Archive
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Tory leader is talk of town
OPPOSITION leader Iain Duncan Smith will visit Chippenham to speak at a dinner on Friday October 18. It will be held at the Olympiad and Conservative supporters are urging people of all political colours to attend. North Wiltshire MP James Gray said:
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Close call for driver who lied to police
MOTORIST Abid Hussain narrowly escaped jail after he lied to police following a smash last year on the M4 near Chippenham which left his 21-year-old boss dead. The 38-year-old said his passenger Imran Hussain, who was killed in the late night smash, was
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Manager gave fake reference
FORMER health care manager, Charles Ingram, appeared at Bath Magistrates' Court last Thursday charged with false representation. Mr Ingram, of Leylands Road, Rudloe, admitted altering a job reference by falsely stating that he had been a senior nurse
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Rich pickings at 34th show
PLUMP potatoes, large marrows and a fabulous array of flowers went on display at Chippenham Garden and Allotment Society's 34th annual show on Saturday. Hundreds of classes were included in the event at the Neeld Hall, with contests for the best flowers
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Anxiety over missing teen
THE parents of teenager Leanne Cox are worried sick because she has gone missing without trace. Leanne, 16, of Swindon, is believed to have run away to Chippenham with her boyfriend. But her parents Jane and Steve are desperate for her to get in touch
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Plug is pulled on beer gala
THE Calne Beer Festival has been cancelled this year, but organiser Malcolm Shipp promises it will return bigger and better next year. The three-day festival was due to take place at the weekend to raise money for Hilmarton School for the second year
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USA victims remembered
FIREFIGHTERS across Wiltshire shared a minute's silence to express solidarity with their New York colleagues and to commemorate the victims of the September 11 terrorist attack. Off-duty firefighters joined working colleagues at the Dallas Road fire station
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Bike wish is granted
A dream has come true for disabled youngster Amy Steelyard now she has a brand new bike all of her own. It was given to the exuberant and spirited five-year-old, who has cerebral palsy, by the Chippenham Lions and Round Table groups. "She was delighted
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Widow says questions remain on gym death
WIDOW Julieanna Sperring, whose husband died while working out in the gym, believes many questions remain unanswered about his death. A verdict of death by misadventure was recorded on 29-year-old Matthew Sperring at an inquest on Friday. Coroner David
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Rod and Line
with Roland Batten Angling: SALISBURY Angling Club member George Horton has been crowned a double champion after winning his second big match in less than a month when he fished the club's Peters-finger lakes on Sunday. George banked 10lb 8oz made up
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Sports news in brief
KARTING. Ross Curnow finished third in a close and exciting fifth round race at Sunday's British Junior Kart Championship meeting in Lincolnshire. The youngster qualified in pole position for the Junior Rotax Max Class (A) after three succesful heats.
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So how do you break the very worst news?
HOW many people could call at a house and tell the occupants that their loved one has been killed in a road accident? Most of us cannot imagine what we would say. But for police officers Andy Rogers and Marc Guillot, the task is an all-too-familiar one
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A plea to all firefighters
FIREFIGHTERS attend a conference today with the public backing them in their fight for extra pay. But how long will that support last if they decide to walk out and trigger the arrival of archaic green goddess tenders? The firefighters should think long
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Rich pickings at 34th show
Rodney Cundict from Corsham was named overall winner at the Chippenham Garden and Allotment Society's 34th annual show. Plump potatoes, large marrows and a fabulous array of flowers went on display at the show on Saturday. Hundreds of classes were included
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Who's in pole position?
A CELEBRATION of country life and crafts attracted crowds of visitors to Wiltshire College Lackham for the first Gardening Big Time event. Gardening Big Time, held last Wednesday, was organised by the college and the Wiltshire Federation of Women's Institutes
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Tributes to dad who lived life in fast lane
THE mother of the man killed in a car accident near Hilmarton last week, has spoken of her son's enthusiasm for life and devotion to his children. Nick Walmsley, 38, of Duncan Street, was killed on September 2 when his black Renault 19 hit the tree on
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RAF's fire service is in danger, claims MP
THE Defence Fire Service (DFS) at RAF Lyneham faces unacceptable risks through a Government proposal to privatise the service according to North Wiltshire MP James Gray. Firefighters in the DFS, effectively highly trained non-forces personnel operating
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Chairman waiting
CHIPPENHAM Town will receive a full report from North Wiltshire District Council by the end of the week on the collapse of a perimeter wall during the derby with Bath City. Chairman Malcolm Lyus said: "We have rebuilt it to their specifications and are
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Paul faces his former colleagues
FORTHCOMING OPPONENTS: STRIKER Martin Paul will come up against some more familiar faces when Chippenham Town make the trip across the Severn Bridge to face Newport County on Monday night. Paul, 27, scored 17 times in 34 games for the Welsh side last
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Physio prepares to go through pain barrier
PHYSIO John Lock will go through the pain barrier himself on September 22 in a bid to raise cash for some badly needed medical equipment for Chippenham Town. Lock, 27, and girlfriend Helen Budd are currently in training for the Bristol Half Marathon.
