Archive
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Jockey wins back licence
JOCKEY Grant Macdonald, who was banned from driving for three years after his second drink-driving conviction within ten years, has had his licence returned by Kennet magistrates. The court heard on Tuesday that Macdonald, 30, who lives and works at the
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Pensioner died after wheelchair was hit
PENSIONER Margaret Francis died after a van backed into her wheelchair knocking her to the ground at Whitehall Garden Centre last October. Coroner William Bache recorded a verdict of accidental death at an inquest on Thursday last week. Wheelchair-bound
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Care bosses confident despite timescale
BOSSES at the Kennet and North Wiltshire Primary Care Trust are confident they will recruit the staff necessary to set up its planned intermediate care team. The trust is working to a tight timescale as it plans to have the team of professionals in place
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Trust board rubber stamps health plans
THE Kennet and North Wiltshire Primary Care Trust has agreed its blueprint to radically alter health services over the next three years. At a meeting in Devizes last Thursday, the trust board ratified proposals drawn up after public consultation. The
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Bands rock on despite the rain
REVIEW: STORMY weather failed to dampen the spirit of rock in Pewsey on Saturday. Jerry Kunkler, the co-organiser of Pewsey's Rock Day, estimated that about 200 people attended but said the event made a small loss. Mr Kunkler stepped in to run the event
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Canal fans look back to the past
THOUGH it rained on their parade on Saturday morning, the stalwart volunteers of the Kennet and Avon Canal Trust let nothing dampen their celebration of the fulfilment of their dream, the completion of the refurbishment of the canal. The previous day's
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Bluebirds goalie in transfer fury
JAMES Bittner has vowed never to play for Chippenham Town again after a bitter transfer dispute with Bluebirds boss Tommy Saunders. The goalkeeper's future at Hardenhuish Park looked bleak after Saunders signed Cirencester Town custodian Mark Hervin last
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Savings rates cut
RESEARCH by Sainsbury's Bank reveals that while the Bank of England has cut base rate by only 0.25 per cent to 3.75 per cent since December 2001, many savings accounts have cut their interest rates by much more. The study revealed that over the past 15
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Charity representative at Ambassadors' talk
THE speaker at the next meeting of Salisbury business networking group the Ambassadors will be Sarah Bates from charity Hope and Homes for Children. Ms Bates will talk about the charity's recent projects at one planned at the club's breakfast meeting
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Marine exhaust company achieves standard
HALYARD (Marine and Industrial) Ltd, which has a base in Whaddon and designs and manufactures marine exhaust systems, has achieved one of the world's highest standards in business management in double quick time. The company, which planned to have its
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Entries close for business awards
ENTRIES close on Saturday for this year's South Wiltshire Business of the Year awards, which will be presented at a ceremony at the White Hart Hotel in Salisbury on June 11. Organised by the Federation of Small Businesses, the awards are now in their
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Youngsters are invited to share ideas for club
CONSULTATION is set to begin for a new youth club in Malmesbury and Wiltshire County Council is appealing for young people to get involved. The process is planned to begin in the autumn and will use the latest state-of-the-art technology to canvass votes
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Parking bid gathers pace
MALMESBURY Chamber of Commerce members are writing an urgent appeal to North Wiltshire District Council to address the shortage of car parking spaces in the town. The chamber is also urging local people to write to the council and make their feelings
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Dwindling numbers threatens group
THE Athelstan Lodge of the Royal Antediluvian Order of Buffaloes will have to close by the end of June unless a new secretary is found. The membership of the buffaloes, who work on a principle of brotherhood to help raise money for the community, has
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We must back folk festival
ONCE again a small band of hard working volunteers have produced one of the biggest and most successful events in the county all with very little support from the town which benefits the most. Chippenham Folk Festival is, quite rightly, regarded as one
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Dorset O50s v Wiltshire O50s
WILTSHIRE were beaten by Dorset at Dean Park, Bournemouth after failing to set their oppents a challenging target. Wiltshire openers started well with Keith Redding ( 21) and Geoffrey Edwards (22) putting on 38 for the first wicket in ten overs. Despite
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Staff would like more comfort in their offices
SCRIMPING and saving on the layout and dcor of offices could prove a false economy for British business, according to a new survey which focuses on managers' gripes about workspace environments. The results show that British executives would be willing
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Big hit attempt is gift for 'Green
HAVING been bowled out for a punitive total, Woodgreen were staring defeat in the face before some extraordinary battling by Draper gave the home side victory by eight runs in a match reduced to 32 overs a side. The Naish brothers, David, 18, and Gordon
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Paul's county call-up
SOUTH Wilts batsman Paul Draper is included in the Wiltshire squad for their first Minor Counties Championship match of the season against Wales at Pontypridd on Sunday, Monday and Tuesday June 1-3. The match sees the first competitive appearances for
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Reduced target too much for Fovant
Bridport 272-4 bt Fovant 146-6 by 109 runs (rain affected match) PUT in to bat, Bridport took advantage of the conditions as Fovant's bowlers found it increasingly difficult to control a greasy ball in the persistent drizzle. John Wheetlow made an outstanding
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Wrong call helps Fonthill progress
LDCC Fonthill 215-4 bt Potterne 139 AFTER comfortably beating Redlynch & Hale in the previous round, LDCC saw off Wilts Division One team Potterne by 75 runs on Sunday. Potterne must have regretted their decision to ask LDCC to bat on a damp wicket
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Early losses prove decisive
ELLINGHAM suffered a seven wicket defeat in their rain affected match at Amport. Three of Ellingham's first five batsmen departed without scoring and it was left to Aaron Barker, 31, Mark Burrett, 33, and Jim Edwards, 21, to score most of their early
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All-rounder Mortimer shines
A FINE all-round performance from Mike Mortimer helped secure Burley II's six-wicket victory over Milford-on-Sea II. With Cliff Bannell, 44, and Alan Varley, 44, top scorers, Milford were dismissed for 141 with Morti-mer, 4-43, and Terry Pate-man, 3-25
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Downton young guns lead the way
RIVERSIDE A and And-over A made further ground at the top of Division One of the Sarum League while Downton A tasted victory for the first time. Andover A's all round strength was enough to clinch their third successive win, despite losing the men's rubber
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National success for St Ed's basketball starlets
A SALISBURY school's under 16s basketball team have been rewarded for four years of hard work by winning the England Schools National Champ-ionships title. St Edmund's School and Sports College beat Bolton's Cannon Slade school 134-110 over two legs in
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Homes sweet homes
WOOTTON Bassett has just seen the completion of five new affordable homes, which the town council hopes will enable young people to stay in the town and get their own homes. The flats were converted from redundant offices above HSBC bank in Station Road
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Wedding's back on as Gulf soldier returns
BRIDE-to-be Amanda Court is delighted that her cancelled wedding is back on after her fiance returned from the Gulf this week. The 22-year-old from Rudloe had to cancel the wedding at the last minute in March when Sergeant Paul Chamberlain, 26, was told
