Archive
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Pupils get in African beat
13337/1GAZETTE & HERALD: A steady drumbeat could be heard from St Peter's Primary School, in Chippenham, last week as schoolchildren spent two days shaking, stamping and rattling to the rhythms of Africa. Drummer and dancer Ben Baddow, who lives in
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Post office closure protest is growing
GAZETTE & HERALD: IN just two hours more than 150 outraged people signed a petition against proposals to close Chippenham's main post office and turn it into part of a convenience store. The Gazette launched its Save Our Post Office Campaign after
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Centre stays silent on suspension rumour
Brian PooleGAZETTE & HERALD: EMERY Gate shopping centre manager Brian poole is believed to have been suspended from his job. Mr Poole, who took over the running of the centre from Bud Wainwright in 2002, is believed to have been suspended on full
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Teenage girl is lured for sex via chat room
DI James VaughanGAZETTE & HERALD: A Chippenham man has admitted indecently assaulting a schoolgirl he met through an internet chat room. Simon Webb, 20, met the girl, who had just turned 14, and took her up to Westbury White Horse where he carried
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Knife threat to PCs
GAZETTE & HERALD: A POLICEWOMAN told how she and her fellow officers were forced to use CS gas to control a man who went berserk in Chippenham town centre with a Stanley knife. PC Lizzie Porter, 22, who has only been in the force for a year, and PC
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BEAUTIFUL WILTSHIRE
Check out our all new Wiltshire tourism section in association with Wiltshires Official Tourism website Visit Wiltshire. The website has some great new sections including Wiltshire features, Taste trails and Wiltshire attractions. The stunning countryside
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Date
PARTY IN THE PARK TICKETS ONLINE
CHART-TOPPING boy band Blue are to headline at Wiltshire Festival's Party in the Park when it returns this summer. The festival will be back with a vengeance after its cancellation in 2003 and festival promoter Neil Cooper has secured the acts he believes
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Graffiti lout ruins church
POLICE are hunting a graffiti vandal following a 'tagging' spree in Highworth. The culprit appears to have targeted St Michael's Church. PC Karl Dolder, of Highworth police, urged residents to get in touch and name the offender. "These tags are extremely
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Club stalwart nets town's top award
Ref. 30945-10HIGHWORTH hero Bernard Berry has been honoured for his role in getting the town a luxurious new football pavilion. For years, young soccer stars had to make do with getting changed in cars. But, thanks to Bernard, Highworth Junior Football
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BEAUTIFUL WILTSHIRE
Check out our all new Wiltshire tourism section in association with Wiltshires Official Tourism website Visit Wiltshire. The website has some great new sections including Wiltshire features, Taste trails and Wiltshire attractions. The stunning countryside
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Date
PARTY IN THE PARK TICKETS ONLINE
CHART-TOPPING boy band Blue are to headline at Wiltshire Festival's Party in the Park when it returns this summer. The festival will be back with a vengeance after its cancellation in 2003 and festival promoter Neil Cooper has secured the acts he believes
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Thieves stall work at accident blackspot
GAZETTE & HERALD: Work at an accident blackspot in Corsham has been delayed because £10,000 of stone slabs have been stolen from the supplier. Workmen had started to widen the footpath at the expense of the road in a bid to improve safety at a crossing
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Mansion hosts art exhibition
GAZETTE & HERALD: Art lovers are expected to flock to an exhibition at Hartham Park, near Corsham, next week. The Bath-based Atrium Gallery, owned by Julia and Martin Tracy, has joined forces with the award-winning publishing house De Montfort Fine
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Roman Way
RHYS EVANS has turned to the ancient Chinese art of Qi Gong to aid his preparations for the new season and his tutor just happens to be the man who keeps Roman Abramovich and the Chelsea squad in tip top shape. The Town keeper was a firm believer in Rob
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Exotic free show
GAZETTE & HERALD: Innovative Parisian theatre company Friche Theatre Urbain will bring colour, glamour and a taste of the exotic to Corsham High Street on Saturday June 26. The vibrant company specialises in outdoor performances, and festival-goers
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Cyclist reaches goal despite rain
GAZETTE & HERALD: CYCLIST Mike Pope who lost a leg, has completed a 1,007-mile cycle to John O'Groats. Mr Pope, 60, from Box, cycled from one end of the country to the other in 18 days to raise money for St John Ambulance. He cycled with friend Diane
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Mr Castle Combe falls for village
ADRIAN Bishop was first driven through Castle Combe by a friend more than 50 years ago. He fell in love with the picturesque village and later moved in with his wife Brenda. Now, after serving on the parish and district councils and running an antiques
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Cycle trek rides into controversy
A CYCLE trek to celebrate completion of North Wiltshire River Cycle Route sparked a row over a footpath when organisers upset Bowood Estate owner Lord Lansdowne. Wiltshire County Council organised a 12-mile ride along the new cycleway on Tuesday to mark
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Old warehouse turns into canalside pub
AN HISTORIC canal wharf warehouse has become probably the first new pub to open in a Wiltshire village for many years. It has opened on the first floor of the 200-year-old building on Pewsey Wharf and it's called the Waterfront Inn. Early indications,
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Festival flies flag for youth
A CELEBRATION of youth in the Pewsey area will be taking place on July 3. The Pewsey Area Youth Festival and Community Fete will be taking place from 2pm to 5pm at the sports centre on Wilcot Road. A whole range of fun-filled activities is being organised
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BEAUTIFUL WILTSHIRE
Check out our all new Wiltshire tourism section in association with Wiltshires Official Tourism website Visit Wiltshire. The website has some great new sections including Wiltshire features, Taste trails and Wiltshire attractions. The stunning countryside
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Date
PARTY IN THE PARK TICKETS ONLINE
CHART-TOPPING boy band Blue are to headline at Wiltshire Festival's Party in the Park when it returns this summer. The festival will be back with a vengeance after its cancellation in 2003 and festival promoter Neil Cooper has secured the acts he believes
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Check out your rights
IS your company ready to tap into the talent and multi-million pound spending power of about 10 million people in Britain who are covered by the Disability Discrimination Act? If not, you need to start planning now before the business case is backed up
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Soccer friendly firms
ENGLAND football fans look likely to be able to watch today's crunch game against Switzerland without it affecting their work. The 5pm kick-off falls nicely for many employees at big firms in Devizes. At Hayden's Bakeries the bakery shift finishes before
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Police appeal on car damage
MALMESBURY police are appealing for witnesses after vandals caused £700 damage to a car parked in Somerfield's car park. The Renault Laguna was in the Gloucester Road car park between 10am and noon on Saturday when the side panels were scratched. Anyone
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Have your say over town hall
Residents are invited to submit their own personal wish lists for Malmesbury Town Hall as plans for its redevelopment are finalised. Forms are available from the town hall for residents to express their views on the building and what services it should
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Council victor sets out aims
Computer expert John Lawton has become Malmesbury's youngest councillor following Thursday's elections. Mr Lawton polled 725 votes, beating Abbey verger Bill Blake (353 votes) and retired businessman Harold Clarke (257 votes) to the seat on the council
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Boules on offer all year round
WITH less than month to the Sherston Boules and Carnival, it looks as if the village could have its own public boules pitch. For one week every year hundreds of people descend on the High Street for the carnival and the biggest one-day boules tournament
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Coal firm's return
A HULLAVINGTON family firm JA Wilson and Son is going back to its roots. It has moved back to the site where the founder first began selling coal in 1940. The solid fuel merchants have returned to the old railway yard in the village where Mr Doug Wilson
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Man in Japanese jail hell tries for appeal
NICK Baker who was sentenced to 14 years in a Japanese prison will find out today if he can appeal against his sentence. His mum Iris Baker, from Oaksey, near Malmesbury, will be waiting on tenterhooks this morning for a result from Mr Baker's second
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Maternity decision delayed a month
MALMESBURY maternity unit campaigners will continue to fight to save the unit following the deferment of a decision on its future. The Kennet and North Wiltshire Primary Care Trust was due to make a decision on its proposals to close Malmesbury and Devizes
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Wilts and Glos Division Two - Marlborough v Wootton Bassett
MARLBOROUGH took on Wootton Bassett at home on Saturday but failed to recreate the all-round team effort of the previous week, falling to a 40 run defeat. Bassett won the toss and elected to bat on what was probably the finest prepared wicket at Marlborough
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Wilts and Glos Division Two - Malmesbury v Hatherley and Redding
MALMESBURY opener Richard Gaunt carried his bat but a collapse at the other end saw his side lose by four wickets to Hatherley and Redding. Malmesbury skipper Richard Mosdell won the toss and elected to bat first on their home ground at The Worthys. Gaunt
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Wilts and Glos Division Two - Biddestone v Swindon
BIDDESTONE stayed competitive despite slumping to their first league defeat against a professional and well drilled Swindon side. Visiting Biddestone for the first time, Swindon chose to bat first and scored an impressive 258 for 6 in their 45 overs.
