Archive
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New jobs created at printing firm
A PRINTING firm is to create 50 new jobs in Chippenham following the purchase of a £1,665,000 premises in the town. For the past 10 years Image Factory has been based at the Corsham Commercial Centre in Potley Lane. The firm will double its floor space
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Menace that has to stop
THE most effective deterrent for would-be vandals is the probability that they will be caught. So congratulations to Stratton pensioner Valerie Hearn for having the courage and tenacity to capture CCTV images of the 16-year-old youth who threw paint at
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Stolen numberplate
A number plate was stolen from a blue Nissan parked in Newlands Road car-park between midday and 1.40pm Saturday. The missing number plate is N231 KHR.
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Footballing legend Denis is the talk of the Town
DENIS Law proved popular with the crowds again as he did in his playing days during an STFC sporting dinner at the County Ground last night. The former Manchester United and Scotland centre forward scored 227 goals in 481 playing appearances and he scored
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Collection box stolen
THIEVES stole cash from a metal box used to collect visitors' donations to the Cherhill White Horse. The robbers struck at the end of last month, when they smashed a padlock on the collection box, which is positioned near the entrance pathway to the horse
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Schoolboy Jack is full of beans
AN energetic schoolboy has raised £250 for Comic Relief after a marathon Bank Holiday walk. Eleven-year-old Jack Payne, a Year 6 pupil at Corsham Regis Primary School, walked the 26 mile Farfen Trail between Avesbury and Stonehenge on May 4. His teacher
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Mother, 20, in revenge attack
A CHIPPENHAM college student joined a gang of girls in a revenge attack on a Corsham woman which spiralled into street violence. Young mother Lucy Reaney joined three other gang members in an attack on the Weller Road flat of victim Julianne Rich. Prosecutor
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Run for charity
A GROUP of runners from Wiltshire County Council have raised £1,100 for Multiple Sclerosis. The eight-strong team, made up of members of the Environmental Services Department, raised the money after successfully completing the Corsham 10K St George's
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Hidden wealth of Wiltshire
NORTH Wiltshire is the south west's second wealthiest region according to a new survey published this week. The research, by Barclays Private Clients, also revealed that the south west is the second wealthiest area in Britain. Researchers looked at the
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Rivers route final stretch
Work is well under way on the final section of the North Wiltshire Rivers Route, and the final leg should be complete by the autumn. North Wiltshire District Council is building the foot and cycle path, as part of the National Cycle Network route 4. The
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Support for skatepark
CHILDREN in the village of Edington have managed to win the support of the rest of the village community to get them a skateboard park. A group of keen skateboarders from the village gave a presentation to the parish council in the new year and persuaded
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Late licensing fears resurface
POLICE have voiced their fears about the prospect of more late-night trouble in Westbury ahead of new licence applications expected by pubs in the town. West Wiltshire District Council is shortly due to announce its decision on whether the Railway Inn
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Charity gala at Churchway
STRATTON CHURCHWAY host their annual Charity Bowls Gala on Sunday. This year all monies raised will be donated to the Wiltshire Air Ambulance. A total of 24 teams will be competing this year for the Terry Preston Memorial Trophy. Each year the event raises
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Knowle v Chippenham
NEW captain Jason Searle saw his pre-season plans come to early fruition as Chippenham gained a six wicket win in their first West of England Premier League Division Two game of the campaign. Searle believes spinners will hold the key to his team's success
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Fast decision sought over revamp cash
THOUSANDS of pounds worth of government cash for town centre improvements in Melksham could be lost unless swift decisions are made on how the money should be spent. Around £130,000 has already been swallowed up by schemes such as the traffic-calming
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GEC site in plans crisis
PLANS to redevelop a major site in Melksham could have hit yet another stumbling block. Developer Charles Tull's proposal to build houses on the former GEC factory site in Beanacre Road could be jeopardised because planners have made no provision for
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Travellers move away
TRAVELLERS who set up camp on a Melksham industrial estate left after a flood of complaints from local businesses. Security patrols were stepped up when 20 caravans moved onto the former Avon Rubber site on the Bowerhill Industrial Estate. Local businesses
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New lease of life for Matt
A TROWBRIDGE man suffering from cerebral palsy has a new wheelchair, after his local pub raised the money to pay for it in record time. Matt Stabb is a regular at the White Swan and his friends held a series of gigs over Easter, raising £1,200. Bands
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Electronics firm adds new division
ReTech Electronics Ltd, the Cheney Manor-based electronics design and manufacturing firm, has formed a new division to address the rapid growth in demand for Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) products. The new company, Alpha-ID will operate as a systems
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New Hospital in Trowbridge
IN response to your reader's letter about needing a new hospital in Trowbridge, I did suggest the same idea several weeks ago, and got zero response as he did. Maybe the powers that be should spend a week in a care job like myself, and meet severely disabled
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Appeal for new recruits
The RSPCA is appealing to pet lovers in west Wiltshire to come forward and help boost the charity's animal welfare work. Fresh faces are needed for the charity's Wiltshire Mid branch to assist with fundraising events in areas including Westbury, Warminster
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New directors
