Archive
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Demolition looms for Goldiggers
CHIPPENHAM NEWS: HOPES of saving the Goldiggers building in Chippenham suffered a further blow this week. At a meeting on Wednesday, Chippenham town councillors made no objections to the building in Timber Street being demolished and replaced with shops
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Weekend cricket teams
SWINDON NALGO CC 1st XI v Ibis Mapleduram: Shaz Khan (capt), Richard Kewell, Maurice Beale, Tahir Hanif, Mudasser Rafiq, James Lovegrove, Scott Metcalfe, Jas Chahal, Greg Griffith (wkt), Amritendu Das, Zahid Saeed, Shantilal De Silva (Umpire). 2nd XI
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Cricket fixtures
SATURDAY Stroud & Swindon Building Society West of England Premier League Premier 1 1st XI: Taunton CC v Frenchay; Bath v Downend; Thornbury v Keynsham; Cheltenham v Optimists & Clifton; Taunton St Andrews v Corsham. Premier 2 1st XI: Ilminster
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Hull Of A Cheek
SAM PARKIN may have caught the eye of the Tigers but Town's leading scorer is more than happy to start the forthcoming campaign as a rampaging Robin. Hull City's £250,000 verbal bid for the 23-year-old striker has been rejected out of hand by the County
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Gabriel set to open fame school
CHIPPENHAM NEWS: ROCK legend Peter Gabriel is backing a fame school which aims to give youngsters the chance to record in his north Wiltshire studios. Planned for launch later this year, Real Academy will use the star's Real World Studios in Box to teach
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Gabriel set to open fame school
ROCK legend Peter Gabriel is backing a fame school which aims to give youngsters the chance to record in his north Wiltshire studios. Planned for launch later this year, Real Academy will use the star's Real World Studios in Box to teach budding artists
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Quarter of traders baffled by IT jargon
JARGON is confusing people so much they end up buying the wrong equipment for their businesses, according to Business Link Berkshire and Wiltshire. A survey found that a quarter of the UK's small and medium-sized businesses admitted making the wrong IT
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Protesters fear Lafarge verdict
CAMPAIGNERS have vowed to fight on whatever the outcome of today's decision on whether Westbury's cement works should be allowed to burn recycled liquid fuel (RLF) in its kilns. Lafarge has applied to burn the fuel, which is made from non-recoverable
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Water bills set to spiral
WESSEX Water is coming up to scratch in terms of water quality and overall service but customers still face the prospect of rocketing bills this year. The warning comes as Wessex Water unveiled its annual results up to March 31, in which watchdog OFWAT
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Guidebook on the EU
Anna CrosbieTHE proposed EU Constitution and the euro are being made easier to understand in a new guidebook published by a woman from Westbury. Anna Crosbie, 35, has released a new book, Britain's Hot Potato! A Boiled Down Guide To The European Union
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Jobs go at Westbury Dairies
THE troubled Westbury Dairies plant has shed one sixth of its work force just months after it was saved from closure. One member of staff said workers were in tears when they were told of the redundancies. Westbury Dairies was saved from administration
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Tailender puts the batsmen to shame
WHEN your number 10 is your top scorer you are always going to be hard pushed to defend your total and this proved the case for Warminster on Saturday. Opening bowler Justin Shuttlewood shamed his higher order colleagues with a battling 36 before being
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Batsmen out of form for derby
TROWBRIDGE captain Richard Holbrook admitted his side were totally outplayed after they slumped to a four-wicket defeat at Goatacre on Saturday. The visitors were unable to recreate the previous week's form that saw Cornelius Burger and Richard Greatorex
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College fashion on the catwalk
Ballerina chic hits the catwalk as part of the Salisbury College Graduate Fashion Show last week.FASHION students from Salisbury College saw their designs on the catwalk last week for their Graduate Fashion Show at The Worx, London. The show featured
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Design a t-shirt for club
ARTISTIC children in Melksham are being invited to design a t-shirt. The town's library is running a competition throughout this month to design a t-shirt promoting its after-school club, Infozone. Over 450 children in the town are registered with Infozone
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Creative fun proves a hit with school pupils
28322 A CARNIVAL procession featuring dragons and mythical gods marked the climax of five days of artistic fun at Aloeric Primary School. The Melksham school's arts week proved such a hit with pupils that many are already asking teachers when they can
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Youths causing trouble at skatepark
CAMPAIGNERS who brought a skateboard park to Melksham are determined the anti-social behaviour of some youngsters will not ruin it for others. In a recent attack next to the new site, a 33-year-old man was left with a broken nose and eye socket after
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Boy gives pocket money to help Nina
28343/1A LITTLE boy from Melksham has donated his pocket money to help his schoolfriend get the wheelchair she desperately needs. When four-year-old Kieran Cousins saw a picture of Nina Leonard, also four, in the Wiltshire Times he ran straight to his
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PCT bosses slated by commission
FAILURE to recruit enough doctors and nurses has been criticised in a report attacking west Wiltshire health bosses. The full report by the Health Commission into standards at West Wiltshire Primary Care Trust was released this week. Inspectors behind
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Skatepark is the wrong design
I am writing concerning the new design of Chippenham skatepark. The new design seems to me to be inadequately designed to the needs of the bikers and skaters of chippenham. There are insufficient obstacles and the obstacles that are their are really based
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Your bronzed colleague's secret is out
Ref. 30846-19A NEW tanning salon can offer a speedy and safe tan even to those stuck in the office this summer. Urban Glow is in its third week of trading in Godwin Court in Old Town. With sessions for spray-on tan taking only 20 seconds, even the most
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Tree felling sparks outcry