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Wilts and Glos Division Two - Glastonbury v Chippenham
CHIPPENHAM'S total of 183-9 at Glastonbury proved to not be enough as the home side won by six wickets. In the absence of captain Jason Searle it was Richard Bates who skippered the side, won the toss and elected to bat. Bates opened the batting with
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Village Knockout Cup - Goatacre v Little Durnford and Fonthill
VETERAN Kevin Iles showed there's plenty of spirit left in him with a five-wicket haul and an invaluable 21 not out, helping Goatacre win the Group final of the Npower National Village Knockout against old rivals Little Durnford & Fonthill. Durnford
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Corsham v Devizes
CORSHAM won this local derby clash in the first round of the Wiltshire Cricket Board 20-over Knockout Cup by six wickets on Thursday. Devizes won the toss and elected to bat first at Corsham's Station Road ground. Opener Hodder top scored for Devizes
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Taunton St Andrews v Corsham
CORSHAM picked up their second successive winning draw when they travelled to Taunton on Saturday. Taunton skipper Kevin Parsons won the toss and elected to field first. Peter Dennett and Neil Shardlow opened the batting for Corsham but they suffered
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Wiltshire Cricket League
Division One - MARSHFIELD continue unbeaten as they gained a comfortable eight wicket victory at Collingbourne. They bowled their hosts out for 130 and then thanks to John Williams (59) and Mike Watson (45) had little trouble in reaching the target. Great
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PARTY IN THE PARK TICKETS ONLINE
CHART-TOPPING boy band Blue are to headline at Wiltshire Festival's Party in the Park when it returns this summer. The festival will be back with a vengeance after its cancellation in 2003 and festival promoter Neil Cooper has secured the acts he believes
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Win edges Salisbury closer to safety
Fastest woman Jo Kelsey finished second overall. DA5767P2SALISBURY ladies hailed it their unlikeliest victory of the season on Saturday, when they beat Kingsley 5-4 despite winning fewer sets and fewer games than their opponents. Kingsley won ten sets
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Fourth success puts Idlers fifth
THE Idlers continued their good form with an away win at Amport. Their new captain, Andy Harms, having returned from university, lost his first toss and The Idlers were asked to bat. After a shaky start in which they lost two quick wickets - James and
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Beaten, but what a cracker!
VISITORS Langley Manor were asked to bat first at Redlynch Playing Fields in Saturday's Hampshire County Division One clash. After Matt Truckle made early inroads, a partnership of 79 for the second wicket with Cresswell, 54, developed. Tom Emm, once
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Wade's men topple the leaders
SOUTH Wilts made it four league victories in a row when they beat leaders Havant on Saturday by just 13 runs. Skipper Rob Wade hit a rock solid 77 as he helped his side recover from a patchy start to post a target of 233. A superb all-round effort in
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Beer we go!
STORES report a roaring trade in preparation for tonight's vital Euro 2004 clash, which pits England against Switzerland. As Our Lads are hoping to make cheese of the Swiss, Swindonians are rushing to supermarkets to stock up on beer and snacks. According
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Zurich rewarded for charity work
One of Zurich's community programmes helping Alzheimer's sufferers, saw this man go hot air ballooningZURICH has been given a Big Tick for its community programmes. The Big Tick is given to companies which show they are having a positive effect on society
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Our posties won't be going hungry
A SWINDON firm has bagged the country's largest catering contract to make sure the nation's posties get their well-earned cups of tea and sausage and egg breakfasts. Quadrant, in Drake's Meadow, has sealed a five-year, £375 million turnover deal to provide
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Deputy PM lobbied over tunnel furore
NORTH Wiltshire MP James Gray has added his voice to the growing chorus of dismay over plans to build a tunnel under the M4 from Swindon to Wootton Bassett. Mr Gray has written to Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott asking him to call the planning application
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Plea to help litter service
WOOTTON Bassett Town Council needs more funding for litter collection in the town. Coun Chris Wannell wants to ask North Wiltshire District Council the authority responsible for street cleaning to contribute more money. The town council provides a top-up
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Young music makers drum up inspiration
Drum Crazy, a professional percussion duo, led workshops at Longleaze Primary School, Wootton Bassett, last week. The school's Music Week also featured performances by peripatetic music teachers on violin, guitar, woodwind, brass and keyboard. Pupils
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Exotic touch in High Street
BUSINESSMAN Juillet Hammer has opened a new flower shop with a difference in High Street, Wootton Bassett where there isn't a single carnation or chrysanthemum. The Guelder Rose sells rare and exotic fresh flowers and silk flower arrangements and gifts
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Pinehurst in league blow
NETBALL: PINEHURST Netball Club suffered heartbreak when they narrowly missed out on a place in the National Clubs League. The Swindon-based club were one of eight sides competing for the prize of a place in the league at Kettering in Northamptonshire
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Commuting in tandem
A PAIR from Wiltshire County Council has been setting an environmentally-friendly example to colleagues by cycling to work on a tandem this week. Calne county councillor Nancy Bryant joined traffic engineer Martin Cook to cycle to County Hall in Trowbridge
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Keep all bank details secret
PEOPLE in Wiltshire are being warned by Trading Standards officers not to give out their bank details to doorstep callers, phone callers or unsolicited emails. The warning follows reports of doorstep callers claiming to be collecting for charity, approaching
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UKIP and BNP votes rise in Euro election
The UK Independence Party gained the most seats in the south west following the European elections last Thursday. It recorded its best ever results in the region, picking up two seats, one taken from Conservative MEP Alexander Stockton. The party received
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Police top when it comes to 999 calls
WILTSHIRE Constabulary is the second best in the country when it comes to answering 999 calls, a report shows. And it is third best nationally when it comes to responding to the emergency calls. It also has sound financial management, despite having the
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New players appeal
CALNE Eagles FC are joining the Trowbridge and District League this season They will be holding a series of open training sessions in July. Anyone interested in joining can attend the first training session on July 6 at Westmead or e-mail calne_eagles
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Pupils go Dutch for tournament
A GROUP of young Devizes footballers know exactly how the England national team feel after they suffered a last-minute defeat to France in their own version of Euro 2004. The Rowde Primary School side, made up of ten and 11-year-olds, took part in Team
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Honour and service
FIREFIGHTERS from all over Wiltshire have been honoured for their service to the brigade. Fifteen officers received fire brigade long service and good conduct medals from Sir Maurice Johnston, the Lord Lieutenant of Wiltshire, at a presentation at the
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Knife threat to PCs
GAZETTE & HERALD: A POLICEWOMAN told how she and her fellow officers were forced to use CS gas to control a man who went berserk in Chippenham town centre with a Stanley knife. PC Lizzie Porter, 22, who has only been in the force for a year, and PC
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BEAUTIFUL WILTSHIRE
Check out our all new Wiltshire tourism section in association with Wiltshires Official Tourism website Visit Wiltshire. The website has some great new sections including Wiltshire features, Taste trails and Wiltshire attractions. The stunning countryside
-
Date
PARTY IN THE PARK TICKETS ONLINE
CHART-TOPPING boy band Blue are to headline at Wiltshire Festival's Party in the Park when it returns this summer. The festival will be back with a vengeance after its cancellation in 2003 and festival promoter Neil Cooper has secured the acts he believes
-
Date
PARTY IN THE PARK TICKETS ONLINE
CHART-TOPPING boy band Blue are to headline at Wiltshire Festival's Party in the Park when it returns this summer. The festival will be back with a vengeance after its cancellation in 2003 and festival promoter Neil Cooper has secured the acts he believes
-
Date
PARTY IN THE PARK TICKETS ONLINE
CHART-TOPPING boy band Blue are to headline at Wiltshire Festival's Party in the Park when it returns this summer. The festival will be back with a vengeance after its cancellation in 2003 and festival promoter Neil Cooper has secured the acts he believes
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Date
Safety first will be the maxim
DON Lucey insists that every precaution will be taken to ensure that September's planned trip is a safe one. Although he acknowledges that there are potential dangers, he believes it would be a shame for people to deprive themselves of seeing such an
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Wish you were here?
