Archive
-
Date
Mobility scheme comes to a halt
DISABLED shoppers in Trowbridge are having their wheelchairs and scooters taken away because of a lack of cash. Shopmobility, a charity which has helped people get around the county town since 1997, is due to close next month, leaving more than 500 disabled
-
Date
Town is champion
Gymnasts from all over the country were in Melksham last weekend for the English Championships, where some incredibly talented sportsmen and women were put through their paces by the judges. The Wiltshire School of Gymnastics was chosen to host the event
-
Date
Independence is priceless
Most things seem to come down to money in the end. Disabled shoppers who use the Lifestyles and Shopmobility service in Trowbridge are sadly facing the loss of the service because the charity which runs it cannot find the £20,000 a year to fund it. It
-
Date
Coarse fishing season gets under way at last
MONDAY marks the opening of the new coarse fishing season on rivers and drains. Although canals, lakes and ponds are open all year, there are still many anglers who observe a close season on all waters and they will be looking forward with relish to getting
-
Date
'He has got to stand on his own two feet'
A FATHER whose teenage son has been living rough after being thrown out of the family home has defended his actions. John Forster-Heatlie's son Vinny, 19, was sleeping in a tent with a friend on the recreation ground behind Swindon Town Football Club's
-
Date
MP bids to help historic house
NORTH Swindon MP Michael Wills will learn later today about ambitious plans to restore Lydiard House when he visits the site. The Swindon Corporation's legendary town clerk, David Murray John, bought the historic building almost 60 years ago for £4,500
-
Date
School may lose out in bid for £20,000
A SECONDARY school could be set to miss out on almost £20,000 of extra funding after a row broke out over a planned new entrance. Churchfields School in Walcot was successful in its bid for the Safer Routes to Schools cash to build a pedestrian only entrance
-
Date
Be a carer men urged
IN SPITE of changing attitudes, which have seen women joining the clergy, the armed services and the fire service, child care still remains an area dominated by women. Latest studies show that fewer than three per cent of child care workers are men and
-
Date
Air show pays tribute to war
THE world's biggest military air show will stage its own special tribute to the thousands of people who served during the Gulf War. Several of the aircraft flown by Coalition Forces will be putting in an appearance at this year's Royal International Air
-
Date
Action day held for neighbourhood teams
RESIDENTS have got the chance to voice their concerns about their community to Swindon council and the police next week. The council is holding a Neighbourhood Safety Team action day on Wednesday at the University of Bath in Swindon's Oakfield campus
-
Date
Safety fears over crossing
A NUMBER of near misses on the new zebra crossing in Cricklade have prompted the town council to ask for a safety audit. The crossing in High Street has only been in use for the last couple of months, but the council has received several complaints from
-
Date
Don't swallow us up say villagers
RESIDENTS in Purton fear their village could be swallowed up and swamped by poorly constructed houses. As part of the Wiltshire and Swindon Structure Plan Review 2016, villagers have been asked to fill out a form giving their opinions on a number of issues
-
Date
Air show launched
Sunday's Kemble Classic Jets Airshow has been officially launched by comedian Dom Joly. The show's attractions will include the Red Arrows as well as jet aircraft ranging from a vintage Gloster Meteor to a modern day Tornado. Tickets will cost £15 for
-
Date
Police found the body of reclusive man in his bed
THE body of a reclusive Park South man lay undiscovered in his home for a week. An inquest heard that police officers broke into the home of Arthur Burke, 58, of Purley Avenue, after neighbours became concerned for his welfare. Officers discovered the
-
Date
Another amazing maze is taking shape for summer
Swindon's latest tourist attraction is springing up from the ground and into life. The Great Western Maze is slowly taking shape in a field just south of Junction 16 of the M4 motorway. The maze is made out of maize and has been designed by the Adrian
-
Date
Nothing magic about mushrooms
The contrast between two stories in Tuesday's Evening Advertiser could not have been greater. On the one hand we had a brilliant initiative for reporting drug dealers in an anonymous manner. I lend my full support to this telephone service. Drugs attack
-
Date
Our future is looking bleak
Mary Cockbill, 68, of Stratton Road, is the wife of the late Trevor Cockbill, the printer, author and campaigner renowned for his encyclopaedic knowledge of the old Swindon. Here, she opens her heart about the Swindon of today. I hear that the poor Mechanics
-
Date
A model role
UNTIL JUNE 21, BATH: Mrs Warren's Profession, Monday until June 21, Theatre Royal Bath. TWIGGY Lawson the doe-eyed supermodel of the 60s and one of a clutch of stars who doesn't require the burden of a second name is back with a vengeance. While her fashion
-
Date
Weekend cricket teams and fixtures
SATURDAY Swindon 1st v Trowbridge (home/ meet 12.15pm, game starts 1.30pm): W Nichols, J Baden, D Beasant, T Fox, J Lewis, N Patel, A Staff, P Stinchcombe, P Stoddard, B Sydney-Smith, R Willoughby. Scorer: T Carter. Swindon 2nd v Trowbridge (away/meet
-
Date
Hopefully Vinny will come home
THROWING your 19-year-old offspring out of the house because he refuses to get out of bed in the mornings is a harsh punishment. Other parents who have been driven to the end of their tether by awkward teenagers will probably sympathise with John Forster-Heatlie
-
Date
Agogo Again?
