Archive
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Happiness is 15 children
A HUNDRED and fifty tiny fingers, a hundred and fifty tiny toes although some of them are not so tiny these days. Swindon has produced many people who have added to the sum of human happiness, and mother-of-15 Sue Povey is one of them. Just hearing her
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Steam we must find a solution
THERE is a dreadful inevitability to the news that the cafe at the Steam museum is to close indefinitely. The museum's story is that of a brilliant concept which was, if not strangled in its crib by over-optimistic predictions of visitor numbers, then
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Man punched in face in fracas
A 32-year-old Corsham man was assaulted in a Westbury pub on Sunday night. The victim was drinking in The Hollies, in Westbury Leigh, when he was repeatedly punched in the face. Police were called to the pub about 11.16pm to deal with the fracas. The
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Corsham station project delayed
A LEADING rail passenger watchdog has backed the case for Corsham station by condemning the government decision to cancel the Oxford to Bristol service. The Rail Passengers' Committee for Western England (RPC) said "stuffing people into fewer trains"
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Trade is strong at farm shop
A CHIPPENHAM farmer is enjoying more trade than ever because he says people want to know the origin of their food. Takings at Allington Farm Shop had suffered because of fierce competition from supermarket giants Safeway and Sainsbury's, but now the business
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Top tips to cut your tax bill
A DIRECTOR at Smith & Williamson, the financial services group with a branch in Salisbury, has come up with ten top tax tips for businesses in the run up to the April 5 tax year end. Andrew Lines says that owner-managers are uniquely placed to cut
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Carpet takes map theme
WILTON Carpet Factory has completed one of its most interesting contracts the carpet for the new library at Swiss Cottage in London. The contract included carpet for the children's section, which has been designed to look like an Ordnance Survey map.
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Insurance costs considered
FINANCIAL services provider Co-operative Insurance Society has unearthed a piece of history that shows that home insurance has risen relatively little in price over the last 100 years. A bookmark, issued as part of a marketing campaign in 1931, has been
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Free seminars
FREE seminars advising employers of how developments in the Employment Act 2002 can impact on their businesses are being held in Trowbridge and Chippenham. Much of the new law comes into force on April 6, 2003 and some is already in place. Run by Wiltshire
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Pensioners adapt to life on low income
THE south west's retired people have an average disposable income of £13,652. Only three per cent of the UK's retired population have £40,000 or more a year to spend, one in three survives on less than £10,000 and thousands do not claim the benefits to
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Assaults on two people
A TEENAGER was repeatedly punched in the face during an unprovoked street assault in Westbury. The 17-year-old victim was attacked by another teenager as he was walking along Eden Vale Road at 4.10pm on Sunday. A gang of three teenagers approached the
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Corporate golf challenge gets national recognition
ORGANISERS of a major new charity golf competition are delighted that the event is to receive national recognition. High Post Golf Club is the setting on Thursday June 5 for the inaugural Salisbury Journal/ High Post Corporate Golf Challenge. As well
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Dave and the Druids back after 40 years
MEMBERS of 60s beat group Dave and the Druids are getting back together for a special one-off charity gig. The Westbury band, which has not played together since 1963, began by playing small village halls but soon packed out venues like the Colston Hall
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Helping out the Chernobyl victims of nuclear radiation
A CHARITY based in Westbury is sending a lorry load of aid to Chernobyl this week. Chernobyl Children in Need is dedicated to helping villagers in Ozarichi, a community in Belarus, just outside the exclusion zone set up after the 1986 nuclear disaster
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Westbury white horse defaced
ANTI-WAR protesters have defaced one of Wiltshire's famous landmarks. Westbury residents woke up on Saturday morning to find that an anti-war slogan had been scrawled on the White Horse. The words stop this war had been sprayed on the monument using black
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Hot pursuit
RESIDENTS living in Westbury fear somebody could be killed the next time a serial arsonist strikes in the town. Police detectives called a high profile meeting with inspectors on Wednesday because they are becoming increasingly worried about the frequency
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Melksham tightens its security
A THIRD surveillance camera could be on line in Melksham by the end of next month. The CCTV camera will be used to cover Market Place, High Street and the town end of Spa Road and King Street. Two cameras are already running in the centre and cover Church
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Reward for finding hat
WEST Wiltshire's Mr Christmas has offered a £250 reward after his trade-mark tinsel trimmed hat covered in star autographs was stolen in Melksham. The hat features the autographs of some of the many famous people Andy Park, aka Mr Christmas, has met,
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Cause of death stays unknown
THE death of a 50-year-old woman, found slumped on the toilet at her Melksham home, will remain shrouded in doubt. Binge-drinker Sarah Paton was found by her husband sitting on the toilet with empty pill packets and an unfinished glass of wine close by
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Tribute to hearts babies
A MEMORIAL to remember children affected by the Bristol Heart Babies scandal will be unveiled to the families in a touching tribute next month. Melksham mother Marie Edwards, who lost her five-month-old daughter Jazmine after heart surgery at the hospital
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Players remember tragic knife victim
FAMILY and friends of knife victim Paul Rodgers helped raise hundreds of pounds for his four children by holding a pool tournament in his memory. A total of 64 players entered the two-day tournament, held at Terry's Nitespot in Trowbridge over the weekend
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Tip-off for drugs raid
TEENAGE drug supplier Jack Isaacs told a mother-of-three he was going to petrol bomb her Melksham flat in a series of terror threats. Isaacs, 18, of Kingsbury Square tried to kick down the victim's door while shouting bomb threats through the window,
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Breakfast club ready to Make It Happen
A BUSINESS breakfast club has launched its annual award scheme to boost the careers of local businesswomen. The Make It Happen award, run by Swindon Businesswomen's Breakfast Club, is open to all women who live and work in the Swindon area and wish to
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Small firms hit by car charge blow
Proposals by Swindon Council to reduce parking spaces in the town centre while increasing parking charges in those areas where parking remains have angered the Federation of Small Businesses. The FSB, which represents 800 businesses in the borough, suggests
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Improve the cancer care
CANCER patients in Wiltshire have been given the chance to have their say on the quality of their local services. The questionnaire can be found on the internet at www.aswcs.nhs.uk/survey or by calling 0117 9002321.
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Beware the bogus clubs
WILTSHIRE Trading Standards officers are warning people to be wary of schemes that promise years of luxury holidays. The Office of Fair Trading (OFT) has joined forces with local trading standards departments around the country to publicise dubious practices
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Students to fight it out
STUDENT businesses from across Wiltshire will be vying for the top prize at the Young Enterprise area final in Trowbridge next week. Schools from across north and west Wiltshire have entered teams in the competition, which sees the youngsters run their
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Breaking the grip of Saddam's army
WILTSHIRE troops are playing a key role on the battlefield in Iraq. As the American and British war machine continues its unrelenting push towards Baghdad, Wiltshire based soldiers are helping to liberate the Iraqi people and overthrow Saddam Hussein.