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Robinson up against old rival
RIGHT back Mark Robinson will renew his rivalry with old foe John McGinlay when Chippenham Town entertain Ilkeston Town at Hardenhuish Park on Saturday 14 September. Most Swindon Town fans have still not forgotten Ilkeston boss McGinlay's late challenge
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'I didn't handball it' says Thorne
THE red mark on Wayne Thorne's chest told its own story as he trudged from the pitch at Grantham Town after being dismissed for handling. The left back is adamant his block from Jamie Clarke's close-range effort was a legal one and the ball-shaped mark
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Heritage backs new playhouse production
SALISBURY Playhouse, which launched its new season last week, is celebrating a new business relationship with car dealer Heritage Volkswagen, which is sponsoring The Taming of the Shrew. Brand manager Paul Booker says he recognised the opportunity to
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Bank insures against wedding worries
LLOYDS TSB has come up with a scheme to ensure the worry-free wedding. The bank says it realises the perfect wedding day takes months of planning and arranging everything can be expensive. But most couples fail to realise the true value of what is being
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Ghost is good for business
SPIRITS mean good business at The Red Lion in Avebury, and not just the kind dispensed from optics behind the bar. Since TV presenter Yvette Fielding ran from a room in the inn during filming for a cable TV series on the paranormal earlier this year,
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Shop fashions a big success
FASHION shop Spirit has had such success since it opened in Devizes three -and-a-half years ago proprietors Rose and Roy Webster are to open a second shop in Frome next week. Mr and Mrs Webster are self-confessed shopaholics but Mrs Webster was concerned
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Lack of steel delays work on new pool
THE start of building work on Malmesbury's new £3 million indoor swimming pool has been delayed because of a lack of steel. Work was due to begin last week on the new state-of-the-art swimming centre in Bremilham Road, but the builders, North Midland
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Parish and town debate possibility of a merger
A PROPOSAL to merge part of St Paul Without Parish with Malmesbury Town is under discussion. The town council believes it would be fairer if people living in new homes on the outskirts of St Paul's Without paid their taxes to the town. Town councillors
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Don't let's fan the flames of dispute
FIREFIGHTERS across the county are being set a huge moral dilemma should they go on strike in order to win a decent living wage? The stalemate in wage rise negotiations between the Fire Brigades Union and the employers has forced a grim situation on men
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Dixons gets a World Cup sales boost
SHOPPERS snapping up televisions and video recorders ahead of the World Cup helped sales pick up at Dixons over the past few months. The group, which has a Dixons store in Swindon, said like-for-like sales, which strip out the impact of new store openings
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Bite the bullet and fill in the tax form
THE problems of filling in tax returns is far from most people's minds at this time of year. However, two local tax experts warn that paying attention to the timing could prove costly. Ian Lawrence, a director of chartered accountancy practice Lawrence
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Strategy paying off for Carillion
CONSTRUCTION and support services group Carillion, which is building Swindon's Great Western Hospital, says its long-term strategy is a success after seeing half-year profits nearly double. The Wolverhampton-based group, originally part of aggregates
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Recalling nightmare day
A year after terrorist attacks on the United States changed the world for ever, people in Wiltshire have been examining their own memories of that fateful day. The first anniversary of the September 11 terrorist attacks is a particular poignant time for
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Chippenham Sunday League
HAVING suffered shock defeats last weekend, both Box Rovers and Dog and Fox Ashley hit back in emphatic style to record stunning victories of their own in the Premier Division of the Vanitec Computers sponsored Chippenham Sunday League. Pre-season favourites
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Close call for driver who lied to police
MOTORIST Abid Hussain narrowly escaped jail after he lied to police following a smash last year on the M4 near Chippenham which left his 21-year-old boss dead. The 38-year-old said his passenger Imran Hussain, who was killed in the late night smash, was
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Chilton draws the winning Blueprint
SWINDON SUNDAY LEAGUE: THE first round of the Knockout Cup served up a few shocks and some close shaves for some Division One clubs. New club Blueprint beat Motorola from Division Four by 5-4 with goals from Jeff Chilton (2), Nick Scraggs, Stuart Parsons
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Wroughton put the heat on the leaders
SKURRAY'S WILTSHIRE LEAGUE: WROUGHTON moved into third spot in the Premier Division table after gaining a comfortable 3-0 home win over Melksham Town Reserves in a scrappy game at the Weir Field. Highlight of the first half was a fine solo effort from
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Combe are held to opening day draw
TROWBRIDGE LEAGUE: PAUL Bendell delivered the first hat-trick of the new Premier Global Ltd sponsored Trowbridge League season which produced an unbeaten start for newly promoted sides and all five new teams. The Broughton Gifford marksman scored twice
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Firefighters agonise over going on strike
FULL-TIME firefighter Jan Lisiecki has served with the Wiltshire Brigade for 28 years Originally a welder, he joined the service in 1974 after developing industrial dermatitis. He said; "I was allergic to both the welding chemicals and the chemicals used
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Tory leader is talk of town
OPPOSITION leader Iain Duncan Smith will visit Chippenham to speak at a dinner on Friday October 18. It will be held at the Olympiad and Conservative supporters are urging people of all political colours to attend. North Wiltshire MP James Gray said:
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Didcot Town 3, Pewsey Vale 1
TWO late goals consigned Pewsey Vale to their second consecutive Hellenic League Premier Division defeat at Didcot Town on Saturday 7 September. Barry Flippance's first goal for the club since re-signing from Devizes Town in the summer proved in vain
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Corsham Town 1, Torrington 2
FURIOUS Corsham Town manager Mark Godley blasted the match officials after three of his players were red carded in Saturday's home reverse against Torrington. Striker Simon Price and goalkeeper Paul Weeks were both dismissed during the game, while former
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Parachutists dive for paralysed schoolboy
LIFE for the family of schoolboy Andrew Maharaj has been turned upside down in the past year since the once lively nine-year-old was stricken with a mystery virus. The Calne youngster is now confined to a wheelchair but was still on hand on Saturday to
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Keeper defies Highworth to end winning start
HELLENIC LEAGUE: PREMIER Division Highworth Town's winning run came to an end when they were held to a 2-2 draw at The Elms by visitors Gloucester United. The home side were without a few regulars but still took the lead on the half hour when a cross
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Cock-a-doodle don't
THE noise of a crowing cockerel has split the normally quiet village of Hullavington. The rift appeared after Rocky the rooster was officially branded a noise nuisance and was given its marching orders by North Wiltshire District Council. Villager Patrick
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Town set for Taunton test
FA CUP: DEVIZES Town will be looking to take a step closer to the first round proper of the FA Cup when they entertain former Screwfix Direct League rivals Taunton Town on Saturday 14 September. Ray Baverstock's men are unbeaten in four outings sand set
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OAP falls victim to bogus callers
DOORSTEP tricksters have conned a Devizes pensioner out of her £700 savings after posing as council workmen. Police have condemned the thieves who struck at the 70-year-old woman's flat in Colston Road on Monday afternoon. The victim has severe arthritis
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Advice bureau recruiting extra support
KENNET Citizens' Advice Bureau is hoping to swell its pool of volunteer advisers by up to 50 per cent following a public appeal last week. The service used National Advice Week as a springboard for its promotional efforts. Devizes volunteers Derek Maurice
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Almshouses to open
A SCHEME to build homes for elderly Devizes people will begin welcoming its first residents next month. The £2.25million development, by the Devizes Almshouses Charity, includes 15 almshouses, a hall, assisted bathing facilities, a laundry room and warden's
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Big-hearted skippers rope £520 for charity
PUPILS at Dauntsey Primary School, West Lavington, have raised more than £500 for the British Heart Foundation by doing a three-hour sponsored skip. More than 20 children took part in the event on Friday, and their fancy footwork raised £520 for the heart
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Banksy shows students the art of body popping
