Archive
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Team who rescued sheep getawards
A VET and team of firefighters are to receive awards from the RSPCA after forming a human chain to save hundreds of sheep trapped in a crashed lorry. Full-time and retained firefighters from Chippenham fire station and Alice Hall, of Walters, McFadyen
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Grandmother keeps her £51,000 bingo win secret
A GRANDMOTHER from Chippenham who won more than £51,0000 at bingo kept her good luck secret from her children for four days. The bingo winner, 67, who has been playing the game for 40 years, was due back at the Gala Club, Swindon, last night just a week
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Lions furnish way with gift
A RECYCLING scheme set up to help people on benefits furnish their homes has received a £1,000 boost from the Chippenham Lions. The charity Waste Not Want Not was set up by the Citizens Advice Bureau, Social Services, North Wiltshire District Council
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Media centre is launched
THE Minister for Further and Higher Education, Margaret Hodge, will open Wiltshire College's new Interactive Media Centre today. Mrs Hodge will launch the new centre for vocational excellence in digital and broadcast media at Corsham Media Park. The centre
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Gay man bites his lover's ear in fight
A GAY man bit a chunk from his former lover's ear in a fight outside a Chippenham nightclub which ended in an assault on a police inspector, a court heard. North Wiltshire Magistrates' Court in Chippenham on Monday, was told the fight, which was caught
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School gets classrooms
FROGWELL Primary School is about to swap its 1970s mobile classrooms for a new £180,000, two-classroom block. Part of a major programme of investment into schools by Wiltshire County Council, it is hoped that Frogwell's new block will be completed by
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Man who left friend in coma, faces jail
CHICKEN catcher Paul King has been found guilty by Bristol Crown Court of an vicious attack which left his friend and work colleague Stephen Palfrey severely brain damaged. The jury on Monday took less than two hours to find King, 23, of Downmead, Chippenham
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Pets lost as fire destroys house
THE owners of a 17th century bed and breakfast in Castle Combe which was gutted by fire, have told of their heartbreak at losing their beloved pet dogs. Hilary Baker and Mac Turner lost everything apart from the clothes they were wearing when fire ripped
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Squash
No double for Five Rivers SALISBURY City boss Nick Holmes, himself a keen squash player, watched his daughter Kim fight valiantly at number three for Southampton University in their match against Salis-bury's Five Rivers team. Although losing in straight
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Cricket
Rob Wades in for South Wilts role ROB Wade is no stranger to the captain's armband at South Wilts Cricket Club, so after Russell Rowe accepted Wiltshire's invitation to skipper the county for the 2003 season, Wade jumped at the chance of taking charge
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Football
Could error cost whites promotion? SALISBURY City's attempts to re-turn to the top flight of the Dr Martens League may have suffered a serious setback after the club admitted an administrative blunder. It has emerged that Nathan Perkins who signed for
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We're a great lot in this town
TODAY sees the millionth Honda car roll off the production line in Swindon. As great as the achievement undoubtedly is, it is merely the latest in an on-going series which prove the town's status as an industrial and technological success story. Generations
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Pupils at risk from reckless motorists
RECKLESS motoring on country lanes around Chippenham and Malmesbury is putting the lives of schoolchildren at risk, according to school bus drivers. Hatts Coaches are contracted by Wiltshire County Council to ferry children to school throughout the county
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3,600 patients to lose doctor
THOUSANDS of patients could lose their GP if Marshfield Road Surgery in Chippenham loses its NHS contract at the end of March. Staff and patients at the surgery are afraid the Kennet and North Wiltshire Primary Healthcare Trust will terminate the contract
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Unit to cut long waits
As the Duke of Edinburgh cut the ribbon on the Swindon's new Great Western Hospital, Swindon Primary Care Trust is already planning for the extension of the hospital. A new £27 million diagnostic and treatment centre has been approved and looks set to
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Wards still closed as virus hits hospital
THE Great Western Hospital in Swindon, is still partially closed following the outbreak of a virulent winter diarrhoea and vomiting bug. The virus, similar to the notorious Norwalk virus, which affected Scottish hospitals a year ago was brought into the
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Leisure centres fight to put finances on healthy footing
USERS of leisure centres across north Wiltshire are to be asked for their views on facilities as the organisation that runs them battles to lower its debts. The customer survey will be carried out by North Wiltshire Leisure, the trust that took over the
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Actors take centre stage
MEMBERS of Pewsey Vale Amateur Dramatic Society have come away from the Swindon One Act Play festival with a clutch of awards and commendations. They were the last of about a dozen drama groups to take part in their section at the festival, held at the
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Frustrated Mills wants his chance
MIDFIELDER JP Mills was left disappointed after attending Premiership exit trials at Lilleshall last week. The 19-year-old former Southampton youngster was in line for his first Bluebirds start at Hednesford last week after scoring twice in the 2-1 win
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Brown facing fitness battle
STEVE Brown is facing a spell on the sidelines after suffering a shin injury in Saturday 1 March's goalless draw at second placed Worcester City. The left winger missed out on a place in the starting line up for the first time this season as Chippenham
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Enterprises lack awareness of environment responsibilities
SMALL businesses in the south west have a lack of awareness when it comes to their responsibilities towards the environment, according to research conducted for the Environment Agency. The survey of small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) showed that
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Paul aims to end his scoring drought
MARTIN Paul is aiming to end his long Hardenhuish Park goal drought when third-placed Stafford Rangers visit on Saturday 8 March. The 27-year-old frontman leads the Dr Martens Premier Division goal charts with 15 strikes in the league this term, but has
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Insurance brokers in management buy-out
BENNETTS Salisbury, a branch of independent insurance brokers Bennetts UK, is looking forward to a bright future, thanks to a management buy-out and refinancing initiative. The management team, led by Ian Darbyshire and John Langley, made a sizeable investment
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Rawlins is ruled out after being mugged
CHIPPENHAM Town forward Matt Rawlins will miss Saturday's crunch Dr Martens Premier Division game against Stafford Rangers after he was attacked with an iron bar in a late-night incident on Sunday. Fans favourite Rawlins was struck on the back of the
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Website helps in search for premises
BUSINESSES wanting to move to Salisbury district and home-grown ones wanting to grow further have been given a helping hand. The South Wiltshire Economic Partnership has launched its own commercial property website to help businesses find the premises
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Catherine joins garden lite
GARDEN designer Catherine Thomas of Salisbury has been accepted as a registered member of the Society of Garden Designers. Catherine, whose design practice has been running for eight years, attended an adjudication in London at which she had to present
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New sergeant praises team
YOUTH crime, bobbies on the beat and community policing are areas that new Malmesbury sergeant Gavin Williams will be looking to tackle as he starts his new job. The 32-year-old lives in the area and replaces Kier Pritchard, who moved to Swindon Police
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Town to commemorate its famous philosopher
ONE of Malmesbury's most famous sons, political philosopher John Hobbes, is to be commemorated with a bench at the Market Cross. Hobbes is famed for his work Leviathan, printed in 1651, and the bench is being erected to celebrate the 400th anniversary
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Play park could be saved by new plans
NEWNTON Grove play park could be reprieved from a part or total sell-off it emerged last week. The play area was threatened in a motion tabled to North Wiltshire District Council by Coun John Thomson in April last year. He wanted to sell part or all of
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'Being Brown Owl is a hoot'
MALMESBURY and Crudwell Brownies are looking for volunteers to become new Brown Owls. The present leaders are standing down after ten years. Malmesbury Brown Owl Beryl Wheeler is reaching retirement age in the next few years and Crudwell Brown Owl Meryl
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Hotel owner denies move
THE owners of The Old Rectory Country Hotel, in Crudwell, have scotched rumours that they are about to move. An application to change the use of the building from a hotel to a house was received by district planners two weeks ago and sparked rumours that
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End of discs puts town in a spin
MOTORISTS who come to Devizes have every good reason to feel confused. Just as the new on-street parking scheme with its varied hours and different coloured zones was starting to settle down along came the council and painted different lines. Many Devizes
