-one else is. Aside from the fact the other three nations have such a paucity of talent that they have to draw most of their players from the Nationwide League, anti-English
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A Gnome Office appeal
A STOLEN garden gnome has taken up temporary residence at Calne Police Station. Officers have launched their own Find The Gnome A Home campaign and are appealing for Gazette readers' help. The gnome, which is believed to have been stolen, was handed in
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Mounds of evidence for an alien invasion
THE possibility that human intelligence originated from interbreeding with alien visitors who created monuments such as Silbury Hill is explored in Devizes writer John Cowie's first book. Mr Cowie, who in his career has been a senior executive with several
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Last call for the chief inspector
OFSTED boss Chris Woodhead spent his last working day as chief schools inspector visiting Derry Hill Primary School. Mr Woodhead, who resigned earlier this month, had high praise for the school after accepting an invitation to see improvements made in
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Mum supports sex change vicar
THE mother of sex change vicar Rev Carol Stone has told of her gladness that her child has found happiness. Rev Stone said this week she is ready to return to her congregation after the sex change operation that changed her into a woman. Audrey Stone,
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Authority pleased at flu jab numbers
ALMOST half the people who are eligible for a flu jab in Wiltshire have been vaccinated. Wiltshire Health Authority says it is delighted at the take-up and is hoping more people at risk will come forward for the jabs. Meanwhile the health authority is
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School's waste deep in glory
DERRY Hill Primary School has been given a gold award from Wiltshire Wildlife Trust for collecting ten tonnes of paper for recycling. The school was one of five in Wiltshire to be presented with a certificate last week. Wiltshire Wildlife Trust's education
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Book a place near library
RETAILERS and businesses are being sought for the six new units and first-floor office space being provided as part of the phase two development in Calne. The phase two development includes a self-contained ground floor library, six shops and 14 social
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Council bids to end allotment rumours
CALNE Town Council says every effort is being made to get four proposed new allotment sites up and running as soon as possible. It decided last month to sell off the Newcroft allotment site to raise funds to buy 30 acres of playing field space, despite
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Wait is all in a good Claus
AN impatient Santa Claus has already made his appearance in Calne, but residents will have to wait until Friday December 1 to see the Christmas lights switched on. Father Christmas has been clearly visible dangling from the clock tower of the town hall
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Solicitor throws out conduct complaint
NORTH Wiltshire District Council solicitor Pete Jeremiah has decided not to act on a complaint that councillors behaved improperly when deciding the future of the former Goldiggers nightclub. Coun Philip Allnatt claimed Tory leader, Coun Toby Sturgis
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Casting a wish for panto story
NOT even floods could dampen the panto spirit of the Athelstan Players in Malmesbury. The group was left with nowhere to rehearse their show, Humpty Dumpty, after the clubroom on the Flying Monk playing fields was flooded with two feet of water, and it
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Window on Wootton Bassett
Scouts prepared to deliver The 1st Wootton Bassett Scout Group will benefit again this year from the Christmas card delivery scheme for which special post-boxes will be available from this weekend at Budgens, the Library, Haine and Smith and Radways.
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Asbestos is blamed for death of electrician
Southern Electricity Board bosses did not advise electrician Michael McDonald to wear a mask or clothing during his years of working with asbestos in the 1960s and 70s, an inquest heard. His regular exposure to the material during his work in the Swindon
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Homes will be built on the Front Garden
THE fight for Swindon's Front Garden came to an end when 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 to adopt the
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Women take to catwalk
MEMBERS of the Wiltshire Women's Institute took to the catwalk on monday for the group's main event of the year. Women from across the county came along for the WI fashion show which was held at the Ellendune Centre in Wroughton. With more than 180 people
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Pair set off on trip to Africa
MARK Heenan and Daniel Bowerman, of Wootton Bassett, have begun an overland expedition by Land Rover through Africa, to help an orphanage building project in Malawi. The two science graduates have volunteered to oversee construction work at Mzuzu. The
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Churches celebrate millenniumCricket
TRIBUTES poured in at the United Churches' millennium dinner on Saturday November 25. Former players and friends from around the world, opposition captains, some county players and a few Test cricketers and commentators - all with cricket and some kind
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Nightclub site quiz
COUNCIL bosses are turning to the people for ideas on the future of the former Goldiggers nightclub building in Chippenham. Exhibitions and a special questionnaire will be launched on Monday so residents across the district can help decide what to do
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Homes will be built on the Front Garden
THE fight for Swindon's Front Garden came to an end when 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 to adopt the
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Call for town to fund multi-storey car park