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Dotty sale prices
DESIGNER clothes will be on sale at dotty prices in the latest drive to raise cash for a west Wiltshire hospice. Clothes and accessories will be on sale in the Bloomfield suite at Dorothy House, Winsley, on April 4 from 10am to 4pm with the hospice receiving
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Reward for finding hat
WEST Wiltshire's Mr Christmas has offered a £250 reward after his trade-mark tinsel trimmed hat covered in star autographs was stolen in Melksham. The hat features the autographs of some of the many famous people Andy Park, aka Mr Christmas, has met,
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Wiped off map
WEST Wiltshire MP Andrew Murrison has criticised plans by the government to erase parish boundaries from Ordnance Survey maps. Local government minister Tony McNulty suggested the move as a way to remove clutter from maps in his answer to a parliamentary
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West Wilts show aims to be biggest yet
THE countdown to this year's West Wilts show, sponsored by the Wiltshire Times, began this week. HTV presenter Peter Rowell compered the preview event at the civic hall on Tuesday, ahead of the July show. He said: "It is a fantastic event and very much
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Chiefs acknowledge criticism
AMBULANCE chiefs have acknowledged criticism about management practices and bullying following an inspection by a health watchdog. Wiltshire Ambulance Service NHS trust managers say the February inspection by the Commission for Health Improvement, and
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'Morale is high but some families are frightened'
AN army wife has polished up her computer skills so she can send daily emails to her husband in Iraq. Celia Mannings, 35, has become accustomed to life as a soldier's wife as her husband, Spencer, has been serving in the forces for more than ten years
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Westbury white horse defaced
MARCH 28: ANTI-WAR protesters have defaced one of Wiltshire's famous landmarks. Westbury residents woke up on Saturday morning to find that an anti-war slogan had been scrawled on the White Horse. The words stop this war had been sprayed on the monument
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War protesters go on the march
HUNDREDS of Wiltshire peace protesters have taken part in demonstrations against the war in Iraq. Members of anti war coalition groups and schoolchildren were just some of the people voicing their concerns about the conflict. Protesters have been incensed
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Breaking the grip of Saddam's army
MARCH 28: WILTSHIRE troops are playing a key role on the battlefield in Iraq. As the American and British war machine continues its unrelenting push towards Baghdad, Wiltshire based soldiers are helping to liberate the Iraqi people and overthrow Saddam
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Collins adds to leaders' tally
SKURRAYS WILTSHIRE LEAGUE: ALL three top sides in the Skurray's Wiltshire League Premier Division chalked up maximum points to keep the title race wide open. League leaders Shrewton United led the way with a 9-0 victory over visitors Purton Reserves.
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Frankly speaking
FORMER England and Leicester City striker Frank Worthington will be the guest speaker at Trowbridge Town Youth's Sportsman's Dinner at Trowbridge Civic Hall on Tuesday April 8. There will also be a comedian and an auction. Tickets cost £30 and can be
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cctv guard for church
A WEST Wiltshire church could become the first in the region to install CCTV cameras after vandals caused more than £5,000 worth of damage. About 10 stones were thrown through two stained glass windows at St John's Church, Boreham Road, Warminster, in
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Bail for robber
A 24-year-old woman who stole from three villas at Longleat's Center Parcs complex has been released on bail pending sentence. Juliet Harvey pleaded guilty to three charges of burglary from the holiday complex on Lord Bath's estate when she appeared at
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Car driver left man for dead
ROOKIE driver Gareth Larmour will pay £300 compensation to a soldier he mowed down in a hit-and-run crash. Soldier Brett Murphy was walking along Fairfield Road in Warminster when the teenager ploughed into him. Pushed onto the bonnet of Larmour's Ford
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Chiefs acknowledge criticism
AMBULANCE chiefs have acknowledged criticism about management practices and bullying following an inspection by a health watchdog. Wiltshire Ambulance Service NHS trust managers say the February inspection by the Commission for Health Improvement, and
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Chiefs acknowledge criticism
AMBULANCE chiefs have acknowledged criticism about management practices and bullying following an inspection by a health watchdog. Wiltshire Ambulance Service NHS trust managers say the February inspection by the Commission for Health Improvement, and
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Communities get more beat cops
A WILTSHIRE police initiative to build stronger community links has been criticised by the Police Federation. The scheme, launched this week, will see 15 community support officers begin patrolling six towns in the county, including Trowbridge, Melksham
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Just a slight hitch with the windows!
Writing about cars doesn't have to be a male domiated profession. Women may not be too interested in the torque and bhp, but they certainly know what they like in a motor. MARION LANGFORD took to the road in a SEAT Cordoba to see what it could do My first
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Swindon's Honda wins more praise
Japanese car-manufacturer Honda has been named at the winner in four categories in the Auto Express Driver Power Survey 2003. The survey is Britain's largest and most comprehensive car reliability and satisfaction survey. The car manufacturer, which has
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Go on this safe driving scheme and save cash
a new scheme to help encourage safer driving has been launched by Swindon Council. Called Pass Plus, the council's road safety unit is offering £60 off the cost of the Pass Plus programme to all new drivers living and taking their test in Swindon. According
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Three years of work on show
NEEDLEWORKERS in Bradford on Avon have seen the fruits of three years hard work go on public display. More than 40 people were involved in the creation of a Bradford's millennium tapestry depicting 1,000 years of the town's history. The 12 embroidered
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Teens facing jail for cadet leader attack
Steven RoseTHREE teenagers who systematically kicked an air cadet leader while he lay curled up on the ground are all facing a jail sentence for their role in the gang attack. A 17-year-old and a 16-year-old from Bradford on Avon join a 15-year-old Trow-bridge
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Blackbud have the right taste
INTERNATIONALLY acclaimed jazz pianist Jason Rebello, from Bradford on Avon, has put so much faith in a band from west Wiltshire that he has promised them an interview with a top record producer in London. Blackbud is a band made up of three students
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Green fun day
CARING for the environment is the theme of a Green fun day in Bradford on Avon on April 12. The event, organised by West Wiltshire Green Party, will include stalls from Oxfam, Compassion in World Farming, Peace, Fair Trade and animal rights groups. The
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Police can't find that elusive clue
TRAINED police forensic teams working on the Melanie Hall inquiry could finish their pain-staking search within days. Fingertip searches of two earth mounds in desolate fields near Bath continued this week in a bid to find the 25 year-old who went missing
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Can you help with Vespa search?