BREAKDANCER Banksy showed off his street moves at the Freshers Fair for full-time students of Swindon College. The dance is being offered as one of the options available to new students on Wednesday afternoons, which is set aside for sport. Banksy, who
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Results round-up
Mick Robins got the verdict in the Wednesday Veterans match at Bourton on the Water, with 67lb of carp ahead of Cliff Brown 58lb and Pete Sole 57lb. RESULTS: Cloverleaf match at Shearwater: 1, Bill Davis 41lb; 2= Fletch and Andy Bright 22-8-0; 4th: Ricky
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In the wake of 9-11
SEPTEMBER 11 - ONE YEAR ON: From airforce personnel at Fairford to schoolchildren in Swindon, the first anniversary of the terrorist attacks on the US which changed the world was a day for quiet contemplation. Dominic Ponsford reports. ON a clear summer
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Exceptional performance
Peatmoor Juniors and Intermediates put in an exceptional performance in the NJAA National on the Calder and Hebble Canal, at Wakefield. The Juniors came third and the Intermediates second. The junior team of Daniel Franklin, Tom Bevan, William Bryant,
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Fairford get the Blues for starters
FAIRFORD begin their assault on Gloucestershire Division Three North with a home match against Gloucester All Blues on Saturday. George Ellis is the director of rugby at the Gloucestershire club, with Anthony Little as first team skipper. n SOCIAL side
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Mick reels in Isis triumph
THE Bristol Avon at Sutton Benger fished well for the Isis AC Open. Top dog was Mick O'Brien he took tench and a good bag of roach for a fine 13-6-0 winning weight. At the very next peg was Sean Matthews he had a 5lb bream, roach and perch for a 12-13
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Thieves steal £600 from hospice shop
BURGLARS broke into a Swindon charity shop and stole cash and jewellery worth more than £600 but left behind a spot of blood. The Prospect Hospice shop in Victoria Road, Old Town, was targeted by thieves who smashed in the front door, causing £100 worth
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Promotion is Marine's aim
SUPERMARINE head into their Dorset & Wilts Two North campaign in the knowledge that they are now better prepared than at any other time in their history. A soon-to-be-announced sponsorship deal has helped secure the financial muscle needed for promotion
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Help find this man
THE same man may be behind two child abduction attempts in Swindon in the last month and police warned that he needs to be tracked down before he strikes again. Today detectives released an artist's impression of the man who grabbed an 11-year-old schoolgirl
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New blood is a lift for Banfield
AN INFLUX of fresh faces has given Marlborough the belief they can be a force in Dorset & Wilts Two North this time around. The High Street-based club suffered a mass exodus of talent a few years ago and have been battling to re-establish themselves
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Brockhurst's ready to step in
STAND-IN skipper Haydn Brockhurst leads Corsham into their Dorset & Wilts Division 1 campaign this weekend. New captain Rory Auld has yet to play this season after the recurrence of a back problem during pre-season. Centre Auld is likely to be out
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Matt Holds the Key
MATT McKee is the player Swindon College Old Boys believe could make a big impression on Dorset & Wilts One in their 40th year. College, who play at the Nationwide sports ground, landed a major recruitment coup in the summer when Wootton Bassett man
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Hospital 'stand-off' ends
A FINANCIAL row at Salisbury District Hospital, which threatened to leave patients untreated, has ended after NHS bosses stepped in and delivered a stern ultimatum. Hospital board members, who said that they would not treat non-urgent patients unless
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Theatre troops stage show
THEATRE Troops, a two-star command comprising 11 support formations from both the regular and territorial armies, took part in a special formation parade held at Airfield Camp in Netheravon on Friday. General Sir Mike Jackson, C-in-C Land Command Wilton
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Bigger store for town
A NEW era is about to begin in Amesbury, with news that the Co-op has signed a deal to build a £9.5m showpiece supermarket in the town centre employing about 135 staff. The store, on the Redworth House and Worthing House site, will be 30 per cent larger
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Solstice review reveals serious safety concerns
BABIES were in danger of being trampled underfoot because of the irresponsible behaviour of parents at this summer's solstice celebrations at Stonehenge, it was revealed this week. Drug and alcohol abuse was also said to be rife at the sunrise ceremonies
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Library gets top accolade
CALNE'S new library complex has been highly commended for its success in developing difficult building land in an urban environment. Judges from the Royal Institute of British Architects praised the building for improving the environment in the town's
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Pensioners' club re-opens
A SOCIAL club for the over 65s has reopened in Calne after a four-month closure. The Wednesday Club was forced to halt its weekly meetings at the Mill Race Centre because its organiser resigned due to other commitments. Now a new organiser, Melissa Hanns
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Falklands' memories drove man to suicide
FALKLANDS veteran John Hunt was tormented by the memories of his combat experiences and committed suicide in a bout of depression, an inquest heard. The hearing in Chippenham on Friday was told Mr Hunt, 39, of Newcroft Road, Calne, who served with the
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Thieves flee with bikes
THIEVES smashed the front door window of Taylors motorcycle shop, in Calne, in the early hours of Wednesday morning and snatched two scramblers. They triggered the alarm but were able to get a red Honda 450cc scrambler and a Yamaha PW50 into a dark, medium
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Shot-shy Supermarine slip up at home again
Swindon Supermarine are still without a Western Division win after losing 2-0 to Merthyr Tydfil. The Welshmen enjoyed a fairly comfortable victory at Hunts Copse, as Marine's struggling attack failed to find the target for the third successive game. Kevin
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Hospital staff praised for rising to challenge
STAFF at Devizes Community Hospital have been praised for rising to the challenges caused by the continuing crisis in nurse recruitment in the National Health Service. The nurses have agreed to a management plan to amalgamate Kennet and Avon wards and
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Youth took mum's bag in revenge
A CROWN Court judge has called for regular progress reports to be given to him on a Devizes teenager who attacked his mother and took her bag. At Salisbury Crown Court on Friday, Judge David MacLaren Webster QC asked for a report in six weeks' time and
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Avebury radio mast is given the go-ahead
CONTROVERSIAL plans for a radio mast at Avebury have been approved, while in Marlborough the battle to halt a similar scheme rages. Kennet councillors have approved a plan to put up a 13.5-metre radio mast within the Avebury World Heritage Site after
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Appeal to energetic for ancient beating
THE annual Beat the Bounds around Marlborough's 12-mile boundary, will be on October 6. Traditionally the walk, which over the years has raised thousands of pounds in sponsorship for local causes, takes place on the day after the first of the town's two
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Pedalling for AIDS project
SOCIOLOGY graduate Kate Tattersall from Ogbourne St George is planning to cycle 47 miles to raise funds towards an AIDS project in South Africa. Miss Tattersall, 22, will be joining a Students Partnership Worldwide project in South Africa later this year
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County's reprieve for school office
STAFF and governors at Grafton School are relieved that their administration office, housed in a temporary building on the school site can stay, despite objections from Kennet District Council. Councillors at Wednesday's meeting of the county council's
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Ghost is good for business
SPIRITS mean good business at The Red Lion in Avebury, and not just the kind dispensed from optics behind the bar. Since TV presenter Yvette Fielding ran from a room in the inn during filming for a cable TV series on the paranormal earlier this year,
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Now is the time to give a cat a home
CATS Protection Week ends on Saturday and the Swindon branch of Cats Protection aims to mark it in style. Branch volunteer Martina Weymes said: "This week is the ideal time for people of all ages, including young people, to consider how they can get involved
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Town bids farewell to war hero George
FAMILY and friends of a Swindon war hero were today gathering at Kingsdown Crematorium to say goodbye for the last time. George Turnbull, who died a week ago, trained many of the glider pilots who landed troops and munitions behind enemy lines hours before
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Plenty of fun on the farm
COLESHILL Model Farm welcomed more than 2,500 visitors when it opened its doors to the public. The National Trust property, near Highworth, put on tractor rides and rural craft displays. And there were also stalls from many of the traditional producers