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Royal tribute to canal restorers
THE Prince of Wales paid tribute to the volunteers whose enthusiasm and dedication led to the saving of the Kennet and Avon Canal from dereliction and closure when he visited the Caen Hill flight of locks in Devizes on Friday. The prince flew in by helicopter
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Businesses split over great Euro debate
VIEWS on Britain's future in Europe, the Euro and the new European constitution are sharply divided in the market towns of Wiltshire. While some traders feel joining the Euro would make little difference to their businesses, others fear Britain would
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Children in car as bag snatchers are chased
THIEF who sped away from police after he had snatched a woman's bag at Bowood House country park had three small children in his car, a court heard. David Antill, 37, overtook in the face of oncoming traffic on the A350 near Melksham. When the car was
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New initiative aims to stamp out rural crime
A NEW initiative called Rural Watch aims to inspire members of the public to crack down on crime in the countryside. It was launched last week in the Salisbury police division. To the average tourist, places like Wiltshire might appear to be a rural idyll
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Luther's progress
CEREBRAL palsy sufferer Luther Frost-Barnes has made amazing progress since embarking on a pioneering course of treatment two years ago. His parents David and Lorraine say the therapy is helping to give Luther, now aged ten, independence, unlike conventional
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Warning on chain letter
WILTSHIRE Trading Standards officers are warning people not to be duped by a chain letter con. Trading Standards have received complaints from people who have received chain letters asking them to send money to a list of addresses. Many of these letters
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More chances for youngsters
YOUTH FOOTBALL: HIGHWORTH Town's commitment to junior football will see more youngsters given the chance to represent the club next season. The Hellenic side will be running two Under 9 sides and one Under 14 team during 2003-4. All three sides will play
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Explorer heads out for balloon challenge
ADVENTURER David Hempleman Adams has flown out to Pittsburgh to begin preparing for his next ballooning challenge. The veteran explorer and balloonist will be attempting to fly solo across the Atlantic in a traditional open wicker basket. Mr Hempleman
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Anderson is Vale's top man
ROSS Anderson won two awards as Pewsey Vale held their end of season presentation evening at Bouverie Hall on Friday night. Anderson won the first team players' player and supporters' player of the year awards, with defender Tony Dyer claiming the manager's
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Trust board rubber stamps health plans
THE Kennet and North Wiltshire Primary Care Trust has agreed its blueprint to radically alter health services over the next three years. At a meeting in Devizes last Thursday, the trust board ratified proposals drawn up after public consultation. The
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Late night Wigglybus cancelled after abuse
ABUSE by drunken teenagers of the Wigglybus service has resulted in one of the Friday night runs being dropped. Drivers have been sworn at and some of the young passengers heading home after a night out in Pewsey have been sick on the bus, said Wigglybus
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Logging on to history
Today we take it for granted that our personal computers have fast access to the internet and sport high speed processors. But it has not always been like that. In the early days a computer might have only 1k of memory. The average PC today is 256,000
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Homes sweet homes
WOOTTON Bassett has just seen the completion of five new affordable homes, which the town council hopes will enable young people to stay in the town and get their own homes. The flats were converted from redundant offices above HSBC bank in Station Road
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Three cheers!
SWINDON television star and celebrity mum of the year Melinda Messenger is to become a mother for the third time. Melinda, 32 who lives in Wanborough, is currently working co-presenting the LivingTV chat show Loose Lips and will soon be appearing in adverts
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£100,000 thank you's
SWINDON CANCER APPEAL: The Swindon Cancer Appeal has today topped the magical £100,000 mark - and it's all thanks to you. The Evening Advertiser launched the appeal to help Macmillan nurses just two months ago and now we are well on the way to reaching
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Fireworks give festival a real lift-off
A DAZZLING fireworks display lit up the Cathedral Close as Salisbury Festival 2003 burst into life this week. The two-week long festival - embracing a packed programme of music, dance, theatre, circus and visual art - was officially launched with a cathedral
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Dig yields astonishing find
THE bones of six people dating back almost 4,500 years have been unearthed by archaeologists in an astonishing new find near Amesbury. The remains were found in one grave, about half a mile from that of the Amesbury Archer - the Early Bronze Age man dubbed
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All geared up to celebrate
CALNE'S Atwell-Wilson Motor Museum is gearing up for a special fun-fueled centenary celebration on June 15. It's the 100th birthday of Ford motorcars, and so the museum is gearing up for a huge celebration party to mark the occasion. The museum, which
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Neighbourhood feud led to death threats
CHIPPENHAM magistrates have heard how unemployed David Furber made death threats against his neighbour, mother-of-three Angela Naldi, during a bitter dispute that has lasted more than a year. The feud ended up in court on May 9, when Furber, 21, admitted
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Young royals take a bow
CALNE girls took to the stage to compete for the coveted title of carnival princess and the privilege of leading the main procession through the town centre. Girls between the ages of four and six competed in the butterfly princess competition, while
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Parents in funding bid for extra teacher
PARENTS denied places for their children at Calne's Fynamore School are appealing for local businesses to help sponsor an extra teacher at the school. The guide to school admissions stated there would be places for 30 children at the school in 2003-04
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Winning horse is an oldie but goldie
A much-loved geriatric horse from Calne, called Mike, has galloped off with a year's supply of herbal treats after winning a golden oldie competition for horses. It was run by Hilton Herbs to find the horse or pony that summed up the pleasure older horses
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Row over roll led to arrest of addict mum
CALNE mother-of-four Angela Mann, a heroin addict introduced to the drug by her husband, was arrested after a petrol station fracas sparked by a bread roll, a court heard. On Wednesday last week at Chippenham Magistrates Court, Mann, 27, of Bishop Road
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Canal fans look back to the past
THOUGH it rained on their parade on Saturday morning, the stalwart volunteers of the Kennet and Avon Canal Trust let nothing dampen their celebration of the fulfilment of their dream, the completion of the refurbishment of the canal. The previous day's
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Greyhound edge Juve
GREYHOUND wrapped up their 16th Swindon Sunday League Division 1 title, after a 4-3 play-off win over Juventus. It was the fifth time in six years that Juventus had finished runners-up to the undisputed Division 1 league specialists. Juventus lost a play-off
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Honours for long service
JOY Shepard began her 40-year career as a volunteer for the Royal National Lifeboat Institution as "a result of being in the wrong place at the right time." Mrs Shepard, from Devizes, had popped into the local WRVS office to see a friend in 1963 and found
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Building to start on derelict hospital site
WORK thought likely to last between 18 months and two years will start next month to redevelop the southern site at the former Roundway Hospital, which has stood derelict for eight years. David Wilson Homes, which is building a total of 200 homes, some
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Under 11 call: are you game?
