Archive
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Fury at plan to fell trees
RESIDENTS in Slaughterford, in Chippenham, have raised a storm of protest over plans to cut down and thin protected trees at Dowding Paper Mill. Developer Countryside Properties, from Bristol, has applied to North Wiltshire District Council for permission
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New tenant to move in
SIX months after it underwent a £1.25million facelift, Bewley House, branded Chippenham's ugliest building, looks set to welcome its second tenant. So far, owners HPH Commercial Property, have only managed to attract one tenant facilities management company
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Declining bats get homes to call own
TWENTY new bat boxes are to be put up in secret locations in and around Chippenham in an effort to combat the decline of the flying mammals. Wiltshire is a bat hotspot, with 14 of the UK's bat species living in the county. But bats have experienced a
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Arsonist was trying to blow himself up
Paul Benns, who blew up his hotel room in a failed suicide bid, has escaped a jail term after admitting arson. 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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Vandal puts the blame on alcohol
TEENAGEER Daniel Wood blamed his acts of vandalism in Pewsham on his addiction to alcohol, a court heard. Wood, 18, of Redwing Avenue, Chippenham, pleaded guilty before Chippenham magistrates on Monday to two charges of criminal damage and one of theft
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Swindon worthy winners
After winning the toss Swindon Under 13 captain Paul Laggett elected to bat against West Wilts on a good pitch. Swindon openers Tucker and Ferkins started steadily and gradually increased the scoring rate and after 15 overs the score had moved on to 63
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Rod & Line - by Roland Batten
Three days of fishing ANGLERS are gearing themselves up for the annual Witherington Farm Fishery's three-day festival over this coming bank holiday weekend. Last Saturday anglers braved miserable conditions for a pre-festival match which was won by Salisbury
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Follow the artistic trail westwards
VISUAL arts and crafts, open studios, exhibitions, workshops and events, form a nine-day celebration starting on Saturday and based along the Wylye Valley. More than 170 artists are taking part in the Wylye Valley Art Trail, some from their homes, others
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Special memories galore, but no cup joy for Saints
FA CUP fever gripped Salisbury on Saturday as hundreds of football fans packed the city's pubs to watch Southampton's televised cup final showdown with Arsenal on large screens. Their team were beaten 1-0 in a tight game, but Saints fans were determined
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Events inside a tent
SALISBURY City stage three events this weekend in a specially erected marquee on the pitch at their Raymond Mc-Enhill Stad-ium. Friday eve-ning's dinner function, where former-Saints boss Lawrie Mc-Menemy is the special guest speaker, is followed on Sat-urday
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Sam lands title
YOUNG golfer Sam Elkins has added his name to the illustrious list of star golfers who have lifted the prestigious Wiltshire County Colts Matchplay title. The Fordingbridge youngster triumphed after a mammoth 90 holes of golf which began with the 18-hole
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NEW - Weird Forums
WE'VE added a great new forum to our popular Weird Wiltshire website. Now fans of the mysterious and unexplained can debate hot topics such as ghosts, crop circles and big cats. Click HERE for our new Weird Forums. Click HERE for Weird Wiltshire.co.uk
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NEW - Read announcements online
YOU can now view announcements for all our paid for newspapers on This is Wiltshire. This includes the Gazette and Herald, the Swindon Evening Advertiser, the Wiltshire Times and the Salisbury Journal. You can also book online for some of them. To view
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Public has the right to be informed
WHEN an interim Anti-Social Behaviour Order was imposed by Swindon Magistrates against 13-year-old Liam Walsh from Penhill, his representative in court argued that his name should be kept secret. The reason given was that the teenager was accused of "
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Call me captain
SWINDON'S Jaine Lock faces her proudest moment next week when she captains England's women on a rugby tour of South Africa. The former Swindon Supermarine player, who now plays her club rugby in Worcester, will lead out England A for the three-week tour
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Holiday show in Wild West
REVELLERS are already swinging into town to take part in the high noon antics at the Box Revels Wild West celebration this week. The Box Revels started on Tuesday and will be running through to bank holiday Monday with themed entertainment throughout
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New lease of life
EXTEND, the exercise class for the over 60s, has turned into such a success story that the group has moved to larger premises. Instructor Meryl Stephens, 63, who started the class in Chippenham four years ago, said its popularity had soared in recent
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Music treat in carnival style
THE sound of music echoed through the corridors of Corsham County Primary School recently when the Carnival Band arrived for its annual workshop. Children from year five were treated to a lively day of music, drama and dancing from the nationally recognised
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Bid to deal with anger of the school arsonists
Arson is becoming an increasing problem and schools in particular have been targeted, resulting in thousands of pounds of damage. Now there is a combined effort to tackle the problem. EMMA PEARSON investigates. TEACHERS, firefighters and police are working
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Newly weds enjoy an emotional reunion
ARMY couple Andy and Alex Dutton, who married just a week before he flew out to the Gulf, have been reunited at their home in Colerne, after three months apart. Staff Sgt Dutton, 36, arrived back at at Azimghur Barracks last Tuesday, after serving with
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Caravan family wins appeal to stay on at village camp
A HARD-FOUGHT battle between Kington St Michael Parish Council and the Stinchcombe family, who live in a caravan on the outskirts of the village, reached a climax last week, when an appeal hearing ruled in favour of the family. The three generations of
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Mum and baby in crash ordeal
BIDDESTONE: A 33-year-old mother was trapped in her car for two hours after she was in collision with a tractor on the A420 on Monday. The woman and her one-year-old baby boy, who were from Christian Malford, were in a blue Ford Focus when the crash happened
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Plan to cap allowances
Plans to cap North Wiltshire District councillors' allowances to £12,000 a year each will be given to an independent panel for consideration. Coun Toby Sturgis made the proposal at a meeting of the full council on Tuesday, following a decision to increase
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Farmers dump dead animals in ditch
Farmers in North Wiltshire are dumping carcasses in ditches and leaving them to rot to avoid paying a disposal charge. Trading Standards officers have been called out to deal with eight illegally dumped animals in the area in the last week alone. Steve
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Prince's flying visit
THE 621 Volunteer Gliding School, which celebrates its 60th anniversary this year, is flying high after a visit from former air cadet Prince Andrew. The squadron had a surprise for the Prince, who served as a helicopter pilot in the Royal Navy, when they
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Head says well done
Headteacher Judith Plante Cleall has congratulated staff and students after Pewsey Vale School received a School Achievement Award from the Minister for School Standards.
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"Great honour" to be chairman, says councillor
LAVERSTOCK councillor Frank Bissington is the new chairman of Salisbury district council. He was elected to the office, in succession to Cllr Margaret Peach, at Monday night's annual meeting of the council. Like Mrs Peach, Mr Bissington is a Conservative
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Public debate urged over stadium plans
CHIPPENHAM Football Club has taken the next step in its quest to build a new 6,000-seater stadium on land at Forest Farm, near Pewsham. Last week, the club made a request to North Wiltshire District Council to amend the Local Plan, which sets out what
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Scheme for staff
THE owners of small businesses will be invited to a meeting in the next few weeks to find out how staff training can help their businesses to thrive. Business Link Berkshire and Wiltshire is implementing the Government's Workforce Development Advisory
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Paperback appeal
The Oxfam shop is appealing for books in a good saleable condition, particularly paperbacks, but all books are welcome. They should be brought to the shop on the High Street or the Oxfam book bank in Station Yard.