I'm writing in the hope some of your readers may be able to help me. For some time now I have been building up a collection of Vespa Club memorabilia and, in particular, a collection of the metal cog-shaped badges made to commemorate club events or rallies
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Anger over 'disgusting muck' we breathe in
IF smoke from tyre burning at Westbury is supposed to disperse way above us and be 'safe', how come I've smelt strong burning rubber many, many times on Salisbury Plain and nearby villages of West Lavington, Cheveril, Marston, Worton, Erlestoke, Edington
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'War is about power and control'
It seems to me this immoral, illegal war that has gone ahead without UN backing is more about control and power for those who set themselves up as world leaders. I grow weary of the constant war mongering of these people the billions being spent on this
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Record office queries
IF, as Cllr Scott claims, all the north Wiltshire dominated Cabinet did was confirm the record office bid, then why did the county council send out a press release headed 'Record office bid approved by county council cabinet'? To approve something means
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Annoyed about council tax
I received today 20-3-03 my council tax bill for 2003-2004. At band B, my bill is £904, only it isn't as due to the fact that there is a three-month backlog of paperwork at the council in Chippenham, they still have me as being on benefits, even though
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Fury over council tax bills
I WAS surprised to find there were no letters of protest against the 11 per cent council tax increase in last week's (March 21) Wiltshire Times. Perhaps your readers, like myself, were still in a state of shock or perhaps visiting their bank manager to
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Your nearest collection box
SWINDON CANCER APPEAL: Macs News Whilestone Way Colview Express Nythe Road Alldays Stores Kingsdown Park Fitness First West Swindon Key Stores Stratton St Margaret Swift Shop Beechcroft Road Key Stores Clive Parade Slumblers Cricklade Road AK Newsagents
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Macmillan:'You know you are in safe hands'
SWINDON CANCER APPEAL: SWINDON mayor Stan Pajak has already raised hundreds of pounds for Macmillan. And now he is urging readers to back the Swindon Cancer Appeal to enable Macmillan to provide more urgently needed services in the town. He said: "Everybody
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Mechanics' mystery buyer to reveal identity soon
THE agents handling the purchase of the crumbling Mechanics' Institute have promised to reveal the identity of the new owners within days. In the meantime the mysterious new owners are in dialogue with Swindon Council about undertaking the £300,000 worth
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15 reasons to smile
Photo courtesy of David Cruickshanks/Scope features.com.SUPERMUM Sue Povey has 15 reasons to celebrate Mothers' Day. And today she shared the joys of motherhood with Philip Schofield and Fern Britton on the TV show This Morning. Sue, 43, from Grange Park
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Scheme to tackle tearaways falls flat
A SECOND government scheme to tackle teenage troublemakers appears to have flopped in Wiltshire, according to latest figures. Not one parenting order - a flagship measure to combat bad behaviour in schools was issued in the county in the first full year
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Life goes on
SWINDON CANCER APPEALValerie Evans spent years supporting cancer charity Macmillan, then found she had breast cancer herself. Today, she tells why everyone should get behind our £600,000 appeal Val Evans was a supporter of Macmillan nurses long before
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Weekend Rugby Teams
Chippenham 1st v Wimborne, away, meet 11am at the clubhouse for a 2.30pm kickoff. Team: B Stephesn, W Newson, T May, K Thornton, B Shuker, J Gibbon, S Sherratt, I McNerlin, T Dunford, T Lloyd, J Barnes, D Reynolds, G Trewartha, M Towl, J Barnard. Subs
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Golden jubilee for a navy life
A STALWART of Trowbridge Sea Cadets received a surprise this week when he was given a Golden Jubilee award for his service to the group. Chief Petty Officer Jim Giles was rewarded for years of hard work training the sea cadets at their base in Frome Road
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Attackerfoiled in bag grab
POLICE are appealing for witnesses after an attempted robbery in a Trowbridge alleyway. A 46-year-old Trowbridge woman bravely fought off a robber who struck about 10.15am on Saturday as she walked along the alley between Roundstone Street and Duke Street
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Tony is honoured for his community voluntary work
COMMUNITY volunteer Tony Buckingham has received Trowbridge's top accolade for his work in the town. The grandfather of 12 received the Civic Award for his work with Trow-bridge hospital volunteers and the Link scheme. Mayor Andrew Bryant presented the
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Teens facing jail for cadet leader attack
Steven RoseTHREE teenagers who systematically kicked an air cadet leader while he lay curled up on the ground are all facing a jail sentence for their role in the gang attack. A 17-year-old and a 16-year-old from Bradford on Avon join a 15-year-old Trow-bridge
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Police warning
POLICE are warning people to be wary of street salesmen after electrical tools were seized in Trowbridge on Tuesday. The tools were being sold from the back of a transit van which was parked at St Thomas Road. An anonymous caller alerted the police and
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Activist honoured 200 years after death
THE memory of a trades union martyr who was executed 200 years ago was honoured in Trowbridge on Saturday. About 50 people gathered at the grave of Thomas Helliker in St James' churchyard, including union representatives and local dignitaries. Town councillor
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Heartache for betrayed gran
THE GRANDMOTHER of gambling addict Richard Mizon has not forgiven him for stealing hundreds of pounds from her bank account. Slot-machine addict Mizon (pictured) was told to pay Marjorie Brown back every penny he stole by a court on Thursday. Magistrates
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Vision for town is now in sight
A TEAM of 20 consultants has started work on creating a Vision For Trowbridge alongside promises that the £0.5m project is more than just talk and will lead to a better future for the county town. The Vision For Trowbridge Partnership, led by West Wiltshire
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Chairman set to quit as Devizes crisis deepens
FORGET about relegation, Devizes Town are flirting with extinction after more boardroom tremors this week. The Premier Division strugglers travel to Barnstaple for a crucial relegation tussle tomorrow, but the continuing turmoil behind the scenes continue
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Players remember tragic knife victim
FAMILY and friends of knife victim Paul Rodgers helped raise hundreds of pounds for his four children by holding a pool tournament in his memory. A total of 64 players entered the two-day tournament, held at Terry's Nitespot in Trowbridge over the weekend
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Ciren looking to stay competitive
CIRENCESTER host Solihull tomorrow in a game that has little relevance at either end of the Western Division. Ciren have been safely nestled in mid-table for most of the season and Solihull are someway off the promotion pace many had expected them to
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All the weekend football fixtures
DR MARTENS LEAGUE Premier Division: Bath City v Ilkeston Tn; Chippenham Tn v Cambridge City; Crawley Tn v Havant & Waterlooville; Dover Athletic v Grantham Tn; Hednesford Tn v Tamworth; Hinckley Utd v Chelmsford City; Moor Green v Folkestone Invicta
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Bassett boys face Fairford derby match
Wootton Bassett, who failed to halt second-placed Carterton Town in mid-week, face local rivals Fairford Town. Manager Pete Yeardley wants his side clear of the relegation zone but is also looking to reach mid-table if possible. Fairford boss Mark Webb
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Arsonists could kill next time
WESTBURY residents are living in fear of another arson attack in the town. There have been 31 fires in the area since last November and police admit they are no closer to catching those responsible. A team of four detectives has now been put on the case
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It's a century for Blagdon Lake
THURSDAY is the big day for all trout fishermen, with the opening of the new season on the Bristol Water fisheries at Chew, Blagdon, the Barrows and Litton. There is little doubt that the banks will again be well lined and if the fisheries live up to
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Unwanted tools can be put to such good use
PEOPLE should get tooled up when they venture into the town centre, according to Swindon Rotary Club. The Rotarians have adopted their national Tools for Self-Reliance scheme as their current charity to help those in deprived communities in Africa . They
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Kenyan school almost built
THE progress of a school building project in the Kenyan capital was the subject of a recent talk to Chiseldon Wives' Club by Mike Welsh from the Rotary Club of Swindon Old Town. Desai Children's School in Nairobi is being funded by the Rotarians through
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Rail work to affect trips to London over Easter
FIRST Great Western is advising customers to reserve seats on its Easter services between London, South Wales, South West England, the Thames Valley and the Cotswolds, as there is likely to be high demand. And from Good Friday, April 18, until Easter
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Save money on your wedding at hospice's bridal boutique
THE Prospect Hospice is to set up a bridal boutique next month. Brides-to-be will be able to choose from high-quality donated items including dresses and accessories. There will also be a selection of evening wear. The boutique, based at the hospice's