Wootton Bassett Town are holding their annual six-a-side tournament and festival of football over the weekend of June 14/15. This year's event has attracted a record number of entries with 158 teams accepted so far. An under eight festival, under 10 and
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Kids are fit for a week of fun
PUPILS at Chirton Primary School learned about health and fitness during a special health week just before half-term. One of the events was an aerobics session run by Anita Hodgson who teaches at Devizes Leisure Centre. School head Cathy Drury said: "
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Fiery start to spring parade
SWITCHING the date of the village festival from autumn to spring paid dividends in Market Lavington on Sunday when hundreds turned out to enjoy a day of fun and sports on the Elisha Field. The event started off with a bang when a Chinese-style dragon
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Group challenges PCT to keep all its promises
DASH2, the action group set up to fight for a new hospital for Devizes, will continue to lobby for services. Last Thursday the Kennet and North Wiltshire Primary Care Trust approved a strategy which will result in a new hospital being built in Green Lane
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Prison officer in line for award
PRISON officer Neil Pollard, a drug dog handler at Erlestoke Prison, near Devizes, is through to the final of a national competition. Mr Pollard's enthusiasm for his job has led to him being shortlisted in the final of the Prison Officer Of The Year Awards
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Vandals wreck tree memorial
AN oak tree planted in memory of three children who died in a tragic house fire in Sleight, near Devizes, has been destroyed by vandals. The tree was part of a memorial to Daniel, 14, Matthew, 13, and nine-year-old Teegan Hughes who died with their mother
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Charlotte celebrates milestone a year on
THE family of terminally-ill schoolgirl Charlotte Wakeham are today celebrating a milestone. It is 12 months ago that Charlotte, eight, was diagnosed with brain stem glioma, a rare form of cancer that has no cure. Doctors gave the schoolgirl from Westbury
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Common is key link for new cycleway
TOWN councillors in Marlborough have expressed reservations about a proposed cycle path across The Common. The proposed path is a key link in a new Marlborough Draft Cycle Network being discussed between Wiltshire County Council and a group calling themselves
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Pond music starts again
THE first of a unique annual series of Pond Concerts in the village of Aldbourne takes place on Sunday. The award-winning Aldbourne Band has a long tradition of playing around the village pond on the first Sunday of each month in the summer, attracting
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Pensioner falls for antiques con
AN 80-year-old Marlborough woman has called her self a fool and an idiot after letting a doorstep conman into her home. The pensioner, who has asked not to be identified, is counting the cost of opening her door to a man she believed was a genuine antiques
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Council gives big hand for new clock
A NEW Marlborough clock to commemorate the Queen's golden jubilee last June is already slow. If all goes to plan, it should be put up outside the Jubilee Centre in the High Street before the end of the summer, almost a year after the country marked the
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Brolly prince rains supreme
PRINCE Charles proved he is a brolly good fellow when he did not let rain stand in the way of an informal walkabout on Friday. He was visiting the Crofton Pumping Station, home to two of the oldest steam engines in the world dating from 1812 and 1845,
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Helping the young beat depression
A mother who believes her 20-year-old son committed suicide has set up a website to help other youngsters struggling with depression. Jan Anderson, 43, says she will never escape the feeling of guilt that has hounded her since Kristian is thought to have
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Fidelma's on again with Mr Wogan
A Swindon voice will be heard on BBC Radio 2 next week. Up to one million listeners will hear Fidelma Meehan, the Swindon co-ordinator for the Baha'i faith projects, on Wake up to Wogan. She will be presenting another series of Pause for Thoughts on Terry
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Unique wooden chess set stolen from garage
THIEVES who raided a Park South garage stole a chess set worth up to £5,000 depicting the English Civil War. The raid on the garage in Ripon Way came after the thieves forced their way in. They took Bosche electric and battery drills, a Bosche router,
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Town centre given a shopping boost
SHOPPERS in Swindon now have two more major high street chains in the town centre in which to add flair to their wardrobes. A larger than normal Monsoon fashion store and Accessorize, an accessory shop, are located in a duel store in Regent's Street.
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Time to catch up with old friends
FORMER Penhill Sec-ondary School pupils are organising a reunion. The gathering is for pupils who left the school between 1963 and 1965. It will be held at the Vision Club in Gorse Hill on June 21 from 7.30pm Freda Milne, 54, of Penhill Drive, is organising
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Chattering for charity cash
CHILDREN have been reciting favourite stories and nursery rhymes as part of a nationwide Chatterbox Challenge to raise money for charity. Toddlers from Swindon's Leapfrog nursery helped raise an impressive £5,188.97 for the charity I CAN, which supports
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Town targeted in TV licence clamp-down
People in Swindon have been targeted in a TV licensing clamp-down. Anybody watching television without a licence is being urged to pay the £116 licence fee and avoid a possible £1,000 fine. With a database of more than 28 million addresses and state-of-the-art
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Elm trees killed by fungus are cut down
Swindon Council has finished removing dead trees from a stretch of road leading to Highworth. A stand of elm trees, killed by Dutch elm disease, was cleared from a 100 metre section of Highworth Road, near Swindon Supermarine. A council spokeswoman Caroline
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Campaign for RAF Lyneham continues despite transport deal
AN MP says the UK's signing of a contract for a new military transport aircraft will not affect the campaign to keep RAF Lyneham open. For about a year, North Wiltshire MP James Gray, has been fighting the possible transfer of the RAF's Hercules fleet
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Show's tribute to troops
THE heroic actions of the 1st Battalion, the Gloucester-shire Regiment in the Korean War will be honoured at this year's Cotswold Show and Country Fair in Cirencester. Many of the soldiers involved in the conflict, which happened 50 years ago, were drawn
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Baby Ibrahim suffers in a Basra hospital
In the stifling heat of a children's hospital in Basra, nine-month-old Ibrahim's body shows the ravages of sickness. The lack of clean drinking water means baby Ibrahim has suffered 15 bouts of diarrhoea in the last month. UNICEF's appeal for cash to
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Flyover rejected for roundabout
AN underpass not a flyover will solve the A419 Commonhead junction's chronic traffic problems, according to Swindon Council's cabinet committee. Rejecting proposals put forward by the Highways Agency, the council's decision-making body believes the environment
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Putting church back on a high note
A CHURCH with a dilapidated organ is appealing for help so people in Rodbourne can have an instrument to be proud of. St Augustine's Chu-rch in Summers Street has an organ which is about 80 years old. It can no longer play some notes and is restricting
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'Consultation' turns into window dressing
Kennet and North Wiltshire Primary Care Trust is just going through the motions with its consultations. An independent report commissioned by Kennet District Council concluded that what was being proposed provided insufficient medical services and the
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Prepare for a week of festival fun
FUNDRAISING and planning for this year's Old Town Festival is well underway, with organisers looking forward to a record year. The festival is the largest of its kind in Swindon and is a weeklong celebration of the culture and extensive history of the
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Fluoride poses danger to us all
