Archive
-
Date
Ball aims to be top highlight
TICKETS for the Mayor of Chippenham's charity ball are selling like hot cakes. The dinner dance, on Friday April 25 at 7.30pm, will be one of the first events to be held in the newly refurbished Neeld Hall and it will raise funds for the Mayor's charity
-
Date
It's all Greek to these kids
PUPILS at Frogwell School dined on cheese, dates and 'sparrow's legs' when they stepped back to the time of the ancient Greeks, for a market day and feast. Youngsters in Year 3 at the Chippenham school have studied the ancient Greeks all term, and their
-
Date
Boy studied suicide techniques on net
FATHER Martin Piper said he was appalled that his 17-year-old son Tim killed himself after learning how to do it from information on an Internet website. Tim Piper, from Lacock, was found hanged from his wardrobe in his room on November 20. At the inquest
-
Date
Council shows the rest how it's done
CHIPPENHAM town clerk Laurie Brown addressed hundreds of local councils at the launch of the Government's new Quality Councils scheme, to promote best practice. Mr Brown was a special guest speaker at the prestigious event at the Royal National Hotel
-
Date
Pupils jump at Skipathon
CHILDREN at Redland primary school, Chippenham, raised more than £400 when they took part in a charity Skipathon. Key Stage One pupils, aged between four and seven, spent an hour skipping on Friday morning. Teachers, teaching assistants and mums joined
-
Date
New talks in GP's out-of-hours row
PATIENTS gathered for a special meeting at the threatened Marshfield Road Surgery run by Chippenham GP Barney Williams, who is in dispute with the Kennet and North Wiltshire Primary Care Trust over out-of-hours cover . The Department of Health is to hold
-
Date
New service for women in pregnancy crisis
A PREGNANCY Crisis Centre has opened in Chippenham to offer support and advice to women facing unexpected pregnancy. The centre will offer free pregnancy testing, a confidential listening service and advice on options available to women, their partners
-
Date
Town's hospital ready to expand
CHIPPENHAM'S community hospital is likely to be turned into one of two 'mini' general hospitals for North Wiltshire. The ambitious plans for the hospital were this week labelled "good news" by Barbara Smith, the chief executive of the Kennet and North
-
Date
Warning as boys hold up young cyclist
PRIMARY schools in Chippenham are warning children to keep away from Mortimore's Wood after a ten-year-old boy claimed two younger lads threatened him with a knife. Headteachers Jane Ratcliff of Kings Lodge primary school and Stella Paul of Charter School
-
Date
Domestic blitz on TV
AFTER 21 years of marriage and running a successful bed & breakfast businesses, John and Joyce Bennett have had their fair share of disagreements. But now the owners of Bennett's B&B in Patterdown near Chippenham, will be airing those differences
-
Date
Rod & Line - by Roland Batten
FISHING: Lakes are setting for final drama: SALISBURY Angling Club's lakes at Steeple Langford and Petersfinger provided superb end-of-season sport for bream and tench anglers. George Horton fished the dying days of the season at Petersfinger and hauled
-
Date
Promotion party begins for 'Stock
FOOTBALL: Ludgershall looked intent on spoiling the party and went for a solid defensive formation in an attempt to frustrate their title-chasing visitors. The first half was all Laverstock but they found it difficult to break down the Ludgershall backline
-
Date
Nick's words of wisdom
FOOTBALL: AFTER an insipid first half display it needed an inspired half-time team talk from manager Nick Holmes to remind his Salisbury City side it was they who were chasing promotion not their mid-table opponents Chatham, writes Mike Turner. Woeful
-
Date
Granary setting for design business
HARWOODS of Winterbourne is probably one of the most unique kitchen showrooms that you are likely to find. Owned and run by Jane Field, the business is in the village of Winterbourne Dauntsey, a few miles north of Salisbury on the A338. Before even setting
-
Date
Laverstock are promoted
RACING: LAVERSTOCK & Ford have secured promotion from Division Two of the Hampshire League, but have a nailbiting wait until Saturday week to discover if they go up as champions. Saturday's 3-0 away win at Ludger-shall Sports ensured they kept the
-
Date
Emily's Hong Kong try-umph
WOMEN'S RUGBY: SALISBURY'S women's rugby star Emily Cook shrugged off the disappointment of not playing in England's Six Nations triumph, to leave her mark on the World Sevens tournament in Hong Kong. Emily scored four crucial tries en route to helping
-
Date
Pay tribute to all who serve
ADVENTURER David Hempleman-Adams is dedicating his latest courageous solo trek across the polar ice to the memory of another brave man. His friend Terry Lloyd died while covering the war in Iraq for ITN, and many people have paid tribute to him. Let us
-
Date
Crowds enjoy day on farm
HUNDREDS of people took advantage of the good weather at this year's lambing weekend at Wiltshire College Lackham. Many took along picnic baskets to the event, near Lackham, with Mothering Sunday proving to be the busiest day. Sue Bolhovener, director
-
Date
Final call to alms
THE last of the funding to restore the 17th century Corsham Almshouses has finally been received. The trustees of the Lady Margaret Hungerford Charity are delighted to have received the final cheque from the Heritage Lottery Fund towards the £1.5 million
-
Date
Are you prepared for disaster
COMPUTER company Cravenplan of Swallowcliffe is offering businesses the chance to attend a free seminar entitled Preparing for a Disaster. The seminar takes place on April 10 at 1pm. Cravenplan says that about 50 per cent of companies who lose data through
-
Date
Cerambond acquisition gives Halyard the edge
HALYARD Group, which manufactures marine silencing systems at Whaddon, has acquired Cerambond, a specialist manufacturer of exhaust hose and silicon exhaust products. Halyard has, as a result, become the first company in the world to manufacture entire
-
Date
Bike accident lands boy in hospital
MALMESBURY School pupil Sam Jackson had to have surgery and 16 stitches to his face after he fell off his bike and hit an overflow pipe at Reeds Farm. Paramedics had to airlift the seven-year-old to Bath Royal United Hospital at about 4pm on Sunday afternoon
-
Date
Website boosts recycling campaign
RECYCLE your Rubbish, an A-Z directory of places in the Malmesbury area where materials can be recycled, has gone online. The site will contain updated information from a free booklet of the same name published in December that lists organisations and
-
Date
FOR SALE
5.7 acre former hospital site close to centre with potential for luxury town homes. Offers in excess of £7 million to:Kennet and North Wiltshire Primary Care Trust MALMESBURY Hospital will be reduced to a GP surgery, health centre and glorified nursing
-
Date
Veterans get new skipper
PETER Hagelthorn has been appointed captain of the Wiltshire O50s County Cricket Club for the 2003 season, which begins with an away fixture at Dorset on May 22. Other officers elected were Steve Steir, of Trowbridge, as president, South Newton's Dick
-
Date
Herring is no fish out of water at this level
TEENAGE midfielder Ian Herring has refused to rule out a permanent move to Hardenhuish Park after impressing in his first two outings for Chippenham. Herring's third and final year as a scholar at Second Division Swindon Town is coming to an end and he
-
Date
Opinions on Iraq
AT this moment the news and our thoughts are bombarded with the momentous events in Iraq. Such demanding situations are not new in our history and were frequently recorded in the Bible. This gave opportunity to those, such as Isaiah to write: "Fear ye
-
Date
Housing market is buoyant
The housing market remained buoyant during March with prices increasing by 1.9 per cent, Swindon-based Nationwide said today. But growth over the past few months has moderated, with the cost of property rising by 4 per cent during the first quarter of
-
Date
Opinions on Iraq
AS a minister in the Church of England I am involved in a nationwide survey to assess the impact the war in Iraq is having on people's moral and religious attitudes and their outlook for the future. I invite readers to send me their views on any of the
-
Date
Hitler & Potter feature in auction
