Archive
-
Date
Sainsbury's shuts for a week
SUPERMARKET shelves were emptied on Wednesday night as workers stripped away products in readiness for the final touches of a £9m rebuilding scheme. Sainsbury's in Chippenham has closed its doors for eight days while the new store, which will include
-
Date
Bomb hoax man avoids jail term
A SERIAL hoaxer with a history of making false calls stretching back nearly ten years told 999 operators he planted bombs in two Chippenham streets. Gareth Filer, who suffers from the rare genetic condition Klinefelters Syndrome, told the emergency operator
-
Date
Killer is still on the loose
Evan JonesTHE HUNT for the killer of former Chippenham rugby player Evan Jones has been stepped-up on the first anniversary of his murder. Detectives leading the investigation are hoping new information could lead to four key witnesses coming forward.
-
Date
Failed to provide a breath sample
A CORSHAM music promoter has been banned from driving for failing to provide police with a breath sample. Paul Churchill, 22, who represents 40 Wiltshire-based bands, was seen swerving along the A4 at Chequers Hill, Corsham, at 2.15am on March 1. Officers
-
Date
Chemicals may lead to cancer
CONCERNED campaigners battling to stop development on chemical-riddled land in Corsham are concerned about a potential cluster of cancer cases on former Ministry of Defence land. Don and Doreen Stevenson are planning to contact health chiefs at the Royal
-
Date
Future of town talk
MORE than 60 people turned up to discuss the future of Corsham at a meeting held on Tuesday. They listened to Charles Uzzell at the Town Hall from North Wiltshire District Council explain the various stages of the North Wiltshire Local Plan. The plan
-
Date
Factory wins award for supporting community
THE Nestle factory in Staverton has scooped one of the company's top awards thanks to its pro-active role in supporting the community. A donation of £7,700 to the local community last year helped the factory win Nestle's Chairman's Trophy Award for community
-
Date
Pub in final six
A PUB in Holt has got through to the final six of a national competition for the fourth time running. The Tollgate Inn has reached the finals in the catering pub of the year category of the prestigious publican awards. Alison Ward-Baptiste, joint owner
-
Date
Seagull flies into a bright new future
A RAPIDLY expanding business is hoping to build on its success by opening a sales and distribution centre in Warminster. At a time when many companies are cutting back and talking of recession, Seagull Foods is looking forward to the rest of 2003 with
-
Date
Row over cheap travel loophole
TRAIN commuters from Westbury are paying nearly £2,000 a year more for season tickets because First Great Western is trying to block people from using a cheaper loophole. Ged Norton commutes from Westbury to Reading every day, and if he buys a direct
-
Date
Lafarge must clean up its act
WESTBURY cement works has been told to clean up its act so people living nearby can breathe less polluted air. The Environment Agency has given Lafarge cement a new permit to carry on burning tyres at the site in Westbury, but has said emissions of noxious
-
Date
Soldier commits sex act on boy, 5
TERRITORIAL Army soldier Colin May committed a lurid sex act on a five-year-old boy before telling him to keep the incident a secret. May, who has served with the British Army in Kosovo and Bosnia, told police officers he saw 'nothing wrong' in the assault
-
Date
Affordable housing plea for GEC site
TOWN councillors in Melksham want to meet up with developer Charlie Tull to talk through plans for the former GEC factory site. Box-based developer Mr Tull has resubmitted plans to turn the former factory in Beanacre Road into a residential estate. Town
-
Date
Radio station shuts for now
THE new radio station for Trowbridge, Bradford on Avon and Melksham begins its final week on air next Monday. Broadcasting 24 hours a day on 106.8 FM, the station has been overwhelmed by the support and interest shown by local people. The station has
-
Date
Taxi driver is attacked
A THUG who attacked a Melksham taxi driver in his cab has been handed a 70-hour community punishment order by magistrates. Nicky Lyons, 20, of Queensway, Melksham, punched and threatened father-of-two Stephen Paul in his cab in a late-night assault. The
-
Date
Decision was not democratic
I AM puzzled by Cllr Scott's reference to "our carefully considered and democratically arrived at decision" (letters March 14) when did that happen? Surely, any "carefully considered" decision must be well informed, based on sound, reliable evidence?
-
Date
Wanted people who can make a difference
SWINDON and Wiltshire's mentoring co-ordinator Helena Cleverley has appealed to employees of local businesses to step forward and make a difference to a young person's life. Mentoring offers an adult the chance to work with a young person and help coach
-
Date
Cubans find the local life
TEACHERS from Cuba are in Wiltshire this week, visiting schools and education workers around the county. Raquel Chongo Villegas and Maria Leticia Gonzalez Perez, will be visiting Wiltshire County Council as a part of their seven-day stay. Paul Quantick
-
Date
Gift to Russia from historian
HISTORIAN John Booth has given Russia a piece of heritage. He has donated an original hand coloured map depicting the path of the River Dwina as published by Englishman Moses Pitt in 1680. Mr Booth has been collecting antique maps of many parts of the
-
Date
Advice to get you smiling
PARENTS of children with special needs can now get advice on how to go about caring for the youngsters' teeth. The Community Dental Service has issued an booklet with details of how to prevent and cope with dental problems. Dental therapist Sue Bevan-Jones
-
Date
Nicci takes a walk on the wild side
ADVENTUROUS Somerfield worker Nicci Cann soared into the skies on Tuesday after winning a nationwide staff draw to take part in a wing-walking stunt. Mrs Cann, 32, leapt at the chance to fly 1,000 ft in the air and at 150mph, while attached to the wings
-
Date
Our troops are poised for action
WILTSHIRE troops were poised for action yesterday as Britain and America declared war on Iraq. After months of uncertainty, air raids began in the early hours of the morning, just 90 minutes after the 1am deadline set by President Bush. Iraq retaliated
-
Date
Help in beating arthritis
ARTHRITIS sufferers are to be given help by an information campaign running in libraries across west Wiltshire. Information displays on the debilitating disease will be on show throughout March and April at county council run libraries in Warminster,
-
Date
Getting hot and cross over bun ban cont . . .
