Archive
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Road chaos is averted
A ROAD closure in Chippenham town centre has not caused the chaos that was predicted. Park Lane, on the one-way network into the town, has been partially closed all week while Wiltshire County Council carried out road works. Traffic was diverted along
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Army wife sickened by theft of baby gear
THE wife of Colerne sergeant Steven Pilmer, who is currently stationed in Iraq, has told of her shock after thieves stole more than £500 of baby equipment from her car. Joni Pilmer, 26, who works as a supply nurse for elderly and disabled people, was
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Runaway burglar is sent to jail
A MAN who spent almost four years on the run after taking part in a burglary at a Chippenham computer firm has finally been jailed. Jason Colliver had to be extradited from Holland earlier this year after going on the run following the raid at Lucent
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Record office lottery bid is set back weeks
A bid for lottery funding for the new Wiltshire and Swindon Record Office has been set back several weeks following negotiations with the Heritage Lottery Fund. Wiltshire County Council and Swindon Borough Council have applied for nearly £5 million funding
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Heart op girls overcome odds
FAMILIES of two little girls both born with serious heart problems are this week facing new challenges. Parents of Emily Hudd, six, had hoped the latest in a long line of operations carried out last week was a total success. But she had to undergo further
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Gloucester hit record
GLOUCESTERSHIRE'S Tim Hancock hit 135 to help his side to a Cheltenham & Gloucester Trophy record score of 401-7. Hancock's superb innings was accompanied by 87 from Jonty Rhodes and 76 from Craig Spearman against Buckinghamshire. James Averis then
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Rod & Line - by Roland Batten
Record-breaking fish gives Skinner a scare WHAT is probably the biggest fish ever to be caught from any lake in the region was landed from the New Forest Water Park fishery between Fordingbridge and Ringwood over the weekend. Carp angler Ben Skinner got
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Blencowe among the points again
ALAN Blencowe and team mate Luke Hines are tied in third place in the BTCC production drivers' standings after helping their Barwell Motorsport stable take the top team trophy at Brands Hatch on Monday. Blencowe suffered gear selection problems in both
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Law should not protect the criminal
HOUSEHOLDER David Lemaitre managed to scare off the burglar breaking into his house by swearing at him, but says he would not have hesitated to use force had that been necessary. But what would have happened to Mr Lemaitre had he used such force apart
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Matt Signs Up
MATTY HEYWOOD is looking forward to extending an already astonishing record after signing a new two-year contract at the County Ground. The 23-year-old put pen to paper yesterday and sees no reason why his ever-present tag should not stretch to another
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Council loses leader in election shake-up
LIBERAL Democrat leader David Packham lost his seat in a night of drama in north Wiltshire which left the electorate with a hung council. Mr Packham lost his Lydiards seat to Tory Mollie Groom. Following a neck-and-neck battle, the Liberal Democrats finally
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End in sight to name row
A LONG-RUNNING road naming dispute between Corsham Town Council and developers has finally been resolved. The problem began when the two parties could not agree on a name for a new road in the centre of the town. The road will be the access for a block
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Battle to plug power vacuum
A BATTLE for power is underway at North Wiltshire District Council as Liberal Democrats and Conservatives struggle to wrest overall control of the authority. Last week's local elections left a power vacuum at the council, when Liberal Democrat leader
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Chip Town Ladies 7, Keynsham Town Ladies Res 1
WOMEN'S FOOTBALL: HARRIET Titcombe scored a hat-trick as Chippenham Town Ladies rounded off their season in style. The home team started in sparkling form following their disappointing cup final defeat at the hands of Clevedon and were rewarded when Tash
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Bush decides it's time to go it alone
COLIN Bush admitted the decision to split up his successful partnership with Tommy Saunders had been a painful one, but believes the Bluebirds boss will continue to succeed with without him. Bush was unveiled as Corsham Town's new manager on Monday after
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Abbey to lock gates to keep out the yobs
MALMESBURY Abbey gates are to be shut from 5pm until 9am every Friday, Saturday and Sunday, to combat anti-social behaviour by young people. The action, which will start tomorrow, has been requested by the police following a string of problems, including
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Town failed by political apathy
MALMESBURY'S new town council has hit out at the appalling sense of apathy in the town, after all its seats were uncontested in last week's election. Only 13 councillors were sworn in at the new council meeting on Tuesday, not enough to contest the 16
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Pupils tackle paperwork
MALMESBURY schools' recycling week was launched this week in conjunction with the Gazette and Herald to help bring recycling to the town. Youngsters from St Joseph's Primary School, Burton Hill House School, Malmesbury School and Malmesbury CofE Primary
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Gloucester City v Malmesbury
MALMESBURY began their Gloucester and Wiltshire Division Two campaign with a five-wicket defeat at Gloucester City. In a match played in damp conditions and reduced to 40 overs a side, the visitors posted a creditable 177-6. Starting slowly, Malmesbury
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Gnomes of Zurich decide on our Geoff
A CORPORATE trainer from Swindon has been invited by a top international school of banking to become a guest lecturer. Geoff Marsh, 39, who runs Dansam Ltd in Wootton Bassett, says he was stunned when the Swiss School of Banking in Zurich contacted him
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Cricket - Washout at Academy spoils South Wilts' start to season
SOUTH Wilts Cricket Club are hoping to finally get their league campaign under way this weekend after having their scheduled game at the Rose Bowl against Hampshire Academy called off because of a waterlogged pitch. Friday's deluge ruined any chance of
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Nick's swinging in the rain at club's golf day
SALISBURY City's annual golf day went with a swing as 26 teams competed at High Post on Friday, despite appalling weather conditions. Whites boss Nick Holmes competed in the fundraiser alongside club director Nev Beal and his professional golfing brother
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Election blues
WHAT an indictment upon a New Labour government that a party such as the Conservatives can beat them for attracting the better proportion in a poorly attended election. E W REYNOLDS Coleview
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GWH parking is not logical
THE time is long overdue, I think, for someone to question the logic of the council's so called green strategy in relation to the Great Western Hospital. In fact, I'm utterly mystified as to how such a half-baked, illogical and preposterous notion ever
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Amnesty takes 574 guns off our streetsin here
GUNS dating back to the First World War were among the weapons handed in throughout Wiltshire during the National Firearms Amnesty. The month-long amnesty finished on April 30 and a total 574 guns were handed in, which included 41 prohibited guns. A total