AN ALBUM of photographs of the 1936 Olympic Games in Berlin, attended by Hitler, and 11 first editions of the works of Beatrix Potter - some given to children by the author's cousins, are being auctioned in Mere on Saturday. The items are among 250 lots
-
Date
Dream start for racer Rob
MOTORSPORT: Shrewton race Rob Horsfield, who is competing in both Monoposto and Formula Honda Championships this year, has made a dream start to his 2003 campaign by winning both of his opening races. Horsfield followed up a win in the Monoposto Championship
-
Date
No pressure on powerlifter Phil
POWERLIFTING: A RELAXED approach certainly paid dividends for Salisbury powerlifter Phil Randall when he competed at the Corus Welsh Champion-ships in Port Talbot at the weekend, writes Mike Turner. The former world champion admitted to having taken things
-
Date
Fairford protesters say police are being petty
APRIL 3: PEACE protesters have accused police patrolling RAF Fairford of being petty. Gloucestershire Police are working with officers from the Ministry of Defence and the US Air Force Security Police to guard the 14 American B-52 bombers stationed at
-
Date
Peace protest will continue
PEACE campaigners held a vigil at the Hathaway roundabout in Chippenham on Friday, to protest about the war in Iraq. More than 20 people, carrying placards and banners, stood for an hour at the top of New Road. Many drivers beeped in support, according
-
Date
In our prayers...By Padre Ken Wilson, Chaplain, Joint Support Unit, Joint Services Corsham
TOGETHER with the successful processing of operations in the Gulf to date, we have also seen, heard and felt touched by the pain and suffering of some of those involved in the Gulf War. Your prayers for the needs of those involved, as well as those left
-
Date
Past pupils meet in Cuba
ON the day the war started two former pupils of Chippenham Grammar School met by chance at a viewpoint overlooking the US base at Guantanamo, Cuba. Ironically, Gill Minter and John Fairbank, pictured above, were casting an eye over the camp that still
-
Date
Great, if you can find it
THE closure of the cafe in Steam Museum looks like the start of the rot for the museum. I had to smile when I spotted the two new signs advertising the museum. I thought it was advertising ice cream and the people entering the Outlet Village would need
-
Date
War cheats pair out of their wedding day
BRIDE-TO-BE Amanda Court, 22, may lose £10,000 after she had to cancel her wedding when her fiance was told he could not leave the Gulf. Miss Court, from Rudloe, was due to marry Paul Chamberlain, 26, on March 15, the date of her parent's 28th wedding
-
Date
War was inevitable
While I was watching the disintegration of the World Trade Centre, I knew that from that moment on a war of this kind was inevitable, whether it be an "act of terrorism" or an "act of war". The question is, do you let a psychopath who has committed crimes
-
Date
Princess Royal cheers forces' families
THE Princess Royal visited RAF Lyneham this week to offer support to those whose loved ones are serving in the war in Iraq. She met personnel and their families at the base where she is the Honorary Air Commodore. She congratulated one woman who is making
-
Date
Come on in, the price is lovely
WITH reference to Ms Cox's letter (March 19) and subsequent article, I confirm that there are off peak and peak times that are applied to customers who use our golf facilities. These times were implemented after much consideration. Their aim is to make
-
Date
Schoolgirl's sweet idea to help Iraqi children
ST JOHN'S student Jess Pittams has received civic blessing from Marlborough mayor Margaret Boulton for her idea of sending sweets for Iraqi children. Jess, 11, who lives in Mildenhall is raising money to buy sweets to send to Iraq. Her grandfather, Sir
-
Date
Here's how to show you care
What to put in your shoebox Sweets boiled, toffees, wine gums, chewing gum, mini Easter eggs with shells Magazines motoring, sports, women's magazines or novels Pot Noodle snacks Packets of cup soups Coffee and/or teabags Hot chocolate sachets Thick cotton
-
Date
New High Sherifftakes up office
THE new High Sheriff of Wiltshire has been named as Pewsey landowner and international businessman David Newbigging. At a brief ceremony at County Hall yesterday Mr Newbigging was appointed as successor to Sir Christopher Benson. The position of high
-
Date
Relatives waiting on next news
APRIL 4: WILTSHIRE families are finding it harder to cope the longer their loved ones are away. Mellisa McFarlane, 32, admits she is one of the lucky ones because she regularly receives emails from her husband, David, who is based at the American headquarters
-
Date
Millionaire or fraudster? Jury told it must decide
JURORS in the Who Wants To Be A Millionaire? coded coughing trial retired yesterday to consider the verdict on Army Major Charles Ingram. Judge Geoffrey Rivlin QC told the eight women and four men trying Army Major Charles Ingram for allegedly cheating
-
Date
War protesters campaign on
APRIL 4: PEACE protesters are continuing their relentless campaign against the war. On Friday, demonstrators held a peace vigil at the Hathaway roundabout in Chippenham. Around 20 people, carrying placards and banners, stood for an hour at the top of
-
Date
On their marks to celebrate
LAST summer's A-level results were an emotional roller-coast ride for many students, not just because they were waiting for results that would affect their whole future. The re-marking fiasco prolonged the agony for scores of pupils, but the results were
-
Date
School offers support
PUPILS at a Warminster school who are anxious about the war in Iraq can confide with a teacher whose husband is fighting on the frontline. Lynn Bowtell's husband, Andrew, is serving with the Queen's Dragoon Guards, carrying out reconnaissance missions
-
Date
Multi-media feast at libraries
LIBRARY users in Wiltshire are being given more choice in what they can borrow. From this week, the number of items Wiltshire County Council library users are able to take home with them increases from eight to 12. The move helps the library service meet
-
Date
School offers support
APRIL 4: PUPILS at a Warminster school who are anxious about the war in Iraq can confide with a teacher whose husband is fighting on the frontline. Lynn Bowtell's husband, Andrew, is serving with the Queen's Dragoon Guards, carrying out reconnaissance
-
Date
Firearmsamnesty is backed by police
WILTSHIRE police are calling for firearms to be handed over as part of a national amnesty to help rid the streets of illegal guns. The amnesty runs to April 30 across the country. The Home Office initiative has won the unreserved support of the Association
-
Date
Malmesbury bid for glory
CIRENCESTER YOUTH LEAGUE: MALMESBURY maintained their 100 per cent record in the under 13 division as title glory beckons. They need five points from their remaining three games to be mathematically certain of clinching the title after an 11th straight
-
Date
Pensioners miss out on benefits
SOME pensioners could double their income if they claimed the benefits they are entitled to, according to Age Concern Wiltshire. The charity is launching Your Rights Week tomorrow, a campaign to encourage pensioners to claim the benefits they are entitled
-
Date
Favourites snookered by in-form goalkeeper
SWINDON AND DISTRICT LEAGUE: DIVISION One side Queenstown turned in a stunning performance to draw 3-3 after extra-time with unbeaten Premier Division favourites 147 Club in an Adver Cup semi-final. An own goal from Queenstown's Bob Woolston put 147 ahead
-
Date
Sparrow is top of the flocks in county
THE house sparrow has come out as Wiltshire's garden bird champion, taking top spot in the RSPB's record-breaking Big Garden Birdwatch survey. However, the survey revealed that the number of house sparrows has plummeted to an average of five birds seen
-
Date
Six share Stratton scoring spree
YOUTH FOOTBALL: SIX players shared the goals as Stratton Juniors moved up to third place in the under 16s Blue Division of the Wiltshire Times and Chippenham News Mid-Wilts Youth and Minor League with a 9-1 away win over Shaw and Whitley. Daniel Cosway
-
Date
What happens to plan next?
THE following public meetings have been organised by the trust: Friday April 4 at the Corn Exchange, Devizes, at 9.30am and 7pm. Wednesday April 9 at the town hall, Malmesbury, at 1.30pm and 7pm. Tuesday April 22 at the town hall, Marlborough, at 7pm.