CONTROVERSY has erupted in Hyde after two 120-year-old yew trees were felled in the grounds of the village primary school just two days before an order protecting them was due to be issued. The village is split after residents and governors exchanged
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Delight at campaign success
MORE than 80 per cent of homes in Wiltshire now have smoke alarms, after a 20-year campaign by Wiltshire Fire Brigade to get the life-saving devices installed. In 1988 just eight per cent of homes had alarms, which have this week been voted the best innovation
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There's still one 'L' of a wait
In spite of patchy improvement in a few areas of the UK, driver training experts BSM have seen little overall reduction in the excessive waiting times for driving tests which they first highlighted in February this year. The company - the UK's biggest
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One in eight suffer heart disease
OVER 100 people a month in the South West die as a result of coronary heart disease (CHD) and thousands live with the condition on a daily basis. Almost one in eight, 12 per cent, of people in the UK have been diagnosed with a disease of the heart or
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UK car-buyers denied savings through dealer myths
Consumers are missing out on huge savings on new and used UK cars after receiving false information from dealers, according to a recent survey of UK dealerships. The mystery shop telephone survey was carried out by jamjar cars in an attempt to discover
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Award recognises qualities in youngsters
15279/1YOUNGSTERS praised for contributing to their community were rewarded at the first ever Wiltshire Awards on Friday. The award recognises qualities in young people aged between 13 and 19 and is designed to be a springboard to other prizes for personal
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Church bells to ring again at St Giles'
THE sound of church bells is to echo around a ghost village for the first time in more than 60 years this summer. St Giles' Church in Imber has been without a congregation or bell ringing since villagers were evicted in 1943 to allow for Army training
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Workers pedalling for charity
28341A GROUP of west Wiltshire workers have been told to get on their bikes next week to raise funds for Dorothy House. Five members of the public have been sponsored to ride to and from work in the first of a number of events organised to mark National
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Reluctant starter who became world champ
THE 90th anniversary celebrations of the Wiltshire Bowling Association have brought the memories flooding back for one Trowbridge bowler. Cliff Stroud, 88, is Wiltshire's only ever international bowls gold medallist, winning the fours at the World Championships
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Firefighters receive long service awards
15304/14THE dedication and hard work of Wiltshire's firefighters was recognised at a ceremony held this week. The Lord Lieutenant of Wiltshire, Sir Maurice Johnston, presented medals for long service and good conduct to 15 officers at the event, held
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Village opts out of contest
A FORMER winner of the Best Kept Village competition has boycotted this year's contest in protest over unfair judging. Heytesbury has withdrawn its entry to the Calor Village of the Year Competition, weeks before the contest is due to start. Last year
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Children have fun day out
15308/04YOUNGSTERS with special needs were given the chance to make a lot of noise during a day out organised by the Rotary Club on Wednesday. Up to 650 children between five and 12 were nominated to take part in the Rotary Kids' Day Out at Longleat House
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Tougher penalties promised for thugs
THE Wiltshire FA is threatening to increase fines and suspensions to clamp down on the rising levels of abuse faced by match officials. Last season 560 red cards and 3,500 bookings were reported to the county FA, with 100 players receiving five cautions
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Football villain ties up a top FA award
DURING his playing career, Mel Gingell was something of a villain, and made numerous appearances before the county FA's discipline committee. But on Friday the FA members who in the past often fined and banned him from playing rewarded him for his services
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D-day disgrace
WILTSHIRE TIMES EXCLUSIVE: TIGHT security surrounding D-Day anniversary events in France shattered a Trowbridge man's wish to visit his father's grave on the 60th anniversary of his death. Fred Tredrea, 61, and his 37-year-old son Lee wanted to visit
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Residents slam phone mast bid
VILLAGERS fighting back against a mobile phone giant have labelled a planned mast in a picturesque area of west Wiltshire as an 'act of vandalism.' Vodafone has submitted plans to build a 30ft mast on the A363 to the disgust of villagers from Pinkney
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Travellers evicted peacefully by police
A CONVOY of travellers was evicted from private land following a 12-hour standoff ahead of what police fear will be a summer of 'cat and mouse games'. Over 30 vehicles converged in Farleigh Rise, at 7am on Friday morning, camping on land owned by document
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Cinema - Connie And Carla (12A)
For sheer exuberance and rollicking fun, Connie And Carla is hard to resist. Written by and starring Nia Vardalos (My Big Fat Greek Wedding), this is a gender-reversed Some Like It Hot set against the colourful backdrop of the Los Angeles gay scene. Chicago
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Please leave that baby bird alone
At this time of the year, the RSPB would like all your readers to stop and think, before they pick that little baby bird off the ground, "Am I a bird?" Last year the RSPB received about 200 calls over the spring and summer months from people, who, having
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Little thought for the consumer
It has come to my attention that as usual Wiltshire County Council has put its own interests above those of Record Office users. The proposed new facility will be positioned next to a very large electrical substation. This substation is substantially
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D-day trip was in vain for one son
THE past weekend I have been to Paris and Normandy for the anniversary of D-Day which was tiring but very enjoyable excepting for once incident. We were warned and expected very strict security but didn't expect it to go as far as it did. Early on Saturday