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How to curb boy racers
TRAFFIC lights, humps or do nothing were the options available to curb the dangers to pedestrians on Bristol Street, Malmesbury. At two meetings held last Wednesday and Thursday more than 50 people turned out to listen to the arguments for each option
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Drugs seized in raid on flat
CANNABIS and hundreds of suspected ecstasy tablets, worth £1,200 were seized in a drugs raid on a home in Malmesbury High Street on Friday night. Ten police officers, acting on a tip-off raided a flat above opticians Haine and Smith at 8pm. Now Sergeant
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Police in alert over solvent abusers
POLICE say teenagers as young as 13 are risking their lives with the potentially deadly craze of sniffing gas lighter fluid. Officers in Malmesbury have received reports in the last three weeks that youngsters are inhaling vapours from lighter fluid openly
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Not quite time to celebrate
DETAILS of services to be provided at cottage hospitals in Kennet and North Wiltshire in the future have finally been published. The long-awaited report by the health trust still has to be approved but it now seems likely that both Devizes and Malmesbury
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Tasker puts pressure on struggling Purton
WILTSHIRE CRICKET LEAGUE: ANOTHER cold, wet, miserable Saturday took its toll on the Wiltshire League, with more than half the matches either cancelled or abandoned at tea. Even so there was enough cricket played to produce a tie, two hat-tricks and a
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Bowler is signed up by county outfit
YOUNG bowler Tom Stayt has achieved the first part of his cricketing dream after being handed a professional contract by Gloucestershire. The 17-year-old right arm fast bowler, from Great Cheverell, will start a two-year summer contract on completion
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Cricketer joins in charity fun event
England women's cricketer Charlotte Edwards will join Staff at Innogy in Swindon for ChildLine Day. Innogy, whose customer relations arm, npower, sponsors men's and women's test cricket, will raise cash for children with a number of fun cricket activities
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Expertise 2003 should have answers for SMEs
A major, one-day business event which aims to help SMEs grow and overcome their operational problems is due to take place in Swindon on June 26. And better still, it's free. The Expertise 2003 exhibition is being supported by Swindon Chamber of Commerce
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On target for a million tests
JUST to prove that you can have your cake and eat it too, the Swindon-based British Computer Society commissioned this PC look-a-like pastry to celebrate five years of providing its IT qualification to employers nationwide. The giant computer-shaped cake
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Wildlife park hopes dashed
A MASSIVE blow has been dealt to hopes of turning part of the old RAF munitions depot at Chilmark into a wildlife and nature conservation area. This came when it was announced this week that, after four years of talks, the south-west regional development
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Orienteers triumph
SARUM Orienteers enjoyed a successful trip to Sheffield at the weekend for the two-day British Championships. The individual races were staged at Wharncliffe Wood on Saturday, with the relays at Greno Woods on Sunday. The Individual courses covered areas
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A stylish boost for charity
A GIRLS' night out at Wootton Bassett Memorial Hall raised more than £1,124 for Break-through Breast Cancer in Wiltshire. A packed audience enjoyed a fashion show of ballgowns and evening outfits by Hilary Evett, of Dressed for the Occasion, hats by Veronica
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Tennis - Plum draw after cup success
SALISBURY'S Over 40 ladies have landed a plum tie in the third round of the National Inter Club Veterans Championship after a battling victory over West Hants at Harnham. Next up will be either the Queen's Club team from London, or George's Hill, Weybridge
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Families urged to keep plots uniform
RELATIVES of people buried in Wootton Bassett cemetery are being told to make sure their plots don't look out of place. In the latest drive to ensure all the graves in the graveyard are of uniform appearance, Wootton Basset Town Council has attached letters
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Newly weds enjoy an emotional reunion
MAY 22: ARMY couple Andy and Alex Dutton, who married just a week before he flew out to the Gulf, have been reunited at their home in Colerne, after three months apart. Staff Sgt Dutton, 36, arrived back at at Azimghur Barracks last Tuesday, after serving
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Third recycling centre now open
A NEW household rubbish recycling centre has opened near Calne as part of Wiltshire County Council's strategy to increase recycling and reduce the use of landfill sites. The centre was built by the county's waste disposal contractors Hills Waste and is
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Hospital set to open a special new unit
The new emergency department at Bath's Royal United Hospital will open its doors on June 4 at 7am. David Watson, the lead clinician for emergency services, said: "We are delighted that we will soon be opening our new department. "Over the past few years
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It's sofa so good for new recycling charity
A new furniture recycling scheme is going from strength to strength. Reporter SARAH SINGLETON looks at how it is helping families on low incomes as well as easing the pressure on landfill sites. THE Waste Not Want Not furniture recycling scheme is doing
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Poetry and pictures
Peterborough-based publishers Poetry Now are looking for poets in Wiltshire for their 14th series of regional anthologies. Poems must be original, previously unpublished and no longer than 30 lines in length. You can also submit a scenic photograph of
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Farmers warned to cut down pollution
The Environment Agency is appealing to farmers to take extra care to minimise the risk of pollution when making silage this year. They say that silage effluent is up to 200 times more polluting than raw sewage, and they are asking farmers to check their
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Youngsters shine in tournament
YOUTH FOOTBALL: SATURDAY showers could not dampen the enthusiasm of hundreds of young footballers as FC Chippenham Youth staged their annual six-a-side tournament at Westmead Playing Fields. The event once again lived up to its reputation as one of the
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Kennedy leads Devizes spree
YOUTH FOOTBALL: DEVIZES Town Youth went goal crazy in their home match against Amesbury Juniors in under 16s Red Division of the Wiltshire Times and Chippenham News Mid-Wilts Youth and Minor League. After falling behind early on, Devizes hit back to claim
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New boss aims to restore the pride
DAVE Hopkins is looking to bring some local pride back to Devizes Town after securing the manager's position at Nursteed Road on a permanent basis. The long-serving defender, 30, was handed control of first team by chairman Chris Belcher affairs after
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Rethink on unit hours
HEALTH chief have done a U-turn on plans to extend the opening hours of the minor injuries unit at Savernake Hospital to 24-hour coverage. The proposal to extend the unit to a round the clock service was contained in a blueprint for change issued by the
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Scouts deny danger claim
SCOUTS who were trying to do a good deed by clearing rubbish from the River Kennet in Marlborough upset nesting birds, claims naturalist Linda Harris. Miss Harris, whose George Lane home backs onto the river, said the sound of the boys and girls splashing
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Cricketer joins in charity fun event
England women's cricketer Charlotte Edwards will join Staff at Innogy in Swindon for ChildLine Day. Innogy, whose customer relations arm, npower, sponsors men's and women's test cricket, will raise cash for children with a number of fun cricket activities
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Scientists will see red
EUROPE'S first mission to another planet will blast off on June 2 - with the specialist help of a Swindon organisation. The Government's North Star-based Particle Physics and Astronomy Research Council has made an extensive contribution to the Beagle