-
Date
Pewsey Vale 0, Carterton Town 0
HELLENIC LEAGUE: BATTLING Pewsey produced one of their best performances of the season to earn a priceless point in their fight for Hellenic Premier Division survival Pewsey remain fourth from bottom, but came close to pulling off the surprise result
-
Date
What the GPs and staff think
DEVIZES GPs believe the proposed health campus at Green Lane, Devizes, will bring improvements in health services. While many people have expressed concern about demolishing the hospital and having a health centre and nursing home, GPs believe the proposals
-
Date
Clarke is on target to end derby stalemate
ONE goal was enough to settle the issue in the local derby clash between Wootton Bassett and Fairford Town Lee Clarke scoring for the visitors on the hour. Hosts Bassett gave a start to 16-year-old midfielder Matt Bennett and fellow youth team member
-
Date
Hospital beds out...new care at home
A MAJOR change in future health care is to treat people in their own homes rather than admitting them to hospital. The health trust proposes to have teams of professionals, including physiotherapists, occupational therapists and district nurses to treat
-
Date
Corsham Town 0, Bristol Manor Farm 1
SCREWFIX FIRST DIVISION: RELEGATION-haunted Corsham were left seething as a hotly-disputed injury time penalty from ex-Chippenham Town midfielder Nick Tiley pushed them closer to the First Division trap door. Controversial Reading official Steve Creighton
-
Date
Fire union votes to strike over control
WILTSHIRE'S chief fire officer, Neil Wright, has called for talks with leaders of the Fire Brigades' Union after a members' ballot backed further strike action. The FBU said the ballot result was in favour of strike action to halt the move to the new
-
Date
Proms 2003 promises a musical spectacular
THE Lacock Proms 2003 will be bigger and better than ever with classical splendour, spectacular lasers, lights and fireworks. Lacock Abbey will be the setting for the second Lacock Proms on July 12 after last year's event proved such a runaway success
-
Date
Little cache but bags of features
THE original Toyota RAV4, although a commendable car, always lacked that chunky and rugged look that characterises the more successful leisure 4x4s. On sale since the latter part of 2000, the latest RAV4 addressed this issue very successfully with a stylish
-
Date
Police revved up for massive bike safety day
WARWICKSHIRE Police will be hosting the National Bikesafe Weekend at the Heritage Motor Centre, Gaydon, Warwickshire, on 5 and 6 April 2003. Bikesafe is an initiative run by police forces throughout the UK, who work with the biking world to help lower
-
Date
Ford birthday extravaganza
THIS July's Goodwood Festival of Speed will be the scene of Ford's biggest centennial birthday celebration outside of the United States. Ford plans to fly in an exciting line-up of its most famous racing cars for the tenth annual Goodwood Festival, as
-
Date
Honda Tourer mixes sportiness and sense
SOME estate cars are roomy, others sporty, luxurious or stylish. From sensible workhorses to sporty holdalls, they all struggle to meet conflicting goals of style, space, practicality and pace. Then there's the Accord Tourer, one of the most thoroughly
-
Date
Patients' quiz on health care
HEALTH services provided by Kennet and North Wiltshire Primary Care Trust are to come under the spotlight as local patients are quizzed as part of a national survey. Around 850 people have been randomly selected to take part in the postal survey, overseen
-
Date
Forecast of more terror
FORMER Government minister Frank Judd painted a gloomy picture of international relationships and predicted increased future terrorism when he gave the Lent Lecture in Marlborough. Lord Judd, a former minister of overseas development, made his chilling
-
Date
Opinions on Iraq
We are resigning from the Labour Party from this date, because we cannot support the policy of the Labour Government in its illegal and unjustified attack against Iraq. We are unconvinced, by the evidence presented, that Iraq has weapons of mass destruction
-
Date
Help is needed to hit trigger level
I am one of the many residents in and around Warminster, who would like high speed internet access, but are unable to due to not having cable in my area. I can get satellite broadband but unfortunately am unwilling to pay the extremely high costs. The
-
Date
Consider scheme's economics
Given the number of road accidents there have been in recent years on the A36 Codford-Heytesbury bypass, and the subsequent pressure from local councillors and residents to get on and build the original road improvement, which was inherited from the Dept
-
Date
Accidents so common
ONCE again in the Melksham area we see a road close for four hours. Not the A350 this time but the Melksham-Holt road at Challymead. Local residents who live on this very bad junction will tell you that they hear and witness accidents and near misses
-
Date
One bad egg in a basket of good
THE families of Holly Wells and Jessica Chapman have surely been through enough, yet there was to be one more twist to their terrible ordeal. They were to learn that a man of the law, whom they trusted and befriended, was at first suspected of, then charged
-
Date
Race to the pole
ADVENTURER Norman Butler will soon face biting winds, frozen seas and the threat of polar bears. That is because next week he will set off from Resolute Bay on the northern coast of Canada in the first stage of a 400-mile trek across compacted snow and
-
Date
Unwanted trolley record
THE lack of bed spaces at GWH has meant that hundreds of patients have had to be cared for on hospital trolleys. The issue was brought into sharp focus this week when the Evening Advertiser revealed that 62-year-old heart patient Herbert Edwards spent
-
Date
History of the GW hospital
1996: Carillion, formerly Tarmac won the contract to build the replacement for Princess Margaret Hospital under the Government's Private Finance Initiative Scheme. October, 1999: Building work begins on the new hospital. January, 2001: Large pre-cast
-
Date
Keith lands the social services job
THE new head of Swindon Council's troubled social services department has been officially named. Keith Skerman, 50, a family man with two children at school and one at university, is currently head of community care with the London borough of Hillingdon
-
Date
Star Trek actors beaming in
A PAIR of Star Trek actors are heading for Swindon in the coming weeks. Both Marina Sirtis and Robert Picardo will be greeting fans at the Infinitely Better store in the Brunel Centre. British-born Star Trek actress Marina Sirtis appears at the shop on
-
Date
A mission for Terry
ADVENTURER David Hempleman-Adams is 50 miles away from completing a daring bid to become the first man to walk solo and unsupported to the Geomagnetic North Pole. And in what will be his last solo expedition, the Swindon-born explorer and balloonist has
-
Date
District battle is on
THE fight for political control of Salisbury district council got underway this week, as nominations closed on Tuesday for the local elections on May 1. The Conservatives, who have ruled the council with the support of the Independents for the last four
-
Date
Jury decides fate of quiz show major
THE jury in the trial of the Upavon army major accused of cheating to win the jackpot on the TV quiz show Who Wants To Be A Millionaire has been asked to decide whether coincidence or a scam carried the major to the million. Charles Ingram, his wife Diana
-
Date
No petrol needed for new 'walking' bus
CALNE community worker Sarah Elliott has set up a 'walking bus' which transports children into the centre of town and has helped boost the town's cinema project. Mrs Elliott, 35, of Stokes Croft, started the pedestrian bus, consisting of children and
-
Date
Army homes battle begins
HOPEFUL home-buyers are already camping out to secure a special deal on one of 36 former Ministry of Defence homes in Devizes, even though they're not on sale for another two weeks. Annington Homes, which bought the former Army married quarters in Nursteed
-
Date
Fashion shop to stay open
THE owner of Devizes ladies' fashion shop Beale's (Bath) Ltd wants to reassure customers that it is not going to close until next year at the earliest. Developers, including the pub chain J D Wetherspoon, have been eyeing the shop for some time and while
-
Date
Top honour for Guides
GUIDES Amy Russell and Katy Priest have achieved a top award. Amy, 14, and Katy, 15, of 2nd Devizes Guides, have achieved the Baden Powell Challenge award. Guides have to be in the organisation for at least two years before they can try for the award.