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Tidy group unhappy at leaflet drops
ENVIRONMENTALISTS in Cheltenham have written to Old Town nightclub Soda asking them to consider more appropriate means of promoting the venue. Frans Middelkoop, chairman of the Tidy Cheltenham Group, claims promotional flyers from the club have been found
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Decision delayed on plan for homes
PLANS to build a small housing estate in Rodbourne Cheney have been put on hold by Swindon Council. The plot of land in The Broadway has already been cleared after planning was approved in April. But a new application had to be submitted when it was found
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Bounty hunters hired to keep birds at bay
HISTORIC records found in a village church near Swindon have revealed a fascinating insight into life more than two centuries ago. According to the accounts of Stanton Fitzwarren Church, dated between 1770 and 1858, bounty hunters were paid generously
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Brian cooks up a treat for shoppers and staff
TV chef Brian Turner treated shoppers at Tesco in Ocotal Way, Swindon, to a culinary masterclass. The cookery maestro set up his kitchen outside the store as part of a nationwide tour of Tesco supermarkets to promote their products as well as his own
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Greenpeace survey puts wind into MP Julia's sails
A GREENPEACE survey in Swindon suggested townsfolk are an environmentally friendly lot. Of more than 400 people who took part in the survey last month, 99 per cent preferred wind, solar and water power as an alternative to nuclear power. MP for South
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Appeal for horses
THE hunting issue drags on and on. I am still against the abolition of foxhunting and I more or less agree with Mrs Macmullen's letter in last week's paper, though I deplore some of the practices employed by some of the huntsmen. Hunting is cruel, but
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The pull of Cornwall is so strong
A FORMER manager of Swindon town centre has shed her high heels for walking boots and is now piloting fresh air around the Land's End peninsula. Donnette Pearce was the first marketing professional employed to promote the town as a great place in which
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Balloonist is all set for latest expedition
ADVENTURER David Hemp-leman Adams was today setting off for America to prepare for his most ambitious assault on the record books. Swindon-born David, 45, hopes to fly a wicker basket balloon solo 3,337-miles across the Atlantic from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
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The life of the town depends on car use
CONGRATULATIONS on the Gazette's leading article highlighting the threatened increase in car parking charges in Devizes. I know that many people have been highly critical of the district council's policy on car parking, but still they don't seem to understand
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City to expand its countryside haven
A COUNTRYSIDE haven within the city of Salisbury is to grow, following a decision made by the district council cabinet. Cllr Dennis Brown, portfolio holder for environment and transport, raised the idea to expand the Avon Valley nature reserve at last
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Traders' fight goes on
SMALL traders in the town centre, fighting to save their businesses from the Brunel Centre's expansion plans, have collected more than 5,000 signatures in support of their campaign. Nearly 30 shops in Havelock Street and Morley Street are threatened with
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City's plans are being imposed on rural area
FOLLOWING the revelation on a recent BBC programme that 78 per cent of the people in England and Wales live in large towns and cities, I am beginning to understand why I feel so out of step with much Government home policy. For example, Kennet, as far
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Earth Festival fun - with a message
EVERYBODY can make a positive difference to the environment by thinking and acting green. That was the message of the Rio+10 Earth Festival held on Saturday and Sunday at Ashley Green, in Salisbury. Organised by South Wiltshire Agenda 21 Forum, the festival
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Price of a pint goes up
ARKELLS heralded its post-budget price cut on a pint with a fanfare. But when it decided to raise prices again, it did so with little more than a whimper. Drinkers who have enjoyed five pence off their pint of 3Bs or 2Bs have noticed the price creep up
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Crops + circles = a hell of a mystery
Crop circles are on the agenda again with today's opening of the film Signs. The debate rages about how they are made and the waters are muddied still further by a new book that describes many of the images found in Wiltshire fields as being a form of
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All parking space comes with costs
I quite understand if people want to hang on to a financial benefit, but I am surprised people think Devizes' and Marlborough's main attraction is cheap or free parking. So long as there is a level playing field across Wiltshire on parking charges, we
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Concessionary bus fares under review
PENSIONERS, transport operators, parish councillors and community organisations met to decide who should be entitled to cheap bus travel in Swindon. A meeting was hosted by Swindon Council as part of its public transport forum. It wanted ideas before
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Residents' views must get a hearing
It was interesting to read Coun Francis' reply to my earlier letter, suggesting that I did not understand the planning process in local government. In fact I am well versed in this subject. While the proposed new school is, of course, 'an exciting new
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Hospital 'stand-off' ends
A FINANCIAL row at Salisbury District Hospital, which threatened to leave patients untreated, has ended after NHS bosses stepped in and delivered a stern ultimatum. Hospital board members, who said that they would not treat non-urgent patients unless
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Solstice review reveals serious safety concerns
BABIES were in danger of being trampled underfoot because of the irresponsible behaviour of parents at this summer's solstice celebrations at Stonehenge, it was revealed this week. Drug and alcohol abuse was also said to be rife at the sunrise ceremonies
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A wasted outing
ON receiving the autumn programme through the post for the Wyvern Theatre we travelled into town to buy tickets to see Peter Kay. We were very disappointed to be informed that the show had sold out some time ago as the tickets had all been sold through
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Getting in touch
EARLY in the 1970s when I was working for WH Smith at their head office in Holborn, London, a young girl was transferred to our office from Swindon. Her name then was Corrine, and her parents lived at Stratton St Margaret. My name then was Patrina Day
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Put an end to the horses' suffering
I HAVE just read about a sickening trade that makes me ashamed of the human race. It details the conditions in which 87,000 horses a year are sent by road from Poland to Italy where they are slaughtered for human consumption for horse meat. Farm horses
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Time to fix wage levels
HAVING just read about the latest firefighters' dispute it makes me wonder how my colleagues and I live on our abysmal wages. At present, firefighters struggle to live on their earnings of approximately £20,000 a year, while my colleagues and I earn little
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Dan ban would be so 'unlucky'
Bath coach Michael Foley believes England lock Danny Grewcock will be "very unlucky indeed" if he is banned by the Rugby Football Union. Grewcock has been summoned to attend a disciplinary hearing in Coventry next Tuesday following his sending off for
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Chippenham 3rds 37, Corsham 2nds 5
CHIPPENHAM 3rds triumphed on their Bath Combination Merit Table debut against an under-strength Corsham 2nds side. After an error-strewn opening to the match, Dave Burrows' powerful run saw him go over to open the scoring for the hosts. Jack Oliver duly
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Thornbury 2nds 0, Chippenham 2nds 82
CHIPPENHAM 2nds began their Merit Table campaign with a resounding away win at Thornbury. Despite the final scoreline, Chippenham made a shaky start and saw Thornbury dominate the opening minutes of the game. But newly-appointed skipper Kenny Brown settled
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Cooper Avon 3, Devizes 52
IN their first away game Devizes would have expected to easily beat a team that had been demoted from their League last season. But Cooper Avon provided sterner opposition than expected until the final quarter of the game when they tired and the Saddlebacks
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Marlborough 43, Grove 2nd/3rds 7
MARLBOROUGH opened their 2002/03 campaign in style with an emphatic friendly win over Oxfordshire visitors Grove on Saturday 7 September. The home side made a perfect start when fly half Toby Mitchell caught the Grove kick off inside his own 22 and ran
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Fatal plunge caused by failing rope knot
AN inquest into the death of Chippenham-born rock climber Ross Tamin has recorded a verdict of accidental death. The 35-year-old adventurer, whose parents Connie and Kutir live in Hill Rise, Chippenham, lived in Bournemouth with his girlfriend Andrea.