Hardly a week goes by without another barmy example of political correctness being imposed by our town halls. The news that schools across Britain have been ordered by local authorities to abandon the tradition of serving hot cross buns at Easter, to
-
Date
Westbury United 1, Clyst Rovers 4
THE Devon visitors returned home with three First Division points after gaining a rather flattering scoreline at Meadow Lane on Saturday 15 March. Only two late goals from substitute Gareth Law put the game beyond United's reach and had it not been for
-
Date
£1bn to upgrade the Army
A MULTI-MILLION pound project to upgrade army barracks in Warminster has been welcomed by planners. Soldier's accommodation will be improved at the Land Warfare Centre and Battlesbury Barracks. Last Thursday West Wiltshire councillors raised no objections
-
Date
Bombers take off from Fairford
Eight American B-52 bombers have taken off from RAF Fairford. The giant bombers began taxiing down the runway at the Gloucestershire base just before 10am this morning (Friday). It is the first time that so many of the jets have left the base in one sortie
-
Date
Discounts on new cars are hitting prices
The values of many used cars particularly late plate models are being hit hard as a direct result of the discounts, offers and incentives currently being applied to support the sale of new vehicles. Industry analysts Glass's Information Services says
-
Date
First UK Ford with in-car DVD as norm
THE Ford Fusion+ is the latest edition to the Fusion range and the first UK Ford with a standard DVD entertainment system. "Recent years have seen the car market fragment significantly with customers more able to buy a car with different attributes to
-
Date
Castle Combe hosts tourers
A unique event, which gives classic, sports and specialist car owners the opportunity to experience the thrill of motorsport takes place at Castle Combe Circuit on Sunday, March 30. The RPM Spring Tour provides owners with the chance to tread the paths
-
Date
Audi's 5-litre V10 is on show
Audi is showing its new Nuvolari quattro concept at the Geneva Motor Show, which runs until Sunday. Audi's designers have created a two-door coup with 2+2 seating and classic GT proportions: its body is 4.80 metres long, 1.92 metres wide and 1.41 metres
-
Date
Great gadgets on an expressive body
Without a doubt, the new Renault Megane is the most user-friendly hatchback on the market. The beefy, dare-to-be-different shape with pinched-in rear door might not be everyone's cup of tea (some may argue it's really ugl) but there's nothing in the Focus-sized
-
Date
Exposure to asbestos killed man
EXPOSURE to deadly asbestos spores led to the death of a former Nestl factory worker. Robert Purnell, 88, died at Bradford on Avon hospital on May 18 after developing a non-curable form of cancer. Mr Purnell was exposed to asbestos while working at the
-
Date
Radio station shuts for now
THE new radio station for Trowbridge, Bradford on Avon and Melksham begins its final week on air next Monday. Broadcasting 24 hours a day on 106.8 FM, the station has been overwhelmed by the support and interest shown by local people. The station has
-
Date
Epileptic chef found hanging from pub rafters
AN EPILEPTIC chef who committed suicide by hanging himself from the rafters of a Bradford on Avon pub suffered a lifetime of personal tragedy. Fernando Ricardo Franco left suicide notes written to his ex-girlfriend in the flat above The Kings Arms pub
-
Date
Teachers ready for redundancy
FINANCIAL problems at a Bradford on Avon School mean teachers are to be made redundant. Major cost-cutting and restructuring at St Laurence School means seven members of staff will not be returning to their jobs in September. Head teacher Nick Sorensen
-
Date
Hunt continues in Melanie case
POLICE conducting a hunt for clues into the disappearance of hospital worker Melanie Hall in 1996 have widened their painstaking search. Officers are still sifting through mounds of earth in a field at Inglesbatch, near Bath, a week after two men were
-
Date
Fury that rebuilding of town is 'being fudged'
IF Trowbridge planners had any sense they would co-opt your Star Letter contributor, Peggy Thomas, on to their planning committee. Ms Thomas not only loves Trowbridge, she lives in the centre of town. Where do the planners live? Certainly not in Trowbridge
-
Date
Thoughts turn to war
As I write, we are clearly on the brink of war. At this time our thoughts, quite rightly, turn to the service men and women called into action. The Liberal Democrats are backing our armed forces in the Gulf wholeheartedly. However, there is no inconsistency
-
Date
'A world peace is now further away'
BY the time this letter is published the UK is probably at war with Iraq. I am writing to express my support for the members of our armed forces from Wiltshire and their families. However, I do not agree with the war. It is right to respect and feel concern
-
Date
MPs hope for a swift war
South Swindon MP Julia Drown (Lab) said: "My first thoughts are with our troops and their families at home in Swindon. We all hope they come back safely and as soon as possible. "My thoughts are also with the Iraqis who will be understandably living in
-
Date
Peace protesters take to the streets
PEACE protesters gathered in Swindon to demonstrate against conflict in Iraq. Around 100 campaigners held placards and banners, which declared the war unjust and illegal, and rallied support among shoppers and office workers on their lunch breaks. The
-
Date
Workout for both the body and soul
THE LATEST exercise techniques are being combined with prayer at a West Swindon church. Ruth Barrett's Aerobic Praise class takes place at Toothill Church and promises to literally provide a workout for the body and soul. She said: "I'm a trained fitness
-
Date
Travellers return for a visit to the hospital
