Archive
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Gallery opens
An art gallery featuring work by textile artists will be open in Corsham in the two weeks before Christmas. Last year's festival gallery attracted more than 1,000 people. The gallery will be open at the Red Forge in Station Road from December 8 to 22
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New exhibition catches the last post
A VILLAGE post office used by Prince Philip when he was based near Corsham has been lovingly recreated at a Bath museum. Neston Post Office has been painstakingly put together exactly as it was until its closure 40 years ago. The post office was used
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Cash boost for Pound Art Centre
CHRISTMAS has come early for The Pound Art Centre in Corsham. The centre has been granted £5,000 of National Lottery money through the Awards for All Scheme, which supports community projects. The money will be used to subsidise up to 40 young people
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'Tables do not tell the whole story'
SCHOOLS in north Wiltshire were celebrating the achievements of their pupils this week but said the Government statistics did not show everything. John Cairns, deputy head of Hardenhuish School, Chippenham, said: "We are very pleased with the school's
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Party guests raise cash for cancer unit
SNOOKER star Stephen Lee and Lord Bath were among the guests to celebrate the first birthday of a Trowbridge restaurant. They joined Trowbridge mayor Jeff Osborn and other civic guests and loyal customers at the Tale of Spice Indian restaurant, in Castle
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Video chain has new store
BLOCKBUSTER Video opened its new store in Chippenham on November 23. The company has taken over the site of the former Made In America shop in Hathaway Retail Park. The shop will stock videos, DVDs and video games and will also sell snacks and refreshments
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Car parts arrests
THREE men were arrested in Westbury on suspicion of stealing hundreds of pounds worth of car parts. Police were called to Brook Road on Wednesday night (November 21) after receiving reports of a suspicious van in the area. A 39-year-old man and 18-year-old
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Business is broken into
EQUIPMENT worth more than £20,000 was stolen from a Westbury company. Thieves broke into a business unit in Petticoat Lane on Saturday night and stole steel disc cutters, arc welders and other building equipment worth £6,100. The offenders then broke
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Vision for town
NEW president of the Warminster Chamber of Trade and Commerce John Agate will try to tackle the burning issues in the town over the next 18 months. Mr Agate, who was elected president last week, is determined to fight against parking charges and hopes
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Bank branch counts to 100
HSBC Bank celebrated the 100th birthday of its Salisbury branch last week, giving customers the opportunity to imagine what the industry was like in the early 1900s. Managers and staff donned period costume and one of the rooms was furnished in period
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Air quality will be monitored
AIR quality management areas have finally been established in Westbury and Bradford on Avon. West Wiltshire District Council chose the areas after it carried out extensive consultation with the public in the two towns. Area environmental health officer
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Shop destroyed by fire reopens its doors
THE longest serving member of staff at Dorothy Perkins, Warminster, has reopened the new-look shop. Sandra Twitchen has been a sales adviser for eight-and-a-half years and was delighted to be invited to cut the ribbon. The Warminster branch of Dorothy
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Autogas pump for Countrywide
HTV weather presenter Joanna Rice opened an Autogas facility at the Countrywide Store, Melksham. Countrywide Energy is developing a network of Autogas pumps. Anyone with a company account is issued with a key allowing them to fill up at any Countrywide
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Lorry is ready
THE first lorry is packed and ready to go and will take gift-filled shoeboxes to the Ukraine in the first week of December for Operation Christmas Child. Kay Durrant will also make a long journey to Eastern Europe on December 14 with some of the boxes
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Plea for school crossing patrol
A PRIMARY school in Melksham which has been without a crossing patrol for three years is appealing for an explanation. Local county councillor Terry Chivers has written to Wiltshire County Council's education chief Bob Wolfson about the situation at Shaw
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Blood donors receive awards for pints
Nine Melksham blood donors have reached a landmark to be proud of. Margaret Moon, Pamela Pantall, Cynthia Canfield, Archie Hinton, Barrie Snook and Geoffrey Newman have donated blood 50 times. Alan Biggs, Brian Vincent and Anthony Brown have reached their
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Coins needed
What will you do with your spare foreign currency in February 2002 when the euro is introduced? Will you: a) toss it in the bin; b) stash it under the bed in the hope that one day it might gain value; or c) put it to good use by placing the spare coins
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Art captures the business mission
IT Services company Software Solutions, Swindon College and South Swindon MP Julia Drown popped the champagne corks at the firm's Dorcan headquarters to celebrate the finals of their art competition. The competition, won by student Claire Philpott, was
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Soocer players held two-minute silence
I WRITE in reply to Mrs Oliver's letter (Wiltshire Times November 16) Is this the way to show respect? It has left me shocked and angry. I would like to put the record straight with regard to the players of Trowbridge Town Colts and Atworth United, who
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Lorry is ready
THE first lorry is packed and ready to go and will take gift-filled shoeboxes to the Ukraine in the first week of December for Operation Christmas Child. Kay Durrant will also make a long journey to Eastern Europe on December 14 with some of the boxes
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History in patchwork
Comedian Roy Hudd took a journey through village history when the Staverton Millennium Tapestry went on show in a national exhibition. The tapestry joined 20 others from around the country judged to be the best in a nationwide search by Yours magazine
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Undercover kids catch rogue traders
A CRACKDOWN on stores who sell restricted goods to underage youths could lead to more spot checks by trading standards. Officers at Wiltshire County Council's trading standards tested 71 stores in the county last month by sending 13-year-old children
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Customers told to check dry cleaners
TRADING standards officers are warning people in Wiltshire to check the credentials of their dry cleaners after a number of complaints over clothes and soft furnishings. People in the county have complained about ruined wedding dresses, expensive suits
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The mole in our midst?