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Keeping up 1,000 years of tradition
I write in response to the letter carried in the Wiltshire Times last week querying the decision to graze sheep on the hills around the Westbury White Horse and Bratton Camp. English Heritage manages this site which is both a Scheduled Ancient Monument
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So cool Adem is in the Fridge
JUNE 12, BATH: Adem Ilhan may be a whiz with figures, but it's music that makes him tick. Adem, 26, is performing at the Pavilion, in Bath, tomorrow night. Adem's band also called Adem which is supporting The Divine Comedy, has just released a single
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Take care with petrol
RESIDENTS storing petrol for their strimmers or lawnmowers are being reminded to take care. Swindon Borough Council is responsible for petroleum storage and licensing and advises the public on petrol safety. Robert Taylour, the group leader for public
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A complete turnaround
Ref. 30858-6JACQUIE Philpott has seen a swift improvement in her son Callan's behaviour. Callan, 11, was referred a month ago because his temper tantrums were disrupting lessons. According to Jacquie, 33, Callan is a different boy. "It has really turned
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Crime is nipped in the bud
JUVENILE crime is being nipped in the bud by a pioneering scheme in Swindon. Children as young as eight are being targeted by the programme, which aims to tackle problems before they get out of control. And early indications from Swindon's Youth Offending
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Joker who showed his softer side
Ref. 30860-10NATALIE Parker still expects her boyfriend Matthew Styles to walk in the front door of her Pinehurst home. They were together for five years before the crash took him away from her and the group of mates they grew up with. Now she is grateful
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Tools taken from shed
POLICE are appealing for help in tracking down a burglar who stole hundreds of pounds worth of tools from a Trowbridge pensioner. Officers believe the burglar would have had to cross several gardens to reach the shed in Drynham Lane, where the 71-year-old
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Driver escapes as car is gutted
A DRIVER had a lucky escape on Saturday after he set his car alight while sitting in it. The blue Fiat was parked in Hazel Grove, Trowbridge, at about 4pm when the driver got in and lit a cigarette. Onlookers described how he failed to put the match out
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Holt music festival goes with a swing
15287/5MORE people than ever flocked to the Holt Music Festival at the weekend. Over 800 visitors turned up, raising about £4,000 for the village hall. Jo Hopkins from the village hall committee said: "It was a very good day. All the bands were very good
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Burglar jailed
A TROWBRIDGE heroin addict from Trowbridge who burgled a house only weeks after being put on a drug treatment and testing order has been jailed for two and a half years. Russell Campbell, 25, formerly of Towpath Road, broke into the house at Chaffinch
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Rugby player faces prison
Liam EllisA YOUNG Trowbridge rugby player is facing a jail term after headbutting a teenager in a town centre nightclub. Trowbridge Rugby Club player Liam Ellis, 21, attacked 19-year-old Paul Carroll following a petty row in Trowbridge Snooker Club, while
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Thugs jailed after brutal attack in pub
Dean PeverleyTHREE "arrogant" thugs have been jailed for a combined total of 23 years for a gang assault in Trowbridge, which left their victim needing life-saving surgery. Colin Cooke, Gavin Bates and Dean Light launched a systematic attack on 28-year-old
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Gymnasts celebrate competition success
15213YOUNG gymnasts at a Trowbridge-based club have been celebrating yet another medal haul. Members of West Wiltshire Esprit are basking in the glory of success at a Bath area competition at Baskerville's Gymnastic Club. The competition was judged in
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'Criminals' arrested in the name of charity
15309/3POLICE finally caught up with 10 wanted felons in Trowbridge as a selection of the town's supposedly great and good were led away in handcuffs on Wednesday. Trowbridge mayor Grace Hill, town council clerk Doug Ross and Trowbridge Chamber of Commerce
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Family's appeal gets off to great start
RELATIVES of Trowbridge cancer victim Rachel Deadman helped raise more than £2,000 in a single day for the hospital unit which cared for her. Husband Rob Deadman launched his bid to raise £10,000 for the Royal United Hospital's cancer unit with a Hawaiian-themed
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Wessex water dampens soccer spirits
WILTSHIRE TIMES EXCLUSIVE: FOOTBALL fever has been dampened at a Wiltshire water firm after bosses banned staff from displaying England flags on company vans. Managers at Wessex Water sent a memo to regional managers yesterday morning, barring patriotic
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Unity the theme at civic service
VICIOUS tigers and skipping lambs sped down the church aisles at Trowbridge's civic service on Sunday. More than 200 people packed St James's Church for the mayor's annual service and were treated to an energetic display of animal frolics, as children
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D-day disgrace
WILTSHIRE TIMES EXCLUSIVE: TIGHT security surrounding D-Day anniversary events in France shattered a Trowbridge man's wish to visit his father's grave on the 60th anniversary of his death. Fred Tredrea, 61, and his 37-year-old son Lee wanted to visit
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Tories turn the screws
WROUGHTON/CHISELDON; CON HOLD:SOME pundits had expected the contest for Wroughton and Chiseldon to be particularly close. The Liberal Democrats, in the form of Frank Dodman, had been working hard to boost their party's share of the vote, but to no avail
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'Hard work recognised'
WALCOT; LAB HOLD: FOR Coun Mavis Childs, holding Walcot for Labour is a reflection of having called Walcot home for three decades. Although there had been fears among some Labour supporters that the Conservatives might secure a surprise victory, Coun
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A well-known local face
TOOTHILL/WESTLEA; CON HOLD: MARY Martin, who held Toothill and Westlea for the Conservatives by a convincing majority, was not taking anything for granted. She said: "It is a tough ward to fight, because it is not full of people who normally consider