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Pool bosses must test the waters
LEISURE centres across North Wiltshire are no longer the high earners they once were. Even the flagship Olympiad in Chippenham is no longer doing as much as it once did to keep the finances of North Wiltshire Leisure in the black. Research is now to be
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Organic farm is flying high
COWS and cockpits may seem an unusual mix for an organic dairy farm, but farmers Joe and Sarah Smith have turned this unconventional cocktail into a recipe for success. Owners of Redland Farm at Wan-borough, the Smiths have just won a grant from the Department
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Hockey
Win eases drop fears SALISBURY men's first team approached Satur-day's game at Petersfield knowing that anything less than three points from the trip could well doom them to relegation. Things did not bode well when Charlie Yiangou and Adie Rigg pulled
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Tennis
Riverside teams shine as sun provides glorious finale SPRING-like weather gave tennis an extra zip on Sunday when glorious sunshine graced final fixtures for Riverside's top three teams in the Wiltshire Winter League, and a further match for the D team
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Army kit scandal
MARCH 6: A SOLDIER serving with the Swindon-based Wiltshire Royal Yeomanry has spent £800 kitting herself out for duties in Iraq. Sarah Jane Masters bought a new pair of desert boots, a camp bed, water bottles, a rucksack, sunglasses and toiletries because
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Weekend warriors at work in the Gulf
MARCH 6: RESERVISTS from RAF Lyneham were today in the Gulf preparing for possible operations in Iraq. And should war break out, auxiliary airmen from Swindon will help evacuate military casualties back to the UK. Among those in the Middle East are student
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Boxing
Fourth triumph SALISBURY Boxing Club's Adam Grigg powered his way to victory on Saturday night with a second round stoppage against Chris Edwards at Burnham-on-Sea. It was the 17-year-old light-welterweight's fourth win in four contests - all inside the
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Badminton
Christmas delivers title present CHRISTMAS cheer came early to change the face of local badminton as Stonehenge Falcons won the Division One title to deprive Salisbury Hurricanes of the crown they had held for the last seven years. Veteran Steve Christmas
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Skaters' dream keeps rolling on
SKATERS in Highworth may be closer to having their own park after the town council backed a possible site for the facility. Councillors voted to investigate whether the area on Swindon Road, at the entrance to the town's public golf course, could be turned
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Thanks to all
THIS is just to say a big thank you to all who kindly took the time and trouble to write to the Civic Offices when you heard about the possibility that the Information Centre would be closing. We have been given the 'all clear' and look forward to seeing
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Dangers of feeding fowl
AS a keen angler at Coate Water and surrounding waters, I am very concerned to see the public feeding wildfowl so close to the anglers. In doing this there is a very high risk of a hook or fishing line getting caught up in one of the birds. I and other
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Parsons keeps 147 on course
SWINDON AND DISTRICT LEAGUE: LOWER Stratton were the latest club to succumb to the goal power of 147 Club, who maintained their 100 per cent record in the Premier Division with a 7-2 victory. Dean Parsons led the way with five goals and Paul Childs hit
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Is it fun? Oh yes it is
MY acting debut as the innkeeper in my primary school's nativity play was a disaster of biblical proportions. Aged five and dressed from head to foot in pieces of stripey patterned curtain, I stood trembling in the wings waiting for my cue. As the wooden
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Wroughton keep pressure on leaders
SKURRAY'S WILTSHIRE LEAGUE: STRATTON Crosslink and Wroughton both picked up maximum points to keep them in the frame for the Premier Division championship. They also crept closer to leaders Shrewton United, who were held to a 1-1 draw by Trowbridge Town
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Paget scores late winner
MID-WILTSHIRE SUNDAY LEAGUE: BAR OC/The Crown climbed to second spot table with a 2-1 away win at JB Lions. The home team took the lead on 20 minutes and held onto their advantage until midway through the second period, when Tom Evans scored the equaliser
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Eggy, steady, go...
CROWDS gathered in Chippenham High Street for the annual pancake races to celebrate Shrove Tuesday. The fun started at 11.30am when adults and youngsters took part in a series of races up and down the High Street. Angel Hotel chef Daniel Wyatt took first
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Banks cashes in at Welton
SCREWFIX ROUND UP: KEVIN Banks headed a late leveller as Melksham Town did struggling local rivals Devizes a favour at bottom club Welton Rovers. Robbie Lardner's men found themselves three goals behind with just 20 minutes remaining, but fought back
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Shepshed Dynamo 0, Swindon Supermarine 2
SWINDON Supermarine have renewed hope of a second 'great escape' after a fine 2-0 win at fellow Western Division strugglers Shepshed Dynamo. First-half goals from Shaun Terry and Jimmy Carter leave Marine nine points from safety and looking capable of
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Corsham Town 0, Hallen 1
SCREWFIX FIRST DIVISION: CORSHAM remain in relegation trouble at the foot of the First Division table after Hallen staged a smash-and-grab raid at The Southbank on Saturday 1 March. The home team dominated the second half but finished empty-handed as
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Public gets online access
WILTSHIRE County Council posted a list of nearly 1,000 key documents and publications on its Internet site on Monday. People have the right to see documents held by public organisations under The Freedom of Information Act 2000. The act requires the council
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Out for a night on the tiles
WHEN Steve Perry enjoys a night out on the tiles it doesn't end in a curry or a hangover but an evening of intellectual cut and thrust. For Mr Perry, 53, is hooked on the game of Scrabble and spends as much of his free time as possible playing the world
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Mum's year of hell after crash
SYSTEMS manager Peter Smith who overtook three cars on a blind bend and crashed head-on into an on-coming car, has been fined £1,200 and banned from driving for 18 months after admitting driving dangerously. On Friday, at Salisbury Crown Court, Smith,
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A touch of royalty
OSCAR the runaway cat has become a celebrity in Wootton Bassett after he was given a welcome usually reserved for royalty. The four-year-old ginger tom moved to the town with owner Sara Green from Torquay in January. But he disappeared and Miss Green
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Soldiers need our support, say parents
RESERVISTS from Swindon were this week flying to the Gulf as preparations for a possible war against Iraq stepped up a gear. About 106 soldiers, including 37 Swindon reservists attached to A Squadron of the Royal Wiltshire Yeomanry, set off for the Gulf
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Mooney left to rue the chance that got away
DEVIZES TOWN: NICK Mooney was left to rue the one that got away after coming within inches of giving Devizes the lead in their FA Vase quarter final on Saturday 1 March. The long-serving wing-back, 29, hit the Maldon crossbar after latching onto a pass
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Barren day for strike force
DEVIZES TOWN: STRIKER Neil Dix was given little chance to continue his recent scoring spree as Devizes bowed out of the FA Vase with barely a whimper. Dix and strike partner Paul Hunt were forced to live off scraps in the final third and Maldon took control
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Now we can concentrate on league says boss
DEVIZES TOWN: PETE Tripp is aiming for Screwfix Direct Premier Division safety after seeing his side easily beaten by Maldon in Saturday's FA Vase quarter final. The Devizes manager has tasted victory only once in the league since taking over from Ray
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Hammers fan bubbling with delight at victory
DEVIZES TOWN: JUBILANT Maldon boss Colin Wallington admitted he expected Devizes to pose a sterner test of his side's credentials as they clinched an FA Vase semi-final spot for the first time in their history. The lifelong West Ham supporter is dreaming
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Devizes Town 0, Maldon Town 3
DEVIZES' FA Vase run came to a sorry end as they were outbattled and out-thought by their hungry visitors from Essex in front of a bumper crowd at Nursteed Road. Pete Tripp's men were second best in every department as Jewson Eastern Counties League outfit
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Major and wife 'cheated' on TV
A series of coughs was picked up by studio microphones as a Who Wants To Be A Millionaire? contestant dishonestly answered his way to the top prize, a court heard today. After Major Charles Ingram had been presented with the £1 million cheque by game
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Choir helps the abused
A concert by Sheila Harrod's Kentwood choir, organised by the local branch of the NSPCC, raised more than £1,000 to help abused children from the town and county. The show took place at Ridgeway School, Wroughton. The NSPCC has two centres in Swindon
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Fiancee wants to put up bench in memory of Mathew
THE fiancee of stabbed builder Mathew Hornsby has started raising money for a memorial bench in his honour. Mathew, 25, was killed last April after 19-year-old carpenter Michael Ephgrave thrust a chisel into his back causing a fatal, 10cm deep wound.