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Youth teams flock to play on Town turf
YOUNGSTERS from across the county kicked off the six-a-side football season with three days of competition at Hardenhuish Park. Chippenham Town Youth's annual tournament attracted almost 100 teams and catered for age group sides from U7s to U16s. The
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Major to face trial on fraud charges
THE trial of Easterton-based Major Charles Ingram on allegations of insurance fraud is to be moved to Bournemouth because Salisbury Crown Court is too small to cope with the huge media presence expected for it. Journalists from national newspapers, TV
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Brewer shows bottle with cheeky slogans
DEVIZES-BASED family brewery Wadworth is using sex to sell its beer. The independent brewer is spending more than £1million on promoting its best selling beer, 6X, in a 12-month national advertising campaign. Wadworth, which employs 150 people at its
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Weston St Johns 1, Corsham Town 3
MAKESHIFT frontman Richard Thompson bagged a second half brace as Corsham came from behind to win their final game of the season on the night of Friday 2nd May . Former Chippenham defender Thompson was forced to start on the bench after missing the defeat
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Barracks to salute hero
HULLAVINGTON Barracks will be renamed Buckley Barracks after a former war hero to mark it's tenth anniversary tomorrow. The barracks will be named after John Buckley who was a member of the Ordnance Corps, which later became the Royal Logistic Corps,
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Waste war hots up
WILTSHIRE people are throwing away more and more rubbish, despite tough new targets to reduce waste and boost recycling. As the mountain of refuse continues to grow, experts at Wiltshire County Council and Swindon Borough Council are shaping a new Wiltshire
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Dolphin make a huge splash
MID-WILTSHIRE SUNDAY LEAGUE: THE Dolphin twice fought back from behind as they shared ten goals with bottom of the table Netheravon on Sunday 4 May. Darren Folkard converted a penalty for the Devizes side, while Jonathan Emm scored two. Andy Bevan-Witts
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Drink driver blames match
ARSENAL fan Tabitha Sullivan drove while nearly four times over the drink-drive limit because she was angry her team had blown their chances of winning the Premiership this season. Sullivan, 25, of Ashton Walk, Swindon, was banned from driving for 33
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Villagers complete the Great Escape
TROWBRIDGE LEAGUE: STEEPLE Ashton, who were facing almost certain relegation with four matches remaining, have produced an amazing escape act to retain their Division Two status by avenging an earlier 5-0 away defeat at Lavington and Easterton. After
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Have-a-go hero wrestles robber
THE owners of a Devizes jewellery shop are planning a special present for the have-a-go hero who wrestled two trays of expensive rings from a thief who had snatched them from the shop a few moments before. The drama took place shortly before 3pm on Saturday
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Labour loses out after dead heat lottery draw
A DEAD heat which ended in a bizarre lottery for one district council seat added to Labour's woes at the end of a disastrous polling day in Kennet. Labour's slender four-member presence on Kennet District Council was all but wiped out in last Thursday's
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Vicar moves to new pastures
LONG-serving vicar Paul Wilkinson is leaving his Potterne parish after almost 13 years. Mr Wilkinson's time in Potterne has been the longest stint he has served in his ministry. He is originally from Bradford and was a curate in Yorkshire before moving
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Charity base is up for sale
WILTSHIRE St John Ambulance has put its headquarters in Devizes up for sale as it searches for bigger premises. St John House at 15 High Street, Devizes, is on the market for £275,000. Prospective buyers have been looking around the building, originally
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Scarecrow career path's fun to follow
THE scarecrow festival in Urchfont gets bigger and better every year, say the organisers. This year they claim to have attracted more than 5,000 people from all over the country to their event, which took place over the bank holiday weekend. Between Saturday
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'I would have smacked him'
A MAN who scared off an intruder attempting to break into his Gorse Hill home has attacked plans to give burglars rights. Adrian Lemaitre, 50, says householders should be free to use force to defend their property against criminals. Although Mr Lemaitre
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Performing arts money taken
Churchfields Schools is to lose its Performing Arts College specialist status - and is set to miss out on £600,000. The school in Walcot, Swindon - one of the first in the town to be granted specialist status - has vowed to appeal against the decision
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Win some, lose some!
It's a mixed day for Swindon's schools. Pinehurst Infants (above) is one of 18 to get a cash bonus, while Goddard Park has scooped £1 million for an extension. But Churchfields may lose £600,000 and its performing arts status. A PRIMARY school in Park
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Retirement beckons
STAFF at the Barcroft Practice, in Amesbury, have said goodbye to one of their popular partners, Dr David Smith. Dr Smith retired on Friday after more than 40 years in the medical profession - the past 35 in Amesbury. Dr Smith, who lives in South Mill
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£17m hospital facelift sees first unit opened
THE first building in the massive £17m redevelopment of Salisbury's Old Manor hospital complex opened on Tuesday. Grovely, with its two courtyards and revolutionary design, provides patients with single room en suite facilities in a modern, bright and
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Rebecca has stars in her eyes
DURRINGTON schoolgirl Rebecca Paul will have her first taste of fame this Saturday when she appears on ITV's Stars in Their Eyes, Kids. Taking on the persona of Canadian singer/songwriter Alanis Morissette, she will perform the chart-topping hit Hand
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Shop marks its first year
THE Dorothy House hospice shop in Calne, which raises cash and the public profile of the charity, is celebrating its first anniversary in the town. The shop, in Phelps Parade is thanking all its customers who have donated goods and made the shop a successful
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Pupils pick up a new rhythm
PUPILS from Calne's John Bentley School turned up the tempo in a massive drumming workshop, which marked the start of a new project in African music. The school's 230 year-eight students were armed with an African drum or percussion instrument and divided
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Village website is one of best in the country
LYNEHAM'S award-winning village website has won another accolade 18 months after it was set up by former RAF engineer Andy Humm. The website, which is packed with local information, events, news and views receives more than 2,000 hits a week, totalling
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Parents step up fight to win school places
PARENTS are considering legal action to fight a ruling refusing their children places at Fynamore Primary School next September, which will split siblings in some families. The guide to school admissions stated there would be places for 30 new children
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Quacking good news for school's ducks
MAJOR plans are afoot to refurbish the home of a family of ducks who return to a Calne school's pond every year to rear their young. St Dunstan's Primary School has won a Wessex Watermark Award of £150 to revamp the larger of the school's two ponds and
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Super Stuff Again!