A MAN from Chapmanslade has got down to the final four in Channel 5's cult game show, The Mole. Chris Lintern, 27, could walk away with up to £200,000 if he wins the competition but he could also be revealed as a saboteur who has been trying to undermine
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Remember lost loved ones
DOROTHY House is inviting people to remember loved ones by lighting up Christmas trees in towns throughout the area. Those who wish to take part should send a donation and a name to Dorothy House and in return the charity will send a card to acknowledge
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New life-saving vehicle
CAMPAIGN: Wiltshire firefighters have helped designed a tailor-made machine to make the brigade's response to road traffic accidents even more effective. TREVOR PORTER reports. Wiltshire Fire Brigade has designed its own, purpose-built Emergency Support
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Sport wins £2.1m help from grant
SPORT in Wiltshire has received a major boost this week with a £2.1m grant from the National Lottery. The money, from the New Opportunities Fund, will be used to create new sporting facilities and to modernise existing services. Bob Wolfson, Wiltshire's
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Pubs may stay open on Sunday
NEW legislation could allow Wiltshire pubs to have late night drinking on Sundays. The Government has changed the law in the last 12 months, which could mean drinking hours are extended until 12.30am on Monday mornings and up to 2am if the next day is
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Mixed fortunes for village teams
TROWBRIDGE LEAGUE: BROUGHTON Gifford's two sides had mixed fortunes in the preliminary round of the Knockout Cup (sponsored by DL Windows and Conservatories of Chippenham). Broughton's first team travelled to Rudloe, where the home side fought very hard
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Street 8, Warminster Town 0
WARMINSTER Town's season of woe in the First Division continued as they were hammered at the Tannery Ground on Saturday 17 November. The score-line reflects the overall superiority that Street, managed by former Warminster boss Gerry Pearson, had throughout
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Wes in command
BOXING: Trowbridge light middleweight Wes Page wasted no time as he booked his passage into the semi-finals of this season National Novice Championships. He took command from the start in his clash with Waterlooville's Andy Jarvis at Lymington and the
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Rankin's ready to step aside
Calne Town Paul Rankin says he is prepared to resign if his side's dismal fortunes continue. Rankin's men remain second-from-bottom of the Screwfix Direct League First Division following their 6-0 hammering at the hands of high-flying Exmouth Town on
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Pupils paint a picture of peace
young artists from Trowbridge and Warminster have been picked as the local winners of the 13th annual international peace poster competition run by the Lions. Xanthia Hallissey, of the John of Gaunt School, was picked as the Trowbridge winner. She came
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Rowing right behind
TWO teams have already finished the world's toughest rowing race, but a man from Warminster is not too far behind. Will Mason has teamed up with Tim Thurman from Grimsby to tackle The Ward Evans Atlantic Rowing Challenge, which has a 2,900 nautical mile
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Anger over collection fees
CAMPAIGN: CHARITIES and voluntary groups in Codford, near Warminster, say they are being conned by West Wiltshire District Council over charges for their rubbish collection. The 1st Codford Cub Group has just received a bill for nearly £300, which describes
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Residents shocked as mast appears
RESIDENTS of a west Wiltshire village said they were fooled into thinking they had won a battle against a new phone mast. Many thought public pressure had forced the mobile phone company Orange to shelve plans for a 15-metre mast in Heytesbury, near Warminster
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Lions clubs sponsor youngsters
FOLLOWING interviews of local candidates, Warminster Lions Club is sponsoring 15-year-old Ashleigh Price for this year's Lions Clubs Youth Award Scheme. She was singled out after her presentation about helping the 1st Warminster Brownies, and was awarded
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Pubs may stay open on Sunday
NEW legislation could allow Wiltshire pubs to have late night drinking on Sundays. The Government has changed the law in the last 12 months, which could mean drinking hours are extended until 12.30am on Monday mornings and up to 2am if the next day is
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Shop destroyed by fire reopens its doors
THE longest serving member of staff at Dorothy Perkins, Warminster, has reopened the new-look shop. Sandra Twitchen has been a sales adviser for eight-and-a-half years and was delighted to be invited to cut the ribbon. The Warminster branch of Dorothy
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Father's quest for truth
A man who has been tortured by the death of his 17-year-old son for more than a decade is hoping the truth surrounding the teenager's death will be revealed when the case is re-heard next spring. Chris Coyne, of Warminster, claims key witnesses withheld
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All the local football fixtures
SKURRAYS WILTSHIRE LEAGUE Premier Division: Aldbourne v Melksham Town Res, Biddestone v Trowbridge town, Cricklade Town v Bradford Town, Devizes Town Res v Wroughton, Marlborough Town v Malmesbury Vic Res, Purton Res v Westbury Utd Res, Stratton Cross
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Chippenham to march on
Tommy Saunders takes his table-topping Chippenham Town side to Redditch tomorrow, hoping to put a little distance between his troops and the chasing pack. Two of Town's fellow title challengers face tough away games, with second and third-placed Solihull
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Melksham hoping to keep up their outstanding run
Melksham Town host neighbours Odd Down in the Premier Division tomorrow. Robbie Lardner's side are in sparkling form, having lost just once in 14 outings, with the single defeat coming at champions Taunton. Another win at the Conigre tomorrow will propel
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Land of discovery
From hardcore off-roading to the school run, the Land Rover Discovery has uni-versal appeal. It is easy to see why. Big, bold styling and robust lines have made the Discovery something of a classic in the 4x4 world and to back this up it has all the engineer-ing
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Car of the Year
Peugeot has added to its many accolades by winning the automotive industry's prestigious award of Car of the Year 2002, for its recently launched 307. I was impressed with the car when I tested it briefly on launch and which I hope to test fully in the
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Cash stolen
THIEVES stole £50 from the Drinkwater Unit at the Bradford on Avon hospital sometime between the evening of Friday November 16 and the morning of Monday November 19. Anyone with any information is asked to contact Bradford on Avon police.