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Major and wife 'cheated' on TV
A series of coughs was picked up by studio microphones as a Who Wants To Be A Millionaire? contestant dishonestly answered his way to the top prize, a court heard today. After Major Charles Ingram had been presented with the £1 million cheque by game
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Army kit scandal
MARCH 6: A SOLDIER serving with the Swindon-based Wiltshire Royal Yeomanry has spent £800 kitting herself out for duties in Iraq. Sarah Jane Masters bought a new pair of desert boots, a camp bed, water bottles, a rucksack, sunglasses and toiletries because
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What lies beneath the surface
CULT indie director Todd Haynes recreates the technicolour splendour of Fifties melodramas in Far From Heaven (12A), a moving and compelling tale of secrets and prejudice. Dennis Quaid and wife Julianne Moore are the toast of 1957 Hartford, Connecticut
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RAF man in dramatic sea rescue off Cyprus
POLICE had to cordon off part of Salisbury city centre last week after a suspicious package was found at the Chipper Lane post office. AN Egyptian man was saved from drowning by a former Salisbury schoolboy, who plucked him out of the sea off Cyprus.
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Police probe bank worker's mystery death
DETECTIVES were this week trying to piece together the movements of popular bank worker Charles Lennon, who died in hospital some 18 hours after being found slumped unconscious in a Salisbury underpass. Mr Lennon, a 50-year-old cashier with Lloyds TSB
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Visitor centre plan 'will blight our lives'
WORRIED Countess Road residents packed out a meeting at Amesbury last week and spoke of their fears of increased traffic and tumbling house prices if the green light were given to current plans for the new multi-million-pound Stonehenge visitor centre
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Appeal after post prank
POLICE have appealed for neighbours of Calne's Family Health Centre to be vigilant after vandals stuffed lighted paper tapers into the building's letterbox. A spokesman for the centre, in Broken Cross, said nothing was damaged, but warned confidential
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Camera monitorswill tackle vandalism
CALNE Town Council has taken a big step in its fight against crime with its decision to install a temporary manned CCTV monitoring station. The town centre has recently been the victim of a spate of attacks from vandals, which have resulted in smashed
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Salute AA patrol who reaches final 15
AA patrolman Malcolm Ducker, of Cherhill, has reached the final heat in the motoring service's Patrol of the Year awards. Mr Ducker, 38, who has worked for the Automobile Association for three years, competed against 3,500 patrols across the country to
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Bard showcased
MARCH 3, BATH: BATH Shakespeare Festival kicks off with The Comedy of Errors on March 3, continuing with Hamlet, Othello, Romeo and Juliet and The Taming of the Shrew. Call (01225) 448844 or look up www.bathshakespeare.org.uk
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New players are required
STRATTON Juniors FC are looking for new players aged in the under seven and under eight categories. They will be training at Greendown School on Saturday, March 15, at 9.30am. For more information contact Kevin Iles on Swindon 831251 or Ade Rowe on 828624
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Paddlers get set for canoeists' Everest
TEENAGE friends George Heaton-Renshaw and Henry Dodson are to take part in the gruelling Devizes to Westminster Canoe Race to raise money for charity. George, 17, of Devizes, and Henry, 16, of Chittoe, are raising money for different charities. George
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New sergeant to build on community links
NEW police sergeant Dave Garrod says he is looking forward to building on the good links Devizes police has with the community. Sgt Garrod, 43, has taken over from Dave Bonner-Smith who has moved to police headquarters to take up a training role. He has
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Two men sent to jail for attack on police
TWO Devizes men have been sent to prison after what a Crown Court judge called "disgraceful attacks" on police. Paul Foster, 21, of Mayenne Place, Devizes, and Stephen Diffey, 19, of Tobacco Buildings, Devizes, assaulted PCs Karl Broadhead and Angela
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2003 civic awards need new nominees
NOMINATIONS for unsung heroes and heroines in the community particularly young people are wanted for the town's civic awards. Devizes Town Council gives the awards to people who give up their time voluntarily to help other people and improve the environment
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Buy a raffle ticket to ride
DEVIZES School's bid for sports college status has received an enormous boost after local car dealer Fussell Wadman offered to donate the proceeds from its raffle of a brand new motor scooter to the cause. The school needs to raise £50,000 sponsorship
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Villagers angry over jam factory inquiry venue
RESIDENTS of Easterton, near Devizes, were up in arms that a public inquiry into the proposed redevelopment of the former jam factory in the village was held more than three miles away in West Lavington. Although Easterton's village hall is no more than
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Driven crazy
PARKING in Devizes is inadequate, badly organised and is driving people to other towns where parking is free and easier to find. That was the opinion of townspeople quizzed by the Gazette as new parking restrictions came into force this week. Unrestricted
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Council draws up list to keep track of its valuables
THE town council in Marlborough is preparing an inventory of its historic assets to prevent any going missing. On Monday the finance and general purposes committee backed a suggestion from former mayor Stewart Dobson that a list of all of the council's
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End of era as family firm shuts up shop
PROBABLY the oldest family business in Marlborough and one of the oldest in the county, Vincent Head men's outfitters, is to close. Robin Head is retiring after 44 years in the business, which has been in his family for five or more generations. Traditionally
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Touch of class fantasy world
BOOK characters ranging from Harry Potter to wicked witches, fairies and pirates, turned up for lessons at Kennet Valley School on Monday. It was the first day of the school's book week which marks World Book day today. It was a fun way of returning to
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Council throws out alcohol ban
A PLAN to introduce a boozing ban in the centre of Marlborough has fallen flat after town councillors refused to back the idea. At a meeting of the town council on Monday, the proposal for banning the consumption of alcohol in public, originally introduced
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2004 team outraged at statue criticism