ONE of the tourists going on a holiday to Iraq organised by a Swindon author today shrugged off the danger in spite of Foreign Office warnings. Hotelier Phil Lalani, 37, has no qualms about joining a party of 10 who are due to go to the country with Don
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Partners suffer football anger
FOOTBALL hooligans have already been captured on television rampaging through the streets of Portugal. Now it seems drink-fuelled violence is creeping from the piazzas into living rooms. Jenni Manners, manager of Swindon's Women's Refuge, says there has
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Grant to bowls club increased
GAZETTE & HERALD: Calne Town Council has agreed to increase the grant to the town's bowls club to £1,500. The bowls club has been struggling with a shortage of money following an increase in the cost of maintaining the bowling green at the recreation
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Hopes rise in search for skateboard park
GAZETTE & HERALD: Youngsters in Calne could finally be provided with skateboarding facilities by the end of the summer. Calne Town Council is hoping to hire a mobile skate park twice a week. It is also planning to enhance the current BMX bowl to accommodate
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Jobs-based centre for teenagers opened
13299/3GAZETTE & HERALD: A Vocational learning centre which teaches teenagers motoring, catering and construction, has been officially opened at Springfield School, Calne. Students aged 14 to 16 from Springfield and other schools in the Calne and
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On the carnival beat
13348/4GAZETTE & HERALD: A TRAILER full of belly dancers, three giant dragons and a carriage of royalty were paraded to the beat of samba drums at Calne Carnival on Saturday. The annual street party was enjoyed by more than 3,500 people who lined
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Canal walk raises £700
STAFF from the Silbury Group in Devizes, the parent company of Sarsen Housing Association, walked more than 22 miles and raised around £700 for Homeless International. A total of 19 staff and friends started at Sarsen Court in Devizes and walked along
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Strange meeting at Black Dog
BUSINESSMAN Andrew Amor was left stunned after he saw what he believes was a big cat. Mr Amor, 40, was driving home just after midnight on Monday when he saw a large black animal on the side of the A360, ironically, just before the Black Dog crossroads
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Objection to bookies plan
DEVIZES Chamber of Commerce is to object to a planning application from national bookmaker chain William Hill to open a bookies' shop at the former Pound and 50p shop in the Brittox. Although the premises have been empty for more than a year, the chamber
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Carer is spared jail in child porn case
CARER David Harrison has been spared a prison sentence for downloading child pornography. Magistrates decided not to send Harrison, of Hartmoor Road, Devizes, to prison after hearing that he cared for his sick wife. Instead magistrates sitting at Andover
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Home is a shed with a dirt floor
For many years people in Wiltshire have been supporting a Devizes-based charity that helps desperately poor families in Albania. LEWIS COWEN went to find out how the money raised here is spent. THE Halaj family live in two sheds, small cramped flimsy
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Now Pethick takes the reins at Purton
CHRIS PETHICK is the man charged with the task of following in the footsteps of departing Purton boss Alan Clark. Former Wroughton chief Pethick has taken the managerial reins at the Red House after Clark's switch to Hellenic League rivals Witney. Clark
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Royal couple rule for a day
13344/2ROYALTY ruled the day at Bishops Cannings School's annual fete. Pupils Sam Carey and Leah Summers, both aged five, were crowned as summer king and queen by Bishops Cannings parish council chairman Tony Adamson. The summer king and queen is an annual
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Bill scores an MBE in birthday honours
13373/4BILL Frindall, BBC cricket statistician and member of the Test Match Special team for nearly 40 years, has been made an MBE in the Queen's Birthday Honours announced on Saturday. Mr Frindall, 64, who lives in Urchfont, near Devizes, with his wife
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Thieves hit on eve of funeral
BURGLARS broke into the home of lifelong Avebury resident Jane Lees on the day before her funeral on Monday. Mrs Lees, who was one of the few Avebury residents who had lived in the village all her life, died on June 7 aged 76. Police believe that the
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Under-21s drink ban hailed as a success
THE weekend ban on selling alcohol to under-21s in Devizes has been hailed such a success that towns across the country are considering doing the same. Monday's meeting of Devizes and District Licensees' Association, formerly the Devizes Pubwatch scheme
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Hundreds mourn for club's judo champion
ST PETER'S Church in Bath Road, Devizes, was full to capacity yesterday for the funeral of 32-year-old Luke Wright, who died suddenly at the Pines Hotel in Chippenham last week. Mr Wright's father, Anthony, led the mourners and was supported by his daughter
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Sportsman dies while on charity road race
Garry GilesMESSAGES of sympathy have been flooding into the family of sports-mad Garry Giles, who died on a charity run on Sunday, aged 29. Mr Giles, the youngest of the three children of Dave and Di Giles, of Lockeridge, was about 400 yards from the
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Grease is the healthy word
13336/1Year 9 pupils had a Grease-style goodbye at St John's lower school, Marlborough, on Friday. Catering staff put on a lunch with the theme of the musical Grease to mark the pupils' last day at the school's Savernake building, before they move up
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Fair recalls the age of steam
IT was a case of full steam ahead for Marlborough's charter anniversary celebrations at the weekend with Fairs Through The Ages in the High Street. At one end of the scale was a Victorian gallopers ride that would have originally have been driven by steam
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Prince to pop out for chukka
Prince Charles will be among the polo players battling it out on Sunday for the annual Calcot Manor Hotel Cup, only two days after his visit to Marlborough. Prince Charles was on the winning team last year, along with his sons William and Harry, and he
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Education a must for refugees
YOUNG asylum seekers in Swindon are severely hampered when it comes to finding suitable education and training, a new report says. A study of the issue was carried out by Connexions Wiltshire and Swindon, which helps young people from all backgrounds
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Cat gets caught in an illegal manmade snare
Ref. 30930-24A CAT was injured after being caught in a deliberately-set noose snare. BJ's owner Jennifer Arthur, of Toothill, noticed his swollen rear paw when she let him in as usual on Tuesday morning. Mrs Arthur, 46, an administrator took the black
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PARTY IN THE PARK TICKETS ONLINE
CHART-TOPPING boy band Blue are to headline at Wiltshire Festival's Party in the Park when it returns this summer. The festival will be back with a vengeance after its cancellation in 2003 and festival promoter Neil Cooper has secured the acts he believes
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Date
Thousands set to raise a racquet
BUDDING Tim Henmans and Venus Williams can enjoy free tennis lessons under an annual programme run by the Lawn Tennis Association. The Delta Tennis Centre, in Westlea, is opening its doors on Sunday, July 11, to give everyone, especially beginners, a
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Good fun in aid of a good cause
Ref. 29033-40SWINDON CANCER APPEAL:TWELVE months' of fun and fundraising has netted thousands of pounds for charity. The Swindon Old Town Rotary Club came up with a calendar of money-spinning ideas to reach the grand total of £10,000 for the Swindon Cancer
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800 enjoy village fete
More than 800 people flocked to Greenway Farm, Tockenham, for the village's annual summer fete. It raised more than £7,400 for St Giles Church and village hall funds. After the opening by North Wiltshire MP James Gray on Saturday, crowds enjoyed the stalls
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Heroin user sent to jail after hostel vandalism
A man who was living rough in Swindon has been jailed for eight weeks after a court heard how he threw two computer monitors on the floor at a bail hostel. Heroin user Stephen Young had been sent to the Ashley House hostel in Bristol after committing
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House was riddled with deathtraps
Ref. 30923-12A WOMAN claims she was moved with her partner and new baby into a council house riddled with potentially lethal faults. When housewife Paula Smith, fianc Alan Smith and seven-week-old Caitlin were offered the chance to move from their third
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A long history of assault
FAMILY doctor Clifford Ayling was convicted of 13 indecent assaults on 10 female patients and jailed for four years in December 2000. Ayling, who denied the charges, was arrested in November 1998 but was allowed to continue working at his practice in
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Local GP speaks out against plan
Swindon doctors are expected to be chaperoned during intimate female procedures amid fears of sexual abuse in the surgery. The case of GP Clifford Ayling, who spent 20 years indecently assaulting female patients in Kent, has sparked calls for the presence
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Caring for the selfless carers
Ref. 30918-13THERE aren't many people who would work full-time in a demanding job for less than a penny an hour. But that's what carer Steve Wilson does 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Most people wouldn't think twice about helping their grandparents
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Beer we go!