LOCAL non-League sides enjoyed something of a rollercoaster ride this season, with Chippenham challenging at the summit of their league and Swindon Supermarine swooping to safety on the very last day. Back in August, Chippenham, began their first spell
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Activities galore for new summer camp at school
SCHOOLS throughout the Devizes area will shortly be receiving brochures about an summer activity camp being held on the campus of Devizes School. Camp Xtra, from July 28 to August 1, is open to all young people in school years five to ten. Activities
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Earth bank must go to stop skate boarders
WORK will start in the next few weeks on removing the earth bank that surrounds the former skate park in Hillworth Park, Devizes. Some skateboarders have been using the bank to practise their moves but Devizes Town Council, which owns the land, will remove
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Walker, Mings stay in Town
THE Dr Martens League season only ended on Saturday, but Chippenham Town boss Tommy Saunders is already shaping his team ahead of the new campaign. The Bluebirds manager has ensured that 12 of the current squad will remain at Hardenhuish next term, with
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Plea from pensioners for better pavements
ELDERLY women at a sheltered housing scheme in Devizes say urgent repairs are needed on the town's pavements after two of them fell down and needed hospital treatment. The pensioners, who live in Offers Court, Southbroom Road, claim the pavements in Southbroom
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Poet to play it for laughs
BARNSLEY'S finest poet, Ian McMillan, who has a reputation for his hilarious stage show, has been booked to appear at Dauntsey's School Memorial Hall, in West Lavington, near Devizes, on Tuesday May 13. Mr McMillan is a regular contributor to BBC Radio
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New look for old chemist
BOOTS the Chemists in Devizes is to close for five days this month for a £500,000 refurbishment. The store in the Brittox will close on May 19. New flooring is being laid and the store is being repainted. The dispensary is being redesigned and the mother
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Ministers to return to USA
WHEN the Rev Darcey Gritzmacher returns to her family home in Texas later this month, she will take with her happy memories of the friends she has made while running the United Reformed Church in the Devizes area for the last three years. She arrived
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Salesman's aggressive tactics scare mum
MUM Samantha Wallis was shocked on Monday May 5 when she received a cold call from a tele-salesman who refused to take no for an answer. Mrs Wallis, of Oak Lane, Easterton, was shaken up by the tactics used by the caller, who claimed to be ringing on
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Bid to get more time to talk on hospital
CAMPAIGNERS fighting to keep health facilities in Devizes have called for the consultation period to be extended. The consultation ends tomorrow and the Kennet and the North Wiltshire Primary Care Trust will make decisions on May 22, which could leave
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New surfers net free help
FREE courses are on offer at Marlborough library in a bid to help people get the best use out of the Wiltshire libraries' on-line service. As well as providing a book lending service and reference facilities the Marlborough library has a bank of computers
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CCTV catches out barman
BARMAN Michael Martin gave free drinks to his friends and helped himself to bar snacks and cash from the pub till to play fruit machines, magistrates in Devizes heard on Tuesday. Martin, 21, of Rawlins Road, Pewsey, pleaded guilty to stealing £270 from
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Villagers' anger at homes on pitch plan
VILLAGERS in Winterbourne Bassett, near Avebury, are up in arms over plans by a millionaire Austrian Count to build homes on a cricket pitch. For 20 years The Piggery field has been used as a recreational area by villagers and as the pitch for Winterbourne
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Anger as police fail to stop rave
THE Earl of Cardigan is angry that while police officers took no action to end an illegal drinks and drugs rave in Savernake Forest at the weekend, they did stop and breathalyse him as he drove back from Marlborough on Sunday evening. The breath test
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Curtain up for Euro market
THE flavours and styles of Europe come to Marlborough today and tomorrow when the first continental market is staged in the town. Stalls from predominantly France will line the lower side of the High Street from the old Ailesbury Arms Hotel to the Polly
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108 caught in five hours
MORE than one driver every three minutes has been caught speeding on Swindon's roads by police using mobile cameras to crack down on motorists flouting the law. Three mobile cameras have been used on 11 busy roads across Swindon where speeding motorists
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Sim Man is on his way to hospital training
MEDICS at Swindon's Great Western Hospital could be among the first to pioneer the latest in training dummies. Unlike traditional resuscitation dummies, the £22,000 advanced training simulator, Sim Man, can be used for resuscitation training as well as
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Pensions shake-up comes under attack
A £25 MILLION TV advertising campaign to persuade the elderly to stop picking up their pension at their local post office has come under fire. Starting tonight, TV adverts, starring One Foot in the Grave comedy actress Annette Crosbie, will urge pensioners
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It isn't too late to join in the fun
SWINDON CANCER APPEAL: Graziella Campisano, the Swindon Cancer Appeal manager, says it isn't too late to join in the fun for the Macmillan Miles Challenge. The event, which takes place between May 18 and 25, is an opportunity to raise money in enjoyable
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James wins a copter ride
SCHOOLBOY James Roberts, 11, from Grange Park was treated like a VIP for the day after winning a competition to design a bridge. James, a Windmill Hill School pupil enjoyed a trip over North Swindon in a helicopter. The competition was run by the developers
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Step forward or the procession is over
IT IS carnival time again in Wootton Bassett but the fact that this year's parade may not go ahead because of a lack of marshals has caused dismay in the town. The Grand Procession and street collection is due to take place on Saturday but the police
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Curry proved to be a hot one
A GORSE Hill grandmother had to be rescued from her flat by firefighters after cooking for a family celebration went wrong. June Arklie, 55, of Hinton Street, had been cooking curry to serve at nephew Jordan's confirmation party. After accidentally leaving
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PM gives new hope to base
TONY Blair has dropped his strongest hint yet that RAF Lyneham will survive the shake-up that threatens its future. The Prime Minister told MPs he expected the base to play a very important role in any future wars following its crucial use during the
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Residents get the hump over bumps
RESIDENTS are complaining about new traffic calming measures in Covingham. But the council insists that the changes are doing their intended job of reducing danger - and point out an overwhelming proportion of those who returned a questionnaire were in
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Imagination runs wild
SWINDON LITERARY FESTIVAL REVIEW: JASPER Fforde has the appearance of an actor in the Richard E. Grant mode, the amiable and eager-to-please delivery of a popular young master in a middle-ranking public school, the literary knowledge of Samuel Johnson
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When Did You Last See Your Father?
SWINDON LITERARY FESTIVAL REVIEW: WHEN Blake Morrison was growing up, the last thing he expected to be doing as an adult was writing about his parents. Like most young people, he was eager to break free from them. But when his father died suddenly from
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From the trapeze to poetry
SWINDON LITERARY FESTIVAL: SINGING trapeze artistes and miniature puppet horses were today due to kick off Giffords Circus' four-day run at Lawn Woods, Old Town as part of the Swindon Festival of Literature. The first performance was due to start at 6pm
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Addict banned from Manchester Road
PROSTITUTE Terri-Lee Pearce has been banned from the Manchester Road area for two weeks while she is on bail. The 20-year-old drug addict was caught in what is often called the red light area of town twice in five days, Swindon magistrates were told.