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Fisher reels in votes
ST MARGARET; CON HOLD: The Tories strolled their way to victory in the St Margaret Ward after Ray Fisher took more than 50 per cent of the vote. Mr Fisher took more than both rival candidates combined, taking just under 54 per cent of the vote, while
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Page put to sword
A 30-year-old has helped the Tories to take another key battleground the St Philip ward in Upper Stratton. In a long fought battle that stretched into the early hours of the morning following a recount, new councillor Philip Sharp knocked out long-time
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Labour 'is losing touch'
PARKS; LAB HOLD: A VETERAN Labour councillor marked his re-election by accusing the party at national level of losing touch with the people. And he believes the ongoing bloodshed in Iraq is a major alienating factor. Steve Allsopp, 52, has represented
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No complacency here
OLD TOWN/LAWN; CON HOLD: OLD Town and Lawn was something of a foregone conclusion for the Conservatives, being the ward of council leader Mike Bawden. The number of votes cast for Swindon's longest serving councillor, a figure on the local political scene
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Poor behaviour targeted
GORSEHILL/PINEHURST; LAB HOLD: Labour remained very much in control of their stronghold in the Gorse Hill and Pinehurst ward. Ray Ballman, took just over 44 per cent of the votes, some 18 per cent in front of her nearest rival, Tory, Halina Roberts who
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Voters reject D'Avila
JIM D'Avila, who had served as a Swindon councillor for 28 years, was this morning dumped by voters in favour of Tory Colin Lovell. The Conservatives always looked like they were in with a good chance: last year Labour clung on to its Moredon seat by
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Blue Bluh wants order
DORCAN; CON HOLD: IT was second time lucky this year for Conservative Roderick Bluh. He was beaten by Labour in January's Central ward election by Labour's Sinead Darker, but last night prevented former Labour mayor David Cox from achieving his party's
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The listening councillor
CENTRAL; LAB HOLD: Labour's Sinead Darker won this seat in a by-election in January following the resignation of rebel councillor John Taylor. This time she increased her share of the vote by four per cent, to 42.3 per cent, shrugging off the Lib Dems
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ELECTIONS OUTCOME: It's tip top for tories
Ref. 30862-103THE Liberal Democrats said they were shocked and disappointed last night after losing their stronghold ward of Freshbrook and Grange Park. In a close-run contest, new Tory councillor Peter Greenhalgh slid forward with 1,013 votes, narrowly
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Make sure you have a licence for new season
THE new coarse fishing season starts on Wednesday on rivers and drains and no doubt there will be many who will be looking forward to the off. If you are setting out for the first time since March then make sure that you have a current rod licence as
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Best foot forward for charity
Ref.30823-29FITNESS fanatic Brian Hall has set a date for his 50-mile charity run which is going to raise money for specialist equipment at the Great Western Hospital. The 22-year-old from Rodbourne hopes to complete the run on September 5. He is currently
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Tunnel vision of councillors
SWINDONIANS are being urged to voice their objections to plans for a tunnel under the M4 and bring about a public inquiry. Plans to build a tunnel under the M4 as part of the Front Garden development have sparked outrage from people across the town and
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Interest rates rise hits home
Ref. 30861-7HOMEOWNERS in Swindon have reacted with dismay to the Bank of England's decision to raise interest rates. The base rate has gone up by 0.25 per cent to 4.5 per cent, the fourth quarter-point rise since November and it is tipped to pass five
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Tumbling over each other to get to class
Ref. 30824-58BIG-TOP fun has gone down a treat at a Swindon school. Youngsters have been learning the finer points of juggling and plate-spinning at workshops. The Year Seven classes at Churchfields School will now demonstrate their newfound circus skills
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Golfers aid our appeal
THE Rotary Club of Swindon Old Town tee-ed off for the Macmillan Appeal and raised £1,500. The club held its annual charity golf day at the Wiltshire Golf Club in Wootton Bassett. Eighteen teams of four battled it out on the course, with staff from hi-fi
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Full steam ahead for museum's rally plan
THIS weekend the Science Museum at Wroughton will open its doors for the 21st Wiltshire Steam and Vintage Rally. Visitors will be able to see and take part in many activities, including steam traction engine displays and horse and tractor demonstrations
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Wonder of Woollies!
Ref. 30805-54Young patients will be able to get on their bikes and ride their way to health thanks to a cash windfall from the staff and customers of Woolworth's. The store, in Regent Street, Swindon, donated £1,300 to the children's unit at Swindon's
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Firefighters' strike could hit service next month
FIREFIGHTERS across Swindon could be on strike by early next month. Local union leaders of Britain's 52 brigades will meet in Southport on Monday. National leadership of the Fire Brigades' Union will recommend that they ballot members over strike action
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Euro fever sets in
Ref. 30835-43PENSIONER John Lucas will be sampling Portuguese delicacies and feeling sand between his toes next week, thanks to the Evening Advertiser. Mr Lucas, 74, of Hythe Road in Old Town, will jet off to the sun-soaked country with wife Ann, 59,
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Gladiators flex their muscles for festival
VISITORS to the Old Town Festival can give an emperor's thumbs-up or thumbs-down to a gladiatorial tussle. Around 10 Gladiators will be joined by four Roman soldiers in full uniform to re-enact what was a traditional Roman blood sport. The organisers
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We are proud to show our support
PETER Heaton-Jones (EA, page 10, June 8) seems to have a real problem with people displaying England flags on their cars. I would like to point out that during events like Euro 2004 people of all countries display their national flags on houses, cars
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Warning to bikers to take more care