TRAVELLERS have moved in to Dorcan Way just weeks after work was announced to keep them out. A group of six caravans have set up camp near the Holiday Inn in Dorcan Way, ironically on the same day that ward councillor Pete Brown (Lab, Dorcan) joined South
-
Date
Shaken but not stirred
THE name's Doyle, Desmond Doyle. Doesn't quite have the same ring to it, does it? But at least James Bond actor Pierce Brosnan is having a go at breaking free from the 007 straitjacket at least temporarily. Evelyn is inspired by the true story of Desmond
-
Date
Mum's battle with rare liver disorder
A TROWBRIDGE woman who suffers from a rare liver disorder that makes her itch during pregnancy hopes to start a support group to raise awareness of the condition. Carolynne Archer contracted obstetric cholestasis in her last two pregnancies and she could
-
Date
Pledge to a brother
A MAN who is running this year's London marathon is looking for more sponsors to help him raise money for a Trowbridge care home. Royden Perrett, 42, is running the marathon on April 13 to raise funds for a registered home for people with learning and
-
Date
Drove the wrong way down a one way street
A MOTHER-OF-THREE who drove the wrong way down a one-way street was nearly twice over the drink-drive limit. Gina Clift, of Lakeside Court, Heathershaw, Trowbridge, was stopped in her Rover Metro by police officers, who spotted her carrying out the illegal
-
Date
Exposure to asbestos killed man
EXPOSURE to deadly asbestos spores led to the death of a former Nestl factory worker. Robert Purnell, 88, died at Bradford on Avon hospital on May 18 after developing a non-curable form of cancer. Mr Purnell was exposed to asbestos while working at the
-
Date
Desperate search for a new leader
CHILDREN in Steeple Ashton may be missing out on early education if someone cannot be found to take over as play leader at their pre-school. The current play leader, Cathy Lazarus, will be leaving in April and, despite three months of searching, no-one
-
Date
Martyr's memory honoured
THE anniversary of the death of a Trowbridge industrial martyr hanged 200 years ago will be commemorated at his graveside tomorrow. Thomas Helliker died on his 19th birthday, after being accused of involvement in anti-machinery rioting in Semington during
-
Date
Open verdict on death of drug abuser
MYSTERY surrounds the death of a chronic drug abuser who swallowed a lethal cocktail of prescription drugs and alcohol. The lifeless body of 52-year-old Siegfried McEwan, better known as Ziggy, was found on the bed of his Trowbridge flat by his best friend
-
Date
Presentation on children's rights
THE rights of children everywhere is the subject of a presentation evening to be held in Trowbridge on Sunday. A Right to be Heard is a local initiative that aims to promote the rights of children to a good quality education, healthcare, protection from
-
Date
Pregnant woman attacked
A 13-YEAR-OLD girl stopped an assault on her pregnant sister by kicking the teenage attacker in the shins. Magistrates heard how Julie Davies assaulted a pregnant mother in a Trowbridge shopping precinct in a row over child negligence rumours. Davies,
-
Date
Olympian giant fights for his life
THE family of a Trowbridge man who is desperately ill with leukaemia have made another appeal for donors to come forward and join the international register of people willing to give blood or cells to help others. Audley Richards, who was brought up in
-
Date
Departing entrepreneur plans to build peace hall
A PEACE hall in the town could be a lasting memory of entrepreneur Thomas Rothschild. Mr Rothschild hopes to build the hall in the place of the now closed public toilets at the town bridge before leaving to start a new life in Slovakia. He said: "West
-
Date
Students put to the taste test
School pupils were put to the taste test when TV chef Peter Vaughan visited St Augustine's catholic college. Pupils in year 10 learned the difference between taste and flavour when the chef, who runs his own restaurant in Devizes, gave a talk at the school
-
Date
Spurned husband spared jail
A SPURNED husband who drove 150 miles to torch his wife's love nest has been spared jail after a court heard he had been "humiliated". Melvyn Ball left paraplegic love rival John Rivers trapped in his blazing home after pouring petrol through the letterbox
-
Date
Herbie says No
HOTELIER Herbie Binder is facing temptation every day after giving up drink and cigarettes for Lent. He runs the Polebarn Hotel in Trowbridge and every evening, because of the very nature of his job, is surrounded by customers enjoying a drink and a cigarette
-
Date
More woe at lowly Devizes
DEVIZES TOWN'S season is in serious danger of falling apart. Financial problems and a wretched league position had been masked by an excellent FA Vase run, but since tumbling out of that competition the cracks have started to appear in earnest. Pete Tripp's
-
Date
Herring aid for Tommy'sChippenham
CHIPPENHAM boss Tommy Saunders has added Swindon Town youngster Ian Herring to his ranks ahead of the Bluebirds' trip to Moor Green. Herring has been drafted in to bolster Saunders' stuttering squad who have collected just two points from their last three
-
Date
'Just Another Game' for Ray
IT'S derby weekend in the Western Division but Supermarine boss Ray Baverstock insists that local pride is of secondary importance compared to his side's desperate need for points. Neighbours Cirencester are the visitors to Hunts Copse tomorrow and Baverstock
-
Date
head to head
DUNBAR Westside and Wanborough United go head to head in the battle for the Intermediate Division crown. Victory for Dunbar would almost certainly wrap up the title by extending their lead at the top to 10 points. But if Wanborough can upset the leaders
-
Date
Cash boost sends boys sky high