TWO new assistant directors have been appointed to the environmental services department at Wiltshire County Council. Tracy Carter, 40, is a chartered civil engineer, and is the department's first female assistant director. Alan Feist, 38, was part of
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Longleat's Titian Back on show after theft
A £7M painting is back on show at Longleat more than eight years after it was snatched by thieves in a night-time raid. The painting, by the 16th century Venetian artist Titian, was taken from the first-floor State Drawing Room at Longleat House in January
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Protection plan fears
Proposals to protect burglars from violent householders have been slammed by west Wiltshire MP Andrew Murrison. Dr Murrison said leaked Home Office documents showed government lawyers were advising ministers to start protecting burglars against violent
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Run for charity
A GROUP of runners from Wiltshire County Council have raised £1,100 for Multiple Sclerosis. The eight-strong team, made up of members of the Environmental Services Department, raised the money after successfully completing the Corsham 10K St George's
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Sailing holiday could offer a lifeline
A WOMAN from Steeple Ashton is trying to start a branch of the Jubilee Sailing Trust in West Wiltshire, to give disabled people a holiday of a lifetime. Ann Langley has been taking part in cruises on the Lord Nelson a tall ship owned by the Jubilee Sailing
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Heytesbury hopes for main drains
RESIDENTS of a housing estate are set to get a cleaner place to live if a new sewage works is approved. West Wilts Housing Society wants to build a new biodisc system in Heytesbury, near Warminster. The site in Greenlands, in the centre of Heytesbury,
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Parents in police talks
THE parents of student Rachel Whitear were due to meet with Wiltshire detectives yesterday to discuss the new police probe into their daughter's death. Pauline and Michael Holcroft were due to meet head of Wiltshire CID Chief Supt Paul Howlett and his
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Bras out beneath the stars
MONTHS of hard training will come to fruition for six Warminster women in London tomorrow night when they take part in the Playtex Moonwalk. The group of friends have called themselves the Warminster Wonders in honour of the Wonderbra. All walkers will
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Stones hurled through window
Vandals caused £1,000 worth of damage to Lidl supermarket in Fairfield Road by hurling stones through a plate glass window at 4.30am on Saturday.
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Special police rewarded
LONG-SERVING special constables and police officers were recognised for outstanding work at a presentation ceremony on Tuesday. Special constables Jon Finch, Alan Petrie, Rachel Spanswick, Nigel Todd, Shaun Weston and Justin Whatley all received long
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New mayors receive their chains
NEW faces took the helm at west Wiltshire's five town councils this week with the hand over of the mayoral chains of office. Familiar face Glynn Bridges has once again taken on the role of Mayor of Trowbridge. He was mayor of the town for the 1998/1999
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Buses are urged to be flexible
BUS passengers in Wiltshire could be picked up from their doorsteps under government moves to make services more convenient. Ministers will offer bus companies lucrative rebates of up to 70 per cent off the cost of fuel if they agree to set up "flexible
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Why Kylie can stop you being a crash dummy
Pop songs like the Cheeky Girls 'The Cheeky Song' can help improve your driving skills, whilst rap lyrics like those contained within Eminems 'Lose Yourself' can encourage drivers to speed. The revelations are based on research commissioned by Acclaim
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Prince to open restored barn
PRINCE Charles is coming to Bradford on Avon on Friday for the official opening of one of the town's oldest buildings. The Prince will officially open the rebuilt West Barn on Barton Grange farm in the centre of the town, thought to date back to the 13th
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Big thank you
WE would just like to say a big, big thank you to everyone who supported our charity dance at Spencers Social Club, Melksham, and all the help by friends. We raised £600 for Bath RUH Heart Unit. Everyone rocked all evening to the sound of the Heartbeats
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The aftermath of war
The Trowbridge Ad Hoc Peace Group, set up by Peggy Thomas and Catherine Willis to protest against the Afghan War and the war on terrorism, has completed its second chapter of silent vigils against the War on Iraq. The group is taking stock and discussing
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Clean Westbury White Horse
NOW that the war in Iraq has ended could those responsible for defacing the Westbury White Horse with their anti-war slogan please come and clean it off. Would this be too much to ask, or will others be left to pay for this to be done? D P DUNSEATH, Alfred
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Look at document
COULD I please urge all your Trowbridge area readers to contact the county council on (01225) 713472 for a copy of a document snappily called Wiltshire and Swindon Structure Plan Review 2016, Pre-deposit Consultation. In this they will find that although
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Chippy was just champion
HAVING run a special 12-coach heritage train on the bank holiday weekend from Carnforth to Bath, and on to Westbury for stabling, I would just like to say thank you to the local Champion chippy in Warminster Road, Westbury, for opening up specially with
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Words not always harmless threats
THE senseless killing of Paul Rodgers by Leigh Page appears to have been basically due to a culture of threatening behaviour. Evidence reported in the Wiltshire Times demonstrates that both men made serious threats. Either man could have gone home and
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Roman remains on building site
EXPERTS face a race against time to map out the remains of a Roman farmstead discovered by a Calne woman walking her dog on a building site. Karen Burgess, 44, stumbled upon fragments of ancient pottery, bone and glass while she was walking her Jack Russell
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Free beer for barrow racers
FREE pints of beer are being used as bait to help lure teams into entering the first Trowbridge wheelbarrow race. Teams of up to six people will dash around six pubs in the quickest time possible to help raise money for the town's carnival committee.