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Housing for elderly to be built on park
CRICKLADE parents are unhappy with plans to build sheltered flats on a green space and play area opposite the town's junior school. Wiltshire County Council decided to sell the land in Bath Road to West-lea Housing Association so accommodation for the
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Customer thumbs up for Islington Citroen
LOCAL Citroen dealership, Islington Citroen, of Trowbridge has achieved a Citroen Masters of Quality Award for 2002/03. This is the ultimate Citroen quality accolade thanks to its customers feedback over the past year. Ongoing research of Islington Citroen's
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BMW's Z4 means business
THE BMW Z4 is a breathtaking experience on the road, appealing to all your senses, and although it is not due here until June, for the sports car connoisseur the wait will be worthwhile. It sets fresh roadster standards through being self-confident, powerful
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Last chance for election
ANYONE who wants to stand in next month's parish, district and borough council elections has until Tuesday to lodge their nomination. In Swindon, 20 of the 59 borough council seats are up for grabs. Additionally, voters will go to the polls to elect four
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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
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Audi's 5-litre V10 is on show
AUDI showed its new Nuvolari quattro concept at this month's Geneva Motor Show. 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 high with a wheelbase
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Respect and equality is the key to a successful marriage
A COUPLE who first met when they were school children today celebrate their Golden Wedding anniversary. Frank and Margaret Wood met when he was 16 and she was 14 but they didn't start courting until a few years later. Mr Wood was called up to the RAF
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Alfa diesels go on sale
DIESEL-engined versions of the Alfa Romeo 147, 156 and 156 Sportwagon, which are selling strongly in European markets, have been on sale in the UK since mid-March. Although UK versions of the 156 and 156 Sportwagon already offer the option of Alfa direct
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Personal reasons to raise charity cash
A CHARITY fashion show, in memory of newsreader Fiona McDiarmid, raised £1,475 for Breakthrough Breast Cancer. Fiona, who grew up in Shrivenham and began her career with GWR in Swindon, died from the disease last August. Her mother Mary and fellow golfers
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'Brilliant' family man Kevin dies aged 43
The father of 10-year-old Katy Dean, who desperately needs a liver transplant, has died. Kevin Dean, 43, from Park North, died suddenly of bronchial pneumonia. And Katy led the funeral cortege at Kingsdown Crematorium, where more than 200 people paid
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Backlog of claims is beginning to clear
LIBERATA is showing signs of turning around the huge benefit claims backlog at Swindon Council left by WS Atkins. The Sheffield-based company in charge of council tax collection and housing benefits took over from Atkins last August. So far it has cut
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More people than ever working from home
ANALYSIS by the GMB General Union shows that over two million workers in England now work mainly from home. In Wiltshire a total of 30,842 people work from home, an increase of 128 per cent from 1991 when 13,530 people in the county worked from home.
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Check out your blood pressure in free check
WOOTTON Bassett Mayor Peter Roberts has had his blood pressure checked to support a stroke awareness campaign being run by Wootton Bassett Rotary Club. The club has teamed up with the Stroke Association to offer free blood pressure checks on Saturday,
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Pond life will be revived by trust
A CONSERVATION area could soon be turned into a thriving habitat for the endangered great crested newt. The Church Park Conservation Area in Rodbourne, Swindon, once provided a valuable breeding ground for the protected newts. However, in recent years
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Larger than life and inspired by 19 aunts
SWINDON-born artist Anna Mazzotta draws inspiration from her 19 Italian aunts to create paintings inhabited by powerful female characters. The 33-year-old is due to exhibit her work at the Beaux Arts gallery in Bath but plans to display her work soon
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Adver helps add minibus to fleet
A MINIBUS sponsored by the Evening Advertiser has been handed over. The 16-seater vehicle, which is run by Thamesdown Dial A Ride, will serve disabled people and those who can't use public transport. The minibus, which cost £35,000, is funded by the Adver's
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Traders back parking plan for Old Town
TRADERS have welcomed a plan to introduce pay and display street parking in Old Town. The move comes as many shopkeepers in the area are complaining that traffic jams and the lack of parking spaces are driving customers away. However, many say they would
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Get rid of council tax
SWINDON has always been an overrated town. The old system was most unfair. Poll tax was wrong because councils were allowed to determine the price. In towns where one side of the road was under one council and paid a fraction of what people on the opposite
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There are plenty of cuts that can be made
THE people of Scotland are funded per person by this government to the tune of £1,010 this explains why there are no university fees in Scotland or why there are no charges for OAP care home treatment. In West Oxfordshire the same funding per person is
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People still can't find way to steam
AT last Swindon Borough Council is willing to listen to the views of the people in Swindon. If they had done this in the first place they would not have the problems they face today and would not have wasted our money. So what is wrong with Steam because
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It might be started but it's still not right
THE protest movement is still strong. One million people around the country protested on Saturday, March 22. The government lost the argument and should not be allowed to hide behind the emotional blackmail of the "support the troops". Just because something
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The smallest beat the rest
YOUNGSTERS from a small War-minster school without a playing field of their own have won a county rugby tournament. Crockerton Primary School is one of the smallest schools in Wiltshire, with just 88 pupils but they still managed to field a team to take
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Trowbridge 23, Old Culverhaysians 13
TROWBRIDGE came back from 10-0 down to reach the semi-finals of the Bath Combination Cup with a hard earned victory. From the start Old Culverhay-sians took every opportunity to attack and their continual recycling of the ball eventually paid dividends
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Honorary life membership for Ralph Robertson
RALPH Robertson, one of Wiltshire's best known golfers and administrators, has been made an honorary life member of Ogbourne Downs. Scottish-born, now 68, he has been captain and president in his 45 years as a member. He has captained Wiltshire, was county
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Solheim Cup beckons strong women's team
THE Solheim Cup is the women's equivalent of the Ryder Cup and generates almost as much excitement. It started in 1990 at Lake Nona in Orlando, Florida, and was first played in Britain at Dalmahoy, Edinburgh, two years later. Kitrina Douglas from Long
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Captain takes 19 attempts at drive-in
STEVE Taylor, the new Chipping Sodbury captain, eventually clipped the ball 208 yards down the 17th fairway beneath the clubhouse balcony but it was his 19th attempt at his drive-in. Much to the amusement of a host of members, he was unable to hit the
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Horses for courses at Burghill Valley
BURGHILL Valley GC, situated four miles north of Hereford, are hosting a unique event called The Burghill Valley Handicap Chase Open to be staged over the May Bank Holiday, May 25-26. In conjunction with Hereford Racecourse, they will be hosting a golf
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Final call to design stadium
YOUNG football fans have their last chance this week to come up with ideas for a new stadium for Chippenham Town. Entries for the club's Design a Stadium competition must be in by next Friday. Budding designers were asked to come up with a scheme for
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Sponsors help West PGA top £325,000
NEW sponsorships ensure professional golfers in Wales and the West will play for a prize fund exceeding £325,000 for the seventh successive year. Satelcom, a Berkshire-based telecommunications company run by Brian Jacobs, who is a member of Dorset club
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Chicago Rock may take site
THE developer of Chippenham's former Goldiggers nightclub says a detailed planning application will be handed over in two weeks. Barry Jones, the director of E&J Commercial Property, said a primary occupier had signed up and blamed the uncertain economic
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Winners in Morocco
CANFORD Magna pair Peter Cook and Eric Cross returned to Bournemouth with a huge silver salver after winning a new competition in Morocco. Cook, off 12, and Cross, off five, carded 38 stableford points, but they only won on the back nine from a pair from
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Langmead wins Devon PGA with two-under par 66
JON Langmead (Hele Park) carded a two-under-par 66 to win the Devon PGA medal by two shots at Staddon Heights. On a cold and dull day youngsters Duncan Giblett (East Devon) and Nick Horrocks (Thurlstone) returned level par 68s. This was Horrocks's first