Having a ball . . . youngsters at Highworth Junior Football Club are set to benefit from a massive cash windfall. The coffers have been boosted to the tune of £477,631 by top sports charity the Football Foundation and that money is to be used to build
-
Date
A 2lb plus roach is the dream of any angler
ASK any angler what would be his dream catch and more than likely the reply will be to catch a 2lb plus roach. Great Somerford angler Mark Everard took a final trip at the end of the season to the Bristol Avon and finished the day with an outstanding
-
Date
Anxious time for all in Gulf
AS expected, war has broken out in the Middle East. Wiltshire troops were poised for action yesterday after American and British jets bombed key positions in Iraq, just 90 minutes after the 1am deadline. Whatever people's feelings are about the war, surely
-
Date
Town at forefront of training neighbourhood wardens
SWINDON will soon become home to an assessment centre for National Vocational Qualifications for street and neighbourhood wardens. The news comes eight months after the launch of the town's own street warden scheme. Nine wardens and an administrator currently
-
Date
Joy over sheltered homes
ELDERLY people in Cricklade are celebrating following a decision by the council to build sheltered housing. Proposals by Westlea Housing Association for six one-bedroom homes and two homes with two bedrooms each, to be built on the open space in Bath
-
Date
All newly qualified and eager to start
MEET the first group of newly qualified nurses to start work at Great Western Hospital. For the eight-strong team, this week marks the end of three years of training at the University of the West of England. During this period they learned the theory
-
Date
Memorial will soon have its sculpture
WOOTTON Bassett is one step closer to having its own war memorial now that the final order for the monument has been placed. The base for the memorial was installed next to the Town Hall in the High Street a year ago. And now enough money has been raised
-
Date
Pupils' lives hit the local cinema screens
PUPILS at six Swindon schools who have been taking part in a film-making project will see their work hit the silver screen this weekend. The results of the This Is Me project are being premiered at Cineworld at the Greenbridge Retail Park on Sunday before
-
Date
New traffic lights plan, same old row
SWINDON'S latest set of traffic lights is a waste of money according to a Highworth town councillor and commuter. Work is currently underway on an £80,000 scheme to replace the roundabout opposite Swindon bus station with a set of traffic lights. But
-
Date
Pensions information surgery
AN ADVICE surgery is being held with information on what benefits are available to pensioners. Staff from the department of work and pensions will be on hand at Liden Library from 10am to midday on Monday, March 24. Information will be available about
-
Date
Train puts on 3,000 extra seats for Wales v Azerbaijan match
TRAIN company First Great Western is providing almost 3,000 extra seats for football fans travelling to the Millennium Stadium next Saturday, March 29, for Wales versus Azerbai-jan. Scheduled services from London Paddington and Swansea to Cardiff Central
-
Date
Troubled Les has a date on the stage
LES Dennis is coming to Swindon. The star is one of many celebrities set to appear on the Wyvern Theatre's stage this spring. Comedians Julian Clary and Freddie Starr and musician Julian Lloyd Webber also feature in the programme. Theatre bosses say tickets
-
Date
Sharing her secrets with her young reading fans
BEST-SELLING children's author Jacqueline Wilson talked about her life and work when she shared a few secrets with Swindon youngsters. She met pupils from Catherine Wayte Primary School in Abbey Meads. Last week, the author of children's favourites Double
-
Date
Shot swan is recovering as police launch investigation
A SWAN that was seriously injured by an air gun pellet through the eye is now recovering at a Swindon sanctuary. It is believed that the 10-month-old swan was shot over the weekend. A similar shooting killed another bird. The young swan was recovered
-
Date
A great heritage reduced to this
THIS exclusive picture graphically illustrates the decline of Swindon's much beloved Mechanics' Institute. It is the first interior shot for many years and highlights the huge task facing the building's new owners. Mystery still surrounds their identity
-
Date
Residents next to air base fear for their safety
FAIRFORD residents spoke today of their anxiety of living under the shadow of war. People living close to the RAF Fairford say heightened activity at the American base, which has been home to 14 B-52 bombers, has made them worry for their own safety.
-
Date
Trowbridge 10, Blandford 7
CAPTAIN Barry Coombs scored a dramatic try in the closing moments to secure the Dorset and Wilts Division One championship for Trowbridge on Saturday 15 March. Blandford, a much improved side since Trowbridge played them last, pressurised the home side
-
Date
Town life goes on as usual
Most Fairford residents said they believed it was right for Britain and the US to take action to remove Saddam Hussein. Mayor Quentin Tailford said: "I would have preferred military action to be sanctioned by a UN resolution, but as that failed, I think
-
Date
Bradford on Avon under 13s 17, Cooper-Avon Tyres under 13s 5
PERFECT conditions allowed for a fast flowing game of rugby. The breakthrough came when the Cooper-Avon centre broke through some Bradford tackles. The player was eventually tackled five metres out and from the following ruck the ball popped out and a
-
Date
Rights for us singles
I SHOULD like to ask, via the Evening Advertiser, if I am alone in finding the huge bias against single people intolerable? Obvious examples include the council tax. A 25 per cent reduction for single occupancy means, in fact, a 12.5 per cent increase
-
Date
Moustaches, out!