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Raising the standards
A PRIMARY school near Trowbridge has received a prestigious achievement award for the third year running. Southwick Primary has been recognised by the Department for Education and Skills after out-performing other schools. Teacher Paula Bartlett said:
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Charity's farewell to town
STAFF at an adult education charity say a fond farewell to Trowbridge today as its office in the town closes. The Workers' Educational Association (WEA) has had its Wiltshire base at Furnleigh House in Church Street for the past two and a half years.
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Fire safety help
FIRE chiefs may have to turn up the heat of their home safety message after claims it isn't sexy enough to keep people alert. The claims come after an elderly couple almost lost their Trowbridge home in a blaze sparked by an unattended grill pan. Only
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Mum-of-four robbed firm to help mates
A ROBIN Hood-style fraudster who stole money from a national finance company to give to debt-ridden friends has been ordered to pay the money back. Trowbridge magistrates told 33-year-old Rachel Powell she abused a position of trust in a 'misguided' attempt
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Heirloom taken in burglary
A PENSIONER is grieving after thieves stole a valuable gold watch from her Trowbridge home. Eileen Fryer, 70, of Manor Road, was given the watch, thought to be worth £7-800, to reward her 25 years service at Trowbridge firm Bowyers. Thieves broke into
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New record office vow
CAMPAIGNERS fighting to keep the Wiltshire and Swindon Record Office in Trowbridge have vowed to be ready if plans to move the centre to Chippenham fail. The project to re-site the office at Cocklebury Road is in the hands of a partnership between Wiltshire
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Reward to snare vandals
A TROWBRIDGE businessman is offering a £500 reward to help catch a vandal who blasted holes into his shop window with a mystery weapon. Silas Freeman, of Safe and Sound UK Ltd in Church Walk, said vandals have been targeting his store since January. In
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Slimmer goalie thanks his fans
GOALKEEPING coach Ian Diamond has converted lbs into £s after losing more than two stone in five months. Mr Diamond, 55, a coach for Trowbridge Town, beat his target losing 31lbs in a sponsored slim. He said: "I lost two stone even with Christmas in the
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Ancient artefacts on show at school
Ancient artefacts illustrating Staverton's rich history have gone on show at the village school. The items were uncovered last year by archaeologists commissioned to dig exploratory trenches on Blacklands, an area of the village which may soon be developed
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Concern grows for 'ill' woman
POLICE are becoming increasing worried about the safety of a 22-year-old woman who has tried to kill herself for the second time in two weeks. In the early hours of Saturday morning, officers were called to rescue the woman from a freezing stretch of
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Dog walker is attacked
A TOWPATH attacker left a 55-year-old Trowbridge woman with suspected broken ribs after punching her to the ground in an unprovoked assault. The woman was walking her dog on the Kennet and Avon Canal towpath near Airsprung factory between 9pm and 9.30pm
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School in wrong number fiasco
WRONG numbers have been plaguing staff at a Trowbridge primary school but a BT operator's solution to the problem left them fuming. Staff at the 27-year-old Paxcroft Primary School were livid when an operator asked them to change the school's name to
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New mayors receive their chains
NEW faces took the helm at west Wiltshire's five town councils this week with the hand over of the mayoral chains of office. Familiar face Glynn Bridges has once again taken on the role of Mayor of Trowbridge. He was mayor of the town for the 1998/1999
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Conman targets 91-year-old woman
DETECTIVES are hunting for a shameless conman who tricked his way into a Trowbridge OAP complex just across the road from the town's police station. Trowbridge officers were still in the Polebarn Road station preparing to move to new premises, when the
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Name and number
Everyone knows wrong numbers are a pain in the neck but luckily most of us are only affected a few times a year. But imagine how staff at Paxcroft School felt when they were faced with several wrong calls a day, all for the Mead School. Clearly it is
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Toughen up on hideous crime
Having the cold-blooded audacity to steal from the elderly is one thing, but to target victims living next to a police station highlights how far a con man will go. Every week it seems to be a new disguise or a new ploy to trick the vulnerable out of
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MotorMart at Beaulieu
AUTOJUMBLE: There will be bargains galore at the popular Beaulieu Spring Autojumble and MotorMart, which takes place this weekend, May 17 -18. The event will have over 600 stalls crammed with every conceivable item connected to motoring. Open from 10am
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Pole position for Mazda UK
Formula Woman, the one-make race series backed by Mazda UK, has been inundated with applications from would-be women racing drivers. Organiser Graeme Glew said: "We've had more than 2,000 applications from the Shetland to Cornwall, from 18 to 60 year
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Mercedes Viano unveiled
THE Mercedes Viano is a new MPV and successor to the V-Class models, which it will replace. There will be a choice of three vehicle lengths (4,748 mm to 5,223 mm) and two different wheelbases (3,200 mm and 3,400 mm), with four engine models available
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SEAT Ibiza TDi wins performance award
SEAT: Diesel Car, a UK magazine for diesel car enthusiasts, has awarded the SEAT Ibiza TDi 130 Sport the performance diesel car of the year 2003 award. All Ibiza models currently come with one year's free insurance for customers aged between 25 and 80
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Why female motorists are big business for car dealers
Women drivers have become big business. This year will see more women than ever driving and buying cars. For the retail motor sector, they are one of the biggest growth segments. They are also one of the safest segments. According to Diamond Insurance
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Drug trafficking case is adjourned
THE hearing of an Ashton Keynes man charged with drug trafficking and money laundering has been adjourned until June 13. Reginald Tottman, 62, of Birch Glade, Park Place, was due to enter a plea on May 2 at Swindon Crown Court. He is among three men arrested
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Join ranger for a wildlife walk
HEAD ranger Ali Swainston will lead a short walk around Keynes Country Park next Wednesday. Matthew Millet, the Minerals Restoration Officer of the Cotswold Water Park Society, said: "Come along and learn about the marvellous mini-beasts of the park and
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Miles ahead to boost charity
SWINDON CANCER APPEAL: Adults, children, and even dogs are getting involved in the Swindon Cancer Appeal. Next week marks the start of the seven-day Macmile event and this group of Wroughton residents cannot wait to get started. June Jones, 55, scheme
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Pupils add a dash of colour!