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Remember lost loved ones
DOROTHY House is inviting people to remember loved ones by lighting up Christmas trees in towns throughout the area. Those who wish to take part should send a donation and a name to Dorothy House and in return the charity will send a card to acknowledge
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Choir concert
THE Silver Ring Choir of Bath will be performing a concert of Christmas words and music at Holy Trinity Church, Bradford on Avon on Saturday December 8. The concert will be for Cancer Research and the music will range from Rutter to Rossini. For more
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23/11/01
IT'S difficult to forget about the derby defeat at Bristol last Sunday when you look at the Zurich Premiership table and our position in it. As I said last week, derbies are special games, but whoever we play, we want to get the points in the bag and
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Barn hides old ruins
MEDIEVAL ruins have been discovered by builders restoring the Tithe Barn in Bradford on Avon. The discoveries include a hearth, kiln and stretch of road, which were investigated and dated by archaeologists earlier this summer. Project manager Mike Sinfield
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Man dives for his art
PHOTOGRAPHER Ed Whiting's passion for diving has completely changed the way he works. For five years, Mr Whiting, who lives near Westbury, has specialised in underwater photography and has travelled all over the world in the name of art. His work, which
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Bath suffer big defeat in derby humiliation
SORRY Bath crashed to their second successive Memorial Stadium defeat as Bristol Shoguns steamrollered them into submission in a dismal West Country derby. And helping them on their way back to the Premiership basement was one of their old boys, hooker
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Another view
THE media of late has reported items bemoaning the care of the elderly in the region. Our recent experience of the services given to our mother during her terminal illness is in sharp contrast to this. The level of care, understanding and kindness during
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Paella's off! Maggs back to the bread and butter...
KEVIN Maggs (pictured, above) admits that he wouldn't have minded joining some of his Ireland teammates soaking up the Spanish sun this week. After their recent international exertions, many of the Emerald Isle's finest have taken advantage to take a
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Memories of town's lost hotel
WHAT pure delight is Trevor Porter's Then and Now column. The current series of Trowbridge's lost buildings is especially interesting. The Roundstone never had the cachet of the George but I have happy memories of one or two people there in the 1940s.
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Here comes the cavalry
JON Callard may be the most relieved man in British rugby come Sunday night. When the final whistle goes on Wales's clash against Australia in Cardiff, it should herald the end of the Bath coach's autumn nightmare. After two months in which the international
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Concert thanks
WE had a wonderful time at the Riverside Inn at Bradford on Avon On Sunday November 18. I would like to thank everyone who helped make this a memorable tribute to Sonia Lowrey, from the musicians who gave so freely of their time, to the traders who so
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Planning department seems to be in disarray
I READ with interest the piece by your reporter Morwenna Blake on page 23 of the Wiltshire Times November 16 about the change in planning allocation of the Green Lane site still required by the County Education Authority for a secondary school. We could
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De-light-ful
HUNDREDS turned out to see Swindon town centre's Christmas lights switched on Thursday night. Rod, Jane and Freddy of the 1980s children's TV programme, Rainbow, performed the grand ceremony. More than 300 people gathered outside Debenhams in The Parade
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Turbine plan is on agenda
PLANS to build five wind turbines on land between Coleshill and Watchfield will be discussed at a public meeting tonight (Friday). More than 100 homeowners are expected to discuss the issue at the meeting at Watchfield Village Hall from 7.30pm. People
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23/11/01
DERBY defeats are always painful, but last weekend's 31-17 defeat to Bristol was especially disappointing for everyone involved with the club. The week prior to the match had been good. There was a real 'derby' feeling within the squad and morale was
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It's over
THE battle to save Swindon's Front Garden from development has been lost. The High Court today threw out a bid to block the building of 3,800 homes between the town and the M4 motorway. It ends years of campaigning by members of the Front Garden Action
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New scheme to buy online
ONLINE buying has been taken to the next step by a Trowbridge-based purchasing and distribution firm. The Consortium has placed a 1,100 page catalogue of 30,000 items on the internet with a free buying system for local authorities, public companies, charities
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Virgin is upwardly mobile
VIRGIN Mobile is celebrating its second birthday this week having beaten its business targets. When the company set up on the White Horse Business Park in 1999, it planned to employ 1,500 people within three to five years. It employs 1,300 people already
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Wildlife centre appeal lodged
BUSINESSMAN Tom Rothschild has launched an appeal against West Wiltshire District Council's decision not to allow his plans for a wildlife and wetlands centre near Trowbridge. Mr Rothschild, who is currently embroiled in a planning appeal over the development
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Caf project well under way
WORK on the Chicago Rock Caf in Trowbridge is progressing well. The builders moved in eight weeks ago and the project looks set to meet its completion date in mid-February. Steve Dennis, director of Luminar Leisure, the company behind the project, said
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Ladder climb for charity
Trowbridge firefighters climbed to new heights on Saturday, November 18 all in aid of charity. The team of firemen staged a sponsored ladder climb in the town's Shires shopping centre, with ladders spanning the complex's three floors. The event, to raise
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Legion celebrates 80 years
CELEBRATIONS and rewards were the order of the day when the Royal British Legion, women's sections, held their annual Wiltshire county conference and prizegiving at the Trowbridge Civic Hall. The Royal British Legion is celebrating its 80th anniversary
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Fears over police plan
WILTSHIRE police have tried to calm fears that the new station planned for Trowbridge will endanger lives. Chief Superintendent Martin Abbott and Inspector Jon Tapper attended a meeting of Trowbridge Town Council on Tuesday, November 10, to give a presentation
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Family distraught after baby's death
THE DEATH of a one-month-old baby in Trowbridge has left a family in tatters. Baby Joshua Neil Baker, of Westfield Close, was rushed to hospital on Sunday morning (November 18) but there was nothing doctors could do to save his life. John Baker, 18, and
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Family tragedy
TROWBRIDGE man Peter Trapp has died from a genetic disorder that affects only 20 people in the world. The 46-year-old draughtsman died on Tuesday night (November 20) in his wife Terina's arms at their home in Chirton Place. The couple lived with the knowledge
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Christmas the American way
FROM its beginning in 1995, Christmas at the American Museum has grown into one of the high points of the Bath Christ-mas scene. Situated in Claverton, the decorations, which are the work of the museum's volunteer guides, fall into two categories the
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Does Lyneham have a chance?