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'For many children it was like a second home'
WALCOT BOYS CLUB REUNION: FORMER members of the Walcot Boys Club were transported back to their youth at a reunion attended by founder mem-bers. More than 150 people came to the reunion at the Supermarine Club in South Marston. One of the event's organisers
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The boys are back in town
WALCOT BOYS CLUB REUNION: FORMER members of the Walcot Boys Club were transported back to their youth at a reunion attended by founder members. More than 150 people came to the reunion at the Supermarine Club in South Marston. One of the event's organisers
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Banned
This is Liam Walsh. He may only be 13 but it is claimed he turned parts of Penhill into no-go zones. The courts have ruled he must stay away from areas of the community. If you see him where he shouldn't be, ring police on 528111. A TEENAGER alleged to
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Age is no barrier for fearless fundraiser
OCTOGENARIAN Ron Crawford proved he had a head for heights on Saturday, when he abseiled 80ft from the roof of Salisbury College. He was one of about 180 people who took part in the event, which was held on Saturday and Sunday in aid of the Royal National
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One-stop shop plans are afoot
AMESBURY'S new one-stop shop will take a step closer to reality later this month. Town councillor Dennis Brown, who is also the portfolio holder for transport and the environment on Salisbury district council, said plans for the building had now been
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Mayor marks 27 years in local politics
ALLAN Peach was appointed mayor of Amesbury at the town council meeting last week, marking his 27th year in local politics. Mr Peach, of Holders Road, who is married with two grown-up children, has been a conservative member of Amesbury town council since
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Rare lichens flourish at Stonehenge
INTERNATIONALLY renowned ecologists visited Stonehenge last week to conduct the first-ever comprehensive survey on the rare lichens that grow there. A survey was carried out in 1994, which revealed 79 species of lichen, but ecologists were keen to re-examine
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Crash victim tells of continuing trauma
ROAD accident victim Lisa Straker, of Calne, has spoken of her fight to regain her health after a horrific crash caused by Swindon man Matthew Jones. Jones was jailed for four months on Monday after pleading guilty to dangerous driving. Mrs Straker was
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Wiltshire School's England honour
MELKSHAM'S Wiltshire School of Gymnastics will host the English Championships on June 7/8 . The championship will boast a field of 20 men and 90 women gymnasts. Saturday's event for Men starts at 3.10pm and concludes at 6.30pm. And Sunday's event for
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Plea for help with cubs after cull plans
A wildlife conservation group has called for help to look after badger cubs whose parents could perish in a cull due to start in Devizes in the next few days. The cull is taking place as part of whats is known as the Krebs Trials, to determine whether
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Show picks out gems from royal heritage
JUNE: AN exhibition chronicling three centuries of royal occasions in Wiltshire is visiting Devizes Library in June. The touring exhibition, which was launched in October, gives an insight into how royal jubilees and coronations have been celebrated from
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New hope for recycling unit
DEVIZES' long-awaited recycling centre could finally be in sight if Wiltshire County Council's ruling cabinet gives the green light today to the purchase of land on Hopton Industrial Estate. The first scheme for a recycling centre at Hopton was dropped
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High note for school as choir returns
SWINDON'S renowned Kentwood Choir is returning to Marlborough to give another fundraising concert in aid of a village school. Last summer the choir, led by its founder Sheila Harrod, won a standing ovation for its thrilling performance in St John's Church
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Dog attack lands £81 bill
DEVIZES grandmother Jenny Otridge has appealed to a dog owner's better nature after her dog was attacked and injured by his Alsatian cross, which left her with a stiff vet's bill. Mrs Otridge, from Addington Close, was walking her three-year-old mongrel
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Ugandan bishop visits
Bishop Jackson Tembo, the newly appointed Bishop of Kasese in Uganda, is visiting Devizes with his wife, Dorothy. The couple arrive in the town on Sunday and the Bishop will join worshippers at St John's Church in Long Street.
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Major surprise
Bell ringers rang a Doberian Surprise Major peal of 5,120 changes at St Mary's Church, Marlborough, on Saturday to celebrate the golden wedding of their tower ringing colleague Donald Lee and his wife Bernice who live in Poulton Crescent.
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Veteran bows out
Ray Harley has stood down after 46 years on Marlborough's youth committee, the last 25 years as its chairman. Father-of-two Mr Harley, now a grandfather, said: "I have been on the committee for more than 45 years so I thought it really was time I came
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Jade and major in wife swap show
The village of Easterton, near Devizes, has become used to being in the media spotlight thanks to quiz show cheat Charles Ingram, but now a new twist has been added with the arrival of Big Brother's Jade Goody for a celebrity version of the TV programme
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Trust intervenes on homes bid
MEMBERS of Marlborough Development Trust are opposing plans to convert a business training centre into homes. This decision to object to change of use plans for the former Savernake Forest Hotel was the first time the trust, a non elected group, had become
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Store tops up charity cash
STAFF at the Woolworth store in Marlborough have presented £400 to Charlotte's Chance of Life Fund. The appeal was set up to help nine-year-old Charlotte Wakeham, from Westbury, who was diagnosed with an incurable brain tumour a year ago. Charlotte's
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Family is saved from blaze by neighbours
A family were completely unaware their home in Marlborough was on fire until a neighbour vaulted their fence to tell them. Rosemary and Conrad Lohr were downstairs at their London Road home on Sunday evening when neighbour Mark Shire burst in and shouted
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Learning lessons from ancient times
A SPECIAL school went back in time as pupils learnt the art of stone age pottery. Craftsman Eddie Daughton spent three days at Nyland Special School in Nyland Road, where he dug a stone age kiln in the school grounds. The pupils each made pots in art
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Duty neglected
A number of issues arise from the recent revelation of a substantial increase in the salary of Mark Boden. Of principle concern to all members of the community must be the actions of the elected members of the council who, apparently, rubber-stamped the
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Questions asked
I FIND it extraordinary that we readily accept the increase of approximately 15 per cent in the council tax for this year, on top of 8.2 per cent last year, well above the cost of living index, and no questions are asked, Somebody must be held responsible
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Services must stay accessible to us all
THREATS to the Devizes Hospital, forcing patients to travel to Chippenham, is part of a larger pattern emerging within the last ten years, the systematic asset stripping of Wiltshire in favour of greater Swindon, which includes Chippenham. First the Wiltshire
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Skateboard plan worth a thought
The question of skate boarding facilities for the youth of Devizes lumbers on unresolved. Wouldn't it be great if someone in authority took this issue by the horns and committed to a decision to get this much needed facility up and running as soon as
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200 jobs could be created if plan is passed
MORE than 200 jobs could be created if plans to transform the former EMI factory in Swindon are approved. Plans submitted to Swindon Council by Marko Self Service Wholesalers, would turn the 3.3 hectare site into a cash and carry warehouse, selling food
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Why the silence?