STORES report a roaring trade in preparation for tonight's vital Euro 2004 clash, which pits England against Switzerland. As Our Lads are hoping to make cheese of the Swiss, Swindonians are rushing to supermarkets to stock up on beer and snacks. According
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Clean up your life, says judge
VICE girl Carina Matysiak has been told by a judge to clean up her act or end up back in jail. The 24-year-old was ordered to stay off drugs, not return to her old ways and remain free from offending or she will be heading back to prison. Matysiak appeared
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Lorry lay-by concern to be discussed
LORRIES are illegally parking in a lay-by next to a play area in Wootton Bassett. Town councillor Bill Roberts had asked for traffic bollards to be placed at the entrance to the Otterway Play Area to prevent it being used for the purpose. But this would
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One parrot found, one is still lost
Pet shop worker Rachel Clark is appealing for the owner of a lost parrot to contact her. The parrot which is not the missing African Grey featured in yesterday's Advertiser was brought to Rachel's Pet Shop and Reptile Ranch, in Faringdon, about three
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Ways with watercolour
WATERCOLOUR classes are being offered in a picturesque setting. Artists can learn outdoor painting at the Richard Jefferies Museum at Coate Water. The course will include practical demonstrations and is suitable for beginners and those wishing to refresh
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Man who battled against vice dies
Ref. 25561-93Matt McCue, the man responsible for helping rid Swindon town centre from prostitutes, has died. Mr McCue, 52, of Station Road, died suddenly yesterday morning in the Great Western Hospital, where he had spent the past fortnight with a stomach
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Shopper fear
I recently walked out of a store carrying items for which I had not paid. I quickly did an about turn, and handed over the money. It didn't lead to me being stopped but it was a heart-stopping moment. Absent-mindedness certainly, not theft, but it can
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Radio gripe
MR Peter Heaton Jones is the sort of person I think Radio Swindon would be better off without. If Radio Swindon wants me to listen to its broadcasts then I will only be tuned in if he is not there. He is obviously anti-British and I think he should be
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Tories wanted
You can analyse the election results until you are blue in the face but the one indisputable fact is that Swindon has 20 wards and 14 put a Conservative on the council at the recent election. Seventy per cent of the Swindon Borough wards want the Conservatives
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Any ban on smoking will lead to tax rises
I FEEL I must take issue with your reporting in Thursday's Advertiser of comments made by John Reid. Had you taken the time to read them in full, you would have realised that they were, in fact, an attack on single issue, vested-interest campaigning so
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Voters expressed feelings
I WOULD appear to have ruffled Mr Foxcroft's feathers in my letter of May 20. He has now challenged me to answer five questions on Mr Howard's policies, should the Conservatives be returned to Government at the next General Election. I have much pleasure
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Appeal for sightings of missing moggy
GAZETTE & HERALD: HEARTBROKEN cat owner Julia Cosgrove will celebrate her 32nd birthday on Sunday, but all she wants is for her missing moggy Rocky to come home. Ms Cosgrove, of Pewsham, Chippenham, lost Rocky when she was taking him to see the vet
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Headstands
I WAS interested to see your photographic interpretation of the Transit of Venus. The Venus I saw passed along the lower third of the sun. I wonder was your photographer standing on their head? SALLY CRIPPS Manton Marlborough
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Changing world of etchings
GAZETTE & HERALD: ARTIST Eleanor Long is enjoying a spell in the limelight now her work adorns the new extension of the Royal Geographical Society in London. Ms Long attended Sheldon School, Chippenham, and her parents run the Cellar Gallery in the
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Racing plan is opposed
GAZETTE & HERALD: CASTLE Combe Circuit is planning to set up a rally school despite reservations from villagers. The circuit has submitted plans to turn fields adjacent to the main track into the school, which is situated in an area of outstanding
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In the dark
IN last week's Gazette & Herald I was very disappointed to see professional people writing disparagingly about the consultant developers, Gillespies. When I was fortunate enough to be elected to a professional institute it was impressed upon me never
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Reduce dependency on oil
Rising fuel prices and the threat of protests have created a lot of political controversy and have masked the fact that the real crisis facing us is not that of fuel prices but of climate change. We need to reduce our dependency on oil, and the decision
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Solving parking issue should be top priority
I REFER to the Gazette & Herald leader dated June 3, 'Plan to axe town centre parking.' Surely the planning department at both county and district councils are putting the 'cart before the horse' in regard to the proposals for a Mark two redesign
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Unit needs to be promoted not lost
DASH2 would like to take this opportunity to bring to the Kennet and North Wiltshire Primary Care Trust's attention the following points as they consider their decision on the future of Devizes Maternity Unit. 1. How can the PCT make any decisions while
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Silver award for creativity
13331/2GAZETTE & HERALD: Two Chippenham primary schools are celebrating the award of a Silver Art Mark a tribute to their efforts to promote creativity and the arts in school life. Charter School and Redland School both submitted detailed evidence
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Work to begin on rail arches
GAZETTE & HERALD: WORK to transform the crumbling railway arches and subway at the foot of New Road, Chippenham into a stunning new gateway to the town, will get under way in August, when Network Rail begins vital repairs on the viaduct. During the
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Family's lucky escape from fire
GAZETTE & HERALD: A family of five had a lucky escape after a fire swept through their loft last Thursday night. Fire fighters said if the blaze had started a couple of hours later when they were asleep, none of the family would be here today. Cathy
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Patient tells of miracle treatment
GAZETTE & HERALD: THREE years after joining a pioneering surgical drug trial for Parkinson's disease, father-of-two Stephen Waite has travelled to Rome to address specialists on its miraculous effects. Building consultant Mr Waite, 60, of Malmesbury
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Digger depression
GAZETTE & HERALD: DEPRESSED businessman Charles Lister received a one-year conditional discharge for criminal damage to trees after he ran amok with a digger. Lister, 38, of Ryleys Farm House, Grittleton, had pleaded guilty at a hearing on April 23
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Mother happy with court case outcome
GAZETTE & HERALD: DC Trevor Abbott, the officer in charge of the investigation into the internet assault, said the mother of the victim was happy about the outcome of the court case. DC Abbott picked up the investigation from the beginning and described
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Church's anger at visa refusal
Rev Simon Tatton-BrownGAZETTE & HERALD: CHURCH fundraisers have been left fuming after a group of Ugandan visitors were refused entry to Britain by Government officials because of fears they might stay here illegally. The British High Commission in
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PARTY IN THE PARK TICKETS ONLINE
CHART-TOPPING boy band Blue are to headline at Wiltshire Festival's Party in the Park when it returns this summer. The festival will be back with a vengeance after its cancellation in 2003 and festival promoter Neil Cooper has secured the acts he believes
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BEAUTIFUL WILTSHIRE
Check out our all new Wiltshire tourism section in association with Wiltshires Official Tourism website Visit Wiltshire. The website has some great new sections including Wiltshire features, Taste trails and Wiltshire attractions. The stunning countryside
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Date
Alleyne bowls over Middlesex
Captain and coach Mark Alleyne produced a telling spell of 3-31 to see Gloucestershire to a 16-run win over Middlesex in the C&G Trophy quarter-final at Bristol. The visitors were well-placed at 140-4 at the start of the 35th over, needing a further
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Teachers have half day for marking
GAZETTE & HERALD: Colerne Primary School is having a half day on Fridays to give teachers time to prepare lessons and mark work. It is the first school in the country to run such a scheme to help staff manage their schedules. Headteacher Anne Orme
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Soldier, 21 killed in car crash
Antony Mason GAZETTE & HERALD: TRIBUTES have been paid to soldier Antony Mason who was killed when his car swerved on a bend and hit a brick wall near Corsham in the early hours of Sunday. Signaller Mason, 21, who was engaged to be married, was from