A STATUE intended as a memorial to town celebrations in Marlborough next year is at the centre of a growing rift between the town council and organising committee. The proposed work of art was intended to provide a lasting memorial to the 2004 celebrations
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'Bongos are hard to beat'
BUDDING drummer Kieron Clifford has finally found someone to teach him how to play his bongo. Kieron, eight, of Marlborough, was bought the drum by his mother, Dawn Stagg, as a Christmas present and now plays it every day. He has taught himself some of
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New kitchen is a hit with residents
RESIDENTS living in sheltered accommodation were treated to a new kitchen after a changing rooms-style makeover. The communal kitchen at the Westminster Road flats was revamped by the Guinness Trust the housing association in charge of the scheme. The
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MP is pleased with programme to reduce heart disease deaths
A NATIONAL programme for improving care for patients with heart disease appears to be improving the lot of patients in Swindon. The National Service Frame-work for Coronary Heart Disease was introduced three years ago to combat heart disease through a
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Be a councillor
CIVIC-MINDED residents of Wootton Bassett are invited to attend a seminar about the role of a town councillor. Anyone interested in standing in this year's local elections should attend the meeting, which starts at 7pm next Tuesday at the Town Council
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Zoom on down
A GROUP of amateur video filmmakers say they will welcome newcomers at their next meeting. The Zoom Video Camera Club is headquartered at Gorse Hill Community Centre in Chapel Street. Its next meeting will be on Thursday, March 13, beginning at 7.30pm
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More cash on way for 'new town' Swindon
MORE CASH could be on the way to help Swindon. South Swindon MP Julia Drown took part in a debate at the Houses of Parliament in to bid to bring more money to the town, which has one of the worst funded councils in the country. The MP was speaking in
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Old folks need have no fear of computers
AGE Concern in Swindon is trying to encourage older people to use computers. The charity is holding a coffee morning for older people combined with an introduction to the fun of using computers. The event is being arranged with the help of Swindon College
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Writ over poison in well water claim
ONE of about 600 Bangladeshi people, who claim they suffered arsenic poisoning because of a Swindon organization, has filed a writ in a damages case worth up to £30m. Lucky Begum wants at least £15,000 from the Natural Environment Research Council, which
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Join in the events on national footpaths
The National Trails Office has put together a series of events that take place on the Ridgeway and Thames Path national Trails. The aim is to promote access to the countryside for recreation and exercise. The events, ranging from a simple walk to an introduction
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Cat's official welcome and a search for a dog
WHILE Oscar the cat's owner is breathing a sigh of relief after his return from the missing list, another family are heartbroken at their dog's disappearance. Oscar sparked a nationwide search when he ran away from his new home in Wootton Bassett. For
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NHS trust did not fiddle waiting lists
SWINDON'S hospital was not one of the trusts singled out for fiddling waiting list figures in a recently released audit commission report. Spot checks by Government inspectors revealed errors in the reporting of waiting lists at more than half of 41 NHS
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Aiming to stage the biggest breakfast
FUNDRAISERS in Cricklade aim to stage the town's biggest breakfast yet in aid of Cancer Research UK. The United Church Hall in Calcutt Street is the venue for Cricklade's contribution to the charity's annual national fundraising event on Friday. Organiser
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Car park is vital
I, like many others, read with concern the article regarding the closure of the car park at Fynamore School, in Calne. I fully appreciate the council wanting to introduce a green plan enabling pupils to walk to school and leave the cars behind but has
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Fred shouts his last oyez
AFTER 27 years of service to Wootton Bassett, town crier Fred Deacon is finally shutting up. Mr Deacon, 70, of Fair-field, Wootton Bassett said: "My health isn't that good and my voice is going hoarse, probably as a result of all that shouting, which
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Bishop attacks US security strategy
THE Bishop of Salisbury has called America's national security strategy "destructive, damaging and contemptuous of hope" - his fiercest attack yet on the possibility of war on Iraq. "It is a dangerous doctrine because pre-emptive self-defence hands all
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Please act as eyes for trust
We have much to be proud of in Devizes, but in today's state of constant change we cannot afford to relax and take our eye off the ball. Devizes is a special place, partly due to its isolated and scenic location, partly due to its architectural heritage
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Cathedral's Irish link is revealed
TIMBER from trees felled in Ireland was used to build some of the magnificent roofs of Salisbury Cathedral, new research has revealed. The wood was probably imported after a dispute halted local supplies, say scientists, whose new timber dating techniques
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Music event set to go ahead with Euro songs
A CALL for pro-European songs to be dropped from the programme of the Wiltshire Junior Music Festival has been rejected by the council's Cabinet. The competition for primary schools takes place on Wednesday, March 26 and includes in its programme five
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First CD has been cut by village band
ALDBOURNE Band, which has delighted music lovers for more than 100 years, has cut its first CD. And, appropriately, the band has called the CD after the village from it takes its name. Penney Morgan has sponsored the cost of recording the CD, in honour
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Tourism plan gets sword of approval
THE Marquis of Bath wielded a sword to champion tourism during a conference in Salisbury last Friday. The colourful owner of Longleat House was among 70 influential tourism representatives attending the launch, at the city's Medieval Hall, of new tourism
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Elderly get wet in the 'back-to-front' shelter
RESIDENTS of an elderly people's housing complex in Salisbury say the bus shelter in their road gives no shelter at all when it rains because it has been put up the wrong way round. The people of Hedley Davis Court, Cherry Orchard Lane, all of whom are
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RAF man in dramatic sea rescue off Cyprus
POLICE had to cordon off part of Salisbury city centre last week after a suspicious package was found at the Chipper Lane post office. AN Egyptian man was saved from drowning by a former Salisbury schoolboy, who plucked him out of the sea off Cyprus.