I ENTIRELY agree your opinion column on Kennet chief executive's pay rise. Why must it be kept quiet? No doubt the job is a big administrative responsibility, but then so is the skill to remain solvent, year after year the council has a deficit. We are
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Just the job for pupils to experience work
BRICKLAYING, website design and building a Formula 1 car were just three of the jobs young people got to try out at a two day exhibition. World of Work was run by the Swindon and Wiltshire Learning and Skills Council and gave secondary school pupils aged
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Role play to beat bogus callers
POLICE have developed a role-play exercise to raise awareness about bogus callers. Officers from the Cricklade and Wootton Bassett Community Safety Partnership organised an evening on stage in front of the Cricklade Women's Institute. Members of the audience
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Thanks for cash
May I please thank everyone who has sponsored me for the eradication of polio. I raised £225 growing a beard. I am a Rotarian and my organisation, comprising one and a half million members throughout the world, has worked hard to get every child in the
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Skateboarders will be brought up short
A PLAN to stop skateboarders disrupting town centre shopping has been launched in New Bridge Square. But a borough councillor says this is more evidence that Swindon needs a "safe and challenging" skate park for young people to use. Zurich Financial Services
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Unfair to English
I AGREE with Sir Leslie Loader (letters, May 15) that it is unfair to the English that Welsh and Scottish MPs can vote on English matters, while such matters for Wales and Scotland are dealt with by devolved assemblies. But the far greater injustice suffered
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Rare lichens flourish at Stonehenge
INTERNATIONALLY renowned ecologists visited Stonehenge last week to conduct the first-ever comprehensive survey on the rare lichens that grow there. A survey was carried out in 1994, which revealed 79 species of lichen, but ecologists were keen to re-examine
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Advertiser journalists gear up for awards night
TRADITIONAL rivalries will be temporarily put to one side as journalists from throughout the region gather at the Goddard Arms Hotel in Old Town tonight for the inaugural Wiltshire Media Awards. Prizes will be given in eight categories covering a range
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Loyalty is rewarded by seat in cabinet
LOYALTY was rewarded by triumphant Tories when they reappointed Independent group leader Ted Draper to their Salisbury district council cabinet this week. Even though the Conservatives now have a clear seven-seat majority following their election gains
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Walk-in thieves grab concert tickets worth £11,000
CONCERT tickets worth nearly £11,000 were stolen in a daring theft from a music shop in Salisbury on Monday. Two men went into Stand-Out, in Fisherton Street, at 3.25pm and, while one distracted the assistant, the other dashed behind the counter and grabbed
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Families urged to keep plots uniform
RELATIVES of people buried in Wootton Bassett cemetery are being told to make sure their plots don't look out of place. In the latest drive to ensure all the graves in the graveyard are of uniform appearance, Wootton Basset Town Council has attached letters
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Government's true view on devolution
WITH regard to Richard Pierce's letter (May 15) I do wish people would get hold of the real facts before they write such nonsense. To quote the interim report of the Royal Society for the Encouragement of Arts, Manufacture and Commerce, chaired by Sir
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Police honour citizen
A VICTIM of a distraction burglary who went on to warn others about the crime and its devastating affects has been presented with an award by Wiltshire Chief Constable Dame Elizabeth Neville. Jean Cox, of Landford, became one of dozens of victims of the
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Tourists are not shown all town's rich heritage
FIRED by a single comment I overheard while waiting for attention from an assistant, I felt compelled to write and put matters straight. The comment was "Chippenham doesn't have much to offer, just the Heritage Centre." Where was I? I was in the Tourist
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Bags mixed up
THE head of Swindon Services, John Short, is quick to jump to the defence of his employees, when they are criticised by disgruntled council tax payers... and rightly so since I believe that, in general, they give good value for money. There is one matter
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This is crazy
I now read that a burglar can, when injured while carrying out his trade, go on to Legal Aid to pursue his chosen client for compensation due to injuries received and consequent loss of wages caused by the injuries received while working on one of his
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Twinning exercise is just waste of taxpayers' money
Swindon Borough Council are at it again with a twinning visit to the city of Torun in Poland costing the rate payers thousands of pounds. This is only the more obvious figure and I would suggest that the true cost in time will be many times this, caused
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Tony Blair gives pen for school auction
DONATIONS are continuing to pour in for an auction to benefit the children of St Nicholas Special Needs School in Chippenham including a giant fluffy pink pig. St Nicholas is planning the event as part of the fundraising for a new £50,000 wheelchair-friendly
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Playtime goes with a swing
CHILDREN have been swinging for joy after a new £22,000 play area was opened in Kington St Michael, near Chippenham, Villagers have been working hard over the last four years to raise funds for the new equipment, and the Recreation Field Working Group
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It's sofa so good for new recycling charity
A new furniture recycling scheme is going from strength to strength. Reporter SARAH SINGLETON looks at how it is helping families on low incomes as well as easing the pressure on landfill sites. THE Waste Not Want Not furniture recycling scheme is doing
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No longer in the pink?
CHIPPENHAM'S Neeld Hall could be set for a facelift, with new paintwork on the side doors and windows of the 19th century Grade II listed building. The former pink colour will be replaced with a sage and moss colour. North Wiltshire District Council's
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Petition on rural homes
DAUNTSEY: A plan to build up to 23 new homes on land at Great Middle Green Farm has raised a storm of protest. More than 20 letters of objection and a petition have been submitted, complaining the development was excessive for a small village and could
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Image looks good
The Corsham screen printing firm Image Factory will be creating 20 more jobs when it relocates to Bumpers Farm, Chippenham, to a building which is double the size of its present premises.
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Ham-mer blow
Food processing company Hygrade, based at Corsham and Chippenham, has lost its six-year battle to process Parma ham, following a challenge by an Italian Parma ham trade consortium. European judges have ruled that the ham must be packed and sliced in Parma
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Man on assault charge
Damian Anstee, 27, of Palmer Street, Chippenham, has been remanded in custody for psychiatric reports after pleading guilty to affray and two assaults in the town. He admitted charges of affray, wounding with intent and causing grievous bodily harm on
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Public debate urged over stadium plans
CHIPPENHAM Football Club has taken the next step in its quest to build a new 6,000-seater stadium on land at Forest Farm, near Pewsham. Last week, the club made a request to North Wiltshire District Council to amend the Local Plan, which sets out what
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Quick on draw
A pick-pocket is suspected of stealing the wallet of a man who bought petrol at Chippenham's Safeway store at 7.40am on on Wednesday. The man filled his car and paid for his fuel, but a credit card company later called him to say several cash withdrawals
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Assault on guard
CHIPPENHAM Police are appealing for witnesses after a security guard was punched in the face at Greenways Ambulance Training College. The assault took place at around 3.20am on Thursday at the Malmesbury Road centre, after the guard asked a man, aged
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New lease of life
EXTEND, the exercise class for the over 60s, has turned into such a success story that the group has moved to larger premises. Instructor Meryl Stephens, 63, who started the class in Chippenham four years ago, said its popularity had soared in recent
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Plea over baby-face attacker
POLICE are hunting a baby-faced attacker who pounced on a 20-year-old woman in an alleyway. The victim, who lives in Chippenham, was grabbed from behind at around 2.20am on Sunday, May 18, as she took a short cut home through the alleyway between Station
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Fire rescue twins hailed
Twins Michael and John Brown have been praised for their bravery after they helped rescue a neighbour from his smoke-filled flat when fire broke out in the kitchen. Friends paid tribute to the courage and clear thinking of the twins, after the incident
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Nurses chatted as mum lay dead
Melony Elder was horrified when she found her mother dead in a hospital bed after nurses failed to notice she had passed away. Mrs Elder, of Wicks Drive, Chippenham, says she is struggling to come to terms with the indignity of her mother's death and
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County call-up for Amesbury pair
AMESBURY duo Mike Tyler and Terry Spreadbury have been named in the Wiltshire Bowls Association's team which faces Hampshire in the final Middleton Cup trial at Wootton Bassett on Sunday. The pair's Amesbury team mate Mick Crook is also named as a reserve
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All revved up for a weekend of top class motorsport
MINIS are the big attraction at Castle Combe circuit on bank holiday Monday as part of a bumper weekend of motor sport. The little cars line up on the grid for qualifying at 8.35am, with racing getting underway at 1pm. Traditional Miglias and Se7ens are
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Master Robbie wins for Mick
FORTY-eight hours before heading to Cardiff to see his beloved Southampton FC in the FA Cup Final, former Saint Mick Channon was proving he is still a winner when Master Robbie - the 16/1 shot trained by the footballer-turned-race horse supremo at his
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A slice of luck at last for hockey club
SALISBURY Hockey Club's men's first team's battle with relegation is finally over. Almost two months since the season closed, the Skew Bridge-based outfit this week learned they had survived the drop. After narrowly avoiding the two automatic relegation
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Pots full of talent
WHEN I met Josephine Blackwell, the woman who single-handedly transformed a neglected Fordingbridge farm into a thriving enterprise, I was taken aback by her gentleness and calm. She was certainly not the strapping and robust woman I was expecting to
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George steps down as Heath chairman
BEMERTON Heath Harle-quins this week named Salisbury businessman Eddie Boswell as its new chairman after club stalwart George Parker stepped down from the position he had held for more than 18 years. Parker, who has been connected with the club for 50
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Let's find the real culprits
ALTHOUGH some people are asking why more was not done to prevent the Locarno fire, we should all make sure we have our facts straight first. And whatever happens, when the time comes to point the finger of blame, it should be pointed at those who started
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Corsham news in brief
A CFR Expert Giant racing bike, worth £800, was stolen from the back of a house in Silver Street, Gastard, between Monday and Tuesday. A blue Vauxhall Frontera car, valued at around £8,000 was stolen from the forecourt of Pickwick Motors on the Park Lane
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Just room for one more
The parish council wants to co-opt one member after only 12 people were nominated for 13 seats in the local elections. Those interested should write to the council giving brief reasons why they are applying. The deadline is noon on June 26.