This week I was informed of the Government's plans to decide whether local water companies must put fluoride into our drinking water. This may happen as soon as June. The Government is going about this in an underhand way, without any real disclosure
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Lesson for schools
AS usual, upon opening the Gazette last week, I found yet more articles about Fynamore School, in Calne. I can't be the only one who is sick and tired of reading about this school. I have no sympathy for the majority of the people who whinge constantly
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Triumph for civic bells
TWO years of fundraising to collect £35,000 so that the eight huge civic bells of Salisbury can be refurbished and retuned has ended in triumph. At a mayoral reception and concert in the city's Guildhall, Mayor of Salisbury Sue Mallory and her guests
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Tenants are seen as second class
I READ with interest that Swindon Borough Council is to pay compensation to house owners whose property has been deemed to have lost value as a result of the erection of a nearby mobile phone mast. But where does this put tenants, who have no capital
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Fireworks give festival a real lift-off
A DAZZLING fireworks display lit up the Cathedral Close as Salisbury Festival 2003 burst into life this week. The two-week long festival - embracing a packed programme of music, dance, theatre, circus and visual art - was officially launched with a cathedral
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PC saves girl's life in river rescue drama
A HERO policeman staged a dramatic rescue operation after a car plunged into the river at Laverstock leaving a teenage girl trapped inside. The car, with two brothers and the girl in it, left the road at the junction of Riverside Road and The Avenue on
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We'll have to pay
I really could not believe that council officers had once more managed to waste tax payers money on yet another admitted management failure. I refer to the compensation we the taxpayers will have to pay to the people who are victims of the inability of
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System seems to favour the burglar
I see that several people have written in recently regarding the comments by our local MP Julia Drown that "some intruders are young children who are misguided", but notice that she has still not given any advice to people as to what you should do if
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Dig sheds light on town's medieval boom
FRAGMENTS of Chippenham's prehistoric and medieval history, including human bones and a flint scraper, came to light during an excavation in the town centre. Archaeologists dug a trench in the floor of Jubilee Cottage, a derelict building tucked behind
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Go to work in a virtual office
HARTHAM Park, near Corsham, has launched a virtual office service to help new companies start off in style. The Alkemi Virtual Office is a business service that provides firms with an answering and fax service alongside the use of a prestigious business
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Court gives girl a chance
A TEENAGE girl described as a persistent offender has been given a chance to reform after she admitted being involved in a slanging match with a shop assistant. The 15-year-old pleaded guilty to causing harassment, alarm or distress at the One Stop Shop
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Kids get wise to waste facts
PARENTS in Kington Langley went back to school with their children for a Trashasaurus family learning day. More than 30 families gathered at Langley Fitzurse School for two hours of dinosaur and recycling-themed fun and learning on Saturday May 17. The
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Witness fails to show up at inquest
THE inquest into the death of 20-year-old drug user Gary Willcox was adjourned again last week. Deputy Wiltshire Coroner William Bache took the decision after key witness Stephen Pitts failed to appear to give evidence in court. The inquest was previously
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Accolades for treasured trio
THREE hard-working women have been rewarded for their services to the community with a Chippenham Civic Award 2003. Phyllis Morgan, Margaret Wade and Ivy Ward have each been selected to win an award by Chippenham Town Council. They will receive a certificate
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Privy council divided
COUNCILLORS were bogged down last week over a couple's plan to demolish their outside toilet. Members of Corsham Town Council's planning committee were being driven round the bend over whether to back the couple's bid to flatten the privy at the rear
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New officers welcomed
TWO new police community support officers, employed to manage youth problems on Chippenham's Pewsham estate, are getting ready to go it alone, after completing their six-week training programme. Terry Lee, 55, and Mark McIntyre, 32, joined Wiltshire Police
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Hospital ward 'left unstaffed'
A WOMAN patient on the same hospital ward as Sheila Patterson, who was found dead by her daughter while nurses chatted nearby, has claimed the ward was sometimes left unattended for up to 30 minutes. The Royal United Hospital, Bath, is still investigating
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Airman killed in motorbike crash
POLICE are appealing for witnesses to a head-on crash in which RAF engineer Colin Burnett died. Mr Burnett, 32, who was married with two young children, was killed when his Kawasaki motorcycle was involved in a collision with a Porsche Carrera on Monday
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Store is targeted by hole in wall gang
THIEVES who attempted to break into a supermarket cash room by drilling through a weak point in the wall, were put to flight by a police helicopter. The criminals prised a large stone from the wall at Sainsbury's in Calne, where its cash machines are
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Craig Spearheads Gloucestershire victory
Gloucestershire moved into the quarter-finals of the C&G Trophy with a five-wicket win over Kent at Canterbury. Their total of 195 achieved with 4.2 overs to spare included a superb innings of 71 from Craig Spearman and an unbeaten 45 from Jonty Rhodes
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Last chance to sign up for top golf challenge
ENTRIES are still being accepted for next week's Salisbury Journal/ High Post Corporate Golf Challenge. Almost 30 teams from across the area have registered for the prestigious event being held at the Great Durnford course on Thursday, June 5. As well
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Christian Aid volunteer returns from Sri Lanka
JANE Pelly got up in Sri Lanka at 3am British time, travelled home to Harnham, Salisbury, went out to hear the Archbishop of Canterbury speak in the cathedral and eventually went to bed around midnight. Such energetic enthusiasm summarises a hectic life
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Thruxton's French connection
THOUSANDS of motor racing fans flocked to Thruxton Circuit on Monday for an action-packed day of high octane racing. Rounds five and six of the Green Flag British Touring Car Championship saw French racer Yvan Muller pull off a remarkable double to significantly
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Volunteers find work incredibly rewarding
Time is money, so the saying goes. Contributing to a good cause could be a case of putting your hand in your pocket for loose change or donating some of that precious time to help out as a volunteer at one of the many groups and organisations crying out
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Anthrax Kid lands title down under
THE Salisbury area has a new champion to celebrate after wrestler Tristran Hayes, better known as The Anthrax Kid, triumphed in an international event in Australia. The 22-year-old hairdresser from Wilton, won his first major title when he defeated New
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First league win secured
SOUTH Wilts Cricket Club en-joyed a comfortable eight-wicket victory over Portsmouth on Saturday to secure their first league victory of the season. After winning the toss and putting their hosts into bat, a strong South Wilts side skittled their opponents
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Well on the way thanks to you again
A SIXTH of the way to our £600,000 Macmillan Cancer Appeal target, and it is only two months since the three-year project was launched. The announcement should make the people of Swindon feel joyful, proud, optimistic everything, in fact, except surprised
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Thousandsdescend on folk festival