JUNIOR AGOGO'S failure to sign for Peterborough United will only re-ignite a possible switch to the County Ground if Barnet accept the club's original bid. The striker was widely expected to agree a move to London Road after the Conference side accepted
-
Date
Water award for factory
AN ENVIRONMENTALLY-friendly milk factory in Westbury has been praised for its careful use of water. The United Milk factory has received the Environment Agency's prestigious Water Efficiency Award. The factory estimates it saves 1.8 million gallons of
-
Date
Fire causes £10,000 damage
A SELF employed man who had just launched his own business is now back to square one after a fire wiped out £10,000 of his machinery. Clive Stacey, 42, had been running his engineering and joinery company called EJ Services, for just two months when it
-
Date
Diabetic gran overdosed on tranquillisers
A 17-STONE Westbury woman had five times the maximum dosage of a prescribed tranquilliser in her blood when she died, an inquest heard. Diabetes and gallstone sufferer Julia Espie, 66, was found dead in bed at her Phoenix Rise home in Westbury by her
-
Date
Rapist's appeal is ruled out
A rapist who preyed on elderly women has lost an appeal to have his life sentence overturned. Anthony Joyce from Salisbury posed as a telephone engineer to get into the home of a 74-year-old woman from Westbury in 1999. Once in the house he then tied
-
Date
He's my pop idol
RISING singing star Chris Underwood, winner of last year's Starry Eyes talent contest in Trowbridge, has had his hopes for super stardom crushed by the infamously nasty judging panel from TV's Pop Idol. Chris, 20, made it through three rounds of auditions
-
Date
Shops set for Potter-mania
THE launch of the latest Harry Potter book is to be marked by bookshops across Swindon. Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix becomes officially available on Saturday, June 21. It is the latest in the series by JK Rowling which has so far broken all
-
Date
Swindon men eyeing trophy
THE Swindon and District Men's Bowls Association will be looking forward to meeting Swindon and District Ladies at Highworth this Sunday (3pm) hoping regain the Dave Tapliss Trophy. Team: Rink 1: Neil Biles (Highworth), Gordon Pearce, Chris Blount, John
-
Date
Hambrook v Westbury
WESTBURY suffered a disappointing defeat in their first ever league match at Hambrook. On a damp pitch the bowlers performed well, but Westbury were let down by their batsmen. Westbury made three changes after last week's defeat against Nailsea, with
-
Date
Research cash
TWO summer fetes in Melksham helped raise over £6,000 for medical research charity Action Research. The first Bath Summer Fair took place last Monday, at Great Chalfield Manor and visitors browsed through stalls offering handmade jewellery and snacks.
-
Date
Reading workers' emails to be banned by law
THE monitoring of worker's emails by prying bosses is to be banned and enforced by law. A new code, which sets out how employers should comply with the Data Protection Act, encourages the compliance with article eight of the Human Rights Act the right
-
Date
Recognised for more outstanding work
JANETTE Collins risk manager at Swindon Council has been shortlisted for a prestigious national award in recognition of her work towards risk management. It is the second year running that Janette has been identifying possible pitfalls and dangers for
-
Date
FEATURE: Man Friday
Name:Edward Preece, 37 Employer: Whitmarsh Preece Lockhart So what do you actually do? Similar to an estate agent other than instead of finding buyers for houses I am involved in finding buyers or tenants for commercial buildings such as offices and shops
-
Date
Bitter anger at decision to close Shopmobility
I HOPE you will allow me to use your respected newspaper to say how absolutely disgusted I am with our district council, which has embraced the spending of £600,000 to employ some "experts" to tell us how our town could be improved, and yet see fit to
-
Date
Iford celebrates its 10th birthday
THE 10th summer season of opera at Iford will feature some of the country's most exciting and innovative young companies. Three operas will be performed between June 24 and July 26, presented as usual in the Grade I listed cloister. The Early Opera Company
-
Date
Success for three pubs
THREE pubs in west Wiltshire were toasting success at an award ceremony last night. The West End Inn, Melksham, and the Black Horse and Longs Arms, both in Trowbridge, won awards at a ceremony organised by the Greene King Pub Company at the Birmingham
-
Date
WILLIAMS TRIAL: Soiled clothing found in lay-by
The stretch of the River Avon at Bradford where Natalie Williams' body was foundITEMS of soiled and muddy clothing linking Williams to the river water in which his wife's body was submerged, were discovered in a Warminster lay-by, a court heard. Mark
-
Date
WILLIAMS TRIAL: Web of lies to cover up debts
Randle Williams' mother Audrey and father Archibald, left leaving the crown court in BristolBROKE computer firm boss Randle Williams was facing financial meltdown on the day his wife was killed as his complex web of deception finally started to unravel
-
Date
WILLIAMS TRIAL: Threats made to married dentist
DENTIST Neil MacFarlane told the court how jealous Randle Williams repeatedly quizzed him about his sexual relationship with Natalie. Married Mr MacFarlane said the murder suspect pushed and threatened him, issued stay-away warnings and lodged allegations