TRADERS and business people in Chippenham have expressed fears about totally inadequate car parking included in the revised plans for the Flowers and Riverside site. At a Town Centre Forum meeting last week, officers from North Wiltshire District Council
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Tributes pour in to popular Morris man
FRIENDS and family have paid tribute to popular Chippenham gardening enthusiast and Morris dancer Valentino Legumi, who died suddenly after a dancing event on Sunday November 26. Mr Legumi, 64, joined his friends in Chippenham Morris at an event with
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Swimmer has golden touch
SYNCHRONISED swimming star Sherry Beabey returned from a national competition on Sunday November 26 with a gold medal. Mrs Beabey, of Avon Road, Malmesbury, won a gold in the duet section of the 8th National Masters Synchronised Swimming Competition held
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Climbers' bid for the top helps world kids
A TEAM of Malmesbury climbers joined a record-breaking effort for the largest simultaneous mountain climb, to raise money for Children's Aid Direct. Chris Tuff, Ian Marsh and Nigel Buck of Inc (UK) Ltd, based in Malmesbury, were joined by Nigel's brother
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Packs of fun for young readers
READING has become a more interesting experience for the youngest pupils at Walter Powell School in Great Somerford since parents, teachers and the local community got together to produce story packs. The packs are small handmade bags which contain books
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Two pool their talents to make 2000 special
ARTISTS Janet Longden and Judy Snowdon decided to put their village on the map to mark the millennium. And that's just what they've done - by creating a colourful map of Fovant. Their illustrated map forms a portrait of their village since its founding
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Expert keeps date at palace
A WOMAN who has spent 33 years working in the field of biotechnology, received her MBE from the Queen at Buckingham Palace on Friday. Brenda Mortimer, who has lived in Marlborough for the past ten years, works for the Biotechnology and Biological Research
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Net a painting
ART lovers will not have to leave their armchair to see the latest works by Marlborough artists, thanks to a new Christmas exhibition on the Internet. It has been put together by Maureen Bradbury, of Kingsbury Street, and will feature many of the artists
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Hamlet fights to halt new industrial plan
RESIDENTS in Sharcott, near Pewsey fear the peace and tranquillity of the hamlet will be destroyed if a former potato store is converted into workshops making exhibition stands. They want Kennet District Council planners to throw out an application for
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Carnival couple bow out to tie the knot
THE chairman and the treasure of Marlborough Carnival Committee, Ian Philpott and Vicky Gray, have bowed out on a high note with record proceeds of more than £5,000 being distributed to charities at the annual meeting. Mr Philpott, who has been involved
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Campaigners up for the cup
YOUNG BMX riders and skateboard enthusiasts who are aiming to build one of the largest indoor parks for their sport in the country, have received one of the highest awards from Youth Action Wiltshire. It recognises the youngsters' efforts for the Shak
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Spy camera bid for town centre
CCTV security cameras could soon be used in Pewsey and Marlborough to combat the growing problem of shoplifting. The use of security television cameras, already proving successful in Chippenham, has taken a step forward with the commissioning of a feasibility
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Needle attacker is jailed for five years
A SECURITY guard has spoken of his delight after a drug addict who stabbed him with a used needle was jailed for five years. Nigel Wright, who feared he had been infected with the HIV virus in the attack, said he was "very glad" with the sentence handed
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Booking in for pages of fun
THERE was a magical feel at Ivy Lane School this week when pupils celebrated their book week in style by wearing fancy dress to welcome author David Orme. For the second year running, all the staff and pupils dressed up as their favourite book and children's
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Solicitor throws out conduct complaint
NORTH Wiltshire District Council solicitor Pete Jeremiah has decided not to act on a complaint that councillors behaved improperly when deciding the future of the former Goldiggers nightclub. Coun Philip Allnatt claimed Tory leader, Coun Toby Sturgis
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No set murder
A MURDER mystery featuring a play within a play is the latest production from Neston Drama Group. Murder in Company will be staged at the Memorial Hall from November 30 to December 2 at 7.30pm. Tickets, £4 and £3 for children, can be booked by calling
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Library opens Internet to all
A NEW Learning Access Point at Chippenham Library will give people without computers a chance to surf the web and brush up on IT skills. The Access Point, which comprises five PCs, each offering office software, printing, scanning and desk-top publishing
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Pool to close
CHIPPENHAM'S Olympiad Leisure Centre is to close its swimming pool and sports hall during the Christmas school holidays to carry out maintenance work. Martyn Dipper, spokesman for North Wiltshire Leisure Limited, said the electrical system around the
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Ambulance service plans to move HQ
THE ambulance service plans to switch its Wiltshire headquarters from Chippenham to Devizes. Chief executive Dennis Lauder said the move from Malmesbury Road, Chippenham, would coincide with the opening of the three emergency services' joint communications
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Anger after paedophileis jailed for 12 years
THE father of a girl sexually abused by children's magician David Payne has slammed the rapist's 12 year jail sentence, saying it is not enough. Choking back tears, the dad said Payne could be free after just six years if he behaves well in prison. "It