-
Date
Visitor puts kids in a spin
YOUNGSTERS at Potterne Primary School had the opportunity to try out new skills when a circus performer came to the school. The Parent Teacher Association paid for the performer, called J.J. from London based Splatts Entertainments, to be at the school
-
Date
Prank with matches sets school hall on fire
FOUR pupils at Potterne Primary School caused a fire in the school hall after they were playing with matches. All staff and children got out of the school safely. One teacher went back in and put the fire out by using a fire extinguisher. Thousands of
-
Date
Dim view of garden room
TOWN councillors in Marlborough are opposing plans for a garden room that they say would be out of keeping with neighbouring buildings, including St Mary's Church. Janet Ingram has applied for planning consent for a garden room behind her home in Silverless
-
Date
Hospital's role is set to expand
SAVERNAKE Hospital is to play a major role in a reorganised health service, according to plans unveiled this week. The Kennet and North Wiltshire Primary Care Trust, which has carried out a review of services in order to find savings of £10 million, is
-
Date
Striking is selfish
Talk of strike action by Wiltshire firefighters during one of the most potentially dangerous wars this country has ever fought is nothing short of selfish. The British Army soldiers are bravely putting their lives on the line in the Gulf while our fire
-
Date
Schools not to blame for chaos
Parents have a right to be angry. The system is letting them down. There is absolutely no point in setting up a so-called 'one-stop' speedy checkpoint for background checks on teachers and school staff if speedy means waiting seven months for an answer
-
Date
New College is happy with results, and its £15m facelift will help even more
New College, which accounted for 60 per cent of Swindon's A-level entries, fell just below the national average, with 227.5 points. But principal Graham Taylor pointed to the fact that GCSE results in Swindon are lower than average and that his college
-
Date
Grammar School is best in the state rankings
WHILE Wootton Bassett topped the list of Swindon area schools, the highest ranked state school was Colchester Royal Grammar School in Essex, where pupils averaged 504.9 points according to the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service scale, in which
-
Date
Scouts join new section
The first Swindon members of a new scouting section have been invested. Explorer Scouts at the Swindon Ridgeway Group, the troop covering the southern part of Swindon, were welcomed at a special ceremony last Friday at Christ Church Leisure Centre in
-
Date
Volunteer school run driver jailed after BMW crash
VOLUNTEER school run driver Jonathan Dobie has been jailed for six months after he admitted crashing a car in fog while over the drink drive limit eight days after magistrates banned him for driving with excess alcohol. Swindon Crown Court heard the 27
-
Date
Horse passports plan is not for us
NEW Europeans laws requiring every horse to have a £30 passport by the end of the year have been condemned as "crazy" by MP James Gray. The Government has agreed to adopt Brussels legislation designed to prevent horses fed with dangerous medicines from
-
Date
Pub hosts a tug-of-war
Teams have been invited to test their strength in a tug-of -war competition being held at the Ghost Train pub in Purton on Sunday, April 20. Teams of eight are needed for the adult contest and of four for the under-16s. An entry fee of £10 per team is
-
Date
Celebration of ten years
Connect Supported Employment Service will hold a celebration conference on Friday. The service is celebrating 10 successful years of delivering Supported Employment in Swindon. The Nationwide Building Society will show its support for people with learning
-
Date
A challenge to help the Prospect
AN ELITE team of policemen, rugby players and skydivers is lining up for the challenge of a lifetime to raise money for the Prospect Hospice. On Tuesday the hospice will launch Challenge 2003, sponsored by the Nationwide Building Society, which asks people
-
Date
Deadly attraction of the sun's rays
SWINDON CANCER APPEAL: There are three types of skin cancer. The two most common are basal cell and squamous cell carcinomas. They are easily treated and rarely fatal. The third and most dangerous is the malignant melanoma. In Swindon, there are 30 cases
-
Date
Beat cancer: eat more beetroot
SWINDON CANCER APPEAL: People who do not eat enough fruit and vegetables are at risk of cancer, health experts have warned. One in 10 cancers is triggered by insufficient amounts of fruit and vegetables in daily diets, according to research co-ordinated
-
Date
How phil saved his skin
SWINDON CANCER APPEAL: Today, Phil Webb recalls how he neglected a lump on his lip with consequences that could have been catastrophic. ALEX EMERY reports Phil Webb lived with a lump on his lip for three years before going to the doctors. It was only
-
Date
Bellamy and Attenborough are against sacking
A row over the sacking of one of the country's top conservation bosses will not affect the running of the Wiltshire Wildlife Trust. The decision to get rid of Dr Simon Lyster, director general at the Wildlife Trusts' UK office, was met with a storm of
-
Date
Villagers win a quieter life
VILLAGERS plagued by the roar of traffic on the Latton bypass were celebrating today after a government pledge to resurface the road. Concrete on a 14.2km stretch of the A419 and A417 from Latton to Daglingworth will be ripped up and replaced with quieter
-
Date
Festival has a great start
MUSICIANS played their favourite pieces to launch the 94th Swindon Music Festival. Flute and clarinet players in the solo woodwind class opened the annual competition for people of all ages. They were followed by soloists in the instrumental jazz section
-
Date
Dancing back through time
A GROUP in Wroughton is offering instruction in folk dance styles dating back to the 17th century. The group meets on Wednesday evenings in Wroughton Infants School and caters for beginners, experienced dancers, singles and couples of all ages. Dance
-
Date
MP backs Government crackdown
MP Julia Drown has welcomed new Government proposals to tackle anti-social behaviour and prostitution. A Government white paper has said that those responsible for anti-social behaviour should be punished for their actions. These include drunken yobs
-
Date
Honda to help holiday scheme make a splash
A SCHEME which helps to keep children occupied in the summer holidays is getting a new car from car manufacturer Honda. SPLASH (Schools & Police Liaison Activities for Summer Holidays) is an activity scheme for young people aged 10 to 16. As a registered
-
Date
A lighter view
I WAS surprised to read of the criticism of the new lighting at Malmesbury Abbey as "crass" and "amateur" by a representative of the Landscape Institute. Like many other residents, I was delighted when the plans to reinstate the floodlighting and to put
-
Date
Win-win decision
AS a non-Conservative may I take issue with your correspondent of March 27 and put the record no pun intended straight. Various members of all parties and none voted for the Record Office to come to Chippenham. I personally promoted the cause as much
-
Date
Model enthusiasts steam ahead
THE pungent smell of oil and a haze of smoke greeted visitors to the Michael Herbert Hall in Wilton on Saturday, where steam enthusiasts from across the country had gathered for a model engineering and hobbies exhibition. Model traction engines, locomotives
-
Date
Three allegations are made against council
ALLEGATIONS of misconduct ranging from bullying to financial impropriety have been made against Swindon Council. Three separate allegations have been made by whistleblowers people working within the organisation who alert senior managers to alleged impropriety
-
Date
Police study CCTV footage of vandals
POLICE are studying CCTV footage handed to them by Upper Stratton crime victim Valerie Hearn. Mrs Hearn, 68, featured in the Advertiser after a vandal attack on her home was captured on CCTV, installed because of problems with vandals. A group of seven
-
Date
Town's hospital should stay in public control
THE recent public meeting in Marlborough about the new Savernake Hospital exposed serious points of concern that funding will not supply the services the public need. The facts speak for themselves. The Kennet and North Wiltshire Primary Care Trust has
-
Date
Heavyweight theft
A CAR transporter worth £20,000 and weighing nearly eight tons has been stolen from a van rental company in Swindon. The transporter was taken from the M4 Self Drive yard in Station Road under cover of darkness. It was the third break-in there in little
-
Date
Withdraw from EU to end tax increases
THE extortionate increases in our council taxes could have been avoided if our contributions to the EU amounting to between £9 and £11 billion each year over the past five years had been available to fund the UK's public services. While it is true that
-
Date
Players in action
The Phoenix Players will bring Ernest Thompson's play On Golden Pond to the Arts Centre, Devizes Road, Old Town from April 30 to May 3. Tickets cost £4.50 for a 7.30pm start. To book call Swindon 525616.
-
Date
'Wonderful idea' for brave Gigi
TWO Salisbury women are teaming up to organise a sponsored walk and send a seriously ill member of their family on the holiday of a lifetime. Jocelyn Pickett, of Stratford-sub-Castle, and Jo Hayball, of Alderbury, want to raise enough money to send Gigi
-
Date
Minister denies health comments
IN an article which appeared in the Gazette on January 23, James Gray MP inaccurately alleges that the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Public Health, Hazel Blears MP, made a series of exceptionally dismissive and inappropriate comments about
-
Date
Golden stars roll out the charm
NINE Labrador puppies from West Gomeldon are set to star in the latest series of international advertisements for Andrex Toilet Tissue. The seven-week old, yellow Labrador retrievers, bred by farmers Martin and Christine Dean, are at Black Island Studios
-
Date
Royal Mail owes us a first class explanation
I REFER to the letter from Dan Panes of the Royal Mail Group Bristol (March 25) concerning collections from letter boxes in the Swindon area. He said: "The notion that a letter posted at 9am will reach its destination any quicker than one posted just
-
Date
MP cannot back trust if it plans to make cuts
HEALTH Minister Hazel Blears seems to have lost the plot by attacking MP James Gray for his defence of Malmesbury Hospital. Mr Gray presented to the House of Commons a petition signed by 2,300 residents from Malmesbury and surrounding villages protesting
-
Date
How safe is your school?