PUTTING aside the rights and wrongs of war with Iraq, a point that worries me is that if we do nothing, there could come a time when Bush and Blair could say "we told you so." On a lighter note, if and when Saddam is ousted, just watch all the moustaches
-
Date
Mallett to make Bath departure
STALWART Bath prop John Mallett has announced his shock departure from the Zurich Premiership side at the end of this season. The 32-year-old confirmed yesterday he would end his 12-year association with the Rec after the current campaign to take up a
-
Date
Sam and Andrew's day
A COUPLE from Chippenham will enjoy a luxurious wedding thanks to the Wiltshire Times after winning £3,000 of vouchers to help with their big day. Our wedding competition's live final was one of the attractions at the Wiltshire Times Wedding Fair at Bowood
-
Date
Bidding for the railways
RAILWAY memorabilia including a Chippenham platform sign, comes under the auctioneer's hammer this weekend when collectible items from the area are due to be sold. Auctioneer Alan Aldridge is holding a collectors' auction at his Bath Road Business centre
-
Date
Hunt for teenage robbers
TEENAGE robbers attacked two youths in a Corsham alleyway as they were walking home from a video shop. The victims, both aged 13, were set upon by three teenagers as they were walking in an alleyway close to Station Road at 9.30pm on Friday night. This
-
Date
Suite is in honour of legend
MOTOR legend Stirling Moss is being honoured with a suite named in his memory at the Castle Combe racing circuit. As part of a £35,000 refurbishment the circuit now has a new boardroom, called the Stirling Suite. Moss won several races at Castle Combe
-
Date
No pain, no gain
STEVE MILDENHALL is expecting a painful reminder of a 'delicate' injury from the Town End tomorrow but Notts County's Swindonian goalkeeper is hoping his tormentors will be the ones in agony at full time. The 24-year-old returns 'home' on a mission to
-
Date
Factory wins award for supporting community
FIRMS across Wessex have united in a bid to keep hundreds of thousands of pounds of business in the area. The businesses turned out for a Meet the Buyer day organised by the Wessex Association of Chambers of Commerce. Eight large organisations were asked
-
Date
Vanessa just clocks more charity runs
A RUNNER from Westbury had special reasons for competing in the Bath Half Marathon. More than 5,000 people took part in the annual event, which was on Sunday and started by celebrity vet Trude Mostue. Organisers said it was one of the most successful
-
Date
Green project needs a boost
VOLUNTEERS are being sought to help with a green community project at North Bradley School on Sunday. The school is taking part in a campaign called Whitbread Action Earth, planting bluebells and shrubs and tidying up the school grounds. The four-month
-
Date
Sainsbury's shuts for a week
SUPERMARKET shelves were emptied on Wednesday night as workers stripped away products in readiness for the final touches of a £9m rebuilding scheme. Sainsbury's in Chippenham has closed its doors for eight days while the new store, which will include
-
Date
Fighting fires for 25 years in county
RETAINED firefighter Keith Daborn is retiring after clocking up nearly 25 years service with the Brigade. Leading firefighter Daborn lives within a stone's throw of the Westbury fire station and has attended some of Wilt-shire's biggest blazes during
-
Date
Man jailed after suicide attempt
A MAN who doused his ground floor flat with petrol in a suicide pact with his partner has been jailed for five years. John Mudie was seen by terrified neighbours smoking a cigarette after soaking his clothes with the fuel. Earlier the 37-year-old and
-
Date
Academy is the first in the county
WILTSHIRE'S first indoor cricket academy is being built in Warminster and could be finished by the summer. Work on the building started last year and officials hope it will be finished in June. The academy is being built at the back of the clubhouse at
-
Date
Man liked smell of cannabis
RESIDENTS on a Melksham village estate sparked a police drugs bust through a series of tip-offs, a court heard. People living in Mount Pleasant, Atworth, told police officers they believed a drug dealer was living in their street. Police raided the house
-
Date
Council makes it a safer journey
PUPILS in Melksham will have a safer walk to school thanks to £16,000 worth of road safety improvements. Wiltshire County Council will spend money to provide pedestrian facilities outside Shaw School. County council officers will start-up talks with the
-
Date
Blind woman's fear
FAULTY crossings and low pavements in Melksham town centre are making a blind woman's life a misery. Heather Tucker, 41, said she is becoming too scared to go into the town centre because she worries about being knocked down. A pedestrian crossing in
-
Date
Two injured in collision
A HEAD-ON collision on a busy Melksham road has sparked calls for urgent safety improvements. Two women were injured when a red Fiesta and white Astra collided on the B3107 at Challeymead at 8.40am on Monday. A woman from Broughton Gifford was freed from
-
Date
Golden day for pupils
TEACHERS at a Melksham secondary school are planning a massive reunion to celebrate the school's golden jubilee year. Students who went to the George Ward School during the 50s, 60s and 70s are being invited back for a golden jubilee party in June. Teachers
-
Date
No longer are they brothers in arms
FEUDING brothers who have not spoken to each other for three years will run rival funeral firms just yards apart. Patrik and Jonathan Bewley will operate separate funeral companies in Melksham as a long-running family rift comes to a head. Father-of-four
-
Date
I must reply
The wholly unfounded comments from D M Colcomb in last week's letters about the Record Office cannot be allowed to pass without reply. As Chairman of the Cabinet meeting to which your correspondent referred, I must point out the only decision taken at
-
Date
Record Office issues rumble on
ALTHOUGH I appreciate the courteous tone of Cllr Scott's letter, I can't see its purpose at this stage. She can hardly expect the objectors to the removal of the Record Office to say: "Oh, we have been mistaken all the time. The county town is quite the