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Mock air crash tests air base
Emergency services across north Wiltshire took part in a simulated air crash at RAF Lyneham last week. Paramedics carried injured passengers from the wreckage of a Hercules plane strewn across the runway as firefighters from the RAF base tackled a mock
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New hope as toddler responds to therapy
THE parents of three-year-old George Mitchell, who has a tumour on his brain, celebrated a small victory this week. Nearly two months ago Fraser Mitchell, 37, and his wife Sophie, 30, from Lyneham, made the agonising decision to put him through a gruelling
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Hercules was hit by fighter jet in mid-air
THE Ministry of Defence has revealed it was a Turkmenistan Airforce fighter jet that struck a Hercules aircraft from RAF Lyneham in last month's mid-air smash. In a statement, Defence Minister Adam Ingram said a single fast interceptor had collided with
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Campaigners to celebrate
Human Rights campaigners from Chippenham and Calne are celebrating the release of their adopted Prisoner of Conscience Dr Min Kyi Win. The North Wiltshire group of Amnesty International has been campaigning for five years for his release. Dr Win, 45,
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Trust delays decision on maternity units
CAMPAIGNERS fighting to save Devizes and Malmesbury maternity units are hoping that a deferral of the decision on the units' future is a good sign. The board of the Kennet and North Wiltshire Primary Care Trust was due to decide the fate of both midwife-led
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Actor visits garden party
ACTOR Graham Seed, who is one of the voices in the world's longest-running radio soap, The Archers, is coming to Burbage. Mr Seed, who plays Nigel in the radio series, will be attending a fund- raising event on July 4 in aid of Macmillan Nurses. Tickets
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School is given gold star by inspectors
THE village school in Woodborough has come through an Ofsted inspection with almost top marks. The only thing the inspectors picked up on during their two day visit in April was that assessment procedures needed improving. Another point noted by the inspectors
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Young artists weave magic
13335/2Pupils at Woodborough Primary School swapped lessons for environmental art activities last week with a week-long event, focusing on art using natural materials. The 124 students at the school all took part in the event, which was organised by art
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Company okay on liquid fuel burn trial
THE Environment Agency has granted the operators of the cement factory at Westbury permission to burn recycled liquid fuel for a trial period of six months despite opposition from local people. Hundreds of protesters, including many from the Devizes area
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RAF man's honour
RAF Lyneham's Wing Commander Guy Edwards has been awarded an OBE in the Birthday Honours, for his work in the second Gulf War. He has played a key role in sustaining the station's operational output over the course of his two and a half year tour, which
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Work to begin on new school
PARENTS and pupils in Sherston are celebrating as work starts on their new school in Manor Close. The new Sherston Church of England Voluntary Controlled Primary School is expected to open to pupils early next year. The school has space for 180 children
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Price put on town treasure
MALMESBURY'S collection of antique art, furniture and mayoral regalia is being valued this week by fine art expert Stephen Hill. The mayor's chain and mace are some of the town's valuable artefacts to be seen by the expert from the Malmesbury-based firm
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Traders slam survey on return of market
MALMESBURY Chamber of Commerce has slammed a survey that showed most people would like to see the return of a Sunday market in the town. Chairman Alan Woodward said the 215 responses to the town-wide survey were not enough to draw conclusions. "I am not
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Downshifting has its up side
13360/2MALMESBURY town councillor Judy Jones's book about escaping the rat race has been so successful her publishers are printing another edition. The former Observer journalist took voluntary redundancy in 1996. Her book called Downshifting, written
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Hostages held in knife ordeal
Phil BrownTWO people held hostage after a 24-hour drinking session ended in a police siege have spoken of their terror. Mr Phil Brown, 59, of Silverstone Way, Malmesbury was arrested after drinking companions Paul Ingram and Katrina Marchant were held
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Skipping a healthy fundraiser
Pupils at Three Legged Cross First School join in a sponsored skip session. DA5739P2 PUPILS at Three Legged Cross First School have skipped their way to £575. All 98 pupils at the school took part in four 15-minute sponsored skip sessions. Each child
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Kwik cricket is a hit with clubs
KWIK CRICKET: YOUNG cricketers took their first steps on the road to playing at an international Test venue when they competed in the district qualifying round of the BBC Sport Kwik Cricket tournament. Primary schools from across the county went head
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Wilts and Glos Division One - Lydney v Goatacre
GOATACRE'S roller coaster league season troughed again on Saturday as they suffered a four-wicket defeat at the hands of Lydney. Goatacre captain Peter Turner won the toss and elected to bat despite the late withdrawal of his younger brother and key batsman
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Minor Counties Championship - Wiltshire v Cornwall
A RECORD sixth wicket partnership between Corsham pair Richard Foley and Steve Perrin steered an understrength Wiltshire to their first win of the season. Perrin weighed in with 102 and Foley 67 not out on the final day, leaving the visitors needing to
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Bath and District League
CHIPPENHAM U11 had an impressive 130-run victory at Devizes. Chippenham got off to a fine start through Josh Bull (55 not out) and Brad Dawson (29). Uzi Qureshi then struck a quick 49 not out to take Chippenham to 163-1 in their 20 overs. Devizes had
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North Wilts Junior League
A young Malmesbury U13 side battled well to just hold on to a losing draw in their match at Chippenham. Batting first, the home side scored freely thanks to fine batting from James Bull (80 not out), Tom Young (64) and Uzi Qureshi (39 not out). Chippenham
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School plan for huge expansion
WILTSHIRE County Council has applied for planning permission to build an extension to Wansdyke Primary School in Devizes, even though other schools in the town are under threat because of empty classes. Kennet District Council received plans this week
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BEAUTIFUL WILTSHIRE
Check out our all new Wiltshire tourism section in association with Wiltshires Official Tourism website Visit Wiltshire. The website has some great new sections including Wiltshire features, Taste trails and Wiltshire attractions. The stunning countryside
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Date
Cornishmen all at sea as Wilts chalk up the runs
WILTSHIRE completed a comprehensive 237-run victory over Cornwall at Trowbridge for their first Minor Counties Championship win of 2004. Captained by Neil Shardlow in the absence of the injured Russell Rowe, Wiltshire won the toss and scored 251 in their
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Polish course suits Bolter
TWO suspected broken toes could not stop Durrington motorbike ace Daryl Bolter surging to a career-best third place in the latest round of the European Enduro Championship, held in Poland. Encouraged by his fourth place finish in Hungary three weeks ago
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Emily opens with a double for England
ENGLAND'S rugby women went some way towards easing the disappointment of missing out on Six Nations glory, when they beat Canada in the opening round of the Churchill Cup. Salisbury winger Emily Cooke was instrumental in the convincing 39-11 victory at
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Rookie Ross passes his biggest exam yet
SALISBURY'S rising motor-racing star Ross Curnow enjoyed his best ever weekend in the Formula BMW Championship at Mondello Park, notching up two wins in the rookie competition and pushing hard for a podium place alongside the senior racers. The talented
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All smiles as favourite Frankie triumphs in the Salisbury heat
That winning feeling. Frankie Dettori and Dawn Surprise after a comfortable victory. Staff pictures by LARA BALL. DA5768P08.FRANKIE Dettori had Ascot on his mind on Sunday when he celebrated a stunning victory in the day's second race at Salisbury with
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Horse trials prove a hit
Zara Phillips and Dingbat go clear in their show-jumping round. Staff pictures by LARA BALL. DA5764P18.WILTON Horse Trials proved a popular attraction at the weekend when some 400 competitors took part in the 28th annual event on the estate of the ancestral
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Jon focuses on business
AN ENTERPRISING teenager has launched his own business. The 17-year-old student, who is coming to the end of his first year at New College, has started a scheme called Photo Finish. Jon scans in the original image to his computer, and then works his magic