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Canoeist is udderly proficient at rescue
POLICE officers, firefighters and a canoe instructor rushed to the rescue when a cow fell into the River Avon at Chippenham and swam towards the town. Chippenham Sailing Club member Tom Perry was by the river on Saturday afternoon when children told him
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Woman fined after dog attack drama
CYCLIST Pamela Jones had to be rescued by a motorist after she was bitten on the leg by a Doberman and surrounded by barking dogs. Magistrates in Chippenham were told Mrs Jones was on a bike ride with her husband Eifion, who was some way in front, when
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Pool makes a splash
Swimming: THE newly-opened Five Rivers Leisure Centre hosted its first major swimming gala on Saturday - the final round of the Speedo Summer League. Salisbury ASC went into the event holding a narrow three-point lead over nearest rivals Tigersharks B
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Persian Punch proves he's still up for a fight
Horseracing: MARTIN Dwyer and old war horse Persian Punch are led into the winner's enclosure at Salisbury Racecourse on Thursday after a dramatic short head victory to land the Catisfield Hinton and Stud Conditions Stakes. It was the 15th win of the
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City move up to second
Football: SALISBURY City made it four league wins in a row on Saturday to climb to second in the Dr Martens League Eastern Division table. Two late goals from Adam Wallace after Wayne Turk had put them ahead on 25 minutes were enough to sink Sittingbourne
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More than just one jump ahead
IT'S the adrenalin buzz, says Jackie. It's the excitement, says Luci. It's no more dangerous than horseriding, says Jackie. Jackie Young and Luci Boella are talking skydiving. Reach for the Sky could be their motto, for not only are both women champion
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Slade's cup challenge
Football: BEMERTON Heath Harlequins boss Steve Slade is calling on football fans across the area to lend their support to the Jewson Wessex League club on Saturday when it stages one of its most important cup ties in recent years, writes Mike Turner.
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Our children at risk from this one man
PARENTS collecting their children from school today were clutching them by the hand just a little firmer than usual. News of two attempted child abductions had started filtering through, and they weren't taking any chances. Of course, this should all
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Town in fifth successive defeat
ANDY KING will waste little time in handing a first start to Tottenham youngster Johnnie Jackson after watching his side crash to a fifth successive defeat. The former England Under 20 captain is now free of suspension and Town's miserable run of form
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Praise for school's dramatic advance
COLERNE C of E Primary School is celebrating after a report from Ofsted inspectors said that improvement in standards within the last five years has been dramatic. The school was inspected in June by a team of six inspectors. The report, published last
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Lifesavers turn back time
VINTAGE ambulances and emergency vehicles turned out in force for the annual International Ambulance Rally in Chippenham. The Wiltshire Ambulance Service NHS Trust hosted the weekend rally at its headquarters in Malmesbury Road, with exhibitors from all
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Fundraiser for Africa is triumph despite hate mail
DERRY Hill fundraiser Rachel Shah, who was targeted by spiteful e-mails on the village website, has thanked the local community for supporting her charity concert on Saturday. After Mrs Shah's efforts to organise a fundraising concert to raise money for
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Farmer to join London march
NORTH Wiltshire beef farmer Nigel Maidment will take his place in the Liberty And Livelihood March in London on September 22 to defend the future of an ancient way of life. Next week, Mr Maidment's son, David, turns 21 and is eager to follow in his father's
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Matchday staff are needed
CHIPPENHAM Town are still seeking two people to help run the club's second snack bar on match days. The club erected the second hut at the Sheldon School end of Hardenhuish Park in the summer, but have so far been unable to use it at home matches due
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England legend Greavsie helps swell club's coffers
DR MARTENS PREMIER LEAGUE: FORMER Tottenham Hotspur and England legend Jimmy Greaves gave diners an insight into his glittering professional career as Chippenham Town held their inaugural sports dinner on Monday night. More than 100 guests attended the
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Small businesses on the up and up
THE Federation of Small Businesses has welcomed new figures from the government showing a significant increase in the number of small businesses. Figures published by the Department of Trade and Industry show there was a net increase of more than 20,000
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Crop for the future
MISCANTHUS, a revolutionary multi-use crop, is being billed as the grass of the future. Scientists believe this hardy perennial grass offers farmers and growers an exciting opportunity to diversify for greater profit in trials miscanthus produced a margin
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TV fame for a village pub
THE Saladin in Little Somerford is to appear in an HTV programme on successful country pubs in Wiltshire. Sue Robson, who previously owned The Smoking Dog in Malmesbury took over the pub in November 2000. After extensive redecoration The Saladin re-opened
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Fears over phone mast
MALMESBURY Town Council has added its opposition to the 50ft monopole planned for Malmesbury Telephone Exchange on the A429. In a packed council chamber on Tuesday night, councillors expressed their concerns about the plans submitted by mobile phone giant
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Work on homes as skeletons are moved
BUILDING began this week on the old cinema site next to Malmesbury Abbey after work was stopped when more than 20 medieval skeletons were found. The work being carried out by Chase Homes was halted for seven weeks after a workman uncovered the bones with
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TV fame for a village pub
THE Saladin in Little Somerford is to appear in an HTV programme on successful country pubs in Wiltshire. Sue Robson, who previously owned The Smoking Dog in Malmesbury took over the pub in November 2000. After extensive redecoration The Saladin re-opened
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New school set to get go-ahead
SHERSTON could have a new primary school by next September if Wiltshire County Council gives its approval to the scheme at a cabinet meeting next Thursday. Proposals to build a six class primary school building at Upper Stanbridge Farm are tipped to usurp
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Abbey is forced to act after vandalism
VANDALS smashed a wooden bench in the memorial garden at Malmesbury Abbey and urinated at the entrance to the church over the weekend. The attack has forced the abbey to remove the three benches in the garden until it can be sure that they will not be
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Prize blooms pride of town
MALMESBURY'S floral displays have won a silver gilt award in the South West In Bloom contest organised by the Royal Horticultural Society. In this year's battle for the South West Travel Association Cup for towns with a population between 4,500 and 5,999
