Archive
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Council to save bus for disabled
CHIPPENHAM NEWS: THOUSANDS of pounds could be spent on improving a bus service which provides a vital lifeline for disabled people in Chippenham. New trustees and a management team were appointed to run the Transport for the Disabled scheme at a meeting
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Crisis centre's plan to expand
GAZETTE & HEARLD: A year after opening its doors the Chippenham Pregnancy Crisis Centre is looking to expand to meet the demand of people facing difficult choices. The centre was officially opened last year by MP James Gray and former Mayor Karin
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Community bid to stamp out attacks
CHIPPENHAM NEWS: POSTERS to help stop arson attacks in Chippenham have been praised by the police and fire services. The Chippenham News has joined forces with the emergency services to help stamp out deliberate fires in north Wiltshire. A poster designed
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Rail firm wins an 'Oscar'
CHIPPENHAM NEWS: BLUEBIRDS' drummer Tony Keen has been asked to stop beating his drum so fiercely after complaints about the noise. For the last 12 months the Chippenham Town fan has been drumming up support during matches, but club bosses have told him
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Security at court is a sign of the times
GAZETTE & HEARLD: JUST a day after the tragic bombing in Madrid Chippenham's courthouse was fitted with a special metal detector. The timing was coincidence, but court officials admit that sadly the decision to install the arch, a familiar sight at
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Meeting for a better future
CHIPPENHAM NEWS: PEOPLE from all over the country came together in Chippenham on Thursday to try and make a better future for poverty stricken children in Bangladesh. North Wiltshire MP James Gray and chief executive of the Immigration Advisory Service
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Health chief faces patients of ousted GP
GAZETTE & HEARLD: PATIENTS of ousted GP Barney Williams will put health chiefs in the hot seat at a public meeting at Sheldon School in Chippenham on Tuesday. The Friends of Marshfield Surgery have organised the meeting with Steven Golledge, acting
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Come on everybody celebrate Cochran
GAZETTE & HEARLD: THIS weekend marks the 44th anniversary of rocker Eddie Cochran's death and, according to his fans, kicks off a year of events the likes of which the town has never seen. Cochran died in a car smash in Rowden Hill, Chippenham on
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'We will fight all the way,' say residents
GAZETTE & HEARLD: Skatepark campaigners and local residents are still at loggerheads over plans to build a new skatepark at Westmead in Chippenham despite fresh attempts by North Wiltshire District Council to bring residents on board. District councillor
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See hear, it's the radio show
GAZETTE & HEARLD: Radio enthusiasts have been making a bee-line for Chippenham Museum and Heritage Centre to check out a new exhibition examining the development of the radio. Exhibits range from an early 1908 crystal set to a contemporary wind-up
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Swindon to start again
SWINDON Cricket Club will try to open their season again tomorrow, as they travel to local rivals Cirencester for a friendly. New captain John Baden will lead the side for the first time and takes with him a side packed with first-team regulars. New seam
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Finish it off
ANDY KING knows victory at Wycombe Wanderers could virtually seal Town's play-off spot and the manager has admitted it would be a 'disaster' to fail now with the dream tantalisingly close. Town head for the relegation-doomed Chairboys tomorrow with the
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Police find a body
A BODY thought to be that of missing Purton woman Amanda Edwards has been found on the outskirts of Malmesbury. And the man police questioned for more than three days over her disappearance has been found dead at an address in Calne, less than 24 hours
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Community bid to stamp out attacks
POSTERS to help stop arson attacks in Chippenham have been praised by the police and fire services. The Chippenham News has joined forces with the emergency services to help stamp out deliberate fires in north Wiltshire. A poster designed by Wiltshire
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Griffin plotting revenge on former team
CHARLIE Griffin's dream move to Swindon Town ended in disappointment and the Chippenham Town striker is now desperate to show them what they have been missing. The Hardenhuish golden boy will get his chance in Monday night's Wiltshire Premier Shield final
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Herring forced to sit out Shield final
IAN Herring will be forced to watch Monday night's Wiltshire Premier Shield final against former club Swindon Town from the sidelines, knowing it could well bring back a flood of memories. The Chippenham Town midfielder was released by the Nationwide
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Badman in line for return for crucial game
STEVE White is hoping his Chippenham Town side can reproduce their top six form ahead of tomorrow's trip to Hednesford. With three matches remaining the nerves are beginning to jangle over whether the Bluebirds can maintain their play-off position, but
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Summer holidays with a difference
A NEW tour company in Melksham is offering the chance not just to have a great time in far flung places but also to get involved in local charity projects. InterAction Tours is the brainchild of Maxine Wheller, 27, and offers adventure tours in Cambodia
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Website's bid to aid business
AN on-line directory providing handy tips on how to run a successful company has been made easier to access this week. Business Link Berkshire and Wiltshire's website has been given a face-lift to provide information and advice for small and medium sized
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Moto is top for parents
MOTO, which runs the M4 service stations near Chippenham, provides the most parent friendly motorway stops in Britain, a baby charity has found. The company scoped the title in the Best Motorway Services or Restaurant category of the Tommy's Parent Friendly
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Free tax advice
A Trowbridge firm of financial advisers is teaming up with solicitors in a bid to help people with inheritance tax planning. Dove Financial Management and solicitors Sylvester & Mackett are hosting a free seminar on April 27 at Cumberwell Park Golf
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RESORT IS TOPS FOR THE TOTS
HOLIDAY resort Center Parcs is one of the country's most parent-friendly breaks, according to a national baby charity. Center Parcs, set in Longleat Forest, which has three other resorts across the country, clinched the award from charity Tommy's Campaign
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Walwayne becomes first trophy winner
Children from Walwayne Court Primary School, Trowbridge, are some of the first to win an award in a new art competition run by the Arc Theatre. Year 2 pupils were winners of the 0-11 years category for their entry, Little Stages, in the Monahans Art Award