AN estimated 10,000 people packed the streets for this year's hugely-successful Folk Festival in Chippenham and that was just on Monday. Among the visitors were people from as far away as Tokyo and the United States. But this year, as always, the festivities
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Centre's adults help kids get animated
ADULTS with learning disabilities from the Middlefield Centre in Chippenham have been teaching schoolchildren about the wonders of animation. The group of adults, who call themselves Animate Communicate, are based at the centre in Hungerdown Lane, and
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Baby-faced attacker is still sought
POLICE are no closer to tracing a man who assaulted a 20-year-old woman in a Chippenham alleyway and are appealing for more witnesses to come forward. The attacker, who may have been caught on CCTV, grabbed the woman as she took a shortcut through the
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Kids' down to earth plea
A YOUTH group is appealing for 160 tonnes of sub-soil to build a £10,000 BMX facility for youngsters. Corsham Youth Issues Committee says it needs the large donation of soil before work can begin on the site. The facility has been in the pipeline for
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Widower thanks RAF after mercy mission
FORMER airman Bill Brown has thanked the RAF after it conducted a mercy mission to take his dying wife Margaret home to be with her family. Mrs Brown, 62, of Marshfield Road, Chippenham, became seriously ill with a brain tumour while living with her husband
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No need for a singles baa
PUDDIN the sheep has found a new friend, thanks to an appeal by the Gazette. The pet sheep had been lonely ever since the death of its best friend Pip a few weeks ago. But two weeks ago, owner Kim Goodridge from Neston made an appeal through the Gazette
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Rod & Line - by Roland Batten
Festival bonanza for Paul SALISBURY Angling Club stalwart Paul Barnard picked up the top prize in the three-day festival at Witherington Farm Fish-ery over the bank holiday weekend which saw success for local fishermen. Paul totalled up an impressive
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Blind charities benefit from caring darts league
A TOTAL of £8,000 was presented to various local charities when the Salisbury & District Darts League held its annual presentation evening at Salisbury City Hall. The league handed cheques of £3,500 to the RNIB and to Wiltshire Blind, as well as a
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Following in dad's footsteps
GOLF student Mark Searle made history when he won the Wiltshire County Championship at Cumberwell Park and Kingsdown at the weekend. The Salisbury youngster, currently on a golf scholarship at the Tennessee State University, Nashville, carded 72, 75,
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Rising star Adam shines at Gurston
A THRILLING day's speed hillclimbing at Gurston Down saw the outright hill record smashed by a rising star in the sport. New pretender 23-year-old Adam Fleetwood reset the standard for the venue near Broad Chalke in his 3.3 litre V8 powered Gould GR55
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Bowers off to Eastleigh
SALISBURY City will resume their bid for promotion back to the Dr Martens Premier Division without the services of influential midfielder Tyronne Bowers who this week completed his ex-pected move to Eastleigh. The Jewson Wessex League champions are believed
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Open policy is the right one
It may seem a little odd that hospital managers have welcomed an increase in complaints against the NHS Trust. They say it is all about being open and honest, and that they are trying to encourage feedback from patients. That is a positive move, of course
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King to Kop One?
LIVERPOOL youngster Andrew Nicholas will meet Andy King on Monday with a view to signing a year's contract at the County Ground. However, two more players on the manager's 'wish list' are destined for First Division Coventry City. Nicholas, 19, a versatile
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Shoot out at village revels
MORE than 2,500 people rode into town to take part in the Wild West Box Revels over the bank holiday. There was unexpected drama when the air ambulance was called to help a man who fell but he was soon found to be uninjured. The man slipped down a slope
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Market's red, white et bleu
THE Corsham Twinning Association is looking for stalls to sign up for the French market at the end of June. The successful annual event raises money for local charities through a wide selection of stalls set up along the High Street. The market, held
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Tractors set for a record
THOUSANDS of tractors will descend on Hullavington in August for a world record attempt. In move that is bound to cause frustration to at least an equal number of motorists, The Great British Challenge hopes to attract 2,003 tractors to the same place
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Spring clean tests mettle
VOLUNTEERS have been springing into action armed with wheelbarrows and bin bags in an attempt to clean up a nature area in Corsham. Wildlife enthusiasts gave up their time to spring clean Beechfield Nature Area in Middlewick Lane. The site, which was
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Students' scheme puts town on the map
INNOTIVE students have developed an award-winning marketing campaign to promote shops in Corsham town centre. The business studies sixth formers at Corsham School have formed a young enterprise group called Epiphany and have been working closely with
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Council objects to bid to keep rural buffer
PLANS to keep the rural buffer between Swindon and Wootton Bassett have been attacked by Swindon Borough Council. The borough council has lodged an official objection to the North Wiltshire Local Plan, which lays out how many houses can be built in the
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Police are the spin doctors
SIXTEEN Pewsey youngsters have proved to be competent cyclists after taking part in a unique scheme. They were handed their National Cycling Proficiency certificates by PC Chris Mead and Wiltshire County Council Road Safety Officer Jackie Cripps at Pewsey
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'I'll see out my career here,' says Davies
GARETH Davies has agreed to stay at Chippenham Town for another season and says he wants to end his playing days at Hardenhuish Park. The 29-year-old former Swindon Town and Wales U21 centre back missed much of last season through injury, but has still
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Popular Mings bags top job
CHIPPENHAM Town striker Adie Mings will return from his end-of-season holiday this weekend to find himself installed as the club's new assistant manager. Mings expressed an interest in the vacant post before jetting off to the Canaries and, after much
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Financial package for holiday centre
NATWEST Commercial Banking has provided a financial package to Godshill company Sandy Balls Estate, enabling it to continue its improvement and development plans. Sandy Balls has been in the same family ownership since 1919 and has been operating as a
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Bus and rail operator says profits should be excellent
BUS and rail operator Stagecoach Group says its profit before tax for the year to April 30 2003 should be at the top end of market expectations. The company says that in the UK, the bus and rail divisions are making good progress, the strategy to restructure
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CD-Rom points entrepreneurs in right direction
NEW businesses are being offered a software package aimed at helping them start up and succeed. Clearlystart-up, a CD-Rom from Clearlybusiness, a Barclays company, launched the package last month. Featuring presentations from entrepreneurs Richard Noble
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New initiative will help small firms
A NEW service to put people at the heart of Salisbury's 2,000 small businesses is to be launched by Business Link Berkshire and Wiltshire on June 11. The Workforce Development Advisory Service is a new initiative, which will help small and medium-sized
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Store in line for new look
ALLDAYS, in Malmesbury High Street, will be closed for most of next week for a refit. The Co-operative Group bought all 600 Alldays shops across the UK in October and the Malmesbury store will be the first in Wiltshire to have a £150,000 makeover. The
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Litter patrolsbag rubbish
A VOLUNTEER litter patrol filled 12 bags with rubbish from around the station yard and river at Malmesbury. A no waiting sign was also fished out of the water by the 12 members of Malmesbury St Paul Without Residents Association who volunteered to help