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Nine days to settle result of final game
CRICKET: CORSHAM have had to settle for third place in their first season in the top flight of West of England cricket. Nine days after the final round of matches in the West of England Premier League, Bath have been confirmed as runners-up behind champions
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Diary dates
Fri Sep 13: and every Friday Ivy House Lakes Veterans match and Peatmoor AC Veterans/disabled match Sat Sep 14: Liden Community Challenge 2002 (in aid of Liden Junior AC) on Liden lagoon. Draw 8.30am at Liden Community Centre. Fishing 10am to 2pm. Presentation
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Years of service rewarded
A NURSE working for the Avon and Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust in Swindon has earned his long service certificates for 33 years as a registered mental nurse in the National Health Service. Danny Bundhoo, who came from Mauritius to start
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Fergie and Sven are not rowing says Steve
ENGLAND masseur Steve Slattery poured scorn on newspaper talk of a rift between Sir Alex Ferguson and Sven Goran Eriksson after the furore that surrounded the national team's 1-1 friendly draw with Portugal at Villa Park. Skipper David Beckham and midfielder
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Festival juniors on the ball
YOUTH FOOTBALL: HUNDREDS of junior players enjoyed a football feast at Devizes Town FC on Sunday as the Wiltshire FA staged their second annual mini-soccer festival. Around 550 youngsters aged between seven and 11 took part in the event, with the emphasis
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Chernobyl charity is set to extend impact
CHILDREN of Belarus whose lives have been blighted by the explosion at Chernobyl nuclear power station 16 years ago will need help from Western nations for generations to come. That was the message from Tony Brewer, chairman of the new Mid-Wilts branch
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Fundraiser for Africa is triumph despite hate mail
DERRY Hill fundraiser Rachel Shah, who was targeted by spiteful e-mails on the village website, has thanked the local community for supporting her charity concert on Saturday. After Mrs Shah's efforts to organise a fundraising concert to raise money for
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Devizes away in Senior Cup
THE draw has been made for the first round of the Wiltshire Senior Cup, and the annual tournament looks set to be the most competitive ever. Only Swindon Town and the county's Dr Martens sides will contest the Premier Shield this year, so Wiltshire's
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Big break for snooker men
MID-WILTSHIRE SUNDAY LEAGUE: DEVIZES Snooker Club romped to an emphatic 11-0 victory over Trowbridge Wanderers in their first game of the season. Ashton Turner opened the scoring after 11 minutes after picking up a through ball, outpacing the defence,
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Chief hopes dispute will be resolved before action
WILTSHIRE firefighters are preparing for strike action because they can't afford to live on what they are being paid. Some say they are having to take second jobs to support their families, and some say they are being forced to live at the fire station
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Swindon Spitfires Reserves 0. Chippenham Town Ladies 6
WOMENS FOOTBALL: SEB Everson grabbed four goals as Chippenham Town Ladies began the defence of their league title with an emphatic victory at Swindon Spitfires Reserves. The Bluebirds made a fine start and were a goal up after only four minutes. Jess
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Calne Town 0, Exmouth Town 1
SCREWFIX LEAGUE FIRST DIVISION: CALNE Town are still searching for their first point of 2002/03 despite giving Screwfix Direct League First Division title favourites Exmouth Town a stern test at Bremhill View on Saturday 7 September. The top-of-the-table
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Army deaths were accident
TWO Warminster-based soldiers killed when their 70-ton Challenger tank overturned on Salisbury Plain, died accidentally an inquest at Salisbury decided on Tuesday. Second Lieutenant Paul Syred, 25, and operator-loader Corporal Michael Paterson, 28, who
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Police say county has 197 sex offenders
THERE are 197 registered sex offenders in Wiltshire, with another 45 from the county in prison, according to figures released this week. It is the first time the number of the county's sex offenders has been revealed and the release of the figures is
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Departments in reshuffle
TWO departments at Wiltshire County Council have been shaken up in a bid to improve services. The Education and Libraries department has taken on the responsibility for children's services while the Social Services department has been replaced by an Adult
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Town finally get a match
SCREWFIX ROUND-UP: MELKSHAM Town return to Screwfix Direct League Premier Division action after a month-long absence on Saturday 14 September when they play host to Bishop Sutton. The Devon side knocked Robbie Lardner's men out of the FA Cup at the extra
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Wellington 1, Devizes Town 2
FA VASE: FIRST half goals from ex-Cirencester Town duo Dave Godley and Steve Richardson sent Devizes into the second qualifying round of the FA Carlsberg Vase at the expense of First Division hosts Wellington. The victory sets up a home tie against fellow
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Youth football round up
YOUTH FOOTBALL: THE Wiltshire Times and News Series Mid Wilts Youth and Minor League got off to a great start with goals galore. On an afternoon of big winning margins, one of the biggest was at Marlborough, where the home side finished 14-0 winners against
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PLEASE CHOOSE ANOTHER SECTION
THIS SECTION IS NOT CURRENTLY IN USE - PLEASE CHOOSE ANOTHER OPTION FROM THE LEFT LINKS.
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Ghost is good for business
SPIRITS mean good business at The Red Lion in Avebury, and not just the kind dispensed from optics behind the bar. Since TV presenter Yvette Fielding ran from a room in the inn during filming for a cable TV series on the paranormal earlier this year,
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Staff relish challenge offered by new school
DAVID Sibun, the headteacher of the new Nursteed Community Primary School in Devizes, knows he has no excuse for not getting good results. Mr Sibun and his team of three teachers and two teaching assistants, are in an advantageous position compared with
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Late doctor's great legacy
THE three children of Dr Charles Townsend-Rose, the Devizes GP who died of prostate cancer in 1997, have raised more than £5,000 for the charity their parents helped to set up. Kate, Alistair and James Townsend-Rose cycled more than 500 miles across the
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Acting head is given permanent position
CATHY Drury, who has been acting head of Chirton Primary School for the summer term, has been confirmed as the school's new headteacher. Miss Drury, originally from Barking in London, was offered the position after governors interviewed a number of candidates
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Recruitment put on hold
KENNET District Council says it is unlikely to replace animal welfare officer Brian Champion in the short term. Mr Champion retired on Friday after 11 years in the post. His job has involved rescuing and rehoming abandoned animals and encouraging responsible
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Can you offer help to young families?