-
Date
Pupils need praise
I AM writing to express my disappointment at opening the Wiltshire Times last week (March 14). On page 2, quite rightly, there is a picture of the winner, Mrs Usher, receiving her prize from Roger Cook. The event was described correctly and yet there
-
Date
Irreverent, but so very efficient
WORKERS from across the country converged on Nationwide Building Society's annual Employee Community Awards ceremony where the Swindon-based company was well represented. Ian Smith was honoured as Best Community Ambassador for his continuously irreverent
-
Date
Strike one
Image courtesy of Gannett News ServiceMARCH 20: It is 5.25 this morning in the Persian Gulf as the first US missile streaks from the USS Bunker Hill towards Iraq, signalling the start of the war to oust Saddam Hussein. More missiles and laser-guided bombs
-
Date
Money pours in for a good sneeze
THOUSANDS of people across Wiltshire took part in a mammoth Red Nose Day to raise money for Comic Relief. Children and adults bathed in baked beans, wore fancy dress and walked round with wacky hairstyles to raise thousands of pounds and smiles around
-
Date
Bombers take off from Fairford
MARCH 21: Eight American B-52 bombers have taken off from RAF Fairford. The giant bombers began taxiing down the runway at the Gloucestershire base just before 10am this morning. It is the first time that so many of the jets have left the base in one
-
Date
Bringing back the tourists
A PLAN to encourage tourists to visit and stay in the region has been launched by the Wessex Tourism Association. More than 60 guests attended a presentation in Salisbury, including Lord Bath, whose Longleat Estate is one of the country's major tourist
-
Date
800 acres of land on web
A WEB directory of land in west Wiltshire considered suitable for commercial development has been set up. The list of key sites, which cover nearly 800 acres of land between them, has been compiled by West Wiltshire District Council. Development portfolio
-
Date
Street protests by schoolchildren
PEACE demonstrators turned out in force this week in a last ditch attempt to prevent war erupting in Iraq. More than 150 children from St Laurence School, Bradford on Avon walked out on Tuesday lunchtime and gathered in the town centre's Pleasure Grounds
-
Date
Bringing back the tourists
A PLAN to encourage tourists to visit and stay in the region has been launched by the Wessex Tourism Association. More than 60 guests attended a presentation in Salisbury, including Lord Bath, whose Longleat Estate is one of the country's major tourist
-
Date
North Bradley Saints 0,147 FC 0
WILTSHIRE JUNIOR CUP: (aet 147 FC win 5-4 on penalties) NORTH Bradley Saints left sunny but windy Bremhill View knowing that they and not Wiltshire Junior Cup holders 147 FC should be contesting this season's final with shock semi-final winners Ferndale-Rodbourne
-
Date
Revolutions time as history is made
TROWBRIDGE LEAGUE: DIVISION One sides Seend United and Freshford United will contest this season's Revolutions Caf Bar sponsored Knockout Cup Final. Seend, whose last final appearance was 44 years ago when they lost to Edington, captured their place by
-
Date
Hat-trick strike via Foot's feet
SKURRAYS WILTSHIRE LEAGUE: PREMIER Division leaders Shrewton United kept the goals flowing with a 5-3 away win over Bradford Town. Dean Foot's hat-trick proved decisive, with Nick Jones and Jessie Walters also on target. Charlie Powell pulled a goal back
-
Date
Musicians to raise money
SOME of the west country's finest musicians and singers will come together tomorrow to help raise money to build a community radio and media centre in Warminster. Folk artists Tim Brine and Sue Franklin, together with daughter Kate and her partner Pete
-
Date
No memory of New Year's Eve
THE victim of a mysterious accident has returned home after nearly ten weeks in hospital but still cannot remember how he received life-threatening head injuries. Tom Williams, 33, was knocked unconscious and found by passers-by on Deverill Road in Warminster
-
Date
Ford launches the Streetka's desire
Ford's first European two-seat roadster, the sexy new Streetka convertible is officially on sale in the UK from this month, priced from £12,495 on-the-road. Already acclaimed for its sassy exterior looks, the neat little convertible offers even more underneath
-
Date
Alfa diesels go on sale
Diesel-engined versions of the Alfa Romeo 147, 156 and 156 Sportwagon, which are selling strongly in European markets, go on sale in the UK from mid-March. Although UK versions of the 156 and 156 Sportwagon already offer the option of Alfa direct injection
-
Date
The Seat Ibiza
THE Ibiza What Car? Car of the Year 2003 has been SEAT's best-loved model for many years, and with the fifth generation the Ibiza has got better. Look upon Seat's agile Ibiza as a Volkswagen in everything but name, and you'll quickly understand why the
-
Date
Festival under threat as venue is withdrawn
ORGANISERS of a popular summer music festival are desperately searching for somewhere new to hold it after they were told their usual field will not be available this year. The Woolley Festival has been running for four years and last year attracted more
-
Date
Growth is fast in Trowbridge
OVER the last few weeks there have been a lot of letters about the waste ground of the old Ushers site. What this county town of Wiltshire needs is not more shops but a much bigger hospital, the same size as Bath or as near to it. Trowbridge is growing
-
Date
Concerned about rebuilding
PEGGY Thomas suggests building an eco-village on available Ushers' sites in Trowbridge, with human scale activities, instead of another "temple to consumerism". Unfortunately, we are faced with the rising cost of the welfare state, now causing economic
-
Date
Fast food outlets? Take 'em away
I must ask, does Melksham need another take away? In the town there are: 3 Indian restaurants 2 kebab shops 4 Chinese take aways 2 baguette shops 1 fish and chip shop This makes a total of 12 food outlets in the town centre with several more on the outskirts
-
Date
Where are they?