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Traffic lights chosen as cure for blackspot
TRAFFIC calming in Bristol Street, Malmesbury, will be achieved through traffic lights and street widening, a working group set up to tackle the issue has recommended. The road has gained a reputation as a blackspot, with blind bends and narrow pavements
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Village hits trigger for study into Broadband
SHERSTON has gained the 200 Broadband registrations BT says it needs before it will conduct a feasibility study into whether to bring the technology to the village. The news comes after campaigners in Malmesbury announced they were launching a website
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School wins sports award
MALMESBURY School has been awarded a prestigious national award by Sport England. The school is one of 590 schools in the country to be given the The Sportsmark award, given only to those who meet the tough targets set out by Sport England. Headteacher
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Japan's quake causes new fear for jailed son
MALMESBURY mother Iris Baker said she feared for her 32-year-old son, held in a squalid Japanese jail, as a massive earthquake ripped through Japan on Monday. Last week the Gazette reported how father-of-one Nick Baker from Stroud, Gloucestershire, has
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Fury at airshow traffic proposal
THERE has been widespread anger at a recommendation from Fairford International Tattoo for visitors to use roads through Corston, Malmesbury and Minety for access. It is the world's biggest air show and last year there was chaos with 15-mile tailbacks
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Mum's dying wish fulfiled
THE last wish of Crudwell mother-of-two Rebecca Thomson, for a sports complex to be built in the village, has been realised. Work on the grounds over the last three months is almost finished and a grand opening ceremony has been set for June 7. It is
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Cornish's rink keeps Cheney top of table
STEVE Cornish's rink ensured Rodbourne Cheney stayed top in Division 1 of the Swindon and District Four-Rink Bowls League, with a 91-67 win over Wootton Bassett A. Vince Hilton's rink picked up seven shots for Bassett, beating Dave Jones 23-16 and Cheney's
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Gardner helps lift Purton to first win
WILTSHIRE LEAGUE: PURTON finally gained their first Division One victory when they inflicted a six-wicket defeat on visiting Nationwide House. The visitors scored 198-4 with Kevin Bates scoring 67 and Stuart Archer 46. In reply Mark Gardner's 83, ably
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Extension of minimum wage will hit employment
A CALL by the TUC for a minimum wage for 16 and 17-year- olds could reduce employment opportunities for students and other young people, a local business organisation is warning. Rick Hopkins, South West spokesman for the Forum of Private Business said
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England's physio gets clinic off to winning start
Steve Slattery, the England Football Squad's sports massage therapist, took time out from helping our nation's finest prepare for their matches against Serbia and Slovakia next month, to officially open a new healthcare clinic in Old Town. The Swindon
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Big firms told to pay quickly
LARGE businesses should play by the rules when it comes to paying their suppliers promptly, Small Business Minister Nigel Griffiths says. Speaking on the fifth anniversary of the formation of the Better Payment Practice Group, Mr Griffiths said large
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Man dies after setting himself alight at garage
A MAN who deliberately set fire to himself on the forecourt of a Salisbury garage died in the intensive care unit at Salisbury district hospital in the early hours of yesterday morning. The 37-year-old man, whose identity is not being released until his
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Expo to give firms business showcase
AN exhibition showcasing all south Wiltshire businesses have to offer is to take place in Salisbury in September. South Wilts Expo, run by Salisbury & District chamber of commerce and industry, will be held at the City Hall and Salisbury Playhouse
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Rain the only winner again
Hampshire Cricket League County Division One Redlynch and Hale I v BAT Sports II HAVING won the toss, BAT skipper Chris Adams had little hesitation in asking Redlynch and Hale to bat first in this rain-affected game reduced to 33 overs. Runs were hard
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Show of strength secures first victory
South Wilts I (150-2) bt Portsmouth 147-9 by 8 wickets A STUNNING team performance gave South Wilts a resounding eight-wicket league win at Ports-mouth. Avoiding the showers that plagued other local games, South Wilts skipper Rob Wade won an important
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County gear up for cup
THE Wiltshire selectors have announced the team to play Warwickshire in the first Middleton Cup group match at Stoke Bowls Club in Coventry on June 7. There are a number of changes to last year's team, due in part to the unavailability of Andy Moore and
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Gardener cleared of heroin charges
A JURY took 20 minutes to find landscape gardener Maurice Barr not guilty of drug charges resulting from Operation Claire, the police crackdown on dealers in Calne and Chippenham. Barr, 36, of Church Street, Calne, stood trial on two counts of being concerned
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Go wild for a new website
THE answers to thousands of questions about wildlife are only a computer click away, according to Wiltshire Wildlife Trust. The WWF has launched a website which aims to inform about all things 'green' in the county. Ivor Smith, the Trust's Head of Fundraising
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Gong for Europe slammed
SIMON May, the Devizes-born composer of many TV themes, has urged the BBC to look long and hard at the coverage it gives to the Eurovision song contest in the light of Saturday night's debacle when the British entry received "nul points". Mr May, who
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Learning to love again
THREE-year-old Ryan Wickham is learning to love the family border collie again five months after a friend's dog ripped his face, making him terrified of all dogs. Mother-of-three Alona Wickham has defended her decision to keep the family pet after her
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Ambulance control staff set for pay rise
AMBULANCE control centre staff are set for a substantial pay increase to bring them into line with fire and police control staff. But the announcement has caused disquiet among paramedics and ambulance technicians whose pay will remain at current levels
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Campers pitch in for former MoD homes
A TENT village has sprung up in Lower Compton, near Calne, as eager house buyers brave the elements in their quest to peg down the home of their dreams. Competition for the former Ministry of Defence properties on the estate is so fierce that families
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Bar OC mauled by late Lions winner
MID-WILTSHIRE LEAGUE: Roundway Cup Final, Linpac Sports and Social Cup Final JB's Lions 4 Bar OC 3 JB's Lions retained the Mid Wiltshire League's Roundway Cup with a dramatic extra-time victory over Bar OC. Lions took the lead after 35 minutes of an end-to-end
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Youth teams glow in the spotlight
YOUTH FOOTBALL: NEARLY 1,400 youngsters took to the field for the Trowbridge Town Youth six-a-side tournament last weekend. Months of organisation came to fruition on Friday evening with Trowbridge's various youth teams taking part in an inter-club competition
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Pensioner falls for antiques con
AN 80-year-old Marlborough woman has called her self a fool and an idiot after letting a doorstep conman into her home. The pensioner, who has asked not to be identified, is counting the cost of opening her door to a man she believed was a genuine antiques
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Care bosses confident despite timescale
BOSSES at the Kennet and North Wiltshire Primary Care Trust are confident they will recruit the staff necessary to set up its planned intermediate care team. The trust is working to a tight timescale as it plans to have the team of professionals in place
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Presenter to launch heritage festival
TELEVISION'S Time Team presenter Phil Harding will launch the county's first festival of archaeology in Devizes at the end of July. The festival has been organised in celebration of the 150th anniversary of the Devizes-based Wiltshire Archaeological and