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We're staying, traders warn
TRADERS in Castle Place precinct have vowed to stand firm against any pressure to move out as new plans for a major retail and leisure complex remain in the melting pot. Cathy Shord and Carl Coote, who run CBC Hardware and Gardening and Dories Flowers
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Bunny picks best Easter bonnets
BRIGHTLY coloured bonnets were all the rage in Bratton as the village pre-school marked the end of term in style. Youngsters arrived dressed in their home-made creations for a day of festive fun featuring dancing and hot cross buns. Despite his busy schedule
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Easter events draw crowds
CHRISTIANS around the county took part in services and marches of witness to commemorate Good Friday. In Trowbridge, Westbury, Warminster, Bradford on Avon and Melksham people gathered together to mark the sacrifice of Jesus 2,000 years ago. In Trowbridge
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Affordable homes to go ahead
A ROW that has delayed the building of more affordable housing in Trowbridge and Westbury has finally been resolved. West Wiltshire District Council and West Wiltshire Housing Society have buried the hatchet in the long-running argument over money. Cllr
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Couple honoured by African leader
A WESTBURY businessman has been made guest of honour at a presidential party for his part in bringing democracy to Africa. Bruce Evans, 62, of Lanhams Close, Westbury, has been a lifelong friend of Malawi president Bakili Muluzi, joining him on the campaign
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The search continues
Sniffer dogs were yesterday (Thursday) taken to the Malmesbury building site that police now say is of "significant interest" in the hunt for missing Purton woman Amanda Edwards. As the dogs were searching the former Knoll House Hotel site, detectives
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Life's a beach in the Barmy Army
SUN, sea, sand and the chance to see England win their first Test series in the Caribbean for 36 years. All this combined to give Neil Shardlow a once in a lifetime holiday as he spent a week with the Barmy Army on the sun kissed island of Barbados. The
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Fun-loving woman killed in car crash
A YOUNG Melksham woman was killed in a three-car crash in Devon on Friday. Michelle Phillips, 26, was pronounced dead at the scene of the accident, after the Peugeot 306 in which she was a front seat passenger collided with two other cars. Her grieving
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Passenger dies after car leaves A303 and hits tree
A MAN died after a car in which he was a front-seat passenger spun out of control across the A303 near Mere on Easter Sunday, before leaving the road and smashing into a tree. The crash occurred on the Mere bypass, just east of the slip-road to Mere,
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New Old Town hi-fi store opens with a Bang
Hi-fi and TV retailer Bang and Olufsen will be opening its new Swindon store in Wood Street, Old Town tomorrow. The new outlet will be run by Rearden sounds, which has been running the successful Bang and Olufsen franchise in Argyle Street, Bath, for
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Please provide more for the disabled
FOLLOWING the letter last week from Phil Reynolds regarding the lack of seating in Trowbridge town centre I would like to point out that the Bristol City Environmental Access Guide strongly recommends that seating be provided every 100 metres (50 metres
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Travel-friendly Zurich wins commuter award
Swindon based Zurich Financial Services has been awarded the Commuter Initiative Award 2004 for the Private Sector by the Association for Commuter Transport . David Jamieson MP presented the award in London to Arthur Champion, Zurich's environmental advisor
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Facing jail for glassing
Trowbridge man Zouhir Aissaoui faces the prospect of a jail term after admitting glassing a man in a town pub. The 23-year-old admitted the charge of unlawful wounding on the first morning of his trial at Swindon Crown Court. Aissaoui, of Liddington Way
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Bid to cut drugs bill
BETTER management of medicine could save up to £80,000 at the Royal United Hospital in Bath. The hospital has just completed a medicines' management project to help reduce waste. Patients will be able to keep medicines brought in with them in bedside
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Raves to face stiff sanctions
POLICE are warning organisers of illegal raves they will use all available powers to stop them from going ahead. Wiltshire Police has joined up with their four neighbouring forces to clamp down on illegal raves in the south west. The region has been pinpointed
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Money floods in to help children
A BETTER future for poverty-stricken children in Bangladesh is moving closer with the help of people in west Wiltshire. Since an article in the Wiltshire Times highlighted the work being done by local fundraisers to build a school for the poorest girls
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PCT will listen to public
PEOPLE in west Wiltshire are being asked for their opinions on how health care in the area is provided. West Wiltshire Primary Care Trust is urging people to give their views on a draft strategy aimed at giving them more say in how health needs are catered
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Jam is on the menu at pub as music fans raise cash for fund
PEOPLE came out in droves over the weekend to enjoy the sunshine, music and a barbecue at a fundraising day held by a Trowbridge pub for the Wiltshire Times 150 Fund. Nearly £500 was raised at the event, which took place at the Twelve Bells pub, in Seymour
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Badger blamed for massive power cut
A BADGER caused the blackout that left over 60,000 homes without electricity on Wednesday night. The power cut hit properties in Trowbridge, Melksham, Bradford and Chippenham areas shortly before 7pm. Southern Electric has blamed the blackout on a small
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White lions are on the prowl
THE UK's first and only pride of white lions is making its debut this season at the West Midland Safari and Leisure Park. The four lions were brought over from Africa late last year. Now out of quarantine, Mubuto, Natasha, Johanne and Maryn, are kept
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Plaister Autos Wiltshire League
BRADFORD Town secured a place in the Corsham Print Senior Cup final on Saturday with a 2-1 win at home to Biddestone Town. First half strikes from Peter Martin and Charlie Powell were enough for victory despite a spirited second half performance by the
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Dowd is set for top role at Westbury
AFTER 15 years as chairman of Westbury United, Philip Alford will handing over the reins to George Dowd at the end of the season. Alford, 53, will become a trustee of the club and will continue to run the reserve side but he believes the time was right
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'Striker let us down', blasts boss
CALNE Town manager Kelvin Highmore has launched an attack on Glenn Armstrong after the striker pulled out of Monday's match at Corsham. Armstrong, who was the club's leading scorer last campaign, claims he was injured but Highmore has rubbished this.