-
Date
WILLIAMS TRIAL: Wife's affair sparked rage
UNCONTROLLABLE jealousy over his wife's sexual affairs and flirtatious behaviour pushed hotheaded Randle Williams into a chain of violent rages, a court heard. Neighbours accused of having affairs with Natalie, whose glamour and sense of style was compared
-
Date
Success for care homes
CARE HOMES in west Wiltshire have been praised for successfully meeting government standards. Inspectors based at Chippenham and working for the National Care Standards Commission carried out a year-long review of every private and voluntary health care
-
Date
Charity taste test tonight
THE founder of a national charity is visiting west Wiltshire this week to lend his support to a vodka tasting event. Victor Mizzy is the chairman and founder of the Chernobyl Children's Lifeline charity which gives children from Belarus the chance to
-
Date
Veteran died of natural causes
KOREAN war veteran John Baxter died from natural causes at his home in Warminster, an inquest at Salisbury decided on Tuesday. The retired colonel, who lived in West Street, had lost the use of his arms and legs following a fall at his home in 1992, but
-
Date
On-site shop for vineyard
A SUCCESSFUL Wiltshire vineyard hopes to expand by selling its own wines in an on-site shop. Paul Dale, owner of The Wylye Valley Vineyard in Crockerton, near Warminster, has lodged a planning application to build the shop due to increased demand. Mr
-
Date
Young poets to get in print
PUPILS at Heytesbury Primary School are celebrating after getting every single entry into a poetry competition included in a published collection. For the past two years the pupils have taken part in the annual Young Writers competition, which each year
-
Date
Police funeral for popular DC
SENIOR officers from across the county joined family and friends to pay tribute to a popular detective at his funeral on Monday. DC Mike Brown, of Warminster CID, died in hospital on June 2, aged 47, after a long illness. His funeral service took place
-
Date
Party on at song event
RESIDENTS in Bradford on Avon are being invited to remember a special feast day and celebrate by 'Singing round the Town' next Saturday. June 21 heralds Midsummer's Day and for the third year in a row a group of residents is organising a singing, dance
-
Date
Solution to congestion
COUNCILLORS in Bradford on Avon have come up with some new solutions to solve the congestion that clogs the town during rush hour each day. Last month Wiltshire County Council said a relief road for Bradford on Avon would not be included in the next Structure
-
Date
WILLIAMS TRIAL: Parents doubt randle's story
Natalie's parents Robert, left, and Muriel Hussey took the witness stand to describe how Williams told them about their daughter's disappearanceTHE parents of Natalie Williams revealed how her husband appeared "controlled and calm" when he told them about
-
Date
WILLIAMS TRIAL: Soiled clothing found in lay-by
The stretch of the River Avon at Bradford where Natalie Williams' body was foundITEMS of soiled and muddy clothing linking Williams to the river water in which his wife's body was submerged, were discovered in a Warminster lay-by, a court heard. Mark
-
Date
WILLIAMS TRIAL: Web of lies to cover up debts
Randle Williams' mother Audrey and father Archibald, left leaving the crown court in BristolBROKE computer firm boss Randle Williams was facing financial meltdown on the day his wife was killed as his complex web of deception finally started to unravel
-
Date
WILLIAMS TRIAL: Threats made to married dentist
DENTIST Neil MacFarlane told the court how jealous Randle Williams repeatedly quizzed him about his sexual relationship with Natalie. Married Mr MacFarlane said the murder suspect pushed and threatened him, issued stay-away warnings and lodged allegations
-
Date
WILLIAMS TRIAL: 'Sex and cash key to wife's murder'
A DEADLY combination of obsessive jealousy, infidelity and impending financial ruin pushed Randle Williams into murdering his wife and dumping her body in a river near their home, a court heard. The 43-year-old Bradford on Avon computer boss is accused
-
Date
Help needed on Melksham Platoon
I am hoping that through the pages of your newspaper I might be able to obtain information or contact with members of the former 'Melksham Platoon' of the 4th Battalion Wiltshire Regiment. My grandfather, Reginald George Harrold was a former member of
-
Date
Music Centre praised
SOMETHING which may have passed unnoticed in a recent concert at Wiltshire Music Centre (May 17) is the performance, for the first time in the west of England, of Wiltshire composer James Patten's Stabat Mater. The piece received a most sympathetic performance
-
Date
Samaritan thanks
MAY I thank through the courtesy of your columns the person who called the ambulance when my husband fell over at the top of Bradford Road last Thursday evening. He was fit enough to be discharged from Bath Hospital later that night with a black eye and
-
Date
Come join the party
WINGFIELD Women's Institute will be having a party on Sunday July 13 at Stable House, Church Lane, Wingfield, at 7pm to celebrate their 50 years. They would like to see any former members who would like to come. MRS A ANDREWS, Wingfield, Trowbridge.