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Forest's scheme brings back ancient wildlife
FURTHER to the Earl of Cardigan's letter in last week's Gazette about the wood pasture enclosure in Savernake Forest, it may be helpful to provide some explanation of English Nature's aim in setting up this project with Forest Enterprise. Savernake Forest
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Support group makes appeal for volunteers
VOLUNTEERS are needed to support parents in Swindon. The Home Start group helps parents with young children through a network of volunteers, who offer informal support and advice. Lesley Quirk, who helps run the Milton Road-based organisation, said: "
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Asda 'encouraged' by feedback
SUPERMARKET giant Asda has been "encouraged" by the public response to a two-day exhibition it staged earlier this year on the Bishopdown residential estate. The exhibition was held to show the public Asda's scheme to build a supermarket and offices on
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Banned driver jailed after caught behind the wheel
A CAR dealer who was caught driving while disqualified has been sent to prison for more than eight months. Firuz Miah was still on licence from a previous jail term, magistrates heard, when he was spotted behind the wheel of a Nissan Primera at the New
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£17m hospital facelift sees first unit opened
THE first building in the massive £17m redevelopment of Salisbury's Old Manor hospital complex opened on Tuesday. Grovely, with its two courtyards and revolutionary design, provides patients with single room en suite facilities in a modern, bright and
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Hitler picture goes under the hammer
A SIGNED photograph of Adolf Hitler is coming up for auction in Swindon this month. The picture, measuring just two by three inches, is one of a collection of around 250 black and white snapshots going uner the hammer at Dominic Winter Book Auctions in
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Big industrial site will blight town
Are people living on the western edge of Chippenham aware of what is about to land on their doorsteps? This area has been massively developed and now a huge industrial park another Bumpers Farm in fact is planned between the A4 and the railway line. This
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Fun and laughter at village fair
CROWDS in their hundreds flocked into Downton on Saturday to welcome the arrival of May by celebrating with the now-traditional Cuckoo Fair. Even the weather put on a happier face for the day-long festivities - the high winds and heavy rain of the previous
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An awesome performance
THROUGH your newspaper, can I say how much I enjoyed this year's Swindon Jazz Festival. Along with a capacity audience I was captivated by the awesome performance of the young local jazz pianist, Jamie Cullum, which was spellbinding enough, but then his
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Concern over report about catering team
I WRITE to express my concern regarding the Evening Advertiser report in which Churchfields School Headteacher, Steve Flavin, stated that Swindon Services Catering Team had not come up to the high standards expected. Perhaps Mr Flavin could cast his mind
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Stops do nothing to give shelter
IT'S not only the bus shelter at Haydon Wick that is inadequate. (Why put one there in the first place?) The one at Eldene roundabout is a joke, as are the ones at the new hospital. It is obvious to me the person who designed them has never waited for
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Well done to school and head
I would like to congratulate Mrs Rankin, all the staff, children, parents and governors of Penhill Primary School on a well-deserved Ofsted Report which was published this week. This report has justly highlighted the fantastic all-round improvement made
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No point in giving view
YOU point out (EA May 3) that readers can air their views on the Wiltshire and Swindon Structure Plan (also Swindon Local Plan) to 2016. What notice will the planning authorities take of the voice of ordinary citizens? From past experience it seems that
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Welsh call for Delve
Wales coach Steve Hansen has named three uncapped players in his 30-man squad for next month's Test matches against Australia and New Zealand Down Under. Leeds back-row forward Alex Popham and Neath prop Adam Jones have won call-ups, but perhaps the biggest
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Cystic fibrosis man's achievement award
DANIEL Bodio, who lives a normal life despite having cystic fibrosis, has been nominated for a prestigious award. Mr Bodio, 20, and originally from Devizes, has been shortlisted in the academic category for this year's Cystic Fibrosis Awards. Mr Bodio
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Cash plea for town manager
PETER Lay, the chairman of Devizes Development Partnership, has said he would be disappointed if the town's business community was not prepared to shell out £10,000 a year towards the cost of employing a town centre manager. Speaking to Devizes Chamber
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Sweet shop up for sale
BON Bons, the Devizes shop in the Market Place selling sweets, biscuits and chocolates, is up for sale. David Hunter and his wife, Carol, opened the shop in February 2002. They are selling up because Mr Hunter is to take up a post as a consultant in the
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Have-a-go hero wrestles robber
THE owners of a Devizes jewellery shop are planning a special present for the have-a-go hero who wrestled two trays of expensive rings from a thief who had snatched them from the shop a few moments before. The drama took place shortly before 3pm on Saturday
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Business site a step closer
MARLBOROUGH'S long awaited business park is a step nearer reality following the submission of a planning application. Marlborough Business Park Ltd has applied to Kennet District Council for planning consent for a new roundabout on Salisbury road and
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Animal groups get a cash boost
FIFTEEN animal charities who shared an event in Marlborough on Saturday will all benefit from a record profit of £1,500. It was the third Animal Charities Fair to be organised by Diana Ridgley and Sharon Smith who are next-door neighbours in Baywater,
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'New broom' praised by Ofsted inspectors
UPAVON Primary School's new headteacher Beverley Martin is lavishly praised in a report by the Office of Standards in Education, Ofsted, which was sent out to parents last week. Mrs Martin took over in April last year after a period of instability at
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Sheriff wins the booty
THE recently appointed High Sheriff of Wiltshire David Newbigging raised a staggering £37,000 when he took part in the annual Sarsen Trail 26-mile walk and run on Sunday. There were about 2,000 walkers and 450 runners taking part in the sponsored event
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Learn Hispanic culture at club
People interested in Hispanic culture can join a group of native Spanish and Portuguese speakers as well as enthusiasts of all nationalities who meet at the Victoria pub in Victoria Road, Old Town. The club is called Chilatino, which stands for Circulo
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Free reign to dress and style Buffy
Young library-goers will have the chance to dress and style Sarah Michelle Gellar, also known as TV's Buffy the Vampire Slayer. A cardboard cut-out of the Hollywood actress who plays the cult heroine will take centre stage at West Swindon Library while
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It's time to watch the birdie
Where have all the sparrows gone? That's the question the RSPB is asking the next few days as part of a nationwide house sparrow survey. The once common chirpy house sparrow was added to the charity's red list of birds for conservation concern last year
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Post your old mobile and stop pollution