AIR chief and Ministry of Defence bosses announced last week the future of RAF Lyneham was being reviewed. They said the imminent arrival of the A400M cargo planes had sparked the need for the review, which had to decide whether to base the entire transporter
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Christmas matches
ONCE again the annual Christmas matches are approaching and this is the time of the year when there is a wealth of prizes on offer, with most clubs holding either open of members' events. Every year many anglers who do not normally participate in angling
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Yellow is the sporting choice
LIGHTNING Yellow is the only colour for a Limited Edition of Vauxhall's VX220. It also gets a yellow hard top (normally £1200 extra), and black leather interior. The final goodie is a CD radio. Available next month, the price is £24,995. MAZDA is bringing
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Back on the Range
TAKE a look at the brand new Range Rover, which goes on sale next February. Then ask yourself what's so new about it. As you can see on Page One, the interior is stylish enough to win a Design Council award for svelte furnishing. But the exterior shape
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Honda tops the list for reliability
HONDA has been named Britain's most reliable car maker. The Accord is the top company car, with the Civic also in the top 10, says a survey by Fleet News. The research, involving 620,000 vehicles run by leasing companies, finds that the Swindon-built
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Would you want a used car salesman for Christmas ?
AS WE approach December, traditionally one of the quiet periods of the car trade, used-car dealers have been warned that they need to work on a quicker turnover of vehicles. Speed is of the essence, and dealers must "develop new skills to keep sales ticking
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Trains with mirrors on their ceilings
HELEN FRYER is a student from Covingham who is spending a year in the French city of Lille, working at the Pasteur Institute. Helen, 21, is a student at Keele University, where she is studying French and biology. Well, I have been moving about a bit lately
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Taking aim to boost numbers
TERRITORIAL Army members in Swindon are sending out the message "come and join us." The TA Centre in Church Place was the venue for a Bring a Mate Night on Tuesday. Ten potential new recruits went along to have a look at the capabilities of the TA on
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Battle plan to save Lyneham
BATTLE lines are being drawn in the fight to keep RAF Lyneham open. Shadow Defence Minister James Gray warned last week the base was under threat if Brize Norton in Oxfordshire is chosen as the home of a new transport fleet. Now Mr Gray, who is also the
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Team scores another win
A SWINDON sporting society whose football team recorded the last ever victory at Wembley Stadium has managed to notch up another success. The Swindon Irish Golf Society formed a team last year to play the last ever competitive match at Wembley after winning
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RSPCA wants animal carers
ANIMAL charity the RSPCA is in desperate need of volunteers for animal fosterers in Wiltshire. Numbers of stray and unwanted animals are increasing in the county, and transfer to rehoming centres is not always possible. Also as the majority of missing
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Scheme to beat violence
THE CHIEF Constable of Wiltshire Police last night appealed to Swindon councillors to throw their weight and money behind a bid to clamp down on domestic violence. Elizabeth Neville made an impassioned plea for help on the issue, which she said had become
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Pensioner's lifeline cut
A DISABLED pensioner was left isolated after her telephone lifeline disconnected following BT maintenance work. Eileen Stratford, 74, who wears an emergency pendant around her neck, lost the use of her panic button and telephone last Friday. It took BT
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Concerts to aid children
CHRISTMAS concerts are continuing to raise money for a good cause. John Holmes Music, based in Faringdon Road, is organising the events in a drive to raise £25,000 for Bristol Children's Hospital. The 20th Annual Christmas Charity Show will be on December
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Brighton Squad
MICHAEL KUIPERS Amsterdam-born keeper who has let little get past him this season. PAUL WATSON Right back with the capacity to cause real damage from set pieces. KERRY MAYO A virtual ever-present as Albion took the Division Three title last year. Determined
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Diet pill 'advert' leads to warning
A DIET pill offer based on a fake newspaper clipping and a note from a "friend" is being sent to homes in Swindon. Berry Trim Plus is often sold by sending people what are designed to look like torn-out newspaper adverts for the pills. Along the top is
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Book your train seats for Christmas
TRAIN operator First Great Western is urging customers to book early and reserve their seats on its Christmas and New Year services. Bookings on services to the West of England are particularly brisk, with a large number of seats already reserved. Particularly
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Bobby's dazzlers keeping the Seagulls on top of the league
THE goals of Bobby Zamora have played a crucial part in driving Brighton and Hove Albion to the top of Division 2. Albion leapfrogged Brentford on Wednesday night after Zamora's 15th goal of the campaign secured a 1-1 draw with Brentford. The Seagulls
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Graz 'Start me'
GIULIANO GRAZIOLI is desperate to get his place back and win the battle of the top scorers on Saturday. Graz knows Brighton's Bobby Zamora is a huge threat to Town but he wants to make sure that the former Bristol Rovers man doesn't hit the headlines
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Don't tip it here!
FLYTIPPERS dumped rubbish only a short drive away from a household-recycling centre. Purton resident Jacqui Lay discovered the matt-resses, carpets and a bed in Collins Lane, a back road between Purton and Swindon. The site is three miles from the Purton
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Robbo eyes a win
MARK ROBINSON believes Town's clash with Brighton is a 'massive' one for the club. The 33-year-old is adamant that victory over top-of-the-table Albion would be an important psychological boost. Robbo accepts that Town need to stop talking a good game
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Enough pain
IN Response to Why no protest then? Evening Advertiser Nov 11. Mr Darling quite rightly asks where were the protesters against the recent bombing of Afghanistan were when the World Trade Centre was bombed on September 11. We were just as shocked and stunned
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Children's safety first
In response to Les White's letter "Pavement cycling is still an offence". I am a parent who cycles everywhere with a three-year-old at the back and a six-year-old at the front of my bike. I cycle to most destinations on the path, because of the thoughtless
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Bradford on Avon under 11s 28,Frome under 11s 7
BRADFORD, looking for their first win of the season, were given a good start when Matthew Lomas weaved his way through the Frome defence to touch down in the corner. The try was converted by Dudley Philpott, who then got in on the action with a try that
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Melksham-Devizes under 14s 13, Keynsham under 14s 29
THE Combined side were defeated in a tough encounter against a strong Keynsham outfit. After conceding a sloppy opening try the Wiltshire side were camped in the Keynsham half for almost all of the first half. Their only reward was a penalty, kicked by
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Lizzie sits in on Harry's class
HARRY POTTER: School pupil Lizzie Wright is celebrating after spotting herself on the big screen in the hit movie. The 11-year-old student, from Waters Edge, Pewsham, took her family to the cinema at the weekend, praying her cameo role hadn't ended up
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Young imitators are just wild about Harry
HARRY POTTER: HARRY Potter star Adam Shipman, from Lacock, was putting his magic skills to the test with his classmates last week. Adam, 11, a pupil at Lacock Primary School, was one of nine pupils from the school who had roles in the blockbuster film
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Ms Morris: We are so very sorry
WE at the Evening Advertiser would like to apologise to Education Secretary Estelle Morris for choosing such a bad time yesterday to confront her over the Government's appalling funding of Swindon's schools. Ms Morris, you may recall, had refused us an
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Donegone!