HOLY Family Primary will be one of the brightest schools around after pupils helped to choose the colours for its new extension. Work is well under way for the Park North school's £500,000 extension, which is set to open in September. The infant and junior
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Dressed to thrill
YOUNG fashion fans threw themselves into a frenzy of creativity at West Swindon Library. More than 21 turned up at the library to take part in a project to design a new outfit for the star of TV show Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Sarah Michelle Gellar. The
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Buses are urged to be flexible
BUS passengers in Wiltshire could be picked up from their doorsteps under government moves to make services more convenient. Ministers will offer bus companies lucrative rebates of up to 70 per cent off the cost of fuel if they agree to set up "flexible
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Intergalactic vision is a winner
FRESHBROOK schoolboy James Roberts was given a helicopter ride as a reward for his inter-galactic visions. James, 11, from Windmill Hill Primary School, won the trip in a design competition for a 'bridge of dreams.' The contest was organised by Priory
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Still together after 69 years
BANK robbing couple Bonnie and Clyde were in the news 69 years ago when Fred and Herbert Turner made their wedding vows. Freda, 87, and 88-year-old Herbert Turner from Stratton were today enjoying a slap-up lunch with family for their 69th wedding anniversary
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Call to close the pension gap between the sexes
WOMEN in pensioner couples receive just 32p in income for every pound received by their male counterparts, according to research highlighted by Age Concern Swindon. The charity says the state pension system is littered with obstacles for women trying
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A private eye
SWINDON LITERARY FESTIVAL: Litigation, deteriorating television and radio and a university life to envy, were subjects which were dealt with by former Private Eye editor Richard Ingrams. In front of a packed out Arts Centre audience, the Scourge of the
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Why the magic of radio will live forever
SWINDON LITERARY FESTIVAL REVIEW: VETERAN radio presenter and novelist Libby Purves met a large and appreciative audience when she appeared at the Arts Centre. Ms Purves, who now presents Radio 4's Midweek talk show, spoke with affection of her early
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Children do get arthritis
IMAGINE being told that your child has arthritis. You'd be in a state of utter shock and disbelief. You'd think. "Surely arthritis is a condition that only affects older people?" In fact around 12,000 children and teenagers suffer from some form of arthritis
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Help for grandparents
ARE you a grandparent? Do you know you have no automatic right in law for contact with grandchildren. Grandparents Action Group (GAG) is a local help and support group for grandparents experiencing problems of contact with their grandchildren. This is
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Why come all the way to the UK?
ONCE again in support for her pro asylum crusade, Mrs Lubin finds it necessary to vilify someone who dares to disagree with her. The victim this time is Mr John Utting (EA May 8). I would remind readers that this is the same Mrs Lubin who in spite of
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There's no comparison
anne Lubin claims that I said that most refugees live off the taxpayer. If she would read my letter again, I did not mention refugees once. What I said was that asylum seekers and failed asylum seekers are not allowed to work and therefore rely on benefits
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Why Easter moves around
THANK YOU for the moving picture of the crucifixion on your letters page May 7. Whilst there is a lot of historical baggage relating to why we date Easter in the way we do, the most ancient and apostolic custom was to keep it the same time as the Jewish
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Must be more important issues
I am writing to you concerning an article in your paper (Wednesday, May 7) regarding Mayor Derek Benfield. I must say I do not write an awful lot of letters, but I am absolutely appalled with the comments made by the incoming mayor, Mr Derek Benfield.
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People wanted to befriend the homeless
I refer to the article Homeless People Sent onto Streets (EA, Friday May 9) in which you write of my Friends (yes, capital F) Gordon, Melanie and Barbara. You quote a council official who gives the figure of 20 sleeping rough on our streets. May I assure
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Learning for the elite under tories
I COULD hardly believe my eyes when I saw that the Conservatives were proposing abolishing tuition fees for university students. For a minute I thought that the Tories had played the master stroke of moving to left thus leaving the Labour government stranded
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Hotel explosion man dodges jail
A man who blew up his hotel room in a failed suicide bid has escaped a jail term after admitting arson. Paul Benns caused the explosion at his room at The Pines Hotel in Chippenham when he put a cigarette lighter to a canister of butane gas. The force
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Mayor's role is a cut above
Veteran hairdresser Desna Allen, 55, hopes she is cut out for a challenging year in office as the new Mayor of Chippenham. Councillor Allen, of Minster Way, was formally appointed mayor at a ceremony in the town hall on Thursday. The former deputy mayor
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Paintwork ruined
Vandals caused more than £1000 of damage by scratching a Ford Fiesta, parked in Hill Rise, on Friday night. Anyone who may have seen the incident take place, is asked to contact Chippenham Police on (01249) 654422.