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Teachers and governors join in the fun
CHILDREN at Kings Lodge Primary School, Chippenham have the chance to exercise their creativity skills every week with a new initiative designed to bring pupils together. All the youngsters have the opportunity to take part in a wide range of activities
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Sudden end to inquest
POLICE will re-investigate the death of a 20-year-old crack cocaine user found dead on a sofa at a Chippenham house. Deputy Wiltshire Coroner William Bache brought a sudden end to the inquest into Gary Willcox's death and ordered police to look again
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Golfing legend coaches players
ENGLAND golfing legend Gary Wolstenholme assisted several members of the Gloucestershire county team at a special coaching and playing day at The Players' Club at Codrington. Wolstenholme, formerly of Gloucestershire, won the British Amateur championship
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Eggs-tra special delivery
A GIANT rabbit hopped his way along to Redland Primary School in Chippenham and gave children an early Easter treat. The Somerfield Easter Bunny visited the school to give all of its 98 pupils a chocolate egg. Headteacher Hilary Etherington said: "The
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Trade is strong at farm shop
A CHIPPENHAM farmer is enjoying more trade than ever because he says people want to know the origin of their food. Takings at Allington Farm Shop had suffered because of fierce competition from supermarket giants Safeway and Sainsbury's, but now the business
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Search for helpful man
POLICE are searching for a Good Samaritan who may be the vital link in solving a daylight raid on a clothes shop. The police made their appeal after a man walked into Burtons in Market Place, Chippenham, at around 4pm on Tuesday and snatched armfuls of
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Warship asbestos kills navy hero
WILTSHIRE TIMES EXCLUSIVE: A ROYAL Navy engineer who fought in the Falklands war died as a result of coming into contact with deadly asbestos spores on military warships. Chippenham father-of-two Colin Sharp served in the Royal Navy for 25-years as a
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I Want To Stay
ERIC SABIN is anxious to extend his English adventure but admits he is still unclear whether he will be gracing the County Ground stage next season. Queens Park Rangers had expressed an interest in the striker but transfer deadline day passed with no
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Police step up patrols
GANGS of up to 50 youths are causing problems in a north Wiltshire village. Residents of Box are becoming worried about gangs of youths gathering on the recreation ground at weekends. Police officers said children are coming from Bath and Bradford on
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Car is set ablaze
CORSHAM Police are hunting for arsonists who put an armchair onto the bonnet of a BMW and set it ablaze. Hundreds of pounds worth of damage was caused to the BMW 325, which was parked in Long Close Avenue. Police believe the car was set ablaze between
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Final call to design stadium
YOUNG football fans have their last chance this week to come up with ideas for a new stadium for Chippenham Town. Entries for the club's Design a Stadium competition must be in by next Friday. Budding designers were asked to come up with a scheme for
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FP cuts bonus rate again
SALISBURY-BASED insurance and investment company Friends Provident has dealt a double blow to savers and policy holders by announcing a further cut in bonus rates and warned future dividends were in doubt. The company, which floated in 2002 and has 1.6m
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Website seminar
COMPUTER company Craven-plan of Swallowcliffe is holding its latest seminar today entitled 101 Ways To Promote Your Website. The free one-hour seminar, which starts at 1pm at the company's premises, will discuss how businesses can get more people to their
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Firms add to festival funding
A REPORT by Arts & Business, the organisation that develops partnerships between business and the arts, shows that investment in the southern region during the financial year 2001/2 was more than £4 million. The Business Investment in the Arts report
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Free advice at end of phone
BUSINESS Link Wessex has launched a telephone advisory service. Following research, which identified a need among small and medium sized businesses for such a service, it has brought together a team of experienced advisers to offer free direct advice
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How Army picks best
SENIOR business managers from Wiltshire have discovered first hand how the Army selects the best talent for future officers. The Wessex Reserve Forces and Cadets Association, which provides support to the region's 3,000 Reservists and 16,000 Army cadets
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Business mentor appointed
THE Institute for Independent Business has appointed a new accredited executive associate to its southern central team. Derek Keen will be based in the Amesbury area and work within a 50-mile radius of the town. He will work with small and medium sized
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Printers state-of-the-art upgrade
SPEEDYPRINT printers and stationers of Salisbury have a new state-of-the-art digital large format copier. The Kyocera Mita KM4850W, supplied by Allied Office Machines of Romsey, will provide a more improved plan production facility at Speedyprint's headquarters
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Clubber gets big ban
LABOURER Andrew Sims has been banned from driving for 25 months for driving home from a Westbury nightclub. Sims, 35, was seen swerving his car along the Yarnbrook bypass at 2.15am by patrolling officers. Failing a roadside breath test he was taken to
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Assault in pub
A 32-year-old Corsham man was assaulted in a Westbury pub on Sunday night. The victim was drinking in The Hollies, in Westbury Leigh, when he was repeatedly punched in the face. Police were called to the pub about 11.16pm to deal with the fracas. The
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Work to disrupt trains
DUE to engineering work the there will be changes to the late evening train service between Bristol Temple Meads and Westbury tomorrow and Saturday April 5. Wessex Trains' 22.30 Bristol Temple Meads to Severn Beach service, and the 23:06 Severn Beach
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Summer of discontent
LENGTHY roadworks could effectively seal off parts of Melksham as a summer of tailbacks and congestion looms. Two main routes out of the town centre will undergo weeks of roadworks, which will stretch well into the summer months. Gas engineers from Transco
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Plans for a French market
PUBS and shops in Melksham are being urged to turn French for a three-day event in May if they manage to beat apathy and the war. A traditional French market will be coming to town from May 16 and organisers are calling for traders to get involved. Market
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In memory of a best friend
TWO best friends of young Melksham meningitis victim Daniel Higgs have raised hundreds of pounds in his memory. Ten-year-old Lowbourne Junior School pupils Ben Weatherburn and Charlie Steed wanted to mark the first anniversary of their friend's death
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Woman set for jail term
NON-PAYMENT of council tax has led to a three-month suspended prison sentence for a Melksham woman. Karen Gibbons, 45, of Padfield Gardens, was found guilty of culpable neglect for non-payment of £2,762 at North West Wiltshire Magistrates Court in Chippen-ham
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Easter egg run will be dedicated to Nick
AN annual Easter egg run to Bristol Child-ren's Hospital is to go ahead this year, despite the death of its organiser. The run on April 12 will be held in memory of biker Nick Wynne, 30, who was killed in a motorbike accident at Hilperton Marsh in June
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Assault after footie match
FOOTBALL fan Michael Sparks knocked-out a rival football player in a Melksham supermarket. Self-employed builder Sparks, 40, punched Phillip Holmes in the mouth in Kwik Save supermarket less than an hour after a pre-season friendly between Melksham Town
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New site for vehicle group
COMMERCIAL vehicle supplier the Tom Gallagher Group is investing £2m in new premises at Westmead Industrial Estate in Swindon. To complement its existing M4 Van Centre showroom on Marlborough Road, the company has bought a two-acre site on which it plans
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I lost friends on September 11th
Do people forget the September 11? I don't, I lost friends. What if it was your friend, your mum or dad? We are doing the right thing, USA and the UK are Spain are doing the right thing, and good will overcome bad. People who campaign for peace live in
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We all have connections with the troops
I am writing to you today regarding Wiltshire giving support to our services serving in the Gulf. Wiltshire has a lot of service men and women with whom we all have connections. There seems to be a lot of coverage on the anti-war protesters which was
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Gardeners wanted to help landfill sites
KEEN gardeners who recycle their kitchen rubbish could help a Wiltshire wildlife group with their next research project. The Wiltshire Wildlife Trust is researching how much of an impact composting at home has on landfill sites and how quickly they fill
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Name and shame crusade praised by police and RAC
THE Wiltshire Times campaign to name-and-shame drink-drivers, brought to you by This is Wiltshire, has received widespread acclaim from road safety campaigners and police officers. RAC Foundation traffic safety manager Kevin Delaney said our campaign
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Have you had your say yet?