HOME Start Kennet is looking for volunteers with parenting skills to work with young families who need support. Each year Home Start, which is a national charity, helps thousands of young families up and down the country. Home Start Kennet covers the
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Spies the limit for teen agent sequel
SECRET agents inhabit either a glamorous world of spying or a murky world of espionage, depending on your point of view. Debunking the myth that sequels are never as good as the original, Spy Kids 2 (U) is just as exhilarating, comical and outrageously
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Something nasty's lurking in the corn
BE afraid, be very afraid. Signs (12A), the third film from Oscar-nominated writer-director M Night Shyamalan (The Sixth Sense, Unbreakable) is a masterful exercise in sustained tension. Signs focuses on an ordinary family caught up in extraordinary circumstances
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Firefighters to vote on strike
SWINDON firefighters were today joining delegates from around the country to vote on strike action. The meeting in Manchester was expected to result in a vote for an all-out nationwide firefighters strike the first since 1977. And if it goes ahead, the
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A sombre mood at Ground Zero
AUTHOR Don Lucey spoke to the Evening Advertiser from Ground Zero as yesterday's memorial ceremonies took place. He said: "The mood is very sombre, people are still in shock. "People are determined to make sure that this sort of thing doesn't happen again
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Should we start a war to stop Saddam?
PARLIAMENT should be recalled to allow an emergency debate on possible war with Iraq, according to South Swindon MP Julia Drown. She has added her voice to the growing number of backbench MPs calling for Tony Blair to let the House of Commons discuss
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French party under roundabout's spell
FRENCH officials came to Swindon to see if the Magic Roundabout could solve their traffic problems and left with a souvenir photograph of their visit. A group of eight politicians and engineers from Brest City Council were taken to the top of Swindon
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Parents remain anxious for the safety of their children
PARENTS today spoke of their fear for the safety of their children. Carol Holdsworth, 30, of Belle Vue Road, Old Town, has two children, Katherine, six, and Edward, two. She said: "It is very worrying and things are moving more towards parents keeping
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Johnson's men find their feet for challenge
CRICKLADE player-coach Jason Johnson has backed local rivals Supermarine to lift the Dorset & Wilts Two North crown but reckons his own outfit can run them pretty close. Player-coach Johnson is gearing up for a major assault on the top end of the
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Ward is faced with problems on the front line
MINETY need reinforcements to prop up their Dorset & Wilts Two North campaign literally. A series of summer departures has left the club chronically short on front rowers as they prepare to start their new season. Regulars Richard Trevascus and Dave
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Earth Festival fun - with a message
EVERYBODY can make a positive difference to the environment by thinking and acting green. That was the message of the Rio+10 Earth Festival held on Saturday and Sunday at Ashley Green, in Salisbury. Organised by South Wiltshire Agenda 21 Forum, the festival
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Police step up distraction theft patrols
POLICE in Salisbury are stepping up patrols and calling on neighbours to help them clamp down on the rising tide of burglaries targeting the elderly and most vulnerable members of the community. During the summer months, the Journal has reported an average
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Link road 'no bypass' for town
AN assurance has been given to residents that Amesbury's controversial link road between the A345 and A303 will be safe and will not be used as a town bypass. Deputy mayor of Amesbury Allan Peach, who is also a district and county councillor, spoke out
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Newest estate agent opens
Staff of Simon Colligan Estate Agents with the mayor of Amesbury, Neil Morrison, who opened the new shop in the High Street. From left are: Jill Smith, Neil Peters, Alison Colligan, Neil Morrison and Simon Colligan.
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Parachutists dive for paralysed schoolboy
LIFE for the family of schoolboy Andrew Maharaj has been turned upside down in the past year since the once lively nine-year-old was stricken with a mystery virus. The Calne youngster is now confined to a wheelchair but was still on hand on Saturday to
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Protest held outside store
ENVIRONMENTALISTS demonstrated outside Sainsbury's in Calne to protest against the proliferation of chemicals in food and to persuade the supermarket to publish the results of its food tests. North Wiltshire's Friends of the Earth and mascot Toxic Ted
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Plug is pulled on beer gala
THE Calne Beer Festival has been cancelled this year, but organiser Malcolm Shipp promises it will return bigger and better next year. The three-day festival was due to take place at the weekend to raise money for Hilmarton School for the second year
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Firm fleet cut after bad report
CALNE haulage firm Bryants Transport has been ordered to halve its fleet of vehicles because of an unsatisfactory maintenance report earlier this year. The firm, based at Mile Elm Farm, is operated by Wiltshire county and North Wiltshire district councillor
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Waste gas could be converted to power
PLANS for a new green initiative at Sands Farm Landfill Site, near Calne, will see methane gas converted into clean electricity. At present, methane gas created by rotting rubbish in the landfill is collected in underground wells and burnt off with a
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Shaw are on the defensive
Shaw Under 16s, a newly formed team playing in the Swindon & District Minors League, urgently seek a goalkeeper and defenders. Anyone interested should call team secretary Karen Prictor on 07973 764957.
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Shop fashions a big success
FASHION shop Spirit has had such success since it opened in Devizes three -and-a-half years ago proprietors Rose and Roy Webster are to open a second shop in Frome next week. Mr and Mrs Webster are self-confessed shopaholics but Mrs Webster was concerned
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Paul's double sinks Havant
Chippenham Town produced their best display of the season to beat Havant & Waterlooville 3-1 in the Dr Martens Premier Division last night. Tommy Saunders' side fell behind to a superb early strike, but roared back in style. It was a particularly
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Red letter day for winners
PUPILS at St Peter's School, Devizes, were this week having fun with the £1,500 of equipment they chose as part of their prize in winning the Gazette's Hold the Front Page competition in July. The panel of judges, including Gazette editor Gary Lawrence
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Family's plea for lost cat
A DEVIZES family are appealing for information about their pet cat, Rosie, who disappeared on an early morning jog. Rosie followed her owner, Xenia Shortt, and her five-year-old daughter Rebecca as they jogged through Drews Pond Wood on September 4 but
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Rider hit by theft of bike
A PROMISING young Devizes motocross rider's career is in jeopardy after his new motorbike was stolen. Christopher Holloran, 17, is still paying off a £2,000 loan on the Honda CR125 bike, valued at £3,895, which he bought in January. Thieves broke into
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Charlotte delights in Disney trip
TERMINALLY-ILL Charlotte Wakeham has returned from a dream holiday to Disney World in Florida full of happy memories. The seven-year-old, who was given months to live by doctors in May after she was diagnosed with a rare form of brain cancer, returned
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OAP falls victim to bogus callers
DOORSTEP tricksters have conned a Devizes pensioner out of her £700 savings after posing as council workmen. Police have condemned the thieves who struck at the 70-year-old woman's flat in Colston Road on Monday afternoon. The victim has severe arthritis
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Le'go of your Lego bricks
MARLBOROUGH youngsters who have outgrown their Lego building bricks are being urged to come to St Peter's Church to sell them and help raise money for St Peter's Junior School. Mum Audrey Ekstrm has organised the special sale at St Peter's Church on October
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Green light for crossing
A ZEBRA crossing and mini roundabout is to be installed in Potterne in a bid to improve road safety. The plans were approved by Wiltshire County Council's regulatory committee on Wednesday, despite mixed views among villagers. A petition was signed by