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Peter Foskett of Withy King solicitors, outlines what companies can do if faced with clients who pay
The late payment of debts can cause serious cash flow issues for businesses and can all too frequently result in small businesses being forced to increase their own bank borrowing just to survive the period between invoicing and payment. In recognition
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New appointment
WH Smith has announced the appointment of Robert Moorhead as finance director of its retail chain. He has joined from Specsavers Optical Group where he has been group finance director since September 2002, and he has also worked for World Duty Free Europe
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Maternity decision delayed a month
MALMESBURY maternity unit campaigners will continue to fight to save the unit following the deferment of a decision on its future. The Kennet and North Wiltshire Primary Care Trust was due to make a decision on its proposals to close Malmesbury and Devizes
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Lorry lay-by concern to be discussed
LORRIES are illegally parking in a lay-by next to a play area in Wootton Bassett. Town councillor Bill Roberts had asked for traffic bollards to be placed at the entrance to the Otterway Play Area to prevent it being used for the purpose. But this would
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No change for vital Middleton Cup clash
WILTSHIRE have announced an unchanged team for Saturday's must-win Middleton Cup match at Ross-on-Wye against Herefordshire. The selectors have opted for the same 24 players that suffered a narrow five shot defeat at home last weekend at Wootton Bassett
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Kids get a day to remember
15308/6HUNDREDS of children across Wiltshire flooded in to Longleat to enjoy a special day out organised by Rotarians. The Calne branch took 27 children from four primary schools, each with their own personal helper. KidsOut targets children aged five
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Young people take action
FIFTEEN young people from Wiltshire have completed the final stage of their Millennium Volunteers programme. The volunteers, aged between 16 and 24, completed the programme with a three day residential course at Cotswold Water Park. During the project
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Bus travel for just 20p a day
A special offer will allow youngsters to travel on Wiltshire's award-winning Wigglybus all day for just 20p. The offer means that children and young people aged between five and 18 will be able to buy 20p tickets for unlimited daily travel on the Calne
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Football fever
England supporter Andy MauleCELEBRATIONS turned to heartbreak on Sunday when England were beaten by two late goals in their Euro 2004 opener. But the torture felt by most people in Wiltshire was not shared by Devizes man Jean-Marie Lebarbier. Frenchman
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FA's bid to stop referee attacks
FA bosses are bringing in stiffer punishments for violence to referees after a rise in the number of assaults against officials. The county FA's threat comes after 560 red cards and 3,500 bookings were reported to the county FA last season, with 100 players
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Solstice warning
PARK at your peril is the warning Wiltshire police are giving to anyone intending to go to Avebury to see the midsummer sun rise on Monday. Hundreds of revellers are expected to flock to the village for the summer solstice in the hopes of seeing the sun
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A real scorcher
CASTLE Combe Colts did the double in the blistering heat at the fourth annual Wootton Bassett Town six-a-side tournament. The Mid-Wilts Youth and Minor League outfit did the business in the U9 and U13 categories but both of their respective finals went
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Police top when it comes to 999 calls
WILTSHIRE Constabulary is the second best in the country when it comes to answering 999 calls, a report shows. And it is third best nationally when it comes to responding to the emergency calls. It also has sound financial management, despite having the
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Honour and service
FIREFIGHTERS from all over Wiltshire have been honoured for their service to the brigade. Fifteen officers received fire brigade long service and good conduct medals from Sir Maurice Johnston, the Lord Lieutenant of Wiltshire, at a presentation at the
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Breakfast get-together creates business links
IN aid of improving business networks and inter-trading in the Marlborough Community Area, Marlborough Area Development Trust hosted a business networking breakfast on Tuesday at Kennet Valley Hall in Lockeridge. The 7.30am event was well attended, with
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Trust delays decision on maternity units
CAMPAIGNERS fighting to save Devizes and Malmesbury maternity units are hoping that a deferral of the decision on the units' future is a good sign. The board of the Kennet and North Wiltshire Primary Care Trust was due to decide the fate of both midwife-led
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Date
BEAUTIFUL WILTSHIRE
Check out our all new Wiltshire tourism section in association with Wiltshires Official Tourism website Visit Wiltshire. The website has some great new sections including Wiltshire features, Taste trails and Wiltshire attractions. The stunning countryside
-
Date
BEAUTIFUL WILTSHIRE
Check out our all new Wiltshire tourism section in association with Wiltshires Official Tourism website Visit Wiltshire. The website has some great new sections including Wiltshire features, Taste trails and Wiltshire attractions. The stunning countryside
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Date
Camilla to join Prince Charles on visit to Marlborough
PRINCE Charles will be joined by his companion Camilla Parker-Bowles during his visit to Marlborough tomorrow. The prince's press office at Clarence House said it was not unusual for Mrs Parker-Bowles to join him on formal engagements and she had been
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Stolen handbag has been found
Ref. 30856-08A HANDBAG stolen from a woman just days after her life had been turned upside down by a tragedy has been returned minus most of its contents. Within just five days, Tina McCann, 35, went through the horror of having her brother left fighting
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DOMESTIC FIRES: Plan your escape in an emergency
A campaign to cut down on domestic fires is being launched nationally. Swindon and North Wiltshire's community fire safety officer Fraser Drummond said: "We are encouraging people to make a Fire Action Plan so they know what to do in the event of fire
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I nearly died
Ref. 30931-81Smoker John Clarke was minutes from death after he fell asleep holding a lit cigarette. The 55-year-old, of Manchester Road, Swindon, has told how he feared for his life after his home caught fire on Friday and that he can't escape from his
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Goodbye to our great mate
Ref. 30939-14HUNDREDS of mourners bid a tearful farewell to tragic teenager Matthew Styles and friends donned specially-made replica England shirts bearing his name. The 19-year-old labourer from Gorse Hill was killed a fortnight ago when the car in which
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200 jobs go at call centre
THAMES Water is to make 200 people redundant at its Swindon call centre.The Kembrey Park customer centre has been under review in what the water company says is a bid to improve its performance. The 200 jobs to go include the 28 meter readers and administration
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Drugs man jailed after temper fit at hostel
GAZETTE & HERALD: FORMER heroin user Stephen Young has been jailed for eight weeks after a court heard he threw two computer monitors on the floor at a bail hostel. Young, 37, of Foreman Street, Calne, had been sent to the Ashley House hostel in Bristol
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Forking out for an anniversary
GAZETTE & HERALD: LORD Lansdowne has been given a commemorative fork to mark the 30th anniversary of the Rhododendron Walks at Bowood being part of the National Gardens Scheme. Brigadier Arthur Gooch of the Wiltshire NGS presented Lord Lansdowne with
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Girl's petunia is pick of crop
GAZETTE & HERALD: GREEN-FINGERED four-year-old Naomi Green is off to the BBC Gardener's World Show in Birmingham, to do battle with her award-winning petunia. Naomi, a pupil at St Mary's, Calne, was one of hundreds of children who entered this year's
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Vandalised allotments may get security fence
GAZETTE & HERALD: Beversbrook allotments may be surrounded with barbed or razor wire fencing in a bid to beat thieves and vandals. Calne Town Council is looking into the possibility of installing security fencing around the allotments on the outskirts
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Kids get a day to remember
15308/6GAZETTE & HERALD: HUNDREDS of children across Wiltshire flooded in to Longleat to enjoy a special day out organised by Rotarians. The Calne branch took 27 children from four primary schools, each with their own personal helper. KidsOut targets
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Clear path, say walkers
GAZETTE & HERALD: Walkers are calling for action to clear overgrowth on a footpath from Calne to Beckhampton. At present the footpath is so overgrown with grass and weeds it is almost impossible to use. Now Calne Community Area Transport is writing