THERE are just a few weeks left for patients to comment on the care they have received at the Royal United Hospital, Bath. A random sample of 1,700 people, 850 who were treated as outpatients and 850 who were treated in the emergency department, have
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105 mph gets a 56 day ban
MOTORIST James Richman was clocked at 105mph by cameras installed by the Wiltshire and Swindon road safety camera project. Richman, 23, of Ashley Road, Bradford on Avon was fined £150 and banned from driving for 56 days. with £35 costs, when he appeared
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Cash Union to give help
CREDIT Unions are on their way to west Wiltshire with the first one due to be launched in Melksham this summer. The Credit Union acts as a community savings and loan service where people effectively borrow from each other. Every Credit Union member owns
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Lander is retiring
COUNTY council environment chief Richard Lander is to retire after 28 years and will return to his roots in Cornwall at the end of the month. He joined the council in 1975 as a valuation surveyor and was appointed assistant director of property services
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999 dispute rumbles on
A DISPUTE over the new Wiltshire joint emergency service control room still rumbles on despite preparations for its May opening. Although police and ambulance operators are pleased with the new £7m HQ in Devizes, the Wiltshire branch of the Fire Brigades
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Joint 999 dispute ongoing
A DISPUTE over the new Wiltshire joint emergency service control room rumbles on despite preparations for its May opening. Although police and ambulance operators are pleased with the new £7m HQ in Devizes, the Wiltshire branch of the Fire Brigades' Union
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Police can't find that elusive clue
TRAINED police forensic teams working on the Melanie Hall inquiry could finish their pain-staking search within days. Fingertip searches of two earth mounds in desolate fields near Bath continued this week in a bid to find the 25 year-old who went missing
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Making sure that children are given help
PARENTS of children with disabilities in Wiltshire are horrified that a charity providing the help and support they need might have to cut services due to a lack of cash. The West Wiltshire Portage Service sends trained tutors into the homes of pre-school
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People of Wiltshire awards
REALITY TV vicar the Rev Jamie Allen has launched a county-wide search to find Wiltshire's unsung heroes. A month-long campaign to collect nominations for the 2003 People of Wiltshire Awards began on Monday, with people urged to put forward those they
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Health project
A PROJECT bringing primary care and mental health services together in west Wiltshire has been featured in a national conference on the future of psychiatry. The initiative, being led by the Avon and Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust and West
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Communities get more beat cops
A WILTSHIRE police initiative to build stronger community links has been criticised by the Police Federation. The scheme, launched this week, will see 15 community support officers begin patrolling six towns in the county, including Trowbridge, Melksham
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'Morale is high but some families are frightened'
MARCH 28: AN army wife has polished up her computer skills so she can send daily emails to her husband in Iraq. Celia Mannings, 35, has become accustomed to life as a soldier's wife as her husband, Spencer, has been serving in the forces for more than
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Wiltshire under 18s 2, Devon under 18s 1
COUNTY FOOTBALL: MANAGER Mel Gingell is preparing to rebuild his successful Wiltshire under 18s squad after seeing them finish the season on a high note with a home victory over Devon. Saturday's result ensured second place in the South West Counties
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Three year record comes to an end
TROWBRIDGE LEAGUE: AN early goal from Joel Grogan and a late deflection off Jeremy Curtis earned The Deverills Reserves the distinction of ending the 30-match unbeaten league run of Dynamo West End. On a day of Division Two shocks that leaves four promotion
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Just third time lucky
MID-WILTSHIRE SUNDAY LEAGUE: BOTTOM-of-the-table Trowbridge Wanderers collected only their third win of the season with a 5-1 victory over fellow strugglers Fox and Hounds. Nick Harrison gave the hosts the lead, but Simon Bagnell scored from a corner
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Team Bath 3, Melksham Town 1
SCREWFIX DIRECT LEAGUE: TEAM Bath had to fight hard for victory, coming from a goal down at the break to do it. Melksham deservedly took the lead when Matty Bown latched on to a long throw-in to score. Bath stepped up the pace in the second half when
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Stratton Crosslink 1, Trowbridge Town 0
SKURRAYS WILTSHIRE LEAGUE: FOR the second week running, Trow-bridge were made to pay for missed opportunities as they crashed to defeat in this Premier Division clash. Stratton started well and attacked at the start but once Trowbridge settled they were
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Town could get second cup chance
TROWBRIDGE Town will discover today if they are to be reinstated in the Wiltshire Senior Cup. They lost 1-0 to Devizes Town in the quarter-final on March 15, but have protested to the Wiltshire FA after discovering the Screwfix Direct League side fielded
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Mill rises from the ashes
THE owners of a timber mill destroyed by fire two years ago are optimistic about the future now their new building has opened. Batsford Saw Mills on the Longleat estate, Warminster, has risen from the ashes after it burned down in October 2000. Ten people
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Warning after bag snatch
WARMINSTER Police are warning visitors to beauty spot Cley Hill to take precautions against car thieves. An 18-year-old Radstock woman had a handbag and driving licence stolen from her black Volkswagen Golf between 6pm and 6.30pm Sunday.