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Chaplin is keeping his eye on the ball
CORSHAM Town stalwart Craig Chaplin insists his side will not be unsettled by the uncertainty surrounding the restructuring of the non-league pyramid. It is still unknown how many teams will be promoted at the end of the season as the effects of bringing
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Aliens head for Cley Hill
LITTLE green men from outer space enjoy nothing better than taking their flying saucers to Warminster, a study into UFOs has revealed. Thousands of people have experienced mysterious lights and weird sounds above the ancient fort at Cley Hill during the
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Rooks mystery
Rooks are failing to nest in Warminster for the first time in over 20 years. In March and April over 25 rooks usually nest in Sycamore trees at Flers Court. This year none have been reported. Wildlife Trust members based in Warminster said the birds spend
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Man has £1,000 stolen
A BOGUS caller stole £1,000 from an elderly man in Warminster after claiming he was from the water board. Two wallets and bank cards were stolen when a man visited a home in St George's Close between 4pm and 5pm on April 7. The man knocked on the door
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Shop and garage vital for residents
WORRIED residents are launching a petition to save a threatened convenience shop and petrol station in Warminster. Developers are in negotiations with landowners of the Toyota car showroom, Murco petrol garage and Costcutters shop on Victoria Road. Although
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Farmer saves drowning boy
Jeff Marshall saved Bradley Smith, held by dad DarrenA FARMER saved the life of a drowning toddler at North Bradley on Saturday. Two-year-old Bradley Smith was unconscious and not breathing when he was pulled out of a pond at Bramble Farm. Farm owner
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WI hunts for young champion
YOUNG people who put in that extra bit of effort for their community could be rewarded for their hard work with a special award from Bradford on Avon Women's Institute. Each year a young person from the local community is presented with the WI Diamond
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Meeting to set up new plan
THE first steps have been taken towards laying out a new vision for Bradford on Avon and the surrounding villages. A date has been set for a meeting to select around 20 representatives to thrash out the details of a Community Plan for the area. The representatives
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Children egged on by clues
YOUNGSTERS in Bradford on Avon turned into super-sleuths for the town's annual egg hunt on Easter Monday. Nearly 100 budding detectives searched the Victory Field in the town for clues to exchange for Easter eggs. The annual event was started 20 years
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Easter events draw crowds
CHRISTIANS around the county took part in services and marches of witness to commemorate Good Friday. In Trowbridge, Westbury, Warminster, Bradford on Avon and Melksham people gathered together to mark the sacrifice of Jesus 2,000 years ago. In Trowbridge
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Airgun attack shatters car window
POLICE are trying to trace the owner of an airgun who fired at the back window of a car in Bradford on Avon shattering the rear windscreen on Tuesday afternoon. The green Volvo was parked in a driveway in Greenland Mills and police believe the shot came
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Extra space?
I WAS surprised to read in your paper of April 9 Mr McDonald's statement that there would be over 50 acres of all weather sports facilities. Where did the number 50 come from? As I recall in the original proposals this was only going to be 25 acres. Where
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Fearing for the future of sport
AS a father of two football mad boys, a parent with children at Matravers School and a keen supporter of football in Westbury, I wish to support Tony McDonald and his fears for the future of sport in the town. I am at a complete loss to understand why
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Praise for youngsters
In this day and age when the youth of our community make the headlines for all the wrong reasons how refreshing it was to witness the young lads of Trowbridge representing their home town on the football field with pride and honour, and once again helping
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Be logical about speed limits
I SEE there is to be a 30mph speed limit along Sandridge Road, Melksham due to the Forest and Sandridge School being there. Problems only arise because of parents dropping off or picking up children twice a day with cars being parked along the road for
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Cutting edge
April 20 to 24, Bath Theatre Royal: A trip to Bath could put you off eating meat pies for life. That's because Sweeney Todd, The Demon Barber Of Fleet Street, is coming to town. Stephen Sondheim's most macabre musical hits the Theatre Royal Bath next
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Vinnie's four days of hell
THE parents of a toddler whose fractured leg was not put in a cast for four days have made a formal complaint to Swindon's flagship hospital. Two-and-a-half-year-old Vinnie Adams, who has a severe form of osteogenesis imperfecta or brittle bones fractured
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The search continues
DETECTIVES last night released the man they had been questioning on suspicion of kidnapping missing 21-year-old Purton woman Amanda Edwards. The 42-year-old had been arrested on Monday evening at his Swindon home. When the initial 36-hour questioning
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Tax help on offer
A TEAM of advisors from the Inland Revenue will be on hand in a Trowbridge shopping precinct to offer free advice on a host of tax and national insurance issues. Following on from a series of similar sessions held in several west Wiltshire towns, the
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Extra cash is a myth, says head
A HEAD teacher from Trowbridge has angrily accused the Government of lying about extra money for schools. Steve Wigley, of Studley Green Primary School, said parents were being misled by Gordon Brown's budget promise to give schools of its size an extra
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Ex-councillor to face gay slur investigation
Ben BiddulphA GOVERNMENT watchdog has begun investigating homophobic comments made by a former Trowbridge councillor despite his resignation from the authority. The Standards Board for England has started a full probe into anti-gay comments made by former
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We're staying, traders warn
TRADERS in Castle Place precinct have vowed to stand firm against any pressure to move out as new plans for a major retail and leisure complex remain in the melting pot. Cathy Shord and Carl Coote, who run CBC Hardware and Gardening and Dories Flowers
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U-turn over plans for football ground
PARISH councillors in North Bradley have made a U-turn in their stance on Trowbridge Town Football Club's bid to build a covered stand on their home ground at Woodmarsh. Initially backing the application, which would bring the ground up to Western League
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Town in a flap as pigeon war flares
CHIEF officers from two authorities will thrash out a way of resolving a rumbling war over Trowbridge's expanding pigeon population. Andrew Pate, West Wiltshire District Council's chief executive, and Trowbridge Town Council clerk Doug Ross will try to