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Pooping a scoop to be best village
The best kept village competition will be judged this month and the parish council wants the village to look its best. So it has provided poop bags free to dog owners, and the the Fox and Hounds pub agreed to put up sponsorship. The bags are available
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Protest over pavilion
CORSHAM bowls club has applied for planning permission to build a new pavilion in Station Road. The town council has objected to the scheme because it fears the proposed materials do not blend in with the surrounding buildings. Four residents have complained
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Image looks good
The Corsham screen printing firm Image Factory will be creating 20 more jobs when it relocates to Bumpers Farm, Chippenham, to a building which is double the size of its present premises.
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Funeral pall found in attic
THREE needlework students have carefully conserved a 300-year-old funeral pall used to cover the coffins of women living in the Corsham Almshouses. The pall was discovered by Corsham Court owner James Methuen Campbell in his attic. Anne Aust, trustee
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Ham-mer blow
Food processing company Hygrade, based at Corsham and Chippenham, has lost its six-year battle to process Parma ham, following a challenge by an Italian Parma ham trade consortium. European judges have ruled that the ham must be packed and sliced in Parma
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Headline acts for popular festival
CORSHAM Festival 2003 promises a very diverse range of musical performances, from first class artists. The festival runs from June 21 to 28, and the new programme boasts prestigious acts, including the multi -media show from Ensemble X Jordan Town named
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Volunteers deliver books
LIBRARIES in north Wiltshire are looking for volunteers to help with a home delivery service for readers in Chippenham, Malmesbury and Corsham. The service delivers books to people who have difficulty leaving their homes to visit the library. Volunteers
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Battling doctor is a man of many talents
Controversial Chippenham GP Barney Williams has been conducting a one-man war against health service bosses which has gone to Ministerial level. SARAH SINGLETON looks at the man behind the protest. CHIPPENHAM GP Dr Barney Williams has warned patients
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New help for people with health problems
THOSE suffering with long-term health conditions, such as asthma, diabetes, arthritis, HIV, multiple sclerosis and ME, are being invited to become tutors giving support to others with chronic conditions. The invitation comes from Kennet and North Wiltshire
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Airfield plan angers locals
A PLAN to extend activities at Kemble Airfield has angered residents in nearby villages who are worried about increased noise. Airfield representatives have denied claims that an application to use the airfield for driving training and testing and corporate
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MP's son tells inquest pal 'dived' from club balcony
The son of North Wiltshire MP James Gray watched helplessly as his friend 'dived' to his death from a balcony at a London club, wearing only his boxer shorts, an inquest heard on Wednesday. John Gray, 18, had gone with Giles Norman , 19, of London, to
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Mystery as blast rocks pillar box
Bomb squad officers have been consulted by police after an explosion blasted open the doors of the post box outside Pewsey Post Office late on Friday. There was a second mysterious incident at the same time that caused smoke to billow from a bottle bank
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Ham-mer blow
Food processing company Hygrade, based at Corsham and Chippenham, has lost its six-year battle to process Parma ham, following a challenge by an Italian Parma ham trade consortium. European judges have ruled that the ham must be packed and sliced in Parma
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Image looks good
The Corsham screen printing firm Image Factory will be creating 20 more jobs when it relocates to Bumpers Farm, Chippenham, to a building which is double the size of its present premises.
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Connecting business
The Kennet branch of the Federation of Small Businesses is holding a networking dinner for traders at the golf club on June 4 at 7.30pm.
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Scouts take over hall
MALMESBURY Scout group has taken over ownership of St Mary's Hall in a special handover ceremony held last week. The group is to use the building as their headquarters and are also looking for new leaders. Anybody interested can phone Mike Westmacott
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War and peace talk
The Wiltshire Family History Society will meet on Wednesday May 28 at 7.30 pm in Malmesbury library for a talk entitled Guernsey in War and Peace by Peter Taylor. All welcome, no charge. Call (01666) 823982 for details.
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Challenge to young people
NEW Malmesbury Mayor Charles Vernon has challenged youth of the town to stand up and be counted. Speaking after he was installed as Malmesbury's 118th Mayor last week, he said he wanted to help youngsters. "I would like the youngsters to step three paces
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Returning Gulf hero says thanks for mail
WAR hero Damien Slater visited Malmesbury Primary School on Monday to thank children who wrote to him while he fought in Iraq. Bombardier Slater, 28, has just returned from fighting in Iraq with the 7th Parachute Regiment of the Royal Horse Artillery.