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Businessman escapes ban
MOTORIST Damien Smith, who was caught driving through Avebury at more than twice the 30mph limit, has been spared a driving ban because of his exemplary driving record. Smith, 28, a computer specialist from Gloucester Road, Trowbridge, told Kennet magistrates
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Top of the class
HEADTEACHER Beverley Martin together with her staff and governors at Upavon School are celebrating receiving the second feather in the cap in almost as many weeks. The Gazette has already reported on the phenomenal progress the village school in Upavon
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Step forward for the Mechanics'
ENGLISH Heritage has welcomed the news the crumbling Mechanics' Institute has finally been sold. And as mark of their intent to see it saved from further dilapidation the organisation has opened dialogue with the new owners of the 149-year-old grade II
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Adventure is in the air for record hopeful David
ADVENTURER David Hempleman-Adams is making final preparations ahead of his attempt to fly solo across the Atlantic in a wicker basket balloon next month. The Swindon-born balloonist, 46, flew to his launch base in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, early on Monday
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The place to take grumbles
Complaints about patient care are dealt with by the Patient Advice and Liaison Service. The body, which is run by Swindon Primary Care Group, provides confidential advice and support, helping members of the public resolve concerns about the care. The
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Hospital complaints increase after move
COMPLAINTS about hospital treatment in Swindon have rocketed since the move to new premises at the start of the year. Figures due to be revealed at tomorrow's monthly meeting of the Swindon and Marlborough NHS Trust show a 46 per cent increase in formal
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Lucky to be alive
A MUM has described the heart-stopping moment her daughter was knocked down by a car in Abbey Meads. Vikki McNeil, seven, had returned home to Stewart Close, Abbey Meads, after a shopping trip to buy new school shoes when she ran into the path of the
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Beat Retreat enjoyed by many
OVERCAST skies and a threat of rain did not deter Amesbury residents from turning out to enjoy the annual Beat Retreat ceremony in the town centre on Thursday evening. One of the most popular military bands in the country, the Lucknow Band of the Prince
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Expo to give firms business showcase
AN exhibition showcasing all south Wiltshire businesses have to offer is to take place in Salisbury in September. South Wilts Expo, run by Salisbury & District chamber of commerce and industry, will be held at the City Hall and Salisbury Playhouse
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Porton inquest date scheduled
AN inquest into the death of a man believed to have been the subject of secret tests conducted at Porton Down in the 1950s, has been provisionally set for the last week of September. Permission was given for the inquest into 20-year-old RAF mechanic Ronald
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PC saves girl's life in river rescue drama
A HERO policeman staged a dramatic rescue operation after a car plunged into the river at Laverstock leaving a teenage girl trapped inside. The car, with two brothers and the girl in it, left the road at the junction of Riverside Road and The Avenue on
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Mobile cardiac unit gave mum new life
AT the age of 32 Sharon Dean did not expect to be told she had a heart condition. And it was even more of a shock for the young mother-of-two, from Amesbury, when doctors eventually told her she would need heart surgery. The usually fit mum had been feeling
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Mum angry at plan to rename school
AN ANGRY Amesbury woman has mounted a campaign after fears were raised this week that the name of the historic Amesbury Junior School would be changing to St Mary and St Melor's. A consultation is being launched by the governors and head teacher Rachel
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New mayor puts his foot down on party political in-fighting
CALNE'S new mayor, Tony Trotman, vowed he would not stand for in-fighting in the town council after the mayoral reception was tainted with party political rivalry. The town council is divided between the Conservatives and the Liberal Democrats, who have
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Music beats the boredom
MUSIC workshops, launched in Coleman's Farm, in Calne, last month to help fight boredom among young people, proved such a hit more sessions have been arranged. Westlea Housing Association set up the scheme, which local community liaison officer and musician
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Green Baize got six appeal
GREEN Baize will hold their six-a-side tournament on June 7. It will take place at King Edwards Place, Wanborough. Cost is £35 per team with squads of up to nine allowed. Closing date for applications is Friday, May 30. Contact Shaun on 01793 642939.
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Spotlight on record office
A TOURING exhibition of the proposed new county record office will arrive in Devizes on Monday. It will be at the library in Sheep Street until June 25. The plans show what the £12.1million record office and heritage centre in Cocklebury Road, Chippenham
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Carer denies theft of £500
CARER Ellen Townsend, who is accused of taking more than £500 from a multiple sclerosis sufferer she was looking after, is to face trial by jury. Townsend, 26, formerly of Primrose Drive, Melksham, but now of Coope Hill, Bromham,pleaded not guilty to
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Nurses miss training to keep unit open
NURSES at Devizes Hospital's minor injuries unit have been working extra night shifts and some have foregone their annual leave to ensure the 24-hour service was maintained. The revelation was made at a meeting of Kennet and North Wiltshire Primary Care
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Gardener in need of sponsors for trip
TEENAGER Alex Mortimer, from Potterne, near Devizes, hopes to help communities in Costa Rica and Nicaragua by going on an expedition with Raleigh International. Alex, 17, is appealing for sponsorship to enable him to go on the three-week expedition with
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Fall victim says thanks
TOWN crier's wife Anne Johnson is recovering after a fall in Marlborough High Street left her with facial injuries and bruised ribs. Mrs Johnson had accompanied her husband Alfie at an official event in the town hall when she tripped and fell close to
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Stage set for theatre dream to be realised
THE dream of Marlborough having its own theatre and cinema has this week moved from the realms of possibility to probability. Tonight the Kennet Valley Arts Trust is launching its fundraising drive for £4.5 million to fund the Riverbank. It has appointed
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Cycle ride to be repeated
A GRUELLING 100-mile cross country bike ride that took place in Marlborough at the weekend is expected to become an annual event. The Ancient Hill Fort Challenge was organised by Wallingford Round Table in Oxfordshire. More than 90 per cent of the route
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Police called to account
POLICE in Wiltshire have been criticised for their soft treatment of an illegal rave compared with the way officers in Herefordshire dealt with an almost identical event at the weekend. Some of the criticism has been made by the Earl of Cardigan, who
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Carnival hits jackpot
CARNIVAL organisers in Marlborough are predicting this year's parade will have the best costumes the town has ever seen after winning a £4,900 National Lottery grant. The money from the lottery's Awards For All scheme is specifically for running costume
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Hiller shines on her debut
THERE was success again for Val Hillier when she won the first match, fishing for her new club Book Club Associates at Ivy House last weekend. Drawn on the rushes, Hillier took a nice bag of carp that weighed 14-15-0 to finish well ahead of second placed
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Eddie gets the heavy mob in for Prospect
FORMER gangsters Joe Pyle and Tony Lambrianou are coming to Swindon to raise money for charity. The men, who mixed with the Kray twins, will host an evening at in The Green-bridge Pub in Bridge End Road on June 14 to support the Prospect Hospice. Eddie
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Cheer up children!