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BEAUTIFUL WILTSHIRE
Check out our all new Wiltshire tourism section in association with Wiltshires Official Tourism website Visit Wiltshire. The website has some great new sections including Wiltshire features, Taste trails and Wiltshire attractions. The stunning countryside
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Date
Plans put forward to improve sport sites
GAZETTE & HERALD: Redevelopment plans for three sports sites in Calne have been drawn up following consultation with local groups. PMP Consultants, hired by Calne Town Council, have planned sports facilities at Beversbrook, Bremhill View and Anchor
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Volunteer army make home dream a reality
A week ago, a band of big-hearted volunteers began work on decorating the home of Nikki Randall and her three-year-old disabled daughter Jade and just look at what they've achieved. The band of helpers came forward after reading in the Gazette how single
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Opera concert helps orphans
FOR the first time in its history, the Devizes-based White Horse Opera company is raising money for charity with its forthcoming concert in the town hall on June 30. It is hoping to raise hundreds of pounds to support the work of the Mathieson Music School
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Man tagged for assault on market traders
DRUNKEN Mark Hiscock who assaulted two Devizes market traders has been electronically tagged. Hiscock, 30, was given a curfew order for three months by magistrates in Devizes. The order means Hiscock must remain in his home in Roseland Avenue, Devizes
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Son admits attack on dad
MAGISTRATES imposed a two year conditional discharge on John Tinnion after hearing how he attacked his father with a golf club. Kennet magistrates in Devizes were told on Tuesday that Tinnion, 20, is a patient at Green Lane Hospital, Devizes, and will
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Carnival queen to travel in pony trap
Carnival queen Sarah Fennell leads Bromham Carnival procession this weekend in a pony and trap. Sarah, whose sister Jenny was carnival queen some years ago, will be followed by the butterfly queen Sophie Watchman in an open top car. Carnival prince George
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Six months' jail for drunk
DARREN Waldie, 33, of no fixed address, has been sent to prison for six months for breaching his anti-social behaviour order for a third time. Waldie, who previously lived in Waiblingen Way, Devizes, was sent to prison by magistrates sitting in Chippenham
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Camilla joins Prince's visit
PRINCE Charles will be joined by his companion Camilla Parker-Bowles during his visit to Marlborough tomorrow, it was revealed this week. The prince's press office at Clarence House said it was not unusual for Mrs Parker-Bowles to join him on formal engagements
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Eagles are off the ground
A new team are joining the Trowbridge & District League this season and are looking for new players to join the side. Calne Eagles FC are hoping to build a team of players from the Calne and Chippenham area and will be holding a series of open training
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German music woos guests
13352/1MORE than 100 people attended the annual civic service of Devizes Mayor Margaret Taylor. Among the dignitaries were Sir Maurice Johnston, the Lord Lieutenant of Wiltshire, Judge John McNaught, the Honorary Recorder of Devizes, Coun Allan Peach,
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Rovers are back to life
Stratton Rovers (formerly TRAX Football Club) will have two teams in the Wiltshire League next season. Pre-season training starts on July 6 at the Premier Club in Stratton (6.45pm). First team manager Mick Hartley said: "Stratton Rovers was the first
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School day is real fairytale
13334/1PUPILS and staff at Nursteed Community Primary School in Devizes enjoyed dressing up as book characters to raise money for charity. Everyone dressed up in fancy dress last Friday following a reading week at the school. Each child was asked to pay
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Wine raiders caught red-handed by police
THREE men from the West Midlands were caught red-handed trying to steal thousands of pounds worth of wine from a lorry. Police found cases of wine stacked up in the men's van which had been taken from the lorry parked in the Bay Bridges layby on the A346
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Gazette writer's MBE
Hilda Swinney A WRITER who started her journalistic career with the Gazette and Herald as a village correspondent, has been awarded the MBE for services to journalism and the community in the Queen's Birthday honours list. Scots-born Hilda Swinney moved
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Trude back at school
13370/7TV VET Trude Mostue believes more people of her generation would have been keen to study science if they had had facilities like those just opened at Devizes School. Ms Mostue told the Gazette that the new science block at the school, which she
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Solstice warning
PARK at your peril is the warning Wiltshire police are giving to anyone intending to go to Avebury to see the midsummer sun rise on Monday. Hundreds of revellers are expected to flock to the village for the summer solstice in the hopes of seeing the sun
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Special needs kids' club faces fees shock
13381/2MEMBERS of a respite club for young people with special needs face a huge increase in admission fees and a reduction in club hours. The Saturday Specials session at the Leisure Centre in Marlborough, provides activities for five to 20-year-olds
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School plan for huge expansion
WILTSHIRE County Council has applied for planning permission to build an extension to Wansdyke Primary School in Devizes, even though other schools in the town are under threat because of empty classes. Kennet District Council received plans this week
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Town takes a bow
13355/1THE first event of Marlborough's 800th anniversary celebrations was absolutely magic and the verdict of almost 1,000 children must be right. The town's celebrations for the anniversary of the granting of its royal charter in 1204 kicked off on
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Trumpeter sounds welcome
13395/1TRUMPETER Stephen Berryman will welcome Prince Charles to the town hall tomorrow with a fanfare written for the royal visit. Wearing the red, period-style costume of a royal trumpeter, the 19-year-old from Back Lane will be playing A Fanfare to
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Camilla to join Charles on visit
PRINCE Charles will be joined by his companion Camilla Parker-Bowles during his visit to Marlborough tomorrow, it was revealed this week. The prince's press office at Clarence House said it was not unusual for Mrs Parker-Bowles to join him on formal engagements
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Angling diary
Weekend and future angling activities: This will be the first full weekend of the fishing season where we can now fish all rivers, canals and still waters as long as you have a current rod licence and a day ticket or club member for where you are fishing
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County's coach's bid to net young anglers
THE new river fishing season for fishing rivers opened yesterday and coach Danny Williamson is hoping to attract a new wave of youngsters to the sport. There is no closed season for fishing still waters and canals but the season for fishing flowing waterways
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Bank will not face closure
ALLIANCE and Leicester has announced its Swindon branch will not face closure. Yesterday the bank announced it would be closing 46 branches, with the loss of 310 jobs, from October 1, after carrying out a review. But Swindon's Regent Street branch has
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BEAUTIFUL WILTSHIRE
Check out our all new Wiltshire tourism section in association with Wiltshires Official Tourism website Visit Wiltshire. The website has some great new sections including Wiltshire features, Taste trails and Wiltshire attractions. The stunning countryside
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Date
Film festival for the stars of tomorrow
Ref. 30935-30FILMMAKERS of the future will be showcasing their work at a special film festival which Swindon College is planning to make an annual event. The students will screen 15 short films at the Arts Centre in Devizes Road, Old Town next week, giving
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Check out your rights
IS your company ready to tap into the talent and multi-million pound spending power of about 10 million people in Britain who are covered by the Disability Discrimination Act? If not, you need to start planning now before the business case is backed up
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Focus on help group that offers support
Focus is a group that looks out for the carer's needs, by means of support, information, activities and opportunities for relaxation throughout the year. Carers are also advised on benefits and given access to professional counselling. Gillian Barber,
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Pub is back in the picture for big game
Ref. 30906-62FOOTBALL is a game of two halves but disappointed drinkers at a Swindon pub were deprived of the second 45 minutes on Sunday. And the landlord of O'Neills in Fleet Street is hoping there won't be a repeat of the fiasco during today's screening
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Troublemakers warned