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Wizard of a prize for fans of Harry
A Chippenham book shop is offering Harry Potter fans a truly wizard day out. Ottakar's in Borough Parade is taking part in the Ottakar's Wizard Quest to find the brainiest junior wizard in Britain. The Chippenham heat of the quiz will be held in the Borough
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Mother, 20, in revenge attack
A CHIPPENHAM college student joined a gang of girls in a revenge attack on a Corsham woman which spiralled into street violence. Young mother Lucy Reaney joined three other gang members in an attack on the Weller Road flat of victim Julianne Rich. Prosecutor
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Emergency care plans
BLUEPRINTS outlining sweeping changes to health services in north Wiltshire are pointing towards the creation of a 24-hour emergency care centre in Chippenham. Kennet and North Wiltshire PCT released their action plan this week after months of consultation
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Bassett face local reunion
WOOTTON Bassett resume their rivalry with Wiltshire neighbours Devizes tomorrow after their neighbours gained promoted at the end of last season. Skipper Steve Twine will be hoping for another performance similar to the last time he bowled to the Devizes
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Will restores the balance
Swindon Captain Will Nichols makes two changes to the side narrowly beaten at Winget last week, as the County Ground welcomes local rivals Goatacre. Keeper Darren Beasant and off-spinner Mo Zohaib replace Richard Mason and Andy Reed, in a better balanced
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We want more cash for schools
NOBODY in the staff rooms of Swindon's schools is impressed by Government spin on budgets and education spending. Claims by Education Secretary Charles Clarke that the the council withheld £2.3 million which should be providing pupils with resources is
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Car break
Property worth a total of £2000 was stolen from a car in Devizes Road, Box overnight on Sunday. The thieves smashed a window and escaped with a Compac computer, a Christian Dior necklace, a Canon camera, a briefcase and a black suitcase.
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Corsham teens arson arrest
Two Corsham teenagers have been handed a police warning for setting fire to a Royal Mail postbox. The two boys, both 14, were arrested over the weekend by Corsham officers in relation to a suspected arson attack on a postbox in Valley Road. Both boys
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Libraries need more volunteers
LIBRARIES in Chippenham, Corsham and Box are looking for volunteers to help with their home delivery service. The service delivers books to people who have difficulty leaving their homes to visit the library. Volunteers are involved in selecting books
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Thousands flock to 18th steam rally
Thousands of visitors sampled life in the slow lane when Castle Combe race circuit played host to its annual two-day steam and vintage rally. Instead of cars hurtling around the Wiltshire track, steam engines set the pace at 4mph. The Steam and Vintage
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Parents go back to playgroup for day
NUMBERS topped the 100 mark when a Corsham playgroup opened its doors to children and their parents on Saturday. Mansion House Pre-School Playgroup in Pickwick Road looks after 99 three and four-year-olds. Pre-school manager Linda Beeho described Mansion
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Police campaign against boozers
POLICE chiefs in Corsham are launching a campaign to combat underage drinking after a gang of 30 students were caught boozing in a town underpass. Residents living near Valley Road were kept up by rowdy teenagers taking part in booze-fuelled end-of-school
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Rubbish held clue to tippers
Fly tippers who dumped rubbish in the local countryside could land up in court after papers with names and addresses were found in the pile. The Environment Agency is now investigating the evidence, after a member of the public discovered the heap of
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Maisy the Mouse
LIBRARIES in north Wiltshire are holding a number of fun events for children during half term. There will be a story time at Calne library on Thursday May 29 at 2.15pm based around the popular children's character Maisy the Mouse created by author Lucy
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Explorer takes on Atlantic again
EXPLORER David Hempleman-Adams admitted he was not the best of swimmers as he announced plans to cross the Atlantic solo in a hot air balloon. Next month, the adventurer from Box is preparing to cross the ocean in a traditional wicker basket. The 46-year-old
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Break-in at house
Burglars stole £140 of cash and goods from a house in Bath Road, Atworth, after breaking-in between 6.30pm Saturday and 10.45am Sunday.
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Handbag stolen
A shopper who left her handbag on a trolley in a supermarket car-park returned to the scene to find it missing. The 38-year-old woman left her black handbag on a trolley in Sainsbury's car park, Bath Road, between 9am and 10am Saturday. Up to £110 worth
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Drunken spree led to attack
A FORMER heroin addict who threw a bin used for storing heroin syringes at a police officer's head is facing a jail sentence. Ex-drug addict Robert Halesby picked up the needle bin while being booked in at Melksham police station on drink-driving charges
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Petition to keep home
MORE than 700 people have signed a petition against the closure of a care home in Melksham. Waverley House, which caters for people with learning difficulties, is expected to close by April next year under new proposals from Wiltshire County Council.