SUSTRANS, the sustainable transport charity, is looking for pupils aged nine to 18 who are interested in nominating their school, teacher, school champion or local authority for a Safe Routes to Schools Travel Award. All winners and their nominators will
-
Date
The council should be more open
GIVEN the tremendous increase in council tax that has been imposed on us in two consecutive years, I believe that Swindon Council should be open with the electorate and explain in great detail what we shall get for our money. Stating that services will
-
Date
Daniel, your country needs you alive
Re Daniel Lake's letter (March 31) "I'm prepared to fight... and die." Daniel, please think again about what you are contemplating doing. What we see on TV and in government press releases is not what is happening in Iraq. Your family needs you alive.
-
Date
US acts in its own interest
Dear William THANK you for your well-argued and entertaining letter (March 28). Gee, poor hard-done-by America, eh? The free world's guardian angels, selflessly sacrificing its own interests to look after those of the rest of the world. And blast those
-
Date
We've got it tagged!
TAG RUGBY: MORE than 200 youngsters contested the honours at the annual Kennet Tag Rugby Festival at Devizes Sports Club yesterday afternoon. The turnout was the biggest since the festival's inception and primary schools from across the district flocked
-
Date
Swindon 22, Buckingham 20
A HAT-TRICK of tries from Swindon's powerful inside centre Paul Wakefield set up a deserved victory against Buckingham. The game started at a frantic pace which suited Buckingham's style of play as they used their quick wings and full back to good effect
-
Date
Wimborne 20, Chippenham 5
SOUTH WEST TWO EAST: CHIPPENHAM slipped to another league defeat with a disappointing performance away at Wimborne in a game which was seen as a warm-up to this coming weekend's Dorset and Wilts cup semi-final clash. Neither Chippenham or Wimborne are
-
Date
Chippenham 3rd 46, Cooper-Avon 2nd 20
PLAYING on a hard, fast pitch, Chippenham's 3rd XV faced a strong Cooper Avon 2nd team at Allington Field in their penultimate Merit Table game of the season. The contest between the respective forward lines proved to be decisive in this game and right
-
Date
Devizes U14 47, Frome U14 10
A BRUISING encounter saw Devizes U14scome from behind to register a comprehensive win over Frome. Frome scored inside three minutes, but this fired Devizes into action and Perritt soon ran in an equalising try. Devizes' forwards began to dominate, making
-
Date
Devizes U13 29 Corsham U13 24
OLIVER Linton ran in five tries to help Devizes to victory over Corsham in an even contest. Devizes were positive from the start and Linton's second minute try was converted by Tim Brain. Good work from scrum-half Matt Beaven allowed stand-off Harry Williams
-
Date
Degree mum starts education business
MUM Sue Smith has just obtained an Open University psychology degree after six years juggling her studies and caring for her children, while also developing a new business. Mrs Smith, 37, of Frogwell Park, Chippenham, who has three children, William ten
-
Date
Bubbly flows as doors open
THE revamped Sainsbury's store opened its doors to the public, with jazz, free Buck's Fizz and a special ribbon-cutting ceremony by its oldest customer. Centenarian Jessie Harrison, who lives in Chippenham, was guest of honour at the official opening
-
Date
Games plan on skatepark
YOUNG people are set to benefit from a new games area and youth shelter on the former skatepark site in Monkton Park, in Chippenham. Tonight North Wiltshire District Council will debate spending £30,000 on the new Chippenham facility, in the hope of improving
-
Date
Champions-elect hammer Heath
FOOTBALL: BEMERTON Heath Harle-quins suffered a seven-goal humiliation when a rampant Eastleigh visited Western Way. The champions-elect comfortably stretched their lead at the top of the table to 11 points. The writing was on the wall in the first minute
-
Date
Ben hits four for Juniors
JUNIOR FOOTBALL: CLARENDON Juniors ended the season on a high by equalling their biggest ever win by hammering Warminster 16-1 in their final South Wilts Youth & Minor League under 13s game of the campaign. Ben Singleton took his tally to 30 after
-
Date
Turk injury takes shine off Whites' glory night
FOOTBALL: THERE were wild scenes of jubilation at the Ray-mond McEnhill Stadium on Tuesday night as Salis-bury City bagged all three points in their vital top of the table clash with Stam-ford, writes Mike Turner. Leading for much of the game thanks to
-
Date
Slim and on top of the world
SARAH Banks looks a million dollars - slim, tanned and happy. It is hard to believe that 19 years ago she weighed more than twice what she does now. And that as recently as last year she was bingeing, comfort eating, overweight and hating the way she
-
Date
Points difference
VOLLEYBALL: SALISBURY'S Bluestones ladies volleyball team have closed their debut season in the WVA League on a real high by clinching the title. Although they finished the campaign level on points with Bath, who they beat in Sunday's final round of fixtures
-
Date
Space sorted now we need more staff
INEVITABLY the use of what was intended as office space for an additional 36 beds at Great Western Hospital will provoke cries of "I told you so." But there is little point now in echoing the complaints of those who claimed right from the start that Swindon's
-
Date
Einstein at media park
An international broadcaster has moved its main production and operations office to Corsham Media Park. The Einstein Group, which owns the international science and technology television channel Einstein TV, has moved from London to Corsham to take advantage
-
Date
Danny's Off!
DANNY INVINCIBLE has described his decision to quit Swindon Town as painful as 'splitting from a first love'. The 24-year-old has rejected a new deal at the County Ground because he feels the time is right for a fresh challenge. Speaking exclusively to
-
Date
Pupils come to the aid of other children
IN a bid to raise money for children less fortunate than themselves, pupils at Corsham Regis School have been raising money for Water Aid. The pupils organised a Blue Peter bring and buy sale and raised £156 for the water charity. Deputy Head at Corsham
-
Date
Bid to resolve youth problem
A PARISH council is trying to set up a youth forum in an attempt to stop teenagers from under-age drinking and hanging around on the streets. Box Parish Council is looking for a youth worker to liaise with youngsters and find out what facilities they
-
Date
Sarsen votes to join Silbury
SHAREHOLDERS of housing company Sarsen have voted unanimously in favour of enabling it to become part of a new group of companies. The new parent company is to be called the Silbury Group and will also include a charitable housing association and a commercial
-
Date
Tax credits can benefit families
HUNDREDS of families in Salisbury and district could benefit from a new system of tax credits which will apply to working people and those with children. The system comes into effect on April 6 and families earning as much as £66,000 a year could benefit
-
Date
Paysan picks two one
SIXPENNY Handley public relations agency two one communications has won a major new client Paysan. IT distributor Paysan has the exclusive European distribution rights for M Series miniature PCs, believed to be the smallest fully-functional PCs in the
-
Date
SWEP property survey
THE South Wiltshire Economic Partnership has begun its survey of 5,600 businesses following the launch of its commercial property website. The website was launched to provide a database of all types of commercial property and land in south Wiltshire,
-
Date
Troubleshooter talks to Ambassadors
AMBASSADORS, the Salisbury business networking club, has an international finance expert to speak at its business breakfast at the Grasmere House Hotel tomorrow. Keith Major, from Financial Framework LLP, has had more than 30 years' experience in financial
-
Date
Charity fightsfor survival
CHARITY fundraisers the Malmesbury Lions have two months to find more volunteers before facing closure. Falling membership is making it increasingly difficult for the group to continue and a meeting held earlier this month decided to give two months to
-
Date
Dance leads to golden day
SHERSTON couple John and Margaret Smith are celebrating their golden wedding anniversary today in the village hall. Their anniversary is not until Saturday but it will be a double celebration for Mrs Smith who turns 75 today. Mr Smith, 75, of Gaston Lane
-
Date
Anger over renewed bid to build in village
SCORN has been poured over an application to build 18 houses on land next to Southend House, in Luckington. Villagers say the plans will face fierce opposition after a previous application for ten homes on the same site was unanimously rejected at a parish
-
Date
Sports plan is endorsed
A PLAN for a multi-sports complex with pitches, changing rooms and a clubhouse was endorsed at a meeting in Malmesbury last Thursday. The scheme is in response to a need in the community to pool resources, said the Mayor John Bowen, who added the proposals
-
Date
Town close to Broadband's vital number
MALMESBURY is only about 100 registrations short of reaching the trigger level BT has set to bring Broadband to the town. So far 241 people from Malmesbury have registered their interest in receiving the Internet connection which is ten times faster than
-
Date
Abbey search for new vicar
THE search for the new vicar of Malmesbury Abbey is about to begin. The Rev David Littlefair is to retire in June after nine years in the town. He said: "The pressures on the parish priest are greater than they were, particularly administration work.