MOBILE phones can pollute the environment if they are not disposed of properly and almost 100,000 old ones are lying unused in Swindon. So Swindon Council has launched a scheme to recycle people's old ones. Residents are being asked to pick up special
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'Nurse helped the whole family'
SWINDON CANCER APPEAL: 800 employees are getting behind the effort to raise money for Macmillan. But for Jean Berwick, it is closer to her heart. ALEX EMERY reports There's no stopping the fundraising efforts at Thames Water, which is great news for the
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Charities hope for recruits
A group of local charities were tonight due to hold an open evening to recruit volunteers across the town and its surrounding area. The group billed the gathering as an opportunity for the public to meet representatives of charities including Voluntary
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Prostitute breached court order
PROSTITUTE Carina Matysiak has appeared in court charged with breaching a drug treatment order she received for blackmail. Matysiak, 23, of Axbridge Close, Park South, received the Drug Treatment and Testing Order in December last year after being found
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Test case over germ warfare
A FRESH inquest into the death of a Swindon airman who died 50 years ago is to be discussed at a pre-inquest review later this month. Ronald Maddison, a 20-year-old RAF engineer, died at the Ministry of Defence's Porton Down laboratories on Salisbury
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Centenary celebrated in words
THE WORKERS' Educational Association is celebrating its centenary in Swindon. The national body is the largest voluntary provider of education in the country and has a long history of working in Swindon On Sunday, May 18, the local branch plans a free
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Barracks renamed after hero
HULLAVINGTON Barracks, near Chippenham, is to be renamed Buckley Barracks in recognition of the 10th anniversary of the Royal Logistics Corps. The 9 Supply Regiment of the Royal Logistics Corps, which has occupied the barracks for 10 years, will hold
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Goddard mysteries
SWINDON LITERARY FESTIVAL REVIEW: IT is difficult to categorise the work of novelist ROBERT GODDARD - but it is probably all the better for that. His books probably fit most comfortably into the pigeonhole marked "Mystery", but you are unlikely to find
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Copybook landing for first-time skydiver Jayne
INTREPID Jayne Cooke met her fear of heights head on - and raised more than £600 for Great Ormond Street children's hospital. The 33-year-old customer service team leader at the Farnsby Street-based Book Club Associates jumped 12,000ft - more than two-and-a-half-miles
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Hunts offer quick, humane service
As of May 1 farmers in this region are no longer able to bury animals that die on their farms. Instead they are required by law to get them transported away for incineration or rendering. The Government department responsible for implementing this change
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Anglers face licence check
THE Environment Agency is planning a rod licence blitz this weekend, to make sure that anglers are fishing legally. Officers will be checking fishing sites around Wiltshire as part of a national campaign. Anglers who fish without a valid licence can expect
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Weight of blame
I SEE from the Gazette's May 1 issue that a 13-year-old boy has been severely punished by magistrates for punching a fellow 13-year-old on the nose. Apparently the recipient of the punch had insulted the punch thrower's mother. I would have thought that
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Help needed to keep an eye on park water voles
WATER vole surveyors are needed for an event at the Cotswold Water Park in June. The Cotswold Water Park Society, Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust, Wiltshire Wildlife Trust and the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds will be running a training workshop
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Patients stressed
AT last our Member of Parliament, in his column for the Gazette on April 24, has recognised that the Primary Care Trust has problems and that the closure of Chippenham's Marshfield Road Surgery will not help the trust, other GPs or patients. Perhaps James
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Resident judge is appointed
SOUTH Wiltshire judge Keith Cutler has been appointed judge in residence at Salisbury Crown Court. Judge Cutler (52), who lives in West Gomeldon and is a churchwarden at St Nicholas' Church, Porton, takes over the role from Judge David Maclaren Webster
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A steam dream is set to come true
A STEAM locomotive whose boiler is laid forlornly outside Swindon's Great Western Designer Outlet Village, at Churchward, is to receive a new lease of life. It has has been bought by Bury engineer Ian Riley who plans to spend up to £750,000 rebuilding
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Biker's shock
I have been in the Merchant Navy for a long time and I get used to things changing in Chippenham while I am away. But, having just returned from five months in the Gulf, I was travelling by motorbike down the Causeway into town at 10pm and was blinded
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Schools mark start of 'new ways to teach' project
THE Tisbury cluster of schools has become the first in the south-west to join a national programme to research new ways to teach children. The schools, together with a similar cluster in Gloucestershire, have been granted £300,000 of government money
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All eyes on the skies for annual kite festival
THE 12th annual Swindon Kite Festival will be held at Lydiard Park this weekend. The event is being run by the White Horse Kite Flyers, who will be joined by fellow flyers from all over the UK and some from the USA. Kites of all shapes and sizes will
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Bypass any 'deal'
I WOULD sincerely hope that following the "hung" result for the North Wiltshire District Council last week, that both major political groups will have the courage and determination to stand by their own politics and determinedly fight their own corner
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Major: insurance fraud charges
UPAVON army major Charles Ingram returned to court in Salisbury on Friday. Major Ingram (39) appeared at Salisbury Crown Court to face two charges of trying to deceive insurance companies. He had appeared before the court in October last year, when he
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Something for all at new library site
SWINDON'S first new library for nearly 20 years will open next week. The North Swindon Library, at the Orbital Shopping Park, will be opened by Swindon mayor Stan Pajak on Tuesday at 4pm. The building - paid for under an agreement drawn up when planning
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Referendum plea
I totally disagree with the views expressed by R,Pierce (Gazette May 1) regarding the regionalisation of England. He asks everyone in England to follow Scotland's example regarding retirement home costs and student finance. What he fails to quote is the
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Flying start to Ace of Hearts cardiac appeal
A NEW appeal to raise £1m for a purpose-built cardiac unit in Salisbury has got off to a flying start, thanks to a huge legacy. A total of £250,000 has been committed to the Ace of Hearts appeal from the will of a former circus performer, and now means
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Different councils face different bills
Having recently contested a seat at council elections, I have taken a particular interest in the election material and claims made by each respective political party. Disappointingly, this has resulted in considerable confusion in some respects. For example
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Tell your source
JOHN Utting, April 30, castigates letter writers for offering information which he claims is strong on unprovable figures regarding asylum seekers. Could be please tell us the source of his information that most refugees of the last two years are living