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Railway could be a permanent feature
A TRAIN enthusiast is hoping to lay a permanent miniature railway track at Lackham Country Park. About 90 parents and youngsters enjoyed rides on Peter Sheppard's two locomotives over the Easter weekend. The 43-year-old, of Frome Road, Trowbridge, hopes
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Calls to alter road layout after smash
PRESSURE is mounting on highway officials to change the layout of a crossroads near Trowbridge after a triple fatal smash last week. Three members of the same family were killed when their Rover car turned into the path of an oncoming 38-tonne lorry at
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Weekend football fixtures
SATURDAY North Berks League (ko 2.30pm unless otherwise stated) A G Kingham Cup Final at Wantage Tn FC (ko 7pm): Shrivenham Res v AFC Wallingford A. Division One: Benson AFC v Ardington & Lockinge; Blewbury v East Hendred; Drayton v Faringdon Tn;
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Farmer saves drowning boy
Jeff Marshall saved Bradley Smith, held by dad DarrenA FARMER saved the life of a drowning toddler at North Bradley on Saturday. Two-year-old Bradley Smith was unconscious and not breathing when he was pulled out of a pond at Bramble Farm. Farm owner
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COME OUT FIGHTING
CHIPPENHAM TOWN manager Steve White has told his troops to come out fighting following their Easter Monday mauling against Dorchester. A 6-1 home defeat was the club's worst since their days as Screwfix League also-rans and left a major dent in the Bluebirds
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Glenn waits on second chance
CALNE striker Glenn Armstrong could be left in the cold for the visit of Hallen in the First Division tomorrow after failing to turn up for the Bank Holiday derby with neighbours Corsham. The frontman claimed he was struggling with an injury but manager
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IT'S ABOUT TIME WE HAD A BREAK
With any hopes of the Premier Division title long gone, Highworth's players might have expected a relaxed run-in. But a fixture backlog means John Fisher's troops face a hectic fortnight. Highworth travel to Abingdon tomorrow, following last night's trip
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Gunning's the tops at Manor open day
WEIGHTS were fairly even in the Wilts Angling open match fished on Sunday at Todber Manor. Trowbridge matchman Mick Gunning won with an all-carp catch weighing 57lb 12oz, taken on pole-fished pellets on a 14 hook. Geoff Matthews, of Trowbridge, was second
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Turkish folk form social group
A SOCIAL group for people of Turkish origin living in Swindon has been set up. The group has been named the Turk Halk Birligi, which translates as the unity of the Turkish people. Their next gathering will be a party on Sunday, April 25, at the Grange
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Spotlight shines on talented youngster
BUDDING actor Drew Coleman has made a big impression at one of the country's foremost theatre schools during a work experience placement. Drew, 14, who lives in Queens Drive, Swindon, managed to get work experience at the Royal Academy Of Dramatic Art
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Camel gets set to beat own record
AS IF running the London Marathon wasn't gruelling enough, two Swindon men are to attempt Sunday's race dressed as a camel. It will be the third time Simon Perry and Tim Lenderyou have competed as Humphrey the camel to raise money for the charity WaterAid
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Exhibition of local artwork
HIGHWORTH Artists' Society has a new exhibition starting next week. Watercolours, pastels and oils will be on display in the Community Room in the Council Offices from April 23 until May 1. It will be open to the public from 10am to 4pm and closed on
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Event will encourage people to think green
SCHOOLCHILDREN, business people, residents and politicians are just some of the people expected to gather for Swindon's first ever 'Eco-bash.' Organisations involved in projects improving the environment in and around Swindon will attend the event. Taking
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MP to chair meeting on world debt
SOUTH Swindon MP Julia Drown is to host a meeting on world debt with Chancellor Gordon Brown and Sir Bob Geldof. Ms Drown is the co-chair of the All Party Group on heavily indebted poor countries and will chair the meeting on Monday in the House of Commons
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Touch of wizardry in a charity store
A HIGHWORTH charity shop manager had a lucky find after being hit by a bolt of Hogwarts wizardry. While picking through a mountain of unwanted books at the new Action for Children in Conflict shop, manager Therese Richards chanced upon three rare first
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Slip roads are to be closed overnight
SOUTHBOUND slip roads at the Calcutt junction on the A419 near Cricklade will be closed at night next week for resurfacing. Both the entry and exit roads and the B4040 from River Key Bridge, are to be closed between 8pm and 6am. Highways Agency project
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Computers to help patients beat the blues
EVERYONE has heard of computer dating now computer counselling is set to hit the big time. Depression sufferers in Swindon will soon be treated by a PC-based system following the introduction of a revolutionary programme, called Beating The Blues. Swindon
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Womens' views are being ignored
Plans to shut the maternity unit in Malmesbury will seriously limit choice for pregnant women in Swindon. It will mean that we will no longer have access to a small midwife-led maternity unit for delivering our babies. I was lucky enough for my son to
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Prison idea is not new
WITH reference to your reports on the Home Office being interested in a possible prison in the Coate Area. The hospital and university development would be good for the town. A prison would not really be appropriate to the area. The Home Office has been
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Too far to walk with two small children
WITH regard to Sharon Keene's letter (April 14) surely the only issue involved here is that of distance. No young child should have to attend a primary school 45 minutes walking distance away. Mrs Draper does not drive and it is ludicrous to suggest she
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Talk, not terror
A leading member of Swindon's Islamic community, fears that Al-Qaeda extremists are tarnishing the reputation of Britain's law-abiding MuslimsTHE Muslim community in Swindon would wholeheartedly condemn any form of terrorism and violence. The acts of
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...but Connolly signs deal to stay at the Rec
Bath head coach John Connolly has ended speculation about his Rec future by agreeing to lead Bath's assault on the Heineken Cup next season. Connolly has guided Bath to the top of the Premiership and into the semi-finals of the Parker Pen Challenge Cup
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Coombs to stand down as captain
BARRY Coombs is stepping down as Trowbridge captain at the end of this season after deciding he wants to put all his focus on playing. The 22-year-old has enjoyed a successful two seasons with the armband but he believes it is the right time to make a
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Iain's a tyke!