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Work due on danger flats
RESIDENTS living in a block of flats in Warminster are relieved that work will finally start on improving their dangerous living conditions. Families have been looking for ways to move out of flats above Three Horseshoes Walk because they say the building
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Warship asbestos kills hero
WILTSHIRE TIMES EXCLUSIVE: A ROYAL Navy engineer who fought in the Falklands war died as a result of coming into contact with deadly asbestos spores on military warships. Chippenham father-of-two Colin Sharp served in the Royal Navy for 25-years as a
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A hundred years on the open road
Two giants in the world of wheels are celebrating their centenaries this year, and both aim to mark their heritage in style, with lavish commemorative events. The Harley-Davidson motorcycling legend was born in 1903 in a ten feet by 15 feet wooden shed
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Motorbike stolen
Thieves stole a broken-down motorbike from a verge on the A385, between Bradford on Avon and Farleigh Wick. The £500 Suzuki moped, registration P837 WFG, was taken between 5pm Friday and 10.20pm Saturday.
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Easter egg run will be dedicated to Nick
AN annual Easter egg run to Bristol Child-ren's Hospital is to go ahead this year, despite the death of its organiser. The run on April 12 will be held in memory of biker Nick Wynne, 30, who was killed in a motorbike accident at Hilperton Marsh in June
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Friends have a great year
HOSPITAL volunteers have celebrated another successful year of fundraising, which has seen them buy thousands of pounds of equipment to help care for patients. Bradford on Avon Hospital League of Friends, which supports the hospital, two GP practices
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Support the troops
Dr Andrew Murrison, the Conservative MP for Westbury, is to be congratulated on his vote against the government and against the wishes of his own party leadership in opposing military action in Iraq. In making a decision, he has clearly and rightly taken
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Support troops, and hope for their safe return
WE write as parents of a serviceman serving in the Gulf, neither highly politically motivated or enthusiasts of war. Our resolve has been strengthened in the light of the lies and deceit now exposed, perpetuated by the barbaric regime currently ruling
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Are town's hot potatoes linked?
The two recurrent themes of the Wiltshire Times letters pages are the so-called Vision for Trowbridge, and the removal of the County Records Office from the town. I have not seen anyone asking if there is a connection between them so I will ask the question
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The angels at the end of the phone
SWINDON CANCER APPEAL: Cancer sufferers regard their Macmillan nurses as guardian angels. When the disease is first diagnosed people may feel confused, depressed or anxious, but the overriding sentiment is one of fear. Initially, people say they think
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Rail museum cafe runs out of steam
THE cafe at Swindon's Steam museum will close on Sunday, leaving the museum without any refreshment facilities. The cafe is on a balcony overlooking the reception, and is currently run under contract by Swindon Services. The contract for catering at the
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Facts about breast cancer
SWINDON CANCER APPEAL: Breast cancer is the most common form of cancer in women, with 38,000 new cases diagnosed each year in the UK. Nationally it accounts for 30 per cent of all new cancer cases. One in nine women in the UK are at risk of developing
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Sam joins the honours list
CHIPPENHAM'S production line of young talent has been recognised once again with the news that under 16 ace Sam Alford has received an England call-up. Alford was picked for the national age-group team for a clash against Wales next month joining a host
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Cinema could be a reality
PLANS to provide Calne with a regular cinema have moved a step closer after councillors agreed to back the cinemobile project. The cinemobile, a 100-seat, air-conditioned cinema complex, can be up and running within 15 minutes of arriving at a site. The
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Suspected arson
Fire broke out in boarded up factory premises at Calne on Tuesday. Three appliances from Chippenham, Calne and Corsham headed for the factory, once home of Cam Circuits, after a passer-by raised the alarm. The fire started in the plant room at the closed
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Dolphins help little Leanne
DOLPHIN therapy in the USA has been a great success for a disabled Trowbridge schoolgirl and her parents. Eight-year-old Leanne Barnes, who has rare neurological disorder Retts Syndrome, has just returned from a two-week stay in Florida with her mum and
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Hiccup over martial arts
PLANS for a martial arts training and holistic treatment centre on the outskirts of Trowbridge have run into problems. The Martial Arts Centre wants to use a vacant unit on the White Horse Business Park for the scheme. Council officers have said the business
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Gary's Big Apple trip
FOR Gary McLaughlin fitness is a way of life, but the New York marathon is going to be a challenge. The 21-year-old, who works at Castle Place leisure centre in Trowbridge is travelling to the USA to take part in the world famous event in November. He
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Aspiring players' fun day
YOUNG footballers aiming to bend it like Beckham, score like Owen or save like Seaman will be able to hone their skills at a fun training day in Trowbridge. Soccerworks UK is offering aspiring football stars between the ages of five and 13 the chance
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Upset over Zoe killer sentence
THE KILLER of schoolgirl Zoe Evans will not have a minimum jail sentence set until a new judicial body is set up later this year. The news comes as a devastating body-blow to Zoe's grandmother, Anne Hamilton, who has been desperately waiting to see how
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Easter egg run will be dedicated to Nick
AN annual Easter egg run to Bristol Child-ren's Hospital is to go ahead this year, despite the death of its organiser. The run on April 12 will be held in memory of biker Nick Wynne, 30, who was killed in a motorbike accident at Hilperton Marsh in June
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Two years in prison for night-time burglar
A TROWBRIDGE man has been jailed for two years after a court heard how he made off with more than £1,000 worth of property in a spate of break-ins. Luke Leeson raided four flats in Kingsbury Square, Melksham, and tried to break into others during his
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Daylight robber to go to jail
Bag snatcher Wayne Gulliver has been jailed for a year after a court heard how he robbed an old lady in broad daylight. The 19-year-old thief grabbed Gladys Bradley's handbag as she walked through Trowbridge park after doing her shopping in the town centre
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Cannonball to be fired? Striker listed
CHIPPENHAM TOWN boss Tommy Saunders has reacted to his side's sorry spell of form by slapping a star name on the transfer list. Former Swindon striker Charlie Griffin has been put up for sale after failing to produce the goods during his second spell
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Marine ready for acid test
IT is no exaggeration to suggest that Swindon Supermarine face their biggest game of the season tomorrow. Ray Baverstock and his team travel to meet Rocester in a crucial relegation clash. The Uttoxeter outfit are currently the benchmark for safety and
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Be happy
MARCH 28 & 29, BATH: Sixteen Types Of Happiness, Rondo Theatre Bath: Big State Theatre, the makers of the darkly comic hitting Dennis and the Frantic Spaghetti Weston-Super-Mare return with a comedy that takes on the big questions and comes up with
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Playing God is not an easy job
APRIL 5, BATH: The Mysteries, Theatre Royal Bath: THERE can't be many people who have played the role of God before, but Vumile Nomanyama not only plays the part of God but also that of Jesus in the Biblical production The Mysteries, which comes to the
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Showdown!
IT'S crunch time for the Premier Division title chasers this week as Stratton Crosslink take on Wroughton. Both sides are locked on 62 points Crosslink in third and Wroughton sitting in the runners-up spot on goal difference. Victory for Crosslink would
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Is this real purpose?