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Trowbridge Hospital
Last week's letter from R D Feltham pressing the case for a new Trowbridge Hospital prompts the following observations. First, I am surprised the public representatives of West Wiltshire Primary Care Trust (WWPCT) who have responsibility for community
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Staff swop desks for clicking castanets
GOSPEL choir singing, DJ-ing, flamenco dancing, sign language, scuba diving, Spanish and fencing were just some of the unusual activities on offer to employees at Nationwide's headquarters at Pipers Way, as part of the company's support for national Learning
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Watch out for those pitfalls
AWARENESS of the five fatal flaws of business could help Swindon firms avoid the pitfalls that potentially befall so many. That is the claim being made by the South West branch of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA). Recognising
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Pupils encouraged to walk to school
NEXT week is Walk to School Week and children throughout the county are being encouraged to take the healthy option. More than 100 schools in Wiltshire will be taking part in the initiative, which aims to promote alternatives to the school run. Bill Prendergast
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Debt could affect health services
HEALTH chiefs have dismissed claims a massive debt could threaten the level and quality of medical services in north and west Wiltshire. Last week North Bristol NHS Trust announced an end of year deficit of £44.3m, heightening fears the crisis could throw
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New bid to help carers
CARERS are to get a helping hand if they want to get back to work as part of a new initiative by Wiltshire County Council. As part of an ongoing initiative the council held a seminar on Thursday to raise awareness of the problems faced by those with the
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Leader to step down
THE leader of Wiltshire County Council's Liberal Democrats is to step down at the group's annual meeting on June 7. Cllr Paul Sample was first elected to the council in 1993. He is a former chairman of the libraries and heritage committee and was group
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Pupils to have six terms a year
SCHOOLCHILDREN in west Wiltshire will soon have six terms a year. This will not, however, mean the abolition of holidays, as the new structure will split the three-term arrangement into six equal portions. The new structure will start taking shape in
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Otters make a welcome return to county
OTTERS are returning to west Wiltshire after many years absence, according to a survey published this week. The National Otter Survey for England, produced by the Environment Agency and The Wildlife Trusts, revealed that one in five sites investigated
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Independent holds key to the future
GRANDFATHER of local politics Tony Phillips OBE holds the future of West Wiltshire District Council in his hands after being elected to the top job at the council. The Independent councillor, who has been a district councillor since the 1970s and was
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Working for a new future
MAY 16: IRAQ AFTER THE WAR: The latest Gulf conflict is the third major military operation that Corporal Ian Parry has been involved in. Corp Parry. who is stationed at RAF Lyneham with the UK Mobile Air Movements Squadron, also served in the first Gulf
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Shut windows
POLICE are warning people to keep ground floor windows shut at night after four homes in Warminster were burgled. APS Cowdrey of Warminster Police said: "Windows are being left open through negligence or because of warmer evenings." He said: "All the
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Prodigy wins three awards
CHILD prodigy Cecilia Sultana De Maria has won three awards for harp playing at a prestigious London music festival. Cecilia, 13, from Warminster, won the harp recital, harp solo and harp ensemble categories at the North London Festival of Music and Drama
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Necklace taken
A necklace was stolen from a Volkswagen Sharon people carrier after thieves broke into the vehicle by smashing a rear window.The car was targeted between 11.30pm Friday and 8am Saturday.
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Troupe appeals for funds
A NEWLY-FORMED majorette troupe need to raise thousands of pounds to buy uniforms if they are to fulfil their dreams of competing. Sapphire Majorettes started up in Warminster in March and already has 30 members. There is also a branch in Westbury with
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Youngsters hit out at wage cut
ANGRY paperboys and girls are due to picket a Warminster newsagent tomorrow after their wages were cut by 50 per cent. The group of eight, who are all aged under 16, have Sunday newspaper rounds with Balfour News in the Market Place. On Sunday their pay
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Heytesbury pip Seend to second spot
HEYTESBURY are Division One runners-up after Seend United just failed in their bid to capture top flight silverware for the first time in 47 years following a goalless draw against new champions Frome Town Sports. Barry Holloway's outfit had to extend
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Brave Lewis cannot enjoy the sunshine
A seven-year-old boy who suffers from a rare skin disease that stops him from going out in the sun, is appealing for help to find a cure. Lewis Eyers from Bradford on Avon, has Epidermolysis Bullosa a genetic skin disorder more commonly known as EB. If
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Search is scaled down
POLICE searching for missing Bradford on Avon woman, Melanie Hall have scaled down their investigation, after new leads brought them no closer to solving the mystery of her disappearance in June 1996. Melanie, then 25, went out with friends to Cadillacs
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Bradford school £70,000 in debt
PARENTS of children at St Laurence School, Bradford on Avon have been told the school will come through this year £70,000 in the red and that staff had to be cut to stop them slipping further into debt. Five teachers will be made redundant in a bid to
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New mayors receive their chains
NEW faces took the helm at west Wiltshire's five town councils this week with the hand over of the mayoral chains of office. Familiar face Glynn Bridges has once again taken on the role of Mayor of Trowbridge. He was mayor of the town for the 1998/1999
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Randle Williams in court
COMPUTER boss Randle Williams is set to appear before a Bristol judge on Wednesday for what could be the last time before he stands trial for his wife's murder. Williams, 43, is scheduled to appear at Bristol Crown Court for a pre-trial hearing aimed
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End of the role
On Tuesday I will finish my term as Mayor of Trowbridge. Without exception, this has been a wonderful experience and I consider myself honoured to have been trusted with this role. Throughout the term I have been warmly welcomed by an eclectic and dedicated