FANS causing causing trouble in Swindon should think again. Police chiefs, fearing an eruption in violence seen in other parts of the country earlier this week, have promised to nip any hint of trouble in the bud. Insp Simon Dicks, of Swindon police,
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A bonfire can soon become an inferno
FIREFIGHTERS are warning that bonfires can become infernos in the current spell of hot weather. They are speaking out after having to tackle two recent bonfires which began spreading rapidly. The first, in Pinehurst, spread to a large amount of garden
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Healthy way to get to school
Ref. 30933-31THE journey to and from school means lots of fresh air and fun for youngsters at Even Infants School in Swindon. Fifty-five children walked a special route from the school up Rodbourne Road to the Outlet Village yesterday to celebrate the
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Graffiti lout ruins church
POLICE are hunting a graffiti vandal following a 'tagging' spree in Highworth. The culprit appears to have targeted St Michael's Church. PC Karl Dolder, of Highworth police, urged residents to get in touch and name the offender. "These tags are extremely
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Itsy, bitsy, spider
Ref. 30934-65AROUND 40 children from a Wanborough school have been getting creepy-crawly as part of National Insect Week 2004. The children from Year Three at Wanborough County Primary School held millipedes and locusts before going out into the wilderness
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Artists' work goes on show
The talent of Swindon artists is once again on show at this year's Open Studios event. People will be able to view works by 53 artists 20 more than last year at various venues around the town. One of them is Dr Anil Barthakur who is showcasing his work
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Last call for music hall trip
SENIOR citizens' coach trips to an old time music hall venue reach the end of the road next week. For 20 years John Holmes, the owner of the town centre music shop which bears his name, and a tireless charity fundraiser, has organised trips to Turners
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Club stalwart nets town's top award
Ref. 30945-10HIGHWORTH hero Bernard Berry has been honoured for his role in getting the town a luxurious new football pavilion. For years, young soccer stars had to make do with getting changed in cars. But, thanks to Bernard, Highworth Junior Football
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Companies are warned
RESIDENTS are being warned against buying advertising space in publications claiming to be supported by Wiltshire Fire Brigade. The problem arises every few months across the Swindon area and the brigade is anxious to dissociate itself with any publications
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Hercules was hit by fighter jet in mid-air
THE Ministry of Defence has revealed it was a Turkmenistan Airforce fighter jet that struck a Hercules aircraft from RAF Lyneham in last month's mid-air smash. In a statement, Defence Minister Adam Ingram said a single fast interceptor had collided with
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Jon focuses on business
AN ENTERPRISING teenager has launched his own business. The 17-year-old student, who is coming to the end of his first year at New College, has started a scheme called Photo Finish. Jon scans in the original image to his computer, and then works his magic
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Matt's work earned him a top award
MATT McCue's devotion to the community earned him a People of Wiltshire Good Neighbour Award. His surveillance group Street Watch successfully cracked down on kerb crawlers and prostitutes in the Broad Street area. He was honoured with the award in July
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Wrong number
SWINDON Borough Council may be in need of urgent action to remedy its problems. But surely Coun Mike Bawden discussing council business on his mobile phone in the post office in Old Town is inappropriate? SAM EMERTON Rodbourne
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The fox facts
I read Peter Presland's letter (Evening Advertiser, June 10), with interest. I, too, am a huge admirer of Sir Winston Churchill, but no one can get it right all of the time. Foxes are top predators and, as such, regulate their own breeding populations
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Join group's bid to halt violence against women
I WOULD like to ask readers if they think it is ever excusable to hit a woman. In Turkey excuses given by men for beating women include that they've said hello to a male friend in the street, spent too long talking to shopkeepers or have stared out of
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Help and support on offer to cancer sufferers' carers
As Carers' Week 2004 started on June 14 I would like to take this opportunity to thank the six million carers in the United Kingdom whose valuable support enables their relatives or friends to be cared for in their own home. Macmillan Cancer Relief recognises
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Coate Water needs your help now
ALTHOUGH it is early days, more than 6,500 people have signed the Save Coate! petition that calls upon Swindon Borough Council to protect the countryside around Coate Water Country Park. Most signatures have been collected in the last few weeks at the
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Carnival help
May I, on behalf of the Calne carnival committee, give our thanks to the following people who so generously donated prizes to the grand carnival draw. They are as follows: the Talbot Inn, the Lansdown Strand Hotel, the Spice of Bengal, Guys and Dolls
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GPs' support
NOW that the consultation period for the provision of medical services in Devizes is over, the Devizes GPs await with interest the Primary Care Trust's decision. We hope that at least the current level of medical services is maintained, including the
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Cheap option
I WAS delighted to see that the council has moved the goalposts to the football pitch in Hillworth Park in order to allow the worn grass to be revived. The areas of bald pitch were seeded and in the initial stages started to grow. However, as the dry
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New hope as toddler responds to therapy
GAZETTE & HERALD: THE parents of three-year-old George Mitchell, who has a tumour on his brain, celebrated a small victory this week. Nearly two months ago Fraser Mitchell, 37, and his wife Sophie, 30, from Lyneham, made the agonising decision to
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New nursery opens doors
GAZETTE & HERALD: PARENTS and pre-schoolers are being invited to a preview of the new Redland neighbourhood nursery in Chippenham tomorrow. The Barnardo's-run nursery is opening its doors to parents and toddlers between 10am and 3pm, so they can see
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Young artists' work on show
GAZETTE & HERALD: St Peter's Primary School in Chippenham is hosting an art exhibition of children's work tonight for one night only. The exhibition is the result of a spring art project funded by the Borough Land's trust. Each of the nine classes
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Time travel
I HAVE heard the saying 'time flies when you're having fun'. Well, on our return from a couple of days at the coast we decided to go and have a look around the 'steam fair' in Marlborough High Street on Saturday only to be greeted with the sight of what
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Man fined for insults to officers
GAZETTE & HERALD: WAYNE Bull, 29, who swore at and insulted police officers outside the Rose and Crown pub in Chippenham, has been fined £60 by the town's magistrates. Bull, of Royal Oak Close, Chippenham, had pleaded guilty to a charge of being drunk
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Many thanks
ON behalf of the committee of the Devizes branch of the British Heart Foundation, our sincere thanks for the generosity of people giving to this charity at the recent street collection within the shopping area of Devizes. The amount raised during this
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Police praise
THE police came in for criticism in your issue of June 10 (letters page and page 13) for failing to stop the traffic during the Marlborough D-Day Remembrance ceremony at the town's war memorial. It was pointed out on both pages that two police officers
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A chance for writing talent
GAZETTE & HERALD: Chippenham Arts Festival is looking for budding poets and writers to take part in the festival's first writing competition. Local people who enjoy picking up a pen and scribing a line or two of verse, or fans of the short story,
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Meeting is set up to tackle vandalism
GAZETTE & HERALD: URGENT talks have been set up to try and tackle escalating problems of theft and vandalism in the Redland area of Chippenham. North Wiltshire District councillor Nina Phillips has arranged a meeting with the police and representatives
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Roadworks remind us of need for relief road
Next week, Wessex Water hopes to commence its water main work along London Road from Fussell Wadman to the Windsor Drive roundabout. This is the section on which signal- controlled, one-way working will be necessary for about 10 weeks. The work is scheduled
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Space race as rockets blast off
GAZETTE & HERALD: Parents and children put their heads together to create water rockets at a family learning day at St Paul's School, Chippenham. 3-2-1 Blast Off! was designed to help parents and children enjoy learning together. Around 130 people