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Reflection of society
WE should not be surprised at the regular increases in our council tax, as it is a reflection of our inefficient and wasteful society. Good housekeeping skills and prudence are clearly something sadly lacking in our society, resulting in awful wastefulness
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MPs commend CAMR's bio-terrorism research
MEMBERS of a powerful parliamentary committee have given Porton Down laboratories the thumbs-up, after their visit to the top-secret research centre last Wednesday. The fact-finding visit by nine members of the House of Commons science and technology
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Here's a novel idea
I think I may have come up with a novel scheme which may aid our cash-strapped council. Why doesn't council leader Kevin 'brave budget' Small get together with our beloved Chancellor of the Exchequer Gordon 'prudence' Brown and arrange for all senior
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MP lends tenor to stylish wedding blessing
TOURISTS were surprised at the sight of dozens of wedding guests in historical costumes in Salisbury Cathedral Close on Saturday when Harnham couple Chris and Kate Simpson held their marriage blessing service at the cathedral. Chris, a cathedral verger
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Police probe bank worker's mystery death
DETECTIVES were this week trying to piece together the movements of popular bank worker Charles Lennon, who died in hospital some 18 hours after being found slumped unconscious in a Salisbury underpass. Mr Lennon, a 50-year-old cashier with Lloyds TSB
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Vote to oust those in power
HOW earnestly I agree with all the letters (Wednesday, February 26) concerning our council. They all made very strong points which I'm sure a lot of other people in Swindon agreed with. When it comes to the local elections in May, please, people of Swindon
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In days gone by, waste was a burning issue
I REFER to the letter from Theo Godfrey (February 27), "Recycling waste only way forward". I believe that Mr Godfrey is absolutely right to advocate the recycling of waste materials as that will undoubtedly reduce the amount of landfill space required
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I hope you sleep well. We won't
TWO weeks ago, my husband had a letter from the DSS informing him of our pension increase, £3 a week for him and £1.10 for me. Oh good, I thought. Then the bad news. Council tax up by 15 per cent, which is £2 gone for a start. Never mind, still £2.10
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let cycles be our saviour
IN the 1960s, when Swindon was one of the best manufacturing towns in the south of England, everybody cycled cheerfully to office, factory and school. Nowadays with the increase in population and the fact that two-thirds of Swindonians own a car or two
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Amersham and Chiltern 17, Chippenham 8
CHIPPENHAM'S inconsistent form continued on Saturday 1 March as their faint promotion hopes were shattered by South West Two East strugglers Amersham and Chiltern. The fourth placed visitors were beaten for the seventh time this season by an Amersham
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Swindon Supermarine 71, Marlborough 5
SUPERMARINE avenged an earlier defeat in style as they romped to a thumping victory in Saturday's Dorset and Wilts Division Two North encounter. Marine came out of the blocks from the first whistle and they soon stamped their authority on proceedings.
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Melksham/Devizes U15s 0, Chippenham U15s 7
A CONVERTED try from Jason Deamer proved decisive as Chippenham clinched victory in this Wiltshire Cup encounter. Deamer scored the only try of the match in the first half following a midfield drive by the back row. The centre broke through from 15 metres
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Cancellation hands merit crown to Chippenham
CHIPPENHAM U18s have been crowned champions of the Dorset and Wilts Merit Table after Sunday's opponents Bournemouth cancelled their scheduled clash. The south coast club were unable to raise a side through injury, thereby forfeiting the match and handing
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Elms sets sights on England call-up
YOUTH RUGBY: PROMISING centre Carole Elms is gunning for international honours after being selected for the South West Counties U16s squad. The 16-year-old, a year 11 pupil at Lavington School, plays for top local ladies' side Avon and was selected for
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Minety 2nd 38, Malmesbury 0
AN inspirational performance and a brace of tries from pack leader James Hazel helped Minety seconds trounce neighbours Malmesbury. Having done the hard work up the slope in the first half, the seconds cut loose after the break and ended with a total
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English Nature wins landmark court case
LANDOWNER Andrew Wickens has been fined £4,000 after being found guilty of damaging rare orchids in meadows at Sutton Benger. Wickens, 30, of Bramley, Hampshire, pleaded guilty at Trowbridge Magistrates Court on February 25 to damaging the protected Sutton
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Heritage centre ushers in new era
CHIPPENHAM Museum and Heritage Centre is celebrating the opening of an education centre and new display galleries on Monday. Visitors will be able to see the four new galleries on the first floor, along with the education room/lecture theatre and the
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Protests over Englands plan
RESIDENTS have raised a storm of protest over plans to build new homes to pay for a £500,000 extension at a Chippenham primary school. More than 60 people have complained to North Wiltshire District Council about plans to build houses on land at Englands
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Thieves strike three times
A PAIR of thieves have raided a motorway garage three times in a fortnight, and one of them was wearing a jacket he had stolen on an earlier visit. The duo first struck at Leigh Delamere's westbound petrol station on February 18, when they were spotted
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Dad's marathon after baby son is paralysed
A CHIPPENHAM family say their lives will never be the same after their baby son was diagnosed with a condition that has left him paralysed on his right side. Dion and Leah Alday's ten-month-old son Lukas was diagnosed with hemiplegia, a form of cerebral
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Rod and Line
with Roland Batten THE area's anglers swept the board in two open matches fished over the last few days on the Avon and Nadder, bringing the competitive season on the rivers in the Salisbury area to a close for this season. The first of the matches was
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Athletics
Teacher triumphs SALISBURY athlete Brian Gillo is heading to Spain after winning the shot putt at the British Masters Athletic Federation's event at Kelvin Hall, Glasgow last month. The 56-year-old school teacher threw 12.31m and will now represent Great
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Cricket
South Wilts have to wait SOUTH Wilts Cricket Club's under 16s are now locked in a two-horse race with Basingstoke & North Hants for the NatWest Hampshire Indoor Cricket Championship at the Rose Bowl. The title will be decided on Sunday week when Basingstoke
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Bowls
Five Rivers book place in play offs FIVE Rivers Indoor Bowls Club's men produced their best ever performance in the league to book their place in this season's play-offs when they defeated bottom-of-the-table Stour Vale by the huge margin of 80 shots.
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A month of IT training in village by Anne Morris
LUDGERSHALL, is the next location for the mobile learning unit run by Salisbury College and it will be located in the car park at the Queens's Head in Ludgershall High Street, from next Monday March 11 to Friday April 11. The unit, which aims to take
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Rugby
Salisbury fall to weighty pack WITH only four teams below them in the league, Salisbury travelled to Wimborne knowing that a win would have secured their place in the division as only the bottom three teams will go down this year. With Wimborne's pack
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Marilyn's self-denial has a rational explanation
SOME people give up chocolate for Lent, some people renounce alcohol. Marilyn McLaughlin is practising a more unusual form of self-denial. For the whole of the first week of Lent, which started yesterday, Marilyn and her husband Philip are living on World
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Motorsport
Rob collects his award SHREWTON racing driver Rob Horsfield was among the guests at the annual Monoposto Racing Club awards ceremony held at the Hanover International Hotel in Hinckley, Leices-tershire where he received his trophy for finishing second
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Give them all the kit they need
EVERYONE has their own stance on the impending war in Iraq. But whether you are in favour or against military action, no one would dispute that our troops must have all the equipment they need. That is why Sarah Jane Masters' predicament makes for worrying
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It's water torture!