DANNY DONEGAN has conceded defeat in the battle for Swindon Town but warned that Willie Carson's consortium will need to find serious cash to treat a 'bleeding' football club. Before walking out of the County Ground for the last time, Donegan said the
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Ensemble in concert
THE Emerald Ensemble is returning to Corsham for a family Christmas concert. The event is at the town hall on December 22 at 7.30pm. Tickets are available from the hall and Tourist Information Centre.
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History is all around us
PEOPLE living in villages are being encouraged to research the history of where they live. History expert Dr Alan Dodge is running a special workshop at Wiltshire College Lackham explaining how villagers can research the background of their hamlets. Dr
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Chippenham Town 2, Bilston Town 0
DR MARTENS LEAGUE: CHIPPENHAM Town soared to the top of the Dr Martens League Western Division for the first time in their history after two early goals helped them complete a league double over fancied Bilston Town at Hardenhuish Park on Saturday 17
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Food deal has a fine future
THE commercial department of Salisbury solicitors Wilsons has completed a substantial deal for its client West Country Fine Foods in acquiring the entire issued share capital of Western Food Brokers. West Country Fine Foods sell a range of specialist
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Autogas pump for Countrywide
HTV weather presenter Joanna Rice opened an Autogas facility at the Countrywide Store, Melksham. Countrywide Energy is developing a network of Autogas pumps. Anyone with a company account is issued with a key allowing them to fill up at any Countrywide
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Virgin is upwardly mobile
VIRGIN Mobile is celebrating its second birthday this week having beaten its business targets. When the company set up on the White Horse Business Park in 1999, it planned to employ 1,500 people within three to five years. It employs 1,300 people already
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Wildlife centre appeal lodged
BUSINESSMAN Tom Rothschild has launched an appeal against West Wiltshire District Council's decision not to allow his plans for a wildlife and wetlands centre near Trowbridge. Mr Rothschild, who is currently embroiled in a planning appeal over the development
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Customers told to check dry cleaners
TRADING standards officers are warning people in Wiltshire to check the credentials of their dry cleaners after a number of complaints over clothes and soft furnishings. People in the county have complained about ruined wedding dresses, expensive suits
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Caf project well under way
WORK on the Chicago Rock Caf in Trowbridge is progressing well. The builders moved in eight weeks ago and the project looks set to meet its completion date in mid-February. Steve Dennis, director of Luminar Leisure, the company behind the project, said
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Bid to improve access to GPs
SIX doctor's surgeries in west Wiltshire have joined forces in a bid to improve patient care after 180 patients failed to turn up for appointments at Roundstone surgery, Trowbridge, in September. Roundstone, Bradford Road, Adcroft and Widbrook surgeries
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Have your say on rail services
RAIL passengers will be able to have their say about train services operated by First Great Western at a special investigation. The public investigation will look at all aspects of the service operated by the company, which runs high-speed trains between
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New scheme to buy online
ONLINE buying has been taken to the next step by a Trowbridge-based purchasing and distribution firm. The Consortium has placed a 1,100 page catalogue of 30,000 items on the internet with a free buying system for local authorities, public companies, charities
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Man dives for his art
PHOTOGRAPHER Ed Whiting's passion for diving has completely changed the way he works. For five years, Mr Whiting, who lives near Westbury, has specialised in underwater photography and has travelled all over the world in the name of art. His work, which
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Share views on village societies
ALL residents are welcome to a meeting organised at Shaw Village Hall on Wednesday, November 28 at 8pm. The parish council and representatives of other organisations are hoping to hear views on clubs and societies in Shaw and Whitley. There will also
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Pub in middle of playing field row
AN AWARD-winning pub landlord says he is being made a scapegoat in a village row over a children's play park. Martin Still, who runs The Pear Tree in Whitley, near Melksham, says his comments about a village play park, earmarked for a field next to his
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Plea over threat of danger road
I AM writing this letter on behalf of College Estate residents hoping that West Wilts District Council and Trowbridge Town Council will read it just one more time, reference safety for men, women and children. College Road is one of the most dangerous
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Time to praise
AFTER a long time of readers' letters criticising Blue Circle, I feel I must set the record straight. Firstly, would people please remember that Blue Circle, Westbury, is not just a company, it consists of 150 local people and their families. We work
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It's a double cheque handout at Co-op
When Swindon Mayor David Cox paid a return visit to the Co-op bank in Regent Street, some months after opening its refurbished offices, it was to collect a £500 cheque for his nominated charities. Also there to collect a cheque for £1,000 from branch
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Records Office views
AM I being too pessimistic when I feel apprehensive about the future of Trowbridge as the county town? Having just visited Salisbury and Swindon, I was struck by the vibrant feeling one gets in both places. Obviously they are bigger than Trowbridge, but
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Mortgage slump at Nationwide
The booming housing market has failed to avert a mortgage lending slump at Britain's biggest building society. Nationwide, which employs about 2,000 people at its Swindon headquarters, saw its residential net mortgage market share down to 0.2 per cent
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Probation service 'best in the west'
WILTSHIRE Probation Service has been given a huge pat on the back by government inspectors. The Wiltshire service was one of five probation areas inspected by a team from Her Majesty's Inspectorate recently in the south west. The report was compiled during
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Volunteers look at needs for disabled
VOLUNTARY Action West Wiltshire is holding an open meeting for anyone who would like to be involved in disability rights in the district. The aim is to look at the needs of people living with a disability and give people the chance to say what they feel
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County enjoys fun-filled charity day
KIDNAPPING, leg waxes and sitting in a bath of custard were among the escapades which helped Wiltshire people raise thousands of pounds for needy children last week. The national total for the BBC's Children In Need appeal had topped £13m by 2am on Saturday