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Ready for the fair
MALMESBURY'S Market Cross will be closed to traffic between 9am and 3pm on Saturday for the St Aldhelm's Fair. There will be craft tables and charity stalls. From 10am to noon there will be entertainment from the Jazz Giants and there will be music from
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Bridge is damaged
Serious damage was caused to St John's Bridge in Malmesbury at 10.30am on Sunday when a woman lost control of her car and the back end hit the bridge. The woman was treated for shock. Cost of the damage is still being assessed. A spokesman for Wiltshire
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Lions club is forced to close
MALMESBURY Lions have had to close down after almost 30 years because of a lack of members. The club, part of Lions International, was officially closed last Wednesday after raising money for charities since 1976. The branch which has just six members
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MP's son watched friend die, inquest told
The son of North Wiltshire MP James Gray watched helplessly as his friend dived to his death from a balcony at a London club, wearing only his boxer shorts, an inquest heard yesterday. John Gray, 18, had gone with Giles Norman,19, of London, to the Ocean
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Children help save planet
CHILDREN at all Malmesbury's Schools did their bit to save the planet for future generations last week. Showing the adults how it's done, the children from St Joseph's Primary School, Malmesbury School, Burton Hill House School and Malmesbury Primary
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Airfield plan angers locals
A PLAN to extend activities at Kemble Airfield has angered residents in nearby villages who are worried about increased noise. Airfield representatives have denied claims that an application to use the airfield for driving training and testing and corporate
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HOSPITALS UNDER THREAT: Health trust in hospital U-turn
CAMPAIGNERS believe they have won the battle to keep Malmesbury Hospital open. It was feared the hospital would close and become little more than a glorified old people's home and doctors' surgery but plans just released show it will become a flagship
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Devizes 2nd v Wootton Bassett 2nd
DEVIZES 2nd dodged the showers and made light work of disposing of Wootton Bassett 2nd on Saturday. Having been beaten by Trowbridge in a low scoring game the week before, it was important that Devizes made a strong start and an opening partnership of
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Skipper leads victory bid
YOUTH CRICKET: CHIPPENHAM'S U13 and U15 teams have both made promising starts to the Bath and District League, each winning their opening two fixtures. The U13s bowled out Bradford for just 28 in their opening game, with Liam Dawson taking three wickets
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Wiltshire bowlers are put to the sword
WILTSHIRE completed their programme of warm-up matches for the season with games against Hampshire 2nd XI at the Rose Bowl on Wednesday and against Dorset at Dean Park, Bournemouth on Sunday. Against Hampshire 2nds Wiltshire won the toss and put the home
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Youngsters make good start to new season
YOUTH CRICKET: THE North Wilts Junior Cricket has been expanded this year and now consists of eight sides at U11, ten teams at U13 and eight teams at U15. Biddestone, Calne, Cannings, Chippenham, Corsham, Erlestoke, Malmesbury, Purton, Swindon and Wootton
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200 jobs could be created if plan is passed
MORE than 200 jobs could be created if plans to transform the former EMI factory in Swindon are approved. Plans submitted to Swindon Council by Marko Self Service Wholesalers, would turn the 3.3 hectare site into a cash and carry warehouse, selling food
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This time James gets it wrong - but it's all right
A GARDEN designed by Wiltshire businessman James Dyson has been accredited with a Silver Gilt Floral Award at this week's Chelsea Flower Show. Featured in the famous flower show's Show Gardens category, Mr Dyson's The Wrong Garden challenges current ideas
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Winning debut for duo
SALISBURY'S Gale Pettifer emerged triumphant in her debut at the Weyhill Miniature Horse Show on Sunday. Racing Baddesley Cavalier, a pony owned by Josie Saiers, Gale and her groom Amber Gould (pictured above) who was also making her debut, won the Private
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Role play to beat bogus callers
POLICE have developed a role-play exercise to raise awareness about bogus callers. Officers from the Cricklade and Wootton Bassett Community Safety Partnership organised an evening on stage in front of the Cricklade Women's Institute. Members of the audience
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Football - Anthony's quartet helps South Newton lift the cup
ANTHONY Rochester was a four-goal hero for South Newton & Wishford in their South Wilts Charity A Cup Final victory against Harnham. South Newton eventually ran out 5-2 winners against their fellow Salisbury & District Premier Division opponents
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It's another wash-out
SOUTH Wilts cricket teams all saw their fixtures sabotaged for a variety of reasons on Saturday. The firsts entertained Calmore at Lower Bemer-ton, but the ECB Southern Electric Premier League Division One match was rained off after just 90 minutes due
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Returning Gulf hero says thanks for mail
MAY 22: WAR hero Damien Slater visited Malmesbury Primary School on Monday to thank children who wrote to him while he fought in Iraq. Bombardier Slater, 28, has just returned from fighting in Iraq with the 7th Parachute Regiment of the Royal Horse Artillery
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Scheme for staff
THE owners of small businesses will be invited to a meeting in the next few weeks to find out how staff training can help their businesses to thrive. Business Link Berkshire and Wiltshire is implementing the Government's Workforce Development Advisory
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Housing service praise
Devizes-based Sarsen Housing Association has been complimented on the service it provides in a new report published by the Audit Commission. The commission states the service to residents was satisfactory and the association is raising standards in its
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Contest back with a bang
CALNE Town plan to stage their adult six-a-side event on an annual basis after successfully reviving the tournament on Sunday afternoon. The men's competition was the first to be held at Bremhill View for a number of years and attracted 24 teams, including
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Bar OC/The Crown 1, Selectabook 5
JOHN STRICKLAND MEMORIAL CUP: NICK Taylor scored twice as league champions Selectabook claimed the John Strickland Memorial Cup for the fifth time in seven seasons. A stale opening period saw the Bookmen struggle to break down the Bar OC defence, but
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Nurses chatted as mum lay dead
Melony Elder was horrified when she found her mother dead in a hospital bed after nurses failed to notice she had passed away. Mrs Elder, of Wicks Drive, Chippenham, says she is struggling to come to terms with the indignity of her mother's death and
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Crash victim tells of continuing trauma
ROAD accident victim Lisa Straker, of Calne, has spoken of her fight to regain her health after a horrific crash caused by Swindon man Matthew Jones. Jones was jailed for four months on Monday after pleading guilty to dangerous driving. Mrs Straker was
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New help for people with health problems
THOSE suffering with long-term health conditions, such as asthma, diabetes, arthritis, HIV, multiple sclerosis and ME, are being invited to become tutors giving support to others with chronic conditions. The invitation comes from Kennet and North Wiltshire
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Nightmare neighbours face tough sanctions
"NEIGHBOURS from hell" will be stripped of their housing benefit under proposals that could become law by the end of the year. The Government has insisted people who inflict misery on their neighbours should no longer enjoy what ministers call a "subsidy
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Pentagon involved in Porton Down inquest
THE Pentagon may refuse to release documents vital in determining whether an RAF airman was poisoned during an experiment at Porton Down. The revelation came after the first pre-inquest review into the death of Ronald Maddison 50years ago was opened and
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On patrol looking for school truants
COMPUTER technology is taking the lead in helping Swindon keep its truancy figures among the lowest in the country. A team of education welfare officers has been patrolling Swindon town centre with the police during the last week and stopping anyone who
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Why wasn't more done?