TOWN'S burning desire to mount a play-off charge was drenched in cold water as their clash with struggling Cheltenham was washed out. Referee Andy Hall declared the pitch unplayable at 5.45pm, much to the irritation of manager Andy King and chief executive
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Tiddleywink back on map
RESIDENTS of the hamlet of Tiddleywink are toasting their new-found notoriety after council chiefs put their village back on the map. Consisting of just eight houses, Tiddleywink is just yards from Yatton Keynell, but despite being a hamlet for over 100
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Hospital grub's the best in the country
HOSPITALS in Kennet and North Wiltshire have come out with top marks for cleanliness and good food in a national survey. Savernake, Chippenham, Malmesbury and Devizes hospitals are among 81 hospitals from all over the country to be graded 'green' for
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Third park and ride on cards
VISITORS to Swindon's Great Western Hospital now face being penalised if they fail to buy an 80p an hour ticket or do not park their cars in bays. Like motorists using car parks across Swindon, they will be fined £30 which doubles if not paid within 14
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Safer cycling for children
YOUNG cyclists in Pewsey will be able to take part in the village's unique safe cycling scheme next month. Pewsey is believed to be the only community in Wiltshire where the police run safe cycling courses. Children aged ten and over qualify for the course
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Keynsham Town Ladies Reserves 1, Chippenham Town Ladies 5
WOMEN'S FOOTBALL: JESS Pomfret scored twice as injury-hit Chippenham Ladies sealed their place in the final of the League Cup with victory at Keynsham. The Bluebirds squad was hard hit by illness and the withdrawal of top scorer Seb Everson, who will
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Walker is drafted in to fill left side berth
WING-BACK Scott Walker is hoping to help Chippenham to a top two Premier Division finish this term after signing for the rest of the season for Newport County. Manager Tommy Saunders moved quickly to bring in the 22-year-old left-sided player after the
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Open house event
SORTIMO International, a leading manufacturer of in-vehicle racking for panel vans, is holding a customer and careers workshop/open house event at its headquarters at Old Sarum Park tomorrow. All trades are welcome to come between 3pm and 5pm to see the
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Sales talk on agenda at rural business club
THE next meeting of the Wiltshire Rural Business Club is on March 18 at which the speaker will be Justin Allison. Mr Allison, who creates and writes all types of sales communication, will talk on how to win sales and influence people. Brought up in Dorset
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Deadline looms for tax break on IT
SMALL businesses have until March 31 to take advantage of a valuable tax break on the purchase of a range of IT equipment including printers, computers, third generation mobile phones and software. "Qualifying businesses can claim 100 per cent first year
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Agricultural land goes to non-farmers
THE rise in house prices generally is being mirrored in the increasing amount of money being paid to buy a place in the country. Estate agents Strutt & Parker report that non-farm buyers in many parts of the country are out- bidding farmers in an
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Pensioners petition on risky pavements
PENSIONERS in Sherston are demanding repairs to pavements after a series of accidents have left elderly people injured in the last six months. Sherston Seniors Club has branded the pavements around the High Street, Silver Street, Cliff Road and Court
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Top of the scoffs
SHERSTON villagers guzzled their way through 206 pancakes in a novel pancake eating race in the village on Tuesday. The event held at the Carpenter's Arms was organised by Sherston 1016 as an alternative to the traditional pancake tossing competition.
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School's new building praised by inspectors
MALMESBURY School's new building at Corn Gastons has had a glowing report from Ofsted inspectors. The inspectors said that the school's move to the new multi-million pound complex last summer has resolved the problems of split location raised in the last
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Village primary is given the go-ahead
WORK on Sherston's new primary school will begin in June, and could include space for the village pre-school and after school club. The £1.64 million, six-classroom school will be built at Upper Stanbridge farm, and should be finished in less than a year
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'My home is not a den for drugs'
MALMESBURY mother Karen Ashcroft has dismissed claims that her house at 20 Corn Gastons is a drug haven for youngsters, as outrageous. After visiting the house on two occasions, police are continuing to investigate claims by neighbours that large groups
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Parcelforce launches its awards
Businesses in Swindon are being invited to step into the limelight as Parcelforce Worldwide launches its Small Business Awards this week, which it claims is the largest scheme of its kind in the UK. Prizes totalling £110,000 are available: £6,000 for
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Boxing
Fourth triumph SALISBURY Boxing Club's Adam Grigg powered his way to victory on Saturday night with a second round stoppage against Chris Edwards at Burnham-on-Sea. It was the 17-year-old light-welterweight's fourth win in four contests - all inside the
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Equestrian
Cheltenham here we come Two Cheltenham hopefuls are being trained in the Woodford Valley by Seamus Mullins at his busy Wilsford yard. Farmer Jack is to run in next week's Arkle Challenge Trophy at the festival and See You Sometime, already a winner at
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Ours is such a sick society
WHAT a sick society we live in. I picked a bottle up put it in a bin before it was smashed all over the place. Next morning, where was it? Yes, some moron had taken it out of the litter bin to smash it. Sick or what? Every time you take the dog for a
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A long time in politics
IT is surprising how short memories are in politics. Most people will have now forgotten that two Tory councillors from Highworth where absent from the budget meeting last year (February 21, 2002). The reason given was that they needed a holiday. This
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Getting lost in the wilds of a military training area
MORE and more motorists are using Salisbury Plain for recreational driving, sometimes ending up in trouble with the law and sometimes just in trouble. Just before Christmas, Ministry of Defence police were involved in a game of hide and seek with a couple
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Battle of the Ridgeway
AS managers of the Ridgeway Trail get ready to deliver their report on the public inquiry into the world-famous route, controversy has deepened over the use of vehicles on the track. The National Trails organisation, which looks after the thousand-year
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Care commission reports good news
Swindon and Wiltshire care homes are in great shape and there is no real shortage in the county, is the message from the newly-formed National Care Standards Commission. Swindon and Wiltshire area manager Liam Scanlon, 40, has been in the post since the
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Party time as Plough celebrate first win
SWINDON SUNAY LEAGUE: IT was a red letter day for Division Two side Highworth Plough as they gained their first points of the season. The bottom-of-the-table team romped to a fine 2-0 home win over Dynamo Ashton, thanks to goals from Chris Wardroper and
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Out of Europe but not big time
SONGWRITER Simon May says he will never enter one of his compositions for the Eurovision Song Contest again after his 16-year-old protg MiMi came third in the competition to choose a song for Britain. It was Devizes-born Mr May's third attempt to have
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Record office plan could be derailed
WILTSHIRE could lose its long-awaited multi-million pound Record Office altogether if campaigners for a Trowbridge site raise a storm with the Heritage Lottery Fund, county council leader Coun Peter Chalke has warned. The council's cabinet has given the
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Title race hots up as Lydiard claim win
SWINDON MINORS LEAGUE: FAIRFORD continue to look ominously good in the under 11s Blue Division after dismantling Marlborough Youth on their travels. The Gloucestershire side ran out easy 10-0 winners to remain top of the table. Lydiard Youth are still
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Eggy, steady, go...