-
Date
An attempt to jog driver's conscience
MAY I, though the Wiltshire Times' readers' column, express my surprise and disgust at the behaviour of a particular car driver. I am a keen jogger, not just for health reasons but to view interesting areas of Trowbridge and Westbury. Last weekend my
-
Date
Questions over a boy's ordeal
PARENTS Patrick and Treena Tovey claim that their son had to endure an agonising experience because of a communication error between hospital staff. Jordan Tovey, nine, who was born with mild cerebral palsy, was meant to have a splint attached to his
-
Date
Steaming in with advice
THE MAN in charge of the largest collection of railway icons in the world says Swindon's Steam museum will only prosper if the town markets itself as a desirable tourist destination. Richard Gibbon, the head of the engineering collection at the National
-
Date
Becks has a treat up his sleeve
Henry Norridge's dream came true when he met football icon David Beckham. Henry, six, from Coleview, rubbed shoulders with the sporting star thanks to his granddad, John. John, 54, from Eldene, won a BP Meet David Beckham day, run through BP petrol stations
-
Date
Madonna's high heels for sale
A PAIR of shoes once belonging to pop icon Madonna are on sale in Swindon - for £2,500. The size five pair of silver Dolce and Gabbana high heels have just gone on sale at the Infinitely Better store on the first floor of the Brunel Centre. The pop star
-
Date
Council finance chief to lose job
IAN Thompson, Swindon Council's director of resources, is being made redundant. Widely regarded as a first class local accountant, Mr Thompson, 52, is one of only a handful of senior officers to survive after previous chief executive Paul Doherty resigned
-
Date
New team pack them in
Shoppers were greeted by a sea of blue and yellow at Asda WalMart last Saturday as 19 boys from Swindon Rugby Club's junior section offered to help pack their groceries. It was a chance to boost the profile of the club within the town, and raise funds
-
Date
Anger over spoiled post
STAMP collector Paul Evans is seeking a Royal Mail inquiry after a set of postcards with first edition stamps were returned to him incorrectly marked and damaged. Mr Evans, 44, of Dixon Way, Calne, has been collecting first day covers since 1977 and normally
-
Date
Death of Airsprung stalwart
FORMER Airsprung chairman and life president John Yates died on Sunday aged 87. Mr Yates was the driving force behind the expansion of the multi-million pound furniture business based in Trowbridge. He joined Airsprung aged 21 after serving in the Second
-
Date
Public order case delayed
FIREMAN Denver Walton was due to appear before Trowbridge magistrates yesterday to face a public order charge in connection with a disturbance outside the town's Chicago Rock Caf. Walton appeared last Thursday before JPs when a charge of making threats
-
Date
Groom in stag party punch-up
A BRIDEGROOM who beat up his brother during his stag party was released from a prison cell just hours before the wedding. Magistrates in Trowbridge heard how Robert Church only just made it to the ceremony on time after being arrested for the attack.
-
Date
New filling for Bowyers
A FACTORY famous for its tasty pies is set to get a fresh new filling itself. Pork Farm Bowyers, in Stallard Street, Trowbridge has invested in a new state of the art oven costing more than £2m. The oven, measuring 50 metres long, is being shipped over
-
Date
Model T is star of show
A MODEL T Ford will be one of the main attractions for enthusiasts at an open weekend hosted by Ford main dealer Reed of Trowbridge this weekend. Visitors to the Canal Road showroom will have the chance to take a ride in the Model T, the world's first
-
Date
Town plan lined up for September
DEVELOPERS with their eyes on key sites in Trowbridge are being asked to co-operate with the team putting together a framework for its future. Consultants, employed by the partnership behind the project, are already using findings from previous Vision
-
Date
Court campaigners lose fight
COURTHOUSE campaigners have lost the fight to keep Trowbridge Magistrates' Court open following an announcement on Monday. The decision to close the court has been called "a sad day for the town" by outraged campaigners. New cases will no longer be heard
-
Date
He's my pop idol
RISING singing star Chris Underwood, winner of last year's Starry Eyes talent contest in Trowbridge, has had his hopes for super stardom crushed by the infamously nasty judging panel from TV's Pop Idol. Chris, 20, made it through three rounds of auditions
-
Date
Campaign pays off over roads
CAMPAIGNERS in Westbury and Hilperton are celebrating after a planning inspector told civic leaders to reconsider the routes of the Westbury Bypass and Hilperton Gap road. A report by inspector Derek Mumford was released this week following last year's
-
Date
Creating a community that cares
Vice chairman Bill FishlockA NEW fundraising campaign has named three local dignitaries to head the initiative. Swindon Cares is an umbrella organisation aiming to raise a minimum of £10, 000 for three local charities Age Concern, the NSPCC and the Evening
-
Date
Bassett ring the changes
WOOTTON Bassett travel to Dumbleton tomorrow in need of a victory to kick start their season and lift them off the foot of Glos/Wilts Division One. With injuries and unavailabilities hitting the club hard, Joe Lukens and Graham King are promoted from