-
Date
Rubbish left to rot in road
RESIDENTS in Malmesbury were annoyed after rubbish was left outside their homes last week. People living in Pool Gastons, Corn Gastons, Parklands and White Lion Park were left with unsightly black rubbish bags after refuse collectors only cleared part
-
Date
When being right is wrong
TWO weeks ago the Gazette and Herald revealed that both Devizes and Malmesbury were set to lose their community hospitals. We we would have loved to have been wrong. For in this instance not to have got it right would have been a victory for the two towns
-
Date
Do your bit to treat our troops
THE Gazette and Herald is launching a campaign to send goodies to the men and women from Wiltshire who are laying their lives on the line in Iraq. Amid the scorching sun and arrid desert sand their thoughts will often turn to home and the comforts they
-
Date
Make Swindon safe for cyclists
CAMPAIGNERS fighting for cycle paths around Swindon have been warning that unless more are built someone could be killed. Now their worst fears have come true after the death of cyclist Julie Sheppard. The 28-year-old keen cyclist died after she was hit
-
Date
Fans call for more support
SUPPORTERS Club chairman Wil Hulbert has urged his fellow fans to help Chippenham to a league runners-up spot. The Bluebirds were perched in third place at the start of play on Saturday, but their home game against Cambridge attracted just 445 spectators
-
Date
Frome Town U12s 4, Chippenham Town U12s 3
HANNAH Way's hat-trick proved in vain as Chippenham U12s were defeated at Frome. The visitors opened the scoring when Way converted a well-taken corner, but Frome quickly equalised following a goalmouth scramble. Play flowed from end to end with Chippenham
-
Date
England hero is club's guest
WORLD Cup winner Alan Ball will be the guest speaker as Chippenham Town host their second Sports Dinner of the season on Saturday. The Bluebirds players and staff will be in attendance at The Olympiad. The evening follows on from the inaugural dinner
-
Date
Griffin is still part of my plan says boss
TOMMY Saunders insists Charlie Griffin has a future at Hardenhuish Park after seeing the transfer-listed frontman score his first league goal of 2003 on Saturday. Griffin was placed on the list by the Bluebirds boss after a poor performance in the Wiltshire
-
Date
Opinions on Iraq
US bombers are taking off from Fairford, a British base, to bomb Iraq. These are real weapons of mass destruction and their cowardly aircrews don't even have to feel guilty for, unlike real soldiers, they don't have to look at the people they put a bayonet
-
Date
Visitors are facing relegation dogfight
SATURDAYS OPPONENTS: CHIPPENHAM will be looking to reproduce one of their best displays of the season when fast-fading Hednesford Town visit Hardenhuish Park on Saturday 5 April. Goals from Martin Paul, Adie Mings and Matt Rawlins gave the Bluebirds a
-
Date
Halcrow wins contract to develop port
THE future redevelopment of the Port of Dover is to become the responsibility of Swindon-based civil engineers Halcrow. The Burderop Park-based company has been appointed by the Dover Harbour Board to help shape the Kent port's future, as demand for its
-
Date
Opinions on Iraq
THE whole strategy of the current war in Iraq was conceived in a policy document prepared by Messrs Cheyne, Rumsfeld and others in 1998. This is prior to George Bush's dubious election in 2001. The policy was for the USA to attain dominance in the Middle
-
Date
Workers given pledge on jobs
HONDA has moved to reassure workers that a shake-up in production will not lead to job losses. Workers contacted the Evening Advertiser after being told that a nightshift at the car giant's South Marston manufacturing plant was being axed because of poor
-
Date
Club bowed over by best ever season
BOWLS: WITH the summer outdoor season fast approaching, Five Rivers Indoor Bowls Club are reflecting on their best season to date. As well as successfully defending their Riversmeet League title, winning five of their six games, the club's ladies were
-
Date
Orienteers put Sarum on map
ORIENTEERING: MEMBERS of Sarum Orienteering Club are currently enjoying great success at home and abroad. The club was out in force at the Compass Sport competition held at Ringwood Forest where a convincing win over other clubs from the south secured
-
Date
Final re-run for holders
FOOTBALL: HOLDERS George & Dragon will take on Premier Division rivals PFC Durrington next month in the final of the Morrison Cup after they beat Meadow Park 3-1 in Saturday's semi-final. Jamie Glasson put them in front before Park equalised just
-
Date
Salisbury
SEVEN Salisbury players have been selected to represent Dorset & Wilts in the end of season county games during April and May. Dave Bell, Pete Upton, Tom Buckingham, John Penry, Tim Shipsey, Malcolm Ellis and Don Parsons were all named in the squad
-
Date
Salisbury move up at strugglers' expense
RUGBY: Grove 18 Saliasbury 37 (Powergen South West Division Two (East). SALISBURY inched their way up the table with an impressive win away at Grove on Saturday, writes Stuart McArdell. Salisbury were soon among the points. They kicked off and harried
-
Date
Quartet share championship titles
BADMINTON: TITLES have been claimed in all four main divisions of the District League, with Stonehenge Falcons, West Grimstead A, Burgate A and Coombe Bissett installed as the 2002-03 champions. Stonehenge B have already taken the under 18s title, and
-
Date
Relegation fears mount after defeat
HOCKEY: SALISBURY Hockey Club's men's first team's hopes of avoiding relegation from Hampshire Division One are now out of their hands after they failed to win their final game of the season. Victory away at Southampton would have ensured a fourth from
-
Date
Soldier's mum hits out at TV war coverage
MALMESBURY mum Barbara Bowman, whose son is serving in Iraq, has criticised media coverage of the war. Mrs Bowman, 54, of Bristol Street, says news reports from front line reporters in Iraq on TV have left her a nervous wreck as she waits of news of her
-
Date
Missile brings home the danger we are in
Norma Kandari, 40, grew up in Marlborough but now lives in Kuwait City with her husband Fahad. She is keeping a diary of her experiences during the war in nearby Iraq for the Gazette Wednesday, March 26 A NIGHT without sirens, did we really sleep through
-
Date
More tax hikes?