CHILDREN and their parents had fun taking part in pancake races through the main street in Chirton, near Devizes, on Tuesday. The street was closed while pupils of Chirton Primary School raced along tossing pancakes. There was also a mums' race and a
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Beady-eyed bird spotters needed
THE lapwing, which used to be seen in large flocks on farmland all over Wiltshire, is now a rarely seen bird and conservationists are appealing to local people to report any sightings. The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) is asking people
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Banks cashes in at Welton
SCREWFIX ROUND-UP: KEVIN Banks headed a late leveller as Melksham Town did struggling local rivals Devizes a favour at bottom club Welton Rovers. Robbie Lardner's men found themselves three goals behind with just 20 minutes remaining, but fought back
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Calne Town 1, Ilfracombe Town 0
SCREWFIX FIRST DIVISION: MIDFIELDER Gary Smart recovered from a 'flu bug to fire Calne back into the First Division's top three at Bremhill View on Saturday. The former Swindon Supermarine youngster scored the winning goal on the hour as high flying Calne
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Laughs all way as prince tours town
PRINCE Philip, famous for his gaffs, left clock designer Edwin Wright slightly bewildered by his comments during the unveiling of his masterpiece in Swindon town centre. The 9ft clock, which has been dubbed the eye in the sky, was unveiled in Bridge Street
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Highworth have the edge in derby clash
HOSTS Highworth edged the Swindon derby in the Hellenic Premier Division on Tuesday 4 March. A brilliant Tate Hulbert goal at the end of the first half secured John Fisher's men a narrow 1-0 win over local rivals Wootton Bassett. There was little between
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Pewsey Vale 0, Fairford Town 4
HELLENIC LEAGUE: DEFENDER Tony Dyer endured a night of misery as Pewsey Vale's relegation woes continued on Tuesday 4 March night. Long-serving Dyer saw a penalty saved and then put through his own goal as his side were beaten by near neighbours Fairford
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Padre faces trial
A PADRE at RAF Lyneham allegedly made a night time raid on Forces fuel supplies to fill his own car up after a day trip, a court martial heard. Squadron Leader Matthew Olanrewaju denies stealing 44.2 litres of diesel at 10.30pm on June 30. Investigators
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Chippenham Sunday League
BIDDESTONE Social Club have stepped up their bid for promotion from the Division Two of the Vanitec Computers sponsored Chippenham League. With the top of the table clash between leaders Black Horse and second placed Semington Rovers postponed because
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Families stay in touch with their loved ones
THERE were a few tears shed in the Graham household, in Hullavington, on Sunday night, when Sergeant James Graham, made his first telephone call home from the Gulf. Sgt Graham, 41, or "Junior" as he's known to his friends, is a vehicle mechanic with the
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Security increased as planes fly to base
POLICE have stepped up security around RAF Fairford as more warplanes fly into the base from the United States. There are thought to be 14 giant B52 bombers in place at the US base. But Internet-based plane-spotters have reported more aircraft en route
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'We weren't at the races' says skipper
DEVIZES TOWN: DEVIZES captain Dave Hopkins believes the consequences will be dire for his club if they fail to lift themselves following Saturday's FA Vase defeat at the hands of Maldon Town. Pete Tripp's side are have been dragged into a relegation dogfight
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Capture Swindon's spirit for a bus poster
POEMS about the spirit of Swindon are set to be displayed on bus shelters and buses. Entries have been invited for a poetry competition organised by the Swindon Learning Partnership's Family and Community Learning department. The 10 best selected by the
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Skaters' dream keeps rolling on
SKATERS in Highworth may be closer to having their own park after the town council backed a possible site for the facility. Councillors voted to investigate whether the area on Swindon Road, at the entrance to the town's public golf course, could be turned
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Head denies hitting 'anxious' colleague
HEADTEACHER Maran White, who is accused of slapping a colleague around the face in a row over paperwork, has told a court that the other teacher was a stressed, anxious person who couldn't cope with the changing pace of teaching. Mrs White, 51, of Croft
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Payout for ex-rail worker with Swindon disease
A FORMER railway worker has received a substantial payout from British Rail after contracting the asbestos related cancer, mesothelioma also known as Swindon disease. Divorced father-of-two, David Hill, who now lives in Weston-super-Mare, received £182,844
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We are just so fond of Honda
Honda in Swindon now employs around 4,300 staff and uses some of the world's most advanced production processes. But its beginnings were a bit more humble. In 1985, the factory only comprised a pre-delivery centre which was tasked with checking the the
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Unlikely fairy tale is no stretch for Lopez
AS at least one American President has learned to his cost, politics and beautiful women are unhappy bedfellows. It's certainly true of Maid In Manhattan (PG), a light and frothy romantic comedy about an aspiring US senator who hits the campaign trail
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Cathedral's Irish link is revealed
TIMBER from trees felled in Ireland was used to build some of the magnificent roofs of Salisbury Cathedral, new research has revealed. The wood was probably imported after a dispute halted local supplies, say scientists, whose new timber dating techniques
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Tourism plan gets sword of approval
THE Marquis of Bath wielded a sword to champion tourism during a conference in Salisbury last Friday. The colourful owner of Longleat House was among 70 influential tourism representatives attending the launch, at the city's Medieval Hall, of new tourism
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MP lends tenor to stylish wedding blessing
TOURISTS were surprised at the sight of dozens of wedding guests in historical costumes in Salisbury Cathedral Close on Saturday when Harnham couple Chris and Kate Simpson held their marriage blessing service at the cathedral. Chris, a cathedral verger
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MPs commend CAMR's bio-terrorism research
MEMBERS of a powerful parliamentary committee have given Porton Down laboratories the thumbs-up, after their visit to the top-secret research centre last Wednesday. The fact-finding visit by nine members of the House of Commons science and technology
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Health centre on track for summer
WORK is on course to complete the £12m Tidworth primary health-care centre by the summer. The centre will bring together facilities that at present are scattered over four locations in the garrison town. Moving into the new building will be the medical
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Developer is to curb noise
PERSIMMON Homes Ltd has responded to complaints about building noise on sites in north Calne by limiting the hours of work on developments next to residential areas. In October last year, Persimmon agreed to enforce a noise embargo, prohibiting lorry
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Charity bus service in crisis over drivers
A COMMUNITY bus service has been forced to leave its elderly and infirm passengers high and dry because of a chronic shortage of drivers. Calne Community Transport provides a vital link to the community for elderly, frail, mentally and physically disabled
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British National Party to stand in town election
A MEMBER of the controversial British National Party, known for its hard line on immigration and asylum seekers, is standing for election in one of Calne's most deprived areas. Father-of-four Robert Baggs, 43, plans to stand as a candidate for Abberd
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Gran warns others of fatal sleep danger
DEVIZES grandmother June Bolwell is urging health authorities to publicise the condition sleep apnoea after her 20-year-old grandson became one of the youngest people ever to die from the disorder. Steven Latty, who was born in Devizes but moved with
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Biblical tales come to life
A BIBLICAL play performed in Devizes on Shrove Tuesday was enjoyed by more than 200 people. The play, called God The Father, was staged by the Devizes partnership of churches at Sheep Street Baptist Church. Due to limited space at the church two performances
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Schoolboy Lee Steps Up a Class
Swindon youngster Lee Stevens has been included in the England Schools' Under 18 soccer squad to play Northern Ireland at Forest Green Rovers tomorrow. The 18-year-old central defender is a student at the Cirencester Academy and after trial games for
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Tablers to face trial at Crown Court
THREE members of Devizes Round Table have appeared before Swindon Crown Court charged with offences related to thefts from a stonemason. Stephen Johnstone, Vernon Guerri-Buckland and James Bodman all denied a series of charges in connection with Holley