RESIDENTS have asked why more wasn't done to prevent the Locarno fire. It has emerged that the night before Sunday's devastating blaze the fire brigade was called to another suspected arson at the building. And people living in nearby Saxon Court say
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Call me captain
SWINDON'S Jaine Lock faces her proudest moment next week when she captains England's women on a rugby tour of South Africa. The former Swindon Supermarine player, who now plays her club rugby in Worcester, will lead out England A for the three-week tour
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Vandals target building site
DAMAGE put at nearly £7,000 was done to vehicles on a building site at Tidworth last week. The vandals got on to the site, in St George's Road, on the night of May 12/13 and smashed the windows of an excavator. They then smashed its ignition barrel and
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Wife Swap major in city shopping trip with Jade
A NEW television career is in the offing for Who Wants To Be A Millionaire cheats Major Charles Ingram and his wife Diana. They have swapped homes and partners with Big Brother star Jade Goody and her partner Jeff Brazier, to appear in the new Channel
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Celebrity Toyah gives thousands to local charity
A STAR from I'm a Celebrity . . . Get Me Out Of Here donated thousands of pounds to a Salisbury charity on TV last night. Toyah Willcox, who braved two weeks in the Australian jungle in front of audiences of millions, appeared on the hit show's reunion
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Third recycling centre now open
A NEW household rubbish recycling centre has opened near Calne as part of Wiltshire County Council's strategy to increase recycling and reduce the use of landfill sites. The centre was built by the county's waste disposal contractors Hills Waste and is
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'Amateur' forgery was easily spotted
Dennis Cook, who doctored an insurance certificate to make it look as if his wife was covered by it, has escaped punishment. Cook, 64, of Colemans Close, Calne, adjusted the date on the document and produced it in a magistrates court in a bid to to get
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New lease of life
EXTEND, the exercise class for the over 60s, has turned into such a success story that the group has moved to larger premises. Instructor Meryl Stephens, 63, who started the class in Chippenham four years ago, said its popularity had soared in recent
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Mum says truth cost girl a place at school
MOTHER-of-two Alison McFarlane claims her younger daughter was cheated of a place at Calne's Fynamore Primary School because she told the truth. When she filled out the applications for her daughters to attend the school last December, Mrs McFarlane put
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Local football coaches have been going Dutch
COACHES from Cirencester-based company Dutch UK Football School have returned from a trip to the Netherlands. The tour involved watching matches and training at Dutch professional clubs RKC and FC Den Bosch. The school was formed in January by local coach
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Hopkins hired
DAVID Hopkins has been appointed Devizes Town manager on a permanent basis following his stint as caretaker at the end of last season. Defender Hopkins, pictured, took over as temporary player-boss following Pete Tripp's departure in March. He guided
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Devizes news in brief
Members of the Twinning Association, which is celebrating its 40th anniversary, will have a stall in the Brittox on Saturday morning (May 24) to help raise its profile in the community. Brian Foster of Devizes Snooker Club in Station Road, has applied
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Phab shines despite gloom
DEVIZES PHAB Club's normally fabulous luck with the weather broke down on Saturday as rain hit its annual fundraising wheelchair push and walk. Organisers gave disabled participants black plastic bags to wrap round them to stop them getting wet and cold
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Prince of Wales in town for first visit
THE Prince of Wales pays his first official visit to Devizes and Crofton, near Burbage, on Friday May 23 to help celebrate the completion of more than 40 years of restoration work on the Kennet and Avon Canal. Although the Queen has visited Devizes, and
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Thieves' trick to steal the bubbly
While a woman distracted staff in Marlborough's Wine Rack off licence at about 7.45 pm on May 13, her two accomplices took five bottles of champagne valued at £140 from a fridge. Police want to hear from anyone who saw the trio, all with London accents
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Awards hat-trick
St John's School, Marlborough, has won a School Achievement Award from the Department for Education and Skills for the third year in succession under the category "achieving better results in 2002 than most schools in similar categories."
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Courageous officers receive police awards
THE outstanding service of police officers was recognised by the deputy Lieutenant of Wiltshire, Major General Patrick Brooking, when he presented awards at a ceremony at police headquarters in Devizes last week. Among those honoured were Swindon officers
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Rethink on unit hours
HEALTH chief have done a U-turn on plans to extend the opening hours of the minor injuries unit at Savernake Hospital to 24-hour coverage. The proposal to extend the unit to a round the clock service was contained in a blueprint for change issued by the
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HOSPITALS UNDER THREAT: 24-hour casualty cover to be axed
HOSPITAL campaigners were dealt a double blow this week with the news that the minor injuries unit at Devizes Hospital will no longer be open for 24 hours a day and 20 hospital beds will be axed in October. Kennet and North Wiltshire Primary Care Trust
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Councillors keep up opposition to homes bid, despite redesign
REVISED plans for homes on a controversial main road site in Marlborough are still being opposed by town councillors. On Monday the town council's planning committee voted to maintain its objection to plans to demolish the bungalow at 18 Salisbury Road
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Community feel in name
THE League of Friends of Savernake Hospital has undergone a name change. It was agreed at the annual meeting to change the name of the group to The Friends of Savernake Hospital and Community. The change has been introduced to reflect the way in which
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Police salute lynch-pin
RECEPTIONIST Liz Willis, who helps man the inquiry office at Marlborough Police Station, has become the force's first winner of a new award for civilian staff. Modestly she said she accepted the cup and certificate on behalf of all the civilian staff
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Scouts deny danger claim
SCOUTS who were trying to do a good deed by clearing rubbish from the River Kennet in Marlborough upset nesting birds, claims naturalist Linda Harris. Miss Harris, whose George Lane home backs onto the river, said the sound of the boys and girls splashing
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Insight on Africa
STUDENT Fiona Beach-MacGeagh has spent three months of her gap year teaching at a church school in Uganda. Through an education charity, the 19-year-old from Hyde Lane, Marlborough, took up a voluntary post teaching geography and PE at a boarding school
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Market to be invited to return
THE French Market which was held recently in Marlborough for the first time, could be invited back. The trial market, dubbed a Continental Market to avoid any anti-French feeling over the lack of support for Allied action in the Gulf, took place on May
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We do the work
SO Mark Boden is to receive an annual wage increase of £15,000, justified by Chris Humphries by "if you pay peanuts you only get monkeys". It is largely many of us "monkeys" beavering ant-like with the everyday mechanics of working life that keep the
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Land of dreams
HAVING recently moved into this beautiful part of the world, I am very impressed at the frequency of street cleansing, having come from a cash- strapped area where street cleaning was on a very tight budget. However, I find it difficult to find anyone
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Trio steals the glory in safety drive
KNOWING how to stay safe on the roads has earned pupils at an Upper Stratton primary a new school computer. More than 2,000 pupils from 24 schools entered Swindon Council's 12th road safety quiz, sponsored by Nationwide. They initially completed a quiz
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Early days for new pay deal
FIREFIGHTERS in Swindon are poring over the details of the Government's latest pay offer, which union leaders are recommending they accept. The executive of the Fire Brigade Union decided a pay rise of 16 per cent over two-and-a-half years should be supported
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Busy year for arty friends
AN association set up to support the Arts Centre has raised more than £21,000 in its first year. The Friends of Swindon Arts Centre - FoSAC - celebrated its first anniversary this week and the group has already funded the redecoration of the Gallery Bar
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Scandal exposed
THANKS to the Gazette and Herald for exposing such a scandal. Local authority chief officer salaries are determined by population. How then, can Kennet compare Mr Boden's pay with Basingstoke and Swindon? Mr Boden would also have received on April 1,
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Celebrating a 'wonderful life'