I READ that Conservative councillor Douglas Stewart is proposing taking some extra money from our council tax to fund area panels. Surely by taking more money from our council tax to fund this we are going to see a Tory-led council tax rise next year
-
Date
Stand up to evil
Thank God we have a Prime Minister willing to stand up to the evil dictator Saddam Hussein. When our brave boys roll into Baghdad, I have no doubt they will be cheered on and welcomed with open arms by the liberated citizens. Then they will be able to
-
Date
Send our forces goodwill signal
THIS week the Gazette and Herald joins forces with the wives and partners of soldiers serving in the Gulf to launch Treats for the Troops. In the next three weeks, we will be collecting sweets, toiletries and goodwill messages to send to the forces personnel
-
Date
Cardy quits labour
APRIL 4: A DISILLUSIONED Melksham councillor has resigned from the Labour Party because he does not agree with the military attack on Iraq. Cllr Ian Cardy and his wife, Gill, quit on Monday because they feel the war is illegal and unjustified. After months
-
Date
Council chief goes back to his roots
WILTSHIRE County Council's environment chief, Richard Lander, has retired after more than 25 years. Mr Lander, who left the council at the end of March, is returning to his roots in Cornwall where he will study for a degree in Cornish studies at the University
-
Date
Family faceslosing home
GYPSY mother-of-two Rosemary Macdonald said she was being evicted even though she had sold all her furniture to pay off her debts. Wiltshire County Council took Mrs Macdonald to court earlier this month because she had outstanding rent and electricity
-
Date
More queue up to join the TA
THE outbreak of war has encouraged more people to sign up for the Territorial Army. Recruitment centres are reporting an increase in the number of inquiries. Since war was declared the number of people asking to find out more about signing up grew by
-
Date
Happy to see ewe
LAMB-TASTIC! was the rousing response to this year's Lambing Weekend at Wiltshire College in Lackham. Hundreds of visitors many wielding picnic baskets flocked to the event to see the latest crop of 'woolly jumpers' on show. Timed to coincide with Mother's
-
Date
Treat our troops and boost morale
APRIL 4: PEOPLE in Wiltshire have a chance to rally behind soldiers fighting on the battlefield in Iraq. Working with a soldier's wife, the Wiltshire Times and Chippenham News, together with our sister paper Wiltshire Gazette and Herald, has set up Treats
-
Date
Chippenham Sunday League
ANDY Sandell's second half penalty was bottom of the table Winsley's only consolation as they were comprehensively beaten 5-1 by Malmesbury Victoria in the Premier Division of the Vanitec Computers sponsored Chippenham Sunday League. Anthony Vizard (2
-
Date
Princess visits base
APRIL 4: THE Princess Royal visited a Royal Air Force base on Monday to offer support to those whose loved ones are serving in Iraq. She met personnel and their families at RAF Lyneham, at Chippenham, where she is the Honorary Air Commodore. She congratulated
-
Date
Election battle is set for changes
THE forthcoming Kennet district and Marlborough and Devizes town council elections promise far-reaching changes, with many long standing councillors not seeking re-election. Marlborough Town Council will be losing a wealth of experience at the local elections
-
Date
Title-chasing rivals share the spoils
SKURRAY'S WILTSHIRE LEAGUE: LEADERS Shrewton United were the real winners from the top clash in Premier Division between Stratton Crosslink and Wroughton, as the title-chasers played out a 1-1draw. It was a massive clash for both Stratton and Wroughton
-
Date
Runners'marathon efforts for charity
MORE local people than ever will be taking to the streets of London on April 13 to raise money by running the capital's famous marathon. Among those who will be attempting to complete the 26 miles plus course are Devizes trio of Ian Wixon, Simon O'Brien
-
Date
Selectabook reach final
MID-WILTSHIRE SUNDAY LEAGUE: SELECTABOOK secured their position in the John Strickland Memorial Cup following a 2-0 win over Trowbridge Wanderers. Bottom of the table Wanderers made a valiant attempt against the league leaders but to no avail. With Wanderers
-
Date
Ambulance service censured in report
WILTSHIRE Ambulance Service has vowed to brush up its act after an independent report highlighted low staff morale and out dated communication equipment. The Commission for Health Improvement issued the report after a week-long investigation into the
-
Date
Sandall starts Melksham off on the right foot
SCREWFIX ROUND-UP: MELKSHAM Town returned to winning ways with an impressive 3-0 win at fellow mid-table side Keynsham on Saturday 29 March. The game was originally due to be played in the autumn, but was called off at the 11th hour when the referee measured
-
Date
Future of threatened maternity units still hangs in the balance
THE future of maternity units in Devizes and Malmesbury will hang in the balance until July. Despite petitions signed by more than 10,000 people to save the two units, the trust said it needs to make savings in maternity as it is costly to run. The health
-
Date
Drastic changes for local health services
COMMUNITY hospital services are to undergo sweeping changes with more people going to care homes or being treated at home. The Kennet and North Wiltshire Primary Care Trust, which runs the community hospitals in Devizes, Malmesbury, Chippenham and Savernake
-
Date
Barnstaple Town 4, Devizes Town 0
SCREWFIX PREMIER DIVISION: PETE Tripp was again left cursing his players' lack of fighting spirit as Devizes were sent crashing to the foot of the Premier Division table by fellow strugglers Barnstaple. The visitors offered little resistance as Barnstaple
-
Date
Chard Town 3, Calne Town 2
SCREWFIX FIRST DIVISION: HIGH-flying Calne were unable to used Chard's notorious sloping Zembard Lane pitch as an excuse as they were beaten in Somerset for the second time in five days. Poor defending proved costly for the visitors as they handed in-form
-
Date
'I'm staying put,' claims chairman
SCREWFIX PREMIER DIVISION: DEFIANT Devizes Town chairman Chris Belcher claims he will remain at the helm for the foreseeable future after crunch talks were scrapped. Belcher returned from a two-week holiday in Fuerteventura last week and now appears to
-
Date
Horse passports plan is not for us
NEW Europeans laws requiring every horse to have a £30 passport by the end of the year have been condemned as "crazy" by MP James Gray. The Government has agreed to adopt Brussels legislation designed to prevent horses fed with dangerous medicines from
-
Date
Curvy shape for new 206
FOLLOWING the successful launch of the 206 SW, Peugeot has introduced a new top of the range sporty model to the line-up: the 206 SW 2.0 Si, which is priced at £14,680 on the road. The 206 SW, which is a car the size of a conventional hatchback, while
-
Date
Jaguars leap up the satisfaction league
JAGUAR and MG Rover cars have soared up new customer satisfaction tables. The two companies were the most improved manufacturers for reliability in a survey of readers of Auto Express magazine. Both companies also had models in the top ten for the best
-
Date
Alfa unveils the fastest hot hatch
THE fastest and most powerful hatchback in its market segment, the Alfa Romeo 147 GTA goes on sale in the UK this month. The heart of the Alfa 147 GTA is the same widely acclaimed, all-aluminium, 3.2 litre 24-valve V6 that powers the 156 GTA. An uprated
-
Date
A Minor passion
AS the definitive British 'people's car', the Morris Minor retains a huge following across the country. In Swindon, a small number of enthusiasts are unwilling to give up the classic piece of motoring history for something more modern. The North Wiltshire
-
Date
Water works stopped flow
CONTRACTORS working for Wessex Water agreed to leave a site in Devizes last Thursday after the town became gridlocked with traffic. Queues of vehicles stretched down Caen Hill in one direction and along London Road in the other after workers from Avent
-
Date
You looking at me?
THE RSPCA has pleaded with people to be patient during the mating season while male swans exhibit aggressive territorial behaviour. One particular cob, or male swan, has been defending his territory on the Kennet and Avon Canal close to Coate Bridge,
-
Date
OAP centre could be forced to close doors
THE Old School day centre in Market Lavington may be forced to close, leaving more than 20 elderly people without their weekly social contact. Organiser Maureen Brookes is having to stand down because of family commitments but she has been shocked that
-
Date
New leader wants area to get good transport
THE new leader of Kennet District Council Chris Humphries says his business interests will allow to devote to his time to council work. As leader, Coun Humphries, 58, will be at the offices in Devizes four days a week besides attending meetings. He is
-
Date
Woman battles to find home with her dog
A LOCAL woman is desperately seeking a home where she can live with the dog from whom she has been separated for 18 months. Kennet Action for Single Homeless in Devizes is backing the case of Mary Hughes who has not seen her six-year-old German Shepherd
-
Date
Fury over town's 'foul and noxious fumes'
Are you aware of the foul and noxious fumes that are billowing all over Matravers School in Westbury? On the afternoon of Wednesday March 26 and as I write on the morning of March 27 we are having difficulty breathing outside. Yesterday we staged a netball
-
Date
How much do they cost?
Could the council let the local people know how much 20 consultants cost, regardless who's paying? Also, let's have a competition. Pitch 20 good local folk to come up with this vision at the same time in their own time. Who would have the better plan?