CHIPPENHAM NEWS: POLICE fear there will be more fatal motorbike accidents in north Wiltshire over the summer months unless riders listen to safety advice. The warning came days after 22-year-old David Haines' left leg was 'destroyed' in an accident on
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Children queuing up to see counsellors at school
CHIPPENHAM NEWS: SOARING depression rates among Chippenham schoolchildren as young as 10 are causing waiting lists for a counselling service to spiral. Counsellors at Relate Mid Wiltshire are being crippled by the number of appointments for the service
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KNOCKOUT TRAIL
TWICE winners Goatacre play old rivals Little Durnford & Fonthill in the Wilts/Dorset final of this year's NPower Village Knockout. Club followers may be dreaming for a third return to Lord's but captain Pete Turner will be ensuring that players minds
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Centre's high costs spark closure fears
CHIPPENHAM NEWS: A COMMUNITY centre near Corsham could close two years after it was built because of crippling bills and dwindling profits. Members of Rudloe Community Centre Association, which manages the building, held crisis talks on Wednesday because
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Voluntary service in search of new blood
AN Edington woman is urging more people to take on voluntary work and make a difference in their community. Shona Rattley, 36, of Salisbury Hollow, is team leader for the emergency services section of the Women's Royal Voluntary Service in west Wiltshire
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More advice for retailers
SMALL retail business experts have set up workshops to help companies make the most of external resources. Business Link Berkshire and Wiltshire fears local companies are suffering from tunnel vision and that competitiveness will suffer. Catherine Neeves
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Airsprung in bid to stop rumours
MANAGERS at Airsprung have unveiled capital investment plans to help guide the company out of the red. The Trowbridge-based bed manufacturer is battling to shake off a series of negative stories and restore confidence to a disillusioned workforce. Managing
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Garden brings the wonders of nature
28344/3GREEN-fingered pupils at a Westbury pre-school will learn about the great outdoors after planting a sensory garden. Cygnets Pre-school, based at Westbury Leigh School, is a transforming a muddy patch into a garden with flowers to educate the children
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Circus entertainers captivate youngsters
28337/2PUPILS from Westbury Infants School were encouraged to clown around on Tuesday as they were held spellbound by entertainers from Arnett and Paulo's circus. Plummy the clown was joined by performer Ivan to show the children what it is like to be
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Kunal jets in with century
INDIAN star Kunal More led Winsley to victory with an unbeaten century on Saturday despite only arriving in the country at 6pm the night before. More's arrival led to a dramatic change in fortune for the team who had lost all three of their previous league
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Perry turns match with fine innings
BIDDESTONE maintained their 100 per cent record in their first season in Gloucestershire and Wiltshire Division Two with a six wicket away win over Wootton Bassett. Biddestone have now won all five matches this season and top the table after winning promotion
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Agony as run chase goes to the last ball
WESTBURY suffered an agonising defeat on Saturday when a pulsating run chase saw them fall just one run short of Hanham's total. Having secured a comfortable win at Portishead the previous week, Westbury went into the match full of confidence. But despite
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Breet leads victory bid
WILTSHIRE'S development side got their season off to a positive start on Thursday with a 32-run win over the RAF at Warminster. The friendly match saw Wiltshire bat first and reach a 248-8 in their 50 overs. Among the batsmen to shine were Westbury's
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Ladies first as trio join county side
LADIES CRICKET: THREE Warminster ladies are set to win their second Wiltshire county cricket caps in tomorrow's home tie at Corsham. The trio of Rosie Noorlander, Jan MacMillan and Sally Hutton, were selected for their county debuts in Saturday's defeat
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Cricklade, Rodbourne out in pole
Rodbourne Cheney and Cricklade are going great guns in the Swindon & District 4-Rink League, both teams winning all five of their matches so far. Cricklade head the table, a point above Cheney, with Shrivenham eight points behind in third place. Cricklade
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Young guns open season
WILTSHIRE under 13s' county season gets underway on Sunday when they play Hampshire in a friendly match at Redlynch and Hale. The match starts at 1.30pm and will begin a competitive season for the under 13s. The team are entered into two competitions,
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Wiltshire go back to County Ground
WILTSHIRE play their first home game since the mid-1990s this weekend when they take on Cornwall in the Minor Counties Championship at Trowbridge. The three day game starts on Sunday. The County Ground belongs to Wiltshire, but poor facilities there have
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Foley returns to Wiltshire squad
ALL-ROUNDER Richard Foley has been called up to the Wiltshire team less than a year after playing village cricket. Foley, who last played for Wiltshire in 1997, moved back to Corsham this season in a bid to regain a place in the county side. But he could
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High priest 'stole to fund lifestyle'
A MORMON high priest stole thousands of pounds from a church syndicate he was investing in a fund linked to the US President, a court heard this week. Investment banker Jonathon Christopher Wilkes, 56, of Brecon Close, Melksham was appearing at Swindon
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Man pleads guilty to assaulting girl
A 15-year-old Melksham girl is determined to put the past behind her after a man admitted indecently assaulting her. Jeffrey Fuller, 39, of Avonfield in Holt, pleaded guilty to three counts of indecently assaulting the girl between March 2000 and December
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Boy's life transformed by healthy eating plan
A MUM from Melksham believes cutting junk food out of her son's diet has changed him into a completely different child. Sharron Thayer decided to take seven-year-old Jay along to slimming classes after his eight-stone frame lead to bullying at school.