DON and Betty Sheppard, who were both born and raised in Wootton Bassett, are celebrating their golden wedding this week, at their home in Milton's Way. Don, 80, and Betty (nee Hopkins) 73, went to different schools, but saw each other in the queue outside
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Dreaming of film stardom
RISING star Ben Huggins, 16 has won a place on a National Youth Theatre training course. Ben, from Woodhall Park, who attends Hreod Parkway School in Moredon, received confirmation after attending an audition in Bristol in March. The two-week residential
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New health schemes are driven by cost, not care
Anyone reading the executive summary of the strategy direction document published by the Kennet and North Wiltshire Primary Care Trust might be forgiven for believing the rosy picture of the proposals for the Green Lane site in Devizes, It is encouragingly
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Naturally, it's feeding time
Breastfeeding has been made simple for new mothers in Pinehurst. Sure Start's breastfeeding support group has helped more than 20 mothers get to grips with feeding time. And organisers are hoping that last week's Breastfeeding Aware-ness Week will encourage
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Thanks for help
ONCE again I wish to thank everyone who made the Wildlife Trust's Gardeners Fair such a successful day. More than 20 specialist plants people filled the Shambles, in Devizes, last week with a huge variety of herbs, flowers, alpines and shrubs. The guest
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A stylish boost for charity
A GIRLS' night out at Wootton Bassett Memorial Hall raised more than £1,124 for Break-through Breast Cancer in Wiltshire. A packed audience enjoyed a fashion show of ballgowns and evening outfits by Hilary Evett, of Dressed for the Occasion, hats by Veronica
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Get a babysitter
I WOULD like to thank the family who decided to bring their very young daughter to Mask's performance of The Mikado on May 9. This was for me an excellent amateur production with Captain Pugwash (aka Koko) stealing the show as he tripped lightly round
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Prison for man who hit a WPC
A MAN whose unprovoked attack on a policewoman left her with whiplash has been jailed for three months. Gawain Murtough attacked WPC Rachael Bagnall as she was on duty in the John Street area of Swindon in the early hours of Saturday, May 10. Murtough
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History is lost
I WAS very pleased to see that an up-market coffee shop has opened in Chippenham in the premises previously occupied by Mountstevens. I wish the Parkers all success in their business enterprise. However, I was sorry to see the name The Old Bakehouse taken
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Police needed
For a while now the people of Calne been asking for a fully manned police station as the town is growing all the time and it is in need of one. Last week's fire at the police station has proved that. If the station had been manned 24 hours the fire that
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Nazi memorabilia fetches thousands at Swindon auction
NAZI memorabilia sold for thousands of pounds when it went under the hammer at a Swindon auction. The star attraction at Dominic Winter Book Auctions in Maxwell Street was a signed photograph of Adolf Hitler. The picture, taken in 1938, was part of a
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Town mayor takes office
NEW mayor of Wilton Marjorie Whitworth fired a warning shot across the bows of Salisbury district council and Wiltshire county council within seconds of taking office at the annual mayor-making ceremony last week. Mrs Whitworth told town councillors that
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Have your say over new play equipment
PENHILL residents will be asked what play equipment they want on the estate at an open day. The Penhill Forum's latest Have A Say Day is being held on June 7, and will be dedicated to finding out what residents want from the green spaces on the estate
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Flowers ruined
ON Sunday we went to a favourite local wood in search of the wild orchids that flower there during May. Of course there is more to see than this one species of orchid and we all marvelled at the beauty of nature at this time of year. On finding the area
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"Great honour" to be chairman, says councillor
LAVERSTOCK councillor Frank Bissington is the new chairman of Salisbury district council. He was elected to the office, in succession to Cllr Margaret Peach, at Monday night's annual meeting of the council. Like Mrs Peach, Mr Bissington is a Conservative
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Honest answer
IT seems that local elections have degenerated into nothing more than an opinion poll of the popularity of the Westminster incumbents. This sad view is not only held at Westminster itself but apparently by many of the now elected local government members
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Contest drinkers prepare for race to beat time at the bar
WANBOROUGH residents will be taking part in the traditional beer race this bank holiday weekend. The three-mile course will begin at the Cross Keys before taking in the five other pubs - The New Calley Arms, The Black Horse, The Plough Inn, The Harrow
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Share worries
Readers may be aware of worries about the Government's changes to the way benefits are paid. Since April, some people have been unable to collect their pension or benefits in cash at their local post offices. They have to have the money paid into a bank
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Last greenfield site could now disappear
I would like to expand on my letter of a couple of weeks ago regarding the huge development planned for the greenfield site behind Focus and the Fleet Support building on the A4 in Chippenham. Thanks are due to those who have contacted me but I believe
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Age is no barrier for fearless fundraiser
OCTOGENARIAN Ron Crawford proved he had a head for heights on Saturday, when he abseiled 80ft from the roof of Salisbury College. He was one of about 180 people who took part in the event, which was held on Saturday and Sunday in aid of the Royal National
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Council takes action after loud music complaint
A resident in Park North faces eviction after accusations of being a noisy neighbour. Vincent O'Halloran, 34, of Milverton Court, was arrested for playing loud music in breach of a court injunction. Neighbours who had to get up early to go to work complained
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A place to skate
Councillor Smith has kept his promise to remove the speed humps in Covingham Councillor Bawden will make certain of that. I hope he now keeps his promise to give us a skateboard park on Greenbridge park. Our local children have been promised this park
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Wife Swap major in city shopping trip with Jade
A NEW television career is in the offing for Who Wants To Be A Millionaire cheats Major Charles Ingram and his wife Diana. They have swapped homes and partners with Big Brother star Jade Goody and her partner Jeff Brazier, to appear in the new Channel
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Celebrity Toyah gives thousands to local charity
A STAR from I'm a Celebrity . . . Get Me Out Of Here donated thousands of pounds to a Salisbury charity on TV last night. Toyah Willcox, who braved two weeks in the Australian jungle in front of audiences of millions, appeared on the hit show's reunion
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Leave well alone
WITH regards to Mr A Thipthorpe's less than objective critique of the Second World War, (Letters, Wednesday, May 14) may I congenially refer him and other would be military historians to Arthur Wellesley, Duke of Wellington (1759-1852) who plaintively
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End of the wall was death of socialism
MR THIPTHORPE's letter recalling the well recorded role of the RAF in the last war claims to be an answer to my previous letter. It must remain a mystery what connection there might be in his mind between those events and my criticism of Peter Smith's
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Roman site is a draw for tourists
I read with anger the article regarding the historic Roman site in Swindon and the council's refusal to do anything about it because it's "not of public interest." Wasn't it enough that they allow the Mechanics Institute to fall into disrepair (presumably
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Traffic calming is going to extremes
I NOTE the ongoing debate and concern about the growing number of traffic calming measures around Swindon and I hesitate to add to the issue. However the letter from Mrs Bowles on Thursday May 15 prompts me to add my bit. I live near the humps which have
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Timber lorry fire chaos on the M4
Traffic came to a standstill when a 20-tonne lorry carrying timber caught fire between junctions 17 and 16 of the M4 on Monday. Fire crews from Chippenham and Swindon arrived at around 9.30am to find the lorry's load and cabin alight. The fire caused
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Potter fans' wizard quest
DOZENS of young Harry Potter fans in Chippenham are brushing up their magical know-how before the Wizard Quest, which aims to find the brainiest junior wizard in Britain. The Chippenham heat will be held at Ottakar's bookshop, in Borough Parade, on May
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Punk rock band plays home town
MAY 24: CHIPPENHAM punk rock band Nobody's Heroes will play to a home town audience for the first time in more than a decade. Nobody's Heroes played gigs in the area in the late 1980s and broke up about ten years ago. Last year, however, the three members