-
Date
Clarity and questions on town
To clarify some of the points put forward in Dr Hone's letter in last week's Wiltshire Times. It is obvious from the long-term predicted growth of the greater Trowbridge area that the town will be the focus of development in the next ten to fifteen years
-
Date
Couple hunt for a brother
We are trying to trace my husband's older brother who we believe was adopted in 1957 by a couple in the Bradford upon Avon area, possibly through the CofE Children's Adoption Society. His name was/is Patrick Thornton, born 20/12/56 in London. His mother
-
Date
Cycle paths call after death
THE death of cyclist Julie Sheppard on a busy road close to the Great Western Hospital has sparked renewed calls for more cycle paths. Mrs Sheppard, 28, from Liden, was cycling to work at 6.30am on March 21 when she was struck by a car at the pedestrian
-
Date
Shop assistant's moment of terror
A SHOP assistant has described the terrifying moment when she encountered a masked, knife-wielding man behind a Swindon shop. The 23-year-old woman, who is too distressed to be identified, was confronted by the man when she went to the back of the One-Stop
-
Date
Easing the pain
Although Swindon's new hospital is only months old, managers have admitted that it is short on bed space. So new building work is underway to change that. BEN FITZGERALD reports. WORK is being carried out to boost the number of beds at Swindon's new £170m
-
Date
Thrills, spills and plenty of stunts
WHEN stunt master Jackie Chan kisses a woman on screen it can spark a wave of suicides across Asia. For those convinced this is a bizarre wind-up, try thinking back to the last time Chan stripped down for a love scene. Exactly! Luckily there won't be
-
Date
Golden stars roll out the charm
NINE Labrador puppies from West Gomeldon are set to star in the latest series of international advertisements for Andrex Toilet Tissue. The seven-week old, yellow Labrador retrievers, bred by farmers Martin and Christine Dean, are at Black Island Studios
-
Date
Wizard of a show
UPPER Avon School, Durrington's annual musicals have become so popular that more than 60 pupils have been taking part in its latest - the Wizard of Oz. The show, which began its run last night, and continues tonight and tomorrow night, is directed by
-
Date
New face at Tourist Information Centre
A NEW manager has taken over the tourist information centre in Amesbury. Canadian Susan Boundford has taken over the role from Howard Piner, who has become town clerk of Amesbury town council. Mrs Boundford, from Newfoundland, brings to Amesbury a vast
-
Date
Alcohol ban needs police to enforce it
NEW laws banning the drinking of alcohol in four areas of Amesbury will only work if the town's police officers enforce them, councillors warned last week. No drinking zones are being brought in within the next few weeks in a bid to reduce anti-social
-
Date
Window lets in fresh new light
A NEW stained glass window celebrating motherhood and the family was dedicated during a special Mothering Sunday service in Durrington parish church on Sunday. The window was donated to the church by the Channon family who are well-known in Durrington
-
Date
Councillors agree to first zones
DESIGNS for a new office campus on the £250m business park planned for Amesbury have been praised for their high quality and bold, modern approach. Planning councillors have given the green light for the first two areas of the Solstice Park development
-
Date
Community mourns 'friendly fire' victim
A SOUTH Wiltshire community was in mourning this week for Lance Corporal of Horse Matty Hull, the area's first casualty of the Iraq conflict. L/CoH Hull, whose father lives in West Knoyle and mother in East Knoyle, had been married to his wife, Sue, for
-
Date
Riders urged to help set up Horse Watch
CALNE police are encouraging local horse riding enthusiasts to take the bit between their teeth and help them set up a special Horse Watch. Wpc Julie Lewis stationed in Calne said thefts of riding tack and horse trailers tend to occur at this time of
-
Date
Signs of delay for dustcart
HUNDREDS of households in Calne had a two-day wait for their rubbish to be collected, due to a mix-up over road signs. A three-month programme of work has started to reinforce the bridge which spans Abberd Brook and provides the only road link to part
-
Date
Wild wigs fill water aid box
CALNE'S Priestley Primary School brought in the pounds towards a special aid pack for disaster-hit areas across the globe when its crazy-hair day went off in style. Children with hair gelled into Mohicans, tied into wacky bunches and dyed with mad colours
-
Date
Mum praises rescue hero
MUM Karen O'Hagan has hailed council worker Clive Halliday a hero for rescuing her two young daughters, after they accidentally shut themselves in a bedroom. Mr Halliday was clearing a blocked drain near the family's home in Newcroft Road, Calne, when
-
Date
Hazard is a slippery topic for authorities
RUNNING water which is believed to originate from a natural spring, is creating a slippery hazard at the back of Marden House in Calne Staff and residents fear it won't be long before there is an accident. Initially the Marden House management committee
-
Date
Recreation and history to stand side by side
PLANS to build an extensive sports complex on a 100-acre site north of Calne have moved a step closer. Calne Town Council has appointed a lead consultant who has gathered a team of experts to prepare a bid for lottery funding and planning application
-
Date
Late licence granted despite group protest
THE late night entertainment licence at The Crown public house and nightclub in New Park Street, Devizes, has been renewed, despite strenuous objection from neighbours. Members of the Kennet licensing sub committee voted unanimously on Wednesday to permit
-
Date
Cable fault silences radio at hospital
ABOUT a third of the beds in Devizes Community Hospital are unable to receive Devizes Hospital Radio, or any other radio station. It is thought the situation arose after work was done on the cabling at a ward at the hospital before Christmas. The Kennet
-
Date
Camping on the doorstep
TWO weeks before former Ministry of Defence homes in Devizes are released for sale, people are already camping out to get in the queue to register for the special deals. Annington Homes, which bought the former Army married quarters in Nursteed Close,
-
Date
MP 'very concerned' over hospital plans
DEVIZES MP Michael Ancram said he would pushing for a minimum number of services at the new Devizes health facility on Green Lane. Mr Ancram, who signed the Gazette's petition to save Devizes Maternity Unit, said: "I believe there are certain benchmarks
-
Date
Council backs neighbours over sports pavilion concerns
TOWN councillors in Marlborough have taken the side of neighbours objecting to a new sports pavilion. Marlborough College is seeking planning consent for a two-storey sports pavilion on its playing fields in Hyde Lane. Residents whose homes overlook the
-
Date
For sale
ANGRY Devizes people say the plans unveiled by the Kennet and North Wiltshire Primary Care Trust will not result in a new hospital for the town. The trust's long awaited proposals for future health services will see Savernake Hospital, Marlborough, and
-
Date
Protests fail to stop a late night licence
OBJECTORS have lost a fight to stop a third Marlborough venue getting a late night club licence with entertainment lasting until 1am on three nights a week. Last Thursday, Kennet's licensing committee heard from objectors before granting the Royal Oak
-
Date
Pensionerblack and blue after path fall
PENSIONER Margaret Rendle has been left with a broken wrist, cracked ribs and two black eyes after falling victim to Marlborough's pavements. It is the second time in a year that Mrs Rendle, 71, from Kingsbury Street, has ended up in hospital after tripping
-
Date
Cattle returnto the forest
FOR the first time in living memory cattle can be seen grazing in Savernake Forest. A small herd of hardy white park cattle arrived in the forest on Tuesday. They are being kept in a 40-acre fenced glade between Red Deer Vein and the Grand Avenue. The
-
Date
Era ends as restaurant owner calls final orders
ATTILIO Cristina, who opened Marlborough's first Italian restaurant 25 years ago, will cook his last meal for customers on Saturday. Mr Cristina, 54, has decided to sell his business because he suffered a brain tumour last year and underwent major surgery
-
Date
College faces flak over sixth form club licence
TOWN councillors are objecting to the renewal of a public entertainment licence for Marlborough College's sixth form club. By a seven-four majority, members of the planning committee voted on Monday to object to plans to renew the club's entertainment
-
Date
Row brews on tennis talks
MUNICIPAL tennis courts that have been allowed to fall derelict in Marlborough are at the centre of a row between town councillors. At Monday's meeting of the recreation committee, Coun Stewart Dobson criticised the Mayor Margaret Boulton for holding
-
Date
Family car firm bids to build on workshop
ANOTHER of Marlborough's old established family businesses, Bell's Garage, could disappear from the town centre. The Cady family, which has owned the garage for 60 years, is considering building four town houses on the workshop site behind the High Street
-
Date
Tilting giants to go straight
PISA has its world-famous leaning tower and Avebury has a pair of leaning stones. But on Monday work will begin to return the Adam and Eve megaliths, which are a key feature of the 4,500-year-old stone circles, to the perpendicular. Six years ago fencing
-
Date
Lucky seven gets the fish
PEG seven seems to be the hot peg a the moment at Ivy House Lakes, with two wins and a fourth placing in the last three matches. John Morgan started the peg off by taking a fabulous 87lb 12oz bag of carp in the Wednesday Open. Chippenham's Elick Payne
-
Date
Wootton bassett is tops
THE A-level league tables have finally been released nearly six months late and in a new format. Out goes the traditional system of 10 points for an A down to four points to an E, and in comes 120 points for an A and 40 points for an E. This makes comparisons