Leeds have made public English rugby's worst-kept secret by signing Bath's England international Iain Balshaw. Balshaw, capped 22 times by his country and a member of England's World Cup-winning squad last autumn, has agreed a three-year contract. He
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Young guns prepare for Welsh tour
CHIPPENHAM under 12s squad will be taking all 35 members on a short to Wales this weekend. They will be staying at the Morfa Bay Activity Centre near Tenby and while there, can expect to enjoy an assault course, body boarding and beach rugby. Two matches
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Corsham 23, Devizes 8
CORSHAM gave a good account of themselves against higher-league opponents Devizes before missing out on a Bath Combination Plate final. The Lacock Road outfit eventually went down 23-8 to their Southern Counties League visitors, but only after a lively
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Final plans drawn up for old school site
GAZETTE & HEARLD: Allington School site in Chippenham came one step closer to development when Redrow Homes applied to North Wiltshire District Council for approval of final details relating to the building of 134 new homes. The former school and
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History lies in ruins
GAZETTE & HEARLD: White elephant buildings are blighting the landscape in towns across the region, including Chippenham, Calne, Devizes and Malmesbury. Art Deco building that was once Goldiggers night clubFor four years the wonderful Art Deco building
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Aussie marathon man runs for home
CHIPPENHAM NEWS: AN elite Australian marathon runner is hoping to take one of the biggest races of the year in his stride to raise £1,000 for a care home near Chippenham. Adam Zur Eich, of Adelaide, returned to Britain for the first time in more than
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Blade in pocket costs man £200
GAZETTE & HEARLD: A Chippenham man charged with carrying a blade in the town centre was given an 18-month conditional discharge by magistrates. David Luthien Bull, 23, of Field View, had pleaded not guilty to the charge when he appeared before magistrates
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Badger blamed for massive power cut
CHIPPENHAM NEWS: A BADGER caused the blackout that left over 60,000 homes without electricity on Wednesday night. The power cut hit properties in Trowbridge, Melksham, Bradford and Chippenham areas shortly before 7pm. Southern Electric has blamed the
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Student aims for death row
GAZETTE & HEARLD: LAW student Vicky Young will be swapping the academic life at Warwick University for the grim reality of death row in the USA when she takes up an internship in the summer. Miss Young, 20, of Farmhouse Drive, Chippenham, needs to
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Lewis reaches for the stars
SWINDON seamer Jon Lewis is hoping Gloucestershire's elevation to the top flight of the Frizzell County Championship will mean the eyes of the England selectors are focussed on him a lot more this season. Lewis the leading English wicket-taker in 2003
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Musical workshop strikes the right note
CREATIVE youngsters turned everyday rubbish into musical instruments in Corsham on Wednesday. The Pound Arts Centre has been running daily workshops for youngsters during the Easter school holidays. On Wednesday over 20 children, aged between eight and
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Jail term over credit card fraud
A Corsham man who stole hundreds of pounds from people's credit cards has been jailed for nine months. Timothy Harker rummaged through bins at Buckley Barracks to get discarded receipts which he used to transfer money into his account. But after hearing
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Gardening designs go national
GREEN-FINGERED Sabbi Ward and Heidi Thompson have been invited to exhibit their award-winning courtyard garden at the Royal Horticultural Society's Garden Show in Birmingham in June. Mrs Ward, from Castle Combe, and Mrs Thompson, from Bath, met while
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Passenger dies after car leaves A303 and hits tree
A MAN died after a car in which he was a front-seat passenger spun out of control across the A303 near Mere on Easter Sunday, before leaving the road and smashing into a tree. The crash occurred on the Mere bypass, just east of the slip-road to Mere,
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Final date could help Bluebirds' chances
MARTIN Paul believes Hednesford Town's forthcoming FA Trophy final appearance could give his side the advantage in tomorrow's crucial Dr Martens League Premier Division encounter. The Midlands side have beaten the odds to reach the final against Canvey
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New farming lifeline
A NEW internet site has been set up for women working in agriculture in west Wiltshire. The internet forum has been set up by four farming women to provide information, share ideas and create a link between those people working in the isolated parts of
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Traders counting cost of new road
THE future is uncertain for businesses in Semington in the wake of the opening of a bypass around the village. People running businesses in and around Semington are worried the £12m road will take away passing trade, but say it is too early to gauge the
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Rail firm wins an 'Oscar'
A CHIPPENHAM-BASED rail company has received an award from the industry's own version of the Oscars. The Princess Royal presented Westinghouse Rail Systems Limited with an award for its part in the West Anglia Route Modernisation project. The WARM Alliance
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Young actors put on Shakespeare show
SHAKESPEARE came to Dilton Marsh as more than 100 young actors tackled four of the Bard's best-known plays in 90 minutes. A week of training and rehearsals at the village school culminated with three special performances on April 1 and 2. This is the
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Bug hunt boost for fund target
MORE than 40 young bug spotters combed the grounds of a Westbury primary school last week for a rare collection of creepy crawlies. Children at Kingfisher Pre-school joined the bug hunt to raise £78 towards a new mobile classroom. Committee member Jess
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Trio plan to revamp Fizz caf bar
A TRIO of town businessmen are looking to spend £350,000 on expanding a popular caf bar in Chippenham and hope to invest more than £1m elsewhere. Entrepreneurs David Poole, 41, Les Weir, 52, and Peter Jones, 50, will submit a planning application to North
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Firm wins schools' top marks
A TROWBRIDGE distribution company has scored high marks with its customers in a new survey. Nearly 100 per cent of school customers of the Consortium named the company in the top three of their suppliers. The survey was sent to schools at the end of last
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Treat for film fans in town
FILM fans are set to get a transportable cinema screen shipped across from America. Westbury Town Council has given the go-ahead for the £1,000 screen to be used at The Laverton to show Hollywood blockbusters. The screen will be used primarily by the