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Vandals ruin town fountain
VANDALS have caused £2,000 damage to the fountain in Devizes Market Place. It is thought large chunks of stonework were removed overnight on February 26. Devizes Town Council owns the fountain, which dates back to 1879, and the council's commercial manager
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Chairman in truth pledge
DEVIZES Football Club chairman Chris Belcher has promised to reveal the true state of the troubled club's finances in the near future. Mr Belcher used his programme notes for the FA Vase quarter-final on Saturday to attack the Gazette for its stories
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County pours cold water on fire walk
WILTSHIRE County Council has agreed to reconsider its ban on a school's fundraising fire walk after first condemning it as a crazy, hare-brained fiasco that could end in death. Rowdeford School for special needs pupils, near Devizes, wants to stage the
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Fight is on to save phone
DEPUTY mayor's wife Tricia Cavill is leading the fight to prevent a Marlborough phone box being removed. As revealed in the Gazette last week BT is intending to do away with a number of telephone boxes in Marlborough. It is part of a national cost-cutting
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New flats plan fails to please
PLANS to build flats on the site of a former residential home in Salisbury Road, Marlborough, have again flown into flak. There was enormous opposition when Malmesbury-based Standard Housing originally proposed 15 flats on the site of a property called
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Jury in millionaire major trial told of phone calls
Upavon-based Army major Charles Ingram appeared in court yesterday charged with cheating TV host Chris Tarrant to win the jackpot on Who Wants to be a Millionaire. The jury was told Ingram, of High Street, Easterton, near Devizes, was helped to answer
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£170,000 for the vulnerable
DOZENS of vulnerable people are set to benefit from a Government cash award of almost £171,000. Young parents and people who previously lived in hostels for homeless people are among those who will be helped. The money, from the Office of the Deputy Prime
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Mayor shows he's game for a laugh
WOOTTON Bassett mayor Peter Roberts is helping shoppers in the name of a good cause. Coun Roberts will be packing customers' bags in the Iceland frozen food store on April 12. And all he asks for in return is a small donation to his chosen recipient,
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Shoppers' little extra
AGE or disability should prove no barrier when people shop in Swindon's Asda Wal-Mart. And to prove it the store in the Orbital Shopping Park invited members of The Swindon Coalition of Disabled People and Swindon Coalition of Older People to sample their
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Headteacher not amused
PUPILS from a Swindon school have angered their head by leaving classes to attend a Stop the War protest. About ten pupils from The Commonweal School in The Mall, Old Town, left school at lunchtime yesterday for the demonstration in the town centre to
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Places are up for grabs on youth exchange trip to Germany
A HANDFUL of places on a youth exchange to Germany are still available. The 12-day trip has been organised by two young people from Moredon youth club and 70 per cent of the travel costs will be met by the British Council, a government body which aims
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Weekend Warriors at work in the Gulf
RESERVISTS from RAF Lyneham were today in the Gulf preparing for possible operations in Iraq. And should war break out, auxiliary airmen from Swindon will help evacuate military casualties back to the UK. Among those in the Middle East are student nurse
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Tories missed their chance
IN his article last Thursday, James Gray expressed his frustration at being unable to win votes on large issues in the House of Commons due to the large Government majority. He rightly took credit for being able to influence local issues such as the siting
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Companies will not be charged interest on their debts
COMPANIES which owe Swindon Council money will not be charged interest on their debts. Under new regulations, the council, like businesses, is allowed to charge interest and compensation when debtors are late paying up. Annually, Swindon Council issues
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Maternity closure will save only a tiny amount
WHILE the local PCT is under extreme cost pressures at this time, the closure of Devizes Maternity Unit is not an option which will save them money. The suggestion that all deliveries could be transferred to another unit does, on the face of it, appear
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Police hunt 'evil deceivers'
TWO men described by police as "evil, greedy deceivers" are being hunted after they tried to con an elderly Harnham man into forking out an "extortionate" amount of money to do some hedge trimming. Police say the two men were both wearing yellow reflective
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List of road problems grows
I HAD hoped the Gazette might feature an official response to readers' concerns about local road surfaces but, sadly, there is nothing. Surely there must be many more who feel the situation is now one of wanton neglect, with failing drainage covers some
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Councillors agree to rise in expenses
SWINDON Councillors called for more understanding from the public and the media as they increased their allowances by 43 per cent. The increase in members' expenses was based on the recommendation of an independent remuneration panel. It will increase
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If trust ignores us now will we ever be heard?
I WRITE with regard to the current situation at Chippenham's Marshfield Road Surgery, which has been under threats of various kinds from its local governing bodies for a long while. On February 25 I attended a board meeting of the Kennet and North Wiltshire
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Frances blows up a storm
JAZZ lover Frances Maynard has a chance to make her own music after winning the Evening Advertiser's saxophone competition. Frances, 59, pictured here with jazz promoter Ray Butt, won a £500 Conrad series II alto saxophone after entering the competition
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Objectivity is needed over surgery's future
LIKE many other patients of Dr B J Williams we are alarmed at the threat from the Primary Care Trust to close Marshfield Road Surgery. Taxpayers fund handsome salaries for managers of the PCT whose role should be solving problems, not behaving like bullies
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A superb line up for 10th literary festival
MORE literary stars have been lined up for the Swindon Festival of Literature's 10th anniversary. The town's largest festival yet, taking place in May, will feature 50 events with speakers including former politician Edwina Currie, quizmaster Magnus Magnusson
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Patients' health is now suffering from dispute
AS a disabled patient with Chippenham's Marshfield Road Surgery I was shocked to learn of its threatened closure. The latest Government report emphasises the crucial role of the GP at the sharp end of the NHS. To force a surgery to close, particularly
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Power games mean I can't plan patient care
IT is with regret that I have had to resort to writing to the Gazette but at the moment there seems no real alternative. On February 25 I attended a public board meeting of the Kennet and North Wiltshire Primary Care Trust. I went to Marlborough after
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Intent on gridlock?
TO Follow up M Sutton's article in the Adver of February 28, it seems obvious that Swindon Council is indeed intent on gridlocking the town. The reason, I believe, is that the council has the intent to either prevent traffic entering the town centre (
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Do tell me where the money goes
WITH reference to the outrageous increase in council tax being imposed on us by the council, I have a few questions that I would like the answers to and your readers' comments (I have copied this to Councillor Small). I notice that the council intends
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Of six Wilts MPs, only one is brave
I AM writing to salute the one Wiltshire MP who had the courage to vote in the House of Commons for the amendment that the case for an imminent war with Iraq had not yet been proven. Nobody likes Saddam. We all want him to disarm, but the time for war
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Mixed fortunes for minis
CHIPPENHAM minis faced teams from Trowbridge and Marlborough at Allington Field on Sunday 2 March. The U11s drew with Trowbridge U12s intheir first game and Mark Bispin scored the only try in the game against Marlborough, with Jacob Emery kicking the
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Date
Basingstoke U13s 0, Chippenham U13s 50
A BRILLIANT exhibition of attacking rugby from Chippenham saw them score ten unanswered tries. Matt Tatara, Mike Boddington and Tristan Spencer scored two apiece, with singles coming from Eddie Best, Ollie Morris, Nick Bendry and skipper Tom Boreham.
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Date
Minety 57, Pewsey Vale 3
MINETY are now just one game away from completing a clean sweep in Dorset and Wilts Two North after a hat-trick of tries from winger Ian Neal helped them to victory over struggling Pewsey Vale. Number eight James Smith got the hosts off to a flying start