-
Date
Do not let our students down again
AFTER last summer's appalling exams chaos, which meant serious delays and the need to re-mark countless papers, it is outrageous that we are now being warned the system is close to breaking point. The logistics of sending 24 million exam scripts to points
-
Date
Wool run revisited
HIGHWORTH Canoe Club will re-enact the medieval wool run along the Thames from Lechlade to Oxford. The 31-mile route was part of the route used for transporting wool from the Cotswold meadows to London .The sponsored event will be held from Saturday,
-
Date
School to ban filming
A North Wiltshire primary school has sparked an angry reaction among some parents by banning video cameras on sports day. Holy Trinity School in Calne took the decision on child protection grounds in line with some parents' wishes. Last week parents received
-
Date
Success for three pubs
THREE pubs in west Wiltshire were toasting success at an award ceremony last night. The West End Inn, Melksham, and the Black Horse and Longs Arms, both in Trowbridge, won awards at a ceremony organised by the Greene King Pub Company at the Birmingham
-
Date
Exploring cultures
TEACHERS and pupils helped turn a Dilton Marsh school into a living multi-cultural art show this week. Over 140 youngsters at Dilton Marsh Primary School have been learning about different cultures and dressed up in traditional clothes. During the week
-
Date
Lafarge battle goes on
AN environmental campaign-er who is fighting to stop Lafarge Cement burning tyres at its Westbury works goes to the court of appeal this week. David Levy, former chairman of the Air That We Breathe group, first brought a case against the Environment Agency
-
Date
Recycle your rubbish and help good causes
A NEW directory is being put together for the people of Westbury that means they can now recycle everything from aerosols to zips. The Rethink Rubbish Directory is designed for the town and its surrounding villages and will list companies and individuals
-
Date
Campaign pays off over roads
CAMPAIGNERS in Westbury and Hilperton are celebrating after a planning inspector told civic leaders to reconsider the routes of the Westbury Bypass and Hilperton Gap road. A report by inspector Derek Mumford was released this week following last year's
-
Date
Licence row rages on
THE row over pub opening times in Westbury has escalated after a residents' association vowed to oppose the renewal of late licences in the town. Late licences are due for renewal for several pubs in August. The Westbury Market Place Residents' Association's
-
Date
Madonna's high heels for sale
A PAIR of shoes once belonging to pop icon Madonna are on sale in Swindon - for £2,500. The size five pair of silver Dolce and Gabbana high heels have just gone on sale at the Infinitely Better store on the first floor of the Brunel Centre. The pop star
-
Date
Crusade to keep care home open
STAFF and residents from a Melksham care home will take their battle against its closure straight to County Hall next week. At 9.30am next Friday, as part of an ongoing campaign highlighting the plight of Waverley House, about 20 protesters will gather
-
Date
Mourners say a final farewell to Julia, 33
TRIBUTES have been flooding in for a leukaemia sufferer who died after a 12-month battle against the disease. Surrounded by family and friends, Julia Hember, 33, died at St Bartholomew's Hospital, London, on June 1. On Tuesday her body was taken to St
-
Date
Retail giant set for sweeping changes
RETAIL giant Woolworths plans to introduce sweeping changes in working practices at its Dorcan Industrial Estate depot. The depot in Faraday Road, which employs around 200 people, is one of a handful of Woolworths distribution plants across the country
-
Date
WILLIAMS TRIAL: Natalie's fragile health
EATING disorders, drink binges and depression blighted the life of 33-year-old Natalie Williams, a court heard. Her first husband, David Brown, also revealed the couple's pain of aborting their first baby in the early 1990s because of his wife's fragile
-
Date
WILLIAMS TRIAL: Parents doubt randle's story
Natalie's parents Robert, left, and Muriel Hussey took the witness stand to describe how Williams told them about their daughter's disappearanceTHE parents of Natalie Williams revealed how her husband appeared "controlled and calm" when he told them about
-
Date
WILLIAMS TRIAL: Natalie arrested for breach of peace
POLICE officers revealed how Natalie Williams was arrested for breach of the peace after attacking and threatening to kill her husband during a drink and drugs binge. Randle Williams called Wiltshire officers to the couple's Greenland Mills home at around
-
Date
WILLIAMS TRIAL: 'Sex and cash key to wife's murder'
A DEADLY combination of obsessive jealousy, infidelity and impending financial ruin pushed Randle Williams into murdering his wife and dumping her body in a river near their home, a court heard. The 43-year-old Bradford on Avon computer boss is accused
-
Date
John Wesley memorial for Methodist faithful
Methodists from Wootton Bassett are planning to spread the message that 'Jesus loves You!' in order to remember the work of the evangelist John Wesley, who was born 300 years ago this year. The United Reformed Church at Wood Street will be open to visitors