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One in eight suffer heart disease
OVER 100 people a month in the South West die as a result of coronary heart disease (CHD) and thousands live with the condition on a daily basis. Almost one in eight, 12 per cent, of people in the UK have been diagnosed with a disease of the heart or
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Girl Friday
Ref. 30847-38Claire Kaminski. Age: 25, Employer: Robert Half International So what do you actually do? I'm a recruitment consultant for a specialist agency I spend the majority of my day meeting clients and candidates, getting to know them and understanding
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Grass cutting (or lack of) 'a disgrace to the district'
WHAT a total mess some of our public open spaces in west Wiltshire look this year. Put it out to tender and save money we are told. The truth of this is reduce the workforce, make them work much harder and let the district go to rack and ruin. On our
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Praise indeed for Chippenham News
Dear Chippenham News: Once again your paper has done a fantastic job in covering Trowbridge Town Youth football tournament. I am the manager of Chippenham Town Youth under 7s and I would like to thank the paper for printing some pictures of my team this
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Learn the art of cutting red tape
THE VAT man has long been seen as a figure of fear but now help is at hand for Swindon's small firms. Customs and Excise and Business Link Berkshire and Wiltshire are joining forces to provide help and advice for bosses. Business Links across the country
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Anger as cats are maimed in shootings
Max and Callum Rowan with injured cats Fudge and Toffee at their home in Ibsley. Picture by ROGER ELLIOTT DA5709P1ILLEGAL shooting near the Tarmac quarry near Ibsley has left two cats disfigured and disabled. Fears have been raised that pets and wildlife
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Friendly fuel for the future
Ref. 30530-24PETROL prices are creeping up, but now drivers can slash their fuel costs and do their bit for the environment too. Converting a car to use Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) means cheaper running costs of up to 50 per cent, with LPG fuel costing
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Remembering with pride
D-DAY MEMORIES: RESIDENTS of a Trowbridge retirement development have got a lasting memorial to D-Day after an arbour was dedicated to the heroes of the landings on Friday. Around 60 people, including war veterans and town mayor Grace Hill, attended the
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Air base celebrates its role in D-Day landings
15293/8D-DAY MEMORIES: MORE than 1,000 people turned out at Keevil Air Base on Sunday to commemorate the part played by the village's Royal Air Force in the D-Day landings. The former RAF base made a vital contribution to the Normandy landings and young
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In honour of friends who fell
28331/1D-DAY MEMORIES: AN array of D-Day decorations ensured a Semington garden looked a cut above the rest as its owner marked the 60th anniversary of the landings. Cliff Ward, 76, of Littlemarsh, Semington, is renowned for decorating his topiary and
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'It's a miracle I'm still alive'
15293/20D-DAY MEMORIES: THE memories came flooding back for two D-Day veterans at Keevil on Sunday as they paid tribute to friends who lost their lives at Normandy. At the 60th anniversary commemorations, Bill Higgs, 84, and Bob Rose, 83, joined together
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Tourist centres under review
A REVIEW into the future of west Wiltshire's five tourist information centres could see the service scaled back in some towns. Cash-strapped West Wiltshire District Council has ordered an in-depth review into all five centres to evaluate their effectiveness
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Energy advice on doorstep
PEOPLE living in rural villages in west Wiltshire can soon get advice on how to be energy efficient on their doorsteps. Experts from the Wiltshire Wildlife Trust have teamed up with Wiltshire County Council to provide mobile information services to villages
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Centre to give advice on cancer
WORK has begun on a new advice and support centre for people affected by cancer. Builders have moved into Warminster Library to refurbish an area for the new Cancer Information and Support Service (CISS). The centre will open next month and will provide
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Prowler peers into caravans
A PROWLER was seen spying through windows of caravans at a Warminster site on Sunday night. Police are urgently seeking information on the man who was witnessed acting suspiciously at Woodcock Caravan Park,where many of the residents are elderly. The
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Viscount's party treat
A PORN star was the unlikely guest performer at a special aristocratic birthday bash held at Longleat House on Saturday night. To celebrate the 30th birthday of Lord Bath's son, Viscount Weymouth, Playboy legend Dita von Teese, the girlfriend of gothic
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Motorbike theft
Police are appealing for witnesses after a blue Kawasaki motorcycle was stolen from Widbrook View, Bradford on Avon, between 10.15pm on May 27 and 9.30am the following morning. The motorbike was later found nearby with extensive damage to the ignition
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Village charity disbands
A WINSLEY charity has disbanded after 25 years serving the community in and around the village. The members of the Wilts and Avon Trust for Community Homes voted to dissolve the organisation because of an ageing committee and less need for its help. The
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Council split over sex shop rule
SEX shop licensing laws caused a stir with councillors as a controversial six-mile restriction was hotly debated. West Wiltshire District Council cabinet members were split over whether to introduce a rule banning any sex shops opening within six-miles
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Repairs to estate homes
WORK has to be carried out on 24 homes at a Bradford estate after part of a roof fell down, sparking safety fears across the whole estate. After a quarter of a tonne of stone fell off the roof of a home at the Bailey's Barn development, which was completed
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Classes are a hit with tuneful tots
28342/2BABIES and toddlers in Bradford on Avon enjoyed their first music lessons on Wednesday. Tunes for Tots proved a hit with the youngsters, who got to try out various instruments and sing along with their parents. The new classes are the idea of local
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Mill plans under fire
THE new plans for Bradford on Avon's Kingston Mill site have come under fire in the town. Despite positive comments from the public at a recent exhibition of the latest proposals for the site, criticisms have been raised. County councillor Malcolm Hewson
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Works wonders
THE power of the Press is indeed wonderful. In April I wrote about the lack of a path to the Bradford on Avon TIC. Now we have a splendid little path. It must have been put there by the fairies! VALERIE DYER, TIC Volunteer, Bradford on Avon.