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County praised for clear vision
WILTSHIRE County Council has been praised in an independent review. The review, carried out last week by the Local Government Association's Improvement and Development Agency, helps councils identify strengths and weaknesses. The full report will not
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Schools are celebrating excellent performances
SCHOOL league tables have been greeted with mixed feelings in west Wiltshire where schools achieved some of their best results ever. Many schools say it is time the tables took account of the achievements of pupils and not just look at exam grades. There
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County pupils are tops
WILTSHIRE education chief Bob Wolfson has congratulated pupils and teachers for their achievements with the release of the Government's school league tables. The 2001 tables, which show the performance of pupils in the summer GCSE and A level examinations
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Hunting may resume
PLANS to resume foxhunting in Wiltshire next month have received a mixed response. Last week, the Government announced that hunting with dogs could resume in foot-and-mouth free areas. Wiltshire has not had a case of the disease since spring, and hunt
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Wroughton 2, Trowbridge Town 2 (Wroughton won 4-2 on penalties)
WILTSHIRE SENIOR CUP: FOR the second time this season, Trowbridge had to concede defeat in a penalty shoot-out. This must have been hard to accept after such a good team performance in this Wilts Senior Cup tie during which they dominated much of the
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Chippenham Town 2, Bilston Town 0
DR MARTENS LEAGUE: CHIPPENHAM Town soared to the top of the Dr Martens League Western Division for the first time in their history after two early goals helped them complete a league double over fancied Bilston Town at Hardenhuish Park on Saturday 17
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Blueprint is torn up after clubs' protest
THE Football Association have been forced to scrap their radical blueprint for the future of the non-league game in England following a crunch meeting of council members. The proposal, which met with such widespread disapproval from Wiltshire clubs last
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Corsham Town 1, Shepton Mallet 2
SCREWFIX DIRECT LEAGUE: CORSHAM Town slipped to their first league defeat in more than two months as visitors Shepton Mallet came from behind to snatch maximum points at The Southbank on Saturday 17 November. Top scorer Matt Pratley had given the hosts
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United face fine
WESTBURY United are facing a heavy Screwfix Direct League fine after postponing their Premier Division clash at Barnstaple Town on Saturday 17 November. A flu bug swept through Derek Graham's side, leaving him with only 12 fit players on Friday. When
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Vision for town
NEW president of the Warminster Chamber of Trade and Commerce John Agate will try to tackle the burning issues in the town over the next 18 months. Mr Agate, who was elected president last week, is determined to fight against parking charges and hopes
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Lighting up for start of festivities
Warminster's Christmas celebrations start with the town's brass band and WCR Community Radio joining the mayor Chris March, who will switch on the lights at 6pm on November 23. The Market Place will be closed to traffic between 5.45pm and 6.45pm, and
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Church wins support
WARMINSTER town councillors agreed to support any proposals to keep St Giles Church, in Imber, open. The 700-year-old building is in a village that was evacuated in 1943 and since then it has been kept wind and watertight by the Army. The church is now
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Italians invade for training
ITALIAN soldiers were put through their paces in Warminster last week. Some 80 personnel from the 132 Ariete Armoured Brigade used the Combined Arms Staff Trainer facility in the town. Under the command of Brigadier Mauro Moscatelli, they are part of
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Lizzie sits in on Harry's class
HARRY POTTER: School pupil Lizzie Wright is celebrating after spotting herself on the big screen in the hit movie. The 11-year-old student, from Waters Edge, Pewsham, took her family to the cinema at the weekend, praying her cameo role hadn't ended up
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Young imitators are just wild about Harry
HARRY POTTER: HARRY Potter star Adam Shipman, from Lacock, was putting his magic skills to the test with his classmates last week. Adam, 11, a pupil at Lacock Primary School, was one of nine pupils from the school who had roles in the blockbuster film
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Millionaire arrests
Three people have been arrested and released on police bail over alleged deception on Who Wants To Be A Millionaire? Million-pound winner Major Charles Ingram, 38, and his wife Diana, 37, were arrested at their home in Wiltshire. They were told to report
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Wiltshire League
WITH runaway Premier leaders Shrewton United engaged in the third round of the Addkey Senior Cup against Corsham Town Reserves, the chasing pack in the section have a chance to trim the leaders' lead. However, second-placed Devizes Town Reserves entertain
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Purton's tester
Hellenic Division 1 side Purton face what could be one of their toughest games of the season so far when they visit Winterbourne United on Saturday. The home side have been beaten just twice from 11 games and are in third spot, a place below the Red House
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We can make top six says manager
Cirencester Town manager Ray Baverstock has dismissed the threat of relegation from the Western Division, proclaiming that a top six finish is not out of the question. Ciren currently occupy one of the two drop zone positions alongside neighbouring Supermarine
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Murphy's men on a charge
New Supermarine boss John Murphy hopes to keep his unbeaten league record firmly in -tact when he takes his side to Bedworth United tomorrow. Supermarine have taken four points from six since Murphy's appointment earlier this month compared to just three
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Another agile Audi
The nine model Audi A4 saloon range gains a new flagship with the intro-duction of a manual 3.0 quattro version featuring a six-speed gearbox. Available in tiptronic automatic form since the UK launch earlier this year, the A4 3.0 quattro now gains a
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Sustaining beauty
A spectacular new exhibition from Alfa Romeo opens at the Science Museum in London on December 1. Called Sustaining Beauty 90 years of Art in Engineering, it will celebrate the style, spirit, perfor-mance and achievements which lie at the sporting heart
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Christmas fair
BRADFORD on Avon's Christ Church will be holding its annual fair in St Margaret's Hall on Saturday December 1, from 10am until 3pm. Christmas gifts will be on sale as well as home produce, crafts, books, toiletries and cakes. Admission is 20p.