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Appeal over stolen gems
POLICE are trying to trace thousands of pounds worth of jewellery stolen from a home in Westbury last month. Thieves forced the back door of a house in Warminster Road before escaping with the £25,000 haul between 11am and 6.15pm on March 16. The family
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New head is backed by report
A WESTBURY primary school has made rapid progress in the last year, an Ofsted report published this week reveals. The inspectors, who visited Bitham Brook Primary School in February, attribute much of the improvement to headteacher John Kimberley who
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Plan set to wreck sports fields deal
A DEAL to swap school playing fields for a housing development and new sports pitches could collapse next week with a vote to change the shape of Westbury. Changes to the West Wiltshire District Plan, which district councillors are expected to approve
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Police find a body
A BODY thought to be that of missing Purton woman Amanda Edwards has been found on the outskirts of Malmesbury, at the building site of the former Knoll House Hotel. And the man police questioned for more than three days over her disappearance has been
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More players are needed
TROWBRIDGE Cricket Youth are desperately searching for players at under 11s and under 13s age groups. Following a less than successful season in 2003, the club is fighting hard to put things back on track for the 2004 season. Both teams are entered into
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New homes are found for elderly
ELDERLY residents at a Melksham care home on the brink of closure have found new homes. The final 11 residents at Waverley house are to move into homes bought by West Wiltshire Housing Society in Melksham, ending fears they could be forced to leave the
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Badger blamed for massive power cut
A BADGER caused the blackout that left over 60,000 homes without electricity on Wednesday night. The power cut hit properties in Trowbridge, Melksham, Bradford and Chippenham areas shortly before 7pm. Southern Electric has blamed the blackout on a small
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A 7-year hitch for footpath
CHILDREN in Melksham may have to wait seven years for a safer route to their school. A request for a footway to Shaw School might not be considered by county council officers until a review of cycleways takes place in 2011. County councillor Angie Barker
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Flyposters facing police crackdown
MELKSHAM policeman Mark Wallace is mounting a one-man campaign to rid the town of the flyposting he says is giving it a lawless image. PC Wallace says the problem has been getting steadily worse in recent months with the town's entrance routes receiving
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Burglars' £2,000 haul includes shotgun
POLICE are anxious to trace a shotgun stolen in a burglary at a house in West Grimstead. The Geco 12-bore shotgun was taken during the break-in at the house in Butter Furlong Road on March 30. Thieves are believed to have got into the garden shed and
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Bias claim
I AM very upset at your reporting of the crash near Caen Hill, Devizes, in March. How about a picture of the real victims Graham and Nicky Smith whose children have been left parentless! Your reporting was very biased towards the Trowbridge man and his
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Small firms fail the ethics test
While corporate social responsibility appears to be the latest buzzword among big businesses keen to attract customers and boost their share values, Wiltshire's small firms are apparently less willing to embrace the concept. At least, that's the verdict
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Put to the test.... by a 10-year-old
CAR-MAD Max Clapton is only 10 years old, but that did not stop him phoning Audi Swindon and asking for a test drive. So earlier this month the lucky schoolboy was taken for a ride in his dream car the A8. Max, from Trowbridge, is something of a car expert
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Eater hope for church
THE resurrection of a church without a congregation could be sealed within weeks after a successful Easter weekend. St Giles's Church in the ghost village of Imber on Salisbury Plain was made redundant and placed on the Buildings at Risk Register last
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Easter events draw crowds
CHRISTIANS around the county took part in services and marches of witness to commemorate Good Friday. In Trowbridge, Westbury, Warminster, Bradford on Avon and Melksham people gathered together to mark the sacrifice of Jesus 2,000 years ago. In Trowbridge
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New face selected to serve town as mayor
Susan Cooksley has been selected as the new mayor elect for Wootton Bassett. Provided she is elected, Mrs Cooksley will slip on her mayoral robes and chain on May 6 at the mayor-making ceremony. Coun Cooksley, 48, of Garraways, Woodshaw has selected the
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New chief appointed by the PCT
A NEW chief executive has taken over at West Wiltshire Primary Care Trust. Stephen Golledge replaces Donna Stiles and is now acting chief executive of West Wiltshire and Kennet and North Wiltshire PCTs. Mr Golledge was originally seconded from West Gloucestershire
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Town manager demands point for late cry-off
TROWBRIDGE Town boss Neil Kirkpatrick is demanding to be awarded the three points after Shrewton United Reserves called off their match on Thursday three hours before kick-off. With a number of games in hand over their rivals Trowbridge could have done
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Youngsters point the way forward
JERAD O'Pray missed a golden opportunity to earn his side a point on Saturday as a young Westbury side produced a battling performance. The striker raced clear through on goal with seconds remaining but he blazed over the bar with only the keeper to beat
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Calne rock leaders
CALNE Town blew this season's First Division title race wide open with a 2-1 away win over leaders Bitton on Saturday. Calne's goals came from Ryan Pratley and Gary Banks with Tariq Whyttcliffe replying for Bitton. All the goals came in the second half
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Wiltshire Junior Cup
BROUGHTON Gifford and Rudloe make history tomorrow when they clash in the final of the Wiltshire Junior Cup at Corsham Town's ground. It will be the first time two Trowbridge League sides have met in the final and only the second time in the 95 year history
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It's Milan, but only just
A GROUP of West Wiltshire footballers came close to being involved in a shock victory over European champions AC Milan in an international tournament in Bulgaria at the weekend. The nine boys, all under 14, joined nine players from Malta's St Andrew's
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Sorry, I didn't mean to score
ANDY Goodenough has apologised to Shrewton United after scoring a controversial winning goal in Monday's derby match at Meadow Lane. The embarrassed Westbury United striker sparked off heated arguments after firing the ball into the net on 88 minutes,