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Fatal distraction
I read on regular occasions that the local authority, police and residents keep banging on about the accidents that occur on the A4 between Chippenham and Derry Hill. Whether the reason be speed or bad driving, who knows? What amazes me is that a car
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Fears for the future of post office
Residents of Chippenham will be shocked to hear of plans to close the main Post Office in Chippenham's Market Place. Apparently the Post Office will be closing in January and re-opening as a Convenience Store with some post office counters. Staff will
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Brighten up White Horse
Reference the issue of keeping Westbury White Horse clean, why doesn't the council write to all of the big paint manufacturers and DIY companies the ones that specialise in producing special durable/weatherproof coatings for buildings that are exposed
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Sheep are not a risk to tourists
I had to check that it wasn't 1st April when I read the letter regarding the exclusion of sheep from around the Westbury White Horse. I take it that the writer, who appears to talk for all local people and visitors, is not a country person to have such
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Splash out for pool
SWIMMERS are being urged to help raise cash for Highworth pool after taking a dip. Proceeds from a paint-a-tile event will help ensure the pool's future. About £800,000 is needed to pay for a state-of-the-art sliding roof which is needed if the pool is
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On guard against violent patients
Violent patients in Swindon will be struck off GP lists and given their own police-guarded surgeries. By the end of the year two doctors' surgeries in the borough will be set aside to deal with aggressive patients. The Government's call for such drastic
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Black night for Labour
ELECTIONS: ACROSS the country, Labour has lost more than 200 councillors. Among Tory wins are Trafford, Tamworth and Brentwood while in Pendle Lib Dems are celebrating victory. But both parties have suffered council losses. The London mayor and assembly
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Tories celebrate huge victory
Ref. 30862-80ELECTIONS: The Conservatives have strolled to victory in Swindon taking control of the council after a quarter of a century of Labour dominance. The Tories, who needed just one extra seat for an overall majority, took three from Labour and
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'It's a waiting game and a praying game ... but he's a tough cookie'
Ref. 30856-03THE family of Pinehurst Road crash victim Michael McCann have been overwhelmed by messages of sympathy and support as they keep a vigil by his bedside in intensive care. "We have had so many phone calls to the hospital from people wanting
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Lots for Courtney auction
A RUGBY ball signed by European champions Wasps and Wales and British Lions shirts will be among items at a special auction at Swindon RFC tomorrow (7pm). Tickets to see Swindon Town and Northampton Saints, plus a ball used in this year's Parker Pen rugby
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Burglar jailed for 9 months
FINGERPRINTS left on a bin bag led to the capture of a Trowbridge man who burgled an old peoples' home, a court has heard. Craig Dyer used a bin to wheel away a TV and frozen food stolen from the Lyes Grove Residential Home in Dilton Marsh on August 17
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Porn pervert sent to prison
A Hilperton man who had almost 2,000 indecent images of children stored on his computer has been jailed for 15 months. Former RAF worker Martin Roper, 40, of Walmesley Chase, was caught as a result of the Operation Ore investigation sparked by the closure
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Computers will help homeless find work
15280/1A HOMELESS charity in Trowbridge is installing thousands of pounds worth of computer equipment thanks to a cash grant from high street bank Barclays. Representatives from Barclays Bank presented a £5,000 cheque to Action on Homelessness on Friday
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Prison for a teenage motorist
A TEENAGE motorist from Trowbridge who smashed into another car as he tried to escape police has been jailed for a year. Richard Watts, of Westmead Crescent, who has never passed a test and had just come off a driving ban, had been drinking when he sped
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CAB inquiries at all-time high
Sarah CardyMANAGERS at a Trowbridge-based advice service have moved to ease pressure on volunteers, as its workload has doubled in the space of a year. In April 2003, the West Wiltshire Citizens Advice Bureau was fielding 683 inquiries per month, with
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Warrant for arrest
A judge has issued a warrant for the arrest and detention of a 39-year-old woman who stole a pension book and used it to get cash. Jayne Knight failed to turn up at Swindon Crown Court to face sentencing for the offence, which took place in Chippenham
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Family home escapes blaze
A FAMILY'S Trowbridge home has been saved from the flames by the UK's first sprinkler system installed on a large-scale housing estate. Mother-of-three Amanda Harvey, 38, could only watch in horror as fire engulfed her garden shed and moved towards her
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Support for UKIP surges
WESTERN; LAB HOLD: SPECULATION was rife as to whether the presence of UK Independence Party candidate Michael Morton would damage the showing of the Conservatives. The UKIP has stood in the ward in the past three council elections, but secured no more
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The widest grins wore blue rosettes
Ref. 30862-18The people with the biggest grins on their faces were wearing blue rosettes last night. The older and wiser Labour supporters had probably resigned themselves to defeat long before they arrived at the Oasis Leisure Centre. Being older and
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Wiltshire League boasts new look for 2004/05
The Plaister Autos Wiltshire League will have a full complement of sides for the coming season with all three divisions containing 18 clubs, writes RAY BURROUGHS. Secretary Jim Thorn told the league's annual general meeting that last season's Premier
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Shock win for Tories
ST PHILIP; CON GAIN: Despite a last-minute re-count, Tory Philip Sharp took the ward of St Philip. The final result of the re-count came in just before 3am, after many councillors had left for home to either lick their wounds or celebrate. Coun Sharp
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Clean sweep for Tories
SHAW/NINE ELMS; CON HOLD: Nick Martin once again held Shaw and Nine Elms for the Conservatives, keeping it an all Tory seat. His 54.79 percent share of the vote more than reverses the slight dip in Conservative fortunes which was observed last year, when
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Party change a winner
RIDGEWAY; CON HOLD:There were no surprises in the Ridgeway Ward where a clear majority of more than 200 votes cleared the way for Andrew Bennett to become councillor. Mr Bennett, who campaigned as a Liberal Democrat during the last Ridgeway elections
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Labour support runs out