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Nursery nurse will miss you all
PLEASE may I use your pages to thank everyone for making my retirement from my post as nursery nurse at Trowbridge maternity such a wonderful time. Thank you everyone for the gifts, cake, poems, balloons, banners, etc, and a truly wonderful, unforgettable
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New solution offered
Further to my letter (Wiltshire Times April 4) about the Codford-Heytesbury Improvement, CPRE recently submitted a new Alternative Solution to this scheme (drawn up by a qualified civil engineer), which would have the effect of reducing accidents along
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Brothers celebrate Pete's brave battle
SWINDON LITERARY FESTIVAL: AN ACCLAIMED film about a man's struggle against cancer was this evening due to round off the penultimate day of the 10th Swindon Festival of Literature. Called More than a Life, the film could not be more poignant for festival
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Claims are being dealt with faster
HOUSING benefit claimants in Swindon are now receiving their cash much quicker following damning criticism of the council. New government figures show the authority has succeeded in cutting the average wait for people receiving their money after submitting
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Star Trek doc beams into town to meet fans
STAR Trek Voyager actor Robert Picardo who plays a hologram doctor has visited Swindon in the flesh. Around 2,000 fans flocked to see the actor during his short visit to the Infinitely Better shop in the Brunel Centre. It was Robert's first visit to the
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Plan for wind festival takes off
A WIND and sun family festival is being held on the site of a proposed wind farm at Watchfield. Farmer Adam Twine is hosting the event which will feature kite making, circus skills and a wind-powered recording studio. The festival is happening on Sunday
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See for yourself!
SWINDON Council's new education chief is set to demand a meeting with the Government over the funding crisis facing Swindon's schools. Coun Garry Perkins (Con, Shaw and Nine Elms), is set to be sworn in as the lead member for education today along with
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Payback time
A 16-YEAR-OLD boy has been told to pay £141 compensation to a Swindon pensioner after he was caught on camera hurling a paint can through her glass front door. Now she says she wants the youth to call round and apologise and clean up the paint he left
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Letters to go on show
A LETTER signed by Elizabeth I is one of the latest exhibits to go on show at the record office in Trowbridge. The letter, which summons Wiltshire aristocrat Edward Seymour, to a meeting to discuss Mary Queen of Scots, is one of several documents on show
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Church theft
A wallet was stolen from a member of a church congregation on Sunday. The thief walked out of a service at St James's Church, Church Street, Trowbridge on Sunday clutching the hymn books and a churchgoer's wallet. The wallet, containing cash and credit
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Working tirelessly for the community
MORE than 80 groups and individuals have been thanked for their contribution to life in Trowbridge. Certificates of appreciation were presented to the many people who work tirelessly for the good of the community at the Town Gathering in the Civic Hall
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Teacher on award shortlist
A Trowbridge teacher praised for developing a pioneering web design system has reached the final of a national education award. Neil Davies, who teaches at Wiltshire College is one of six hopefuls short-listed for the Outstanding Teacher/Trainer Award
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Picture phone swiped
A teenage clubber from Melksham had her £200 Sony camera phone stolen from her handbag while partying in Trowbridge Snooker Club. The brand-new phone was taken between midnight and 12.30am on Sunday.
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Students look into business
BUSINESS students are today presenting staff at Longleat's Center Parcs with the results of a year long study into their operations. The students produced the study as part of their VCE business course at Wiltshire College's Trowbridge campus. They have
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Accused of death threat
FIREMAN Denver Walton has reappeared before Trowbridge magistrates charged with making threats to kill. Walton, 37, a firefighter based at Trowbridge, is accused of threatening to kill a colleague in an incident at the Chicago Rock Caf in Park Road on
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Conference club seek talent
SWINDON College and Forest Green Rovers are looking for talented young footballers to join their joint Youth Academy venture. The scheme allows young soccer stars to play for The Conference club's youth team at the same time as following full-time studies
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Carp are tops in holiday contest
Wilts Angling Open match was fished at Todber Manor where weights were fairly even. Howard Carpenter of Trowbridge carried off top prize with a mixed catch of carp and skimmers weighing 34lb 10oz taken alternating with pole fished red maggots and sweetcorn
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Just two words: simply stunning
ALREADY heaped with accolades, the forthcoming Bentley Continental GT is the ultimate expression of modern classical mood. It manages to combine all the finest grand touring elements and Bentley craftsmanship with some of the most advanced technologies
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Price gap closes
CARBUYER: UK dealers are offering better deals on new cars while imports are becoming more expensive. Research from Carbuyer magazine shows the gap between the UK and Europe is closing but alternative sales channels still offer better value. The average
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Exclusively yours from VW
Volkswagen's new luxury saloon, the Phaeton, is to go on sale on June 16, with an on the road price starting at £42,905. It will initially be available with two petrol engines, a 3.2-litre V6 and the 6.0-litre W12. Unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show in
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The 'wild child' supermini
First details of the eagerly awaited Citron C2 reveal a three door supermini with distinctive style, strong road presence, innovative practicality, exceptional equipment and sporty appeal for the VTR version. It will go on sale towards the end of the
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Addicts urged to bin needles
HEROIN addicts in Swindon are to be given special bins in order to discard their used syringes. Drug needles littering the town's streets have been a growing problem. Last year Swindon Services staff picked up more than 5,500 discarded needles. Needles
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Can you help Willow take a walk on the wild side?