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Lions' accolade for youth work
A LONG-serving member of Warminster Lions has picked up an international award in recognition of his drug and alcohol awareness work. Alan Chapman, 59, has been active in The Lions for almost nine years providing material on drug and alcohol awareness
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Race jogs memories for father
A RUNNER is making big strides to pay back a charity that helped his family after the death of his son. Mike Wingfield, of Sutton Veny, is running the London Marathon to raise almost £2,000 for cot death charity Foundation for the Study of Infant Death
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Doctors under fire over Center Parcs clinic
DOCTORS who cancelled out-of-hours cover at Warminster Community Hospital have been criticised for running an extra clinic at Center Parcs. Two GPs from The Avenue Surgery are holding a clinic at the resort to treat holidaymakers. The community hospital
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Mortar shell discovered in woods
AN army bomb squad was scrambled to dispose of an unexploded mortar shell found poking out of a rabbit hole on Easter Sunday. The shell was found by a passer-by walking a dog in woods at Five Ash Lane in Crockerton shortly after 5.30pm. Bomb disposal
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Car club's big outing
A CONVOY of treasured cars will converge on a Bradford on Avon car park on Sunday to mark the 40th birthday of a club dedicated to Austin, Morris and Wolesley 1800-type cars. The Landcrab Owners Club was set up in honour of the new design of front-wheel
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Winner is beaks ahead
HORDES of little yellow ducks leapt off the town bridge in Bradford on Avon on Monday in the annual duck race. The winning duck, number 52, raced through the course to win in just 12 minutes. The event, watched by hundreds of people, raised around £480
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Badger blamed for massive power cut
A BADGER caused the blackout that left over 60,000 homes without electricity on Wednesday night. The power cut hit properties in Trowbridge, Melksham, Bradford and Chippenham areas shortly before 7pm. Southern Electric has blamed the blackout on a small
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Charity worker lands a national award
A WOMAN from Bradford on Avon has won a national award for her work with a charity in Malawi. Ann Scarborough was named the first ever Woman of the Year by the National Women's Register at its national conference in Swansea earlier this month. Mrs Scarborough
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Star billing for Manor in BBC film
A TUDOR manor house near Bradford on Avon will feature in a TV version of Anthony Trollope's jealousy-driven novel He Knew He Was Right. Iford Manor was one of several locations picked for the BBC's latest foray into the literary world, with the manor
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So will the changes now be forthcoming?
I WOULD be grateful if you would allow me to respond to Mr McDonald's letter where he expressed his views about children playing football and having new facilities. He also mentions that Matravers School will be turfing off the children of his club from
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County town is being stripped of major assets
SO Wiltshire County Council now proposes to move the County Youth Service to Devizes. With the Department for Children, Education and Libraries newly formed, this hardly seems "joined-up" government thinking! The county council enthusiastically talks
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Lorries cause traffic Bedlam
A FEW weeks ago cement works' lorries started using an old hangar on the Keevil airfield to store and then remove bags of cement. To access the hanger they have to go up Church Street and The Strand, which is a conservation area and in one place is only
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Call for change in the law
I would like to congratulate the Liberal Democrats for being the first political party to address the issue of assisted dying for the terminally ill at their conference in Southport. From the debate it is clear that despite legal prohibitions, evidence
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Tailgating worry for the motorists
I WRITE in reply to Andrew Otto's response to my letter regarding tailgaters. I too drive with safety (not civil liberties) as my number one concern, both for my passengers and me, and for all other road-users. While I very much appreciate Mr Otto's shared
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Reserve volunteers patch up differences with council
A VOLUNTEER group has voted to continue managing the Seven Fields Nature reserve Last autumn, the Seven Fields Conservation Group was on the brink of disbanding following a row with Swindon Council. The conservationists claimed the council was not honouring
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'Don't let my girl be the next Kate'
A DISTRAUGHT mother is terrified her heroin-addicted teenage daughter could suffer the same tragic fate as Kate Walsh. A heroin addict from the age of 14, the girl has been in and out of rehab for the past 12 months, and has now been reduced to begging
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Maybe law should be changed for all vehicles
SOLDIER Daniel Richens was just 22 when he was fatally injured as his 400cc motorcycle collided with a car. The first his father knew of his son having such a powerful machine was when the police contacted him to tell him of the tragedy. Daniel had been
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Back seat confessions
Stepping into the back of a taxi is like entering a confession box, says cabbie Rita O'Toole, 53, as she waits for a fare outside Swindon bus station. "You'd be surprised how much people tell you. It's as if they have to get it all of their chest." A
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Medical centre is helping to keep hearts healthy
THE Hawthorn Medical Centre in Swindon is holding an open evening on Wednesday, April 28. Called the Healthy Heart Evening, the event is for all patients, staff and friends of the medical centre on May Close, off Cricklade Road. The event at 7pm will
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Dad didn't know son had bike
A FATHER has called for a change in the law after an inquest revealed his son did not have a full motorcycle licence when his 400cc Kawasaki collided with a car on New Year's Eve. Soldier Daniel Richens' father David had no idea he had bought the powerful
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Residents quizzed
OFFICERS were out in force in Amanda's home village of Purton yesterday, questioning residents outside the One Stop shop which she called at last Thursday morning. They spoke to around 60 villagers, some of whom remembered seeing a car similar to Amanda's
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Police find a body
A BODY thought to be that of missing Purton woman Amanda Edwards has been found on the outskirts of Malmesbury. And the man police questioned for more than three days over her disappearance has been found dead at an address in Calne, less than 24 hours
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Weekend teams and fixtures