I am trying to contact members of the 1990's Wiltshire charity Spirit of Romania. The Chairperson was Mrs E Mercer. My reason for the contact, is that I took the photos that were used on an album cover and would like to get hold of a copy, and would obviously
-
Date
Hedgerow awards
Those of your readers who are farmers or landowners may be interested to know that CPRE in Wiltshire is reviving the Hedgerow Award Scheme which has not taken place since the foot-and-mouth epidemic in 2001. The Awards aim to encourage farmers and landowners
-
Date
Our suspicion is justified
DEFENCE by definition is unlike other arms of government in that it demands a high degree of secrecy. But taxpayers who are funding millions of pounds in secret defence contracts are entitled to feel suspicious when they hear that details of this spending
-
Date
'All we can do do is pray'
THE families and loved ones of Swindon servicemen in the Gulf have spoken about their hopes and fears for the war with Iraq. Soldiers and other personnel attached to A Squadron of the Royal Wiltshire Yeomanry will be serving on the front line, counting
-
Date
CS spray still missing
A CS spray canister dropped during an operation to catch a thief in Park South is still missing. A police officer lost the spray in a confrontation in Cavendish Square. Despite a thorough search of the area the canister wasn't found and police are concerned
-
Date
Accidents cause rush hour chaos
TWO accidents on the on the M4 caused severe tailbacks during rush hour traffic yesterday morning. The first was a multi-vehicle accident, involving eight cars, on the eastbound carriageway between junctions 17 and 16, Chippenham and West Swindon, at
-
Date
Too much work
INCREASING workloads are causing many experienced teachers to leave the profession. And many feel that the latest Government initiative to tackle the problem by getting classroom assistants to take lessons is only a token gesture. Ian Hill, secretary
-
Date
I've had enough
THE headteacher of a Cricklade infant's school has resigned because she is frustrated with increasing government bureau- cracy. Nikki Lawrence has been head of St Sampson's Infant School for nine years and has decided to leave teaching after 23 years
-
Date
final flourish
JASON Williams is hoping his Swindon 2nd cup kings can raise their game one more time when they take on hot favourites Swanage & Wareham in Sunday's Dorset & Wilts 2nd XV Cup final at Sherborne (3pm). Williams admitted: "We've had a dreadful year
-
Date
Escaped from a police car
A FATHER-OF-TWO managed to escape from a police car while being arrested for drink-driving. Dean Gunning, 21, jumped out the back of a police car in Fore Street before officers could carry out a breath-test, but later gave himself up at the town police
-
Date
Tournament for tragic stab victim
A POOL tournament in memory of Paul Rodgers is to be held in Trowbridge this weekend. The 32-year-old died on the pavement at Broadcloth Lane in the town after being stabbed in the chest in May last year. Mr Rodgers was a talented pool player who represented
-
Date
Radio station shuts for now
THE new radio station for Trowbridge, Bradford on Avon and Melksham begins its final week on air next Monday. Broadcasting 24 hours a day on 106.8 FM, the station has been overwhelmed by the support and interest shown by local people. The station has
-
Date
Magic wand could help Citizens Advice Bureau
THE manager of the Citizens Advice Bureau in Trowbridge is hoping a magic wand will help persuade the district council to stump up more funds. Sarah Cardy brought out the toyshop wand at a meeting with councillors to try and gain the funding to secure
-
Date
Students put to the taste test
School pupils were put to the taste test when TV chef Peter Vaughan visited St Augustine's catholic college. Pupils in year 10 learned the difference between taste and flavour when the chef, who runs his own restaurant in Devizes, gave a talk at the school
-
Date
Card fraud is possible
PEOPLE who bought goods from the Top Gun and Rod stall at the Bath and West Show are being warned of possible credit card fraud. Thieves stole cash, cheques and credit card vouchers from the stand, run by Trowbridge man Mark Westall, at the show on March
-
Date
Plans revised for old brewery site
THE latest plans to rejuvenate Trowbridge town centre have been unveiled. New proposals to transform the former Ushers bottling plant into shops, homes and leisure facilities were unveiled this week by Reading-based Foinavon, in answer to criticisms of
-
Date
Charlotte hopes for miracle cure
INFAMOUS anti-morning sickness drug Thalidomide could give terminally ill Trowbridge schoolgirl Charlotte Wakeham new hope. The drug, responsible for thousands of deformed babies in the 1950s and 70s, has been used to successfully treat a five-year-old
-
Date
Puppet festival will keep both young and old entertained
APRIL 18 - 20, BATH: THE Bath International Puppet Festival, Snap the String, returns to the Theatre Royal in Bath for the fourth year. This year's highlight is Gulliver, being held on April 20, Easter Sunday. The adaptation of the classic tale by Jonathan
-
Date
All this weekend's local football fixtures
DR MARTENS LEAGUE Premier Division: Chelmsford City v Welling Utd; Folkestone Invicta v Hinckley Utd; Grantham Tn v Hednesford Tn; Halesowen Tn v Bath City; Hastings Utd v Newport County; Havant & Waterlooville v Worcester City; Ilkeston Tn v Weymouth
-
Date
Fairford take on the title contenders
Match of the day in the Hellenic League Premier Division could well be at Fairford where the home side entertain title contenders Carterton Town. In second spot in the table, Carterton are six points behind leaders North Leigh with two games in hand.