-
Date
Workers urged to bike it in
COUNCIL staff are ditching their cars next week in a bid to encourage people to get on their bikes. To kick off National Bike Week, 10 staff from West Wiltshire District Council plan to ride 26 miles through the Wiltshire countryside on Monday. Throughout
-
Date
Pensioners to get help
PENSIONERS claiming tax and housing benefits are getting help under the new pension tax credit scheme. From June 16 anyone over 60 receiving housing or council tax benefits from West Wiltshire District Council will no longer have their claims reviewed
-
Date
Go-ahead for school extension
A VILLAGE school is to get a new extension despite fears it would be too big and out of character with the existing listed building. Planning officers at West Wiltshire District Council recommended Chapmanslade School's application be refused but councillors
-
Date
In charge of council services
COUNCILLORS at the heart of decision-making at West Wiltshire District Council have revealed the service areas they are to head. The seven, who are at the centre of day-to-day decision making, also play a key role in proposing the budget and policy framework
-
Date
Syme to take key position
A DISTRICT councillor has stepped down from the council's Independent group in order to chair an important internal committee. John Syme, an Independent councillor for Warminster West, had been one of four Independent councillors. Cllr Syme will now chair
-
Date
Mast protest earns delay
CAMPAIGNING residents have won a two-week delay in their bid to stop a phone mast being erected in the centre of Warminster. Work was due to begin on the mast, on top of the old telephone exchange in East Street, yesterday. But Telecoms company Hutchison
-
Date
Flat above store is evacuated
THREE people were evacuated from a first floor flat after a fire broke out in the shop below on Monday. Fire crews were called out to the blaze at the Homemaker electrical store in George Street, Warminster at 12.23pm. Smoke was pouring out of both floors
-
Date
'Sex and cash key to wife's murder'
A DEADLY combination of obsessive jealousy, infidelity and impending financial ruin pushed Randle Williams into murdering his wife and dumping her body in a river near their home, a court heard. The 43-year-old Bradford on Avon computer boss is accused
-
Date
No lead in hunt for missing girl
SEVEN YEARS after hospital clerical worker Melanie Hall disappeared police are still no closer to solving the mystery of what happened to her. The 25-year-old from Bradford Leigh has not been seen since disappearing after a night out with friends at Cadillacs
-
Date
Police get ready to move to town base
WORK has started on a £250,000 extension to Bradford on Avon fire station to enable the police to move in. Councillors backed plans to join the two forces, so that the police were more visible in the town centre. Wiltshire divisional commander Chief Superintendent
-
Date
Children enjoy a day out on the canal
CHILDREN from Chernobyl were treated to a ride on the Kennet and Avon Canal this week as part of a four-week visit to England to boost their health. This is the third year in a row the group of 12 children have been to this country to stay with host families
-
Date
WILLIAMS TRIAL: Natalie's fragile health
EATING disorders, drink binges and depression blighted the life of 33-year-old Natalie Williams, a court heard. Her first husband, David Brown, also revealed the couple's pain of aborting their first baby in the early 1990s because of his wife's fragile
-
Date
WILLIAMS TRIAL: Natalie arrested for breach of peace
POLICE officers revealed how Natalie Williams was arrested for breach of the peace after attacking and threatening to kill her husband during a drink and drugs binge. Randle Williams called Wiltshire officers to the couple's Greenland Mills home at around
-
Date
WILLIAMS TRIAL: Wife's affair sparked rage
UNCONTROLLABLE jealousy over his wife's sexual affairs and flirtatious behaviour pushed hotheaded Randle Williams into a chain of violent rages, a court heard. Neighbours accused of having affairs with Natalie, whose glamour and sense of style was compared
-
Date
Children enjoy a day out on the canal
CHILDREN from Chernobyl were treated to a ride on the Kennet and Avon Canal this week as part of a four-week visit to England to boost their health. This is the third year in a row the group of 12 children have been to this country to stay with host families
-
Date
Christian joins Rec new-boys
Bath have completed the signing of former England under 21 captain Christian Balshen from Welsh side Swansea. The 23-year-old hooker, who represented England in the last under 21 World Cup, was one of the bright lights for Swansea, making 21 appearances
-
Date
Councillors' allowances and sherry glasses...
I READ with great interest the comments from Horace Prickett regarding the pay of portfolio holders within West Wiltshire District Council's new cabinet. As a long-serving member of the council I have no problem with portfolio holders being paid a fair
-
Date
Company sets sails for next date
ON behalf of Trowbridge Amateur Operatic Society I would like to thank all those who came and supported our recent production of Anything Goes at the Arc Theatre. Performing at the Arc Theatre was a new venture for us, presenting new challenges as well
-
Date
Who are loo-sers?