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Garage manager fined £1,200
GARAGE manager Alan Chandler has been fined £1,200 under the Trades Description Act after a customer was charged for a car service that had not been fully carried out. Chandler, of Five Stiles Road, Marlborough, was manager of Lex Autocentre in Paddington
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New move to drive commuters off streets
WILTSHIRE County Council has revealed details of its plans to push commuters into car parks by reducing the amount of all day free on-street parking in Devizes. The proposal comes as Kennet District Council considers raising parking charges, which could
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Carnival hits a high note
CARNIVAL week in Marlborough reached a spectacular climax on Sunday with one of the most memorable carnival days for years. Sunshine on Sunday afternoon brought out a huge crowd to see the procession of floats which everyone agreed was of exceptional
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Good sports at fever pitch
SCHOOL children are celebrating the opening of their new sports pitches, and are looking forward to playing a little croquet. The Mill School, Potterne, refurbished its sports facilities over the summer to provide new tennis, football and netball courts
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Concert season to feature big names
WORLD-CLASS musicians will be appearing in Marlborough in the forthcoming season of College Subscription Concerts. The chairman of the concert society is Robin Nelson who is in his final year as director of music at Marlborough College. Mr Nelson stressed
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A lasting reminder
THE Mayor of Marlborough, Margaret Boulton, and Brian Stubbs, the president of Marlborough Lions Club, together planted a tree of peace at the town's cemetery yesterday, to commemorate the lives lost in the September 11 terrorist attacks in New York and
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Pupil, 14, assaulted by gang
POLICE have appealed for witnesses to an incident on Tuesday evening when a 14-year-old Marlborough College student was set upon and beaten up by a gang of up to 12 youths. The boy was attacked as he walked home along the bottom of Barton Hill on the
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Residents fear masts risk children's health
FAMILIES fear their children's health with be put at risk by plans to put three mobile phone masts near their homes. They braved torrential rain to make their objections clear to town councillors that they are vehemently opposed to the installation of
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Charity pool gets a boost
MORE than 750 people who use a special swimming pool for the disabled each week will benefit from an extension and major improvements partly funded by the Lotto. Lord Joffe, who as Allied Dunbar vice-chairman Joel Joffe opened Thamesdown Hydrotherapy
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Riders on Ridgeway for charity bike ride
SOME 140 riders took to their bikes to tackle the Ridgeway ancient road and raise money for Macmillan Cancer Relief. Setting off from Wanborough, there were 10-mile, 20-mile and 30-mile courses. Some 80 riders embarked on the full-length course, scaling
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Your chance to paint
COMMUNITY Learning Courses in art are starting at venues around the borough from September 23. Run by Peter Robinson, painting and drawing classes will take place for 10 weeks on Mondays at Headlands School in Stratton from 7pm to 9pm, on Tuesdays at
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No change in last month's jobless figures
THE percentage of people claiming Jobseekers Allowance in Swindon last month remained the same as in July at 1.9 per cent, or 2,781. Nationally unemployment fell to its lowest levels for nearly 27 years last month, despite the continuing economic uncertainty
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He's doing well
LITTLE Callum Barrett, the toddler who is allergic to life, is doing well after having three major operations. Callum, who suffers from a rare immune disorder, had a bowel biopsy and a gastrotomy - a procedure used to insert a feeding tube through the
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'He was in quite a state'
A TEENAGER was left badly shaken after being mugged for his mountain bike. Justin Farquhar, 16, was attacked by two men as he cycled past the local shops in The Avenue, Abbey Meads. He said: "I went to the shops to get some milk for my mum and on my way
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Why not help out?
I would agree with the editorial opinion in last weeks Gazette that no one can condone sending anonymous hate mail to anyone. It's particularly galling when it is aimed at someone who is making an effort to help those less fortunate than ourselves. Rachel
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Final bid to stop development on Front Garden
A CONSERVATION group today launched a last ditch bid to stop homes being built on the Front Garden. The Council for the Preservation of Rural England claims there are brownfield sites areas of land which have already been used for land or buildings that
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Residents still suffer as council fails to act
RECENT national headlines have made us much more aware of the importance of cleaning up the environment in which we live. Surely this must begin at home? The firm, decisive action taken promptly by the Environment Agency in response to a series of river
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Four shortlisted for election
FOUR candidates have been shortlisted by Salisbury Liberal Democrats for the post of prospective parliamentary candidate at the next general election. Yvonne Emmerson-Peirce, who fought Salisbury for the Liberal Democrats during the 1997 and 2001 elections
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Do your bit to boost festival
I WOULD like to thank all patrons who have already sent their subscriptions for this year's Calne Music and Arts Festival which will take place from October 4 to 13. Unlikely as it may seem to many people, Calne, with its annual festival and the Marden
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Call for award nominees
BUSINESSES in Salisbury and district are being urged to enter this year's Chamber of Commerce and Industry's awards. The awards will be presented at a glittering ceremony at the City Hall in Salisbury on November 9 and organisers are hoping attendance
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Anger at park-and-ride's green light
PARK-AND-RIDE - the most controversial dev-elopment ever to affect Wilton, has taken a step nearer reality after district councillors gave it their backing. At a stormy meeting last week, Wilton Middle School hall was full of people angry that such a
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We need to reach our patients faster
We write in response to the letter from Mr Oliphant (September 5) in which he commented on the practice's recent decision to ask 300 patients to re-register with a more local practice. We have asked these patients to re-register for a number of reasons
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Police step up distraction theft patrols
POLICE in Salisbury are stepping up patrols and calling on neighbours to help them clamp down on the rising tide of burglaries targeting the elderly and most vulnerable members of the community. During the summer months, the Journal has reported an average
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Got a great neighbour?
THE charity care for the family needs the help of readers to find neighbours from heaven. We are looking for nominations for people to receive one of seven special awards, presented as part of Neighbours form Heaven week which runs from September 28 to
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Respect needs of the elderly
I RETURNED from holiday to read your article describing the condition of public toilets in the town and confirming their appalling state. I congratulate your reporters on the adult way in which they approached a distasteful task and for resisting the
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Everyone has a right to die
A RIGHT to die with some dignity is a basic human right which at present the British public are being wrongfully denied of. As a believer in God I am still against the pro-life protest. If, as they say, life is a gift from God, surely God wouldn't want
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Chippenham 13, Berry Hill 15
A LATE try robbed Chippenham of victory as they completed their pre-season preparations on Saturday 7 September. The visitors defeated Chippenham 20-5 in May to win clinch promotion to South West One but, on Saturday's showing, could struggle to adjust
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Minety 20, Wootton Bassett 2nds 0
AN authoritative performance by the home pack was capped by an incisive display of running by the backs as Minety outplayed their neighbours. There were flashes of brilliance from the home team, and while the visitors failed to score, there was a hat-trick