MOREDON; CON GAIN: The Moredon result came in at 1.50am this morning. Long-standing councillor Jim D'Avila pulled in 38 per cent of the vote, but it was not enough, and Tory Colin Lovell took the seat with nearly 44 per cent. The result was the latest
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Newcomer triumphant
HIGHWORTH; CON HOLD: A solid Conservative foundation in Highworth ensured that newcomer councillor Anthony Peake took more than half the vote. Coun Peake who has never served as a borough councillor received just under 51 per cent of the vote more than
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Lawley pledges to listen
HAYDON WICK; CON HOLD:Haydon Wick remains represented by three Conservative councillors this morning. Wayne Lawley won with 54 per cent of the vote, leaving Labour (24 per cent) and the Lib Dems (20 per cent) trailing well behind. The result was never
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Fisher pays heavy price
FRESHBROOK/GRANGE PARK; CON GAIN: Tory Peter Greenhalgh swiped the Freshbrook and Grange Park ward from right underneath the noses of the Lib Dems. Coun Greenhalgh took 42 per cent of the vote, pipping Liberal Democrat candidate Tracy Fisher who picked
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'Ugly sister' keeps seat
EASTCOTT; LIB DEM HOLD: EASTCOTT retained its status as a Lib Dem stronghold, courtesy of former mayor Stan Pajak. His 46 per cent of the vote was down on last year's total. However, it was still more than twice the proportion of the poll secured by nearest
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Bumped by the humps
COVINGHAM/NYTHE; CON GAIN:The Conservatives' first gain of the evening was Covingham and Nythe, which came in at 1.20am. Winning candidate Dale Heenan became the youngest member on the council, aged 24. The seat had been held since 1992 by outgoing Mayor
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Abbey keeps its habit
ABBEY MEADS: CON HOLD: There were no surprises in the solid Tory ward of Abbey Meads, where Dr Charles Owen Lister retained his seat with 641 votes, or 57.85 per cent of the total cast. Labour's James Grant received 232 votes and the LibDems' Richard
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Carpet of fresh flowers takes church back to Middle Ages
Ref. 30796-56ST MARK'S church was awash with colour last night as churchgoers came together for a service dating back to the Middle Ages. Earlier this week a team of 15 ranging in age from toddlers to pensioners had decked the aisle with hundreds of fresh
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Mums' help group starts
Ref. 30818-48WHEN she became pregnant at 17, Rachel Batchelor feared her world was about to collapse. Five years later, she admits life as a single mother is far from easy. But rather than suffer in silence, she has decided to start a support group for
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Warning of rising debt levels
MORE and more people in Swindon are getting into serious debt, Michael Wills, the MP for North Swindon, has warned. In the past year the town's two citizens' advice offices have dealt with more than 3,000 people in debt who, between them, owe £3.25million
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Pick up ideas from gardens
BLUNSDON'S gardens will be thrown open to all this weekend. The gardens will be open on Saturday and Sunday from 1pm to 5pm. Programmes are £2.50 from participating gardens and the village hall. Accompanied children under 16 are admitted free. There will
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Survey to pinpoint park's ancient trees
THE secrets of Lydiard Park's ancient trees will be revealed at tomorrow. As part of the £5.3m Lydiard Park Project, which is recreating the park as it stood about 200 years ago, the Wiltshire Wildlife Trust is mapping out the locations of the park's
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Pupils serve up winning meals
Ref. 30859-38HOT on the heels of the reality TV show Hell's Kitchen, budding chefs battled it out for gastronomic glory in Swindon. Hundreds of junior and secondary school pupils entered the Nationwide Young Cook of the Year Competition and the winners
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Woman swore at the police
A WOMAN who swore at police when they found her lying down on a busy roundabout has been fined by magistrates. It was the second time the 33-year-old was discovered on the same traffic island. Amanda Ponting became abusive to passing motorists while she
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Police go on the run
Ref. 30850-23THE Chief Constable of Wiltshire Police put on her trainers to take part in the final leg of a cross-county charity run. Dame Elizabeth Neville passed on the baton to Supt Sally Crook and Chief Insp David Peake, of Gloucestershire Constabulary
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Locarno can stand the heat
NO demolition work will need to be carried out on the burned-out shell of the Locarno. The bell tower of the Victorian building was gutted by fire 15 days ago the second blaze there in just over a year. There were widespread fears throughout the town
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Raffle to boost appeal proceeds
SWINDON CANCER APPEAL: Sexy lingerie and a hot air balloon ride are just two of the prizes up for grabs in a charity raffle next week. The raffle, in aid of the Swindon Cancer Appeal, will take place at the Wiltshire Media Awards at the Marriott Hotel
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A gift to the street
Ref. 30855-94EURO FEVER: MANY like to wear their hearts on their sleeve, but one patriotic Swindon couple have taken that a step further. Instead of a posh meal out to celebrate their seventh wedding anniversary, Pat and Jenny Jefferies, who have four
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Our man Andy is with the lads
Ref. 30840-11EURO FEVER: ADVER man Andy Heron will be among England's travelling army. The 29-year-old sales executive has secured tickets for all three Group B matches against France, Switzerland and Croatia. And he'll be feeding regular reports back
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Firms aim to be flexible
EURO FEVER: FOOTBALL fans at Nationwide England's official team sponsor have been busy filling out their holiday forms. Many at the finance giant's Swindon HQ plan to take advantage of flexible holiday entitlements, ensuring they have time to recover
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Nick's star car
Ref. 30848-15NICK Gilchrist and his car are Swindon's answer to Michael Knight and KITT stars of the 1980s hit TV series Knight Rider. The 40-year-old from Middleleaze has spent £20,000 transforming his Toyota MR2, which cost only £5,000, into a disco
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Don't blame the visitors
HOW does Mr Birdsall, GWH spokesman, know the two viruses that closed a ward were brought in by an unsuspecting visitor? Unless he knows the original source, its a sweeping statement to make. With several thousand medical staff that come and go 24/7 it's
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Scales of injustice
"PATIENTS too big to weigh" so ran a report in the Adver last week. The chief dietician at the Great Western Hospital was quoted as saying: "We need to buy about a dozen sets of heavy duty scales to cater for the growing population of morbidly obese people
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Dolphins' smiles often mask a life of suffering
DOLPHINS are much in fashion, the stars in a consumer society that demands instant experiences and happiness. Many people claim to love them but are unaware of the abuse that takes place so they can look at or swim with these beautiful creatures. Because