CHILDREN have been helping to brighten up the paediatric ward at Great Western Hospital over half term week. More than 20 youngsters aged five to 15 threw their energy behind a scheme to create a series of murals, based around a treasure island theme,
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Cyclists set to ring in new law changes
CYCLE shop owners in Swindon are sceptical about plans to make cycle bells compulsory. The Government has announced plans to ring the changes over the bells. From next May, all new bicycles will have to be fitted with bells as standard, following calls
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A tasty addition to town
FISH and chip shop owner Robert O'Keeffe is hoping his secret recipes will be attracting Wootton Bassett residents to try the fare at his new shop. Harbour Fish and Chips is the latest addition to the High Street, bringing the total number of chippies
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Children of Iraq need your help
Money given by big hearted Evening Advertiser readers to help the children of Iraq will undoubtedly help save lives. Among the aid the cash will help provide will be clean drinking water for the thousands of innocent children caught up in the horror of
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Singing the praises of Swindon Male Voice Choir
The Swindon Male Voice choir raised £64,000 through a concert during a tour in Veldhoven, Netherlands, with the Corps Band of the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers. The choir, in collaboration with the choir vice-president, Doug Dunn, organised
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Take a bus to the Cotswolds
SWINDON residents are invited to explore the Cotswolds. Thamesdown Transport's X99 Cotswold Express is up and running for the summer. Passengers can enjoy a trip to the Cotswold Wildlife Park in Burford or Moreton-in-Marsh market in the North Cotswolds
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Group gathers to celebrate anniversary
A GROUP which raises money for the National Trust celebrated its 20th anniversary this month. The Upper Thames and Ridge-way National Trust Association held an anniversary dinner at the Wrag Barn Golf and Country Club. Around 84 members, including some
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Century House faces closure
HEALTH chiefs confirmed this week that they are to close Century House as part of mental health cuts in Salisbury. The Grade Two listed building in Endless Street in Salisbury, is currently the base for most community mental health services in south Wiltshire
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Can you help bring music to our ears?
MUSIC students studying at the newly built £13 million New College Campus are short of a grand piano. After moving into the new Frobisher Drive campus in January, the college's music staff decided their existing grand piano needed replacing. The have
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Dig yields astonishing find
THE bones of six people dating back almost 4,500 years have been unearthed by archaeologists in an astonishing new find near Amesbury. The remains were found in one grave, about half a mile from that of the Amesbury Archer - the Early Bronze Age man dubbed
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A36 safety plan starts
A SCHEME to improve safety on the A36 at Skew Bridge in Salisbury will get under way next week. Contractors will start work on the £2.5m project on June 2, constructing two new footbridges adjacent to the existing bridge over the railway line. The scheme
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MP backs campaign for aid
SWINDON MP, Julia Drown, will today join a group of Swindon activists sending messages to the leaders of the G8 nations not to forget Africa and to change unfair trade rules. According to Swindon campaigners, world leaders at the G8 summit this weekend
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Many thanks for saving our lives
Peter and Debbie Costello have praised fire fighters who helped save their lives after a blaze broke out in their kitchen. The blaze started in their first floor flat in Dulverton Avenue, Park North, after Debbie fell asleep, having left chips cooking
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Town loses out
Mr Gale's letter, pointing out the systematic asset stripping of Devizes and much of Wiltshire to benefit Chippenham and North Wiltshire, was reinforced by the new proposals for the Chippenham Hospital to transform it into a "mini-general hospital" with
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Epic trek focuses on spinal injuries
A GROUP of disabled people set off on an epic journey by horse and carriage this week in a bid to show the world that a spinal injury need not get in the way of involvement with equestrian sport. They set off from the spinal unit in Salisbury district
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Improving the lot of the elderly
A CONFERENCE devoted to improving services for elderly people was set to take place today. Older people who use council services are due to meet people from a range of organisations at the Hilton Hotel for a seminar called Soft Voices. Representatives
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Little girl enjoyed her first night at the opera
I trust that you will afford me the space to respond to the unsigned letter in last week's paper headed "Get a babysitter." I totally agree with your correspondent's comments about the excellent performance of the Mikado by MASK on that Friday evening
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Mobile cardiac unit gave mum new life
AT the age of 32 Sharon Dean did not expect to be told she had a heart condition. And it was even more of a shock for the young mother-of-two, from Amesbury, when doctors eventually told her she would need heart surgery. The usually fit mum had been feeling
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He is the one as the fans go wild
The sequel to the Matrix - Matrix Reloaded- has given cinemas across the town one of their busiest weeks of the year so far. Cineworld at Greenbridge is showing the film every 40 minutes at several screens, with most showings selling out. Michelle Reid
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Porton inquest date scheduled
AN inquest into the death of a man believed to have been the subject of secret tests conducted at Porton Down in the 1950s, has been provisionally set for the last week of September. Permission was given for the inquest into 20-year-old RAF mechanic Ronald
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Folk festival could be an even bigger success
I WOULD like to congratulate and thank Bob Berry and his team, as well as the Rotary Club of Chippenham, for the usual exceptional organisation and commitment which has led to this year's excellent Chippenham Folk Festival. This is truly the highlight
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Time to report
As a reluctant shareholder in The Dome Unlimited who were sold a pup by some unscrupulous share-pushers I wonder when we will receive our annual report ? Have any of your readers any knowledge of how this South Thames Bubble is doing? Leslie Loader Marlborough
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Run for Mencap
The Flora Light Challenge for Women is the perfect excuse to catch up and keep fit by running, jogging or walking the 5km fun run with friends and family in aid of Mencap. Get down to Hyde Park or Birmingham City Centre on September 14 and be part of
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This is justice?
THE noble lords who preside over the running joke called the British legal system have just ruled that it is quite lawful to hijack an aircraft, armed with knives, handgrenades, and pistols (allegedly unloaded) hold 100 passengers hostage for three days
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Spend more on hospitals not asylum
IT would be appreciated if you would allow me to reply to Elspeth Wullen (EA, May 15). I would like to come to the defence of Messrs Avenell and Selway who (in my opinion) represent the vast silent majority. Basic accommodation plus £37.77. Hotels which
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Kangaroos are a menace
Is the debate regarding the kangaroo meat meals at the Sun Inn related to vegetarian versus carnivore or does someone have a real concern over the plight of this native Australian animal? If the concern is vegetarian versus carnivore, then why aren't
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Grewcock out
Danny Grewcock was given a World Cup vote of confidence by England boss Clive Woodward after being grounded for the summer tour to New Zealand and Australia. While England tackle the All Blacks and Wallabies next month, Grewcock will be at home, reflecting
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New enterprise for Stewart
UNTIL MAY 31, BATH: The Master Builder, Bath Theatre Royal WOULD a production of Ibsen's undoubted classic draw a capacity audience were it not for the presence in the title role of Patrick Stewart, aka Jean-Luc Picard, Captain of the Starship Enterprise