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Lesson given
REGARDLESS of anyone's political leanings, a clear lesson has been delivered to all Councillors. The Swindon voting public will not tolerate excessive rises in council tax that are not backed up by performance. These rises should be at or near the level
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Only good to come of war is end of Saddam
I must voice my disagreement with James Gray Wiltshire to Westminster column on April 17 He opens his column with a question - "who could fail to rejoice..?." He is talking not about the toppling of the sick regime in Iraq a past firm ally of both USA
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Death of Asian millionaire: local man sought by police
A SOUTH Wiltshire man was being hunted by detectives this week in connection with the killing of millionaire businessman Amarjit Chohan. Ken Regan (54) has been named by the Metropolitan police as one of three suspects in the international murder hunt
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Cycle off chocolate
CYCLE off that Easter chocolate excess by signing up for The Stroke Association's annual Thames Bridges Bike Ride. On Sunday, June 1, the country's leading stroke charity will be holding its eighth Thames Bridges Bike Ride. Last year over 2,000 people
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Polls defeat knocks out city's mayor-elect
DEFEAT at the district council elections came as a bitter blow for Liberal Democrat Su Thorpe - as it means she will now miss out on becoming the next mayor of Salisbury. But Tories in south Wiltshire were in triumphant mood this week, after sweeping
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Marquee was money wasted
I totally agree with the voters of Penhill when they labelled the marquee polling station a waste of money (EA 2/5/03). As prospective Labour candidate for the council elections I raised my concerns regarding the closure of the Penhill community centre
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Residents' road misery
RESIDENTS in Park Lane, Chippenham, say their lives are being made a misery because of inadequate road markings on the newly- resurfaced road. Homeowner Karl Townsend, claims he and other residents have been forced to call the police on several occasions
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Big round for Revolutions
CHEFS at Chippenham restaurant Revolutions have plenty to cheer about. The New Road restaurant has just received a prestigious Les Routiers commendation receiving a plaque and a listing in the Les Routiers directory of recommended eateries. Owner Sandie
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Help needed for clean-up
RESIDENTS are being sought to take part in a rubbish clean-up in Cepen Park South this weekend. Chippenham Without Parish Council is appealing for helpers to collect rubbish around the old barn and pond area, close to Drake Avenue on Saturday. Coun John
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Food firm in takeover talks quashes job fears
HYGRADE Foods, which has factories across north Wiltshire, said it has no plans for redundancies, despite a possible takeover by a Danish meat giant. Hygrade Foods is a major supplier of sausage and cooked meat products to UK retailers and has sites in
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Tickets to Thruxton event to be won
HOLD your breath as one of the UK's most exhilarating motorsport events prepares to hit Thruxton circuit. Rounds five and six of the 2003 Green Flag British Touring Car Championship take place at the circuit near Andover on May 25/26 and you could be
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Tennis - Opening treble for the ladies
LADIES teams from Salisbury, Riverside and Downton pulled off a splendid trio of away wins, while newcomers Victoria Park were the only victors among the local men's sides on the opening weekend of the Hants and IOW League. Salisbury, at Winchester Division
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Favourites help Salisbury get off to a sizzling start
THERE were smiles all round at Salisbury Race-course on Sunday when the Netherhampton track opened its 2003 season with its traditional May Bank Holiday family meeting, writes Mike Turner. Six of the day's seven races were won by the favourites with Richard
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Crouzon's syndrome: a rare genetic disorder
LITTLE Lucy Burke smiles, crawls and interacts with everyone around her. She reaches out for things and loves anything which she can crumple. But 15-month-old Lucy, of Laverstock, will always look different from other children because she was born with
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Survey: More graduates will be hired
THE Association of Graduate Recruiters' Graduate Recruitment Survey predicts that employers will hire 7.9 per cent more graduates this year than in 2002. This is in contrast to the 6.5 per cent drop last year. The biggest growth in graduate recruitment
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Winning end for champions
Salisbury & District League update SALISBURY & District Premier Division champions George & Dragon closed their season on a winning note with a 2-1 victory at Tisbury. Despite the absence of key players, they took the lead via a Paul Shelly
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United sign off with the treble
Downton 1 Shrewton Utd 2 (After extra time) Hospital Cup Final SHREWTON United completed a magnificent treble with an extra-time defeat of Downton in Monday night's Hospital Cup final, to add to their triumphs in the Skurrays Wiltshire Premier Division
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County honour for City
SALISBURY City put the bitter disappointment of narrowly missing out on promotion behind them to close the season on a high by lifting the Wiltshire Premier Shield writes Mike Turner. Monday's comprehensive 3-1 win over Swindon Supermarine ensured the
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Funding needs to be returned
WHAT fate gives with one hand, it seems, it takes away with the other. We send our congratulations to the 19 schools across the borough who are to receive cash bonuses for performing well. But what of Churchfields School, which has been stripped of its
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Music treat for children
THE versatile Carnival Band is returning to Corsham Primary School for an annual music workshop tomorrow. Members of the band will spend a day working with children from year five, giving them the chance to experience the fun of music and rhythm. The
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Planning setback on skatepark scheme
A SKATEpark in Corsham is unlikely to open before next year because of a delay in gaining planning permission. The original planning application has been withdrawn because of fears that it would be rejected due to missing technical details. The application
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Airbase hosts French VIPs
AFTER high-profile visits by the Princess Royal and Prime Minister, Tony Blair, RAF Lyneham has again been playing host to VIPs, this time to the Commander of Projection Forces of the French Air Force, General Beck. Accompanied by the RAF's Air Officer
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Village set for new battle to save field
VILLAGERS in Luckington are hoping to prevent a 12-house development at the Bell field by petitioning to have the local plans changed. The development comes after another application in the past month to build 18 homes on land adjacent to Southend House
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BNP loser hits out at poll rival's Nazi jibe
BRITISH National Party candidate Robert Baggs has reported a rival to the police over an election leaflet he described as offensive and untrue. Mr Baggs, who failed to win a seat on either the district or town council when he stood for Calne's Abberd
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Help at hand for pupils poised for career take off
PAST and present pupils of Pewsey Vale School are being invited to ask for financial help from a trust set up by former school governors chairman Doreen King. Mrs King, who died 15 years ago, was a long serving governor of the Pewsey secondary school
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Town pair agree new deals for next term