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Highworth News
Samaritans On December 7, The Samaritans are holding an open evening from 6pm to 10pm in the Council Rooms. The Swindon branch is around 35 volunteers short of the number needed to guarantee the service locally. The branch needs anyone who can offer around
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Beans means lots of cash
A MAN sitting in a bath of beans greeted puzzled drinkers at Highworth Town football club. Dave Evans, 34, decided to spend an uncomfortable 24 hours to raise funds for a youngster with cerebral palsy. His ordeal will hopefully net the £1,000 needed to
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First meeting with The Moors
Salisbury City and Moor Green meet for the first time in their history in one of only two Dr Martens Premier Division games being played this weekend (December 2 and 3). With the majority of clubs involved in FA Trophy 2nd Round ties, victory for Whites
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Washout causes fixture list chaos
The torrential rain that swept across the south-west on Saturday, November 25, again caused major disruption to the Salisbury area's football programme. Just two of the ten matches involving our senior sides were playable as the downpour wreaked havoc
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Last minute strike settles 11-goal derbyChippenham Sunday League
SHOWER power ruled as the rain disrupted the programme of the Shoestring's sponsored Chippenham League for a fifth successive week, with just 13 out of the planned 30 league and cup matches surviving the elements. The Fourth Division match between Westbury
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Rogers confident despite defeatScrewfix Direct League
Ilfracombe 3, Pewsey Vale 0 PEWSEY Vale manager Don Rogers still remains confident that his troops can survive, despite the 3-0 loss at Ilfracombe pushing them closer towards the drop from the First Division. Saturday's loss puts a lot of pressure on
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Switch of venue pays off for VicsWilts Senior Cup
Biddestone 1, Malmesbury Vics 3 THE Vics agreed to play this Wilts Senior Cup tie at Biddestone's second choice pitch as their own Flying Monk ground was still unplayable after another week of inclement weather. Both sides played their part in an entertaining
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New super HQ for 999 services
THE county's emergency services could be sharing a new super HQ complex at Police Headquarters in Devizes within three years. The three emergency services have also made a radical pledge to merge as many of the police, fire and ambulance stations in towns
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Character cat wins back life
WHEN Nikki Greening saw her cat Jock, after he had been hit by a car, she did not believe he would survive. Four-year-old Jock suffered horrific injuries and had to undergo three operations, but against all the odds he survived and is now back home. He
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Work starts to keep old courts in good shape
WORK is due to begin this week to make the Assize Courts in Northgate Street, Devizes watertight and secure for the winter. It follows a report to a recent meeting of Kennet District Council's planning and development committee where the current condition
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Exhibition is on the money
A NOTEWORTHY exhibition has opened at the Wiltshire Heritage Museum in Devizes, showing the history of banking in Devizes, Marlborough, Trowbride and Salisbury. Coins and banknotes are a particular interest of the museum's curator, Dr Paul Robinson, and
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Battle heating up over rise in parking charges
ANGRY town councillors are to lobby Kennet District Council to reduce the proposed increase in charges at the Station Road car park. The hourly charge is set to rise from 15p to 35p and the all day charge will go up 80p to £1.50 from next April. Season
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Council pledges £5,000to new village play area
MARKET Lavington Parish Council has approved a grant of £5,000 towards a children's playground in the Fiddington Clay area of the village. A meeting of the parish council voted unanimously to make the grant so that work could begin as soon as possible
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Hole lot of problems as part of pitch sinks
OFFICIALS and players at Devizes Town Football Club experienced a sinking feeling this week which had nothing to do with their excellent performance in the league. The extremely wet weather this year is being blamed for the return of a problem the club
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Ancient order salutes nurse's years of service
NURSE Cathy South is to be invested as a member of the Order of St John after 28 years of voluntary service with St John Ambulance. Ms South, 36, of Elley Green, Neston, near Corsham, will be admitted as a serving sister and presented with the insignia
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Tributes pour in to popular Morris man
Friends and family have paid tribute to popular Chippenham gardening enthusiast and Morris dancer Valentino Legumi, who died suddenly after a dancing event on Sunday, November 26. Mr Legumi, 64, who worked as a gardener for Hygrade at Corsham, joined
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Tree will light up many lives
Prospect Hospice has taken delivery of a 25ft Christmas tree. The fir tree, which has been donated by Savernake Forest, is part of the Light a Life celebration, where people are invited to sponsor a light on the tree to celebrate the life of someone special
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Driver dies after M4 crash chaos
The driver of a foreign goods vehicle involved in a collision on the M4 motorway near Swin-don has died. Doctors at Princess Margaret Hospital's intensive care unit struggled to save 20-year-old Belgian man Davy Dierckx for six hours. His parents were
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I'm marrying Diana Dors!
Swindon's very own Diana Dors lookalike has announced she is to wed. But unlike her screen idol, 23-year-old Sharon Maidment says that when she marries Nathan Woodhouse next year it will be the first and last time she walks down the aisle. The real Diana