MICHAELA Vardy's letter in the Wiltshire Times dated May 30 is unjust; The Shires and Castle Place toilets are supplied to the public free of charge. Yet the public are the ones who vandalise and leave litter, blocked toilets, sinks and urinals, which
-
Date
Questions on A36 scheme
In Mrs Wyeth's letter (Wiltshire Times, May 30) she mentions the County Council's scheme for the A36 Codford-Heytesbury Improvement addresses all the accident black spots, as indeed it does, at great cost both to the environment and the public purse.
-
Date
Fred's funny faces
Many people would do anything to deflect attention from their facial features. But regulars at the Beehive pub in Old Town have had all their quirky traits exaggerated and put on public display. BHAVANI VADDE and FLICKY HARRISON report on a new art display
-
Date
Empty shop is hit in wrecking spree
VANDALS have targeted the front of a disused showroom during a wrecking spree on the Mannington Retail Park. The outside of the Comet electrical store, which has since moved to the Orbital Shopping Park in Abbey Meads, was littered with broken glass and
-
Date
Date for inquest
LYNEHAM: The inquest into a 29-year-old serviceman from RAF Lyneham, who died in a motorbike accident, opens on Monday in Chippenham. The man died at the scene after his motorcycle was in collision with a white Ford Escort Van on the A3102 on the Lyneham
-
Date
Exam chaos ahead
THOUSANDS of pupils could see their futures thrown into doubt after a warning that the exam system was close to breaking point. Headteachers and teaching union leaders in Swindon have said that unless there is a marked improvement on GCSE and A-level
-
Date
Romola stops the traffic
THE PERFORMANCE of a young Wiltshire actress is stopping traffic in a multi-million dollar Hollywood blockbuster being shot in Bath. Romola Garai, 21, from Calne and a former pupil at Stonar School, Atworth, stars in the $18m Hollywood movie, Vanity Fair
-
Date
Award goes to town company
A TROWBRIDGE firm that provides 3D images of conservatories for customers has been named regional installer of the year. Sheerclass, based at Semington Turnpike, received the accolade from roofing supplier Quantal Conservatory Roofing Systems. Steve Blanks
-
Date
School to ban filming
A North Wiltshire primary school has sparked an angry reaction among some parents by banning video cameras on sports day. Holy Trinity School in Calne took the decision on child protection grounds in line with some parents' wishes. Last week parents received
-
Date
Business stalwart dies, 89
THE funeral of well-known Trowbridge businessman Philip Harris was held last week. Mr Harris, who was 89, died on May 30 in Trowbridge hospital. He had lived all his life in Trowbridge. He ran PF Harris and Son Radio and Television, which started in 1937
-
Date
Outbuilding break-ins on increase
POLICE in Trowbridge are warning people to be on their guard after a 140 per cent increase in the number of break-ins into sheds and garages. Inspector Jon Tapper is warning people to get proper locks and make their outbuildings more secure after 64 break-ins
-
Date
Crash is a mystery
POLICE are appealing for information about a crash on a notorious stretch of a busy main road near Trowbridge. A silver VW Golf car skidded into a hedge on the A350 at Stoney Gutter, between Semington and Yarnbrook, at 8am on Sunday morning. A 33-year-old
-
Date
Oversight scuppers court case
Lawyers were forced to drop an assault case against a Trowbridge man because police failed to charge him within a six-month time limit. Martin Alford walked free from Trowbridge Magistrates Court on Thursday despite pleading guilty to assaulting a bouncer
-
Date
Best ever hip Holt festival
THE biggest ever annual Holt Music Festival hit the right note on Saturday with dancing, music, food and drink. Over 800 revellers helped raise £4,000 for Holt village hall and enjoyed a range of music at the same time. Throughout the day revellers got
-
Date
Plea to car drivers after chaos
A parked car caused a traffic jam which stopped drivers getting into the centre of Trowbridge on Thursday. The driver of a maroon Ford Mondeo parked his car for half an hour on double yellow lines outside the Halifax building society in Silver Street,
-
Date
Pre-schoolers picnic in park
PRE-SCHOOL children and their parents shared a teddy bears' picnic at Trowbridge Park on Wednesday. The picnic was held by the West Wiltshire Pre-School Learning Alliance to celebrate the friendship between groups in Trowbridge, Melksham and Bradford
-
Date
Pupils' own Vision
STUDENTS from three west Wiltshire secondary schools are helping shape the future of the county town with their contribution to the ongoing Vision for Trowbridge project. Work by Year 10 and 12 students from the Claren-don and John of Gaunt Schools and
-
Date
Larkrise celebrates award
PUPILS and staff at Larkrise Special School in Trowbridge has something to celebrate after being given a School Achieve-ment Award by the Govern-ment. Larkrise is a school dedicated to children, aged three to 19, with special educational needs and works
-
Date
Judges are ready for some hot competition in curry contest
THE judges for the town's annual curry competition have been chosen. The lucky three are self-confessed curry experts Melvyn Blackman, Howard Taylor, the host of GWR's breakfast show, and Evening Advertiser reporter Bhavani Vadde. They will be preparing
-
Date
Support officers to help tackle vandals