CHIPPENHAM Town striker Adie Mings looks set to put pen to paper on a new one-year deal at Hardenhuish Park by the end of the week. The 34-year-old signalled his return to full fitness last season with a string of impressive performances up front and
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England call-ups delight Town duo
CHIPPENHAM Town fans James Gardner and Ben Palmer have been selected to represent the England Mencap team at a European Tournament in Geneva next month. The duo, members of Chippenham's Gateway Club, were among more than 50 players who attended trials
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Town fixing up a friendly
CHIPPENHAM Town hope to entice Premiership side Southampton to Hardenhuish Park for a glamourous pre-season friendly this summer. Bluebirds general manager Chris Blake has written to the FA Cup finalists to discover whether they would be prepared to send
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Keeper plays for time on contract
JAMES Bittner is stalling over his contract offer from Chippenham Town manager Tommy Saunders as he continues his quest for Nationwide League football. Saunders wants to keep the former Fulham goalkeeper at Hardenhuish Park for at least another season
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Town council is on the web
MALMESBURY Town Council's official website has been launched. The new site, designed by local company Malmesbury Internet, will feature information about Malmesbury, sites of interest and local hotels. Already available for those who log onto www.malmesbury.gov.uk
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Barefaced bid for charity
MALMESBURY Rugby Club's social secretary Alan Walker had a close shave for the first time in 27 years. The great Alan the Hat Sponsored Shave raised £325 for the Malmesbury pitch improvement fund and left him with an uncharacteristic bare chin. Mr Walker
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Explorer gives pupils advice
MALMESBURY School was officially opened by explorer David Hempleman-Adams on Friday. The school moved into its new £12.5million building at Corn Gastons last Easter after an Ofsted inspection in 1997 criticised the school's split location at Corn Gastons
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Surprise election defeat results in hung council
THE battle for power continues at North Wiltshire District Council as Liberal Democrats and Conservatives struggle to wrest overall control of the authority. Last week's local elections left a power vacuum at the district council, when Liberal Democrat
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Trust listens, says mayor
MALMESBURY Mayor John Bowen said he was very positive about the future of Malmesbury Hospital after discussions with the primary care trust. Although he would not be pinned down on the specifics of discussions with the chief executive of the PCT, Barbara
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Demand soars for jazz star's debut CD
RECORD sales of jazz sensation Jamie Cullum's album Pointless Nostalgic have gone through the roof after his appearance on the Parkinson show the Saturday before last. Last month the 23-year-old landed a £1 million, four-album contract with record giant
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Election is turn on for many voters
ELECTION time has come and gone once again and in many wards the turnout was much higher than feared. Some had predicted that little more than 20 per cent of people would bother to vote. But this was not the case in many areas of Wiltshire. But, sadly
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Don't rubbish recycling plan
People throughout Wiltshire are being asked for their views on a waste plan that will be a blueprint for the way rubbish is dealt with for a large number of years. Recycling is seen to be the future as landfill sites get fuller and fuller and the county
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Into Africa with playing kit for emerging cricket nation
KIND-hearted cricketers from Collingbourne gave under-privileged Kenyan players plenty to smile about during a 15-day tour of the African country. They arrived in the emerging cricketing nation armed with a full kit bag, including bats, pads, gloves and
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Goatacre v Baydon
NATIONAL VILLAGE KNOCKOUT: GOATACRE set foot on the road to Lord's with an emphatic 175-run victory over Baydon in the second round of the National Village Knockout competition on Sunday 4th May. The hosts batted first on a pitch softened by the heavy
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Wiltshire Cricket League
THE league season started on Saturday with only half the scheduled games being played, heavy rain during the preceding week causing the problem. In Division One the promoted sides started well, with Nationwide House and Collingbourne both winning. At
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Duke of York to visit town
The Duke of York is to visit Swindon Pressings Ltd, BMW Group's pressings plant, next Friday, May 16. Visiting Swindon in his role as special representative for Interna-tional Investment and Trade for British Trade International, the Duke will meet employees
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Chance to get a Reward
SWINDON businesses could save tens of thousands of pounds if environmental best practice were made standard, the Government's Environment Agency has announced. According to a report which looks into how businesses can operate in more environmentally-friendly
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Sports news in brief
SALISBURY'S Stuart Waite increased his lead in the Forest Edge Kart Club 250cc gearbox Championship when he finished second in all three heats and the final of the latest round of the contest held at Christchurch. Sunday's success means he now has a 40
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Rugby - Salisbury enjoy sevens success
SALISBURY Rugby Club won the prestigious Lytchett Minster seven-a-side competition on Monday for the first time since 1993. The club played six gruelling games without defeat before beating Liskeard & Looe in the final 52-19. A number of the club's
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Much thanks
I would like to express my deepest thanks for the help and consideration I received while in the Acute Assessment ward recently. While I was in the hospital after a recent heart attack, it was a very worrying time and all the staff were extremely kind
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Why is this a secret AGM?
So I read that the taxpayers new Company Network Rail, (the successors to Railtrack), which we the taxpayers have supported by £21 billion of loans and grants, do not want the media, who in this role would be our representatives, to attend Network Rail's
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Missing Beckham signature riddle
AN indication that David Beckham may be on the move from Manchester United sooner than expected comes this week from an unexpected source. John Etheridge, chairman of Marlborough Soccer School, has managed to get a Man United shirt, signed by the entire
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Don't give up the night job
SCOTT Bateman and Tim Ruscoe are pilots from RAF Lyneham who fly on the ground in their spare time. When they are not in the air in their Hercules they are flying to the rescue in cars, as unpaid volunteers for the Wiltshire Ambulance Service. Flt Lieut
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Warning on scam letter
VULNERABLE and needy people could be at risk from a scam that offers to send a cheque for £1,100 but asks for £15 up front. The con trick has been known for many years but came to light again this week after a Pewsey woman received a letter purporting
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Officers net awards for drugs operation
POLICE officers who worked on Operation Ardent, the drugs raid in Devizes last year, have received awards. Uniformed police officers and detectives were involved in the operation, which saw dawn raids being carried out at ten addresses, including six
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Rock star ruined us, publicans tell court
PUBLICANS Gary and Sarah Jane Marlow have to wait until at least July to see how they fare in their court battle with rock legend Van Morrison. The Belfast-born superstar was due to appear at the Marlows'pub, the Crown Hotel in Everleigh, last August.