-
Date
Issues hit on nose
IT was good to see so many Wiltshire people enjoying Comic Relief on Friday. Hundreds of madcap events were organised throughout the county and red noses and crazy hairstyles were the order of the day. Comic Relief has raised millions of pounds for disadvantaged
-
Date
Get your new licence
WITH trout fishing now in progress once again and with the famous Bristol Water fisheries opening on March 31, anglers are being reminded that the new EA rod licences come into force on April 1 and they should ensure that they acquire their new licence
-
Date
Launch of £500,000 centre for disabled
SIXTEEN adults with learning disabilities are living independent lives in their own flats thanks to a £500,000 housing scheme in Swindon. Booker House, on Upham Road, is a pioneering project backed by the English Churches Housing Group. It is an unusual
-
Date
Society is to show the Best British Film 2003
SWINDON Film Society is showing award-winning film The Warrior as the next instalment of its alternative film season at the Arts Centre in Devizes Road on Wednesday. The film recently won the 2003 Bafta award for Best British Film and its young British-born
-
Date
Residents win battle over housing development
MINETY residents have been celebrating after winning their battle to fight off plans to build homes close to the village primary school. Hampshire landowner Stuart Cook, in conjunction with developer FPD Savills, applied for permission to build 34 homes
-
Date
Zombies to return
Formers Zombies band members, Colin Blunstone and Rod Argent will be appearing in Swindon next month. The pair were founder members of the group, staying with the band until it broke up in the late 1960s. Colin and Rod will be appearing at the Arts Centre
-
Date
Cash boost for green travel to schools
BRINKWORTH'S Earl Danby School is getting a cash boost of £12,500 to fund a project to encourage environment-friendly travel. Sixteen schools in Wilt-shire will receive a total of £86,613 later this year from Wiltshire County Council. This is to assist
-
Date
No more frogspawn!
LUMPY custard, soggy cabbage and mushy peas are perhaps the most memorable features of school dinners in years gone by. But with around 5,000 school meals served each day to children and staff in Swindon, memories of such favourites as frogspawn - otherwise
-
Date
Gipsy families will have a base in Cricklade
TWO gipsy families who have set up camp in Cricklade will be able to stay - if they meet planning conditions. The gipsies, who have been based at Pasture Paddocks in Malmesbury Road since October, are living in four touring caravans at the site. The Gipsy
-
Date
SOS goes out for more pub chefs
A SHORTAGE of pub chefs is being reported by licensees across the Swindon area. The Bolingbroke Arms has spent the past year advertising for a chef, but to no avail. Simon Collins, 34, landlord of the pub-restaurant and hotel in Hook, thinks the lack
-
Date
Demolition time as work on college development begins
WORK HAS started on Swindon College's £15 million new building at North Star. The building will wrap around the college's existing North Star building and bring its capacity up to 2,500 full time students and 9,000 part time. Builders have begun by demolishing
-
Date
Prison failed in its duties
THE family of a young Swindon woman who hung herself in Eastwood Park Prison said they felt "elated, tearful and relieved" after an inquest into her death found there had been a "gross failure" at the jail to provide basic medical attention. Immediately
-
Date
Literary line-up unveiled
THE programme for what promises to be the greatest Swindon Festival of Literature has been launched. Booker Prize winner Ben Okri, Poet Laureate Andrew Motion, Private Eye founder Richard Ingrams, agony aunt Claire Rayner, Mastermind host Magnus Magnusson
-
Date
Getting hot and cross over bun ban
IT is reported that several Labour-controlled councils in England, with their usual anti-British and anti-Christian zeal, have issued edicts forbidding the ancient tradition of serving hot cross buns to school children at Easter. This totalitarian action
-
Date
On the way up
TROWBRIDGE have won the Dorset and Wilts Division One championship, thanks to a dramatic late try from skipper Barry Coombs. Reduced to 14 men after only ten minutes and trailing for more than half the match, Trowbridge hit back in the closing minutes
-
Date
Feeling sore over cyclists cont . . .
IN response to C O Lister (Letters, March 11) regarding the use of the cycle track which was built against a lot of opposition across The Lawns, I can confirm that the number of cyclists using the track daily can almost be counted on the fingers of two
-
Date
Feeling sore over cyclists
AS a much-maligned motorist, I would like to comment on the in-favour cyclists and all the money being spent on cycle tracks around Swindon, aimed at making it safer for them. This I have no problem with. What I strongly object to is that the majority
-
Date
Learn to speak proper
Mr Tipple (Letters, March 10) is right in his general comments about English speakers' general inability to speak correctly, but wrong in his specific example. "One of the things that is" is in fact correct the subject of the sentence being 'one' and
-
Date
We're only there for the oil
I have this to say to Daniel Lake, the 17-year-old who wrote in support of the war (Letters, February 21): perhaps, one starlit night in the future, you will find yourself lying in the sand in the Middle East and observing the barbed wire around your
-
Date
Are you happy now, Mr Blair?
SO Tony Blair has his war. It does not matter to him that it is unnecessary, illegal and is likely to bring the anger of the world onto our island. Of course the opposition of so many people here is the least of his considerations, this supposed lover
-
Date
War will not stop terror
I am against war on Iraq, and do not hate the USA or any other nation. My vision of the world is one of mutual tolerance. This is why I hold my views. Firstly, without the second UN resolution, this war is illegal under international law. Secondly, the
-
Date
Caught for drink-driving
A DRINK driver who smashed his car into a parked vehicle refused to provide police with a breath sample. Derrick Johnson, 39, was arrested in Loyalty Street, Chippenham, after police officers were called to deal with the road crash. Johnson, who lives
-
Date
Reporter Craig nose the most
CHIPPENHAM NEWS reporter Craig Evry has proved he is top of the pops after winning BBC Radio Wiltshire's Comic Relief music quiz for editors and journalists. Craig beat journalists from across the county. Craig said: "There was some tough competition