SWINDON is to have about seven police community support officers. The officers, to be appointed some time during the current financial year, will work alongside the regular force to help tackle what the Government describes as low-level crime and anti-social
-
Date
Tributes paid to boxer who died aged 32
Family and friends have been paying tribute to former international schoolboy boxer Jason Wilson, who has died, aged 32. Mr Wilson, who lived alone in Calvert Drive, Walcot, Swindon, had boxed for England as a schoolboy until an injury sustained in the
-
Date
Road to close while bridge strengthening work is done
A ROAD in Brinkworth will be closed to allow a river crossing to be strengthened. Brinkworth Bridge on School Hill is due to close on June 23 and it is expected the work by Wiltshire County Council will take 12 weeks. During this time School Hill will
-
Date
Birthday for Watch
Next week is National Neighbourhood Watch week when 21 years of the scheme is being celebrated. A Neighbourhood Watch website is being launched along with a Wiltshire Crime Reduction Handbook. Wiltshire has one of the largest numbers of neighbourhood
-
Date
Fighting to prove son's innocence
Iris Baker has vowed to fight to prove the innocence of her son, who has been jailed for 14 years in Japan for drugs offences he claims he did not commit. Nick Baker, 32, claims he was duped by a travelling companion after more than 40,000 ecstasy tablets
-
Date
Teeing off for a golf marathon
SWINDON CANCER APPEAL: FUNDRAISERS are being urged to dust off their boots and help raise money for the Swindon Cancer Appeal. Anyone who loves the countryside will enjoy the 20th Tony Long Wheelchair Marathon and Sponsored Walk later this month. The
-
Date
Teeing off for a golf marathon
SWINDON CANCER APPEAL: THREE golfing buddies will be teeing off for our Macmillan appeal next month. Golf enthusiast Philip Ward, 38, of Stratton St Margaret, has organised a fundraising golf day. Philip planned it as part of the Macmillan's Longest Day
-
Date
MP to tour in his caravan
NORTH Wiltshire MP James Gray is to tour his constituency in his mobile surgery a caravan. On Saturday, June 28, Mr Gray will begin his one-day tour in Brinkworth, and move on to other communities. The borrowed caravan will be parked in a prominent position
-
Date
Anti-war campaigner drops his complaint drio
AN anti-war protester who lodged a formal complaint against the police when they refused to allow him access to a peace camp says the matter has now been resolved. James Derieg publicly renounced his US citizenship outside the gates of RAF Fairford during
-
Date
Humour is the secret to a happy marriage
LEN and Doris Bowden met as teenagers at a youth club in Kilburn Lane in London and within three years they were happily married. Now, they are celebrating 50 years of marriage in a small family get-together in Haydon Wick. Len was 15 and Doris 16 when
-
Date
Creating a community that cares
Vice chairman Bill FishlockA NEW fundraising campaign has named three local dignitaries to head the initiative. Swindon Cares is an umbrella organisation aiming to raise a minimum of £10, 000 for three local charities Age Concern, the NSPCC and the Evening
-
Date
MP awaits news
Michael Wills, MP for North Swindon, was today (Friday) due to find out whether he was to have a new ministerial role in Prime Minister Tony Blair's government. Mr Wills, who was elected in May of 1997 at the same time as South Swindon MP Julia Drown,
-
Date
Shops set for Potter-mania
THE launch of the latest Harry Potter book is to be marked by bookshops across Swindon. Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix becomes officially available on Saturday, June 21. It is the latest in the series by JK Rowling which has so far broken all
-
Date
Friends of addicts
The Evening Advertiser has joined forces with police to launch a telephone hotline enabling people to report suspected drug dealers. TAMASH LAL reports on the help given to by the Swindon and Wiltshire Drugs and Alcohol Service. BARBARA Crofton plays
-
Date
Make the vandals pay up
QUITE often we read about yet another major act of vandalism occurring in the town somewhere. It is one of the most pointless and destructive of all criminal acts, yet it is the public who has to pay to repair the damage out of our taxes. If New Labour
-
Date
Bristol is setting an example
The Mechanics' Institute would be an ideal centre for art and culture like the Watershed in Bristol. I lived in Bristol for seven years and know that the Watershed has made the centre of Bristol a much more culturally aware and diverse place. It has two
-
Date
Call this first class?
HAVING read the write up on the first class postal service (EA June 6) I wanted to tell you of my experience. On Monday, June 2, I posted a 21st birthday card including a cheque from Wootton Bassett, I am sure it was in time to catch one of the collections
-
Date
She was warned
So, the mother of well known prostitute Carina Matysiak fears for her daughter and believes that underneath she is a loving and caring girl? She is also under the impression that residents in the Central area who complain about prostitution are living
-
Date
Police appeal for witnesses
POLICE are appealing for witnesses after a woman was seriously assaulted in Chippenham last Wednesday. The incident occurred at around midnight in London Road, Chippenham. The attacker is described as an Asian male, 5ft tall, of slim build, and about