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Dawlish Town 2, Devizes Town 8
SCREWFIX DIRECT LEAGUE: JUSTIN Lisle scored a hat-trick as Devizes ended their season-long wait for an away win in emphatic style at crisis club Dawlish. The bottom of the table visitors headed to Devon without a win on the road all season, but Lisle's
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Storming finish persuades manager into U-turn
HELLENIC LEAGUE: PURTON completed a hectic week with a 5-0 win over Kidlington. It was the club's sixth game in seven days in which they gained a maximum 18 points to secure third place in Division One West. The sequence started with a 3-0 away win against
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Council welcomes home care proposals
WILTSHIRE County Council has broadly welcomed the plans by the Kennet and North Wiltshire Primary Care Trust to look after more people in their homes rather than in hospital. The trust needs to save £10million and has published a consultation document
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Cracking Cricklade turn on the style in scoring bonanza
SKURRAY'S WILTSHIRE LEAGUE: CRICKLADE Town turned in a cracking performance to hold Premier Division champions Shrewton United to a 4-4 draw in their last game of the season. Town were leading 3-1 at one stage and had a strong appeal for a penalty turned
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Chippenham Sunday League
PREMIER Division champions Percy's FC signed off in style with an 8-0 win over Box Rovers. Keith Dawdrey's side, who became the first team from Corsham to lift the champions crown of the top flight, maintained their proud 100 per cent record against a
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Walks burst into bloom
BOWOOD'S famous Rhododendron Walks have opened to the public with a colourful and rare collection of azaleas and rhododendrons coming into bloom. The garden walks a separate attraction to Bowood House and gardens are set in 60 acres of woodland and lie
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Warning as chain letters resurface
A NOTORIOUS get rich quick chain letter has reared its ugly head again in Chippenham. The so-called David Rhodes Letter has been around since the 1980s in the post and on the Internet. Recently there has been a surge of letters sent to homes in Chippenham
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Rangers on course for a second hat-trick
NORTH BERKS LEAGUE: KINTBURY Rangers completed the first part of a second successive treble on Saturday 3 May, when they crushed Division Two Steventon 8-0 in the Charity Shield final at Abingdon. Steventon had done well to get to the final but their
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Super-sub is Malmesbury title hero
YOUTH FOOTBALL: SUPER-SUB James Hutton scored twice to lead Malmesbury Youth to the Under 16s Red Division championship of the Wiltshire Times and Chippenham News Mid-Wilts Youth and Minor League. Malmesbury went into their last game of the season against
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Team may be down, not out
PEWSEY Vale could receive a boost in their bid for Hellenic League Premier Division survival today if Yate Town are given the green light for promotion to the Dr Martens League. Steve Wootton's side finished third from bottom of the Premier Division table
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Death crash man charged
SEEND motorist Neil Chester has appeared in court charged with causing the death of motorcyclist Arthur Price by dangerous driving. The 32-year-old is accused of the offence following an accident on the A350 between the West Ashton crossroads and Yarnbrook
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More time pleain health debate
CAMPAIGNERS fighting to keep health care in Devizes have called for the consultation period to be extended. The consultation ends tomorrow and the Kennet and North Wiltshire Primary Care Trust will make decisions on May 22, which could leave the town
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Man denies damaging car
A 21-year-old man accused of causing £1,000 worth of damage to a car has been released on bail. Jugdev Singh, of Atlee Crescent, Stratton St Margaret, denies causing criminal damage to an Audi belonging to Amanda Korol on April 16. However, magistrates
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Teenager has money stolen
FOUR men demanded cash from a teenager after he walked through the subway leading to the Shaw Ridge Leisure Park. He had withdrawn money from a cash machine at the West Swindon Centre when the men told the 19-year-old to hand over the cash. He handed
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MP rebels against NHS reforms
JULIA Drown was one of around 60 Labour MPs who rebelled against the Government's plans for foundation hospitals. Ms Drown, who represents South Swindon, said the proposals to set up NHS foundation trusts had not been thought through. Despite the rebels
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Hard work has paid off
PINEHURST Infants School has picked up an award for achieving high standards for the third year running. It is one of 18 schools in Swindon whose staff will enjoy a bonus in their pay packet after their school was awarded a bonus for high standards and
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Major: insurance fraud charges
UPAVON army major Charles Ingram returned to court in Salisbury on Friday. Major Ingram (39) appeared at Salisbury Crown Court to face two charges of trying to deceive insurance companies. He had appeared before the court in October last year, when he
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Flying start to Ace of Hearts cardiac appeal
A NEW appeal to raise £1m for a purpose-built cardiac unit in Salisbury has got off to a flying start, thanks to a huge legacy. A total of £250,000 has been committed to the Ace of Hearts appeal from the will of a former circus performer, and now means
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Fun and laughter at village fair
CROWDS in their hundreds flocked into Downton on Saturday to welcome the arrival of May by celebrating with the now-traditional Cuckoo Fair. Even the weather put on a happier face for the day-long festivities - the high winds and heavy rain of the previous
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Digust at closure of local bank
STAFF at Durrington's three schools have spoken of their disgust at the lack of consultation over the closure of the only village bank. HSBC on Bulford Road, which is due to close at the end of June, gave notice of the branch closure during the Easter
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Death of Asian millionaire: local man sought by police
A SOUTH Wiltshire man was being hunted by detectives this week in connection with the killing of millionaire businessman Amarjit Chohan. Ken Regan (54) has been named by the Metropolitan police as one of three suspects in the international murder hunt
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Polls defeat knocks out city's mayor-elect
DEFEAT at the district council elections came as a bitter blow for Liberal Democrat Su Thorpe - as it means she will now miss out on becoming the next mayor of Salisbury. But Tories in south Wiltshire were in triumphant mood this week, after sweeping
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Carnival fun turns into week of partying
AMBITIOUS plans to extend the carnival in Calne from one day to a week-long event were revealed to residents in a mail drop last week. Organisers said the aim of the carnival week, which starts on June 7, is to encourage community spirit and create a
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League's exciting stuff from start to finish
IT'S been a season of highs, lows, ups and down in the Swindon and District League. The highs saw close battles for the titles in Divisions One, Two and Three, newcomers The Regent win the George Thomas Cup on top of promotion and Custom Homes upset Adver
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May revels thrill crowds
DEVIZES Lions Club raised thousands of pounds for local good causes on Monday when the sun shone on its annual May Day Fair. The town fundraisers had been planning the event for the best part of a year and were up at the crack of dawn to prepare areas
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Plea to give event a push
DEVIZES PHAB is appealing for help from to stage its main fundraising event. The charity is appealing for people to push wheelchairs for its sponsored wheelchair push and walk on May 17. The annual event is well supported and participants can raise money
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Teams wanted
SWINDON'S D.I.G.S. football league is expanding next season and new teams are invited to sign up. Matches will be played on Monday and Friday evenings. Contact Derek Leppard on 01793 870904 for further details.