Wiltshire police are hoping a new initiative will help them to fight crime and build stronger links with the community. None of us could disagree that it will be good to have a stronger uniformed presence on our streets, but the Police Federation has
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Exhibition worth its weight in gold
THE role of gold in the development of photography is the theme of a forthcoming exhibition at a Wiltshire museum. Lacock's Fox Talbot Museum named after the Victorian pioneer of photography - is to set aside its Upper Gallery for two months from April
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Five-year ban for alcoholic
Honda worker Andrew Moore has been banned from the road for five years after a court heard he was driving while more than three times over the drink drive limit. The 39-year-old, who has previously been jailed for being drunk behind the wheel, was spotted
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A mammoth effort for Comic Relief
STAFF at the Grove Beefeater restaurant in Swindon's Drove Road are thanking customers for helping the firm to raise £100,000 so far for the 2003 Comic Relief appeal. In line with other branches, the Grove is running a special Comic Relief menu until
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River folk fight the evil stoats in the classic Wind in the Willows
PUPILS at St Joseph's Lower School in Swindon take to the stage tonight to recreate the children's classic Wind in the Willows. A cast of 40 are acting out the popular story of Badger, Ratty, Moley and Mr Toad and their encounter with the evil stoats.
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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
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Help Norman race to the Pole and raise money for more good causes
ACTION man Norman Butler is fighting against the clock to compete in his next awe-inspiring challenge. Next month the 38-year-old commercial analyst of Westlea, Swindon, is hoping to take part in the greatest polar race since Scott and Amundsen. His 400
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Social services head has been appointed
THE new head of Swindon Council's beleaguered social services department was due to be announced today. And among the front-runners for the post is the current acting head of the department, Jerry Oliver, who has been in the post since the resignation
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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
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Why women drivers are better than men
FOR years, women motorists have suffered jokes from men about their driving ability. A recent survey of 1,000 drivers, conducted by Green Flag Motoring Assistance and the road safety charity Brake, has revealed that women are actually safer on the roads
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Monday is D-Day for doggie bins
MERLIN Waste is the new company charged with collecting the contents of Swindon's dog waste bins. The Forest of Dean-based business will take over from SDK Kilsyth, whose contract will be terminated by mutual agreement on Monday, on a five-year basis.
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Attack on pub is the final straw
A CRICKLADE couple want the town to be policed by officers from Swindon after a man was nearly shot with an airgun. Mark Ingle and Cherise Hutchinson, proprietors of the Vale Hotel Inn and Restaurant on Cricklade High Street, say they have suffered at
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Club and fans dig deep for Prospect
PROSPECT Hospice was handed a cheque worth £3,000 following a whip-round at Swindon Town. The club donated the proceeds from the FA Community Shield, while members of Swindon's Rotary Club collected cash from fans at last Wednesday's clash against Bristol
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Residents have their say
Residents in Penhill will have a chance to have a say about services in their area at a meeting being held on April 5 at the John Moulton Hall. The Your Say Day is aimed at helping people shape their local services. Present will be representatives from
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Make a treat for your mum
Children can make a Mother's Day treat at the Swindon Museum and Art Gallery this Sunday. They will have the chance to create a Mother's Day card or a paper heart basket to hold sweets. The session will run be-tween 2.30pm and 4.30pm, with no admission
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Surgery and library plan
A DOCTORS' surgery and a library could be added to the Pinehurst People's Centre. A consultation exercise is being carried out to discover what local residents think of the idea. Plans to add extra services to the Beech Avenue centre were first mooted
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A challenge to help the Prospect
RUGBY players, policemen, sailors and skydivers are uniting to launch this year's Prospect Hospice Challenge Appeal. Sponsored by Nationwide, the campaign asks people to set themselves a challenge to raise money for the Wroughton based hospice. All adults
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Combined emergency control centre set to be approved
PLANS for a new £25 million police and ambulance HQ in South Marston look set to be approved second time around by council planners. The application by the police authority was thrown out by Swindon Council planning committee in January. Concerns were
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Ambulance service criticised in report
WILTSHIRE Ambulance Service has been condemned in an official report for having autocratic management and out of date equipment. The Commission for Health Improvement review also said ambulance staff have complained of bullying. It said: "Many staff do
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Artists are wanted to support our schools
MY name is Harry Enfield and I'm writing with a plea to fellow artists to support Big Arts Week 2003. Big Arts Week is an exciting initiative inviting professional artists to volunteer their time and share their skills to inspire local children in primary
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No slavish obedience here
I FEEL I must have a right to reply to Mr Ratcliffe's letter (EA March, 24) naming me. He claims that I mock the Tories and their performance in opposition, I do not. What I do, is to point out their very poor performance as an opposition with a muddled
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How much support for the troops after the war?
BUSH and Blair have lost the argument about their attack on Iraq. Now they try to silence opposition by saying "keep quiet and support the troops." But how far do these war mongers support the troops. Look at the homeless. Up to one in five hostel residents
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Blame the left for problems
EVEN by the standards he has set for himself in previous letters, the latest ranting by Peter Smith is high on the scale of hysteria. He must be unique in believing that the desperate problems of the Arab world are caused by Western Conservative Involvement
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USA was there in world war 2
With regard to the This is Wiltshire article "Peace Protestors Take To The Street," no, Americans don't expect to get their way all the time. But they do expect that people they helped in two World Wars to extend them some courtesy in difficult times.
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Girls lose out
THE South West (North) under 16 girls' team, which included Rebecca Lamb, of Trowbridge, lost 17-0 to the South East (West) at Nailsea and Backwell on Sunday. The under 16s and under 18s play their next match against the South East (East) at Crawley this
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Farrington's Aces
FOUR Farrington members celebrated holes in one in recent weeks and Adrian Raikes has created history by being the first player to par the 17th hole in a competition. The hole usually measures 378 yards over and two lakes need to be negotiated before
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Goodey's run continues
ROBIN Goodey (Royal North Devon) won the final Devon PGA winter medal at Churston with a level par 70. On a very cold and windy day, with the front nine holes playing extremely difficult, he was followed by Peter Laugher (Thurleston) on 72 and Barry Austin
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Farmers horrified by plan to redevelop cattle market
PLANS to develop the Cocklebury Road site in Chippenham has stirred up an angry response from farmers. Premier Livestock Auctions will lose its lease for a market at the site at the end of the year to make room for the new Wiltshire and Swindon Record
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New captain for Honiton drives into office
HONITON'S new captain Terry Linsdell (pictured) drove into office in the traditional way. Geoff Banks accurately forecast where the drive would end up so took the customary prize. Honiton elected Anne Davies as their first lady president. She has been
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Theatre to play town
A NEW theatre company launches in Chippenham next week with four days of performances. The Stage Won Theatre Company, from Wiltshire College, Chippenham opens with The Oedipus Project, a workshop production of the Greek play Oedipus Rex on Monday and
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Long-serving pro retires
LILLEY Brook's Forbes Hadden, who is the longest-serving professional in the West Region, is retiring when he reaches the age of 64 in September. He will have spent 39 years with the Charlton Kings club. "It's been virtually my whole life," said the quiet-spoken
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Jail term for bank robbery
A ROBBER has been jailed for three years after a court heard he made off with £1,000 from a building society. Mark Pentony handed over a note reading 'I need £1,000' after telling staff at the Chippenham branch of the Britannia that it was a hold up.
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A great start at Canford Magna
MICHAELWerner collected his first Bournemouth Alliance trophy for a decade, thanks to a magnificent start at Canford Magna. The 62-year-old wholesale greengrocer dropped only three shots in his first nine holes. Heading for a sensational score, he faltered