WILLOW the puppy has had a bad start to life but now dog rescuers have come to her aid. The seven-week-old lurcher suffers from a malformed knee, which needs an operation. Swindon-based Strictly Strays Medical and Rehoming Fund, which provides medical
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Shutting up shop for the last time
LOWER Minety has lost its last village shop. Both the shop and petrol sales business of Fairfield Garage have closed, and owner David Robinson says competition from supermarket chains is partly to blame. Mr Robinson, 56, took over the petrol forecourt
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Milkmen's special delivery
SWINDON CANCER APPEAL: A family of milkmen will be making an extra delivery in aid of the Swindon Cancer Appeal. Mark Robins, 41, has pledged his support for the fund, along with his brother Adrian, 43, and father Stanley, 75. The men will mark the Macmile
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Let's celebrate the best in town
A COMPETITION to find the best places in Swindon is being launched by the town's Civic Trust. People are being asked to nominate their favourite spots in a bid to boost local morale. Trust chairman John Monniot said: "Swindon is seldom regarded an exciting
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And then there were four
WHEN Leah McGill gave birth to twins last August, it was a pleasant surprise. But she was stunned when nine months later her sister Karen had her own set of twins. The family has no known history of twins, but both have become mothers of a boy and a girl
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Stunt duo set for film debut
MOTORCYCLE stunt duo Andy Hobbs and Kristian Duke from Swindon have been rubbing shoulders with the stars on the set of a new movie. Both Andy, 36, and Kristian, 29, the son of Swindon Speedway star Barry Duke, are part of the Over The Top motorcycle
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Couple jailed for stealing champagne and petrol
A COUPLE have been sent to prison after they were spotted stealing champagne to fund their heroin habits. Melanie Wynne and Wayne Hobbs also stole petrol from a supermarket garage. Swindon magistrates were told that 29-year-old Hobbs was also on a probation
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Art festival gives us something to think about
THE third annual Swindon Think Art Festival will be held next month. The event will feature a large exhibition by local artists in the Brunel Centre, more art displayed in pubs across the town and various art-themed family events, and will run from Thursday
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Young masterchefs cook up a real treat
STUDENTS pitted their culinary skills against one another to discover who were the best young chefs in town. Eight catering students at Swindon College teamed up in pairs, each of whom had to prepare a meal for two in 90 minutes. They were given a box
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Jetski plan is worry for residents
PLANS to use a lake in the Cotswold Water Park for Jetskis has caused concern among residents in Ashton Keynes. Nitrojet Action Sports Ltd in Love Lane, Cirencester, wants to use Lake 62 for a personal and watercraft members club and activities centre
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Thieves prey on kidney boy
TEENAGE kidney patient Ian Finnie has been dealt a cruel blow, after thieves stole his computer games while he was being treated for a life-threatening condition. More than £200 worth of computer games were stolen from the waiting room of Oxford's Churchill
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lake left lookinG like a battlefield
I refer to a letter from a Mr J Short, director, Swindon Services, (EA 22 April) referring to a letter from Mr Pearce (EA March 31) re the Shaftesbury Lakes project. Mr Pearce is quite correct in his observation, that the area did look like a WWI battlefield
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Runners-up for the sevens title
TROWBRIDGE finished runners-up in the West Wiltshire girls' sevens tournament at Bradford on Avon on Sunday. Bath side Avon finished winners of the tournament which attracted 10 girls' teams from Dorset and Gloucestershire as well as Wiltshire teams,
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Gym day is for research
WOMEN are being sought to take part in a 12-hour sponsored exercise session, to raise funds for research into osteoporosis. Women's Workout, the new women-only gymnasium in Foghamshire, Chippenham, will be staging the event on June 23. Entrants will tackle
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Libraries need more volunteers
LIBRARIES in Chippenham, Corsham and Box are looking for volunteers to help with their home delivery service. The service delivers books to people who have difficulty leaving their homes to visit the library. Volunteers are involved in selecting books
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Soldiers deny racist attack
TWO Chippenham-based soldiers accused of playing a part in a racist attack will face a crown court trial. Neil Barton, 28, and Colin Best, 22, who both serve in the 9 Supply Regiment based at Hullavington barracks, appeared before Chippenham magistrates
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Car damaged
Vandals caused £1,000 worth of damage to a Ford Escort parked in Hill Rise between 8.10pm Friday and 10.15am Saturday.
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Club aims to improve LandRover image
LANDROVERS have had a bad press recently, but a husband and wife team are hoping to change all that. Richard and Angela Dalton, of Patchway, Chippenham, launched the Chippenham Land-Rover Club to promote sensible driving and to give advice to vehicle