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Lighting up Bradford
Bradford on Avon's lights will be switched on by Jonny the Juggler and the Clown on Tuesday evening, November 27, at 6pm. Shops and stores will be open until 8pm in the town and some will be helping visitors to get into the party mood with free food and
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Bid to improve access to GPs
SIX doctor's surgeries in west Wiltshire have joined forces in a bid to improve patient care after 180 patients failed to turn up for appointments at Roundstone surgery, Trowbridge, in September. Roundstone, Bradford Road, Adcroft and Widbrook surgeries
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15/11/01
YOU could feel right from the start of this week that there is a derby match against Bristol coming up this weekend. We had a hard, intensive training session on Tuesday and there was a little bit of added spice to it because of the game against our old
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Scouts receive awards for challenges
AFTER gruelling hikes, 10 boys from the 1st Bradford on Avon scout group received their Chief Scout Challenge award on Monday night (November 19) from the Lord Lieutenant of Wiltshire and Chief Scout, Lt-Genl Sir Maurice Johnston. The boys were split
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Air quality will be monitored
AIR quality management areas have finally been established in Westbury and Bradford on Avon. West Wiltshire District Council chose the areas after it carried out extensive consultation with the public in the two towns. Area environmental health officer
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New home for tourist centre?
VISITORS to Bradford on Avon's tourist information centre look set to be welcomed in new premises next year. Plans to move the centre in the town to a Grade II listed building in St Margaret's Street have been received by West Wiltshire District Council
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Mill plan is on track
THE Kingston Mills development in Bradford on Avon could be given the go-ahead by the new year. The controversial project has been held up because the developer, Taywood Homes, has had to amend ongoing plans to meet Environment Agency requirements. Emma
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Unalloted
I WRITE on the subject of horse droppings. It's not so long ago when you would see horses coming along and there would be people waiting with their bucket and shovel nearly coming to blows over the droppings for their rhubarb. Of course that was when
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Cash thanks
MAY we express our gratitude to those people of Trowbridge and the surrounding area who very kindly contributed to our collection for Children in Need. A grand total of £2,010 was collected. Once again thank you all. CD ROSEWARN, Sub Officer (on behalf
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Recipe for disaster
SINCE the Canal Road (Trowbridge) recycling centre is not due to come on stream for another two years it seems premature to discontinue the local community skip scheme. Sounds like a recipe for fly-tipping. JP MARSH, Horse Road, Hilperton.
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In search of friends
While on holiday in Normandy this summer, we met a charming French couple, Anne-Marie and Bernard Coulon, of Alencon. They were very sad to have lost contact over the last two years with Anne-Marie's English friend Rachael Norris. Rachael and her husband
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Thanks for success of Remembrance Day concert
MAY I through your columns, on behalf of the Trowbridge & District White Ensign Association, organisers of the Remembrance Concert held at the Civic Hall, Trowbridge on Sunday November 11, tender a sincere thank you to everyone involved in making
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Superstore gears up for grand opening day
ONLY a weekend remains before Swindon's biggest supermarket opens its doors to the public. Shelves are being stocked, surfaces are being polished and signs put up to advertise bargains at the Asda Wal-Mart store in Haydon Wick. The store will be officially
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Firm fined after forklift accident
BUILDER'S merchant DW Archer has been fined £7,000 after a worker lost the tips of two fingers in a forklift truck accident. Robert Bourne had not received proper training to operate the vehicle before losing control and crashing at the company's Okus
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Rail travellers can expect weekend delays
PASSENGERS travelling on First Great Western services to London Paddington or the West of England this weekend should be prepared to expect delays or cancellations because essential engineer-ing is to be carried out in the Reading area. Passengers travelling
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Antler remains help date ancient mound
A SCRAP of antler has proved that Silbury Hill, the largest man-made mound in Europe, is 4,500-years-old. The first scientific evidence for the date of the ancient monument is one of two antlers found at the summit of the 128ft hill. It was discovered
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Cornered
AN ANGRY Estelle Morris launched into a diatribe when confronted by the Evening Advertiser with the shameful truth of the chronic underfunding of Swindon schools. The Government's Education Secretary had refused the Adver an interview ahead of her appearance
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The dot.com dynamos
WEBSITE whizzkids from a Trowbridge school have beaten hundreds of other entries to reach the finals of a national competition. The 15-strong team of 15 and 16 year olds from St Augustine's Catholic College have been running Infinitus, a Young Enterprise
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Pupils paint a picture of peace
young artists from Trowbridge and Warminster have been picked as the local winners of the 13th annual international peace poster competition run by the Lions. Xanthia Hallissey, of the John of Gaunt School, was picked as the Trowbridge winner. She came
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Celebration is sorted by youngsters
THE sorting office in Trowbridge had some young visitors. Children from the Courtmills pre-school went to see how mail is handled as part of their project on celebrations. Play leader Elaine Varnam said: "This month our theme is celebrations Christmas
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Castle art saved from damp fate
REPAIR work on an historic castle near Trowbridge is getting underway next week to help save priceless medieval paintings from ruin. The paintings, inside the Chapel of St Leonard at Farleigh Hungerford Castle, have been left exposed to damp and condensation
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Party guests raise cash for cancer unit
SNOOKER star Stephen Lee and Lord Bath were among the guests to celebrate the first birthday of a Trowbridge restaurant. They joined Trowbridge mayor Jeff Osborn and other civic guests and loyal customers at the Tale of Spice Indian restaurant, in Castle
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Potter prizes
If you too are under the Harry Potter spell, then head to Trowbridge on Saturday, November to be in with the chance of winning some great prizes. Trowbridge museum is challenging youngsters to test their knowledge of the JK Rowling books by answering
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Action stations
CAMPAIGN: COMMUNITY service workers have been brought in to help in the effort to clear up Trowbridge. A path next to Walwayne Court School had become a dumping ground for rubbish and people had been finding it difficult to get through that, and the nettles
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Pigeons are causing a nuisance
PEOPLE are continuing to feed pigeons in Trowbridge town centre despite warnings they carry disease. As well as the threat of the germs, the pigeons are leaving a mess that affects shoppers and traders in the town. And the long-running problem seems no
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Boy in suicide dramas
A DESPERATE Trowbridge 16-year-old tried to kill himself twice in only four days. The boy, who cannot be named, first tried to throw himself from the top of Castle Place car park on Sunday afternoon (November 18), but was talked down by police officers
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Five criers sing about five rings
Five town criers came together in Trowbridge for a popular rendition of The Twelve Days of Christmas. The traditional event, where the town criers ring their bells whenever they sing "five gold rings", was enjoyed by crowds at the Christmas fair in Fore
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Bid to improve access to GPs
SIX doctor's surgeries in west Wiltshire have joined forces in a bid to improve patient care after 180 patients failed to turn up for appointments at Roundstone surgery, Trowbridge, in September. Roundstone, Bradford Road, Adcroft and Widbrook surgeries
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Airsprung deny job losses
CONFUSION reigns this week over the future of staff at Trowbridge-based company, Airsprung Beds. According to a spokesman for the Transport and General Workers Union one senior manager at the company has already been made redundant and the jobs of two
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Mystery surrounds woman's crash
A woman driver was taken to hospital with leg and chest injuries after being freed from the wreckage of her car. Police and paramedics were called to Marsh Lane in Hilperton on Tuesday afternoon (November 20) to free the woman from her wrecked Mazda.