TEAMS Supermarine v Blandford, home., meet 1.15pm. B Smith, J Barrett, A Darrall, R Dodd, A Uzzell, A Rousell, J Titcombe, T Gallimore, J Hodgson, M Sheppard, M Woodhouse, J Clarke, P Smith, D Milne, P Prentice, D King, S Packer, N Harper, P Ferris. Supermarine
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New boy gets the call as Swindon finish up
Swindon make the long journey to Chesham for their final Berks, Bucks & Oxon fixture of the season. The Greenbridge Road club can still regain third place, which has been lost to Wallingford on points difference in the last few weeks. Swindon make
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Police find a body
A BODY thought to be that of missing Purton woman Amanda Edwards has been found on the outskirts of Malmesbury. And the man police questioned for more than three days over her disappearance has been found dead at an address in Calne, less than 24 hours
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Benefit cheat is spared prison
A Staverton woman who cheated the benefits system out of more than £20,000 has escaped being sent to prison. Pamela Hope claimed income support for a couple even though her husband had moved out of the marital home, a court heard. Jim Bennett, prosecuting
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Musical star, 83, is to visit
WEST End musical legend Edmund Hockridge will entertain pensioners at the opening of a new retirement home in Trowbridge. Canadian-born 'Ted' Hockridge, who had a string of hits in the 1950s and 1960s and became the first actor to take the leading roles
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Man's anger over new penalty notice blunder
Pensioner Maurice Stribling is considering bringing an injunction against Transport for London after receiving another congestion charge penalty despite never driving to the capital. Mr Stribling, of Furlong Gardens, Trowbridge, said this week he would
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Traders counting cost of new road
THE future is uncertain for businesses in Semington in the wake of the opening of a bypass around the village. People running businesses in and around Semington are worried the £12m road will take away passing trade, but say it is too early to gauge the
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It's a flying Dutchman
HUNDREDS of pounds have been raised for a Bath cancer support group after more than 100 people took part in a 10km fun run in Trowbridge. Organised by Trowbridge Lions, the 10km run at Southwick Country Park attracted an international field. Thijs Feuth
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Schools on shortlist for switch
A SHORTLIST of sites for the potential relocation of one of Trowbridge's three secondary schools will be drawn up over the next few weeks. West Wiltshire District Council has been asked to look at sites to the east of Trowbridge to solve looming travel
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Sex case delay
THE case of a disabled man who is suing Wiltshire County Council after claiming he suffered abuse at a Trowbridge care home has been adjourned. Mr Justice Holland fell ill days into the case at the High Court. The man, in his 40s, claims he was the victim
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Family mourns sad loss
TRIBUTES have been pouring in for a 37-year-old window cleaner found dead at his home in Southwick. Father-of-two Alan Tucker, described this week by his sister as "the ultimate family man", was found dead at his home in Fleur De Lys Drive, Southwick,
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Fans flock to catch a glimpse of trophy
WORLD Cup fever erupted in Trowbridge as the greatest prize in rugby came to Wiltshire's county town as part of its whistlestop tour of the nation. Up to 700 people flocked to the Civic Hall on Friday night to catch a glimpse of the coveted Webb Ellis
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WINDMILL TO TURN TABLES?
WINDMILL FC manager Anthony Pascarella will be using the pain of defeat in last season's Adver Cup final as motivation to triumph in this year's showpiece. Twelve months ago, Pascarella's team then known as 147 Club fell to a shock 2-0 reverse against
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Plea to slow down
SPEEDING cars outside their homes have led three young Trowbridge girls to launch their own safety campaign. Penny Smart, 12, her 10-year-old sister Jasmine and their 11-year-old neighbour, Chloe Law, decided to start a campaign to try and persuade drivers
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Supermarine aim to ruin Redditch title dreams
SWINDON SUPERMARINE can throw a major spanner in the works of Redditch's title charge tomorrow. The Western Division hope to move a step closer to glory with three points at Hunts Copse, but a Marine upset would hand the initiative to second-placed Gloucester
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Stratton men are keen to 'bridge gap
It's crunch time for the two leading sides in the Wilts Premier Division when they clash at the Crosslink Centre tomorrow, writes RAY BURROUGHS. Leaders AFC Stratton take on second-in-the-table Trowbridge Town and it will no doubt be the highlight of
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Junior treble?
STRATTON Juniors begin their quest for a remarkable cup treble at the County Ground tomorrow. They have already won the North Wilts & District Youth & Minor League's under 15 division, and take on Ferndale Rodbourne in the league cup final (9.30am
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Campaign to prevent disruption
PUB landlords in Cricklade will be urged to get fully behind the town's Pubwatch scheme in readiness for a possible increase in bad behaviour this summer. Acting Sgt Stephen Harvey says there is not a great anti-social behaviour problem in Cricklade but
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Author writes to aid appeal
A CHILDREN'S book of short stories is helping raise cash for the Swindon Cancer Appeal. Jessica Bond, 82, of Penhill, is the mastermind behind the 30-page book Happy Days With Rachel And Billy. She said: "I have been reading all about the Swindon Cancer
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Euro MP calls for checks on food from EU
Unhygienic meat from Eastern Europe could enter the UK when the EU gets bigger on May 1, a Euro MP has warned. South West MEP Dr Caroline Jackson, whose constituency includes Swindon, fears food meant for consumption only in the Czech Republic and Poland
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'I'm a real home girl'
SWINDON starlet Billie Piper says she would love to write a screenplay and have a family. The former teen chart topper is about to hit the big screen opposite Lord of the Rings star Orlando Bloom in The Calcium Kid, a British comedy about milkman Jimmy
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Dogs get that extra chocolate
RESPONSIBLE pet owners in Swindon love to treat their pets more than anywhere else in the country, according to a local store. The Pets At Home branch in Stratton sold almost 380 eggs made with specially formulated "dog chocolate" in the run up to Easter
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I will not buy black bags
THIS week was the second time I have phoned the council to say I am out of black bags. The lady who answered my call stated I had received four rolls of black bags last year and they wouldn't be issuing any more yet. I told her we had received two rolls