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Thousands turn out for town's Festival of Lights
THOUSANDS of people flocked to Trowbridge town centre for an evening of family fun and entertainment and the switch on of the town's Christmas lights. Radio presenters Jez and Lou, from GWR's Morning Crew, and HTV presenter Jon Monie, who is starring
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New exhibition catches the last post
A VILLAGE post office used by Prince Philip when he was based near Corsham has been lovingly recreated at a Bath museum. Neston Post Office has been painstakingly put together exactly as it was until its closure 40 years ago. The post office was used
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This is why we wait
MOANING about the NHS is a national pastime. How often do you hear people complaining about having to wait a week to see their doctor? Not because there are too few doctors, but probably because the GP is sitting waiting for a patient who doesn't bother
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Perfection on wheels
IT DOESN'T take long to realise why the Passat is the middle-range car which every other maker now uses as the one to match. They'd like to beat it, of course, but so far nothing has overtaken this Volkswagen since it arrived in late 1997 and quickly
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Fast road to danger
WE'VE all seen that stark, blunt slogan which says: Speed kills. As a general observation, it can only help towards road safety, and few would object to it. Statistics show that driving at speed increases the chance of having an accident, and also makes
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It's farewell to the Puma
FORD is proud of the Puma, but realises that all good things come to an end. After five years, the Puma has reached the end of the road it is based on the Fiesta, which will be replaced by April. But there's no doubt that the Puma has been a success for
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Warning: Don't take you offroader off-road
THE few people who actually take their offroaders off-road have been warned not to. The warning will not cause much worry for the Range Rover set who don't anyway. Their latest must-have creation is clearly aimed more at those who want to invite top society
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A chance to help a struggling family
Moving to a new town can be hard. The upheaval can prove stressful, particularly if you have a young family and do not know anyone in the area. Home-Start, another beneficiary of this year's Christmas toy appeal, understands this problem only too well
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Mayor cuts the ribbon
A VITAL link road which could dramatically cut congestion in North Swindon has been opened by Mayor David Cox. Nearly a year after work started, the long-awaited £15m Northern Orbital dual carriageway is now open to traffic. The bypass stretches about
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Swindon Town Squad
BART GRIEMINK A His last clean sheet is starting to fade from the memory. Will he keep one against the Seagulls? MARK ROBINSON Looked reasonably solid on his return to first team action. Can he cope with pace? MATT HEYWOOD Mr reliable. Will have his work
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Love-tug Tilly taken from mum by police
A FOUR-YEAR-OLD who is at the centre of a cross-channel tug-of- love battle was taken away from her mother by police to hand over to her French father. An official complaint has now been made to Wiltshire Chief Constable Elizabeth Neville about the way
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Man found with stolen charity box
A 24-year-old man who admitted handling a charity cash box stolen from a church while on licence from prison could be sent back behind bars. Richard Lowe was caught running away with the charity box which had been stolen from St Aldhelms Church resource
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Danny up for Albion
DANNY INVINCIBLE is looking forward to the challenge posed by Brighton after a poor showing on Wednesday night. The 22-year-old was deeply unhappy with his own contribution at Loftus Road and just hopes he will have the opportunity to remedy the situation
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No fear of long faces despite winter blues
MATTY HEWLETT accepts Town have a case of the November blues but is adamant there will be no long faces against Brighton tomorrow. The former Bristol City man is the first to admit that November has been a pretty miserable month with no points secured
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Just what the hell is going on?
ROY EVANS and Peter Rowe admit they are 'at a loss' to know what on earth is going on at the County Ground although they admit that makes them no different to any Swindon Town supporter. The pair claim they are as much in the dark as the suppporters over
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Donegone!
DANNY DONEGAN has conceded defeat in the battle for Swindon Town but warned that Willie Carson's consortium will need to find serious cash to treat a 'bleeding' football club. Before walking out of the County Ground for the last time, Donegan said the
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Pride missing
What a joke! At a time when Swindon Council is desperate to tear up the Front Garden for new homes it neglects decaying historical buildings such as the Mechanics' Institute, the old railway museum, the former Gilberts Hill School and the Locarno ballroom
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The lowdown on the Batmobile
WITH reference to the Advertiser's article on November 19 regarding Santa and the Batmobile, I thought you may be interested in the following information: Mr Skywalker mentioned that he throught the car was based on a Cadillac. The original Batmobile
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Martock 8, Westbury 41
IN a game of two halves, with the home side battling to keep out the ferocious onslaught from the stronger side, Martock did well to score a try and keep the first half score to 8-10. Mat Doughty scored the try and a well-kicked conversion and the penalty
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Frome 30, Cooper-Avon Tyres 27
THIS was a highly exciting game with both sides playing expansive rugby. Frome led 24-13 at half-time, scoring three converted tries and a penalty, scrum half Gary Webster and centre Steve Gibson (2) the try scorers and winger Richard Maunder successful
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Have your say on rail services
RAIL passengers will be able to have their say about train services operated by First Great Western at a special investigation. The public investigation will look at all aspects of the service operated by the company, which runs high-speed trains between
